Tag Archives: Christianity

August 9 – A Harlot Among Us

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Jeremiah 1-3

God says His people had become harlots. Instead of being faithful to God, they sold out. They gave themselves to the worship of other gods, which were really no gods at all.

I always ask God to make His Word personal and relevant every day I read. So today I found myself thinking about God’s people in 2016. Has the Church become a harlot? Have Christians sold out?

I saw an article this week written by a respected Christian leader. His premise is that the Church, if not using the resources available in the twenty-first century, is outdated and unattractive to millennials. How can we market our churches so the everyone feels comfortable and welcome, he asked. Then he offered his solution.

I thought about that as I read Jeremiah this morning. No one is suggesting we erect wooden images in our auditoriums or sanctuaries. But I wonder if we haven’t fashioned a god to our liking anyway.

First, your church is the last place a nonbeliever should feel comfortable. The Church is an exclusive organization, limited to people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. It is not the YMCA or Panera’s. Your church service is intended by God to be a place where Christians go to be taught from Scripture, strengthened, encouraged, convicted, and challenged to be soul winners outside those four walls. The idea that we should put on a program that attracts sinners in order that they be saved is not Scriptural. And having those programs prevents Christians from receiving the nourishment we need to be an effective witness in our homes and neighborhoods. I think Satan loves that.

Secondly, changing Scripture or editing it so as not to offend, places another idol in our churches. If we aren’t using God’s Words as He inspired them, we’re preaching a false gospel. Not referring to God in the masculine because some whining women got their feelings hurt, not using the word “sin” because it offends people, don’t judge, don’t judge, don’t judge, and talk about God’s love – but don’t mention His holiness because people don’t want to feel bad about themselves, let’s not call homosexuality sin because they’ll say we’re haters. Gotta look good to the world, you know.

And that’s exactly what a harlot thinks.

July 22 – God Won’t Stay Where He’s Not Wanted

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Hosea 1-7

Here is an example of how serious God is that we obey Him, that we worship Him as He demands:

For I will be like a lion… I will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” (5:14-15)

Did you catch how many times God said He would go away? I don’t know about you, but that thought really, really scares me.

Later, in chapter 6, God tells Hosea He delights in loyalty more than people going through the motions of offering sacrifices. He honors people who seek Him, rather than mere burnt offerings.

In other words, calling ourselves Christians, going to church, tithing, even teaching Sunday School, are meaningless if we aren’t seeking God with our whole hearts. I think Scripture clearly teaches God hates lip service. Didn’t Jesus call the pharisees, those men who prided themselves on knowing Scripture and following the Law, hypocrites?

So what should our response be to God, who isn’t fooled by our outward appearance, and who will leave us to our own devises and the consequences that come because of our disobedience?

Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will  heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. (6:1-3)

I love the line: let us PRESS ON to know the Lord. To me that indicates a purposeful, determined action on my part to really know God by reading His Word, by spending time in prayer, by talking to others about Him, by including Him in every minute of my day. It’s not a one time prayer of “Father, forgive me.” It’s a minute by minute choice.

Don’t think God isn’t serious about going away. He’ll try to get our attention, He’ll forgive us when we ask, He’ll walk with us when we seek Him. But He won’t force Himself on us. If we want Him out of our lives and our country, He’ll go.

Holy God, I bow before you a sinner saved by grace. I confess that there are times when I don’t follow You with my whole heart. Forgive me when I get busy, when I get caught up in things of this world, and neglect my relationship with You. I want to worship You as You demand. I want to serve You as You deserve. Don’t go, Father. I need You. We need You.

 

 

July 12 – Warning Woes

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Isaiah 5-8

Things are out of control on this small island where I live. This beautiful island, with sprawling live oak trees hundreds of years old, lush ferns, and palms, is being overtaken by bulldozers, hammers, and nails. Evidently the building codes have been lax for years, so contractors are coming in droves to quickly clear the land for new houses and condo complexes which are taxing the island’s infrastructure. The result is the overpopulating of this once quiet community.

The builders show no regard for the island as they cram new buildings into every inch, hoping to line their pockets at the expense of residents. So when I read Isaiah 5:8-9, I thought about what is happening here. It seems even God is saying, “Enough!” He tells Isaiah that buildings lie empty for lack of occupants. That really is my fear for this lovely island.

But I know God wasn’t talking about builders in 2016. His warnings go much deeper. There are more “woes” in this chapter. He is not only warning greedy people. He is warning drunkards, liars, those who call good evil and evil good, those who are wise in their own sight, those who justify wickedness, and take away the rights of those who stand for the truth.

And God is not talking to non-believers here in Isaiah. These woes are directed toward His people. (vs 25)

I am reminded that, although God has given us the responsibility to care for His creation, He is more concerned with our hearts’ condition than the number of driveways on an island. I am reminded that the world’s condition isn’t corrupt because evil people are in charge.

As long as there are drunkards, greedy people, liars, those who proclaim good as evil and evil as good, and call themselves Christians, our world will continue its downward spiral. It is the Church, God’s people, who have the responsibility to listen to and obey God. Woe to us who play church, yet deny God in our day to day lives.

June 22 – The Bride Of Christ

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Ecclesiastes 30-31

There is an old woman who has been following me around lately. Most of the time I’m not even aware that she’s there. But once in a while I look in the mirror and see her gazing back at me. Sometimes I look down and see her hand holding my pen. Truthfully, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore her. I certainly can’t deny her. I just signed up for MediCare.

The description of a worthy woman here at the end of Ecclesiastes has me examining my life. And before you men out there quit reading this post because you think it doesn’t apply to you, let me remind you that believers are described as “the Bride of Christ.” So don’t think you’ve dodged a bullet. This Scripture is for you, too.

Looking beyond the material description of the Proverbs 31 woman, I want to use it to check my relationship with my eternal Bridegroom.

Can Jesus trust me? Do I represent Him well, or do people see a bit of evil in me? Do I serve Him with delight? Do I care for the people in my home, in my church, in my community? Am I concerned about their souls? Do I put on the whole armor of God, keeping the light of my witness burning? Is Jesus recognized and honored by my neighbors because of me? Do I plant seed by sharing the Gospel? Do I know Scripture so that when I do open my mouth, it’s with wisdom from God?

The proverb tells us beauty is fleeting. It certainly won’t matter how many wrinkles we have when we leave this life to meet our Bridegroom. What will matter is the life I lived while I had the chance.

There are so many things about this Proverbs 31 woman that speaks to our life in Christ. I hope you read it and allow God to speak to you about your own relationship with Him today.

April 23 -Who Influences You?

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I Chronicles 1-2

Be honest. Did you read every name listed in the two chapters for today? It’s a list ancestry.com can’t even offer. Can God speak to us in passages such as these? I mean, what does Shallum becoming the father of Jekamiah have to do with me in the 21st century?

Whenever I read the genealogy sections of the Bible I try not to skip over any name. All Scripture is God-breathed, so evidently old Segub must be important. Did you know Segub’s dad was over 60 when Segub was born? Achar was described as “the troubler of Israel.” Ouch. Sheshan had only daughters.

I have a pretty strong German heritage. And I believe my sisters and I were raised, in part,  with the influence of that culture. But I don’t consider myself a German. I’m an American. Born and raised.

God seems to be asking me today where are my greatest influences? Is it the patriarchal make-up of my ancestors? Is it the influence of being raised during post-WWII? Would I say my teachers and/or professors have been my greatest influence? Literature? Friends? Movie or rock stars?

Or is my greatest influence my adopted Father? My spiritual family? God’s Word?

I have no say as to what family I was born into. But I have been influenced by them, by teachers and friends. I am who I am today largely because of them. And I can’t change that. I’m actually blessed because of them.

I can, however, choose to place God above anyone and anything. I can choose to be like Jesus from this day on. I can devour God’s Word, pay attention to sound teaching, love like Jesus loved. I can learn from older saints, and mentor younger ones.

Yes, these chapters in I Chronicles are important to me in 2016. It made me stop and think about who I am, and what is really important. I want my legacy to be that I was a godly woman, one who was influenced by God Himself, and lived her life to please Him.

 

March 31 – It’s Not About Them

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Judges 3-5

There is a running theme throughout Scripture. God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience. God turns His back on those who reject Him. But He is faithful to save those who call on Him.

There are examples of this here in these chapters in Judges. Israel sinned, God punished, Israel repented, God saved. Israel sinned, God punished, Israel repented, God saved…

I attend a Precepts Bible study. Each week we watch a video of Kay Arthur’s lectures. And we are presently studying the Old Testament Kings. (talk about more examples of consequences for disobedience and blessings for obedience)

Kay said something on the video we watched this week that came to mind as I read these chapters in Judges today. The video was taped about ten years ago. But she could have given this lecture yesterday, as relevant as it was in light of what is in the news these days.

She asks a question: Is God going to punish the United States because we have turned from Him? Then she said:

He has to.

His holiness demands it.

Here’s what I know about God. He is the same today as He was in the time of the Judges and Old Testament Kings. He does not ignore disobedience. He disciplines those He loves.

But God has also said that if His people – we who are called by His name – will “humble themselves and pray and seek (His) face and turn from their wicked ways, then (God) will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron 7:14)

So, it’s not that America needs to turn back to God. God is talking to HIS PEOPLE. Christians. He’s talking to you and me.

If CHRISTIANS humble themselves, turn from the evil in our own lives, if WE seek His face, then He will heal our land. God’s punishment on the United States won’t be because there are unbelievers in the White House.

God’s punishment on the United States will come because we Christians are not obeying God. What is happening to America isn’t on unbelievers. It’s on us.

It’s time for a revival in our churches among believers who have been living with sin. What are you going to do about it?

Holy God, I am convicted as I realize what is happening in our country and our world is a direct result of my own disobedience. It’s easy to blame “them.” It’s not so easy to point that finger at me. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Help me to stand for the Truth You have laid out in Scripture. May I not take my eyes off You. May my desires be only Yours. May Your people, we Christians, humble ourselves and call on You out of pure hearts. And may You heal our land as we submit to You.

March 24 – When The Walls Fall Down

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Joshua 5-8

I remember when I was in college, someone tried to convince me of the scientific principle behind the collapse of the walls around Jericho. It went something like this:

The Jewish parade around the city once a day for six days began to weaken the foundation of the wall because of the vibration of their footsteps on the ground. Then, when the people marched around the city seven times in one day, and shouted, and blew the trumpets, the already weakened foundation was unable to handle all that vibration. And the walls came tumbling down.

Whatever.

What I see in this story is a loving God who gave the people of Jericho multiple chances to repent. They had heard about Israel’s God, the miracles that accompanied the Jews on their travels from Egypt, including the parting of the Jordan River only days before.

They could have bowed their knees and accepted God. They could have been saved. Rahab and her family believed, and they were saved. But the rest of the city didn’t bow. And they were the ones who paid the price.

God, maybe like a child blowing out a birthday candle, blew on those walls and they fell. Yes, He used the children of Israel to get the attention of the people within the city. But it was God who caused the walls to crash to the ground.

God tries to get our attention every minute of every day. He doesn’t exact punishment on us the first time we sin. He is slow to anger. He is patient and kind. He is not willing that any of us should die in our sin.

So he continues to use people and circumstances and nature and guilt and peace and war and health and sickness… to draw us to Himself. It’s not until we take our last breath that His attempts to win our souls stop, until the walls we thought would protect us come tumbling down.

So, Christian, keep praying for that loved one who still resists the Lord. Keep circling, keep reaching out. I mean, Rahab was a prostitute and she was saved. God is not done with your loved one no matter how far you think they’ve fallen. Neither should you be.

And if you are one who is still inside those walls of Jericho, surrender. Those walls can’t withstand the wrath of God. Get out while you can and run to the God who loves you and gave Himself for you.

On which side of the walls will you be when they finally fall down? You have only this lifetime to make that decision. And it’s the most important decision you’ll ever make. It’s the only decision that will matter in eternity.

Feb 12 – Just As God Commanded Moses

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Exodus 39-40

There are at last eighteen times in the last two chapters of Exodus telling about the steps Moses took to get the tabernacle ready, that the words, “just as God commanded Moses” is recorded. It’s like a check list:

Finely woven garments just as the Lord commanded Moses. Check.

Ephod in place just as the Lord commanded Moses. Check.

Breastplate just as the Lord commanded Moses. Check.

Bread on the table just as the Lord commanded Moses. Check.

It doesn’t seem Moses was satisfied with doing a pretty good job. Moses was careful to obey every command to the smallest detail. Just as God had commanded him.

I’m reading my Bible this evening instead of my usual morning devotions. And as I think about these two chapters I find myself with my own checklist for the day’s activities.

God has given me some commandments. Like love my enemies, share the Gospel, resist the devil, turn the other cheek, pray without ceasing, not put anything or anyone above Him.

Just as God commanded Connie.

As I ran through my list of today’s activities I realize I could have done more. I mean I did ok. I didn’t do anything horrible.

But I see that Moses wasn’t satisfied with just “ok”. Neither should I be.

Jan 13 – Why Bother?

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Job 35-37

Have you ever wondered why you bother being a Christian? I mean, you go to church every Sunday, maybe even teach a SS class, give sacrificially with every pay check. You don’t drink or swear. You’re honest and kind.

Then you go to the doctor and hear the “C” word. Or you lose your job when the company down-sizes. Your neighbor, who makes fun of your Christianity drives a new BMW, and your clunker needs new tires.

You might think about making choices to give in to temptation, to get drunk, have an affair, sleep in on Sunday. There, God. Take that.

Elihu, in Job 35 asks: if you sin, do you take anything away from God? And if you are righteous, do you add something to God?

We’ve got to remember God is above us, God never changes, and most of the time God’s ways are not our ways. Your obedience doesn’t make God stronger or wiser or better. And your disobedience doesn’t make Him weaker. Satan would have us look at circumstances, or our neighbor. Satan would have us envy what we do not have, and blame God for our not having it.

If you serve God in order to get what you want – don’t bother. You’re not going to change God with your obedience or disobedience. But God can – and wants to – change you. Maybe not your circumstance. You.

And that’s why I bother to be a Christian. I like the way God has changed me. As a Christian I have a relationship with this unchanging, all powerful, ever present God of mine. I can live my life with confidence that whatever happens, I have the God of Creation right here living in me. And this awesome God wants to bless me with Himself every minute of every day.

Let my neighbor have his BMW. Give me Jesus.

Do You Need A Lift?

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In chapter 4 of his book, James is pretty clear about what being a Christian looks like. He reminds us God resists the proud, and gives strength to the humble. Then he makes a life list:

  • submit to God
  • resist the devil
  • draw near to God
  • cleanse your hands
  • purify your hearts
  • weep, mourn
  • humble yourselves
  • don’t speak evil
  • don’t assume you have tomorrow
  • do good

(the last three are implied)

I believe a person who follows these will represent Jesus. And will do so intentionally.

It takes an act of will to submit to God, to die to self, and be honest enough to admit our helplessness before a Holy God. There is effort involved in drawing near to God through prayer and reading His Word every day. It takes discipline to turn away from sin and determine to use our abilities to further God’s kingdom, and to do it from a pure heart with no thought of anything other than honoring God.

It takes a purposeful look at our lives, our sin, our lostness, and when we do our response can only be complete devastation, sadness, mourning, over the fact that you and I sent Jesus to the cross. We’ll look at sin differently from that moment on.

And it takes a little courage to let go of “self”, like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, and trusting God with the outcome, recognizing our hopelessness apart from Him.

The rest will come as a natural outpouring from God’s grace. We won’t speak evil, we won’t take today for granted, and we won’t tire of doing what needs to be done for the good of others and for the glory of God.

Because, as James so beautifully puts it, when we humble ourselves, when we give ourselves to God to break us down…

He will lift (us) up!