Rags to Riches

Scripture:

Romans 5:12-19
1 Corinthians 1:1-9

 Is the glass half full or is it half empty?  Are you a fallen sinner who is granted forgiveness or a righteous person who is a saint that occasionally makes a mistake and sins?  How do you perceive yourself in life?  The truth is yes the glass is half full and it is also half empty.  We are fallen and sinners who are forgiven by grace.  We are also Saints made righteous by grace.  Too often I look at myself and see the weakness and failures.  I guess through my life I have looked at it as the glass is half empty.  I thought and even wanted to be positive and have the glass half full.  I tend to be hardest on myself thinking I cannot do this or that. I am a failure and who would want to listen to me.

I still think who would really want to read what I write.  However, I also know that God is the one who enables me to do so.  I am not the broken failure from years ago.  Even though I know it I still get it wrong.  After talking with a dear friend recently I was reminded that I can.  I have value and I am worth something.  That is why Christ died upon the cross.  That is why I have been offered, and accepted, the free gift of grace.  When I did I became a new person in Christ.  I am no longer the old but made whole.  Now the really good news is this isn’t just for me.  This offer is extended to anyone and everyone.  Once you accept Christ you are made new in Christ.  When you accept Christ you are no longer who you once were.  You too are a saint made righteous by grace.  Remove the rags and put on the robes Christ has offered.

We Are Mirrors That Reflect the Light of the World…

Scripture:
Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead…  What a way to start life in this world.  We are born into this fallen world already dead.  We just don’t know it.  It is through Christ that we are made alive.  It is from grace freely given that gives us life, a new birth.  We are like a dull rusty piece of metal or rock.  We cannot reflect any light nor have any use.  It is through grace that we are made clean and righteous.  When we accept Christ as our savior God begins to clean and make us whole.  If you take a dull piece of metal and clean it up polishing it eventually you can create a shine that will give a good reflection.  You can then use it to reflect light. 

While we are dead we are dull and useless filthy rags to God.  Once we accept grace we are made new in Christ.  We become a part of the light of the world.  We reflect Christ for the world to see.  The stronger we become in our faith the brighter we will shine.  We become more polished and smooth.  The closer we are to Christ the more we will reflect Him in the world.  Becoming a lighthouse for Christ means we live our lives according to His will, as He would have us live.  Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  We go from being ore into shiny silver mirrors reflecting God’s light into this dark world.

If you want to be shinier and brighter build upon your relationship with Christ.  Think of it as a scale.  Both sides are equal.  On one side is our relationship with Christ.  On the other side is our mirror that reflects the light of Christ into the world.  The better the relationship with Christ, stronger, the brighter the mirror will be.  The weaker the relationship the duller the mirror will be.  Do you want to be polished and bright or do you prefer to be dull and useless?

Reflecting Christ into the World

Scripture:
Romans 3:21-26
Philippians 2:12-18

“This little light of mine I am going to let it shine let it shine…”  A song we all sung as kids growing up.  It is so simple and yet how many times do we hide our “lights?”  In all we do we should reflect Christ.  A reflection of Christ should shine through us for the world to see.  If we do not show the world Christ how will the world find Him?

We have all sinned and fall short.  None of us are worthy.  Yet God who is a just God is also a merciful God.  Romans 6:23 (NIV) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Let us look at a judge.  A good judge will be a just judge.  He will not condemn the innocent and yet those who are guilty will be charged as such.  God who is a just God does the same.  The problem is that we are all sinners and as such are condemned.  I have heard people say that “I am a good person and I haven’t done anything really bad so I should go to heaven.”  That is similar to a person who robs a bank or murders someone.  Later when facing a judge state I made one mistake but on the whole I am a good person.  I have done many good things in the community since my crime.  I shouldn’t be punished for that one mistake I made so many years ago.  If the judge lets them off would the judge be a good and just judge?  Most would not think so.  Now you might be saying murder is different than what I have done.  You might say I haven’t done anything that bad.  Reality check, sin is sin it doesn’t matter how big or small.  If you commit one you are guilty of them all, James 2:10 (NIV) “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”  So it doesn’t matter if you commit one little sin that in our eyes doesn’t matter.  In God’s eyes it does matter and it separates us from Him.

The good news is that even though the wages of sin is death, separation from God for all eternity, we have a way to be reconciled.  God provided a way for our transgressions to be paid in full.  It is through Christ that our sins are forgiven.  It is through Him that the debt is paid.  When you stand before God will Christ stand before the God the Judge and say I paid the price for their sin.  The other option is that Christ will say I know not this person.

How many people do not see the light of the world shinning?  How many people will stand condemned with no one to intercede for them?  Christ is the light of the world.  We are the mirrors that will reflect that light into the world.  

Being Thankful

Scripture:
Psalm 9:1-2
Romans 5:1-11

As Thanksgiving approaches I contemplate what I have to be thankful for.  I could list several things from a worldly perspective such as having a job in troubled times, a home to live in, food to put on the table, two vehicles for our family.  The list could go on but mostly I have my family to be thankful for.  However, more important than any of those is my relationship with Jesus.  Salvation is freely given, it is the most expensive and precious gift we can ever receive.  Are we truly grateful for that awesome gift?  Do we give God our praise and our thanks, or we just utter words when it seems appropriate?

I remember being in church stating the Apostles Creed or the Lord’s Prayer.  Most of the time it seemed that people just recited words.  There was no real depth or meaning to them.  We lose sight of the depth and meaning of what Christ has done for us.  We take for granted the price that was paid.  This thanksgiving let us all remember the depth and meaning of the most precious gift we have ever received.  Let our hearts truly give praise and thanks to God our Father.  Do not just recite words but realize and understand what you are saying.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  I pray none of us takes it for granted and truly appreciate all we have and will have…

Giving Thanks

Scripture:
Psalm 107:31-43

How often do we say thank you?  When we say thanks are we just spitting out words?  How grateful are we for what we have?  Looking back over the years I realize that God has answered some really old prayers a long time ago.  I give thanks but is it a heartfelt deep down thankfulness that I offer?  When I was in the Navy I wanted a family.  I wanted to be married and have three to four kids.  It was important to me that my wife stayed home with the kids taking care of the home.  Granted this wasn’t necessary or had to be done but something I felt important.  I remember before getting married I commented on one of us needs to stay at home with the kids when we have them.  If you really have your heart set on a career I will stay home.  OK, I have two huge “thank you” to give to God.  God has given me a wonderful wife who puts up with me.  Beyond that He has given me not three or four but five very wonderful beautiful kids.  He has also enabled Nancy to be a stay at home mom.  The best part is that she has also been able to home-school our kids, a huge bonus.

I truly have lots to be thankful for.  Sure I say thanks God for this or for that but is it really a deep appreciation for the gifts He has given me?  There are times when we need to stop and reflect on what God has given to us.  We need to see the blessings in our lives, even the small unnoticed ones.  We need to give thanks and truly appreciate what He has done for us and given us.  He has given us the greatest gift of all, redemption.  Do we take it for granted as well?  Take a moment and look into your life and see the blessings hidden throughout your life.  Let us all have a grateful heart and give thanks.

The Master Craftsman...

Scripture:

Exodus 31:1-5
Romans 5:1-2

Every once in a while somebody sends me an email with pictures of wood carvings.  What is amazing is the carvings are cut right out of the tree trunks using a chainsaw.   We can find fine arts and crafts just about everywhere.  There are truly master craftsmen in the world today.  The ultimate master craftsman is at work in our lives.  God is in us and shapes us to perfection.  Of course we need to allow Him to work in our lives.  In turn we are each a craftsman in our own way.  God has given each of us a gift.  All of us have skills and talents.  Some people play instruments, others paint or sculpt.  There are people who can build things, others can fix just about anything.  Not everyone has the same skills.  Each of us has our own parts to play.  We need to use what God has given us to become the master craftsman that God intended us to be. 

We are made whole through Christ.  We are cleansed and justified by His sacrifice.  Through Christ we can accomplish anything.  Even if you don’t think you can do it remember Christ can do anything through you.  What is holding you back from being the master craftsman God wants you to be?  One area I struggle with is self confidence.  I continuously think I am not good enough or smart enough.  Who am I that anyone would want to read these devotional thoughts…

Remember it isn’t you but Christ in you that will enable you to do anything.  God doesn’t call the biggest, best or strongest to His tasks.  God doesn’t call the qualified to do His work.  God will qualify those He calls…

Being On Their Level...

Scripture:
Acts 17:19-31

Have you ever watched a TV show or cartoon aimed at two and three year olds?  To teenager, and some adults, it may seem stupid or lame.  You watch and wonder how in the world can toddlers like that.  You wouldn’t show them a show about gourmet cooking or an action film or something similar.  Even having them watch a show made for a preteen wouldn’t hold their attention.  I have watched children’s leaders in church up on stage acting out parts and doing things that will interest kids.  They talk in their language so to speak.  They bring the information to their level.  After all you cannot hold an adult Bible study for a group of four year olds.  They just wouldn’t get it.  Instead you present the material in ways they understand.

The same goes for any group or person you are trying to minister to.  If you cannot communicate to them in ways they can understand you will never reach them.  I once read that it takes six to nine months to become part of a group.  After reading that article I know for myself if they were right.  I had been going to a local coffee shop.  There was a group of retired men who met for coffee every morning.  After sitting by myself or talking with the owners for a few months I was invited to join them.  After several months went by I became a part of the group.  In all it took somewhere between six and nine months to happen.  Instead of being called a ROMEO I was a ROMEOit.  ROMEO stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out.  I was a Retired Old Men Eating Out in training…  

You can’t just jump in and expect to be one of the “guys.”  It does take time.  Anything worth doing or having is worth the time it takes to invest in it.  After all look at how much time God invests in you.  The next time you want to witness and minister to someone take the time to get to know them.  Become a part of their life.  Do not compromise who you are but be accepting of who they are…

My God Is Bigger...

Scripture:
Romans 8:31-39
Hebrews 12:4-11

I remember when I was a teenager there was a car dealership behind our house.  They had huge lights that lit up the back of their lot.  There were two lights one at each corner of our property.  Lining the fence that separated us we had huge cottonwood trees.  These trees would cast shadows on a windy night into our house.  I use to say I didn’t need to watch horror films to be scared.  All I had to do was turn out the lights and watch the shadows dance across the walls.  Before I knew it my imagination would get the best of me.  How easy we can become petrified when we let little fears get the best of us.   We fear talking with our spouses or our bosses.  We might fear driving through town because of all the traffic.  We fear things we do not know or understand.  I think Satan works overtime in order to put fear into our hearts.  If we become too afraid we can become paralyzed.

The truth is of the matter is what do we have to fear?  Really what do we have to fear?  Isn’t God who created all things greater than anything in this world?  Isn’t he greater than our enemies?  Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”  What more could be said?  If God is for us and if he is our fortress and refuge who can stand against us?  Who can defeat us?  God the creator of all things who is all powerful is our protector.  He is our provider.  A very dear friend of mine keeps reminding me to read and claim Psalm 91.  As I read and pray the Psalm I realize that nothing can overcome my God.  Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”  When you feel afraid or surrounded by your enemies read and claim Psalm 91.  Come and rest with me in His shadow…

Who is Bigger?

Scripture:
John 3:22-26

Today we seem to be filled with the goal of self fulfillment.  It has become about me and what “I” can do.  This has been emphasized over the last several days as I hear people talk about their accomplishments, “I never fail”, “I made this company what it is today”, “I did…”  Recently I have compiled a ninety day devotional book and self published it.  It is easy for me to turn around and say “look at what I wrote and did.”  The accomplishment becomes something I achieved.  

This couldn’t be further from the truth.  I have written over two hundred devotionals since I began writing them.  I know that every devotion is not liked by everyone.  I am sure some people think I got some of it wrong.  I will state that I couldn’t have written over two hundred of them myself.  I couldn’t even have successfully written the first.  It is through Christ and guidance of the Holy Spirit that anything can be written.  As John the Baptist stated I must decrease so that Christ can increase.  My life has to become less about me and more about Christ.  He needs to be the central focus of all I do.

This focus becomes harder and harder in a society that has become all about self.  What is in it for?  How do I benefit?  How can I get the credit?  When we focus on self we lose sight of God.  He becomes less important in our lives.  We have to become less so that Christ can become more.  It isn’t about me but about Him.

The Great Canvas of Life...

Scripture:

Isaiah 66:1-2 (NASB)

Thus says the LORD,

“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.
Where then is a house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest?
“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

To be contrite is to show remorse, sorrow or to regret something.  A contrite spirit would be to regret your sin and to show remorse or sorrow over your sins.  God will look upon those who are contrite and humble.  How can we be contrite of spirit and humble before God?  For starters we need to recognize the fact that we are sinners.  We must accept the fact that God is the creator and we are just the creation.  Is a painting greater than the artist that paints?  Can the canvas with paint on it do greater things than the one that creates the painting?  Knowing God is our creator and accepting His divine authority is paramount in our lives.  By attempting to fulfill our own will and ignoring God’s will we are saying that we are greater than God.  We know better than he does.  I know through my own life that God’s plans are much better than my own.  Things usually turn out much better when I wait upon the Lord and seek His divine will. 

After all when we look upon the great canvas called life we only see a very small corner of a very large backdrop.  Next time you see a mural on a wall or large painting put your nose just barely off the surface.  Look at what is in front of you.  From that point of view can you see very much?  It isn’t until you step back several feet that you can see the entire painting or picture.  God is the only one who can step back and see the entire canvas of life.  He is the only one who knows and sees all.  I don’t know about you but I prefer to put my faith and trust in Him.  After all He knows better than I do.  I pray that God will help each one of us to be humble and have a contrite spirit…

Once Spoken...

Scripture:
Proverbs 15:1-7

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”  How many times have we heard that saying in our lives?  If it were only true, sure there is no physical damage done.  The emotional damage can last a life time.  All of us have emotional scars where somebody has said something that hurt us deep inside.  Another saying is that the “pen is mightier than the sword.”  If you hit somebody you will see a bruise.  If you verbally hurt someone you may never see the damage that was done.

God tells us to be careful of what we say.  We must continuously guard our tongues.  We have the power within us to help someone heal just by the words we speak.  It is important to watch what you say and who you say it to.  Those healing words can just as easily turn into daggers that tear into people’s emotions.  An email went around one time, in it a man was told to go to the highest tower in a village.  Then he was to tear open a feather pillow allowing all the feathers to scatter in the wind.  Once the man returned he was then instructed to go fetch every single feather and place them back into the pillow.  Next time you are inclined to speak out rashly or harshly at or about someone remember the feathers scattered in the wind from the pillow.  Once the words are spoken they can never be taken back, they can never be unspoken.  At that point all we can do is ask for forgiveness.  Wouldn’t it be better to not have to ask for forgiveness… 

Bath Time...

Scripture:
Psalm 119:9-16
Ephesians 1:9-14

There have been a few weekends when our little girls will color all over themselves with markers.  You would think having only washable markers wouldn’t be so bad.  There was one time when they painted themselves so thoroughly with blue and purple markers it didn’t come completely out.  Nancy scrubbed them at bath time but when they got out they had black, blue and purple markers smudged over their arms and legs.  It looked like a parent’s nightmare the night before church…

Our lives are the same way.  We have sinned and are stained.  No matter how many good works we do to cleanse ourselves we cannot come clean.  It is only through the righteousness of Christ that we can be cleansed.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV): “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  It is through Jesus and only by His cleansing can we be made clean.  Even though we are made righteous we still need to follow God’s will.  We still need to hold His word deep in our hearts.  Psalm 119:1-11 (NIV)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

What else can be said…  Keep the faith, burry deep His word in your heart, follow Christ with all you are…