The Only Road to Redemption....

The story of the prodigal son has so many facets to it. It has so many lessons. It shows us the theme of the entire Bible, REDEMPTION. I just want to focus on this point: where God’s happiness is, self-righteous can’t come. Where God finds His greatest joy, in the repentance of sinners (coming back to Him), we find humility on display. No one, I mean no human being can come to God, without God’s power and grace. God will do many things to open the eyes of a sinner, but’s it’s not until a sinner realizes his sin offends God, and the only thing he can do about it is to throw himself at God’s feet and plead for mercy, that he begins the path of restoration (salvation). It’s not until he can honestly say, “...I have sinned against both Heaven and You (God) and I am no longer worthy of being called your son”, that a man can be fully redeemed. It’s real humility that converts a man, being broken with no hope. That desperation drives a man to the only hope he possibly can have, and that’s hope in God. This humility isn’t something a man can generate by himself. It only comes from God. And it usually is from the effects of a trial, sickness, or situation that takes a man to the brink of brokenness, that he begins to see his humanity as it really is. The prodigal son is the example we are given that clearly expresses God’s view of humanity. And it clearly shows His desired outcome and response to it. When we think we are in control, the only control we have is in the phrase “out of control”. Praise God for His Grace and Goodness. His happiness is for our good, and it’s only available in the state of humility. Where are you on the “Humble-continuum”?

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on.27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ” Luke 15:11-32

The Vainest Way to Live...

Living without eternity in mind, is the vainest way to live. It’s deception is unmatched. To think our success on earth will go with us into eternity is one of the biggest lies we will ever confront. You either know God, and know eternity, or you live life with no God, and have no hope of eternal life in Heaven. Your success on earth will be your only success, and that success will be your eternal downfall. Instead as this Psalm says, I want God to redeem my life, and snatch me from the power of the grave.

Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world!2 High and low,rich and poor–listen!3 For my words are wise,and my thoughts are filled with insight.4 I listen carefully to many proverbsand solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. 5 Why should I fear when trouble comes,when enemies surround me?6 They trust in their wealthand boast of great riches.7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from deathby paying a ransom to God.8 Redemption does not come so easily,for no one can ever pay enough9 to live foreverand never see the grave. 10 Those who are wise must finally die,just like the foolish and senseless,leaving all their wealth behind.11 The grave is their eternal home,where they will stay forever.They may name their estates after themselves,12 but their fame will not last.They will die, just like animals.13 This is the fate of fools,though they are remembered as being wise.Interlude 14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave,where death will be their shepherd.In the morning the godly will rule over them.Their bodies will rot in the grave,far from their grand estates.15 But as for me, God will redeem my life.He will snatch me from the power of the grave.Interlude 16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow richand their homes become ever more splendid.17 For when they die, they take nothing with them.Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.18 In this life they consider themselves fortunateand are applauded for their success.19 But they will die like all before themand never again see the light of day.20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;they will die, just like animals. Psalms 49:1-20

Out of Sight, Out of Mind...

When you die - you are forgotten. Regardless of what you think, the saying, “out of sight, out of mind”, holds true. Yes, you may be remembered at times, but you will be forgotten. Worldly pursuits, achievements, and discoveries may be memorialized by naming things after you, or dedicating structures in your name, but it’s only your name, not your person. When you think of the Eiffel tower, do you think of Gustave Eiffel? Who? Or does everyone answer correctly to the question, “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?” You see, without eternity in mind, everything we do, will be forgotten, regardless of our contributions on earth. Depressing, isn’t it? The good news is the Good News. For those who believe, we will be remembered in Heaven. God won’t forget us. And the things we do for eternity, will be “for eternity”. The eternal investments we make here will last forever. When Gideon died, all the people forgot His leadership, his victories in battle, his rescue, and his faith and loyalty to God. We as believers have choices of who we follow. We can follow mortal men, who will be forgotten. Or we can follow God Who will never forget us.

33 As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34 They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 35 Nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he had done for Israel. Judges 8:33-35

Humility is a Mindset....

Humility is a mindset. It takes constant attention, constant molding and shaping, for us to display it. When you do, God honors you for it. There is no substitute for humility.

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, He gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”12 Then He turned to His host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” He said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” Luke 14:7-14

Money Doesn’t Deliver.....

Another reason why money fails us in the end. It doesn’t deliver what it promises. And it doesn’t buy back your youth, even though some claim it does. You can’t serve both God and money. Your life doesn’t have a monetary value.

6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.8 Redemption does not come so easily,for no one can ever pay enough9 to live forever and never see the grave. Psalms 49:6-9

Real Confidence....

How often do we encounter God and still want more evidence to faithfully serve Him? We walk around confident interacting with ordinary people, but when God asks us to speak or do for Him, all the sudden that confidence fades away. This only goes to show us that that confidence we think we have is fake. This pseudo-confidence rarely stands up when true faith is required. Yet God calls us to be used by Him to accomplish His will. It’s not until we realize true confidence comes only from God, that we can earnestly serve Him and reach our potential. Gideon is a perfect example of this. First, he questions God. This is a good thing. It shows his true concern with serving the “real” God, not some fictitious, made up false entity. Then he tells God how inadequate he is, revealing his true character (exactly what God wants). Then he asks for a sign, so he can truly believe. God knew his heart. He knew exactly what Gideon needed in order to rise up as a leader and fulfill his purpose. Gideon’s lack of confidence was his greatest asset, because he was empty. God filled it full of faith, which Gideon needed to become the man God designed him to be. It seems weak and untrusting on Gideon’s part, but that is exactly how God planned it. Pride keeps people from God. It’s when we empty our “pretend” tanks, that God sees our genuineness to let go of our selfishness, and He fills us up with His Spirit. This is when true confidence comes, one that doesn’t cower when pressure increases and pushes in on all sides. What the world sees as a lack of confidence, God uses it for His glory and our betterment.

14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”17 Gideon replied, “If You are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. 18 Don’t go away until I come back and bring my offering to You.”He answered, “I will stay here until you return.” Judges 6:14-18

33 Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.36 Then Gideon said to God, “If You are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as You promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to help me rescue Israel as You promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:33-40

Rise Like the Sun...

This is a comforting, motivating, and securing statement. Knowing we stand with the One Who is all powerful, with the sound of His voice, the earth was created, and the universe lept into existence. Rising with the power of the sun seems almost petty compared to the Omnipotent power of our God. But it does seems glorious to think we have the ability to be included in this grandeur system. Today, rise like the sun in all of its power. Shine your light. Radiate God’s goodness, so that others will see your good works, and praise our Heavenly Father.

But may those who love You rise like the sun in all its power!” Judges 5:31b

A Fortified City...

God is our security and protection. He is like a city fortified with tall, thick walls, protecting it from invaders. The only way the enemies can overtake the city is if they are allowed to enter. This is the same with us. Once we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, the only way we can fall is if we give in to temptation.

13 Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels,that You may describe them to future generations.14 For that is what God is like.He is our God forever and ever,and He will guide us until we die. Psalms 48:13-14

What Conflict Can Teach Us....

Do you ever wonder why God allows conflict in our lives, things to irritate us? Here in Judges chapter 3 we get several possible answers. To teach us. To give us experience to fight future battles. And finally to test our obedience. Look at your conflict. Is God allowing this to shape you? Is one of these three possible reasons applicable to your situation? Whatever the case, this is not a wasted experience. Whatever the reason, you can be sure of this: your attitude towards it needs to be aligned with the proper perspective, for you will emerge a more experienced and battle tested person.

1 These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. 2 He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. 3 These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. 4 These people were left to test the Israelites–to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses. Judges 3:1-4

God’s Filter First...

This proverb couldn’t be more true. It’s something I taught in school. Always, always check your sources. When someone says something that’s to good to be true, it probably is. When a study shows the benefits of something, check to see who’s funding it. You might find the research Is a little monetarily biased. Truth always reveals truth. Lies will always be exposed. Truth will defend itself. Before you believe what you hear, run it through God’s filter first. It will make all the difference in the world. It may just save you from stumbling.

15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. Proverbs 14:15

Heroes...

We all need heroes in this life. These people remind us of what is good, and right. They motivate us to be better than what we currently are. They inspire us to continue when times are tough. God puts these types of people on this earth to be an example for us to emulate, not to worship, just as a pattern for us. Without heroes, people lose their vision. It’s like when you are driving and you see a police car ahead. What’s your reaction? You slow down, and abide the speed limit, which makes it safer when everyone is following the rules. When there are no police cars in view, everyone speeds. When Joshua died, and the generation who knew Him passed on as well, the people forgot him, and what he stood for. The people disobeyed God and did despicable things. My advice: find a hero (mine is Jesus Himself), emulate Him/her. You’ll find that it will help make your life better. And it just might help groom you to become one yourself.

8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 . 9 They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. Israel Disobeys the Lord 10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. 13 They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so He handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. 15 Every time Israel went out to battle, the Lord fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as He had warned. And the people were in great distress. Judges 2:8-15

The Irony of Disobedience...

When you are disobedient with God, He sometimes allows you to experience the very thing you probably prayed for to be removed. Here the Israelites failed to drive out the people God told them to drive out. The consequences of this disobedience were twofold. First, the native people would continue to be an enemy, thorns in their sides. And two, their false religions would continue to be a temptation to the Israelites. Do you see these two problems here in America today? I’m not saying we should drive out people already living here, but you have to look at the influence that has effected America since WWll. The mix of religions, to the point of all religions are seen as the same. And look at the violence, hatred, anger, and racism that still goes on today. It’s what happens when a nation’s unbiased view of God, turns from Him and thinks its not accountable to Him anymore. And people say the Bible is irrelevant today. Pfffff.....

1 The Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, “I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break My covenant with you. 2 For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed My command. Why did you do this? 3 So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.”4 When the Angel of the Lord finished speaking to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 So they called the place Bokim (which means “weeping”), and they offered sacrifices there to the Lord. Judges 2:1-5

Reaping What We Sow....

You’ve heard the saying, “you reap what you sow”, it’s true, especially when it comes to sin. God also says, “if you live by the sword, you shall die by the sword”. Here is a perfect example of this being lived out. The king that escaped, was eventually captured. He then experienced the torture that he dished out during his lifetime. What goes around comes around. When you do good, rewards will follow. When you treat sin with no regard for God, you will reap what you sow.

When the men of Judah attacked, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, and they killed 10,000 enemy warriors at the town of Bezek. 5 While at Bezek they encountered King Adoni-bezek and fought against him, and the Canaanites and Perizzites were defeated. 6 Adoni-bezek escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.7 Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there. Judges 1:4-7

Inconsistencies With Compassion.....

In a world that recognizes compassion and empathy, but rarely covets it, or puts it into consistent practice, I can’t help but think about what it would say about Jesus’ bold statement made here in Luke chapter 13? If God loves to send people to hell for punishment (as many unbelievers claim), then what does He mean when He says, “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me”?

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me. 35 And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see Me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 13:34-35

The “Right Thing”...

I’ve always believed when you do the right thing you will always be rewarded. That reward comes in all kinds of forms: praise, satisfaction, contentment, peace, deeper relationships, to name a few. When you go back on your word, or “backslide” on a commitment, you expose your true character and thus get what you deserve: shallow relationships, gossip or slander, dissatisfaction, discontentment, and no peace, to name a few. If you’re striving to become a better, deeper person of character, it’s clear which path is the one you should take.

14 Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. Proverbs 14:14

Stand for Something...

In a day and age of “anything goes”, there’s a statement I heard long ago that has stuck with me ever since: “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”. Joshua here made a bold statement, and those who are faithful have carried on his conviction. Are you bold enough, and committed to God enough to make this same statement? Before you do, understand that if we don’t serve God, we will serve something else. It’s in our nature.

15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Simple and Clear Cut...

It’s pretty simple and clear cut, what God wants from us. He wants us to commune daily with Him, to cling tightly to Him. When you strip away all the veneer of our busy and distracted lives, there’s nothing more simple, more rewarding, more fulfilling, and more confidence building, than having an intimate relationship with God. It’s all about spending time with Him (reading His Word), and sharing your experiences with Him. That’s what intimacy is all about. No one can ruin that relationship, and no hardship can take it away. Why wouldn’t you want to know God now, especially when one day you’ll meet Him face to face? Why not start today, building the One relationship that matters most in life?

6 “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.9 “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.12 “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, 13 then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Joshua 23:6-14

When God Works a Miracle...

Isn’t it sad when God works a miracle in someone’s life, and you have religious people criticizing it? It’s what religion does. It takes the good and rewarding part and turns it into a ritualistic practice that distorts and deceives those from truly worshipping our Creator. It places tradition over truth, and turns people away from God instead of towards Him. It paints the picture of “works righteousness” rather than the free gift of Grace on Jesus’ behalf. It points our focus inward instead of upward. And it plays out in our selfishness instead of our selflessness.

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Luke 13:10-17

“All Religions Are the Same...”

When people say all religions are the same, in that we all go to Heaven if we practice them sincerely, I cringe. If all religions are the same then how come the Bible clearly states Jesus is the only way to God? (John 14:6). And if He is God, as the Bible clearly states, then when what Jesus says contradicts what the other religions teach, how can both be right? Here, in Luke chapter 13, Jesus clearly states that if you don’t repent (because we are all sinners) you will perish. How does Islam deal with sin and salvation? How do Hindus? Buddhists? Do they even know what repentance is? Do they see themselves as sinners? If they do, how do they justify their current sin? The Bible makes it crystal clear. We are all sinners. We are doomed because of God’s justice being exercised on us. Without repentance and trusting in Jesus, there is no forgiveness. Clearly all religions are not the same. And clearly there is only one Way to God, and that is through Jesus the Christ.

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5

Be Still....

In the movie SILENCE the main character, Fr. Rodrigues, struggles throughout the movie with hearing God’s voice. In all the trials, persecutions, and loss of fellow Christian’s lives, Rodrigues fights to make sense of it all. Every time a Christian is martyred he questions his being in this godless country. It is not until he lets go of his personal conviction to not renounce Christ by placing his foot on a plaque, in order to save many facing a torturous, execution-style death, does he finally hear the still small voice of God. I think this is what the psalmist is expressing here when he says “be still”. It’s when we let go of any of our perceived notions about God or the situation in which He is in control of, that we come to hear God’s voice. It’s in the silence of letting go of what we think we can control, and realizing God is the One in control, that we hear God clearly.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10

The Reason Behind Memorials...

The reason people build memorials is not to worship them, it’s to remember them. When I was in Washington DC a few years back, I was fascinated at all the memorials and museums. The Lincoln Memorial was fascinating. Every single statue, building, and structure has inscriptions on them stating the purpose of their existence. There was none more moving and relevant than the Holocaust Museum. The gamut of emotions experienced as I made my way through this enormous structure was overwhelming. Hearing the voices tell their stories and seeing images and video was not only haunting, but humbling as well. The purpose of memorials is to honor the people who did the right thing to end evil behavior, or made great contributions to society to make it better. Just like the Israelites, we need to be careful to not misunderstand the purpose and meaning behind these man-made structures. If we don’t have proper understanding two things will eventually happen. One, people will begin to worship these structures. They will expand the purpose beyond what was initially created. And two, some will forget the purpose and assign another meaning behind it and want to remove them. As I walked around the DC area, I couldn’t help but see the irony and hypocrisy in the inscriptions on all the buildings and statues. All of the money that went into erecting and building these memorials seems to have been wasted because the behavior in Washington certainly doesn’t match what is stated on these structures. “May we never forget”... was written on many of the inscriptions, sadly, they have been forgotten long ago. May we as believers never forget what God has done for us.

24 “The truth is, we have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, ‘What right do you have to worship the Lord, the God of Israel? 25 The Lord has placed the Jordan River as a barrier between our people and you people of Reuben and Gad. You have no claim to the Lord.’ So your descendants may prevent our descendants from worshiping the Lord.26 “So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, 27 but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at His sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’28 “If they say this, our descendants can reply, ‘Look at this copy of the Lord’s altar that our ancestors made. It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices; it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the Lord.’ 29 Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord or turn away from Him by building our own altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices. Only the altar of the Lord our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle may be used for that purpose.”30 When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community–the heads of the clans of Israel–heard this from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they were satisfied. 31 Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the Lord is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the Lord.”32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the other leaders left the tribes of Reuben and Gad in Gilead and returned to the land of Canaan to tell the Israelites what had happened. 33 And all the Israelites were satisfied and praised God and spoke no more of war against Reuben and Gad.34 The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar “Witness,” for they said, “It is a witness between us and them that the Lord is our God, too.” Joshua 22:24-34

The Determining Factor of Our Lives...

You can’t get any simpler, clearer, or direct about what God wants from every one of us. Our lives should rotate around Him. He is the focal point of our lives, the center. Everything we do should be because of what He has done for us. Our thoughts and actions should go through the precepts God has given us before they become tangible for all to see. God is the determining factor of our lives. Does yours reflect this?

5 But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.” 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went home. Joshua 22:5-6

Jesus is Way More....

For those people who paint Jesus into a corner, saying He was all about love and never judged anyone, I suggest they read this passage of scripture from Luke chapter 12. Jesus was more than a good teacher. He was more than a great prophet. He was more than a wise man. He was more than a miracle worker. He was more than a “Uniter”. He is God Himself. His plan is to gather all of His sheep and take them home to be with Him. He uses us to help Him accomplish that. Some Christians seem to get disturbed with division. We want all people to know God and experience His goodness. The plain truth of the matter is that this type of thinking isn’t part of God’s will. Like it or not, there are sheep and goats out there. God will separate them at a coming time. That division is a reality. You have those that seek God, and those that don’t. The deciding factor is what people do with Jesus. How they see Him? How they react to Him? And are they willing to give up their pride and repent and receive the gift of grace God has for us on His behalf? We need to stop questioning or allowing these thoughts into our own heads about Jesus being anything other than Who He really is. And that is God Himself. Division is part of God’s plan. We don’t know who the sheep and goats are, but a good test is asking two questions. How do we inherit eternal life? And second, Who do you say Jesus is? Once we get their answers, we can present the Gospel, and walk away knowing, regardless of their answer, we fulfilled our duty to God, by presenting the truth. We leave the rest of the process up to Him. Jesus is way more than most people think, and we need to know Him intimately.

49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of Me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of Me, and two against–or two in favor and three against. 53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father;mother against daughter and daughter against mother;and mother-in-law against daughter-in-lawand daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’” 54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison.59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.” Luke 12:49-59

Jesus’ Return in Mind....

It seems from this passage you can categorize three types of people with 4 different behaviors. First you have those that know Jesus is returning and act accordingly. Second, you have those that don’t care; they don’t believe In Jesus to begin with. Lastly, you have those that aren’t sure. They will either act like those that do believe Jesus is coming back, but not to the degree that the true followers do. Or they will think that He’s coming back, but it won’t be today, so they can party and carouse, and ask for forgiveness later. Remember, there are no second chances when it comes to Jesus’ return. You are either ready and waiting, or you’re not concerned and get the shock of your life when it happens. Remember, no one would allow a thief to rob his home if he knew about in advance, right? Which category do you fall into? The principle here is to live your life with Christ’s return always in the front of your mind. You’ll treat people better, and be much better off when it happens.

39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:39-48

God is Delighted...

Jesus said these words, I didn’t. Take them to heart; store them in the recesses of your soul. God is delighted to gives us His kingdom. Let that sink in. Here you have the King of the Universe happy to reward those faithful to Him, by giving them what He created. It’s a great privilege to be a participant in His Divine Will promoting His Kingdom. Now, to know it gives Him great pleasure to give it to us. Wow!!! If that does light your fire to do His will, then your wood must be wet.

32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:32

True Friendships...

If there’s one truth in life, when it comes to relationships, it’s this: true friendships stick it out through the hard times. They are there to celebrate the good times too. A Swedish proverb sums it up best. “Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.” If your not the type of friend that is there during times of sorrow and tragedy, you won’t be invited to share in the joy when it’s celebrated either.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Proverbs 14:10

A Great Tragedy...

I think one of the greatest tragedies on the Christian walk is not looking to God at all times. What I mean is Christians cry out to God in times of trouble. We pray more earnestly when calamity strikes. We focus on God more when sickness resides, no matter if it’s our own or a another we care for so deeply. When worry creeps in, we go to God for Hope. God tells us that He is here and ready for the “times of trouble”. But what about all the other times? When things are going good? When joy is abundant? When that sense of gratitude overwhelms us? When His Grace is sufficient? When we celebrate milestones? When we think deeply? When we laugh genuinely, at no one else’s expense? Why don’t we invite God into our lives in those times? Why does He only have to be our rescuer or healer? I think we are missing out, not experiencing all God has to offer, when we exclude Him from times other than pain, tragedy, and suffering. And that to me is a great tragedy.

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1

The Status of Worry....

The more I read through the Bible, year after year, the more my vision and understanding expands. I used to question the status of “worry”. I didn’t think of it as a sin, at least not one that can wreck havoc on one’s life. Then I read these words of Jesus, and my biased view of “worry” was turned on it’s head. Worry, no matter how you look at it, is a direct insult to God. Jesus says don’t do it. It can’t even add a single minute to your life. It robs you of better thoughts. It wastes our time by focusing our attention on something, that most of the time is out of our control. We should give our “worries” to God, for He is the one in control, not us. In essence, when we worry, we remove God from His throne, and sit there ourselves. It’s if we say, “God, I know you are sovereign, but I’m gonna take this situation on, and even though I can’t fix it, I don’t need your help”. Sounds ridiculous to me, yet I do it just as you do. I need to hold my hand up to my face, and violently turn my face into my hand, then say, “wake up, Stupid”. We all need to take Biblical advice when it comes to “worry”, cast all our worries on God, For He cares for us. For only God has the power to control the outcome.

22 Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds!25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. Luke 12:22-31

Buying Into the Lies....

The older I get, the more I realize the depth of this statement made by Jesus. Our contentment and satisfaction with life doesn’t involve our possessions. Yes, they may add to our experiences, but they don’t deliver what we are promised by the advertisers and marketers say they will. Refuse to “buy into” the lies. Spend your time (which is more valuable than money) investing in eternal things. You’ll get to experience those investments forever.

15 Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

16 Then He told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:16-21

A Humbling Statement...

Here’s a humbling statement made by Jesus, that either scares you or brings comfort. The way you interpret it determines how you live your life. It exposes your “world view”. It sets your priorities. It shows the flaws in your anti-God rhetoric. And most importantly it reminds you of the appointment you must keep one day, when your spirit separates from your temporary home. Man is only meant to fear One Person, God Himself, yet man gets more of our attention when it comes to adapting his behavior. Being ”politically correct” is proof this theory is alive and well in America today.

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the One to fear. Luke 12:4-5

Unsurpassed Understanding.....

Those who open their hearts to God and agree with His sovereign will, gain truth and wisdom that sets them free. Truth and wisdom leads the spirit into understanding that cannot be surpassed. It turns our confidence from being in people to an unwavering resolve in the One Who doesn’t change, which transforms us like nothing else can. It leaves us better, building a solid, immoveable foundation in which to stand.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. Proverbs 14:6