Welcome Grace Fans

(Read: Romans 12:1-5) 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  -Romans 12:3 (KJV) 

For many years churches have maintained signs on their premises which provide the church name and other basic information.  Many of these signs also have a place where sayings, Scripture references, and brief announcements may be shared with the community. It’s the announcements and sayings which tend to be problematic.  In an effort to be clever or witty many a church sign has come across in a manner other than what was intended. 

I did see a nice saying on a church sign just the other day.  All last week here in Bristol it was race week as NASCAR came to Bristol Motor Speedway.  All over town restaurants and gas stations posted signs which read, “Welcome Race Fans.”  The church sign I am referring to posted on their marquee read “Welcome Grace Fans.”  Now, that one made me think.  A house of worship should indeed be a place where fans of God’s grace are welcome. 

What does it mean to be a “grace fan?”  This is a follower of Christ who seeks to daily walk in the grace of the Lord Jesus.  God has demonstrated His love for us in that while were still sinners Christ died on the cross for our sins (Romans 5:8).  Having experienced the grace of God first hand we then strive to share this wonderful grace with a lost and hurting world. 

A fan of grace is a person who is Christ-like, gentle, kind, self-controlled, forgiving, Christ-centered (as opposed to self-centered), joyful, peaceful, and willing to give sacrificially in the name of Christ.  These traits are an outgrowth of the grace of God functioning in us. 

So, are you a grace fan?  If so then share the grace of God with those around you.  Reach out in Jesus’ name and let His light, and grace, shine.

What Goes Around…

(Read: Romans 2:5-11) 

⁹Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; ¹⁰But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: ¹¹For there is no respect of persons with God. -Romans 2:9-11 (KJV) 

There is a saying my wife refers to from time to time.  When someone does something bad, unkind, or downright evil she will say, “What goes around comes around.”  This is indeed a true statement.  The good we do in life will come back to us and the evil we do will come back to us as well.  As followers of Christ we are called to sew goodness, kindness, gentleness, and the blessed gospel to a world which is wallowing in the mire of sin.  Practice being Christ-like and our efforts will come back to us in countless blessings.   

I am not just referring to the larger works we do.  There are an infinite number of smaller acts of goodness we can practice which will bring about wonderful heavenly rewards.  Someone might do something heroic like save another person’s life, and for this there would indeed be a reward of some sort.  Yet, consider also the rewards of being a kinder, gentler person as we go about our daily lives.  Take time to smile at those around you, practice saying “thank you,” more often, and offer a word of encouragement to the one who is feeling down.   Seek to be a more optimistic and giving person.  God’s Word promises we will receive manifold blessings from God when we put Christ-like qualities into practice.   

God’s Word reminds us of how the Lord shows no favoritism.  He rewards and blesses those who seek to do His will.  Conversely, those who willfully choose to go against God will also suffer the consequences of their actions.  Seek today to go about shining the light of Jesus Christ.  Do not allow the devil to gain a foothold.  Instead, claim the power of Christ to let His light shine from our lives.  The Lord sees, knows, and will pour His goodness upon us. 

Remember that Jesus Christ is our refuge and strength during the trials of life.  Let His light shine from us.

Wanted: Laborers for the Lord’s Harvest

Read: Matthew 9:27-38

³⁷Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; ³⁸Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. -Matthew 9:37, 38 (KJV)

Several years ago I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in New York City.  As I saw all the incredible sights there I was overwhelmed with just how large and populous this city actually is.  Walking through places like Times Square where the traffic never slows down and the people are always out and about I was struck with a thought; I recalled the words of Jesus when He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” All over the city I saw people who no doubt need to know there is hope in Jesus Christ.

Wherever we live and wherever we go we will encounter people who need to know that there is hope in the Lord.  All around us are people who are barely holding onto life.  They are overwhelmed, exhausted, and discouraged.  Perhaps this describes you right now.  If so then take heart, for in Jesus Christ there is hope for right now and hope for a brighter day which is surely coming.  Christ leads us to the blessed assurance that in Him we can find the strength and the power to keep going forward.  Through Christ our problems will not destroy us.  Instead we will overcome and walk forward in spiritual victory.

I have no way of knowing what sort of trials you are facing right now.  Yet I am confident of the Lord’s ability to provide hope, comfort, and salvation.  Do not give up and do not despair, for the Lord is with us.  Let us share the love of Christ with those around us, for those who need to know Him are everywhere.

Will you become a worker in the Lord’s harvest?  The time to begin is right now. 

 

The Danger of an Empty Heart

(Read Luke 11:21-26)

²⁴When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.  ²⁵And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

 ²⁶Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.-Luke 11:24-26 (KJV)

We find Jesus in this passage giving a word to those who try to fill their hearts with anything other than God and the things of God.  We can build into our lives all sorts of pursuits which are harmless.  People have all kinds of hobbies, pastimes and pursuits which can even be of great benefit.  These might include fishing, stamp collecting, needlepoint, or woodworking.  These pursuits will occupy our time and they will bring us some measure of joy, yet they cannot fill the heart.  Only Jesus Christ can accomplish this.  Try to fill our hearts with anything else and we will come up empty.  

Isn’t it something how in the Old Testament even before the time when the grace of God was given in Jesus Christ the saints of old understood this?  The other morning I was reading from Ecclesiastes 11 where the Bible speaks of casting our bread upon the water and in many days it will come back to us.  Here is a principle at work; the good we do will come back to us in some way and the evil we do will also come back to us in like manner.  

We reap what we sew, what goes around comes around, and do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  In essence the principle is the same.  Jesus also spoke of how out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45).  I love the book of Ecclesiastes because of the conclusion Solomon finally reached.  You can spend a lifetime trying to fill your heart with worldly possessions, yet the heart can only be truly filled by what the Lord brings to our lives.

Make sure your heart is filled with the good things of God.  Otherwise, it will be and will remain empty. We can try to fill it with something other than God, but it’s going to leak right out.  It’s like a tire with a hole in it.  Eventually the air is going to run out and will create all sorts of problems for us.  When the heart is filled with Jesus Christ we are empowered to stand and to remain standing during the trials and hard times of life.  Don’t try to fill the heart with what we want, but rather fill our hearts with what God wants for us. Then we know it cannot be wrong, for God is the author of it.  

No Permission to Quit

(Read, John 6:58-69) 

⁶⁶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  ⁶⁷Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  ⁶⁸Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  ⁶⁹And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. –John 6:66-69 (KJV) 

As I was reading this passage I reflected on a time when my ministry was not going well.  The church where I was serving was facing intense internal conflict.  Factions within the church were warring with each other, tensions were high, and business meetings had become heated and nearly unbearable.  I had become so discouraged I was seriously considering finding another church and tendering my resignation.  Should another church not come available I was considering other options such as secular employment. 

Over lunch one day I confided in an older, wiser, and trusted pastor friend my feelings.  Somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking he might say something like, “Dan, you have done all you can in this church.  In fact, if you were to resign or even quit the ministry for a while the Lord would surely understand.” However, my friend would not allow the subject of resignation to be discussed.  Instead, he looked at me from across the table and said gently but firmly, “Dan, God has called you to this church.  You must trust Him to lead you through this storm.  Someone has to lead them – that someone is you!”  He flatly refused to give me permission to quit. 

I confess I did not want to hear this, yet I knew my friend was right and the Lord was speaking to me through him.  Like the disciples who were contemplating leaving Jesus, where would I go?  The Lord had called me to preach, and this was where I would remain.  I am glad to report I did not resign, but instead stayed on two more years until the Lord opened another door of ministry.  During the two year period the church experienced a wonderful healing process. 

What are you facing today which is causing you to entertain thoughts of quitting?  Is it a troubled relationship, a job which isn’t going well, or a church which is going through a storm of strife and disunity?  Perhaps you are contemplating abandoning your faith in Christ altogether.  Consider the words of the disciples; “Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.”   

If God has called you then He will empower you to remain in His will and calling.  Trust the Lord, look to Him, and keep going forward in faith.  Stand firm and do not quit. 

Of Faith and Obedience to the Lord

(Read Luke 7:1-10) 

⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  ¹⁰And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. -Luke 7:9, 10 (KJV) 

If you love dogs as much as I do you will understand how every once in a while, maybe even once a lifetime, you have the privilege of owning what I call your “dream dog.”  This is the dog you always wanted because he or she is obedient, loyal, and because of the dog’s good nature does not require much in the way of discipline.  For 10 years we as a family were blessed with just such a dog.  Jenny was the dog I had always wanted.  She was a pound rescue collie mix of varying breeds, and she devoted her life to showing her gratitude for our having taken her in. 

One of Jenny’s strengths, among others, was her natural obedience.  I could take her for walks without a leash (I did keep the leash handy, however, as I didn’t want to run afoul of the authorities), she would attend little league games with us and she would lie quietly in the grass beside my chair, and she maintained an attitude which I can only describe as humble.  Sadly, Jenny passed away from complications from lung cancer in December of 2008.  Yes, dogs can indeed get lung cancer. 

When Jesus learned of the faith of the Roman Centurion who had requested that Jesus heal his servant the Lord was amazed.  The Centurion told Jesus how he understood what authority meant.  Authority means you tell someone to do something and he does it.  You say to one “go” and he goes.  You say to another “come” and he comes at your bidding –  without question.  The Centurion told Jesus that He indeed possessed such authority to heal.  “…but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed (v 7).”  So great was the Centurion’s faith that he knew all Jesus had to do was give the command and it would be done. 

Jesus then explained how He had not seen such great faith in all Israel.  The Lord then gave the word and the servant was healed.  This is an example of true faith.  Let us posses such strong and unquestioning faith in Christ.  When the Lord calls us let’s be ready to go.  When He bids us come to Him let’s be ready to do what He tells us. 

Are you listening for the Lord’s call today?  When he calls will you obey?  Do so and blessings and spiritual wonders will follow.

Appreciating the Gift of Sight

⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. -Matthew 11:4-6 (KJV) 

Isn’t it something how the Lord can get our attention and teach us important lessons about life?  When I was a seminary student in Louisville, Kentucky I would occasionally slip away during a break and visit a doughnut shop near the campus.  One morning I had just ordered my doughnuts and coffee and was getting ready to leave when a group of children, all between 7 to 10 years old, came in to enjoy some doughnuts. 

What was unique about these children was they were all from the school for the blind which was just down the street.  They came in, led by their teacher, and they all were holding hands in a sort of human chain.  What I noticed right away was how happy and talkative they were.  No doubt they were excited about the delicious treats they were about to enjoy.  Each child was given a small bag containing a few doughnuts.  I watched, transfixed, as many of the children opened their bags and lifted them to their faces and breathed in the sweet smell of the doughnuts.  I realized since these children have no sight they make the best use possible of their other senses such as smell and taste.   

After they had gone I left also, but with a new appreciation of my eyesight.  I got in my car and before eating my doughnuts I thanked God for my sight, and I asked God’s forgiveness for having taken it for granted.  But by the grace of God I could either have been born blind or lost my eyesight in some way as those precious children had.  Truly we sometimes take for granted these blessings which we have been given. 

If you are reading this, then stop and be thankful for eyesight which enables you to do so.  And remember those who do not have this gift.  I thank God also for our Savior, Jesus Christ, who made blind eyes see and lame legs walk, and one day in heaven will give us bodies which will never grow old or be infirm in any way. 

Until that day, give thanks and walk forward in faith.