Walking with the wise...

"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, 

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." 

 ~ Proverbs 28:26 

Over the years I have been blessed by a number of great preachers and teachers. Not all of them were formally educated, so they were referred to as "self-taught". Most of these were much more than "self-taught" since they steeped themselves in the wisdom of the ages. He who walks with the wise is wise.

Solomon warned that those who are satisfied with their own insight are foolish indeed. The limits of self focused knowledge are many and the depth of such a one is quite shallow. Whether one has formal degrees or not, they need to remain a student to make a difference in life. He who walks with the wise is wise.
What efforts are you making to add to your learning my friend? Who have you chosen to serve on your "faculty" of teachers? Have you remained a student of the Scriptures, no matter how many years have passed? Don't rest in what you already know, because there is so much more to learn. He who walks with the wise is wise.

Significant Communion...

"Jesus said to them,“Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish." -- John 21:12-13

For just over forty years I served as Pastor to people from almost every culture. While there are a variety of differences from one culture to the next, I have noticed one similarity. The time of socializing is most often shared around meals. The breaking of bread among neighbors, friends and family has always served as a casual door to deeper moments of sharing. A simple meal can be a valuable moment of significant communion.

This timeless practice was a common event in the ministry of Jesus. He fed multitudes that came to learn, as well as shared deep truths during an evening meal just hours before his crucifixion. His invitation to the Church of Laodicea was "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)  A simple meal can be a valuable moment of significant communion.

How has this week been for you and yours my friend? Have you been rushed by the possibilities of great sales and demanding schedules? In the midst of it all have you made the time to just sit down with loved ones and friends to share your heart over a few bites of refreshment? You will find hearts more open to spiritual truths when sharing in a casual atmosphere. A simple meal can be a valuable moment of significant communion.

The Life Changing Book ...

"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." -- John 20:30-31

A wise man once wrote, "Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). These are true words indeed, as libraries exist all around the world with millions of volumes on every subject known to man. While there are unending tomes to read for knowledge and entertainment, there are only a few that will truly change the life of the reader.

As for the writings of the New Testament, the purpose is great and the power is life changing. They tell us of a mighty Savior who came to earth, performing miraculous works with the climax of resurrection from the dead. The purpose of these pages is to bring eternal life to the hearts of those who believe in Messiah Jesus. They were not written to be critically evaluated or academically discussed; they were recorded to change the life of the reader.

How do you approach the Scriptures my friend? Do you see them as just another ancient book filled with religious jargon? Or do you find the door to eternal truths and a deeper understanding of God? Remember, "... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17) Read them to be changed and you will be!

Family commitments...

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." -- John 19:25-27

Far too many families are lost to the pursuit of careers. Both men and women are consumed with making it big and finding success in their field of expertise. There is no sacrifice too great to achieve their goals. With such overwhelming preoccupation, family commitments fade.

Jesus went to the cross with the greatest goal in all of history. His purpose was to redeem the souls of mankind through the shedding of his blood. He became sin for sinners so they might be clothed with the righteousness of God. While this demand was tremendous, his devotion to family remained a priority. To Jesus, family commitments never faded.

How about it my friend? Where is your family in the flow of your life? Have you become so entrenched with your work and all your expectations that your family has become a distant second? Look to the cross and see the Savior; in the midst of incredible suffering, loving and caring for his mother. Be wise, and never, never, never let your family commitments fade.

Choosing for the long run...

"... “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising." -- John 18:38-40

Life is all about choices. We choose our friends, our colleges, our spouses and our careers. Each of these choices ultimately determines the outcome of our future. Therefore, our choices are critical in more ways than one can imagine. Should we choose for the moment or the long run?

The day arrived when the people were given a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. The reasons for their choice may be more than meet the eye. Barabbas was a man of the world who followed the path of evil to fulfill his desires. Jesus brought the kingdom of God which called for a very different way of living. The crowd chose for the moment rather than the long run.

We begin our spiritual walk by choosing Jesus as Savior. But, do we choose his kingdom and lifestyle every day? Are you enticed by the way of the world that follows any path to fulfill its desires my friend? Or will you choose the path of Jesus that leads to eternal blessings? Be wise, and choose for the long run rather than the moment.

His Love Endures Forever!

 

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. 

His love endures forever." -- Psalm 136:26

After a long journey, treacherous weather and rampant illness a small party of puritans arrived in a new land. In spite of loss and sorrow, they recognized the providential provision of God and they made the time to give thanks for his gracious care... because His love endures forever.

As the Psalmist reflects on the history of Israel, he connects every event with the covenant love of God for his people. He saw the hand of God in every step of the journey and called for praise and thanksgiving. He spoke of victories, miracles and provisions that the Lord faithfully poured out upon Israel. The years were also filled with struggles and hardships, but the Psalmist repeated the eternal truth that His love endures forever.

During this Thanksgiving season have you taken time to reflect on your journey through the last twelve months? Were there struggles and hardships that seemed to overwhelm? How did you survive the storms and rocky roads along the way? You know that the Lord has been with you every day and though there may be ice on the deck, there's a fire in the hearth because... His love endures forever!

A quiet and simple blessing ...

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! ... It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." -- Psalm 133:1, 3

I well remember how wet the fairways were early in the morning. While I was in high school I would work as a golf caddy, going out on the course at 6 or 7 in the morning. The moist dew would saturate my shoes, but it would prepare the grass for a hot day a head. The morning dew is a quiet and simple blessing.

As the morning dew refreshes, so the unity among brethren blesses. It permeates the community drawing the people together as one. Differences are set aside and shared commitments are embraced. You find love and concern for one another resting on every heart and conversation. Brothers and sisters labor together as one with a common devotion to the Lord. Daily unity is a quiet and simple blessing.
Why do we carry on from day to day without the blessing of unity? In the absence of such a refreshing presence is a dry harshness that rubs us raw. To live in unity and to strive toward that end is worth every effort. As the morning dew is a welcome relief to dry grass, so our lives, families and churches will find that unity is a quiet and simple blessing.