Choose Life!

To start, let me say – I am all for the right of a woman to choose, but hear me out before you cast judgment on this statement.

I believe that we have lost sight of the fight today.  We must understand something that goes much deeper than just the surface arguments.  Before I explain the opening comment…let me explain what life is.

Life is a precious gift from God. Humans are the only creation of the Almighty that He formed by hand and breathed the breath of life into.  Created in His image, both male and female (Genesis 1:26-27). The Book of James tells us that our plans are feeble and that life is but a vapor or a mist (James 4:14), a here today, gone tomorrow mentality. Society has told us that “Life is what you make it” – but I would argue, what if you don’t get to make it?

All human life is important to the One who created it, because it is His masterpiece. Created in the image of the Almighty, human life is special. We were created for a purpose, with a purpose. Rick Warren, in his best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, opened the dialogue with four words…”It’s not about me.” At some point, we have to realize the truth of this statement. Somewhere along the way we have become selfish and decided that one life, in many cases our own, is more important than another. We have argued and violently battled over the right to say we are the best…at the dangerous cost of other lives. We have adopted a mentality of “if I can benefit, I don’t care who suffers” – and this has included the loss of millions of innocent lives.

The deepest of human desire is to live as we wish. Don’t believe me? Then explain the mottos carried by society of “you only live once” or “living my best life.” We have become so focused on living the life we see as our best, that we are willing to sacrifice others without even knowing. Society has adopted a “whatever it takes” mentality. We have decided that death is sometimes just a stepping stone or a paver in the highway of life. We have determined that if someone has to suffer, or even die, for us to achieve the goals we feel are ours, so be it! We have lost our way!

Wait, what?

Yes. We are willing to destroy others to get where we wish. “But preacher, I don’t wish death on anyone!” – don’t you? Your actions tell a different story. What are you doing to ensure the sanctity of life? What are you doing to secure safety for everyone? What are you doing to ensure that your decisions have no collateral damage? Are you fighting injustice? All injustice? Are you protecting the innocent?

It is a lot to ponder.

God created you with a purpose. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Don’t believe that life begins in the womb? He told Jeremiah that He knew him in the womb, before he was in the womb, that he had made plans for him to be a prophet to the nations…before any of that (Jeremiah 1:5). Why do we think it would be any different for us? He has known you, before the world knew you. He knew the ones who were taken out as you climbed the ladder of success; He knows those who the world has never met. Life is sacred. It is the greatest of God’s creations.  We are the greatest of His creations.

Choose Christ. Choose hope. Choose forgiveness. Choose Life!

As I said, I’m all for the right of a woman to choose what to do with her body. I am not, however, for the right to choose when another life is at stake. I am for the woman’s right to choose not to partake in the activities that might lead to finding herself in the situation where she makes a choice that takes the life of another. Again, Biblically speaking, it appears that all life begins at conception.

“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” – Psalm 139:13-14

But what if she didn’t make the choice that got her there? Fair point, but, I would still argue that the life at stake deserves a voice. Will it hurt for her to live through this? Yes. Will it be worth it? I also believe the answer is yes.

I would encourage us to look at it that God creates all of us with a purpose…including those who are born because of these circumstances. All life is sacred. I would fight for the lives of the elderly, the disabled, and the marginal in the same way.  All life is sacred and all life is worth something to the One who created it.  This isn’t about condemnation of those who have or even will make this choice, their life is important too…this is about the fact that God offers restoration and hope. God offers forgiveness for all who will not reject His gift.

Jesus came to save the world. Jesus came to offer hope. He didn’t come to condemn those in the world, he came to save us from worldly ways (John 3:16-17). Don’t you think that everyone deserves the same chance that you were afforded? Especially since that same provision was also made for them…at the same time it was made for you? Thank God that no matter what you’ve done, you were worth His sacrifice; and, if we are created in His image, isn’t another life worth ours? No matter what it may mean for the so-called plans that we have?

“It isn’t about me.”

It truly isn’t about you or me. It is about Him. It is about preserving His image – the Creator of all life, the Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning, the End, the Author, and the Finisher of our faith. The One who knew us long before the world knew us and the One who knows those the world has never known.  He has loved us from the start. He has loved us, in spite of us. He loves us, unconditionally.

Our choices should never take the life of another. From the womb to the tomb, all have a right to life that we as the church must protect. Protect the innocent and give them a voice; but, do not condemn those who have made or are facing this difficult decision, because they need love too. They are hurting, they need hope, they need to know that they are loved and can be forgiven. God’s grace can cover a multitude of sins. Including yours.

Invite them to “Come and See” that the Lord is good.

“Love one another as I have loved you.” – Jesus

Convictions

Broken…

The word of the day…covering so many different things at this point, and yet doing none of them any justice whatsoever.

Senseless…

Speechless…

Breathless…

Ridiculous…

We claim we love our fellow man, but that sometimes depends on the color of his skin or his situation, right?

We claim we love our fellow man, but that depends on his social status and bank account, right?

We claim we love our fellow man, but that depends on whether he agrees with our opinion, right?

We claim we love our fellow man…

But what does that depend on for you? When will we take a stand? Jesus stood with the marginal, he didn’t destroy them, he loved them. To him, there was no Greek and no Jew, no male and no female, no rich or no poor…why?

Because his mission was to come and seek and save that which was lost, not qualify them into groups and claim that one group didn’t qualify based on race, social standing, or wealth. Jesus died so that we didn’t have to, Jesus died so that they didn’t have to, He died to give us a chance for redemption…

So, when did we begin to feel that it was okay for us to take their lives in our hands and lay down judgment for their perceived sins? When did it stop being “Thou shalt not kill,” and become, “But he deserved it.” Did he?

Church, when will we stand for those who Christ stood for? The weak, the wounded, the hungry, the cold, the broken, the outcast…they all have a seat at his table, so why not ours? We have become nothing more than the Pharisees and Sadducees of our day, casting out judgment because someone doesn’t look like the rules we made, while ignoring what the scripture says…

What does the Scripture say?

“Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, because I will not justify the guilty.” – Exodus 23:7

“Be Holy, for I am Holy.” – Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14

What do we do? We are told we can’t take a stand for the marginal because we will face adversity…so what? Do what is right…do what is just…do what Jesus did, because it is through us loving like he loved that we can turn heads and awaken the souls of man.  His Spirit will do the work if we allow that Spirit control of us. How many more have to die before we finally stand up? How many more will have to face an earthly judge who knew nothing about them but maybe their last 5 minutes?

How can we find courage?

How about from the first church? They faced the adversities of the day, and they kept on, even if it meant their own fall.

It takes courage to stand up against the crowd; unshakable and uncommon courage will be our strength to stand against the masses and declare that we will stand on God’s Word and against injustice.

Jesus said, “This is my command to you, love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than to give one’s live for a friend, you are my friends if you do as I command you.” – John 15:12-14

Acts 18:9 tells us, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” If your convictions as a Christian weigh you down over injustice, then do something. Speak out, do not let it sit within you.  If you are grounded in God’s Word and it rips you apart based on that Word, then say something, because a conviction includes your values, your commitments, and your motivations. If all of those scream injustices, stand up…fill the gap.

Our convictions determine our conduct, and if we are guided by the Holy Spirit, those convictions will cause us to stand and act!

Howard Hendricks said, “A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!”

Jesus died because of His conviction to right the wrong caused by sin…why are we now so willing to give sin the right-of-way in the world today? His conviction brought salvation while our lack of conviction pushes others away.

It starts with calling a spade a spade…

It starts with calling out the wrongs…the sins…the injustices around us…

It starts with us, because no one else can act on the convictions you have. No one can stand on your convictions, they are yours; and, if guided by the Holy Word of God and Holy Spirit, they are the convictions that we as the Church must stand on as well, and dare i say, maybe even die for.

Do not get this wrong…not just any conviction because of what you heard your neighbor say, but biblical conviction should lead us to right the wrongs if we can. Look to the Word of God for guidance, stand firm on that Word, and, “Do not be afraid. Keep speaking. DO NOT BE SILENT.”

How Should We React?

I’m not sure how to even begin this discussion…

Social issues around us in this world seem to come and at times we just do not know the words to say.

This is one of those times…

Like so many times before…

We are left speechless by the anger and hatred that we see around us. We are disgusted by the arguing and divisiveness of some who feel that they must argue everything that happens around.  We are broken when we see another life taken in what may or may not be a senseless act of violence.  We cry for the families, we cry for justice, we cry for a fix…we simply cry.

There are many reactions to things that happen.  There are many times that Racism, Sexism, and many other isms enter our conversations and break us without warning….so how can we address those in a sensible and humble way? How do we address them and still keep our faith? How do we address them without joining in the arguing, back-biting, and anger?

Look to Jesus…

It is ok for us to start conversations…but is it ok for us to take justice into our own hands?

The simple answer? NO.

When we take justice in our own hands, it leads us into anger, resentment, and ultimately sin. It may not be our place to react violently or aggressively.  In fact, if we do, more often than not we stir up anger and resentment in others which leads to a number of issues that become name-calling and arguing.  The social media danger is that we become brave, and a little thoughtless, behind a keyboard. We think that because we are not face to face with someone that our words and response will not have result other than a back and forth…

“In your anger…do not sin.”

Oh…what are you posting out of anger? Cursing? Demeaning? Slander?

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouth.”

When we are angry, we lose control at times. Most of those times we justify our statements with statements like, “They started it,” or, “I couldn’t help it, I was just so angry.” Again, anger and frustration are not a license to sin, in fact the instruction is very clear, “In your anger, DO NOT sin.”

How do we overcome this evil with good? We pray.  We allow God to work in the situation and we continue to pray for our enemies.  Pray for those who persecute, you and others. Pray for those who are going through the hard time.

I’m not saying sit back and watch it happen, say something, call authorities, help get someone involved, but justice isn’t ours to serve.

In fact, to take it a step further…what would Jesus do? Well, what Jesus did was take it to the cross.  He died for those who are being mistreated and, believe it or not, for those who are doing the mistreating. It could be your sensible and Christian influence that will allow the Spirit of God into the situation to work on the heart of others. God can do so much where we feel helpless, but it starts with you bringing Him into the circumstance.

We can see God move in a mighty way, but the first step is to react in a right manner and not cause more struggle because of our ungodly behavior.  Please think about it.  Please pray about it.  Please love one another as Christ has loved you.

Pray Without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”

These words are amazing…and the idea is much more difficult than it may sound.  How do we pray without ceasing?

Life happens…it’s hard sometimes. That is understandable, and life sometimes seems to get in the way of our prayers.  We find ourselves too busy to slow down and pray…

So, how do we find the time, especially in a difficult time like this?

For some, time may have been given to them due to circumstances surrounding them; for others, time has been taken away by a busier schedule than expected. But are we using the time we have wisely?

Prayer is our lifeline to God.  Prayer is our way of communicating with the Creator.  Prayer is our way of making our needs known (not that God needs that, but he needs us to understand them before we can receive them).

So how do we find time? Make it your life.  Not just part of it.  Make it all of it.  Praying without ceasing seems to lead to the idea that the line of communication is open continuously.  There is not a need for us to feel we have slighted God because we have been in constant contact with Him. Begin your day by greeting Him, take the conversation into the shower, the drive to work, and even into the office. Continue talking with Him over lunch, through the afternoon, and the drive home.  Continually talk with the One who knows you better than anyone else.

This will ensure that your line of communication is not lost somewhere in translation. God wants to hear from you, this is why He opened the line 24/7. This is why we are instructed to pray without ceasing.  Continuous prayer will ensure that we are doing what we can to follow the path that He is setting before us, because our minds will be continuously on Him.  We will be seeking for His answer and searching for His truth.

Life can be about prayer, as well as other things, it doesn’t have to be a show, but try it for a time and see if it doesn’t help your focus to become more intent on the One who can deliver you from the struggles of this life. Pray Continually. Don’t let the world drag you down, continue to pray to the One who holds the world in His hands.

I do hope that we can all settle down during this time and find rest in knowing that the Creator of the world loves to hear from His children. That we as His own can be in constant contact with the One who knows us intimately; and that we can cast our cares upon Him, because He truly cares.

Don’t let things drag you down…open that line of communication with Him and pour out your heart. There is blessing in getting to know the One who holds tomorrow in His hands.  There is peace in getting to know the Father who will never leave or forsake His children.  There is hope in knowing that we are always just a prayer away.

Where is the Hope?

Hope …

Seems like a far-off, fairy tale at this point for many.

Hope seems fleeting and no one wants to address it in a civilized manner anymore either.

To quote Chuck Colson, “Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country; that’s where our hope is in life.”

Colson nailed it.

For a moment, think with me about all of this…

Our hope isn’t in the reopening of our businesses or in them remaining closed

Our hope isn’t in a government or a change.

Our hope isn’t in the selfishness that lies in what we think should happen.

Our hope isn’t in a bottom line, but a bloodline of the One, True God.

Our hope is in the love that we are called to show one another.

Our hope is in caring for one another and not trying to determine who is right and who is wrong.

Our hope is in Jesus Christ – In Christ ALONE.

Can we please stop trying to tell others that we do not care about them by saying we are going to go out and do what we want? Can we please show compassion on the ones who are also struggling, but while struggling are scared of what this virus will do to them? Can we please show the world what Christ’s love looks like and not what selfish desires look like?

Before you get angry about the things I am saying. Think real hard about how you are treating others or how you are seeing others treated. We are not all going through the same things; we are all in the same situation, but we each have a different perspective on how it is playing out.

We are all searching for the truth….

To quote Colson again, “What is true has never been a question to be decided by polls or popular opinion. Truth isn’t ‘democratic’ –it’s something that God has written into the very fabric of nature.”

We do not know how it will all play out…should businesses open? I can’t answer that.  Should we remain closed? I can’t answer that either. There isn’t a blanket fix.

Please pray that God will guide us to answers. But please don’t take someone else’s life or situation into your hands because you “just can’t do this anymore.”

Think about it this way…what if Jesus had come off the cross because he “just couldn’t do it anymore?”

“Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:17

The Call

One of the most common things that we hear in our daily lives as followers of Christ are the words “He called me to this” or “It’s my calling.” While those statements are meant with a good heart and good intentions, I want to explore that for a minute and think truly about what God’s call in our lives may be.

During times that are hard we tend to get caught up in our own versions of Christianese.  What do I mean by that? It seems that Christians have their own language most days…they talk differently, use different words, and many of which are the canned comments that have been used in the circles of the Church for years.

As I have thought and prayed throughout the days and weeks, something has continued to flood my heart and mind: It isn’t that we are called to a job or called to a life, Christ calls us to Himself. It is when we answer that call that He can then, through us, accomplish His will in us.

This is something that has caused me some struggle in understanding, but I believe that what I am recognizing in this is that we are simply called to Christ. He doesn’t call us to be this way or that way, he simply says come to me. When that call is answered we have removed the resistance that stands in the way of completion.

Think about it.

In Matthew 11:28 he says, “Come unto me…I will give you rest.”

In Mark 5 we see the story of the woman with the issue of blood.  A woman who had been shunned by society, deemed unclean, and had been battling for years. A woman who knew, in her heart and by faith, if she could just draw near to Him her needs would be met. No matter the size of the crowd, no matter the obstacles in the way, no matter the difficulty in getting there. She knew getting to the hem of His garment would be enough. She just needed a touch from the One who could bring healing.

People thought she was crazy. They thought she didn’t matter. Jesus thought otherwise.

In fact, Jesus was on the way to Jarius’ home to heal his daughter, walking on the road in the midst of a crowd, and he came to a complete stop and questioned, “Who touched me?” The disciples questioned Him and people thought He was crazy. He was in a crowd, of course someone touched Him, but they didn’t understand.

The woman understood. She was healed. She felt it. She believed.

There is something for us in this. Jesus stopped what He was doing and looked for the one who had touched Him. Look at her response? She came completely clean, with fear and trembling (in reverent awe), she told Jesus everything and He told her that her faith had made her well.

Jesus hears the one. The one crying out. The one who has the faith to touch His garment.

No matter how difficult the journey to get there, it is the attitude of faith that heals us. It is the fear and trembling in us that shows our motive and intent. It is His love that completes us and makes us whole.

He calls us to Himself.

He says we are His and He is accessible.

Keep Praying, don’t give up, and don’t give in. Approach the throne of grace with confidence, leave your burdens there, and know that Jesus has heard your prayer! Don’t lose heart during difficult times.

1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.”

What is so GOOD about Friday?

Is Good Friday really that “Good”?

I have been asked this question many times, and many times I can go into a number of different conversations as to how good, or bad, this day may be.  With it coming up this year, it has gotten me thinking, along with everything else that is going on around us…what is so good about Friday?

Initially, let’s look at it this way…

What is Good Friday? Good Friday is typically the Friday prior to Easter, celebrated around the time of the Passover.  It is commonly celebrated as the observance of the day that Christ was crucified.  But why is it called good?

Initially there is a conversation that in ancient circles it was called “God’s Friday” and over time was corrupted to be “Good Friday”. While that may have some factual basis, we can ask the question, “What is so good about Good Friday?”

Many argue and say that it could be called “Bad Friday” or something of the like, but I would encourage you to think about the meaning of what we celebrate. This was a day that God showed His great love for mankind…the day that God saved the world through the blood of Christ.

What is so good about Friday?

Well given that the suffering and death of Christ may be difficult to view as good; his suffering involving beaten, scourged, mocked, whipped, and eventually killed by crucifixion…how can it be good?

The results of the death of Jesus can be good…even great! Think about what Paul wrote to the Roman Church, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Peter also puts it this way in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

What is so good about Friday?

Friday was a necessary part of the plan to save the world.  The day that Christ’s own words in John 3 became truth in that, “The Son of Man must be lifted up so that all who look on him may be saved.” (John 3:14-15). Today, I ask you…what is so good about Friday?

Is Friday good for you? Are you saved by the blood of Christ? As we approach this Easter season, please remember that Christ died so that we could have life…and not only that, have it abundantly!

God Bless, and Happy Resurrection Day!

Why is this so Difficult?

Something to think about: Why is it that we are having such a tough time right now?

For every one who thinks this is a small thing of worry, there is another who is worrying that exposure to the wrong person could be fatal.

For everyone who believes that everything will be ok, there is another who is worried about where their next meal will come from.

For every one that is not taking serious the warnings that are being made, there is another who is anxious and scared for what tomorrow will hold.

The toughest thing in all of this is that the seriousness of the situation depends on the perspective that each of us have. We have different views, different agendas, different worries, and different explanations of everything that is taking place.

What is so hard about this? It is in times like this that it becomes so hard to see past our own perspective to see just how difficult this may be on someone else. In some cases, because we are selfish and we only worry about how it affects us. In other cases, because we do not know the perspective someone else may have.

This is why it is so important for us to stop and think about what we are putting out there for others to see. What brings knowledge and understanding to one is also the cause of fear in another. What we intend to be helpful in hopefully understanding the circumstance better may cause more confusion for another.

This is also why we must be careful in our attitudes toward differing opinions. There are so many differing sources out there today that we can all come up with a good argument for our opinion, but that doesn’t mean that any of those is correct or incorrect.

It means that we must remember that for each one who has no worry about how this will play out, there is another worried about every little moment that goes by because of their elderly parent, their auto-immune compromised family members, or their own health issues.

We are all watching the situation from our own uniquely placed seat…which means we all have a different view of the action. I encourage each of us to take a step back and rather than spend time arguing about the situation…pray for a solution.

Pray for the single mother with two kids who is worried where the next meal might come from.

Pray for the man who has a 78 year old father with COPD who could find himself on death’s doorstep if this virus were to compromise his already broken body.

Pray for the child who wishes to be at school because it was the only normal they had.

Pray for the lonely, the broken, the compromised, and the weak; pray for the strong, the proud, the worrier, and the warrior.

We are all in this together, no matter the perspective, and we will all get through this together. We just have to be careful not to destroy those who are fighting beside us in this battle.

Pray for one another ….
Respect one another ….
Love one another ….

“This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand…Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:13, 18

Commitment

All of us at one time or another has dedicated ourselves to getting into shape…be it long-term or short.  It is not easy, but I have found that my Christian values have been helpful in the process, and it has really gotten me thinking about the walk we are to have as Christians.

To lose weight you must make a commitment to yourself to follow through on any diet or exercise plan that you set your mind to.  You cannot just simply hope to lose the weight for it to come off; you have to dedicate yourself to it.  It is the same with our walk with Christ, you cannot simply hope that everything will work itself out; you must dedicate yourself to His teachings and allow him to work in you to see change happen.

Another thing that I found with it is that not only do you need your commitment to be successful, but also it is better to have someone there to help push you along.  This is also something that is vital to our Christian walk.  Nothing is easy when tackled alone, but when you have others beside you working for the same cause, things will start to become manageable and you will find that the struggles you are facing are the same struggles that others face.

For this reason I feel that one of the best things I have realized in all of this is a commitment to God is a must for our Christian walk.  This commitment that we must undertake is one of dedication to God’s word and work in our own lives and in the lives of others around us.  If we begin to seek others who can come along side us with the same goals, we will find that our churches will grow; our lives will become reflections of Jesus to a world that has all but forgotten what He did for them.

Hebrews tells us not to forsake the gathering together as a body as is the custom of some.  This custom has become more and more the norm in today’s society and I feel that we must change that.  Too many today adopt the mentality that their relationship with God is one that is a personal relationship and does not need to be shared.  I am here to tell you today that while it is a personal relationship, we are also called to share it so that others can see the change that God can make in a life.

Find a church home, find others who are struggling with the same issues you are, and work together to glorify God in all.  God wants to work through you to help others, and wants to work through others to help you.  Do not forget today that we are called the Family of God because we are to act as a family, treat each other as relatives, and love as He loved us.  Today, find your place in that Family and evaluate your commitment to His kingdom.

Scars

I’m sure that we all have a scar that we can look back on and remember exactly what happened for us to receive that token of memory, whether good or bad.  Those scars can range from the ones that were caused by a misadventure as a child, medical scars to remind us of a past illness/recovery that we had, scars from accidents that could have claimed our lives, or even scars on our hearts like the one left from the 9/11 tragedy.  Whatever the scar may be, we all remember it as a reminder of the place that we came from.

As I thought about scars, the scripture which has just poured over and over in my mind comes from Isaiah 53:4-6 in which it says:

“ ⁴ Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (ESV)

This Old Testament scripture alludes to a New Testament Savior who takes away the sin of the world…our sin!

We have the cross to remind us of the debt that was paid to save us, and we have the scars in his hands, feet, and side to remind us of the blood that was shed for our salvation.

What do your scars remind you of?  What about the scars of Jesus?

As you continue through your day and week, remember this…the scars of Christ saved more than just one life….they saved the world!