Dec 2008
Faithfulness and Change for 2009
28/12/08 20:43
Change is
inevitable! Change brings newness and keeps life from
becoming drab and boring. I thank God for change; for
change means that I do not have to remain as I am.
Don’t get me wrong; I am very blessed that
Jesus Christ saved me years ago. That I am no longer
under the wrath of God but have been duly adopted
into His family by the atoning work of His Son, Jesus
Christ, gives me hope that my future will be bright.
It is this hope that moves me along and empowers me
to live this life.
Because of the essence of time, men and women live within its three facets; past, present and future. Have you ever seen someone who just lives for the moment? They spend their money without any qualm, without any concern for what tomorrow may bring. Some folks make life-changing decisions without any concern how it may effect the lives of their loved ones in the years to come. They “feel” a certain way at the moment and that is all that matters.
Some folks have faced the “red-tooth and claw” of this life only to find themselves in life’s dire straits day after day. Life has become a battle for survival and they seem to be losing as each day passes. They don’t think about the future because present pressure and stress are insurmountable. Relief comes for them only in the memories of the “good-old-days” gone by. These folks live in the past carrying nostalgia to the extreme. They are bitter how things have changed over the years and they have no hope whatsoever for things to get any better.
It would be truly sad to live in such a pessimistic rut. Thank God there is hope through Christ –He can truly change any outlook. The Christian philosophy of life truly brings light to the blessedness of change. While it is true that the Christian remembers his past, he does so with thankfulness that God saved him out of it. It is paradoxical; though he may not regret his past, he certainly doesn’t want to return to it. As for living day to day; he doesn’t worry about tomorrow but is constantly encouraged what tomorrow will bring –another day closer to the Hope that lives in his heart.
What is in store for 2009? What sort of changes will take place in our lives; will they be changes for the good or will they leave us a day late and a dollar short? One thing is for certain –there will be change in 2009, it is an inevitable absolute!
Through the grace and faithfulness of God, we can hold to the hope that the change in our lives will be in effect, good for our well-being. We have the hope that we know that God works for the good in all things for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We want to change. We do not want to remain as we are. No sir; we, like the writer of Hebrews, say, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who has promised is faithful.” Heb 10:22
We have great hope that God is faithful to effect change in us; and that, for the good. This change is a heart issue. Change our hearts O, God. Create in us clean hearts, hearts of flesh. Let us reap the fruit of unfailing love. We also hope that He will change our bodies. “Our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform (change) our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Phil.3:20 Get ready Saint of God! Change is coming.
Because of the essence of time, men and women live within its three facets; past, present and future. Have you ever seen someone who just lives for the moment? They spend their money without any qualm, without any concern for what tomorrow may bring. Some folks make life-changing decisions without any concern how it may effect the lives of their loved ones in the years to come. They “feel” a certain way at the moment and that is all that matters.
Some folks have faced the “red-tooth and claw” of this life only to find themselves in life’s dire straits day after day. Life has become a battle for survival and they seem to be losing as each day passes. They don’t think about the future because present pressure and stress are insurmountable. Relief comes for them only in the memories of the “good-old-days” gone by. These folks live in the past carrying nostalgia to the extreme. They are bitter how things have changed over the years and they have no hope whatsoever for things to get any better.
It would be truly sad to live in such a pessimistic rut. Thank God there is hope through Christ –He can truly change any outlook. The Christian philosophy of life truly brings light to the blessedness of change. While it is true that the Christian remembers his past, he does so with thankfulness that God saved him out of it. It is paradoxical; though he may not regret his past, he certainly doesn’t want to return to it. As for living day to day; he doesn’t worry about tomorrow but is constantly encouraged what tomorrow will bring –another day closer to the Hope that lives in his heart.
What is in store for 2009? What sort of changes will take place in our lives; will they be changes for the good or will they leave us a day late and a dollar short? One thing is for certain –there will be change in 2009, it is an inevitable absolute!
Through the grace and faithfulness of God, we can hold to the hope that the change in our lives will be in effect, good for our well-being. We have the hope that we know that God works for the good in all things for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We want to change. We do not want to remain as we are. No sir; we, like the writer of Hebrews, say, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who has promised is faithful.” Heb 10:22
We have great hope that God is faithful to effect change in us; and that, for the good. This change is a heart issue. Change our hearts O, God. Create in us clean hearts, hearts of flesh. Let us reap the fruit of unfailing love. We also hope that He will change our bodies. “Our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform (change) our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Phil.3:20 Get ready Saint of God! Change is coming.
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A New Tire for Christmas
21/12/08 00:12
During the
months of November through March I am using my
wheelbarrow practically everyday to haul firewood to
the house. As I started hauling this heating season,
I noticed that the tire on the wheelbarrow was a
little low on air. Low air in the tire makes it
difficult to push a loaded ‘barrow.
After a bit of procrastination, I filled the tire with air and set it under the patio for the next haul. When I went to use it the following day the tire was completely flat! After a thorough examination of where the leak may have been, I realized I had a dry-rotted tire on my hands. It was completely useless and a new one would have to be bought.
I’ve used that wheelbarrow for over twenty years and the tire finally gave up “the ghost.” Over the years I have had to put air in that old tire a number of times. Like I said, low air makes using the wheelbarrow difficult.
God spoke to my heart about the similarity of the low air in the tire and a Christian who fails to seek Him daily. The air in the tire is like the Spirit within the Christian; when he or she fails to get with God on a daily basis, they will begin to find out just how difficult living the Christian life can become. They try to “pump” themselves up, only to find out in a day or two that they have gone completely flat! Their Bible reading becomes a chore and their prayer life becomes almost nonexistent. Life is hard enough, with the hauling of all its burdens, and, without having the Spirit of God to carry you through. In fact, anyone trying to live this Christian walk without the Spirit is like pushing a wheelbarrow full of firewood with a flat tire –it just can’t be done.
Jesus said that He would not leave us as orphans, but the Spirit would come and lead us into all truth. The Spirit teaches us, bears witness for us (that we are the children of God), and helps us to overcome this life. Just as the apostle John has said, “Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.” I cannot live this life alone; I’ve tried and I’ve failed. My life was miserable and so were the lives I came close to. But when Jesus came into my heart and sent His Spirit to my soul, I became a new man, the old had gone and behold, all things became new!
David said, “Lord, create a new heart in me.” He didn’t say mend or repair the heart that he had, but to create a new heart. Jesus said that men do not put new wine in old wineskins, but that they put new wine in new wineskins. Our hearts, before we came to Christ were like that old dry-rotted tire –useless. Jesus didn’t come to try and mend our old hearts or help our old lifestyles; He came to give us a new life and a new heart.
God said that He would give us a heart of flesh for our old stony hearts. A complete change! Something totally new! I think that is the trouble with some new converts; they try to just have Jesus mend their old dry-rotted hearts and finding that they’re not holding any air! They trudge through days of burden and wonder why they never seem to experience the victory other Christians sing about.
No one can live the Christian life with a worldly heart –it just can’t be done! I went to the store and bought a new tire for the wheelbarrow, affixed it to the rim, filled it with plenty of air and now the thing seems to bounce to the woodpile. It seems so light and easier to push, even when it is loaded with wood. It makes hauling wood (carrying the burden) quite different. Jesus has truly been faithful to me when He said that He came to give me life, and that to the fullest.
He puts a spring in my step and lightens my burdens. I can cast all my cares upon Him, for I know that He cares for me. He is faithful, kind and patient, even when I procrastinate and try to live on “low air.” But it doesn’t take very long until I find myself falling for mercy at His feet crying out for a new heart and a steadfast spirit. This Christmas, do yourself a favor if you are living some old dry-rotted life; go to the Christ-child, go to the Savior, go to the Son of God and get a new heart that is filled with the Spirit. It is God’s gift to you!
After a bit of procrastination, I filled the tire with air and set it under the patio for the next haul. When I went to use it the following day the tire was completely flat! After a thorough examination of where the leak may have been, I realized I had a dry-rotted tire on my hands. It was completely useless and a new one would have to be bought.
I’ve used that wheelbarrow for over twenty years and the tire finally gave up “the ghost.” Over the years I have had to put air in that old tire a number of times. Like I said, low air makes using the wheelbarrow difficult.
God spoke to my heart about the similarity of the low air in the tire and a Christian who fails to seek Him daily. The air in the tire is like the Spirit within the Christian; when he or she fails to get with God on a daily basis, they will begin to find out just how difficult living the Christian life can become. They try to “pump” themselves up, only to find out in a day or two that they have gone completely flat! Their Bible reading becomes a chore and their prayer life becomes almost nonexistent. Life is hard enough, with the hauling of all its burdens, and, without having the Spirit of God to carry you through. In fact, anyone trying to live this Christian walk without the Spirit is like pushing a wheelbarrow full of firewood with a flat tire –it just can’t be done.
Jesus said that He would not leave us as orphans, but the Spirit would come and lead us into all truth. The Spirit teaches us, bears witness for us (that we are the children of God), and helps us to overcome this life. Just as the apostle John has said, “Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.” I cannot live this life alone; I’ve tried and I’ve failed. My life was miserable and so were the lives I came close to. But when Jesus came into my heart and sent His Spirit to my soul, I became a new man, the old had gone and behold, all things became new!
David said, “Lord, create a new heart in me.” He didn’t say mend or repair the heart that he had, but to create a new heart. Jesus said that men do not put new wine in old wineskins, but that they put new wine in new wineskins. Our hearts, before we came to Christ were like that old dry-rotted tire –useless. Jesus didn’t come to try and mend our old hearts or help our old lifestyles; He came to give us a new life and a new heart.
God said that He would give us a heart of flesh for our old stony hearts. A complete change! Something totally new! I think that is the trouble with some new converts; they try to just have Jesus mend their old dry-rotted hearts and finding that they’re not holding any air! They trudge through days of burden and wonder why they never seem to experience the victory other Christians sing about.
No one can live the Christian life with a worldly heart –it just can’t be done! I went to the store and bought a new tire for the wheelbarrow, affixed it to the rim, filled it with plenty of air and now the thing seems to bounce to the woodpile. It seems so light and easier to push, even when it is loaded with wood. It makes hauling wood (carrying the burden) quite different. Jesus has truly been faithful to me when He said that He came to give me life, and that to the fullest.
He puts a spring in my step and lightens my burdens. I can cast all my cares upon Him, for I know that He cares for me. He is faithful, kind and patient, even when I procrastinate and try to live on “low air.” But it doesn’t take very long until I find myself falling for mercy at His feet crying out for a new heart and a steadfast spirit. This Christmas, do yourself a favor if you are living some old dry-rotted life; go to the Christ-child, go to the Savior, go to the Son of God and get a new heart that is filled with the Spirit. It is God’s gift to you!
Leaving it all – to Serve Christ
14/12/08 22:17
Peter’s
eyes watched the young man ride away with his
servants by his side. He would look back, but for
only a moment. The crowd seemed to open and close for
him and soon, he was gone as quickly as he came.
“Come.” The Lord’s words finally
broke through Peter’s thoughts. Peter quickly
turned and followed his Master as He led the crowd to
a grassy knoll. Everyone was finding a seat,
anticipating another teaching from the Master. Peter
found a seat next to Jesus but his thoughts were
still with the rich young man that just asked Jesus
what he needed to do to gain eternal life.
“Jesus told him to sell everything,”
Peter thought to himself, “Everything!”
Peter looked at Jesus and Jesus, in turn, looked back
to Peter, waiting for Peter to say something. But
Peter had to look away. Yet he had to know. But he
needed to look away lest his thoughts betrayed him.
He had never been in such a quandary before now. He
couldn’t let Jesus look into his eyes for He
would know. If Jesus would just begin teaching, this
moment of eternity would pass and Peter could just go
on with life. He just had to know – but dared
not ask. Maybe he would ask one of the other
disciples – but no, he had to ask Jesus.
“Jesus?” Peter respectively asked. “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
There is one thing that is for certain for believers who have surrendered his or her heart and life to Christ, God will reward them for their service of faith and their sacrifices of love. For those who have walked this pilgrim way for any amount of time, this is not hard to realize. God has continually provided food, clothing and shelter. God knows the way of the righteous and He knows how to bless them in their time of need. He has supplied all my needs for the last twenty-some years of walking with Him. He has never failed! I remember one time when Robin and I were two and half months in arrears of our mortgage. The lending officer and I were on a first-name basis –and it wasn’t because we were friends. In fact I was a “thorn in her side” kind of client. But in the year of 1991, she saw God provide miraculously for this poor preacher. Time and time again, God would meet our needs and see us through. Why? It is because He has something for us at the renewal of all things. He has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us. His intention is to see it through. The Cross was only a means, the Reward is the end. The writer of Hebrews tells us God’s intention for allowing Jesus Christ to suffer. “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exist should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Jesus left it all to serve His God. He who was rich became poor, so that we may become rich. The King of kings became a poor carpenter so that we could become kings and priests. He would leave the glories of Heaven, be born in a stable and have no place to rest His head, so that we may live forever in the greatest City ever –the New Jerusalem! God knows how to reward those who diligently seek Him. Don’t be troubled by the present circumstances, or fear by what you anticipate is coming. Trust God. He will see you through and in the end, at the renewal of all things, God will richly reward you.
“Jesus?” Peter respectively asked. “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
There is one thing that is for certain for believers who have surrendered his or her heart and life to Christ, God will reward them for their service of faith and their sacrifices of love. For those who have walked this pilgrim way for any amount of time, this is not hard to realize. God has continually provided food, clothing and shelter. God knows the way of the righteous and He knows how to bless them in their time of need. He has supplied all my needs for the last twenty-some years of walking with Him. He has never failed! I remember one time when Robin and I were two and half months in arrears of our mortgage. The lending officer and I were on a first-name basis –and it wasn’t because we were friends. In fact I was a “thorn in her side” kind of client. But in the year of 1991, she saw God provide miraculously for this poor preacher. Time and time again, God would meet our needs and see us through. Why? It is because He has something for us at the renewal of all things. He has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us. His intention is to see it through. The Cross was only a means, the Reward is the end. The writer of Hebrews tells us God’s intention for allowing Jesus Christ to suffer. “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exist should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Jesus left it all to serve His God. He who was rich became poor, so that we may become rich. The King of kings became a poor carpenter so that we could become kings and priests. He would leave the glories of Heaven, be born in a stable and have no place to rest His head, so that we may live forever in the greatest City ever –the New Jerusalem! God knows how to reward those who diligently seek Him. Don’t be troubled by the present circumstances, or fear by what you anticipate is coming. Trust God. He will see you through and in the end, at the renewal of all things, God will richly reward you.
Clear Vision
07/12/08 06:40
One thing that
irritates me in the winter is the dirt and grime of
the road. I like a clear windshield and at times, can
even be a little neurotic about it! I have a case of
windshield cleaner in the garage and I’ll
probably use it all! I like to se where I am going
and I don’t want anything obstructing my view.
But, as all us drivers know, we are heading into the
season of dirt, salt and cinder and our windshield is
the magnet for all that the road throws our way. It
amazes me to see other cars coming in the opposite
direction with their windshields covered in gunk so
thoroughly that they can barely see out. Think of how
dangerous that can be; anything can come from the
side of the road, and at fifty miles per hour, it
comes pretty fast. I know when my windshield is dirty
my peripheral vision is hindered tremendously;
it’s like driving in thick fog with your bright
lights on and all you see is the glare from your
lights. But enough about clear windshields.
What is really important is that we have clear vision as we drive through the “winter” of life. Everyone who has ever lived, is living or who will live, “drives” through life with a dirty windshield; it is because of the Fall. Our perception of things is out of proportion and life can be sorely distorted depending upon the cleanliness or filthiness of our vision. Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” He also said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
The life and conversion of St. Paul is the perfect illustration to these truths. The Bible says that Paul was a Pharisee, top in his class, bright future ahead of him and one who followed the law of God precisely to the letter. But then he met Jesus! And when he met Jesus Christ for the first time, he was blinded in his eyes. He prayed for three days and God even sent a believer to pray for him. After three days something like scales fell off his eyes and he saw the world around him in a different light –The light of God! God sent “the window cleaner” of Life into Paul’s life and the dirt and grime was washed out of his eyes. Paul no longer looked at Jesus of Nazareth in the same way. Anyone born again by the Spirit of God has had their eyes washed by the Blood of Jesus and now they can begin seeing things afresh and new for the first time.
Kathy Troccoli sings that “Everything changes – Nothing looks the same - through the eyes of love – Everything changes – When you love someone.” Blessed are your eyes for what they see and your ears, for what they hear. I tell you the truth Church; there will be many who wished that they could have seen what you see and hear what you hear. So many people are “driving’ through this life with filthy “windshields” and they don’t even know it. We try and try to give them the Gospel but it seems that they just don’t “see” it. But we should not stand amazed that they are blinded to the Truth that we know –for flesh and blood has not revealed it to us either! No, we must pray that God will meet them and confront them with Christ just as He has with us and He did with Paul. Only then will the blinders be taken away. Only then will the scales fall off. Only through the love of God can they (and we) see clearly.
Here is something you can do that proves what I have said is true: This Christmas season talk about the Christmas “spirit” and observe what perception people have of it. Those who are of God desire to keep Christ in their Christmas. Those who come from a worldly perception do not regard it as that important. Even as Christians, we must be careful not to allow the things of this world to dirty our windshields. We must continually go the Bible so that Christ can “wash our feet” with the pure water of His Word so that our vision can be clean and unhindered.
What is really important is that we have clear vision as we drive through the “winter” of life. Everyone who has ever lived, is living or who will live, “drives” through life with a dirty windshield; it is because of the Fall. Our perception of things is out of proportion and life can be sorely distorted depending upon the cleanliness or filthiness of our vision. Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” He also said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
The life and conversion of St. Paul is the perfect illustration to these truths. The Bible says that Paul was a Pharisee, top in his class, bright future ahead of him and one who followed the law of God precisely to the letter. But then he met Jesus! And when he met Jesus Christ for the first time, he was blinded in his eyes. He prayed for three days and God even sent a believer to pray for him. After three days something like scales fell off his eyes and he saw the world around him in a different light –The light of God! God sent “the window cleaner” of Life into Paul’s life and the dirt and grime was washed out of his eyes. Paul no longer looked at Jesus of Nazareth in the same way. Anyone born again by the Spirit of God has had their eyes washed by the Blood of Jesus and now they can begin seeing things afresh and new for the first time.
Kathy Troccoli sings that “Everything changes – Nothing looks the same - through the eyes of love – Everything changes – When you love someone.” Blessed are your eyes for what they see and your ears, for what they hear. I tell you the truth Church; there will be many who wished that they could have seen what you see and hear what you hear. So many people are “driving’ through this life with filthy “windshields” and they don’t even know it. We try and try to give them the Gospel but it seems that they just don’t “see” it. But we should not stand amazed that they are blinded to the Truth that we know –for flesh and blood has not revealed it to us either! No, we must pray that God will meet them and confront them with Christ just as He has with us and He did with Paul. Only then will the blinders be taken away. Only then will the scales fall off. Only through the love of God can they (and we) see clearly.
Here is something you can do that proves what I have said is true: This Christmas season talk about the Christmas “spirit” and observe what perception people have of it. Those who are of God desire to keep Christ in their Christmas. Those who come from a worldly perception do not regard it as that important. Even as Christians, we must be careful not to allow the things of this world to dirty our windshields. We must continually go the Bible so that Christ can “wash our feet” with the pure water of His Word so that our vision can be clean and unhindered.