Recently I had the privilege of accompanying a group of school children on a field trip to a local education outreach program. The instructor had a great lesson on “The Forces of Bridges”. She began with a slide presentation showing diagrams of the different parts of bridges focusing on the types of “stress” each one endures. Many pictures of actual bridges from around the world and local were then compared. The children asked questions and were very respectful. (The youngest ones especially liked the little carpet squares they sat on) The students then followed directions and built a small bridge using the plastic pieces given in a ziplock bag. The teacher made certain that all the pieces were properly inventoried and put back. Moving into a larger room the students then used their creativity based on the lessons learned, and built their own bridges out of paper, popsicle sticks and straws. These bridges were then tested to determine the weight it could hold on the road bed. All the bridges passed with flying colors! Well done children!!!
This engaging activity, while revealing the forces that act upon bridges, also reminds us of the stresses wearing down upon each human life. Physics identifies tension, torsion, compression and shearing as four major stresses. Torsion is the twisting force similar to wringing out a towel or the feeling of ones stomach “in knots”. The word of God can also be twisted, or changed even slightly, to mean something other than the truth. Shearing is the force that cuts, like pruning a branch from a tree, Goliaths head from his neck, or the wicked being cut off from the love of God. Tension is the force that pulls things apart, like a new cloth from an old cloth after being sewn together, or the force that pulls family bonds apart. Compression crushes things. The heavy weight of a steel bridge pushing down on the abutments require deep foundations to support this tremendous force. People deal with the heaviness of sin, frustration, guilt and disappointment constantly crushing down upon their spirits. Without the strong foundation of Jesus in our lives we would crumble and our lives reduced to rubble. Praise God our Father, that we have been counted worthy of His love and His help. He desires for His children to be at peace and to stand firm performing the work we were built up for. When we fully rely on Him through His word and by faith in His Son, Jesus, we learn to use the stress life puts on us for good, because we love the Father. God provides us the instructions to follow, and the help we need to build holy lives, Godly families and His glorious church. This process began with the cross of Christ which bridged the chasm, the great divide, that separated man from God. Only those who believe and obey His word can cross over from sin to glory and righteousness. This bridge, however, is temporary and will be destroyed along with the forces of darkness. On that “day of the Lord” His children will dwell with Him forever on the other side.
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With spring only a few weeks away, we can’t help but think of getting back to outdoor activities. Working in the garden, spring cleaning the yard, swinging the old golf clubs, playing catch with the children, kicking the soccer ball, running the bases, how we long for those warm sunny days! I have spent many cold winter nights planning and preparing for getting out on the water with my fly rod, chasing that hungry and elusive large mouth bass. I wish I had more time to fish being that it is a great American pastime. Some find it to be therapeutic, and can even be meditative. I love to praise the Lord while out on a calm stretch of water surrounded by majestic trees, graceful birds in flight, and the radiance of the sun shimmering on the water. “Let all creation praise His name” This lovely scene holds a great Biblical illustration. “I will make you fishers of men”, said Jesus to Peter, a seasoned veteran in the industry. While Jesus was referring to the greater calling of making disciples, the similarities between fishing and discipling are striking. We could easily think of words such as patience, persuasion, equipment, experience, timing and trust to describe both. Fishing in Jesus’ day was mostly done with nets, as evidenced by His disciples multiple times “dropping their nets”.
The discipleship/net illustration is illustrated in the “Kingdom of Heaven” activities by all disciples. (Matt13:47) It is no surprise then, that God warns us about the pursuits of satan. He always counterfeits God’s good work for his own nefarious doings. Jeremiah 5:26 “For wicked men are found among My people, They watch like fowlers lying in wait; They set a trap, They catch men, ’Like a cage full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit….They also excel in deeds of wickedness”. The devil works in and among men mimicking the work of God. He recruits followers not out of a message of love, forgiveness and blessings. His is one of lies, lust and luxuries. He does not truthfully persuade based upon reason and evidences. The devil does his best work with the "fowlers net", entrapping the unexpected into misery and suffering. These men are so duped, once a part of the Lords family, now they serve wickedness by “lying in wait”, as they have “set the trap” seeking to “catch men” against their will and reasonable mind. Sadly, they remain in the Lord’s church, devouring, disrupting and destroying. This entrapment becomes visible in the lack of compassion toward the lowly. “They do not plead the cause of the orphan (nor) defend the rights of the poor..” Wickedness and sinfulness are tactics of an enemy turning away those who might be searching for truth and longing for justice. God will punish these and avenge Himself. As we engage in the battle for the souls of men, it is the kind “fisher of men” we lead them to. It is the loving shepherd of our souls who compassionately ministers to all who seek Him. It is the Lamb of God who willingly sacrificed His life for ours, the unrighteous, in order that we might be justified before the Lord. Covered in His atoning blood, we are then set free from the nets of death to fly free in the heights of the heavens. Let’s imagine the “Wall” at the U.S. Southern border is fully built and functioning as intended. The flow of illegal drugs, illegal aliens, human trafficking, and unwanted criminals has come to a screeching halt. Caravans of innocents making that treacherous trek northward under false assumptions of an easy entrance into the “land flowing with milk and honey” cease. Land owners are no longer threatened by unfriendly folk breaking into their homes, stealing their livestock nor destroying their property, or worse. The government remains fully open and life in the U.S. with a southern border wall becomes the new norm. Walls are in-fact, desirable as evidenced by the Hollywood mansions, former presidential compounds and high security facilities, all being surrounded by walls.
Walls provide protection and security, something we all want, as those in antiquity also desired. Remember the city of Jerusalem, the home of the Temple of the Lord, surrounded by a great wall. This structure helped keep its inhabitants safe and regulated the flow of foreigners while managing many points of entry or gates. In 586BC the Babylonian siege began and within a few years that wall was destroyed allowing the Temple and much of the city to be destroyed. Nehemiah records the feelings of the surviving “remnant”. (Nehemiah 1:3) “..those who survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace…”. Why? Because “the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”! Nehemiah being deeply moved wept, fasted and prayed God would use him to bring about great restoration. God blessed Nehemiah with all the provisions to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, “…and the good hand of God was upon him.” (2:8) Nehemiah gathered the residents of the city including the priests and nobles and said, “You see the trouble we are in, Jerusalem lies in ruins….Come let us rebuild the wall !” “So they put their hands to the good work.” (2:17-18) Well, like any good work that is beneficial to people, there will always be critics. This day was no different. “…when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.” (4:1) He and his collaborators threatened violence, attempted to stir up riots and “conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and cause a disturbance in it.” (4:8)) Walls provide protection and security. They help provide for the welfare of its residents. Those who seek to disturb that welfare oppose a wall as it removes their ability to corruptly rule. These detractors are so emotional, they invent lies and fake news, attempting to frighten the faithful and discourage the workers. Nehemiah called them out. “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind”. (Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.) Nehemiah prayed again,”God, strengthen my hands.” (6:8-9) Above is an example of how the adversary wars against those who love the Lord. We have been given a good work to complete. We have been given the resources to accomplish this task and we are never alone, the Lord is always with us. However, rivals will arise with their mocking and their treats. They will discourage the efforts and even intimidate. But let us carry on the work of God with a shovel in one hand and our sword in the other, if need be. The Kingdom of God will always prevail. The wall around Jerusalem was completed in 52 days! (6:15) It had its desired effect upon the foreigners who would have seen Jerusalem destroyed. The wall made secure God’s holy nation and became a strong deterrent for the mockers and the spoilers. It humiliated their efforts and caused them to cease their attacks. “…when all our enemies heard of it (completed wall) and the surrounding nations saw it, they lost their confidence (dis-hearted) for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” (6:16) Victory in God was celebrated greatly! “..on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy…!” (12:43) As we look beyond the wall, if we are dedicated to the work of God, even in the midst of the enemy, we too can and will “rejoice” because God will accomplish His purpose through us, which is to build His Kingdom. “Let us arise and build!!!” The lights are turned down low, the wrapping paper is all stuffed in a trash bag, the guests have all gone and the left overs are put away. A peaceful quietness fills the house. What a day! What a good day! Not because of the amount or cost of the gifts that were given and are now piled up on the floor or countertops. It was a good day because of the love shared by family. Of course a homemade turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings and deserts afterward always helps in making the day a special one. However, the main attraction is still the love shared by family and friends. People laughing, talking, sharing and enjoying, giving and receiving each others company, in love. This is the gift to be most treasured. Giving gifts without love as the motivation, misses the point of the giving. I loosely quote from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. “If I use my gift to speak different languages, without love for you, then I am simply a loud annoying noise. If I teach from my gift of prophecy and knowledge without love, I am nothing. If I sacrifice everything, even my body, without love, there is no benefit to anyone.” Isaiah helped prepare the world to receive the greatest gift of love as he prophesied the incarnation of God, in the person Jesus. In Him we have been give the gift of cleansing. Only through the blood of Christ can we be made “whiter than snow”. In Him we have been given the gift of His kingdom, a place we call home, also known as the “mountain of the Lord”, His church. In Him we also have a king, a ruler, a shepherd, one who is greater than all others in power, counsel and charity. He is supreme and He is eternal. Because of this, He has also given us ultimate victory over all rulers, authorities and powers. Nothing can separate us from His love. Though the world be covered in darkness, the faithful disciple of the Christ will bathe in the Glory of the Lord. “Nations will come to (His) light.” He has come to proclaim “good news to the afflicted...and freedom to the captives”. I urge you church, receive Him, over and over. Hold this most cherished gift close to your heart, the gift from God, given in Love.
Unfortunately, “as the shoppers rush home with their treasures”, thinking they have done a noble deed, usually motivated out of love and kindness, the most significant event the world has ever witnessed remains hidden behind the glitzy decorated tree. It continues to amaze me and repulse me how much emphasis is placed on the need to buy the perfect gift for loved ones and sometimes even those who don’t really care about us. Many feel the need to rush out and spend money on trivial things simply because it’s “that time of year”. All the while, the greatest gift is always perfect, available, and free! Why has gift giving become such a major event? Why do so many feel the need to spend dollars they don’t have for stuff that is often not needed, appreciated, nor valued? Jesus taught in Matthew 6:20 “...lay up treasures in heaven.....for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I can’t help but think that the greedy consumerist mentality is a genius distraction from the true enemy we are engaged in battle against. We have an adversary who is relentless in his pursuit to separate us from the Lord and His truth thereby pulling us down into eternal destruction. I love the Bible and I love this time of year when emphasis is placed on the birth of Jesus, when God becoming man, lived among His creation. This divinely unique event distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. But it does not end there. God in the flesh, Immanuel, Jesus the Messiah, had to be born in the flesh in order that He might bear the cross on our behalf, the payment for the debt our sins, His death. By His own power He resurrected from the dead! As the risen savior He now has supreme authority over all creation, all things and that includes power over satan and his forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Since the garden of Eden, satan has been on the prowl attempting to destroy the “seed” . “The dragon stood before the woman....so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.” Rev12:4 . What a hideous creature. He failed. Jesus reigns! “And she gave birth to a son....who is to rule over all the nations with a rod of iron...” Rev12:5. Jesus forever reigns on His throne victorious and glorious. The devil has been thrown down, to the earth, and is enraged. All he can do now is wage war against the children of God. “And when the dragon saw he was thrown down to the earth he persecuted the woman...” Rev12:13 “And the dragon.... went off to make war with the rest of her offspring who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Rev12:17. While are people fighting over TV’s and computer games in the checkout lines, our adversary laughs, knowing that they fail to understand the only strategic plan of action that defeats him. That plan begins with living a life by faith in Jesus and obedience to His word. It includes being a disciple of Jesus who is appalled at the wickedness of this world and it’s perversions of the truth. His disciples have access to an armor that never fails, a powerful advocate dwelling inside and the heavenly Father who is always ready to hear our prayers. Our Salvation is from heaven. Our Power is in Jesus. Our Glory is in our God.
As I write this article, a “caravan” of thousands are approaching the U.S. southern boarder intending to illegally enter our sovereign nation. The military is being sent to stop this invasion. Emotions are on fire. Farther north, nestled between “three rivers” in a neighborhood known as Squirrel Hill, a radicalized madman left a synagogue after shooting to death 11 innocent worshippers. Again, emotions are enraged. In both cases, who shoulders much of the blame? Our President! Protesters at funerals shouting “"It's your fault !”, as his motorcade passes by. TV hosts call him “vicious”, a “beast”, and an “anarchist”. FACT: Our president did not create the social conditions in Central America that thousands are running from. FACT: Our president never pulled a trigger. Let’s put the blame squarely where it belongs. Evil and wickedness. The devil is real. The devil has influence and power in this world. The devil hates anything and anyone connected to Jesus, His truth and the salvation which only comes by faith in Him according to the grace of God. The “spiritual world forces of darkness”, the “schemes of the evil one”; this is where ultimate blame belongs. Disobedience to the word of God, rejection of His beloved Son as Lord, and a lust for selfish satisfaction contribute to the mass derangement we witness daily. As Ecclesiastes reads, “There is nothing new under the sun”. Jesus knew His enemies. He faced a barrage of propagandized attacks and was blamed for social disorder. Example? “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.” This is demented insanity! Jesus, the Lord of all, healed the sick out of pure love for their souls. He is the creator of all things! Everything He does is for the good of His creation. The Lord God is good. His lovingkindness endures forever! God is to be worshipped, not blamed! God did not cause the divorce in your family, the death of your loved one, the destruction of your property, the disrespect from your children, your disease, your depression, your disappointment nor your dirty sin. He stands ready to strengthen, comfort, heal and forgive. This is good news! We, as the church, have the ability and the responsibility to share this message of hope. Go make disciples. Live in the righteousness of Christ. He died so that we could! Through prayer, faithful obedience, and fellowship we have the greatest of victories.
“He said to His disciples,”the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest”. Matt 9:37
What a great time of year. The air is cool and crisp at night. The leaves are on the edge of exploding into hundreds of shades of colors and the school buses are back in operation. Many fields have already been harvested and the rest are soon to be. This must be a favorite time for the farmer. I am sure Jesus welcomed this time of year as well. The above Bible verse is a call for disciples to go, make disciples. It is not to difficult to imagine our Lord, looking out over a ripened grain field, white for the harvest, and use it as an illustration of the church’s mission. Here are three thoughts on the harvest. Like the farmer whose seeds have been sowed some time ago, God has prepared the fields of man with His word being preached. God has made ready through normal life events, the souls of people who finally consider the reality of the only true God. Their guilt and shame lead them to the desire for rescue. People are disheartened over the evil, injustice and sinfulness in the world. Nature reminds us that He is everywhere, He created all things and He knows everyone. These are the people that need to be harvested. God uses His own people to DO the harvesting. Jesus said, “The workers are few..” He is referring to His church as compared to the rest of the worlds population. There is also an urgency to get to the souls that need harvesting. “Beseech the Lord of the harvest...” As an urgent request, a deep personal appeal for help this work must be done quickly and now. During harvest time, the farmer needs to get in his crops with a pressing, high priority. Otherwise the plants may over ripe and rot, or be destroyed by nature, rains or hail storm. It may be ruined by fire or disease, insects or even hurricane winds. Many things threaten the fruit of his labor. “..to send out workers into His harvest.” God uses His people, His workers, His disciples to DO the harvesting and they understand this desperate situation. “Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field..”.(Exodus23:16) When the work is done and the crops are put up in the barn, it’s time to celebrate! Cultures around the world recognize this joyous event with feasting and cheerful gatherings. Disciples of Christ rejoice when the harvest has been brought into the fold. When the searching, repentant soul meets Jesus through the sharing of the scripture and is born again in baptism, a great celebration takes place in the congregation and in the throne room of God! Angels rejoice! This is the most important work that can be done on earth. Let our focus be bringing in the harvest to the Lord’s kingdom church. Thank God for Godly workers. As if each congregation had it’s own personal servant to see to the needs of it’s members. True, one definition for the word minister derives from the greek “diakonos” which means to serve as a waiter, an attendant serving his master with all diligence. This kind of servant executes the commands of another, promoting the welfare and prosperity of the kingdom.The man Micah wanted such a servant. He lived in a time when “…there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges17:6. Micah sought blessings and prosperity from the Lord, probably in ignorance. Judges 17:13 “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, seeing I have a levite as priest.” Notice his selfishness. “I have a priest” who can serve me, and make sure I do well with God. However innocent this request, he transgressed the word of God and committed idolatry, a severe offense. Many “church goers” view the minister in a similar fashion. He is there to “pray for me”, “teach me”, “counsel me”, “intercede for me”, “assist me”, even “care for me” through visits and special attention. That is a demonic false understanding of what the minister is. 1Peter4:10 “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving (ministering to) one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” John 12:26 "If anyone serves (ministers to) Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant (minister) will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. I am not “THE” minister, I am “A” minister, along with the rest of the body of Christ. All disciples of Jesus minister to and serve one another in Christian love. This service or ministry is always motivated by faith in Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. The church also desires to serve the local community by ministering the gospel to those outside of God’s kingdom. This is how the body exists. It is an honor and a privilege to serve Jesus by serving others in His Holy name. Pray for each other. Visit one another. Feed one another. Worship the Lord with one another. Be the body that serves.
This is the title of a film about a young orphaned boy who is desperate to find his family and, at the same time develop his internal gifted-ness. As he begins to express his new found voice, his world view completely changes and he also catches glimpses of a new life that earlier he could only imagine. Touching as this story is, it is still Hollywood. Many movies are inspired by true Biblical scenarios. The born again christian, much like this boy, has also craved a new life. He found it in Jesus. Once we were living in darkness, doubt, fear and confusion. We longed for direction, hungered for truth, desperately searched for the light, and struggled in a stormy sea yearning for a safe harbor. In Jesus we found the salvation we urgently needed. The glory of life with Jesus illuminates our path and leads us to His sovereign throne. Living for Jesus, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, serving Him as a response to the love He showed us by dying for us on the cross, has become our new life. Paul describes it in his letter to the Christians in Rome as “walking in a newness of life”. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he states, “...new things have come”. Revelation 21:5 says “...I am making all things new.” This new way of life is something so different from the old life that it requires the death of our “old man”, putting him to spiritual death and burying him in the waters of baptism. Our former spirit man had to die so a newly created spirit man could emerge and be “born again”. This brand new man now longs for close, spiritual connection with Yahweh, his new Father. This new man now rejects his own personal controlling false gods including entertainment, power, cravings of the flesh, lust, hate and pride to name a few. This born again, new spirit man begins to receive blessings from the one and only true God in the form of God like joy never before experienced, great peace that comforts even in the face of death, and a certainty of hope in life eternal at the throne of the Almighty God. This new creation, this new man now has a view of the world filtered through the word of God. He is a disciple of Jesus and as such is guaranteed the inheritance that Christ enjoys in heaven. These glorious treasures are beyond any earthly comparison. Talk about a great movie idea.
When is the last time you felt sick to your stomach. No, not from eating too many tacos or too much pizza and ice cream. When have you felt that deep sorrow inside from giving in to temptation? You have been left with feelings of guilt, embarrassment and shame which cause that nausea in the pit of your stomach. “I know it’s wrong , but I do it anyway”. “Oh wretched man that I am.” Why do we , at times, choose to walk in darkness when the Lord has given us every reason and ability to walk in His light? David must have felt this way more than once. He writes in Psalm 38 “There is no health in my bones because of my sin. My iniquities are gone over my head. As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly”. (:3-5) This feeling of guilt from sin and the failure to live always in the righteousness of the Lord is painful for the Christian. David explains it as “arrows have sunk deep into me.” We all know when we fail, when we displease God by our disobedience. However, the good news is that we have a gracious and loving Father who knows our every weakness. Repent of your sin, pray for strength and power through His spirit to overcome the flaming missiles of Satan. Hold fast to His truth. He wants your heart to be burdened, numbed, crushed and sickened. It is a that point we praise the God of Grace for not rebuking us in His anger, instead, for holding back His wrath and for not forsaking us! God is always with you to help, He is your salvation! Worship Him, praise Him and tell Him as David did, “Lord, all my desire is before you.” Make the Lord your greatest desire. Come out of the darkness of sin and walk with Him in the light, His glorious light. “If, therefore, the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed.” !
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