The Beauty of God’s Creation

 The Beauty of God’s Creation

Sunday I taught Sunday School. My message was titled Creation Meditation and Creator Worship.   The Scripture was Psalm 104.  I shared a survey that was taken at a junior high school about the religious beliefs of the students. One of the questions concerned the relationship between religion and science - “Do you think God understand things like nuclear physics or molecular biology, etc.?”  What do you think the students said that believed in God?  They answered No!  They didn’t think God understood those things.  Obviously that thought God was a simple old man who lived in the Bible times when people thought snakes could talk and you could walk on water.   The modern scientific world was too much for God.   I wonder how we have failed as Christians to relate to the children that God created everything, is in control of everything.  Everything we have is a gift from God.  In Psalms 104 David affirms that God’s creation is good and by meditating upon the vast complexity of the created order is a way to worship God.  David reminds us of God’s mighty deeds.  We can be encouraged to praise God because He is trustworthy.   Scripture tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  It doesn’t say He made it or xeroxed it or built or or developed it or mass-produced it.  No He created it.  Can you imagine how much he enjoyed painting stripes on a Zebra, hanging stars in the sky, putting gold in the sunset, stretching the neck of a giraffe, putting a flutter in the humming bird’s wings.  As a finale He made man which has the unique honor to bear the stamp - in his own image.   Next time you go outside, pause and look around you at all God created.  The clouds in the sky, all the different colors of green in our tress. Listen to the sounds of nature. I could go on and on.   As you enjoy the beauty, be grateful and praise God for His handiwork.   Remember God loves you and so do I.

Right On Time

 Right On Time

To remain alert and vigilant in times of waiting and to trust in God at all times

Scripture Mark 13: 5-8, 28-37

Have you heard the cliche “It does not matter what someone believes as long as she or he is sincere.”  This definitely is not true.  What we think and believe matters, and because it matters what we say about Our Father is of utmost importance.  Our scripture today begins with Jesus giving sage advice, “Watch out that no one deceives you”.  

Many experts call Mark 13 a “Little Apocalypse” (uh-pok-uh-lips).  An apocalyptic (uh-pok-uh lip-tik) literature puts people into two groups - God’s people and their enemies.  For the enemies of God’s people this is a word of horror, and for God’s people a word that assures and encourages.  When Hebrew prophets wanted to get the people’s attention they often reminded the hearers of God’s power of wrath.  We hear the same today.  In the teacher's book it gave this example: a church member ask another member to attend her brother’s funeral to support her.  She said “They don’t believe as I believe.”  It was held at a small country church and the pastor was a firebrand preacher.  He yelled, screamed, shouted and cried.  He said it was too late for Joe.  Joe could only get to heaven if God made a rare exemption.  This went on for 2 hours.  My daddy’s brother was that type of preacher.  As a child I thought of him as a Holy Roller preacher.  He wasn’t entirely wrong but he took all hope away.  

We have to prepare for every facet of life.  One might ask, “will I ever be ready?  The answer is no.  Life requires that we move from situation to situation, relationship to relationship, job to job.  Everytime we think we are fully ready and become complacent, life throws us a curveball and we find ourselves lost.  We need to always be watchful and make preparations because we don’t know what life will bring our way.  

Watchfulness in our relationship with our Father is of the greatest importance.  If we slack off and fail to prepare ourselves in a relationship or job we may lose a friend or position , but if we fail to be alert, make preparations and watch for the Lord, then we may miss our Father and lose salvation in the process.  Let us always be watchful for His coming.  We will never know the day or the hour.

Imagine you picked up the paper, or turned the news on the TV.  The headline in bold letters said Jesus Christ Will Return on December 25!  What would you do?  How would you react to this astonishing information?  I think there would be 2 reactions: 1) some would change their lives immediately, out of fear.  Our Father is coming and I am not ready.  I need to get back in church, pray more, seek reconciliation with family, neighbor, co-worker, and certainly with God.  2) others wouldn’t do anything differently.  It  is too late to change now.  God has already decided my fate.  My hope is we would say, “Isn’t this the event for which the world has been waiting?  Isn’t this the reason for which he came into the world?  If we are living righteously we can be confident that our preparations have been sound.  The advent season is a time to reevaluate our lives and see how we have been doing with the invitations extended by our Father.

As individuals and a community we are constantly waiting.  We wait in lines in the market, the banks, and stores.  We wait for events: the big game to start on tv, or a movie in the theater, or the arrival of a family member or a friend.  Most of the time as we wait we know something will happen at a prescribed time.  We wait for birthdays, three day weekends, Christmas and holidays.  And yes we celebrate Jesus arriving on December 25.  

Sometimes we wait for things that eventually will happen but we don’t know when they will occur such as farmers waiting for rain for the crops they have planted into fields.  After a long  winter we all look forward to spring, blooming flowers, budding trees.  Jesus first coming allows us time to prepare for his second coming.  Our scripture today challenges us to be watchful and prepare now, for we do not know the day or the hour.  Jesus gives us three commands: Don’t be deceived , Take heed to yourselves, and Be Alert.  What does it mean to be deceived?  Think about these sayings that some so called Christian churches say:

1. Jesus was a good man.  He gave a wonderful lesson.  His morality is exemplary.  If only we could live up to his commandments!

2. Jesus came as an example to us, showing us how to love each other.  Now all who sincerely try to live a life of love belong to him, no matter what they believe.

3. Jesus is a Savior, believing in him offers us one way to God.  Surely, however, God will honor all those sincere believers in other religions by bringing them to himself.

It is very important to be careful about our language.  Each of these claims includes some truth, then twist that truth.It may look minor, but the difference is the difference between heaven and hell. 

1. Of course Jesus was a good man.  But He also is God incarnate, and to leave that out is to miss the central message of the New Testament.

2. Of course Jesus provides us with an example, but the Jesus of the Bible is an indwelling Savior, not external glorified role model.

3. Jesus  is not only Savior, He is the Savior.  “I am the Way, the Truth, and the LIfe, no one comes to the Father but through Me”.

Jesus tells us not to be led astray by false claims about himself.  How do we guard ourselves against the false teachings?  In Revelations we are told what to watch for, the method of His return, and to depend upon His word.

In verse 28 when Jesus talked about the fig three, is to remind us that as trees leaf out each spring, that Jesus will come again.  That He is always with us.  

 

What changes must we make and actions we must take in order to stay more alert and watchful as a disciple?  Mark is telling us that our Father will stand by the believers to the end and beyond.  That through Jesus, our Father rescues us from this turbulent world.  

In the life of faith, there are times in which our faithfulness seems to exact a great personal cost.  The doctrine of the end times assures faithful people that God will be there for us at the end, just as God was there at the beginning.  What other people fear, the faithful see as the final redemption of the steadfast by God.  

Will you pray with me: Father keep us alert and vigilant especially in times of waiting; In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen

God Will Meet Your Needs

 

God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

—PHILIPPIANS 4:19

I read a devotional today.  It began with a question:  If you had the choice, if you were offered a palace with no Christ or a prison with Christ which would you choose?  

Nero the ruler of Roman had a palace but without Christ.   Paul was in Prison but had Christ.   You know the story. You have heard it many times in sermons and Sunday School.  You have read it in the Bible.   A palace sounds enticing compared to a prison.   The key is Jesus Christ.   If you were to ask Paul what he would choose, He would tell you that his purse was empty but our Father’s is not.  Philippians 4:19 promises us our needs will be met.   Our Father is in charge of our lives.   The Neros of the world will try to sway you that, that is not true.   That they can see to your needs.   Without Christ Jesus in your life it will be full of chaos, with your focus on Jesus you will find JOY and Peace.   Yes there will be trials, but our Father who  is in control of the Universe, all powerful, all knowing will see to our needs.   A palace without Christ becomes a prison.  A prison with Christ becomes a palace.   Remember God loves you and so do I. 

PEACE

God gave me the word PEACE for 2021.   Okay so what am I to learn and how am I suppose to use what I learn.   Today I am studying the amazing peace of Jesus.   My scripture reading is John 14:27, John 16:33, and Psalm 29:11.   Peace is one of the most sought after wisdoms of life.  Did you know that there are over 50,000 books on Amazon about peace.   In this broken world many our reacting for that straw to hang on to so they can keep afloat.   Without peace there is no happiness.  So how do we find peace in all this chaos?   The peace that Jesus gives is different from the peace that this world offers.  If we search for peace elsewhere we will not find it.   Jesus left us his peace:  the peace that allows him to stand still in the strongest storms of life, a peace that allows him to forgive us.  The Bible provides us with five secrets to peace.  

P - Pray about everything: forgiveness, things that worry you, guidance, your joys, be grateful and our Father’s peace will guard our hearts and minds. 

E - Entertain beauty.  Look for the good around you and you will discover our Father’s handiwork.   Think about things that are true, honorable and just.  Then you will discover our Father’s peace is with you. 

A - Accept Our Father’s gift of peace.  One reason you may have trouble finding peace is because you are looking in the wrong pace. True peace is not hard to find.  All you have to do is accept it.  

C - conquer your fear.  We have fear when we feel weak when we don’t have the presence of our Father. He is with us always spiritually.  All we have to do is love him and keep his word. 

E - Emulate the Saints. Our life’s journey there isn’t 

enough time to learn all the things we need to know and understand.  We have Saints in the Bible and Saints outside of the Bible whose examples we should pattern our lives after.   The Bible says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. 

P - Pray about everything

E - Entertain beauty

A - Accept God’s gift of peace

C - Conquer your fear

E - Emulate the Saints

Peace be with you. 

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

In God We Trust

In God We Trust

What does that mean to you?  Do you really put all your trust in our Father?  

Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Today with all the things going on: covid-19, Black Life Matters, ugly gossip, hate, people saying no one is going to tell me what to do, on and on, I wonder have we taken our eyes off of Jesus.  The question you should ask yourself, Am I part of the problem?  Let’s talk about the virus, we want the country to open again, but we are not willing to do our part, make any sacrifice so the virus won’t spread.  A doctor said, “wearing a mask is much better than being put on a ventilator.”  Maybe you feel the virus won’t make you very sick, but what about an elder friend or someone who has a compromised immune deficiency.  You can have the virus and not even run a fever.  Do you really want to  take that change and bring harm to others?  

What about Jesus?  He willingly gave his life for you and me.  Wearing a mask and social distancing isn’t much of a sacrifice compared to Jesus’ sacrifice.  

Now let’s talk about Black Life Matters.  I know many say I am sick and tired of hearing about it.  Again ask yourself the question, Am I part of the problem?  Do you think less of people of color, or people who are different than you are?  In the Bible we are told to look at the heart.  If you look others in the eye you can see their heart.  If you want things to be better it has to start with you and with me.  Racism is a sin.  Hate is the same as murder in the heart.  Oh I know what you are thinking, who do you think you are?  Well I am a Christian, wife of soon to be 58 years, mother of 3, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 9.  I am a Stephen Minister, Sunday School Teacher and a servant of our Father.  Am I perfect, No, do I make mistakes, yes.   I rely on God’s Grace of forgiveness and on His word. The Bible is my manual for living right.  Although we have free will, we only have two choices: do what God wants or do what we want.  Our Father is a God of love and our new commandments from Jesus are “you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  So what do you choose, to obey God or do what you want. This isn’t going to go away.  So please rethink your choices.  Don’t be a part of the problem.  Remember what love is and is not, 1Corinthians 13: 4-5.  Care and make a difference.  I am grateful for all of you even if we look different, act different and believe differently.  We are all God’s children.  Max Lucado wrote, “It Is Not About Me.”  If you haven’t read it I encourage you to do so.   Put all your hope Trust and faith in our Father.  Let Him lead you, so you choose what is right.  

Remember God Loves You and so do I!

Who is Afraid of an Empty Tomb

Matthew 27: 57-28:15

Easter Sunday was my turn to teach our Sunday School Class.  Since we are still Stay in Place because of the Covid - 19, I decided to blog the message I would have shared.

How open minded are you?  G. K. Chesterton once said that merely having an open mind is nothing for the object of opening the mind - as of opening the mouth - is to shut it again on something solid.  Whether it is an open mind or an open mouth, you don't want to leave it open, you want to bite down on something substantial.  Therefore I invite you to open your mind this morning, in order to chew on some substantial facts about an empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection.  The truth does matter.   As we look at the truth I challenge you to re-think your view of God and yourself!  There are four truths and I hope you wont be afraid of them!

First Truth: Jesus Was Dead and Buried, and Everyone Knew It.
If Easter Sunday is going to have any real meaning beyond bunnies and colored eggs. then we have to establish one preliminary fact; Jesus of Nazareth was definitely dead when He was taken down from the cross on that Friday afternoon.  How do we know this?  There were four witnesses that can testify to it.- The Romans soldiers who helped crucify Jesus, Governor Pilate because he wouldn't have let anyone take Jesus  off the cross unless he was dead, Joseph Arimathea who placed him in his tomb, and the two ladies who came to the tomb  had witnessed everything.

Second Truth: Powerful People Tried to Make Sure that Jesus Stayed Dead and Buried
Some were concerned that the disciples would steal Jesus body and claim that Jesus rose from the dead.  So Pilate gave permission to make the tomb as secure as possible.  They posted several soldiers to guard the tomb.  Four groups of people wanted Jesus to stay buried: the chief priest, the Pharisees, the Roman governor Pilate and the soldiers on guard.

Third Truth: Jesus Was No Longer Dead and Buried. . . because He had risen from the dead!
Despite all those measures to prevent it, Jesus' tomb is empty, He is alive.  It is tough to keep a good man down. How do we know Jesus is alive?  The women who witnesses everything about Jesus' death and burial.  They are now convinced Jesus  is alive: the large stone is rolled back and the tomb is now empty, an Angel of the Lord who appeared like lightning told them that Jesus had risen, they saw the place where Jesus had been laid and He was gone, Mary meets the Risen Jesus and talks to Him. 

Not only did Jesus resurrection fulfill HIs own prophecies but the Old Testament prophecies about being raised from the dead on the third day.

What is the point of this for us today?

Fourth Truth: Jesus' Resurrection Compels People to Decide Who Jesus is and How They Respond to Him.

What does the Resurrection mean to you?  Does the Resurrection cause you to fear?  The Resurrection changes everything !  Jesus has won victory over death.  God is going about the business of reconciling the world to himself through Christ Jesus.  Imagine the meeting between the women and the disciples, their emotions ranging from disbelief to fear to excitement.  The news changed their entire world.  Joy replaced sadness, and excitement overwhelmed the fear they faced when Jesus was crucified.   

Starting on December 28 2001 until June 25, 2003 I lost 6 family members, beginning with my dad, mom, uncle, aunt, nephew and our son.  What does Jesus' resurrection mean to me: all my love ones are experiencing God's Glory.  They haven't died, but completed their journey and now are with Jesus.   Jesus is alive, He has Risen indeed.  This is a life-altering world-changing news. 

Prayer:
Father of resurrection, fill  my heart with the promise and proof of your Son in my life.  Show me the opportunities I  have to give the gift of Jesus to another today; in Jesus; name, Amen.  

   

The Great House of God

“The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Great House of God
     If you have not read Max Lucado’s book: The Great House of God I recommend you read it. I want to share with you about God’s Living Room:
Come sit. In this easy chair. It was made especially for you.  Warm your hands by the fire that never fades. Look, all round are framed photos of you.  By your chair is a table with a scrapbook.  Hmmm, pick it up and open it.  Oh my it is a  scrapbook about your life.   As you look through the scrapbook you glance up at the mantle of the fireplace.  There is a painting.  Your Father treasures the portrait.  He placed it there for all to see.  It is of you and your Father.  Behind you is a great house on a hill.  Beneath your feet is a narrow path.  Down from the house the Father has run up the trail you have trudged.  You and your Father met here at the gate.  You can’t see your face because it is buried in the chest of your Father.  You are the prodigal child.  You apologize: Oh Father I have sinned and done wrong to you.  I am no longer worthy to be called a child of God.  Punish me, take my name off the mailbox, and my initials off the family tree.  I don’t deserve to sit at your table.
     Look at your Father’s face.  He has tears in His eyes, and a smile on His face.   Your Father is not willing to stop being your Father.   Your Father will never turn you away.   The door to the Living Room in God’s house is never closed.  
     When the words of others hurt you or you feel overwhelm or when you feel you have failed, step into the Living Room, look up at the painting and remember how much your Father loves you.   Call out Father, He is just waiting for you to call on Him.  It touches His heart when you call Him Father.
     Romans 8: 38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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