February 5, 2018 Monday

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39 NKJV)

            It is thought the Gospel of Mark is the earliest one written.  Mark is full of such energy and the word immediately is used so many times!  Mark reminds us of the urgency of passing on the Good News to world desperately in need.

            The first line of this passage brings another morning to mind.  There would be a morning when Jesus would arise before daylight!  The Son of God would rise before the sun which He created!

            Many times we are told Jesus went off by Himself and prayed.  What a mystery that God would pray to (?) God.  It is hard to define just what is happening here except that Jesus reminds of the importance of remaining in contact with God.  (I always think about James who would pray to his step-brother!  It is said that James was called Old Camel Knees because he spent so much time in prayer.)

            Notice when they found Jesus their first reaction was to tell Jesus many were looking for Him.  Those who find Jesus should first be aware that many others need to find Jesus!  Our hearts should call us to bring them in prayer and “remind” God of their need.  The true sign of a heart broken by God is when it is healed and begins caring for others! 

            When we “find” Jesus often out hearts are ablaze with Him and we want to invite other to “find” Jesus so their lives can be changed too!  New Christians often seem overbearing and obnoxious to those who have been in church for a long time.  I often wonder if it is because it reminds them of what they have lost.

            God reply to our recognition of others need is to send us out!  But notice Jesus not only goes with them but guides where to go and gives the message to share!

            Will you follow Mark and generation of others to let your hearts burn with your love for God and to share the Good News with them?  Remember Mark would fail and go back at first but then returned to God’s calling to love Him enough to love them.

            What are you doing?  What is God calling you to do?

            I had my second sleep study this time with a new mask and system.  It was hard to get used to but both I and the Technician thought I slept well.  Bonnie had to brave cold and possible ice to transport me.  She really is a blessing.  The day went well.

February 4, 2018 Sunday

“Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:29-34 NKJV)

           

            Some believe that word-of-mouth advertising is the cheapest yet best way to let others know about you and bring their business to you.  Here we see an example of this!

            While people may see this as Jesus healing a woman to just fix dinner perhaps

Jesus “advertised” His ministry of healing which while not the emphasis of His ministry was the advertising that drew great crowds!  Many came to be healed or brought others to be healed and they heard the Gospel and were brought into the presence of Jesus!

            Why didn’t Jesus heal everyone?  Why didn’t Jesus raise everyone from the dead?  I remember a preacher saying that Jesus had to say “Lazarus arise” because if Jesus didn’t say Lazarus all the graveyards would empty!  Maybe that is also why Jesus mostly seemed to heal by touch though we know Jesus could heal over great distances.

            In my own life I have seen many different types of healing God does in our lives.  God healed me from the incredible pain I experienced from my blood disease.  God healed my soul and raised me from spiritual death as I was saved.  God healed me from bitterness and despair through His love.  God healed me temporarily from physical death as I have lived many years past the three months doctors thought I had.  God healed me from loneliness through family, a new family with my wife Bonnie and our children and being part of the Body of Christ! God is still healing me from pride, fear, despair and selfishness.  God is healing me through the terrible memories and from the past that has destroyed so much joy in my life.  And God will heal me through physical death so I can be with God.

            Because of all of these healings God has enabled me to share with others the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  As I like to say God’s message is God loves us enough to accept us as we are, but He also loves us enough to not leave us there!  Through God’s healing we are able to share with others not just the hope but the proof of God’s love and power to take us from death and mere existence to the fullness of real Life with Jesus!

            It saddens me in a way about Lazarus.  Many will say what a blessing Lazarus was raised from the dead!  But can you imagine being with God and then have God say “You need to go back”.  Even sadder to me is that Lazarus would have to die again!

            But maybe God brought Lazarus back not just to show the power of Jesus over death but also to care for his two unwed sisters who would have been left destitute and probably having to do terrible things to live without their brother?

            Maybe every miracle in your life is so you can give glory to God and be a blessing to others.

           

            I was not able to go to worship today.  I didn’t even get up until past time to get there and almost the time it started.  I used to have to be ready for the service early and worried about being late.  Now it is Bonnie who has to get there early to play the organ.  But I enjoyed worshipping with the Podcast from First UMC in Jefferson City.  It is a real blessing and brings back wonderful memories!

February 3, 2018 Saturday

“However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” (1Corinthians 8:7-13 NKJV)

            We often like to think of ourselves and our times are very unique but in reality we and our times do not differ that much.  As said in West Virginia “peoples is peoples”!  We could also say times is times! 

            Some may think they do not need to worry about this verse since there is no “meat” that has been offered to idols.  But this misses the point in two ways:

First is that we often have “idols” in our own lives and we must be careful to not draw others into sin.

Second is that we should treat our brothers and sisters with honor and a deep desire for their welfare even at our own cost.

            If we are not careful our desire to be “right” or “correct” can be seen as more important than God’s call for us to love one another!  Without acting in love we can easily fall into false pride in ourselves and do great harm to ourselves, others and even to God’s Kingdom!

            Often people will hold the judgmental and harsh attitude of Christians (?) against the Church and sadly even God.  In my own life I remember a time when all was falling apart and I knew everything was out of control.  In just a few weeks I would find out I had three months to live.  In great fear I went to service at a congregation that had a famous TV ministry.  I remember feeling so embarrassed to be there since I knew I didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness that I sat behind a pillar in the sanctuary.  As people starting coming in an elderly usher touched me on the shoulder and asked me to return for another service since this was their televised service.

            As I left I was not humbled but humiliated and believed that I was too terrible for God.  After all, I knew I was a terrible sinner!  Why would God want me?  The usher just confirmed what I felt in my soul that God could not want me.

            We must care for the souls of those our God and savior loves and cares for!  If you truly love someone you want to be friends with their friends and care for those they care for.  That is just part of a healthy relationship.

            Will you love others as God has loved you and put their welfare above your pride just as Jesus put your welfare above His pride as He who did not deserve to died on a cross for you?

            Returned this morning from the sleep test and it was without my CPAP machine.  I am so weary and tired as I didn’t sleep very well.  All day I struggled to stay awake so hopefully I could sleep well at night.  A truly bad day!

February 2, 2018 Friday

“Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (1Corinthians 8:1-6 NKJV)

            In this scripture we can see the difference between a god and the God.  Here is a list of some of the statements in this scripture about God and gods.

God can be loved – Many gods are demanding and even need to be “nourished”.  It is a giving and providing for the gods hoping they will “bless” you.  There is no love, no relationship and no creation.

Those others consider gods which are nothing in the world – These gods are usually only concerned with parts of the world and often are only involved with one nation.  Even those who are served by many people there is a distinction by each group.

God is the only god – The scripture makes the adamant statement that there is only one God.  This implies that all the others are fakes.  Though fake these gods are harmful in that they keep people from the true God.

The gods are mere lords only because people choose that – though created by people these gods are given power over those who create them and in the end people serve them.  They become lords and often tyrants over those who made them and make their images from things the true God created.

There is only one God, our Father – The separation between gods and God is seen in that all of the attributes of the gods and more are found in God!  And God, unlike the gods, is like a Father caring for His children and watching over them.

All things are of God – God is the source, Creator and maintainer of all things.  All that we can experience is a testament of God’s power and a revelation of the personality and greatness of God.

We can be for God – God is worth worshiping and serving!  God does not seek nourishment but nourishes!  We can be for God who is for us!

Jesus Christ is God and Lord – God came into our sin darkened world and wrapped Himself in human flesh.  We may think God doesn’t understand but in the life of Jesus God faced all that we face and even more bore them guilt and judgment for us!

Through Jesus all things are – Jesus as God is not part of Creation but is Creator!  But the description goes even farther and states through Jesus all things are!  Jesus not only Created all things but continues to hold it together and sustain it.

We live through Jesus – In Genesis part of Creation is God breathing Life into humanity.  Jesus is not just how we receive life but is the Life itself!  Without Jesus we are merely existing.

            God is very distinct in so many ways and this will become evident the more you read the Bible and spend time with Him in prayer.  One of the most distinct differences to me is that if God calls someone to be a martyr they are called to die for their faith while religions call for martyr’s to die while killing others!

            Of all the “gods” which God would you want to get to know and to serve?

February 1, 2018 Thursday

“Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:1-10 NKJV)

            There are so many things that call to us and say they are the most important thing in our lives.  Media, politics, family, church, job, community and so many others tell us they are the very foundation of our lives and require the first place in our lives.

            But they are all wrong.  Before any of these came into our lives God loved us and made a way for our redemption.  Before any family member knew us God had already made a way for our redemption!

            Some will tell you that to follow God makes you less caring of all those who call out for your allegiance but they either do not understand or desire too much of you.  For just as our reverence and relationship with God is the beginning of wisdom it also is the beginning of a better allegiance and relationship we can have with others.

            A good relationship with God makes us a better family member truly caring about others rather than merely trying to get along.  Our relationship with God makes us better workers, citizens and members of our congregations.  We even become better enemies in that we pray for the redemption of those who hate us!

            Through God we are better people and that becomes the foundation of every relationship and duty in our lives.  As Jesus reminds us others can tell our love for God by the love we have for not only our brothers and sisters in the faith but also the lost!  Indeed you can measure our love for God by how we love those who are least in our lives!

            This is not something we can do but something God can do in us and through us!  We cannot even love those we care about as we should but through God we can love even the least as we should because we have experienced God love for us and His power to love others!

            Call out to God and receive His power to love which will change your family, fellow workers, community and even the world!

            Went to see Dr Barker about my sleep apnea and she is still as amazing as I remember.  In a short while she sees your need and works through the possible solutions to find the best one for you.  I knew she would want me to have a sleep test again and that turned out to be true.  As we were checking out and were scheduling the test the lady told us that they just had a cancellation and I could come tomorrow and Sunday nights for the test!  Isn’t God so good!

January 31, 2018 Wednesday

““The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, “according to all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die.’ “And the LORD said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. ‘I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. ‘And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. ‘But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’” (Deuteronomy 18:15-20 NKJV)

            Are you afraid of God and being in His presence?  Does the picture of fire and glory of God cause you to turn away from God?  In reality it should!  It is dangerous to play with either the fire of evil or with the glory of God seen in fire!

            The difference in the fire of evil is that is destroys us by burning up all that is good and leaves us empty and alone with only our desires and lusts while the fire of God burns out the evil and wrong, the dross, and purifies us so we can realize that on the other side of the fire is God’s presence!

            God will raise up a prophet!  We are used to thinking of Moses, the Old Testament prophets or John the Baptizer as prophets.  But the gift of prophecy is both a foretelling and a telling forth.  This means that while some prophets will tell God’s plan for the future some will tell forth the Good News of God and the calling of God for us to go through the fire of redemption to come near to the God who has always been near to us.

            God demands us “to speak a word in My name” and to prophesize to those around us of the need to receive the hope promised in the good news that will keep us from the fire of evil and also of our need of going through the fire of God’s redemption and sanctification!  God requires it of us!  There is no one who having received God’s grace who isn’t REQUIRED to speak to those around them the hope and NEED of God’s grace through the Good News in Jesus.

            God also gives a warning that is two-fold for it warns us from calling others to gods that are not God and for those who speak in God’s name untruths.  The cold warning is very plain – “that prophet shall die”!

            Why is God so brutal about this?  Because the reality is either one causes the eternal death of those who follow their prophecies!  God can require no less of the blind guides than of those who follow!

            As you share God’s prophesy to those around you remember with all seriousness that we walk between two fires and one leads to destruction and one leads to God!  Through scripture and the Holy Spirit discern the true prophets and not only listen and learn but also pass on the message of hope God’s offers to us and through us!

Extra note – As a pastor of a congregation I saw the struggles people have with feeling like they are cut off from not only their congregation but even their friends.  I always tried to encourage them that they were not forgotten.

            Since becoming disabled I see the truth of what they felt.  People are busy with their lives and families and they do not think about those who they used to fellowship and worship with.  Church families without meaning to forget those they used to worship with.

            The Body is often more interested in filling pews and forget about those who can no longer “serve” the congregation.  By this they lose so much!!!

            Since becoming disabled I spend much time praying for the people I know and the congregations we served.  God has given me a prayer ministry for not only those I love but for those around the world who God loves.

            I joke with Bonnie that while trapped in our home I travel the world as God calls me to pray for so many nations and peoples around the world!  At times I feel like I travel more than I ever have as at times as God calls me to pray I feel as though I am there.

            I also send cards to shut-ins and those who need hope and encouragement.  What I am saying is that congregations by forgetting about their shut-ins lose out on the ministry they can bring!

            I learned this in my first charge where a lady had a terrible stroke and could no longer talk.  She finally realized that she could say short phrases if she sang them.  One day she told me she felt so worthless and sad.  God moved me to ask her to start praying for congregations that made up the charge.

            During the time I was there many wonderful things happened and I know that a great part of the success was due to her ministry of prayer!