The story is so common that it appears to have lost some of its impact. Jesus was sharing one of the greatest sermons of all time commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. As He nears the end of His astounding talk He references those who, because of religious ceremonies, practices and experiences, expect a positive response from Him. Looking down through time Jesus quotes Himself saying, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23. Mercy.

He then goes on to say, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24, 25.

This week, as we discuss Corporate Evangelism and Witnessing, there can be no greater outcome than to insure that we are hearing and doing what Jesus has said; building our churches upon rock. Everything the lesson touched upon is true; communication, planning, teamwork, pulling your share and unity. Yet, the key to unlock the power of the church (and our churches need power) is hinted on in the memory verse. Click to continue…

As he tried to contain his panic, the adrenalin was pumping. His eyes were dilated and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. Uncontrollable sweat started to pour from his body. He was in the fight or flight stage. With nowhere to hide he felt defenseless against the accusations. Realizing that he was on his own, his mind raced in search of a way out of his dilemma. With increasing emphasis he denied their allegation. They had the wrong man. They had the wrong man!

“And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.” Mark 14:70. Peter was exposed. Yet even at his weakest there was still something different about him. Though he tried to hide it, the refining influence of walking and talking with Jesus made him different, even when he wanted to fit in with the crowd.

Peter, this was your chance to witness. This was your chance to shine. This was your chance to demonstrate the power and beauty of the gospel. This was your chance to be the salt. What went wrong Peter? Click to continue…

Let’s dig a little deeper today. First, let’s all agree that we should be smart in our outreach efforts and know how to meet people where they are. Before we try to teach about the Mark of the Beast and the 7 Last Plagues we should first build our foundation on the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. That’s just common sense. However, I will be the first to admit that as a teenager, having embraced this message, too many times I was that person with “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge”. I had to learn the hard way that when Jesus said “if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”, He was speaking both literally and figuratively.  “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV.  It’s the Son that sets souls free. Agreed?

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way we can explore a little more deeply the process of spiritual growth; not for the new babe in Christ but for those of us who have been on this journey for awhile. Our memory text gives a hint of a problem that Paul was addressing to the church. “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it” 1 Corinthians 3:2, NKJV. Click to continue…

This week we focus our attention more closely on this quarter’s subject by exploring what it means to have a lifestyle as a witness. The memory text this week contains a snippet about a woman named Tabitha, “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” Acts 9:36 NKJV. The rest of the story reveals that she became sick and died. Her death was so stunning to the young church that hearing that Peter was nearby, they sent for him to come right away.

Upon entering the room where her dead body lay, he found a group of widows weeping. The loss of a person full of unselfish love, constant kindness and interest in those who needed help, was more than they could bear. Clutched in their hands were garments and coats, just some of the many evidences of Tabitha’s good works.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:17 Click to continue…

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat”. That was uttered by the character Sheriff Martin Brody in the iconic movie “Jaws”. In search of a killer shark, it was an admission that they had underestimated the size of their target. Similarly, at my first glance at this week’s title I expected that I would share routine thoughts about discovering one’s gift; what you think you may be good at, what others say you’re good at and/ or what you want to be good at. Determine that and join an auxiliary in the church that can use it. Boy was I underestimating the target. I’m gonna need a bigger boat…

The manifestation of spiritual gifts in the church is essential. The proper appreciation of all spiritual gifts in the church (not just preaching and singing) is necessary for unity and growth in the body. However, outside of the organizing of the early church during the days of the apostle Paul, the silence of the biblical record (Genesis to Revelation) of believers trying to determine identifiable spiritual gifts is deafening. Click to continue…

“We can rebuild him — we have the technology”

That’s the catch phrase from the 1970’s hit show named the 6 Million Dollar Man. (I’m dating myself ) The show was built around the bionic improvements made to a man who suffered severe injuries in an aircraft wreck. With 6 million dollars they were able to replace both of his legs, his right arm and left eye with bionic improvements of the same.

The character of the TV show, post surgery, could run at superhuman speeds, had super human strength and super human vision. In essence, he was an improved man with a greater ability to do good for mankind.

Improving on what one has is no less needed today. My lists for improvements for the New 6 Million Dollar Man (or Woman) are as follows:

Bionic knees – The more we pray, the better we can lead. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Spending time alone in the presence of God will do more for us and our class members than any other tool we have in our arsenal. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Bionic hands – The more we reach out to others, the stronger God makes our reach. A life of significance is one that helps make positive changes in those who need help.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. Proverbs 12:14

Bionic heart – The more we love, the more love we receive. If we truly have surrendered all, how can we be anything but loving to those around us? If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? I John 4.20

Bionic brain – The more we task the mind to understand the deep things of God, the more meaningful are our exchanges during class. Shallow thinking equals a shallow class. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalms 119.130

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”. Ephesians 3.14-19 NIV

“He can rebuild you — He has the technology”

This would have been Reality TV at its best. All in one room were found a respected religious leader of society, a scheming thieving treasurer, a woman with a disgraceful past, a Prophet and members of His inner circle. The woman Mary, out of an abundance of gratitude to Jesus, anoints His head and feet with expensive perfume.

The reaction is as varied as the main characters are to each other. Judas, the respected thief, insinuates that her gift would have been put to better use in another way. Simon, a Pharisee becoming a disciple, while looking with disdain upon the woman, wonders why Jesus does not sense her unworthiness to touch him. (And if anybody knew this woman’s shady past it was Simon.)

I’m sure Mary must have heard the grumblings. All she wanted to do was to release the deep wellspring of thankfulness in her heart for the One who had set her free. Her best gift, her most costly investment would serve as just a small token of the love she felt towards her Redeemer. But now her best intentions were criticized and second guessed by those who did not understand such love. Click to continue…

I was sitting in the second row of the church this past Sabbath. It was Communion Sabbath and our church, as normal, was packed with more than 2000 souls. Our guest speaker for the day would only have twenty minutes. He used ten of those minutes to present two moving musical selections, one before and one after his message. The title he had given his message was “The Paramount Purpose of the Church”. In the ten minutes he spoke, Wintley Phipps injected a dose of sobering reality that left me stunned and amazed.

Using Matthew 23 as his foundation, Pastor Phipps began to outline the contentious relationship Jesus had with the religious rulers and leaders of His day. In a manner that must have shocked His hearers, Matthew 23:15 records Jesus declaring “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Pastor Phipps concluded that Jesus was saying to their evangelistic efforts “when you get through with them they look more like you than they look like me”. Click to continue…

Dear xxxxxx,

On this symbolic day of love I am writing this letter to say thank you for all that you do. I know that many times your efforts seem to go unnoticed but I want to assure you that they are not. Many of us notice and highly value what you do on a regular basis and it would be a great loss if you were not involved in the ways that you are.

One thing I love about you is how you continue to do what you do even though the odds seem stacked against you. If one were to focus on the outward appearances, the environment for success appears dismal. All around you are the voices of negativity, dissension, distrust and anger and yet, you stay positive and encouraging through it all. Your smiles and warmth seem to offset the frowns and worries of those you encounter. I love your kindness.

I know some of the personal challenges you have had recently. Enough has gone wrong in your life that it would be very understandable if you simply threw up your hands and gave up. You have faced economic set backs that seemed to indicate that the time was just not right to push to do more. Yet, somehow, you found a way to do more with less. I love your persistence.

I also know of some of the relationship turmoil you have gone through in your life. I know the deep sadness you have felt because of promised fidelity that was breached. It is a hard thing to bear when the confidence you place in another person is betrayed. It makes me proud to see how you continue to love and to give without holding onto past hurts that would stifle the affections of the average person. I love your openness.

It is also admirable that you have not allowed your health challenges to serve as an excuse for you not doing more. Your example of trusting God in the midst of your predicament is very encouraging to all of us who have health issues that seem to weigh us down from time to time. Instead of using your health as a liability, you have turned it into a positive by valuing the simple blessings of life that so many of us take for granted. I love your hopefulness.

I will continue to follow your example of constantly striving for excellence in service. I was not aware that so much improvement was possible over the status quo. Your growth has confirmed that it is ok to think outside of the box and to try new things and to embrace new methods. You were right, the sky did not fall. I believe that if you can do better, I can do better as well. I love your creativity.

Thanks to you I now understand more fully the words of 3^rd John 1:2,3 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

Thank you for showing what true love looks and feels like.

Love always,

XXXXXXXX

I know that from now until the end of this year we will hear the subject of New Years resolutions discussed everywhere we turn. Heading the most popular resolutions will be losing weight and improving your health. Although those are great goals, they are not on my list of five.

Another frequently cited resolution is becoming debt free. I am all for that and it’s certainly the best way to live. “Owe no man anything” was written for a good reason. But that’s not in my five.

In accordance with the mandatory listing of New Years Resolutions, here’s my fav 5:

1- I will listen more closely to my heart and live my life more closely to its urging. I won’t ignore the promptings for ministry that get suppressed year after year by that enemy called procrastination. “To thine own self be true.” ~ William Shakespeare

2- I will use the gifts and talents I presently possess to help those who can benefit from what I now have to offer. I won’t believe the lie that what I have to offer is too insignificant to matter. I will be open and available as providence directs. As my courage increases I will volunteer my services instead of waiting to be asked.

3- I won’t live my life looking backwards. I won’t focus my energies on the failures of my past nor will I refuse to let go of my old best days. Instead, I will embrace today, expecting that my best is ahead of me. Goodbye old friend. There are new friends to meet and new memories to make. I must let you go and move on.

4- I will improve myself to be a better self. I will purposely and intentionally find ways to learn and to grow. My mind is capable of so much more and there are resources all around me to help me to advance in whatever area that I need to. There is too much dust on too many of my books.

5- I will remember that the quality of my life is not determined by the quantity of my stuff but by the quality of the relationships I have with others and most importantly with God. I can be a better person, a better mate, a better friend, a better example and I don’t have to lose any weight to do that.

If these resonated with you, why not add them to your list? They go well with dieting.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy days over this last year to stop by my blog. For those of you who have commented I want you to know that each comment was greatly appreciated. For those who just read and either smiled or nodded in agreement I say thank you to you as well.

“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”

 “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” 

   Glory to God in the church!

   Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!

   Glory down all the generations!

   Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!  (Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message)

(originally published 12/2009)