:: To Worship Him ::

 

   “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”  (Matthew 18:3)

 

   Story is told of Rodney Jones and Gerald Uelmen, in their book, Supreme Folly.   They tell about Nancy Miller of Oroville, California who eagerly accepted an invitation to attend a “Neighborhood Watch” meeting at a neighbor’s home.  Nancy was the victim of a recent burglary in which her TV set, Christmas stockings and a favorite dress had been stolen from a storage locker.  As she sat calmly through the presentation by two police officers, she realized why she felt so much at home.  Her television set was in a corner, and her stockings were hung by the fireplace.  The clincher was that the hostess was wearing her dress.  Nancy caught up with the officers outside, and told them what she had seen.  They returned with a search warrant, and arrested the host and hostess after recovering $9,000 worth of stolen property.  Score one for “Neighborhood Watch!”

 

   That is pretty stupid, isn’t it?  We can laugh at some of the crazy ways that people do mean things, but in reality it isn’t laughable.  There is far too many violent crimes, murders, and violations again us personally and collectively.  Something needs to be done for sure.  One solution is making the bad people pay for their crimes.  This is not always the case.  Too often they get a slap on the wrist and let go to repeat the offense on another day. 

 

   I suppose the question is, can a person change?  I know this is batted around in psychology circles but there seems to be disagreeing positions.  Can a person change for the better?  I sure hope so!  As for a Biblical answer, there is every proof that, yes, people can change.  I believe a faith in God, a knowledge of the promises of God, prayer, worship, and a caring Christian community can bring about change in any person.  One only has to be repentant, have a child-like faith, and be a willing candidate for change.  God says it is possible.  He also says, with Him nothing is impossible.  Hallelujah!  Where would anyone of us be without a child-like faith and the help of God?

 

 

  Competition is the act of striving against another force for the purpose of achieving dominance or obtaining victory.  Competition can be useful in many situations.  It also can be a negative endeavor based upon an attitude or a desired result. 

 

   A humorous story is told about a farm boy who was given a white football for Christmas.  He played with it awhile and then kicked it over into his next door neighbor’s yard.  The old rooster ran out, looked at the while ball, and called the hens to see it.  “Now look here,” the rooster said, “I don’t want you girls to think I’m complaining, but I just want you to see what they are doing next door.”  Even chickens can get competitive.

 

 

   As I said,  competition is good to a point, but it seems to penetrate every facet of our society.  Even in the Church and Christian organizations we find the same type of competition that is seen on Sunday afternoon TV football.  I feel there is far too much marketing techniques and worldly methods used today to gain membership.  Is this really healthy?  Does the Lord approve of this type of evangelism and growth?  Should the Church be run like a business?  Aren’t we all on the same team?  Aren’t we all seeking to make a difference for the Kingdom of God, not to further our ministry and increase our share in it.  So often our techniques only move members around from one church to another with little ‘bringing in of the sheaves.’  We need to ask ourselves, am I contributing to this spirit of competition?  Or am I dwelling in the unity that Jesus preached about?  Rather than compete with one another, why not join in influencing the world for Jesus, together, as one?  

 

 

   “These followers did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from death.  Then the followers went back home.”  (John 20:9-10)

 

   Have you ever had such overwhelming and unbelievable news that you couldn’t immediately process it?  You have to chew on it in order to digest.  Some people will respond, “Just let me sit down and think about it.”  Mary pondered the news in her heart that the angel gave to her.  Yes, sometimes we just have to take it home as the followers of Jesus did. 

 

   Peter and John had the same reaction to the most unbelievable news that one could possible hear: that the Savior of the world had risen from the dead!  What was their reaction?  They went home.  They could have stood on the corner of the thoroughfare and shouted the Good News, but no, first they had to take it home and process it.  Isn’t there something profound in that statement, they went back home?  The Word does tell us that all of our Christianity should be lived first in Jerusalem (home), before it is shared to other parts and to other people.  To me it says that first our faith has to be tried, tested and lived at home.  In most occasions, home is the hardest place to live our faith.  In the home is where we are most known.  Faith first has to work amongst the people who know us, know our motives, and all about us.  Faith has to start within before it can radiate out.  Maybe we need to major more on what we are at home.  I know so many who outwardly live a outstanding Christian life, yet there is tremendous warfare and discord in their homes.  This shouldn’t be. 

 

   I am grateful for a place in my heart that can process the wonderful truths that God gives us in his Word.  Many a time I have left church service saying to myself, ‘I have to go home and chew on that.’  That is the best thing we can do with the Word.  Go home, meditate on it, chew on it, ponder it, share it, live it, and then go into all the world!

 

 

   “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”  2 John 12

 

   In conversation with one of my daughters this week, we were talking about how things have changed.  I remember my mother telling me how special it was in the evenings when the family would gather either around the dinner table or in the common meeting place in the home.  They would share stories that had been passed down from generations before.  The children would play at the feet of the elders.  Mothers would rock in their chairs doing their mending or needle work.  There was no television, and only in latter days was there radio.  If the family was musical, which mine was, instruments would be brought out and the evening was shared around lovely melodies.  Because the families rose early in the morning and the day had been filled with strenuous work, bedtime came much earlier than is the trend today.  With the elders said, “Children, it is time for bed, they reacted quickly.”  There would be times that the elders needed conversations in private without the children’s ears.  In that case, bedtime for them was a little later.  Family units were strong, and usually fellowship was shared face to face.  In later years I remember my grandmother spent some evenings writing beautiful letters to friends and relatives that had moved on to other places.  We have lost that art unfortunately.  We either email or tex-mail today.  And how many families spend their evenings together?  How many really enjoy face to face relationships?

 

   Paul said, “I have a lot to write to you about, but I prefer not to use paper and ink.  Instead, I want to meet you face to face, so that our joy may be met and complete.”  Yes, there are sometimes when a letter, an email or tex-message just won’t do the trick.  There are times when nothing is accomplished without a face to face meeting.  Face to face meetings are usually more honest, more emphasis upon the visit, and appreciated more. 

 

   Strive to spend more time with family, friends and those that we are witnessing to.  And most of all, we must not forget to meet in worship with our Lord Jesus, daily, face to face.  He treasures those times.  So should we.

 

 

   “The Peace of God…will guard your hearts and your minds.”  (Philippians 4:7)

 

   One of the greatest commodities of a Christian life is peace and rest in our hearts and minds.  Being a Christian doesn’t mean we continually live in that wonderful state.  Jesus was able to rest in the boat during the storm until the fearful disciples woke Him.  Fear will steal our peace every time.  There are many others as well.

 

   Someone said that we live today in a “LEGO block” world.  That it appears that nothing comes ready and assembled any more.  Everything needs customizing.  Well, life is pretty much like that.  We have to take the building blocks that come to us, and upon  them we begin building our lives, careers, faith and spiritual foundations.  We are blessed with the Manual for Life, but It is of no benefit to us if we don’t study and apply It to our lives.  The Word will not assemble and solve our problems for us.  Our life is imperfect  at best and we can be assured that there are no perfect beings here on earth.   

 

   You’ve heard people say that a wound is not immediately healed when a dart that caused the wound is removed.  No, the wound takes time to be restored.  It may take some medication, but our bodies are amazing at naturally healing itself.  Peace comes when we are at rest with our Father God and with our fellow man.  Unforgiveness and bitterness are big stealers of our peace.  Sometimes it takes a great deal of time and deliverance to walk in peace after we have been wounded.  Anger is another biggie.  Whatever we face, every storm and every disappointment or struggle can be used as building blocks for a strong Christian life.  It takes time, but when we hang in there with the Lord, we too can rest in the back of the boat during every storm.  It’s worth the time and effort it takes!