Weekly Devotion - March 2, 2012

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,

because you know they produce quarrels."

2 Timothy 2:23 NIV

A few years ago I was the training manager for a customer service call center. My job involved directing the training process of agents who would receive calls from mortgage customers. As you might imagine, the calls we handled were almost always about a problem the customer experienced. The mortgage company may have misapplied a payment or failed to pay property taxes. The customer sometimes just did not understand the terms of their mortgage. We were there to help explain and fix and soothe.

An important thing to remember when taking calls from customers was to remain calm even if they weren't. And never use a tone of voice or choice of words that were bound to create or fan a flame of anger in the customer. I called doing such things "picking a fight." It's not good customer service.

And it's no way to treat your family or friends or church family. It's no way to treat anybody! Yet families are divided over foolish and stupid arguments. Churches split over some pretty silly issues. Friends are lost because of words spoken without much thought.

That's not what God intends for us in the area of relationships. Relationships are meant to be beneficial in some way to all parties. Upset that intention and the equilibrium is turned upside down. Arguments begin and years later you still argue but don't know how the argument got started. You may be more impassioned against the person than by the issue. Think "Hatfields and McCoys."

Think about your relationships. Begin with family, then close friends, casual friends, acquaintances, and finally strangers. Are you close? Are the relations strained? What are you doing to improve them? Are you intentionally trying to be a blessing to others? Pray that God will help you establish healthy relationships with the people around you, mend broken relationships, and bless others.

Balaam Follow-Up

Here's another thought from the biblical account of a man named Balaam.

After Balaam had the conversation with the donkey, he went on to meet with Balak, king of Moab. Balak was a little put out that Balaam had taken so long to come to him. He scolded Balaam for the delay and said, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?" (Numbers 22:37 NIV)

Balaam's response to Balak was better than his response to his donkey and the Lord. Essentially, Balaam said, "I'm not for hire." God told Balaam to only speak the words he gave him. No matter the reward or threats, Balaam could only speak God's words.

I can't speak for all preachers, only for this one. Unless I stay focused on the Lord and his word, I can be tempted to say what others want to hear. Paul warned Timothy of preachers who would say anything to please itching ears.

Today we have men and women proclaiming the word of God but with tactical omissions and twists so as not to offend anyone. Whether they are trying to build a religious empire or just stay in the good graces of their listeners, they preach something that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are telling Balak what he wants to hear.

For all the ridicule Balaam gets for missing the Lord when the Lord was standing right in front of him waving a sword, Balaam gets kudos for this. He would go on to speak four oracles to Balak on behalf of the Lord that clearly were not what the king wanted to hear.

Every Christian - not just the preachers and ministers - is called by God to speak his word into this world.

Don't get distracted.

Don't water down the message.

Don't change the gospel.

A Man, a Donkey, and the Lord

Are you familiar with the biblical story of Balaam's donkey? The king of Moab was a guy named Balak. He had watched the Hebrew people rout his neighbors and was afraid they might do the same to his and his people. So Balak called for Balaam because he knew that a curse upon the Hebrews from Balaam would end the uprising. God spoke to Balaam during the night telling him to speak only God's words to Balak.

When Balaam went with Balak's messengers the next morning, the angel of the Lord appeared in the middle of the road to block his path. Only Balaam's donkey saw the Lord - Balaam and the messengers did not. The donkey turned off the road into a field.

After Balaam got the donkey back on track they continued on. The Lord again appeared along a narrow path between rock walls. The donkey crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. Balaam beat the donkey.

Once more headed down the path, the Lord appears a third time and the donkey laid down in the road. Balaam was angry and began to beat the donkey. Then something amazing happened. God opened the mouth of the donkey, it turned its head, and spoke to Balaam: "Why are you beating me?"

Then something REALLY amazing happened: Balaam spoke back to the donkey! The Bible records no reaction of surprise or fear. He just talked back. They had a conversation just like two people who had a dispute. But this was a man and a donkey!

Do you sometimes let your emotions get in the way of seeing what God is doing?

Emotional Roller Coaster

Can I open up to you? Today has been a roller coaster ride for my emotions. Most of you never see me really excited or really down. It's my personality to try to keep an even keel emotionally. The problem with that is every once in a while my emotions overcome me and I throw a fit. That's not good, I know. Maybe I can minimize or eliminate those times.

But today is not one of those times. It's a different kind of emotional turmoil. Today started out pretty good as I considered some of the things I've accomplished over the last few days. Church things. Family things. Overall, I felt good about it all.

Then I got some news that turned my thoughts. I'm concerned about something - I can't tell any details - going on in my circle. It creates a ripple in my plans but I'm more concerned about some folks that I care about. I'm struggling with my responsibility, not for the problem but for the solution.

I used to watch boxing back in the 70s and 80s when Ali and Leonard were the stars. I'd see an opponent take a shot to the abdomen and crumble to his knees.

That's kinda how I feel today. While I'm on my knees I'm going to pray. Praying for the people involved. Praying for me to know what to say and do. Praying for God's grace to win the day.

OK, I feel a little better now. I just needed to talk. Thanks for listening. I'm gonna go pray now.

Who Can I Help? And How Can I Help Them?

The high temperature in Little Rock today was about twenty degrees cooler than yesterday's high. I noticed on Facebook that people were talking about that strange Arkansas weather phenomenon: "If you don't like the weather in Arkansas, just hang around a couple of days and it will change."

I was in Alaska in November 2010. Guess what I heard while up there?

I was in Florida last month. Guess what I heard while down there?

So everybody thinks their weather patterns are the strangest.

The truth is, unless you live in San Diego or Hawaii or the North Pole, the weather's going to change every few days. It's not so much that saying "If you don't like the weather..." is wrong, just that thinking where you are is so unique is a little narrow minded.

Read this passage of scripture that Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

I talk to people who think that only a person who has experienced the same problem someone else faces is qualified to minister them. "Well, I just don't know what it's like to ___________. There's no way I can help her." Read the verse again.

I also talk to people who think that you ministry is limited by your experiences. "You're divorced so you must be so good at counseling people who are divorced that it's all you do." Read the verse again.

The God of all compassion and comfort ministers to us so that we can minister to anyone facing any trouble. The experience is not the key; God is.

When we use experiences to limit or pigeon-hole our ministries, we place too much emphasis on the problem. And not enough emphasis on God.

Would you rather focus on your problem or on God? Focus on God and the comfort he's given you through your tough times. And find ways to comfort and encourage someone else who is going through difficult circumstances.

Weekly Devotion - February 24

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

Have you ever noticed how it’s always somebody else’s fault? “Mom, she’s poking me!” But he really was bugging her first. “Honey, I would never get loud with you except you kept hounding me about cleaning the garage.” “Yes, sir, I know I shouldn’t speak to customers that way but he was being unreasonable and blaming me for the problem.”

Now, we should all do better controlling our reaction to provocation. We are responsible for how we react. We are also responsible for how we act. Do you provoke others in ways that stir up problems?

Let’s bring this idea home. Do you expect your children to react in a godly way to provocation? Sure, they should but have you taught them how? The lessons they learn best from you are the examples you set. You can tell them again and again not to bully the younger siblings but then your actions teach that running over others is OK. What do you expect them to learn? How do you expect them to act?

Most of us get our ideas of how to discipline and instruct our children from our own parents. That’s a good resource if your parents disciplined and instructed you according to the word of God. But if they did not, then my advice to you is to seek the ways of the Lord in the area of parenting. By reading the Bible regularly you will find guidance. Christian bookstores will have plenty of material to help you. Talk with other Christian parents about the issues you face.

Many families need to break the cycle of provoking their children to anger and begin a pattern of godly discipline and instruction. Parents, this is your calling and responsibility. Do not take it lightly. Pray that God will help you as you discipline and instruct your children.

This Baptist is Observing Lent

I challenged our Bible study group to participate in Lent this year. Several verbally committed. I'm looking forward to the changes in our lives.

The season of Lent is intended for our spiritual development. It's a time to draw near to God through confession, repentance, and service.

The "giving up" is a pathway but it often gets top billing. The reason for fasting is to allow time and resources for drawing near to God. We should be careful not to focus on the fast but on God who awaits along the way and at the end of the fast.

I'm cutting out sweets and sodas in order to get healthy. This will allow me to stay in ministry longer and be more effective while doing it.

I'm reducing time spent doing social media in order to give more time to study and make personal contact with members and prospects. Cutting back 50% so I'll only be on 12 hours a day.

Here's how to participate in Lent. First, confess your sins. Ask God to give you his list of your sins (Ps 139:23-24). Confess them with the expectation that God will forgive you (1 John 1:9). And be serious about it. When you realize how holy God is and how sinful you are, any other approach to confession falls short (James 4:8-10).

Second, find something to fast from. The purpose of fasting is to eliminate distractions that can hinder a person drawing near to God. Today, the fast during Lent is symbolic in that the person abstains from something for the forty days, experiencing the power of God to do so and spending the time and/or money focusing on God through Bible reading, prayer, and service.

Weekly Devotion - February 17, 2012

"The fire must be kept burning on the

altar continuously; it must not go out."

Leviticus 6:13 NIV

 

Let's face it - keep the spiritual fires stoked is hard. Letting the fire go out happens. Sometimes because of willful abuse. Sometimes because of careless neglect. Sometimes in spite of our best efforts to keep it going.

 

Several of my high school buddies and I liked to camp out. We would sit around the fire and tell stories that most often were not believable. We'd consume a lot of soft drinks and junk food. The fire was central to the camping experience. It was mostly too hot as we sat around it. But if it went out during the night while we slept - yes, we did sleep! - we could wake up freezing.

 

Keeping the fire burning is an important task in our spiritual lives. The law given to the Hebrew people and recorded in Leviticus relates to the altar - the sacrificial altar. It was there that a sacrifice was made in order for the people to gain forgiveness of their sins. "Keep the fire burning," God said.

 

Why a continuously burning fire? Wouldn't it be OK to let it die out then start it again when it was time for another sacrifice? Apparently not! Maybe the continuous fire would be hotter; more readily available to serve its function. Maybe the waiting line at the altar was song long that sacrifices were being made one right after the other.

 

God had his reasons for demanding that the fire not go out. Bottom line: the fire was necessary in the plan to forgive people of their sins.

 

You need to keep the fire on the altar of burnt sacrifice always burning, too. For us, I think this means that we continually and perpetually ask the Lord to reveal our sin to us so that we can confess it. Right then and there. Then we are forgiven. Keep the fire burning - quickly deal with your sin.

 

What might the Lord show you if you allowed him to search your heart? Pray that God will show you your sin and forgive you as you confess it.

Taking Daniel's Lesson to Heart

We will wrap up our study of Daniel in our midweek Bible study tonight. We started on July 31 last year and only missed a handful of Wednesday nights due to my absence or special events. I enjoy working methodically through a book of the Bible. I spent a year in James! We really drilled down to some deep concepts. Not quite as deep with Daniel - I didn't think my folks would put up with it again! But it's been good.
In the last chapter we find Daniel in a similar situation as ours. He's heard from the Lord about the end of time. He doesn't understand it. He asks the Lord for more understanding. We can learn from God's answer to Daniel.
The Lord told Daniel to go on living to bring glory to God and not worry about what he doesn't understand. Those who live in the last days will find the understanding they need. There's no promise that anyone living prior to that time will gain a full understanding.
We would do well to heed God's advice and just go on living to bring glory to him. We do that by expressing our love to him, our love for him to others, our love for others. We bring glory to God by expressing his love for others to them. Our lives of joy and obedience bring glory to God. Strong marriages and families honor the Lord. There are so many ways that we can bring glory to God in our lives. That should be our focus.
It's good to understand God's word. I spend a lot of my time in that discipline. But I must admit that some things are beyond my understanding. But I do know that somehow God helps me know what I need to know for the situation I'm going through.
That's a good lesson from the last chapter of Daniel. God told Daniel go his way, to rest (in this life and in death), and be assured of the resurrection and reward that awaits his faithfulness.
That's how I want to live my life.

We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

Forrest, Gwen, and I have been walking three days a week for seven weeks. Two days of a fast-paced twenty minutes. One day of an easier pace but longer walk. Speed and endurance. We are progressing.

I'm not ready to buy new pants yet or consider the local 5Ks but I do notice some improvement.

The road we walk on has a patch of newer asphalt. It's about fifteen feet long and is the width of the road. The first few times out I never saw it. We didn't go that far. Then we did. The first time we hit it we turned around just after we passed it. The next time we went a little farther.

The black stripe across the road became a marker in my mind that we were just about to turn around - I kept telling myself to keep up the pace because we had almost made the halfway point of the speed walk: ten minutes out, ten minutes in. After turning around we'd cross the black stripe within a minute or so.

Then it was farther back to the black stripe. And then farther.

Today we passed the black stripe and I started thinking that Forrest (our leader and way out in the lead) would turn around at the next light pole or driveway. He kept going. Soon I thought to myself, "We've never been this far on a speed day." Speaking the words out loud was an impossibility - I was breathing heavily and thankful that I could. The good thing about inertia is that once I get going I tend to keep going. It would have been harder on my knees and hips to stop than to keep going! So I kept the throttle wide open.

One light pole, then two. One driveway, then another. Then I saw the red house. We had been as far as the red house one other time but that was on an endurance day. I realized that Forrest was taking us to the red house on a speed day.

I've been bragging the last couple of weeks about how I'm not as tired or sore after our walks. Yesterday I told myself that I must not be pushing myself as much as before so I started out this morning determined to put more into it. It's not that I've been slacking it's just that the markers of the past are easier, commonplace. I'm used to walking a quick pace to the black stripe and turning around.

So I was determined to push myself today. The march to the black stripe was going to be at a pace that would push my lungs and muscles. And it did.

But Forrest kept going.

Do you get comfortable with your current spiritual walk with Jesus Christ? And you just keep doing what you've been doing? It's not bad it's just not growth and improvement. Where you are today with Christ is like that black stripe in the road. That's good enough, you may say. Or maybe just a little more, but not much. You may have convinced yourself that your walk with Jesus is just fine because you've been doing this for a while and you've got it down - no problems.

The problem is that there is so much more that you'll never experience if you keep doing what you've always done. Your experience with Christ yesterday is special. Like the black stripe, it will always be there as a reminder of where you've been. But yesterday's experience is not the goal. It's a step along the way.

We need to step out in faith and see how far God will take us.

By the way, Riley walks with us on Saturdays. Take your kids along on your spiritual journey, too.

Weekly Devotion - February 10, 2012

"At the sight of these men Paul

thanked God and was encouraged."

Acts 28:15 NIV

 

Paul, the apostle in scripture, had experienced a rough journey from Caesarea to Rome. He was a prisoner being transported by ship under Roman custody. Strong winds slowed and rerouted his travel. Paul warned the guards that they should spend the winter in port but was ignored. Hurricane-force winds blew against the ship pushing it further south than they intended to go. Then they shipwrecked on Malta.

 

More than three months later, Paul arrived in Rome. Christians in Rome heard Paul was coming and they went out to meet him. "At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged."

 

Isn't it good to know that somebody is glad to see you? I've watched the faces of people exiting the terminal into the waiting area of Little Rock National Airport. When he sees the faces of his wife and children his eyes light up. She smiles. The kids jump up and down. That has to make the traveler feel good.

 

I've also watched as a man has nobody to greet him. His steps are a little heavier. His face is downcast. From his body language you can tell he is tired (we all are) and can use some encouragement. Maybe he's home but nobody cares. Maybe he's far from home and missing his family. Maybe it's just another stop along the way trying to make a dollar that's all too soon gone.

 

What if you and I were the encourager today? Isn't there someone at your workplace or school who could use cheering up? Maybe it's a total stranger at Walmart or Target. Think of the impact you can make in someone's life simply by encouraging them with a kind word, a smile, or a good deed!

 

Somebody needs encouragement today. Maybe it's you. I want you to know that God loves, I love you, and you can find strength and hope in the Lord. Pray that God will help you see ways you can encourage others today.

Confidence in God's Word

Our church is almost finished with a verse by verse study of the Book of Daniel. Some of the most widely known stories in the Bible are in this book. Many of you have heard about Daniel being thrown into a lions den. Do you remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into a fiery furnace? And the term "You can see the handwriting on the wall" came from Daniel.

And Daniel is full of prophetic visions regarding the end of time. Last night in our Bible study we looked at a vision recorded in chapter 11. An angel gave Daniel the meaning of the vision. For Daniel and his contemporaries, all of the vision was future prophecy. But for me and my congregation, some of it has already happened and some is still yet to be. At least that's the way I understand it.

The events prophesied up through verse 35 can be traced in the history of ancient times. Kings from the north battle against kings from the south. The advantage goes one way then another. Daughters are offered in marriage as part of treaties. The Bible and the history books show so much agreement that we believe the prophecy has been fulfilled.

Then starting in verse 36 the angel's message is about events still future to us. History does not record any events that match up to the biblical record. That can mean one of two things. Either the Bible is wrong or the events have not yet occurred. I believe the latter is correct.

I have great confidence that Jesus is returning. I believe just prior to his return there will be a terrible time of persecution - the Great Tribulation. But upon Jesus' return the dead in Christ will rise to be with him forever and the unbelieving dead will rise for eternal judgment. I believe this because the Bible tells us it will happen.

But how can a person have such confidence in scripture? Daniel chapter 11 provides one answer. If the prophecy in the first part of the chapter was fulfilled (remember, the prophecy came and was written down prior to the events occurring) with extreme accuracy, then I can expect the prophecy in the last part of the chapter to also be fulfilled with great accuracy.

Only God could give a vision like that. Only God could know the future. Only God can direct cosmic and human events with such precision. And God will bring to pass the balance of the prophecy in the Bible.

Most importantly, I have confidence in my salvation through Jesus Christ. I know I am a sinner and that my sin breaks off relationship with God. I also know that God loves me (and you) so much that he sent his son Jesus to die on a cross as the sacrifice necessary to cover my sins and make me right with God. And I know that when I (or you) call on the name of Jesus, confessing my sin and repenting of it, I will be forgiven, made right with God, empowered to live this life for him, and assured of an eternal home in heaven with him.

I don't understand everything about end-time prophecy. How all this unfolds may surprise me. But I am confident that God's word is true.

Weekly Devotion - February 3, 2012

"I want men

everywhere to lift up

holy hands in prayer, without anger

or disputing."

1 Timothy 2:8 NIV

Let's spend a couple of minutes thinking about prayer. Specifically, how's your prayer life? Do you pray daily? Often? Do you pray about all things? Or just the "big" things? How long do you normally spend in prayer each day? Have you ever spent an hour in prayer?

I get it! You pray about the uncertainties. You pray about the big decisions. You ask the Lord to bless your day, your food, and your sleep. You want to pray more. You want to pray more effectively.

This verse doesn't answer all our questions nor does it give us a step by step guide to prayer. But look closely at a few of the words: everywhere, holy hands, without anger, without disputing.

None of us are exempt from the need to pray. No matter who you are or where you are, you are to pray. The simple point is that we all need prayer.

Do you take much time to confess your sins when you pray? I'm not talking about a general "forgive me of my sins both known and unknown" kind of confession. Do you talk about your specific sins and your struggles with them when you pray? Are hands are to be holy hands and that's not possible if we don't get serious about confession.

An angry person makes an angry pray-er. Now, I understand that you'll get angry from time to time. Prayer is not supposed to be a venting session with God - although he'll listen. Too often we are angry when we enter the prayer closet and angry when we come out. You must get past your anger and heal.

I wonder what Paul meant when he said we are to pray without disputing. Disputing with who? With God? Surely not! With others? Let's focus on God's grace and goodness in our prayers.

Ask God to help you pray lifting holy hands without anger or disputing.

Weekly Devotion - January 27, 2012

"Those who cling to worthless idols

forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

Jonah 2:8 NIV

 

I was one of those kids who was always in church. My father was a deacon then a pastor. My mother was right there, too. So my sister and I grew up in church. I don't regret that at all. In fact, I think being in church so much as a child has a lot to do with me being a pastor. It's not that way for all kids, but I think it was for me.

 

One advantage of being in church so much was that I heard a lot of stories in sermons. I remember one - I can't remember if my Dad told the story or another preacher did - about a small child who had her hand stuck in a flower vase. Her mother tried everything to get the child's hand free but nothing worked.

 

The mother realized that the child's arm wasn't stuck in the opening but the hand was too big to come through. The little girl was holding her hand in a fist; that's why her had was too big. Her mother tried to get her to open her hand but the little girl insisted that she couldn't. After several minutes the mother was a little edgy and said, "Why can't you open your hand?"

 

The little girl replied, "Because I'll drop the penny I'm holding."

 

Isn't it easy to hold on to something that really has no value or purpose? When we do we become trapped by it. We miss out on some really good things.

 

Anything you cling to more than you do to God is an idol - a worthless idol. You say, "What's the big deal? I love my job. My hobbies help me relax. It's just a silly habit, whats the problem?" Whatever competes with God for your affection robs you of the grace God has for you.

 

God has such great plans for you. He has tremendous blessings just waiting to flow over you. His direction and counsel are flawless. You can hang on to something else or you can reach out for God. Pray that God will help you let go of the worthless and cling to the precious.

Good for Tebow!

Tim Tebow has taken a lot of heat for his Christian stand. Now he is on the virge of getting more criticism. Tebow was contracted to speak at an event hosted by Rod Parsley, a prosperity gospel preacher.

Apparently, Tebow doesn't adhere to that teaching. Neither do I. The Bible says too much about enduring trials and suffering. The prosperity gospel ignores this.

So Tim Tebow is standing firm in his faith. This time he's likely to hear from complaints from a wide variety of folks.

But he's getting admiration from me.

Making Every Connection

I recently flew from Little Rock, Arkansas to Jacksonville, Florida with a connection in Baltimore, Maryland both ways. Southwest Airlines did a good job getting me there and back. The departure from Little Rock was delayed about 90 minutes and the connection in Baltimore was only ten minutes longer so I left Little Rock thinking I would have to sprint through the Baltimore airport. The Southwest folks in Little Rock told me I would have a seat on a later flight from Baltimore to Jacksonville, but that would put my arrival much later. So I was ready to hustle!

As we approached Baltimore the pilot notified us that we would be arriving about ten minutes early. Now my ten minutes to connect became twenty. I was relieved. After deboarding the plane and walking through the jetway into the terminal I checked the video screens for the Jacksonville flight information. It was delayed thirty minutes. Now my twenty minutes became fifty. I had time to relax, stop by the restroom, and enjoy a stroll through the Thurgood Marshall International Airport in Baltimore.

The fifty minutes then shrank to exactly the amount of time it took me to get from the arrival gate to the departure gate. I'm not sure how much that was. I'm convinced that Southwest was holding the departure from Baltimore so that the three of us connecting from Little Rock could make the flight. We took off a few minutes late, but not thirty minutes late. We arrived in Jacksonville right on time. Southwest Airlines did everything they could do to get me from Little Rock to Jacksonville via Baltimore as planned.

That makes me think about the security of my salvation. Once I accept Christ as my Savior he will do everything necessary to make sure I arrive in heaven after I die. Life may be uncertain or difficult along the way but God ultimately works around and through those things for my good and his glory. My salvation depends upon God's grace and my faith in him. His grace provides the means of salvation; my faith simply gets on board.

My journey to Florida and back may not be typical for those who travel by plane. Sometimes travelers miss connections. Sometimes jets have mechanical problems that delay flights. Sometimes weather brings havoc to the flight schedules. Sometimes a passenger waits too long in the restaurant. People miss flights for many reasons. People who place their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation never miss heaven.

Thank You, Pearces

This has been one of the most refreshing weeks I've had in a long, long time. I am attending the Pastors Conference at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. This conference has been on my wish list for several years; I'm so glad I came this year.

The preaching has been great. The workshops have been very useful. The fellowship with other pastors makes me miss my friends back home. If I were to grade the conference, it gets an A+!

Perhaps the most special part is the couple I've met who are housing me for the week. In order to help keep costs down for those who need it, the members of the church who are able open their homes to guys like me. The hotel bill for this conference would have been several hundred dollars. Instead, $0.

Allan and Pat Pearce are a delightful couple. They have been part of FBC JAX since the '70s. They have served their church and the pastors in countless ways. Until this year they were part of the "Ask Me" crew - those folks that point us in the right direction as we try to move from place to place across this big campus.

Another way the Pearces have served, and how they are serving me, is by opening their home to me. Not only that, but they also picked me up at the airport AND let me use one of their cars to go back and forth to the conference each day. That saved another couple hundred dollars. Then I could also talk about the wonderful fellowship around their breakfast table, too!

It might be fun to fly into town, get a shuttle to a downtown hotel, and ride the metro to and from the conference every day. But I would have missed getting to know Allan and Pat.

I admire FBC JAX because of this conference, because of their pastor, but mostly because of the Pearces.
For my new friends, the words to this old gospel song seem appropriate: "If we never meet again this side of heaven I will meet you on that beautiful shore."

Classic (and bad) Case of Proof-texting

Our crew was walking at 5:30 this morning. About 13 minutes in our hardcore trainer began praying. He was thanking God for the pain we were feeling as an indicator of our progress.

Then he began quoting scripture about perseverence and the strength God gives.

Then I just couldn't help myself. From several paces behind him I resorted to a typical pastoral tactic. I proof-texted; I pulled a verse out of context to make my point.

In the dark hours of an early Tuesday morning I shouted: Be still and know that I am God!

Weekly Devotion - January 20, 2012

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13 HCSB

"I just hope this works out." She was visibly nervous when she spoke these words. A hint of desperation tinted her voice. The unspoken words were "but I really don't think it will."

I guess we need to understand what the word "hope" means. The common usage of the word indicates wishful thinking. A person has a dream that is out of reach yet they hope to achieve it. This kind of "hope so" mentality is based upon experiences, our own abilities and those of others.

But the biblical usage means confident expectation. Christians have hope not based upon their ability to achieve or anybody else's abilities, but based upon the promise of God. Do you believe God will keep his promises? He has proven himself to be trustworthy, his word proclaims his reliability, so I trust his promises.

I have hope that God will provide for me. I have hope that even in difficult times God is guiding and helping me. I have hope that a person who calls on the name of Jesus for salvation will be saved. I have hope that when this life is over there is an eternal life in heaven awaiting me.

This God of hope fills those who follow him with joy and peace. That means that even when life is not going the way I want it to go I can have an inner sense of satisfaction. Even though the storms may be raging around me I can have a sense of calm. Joy and peace reinforce my hope.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all involved. That means that the fullest essence of God is at work in Christians' lives to help us with what we face now and in the future. That's not "hope so," it's "know so"! Pray that God will give you hope and joy and peace.

JAX Pastors Conference

I've been waiting for a long time. The Jacksonville Pastors Conference is next week. Every year I get the promotional piece in the mail and tell myself that this is the year I'm going. It's just never worked out. Either I didn't have the money or the time. But this year, I'm going! And I'm pretty excited about it. Can you tell?

The church members of First Baptist in Jacksonville, Florida offer their spare bedrooms to guys like me to help reduce the travel expenses. I will be staying with Allen and Pat Pearce. We've emailed back and forth several time and they sound like a delightful, godly couple. Not only have the Pearces offered a comfortable place to stay but they will also pick me up at the airport. That's good hospitality. Pray that I'm a good houseguest!

So the Lord is working through the church in Jacksonville, Florida to help this preacher from Little Rock, Arkansas have a time of rest, study, worship, and encouragement. I am thankful for the excellence in stewardship.

Now I have to think of a nice gift of appreciation to give the Pearces. And I need to think of ways my church and I can impact and influence people for the cause of Christ through hospitality.

Weekly Devotion - January 13, 2012

“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 HCSB

Sometimes I get tired. It doesn’t take much exercise or physical labor before I’m breathing heavily and sweat begins to run down the side of my face. Some men in the church got together last summer and poured a concrete sidewalk connecting two of our buildings. I thought I was going to pass out! My strength was sapped too quickly. I admire those of you who can do that sort of physical work.

I’ve been walking for exercise three mornings each week since the first of the year. I’m being pushed by the two who are walking with me. Sometimes it feels like they are dragging me! But not long after we are through with the exercise my breathing returns to normal. And after a little while longer my legs actually have a little more spring in them. We’ve only been at this for a couple of weeks but we are already walking farther and faster.

These examples of physical tiredness and renewal may help us understand the times when we are spiritually tired or weak. That happens to all of us, doesn’t it? Maybe temptation gets the best of you. Or you have to face a particularly difficult situation regarding your health or a relationship. Sometimes it’s multiple layers of stuff that drag you down.

You may feel like quitting. You might think you’ll never get on top of this. The prophet’s promise is good news for all of us: those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength. These words are so encouraging because I’ve been tired in my spirit before but I’ve been renewed. I’ve fallen but soared again. I’ve gasped for breath but have run again.

If you trust in the Lord you can have renewed strength to get through tough times. Pray that God will help you trust him more and feel that renewal.

Walk before You Work

The last four nights have been good for me. I had the opportunity to lead music in a Bible Conference at Otter Creek First Baptist Church in Little Rock. Since I am a pastor, I don't get the chance to do this much. But I love it.

And I heard four good preachers deliver four good sermons. I love that, too. So it's been a pretty good week!

Gary Hollingsworth is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. He spoke on the topic of living in the will of the Father. One of his points was that our walk with the Lord is more important than our work for the Lord. He was quick to say - and I agree - that our work for the Lord is important. It just doesn't matter if the walk is right.

I believe that good works naturally develop out of a good walk. Nothing gets a person interested in helping others like getting to know the Lord better. As we learn more about Jesus we will soon learn that he was all about helping people. As you turn the pages of the Gospels you can't help but notice how he reached out to touch a blind man's eyes or a crippled man's hand. He had compassion for those whose family members were dying (or already dead!). He cared about the lonely, broken, left out in the crowds.

And could you dare claim that Jesus DID NOT have an incredible relationship with the Father? Of course NOT! Now, we aren't God like Jesus is. But the principle is the same: walk before works, walk leads to works.

One of my points of focus for 2012 is spiritual development. I plan to lead our church to a greater depth in relationship with Christ. What will come of that? I expect we will be more compassionate and will impact more people around us. I expect we'll be more urgent sharing our faith and will see more people come to know Christ as Savior and Lord.

In other words, by focusing on our walk we'll do good works. That will help us reach the goal of "Impacting Eternity at the Cross Road of Life."

Weekly Devotion - January 6, 2012

"You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath."

Psalm 39:5 NIV

Have you ever watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Broadcast each year from various spots along the parade route, millions of people get an close-up view of the spectacular. The parade lasts three hours and follows a route from 77th Street to Herald Square in New York City.

Parade watchers line the streets as one by one the floats and bands and balloons pass by. The parade stretches for blocks but a viewer can only see a few presentations at any one point in time. Once the parade has been going for a little while you would not be able to see the beginning or the end; just what's in front of you.

That's the way our lives are: a small part of a long span. Just a breath to God, the psalmist said. That's because God is eternal; we live in a temporal realm. God has no beginning or end but this life does, as evidenced by inscriptions on all the grave markers in the local cemetery.

Rather than trying to limit God to our understanding of time, why not try to see yourself as an eternal being? At least an everlasting being. You see, when this body gives way to death, our soul continues on. We exit the temporal home of this world and enter the eternal realm of God.

What will that look like? I'm not exactly sure but I do know that the Bible gives us wonderful descriptions of heaven and tragic descriptions of hell. Those are the two dwelling places in eternity and every person who has ever been conceived will be in one or the other forever.

Do you know which destination will be yours for eternity? Pray asking God to forgive you of your sins, claiming Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Contact me if you have questions or would like to talk about salvation.

Bible Reading Plan

I want to challenge you to read the Bible in 2012. Not just a little bit but a lot. In fact, I challenge you to read the entire Bible. Will you take the challenge? Will you join me? No other "resolution" will impact your life as much as this one. I believe this decision will actually empower you to make other changes in your life you've resolved to attempt.

So let's do it! Let me know if you accept the challenge so I can encourage you throughout the year.

Check out this website for some guides if you need help. This is the plan I'll be following. There are lots of resources in print or online...or you could just open your Bible and start reading!

Be sure to listen as you read. I suggest you keep a journal of what you sense God is saying as you read his word.

Alright, let's go!

Both Are Wrong

I read an article this morning about a singer changing the lyrics to a song written by John Lennon during a NYE show on Times Square. According to the article, here are the original and changed lyrics sung by Cee Lo Green.

Instead of singing "Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too," Green instead sang, "Nothing to kill or die for, and all religion's true."

Two extreme positions on religion. Two wrong positions on religion.

John Lennon missed it by saying there is no religion. In fact, there are thousands of religions. Very few people are actually atheists. Even at the core of atheism is a humanistic idea that they are their own god.

Cee Lo Green missed it by saying that all religions are true. If that's the case then anyone can believe anything. That's really the point for Green and those who think like that. Look closely at world religions and you'll see vast differences. Some claim a higher power that must be appeased by good works. Some claim a higher power equivalent to one's self. One claims a higher power that desires a personal relationship with you and even sacrificed himself to atone for our sins. The only way to be right with this God is to trust him, love him, and obey him.

I guess it's true that anyone can believe anything. It's just that believing some things won't make  you right with God. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that. And without it, a person chooses to perish for eternity. Embrace the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through him. Your good works can't save you but his grace can.

Weekly Devotion - December 30, 2011

"For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict."

Luke 21:15 NIV

 

I read a Facebook conversation that took place earlier this week. A friend threw out a question similar to this: How do you witness when you are in a hostile environment? Let me define what is meant by "hostile environment." Most of us are living in safe places when you consider the persecution faced by Christians in other places around the world. But even in America we are facing more hostility to the gospel than has been known in many generations.

 

Hostility takes many forms. One is political correctness. The gospel message is clear that Jesus is the only way to salvation. But that message is offensive to others who claim they have the way or a way. And those who claim there is no way really hate to hear or see a good witness.

 

Another form of hostility is the reaction of someone who feels the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If they have resisted for many years they can recoil when they hear you speak about the Lord. That creates a hostile environment in which to share your faith and live out a close walk with Christ.

 

I am thankful that I don't have to worry about the severe persecution other Christians face daily. I also have great respect for those who do because they are living clearly behind the lines of enemy territory. But we all have to deal with people who are not receptive or even argumentative toward the gospel.

 

Jesus' words in the twenty-first chapter of Luke's gospel were spoken about the end times. Maybe we are in those days; maybe we are very close to his return. His words apply to our times even if his return is not so near.

 

When we speak our words we will likely create problems. When we speak his words we will be much more successful sharing our faith and answering skeptics. Pray asking God to give you the words to say and the boldness to say them when you have opportunities to speak up in a hostile environment.

EBT Prayers

How's your prayer life?

What do you pray for?

Are you getting what you pray for?

I found a key to effective praying tucked into the middle of the book of Daniel. In chapter 9, Daniel confessed his sins and the sins of Israel. He pleaded with God to restore the people as a nation and to restore Jerusalem as a city. Nebuchadnezzar had razed the city and exiled the people a generation earlier.

We don't know how long he prayed but we know that he put all his energy into it. This wasn't a wimpy little prayer spoken hastily as Daniel was hurrying to get to something else. He was spent.

The angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that God had answered his prayer at the moment Daniel had begun to pray. But God allowed Daniel to keep praying. He allowed Daniel to spend all his energy making the confession and requests.

Here are three keys to prayer that we all need to put into practice. First, pray earnestly. Daniel put his whole being into the prayer. We have lots of room for improvement in this area. Our prayers are quick. Our prayers are shallow. Our heart just isn't in it very much.

Second, pray believing God will answer. We all are familiar with a song Garth Brooks sang that says he thanks God for unanswered prayers. I understand the sentiment but disagree with the theology. God always answers prayers. He either says YES, NO, or WAIT. We just don't like the last two options and blame God of not answering. We ought to pray believing God is going to answer. And then embrace the answer he gives even when it's not what we asked for or expected.

Third, pray trusting God's answer. God is all-powerful so he can do anything he wants to do. God is all-knowing so he knows what the right thing to do is. God is all-loving so he cares so much about us that he wants to do what is best for us. Put that all together and we must conclude that what God does is best. If anything was better he would know about it, want to do, and be able to do it. So trust that what he does is best.

In the financial world, EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. Sounds like a good illustration of prayer to me. Except in prayer the EBT stands for earnest, believing, and trusting.

Pretty Day to Travel

About as many cars on the road as clouds in the sky.

Nothing a Little Time and Money Can't Fix

It must have been at least 12 years ago when Deana and I stayed in the Hampton Inn in Rogers. It was pretty new. We made it back today. We came to Rogers to spend some time with our son Caleb and his girlfriend Keegan.

The outside of the building looks the same...like any other Hampton Inn. But inside...Wow! We found out that the hotel was remodeled about three years ago at the cost of almost $3M. I have no idea what it looked like four years ago, but the difference between our first visit and this visit is unbelievable. Time and money can fix just about anything.

Just about.

Your life may need a makeover...the kind time and money can't bring. Let me guess, you've spent lots of time and lots of money and nothing is better. And it won't get better.

But there is a resource I can suggest that will make all the difference in the world. I've found Jesus Christ to be a life-changer. And all he really wants from you is for you to give up control of your life and let him take over. Too costly, you say? Not really. Think of what it's been costing you to maintain control? And to fix things when life gets out of control?

Here's what you get. First, you receive unconditional love. God loves you so much that he gave his son Jesus to take the punishment for your sins. The greatest act of love is dying for a friend and Jesus did exactly that for you, friend.

Second,you get forgiveness for your sins. That's why Jesus died. He had to because we are all sinners and sin separates us from God. But in his death, Jesus took care of our sins and you can be forgiven. The guilt will be gone.

Third, you will be redeemed. Redemption is the act of being restored to a right relationship with God. Your sin breaks the relationship. Nothing you do can fix it. But what Jesus did by dying on the cross can fix it. Sinners are redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

Time and money won't remake your life. Only Jesus.

Does Form Matter?

It's been raining all day. Not sure how much rain we've received by the backyard is full. The ditches are running fast.

Seems like I learned at one point that an inch of rain is equivalent to seven inches of snow in total precipitation. If that's true, we would have at least seven inches of snow today, maybe a foot. And I would be thrilled!

So the form of the precipitation makes a difference.

Does the form of a church's ministry or outreach make a difference? Is one kind of ministry just as effective as another? Does one type of outreach impact lostness as much as another?

I think form makes a difference. The popular defense of new methods is that the message cannot change but the methods must. I agree. But not change just for the sake of change. Form or method must change as is necessary to reach people for Christ.

So much has changed just in the 30 years that I've been involved in ministry.Technology today is the stuff of science fiction in the early '80s. Changing almost as rapidly is our culture. People don't view themselves, the world, and God like we did just a generation ago. Some of what has worked will still work. The task of church leadership is to discern what still works and implement new strategies to complement the other. And then to motivate everyone to get involved.

I am praying that I can discern God's will, learn the forms and methods we should employ, and motivate others to get onboard.

Off Track

You're just going along like life's on rails. Up the hills, around the bends, across the trestles. You don't really have to do much...just ride.

Then something happens. An unexpected turn and you're off track.

You and your boyfriend found out you're pregnant. Maybe he's not even your boyfriend.

Mom calls to tell you that Dad has cancer and it doesn't look good.

Your friend at the Sheriff's Office pulls up in the driveway...your son is in the back seat.

The utility company calls demanding payment...again.

Your boss calls you into her office to explain that the reorganization leaves you unemployed.

We all have a different story but at one time or another, life derails.

Join me in January for a series of messages about life's troubles and God's solutions.

Sitting in Traffic

A nut drove off the road into the ditch. We are first in line waiting for him to get towed.

Off Track

A friend took this picture this morning. I plan to use it as part of an illustration in a sermon about getting off track when trying to follow the Lord. Check back.

Distractions

Riley's school let out at 11:15 today for the Christmas break. A friend came home with him to spend the night. If you would like to help you can come over and spend a couple of hours with them to give me a break. Bring your own Nerf gun because they have already claimed all that Riley has.

On second thought, they'll put them down and pick up another toy any minute. The attention span of 10 year old boys is...wait, what was I talking about?

Have you ever noticed how short the average Christian's attention span is when it comes to really focusing on Jesus? We really get focused for about a month between Thanksgiving and Christmas then again for a week or so around leading up to Easter. Other than that you may well get a "Jesus who?" response from a lot of people when you ask them about their Savior.

What distracts so many Christians away from Jesus? You'd probably get a lot of different answers if you passed through the church pews on any given Sunday. Job. Family. School. Money. Relationship. Uncertainty. Complacency. Indifference.

It's a shame that Christmastime gets all the attention because Jesus really wants to your Lord all year long. And he can do some amazing things in addition to the virgin birth and resurrection.

Christmas is this weekend. Then New Years is here. Would you resolve to keep Jesus in the center of your life all year long? Will you choose to focus upon him rather than the circumstances around you that have been a distraction? Jesus is good for any season. Start with this one and keep it going all...wait, what was I talking about?

Weekly Devotion - December 16, 2011

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:8 NIV

 

In January 2006 I was digging a ditch to drain water from the church parking lot. It was cold. It was raining. I already had a cold but my dogged determination to clear the parking lot pushed me over the brink. Pneumonia is no fun.

 

My physician took x-rays to confirm his diagnosis. Yes, pneumonia. But he also saw abnormalities in the lymph nodes. We talked about the possibilities. I had never been in a conversation with a doctor about cancer until that day.

 

I wasn't sure how to react. Uncertainty about the future often leads to uncertain actions and reactions today. So it was for me. The one thing I knew to do for sure was to pray. So I prayed. At the time I was also working another job and the commute was a forty-five minute drive. So I prayed a lot.

 

The prayer was typical, I guess, of most people faced with something like this. I prayed for healing. After a few days of praying like this I felt like the Lord told me that this was a selfish prayer; instead, I needed to pray for his will to be done. Believing that God's will is perfect, his power is unstoppable, and his concern for me is off the charts, I began to pray for his will to be done in this situation in my life.

 

That can be a hard prayer to pray. What if God's will is to use me as an example of faithfulness as life ebbs away? What if God's will is to teach me greater dependence upon him by removing my ability to care for myself? What if God's will is to magnify himself instead of me? These are hard questions but totally within the realm of possibility when I realized that my life is intended to bring glory to God rather than to me or anyone else.

 

I now pray for God's grace to help me deal with whatever may come my way. I don't want to avoid the problems because through them I draw near my Lord. Pray that God will show you sufficient grace for everything you face.

Angels and Wolves

Last week Albert Pujols signed a gia-nor-mous contract to play baseball for the LA Angels. This week Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are in the headlines for possible trades in the NBA that will gain them more money and a better chance at winning a championship in years to come. Next week employees will either be elated or mad because they did or didn't get a Christmas bonus that met or did not meet their expectations.

I'll admit it: I work to get paid, too. Most of us are that way. A few people don't need the money. I do.

The question I ask today is not whether a person should be paid or not. Every worker should be paid and should earn that pay. Professional sports stars generate more revenue for their teams than most of us do for our employers. That's why they get paid so much more than I do. Is Albert Pujols more valuable to the Angels than I am to Cross Road? Please don't answer that! But you get my point, don't you?

This afternoon, Arkansas State University will introduce Gus Malzahn as head coach of their football program. Coach Malzahn is coming from Auburn University where he helped the team win the NCAA National Championship last year as the offensive coordinator. He has won Arkansas high school football championships on two levels. He's been successful everywhere he's been. Up until today he has always taken a pretty big pay increase when he's moved from school to school.

But not today. I've read that he will take as much as a $500K cut to come to ASU. That's not a commentary on AU or ASU but it say a lot about Gus Malzahn. There could be more to the story, maybe much more, but based on what I know now I will say that Malzahn cares more about being the head coach of his own program than a highly paid coordinator somewhere else.

I'll guess that within five years he will make another move that will pay him the big bucks. I'm OK with that. I wish him well.

Malzahn is a committed Christian. I hope he is able to impact the lives of the students and athletes in Jonesboro. His predecessor Hugh Freeze did. A consistent Christian witness will do more for the futures of the young men and women at ASU than a winning football program will. What excites me is that they will get both.