We never know what effect our small acts of faith may have on others or even on the future. In John 6, Jesus had been teaching to a huge crowd in a remote area, and during a break His disciples told Him He should send them away because they were hungry and needed to find their own food. Jesus said, "You give them something to eat." They were shocked and said they didn't have money enough. All they could find was five small loaves of bread and two dried fish. "But how far will it go among so many?" asked a skeptical Andrew.
You know the rest of the story. That little lunch fed 5,000 people with baskets of food to spare because it was blessed by the hands of Jesus. The now-famous lunch probably came from a small boy who heard the disciples saying they had no food and so offered them what little he had. Lest you think you don't have much to offer Jesus, consider this:
Edward Kimball, a Boston Sunday School teacher, decided to visit a young man in his class to tell see if he knew Christ. That visit led to the conversion of young Dwight L. Moody. Moody became the most famous evangelist of the 19th century, and had a major impact on evangelist Wilbur Chapman. Chapman shared his faith with Billy Sunday who received Jesus, joined his campaign and helped lead thousands to Christ. Sunday launched his own national ministry with great results in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina. At one of his revivals, Sunday was assisted by evangelist Mordecai Ham who invited a young man there to receive Jesus as His Savior. That young man was Billy Graham, the most prominent world evangelist of the 20th Century.
If you think you don't have much to offer, remember Edward Kimball, a teacher who spent an afternoon witnessing to a young man from his class. God has a special way of using our small, even routine, acts of faithfulness to accomplish great things.
What small act for others might you do today?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
ASH WEDNESDAY
Tomorrow among the churches of nearly 80% of the world's Christians, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. This year, I will be preaching for the special midweek Lent services at Trinity Lutheran, 1428 N. Pueblo, here in Casa Grande, AZ (services at 4:00 & 7:00), on the theme, "The Seven Last Words from the Cross."
Since the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the Christian Church has urged believers to prepare themselves for the Resurrection of Christ on Easter by conducting special services to ponder His suffering and death. In that way, Lent helps us prepare for true meaning of Easter, which is Christ's holy Resurrection.
"Lent" is Latin for "spring", and begins 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. Because Easter is a moveable date based on the date of Passover, Ash Wednesday can be as early as February 4 and as late as March 10. About 20% of the world's Christians do not observe Lent for various reasons.
Tomorrow during the Ash Wednesday service among most Christian churches, ashes will be placed on the foreheads of worshippers. These ashes are usually made from burning palm branches from Palm Sunday the year before and mixing those ashes with olive oil. As the ashes are imposed onto the worshippers forehead, words are spoken such as "Dust you are, and to dust you shall return"(Genesis 3:19), or the one I usually use, "May you be blessed with repentance through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Because Lent is a man-made observance, the Bible does not mention it or Ash Wednesday. But the practice of repentance and/or mourning with ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19, Job 2:8, Matthew 11:21 and other places. It is a good practice for followers of Christ to observe. If you have time and there is a Lent-observing church near you, consider worshipping our Lord in a midweek Lent service this spring.
God bless you all through the season of Lent!
Since the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the Christian Church has urged believers to prepare themselves for the Resurrection of Christ on Easter by conducting special services to ponder His suffering and death. In that way, Lent helps us prepare for true meaning of Easter, which is Christ's holy Resurrection.
"Lent" is Latin for "spring", and begins 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. Because Easter is a moveable date based on the date of Passover, Ash Wednesday can be as early as February 4 and as late as March 10. About 20% of the world's Christians do not observe Lent for various reasons.
Tomorrow during the Ash Wednesday service among most Christian churches, ashes will be placed on the foreheads of worshippers. These ashes are usually made from burning palm branches from Palm Sunday the year before and mixing those ashes with olive oil. As the ashes are imposed onto the worshippers forehead, words are spoken such as "Dust you are, and to dust you shall return"(Genesis 3:19), or the one I usually use, "May you be blessed with repentance through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Because Lent is a man-made observance, the Bible does not mention it or Ash Wednesday. But the practice of repentance and/or mourning with ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19, Job 2:8, Matthew 11:21 and other places. It is a good practice for followers of Christ to observe. If you have time and there is a Lent-observing church near you, consider worshipping our Lord in a midweek Lent service this spring.
God bless you all through the season of Lent!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
AND THE WINNER IS...
It is a basic human need to want to be loved, respected and appreciated by others. Sunday night I watched a few minutes of the Academy Awards, the annual extravaganza for the movie industry to reward itself. The Entertainment Industry does this often with an ever-growing number of annual award programs. Entertainers make their living pleasing the crowds, and how well they do is important to them.
I've always tended to be a bit harsh in judging entertainers and politicians (who equally make their living acting in front of crowds). St. Paul discourages us from passing judgment on people, that is, deciding on the appropriateness of someone's actions without having all the facts. He says in Romans 14 we should, "...do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." He also says, "Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval" (Vs. 18, 19).
The sacred and secular are not completely separate. We live with feet in both kingdoms and often seek to please both people and our Lord. There is a place for gentle judgment, however, when we see what is wrong and inappropriate. Then we need to "speak the truth in a spirit of love" (Ephesians 4:15).
Being able to judge right and wrong is part of what makes us human. Secularists tell us there are no absolutes and that all morals are relative, made by humans. To a secularist, the only "absolute" is never to be judgmental. But to declare something right or wrong is not the same as being judgmental.
Calling attention to the rightness or wrongness of an action can be very necessary. To fail to acknowledge wrong and not to try to change it can have serious consequences. Parents find this out quickly as they teach their children. We all need boundaries, just to get along in this world.
St. Paul tells us, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; The old has gone and the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). I like being entertained, so long as it's done appropriately.
"And the winner is...."
I've always tended to be a bit harsh in judging entertainers and politicians (who equally make their living acting in front of crowds). St. Paul discourages us from passing judgment on people, that is, deciding on the appropriateness of someone's actions without having all the facts. He says in Romans 14 we should, "...do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." He also says, "Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval" (Vs. 18, 19).
The sacred and secular are not completely separate. We live with feet in both kingdoms and often seek to please both people and our Lord. There is a place for gentle judgment, however, when we see what is wrong and inappropriate. Then we need to "speak the truth in a spirit of love" (Ephesians 4:15).
Being able to judge right and wrong is part of what makes us human. Secularists tell us there are no absolutes and that all morals are relative, made by humans. To a secularist, the only "absolute" is never to be judgmental. But to declare something right or wrong is not the same as being judgmental.
Calling attention to the rightness or wrongness of an action can be very necessary. To fail to acknowledge wrong and not to try to change it can have serious consequences. Parents find this out quickly as they teach their children. We all need boundaries, just to get along in this world.
St. Paul tells us, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; The old has gone and the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). I like being entertained, so long as it's done appropriately.
"And the winner is...."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
We're living in increasingly tumultuous times. Middle East instability, severe weather, earthquakes, impending floods, terrorists, economic tremors, drug wars, political unrest, government shut-down - all these and more make one wonder what's happening to the world and whether or not the end is coming. (It didn't help that I just watched a movie where the world was incinerated.)
Some of you will say, "C'mon, Bob, when things get tough, people have always worried about that." That's true! Historically, whenever disaster or war or pestilence came upon a society, its people thought the end was at hand. Since Christ first spoke of His coming again, people of all ages have wondered whether the time is now.
Someday it will happen, so our Lord Jesus told us to be ready. The world will not last forever, and just as It's wise to remember one's own mortality, so we must not forget the world's mortality. We should live each day as if it might be our last.
How do we do that? What is the best way to live? Do we always need to think about the end? What about the young? Shouldn't they enjoy life and not worry about the end? Of course! All of us should enjoy the life God has given us. One's age should not determine whether one is happy or gloomy.
We often hear that in difficult times we should pray, then act. Prayer is action. Someone recently sent me an Email about the term ASAP. Besides its usual meaning, "As Soon As Possible," my friend said ASAP can also mean, "Always Say A Prayer." That's a good suggestion, because prayer is one of the best actions to do, in good times or in bad.
The apostle Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray continually." The act of prayer means you trust God, and that you depend on Him. Prayer is an act of worship in which we may praise God, confess our sins, thank Him, or ask His help. We know God answers our petitions in His own way and time.
Prayer makes sense. Talking to God about the troubles around us is good action. Prayer strengthens our faith, calms our heart and lowers our blood pressure. Our prayers are heard by God - all of them. Proverbs 15:29 says, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous."
Are you fearful? Pray! Are you sick? Pray! Worried about someone? Pray! Feel powerless? Pray! Concerned about the End? Pray!
Always Say A Prayer - ASAP!
Some of you will say, "C'mon, Bob, when things get tough, people have always worried about that." That's true! Historically, whenever disaster or war or pestilence came upon a society, its people thought the end was at hand. Since Christ first spoke of His coming again, people of all ages have wondered whether the time is now.
Someday it will happen, so our Lord Jesus told us to be ready. The world will not last forever, and just as It's wise to remember one's own mortality, so we must not forget the world's mortality. We should live each day as if it might be our last.
How do we do that? What is the best way to live? Do we always need to think about the end? What about the young? Shouldn't they enjoy life and not worry about the end? Of course! All of us should enjoy the life God has given us. One's age should not determine whether one is happy or gloomy.
We often hear that in difficult times we should pray, then act. Prayer is action. Someone recently sent me an Email about the term ASAP. Besides its usual meaning, "As Soon As Possible," my friend said ASAP can also mean, "Always Say A Prayer." That's a good suggestion, because prayer is one of the best actions to do, in good times or in bad.
The apostle Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray continually." The act of prayer means you trust God, and that you depend on Him. Prayer is an act of worship in which we may praise God, confess our sins, thank Him, or ask His help. We know God answers our petitions in His own way and time.
Prayer makes sense. Talking to God about the troubles around us is good action. Prayer strengthens our faith, calms our heart and lowers our blood pressure. Our prayers are heard by God - all of them. Proverbs 15:29 says, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous."
Are you fearful? Pray! Are you sick? Pray! Worried about someone? Pray! Feel powerless? Pray! Concerned about the End? Pray!
Always Say A Prayer - ASAP!
Monday, February 14, 2011
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Today is Valentine's Day. Some historians state that this day originated from Valentinus, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. He died on February 14, 269 AD, the same day that had previously been devoted to love lotteries on the Roman calendar.
There is a legend that Valentinus left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentinus". Other legends say that a man named Valentinus served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius and was jailed for defying the Emperor. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine, who has since been disignated patron saint of lovers. February 14 eventually became the date for sending love cards, messages, poems, flowers or candy to loved ones.
In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first Valentine cards, and commercial Valentines were introduced in the late 1800's. The town of Loveland, Colorado, has a very busy post office around February 14. Some local Colorado stores have boxes where people (my wife included) can deposit their Valentine cards which are then sent to the Loveland post office to receive their attractive Valentine's Day postmark. Grade school students usually exchange Valentines, handmade or commercial, with sentimental thoughts and sometimes candy attached.
Jesus urged His disciples in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It really was a new command, because the prevailing attitude of the day was retribution - if someone hits you, hit him back! An eye for an eye! Jesus showed His followers a new way, one that brings peace among people, not more conflict. God's love for us in Jesus is the best gift we can give or receive on this day.
The greatest love is the willingness to sacrifice one's self for others.
There is a legend that Valentinus left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentinus". Other legends say that a man named Valentinus served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius and was jailed for defying the Emperor. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine, who has since been disignated patron saint of lovers. February 14 eventually became the date for sending love cards, messages, poems, flowers or candy to loved ones.
In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first Valentine cards, and commercial Valentines were introduced in the late 1800's. The town of Loveland, Colorado, has a very busy post office around February 14. Some local Colorado stores have boxes where people (my wife included) can deposit their Valentine cards which are then sent to the Loveland post office to receive their attractive Valentine's Day postmark. Grade school students usually exchange Valentines, handmade or commercial, with sentimental thoughts and sometimes candy attached.
Jesus urged His disciples in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It really was a new command, because the prevailing attitude of the day was retribution - if someone hits you, hit him back! An eye for an eye! Jesus showed His followers a new way, one that brings peace among people, not more conflict. God's love for us in Jesus is the best gift we can give or receive on this day.
The greatest love is the willingness to sacrifice one's self for others.
Monday, February 7, 2011
I'M JUST TOO BUSY
Grandma was visiting her son and his family, and after lunch was playing with her granddaughter Rachel. At one point, Rachel got up from the midst of all her toys and announced she was going outside. Grandma said, “But Rachel, you need to put away your toys first.” Without missing a beat, Rachel replied, “I don’t have time,” and ran through the door and outside.
Rachel had just turned three! She was definitely not running on a tight schedule, so from whom did she learn to say that? From her parents, of course. Maybe she even heard Grandma say it.
I wonder if God might sometimes be surprised when He hears our responses to His requests. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who work and are tired, and I will give you rest.” We, of course, find all kinds of reasons not to. “I’m really busy today, Lord.” “I have so many important things planned.” “This is not a good time.” “I’m sure I’ll have more time later on.”
I wonder what God thinks of our schedules. (Yes, He really does have the ability to see what we do each day – He is God, you know!) If you think about it, He doesn’t really ask that much of us, just an hour or two to worship Him each week, and maybe a little time for prayer. All He’d like is time for us to rest with Him awhile from our busy schedules, a time to pick up our toys and give thanks we have them.
I wonder what God thinks when we leave Him out of our week. Or when we do things that are so bad for us. God says, “Be holy, because I am holy,” and we say, “But I have more fun things to do!” and run outside. Then later on we when get tired of our life, when the aches and pains hurt, or when we wonder what we’ve accomplished in life and life seems so empty, maybe then we think of God.
Remember what Jesus said: “Come to me all you who work and are tired, and I will give you rest.” Maybe His kind of rest is better. Maybe it will last longer, or will make us stronger and refreshed for the coming day. Maybe God really does know more than we do (Is that possible?). I wonder if Rachel eventually came back inside. (or if she eventually picked up her toys!)
Okay, God, I have some time now. What would you like to do?
Rachel had just turned three! She was definitely not running on a tight schedule, so from whom did she learn to say that? From her parents, of course. Maybe she even heard Grandma say it.
I wonder if God might sometimes be surprised when He hears our responses to His requests. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who work and are tired, and I will give you rest.” We, of course, find all kinds of reasons not to. “I’m really busy today, Lord.” “I have so many important things planned.” “This is not a good time.” “I’m sure I’ll have more time later on.”
I wonder what God thinks of our schedules. (Yes, He really does have the ability to see what we do each day – He is God, you know!) If you think about it, He doesn’t really ask that much of us, just an hour or two to worship Him each week, and maybe a little time for prayer. All He’d like is time for us to rest with Him awhile from our busy schedules, a time to pick up our toys and give thanks we have them.
I wonder what God thinks when we leave Him out of our week. Or when we do things that are so bad for us. God says, “Be holy, because I am holy,” and we say, “But I have more fun things to do!” and run outside. Then later on we when get tired of our life, when the aches and pains hurt, or when we wonder what we’ve accomplished in life and life seems so empty, maybe then we think of God.
Remember what Jesus said: “Come to me all you who work and are tired, and I will give you rest.” Maybe His kind of rest is better. Maybe it will last longer, or will make us stronger and refreshed for the coming day. Maybe God really does know more than we do (Is that possible?). I wonder if Rachel eventually came back inside. (or if she eventually picked up her toys!)
Okay, God, I have some time now. What would you like to do?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
IS JESUS REAL?
Last week Carol and I attended a fine lecture by Dr. Paul L. Maier at Crown of Life Lutheran Church, in Sun City West. About 200 people heard Dr. Maier explain the blessings of having non-Christian "outside" sources which affirm the reality and authenticity of Jesus Christ and the Bible.
He stated that these are challenging times for Christians, since the faith is under fire from religious competitors, critics, sensationalist authors and hostile media producers. These often take delight in unveiling caricatures of Jesus rather than portraying Him accurately.
How are believers to defend the faith in this secular climate? Is it possible to learn more true details about Jesus of Nazareth than are found in the Bible? Are there any other proofs that the New Testament record is reliable?
The news here is good - three other sources affirm Christianity! Geography affirms the authenticity of rivers, mountains, cities and countries mentioned in the New Testament. The Bible is the only religious holy book which consistently speaks of places that do exist or have existed in the past. This is untrue of most other religions such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism or Mormonism.
Archeology, while a young discipline, again and again supports the locations, cities and even rulers mentioned in the Bible through the ongoing discovery of artifacts and inscriptions. A third source, historians, also support the truth of the Bible by the mentioning Jesus, His disciples and the Christian faith in manuscripts by such non-Christian sources as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger and Josephus.
But is it necessary, someone asked, that we have such "outside" sources for Jesus to be authentic and real? Dr. Maier stated, no it was not necessary, but it is truly helpful. Because we have plentiful proofs of the existence of the people, places and events in the Bible, we can rest assured the rest of the story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ is real and true.
Thank God for all His blessings, including those from non-Christians!
(Paul L. Maier is a world-famous author of many books about the Christian faith. See them at your favorite library or book seller.)
He stated that these are challenging times for Christians, since the faith is under fire from religious competitors, critics, sensationalist authors and hostile media producers. These often take delight in unveiling caricatures of Jesus rather than portraying Him accurately.
How are believers to defend the faith in this secular climate? Is it possible to learn more true details about Jesus of Nazareth than are found in the Bible? Are there any other proofs that the New Testament record is reliable?
The news here is good - three other sources affirm Christianity! Geography affirms the authenticity of rivers, mountains, cities and countries mentioned in the New Testament. The Bible is the only religious holy book which consistently speaks of places that do exist or have existed in the past. This is untrue of most other religions such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism or Mormonism.
Archeology, while a young discipline, again and again supports the locations, cities and even rulers mentioned in the Bible through the ongoing discovery of artifacts and inscriptions. A third source, historians, also support the truth of the Bible by the mentioning Jesus, His disciples and the Christian faith in manuscripts by such non-Christian sources as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger and Josephus.
But is it necessary, someone asked, that we have such "outside" sources for Jesus to be authentic and real? Dr. Maier stated, no it was not necessary, but it is truly helpful. Because we have plentiful proofs of the existence of the people, places and events in the Bible, we can rest assured the rest of the story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ is real and true.
Thank God for all His blessings, including those from non-Christians!
(Paul L. Maier is a world-famous author of many books about the Christian faith. See them at your favorite library or book seller.)
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