Do You Have a Right to Not Be Merciful?

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!" James 2:12-13

I am a very imperfect person. That is not offered up as an excuse. When I sin, I sin. No one made me sin. I sinned. I do not want to sin. I try to seek God on a daily basis through prayer and Bible study. But, sometimes I still sin. And I don't think I am really any different that anyone who might read this. 

We all sin. That means that I need mercy, and you need mercy. My wife needs mercy. Anyone I deal with needs mercy.

These verses are not about legalism they are about forgiveness and freedom because of the mercy of God shown to us in Christ Jesus. What they are about is a serious self-check about understanding the mercy of God. Matthew 6:14-15 stresses, 

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." 

I boils down to this: we are merciful to others because God is merciful to us. We don't have a right to NOT be merciful. 

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." 

Ephesians 2:4-5

Question of the day? Who do I need to be merciful to today? How is God showing me mercy today?

Father, thank you for your mercy to me! Help me to be merciful to others! Praise be to you in us today!

WHERE TO FIND REFUGE

"Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord
     and take refuge in him;
     let all the upright in heart praise him!"
 Psalm 64:10

Sometimes it seems like the whole world is against you. You run around trying to make things right and you just can't keep up with it all. Then you realize you are acting like everyone else in the world. Maybe you are looking to things, acquisitions, to make you happy. Maybe you are looking to people hoping to feel complete. 

Stop, take refuge in Christ. Look to him for comfort. Seek him for wholeness. Trust in him for guidance. Remember, he will never leave you or forsake you and will work all things out for your good. 

Father, help us to look to you and wait upon you, to take refuge in you, not the world. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU PLAYING FAVORITES?

     "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

     Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" James 2:1, 5

I think the bottom line on this is that to God our outward circumstances do not make us more or less worthy of his mercy, grace and forgiveness. Romans 3:10-12 reminds us "As it is written, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no who does good, not even one."" In God's eyes everyone, regardless of your social standing is unworthy. 

Yet, Christ died for us all, rich or poor. Paul says in Colossians 3:11, "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." The love of God, the forgiveness offered in Christ, is for anyone who will accept it, regardless of their position or circumstances. 

Favoritism can come in many different ways. But, what James was dealing with was the intentional favoritism (what I might crudely call "butt-kissing") toward people of wealth and status. The pathetic thing was that these people were exploiting them! I think the crux of the matter involves faith, as in who or what are you trusting. If you look to the world and its' system of dominance built to make you trust in anything but God, you will always be in bondage. But, if you trust in Christ and view the world from his perspective, you will inherit the kingdom of God. 

James was concerned that this very worldly manner of living was creeping into the church and people were making choices in an ungodly way. In this respect I think James' message is timeless and therefore relevant to you and me, even today. Trust God, not people and treat everyone, regardless of their outward appearance and social status the same, God does. 

Father, help us to see each other through your eyes. Praise be to you in us today!

DID YOU HEAR, DID YOU SEE?

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they and heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20

So Christmas day is over. Let me ask you a question: What did you hear and see? Did you hear and see Christ this Christmas? My question to myself as a husband, father and friend is: Did I show and speak Christ to my wife, my children and my friends? 

I don't want to be self-righteous or condemning because I think that I, like most Christians, want to be Christlike, especially at Christmas. It's just that while I was preparing to read the Christmas story for a family gathering, trying to think of a way to read it creatively, the word "seen" stuck out to me. 

What did the shepherds see? They saw the Messiah in an unlikely place, revealed to them, unlikely witnesses of the incarnation. They the Messiah's earthly entrance which except for the angels announcement to them might of gone unnoticed. But, they didn't just see a baby, they saw the Messiah. They saw the hope of the deliverance that Messiah was to bring. 

I was reminded  to look and see the work of Christ in my life. I was reminded of Christ's forgiveness, mercy and grace to me. I am thankful that he's not finished and that he is faithful to complete what he has started in my life. 

Just take a moment and remember what Christ has done in your life and what he wants to do...

The Christmas Story: The Good News

 The Birth of Jesus 

     In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[E] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

     So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

     And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

     Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,             

     “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 

          and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

     When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

     So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

Merry Christmas and blessings for the coming year!

Prelude to the Christmas Story, Part 3

Zechariah’s Song 
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn[C] of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit[D]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke 1:67-80 (NIV)

Prelude to the Christmas Story, Part 2

Mary’s Song

And Mary said: 
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
     for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
     from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
     he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
     but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
     but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
     remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
     just as he promised our ancestors.” 
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Luke 1:46-56 (NIV)

Prelude to the Christmas Story

The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[B] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:-45 (NIV)

GOD'S RELIGION

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

A lot of people want to define religion as spiritual bigotry and dismiss the term altogether. Religion, as God sees it, is a good thing.  You just have to be religious in God's way.

In simple terms godly religion is focused on others, specifically those less fortunate who struggle caring for themselves and being in the world but not of it.  

One of the underlying themes of James is real Christianity. He has a real ability to cut to the chase. He's one of those people who after saying something that sort of jars you would say, "Just keeping it real." 

It's ok to be religious, if your religious God's way. God way is serving others and serving him. 

Father, help us to keep things real and live truly for you. Praise be to you in us today. 

SPEAK OR NOT?

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives and his religion is worthless." James 1:26

If the Apostles Paul and James were boxers you would call Paul the boxer and James the brawler. Paul sets you up with jabs and then nails you with a hook. James just throws hooks, big body shots, overhand rights and lefts, uppercuts and just goes to knock you out with every punch.

Here in verse twentysix James throws a haymaker a nails us with our mouths. I would say that with the advent of the internet and social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that what we say in writing is included in this "uppercut" from James. 

The meaning is straightforward and you can't dodge it. If you think you are religious, you know, spiritually mature and you can't control what you say, your not. Pretty convicting. 

Now, I am going to make a bit of a stretch here and ask the other side of the question. I get that I should be careful to NOT say some things that would not glorify God. But, what about NOT speaking up when we should? What about situations where injustice is happening or God is being blasphemed and I remain silent? Should I? Maybe the Spirit of God is nudging you to share with someone that Jesus died for their sins and that person is open for that moment. Is controlling your tongue opening your mouth or keeping it closed? 

Father, help us to submit ourselves to you and let you reign even over our what we say. Give us wisdom to be silent when we should and to speak up when we must. Praise be to you in us today!

"I'M DONE,GOD!" REALLY?

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25

I have been teaching sixth grade this year and one habit I have been trying to break them of is the, "I'm done, teacher!" thing. Usually they aren't actually done. Maybe they wrote "Yes" or "No" to a question that was asking for an explanation that demonstrates their understanding of some process we have been studying. Or they just wrote gibberish. 

Sending my wife a "Love you!" text (which is a good thing) is different than sitting with her while she tells me whatever she needs to tell me (and actually trying to listen). Reading the Bible tells me to love my wife. If all I do is send my wife a "Love you!" text every now and then, maybe that's my version of "I'm done, God!" Looking intently at the Bible tells me I need to be patient and kind with my wife, even if I don't feel she is being patient and kind with me. 

What I am getting at is that looking intently into the word means that I consider things on a deeper level. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is a double-edged sword. Sometimes I should feel the truth cut me a bit. I should notice the plank in my eye when I am asking God to get the speck out of someone elses. I should listen...wait...listen, and then obey, do what I know is right. 

Look intently into the word of God. Don't rush. Let the Spirit work. Obey what you know is the best thing to do. 

Father, help us to wait upon you and to see and do what you want us to do, to love as you have loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

I believe A.W. Tozer said, "Self deception is the worst kind of deception." If I just go to church and change nothing in my life, if I do nothing any differently than before, what's the difference? 

Let's just get it straight. Going to church does not make you a Christian. It's a good thing, it just doesn't mean anything if you don't act accordingly. Putting on a Laker uniform doesn't make me a professional basketball player. It's doesn't even mean I know how to dribble a basketball. 

This is where it gets real. I have been walking with Christ since I was in high school in the 70's. There has been times when I honestly looked at myself and realized that I wasn't acting on what I knew was true. My decisions, my choices, and my actions were not of faith. I was not doing what the Word of God says. I was in sin. 

I'm married. We are going on our eighteenth year. I have a lot of friends who are married and a few that are divorced. If you don't do what the Bible says; love, respect, and forgive each other, I don't know how you can stay married. Honestly, it's usually more about inflexibility than infidelity. The Bible tells us to love as Christ first loved us, which is when we didn't want it and didn't deserve his love. What usually holds a marriage together is when you love your spouse when they are unloveable. 

What do you need to do?

Father, help us to do what your word says to do. Praise be to you in us today! 

TELL US WHY YOU ARE THANKFUL!

For to us a child is born, 

     to us a son is given,

     and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called 

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, 

establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. 

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

The reason to be thankful!

I am also deeply thankful for my family! 

A GOSPEL REMINDER

"Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
     to you our vows will be fulfilled.
 O you who hear prayer,
     to you all men will come.
 When we were overwhelmed by sins, 
     you forgave our transgressions.
  Blessed are those you choose 
     and bring near to live in your courts!
 We are filled with the good things of your house,
     of your holy temple."
 Psalm 65:1-4

This is the gospel. We were overwhelmed by sins and God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Everyone will come before God on the great day of judgement. Everyone will bow their knees and acknowledge Christ as Lord. Despite our sins God has chosen us to dwell with me forever. He provides for all our needs in Christ Jesus. 

It is the Christmas season. Remember that it's about Christ and all he has done for us. 

Thank you Jesus, for coming into this would to save us from sin. Praise be to you in us today!

AN ANSWER FAST?

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

I don't know about you, but if there is something I consistently get backwards it is this. I'm slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.  Which would probably explain most of the strife and confusion in my life. 

Major Ian Thomas, the founder of the Torchbearer schools, once said, and I quote, "The obvious is so obvious, that if often fails to be obvious." I believe that James 1:20-21's message is pretty straight forward. Stop talking, start listening and remember the grace - the death of Christ - that was required to save you. 

I once went on an answer fast. I didn't answer or speak for 30 seconds when someone said something to me. I spent a lot of time explaining why I wasn't talking. A few people suggested I do it more often. (Which of course was good I had to wait to respond to that comment.) What it showed me was how often I spoke out of anger or pure emotion and how thoughtless much of what I said really was. 

The righteous life is what God desires to build and see in us. We may be trying to build a happy life or a wealthy life or an exciting life. All that may happen but, God's primary concern is the righteous life in us, Christ in us, the hope of glory. 

Maybe it's time to remember that righteousness is the end God has in mind and so should we.

Father, help us to seek righteousness. Praise be to you in us today!

PASSING THE TRIAL TEST

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV)

A friend of mine struggled for a long time with the loss of his mother. He just couldn't believe that God let his mother die. It was a real barrier to his growth as a Christian. Until he came to grips with the ugly truth that because of sin we all die he found it difficult to trust God. 

Trials happen. Temptations will cross your path. Even Christ was tempted (Matthew 4). God does have a purpose for our trials. God's purpose is to mature us, to make us Christlike. 

Lately I have been going through a few trials that affect me and I have absolutely no control over them. All I can do is wait upon God. All I can do is trust that he is Sovereign and in control of everything. I can respond in love. I can respond with grace. I can act in faith. 

In the end, by his grace,  I hope for a crown of life. 

Father, help us to stand the test. Strengthen us in you. Praise be to you in us today!

LET THE JAMBALAYA MATURE

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4 (NIV)

I was watching Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Channel once and they were cooking jambalaya. The local jambalaya king said the key was to let it alone once you had the rice in it. So of course Bobby Flay didn't leave it alone, he kept taking the lid off and his rice didn't come out right. The jambalaya king didn't mess with his and his rice was perfect. The key was to let the pot do its work. 

I think our spiritual maturity is a bit like waiting for jambalaya to cook. We want to lift the lid and see what God is doing. We get impatient and start asking, "Am I mature yet? Are you done, God?" I won't know if I am patient, until I need to be patient. I won't know if I am compassionate until an opportunity to show compassion presents itself. I guess the key is just letting God do what he wants to do and having the faith that he is in control. 

Maturity is not about reaching some spot where I can say I am mature and then I am done with it. Maturity is when I learn to rest in God no matter where I am at. Everyday is an opportunity to let God work in and through us. What does God have in store for today?

Father, help us to let perseverance do it's work in us to to love as you have loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

NOT A FEELING, PERSEVERANCE

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Consider this: it's not about your feelings. James is not telling us to feel joyful when we encounter trials. He is teaching that when you are in a trial to act like you would act if your were joyful about something. 

We are joyful when something is going well. We are joyful when we know God is in control and that he has worked something out for the good in our lives. You know, like when you get the job, you get the raise, something goes your way. You act with confidence, you know you are in the right place, you know God is with you. Choose to act like that when you go through a trial. That is what James is teaching.

When we go through trials God uses them to develop us spiritually. Now, if you are like me, you usually ask and look for any other way besides a trial. Like W.C. Fields said when asked why he was reading a Bible he said, "Looking for loopholes." Sometimes we look at grace as a loophole to get out of things rather than through them. 

If you have been a Christian for a while I am sure you have had one of those waiting on God experiences where it went past the time you had for it being possible to work things out. You thought all was lost and then God worked. We are supposed to learn perseverance from those trials, it's not a been there, done that thing. God is developing perseverance or patience (KJV) in us. That is a good thing. That God is working in your life is a good thing, a very good thing. We persevere because we know that God is Sovereign over everything and that he works all things out for our good.  

Father, help us to rest in you and persevere. Praise be to you in us today!

OCCUPIED?

"On my bed I remember you;
     I think of you through the watches of the night. 
 Because you are my help,
     I sing in the shadow of your wings. 
 I cling to you;
     your right hand upholds me."
Psalms 63:6-8 (NIV)

Our minds, our hearts, what we allow ourselves to think about is really what is our hearts desire. With David, it is very apparent what occupied his inner being. It's really who David's inner being was occupied by and that was God. 

David was a very human person. He had very human desires. He sinned like everyone else. Not everyone has committed adultery and murder like David, but we all have sinned. The thing about David that we all should learn from is that David turned to God. After victories, after defeats, in the desert as a shepherd and in the palace as a king, David sought God. 

This is the lesson of David we all should learn: seek God. Seek God where you are at and where you will be. Seek God in victory, defeat, loneliness and satisfaction. Seek God and praise him because he is your Help. 

Father, help us to seek you and praise you. Thank you for being our help and upholding us in the shadow of your wings. Praise be to you in us today!

BETTER THAN LIFE

Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you. 
Psalms 63:3 (NIV)

Think of this verse as truth more than just an ideal. The truth is: God's love is better than life. Whether you feel like that or not, it is true. God's love is better than life.

Truth is what we use to correctly understand reality. In & Out Burgers is pretty popular. They also have a "secret" menu that includes animal fries and burgers and even a mustard grilled patty. They're not on the "menu" but they really are available. If you know the truth you can enjoy the whole menu.

God's love is the totality of completeness and fulfillment given to us through Christ Jesus. We begin to experience God's love in part now and will know it wholly for eternity. Knowing God is to know his love.

To the world, people who don't know God, the truth of God is like a secret. We have the Bible to tell us he truth about God, his Sovereignty and unfailing love, his justice and mercy and his forgiveness and faithfulness. By faith we take hold of the truth that God's love is better than life and praise him foe his loving kindness.

Father, help us to live in this truth that your love is better than life. Praise be to you in us today!

ALL YOU NEED

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back form the dead our Lord Jesus , that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

I guess when you think about the book of Hebrews it's all about God giving us everything we need to do his will and live lives of faith that glorify him. Christ is our faithful High Priest who makes us holy and keeps us holy in him. 

Father, thank you for our faithful High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ! Help us to live by faith and glorify you. Praise be to you in us today!

I ALL NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAITH

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:15-16

You may have seen the book by Robert Fulgham All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. These verses have that same sort of tone. Your saved, be thankful. That is the basis of our faith. Do good to others and share. Be nice and don't hog all the toys. 

Yes, sometimes we don't feel like praising God. Sometimes we may not be in the mood to think of others before ourselves. Sometimes we may not want to share what God has given us. But, this is really where Christianity meets real life. Our real lives. 

Understanding that God is Sovereign even when we can't see it, and acting upon that truth rather than our feelings, that is faith. That is Christianity. Doing what is right, what is good, no matter what the circumstances are is what we are called to do. That is faith. Giving what we have to someone else in need, even if it means less for us Christianity. That is faith. 

When I think back to when I first gave my life to Christ, that is pretty much what it was all about. Just praise God. Just do what is good. Just share with others. 

Father, thank you for Jesus and salvation. Help us to do good to others and share what you have provided. Praise be to you in us today!

A FEW GODLY MEN

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

I have been very blessed to have had some godly men in my life. My youth pastors were both great guys who gave me time and we're great examples of real men living lives for Jesus. Both worked full time jobs while volunteering as youth pastors. How these men treated their wives and children influenced how I would be a husband and father.

When I attended Bible school in England the schools' principal befriended me. I learned that being a leader doesn't mean that you go it alone. His honesty, humility and openness taught me how to love others in a truly Christlike manner.

I thank God for these men and the example they set for me. I saw the love of Christ lived out in these men and their lives. Their lives were real. Their faith was real. The love of Christ was real. 

Father, thank you that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever and his love for us never ceases or changes. Help us to love as he has loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

THE GOD OF I GOT TO HAVE IT NOW

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
     "Never will I leave you;
          never will I forsake you."
 So we say with confidence,
     "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
     What can man do to me?"" 
 Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

We pay our bills with money. So, we have to have some. Wanting to have enough to pay your bills is not greed. Wanting to have enough so you are not worried about living paycheck to paycheck is not greed. Learning to live within your means is where faith meets reality. 

The love of money is not the same as just wanting to not be a slave to your bills. I am not sure but sometimes I think there is a fine line where wanting stuff now and loving money are the same thing because it involves covetousness. I call it the god of "I got to have it now". It usually manifests itself in maxed out credit cards. Sound familiar?

Someone once said that prosperity is having a little more than what you need. Faith is trusting that if you can't pay cash now than maybe God wants you to at least wait until you do. Faith is being able to wait upon God to provide the cash or learning to be content with what we have. Faith allows us to live prosperous lives. 

God won't leave you and God is your helper. 

Father, help us to remember to trust you with our finances. Help us to live by faith knowing that you will provide fro all our needs in Christ Jesus. Thank you for providing and that my family and I have what we need today. Praise be to you in us today!

JUST LIKE A BROTHER

"Keep on loving each other as brothers." Hebrews 13:1 

The thing about close families is that even though they do fight sometimes, they still love each other and pity the fool that tries to get between them. Brothers (and sisters) can argue and mess with each other and yet, will defend each other to the end. 

As Christians there will be times when it is not easy to love each other. That's all right. Think about Christ's love for us. He loves us when we don't love him. He just keeps loving us. His forgiveness just keeps washing us clean. 

I had this student once who just couldn't get with the program. He kept disciplined and finally with just a few weeks left he got it together. He finally realized I wasn't trying to punish him, I was trying to teach him. That's God's love sometimes. We reap what we have sown and it's not good. Christ faithfully forgives and the Spirit teaches and we learn that his love is eternal. He just keeps loving us. 

That's what are love should be for each other. We just keep loving. Our brothers (and sisters), like us, struggle along and we just keep loving each other in Christ.

Father, thank you that you first loved us and continue to love us. Help us to love each other. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. "

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)

I am thankful for many things (my wife and children, friends, my job and co-workers to name a few), but my salvation and relationship with God must come first. God gives meaning to everything else. His love, forgiveness and grace are the cornerstone of the abundant life we are called to live. 

Father, we humbly thank you for all the many blessings you have provided. Thank you for our daily bread and for a place to call home. Praise be to you in us today!

YOU'RE WHERE?

"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled  blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." Hebrews 12:22-24

When I was in my mid-twenties my younger brother (by a few years) went snow camping up a near by mountain in SoCal with a friend. It did snow some more and he didn't come home the day he was supposed to so my mom was of course worried and she called the park rangers. They said they couldn't search until morning. Then next morning while the rangers were setting up their search my brother walked into the parking lot toward his car and the rangers asked him if he was the lost camper. He replied, "I'm not lost."  

The world may wonder what we are doing. They will think we are clueless, foolish and in denial, weak, escaping reality and just plain stupid. But, we know whom we have believed. We know that everyone needs Jesus and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We know that Jesus is our mediator and his blood atones for our sins.  We have to the living God, the God of mercy, grace and forgiveness. We worship the Lord, who makes us, the unrighteous, righteous in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. The world thinks they know where they are, yet, sadly we know they are deceived. We know where we are, in the world and where we are going, heaven. 

Father, thank you that in Christ we can know whom we believe and where we are in you. Thank you that in Christ we are righteous and that you are making us new. Praise be to you in us today!