On July 6, 2010, the Colorado Rockies engineered one of the greatest comebacks in major league baseball history. The visiting St. Louis Cardinals took a 9 - 3 lead into the last half of the ninth inning. The Rockies were down to their final 3 outs. Rarely does a team ever overcome such a large deficit in their last at-bat. But Colorado defied the odds on that day. After struggling to put just 3 runs on the board through the first 8 innings, they exploded for 9 runs in the last half of the 9th for the win. Not many teams have ever accomplished such a feat. In fact, according to those who keep track of such statistics, it was only the third time in major league history that a team scored nine or more runs in the last inning of a walk-off win. The other two both occurred way back in 1901. What an amazing comeback!
May I share with you the story of an even greater comeback -- the greatest comeback of all? The battered body of Jesus was lying in its borrowed tomb. Some friends had given the body of their Master what little attention they could before the Sabbath and then gently placed it in darkened recesses of Joseph’s burial chamber. They would return after the Sabbath to complete the burial preparations. The disciples of Jesus were scattered, fearful for their own lives. Most among the Jewish leadership were likely glad to finally be rid of the blasphemous impostor from Nazareth. And Satan himself must have been been sporting a devilish grin, thinking he had finally triumphed over God Himself. Game over, right???
Wrong! God wasn’t done yet. He had one more at bat and, by the time the dust settled on that eventful weekend, the score would be reversed. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God, defeating sin and death in the process. No extra innings needed in this contest! The saved of all ages can lift the banner of Christ high and truly proclaim: Game over!
God loves you!
Mike
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
"The Lord Kept His Word..."
Abraham was 75 years old when God called him to leave nearly everything familiar and go to a land he knew nothing about. God’s promise to transform Abraham’s tiny family into a great nation and to use him to bless all the families on earth must have seemed incredible to him at the time, but he launched out in faith anyway.
At a later point, when God speaks again concerning His promise, Abraham reminds God that he still doesn’t have a son. To his way of thinking, it is pretty hard to be a father of a great nation when you are not even the father of one child. He even tried to “help” God out by having a child with a servant in his household.
Nearly 25 years go by before God finally tells Abraham that Sarah will become pregnant with the the long-awaited child of promise. When he hears the news, Abraham stifles a laugh and thinks to himself: “How could I become a father at the age of 100... And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” (Genesis 17:17). Abraham thinks that the window of opportunity had passed them by. When he suggests to God that Ishmael, the child born to him by the servant Hagar, become the child of promise, he is refused. God clearly tells Abraham: “But My covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about his time next year” (Genesis 17:21).
Well, what happened? “The Lord kept His word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would” (Genesis 21:1-2).
Why do we doubt the promises of God? Like Abraham, it is often because we dwell on our own circumstances or set our own time table. Lord, please help me to strengthen my own faith so I can fully trust in Your promises.
God loves you!
Mike
At a later point, when God speaks again concerning His promise, Abraham reminds God that he still doesn’t have a son. To his way of thinking, it is pretty hard to be a father of a great nation when you are not even the father of one child. He even tried to “help” God out by having a child with a servant in his household.
Nearly 25 years go by before God finally tells Abraham that Sarah will become pregnant with the the long-awaited child of promise. When he hears the news, Abraham stifles a laugh and thinks to himself: “How could I become a father at the age of 100... And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” (Genesis 17:17). Abraham thinks that the window of opportunity had passed them by. When he suggests to God that Ishmael, the child born to him by the servant Hagar, become the child of promise, he is refused. God clearly tells Abraham: “But My covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about his time next year” (Genesis 17:21).
Well, what happened? “The Lord kept His word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would” (Genesis 21:1-2).
Why do we doubt the promises of God? Like Abraham, it is often because we dwell on our own circumstances or set our own time table. Lord, please help me to strengthen my own faith so I can fully trust in Your promises.
God loves you!
Mike
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Is Your Religion Burdensome?
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).
Contrast Jesus’ perspective on serving God with that of the religious leaders of His day. According to Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees “...crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden” (Matthew 23:4; NLT). Their burdensome rules regarding tithing fostered neglect of more important matters (Matthew 23:23-24). They were so busy creating numerous regulations concerning external hygiene that they ignored internal purity (Matthew 23:25-27). Because of their influence, the joyful task of serving God had become unbearable. What Jesus offered as an easy yoke and a light burden had become unrecognizable.
It is so very easy to make serving God a burdensome endeavor. It can happen when we have the best of intentions and it can take many different forms. Human plans and programs begin to rise to the level of Divine mandate. Guilt becomes the prime source of motivation. Faithfulness is judged according to human criteria instead of God’s standards. Success starts being measured in increments that impress us (like numbers, programs, and flashy worship) instead of what impresses God (like spiritual growth, humble service, and love).
When serving God starts becoming burdensome, it is time to re-evaluate our religion. Perhaps we are going about it all wrong. A religion that promotes and produces weariness is not the religion of Jesus Christ. Will a faithful disciple want to do things for the Master? Sure, but it is activity that should produce calmness and peace. It is service that should be refreshing rather than draining. Remember, we don’t have to impress our Savior. He offers rest, not more weariness.
God loves you!
Mike
Contrast Jesus’ perspective on serving God with that of the religious leaders of His day. According to Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees “...crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden” (Matthew 23:4; NLT). Their burdensome rules regarding tithing fostered neglect of more important matters (Matthew 23:23-24). They were so busy creating numerous regulations concerning external hygiene that they ignored internal purity (Matthew 23:25-27). Because of their influence, the joyful task of serving God had become unbearable. What Jesus offered as an easy yoke and a light burden had become unrecognizable.
It is so very easy to make serving God a burdensome endeavor. It can happen when we have the best of intentions and it can take many different forms. Human plans and programs begin to rise to the level of Divine mandate. Guilt becomes the prime source of motivation. Faithfulness is judged according to human criteria instead of God’s standards. Success starts being measured in increments that impress us (like numbers, programs, and flashy worship) instead of what impresses God (like spiritual growth, humble service, and love).
When serving God starts becoming burdensome, it is time to re-evaluate our religion. Perhaps we are going about it all wrong. A religion that promotes and produces weariness is not the religion of Jesus Christ. Will a faithful disciple want to do things for the Master? Sure, but it is activity that should produce calmness and peace. It is service that should be refreshing rather than draining. Remember, we don’t have to impress our Savior. He offers rest, not more weariness.
God loves you!
Mike
Friday, June 25, 2010
Delayed Gratification
This past Christmas we got the twins a puppet stage. I thought it was the perfect gift and one they would absolutely LOVE. So we set it in the dining room while they weren't looking and with all the family watching said "Taylor and Tessa, you have one more gift!" Tee Hee I was *so* excited! They came into the dining room and said "Oh!" translated "what is it?" "It's a puppet stage!" I said in my excited mommy voice. "OH!" and off they went to play other things..... oh well you win some you lose some... but part of the gift was a book on making sock puppets and finally they have "caught the vision". They spent the better part of three days making puppets and here are pictures of the first puppet show! Ahhhhh, it was a good gift!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tradeoffs
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).
At first glance, this seems like a no-brainer. Why would any thinking person willingly trade an eternal reward for the temporary thrill of peer approval? But that is the root of the problem, isn’t it? Far too often we don’t stop to think about the consequences of the choices we make.
The Bible testifies to the human propensity for foolish tradeoffs. The list of examples is long and embarassing. Adam and Eve traded a garden paradise for a bite of forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Cain traded a living brother for a momentary fit of anger and jealousy (Genesis 4). Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of food (Genesis 25). Saul traded his kingdom for the opportunity to do things his own way (1 Samuel 15). David traded family harmony for a moment of sin with another man’s wife (2 Samuel 12). Solomon traded his full devotion to God for seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11). Rehoboam traded a united kingdom for a petulant power trip (1 Kings 12). Judas traded his Savior for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26).
It is tempting to look at this list and say, “Shame on them! How could they make such foolish choices?” But before I look too far down my nose at the tradeoffs they were willing to make, I should focus my critical gaze on my own less-than-sterling track record. If I am honest, I must admit that I have ignored eternal realities for temporary pleasures. I have damaged relationships because I have insisted on gratifying myself. I’ve sold out my Lord for less than silver. Upon further reflection, the words that should come to my lips are “Shame on me!”
God, please help me to learn, as Moses did, that the key to refusing “the passing pleasures of sin” is to keep “looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26).
God loves you!
Mike
At first glance, this seems like a no-brainer. Why would any thinking person willingly trade an eternal reward for the temporary thrill of peer approval? But that is the root of the problem, isn’t it? Far too often we don’t stop to think about the consequences of the choices we make.
The Bible testifies to the human propensity for foolish tradeoffs. The list of examples is long and embarassing. Adam and Eve traded a garden paradise for a bite of forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Cain traded a living brother for a momentary fit of anger and jealousy (Genesis 4). Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of food (Genesis 25). Saul traded his kingdom for the opportunity to do things his own way (1 Samuel 15). David traded family harmony for a moment of sin with another man’s wife (2 Samuel 12). Solomon traded his full devotion to God for seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11). Rehoboam traded a united kingdom for a petulant power trip (1 Kings 12). Judas traded his Savior for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26).
It is tempting to look at this list and say, “Shame on them! How could they make such foolish choices?” But before I look too far down my nose at the tradeoffs they were willing to make, I should focus my critical gaze on my own less-than-sterling track record. If I am honest, I must admit that I have ignored eternal realities for temporary pleasures. I have damaged relationships because I have insisted on gratifying myself. I’ve sold out my Lord for less than silver. Upon further reflection, the words that should come to my lips are “Shame on me!”
God, please help me to learn, as Moses did, that the key to refusing “the passing pleasures of sin” is to keep “looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26).
God loves you!
Mike
Monday, May 31, 2010
Who Is In Charge?
“So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Romans 9:16).
Many of Paul’s fellow Hebrews struggled to accept the fact that God would welcome Gentiles into His kingdom on the same basis as Jews. The gospel of salvation which Paul preached challenged their prejudicial sensibilities. Early and often in the book of Romans, Paul assaulted the fortress of Jewish exclusiveness (cf. 1:16; 3:9,22,29). By the time we reach chapter 9, some could stand no more! How could “their” God do such a thing? Apparently, some even began to charge God with failure (9:6) and injustice (9:14).
According to Paul, the answer to such foolishness is found in the sovereignty of God. The accomplishment of God’s purposes doesn’t depend on the will or actions of man. The Author of the plan for the inclusion of the Gentiles didn’t ask the Jews for their opinion on the matter. It really didn’t matter what they thought, did, or felt about it. That some were upset with what God was doing didn’t cause Him to alter His plans or purposes. The clay is in no position to question the Potter (9:20).
Even today, some of God’s people still struggle with His sovereignty. While we would say that God is in charge, too many of us still act and speak as if it depended on us! I need to remember that God will accomplish His purposes with or without me. Does God desire my participation? Surely. Can God use me to implement His will if He chooses? Of course. But I am not so valuable that the work of God would grind to a halt if my plans, programs, or changes are ignored. While I am important to God, I am not indispensable. The success of God’s mission doesn’t hinge on my own success or failure.
Thankfully, God didn’t put me in charge of His world or His church. There is only one God and it is not me!
God loves you!
Mike
Many of Paul’s fellow Hebrews struggled to accept the fact that God would welcome Gentiles into His kingdom on the same basis as Jews. The gospel of salvation which Paul preached challenged their prejudicial sensibilities. Early and often in the book of Romans, Paul assaulted the fortress of Jewish exclusiveness (cf. 1:16; 3:9,22,29). By the time we reach chapter 9, some could stand no more! How could “their” God do such a thing? Apparently, some even began to charge God with failure (9:6) and injustice (9:14).
According to Paul, the answer to such foolishness is found in the sovereignty of God. The accomplishment of God’s purposes doesn’t depend on the will or actions of man. The Author of the plan for the inclusion of the Gentiles didn’t ask the Jews for their opinion on the matter. It really didn’t matter what they thought, did, or felt about it. That some were upset with what God was doing didn’t cause Him to alter His plans or purposes. The clay is in no position to question the Potter (9:20).
Even today, some of God’s people still struggle with His sovereignty. While we would say that God is in charge, too many of us still act and speak as if it depended on us! I need to remember that God will accomplish His purposes with or without me. Does God desire my participation? Surely. Can God use me to implement His will if He chooses? Of course. But I am not so valuable that the work of God would grind to a halt if my plans, programs, or changes are ignored. While I am important to God, I am not indispensable. The success of God’s mission doesn’t hinge on my own success or failure.
Thankfully, God didn’t put me in charge of His world or His church. There is only one God and it is not me!
God loves you!
Mike
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sowing and Reaping
The northern kingdom of Israel had rejected God as their Savior and Protector. In spite of all that God had done for them, they chose to trust in earthly alliances instead of heavenly ones. For some reason, ties to Syria were more valued than ties to God. So Isaiah the prophet was given the unenviable task of bringing a message of judgment against his own countrymen. The devastation would be comparable to what happened to the pagan nations when Israel first entered the land of promise. Only now, the judgment of God would be poured out on His own people. How could such a thing happen? Listen in as Isaiah reveals the answer:
“Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. They may sprout on the day you set them out; yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them, but you will never pick any grapes from them. Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain” (Isaiah 17:10-11).
Israel was experiencing the bitter fruit of what is called the “Law of the Harvest.” Simply stated, it affirms that you will reap what you sow. Paul referred to it in Galatians 6:7-8: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Israel had sown the seeds of the flesh and the time had come to pay the price for it.
No one is exempt from the “Law of the Harvest.” I must carefully consider the seeds that I plant in life. Will the crop that matures from the choices I am making bring me joy or sorrow? Lord, as I plant, help me to also to think about the harvest.
God loves you!
Mike
“Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. They may sprout on the day you set them out; yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them, but you will never pick any grapes from them. Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain” (Isaiah 17:10-11).
Israel was experiencing the bitter fruit of what is called the “Law of the Harvest.” Simply stated, it affirms that you will reap what you sow. Paul referred to it in Galatians 6:7-8: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Israel had sown the seeds of the flesh and the time had come to pay the price for it.
No one is exempt from the “Law of the Harvest.” I must carefully consider the seeds that I plant in life. Will the crop that matures from the choices I am making bring me joy or sorrow? Lord, as I plant, help me to also to think about the harvest.
God loves you!
Mike
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