Good King Jesus

Scripture Reading:  John 1:1-14

In the United States, we do not know what it is like to live under a monarchy (the rule by a King or Queen). My ancestors on both sides all knew what it was like. They knew that the rule of one family can bless or alter adversely the affairs of many. In 1620, the Sampsons came to the shores of the New World. They boarded a small leaky vessel called the Mayflower. At the time, the voyage must have seemed like a desperate venture, now written into a once respected chapter of America's history. The Pilgrim's as they were called left what was dear to them in England because the King had made the practice of faith in Christ unlawful. Even after the colonies in America were established, the King still had chief control. His authority could be felt in every matter of life. Should the King have been fair then there would not have been any reason to desire a move away from his control. Interestingly, in the Revolutionary period of America, the control of the King was demanded heavily to which the common reply from many patriots was, "we have no King but Jesus Christ."

In the world of the Bible as well as in our semi recent past, the King was either loved or hated depending on how he saw the way of life should be for the common man. Most times the King became a tyrant, but in the case of the Kings of Judah, most feared the Lord God and it showed in their goodwill to the people.

Though you may feel yourself far removed from the monarchical system, you need to realize we are living under the Supreme Monarch. When people hear words like this, unbelievers scoff and say you are throwing in religion where a monarch is clearly something really on Earth. Such people are blinded to the confines of this planetary sphere. They can see nothing of what lies ahead or the divine world that is ever present among them. That is precisely why we have Christmas. It is the celebration of the One Who stepped out of the Divine and into the Earthly by being born in a humble fashion and then presenting the way for mortal men and women to come to His Divine Kingdom once we are finished living on this Earth. Poets and playwrights from all ages have tried to equate this true and awesome plan but they can never come to the real understanding and heart experience that comes from knowing Jesus Christ personally rather than academically. As you read this, many of you have trusted in this One who came as a babe to save us, yet some do not know. The remainder of this text will be joyous for both saint and sinner alike. For the saint, the graciousness of our King towards us is forever praiseworthy. For the sinner who has not trusted in Christ, this is the best liberating news that can ever be spoken to you.

This Christmas Day, here are three quick points that set apart King Jesus from all others:

First,  King Jesus has a heart that goes beyond His own interests.  Even the best of earthly Kings on their best day still in the deepest of their hearts look after number one.  After all, kings are powerful and the people under their control are just there to service him.  Yet Jesus sees the heart and hears the hurt.  Jesus not only rules over His creation, but one of the reasons why He loves His subjects is that He created them.  He not only created them to live on this Earth, moreover, He created them to live in His Kingdom in Heaven.  This love is so strong that it made Him leave all of His comforts far beyond our understanding, and step into this world.  Christ did not simply step into this world for all to see and laud as a typical king would do, but came to be one of us.  Not in effect, but literally become the lowliest of all His own subjects.  This is His heart for you and me.  Earthly rulers may make good choices for others benefits, but only King Jesus personally got involved.  Of course, His ultimate involvement was the sacrifice of His own life on the cross, there could be not a greater expression of selfless love.  But we tend to forget the sacrifice of just becoming and living as a man.  He put on vile flesh, lived in a disease infested smelly world.  He hungered, worked, laughed, wept, and did everything that we do, all because He desired to be our High Priest so that one day we would have an advocate who not only paid for our sins, but knew how desperate the mortal condition is.  No one but Jesus would dare to do this.  Romans 5:8 tells us that when no one else would consider the lowliest of creation worthy to die for, Christ died for us.

Second, King Jesus does not ignore any of His subjects for any reason.  It is the habit of mankind to play favorites.  In fact the best way to have favor with an earthly king was to prove your loyalty by act of gift.  Should the king like you, you were favored, if not, life was miserable at best.  However, King Jesus made no distinction.  Jesus does not have a partiality scale.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us that whoever comes to the Lord shall be saved from wrath to come.  John the Apostle who knew Jesus best recorded that whoever comes to Christ will not be turned away for any reason.  The foundation under this is the contrast between the strength of love and the strength of need.  Earthly kings favor certain individuals because they need their influence or wealth or loyalty to bolster the kingdom's success.  Christ needs no one, Christ CHOOSES us.  The kingdom of God does not rest on the pillars of human power.  Citizenship in Heaven is a privilege.  His shed blood covered every sin we commit so no one can possibly be left out.   If we are left out of His kingdom it is by our own choice.  The thief on the cross asked most simply and most profoundly, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  This was a request typical of subjects to monarchs, a plea for acceptance and mercy.  Bear in mind this was a man rightfully punished probably for murder or treason, yet King Jesus told him without reservation that the thief would be with the King in Paradise this very day.  No one is turned away from the Kingdom of the King of Kings.

Lastly, King Jesus fulfills His promises according to His own Word.  Whether we live under the rule of a monarch or an elected political official, their word is no good.  I don't mean this accusatory or condemning, but simply stated their word is no good because they don't have it within themselves to keep the truth.  This is not because they are political, its because they are sinful, as we all are.  The binding that holds all the promises of God together is because the King is God who cannot lie.  Should Christ forfeit a promise in any slight way, the Kingdom would be imperfect and alike to any other Earthly kingdom.  God's Word cannot be broken.  Christ not only always tells the Truth, but He is the TRUTH, the author of it and the fulfiller of it.  The Kings name in the Trinity of God is "The Word."  The promise of the Word was not just verbal but practical.  The promise of the Word was given and was carried out by its Author. 

Earthly kings promises have good intentions, but only God has perfect Truth behind it to enforce it.  That same Truth is the same guarantee that He makes to you and me.  Can you grasp hold of a stalwart never changing Truth?  The Truth is the definition of who King Jesus is and the confidence we have in Him is based on His unfailing perfection in Truth.  Jesus even made the assurance that not one small punctuation mark in all of His promises will not go unfulfilled when time is at an end.  Even if the promises of God seem far off from being fulfilled, know that in His time nothing promised will be left out.  Nothing in God's Word is placed for filler or embellishment, absolutely everything has meaning and purpose backed by His own Truth.

If your a Christian, we have much to rejoice over.  Just to think that our King is not like others that we have to wonder about or live in dread of.  Such a comfort it is to know that such a powerful King, who could use all of His might against us, chose to use all of His might for our good and benefit!  We have a home, a King and a Kingdom awaiting us when we die, can there be any better news?  

If you are not sure about your relationship to King Jesus, you can be.  The fact is, we are all sinners, lost and condemned to the dungeon of Hell.  This was already laid upon us before we were born because of Adam's sin.  BUT, King Jesus came into this world on the day we celebrate as Christmas just for you.  He lived, died on the cross and rose from the dead so that you wouldn't  have to face Hell for your sinful penalty.  He has an outstretched hand towards you.  He desires you become not a subject, but a son or daughter in His royal family.  You can be that today and forever by simply admitting you are a sinner and placing your faith in Him to pay the sin debt for you and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior.  Call upon Him to save you and He will.  You are the reason for His birth, don't shut Him out of your life.  

He who loved you so much is Your Friend, Savior and King.  

Praise the Lord for His wondrous love to the children of men.  Lift up your hearts in praise of His goodness and reign that we should be alive in Him and not condemned as we deserve.  Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.  Good King Jesus Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

How can we express our gratitude for Your matchless love!  Thank you that the King of Kings thinks and acts on our behalf.  We can be no greater a blessed people.  For eternity shall break forth upon us and the full wonder shall be ours through You Lord.  Accept our thanks  and praise and blessed be the day of Your birth.  Amen.

Drafts Of Doubt

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:13-15

One of the most advertised home improvements is windows. There are many varieties and styles to choose from, but all in all they do one thing...keep the heat in your house by keeping the cold air out. We find that as we move once again into the winter season that cold temperatures and gusts of cold air can penetrate our living spaces and make for uncomfortable quarters. Mainly when we think of drafty winds that blow, we think of old houses. You may imagine an old house that has seen better days having so many cracks and crevices in it that the cold air seems to be felt everywhere. These faulty places where the cold air leaks in are usually the result of either a poor fit in the window or door joints at the time of construction, or, an erosion of wood and materials that time has taken its toll. Either way the result is the same.

I would like to share with you this week both of these scenarios as it relates to our walk and belief in and with Jesus Christ. You see, doubt is that cold penetrating wind that howls in fury hoping to discomfort the believer. Our faith, though once strong, may flicker and wane causing gap holes to where fear and doubt creep in and disrupt the soul.

The first example of the invasion of doubt is a poorly constructed knowledge of God and His Word. If we are to combat issues of spiritual doubt about salvation, the reality of God, eternity, the Trinity etc. then we have to construct a solid, secure, fortress about us. Notice that no man or woman by their own intellectual pursuit of God can withstand any onslaught. Yet if we have no weapons to fight with and defend ourselves, we are no better off. When you see a new house being built or renovations being done you can see a lot of what we are talking about here. When a worker is installing frame work that is not squared up or is slightly larger than the window or door to go in that space, the gap created is just like having a gaping hole in a wall. Without the proper sealant, all sorts of cold air and other invaders will pass through it. If you do not know the Truth about the sufficient of atonement of Christ, for example, then you will open yourself up for a multitude of attacks questioning every day whether or not you're going to Heaven. Ignorance of God's Word is the doubtful crack Satan most often desires to use. For if we do not know what God says, then what Satan says may seem to us as plausible since we have no standard to gauge it against. It is imperative for a new believer to get involved in a Bible study group or class that will help him or her to learn not only who God is, but what He says. But the unfortunate thinking of many converts to Christ is that "I am saved, I have my eternity secure, why go any deeper?" This is like building a house and saying, "well the door covers most of the opening, that's good enough." Well of course you would never buy a house where everything just sort of fit together, so why then would we want to just sort of have Spiritual knowledge in place?

Too often, Christian ministries put greater emphasis on the prosperity and feel good theology that comes with an underlying political correct awareness. There is nothing wrong with encouraging the saints, in fact we are commanded to do so in Romans 14:19. However if you do not tell a child a stove burner is hot, you do them a greater disservice by not imparting valuable knowledge that could reverse or never have allowed a tragic burn. Mankind in general does not want to hear the things of the Bible that does not make them feel OK. We have to provide all the story not just parts. And its the parts here and there that do not give all the truth which leads to an ill equipped, poorly constructed believer to wallow about in a tragedy with an ignorant understanding.

Satan finds such a one who has a poorly constructed knowledge of God and exploits every crack and vulnerable spot, introducing ideas such as: "if God really loved you, why would He let this happen." or, "If you were really a believer, you wouldn't get upset so often." or, "Did God really mean what He said was for you, or for someone else." The list is endless. How valuable it is to have a good construction of the Word in place when those attacks come.

The second way drafts of doubt creep in is a spiritual mindset that was once very strong, but now has drifted away from God and has lost fellowship caused by spiritual erosion. It is important to note that losing fellowship does not mean losing salvation. Simply it means to walk away from God and thereby not having the quality of a close relationship that once was enjoyed. So many Christians today are "used to be's." This is not too sound critical because it is a trap that any of can and perhaps will fall into for a period of time. Christians that used to be strong, used to go to church every service, used to be involved, etc. Resting on our laurels of what we have done quickly fades when new challenges approach us. Such folks get very comfortable and apathetic. Church attendance, reading God's Word, keeping up Bible devotions and study once strong has now receded for some other attraction. Sometimes we point fingers at older people who have retired or spend more time in recreation, but the truth is that most of the decline can come in the early years of life. The real danger of erosion comes noticeably in our lives, but it really shows up in the lives of the children you have. Casual Bible knowledge, casual importance on church attendance and activities, lack of family devotions and parental examples of godliness all hits home in their lives too.

Just like a house that sits empty an unattended, so to does a heart that has little to do with Christ. A house will begin to crack, settle, paint peel, weeds grow up, etc and a person never notices it because it happens so gradually. Gradual erosion of the heart starts with a decision to give place to some other interesting option. Drafts of doubt settle in and cause us to really begin to ponder whether or not that philosopher has it right. Doubt seeps in cracks that make us wonder really whether or not all that we have believed about the Bible and Christianity is really true. Doubt finds its way in places that were so strong in faith, but no more.

Draftiness is cold, uncomfortable, and chilling. Drafts robs us of heat by drawing it out and replacing it with cold philosophies, worldly ideas, hopeless pursuits, etc. All this is geared towards taking our minds and hearts off Christ for something less and thereby making tragic choices that can cost us for the rest of our lives.

Are there drafts of doubt or some other influence invading your heart for Christ? You need to check, even if you don't think you would be a victim. We can never be too sure and when we are overconfident, we are in need at least of watching cautiously.

Father, help us today not to become too comfortable with our relationship with You. Rather Lord help us to be on the look out for cracks and erosions that cause us to doubt You and Your Word. Forgive us for our failings and put within us a fresh desire to know You better and serve You with our hearts and lives. Guard our hearts and help our minds to be stayed on You. Thank you for your grace and help towards us. In Your Name, Amen.

A Bench Called SELAH

Scripture Reading: Psalm 89

A great way to exercise and talk to God is in the beauty of a forest trail. Many of our state parks offer such trails with differing degrees of difficulty and travel time. There is a particular trail I remember in South Carolina I used to walk. I lived in Greenville for nearly a decade and not too far from me was Paris Mountain State Park. The trail was quite long if you traversed the whole distance. It started in a large parking area and did a great winding loop up the mountain and then down the other side of the mountain to your point of origin. Along the way there was a large pond and waterfall, dark areas of pine and laurel thickets, another stream and a very narrow winding shelf up the side of the mountain before reaching the top and your journey downward. There were places that were steep and places that were nice and rolling. All in all a person in good shape made the whole trip in about an hour and a half. Along the way at various points of the trail there were small benches. These benches were just rough hewn half logs nailed together, but to a weary traveler (like me) they offered a great place for rest and to drink some water I carried. Even if you could walk the whole trail without the need to sit down a while it was still nice to sit and reflect on the surroundings and God's world.

The Psalms offer such a resting point in the word called "Selah." The word itself means to think about what was just said. To borrow a personal interpretation, "when you come to this word, STOP, REREAD, THINK, THINK AGAIN, then go ahead." So much of the Psalms have this word in it and generally it occurs after an attribute of God has just been described, or a great event in the future will occur that only God can perform.

The word "Selah" helps us to reflect on the majesty and power of God. So many times we read the Scriptures in a hurried fashion. Sometimes we feel an obligation to read a passage of Scripture just to check off a list. It is a good thing to read the Bible on a schedule, but take time to read it. Reading several chapters at a sitting will get you through the Bible but does it get you into the Bible? What I mean is that when we speed read or take too big a bite of Scriptural reading we lose the important details in wash of too much information. Every verse is profound in some fashion. However, especially in Psalms, we hike through a large section of reading and we need to pause to get our "breath" and to focus on the territory just covered. When you read about God's singular act of setting the stars and planets in their courses, or the consideration of God towards lowly man, or even His sovereign plan for time and eternity that no one can change, does this awe and inspire you? The "selah" is there to help remind us to reflect and not take for granted the unspeakable power of God. We grow to used to hearing Biblical teaching and the display of God's power that our hearts get a bit hardened and cold in our recited knowledge. Let us not grow too knowledgeable that we become too untouchable. Selah.

The word "Selah" used to help us reflect can also cause us to take notice. Many times in a Psalm there is given warnings for mankind. Take for example verse 47-48 of today's reading. David warns that our bodies will see death. He communicates that life on this earth can't be spent in frivolity always. There will come a day when the sober moments come. David warns us to prepare our souls for death by trusting in God. Such passages you might say are not only rest benches but danger signs. Notice that plenty of warning is given throughout Scripture to avert any calamity before that calamity comes. Likewise, a road sign saying "Bridge Out" doesn't come once you try to start crossing the bridge. Many times we prance on our way or rush things too much to look at the warning signs. So God mercifully in His Word places them along in the Scriptures to warn us. Mark those places and thank God they are there. Thank God He cares enough about us to tell us. Selah.

Lastly, the word "Selah" is there for us to pause and be comforted. Generally speaking the Psalms are for our comfort and encouragement. David who wrote many of them knew the heart of God, because He was in pursuit of it for himself. Many times "selah" is placed after a selection of comfort. When we seek comfort from Scripture we generally do not rush through the passages, however, the Scriptures itself are a bench to rest on. The Scriptures are a surety in a world where nothing is sure. Life deals us hard blows. Sometimes even God seems so distant from us, however, he reminds us in verses 33-37 that He will not utterly forsake us when we sin, nor can He take back what He has promised! Selah. What a comfort to know that death will not condemn the believer in Jesus Christ! What a surety it is to be walking through the forest and seeing the evidence of God's omnipotence and then read in His Word that He is Lord over all the creation (vs 5-9). All this for our benefit, God, who is rich in mercy, thinks about us. Selah.

The next time you are taking a stroll amidst the Creation and you see a place of rest, remember the Psalms. When you are reading the Psalms and you come to a place of rest, remember to reflect, take notice, and be comforted. When we need a thought to rest our minds on, whether we have our Bibles open or not, Remember and Rest on the words of Christ to the believer in Luke 10:20, the believer's names are registered in Heaven.

Father, thank You that there are such resting places in Your Word and that we may rest upon them as long as we like. Help us to be places of rest to others to encourage them and comfort them. May Lord you comfort us and make us aware of Your presence always. In your Wonderful name, the only Name that matters, the name of Jesus. Amen.

Pass this along to a friend and remember always to keep your eyes upon the skies, Jesus is coming soon!

Preparation For The Road Ahead

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-27

Have any of you been involved in the Boy or Girl Scouts of America? Of course we know the famed motto of the Boy Scouts and that is, "Be Prepared." How often have we gone through life not following that advice only to wish we had.

When we come to a transition in life, its kinda like an intersection on a roadway. We know the pathway to go, now its time to survey the way ahead and make sure we have what's needed to then go ahead. The image at left depicts the men on the Emmaus road, who were disheartened at the event of the Savior's death. They were trodding down a road feeling rejected, sorrowful, inwardly beaten, and disillusioned. We have all felt this way at some point of time, maybe you are right now. Thus we all come to a new pathway to take. How we go about it says largely how we prepare before we travel it.

Let's talk a minute about the need for preparation. What do we mean by this? I'll never forget one time I was an assistant Boy Scout leader and our cub scouts were on a hike. Well, boys you know like to romp around, not always watching where they are going and some of them stomped unknowingly on a hornets nest. Imagine the next few minutes...angry hornets bent on revenge defending their domicile, crying little boys smarting over the whelps left on them, and a frenzy of excitement over the whole matter. The bad thing was, none of the dads on the trip carried any sort of first aid. In my scout backpack (which ironically I had a Native American medicine symbol sewed on it) had only a tube of anti-biotic cream to spread on the wounds. Fortunately no one fell valiantly on the trail, but the point was that we had gone unprepared and it cost us.

The men on the road to Emmaus who had triumphantly been with Jesus a few days before had not been prepared to face what had now occurred...the death of the Savior. Unbeknown st to them, the Resurrected Jesus shows up. The passage in Luke tells us how the men explain to Jesus all that had happened and was assured this stranger was totally stupid as He had not heard what had happened! Jesus saw their distress and knew that what had happened to them came as a result of the unprepared hearts. On the way to Emmaus the Master took time to explain to them the whole plan of the Messiah, and to assure them that what had happened was not only necessary, but on time and as it should be just as the prophets said. If we are to face what lies ahead in the road ahead, we NEED to be grounded in God's truths, so that we don't lose confidence in Him. Just as food is vital to our existence, so we need God's word to nourish us and help us stand firm like a boulder in a rushing river.

The second step in preparation is to survey what lies ahead. The pathways of this life lay strewn with problems, heartaches, temptations, storms, distresses, etc. Not a pleasant picture to envision. In fact this whole life is a fierce raging battle that you and I as believer's are deeply engaged in. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15 to walk circumspectly, or plainly, to be always looking all around you on guard. It is foolish to stroll through life so carefree that we ignore danger or pretend it does not exist. I am not saying that we should shake in fear but to be wise enough to know we need God's help to navigate life in the bad times as well as the good.

Lastly, preparing for the road ahead needs a fresh encounter with God. The two men walking with Jesus did not know it was Jesus until they invited Him to their house. The Master broke bread with them and instantly it was revealed to the men who He was. If we are to move forward, our eyes need to be open and are hearts receptive to His presence. We do this by

• confessing any sin that pervades our life
• having a desire to be led by Him and not our own strengths
• studying His Word and asking for His help in prayer
• praising Him for His goodness and faithfulness

It's so good to know that He is on our side, but its so reassuring when we have done for us an act that can only be attributed to God. Perhaps such an act will be one of deliverance from some trial, or perhaps it will be just the reassuring still small voice in your heart, but the point is that God will show Himself to us as we serve Him and step in a new pathway, or perhaps regrouping in a respite on the same pathway we have been walking.

Are our hearts and lives prepared for the road ahead?

Father, help us to look to you as our source of strength. Help us O God not to go off on some pathway of life without having your Word and your Spirit prepared in our hearts. If we trust in ourselves, our failure is eminent. Help us to be wise enough to see You as all sufficient and willing to guide us. Protect us Lord from the snares of the Devil and lead us into pastures of blessings that we may bring more praise and thanksgivings due your name. Thank you for taking the time to help us and prepare us as we travel this road of life. Amen.


if this post has been a blessing to you please forward it to a friend. Remember to keep your eyes upon the skies, Jesus is coming soon.

Give and Take Prayers, Part 2 of 2

Last time we were reading together, we were discussing how a majority of our prayers are more request or "taking" oriented. That is OK given the proper attitude. However, in our personal prayer times we should remember the giving as well.

In fact, if we were to do anything better in our prayers it should be this attitude and action of Giving. What do we mean by giving? Giving to God? Giving what to God?

Isn't it interesting that we fall so short of seeing God as a genuine person with feelings. We rightfully think of Him as a Sovereign Being with Omnipotence and judgement at His disposal, but we seldom see the nature of His loving heart. He desires we give back to Him. You see the painting here in the article, it is called simply "Grace." This painting (a copy) has hung in my Grandma's house for as long as I can remember. So simple it is in its imagery, yet how profound in its message. The subject of the painting is simply doing what God delights in the most. Giving thanks. All the elements are present: the person, the Word of God, the daily bread, the soup, the utensils for eating, the table, but most importantly the attitude. It is most true that we as Christians can and should give back to God our money, our service, our talents and skills, our lives, but in all that He is more delighted when we give Him our heart of gratitude. When we pray, our hearts should be set on thanking Him for all things. When we do so we are expressing our complete dependence on Him and we are grateful that He so mighty should favor us wonderfully the lowly.

My dad's side of the family at the dinner table, usually at Christmas, would call on me to "return thanks." I always thought that an odd saying, but you know when we pray that is what we do. We return our thankfulness and point it to the ear of the Almighty. As He has allowed others to be thankful for kind deeds we have shown them, so to shall we not all return our thanks for the immense blessings He has given us.

Simply put,

Everything that we are, everything that we have, every possession, every dollar, every skill, every morsel of food, every talent, every good memory, every joy, every hope, every ounce of bodily strength, every idea of mental capacity, every blessing in any form has all passed from His hand to our being. How dare we not acknowledge the Source as the Source has acknowledged us?

Perhaps the Psalmist David is the one most credited for offering praise and Thanksgivings the most to God. But it was the Apostle Paul who reminded us in 2 Corinthians 9:11 that we are Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. In the fourth chapter of this same book Paul speaks of His afflictions with thankfulness to God because it was being used for the sakes of his readers and to redound to the Glory of God.

We have Jesus Christ, need any other excuse in the heart for being downcast be created? I forget, you do too, when things are tough and are more than what we consider to be our fair share of suffering doled out to us, we should remember Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. What Calvary gives the believer is the supreme guarantee among many things that we are not always going to face illness, pain, loss, hurt, hardship, despair, loneliness, disease, wrongdoing, unprecedented and undeserved torture, etc. that One Day, most assuredly, because we place our trust in Jesus Christ and what He did at Calvary, all the former things Shall be passed away and Eternity holds no fear or trepidation for the saints. All of what we experience shall be swallowed up with death in everlasting hope and glory. Shall we praise God and give Him thanks?

Nothing can be named or spoken that can give God more joy than to hear the true heartfelt thankfulness given from His children's lips. Let's make more of our daily prayer time a simple time of giving.

Father, Thank You, for Jesus Christ our Savior and Hope. Thank you God for supplying all our needs as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19. Thank you for us having something to eat today and for our senses and our breathing this earthly air as it is a sign that you love us and are looking out for us. We have so much to give you thanks and praise for, help us not to be slack or vainly ritualistic in our offerings to you. Thank you Father for all the hope we have and the home awaiting us with all the saints for the unending expanse of Eternity. In thy name we praise, Amen.

If this posting has been a blessing to you, forward it to a friend. Images used are for non profit use on this blog only.

The Ozymandias Syndrome

Required memorization in my 12th grade English class was "Ozymandias," a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. It was I thought an odd poem at the time and has just recently reentered my thinking. The poem describes a traveller who recounts from his travels an impression of a broken statue, presumably in a desert region--possibly Egypt. Shelley describes this statue as quite large and at one time representing a quite powerful leader who thought himself immortal and his kingdom invincible. Of course, nothing is remembered of him and his statue lies in ruins after centuries of sand has etched his face and features. Nothing left but two stubs of stone legs remind the traveler of the mortality of human existence.

So what does that have to do with modern day folks? Two people groups, the Christian and the unbeliever are called into consideration. First, The Ozymandias syndrome or thinking is present in the unbeliever. Man in his unregenerate mind believes that he or she dominates the world in some way. A thought, an action, a kingdom, a way of life, something will be reticent of them that surely all men and women henceforth will remember. True we know of Julius Ceasar and Alexander's kingdoms--now gone for centuries. Adolf Hitler's thousand year Reich and the Arian race supremacy buried in the pages of History books that few desire to read. No mortal man or woman no matter how great they think they are will stand to last for any span of time that the sands of forgetfulness will not erase.

The Bible plainly tells us in Psalm 37:34-36,
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

So many people think themselves to be so great in their own conceits and pride, yet they will not look to only One who is great and everlasting. Their doom is forever sealed unless they turn to the Lord.

Now to the Christian believer. May we note that the Christian, as defined by Holy Scripture is one who has surrendered his or her soul and life to Jesus Christ by placing their faith in Him as their only Lord and Saviour. However, in our lives we still deal with Ozymandias at times. We do err and stray for a short time from God. We experience a measure of success, a bit of fame, a smattering of fortune, or a enlightened moment of learning and we can easily think ourselves great, powerful, intelligent, wise, profound, lovely, and the adjectives name themselves automatically. But for the grace of God we would continue this way. But doesn't God want me to be great and mighty and all that? The answer is simply that He can and does make us so, but only to help advance His Kingdom. His chief desire for us on planet Earth is to make us more like His Son. If you do not see the literal value of that now, you will. Compare Jesus Christ to Ozymandias. Would you rather be a forgotten wreck of crumbling stone, or a immortal glorified being with a body that neither fades, sees corruption, or knows no ending? But we must submit ourselves to Him. But He is not like and earthly Ozymandias master who cripples His servants under His heavy hand. What would be the benefit? Jesus Christ separates Himself above all earthly rulers by saying, "You're my servants yes, but also my Friends." John 15:15

Do you have the Ozymandias syndrome? Does self rule dictate your destiny? Repent and ask Christ to forgive you. If you do not have Him in your heart, consider. To follow the God who is Creator and Master of this world, or two forgotten broken legs of stone.

If this post has been a blessing to you please let me know by posting your comments or by emailing. Tell a friend about what you have read, email them the article by clicking the icon below. May God bring peace and blessings to you this week.

Note: Images used on this site are used only for this non-profit blog. Credit is given to the creator of the image and a link back when available. We try not to knowingly violate any copyrights.

Image by © Eye Ubiquitous/CORBIS

courtesy of Alexandria Public Gallery

http://picasaweb.google.com/rehaneg/EGYPT/photo#5099322687287141442

When They Ring Those IRON Bells

The Internet being worldwide it is hard to make a relative illustration that fits all cultures. However one that comes very close is the object of a bell, in this case a church bell. Not too long ago I was preaching in an open air meeting in Ohio. The setting was very rural and before our service started, I heard something familiar in the distance--a church bell, its clapper was clanging for all the countryside to know, its the Lord's day, come to His house and worship Him. There are many churches throughout the USA and Europe and other parts of the world that still use the church bell as the call to worship. I have always wanted to be a bell ringer, but never have been in a church that had a steeple or bell tower to take part in that ministry. Yes it is a ministry and a profound if not overlooked one.

The first aspect that draws me to bell ringing is to see the witness in it. Most folks may think it as an antique oddity left over from a century ago and its more entertaining than practical. However, a good sounding bell has a great message behind it. The message is simply, "Jesus is alive, we are meeting to worship and celebrate that in our lives. We want you and all who hear it to come and do the same."

The next part of this message is that by ringing the bell, its echoes are sending a clear distinct call. for hope and deliverance. Many times a weary soul that has been downtrodden with life has been reported uplifted by hearing the clear distinct peals of a bell tower. Now the bell itself gives no hope. Whether they connect it or not however, it is the place of the bell and the One who is worshipped in that place that gives them hope. For example, courthouses and schools all have had bells, these places don't produce a shred of hope. Why? Its not because they aren't a good institution but they are a worldly one. And by that I mean that Jesus Christ is not represented there. They are an institution that has no different message than any other worldly secular influence.

The third aspect of bell ringing is that the message is Loud and Clear. So much of Christianity today has been watered down and compromised to make it more of an "attractive" message. But a bell makes one tone, its deafening for it cares not who complains of its volume. The bell is not muffled but amplified in itself by the shape of its housing. We as Christians are called to be Loud in the sense of being openly vocal with the Message of Christ we are entrusted with. That message must not only be vocalized, but clear. Clarity is the heart of any messages intent. If we do not tell the whole message of Christ, then we are not doing as He asked nor are we pleasing Him. The world deals in half truths. It is looking for the whole truth. We have privilege to tell the whole truth clearly.

If by chance you are in a place that you hear church bell(s) ringing, take note of them and remember to appreciate their tolling. May we also be instruments of God's message ringing loudly and clearly across the miles of our existence the ringing of Hope found only in Jesus Christ.

For a great bell ringing video click below

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FVBh54CLbGI&feature=related

Image on this blog compliments of photographer Ian Britton and http://www.freephoto.com/

If this post has been a blessing to you please let me know by posting your comments. If you think this post would be a blessing to someone you know please click the envelope icon below and send it to a friend's email inbox. I appreciate your time in reading this and please feel free to subscribe to this blog for free future posts and updates.

The Shore Lights

Have you ever been in a violent storm?  Perhaps you have been in a boat on the sea at night.  You are trying to find safe harbor and then you see the Lighthouse and the direction you're to travel towards is sure, but making it there may be a little treacherous.  On the coastline there will be sharp coral barriers and sandbars that may run your ship aground.  You could avoid these traps if you could see them.  Life is just like what I described.  The Lighthouse shining the beam of hope to spiritual fulfillment is God's Son Jesus Christ.   But those of us who know Christ already are to be on the shore to help light the way to the Light.  I remember when I was very young, my dad's small fishing boat had lights mounted on the front of the boat pointing down into the dark water at night.  These lights would reveal rocks, hidden tree limbs and such that would potentially capsize the boat.  Christians are to be these lights to extend a friendly hand, a kind warning voice, a signal flare to those lost in the sea of life trying to find hope and help in their lives.  Hymn writer Phillip P. Bliss put this analogy to words in the Hymn, "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning."  He reminded us the true source of salvation and hope is God the Father, but "to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore."  Let's actively work together to be instruments of God's Light to help pull others to safety from the reefs of sin to the Savior.