Back from the Dead

Back from the dead. How convincing is that?

Not enough. That’s what Jesus told the rich man…who asked the Lord to warn his brothers about the terror of hell.

“If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”

What will it take for some people to come to faith? You may have thought that if God would just perform a great miracle – then they would believe.

But…as wonderful as miracles are…they do not have the power found in God’s Word.

Faith comes by hearing…and hearing by the Word of God. Though someone rise from the dead…that miracle is not as powerful to convict and convince as is the Word of God.

Let God’s Word do its work.

The Pursuit for Truth

The pursuit for truth. Every investigation is a quest for truth.

The cause behind a tragic accident…the best way to treat a disease…the right combination of chemicals – each calls for the quest for truth.

But…the same is true in relationships. What is at the core of a disagreement? How do we separate fact from fantasy?

Many disagreements dissolve when the pursuit for truth is persistent.

Separating truth from lies is another way to look at it. When you feel like you have no value – that’s a lie. When you think others feel ill toward you – that’s often a lie. When you doubt God’s love for you – that’s based on the worst lie of all.

By God’s grace – walk in truth.

Mummies

Mummies. Some of them are centuries old.

They were part of families — they worked…enjoyed life…and left their mark.

And…their significance as persons is as real as a loved one who died yesterday.

So…time does not depreciate personhood.

The temptation is to view mummies…the occupants of tombs…and catacombs as somehow insignificant.

The return to dust seems like convincing evidence that their significance might be dismissed.

Not so with our Heavenly Father. He is beyond time…so that people will not vanish from His sight.

Scripture speaks of a glorious day: “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable…”

The One who has spoken into existence all that is…will one day call back to life all those who have ever lived.

Live today…in light of this reality.

Shenanigan

Shenanigan. That speaks of behavior that can be deceitful.

A fabricated excuse. A half truth. A manipulative maneuver designed to control others.

Consider Adam’s conduct in the Garden of Eden — Saul’s excuse for not destroying the cattle of the Amalekites — and Judas’ attachment to the money bag.

Shenanigans.

Jesus said: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

So…make integrity a high priority. Resist every temptation to shade the truth. Let forthrightness be the hallmark of your life.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Let Him be a sentinel over your thoughts and speech.

Fallback Position

Fallback position. This is the retreat place when life gets difficult to face.

The fallback position for some is alcohol…for others it’s anger…and yet for some is a retreat into guilt and shame.

The given is this – life will include trials which become almost unbearable. It might be self-imposed…or the result of uncontrollable circumstances.

Plan for this…because the time will surely come.

But when your back is to the wall…what is your fallback position? Where is the place to which you retreat? 

The only secure fallback position is Christ. Let Him be your place of retreat.

His presence and His Word provide a place of refuge and peace.

Plan ahead for the right fallback position.

Hang On – Let Go

Hang on – let go. These are the two sides to the life of faith.

While King David’s infant son was fighting for his life…David prostrated himself in intercession – refusing even to eat.

But when the child died — he rose…washed…and began to worship.

He held on…then he let go.

The Apostle Paul earnestly sought the Lord for healing. Then God told him that His grace would be sufficient.

He held on…and then he let go.

Sometimes…godly people let go – when they should hold on. At other times…they hold on when they should let go.

There is a time to cling tenaciously to the promises of God. Then…there is a time to rest in His sustaining grace.

This is God’s way.

Let My People Go

Let my people go. And…that is still the cry.

It was the cry of God to Pharaoh: “Let my people go…” And He is still crying out against anything that destroys the freedom of godly people.

The taskmasters of Egypt had been cruel to the Israelites. And…now God was going to set them free.

What is today that enslaves God’s people?

The practice of conformity. A mob spirit has swept over the land…voices calling for compromise.

The scourge of indifference. Complacency has become increasingly more evident. The lowest denominator is the rule of the day.

The evil of indulgence. Satisfying passions has become a way of life.

But…God says “Let my people go.” And…He has the power to set people free.

Holy Ground

Holy ground. It has to do with times of divine visitation.

God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush: “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

And it was holy ground for Jacob at Peniel…Saul on this way to Damascus…and the disciples in the Upper Room.

But…sometimes the ground is holy but few people recognize it.

It is time for the church to recover a sense of the holiness of God. A lack of reverence is an insult to the One whose majesty fills the whole earth.

Yes…there are special times of divine visitation – don’t miss them. But…always seek to honor the holiness of God.

Maybe – just now – it’s time to remove your sandals.

Passing the Baton

Passing the baton. Sometimes it is dropped…and the race is lost.

The same is true with the baton of faith. Sometimes it is dropped…and family members are lost.

It might be parental inconsistencies…or the lure of the world. But the baton of faith is dropped.

Is this true for you? If so…how can you restore what has been lost?

The Apostle Paul wrote: “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

This is the key – to pray…believe…and trust.

Then you can be confident that by Christ’s grace…mercy…and love the baton of faith can be successfully passed.

Obsolescence

Obsolescence. It is the result of change.

It has to do with technology…styles…and manners.

But…sadly obsolescence causes some to change values. What was once considered sacred is now considered out of date…and best to be discarded.

Also…it can affect people – as if they too can be discarded. It’s the result of a throw-away mentality. Even life itself has been cheapened.

Against this background the gospel speaks with reassurance. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Over and over again the Bible declares that God is unchangeable. He is eternally the same.

So…be careful what you declare to be obsolete. If it’s just stuff…it matters little. But if you are dealing with Biblical values – cling to them with tenacity.

This is about living responsibly in an ever-changing world.