Psalm 57:1

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by" Psalm. 57:1

We've probably all watched a mother and father bird bring food to their young as they cry for nourishment in the nest. I had, as there is a pair of swallows on our veranda. The parent creatures always seem to care more for their young than they do for themselves.

On the other hand, turtles given no concern for their young. After mating, the female will dig a hole in the mud, lay her eggs, cover them with a mound of sticks, mud, and/or sand... and waddle away never to see her young hatch. Fortunately for us, God is not like the turtle. He even describes Himself in terms of winged fowl. God has wings!

That's what David says in today's verse. "... in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge ...." What a perfect picture of protection. David wrote this psalm after he fled from Saul. In particular, it was after David had hidden in a cave to elude his pursuer only to watch Saul enter the mouth of the cave and use it for his personal restroom. He was so close to David that our young hero took his knife and cut a piece off the hem of Saul's cloak!

David realized that he was not hiding in the cave. It was not the darkness that protected him. It was not his wit that kept him from harm. David realized it was the protection of God that hid him from the clutches of a deranged king. "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, For my soul takes refuge in You ..." David realized there was only one hiding place for the soul - in the presence of God.

Most of us are just "chicks" in this world. The term is not used in relationship to "age." It is used in relation- ship to our ability to take care of ourselves. Oh, we try. We gain great amounts of knowledge and think we have something. We achieve great heights in our field of expertise and believe we have climbed a great mountain and have acquired greatness. We work hard and retire with sufficient wealth to live the remainder of our years in comfort and leave some for the kids, and we feel that this is what life is all about. But we are just fooling ourselves. We cannot work out anything of lasting value. Where is our wealth when we die? Where is our success in business, or education? Are we remembered a generation or two after our death by anyone other than a random great grandchild? Few of us are.

No, our measure of success is determined by what lasts for eternity. What have we done for Jesus? What have we accomplished for God? How have we allowed the Holy Spirit to lead us? Those are the questions we must ask. And the answer always returns, we are nothing ... except for God. And when the times really became rough, we hide in the shadow of His wings. As Twila Paris wrote: "They don't know that I go running home when I fall down, they don't know who picks me up when no one is around; I drop my sword and cry for just awhile. 'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child." Amen and Amen.

1 Peter 1:13

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:13

Do you want to win? Do you really want to win? Then you must train. No boxer will enter the ring without proper training. It would be suicide. So with us, if we want to win the important battles, we must train.

Fortunately, Peter gives us a training schedule - the things that need to be worked on the most if we expect to win. First, gird yourself for action. This involves putting on the proper garments - We need to be wearing the full armor of God. We must prepare our minds with the weapon of our warfare - the Word of God. We must allow it to flood our thoughts so that we may fight effectively with our best weapon.

Second, keep sober in spirit. This doesn't mean that we can't have fun. It means that while we go through our lives, we need to keep alert. Like a soldier on the field of battle, we must keep our spiritual eyes always open - always looking this way and that for sneak attacks from the enemy.

Third, fix your hope completely on the grace of Jesus. There is nothing more important than realizing that the battle is ours. No matter how out numbered, how under powered, how grim the vision is, our hope and our faith is to be in Jesus Christ. If we will keep that in mind at all times, we shall remain strong in Him. And the battle will be ours - we will WIN!

You say you have no vision of grace? Sure you do. It was given to you the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Remember it? Remember how clean and fresh you felt that day? It is still there. Look to it. Attach your hope to it. It is a lifeline that you will never consume - it will always be there. Follow these three steps and victory is assured. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Eccl. 2:11

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" Eccl 2:11

Solomon was an amazing man. As a young leader, he renounced gold and power in favor of wisdom when God offered him a choice. He chose wisdom so he could lead his nation in right paths. He thus became the wisest man ever to live. In the process, he was granted both wealth and power. And what did he do with it?

Read the book of Ecclesiastes and you will certainly have your eyes opened! He squandered it all in search of pleasure. He had more wives than any man could enjoy. He topped that with concubines to serve his every wish. He amassed great wealth and spent it upon himself. He built beautiful cities as monuments to himself. He spread his influence around the known world - to draw attention to himself. All of this and more did he do - to please himself.

Near the end of his life, he penned the words to this revealing book. Multiple times he repeats some variation of today's verse. "All was vanity." There was no profit in it. It served no lasting purpose. After all. Where are all of Solomon's buildings? In ruins. And his military accomplishments? In dust. His great wealth? Gone with the wind. Even the majestic Temple he built as a dwelling place for God was destroyed, smashed to bits, plundered, and hauled away by Israel's enemies. In the end, Solomon realizes that all earthly things are "vanity."

The only thing that lasts is what a person does for God. Serve God. Live for Him. Spend all the energy you have in His service and you will be building up great treasures - not on earth, but in Heaven where it really counts! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Amos 5:4

"For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: "Seek Me and live" Amos 5:4

A question has been inside my head lately. I've thought a lot about it. I've asked others about it. I'll ask you about it. " OK, Pastor Edwin, what's the question?" Thought you would never ask. Here it is: "Who are you living for?"

To be honest, I have to say that I live a large part of my life for myself. I'm not proud of that fact. I'm rather ashamed, to be honest. If I were to add up the minutes of my day on a ledger with two columns the first being labeled "The Lord's Minutes" and the second "My Minutes" - well, come midnight, I don't really think I want to check the totals. I'm not trying to lay a guilt trip on myself or you or anyone else, but I do have to ask myself these questions:

1.. "How many minutes a day do I read my Bible?"
2.. "How many minutes a day do I pray?"
3.. "How many minutes a day do I share my faith with others?"
4.. "How many minutes a day do I thank the Lord for His kindness towards me?"
5.. "How many minutes a day do I sing His praises?"
6.. Then there are these questions: "How many minutes a day do I over eat?"
7.. "How many minutes a day do I think about what I want?"
8.. "How many minutes a day do I do what I want to do?"
9.. "How many minutes a day do I promote myself?"

Well, that's enough questions because they reveal too well that I tend to live for myself much more than I live for Jesus. What about you? Amen and Amen.

Psalm 103:13-14

"As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" Psalm 103:13-14

Wouldn't it be a scary thing if our God was not compassionate? Could you imagine the fear we would live in if our God were mean like the false gods? You borrow a penny from your wife's purse without her knowing. Is it stealing? Will God strike you with lightning - or worse yet - a lingering fatal illness? You say an angry, hateful thing to your mother. Do you duck for fear of some celestial punishment? Talking about living in fear, that would do it.

Fortunately our God had great compassion on those of us who have a healthy fear of Him. That fear is a healthy respect for, not a breath wrong and you die type of fear. Because of this great love, we live in peace knowing that forgiveness is always available should we sin.

Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten that God can be a severe judge. We take for granted that He will love us no matter what. We have not seen an Ananias and Saphira type of incident in our churches lately. So what is there to fear. We can neither see God nor feel Him nor hear Him with an audible voice. This all gives rise to the question "Does he really exist? And even if He does, is He really interested in what I do? "Sure, we never really ask those questions. But we all too often live like we did. Think about it. What do you really think about God? Who is He really? What is your real relationship with Him? Do you really know Him? Do you really care about what He says? I urge you to honestly answer these questions. If you do, you may be surprised about how much you have to grow in your spiritual life. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Psalms 103:12

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us" Psalms 103:12

Something strange happens when we are forgiven. Though God forgets, we don't forgive ourselves. How often we think about our past sins. How frequently we pray, "God, I've sinned the same thing again!" All we are saying is that we haven't forgiven ourselves. We still have our eyes set upon our past. Don't get me wrong. It is not bad to look at the past. We must learn from our mistakes. We must realize how we got into the mess that caused us to "fall" into sin. If we don't, we are condemned to continually repeat our sins. The truth is that we must remember our past, but in remembering, we must grow beyond it.

The thing that is wrong is dwelling upon the sins of the past - continually feeling condemned because of those sins. After all, when you are forgiven, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! Get that? The psalmist says that God removes our sins "as far as the east is from the west." Think about it. Can you ever go so far east that there is no longer an east before us? Absolutely not! We can never come "full circle" and become reattached to our sins. Can't be done. Our problem is that we cling to them. Perhaps they are a crutch we think will help us hobble into God's ways. Maybe we hold to them as a lifeline - thinking that if this "God thing" doesn't work out that we can follow that line back to the old ways. We might even think that we need to punish ourselves by pondering what we were, constantly whipping our spiritual selves so that we can be forgiven. We may even think that we can straddle the fence and live a bit in both worlds. WE CAN'T!

It is time to realize that when God forgives us, we need to forgive ourselves and quit dragging up those sins. It is time that we understand that when we ask to be forgiven, the guilt is gone. Any further guilt we fell is not conviction which leads us to reconciliation with God, but is condemnation which comes to us from Satan and leads to eternal damnation.

If you've sinned, ask God to forgive knowing that He will. Then move on into the future knowing that God is your right hand, your strength, your salvation. All things past are forgiven. All things are made new. This day is like God's grace. It is new, fresh, and clean just waiting for us to make it into a good day! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Isaiah 6:4-5

"And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts" Isa. 6:4-5

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to all on that day?
Traditional Folk Song

I am positive that this is the way Isaiah felt when he saw the vision of the Lord. He wanted to hide. You and I would have wanted no less. Being in the presence of God would be a frightening event - and Isaiah knew more than anyone that he was a "sinner man"! He even recorded his thoughts for us to read nearly 2500 years later. "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." He was ready to die. He knew the consequences of seeing God. He knew it was death - it always had been. And it would have been this time except for one very important action. An angel flew to him and touched his lips with a burning coal taken from the altar of the Lord. The burning coal cleansed our budding prophet and made him fit for an audience with the King of Kings. (I'm certainly glad that I have been redeemed by the blood of the Messiah. I'm not sure I am ready to have my lips touched with a burning coal from anything!)

Isaiah made himself available when God called for someone to go for Him. "Here am I, send me." We know Isaiah as one of the "Major Prophets," the author of one of the most read of the Old Testament books. In his writings, he foretold the coming of the restoration of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the nature of the new Kingdom of God. In the process, he tells us part of the history of the world and the nature of the conflict of which the earth and its human inhabitants are the prize to be won. Isaiah is a great man! But it wasn't always that way.

He was just a simple man like you and me. He was a sinner looking forward to the saving Messiah, "sometime," and until the Messiah came he was prepared to offer his peace offerings to the God of Abraham in order to roll his sins back for another year. That all changed when God called him. And Isaiah's response to God's call was the moment that Isaiah ceased being a "simple sinner man" and became a "mighty man of God."

That event is the only thing that makes Isaiah different from you and me. He answered the call. Then again, you and I may have already answered the call of God. I know I have... several times, for the call of God is seldom a one-time event. And it is seldom static. When God finds a person willing to be used of Him, He continues to use that individual for many other events. The only two questions remaining for us are these: 1)have we heard the call, and 2)are we willing to say "Here am I, send me"? Amen and Amen.

2 Tim 1:5

"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also" 2 Tim 1:5

There are many accounts of "little people", the common man or woman, being used of God in mighty ways. We could talk of many of the prophets. We obviously recall a young woman, Mary, and her betrothed, Joseph. We might call them "salt of the earth" type of people. James and John, Peter and Andrew, fishermen with no other life in sight until Jesus walked down the beach near their boats and called them to follow Him and He would make them "fishers of men." Stephen, the disciple who became a deacon and suffered martyrdom for his preaching and Phillip the evangelist transported from the wilderness to the heart of another revival are two more of the small folk made huge by the call of God.

There is one more individual I believe we should look at. He was the offspring of a Jewish woman and a gentile man, raised in a gentile nation to follow God's laws. Timothy was called by Paul to be a companion and a student. He had little to offer except willingness to learn and the heritage of a godly mother and a godly grandmother. As a youth he began to serve Paul the Apostle. He followed him throughout the Middle Eastern and European countries of the day, absorbing the vast knowledge stored by God in the heart of Paul. Finally, Paul began to send Timothy on errands of great import until Paul made Timothy the pastor of a church that needed a gentle but firm hand.

Timothy was on his own, but not without the prayers and instruction of the great Apostle. We are fortunate to have two of the letters Paul wrote to Timothy because in them the Apostle taught Timothy, and the church as a whole, how to organize and grow a powerful local congregation. In due season, church history tells us that Timothy became a very influential bishop (elder/pastor) of the whole region, leading the churches and training men in the ways Paul was taught by Jesus in the wilderness.

Timothy had one major asset: a willingness to serve ... to be used... by God. He apparently had no great wealth. He had just a basic education. He was nothing outstanding to the world, but Paul saw something in him and assisted God in bringing it out in the open. God can do the same for and through you. He takes the simple things and makes them great. A few small fish and a handful of little loaves fed 5,000 men. A simple gold coin was used to teach about taxes and God's will for His children. A little child was the object of a lesson on the simple faith. A grain of mustard seed taught about the kingdom. A grain of salt taught us about how important we are in the world around us. And twelve simple men started a church on the Day of Pentecost.

You, my brothers and sisters in Christ, are the salt of the earth, and God wants to use you to enhance the Kingdom in your neighborhood, your state, your nation, and your world. He will take whatever small offering you have to give and multiply it over and over until multitudes are fed from what you give. But you must give it in order for Him to multiply it. You must be willing to be an offering, poured out, so that He can fill you with His glory. You must obediently raise your hand and place it in the nail-pierced palm of Jesus so He can lead you in the ways only you can tread. You ... must ... willingly... yield ... yourself ... to ... Jesus. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Heb. 11:3

"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" Heb. 11:3

I've heard it and I'm sure you have too. "You must step out in blind faith." I've always wondered what "blind faith" is. Is it limited to those who are physically blind? Does one have to be totally blind to reality to have it? Exactly what do people mean when they use the term and is it a biblically based concept?

I had a dream once. I was walking in a pitch-black night. Nothing could be seen; even my hand was hidden from sight if I held it inches from my face. As with most people, after a while I became totally disoriented and was afraid to move anywhere. This was especially true when I heard the sound of rushing waters immediately in front of me - or was it all around me? The sound seemed to move from front to back to side and back again. Darkness does that to a person's senses. It seems like I prayed in the midst of that dream for I heard a voice saying, "Take one step at a time." I questioned the wisdom of that advice ... until I looked down and saw a faint glow on a rock immediately in front of me. I stepped out and the light became brighter illuminating the single step I was to take. As I moved each foot forward, a light illuminated the next step, and the next. Never was more than one step lit. Always the light glowed as I took the next step. I don't recall reaching a destination, but I do know I was filled with a peace knowing that the Light, which I know is Jesus Christ, directed each step of my path.

Was that "blind faith"? Some might say it was. But I know the truth. My faith was founded on two things. The first was the Voice. The second was the first glimmer of the faint light on the first rock. No, this was not blind faith. It was faith in Someone I had confidence in.

The Hebrews writer tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) He would assure us that there is no such thing as blind faith. In today's verse, he tells us that our faith, our confidence, is in a power much greater than ourselves. We look at the world around us and know that it was made by the spoken word of God out of apparent nothingness. Liberal thought would have us believe that the world "just happened" when for some reason a single particle of something unexplainably moved out of its predetermined path and struck another particle of something - they call it the "big bang theory." Yeah, sure. And where did the particles come from? And why did one of them deviate from its ageless path? The answer is vague stammering because there is no answer in neither scientific nor philosophical thought.

True faith is never really blind. It is founded upon the power and authority of one we can trust - the God of creation. While it may seem to be "blind" at times, the truth is that faith is based upon a reality that is more real than the keyboard I am using to write this epistle. When we have learned to trust in God, the most outlandish sounding command from Him is nothing but a foregone conclusion. He has made it possible. He will make it come to pass. All we have to do is take the first step... and the next ... and the next... until we reach the destination He has set for us.

Blind faith? The world might think so. But you and I know that the faith we have is never blind, but built upon the creator of all reality. Go ahead. Take the first step. See the light glowing dimly? Trust in the God who created the light and the rock and the river and you. He works all in perfect harmony. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Prov. 23:23

"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding" Prov. 23:23

In a Beatles song, the wizards of rock sang these words, "Money can't buy you love." Despite the truth of these words, most of us continue to accumulate wealth hoping that we can buy, if not love, at least happiness. It amazes me how fast purchased happiness drains into the mundane then into the realms of drudgery.

Solomon, in his vast wisdom, tells his son that two things can, and should, be bought - truth and wisdom. The two are not the same, though many people try to make them that way. Nor is wisdom gained at the same time that knowledge is attained. Wisdom is based upon truth. Wisdom is the life application of knowledge in a good and just way. Money can buy knowledge; that is why we send our children to the best university we can afford. We want them to gain knowledge, vast amounts of knowledge, because we know that they will need it in the every day life of adulthood.

Wisdom is purchased with a currency that is not printed by the Government of Hong Kong. Nor does any government or set of government coin that currency. The currency with which one buys wisdom is time. Effective use of the time currency begins at birth as the mother and the father begin the decades long instructions that will mold an infant into a productive adult. The parents invest the initial currency because Junior has nothing to invest. He is more interested in eating, sleeping, and dirtying diapers. Eventually Junior learns to sit on Daddy's knee and listen to stories that Daddy and Mommy tell about their youth. He is now investing his own currency. If everything works out right, Junior will gain the seeds of wisdom in these precious moments. In due course, Junior will have gained enough wisdom in this manner to be able to water the seeds planted by his parents and reap sufficient harvest along the way to keep himself in God's paths. All the time he continues to gain more wisdom because wisdom begets wisdom.

Sad is the youth who ignores "the old man" and grows into adulthood as a fool. He saddens the heart of his parents. He makes a mockery of all that has been invested in him by family, teachers, pastors, and friends. His currency is wasted on debauchery and self-indulgence.

Let us buy truth and wisdom. It is never to late to begin our collection. Our collection can never be too big. And wisdom never goes out of date nor does it "spoil"! Amen and Amen.

Prov. 11:4-5

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright" Prov. 11:4-5

We've probably all heard the story of the two men who paused to pay their respect to an approaching funeral procession. As the men took off their hats, they watched as the hearse quietly rolled by followed by an armored car with the name "Brinks" painted on the side. One respectfully noted to the other, "I didn't think you could take it with you, but Mr. Brinks is sure going to try."

There is an old song that says, "Money can't buy you love." And that is a very true saying. Money can buy companionship. Money can buy a false sense of friendship. Money can buy health - to a certain extent. Money can buy lots of things that make life easier on this sparkling blue orb we call "Earth," but money can't do a thing for the man who is bound for hell. Money won't buy an air conditioner there. It won't purchase a drink of cool water. It won't even buy friendly companionship in that overheated dwelling of the ever-dying sinner. Solomon tells us that riches are worthless in the day of wrath ... the day of judgment.

On the other hand, righteousness won't buy pleasures on earth. It won't buy a fast car. It won't purchase the goods that men seem to lust after. But it will buy peace of mind, and happiness, and contentment. It will buy what money can't - it can buy love. What's more, righteousness will deliver the owner from the eternal death of hell and deliver him into the glories of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.

In the days of the ancient kings, runners would precede the king's travel by weeks. They would tell the local residents that the king would arrive in their village on such-and-such a day. The village chiefs would arrange work crews to travel the length of the roadway to make the paths smooth for the king. Potholes would be filled. Rough road would be smoothed. Valleys would be filled and hills would be cropped off so the king would have a safe and comfortable ride through the village lands. This is what the king's influence bought him.

Our righteousness - and that is a gift from our King - is what makes our paths smooth and safe and comfortable. Certainly, I am not talking about a "pain free life." Quite the contrary, the life of the true believer might be fraught with great trials producing physical and emotional pain. Some of us might even lose our lives because of the choice we have made to follow in the footsteps of the King. But, all the while, we are comforted by the knowledge that this life is nothing but a passing vapor compared to the vast riches of eternity. All the suffering we endure on earth are just "hiccups" on the way to the rewards offered by the King of Kings to those who overcome.

If we can keep this in mind, we will be at peace ... because of our righteousness in Christ Jesus - and such a comforting thought it is! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Eph. 1: 7-8

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence" Eph 1:7-8

We all love to have things lavished on us. Women love to be loaded down with diamonds, furs and chocolates. Men adore a woman who buys them tools, remotes controls, gizmos and gadgets and they love to use these items with us. We all love Christmas and birthdays (yes, even those over 50 - but we just don't show it as much). Why? We love the attention we get on those special days.

God has lavished gifts on us as well. He gave us the gift of redemption - He paid our penalty for our sins - through His Son, Jesus. He has poured forgiveness on us. Why, because He loves us. It comes from His vast, immeasurable storehouse of grace.

Perhaps you have never accepted that great gift of salvation. Do it now. Perhaps you have lost that gift sometime in the past. He is still offering it to you. Take it . . . again. Maybe you think your sins are too great for God to forgive. Your sins cannot be bigger than God's grace. He loves you so much that if you were the only sinner, He would still have sent His Son to die for your sins. Accept His forgiveness now, today! It is free for the taking. (I know you are thinking "it can't be that easy." It is, He offers it freely. The hard part is humbling yourself to take it - it is easier to give than receive.)

There has never been a sinner who called on God who has been turned away. God's arms are open wide for all who seek Him. He doesn't play "hide and seek" with you. He says "seek Me and you shall find me. Call upon me and I will answer." Today is your day! Seek, call and receive! Amen and Amen.

Are YOU Right with God?

True Christianity is not about attending a particular church, or how your parents raised you, or what country you were born in. Being a Christian means that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that He is your Savior. It's not good enough that your priest, pastor, mother, or aunt knows Jesus, you must know Him for yourself. They cannot believe in Him for you, you must believe for yourself. They cannot repent for you, you must repent for yourself.

Jesus is everywhere all the time. He can hear you now if you ask Him for forgiveness. Please turn your life over to Him NOW. Time slips by so quickly, don't miss this opportunity. If you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior, you can say a prayer something like this:

"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You." Thank You Jesus, Amen

If you have prayed this, YOU ARE SAVED! You are now completely forgiven, a new creation, innocent in the eyes of God, please e-mail me and let me know and I will guide you toward Fellowship and Baptism. Welcome to the family of God! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Gal 5:24

"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" Gal 5:24

This is my thought about today's verse. When a man is crucified, he's dead. And when you are dead, you're dead! Those of us who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh. We are dead - dead to the flesh - dead to our passions - dead to our desires - DEAD!

Now if this is true, why do I still have ungodly desires? If this is true, why do I still yield to the flesh and it's passions? Because these things still bother me, does that mean that I am not one who belongs to Jesus? Am I a failure as a Christian? Are my adoption papers not in order? Do I really belong to Satan and not God?

Perhaps you think the same way. Have I struck a nerve? I suspect that all of us feel that way at times - perhaps more often than not. Rest assured, you are still a child of the King if you have called upon the Name of Jesus. The intent of the Apostle is not to discourage, but to encourage.

What is dead is the strings that attach us to these fleshly desires and passions. They no longer bind us. They are cut loose - destroyed - by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of the Lord. Can we still relish in them? Yes. Do we? All too often. Can we break free? Absolutely! All we have to do is choose to be free - to enjoy the freedom our Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ has given us. If you are bound today with bonds that have been broken, you are free - you just need to realize it, accept it, and refuse to be bound again! That choice is yours because the old bonds have been crucified - they are dead! And when they are dead, they are dead FOREVER. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

1 Sam. 17:48

"So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine" 1 Sam. 17:48

I had never seen something in this verse until a visiting preacher mentioned it one day in his sermon. "David ran quickly toward the battle line." I don't know how many times I've preached on this topic, but I never saw that David ran.

I don't know about you, but I can just see a few people giving David advice about the upcoming encounter with Goliath. The first gentleman probably suggested that David take it slow and "sneak up on the fellow." Good advice that is. Surely if David were to advance stealthily toward the foe, he could then get close enough to do some serious damage by stabbing the giant in the back.

Another more seasoned soldier may have suggested that David wait for the proper time to attack. What was the hurry? After all, the Israeli army had waited forty days already. Why rush into matters. It could be hazardous to David's health.

Saul himself suggested that David prepare himself for battle by wearing a good coat of arms. And whose would be finer than Saul's armor? David certainly couldn't proceed into battle without some kind of protection. Oh, and did David know how to properly throw a javelin? And could he use the fighting sword effectively. This would surely be a major battle. Perhaps a bit of practice with the equipment would be good.

Another fellow gave perhaps the advice most of us would take. "Run for your life! Run back to your father!" Sounds good to me! Who am I to face the giant? What has he done to me?

But, praise God, David had other thoughts. From his experience as a shepherd, he knew that danger meant destruction. The sooner he met the enemy, the fewer sheep he would loose. David was used to rushing into battle. And this battle was no different. Nor would he take time to study the man. He already knew the man's weak point. This man was making fun of David's God, and God would fight the battle. That was Goliath's weakness. As for preparation, he needed nothing more. He had face the lion and the bear head on. He would meet this beast of a man in the same manner. And the armor? All he needed was his trusty sling and a few good, round river stones. That was what he used on the lion. The bear could not defeat that foe. The God-given projectile brought both of them to the ground. They would do the same for this giant of a man.

So David rushed into battle. He swung his sling round and round building up great speed. Then, at just the right moment, he released the stone. It arched high overhead and, true to its mark, struck the giant in his one physically vulnerable spot. The stone sank deep into the forehead of the foe knocking him unconscious. With a thud he hit the ground and David pulled the giant's own sword from its sheath and beheaded his foe.

Are you cowering behind the rocks in the presence of your enemy? Are you waiting for the right moment to attack? Have you put on someone else's armor and feel that it just doesn't fit? Have you turned tail and headed for home for your father? STOP! Jesus is your right hand. He is your shield and buckler. He has given you all that you need to win this battle you face. Now, today, run into the fray for the victory is yours! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Acts 9:3

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven" Acts 9:3

Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute a distant batch of believers in Jesus. He had no love for them because they were a threat to his precious Judaism. On the way he had an interesting experience. A bright light shown about him and, evidently, he looked at it. After a voice spoke to him with instructions on what to do next, Saul found himself to be blind. We recognize the light to be God. And Saul was blinded by the glory of the Lord.

The story would be pointless and not worth recording if it stopped there. But Saul followed the instructions, was prayed for by Ananias, and was healed of his blindness. Still, that is not the end of the story. Saul began to preach the very Gospel he had formerly despised - and became the persecuted Apostle of Jesus Christ. Of course we know Saul as Paul and owe our salvation to his wonderful works among the European gentiles.

Paul's experience points out something that none of the other examples of "viewing the face of God" seems to make. Paul was radically changed. He even underwent a name change to demonstrate the changes made in his life. When we look on the face of God, we too will be changed. The unfortunate thing is that we often look around for God. We sometimes even enter His presence. But few of us ever take the bold step to gaze into the face of the Father. Oh, we will never be able to make out the features - the glory is far to blinding for that. We will, however, be changed forever. We will never be the "old man" we were. We will never be able to do the things we did once we have seen God.

Maybe that is why we look for Him and never find Him. Perhaps that is why we look around Him but never at Him. We don't want to be changed. We want to remain in total control of our lives. We just want to enjoy a bit of the glory while we continue in our old paths. We want to sit on the spiritual "fence" and balance precariously between Heaven and Hell. The really weird thing is that we honestly believe we can do it! Amen and Amen.

1 Sam. 17:40

"Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine." 1 Sam. 17:40

Sometimes smaller is better. When some people fish for large fish, They use a large lure. When they are fishing for smaller fishes, they use a small hook with a small bait. Fishes such as crappie have a small, delicate mouth that needs a deft touch. Large fishes have very large mouths with a rather touch lip. When they are hooked, the fish will put a great amount of stress on the tackle and their own mouths. The tackle used for fishing is dependent upon the type of fish that one is fishing for. Larger is not necessarily better. Smaller can be just as effective - and a lot more fun - ask anyone who has caught a four-pound fish while fishing ussing light gear for a one-pound fish.

David was offered the weaponry of King Saul in the quest to eliminate an enemy of God - Goliath. I chuckle at the sight of little David waddling around in the massive armor of King Saul who stood head-and-shoulders above all of his kinsmen! That must have been a sight. Wisely, David removed the king's armament and used the tools most familiar to him. He walked to a stream, bent down looking for a familiar shape, found five, and placed the small round river stones in his leather pouch. With these, his sling, and his shepherd's rod David ran to meet his foe.

Goliath laughed in derision. A little boy with small stones against the best they had to offer? Preposterous! Goliath smelled a great victory at hand for his country. He would crush this little lad in his huge paws. David stood his ground, loaded his sling, and sent the stone flying - straight into the forehead of Goliath. I can almost hear the gasp as the giant fell like a mighty Redwood tree. Their hero, their savior, their mighty warrior was dead - killed by a little boy and a small stone. God used these little things to win a might battle that day. And the little fellow was to become the mighty king of Israel.

Perhaps your skills are limited. All you have to offer is the ability to patch clothes. You have learned nothing else. God can use that skill to bring down strongholds. Maybe you have nothing to offer but the skills necessary to clean house. The house of the Lord is always in need of house keepers. Whatever you have to offer, God can use. And what you don't have, He will provide when the time comes. I know. As a boy, I had little to offer. I was less than a stellar student. I had no particular abilities. But I was willing. God has used my humble offerings in so many whys that I have become known as a "Jack-of-all-trades." The Lord took what I handed Him and made it into something He could use. He can do the same with whatever you have. All you have to do is offer it as a holy sacrifice to Him. Amen and Amen.

Mark 14:27

"Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: "I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered." Mark 14:27

It's interesting what happens when a leader falls. In most cases his following breaks apart. It may take a while. There may be a power struggle among his sub-leaders, but sooner or later the breakup will occur. It happened to Alexander the Great. It happens on the modern battle field. And it happened to the 12.

Jesus fell - He was arrested, imprisoned, beaten, judged and crucified. Of the 12 apostles, only one was found at the foot of the cross - John. Peter denied the Lord and went out and wept bitterly. Judas, filled with remorse, flung the 30 pieces of silver in the faces of the priests and hanged himself. The others fled in their own way.

Only the women seemed to be clinging to the last bit of hope. Some how, some way the remaining 11 and the women and a few other disciples made their way back to the upper room . ...but the mood was gloomy. "What will we do now?" was a common question. Doubt filled their hearts. Depression filled their minds.

Even the women were figuring out how they would get into a sealed tomb to finish the embalming process that was cut short by the sunset and beginning of the Sabbath. They were scattered, lost, lonely, and fearful. Jesus' words were true - as always. But something was different about this scattering.

The Leader would not remain dead. The embalming spices would not be needed. Even Thomas' doubts would be erased. The Leader would raise from the dead. The Shepherd would gather his scattered flock. The seemingly derailed move of God would once again be on track.

Even today, the Church, the Flock, seems to be scattered. In most towns in the world there are Churches on every corner - all proclaim the Good News that Jesus is alive - but they refuse to fellowship with each other. Pastors of differing denominations gather in ministerial alliances - and argue about doctrine. Baptist is turned against Baptist. Methodist against Methodist. Lutheran against Lutheran. Backbiting and distrust permeate the relationship so that the world views a Church that is far from the united powerful organization that God intended. Come Lord Jesus. Unite your Flock again. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Eph. 4:30

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30

Sometimes it just happens. It isn't necessarily something big that causes it, sometimes it is. Grief happens. A little girl cuts her own hair with a pair of "play" scissors. Momma cries the cry of the grief-stricken. A grown woman sees a billboard with the picture of an aborted baby - and weeps copious tears. An aged man looses his driver's license because he is no longer safe on the road - his grief is expressed in anger. Grief doesn't have to be caused by the death of a loved one. Grief can strike anyone at any age for the simplest of reasons. But the grief is
just as strong.

Paul tells us that we should avoid grieving the Holy Spirit. We all know we do that by committing some great, grievous, "unpardonable" sin. Right? Not always the case. Look at the context of this verse. That's right, it is in the middle of a discussion of our speech habits - our word usage. It is not the great and horrible things that grieve the Holy Spirit, it is the little day-by-day things that we say and do. It is the little jab we direct towards a friend in jest. It is the petty theft of paper and toner as we make personal copies on the company copy machine. It is the long distance call we "forget" to log on the company phone. It is the glance on another's paper in the middle of a test. It is the "off color" word we use indiscriminately in our daily conversations.
These are the kinds of things that grieve the Holy Spirit.

So what happens when the Holy Spirit is grieved? Like the little girl that lost a favorite dolly, He cries. He withdraws from the offense. He withholds His blessings. He eventually ceases to communicate with the offending party. While the Holy Spirit is God, His reactions are much like ours - no, our reactions are much like His. We are made in the image of God, not the other way around.

So you want evidence of this statement, do you? Remember Ananias, and his wife Sapphira? They told a little white lie to Peter - the representative of the Holy Spirit - and they died. How about King Saul? He continually broke the express directions of the Holy Spirit as related through the prophet, Samuel. The result was the departing of the Spirit of God from the king - and eventual death. Even King David broke the commands of God and ordered a census taken of all the men of Israel. The Holy Spirit withdrew from David and thousands of Israelis were killed by the angel of the Lord.

Hummm, I don't think I want to grieve the Holy Spirit. Do you? But I do; and you do, and we will. So how do we quit this destructive pattern? We ask the Spirit to put a seal on our lips to prevent us from speaking harshly. We ask the Lord to lead us to conviction when we do those offending acts. And, we seek to be warned when we think about doing them and ask for strength to forgo the committing of offending actions. Lord, give us strength! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Eph. 4:25

"Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another." Eph. 4:25

You must quit lying.

"Hey, Rev. Edwin. You do not even know me. How can you say thatI am a liar?" That is easy. We are all liars, myself included. "How can you know that? You have never asked a question of me that I have answered." I know it because I know how most people in the world answer one simple question. "How are you?" Did you answer, "Fine?" Is that your automatic response answer? Are you really fine? Are you always fine when you answer that question in this way? See what I mean?

Most people are chronic liars. We all have a chronic habit of presenting our "best face forward." We have built up a persona that we want the worldto see - including our best friends. We may want them to see us as "sweet and innocent," or "rough and ready," or "tough as nails," or "in total control of our own situation." Some of you ladies "paint" yourfaces to cover "flaws" that you know exist in the surface of your natural appearance, or to make yourself more attractive than you really are.

While some of those flaws are real, most are imagined or at least exaggerated. Men, please don't feel smug. We all do the same thing. Have you known someone who combed his hair over the top to cover a bald spot? Do you know a friend who dyed his hair to cover up his white hairs? Do you have a friend who wears a full beard to "hide" a recessed chin, or a childhood scar, or an imagined flaw? How many of us"suck it in" when a pretty lady walks buy, but let it "all hand out"when with our wives?

We are liars. We answer, "fine" when we have a miserable headache,or an aching back, or a breathing problem, or a cold, or... well you get the point. We just don't want people to know what we are reallylike. We want them to see what we want them to think we are. But by doing so we are not being honest.

Dudley Moore, in the 1998 movie "Crazy People," started an advertising business in the asylum where he was committed. All of their advertising had one rule, it must tell the truth. TheVolvo is "boxy" but built to last. A Big Mac might be labeledas "full of fat, but tastes great!" The premise of this flick was that most advertising is not honest.

What would the world be like if all of us were honest? No, let's change that. What would our world be like if Christians were honest? Perhaps we wouldhave fewer feuds in our churches if we were honest and up front in the very beginning. "Rev. John, I really don't like the colour of the carpet we have chosen for the sanctuary. Could we perhaps compromise and go with this color? I know it is not my favorite nor yours, but it has a bit of both colors and is quite attractive." That might shocka few pastors!

Then again, returning to our original question, "How are you today?" imagine the possibilities if the response was, "I have a bit of a headache. Would you pray with me about it?" Or, "I'll tell you the truth, Terry. James and I just had a serious blowout. Will you help me seek God on this matter? I am willing to let the Holy Spirit change me if that will fix the problem." Hmmmmmmmm. Imagine the potential. Amen and Amen.

Ephesians 6:17

The Word of God is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the list of armor. Since Paul used hema instead of logos for "word" in Ephesians 6:17, I believe Paul is referring to the spoken Word of God. We are to defend ourselves against the evil one by speaking aloud God's Word.

Why is it so important to speak God's Word in addition to believing it and thinking it? Because Satan is a created being, and he doesn't perfectly know what you're thinking. By observing you, he can pretty well tell what you are thinking, just as any student of human behavior can. And it isn't difficult for him to know what you're thinking if he put the thought in. But he doesn't know what you're going to do before you do it. He can put thoughts into your mind, and he will know whether you buy his lie by how you behave.

Satan can try to influence you by planting thoughts in your head, but he can't read your thoughts. If you're going to resist Satan, you must do so verbally so he can understand you and be put on the run.

You can communicate with God in your mind and spirit because He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). Your unspoken communion with God is your private sanctuary; Satan cannot eavesdrop on you. But by the same token, if you only tell Satan with your thoughts to leave, he won't leave because he is under no obligation to obey your thoughts. You must defeat Satan by speaking out. The good news is that most direct attacks occur at night or when you are alone.

One night some years ago I woke up absolutely terrified for no apparent reason, and I knew it was an attack from satan. Without lifting my head from the pillow, I applied the two-step remedy suggested in James 4:7. In the sanctuary of my heart, I submitted to God. Then I was able to resist satan with one spoken word - "Jesus" - and the fear was instantly and totally gone. I went back to sleep in complete peace. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Gal 3:23

"But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed." Gal. 3:23

There are all kinds of custody. There is child custody. Most parents have this type - by birth. No, not the parent's birth - the birth of their child! There is protective custody. To enjoy this one a person must have WITNESSED something terrible and be willing to testify to it at serious personal risk . Oh, there is police custody - that generally means a person has DONE something wrong and has been taken to jail, not for his protections, but the community's protection.

In today's verse, we see that there is another type of custody: Law custody. It sounds a lot like police custody - and in many respects it is. Law custody means we are under the protection or oversight of the law. Law in this case is defined as the "Law of Moses" - the Old Testament Law handed down from Mt. Sinai to multiple generations of Jews and Christians. Most religions have a set of laws that also fit the bill here. And if there is no religion in an area, the state does the honors. The goal is to keep us, relatively speaking, "out of trouble."

The Law serves another purpose as well. It defines what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. How would we know to drive down the correct side of the road - unless there was a law that told us? Can you imagine driving down an expressway at 70 miles per hour without a law that directs us in the correct lanes for a certain direction? In this sense, the Law is our protector.

It is also the instrument that defines what is WRONG. It is the law that keeps me from robbing $1,000,000.00 from my bank. That would be robbery - STEALING AS PER THELAW! I don't have that much money in my account. It would be someone else's money. That fact is defined by LAW. And it is that definition that keeps me on the right paths - the penalty for breaking that law is long-term police custody with all expenses paid by the Government of the land.

Paul tells us that the Law had us in custody - until FAITH came. Faith in what or whom? Faith in Jesus Christ; no, faith through Jesus Christ. It is that saving faith received as a gift from Jesus that releases us from the Law. That doesn't mean I am now free to do what I want. It DOES mean that I am free from the burdens of the Law that points out my errors, and that I am now under a new law: the law of love.

Where once I was told to "not lie," now I want to tell the truth because of the law of love. Love dictates that I must be honest - no, that is not a must. That would make it legalism once again. No, love puts it in my heart, my personality, my very essence to BE honest. That is the difference. One says I MUST. The other creates the WANT.

I like living under the law of Love - it's bonds are much more comfortable than the Law of Sin and Death - the Law of Moses. If you are not living under the Law of Love now, I encourage you to take the step. All you have to do is ask, and Jesus will enter your life and fill it with love - and love will fill you with the WANT to be good. Now I have a simple question for you.

Are YOU Right with God?

True Christianity is not about attending a particular church, or how your parents raised you, or what country you were born in. Being a Christian means that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that He is your Savior. It's not good enough that your priest, pastor, mother, or aunt knows Jesus, you must know Him for yourself. They cannot believe in Him for you, you must believe for yourself. They cannot repent for you, you must repent for yourself.

Jesus is everywhere all the time. He can hear you now if you ask Him for forgiveness. Please turn your life over to Him NOW. Time slips by so quickly, don't miss this opportunity. If you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior, you can say a prayer something like this:

"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You." Thank You Jesus, Amen

If you have prayed this, YOU ARE SAVED! You are now completely forgiven, a new creation, innocent in the eyes of God, please e-mail me and let me know and I will guide you toward fellowship and Baptism. Welcome to the family of God! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen

Acts 5:12

"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch." Acts 5:12

We are an excitable people. We get excited a soccer games. We get excited at movies. We get excited at weddings. There is not much we don't get excited about. The early Christians got excited about miracles - I guess nothing has changed. The apostles did many things through the power of the Spirit of God - all of them exciting. There is something about miracles that we need to remember. To the best of my understanding, every miracle in the New Testament happened with the express purpose of opening the door to the preaching of the Gospel.

Never did a miracle happen just so a miracle could take place. I have observed that we often forget that little fact. We tend to follow the miracles. We get excited about them. We honor the miracle workers. We televise their meetings. We devour their books. We forget about the teaching that accompanied the miracle. You don't? In that case you are the exception to the rule. Some of our brothers and sisters in the Charismatic movement often do not feel a service is complete unless there are miracles taking place during the "altar call." When we leave such a service we comment on the miracles - because they take the predominant place in a service - the end.

But take a look at the miracles in the Bible - especially the Book of Acts. When did they take place? At the beginning of a service. The Apostles and disciples were in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. There was the sound of a mighty rushing wind and they spoke in tongues. Only after the crowd was gathered do we see the reason - Peter's first sermon - and 5000 men were added to the Church. The lame beggar at the Temple gate was told that he would not receive silver or gold. He was told to stand up and walk! Then the preaching took place - and 3000 were added that day. (By the way, do you realized how many times Jesus walked by that beggar and never healed him? This fellow was lame from birth and his family took him to the Temple every day from his childhood. He was there every time Jesus entered the Temple - and He never healed him. Some healing's are delayed for God's glory!)

Perhaps, if we are really "In the Spirit" we should have our "healing services" at the beginning of the meeting. Then we have real praise and worship, then we will have real preaching. I think our "altar calls" will have the desired effect then - people saved. After all, that is our reason for existing as Christians - to win souls to Jesus (see Matthew 28:19 & 20.) It's about time that we take our eyes off the miracles and put them on the Miracle Worker, Jesus Christ, the Messiah! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Eph 4: 26-27

"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." Eph. 4:26-27

"What do you mean? You spent the entire paycheck on a computer? But we already have three computers, and they all work FINE!"

Do you sense some animosity in the above paragraph? Try this one.

"Honey, you know I love you, but this meatloaf just doesn't taste like Mom's. Are you sure you followed her recipe?" asked the new husband.

"You don't love me, do you? I should never have married you. I can't compete with your MOTHER. Why didn't you just marry HER! I can't do anything to please you. I don't put enough starch in your shirts or I put too much in them. I buy the wrong kind of ketchup. I squeeze the toothpaste in the middle and you roll it from the end. I can't even put the toilet paper on to please you! I HATE YOU! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" and she slams the door, breaking its glass as she screams the last words so the whole world will know of her hatred.

Sound familiar? Sure. We have all had those moments. Are these outbursts "anger"? You bet. Do they spell the end of a relationship? Depends. Anger is a natural thing. If we don't vent it in some way or another, it seethes and boils and eventually destroys. Anger is not sin. It is not even a bad thing.

Sometimes anger drives us to do incredible feats. Anger can drive a grieving mother to launch an organization against drunk driving - and save hundreds of thousands of lives. Anger can cause a man to protest an abortion clinic and save the lives of innocent babies.

Anger can also destroy. Two angry boys vented their pent up anger in a destructive way in a school in Tuen Mun. Angry mobs destroyed millions of dollars worth of property in Los Angeles, California. Anger drives a man to murder his wife and children in Tin Shui Wai. Anger destroys.

But it is not the anger that does good or evil, it is our handling of anger that does the trick. Paul tells us that it is OK to be angry. But we should not allow that anger to drive us to sin. If Paul left us here, we could not understand this apparent oxymoron. But he does provide the answer "Do not let the sun set on your anger."

The principle is simple. Go ahead and vent that anger when it appears - but don't dwell on it. Get it over with and get on with life. The key to being angry and not sinning is simple. When the sun sets, let it go. If we carry our anger into the next twenty-four hours, we have allowed it to build pressure. If we carry it into the next week, that pressure approaches the danger level. If we carry that anger into the next year, the pressure exceeds the "manufacturers recommended safety levels" and we explode destructively.

Perhaps you are an "angry" person. It seems that everyone and everything is against you. hatred boils up in your soul like a volcano blowing up. You have no outlet, no release of the pressure. Now is the time to get rid of this disease that is seeking to destroy you and the people around you. I'll make one suggestion. Give your anger to God, asking Him to take it away. And, once your have let Him have it, don't let it build up. Lay it down at the end of each day. This will not only soothe the angered spirit, but helps you sleep at night as well! Amen and Amen.

Mark 9:24

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

Most of us have been there. Some dramatic problem has entered our lives and we need help. The only problem is that our great faith, the one we used in helping dozens of other people facing problems, has gone as weak as the stem of a week old wild flower. Our knees are rubbery, our pulse is racing, and our faith is dead. "God, where are You when I need You?" we cry.

We search for answers in the places we expect to find them, but all our searching produces a list of exactly "zero" solutions. We talk to our friends; they shrug their shoulders and have no answers. We seek the experts, and they give us all types of hypothetical reasons for our predicament, but they only confuse the issue. Where is a man, or woman, to turn? What can we do?

The father in today's verse had a similar problem. He had heard about the wonderful things some Carpenter from Nazareth was doing. And He had a problem. His son was sick. The doctors had given no hope for a cure. The rabbi suggested that he, the father, had committed some great sin. The neighbors talked about him behind his back. Maybe this Miracle Worker could do some good. He was supposed to be teaching on a mountainside some ten miles away.

He packed a lunch for himself and the lad and lifted the boy into his arms and began the long trek up the road. Would he find what he wanted? It was a long shot, but he had to try. What did he have to lose but a few hours sleep and another long walk? Arriving at the mountain, he found no teacher. He had left hours before. But His disciples were there. Maybe they could help. Shouting, commanding, working, sweating, nothing produced the result. Now the disciples were discouraged. They were giving up. If only the Teacher would return. Surely He could help.

Darkness begins to descend upon the valley and no Teacher. Disillusionment swept through his soul like a Roman chariot. He turns to leave when he hears a voice, a sweet voice like none he had heard before. "May I help you?" " Rabbi, your disciples could not heal my boy. He is very sick. Can you help?" An almost pleading voice accompanies the words. "Do you believe I can help your son?" asked the Master. "Indeed You can, Sir, with all the faith I can muster. But if it is not enough, please help my faithlessness to be enough." And it happened. The Rabbi took the son, lifted him up, and made him whole!

In your distress, stop. Quit running around like the proverbial chicken. Turn immediately to the source of all help and call upon Him. With the little faith you have, call out and ask. Ask that He will take what little bit of faith you have, multiply it a thousand times or more, and ask for resolution of your conflict, your trial, your trouble. Just ask. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

John 11:38-39

"Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." John 11:38-39

As Jesus approached the foot of the cross, it is imperative that we take a look at this event - the resurrection of Lazarus. If you recall, Lazarus had become sick while Jesus was in a distant area. Martha and Mary had sent for the Master - and He had delayed His return to Bethany. After several days, He tells the disciples it is time to go while they argue that it is not safe. Jesus finally says bluntly, "Lazarus is dead." At this point, the journey begins and takes a few interesting twists along the way. Eventually, the mourning party of friends and curious on-lookers makes it's way to the tomb where Lazarus is laid. At this point our verses begin.

"Remove the stone." That is Jesus' first words at the site. Martha is rather upset. She appears to believe Jesus is on His way into to tomb to grieve the loss of His friend. "Lord, it has been four days. Lazarus has decomposed to the point he stinks something awful." Didn't she think that the Master knew this? Mary had previously announced to Him that Lazarus had been dead for days. And, after all, they DID know that He was the Messiah. Or did they? Apparently the knowledge they had all acquired in their heads had yet to reach their hearts. They KNEW it. They just didn't BELIEVE it.

Jesus repeats the order and the stone is rolled away. Perhaps the Lord had move a step or two in the direction of the tomb, or maybe He had simply stood His ground, but all eyes were on Him and the gaping hole in the side of the hill. Some were sure He would endure the stench to pay His last respects to the beloved friend. Others thought He was proving that He was rather loose in the head. Martha and Mary were probably shocked at the new development. "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" That sounds a bit assertive for one who had just been crying. You WILL see the glory? Mighty powerful words. What was the Rabbi planning? Everyone wanted to know. Most were crowding around, jockeying for position to see both Jesus and the opening to the cave where Lazarus lay. Some, if they had cell phones, would have been calling home, "Hannah, you should have come. This is incredible! Wait ... the Rabbi is about to speak again!"

Others would have flipped open their executive phones - the ones with color video capabilities - and been whispering to the authorities on the other end, "Are you getting this? He is helpless to do anything. He is pathetic. Watch as this upstart orders the grave opened ... did you see it? Look, I'll show you His face. Isn't that sad? Our plans are about to come together. Hang on; I'll put point the phone in His direction. He is about to say something even more pathetic ...watch!"

Anticipation is eating the crowd alive. They all want to know what happens next. Fortunately we already know. The question for us is do we believe in our hearts what we see with our eyes - or read in His Word? Are we allowing the things in our minds to travel the twelve inches or so to our hearts where they will really do some good? Talk to you later, Amen.

Psalm 104:9

"You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth" Psalm 104:9

Oh no! Not those cement posts again! Yup, here comes more on boundaries.

I find it interesting that God refers to boundaries in various ways. They are indeed property markers. Dueteronomy states that the man who moves his neighbor's property marker is cursed. Pretty strong words! We have a phrase that makes reference to property markers: "good fences make good neighbors."

God, according to the psalmist, has set boundaries for the seas. "The sand is the boundary for the waters so that they may not overtake the land again." Interesting that a few grains of sand can keep the ocean back! What power! But, God has decreed it and it is so. Only on a few occasions has the waters failed to obey that rule - and it always returned to it after the failure. Of course the most famous is Noah's flood. Then there are occasional flooded rivers, lakes, streams - oh, don't forget oceanic floods from hurricanes, typhoons and tidal waves. Still, the law is even tually enforced and the waters return to their boundaries.

God has set boundaries for the widows. God loves widows and orphans. He has a special place in His heart for them. Though they may be poor, they are rich in God's protection. So rich that He commands us to take care of them with such priority that they supersede fasting.

We need boundaries - not just the physical but the spiritual as well. We call them laws - the Ten Commandments being the most obvious. When we break from those boundaries, we cause damage to ourselves and those around us. We cause ourselves to be separated from God. We find ourselves alone in a crowded room. Though there are fellow sinners all around, but, we keep looking for a relationship that will last. Not finding it, we suffer from loneliness.

Unfortunately, when we break loose from the boundaries of the law, we can not return. It's like getting tooth paste back into the tube. Tough job! But there is good news. God has provided a way to do just that - no not the tooth paste - the return to boundaries. He gave us His Son, Jesus. He caused Him to be born of a virgin. The Father allowed Him to live a perfect life - though tempted in every way that we are. Then, the unspeakable happened. God allowed Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross to complete the process that can bring us back into a relationship with Him. Through the blood Jesus shed on the cross, our sins are forgiven. We are placed back within the boundaries God set up. We are back into a right relationship with Him! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Phil 1:15-18

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Phil. 1:15-18

"Hey, he stole my idea! I thought of that. We talked about it and he said it was dumb. Now he presented it to the boss and HE gets the raise and bonus! That's not fair!"

Ever heard words like that before? I have. As a matter of fact, they are most likely a quote of mine from some time in the distant past. We all have had it happen to us. We get a brilliant idea. We share it - usually with the supervising manager. He doesn't like the idea, but it is adopted by the managing director who gives credit to - our supervising manager!

Inevitably, most of our friends share our anger and frustration. They agree that the bonus, the reward, the recognition should be ours. "The boss was wrong! You were robbed!" But, it seems like there is one in every workplace who says, "Don't worry about it. At least the idea was adopted and work will be done better - easier - faster - or whatever purpose the idea presented in the first place.

I have only one question for that guy: "Where do you get such an awful idea?" He probably doesn't know, but I do. It comes from Paul in today's verses. And Paul picked it up from Jesus. If you remember correctly, at one point James and John, the Sons of Thunder, noticed that someone besides their own small group were casting out demons in Jesus' name. (Luke 9:49-50) They were a bit jealous and asked Jesus if they could call down fire from heaven to destroy them! Jesus responded with "he who is not against you is for you." "Let the guy be. He is doing it in my name and is obviously for our side. He is not our enemy. That's what Paul is saying. There were some who preached the gospel for financial or authority gains. Others preached out of love for God and love for sinful man. Who was right? It didn't make any difference - the Gospel was being proclaimed. If this set of verses had nothing else to provide, this would be enough. But there is another application - and it is even better though you may not like what it is. The world is full of many differing Christian denominations and non-denominational groups. It seems that each is at the others' throats.

Yes, we have differing doctrines - but the same Jesus. We have divergent practices, but the same Holy Spirit. We have opposing interpretations, but the same Father. It makes no difference - the Gospel is being preached by all. Let us rejoice in their successes! Let us join forces against the powers of evil that seek to destroy us all. Let us cease warring against each ther and use our skills as a mighty army! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Matt 16:24

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" Matt. 16:24

The older I get, the more questions I ask. Why did Jesus tell the disciples that the person who wants to follow Him must take up his cross?

Peter certainly needed some reassurance. I know when I get a good dose of correction I need to be reassured that I am still loved. These words were meant to reassure Peter - and direct his enthusiasm in proper channels. Jesus gently informs the disciples (he included them all so Peter would not take things too personally) that they would have to suffer if they were to continue following in His footsteps. "Deny yourself," He said.

I don't particularly like that thought. I like to eat when I want to. I like to sleep when I desire the pleasure. I like to go where I want, do what I want, and say what I want when I want to say it. Most of us are like that. But, if I deny myself, then I have to put the priorities of someone else (Jesus in this case) above my own. If Jesus wants me to go to Queen Mary Hospital and visit someone in that hospital and I want to go to the movies, I must go to Queen Mary Hospital. If Jesus wants me to pray and fast for fourteen days and I want to eat at Outback Steak House, I must submit to the fasting and praying and abandon my meal at Outback Steak House. My mind hates the thought. My body rebels at the first hint of hunger. The whole concept of self-denial is foreign to the unregenerate human soul - even the sanctified human soul.

And along with the self-denial is the "taking up the cross." The cross is not some pretty thing we hang around our necks and apply to our lapels. The cross is an instrument of torture. Who among us would desire to take up an electric chair and follow Jesus? But that is what we are asked, no required, to do. It is more than bearing a burden. It is laying down my life - dying to myself - and Jesus tells us to do it daily!

I know that when I forget to do this on a daily basis - and fail to do it for quite some time - I get into trouble. My defenses become weak. My willpower is unplugged. And I die - not to myself but to God. I find that I am walking alone and the slightest root in the path causes me to stumble. The smallest temptation lures me into troubled waters. Being on my own, I think I can save myself - after all, all I have to do is turn around and go back the way I came. However the quicksand of sin only drags me deeper with every movement. It is not until I cry out for Jesus that I find myself being lifted out of the pit - and I can do nothing to help. Jesus does the redeeming, the saving, the cleaning, and the healing.

Peter needed to learn to deny himself and take up his cross. I need to do the same thing. Do you? Amen and Amen.

1 Peter 5:2

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly" 1 Peter 5:2

Our ability to speak with authority stems from the same source as was true of Jesus Himself. The authority Jesus possessed was not based on any earthly position, but in the quality, conduct and character of His life.

The true shepherd exercises spiritual leadership with the heart of a servant. As servants, we are subject to the needs of those we are called to lead. That's why Jesus said we will know His disciples by their love. The requirements to be a spiritual leader in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are all character requirements. All of this is made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Peter writes, "Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2-3)

You never hear Jesus say, "You do this because I'm God." What do you think will be happening to a marriage relationship when a husband authoritatively demands obedience because he is the head of the home? Nothing good, let me assure you. The spiritual head of a home, church, Sunday school class, Bible study group, etc., assumes his responsibility by meeting the needs of those under his care. Being a leader is an awesome responsibility, not a right to be demanded. A wise leader listens carefully to the counsel of his charges and depends on the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit's enablement, he can live a righteous life out of which he can lead with loving authority.

As spiritual leaders, we must be like Christ and base our leadership in the quality, conduct and character of our life. We may speak with authority if what we say is true according to God's Word and when our character is Christlike. Amen and Amen.

John 3:17

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" John 3:17

Few people remember who came in second. Who was the first runner-up in the last Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant? Who was the second place winner of the FA Cup? Who came in second in the judo competition in the Olympics? Ok, that last one may be a stretch - who remembers who came in first? We seldom remember second-place finishers. They are "also-rans" - nobodies - non-entities - LOSERS!

Today's verse could very well be the most over-looked verse in the Bible. It follows immediately after the most well known verse in the Bible. Yet, without it John 3:16 is only a partial thought. Just like there would have been no FA Cup Finals winner without the second place team. We all know what Jesus said in verse 16. We can quote it - and we evangelicals frequently do.

Take a new look at verse 17. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world ..." Many people around the world and in your neighborhood believe Jesus came to condemn the world. He came in order to take all the fun out of life. He came to destroy anything "good" man might have thought to do. And, if we do them anyway, we will die and go to Hell. The world sees Jesus as a harsh judge, not a redeeming Savior. That is why many different ethnic groups have vowed to destroy Christianity and kill Christians when those who love and serve Jesus invade their neighborhood.

But that is a misconception: "but that the world through him might be saved." Jesus came to redeem the world. He came to save the world from self-destruction. Think about it. Environmental scientists complain that the ozone layer is being destroyed by the very persons it is supposed to protect. All of our aerosol deodorants, hairsprays, room fresheners, bug sprays, and the list goes on and on, are the destructive agents - according to those intelligent people.

One race hates the other, so the first sets about exterminating the second - and the second tries to protect itself by destroying the first. Murders are committed by people who want what others have - even if it is just a dollar or two - and the world is in self-destruct mode.

Jesus came to bring all of that to an end. "For God so loved the world ... that He gave His only begotten Son ... that whosoever believeth on Him ... should not perish ... but have everlasting life." That is how much God loved the world. He doesn't want to judge it lacking and destroy those who dwell on it. He wants to redeem it. That is why He sent His Son. But, alas, man still sees God as a threat to humanity's independence and rejects the very agent that will one day redeem the very world we ourselves are set to destroy.

Remember, Jesus, though He will sit in judgment, is first and foremost the Redeemer, the Savior, God's agent for renewal and revitalization - the very things man only dreams of and longs to do by his own power. And He does it for you - or will if you simply ask Him. Amen and Amen.

Matt 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted" Matt 5:4

What a paradox! We think of grief and happiness as being mutually exclusive. In fact, even in Christian circles, some of us were taught that the Christian always has a smile on his face and a song in his heart. We were told that to be sad is sinful, that grief represents a lack of faith, and that pain comes from sinful living. Yet, this teaching is directly contrary to what Jesus is saying here.

Let's look for a moment at the word "mourn." In the Greek it means to grieve a loss. This may be the loss of a loved one, but it may be other losses as well: loss of health, loss of security, loss of a relationship, loss of a dream, loss of a job, etc. Too often when a Child of God mentions a loss to another Christian she is met with rebuke for her lack of faith or told she is "having a pity party." It's doubtful she was having a pity party. To have a party you need guests and, usually, there is no one around to show pity on the Christian in sorrow.

Sometimes the person is alone in their sorrow, not because of lack of concern among the Christian community, but because no one knows about the pain. Many people get up in the morning under a burden of circumstances, filled with pain, but they put on their smile along with their Sunday clothes and go to church. They never let anyone know what they are going through. Sometimes this is because they don't want to appear weak. Sometimes it's because what is causing the pain might seem trivial to others. Sometimes it's because the pain is caused by something no one else would understand. So, even the person sitting next to them, even their spouse, child or best friend doesn't know that something is wrong.

But, Praise God, Jesus is telling us that he knows our heart. He knows when we mourn in silence. He knows that what is trivial to others may be overwhelming to us. And he says, "Child, I know what you are going through. I felt your pain in my body on the cross. And I will heal that pain."

So, when we mourn, when we face hard times, when we are sad, when our hearts break and the pain mounts up inside so badly that we feel we can't stand it any longer, we are Blessed. We are Happy. Why? Because at those times we really know how much we need him. We become "poor in spirit." We feel his presence. And when he does the work (He will do the work), then we will come out on the other side of the loss with a stronger testimony and a greater endurance for what is yet to come.

It is only against the darkness of night that the brightness of the stars be seen. The jeweler displays his most precious diamonds on his darkest cloth. God shows his glory against the backdrop of grief. So, blessed are those who mourn, for we shall be comforted. Amen and Amen.

Mark 12:42

"Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans" Mark 12:42

In some churches the offering plate is not passed. Instead those who wish to give march to the front of the sanctuary and place their offerings into the plate. Imagine for a moment that you are in one of those churches. The offering prayer has been uttered. The organist begins the offering hymn. People begin to gather in the center isle and make their way to the front. Nothing out of the ordinary happens until a fellow steps from the back pew of the building. Heads turn. The room hushes of all but the melodious strains of the pipe organ. The man is dressed in the finest suit - obviously hand tailored to fit him and him only. The mass of humanity opens before him like the sea at Moses' command. Reaching the front, this fine fellow dramatically reaches into his coat pocket, pulls out pen and checkbook, and with a flourish writes a huge check.

Immediately behind him, un-intimidated by the show, slowly and painfully creeps a little old widow who cares for three abandoned grandchildren - all on her pittance (of a few thousand Hong Kong dollars per month per person) of a social security check from the Hong Kong Government. Few notice. Some snicker. "What do we need with her coins after that huge check?" some ask. Finally reaching the front, the widow carefully opens a worn coin purse, pulls out it's contents. Silently, timidly she drops them into the plate. The organ plays on. The people murmur about the generosity of the rich man. The deacons rejoice that the new roof is paid for.

Who put the most in the offering? Of course we know that it was the widow - she gave her all - everything she had. The man gave petty cash! One made a show. The other made a sacrifice.

The New Testament never really talks about tithing. It does talk about giving. (Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of one's income to the Lord.) The reason tithing is never mentioned is that something greater is demanded of the Christian believer. Jesus uses the example of the widow and her two coins to illustrate the principle. He expects our all - every cent - every possession - every ounce of flesh - every breath we breath - every drop of our blood. He expects us to be a "living sacrifice." After all, He set the example of giving. He gave His very life for us. What less could we offer Him?

The next time the offering plate is passed your way, stop and think about the widow. Compare her gift to yours. Then remember that your offering is just a token of what God wants - everything! Amen and Amen.

Hosea 8:1

"Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, Because they have transgressed My covenant And rebelled against My law" Hosea 8:1

High in the crow's nest of a sailing vessel the watchman scans the horizon on all sides. It is his job. For the entire watch, he is the eyes of the ship. He is searching the skies for the first sign of a change in weather. He searches the seas for signs of hidden dangers. He looks ahead for signs of land. He constantly seeks evidence of fish, which can be easily taken to supplement the crew's diet of salt pork, bisquites and beans. But there is one more thing for which he is always on the alert. He is searching the horizon for sails, sails of friendly ships headed in the opposite direction (letters need to be sent homeward) and sails of pirate ships (an unarmed vessel is easy pray for those too lazy to work for a living).

When he sights any of the above objectives, he cries out the alarm: "Land ho on the starboard bow!" Or, "Ship ten degrees off the port!" Or, from the famous movie "Titanic," "Iceberg! Iceberg ahead!" (I love that line.) It is his responsibility to sound the alarm. It is the officer of the watch who must make the decision what to do about it.

But what happens if the watchman falls asleep in the night watch? Many a ship has been lost on hidden shoals because a watchman fails to see the white line of waves breaking on rocks. Pirates have captured ships under cover of darkness because the eyes of the watchman become heavy and his awareness becomes lax. And then there is the sudden storm. Masts have been snapped in the first moments of the gale because there was not enough time to reef the sails before the furry of the tempest strikes. The fate of the whole ship rests upon the shoulders of one man, the watchman.

God tells Hosea to put the trumpet to his lips, to sound the alarm. An enemy is about to overtake Israel - like an eagle swooping down from the heights. Suddenly, without further warning, death will soon destroy Israel if the warning is not given. Hosea was a watchman on the walls. When God tells him to shout the alarm, it is his responsibility to blow the shofar, the ram's horn, in such a way that the people take heed.

You, my brother or sister-in-Christ, are a watchman on the wall for your family, your Church, our community. You are called by God to be alert, to be diligent, to be ready to sound the alarm when God shows you danger. You are God's chosen voice. You are His "early warning system." Yes, you! No, you didn't ask for the job, but it is yours. The fate of your loved ones depends upon your faithfulness! Be alert. Amen and Amen.

John 8:28

"Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things" John 8:28

There is a simple truth in today's verse - a truth we would do well to imitate. Jesus, the Son of God, the second part of the Holy Trinity - the One who will use the earth as His footstool - the One who was with the Father at creation - that Jesus, would speak nothing that He did not hear first from His Father! So you thought the Sermon on the Mount was original with Jesus - nope. And you were sure the Lord's Prayer was spoken for the first time when Jesus instructed the disciples - no way. Even the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross, those were first spoken by the Father. Jesus said so.

OK, the deliverance of the Demoniac? The Father instructed Him to do it. Turning water into wine? Jesus' mother told Him to do that, right? Wrong. "I do nothing on My own initiative."

We would be wise to follow in Jesus' foot steps on this one. Jesus couldn't make a mistake - not because He was part of the Godhead - but because He relied upon the Father to guide Him in every move. Before He called the twelve apostles, He prayed. (And Judas was not a mistake!) Before He walked on water, He prayed. Before He allowed Himself to be offered up as the final sacrifice, He prayed. He longed to do nothing but what the Father wanted - and He did it to perfection.

We can do the same - well maybe not to perfection - but close. "How?" By knowing the voice of the Father. "How?" By not only reading the Word, but allowing it to become a major part of the fabric of our lives.

Some of the greatest actors, while preparing for a role, will do all they can to become their character. If it's a policeman, they ride the streets with policemen. If it's a doctor, they spend hours with doctors. If it's a living person, they try to spend days with that person, learning their mannerisms, their way of speaking, their lifestyle.

We need to do the same with the Father. The more time we spend with Him, the more we will act like Him, talk like Him, walk like Him, live like Him, and speak like Him. If He is our hero, our idol, we will do all we can to be like Him.

And that's the way we learn to say with Jesus, "I do nothing on my own initiative." Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Matt 21:12-13

"Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, "It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you have made it a den of thieves." Matt. 21:12-13

I find it interesting that immediately upon entering Jerusalem, .Jesus made His way to the Temple. Once achieving this goal, the first order of business was to cleanse it. This is especially interesting because the first thing done on Passover week was the cleansing of the house. The mistress of each household, along with her children, went through all the home looking for "leaven." When they found it, they would sweep it up with a feather and remove it from the building. Jesus found "leaven" in His house.

It had become the custom of the priests to authorize booths to be set up in the Temple for providing authorized sacrificial elements. The price was always too high, and the homegrown sacrifices were always too poor of a quality for the Unspeakable God. These changers would exchange the lesser offering for one "certified" by the priests. Of course a bit of cash had to be included in the deal to make up for the improvement of quality. Even cash offerings had to be made in "Temple" money. And this, too, was offered, with an exchange fee. You can see that this was big business - crooked big business - and the priests were on the receiving end of the exchange.

On a deeper level, two things happened with this event. First, Jesus was proclaiming that He was the rightful owner of the Temple. "My house shall be called ..." He didn't call it "God's house" or "this house," it was My house. He was the owner and it was time to clean out all the leaven of the world. Second, Jesus was declaring that His house would be a "house of prayer" - a place dedicated to meditating and conversing with the God of the universe.

Paul tells us: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16 Jesus has taken up residence in the hearts of those who have received Him as their Savior. This parallel to today's verses raises two questions. First, have you invited Him to take residence in your heart? If not, now is the perfect time to do so. It is a simple task. All you have to do is admit that you have made a mess of your life and want Him to clean it up. He is happy to do that, and when He does, He will make your heart a permanent residence of His.

Second, is your heart, your flesh-home, a house of prayer? If you are like me, you find that you are so busy that you have little time to devote to meditation and conversation with the Father. It is a common ailment in today's age. We want to see all we can see; taste all we can taste; enjoy all we can enjoy; and do all we can do. That leaves little spare time for the really important things - our relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I have come to the conclusion that we must be willing to give up some of the things WE want to do in order to do the things God wants us to do. That is a part of making God the focus of our lives. We must make room for Him on the throne of our lives. If we don't, we will be left totally devoid of the riches that really matter. Amen and Amen.