Waiting on God

Are you struggling to accept God's timing? In our heads, we know that God's timing is perfect, but there is often a gap between the knowledge that God will provide and the peace of feeling that truth in our souls. If you find yourself feeling impatient while you wait for God's hand to move, I encourage you to do what David did in Psalm 62:

⁵Wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
⁷On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

I love Southern Gospel music. Karen Peck and New River sing a song by Sharon Husarik called, "Right on Time." I don't expect you to listen through the song just to humor me, but here are the words:

The news came to Jesus please come fast.
Lazarus is sick and without Your help he will not last.
Mary and Martha watched their brother die
They waited for Jesus- He didn't come.
They wondered why.
The death watch was over; buried four days.
Somebody said He'll soon be here
The Lord's on His way.
Martha ran to Him and then she cried
"Lord if You had been here- You could have healed him. He'd still be alive.
But You're four days late; and all hope is gone.
Lord we don't understand why You've waited so long."
But His way is God's way.
It's not yours or mine
But isn't it great when He's four days late- He's still on time!
Jesus said, "Martha, show Me the grave."
But she said, "Lord You don't understand- he's been there four days!""
The grave stone was rolled back.
Then Jesus cried, "Lazarus! Come forth!"
Then somebody said, "He's ALIVE! He's ALIVE!"
Right now you may be fighting a battle of fear
You've cried to the Lord "I need You now!" But He has not appeared.
My friend don't be discouraged
Cause He's still the same.
He'll be right here and He'll roll back your stone and He'll call out your name!
When He's four days late and all hope is gone
Lord we don't understand why You've waited so long.
But His way is God's way it's not yours or mine
But isn't it great when He's four days late- He's still on time!
Oh my God it's great when He's four days late- He's still on time!!!

If you have taken Christ's name, and have clothed yourself in His grace, you have made a powerful commitment to God, and Satan has heard of you. God has declared that you are worth fighting over, and even though Christ has won you, Satan is still struggling to sift you. At this present time, the devil is trying to make waiting painful for you. It won't be the last time. Waiting can often pierce the heart in ways that feel as real as a spear, but things worth fighting for are also worth the wounds. Put on the full armor, remember His power to provide, and stand.

LORD, I pray for the hearts of those who read this. May your peace come through this humble vessel and find the soul in need. Give us the strength to stand firm until your perfect timing is fulfilled. In Jesus' precious name, Amen!

~tl

The Balance of Hope

The life of condemnation teeters out of balance on fear, between the regrets of yesterday and the anxieties of tomorrow, crippling us with guilt and worry. In contrast, the gift of God is the life of hope built on a fulcrum of grace, that allows us to find forgiveness for our yesterdays and provision for an eternity of tomorrows. This hope empowers us to live this moment as a reflection of His grace to all those around us, here and now, to His glory for ever and ever. Amen!

~tl

Full Spectrum Ministry

The full spectrum of visible light is evident in, and even defined by, the rainbow. From violet to red, and every mixture in between, the promise of God's tolerant mercy on sinful man is the reference point for all variations of color. Just as the sun casts its prismatic light in a demonstration of God's loving kindness, so God's Church is to be a multi-spectrum reflection of His love. Paul taught, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18) The global Church of Christ Jesus is the reflection of God's glory, and the appearance of His likeness on Earth.

Too often, we in the Christian community look to our own monochromatic understanding of God's love, and we exclude all other varieties. Whether the differences are in understandings of spiritual gifts and their application, or in styles of worship, or the never-ending theological debates over Biblical semantics, we hamstring God's body by dissociating our group from others. Even though we are warned not to forget we are parts of a bigger body, we still try to be the single-cell organism that can do it all, and knows it all. Paul cautioned the Corinthians not to forget their unity with the Body. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Jesus prayed, "that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23)

A full-spectrum Christian is not bound to one congregational denomination just as God's love is not bound to one frequency of light. The truth is that we tend to settle into that little pattern with which we have become comfortable, and stop growing or exploring. One of the points Paul is making in 2 Corinthians 3:18 is that we, who reflect His glory, are being transformed with ever-increasing glory, into His likeness. Transformation and increase both are types of change. We cannot become more if we refuse to change, and we cannot see the other colors of His rainbow if we tune out all but our own hue. When we escape from our comfort zone and reach out to Christians under other denominational standards, we find that our family is that much bigger, and our potential for outreach that much wider. The Bible teaches that we are one Body. Science teaches that a body is made up of organs, bones, connective tissue, each of those consisting of still smaller parts, called cells. Cellular structure itself demonstrates a need for each molecule, atom and electron to be working in unison. The world is simply too big, and the enemy's battle rages too fierce, for a Church with an amoeba mindset. In order to stand and matter against a society that is so quickly sweeping toward a unanimous evil, there must be unity in God's Church. The time for bickering over such things as the use of electric guitars or communion cups is over.

"God has combined the members of the body ... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." From the ultraviolet of the Catholics through the vivid ranges of the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Churches of Christ, the Independents, Baptists, Methodists, all the way to the infrared of the Pentecostal and Charismatic congregations, every one of us exists to support the Body of Christ. Any internal growth that hinders the body rather than help it is mere disease, and the Great Physician is faithful to tend to diseased growth in his body. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:1-4)

Ezekiel's revelation of the exile (and the shadow of our current wait for the Lord), began with, "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people." (Ezekiel 12:2) According to the voice of the Lord, rebellion is what clouds the eyes and clogs the ears from receiving the full spectrum of God's truth for us. Rebellion. Sin. Going the wrong way. Even if we find ourselves on the "right track," saved and bound for eternity with Him, we still may miss the full opportunity we had on earth to be our part of the bigger picture. Heaven will have no boundaries to separate the included. There will just be eternity with Jesus, and eternity without. No "1st Congregation of Saved Believers of 4th Street South," or "Missionary Messianic Church of the Sitting Tack in Christ," just plain old "IN" and "OUT." That's all.

Most denominational walls are built on the disputable matters described in Paul's instruction to accept one another. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters." (Romans 14:1) That passage continues as Paul quotes Isaiah 45:23, "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " (Romans 14:10-11) The style of worship, the frequency of the communion sacrament, the nature and use of spiritual gifts, and the method of baptism are important matters, but are not critical in the survival of the Body of Christ. While every point deserves study, most of these serve to segregate rather than to unify. As Christians we do not have the luxury of seeing perfectly eye-to-eye on every subject. We are called to remember that we are all parts of the same Body. Just because one may not feel he is exactly the same as the Christians near him, his makeup, experiences and personal relationship with Christ make him a critically important asset to the whole. How strange a white blood cell must feel when traveling along the vessel with all the red. But when infection comes, the value of the white cell is in its healing power, a trait the red cells do not carry. As Paul said, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13a)

Oddly, the Christian community tends to organize in a backward fashion. A large congregational institution, already broken off from the Church Body by denomination and its own walls, breaks into small fellowship groups. This is a formula for regression, not progression, and more closely resembles decomposition than growth. Fellowship groups themselves are a healthy idea, and help to keep the Church alive, but their formation is reversed from the natural order. The early Church of Christ Jesus followed more of a natural pattern, developing like any other complex organism: beginning with the cell, grouping with similar cells into organs, and finally celebrating cooperation with other organizations in the ministerial function of the whole body. The starting point is supposed to be the cell. At the end of the Book of Acts, we read that Paul made a ministry out of opening his home to boldly preach the Gospel to anyone who would come with an interest. (Acts 28:28-31) We each need to be doing the same, opening our homes to all who will come, teaching them to do likewise, and sending them to repeat the cycle. Especially in days to come, as persecution becomes more and more real, and organized congregational church institutions find themselves under attack, the cellular structure of Christ's body will be key to its survival. As long as Christians can find other Christians and continue to celebrate unity in abiding in Him, as He instructed in the 15th chapter of John, the Church Body will last through whatever comes our way, and remain a living, breathing, growing force on Earth. It all starts in the home of the Christian.

Heavenly Father, grant us eyes to see the full spectrum of your loving care, unbound by the carnal walls of our comfort zones. Help us to be an accurate, indiscriminate reflection of that love, shining on all with whom we come in contact. In Jesus' precious name, Amen!

Political Correctness: The Fall of Freedom

Matt Rodina, a Russian editorialist, commented rightly in the Russian publication Pravda,

"It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people."

He goes on to say, "...their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power."

We need to remember that our religious freedom must not be taken for granted. The same freedoms obtained by the blood of many American soldiers are now being forfieted bit by bit due to our complacency and our "political correctness" which is really just an idolatrous appetite to be appealing to all people. Evil usually doesn't attack by force through the front door. It usually comes by our own invitation in some cunning disguise.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

The Truth is We Need Jesus

When we read the Old Testament, we can usually find that its truth, like a perfect crystal, rotates to be viewed in at least three facets. When we look straight at it, we see the black and white history of the writing, exactly as the Lord has preserved it over the centuries. This, in itself is no small miracle, considering all the attacks against so many of its guardians through the years. When the Spirit of the Lord permits the reader to rotate the multi-dimensional truth, what was hidden becomes visible to those to whom He has given eyes to read it. What once was a historical record, now becomes a pattern over which the life of Christ would lay. The third facet illuminates when the same truth is rotated toward the reader himself, providing direction, correction, guidance and communication directly to the reader, as a recipient of a love letter directly from his Father.

In between these three are sometimes found patterns that either allude to or dictate the outcomes of current and future events. It is a true saying that God initiated order in a rotating fashion. What has happened, will in some similar pattern happen again. As God cleansed the world of sin once by immersion in water, so now, He cleanses the world by individual baptism. As Israel became enslaved to Egypt, as they were sustained through the famine, so we enslave ourselves to the sin that accompanies the provision that was meant to sustain us. As God, through Moses, delivered the slaves to the promised land, sparing them from the destroying angel by the blood of a lamb. So in the time of the Caesars, He provided the One, final Lamb, sparing all who would claim Him as their Savior, and will return to deliver those freed slaves to an eternal Promised Land, where we will live with Him forever.


The rotations are found when the pattern is turned over on itself. God gave us paradise of living with Him in Eden. We blew it, so he put us out of Eden and consigned us to labor, scattering us around the globe. God gave us the globe to populate, but we populated it with sin, so He washed it away, but planted the seed of one family. That family grew until God was crowded out, and He burned the rebellious towns with fire. God built His home with us in the Temple in Jerusalem, but we desecrated it, so he demolished it and laid waste everything anywhere near it. God came to us in the person of His Son, and paid an admission price granting us access to the originally intended condition, being together with Him. With that, we arrive at the present space and time. What will happen next depends on the answer to one question. It is the only question that matters in the grander scheme. It is not, "Why am I here?" or "What is my purpose?" but, "Whose am I?" The final rendering of the pattern will be similar to the first renderings. It was not the masses that received the benefit of God's paternity, but the eight on the ark built by Noah's obedience. It was not the masses who escaped the flames of Sodom and Gomorrah, but only Lot and his children. Even Lot's wife was lost to her lack of focus.


The condition of Man is fallen. We are as fallen today as when Adam ate of the forbidden tree. The destination of Man is destruction. God made us for His own companions, to share with Him in person and in relationship. Those not conforming to His original purpose will be disposed of. The need of man is Jesus. God Himself became, in the person of Jesus, the bridge between where we are and where He wants us. All that is required of us is to turn from the distractions of our provisions, back to the Creator who made us.


There will be two groups on the Great Day of the Lord. Those who are horrified and those who are ecstatic. We will not be separated by "good" and "evil" designations, as most of the world presumes. We will not be divided by "gave enough to charity" and "too stingy to deserve salvation." As we each walk to the Judgement Seat, we will not be entering a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty," but quite simply, "redeemed," or "not redeemed." As the reward is announced, and as eternity opens to receive its new recruits, the victory cry of the Bride of Christ will be that same plea, "Redeemed! Redeemed! By Christ's blood I've been redeemed!"


With the condition, destination, and need of Man in mind, and with the understanding that what happened to Jerusalem will happen to the Christian, and ultimately to the global Church of Christ Jesus, it becomes more of a challenge to read an Old Testament prayer from a man who was favored of God, and who was given insight into the many layers of history. Daniel prayed in Daniel 9:4-19:

"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
"Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
"Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
"Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

Acknowledge that you are fallen, ask for Jesus' help getting up, and embrace a Father who only wants to love you. All else is distraction.

A Daunting Departure

The lumber of the boardwalk, gray with age and wear, seems representative of the feet that now plod along them beneath me. Firm and clean when first hewn from their natural state, now battered and creaking with every step, oh the stories these boards could tell were they not mute! Before me lay a short path of timbers, sewn together by rusty hardware that seems unfit for the task. Beneath them are the silent enemies, the barnacles that slowly destroy this marriage of land and sea. It seems no matter where we walk, time, pressure and the elements turn like parasites against their host.

As gaze turns from the rooted to the horizon, the steps before me, though few, seem long. A shoreline of well-wishers and friends fill my ears with shouts of camaraderie and pleas to stay. Each syllable weighs on my every footstep, making progress seem daunting. How long the boardwalk seems when so precious are the ones we leave behind!

My lungs filled with the salty sea air of purpose and determination, I remain driven to make the walk toward the mission ship of exploration, bound for inestimable distances with unknown ports of call. Navigation left to the heavenly host, I trust only in the Holy Spirit to fill my sails and drive me to His will and purpose for my life. With such a skipper as the Lord Jesus Christ, how can I fear shipwreck or loss at sea?

Wish us well, darling comrades, and pray us onward to what lies ahead. May we always be joined together by mutual love for Christ and full submission to His Lordship. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

I am Second - Richard Ellis

I like the simplicity of this guy's video. The Gospel message is simple. Its simplicity has always confounded the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

Hold Unswervingly: A Communion Meditation

I was listening to the “all Christmas music” station just before Christmas, and the radio announcer came on and said, “In all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, remember the reason for the season: family and friends!” “Family and friends?!” We know the truth is that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. But we wouldn't celebrate the birth of Jesus if he was just a baby in a manger. In fact, we wouldn't celebrate his birth if it were just for Good Friday. Lots of people have died for us over the years. We celebrate them on Memorial Day, and now on Hero Day, September 11th. In reality, the “reason for the Christmas season” is Easter. It is because of his resurrection we celebrated His birth. And it is because of Jesus' resurrection that we now celebrate His death. The gift of God the Father became perfect on the day Jesus the Son laid down the gift of His life, conquered death, and paid for sin.

Hebrews 10 says that “the [Old Testament] law [was] only a shadow of the good things that [were to come] ... It [could] never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who [drew] near to worship. ...But those sacrifices [served as] an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, … He [set] aside the first to establish the second. And [so], we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Brothers and sisters, the work of Christ was to sanctify us, to set us apart as holy, so that we would be acceptable to enter into the heavenlies, to spend personal time with the Father and with Jesus Christ, who is too holy to allow sin near Him.

Paul continues in Hebrews 10, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith … Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

The promise is that if we hold on to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we have the assurance of that holiness that He requires. But, in this time of self-examination, I call you to hear the words that follow that triumphant declaration: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

My friends, we have become a passive generation of Christians. As you hold these emblems today, I urge you to consider your attitude toward your salvation. Have you taken this sacrifice for granted, and trampled it under foot, or are you holding unswervingly to the hope that you profess?

In conclusion, Paul writes, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay.'”

That's My King!

Sunday, I was introduced to the anthem of S. M. Lockridge's sermon titled, "That's My King," and I could no more sit for that than for the "Star Spangled Banner!" If you have never heard this sermon, allow me to introduce you to it. Prepare to be stirred by a man's account of the indescribable King of kings that was God's gracious gift to mankind. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)

If the video does not appear, click here.

Whitewashed Tombs

A Communion Meditation

At Communion time, we often hear the familiar passage from 1 Corinthians 11:28, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces seven “woes” to the congregation before him. In the crowd were some who were eagerly seeking Jesus, the hungry, the sick, the empty, and the lonely, those looking for the Way to a better life. There were also in the crowd, hypocrites, those whose religion was only surface deep. Jesus cried out, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” When we truly look on the inside of ourselves, do we see darkness and decay, or is it truly the home...of the Light of Life?

That familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 11 continues, “But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.” Just because we realize that we have some cleaning up to do, does not mean we are not welcome at the Lord's table. In fact 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. The good news of the gospel is, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God cleans us up!

Zacchaeus knew that he was a wee, little man and would not be able to come to Jesus on his short legs. When Jesus saw that he was eager enough to find him, that he, a grown man, climbed a tree just to get a glimpse, Jesus had compassion and was faithful to come into his home and life.

When we, in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds the Lord our God has made... When we see the clouds and hear the rolling thunder, and see His power throughout the universe displayed... We should consider just how small we are compared to a Great and Awesome God as that. We should consider the rottenness underneath the whitewashed facade, and seek Him out, whatever it takes, so that He can come into our homes and lives.

The miracle of the Lord's Supper is that the Most High has furnished a way for wee little men to commune with the Great and Powerful Master of the Universe. By taking this bread of life, we restore flesh to the decaying bones inside us. This cup of the blood of the Lamb washes us clean, from the inside, out.

Allow me to read a few verses from Psalm 51. I pray you will apply these to your hearts.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

The Pyramid of Purpose: Why the Church Exists

The purpose of the church, while sermonized and complicated by many, can be summed up in three basic pillars: worship, fellowship, and discipleship. When the three are combined, the result is a healthy church. As each pillar grows, so will the church.

Worship

God created each of us with an empty hole of longing for Him. Saint Augustine wrote in Confessions, “Man is one of your creatures, Lord, and his instinct is to praise you. He bears about him the mark of death…But still, since he is a part of your creation, he wishes to praise you. The thought of you stirs him so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” (Augustine, Confessions, Translated by R. S. Pine-Coffin (London: Penguin, 1961), 21.)

When we finally find God and apply His salvation to our lives, the emotional result is joy, peace, and love, all the heavy-hitters of the “fruit of the Spirit” list in Galations 5. Our physical response to God, our praise, our sacrifice, our devotion, our righteous living, and even our service when motivated by our love for Him are defined as worship, and are referred to in the Bible repeatedly as the manner in which we, “glorify God.” As a father glows with pride when his son performs well, demonstrates honor, or offers compliments, so our Heavenly Father’s glory is intensified when we speak praise or demonstrate honor by our behavior.

Worship begins alone. It is the connection between a human soul and an infinite God. As worship grows, it includes more people. “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) Congregational or “corporate” worship serves both to set the tone for our private worship, and to exponentially multiply the glory to God. John speaks of the glory of God being a bright light which emanates from the Lord. (Revelation 21:11, 23) As the worshipping body of Christ grows, either in number or in sincerity and depth of relationship with Him, so His glory glows brighter. As the church, the bride of Christ, assembles and offers praise to God, it collectively calls to the halo of God’s presence, “Let there be light!”

Fellowship

Along with our natural draw toward the divine, God has put into each of us a desire for community. We long to associate with others with whom we share something in common. For Christians, the most defining characteristic is our Christianity. We need each other. When He realized the only flaw in His incomplete creation, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’” (Genesis 2:18) Our grouping together for the good of one another is called “fellowship.” Fellowship serves to glorify God as we encourage and support one another.

Christ charged us to don a new identifying characteristic. He commanded us to be known for the way we sacrificially love each other. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) We are made to function together to compliment and supplement each other. As Paul repeatedly said, “in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5; see also 1 Corinthians 12:24; Ephesians 3:6, 4:25, 5:30; and Colossians 3:15)

As we spend time together, we learn to love, and are given more opportunity to demonstrate it practically. Regardless of how we choose to display it, as we “greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 5:14) we share with one another a sense of belonging. Sharing with one another our time and service builds this sense of community, and strengthens relationships. When the inevitable trials come, the communal nature of our fellowship gives us each a means of sharing the burden. “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Discipleship

God wants us to share with one another as though we were one, but not just as an exclusive club or social organization. He equips us with the love, faith, and peace of knowing Him, and surrounds us with community of the fellowship of the saints, so that we can be prepared to follow his marching orders, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) The body of Christ has been assembled to increase itself. Width, one dimension of the church’s growth called for in this order, is called “evangelism.” Congregations that do not engage themselves about the purpose of evangelism tend to end up being identified by words like “clique-ish” and “friendly but exclusive.” When a church congregation finds contentment in this state, it suffers at least two problems: 1) their population ages, and is only replaced by whatever descendants they propagate; and, 2) they refuse to grow in spiritual depth, and become the milk-drinkers described by Paul in Hebrews 5:12-14. Deeper understanding of Spiritual truths will not allow a true disciple to ignore the call for service and outreach.

Evangelism is only part of discipleship. Jesus did not ask us to play Christian tag, recruiting new Christians, and then leaving them to fend for themselves. Once inside the congregational fold, members of the flock are also called to shepherd one another. We are to pass on what we have learned, “teaching them to obey everything I (Jesus) have commanded you.” This is another part of discipleship, to hone our skills as Christians on one another. Perfecting the ministries of love, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, etc. requires practice. Who better to practice on than those around us trying to do the same thing? “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) We wield the sword of the Spirit with care as we spar with our partners, gently admonishing and instructing one another in the Word. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

The final part of discipleship finds itself in the ministerial purpose of all mankind. It amazes me that secular service organizations do more for their communities than most Christian churches. This should not be! Mankind wanders this world seeking the answer to the oldest question, “Why am I here?” The answer can be found without climbing an icy mountain to some obscure guru. It is spelled out clearly in the Bible. God’s purpose for His people is to serve one another. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) We exist on this planet, which is really just a series of training tools, confidence courses, and testing grounds, to demonstrate our love for God in the way we serve others, and in so doing glorify God. This is the ultimate purpose of man, of Christians, of our local congregations, and of the worldwide Body of Christ.

Worship, our relationship with God; Fellowship, our relationship with others; and Discipleship, our responsibility to build others up into a relationship with God, are the three pillars of a healthy, complete church congregation. It is only as we recognize our purpose individually and in our local congregations that we can serve it as a part of the global Church.

God is In the Storm!

Nahum 1

As I sit at my post, between the web updates, television, and radio, trying to keep my colleagues informed and equipped for the latest tropical storm, I cannot help but think about the power of the natural forces God put into motion. One member of my agency pointed out that the rush of flood waters can reach twenty-two miles per hour, and compared that to the Nantahala River, famous for its white water rafting, which races at an average of nine miles per hour. Rain and winds are blowing past my door, which is open so I can keep lookout against tornadoes. As I think about the fierceness of the storm, I am reminded that this is not even a sneeze compared with the power of God. I was looking up storm references in the concordance and I was reminded of Nahum’s prophecy.

(Nahum 1:3-4)
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.

While we in Northeast Florida are praying for Him to dry up a few of the flooded streets and highways, it is comforting to know that He, who makes the rivers run dry, is just the One to get it done. Other thoughts about who God is came to me as I meditated on the phrase, “His way is in the whirlwind and the storm.”

1. The Whirlwind and the Storm are Organized
Floridians know that when a storm system becomes “organized” it’s time to bring in the lawn furniture and batten down the storm shutters. The more defined a tropical system is, the more devastating its effect. Even now, as Tropical Storm Fay loses organization, we are already breathing, to a certain extent, a sigh of relief. God is not one to act without a plan. He has always ordained and condoned structure. From the day He formed the oceans and bound them by divine instruction, “This far you will come and no farther,” (Job 38:11) to the organizational structure for which John was told to write commendations and rebukes regarding the churches, on the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9-11) In whatever He does, we can rest assured that He has chosen a systematic approach. As Paul pointed out, “God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

2. The Storm’s Destructive Power is Undeniable
The windblown news reporter stands just outside some safe structure as close to the beach as humanly possible, apparently bent on getting his microphone wet to show you how brave he is and how devastating the winds of the current storm are. “I’m Gayle Force, coming to you from ground zero, where the beaches and anything around them are being pounded by this storm!” The scene, with flying debris in the background, is ridiculously predictable, and painfully obvious. Invariably, however, when the storm comes, someone feels the need to demonstrate to you, by the flapping of his rain-suit and the wetness of his hair, that the storm has a power that should not be experienced by mere mortal humans. God’s power is so much more powerful than that sandblasted tele-journalist could describe! Nahum continues:

Nahum 1:5-6
The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.

3. The Whirlwind and the Storm Refresh the Surface
There is a strange cleanness that is evident after a storm. In the air the freshness is palatable with every breath. Anything weak, dead, or dying is cleared away. Brown palm fronds litter streets and yards, leaving nothing but healthy green on the trees. Only the strongest branches and best rooted trees remain. Rough surfaces are smoothed over by erosion. Beaches are redefined. After the changing of a few tides and the arrival of the waste removal teams, the area is left with a sparkle of aesthetic gleam that would rival any household cleaner commercial. Likewise when God moves, the breath of His Spirit erodes away all our rough surfaces, breaks away any weakness, clears out all that hinders, and makes room for a fresh, new growth.

Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.


When God revealed Himself to Moses, He covered him with His hand in a rocky crag until the devastation of His presence had passed by. Then He allowed Moses to look at His back as He moved away. I thank God for His goodness that accompanies His power. Even though He has the power to make the universe tremble and melt, He gently picks me up and cradles me with His loving care, polishes me clean, and finds there something worth dying for. That is why I love Him.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.

Warning: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

ATTENTION ALL SHEEP! THERE IS A DANGEROUS LIAR ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM SHE MAY DEVOUR.

A friend of mine recently showed me this video. I am not among Oprah Winfrey's viewing audience, so I was shocked to hear of the vile, deceptive teachings she is spewing at millions of people. They are the ancient lies of Satan, the mystic practice of self-worship, and all under a "New Age" label.

Be warned! There is a deceiver in your television set, and she has a loyal following that probably includes someone you know.

"One of the mistakes human beings make is believing that there is only one way... There are many paths to what you call 'God', and her path might be something else, and when she gets there, she might call it 'the light.' ...There couldn't possibly be just one way!" Oprah said to her objecting audience.

• Isaiah 59:8, "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace."
• John 14:6, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
• Romans 5:17, "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Her spiritual guide, Eckhart Tolle, when asked what happens when we die, answered, "I don't give it any thought." That's a great answer for a child of Satan! None on the losing side likes to think about what is going to happen to them in the end.

Oprah says her own objection to religion began when she heard a preacher say that God was a jealous god. She could not rationalize that with what she felt God should be. She could not believe that God is a jealous God. Let me help make this clear by posting some more Scripture:

• Exodus 20:5, "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me"
• Exodus 34:14, "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
• Joshua 24:19, "...He is a holy God; he is a jealous God."
• The list goes on: Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15, 32:21; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2
• The Apostle Paul even said, "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy." (2 Corinthians 11:2)

My hope is that in hearing this, you are able to reach out to someone you know and show them how dangerous this kind of teaching can be. Men, be sure your wives are grounded in the truth and are not following this wolf in sheep's clothing! Women be wise. Don't allow this garbage in your mind or your homes. Job 28:28, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Terminal Distraction

I was so excited! I had won an all-expense paid trip to an island paradise and it was finally time to leave.

As the car arrived to take me to the terminal, the trim sparkled, the tires glistened, and the glass was like crystal. I was welcomed into the car by the suppleness of the leather and the smoothness of everything I touched. The powerful engine quickly propelled me to the terminal.

At the terminal, I was pampered with luxury. Attendants carried my bags and I was left to tarry there in the terminal. I wandered the great hall and found there a means to meet my every desire. I found a cushioned place in which to rest, and escaped in various stories I found in the vast bookstore. I indulged in the decadence of an endless supply of cinnamon pastries and soft pretzels, until the thought of my destination seemed a distant memory. I made up my mind to live in that terminal and be quite content.

Then, as I reclined somewhere between the shoeshine stand and the pizza vendor, a stranger approached me, dressed in an apron. He seemed to know exactly who I was, and addressed me by my name. He handed me a tropical cocktail with all the vibrant colors and succulent delicacies of the islands. When I sat up to pay the strange servant, he simply said, “I have paid the price. Remember me!”

I leaned forward and took a sip. As the fragrant concoction washed over my tongue, I could almost see the coconut trees! I took a bit of pineapple off the rim of my cup and put it into my mouth. The beaches! The warm breeze! I could taste it! I could feel it. I could remember it. All at once, in the tasting of the stuff of that token cup, what I was missing became apparent to me.

How could I have been so blinded by the distractions of the port that I forgot my destination? How could I have fallen in love with the props and glamor of the terminal that I had betrayed the prospect of paradise?

This life and everything in it are mere distractions. Fear, pride, greed, lust, fanaticism, ambition, these are the idolatries that seek to divide us from our devotion to the goal.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul describes the purpose of the bread and wine of our communion sacrament, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” “Do this, whenever you drink it,” Christ instructed, “in remembrance of me.”

Remember Him! Do not be distracted by the illusions of this world and all its cares.

Remember Him! Proclaim His death until He comes. Claim it for yourself.

Remember Him! Apply the Bread of His flesh to your dry bones.

Remember Him! Wash white your filthy existence in the blood of the Lamb.

Remember Him! Consider the lashes He bore for your sin, the price He paid for your redemption.

Remember Him! Take now this token meal, and look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' These are the true words of God. (Rev.19:9)

Remember Him!



Note to reader(s): I haven't posted in a while, because I would rather be silent than write when I have nothing to say. When the Spirit moves me to write, I write. When I have nothing to say, I read or pray. It was time for another communion meditation, so I forced myself to write. What do you know? When you schedule an appointment with the Spirit, God never fails!

Wisdom from a Retiring Journalist

Karen Brune Mathis, in a farewell article in the Florida Times Union, outlined ten of the life lessons a career in journalism has taught her. What follows are her main points with scripture to back up each one. (Please read her entire article.)

1. Courtesy is currency.

Galations 6:9 , Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Ephesians 4:2 , Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Galatians 5:14 , The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

2. Some people are jerks.

Matthew 10:14 , If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

3. There's power in speaking up.

1 Timothy 4:15-16 , Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

4. You must stand your ground.

Luke 21:19 , By standing firm you will gain life.

1 Corinthians 15:58 , Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

5. Lying backfires.

Psalm 5:6 , You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

1 Peter 3:10 (Psalm 34:12-13 ),Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

6. Watch your words.

Matthew 12:35-37 , The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Micah 7:5 , Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words.

7. Cliches and curses are annoying.

Proverbs 8:13 , To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

James 3:2 , We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

8. Expand your comfort zone.

Joshua 10:25 , Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."

1 Chronicles 4:10 , Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Matthew 28:19-20 , Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

9. Compassion is good in large measure.

Ephesians 4:32 , Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Peter 3:8 , Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

10. So is skepticism.

Mark 4:24 , "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued.

2 Corinthians 13:1 (Deuteronomy 19:15 ), Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra is one of my favorite musical groups. I didn’t know anyone else knew who they were...until today. As I was reading over my blog subscriptions, I found a post by Derry Prenkert about the 12-piece Christian Big-Band being featured on FOX’s Next Great American Band. Kudos to them and YAY for me! (I'll be able to get more DMHO CDs in the future.)

Visit: http://nextgreatband.msn.com/ngb/bands/denver, then buy their CDs at http://www.denvermho.com/.

Oh, yeah! This is a blog dedicated to the discourse of Scripture! Umm.... How about this:

2 Chronicles 5:13-14,

The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.

The Death of a Friend: Permission to Weep

The Gospel of John is one of my favorite books. I like John. Perhaps it is because John was the close friend of Jesus. When Jesus excluded Himself from the crowd, He always took with him Peter, James, and John. The witnesses to the Transfiguration were Peter, James, and John. John was the one reclining against Jesus at the Last Supper, and it was John to whom Jesus entrusted the care of his aging mother as he hung upon the cross. John even referred to himself as “the apostle whom Jesus loved.” The Gospel of John is riddled with symbolism and mysterious language that screams out to one who looks for it. It is the Gospel of Jesus according to one of His closest friends.

The eleventh chapter of John is one of my favorite passages. All the stories of Jesus, even those told prophetically in the Old Testament, help us to know who He is, but it is in this chapter that the humanness of Jesus becomes real to me. It is this chapter in which we find the story of Lazarus, who was also described as Jesus’ friend. Lazarus, a resident of Bethany, with whom Jesus would often stay when He was traveling, was the brother of Mary and Martha, the two about whom we read in Luke 10. Mary was the woman who would later anoint Jesus’ feet with perfume six days before His final Passover while He reclined with Lazarus in their home (John 12). (Mary is often confused with another woman who came into the house of the Pharisee to weep on Jesus’ feet and anoint them with perfume. See Luke 7.) The point is that Jesus would go to Lazarus’ house and just hang out… He could be found there, “just chillin’,” as the kids in our youth group would say. As humanizing as that sounds, this is still not what makes Jesus real to me. Although I must admit an image of Christ patting His belly after a big meal and putting his feet up does lend itself to a little better familiarity!

In the eleventh chapter of John, we read about the death of Jesus’ close friend. Some of us remember this chapter as home to the shortest memory verse in the Bible, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” I remember this chapter because of the biggest verse in the Bible with regard to His relating to my feelings. It is the same verse, “Jesus wept.”

We all know the story. Lazarus became ill, and his sisters summoned Jesus, saying, “The one you love is sick.” Jesus waited at the Jordan a couple days and then told His disciples to pack up for a trip back to Judea, where folks just tried to kill Him. Lazarus’ sister, Martha, ran to Jesus, overcome with grief, even though she was filled with the Holy Spirit enough to recognize and announce (v. 27) that He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus, confronted by the mourners, welcomed by friends, in the company of the weeping crowd, demonstrates the humanity of Christ as it really begins to blend and conflict with his son-ship of God: “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” (v. 33) As they led Him to the place where Lazarus had been entombed for four days, “Jesus wept.”

The magic of Scripture is its living attributes. One passage holds numerous truths. One could devote years to the study of this one chapter. Not the least of these prismatic truths is the allegorical relation of Lazarus to mankind, and Christ’s delayed response to call us from our spiritual sickness which leads to death. There is His willingness to enter a hostile territory to be among those in need of His ministry. The call of Christ to, “come forth,” from out of the grave seems to foreshadow the mysterious death Christ Himself will endure very soon. But the thing about this passage I carry in my heart is that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, in all His power and might, with all the command of the angelic realms, and the foreknowledge of what was about to happen, wept for His friend. Lazarus was about to be called forth from his grave. Jesus knew that! He had announced that intent to his disciples two days prior. When I was a kid, I wondered why Jesus would cry at that moment, since He knew He was about to wake Lazarus up anyway. That’s the way someone thinks who has never experienced the separation of death. Jesus didn’t seem troubled about the task at hand when He was reclining on the banks of the Jordan River. He knew what the plan was…but He didn’t know the pain yet. He didn’t begin to feel that way until verse 33, when he became deeply moved and troubled.

Have you ever endured something really tragic, and felt you had done a good job holding it together emotionally, just to break down completely the first time you tell the story to another person? That happens to me a lot. I can be strong and hold it all together, but then when I call my wife to let her know what has been going on, I end up crying on the phone. I believe this is the type of weeping that is common to all humanity, and unless our Savior had experienced it, we might be tempted to say, “You, who are God, wouldn’t know what I’m feeling right now.” But, Jesus wept. Thank God for weeping! Because of this experience, He can really understand what I feel right now.

My friend is absent from the body and present with the Father. I am happy for him. But I am sad for me. My desire to want him with me makes me weep, although I know it is in his best interest to be with God. It is the pain I witness on the faces of those around me that makes me hurt, because I know they only feel the same way I feel: I miss him while he’s gone. There is no sting in death, and no victory in the grave, but the anguish of the bereaved is real and understandable. What would Jesus do? Even if Jesus knew he was going to raise our dearly departed from the grave, He would still weep. Brothers and sisters, allow me permission to weep, and give yourselves permission to do the same.

Encourage One Another Daily

Why does it seem so difficult to follow Paul’s simple instruction to, “Encourage one another daily”? (Hebrews 3:13, “…Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.”) I have never received encouragement that I didn’t appreciate. I don’t know anyone who has. Oh, sure, there are times when it makes us uncomfortable. When caught off guard, a compliment can certainly make us blush. But even the simplest expression of warmth is always welcome. Why, then, do we make a habit of clamming up when we ought to be bubbling with statements of stimulation and mouthfuls of motivation?

I can think of a few reasons off the top of my head:

1) We think we are too busy. Satan’s number one mission is to distract us from our primary purpose. What is our purpose in life? Satan’s job is so much easier if you don’t know! It is to do good to and for others. (Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”) When we are “too busy” to fulfill our purpose, we are deluded, and Satan has succeeded in distracting us from our mission as ambassadors for Christ. It is time we reevaluated our priorities and realigned them with the Word of God.

2) We, either intentionally or subconsciously, are withholding encouragement from someone who has disappointed us. This one is tricky. Only the truly honest will confess to having done this. Have you ever noticed that your wife got a nice new pair of shoes, or a haircut or whatever, but refused to pay her a compliment because you were stewing over what she may have spent? Have you held back a cheerful, “I’m proud of you,” when your teenager finally gets something right, because you’re still choking on the bitterness of all her past failures? Ladies, do you intentionally rob your husbands of the loving caress and soft words you know he needs after a hard day, just because he growled at your dog on his way in the door? This practice of harboring bitterness and reflecting it in quiet neglect is known as “passive aggression,” and such behavior should have no place in the Christian life. (Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”) This passive aggression is a form of idolatry, the idolatry of selfishness. When we put our own expectations ahead of our commission to serve one another, we displace God in our priorities. (Galatians 5:13b-14, “…Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."”)

3) We can’t think of anything appropriate to say. The last excuse is the lousiest, and it too is a lie. What we mean when we use this excuse is that we can’t think of anything new, fresh, or exciting. We feel like any means of encouragement must be an original thought. If we repeat something someone else has used, we will sound corny. Or maybe we feel that our words of affirmation will be inappropriately received or will not be appreciated as meaningful enough. Again, we have placed too much emphasis on what we feel and not enough on our mission to do good for others. (Hebrews 10:25, “…but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”)

The Lord has spent Himself to bring us His love letter, the Word of God. He has done this to teach and encourage us along our way. (Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”) Let us follow the model of God, and spend our time sharing the encouragement of the message of God: that is, of love, grace, forgiveness and peace with anyone with whom we have contact.

Who can you encourage today?