Take a Stand...

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."  -- John 12:42-43

The most common cause of silence among believers is the fear of rejection. Most people are willing to sacrifice a great deal of personal loss, but not rejection by their friends and family. If America is "the land of the free and the home of the brave", when will we freely and bravely stand for Jesus?
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10) From the very earliest days, there have been frightened and misdirected believers. They have been those who love the world more than the Lord. As a result, they become "secret believers".
What kind of believer are you my friend? Are you satisfied with the kingdom of heaven as your real 401K? Are you willing to take a stand and suffer loss that Jesus might be glorified? Or do you hide your faith from those who would ridicule and humiliate you? Remember, the Lord's blessing belongs to the persecuted for the glory of God, not to those who live for the glory of man.

Specimen or significant?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." -- John 12:24-25

For quite some time I had a small robin's egg on my office shelf. It was abandoned and lifeless when I found it. The eggshell looked cute, but while it remained intact it failed to bring forth life. So it set on my shelf as a specimen.

As Jesus noted, when we choose to live to ourselves, unwilling to give up our protective shell, we can never bring life into the world. When we are willing to lose our lives for the sake of the gospel, there will be significant fruit. We will no longer be a specimen.

Are you satisfied with your protective shell my friend? Will you live out your life on a small shelf somewhere just being seen but never producing fruit? Don't live your life as a specimen, be significant for Jesus.

Grace to forgive...

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:25

During my early school days I made a clay submarine in art class. It was placed in a kiln and fired hard and shiny. It looked like the real thing with the appearance of sea water on the hull. While it looked quite authentic, I still desired a couple of improvements, but it was hardened beyond change. 

The unforgiving heart is like a kiln to clay. While the Lord desires to forgive us and form us into something beautiful, a hardened heart gets in the way of the Master's handiwork. When our prayers come from a forgiving heart we evidence true repentance and are open to the transforming grace of God.

Our prayer life depends on the grace of God my friend. All that we ask of Him, from beginning to end, always comes from His marvelous grace. But when we are bitter and unforgiving we grow hard and hinder the work of that grace. Be a person of grace to others so you can be blessed by the grace of your heavenly Father.

Be productive for Jesus!

"And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs." - Mark 11:13

At the beginning of every baseball game both teams look like winners. Their uniforms are clean and pressed and their cleats are crisp and sharp to grip the field for a stellar game. From all appearances the game should produce amazing scores for both teams. But quite often the outcome will be disastrous for one or the other competitor. Looks never guarantee fruit.

While the reader might find the encounter of Jesus with the fig tree a puzzle, the illustrated point is quite clear. As with the leaf bearing fruitless tree, so were God's people of that day. From a distance they looked real good, but up close there was only emptiness. Spiritual looks never guarantees spiritual fruit.

You might be well prepared for this coming Sunday my friend. But. it doesn't always matter how you dress or how you look. What really matters is a life of spiritual fruit. Don't just be satisfied with the pinstripes on your uniform or green leaves on your limbs... it's all about the hits and the fruit. Be productive for Jesus!

Faithful servants...

"The first came before him, saying, Lord, your mina has made ten minas more. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, your mina has made five minas. And he said to him, And you are to be over five cities." - Luke 19:16-19

A weekly periodical recently covered the growth of individual salaries over the last few years. While the increased income followed the cost of living, it also came as a result of increased career responsibility. The concept is timeless; to those who are most faithful, much more is entrusted.

The Lord gave us a prophetic picture to motivate us as we serve Him. In this life we are all given individual opportunities to serve. As we prove faithful in our calling here, there will be even greater opportunity in eternity. It's also important to note; we are accountable only for our stewardship, not that which belongs to another. 

My friend, the Lord has given us gifts and opportunities to further His kingdom. Faithful servants never hide their gifts or wait for better days. They serve today with all their heart and look for greater opportunities when the Savior returns. God's highest honor is reserved for those who have been FAITHFUL... will that be you? 

Events that are certain...

"And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished." - Luke 18:31

Every season we have a number of weather predictions that fail to crystallize. During the last few years we have had various economic predictions that have fallen through. Along with these mistaken forecasts came the "end of the world" prediction by a radio Bible teacher that led many people astray. Is there any foreseen event that is certain?

Jesus presented the Words of the prophets as precise events that would be fulfilled in His life. He specifically stated that "everything" about the Son of Man was to be accomplished. As we read the rest of the Gospel account we find His words to be true with exact detail. Biblical prophecies are foreseen events that are certain.

Is it to our benefit to learn and understand the prophetic Word my friend? Since "everything" about the Son of Man was fulfilled in His first coming, His second coming will be just as certain. As Peter says in 2 Peter 1:19, "And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention..." Yes, "pay attention", live in expectation and be ready.

No effort overlooked...

"And he said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.'" - Luke 18:29-30

As troops return home from the middle east they are looking for employment. The policy at many businesses will give veterans the first crack at job openings. While there are some who would complain about this approach the question is; have these people not earned a great deal by the sacrifices they have made for their country?

After all is said about sacrificial living for the sake of Christ, will there be recognition in eternity? Will the Lord really honor those who honor Him in His coming kingdom? The answer is a resounding yes as we read the above promise. No effort for the Lord is ever lost or overlooked.

Do you grow weary or discouraged over demanding labor for the Lord my friend? Consider the promising words of our Lord and the encouraging thoughts of the following poem by C.T. Studd ... 

 ONLY ONE LIFE, TWILL SOON BE PAST

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

- C.T Studd