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Got Enough Stuff?

Got Enough Stuff?

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I was chatting with the copier repair tech in my church office when a loud knocking sounded on the door frame and a tall, elderly stranger stepped into view.  Usually when non-members stop in at church, they either want to sell me something, or they want me to give them something. 

But not this gentleman.  He wanted to give me something.

Turns out he was working through the personal effects of a deceased relative who had been a Lutheran pastor, and there were several containers containing some of his pastoral books. The relative wasn’t comfortable with simply throwing them away and asked if we might be able to make use of them or find good homes for them.   I said, “Sure!” and thanked him for the generous offer. 

It took me a few weeks before I could tackle the containers, but I finally dove into them.  Inside were Bibles, hymnals, worship service planning and reference books, and theological books.  There were also some lovely Christian knick-knacks that now reside on my church office shelves.

Most striking though were the well-used Bibles and hymnals carrying the personal inscriptions of the names of the pastor and his wife on the front covers.  Also found in the containers were documents of some of his pastoral installations and pictorial directories of congregations he had served.

These all were articles that carried either sentimental or practical value for a former pastor.  Yet there came a time when a stranger was going through them.  Furthermore, one of the containers was a cardboard box which had been exposed to water, and most of the books inside had sustained severe water damage.

Consequently, much of what was once valued by an individual had to be discarded.  Though I never knew the man, I still found it rather sad.  If you’ve ever had to process a loved one’s possessions after their passing, you’ve experienced a similar situation and sentiments … only undoubtedly magnified due to your connection with them. 

We have so much stuff!  Every single one of us has … so … much … stuff!

When my wife and I moved a few years ago, we got rid of a LOT of things.  But after all our “purging,” we still had a LOT!  Since we’ve moved into our new home, we’ve accumulated even more.

We all are abundantly blessed by our God – certainly spiritually, but also materially.  Simply living in the United States positions people for prosperity.  Consequently, most have a pile of possessions.

If you doubt this, consider the booming storage business in our country.  The United States has more than 52,000 storage facilities containing over 2.1 million individual self-storage units.  (And more are always being built!)  The estimated rentable storage of all those facilities equals 2.1 billion square feet. 

Why all that space?  Because 1 in 10 households rent storage.  And that doesn’t include the stuff crammed into our closets, attics, spare rooms, garages, sheds, or barns.

Yup, we have a LOT of stuff!

The wild thing about this is that we can’t take any of it with us!  Everyone acknowledges this truth, yet it seems to dissuade few from accumulating more.

The simple truth is that one day after we are gone someone will be wading through our ocean of possessions, having to make difficult decisions about what to do with them … and it won’t matter even one bit to us.

What will matter after the Lord calls us out of this world is NOT how much stuff we have piled up in our lives, but what is (or isn’t!) in our soul.

Jesus specifically addressed this matter with these powerful, thought-provoking and sobering questions: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

That’s quite a contrast: “The whole world” versus one’s “soul.”  To state it another way, it’s the physical versus the spiritual.  As physical creatures in a physical world, the physical is powerfully attractive.  But Jesus reminds us that the true treasure is the spiritual … faith in our Savior in our souls.

As Jesus stated so clearly to Martha after her brother, Lazarus, had died, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

As Christians, we recognize what should be our proper priorities (the Lord, his word, and our souls), yet “life” so easily and often distracts us with things that, in the end, really don’t matter.  In the end, the only thing that will matter is that we transition from life to Life.  That is, from life in this physical world to eternal Life in heaven with our Savior. 

And the only way that happens is if there is life (faith in Jesus!) in our souls.

That spiritual life in our souls is created and nurtured through the living, powerful, and life-changing word of God.  The Gospel is the good stuff. 

No.  More than that.  The gospel is the greatest stuff of all in this world because the Holy Spirit uses it to lead sinners to salvation in the next world.

Which means that, regardless of how much or little physical stuff you own, if you have saving faith in your soul, you have more than enough!

So, if you are inclined, certainly keep, store and treasure your physical stuff.  But never lose sight of your greatest treasure – the only one that really matters when you die and the only possession you can take with you – that is, faith in your Savior in your soul.  Do everything possible to ensure that treasure is always safely stored and actively cared for.

As Jesus himself urges, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

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Philippians 3:7-9
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

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Eating – Boldly and Eagerly!

Eating – Boldly and Eagerly!

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As many years as a person may live, every now and then the Lord still allows us to experience new things!  And this was certainly a first for me.

A few weeks ago on this very blog I shared how the birds around our place, after cleaning out the birdfeeder, wait and watch for me to refill it. That very scenario rose to new heights at my last refilling.

While I was prepping the feeder for a new supply, I had a plastic, gallon-sized ice cream container filled with seed resting on the ground just a few feet away.  To my utter astonishment, a white-breasted nuthatch landed on the rim of the container and proceeded to pluck out a seed. 

And it wasn’t a snatch and dash scenario, as one might expect.  It took its sweet time, picked up a seed in its beak, and was completely content to perch there while I loomed over it.  Only when I stated, “Aren’t you a bold one,” did it decide to take flight.

It’s not unusual for birds to begin to swoop in towards the feeder while I’m there.  But the usual response, once they recognize I’m present, is to make a rapid and extreme adjustment in flight and divert to a nearby tree. 

Not this nuthatch.  It saw readily available food, and it was eager to eat it!  So eager that it boldly settled down on the feed container before I even had the opportunity to transfer it to the feeder, and began helping itself.  Meanwhile, I’m only steps away!

My immediate thought was, “How cool is that!”  It was followed almost immediately with, “If only we were as eager to eat up God’s word as that nuthatch is to eat seeds!”

The Lord uses this very metaphor in his Scriptures, often describing God’s word as a necessary and delicious “food” to devour.  It’s necessary because it feeds the faith in our souls; it’s delicious because it strengthens our relationship with our Lord, filling us with joy and peace.

As Moses informed the Israelites: “… man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3).  You’ll undoubtedly remember that Jesus quoted these very words when Satan tempted him to create physical food while Jesus was fasting in the desert.

The words of God are not only necessary for the soul, but delicious and delightful.  (Yes, even when they point out our sin, because they also point out our Savior from sin!)  The psalmist states, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).  And the prophet agrees! “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16). 

The concept of feeding our souls through Scripture carries over into the New Testament as well.  Including from the Savior himself, who said, “ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27).

Or, in the words of Peter, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

I wonder if we don’t sometimes regard our time in God’s word as “snacking.”  We nibble on it now and then when it appeals to us.

Or perhaps we think of it more as an obligation.  “We have to eat something,” so we try to arrange for a meal now and then on a Sunday morning … if there isn’t something that sounds more “appetizing” that day.

But those are NOT the pictures God gives us in the Bible!

Rather, the word of God shows us that the words of God are life sustaining and strengthening – spiritually speaking.  They are enduring.  They are also “sweet,” therefore they bring joy and delight to our hearts.

So God’s people want to devour God’s words eagerly, often, and boldly (resolutely).  Like a certain nuthatch in my front yard does with safflower seed.

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Output Vs. Input

Output Vs. Input

The concept we’re exploring today is not original with me.  I actually heard it on a local Christian radio station, and I thought it was a concept worth sharing.  It’s simply stated and explained, yet it is profound in its simplicity and powerful when understood and implemented.

From little on we are trained to find self-value in what we are able to put out.  It’s a lesson readily learned since it comes so naturally to the human psyche and seems so logical.  The greater the quantity and quality of our output, the more inherent value we feel and find.

The realms of our personal output validators are varied and unique to each individual.  Our personal output indicators may be in the physical, mental, emotional, verbal, relational, occupational, educational, societal or familial worlds.  Yet the cause and effect are the same: when we are able to output effectively, we tend to feel good about ourselves.

Unfortunately, the inevitable is that there will come times when our output is substandard.  Even more so as we age and our ability and energy flags and fades.  And then what happens to our self-esteem?  If it is based on our output (as it is for most!), we’re in trouble!

Many is the time I’ve counseled individuals who were struggling mentally and emotionally because they just couldn’t do what they used to be able to do.  Their self-worth was based on their output … and their output was leaving them devastated.  Eventually, one’s output will leave every output-based person devastated.

Which brings us to the importance of input – both recognizing and pursuing positive input.

Kind and encouraging words from loved ones certainly qualifies as positive input; warm support from people is important and is certainly helpful.  But sometimes that is hard to come by or is not enough.

The most crucial input is the input our God gives us in his Word!

Yes, the condemnation of the law which shows us our sinfulness isn’t pleasant.  It’s important we all take this to heart; we are all sinful and the Lord hates sin.  But don’t stop at the law.  Let it drive you desperately and eagerly to God’s gospel, which tells us about God’s love … and mercy … and grace … and atonement … and forgiveness … and salvation. 

Furthermore, embrace those truths God shares with us about who we now are in the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.  This is the input we desperately need!

Words like these:

“… You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Or these:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Or this long, wonderful, self-esteem-boosting list:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

These are just some of the thousands of messages God gives us in his Scriptures.  Search the Scriptures and you’ll find plenty of incredible input.  God tells us he has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3), a love so lavish that he considers us his very children (1 Jn. 3:1) and rejoices over us with singing! (Zeph. 3:17). 

These are truths God wants us to take to heart!  Crucial, positive, self-esteem-lifting input God wants us to embrace. 

The Lord knows this input … given by the One whose output is always perfect and always perfectly blesses … will completely transform our self-perspective. 

As Paul prayed: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

The vast majority of the world looks to one’s output as the basis for value.  But that’s a disappointing path.  Be different.  Be better!  Or rather, learn a better way to evaluate yourself!  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). 

Far better for us to find our value in the input God gives.  And he values us immensely!  Of all astounding things, he informs us that we are precious in his sight! (Is. 43:4).

When our self-esteem is based on our output, it will eventually and undoubtedly collapse.  When based on God’s input, however, it will soar!  

Which underscores the importance of being in our Bibles and mining these golden truths!  There’s an abundance of wealth just waiting to be uncovered there and make us spiritually rich.  It’s exactly the input we need to prosper in this output-based world.

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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you [encourage one another] and [praise] … God with gratitude in your hearts.  (Colossians 3:15-16)

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Don’t Miss the Commas!

Don’t Miss the Commas!

Whether a person happens to be a grammar geek or not, commas are important.  In fact, sometimes they are more than just important; they are crucial!

Consider these examples:

No comma:  I’m sorry I love you.
With comma:  I’m sorry, I love you.

No comma:  He told me I’m a fool.
With comma:  He told me, I’m a fool.

No comma:  Slow children at play.
With comma:  Slow, children at play.

No comma:  We’re going to learn how to cut and paste kids.
With comma:  We’re going to learn how to cut and paste, kids.

No comma:  Let’s eat Grandma.
With comma:  Let’s eat, Grandma.

No commas:  I find inspiration in cooking my family and my dog.
With commas:  I find inspiration in cooking, my family, and my dog.

No comma:  A woman without her man is nothing.
With punctuation and comma:  A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Commas are significant!  Omit one when writing … or miss one when reading … and an entirely different message can emerge.  At best, confusion can be caused; at worst, offense can be caused or wrong information can be passed along. 

Think about the drastically different theology the next sentences convey:

No comma:  Jesus died for you as sinful as you are.
With comma:  Jesus died for you, as sinful as you are.

No comma:  God truly loves you not a bit – endlessly and forever.
With comma:  God truly loves you, not a bit – endlessly and forever.

We need pauses in our words to share the message we want to share – to get it right.  Lack of appropriate pauses causes issues.

The same is true in our lives.  Sometimes pauses are not only desirable; they are necessary.

Obviously, our bodies can’t be taxed indefinitely.  Sooner or later, we need a physical rest.  It’s why we stop, rest, eat and sleep. 

Mental breaks are also crucial, or focus fades and mistakes are made. 

Ditto for our emotions, which can be distracted, disrupted and even devastated by emotional storms.  Perhaps even more important than physical and mental breaks, our emotions need some “sunny days” now and then – times of calm and peace.

The loving Lord who created us knows how important pauses are in our lives.  Therefore, it shouldn’t be shocking that he set aside the Sabbath Day for Old Testament Israel.  As he told the people through Moses:

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  (Exodus 20:9-11)

Saturday, the seventh day, was to be a day of rest – physical, mental, and emotional rest – for God’s people.  But here was the key: the Sabbath Day was, first and foremost, a day of spiritual rest. 

God told his people, “There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly.  You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:3).

In other words, God told them to take a day to rest their bodies, minds and emotions from the rigors of life … AND to immerse themselves in the ultimate spiritual rest that God brings.  It was a day to worship the Lord and to be in his Scriptures.  God knew that the ultimate pause the people needed in their lives was rest for their souls.

Nothing has changed!  The ultimate pause WE need in OUR lives is rest for OUR souls!  When our souls are at rest in the Lord, then our bodies, minds and emotions also prosper.

The New Testament makes it clear we are no longer obligated to literally observe the Sabbath Day by physically resting on Saturdays.  The Sabbath and the Old Testament ceremonies were “a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17).

In other words, in these New Testament times we find rest for our souls in our Savior.  Jesus himself made this clear.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29).

The writer to the New Testament Jewish believers was inspired by the Holy Spirit to explain it this way:

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest … (Hebrews 4:9-11).

And then in the very next verse he shares how we enter that rest!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

We are no longer obligated to observe the Sabbath Day literally.  But we are still commanded / urged / begged by the Lord to be in his living and active Word regularly … in worship services, Bible studies, personal devotions, and Christian music.  Because that’s the way the Holy Spirit works in us and brings us spiritual rest.

So definitely pause.  Pause in your days to appreciate your loved ones and your many “little” blessings – to “smell the flowers,” as the expression goes.  Pause from your labors daily and weekly to rest your body, mind and emotions.  Pause in your annual schedules for vacations. 

But the Lord gives us this most crucial advice of all: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). That is, pause often to focus on the Lord through his Word, and let the Lord bring rest to your soul through Jesus, your Savior. 

Commas in sentences are extremely important.  But “commas” (pauses) in our lives, and especially for our souls, are even more important.

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Psalm 46 (selected)
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. … 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Disconnected ?!?!

Disconnected ?!?!

After the privilege (and pressure) of leading Holy Week and Easter Sunday services for two congregations, I was looking forward to a relatively quiet Monday following Easter.  But then I looked out one of our back windows and noticed the floating portion of our dock was twisted sideways and barely hanging on!  (See the picture above.)

Which precipitated an immediate change of plans.  Especially since the forecast called for high winds later that day.  Either I reconnected the end of our dock or I would undoubtedly be retrieving it from the far end of the lake! 

The dock is rather old, and I had been monitoring the attachments for a while now.  I knew I would need to add a new 2 X 8 board for extra support, as well as new eye bolts.  It was a project for the near future.  But on Easter Monday, the “near future” suddenly became “immediately.”

As the snow fell and the wind began to pick up, I tied the floating portion of the dock to the anchored walkway.  The old and bent eye bolts were removed, a new front panel was installed, and new bolts were screwed into place.  (Amazingly, I only dropped one of my tools into the lake.  Fortunately, the water was shallow enough for it to be retrieved with a garden rake.)  Finally, I reattached the quick links to the eye bolts, and the end of our dock was safely reconnected.

Paddling our kayak to rescue our beached dock somewhere on the lake shore would have certainly been … interesting.  But that wasn’t even the worst outcome that could have occurred.  If the wind was fierce enough and blowing to the east, it could have potentially blown our dock over the spillway of the dam at the end of the lake, and then down the river below.  If that had happened, I may not have been able to retrieve it all!  Even if the dock managed to survive the fall.

Becoming disconnected would have led to drastic and perhaps dire ramifications for our little but dearly loved dock.

Connections are important.  And especially our connection to our Savior!  Becoming disconnected from Him leads to drastic and perhaps dire ramifications to our well-being – both now and forever.

Jesus himself makes this clear. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:5-6).

We wither when we lose connection to the living Lord – when we become distracted and distant from the source of spiritual life.  Without Jesus, the searing heat of stresses and the drought of difficulties in our lives sap the life from us.  Or, to mix our metaphors, when we become unmoored from the Savior, we float away and careen toward calamity.

It’s no accident that the concept of remaining anchored in … attached to! … the Lord permeates the Scriptures. 

David sang about the unmovable force that is the Lord after he delivered David from Saul’s attempt to kill him.  As we read his words, we can’t help but recognize how desperately David clung to his God during those difficult days.

I love you, Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  (Psalm 18:1-2).

Jesus referred to the same concept of God and God’s Word being an unshakable foundation to which the wise are attached:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”  (Matthew 7:24-25).

If we are to stand through the fierce storms of this world, (and none of us avoid those storms!), it is crucial that we remain connected to the ultimate foundation of our Savior. 

Choose whichever illustration you prefer … the living Vine, the unmovable Rock, the impregnable Fortress, the ultimate Stronghold … the point is the same: we need to stay connected to Him.  Why?  Because the Lord is our spiritual Sustanence, our Strength, our Deliverer, our Refuge, our Shield and our Salvation!

Unplug any rechargeable do-dad … a phone, a speaker, a tool, etc. … and it will operate for a while.  But while operating, the charge is slowly draining.  Eventually the power is gone.

It’s the same with our souls!

We must be plugged in to the Lord and his Word to be spiritually recharged, and to stay charged. 

“… The gospel … is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).  The Holy Spirit “powers” us through the “living, active, and penetrating” word of God.  (Hebrews 4:12).

As a pastor, I know this to be true.  I have seen this play out, both negatively and positively, among God’s people. 

Those who neglect reading and hearing God’s Word slowly but surely lose their spiritual power and become more-and-more disconnected from their God.  Their spiritual lights dim, and tragically, sometimes go out altogether.

On the other hand, those who actively read and hear God’s Word become stronger-and-stronger spiritually and more-and-more connected to their God.  They almost glow with spiritual light and life; they thrive in their connection to Jesus, the Vine.

It’s a striking contrast. 

Faith is dynamic; it is always changing.  Either it is growing stronger through our connection with the Lord and his Word, or it is growing weaker through disconnection.

I know which of the two I want happening in me!

Thankfully, our dock is reconnected and anchored.  But much more importantly, may every one of us remain connected and anchored in our loving Lord.

There is no better or safer place to be than close to our Savior … clinging to him as he clings to us, and as he fills us with life, joy and security!

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Hebrews 10:22-25
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42  (A description of the early Christian church)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: The Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled

Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: The Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled

Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

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In past weeks, the “seemingly little things of large significance” we have discussed have been incidents mentioned only once in the Gospels and described with only a few words.  This week we will consider a truth mentioned so often in the Bible that readers are tempted to simply dismiss it, thereby viewing it as a seemingly insignificant thing.

But it most certainly is NOT a little thing.  And it most certainly IS a matter of great significance!

Mark records Jesus’ words spoken to the mob who had arrived to arrest him in the Garden. 

(Mark 14:48-49)  “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. [Then come the significant words!]  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 

Jesus states it frankly and clearly: “The Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

Interestingly, Matthew (the gospel writer to the Jews who knew the Old Testament Scriptures!) shares more of Jesus’ dialogue from that fateful evening.  And Jesus actually stated this fundamental concept twice!  He said it first to Peter – “But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Mt. 26:54), and then he repeated it to his aggressors – “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled” (Mt. 26:56). 

Jesus emphasized the truth that “the Scriptures must be fulfilled” to both his devoted disciples and to his detractors.  This is not accidental or incidental.  This is the Savior highlighting a highly significant precept. 

For centuries … millennia even! … the Lord had been providing prophecies about the Christ, the Second Adam who would undo the damage the first Adam wrought.  Every new prophecy added a new piece to the Messianic puzzle and painted a more complete picture of who He would be, what He would do, and what He would endure.

Theologians differ on the exact number of Old Testament Messianic prophecies, based on how they define individual examples.  Nevertheless, there is agreement that there are between 200 – 400 clear prophecies of the Christ.  Most scholars of the topic settle on a number over 300.

Wherever one lands in regard to the specific count, the sheer volume of prophecies is astounding.  And Jesus fulfilled every one of them … “because the Scriptures must be fulfilled!”

It started with the Savior being born of a virgin (Is. 7:14) from the line of David (2 Sam. 7:12-16) in the town of Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2), and his subsequent flight to Egypt (Hos 11:1).  As an adult, it continued with his ministry in Galilee (Is. 9:1-2), as well as his healing of the blind, deaf, dumb and lame (Is. 35:4-6). 

The foreshadowing of his suffering and death is scattered liberally throughout the Old Testament, both the physical specifics (as in Ps. 22) and the spiritual impact that suffering and death would bring (Is. 53).  Astoundingly accurate details are provided, from his ride into Jerusalem on a young donkey (Zech. 9:9), to his betrayal by one close to him (Ps. 41:9) for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13), to being abandoned by those close to him (Zech. 13:7), to being sentenced with transgressors (Is. 53:12), to the casting of lots for his clothing (Ps. 22:18), to dying (Dan. 9:26), and to being pierced (Zech. 12:10).

It’s also fascinating to note that at least twice in Jesus’ ministry irate groups attempted to murder him … once in Nazareth (Lk. 4:28-30) and another time in the temple courts in Jerusalem (Jn. 8:58-59).  Jesus was indeed destined to die for the people at the hands of people, but only at the right time and in the right manner.  (Because the Scriptures must be fulfilled.)  So he somehow simply (miraculously!) exited those situations.

The above prophetic examples provide a very summary list; the examples go on and on into the hundreds.  And Jesus fulfilled every single prophecy made about him.

This is no small thing!  The odds of doing so are essentially impossible – something only God could do.  Which is exactly what Jesus, the Son of God, did.

In the 1950’s, a mathematics professor at Pasadena City College named Peter Stoner ran a class exercise with 12 different classes totaling over 600 students.  The point of the process was to determine the probability of one person fulfilling just 8 specific examples of the hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah.

When the calculations were complete, the students discovered that the odds of one person fulfilling only eight of the Old Testament prophecies as 1 in a 100 quadrillion!  To put that into numbers, it would be a 1 in a 100,000,000,000,000,000 chance!!!  (17 zeroes!)

To help illustrate this probability in a more visual manner, Professor Stoner provided a telling picture.  He explained that if 100 quadrillion silver dollars were laid down within the geographic boundaries of the state of Texas, they would cover every square inch of the state by a height of two feet.

Only 1 of those silver dollars in the 24-inch, statewide pile is marked with an X.  If someone would be blindfolded and plopped wherever they wished in the massive state, the probability of that person reaching down and selecting the one and only marked coin would be the same as one person fulfilling those 8 specific prophecies.  (“Science Speaks: An Evaluation of Certain Christian Evidences” by Peter Stoner, Moody Press).

But Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies!  Meaning the probability far exceeds 100 quadrillion … taking it well into the realm of impossibility. 

Which is exactly Jesus’ point: He is the God who can and who does accomplish the impossible.  That is, perfectly fulfilling over three hundred prophecies. 

He is also the God who has everything perfectly planned out.  This is true in regard to history in general; it is especially true in regard to the plan of salvation.  That plan was perfectly proposed by the Lord, and it was perfectly executed by Jesus.

Furthermore, he is the God who perfectly keeps his promises.  If just one of the hundreds of Messianic prophecies went unfulfilled, Jesus could not be the Messiah.  Jesus would be a farce and God would show himself a liar; one who is unfaithful and untrustworthy. 

But that is NOT who our God and our Savior is!  It is not happenstance that the Apostle John describes Jesus in this way as he opens his Gospel:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2, 14)

Jesus, the Promised One who fulfilled all the promises, was the embodiment of God’s Word … of God’s truths … of God’s prophecies.  Jesus was the Word made flesh.  Which is why he stated those incredibly important words: “The Scriptures must be fulfilled.”  And why he made sure they were!

It’s why Jesus came to earth.  It’s what Jesus did.  He fulfilled the Scriptures! 

And thanks be to God that he did!  As Isaiah prophesied about the Savior … about our Savior:  “… He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

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We’re Being “Auto-Corrected”

We’re Being “Auto-Corrected”

Usually it’s a fairly nice feature.  You happen to misspell a word in a text and your phone takes it upon itself to right (write!) your wrong.  This can save you from embarrassing yourself.

Then again, your phone can auto-correct your words and embarrass you even more!

Here’s one example I found online: 

Texter one (the father):  “Your mom and I are going to divorce next month.”

Texter two (a grown child):  “What???  Why?  Call me, please!”

Texter one (the father):  “I wrote Disney and this phone changed it.  We are going to Disney.”

That was a tame example.  There were many more where auto-correct provided an outlandish, preposterous, inappropriate and/or even offensive reply.  Highly embarrassing indeed!

I’m fairly confident that, unless you are extremely careful and take the time to painstakingly reread your texts before sending, you have sent messages with messages you didn’t mean to send! 

And the mess-ups weren’t mess-up of your own doing; they were inserted into your texts by “auto-correct.”  Which was actually an “auto-INcorrect.”

It’s nothing personal.  It’s simply Artificial Intelligence demonstrating a remarkable LACK of intelligence.  It thinks it knows best … but it doesn’t always.

Have you ever considered that we are surrounded by a culture that is constantly attempting to “auto-correct” our beliefs, morals and actions?  Sometimes the pressure is subtle; often it is blatant.  Always it is present.

Yes, it is perhaps especially impactful to our teenagers and college students.  And especially those on secular campuses. 

But make no mistake about it – it impacts all of us!  We clash with “auto-correct” through our coworkers, our neighbors, our friends … even our family members sometimes.

Furthermore, it impacts virtually every aspect of our lives!  If you doubt this, you are either blissfully naïve or ensconced in denial.

Society’s “auto-correct” list is literally endless.  Sexual propriety and acceptable speech are just two obvious examples of moral issues that society’s “auto-correct” attempts to define.  There are many more.

“Auto-correct” is extremely influential in promoting what our peers deem to be “significant values” and “proper priorities.”  These are often radically different than what our Lord tells us.

Then there is the matter of absolute truth and where (and whether!) it can truly be found.  The common consensus is that truth is subjective (up to each individual) – not objective (non-negotiable).  Scripture presents a totally different perspective.

Think about it just a little and it’s clear; we are bombarded by “auto-correct” in our lives.  Even more so than in our documents and texts!  Sadly, the world’s “auto-correct” is actually usually “auto-INcorrect.”

The Apostle Paul’s words are as every bit as significant today as they were 2,000 years ago.  They are words we would do well to take to heart.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2).

When the Holy Spirit is transforming us through God’s Word, and renewing our hearts and minds through God’s truth … well, that is the perfect “auto-correct!”  It’s a correction that we can be confident is actually and absolutely correct!

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Matthew 5:13-16 (the words of Jesus)
“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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The Weather Forecast is … ?

The Weather Forecast is … ?

It’s not all that unusual.  Undoubtedly, you’ve experienced it yourself.  But it’s still rather … weird.

The other day I was driving home on the freeway with my wipers swinging to clear the raindrops from the windshield … while just a few miles ahead beamed bright, blue skies. 

“That’s Michigan for you,” the locals will say.  Nevertheless, it’s disconcerting to be navigating a rain shower while having to reach for one’s sunglasses.

And isn’t that rather like life?

There are almost always dark clouds and rain drops hovering over us.  Meanwhile, there are also always blue skies – blessings! – to be seen if one only takes the time to look.

With our sin-infected lives existing in this sin-permeated world … “bad weather” of some kind is a constant.  Yet, as God’s children richly loved and abundantly blessed by Him … Son-shine is also always present.

The storm clouds may dominate our view at times, but they cannot stifle the brightness of God’s love, goodness and faithfulness.  Both are constants; it’s just a matter of degree.  Sometimes it seems as if the storms dominate; sometimes we rejoice in predominately beautiful blue skies.

Yes, it’s weird.  And both unfortunate and fortunate too.  But it’s the reality of life in a broken world. 

Yet, our God is working – always working – though we may struggle to understand his ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9).  We may sometimes wonder why certain downpours are occurring.  Nevertheless, the Lord has his own holy and perfect reasons.  And he doesn’t owe us an explanation.

God makes it clear.  “I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:6-7).

Jesus himself said, “Your Father in heaven … causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44).

This is true, both literally and metaphorically.  Of course, we have no issue with the sunshine in our lives.  But we could do with less storms.  Which may cause us to wonder, “Why doesn’t the Lord cut us, his believers, a break?”

The Bible is packed with insight on this very thing.  Believe it or not, our struggles may be God’s greatest blessings to us! 

Besides the fact that sin negatively impacts everything in this world, here are just a few reasons why our loving Heavenly Father allows “bad weather” to affect his children’s lives:

Our Heavenly Father is disciplining us as children he loves

Hebrews 12:7&11 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.  For what children are not disciplined by their father? …  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

God is using our struggles to build our spiritual character …

Romans 5:3-5 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

… And refine our faith …

1 Peter 1:6-7 – In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

… And make us spiritually stronger and more firmly anchored

1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

The Heavenly Father knows that hardships move his children to turn to his Word and cling to his promises …

Psalm 119:67, 71 – Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.  … It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

… And rely upon his holy Son, Jesus

John 16:33 – [Jesus said,] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

After God has comforted us in our troubles, we are able to comfort others

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

The Lord knows that earthly storms make us long for the peace of our heavenly home

Romans 8:18 – I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

The Father allows storms to come to his children so he can deliver them …

Psalm 34:19 – The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

… If not in this life, then ultimately in the life to come

James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Black storm clouds and blue skies simultaneously?  That’s life in this world for Christians.  But we do not despair, for our God gives us some wonderful, all encompassing promises that give us confidence.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that “… in all things God works for the good of those who love him …” (Romans 8:28).  And our Heavenly Father himself assures us, ‘“I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So yes, there are always some “storms” in our lives.  But the blue skies of God’s love are also always present, which makes the nasty “weather” much more bearable.

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Romans 8:35, 37–39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Blessings through the “Quiet”

Blessings through the “Quiet”

The fishing experience wasn’t ideal that evening.

It wasn’t because I didn’t catch any fish.  (I did.)  And it wasn’t because the view was lousy.  (It was as lovely as always.)  Nor was it due to the heat or humidity.  (The comfort level was actually wonderful.)

Rather, I struggled to fully enjoy the experience due to the roar hammering across the lake.

The lake we live on, (Shamrock Lake), is being dredged.  We thought the dredging process was completed last year, but apparently they are wrapping it up this summer.  Which means there are large dredging pipes floating on the surface, and the nearly unending bellowing of the large dredging boat.  (The company works day and night when in full swing.)

The dredger sounds like a semi-truck laboring up a mountain pass at full throttle – but at three times the volume.  Even at a distance, the roar rolls belligerently across the water.  Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to ignore.

Normally, evenings fishing off our dock are peaceful and relaxing; the sounds normal, nature-based and soothing.  The shriek of an osprey or eagle.  The quacks of ducks and the honking of geese as they fly in and splash to a rest on the water.  The good-night birdcalls as they settle into their resting places after another day.  A muskrat swimming quietly to his feeding spot.  Bullfrogs bellowing their unique call.  The splash of fish feeding aggressively on the surface.

But that evening, I could hear none of it.  Just the blaring of a very large motor sucking up the silt that had settled on the bottom of our lake.

I do understand that the process will produce a better lake for us to enjoy.  But if only it could be done quietly!

Sitting there that evening, missing the blessings of the quiet, it occurred to me that the world produces a prodigious amount of “roaring” that is also difficult to ignore.  The opinions of influential and “highly knowledgeable” people, the overabundance of information on the world-wide web, and the nearly constant audio input from our phones, radios and televisions (which we ourselves typically opt to listen to!) can create a lot of “noise.”

Sometimes we need to quietly soak in the peaceful voice of our God.

Where is it that our Good Shepherd “refreshes [our] souls?”  David was inspired to write that it is when we are “lying down in green pastures” and when we are “beside quiet waters.”  (Ps. 23:2-3).  In other words, in peaceful places where there are soothing sounds!  Namely, where we hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, and his alone.

Another psalmist was inspired to write these words: “[The Lord] says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’   The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).

The prophet Jeremiah encourages the same approach: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25-26).

The quiet voice of our Savior informs us that he is real, that he really loves us, that he forgives us and that he has saved us.  It reminds us that he is with us, that he will provide for us and protect us, and that he has wonderful plans for us.  And so much more!

Cacophony is all around us.  Some we can’t avoid.  (Like a dredging boat on the lake!)  Some we choose to hear, or at least passively accept. 

Seek the quiet.  Pursue peaceful time to hear God’s speaking.  Be still and listen to your Lord. 

He speaks to us in public worship and Bible studies at our church.  He also speaks to us in our private devotions as we read his Word, as we listen to and sing his truths-put-to-song in Christian music, and as we personally reflect upon his messages.

The roar of the world will be here as long as the world stands.  Thankfully, the quiet voice of the Lord will also be here that long … and well beyond.  (Mt. 24:35). 

The key is finding quiet time to hear the quiet words.

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1 Kings 19
11 The Lord said [to Elijah], “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

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Thank God for Safety Features!

Thank God for Safety Features!

We don’t own new vehicles.  It’s not something my wife and I can afford.  However, we do travel a bit, and when we do, we typically arrange for rental cars.  Those vehicles are generally on the newer side.

Recently we were in Texas for a ministry conference in San Antonio with most of the rest of my Seminary classmates.  (It was absolutely wonderful!)  After the conference, we spent a little time driving a rented Nissan Altima around west Texas and southern New Mexico, seeing sights and relaxing.  We logged about 2,200 miles in that zippy, black car.

And it was filled with all kinds of new-fangled safety features!

If a car approached alongside us, a light lit up on whichever side the vehicle happened to be on.

If our blinker was clicked on indicating a change of lanes when a car was beside us in that direction, a nasty warning buzz occurred.

If we drifted onto a lane marker, a different buzz was heard, a unique flash popped onto the dashboard, AND a vibration was felt in the steering wheel.

Special notification happened when entering a slower speed zone.  If moving too fast for the car’s liking coming into that lower zone, a different flash appeared on the dash.

When the cruise control was activated, the car adjusted to the speed of the car in front of us … never approaching closer than a set distance.

On a few occasions when the vehicles ahead of us came to rapid halts, our car did too (on it’s own … though I was braking too!), squawking mightily to alert us of the danger.

If traveling with the brights on in the dark Texas nights, our rental took it upon itself to automatically switch to dims when the lights of an approaching car were detected.  (Or, annoyingly, when it detected a bright enough reflection off a road sign.)

I don’t know of a specific time that these safety features spared us from calamity.  But they well might have!  At the least, they gave me (the driver) some added security that safeguards were in place.

“How very like God’s Word,” I thought multiple times on our trip.

Of course, the Bible reveals to us the one true God and his attributes.  It also shows us our Savior and all he did to make atonement for our wrongs.  And it supplies us with the origin of creation (God made it!), the origin of our own lives (God gave them!), and our ultimate destination (heaven!). 

These aspects alone make the Scriptures profoundly important.  However, they also are filled with “safety features” for believers.

What are some of those “safety features” God’s Bible provides?  The list is long!  Here are just a few that come to mind:

Absolutes in regard to right and wrong.  (Ex. 20)

Truth.  Absolute truth.  (Jn. 17:17)

Saving power.  (Rom. 1:16)

Guidance to spiritual and eternal life – as well as in our physical life.  (Jn. 14:6)

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding – both spiritual and practical.  (Prov. 2:6)

Illumination.  (Ps. 119:105)

Foundation in life’s uncertainties.  (Mt. 7:24)

Protection, both offensive (Eph. 6:17) and defensive (Prov. 30:5).

Spiritual sustenance and joy. (Jer.15:16)

Endurance, encouragement and hope in an often discouraging world.  (Rom. 15:4)

Revelation of things to come.  (Rev. 1:1-3)

Some have described the BIBLE as … Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.  It’s an apt description, given all the “safety features” God has built into it.

Which underscores the importance of actively being in God’s Word!

The more we are in the Word, the more the Word is in us.  And the more spiritual safeguards become ours. 

As the Apostle Paul reminds fellow pastor, Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The longer we were in our little rental car, the more safety features we noticed and appreciated.  Praise be to God, the same is true of our time in the Scriptures!

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Psalm 119 – selected verses

97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. … 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.  172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. 

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