My grandson was in a play on Saturday about a village of wooden people that were so concerned about the opinion of others and earning their stars of approval that they no longer cared about the opinion and approval of the woodcarver who lovingly created them. Max Lucado wrote the play and it is a perfect analogy for today’s society. So, whose stars are you trying to earn? Do you think Mary really cared what anyone thought when she broke open the costly jar of spikenard and anointed Jesus’ feet? A year’s wages poured out and gone! Mary didn’t care because she knew she was doing the right thing. How often, when we know we are suppose to do something for the Lord, do we allow public opinion sway us away? Why would you want to give to the needy when you could buy Jimmy Choo shoes, Callaway golf clubs, or another house instead? Madison Ave says we deserve it or them or whatever it is. There is nothing wrong with having nice things but we need to keep a balance between honoring God and honoring ourselves. Look at all God has done for you, all He has blessed you with! Our faith and trust in Him should grow stronger each day. It doesn’t matter what the world says, look at what He has done for you personally. Mary knew. She did what she knew was right. What is God calling you to do? Don’t let public opinion or personal pampering deter you. Do what is right, do His will!
Another Father’s Day has come and gone, and yet, the puzzling question remains. Why does everyone think fathers want to stand over a sizzling grill, with smoke burning their eyes, doing all the work, to celebrate their day? You don’t see mothers slaving away in the kitchen on Mother’s Day. Noooo, they get pampered and taken out to dinner! Anyway … being a father is an awesome privilege but one that also comes with a heavy responsibility. How children relate to their fathers is how they will ultimately relate to their Heavenly Father. Do they see God as the loving, caring, forgiving Father He is? Do they understand rules and boundaries are set for their protection and well being and not for some kind of punishment? Do they see God as someone they can bring their problems and concerns to at any time knowing He will listen and not condemn? The real question is do they see God in you dad? Many children have never seen Godly traits in their fathers and thus their children never see those traits in them either. For those children John Trent and Gary Smalley wrote the best selling book “the Blessing”, giving the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. As Christian fathers, it is our responsibility to bestow that unconditional love and acceptance upon our children just as our Heavenly Father bestowed it upon us!
As a photographer, focus is all important. Your point of focus can create a mood, control your depth of field, highlight your subject. As a Christian, our focus is even more important. The world needs to see us focused on the Lord, our trust in Him and His promises. The world focuses on the negative, the half empty glass. It loves to broadcast disasters, deaths, and destruction, keep those sound bites comin’! So much of the world only hears God hates sin, you’re a sinner so you’re going to hell instead of God loves you so much despite of yourself that He allowed His Son to sacrifice Himself so you could go to heaven! The world revels in the negative so much sometimes it is hard to stay positive, but why? We have the God of creation on our side, His Son is out Lord and Savior, and greater is He ( the Holy Spirit) that is in us than he who is in the world! It doesn’t matter how negative the world becomes, we have all the eternal positives going for us! Don’t let the world’s woe’s wear you down. Keep your focus where it belongs. You are a child of the King, you are a saint living in grace, you have a heavenly mansion waiting for you, your needs (not necessarily your desires) will be met! The world may be full of problems but we have the solution! Let us help to bring it into focus for them.
Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the Bible yet it speaks volumes. In His humble humanity, He felt the intense sorrow of His beloved friends for what they thought was the loss of their brother. As Lord of all, He showed His compassion for humble humanity. So many people think God doesn’t care about them. Evidently they have never read or heard His Word! God cares so much for people that He sent His Son to be maligned, mistreated, and misunderstood. He allowed His Son to be tempted in all points as we are that He could relate to our temptations. He allowed His Son to suffer immense pain and to feel forsaken, so we wouldn’t have to be. He cares! When Peter wrote, “cast your cares on Him for He cares for you,” he knew what he was talking about. Martha’s faith was strong. Even though Jesus arrived four days late, she didn’t get upset at Him but said, “… I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Is your faith strong enough to trust Him for your daily needs? Do you ask Him for them? Jesus wept, because He cares. Trust Him to care for you!
Can you imagine the look on people’s faces when Jesus called out, “Lazarus come forth,” and he did! After being in the tomb for four days, wrapped in grave clothes, Lazarus staggers out, all the mourners letting out a collective gasp, must have been quite a sight. I love the King James version of what Martha’s first reaction was when Jesus told them to roll away the stone. “Lord, by now he must stinketh.” I can’t help but see Jesus chuckle to Himself. He knew Martha, Mary, and Lazarus He knew their devotion to Him, their love of God, their want to do His will. He knew Martha’s desire to serve and Mary’s desire to learn. Mary was the one who anointed Him with costly oil and wiped His feet with her hair. He felt their grief as they mourned the loss of their brother as the Jews witnessed, “Jesus wept.” He knew them, they knew Him, they had a close relationship … and so does He want that with you! Not an hour a week Sunday morning relationship but a daily constant relationship! Spending time in His Word, in prayer, in sharing your concerns, your troubles, your joys. How and why do people go to church to worship someone they don’t really know? Pastor Steve shared a great point in our study of Hosea in Sunday School. Worship doesn’t lead to a relationship with God but a relationship with God will lead to worship! Time to get serious with God! He wants you to know Him as He knows you and you don’t have to wait for the weekend to start! He is available right now!
What’s the first thing that comes to mind about being a shepherd? Dirty, stinky, smelly, lonely, boring, but probably not oh man what a great learning experience. But what did Moses do for forty years before he was ready to lead God’s people? What did David do through his youth to prepare him to be king? And what did Jesus choose to liken Himself? The Good Shepherd! The Shepherd that leads His sheep by still waters, restores their souls, fills their wants. The Shepherd that willingly, out of love, lays down His life for His sheep. The Shepherd that wants all His sheep to be one flock, together in unity. In His final hours, one of His last prayers was for the future unity of all believers. If Jesus is your Savior, it doesn’t matter if you’re from Asia, Africa, the Americas, or Europe, we are one flock, we are His sheep, we are brothers and sisters. The words of the world and the devil are aimed at causing division, and obviously they are succeeding in our country, but that should never be the case in the flock of God! We have one Father, one Savior, one Spirit. We may not all worship quite the same or totally agree on all doctrinal issues, but if you claim the name of Jesus, we are one! Instead of finding petty differences, find what motivates your passion for the Lord and do it! Everyone’s passion isn’t the same, everyone’s talents aren’t the same, and that’s a good thing. So pray about what the Lord has laid on your heart, not what He hasn’t on someone else’s, and pray for Him to help you accomplish it. Pray for unity among believers! Just imagine what the world would be like if all the Christians worked together! Whoa!
My grandson was in a play on Saturday about a village of wooden people that were so concerned about the opinion of others and earning their stars of approval that they no longer cared about the opinion and approval of the woodcarver who lovingly created them. Max Lucado wrote the play and it is a perfect analogy for today’s society. So, whose stars are you trying to earn? Do you think Mary really cared what anyone thought when she broke open the costly jar of spikenard and anointed Jesus’ feet? A year’s wages poured out and gone! Mary didn’t care because she knew she was doing the right thing. How often, when we know we are suppose to do something for the Lord, do we allow public opinion sway us away? Why would you want to give to the needy when you could buy Jimmy Choo shoes, Callaway golf clubs, or another house instead? Madison Ave says we deserve it or them or whatever it is. There is nothing wrong with having nice things but we need to keep a balance between honoring God and honoring ourselves. Look at all God has done for you, all He has blessed you with! Our faith and trust in Him should grow stronger each day. It doesn’t matter what the world says, look at what He has done for you personally. Mary knew. She did what she knew was right. What is God calling you to do? Don’t let public opinion or personal pampering deter you. Do what is right, do His will!
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team