Press On, Press On

He Came

<><>HE CAME

HE CAME TO US THROUGH THE VIRGIN BIRTH
TO WALK AMONG MEN ON THIS PLACE CALLED EARTH;
HE WAS BORN IN A MANGER ONE LONELY NIGHT
SO ALL WOULD SEE A HOLY LIGHT.

HE CAME NOT FOR EARTHLY GAIN
BUT AS THE LAMB THAT WOULD BE SLAIN.
HE LIVED AMONGST US AS A MERE MORTAL MAN.
DISPLAYING HEAVEN’S REDEMPTION PLAN.

HE CAME TO FREE MAN FROM SIN AND SHAME
AND TO BRING GLORY TO HIS FATHER’S NAME.
HE CAME NOT TO REMAIN THE BABE IN A MANGER.
BUT TO RESCUE YOU FROM THE FATHER’S ANGER.

HE CAME NOT FOR THE ANGELS, BUT MEN ON EARTH,
TO RECONCILE THEM THROUGH THE NEW BIRTH.
OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOU WILL SEE IT PLAIN, THAT YOU ARE THE REASON HE CAME.
May you all have a blessed Christmas by receiving the greatest gift of all-Christ Himself.

Blind to Greatness?

<><>I return your attention to Matthew 12 again today with this question- are you blind to greatness? Apparently the folks in this verse certainly were12:38 Then some of the experts in the law ⁵⁵ along with some Pharisees ⁵⁶ answered him, ⁵⁷ “Teacher, we want to see a sign ⁵⁸ from you.”Folks; if they knew who they were talking to, they would have kept this audacious demand to themselves. This verse reminds me of a story told originally in the 40’s about a group of youth and a man on a bus. A group of young men got on a bus and they were particularly rude and crass in behavior to people on the bus. They spotted, a man sitting in the back of the bus dressed neatly and well groomed, and decided to harrass him. They began to taunt this man who was well over 6 feet and built muscularly and the other passengers were aghast they that would even try to do such a thing. No one knows for certain why they singled this man out, other than they felt safe as a group. The goading lasted a good half hour until the man rang the stop bell and as he proceeded out of the bus, he handed these young ruffians his business card which simply read- Joe Louis, Professional Boxer. They were in the presence of greatness and they didn’t even know it. They were blind to Mr. Louis’s stature as a man and ability. So were the scribes and Pharisees blind to the greatness of Jesus of Nazareth. They held him in utter contempt; just as the young hooligans on the bus were with the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis.

<><><>It wasn’t until they saw the business card that they understood their predicament. Jesus proclaimed His “business card” to the crowd: 12:39 But he answered them, ⁵⁹ “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish ⁶⁰ for three days and three nights, ⁶¹ so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 12:41 The people ⁶² of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them ⁶³ – and now, ⁶⁴ something greater than Jonah is here! 12:42 The queen of the South ⁶⁵ will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and now, ⁶⁶ something greater than Solomon is here! The gospel of John states that the Light of the World walked amongs the people and they did not comprehend it. What a sad commentary of that world; isn’t it?

Don’t be too quick to pat yourselves on the back. The world still does not recognize the greatness of Jesus. People today are just as ardent in their blindness and arrogance. Today Jesus is lumped in with Buddha, Mohammed and every other mere mortal, instead of recognizing the greatness of His work and of His deity. The world still uses arrogant tones to taunt Christians to peform a miracle or to prove the validity of its claim. This society still blatantly deny the only means of salvation for their souls- Jesus Christ. How often do you hear people tell you they cannot possible believe the gospel. The general populace still deny the empty tomb and ultimately the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The young men who messed with Joe Louis were in inherent danger because they failed to recognize the power of the man they faced. However, the world is in greater peril than the boys in the bus. There will come a time when Jesus will unleash His power on the world and woe to those who are still blind to His greatness. Revelation talks of the return of Christ and just as He rose from the dead, so will He return. Just as it was stated Jesus would come by way of the Virgin, so will He return. Then what? my friend. It will be too late then to accept and acknowledge His greatness. At that time He will not be meting out mercy, but judgment. Knowing this coming terror is what compels me to say- be reconciled to God through Christ now. Acknowledge and pay homage to His greatness now. Every time one reads a blog like this and walks away from Jesus is failing to recognize greatness. Greatness of love that hung on the cross. Greatness of mercy that took our punishment. Greatness of the power that conquered sin, death and the grave. Can you still be blind to His greatness? In the natural I would rather be Joe Louis’ friend than his opponent and in the spiritual, I would rather be called the friend of God than His enemy. How about you?

Christian, Do You Demand A Sign?

I am going through the gospel of Matthew and this morning this passage in chapter 12 caused me to ask this question- do I demand a sign from Christ before I will truly believe His word. Read the following account-

The Sign of Jonah

12:38 Then some of the experts in the law ⁵⁵ along with some Pharisees ⁵⁶ answered him, ⁵⁷ “Teacher, we want to see a sign ⁵⁸ from you.” 12:39 But he answered them, ⁵⁹ “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish ⁶⁰ for three days and three nights, ⁶¹ so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 12:41 The people ⁶² of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them ⁶³ – and now, ⁶⁴ something greater than Jonah is here! 12:42 The queen of the South ⁶⁵ will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and now, ⁶⁶ something greater than Solomon is here!

I don’t think it a big stretch to say Jesus was not too cool on the idea of having to perform a sign just for people’s satisfaction or to prove His deity. Think about this for just a moment would you- do you pray demanding that God answers your prayer a certain way? do you expect God to meet your criterion in a particular circumstance before you will believe that He is who He says He is? I think we do it all the time. I would say we are Gideons all of the time with certain “fleeces” for God to meet. Why is it when things turn out the way we want them, God answered prayer and we all live happily ever after? Why is denial of a request an unanswered prayer? Why do want God to meet our standards and instead of us meeting His?

Jesus used Jonah and Solomon. Both great men, but both fallible if you ever take the time to read their biographies in scripture. Jesus said He is greater than both these men and that He is! Christians testify all the time He is the Lord of Lords and yet in the little things of life and the biggies, we tend to fall into little mojo, hocus pocus, meet the desired test of authencity to feel yeah, we win, yeah God is great and yeah we know God is true because He met our totem requirement.

Friend, this passage has opened my own eyes to the practical atheism in my own life and prayer. It revealed to me the great sin of pragmatism that still exists within my heart. Jesus, by His Spirit, unveiled the hypocrisy that can so easily creep in when it comes to “living by faith”. As a Christian, I need only one “sign” -the empty tomb. Christ is alive, He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is who He said He was and in that my soul must rest. In His promise to work all things for my good must reign supreme no matter how my prayers are answered and how my life turns out. In Christ I have someone greater than myself, greater than my enemies and greater than all the riches in the world. This is the only sign I need, how about you?

WHY I STOPPED SCREAMING AT JESUS FOR SLEEPING IN MY STORM

The context as to my thoughts today are found in Matthew 8:8:23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. ¹ 8:24 And a great storm developed on the sea so that the waves began to swamp the boat. But he was asleep. 8:25 So they came ² and woke him up saying, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!” 8:26 But ³ he said to them, “Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked ⁴ the winds and the sea, ⁵ and it was dead calm. 8:27 And the men ⁶ were amazed and said, ⁷ “What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!” ⁸

You will find the cross references for this passage in Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25. Have you ever felt like screaming at God for not taking action when you thought He should have? Of course you have, everybody does. You may not scream in front of people, but deep down in your being or when you are alone, you holler at God with this phrase-God do something or I am a dead man. I have found myself looking at God in the midst of my storm, wondering, how could He possibly be silent at this moment? How could Jesus possibly be inactive in this time of turmoil in my life? Life has been puzzling to me of late and a family death has reminded me of how bumpy the sea of living can be and how unexpectant events can occur out of the blue.

Like the Sea of Galilee, life on terra ferma can encounter a storm when one least expects it. The point I driving at is this, how can I come to understand the circumstances occurring and remain calm, cool and collective. But more to the point, I’m thinking, why isn’t God just as upset as me? Isn’t this the situation in the disciples boat-Jesus, how can you be sleeping at a time like this! Can’t you see, don’t you care, what is it going to take to appreciate the gravity of our situation?! You are shouting Amen, I know.
However, this type of reaction on my part or those disciples in the boat, was off base. Why? they were asking the wrong questions- They shouldn’t have been screaming at Jesus- “Help us, don’t you see our trouble, our trial, our heartache?” “Do you not care we are about to perish? ” The questions should have been, “How can we be so bent out of shape when we have the Master in our boat?” Putting it more personal-”How can I be so discouraged over the way things are going in my life when God orders my steps?” I can tell you from personal experience that my life after Bible School did not go the way I expected, But, then, who placed me in the middle of my storm? Who knows all things, controls all things and who will protect me no matter what? I ended up in Rochester, New York by divine providence, not by choice. Which means? God planted me here. He knew my choice was to go back to Canada after Bible School, but, He saw fit to arrange things differently. When I came to Rochester, I had no money, no job, no ministry, no home, just the clothes on my back and a new wife. I was separated from my family, from all my familiar surroundings and was called to live by faith. In the beginning all of this swept me off my feet. It overwhelmed me to the point where I started to scream at my “sleeping Jesus” in my boat of life, only to hear Him say, “O ye of little faith, be still storm and it went away.” Then; He opened doors of employment, speeded the process of my green card and gave me a surrogate family that loved me as one of their own. Not once did He let me down. But; I was far too busy looking at the waves, listening to the howling winds and watching my boat beginning to sink instead of rejoicing my Jesus was in the boat with me and working all things for my good. Romans 8:28
So when I feel those screaming fits coming on because of stormy ocean, I begin to recall He placed me in it, but, not to be in it alone. He’s ever with me. My eyes cannot be on the storm, but, on the One who controls the storm. He’s the Master of the sea and the winds and they obey His voice. So, if I am going to scream anything from now on, it will be- Great Is Thy Faithfulness, O God My Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not, Great is Thy Faithfulness Lord unto me.

Why I Don’t Believe In Global Warming

Global Warming. Is there a more over hyped, over exposed; over covered by the news than this subject? I think not! I cannot for the life of me see how intelligent people can be more misled about a myth; but it seems as though people will fall for just about anything nowadays.

As you may have guessed, I do not believe in Global Warming. No. I don’t believe in this anymore than I do the myth/theory of Evolution. Why? Global Warming, like Evolution, is just one more false religion and both are by products of humanism. Both are propounded as facts when indeed, they are theories at best. Global Warming is just one more guise to dismiss the God, the Creator, out of the picture. It is designed to lead us to believe man is in control of the planet and not God.

Psalm 24:1 says the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. This makes perfect sense because it is He who created this by His almighty hand. He owns everything by virtue of creation. If the Christian faith is to mean anything at all, it must meet us in the most base of our existence- who we are, how we got here and who it is that controls it all. The Global Warming crowd says this planet is a product of accident, but, the truth is undeniable for any who looks honestly, the earth is clearly a wonderfully designed miracle wrought by God. Of course, this is the core of the issue isn’t it? Whose earth is this and who is control of it? Al Gore and his gang say man owns the earth and thus he can control the destiny of all through their plans.

The question is, then, is man in control of anything? Does he control the time of his own birth? His own death? Can he truly control the climate by his hand? Can Al Gore or any other “global warming theologian” really control anything in the climate? Did any of them stop Katrina? The Tsunami? The eruption of Mt. St. Helens? How about the earthquake in the Philppines? Can a man create a tornado? Stop one? Can man really create rain or snow at will? I think not?

What about God? This passage in Job is only one of many found in scripture about who’s really in control. Job 37” 6 ¶ For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. 8 The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.
Oh; by the way, Jonah 4:8 illustrates who controls the heat of the sun.

I meant what I said earlier about Global Warming being a false religion. It’s false because they deny God’s control and sovereignty over creation and place it in the hands of men. It’s false because they hold more dear the planet or as they call if “Mother Earth, than the do God Himself. They worship this planet, not God. It’s a false religion because they place the salvation of this planet in their own hands instead of God. Global Warming is sad because there is so much doom and gloom, rather than hope and reliance upon God who has all things under control Global Warming is science fiction because they have eradicated God totally out of the it.(I got this phrase from the B.C. comic) There is no sound science where God, the Creator, is left out of the process. When God is left out of something, there is no sense to anything.

Do I believe in Global Warming? No. Why? In so far as I know no man is able to answer or do the following-”Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, Me? I’m putting my trust who owns and runs the place; how about you?

Confessions of An Imperfect Christian

Confession #1-You probably already know this, but, I’ll say it anyway- I am an imperfect Christian. Sin still lurks within the corridor of my heart and as hard as I may try, perfection escapes me like the fake rabbit that the greyhounds chase so rabidly.

Confession #2- I am not so good at evangelism either. I long to see people transformed by the witness I present, but. somehow or other it just does not occur. My methods are awkward, my words are stuttered at times and, quite frankly, I stumble all over myself trying to give people a clear presentation of the gospel.

Confession #3-I wonder if the church at large will ever come to its senses and realize that church is not about us, it’s about others. The others who are not saved. I fear that the church has become so cloistered and so inbred, that we can no longer hear the cries of the lost nor see the hurts streaming out of their eyes. The biggest fear I have is that I am so blind with indifference that I no longer can see beyond my own nose. I wonder if the church is so comfortable with its routine and its machinery that we have lost the ability to be moved with compaasion for those who are lost and not having anybody to care for them.

Confession #4- I am hoping this blog will let some see that in spite of my imperfections, the mistep of the church, that one thing is very clear, I still believe in the power of the gospel. I still believe Christ will prevail in lives in spite of my stumbling, bumbling efforts to bring the gospel. The truth is, if I didn’t care, I would no longer press on, I would not tell you Jesus loves you, that He is the only way to have your sins forgiven. If I didn’t believe Christ is still building His church, still using the great instutution He is building, I would no longer invite you to go and hear the gospel. Am I imperfect, you betcha, do I have it all nailed down, not on your life, will I continue to fight the fight of faith, count on it!

Confession # 5- I almost did not send this out. Hope this helps someone somewhere to know there is an imperfect Christian still willing to proclaim with a loud voice-JESUS SAVES! JESUS SAVES!

I Believe In God, That Makes Okay, Right? Finale

Yesterday this series took to us to the place of validity and relevance to what makes everyone okay with God. In short, Christ is the only place where you can find the answer to this popular question.

Having said, that, the reaction to this truth, is really quite interesting. It seems as though people are quite content to stick with generalities and get uncomfortable with the speciifics of the question. People, especiallly Americans like to choose. We live in a choosing society. Choice is good for the economy and people are happy. This carries over to the realm of religion as well. People think religion is just another part of the “American Dream” and so people think salvation is a multiple choice scheme. In many people’s minds religion is just another choice in life and they approach it just like every other part of their day to day routines: they explore their options. They compile a list and pick out a church group. They think, I gotta get religion, it’s part of life and go about “choosing a religion”. To many it doesn’t matter whether they pick a Baptist Church, Pentecostal Church, Methodist, Lutheran, Islam. Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roman Catholic. Just so long as I pick one, I’m covered, I’m good with God. Everything is fine, it doesn’t matter which one I chose.

This is where everything goes awry. No one with this worldview sits down and ponders-does God see this way as well? No, He sees it as having only one final answer. It’s not a deal or no deal type of proposition. It’s not multiple choice. In fact; there are no questions on this test, only a declaration- Acts 4: 12 There is no salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The name- Jesus Christ. The sad part in all this ; is that even though you sit here and read what I have shown you from the word of God, there is still that attitude, that belief that I still have options. Most of you are willing to take a chance, gamble with your very soul. You still think the answer to the question- how does one get saved is either a, b, c or d. There are still some of you who don’t believe a word I’ve said, you don’t believe anything concerning church, the Bible, and God, you are an option thinker too. You’ve chosen, e- none of the above, you’re gambling on the fact that there may not be a God. God is a man made concept to keep the populace under control and weak-minded people hopeful. You too, are gambling with your souls.

Believing in God is not enough. It’s a nebulous practice. It’s in the same arena as those who propound the non sensical mantra-I support the troops in Iraq, but, not the war. That is just a smoke screen to cover the real issue- I want God on my terms or not at all. I am okay because I simply acknowledged His existence. Save it, pan it. Until you own the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross which paid for your sins, you will never be able to stand before God in the end and be okay.

However;the Good News is this-John 3:16- the first verse I ever memorized- God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son and whoever will believe in Him shall be saved. Do this my friends, and you will see what I meant all though this series. May you call upon Him today. I would love to hear your testimony if you did just that.

I Believe In God, That Makes Me Okay, Right? Pt. 4

So here we are looking at this question once more. As you might have guessed from the last post, I am heading in a particular direction concerning one individual in the Godhead- the SON, Jesus The Christ. This is where the discussion must go. Why? Simply this-you are not all right with God until you come to acknowledging Jesus as the only true road to making yourself okay with God. You are not right with God apart from being right with Jesus. You cannot believe in God and not believe who Jesus is. Why, you ask? Because Jesus is God as well. Only God can save; Jesus said He could save people from their sins. Would such a holy man be so taken up with himself to overstep God? No, a thousand times no.

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves just a bit. I want to ask you this question-where does Jesus fit into your faith? Do you see yourself safe with God without Jesus as your only Savior? Are you one of those who say Jesus was a good man, but, God, nah? I’m cool without that “guy”. If you are sure of that, how then, do you deal with I JOHN 5:
11 And this is the testimony: THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. Or in this scripture-He who denies the Son has denied the Father(God) and eternal life does not dwell in him. The question, is, can you be okay without Jesus Christ? Is this the standard God will accept from you as being okay with Him?

Jesus is the proverbial “fly in the ointment” for many people. He is what separates true faith from the psuedo kind. People who think they are okay with God and neglect, despise or rejcect His Son cannot do so without denying the very God they say they believe. Where do you stand? There are only two positions for anyone to take, acceptance of Jesus as Savior or rejection as being their Savior. Which are you? Fence sitting is not an option, it’s either or? More tomorrow.

I Believe In God, That Makes Me Okay, Right? Pt. 3

Today we look at the title question from another angle. One facet of this statement must be examined with this question-“What God Are You Believing?” People think that so long as you believe in a god, they will be fine. This reminds me of a funny scene, but very telling of our culture, in the “Return of The Mummy” movie. The plot was simply this, the evil mummy was aroused from his slumber and he was now wrecking havoc. As he exacting revenge on his ancestral enemies in the current age; he came across this untrustworthy serf. As the mummy was about to slay this fleabag, he began to show the mummy different medals of gods around his neck in hope of one being the representative of the mummy’s god. As the script would have it, the last medal was the icon of the mummy’s deity. Thus his life was spared. The serf had no allegiance to any of the deities he had around his neck; he simply had for them for “good luck”, just in case. He had no intention of serving just one, he would use whichever one he thought would save his hide. Is this not representative of our pluralistic society? This is America at its best!! The message is clear-it doesn’t matter who or what you believe, just so long as you believe.
So, then, we are the crossroads of this question once more- I say I believe in God, that makes me okay, right? The truth is this,however, it’s not a matter of my or your opinion. We are irrelevant to the discussion. It’s a matter of whether the God of the scriptures affirm or deny such a proposition. Has God spoken on this? Yes. The following are God’s statements about the whole pluralistic approach:
1 Kings 8:60 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Isaiah 44:8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’”
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;
These do not even scratch the surface, but, they are definitive enough to answer the question of the multiple choice thinker on salvation; don’t you think?
One more thing, Jesus said. “I am the way, the truth and the life, No man comes unto the Father except through me.” Is this a bigoted declaration or a statement of clarity? How you answer will determine if you’re okay or not. More on Monday.