Focus: The Lack or the Lord?

Posted on by

[HOME]

Catering AvailableMark 8:5
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
_______________________
The need was huge – food for 4000 people. 4000 people! It is easy to skip over the size of the need because we already know what is going to happen. Have you ever tried to feed 40 people? 100? 400? This was 4000? A megachurch potluck but no one brought anything and there is no caterer available.

The disciples had already seen him feed 5000 (see verse 19) but  apparently they still had no clue as to what to do (vs. 4). They were focused on what they lacked – food for 4000. Jesus, however, was focused on what they had (vs. 5) and gave thanks for that (vs. 6). Of course, we know what happened after that.
Continue reading →

I guess I’ve never met a Christian

Posted on by

[HOME]
Cut it outLuke 6 starts great but I would like to cut out the last half of it. Most of us have a desire to have a little money,  be able to eat regularly, live indoors, enjoy life and have friends. But Jesus says “woe” to folks like that. The blessed ones are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, ostracized and insulted.

The rest of the chapter is a study in opposites, too. Love folks who hate you. Bless those who curse you. If hit, don’t hit back but invite a second blow. Give to get. If someone takes from you give them even more. Then he says this, “”Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  UGH!

I have never met a single Christian nor even read of one who, by this standard, could call Him Lord. Continue reading →

Hallelujah! and pass the pork chops

Posted on by

[HOME]

Pass the pork chopsMark 7:19
…Jesus declared all foods clean.
___________________________________
I know people who insist on keeping the OT dietary laws, which is fine if you are doing it for health reasons. No doubt we would all be healthier avoiding the stuff God told the Jews to abstain from eating. Unfortunately, some of these do it for religious reasons thinking somehow it is more spiritual or God-pleasing.

Some celebrate the feasts, love to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) rather than the “first day of the week” when the NT church met (Acts 20:7). Nothing wrong with that, every day belongs to the Lord. And it is especially appropriate for a Jewish believer as a way to celebrate their heritage. But here is where the problem comes in. Continue reading →

Enchanted But Unchanged

Posted on by

[HOME]

happy churchMark 6:20
Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
___________________________
Sometimes it makes me nervous when I hear folks say they like to come to church because it makes them “feel good”. Obviously, it makes sense that a believer would feel good when they spend time with God’s people, worship the Lord and sit under the influence of the Word and the Spirit. But I sense from some folks that their experience is more like that of Herod.

They respect and like to be around people who live godly lives. They may even stand up for them and defend them like Herod did. They like to hear the messages, though sometimes what the preacher says can be a little troubling, still they like to listen. Church makes them feel good but it doesn’t make them live good. It has little or no impact on their daily lives. What a dangerous way to live! Continue reading →

Mormons & Muslims on the same page

Posted on by

[HOME]

Is that you Gabriel?Galatians 1:8
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
—
Mohammad declared an angel appeared to him and revealed the Koran. Joseph Smith proclaimed the Book of Mormon was shown to him by an angel. Others make similar claims to divine inspiration and revelation.

Today another “gospel”, not a new one, just a revived one, is slithering into the Body of Christ. The “good news” that God is only a one dimensional God of love. He has no anger, wrath or justice within Him, in spite of the Bible’s many clear declarations (Old and New Testament) to the contrary.

The vilest wretch of a human and the most precious saint will both ultimately live forever in an eternal reward. And that is how God shows Himself to be both a God of love and justice.  Obviously this is not how the lie is sold but the idea of universalism is another gospel, certainly not one taught by Jesus or Paul. Continue reading →

Even God failed

Posted on by

[HOME]

Even God failed.“Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
Mark 5:35
_____________________
Can you relate to what this father must have felt when told his daughter was dead? He was so close. In his search he had managed to find Jesus. He had convinced Him to come and rescue her. Hope and help was on its way but Jesus stopped to talk with someone – someone who had cut in line, didn’t wait her turn, had no business pushing in like that – and now his daughter was gone forever.

The woman who caused the fatal delay had been sick twelve years. Couldn’t she have waited one more day, one more hour? Didn’t Jesus realize how serious this was? Couldn’t He have come back to meet this woman? But none of that mattered now. All hope was gone. Nothing more could be done. Even God had failed him.

I’ve been there, perhaps you have, too. I trusted God, counting on His promises. Everything was looking good. I was going to see a miracle! Then, like a storm cloud that passes overhead but leaves no rain behind to satisfy the parched ground, the hope passes you by leaving nothing but shattered faith – and questions. Continue reading →

Jesus, why can’t you just speak plainly?

Posted on by

[HOME]

I don't understand!Mark 4:11, 12
When Jesus’ disciples asked why He spoke in parables to the people instead of clearly telling them His message, He said, “so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'”
_________________________
Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9, 10 here and at first I find His answer a bit troubling. I think I would have asked, “Jesus, didn’t you come to reveal God, to turn men from their sins so they could be forgiven?” If we read on, some light is shed on this mystery.  Here is what He says in the rest of the chapter and an explanation of what He was saying.
Continue reading →

Devil on the run

Posted on by

[HOME]

Devil tastes defeatLuke 4:13
When the devil had finished every temptation, he left (Jesus) until an opportune time.
—
You know Satan wanted to stay on top of Jesus 24/7 tempting and attacking Him.  But after a period of intense temptation Satan left Him alone.  Clearly Satan didn’t want to leave Jesus alone but the Bible promises that if we will do two things the devil has to get out of our face – 1. Submit to God and 2. Resist the devil (James 4:7)  . Certainly he doesn’t do that by choice but he must flee.  If the devil is constantly knocking at your door and never goes away, something is wrong – either on the submission side or on the resisting side. Continue reading →

Does God “allow” adversity or cause it?

Posted on by

[HOME]

Fiery Trials

I have friends from a variety of theological persuasions – hyper-Calvinists to Open Theologists, Cessationists to wild Pentecostals, some sprinkle babies while others only dunk adults, even a smattering of Universalists and some too eclectic and weird to even label have crept into my circle of amigos. Of course, a midst all these extremes, I am the only “balanced” one.  Ha!

The point is that when these folks talk about adversity they adamantly disagree on its source. Some claim God is so “sovereign” He is always behind the troubles in our life. Some believe He occasionally brings it to purify us.  Some are repulsed by that idea and say He only “allows” it. Some say all problems are “from the devil” and God is only a God of blessing. Of course the happiest ones don’t even think about it.

My personal stance? I have my opinions (which by the way, are balanced and correct) but basically I just try to deal with trouble as it comes and merrily skip through life trusting God will take care of me regardless the source of my woes. It works for me.

But in this passage in Mark we do see a couple of interesting things. Continue reading →

Mission Accomplished

Posted on by

[HOME]

Angelic Herald

As one involved in missions I have often heard and quoted Matthew 24:14 as a challenge that we must get the mission of world evangelization done so the Lord can return.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

In my heart it seemed strange the Lord would leave the date of His return dependent upon our actions but that sure seemed to be what this passage was saying.  This “truth” was rather discouraging when you think that we have been at this task for 2000+ years and, while some folks think we are close to the goal, in reality it seems the goal post keeps moving.  Will we ever get this job done?  Will Jesus ever be able to return? Continue reading →