Tommorow is Always a Mirror of Today

 

Stop! Take a moment and look at what you are doing. Is what you are doing today truly what you want to be doing tomorrow? If not, then you have got to make a change right now, this very day! Your future is always an expansion on the seeds you sow today.

The principle from Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV) applies to everything. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

The thought here is that when you do things that only benefit your fleshly desires, then all you have in store for your harvest is the destructive ends that come from those same selfish sources. However, in contrast when you look to Jesus and dedicate your time and energy to Holy Spirit guided endeavors then your return will come from the vast bounty of God’s blessings and rewards.

If I sit and eat potato chips and drink sodas today, then I can expect to have more toned muscles tomorrow. Of course not, I can expect to weigh a few pounds more tomorrow. However if I exercise today, then tomorrow my body fitness will be enhanced. Like actions yield comparable results!

Our self-deception is thinking we can continue doing the same things we’ve been doing and somehow reap a different outcome. The change must be made today, right now. It’s not the principle that is hard to understand or accept, it’s the change that we must make that can feel daunting. But the truth is only a single step is needed in order to make a significant difference. A minute variance can alter your entire course over time. The destination of a ship can change when sailing across the ocean if the course is altered by even a single degree. Take a moment, examine your actions and if they don’t match where you want to end up, then adjust them slightly and watch your destiny come into focus.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for your hand that will gently guide us when we surrender our lives and our ways to your leading. Give us the courage and the strength to make the change today! In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.

Crouching at the Door

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What's your plan? Do you even have one? The enemy of your soul, Satan himself, has a general and a specific plan of attack against you. The over-arching goal is to "steal, kill and destroy" all that we have and are and the strategy that will be used against us is everything we take for granted and overlook. From the very beginning when Cain killed his brother Abel, we glimpse how the enemy lays in waits patiently for us to turn our gaze away from him so he can attack.

Genesis 4:5-7 (ESV)  but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

The image here in verse 7 of sin crouching at the door (my rendering pictured above) reminds me of the old Pink Panther movies where Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato would hide and pounce on the Inspector per Clouseau's own instructions to attack him at any time so that he could keep his fighting senses sharp. Unlike this comedic version, our real life enemy uses our own weaknesses and distractions against us. The Bible's instructions for us are to rule over, master and subdue the sin that would so easily beset us and dominate our lives. The idea is much like becoming a skilled wrestler where you both learn to hone your fighting moves as well as learn to anticipate your adversaries. Only in this way will we rule over our enemy.

In this example we see God lovingly coaching Cain as He seeks him out and inquires of his heart and that which burdens it. "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?" God says he can see that Cain is upset but He also further brings to light the reality of the situation. If we know there is a perilous cliff and we give ourselves a wide space between our path and the edge then we do well. However, if we choose to walk dangerously close to the edge, then we risk falling. God's encouragement is to see the threat and act accordingly. Master the things that could do you harm and understand that unlike an inanimate cliff, the enemies of our soul act with intent and hostility. They strategize for our demise and it is up to us to both defend and contend for our well being.

Prayer: Father, thank you for making us aware of the threats that lie in wait against us. Thank you that we need not fear our foe but simply respond to your gentle guidance. May we become ever more vigilant as we seek to walk in obedience to your plan for our lives. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Lord, Save Me!

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Matthew 14:28-32 (ESV) And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

We have this amazing scene of Jesus walking on the sea, and Peter stretching his faith to join him on his water walk. Peter is beckoned forth by Jesus' answer (“Come”) in response to Peter’s directive. This was probably not Jesus' first thought (Hey Peter come drown in this topsy turvy storming sea!), but He was willing to help his disciples grow in his faith.

We know the rest of the story, Peter takes his eyes off his savior and starts focusing on his surroundings and grows afraid. The result is he begins to sink, meaning he was slowly sinking, not instantly plunging into the water (interesting, I’ve never jumped into the water and slowly gotten wet, it was a pretty sudden transition from warm and dry to cold and wet), but Jesus is suspending all kinds of laws of nature, so why not a slow sinking, giving Peter just enough time to call out to Christ, “Lord, save me.” To which Jesus reaches out and takes hold of Peter, saving him from drowning as they both get into the boat together.

Here’s a few takeaways from this passage:

1. We will get excited to walk where Jesus walks and do what He does
2. Jesus will beckon us to go where we’ve never been before.
3. We may experience fear when we walk obediently into the unknown
4. Our saving grace is to instantly call out to Christ
5. He will take hold of us, correct us, and overcome our storms.

Let’s pray: Lord you are amazing and where you go we want to be. Give us courage to walk as you walk. Help us keep our eyes on you and call on you quickly when we doubt and go astray. May we willingly receive your guidance and admonition when you reach out to us, trusting you to overcome our obstacles as we grow. Thank you for holding us and giving us refuge. In your mighty name we pray, amen.

Christmas Eve on December 22nd

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Some families celebrate Christmas on the eve of December 24th and others on the morning of the 25th. Recently I discovered that my family had the whole world beat as we often celebrated Christmas on the eve of December 22nd. 

Recently as I was organizing and labeling some old photos I'd digitized (before the persons and dates of the events were lost forever to the ether of time) and I came across what at first I thought was just an incorrect date on photos that were obviously of Christmas eve. On the back of many of these photos was the year and the date December 22nd. How odd I thought, and then I remembered my Dad was a December baby and his birthday was on the 22nd. Having two celebratory events so close together often made it easier to just observe them both on the same day (or evening as it were here).

I'm sure my Dad endured a lifetime of getting screwed on both birthday and Christmas gifts as I'll bet no one bought him double the gifts to correctly celebrate both occasions. Who knows though as all I ever remember Dad getting for gifts were clothes from my mom and sister and golf related stuff from his friends. I always got him the gag gifts that usually had some reference to flatulence that he proudly would display on his bookshelf in the basement.

This will be the 25th Christmas I've not spent with my Dad as he passed away in 1996 but I fondly remember the fun times my sister and I had tearing into our presents on the eve of his birthday and our early Christmas. I love you dad and mom (she passed away in 2016) and miss you both, especially during this time of year. If you still have your mom and dad to enjoy during this time of year, go and give them a special hug and let them know you love them. 

God bless you all and as I remember my earthly Dad's birthday Christmas this year, take a moment to remember our Father God's birthday Christmas as well and welcome Jesus into your hearts and homes.

Merry Christmas everyone!

From Prison to Promise

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Orphans are children without mothers or fathers who live with foster (temporary) parents or in actual orphanages. The lives of these children are ordered by rules and regulations established by the social services system. Many within this structured process feel like they are living in a prison.

Galatians 3:22 & 24 (ESV) says “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”

This scripture outlines that all of us are prisoners under sin and that the law was our guardian. Everything changes when Christ arrives and redeems us from the law. 

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) proclaims, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Often foster families will adopt the foster children under their care and make them legal members of their family. Everything changes for the child when the legal requirements of the law are fulfilled and they go from orphan to son or daughter. 

The same happens for us sinners when we receive the promise of Jesus through faith. The role of the guardian (the law) is fulfilled in Christ as we enter into a new way of relating to the Father. We are now sons and daughters of the King and heirs to the blessings of all eternity. 

Prayer:  Lord, we are utterly lost without You, We are prisoners of sin and orphaned from our Father. Through faith we receive the promised gift of eternal life purchased for us by Jesus Christ. Thank you for redeeming us and adopting us into the family of God. We love you and pray you would help us to live in this new life of freedom. In Jesus name, Amen.

VOID Not!

 Listen to this Sermon - Galatians 2:21

Berkshire Hathaway Check

• (Oracle of Omaha) Warren Buffet a financial superhero.

• 6th richest person worth $99.6 billion

• Owns 6%  of Coca-Cola Company with 400 million shares

• Collected bottle caps, sold most popular sodas door to door

• I’ll come back to the check amount...

Easter is Super Bowl Sunday for Christians 

• When NFL starts it’s anyone’s season

• Except for the Cleveland Browns. 

• Might as well be from Nazareth.

John 1:45-46 (ESV) 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Nathan answered and said, “See I told you, he’s even wearing a Cleveland Browns jersey!” (added for effect).

• Super Bowl Sunday like Easter - someone is going to triumph. 

• The day everything changed! 

• Dividing line between the Before and the After. 

• For early Jews 

• Before - atonement (sacrifice lamb & blood)

• After salvation through faith - finished work of Christ’s death/resurrection

• For Us 

• Before - unaware of sin & need for redemption

• After - Holy Spirit’s work of salvation (our easter morning)

What if early Jews remained in the Before?

• Continue following the Law

• Raise a lamb to sacrifice

• Insane! Treats Christ’s death as non-event

Galatians 2:21 (CEB) I don’t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.

What if we remained in the Before?

Galatians 2:21 (CJB) I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless.

1. Following Legalism 

• Strictly following rites & rituals of religion. 

• I’ll earn my way to heaven

Galatians 5:1-3 (ESV) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision (a former requirement of the law), Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. (Score 100, be perfect).

James 2:10 (ESV) For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all of it. 

• If keeping score, you must score a 100 and be perfect or you fail. 

• Dedication & attendance is fine as an outflow of our connection to Christ or it’s worthless!

2. Being ruled by Guilt & Shame

• We cannot accept we are forgiven.

• Live under shadow of shame

• Maybe in fear of sins we will commit

• Set up safeguards (find an accountability partner)

• Avoid areas of vulnerability (where you may be tempted)

3. Disregard Christ’s death by comparing ourselves to others

• We’re not as bad as some and probably better than most. 

• I’ll get into heaven (like God grades on a curve)

• Getting into heaven is not like surviving a bear attack by being the fastest one in the group. 

Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

4. We remain in the Before by ignoring our need for salvation. 

William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army) said the dangers confronting Christians today are: 

Religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, Forgiveness without repentance, Politics without God, Heaven without Hell

• We live in a world with no absolutes

• Taught to be independent & self-reliant

• I’m fine just as I am

Revelation 3:15-17 (ESV) I know your works (not your heart): you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) We are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;

• Question: was your salvation experience genuine?

• Do you still seek repentance?

• Are you still utterly dependent upon Christ?

In 2010, Bill Gates & Warren Buffet set a challenge to give 50% of their wealth to charity.

This year I decided to stop playing the lottery

• Before few bucks a week

• “If I don’t play, I can’t win.”

• God told me “putting your hope in this leaves me no place to bless you”

My check is $10,000,000.00. 

• Could significantly change my life. 

• Pay off my mortgage 

• Set aside enough money to retire now. 

However, if I choose to live in the before…

• Be like writing word VOID across this check

• Making it worth nothing.

Galatians 2:21 (ASV) I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought (nothing).

When the significance of Easter ceases…

• We void the grace of God and

• Christ’s death & resurrection of no value.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

We live in the After by embracing the ministry of reconciliation

• Consider those we deem the most unworthy

• Those that rub us wrong may be God’s salvation targets

• You have to pray just to be around them, pray them into the kingdom

[Prayer]: Lord help us not to remain in the Before where we retain our useless practices of works, living under guilt & shame, comparing ourselves to others or simply being self-reliant. Let us not make void your grace and render Christ’s death and resurrection meaningless. Instead may we continue to be impacted more and more each day by the power of Christ’s life in us. Help us embrace Your ministry of reconciliation and be open to whomever you would bring to us. Amen.

Under Attack

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There have been recent reports in the news about an upswing in persecution against Christians around the world, primarily in China and the Middle East. Even in the United States the government is considering extending funding for churches to enhance security, due to the recent rise of violence. However, we as believers have always known that the we are under attack. So what can we do to protect ourselves?

1 Peter 5:8-10 (ESV)  advises, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

We should be alert and when we identify our enemy we need to be on our guard against him remembering we do not fight our foe on our own but with a strong throng of fellow believers. For enduring we will be restored, strengthened, confirmed and established by our loving Father.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV) encourages us, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

[Prayer]: Lord, make me wise to the schemes of my adversary and strengthen me to resist him firm in my faith. Protect my persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who are living their lives for you in the midst of great peril. Preserve your people and establish your church. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.