Wow, That's Embarrassing!

 

When is the last time you messed up? Maybe it was something
big, maybe was just a little something, but we all mess up in life from time to
time, don't we?

This week, I was talking with a couple of people at work and
that night I started thinking about the conversation. The next day I went to
each of them and said, "I want to apologize, I said something negative and
I shouldn't have."Each of them said, "That's OK, we didn't think
anything about it." That little incident cost me nothing, reminded me of
the value of watching what I said and let others know that as a Christian I
have certain values.

In the gospel record of Christ's arrest before his
crucifixion we read of his disciple Peter's actions. You are probable aware of
how he denied even know Jesus, not once, but three times. How would you like to
be remembered for that?

In
John 21 Jesus comes to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee about a
week after his death, burial and resurrection. He serves them breakfast and has
one of his more famous discussions with Peter. He asks Peter, "Do
you love me," not just once, but three times. Now think about the
situation. He was sitting there around the fire having breakfast with all of
the other disciples. Each of those men knew that Peter had denied Jesus.

What
was worse is that just a week before this we have the following conversation
recorded for EVERYONE to see and remember: "Peter declared, "Even if
everyone else deserts You, I will never desert you." Jesus replied,
"I tell you the truth, Peter; this very night, before the rooster crows,
you will deny three times that you even know Me "No!" Peter insisted.
"Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" And all the
other disciples vowed the same." (Matthew 26:33-35)

Wow,
how embarrassing would that be now as he is sitting there with Jesus at
breakfast! Jesus. In the end Peter couldn't bear it, he just bows his head,
heart broken, and says, "Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the
question a third time. He said, "Lord, You know everything. You know that
I love You." Jesus said, "Then feed My sheep." Jesus was saying,
"then live like you mean it, like you really, really love me!"
(John 21:17)

You
see, that is what Jesus is asking of us every day. He knows we are going to
mess us, but we need to own up to it even if it is embarrassing, ask for
forgiveness and then get on with serving God. It maybe some little thing or it
could be some big thing… it doesn't matter. Make it right no matter how
embarrassing and get on with living like 
you really love God. The apostle John, who saw all of this take place,
wrote in 1John 1:8-9, "If we
claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the
truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". Maybe it is
time to stop being embarrassed and start making things right with God and your
fellow men.

The Cane

This past week was a bit of a struggle for me. I had a problem with my
back, my sciatic nerve to be exact, which affected my leg also. Because of this
problem for several days I used a cane to walk with, it supported me and kept
me stable as I walked. Most of the time this cane sits in the back of a closet,
but it's great to have it when you need it.

Our son, Kirk is often seen carrying a cane. He has at times had to
use it for the same reasons as have I, but most of the time he carries it for a
different reason. He teaches Martial Arts and one of the forms he practices is
called “Bartitsu,” which is called a “Mixed Martial Arts Form.” Basically Bartitsu
is a form of martial arts that uses a cane as a defensive weapon.

I know it may seem strange to be writing about a cane, but I’m
mentioning this because of a comment by a member of our church family, Gary. Recently
he said, “Some folks say, ‘your religion is a cane (or a crutch) to get you
through life when you can’t cope,’ and they are right, but that’s not a bad
thing, it’s the way it is suppose to be.”

I hadn’t thought of it in that context before, but he is exactly
right. We who are Christians have something that those who are not Christians don’t
have. We have a hope, a faith, a belief in someone greater than any problem we
can face on earth. While dealing with my back injury there were a couple of
times that my cane kept me from falling when my leg gave out. It supported me
and did exactly what a cane is supposed to do. Our cane (or our crutch), is
Christ and His church and it is doing exactly what it is suppose to be doing;
helping and supporting us, keeping us from, falling. Hebrews 4:15 tells
us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are,
yet he did not sin.” Christ understands and supports us, holds us up
when we are about to fall, “IF” we hold tight to him as our cane and our
support.

In a different application a spiritual cane is also that which is used
to protect us and fight against Satan, (The gates of hell shall not prevail
against the church, Matthew 16:18). That shows an aggressive approach to
fighting Satan… so our cane, our crutch is useful in that way also. There are
times that we as Christians must take a stand against Satan and Sin!

So, my conclusion to all of this is that yes, Christ and his church
are my cane, my crutch, and I’m proud of it, because I know my weakness, I know
how easily I can fall. Maybe you need to become more involved in the use of
this cane to lift up yourself and others.  Each of us have a choice; we can leave Christ
leaning in the back of the closet or take him out and make him a real part of
our lives. Could it be that you need to learn to lean on Christ and his Church
a little more than you do?

Is 49% enough?

DID
YOU KNOW...Any cheese which is labeled as "processed cheese" is
really only 49% cheese (even thought it is labeled as “Real Cheese”. The other
51% is coloring, binders, preservatives, and stabilizers. So… does that make processed
cheese “real” cheese or only a “cheese like” product. How close to “the real
thing,” does something need to be before it is considered… well… real?

DID
YOU KNOW... that there are no regulations regarding the labeling of Honey? A
product can have as little as 1% honey (the rest corn syrup), and still be
labeled as 100% honey. How much honey does it need to be real honey.

DID
YOU KNOW… that many who claim to be Christians, don’t read their bible
regularly, don’t attend the worship periods of the church, don’t share their
faith with others, don’t fellowship with other Christians, often don’t live
their lives as if Christ lived within them, yet are still labeled as
“Christians”. How much much of God’s directions or commands do you need to keep
to still be considered a “real” Christian?

John
wrote in 1 John 2:3-4, “We
know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I
know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in
that person.” So… how
much does it take to be a real Christian according to God’s Word? It seems to
me that God is saying that it takes (at least trying to give), 100% of our lives to him.

Is
49% of the real thing enough? Well, that’s one of the reasons we don’t buy
“processed cheese,” I want the “real” thing. Do you think that God will be
satisfied with 49% of your life?

A Come to Jesus Meeting

It
may be strange to think of it, but when we say the phrase, “Come to Jesus” it
has a different meaning to some than it did just a few years ago.

For
example, you may hear someone speak of a "Come To Jesus Meeting". In
our American culture this describes a time when a polite ultimatum is given,
generally followed by a less polite ultimatum, then a threat or final option.
If you are a parent this may mean that “your meeting” is followed by a parental
spanking or some other form of punishment. If you are an adult, something more
sever may be the result of “your meeting”.

The
phrase may be used in this way: “Son, this is your only opt ion and if you do
not want to do this, then you can come here and we will have a "come to
Jesus meeting". In other words, there will be consequences to your
decision not to comply with the request.

In
reality that meaning has not changed from the original has it? Jesus came to
call all men unto him, right? For what purpose? To initiate a change in their
lives an actions and to ultimately save them from their sins. He never
threatens, but does point out the consequences for someones “failure to comply”.
The refusal to give our hearts to him, to love him enough to do what he asks
has t he consequences of eternal separation from God.

We
tend to categorize sins (the refusal to obey God’s directions) as either big
sins or little sins, but in reality they all bear the same consequences don’t
they? A good example of this is found in Revelation
21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death.”

A
modern translation puts it this way: “But cowards, unbelievers, the
corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol
worshipers, and all liars, their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
This is the second death.”

What
is the second death? It is an eternal separation from God, the source of life,
which by definition is a spiritual death. If you want to understand a true
“come to Jesus meeting,” that is it. Sin of any kind is still sin and our
failure to comply with God’s request brings about the ultimate consequences,
eternal death.

How
about you, is it time for you “come to Jesus meeting?”

The
phrase may be used in this way: “Son, this is your only opt ion and if you do
not want to do this, then you can come here and we will have a "come to
Jesus meeting". In other words, there will be consequences to your
decision not to comply with the request.

In
reality that meaning has not changed from the original has it? Jesus came to
call all men unto him, right? For what purpose? To initiate a change in their
lives an actions and to ultimately save them from their sins. He never
threatens, but does point out the consequences for someones “failure to comply”.
The refusal to give our hearts to him, to love him enough to do what he asks
has t he consequences of eternal separation from God.

We
tend to categorize sins (the refusal to obey God’s directions) as either big
sins or little sins, but in reality they all bear the same consequences don’t
they? A good example of this is found in Revelation
21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death.”

A
modern translation puts it this way: “But cowards, unbelievers, the
corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol
worshipers, and all liars, their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
This is the second death.”

What
is the second death? It is an eternal separation from God, the source of life,
which by definition is a spiritual death. If you want to understand a true
“come to Jesus meeting,” that is it. Sin of any kind is still sin and our
failure to comply with God’s request brings about the ultimate consequences,
eternal death.

How
about you, is it time for you “come to Jesus meeting?”

Is 49% enough?

DID
YOU KNOW...Any cheese which is labeled as "processed cheese" is
really only 49% cheese (even thought it is labeled as “Real Cheese”. The other
51% is coloring, binders, preservatives, and stabilizers. So… does that make
processed cheese “real” cheese or only a “cheese like” product. How close to
“the real thing,” does something need to be before it is considered… well…
real?

DID YOU KNOW... that there are no regulations
regarding the labeling of Honey? A product can have as little as 1% honey (the
rest corn syrup), and still be labeled as 100% honey. How much honey does it
need to be real honey.

DID YOU KNOW… that many who claim to be
Christians, don’t read their bible regularly, don’t attend the worship periods
of the church, don’t share their faith with others, don’t fellowship with other
Christians, often don’t live their lives as if Christ lived within them, yet
are still labeled as “Christians”. How much much of God’s directions or
commands do you need to keep to still be considered a “real” Christian?

John wrote in 1 John 2:3-4, “We know
that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know
him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that
person.” So… how much
does it take to be a real Christian according to God’s Word? It seems to me
that God is saying that it takes (at least trying to give), 100% of our lives to him.

Is 49% of the real thing enough? Well, that’s
one of the reasons we don’t buy “processed cheese,” I want the “real” thing. Do
you think that God will be satisfied with 49% of your life?

The Silver Lining

For the past two years we have hung
a Boston Fern on our back patio, both years we have had birds silver, furry,
lining. She showed me the nest and I told her, “I know why it has a silver lining…. You cut my hair on the back patio the other day
and they must have pick up the hair left on the ground to line their nest.”

Yes, my hair is a kind of silver white, that’s not unusual in our day and age is it. They
tell us that we as a nation are living longer and longer. The current average
life expectancy is 78.7 years which is an improvement over the 68.7 years of
1960. In other words, there are more “gray heads” around than there used to be.
Some have referred to this as “the graying of America”.

I’ve been increasingly bothered by
the shift in our nation over the past 20 or 30 years. There seems to be a lack
of respect for the “older generation”. You can see it almost everywhere you go
and throughout all aspects of our society. Yet, this is exactly the opposite of
how God’s word tells us it should be.

Proverbs 16:31 tells us, “Gray
hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” In
Leviticus 19:32 we
read: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the
elderly and revere your God.’

It seems significant to me that God
links showing respect for the elderly with revering our God? Now I’m not
writing this to beg for sympathy for me as I age, like many of my age group on
the inside I feel a lot younger than I look on the outside. For me personally I
don’t necessarily want or need special treatment, but God’s word says we who
have gray hair deserve it. When is the last time you saw a young person give
their seat to someone who was older than them. When was the last time you saw
the “gray heads” being allowed to go first through a line or even through a
door simply because it was the respectful thing to do? Our county and our
schools will not teach this lesson, but then it is not their job to teach it,
it is the job of us who are parents or leaders in our churches.

The gray in our hair is more than
just something put there by nature. It is part of the silver
lining God is lining our personal nests with…. It may not often appear that it
is near us or that we have access to it, but if we stop and think about it is
always there if we are near our God. In Isaiah 46:4, God says: “Even
to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear
you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will
deliver you.

Our God “Has done it” and
will continue. Even when we don’t feel very appreciated or respected the one
who truly counts in our life appreciates, loves and respects us.

Do You Want To Live?

 

There is an old movie from the 1980's, Conan the Barbarian.
At one point in the movie Conan and his group of warriors are fighting and as
they face battle with overwhelming odds one asks the other, "What's the matter, do you want to live
forever". The thought expressed, being that there in no better way to
die than in battle or that life is not worth living without facing a challenge.
A great inspiring thought, but how close to reality?

While I was in the hospital for tests a while back and I was
asked a question I had never been asked

before. The doctor came in and talked
about the procedure I was going to have and asked, "Do you have a living
will?" I told him, "Yes, I do." He said, well I have to ask
this, "If something happens and your heart stops during this procedure, do
you want us to try and bring you back?" Now that will make you sit up and
take notice! I had to stop and think and ask a couple of questions to make sure
I understood. I then told him, "Yes, bring me back."

What
is it you want, what is really important to you? I'm reminded of a incident in
the life of Jesus as he left the city of Jericho
recorded in Mark 10:46 and
following. Notice what happened: "And so they
reached Jericho.
Later, as Jesus and his disciples left town, a great crowd was following. A
blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as
Jesus was going by. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out,
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "Be quiet!" some
of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David,
have mercy on me!" When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell
him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up,"
they said. "Come on, he’s calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his
coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"Teacher," the blind man said, "I want to see!"

The
man, Bartimaeus, didn't have to ask questions for clarification, he didn't have
to stop and think about it, he knew exactly what he wanted and Jesus granted
his request.

What
is it YOU want more than anything? Most folks, when given time to think about
it would like to avoid death, they would say, "I want to live and if possible,
to live forever". Paul wrote in Romans
6:23. "For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

I
want to live and I know I have eternal life because of God's promises! John
wrote fabulous words of encouragement in 1 John 5:13. Notice what he says: "I write these things to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life."

There's an old gospel song that says, "I know, I know,
there's no doubt about it, he's real in my heart and I'm going to shout
it". That's the feeling you have when you understand that you have life
with Christ! Do you want to live? Yes! Then go to the book and see what he
tells you that you must do! In fact read the whole chapter of Romans 6 for a
starter.

May our God bless you with success in your attempt to live
forever!