He is Depised and Who Cares.

We now know that the person the prophet Isaiah is speaking of in chapter 53:1-3 in Christ Jesus. He knew he was speaking of the Messiah God had promised would eventually come to free the world from the ruler of this domain, Satan. And Isaiah also knew that mankind would still rather follow their lusts, and would not care for this man of God. He knew man would turn his back on the Christ, and even despise him for the things he says and represents.

This is one of the passages of the Bible that shows clearly how little man has changed over the millenniums. We still prefer the attractions of this world, and tend to find what Christ offers unattractive. The world tells us we should have it our way, and Christ tells us we should have it God's way. The world tells us to plan for tomorrow; Christ tells us not to worry about tomorrow, and trust God. The world tells us to put ourself, our needs, or desires first; Christ says that we should put ourself last, to be the servant of all others. The world says that things like abortion, being homosexual, women's liberation, and pornography are all God given rights. Christ tells us these things are of a carnal mind which is enmity to God. And speaking of the things Christ says causes people to despise you and they despise Him. They will turn their backs on you, and not care what happens to you.

Clearly the message of the Bible is just as vital and real as it was thousands of years ago. God is still sending his message of grace and reconciliation through Christ Jesus, and the world still turns it's back and does not care. But that does not mean we should not care. It is just as important for us to proclaim the message of salvation through God's chosen one as it was for Isaiah and John the Baptist. Even though we will be despised by the world as His message is despised, and people will not care for us, we must continue to proclaim God's word boldly and without hindrance. And not just by word of mouth, but by our actions. We must demonstrate God's grace and Christ's love to those who despise him and turn their backs on him and don't care. In this way we give glory to God, and allow the saving power of his love flow into us as it flows to those God is calling. By continuing to proclaim His love in our words and deeds, we continue to receive power and grace from Him. For as Paul said to the Romans, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4 KJV)

Therefore, be bold; be brave; and let His voice, the voice of truth, be heard loud and clear.

May the grace and peace of God be with you. Amen.

Bad Place? Trust God!

In Jeremiah 29:4-14 God sends a message to the Israelites in Babylon, and to us. It is a message of hope (confident expectation) based on our patience and trust in God. It tells us that the place we are in is where God wants us to be. It is part of his great plan and design, and he has made us a part of it.

Think of this. You are in a job you don't really like. It is not what you dream of, but it provides for all your needs. And at the time you got the job you really thought it was God's doing. Or perhaps you are in a relationship that is not all you dreamed or wished for. It has difficulties and hardships, but it does provide something you need. Maybe you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker or brother at church you have to deal with, but he is not all you would like to have in an associate. You see problems, difficulties, and do not see the things you long for. So the situation looks bad. But is that because you are only looking at the situation from your perspective; through your eyes, and not seeing it as part of God's plan?

When the Israelites found themselves captives in Babylon you can imagine that they immediately began thinking of leaving. They had no intentions of making plans for a long stay. But that is exactly what God tells them to do. He tells them to settle into the situation and make the very best of it they possibly can. In verse 5 God tells the Israelites in Babylon to "build homes and plan to stay." They are not to be spending their time wishing for something better and thinking about the day they will leave where they are and go for their dreams. They are to trust in God, and patiently go about the business of making the most of what he has given them for the moment. He tells them they will be there "for a lifetime." But then he will come for them and do all the good things he has promised. (v. 10) He lets them know that he "has plans for good and not for evil, to give (them) a future and a hope." (v. 11)

So when you find yourself in a situation that is not all you dream of, remember that God is in control, and he has good plans for you. Trust in him, and rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort you in making the very most you possibly can of your circumstances. That will give glory to God, and demonstrate your trust in and love for him. And for that you will be greatly rewarded by His infinite goodness and amazing grace.

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.

Out of the Wilderness

The book of Joshua begins with the people of Israel finally leaving the wilderness and entering into the land which the Lord had promised to their fathers. For forty years they had gone around in circles learning to trust the Lord for everything they need. Now it was time to go forth and practice what they had learned and prosper from it.

Yesterday, after having attended a Bible study the night before where the pastor taught on this subject, the Holy Spirit told me that it was time for me to stop going in circles at the job I had, and leave for the better land he has in store for me. I always knew I was in the position I was in to learn certain things, like patience and tolerance and the meaning of being long suffering. Now the Lord was indicating it was time to leave the wilderness of the job I was in, and move out in faith into the new land of life he has planned for me. It is a little scary not knowing where I am going, but it is also exciting. And there is also a certain hard-to-explain joy in knowing the Lord has something special planned for me that will allow me to share in His glory. I know that, whatever it is, it is part of His plan and will be good for me. After all, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 KJV)

So, I am now on the cusp of new adventures. I go forward not knowing exactly where I am going or what to expect. But I go forth with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is with me. He will guide me, advise me, and give he strength and courage. Praise God!

May the peace of God be with you.

A New Life

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4 (NIV)

The resurrection of Jesus accomplished three things for us. First, it was God's sign that he accepted Jesus' atoning sacrifice for our sins; his sin offering to God that our sins might be counted as paid and forgotten. In this way we went from being enemies of God to friends of God. We went from being the foul things righteous God could not even look upon, let alone allow into his presence, to being able to stand in his presence in joy and peace. By the blood of Jesus on the cross we were transformed from accursed strangers separated from God by our own wickedness, to being precious adopted children of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

The second great thing Jesus' resurrection does for us is free us from the power of death. Even though our Earthy body of flesh will perish, death has no power to claim us. And, like Christ, we too shall one day arise from the grave and ascend into heaven to live forever with our Lord and King. This could not have been possible without Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Through his physical death, burial, and then resurrection, "he led captivity captive," and thus set us free from the captivity of death. (Ephesians 4:8)

The third thing Jesus did for us by dying and then being resurrected was make it possible for him to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with us. (John 16:7) This is our guarantee and assurance that we are saved from eternal death; that Christ will return for us; that we do have a place in our Father's kingdom where we shall live with him forever. We also have the benefit of the guidance, power, and peace which the Comforter gives to those who belong to Christ. It is a great gift now, and a foretaste of what awaits us in the next life.

All three of these elements work together in us to give us a new life. A life different from what the world offers. A abundant life of real joy beyond the simple carnal pleasures of the earthly life. And a peace with the world cannot give and cannot comprehend. A life that is for now, with some of the benefits Christ can provide; and a life forever with the fullness of all that the Father will give us through the Son, our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

May God's blessings be upon you.

First Sorrow, Then Joy

"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." John 16:20

Jesus was talking to his disciples about the three days between his death and resurrection, but he was/is also talking to us. Jesus knew that his crucifixion and the reaction of those who hated him and his message would cause his apostles great pain, while the priests and Pharisees rejoiced that the trouble maker was finally gone. He also knew that there would be days for us when being one of his followers would cause us pain and hardship, and the world would mock us and rejoice in our distress. But as the day of Jesus' resurrection brought great joy to his apostles and close disciples, so his presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit provides us with joy and peace the world does not understand. And, as Paul says in Romans 8:18, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Which is to say that no matter how much we may suffer for Christ in this age, the glory we shall share with Christ in the next age will bring us joy beyond anything we can imagine. And for those who rejoice now at our present discomfort, their sorrow and pain shall know neither bound nor end.

So a little suffering now; and compared to eternity, it is like a length of three days. And then the joy that last eternity. Praise God!

May his peace be with you.

Justice Fulfilled

Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as payment for man's sins. It was God's way of displaying his righteousness by being both just and the justifier. (Romans 3:26)

Man had proven through The Law that he is incapable is justifying himself and achieving righteousness. And the sins of man demanded the penalty of death. So, God out of his gracious love for man, and his own righteousness, decided to offer one pure sacrifice to atone for all of man's sins once and for all. The choice he made was his own, only begotten son.

Through his death on the cross, the lowliest and most degrading way you can die, Jesus became the atoning sin offering for all who will accept him through that faith which itself is a gift of the the grace of God. Through him we are justified in the eyes of God, and have access to his love, power, and life forever. We receive as a free gift that which we could never attain through our own effort.

On this day, let us remember what God has done for us. Let us contemplate the great mystery that he has always wanted us to be his true children and a part of his family. We had strayed, but we did not have to earn our way back into his household. Instead, God made the way for our return to his kingdom. There, dwelling with him in our hearts and in his presence latter, we have peace and joy that nothing can take away.

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

The Lord's Supper

"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

As we approach Good Friday it does us good to think of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. For it, along with baptism, symbolizes the Christian faith and the community of the Church. In both we share in the death and resurrection of Christ. Both serve as symbols of what God has done for us through Christ, as well as publicly displaying that we are part of the new people of God in Christ.

It is, I feel, unfortunate that churches have become so large and modern and commercial that we no longer actually use a common loaf of bread. The whole purpose of sharing the one loaf and one cup was originally to symbolize that we are all part of one body by sharing the body and blood of the one man, Jesus. It is meant to be both an act of remembering that Jesus gave his body and blood for us, and an act to remind us that we are all part of the same body. It is meant to promote the idea and spirit of community among believers. I think that is lost when each has his own little individual wafer and little individual cup of juice. It allows people to remain little individual parts unto themselves, rather that enforcing the idea of "participating" in the one body.

As we approach this Holy weekend. let us remember that we are part of a special body created by a special person for a special reason. Let us remember that it is not about what we get individually, but what we have been made a part of. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God. Now we are no longer little, insignificant individuals, but precious parts of a great whole. We are the family of God. Let's celebrate this occasion together as a family actually sharing a meal together.

May the peace of God be with you.

Timothy, An Example of Dedicated Service

In Philippians 2:20-22 the apostle Paul gives us a truly extraordinary description and commendation of his best friend, son in the faith, and fellow servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, Timothy. He starts with the amazing statement, "For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state." (Philippians 2:20 KJV) Of all the people Paul encountered and worked with, he singles out young Timothy (whom some scholars think Paul met shortly after Timothy's sixteenth birthday) as the only man he knows who has the same attitude toward Jesus as himself. And he says of Timothy that his caring for others is "natural" for him. That is to say that it is Timothy's natural character to think about others before himself. Paul makes this point clear in vs. 21-22 where he states that all others "seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's", but Timothy has shown the proof that he served the gospel "as a son of the father."

When most Christians and preachers talk about the great men of the New Testament, they always seem to start with Peter and John. Then they mention the sacrifices of Stephen and James, the brother of Christ. And of course Paul is spoken of with his partners Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, and Luke. But they seem to forget that Paul himself singles out Timothy as the best example of them all of service to Christ as a true son of God.

In his book, Paul: A Novel, Walter Wangerin portrays Timothy as a single child whose Greek father has recently died. His Jewish mother then seeks a Rabi to teach her son the ways of her religion. The man she discovers is Paul. At that point the apostle not only becomes the young man's teacher, but also his father figure. A bond immediately develops between the two, and when Paul decides it is time for him to move on, he asks Timothy to become his partner in his work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is then that Timothy makes his life-long commitment to Paul and service to Christ. And, as Jesus commands in Luke 9:62, once Timothy had "put his hand to the plow" he never looked back.

We really know very little about Timothy's background. We know he was born of a Greek father and a Jewish mother in Greek-Roman Asia Minor. (It was because he had a Jewish mother that Paul agreed to circumcise him.) We know from Paul's two letters to him that he was young. We know that he seemed to be with Paul or running errands for Paul until his final days of imprisonment. And we know that he settled in Ephesus where he served the region as the spiritual leader until his sacrificial death by stoning.

When it comes to looking for an example of how we can demonstrate proof that we are true followers of Christ Jesus, Timothy stands out as one of the best. But it is surely not be human effort that we could ever achieve the same "natural" attitude of service to God which Timothy displayed. It can only be the result of living in the Holy Spirit. By opening our hearts to the Spirit of Jesus, which Timothy must have done from his first introduction to Christ, we can become the kind of "son of the father" that Paul so trusted and loved.

May God's peace be with you.

Meeting Together

In the letter to the Hebrews the author implores us "not to give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)

The Greek word Paul most often uses to identify a community of believers is ekklesia (church). He also often uses the phrase ekklesia kyriou (church of God). The word ekklesia also emphasizes the gathered community, and can refer to a local gathering or refer universally to all who gather together in the name of Jesus Christ.

Paul often refers to the gathered assembly of believers in Jesus as the body of Christ. It is not know nor agreed upon by scholars as to how Paul came up with the idea of the church being the body of Christ, but all agree on its importance. For it is the gathered believers who can best carry out the instructions of Jesus. Feeding the hungry; visiting those in prison; caring for the sick; clothing the naked; comforting those who sorrow; spreading the Good News of the Gospel and teaching the lessons of Jesus. Of course all of these things can and should be done by individual believers in Christ. But as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, the group of believers make up the different parts of the Body of Christ, just as the human body is a collection of different parts that all fit and work together. And just as the human body cannot work effectively if one or more of its parts are missing, so the Body of Christ, the church, cannot be as effective as it should be if the believers are not combining their skills, knowledge and efforts. For as Paul states in 1 Corinthians, each member of the church is given special gifts (talents) by the Holy Spirit to use for the benefit and glory of God. This is, no doubt, part of the grand plan and purpose of God to bring together those he has called into one family; the family and kingdom of God. It, therefore, logically follows that those who do not gather with the other parts of the Body of Christ are limiting their inclusion in the family of God. And, by limiting your inclusion in the family, you limit the benefits you can receive from the family. For Paul exhorts the members of the family to build each other up, comfort each other, pray for each other, and keep each other spiritually on track. These are aides to Christian living that everyone needs; and they make life in the Spirit much easier and just more fun.

So, as Paul says, let us all continue to meet with other Christians for worship, service, comfort and assistance, and fun. And as the body of Christ gets larger and stronger, each of us will benefit from the growth and strength of the whole.

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Palm Sunday, The Road to Sacrifice

When Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the last week of his Earthly life, it is clear from what we are told in Luke 19:37-38 that the common people believed he was the conquering King Zechariah had spoken of in Zechariah 9:9-10. For them, this was the beginning of the end of their submission to Roman rule, and the beginning of the new age when the King of Israel would rule the whole world with Jerusalem as his capital. Finally, they would no longer no strife, poverty, and violence against them, but would live always in peace and prosperity.

For some preachers today the meaning and purpose of Christ is to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to the lives of those who accept him. They preach that knowing Jesus means finding out how special you are, and having the best life right now in this current age. That is probably about what the common folks of ancient Israel were thinking about Jesus as he entered Jerusalem for the last time. And it is entirely the incorrect way to think about Palm Sunday. For Jesus had already explained his reason for being in the world in John 3:17. He had come not to conquer and destroy, but to be the way the whole world could be saved. He had come to be the atoning sacrifice for all men.

Here is the question faced by the disciples of Jesus during his day, and by his followers today: does discipleship mean being part of a conquering army physically fighting and destroying God's enemies in righteous indignation? (Luke 9:54) Or does discipleship mean following Jesus down the road to Calvary which leads to suffering and death? The answer is, since Jesus came to live a life of sacrifice for the sake of other and the glory of God, his true disciple must live the same way. Not as people who look upon those who reject Jesus with a desire to call God to rain fire down on them, but to look at them with the same heart felt love of Jesus. Discipleship means sacrificing your own ideas, wants, feelings, and needs for those God loves so much that he gave his only begotten son. (John 3:16) It does not mean being part of a conquering army that enters into Earthy cities in triumphal parades, but being a self sacrificing servant whose reward lies in the future age when we shall live with God in his glory.

So as we enter into our houses of worship on this Palm Sunday, may we begin preparing ourselves for the road ahead. A road of sacrifice, suffering, and even death for the saving of the world and the glory of God

May God bless you and grant you his peace.

Freedom for The Law, but not from Ought

In both his letter to the Romans and the Galatians Paul declares that Christians have been freed from the Mosaic Law by the death and resurrection of Christ. This means we are no longer bond by the food restrictions, Sabbath rules, and the observance of special feast days. Paul explains that if you continuing to observe requirements of the law, such as circumcision, "Christ shall profit you nothing." (Galatians 5:2 KJV) Paul's doctrine teaches that observance of The Law robs Christians of their freedom in Christ and life in the Spirit. In Romans 8:14 Paul tells us that, "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (KJV) And since we are led by the Spirit of God, it is that Spirit which governs our lives, not The Law.

This freedom from The Law, however, does not mean there are not some things we ought to do, and some things we ought not to do. For Paul exhorts Christians throughout his letters to the churches to live a life which exemplifies life in the Spirit. Among the things we ought to do is feeling love for one another. This love then manifests itself in how we behave. For if we love others we will not lie, steal, commit adultery, or ignore the weaknesses of others to their detriment. We will, instead, build each other up, pray for each other, comfort each other, and show respect for each other. And because we live life in the Spirit, we are filled with God's love for us, and respond in a way which proclaims our love for Him. This means we will not commit idolatry, which takes the form of pride, envy, greed, and self-indulgence. Self-indulgence includes sexual desires, which, though natural, should not be our ruler; for then we are slaves to the flesh, and no longer free in Christ.

Our freedom in Christ not only gives us freedom for The Law, it frees us from the flesh and the ways of the present evil age, and the ruler of this world, Satan. For those who live according to the desires of the flesh and the ways of the world and not free, but are slaves. And Christ bought Christians freedom from that enslavement with a very high price, his blood. Let us, therefore, not make that payment for our freedom for naught by ignoring the oughts of our life in the Spirit. We are free, but free to live a special life and the called of God. Not free to live any way we want to.

May the Grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Pride and Self-Destruction

The sad tale of the governor of New York presents a powerful example of the truths of the Bible. Both King David, a man after God's heart, and his son, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gave great teachings and testimonies concerning pride. And the lessons they taught are universal and timeless. For the heart of man has not changed since the days of Adam. Likewise, the ruler of this world and his deceptive wiles have never changed. He is always hard at work to use man's nature to turn him from the saving grace of God toward eternal destruction.

In Psalm 10 David tells us,

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

And Solomon gives his most well known piece of advice in Proverbs 16:18,

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Many who have known, worked with, or had dealings with the former Governor have testified that he was a man completely consumed with arrogance and pride. Even the prostitutes he dealt with told reporters that he was their most difficult customer because of his ego and arrogant demands.

The most important lessons we can learn from this sad situation is the well know confession, "But for the grace of God, there go I." For we are all sons of Adam, and therefore susceptible to the never ending, crafty wiles of Satan. And Paul tells us throughout his epistles that we are too weak to save ourselves. It is only the grace of the almighty God bestowed on us through the love of Jesus Christ that can provide us with the strength to resist the temptations of the flesh. By remaining in the faith of Christ as our hope and strength, we continue to receive power by the Holy Spirit to stand in the face of the Evil One.

The other lesson to be learned from this is to remember that Paul, James, and John tell us to pray for our leaders; both civil and spiritual. And to pray for each other. They more we pray for all those who touch our lives in any way, the more power we receive from God through the Holy Spirit, and the less power Satan has in this world.

Let us pray that the fallen may will be lifted up by Jesus; and pray that we might be the next victim of pride.

May God's grace be with you.

Teach the Children

Proverbs 22:6 advises us, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." This is universally good advise for all peoples in all ages. Unfortunately the news today indicates that it is being ignored. As we begin the day we are receiving two pieces of disturbing news about children. There is the news that at least 1 in 4 teen girls has a sexually transmitted disease. The Bexar County Medical Examiner says it is probably worse here in San Antonio. He tells us that children have their first sexual experience by the time they are fourteen years old. And many girls are getting mouth infections from having oral sex with multiple boys. All of these health problems will most like cause life long difficulties, including infertility. In addition to this sad condition comes the news that the Energy Drink, Red Bull, causes tooth decay. It is estimated that many teens are drinking three Red Bulls a day, and run the risk of suffering from severe tooth loose by the time they are in their late twenties.

It is clear that there is a need for a strong Youth Ministry in our communities. The civil authorities, school officials, and law makers will not be able to provide our society's children with what they need for a good life. For life, real life, comes from God through Christ Jesus. Only by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior in their lives can today's children be saved from the life destroying ways of this present evil age. And as servants of Jesus, it is our duty to rescue the youngest of Christ's little lost sheep. This should become a top priority for todays church.

As man is not wise enough to know exactly how to fight the Evil One who is trapping and stealing the children, we must devote prayer and meditation to this need. We need to focus on asking for and receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may save those whom God has chosen. Let us all make a commitment to be God's instruments in saving the children, and train them up in the ways of life in Christ.

May God bless you.

You Have A Friend

Repeatedly throughout the New Testament Jesus is portrayed as the friend and de-ender of the common man. The only people he ever offers any judgmental criticism of are the religious leaders; the priests, Pharisees, and scribes. Jesus defended and forgave a woman caught in the very act of adultery (commonly understood to be a prostitute). (See John 8:3-11) The Pharisees would have stoned her to death. But Jesus caused them to feel the shame of their own private sins when he said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Once they had all left, feeling the sting of their own consciences, Jesus said to the woman, “I do not condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” Jesus did not want to punish the woman for the things she had been doing. Because Jesus really loved that woman, he wanted her to change so that she would have a better life. Jesus tells us, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b) This means Jesus wants you to have a great life filled with love, joy, and peace. In Luke 1:76-79 the father of John the Baptist, speaking as a prophet of God, tells us that Jesus has
come into the world to give us knowledge of God’s mercy to us, lead us out of the darkness of bad lives into the light of great lives, and to lead us in peace. This is a message from God to us that he wants us to know his love, receive his mercy, and have a life without stress and worry. So it does not matter what your past has been like or what your life is like now, Jesus loves you and wants to be your friend. You can call on him and he will come to you and give you his love and his peace.

May God’s grace, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Spirit be with you.