Entries for March 2016

FAMILIAR, YET UNFAMILIAR

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection...." Philippians 3:10

After His resurrection, Jesus visited His disciples various times in various places. He just showed up!..There He was, His dear familiar self.

Familiar, yet unfamiliar. The Twelve knew how He had died, had been placed in a tomb that was sealed. Yet He had suddenly appeared alive before them; a reality that made Him strangely unfamiliar. Everything was different. The disciples had no prior experience with a resurrected Master. Before the cross, He had been one of them. Now, He was Another, different, yet the same. How should they relate with a Teacher risen from the dead? They fumbled, awkward in their reactions.

Jesus understood. So He appeared in familiar places in familiar ways. He shared bread with them, talked to them, touched them, taught them. He eased them into an expanded knowledge of Himself.

When He finally had to leave them and go to His Father, He offered them a Tutor, someone who knew Him intimately. The Blessed Holy Spirit would take over. He would continue to teach them. They would learn more about Jesus and the power of His resurrection.

Reach Beyond: As 21st century followers of Christ we go beyond the open tomb to discover more about our risen Lord. He lingers to share bread with us, talk to us about an intimate relationship with the dear Holy Spirit, the Father's Gift to all who love His Son.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for the cross where Jesus died. Your power raised Him from the dead.That same power quickens and fills my life today. Holy Spirit, teach me. I want to know more about Jesus than I have ever known before. Amen

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A WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me."Psalm 23:4

There is a childhood prayer I recall. " Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."

Child-like faith expressed in that prayer is often sadly lost in growing up, unless the adult holds on to it. If faith is maintained, the fear of death is replaced by the comfort of the expectation of heaven.

A psychiatrist said, "I have never seen a case of senile psychosis in the aged when they have faith in God and are free from the fear of death."

The fear of death is usually wrapped up in the fear of old age. When such fears are surrendered in the hands of God, faith rises for an exciting adventure in old age and at the time of death.

When we are young we live like we will never die. As we age, we begin to think about where we will spend eternity. Sometimes the death of a loved one will prompt serious thoughts about our own mortality. Inner fears cannot be concealed. They show, even when one pretends they are not there.God sees what is in our hearts. Does fear show through our attempts of bravado?

Ask Jesus: To walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death. He faced and defeated the power of death and the fear of it. He renamed the valley after Himself, "The Way."

PRAYER: Lord, when the time comes for me to go into eternity, I will not walk alone You have promised to be with me all the way. If fear attacks, You will ward it off by your resurrection power. You are The Way. Thank you Jesus! Amen

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MAKE THE MASTER PROUD OF YOU

"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." I Peter 2:13-17

The accelerated speed of the secularization of America, the epidemic proportions of the decline of moral standards, the redefinition of the family and public disdain for Christian values hurls us into a frightening free-fall from traditional values.

American Christians, like their fellow-believers around the world, face increased opposition. Their values clash daily with those of the society around them. What should Christians do to balance civil obedience and biblical mandates? They must revere the Scriptures and respect authorities. When the apostles, Peter and John, were ordered not to preach the gospel, they replied: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20)

The Message translation of our text instructs us in these words:

"Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government."

In today's world there is an increased hostility towards Christians who openly declare their convictions. We have a very different America than our forefathers hoped for us. We face a challenging future, but not without hope. God holds the future in His hands. Fully depending upon God, we must pray and have courageous faith.

STAND UP: SPEAK UP AND LIFT UP A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, make me a good citizen who brings glory to your Name. Amen

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ENJOY FRESH BREAD

"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Luke 6:21

My son-in-law, Alan, enjoys baking bread. I enjoy the mouth-watering aroma that fills our house. There's nothing better than a buttered slice of bread from a fresh baked loaf. Forget about the calories and fully yield to the temptation! Enjoy!

There is an enjoyment of another kind. It is the pleasure brought to my spirit when I enjoy God. With delight I savor His presence, whether in the house, in the church or wherever my soul is stirred by his nearness. I hunger for Him. I long to enjoy Him more.

I know He is always present, but there are times I sense a fresh awareness. I stop and breathe it in. My appetite for God is aroused and I look to see where He is. I wonder if God has something fresh for my soul to enjoy?

The Shepherd David found continual enjoyment in worship. It was a love-feast, an overflowing cup. The more of God he tasted, the more he wanted. In the Psalms he extends an invitation to taste and see how good God is. We are urged to abandon our proud inhibitions and give ourselves fully to the enjoyment of God.

Accept his invitation. Breathe in the fragrance of the fresh things our Lord has ready for your enjoyment. Allow your hunger for more of God to lead you to his banqueting table. Discover the delightful things God has prepared for you. See how truly good God is.

David found that enjoying God prepared him for times when invaders attacked him and his flock. He was ready to fight off any thief who tried to take away his satisfaction in God's goodness. His victories ring with songs of deliverance and laughter.

BREATHE IN HIS PRESENCE: He is near and awaits to satisfy your hunger for a fresh taste of His goodness. Feast on the Word. It will turn your tears into laughter. Let your house be filled with the fragrance of the Bread of Life.

PRAYER: Lord, You are the delight of my life. I have tasted and I know You are good. I long for more. Refresh me and sustain me. As I read your Word, I am fed. As I wait in prayer before You, I am filled and blessed. I love you, Lord. Amen

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