"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already
the hour for you to awaken
from sleep; for now salvation is nearer
to us than when we believed. The
night is almost gone, and the
day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the
deeds of darkness and put on the
armor of light." Romans 13:11-12
It happens that I have a vocation that causes me to fly quite a bit. One of the most fascinating things to me about flight is the takeoff. For the sake of argument, let us say that the average plane weighs 180,000 lbs as it sits at the head of the runway. It takes the engines screaming at near 100% of their capacity (32,000 pound/force) to get all that weight airborne from a dead stop. It is amazing really. Much less power is required to maintain flight once achieved because the aircraft is then in motion.
The reason this comes to mind is because many of us are at a dead stop in our Christianity and one wonders what force value it would take for us to achieve flight. Once we have accepted the gospel and fallen in love with Christ, some of us lose focus, direction and drive. Sure we make it to worship most of the time and go through the motions but do we study the word of God on our own throughout the week? Do we actively practice loving others through demonstrable things like visitation, providing help when needed or sharing the gospel with others? Jesus said to his disciples (as opposed to the general public), "Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the
harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that
they are white for
harvest" John 4:35. In essence, his message was and is that we should stop giving ourselves excuses to not do the work that is obviously laid out for us and needing to be done.
Beloved, Christianity is not a status or a label but a calling (Ephesians 4:1). We should not consider ourselves safe and for that reason, close and lock the doors and board up the windows until Jesus comes. On the contrary, we should consider ourselves saved and then workout that salvation by being representatives of Jesus to the whole world. Yes it takes effort and power to move us from being still to being in motion but remember, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children
of God, even to
those who believe in His name," John 1:12. We have the power. We only need apply it. Once we do, we will find that it becomes a way of life and requires much less energy than getting started.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, July 15, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Doing Right 7/10/2013 (rp)
"For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men." 1 Peter 2:15
Since the advent of Christianity, adherents have had to endure a variety of treatments and persecutions because of the faith. While Christ was on earth, those he came to save persecuted him and ultimately participated in his death. His apostles were publicly humiliated, thrown into jail, beaten and killed. This fate was shared by many early Christians and can still be seen in various parts of the world today.
Though we today rarely if ever endure the same type and level of persecution as our ancestors in the faith, the cause of Christ still has enemies. More and more Christian liberties are being challenged and ultimately lost. Prayer in schools has already been lost. There is an effort to remove "In God We Trust" from currency and representations of the 10 commandments from public courthouses. More to the point, individuals are criticized and castigated for holding biblical views about creationism, sexual immorality and simply believing. Humanists are attempting to get rid of God all together by influencing the educational system which influences our children.
Beloved, between the fall in the Garden and the second coming of Christ, we have and will have to endure circumstances associated with a world influenced by the enemy. And though this is primarily a spiritual thing, it manifests itself in our day to day interactions. God, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has provided a remedy: always do the right thing. Throughout history, Christians have been blamed for many things (like the burning of Rome for example). The strategy then, as now has always been to be godly. Godliness may be fought against, but it cannot be confounded and it will ultimately prevail. There will come a time where naysayers, persecutors and unbelievers alike will bow the knee and confess with their own mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord. Until such time, let us be what we have been called to be; we are children of the Almighty.
Committed,
Lee
Since the advent of Christianity, adherents have had to endure a variety of treatments and persecutions because of the faith. While Christ was on earth, those he came to save persecuted him and ultimately participated in his death. His apostles were publicly humiliated, thrown into jail, beaten and killed. This fate was shared by many early Christians and can still be seen in various parts of the world today.
Though we today rarely if ever endure the same type and level of persecution as our ancestors in the faith, the cause of Christ still has enemies. More and more Christian liberties are being challenged and ultimately lost. Prayer in schools has already been lost. There is an effort to remove "In God We Trust" from currency and representations of the 10 commandments from public courthouses. More to the point, individuals are criticized and castigated for holding biblical views about creationism, sexual immorality and simply believing. Humanists are attempting to get rid of God all together by influencing the educational system which influences our children.
Beloved, between the fall in the Garden and the second coming of Christ, we have and will have to endure circumstances associated with a world influenced by the enemy. And though this is primarily a spiritual thing, it manifests itself in our day to day interactions. God, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has provided a remedy: always do the right thing. Throughout history, Christians have been blamed for many things (like the burning of Rome for example). The strategy then, as now has always been to be godly. Godliness may be fought against, but it cannot be confounded and it will ultimately prevail. There will come a time where naysayers, persecutors and unbelievers alike will bow the knee and confess with their own mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord. Until such time, let us be what we have been called to be; we are children of the Almighty.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Blessed be the Lord 7/9/2013
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ," Eph 1:3
How wondrous it is when we are able to set aside the demands, pursuits and responsibilities of the day and really meditate on God. To be sure, everyone has their own way of visualizing God but how do we conceptualize Him? How do we contemplate His existence before everything? How do we imagine creation was realized and completed? What comes to mind when we picture heaven? How can we order in our minds the forming of man out of the dust of the ground and the blowing of the very breath of God into it that we became living souls? And how can understand at all that He knew us before we ever were?
The mind spins with these thoughts, but eventually settles down to the thought, "blessed be the Lord." And what does "blessed" mean in this context? It comes from a Greek word from which we get the English, "eulogy." It is to use fine speaking and elegance of language to lavish praise and adoration on someone. Oh I bless the Lord for all He is, all He does, all He gives, all He knows, all He provides and for His unsurpassed love, compassion, grace, mercy and long suffering toward me. I bless Him for saving me while I was yet in my sins (in which I still struggle). And I thank Him for the wonderfully amazing gift of His only begotten son, a sacrifice for me.
Beloved, we must never neglect to take time to be with God and to consider the mighty works of His hand in our lives and in everything around us. Our goal is to meet Him face to face, but we can know, love and serve Him right now. Scripture confirms that we are blessed by Him and in this case, it means that we are made to prosper, to be happy and to be favored. Most particularly, it is the "spiritual blessings in the heavenly places" that are his guarantee that the faithful will meet Him face to face and that what will occur then will be unimaginably greater than all we can imagine.
Is not God awesome? Let us meditate on these things.
Committed,
Lee
How wondrous it is when we are able to set aside the demands, pursuits and responsibilities of the day and really meditate on God. To be sure, everyone has their own way of visualizing God but how do we conceptualize Him? How do we contemplate His existence before everything? How do we imagine creation was realized and completed? What comes to mind when we picture heaven? How can we order in our minds the forming of man out of the dust of the ground and the blowing of the very breath of God into it that we became living souls? And how can understand at all that He knew us before we ever were?
The mind spins with these thoughts, but eventually settles down to the thought, "blessed be the Lord." And what does "blessed" mean in this context? It comes from a Greek word from which we get the English, "eulogy." It is to use fine speaking and elegance of language to lavish praise and adoration on someone. Oh I bless the Lord for all He is, all He does, all He gives, all He knows, all He provides and for His unsurpassed love, compassion, grace, mercy and long suffering toward me. I bless Him for saving me while I was yet in my sins (in which I still struggle). And I thank Him for the wonderfully amazing gift of His only begotten son, a sacrifice for me.
Beloved, we must never neglect to take time to be with God and to consider the mighty works of His hand in our lives and in everything around us. Our goal is to meet Him face to face, but we can know, love and serve Him right now. Scripture confirms that we are blessed by Him and in this case, it means that we are made to prosper, to be happy and to be favored. Most particularly, it is the "spiritual blessings in the heavenly places" that are his guarantee that the faithful will meet Him face to face and that what will occur then will be unimaginably greater than all we can imagine.
Is not God awesome? Let us meditate on these things.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, July 8, 2013
Multiplying vs. Storing 7/8/2013 (rp)
"And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours." Matt 25:25
Most of us are familiar with the famous parable of the talents. In it, Jesus relates a story of a master who left his servants with varying sums of money with the implication that when he returned, he expected to see an increase. As the story goes, two of them doubled their respective shares, returned it all to their master and were praised and rewarded. The other decided to store his out of fear of losing it and returned it to his master upon his return.
Beloved, the Lord has blessed each and every one of us wondrously. He has given multiple gifts and talents to every person alive, and even more so to the Christian through the Holy Spirit. These gifts were not given that they may stored but that they may be used for the glory of God and the building up of His kingdom. The servant who hid his blessing stated that he knew his master was a man who expected a return where he had not invested, yet he failed to produce a return for his master from his own activities. Jesus does not physically come and share the gospel with each person on earth. Instead he has equipped us to do it. When he returns, he expects us to say, "you have entrusted me with 5 bags of gold; see I have gained 5 more!"
It is not enough to take care of our own houses, we must contribute to the care of His (the world of lost souls). It is not enough to be saved ourselves, but we must contribute to the salvation of others. It is not enough to sit on our blessings, we must share them with others who do not have that we might win them to Him from whom all blessings flow.
Are you multiplying or storing?
Committed,
Lee
Most of us are familiar with the famous parable of the talents. In it, Jesus relates a story of a master who left his servants with varying sums of money with the implication that when he returned, he expected to see an increase. As the story goes, two of them doubled their respective shares, returned it all to their master and were praised and rewarded. The other decided to store his out of fear of losing it and returned it to his master upon his return.
Beloved, the Lord has blessed each and every one of us wondrously. He has given multiple gifts and talents to every person alive, and even more so to the Christian through the Holy Spirit. These gifts were not given that they may stored but that they may be used for the glory of God and the building up of His kingdom. The servant who hid his blessing stated that he knew his master was a man who expected a return where he had not invested, yet he failed to produce a return for his master from his own activities. Jesus does not physically come and share the gospel with each person on earth. Instead he has equipped us to do it. When he returns, he expects us to say, "you have entrusted me with 5 bags of gold; see I have gained 5 more!"
It is not enough to take care of our own houses, we must contribute to the care of His (the world of lost souls). It is not enough to be saved ourselves, but we must contribute to the salvation of others. It is not enough to sit on our blessings, we must share them with others who do not have that we might win them to Him from whom all blessings flow.
Are you multiplying or storing?
Committed,
Lee
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Spititual Life Lessons 7/3/2013
"I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live." Psa 116:1-2
Dad,
Hope all is well with you. I received a call yesterday from a company offering me an instructor job in Shreveport, LA. This was odd because they found me (instead of me applying) and I had been praying for a better job. On top of that Tasha's father isn't doing too well, I just spoke to both of her parents on Monday. I informed them of my plans to move back to TX for grad school. Both were happy to hear the plans and state how nice it would to have everyone closer.
In the past, I've jump on opportunities such as this, and things didn't work out too well. I was unhappy with my then current situation and allowed myself to me swayed by "possibilities". We are in a good situation (could be better) and I'm very close to finishing school. Moving wouldn't disrupt school or any of my future plan, except where I do my reserve duty (which isn't a huge deal). My problem is I feel like I'm repeating the same behavior that has caused so much friction in prior situations, friction that I want to avoid at all cost. Yet, I have been praying for something like this for a while, and I don't want to miss a blessing. I have given it to God, but for some reason I feel compelled to seek your advice. What are your thoughts on the matter? How does one know if they are being blessed or being tested?
Brandon
I always wanted to come to Missouri to advance my secular career. I prayed to go many times but was shut down every time. It wasn't until after I received my ordination and a few very significant family things lined up that things opened up and they opened wide. During the interim, I prayed for what I wanted, but more than that I learned to pray that his will be done in my life. Not knowing any other way to make a decision consistent with his will, I told God that I would apply. I would take another turn down as a no and an acceptance as yes. We've been in Missouri 11 years now and among many other great things that have happened, I've been promoted to a dream job, become the minister of a fine congregation and finished a grad degree in religion. In retrospect, it all seems that it was the right decision and God blessed it. It wasn't nearly as clear beforehand.
I won't tell you what I think you should do as far as your particular decision. I will tell you, however, to stay in prayer, appeal to God, fast about it and go where you think the Spirit is leading you. I think it says a lot that you are approaching it this way, when perhaps in the past it wasn't as much the case. God will bless your spiritual growth and maturity.
I have prayed that God will give you clarity regarding this issue and cause you to make a decision that is in keeping with his will for your life.
I realize that none of this as solid as a voice that comes from heaven saying do this or do that. But that is where faith comes in. We walk by faith and not by sight and that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. If you do what you do for the right reasons and with the right motivation, I believe God will bless it. And even if this particular decision doesn't end up going the way you think it should, having made it with proper spiritual intent and humility, know that ultimately, God will work all things together for good. What ever decision you make will result either either in the God intended destination and answer to your prayers or just a step along the way on the path he has laid out for you.
Remember that Peter had confidence enough to step out of a perfectly good boat armed only with faith that Jesus would sustain him and this, in the middle of a storm. Even when his faith faltered, Jesus was there to save him.
Have faith. Have confidence. Make a prayerful decision and know that come what may, the Lord has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Love,
Dad
Dad,
Hope all is well with you. I received a call yesterday from a company offering me an instructor job in Shreveport, LA. This was odd because they found me (instead of me applying) and I had been praying for a better job. On top of that Tasha's father isn't doing too well, I just spoke to both of her parents on Monday. I informed them of my plans to move back to TX for grad school. Both were happy to hear the plans and state how nice it would to have everyone closer.
In the past, I've jump on opportunities such as this, and things didn't work out too well. I was unhappy with my then current situation and allowed myself to me swayed by "possibilities". We are in a good situation (could be better) and I'm very close to finishing school. Moving wouldn't disrupt school or any of my future plan, except where I do my reserve duty (which isn't a huge deal). My problem is I feel like I'm repeating the same behavior that has caused so much friction in prior situations, friction that I want to avoid at all cost. Yet, I have been praying for something like this for a while, and I don't want to miss a blessing. I have given it to God, but for some reason I feel compelled to seek your advice. What are your thoughts on the matter? How does one know if they are being blessed or being tested?
Brandon
***
Beloved son,
That is an age old and very deep question. Gone are the days when God appears to us in visions and dreams (though he can still do it if he wants, I tend toward Heb 1:1-2). We must now depend on spiritual discernment, movement of the Spirit and of course prayer. These can sometimes be maddeningly uncertain things and sometimes you never really know until after the fact.
I always wanted to come to Missouri to advance my secular career. I prayed to go many times but was shut down every time. It wasn't until after I received my ordination and a few very significant family things lined up that things opened up and they opened wide. During the interim, I prayed for what I wanted, but more than that I learned to pray that his will be done in my life. Not knowing any other way to make a decision consistent with his will, I told God that I would apply. I would take another turn down as a no and an acceptance as yes. We've been in Missouri 11 years now and among many other great things that have happened, I've been promoted to a dream job, become the minister of a fine congregation and finished a grad degree in religion. In retrospect, it all seems that it was the right decision and God blessed it. It wasn't nearly as clear beforehand.
I won't tell you what I think you should do as far as your particular decision. I will tell you, however, to stay in prayer, appeal to God, fast about it and go where you think the Spirit is leading you. I think it says a lot that you are approaching it this way, when perhaps in the past it wasn't as much the case. God will bless your spiritual growth and maturity.
I have prayed that God will give you clarity regarding this issue and cause you to make a decision that is in keeping with his will for your life.
I realize that none of this as solid as a voice that comes from heaven saying do this or do that. But that is where faith comes in. We walk by faith and not by sight and that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. If you do what you do for the right reasons and with the right motivation, I believe God will bless it. And even if this particular decision doesn't end up going the way you think it should, having made it with proper spiritual intent and humility, know that ultimately, God will work all things together for good. What ever decision you make will result either either in the God intended destination and answer to your prayers or just a step along the way on the path he has laid out for you.
Remember that Peter had confidence enough to step out of a perfectly good boat armed only with faith that Jesus would sustain him and this, in the middle of a storm. Even when his faith faltered, Jesus was there to save him.
Have faith. Have confidence. Make a prayerful decision and know that come what may, the Lord has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Walking, Standing and Sitting 7/2/2013
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." Psa 1:1-2
Though we are taught not to judge unrighteously, you can tell a lot about a person based on how they spend their time and the company they keep. It is easy to claim what we are all about, but unless our audio matches our video, all we are engaged in is image management. Depending on the difference between what can be observed and what actually is, that can be a full time job.
Consider the implied admonition of the Lord. What is walking but our manner of living? When we are encouraged to "walk in the light as He is in the light" in 1 Jn 1:7, we are being instructed to live our lives in a godly manner. We are encouraged to be holy as God is holy. To walk or live according to the ways of the unrighteous is to walk the path to destruction. Wickedness is all around us and it is easy to get caught in the current of what society not only approves, but will persecute as it relates to any lack of conformity to its deteriorating norms.
We are also encouraged to be mindful of where we plant our flags. Our position on certain issues often define us more than anything else. We must ensure that we are correctly positioned concerning things like abortion, abuse, sexual orientation, fornication, fidelity, gossip, morality and the love of money among many others. It unfortunately is not unusual for the people of God to allow for positions that are inconsistent with his word. Where we stand should be determined by looking up rather than down.
And what is it to sit but to be found resting? By the time we have found our seat, we have found our home. This is indicative of having chosen a position and course and being content with it. If we have chosen to be godly, it will manifest itself in all we say, think and do, likewise if we have chosen to be ungodly. Our walking and standing can land us in the potentially dangerous and permanent arena of sitting.
Beloved, God has promised blessings (the ultimate happiness) for those who avoid unrighteous walking, standing and sitting by being found living according to His law. This is achieved by applying as much of our attention to His word as we do much lesser pursuits such as watching the news, sports, our favorite television programs or favorite music. Salvation is found in none of these things, but true blessings are found in living life according to the word of God. We need not be dragged down by society but must fulfill our mission of raising society up. This can only be done if we are properly positioned and engaged in proper pursuits ourselves. He has laid out the path for us. Let us walk it earnestly.
Committed,
Lee
Though we are taught not to judge unrighteously, you can tell a lot about a person based on how they spend their time and the company they keep. It is easy to claim what we are all about, but unless our audio matches our video, all we are engaged in is image management. Depending on the difference between what can be observed and what actually is, that can be a full time job.
Consider the implied admonition of the Lord. What is walking but our manner of living? When we are encouraged to "walk in the light as He is in the light" in 1 Jn 1:7, we are being instructed to live our lives in a godly manner. We are encouraged to be holy as God is holy. To walk or live according to the ways of the unrighteous is to walk the path to destruction. Wickedness is all around us and it is easy to get caught in the current of what society not only approves, but will persecute as it relates to any lack of conformity to its deteriorating norms.
We are also encouraged to be mindful of where we plant our flags. Our position on certain issues often define us more than anything else. We must ensure that we are correctly positioned concerning things like abortion, abuse, sexual orientation, fornication, fidelity, gossip, morality and the love of money among many others. It unfortunately is not unusual for the people of God to allow for positions that are inconsistent with his word. Where we stand should be determined by looking up rather than down.
And what is it to sit but to be found resting? By the time we have found our seat, we have found our home. This is indicative of having chosen a position and course and being content with it. If we have chosen to be godly, it will manifest itself in all we say, think and do, likewise if we have chosen to be ungodly. Our walking and standing can land us in the potentially dangerous and permanent arena of sitting.
Beloved, God has promised blessings (the ultimate happiness) for those who avoid unrighteous walking, standing and sitting by being found living according to His law. This is achieved by applying as much of our attention to His word as we do much lesser pursuits such as watching the news, sports, our favorite television programs or favorite music. Salvation is found in none of these things, but true blessings are found in living life according to the word of God. We need not be dragged down by society but must fulfill our mission of raising society up. This can only be done if we are properly positioned and engaged in proper pursuits ourselves. He has laid out the path for us. Let us walk it earnestly.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, July 1, 2013
Handling Adversity 7/1/2013
“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour." John 12:27
Soon after Jesus' triumphant and final entry into the city of Jerusalem, he shares yet another prediction of his own death with his apostles. He begins by saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified," John 12:23. This statement is loaded with meaning. What caused it to be said was a request by Greek proselytes relayed to Jesus by Philip and Andrew, to see him. Referencing his coming passion, not only does it mean that the Lord, having completed his mission, would regain his heavenly home, but that having done so, these same Greeks (and the whole world) would have access to him that was not available at the moment.
At the same time, Jesus in his humanity was conflicted about the ordeal through which he was about to go. Most of us are familiar with his plea to "let this cup pass from me" plea in the Garden of Gethsemane. The foreknowledge of such a painful death and more importantly, the taking on of the sin of the whole world must have caused unimaginable agony that exceeded even that of the suffering of the cross. Yet, we are also familiar with his faithful and committed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Beloved, each of us is faced with a variety of monumental situations and decisions throughout our lives. Though none of them carry the weight and implication of Jesus' sacrifice, there is much that can be learned from how he responded to the most difficult circumstance in history. Of course this is not an exhaustive list but consider the following:
Committed,
Lee
Soon after Jesus' triumphant and final entry into the city of Jerusalem, he shares yet another prediction of his own death with his apostles. He begins by saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified," John 12:23. This statement is loaded with meaning. What caused it to be said was a request by Greek proselytes relayed to Jesus by Philip and Andrew, to see him. Referencing his coming passion, not only does it mean that the Lord, having completed his mission, would regain his heavenly home, but that having done so, these same Greeks (and the whole world) would have access to him that was not available at the moment.
At the same time, Jesus in his humanity was conflicted about the ordeal through which he was about to go. Most of us are familiar with his plea to "let this cup pass from me" plea in the Garden of Gethsemane. The foreknowledge of such a painful death and more importantly, the taking on of the sin of the whole world must have caused unimaginable agony that exceeded even that of the suffering of the cross. Yet, we are also familiar with his faithful and committed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Beloved, each of us is faced with a variety of monumental situations and decisions throughout our lives. Though none of them carry the weight and implication of Jesus' sacrifice, there is much that can be learned from how he responded to the most difficult circumstance in history. Of course this is not an exhaustive list but consider the following:
- He stayed on mission-Jesus knew who he was, whose he was, what he came to do and accomplished the task to the benefit of all mankind our of love for and obedience to the Father.
- He persevered under dire stress-Jesus clearly agonized but remained focused.
- He understood the importance of succeeding-It was so much more about us than it was him. Not only was the defeat of Satan, the fulfilment of prophecy and our deliverance at stake but so was the example that millions would follow.
- He understood sacrifice-Nothing can be achieved without sacrifice. Had he not been willing to be that sacrifice, nothing would have been achieved.
- He held close the ultimate faith-Being willing to die, he placed himself in the hands of God, trusting that all things would work together for good and launched himself into the unknown territory of death.
Committed,
Lee
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