In It For The Money

In the past few days I have received news of the deaths of three people that I have had contact with through the years. There is so much emotional pain associated with death. The emotions range from guilt to loneliness. There are those however who refuse to acknowledge the subject of death and dying, and those who disguise their discomfort by humorous remarks or dark comedy.

Yet for some of us we live in the twilight between this world and the next and we can almost see with reality that first face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only a thin veil it seems shading the spirit world from our material eyes. And, sometimes it seems the angels blow the veil just enough so that we can catch a quick glimpse of the other side.

As one reads Dante's Divine Comedy written in the early 1300's one can almost imagine that he was allowed to see beyond the veil. Dante writes extensively in the section of his book called "Inferno" regarding the levels of hell and those who populate each level. As he comes to the lowest level in hell, there Satan is frozen in ice up to his waste for all eternity. In Dante's novel he sees Satan while frozen for all eternity chewing on Judas and two others without end. In other words, Judas, the betrayer of Jesus is in the coldest part of hell and in the very mouth of Satan because of his cold and calculated betrayal of Jesus.

In Mark 14 we read Marks clear and concise narrative of Judas's betrayal of Jesus. It is such a stark contrast of good and evil and Mark sets the betrayal just after Mary of Bethany had anointed Jesus.

"Judas Iscariot, the man who was once of the Twelve, went away to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. When they had listened to his offer they were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he began to search for a convenient method of betraying him."

It not surprising that no one ever names their child Judas. In fact I understand there is a law in Germany that forbids parents from naming their child Judas. It is a name that is synonymous with treachery and back stabbing at its lowest form. A quick glance at Judas causes us to wonder how he could have done something so horrific.

Judas was part of the inner circle and was privy to many of the miracles of Jesus, His amazing teaching, and His compassion towards those devoted followers. Judas was a privileged person from our point of view. He walked and talked with Jesus on a daily basis and was placed in the prominent role as treasurer for the group of disciples.

Maybe Judas signed up with Jesus because he heard Him speak of a new kingdom with amazing rewards. Maybe Judas was looking for a position of authority and power, not to mention monetary gain. John tells us in his Gospel that Judas had some basic character issues that the other disciples were aware of. Last week we read the story of Mary in Bethany pouring expensive perfume on Jesus as she showed love and appreciation for Him. The disciples, especially Judas got upset by her action stating that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John says in regards to Judas' comments, "He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money he used to help himself to what was put into it."

Judas was in it for the money! He was a man who was so filled with self that out of him came greed, stealing, jealousy, covetousness and a host of other sins. When Judas realized Jesus was going to the cross and the new kingdom was not going to happen, at least as he saw it, then he sold out Jesus-for money of course.

Why are we following Jesus? Are we in it for the money? Have we continued on in the church because we are hoping to get something out of it? Are we, like Judas, motivated by self when we drive into the church parking lot on Sundays?

We must be reminded that the greatest gift that God can give to us is Himself. To understand where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going is by far the most wonderful blessing we can have. We are allowed to see the "big picture" and understand that monetary rewards and earthly comforts are way down the rung as far as what God wants to do in and through us.

Last night while flipping through the channels on my television I saw three different preachers all talking about the money that God wants to give me, if I just give their ministry some money first. Give me a break! It boggles my mind that people are still out there who believe this line. I just cannot imagine Jesus preaching the message I heard last night. In fact, the Sermon on the Mount teaches us just the opposite of what these self serving kingdom builders are preaching on air waves. One of the men I saw last night I actually met years ago. He went into a rage because the wrong kind of car was used to pick him up at the airport. It was a nice van but it was supposed to be a limousine as his staff had requested. The spirit of Judas is still alive!

I have said it many times and I will continue to say it, be very careful of your motives for following Jesus Christ. Judas looked good; fit right in with the other eleven. He could sound as pious as any priest, but he was filled with selfish greed and ambition.

May I encourage you to read Dante’s Divine Comedy even though his theology may not quite match up with yours? The one thing it will make you do is think, reason and examine your heart, and that’s a good thing.

God Be With You,

Dan

Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved

Reckless Love and Extravagant Appreciation

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial." (Mark 14:6-8)

Reckless love for Jesus! It is something we really see very little of. Extravagant displays of appreciation to God are foreign to many of us. Giving as little as possible and doing as little as possible are more the norm of the Christian church. Yet in this narrative, Jesus shocks us with His very own appreciation for reckless love and extravagant appreciation.

As Jesus stops in Bethany on His way to the cross he reclines for a meal with His friends and followers. As we see from reading this account in the other Gospels, Mary of Bethany breaks a white jar of perfume and pours it over Jesus. It is believed that this type of expensive perfume came from a plant root that is found near the Himalayan Mountains. The pouring of scented water or perfume was a normal practice by those hosting special guests. If the guest was a person of great honor then they would pour out the perfume and break the jar so that no person of lesser importance would ever use the same perfume or oil.

Jesus thought it was a wonderful act of kindness and yet those around him thought it a total waste of money. Such hypocrisy comes from Judas the betrayer who spouts off that the money could have been used to help the poor, like he really cared about the poor. Jesus tells them plainly that they could have been helping the poor all along and that the poor can be helped in the future as well, but this is a special gift which he appreciates.

As Jesus prepares for a week where people will mock him, spit on him, pull out his beard, beat him until he is unrecognizable and finally nail him to a cross to die, this last act of kindness is so appreciated by Him. Jesus once again uses the event and conversations to teach his followers as He speaks of the perfume as preparation for his burial to come, but in His humanity, He truly appreciates this extravagant gift given in reckless love.

Jesus says of her gift, "She has done a beautiful thing to me." The NIV translation does a good job of translating that word "good". There are two words that can be used for "good", one meaning "morally good" and the other meaning "lovely" or "beautiful". Mary was so caught up in the emotion that she poured the whole bottle of perfume on Jesus, and Jesus said it was a "lovely thing to do."

Mary was not thinking of the cost because it truly was worth a years wages for the average person of that day. Mary had this one opportunity to be extravagant for the Lord, and she took it. She did not hesitate, she did not debate it, she did not reason it out, she just acted out of love.

I confess once again I am startled by this account. I am rattled when I see how much my Lord appreciated her act of kindness towards Him. So I ask myself, "If her act of love meant so much to Him, then when do I show reckless love and extravagant appreciation?" The bigger question for us all might be, "How do we show this kind of appreciation?"

A friend of mine was telling me of a super bowl party he went to. As the game went on and the drinks were flowing the mixed crowd got a bit out of control. Even in this public place some of the women started doing things that were, well, not morally good. My friend said as soon as that activity started he got up and left the room because he knew God would not want him there.

It was his love for his Lord that caused him to leave the room with diet coke in hand, even though his flesh may have desired to stay. Jesus is thrilled when we consciously make a decision to act in a way that is pleasing to Him. Mary's actions were connected to her heart-not her head! The Father, Son and Holy Spirit long for us to make decisions of the heart to show our love and appreciation for them.

I live near Avila Beach here in Central California. Avila is a Spanish name and there is a city in Spain of the same name. In the 16th century there was a nun who the Catholics now affectionately call, St. Teresa of Avila. I have only read a bit of her life and journals but she had a profound love for Christ, much like Mary of Bethany. In one of her books, she writes, "Since He does not force our will, He takes only what He is given; but He does not give completely of Himself until he sees that we have given all we have to Him."

Isn't that what Paul meant when he said, "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" to our Lord and Savior? This week make it your goal to do an act of kindness at least once while you say out loud, "Lord I am doing this because I love you!" Maybe you sacrifice something, or maybe you give to someone, or maybe you just sit reading and meditating on Scripture while talking to Him. "Lord, I am doing this because I love you!" Be reckless in your love and extravagant in your appreciation for Him. Jesus longs for it!

Bless you my friend,

Dan

Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved

Joy in Contentment

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Joy in Contentment
(passage from A Joy That Is Real by Dan Owens)

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:10-13

Have you ever received money you weren't expecting? Perhaps you were going through a tough time financially, and just when you didn't know how you were going to get through the month, a check showed up from an anonymous benefactor. I love to hear stories of how God has worked through people in this way.

In the context of this passage, Paul is showing appreciation for the Philippians who had provided for him in his need. Other churches had failed him, but they were faithful. At one point they had not been able to support him, but now they had renewed their commitment and Paul was writing to thank them.

Several years ago, I became the pastor at Fair Oaks Church in California. After I had accepted the position, another church which had supported my evangelism ministry, wrote a letter explaining that they could no longer contribute financially to Eternity Minded Ministries because I had become a pastor. Their mission statement did not allow them to support pastors.

After I resigned from Fair Oaks in order to spend more time with Eternity Minded Ministries, I called that church; they immediately said they would support me again. They even raised the amount from what they had previously been contributing. I didn't understand all of their reasons for stopping, but I was grateful to have them on board again.

I can relate to Paul's circumstances in this passage because I know how wonderful it feels to have people stand by you in the ministry. Sometimes I don't know how to express my thanks to those who make it possible for me to fulfill my calling to travel and preach the gospel around the world. I couldn't do it without those Christians who faithfully give to our ministry. I imagine that Paul was overwhelmed by the generous spirit of the Philippians and so grateful that they had renewed their support.

Then we come to the part that I find a little harder to relate to, Paul says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (v. 11). Paul enjoyed the good life, but he had also learned to enjoy the hard life. He knew what it was to have some wealth, he knew what it was to be in poverty. Paul had experienced the classy restaurants, and he had been without food. He could be happy with the Hyatt Regency or content with a prison cell.

Most of us have been in tough times. Many of us have also enjoyed really great times. Can we say that we were content in the bad times as well as the good?

My sons, Ben and Jordan, are grown now, but when they were little our family struggled a lot more with finances than we do now. Christmas was a particularly stressful time, as we wondered how we could afford to buy presents for everyone. June was the month that my wife dreaded the most because in June there were three birthdays, two anniversaries, Father's Day, and school graduations.

As I reminisced with Jordan the other day, he was surprised to hear that for several years during his early childhood, my mother had supplemented my salary just so we could stay in our home. The cars we had were always broken down, and Jordan had to wear Ben's hand-me-downs. The roof in our house leaked, and any repair that needed to be done was always a huge drain financially. You may have been in a similar situation at some point, or maybe you are going through something like that right now. To me, it was extremely frustrating not to be able to give my family everything, and I definitely wasn't very content.

So what exactly does Paul mean when he says, "I have learned to be content"? Sometimes the best way to define a term is to explain what it is not.

God bless you,

Dan

Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
We invite you forward any of Dan Owens devotionals to your friends and family. If you received this email as a forward and would like to sign up, please visit our website at www.eternityminded.org for information on how to receive your free subscription.

Talk About A Tough Week!

January 28, 2008

Every Sunday we hear the words coming from the pulpit or lectern, "Now turn in your Bibles to . . ." Having a Bible on our laps on Sunday morning is something that we give little thought to. When our ministry returns to the cities where we have held festivals to help with discipleship and church planting, we always give away hundreds and hundreds of Bibles to the new believers. For people who have never owned a Bible before, the joy of receiving one is unimaginable.

There are many places in the world where we do ministry that even if you gave the new believers Bibles they could not read them. We often forget that much of the world is illiterate. Whenever I go to those places I am reminded so much of the early church. They did not have a Bible like we have as there were no printing presses, and most of the people could not read. Much of what the church held to was passed along by oral tradition and manuscripts that were read to the congregation. Songs were often made from the words of Scripture so that they could be remembered since they could not read.

As we come to fourteenth chapter of Mark we enter into what is known as the Passion. It refers to the week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. It is interesting to note that the narrative of the fourteenth through the sixteenth chapters of Mark was actually circulated amongst the early churches before any of the gospels were ever penned. This narrative was so important to the early church since they held to the belief of the resurrected Christ. It appears that Mark took the manuscripts that were being circulated and added them to his book almost verbatim. Of the 661 verses in Mark, 242 deal with the last week of Jesus on earth, and 128 verses deal with the actual "Passion." Like us, their faith was founded on the resurrection of Christ.

Before the Passion comes the Passover.

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. "But not during the Feast" they said, "or the people may riot." Mark 14:1-2

The month of April was always an exiting time for the Jewish people. This was a major holiday that even induced many to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover celebrations. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread allowed the Jewish people to reflect on their heritage and how God had delivered them centuries earlier from bondage. There was literally four weeks of preparations leading up to the week of the Passover in which children were told the various stories surrounding the exodus out of Egypt. Again, this was all taught by oral tradition.

It was required that any Jewish male living within 15 miles of Jerusalem had to go to the city for this national holiday. No one really had to be coerced to make the trek. In fact, Josephus and other historians of that day have made it clear that the population of Jerusalem swelled to huge numbers during the feast week. Some estimates have been as high as three million people celebrating during this week that Mark writes about. The increased population would account for the concern the religious leaders had regarding a potential riot if they went after the popular Jesus, especially during this sacred week.

I find it fascinating that the "powers that be" said they would not kill Jesus during the Feast and yet God said the exact opposite. Jesus in fact said that God decreed that it should happen at that precise point: "The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." Luke 22:22. Then in Acts chapter two we find Peter addressing a crowd regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit and the work of Christ on the cross. Peter says, "This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." The time of the slaughter of the Lamb of God was set by the Father to be at the exact time that his chosen people were celebrating the Passover with their own sacrificial lambs. Fantastic! The time of Jesus' death was not by chance it was, as the British say, "spot on" because God ordained it. God was fulfilling his covenant with his people!

Let us be reminded this week once again that God's timing is perfect. When we are going through difficult times that we wish would end, it's often hard to remember that. St. Augustine wrote, "God is not a deceiver that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us." God is with us in the good and bad of life.

There is a contemporary song we sing at our church that chokes me up every time we sing it. It is called Blessed Be Your Name and it thrills me. The premise of the song is that we should bless God in the good and bad of life because he is there and is using it all. Read these beautiful verses.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

As Jesus entered the Passion Week He was and is our example of blessing the Lord at all times!

Blessed be His Name,

Dan


Invite Dan Owens to Speak at Your Church or Event in 2008
Contact Jill Griffin today @ jill@eternityminded.org to reserve a date or request more information.

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
We invite you forward any of Dan Owens devotionals to your friends and family. If you received this email as a forward and would like to sign up, please visit our website at www.eternityminded.org for information on how to receive your free subscription.

Be On Guard

Invite Dan Owens to Speak at Your Church or Event in 2008
Contact Jill Griffin today @ jill@eternityminded.org
to reserve a date or request more information.

We encourage you to visit our podcast, Becoming Eternity Minded, at http://www.danowens.podcastpeople.com/ today to listen and/or download Dan Owens' message, The Vine and the Branches (Part III of III). Be sure to return to Becoming Eternity Minded regularly to listen to new messages as they are uploaded.


BE ON GUARD

I read a story of a stewardess who became quite frustrated by the inattentiveness of her passengers while sharing her safety demonstration. She decided to change the wording of the prepared announcement and said, “When the mask drops down in front of you, place it over your navel and continue to breathe normally.” Not one person noticed; no one was paying attention.

Having served as a police chaplain for years I have been privy to stories of officers who have had embarrassing situations because they were not paying attention. I am amazed when I hear of men and women who are so professional in their jobs and behavior yet accidentally firing their weapon while in the locker room at the station. Fortunately all the stories that I heard ended with read faces and not tragic results.

Jesus warned his disciples that “keeping their head in the game” was going to be of extreme importance after he left them. In the Gospel of Mark as Jesus speaks of his return he made it clear that he did not know the exact point in time of his return. He left no doubt that his followers should not take this as reason to lose hope, but to be filled with hope of his return.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do no know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:32-37

I find it quite easy to become complacent and unconcerned about the return of King Jesus. This passage once again informs me that I am too often tied to this world and kingdom U.S.A. instead of the Kingdom of God. The final words of Jesus in this discourse touch me deeply because they are not just given to those standing around him 2,000 years ago. “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” I am included in the word “everyone” and so are you.

Jesus gives us his word that he is going to return to earth and he tells us what to do until that time. He admonishes each of us to “Be on guard, be alert, watch.” Those words do not mean that we should be standing around idle, being unproductive citizens nor uncaring Christians. He has already told us that our lives should be about spreading the message of salvation while being a neighbor to those in need.

Alertness means that we should be active morally and spiritually. We should not be people of laxity or laziness regarding the things that truly have meaning and measure in the Kingdom of our King. When Jesus returns he should find us doing what he was doing while he was here on earth. We should be watching for his return while doing all that we can to partner with Holy Spirit to reclaim God’s people.

The sometimes controversial scholar William Barclay wrote concerning this passage: “We live in the shadow of eternity. That is no reason for fearful and hysterical expectation. But it means that day by day our work must be completed. It means that we must so live that it does not matter when he comes. It gives us the great task of making everyday fit for him to see and being at any moment ready to meet him face to face. All life becomes a preparation to meet the King.”

For the most part I think we will be ashamed to the point of nausea at the return of our Lord. I believe that in an instant we will be amazed at how far we really were from what he called us to become. I sense that we will be horrified when we finally come to grips with how much we loved the American lifestyle more than we loved him.

How will we feel I wonder when none of our excuses are heard and all of our arguments for spiritual laziness hit his wall of his truth? When I read the Book of Acts and writings of the early church fathers I feel my stomach churn because I realize I am only a fraction of what God expects me to be.

Capitol One Credit has humorous commercials on television that always end with the question, “What’s in your wallet?” The Holy Spirit of God and of Christ may well be asking the question, “What’s in your heart?”

Let’s pay attention to the things that Jesus Christ says are important: love, faith, honesty, good works and good words just to name a few.

Peace to you,

Dan

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved

Who Is Speaking?

INVITE DAN TO SPEAK AT YOUR CHURCH IN 2008
Email us at emm-info@eternityminded.org

We encourage you to visit our podcast, Becoming Eternity Minded, at http://www.danowens.podcastpeople.com/ today to listen and/or download Dan Owens' message, The Vine and the Branches (Part II of III).
Be sure to tune back in on January 21st for Part III.

WHO IS SPEAKING?

We have often heard the line in real life and movies, "I can speak for myself, thank you." This phrase means normally that the person would rather defend themselves or tell the story as they saw instead of someone else doing it for them.

I have learned the hard way that "speaking for myself" is not always a good thing. In fact, there have been more times than I would like to admit that I should have let someone else speak instead. As the saying goes, "Keep your words soft and sweet. You never know when you’re going to have to eat them." Ouch.

As Jesus talked about end times and as His disciples grew in their curiosity and concern, He gave them a wonderful promise. He forewarned His friends that they were going to go through difficult times and be paraded in front rulers and authorities. Jesus told them that they were going to have to speak on His behalf, but they were not to worry. Why?

"Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry before hand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:11

Fear of public speaking is one of America's greatest anxieties. Jerry Seinfeld once said that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. For many the thought of standing in front of others while called upon to speak is terrifying. Imagine how it would be if your life was truly on the line as well.

Most of us know all to well the captivity of the mind that happens when we prepare to confront a person or a situation. We play our speech over and over again in our minds. We edit, we change our emotional tone, and we prepare our best illustrations knowing that we will get one shot at saying what we really want to say. It’s exhausting and in most cases our persuasive speech never turns out the way we played it in our heads.

Jesus brings such comforting words as He tells His friends not to stress over their speeches because the Holy Spirit would do the speaking for them. Now, I know many of you are thinking that this promise is only for those who are preaching or ministering the Gospel. You might be thinking, "Sure Dan that is great that the Holy Spirit does that for you when you are preaching in India or Peru, but I am not a preacher."

The Holy Spirit who dwells in us should have the freedom to speak through us as He wills. It can be on a platform in a church or a platform at a railway station. The location does not matter as much as the message that needs to given by the Spirit. To be honest, at this stage of my life, I am more interested in allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through me in my home than I am in India or Peru.

The Holy Spirit can give intellectual words and answers to us through our minds just as we see him do in the book of Acts. And, the Holy Spirit can also give emotional words of love, compassion and encouragement to our hearts to share with others. I think we must begin with asking the Holy Spirit to control our speech every day. We should be sensitive to His leading as we are talking to a friend in need, asking the Spirit to speak to us in order to say the right things. In many ways this is what "words of knowledge" are, or the gift of discernment. It is sensing from the Spirit what is going on in a person or situation and allowing Him to bring the correct words though you. That is something we should all pray for.

I was in a setting recently when an older man, who has become a dear friend, told the audience that I had played a very important role in his life. He shared how years ago while he was trying to determine God's next step for his life and weighing a new opportunity, that I said something to him that helped make his decision. As I listened to my friend who I consider much wiser than me, I was thrilled to think that just possibly on that day many years ago that the Holy Spirit had given me the words to say to him.

At Christmas I was honored to preach at our home church here in California. I would imagine there were somewhere around 1400 people in attendance. I was blessed to bring a Christmas message in place of our faithful pastor. The next Sunday I spoke in a church service with 10 people also here in my home town. My energy level was the same for both services because they were both appointments from God that required the Holy Spirit to speak.

When we really stop and think about all the conversations we have with family, friends, works associates and strangers, we can see the need of having the Spirit speak through us. When you wake up tomorrow it may just be that the Holy Spirit has a speaking ministry for you and He wants to give you the words to say. It may be to an audience of 100, or 10 or even 1. The size does not matter because it is an appointment from God and He wants to use you! Don’t speak for yourself-let the Holy Spirit do it for you.

May the Holy Spirit speak through you many times in 2008!

Dan

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved

The Vine and the Branches

Today we are sending you a brief excerpt from Who Is This Jesus by Daniel Owens, along with a link to our new podcast Becoming Eternity Minded. Regular devotions, Straight from the heart of Dan Owens, will resume next week.

We encourage you to visit our podcast, Becoming Eternity Minded, at http://www.danowens.podcastpeople.com/ today to listen and/or download Dan Owens' message, The Vine and the Branches (Part I of III). Be sure to tune back in on January 14th and 21st for Part II and III.

The True Vine

"I am the real vine and my Father is the famer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are
already pruned back by the message I have spoken." (John 15:1-3)

One Sunday I drove home from a speaking engagement along California's coastal highway. As we headed out of Los Angeles, we began to see vineyards popping up all over the place. In fact, the area from Santa Barbara to Morgan Hill, about a 250-mile stretch, seemed to have grown into one big vineyard.

We just gazed in amazement out our windows as we wound through the beautiful countryside. One vineyard after another made it look like a sea of grapes - it was absolutely beautiful.

Jesus used the analogy of a vineyard to describe his relationship with us. He says in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." He calls the Father (v. 1) the gardener, or vinedresser. Everyone has a role in God's vineyard.

Tune in to my podcast and listen to more on this topic.

God bless you,

Dan

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved

I Don't Believe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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