The following is an excerpt from In God We Trust . . . but only as a last resort by Daniel Owens (Chapter 6)
I Don't Believe
Bodega Bay in Northern California is famous for being the location for Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds, but for me it's a place of adventure. I first dived for abalone off the rocks lining the shore there and discovered the beautiful world under the vast Pacific Ocean. It was also at Bodega Bay that I had my first experience on a charter fishing boat. I was seventeen. What a thrill to jump on board a boat that for once in my life was larger than a ski boat. The boat was complete with a captain and crew and all the stuff one needs for fishing the ocean depths, including food for us to ease the boredom of the long ride out to sea.
It took almost two hours to get to where the captain felt we should be in order to ensure that we would take home our limit of lingcod, rock cod, and sea bass, and who was going to argue with the captain. As we surfed over the gentle waves, many of the men helped themselves to the coffee and pastries included in the day's package. For me, I was happy to stand in the bow and let the wind and the saltwater spray buffet on my body.
Just as we were beginning to feel a bit of restlessness, the big diesel engines died down, and the air became incredibly quiet. An anchor was released to hold our position as the swells moved us around with ease. Now the fun began. Each man began to prepare his fishing gear with care and quiet pride. The bait was made available in big buckets, and it didn't take long for the first salvo of fishing lines to hit the water. Each man found his own place to sit with coffee and pole in hand to wait for the battle to come. I promptly baited my two hooks and let the weights pull my line over the edge of the boat and into the sea. I had never caught fish in the ocean before, and I certainly didn't want to be the last one on the boat to have that thrill.
I had never been this far out into the ocean before. In fact, I had never really ventured out past the bays of Northern California. Even in the exhilaration of the moment I was awed by the amount of water that surrounded us. The shoreline was barely visible.
Our seasoned captain had selected the right spot, and the fish began to take the bait. I hadn't been sitting too long before I felt a pull on my line, and I swiftly yanked on my pole to set the hook. Reeling this first fish in was much harder than I expected. I had forgotten how far down my hooks were and how heavy the sinkers were even without a fish. After many minutes of pulling up my pole, creating slack, and reeling the slack in rapidly, the muscles in my arms were beginning to burn. Just when I thought I might be embarrassed by having to ask for help, the first fish broke the water! It was a large rock cod, fighting to stay in its domain under the sea. Adrenaline kicked in once I saw the fish, and I furiously fought to get it on board quickly. To my amazement, I had a fish on my second hook as well. I landed both fish and was quite proud of what I had just done. I was a deep-sea fisherman!
The boat was filled with laughter, fish stories, and lots of fish. We were having the time of our lives, and no one was in a hurry for the day to end. It seemed to come out of nowhere when the captain yelled, "Cut your lines now!" The gently rolling swells had become steep, wind-driven walls of water that were higher than the captain's housing on the top of the boat. The engines were called upon, and the anchor was put back in its place on board. To the protection of the bay we headed, our trip cut short by a storm we hadn't even seen coming.
The boat that seemed so large and sturdy now seemed uncomfortably small next to the waves that were pitching us this way and that at will. We alternated between being on the very crest of a wave to being in the trough with walls of water on both sides of the boat. Many of the men who had been laughing and eating pastries and other delicacies that their wives had packed for them were now vomiting over the side of the boat. One man who had been in the center of all the hoopla now was huddled in a corner, his face as green as the Grinch.
The sky darkened, the rain shot from the clouds, and the waves grew bigger and bigger. The boat moved at a much slower pace as it fought against the elements, and our two hours coming out turned into about three and a half going in. We all sat there and wondered how much the boat could take and feared that one of those monstrous waves would swamp us. No one dared ask the captain how we were doing for fear that the news would not be good.
Seeing the mouth of Bodega Bay brought an incredible sense of relief. We were soaked, cold, and, let's be honest, terrified! The mood changed back to the levity of the early morning once we were in the safety of the bay. Every man knew this was going to be a story told again and again through the years. My first experience on the ocean was an unforgettable one.
The Gospel of Mark tells the story of a storm I can relate to very well. We find the story unfolding in Mark 4:35-41:
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, and it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you even care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
This story of Jesus and His disciples is not unlike my own. Their day was much like mine, with all the joy and expectations of a great day out on the water. Jesus had said to His disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Can you picture the disciples telling Jesus not to worry about a thing, that they would take care of getting Him across? In so many words, I think the disciples said, "Go take it easy and leave the driving to us!" They were eager to show Jesus they knew a thing or two about sailing. The sun was shining, the provisions were loaded, and the disciples, who at one time made their living on the water, were feeling at home and loving it.
The Sea of Galilee brings to mind gentle sea breezes, blue water, sunny skies, and families at play. A picture of serenity. However, like America's Great Lakes, that sea can give birth to furious storms. Gordon Lightfoot's song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" describes in detail the events leading up to the sinking of a massive ship on Lake Superior. The Sea of Galilee has been known to exhibit waves as high as twenty feet when storms appear, seemingly, out of nowhere.
Mark intimates that the events of the next several hours were not due to some irresponsibility on the part of the disciples or their lack or planning. The storm was a complete surprise. Men of the sea commanded the boat. Men who could read the winds and the waves. Men who had been in storms before. But this storm brought the fear of death. I can picture those black thunderclouds, the cold, biting winds, sheets of driving rain, and mountainous waves. And just imagine - this was happening at night ("when evening came"), when all was dark.
Their little boat was being tossed around, bobbing like a toy. Unlike my experience in the Pacific, the disciples were having problems with water in the boat, a sailor's worst nightmare. The small boat would go down into the trough, but before it could back on top of the swell, the wave would break into the boat. Mark says it was "nearly swamped." That phrase means "filled to the full." It didn't look like they were going to make it. There was panic, fear, despair, horror, and hopelessness. This was an impossible situation, one that apparently was about to take their lives.
Then someone got an idea: "Maybe Jesus can help us out!" I'm sure there were skeptics on board. Sure, Jesus could turn water into wine and heal the sick, but what could He do with a storm like this? But gratefully someone thought of asking for His help.
We've all been hit with storms in life. They've come out of nowhere, taking us by surprise. A broken marriage, loss of a job, the death of a child, a debilitating disease. You may be going through a storm at this very moment and are doing everything you can to make it through, to make sense of it all. Here is where I see myself so clearly that it hurts. Did you notice how long it took the disciples to turn to Jesus? I'm sure they tried everything they knew to do in order to save themselves. Finally, when they ran out of ideas, they turned to Jesus. How many times have I done that very thing? The storm comes, I go into action, and in all the commotion I leave God out until the situation is so desperate that I can do nothing except call on Him.
But remembering the presence of Jesus was the beginning to the end of their problem. Once they turned to Jesus, a sense of peace swept over the situation. . . .
During the storms that blast our lives, we are often filled with negative thoughts. We may think God is out to get us or that He is angry with us because we're not living up to His standard. We forget that "God is love," that He cares for us very much, always. I know that my faith in God is a direct result of the intimacy we share together. The closer I am to Him, the more often I share my thoughts with Him, the more time I spend meditating on His Word, the more I will trust Him. Above all else in life, we must keep our relationship with Jesus current.
God bless you,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
A New Fire
The following is an excerpt from A Joy That is Real by Daniel Owens (page 89-91)
If your light was once burning brightly but now has begun to dim, what will it take to make it shine again? What do we need to do to bravely hold forth the word of life?
Wouldn't it be great if we could wake up on Monday morning and say, "Lord, who can I bring closer to you this week?" Instead of thinking about getting to work on time or what bills need to be paid, wouldn't it be great if we could focus our week on where to shine our light?
If every Christian in your city were killed except you, would you be able to march forward? Could you be a shining light to lead others to Christ and rebuild the church? That is a convicting thought for me. Knowledge without power will never transform a community. Dogma and creed without love will never transform a community. Only Christ's love shining through his people will draw others to the truth.
Martin Luther King Jr. gave a wonderful sermon in which he encouraged believers to establish a colony of heaven here on earth. In it he said, "Most Christians are thermometers that record or register the temperature of majority opinion, not thermostats that transform and regulate the temperature of society."(4) We need to be the ones who determine what our society will look like.
Jesus said that he came to seek and to save what was lost. As obedient followers, we should do the same. Our ministry is to hold forth the word of life, and shine as bright stars in a dark world.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden . . . Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We are clearly called to be light to nonbelievers.
Let me give you a challenge. If you don't think about the lost, if you never try to share your faith with anyone, then you are not being an obedient follower of Jesus. Perhaps your light has grown dim, or maybe it has never gotten strong, but you can fan that flame right now by making a commitment to be a witness for Jesus.
When a star burns out, it doesn't come back. When a light bulb burns out, we throw it away. But praise God that he brings back burned-out Christians. Even the person with the coldest heart who has lost his or her way can come back to God, who will relight the fire in our souls.
The Philippian church began with a bright light and a strong witness in their community. However, that light was beginning to dim because of the bickering and arguing that was taking place within the church.
As the church -the body of believers- we need to watch out for this trap. In Revelation 3, Jesus rebukes the church at Laodicea for being lukewarm. Their light had grown dim because they had been choked out by the world and its pleasures. Jesus told them to repent, to go back to the way they had been when their light first started to shine.
For many years when I lived in San Diego, California, we had a Christmas Eve tradition in out community. Volunteers would bring white paper bags, sand, and tea lights to each house. On Christmas Eve we would fill the bags with sand and nestle the tea lights inside, then place fifteen to twenty of them on the sidewalk in front of each of our homes.
When it got dark we would all go out and light the candles, and the neighborhood would be transformed. The streets were lined with these beautiful luminaries, and as you walked down the road, you truly felt like you were in a winter wonderland. We enjoyed a wonderful evening, but eventually the candles would burn out, and by midnight it would once again be dark.
What is your heart like? Is it cold? Have the lights gone out?
No matter what may have caused you to grow dim, always come to the Lord and say, "Relight the fire in my heart. Here are the things that have been blocking my way. Please give me a new passion to love you and reach the lost for you."
As we come to the Lord and open up before him and confess out shortcomings, he fills us anew with his Holy Spirit. The Spirit fans the flame and brings us back to the brightness we once had.
At some point, the light of Christ shining in someone else led you to accept him. Now will you be that light to others? It doesn't matter if we're shy or our gifts are different or if out personalities are not very bold. Let's be living luminaries who bring a warm glow to the dark paths of people's hearts!
Merry Christmas,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
If your light was once burning brightly but now has begun to dim, what will it take to make it shine again? What do we need to do to bravely hold forth the word of life?
Wouldn't it be great if we could wake up on Monday morning and say, "Lord, who can I bring closer to you this week?" Instead of thinking about getting to work on time or what bills need to be paid, wouldn't it be great if we could focus our week on where to shine our light?
If every Christian in your city were killed except you, would you be able to march forward? Could you be a shining light to lead others to Christ and rebuild the church? That is a convicting thought for me. Knowledge without power will never transform a community. Dogma and creed without love will never transform a community. Only Christ's love shining through his people will draw others to the truth.
Martin Luther King Jr. gave a wonderful sermon in which he encouraged believers to establish a colony of heaven here on earth. In it he said, "Most Christians are thermometers that record or register the temperature of majority opinion, not thermostats that transform and regulate the temperature of society."(4) We need to be the ones who determine what our society will look like.
Jesus said that he came to seek and to save what was lost. As obedient followers, we should do the same. Our ministry is to hold forth the word of life, and shine as bright stars in a dark world.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden . . . Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We are clearly called to be light to nonbelievers.
Let me give you a challenge. If you don't think about the lost, if you never try to share your faith with anyone, then you are not being an obedient follower of Jesus. Perhaps your light has grown dim, or maybe it has never gotten strong, but you can fan that flame right now by making a commitment to be a witness for Jesus.
When a star burns out, it doesn't come back. When a light bulb burns out, we throw it away. But praise God that he brings back burned-out Christians. Even the person with the coldest heart who has lost his or her way can come back to God, who will relight the fire in our souls.
The Philippian church began with a bright light and a strong witness in their community. However, that light was beginning to dim because of the bickering and arguing that was taking place within the church.
As the church -the body of believers- we need to watch out for this trap. In Revelation 3, Jesus rebukes the church at Laodicea for being lukewarm. Their light had grown dim because they had been choked out by the world and its pleasures. Jesus told them to repent, to go back to the way they had been when their light first started to shine.
For many years when I lived in San Diego, California, we had a Christmas Eve tradition in out community. Volunteers would bring white paper bags, sand, and tea lights to each house. On Christmas Eve we would fill the bags with sand and nestle the tea lights inside, then place fifteen to twenty of them on the sidewalk in front of each of our homes.
When it got dark we would all go out and light the candles, and the neighborhood would be transformed. The streets were lined with these beautiful luminaries, and as you walked down the road, you truly felt like you were in a winter wonderland. We enjoyed a wonderful evening, but eventually the candles would burn out, and by midnight it would once again be dark.
What is your heart like? Is it cold? Have the lights gone out?
No matter what may have caused you to grow dim, always come to the Lord and say, "Relight the fire in my heart. Here are the things that have been blocking my way. Please give me a new passion to love you and reach the lost for you."
As we come to the Lord and open up before him and confess out shortcomings, he fills us anew with his Holy Spirit. The Spirit fans the flame and brings us back to the brightness we once had.
At some point, the light of Christ shining in someone else led you to accept him. Now will you be that light to others? It doesn't matter if we're shy or our gifts are different or if out personalities are not very bold. Let's be living luminaries who bring a warm glow to the dark paths of people's hearts!
Merry Christmas,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Words of Jesus Can Be Trusted
Who can forget the sight of the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground on 9-11? It is a picture that still staggers the imagination and causes a deep emotional response. As we watched the horrific drama unfold it was as though we were watching an action movie at the theater. However, the act was real, the results were deadly and the effects are being felt to this very day.
I also confess that as horrible as that act of violence was, it probably did not impact me as great as it did others who lived so much closer, or knew of loved ones in the buildings. Here on the west coast we feel a bit isolated and insulated from events that take place on the east coast. If something were to tragically happen to the Trans America building in San Francisco or to the Golden Gate Bridge, my emotional duress would be greater because that is where I grew up.
Jesus shocked his disciples with a prophecy regarding the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Unlike my living in the United States and the 9-11 tragedy, the entire Jewish nation was emotionally tied to the temple. It was central to their beliefs, their culture, and their very lives no matter where they lived.
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one of stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?" Mark 13:1-4
The temple that Jesus refers to in this passage is of course the second Jewish temple that was greatly enlarged under the rule of Herod. Since the first temple was destroyed centuries earlier it appears that the disciples were not in disbelief regarding its potential destruction again. It is apparent by their reaction however, that this prophecy is important to them and they wanted to know when it was going to happen.
History tells us that Jesus prophesied correctly and a few years later, 70AD to be exact, the temple was destroyed. The Jewish people it seems had been provoked by the Romans desecration of the temple and its articles. They rose up and battled the Romans for four years until Titus came with a massive army and destroyed not only the temple, but according to some calculations killed a million Jews.
Let's read the words of the Josephus, the Jewish historian who fought in the war and survived to tell about it. It is interesting to note that he surrendered to the Romans while in battle and became an informant against the Jews. He latter lived out his life in luxury as an employee of the Roman government. One can understand that even as Christians have embraced him because of his writings on Jesus, the Jews to this day call him a traitor and untrustworthy.
"The emperor ordered the entire city and sanctuary to be razed to the ground, except only the highest towers, Phasael, Hippicus, and Marianmne, and that part of the wall that enclosed the city on the west . . . . All the rest of the wall that surrounded the city was so completely razed to the ground as to leave future visitors to the spot no reason to believe that it had ever been inhabited . . . . When flames rose, a scream, as poignant as the tragedy, went up from the Jews . . . now that the object which before they had guarded so closely was going to ruin."
Jesus said it would happen and it did!
I have never been a student of prophecy because I have never really seen the need for it. That is just my own personal position, not something that I teach or promote. As a young teenager and new Christian I heard prophecy preachers on a regular basis speak with great authority as to what was going to happen in the near future. Oh, the abuse and manipulation of people still causes me to well up with anger. While I was studying in college and listening to my, at times, arrogant professors speak as though they knew better than everyone else regarding the return of the Lord, I decided not to care about prophecy. I still don't, but you may and that is fine.
What I care about is this passage of scripture and what it tells me regarding Jesus. Jesus said the destruction of the temple was going to happen and it happened. The words of Jesus can be trusted even if we do not have complete understanding.
If the words of Jesus can be trusted, then I should be concerned with Jesus' promise to return to this earth! In college and seminary I was required to study eschatology or end times, which I greatly disliked. There were, and are, so many thoughts on the timeline of future events and everyone thinks they are right. The fact is Jesus said only God in heaven knows the day and hour of his return so why in the world should I waste time studying that when there is a lost world that needs to hear about Jesus and his first coming.
Every generation of Christians has believed that Jesus was coming in their lifetime and so should we! That is the issue at hand today. Jesus said he would return and we should live as though he is keeping his word and will be here any moment. In reality if I could live with the belief that Jesus may come back today might my focus be just a little different? If Jesus returns tomorrow will I be glad? Will my soul be clean before him? Will my relationships with others be mended? Will my values be correct? Will I let go of this world easily? Will I know he is on his way because the Holy Spirit in me leaps for joy?
This is the season we celebrate the Lord's first coming, now let us eagerly anticipate his second coming!
Live It,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
I also confess that as horrible as that act of violence was, it probably did not impact me as great as it did others who lived so much closer, or knew of loved ones in the buildings. Here on the west coast we feel a bit isolated and insulated from events that take place on the east coast. If something were to tragically happen to the Trans America building in San Francisco or to the Golden Gate Bridge, my emotional duress would be greater because that is where I grew up.
Jesus shocked his disciples with a prophecy regarding the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Unlike my living in the United States and the 9-11 tragedy, the entire Jewish nation was emotionally tied to the temple. It was central to their beliefs, their culture, and their very lives no matter where they lived.
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one of stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?" Mark 13:1-4
The temple that Jesus refers to in this passage is of course the second Jewish temple that was greatly enlarged under the rule of Herod. Since the first temple was destroyed centuries earlier it appears that the disciples were not in disbelief regarding its potential destruction again. It is apparent by their reaction however, that this prophecy is important to them and they wanted to know when it was going to happen.
History tells us that Jesus prophesied correctly and a few years later, 70AD to be exact, the temple was destroyed. The Jewish people it seems had been provoked by the Romans desecration of the temple and its articles. They rose up and battled the Romans for four years until Titus came with a massive army and destroyed not only the temple, but according to some calculations killed a million Jews.
Let's read the words of the Josephus, the Jewish historian who fought in the war and survived to tell about it. It is interesting to note that he surrendered to the Romans while in battle and became an informant against the Jews. He latter lived out his life in luxury as an employee of the Roman government. One can understand that even as Christians have embraced him because of his writings on Jesus, the Jews to this day call him a traitor and untrustworthy.
"The emperor ordered the entire city and sanctuary to be razed to the ground, except only the highest towers, Phasael, Hippicus, and Marianmne, and that part of the wall that enclosed the city on the west . . . . All the rest of the wall that surrounded the city was so completely razed to the ground as to leave future visitors to the spot no reason to believe that it had ever been inhabited . . . . When flames rose, a scream, as poignant as the tragedy, went up from the Jews . . . now that the object which before they had guarded so closely was going to ruin."
Jesus said it would happen and it did!
I have never been a student of prophecy because I have never really seen the need for it. That is just my own personal position, not something that I teach or promote. As a young teenager and new Christian I heard prophecy preachers on a regular basis speak with great authority as to what was going to happen in the near future. Oh, the abuse and manipulation of people still causes me to well up with anger. While I was studying in college and listening to my, at times, arrogant professors speak as though they knew better than everyone else regarding the return of the Lord, I decided not to care about prophecy. I still don't, but you may and that is fine.
What I care about is this passage of scripture and what it tells me regarding Jesus. Jesus said the destruction of the temple was going to happen and it happened. The words of Jesus can be trusted even if we do not have complete understanding.
If the words of Jesus can be trusted, then I should be concerned with Jesus' promise to return to this earth! In college and seminary I was required to study eschatology or end times, which I greatly disliked. There were, and are, so many thoughts on the timeline of future events and everyone thinks they are right. The fact is Jesus said only God in heaven knows the day and hour of his return so why in the world should I waste time studying that when there is a lost world that needs to hear about Jesus and his first coming.
Every generation of Christians has believed that Jesus was coming in their lifetime and so should we! That is the issue at hand today. Jesus said he would return and we should live as though he is keeping his word and will be here any moment. In reality if I could live with the belief that Jesus may come back today might my focus be just a little different? If Jesus returns tomorrow will I be glad? Will my soul be clean before him? Will my relationships with others be mended? Will my values be correct? Will I let go of this world easily? Will I know he is on his way because the Holy Spirit in me leaps for joy?
This is the season we celebrate the Lord's first coming, now let us eagerly anticipate his second coming!
Live It,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, December 3, 2007
What Are You Going to Give for Christmas?
I never cease to be amazed by the shopping frenzy the day after Thanksgiving. The thought of getting up early to stand in line for hours in cold weather waiting for the doors of a store to open just seems so foreign to me. Maybe it's because I am a guy, or maybe it's because there isn't anything I want that badly. This is the season of gift giving and the merchants are praying we fall into the spell of not only greed, but also generosity.
The average American household will spend $471.00 on gifts during the next few weeks. That is up $22.00 from last year. The amounts tick upwards according to geographical location and household income, which makes sense. This is all reported by the research group call The Conference Board.
Giving, or charity as it is sometimes called, is the hallmark of Christianity. God gave His Son, and we give out of appreciation for His great gift to us. Now if we are honest, sometimes our giving at Christmas is out of duty or guilt. I think most of us have received gifts that have been given out of these motivations as well and it is not so enjoyable. Yet, giving gifts and especially giving gifts to the Lord should come from a heart of love and appreciation.
Mark tells us in chapter 12:41-44 that Jesus is very interested in our giving patterns.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offering was put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."
There are words of Jesus that give us comfort and there are others that make us feel uneasy. Just the very fact that Jesus sat down to watch the people give causes me to come face to face with the reality of his knowledge of my giving. It was such an important part of spiritual development that he called his disciples over so that he could teach them what real giving looks like. It is convicting to know that there is a difference between tax-deduction giving and Kingdom giving.
C.S. Lewis wrote "If our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them."
Jesus would agree with Mr. Lewis. Jesus was not impressed with the large gift that came from the wealthy because they had it to give. It was not going to impact the wealthy person’s life style at all-there was more where that came from. On the other hand, Jesus was greatly impressed with the poor widow who had nothing and yet gave away her last cent. It is not the size of the gift that God takes notice of, it's the heart!
I would not consider myself a legalist because I feel that I was set free of those religious structures years ago. However, I am truly amazed at how few followers of Jesus follow Jesus in the area of giving. So many are concerned that they give a 15% gratuity to their food server, but think of giving nothing to the Lord and his work. I can also hear the Lord say, "You habitually give 15% to your server and yet a 10% tithe is to much for me?" Giving to the Lord is not about legalism, it is about thanksgiving, love, appreciation, compassion and obedience.
Maybe you have convinced yourself that giving is not an important issue with the Lord. I think the words of Jesus should tell you otherwise. As Jesus began to teach his disciples about giving he used the words, "I tell you the truth" or "I solemnly declare to you" which tells that what he is about to say is of extreme importance. When we meet the Lord face to face, giving will be one of the subjects that come up.
People often give to be noticed, as indicated by this story in Mark. People will give gifts at Christmas to impress others and to bring attention to themselves. Let me gently remind you again, the Trinity notices what you give, and take note of what is in your heart.
This season, give a gift from your heart to God! You can give to your church, to help the poor in your city, or even to Eternity Minded Ministries. The issue is not where you give the gift, but that you have given a gift and continue to give.
"Give and it shall be given"
Dan
P.S. Lest you feel sorry for the widow, remember, God was watching her and he takes care of His children!
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
The average American household will spend $471.00 on gifts during the next few weeks. That is up $22.00 from last year. The amounts tick upwards according to geographical location and household income, which makes sense. This is all reported by the research group call The Conference Board.
Giving, or charity as it is sometimes called, is the hallmark of Christianity. God gave His Son, and we give out of appreciation for His great gift to us. Now if we are honest, sometimes our giving at Christmas is out of duty or guilt. I think most of us have received gifts that have been given out of these motivations as well and it is not so enjoyable. Yet, giving gifts and especially giving gifts to the Lord should come from a heart of love and appreciation.
Mark tells us in chapter 12:41-44 that Jesus is very interested in our giving patterns.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offering was put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."
There are words of Jesus that give us comfort and there are others that make us feel uneasy. Just the very fact that Jesus sat down to watch the people give causes me to come face to face with the reality of his knowledge of my giving. It was such an important part of spiritual development that he called his disciples over so that he could teach them what real giving looks like. It is convicting to know that there is a difference between tax-deduction giving and Kingdom giving.
C.S. Lewis wrote "If our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them."
Jesus would agree with Mr. Lewis. Jesus was not impressed with the large gift that came from the wealthy because they had it to give. It was not going to impact the wealthy person’s life style at all-there was more where that came from. On the other hand, Jesus was greatly impressed with the poor widow who had nothing and yet gave away her last cent. It is not the size of the gift that God takes notice of, it's the heart!
I would not consider myself a legalist because I feel that I was set free of those religious structures years ago. However, I am truly amazed at how few followers of Jesus follow Jesus in the area of giving. So many are concerned that they give a 15% gratuity to their food server, but think of giving nothing to the Lord and his work. I can also hear the Lord say, "You habitually give 15% to your server and yet a 10% tithe is to much for me?" Giving to the Lord is not about legalism, it is about thanksgiving, love, appreciation, compassion and obedience.
Maybe you have convinced yourself that giving is not an important issue with the Lord. I think the words of Jesus should tell you otherwise. As Jesus began to teach his disciples about giving he used the words, "I tell you the truth" or "I solemnly declare to you" which tells that what he is about to say is of extreme importance. When we meet the Lord face to face, giving will be one of the subjects that come up.
People often give to be noticed, as indicated by this story in Mark. People will give gifts at Christmas to impress others and to bring attention to themselves. Let me gently remind you again, the Trinity notices what you give, and take note of what is in your heart.
This season, give a gift from your heart to God! You can give to your church, to help the poor in your city, or even to Eternity Minded Ministries. The issue is not where you give the gift, but that you have given a gift and continue to give.
"Give and it shall be given"
Dan
P.S. Lest you feel sorry for the widow, remember, God was watching her and he takes care of His children!
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, November 26, 2007
How Big Are Your Thoughts?
James 2:20-24
The following is a passage from A Faith That Is Real, by Dan Owens (page 91-93)
In Mark 9:17-27, a father who loved his son very much was in agony. For some reason his son could not speak. His child was plagued by epileptic seizures, which caused him to convulse on the floor and foam at the mouth. He had taken his son to Jesus' disciples, and they could not help him. It seemed that there was no hope for the boy.
But then this distraught father brought his son to see Jesus. Jesus asked how long the boy had been that way; the father told him the evil spirit causing the seizures had been with the boy since childhood. He said that the spirit often threw the boy into the fire or into water. "Take pity on us and help us," the father pleaded (2:22).
Jesus told the man that everything is possible for him who believes. Immediately, the father answered, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (2:24).
Have you ever called out, "God, help me in my unbelief"? When the father asked Jesus, "Can you help us?" he used the word help that means "instantaneous help." He wanted his son cured right away. But the second time he used the word help, it was the word that means "a continuous help." He was saying, "Lord, I believe, but I need you to help me keep growing, because my faith is so small."
Not only do we need faith at the point of salvation, we also need it in our daily living. Every morning that we wake up we need faith, so that we can abide with Jesus in every situation we encounter.
Faith Is Made Complete By Works
Someone once said, "We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose our thoughts, and those influence us much more."
James is pointing out in this passage that faith must be accompanied by action. Talk is cheap. Anybody can say, "Yes, I'm a Christian," without having any evidence to back it up. No growth, no change, no renewal.
James uses this illustration. Suppose a person comes to us, naked and hungry, and we give the typical Jewish response, "Go in peace!" What have we really done for that needy individual?
When we see someone with a need, what do we say to him or her? "I'll be praying for you," is a typical response. James says that's not enough. If we are truly followers of Jesus, when we see a brother or sister in need, we have to do something about that need.
James brings up Abraham. If you know the story, you will remember that God came to Abraham and asked him to present his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham proceeded to do as God asked, and in the end God saved his son (see Genesis 22:1-18). James says about Abraham, "His faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did" (2:22).
James concludes that "a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone" (2:24). Wait a minute! Is he directly contradicting what Paul teaches? Actually James is using the word justified in a different way. Besides meaning to be proven right or just, the word can also mean "that aspect of judgment," as in Matthew 12:37 where Jesus says, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (NASB).
Abraham's faith was judged by his actions. When God asked him to do what seemed unthinkable, he did it. Abraham proved his faith by his works. How could Abraham be willing to give up his only son? One reason is that he had great thoughts about God.
Faith Begins and Ends with Thoughts about God
As we read through the books of Psalms, we see God's greatness, his power, his love, his presence, his majesty, and his compassion; it causes our thoughts about God to continue to grow. How do we have faith? By having big thoughts about God. By understanding what he is capable of doing.
Our thoughts are really what drives our faith. Someone has said, "You are not what you think you are. What you think, you are." That is so true when it comes to how we view God.
Gandhi had a favorite saying regarding the Christians of Great Britain. He said. "If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today."(1) The way we live reveals what we believe about God. It shows whether we have big thoughts or small thoughts about God.
Thoughts run through our heads all day long. We create ideas, images, and scenarios about how our lives will go. In our minds, we have also created an image of God. Our faith begins and ends with our thoughts about him.
A person can live without air for a few minutes, without water for a few days, and without food for a few weeks. Sadly, though, we can live year after year without having a new thought about God and about his greatness and majesty.
How could Abraham raise up that knife to kill his son? He had great thoughts about God. I wonder - how great are our thoughts about God?
For Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
"Every morning that we wake up we need faith, so that we can abide with Jesus in every situation we encounter." What situations in your life this week require Jesus' continuing help in your unbelief?
"If we are truly followers of Jesus, when we see a brother or sister in need, we have to do something about that need." What people in your life need you to care for their needs? What will you do today to care for those needs?
God Bless You,
Dan
(1) Mahatma Gandhi. Quoted in http://www.thinkexist.com/English/Author/x/Author_3569_6.htm.
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, November 19, 2007
Be Thankful
Many churches this week will host special Thanksgiving Services, and rightly so. As Christians, we should be quick to express our thanksgiving to God for the gifts and blessings that we all enjoy. We do not discount the hardships of life that often come our way, yet we can also see his loving care at work around us.
As we attend services this week we will no doubt be led in a time of singing. The songs may be traditional hymns such as "Count Your Many Blessings", or they may be more liturgical like the "Doxology" or they may be more contemporary such as, "Blessed Be Your Name." God loves them all because God loves our praise from a thankful heart.
Let me introduce an old hymn to you that was written in the 4th century by Ephrem the Syrian. He lived in Nisibis on the boarder of Turkey (kind of fitting for this week) during a time of great political tension and evil. Ephrem grew up in a church that had experienced the horrors of Diocletian's persecution first hand. His early ministry as deacon was under Jacob, the first bishop of Nisibis who also attended the famed Council of Nicea in 325. Jacobs's signature is found on the documents from that council!
After enjoying several years of peaceful ministry, world politics forced Ephrem and thousands of Christians into exile. Now on foreign soil, Ephrem continued to do the work of ministry in teaching, writing, and especially the writing of hymns. We have copies of his hymns even today, and it is interesting to note that he used hymns and music to defend the church against heresies. He also took on the role of choir director and used his hymns to bring praise to the Lord.
Ephrem did not just preach his sermons or homilies, as they are often called, he would use poetry and recited it to the congregation. Remember that Christians did not have Bibles, cassette recorders, DVD's or iPods to listen to sermons. Yet, if one could remember poetic lines, then one could remember the point of the sermon or even memorize scripture phrases. That was creative thinking.
Ephrem died in June 9, 373 from the plague that he had received while taking care of the sick.
Let me share with you during this week of Thanksgiving one of Ephrem's poems or hymns as a reminder of what we truly have to be thankful for.
What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
In the good and difficulties of life, we can thank God for his great mercy and compassion for us! Have a wonderful day of celebrating God’s goodness to you!
God Bless You,
Dan
P.S. Don't forget gluttony is a sin-just kidding-well actually it is, but that is between you and Lord.
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
As we attend services this week we will no doubt be led in a time of singing. The songs may be traditional hymns such as "Count Your Many Blessings", or they may be more liturgical like the "Doxology" or they may be more contemporary such as, "Blessed Be Your Name." God loves them all because God loves our praise from a thankful heart.
Let me introduce an old hymn to you that was written in the 4th century by Ephrem the Syrian. He lived in Nisibis on the boarder of Turkey (kind of fitting for this week) during a time of great political tension and evil. Ephrem grew up in a church that had experienced the horrors of Diocletian's persecution first hand. His early ministry as deacon was under Jacob, the first bishop of Nisibis who also attended the famed Council of Nicea in 325. Jacobs's signature is found on the documents from that council!
After enjoying several years of peaceful ministry, world politics forced Ephrem and thousands of Christians into exile. Now on foreign soil, Ephrem continued to do the work of ministry in teaching, writing, and especially the writing of hymns. We have copies of his hymns even today, and it is interesting to note that he used hymns and music to defend the church against heresies. He also took on the role of choir director and used his hymns to bring praise to the Lord.
Ephrem did not just preach his sermons or homilies, as they are often called, he would use poetry and recited it to the congregation. Remember that Christians did not have Bibles, cassette recorders, DVD's or iPods to listen to sermons. Yet, if one could remember poetic lines, then one could remember the point of the sermon or even memorize scripture phrases. That was creative thinking.
Ephrem died in June 9, 373 from the plague that he had received while taking care of the sick.
Let me share with you during this week of Thanksgiving one of Ephrem's poems or hymns as a reminder of what we truly have to be thankful for.
What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
In the good and difficulties of life, we can thank God for his great mercy and compassion for us! Have a wonderful day of celebrating God’s goodness to you!
God Bless You,
Dan
P.S. Don't forget gluttony is a sin-just kidding-well actually it is, but that is between you and Lord.
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Today as I went online to check my email I was greeted by photos of televangelists who are being investigated for taking advantage of their tax-exempt status that churches and para-church ministries hold. It is not my intent to judge their actions because I have no knowledge of their ministries finances nor their spending habits. However, in light of our passage today I find it quite amazing that anyone who even claims to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is charged with excess and extravagant living.
"Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. The devour widow's houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:38-40
Jesus was speaking not only to the disciples but also to the crowd that had gathered around to hear him speak. Jesus was saying to us all that our value system should be different from the worlds, especially those who lead the people of God. Life in the Kingdom of God is not about appearance, performance and status. Wearing the latest trends in clothing does not make one a person of character. Having the highest GPA or winning an award at work does not mean one has high ethical standards. Belonging to the country club or driving an expensive car does not mean that one is a valuable member of their community.
Jesus states over and over again that his values are different from the worlds and so ours should be. The standard is even higher for those of us who are vocational ministers. In fact, as I read this passage, it makes me a bit nervous. Jesus is reminding me that I need to be on guard against the "ministerial profession" and all of its trappings.
Jesus tells us there are six attitudes and actions that we should flee from when engaged in any kind of ministry.
Pride: Jesus said that the scribes liked to walk around in flowing robes in public places. Notice, Jesus is not against wearing ministerial robes while conducting services, but he is against wearing them to be noticed in public. I well remember preaching in Latvia in a Lutheran Cathedral. They would not let me preach unless I wore a robe and I did not have one. The minister there was gracious enough to let me use one of his and I was able to share a message with them. To be honest I kind of liked the robe because I could wear comfortable clothes underneath it.
Public Recognition: Jesus said they loved to be greeted in the market place with more than a casual greeting of friendliness. They wanted to be greeted by respectful names or titles such as “rabbi” or other formal titles.
Honoring Self: Jesus said that the last would be first and the first would be last. Here the scribes wanted the best seats or those seats that faced the congregation. I have said so often that putting a person on a platform with lights, sound and a microphone can do funny things to their personality. When I first got into ministry churches often had chairs for the ministerial staff that would face the congregation. They were seats of honor and probably not the best example of humility. For years the Catholics would not allow their priests to face the congregation during Mass as a sign of humility.
Preferential Treatment: I have never liked sitting at head tables at banquets and yet there are some who thrive on it. Jesus accused them of wanting the best seats even when they were a guest at someone else’s party. It was all about recognition for them.
Manipulating Greed: Jesus exposes their manipulation of widows for the sake of their own greed and love of money. If one follows the office of priest and pastor through the Bible they will see that the “love of money” is strictly prohibited. In most countries of the world, pastors are on the low side of the economic scale. I don’t think we can say that about pastors in America.
Hypocrisy: Jesus tell us that they like to pray long prayers in public, causing people to think that they are men of great spiritual qualities. Yet after reading the previous five indictments we would expect them to go into their closets and repent. Even today there are those who put on their "God voice" when they get into the pulpit because they want to impress others. Jesus in only impressed when he sees the sincerity of heart.
Now we know that not all scribes were evil, just as not all pastors or priests are evil. There are however enough wolves in sheep's clothing that we should be on guard. There are the lovers of money, the predators, the pedophiles and wicked souls that masquerade as ministers. If you find one in your church I would encourage you to prosecute to the full extent of the law, which unfortunately is not always done. I know of ex-ministers that molested children that are on the streets today and they should be in prison. Be on guard or on the lookout for frauds Jesus tells us. We should also be on watch regarding our own souls.
Jesus warns us against "sinful cravings to be somebody, that is to be prominent, to be honored above everybody else." (Hendriksen) He condemns using religion, especially his name, for personal gain. The result will be "severe punishment." I do not know how it will end up for those being investigated by our government, but if they are guilty of the sins of the scribes, the government is not who they should be most concerned about.
This week as we look at ministry opportunities, let us examine our heats to see if we are living a lie, or being sincere.
Blessings to you,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
"Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. The devour widow's houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:38-40
Jesus was speaking not only to the disciples but also to the crowd that had gathered around to hear him speak. Jesus was saying to us all that our value system should be different from the worlds, especially those who lead the people of God. Life in the Kingdom of God is not about appearance, performance and status. Wearing the latest trends in clothing does not make one a person of character. Having the highest GPA or winning an award at work does not mean one has high ethical standards. Belonging to the country club or driving an expensive car does not mean that one is a valuable member of their community.
Jesus states over and over again that his values are different from the worlds and so ours should be. The standard is even higher for those of us who are vocational ministers. In fact, as I read this passage, it makes me a bit nervous. Jesus is reminding me that I need to be on guard against the "ministerial profession" and all of its trappings.
Jesus tells us there are six attitudes and actions that we should flee from when engaged in any kind of ministry.
Pride: Jesus said that the scribes liked to walk around in flowing robes in public places. Notice, Jesus is not against wearing ministerial robes while conducting services, but he is against wearing them to be noticed in public. I well remember preaching in Latvia in a Lutheran Cathedral. They would not let me preach unless I wore a robe and I did not have one. The minister there was gracious enough to let me use one of his and I was able to share a message with them. To be honest I kind of liked the robe because I could wear comfortable clothes underneath it.
Public Recognition: Jesus said they loved to be greeted in the market place with more than a casual greeting of friendliness. They wanted to be greeted by respectful names or titles such as “rabbi” or other formal titles.
Honoring Self: Jesus said that the last would be first and the first would be last. Here the scribes wanted the best seats or those seats that faced the congregation. I have said so often that putting a person on a platform with lights, sound and a microphone can do funny things to their personality. When I first got into ministry churches often had chairs for the ministerial staff that would face the congregation. They were seats of honor and probably not the best example of humility. For years the Catholics would not allow their priests to face the congregation during Mass as a sign of humility.
Preferential Treatment: I have never liked sitting at head tables at banquets and yet there are some who thrive on it. Jesus accused them of wanting the best seats even when they were a guest at someone else’s party. It was all about recognition for them.
Manipulating Greed: Jesus exposes their manipulation of widows for the sake of their own greed and love of money. If one follows the office of priest and pastor through the Bible they will see that the “love of money” is strictly prohibited. In most countries of the world, pastors are on the low side of the economic scale. I don’t think we can say that about pastors in America.
Hypocrisy: Jesus tell us that they like to pray long prayers in public, causing people to think that they are men of great spiritual qualities. Yet after reading the previous five indictments we would expect them to go into their closets and repent. Even today there are those who put on their "God voice" when they get into the pulpit because they want to impress others. Jesus in only impressed when he sees the sincerity of heart.
Now we know that not all scribes were evil, just as not all pastors or priests are evil. There are however enough wolves in sheep's clothing that we should be on guard. There are the lovers of money, the predators, the pedophiles and wicked souls that masquerade as ministers. If you find one in your church I would encourage you to prosecute to the full extent of the law, which unfortunately is not always done. I know of ex-ministers that molested children that are on the streets today and they should be in prison. Be on guard or on the lookout for frauds Jesus tells us. We should also be on watch regarding our own souls.
Jesus warns us against "sinful cravings to be somebody, that is to be prominent, to be honored above everybody else." (Hendriksen) He condemns using religion, especially his name, for personal gain. The result will be "severe punishment." I do not know how it will end up for those being investigated by our government, but if they are guilty of the sins of the scribes, the government is not who they should be most concerned about.
This week as we look at ministry opportunities, let us examine our heats to see if we are living a lie, or being sincere.
Blessings to you,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Pavement of Love
This week we are sharing an excerpt from Sharing Christ When You Feel You Can't by Daniel Owens (pages 118-120). Regular devotions, straight from the heart of Dan Owens, will resume next week.
Mother Teresa came to the United States several years ago to observe work with the poor in several cities. Afterwards at a news conference, reporters asked her, "What do you think of America?"
"There is a famine in the land," she said. "People are starving." A puzzled reporter spoke for most of his colleagues a when he said, "What do you mean people are starving?"
Mother Teresa responded, "People are not starving for food in America; they are starving for love."
I once asked a new Christian just a few months old in the Lord, "What is the biggest difference you've experienced in your life?" Without hesitation she said, "I've finally learned how to love. I never truly loved my husband before. I never knew how. I guess I only really loved myself. Now I love all sorts of people!"
Unselfish love is one of the best indications that a person has truly come to Christ. Believe me, there are plenty of people in the world who desperately need the love we can give when Jesus Christ is working in us.
Psychology Today reported that given one wish in live, most of us would wish to be loved. Few people I have known exemplify our desperate need for love and acceptance more than Bill.
Bill, fifteen years old, lived on the East Coast with his divorced father. His mother lived across the country in Washington state. One day Bill's father dropped a bombshell: "Bill, I don't want you to live with me any longer. I don't love you anymore. Here's a bus ticket -- go live with your mother."
Late one Friday afternoon, Bill arrived at the bus station in Bellingham, Washington. Digging his mother's phone number out of his pocket, he called her and begged her to come get him.
"Bill," she answered, "I don't know why your dad sent you out here, but I don't have time for you either. I don't know what you are going to do, but I can't take you." She wouldn't even come to the bus station to see him.
Someone at the station took notice of a boy crouched in a corner, crying, and learned about his predicament. Unfortunately, all social service offices were closed that late in the day, and there was no place for him to spend the weekend.
Someone suggested they call a youth camp near Bellingham to see if the people there would keep Bill until other arrangements could be made. The camp director agreed to take care of Bill that weekend -- the weekend I had been invited to speak at a youth rally. Bill was in the audience as I preached on the love of God that Friday night.
Without knowing anything about Bill, I said to the young people, "Your mother may have rejected you. Your father may have rejected you. Your friends may have rejected you. He loves you."
When I invited teens to come forward and receive Christ, Bill ran down the aisle, dropped to his knees in front of the platform and sobbed as if his heart would break. He finally had found Someone who loved and accepted him.
By the way, a Christian family adopted Bill, and he spent the rest of his teen years in a loving home. He has grown much in the Lord since then.
It isn't surprising that love is the first pavement we must lay to develop successful relationships, is it? Jesus was quoting the Old Testament Scriptures when He said that "Love your neighbor as yourself" was one of the two greatest commandments (Luke 10:27).
Loving people is not always easy, especially those who do not yet know Christ as their Savior. But that is where we need to remind ourselves of Christ's love for us and allow His love to move in us and through us to reach others.
With the Love of Christ,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Mother Teresa came to the United States several years ago to observe work with the poor in several cities. Afterwards at a news conference, reporters asked her, "What do you think of America?"
"There is a famine in the land," she said. "People are starving." A puzzled reporter spoke for most of his colleagues a when he said, "What do you mean people are starving?"
Mother Teresa responded, "People are not starving for food in America; they are starving for love."
I once asked a new Christian just a few months old in the Lord, "What is the biggest difference you've experienced in your life?" Without hesitation she said, "I've finally learned how to love. I never truly loved my husband before. I never knew how. I guess I only really loved myself. Now I love all sorts of people!"
Unselfish love is one of the best indications that a person has truly come to Christ. Believe me, there are plenty of people in the world who desperately need the love we can give when Jesus Christ is working in us.
Psychology Today reported that given one wish in live, most of us would wish to be loved. Few people I have known exemplify our desperate need for love and acceptance more than Bill.
Bill, fifteen years old, lived on the East Coast with his divorced father. His mother lived across the country in Washington state. One day Bill's father dropped a bombshell: "Bill, I don't want you to live with me any longer. I don't love you anymore. Here's a bus ticket -- go live with your mother."
Late one Friday afternoon, Bill arrived at the bus station in Bellingham, Washington. Digging his mother's phone number out of his pocket, he called her and begged her to come get him.
"Bill," she answered, "I don't know why your dad sent you out here, but I don't have time for you either. I don't know what you are going to do, but I can't take you." She wouldn't even come to the bus station to see him.
Someone at the station took notice of a boy crouched in a corner, crying, and learned about his predicament. Unfortunately, all social service offices were closed that late in the day, and there was no place for him to spend the weekend.
Someone suggested they call a youth camp near Bellingham to see if the people there would keep Bill until other arrangements could be made. The camp director agreed to take care of Bill that weekend -- the weekend I had been invited to speak at a youth rally. Bill was in the audience as I preached on the love of God that Friday night.
Without knowing anything about Bill, I said to the young people, "Your mother may have rejected you. Your father may have rejected you. Your friends may have rejected you. He loves you."
When I invited teens to come forward and receive Christ, Bill ran down the aisle, dropped to his knees in front of the platform and sobbed as if his heart would break. He finally had found Someone who loved and accepted him.
By the way, a Christian family adopted Bill, and he spent the rest of his teen years in a loving home. He has grown much in the Lord since then.
It isn't surprising that love is the first pavement we must lay to develop successful relationships, is it? Jesus was quoting the Old Testament Scriptures when He said that "Love your neighbor as yourself" was one of the two greatest commandments (Luke 10:27).
Loving people is not always easy, especially those who do not yet know Christ as their Savior. But that is where we need to remind ourselves of Christ's love for us and allow His love to move in us and through us to reach others.
With the Love of Christ,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, October 29, 2007
The Lord is Faithful
We are coming to the end of our ministry here in Iquitos. It has been a full time of ministry here. I don't have a regular devotional for you today, but would like to share a brief report. The Lord has been so faithful to the people of Iquitos, and to our team. Thousands of souls have been won to the Lord. Hallelujah!
The Lord has put together such a wonderful ministry team that I could not have picked myself, and He has stretched them during this trip. Almost everybody faced something that they had never faced before. My son Ben joined the Eternity Minded Ministries staff last summer and this is his first experience on the mission field leading a ministry team. Ben is doing a fabulous job, but Ben, along with the team, has been stretched. Ben shared "God has provided us as always with ways to connect with the people here in Iquitos. I am so blessed by all the amazing things that we all got to witness and the way that the Lord used each of us for the Kingdom."
We had a team that went out to a mental hospital where they met and worshipped with a group of patients that live in horrific conditions locked behind bars most of the day. They were brought out and our team loved on them and shared just how much God loves each and every one of them; so much that He sent His Son for them; and He is there for them always. Many accepted Christ. Jill Griffin, our director of communications said, "I thought I was just going to visit and love on these people, but as I was standing there God told me that He wanted me to speak, and He began to give me the words. That was a huge stretch for me, but God came through and He gave me His Word. God gave those people the gift of salvation, and God gave me the gift and being a part of it." Erin and Joe Maue are new friends that found out we were going to be in Iquitos at the same time as they were and met with us. Erin interpreted for us at the hospital, and for Erin this was a first and not something that she expected. "I was so nervous at first, but when I realized that Jesus was there, and they really heard us I was relieved. When I saw their hands raised I just started crying."
Some of us were able to watch the portable stoves provided by our partners in action. Over one hundred stoves were distributed. The committee that we visited today feeds over 36 families everyday. They are so grateful to be able to cook faster, and feed more people in their community.
We visited two schools where the de-worming medicine and vitamins was being distributed . Those children were troopers as they swallowed the pills. They did a great job, and now their bodies will be rid of the parasites so they can grow up big and strong. We had enough medicine available at one of the schools to treat all of the teachers and they were so grateful.
We have an incredible group from Grants Pass, Oregon that came with us to provide an eye glass ministry to the people in Iquitos. Over a thousand pairs of eye glasses were distributed here in Iquitos. Many people who could not read a Bible or a newspaper, and now they are able read God's Word. A counselor was waiting to speak with each person that received a new pair of glasses, and they were given a message of love and spiritual healing, and an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. As the result of a simple pair of eye glasses given by loving servants, hundreds of people have a new relationship with Jesus and have joined God's Kingdom.
The Lord has been faithful and has done amazing things here in Iquitos. There is so much more to share and we will do so soon after we return. We have really bonded with the people here and they are our family. I can't thank you enough for your partnership in prayer and financial support to touch lives forever. Today we head to the river to minister to some of the villages along the Amazon, and then will be heading to the airport to return back home. We will all miss the people here, and are looking forward to continuing our ministry here over the next two years.
Blessed in Iquitos,
Dan
www.eternityminded.org
The Lord has put together such a wonderful ministry team that I could not have picked myself, and He has stretched them during this trip. Almost everybody faced something that they had never faced before. My son Ben joined the Eternity Minded Ministries staff last summer and this is his first experience on the mission field leading a ministry team. Ben is doing a fabulous job, but Ben, along with the team, has been stretched. Ben shared "God has provided us as always with ways to connect with the people here in Iquitos. I am so blessed by all the amazing things that we all got to witness and the way that the Lord used each of us for the Kingdom."
We had a team that went out to a mental hospital where they met and worshipped with a group of patients that live in horrific conditions locked behind bars most of the day. They were brought out and our team loved on them and shared just how much God loves each and every one of them; so much that He sent His Son for them; and He is there for them always. Many accepted Christ. Jill Griffin, our director of communications said, "I thought I was just going to visit and love on these people, but as I was standing there God told me that He wanted me to speak, and He began to give me the words. That was a huge stretch for me, but God came through and He gave me His Word. God gave those people the gift of salvation, and God gave me the gift and being a part of it." Erin and Joe Maue are new friends that found out we were going to be in Iquitos at the same time as they were and met with us. Erin interpreted for us at the hospital, and for Erin this was a first and not something that she expected. "I was so nervous at first, but when I realized that Jesus was there, and they really heard us I was relieved. When I saw their hands raised I just started crying."
Some of us were able to watch the portable stoves provided by our partners in action. Over one hundred stoves were distributed. The committee that we visited today feeds over 36 families everyday. They are so grateful to be able to cook faster, and feed more people in their community.
We visited two schools where the de-worming medicine and vitamins was being distributed . Those children were troopers as they swallowed the pills. They did a great job, and now their bodies will be rid of the parasites so they can grow up big and strong. We had enough medicine available at one of the schools to treat all of the teachers and they were so grateful.
We have an incredible group from Grants Pass, Oregon that came with us to provide an eye glass ministry to the people in Iquitos. Over a thousand pairs of eye glasses were distributed here in Iquitos. Many people who could not read a Bible or a newspaper, and now they are able read God's Word. A counselor was waiting to speak with each person that received a new pair of glasses, and they were given a message of love and spiritual healing, and an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. As the result of a simple pair of eye glasses given by loving servants, hundreds of people have a new relationship with Jesus and have joined God's Kingdom.
The Lord has been faithful and has done amazing things here in Iquitos. There is so much more to share and we will do so soon after we return. We have really bonded with the people here and they are our family. I can't thank you enough for your partnership in prayer and financial support to touch lives forever. Today we head to the river to minister to some of the villages along the Amazon, and then will be heading to the airport to return back home. We will all miss the people here, and are looking forward to continuing our ministry here over the next two years.
Blessed in Iquitos,
Dan
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Lord Is My Strength
This morning our flight will take off for Iquitos, Peru at 6:00am. Oh how I dislike international flights that start that early. However, I am still eager to get to Peru with our team of 22 friends to minister to the hurting and the needy.
Someone recently asked me if I ever get used to travel, and doing these Festivals around the world. I can honestly say that I still get a bit nervous in the days leading up to the event. I am fine once I leave my home and head to the airport for the first leg of the journey. I guess it's kind of like how I felt when I played sports in high school and college, nervous until the first play or first hit.
This is our first Festival in Peru so that brings a bit of tension with it as well. We have a great team going with us yet for some this will be their first experience in international ministry and I am concerned that it is a good experience for them. We have been blessed with great teams, great ministry and praise the Lord, great health in past ministries. I expect the same for this trip to Peru.
Because I am weak, I claim Psalms 28:7-8, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength for his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one." Like Paul I can truly say that because of my weakness I am able to identify God's strength in me. He truly does help me!
So, today there is no devotion from me due to my travels and ministry, yet I would ask that you pray for me and for all those who are ministering along with me. Would you pray for a harvest of souls, for the unity of our team, that we would be a blessing to the people of Iquitos, and finally that our families would be protected while we are gone. I count on you right now to lift up a word to the Lord on our behalf. I thank you for your wonderful partnership in prayer!
God bless you and I look forward to sharing wonderful reports of how God honored himself through our ministry.
Still Moving Forward,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Someone recently asked me if I ever get used to travel, and doing these Festivals around the world. I can honestly say that I still get a bit nervous in the days leading up to the event. I am fine once I leave my home and head to the airport for the first leg of the journey. I guess it's kind of like how I felt when I played sports in high school and college, nervous until the first play or first hit.
This is our first Festival in Peru so that brings a bit of tension with it as well. We have a great team going with us yet for some this will be their first experience in international ministry and I am concerned that it is a good experience for them. We have been blessed with great teams, great ministry and praise the Lord, great health in past ministries. I expect the same for this trip to Peru.
Because I am weak, I claim Psalms 28:7-8, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength for his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one." Like Paul I can truly say that because of my weakness I am able to identify God's strength in me. He truly does help me!
So, today there is no devotion from me due to my travels and ministry, yet I would ask that you pray for me and for all those who are ministering along with me. Would you pray for a harvest of souls, for the unity of our team, that we would be a blessing to the people of Iquitos, and finally that our families would be protected while we are gone. I count on you right now to lift up a word to the Lord on our behalf. I thank you for your wonderful partnership in prayer!
God bless you and I look forward to sharing wonderful reports of how God honored himself through our ministry.
Still Moving Forward,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, October 15, 2007
Love Is Not An Option
"Thank goodness it's Friday" is a phrase that is known to most of America. Although there are many who work the weekends; there are a host of professions and trades that end the week at 5:00pm on Friday. So, when we look back on our week, how do we evaluate it, or what criteria do we use to determine if it was successful or not? I can promise you that very few of us determine the success of our week based on the criteria of love. We do not go to our favorite restaurant on Friday night evaluating whether or not we loved as God would ask of us during the past week.
Last week we looked at the words of Jesus as he was asked about which commandment was the greatest. His answer was to love God with our whole being because he loves us with his whole being. According to Jesus that is the "Greatest Commandment" of all. The teacher of law did not ask for the second commandment, yet Jesus gave it to him because he knew it was tied to the first. The second one is more visible in that Jesus says, "The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
So, with these two weighty commandments sitting before me, I have to ask myself on Friday, "Did I love God and did I love my neighbor?" These were not commands that were "suggested" by the Lord, or an option that he has given to us. Loving God and loving people are the criteria for which we will be held accountable for. It is an awesome truth that makes me realize that without the Holy Spirit active in my life I will never make it.
There are other passages in Scripture where Jesus shows us that it is not a question of "Who is my neighbor?" rather, "Am I being a good neighbor to those around me?" Jesus identified for us many times that a neighbor is "anyone who has been providentially placed in our path for sympathy and help." (William Hendriksen). The famous quote from the late missionary Amy Carmichael should be remembered here: "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
Why is this love of people so important to the Lord? Human love is patterned after God, it is a glorious aspect of being "Created in the image if God." When we love as he has commanded we become selfless; we then respond to needs in self-giving. This is exactly how Jesus lived because the love of the Father was in him also. I guess I am still stumped on how we can love our neighbor when we don’t even do a very admirable job of loving our brothers and sisters in our communities of faith.
While at the library this week I picked up a reputable Christian magazine that was on the periodical rack. I sat down with it and a couple of more earthy kinds of magazines dealing cars, cycles and currents issues. As I read the Christian magazine I was struck with the thought, "How would an unchurched person view Christianity if they read this magazine from cover to cover?"
As I read the mudslinging, the put downs, the competitive discourses, and all denominational promoting, I realized that they would be totally confused, and probably turned off to Christianity. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." A few lines later in John 15:17 he says it again, "This is my command" Love each other." Reading numerous articles in that "Christian" magazine I did not see much Christian about it. How is our society to know the love of God when we tear each other to shreds? As the early church grew after the days of Jesus and the Apostles, a Roman poet wrote of the Christians, "They know one another by secret marks and signs, and they love one another almost before they know one another." I don't think that can be said today especially when "doctrines" enter into discussion.
There are many passages in the Bible that I have questions about or that cause me concern, but the ones where Jesus speaks of love and unity as a sign of those that will be his true followers, well, I just don’t see it. I don't see it in me as I should and I don't see it in my church, and I don't see it in our country, and I don't see it in the world. Yet, Jesus said this is his commandment for us - to love.
Teresa of Avila wrote so well, "Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done." And that love will not be expressed through our lives without the ministry of the Holy Spirit being active in our souls. As the Scriptures say, "The fruit of the Spirit is love . . ." I must be filled to over flowing with the Spirit of God in order for me to love those I disagree with, or those that I find unlovely and especially those I would call my enemies.
I think maturity in Christ can be summed up by asking if we are becoming more loving people? We hear sermon after sermon on "becoming more like him" and that would have to mean that we are becoming a more loving person year after year. The reality is that everyone around us knows whether or not we are growing in love and truly becoming "more like him."
Friday is coming. Your week will be over. Will you be able to say, "Yes, I have loved God and my neighbor this past week?" Will you be able to say, "God put someone in my path and I loved them as Jesus would and I helped them." Whatever else you might have accomplished, is secondary to the "Greatest Commandment."
Still Moving Forward,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Last week we looked at the words of Jesus as he was asked about which commandment was the greatest. His answer was to love God with our whole being because he loves us with his whole being. According to Jesus that is the "Greatest Commandment" of all. The teacher of law did not ask for the second commandment, yet Jesus gave it to him because he knew it was tied to the first. The second one is more visible in that Jesus says, "The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
So, with these two weighty commandments sitting before me, I have to ask myself on Friday, "Did I love God and did I love my neighbor?" These were not commands that were "suggested" by the Lord, or an option that he has given to us. Loving God and loving people are the criteria for which we will be held accountable for. It is an awesome truth that makes me realize that without the Holy Spirit active in my life I will never make it.
There are other passages in Scripture where Jesus shows us that it is not a question of "Who is my neighbor?" rather, "Am I being a good neighbor to those around me?" Jesus identified for us many times that a neighbor is "anyone who has been providentially placed in our path for sympathy and help." (William Hendriksen). The famous quote from the late missionary Amy Carmichael should be remembered here: "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
Why is this love of people so important to the Lord? Human love is patterned after God, it is a glorious aspect of being "Created in the image if God." When we love as he has commanded we become selfless; we then respond to needs in self-giving. This is exactly how Jesus lived because the love of the Father was in him also. I guess I am still stumped on how we can love our neighbor when we don’t even do a very admirable job of loving our brothers and sisters in our communities of faith.
While at the library this week I picked up a reputable Christian magazine that was on the periodical rack. I sat down with it and a couple of more earthy kinds of magazines dealing cars, cycles and currents issues. As I read the Christian magazine I was struck with the thought, "How would an unchurched person view Christianity if they read this magazine from cover to cover?"
As I read the mudslinging, the put downs, the competitive discourses, and all denominational promoting, I realized that they would be totally confused, and probably turned off to Christianity. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." A few lines later in John 15:17 he says it again, "This is my command" Love each other." Reading numerous articles in that "Christian" magazine I did not see much Christian about it. How is our society to know the love of God when we tear each other to shreds? As the early church grew after the days of Jesus and the Apostles, a Roman poet wrote of the Christians, "They know one another by secret marks and signs, and they love one another almost before they know one another." I don't think that can be said today especially when "doctrines" enter into discussion.
There are many passages in the Bible that I have questions about or that cause me concern, but the ones where Jesus speaks of love and unity as a sign of those that will be his true followers, well, I just don’t see it. I don't see it in me as I should and I don't see it in my church, and I don't see it in our country, and I don't see it in the world. Yet, Jesus said this is his commandment for us - to love.
Teresa of Avila wrote so well, "Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done." And that love will not be expressed through our lives without the ministry of the Holy Spirit being active in our souls. As the Scriptures say, "The fruit of the Spirit is love . . ." I must be filled to over flowing with the Spirit of God in order for me to love those I disagree with, or those that I find unlovely and especially those I would call my enemies.
I think maturity in Christ can be summed up by asking if we are becoming more loving people? We hear sermon after sermon on "becoming more like him" and that would have to mean that we are becoming a more loving person year after year. The reality is that everyone around us knows whether or not we are growing in love and truly becoming "more like him."
Friday is coming. Your week will be over. Will you be able to say, "Yes, I have loved God and my neighbor this past week?" Will you be able to say, "God put someone in my path and I loved them as Jesus would and I helped them." Whatever else you might have accomplished, is secondary to the "Greatest Commandment."
Still Moving Forward,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, October 8, 2007
What Does God Really Want?
There are times when following the Lord gets confusing. There are so many voices telling us how we should act if we want to be "Good Christians." There are other voices telling what we should believe to be "in." We get busy with church activities, Christian friends, and at times we wonder if we are truly living an authentic Christian life. The great news is that in reality, the Christian life is quite simple to understand.
Mark informs us in 12:28 that a teacher of the law came to Jesus and asked him a fantastic question. It's a question that should help each of us today. The question was quite simple, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Thank you Mr. Teacher of Law for being so direct because we get to listen in as Jesus responds. We get to peak into the heart of God and see what is important to him.
Jesus responded with, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." Mark 12:29-31
There it is! No parable, no riddle, and no hidden meaning, Jesus puts it plainly so we can all get it. Jesus summed up for us the ultimate goal of the Christian life. Love is what God is after. Without going into all the theology of it, we must be reminded that just like Israel, we as Christians are in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Jesus spoke of the "New Covenant" that was being offered as a result of his death on the cross. A covenant is like a contract except that it involves people and not property. A covenant is a living bond that goes both ways, meaning both parties are part of the covenant.
Jesus is clearly bringing this covenant to the forefront of their minds when he says that we should love God with our whole being. Why should we do this? Because God has loved us with his whole being and in this covenant we are to return that love. If you want to know how much God loves you take a closer look at that verse. Everything that Jesus says we should do with regards to love, the Father has already loved us in the same manner. In other words, God has already loved us with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. Praise the Lord. As the Scripture says, we love him because he first loved us!
So with all of the demands that are put on you to perform in your Christian life-teach a class, read a book, be involved in leadership, join a small group, give money and all the rest-what is God looking for? God has been and always will be looking for your desire to be with him and to love him. Everything we do should stem from that desire.
We are often told what activities distinguish whether or not we are "Good Christians." The funny thing is, you and I can do some of those things and not be in love with God at all. I remember quite well early in ministry having a girl in my youth group whose father had been molesting her for years. Yes, he taught a Sunday School class every Sunday. He was always at church and was most certainly considered a "Good Christian." His heart however, was so evil that he was continually raping his own daughter and when his hideous actions were finally exposed he committed suicide. I learned quickly that what you see in people's actions might not tell you at all how they really feel towards God.
The Bible tells us that we look at the outward appearance of man, but God looks intently at the heart. God is not so interested in what we do, but why we do it. God is interested in the motivation behind our actions. The Bible also teaches us that when we do religious duties in the flesh or for the wrong motivation that those activities are pretty much worthless. Because God loves us so much, he wants us in turn to love him, and out of that love should spring our Christian behavior.
I have said it so many times that in my early Christian experience, I was taught to obey not to love. What a horrible tragedy. Can you imagine having a toddler and having your relationship based completely on their obedience to you and not on love? That child would grow up emotionally crippled. For years many preachers communicated that kind of message. The message was come to Christ so you won't go to hell and then be obedient or he will get you and make your life miserable. That just does not lead to a healthy relationship with God at all. God wants first and foremost a loving covenant relationship with us!
I was with a pastor recently and as we shared about our journey with the Lord he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver ring. It was almost like a key ring; nothing fancy, just a ring. He said, "Do you see this ring? I keep in my pocket all the time and I take it with me wherever I go. It's a physical reminder that God loves me, that he is with me and he wants me to love him." I could understand his actions quite well.
There are many of us who are "visual learners." We have to see things not just hear things in order to get the point. I think Jesus knew many in his audiences were like that as well, thus he would give physical illustrations. I guess that is why I have always liked stained glass windows in cathedrals, they help me see God through the stories they reveal high above the pews.
Maybe you need to carry a ring in your pocket, or a cross or something else that will remind you that God is with you in love, and it is love in return that he most desires. You are in a covenant relationship with God based on love, and that should truly brighten your day!
God Bless You,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Mark informs us in 12:28 that a teacher of the law came to Jesus and asked him a fantastic question. It's a question that should help each of us today. The question was quite simple, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Thank you Mr. Teacher of Law for being so direct because we get to listen in as Jesus responds. We get to peak into the heart of God and see what is important to him.
Jesus responded with, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." Mark 12:29-31
There it is! No parable, no riddle, and no hidden meaning, Jesus puts it plainly so we can all get it. Jesus summed up for us the ultimate goal of the Christian life. Love is what God is after. Without going into all the theology of it, we must be reminded that just like Israel, we as Christians are in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Jesus spoke of the "New Covenant" that was being offered as a result of his death on the cross. A covenant is like a contract except that it involves people and not property. A covenant is a living bond that goes both ways, meaning both parties are part of the covenant.
Jesus is clearly bringing this covenant to the forefront of their minds when he says that we should love God with our whole being. Why should we do this? Because God has loved us with his whole being and in this covenant we are to return that love. If you want to know how much God loves you take a closer look at that verse. Everything that Jesus says we should do with regards to love, the Father has already loved us in the same manner. In other words, God has already loved us with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. Praise the Lord. As the Scripture says, we love him because he first loved us!
So with all of the demands that are put on you to perform in your Christian life-teach a class, read a book, be involved in leadership, join a small group, give money and all the rest-what is God looking for? God has been and always will be looking for your desire to be with him and to love him. Everything we do should stem from that desire.
We are often told what activities distinguish whether or not we are "Good Christians." The funny thing is, you and I can do some of those things and not be in love with God at all. I remember quite well early in ministry having a girl in my youth group whose father had been molesting her for years. Yes, he taught a Sunday School class every Sunday. He was always at church and was most certainly considered a "Good Christian." His heart however, was so evil that he was continually raping his own daughter and when his hideous actions were finally exposed he committed suicide. I learned quickly that what you see in people's actions might not tell you at all how they really feel towards God.
The Bible tells us that we look at the outward appearance of man, but God looks intently at the heart. God is not so interested in what we do, but why we do it. God is interested in the motivation behind our actions. The Bible also teaches us that when we do religious duties in the flesh or for the wrong motivation that those activities are pretty much worthless. Because God loves us so much, he wants us in turn to love him, and out of that love should spring our Christian behavior.
I have said it so many times that in my early Christian experience, I was taught to obey not to love. What a horrible tragedy. Can you imagine having a toddler and having your relationship based completely on their obedience to you and not on love? That child would grow up emotionally crippled. For years many preachers communicated that kind of message. The message was come to Christ so you won't go to hell and then be obedient or he will get you and make your life miserable. That just does not lead to a healthy relationship with God at all. God wants first and foremost a loving covenant relationship with us!
I was with a pastor recently and as we shared about our journey with the Lord he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver ring. It was almost like a key ring; nothing fancy, just a ring. He said, "Do you see this ring? I keep in my pocket all the time and I take it with me wherever I go. It's a physical reminder that God loves me, that he is with me and he wants me to love him." I could understand his actions quite well.
There are many of us who are "visual learners." We have to see things not just hear things in order to get the point. I think Jesus knew many in his audiences were like that as well, thus he would give physical illustrations. I guess that is why I have always liked stained glass windows in cathedrals, they help me see God through the stories they reveal high above the pews.
Maybe you need to carry a ring in your pocket, or a cross or something else that will remind you that God is with you in love, and it is love in return that he most desires. You are in a covenant relationship with God based on love, and that should truly brighten your day!
God Bless You,
Dan
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
Monday, October 1, 2007
Your Most Valuable Tool
The following is an excerpt from Dan Owens book, Sharing Christ When You Feel You Can't
The Institute of American Church Growth polled more than 14,000 Christians and asked them, "What or who was responsible for you coming to Christ?" Ninety percent of the responders stated that a friend or relative who cared for them and invested time in them was the primary factor in their decision to accept Christ as their Savior.
Ironically, most of us lose our non-Christian friends within two years of coming to Christ. How are we going to lead someone to Christ if we don't have even one non-Christian friend with whom we are spending time and developing a relationship?
Jesus spent more time with people in their homes and in the marketplace than in the religious settings of the temple or the synagogues. A classic example of this is Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. His conversation with her, eventually leading to her trust in Him as the Messiah, began at a common place (a well) around a common interest (a drink of water).
A while back I began to realize that many times the right tool for building bridges to people is an activity you enjoy - a hobby or a sport, for example. We always think about taking someone to church so they can hear the Gospel, but sometimes God wants to use the things we do in life to reach others, especially if they share our interest.
When Deb and I got married, I quickly discovered something about her. She was into this things called "crafts." You glue things. You sew things. You create things. Within the first year of our marriage, our second bedroom was taken over by crafts. Honestly, I couldn't have forced my way into that room if I had wanted to.
Deb used her hobby to build bridges into the lives of women who were just as interested in crafts as she was. She does this very, very well, and she also has fun doing it.
Deb and I were at our sons' gymnastics class one time when all of a sudden I couldn't find her anywhere. Then I noticed she was talking to another woman nearby. Later in the car I asked her, "Did you know that woman you were talking to?"
"Oh no," she said, "but we discovered that we will be taking this doll painting class together." When it comes to crafts, Deb knows no strangers.
. . .
When we were still just visiting what became our home church, the director of women's ministries came up to us after a service and told us about the craft classes they were creating so women could bring their friends and build relationships. My wife literally began to cry. I thought. Praise the Lord. Somebody finally figured out that you can use a variety of ways to get people to church and still have fun.
. . .
A few years ago Deb had to be hospitalized while she underwent an operation. I took time off to be Mr. Mom and take care of our boys for five days. Things began arriving at our doorstep during the day. Food. Presents. Cards. Flowers. I'd go to the hospital and say to Deb, "We had a nice meal tonight. It was provided by So-and-So. I don't know who that is. Do you?"
"Oh yea, that's the person I'm making a quilt with," she responded.
"I don't know this person either. Who is that?"
"Oh, we're in a craft class together."
As I listed all the names, I realized it wasn't the people from church who were taking care of our family. It was all the people with whom Deb had developed relationships - people who didn't know the Lord.
. . .
Every Tuesday night was men's doubles night at the tennis club, and I was paired with several different men in the first few weeks. Nothing seemed to click between me and any of my partners until I met Ken. After we played on the same team one Tuesday evening, he said, "I think we are pretty much evenly matched. Why don't we get together sometime and knock the ball around between us?"
Ken and I began to meet regularly after that, sometimes three and four times a week, and since then we have developed a wonderful friendship. We pound each other on the court, and in that process we've gotten to know each other off the court too. Ken is a doctor, works about three days a week, then takes off the rest of the week do do what he wants. I've shared with him that I am involved in Christian communications and broadcasting, and he's been intrigued with that.
One day Ken asked me how I got involved with my work as a minister, and I shared my testimony with him. He is also intrigued with all the traveling I do, and often I will bring back a present for him from the country where I have been ministering. Ken hasn't come to Christ yet, but the bridge definitely is in place.
Do you drink coffee? Did you realize you can use a common interest in coffee to get to know other people? Deb uses a coffee house in our area as a meeting place with her non-Christian friends.
. . .
God could use impressive displays of His power to get the attention of your non-Christian friends. He is completely capable of writing out John 3:16 in the clouds of the sky, for instance. But more often He seems to choose quieter, gentler methods, using people like you and me, tucked away in this community and that neighborhood. Regular people. People who haven't bowed their knee to the gods of their culture.
Sometimes He reminds us about that in a gentle whisper and in the same way points to people who need Him. But we have to listen to Him to hear what He's saying. We can pray for people, design a plan for bridging the chasm between us and them, and understand all the right and wrong tools to using in reaching them, but we also have to hear God.
And when He speaks, it's time to listen and obey.
Blessing to you,
Dan
For more information about Eternity Minded Ministries with Dan Owens, Dan's books, podcasts and devotionals visit http://www.eternityminded.org/.
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
The Institute of American Church Growth polled more than 14,000 Christians and asked them, "What or who was responsible for you coming to Christ?" Ninety percent of the responders stated that a friend or relative who cared for them and invested time in them was the primary factor in their decision to accept Christ as their Savior.
Ironically, most of us lose our non-Christian friends within two years of coming to Christ. How are we going to lead someone to Christ if we don't have even one non-Christian friend with whom we are spending time and developing a relationship?
Jesus spent more time with people in their homes and in the marketplace than in the religious settings of the temple or the synagogues. A classic example of this is Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. His conversation with her, eventually leading to her trust in Him as the Messiah, began at a common place (a well) around a common interest (a drink of water).
A while back I began to realize that many times the right tool for building bridges to people is an activity you enjoy - a hobby or a sport, for example. We always think about taking someone to church so they can hear the Gospel, but sometimes God wants to use the things we do in life to reach others, especially if they share our interest.
When Deb and I got married, I quickly discovered something about her. She was into this things called "crafts." You glue things. You sew things. You create things. Within the first year of our marriage, our second bedroom was taken over by crafts. Honestly, I couldn't have forced my way into that room if I had wanted to.
Deb used her hobby to build bridges into the lives of women who were just as interested in crafts as she was. She does this very, very well, and she also has fun doing it.
Deb and I were at our sons' gymnastics class one time when all of a sudden I couldn't find her anywhere. Then I noticed she was talking to another woman nearby. Later in the car I asked her, "Did you know that woman you were talking to?"
"Oh no," she said, "but we discovered that we will be taking this doll painting class together." When it comes to crafts, Deb knows no strangers.
. . .
When we were still just visiting what became our home church, the director of women's ministries came up to us after a service and told us about the craft classes they were creating so women could bring their friends and build relationships. My wife literally began to cry. I thought. Praise the Lord. Somebody finally figured out that you can use a variety of ways to get people to church and still have fun.
. . .
A few years ago Deb had to be hospitalized while she underwent an operation. I took time off to be Mr. Mom and take care of our boys for five days. Things began arriving at our doorstep during the day. Food. Presents. Cards. Flowers. I'd go to the hospital and say to Deb, "We had a nice meal tonight. It was provided by So-and-So. I don't know who that is. Do you?"
"Oh yea, that's the person I'm making a quilt with," she responded.
"I don't know this person either. Who is that?"
"Oh, we're in a craft class together."
As I listed all the names, I realized it wasn't the people from church who were taking care of our family. It was all the people with whom Deb had developed relationships - people who didn't know the Lord.
. . .
Every Tuesday night was men's doubles night at the tennis club, and I was paired with several different men in the first few weeks. Nothing seemed to click between me and any of my partners until I met Ken. After we played on the same team one Tuesday evening, he said, "I think we are pretty much evenly matched. Why don't we get together sometime and knock the ball around between us?"
Ken and I began to meet regularly after that, sometimes three and four times a week, and since then we have developed a wonderful friendship. We pound each other on the court, and in that process we've gotten to know each other off the court too. Ken is a doctor, works about three days a week, then takes off the rest of the week do do what he wants. I've shared with him that I am involved in Christian communications and broadcasting, and he's been intrigued with that.
One day Ken asked me how I got involved with my work as a minister, and I shared my testimony with him. He is also intrigued with all the traveling I do, and often I will bring back a present for him from the country where I have been ministering. Ken hasn't come to Christ yet, but the bridge definitely is in place.
Do you drink coffee? Did you realize you can use a common interest in coffee to get to know other people? Deb uses a coffee house in our area as a meeting place with her non-Christian friends.
. . .
God could use impressive displays of His power to get the attention of your non-Christian friends. He is completely capable of writing out John 3:16 in the clouds of the sky, for instance. But more often He seems to choose quieter, gentler methods, using people like you and me, tucked away in this community and that neighborhood. Regular people. People who haven't bowed their knee to the gods of their culture.
Sometimes He reminds us about that in a gentle whisper and in the same way points to people who need Him. But we have to listen to Him to hear what He's saying. We can pray for people, design a plan for bridging the chasm between us and them, and understand all the right and wrong tools to using in reaching them, but we also have to hear God.
And when He speaks, it's time to listen and obey.
Blessing to you,
Dan
For more information about Eternity Minded Ministries with Dan Owens, Dan's books, podcasts and devotionals visit http://www.eternityminded.org/.
Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org
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