Changing The Atmosphere

There's nothing worse than being in a bad atmosphere. It can lead to frustration, doubt, fear and ultimately defeat. When Jesus found himself there he prayed and that praying always changed things. He believed that anything could be altered by prayer. Maybe that's why in Luke 18:1 he stated "men ought always to pray and not faint." He knew that daily we would be faced with an atmosphere that would need changing and prayer was the way to bring it about. In light of this I think it necessary that we ask the question, "how are we doing?" Far too often we allow ourselves to exist in unfavorable circumstances because we try alternative measures while neglecting the very tool that can make a difference. S.D. Gordon has said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed." In the words of another author this aspect of prayer is something that "many people believe in, some do it and others do it well." It is those who do it well that are able to change the atmosphere. You and I can be one of them. The option for change is within our reach. Why not try effectual praying?

Only in Eternity

I don't know how you handle a Sunday evening but this is typically my routine. I come home, change clothes, take a seat on the couch and reflect. That reflection normally involves rehearsing parts of my message and asking certain questions. "Did I say the right things? Did I connect with the people? Did they understand the points being made?" Most importantly is the question, "Did the services bring about change?" The only problem is there is no criteria or assessment tool that allows one to evaluate the final results. On this night my inquiry continues but with an added bit of interest. We're just completing the first week of a twenty-one day fast. I'm hungry, tired, and moderately depressed. This all comes with the turf, especially when you're glancing at the TV and all you see is Pizza, Subs, and McRibs. But they that "endure to the end" will enjoy such morsels on another day. While trying to be humorous there is one other question that preoccupies my mind; "Will my preaching, fasting and praying really make a difference?" Those reading this will admit I'm not alone on this one. You want to know too! To get the answer I realize that my focus has to change from the seen to the unseen. The truth is obedience produces opposition which produces obscurity. Although unmeasurable with the naked eye or ear, there is a profound sense that in the spirit realm things are happening in my life as well as the lives of others and will be known ONLY IN ETERNITY!

The Ultimate Prize

As I write this blog I am sitting in front of the television watching two teams battle it out for the National Championship. They have spent days traveling, practicing, and mentally preparing for the big game, but now they're in the heat of the battle. Both want to win. However, the team that winds up with the trophy will be the one who properly executes what they have learned. This is the case with our spiritual lives. We pray, study, and gird ourselves with all the principles for battle. Yet, how often we fail to successfully utilize what we have learned when confronted by the enemy. Instead of passing with faith we are preoccupied with fear. Instead of blocking with the word we back up. Instead of running we find ourselves resting. Knowing the importance of the game Paul says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Well at present it's halftime. Each team is in the locker room being admonished by their coach. They are being instructed not to lose sight of what this moment means. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. They are being told that they can win regardless the opposition. As we all know the outcome is yet to be seen because only the future will reveal the ultimate winner. I do know that each team will walk back on the field believing they can win the game. So can you! The championship is yours.

A Second Chance At Living

Bruce Larson in his book, "Living Beyond Our Fears", tells a great story about a judge in Yugoslavia who had an unfortunate accident. He was electrocuted when he reached up to turn on the light while standing in the bathtub. His wife found his body sprawled on the bathroom floor. He was pronounced dead and, as was the custom in that particular town, he was placed in a room under a crypt in the town cemetery for 24 hours before burial. In the middle of the night, the judge came to, realized where he was, and rushed over to alert the guard, who promptly ran off terrified. "Fortunately, he returned with a friend, and they released the newly revived judge, whose first thought was to phone his wife and reassure her. He got no farther than, 'Darling, it's me--' when she screamed and fainted. Next he went to the houses of several friends, who were sure he was a ghost. In a last desperate measure, he called a friend in a distant city, who had not heard of his death, and who interceded for him with his family and friends." While humorous, this story reminds me of a great truth. Many of us are temporarily knocked unconscious by reaching for the things of the world around us. But when we come to ourselves and acknowledge what has happened we're quick to realize that God is gracious and gives us a second chance at life. He does so after every sin; after every disappointment. That's why we focus on new beginnings and fresh starts during the New Year. Admitting failure is not the problem because we're so experienced at it. However, the greater challenge is to take the second chance and to do better at it. My prayer is that 2011 will be a year when we take the grace that God gives us and purpose in our hearts that we will do the best we can. In doing so it will trully be a Happy New Year!

God Became Flesh

One of my favorite things to do during this time of year is to read the biblical accounts that tell about God's invasion into earth. While Matthew and Luke do a splendid job relating the story, I especially like how Paul depicts it. In Philippians 2:7 he says that "Jesus made of himself no reputation but took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men."
That means he took on flesh. He came in the form of something that could be seen by the human eye as well as touched by the human hand. Why did he do it, because that's what we needed. I’m reminded of the story of a small boy's voice that penetrated a thunderstorm one night. It came from the bedroom across the hall. "Daddy, I'm scared!" Out of his groggy, fuzzy sleep, he responded with, "Honey, don't be afraid, Daddy's right across the hall." After a very brief pause the little voice is heard again, "I'm still scared." Always quick with a spiritual insight he responds, "You don't need to be afraid. God is with you. God loves you." This time the pause is longer...but the voice returns, "I don't care about God, Daddy; I want someone with skin on!" Could it not be said that the logic used by the little child is precisely the reason for the Incarnation? After thousands of years of being unsuccessful in trying to convince his people he really loved them, our Creator realized that the best way to do it was to send "someone with skin on." What a way to demonstate love. What a way to calm our fear. What an amazing Christmas gift!

Breaking The Silence

A tourist was staying overnight in a little Vermont town. He joined a small group of men sitting on the porch of the general store and attempted to strike up a conversation. Getting no response, he asked, "Is there a law against talking in this town?" "Nope," replied one seasoned old Vermonter. "Ain't no law against it. We just like to make sure it's an improvement over silence." When God broke the silence as he was preparing for the coming of his Son, it was because the eternal was about to descend to the earth to reveal the gospel of salvation. It was impossible to even imagine the beauty of what God was preparing. But it was worth speaking about. Just think after 400 years of silence Luke broke through to proclaim a message of peace, hope and joy. It was a message that brought a spirit of rejoicing then and continues now, especially during this time of the year. Enjoy the season. Allow it to speak to your heart those words that always result in a Merry Christmas!

The Importance of Little Things

You and I are too impressed with size. We think the big things are important while the little things are of no significance. But God doesn't measure life the way we do. The big things don't always impress him. The prophet Zechariah asked an interesting question: "For who has despised the day of small things?" This means we had better be careful not to despise that which appears small. Just think we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. That celebration was made possible because God chose to come to a small town, to a small stable, in the form of a small child. Everything about the event spoke of insignificance as far as the world was concerned. But to those who believe, it was the greatest event to have ever transpired. This little baby would eventually change the world. Again, God is not impressed with the big stuff. When He wants to bring about change He often uses something small. Maybe that's why He said if we give a cup of cold water in His name we would not lose our reward. As we approach this Christmas season let me encourage you to appreciate the large gifts, but don't forget the small. You will never know what changes might transpire through sharing a friendly embrace, a card, a good deed, or merely saying the words "I love you." These expressions of appreciation are the tokens that impress others, but most importantly-God!