Silent Night, Holy Night

Here is my servant … I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.    —Isaiah 42:1-2

If you attended a Christmas Eve candlelight service you may have sung the beautiful carol, Silent Night, as you lit your candle. The words were originally written in German by Joseph Mohr, a young priest, and the melody was composed by Franz Gruber for guitar accompaniment. It was first sung at the 1818 Christmas Eve service at the St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria. The English lyrics begin, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.”

The touching quietness of the carol makes me think about the awesome and terrible silence of God on that first Christmas night. Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inn to deliver God’s Son in a stable and lay Him in a manger. We find no mention of God’s anger with lightning strikes or peals of thunder. The Gospel of Luke alone records this short phrase, “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (2:7).

We hear nothing of Mary’s pregnancy except her brief visit to Elizabeth. No details are given of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The only break in this silence on the first Christmas is made by an angel chorus singing God’s praises to lonely shepherds in the wilderness far from the ears of the sleeping townspeople. Is it any wonder that they were afraid? When God speaks out of the silence, His voice can seem deafening.

Where were the birth announcements? There was no news media, but the announcement of Christ’s birth was sent across the universe. A star silently shone its light telling the entire creation of Jesus’ birth, but only those who were ready and able to see and hear understood. Probably two years later, Wiseman came from the east bringing gifts and homage.

The busyness and loudness of our Christmas celebrations seem out of place in light of our Savior’s quiet entrance. Even Jesus’ childhood and upbringing remains a mystery. God says through Isaiah, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” Isaiah goes on to describe Jesus, “He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets” (42:1-2).

As your busyness halts and the noise ceases this Christmas season, rather than becoming sad and depressed, pause and reflect on the loveliness, peace, and silence of our Savior’s birth. Many Americans try to cover their loneliness with activities and their sadness with noise but with no success. Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christmas. Without Jesus, there is no joy, no contentment, and no peace on earth.

The birth announcements came, but only to those who had time and interest to listen. Let us be those folks this year. Let us pause and listen. Let us quiet ourselves to hear from God. Let us be the ones who hear a fresh word that transforms our communities and points others to Jesus. A flourish of activities and noise won’t bring God’s transforming Holy Spirit, but openness to God’s Kingdom, a listening soul, and a heart hungry for God’s ways will hear from heaven in our days. When was the last time you truly experienced a “Silent and holy night?”

Source of Joy

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  —Luke 2:10-11

I feel very blessed to live in America and to be able to celebrate patriotic and religious holidays. Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day give every American an opportunity to reflect upon their spiritual heritage and give thanks and praise to Our God and Heavenly Father. But, patriotic holidays with a religious twist often confuse many nominal believers about what it truly means to be a Christian.

Watching the many Thanksgiving specials, I found each one focused on giving thanks. Even the national news anchors urged everyone to give thanks. What was missing was to whom one gives thanks. Do we thank our pillow for the good nights rest? Do we thank the bank teller that we have enough money in our account? Do we thank the pediatrician for having a family? As Christians, we know exactly whom to thank, our God and Father of the Lord Jesus.

I see the same kinds of thing happening at Christmas. At staff meeting the other day, trying to encourage our staff and give them some Christmas cheer, I happily showed off my Panera Bread coffee cup that read, “Brimming with Joy.” Matt, our Director of Worship, then showed me his McDonald’s cup. It read, “Unwrap a Little Joy.” These secular companies cannot give true joy because they do not promote the source of joy. Brimming with joy encourages me to get my Christmas joy in a cup of coffee or in a stylish soup or sandwich. We cannot unwrap Christmas joy by sipping a McDonald’s coffee or opening a bag containing a Big-Mac and fries.

The Christian’s source of joy is a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ. The Christian message of Christmas is that God has come to us in the flesh. The angels told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 1:10). The next verse gives the source of that joy, “A savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” The all of the “will be for all people” includes you, me, our friends, and enemies. Christmas joy is given by God through His Son, Jesus Christ, to all who will receive.

I still remember the first time I heard that heaven, eternal life, and acceptance by God were free. As a red-blooded, church-going American, I was quite certain that could not be true. I actually began reading the Bible to check for myself. Sure enough, Romans 6:23, “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” How did I miss this truth for so many years? I was an American Christian who celebrated patriotic and Christian holidays like everyone else but never knew the Savior who is the source and reason for our celebration.

We can watch touching Christmas specials and listen to all the Jingle Bells Rocks without finding true joy. The Christmas specials usually offer the joy of families coming together, special romances working out, or Santa Clause successfully fulfilling his duties in opposition to those who have no Christmas cheer. True Christmas joy comes from Jesus. You can receive it as you receive Him. Jesus is the only true source of joy.

Joy Today, Hope Tomorrow

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”   —Psalm 30:5b

The Christmas shopping buzz has begun with fervor. Many search for that perfect gift for the person who already has everything. For my grandchildren, I am personally looking for that unique gift that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but will also not end up broken in the yard or discarded in the land fill before the winter is over. We all joke about how the children will spend weeks playing with the boxes while they throw away the expensive toy or gadget that came in the box.

The familiar phrase “Here today, gone tomorrow” reflects our culture’s acceptance of throw away household items, relationships, and our very lives. Many no longer attempt to repair mixers, TVs, lawnmowers, or marriages. We discard them and head off to WalMart or shop online for the next bargain. I can still remember the day when things were built to last.

The truth of human frailty underlies the idiom “Here today, gone tomorrow.”  “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow” (Psalm 144:4). Human lives are very fragile and vulnerable. Our lives may be moving along nicely, and everything changes with the slip of a foot, a call from the doctor, or a text message from a significant other.

“Joy today, hope tomorrow” better describes the Christian’s life. Joy is a present reality looking forward to a future hope. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b). We may live in difficult times. Earthly possessions and relationships may become broken and discarded, but Jesus Christ remains the same. How quickly we forget that God created human beings for eternity.

Christians are interesting creatures. I say creature because Christians are a whole new life form. 2 Corinthians 5 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God” (5:17-18a). We live with the same weaknesses and shortcomings as others but possess an abiding joy that sets us apart. Yes, we face all the same challenges but “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

As you do your Christmas shopping, remember there is only one perfect gift. Jesus Christ is God’s perfect gift to all people. He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died in our place, and rose again from the grave to offer us eternal life. Eternal life begins when we acknowledge and receive God’s gift and continues forever. Be thankful we are not throw-away items to God. God loves us and plans to enjoy loving us for all eternity.  The greatest gift you will ever receive has already been purchased and offered to you on Christmas.  May God fill you with joy and hope this season. Happy shopping. 

A "Free" Offering

“Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing.”   —Psalm 107:22

What would you say if we took up a sacrificial offering that was truly “free,” an offering that cost no money and didn’t break the wallet? Usually, when we speak of an offering, even a free-will offering, we are thinking of giving money. King David, in the later years of his life against God’s will, took a census of Israel against. God punished Israel with a terrible plague. When acquiring the threshing floor to offer a sacrifice to stop the plague, David refused to give a sacrifice to the Lord that cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:23). Offerings usually cost.

The sacrificial thank offering mentioned in Psalm 107:22 costs no money. The Bible does prescribe a peace offering of thanksgiving that involves giving animal, flour, and oil offerings that would cost money (Leviticus 7:15), but I believe the sacrifices of thanksgiving above refer to verbal praises and thanks to God. Notice verse 22 exhorts us, “Tell of His works with joyful singing.”

Over the past few months, I have been completely immersed in stewardship issues. Our Church began designing and planning a stewardship campaign, entitled, “Rise Up!” back in the summer. In October, I preached stewardship messages challenging each of us to make our three-year commitment on November 4. Now, I am encouraging everyone to give a First Fruit offering, a down payment, on their pledge. As the pledges and moneys come in, it’s time to turn the focus away from money and to praising God with a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all He has done.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and spend some quality time with family and friends, hopefully, we will take advantage of the opportunity to give a “money-free” offering of praise and thanksgiving to God. A thank offering to God may cost you time, a bit of your pride, some vulnerability, a measure of courage to speak out, but no money.

An offering of thanksgiving requires us to use words, to speak or sing. Have you ever asked a child, “What are the magic words?” Of course most children reply, “Please and thank you.” Often when giving a gift to my grandchildren, I pause for a verbal response from them, and if I don’t receive one, I add, “And what do you say?” They usually respond, “Thank you.”

Many Christians find it difficult to talk to their unchurched family members about God. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to introduce spiritual conversations into family activities. It’s natural, it’s almost patriotic, and it’s a holiday. The scripture tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). I believe Thanksgiving is one of those times to give such an answer.

God is good all the time. God has blessed each of us in numerous ways this past year. Let us pause and recognize how God’s hand has moved. Then let’s offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. Let us offer a free offering to God. Just maybe God will turn a national holiday into a family holy-day. Happy Thanksgiving.

A Thorough Checkup

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”                 —1 Thessalonians 5:23

I went to the eye doctor for a check up this past week. This is really big news as I have never been to an optometrist in my life. I always had good vision and never needed anything until recently as my eyes began to mature.

As I prepared to leave for my appointment, someone asked me who was going to drive me home. Drive me home? Why would I need someone to drive me home? They told me that eye doctors often put drops into your eyes in order to do a thorough exam. Your pupils remain dilated and you see poorly for several hours. I replied, “I don’t really want a thorough exam, I just want better reading glasses.”

Most of us like to avoid those thorough tests prescribed by our doctors. You know the mammograms, pap smears, prostate exams, and colonoscopies, to name a few. We don’t want the doctor to thoroughly examine us, we simply want this wart removed, or this headache cured, or this tingling to go away. Interestingly enough, doctors and surgeons usually like to know what’s going on inside the engine before they start rotating the tires.

Spiritually, we often come to Jesus because of some problem we are having in life. I’d like my marriage fixed (really, we just want our spouse fixed). I need my finances transformed—rather than making Jesus Lord of our finances; we simply want a better job or someone to pay our electric bill. I am having anxiety attacks and need Jesus to give me peace. God is the Great Physician and not only wants to give us peace and health but desires to sanctify us entirely: spirit, soul and body. God isn’t concerned with quick fixes and minor repairs. God wants to do a complete life make over in us.

The word “sanctify” used in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 means “to make holy.” Usually we think of holiness to mean not doing anything wrong. Although holiness may imply holy living and doing right things, holiness has a relational aspect to it. Holiness for the Christian also means belonging to God. If I am completely God’s, I am holy. Holiness has to do with being in love with God. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

I believe it is God’s desire to sanctify us wholly. God wants to make us completely His, but this can only be done if we invite the Lord to search and know us completely. The Psalmist concludes Psalm 139 with a beautiful prayer of surrender and consecration, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (139:23-24).

Are things in your life not working correctly? Maybe it’s time for a thorough entire-life checkup. Good checkups usually include eyes, heart, and other body parts, but a thorough checkup would include asking the Lord to search our lives completely and to sanctify us wholly unto Him. It may be time for you to call upon the Lord and surrender to His will and way in your life.

A Storm is Coming

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.”    —Matthew 7:25

As we prepared for, watched, and now clean up after the terrible hurricane Sandy, we may feel a false sense of relief that at least the storm has past. But, I am concerned that many greater storms are just around the corner. I am not necessarily referring to weather and nature storms like tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and blizzards which will surely come. I am thinking of moral, social, political, and spiritual storms that are brewing around us.

I am writing this article a few days before a presidential election day. From every analysis, from every political perspective, we are in the midst of a political tornado. The parties are diametrically opposed to each other. Each party morally opposes the other’s stance. One party disagrees entirely with the other on how to best lead our country. The personal attacks and slanted rhetoric could surely not get any worse.

For myself, I am probably not helping the situation as I am very committed to one moral and political viewpoint. However, I personally believe the economy cycles up and down. Unless we are in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ, I believe the economy will improve in the next four years regardless of what either party does to correct it. I am certain that the political party in power will take all the credit for this turn around.

Morally and spiritually speaking, we are in the midst of a brewing storm as well. Jesus, at the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 said, “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” (Matthew 7:24). Regardless of whom you would like to blame, most people around me are not hearing (reading or listening to) Jesus’ words; therefore, they are certainly not putting them into practice. Jesus goes on to say, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.” Jesus said the storm came. He did not say the storm might come, or the storm will hit the east coast or the southern coast. Jesus simply said the storm came.

I fear for many around me as the storm comes. Most are not living their lives on a solid foundation. Many are not grounded spiritually, morally, emotionally, or financially. Jesus promises to keep safe all who ground their lives on Him. If we hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice, our lives and homes will be kept safe and secure. Jesus also said, if we do not build our lives on Him and His word, we are building on shifting sands. Just like the beachfront homes destroyed by the hurricane Sandy, the shifting sands of the latest fad, most recent opinion poll, and newest belief system will not keep us safe when the storm hits.

A storm is coming, but I am not afraid. As Ira Stanphill wrote in the old Gospel song, “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.” You may already be in the midst of your own storm. I urge you to call out to Jesus. The disciples called out to Christ to save them from drowning on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus spoke, calmed the sea, and rescued them all. Call upon, and follow Jesus today. He will never let you down, and He will keep you safe in the coming storm.

The Power of Words

“He grants sleep to those he loves.”   —Psalm 127:2 (NIV)

Many of you have heard sermons or teachings about watching what you say or how you criticize your children because there is power in your words. This past week, I received a whole new understanding how words have power.

I often quote Psalm 127:2 in the New American Standard Version (NASB), “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” I claim this verse to rest at night when many things are left undone and deadlines loom. I go to bed trusting in God’s promises to provide for what is needed. God always comes through. Often between the times my eyes open in the morning and my feet hit the floor, huge problems are solved or entire sermons planned and thought out.

Recently, however, I have had trouble getting my mind to slow down when I lie down to sleep. I can be dead tired, but when my head hits the pillow, a flurry of thoughts begin racing through my mind. In the morning I may have something all worked out, but I spent the entire night figuring it out rather than sleeping. I have told God several times in my morning prayers that I claimed Psalm 127:2 (NASB) to mean He works things out while I sleep.

I jokingly said the other day, I think I better start quoting Psalm 127 from the New International Version (NIV), “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.” I quoted verse 2 from the NIV two days ago, and for the last two lights, I slept soundly. Maybe there is more power in our words than we think.

If we think our words are powerful, consider how powerful and sure God’s Word, the Bible is for us. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Yes, all of God’s promises are true and certain in Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us, “For the word of God is living 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” (4:12). God’s Word is certain, living, and powerful.

Many Christians live in defeat and exhaustion because they do not spend time in God’s Word. In order to know God’s powerful and effective promises, we must read and meditate on God’s word. We can memorize specific passages to recall them when we need faith, comfort, or direction. The more time we spend reading and studying The Bible, the better able we are to claim God’s promises.

What need or challenge are you facing today? Does God’s Word say anything about it? What instruction does it give? What promise can you claim? The old gospel song says, “Every promise, in the book, is mine, every chapter, every verse and every line. All are blessings, of his love, Divine. Every promise, in the book, is mine.” You cannot know the promises of God if you are not reading chapter, verse, and line. I encourage you to claim the promises of God. There is definitely power in God’s words.

Blessed are the Givers

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”          

—Luke 6:38

Jesus spoke some very touching Beatitudes, but I’d like to add my own, “Blessed are the givers, for they shall never be poor.” I am not adding to the Bible, only summarizing some Biblical truths about giving. You see, one cannot be poor if they are giving to meet the needs of another. Givers are rich for two reasons. One, according to God’s principle of seed and harvest, those who give cannot be poor because God promises to bless abundantly all who give to God and to the needs of others. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over” (Luke 6:38). Although many struggling families ignore it, and TV evangelists abuse it, the truth still holds. God promises to bless those who give.

Givers are also rich because they focus on meeting the needs of others rather than on themselves. Givers don’t realize they are poor. “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Eddie Ogan’s story, Richest Family in the Church, illustrates this point beautifully. I first read this story as a circulating email. More recently, I did a little research to find its origin.

Ms. Ogan first included her story as part of a monthly letter she writes to Assembly of God missionaries in the northwest. Richest Family in the Church describes an event in Eddie’s childhood when the minister announced a special Easter offering for a poor family in the church. She, her sisters, and her mother sacrificed, scrimped, and saved to joyously make a $70 donation to this “poor family.” They later found out they were the poor family when the minister paid them a visit giving them the offering, only $87. They had never known what it felt like to be poor, but they suddenly did not feel very joyous.

They went very reluctantly to church the next Sunday and listened to a missionary speaker who asked for a special offering for a roof. Eddie’s family immediately put their $87 into the plate. The offering came to just over the needed amount of $100. The missionary praised the little church for such a great offering stating, “You must have some very rich families in this little church.” Eddie’s family realized they were not a poor family, but the richest family in the church. My apologies to Eddie for my brief summary of her story. If you would like to read the entire story, you can easily find it with a simple search of the internet. If you don’t have internet, call or write me at Oakland UM Church, I’d be glad to send you the entire story.

Ms. Ogan remains a very rich person. According to her facebook page, she is now 80 years old, has 33 grandchildren, makes quilts for Teen Challenge, knits over 5,000 hats for orphans around the world, and most recently, is making over 5,000 African rag dolls for aids orphans. She will soon celebrate her 60^th wedding anniversary with her husband, Phil.

If you are not feeling especially blessed these days, take a cue from Eddie Ogan and Jesus. Look around for someone worse off than you and sacrificially give to bless them. I pray God will open the windows of heaven to meet your needs, and even more, I pray you will feel more blessed than ever. 

United We Stand

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” —Psalm 133:1

Many of you probably remember the famous line from John “Hannibal” Smith of the A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together.” I would agree but might add, “I love it when Christians come together around God’s will and vision for the Church.” At Oakland, I am having the awesome privilege of working with many believers coming together around a vision and common ministry. This past week, some of their unified, cooperative labors of several months have born fruit. It’s beautiful to behold.

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). After Jesus left 120 followers behind and ascended to heaven, the early church waited for the outpouring of power in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1 tells us, When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (NIV1984) The phrase “were all together” definitely tells us they were physically together in the same place, but they were also unified in will and spirit. From the New King James Version, Acts 2:1 reads, “They were all with one accord in one place.” Can you remember a time when your family, your church, or a group of people were all in one accord in one place?

When Christians come together around a common goal under the direction of the Holy Spirit, God’s blessing and power are bestowed upon them. Scripture tells us, “I can do everything through him [Jesus Christ] who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). Add the power of the Holy Spirit and unity, and there should be no stopping Christians or the Church. Jesus did say, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).

 Why, then, do so many Christians feel weak and defeated? One simple explanation is that we are not united in doing God’s Will. We are often at odds with our family and fellow Christians. When accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, Jesus replied with an eternal truth. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and a house divided can not stand (Mark 3:24-25). If we are divided as a family, as a Church, and, I might add, as a nation, we cannot stand.

As we draw closer to another election, our divisions and lack of unity become plainly clear. It is no wonder we face so many challenges as a country and culture. We are not united, “one nation,” and we are definitely not united “under God.” We seek our own personal agendas—the Bible calls willful disobedience and selfishness, “sin.” We seek re-election and our party’s agenda before the good of the nation and what is good and righteous in God’s eyes.

If all Christian’s in America would be together in one accord, we may be stopped or stymied politically, but we could never be stopped spiritually. Jesus told the disciples to “Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5). They waited together in one accord and were baptized with power and God’s Spirit. They left the Upper Room and converted the world. Let us humble ourselves under God’s will, be reconciled to our brother or sister, strand united for Jesus Christ, and transform the world.

P.U.S.H.

“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”   —Luke 11:10

My son and daughter-in-law purchased one of those grand older homes with great potential. That’s code for “it will either be a beautifully restored classic house some day or a real money pit.” On my days off, I usually get away from Johnstown, books and computers; put on work clothes and remodel, cut firewood, or hunt/fish. Monday, I planned to work at my son’s new house. I had the key to the fancy kitchen door, but it wouldn’t open.

The first time Ryan worked with that door, he couldn’t get it to stay unlocked. Being an older and wiser dad, I simply showed my son how to work this intricate lock. There are buttons built into the edge of the door that release or lock the door. I told him he was not used to working with such expensive locks. As I turned the key this past Monday, I could feel the handle budge, but it wouldn’t open. I tried several times, but the handle would not turn. After several attempts, I gave up and inspected every window, door, and crawl space for a way into the house. No success! I couldn’t get in. Off to the mountain to cut firewood for my daughter. Sorry, Ryan; if you want help, I’ve got to have the right key.

When my son came home, we took the key and tried the door. Ryan looked at me and said, “The handle never moves; remember the buttons. You just have to push.” The door unlocked every time I turned the key. It was open. I simply had to push. What’s funnier yet; I used the same key the week before and got in just fine. What a parable for Christians and prayer. So many times we pray and pray waiting for some specific handle to release when the door is open and waiting for us to push ahead in faith.

The lyrics from a southern Gospel classic state, “Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door.”  Faith requires a step of obedience believing God will act. Faith persists even though the answer is a long time coming. Sometimes, God seems like an unjust judge, unwilling to act (Luke 18:1-8). At other times, God might appear as an unwilling friend, but Jesus tells us God will, does, and has already answered our prayers. We simple must P.U.S.H—pray until something happens. If human parents give good gifts to their children, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”(Luke 11:13).

A dear friend and colleague once gave me this quote about pray and faith. “The prayer of a good faith—God can do it. The prayer of a strong faith—God will do it. But the prayer of a perfect faith—God has done it.” Praying until something happens comes from a faith that believes God’s promise as if it has already been accomplished. “For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:10). For some, it has already been opened. All there is left for us to do is push it open in faith.

What have you been asking from the Lord? Have you been seeking for a long time? Are you continually knocking? Maybe it is time to take an action step and live as if God has already answered your prayer. Push forward. Pray until something happens, and then, move as if it has.

Pray First

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  —Mark 1:35

The end of September and the month of October look to be overwhelmingly busy for me. As I began my week (Tuesday for me; I religiously take Monday off as a Sabbath.), I had so much to do I didn’t know where to start. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to start where I begin every day, in prayer, Bible reading, and communing with God.

After reading my Bible, the book of Ezra, reading a devotional, Oswald Chambers, and spending some time in prayer, I prayerfully made a list of everything I needed to do. I might call this my Spirit’s to-do list. Many folks say they work better under pressure. I would agree that I do, too, but not because of the pressure, but because the pressure causes me to call upon the Lord and depend upon the Spirit’s direction. Tuesday’s Spirit’s to-do list had nine items, more than I ever imagined I could accomplish.

God continually reminds me that the economy of the Kingdom is not like human economy. In the world, if we are in a hurry, we would skip prayer and devotions and get working. In God’s economy, every minute given to God is multiplied so God can accomplish through us everything that needs done. Martin Luther once spoke about the overwhelming responsibilities on his plate. He would begin each day by spending an hour in prayer with God. But, if he had a particularly busy day and was more rushed than usual, he would make it a point to spend two hours with God before he started his day.”

Jesus made a practice of spending time alone with God. Throughout the days, crowds thronged Jesus seeking healing, teaching, and food. In order to find spiritual nourishment and direction, Jesus would arise very early in the morning and pray privately (Mark 1:35). With the demands placed upon Jesus, we can see where He received His strength and guidance. Jesus seemed never to be in a hurry, but He also was never late. If we are going to get everything done God has for us and do it with the same power and anointing Jesus possessed, we must go to the same source.

Oh yes, my nine item to-do list. I got each item done, in perfect timing, and in God’s power. At the end of the day, I was definitely tired but a good kind of tired. The tired that comes from knowing I did a good day’s work. The tired that comes from knowing God was working through me each step of my day. I still claim Psalm 127:2 as a promise for busy people. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”

If you have more to do in a given day than humanly possible, then don’t try to do it in human strength alone. Call upon the Lord. Don’t forget to pray first. Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). If you’re too busy to pray, you’re too busy. Pray first. Call upon the Lord to direct your day, and work hard in God’s strength. The Lord will never let you down.

Homecoming

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  —Luke 15:10

I attended two different homecomings this past week. One was Oakland Church’s 100^th Anniversary Homecoming. We rented a large tent and invited former pastors and son/daughters who had gone into the ministry from Oakland back for a few days of reunion, worship, and celebration. We made old fashioned apple butter in two copper kettles on an open fire the week before to serve on homemade bread. A special meal Saturday night, in addition to the bread and apple butter, included vegetable soup made that day according to the ancient Oakland recipe.

In the services, we had testimonies and preaching by returning pastors and a special visit from Rev. Richard and Wilma Jean Burns’ son, Doug portraying an early Methodist circuit-riding preacher. God’s Matches, a 1970s youth choir led by David Michael Ed reunited for Saturday’s service.

The second homecoming occurred as I conducted a funeral service for a dear friend who was also my wife’s uncle. When I first met Mel, he was not walking with the Lord, and his living arrangements were not the best. Darlene and I decided to simply accept him, her aunt, and the situation in love. A fast friendship developed and the closer the two of us became the closer Mel grew toward the Lord. I had the privilege of conducting their wedding a few years later and became a faithful prayer partner for them.

As I led the funeral service last week, I got to meet his family, share our common love for Mel and celebrate our common hope in Jesus Christ as our resurrection and our life. The Bible describes a coming banquet where Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom and His Bride, the Church, enjoy a tremendous reunion dinner together (Revelation 22:17). The funeral service was truly a celebration of a glorious homecoming for Mel.

Both of these homecomings reminded me of another party described in the scriptures. In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about lost things that are found: a sheep, a coin, and a son. At the end of each parable, a party is thrown because that which was lost had been found. Jesus says, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). After we announced that God’s Matches would be singing at our Centennial Homecoming, I received many testimonies of persons who came to faith through their ministry.

As God drew Uncle Mel closer to Himself, Mel found a little church in New Bethlehem and began attending. The pastor guided Mel in turning his life over to the Lord. I was not there when Mel prayed the sinner’s prayer, but later, we had many conversations about the Lord and the common faith we shared. Mel’s life and his new found faith late in life remind me that there was once a party in heaven for me, too. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and stepped over the line to faith, all the activities in heaven stopped, maybe only for a moment, and a party was held in my honor. Wow! God loves you and me that much. It sure puts life, death, and homecomings in a different light.

Cracked Wedding Ring

“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  —Ephesians 4:26b-27

I don’t know how it happened, but one day, I noticed my wedding ring had cracked. This isn’t my original wedding ring. We replaced the original after I lost it while mowing the lawn. It must have felt extra tight on my ring finger that day so I placed it on my pinky. When the mowing was complete, the ring was missing. We borrowed a metal detector and searched the lawn, but no ring could be found.

The decorative finish on my replacement ring stops two-thirds of the way around at an indent on both sides. I never take my ring off; so when I do any kind of rigorous work with shovels, hammers, or handle materials, the ring often gets misshaped. It’s gold, and gold is soft, so I simply straighten it out again. One time, it must have cracked at the indented crease. I continued to wear the broken ring for months. Although it was cracked completely through, it seemed to stay on OK. I even swam on vacation with it on but often thought about the possibility of losing it.

My cracked wedding ring reminded me of cracked relationships. We allow many imperfections to exist in our relationships with loved ones and do nothing to fix them until a crisis comes along. Ephesians 4 tells us to “not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (4:26). If there is a problem in our marriages or any relationship, we should mend it quickly. We wouldn’t drive our car with a tire nearly flat. It’s usually too late to check the oil level in your cars’ engine after the low oil warning light comes on.    

If we allow unresolved issues and unforgiveness to continue day after day, we give the devil an opportunity to sow seeds of anger, malice, and hatred. If there is something wrong in your relationships, make it right. Ephesians 4 continues to urge us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (31).

If we would take care of our marriages and other relationships the way we take care of our hunting and fishing gear, our face and complexion, or our cars and techie gadgets, then our families, churches, and country would be much stronger. Rather than neglect your marriage, allowing cracks to exist in your relationships, why not say encouraging words that build up your spouse according to his/her needs and benefit those who listen (Eph. 4:28). I would imagine right now, there are loving words of kindness and forgiveness that are waiting to be spoken in most relationships. Why don’t we heed the teachings of scripture to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

Oh, by the way, I got the ring fixed this past week. My local jeweler repaired it, polished it, and touched up the decorative finish. It looks as good as new, and now I feel much more secure that my wedding ring won’t slip away. Can you say the same about your marriage? Pay some attention to your relationships. Offer some words of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. You won’t regret it.

God's Power, Our Weakness

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   —2 Corinthians 12:9

How did David, a shepherd boy, the youngest in the family, too small and insignificant to be considered by Samuel as a future king, slay the mighty giant? The answer, he didn’t. God defeated Goliath through David’s courage and faith. How did the innocent, orphan, beauty pageant contestant, Esther, a foreigner, become queen and save the Jewish people from destruction? She didn’t. God working through her obedience and courage did.

When Gideon faced the Midianite army with 32,000 men, God instructed him to send soldiers home because Gideon had too many men. After 22,000 went home, God told him there were still too many. When the army was weaned down to 300 men, God said they were now ready to fight. You see, if Gideon and his entire army had defeated the Midianites, they may have taken the credit and glory for themselves (Judges 7). But if a mere 300 men defeat a huge army, God will definitely receive the glory. God’s ways are not our ways. The ways of God are often exactly opposite to the ways of human kingdoms.

This world looks for the strong, the intelligent, and the swift to win the day. God says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). In the kingdom of God, the first shall be last, the least the greatest, and those most unlikely heroes bring glory to God.

The apostle Paul lived with an affliction. It may have been physical, emotional, or mental; we are not told. We do know Paul called it, “A thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). Paul prayed three times for the Lord to remove it. Now, we are not talking about some ordinary person praying for God to remove a problem from one’s life. God had used Paul to raise the dead, cast out demons, and heal the sick. God protected Paul from beatings, shipwrecks, and poisonous snake bites. If Paul prays three times for the Lord to remove something, we would expect God to act. Instead, God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Rather than be glorified by Paul’s great testimony of victory and healing, God wished to show His perfect grace and power in Paul’s life through weakness. I am not suggesting we go around telling everyone our worst flaws and weaknesses thinking these will bring glory to God. But, if we live a life of faith in spite of challenges, if we step out in courage in spite of fears, and if we surrender even our weaknesses to God in confidence that they may bring Him glory, then God’s power will be truly made perfect in our weaknesses.

You may feel you have very little to offer God today. You may be thinking, “If I get this part of my life together, if I get a little stronger in that area, then I will be of some use to God.” That kind of thinking is exactly wrong. Thinking I can make myself presentable and useful to God by my own efforts is a works righteousness. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). God loves you so much that Christ came and died in your place. There is no way to improve upon such a sacrifice. Simply turn to God and accept His grace. God loves you.

How Much is Too Much?

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”   —2 Corinthians 9:7

At our house, I can and often watch almost anything that comes on the television. I do, however, tend to migrate to typical outdoors and manly things like the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and sports. My wife watches almost nothing but occasionally the Game Show Network, and the Weather Channel capture her interest. Her two favorite shows are Local on the 8’s and $25,000 Pyramid.

Last week, we turned on the TV to catch the weather and then flipped to the game channel. The new American Bible Challenge game was on. By the way, we got every answer right but one. We forgot Jacob’s daughter’s name, Dinah. Family Feud followed where teams try to guess what 100 surveyed persons answered on a variety of subjects. One question caught my attention. “What is an appropriate amount to put in the offering plate at church?” In the Fast Money round, one lady guessed, “$20.” Ten persons agreed. When her partner’s turn came, she said, “$10.” I think 14 persons agreed. The number one answer was $5.00. You can see why this interested me.

How much is too much? I don’t think we really know, but the Bible very clearly tells us how much is too little. The Old Testament consistently speaks about giving a tithe to the Lord. A tithe is 10% of your income. It is called the first fruits (2 Chron. 31:5). If we do not give the first 10% of our income to God, it’s not enough. We often debate whether tithing refers to before or after taxed income. Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Matt 22:21). I guess if we put the government first, we would tithe on the take home pay. If God is first, then tithe on our gross pay. $5 in the offering plate would imply an income of $50.00.

In the book of Malachi, God seems very intense about the whole tithing issue. God curses the Israelites for robbing Him by not giving their tithes and offerings. God said, “You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” (Malachi 3:8-10). God clearly describes anything less than 10% as not enough.

But how much is too much? In the New Testament, the emphasis on how much to give shifted. New Testament Christians believed that they themselves and everything they owned were under the Lordship of Jesus. They saw all their income as belonging to God. (100% and not just 10%). The New Testament model for Christians was to keep only what was needed to provide for themselves and their families. I guess too much would be giving to the point that you and your family depended upon and became a drain on the resources of others. Beyond that, the New Testament describes giving in terms of generosity rather than law.

The verse, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart,” refers to the upper limit of giving. The tithe, 10%, remains, for me and many, the minimum we should give. Giving beyond the tithe is limited only by our ability to give and the amount of joy we receive in giving. The scripture continues, “For God loves a cheerful giver.” Maybe the reason so many people and businesses are so grumpy these days is they don’t give enough. God promises to open the windows of heaven to meet the needs and more of those who give. Let us give generously and joyfully.

Faith vs. Optimism

“Who knows, the Lord might be gracious to me.”                     

 —2 Samuel 12:22

From daily conversation, I would have guessed that there are more pessimists in the world than optimists. Someone comments as they dial the phone, “They probably won’t be home” or “They probably won’t answer.” When approaching a green traffic light, we moan, “It will probably turn red just as we get there.” Describing people in Winnie the Pooh terms, I would think there are many more Eeyores than Tiggers in this world. “Oh hum, I just knew I’d lose my tail today.”

The simplest research, however, reveals that humans tend to an optimistic group overall. Psychologists have established the fact that most people are actually irrationally positive. This phenomenon is called the optimism bias. Most people expect to live longer and be more successful than average, and we tend to underestimate the likelihood of getting a serious disease.

Although, I profess to be an optimist, I am not an irrational optimist who simply thinks all things just work out in the end. I read an anonymous joke recently, “An optimist fell from the top story of a skyscraper. As he passed the fourth story, he was overheard muttering, ‘So far, so good!’” Irrational optimism might be understood as a fatalistic belief that everyone, or at least you, will live happily ever after.

One of King David’s greatest contributions to the Christian faith story is optimistic faith. David demonstrated an optimism that God could be trusted to show up just when you needed Him most. It was not merely an optimistic bias that everyone experiences a fairytale ending but a belief that the God of the Bible, the God of creation, the Author of the plan of human salvation, will keep the promises of His word. God can be trusted and has our best interests in mind.

After David’s grievous sins of adultery, murder, and cover up, his child born to Bathsheba became fatally ill. David fasted and prayed while the child lived but quickly arose, cleaned up, and went into the Lord’s House to worship after the child died. When asked why he fasted and prayed, David replied, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me’” (2 Sam. 12:22). David showed optimistic faith in God. Even while he was being disciplined for terrible acts, he held the belief that God was good and might still be gracious to him.

Was it faith or optimism that prompted David to face the giant with five smooth stones and a sling? (1 Sam. 17:40) As David approached Goliath, he replied to Goliath’s challenge, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Sam. 17:45). Faith is the optimistic belief that God can be trusted in the difficulties and challenges of life. God is not a God who lives in a castle at the end of fairy tales. God is the God who sent His Son to be born into our broken world, walk in our sin-filled streets, and die on a criminal’s cross for you and me.

Faith is not merely an optimistic bias. Faith is putting our trust in the Lord, trusting our future to God as we walk in obedience to His will and His Word. Are you seeking relief from past deeds? Are you facing major challenges today? Call upon the Lord and trust Him to keep His Word. 

New Creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”     —2 Corinthians 5:17

Being from Punxsutawney (although I never actually lived in Punxsy, I did pastor in its outskirts for seven years), I was very interested when a movie came out in 1993 with the title,
Groundhog Day. For those who don’t know or maybe don’t care, Punxsutawney is the home of the world famous weather prognosticating groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. In the movie, Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric TV weatherman from Pittsburgh who must unwillingly report on the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney. Each morning he awakes to repeat the same day over and over again.

Several things made the movie entertaining for me: the comedic antics of Bill Murray, the romantic plot between Murray and his news producer played by Andie MacDowell, and the parallel between the movie’s silly plot and real life. In reality, much of life seems like we repeat the same day, same chores, and same problems day after day after day. The book of Ecclesiastes agrees, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). Many of the religious systems of the world have embraced the idea of re-incarnation to explain the way life appears to be.

I will admit that even as a Christian, many days of my life seem like I am repeating the same duties and activities. Yes, at times, I could agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun.” But, out of my relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I see something new almost every day. On the days I don’t see newness, I am probably to blame for not paying attention or for being preoccupied with some selfish trouble of my own. The creative

God who made the universe and all of us lives in me and every other Christian believer by the Holy Spirit.

My summer has been a repeat of many other ones, too busy. But even in the busyness, if I face life with my spiritual eyes open, many new things come into view. Last week, I watched karaoke at a wedding reception. It was awesome. Why didn’t anybody think of that sooner? This weekend I go fishing at Raystown Lake with three new fishing buddies. Who knows, we may even catch a striper or two. Last week I got to pray with a young boy to receive Christ in morning worship. It doesn’t get any better than that. To my surprise, at this writing, I have received two responses to my offer to give away Bible storybooks from last week’s article. As long as I don’t focus on troubles and boredom, life is full of surprises.

If I am a follower of Jesus, if I am in Christ, then I not only experience something new every day, but I myself am a new creation. The old gospel song says, “He’s still workin’ on me, to make me what I ought to be.” Yes, God is still working on me. I am a work in progress. Every day, if I allow the Spirit to have His way, God takes out more of the old and puts in more of the new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God...” Not only do I get to see new things, I get to experience God working in and through my life. You can too if you will allow God to make your life new. God is a perfect gentleman. He will not force His way into your life, but the moment you open your life to His love and grace through Jesus Christ, God’s creative Holy Spirit begins to make all things new.

Help the Children

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  —Luke 18:16

My son and I played and practiced a lot of baseball together, and we designed and built a lot of projects together. I still love spending time with him today, but I missed out on one important thing I wished we would have done more often. As he was growing up in his early teen years, I remember feeling that he wasn’t embracing my values as readily as I hoped he would. Although, he never really rebelled terribly, I risked it all and asked him the ultimate question.

I said to my son, “Ryan, you know I love you, right? Have you ever seen anything false in my life where my actions didn’t live up to my words?” These were set up questions, because if he said, “No,” then I would ask him why he did not follow my example more closely or behave better. Well, if you are going to risk your honor and ask such questions of a teenager, be prepared for the answer. Ryan thought awhile—I was thinking I got him—but then said, “You always preach about personal and family devotions, but we don’t read the Bible together very often.” Ouch!

To my wife’s and my defense, we did read the Egermeier's Bible Story Book the whole way through after meals for a long period of time, We also tried different family, children, and teen devotional books but the whining of our children, the challenge of our schedules, and sheer exhaustion of life often made it easier to skip Bible reading with our children. After all, they were in church multiple times each week. No excuses!

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” If I rewrote this in the positive, it might read, “Let the little children come to me and help them get closer.” One of the best ways to help our children get closer to Jesus is spending time with them reading the Bible. I have noticed many successful parents and some of the most Christ-like children are those who spend time reading God’s Word together. When the children are young, read short Bible stories to them and as they grow older, involve them in taking turns reading as a family. One family read the entire Bible together in the one year plan by reading three chapters every night after supper and 5 chapters on Sundays after dinner. It was a transformational year for them all.

Looking to my bookshelf, I located that same Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. The paperback cover is slightly tattered, but looking on the presentation page, I see it was presented to my daughter in 1982 (she would have been 4), by her Uncle Allen and Aunt Christi. Thank you, Allen and Christi. That gift was one of the highpoints in the devotional life of my small children at the time.

In an article a few months ago, I offered to give anyone a Bible who didn’t have one, but no one contacted the church to take me up on the offer. Either no one took me seriously or everyone who read the article could afford or already had a Bible if they wanted one. I am making the same offer for the Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. It follows the Biblical text closely and is a great way to introduce Bible reading to young children. If you cannot afford one and would like one, please contact me through the church website below. I’ll see that you get one. Won’t you help the children, your children, get closer to Jesus?

Doing One Thing

“But one thing I do.”  —Philippians 3:13

Most of you have heard the song written by Lee Hays and Peter Seeger, “If I had a Hammer.” However, many of you may not know it was originally performed in 1949 in support of the communist party leaders in America who were on trial in Federal Court. It was later made famous by the trio of Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 1960s as a theme song for the American Civil Rights movement.

The hammer song states that if I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning, evening, and all over this land. I’d hammer out danger, warning and love between brothers and sisters. (I know the grammar and logic of the song doesn’t quite fit, but the poetic message comes through loud and clear.) The song implies, if what I do best is ring a bell or sing a song, then I’d ring my bell or sing my song morning and evening all over the land.

In our new member class at Oakland, I share how God intends every member to be a minister, how every ministry is important and necessary, and everyone is a “10” in some specific area. We all have a unique contribution to make. If you and I had only one thing we could do, what would it be? How are we making our unique contribution to this life on earth?

Paul, the missionary evangelist and the human author of half of the books of the New Testament, wrote, “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil. 3:13). Paul’s one thing was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Paul had a past. He persecuted the church with such zeal that he arrested Christians and had Christians put to death. But at his conversion on the Damascus Road and immediately following, God called him to proclaim to the Gentiles the very message and faith he sought to destroy. God said of Paul, “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

Paul did this one thing with great intensity. He forgot his past and pressed forward to do what God called him to do. Paul spent the rest of his life, traveling the known world preaching Jesus as the Son of God and planting churches. He was stoned (with rocks) and left for dead only to get up and return to the city to preach some more. “They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city” (Acts 14:19-20). They imprisoned him in Jerusalem, he appealed to Caesar and took his case to Rome and preached to governors, kings, soldiers and fellow prisoners along the way. Nothing stopped Paul from doing his one thing.

If you only had one note to play in the symphony, one line to give in the play, or one event to compete in the Olympics of life, what would that be? If you and I don’t give our unique contribution, someone else may step in and fill the gap, but there will be a void in your family, your church, and the world. Paul said, “This one thing I do.” One goal for our lives should be to discover our one thing and give it back to God as an offering of love. 

Salvation is Free

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”  —Isaiah 55:2

As I stood in line at the food court at the City Town Mall in Charleston, WV, a sloppily dressed man with perspiration-soaked shirt slid a sandwich baggy full of coins along the counter next to me. I paid for my meal and noticed the cook filling a small plastic glass with ice water for the man beside me. The man preparing to fish through his bag of coins asked, “How much?” The cook waved him off and said, “It’s OK, take it. It’s nothing. Just go.”

As I ate my meal, I noticed this man carrying his empty plastic glass to another restaurant counter. The cashier took his glass, filled it with water, and returned it to him. I can only guess what he said to the cashier for I was too far away to hear and his back was toward me, but I read the cashier’s lips, “A quarter.” He fished twenty-five cents out of his bag and paid for his water. I watched with keen interest as he sauntered through the mall sipping his water. I couldn’t help but think, “Surely, there is a water fountain or bathroom sink in this huge mall where water is free.”

You may have heard the statement, “The best things in life are free.” I believe not only are the best things free but the most satisfying and lasting things in life are free. Many of this world’s things are extremely expensive. Why else would companies spend billions of dollars on advertising to entice us to purchase their widgets and gadgets? How fulfilling do our ipods, ipads, nooks, smart phones, motorcycles, clothes, cars, and Xboxes make our lives? We wait in line to spend our last bag of coins for the latest and greatest thing only to find it is outdated the moment the money leaves our hands.

The Book of Isaiah has been considered by many to be the 5^th Gospel, the Good News of Jesus from the Old Testament. Isaiah 55 calls all of us who are morally and spiritually bankrupt to come to God and buy life sustaining nourishment without money and without cost (55:1).  Before I became a believer, I struggled to understand how salvation could be free. I read verses like Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8. “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Although I understood what the words of the Bible said, I somehow believed deep in my being it couldn’t be true. I had to pay my way, earn God’s acceptance. In those days, I must have looked to God like the poor man at the mall paying his last coin for water at the counter of life when there is within reach a supply of pure, free, and life-giving water.

A couple days later I took a walk through the mall after lunch. I searched out the directory map to locate the restrooms. Although I did not find a water fountain, I found the restrooms directly below the food court where clean water was available free at the sink. That man spent some of his last coins for water he could have had free in abundance. Do you see a parallel in your life? Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”(Isaiah 55:2) You have been paying for things in this life that do not satisfy while God reaches out to you and invites you to “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1). Jesus invites you to freely come to God through Him. It’s actually not free. Jesus paid for your salvation with His life’s blood, but it’s free to you and me.

Words of Life

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  —Proverbs 14:12

As I write, I am spending five days at a church conference in the beautiful city of Charleston, West Virginia. I arrived at the dinner hour on Monday and parked at the Town Center Mall parking garage in time to eat a bite and get to my first meeting. Charleston’s down town area has been rejuvenated into a beautiful two city block, three story mall. As I road the elevator to the third floor food court, I asked someone the quickest way to the Civic Center. They immediately told me to go in the direction opposite from the Chik-fil-A restaurant.

After eating a wonderful grilled chicken salad, I headed for the Civic Center. Wanting to double check my directions, I ask a couple of teens if I was going the correct way toward the Civic Center. They debated among themselves and decided I was going the exact opposite direction. Yes, both were certain I needed to go the other way. I continued down to the first floor in the opposite direction toward the Civic Center. Just wanting to double check my route, I asked a pair of lady shoppers at the elevator which way was most direct to the Civic Center. I said, “I’m taking a poll on the way to the Civic Center. I have one saying this way and two others say that way.” Both ladies were convinced that the Starbucks sign faced away from the Center. I turned around another time and went the opposite direction. They were correct. Never doubt veteran shoppers.

I began to think about how we seek direction for our lives. We often take clues from entertainment media, friends, co-workers, relatives, and just about anyone who has an opinion as to which direction to take in life. Just like the directions I received from the Charleston shoppers, human insights are often incorrect and flawed. The scriptures tell us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12, 16:25). Jesus, on the other hand, said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). If we really want to know the best way to go in this world, we should consult the One who created this world and life itself.

The statement may often be overused, but the Bible really is God’s road map and instruction manual for life. Paul encouraged Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:14-16). If one has lost their way, the Bible really does have the answers. We often wait, like I did at the mall, until we are lost before asking for direction.

I would suggest reading the Bible every day for direction and help. I could have read up on the down town area of Charleston before my arrival. Actually, I thought about it, but forgot my atlas and had to rely on my GPS to get me to my hotel and the Town Center Mall. If I would have read up on Civic Center and the Town Center Mall, I would have not gotten lost in the first place. Do you have a Bible? Have you read it lately? The Bible is truly God’s words of life.