The Promise of Peace

During the Christmas season, we hear wishes for "Peace on Earth". We sing carols with words like "sleep in Heavenly peace". Yet is there anything more elusive than the notion of peace? Throughout the history of mankind, peace has always been a desire of most, but the presence of evil brings on greed, war, strife and a slew of other things that keep peace from happening.

When the multitudes (literally thousands) of angels announced the birth of Jesus Christ, they proclaimed "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14). Notice the promise of peace is made but there is a qualifier. It is reserved for those with whom God is pleased. Now before we run off and compile a good works "to-do" list to help us secure peace, remember that no one is righteous on their own merit (Romans 3:10). We become righteous only through Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As believers, we trust in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Our Lord provides us the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Christ himself declared, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). There is an inseparable connection between Jesus Christ and peace. Now notice how Jesus was pleasing to the Father. At the moment of his baptism, God's audible voice declared "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17). His obedience to God's will--in this case through baptism--made Jesus pleasing to the Father.

As the Christmas season ends and proclamations of peace on earth cease, remember that the promise of peace is ours to claim; first by trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and next by being obedient to God's revealed will.

On Our Behalf

Amidst the flurry of activity that surrounds Christmas, most of us--even for at least a brief time--ponder the birth of Jesus Christ and what it means to us. Many call it the greatest gift ever given and rightfully so. Even worn-out sayings like "Jesus is the reason for the season" still ring true if heard over the mayhem of securing last-minute gifts for under the tree.

What came to mind for me as Christmas approaches actually had nothing to do with Jesus birth. Rather, it was what happened after his death, burial and resurrection. Hebrews 9:24 says: For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Not only did Jesus leave his place in heaven to come into the world as a baby born in a manger and spend time here meeting human need with divine resources, but he returned to the Father to continue interceding for believers. From the moment the angel of the Lord announced: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11) to Jesus assuming his current place seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 12:2), everything our Lord has done, is currently doing and will continue to do throughout eternity is on our behalf. John 3:17 reminds us that God didn't send Jesus into the world to condemn us but rather that the world would be saved through Him.

Just as priests entered into the holy place of the temple to offer sacrifices to God for sin, Jesus the High Priest entered into the holiest of places and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for all. On our behalf. Where will you find a more prefect Christmas gift than that?

The Bible in the Nightstand

Although I'm basically a homebody, I do enjoy getting away on vacation with my wife Cheryl and my daughter Amanda. Because of extended family, Walt Disney World and a certain university in Gainesville, my vacations almost always take me to the state of Florida. And believe me, giving up mid-70s weather in Florida for near freezing temperatures in Delaware should prove that I really am a homebody.

Traveling and vacations do allow us an opportunity to take a break from our routines and hopefully relax and recharge from the everyday grind of work, school, home, etc. This applies to pastors and ministry leaders as well. The challenge for me (and I'm sure others) is continuing to carve out daily time with the Lord while on vacation. I am grateful for the Gideon Bibles that are found in hotel nightstands; a remaining bastion of light that has touched millions of lives and hasn't been squelched in the name of political correctness.

Even though I travel with my own Bible, I always leaf through the Gideon Bible in my hotel room to see if anyone wrote in any interesting comments. Almost always someone does. I've seen comments from hardcore atheists, doubting agnostics, uncertain inquisitors, rock-solid believers and everything in-between. What I don't see are torn out pages; as if even the non-believers fear what would happen if they damaged a copy of God's Word.

My most recent vacation led me to these words found written in the Bible in the nightstand: "I passed this way on my earthly journey. I believe that Jesus is 'the' answer. He has helped me through the good times and the bad times. He loves you." Words plainly said, yet powerfully true. Words that may have already encouraged someone to dig in a little deeper and learn about this man named Jesus who died so that we may live.

The Bible in the nightstand is a reminder to me that God is always right there with us; even when we ignore Him. Even when we are too busy to stop and spend time with Him. He waits for us patiently and desires to speak to us and encourage us; both home and away because he never leaves us or forsakes us.

Lesson From Joshua 1 (Part 2)

Previously, we saw how God had prepared Joshua for the seemingly impossible task of taking down the heavily fortified city of Jericho to lead the people into the Promised Land (Joshua 6:3-5). We saw in Chapter 1 how God gave Joshua his divine appointment and commanded him to be courageous, strong, careful and focused. Just as the Lord prepared him for battle, we can also prepare for the spiritual battles we face by focusing on some more amazing truths in this chapter.

Here we see that God rewards those who follow him in obedience. Joshua was one of the twelve men who went to explore the land of Canaan and only he and Caleb exhorted the people to trust God for victory (Numbers 13-14). Thus, only he and Caleb of the twelve were allowed to enter into the Promised Land. We also see that God uses others to set the right example. He charged Joshua to follow the example that he saw lived out in Moses' life (v.7). God expects us as well to seek out relationships with other godly men who can help us, guide us and encourage us. God also expects us to follow his commands and not mold them to fit our own plans and desires. He specifically told Joshua that he would have good success if he didn't turn to the right or the left (v.7). We always run into difficulty when we deviate from God's plan.

Verse 8 reminds us that staying in God's Word is our best chance for success. We need to be in the Word every day and allow it to shape the way we think, what we say and what we do. Obedience to His Word enables us to prosper and have good success. And finally, verses 5 and 9 remind us that wherever God leads us, He will stay right with us. The Lord reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to Moses and that he should not be afraid or discouraged because He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Joshua 1 for the most part is a lesson on courage, obedience and the faithfulness of God. The promises made there to Joshua are ours to claim today as well.

Lesson From Joshua 1 (Part 1)

There is a one word expression used in my house when someone makes a statement that sounds completely and totally unbelievable. A word that is uttered when the received statement is judged to be impossible, ludicrous or devoid of merit. The response to such statements that you will hear is, "Really?"

When Joshua was about to lead the people into the Promised Land, God presented him with one of these "Really?" moments. The Lord tells Joshua that his men will march around the heavily fortified city of Jericho once a day for six days. Then on day seven, they are to march around the city seven times and the priests will then blow their trumpets. Then the people will shout and the walls of Jericho will come tumbling down (Joshua 6:3-5). What kept this from becoming a "Really?" moment for Joshua was the preparation he was given from God in Joshua 1. Here we find a treasure of life lessons that will help us navigate as well through seemingly impossible situations we may face.

First, God knows exactly what we need to accomplish what he wants us to do. Three times (v. 6, 7, 9) God commands Joshua to be courageous. First by saying be strong and courageous, then by saying be strong and very courageous and then as if to anticipate doubt, says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous...for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." God knows our limitations and he prepares us accordingly. He knew Joshua needed to be courageous, strong, careful and focused.

God also determines who is fit for what He plans to accomplish. In verse 2, we see that God directly gave Joshua the command to go and lead the people after Moses' death. Once God provides clear direction, there is no need to doubt our qualifications or ability to perform the task.

Saying Merry Christmas

The month of December once again brings us to an annual dilemma. No, I'm not referring to navigating through crowded shopping malls to find something for everyone on your gift list. I'm not referring to the flurry of parties and over-indulgence in treats that prompt countless soon-to-be unkept New Year's resolutions to lose weight. I'm referring to our yearly fight against the political correctness of people saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

We as believers in the person of Jesus Christ who are grateful for the sacrifice He made on the cross at Calvary have every right to feel anger that the reason for the season is being further and further de-emphasized so as to not offend people with differing beliefs. We certainly should not blow off this societal trend by viewing it as anything less than a spiritual attack on our Christian beliefs. But as representatives of the One whose birth we celebrate who are called to lead others to him, we must be careful as to how we handle this issue.

I refuse to use the term "Happy Holidays" and yes, I do say "Merry Christmas" to others without apology. But just like I don't walk around beating non-believers over the head with Bibles in order to share the Gospel, I don't use Christmas greetings in a way that would represent Jesus as anything but a loving merciful Savior who came to seek and save the lost. For example, I know some people who are Jehovah's Witnesses and while I know that many of their core beliefs are wrong, I also know that they don't celebrate Christmas. Accordingly, I am not going to wish them a Merry Christmas in the hopes that they will suddenly see the divinity of Christ.

We should celebrate Christmas recognizing that a baby was born to us in the city of David; a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). And because we celebrate Jesus, let us be sure that we celebrate Him as the embodiment of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness and self-control. Let us share Him in a way that demonsrates who he is and gives him glory.

Listen to Him

I'm probably going to step on a few toes (mine included!) with what I'm about to say. I believe one of the biggest challenges that men face involves the art of listening. Often our minds are preoccupied with solving problems, planning the next event or mentally reviewing our never-ending "To Do" lists that listening and paying attention becomes difficult at best. Even during one-on-one conversation, we find ourselves thinking about what we're going to say next rather than what the other person is saying to us. How often do our wives call us out when they sense (often correctly) that we aren't paying attention or listening to what they have to say?

Mark 9 records the miraculous transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James and John went up a high mountain with Jesus where they saw a glimpse of his divine glory as his clothes became radiantly white and he appeared with Moses and Elijah (v. 2-4). They got a brief view of the way we will also see Jesus someday in Heaven. Yet rather than silent awe in seeing the Lord in all of his greatness, purity and splendor; Peter chose to speak out (perhaps in fear) and offer to build tents for these heavenly beings (v. 5-6). Then, the voice of God came out from the clouds and said, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (v. 7)

Yes, we know from Scripture that Peter was impulsive and often spoke before listening. We know that even when he was at a loss for words, he'd often say something anyway. We know that on several occasions, he missed seeing and hearing the Lord; focusing instead on his own image of what the Messiah should be. But before we unload on the one who denied Christ three times before he was crucified (Luke 22:57-60), let us do a little self examination.

How well do we hear the still small voice and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us? How often to we fail to listen to what Jesus has taught us in Scripture? How often do we fail to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger? How often do we try to create Him in our image rather than see Him in his glory? My toes are all sore now. How about yours?

Living Hope

Today we have more conveniences and comforts than at any other time in history. We enjoy a wider variety of choices in literally every area of our lives. Through web cams and Internet technology, we have an unprecedented ability to stay connected to people in almost any area of the world. Who needs the good old days anyway?

Yet, in spite of the multitude of technological advances designed to make our lives easier and less stressful, feelings of despair are at an all-time high. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers. Adults suffer from "mid-life crises" which is usually nothing more than a realization of unmet expectations. Economic woes, high unemployment rates, lack of confidence in political leaders and increases in domestic and international unrest all add to an unsettling future. Jean-Paul Sartre, a huge proponent of existentialism (the philosophy that focuses on the importance of individual freedom), came to this depressing conclusion: "There is no exit from the human dilemma." Talk about utter hopelessness.

As God's men, we have a promise to claim in 1 Peter 1:3 that shatters all notions of despair: ...According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Our salvation doesn't just give us hope for eternity; it is a living hope for today, tomorrow and every day of our lives. Because we have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading and kept in heaven (v. 4), we can boldly and confidently live in accordance with God's will knowing that He alone holds the future and his promises to us are glorious and beyond compare.

Living hope is rooted in the goodness and promises of God; giving us peace, stability, security and endurance unlike anything else. Jesus didn't defeat death on the cross so that we could live in bondage to the human dilemma without exit. His resurrection is the living hope that gives us no cause to be hopeless.

Burdens

One of the biggest mistakes we can make after accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is to treat our Christian walk as a solo sport. We place our eternal destiny in His hands, yet often treat our daily burdens as if they are too trivial or too complicated for the Lord. Really? Why would God allow his only Son to suffer and die on the cross to reconcile us if he didn't desire us to be in communion with Him and with others?

How we handle burdens; both those in our lives as well as those in the lives of others, speaks volumes as to whether or not we are connected to the body of Christ. Galatians 6:2 says: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The law of Christ is not the Old Testament law that condemns us because of our sinfulness, but rather the law that Christ took on our sins and paid for them which makes Jesus the ultimate burden-bearer.

How ironic is it that Jesus himself says in Matthew 11:30--For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light? Our savior's yoke is easy because it comes without the weight of legalistic expectations. It comes without a list of demands and requirements to earn our salvation. It comes with a promise of rest to all who are weary and trust in Him. We have the additional promise in Psalm 55:22 to cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you. Jesus is the One who strengthens us and enables us to do all things (Philippians 4:13). He can be trusted because he is the Righteous Judge and he will handle all things in his perfect timing.

Burdens were never meant to wear us down or to be carried alone. Burdens were meant to bring us closer to our fellow believers. Burdens were meant to bring us closer to those who need the Gospel. Burdens were meant to bring us closer to the One whose burden is light.

Your Face or Your Back

Pastor Curtis shared with us on Sunday the notion that God either has your face or your back. In other words, either we are looking to Him and seeking Him or we have our backs turned and we are ignoring Him or running away from Him. We can so easily miss the warning signs and not even be aware that our backs are turned away from him and heading in the wrong direction.

The day before, I was watching a football game where the quarterback took a vicious hit in the back and had to come out of the game. Quarterbacks are taught to do everything possible not to turn their backs on the defense. Their blindside becomes exposed. Injuries are more likely to occur. So are fumbles. Our spiritual walk is not much different. When we turn our backs to the Lord, we stop feeding on His Word. We expose our minds to flawed thinking. We expose our hearts to sinfulness. We take on a greater risk of spiritual injury.

David knew the importance of seeking the Lord's face. In Psalm 27, he shares the dangers and enemies that surround him (v. 2-3) but looks forward with joy and anticipation of how God will deliver him (v. 4-6). He remembers his Lord's command: You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (v. 8). He was not afraid because had complete confidence in God; his light and salvation...the stronghold of his life (v. 1). The notion of turning his back on God was so unpalatable to David that he pleaded, Turn not your servant away in anger...cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! (v. 9).

When God commanded Moses to give Aaron the words to bless the people of Israel, they included the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you (Numbers 6:25). Blessing awaits us when God has our face rather than our back.

Lessons From Happy Valley

Like many, I've watched the recent events unfold at Penn State with a mix of horror, shock and disbelief. Coach Joe Paterno had built over the years what seemed to be a rock solid reputation of integrity that his program would have been the last you'd suspect of covering up the inexcusable crime of child abuse. The majority of my relatives are from central Pennsylvania and Penn State football is a common bond woven into the fabric of the towns they live in. In an area that was economically devastated long before the current downturn, State College was "Happy Valley"; the one ray of sunshine in a mostly depressed area. My uncle, who I was named after, had three passions: his family, banking and Penn State football and I'm glad he's in Heaven and not seeing this tragedy unfold.

We should be sickened by the crimes that were allowed to happen at Penn State. We should be angry that innocent lives have been permanently damaged in the name of protecting an institution's reputation. We should desire that justice prevail; even it if means destroying the legacy of a man many considered to the greatest college football coach of all time. Yet, we should also be aware of the lessons to be learned from what happened at Happy Valley.

Micah 6:8 tells us three things that the Lord requires of us--do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. We must always seek justice and never cover up wrongdoing; especially the kind that harms others. Even if it means confronting a supervisor, a peer or a subordinate. We must be merciful toward others; with special diligence towards those who need protection. We must continually lay our lives before God and allow him to root any prideful spirit out of us. We must never allow any position of authority we may have to be used to cover up or facilitate wrong doing. During the ensuing protests on campus, one sign held up speaks to this horrific situation better than any I've seen: "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

John 8:32 reminds us that the truth sets us free. I've also been reminded over the years that the truth always comes to light. Our vain attempts to cover up the truth will often lead to more serious consequences down the road. God will occasionally put us in situations where we must choose whether to seek justice or compromise. A 46-year legacy of excellence has come crashing down due to compromise in a place called Happy Valley. As God's men, may we always choose the path that honors our Lord--a path of justice, mercy and humility.

A Servant's Mindset

One thing Jesus made very clear during his earthly ministry was the importance of serving others. He told his disciples that the greatest among them would be their servant (Matthew 23:11). He told them that he came to earth not to be served but to serve others (Matthew 20:28). He demonstrated true servanthood on the night of the Last Supper by washing his disciples' feet and challenged them to do likewise (John 13:12).

Though Jesus clearly demonstrated servanthood and challenged his disciples to be servants, the fact is serving others goes completely against our human nature. Our natural tendency is to evaluate situations and filter them through our "what's in it for me" grid. Like so many other aspects of our Christian walk, we need to allow our minds to be transformed and renewed (Romans 12:2) if we are going to adopt a servant's mindset that honors our Lord.

Servants don't compare, criticize or compete with other servants or ministries because they recognize that God has gifted all of us differently and all who serve are important and needed. Servants view ministry as an opportunity to help others out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us to secure our eternal destiny. Servants serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2). Servants reason for serving is to advance God's Kingdom and give Him the glory; not to make themselves look better than others.

Probably the biggest key to having a servant's mindset is that a servant is secure in his identity in Christ. Servants know they don't have to prove themselves because they are loved and accepted by the Father. Servants base their worth and identity on their relationship with Christ; invalidating any need to serve to build up value and self-esteem. Being freed from self-expectations, they can then devote all of their energy into serving well so that the entire body of Christ will benefit.

Because of You

Sometimes it is difficult to trudge through life believing that what we do is actually making an impact. Days go by and we can easily get swept away in a sea of disappointment and unmet expectations. Every one of us has, at one time or another, gotten excited about an undertaking that we've put a great deal of time and effort into to only feel later that our best efforts went unappreciated or even wasted. How defeating does that feel?

I believe one of the greatest joys of Heaven will be seeing the spiritual fruit of our labor for the Kingdom. We know that God rewards faithfulness (Revelation 2:10) and perseverance (James 1:12) with the crown of life. Not only will we see our Father in all of his majesty and glory, but we will see others who will be there because of our storing up treasure in Heaven. For some, it may be a child you taught in Sunday School. For others, it may be a person you helped who saw the light of Christ shine through you. For me, it may be someone from a far away place like Russia or Indonesia who read this blog and learned that trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior would bring them eternal life.

Paul encouraged the church in Corinth with these words: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Jesus himself promised that even something as simple as a believer giving someone a drink of water will bring eternal reward. Everything we do for His glory has importance; no matter how mundane, trivial or inconsequential it may seem.

In his infinite wisdom, God has always chosen to do his work through people who have a heart for the things that please Him. The Holy Spirit is always the agent of change in a person's life, but that change is often brought about through the investing of one's self into the lives of others. Yes, there will be people who will know eternal peace---because of you.

In the Right Place

When I share with others some of my life experiences, people often ask me, "What are you doing in Delaware?" Believe it or not, there was once an old country song written where the singer asks himself that very question. The fact is, many of us dream about being somewhere else. Those dreams are often fueled by a lack of excitement and passion in our lives. Maybe we think "If I could just be in (fill in the blank), life we be so much better". We somehow believe that the burdens and stresses of life that weigh us down would just disappear in we changed our address.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Acts 17 that through one man God made every nation that we should inhabit the whole earth and he determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us (v.26-27). This passage reminds us that God determines the time we have here on earth. It suggests there is action and effort required to finding our way; along with some uncertainty as to the outcome. It also suggests that some will try to find God on their own terms and not be successful. But what it also says is that God is very near to us and not hard to find if we truly seek Him and not our own personal agendas. He is always present--in places of beauty and splendor, in the harshest slums, even in Newark, Delaware!

We forfeit so much peace and purpose in our lives when we focus on where we wish we were rather than rejoicing in where God has placed us to impact His Kingdom. Take a few moment and think about the blessings in your life that wouldn't be possible if you weren't exactly in the place you are right now. Mine are too numerous to mention here. Now take inventory of the difficulties and struggles that you are facing; especially those that are the result of your current location, and lift them up to the One who wants us to seek and find him.

You Must Do This

Every one of us has things we must do. Our lists are often extensive, sometimes exhausting, occasionally frustrating and too often unpleasant. These never ending to-do lists often drive us to seek relief in any way possible and can certainly set us up for failure and unplanned consequences. The last thing we often want is one more thing to do.

There is however a "one more thing" that is absolutely critical for all believers in the person of Jesus Christ. Yet unlike our dreaded to-do list, this one more thing will actually bring us freedom like nothing else we can do. This one more thing is called forgiveness. Forgiveness is God's key to freedom. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you already know the freedom from having to pay the penalty for your sins. But that's just the beginning of what forgiveness does for us.

Forgiving others, even when they don't deserve it, frees us from the bondage of bitterness. Charles Stanley once said that bitterness is a poison we concoct for someone else and wind up drinking ourselves. Is it any wonder that when Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive his brother up to seven times, he responded that he should forgive seven times seventy (Matthew 18:21-22)? From the cross, Our Savior interceded on behalf of those who were scorning and mocking him by praying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). To those who have wronged us, we must do exactly the same.

I can speak from personal experience as to the power of forgiving others; especially to those who did nothing to try and reconcile. They don't deserve forgiveness just like I don't deserve to be forgiven for my sins. But Jesus did it anyway. We are never more like Him than when we extend mercy and grace to others. To the undeserving. Just like us. You must do this.

What I Want

Take a few minutes sometime and listen to what people say in normal, casual conversation. You likely won't have to wait long before an unfulfilled desire gets mentioned. It could be going on vacation, a new electronic gadget, a new clothing or jewelry item, a new toy (kids and adults apply here!), a new car and the list goes on. Face it, we all have things we want--most of which we probably don't really need--but we want it anyway.

Not all of our wants fall into the category of sin, but the desire to have things we aren't supposed to have goes all the way back to the original sin in the Garden. God commanded Adam and Eve to enjoy and eat from every tree in the Garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). We then see that Satan, in the form of a serpent, deceived Eve and both she and Adam ate from the forbidden tree (3:1-6). The enemy challenged the validity of God's command (v.1), he replaced God truth with his own lie (v.4), he made Eve believe that God was withholding something great from her (v.5) and he made the forbidden tree seem more appealing than the multitude of trees God provided (v.6). Yes, the enemy's schemes haven't changed much, have they?

The fall of man and the introduction of sin into God's prefect creation came as the result of man's desiring something they were forbidden to have. And just as the devastation of the original sin has plagued mankind for thousands of years, our misguided desires, our "what I wants", have the same potential to wreak havoc in our lives. The moment we begin to believe the enemy's lie that our Heavenly Father is withholding his best from us, that He doesn't want us to have things we really want and that his cheap substitute is better than God's provision is the moment we slide down a slippery slope.

We must remain sober and vigilant because our enemy is prowling and seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Don't let it be you! Stay grounded in God's Word and remind yourself daily that God is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28) and that Jesus himself is our advocate to the Father (1 John 2:1). Make sure the "what I wants" in your life are in harmony with what the Lord wants for you as well.

For I Am Sure

The world is certainly filled with uncertainty. Much of the anxiety and stress that we suffer comes from our inability to control situations, influence outcomes and confidently see the future. We take great pleasure in those rare occasions when we actually can be sure of how something will turn out. Let's face it, we'd all like a little confidence booster every now and then.

Notice the pure confidence and certainty in the words of the Apostle Paul when he speaks of the future that awaits him--the same future that awaits all who claim the blood of Christ--For I am sure that neither life nor death, nor angles nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Never in the history of mankind has a more confident and secure statement ever been made.

Life events, physical death, spiritual beings, people in power, current and future circumstances all have the power to alter our lives. Yet none of them has the power to alter our eternal destiny. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is able to defeat the power of God's love which adopts us into his family. Forever.

It is no surprise that Paul claimed to boast in nothing but the power of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:17, Galatians 6:14). His confidence; the confidence that says For I am sure, is the same confidence that we as God's men can take with us each and every day in our spiritual walk as we seek to serve Him and follow his will.

Intentional Relational Discipleship

Men's Night 2819 last Friday was a great night for the men of Ogletown and their friends. We had a great dinner and time of fellowship. Then we had a time of praise and worship; along with speakers who focused on the importance of discipleship. Intentional relational discipleship.

I shared with our men that Jesus gave a simple call--come and follow (Matthew 4:19) to the men He chose to be his disciples. These men responded without hesitation and followed him and were with Jesus throughout his earthly ministry. Then Jesus gave his final command, found in Matthew 28:19, for his disciples to go and make disciples. Another simple instruction that we don't need to complicate. Al Demers later shared with us the need to be persistent in reaching out to disciple others. He shared that in order for us to disciple others, we need to be disciples--followers of Jesus Christ--who love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Pastor Curtis closed the evening by challenging each of us to reach out and get together with another man with the purpose of building a discipling relationship.

Everything we shared at Men's Night was geared to this idea of intentional relational discipleship. Jesus had a purpose in calling his disciples--he was intentional. He lived life with them--he was relational. He taught them and poured into their lives to help them grow in godly wisdom and character--he discipled them. Jesus is still calling his men to do the exact same thing today. Come and follow Him. Go and make disciples who will also follow him. Are you ready?

The One Anothers

I am positively thrilled that our church is putting specific focus on discipleship. Not because discipleship was lacking or non-existent, but rather it is a reflection of how the early New Testament church grew and flourished. Just as God created us for relationship, our Savior built his church through the caring relationships of fellow believers. Our upcoming Men's Night worship event (this Friday night, 6 p.m. at OEX) is going to focus on discipleship---why is it so important and vital to the spiritual growth of every believer.

The apostle Paul, arguably the greatest disciple maker in Scripture, identified a variety of keys to what Pastor Curtis calls intentional, relational discipleship. Throughout his letters and others in the New Testament, you'll find many "One Anothers". Twenty-three to be exact. Here's a sampling: love one another (John 15:12, Romans 12:10), welcome one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25), teach one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), motivate one another (Hebrews 10:24), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), confess your sins to one another (James 5:16) and have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7).

What the one anothers clearly show us is that discipleship is all about building relationships. It's all about strengthening others in the body of Christ. It's all about taking action and doing things beyond ourselves. It's all about demonstrating a willingness to come and follow Jesus and then to go and make others who will also come and follow Him.

Jesus himself tells us the key qualifier to be a disciple of Him: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). The one anothers can't happen without a love that comes from the Father and is then manifested through his people. Love for one another. Love that comes from the One who is love (1 John 4:7). Love that comes from an overflow of the love the Father pours out on us. For one another.

More Than All We Ask

Think for a moment about how much we are driven by expectation. When an event or experience exceeds our expectation, we may rave to others how great is was. The flip side is our disappointment when another event or experience fails to meet our expectation. Bad reviews and negative verbalization usually follow.

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul prayed for them to have spiritual strength and insight (Ephesians 3:14-21). He wanted the believers there to have a complete understanding of the power and majesty of Almighty God. In describing the One True God, Paul says that ...he is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (v. 20). God's ability to help us, provide for us, protect us and meet all of our needs is beyond even what we can ask for or even think of. Talk about exceeding expectations!

God is the One who alone deserves our worship (v. 14). He strengthens and sustains us through his glory and through his Spirit (v. 16). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we claim the promise of the fullness of God which is beyond what we can even understand (v. 17-19). He alone deserves the glory.

The same God who flooded the earth, brought plagues upon Egypt, parted the seas and destroyed enemies through thunder and fire is the same God who today stands ready to provide to his people more than all that we ask. Like Paul, let us bow our knees and lift up our prayer and worship to Him and proclaim his glory throughout the generations.

A Hero and a Champion

As men, we have a desire to be known and remembered for something. Our Heavenly Father has hardwired into our fabric the need for purpose, significance and accomplishment beyond ourselves. If properly applied, as God's men, we can do great things for His Kingdom through the power and strength of Jesus Christ. If misapplied, many people suffer; especially those who are closest to us.

A good friend of mine recently shared this thought--which he admitted he took from the movie "Cinderella Man"--but is so powerful that I too must share. He calls it a mantra for men and from this day forward, I am making it my mantra. Here goes: Be a hero in my child's eyes and a champion of my wife's heart.

When my daughter Amanda looks at me, I want her to see a father who loves Jesus and loves her unconditionally. I want her to see a father who treasures time spent with her. I want her to see a father who will be patient with her and encourage her to do her best; not as a matter of performance, but rather a matter of God-honoring excellence. I want her to see a man who models for her what a husband should look like that will help her to someday choose one wisely.

When my wife Cheryl looks at me, I also want her to see a man who loves Jesus and loves her unconditionally. I also want her to see a husband who cherises time spent with her. I want her to see a husband who gives her the peace and security of knowing that she is more important than any other human relationship. I want her to see a husband who consistently puts her needs and the needs of his family above his own.

This mantra is not easy. Our sinful, selfish nature will often knock us off track and cause our lives to need realignment. But what better way to lovingly serve and lead those whom God has entrusted to us as a family? In our own ability and strength, we are woefully inadequate to be heroes and champions in our homes, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Lifting up our desire to be heroes and champions in our homes is a desire that God stands ready, willing and able to honor and bless.

Born Again

One of the greatest obstacles for many in accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior is the notion of being born again. I know. It kept me from the saving power of the Gospel for many years. I don't need to be born again is a common refrain from those who have some church experience but no personal relationship with Jesus. It's almost as if being born again means you start back at square one. All of your good deeds are now invalid.

Yet being born again does bring with it a new start. Prior to knowing Christ, we were alienated from the Father. Orphans with no home. John 3:3 is very clear--truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus himself spelled out the entry requirement for heaven. You must be born again. There is no plan B.

Romans 8:15 tells us that as believers we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons allowing us to call God "Abba Father". In Biblical times, being adopted into a family meant receiving full standing as a member of the family. Just as our children became immediate members of our families and didn't have to earn their way in; we too enter into God's family at our spiritual rebirth.

Because all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), none of us meet the entry requirements for heaven of our own merit. Being born again means recognizing our sinful state, recognizing that we are incapable of earning our way into heaven, recognizing that we are incapable of saving ourselves and that we need a Savior. Being born again is accepting Jesus Christ--the only one who lived a prefect, sinless life--as our personal Savior. He is the only one who makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

The Crown of Life

Ask anyone what they think would be the ultimate personal achievement and you will likely get a wide range of responses. To a singer it might be a Grammy Award. To a public figure it may be the Nobel Prize. To an athlete it may be an Olympic Gold medal or the opportunity to hoist a championship trophy. Most of us can only dream about the excitement of such a moment.

As God's men, we have an award ceremony awaiting us that makes standing on an Olympic platform, hearing our national anthem being played and being adorned with a gold medal seem like a non-event. James 1:12 says: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 2 Timothy 4:8 talks about believers receiving a crown of righteousness; translated from the Greek word stephanos meaning a victory crown. And what a victory it will be; unlike anything we can imagine.

We are rewarded with this glorious crown based not on our achievements, but rather our faithfulness. Our love for God. Our perseverance. Our fighting the good fight and remaining true to our calling. Our ability to stand firm when others around us cave in to sinful weakness. The Lord, the Righteous Judge, the ultimate authority over all of the Universe will be the one who rewards us.

As believers, we can sometimes forget the glory that awaits us as sinners who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The disappointments, the grind, the trials of life can certainly dim our eternal perspective to the point where the last thing we want to do is press on. At these times, let us not forget the imperishable crown that awaits us--given by the Creator himself--to those who finish the race.

Remembering 9/11

Today will undoubtedly be a day of widespread remembrance and reflection as the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. For many, it is the signature historical moment of their lifetime; similar to how Pearl Harbor or Kennedy's assassination was to previous generations. Moments like these are etched in our minds to the point that we remember where we were, who we were with and what our reaction was to the event. The memories people have will be moving and poignant.

When I think back on that fateful day ten years ago, a myriad of thoughts come to mind. The first thing I wanted to do was make sure my family was safe. I wanted to be in the security of my home; even though 9/11 reminded me that we are never completely safe from evil. That day reminded me that there is great evil in the world. It reminded me that there are many in this world who have no regard for human life. It reminded me that people who place a greater value on flawed ideology rather than humanity are capable of carrying out horrific acts.

9/11 also reminded me that America is a great country filled with people who are even greater. It reminded me that in spite of our differences, the people of this country rally around each other in times of adversity (as Scripture says in Proverbs 17:17). It reminded me that we as a country are uniquely blessed as the only nation in the world founded as "One Nation Under God" which makes us a natural target for evil. It underscored for me the importance of retaining that founding status by seeking first his Kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Many people on that fateful day dropped to their knees in prayer. Many will do so today. My prayer for all is that we will recall the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14--if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. May God bless America. May He forgive us and heal us. Now and until the end of time.

Play Defense

If you spend even just a few minutes with me, you'll soon discover that I absolutely love football. I tell people the four places you'll find me are at home, at church, at work or at a football game. And this time of year is especially exciting for me as college football has just started and the NFL regular season begins this weekend. Right now, football coaches are studying and preparing game plans for their next opponent. They are learning everything they can about their opponents--their strengths, their weaknesses, their tendencies--in the hopes of securing an advantage that leads them to victory.

There is an age old saying in football that defense wins championships and rightly so. If you can stop what your opponent does best, you keep them from gaining the advantage. You put your offense in a better position to secure a lead that hopefully your defense can hold. The same can be said for our spiritual battles. I've written here before that as God's men we need to go on offense against our enemy with the confidence that if God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8:31). And we need to keep moving toward the goal line, armed with the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, without letting the evil one deceive us with lies and fear. But defense is just as important to secure victory.

1 Peter 5:8 tells us: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. That's all the reason we need to play defense. Our enemy is powerful. He is evil. He wants to destroy you and your family. He hates everything good. He is opposed to everything God is doing to build his Kingdom. He wants you to believe that the things you've done are beyond God's grace. He wants you to live in fear. He wants you to believe you have no importance to the Father. He wants you to believe that his sinful enticements are a better option.

Now it's time to hear the cheers from heaven shouting "Defense. Defense. Defense." We need to be vigilant and prepared for his attacks. We need to stand strong in knowing we are guarded by God's power through saving faith (1 Peter 1:5). We need to call upon the name of the Lord, the One who defeated the enemy forever on Calvary, to lead us to victory.

Well Pleased

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of baptizing my seven-year-old daughter Amanda. A few months ago, I experienced the joy of seeing her pray and ask Jesus into her heart as her personal Lord and Savior. As she shared her testimony with the people of Ogletown before I baptized her, I was reminded how the angels in heaven rejoice every time a sinner repents and trusts Jesus (Luke 15:10). And while my wife Cheryl and I made it our top priority as parents to teach Amanda the things of God and help lead her to the saving knowledge of Christ, I looked out from the baptistery toward my church family and saw countless others who have poured into her and helped her grow spiritually.

But the vision that flooded my mind the most was how Jesus himself submitted to baptism in Matthew 3: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (v.16-17). This was a time I can truly say I understood my Father's heart!

What really made me well pleased was that Amanda--in her own words--could clearly state her desire (I told my Daddy that I wanted to accept Jesus), she knew her spiritual condition (I am a sinner. I repent of my sins), she knew who she needed to save her (I believe that Jesus is God's Son and that he came to the earth to save everyone) and she knew what she needed to do (I confess my faith in Jesus as my Savior and my Lord and I choose to live my life for him forever). Amanda also knew why she wanted to be baptized (I want to get baptized to show people my faith in Jesus).

Baptism is a beautiful expression and identification of our personal relationship with Christ; which is pleasing to the Father. But I also believe that any time we demonstrate our faith and express our trust in Jesus, we bring a smile to the One True God. Our opportunities to do so are limitless. And while accepting Christ as Savior and submitting to believer's baptism carries with it the knowledge that our sins have been forgiven on the cross, God is also well pleased when we recognize our sinful nature and our need to repent and continually seek his healing grace.

Jealous

We don't typically think of the word jealous in a positive light. Mark Twain once said that jealousy is the trademark of a small mind. Yet there are 12 times in Scripture that God is referred to--usually in self-description--as a jealous God. How then do we reconcile such a negative connotation to a perfect, righteous, merciful and holy God?

In his self descriptions, our Heavenly Father frames it perfectly. Exodus 34:14 says, Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:23-24 says...do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 6:14-15 says You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you---for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God---lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroys you from the face of the earth. Notice a pattern here?

The One True God is a jealous God because he desires our worship and affection more than anything else. He wants nothing to take priority over our love for Him. We may not consciously make an idol for ourselves; but if we love our jobs, our possessions, our hobbies and even other people more than we love Him, we put ourselves in a position to know Him as an all-consuming fire whose anger burns against us. In human terms, we get jealous when someone we love or something we desire doesn't return to us the same love or desire. Now ratchet that up with the knowledge that God created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27) and he allowed his only Son Jesus---in whom He was well-pleased (Matthew 3:17)---to die on the cross to pay our sin debt and reconcile us to Him.

Only the unsearchable depth of the Father's love for us can explain a jealousy that burns like a consuming fire. May his jealousy for us spark a zealous desire for us to passionately seek Him, love Him and know Him more. May his consuming fire burn off the sin and snares that entangle us and refine us more into the image of Jesus.

The Wind Ceased

I am so grateful that almost everyone I know was spared from any significant damage by Hurricane Irene. Leading up to this weekend, news reports and weather forecasts warned us about the coming storm. Winds approaching 100 miles per hour, flooding rain, widespread power outages, shattered windows and other damage to homes were the things we were warned about. Grocery store shelves quickly emptied of non-perishable food, bottled water and batteries. Everybody was preparing for the worst. Most people prayed.

As we put my daughter to bed and prayed with her the night of the storm, my mind went to Mark 4. Here Jesus and the disciples were on a boat and a great windstorm arose and began to fill their boat with water (v. 37). Jesus was awoken from his sleep as the disciples were afraid they would perish (v. 38). But then our Savior awoke, rebuked the wind and said to the sea "Peace, be still" and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (v.39). As I recalled this passage and prayed for protection from the coming storm, I was reassured that only the Lord had the power to rebuke the wind and that He was our only source of true protection. All of the emergency preparedness in the world couldn't protect me and my family from hurricane-force winds. But God could.

Isn't it amazing that we can so easily fall on our knees and pray at the sign of impending disaster, yet fail to seek the One who made the wind cease in our day-to-day lives. When we recognize that we have an enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), we realize that we need to have a spiritual disaster-readiness plan in place 24/7 that is build upon the Lord who came so that we could live life abundantly. The storms of life are real, they are constant and they create a need for protection. Praise God that through Jesus, we can have peace and great calm.

Do Everything

In our multi-task driven world, the notion of "do everything" seems to be a desired fit. We esteem those who appear to seamlessly handle a wide variety of tasks. Businesses usually promote such individuals. But the badge of honor we attempt to wear by doing many different things and juggling multiple priorities can often turn into a millstone around our neck; dragging us down into defeat and despair.

Scripture has a different take on the "do everything" notion. Colossians 3:17 says: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This verse tells us we are not called to do everything; we are called to do whatever we do in the name of Jesus. Our Heavenly Father takes greater pleasure in us doing the few things he's called us to do with excellence and joy rather that a wider variety of tasks done poorly or grudgingly.

Stephen Curtis Chapman has a new song out entitled Do Everything which you can hear right here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVTeIMursb8 His song reminds us that everything done for God's glory has importance; now matter how trivial or insignificant it may seem. Everything we say or do is designed to be an act of worship to the Lord. Everything from hooking up mergers to cooking up burgers.

Imagine for a moment the impact that God's men can have in this world if we viewed our work as our worship to Him. If we gratefully gave thanks to the Lord for where he's placed us and what he has gifted us to do. 1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us that godliness with contentment is great gain. The most important performance appraisal of our lives awaits us when we stand before Him and give an account of our lives (Romans 14:12). May we all grade excellent.

All Things To All People

Above all else, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Savior's final instruction to his disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This is a very simple instruction; be a disciple--a follower of Jesus Christ---and go make disciples---other followers of Jesus Christ. Of all nations eliminates selective discipling. So the question becomes, "How do we make disciples of all nations?"

The Apostle Paul--arguably the greatest discipler--shares with us one of the keys to discipleship in 1 Corinthians 9:22 ...I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. Paul was secure in the freedom he had in Christ (v.19) and his motivation was to share the blessings of the Gospel (v.23). Like his Savior, he developed a servant's heart to help him reach as many people as possible. But he also knew a foundational relationship needed to be established first before discipleship could be accomplished (v.20-22). A willingness to meet people where they are was critical. Common ground had to be identified and used to bridge cultural gaps.

While we have much is common with fellow believers; we should never underestimate how much we have in common with the lost. First and foremost, we are sinners just like they are. This is all the motivation we need to share the life-saving power of the blood of Christ. We also have common demographics such as occupation, family, hobbies and experiences that can open doors to making disciples. I can honestly say that every person I've ever helped lead to Christ or have significant spiritual impact in their lives began by building relationship.

Paul knew that in order to reach people in places as diverse as Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Colossae, Philippi and Galatia he needed to enter into their world and relate to their challenges and struggles. The same mindset holds true for us today in our own personal mission fields. The moment we stop looking at the differences we have with others and focus on the similarities instead is the moment we can ignite the fuse of discipleship.

Being Led By The Spirit

Scripture has much to say about the notion of being led by the Spirit. We see Jesus at the start of his earthly ministry being led by the Spirit; who was with him when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). The enemy hammered away at our Lord with temptation after temptation to misuse his godly power. Christ countered the lies of the enemy by stating the truths of Scripture (v. 4, 7 & 10).

The same Spirit that ministered to Jesus in the wilderness is the same Spirit that He promised to his disciples (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) to teach them and help them. The same Spirit available to them is actively working in our lives as well. Don't miss the significance of being led by the Spirit. The enemy came at Jesus when he was fasting; undoubtedly trying to attack him at his weakest moment. The evil one's tactics haven't changed--he will attack you at your weakest moments as well. When you are hungry. When you are angry. When you are lonely. When you are tired. These are the times we need our Helper.

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul explains the many benefits of being led by the spirit. The Spirit gives us the mindset of God (v. 5) and enables us to live in peace (v. 6). The Spirit keeps us free from the bondage of sin (v. 8-10) and identifies us as children of God (v. 14-17). The Spirit helps us in our weakness and even intercedes in prayer on our behalf (v. 26-27).

We cannot do the will of God apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot overcome our natural tendency to sin apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot comprehend the amazing truths of the Bible apart from illumination by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The Spirit is here, ready to lead us. Going solo is a bad option.

Praying Over Your Children (Part 2)

While attending a Promise Keepers event in 2005, I heard another powerful prayer for children that spoke to my heart. As I shared in my last post, I'd already been praying the Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) over Amanda every night before she went to sleep. The theme of the event was unleashing the raw power of your heart and that this is done when we willingly and joyfully serve others in love in His name.

Serving our families is the place where this begins for God's man. Our greatest godly desire for our children is that Our Heavenly Father would pour out his blessing upon them. The prayer I heard that night, which Amanda has heard every night since, is this: Lord, protect her from evil. Cover her with Christ's blood. Fulfill your purpose in her life.

Our hardwired fatherly instinct is to protect our children. This prayer asks the One who overcame evil to protect her from the source of all evil. This prayer asks for the reality of the Gospel to not only provide the foundation of her life, but permeate every single part of it. This prayer asks that when people see her, they see a child of God who loves Him with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength. This prayer asks God to take the gifts and talents that He was written on her heart and to use them to advance His Kingdom and to allow her to fulfill His purpose in her generation (Acts 13:36).

Praying over our children is serious business. It is our God-given responsibility. It is our great privilege. It is our chance to impact the next generation. It is our opportunity to unleash the raw power of God in their lives.

Praying Over Your Children (Part 1)

Several years before I became a father, my pastor at the time preached one Sunday about blessing your children. He reminded us that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). He also reminded us that we have an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) and that our children are especially vulnerable. His message was so convicting that I decided that if the Lord ever blessed me with a child, I would pray a blessing over my child every night.

The blessing that I pray over my daughter Amanda is known as the Priestly Blessing. This blessing was given directly by God to Moses with the instruction that he and Aaron were to pray this blessing over the people of Israel: The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Consider for a moment what is packed into this powerful blessing. I am praying that God will give blessing to Amanda out of the abundance of his goodness. I am praying that the Almighty Creator of the Universe will protect her from evil. I am praying that the Father will find favor with her and extend to her his all-sufficient grace. I am praying that He will keep his eyes on my precious little girl and be blessed as she grows to know and love Him. I am praying that Amanda will receive and know the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Numbers 6:27 contains the promise from God that He will bless those who are given this blessing. I urge each and every father not only to pray every day with your children, but to pray a blessing over them. As our heritage given from the Father, let us not deprive our children of the blessings that He stands ready to pour out to them.

Lost and Found

For those of us who may occasionally have doubts about how much God loves us and desires a relationship with us, it may be a good idea to bookmark Luke 15. In this chapter, Jesus tells three parables--all in response to the grumbling Pharisees who saw him eat with sinners. Our Lord saw the lack of compassion from those who supposedly knew God the most for those who needed God's love and mercy the most.

In the first two parables--the lost sheep (v. 3-7) and the lost coin (v. 8-10)--there was diligent effort spent to find what was lost. There was sheer joy in the return of what was once lost but since been found. And these weren't private celebrations. Friends and neighbors were gathered to share the good news.

The third parable--the prodigal son (v. 11-32) has some slight differences but the same result. The father; knowing his son's desires were foolish, grants them anyway and patiently waits for his return. Upon squandering all that was given to him, the son returned home humbled and prepared to offer himself as a servant rather than a son. Before the son could even confess his sin, the father ran to him and embraced him. Though the stories differ, the reaction is the same: It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (v. 32).

Our Lord has always been in the lost and found business. Seeking the lost and rejoicing in what is found. Verse 10 reminds us that there is joy in Heaven among the angles when one sinner repents. The God of the Universe is always ready, always willing, always faithful and always merciful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess and return to him (1 John 1:9). When we go from being lost to being found.

To Those Who Are Perishing

At one time or another, all believers have undoubtedly experienced some frustration in attempts to share the Gospel. The life saving message of hope that Jesus died on the cross to pay our sin debt and allow us to have a right relationship with God for eternity is so real to us, yet so foreign to unbelievers. Not to mention the many who attend church and have a works-based view of salvation that totally misses the truth that is it solely through faith alone in Christ alone.

We can easily dismiss those who don't know the saving power of the Gospel as being so wrapped up in their own sinful pleasures that following Jesus would be unappealing to them anyway. Invalidating God's grace and the saving power of Christ through the Holy Spirit is a slippery slope we need to avoid. History is full of strong Christians who've shipwrecked their testimony by making a few bad decisions. For us to have any hope of reaching the lost, we must never forget that they are truly lost.

1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us that the word of the cross--the power of God to those of us who are saved--is folly to those who are perishing. We must always remember that the Gospel is our only basis of hope. We must always remember that those who don't know the Gospel are going to perish. And we must always remember that the Gospel is foolishness to the mind of an unbeliever. To them, the thought of us being saved from death by someone who was nailed to a cross is ridiculous and beyond belief.

John Newton, who penned the famous hymn "Amazing Grace", summed up our before and after condition: I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see. When we witness to others, we must remember that we too were once lost; just as they are. To those who are perishing--lost and blind--we must let them see the grace of God through us who are found.

Eat What Is Good

When we have any sizable men's event at Ogletown, you can be sure there will be food. The reason is obvious--us guys love to eat! I know several men at OBC who can tear up an all-you-can-eat buffet (names will not be disclosed to protect the guilty!). Food is certainly one of the great blessings of God to be enjoyed (yes, in moderation!).

Isaiah spoke of our natural desire and need for food when conveying God's desire for his people to seek the Kingdom. Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). Notice both the urgency and the universal tone of the invitation. Come. Right now. No cost prohibition here. All that is required is a hunger and thirst for the things of our Lord.

Verse 2 continues: Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Isaiah exposes the foolishness of wasting time and effort on things that don't satisfy; such as pursuing worldly pleasures or recognition. We instead are invited to an all-you-can-eat banquet of goodness that only requires us to diligently listen and respond to the Gospel of Christ.

Just as food is essential for our nourishment and survival, the invitation to God's banquet ensures that our souls will live in an everlasting covenant with the Creator of all (v. 3). Time to dig in!

Teach and Remember

When it comes right down to it, leading the next generation is simply a matter of teaching and remembering. We pass down truth to our children based on our past experiences; remembering times when we experienced both success and failure in the hopes of making their pathways less treacherous. Lessons learned in our life experiences often have great value. Accordingly Scripture, especially the Old Testament, is filled with instruction to pass knowledge down from generation to generation.

Psalm 78 begins with a charge to hear what the psalmist is teaching (v.1)--instruction that was learned from the things that were made known from their fathers (v. 2-3). Then comes the promise that this knowledge will be passed on to their children so that they will know of the glorious deeds, wonders and might of the Lord (v. 4).

The remainder of the psalm goes on to explain why this is so important. The history of God's people was one of covenant promise and blessing, disobedience, punishment, repentance and finally, restoration. The psalmist's purpose is clear--to recount the events of the past so that future generations of God's people would take these lessons to heart and not make the same mistakes of rebellious generations before them. Of particular note is how the psalmist recalls how God continually delivered his people, gave provision and upheld his covenant promises in spite of their disobedience (v. 13, 15-16, 20, 23-29, 38-39, 43-55, 70-72).

Our job as God's men hasn't changed. We must teach the next generation and remember the mighty deeds and wonders of our Lord, so that they will know the One who guides us with his upright heart and skillful hand (v. 72).

Everlasting God

Isaiah 40:31 is a tremendous verse that promises strength to those who trust in God--but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. As God's men, we certainly know that He is all-powerful, all-knowing and always present. But how does his power and strength get passed on to us? A few of the preceding verses in this passage will shed some light for us.

Verses 28-29 says: ...The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. God is an eternal power source that never succumbs to fatigue, never wears down in need of repair, never needs to be replenished, never expires or becomes obsolete. The very idea of him being a limitless source of power is beyond human understanding. Yet it is from an overflow of his mightiness and strength that He is able to give power to the weak.

Verse 30 reminds us that even the youngest and strongest of men will become weak and tired. Yet it is in this state, when we have exhausted all of our own human strength, that God will give us new strength and cause us to mount up with wings like eagles. His everlasting love heals the brokenhearted. He never suffers setbacks so that he can comfort those who do. His faithfulness to us enables those who have faith and trust in Him to find fresh strength.

Let us praise our Heavenly Father for being the one true, all-sufficient source of strength and power that we will ever need. The One who never gets depleted. The One who is everlasting.

Judging With Equity

When I was much younger, I thought it would be really cool to be a judge. You know, just sit back and listen as both parties presented their side of the story, listen to the eyewitness accounts of what happened and then weigh all the evidence and render a verdict. My young, naive mind thought that would be the most awesome job ever. Wrong.

Seeing high-profile trials play out on television and verdicts rendered that sometimes don't appear to be correct should remind us how difficult it is to be a judge. Attorneys are paid large sums of money to present evidence in such a way as to convince others that their side of the story is the true one. The judge must then weigh all of the evidence carefully in order to make the right decision; a decision that often impacts many people. Above all, the judge must decide based on fairness and truth.

Notice what the psalmist said when he talked about God the Righteous Judge---Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth (Psalm 67:4). The psalmist is joyful in knowing that God will always judge in truth and his desire is for everyone to know the joy and peace that comes from knowing that He judges fairly--with equity. Judging with equity can only be done perfectly by the One who knows all the evidence, who always knows the whole truth and who always renders a decision that works good for all who know him.

Judging with equity is such a serious matter with God that Jesus himself warned us not to judge so that we wouldn't be judged in the same measure (Luke 6:37). He knows that we often have a limited knowledge base or we desire an outcome that is self-centered rather than truth-seeking. He knows that we are often ill-equipped to fully know the truth in any given situation or to be completely fair. To judge with equity. Like only God can.

A Work in Progress

I find it amusing and sometimes even sad at some of the bumper stickers I see that have spiritual sayings on them. Some are true if not confusing to non-believers (In case of the Rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned). Some reflect a distorted view of our Lord (God is my co-pilot--really, how arrogant is it to think that God needs our help to manage His world or that we're guiding the ship?). Some are just flat out wrong (God helps those who help themselves---there's that works-based, I must earn my salvation mentality again).

Probably the most accurate bumper sticker I've ever seen regarding our spiritual walk says "Be patient. God isn't finished with me yet". People may or may not be patient with you, but as a believer in the person of Jesus Christ, you can rest assured our Heavenly Father is working in your life and he isn't finished with you yet. 1 Corinthians 4:17 says: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. God is not some distant deity; removed and detached from the prize of His creation. He is actively working in the events and circumstances in our lives, both the joyful and the painful, to prepare us for a life so great that we can't even begin to understand it.

So why is God handling each of us as a work in progress? Because his desire is for each and every one of us to grow and become more like Jesus. He created us in his image (Genesis 1:27). Because of our sinful human nature, we need to be a work in progress. We need to continually renew our minds so that we will not conform to the world but be transformed into Christ-likeness (Romans 12:1-2).

Being a work in progress may seem like a scary proposition until you cling to the truth that God works all things for good for those he has called (Romans 8:28). Have confidence that his work in us is intended to make us mature, complete and lacking nothing (James 1:4).

Chesed

Pastor Curtis brought another powerful message this past Sunday to the people of Ogletown. He shared with us a word that most of us probably had never heard before--chesed (pronounced kess-id). Pastor noted that this Hebrew word is a hard word to define. I suspect that it is hard to define because the characteristics of chesed are not common to and often directly opposed to our sinful human nature. He also laid down a very powerful challenge to the men of Ogletown to be chesed men.

Pastor did share two commentaries on chesed which define this concept that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, are called to embody. Daniel Block, Biblical professor at Wheaton College defines chesed as "That quality that moves a person to act for the benefit of another without respect to the advantage it might bring to the one who expresses it." Christian author and speaker Carolyn Curtis James said, "Chesed is driven, not by duty or legal obligation, but by a bone-deep commitment--a loyal, selfless love that motivates a person to do voluntarily what no one has a right to expect or ask of them. They have the freedom to act or to walk away without the slightest injury to their reputation. Yet they willingly pour themselves out for the good of someone else."

Chesed, in its simplest form, is being obedient to the Great Commandment (Mark 12:31)--love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is serving others out of a love for them by taking the love that the Father lavishly pours out on us and freely giving it to others. Chesed requires a Christ-like mindset that disregards our own personal status or comfort and says I have not come to be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for others.

Imagine how great our families, our church, our neighborhoods, our schools and our workplaces would be if each and every man at Ogletown committed to be a chesed man. Imagine if each of us had that bone-deep commitment to loyal and selfless love and a willingness to pour ourselves out solely for the good of others. Are we ready for the challenge?

Knowing the Way

John 14:6 is one of the most familiar and most important verses in the Bible--Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This verse speaks clearly about the necessity of Christ to bridge the gap that sin caused between God and man. It shatters all other believe systems that teach eternal life is based on human effort or good works. It invalidates any notion that rejects the deity of God's only Son.

What's even more interesting about this verse is the question that prompted it. Jesus had just finished explaining to his disciples that he needed to leave them and go prepare an eternal home for them and all others who would call upon his name. He also assured them that he would return again to take those who believe in him to their eternal home and dwell with them forever. Then Thomas asked the big question in verse 5--Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?

Our Christian walk, our day-to-day navigation through life, our decision and thought-making processes are all about knowing the way. So Thomas' question--How can we know the way?--is just as relevant today as it was over 2,000 years ago. Jesus is the way. He is humanity as God intended it to be. Jesus is the truth. He is the Word (Genesis 1:1) who became flesh and dwelled among men and because he is the Word, he is absolute truth. Jesus is the life. He is the only one who conquered death and rose from the grave victoriously and his life gives us eternal life.

Knowing the way is simply knowing Jesus Christ and following him. Knowing the way is being a disciple of Christ and persuing the Living God. Knowing the way is allowing him to lovingly lead you to the Father.

The God Who Sees

There are many names of God found in Scripture and each of them describes an attribute or characteristic of who He is. One of these names is found just once, yet speaks volumes of who God is. It speaks of his omnipresence; his ability to see and be aware of all things at all times in all places. It is a name that no one but a holy God can possess.

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar addresses God as El Roi--the God who sees me. Hagar wasn't exactly in a great place when she uttered these words. She had fled into the wilderness--alone and pregnant carrying Abraham's child. She fled because his wife Sarai, who had come up with the idea of having Hagar conceive in her place, became resentful towards her when she actually did conceive. Hagar's acknowledgement of El Roi happened when an angel of the Lord appeared and told her to return to Sarai and that she and her offspring would be blessed (v.9-11).

Because God is El Roi, the God who sees us, we can full confidence that he knows everything about us. Every minute detail down to the number of hairs on our head. Because we worship El Roi, we have no reason to harbor unconfessed sin and we have His promise of forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness if we confess (1 John 1:9). Hebrews 4:13 says: And no creature is hidden from his sight, but we are all naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Proverbs 5:21 reminds us that the Lord sees and examines all our ways. He is the Righteous Judge.

In addition to loving us in spite of our sinful condition, the God who sees us will reward us for all the things we have done in His name (Matthew 10:42). He sees all of the unfairness, the unjustness and the iniquities that have existed throughout time and will set the record straight. He will wipe away every tear as life has conquered death and old things have become new (Revelation 21:4).

Dealing with Spiritual Lows

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means following him and seeking to know him more. But what about those times when we don't feel like following? What about the times when we pray earnestly for help, healing or strength and it feels like nothing is happening? What about the times when it seems like we're doing all the right things, but nothing seems to be working out?

How frustrating it can be when we seek to serve Him and life just seems to be grinding us down. We try to be spiritual leaders in our home and we find ourselves yelling at our kids again. What about when people persecute us because we follow Jesus? Or when we give our best effort at work and it goes unrecognized and unappreciated? Or what happens when really hard times come; we lose our job, our family falls apart, illness sets in?

It's at times like these---our spiritual lows--when our natural human tendency is to run away from God that we need Him the most. Jesus himself promised that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). Filled with the love and mercy of the Creator of the Universe. Filled with His cleansing grace. Filled with the power and might of the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness (Philippians 4:13).

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means we are following the perfection of God's creation; the one who shows us humanity as it was meant to be. Our Savior has maintained a continued, unbroken relationship with the Father. And through the power of the Holy Spirit by the shed blood of Christ, we have access to that same relationship. A relationship we need during both the highs and the lows in our spiritual walk.

Abiding in Christ

Being a follower of Jesus Christ--a disciple--certainly suggests that there is a relational element between us and our Savior. Scripture speaks often about our relationship with Jesus and that his desire is never for us to struggle through life without instruction and guidance from above. In John 15, our Lord speaks of himself as the vine and us as branches in a vine and the need for us to abide in him.

Jesus calls himself the true vine (v.1); the One who always bears fruit. His ability to remain fruitful rests solely on his relational connection to the Father--He and the Father are One (John 10:30). Then is verse 4, Jesus extends this same relational connection to us as well--Abide in me, and I in you--so that we too can bear fruit for the Kingdom. Our ability to do so cannot happen apart from a true relationship with Him: ...As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. Jesus even kicks it up a notch in verse 5: for apart from me you can do nothing.

The blessings that come from abiding in Christ don't just begin and end with us being fruitful for the Kingdom. We are cleansed through the Word of God (v.3), we have the assurance of answered prayer (v.7), we glorify the Father (v.8), we are loved by Him (v.10) and we have the fullness of joy (v.11).

Abiding in Christ not only makes us his disciple (v.8) but his friend (v.13-15). What better relationship could we possibly have?

Live As Redeemed

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ--one who not only knows Him but follows Him as well--requires us to have the right mindset as to who we are. We are lavishly loved by the Father. Our eternal destiny is secured by the shed blood and resurrection of our Savior. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us through life. We have the Creator of the Universe working all things for our good. All of this because we are redeemed.

Because of this, we are called to live as those who have been redeemed. Scripture speaks frequently on how to live as godly men; as disciples of Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-14 is a great example: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous of good works.

We are redeemed by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We are redeemed so that our thoughts would be transformed from evil desires to righteous actions. We are redeemed to provide a godly example of how to live in an ungodly world. We are redeemed to have a future and a hope in the coming of our Savior to rule forever. We are redeemed to have eternal life with our Redeemer.

Knowing and Following

As God's men, we are called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). The Great Commission doesn't call us to make converts, make Baptists or even make believers. So if we're called to make disciples, then it stands to reason that we too must be disciples. This begs the obvious question: What does it take to be a disciple?

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means understanding the difference between knowing and following. We must know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We must know that he is the Son of God. We must know that he was fully God and fully man. We must know that he lived a perfect, sinless life and that he suffered and died on the cross to pay for the sins of mankind. We must know that without his sacrificial death, we are doomed to suffer for eternity in Hell. We must know that accepting his free gift of salvation is the only way to eternal life in Heaven. This is knowing Jesus Christ.

Following Jesus Christ is another matter. We must follow his example of being obedient to God's will. We must follow his example of seeking quiet time alone with the Father in prayer. We must follow his example of knowing God's Word and applying to our daily lives. We must follow his example of serving the needs of others. We must follow his example of reaching the lost and demonstrating to them the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of the Father. We must follow his example of seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. This is following Jesus Christ.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is knowing him as Lord and Savior and then following him to know him in a deeper, more personal way and allowing him to have first priority in our lives. Making disciples is leading others so that they will know and follow Jesus Christ--with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

Encouragement for Fathers

Yes I love Father's Day. It's hard not to; especially when my daughter Amanda comes running across the room and gives me a big hug and says, "I love you Daddy. You're the best daddy ever!" Or when I see the smile on her face when she's made me a special card or gift. These moments truly are priceless and remind me of the great blessing God has given me in my daughter.

As much as I love Father's Day, I also recognize how painful this day can be for many. For men who regret the times they failed as fathers. For women and children who were abused, neglected or abandoned by the man they should have been able to trust the most. For the one-third of all children under the age of eighteen who will go to sleep tonight in a home without their biological father. For everyone who suffers from the ills of our society that come as a result of the absence of fathers.

In spite of all of these things, our Heavenly Father stands ready, willing and able to pour out a multitude of blessings on his men who desire to be godly fathers. Man is the centerpiece of His creation; made in His image, deemed by God himself to be very good (Genesis 1:26-31). Being a godly man who sacrificially loves his wife and lovingly leads his children may not make us famous and powerful in the eyes of the world, but it brings honor and joy to the One who is the name above all names. Our Lord is cheering us on from Heaven every time we lay ourselves aside and put our family first.

Although Abraham is called the father of many nations (Romans 4:17-18), I find it interesting that Scripture records nothing about his father--leaving us to wonder if he had any godly influence from his father. So regardless of what type of influence (or lack of) we have had from our earthly fathers, through the power of Jesus Christ, we too can be like Abraham in how we influence the next generation and generations to come.

Restoring Our Soul

Each one of us at times have felt the crushing burden of sin. These burdens could be caused by sins of our own doing or sins others have committed against us. Sometimes it's just events and circumstances caused by living in a sinful world that intrude into our lives. While turning to the Lord should be our natural response to sin in whatever form it surfaces, often the burden paralyzes us into inactivity or despair. Shutting down or isolating ourselves becomes the path of least resistance.

Psalm 23 is a favorite of many and for good reason. Among the many riches it contains is a pearl that we can easily overlook in verse 3--He restores my soul. A pastor friend of mine used to say that God is in the restoration business. Redeeming lost souls certainly falls into this category. But restoration doesn't end at salvation. For us to become more and more like the person of Jesus Christ--which is God's desire for every believer--we must continue to be restored.

1 Peter 5:10 tells us that after we have suffered for a little while that the God of all grace who has called us into his Kingdom, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Prior to his ascension into Heaven, the disciples asked Jesus if he was going to restore the Kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). Our Lord responded by telling them to wait for the Holy Spirit who would empower them to do all things. That same Spirit is the One who restores our souls even today.

God is always actively working in our lives; even when we can't see it or feel it. Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel proclaimed God's promises to restore his people. Those same promises are ours to claim as well.

Serve Others and Seek God

Imagine if you will what the last hours of your life would look like if you knew you were going to die. And not just die, but die the most agonizing, torturous death ever experienced by anyone. I've often heard people joke about how they would knowingly spend the last few hours of their life indulging themselves in some elaborate or lavish endeavor before their time would come.

Notice instead how Jesus spend the last few hours of his life on earth. He knew what was coming. He had spent his entire existence doing the will of the Father and wasn't about to stop now. While his disciples had just finish arguing about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, the One who actually was began washing their feet (John 13:1-5). He was their Teacher and their Lord (v.13) and he loved them to the end (v.1), yet he demonstrated servanthood to his disciples in such a way that they would learn that no task was too menial in serving others.

Then Jesus brings his disciples to Gethsemane; tells them of the sorrow in his heart and goes off to pray to the Father (Matthew 26:36-38). In his anguish of knowing that in just a few moments he would be taken away to be crucified, he prayed that if there was no other way to accomplish God's plan, that He was obedient to the will of the Father (v.39).

Jesus didn't foolishly indulge himself; he served others and sought time with God. Until the very end. As we navigate through the events and circumstances of our day-to-day lives, let us remember the example of the One we follow by serving others and seeking time with the Father.

It's All Abouth Faith

When my wife Cheryl was pregnant with our daughter Amanda, we knew we wanted to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. Once the MRI told us girl, it only took a matter of seconds for us to decide on her middle name--Faith. It took faith to keep hoping after a long period of infertility that God would bless us with a child. It took faith to believe that God would protect our unborn baby as my wife's pregnancy was labeled high risk and she spend her last trimester on bed rest. It took faith to believe that because we prayed and God never took the desire to be parents away from us, that He would bless us with a child.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The word assurance comes from the Greek word meaning "confidence". Assurance and conviction says that Biblical faith is not based on vague hope or wishful thinking, but complete and total confidence that God holds the future and is working all things for good for those who trust in Him (Romans 8:28).

As God's men, we must wholeheartedly embrace the truth that God rewards faithfulness more than performance. A flawed worldly viewpoint tells us we must achieve, conquer, acquire, obtain, collect and accumulate more; none of which brings pleasure to the Father. Hebrews 10:38 says, but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 11 recalls the heroes of the faith; all of whom were characterized by verse 6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The Other John 3:16

Almost everyone, whether they believe in the person of Jesus Christ or not, is familiar with John 3:16. It is one of the most quoted verses in Scripture. It was the summary of Jesus' explanation to Nicodemus about eternal life. It is our Savior's earthly mission statement. It is the eternal hope of everyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ--For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

It seems like everyone--even the funny looking guy with the rainbow-color wig who appeared at countless televised sporting events--knows about John 3:16. Yet there is another 3:16 verse penned by John that speaks to us here and now: By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (1 John 3:16).

1 John 3:16 is the practical application of Christ's love. Our Savior set the example by being a living sacrifice; obedient to the will of God to fulfill his Kingdom purpose. Our purpose and calling; although vastly different from that of our Lord, requires the same mindset. We lay down our lives for others by fulfilling the Great Commandment (Mark 12:31) and loving others as we love ourselves.

Jesus himself said he didn't come to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He demonstrated servanthood throughout his earthly ministry. Knowing and applying the other John 3:16 helps us to have the same perspective.

Comparison

There's a devastating and destructive game we probably play every day. We don't play it because we're adrenalin junkies or thrill-seekers. We probably aren't even aware that we play it. And worse yet, it is a game where nobody wins and everybody loses. This absolutely dreadful game we play is called comparison. Now you may be thinking, "What's so bad about comparison?" or "How can I tell if I'm doing well or being effective if I don't compare myself to others?"

The problem with comparison is that it usually travels down one of two paths. Path one is pride. If we compare ourselves favorably to others, all of a sudden we look pretty good compared to all those flawed people around us. Mercy and grace toward others becomes more elusive. Humility doesn't even enter our landscape. We may even begin to think we don't need God as much as these poor inferior people around us do.

Path two is self-induced inferiority. If we compare ourselves to others and we don't like the results, we become self-defeating. We begin to believe the lies of the enemy that we aren't important, we aren't valuable, we can't do anything worth noting, what we do doesn't matter and the downward spiral continues.

The only comparison game we need to play is with ourselves. Rather than compare ourselves to others, why not ask, "Am I walking closer to the Lord now than I was last week? Last month? Last year? Romans 12:3 urges us to not think too highly of ourselves, but to use sober judgment according to the faith that God has given us. Romans 12:6 then tells us to use the giftedness that God has given us to serve others. God doesn't want us to compare what we do for the Kingdom to that of another person; He wants us to faithfully serve where we are called and in the way He enabled us. Comparison to others not required.