Launching Into the Future

As we launched into a new year, I began to think back to a number of launching experiences I have had over the years.  I’m sure you can identify with many of these because they are experiences that most everyone has.  I think of my first day of school, moving and attending a new school, going to high school, attending college, getting my first job, getting married, having children, getting my first full-time job in the area in which I had been educated, becoming a grandfather, and becoming a great-grandfather.  In all of these situations there was an element of the unknown.  I really did not know what the situation would be like until I had the experience.

As I thought of these common experiences, I also thought of my experience of backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when I lived in Central California.  Among other things there were four aspects of that new launching experience that were significant.  I had to (1) Have a desire to get involved, (2) Have a willingness to learn, (3) Have good information, and (4) Have an expert guide.

Isn’t this just what we need as we launch into a New Year: Involvement, learning, information, and guidance?   In the Bible it was the Apostle Paul who said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  He also said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).  It seems that the four aspects of a new launching experience has more to do with a relationship than it does with a religion.

So, as we launch into the unknown this year it is important that we do so with our hands firmly placed in the hand of God.  We can look forward to the future with anticipation because we know that God already knows the future.  With God, Paul was confident of the future.  He said, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).  Join me as we launch into the future with the confidence we can have with God by our side.

The Star

There is an object in the Christmas story that we often refer to as the star of the east.  The biblical text says, “After they (the magi) had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:9-10).  It might be helpful for us to reflect on what a star does.

First, a star brings cheer.  The darker the night, the brighter the star shines.  The darker our night of sin, the brighter God’s redeeming love is to us.  When talking to those whom He forgave, Jesus often encouraged them to be of good cheer or to take heart.
Second, stars are used to provide guidance.  Navigators used the stars to find their way - as did the Magi.
Third, stars have a lasting presence.  They endure from one generation to another.  Who hasn’t seen the big dipper, the little dipper, or the North Star in the sky?

In addition, the words of Scripture tell us that Jesus is: “The Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).  He always shines to brighten the way for everyone to not only see their spiritually lost condition but to help them understand their need of surrendering to God for forgiveness, peace, hope and eternal life.  Christmas is a special time for us to realize that we can personally receive the precious gift of Jesus Christ.  He alone can remove our guilt and the curse of that guilt, which is eternal death.  He alone can give us an unending blissful life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Let’s accept this unspeakable gift as our very own and know what it means to have the Bright and Morning Star as our constant guide to cheer our way through the darkness of this world into the light of eternity.

Thanks be to God

It is almost impossible to come to the month of November without thinking about Thanksgiving.  Of course, Thanksgiving is a national holiday and it is used for everything from food to sports events to family get-togethers.  All these things are fun, but the real reason for Thanksgiving is to set aside a special time to give thanks to God for His bountiful provisions for us.

When the Apostle Paul’s heart was full of thanksgiving he expressed his thanks to God.  He thanked God for Jesus, who was God’s love gift to mankind.  “Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).  Paul also gave thanks to God for the privilege of spreading the Good News of the Gospel.  “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in the triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (II Corinthians 2:14).

What about your response during this Thanksgiving season?  Is your heart full of thanksgiving to God?  Are you ready and open to give thanks to your Heavenly Father?  I encourage you to personally thank God, but I also encourage you to share your thanks to God with someone else.  Let them know of your gratefulness to God for Christ, for the victory that you have in Him, and for the opportunity to let the light of God’s love be spread from you to other people.

Bags of Blessings

Every October leaves begin to fall from the tress as the they prepare themselves for the long winter.  As people rake those leaves they often place them in large yard-waste bags.  Many people think the leaves are useless  those bags of leaves find their way to the local refuse dump.  However, leaves serve a wonderful purpose—they provide insulation from the cold winter.  The leaves have insulating value and are often used to cover tender shrubs and plants that need extra protection over the long cold winter months.

You and I are like those tender shrubs and plants.  We need divine protection from Satan who would love to get us to fall into sin.  The Apostle Peter exhorts us to “Be self-controlled and alert” (I Peter 5:8). Why be alert?  Peter goes on to give the reason, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).  But how can we resist Satan and his advances?  It is the Apostle Paul who gives us the formula when he says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

It is God himself through the armor that He provides that protects us from destruction.  As you look at the leaves this fall, and as you see bags of leaves bundled up at homes in your neighborhood, let your mind turn to God.  Thank Him for the “bags of blessings” that He gives to you.  Thank God for protecting you from the evil one.  And don’t forget to put on the full armor of God so the protection God provides does its work in your life.

Getting Ready

It is interesting that “getting ready” is an action or an activity that all of us must do.  When we aren’t ready, we are sometimes taken by surprise or “thrown for a loop.”  Change is hard to accept—especially when we are not ready for it.  However, when we are ready, change is easier for us to handle.  Think with me for a few minutes about getting ready. 

1)    A Spirit of Readiness.  Summer is just about over as we swing into the fall season with the month of September.  School starts, regular programs and ministries gear up, and we are once again made aware of how important it is for us to “get ready.”  The cold weather will surely come upon us very rapidly.  Are you ready for that?  Sometimes we may not be as ready for change as we want to be.  As a result it becomes quite easy to complain, fret, grumble or gripe.  Since we know that change is inevitable, why not accept it with a ready spirit?

2)    A place to Get Ready.  It is good for us to “be ready” mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Some people find it helpful to get away to a quiet place where they can meditate, praise God, and think about His presence.  Obviously, this can be done anywhere.  However, it is helpful to be able to go to a specific location that has been designated as a place of prayer, meditation and quiet reflection.  It seems to me that a church or chapel would be a good place to do that. 

3)    God’s Readiness.  God is getting ready for those who love him and put their trust in him.  According to the Bible, we can know for certain and be assured that we will go to heaven to be with Him some day.  Listen to these verses which explain how.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.  Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’  Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:1-6). 

4)    Ready for the Lord’s Return.  God is getting ready for us and the Scripture reminds us that we need to get ready for the return of the Lord.  It says, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40).

You can get ready to meet the Lord by receiving Him as your Savior and Lord.  “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me. (Revelation 3:20, TLB).

Heat and the Trusting Person

What do you know about summer heat?  Most of us who live in the upper Midwest know that heat always seems to be greatest in the month of August.  We know that it can scorch and parch the earth.  We know that shade gives us a welcome relief from the sweltering summer heart.

As the prophet Jeremiah described the person who puts their trust in Christ, notice his reference to heat.  “But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

A person who trusts Christ does not have to fear the problems and difficulties that may arise in life.  Look at Jeremiah’s quote one more time and notice 5 things about the trusting person. The trusting person (1) Will be blessed; (2) Has a constant source of nourishment and refreshment; (3) Remains alive and vibrant; (4) Does not have to live in fear; and (5) Bears fruit.

My question to you today is, “Are these five things true of your life?”  When problems and difficulties of life (that might be consider a scorching heat) arise, are you protected?  If not, what is it that you need to help your anxiousness and fears subside?  The Scripture gives us the answer.  It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  To trust the Lord is to rely on Him completely—in every way and at all times.  Put your trust in the Lord today.  Then you can address the heat of daily living with confidence and without worry because God’s protection and strength will be your experience.

The Colors of Freedom

Red, white and blue are probably the three colors that come to mind most often when we think of the Fourth of July, the United States of America, our flag, patriotism, and the freedom that we enjoy in this great country of ours.  However, I would like to direct your attention to these three colors as they relate to God and to our relationship with Him.

·       Red.  We know that blood is red.  I John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us form all sin”.  The death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary was the only answer to the sin problem of mankind.  His death paid the penalty for our sin and made it possible for us to have a right relationship with God.

·       White.  White stands for cleansing and purity.  I John 1:9 continues, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us form all unrighteousness”.  The stain of sin is purified and cleansed by Jesus Christ, making us right with God.  That happens only because of the death of Christ on the cross for us and not by any kind of works that you and I can do.  It is only because of Christ’s death that we are cleansed from sin. Red and white are placed together when Isaiah 1:18 summarizes the action of Christ and the implication for you and me when he says, “‘Come now, let us reason together’ says the Lord.  ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’”.  What a difference the work of Christ makes for you and me.

·       Blue.  Blue speaks of tranquility and peace.  This is explained in Philippians 4:7 which says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  The source of God’s peace is the indwelling Christ.  It was Jesus, who said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  When fear is removed there is peace and tranquility.

As you celebrate the Fourth of July this year and when you see the colors red, white, and blue, I encourage you to thank God for your freedom and for the United States of America.  Let’s also be quick to thank God for: Red – The blood of Christ that was shed for us; White – The fact that through Christ we are pure and cleansed from our sin; and Blue – The peace that God gives us through a personal relationship with Christ.