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

Sacred Cows in the Church?

 

I have spent much of my adult life in the church. I love the church, but it is not perfect because it is filled with people. People with faults, hangups and wrong thinking. As a pastor for 40+ years, one of the biggest challenges I faced was 'sacred cows' in the church. Not literal four-legged cud-chewing cows but traditions and even objects that people have elevated to Biblical status.

Here is a more technical definition. “The term 'sacred cow' is commonly used in Christian circles to describe those elements of church life that have been elevated to such a high level of importance that they cannot be touched, criticized, changed or removed. Above all, sacred cows are not essential to the fundamentals of Christianity, but people treat then as if they are.” (Source unknown)

Allow me to share just a couple I have encountered.

• Passing the offering plate. Many churches no longer use offering plates but have offering boxes/baskets at the doors of the sanctuary. If you stop that tradition, you may find stiff opposition.

• Worship style. This one of the biggest “sacred cows” in the church. If you want to start a 'war' in the church, try changing the worship.

• Dress standards. There was a time when people came to church in suits/ties and dresses. But today many don't even own a suit or a Sunday dress. Dressing up for church is not wrong but we cannot have a 'dress code' for people to attend our churches.

• Bible translations. There are many good translations to choose from, but we should not elevate ONE translation as THE only translation we should use.

One word of caution. If the health of the church is suffering and it is decided that a certain 'sacred cow' must be killed, make sure it's God's will and His timing. Killing a sacred cow could be messy!

Do Not Conform

 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8

Some years ago, I was a principal in a Christian Academy. As part of my responsibilities, I would interview the seniors who were about to graduate. As expected,  they gave all the correct answers. A few days after their graduation, it came to my attention that one of the graduates was involved in drinking and sexual activity. While attending school, his behavior was above reproach, How could this happen? He had conformed his outward behavior, without allowing his heart to be transformed.  He knew the lingo, he knew what was expected of him and he conformed. 

But I'm afraid he isn't alone. Millions of professing Christians have done the same. They observed other Christians and saw them pray, go to church, give offerings, read their Bibles, etc., and thought "I can do that too!"  So, they conformed their lives and came to the conclusion, that they too were "Christians." But, they have never been transformed by the Holy Spirit. They were never made new. 2 Corinthians 5 If there hasn't been a change, it is doubtful you have been truly converted. 

Someone said, ""External conformity without internal transformation gives us an incomplete Christian identity." The Apostle Paul said it this way, "Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside..." NOTICE. Paul said don't change yourself, (Don't just conform!) But allow God to change you!

We Are the Cavalry

If you love watching Westerns, I am sure you've seen where soldiers were surrounded by hostile Indians. They are outnumbered and their situation seems hopeless. A volunteer is sent out to another fort requesting enforcements. Just when all seems lost, the Cavalry arrives just in the nick of time! 

America (our fort) is surrounded by hostile forces. It would seem our values and way of life is being attacked on every side. Many people feel our situation is hopeless and they wonder if the Cavalry will arrive in time. 

 But who is the Cavalry? What I'm about to say doesn't seem realistic but I firmly believe that the only hope for America is the Church. I'm not talking about the anemic institution must of us are familiar with but with the strong, vibrant Church Jesus planned. Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 

The problem with America is not political, but spiritual. America is destroying itself from within and ceasing to be the “One Nation Under God” we knew. We the people must exercise our bestowed responsibilities and make our voices heard in the polling booths. The real tragedy would be that our constitutional rights be given away. 

Songwriter William Merrill wrote, " Rise up, O Church of God!

                                                          Have done with lesser things;
                                                          Give heart and mind and soul and strength
                                                          To serve the King of kings.

Confused?

"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6

If I were asked to describe the last ten years in one word, it would be confusion. Our government leaders are confused about how to solve a myriad of problems. Adolescents are confused about their gender identity. Teachers are confused about their roles. 

My personal opinion lies in how we view life. Our country was founded on a Biblical worldview, 99.9% of our founding fathers believed that Biblical principles should be the basis of government, and society.   When there is no moral standard to guide us, people will naturally follow their own values. This week a third-grade teacher was arrested for being intoxicated while teaching. She couldn't believe she was being arrested. She didn't do anything wrong. Right?

In the Old Testament, Israel went through a period when they did not have a king, so they did what was right in their own eyes. Today's philosophy is "If it feels right do it." We sing songs that boast, "I did it my way," as though this is a good thing. 

Proverbs 14:34 says, "Godliness makes a great nation but sin is a disgrace to any people." The real reason people do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior is they refuse to surrender control of their lives to Him. Matthew 16:24 They want to continue doing it their way. 

God doesn't want to ruin our fun. He wants only our best. "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

 With much wisdom comes much sorrow, the more knowledge, the more grief.  Ecclesiastes 1:18

A group of men pulled up to shore after a twenty-five-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. The man who came to retrieve their rafts told them about the COVID-19 virus. They thought he was joking. But as they left the canyon their phones pinged with their parents’ urgent messages. They were stunned. They wished they could return to the river and escape what they now knew.

In a fallen world, knowledge often brings pain. The wise Teacher of Ecclesiastes observed, “With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief” (1:18). Who hasn’t envied a child’s blissful ignorance? They don’t yet know about racism, violence, and cancer. Weren’t we happier before we grew up and discerned our own weaknesses and vices? Before we learned our family’s secrets—why our uncle drinks heavily or what caused our parents’ divorce?

The pain from knowledge can’t be wished away. Once we know, it’s no use pretending we don’t. But there’s a higher knowledge that empowers us to endure, even thrive. Jesus is the Word of God, the light that shines in our darkness (John 1:1–5). He “has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Your pain is your reason to run to Jesus. He knows you and cares for you.

May I Introduce...

 Have you ever noticed how men and women introduce people differently? 

Women introduce people according to relationships. "This is Mary Jones. She is Bill Jones' wife." That is because women are basically relational. 

Men introduce people according to occupation. "This is Bill Jones. He is the branch manager at First Bank." That's because men are basically task oriented.

So, which is correct? Both are acceptable. They are just different. 

Rich but poor

"Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”  Luke 12:15

Years ago,  multimillionaire John D. Rockefeller, was asked how much money does it take to make a man happy. His reply? "Just one dollar more." His answer came at the the peak of his wealth, Rockefeller had a net worth of about 1% of the entire US economy! 

As I was driving the other day, I was struck with the observation of how many storage facilities there were. We have so much, we don't have room to store it.  Apparently, we are like the rich farmer in Luke 12:18. He had an overabundance of crops that he didn't have room to store his present harvest. So, instead of giving the excess to the needy, he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger barns to hold it all for himself. He was not aware that he would die that very night. Jesus called this man a fool. "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 

God isn't against having possessions but He is against things being more important than our relationship with God. 

"For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world at the price of his own soul? What could a man offer to buy back his soul once he had lost it?" Matthew 16:26

Being Tempted?

 

Every human being faces temptation at some time in their lives, You may be tempted to lie to protect your reputation. You may be tempted to cheat on a test to pass a subject in school. Everyone faces temptation but the good news is that God always provides a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of obedience to God. James 1:13 Temptation is not sinful because Jesus Himself was tempted. In Matthew 4, we read how Jesus faced temptation and was victorious. For 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus fasted in the wilderness AND He was being tempted by the devil, This is what Jesus was facing.

Jesus is faced with three temptations. These temptations are described as the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes. Today we'll look at the lust of the flesh. We all have times in our lives when the lust of the flesh tempts us. This temptation says I want it." After 40 days without food, the devil tempts Jesus to turn stones to bread. Matthew 4:3 Nothing wrong in satisfying your hunger unless it is outside the will of God. Sin is fulfilling a God-given desire in a way that God never intended.

Jesus overcame temptation by quoting Scripture and relying on the power of God. Instead of saying "I want it" let's say "I want God."

What Did You Expect?

I have found that when I am frustrated, angry, and depressed, many times the source of my dilemma is unfulfilled expectations. Things didn't turn out like I had anticipated. When your promotion did not come through. Your 'happily-ever-after' marriage ended not happily. You prayed earnestly but God did not answer me, at least not as you expected. 

Since God is in control of my life, I have to surrender my life and its expectations to Him. There is nothing wrong with making plans but ultimately God's will has to be considered.  James 4:13-17. After all, God loves us and only wants our best. 

Ultimately we must give our expectations to God and in doing so, we will have peace. 

" My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62: 

Infinite But Intimate

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 

The true God is truly infinite, meaning He is totally outside of our world. Only He has no source, no beginning, and no end. God needs nothing, depends on nothing, and owes nothing. The concept of time is totally foreign to Him. He is “holy, holy, holy” — perfect in every way. Simply put, God is God, and we are not. 

For some people, they cannot grasp the idea that this infinite God truly wants a relationship with them. Their lives have been filled with so much sin, how can a holy God even consider them? Psalm 8:4 But the Bible tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 None of us are deserving of His love and care. He loves us because we are His creation. 

Others have understood God's love for them and received His forgiveness, but they struggle with the fact that God is interested in their daily lives. After all, why would the God that controls the universe care about my job, my finances, my family? It's because He loves us as individuals and not just as a mass of people.  Abraham was called "the friend of God." Isaiah 41:8. Jesus called His disciples friends. 

And God wants to be YOUR friend. He desires a personal relationship with each of us no matter our race, social standing, or financial status. So, why don't you talk with your "friend" today and seek His direction for your life? 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

6 

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Lion and a Lamb

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

Years ago, many Christians wore bracelets that had the letters WWJD, this referred to What Would Jesus Do. The Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus is to be our example on how we should live. 

The Bible also uses the metaphor of Jesus being a lion and a lamb. Revelation 5:5-6. So, how should we live as a Lion and a Lamb? It means to be tough for and tender with others.  Jesus was tough and tender. He was tough for those religious hypocrites and tender with those caught in sin.  

Recently I heard a story of a Special Operations sniper who would be dropped behind enemy lines to "take out" a certain evil person. After accomplishing his mission, he would return home to his family which included his little daughter. His daughter had a ritual to celebrate her father's return. She would have a tea party for him. This included little teacups, lace, and a crown making her a princess. This sniper could be tough for her and tender with her. She was never afraid of him because she only knew his tender side.

A Christ-follower needs at times be tough and at times be tender. 

Who Am I?

 So, God created human beings in his image... Genesis 1:27 

According to Dr. Joe Rubino, approximately 85% of people worldwide have issues with self-esteem, so there is a good chance that you are struggling insecurity. I know I struggled with insecurity all my life. The day I was born, my mother delivered me in a small hospital. That particular day, there was no room available for her so, she was placed in the hall with a standup curtain for privacy and that is where I was born. (No wonder I had feelings of insecurity.) 

Insecurity can affect us in countless areas of our lives. Every person will notice their inner critic being more vocal in one area or another.  Old feelings that we are incompetent or that we will never be acknowledged or appreciated can send our insecurities through the roof. Some common critical inner voices about one’s career include:

No one appreciates you.

Who do you think you are? You’ll never be successful.

You’ll never get everything done. You’re so lazy.

My dad says I'm stupid, so I must be.

God created man perfect, but man fell from that state due to sin. Since than there has never been a perfect man since. (Except Jesus Christ) Security/Insecurity is all a manner of focus. If we look inward at Self we will always me insecure and disappointed. 

Man is primarily a spiritual being. To find peace and self-worth, you must have a personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. "It is through Him [Jesus] that we are able to live, to do what we do, and be who we are.." Acts 17:28 

Helpful quotes:

Not one drop of my self-worth depends on your acceptance of me.”

Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”

 

Life is a marathon

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,.. Hebrews 12:1

I remember well my first day of basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. All the new recruits we "chauffeured" in an air-conditioned bus to hear a welcome from the commanding general. After we heard what to expect in the next eight weeks, we were ushered back to the parking lot where we expected our bus to be waiting. Instead, we were introduced to our drill sergeant who informed us that there would be no bus, but we would have to run the two miles back to our barracks. And to make sure we didn't get lost; he would lead us lead - in his jeep. Needless to say, most of us didn't make it in the allotted time. 

Running became a regular routine each morning. We were started with a two-mile run, which was increased gradually. At the end of our eight weeks, we were running eight miles! To my surprise, I actually enjoyed those runs! (Truth) In the military, running was never about sprinting but endurance. 

Endurance implies that the Christian life is better compared to a marathon than a sprint. It is something that takes work, commitment, and fortitude. It can't be completed without preparation or practice—otherwise we will burn out in no time at all. Think about it: you would not run a marathon without any preparation. You don’t just show up the day of the race and expect to do well. Rather, you sign up months ahead, sometimes a year ahead.

Peter and John both exhort us: “do not be surprised” or "do not be caught off guard" at the race we must run 1Peter4:12 1 John 3:3

When we see the course that is set before us, we will not be surprised. We will be ready to run, come what may.