What....How....Where....?

“What is that?” the man laughed, as he stared at her dog. “He’s a greyhound,” my wife Nancy replied. Our greyhound is lanky-tall, multicolored, and kind of goofy looking.

Nancy is frequently asked questions about our pet. “Did you adopt him?” “Can I pet him?” “Is he friendly?” She loves to walk for miles, using these questions as conversation starters.

These walks have also caused her to be asked many other questions. Frequently a driver looking at a scrap of paper asks her for directions. Some only have the name of a family they are looking for. Yet they will ask, “Do you know where the Millers live?”

Our rural area is dotted with lakes. Often a car with a boat trailer will stop; Nancy can guess the question. “Where’s the public boat launch for...?”

One day my wife came home with her own question. “Why will we ask a stranger for information we need at the moment but if we have a spiritual question, we rarely mention it?” Just let it go with a shrug: “Oh well—there are spiritual things we just don’t understand.”

Now Jesus would be concerned about these unanswered questions. And Jesus offers a remedy: “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking, reverently and the door will be opened to you.”

Don’t go through life without direction. Ask God. Don’t go around wondering about the meaning of Bible verses. Ask God. Ask a friend to study with you. Ask a pastor. Look to Bible dictionaries or commentaries. Use the internet.

Keep on. Ask.

It doesn’t matter where you start. Jesus promises that your destination will be reached: “For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”

High-fiving the Blesser

“Were you high-fiving someone out there?” Jim asked. I didn’t realize Jim and his associate had been watching out their window as I slapped the air with my hand held high.

“Yeah, I was high-fiving God,” I responded. Jim laughed. His co-worker said, “It’s a good day.”

This was a great day! A day blessed by God.

Jim is my real estate agent. In an hour the final papers would be signed to sell my existing home and for the purchase of a new residence. Through it all God had blessed my wife and I. God had blessed us with a quick sale in a very slow real estate market. God had blessed the purchase of our new place. And God had blessed us with a way to be debt free by switching houses.

God says, “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.”

A curse? Yes a curse.

Too many house-dissatisfaction stories arose as acquaintances became aware of my pending move. My desire to simplify and to honor God, stirred significant words regarding their own inner turmoil. Many own large, beautiful homes. But the effort to maintain this lifestyle is like a clinging curse.

God goes on to say: “The blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God….”

My wife and I felt God was leading us, commanding us to move. Consequently we experienced God’s blessing.

And then God talks of the alternative. “And the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God…”

Now the blessing/curse is not based on house size or gauged by lifestyle simplicity. It’s all about being obedient to God’s commands. First to the His Biblical guidelines. And then to God’s personal leading.

Today a blessing and a curse is set before you. It’s your choice.

No Friend

I knew I didn’t have a friend like Pastor Randy was describing. A former Marine, he included in his sermon the story of a soldier risking his life for a friend. With no concern for his own life, he had dashed into the midst of a firefight and scooped up his wounded comrade, carrying him to safety.

Pastor Randy then talked about the deep, satisfying relationship he has with his own friend Guz. I thought to myself, “Why don’t I have any friends like that?” I glanced over at my wife, reflecting on what a true friend she is. And consoled myself, reasoning that part of the cost of ministry includes forgoing some friendships.

Still it bothered me.

The next day a call came in. It was Mark from San Antonio. We had enjoyed lunch a couple of weeks ago when he was visiting my hometown. Our time together had stretched to two and a half hours. We had not seen or talked to each other in seven years. Even with the gulf of time, conversation flowed readily.

The reason for his phone call? He was inquiring about donating money to our ministry The Free Church.

The Bible say this: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” Yes these are the words of Jesus. He’s alluding to His death on the cross. This makes Jesus the ultimate friend.

Yet when my friend Mark offers money to support a work which is a central focus of my life, he’s giving a part of his life to me. Actually laying down his life, allowing my life to go forward in what God has called me to do.

Thank You God for my friend. Thank You for showing me a true friend.

Money, Money, Money

“Why don’t they teach this in school?” Rich said. “It’s so clear.”

We were talking about money. “Rich,” I said, “God knows more about money than anyone.” The Bible speaks volumes on the subject. Our discussion focused on three aspects.

(1) Deuteronomy 8:18, “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” The Christian life includes a God who wants to guide our life in a direction for our financial benefit. Even to the point of being wealthy.

(2) There’s a warning side to this benefit. 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Money can be deceitful, leading to destruction. Never love money. Love the God who provides the money. And then wholeheartedly use your wealth to serve His Kingdom.

(3) Here’s the bottom line. Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourself treasures on Earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The condition of your heart towards money will reflect how much God can bless you. Your heart will either draw you into loving money, resulting in spiritual destruction. Or your heart will honor God in the way you view and use your money. And your heart will be either Earth bent or Heaven focused.

What do you treasure? “…there your heart will be also.”

Who’s a Missionary?

“Where’re you moving to?” Al asked. I’ve heard this question countless times since the “For Sale” sign went up in the front yard. “Just outside of town,” I replied. “Oh, I thought maybe you were going to the mission field,” he said. I assured him I wasn’t.

Well, actually I am moving to the mission field. So why did I lie to Al?

I knew what he meant. Am I moving to some far off foreign country to serve God among the native people as a missionary? No, I’m moving five miles closer to town. And my reason is to serve God among the native people. To be a missionary.

Do I qualify? What does the Bible say?

Actually…nothing. In the fourteen Bible versions I checked out, not even one mention of the word missionary. Hold on. I just found it in the fifteenth version. It appears once: “We who are on missionary assignments for God…” Missionary—someone with an assignment from God; with a mission to complete.

I qualify.

So do you.

And most Christians know the Great Assignment which Jesus gave us just before He returned to Heaven. Also known as the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature...”

God has made us all unique. So He offers nearly endless ways to complete His assignment. You can go to Outer Mongolia or you can go to the mall. You can preach by shouting through a megaphone on a street corner or nearly whispering, holding an elderly person’s hand near death. Preaching is also the written word—another world of possibilities. Most importantly, do you know any creatures? Any people who need to know the Good News of Jesus? If so, you have your field assignment.

You’re a missionary. Go…

The Raccoon That Loved Me

I’m not fond of raccoons. But there was a raccoon that fell in love with me. Kind of…

At our local landfill, the routine is to drive up an elevated area and discharge trash into the dumpster below. They’re huge—seven feet deep. Looking down into the nearly empty container, I spotted a coonskin cap. Suddenly it moved. A real raccoon.

Instantly the raccoon stood up on its rear legs reaching upward with its paws. Childlike; reaching, pleading, longing for help, a rescuer…a way out. This raccoon was trapped in the smooth walled dumpster—its coffin. It kept reaching towards me.

Emotions shifted my typical thinking from: “Nuisance.” To: “Poor, adorable, helpless raccoon.” So I piled my trash in a corner as high as possible. The raccoon climbed upward. I reached down with a box, giving the critter its final boost to freedom.

Instantly the raccoon dashed across the asphalt into the adjacent woods. No, “Thank you.” No glance back. Goodbye love.

I stood there thinking: “Wow, that’s just the way so many people treat God.”

A friend of mine said as she was going through another series of life-calamities: “I’ve been talking to God a lot.” Every time she gets in trouble. And God has bailed her out repeatedly. Then like the raccoon, she dashes away, no looking back…so much for loving God.

Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened.” Maybe trapped at the bottom of a life-dumpster. “Come”; then Jesus promises: “I will give you rest.” And one of the things I love about Jesus, He will accept us back no matter how many times we’ve dashed away.

Need His rest, His rescue? Jesus is reaching out.

This time, don’t dash away. Don’t be a raccoon. Stay with Jesus. Thank Jesus. Love Jesus.

Church Fun

“But it’s not fun like Crestview Church” Jeff said. This was the church both Jeff and I formerly attended. He had moved away. I moved on to another church. Jeff still occasionally attends church, but it’s missing the fun.

Two weeks later I attended Crestview Church to hear a guest speaker. Ken Glaiser preached a no-holds-barred sermon— “Finish what you start.” If you were listening even half-heartedly, he poked you someplace. Pointing out how too many Christians bail out when the fun ends or challenges arise.

The preaching caused me to inventory my God-life.

When Ken finished, the church’s Pastor prayed a somber, heart-examining prayer. Opening his eyes, a big smile reflected a sudden countenance shift. He then asked Ken to end the service with a rousing, up-tempo song. Quickly adding, “Who said church can’t be fun?”

The Apostle Paul said: “I have worked much harder, been in prison…flogged…exposed to death again and again…beaten…stoned…three times shipwrecked…known hunger and thirst…been cold and naked…” He adds: “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

So was Paul, one of the greatest churchmen of all ages, having fun?

Yes…he was.

To him having fun was not about serving the unholy trinity—me, myself and I. Paul’s fun was about serving the Holy Trinity—Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Paul was tapping into the higher reality of fun, of satisfaction, and of success. He later concludes: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

True church fun engages when the power of Jesus Christ rests upon you. Transforming your life and the people in your sphere of influence to live more like Jesus. The downside? You must be weak. And then Jesus’ power becomes your strength.

Harry Gets Saved. Part 1

I spotted Harry a few stores down waving both arms.

Harry was a stranger, trying to get my attention. The first words out of his mouth were: “I need the Lord and I don’t know how.”

When God places a situation like this before you, you don’t want to mess up. Now is the time to efficiently take Harry through a handful of Bible verses and then lead him in a sinner’s prayer. Get him saved. Right? Seize the moment.

I don’t see it that way. Jesus said: “No one can come to Me unless the Father (God) draws them.” Jesus also said: “The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” The vital work is out of my hands. Only accomplished by God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus.

Of course I have responsibilities. So I was doing my best to sense the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“Have you ever been to church?” I asked. The finish line is Jesus. But where is Harry’s starting point? He sporadically attended church thirty-five years ago, saying: “I don’t understand.”

It seemed wiser to talk with him again. We agreed to meet two nights later.

But what if he doesn’t show up? Remember, God’s doing the work; there’s more work to do. And a no-show usually indicates someone unprepared to make Jesus their Lord. Most importantly, God is the starting point. As the Bible says: “Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because He wants you to turn to Him?” God’s passion is to establish genuine relationships with humans.

For Harry to complete his connecting-to-God-getting-saved circuit, he must submit his life to Jesus. Let’s help Harry to that finish line. Not drag him over.

The Water Before Baptism

“Hi Rick, I’m getting baptized.” I recognized the caller.

It was Cindy, a regular customer for years at my wife’s store. I knew her because of my Saturday mornings working there. Many times while standing at the counter, she poured out life-challenges she was trying to deal with. At times I would steer our conversation towards God as an antidote to her stress.

She was very adept, at that time, of quickly steering the conversation away from spiritual considerations.

Cindy always liked books. And even the day she shared her baptism news, she said, “Do you have a book on baptism?” My wife’s store carries books. But for the first years of our acquaintance she picked up non-faith based ones. She maintained her stiff armed resistance to God.

Her life continued to be a struggle. Then occasionally she either picked out on her own or requested a Christian book on a certain subject. I don’t know the details, but she connected with a pastor in town. Down the road a few months, she started attending church semi-regularly.

Cindy began talking, looking and acting different. And I would hear her referencing: “My pastor.” Or, “My church.” She would also speak of other people affecting her spiritual journey.

It was obvious something was happening inside of her.

The Bible says: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth…God who causes the growth…now he who plants and he who waters are one.”

Cindy’s life is a beautiful example of these verses. A person being influenced by many people, even authors, as she’s nudged towards meeting Jesus as her Savior.

In the big picture: God’s doing the work. But, this scripture describes what each one of us can have the privilege of being. “…God's fellow workers.”

Great job! There are always openings.

YOUR CHOICE—TEN DOLLARS OR HEAVEN

Class hadn’t even started and Daniel was already asking a question. “If I know how to get “saved” will you give me ten dollars?”

That was the subject of our last class. I include a dose of it often while teaching. And as I teach about salvation, my ultimate objective is for the students to understand salvation and to desire their own experience of committing their lives to following Jesus.

On a white board I had written keywords, explaining the getting-saved process. Listed where: (1) Faith—believing the unseen. (2) Recognize—your sin/separation from God. (3) Repent-with remorse, turning away from your sins. (4) Receive—Jesus’ gift to pay for your sins; His death on the cross. (5) Confess—speak from your mouth what is happening through faith. (6) Lord—make Jesus lord, master, boss of your life.

Now Daniel had made the self-initiated effort to learn each of these keywords. So he figured the effort should be worth ten dollars.

Daniel is not saved. He knows it. He’s told me. As well, his behavior reflects a disinterest in making the commitment. I keep praying for him and thank God he attends church.

To him, getting ten dollars was more valuable. Daniel likes money a lot. Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who trust riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”

What’s your price? Ten dollars? Ten million dollars? How much will you sell your soul for and miss Heaven. Having money is not evil. Having a love for money is. This is a subtle, alluring, destructive force. And it’s never fully satisfied!

Jesus paid a price. He died on the cross. The cost to you? Free--it’s a gift waiting for you to accept.

IS THE REVIVAL TRAIN COMING?

“Revival, revival, revival.” I’ve heard the talk regarding an impending, sweeping revival for years. Many highly-respected, well-known Christians have made these proclamations.

One Sunday morning my pastor was all excited. The evening before he had been listening to a favorite song on a repeat loop. A portion of the lyrics say, “I can hear that thunder in the distance. Like a train on the edge of town. I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit. Revive us. Revive us.”

Sunday morning our song leader, unknown to my pastor, had selected the same song. Pastor Gordy referenced the train-on-the-edge-of-town lyrics as a parallel to his sensing that a significant revival was near.

So is there a massive revival arriving in the near future?

There’s a train track twelve miles from my home. I hear the train early in the morning. It’s on the move. But it’s never coming to my house.

Like the train, intense passion for God is always on the move somewhere. People who vividly sense God is right there with them everywhere they go, are always alive. Love for God and love for people flows distinctly from some people. The hallmarks of revival are always rumbling.

God says, “Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.” God desires for you to be vibrantly near Him; much nearer than you’ve ever been. Your desire must be the same towards God.

Hearing revival rumblings in the distance isn’t good enough. Draw near to God. Far, far near than you’ve ever been. Go after God with more tenacity than you ever have. God promised He would then come close-- magnificently close to you. You’ll be revived.

Then you’ll be on board. And this will stir others with a passion to also draw near to God.

It’s your move.

SCORCHED CORNFIELD PRAISE

“It would be hard to be standing out in our cornfields and praise God,” Tom said. Extreme lack of rain had parched his crops. He attempted a half-smile: “It’s bad, really bad.”

“How long since it’s been this dry Tom? Ten years?” Every trace of a smile washed from his face: “Maybe a hundred years.”

Tom’s big shoulders were sagging. All of his income is derived from farming. Standing in his scorched cornfields could be depressing. A devoted, faith-filled Christian; Tom admits this challenging struggle.

Another man once told of some of his desperate situations. Apostle Paul said, “To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless…up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth…”

A few sentences later he writes: “Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.”

What! Imitate a man who has just crowned himself, “Scum of the Earth.”

Apostle Paul also said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

He then reveals the secret: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Dry seasons will come; the make-it-break-it point will arrive. Is our trust in Jesus Christ? Do we believe He can revive our situation?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Focusing on Jesus turns a scorched cornfield into an opportunity for God to show His power.

Apostle Paul finished the job God had for him. And is now esteemed as one of God’s greatest men of all time. For Tom? His faith held firm. He focused on Jesus. The rains came a few days later.

For you? Imitate their secret. Trust Jesus to give you the strength for the journey through your scorched cornfield.