Nor anything else in creation

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being separated from someone you love dearly can be troubling. I think the ten dollar term for this is “separation anxiety”.  We miss the person we love, we are worried they will come to harm and we will not be there to help, comfort or rescue that person.  We yearn for the time when they return to us. Similarly they too may experience separation anxiety. Being apart from the one you love is just not all that great of an experience if you ask me.

We are jumping feet first into Lent 2012. Ash Wednesday has passed us by. (Did you celebrate Fat Tuesday?) I wanted to use the first four devotionals to put a bow around transfiguration Sunday and now we can talk about Lent 2012. Our theme is “A Light In The Darkness”. Obviously referring to Jesus as the light and the life. There is much in our world today that seeks to draw us away from Christ. When you stop and look around you, there barrage of temptations, distractions, and negative messages about Christ is phenomenal. And yet, when you also stop to look carefully, you can see many reminders and subtle hints that remind us and draw us closer to Christ. We can see the signs of the times in the headlines of the various media sources at our disposal. National debt, rising gas prices, human tragedy in many countries in the middle east, labor conditions in the far east all seek to draw our attention and they each seek to beg us to consider a question. The question being asked is, “Would a loving God really allow this kind of nasty stuff to exist?”  It is a question often asked, and often answered. Modern culture seeks to remove God from as many places as we possibly can. Others in society will seek to elevate their god above the One True God.  They offer the argument of “It’s the same god that you and I worship.”  That argument is one of the slickest, and probably the most dangerous one’s we will ever encounter. The apostle Paul was dead on with the words of Romans 8:38-39. There will be many attempts to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Satan has a vested interest in doing so. His methods are both subtle, and also quite obvious. We must be constantly vigilant and prepared. As we begin Lent 2012, let us all consider the promises made to us by God the Father. Let us take time to reflect upon the life, the love, and the light that is in Jesus Christ. I encourage all of us to spend time in the bible. Renew our relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  There is a bright light we are drawn to that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And as the old saying goes, “Run to the light friend, run to the light.”

PRAYER: Lord and Giver Of Life, we ask that You would draw us close to You. We ask that You would shine the light that is Jesus into our lives. We ask that Your Spirit would fill us with the faith we need when circumstances in our lives attempt to steal away our faith in You. Help us to share the love and light of Christ with others, Amen. who do not have that light in their lives. This we ask in the name of Jesus, our light and our salvation, Amen.

Let us make three tents

Mark 9:5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Stepping outside my comfort zone is not my favorite activity. I am a person who enjoys staying inside my comfort zone. I also have to admit that when I am pushed outside of my comfort zone, I have experienced some of the most awesome growth opportunities, spiritual and emotional. How about you? Do you enjoy being pushed outside your comfort zone?

Peter, in Mark 9:5, seizes upon the opportunity to suggest that He, James, John build three tents so that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah will have a nice cozy place to hang out and stay. Peter jumps up and tries to offer up a solution to a problem that did not exist. But in his haste, he gives you and I an opportunity to examine our own motivation. Peter’s desire to build the tents essentially points towards a human characteristic that drives each of us to be comfortable, sheltered, fed, and protected. Peter was in a very, very comfortable position. He was in the presence of three very significant spiritual beings. He wanted to stay right there in that comfort zone. Can you blame him? All to often we are happy to stay inside the tent of our own comfort zone.

How many times are we asked to step outside of our own comfort zone when we follow Christ?  The asking may be in order to reach out to someone who is a stranger to us. It may be that we are asked to reach out to someone who is hurting or in need. The asking may be so that we can grow individually or as a congregation. In each and every instance that we are asked to step outside of our comfort zone we must remember that we are not alone. We can find comfort in knowing that when we are asked to step out of that comfort zone that Jesus is right there with us.  Have you ever stopped to think what it was like for Jesus to step outside His comfort zone to be crucified? He was tempted to put himself first just as you and I are tempted to put ourselves first. Yet, Jesus chose to follow the will of His Father. When we step outside of our comfort zone for Christ, He stands by our side. We can take comfort in the words from Matthew 28:20 “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These are not hollow words, rather they are words filled with commitment, with strength and courage. These are words to inspire you and I to do more and be more than we are because Jesus is with us always. We have the promise of Christ that He is with us. And with the help of God, we will be able to accomplish all that God would have us accomplish.

PRAYER: Almighty God, we love to stay in that place of comfort. We do not readily seek to step out and do more and be more than we are comfortable with being and doing. Help us to overcome our self-absorption. Help us to see beyond ourselves with Your Eyes. Give us Your eyes to see. Give us Your ears to hear. Give us Your heart for people so that we can be Your hands. Bless us Lord with the faith, strength and courage to go beyond what we would do. Help us to do what You would have us do. This we ask in the strong name of Jesus, who with the Father and the Spirit are One now and forever, Amen.

He put a veil over his face

Exodus 34:32-33 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

Do you wear a veil over your face?  Not many of us actually do, although it is a common practice for a bride to wear a veil that covers her face until the Pastor pronounces the couple as husband and wife. But most of us do not wear a veil. At least not one which is easily discernible as a veil. But how many will hide our faith? It can be a case of being a visible Christian when you walk in the door of the church. But, once you walk out, people have a hard time recognizing you as Christians. Does your language change to a whole new vocabulary that one would not recognize as Christian in nature?  Does your life style change once you leave the church to one that is at odds with the life style of a Christian?  How do you treat others you encounter? Do you treat them with love and respect, of hate and derision?

The veil Moses used to cover his face was one that altered his appearance so it would not be so alarming to others. His face, shining from talking to God, alarmed others.  We can be tempted to also wear a veil to cover our own face, which may shine from talking to God. And while our physical appearance may not change like Moses’ face did, we are changed nonetheless. And this can be concerning to others. The mere fact that we are a follower of Jesus Christ can cause others to reject us. We are different from them. We do not fit the mold of the modern world-view. We are perceived as standing for what is considered antiquated and out of place in the “enlightened society” we live in today. And there can be a big temptation to try to fit in. Please don’t try to fit in. Please remember that you and I are in fact different. Different is not bad, it is just not the same as others. Our faith is important. Jesus is important. And maintaining our faith in the face of others who ask us to abandon our faith requires asking for more faith. And this we all do in prayer. We ask for faith to stand up and be heard when others around us tell us to sit down and be quiet. We ask for faith to have the courage to reach out to others who do not have faith in Jesus Christ. We ask for faith to share the love of Christ with those who may think they do not need that love, or think they do not deserve that love. Brothers and Sister in the Risen Savior, please do not put a veil over your faith. Others need to see the real you. Let the love of Christ radiate brightly from you to all who would gaze upon your face.

PRAYER: Lord Your love reaches out to all. Your Son, our Savior, offers all who would come the freedom over death that awaits all sinners. And all have sinned, not one is worthy except through Jesus Christ. Father, help us to share that news with a world that tells us to hide our faith. Help us to stand up and be heard when the world would have us sit down and be quiet. Pour out Your Spirit upon us today and everyday. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

His face shone, and they were afraid to come near him

Exodus 34:30-31 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.

Chances are at some point in your life you will be labeled as being different. People who are different tend to not be included. This is a matter of human nature. I some instances it may be malicious to the point of prejudice. In other instances it may be a matter of people not knowing who you are or what you stand for.  Either way, it is not a very comfortable feeling when you are excluded.

If we look at our own lives, how has being identified as a Christian impacted your own relationships? Has your being identified as a Christian been a boon to the number of friends that you have? Or has this identification as a Christian driven people away? For long-time Christians, chances are that we do not see a big change. Although, over time we may see a change in those we call friends as the world-view shifts towards a less Christian oriented view. If we are new to Christianity, chances are that we may have a different group of people we call friends. There are some from our past life who will seek to avoid us, or even abandon our friendship. That is the choice that some people make. There are others who may be intrigued by the change that takes place in us when we put on the armor of Christ. We are definitely changed. And it may not just be a change that is on the inside. It may be a change that is visible on the outside. The way we talk, act, or in some cases our dress may change for the old self. Those who are used to the old “Us” may be shocked, put off, concerned or even afraid. And therein stands the problem that we must address head on. We, just as Moses did, must call out to those who turn away. We must reach out in love and give comfort. We must reassure those who would walk away because of the profound change that being a follower of Jesus Christ has brought within us. We must reach out and try to draw them near. We have been given a gift so wonderful and so profound that we must simply share that gift with others who do not have that gift of grace and salvation from Christ.  Sadly, now just as in Moses’ time, some will continue to flee and avoid you and I. They will not be willing to accept that the change they can see is a good change. They will flee because the change wrought within us is one which puts off the old self-centered person and dons  the clothe of one who cares deeply for others. Gone is the old self, present is the new self in Jesus Christ. On the upside, as a follower of Jesus Christ you have a bunch of brothers and sisters you did not have before. On the down side, you may have friends who reject you, but you can always pray that they too will come to know Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, we are changed in You. You replace our old self with a new, bright and shining self. Those who knew the old “Us” may be put off by the new. Father, we ask that you would give us the opportunities to share the love of Jesus with our old friends. We ask that You would give us Your words to speak. We ask that You would bless our efforts to bring more to Your Son. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

His face shone because he had been talking with God

Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the
testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the
skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

Finding inner peace is a lofty goal for many people. This can be especially true for those
who lead a stressful existence. If you have hypertension it may be part of the prescription
your doctor gives you. Finding ways to reduce the stress in our lives is important.
Similarly the method to reduce stress is also important.

Worshipping the Lord can be a totally immersive experience. The emphasis is on “can
be.” Often we are preoccupied when we begin our worship activities. It may be things
just did not go well Sunday morning getting ready for church. It may be that we are
preoccupied with work, or family. It could be checking e-mail, texting, Twitter,
Facebook, or Words With Friends. We may even have something deeper going on inside
that distracts us. What ever is drawing our attention away from worship we need to just
basically take a break, chill out pray. No, I am not joking, just take time to pray. It is a
great first step in refocusing. Just stop and think, how do you re-establish a relationship
or connection with someone you know? Of course you converse with them. That may be
via a face-to-face talk, a phone call, text message, chat, or whatever may be your method.
So why would that be any different that visiting with the Lord? My point is, it should not
be any different. Just stop, and pray.

When we are in connection with the Lord, we are placed in a condition where we are
closely aligned with the will of God. In that condition, we are freed from the distractions,
the worries, the pains and concerns that drive our attention away from God. But when we
are aligned with the will of God, we are at peace. When we look at Romans 8:6 we are
reminded that “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit
is life and peace.” When we have that peace in God that surpasses all understanding. It
can be as if the love of God shines out from within us. The peace and contentment is
visible (shining) on our face. Give it a try. Immerse yourself in worship to the Lord. Give
up your worries and lay them at the feet of the Lord.

PRAYER: Father we are often troubled about worldly things. The distractions in our
lives can seek to divert our attention from You O Lord. Help us when we are weak to
seek Your strength. Draw us close to You O God. Comfort and guide us Lord in our
times of struggle. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The One Who Is Weak In Faith

Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

We are enjoying a bit of a snow squall this morning. It has been a steady snow over the past couple of hours and the grass has almost disappeared under a blanket of snow. Many in our community thought we were perhaps finished with Winter. God has a wonderful way of surprising us.

How often do you and I encounter someone in our daily walk who has little faith, no faith, or faith in the wrong thing?  I would say, in my life, it is very frequently that the above happens. Take a moment and give this some thought. Who did you encounter yesterday that met the above criteria?  Did you strike up a conversation with that person(s)?  Did you ask them about their faith? And if you did, how did you approach that conversation?  Was it in love, or confrontational in nature?  We have a tendency to try to win people over by confronting them with what we perceive as the truth. If your approach is to try to win them over by smacking them between the eyes with all the subtlety of a two-by-four between the eyes, we will seldom if ever win.  Speaking the truth in love is our mission. There is a ministry out there call The Truth In Love ministry that shares openly and lovingly with those who are in need of hearing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Taking a page from their philosophy we do not get in the face of others, we welcome them. We need to establish a conversation where love and respect is readily apparent to all. We need to allow the words of Jesus that are filled with love, support, truth and encouragement to change hearts and minds of the lost. We need to foster and environment where the Holy Spirit can work faith in their lives. I had the opportunity to see Aaron Shust in concert a while back. He has a song "Give Me Words To Speak" that you can find at the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Xk6sc62EY
When we are given the opportunity to speak we need to pray first, then speak. Not try with our words, then ask for the Lord's blessing on what we have done. When we seek the Lord in our efforts we are reminded we are serving Him, and not trying to glorify ourselves by our feeble efforts at evangelism. Pray, then speak should be our mantra. "Welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions" is very deep. Let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting. We just need to afford the Spirit the opportunity by creating an environment of encouragement with those we encounter who are "weak in faith."

PRAYER: Father we look to You for guidance in reaching out to others. We seek Your will in our ministry efforts towards the lost and weak in faith. Show us Lord the fields to harvest. Guide is with Your thoughts and Your words. Let all that we do glorify You and You alone. This we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ask, And It Will Be given to You

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "

Over the past two years my family has come to know and love a group of soldiers and their families who served with my son Andy. Yesterday Michael Wagnon and his family received some very good news. Praise to God our Father, the Holy Spirit that brings comfort, and the Son - Jesus Christ who saves!

The news of murder charges against Michael Wagnon being dropped "in the interest of justice" gave me an opportunity to look at this news from two perspectives. Obviously the Matthew 7:1 passage about reserving judgement comes to mind. Certainly, when the charges were first annouced, there were/are many who immediately rushed to judgement saying "Surely the Army would not charge someone unless they had compelling evidence." And now others will say he dodged the murder charge. This type of flawed reasoning exists and will always exist until Christ returns. But there is another completely different view of this situation I will spend some time exploring.

When we pray for our men and women in uniform we often pray for their safety while serving in foreign lands. And we will often pray for their safe return to their family and loved ones. But how often do we pray for God's will to be fulfilled in their lives? How often do we take the time to ask our Father in Heaven that their lives would be pleasing to the Lord while serving our country? I can honestly say while my son was serving that the prayer for God's will was not as often as my prayer for his safe return. And while I cannot say I am pleased with the result, my son returned from Afghanistan safely. The same can be said for Michael Wagnon, Corey Moore, Adam Kelly, and many others Andy served with. They returned from war somewhat scathed by the experience, their lives have been changed, but they are safe nonetheless. God has a plan for these young men, and their families. He has a future for them that gives all humanity an opportunity to stand in awe of. What we pray for now for these fine young men and their families is no less important than what we prayed for while they stood in harms way serving our country. We will "ask", strong in the knowledge that "it will be given". We will "seek", knowing that through the love of God our Father we "will find" it. And we know with certainty that when we "knock" on Heaven's door, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it "will be opened". May God's will be fulfilled in all it's glory in their lives, as well as our lives, today and every day.

PRAYER: Lord and Giver of Life, You have brought many of our family and friends safely home from war. For that we give You praise, honor, glory and thanksgiving. As they move forward in their lives we ask that Your will would be fulfilled in their lives. We ask that they would stand as a beacon for others to see radiating Your purpose and love for others to see. We ask Father, for Your peace which surpasses all understanding, to bring comfort when they are troubled. This we ask in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.