Truly, Only God Knows!

We made it! Mayans, eat your heart out! Now we joke about it being in faith that it was not real. But God does provide us His revelation of what is to come. In Revelation, John writes about God's judgement. We might not heed this because it is written so long ago, to an audience that has long passed. But is it completed? Has Christ come the 2nd time? If not, then it is still applicable! We need to hear the prophecy and be ready! Not by making preparations for armeggedon with food, shelter, weapons, etc. Rather preparations in our heart. Is our heart ready? Are we prepared spiritually? How do we "get ready"? If the Mayans were right, would you have been ok? Jesus lets us know He is coming again. The date and time are unknown. That is why we need to be prepared now!

License to sin?

If you are reading this, the world did not end. Perhaps scripture is correct, the day and hour are unknown. We humans try to "figure" things out, but it is not within our understanding. God allows us to know certain attributes about Him. One aspect that the writer Jude picked up on was consistency. God directs His people to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Yet some think that God's grace is a "get out of jail free" card. He allows us to choose our actions. But friends, He will hold us accountable for our actions. Paul writes on this in Romans 6:1. God's grace and forgiveness covers our sins. We should not try to get more of that by sinning more! Jude instructs us to do two things, keep from sin and rescue others stumbling towards it. REM said it best, "I feel fine"!

Opening the door for others

We are rushing to the end of the Bible and the books are beginning to jumble. Only Jude and Revelation to go! Thank you for engaging in this quest with me. Even if you don't read this daily, it keeps me accountable and reading the Word. That said, 1,2,&3 John are short letters written to unnamed believers to encourage and strengthen. The church was under much persecution at the time, and believers would be violently killed for merely passing letters! Remember that when someone wishes you "Happy Holidays". Christmas might be under attack, but it has been so for 2,000 yrs. John encourages his reader to be careful, yet show hospitality. Be careful of false teachers! All applicable to us today! Remember, hospitality begins with a smile and warm greeting. So Happy Holidays!

For Our Growth

1Peter talks about having faith and perseverance in suffering. When this was written, Christians were considered the enemy of the Roman empire. Not because they were evil or had done wrong, rather they were the scapegoats. Peter writes to believers to encourage them in the face of this persecution. It can be noted that one can either grow or grumble in this persecution. Growth happens when you work against the resistance. Like physical exercise, it makes you stronger. Keep in mind the victory we have in Christ. It might not be immediate in the trials you face, but it is eternal. Liken it to saving. Why do that, after all it merely deprives from the now. But in the long run, it is a blessing. Faith will carry you through. Decide to grow!

Change you can see

Faith without works is dead, so says James. In his letter, James lays out the argument that in growing in christian maturity, there will be fruit. Our actions will be more like Christ and less like our own selfish desires. It might be hard for us to see the change in ourselves. We still have wants and desires. Some might be contrary to scripture. It is a process. If we were to change completely overnight, it might not stick. That could be faith based solely on emotion , which can and will change. Like a good diet or exercise, this has to become a natural part of living. Accountability is important to keep you on the right track. Fellowship is equally important. We need to rejoice with one another and find strength from one another. Through it all, make sure to count the change!

Guide to Spiritual Maturity

We are approaching the end of this trek. We close Hebrews with a powerful reminder of what spiritual maturity looks like. Showing hospitality and love for others is not something we do for what we get out of it. We are honoring God by loving His creation, showing respect for what He has made. Being content in every circumstance is key to the growing process. Additional "things" do not satisfy, yet we pursue these with reckless abandon. Don't believe me, go to Walmart and count the purchases made on a cc. Count your purchases on cc. Buying things we don't need, with money we don't have. Be content with what you have. Possessions are not evil, but the pursuit of them in place of God is. Hebrews gives a glimpse of spiritual growth and how it is done. Great guide to follow.

Faith is Being Certain, even when blind

Ch11 in Hebrews can be referred to as the "Believer's Hall of Fame". There are multiple examples of men of faith. Men who believed in God and His promises, and did things out of their comfort zone. Ch11v1 is a real keeper for me, "Faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see". Are we certain? Are we sure? Or do we doubt. Honestly, I struggle with doubt at times. There is much that I do not understand. Looking back at the men in ch11, I see that I am not alone. Many doubt. But, keep focus. Don't allow doubt to lead into despair or rejection of faith. God's ways are not man's ways. The story is not over yet! Ch12v1-2 talk about endurance, keeping eyes on Jesus. It is not easy, but the reward is beyond imagination!

What's in a sacrifice?

Sacrifice, why is it necessary? What makes a good sacrifice? The writer of Hebrews ch10 tackles these questions by pointing to how animal sacrifice is insufficient. Although it is the law, it has to be repeated. Jesus, as the true high priest, sacrificed better. He gave himself. His human-ness and sinlessness made this possible. He bore what we nor animals could. Ch10v19 states that when sins are forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. Yet, how many of us pick back up our problem and try to solve it, even after we have laid it at the foot of the cross? We are stealing because it is not ours anymore! Once laid at the cross, it is not ours! We have the perfect solution to our problem of separation from God. Accept it!

Direct Access!

Access to God, amazing thought isn't it? For centuries, people worshipped only statues of their gods, even the Israelites could only enter into Yaweh's prescense one time each year. But Jesus has changed that. Through his work of reconciliation, we have direct access to the creator. Now, the question is do we use it? Not as a spiritual Santa Claus to fix aunt Tizzy's hip. But in true worship,, we can bring our heart's desires, worries, problems and love to God directly. And when we do, we need the confidence that it will happen! Might not be exactly our way,, God's ways are not man's ways. An example of this...2 men pray for rain, 1 carried an umbrella. Do you have your "umbrella" handy, or are you just going through the motions....

Regarding Jesus

Regarding Jesus, how do we relate? How can we relate? He is God. He is higher than angels! But, inorder to be the perfect substitute, he became human. Note that He was in existence before being born as a human. But became human nonetheless. The writer of Hebrews captures these important facts in chs. 1&2. This writer (unknown) writes to Jewish audience of Christian believers who have been exiled from the temple, and are now being persecuted by the gentiles. Where can they turn? This writer starts with the building block, Jesus himself. Why is He different, why should He be enough? We know scripture shows angels as mighty warriors in God's service. But they were created, and although lower than God, they were higher than man. Check out ch2v14. Jesus is the answer!

Paying What We Owe

What do we owe? Do we have obligations, or has God forgiven us our past? Not quite. While He has provided for our salvation, we need to make restitution for our past promises and debts. Paul writes this very thing in his letter to Philemon. It is a short letter to an owner of a runaway slave. The slave, Onesimus, has accepted Christ. Now Paul emplores Philemon to take Onesimus back, and charge whatever debt he owes to him. A point to take is that even though Onesimus is a new creation in Christ, he still has obligations he must fulfill. So do we. Making amends is crucial to our growth. Don't neglect the past, learn from it and clean up what you can. It will provide a great witness to the fruit of your salvation!

Going where needed

How many of you would like to set up a ministry in Anacostia, Harlem, or even Jonathan St in Hagerstown? These are notoriously rough areas. We might shy away from such a task. Yet Paul sent Titus directly to the island of Crete to minister. Crete was not a nice place, to say the least. We get our derrogatory example "acting like a cretan" from the reputation of this place. Paul instructs Titus on Christian doctrine and emphasizes Holy living. He shows that we are not just called to work in comfortable places. There is great need everywhere. The Holy Spirit will lead us. Don't be afraid to make contact. I noticed how usual barriers melt when I did some work at MCIH (prison). The inmates did not see me as some holier than thou white guy. I became a friend. Takes time, but worth it!

Be Ye Ready

Are you ready? What for you ask? Preaching the Word of course. Do you need to prepare and perhaps write out long sermons or testimonies. Those are not bad, but not necessary. Paul writes in 2 Tim to be ready, preach the Word. Paul is writing his last letter to Timothy to encourage him to keep preaching and teaching,, even amid the turmoil and suffering. Be ready whenever the occasion might arise. It is God who has equipped us, so do not lean on your own understanding. In ch1v7 Paul notes God has given us power, so we need not be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. God has entrusted us with truth, but it is not ours to keep. Nothing is of value until it is given away! There is much blessing in giving! Ch3v16-17 is a keeper...memorize it and apply it! You must feed on the Word, do not be intimidated or oerwhelmed. God gave it to us to use! It is relevant and applies to us even 2000 years later! Preach the gospel, when necessary, use words....St. Francis.

Are you rich!

Did you play Powerball lately? What were you hoping for, instant wealth? Paul providess great insight to wealth in 1 Tim6:6. He notes how we came into the world with nothing, and we will leave in similar fashion. It is the love of money that is at the root of all kinds of evil. Remember, you cannot buy peace...you will always long for more. So during this time of Christmas, it is difficult not to get caught up in materialism. We want nice things, but didn't we get those last year? Are they still nice? Do we cherish them with the fever we had when we received them? Or are they old and in need of repair or replacement? Or are they not shiny anymore. Such is the way of things! Growing in wealth of friends and family will last much longer and provide better return and satisfaction

Where to put this sin

In catching up, today's thoughts are from Colossians, and 1&2 Thess. Paul writes to warn the believers in these cities not to become complacent, or follow empty rituals. Christ gives complete salvation and He is sufficient for every need. Col1:14, God has purchased our freedom with blood and has forgiven all our sins. So let go of them confess, set them at the foot of the cross, and walk away. They are not yours anymore! So when we go back to pick them up and redo them or languish about having done them the first time, we are stealing! Another thought...our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts. Ask yourself, "do you believe Jesus is coming again? Do you behave like He is"? God calls us to holy living. Sin weighs us down. Put it at the foot of the cross, and be thankful that God will take it, without hesitation!

Christmas Time.....again

So Christmas season in upon us. The music, shopping decorations, rushing to and fro. How can we avoid getting rolled over by the activity? Remembering the "reason for season"? Perhaps....but I think it is more that just remembering. We are CELEBRATING!!! The joy of the birth of the king is our to share! That is point we miss. The music and fuss might be annoying, if we allow it. Don't let it sap your joy. If you need help with the joy aspect,, read Phillipians. Paul writes this with a barrel full of joy. Keep in mind that he writes this from Prison! We enjoy Christmas in our nice warm houses and we still allow the irrelevant things of life sap us. 2 verses to consider, Phil4:6-7..you and God cannot worry about the same problem at the same time. Also, ch4v13, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. So take that Christmas lights!