Take care to have knowledge about the condition of your flocks,
looking well after your herds. Proverbs 7:23 

The context of this verse is of course addressed to an agrarian society. The herdsman had to know the temperament and health of each member of his herd so that he could properly care for them. While most of us do not tend cattle, horses, or sheep many have children or a spouse that we live with and relate to. Sadly, with our hectic pace of life, we are not building deep and rewarding relationships with those we love. I spent 30+ years as a pastor and I was concerned with the spiritual condition of the individuals in my congregation. 

When interacting with a husband/father I often would ask him if their child/spouse knew Christ as their personal Savior. Too many times they would respond they did not know. Having a personal relationship with Christ is THE most important aspect of life and yet we are often unaware of the spiritual condition of our family members. 

When was the last time we sat down with our children/spouse and had a serious discussion with them about their struggles, fears, ambitions, peer pressures, etc? 

Why not have a date night with your daughter and build that relationship? How about taking your son on a weekend camping trip to have a deep talk about what he is struggling with? Wives would be delighted if their husbands gave them their undivided attention. 

Life is tough! Having good relationships with our family members takes being intentional.   

Headline

Everything that happens has happened before; nothing is new, nothing under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

The stories in the Scriptures often seem to be ripped from the headlines.

 You don't need to read any further than Genesis to encounter stories such as these:

“Brother Murders Brother in a Fit of Jealous Rage” (Genesis 4)

“Spiritual Leader Discovered Drunk and Naked in His Home” (Genesis 9)

“Husband’s Lies Place Wife in Danger of Sexual Assault” (Genesis 12)

“Militants Kidnap Family During Raid” (Genesis 14)

“Wife Lets Husband Father a Child with the Maid” (Genesis 16)

“Twin Brother Deceives Blind Father and Steals from Absent Brother” (Genesis 27)

“Man in Polygamous Household Faces Incredible Strife in Family” (Genesis 29-30)

“Mass Slaughter Perpetrated by Brothers to Avenge Sister’s Rape” (Genesis 34)

“Eldest Son Sleeps with His Father’s Co-Wife” (Genesis 35)

“Jealous Brothers Sell Younger Brother into Slavery” (Genesis 37)

In other words, our stories of stained lives redeemed by the blood of a merciful God are stories of biblical proportions. But be of good cheer: our Lord has a long and rich history of being mercifully involved in the lives of dysfunctional families.

Last Chance

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, Acts 16:31

It’s been 111 years since Titanic, the greatest ship of its time, sank on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 passengers. The “unsinkable ship” had done the unthinkable. One of the unforgettable stories of the fateful event is of the Titanic preacher John Harper and his passion for saving souls.

On Sunday the 14th of April, 1912, the day when the iceberg was struck, Harper attended the church service for the passengers. His niece reported that later that afternoon she saw her Uncle speaking individually to people about their souls. It seems he was in the habit of seeking out the lost sheep wherever he went.

The Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 P.M. on April 14, 1912. One survivor distinctly remembered hearing him shout, "Women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats!" Harper knew that believers were ready to die but the unsaved were not ready. Harper then ran along the decks pleading with people to turn to Christ. As the ship began to lurch, he jumped into the icy waters and swam frantically to all he could reach, beseeching them to turn to the Lord Jesus and be saved.

Harper swam to the people one by one and asked them, “Are you saved?” One man later testified that he replied, No, I am not,' He replied, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,' The waves bore him away; but later the waves brought him back and asked, 'Are you saved now?' ‘No,’ I said, ‘I cannot honestly say that I am.’ He said again, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,’ and shortly after he went down; and there, alone in the night, and with two miles of water under me, I believed. I am John Harper’s last convert.

Finally, as hypothermia set in, John Harper sank beneath the waters and passed into the Lord’s presence; he was 39. In the Hollywood movie of the Titanic, nothing was said about John Harper, but he was truly one of the great heroes of the Titanic.  In the face of death and drowning, he was concerned about the souls of men.

The ATM God

 "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God." Genesis 28:20-21

Rather than just receiving the blessing, Jacob spoke to God like a bargain hunter. He wanted to meet God on equal terms. He's got what I want. I got what he wants. Wrong. Anytime we suggest that God is an ATM who dispenses goodness if we enter the correct PIN, we border on heresy. We've exchanged a God to whom we're accountable for a God who's accountable to us. Remember, we come to God with empty hands and an open heart.

Word "Tones"

  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

This generation never knew what it was it was like growing up without a cell phone, iPad, or laptop. Now I love technology. I enjoy using my cell phone. I do not receive many phone calls and I don't make many phone calls but I do like the convenience of texting. It is convenient for the recipient because they can answer the text whenever they can. The number of monthly texts sent has increased by more than 7,700% over the last decade. 4.2 + million people around the world have the ability to send and receive messages via SMS.

But texting cannot truly replace face-to-face conversations. When you text, you cannot see the person's body language. Texting has many disadvantages. It lacks facial expression. You cannot see body language. And of course, there is no eye contact. But I think the greatest disadvantage is the lack of verbal tone. You can speak the same word forcibly or gently. You can speak with passion or indifference.

The other day, I texted someone to clarify a question I had. They responded promptly but with an abbreviated answer that did not totally answer my question. So, I texted them again trying to get more information. They replied with more information but still did not give me the reply I was looking for. After texting the third time trying to clarify myself, they finally gave me the information I was seeking. But I could sense (?) their frustration.

My final response was “okay”. But later, I wonder how they 'heard” that. With texting there is no word tone. You can say “Okay” nonchalantly or with frustration. They may have understood my response as OKAY!!! (Which is not what I had intended.)

I am not sure there is an answer to the word 'tone' dilemma with texting. I guess a lot depends on people knowing you and your character.

Your Ladder to Heaven

"Truly, truly, U say to you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." John 1:51

Me and ladders have a long history. We have not had an amiable relationship. By that I mean I have fallen off more ladders than I can remember. (No it wasn't the ladder's fault) I remember when my father asked me to paint the trim on our two-story house. That experience elevated my prayer life to the next level. I don't have a fear of heights, I have flown over 1,000 combat hours in a helicopter 

Jesus Christ calls Himself the "Son of Man" a title that refers to His preexistence. He is our ladder into heaven. He is equally present with the Father to hear our prayers as He is with the Spirit to answer them. He is at both ends of the ladder. He is our intermediary between you and God. 

There is no fear with Jesus being our ladder because He keeps us from falling. "To Him who is able to keep you from falling..." Jude 24

 

Focus Power

 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! Psalm 42:5

When I pastored my first church, I had an elderly man in my church, Grandpa Oakie, who had a way with words. Once when he was going through a difficult place in his life, he said, "I feel lower than a snake in a wheel track." (That's pretty low.) He was describing an emotion that most of us have experienced.

In the movie, The Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi is teaching Daniel, his student, how to successful in mastering karate. When Daniel cannot master a certain technique Mr. Miyagi tells him his problem is lack of focus. He says, "Focus Power, Daniel San." Quit focusing on yourself. 

Discouragement is focusing on the situation rather than focusing on God (Our power).  David said, "I will put my hope (focus) in God." Discouragement comes when we focus on our inability to overcome our situation.  David said in Psalm 56:3 "when I am afraid (or discouraged), I put my trust (or focus) in you. 

So, if you are discouraged today, ask yourself where is my focus