I have a book called Golden Moments of Religious Inspiration. It is a collection of inspirational writings from way back. One of the most interesting to me is an article by Homer Croy called "We Thank Thee 0 Lord." In this article, Croy recorded a prayer that he found in The Charleston (South Carolina) Courier of April 4, 1837. The prayer was copied from a London paper and may have been originally uttered by John Ward, a Member of Parliament from Hackney. This is the prayer he prayed:
"0, Lord, thou knowest I have nine houses in the City of London, and likewise that I have lately purchased an estate in fee simple in the county of Essex. I beseech thee to preserve the counties of Essex and Middlesex from fire and earthquake; and as I have a mortgage in Hertfordshire, I beg Thee to have an eye of compassion on that county; as for the rest of the counties, Thou may'st deal with them as Thou art pleased. 0, Lord, enable the banks to answer all their bills, and make all my debtors good men.
"Give me a prosperous voyage and give return to my sloop, the 'Mermaid,' because I have insured it; and as Thou hast said that the ways of the wicked are short, I trust that Thou wilt not forget that promise, as I have purchased an estate in reversion, which will be mine on the death of that profligate young man, Sir John Lawson."
Quite a prayer, isn't it? Humorous obviously, and shocking! It's also scary, though, because I believe that it is strikingly similar to many prayers offered in this twenty-first century. “How,” you might ask.
Many pray today, thanking God for all the ways that he has blessed them. After the thanks, come the petitions for more blessings. And there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, what the prayer above verbalized, many act out in their lives. They often go about with their attention focused on themselves, and still worse, on their own worldly possessions. When it comes to looking after someone else, being concerned about someone else, they are blind.
There are times when we need to forget about that boat, forget about those homes; forget about the things that our selfishness brings to mind. Forgetting those things, let’s pray that God will bless others, not only through his work and providence, but also, through us. We would do well to follow Paul's example who, though while he in jail, was concerned not with himself, but with the Philippians.
What do you need to pray about today that is more about someone else than it is about you? That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
No Mistakes
William Mart Miller used to tell a story to sad story about a Civil War veteran.
On July 3, 1863, the body of Ansell Fassett, a twenty-one year old boy wearing the Blue, was picked up for dead on the field of Gettysburg, and was listed as dead in the records. Before the burial party could reach him, however, he showed signs of life, and was rushed to the field hospital where he eventually recovered and was discharged as incapacitated for further service. He applied for a disability pension, but the record of his death was an insurmountable barrier. Struggling with his disability and the problem of making a living, he had misplaced his discharge papers. Finally, with advancing years, he sought admission to the Soldier's Home in Sawtelle, CA, but again the record of his death shut him out and he was forced to eke out a living in the most humble way. For him, Gettysburg lasted 63 years! Again he fell, and this time no moan from him interrupted the burial party. The day after his funeral in 1926 the missing discharge paper was found, but it didn't matter. The mistaken records had done their worst.
The Hebrew writer taught us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28; NIV).
All of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. We will await the news of our admission into the home Jesus has prepared for his own. There will be no lost or mistaken records. Everything will be correct, everything will be in order, and everything will be eternal. That’s Life at Work!
On July 3, 1863, the body of Ansell Fassett, a twenty-one year old boy wearing the Blue, was picked up for dead on the field of Gettysburg, and was listed as dead in the records. Before the burial party could reach him, however, he showed signs of life, and was rushed to the field hospital where he eventually recovered and was discharged as incapacitated for further service. He applied for a disability pension, but the record of his death was an insurmountable barrier. Struggling with his disability and the problem of making a living, he had misplaced his discharge papers. Finally, with advancing years, he sought admission to the Soldier's Home in Sawtelle, CA, but again the record of his death shut him out and he was forced to eke out a living in the most humble way. For him, Gettysburg lasted 63 years! Again he fell, and this time no moan from him interrupted the burial party. The day after his funeral in 1926 the missing discharge paper was found, but it didn't matter. The mistaken records had done their worst.
The Hebrew writer taught us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28; NIV).
All of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. We will await the news of our admission into the home Jesus has prepared for his own. There will be no lost or mistaken records. Everything will be correct, everything will be in order, and everything will be eternal. That’s Life at Work!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Jesus Perspective: Disciples and Money
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21
He thought he had it all, and so did a lot of other people. We call him the rich, young, ruler. He was wealthy and he was righteous (in his own eyes). He had treasure everywhere except where he needed it most! Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure where it would really do some good He went away sorrowfully, though. He considered having treasure here more important that having it in heaven.
We are in danger of making the same decision. Oh, we don’t make it face to face with Jesus in the way the rich, young, ruler did; nevertheless, the decision is still made, and the consequences are the same. There are rich people who, like that young ruler, are too interested in their wealth to be interested in the things of God They will walk away from opportunities for eternal life just like the young man did. There are also those who barely make it between paychecks who spend their lives just trying to pay that next credit card bill, or that next car note, or that next house payment They are so busy in fact, that while not rich, the buck has become their god. They have as much interest in possessions as the guy who already has the possessions.
The two messages from those Matthew 6 and 18 are: (1) God can tell where our hearts are by the treasures that we lay up for ourselves and (2) the only treasures that will last forever are the ones deposited in heaven.
Marcus Cicero called "Out of this Life” to illustrate these truths:
Out of this life I shall never take
Things of silver and gold I make.
All Om I cherish and hoard away
After I leave, on earth must stay.
Though I call it mine and I boast its worth,
I must give it up when I quit the earth.
All that I gather and all that I keep
I must leave behind when I fall asleep.
And I wonder often, just what I shall own,
In that other life when I pass alone,
What shall He find and what shall He see,
In the soul that answers the call for me?
Shall the great Judge learn when my task is through
That my soul had gathered some riches too?
Or shall at the last, it be mine to find,
That all I had worked for, I had left behind?
That’s Life at Work!
Matt 6:19-21
He thought he had it all, and so did a lot of other people. We call him the rich, young, ruler. He was wealthy and he was righteous (in his own eyes). He had treasure everywhere except where he needed it most! Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure where it would really do some good He went away sorrowfully, though. He considered having treasure here more important that having it in heaven.
We are in danger of making the same decision. Oh, we don’t make it face to face with Jesus in the way the rich, young, ruler did; nevertheless, the decision is still made, and the consequences are the same. There are rich people who, like that young ruler, are too interested in their wealth to be interested in the things of God They will walk away from opportunities for eternal life just like the young man did. There are also those who barely make it between paychecks who spend their lives just trying to pay that next credit card bill, or that next car note, or that next house payment They are so busy in fact, that while not rich, the buck has become their god. They have as much interest in possessions as the guy who already has the possessions.
The two messages from those Matthew 6 and 18 are: (1) God can tell where our hearts are by the treasures that we lay up for ourselves and (2) the only treasures that will last forever are the ones deposited in heaven.
Marcus Cicero called "Out of this Life” to illustrate these truths:
Out of this life I shall never take
Things of silver and gold I make.
All Om I cherish and hoard away
After I leave, on earth must stay.
Though I call it mine and I boast its worth,
I must give it up when I quit the earth.
All that I gather and all that I keep
I must leave behind when I fall asleep.
And I wonder often, just what I shall own,
In that other life when I pass alone,
What shall He find and what shall He see,
In the soul that answers the call for me?
Shall the great Judge learn when my task is through
That my soul had gathered some riches too?
Or shall at the last, it be mine to find,
That all I had worked for, I had left behind?
That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Jesus' Financial Plan
If you run after money, you’re materialistic. If you don’t get it, you’re a loser. If you get it and keep it, you’re a miser. If you don’t try to get it, you lack ambition. If you get it and spend it, you’re a spendthrift. If you have it after a lifetime of work, you’re a fool who never got any fun out of life.
If you listen to everybody’s ideas about other people and their money, you’ll quickly get the idea that you can’t win. You always end up looking bad.
You can win with Jesus, though. What I mean is that if you will cling to the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount regarding money, you will have treasure in the right place. He gives four instructions:
1. Store up treasure in heaven to assure that your heart is in the right place.
2. If your heart is greedy, or otherwise darkened by an ungodly view of money, your whole life will be impacted negatively.
3. You’ve got to decide whether you will live for wealth or God. You can’t do both.
4. Don’t spend your life worrying about what you don’t have. God knows your need and will care for you.
That’s Life at Work!
If you listen to everybody’s ideas about other people and their money, you’ll quickly get the idea that you can’t win. You always end up looking bad.
You can win with Jesus, though. What I mean is that if you will cling to the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount regarding money, you will have treasure in the right place. He gives four instructions:
1. Store up treasure in heaven to assure that your heart is in the right place.
2. If your heart is greedy, or otherwise darkened by an ungodly view of money, your whole life will be impacted negatively.
3. You’ve got to decide whether you will live for wealth or God. You can’t do both.
4. Don’t spend your life worrying about what you don’t have. God knows your need and will care for you.
That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Resurrection and Spring
My lover spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
(Song 2:10-13; NIV)
Whether you’ve considered the arguments about the timeframe of the resurrection, and regardless of what you’ve concluded about them, you’ve got to admit, there is something quite natural about thinking of the resurrection in the spring when flowers appear, doves coo, fruit trees blossom, and emotions lift. I don’t know the order in which the thoughts come, but either resurrection reminds me of spring or spring reminds me of resurrection. There is too much new life around not to think of new life (Romans 6:4).
But Jesus didn’t resurrect for me to think about his victory over death on Easter Sunday. He resurrected to change my life – and change my death. Because Jesus resurrected, when I submit to baptism, I am saved. Because Jesus resurrected, I set my heart and mind on things above instead of on earthly things. Because Jesus resurrected, God will give life to my mortal body when Jesus returns.
Nothing is the same. Everything is new. It’s better than the spring! That’s Life at Work!
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
(Song 2:10-13; NIV)
Whether you’ve considered the arguments about the timeframe of the resurrection, and regardless of what you’ve concluded about them, you’ve got to admit, there is something quite natural about thinking of the resurrection in the spring when flowers appear, doves coo, fruit trees blossom, and emotions lift. I don’t know the order in which the thoughts come, but either resurrection reminds me of spring or spring reminds me of resurrection. There is too much new life around not to think of new life (Romans 6:4).
But Jesus didn’t resurrect for me to think about his victory over death on Easter Sunday. He resurrected to change my life – and change my death. Because Jesus resurrected, when I submit to baptism, I am saved. Because Jesus resurrected, I set my heart and mind on things above instead of on earthly things. Because Jesus resurrected, God will give life to my mortal body when Jesus returns.
Nothing is the same. Everything is new. It’s better than the spring! That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
How Have You Reacted?
How Have You Reacted?
How could it be that people could know about a tomb-now-empty, yet remain the same? A resurrection from the dead is a powerful claim. You don’t just hear a story about someone coming back from the grave and dismiss it like someone told you the score between two teams that you care nothing about. Overcoming death is too big of an event for apathy.
How have you reacted to the news? Paul said that the resurrection of Jesus is my reason to put faith in Jesus, it is the proof of eternal life for me now, and the proof of a bodily resurrection for me later. The resurrection is the reason I recognize Jesus as Lord and the reason that I can bear fruit to God in my life.
The South Yukon Church will assembly this Sunday morning to eat the Lord’s supper, like we do every Sunday, because Jesus rose on Sunday. Scripture calls Sunday the Lord’s Day. Two thousand years later, we still call it the Lord’s Day. One who can come out of his own grave, by his own power, can declare his resurrection day as his own.
He wants to claim you as his own, too. He has the right, but he wants you to choose him! That’s Life at Work!
How could it be that people could know about a tomb-now-empty, yet remain the same? A resurrection from the dead is a powerful claim. You don’t just hear a story about someone coming back from the grave and dismiss it like someone told you the score between two teams that you care nothing about. Overcoming death is too big of an event for apathy.
How have you reacted to the news? Paul said that the resurrection of Jesus is my reason to put faith in Jesus, it is the proof of eternal life for me now, and the proof of a bodily resurrection for me later. The resurrection is the reason I recognize Jesus as Lord and the reason that I can bear fruit to God in my life.
The South Yukon Church will assembly this Sunday morning to eat the Lord’s supper, like we do every Sunday, because Jesus rose on Sunday. Scripture calls Sunday the Lord’s Day. Two thousand years later, we still call it the Lord’s Day. One who can come out of his own grave, by his own power, can declare his resurrection day as his own.
He wants to claim you as his own, too. He has the right, but he wants you to choose him! That’s Life at Work!
Friday, March 31, 2006
It's All About Jesus
Following Jesus is not about a few minor changes. Following Jesus is about an entirely new direction and walk. Paul told the Colossian Church “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:2-4). The phrase “who is your life” can certainly mean that Jesus has given us life since we have died to sin, but it can also mean that we live in Jesus – we LIVE in him.
Chris Rice sings the untitled hymn most often called “Come to Jesus.” The message is that when you are weak and wounded, you should come to Jesus. When your burden has been lifted, you should sing to Jesus. When you fall, and we all fall, then fall on Jesus. When you are experiencing loneliness and pain, you should cry to Jesus. When you can’t contain your joy because the love spills over, then dance for Jesus. Finally, when your heart beats its final beat and you go to Glory’s side, you should fly to Jesus.
When you follow Jesus, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, Jesus is the focus. He is the one to whom, for whom, and on whom we are always coming, singing, falling, crying, dancing and flying.
That’s Life at Work!
Chris Rice sings the untitled hymn most often called “Come to Jesus.” The message is that when you are weak and wounded, you should come to Jesus. When your burden has been lifted, you should sing to Jesus. When you fall, and we all fall, then fall on Jesus. When you are experiencing loneliness and pain, you should cry to Jesus. When you can’t contain your joy because the love spills over, then dance for Jesus. Finally, when your heart beats its final beat and you go to Glory’s side, you should fly to Jesus.
When you follow Jesus, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, Jesus is the focus. He is the one to whom, for whom, and on whom we are always coming, singing, falling, crying, dancing and flying.
That’s Life at Work!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Love and Loyalty
Roger Casement had served as British Consul in Mozambique in the early 1900s. In that role he had seen the mistreatment of the locals by the Belgium governmental authorities who ruled there. His criticism of their policy of mistreatment led to an overhaul of Belgium’s administration there. When he retired he moved to Dublin where he had been born. There, he witnessed the same kind of mistreatment of his own people by the British government who ruled. He played some role in organizing an armed protest called the Dublin Rising in 1916 and was subsequently arrested, convicted, and hanged by Britain. He gave a speech after his conviction that expressed a great truth about love and loyalty. Can you see lessons regarding discipleship in this statement?
“Loyalty is a sentiment, not a law. It rests on Love, not on restraint. The government of Ireland by England rests on restraint and not on law; and, since it demands no love, it can evoke no loyalty.”
Jesus told his apostles, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). John wrote later on: “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:2-4a).
More than restraint due to law, Jesus is interested in your loyalty due to love. His life, death, and resurrection, though revealing his kingship was not intended primarily to motivate subjection because of the threat of condemnation. His life, death, and resurrection was intended to evoke you to love him, so that you would obey him with all your heart.
That’s Life at Work!
“Loyalty is a sentiment, not a law. It rests on Love, not on restraint. The government of Ireland by England rests on restraint and not on law; and, since it demands no love, it can evoke no loyalty.”
Jesus told his apostles, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). John wrote later on: “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:2-4a).
More than restraint due to law, Jesus is interested in your loyalty due to love. His life, death, and resurrection, though revealing his kingship was not intended primarily to motivate subjection because of the threat of condemnation. His life, death, and resurrection was intended to evoke you to love him, so that you would obey him with all your heart.
That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Growing Spiritually by Prayer
Neil Wiseman wrote Growing Your Soul to offer “practical steps to increase your spirituality.” Of course, he writes about prayer. Specifically, he reveals ten ways that prayer changes the prayer. It is important to know that by the time you get to this point in the book and chapter, the need for honest, unguarded talking with God is essential for spiritual growth. In other words, prayer won’t have the incredible impact on you that it can if you don’t open up before the God who knows your heart anyway.
Prayer unchains an individual from old habits of feeling, thinking, and acting.
Prayer takes us on a voyage of inner discovery.
Prayer shapes us into Christ likeness.
Prayer requires a wholehearted honesty.
Prayer judges integrity.
Prayer provides a long range perspective of life.
Prayer frees us from self-centeredness.
Prayer motivates action.
Prayer encourages plain talk with God.
Prayer admits absolute dependence.
Pray cultivates friendship with God.
Those things will never happen in prayers prayed in the pulpit, before meals, or in family devotionals. You must spend time in prayer alone with God. If someone else is present, it must be someone with whom you are completely vulnerable, someone with whom you will be totally honest, like your spouse or a very close prayer partner.
Wiseman recommends this exercise for prayer. Finish these lines in the beginning of prayer when you are alone with God:
Father, to make it happen in my inner world,
Free me from _______________________;
Enable me to become _________________;
And tear down every hindrance in my, such as ____________________;
I open my whole life to your will and your promise. Amen
That’s Life at Work!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Pray and Breathe
“For Christians, prayer is like breathing.” That’s the opening line of John MacArthur’s study of prayer called Alone with God. Of course, the fact that so many of us hold our spiritual breath for so long is the reason why he wrote the book; and why this article is written. Jesus’ teaching about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount did not first address those who don’t pray much. He first addressed those who prayed a lot – at least in public.
I can imagine that those who stood in the synagogues or on street corners going on and on with their babbling thinking they would be heard because of their word count weren’t closet prayers. Closet prayers are only heard by God. These people weren’t praying to be heard by God. Unless they kept the closet door open, no one was likely to hear them and the purpose for their prayer is defeated.
To be quite honest with you, I believe that the people who pray publicly in my circles are not praying to be heard by men. I think we are too presumptuous about motives when we hear people saying some of our most famous prayer phrases, then assume that their prayer is not genuine. I think people just want to pray right – to be heard by God and to effectively lead the family.
It is possible, though, that our pure motives in public prayer are the only way that we are different from the hypocrites that Jesus addressed. How long have you held your spiritual breath? How long has it been since it was just you before the throne adoring, confessing, giving thanks, pledging loyalty, and petitioning? Has it been a month? A week? Has it even been a day since you knelt in private before the Almighty? Pray now…and breathe! That’s Life at Work!
Happiness for a Lifetime
"People get from books the idea that if you have married the right person you may expect to go on 'being in love' for ever. As a result, when they find they are not, they think this proves they have made a mistake and are entitled to a change--not realizing that, when they have changed, the glamour will presently go out of the new love just as it went out of the old one. In this department of life, as in every other, thrills come at the beginning and do not last. . . Let the thrill go--let it die away--go on through the period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow--and you will find you are living in a world of new thrills all the time." (C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity)
Those are some words of wisdom for today! Someone reading this article is thinking about leaving his/her family because the thrill is gone. Leaving will not fix things. Whatever thrill you find after leaving will die, too. Husbands, find out how to love your wife with a godly love. Wives, find out how to love your husbands with a godly love. We can help you with that! You will discover that happiness for a lifetime is much better than a thrill-a-minute.
Those are some words of wisdom for today! Someone reading this article is thinking about leaving his/her family because the thrill is gone. Leaving will not fix things. Whatever thrill you find after leaving will die, too. Husbands, find out how to love your wife with a godly love. Wives, find out how to love your husbands with a godly love. We can help you with that! You will discover that happiness for a lifetime is much better than a thrill-a-minute.
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Secret is It's Secret
“The paid off home mortgage has replaced the BMW as the status symbol of choice” (Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace). I’m not sure that everyone buys into that notion, but Ramsey has certainly changed the minds of many of his listeners in regard to their emphasis on “stuff.” But better money management that leads to the paid off mortgage is still about money. What we think of ourselves and what others think about us, in America, has so much to do with our money and how we use it.
Though perhaps archaic, “alms” is still the word most frequently associated with giving for spiritual cause. So I believe you’ll understand what I mean when I say that status, money, and church intersect at “alms giving.” The big giver has replaced the “service to all” as the status symbol of choice in the church. Righteous and giving were for Jews in the days of Matthew’s writing nearly synonymous. That’s why you see these different translations of the same passage in Matthew 6:1:
NIV
Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Matt 6:1
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia comments about alms, “The later Jews often used "righteousness" as meaning alms, that being in their view the foremost righteousness.”
In the culture of Matthew’s readers, then, giving lots of money at the synagogue purchased lots of praise because giving lots was evidence of lots of righteousness. That says a lot, doesn’t it?
There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that givers were actually “announcing it with trumpets,” but they were making sure that their charity was known by all around in some way. Maybe you drop a hint, maybe you make sure your check is facing upward in the plate as it is passed, or maybe you hold the cash a little higher than you have to hold it. Maybe you can’t think of a way that lets people know about your “big giving,” but you wish you could. Jesus wants us to evaluate what our actions say about our motives. The question of the day is: Can you give generously without letting anyone know that you’ve done it?
Though perhaps archaic, “alms” is still the word most frequently associated with giving for spiritual cause. So I believe you’ll understand what I mean when I say that status, money, and church intersect at “alms giving.” The big giver has replaced the “service to all” as the status symbol of choice in the church. Righteous and giving were for Jews in the days of Matthew’s writing nearly synonymous. That’s why you see these different translations of the same passage in Matthew 6:1:
NIV
Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Matt 6:1
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia comments about alms, “The later Jews often used "righteousness" as meaning alms, that being in their view the foremost righteousness.”
In the culture of Matthew’s readers, then, giving lots of money at the synagogue purchased lots of praise because giving lots was evidence of lots of righteousness. That says a lot, doesn’t it?
There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that givers were actually “announcing it with trumpets,” but they were making sure that their charity was known by all around in some way. Maybe you drop a hint, maybe you make sure your check is facing upward in the plate as it is passed, or maybe you hold the cash a little higher than you have to hold it. Maybe you can’t think of a way that lets people know about your “big giving,” but you wish you could. Jesus wants us to evaluate what our actions say about our motives. The question of the day is: Can you give generously without letting anyone know that you’ve done it?
Monday, February 27, 2006
God and the Oklahama Smoking Ban
“If people are going to come to your place of business to kill liver cells, we’ll let them destroy their lungs there, too.” That’s what crossed my mind as I was reminded Monday morning of the Oklahoma ban on smoking in restaurants except in establishments where sixty percent of income is from the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Did you know that God cares about your body? I remember the emails that circulate occasionally that say that the elements that make up your body and your skin are worth four dollars and fifty cents. I don’t doubt that, but God has never determined the value of something buy the dollars it generates. My guess is that a dead sparrow and the wild flowers in a field are worth less than $4.50, but God is still aware of the sparrow and dresses the wild flowers.
You are body, mind, and spirit; and God cares about you as a complete person. He wants your spirit to be healthy, your mind to be healthy, and your body to be healthy. He created you with body, mind, and spirit. He has prepared heaven so that you can live there with glorified body, mind, and spirit. He isn’t going to divide you up for eternity. He wants you complete; and completely. If God cares so much about all of you, shouldn’t you care that much about all of you? That’s Life at Work!
Did you know that God cares about your body? I remember the emails that circulate occasionally that say that the elements that make up your body and your skin are worth four dollars and fifty cents. I don’t doubt that, but God has never determined the value of something buy the dollars it generates. My guess is that a dead sparrow and the wild flowers in a field are worth less than $4.50, but God is still aware of the sparrow and dresses the wild flowers.
You are body, mind, and spirit; and God cares about you as a complete person. He wants your spirit to be healthy, your mind to be healthy, and your body to be healthy. He created you with body, mind, and spirit. He has prepared heaven so that you can live there with glorified body, mind, and spirit. He isn’t going to divide you up for eternity. He wants you complete; and completely. If God cares so much about all of you, shouldn’t you care that much about all of you? That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Cuddling Up With Sin
Gary Richmond is a zoo keeper and author of A View From the Zoo. He told a story in the book about his friend name Julia who had a pet baby raccoon. Gary knew animals, so he explained to Julia that raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months that causes them to be vicious when they had not been vicious before. It was important that Julia know that because a thirty pound raccoon is like a hundred pound dog in a scrap. The animal could cause he physical harm. Gary said he would never forget Julia’s answer. "It will be different with me," she said. "Bandit would not hurt me." Three months later, Julia was having facial reconstructive surgery to cover the laceration made by Bandit when he attacked her for no apparent reason.
There are times when we are appalled at the ugliness of sin. I guess that one of the most graphic ugly pictures of sin, in my eyes, and the eyes of many others, is the gay pride marches or Mardi Gras celebrations that are shown on the news. If sin were always so ugly, we might not sin nearly as much. But sin does not always come in ugly packages. Sometimes, in fact most times, temptation comes in very pretty packages.
That was even true of the temptations that Satan brought to Jesus in the desert. Remember, Jesus had not eaten for forty days and Satan said turn this rock into bread. Jesus was going to suffer and die to establish his Kingdom, the church. Satan offered him the kingdoms if he would only bow down. Jesus was just beginning his ministry, what a wonderful presentation it would be to cast himself offthe temple to let the angels catch him. Temptation was not ugly. John wrote in 1 John 2:16 of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."
What happens so often is that people say the same thing about these pretty temptations that Julia said about Bandit. That won’t happen to me. But it does happen.
Now, I’ve got to be honest with you. Cuddling up to sin, treating it as if it is a pet that would never hurt you, does not always end in tragedy in this life. Sometimes people sin willingly, continually, and never seem to face any earthly consequences for their actions. I would guess that Satan works hard to see that they don’t face consequences. He wants to keep them involved in their sinful activity. But, many do have to endure in this lifetime, the consequences of sin. And those consequences are often horrible. Death, disease, broken relationships, unbearable emotional strain, just to name a few.
I can tell you, however, that willingly continuing to sin will, without a doubt bring horrible eternal consequences to you. You cannot escape God’s judgment and all of us will have to give an account for the things that we have done (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
So, what should we do? Remember these verses the lessons from 2 Corinthians 11:14 and 1 Thessaloians 5:22: Satan can be transformed into an angel of light if it means fooling you and we should avoid every kind of evil That inlculdes the pretty kinds. They, too will hurt you. That’s Life at Work!
There are times when we are appalled at the ugliness of sin. I guess that one of the most graphic ugly pictures of sin, in my eyes, and the eyes of many others, is the gay pride marches or Mardi Gras celebrations that are shown on the news. If sin were always so ugly, we might not sin nearly as much. But sin does not always come in ugly packages. Sometimes, in fact most times, temptation comes in very pretty packages.
That was even true of the temptations that Satan brought to Jesus in the desert. Remember, Jesus had not eaten for forty days and Satan said turn this rock into bread. Jesus was going to suffer and die to establish his Kingdom, the church. Satan offered him the kingdoms if he would only bow down. Jesus was just beginning his ministry, what a wonderful presentation it would be to cast himself offthe temple to let the angels catch him. Temptation was not ugly. John wrote in 1 John 2:16 of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."
What happens so often is that people say the same thing about these pretty temptations that Julia said about Bandit. That won’t happen to me. But it does happen.
Now, I’ve got to be honest with you. Cuddling up to sin, treating it as if it is a pet that would never hurt you, does not always end in tragedy in this life. Sometimes people sin willingly, continually, and never seem to face any earthly consequences for their actions. I would guess that Satan works hard to see that they don’t face consequences. He wants to keep them involved in their sinful activity. But, many do have to endure in this lifetime, the consequences of sin. And those consequences are often horrible. Death, disease, broken relationships, unbearable emotional strain, just to name a few.
I can tell you, however, that willingly continuing to sin will, without a doubt bring horrible eternal consequences to you. You cannot escape God’s judgment and all of us will have to give an account for the things that we have done (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
So, what should we do? Remember these verses the lessons from 2 Corinthians 11:14 and 1 Thessaloians 5:22: Satan can be transformed into an angel of light if it means fooling you and we should avoid every kind of evil That inlculdes the pretty kinds. They, too will hurt you. That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Doing the Things You Do
“Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1)
For some who heard the Jesus Perspective on giving, praying, and fasting that day on the mountainside, these words were a warning about ongoing hypocrisy. Their practice was to make themselves seen when they did righteous acts. You might say they were acting righteous. It was a role they played, and they were excellent actors. The Greek word for that kind of acting is the root of the English word “hypocrite.”
For others these words, were a warning to guard their motives. That takes some serious introspection. I can guard my tongue in an instant. When I realize I’m about to say something that that I shouldn’t, I can pull back on the reigns of my tongue and keep my mouth shut. We call it “biting our tongues.” But to guard my heart in regard to motives for doing righteous acts; that may take a little time, some prayer, and some real exploratory heart surgery.
Ask yourself today, and be perfectly honest, “Why do you do the good things you do?” Are you doing them to be seen by others for admiration’s sake? Or are you doing them to be seen by God for the reward he has prepared?
That’s Life at Work!
For some who heard the Jesus Perspective on giving, praying, and fasting that day on the mountainside, these words were a warning about ongoing hypocrisy. Their practice was to make themselves seen when they did righteous acts. You might say they were acting righteous. It was a role they played, and they were excellent actors. The Greek word for that kind of acting is the root of the English word “hypocrite.”
For others these words, were a warning to guard their motives. That takes some serious introspection. I can guard my tongue in an instant. When I realize I’m about to say something that that I shouldn’t, I can pull back on the reigns of my tongue and keep my mouth shut. We call it “biting our tongues.” But to guard my heart in regard to motives for doing righteous acts; that may take a little time, some prayer, and some real exploratory heart surgery.
Ask yourself today, and be perfectly honest, “Why do you do the good things you do?” Are you doing them to be seen by others for admiration’s sake? Or are you doing them to be seen by God for the reward he has prepared?
That’s Life at Work!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Marriage Week Communication
A man was watching the news with his wife when a story was reported about a politician who was discovered in scandal. The story included a picture of the politician standing next to his wife who was especially pretty.
The man watching the news said out loud, “It’s not fair. The biggest jerks have the best looking wives!
His wife calmly replied: “Thank you, dear.”
The story above ought to remind us of a few things about communication in marriage, and in other relationships for that matter: First, sometimes, like the man who made the foot-in-my-mouth comment about jerks and beautiful women, we say things without thinking that hurt. Some of us speak unencumbered by the thought process. Be careful about what you say.
Second, sometimes when we’ve been hurt by words we forget the Proverb, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” When your spouse says something that hurts your feelings, don’t respond with the “eye for an eye” response that comes so naturally. You can express hurt with hurting back.
Finally, see the humor in things, and when your spouse jokes in the midst of tension, laugh at it. Laughter breaks the tension, lightens the moment, signals a desire for reconciliation, and heals. Receive the signal and laugh.
Maybe you are aware that February 7-14 is Marriage Week. It shouldn’t be surprising that Valentine’s Day occurs in Marriage Week! Don’t forget to express your love in a special way to your spouse on February 14.
That’s Life at Work!
The man watching the news said out loud, “It’s not fair. The biggest jerks have the best looking wives!
His wife calmly replied: “Thank you, dear.”
The story above ought to remind us of a few things about communication in marriage, and in other relationships for that matter: First, sometimes, like the man who made the foot-in-my-mouth comment about jerks and beautiful women, we say things without thinking that hurt. Some of us speak unencumbered by the thought process. Be careful about what you say.
Second, sometimes when we’ve been hurt by words we forget the Proverb, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” When your spouse says something that hurts your feelings, don’t respond with the “eye for an eye” response that comes so naturally. You can express hurt with hurting back.
Finally, see the humor in things, and when your spouse jokes in the midst of tension, laugh at it. Laughter breaks the tension, lightens the moment, signals a desire for reconciliation, and heals. Receive the signal and laugh.
Maybe you are aware that February 7-14 is Marriage Week. It shouldn’t be surprising that Valentine’s Day occurs in Marriage Week! Don’t forget to express your love in a special way to your spouse on February 14.
That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Life at Work
Ever seen the geyser “Old Faithful” in Yellowstone National Park? I haven’t yet, but I will. We will join the millions who have visited the site fully expecting to see the eruption, and we leave without being disappointed. Author Wallace Fridy wrote about the dependability of Old Faithful and how we can learn from it:
“Old Faithful” is not the largest geyser, nor does it reach the greatest height. Nevertheless, it by far the most popular geyser. Its popularity is due mainly to its regularity and dependability. You can count on Old Faithful. Nothing in life can take the place of faithfulness and dependability. It is one of the greatest virtues. Brilliance, genius, competence – are all subservient to the quality of faithfulness.”
Paul wrote about our reliable God, reliable words, teaching reliable men, and rearing reliable children. We are called to be faithful, dependable, and reliable. You will grow, your family will thrive, and you will bring glory to God in wonderful ways as you develop this virtue. You may not attract millions of visitors, but you will have a following. Lead them to faithfulness. That’s Life at Work!
“Old Faithful” is not the largest geyser, nor does it reach the greatest height. Nevertheless, it by far the most popular geyser. Its popularity is due mainly to its regularity and dependability. You can count on Old Faithful. Nothing in life can take the place of faithfulness and dependability. It is one of the greatest virtues. Brilliance, genius, competence – are all subservient to the quality of faithfulness.”
Paul wrote about our reliable God, reliable words, teaching reliable men, and rearing reliable children. We are called to be faithful, dependable, and reliable. You will grow, your family will thrive, and you will bring glory to God in wonderful ways as you develop this virtue. You may not attract millions of visitors, but you will have a following. Lead them to faithfulness. That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
God Said He Was Coming
God said he was coming. I mean he said he was coming. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Is 7:14). Matthew explains the fulfillment of this prophecy in the context of Jesus of Nazareth (Matt 1:18-23).
He lived among us for a while - that is, in our world, among people; so we say that he was here. But, we also say that when we’ve lost a dog or our little brother whom we were supposed to be watching. “He was here,” we say when people or animals are missing. The idea is that we know where he was a little while ago. We’re not sure where he is now.
Not so when we say about Jesus, “He was here.” When he came he was “God with us.” When he left, he promised, “I will be with you always.” We can talk about Jesus as if he is here, because he is. Though we don’t see him, he is here. He is with us when we eat the Lord’s Supper, he is with us as we make disciples of the nations, and he is with us as we live out his teaching concerning life in the kingdom. That’s Life at Work!
He lived among us for a while - that is, in our world, among people; so we say that he was here. But, we also say that when we’ve lost a dog or our little brother whom we were supposed to be watching. “He was here,” we say when people or animals are missing. The idea is that we know where he was a little while ago. We’re not sure where he is now.
Not so when we say about Jesus, “He was here.” When he came he was “God with us.” When he left, he promised, “I will be with you always.” We can talk about Jesus as if he is here, because he is. Though we don’t see him, he is here. He is with us when we eat the Lord’s Supper, he is with us as we make disciples of the nations, and he is with us as we live out his teaching concerning life in the kingdom. That’s Life at Work!
Life at Work
"It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
Hosea (not his real name) was getting a divorce. His wife begged him not to send her away. She wanted to work it out. "Don’t you love me?" she asked. "Don’t you know this will wreck the kids?"
Hosea responded, "Look, were divorcing. That’s it. But I promise, we’ll do it right. I’ll give you a certificate of divorce like the law requires."
It was like Deuteronomy 24:1-2 was printed bigger than the rest of the Old Testament. Maybe it was just the phrase "certificate of divorce" that was so large in the eyes of many Jewish men. "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house…"
The Jews were using that verse as much as unbelievers use the "don’t judge" verse today. They were so accustomed to using it, in fact, that some among the disciples said "If we can’t divorce, we shouldn’t even get married."
Their idea of doing marriage right was being sure to divorce with the right forms. Jesus stressed that doing marriage right means staying together. Only in extreme circumstance could you divorce. The Jesus Perspective is that marriage was designed to last a lifetime.
Are you thinking about getting out so much, and the possibility or impossibility of divorce so much, that you are not giving your marriage the energy it needs? Quit trying to find the right way out. Refocus on staying in and getting better. That's Life at Work!
Hosea (not his real name) was getting a divorce. His wife begged him not to send her away. She wanted to work it out. "Don’t you love me?" she asked. "Don’t you know this will wreck the kids?"
Hosea responded, "Look, were divorcing. That’s it. But I promise, we’ll do it right. I’ll give you a certificate of divorce like the law requires."
It was like Deuteronomy 24:1-2 was printed bigger than the rest of the Old Testament. Maybe it was just the phrase "certificate of divorce" that was so large in the eyes of many Jewish men. "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house…"
The Jews were using that verse as much as unbelievers use the "don’t judge" verse today. They were so accustomed to using it, in fact, that some among the disciples said "If we can’t divorce, we shouldn’t even get married."
Their idea of doing marriage right was being sure to divorce with the right forms. Jesus stressed that doing marriage right means staying together. Only in extreme circumstance could you divorce. The Jesus Perspective is that marriage was designed to last a lifetime.
Are you thinking about getting out so much, and the possibility or impossibility of divorce so much, that you are not giving your marriage the energy it needs? Quit trying to find the right way out. Refocus on staying in and getting better. That's Life at Work!
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Worst of the Worst Couples
Life at Work
Ahab and Jezebel were the worst of the worst couples. They beat out Samson and Delilah. They were worse than Bonnie and Clyde. They were incredibly evil! Here are some things that were true about them that we should guard against in our own lives.
First, they trivialized sin. At the beginning of the story about this couple (1 Kings 16:29), it is said about Ahab that he was worse than any of the wicked kings before him and he trivialized the sins of his fathers. He not only did what they had done, he spoke about it and acted in such a way that it seemed he thought nothing of being wicked.
Second, they created an atmosphere for wrongdoing. For centuries the city Jericho that had been destroyed by the Israelites when they entered the land of promise lay desolate as a testimony to God’s power – and as a testimony to belief in the curse inherited by any who would rebuild it (Josh 6 ). Hiel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his sons. Ahab and Jezebel made it easy to think of evil and practice evil in Isreal.
Third, they encouraged greed in each other. Jezebel couldn’t wait to get Naboth’s vineyard for her husband, though killing Naboth was the mean to getting it done. Ahab couldn’t wait for Jezebel to do it for him. They had so much, but wanted more. It was their murderous greed that ended their reign for good.
You wouldn’t take their names. Don’t act like them. Remember the cost of sin. Create an atmosphere or righteousness where you live, work and play. Encourage contentment instead of greed. You don’t have to be the best of the best. Do what pleases the Lord. That’s Life at Work.
Ahab and Jezebel were the worst of the worst couples. They beat out Samson and Delilah. They were worse than Bonnie and Clyde. They were incredibly evil! Here are some things that were true about them that we should guard against in our own lives.
First, they trivialized sin. At the beginning of the story about this couple (1 Kings 16:29), it is said about Ahab that he was worse than any of the wicked kings before him and he trivialized the sins of his fathers. He not only did what they had done, he spoke about it and acted in such a way that it seemed he thought nothing of being wicked.
Second, they created an atmosphere for wrongdoing. For centuries the city Jericho that had been destroyed by the Israelites when they entered the land of promise lay desolate as a testimony to God’s power – and as a testimony to belief in the curse inherited by any who would rebuild it (Josh 6 ). Hiel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his sons. Ahab and Jezebel made it easy to think of evil and practice evil in Isreal.
Third, they encouraged greed in each other. Jezebel couldn’t wait to get Naboth’s vineyard for her husband, though killing Naboth was the mean to getting it done. Ahab couldn’t wait for Jezebel to do it for him. They had so much, but wanted more. It was their murderous greed that ended their reign for good.
You wouldn’t take their names. Don’t act like them. Remember the cost of sin. Create an atmosphere or righteousness where you live, work and play. Encourage contentment instead of greed. You don’t have to be the best of the best. Do what pleases the Lord. That’s Life at Work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)