LENT AND SACRIFICES

As we enter the Lenten season for 2012 what a wonderful time of the year for Christians. During Lent we are asked to repent, fast, give alms and reflect on the sacrifice(s) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made for us. The Lenten season gives us an opportunity upon self reflection to come closer to Christ and fall more in love with Him. We are asked to make sacrifices in regards to our Christian life. We are asked to sacrifice the things in our lives that have kept us separated from God and improve upon the things that will draw us closer to Him and make us more like Christ.

 I was reading the newspaper the other day and they ran an article on the start of Lent. They interviewed a lot of people and asked them what they were giving up (sacrificed) for Lent. Some of their comments were awesome. A woman was going to attend church during the week, a man was going to start a daily devotional and a young person was hoping to read the Bible daily. These are the type of sacrifices that will lead these people to a closer relationship with God and help them to become more like Christ.

However, there is a part of sacrifice during the Lenten season that is completely distorted. Other people in the newspaper article said they were giving up pop, ice cream, fast food, potato chips, etc. Not only was I disheartened by their choice of sacrifice.  In fact, a part of me felt sorry for them. Why? Because somewhere in their life they were taught that giving up pop, ice cream, fast food, potato chips, etc., was an acceptable sacrifice to God.

After reflecting on ones’ self, I know there is not a sacrifice that we can ever make that would compare to the sacrifice(s) our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ made on the cross! But these people believing that sacrificing pop, ice cream or fast food will draw them closer to the Lord and make them more like Christ is a complete lack of respect and knowledge to Our Lord, Jesus. None of the sacrifices Jesus made involved food.

At the end of the Lenten season Jesus sacrifices His life on the Cross. For some people who make the correct sacrifices, the end of their Lenten season will result in a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus. For those people who sacrifice pop, ice cream or fast food, the end of their Lenten season may result in fewer cavities and a little weight loss. But their relationship with the Lord will not have changed over the 40 day journey. How sad and a complete waste of time for them. All I can do is ask God to please forgive them for they don’t know what they do.

So during the 40 day Lenten season I hope and pray you make the correct sacrifices necessary to help you improve upon your relationship with Jesus. If so, your Lenten season will be fruitful!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Gary

DEAR JESUS:

We are always looking for advice. Everyone is aware of Dear Abby letters. In fact, they appear in 100’s of newspapers each day. So I had a thought! How might Jesus respond to a Dear Jesus letter? The following is a Dear Jesus letter with a response Jesus might give.

Dear Jesus:

WOW! What a day I had. Today was absolutely a horrible day. You name it and I experienced it today.  My alarm clock didn’t go off so I was late for work. On my way to work I got a flat tire. Of course it was pouring down rain and my Triple-A card had expired. I got to work 90 minutes late soaking wet. As I settled into to my job I knocked over my coffee cup and cover my entire desk with coffee. It was just my luck that the presentation I needed for a 1:00pm meeting with company executives was ruined. In addition, the flash drive I stored it on was back at my house. I was able to push back my presentation back a couple of days.

 I was so happy when the work day ended. On the drive home I needed to stop at the grocery store for a few items for dinner. As I stood in the 12 items or less line one person in front of me had more than 12 items and another person needed a price check and then had to subtract an item because they didn’t have enough money. I wish people would read the sign and know how much money they bring. All I wanted to do was checkout and go home. Naturally, on the drive from the grocery store to home someone pulls out in front me goes one block slams on their brakes and turns without using their turn signal. If it wasn’t for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. When the day started I didn’t sign up for this.  I am not quite sure You have had a day like this one. How crazy things change. One day is a great day and the next day is like this one.

Take care!

One of Your Followers

Dear One of My Followers:

Thanks for writing. I am so sorry to hear about your horrible day. If you will allow me I would like to describe to you a horrible day I once experienced. By no means do I want to diminish your horrible day or do I want you to think my horrible day compares to what you experienced today. I agree with you about how crazy things change. On a particular Sunday nearly 2,000 years ago I rode triumphantly into a town. People lined the streets cheering and calling my name.  They even laid palm leaves at my feet as I rode on the back of a donkey.  The people treated me like a king. Everyone was so happy to see me. It was a beautiful day. How quickly this changed. A few days later these same people had turned on me. I had just finished eating supper with 12 of my closest friends and I decide to take a walk and spend some time in a garden when I was arrested by Roman soldiers. The real kicker was one of my friends who I had supper with earlier that night decided to help the Roman soldiers arrest me. (Boy, you can never be too cautious when choosing your friends.) Well, they took me to the local judge and he decided to send me off to a guy named Pontius Pilate who would decide if I was guilty or not guilty. He decided I was innocent. In fact he washed his hands of Me. Just when I thought I would be home before morning Mr. Pilate was reminded of a Jewish custom to let one prisoner go during the Passover Feast. So he paraded Me and this murderer named Barabbas out in front of the Jewish crowd that had gathered in front of him. The crowd’s job was to chant the name of the person they wanted to be set free. (I am thinking I got this. Just a few days early this same crowd was cheering and calling out my name. They were so happy to see me.) Wrong! I hear them calling out the murderer’s name. I look over and he is set free and I am to be crucified. The Roman soldiers whisk me away. Wait I am innocent! They take me to this place called a Praetorium. There they spit on me, place a crown of thorns on my head and insulted me. If that wasn’t enough they tie me to a post with me back exposed to them and flog me. (Flogging is where they used this wooden club with many leather laces and on the end of each lace was a metal hook that would grab the flesh of my back and rip it off.) This flogging nearly took my life. Once these Roman soldiers had their fun they made me carry this big wooden beam across my bloody, fleshed torn back to a hill called Calvary. This walk seemed like an eternity. I was in so much pain and the people that lined the streets were yelling at me and spitting on me. When I made it to the top of the hill they laid me on this cross and drove these very large nails into each wrist and then into my ankles. Then they hoisted me up between two other individuals for everyone to see. I am suspended on this cross by three nails. After a few hours of hanging there they offered me some sour wine because I was thirsty. Later they pierced my side with a spear to determine if I was dead.

As I mentioned, I don’t want you to think my horrible day was worse than yours. I just wanted to offer you a little comfort in your moment of self- pity. If it makes you feel any better I never complained once to Mr. Pilate or the Roman soldiers. What good would that do? We all have bad days-Right! Unlike you I signed up for this!

Your God and King,

Jesus

When put into proper perspective. The worse day we may ever experience will never compare to the day Jesus experienced nearly 2,000 years ago. Jesus knew that day was coming. That was his purpose and He never wavered.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Gary

THE WORLD IS STILL HERE!

If you are able to read this post CONGRATULATIONS the world has not ended. Mr. Harold Camping re-predicted the world would end today. He made this new prediction when his prediction of the world's demise on May 21st didn't come true. I am sure we will hear from this gentleman again with a new prediction. I would like to direct Mr. Camping to Matthew 24:36 "No one knows the about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." In this passage of scripture Jesus was letting the apostles know that only God knows when the world will end as we know it. God hasn't even told Jesus. If Mr. Camping would have not overlooked this passage of scripture, he could have saved himself lots of grief and humiliation. As Christians its not of any importance to know when the world will end. It is far more important to live our lives like each day will be our last. We need to spend more time on improving our relationship with Christ and living a Godly life. For each and everyone of us the world will end. I pray you will be prepared.

Mr. Camping please stop predicting the end of the world. God hasn't told Jesus! Why do you think you are in higher standing with God then Jesus for this information? I am going to go out on limb and make a prediction. I am certain that this prediction will come true. SOMEDAY THE WORLD IS GOING TO END AS WE KNOW IT!

God Bless,
Gary

OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH

Going through my daily checklist of reading the latest news from various news websites one headline caught my eye. The headline read “Campus Ministry “Drops” Christ From Name.” So I clicked on the link and proceeded to read the article. As I read the article I became more and more disappointed and finally my disappointed turned to anger. Why? In the article, Campus Crusade for Christ International announced it was dropping “Christ” from their name. Steve Sellers, vice president for Campus Crusade for Christ International, said “We felt like our name was getting in the way of accomplishing our mission.”  He went on to say that the ministry will still be committed to “proclaiming Christ around the world.” SAY WHAT? The name Christ in your organization is limiting your organizations ability to spread Christ’s message to the world. I don’t know about you but I am completely confused by the reasoning of Mr. Sellers.

To Mr. Sellers I say “Oh ye of little faith” (Matthew 6:30).  Your organization has been around since 1951 spreading the message of Christ throughout the world. Your organization has flourished and endured over time because of Christ and now you are blaming Him for getting in the way of His message. Oh ye of little faith! Mr. Sellers needs to remember his organization doesn’t change the hearts of people, God does this. His organization is just an instrument for God’s message. Once the message is delivered God takes over and softens the hearts of his children. It may appear that the instrument (organization) may be broke.

In the article, Mr. Sellers said researchers found that 9 percent of Christians and 20 percent of non-Christians were alienated by the name Campus Crusade for Christ. To this I say, 20 percent of non-Christians who were alienated by the name would be because they are not followers of Christ. To alienate is to turn away. All non-Christians have completely turned away from Christ that is why they are called non-Christians. To the 9 percent of Christians who feel alienated I question their belief in Christ. As a Christian I have never felt alienated by Christ. In fact I embrace Christ. How can one who claims to be a Christian feel alienated by the One (Christ) they profess to follow? Are those 9 percent really Christians?

Later in the article Mr. Sellers says, “We were looking for a name that would most effectively serve our mission and help us take the gospel to the world.” Well you had that before the name change, Campus Crusade for Christ International! With that name your mission was pretty clear. In fact, crystal clear (I thank Tom Cruise in “A Few Good Men” for that line). Now with the new name “Cru” I have no idea what the organization is about. At least with the old name I had an indication the organization was about Christ.

The more I dwell on this article one piece of scripture comes to mind. Mark 8:38, “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." From my perspective this organization is ashamed to bear the name of Christ in their organizational name. As Christians we don’t live by this world’s standards. We live by God’s standards. However, Campus Crusade for Christ International, oops I am sorry, Cru as they are now known, has chosen to operate by world standards.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Gary

 

MORE LIKE FALLING IN LOVE!

What is our relationship with God supposed to be like? I have been asked that question many times over the years. As I reflect back on my relationship with God I think it is important to understand that we don’t wake up one day and our relationship with God has reached maturity. It is a slow growth process. One area of scripture that speaks to this growth is The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9).

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.9 Whoever has ears, let them hear."

After Jesus tells this parable to His disciples he goes on to explain the meaning in Matthew 13:18-23 as requested by the disciples.

18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

I believe as children of God our faith goes through each of the stages as outlined in The Parable of the Sower. I can honestly say my faith in God has gone through these stages. In the beginning of my journey I was the seed sown along the path. I heard the message about the kingdom of God but didn’t fully understand it so the Devil snatched away what was sown in my heart. This was by my own ignorance, lack of knowledge and sinful nature. So I began to read and study the scriptures. This allowed me to move beyond my lack of understanding. Once I gained knowledge I was the seed that fell on rocky ground. I had great joy in my heart for the word of God. However, when trials and tribulations entered my life I abandoned my faith because the Word had no roots. I was still reading and studying scriptures but I didn’t trust what I was reading thus nothing was rooted in me. When I started to slowly put what I was reading in the scriptures to use in my life I was able to move on. This allowed me to be the seed that was sown amongst the thorns. I was hearing the Word, able to get through some trials and tribulations but the worries of everyday life were preventing me from complete SURRENDER to God. Complete surrender is necessary to become the seed that has fallen on good soil and produces a crop.

When did this complete surrender moment occur? I have no idea. In my opinion there is no “aha” moment. It’s not like the V8 commercial where it hits you that you could have had a V8? In my opinion, it is a continuous growth process. What I can tell you is that I never gave up on God’s word. I kept reading and studying. I continued to pray. I put myself in positions that allowed God to work in my life. I made a conscious effort to be aware of my sinful behavior. I repented for my sins. I decided trusting God was better odds then trusting myself.

So with all this said I still haven’t answered the question, what is our relationship with God supposed to be like? All I have done is given you the process we all go through as we seek a mature and lasting relationship with God. The key word to the question is relationship. That is what God wants with us – a relationship. Think about your relationship with your spouse, parents, siblings and friends. What makes those a relationship? Love, trust and faith!

For me songwriter, Jason Gray, in his song “More Like Falling in Love” has so eloquently described what a relationship with God is supposed to be. I have included the words to this beautiful song.

MORE LIKE FALLING IN LOVE

Give me rules, I will break them
Show me lines, I will cross them
I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet, it’s gotta be

More like falling in love than something to believe in
More like losing my heart than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out, come take a look at me now
It’s like I’m falling, oh
It’s like I’m falling in love

Give me words, I’ll misuse them
Obligations, I’ll misplace them
‘Cause all religion ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free, it’s gotta be

Deeper and deeper
It was love that made me a believer
In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me, it’s gotta be

When everything you do is focused on God! When your thoughts are focused on God! When your actions are based on God’s word! When you are moved to tears at the thought of Jesus being crucified! When you look forward to reading scripture and praying to God! When you are excited about what tomorrow brings in your journey through life! When your relationship with God is all about LOVE! When you need a TRUTH that lives, moves and breathes! When you realize you are in LOVE with God! You can be assured your relationship with God has reached maturity.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Gary

A MEMORIAL DAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO GAVE ALL

Thank you to all military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. The  giving of their life. As Jesus says in John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. Thess fine young men and women did just that. They sacrificed THEIR DREAMS so we could LIVE OURS. As we go about spending time with our family and friends on this Memorial Day, remember your barbecues and fellowship would not be possible without their sacrifice. Please take a moment to reflect and honor their sacrifice. Today is about THEM and not you. In addition, remember the families of these military personnel who endured the pain of losing a love one for their country. ALL GAVE SOME BUT THEY GAVE ALL.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Gary

ARE YOU PREPARED?

Mr. Harold Camping, an American Christian radio host made a bold prediction about “The Rapture” and “Judgment Day”, also, known as the “End of Days.” He predicted that this event would occur on May 21, 2011 at 6:00 pm. How did he come about the date for this day? He claims the Bible and his formulas gave him the answer. So, if you are reading this, CONGRATULATIONS! You survived the “End of Days.” Well maybe you didn’t! Maybe all the good people have been taken up to heaven and you are left behind like me to fight it out with all the evil people. Oh don’t worry. We have a second chance. According to Mr. Camping, his calculations were off by 5 months. The NEW DATE for the “End of Days” is October 21, 2011. (Side note: Mr. Camping gave a first “Rapture” date prediction for September 1994. He was just as wrong about that date as he was of the May date.)

The “End of Days” is not about Mr. Camping and his predictions. In fact, if he truly studied what the Bible says about the date for the “End of Days” he would have discovered what Jesus says about this subject in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Think about that scripture for a second. Only God knows the date of “End of Days”. God hasn’t told his Son Jesus of this date. If God hasn’t told Jesus why in the world would He tell Mr. Camping? No answer needed. It’s obvious! He didn’t tell him because scripture says so. I believe Jesus is a lot farther up “the need to know” chain with God then Mr. Camping.

The bigger story in all this for Christians is ARE YOU PREPARED? Are you prepared to meet God? The world “End of Days” or your own personal “End of Days” also, known as death may occur at any given moment and it will happen. In either case you need to be prepared.

So again, I ask ARE YOU PREPARED? Here are a few things to ponder as you reflect upon your own preparation for this guaranteed day. Have you lived your life according to God’s will? Is your life Christ-like?  Have you studied the scriptures, strengthen your faith, and drawn closer to God on your journey of life? Have you followed Jesus’s commandment? ….Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (Matthew 13:34). Have you humbled yourself? Are the Fruits of the Spirit in you? (Galatians 5:22-23 list the Fruits). Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God? (This one is really important). Do you rejoice in your life’s trials and tribulations? Do these trial and tribulations lead to perseverance….which leads to character…which leads to hope….and our hope is Jesus. (Romans 5:3-5).  Have you surrendered your life to God? Do you hate this life as Jesus states in John 12:25 anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Have you asked God for the forgiveness of your sins? Do you pray without ceasing? Do you help the poor, widows and the orphans? (Isaiah 1:17). Can someone look at your life and know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?

Only you know the answers to these questions. It’s easy to believe we are doing all these things based on the world’s standards. However, those standards don’t count. It is God’s standards that count. Remember His standards are righteous, fair and just. You can’t lie to God or hide from God. If you have answered “NO” to any of the questions, you need to be concerned. However, there is still hope. You can turn your answers into a “YES”. How? Open the Bible. God doesn’t hide the answer to life’s test. In fact He would prefer you take life’s test with an open Bible. You are allowed to cheat on this test! You can look at someone else’s test. You can go back and change your answers. You can change your life! But you need to start this minute. The “End of Days” is coming. You don’t know if that will happen tonight, tomorrow, next week or next year. Just know it is coming. Jesus will return. Once, the “End of Days” arrives whether to the world or you personally it will be too late to change. Your fate with God is sealed!

Mr. Camping only used scriptures and his own formula to support his prediction and fails to recognize the scripture (Matthew 24:36) that disputes it. Why? Only he knows for sure. I can guarantee his PRIDE is a part of the equation. His PRIDE has blinded him to the truth about his predictions and scripture.

Maybe we need to thank Mr. Camping even though his predictions are wrong. This includes the October 21, 2011 prediction which will prove to be false. Why thank him? For me and hopefully others all this talk of “End of Days” will help us to reflect and correct the things God does not approve of in our lives. All Christians and Non- Christians will receive God’s judgment. That is a prediction that is GUARANTEED by scripture to come true. I hope for me and everyone involved God’s judgment brings us eternal life.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Gary