Never Too Late

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 2 Samuel 12:20

I grew up in a preacher's home, so most people assume I'm "sheltered". That's really quite innaccurate. There's a world of difference between being innocent and being ignorant. The truth of the matter is, people in and around the ministry see far more hurt and suffering, shame and guilt, sin and failure than others do. The ministry deals with those things all day, every day. It shows the ugliest side of the ugly. If one thinks they can go into the ministry to escape the worst parts of life, they're sorely mistaken. I've seen more people make a mess of their lives than I care to count. I've watched people make mistakes they'll carry with them for years...maybe forever. I've witnessed the ashes of individuals and families and churches and friendships. I've known the ones too ashamed to tell any but a select few their past...or their present. I've listened to the sighs and sobs of people broken by their decisions and actions. And I don't think I'll ever get used to people making foolish choices that will cost them greatly.

But those stories don't have to end there. God can and will lift you from the ashes. David's story didn't end with the death of his child. He got back up, he went on, and he accomplished much. I'm so glad that the most life-altering mistakes we can ever make cannot seperate us from God's love. I'm glad that He will never, ever turn His back on us. I'm glad that it's never too late.

Think It Through

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

I recently talked about not letting opportunities go by--boldly walking through the doors God opens. But please don't misunderstand: decisions in life should not be made flippantly. It is easy to let opportunities and open doors pass, but it's also easy to jump at the wrong opportunities...or even try to create them ourselves. There must be a balance. We have to be serious and attentive, Peter writes here. Be careful. The devil would love to see us make bad choices, and we're very good at giving ourselves bad options if we're not careful. Relationships, finances, associations, activities, habits...choices are important. Don't be afraid to make a final decision; but don't take it lightly, either. The effects could stay with you the rest of your life.

Get Moving

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6

This is a verse I memorized somewhere along the line, and when I heard it being referrenced tonight I quoted it to myself. The last two words stuck out to me: and walk. God doesn't raise people to stand still. He grants healing so that we can walk. There are too many people who have been touched by God...and then they just stood there. Get moving! There's work to do. And why be healed if you're not going to do anything with the healing? God gave you new life--ETERNAL life. Get out and start living! You weren't given new legs so you could stand still.

As You Know...

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

"Ye know...." This wasn't a new revelation. It was something already known. But we're forgetful and need to be reminded. Often. Christ gave up everything for you. He gave up Heaven, He gave up the praise and adoration of countless angels, He gave up His Father's presence, He gave up His spiritual essence to don human form, He gave up His life. He willingly, voluntarily sacrificed more than our minds can even conceive for the simple reason that He loved us. You know this. It's nothing new you're reading here. But are you living in the realization of it? We need to remind ourselves what Jesus did for us. And we need to remind ourselves that He deserves more from us because of it.

The Value Of Silence

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19

You know, some days little things just irritate you. Today was one of those days for me. It's so tempting at times like that to respond to people without thought...and that's almost never a good thing. No matter how often we hear it, we can never hear it too much--sometimes you're better off just keeping your mouth shut. Now, I didn't bite anyone's head off (although I was tempted) or respond with biting sarcasm or malevolence (although I was inclined to), but I easily could have; and it's probably more luck than restraint that I didn't. Let's just be reminded that silence is quite often and in many a situation golden. Even if just long enough to consider our words.

Blessings And Benedictions

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

I was just flipping through the New Testament and noting the variations of this salutation--and it's respective closing benediction--in virtually every epistle. I find it somewhat sad that we don't do this anymore. Oh, you might here a half-hearted (at best) "God bless you" from time to time, but you never hear someone genuinely calling the peace, grace, and mercy of God down upon a brother or sister in Christ. Why don't we do that? We all need His love, mercy, grace, and peace in abundance. Perhaps we should be asking for it on one another's behalf.

Send Now Prosperity

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Psalm 118:25

We're facing tough times. The entire planet is wading in financial mess, trying not to drown. People could talk for hours passing blame around and spitting out ideas to stem the flow. And many of us are struggling in our own lives to make ends meet. There's more going out than coming in more often than not. But I wonder how many of us are struggling against the tide without ever calling on the One source of relief that can actually make a difference. How ridiculous would it be for someone drowning with a lifeguard just feet away to not call out for help? Yet we do the same thing in every aspect of our lives. We have a God Who can help. We have a God Who WILL help. We ought to be pleading and begging and beseeching with Him to intercede, to be merciful and gracious, to supply. Are we? Or are we just trying to tread water by ourselves?

Law vs. Liberty

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

We put unneccessary burdens on ourselves as Christians. We set up rules and standards that have nothing to do with being Christ-like and bind ourselves to them. Christ came to set us free from the law. He fulfilled it in Himself because we could not. Our new goal should not be a list of rules, but a level of love. See, if we love God and one another, our actions will be affected...and the rest, well, it doesn't matter! We don't need a "Thou shalt not kill" because murder is not an act of love. We don't need "Thou shalt not commit adultery" because love naturally demands monogamy. We don't need "Thou shalt not steal" because love gives, it doesn't steal. We need to embrace the liberty we have in Christ and stop enslaving ourselves to "wear this, cut your hair like this, do this, don't do that, go here, avoid there." None of that matters anyway! That's law, not liberty, and not love.

The Standard

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

A Florida pastor (of murky doctrinal stance) is making international news by declaring that he will be holding a "Quran burning" on September 11. I can't think of much of anything more contradictory to Christian principles than this. He violates two commands in this one verse by being neither wise nor harmless. This...activity WILL cost lives. It WILL stir up strife. It WILL further the cause of radical Islam and hinder the cause of Christ. The act itself is foolish and pointless. The spirit behind it is purely sinful. Christ teaches us to be loving and kind and longsuffering and patient and forgiving. Anger, vengeance, spite, mockery...these are traits in direct contradiction to the way of Christ. Now, this may seem like a rant up to now...and it kind've has been. But there's a bigger point.

I'm disturbed by the number of professing Christians who are not opposed to this pastor's actions and attitude. They defend it by saying he has the right as an American citizen to demonstrate in this way..."and, besides, they're burning Bibles and American flags." True. And true. But neither of those facts defend this deed. First, having a right to do something doesn't make it right to do. Exercising his right to do this will get people killed, probably on several continents. That's irresponsible, foolish, and self-serving. And that makes it wrong. Second, Christ repeatedly taught us to NOT repay those who mistreat and abuse us in kind. We, as individuals, are to be merciful and leave the vengeance to God. That makes the spirit of this whole mess innately un-Christian. Let's keep in mind that we're not supposed to live up to the standard set by radical Islam or any other religion or creed, but the one set by Christ. Let's be careful to whom we compare ourselves.

Balance At The Center

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, Luke 1:46

That's a pretty good thing to be able to say, that in our innermost being we magnify God. CAN we say that? Do we, in our heart and soul and mind, put the focus and emphasis on Christ? There's so much about "getting centered" out there today. It's cliche. But, like most cliches, there's some element of truth behind it. The error, though, is that people are trying to "get centered" on themselves. They want to put the magnifying glass of their life on themselves. Ironic, since that means you've already focused on yourself too much. But until that inner magnifier is on God, we'll be off-kilter and scattered. If you want more balance in your life, try focusing on God for awhile. He's the center of all creation anyway...and the best balance is always found at the center.

Though He Fall

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:24

Falling is a part of life. It's a part of your spiritual life as much as it is a part of your physical life. When you were learning to walk, you fell. A lot. As you mature spiritually, you'll fall, too. A lot. The more active you are, the more you move around and walk and run, the higher the probability you'll fall even to this day. Guess what? If you're actually doing anything spiritually--walking, running, working, growing--you're still going to fall. It doesn't matter how strong a Christian you are, you WILL fall. It's a part of it. But it doesn't end with the fall. You can get back up and keep going. And not only that, there's Someone there to help you up. God isn't standing over you berating your failure. He isn't turning His back in disgust. He isn't kicking you while you're down. He's there extending His own hand to help you back to your feet and making sure you never fall too far or too hard. You're going to fall. That doesn't have to be the end of the chapter, though.

Don't Forget

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2

We're a forgetful race. We forget promises made, oaths taken, our limitations, our shortcomings...and we forget what God has done for us. Indeed, sometimes it's as if we forget God Himself. We need a spiritual refresher course sometimes to remind us just how good God has been toward us. We need to be reminded of His mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, and longsuffering. We need to be reminded of His provision, protection, healing, and generosity. Don't let your forgetful human nature wipe God and all the things He's done for you from your memory. Remind yourself often of His benefits.