Tag: Peace

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Peter Went Fishing

Peter went fishing.  Sometimes, that is the best thing to do.

John 21:3, "Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said.  So they went out in the boat."

I listened to a sermon last Easter, and this verse stood out.  I thought, how human of Peter.  It is interesting what we do to clarify our thinking; we gravitate to our comfort zone.

After Christ’s Crucifixion, He appeared to the disciples in the upper room to receive the holy spirit.  Even though the disciples, Peter included, saw Jesus alive and touched the scars, it didn’t seem real.  The disciples were heartbroken and disillusioned.  They thought they had followed the savior of the world only to see Him crucified.  How would a dead man, resurrected or not, free them from Roman rule?  They didn’t know what was next.  They knew Christ was the beginning of something great but didn’t understand what that was.

John 6:15, "Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the hillside by himself."

Peter did what we all do: gravitate back to what we know.  We find busy work to occupy our time until we figure out what’s next.

HOW DOES GOD USE THESE MOMENTS

Interestingly, this passage brought back two memories for Peter: good and not-so-good. First, the good: Peter first met Jesus when he was fishing.  He had fished all night, not caught anything, and Jesus asked him to throw his net again.  Jesus’ request of Peter was precisely what happened the second time when Peter went fishing after the Crucifixion. The second memory is Jesus cooking fish over a charcoal fire on the beach.  Peter might have remembered the last time he smelled a charcoal fire; he denied Christ three times.

I firmly believe God does not waste energy; everything has a purpose.  When Peter was at his lowest point, God returned two essential images.  The first was the joy of meeting Jesus and his immediate dedication to Him.  This image had to lift his spirits.  The second was the image of his weakness.  It was a backward glimpse of what the world would be like if Peter didn’t believe.  It brought back all of the pain he felt when that rooster crowed.

I can’t speak for Peter, but for me, it would have reinforced why I have to hold on to the goodness of Christ’s promise and run from my weaknesses.  It would be both a push and a pull: push away from doubt, pull closer to faith.

WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE DOESN’T SEEM FAIR

James 1:3, "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

“No matter what storm you face, you need to know that God loves you. He has not abandoned you.” – Franklin Graham.

We tend to go fishing.  We want to break away from the uncertainty and draw close to something we know and understand.  That is OK for a time, but it doesn’t produce results like Peter.  It is nothing more than a temporary holding place to regroup.

Like Peter, we need to be reminded of the past.  We need to remind ourselves of the great things God has done for us and through us.  The glory of the past leads us toward the future.  We also need to be reminded of what it is like to deny Christ.  As dark as the world can seem, it is nothing compared to separation from Christ.  To live without hope has to be the darkness within darkness.

Romans 8:35, "Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

HAPPY ENDINGS

Christ built His church on the rock named Peter.  If you are willing, He will raise you out of the malaise of your life.  He will use all you have gone through to create an even brighter future than you could have imagined.

Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

God may not create a worldwide revival through you, but what He will build through you, the gates of Hades, will not overcome it. The power you have at your disposal is incredible; we sometimes lose that. When things don’t go as we think they should, we forget the redeeming power of Christ’s resurrection.

Whenever you feel the darkness closing in, remember Peter.  You and Peter have a lot in common.

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world, you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
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You are Worth More than you Think

You are worth more than you think. There are about eight billion people on the face of this planet. At some point, I believe every one of them has questioned their self-worth. Not knowing the value you contribute to God’s kingdom complicates your life. You spend way too much time chasing things that don’t matter.

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.” ― D.L. Moody.

How many outstanding achievements have you accomplished in your life that, in the long term, don’t matter? Was it a job title, a promotion, an income level, membership in the right club, acceptance by the right people, or some other recognition that drove you? Maybe it was the belief that significance, peace of mind, and meaning were just around the corner. Was it just one more task away?

Who Am I

The Bible is very clear on this issue. God created us in His image.

Genesis 1:27, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

God intentionally created humanity in his image. He instilled in us an inherent worth and value as humans. God crafted each person uniquely to reflect His image. Humanity has the attributes infused into us by God to be like Him.

Psalm 139:13, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

God has an intimate and personal relationship with you. He intimately forms each person, intricately shaping their innermost being. Furthermore, God highlights the sanctity of life and the profound value God places on each person, even before birth.

Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

We should acknowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, reflecting the creativity and wisdom of God. We should have a sense of wonder as we consider the beauty and complexity of God’s design in us. It speaks to the intentionality of our existence.

Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

God has a predetermined plan and calling for every individual, marking them for a particular purpose. This concept reminds us that we are not mere accidents or haphazard creations. God intentionally crafted us with a specific intention in mind. Meanwhile, we possess free will to pursue this intent. It’s crucial not to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Each of us is unique, with our own distinct journey and narrative. I cannot be you, and you cannot be me.

Psalm 100:3, "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."

God’s people should foster a sense of belonging and dependence on God, reminding us of our need for his guidance and provision. Hence, we understand we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Why Do I Matter?

Colossians 1:16, "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."

This verse underscores the sovereignty and authority of Christ over all creation. It reinforces the idea that our purpose is grounded in him. Everything is created for Him, not us, Him. God did not create us to seek recognition for ourselves, but to glorify our Creator.

Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

God’s Spirit reminds us that our existence is not independent of God but depends on his ongoing life-giving power.

Ephesians 2:10. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

We aren’t merely the result of divine creation. Our intricate design serves a distinct purpose, emphasizing the importance of living courageously. These predetermined deeds, prepared by God, are guideposts along our journey. They urge us to lead lives that reflect honor and glorify Him through our actions. Conversely, everything we possess, past and future, originates not from our own endeavors but as gifts bestowed upon us by God, intended to glorify Him.

Revelation 4:11, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

God created our very existence to glorify Christ. He is worthy of our praise.

1 Timothy 4:4, "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."

God created nothing that we should look down upon, including weaknesses and faults. We should use all that we are to glorify Him.His power makes us strong in our weaknesses.

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Regardless, God will exalt you for your steadfastness and dedication no matter your path’s length or difficulty. The journey of life was never meant to be without challenges.

1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
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God is Someone, not Something.

God is someone, not something. He is not a set of rules or an organizational structure. He is not a membership in your church or a certificate of baptism. You don’t get to know Him by attending the right church, attending the proper Bible Study, or listening to the right Preacher. Your membership in a Christian denomination or your strict adherence to theological doctrine does not define God. God is not a possession that you control or an accomplishment you achieve. He is the creator of the universe. Understanding God starts by having an intimate relationship with Him. Christ is your only intermediary.

One of my favorite descriptions of God is “I am.”

Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’”

God is self-defining

God is self-defining. He is beyond description. His ways are above our ways. His actions define righteousness and goodness. Although we are made in His image, we cannot fully grasp the totality of His existence.

Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.”
Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.”
Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 22:27, “I am merciful.”
Isaiah 51:12, “I am the one who comforts you.”
John 6:48, “I am the bread that gives life.”
John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.
John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.”
Revelation 22:20, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

These are not the words of a what but of a who. Godliness doesn’t describe an abstract concept meant to keep us in line. It describes a heavenly body that loves us unconditionally and wants nothing more than our well-being.

God is Jealous

Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else nor share my praise with carved idols.”

God is jealous of our attention. But He does not demand it as some would believe; he wants it to be a free-will offering. God does not push Himself on us; He draws us to Himself. He demonstrates the value of taking our comfort in Him, who will never forsake us, rather than worldly endeavors that will fade with time. Eternity is God’s; this world flashes by and then disappears.

Worshiping at the altar of good works, good behavior, or personal sacrifice will not endure you to God. The only path to a meaningful relationship with God is glorifying Him in all we do.

God as our Savior

How do we change from the person always trying to please God through our adherence to rules to freely loving Him for who He is? The foundation is to be in His word constantly. But that activity is to educate; it does not replace the relationship with Him. We discuss head knowledge versus heart knowledge and the transition from one to the other. To truly have an intimate, meaningful relationship with God, you must surrender to His will. We do not aim to please God by doing good; instead, we do good because God finds pleasure in us.

When you can honestly say yes to each of these, you have a meaningful relationship with God, not just the representation of God. Things can’t provide this level of intimacy; only a living God can.

  • I am
    • Forgiven
    • Chosen
    • Significant
    • Not Alone
    • Complete in Christ
    • Loved

These things manifest through a loving, benevolent God who spoke the universe into existence. We should not covet Him as a thing but love Him as a being.

“It is not the objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get.” Frederick Buechner

Don’t kind-of, sort-of, generally believe in Christ. Be all in or all out. Do yourself that big favor, commit to a position, and then live it.

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One Person Can make a Difference

One Person can make a difference. I know many of us don’t believe it can be us. We believe we have an impact on our families and friends, but that is not a real difference in the world. It seems like one more drop of water in the ocean, one more grain of sand on the beach.

The 1969 essay by Loren Eiseley entitled “The Star Thrower” described a man who didn’t look at the totality of his effort but the importance of making an effort. There is a concluding statement that says, “ Only then I allowed myself to think, He is not alone any longer. After us, there will be others.” What gives me hope is not that I would change the world, but maybe, through my actions, there may be others who can and will.

Matthew 17:20, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

There are people like Micheal J. Fox who have raised billions for Parkinson’s research. Jane Kristen Marczewski (Nightbirde) used her short-lived fame from AGT to proclaim that we all have a loving God, even in bad times. These are contemporaries who used their circumstances to change the world. They exposed people to needs and provided hope. But most of us don’t have that stage. Our sphere of influence is small; our accomplishments are mundane.

After Us Will Be Others

Eiseley’s “After Us, There Will Be Others” should be our rallying cry. Helping one person a day, week, or month might catalyze world change. Even in our suffering, we can provide hope. There is not even one of us that will not leave a legacy. The question is, what will that legacy be? God has given us everything to stimulate the “Butterfly Effect” for eternity. We can set in motion the dominoes that create change for generations to come. It is our actions that save a life for eternity. It is not the totality of our effort but the importance of making an effort. We don’t know what God has in store.

1 Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

If you spend the rest of your life impacting just one person for Christ, you may save millions. That person may save two, and those two each save three. This ripple effect continues until Christ returns, potentially saving millions. One person can make a difference.

We Each Have a Story

We each have a story. Our lives ebb and tide with the effects of a fallen world. Unfortunately for the teller but exuberating to the listener, great stories start with great tragedy. The definition of a great tragedy is different for different people. As a North American, we do not see tragedy like a South American might. Many people live everyday lives that I find hard to comprehend.

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

But all these stories must be lived and told. The overcoming must be passed down from generation to generation so that others might have hope. The overcoming, Christ’s intimate intersection with our lives, must be kept alive. When we see the tragedy as tragedy, we lose sight of God’s great plan for our lives. We come alive when we can see tragedy as the genesis of a great story of salvation and redemption.

James 3:4, “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.”

Tragedy is tragedy, deep, dark, and depressing. But the outcome, the final scene, does not have to be. It can end as one of the greatest stories ever told, and that story can change the world.

One Person Can Make a Difference

One person can make a difference in the life of another. God planned it that way. Have hope. Seek compassion, love, and grace from the creator of the universe, and he will give you a mighty story that will comfort listeners long after your passing.

Matthew 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
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Give a Man a Fish

Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and eat for a lifetime. These words seem Christ-like; one would think they were a biblical principle. Because the New Testament is grounded in the lives of the disciples and many fishermen, it seems natural that this would have a Biblical perspective. But it is not. Chinese philosopher Confucius is said to have penned these words, but no record exists. This phrase has been my mantra since creating my first company. It has always seemed like the right way to do things.

Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his interests but also to the interests of others.”

Give a Man a Fish

 In the book “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself,” This helping stage is called relief; it provides immediate assistance or charity to address immediate suffering. One of the biggest mistakes Western cultures make when helping others is providing relief when they need rehabilitation. Why does Western culture do this? Well, it is easier and faster.

Think of an experience you have had in your town. It is easier to give someone a few dollars for food than to help them find a job. Worse yet, help them acquire a skill that leads to a job. By doing something, we avoid the guilt of doing nothing. When you meet an immediate need, you see the relief on their faces: instant gratification. You can go back to your home knowing you made a difference.

The problem is that someone will need to eat again and again. Life is uncertain, and there is no guarantee that you or someone like you will be there for the next meal.

1 John 3:17, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

There always exists a need for relief. It is typically short-term and specific. A tsunami hits a remote village, wiping out its infrastructure. Water, food, and electricity are all required quickly to serve the inflicted. There is a time to give a man a fish, but it should be while you teach them to fish for themselves.

Teach a Man to Fish

Ephesians 4:2, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Self-respect is the most important gift you give to someone. In Regi Campell’s book Radical Wisdom, Regi says, “Give a man a dime a day for thirty days, then stop. He will resent you for the rest of your life.” This quote seems like an overstatement, but the intent is genuine. Give a person a better standard of living, then take away the support and see what happens.

In the book, “When Helping Hurts…” this stage of helping is called rehabilitation. It emphasizes the importance of education, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Instead of relying on external help, teaching someone a skill (in this case, fishing) enables the recipient to fend for themselves in the long run. It promotes independence, sustainability, and the ability to meet future needs without continual external assistance.

It gives people a life with their heads held high. It gives them the self-respect needed to carry on. But it has a price greater than money. It requires a long-term plan, volunteers who will return over the months or years, willing local participants, and patience. We are a quick-fix society; we don’t play the long game. Our donors want to see results.

Romans 15:1, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

The Fisherman Teaching Others

When a person who has learned how to fish decides to teach others, you have the material for long-term change for the better. The last stage is development. John F. Kennedy is credited with saying, “All ships rise on the same tide.” he may have taken it from a New England Chamber of Commerce slogan. An interconnectedness of people or entities within a community, society, or economy requires teamwork to grow. The larger the middle class, the more robust the economy. As each community member becomes self-reliant, the whole community becomes self-reliant. In many cases, these communities start reaching out to other communities. The program becomes viral.

If you are going to help, really help. Don’t create a co-dependency. It is easy to become an idol in someone’s eyes if their need for you is strong enough.

Matthew 25:35-40, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

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The Greatest Name in History (Repost from 02/201/22)

The Greatest Name in History was originally posted in February 2022. But as we close out the Christmas season, I thought it was important to revisit it. Here it is.

Who is the greatest name in history? In the western world, you acknowledge Christ’s influence on your life any time you write a date on something. Crazy, isn’t it, how one man 2,000 years ago could still influence everyday life for almost everyone.

According to statistics from Wycliffe International, Gideons International, and the International Bible Society, the number of new Bibles sold, given away, or otherwise distributed in the United States is about 168,000 per day. In addition, the research conducted by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 2021 suggests that there are between 5 and 7 billion copies of the Bible distributed in the last 1,500 years.

The History Collection, a website dedicated to teaching history to the masses, created its list of the 40 most influential people in history; Jesus was number one, beating out names like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Aristotle.

Steve Skiena and Charles Ward, in their book “Who’s Bigger,” created a complex combination of measures to establish their “significance” ranking; they assessed more than 800,000 names throughout history. Number one on their list was Jesus. Judging strictly on longevity and influence, Jesus was determined to be the biggest name in human history ever.

Jesus has two billion people following His teachings over 2,000 years after His death; that’s pretty influential.

Why Jesus?

Isaiah 53:4, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”

Jesus never penned a best seller or sang a top 100 song. He didn’t invent a game-changing product or create a Fortune 100 company. Jesus had no Twitter account or Facebook page; Jesus was not an influencer on TikTok. He had no title or education and no political affiliation. Rather, he was a homeless, itinerate, unemployed preacher. His ministry was only three years.

Whether you believe Jesus is the son of God or not, you can not get away from His influence on your life. Several years ago, a book was published entitled “A Case for Christ,”; written by Lee Strobel in 1998. Strobel painstakingly applies forensic anthropology to validate the historical events in the Bible. It is almost 300 pages of detailed analysis and interrogation into the authenticity of the writings about Jesus. He concludes that everything written in the Bible about Jesus is historically accurate: miracles, quotations, and resurrection included.

If Jesus walked the face of this earth, and the historic chronology about Him is accurate, why do we struggle so much with believing He is the Son of God? Better yet, why do we battle to believe what He says?

Time magazine in the June 21st, 1971 edition, quoted the journalist William Emerson Jr. “that in different centuries and cultures, people have always concocted ‘the sort of Jesus they could live with.’”

Non-believers will say that believers must have this make-believe miracle worker in their lives to overcome their insecurities and give them hope. To them, following Jesus is a cop-out to facing the realities of the world. We have to have a bigger-than-life superhero to make it through the day. Unfortunately, for some Christians, that is true; their faith does not know the truth; it wishes it were true.

2 Peter 2:20, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”

The reality of Christianity isn’t that it makes life easier; it makes us more accountable. But unfortunately, this accountability causes most of us to be uncomfortable. The Bible never said that we would not see pain and suffering; it said it would only last a little while. Eternity is a very long time.

The number one hurdle for most non-believers is not finding hope in greater power; it is being held accountable for their actions. Postmodernism allows everyone to be responsible for their version of the truth. They can be a good person based on their perception of good. On the other hand, Christians are accountable to one great truth: there is no sliding scale.

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the author of that great truth. That is why Jesus. Because Jesus is the light in the darkness, he is the horizon point that we use to guide our decisions. He is the most powerful and influential force in the history of humankind.

John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Even before you feel the transformational impact of forgiveness, you have to acknowledge the importance of who Christ is and what He has done. Once you accept He is who He said He is, then you will start to experience the grace, compassion, and love inherent in His nature.

“Jesus didn’t come to tell us the answers to the questions of life; he came to be the answer.” Timothy Keller

Who is the greatest name in history? Knowing Christ and knowing about Christ are two different things. The world knows about Christ. Therefore, you must come to know Christ.

1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
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Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord is one of our human flaws. Waiting, in general, is a major flaw for most of us. We live a results-oriented existence. I know one of my most significant weaknesses is impatience. My impatience falls into two categories:  delayed scheduling and delayed gratification. When I go to the trouble to schedule an event, like a meeting or appointment with someone, I expect them to be on time. Although I try not to display my impatience, it is there. The second is more challenging for me to disguise: delayed gratification. I did what I said I would do when I said I would do it, so where are the results? Quid pro quo, give and take, action and reaction: this isn’t rocket science.

ISRAEL’S WAIT

Around Christmas time, we are reminded of the value of patience. The Book of Isaiah, written around 739-680 BC, speaks of a virgin giving birth to a child and foretells the birth of a child who will be called the “Prince of Peace” and whose government will have no end. Micah, written around the same time, 735 – 700 BC, talks about one born in Bethlehem who will be a ruler over Israel. The Israelites waited 700 years before these prophecies came to be.

Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Isaiah 9:6, "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."
Micah 5:2, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

SIMEON’S WAIT

Simeon waited on the Lord his whole life before seeing the coming of the Savior. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit came to Simeon to announce that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. The Bible tells us that Simeon was old when he encountered Jesus. Simeon faithfully waited his entire life for the consolation of Israel.

Luke 2: 25-26, "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah."

MARY’S WAIT

Think of Mary; as a teenager, she knew her son would be the Messiah. Her son, born in a manger, would be King of Israel but could not care for himself and depended on her for his development. She watched him for thirty years before he revealed himself to the world. How many sleepless nights did she lie awake, wondering if what she remembered was real? Did she hear the promise correctly?

Luke 1:26-28, "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 approached her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

OUR WAIT

When I sit in a doctor’s waiting room, impatient for my appointment, do I grasp the historical relevance of waiting on the Lord? Does every moment of my life fall within the providence of the Lord? When I pray in my time of need, do I put that prayer into the perspective of God’s timing? Does instant gratification of my needs overshadow the dominion of the God I serve? Christmas is not just about celebrating the birth of our Savior; it is about the experience of waiting for God’s revelation.

“To prepare our hearts for Christmas, we must cultivate the spirit of expectancy.” – Handel H. Brown.

It was thirty years before Christ said the time has come. Even then, people did not believe because they had lost hope during the wait. Their chance at salvation came and went without their knowledge.

Mark 1:14-15, "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"

When things don’t happen on our schedule, do we rely on Christ? Do we have the confidence to believe that Christ will meet our needs in His time? Children get a sense of that anticipation every Christmas Eve as they wait on daybreak. Do you experience the same emotional high when waiting on Christ?

Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."

“The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas.” — Bill Crowder.

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Is the Prosperity Gospel What You Think?

Is the true prosperity gospel what we think? I cringe every time I hear someone imply that God will reward us for doing what is right. God created us, and He sent His son to die for us so that we might have eternal life. That is a gift we can never do enough to earn. Its value is beyond calculation. God is not a vending machine that rewards us for doing good. God expects us to do good. Nowhere in the Bible does God say, “Give your money to me, and I will double it back to you.” The scripture does not pertain to worldly treasure; it addresses the spirit. The Bible clearly states that God will ensure you have the resources you need to do His will, but He never promises that you will be rich by worldly standards.

Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord."

My understanding of God’s prosperity Gospel is that if you live according to His word, you will find peace, joy, and meaning no matter your circumstances. If you live according to worldly standards, you may obtain worldly prosperity but still battle anxiety, fear, discomfort, and emotional pain. God needs people at every level of humanity to share the Gospel with everyone at every level of humanity. He needs the poor to nurture the poor, the middle class to the middle class, sick to the sick, and the rich to the rich. He needs the craftsman to nurture the craftsman, the teacher to the teachers, and Kings to Kings. God will resource your needs according to His will.

HIS DESIGN

Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near."

The Prosperity Gospel is part of God’s grand design. He created everything, and in doing so, He created the right way to live. If we live according to His teachings, the natural outcome is spiritual prosperity. It is not a quid pro quo; it is His natural outcome. We may achieve success by worldly standards, or we may not. What we will achieve is meaning and purpose, and with that comes contentment and peace. We will be resourced according to His plan for our life, not according to the world. You will be without needs as you will not need anything you do not have. As flawed humans, we may want more than we need, but we will not go without.

Psalm 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance."

THE WORLDS DESIGN

When you live by worldly standards, not according to His will, you receive the natural results of your effort. Your display case is filled with trophies from a broken world. You will have trophies of broken relationships, fear of acceptance, failure or success, anxiety for the future, and a deep void of meaninglessness. You have all the trappings of prosperity without the joy. I know firsthand of this experience. Titles, positions of authority, power, houses, cars, and exotic vacations do not provide meaning. They are a way of distracting ourselves from our feelings. We convince ourselves we will be satisfied if we have a little more. It never comes. Every hilltop provides a view of the next hill; it is endless. Over time, it wears you down emotionally and sometimes physically. Stress kills.

Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

I mentioned in an earlier post that Skye Jethani, in his book “With: Reimagining the Way We Relate to God.” talks about Christians who “Live from God.” They live to please God so that God will bless them. God has and will continue to bless you because He loves you, not because you found the right formula to please Him. He doesn’t have an exchange calculator that tells Him how many blessings you’ve earned based on your output. If someone tries to convince you that your obedience will earn you something from God, turn away from them. It is a false doctrine—God’s blessings are free and overflowing to all who will receive them.

Matthew 13:16, "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."

FAMILY

We are sons and daughters of the God most high, heirs to His kingdom, a priestly nation. We are blessed.

Matthew 5:2-12, "And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
•	"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
•	"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
•	"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
•	"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
•	"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
•	"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
•	"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
•	"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
•	"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
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At the End of Our Days

At the end of our days, what do we want ricocheting through our brain? What are we left with when our hearing fades, and the light dims? What achievements will mean the most? Who or what will come to mind?

Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Passion for God’s Creation

I watched a documentary on the Len Foote Hike Inn on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. It is unique in that it can only be approached by hiking. I’ve had the privilege of hiking into the Hike Inn several times. It brought to mind how fortunate I was to experience God’s glory in nature. I’ve hiked thousands of miles of trails, seeing nature during all four seasons.

I’ve hiked the Ala-Too mountain Range with good friends from Kyrgyzstan, the northern Serengeti Plain, while in southern Kenya with a Maasi Chieftain and the Sierra de Lepaterique in southern Honduras. I watched sunrises and sunset, snow, wind, and rain. I once was lost in the Georgia mountains during a rainstorm when the trail became a stream—all those beautiful memories etched forever in my brain. The worst was more like a Dilbert comic strip than real life. My early experience as a Boys Scout has always given me the confidence to venture out.

End of Days

At the end of my days, when I sit in my wheelchair at the assisted living facility, I will recall the great outdoors. Nature is my eremos, my solitary place to commune with God. I’ll paint pictures in my mind of rugged mountain trails, breathtaking sunsets, and calm, quiet mornings with birds singing. I’ll remember God for what He made, not what we have done with His creation. My past will not be overcast by bustling offices, long meetings, or hurried schedules. It won’t be the titles I achieved, the deadlines I met, or the awards I received. It will be the peace, beauty, and tranquility of seeing God’s face through nature.

Job 12:7-10, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

I will also remember all the great people God allowed me to meet. The most amazing of them is the young people passionate about expanding God’s kingdom. I will remember their enthusiasm, energy, and thirst for life. My daughter has done a fantastic job of raising one of these.

At the end of your days, will you find contentment or worry? Did you do the right things for your family and loved ones? Are you confident that you will meet them again? Is your future laced with fear or longing?

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Every Moment

All too many times, we think there is more time than there is. We put off important things to concentrate on the mundane. Eternity is such a big concept, and today is urgent. I know, as a parent, I become hijacked into believing that God needs me to raise my children. He doesn’t need me; He wants me to raise them to be Godly. After my passing, He will still guide them, just as He guides me today.

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things that don’t matter” – Francis Chan.

Every moment is a gift to be shared. God wastes no moment. Live not with just a sense of urgency; we can hurry into an early grave, but with a sense of intentionality that every moment has a purpose.

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Live with an intentional urgency until you run out of time. That is God’s plan for your life.

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Being for God or With God

Am I for God or with God? This troubling question was brought up via a book by Skye Jethani, “With: Reimagining the Way We Relate to God.” Skye breaks down our interaction with God into five possible interactions.

  • Life under God – I am a sinner.
  • Life over God – I am a manager.
  • Life from God – I am a consumer.
  • Life for God – I am a servant.
  • Life with God –?

LIFE (BLANK) GOD

Life under God is a life full of accomplishing great things to please God. Is the quality of your salvation predicated on the quality of your gifts to God? It believes Devine Will is at the center of all things. Life over God is living by divine laws, rules, and rituals, each designed to qualify us for inclusion into God’s Kingdom. This interaction says that natural laws and principles are at the core. Life from God is believing that God exists to supply what we desire or need. It is about praying and receiving. Everything is of God; therefore, my life asks Him for things, and He decides what to give me. This interaction puts me at the center of everything. Life for God is about proclaiming His glory as the primary attribute to receiving grace. It has mission work and service at its core.

It is easy for me to visualize being in any one of these interactions. I am a sinner, there is no doubt. Rituals permeate my prayer life, bible reading, and churchgoing. I ask and want things from God and sometimes question my value based on the results. Obedience to His call is always at the forefront of my mind. I have been convinced over time that it is a form of worship to use God’s gift to me for His kingdom.

We express faith in Christ so God can forgive our sins, but it is done to get either a ticket to Heaven or a pass out of hell. It is safety by appeasing God with our behavior. God is a means to an end, not a treasure.

LIFE WITH GOD

Luke 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

So, what does a life with God look like? Being with someone connotates an understanding of what they are all about. Skye says Life with God entails treasuring, uniting, and experiencing God all in the moment. I see God as the enormous, all-knowing, all-seeing, time-independent author of the universe. Who am I that I could be with God? What possible contribution could I make?  

John Piper said, “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above savoring God.”  Dallas Willard says, “The treasure we have in Heaven is also very much available to us now. We can and should draw on it as needed, for it is nothing less than God himself and the wonderful society of His Kingdom even now intertwined in my life.”

Life with God is the contiguous interaction with God every moment of our lives. It is a constant dialog with or without words. God becomes the object of your existence. In Matthew 13, Jesus talks about a man who, when he found a treasure in the field, sold all he had to acquire that field. To have a Life with God is to sell out of your worldly life to acquire a greater treasure in Christ. God is not the means of getting our treasure; He is the treasure.

GOD IS THE TREASURE

It is not about following the rules, being kind, earning blessings, or getting to Heaven. It is about selling out to God as the only value in your life.

Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

He knows what we need; he is not insensitive to our situation. But he is not here to build treasures here on earth. He is the treasure. It is great to dream of a life with no pain, loved ones around us, and eternal bliss, but without the treasure, it is meaningless. Can you live for Christ without anticipating Him rewarding you for your effort? Is salvation about eternity in Heaven, or is it eternity sitting at the feet of Christ?

Colossians 2:3, “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
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