Serve With Gladness

 I remember well when God first called me to preach. I just wanted to serve. I also had so much to learn. My first preaching assignment was to a group of students at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Lufkin, TX. I did not know come here from sick them. I was a young teenager with a testimony. The whole first sermon lasted seven minutes. I had so much material prepared I thought. I quickly realized I had not prepared enough. 

There was a lot more training before God ever entrusted me with my own youth group at Rochelle Baptist Church in Rochelle, TX. I started with four students. That church had not baptized anyone in years. I recall with fondness the day we baptized five students. From there I ended up in Weatherford, TX and watched God grow a youth group from seven to forty-five with most of those students getting saved. 

I was a dreamer in those days. Salary did not matter. I only wanted to serve Jesus. 36 years later that has not changed. I still dream and salary is irrelevant in determining where I serve. Sure, I want to provide for my family. It has never been about the money. It has always been about serving Jesus. First, as a youth minister. In subsequent years I served as a traveling evangelist, twice a church planter, and ultimately as a pastor. I have served in churches of less than a dozen and one church of several hundred. One thing remained constant, I wanted to see Jesus save people. 

That does not get old. It makes the hard things in ministry worth it. Endless sermon preparations, meetings, visits, counseling, and enduring criticisms. All part of the ministry. Some people grow bitter the longer they serve God. The battles take their toll. The spiritual assault can rob one of joy. The onslaught of unrealistic expectations and criticisms can make a person jaded. 

We are exhorted to serve God with gladness. To serve Him with delight. [Ps 100:2] To keep coming to Him with joyful singing. He is the source of the gladness and the reason for singing. Not external circumstances. In His presence is fullness of joy forever. [Ps 16:11]

After all these years, every up and down, every trial and triumph, every personal revival and need for repentance, every praise and public criticism God is still the source of gladness. He is the reason to live with perpetual joy and to keep singing. He is the melody of my heart. No matter what swirls around me. 

An Angry Rant

 I never know what I'll encounter when I go teach at the substance abuse detox center every Sunday afternoon. I have taught only one on a few occasions. Today eight showed up to get into the word. They come from all over the United States. Some have no base for Christianity. They are foreign to Christian beliefs and even how to navigate around the Bible. 

Today, I met a man named Pitman. He was angry. He came in with a massive chip on his shoulder. I taught from Luke 18:35-42. At one point, he made a comment that gave evidence this man has studied the Bible. He is a follower of Jesus. He is also a long time alcoholic. He is angry with everyone. With the substance abuse program itself, with churches, and with himself. He went off on a rant about churches. He reported visiting many and not finding help or being welcomed with his wife. He also criticized preachers for preaching weak mealy mouthed messages and not the meat of the word. 

He was especially critical of pastors not caring about helping people, but rather padding their pockets with plush offerings. This is not the first time someone has derailed one of our studies. This man was physically large. To some intimidating. While he spoke nobody else interrupted. After a while, he got it all out. Later on he started down the same road when I had to reign him back. 

A recent survey of lost people indicates 72% of them think the church is full of hypocrites. Religious people who do not care about lost people with real hurts. The angry man talked about showing up at a church asking for a can of food and they told him they did not give out food until Saturday. He was hungry then. He wants to find a place for him and his wife, but he has found issues with all the churches they have visited. 

There are no perfect churches because churches are made up of imperfect people. There are good ones and ones who do not please the Lord. I grieve for what the people of God have done to the bride of Christ. We have drifted far from that original church in Acts 2:42-47. Some churches deserve the criticisms against us. Other churches labor feverishly to reach lost people and meet their basic needs. These are splendid examples of what God wants for His church. 

Many people have been burned by churches. Rejected and isolated. Others have been welcomed initially only to find out they aren't truly embraced by others, but just another person to sit in a seat and fill up a building. Churches have made some critical mistakes over the years. Some churches have gotten it right as well. Those are the churches that remember the mission [Matt 28:19-20] [Acts 1:8] and they live that mission out weekly. 

One thing I've discovered at the detox center is people will tell you the raw unfiltered truth of how they feel. They are not pretending. They are too broken and too desperate to pretend. Most know they are in trouble. Most understand they are destroying their lives through addiction. It's not physically easy to go there each Sunday afternoon after preaching and teaching twice before. In some ways, it is like walking into Satan's den. Isn't that where Christ followers need to be. To penetrate the darkness with gospel light. 

I can handle a rant if I also get to keep ranting about Jesus to those who will listen. We have lost count of all those whom Jesus saved over the past several years. Jesus cares about the unloved. He does not give up on the down and out whom others have written off. I keep showing up and pointing people to Jesus. That is what I believe He would have me do in this season of life. 

A Great Street Sweeper

 "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry, he should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause and say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." MLK JR.

Col 3:17 exhorts us that whatever we do in word or deed we should do it in the name of the Lord. That means all things we do and say on any given day continually we are to give our best in representation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to give slothful effort, do shoddy work, or be slack in our responsibilities. We are to do our best and speak our best consistently. 

There is the temptation to give our best efforts to important tasks that will bring recognition and not to give greatest effort for seemingly unimportant tasks nobody will notice. Jesus sees. He notices. We are to do it all for Him as acts of worship. 

I have had the privilege of preaching to 1,000 people. I have also had the privilege of teaching one on numerous occasions. Unto the Lord I am supposed to give my best no matter the size of the crowd. To preach or teach like I am preaching to a thousand even if there are only a few people in the room. 

The name of Jesus means something. Christians are representatives of Him. Lazy, undependable, and half hearted work does not glorify Him. Industrious, dependable, offering our best does glorify Him. No matter if you are a janitor, garbage collector, secretary, teacher, mechanic, farmer, executive, banker, or coach. God expects and demands our best as representatives of His Son Jesus. 

Even if it means sweeping streets. This applies to husbands, wives, and children. It goes for the nursery workers, the president of the company, as well as the President of The United States. It is true of the mega church pastor as well as the backwoods parson. It is true of the maid and wait staff as well as the owner of the company. The Lord Jesus Christ deserves our best. 

I find it interesting the context of this passage goes directly into wives, husbands, and children responsibilities. Even in the family dynamic we are to do our best as unto the Lord Jesus. That means wives submitting, husbands loving, and children obeying. 

This world would be a far better place if everyone did their best in everything. When this doesn't happen people get angry. They are frustrated and can even become bitter. As much as it is possible, may we resolve to do our best in word and deed. Constantly remembering we are not doing it for others who may not ever notice our efforts. We are doing it as an act of worship for our Lord and King Jesus. 

Baggage

 When our sons were little and we made family trips, I inherited the nickname of "Pack Mule." I got loaded down with all the luggage as Brenda navigated getting all four of the guys into the car and strapped them in their seats. She herded them to our final destination like cattle once we arrived. I often pulled two suitcases, had to others strapped over my shoulders and made multiple trips with a family of seven at times when Jennifer lived with who is Brenda's youngest sister. 

That is not the baggage I am thinking of today. I am thinking of emotional baggage. I spent some time this weekend considering events from childhood that have impacted me to this day. In my family, I saw alcoholism on both sides of the family by multiple members. There was sexual abuse on both sides. Pedophilia on both sides. There was also physical abuse. The one that bothers me the most is the lies and secrets kept from me until I was 27 years old. Not just one or two lies. Major lies on multiple fronts. 

I brought all that baggage into my relationship with Brenda. She carried her own baggage. She dealt with abandonment issues from her father, youth minister, pastor, and serious boyfriend. It was very hard for her to trust. We both brought baggage into our marriage we did not know how to unpack at the time. We muddled our way through the first few years and made many mistakes along the way. 

I was forced to look at my baggage during an exercise at our marriage conference today. It was not pleasant. Several unpleasant memories surfaced. Things shoved down deep. Like old clothes that get shoved down to the bottom of the drawer. I have not fully processed as of yet. 

Over lunch today, Brenda and I discussed what baggage we passed onto our sons. When I look back at my family dynamics as a child it is easy to identify the dysfunction. What takes a little more effort to unpack is what that dysfunction has done and is still doing to me today. It was explained that emotional baggage can be like an underground cable that connects two different events. Some events in life today can trigger emotions from decades previous. 

If those unhealthy bags are not emptied Biblically [Ps 55:22] [I Pet 5:7], they will manifest in unhealthy emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. None of those are things will build a healthy life or marriage. One of by one those unhealthy areas must be cleansed and refined. It may prove to be a painful process to deal with the past, but the end result could be mental and emotional health. 

We must be willing to unpack our bags. One thing I remember from those family trips is that when we got back home we unpacked our bags. We did not live out of suitcases. One by one dirty clothes went into dirty laundry hampers to be washed and ready to wear again. 

There are things I have to unpack and run through the redemptive cleansing of God. What Satan meant for evil God can turn and work it toward my good. [Rom 8:28] He can cause all things to work together for our good. He can use the pain to refine us and reshape us. He can also use us to minister to people who carry the same baggage we used to carry. May we unpack and press on to be better vessels in His hands. 

A Tribute to My Bride

 I met her 36 years on the campus of Howard Payne University. I noticed her before she ever noticed me. I volunteered to move new students into their dorms. Truth is I did it just for the girls. I carried Brenda's massive box of shoes up to her third story dorm room. She was a brown eyed beauty. She was overwhelmed with it all. Shy and unassuming. I thought she was stunning. We did not talk that day. 

I saw her around the campus for weeks. I noticed her long before she ever noticed me. Turns out my roommate had a class with her. He learned some things about her for me. Then it came time to make my move. We waited to see where she and a couple of friends put their trays down in the cafeteria. When she went to get her drink we swept in to sit at her table. Maybe not the smoothest move. That is how it began. 

After that, we set up our first study date at a local park. She actually brought books to study. I came only to study her. We both stereotyped each other. She thought I was a head banging rock and roll football player. I thought she was most likely a party girl. It did not take long for me to ask about her relationship with Jesus. She blew me away. She loved Jesus. Taught Sunday school to junior high girls back at her home church. The more she talked the more I considered her the exact kind of woman I wanted to marry. Within a week of our getting to know one another I told my mother over the phone that I met the girl I was going to marry. 

We talked about Jesus a lot. She was totally surprised I was studying to become a preacher. She never considered marrying a preacher. I never planned on being called to preach. That was God's plan and He drew us together from different parts of the state. 

She went back home to work for the summer. I went to Atlanta, GA to work as a summer intern for my former youth minister. I thought about her every day. I wrote several letters and waited for her replies. We talked on the phone a few times long distance. Those three long months without her. I think it is safe to say I fell harder for her than she did for me. She had been hurt in the past and it took a while to earn her trust. 

Then we hit a rough patch that ended in a one year breakup. I kept pressuring her to get married. She knew we could not afford to do so. She did agree to get engaged, but when I kept pushing her to set a date it became too much. We broke up. It crushed me, but God used it for good. That was the summer I really fell in love with Jesus as my first love. I spent months sending her money to pay for an engagement ring we bought on credit. I honestly thought it was over. 

She finished her course work in December of our senior year. Howard Payne only offered commencement ceremonies in May. She started her career back in Fort Worth. I stayed in Brownwood to finish my last semester. We ended up talking the weekend of graduation. The door cracked a little. That talk led to a few dates. We dated long distance for several months until I relocated to Fort Worth to go to seminary. 

I knew I wanted to marry her. I went and asked her mother for permission. She gave it reluctantly. She was not sold on me. Brenda and I traveled back for the Howard Payne University homecoming game. That is where I set my plan in motion. At the start of the fourth quarter the public address announcer called for Brenda to stand up for an important announcement. He read a message, "Brenda, will you marry me? Love Matt." She was shocked. Embarrassed to have the whole crowd looking at her. It took a moment before she regained her composure and said yes. We hugged and I high fives all my friends. We married on June 29, 1991 at her home church in Hurst, TX. That was 33 years ago. 

These days we are empty nesters. We are some of the most boring people in the world. We enjoy just sitting in our recliners watching movies together. We enjoy simple things like walking around the Farmer's Market, going out to eat, going to an occasional movie, and spending time with our sons and our daughter in law. It really does not matter what we do. We enjoy being together. She is my best friend. My soul mate. The person I love the most on this earth. 

I looked at her last night and thanked her for marrying me. This morning I told her I am still madly in love with her. I gave her homemade Valentine's cards and surprises this morning. I am blessed to share life with her. It really doesn't matter what we are doing as long as we are together, except maybe shopping. She has worn me down shopping on more than one occasion. I stared at her last night over dinner like a star struck young lover. She is a virtuous woman. She has stuck with me through the best of times and the worst of times in ministry. We still laugh together. Flirt a lot. We talk. Taken countless steps of faith. She still seeks God each morning and I do the same in different locations. I love her more now than the day I married her. She is still my brown haired brown eyed beauty. 

A Father to the Fatherless

It is estimated over 19.5 million children grow up without a father. That is one out of every four children. This has devastating impacts on those children and society. I ought to know. I grew up the same way in the late sixties all the way through getting married. I HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE LOVE OF A FATHER. NEVER HEARD A FATHER CHEER ME ON IN ANY ENDEAVOR. 

It is hard to describe the ways this impacted me. I felt inferior. Unsure of myself. An outsider looking at the rest of the crowd. I grew up an angry and abused little boy. There were multiple sexual abuses by family members and friends of the family. On one occasion there was physical abuse. I carried the baggage from those things for decades. In some ways, I may still carry some residuals. 

What are some of the lasting effects? Growing up without a healthy esteem, feelings of abandonment, trouble connecting with others relationally, poor academic performance, lack of trusting others, and mental health issues like depression. Fatherless children are also more likely to be aggressive. That was my number one problem. I fought and scrapped seeking to earn respect. I was a little boy parents told other little boys not to play with or befriend. All my anger and fighting was just a heart cry for someone to love me and accept me. My attitude repelled others from me. 

It was hard to navigate those early childhood years especially when it came to sports. I had nobody to teach me to catch and to throw a ball. I was driven though. My maternal grandfather was the closest thing I ever had to a father growing up. When we moved in to live with my grandparents, I loved time spent with my Papaw. We both shared a love for sports. I idolized Papaw. He was a legendary sports hero in my hometown. He was what we called a four sport letterman. That means he was on the high school varsity football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. I used to get in bed with him to watch Monday Night Football and baseball games. He was the most influential figure in my life other than my mother up until I was a sophomore in high school. He died of leukemia. That totally wrecked my world because he never got to see me play one single down of varsity football. I wept uncontrollably and was inconsolable for days afterward. 

I drifted through the next year pouring my pain into sports especially football. Long will I remember that Thursday night in October of 1983. I had no idea going through that day my whole life would change that night. Most who know me know that a local youth minister came into the stands of a junior varsity football game where I watched the game with my girl friend. That guy was sent by God on a different mission than watching a football game. He was sent to share the good news of Jesus to any who would listen. Just so happens he zeroed in on me. It was the first time in my life someone clearly spelled out what the death of Jesus on the cross meant. It also was the first time I understood my need for a Savior. Jesus saved and rescued me that night in the stands while the game played out below on the field. Everything changed. 

I did not realize it then, but for the first time I actually had a Father. A Heavenly Father. One who is a Father to the fatherless like me. [Ps 68:5] How can I put into words what that has meant to me over the years. God has been the Father I never had. He loves me, counsels me, reassures me, strengthens me, helps me, provides for me, and many other things earthly fathers do for their children. Things I have done for my own children. He is patient, but also willing to chastise me when needed. He forgives and also admonishes to do better. 

There is nothing an earthly father does for his children that my Father has not also done for me. He gives me purpose. He created me with intelligent design to fulfill His ordained assignment. To preach His word, shepherd a flock, lead others to know Him, and to write truths to help people on their journey. He is a faithful Father. Always there when I need Him night or day. He is a great listener. Patient. Merciful. Kind. Strong. Everything a child, or grown up, needs in a father. 

I am humbled and thankful God brought me into His family. I brought nothing with me. I had nothing to offer in exchange for redemption and adoption. When others ignored me, cast me aside, and refused to see my worth, my Father embraced me and cleansed me. He brought me into the family and gave me a seat at His table. All the good that I am or ever do is not because of me. It is all because of Him. I only boast in Him. [Gal 6:14] I celebrate that I now have a Father who is also Father to the millions of other fatherless children out there. 

Oh, That I Had 100 Lives

 The work of evangelism, laboring and seeking God for revival as well as spiritual awakening, the need for true discipleship among believers, and the continued need to pray as well as to write consume my thoughts this Thursday afternoon. Hudson Taylor felt a similar burden for 180 million Chinese people who had never heard the name of Jesus or heard the gospel message. It was Taylor who wrote, "Oh, that I had 100 lives to give or to spend for their good."

So many Christians are minimalists. What is the least amount they can do in service for the Savior. They do not want to be inconvenienced. It was inconvenient for Jesus to go to the cross, but He did it joyfully. [Heb 12:2] Joyfully and determinedly we should desire to labor for our Master from dawn to setting sun. There is much work to be done. So many have not heard the good news. 

One of my all-time favorite quotes was made by C.T. Studd. He said, "Tis only one life to live and twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." That puts a razor edge on focus. So many of our activities will not matter in eternity. Those things will burn up when tested by fire. [I Cor 3:13-15]

All any of us have is this one life. We only get so many trips around the sun. We must make it count. I wish like Hudson Taylor I had 100 lives. The truth is all I have is one. One life to offer back to Him in loyal service. In my little corner of the world, in my limited influence, with my few talents and gifts I offer all of my days in service to Him. It does not matter where He plants me. It does not matter what assignment He gives me whether easy or difficult. It does not matter what sufferings may come along the way. I must labor for the King. I must give Him as much service as I can squeeze out of this life. 

I realize at 58 I am closer to the end than the beginning. I think I have a lot left in the tank. I am not looking to coast into retirement. I'm looking to hit my sixties in stride trusting God to still be productive for decades to come. Yes, you read that right. Decades as in plural. Not decade as in singular. 

Like a sponge, I ask God to squeeze every drop of productivity out of me. I do not look for accolades. I am not chasing money. I'm only after one thing. When I see Jesus face to face, I want to hear him say, "Well done good and faithful servant." I don't have 100 lives to offer, but I do have this one. 

Yes, You Are Going Home

 Maria Taylor was a frail woman physically but stout spiritually. Her life as a missionary was not a life of ease. She endured much suffering in China alongside her husband Hudson trying to win people to Jesus. She had to bury three children in China. A grief so tremendous only God could help her bear it. 

She was often ill herself. Body weakened and confined to bed to recover. One morning Hudson heard her as he was preparing breakfast. What he could not see in the candlelight, but became clearly visible with the sunlight, was that his beloved life was dying. He knew she did not have long to live. 

He would long treasure the conversation that followed. He informed her she was dying. She didn't believe him at first. She felt no pain but only felt weary. He was a physician and could see her strength was fading. That is when he told her, "Yes, you are going home. You will soon be with Jesus." 

The joy of her soon departure to be with Jesus eclipsed the pain in his heart of losing her. She was concerned with leaving him alone to raise and care for their four remaining living children and all the responsibilities for the China Inland Mission that would fall on his shoulders. 

Her words to her husband speak to a depth of relationship with Jesus that was deeper than most. She told him, "You know, darling, that for ten years past there has not been a cloud between me and my Savior. I cannot be sorry to go to Him." 

There two suffering spouses unselfishly releasing the other into the hands of the King of Kings. A very difficult moment softened by the eternal promise of everlasting life with Jesus. Maria was going home. She was only 33. They had only been married 12 years. It seemed like such a waste. Such a young life. Yet, the Taylors knew that home was in heaven. Three of their children were already there waiting on their mother. Hudson knew one day he would follow after his work on earth was finished. 

I know this world is not my home. As long as God gives me life, I want to squeeze the most out of it for Him. To labor while I have a chance. That includes pointing others to salvation like I did with a group of students last night and do weekly at the detox center. That includes preaching and teaching while I have the chance. That also means hammering these keys to get words of hope, inspiration, and truth out to readers. 

When all that is over, I will go home. Not my boyhood home back in the piney woods of east Texas. Not where Brenda and I reside. Home is in heaven. One day I'll go home. Until that day, I want to take as many others with me as possible. What a day of rejoicing that will be when my Jesus I will see. He will lead me into a home I cannot see or imagine on this side. I Cor 2:9 

It will be sad if Brenda and I have to part with one another. We'd much prefer to be raptured off this planet together. Should one of us be called home before the other, I hope we endure that valley of the shadow of death without fear but with the joy of knowing the dying one will soon be home with Jesus. I hope we can face it bravely like Hudson and Maria did. The other will follow close behind soon enough. Therefore, we may grieve but not as people without hope. The dead in Christ will be raised first before the living are caught up with the Lord in the air. May we take comfort in that thought. I Thess 4:13-18.

Not everyone will get to heaven. That requires salvation in Jesus. Nobody gets to heaven without going through Jesus. John 14:6 That requires repentance of sin and trusting Jesus for the free gift of forgiveness. We cannot earn our way home. We must accept this free gift by faith. Eph 2:8-9 That is the only way to make it home to heaven. Maybe someone will read this today and experience that great salvation made available by Jesus' demonstrating love for us by dying to take our punishment. Romans 5:8 That is my hope and prayer. 

The Cost of Following

 Hudson and Maria Taylor met in China where both served as missionaries for two different organizations. People in powerful positions tried to prevent their love from blossoming and a romantic relationship from forming. God had other plans. He orchestrated their meeting and eventual marriage. 

Taylor had some very deep convictions. One of them was that they should trust God to meet their missionary needs once they married. The biography written by their son Howard is a fascinating account of God's intervention in their lives. Tales of faith and God's continual faithfulness. 

One story is when townspeople rose up in mass against the missionaries. Lies were spread that dozens of children were missing because the foreign devils captured and killed them. A mob attacked the house trying to break down the door. Taylor went out to try and calm the mob but to no avail. Maria was forced to jump out the back off a veranda into the waiting arms of another missionary. He missed catching her and she injured her leg very badly. 

They also dealt with whining, complaining, and division among their missionary recruits who found life in China much harder than they anticipated and longed to return to the easy life back home. Taylor lived under the constant pressure of praying in more funds from month to month. 

Nothing could have prepared them for the ultimate sacrifice they would be called to make. The death of two of their children who were buried in China soil. They wept but did not blame God or complain. They accepted the fact that their children were safe in the arms of Jesus and sought solace in the fact that one day would be reunited. They continued their evangelism labors without delay. 

They understood the cost of following Jesus. There is a cost. It may be different for each of us than it was for the Taylors. Our costs may be minimal in comparison. What cost are we willing to pay in our following? Financial sacrifice? Enduring criticisms? Overcoming adversity? Relocating? Enduring sufferings on multiple fronts? Persevering through intense persecution? Where do you draw the line? Where and when would you tell Jesus no further. I am not willing to pay this price for following You? 

I hope the answer for all of us is that there is no line. Like the Taylors, we will follow to our last breath. No matter what pain we have to endure, what sacrifices we are called to make, and what personal costs to us. Will we follow? Matthew 16:24

Cattle on a Thousands Hills

 God owns everything. Ps 24:1. We learn that every beast of the forest if God's and the cattle on a thousand hills. Ps 50:10 The whole world is His according to Ps 50:12. 

The current price of beef is $7.39 a pound. Most people who own cows own less than 50. Do the math. It is estimated that there are currently 1.5 billion cattle worldwide. God owns all of them. The average weight of a cow is 1,100 pounds. If you multiply that by 1.5 billion at $7.39 a pound, well... let's just say that adds up to a lot of provision. 

There is not a financial need you will ever have that God does not have the resources to provide to meet that need. His resources are unlimited. What is even better is that He knows your need and your address. He can get it to you every time and right on time. So why do people stress over financial matters if they are a child of God? 

Brenda and I have been eyewitnesses to God's amazing ability to provide. Brenda did not work four out of 12 months last year. She had two knee replacement surgeries. We never asked a single person for money. God provided. She only worked part time for another three months as she had physical therapy. We did not miss a beat. We were never late on bills. We did not miss meals. God provided on time in the most creative of ways. 

That is not the only time. Our story is a story of faith steps and God's supernatural intervention. We have a long standing conviction. We do not tell people when we have financial needs. We pray about them. For three decades we have watched God answer those prayers in amazing ways. Here is just a short list of things He has provided. 

Washing machines. Dryers. Refrigerators. Vehicles. Three houses. More money than I can keep account of over the years. Many times I have prayed that He would sell some cows and send the funds to help us in a time of need. The largest one time gift we ever received was for $15,000. Three other times He supplied $10,000 at one time. In 2019 He provided my family with 5 used vehicles in the span of 30 days without one penny of debt. He once provided me with two new suits. There has been money for groceries, house payments, and gasoline. Simply amazing. 

It is a comforting thought to know when any of us might have a need God has the ability to meet that need with ease. The next time you face a financial trial remind yourself God owns all those cows. Ask Him to sell one or two to help you out and watch to see what happens next. He is faithful. We can trust Him. Then we get to testify about what He did. 

A Tribute to My Friend

 I met Eric Adcock on the campus of Howard Payne University28 years ag. Our first encounter was not friendly. We were in a pickup basketball game after classes one afternoon. We were on opposite teams. I saw him around campus but had no intentions of getting to know him. That afternoon basketball game was heated. Both teams went back and forth. In those days, the winning team stayed on the court to play another game while the losers had to wait to play again after those on the sidelines got their chance to play. 

I was not guarding Eric. He got open for a three pointer and I left my man to hustle to contest the shot. Just as I got there, and he released the ball he said, "Ball game!" The shot went in causing my team to lose. I loathed him after that. I resolved the next time I played against him I would guard him and shut him down. 

One afternoon I meandered to the third floor tv room. We did not have cable in our rooms. I can't remember going to that tv room before that day. I was bored. Tired of classes and not interested in tackling homework. When I walked into the room and saw the only person there was Eric, I was not a happy camper. I sat far away from him sullen and silent. 

Anybody who knows Eric knows he is an extrovert. He finally broke the ice. He forced me to talk to him. Then he asked those famous words, "You want to go to the cafeteria and get dinner." Our bond was forged that day. From then on, we were always together. We shared a love for sports. We could not have been more different in most every conceivable way except two areas. We both loved Jesus, and we loved sports. 

In time, Eric became my roommate. We laughed. Made memories. Shared meals. Dreamed our dreams and enjoyed college life. We played pickup basketball every chance we could when I was not at football practice. Eric came from a tradition family with one older brother and both parents still married. I came from a dysfunctional broken home. 

Eric introduced me to Brenda. Eric was the catalyst for helping me get several ministry jobs. He has stood loyally beside me through the best and worst of times. He was my obvious choice to be the best man in our wedding. 

Over the years we have ministered at revivals, camps, and retreats. I am the preacher, and he plays the tunes with his guitar. I stand amazed watching Eric. He is gifted more than he knows. He is great with people. He has a way of making people feel important. He is very connected and cares about people. He talks to a former secretary he has not worked with in twenty years weekly even though she lives in another state. He keeps up many people. Always finding those discouraged souls and building them up. 

In the darkest season of my life Eric has been there. He prays for me. He loves me at my best and my worst. He does not judge me though he has plenty of ammunition to do so. He believes in me when I don't believe in myself. I admire him more than he knows. I wish I were more like him. More trusting of people. More talented and creative. More caring. More gifted. More successful. 

I have found Eric a wise and trusted counselor. I do not make big decisions without consulting Brenda and Eric along with a couple of other people. He allowed me the honor to preach his parents' funerals. We have wept together. We have consoled one another in the tough stretches. We have been there to help when one has a need. 

Eric has been loyal to me. He has given and given to me when it feels like I have sucked him dry emotionally, spiritually, and at times financially. Eric has seen me at my worst. He is patient with me. When I have gotten a wild hair idea, he has counseled me against some of them. Others he has supported me even when it did not make sense to him what I was doing. He has never made me feel inferior though he serves in a bigger church than I ever have, has had more success than I ever have, and makes more money than I do. He has never thrown those things in my face. He respects me. 

Most of all Eric just loves me. The real me. He has loved with actions as much as with words. He loyally supports me even when I fail. He courageously speaks the hard words of truth I may not want to hear but need to hear. He is kind beyond description. Eric is a servant and often serves me. 

When I see him standing on a stage with his guitar strapped playing and singing songs of praise I admire Him. I am awed by his gift and ability to lead people to the feet of Jesus in joyous celebration as well as in tender adoration. God has used him numerous times to move me to tears before I preached. 

Eric has lots of friends. Thousands. I have only a few. He does not need me but graciously makes time for me. I really bring little value into our friendship. He is closer than a brother. He is a brother born for sticking close in adversity. One of God's greatest gifts to me outside my salvation and family is Eric's friendship. A treasured blessing. I pay tribute to him today well deserved and woefully belated.

Be Still

 There are plenty of things to get stressed about in life. Health. Finances. Family dynamics. Political problems. Work related crisis. The economy. Some or all of these can take a toll. It can overwhelm the mind. 

It is good to be still and know that God is God. Ps 46:10. We are exhorted to be still and know He is God. The word God is the Hebrew word Elohim. It means to be exceedingly great. He is the supreme creator of the universe. The phrase be still can also be translated cease striving. In our hectic and frantic paces, it is good to be still and remember who God is. Completely in control. Masterminding circumstances and outcomes we cannot fathom. Omnipotent in power. Without rival or equal. God is supreme. 

Hundreds of things can happen on any given day to distract us and make us forget who God is. It could happen in the form of an unexpected trial, a health issue, a world crisis, or another pandemic. The world teeters on the precipice of WWIII. There are a lot of things to be concerned about. 

Face the facts. We cannot control the things that happen all around us. We cannot control the outcomes as much as we would like. We can constantly remind ourselves God still rules and reign sovereignly. We can find help and refuge in Him. Ps 46:1 We can find renewed strength to brave another day. Is 40:31 We can find peace that surpasses all understanding from God. Phil 4:7

Whatever is going on in our world I remind you of two things. God is not taken off guard. He is never surprised by anything. He knows everything. He is prepared for everything. Secondly, God can handle it. Whatever comes our way God can help us get through it. Even the tough days. He is a Good Shepherd. John 10:11. He does not abandon His flock in difficult days. 

So be still for a moment. Recalibrate your mind to the eternal truth of Ps 46:10. Cease striving and stressing. Let God do the heavy lifting. Ps 55:22. 

Songs in the Night

 God is lovingly kind. What does that mean? He is good, merciful, loyal, and His love endures. It does not matter what circumstances we might face. He is loving and He is kind. He is sovereign. He is good. 

God commands His lovingkindness in the daytime. That is what {Ps 42:8] states. God commands His lovingkindness. He orders His lovingkindness and appoints it where to go. Today He directs it towards us. He manifests it in many ways. Just the fact that we woke up is evidence of His good and kind love toward us. We have the opportunity to seek Him in His word and prayer. He meets us out of lovingkindness. We get to live this life and this day as an opportunity. We are not promised another day and the fact that we have this one is a gift of His lovingkindness. 

That is not all He does. His song will be with us in the night. I want to look at that statement from two vantage points. First, His song can fill our hearts and minds in the wee hours of the night. When sleep escapes and thoughts run wild like stampeding stallions in our minds His song of praise can bring us comfort, peace, and hope. There are songs that help us endure. Other songs bring great peace. There is a song out there that most likely corresponds with the way we feel at any given moment. 

The second point of view I want to consider is God sometimes sings over us. Zephaniah 3:17 informs us that God rejoices over us and He celebrates over us with shouts of joy. In the night hours when troubles swarm our minds God sings His song like a mother sings a lullaby to comfort her baby. He whispers soothing words of solace in our most troubled seasons. He does not abandon us in those difficult days. He remains faithful. Stalwartly steadfast. He is there for us in the darkest night reassuring us that He will not abandon us. 

What peace that should bring us. God sings His song of praise during the night watches. He does not forget or forsake us. The next time you have a sleepless night listen closely. You might just hear the Lord bring His song of praise to your spirit in those nighttime hours. 

God Centered Worship

 A shift happened in the worship culture over the past few decades. It happened so subtly most people did not even notice. Now in many churches the praise and worship time is far more important than the preaching of the word of God. People choose churches over the worship rather than the preaching. 

When I was a teenage young Christian, I noticed the difference in the songs we sang at youth group, camp, and the ones we sang on Sunday morning at my home church. I also noticed the difference in the way we worshiped at a camp or youth event rather than what I saw on Sunday morning. Students clapped at youth events. They sang with unbridled enthusiasm. One of the things I heard back then was how students loved singing to God rather than about God. 

That was true for me. Many times I changed the words of hymns so that I was singing to God and not just about Him. I am not saying there is anything wrong with singing about God. For me, I worshiped more meaningfully when I sang to God. 

Then the lyrics in many contemporary songs changed. The focus shifted to the worshiper and how the worshiper felt, or what they needed, or how they struggled. The shift was subtle. Most never noticed it. The focus became man centered rather than God centered. Everything about worship is supposed to be God centered. He is the audience of one we sing to and praise. He is the subject matter. He is the object where our worship is to be directed. 

In the last 20 years, I have heard a lot about people's felt needs. This shaped the way sermons were crafted. It also profoundly permeated the worship music written by contemporary artists. 

I was curious today about the number one rated hymn of all time. It was not surprising to be listed as Amazing Grace by John Newton written in 1779. I researched what a top new worship song might be. I discovered a song by Brandon Lake called Hard Fought Hallelujah. I watched the music video. Brandon sang with passion, raw emotion, and all his soul. I printed the lyrics. That is when I discovered it. He sings I or my 26 times in that song. He refers to God 6 times. There is something wrong with that picture. 

So much of the center of worship has focused on people and what they need or want as opposed to focusing on the the nature and character of God. It is very subtle. I was considering playing the video of Hard Fought Hallelujah as an illustration for the Sunday morning sermon until I read the lyrics. Lyrics matter to me. I try and pay attention to what I'm being asked to sing. Does it line up with scripture? Does it please God? 

I absolutely agree that we have needs as human beings. Those needs can never be allowed to drive worship. If they do, God will no longer be center stage but relegated to a lesser role. When our songs and sermons become about what we need and want more than on what God wants we have lost our way. I'm saying masses of believers in churches of all sizes and shapes have lost their way. Most are not even aware of it because they are doing what they see other churches doing. May the Lord wake us up. May we awaken from our spiritual stupor to see how we are a drift. God must always be the center of worship. 

The Anchor

 The waters are turbulent as the storm rages around me. The hurricane winds blow ferociously all about. At times it has been difficult to see a clear path ahead to navigate the ship forward. I have sought safe harbor and found it in God's presence. I have dropped anchor and hanging onto Him to ride the storm out. 

The anchor is the faithful character of God and the promises of His word. I have dropped anchor into those and found a steady secure place. While others may be tossed about by the towering waves, the anchor of faith keeps me in peace. My ship is battered and busted. I may take on a little water. I will not sink. I have been through storms before, and my anchor held true. It does so still today. 

Faith must be tested to be proven. Mine has been tested repeatedly over the past several decades. Personal attacks. Failed ministry endeavors. Repeated financial setbacks. Repeated sports injuries with my sons. Relentless Satanic attacks. There were times when I thought I would go under. The anchor held and the storm dissipated every time. There is no reason to believe the same will not be true this time. 

God is trustworthy. His word is true. My faith is stalwart. I will survive. I will see the light of better days. I will sail on smooth seas again. My ship and anchor are battle tested. They have held together soundly. I believe they will do so again. The dark night will not remain dark forever. It is true that weeping may last for a night, but it also true that joy comes in the morning. [Ps 30:5] It is true that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers out of them all for His children. [Ps 34:19] It is true that in this world we have tribulation, but it is also true that the Lord speaks peace over us, and He has overcome the world. [Jn 16:33]

For all those reasons and many more I can resolutely say the anchor holds. God has not abandoned in the day of trouble as I cry out to Him and He will deliver. [Ps 50:15] So if you find yourself in a storm also, I say hold on and drop anchor into God and His word. Storms last for a season, but God's faithfulness endures for all eternity. 

God's Plans Are Not Thwarted

 Thwarted is probably not a word you have used recently. It means to prevent or oppose. I read that word in Job 42:2 this morning about the plans and purposes of God. Those plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. Satan and His followers try. They try to upset and oppose God and His work every step of the way. 

In the end, they will prove unsuccessful. I want to examine this from two points of view. First, think about it. God has a prescribed plan. That plans includes saving people from their sins. If you read the book of Revelation, you know this whole unfolding drama is leading toward a certain conclusion. The rapture will happen. The Great Seven Year Tribulation will happen. During this time the Antichrist, or the Beast, as Revelation identifies Him will rise to prominence and power world wide. He will step on the scene providing peace for three and a half years. That will end in the last three and a half years when he will make war on Christians and persecute all who do not worship him and take the mark of the beast. God will pummel the planet with a series of judgments increasing in severity. Ultimately the antichrist will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire. The millennial reign of Christ will come ushering in days of peace and utopia. Those plans are certain and will not be altered. 

A second way of looking at that verse, is on a personal level. God has plans and purposes for each of us. We know Satan and his demons want to oppose God and His purposes in our lives every step of the way. It is comforting to know that Satan cannot prevent the plans and purposes of God. There are things that God wants to do in, for, and through each of us. He will accomplish those things as we seek Him and submit to His leadership. God will get us where He wants us. He will teach us what He wants to teach us. He will work in us the things He wills to works in us. 

He has the power to do anything. No matter how much Satan opposes, ultimately he is powerless to thwart the plans of God. I hope that encourages you today as much as it did me. Keep trusting. Keep seeking. Keep following. Keep submitting. God will have His way on this planet and in the lives of His children. 

Extravagant Worship

 If you want to see a good picture of extravagant worship, just tune in this Sunday to the Super Bowl. You will see fans dressed in fan gear, painted faces, who will stand, cheer, and celebrate their teams with unbridled enthusiasm. If you look at fans at a Taylor Swift concert or Beyonce concert you will behold people go crazy jumping, shouting, clapping, and some weeping. People did the same things for Elvis and the Beatles. 

People worship. It is just a matter of what or who they worship. People worship what they love. I saw it this past week when the Dallas Mavericks traded their superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers. People mourned. One guy wore a t shirt to church with Luka's face printed on it. Some even brought a casket to the American Airlines Arena and held a mock funeral service. Have you watched NASCAR fans or college sports fans? People worship lots of things. Like animals. Like other people in a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or even children. People worship. 

People view such acts as normal and acceptable. Yet, when a Christian engages in authentic worship eyebrows are raised. Criticisms are cast on extravagant worshipers by the religious. That is exactly what happened in John 12:1-8. Let me set the scene. Jesus has dinner with Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. No big deal right? Wrong. Lazarus was not supposed to be there because he died in John 11. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. That is not the point of the story. 

The focus shifts to Mary. She came to Jesus and poured out very expensive perfume on His feet. Estimates are that the perfume cost a whole year worth of salary. The is extravagant. Then she bent down to her knees at the feet of the Son of God and began wiping His feet with her hair. I am sure all the attention in the room focused on what she was doing. The Bible does not say she cried, but it is hard for me to imagine that she held by the tears. 

I suspect Jesus was not the only dinner guest. I believe all the disciples were present because Judas spoke about this incident. Mary did not care what anyone in the room thought except Jesus. Martha was serving the meal. People were probably hungry. Mary did not care. She bowed at the feet of Jesus in extravagant worship with humility. Why do I say humility? I Cor 11:15 states that a woman's long hair is her glory. She took her glory and used it as a towel to dry the feet of Jesus. 

You know how much time and effort women spend on their hair. They wash, condition, curl, straighten, and some color it. They style it, shape it, and then plater it with hair spray or some kind of sticking agent to hold it all in place. None of that mattered to Mary. She used her hair to wipe all that perfumed ointment off the feet of her beloved Jesus. The one who raised her brother from the dead. 

What motivated her to such an action? I think one thing. Love. She loved and adored Jesus. She did not care who saw her extravagant demonstration. You can see this happening in your mind. If you perceive deeper you can imagine the smell of all that perfume fragrance permeating the room. Her worship impacted the nostrils of everyone in the room. They may not have shared her sentiment, but they could not escape the impact of her extravagant worship. 

Judas was offended by this display. He piously protested the perfume could have been sold and given to the poor in an act of pretense. He did not care about the poor. He stole from the money box as the treasurer, and was only thinking of how he could have profited. 

Mary had no idea of the deeper implications of her act of worship. Jesus proclaimed she did it for the day of His burial and that He would not always be with them. He prophesied about His soon coming death on the cross, though none knew it at the time. 

Why don't we worship with such inhibitions? The obvious answer is that we care too much about what people think about us. We should only concern ourselves with what Jesus thinks about our worship and the Father. Who has not been so stirred in their souls in worship that they wanted to shout, they wanted to clap their hands, or raise their hands. Very often people in worship services sit stone faced and silent. I've heard many times in my pastoral ministry of three decades how many people never sing. They just stand like a statue. Could this all be attributed to lack of love? Jesus once commented that the one who has been forgiven little loves little. Luke 7:47Worship seems to be one of the main things we'll do in Heaven. For some it might be the first time they ever worshiped. How sad. 

I'm thinking of the lines in a Dennis Jernigan song. He wrote and sang, "Welcome before You rejoicing. We'll stand with hands lifted high to the sky and when the world wonders why, we'll tell them we're just loving our King." May we be more like Mary. Brave, uninhibited and even extravagant in our worship. 

Alone

 "I've never felt more alone in my life," I heard the church member say. This person does not have close friends in their current context. There are close friends from the past, but not in daily life at this time. Family members live away. It was hard to hear. Very sad. 

Even though this person sits in worship weekly surrounded by dozens of other people, there does not seem to be a close connection with any of them. It is fascinating how a person could be in a room surrounded by many others and yet still feel alone. On the outside looking in. Not included in the inner circle, but remaining on the outer fringes. 

There are people forced to live life alone. Solo. In solitary seclusion from much of society. Isolated. Disconnected. These are the kinds of people Jesus noticed in scriptures. Lepers. Demon possessed. The blind and lame. The diseased. The scorned sinners. Jesus approached them and engaged them. He loved some of the most unlovable characters. He made time for the insignificant. 

Have you ever felt alone. Longing for some kind of companionship. It is not a pleasant experience. There are times we all crave to be alone with some peace and quiet. Not every day and all day. That wears on a person after a while. God created us for communion with Him and with other people. We all need the fellowship and friendship of other people. Tragically some people trudge through life without these. They put on brave faces hiding the truth from others they come in contact with from time to time. The truth is their soul cries out in anguishing longing for companionship. 

In our fast paced rat race lifestyles many times we are oblivious to the lonely people God brings across our path. Who doesn't know the inconvenience of getting stuck in a prolonged conversation with somebody who just needs to talk. Instead of listening the temptation is to work our way out of that spot as quickly as possible. 

When I read about the way Jesus interacted with people, He never seemed in a hurry. He made time for people. Even when the crowds pressed in on Him. He patiently interacted with the needy. He took the time to listen. Sometimes we need Jesus with skin on in the form of a person. May the Lord send such people to lonely souls all over the planet. May we  be some of those people He chooses to use. 

Conclusion

 On July 24, 2022 I started a series preaching through the book of Ecclesiastes. It is the hardest book, other than Revelation, I ever preached through. Finally, I gave up on it midway through chapter five. It was so depressing. Vanity of vanities. Chasing after the wind. So I chose to walk away from it. 

I don't remember when, but I finished preaching through another book on Sunday some time ago and was praying about which direction to go. I asked prayers from the congregation and one man reminded me, "You never did finish Ecclesiastes." That is the direction I felt prompted to go. 

We plodded through the remaining seven chapters of the book. Slowly, methodically, and expository.  I leaned on God for understanding and revelation. Steadily we plowed through verse after verse. Today, I just finished studying for the last message in that book. Hallelujah. Should the Lord tarry and be willing, I will preach through that this Sunday night. It has been a long awaited goal to get to the conclusion of Solomon's book. A profound pilgrimage. 

There were many weeks I wanted to walk away from Ecclesiastes for good. I'm glad God and Brenda exhorted me to stick it out. It certainly was a challenge. A goal I celebrate quietly alone in this office. There is no fanfare. Nobody else is even in the building. It has been a long time coming. I was surprised to see it has been over two years. Shocked actually. 

I honestly can't say if I enjoy the study more or the delivery of the message more. When I get locked into serious study I lose track of all else around me. I have no sense of time. I get caught up in the world of word searches for meaning, deep meditation, flashes of inspiration, internet research, and good old fashioned Bible study. Hours can pass by without my being aware of it. 

Deep at heart I think I am a book worm. I love books. None more than the Bible. Seated in this sacred space surrounded by volumes of literary works stirs me. Using some of those tools to unlock truth for myself and for others to gain from in the study of His word is soul satisfying. 

Solomon ends his book of Ecclesiastes with the words, "The conclusion of the matter." With that I hope to prayerfully lean on God once again to deliver the final truths in expounding truth. It has been a long journey. I am not sure where we will go from here. I trust that He will reveal the next direction. Until then, I rejoice in the sweet satisfaction God helped me reach the end of that very trying book. We'll see what comes next. 

No Tears

 There are times when people live in sorrow but they have no tears. They feel like weeping but the tear ducts are dry. This happens when people suppress their emotions and are numb. Sometimes people have to hold their emotions down to cope with life day to day. The pain of the past is too paralyzing. So they choke back their emotions to survive another day. 

I wonder how people live with wounds that have not healed. How many live with griefs that never subside. How many live with disappointments and depression constantly. I believe churches are filled with such people. Masses live this way who never darken the door of any church. People get so numb to life they don't feel anything emotionally. 

I believe one of the reasons God created tears is for people to get all of that pain, those heavy sorrows, and crippling cares out in liquid form. Tears are a form of releasing internal pain. That is why people weep when someone dies. I certainly did when my grandfather died. It is one of the handful of times I wept uncontrollably. Another was sitting in my garage in Seminole. Our house was vacant. We had already moved to Paradise to start a church. The house had not sold and I needed to get a few things out of it. My three youngest sons all spent the night with friends. Brenda and Taylor stayed in Paradise. Things were not going well with the church plant. I sat in my garage alone that night with the door up and lights off and wept and wept when I thought about all we gave up to chase the dream of starting a church. 

When the emotions are suppressed the pain lingers. When the tears will not form, people carry the heaviness of their heavy laden burdens day in and out. They never really deal with the sadness. It oppresses them continually. 

That is why we must come to Jesus with our burdens. We must cast them all onto Him. [Psalm 55:22]. We were never meant to carry the sorrows of this life daily. In casting those things on Jesus, we might find tears form when we no longer suppress how we really feel. Life can be harsh. People we love die. People we love abusively wound us. People we once trusted can betray us. On top of those things, diseases surround us. Bodies age and wear down. We face financial crisis. Sin knocks at the door ready to pounce on us, but we must master it. [Gen 4:7] 

I have heard people say from time to time that they just needed a good cry. We are told in [Ps 30:5] that weeping may last for a night. It is appropriate in certain seasons to shed tears. Admittedly it not easy for some men who see blabbing and bawling as weakness. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. [John 11:35] 

Let me exhort you to let all that pain and feelings you might suppress to bubble up and fill up the tear ducts. Let that mourning well up in deep cascaded falling down your cheeks releasing pint up emotional trauma you may have carried for years. Cast all your anxieties on a great Savior who cares for you. [I Pet 5:7] Let the promise and hope of heaven renew strength to face the battles of the day where our King Jesus will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more crying. [Rev 20:4]

Regret

 Regret is the feeling of sadness and disappointment for something that happened. As I look back over my life I have a lot of regrets. Sinful choices. Poor decisions. Impulsive actions and reactions. If we only had a time machine where we could go back and correct our mistakes. There are no do overs. We only get one shot at life. No mulligans. There is grace. There is forgiveness. There are second chances sometimes. 

Sometimes the opportunities for second chances passes us by. We have to live with the consequences of those choices. That can be tough to live with if you approach life always looking back over your shoulder. Paul's  admonition for us in Phil 3:13 is true. Forgetting what lies behind. Pressing forward to what lies ahead. 

We cannot go back and undo the past. Instead of regret, we should repent where necessary and move forward. It is easy to get stuck in the rut of regret. We end up spinning our wheels but never making any progress. We can learn from past mistakes but we cannot go back and undo them. 

What do you regret? A lost love. A wrong career path. A bad investment. Discovering that the grass is not always greener on the other side. There is nothing you can do to go back and relive those moments. So quit looking backwards. Focus forward. There is still life to be lived. Things to achieve. Dreams to fulfill. God ordained assignments to accept. 

Regret wallows in self pity. Repentance deals with the sin and moves ahead. Which one more defines your life? Yes, learn from the past but don't remain stuck there. Don't waste your life in regret. Step into the next opportunity. Devote yourself to failing forward. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. With bull dogged determination keep pressing forward in faith to the things God has ordained for your life. That sure beats living in regret. 

Bitter

 To be bitter means to be angry, hurt, and resentful because of one's bad experience or unjust treatment. There are a lot of bitter people in the world today. Bitter toward their parents or grandparents. Bitter toward siblings. Bitter toward friends. Bitter toward co-workers. Bitter toward enemies. 

People carry this bitterness night and day. It eats at them. It impacts their physical, mental, and emotional health negatively. People still choose to cling to bitterness. Seething in anger and resentment. Sometimes the people others are angry at and resent are oblivious to this fact. They are not even aware of the bitterness. It does not impact their lives at all, while on the other hand, it destroys the bitter person inside. 

This impacts new relationships too. Bitter people will be more guarded, quicker to judge, and less trusting in a new relationship. They will project the actions of the one who hurt them onto the new relationship without cause sometimes. 

There is no healthy justification for hanging onto bitterness. We are told in [Eph 4:31] to put bitterness away from us. Some choose to embrace it. This is a direct violation of scripture. Bitter people are angry, resentful and miserable. I know. I carried bitterness deep inside for a long time. 

Without going into graphic details, I was sexually abused as a child and physically abused too. It made me a very angry child and teenager. I was untamable in my anger and fought a lot. My mother could not make me behave. Neither could my grandparents with whom we lived. Coaches and teachers could not either. I grew up angry and bitter toward many people. 

I got challenged on this while preaching a revival. Jesus saved me when I was 17 but I did not let go of my bitterness then. My great uncle held revival services in the church he pastored. He asked me to come preach them. Over dinner one evening after services he and my aunt asked why I didn't smile more and seemed so angry in the pulpit. This opened the door for a conversation about my childhood. They learned many things that wrongfully and shamefully happened to me as a child. I also learned that I was lied to all my life about who my father was. This information only angered me more. 

They both challenged me to forgive them. I went back to my hotel wrestling with their counsel. I took out a notepad and made a list. 27 names were compiled on that list. Most were family. Some were cantankerous church members who had lied about me. One by one I prayed through that list. Some had already died. I wrote letters to many of those people. The ones who were dead I still wrote to get the bitterness out of my heart. Then I crumbled the paper and threw it in the trash. I mailed the other letters to the living ones. God brought freedom to my soul. He replaced the bitterness with forgiveness. God broke the bondage of bitterness that held me captive for decades. 

Who are we not to forgive others no matter what they have done? God in Christ forgave us. [Col 3:13] We certainly did not deserve it. He gave it freely. He exhorts us to do the same for others. May God melt the bitterness in our hearts and replace it with liquid love where grace flows. 

Piercing the Dark

 When Taylor and Tanner were little, before Tucker and Turner were born, Brenda and I took them on vacation. Taylor was around 5 and Tanner around 3. We went to a tourist cave destination. I still remember descending the steps down into the depths of that cavern. They had lights to illuminate our way down into the bellows of the earth. 

When we reached the bottom the tour guide shared facts about the cave. I cannot remember any of them. Tanner got tired and wanted me to carry him. He was tuckered out from all those steps.  If you know how big Tanner is now you can imagine he was a sizable three year old. The largest of our four sons. While the guide kept talking my muscles kept burning. 

I do remember one thing. The guide talked about the darkness in the cave. So dark she said you are not able to see your hand right in front of your face. They turned the lights out. I held my free hand up and sure enough I could not see anything. Pitch black. Outer darkness. 

There is something about the dark that makes us unsettled. Ever walked through a dark building at night without light. You are unsure about your next steps. You grope your way along. Every noise makes you feel creepy. You accidentally stumble into furniture and walls you did not see. 

This world is a dark place. Sin abounds. Evil is everywhere. In all of this gulf of darkness Jesus calls us to be lights in this world. [Matt 5:14-16]. We are called to shine. One thing we know. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Darkness is the absence of light. Let the smallest light shine and it will pierce the darkest place. 

That is what God calls us to do. To shine in the darkest places. David Livingstone did that in Africa. He shone the light of Jesus in areas no white man had ever traversed. He braved savages, lions, jungles, malaria, and a host of other dangers. Livingstone shone in the darkness as he created maps for those who would follow with the gospel after him. He opened up Africa in ways that had not been done before. 

The most famous story about Livingstone is they found him dead in his tent. The natives carefully cut out his heart and buried it in Africa before shipping his body back home to his wife. They knew he loved Africa and wanted part of him buried there as a result. What a testimony. 

We are called to shine in dark places. When you shine alone it may not be much light. If enough followers of Jesus shine in the same place it can transform communities and countries. May we shine through good works so that our Father is glorified and others are drawn to Him. No matter how dark the place is. No matter how remote and removed from God's influence. Our light can pierce the darkness. 

Sailing into the Storm

 There are seasons of life. Seasons when everything is smooth sailing. No health problems. Plenty of finances. Harmony in the family and among friends. Things at work go well. The seas are smooth like glass. The sun is out and the skies are cloudless. 

There are other seasons when clouds turn ominously dark. Streaks of lightening flash across the sky. The winds pick and the waters turn choppy at first and then swell into dangerous waves. Sometimes you have no other choice. There are no alternate routes. You have to sail into the storm. 

That happened with Jesus and the disciples in Mark 4:35-41. They sailed into a dangerous storm. The disciples freaked out. They were terrified and thought they would die. They gave into anxiety and fear. Jesus slept. Two very different approaches to the storm. 

None of us can avoid storms that swirl from time to time. It would be easier not to go through those stormy seasons, but they are common to all of us. Some right now are sailing into a storm. Others are already in the middle of one. Others are coming out on the other side. 

How do you approach these stormy seasons? Do you panic and get overwhelmed with anxiety? Do you stress? Does crippling fears grip you like a vice? I think this is the more natural and common response. 

Do you endure storms in peace as you trust the Lord to see you through. I know many people in the middle of storms right now. Some find peace through prayer and refuge in God. These are the people who trust. They do not doubt. Their storms may be very severe, but they cling to Jesus by faith in the middle of the storm. Their faith is greater than the present storm. 

In that Mark 4 story Jesus stands up and rebukes the storm. He spoke, "Peace be still." Other translations record Him saying, "Hush be quiet." Jesus muzzled the storm. He calmed the raging seas. He brought tranquility to an otherwise chaotic situation.

As you find yourself sailing into your next storm, I hope you will remember the contrast between the disciples' reaction and Jesus' reaction. One brought stress and fear. The other brought peace and rest. Which do you choose? Jesus still has the power to calm storms. Sail on brave ones. You do not enter the storm alone. He will be with you. For those of you in the middle of it now, He is with you. Storms do not last forever. They have a beginning and an ending. Sail on and one day you will get on the other side of the storm in this life or in eternity. 

Leadership

 I once read that leadership can be defined simply as the ability to influence people. This can be done positively or negatively. Good leaders influence people in uplifting ways and beneficial ways. Bad leaders can influence people in destructive and oppressive ways. 

Leadership can be lonely. The old saying goes, "It's lonely at the top." A lot of people connive and strive to get into leadership positions. They are greedy for power. They long for the prestige. How could that be lonely? It gets lonely when you have to stand alone and make decisions that are best but not everyone agrees with. 

There comes a time when leading forces decisions that are necessary but not always popular. That is the nature of leadership. It requires steely nerves, thick skin, and unwavering resolve to do what is right even if it requires personal sacrifice. This was never more personified than in Jesus. His leadership in doing what was right for the people cost Him His life. [Matt 26]

Many want to lead while caving into peer pressure and political polls. Leaders may upset the status quo from time to time. Leaders may be forced to do unpopular things that will prove beneficial in hindsight. Leading people to war is not always popular but sometimes necessary to protect citizens. 

When the crisis hour comes what will today's leaders choose. This may be the leader of a household. It could be the leader of a civic organization. It may be a leader on a sports team, someone put in charge at work, someone in a church, or the president of a country. All these are put in a position to influence others. In the crisis moment will they make the tough calls? Will they stand firm and lead with conviction or will they cower in fear? 

We need godly leaders who will do what is right, seek God's wisdom, and courageously follow God's counsel. Men like Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Paul to name a few. Some people view leaders as people to be served. Nobody was a greater leader than Jesus and He came to serve others and not to be served by them. Jesus humbled Himself taking a towel and washed the disciples' feet in John 13. He spoke hard truth to the religious leaders of the day identifying them as hypocrites in Matthew 23. He lead people to part with some of the rituals and customs of the day. Mark 3. 

This nation needs to follow Jesus' leadership. We need leaders who honor and seek Him first. We need leaders with courage and not gutless cowards. We need leaders who actually care about the people they are leading. Many people have the titles of a leader but fail miserably. May God raise His leaders over this land once again. 

Remove the Stone

 The story of Lazarus in John 11:1-45 is fascinating. Lazarus got sick. His sisters Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus to come and help. Jesus intentionally delayed coming for two extra days. In that time Lazarus died. Jesus showed up and was met by two grieving sisters who said the same thing at two different times. If Jesus had just gotten there in time their brother would not have died. 

Jesus told them He was the resurrection and the life and though people died they would live. He exhorted them to believe. Nobody but the Father and Jesus knew what was about to happen. A glorious miracle. 

Jesus told them to remove the stone of the cave where Lazarus was buried. EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE MIRACLES. NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO TAKE FAITH STEPS. MIRACLES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FAITH STEPS. 

Martha immediately commented that removing the stone would release a foul odor of their brother's decomposing body. He had already been dead four days. Removing the stone did not make sense. It was irrational and illogical. Just as much as if I asked you to go dig up the casket of a freshly dug grave. It was not normal. Common sense dictated to leave the stone in place. It was too late to help Lazarus at that point. 

Martha and Mary had a choice. They could have given into to their personal experience. Lazarus died. They had a funeral and buried him. It was all over. Too late. A devastating conclusion. That is what they thought. That is what they saw. Now they had to choose whether to believe what they saw or what Jesus said. 

They did not know what Jesus knew. An epic miracle was about to take place. Before the miracle, they had to take a step of faith and ask that the stone be moved away. Though it did not compute in their minds, they  obeyed the word of Jesus. Slowly the stone was removed. With a loud voice Jesus cried out the now famous words, "Lazarus, come forth." Just three words. The power and authority spoke a miracle. 

The dead man began to move. Lazarus opened his eyes as if awaking from sleep, even though he had been dead for four days. 96 hours Lazarus' body decomposed in the tomb while His soul soared to Heaven. All of that changed with just three words from Jesus. His body was restored. Air filed his lungs again. His heart began to beat again. His pulse quickened. His decaying body was restored. He sat up. Slowly he walked from the tomb still bound in grave clothes. A miracle. Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead!

Many reading this have problems. Some of them are massive. Let me ask you. Is your problem bigger than the one Lazarus faced? If Jesus can help Lazarus arise from death, He can certainly handle whatever problems you are facing. He is bigger and stronger than anything you face. Be encouraged. Believe Him. 

Jesus told Martha and Mary if they believed they would see the glory of God. If they trusted. If they had faith. I am not telling you Jesus will always do exactly what you want Him to do. I am saying that He is capable of doing more than you think He can. Eph 3:20 No matter what impossible situations you are up against believe Jesus. When he calls you to remove the stone do not hesitate. Even if it makes you look ridiculous. Even if people misunderstand you and judge you. Even if nobody believes with you go ahead and remove the stone. You never know what miracle might be on the other side. 

The Anger of Men

I just got off the phone with a man who was spitting mad. Not at me. He was mad at a person who defrauded him out thousands of dollars. He confronted the man at work and the accused just smiled at him smugly. The man who called me wanted to fight. Wisdom prevailed and he opted to turn the other cheek. He called me to vent and ask what he should do. He wanted to take the guy to court to get his money back. 

I offered some scripture. [James 1:19-20] This you know my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 

Like so many other verses, they are easier to read than to live. Being quick to hear others and slow to speak takes a lot more than discipline. It takes a supernatural work of God deep in us. The natural response is just the opposite of what scripture calls us to old We are often quick to speak and slow to listen. This can get us into all sorts of trouble. We are also to be slow to anger. The word anger in that verse means impulsive wrath. 

How easy it is to get angry at other people. We are wronged, disrespected, harmed, belittled, and cheated. This makes us angry impulsively. We naturally want to retaliate. We are suppose to keep anger in check. To throttle it back. Not to give into our impulses. 

No matter how much we want to retaliate and make people pay it will never produce what we hope it will. God's purposes will not be achieved by losing our tempers, blowing our top, and exploding into rage. God sees all. Nothing escapes His notice. He sees every wrong. Trust Him. Nobody gets away with it. Nobody will escape judgment outside of a saving relationship with Jesus. 

The offender in the story I told is not a Christian. I have witnessed to this man several times. He is a person of low character and will act out that low character repeatedly. His payday will come someday. It may not be until he stands before God in judgment. He will have to give an account for his actions. He will answer for the wrongs he has done. 

It is easy to get angry. It will never bring about the desired results. We trust God to make things right. We trust God for justice in this life and in the afterlife. So we can let go of anger and bitterness. We leave it all in His capable hands. Remember that nobody will get away with it and we will be vindicated. 

Not the Author of Confusion

 The ways of God are mysterious as I wrote last week. Sometimes He is hard to understand. He is not the author of confusion. Confusion is a lack of understanding and uncertainty. God certainly never lacks understanding and is never uncertain. That does not mean He always reveals all His understanding and certainties to us. 

I am sure some reading this today are facing much confusion. You just do not understand your circumstances. You certainly are not certain about what God is doing. So how could Paul truthfully write that God is not a God of confusion? [I Cor 14:33] Like so many things in our walks it comes down to trusting Him. 

Trusting Him even when we cannot see what He is doing. Trusting Him when we do not know what to do. Trusting Him when the path is dark, the future is unclear, and circumstances around us are harsh. God knows what He is doing without our input. We do that don't we? We pray about things but in our prayers, we suggest the best ways we think God should work it all out. When He does not do it the way we thought best we end up confused. Our faith is damaged, and we sink into despair. 

Our job is trusting Him. That is easier sometimes rather than other times. According to [John 5:17] God is working. He has always and is always and will continue always working. He is absolutely certain about what He wills to do. What He considers best. We can resist in rebellion. We can submit in surrender to His will. Resisting will lead to confusion. Submission will lead to peace. What will you decide?

I've Got Something Better

 Reluctantly I drove myself to a regular check up with the doctor this morning. I will never understand why the doctors wants us to make appointments and will penalize us if we are late, but they are regularly late to call us back to the examination room and then late in showing up in the room. 

I met a new nurse this morning named Asia. The regular nurse I developed a repour with moved to a different city. It was my first encounter with Asia. I looked for a way to work Jesus into the conversation. She asked my birthdate to pull up my chart on the computer and then started taking vital signs. Oxygen, blood pressure, and temperature. She made the comment that she had not had her coffee yet this morning. Then she said, "I got to have me some coffee in the morning to get me going."

That was my opportunity to speak about Jesus. I responded, "I found something better to get me going in the morning." I left her hanging. She took the bait and asked what it was. I exclaimed, "I get up early and get some Jesus in the morning to get me going." She broke out in a big smile and said, "Yes, Jesus in the morning, Jesus all day, and Jesus at night." 

Jesus is better than coffee to get a person going in the morning. Time alone with Him in conversation and meditation on His word can jump start the most sluggish morning person. I have known many people who have to have coffee in the morning. Without it they are irritable. Likewise, I have met some Christians who are irritable and joyless because they do not crave Jesus in the morning like they crave coffee. 

Meeting with Jesus should be the most important appointment we keep each day. Nothing should be of higher priority. It should be scheduled on our calendars consistently. More important than extra sleep, breakfast, catching the morning weather report, or reading the newspaper. Time with Jesus is most assuredly more important than social media. Jesus is better than all of that. 

Let me exhort you to start your day with Jesus. Okay. Some of you are like Brenda. You choose to start your day with Jesus and coffee! Like clockwork I know that love of my life will wake early and go make her coffee. Then she will open the blinds in the bedroom and sit in her chair. She will get into the scriptures followed by listening to worship music. Jesus gets her going in the morning. He will do the same for you. Even Jesus made time for the Father in the morning. [Mark 1:35] I think we should all follow His example. 

Memories Forgotten

 Many things have expiration dates. Like milk. I learned this lesson the hard way. I never concerned myself  with expiration dates on milk cartons. Not until the day I got a swig of sour milk. Totally disgusting. Made my stomach turn. I check the expiration date now and even smell before I pour. Several times the milk has soured BEFORE the expiration date. You will notice on labels, "Best used by this date." This is true for all sorts of things. 

People have expiration dates too. As sad as it is, people die. They expire. What is even sadder, is that many people get forgotten over time. People who once made significant contributions to society. So let's do a brief history test. I will name three people. See if you recall their achievements WITHOUT USING YOUR PHONE! 

Here we go. Edith Wilson. Earnest Lawrence. Lewis Latimer. 

How did you do? Did you get all of them? Two? One? 

Edith Wilson was the second wife and First Lady for President Woodrow Wilson. Earnest Lawrence was a physicist who made significant contributions to the creation of the atom bomb. He did not get the same recognition as Robert Oppenheimer who was better at delivering memorable quotes. Last but not least, Lewis Latimer was hired by Alexander Graham Bell to draft the patent for the telephone. Latimer was so efficient he got the patent turned in just hours before a competitor turned one in. He was hired for a competing company against Thomas Edison working with the light bulb. He perfected the light bulb to burn for days and not just hours. Eventually Edison hired Latimer to come work for him, and he put electric lights in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Montreal. 

Most people have forgotten all three of these people. I confess that I never even heard of Edith Wilson or Earnest Lawrence. I had at least heard the name Lewis Latimer but could have not told anything he did. 

Our contributions can be quickly forgotten soon after we expire. We are reminded of this truth in [Ecclesiastes 9:5] It is that much more important that we do things that will matter in eternity. Things that will last beyond us. Through technology I hope to leave some preaching and teaching that lasts long after I am gone. Through books and these blogs I hope to leave a legacy to pass onto others long after my life expires. Life is fleeting. 

It makes me stop and think that maybe I should enjoy the simple things in life more instead of constantly striving to achieve. One day all my body of work will be forgotten. Should Jesus tarry, there could come a day when nobody will remain alive who ever knew me. It keeps me grounded and humble. 

The one comforting thought in all of this is that God remembers. God does not forget His children. God does not forget what things we did for Him that will be rewarded in eternity. May we invest our lives in what really makes an eternal difference and not strive for things that will perish. 

How Do You Describe God

 There are many ways we could describe God. We could say He is loving, merciful, gracious, kind, patient, and mighty. We could also say He is just, a righteous judge, a champion warrior, a defender of the oppressed and an executioner for those who do not know Christ as Savior. All of those would be true. I have something else in mind. Something that probably would not make the top ten descriptions on your list. Maybe not even the top 20. 

God is mysterious. I mean He is difficult to understand, impossible at certain times, and impossible to understand at other times. Many times we are baffled by Him and His ways. We think He is going to act in a certain prescribed way and He does something completely different. We believe He will come through at a certain time on a certain date, and God shows up late by our standards but always on time by His standards. 

He mysteriously heals one person while leaving another to suffer until Heaven. He provides for one need but leaves others to live in lack. He offers the good news to many while some have never heard. He opens doors we thought He would shut and shuts doors we thought He would open. 

God is mysterious. He works in mysterious ways. William Cowper wrote a song titled God Moves In A Mysterious Way a few centuries ago. Providentially Cowper suffered with incurable depression nearly all his adult life, and tried to commit suicide on more than one occasion. He never found lasting relief this side of eternity. Yet, he wrote some beautiful poems and songs that still touch the souls of suffering people. 

We love to ask God our why questions. I personally think those do not offend God. but He is not obligated to answer them. Many times we would not understand anyway. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. We would never understand even if He did pull back the curtain and allow us to see what He is  doing. One of the great things about Heaven is it will all make sense. 

Down here there is a lot more trusting. A lot more faith required. A lot more belief even when we cannot see the outcome. It is daily trusting and hoping when all things around look confusing. God is many times mysterious. I could describe Him in many other ways and deservedly so. Today I am thinking about His mysterious nature. Even in the mystery He is still faithful. Mysteriously faithful. [Is 55:8-9]

Coming Wrath

 Sin is offensive to God. Never mistake the fact that God hates sin to mean that God hates sinners. Just read [Rom 3:22] and [Rom 6:23] to see otherwise. God loved sinners enough to send Jesus to make atonement for people's sin. [Rom 5:8] Don't miss this truth. God's love is beyond description. There is a limit to His love. Should a person spurn His love and offer of forgiveness and repeated help in salvation rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus there is only one fate certain. WRATH! 

Wrath can be defined as extreme anger. The Bible is filled with stories about the love, compassion, mercy, and grace of God. To be honest, there are also stories where God poured out wrath. God is very patient, but He does get angry. He does store up that anger to be poured out in wrath against people who reject Him repeatedly and refuse to obey His laws. 

In the past God has poured out His wrath against individuals like Pharoah in Exodus and against nations like Egypt, Moab and Philistines. His wrath was poured out once on the entire planet and human race in Genesis 6 with a flood. God takes holiness seriously. He also takes sin seriously. Serious enough that He sacrificed His Son to redeem people. 

A holy God has to deal with sin. He would not be just if He turned a blind eye and let people do whatever they wanted. He warned in His word that people are held accountable for their actions. [Heb 9:27] Sin must be punished. That is justice. Even in justice God offers mercy. None of us could ever have lived up to the standards set forth by the Old Testament law. We needed mercy. God had to satisfy His just nature and punish sin while also demonstrating His love and compassion. Jesus satisfied the justice of God by dying for sins. He substituted for us taking what we deserved and offering forgiveness that we did not deserve. [II Cor 5:21]

No matter how many warnings God offered in the past and is still offering today, there are many who ignore and brazenly bull their neck and stubbornly do whatever they want. For such people I write again that wrath is coming. I plead with you to wake up and turn your life over to Jesus pleading for His mercy and forgiveness. For any who do not listen, there will be a pay day someday. A day when God calls people to account and passes the sentence of condemnation in His wrath. I don't want to see people get caught up in the coming wrath. [Col 3:5-6]

The Silence of God

 There are times when God speaks as loud as thunder. There are times when He speaks in a still small voice. There are other times when He is silent. It is these silent periods that trouble us so much. Let me say this up front and emphatically. Never interpret the silence of God for His absence. 

For over 400 years the Israelites endured Egyptian slavery. One generation after another cried out for God to deliver them. God was silent. He did not explain what He was doing. He did not offer words of comfort and hope that are recorded in scripture. There was the promise given to Abraham in [Gen 15:1-6]. The promise that his descendants, which would become the nation of Israel, would be more numerous than the stars. 

400 years is a long time to wait. It is a long time to cry out to God for help and yet the help did not come. It is very long time to ask God what He was doing and why the continued delay and prolonged bondage. God did not answer. He remained silent. That does not mean that He was not working. 

Read [Ex 1:1-7]. Especially focus on verse seven. When Jacob's descendants came to Egypt under Joseph's protection there were 70 people in all. Look at verse seven. They were fruitful. They multiplied. They increased greatly. They became mighty and the land was filled with them. So much so that it frightened the new Pharaoh because he could see them growing in numbers. 

God kept His promise, and they did not even recognize it. All they focused on was their misery from the bondage. They could not see that God was growing a nation. I wonder if we do the same thing. When God is silent, and circumstances are not what we wished they were, do we interpret that to mean that He does not care and is not working? I know I have certainly done that in the past. I still do it from time to time presently. 

For several days I have not received any fresh word from God in my devotions. I read His word, use a devotion book, and sit still before Him. He remains silent. I know from experience that He is still working when I do not hear Him. I don't know what He is doing. At times it is very confusing. I still believe He is working His purposes just like He did with Israel. 

Let me encourage you again not to interpret God's silence as His absence. He cares. He is working in ways we cannot see. Behind the scenes He is orchestrating circumstances to accomplish His will. We may have to wait a while for His will to come to fruition. In the meantime, I encourage all of us to quit focusing on His silence and what we do not see Him doing. Look closer right under our noses to see what He is doing. Sometimes His plans can be accomplished in a matter of moments like choosing the disciples. Other times His plans might take centuries to unfold. His silence does not mean He does not care, nor does it mean that He is not active. It really comes down to trust even in the silence. 

Vomit

 Vomit is not a pleasant sight or smell. Some people gag and their stomach turns at the sight or sound of vomit. It can be described in phrases like blowing chunks, puke, or gergertate. 

In Rev 3:15-16 Jesus chastises the church at Laodicea for not being cold or hot, but for being lukewarm. He said He would spit such people out of His mouth. A better way to put it is that He will vomit such people out of His mouth. Lukewarm people may Him nauseatedly sick to His stomach. 

This is sad because churches are filled with lukewarm members. Many lukewarm preachers fill the pulpits Sunday after Sunday. Lukewarm worship leaders lead singing. Lukewarm teachers instruct small groups. Tepid followers of Jesus sit apathetically listening to ice cold sermons delivered professionally but not passionately by lukewarm pastors in some cases. 

When I consider all that we do as Christians in our gatherings, and that much of it sickens Jesus, it is a sobering thought. Sad. Repentance is in order. That is the exact message Jesus gave to the Laodicea church. It is a message needed for the church age today. 

I heard a person involved on the worship team of a church say recently how people sit stone faced on Sundays refusing to sing. That does not sound like something Jesus smiles on. He wants His people to love Him first and foremost. He wants His people to passionately seek Him. He wants His people to live with fire in their hearts and a burning in their souls. A fire that cannot be quenched by circumstances or persecution. 

Relentless

 Satan is relentless. He doesn't take naps or days off. He is constantly opposing God, stealing what is not his, killing, and destroying. [Jn 10:10] It can wear down a person's resolve. The constant attacks. The constant temptations people give into that hurt others as well as themselves. He connives in his ways through demon attacks into people's minds. He can destroy the psyche of a person causing them to die from self-inflicted wounds. 

No soldier in active service comes out unscathed. We all have a few war wounds. It is a war that we are in. The enemy relentlessly attacks us personally, our families, friends, churches, schools, communities and even countries. We must remain on vigilant alert. He works in stealth. Coming as a thief. He blindsides people. He knows from experience just where people are most vulnerable to temptation. 

While the enemy works tirelessly to destroy the church sleeps. Christians watch as the enemy pillages and plunders society right before our eyes. Little is done to oppose him. We gather in our holy huddles for  more religious gatherings that do not make much difference.  It doesn't seem much changes. We are told to resist him. [James 4:7-8]. To withstand his wicked schemes. [Eph 6:10-12].

We must resolve to be relentless in our service to God. There are two things that are like dropping nuclear bombs on the kingdom of darkness. Two things that make a huge difference. Prayer and evangelism. It is interesting these are two things the church does not excel in doing. It makes perfect sense that the devil does not want churches praying or evangelizing. We are kept busy with less important things. Things that really do not have lasting eternal value. Prayer and evangelism make a huge difference. 

In 2025 let us resolve to be more faithful in prayer and sharing the love of Jesus with people we come in contact with. May we be just as relentless in these ministries as the devil is in attacking Christians and deceiving people into hell.