From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 16:21-23, NKJV

In my last blog I gave consideration to the question, “What are you thinking about?” This was based on the statements Paul made concerning having our minds set on things above and not on the things of earth. The quote from Matthew is a sobering example of incorrect thinking – of Peter having his mind set on the wrong things as Jesus spoke to His disciples about His coming betrayal, death, and resurrection.

Granted, I must admit that I have no idea how I would have responded to Jesus’ startling revelation. Peter and the others had already committed themselves to Jesus as their Lord, undoubtedly thinking that He would soon establish His kingdom on earth. And now they hear Jesus speaking of His impending death! The two thoughts were totally irreconcilable. How could He possibly be King if the things He revealed were true?

So how does Peter respond? First, note carefully the manner of his response: he actually rebuked Jesus. Can you picture this scene in your mind? One of Jesus’ disciples rebuking his Teacher? One of His servants rebuking his Master? It sounds ridiculous – absolutely absurd – but here it is: Peter rebuked the Lord.

Then, note the contradictory element in Peter’s rebuke. “Far be it from You, Lord.” How could Jesus truly be his Lord if he rebukes Him, refusing to believe what Jesus has now revealed? In that moment, Peter was not submitted to Jesus’ lordship, but to his own selfish, worldly, earthly thinking.

And that is exactly what Jesus says. He tells Peter that his mind is set on the wrong things. He is not thinking about the things of God, but the things of men. In that moment, for a brief blip in time, Peter allows his mind, and his desires, to be focused on a worldly way of assessing the information at hand, and not thinking about his need to be submissive to the Lord’s teaching.

But can we come down excessively on Peter for his outlandish behavior? Can we not see ourselves in his reaction to Jesus’ revelation? Can we not think of times when we have done the same thing as Peter did? I certainly can! Far more times than I would like to consider. There have been those times in which my remark to the Lord in response to something He was leading me to do, or something He had allowed to come into my personal experience was, “No, Lord.”

Even as I type those words, “No, Lord,” I realize how grievously evil they are. I think about the utter audacity of making such a statement. I think of the contradictory nature of combining those words, because it is in saying “No, Lord”, that I show who is really lord: ME! He can’t be my Lord if I refuse to bow to His lordship.

And I can’t bow to His lordship if I constantly practice incorrect thinking. As long as I have my mind set on the things of men, the things of the earth, then I cannot possibly be submissive to Jesus Christ. And please note how Jesus responded to Peter’s ridiculous rebuke:

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 16:23

Ouch! Peter could not have missed the dagger of Jesus’ words of rebuke. “Get behind Me, Satan!” Peter had given himself over, not only to selfish thinking, but to a Satanic mentality. This was nothing short of a spiritual mutiny! You can’t rebuke the Master without being your own master. You can’t dethrone the King without usurping the authority of the King.

This is incorrect thinking – the very type of thinking we are to put off once we have become followers of the Lord. And then, we are to strive to think of things above, and not the things of the earth. May this be the desire of our hearts and minds as we strive to be sincere disciples of our Savior and Lord!

Blessings!

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV

Let’s face it: life is filled with distractions. There are so many things in life that will quickly, easily, and, if we aren’t extremely careful, even permanently take our attention away from the one thing that should always be uppermost in our minds. And what is that one thing? Paul states it clearly in the passage quoted above. We are to set our minds on things above. Believers in Jesus Christ should have a heavenly mindset.

But is that even possible? We are pulled in so many different directions, faced with a multitude of distractions, focused on so many demands, that we find it impossible to have our minds set on things above. Oh, we may carve out a few minutes each day for a time of prayer and Bible reading, perhaps even read some devotional material, and maybe even do the exercises in a discipleship growth guide, but beyond that our minds are focused on the gazillion other things that are pressed upon us. We find it beyond our capabilities to have our thoughts focused on things above, and not on the things of the earth.

So, Paul must have not meant this to be taken seriously. How could he? Even the great apostle must have had moments when his mind was focused on the things of the earth. Surely when he was engaged in tent making his mind had to be riveted on the task at hand. When he was recuperating from the many beatings, stonings, and other forms of persecution he endured his mind would have been absorbed with the pain and discomfort he was experiencing.

And besides, if he only knew what was going on in my life right now, he would never even think of suggesting that I could have my mind set on things above. Right? Really – am I right? Well, no, I would be absolutely wrong. My mind should be fixed and focused on things above. Regardless of what I am doing, who I am with, where I am going, what deadlines I have to meet, what projects I have to complete – or anything else – my mind should be focused on things above.

The eventualities of life are but avenues of opportunity for us to show the love of Christ to a needy world. As our minds are consistently focused on things above, our lives will bear witness to our total commitment to the Lord, and those with whom we come into contact will see the influence of our heavenly mindset on our attitudes, actions, and activities.

To make sure his readers don’t miss this important point, Paul goes on to explain in the following verses. Read carefully these words which elaborate on this crucial matter.

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Colossians 3:5-10

As disciples of Jesus Christ, having died to our old self and having been raised to new life in Christ, our lives are to bear the radical change that has been wrought in us by the indwelling, empowering, and enabling of the Holy Spirit. We are to systematically put off the old, which is influenced by the things of the earth, and put on the new, which is influenced by the things above. Our lives are to bear witness to this radical transformation.

And thus, we are to fix our minds on things above, realizing that the things of the earth are no longer to have power over us.

So, what are you thinking about?

Blessings.

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.

Luke 2:25-26

The Christmas narrative does not end with the birth of Jesus Christ, but rather goes on to tell us of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple on the eighth day of His life, as required by Jewish law. It was there that they met Simeon. It would serve us well to give attention to this man, as we can learn some invaluable lessons from his role in the continuing story of Christmas.

The passage quoted above gives us a very brief portrait of Simeon. He was righteous, devout, and faithful. He was the kind of person with whom the Holy Spirit could freely communicate, because Simeon had a heart for God. And God did indeed communicate with this man!

This is something of grave importance for Christians in this modern, post-Christian era. I have heard quite a few professing believers confess that they had never heard God speak. Well, if they are referring to hearing an audible voice from heaven, then they are most likely correct in their assessment. But God does speak. He speaks through the Bible. He speaks through circumstances of life. He speaks through the sound exposition of a passage of Scripture by a gifted teacher or preacher. He speaks through other believers, and on occasion, through non-believers. He speaks – but are we listening.

Simeon was a man who was listening. And out of his righteousness and devotion, God spoke. And He revealed to Simeon a most wonderful message: Simeon would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Wow! He would actually witness the long-awaited Messiah, in the flesh. Messiah would come in his lifetime.

How long had Simeon waited since receiving this wonderful promise? No one knows. Perhaps days, or weeks, or months, or years, or even decades. There is no way of knowing. But he remained steadfast in his dedication to the Lord. And now, the day had finally arrived. As he enters the temple – once again probably hoping that today would be the day – the Holy Spirit revealed to him that this baby boy, being held lovingly in the arms of His mother, was the One for whom he had waited. His faith had now become sight. His wait was over. Messiah had come!

For the believer in this present day, we, as Simeon, should be steadfast in our devotion to the Lord. We also have received a promise from the God: Jesus is coming again. As did Simeon, we should be looking for this amazing event every day. We should be prepared for His coming, living lives of righteousness, with total commitment to Him in all things.

Jesus admonished HIs followers to be alert, sober-minded, and constantly looking to the heavens for His appearing. Simeon had received the message that he would see the Messiah before he died, and it caused him to constantly watch and wait for His arrival. We have been told that Jesus is coming again, and it should cause us to constantly watch and wait for His arrival.

Is your outlook on life based on your up-look in life? Does your eager anticipation of His return compel you to live a life of righteousness and devotion to the Lord, believing that today could be the day of His return? As we enter into a new year, let’s make it the year that we commit ourselves to the belief that each day could be the day, and live our lives accordingly.

Simeon is a great example for each of us to follow. Let’s not allow ourselves to get so caught up in this life, and the things of this world, that we forget about the promise of His coming. Let’s spend our time in this life looking for, and forward to, the next.

Blessings!

Each year it seems to this writer that we, as a society, move farther and farther away from the true meaning and message of Christmas. Secular Christmas music is the rule of the day. Emphasis on the commercialism of Christmas becomes more prominent with each passing Christmas season. “Happy Holidays” is the greeting we hear with more frequency, as the wish for a “Merry Christmas” fades into the distant past. This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, many churches closed their doors, opting for “family time” instead of taking time on this most special day to worship the One whom we celebrate on this annual holy day.

There seems to be a clear, coordinated movement toward eradicating the true meaning of this most blessed season. Many Christians seem to be succumbing to the world’s secularization of the celebration of Jesus’ birth, making it nothing more than a festive occasion to attend parties, visit with family and friends, and enjoy receiving those gifts that we have hinted at with such clarity that our loved ones could not miss the message.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. I have no problem with all of those things enumerated above. I love getting together with family and friends, sharing a festive meal together, and exchanging gifts which are (or should be) a sincere reflection of our love for one another. I love the sights and sounds of Christmas as much as the next person – perhaps even more than some.

However, I am deeply saddened about the overwhelming emphasis placed on those things to the exclusion of keeping our focus on the main thing – the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. After all, to quote a well-worn cliche – He is the reason for the season. There would be no Christmas if it were not for the birth of Christ. His name is prominent in the name of the celebration. It is all about Him.

I realize that some of the things I have said in this blog may offend some. I assure you, that was never my intention. But I must say that it saddened my heart to hear of so many churches cancelling services on this most holy day. Parents, what is more important to teach our children about Christmas than the message of God’s amazing love shown to us in His giving His Son? I have been a Christian since 1977, and Christmas has fallen on Sunday only seven times. It doesn’t happen very often at all. As a matter of fact, parents will only have a couple of occasions during their children’s childhood years to have the opportunity to show them the importance of celebrating Jesus’ birth. The gifts under the tree can be shared early on Christmas morning, still leaving time to get to church, where we are reminded of the most amazing Gift of all – Jesus Christ.

Am I being legalistic here? Some will undoubtedly think so, and again, I do not mean to offend. But I think Jesus deserves more than a token tip of the hat on this day that should be all about Him. I pray that this blog will find sensitive ears and hearts upon which to fall, and that we will give serious consideration as to what it really important as we celebrate this most holy day.

Blessings!

(Last year I wrote the first poem I have ever written. It was titled, “Twas the Day After Christmas”. Here is my second attempt at writing a Christmas poem. I hope you enjoy reading these words, and it will be a reminder of the real reason we celebrate this season.)

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the town,

People were frantically scurrying around.

What were they doing? What was the hurry?

Where were they going? Why were they worried?

Some were looking for that one perfect gift

To give to that person they desired to impress.

But what do you give to the one whom you love?

A partridge in a tree and two turtle doves?

Oh, no, that’s a poem! Meaningless rhyme!

I must hurry! I don’t have the time,

To run to one store, and then to another,

Oh, why, oh, why, is this such a bother?

I look at the faces of others as they shop,

As I think to myself, “What is the point

Of all this commotion, all this stress?”

There must be more to December 25^th!

Exhausted and frustrated that I haven’t yet found

That one perfect gift as I’ve searched through the town.

I think to myself, “There has to be one.”

Then I hang my head, feeling totally outdone.

As I make my way to that next Christmas store

Thinking that surely I will find something there

I round the corner, and what do I see?

A gloriously beautiful nativity!

The sight caught my eye, I suddenly stopped,

Being quickly reminded exactly of what

All the commotion and fuss of the season was about

And it wasn’t about what I had been about!

It wasn’t about finding that perfect gift,

Because that gift had been given on December 25^th!

Long ago, in a manger far away,

In an animal trough a new-born baby lay.

His mother, Mary, was close by His side

Tenderly caressing His hands, feet, and eyes.

A precious baby boy, both human and divine,

Had been born that night in the town of Bethlehem.

As I stood there in silence, pondering this sight,

The answer came to me, in the stillness of the night.

Why was I so worried, so hurried, so stressed?

It makes no sense at all, since I already have the best!

Yes! The baby in that manger, He is the gift –

The most precious, perfect, amazing gift.

What could I give that would be better than this –

To show those I love what perhaps they have missed?

Perhaps they don’t know the real reason for the season.

All they know is that something is missing.

They don’t have the joy, the peace and the love

That comes from a relationship with that One

Who was born in that manger, long, long ago

To bring to sinful man the love of God!

So this Christmas season, the best I can give

Is to share with others this most amazing gift!

I want you to know Him, personally, for yourself,

By accepting God’s offer of His wonderful gift

That was given that night, long, long ago

In a manger in Bethlehem, with stars all aglow,

Announcing the birth of this new-born King

Who came into this world glad tidings to bring

Of grace, and peace, and mercy, and love,

The most perfect gift, sent from above.

That’s what this season is really all about.

So let’s be reminded, let’s focus our thoughts,

On the true meaning of Christmas, with the hope,

That those whom we love will accept this most perfect gift,

And then give it to others, as we celebrate His birth.

So now settle down, enjoy the sounds and the sights,

Wishing all a Merry Christmas, and to all a good night!

I have had the Covid vaccination, and the booster. I have also had the flu shot, that is touted to guard against an array of different flu types. And now, I sit here in my living room with both Flu type A and Covid. Teresa is also suffering from this double whammy, her symptoms being much worse than mine.

This is not a statement in opposition to the vaccinations, but a simple observation from my recliner. Life is filled with uncertainties. We can plan, prepare, and even put into place safeguards that we think will protect us from some of these eventualities, and still find ourselves in the throes of some malady or tragedy. For those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ, and who trust that He will care for us by His power and grace, we might be a bit confused about some of these negative experiences in life.

Some seem to believe that those who place their faith in the Lord should never have to worry about suffering the ills, difficulties, and tragedies of this life. There are those proponents of the prosperity gospel who teach that a sincere believer should experience nothing but health, wealth, and happiness. But the common lot of all humankind is the experience of troubles and difficulties of differing measure and magnitude.

Teresa and I could choose to be upset with God about allowing us (or should I dare to say, cause us) to come down with this double whammy. We could raise a defiant fist in His face, screaming at the top of our raspy voices, “WHY?” Or, we could say with that great old sage, Job,

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?

Job 1:21; 2:10b, NKJV

Job seemed to grasp a theological truth that many, perhaps even most, never get. He understood the truth that God’s goodness should never be equated with the good things God does. Perhaps it would be wise to reread that preceding sentence. Why? Because it seems that a vast majority of professing believers seem to think that God’s goodness is to be understood by the multitudes of good things He does. But what about those bad things: family dysfunction, financial disasters, health problems, personal tragedies, etc. etc. that catch us completely off guard? What about those perplexing seasons of hardship and heartache?

Are we to think less of God, or at least less of His goodness, when it doesn’t appear He is coming through for us? Are we to grow disgruntled with Him when He allows us to suffer in some way or another? Are we to become embittered against Him, angry because He has let us down?

Or are we to respond in the same manner as Job? Are we to acknowledge the fact that the Lord gives, and He takes away, but He is always good in how He chooses to act? Certainly, this is the response of faith. Trusting God when we can’t see nor understand what He might be doing and believing that He is always at work for the good of those who love Him.

Some reading this may not be aware of some extremely serious health issues Teresa has been through in the past three years. Without going into detail, just let me say that due to those issues her immune system has been compromised severely, and this causes her to be far more susceptible to contracting illnesses of varying kinds much easier than those who have strong immune systems. I could cry out against God, reminding Him that in His sovereignty He has all power to deal with all manner of disease and difficulty, and that He has power to heal any and all sickness and illness. But the reaction of faith is to trust God with the situation and commit the outcome to Him.

God is good – all the time. The circumstances, situations and eventualities of life should not be allowed to cause bitterness against God but should be a reminder that we get far better than we deserve all through life. And in the end, we get to spend eternity in that place Jesus has gone to prepare for those who love Him and are longing for His appearance. What could possibly be better than that?

Blessing!

Dr. David Jeremiah is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I love listening to his sermons, which are rich with Biblical truth. He has recently published another book, “The World of the End”. Intriguing, to be sure. I have not yet read this work, but plan to do so in the near future. Some may think that this is simply a play on words, but in reality, it is a thought-provoking title which piques the interest of those interested in Biblical eschatology.

Years ago, I preached a sermon entitled “Is this the beginning of the end?” It was not long after Desert Storm, when bookshelves were filled with books explaining why this was the end, that Jesus would come soon for His bride, the church, and the world as we know it would come to it preordained conclusion. It did seem, after all, that things were pointing to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy which describe how the world will be during the days leading up to the coming of Christ.

Well, here we are 32 years later, and Jesus still hasn’t come for that cataclysmic event that most Christians are anxiously anticipating. I am one who believes that Jesus could come at any moment. There are no Biblical prophecies that must be fulfilled before He comes for His bride. It could happen before I type the next letter, or before you read the next word. He is coming – but when no one knows.

So, what are we to think about those statements – “the end of the world”, or “the world of the end”, or “the last days”? Are we living in the final days of this present age? I believe strongly that the answer to that question is a resounding yes! There is an interesting passage in the first Epistle of John that helps us understand this idea. Read carefully the following words from John’s pen:

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

1 John 2:18-19, NKJV

It is clear from this statement that the Apostle John felt that the coming of Christ was close at hand, because of the influence of the spirit of antichrist in his day. He referred to it as “the last hour,” a clear indication that he believed deeply and strongly that he was living in the very last days.

It is clear from historical records that the world of John’s day was steeped in antichrist sentiment. Christians were hated and despised by everyone. The Jews, the Romans, the pagans of the day all despised those who committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Multitudes were put to horrific deaths because of their commitment to Him. It is little wonder what John thought that it was the last hour in his lifetime.

But now more than 2000 years have passed, and Jesus still hasn’t come. How are we to understand this? How could it have been the last hour in John’s day, but the world is continuing as it always has? It is really rather simple, but still a bit confusing. In actuality, the last days began when Jesus ascended back to the Father after His death, burial, and resurrection. These last days will continue until we reach the time of the very last days, which will ultimately reach their climax with the last day – the day Jesus comes for His bride.

So, yes, we are living in the last days, or, to use Dr. Jeremiah’s terminology, the world of the end. The spirit of antichrist is going to continue to grow stronger and stronger with each passing day. Political systems, philosophical systems, educational systems, etc. will continue to move in a more antichristian spirit, while the number of sincere believers will grow smaller and smaller. Many will leave the church and never return, because, as John says, they were never really part of the church to begin with.

So, the question we must all ask ourselves is this: am I ready for that ultimate last day? It could happen THIS day. It could happen THIS moment. Are you ready? The only way to be ready is to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord. Have you committed your life to Him? Does your life bear the fruit of the Spirit of God? Is your life a testimony to His glory?

It is not a matter of knowing about Him. Multitudes of people know about Jesus. But very few really know Him. Have you come to a time in which you realized your personal sinfulness, repented of your sin, trusted Jesus’ saving work on the cross, and yielded your life to Him? If not, you will not be in His kingdom.

We are living in the world of the end, in the last days, moving toward that last day, that last hour. The need to be ready is urgent. Don’t put it off any longer. Now is the time to make your salvation sure.

Blessings.

Will You not again revive us, that Your people might rejoice in You?

Help us. O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us and forgive our sins for the sake of Your name.

Psalm 85:6; 79:9, LEB

Our nation has once again come to a time in which we are given the privilege and responsibility to cast our votes for the political candidates of our choice. The lines of demarcation are clear. There is really no question as to where the candidates stand on key issues. The only thing that remains is for us to go to the polling places on election day, cast our votes, and pray for God’s will to be done.

But this raises an interesting question: how are we to pray? I have seen so many posts on social media echoing the much-repeated request, “God bless America.” Everytime I read that statement, I think, “God has already blessed this nation in a multitude of ways.” His blessings have been abundant and clear. So, maybe we need to add a word to our request that God bless America. Perhaps we should add the word “again”.

As the psalmist prays for his nation, it is of great interest to note the emphasis he places on God’s name: “for the glory of Your name”. and “for the sake of Your name.” He makes four appeals to God in the two verses quoted above: revive us, help us, deliver us, forgive us – and his appeal that God would perform these four works “for the glory of His name”.

It would be wise for each of us to ask ourselves a very serious question: what is the motivating factor behind my prayers for America? If it is anything other than the glory of His name, then perhaps it is time for us to have a change of prayer perspective. Let’s think for a moment about the four appeals of the psalmist in these verses.

First, there is the appeal for revival: “Revive us again, that Your people might rejoice in You.” Even though this appeal is from another verse, and even from another chapter in the Book of Psalms, it could be thought of as the foundation of the other three appeals. Revival is the bottom-line need for a nation that has strayed from its commitment to God.

It only takes a cursory reading of the Old Testament to see this pattern in the historical record of Israel. They would stray far from the initial commitments they had made to God, which would result in God’s hand of judgment coming to rest upon them. It would be during those times that the people would begin to call out for God to revive them – to restore them to the state of spiritual favor they had lost. In the estimation of this writer, our nation is in desperate of need of a spiritual awakening and a time of revival. So, let us pray that God would revive us, FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.

Second, the psalmist makes an appeal for help: “Help us. O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name.” We are in constant need of the help of God. There is never a moment of time during which we do not need His help. But, as seen again in the record of Israel’s historical progression, there were times in which they became haughty, thinking to themselves that they no longer needed God. They had become self-sufficient, thinking that they had attained their status and their prosperity by their own ingenuity.

When one of the major political parties in our nation states forthrightly that they want to take God out of their platform, then it leaves no room for doubt that there is a large segment of our nation’s population that sees no need for God. We are in definite and desperate need of God’s help. So. let us pray that God would help us: FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.

The psalmist’s third appeal is for deliverance: “Deliver us for the sake of Your name.” Deliverance can be thought of in different ways. In physical terms this appeal might be based on the desire to be delivered from bondage or servitude of some type to another nation. There were many times in Israel’s long, storied history in which they were subjugated to other nations.

But it could also be thought of in terms of a spiritual bondage. Many times the people of Israel strayed, spiritually, committing “spiritual adultery” as they sought to somehow maintain their worship of God while at the same time engaging in the worship of the gods of other nations. This is certainly a present-day reality in our nation. The founding fathers clearly envisioned a nation which would be built upon the foundation of Christian principles and practices. We have now allowed other “gods” of other nations to invade our nation, to enslave multitudes of our citizens, and to force Christianity into silence. So, let us pray for God’s deliverance: FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.

And finally, the appeal is made for forgiveness: “Forgive our sins for the sake of Your name.” There is so much, from a Biblical perspective, for which we need God’s gracious gift of forgiveness. As a nation, we all need to be concerned about decisions that have been made which move us in a direction diametrically opposite to the clear teachings of Scripture. The sanctity of human life; the Biblical view of marriage; the Bible’s instructions on human sexuality; the Bible’s emphasis on the necessity of maintaining a firm and full commitment to God and His Word; and so many others, show clearly how desperately we need to plead with God for His forgiveness for decisions that have led us far from Him rather than closer to Him. So, let us pray for God’s forgiveness: FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.

I encourage each of us to take seriously the privilege of going to the polls on election day to cast our votes for the candidates of our choice. However, before we go, and before we cast that ballot, let’s make sure that we are voting based on Christian, Biblical convictions. Let us take our stand, and raise our voice, FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME!

Blessings.

A good name is to be chosen rather than riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1, NKJV

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1, NKJV

There are so many verses in the Bible that would lead us to understand the significance of a person’s name. The two quoted above are only a sampling of many others that could be cited to cause us to realize how extremely important it is to seek after and to maintain a good reputation.

Pause for a few seconds, or perhaps even a few minutes, to ponder how people from your past would remember you now. I sometimes think about people whom I knew in my youth and early adulthood and wonder how they would remember me from those days of high school and college. I would like to think they would have fond memories of me, but sadly, they probably do not.

I was not much of one to give serious thought to protecting my family name by the way I conducted myself. As a matter of fact, I probably didn’t give it any serious consideration at all. I can’t remember even once when I mentally assessed how my actions would reflect on my family name.

Now that you have taken a few moments to think about how people from your past would remember you, think about some of those that you knew in the past and consider what comes to mind when you remember them. There are some you may remember as partiers, never giving serious thought to much of anything. Others may bring painful memories as you think about how they hurt you in some way. Still others may bring a huge smile to your face as you think about the positive impact they had on you and others.

Of course, our memories of those in the past are based on those memories. I would like to think that some of those from my past would be pleasantly surprised at the person I have become since those early days, but at the same time I am sincerely sorry for the poor reputation I had back then.

But I am so glad that the past does not determine the present. I am so glad that God, in His grace, gives opportunities to change. And, with that change of behavior comes a change of reputation. At this point of my life, there are those who would be shocked if I shared with them the kind of person I was in my youth and young adulthood, just as there are those from back then who would be shocked to learn of the kind of person I have become.

I can’t change my past – it is what it is. But I don’t have to be chained to the past, nor the reputation I may have had in the past. As a matter of fact, as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, my life should now reflect the reality of my relationship with Him. Paul says that as we grow closer to Jesus our lives should bear a close resemblance to Him. Read these words carefully:

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:29

I am a Stewart. I represent those who have come before, and I should be an example to those coming after. I should seek a good name over the riches of the world, and I should never do anything that would tarnish the Stewart name.

But more importantly, I am now a representative of Jesus Christ. As Paul says, I should be conforming more and more to His image as I walk in intimate fellowship with Him. I represent His name. As I profess to be a Christ-follower, my behavior should reflect the reality of that profession. If I behave in an ungodly manner, then I not only tarnish the Stewart name, but I also bring reproach to Jesus’ name.

Many years ago, I chose these words from Paul’s pen as my life verse:

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV

First and foremost, I am to represent Jesus Christ by doing all that I do for His glory. I should strive for that kind of reputation. Doing so will certainly protect my family name against being tarnished, but much more importantly, it will never tarnish the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that is more important than any amount of silver or gold!

Blessings.

Worship. What comes to your mind when you hear the word? Perhaps the following excerpt will help:

What does it mean to worship God? Jesus states to the woman at the well that the worship of God must be in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). How is this accomplished? As one attempts to describe true worship, our answers tend to confuse external ritual with the more basic internal truth of worship. Our experience at church on Sunday is only the outward expression of worship. The singing of hymns, responsive readings from Scripture, corporate or private prayer, and the preaching of a sermon are all parts of worship, but true worship begins in the heart. A proper understanding of the Hebrew word shachah, translated “worship,” will help convey this fundamental principle.

Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew Words Defined and Explained

Please note carefully the statement, “As one attempts to describe true worship, our answers tend to confuse external ritual with the more basic internal truth of worship.” Note the distinction between external action, and internal truth. Let’s consider those two concepts with the desire to come to a better understanding of true worship.

First, think about the external ritual of worship. From this perspective, we could make a summary statement that defines worship as something we do. It could be thought of as an action in which we involve ourselves at certain times, and in certain places. For example, it has become commonplace to hear people refer to certain segments of a Sunday morning church service as “worship.” The “worship leader” stands before the congregation and invites everyone to “worship”, which is an invitation to sing the words of the songs prominently displayed on the huge screen at the front of the auditorium. This part of the Sunday morning experience is called “worship”. This would present the idea that everything else done during that experience is something other than worship.

If worship is something we do, then it is nothing more than external ritual. We have worshiped if we have engaged in certain activities that are identified as worship. But is that what we are to understand worship to be? Are we to live under the premise that we can worship God by engaging in certain activities, and thereby fulfill our obligation of worshiping God? Or is there more? Does true worship entail more than the engagement in external actions that are described as being “worship”?

To answer that question, let’s turn our attention to the matter of internal truth. It has long been my understanding that worship is not something we do, but rather it is who we are. Worship is not external actions that can be done, and then checked off our list of things to do. Worship is who we are – it is our whole being.

Of course the internal truth of worship will produce in us certain external actions, but engaging in certain external actions does not necessarily mean that we have truly engaged in worship. I can stand at the invitation of the worship leader, and I can sing the songs as they appear on the screen. But does that mean I have worshiped? Maybe, and maybe not. The external action has to be borne out of an internal truth. I can sing, “Oh, worship the King”, and my mind can be a million miles away. In reality, this is not worship at all. Rather, it is as Jesus said:

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Matthew 15:7-9

It is obvious from these words that it is possible to engage in external acts of “worship” and yet never truly engage in worship. Worship is not merely attending certain events at certain times and on certain days. It is not having a set time and place for a daily “devotion” during which I read a portion of Scripture and go through a prayer list lifting individuals and situations to the Lord’s attention. It is not attending a mid-week Bible study fellowship, where I engage in lively discussion with others about key Biblical truths.

Worship is not something we do, it is who we are.

Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. Each of those things could be worship – true, sincere worship – but just the act of engaging in them does not equate to worship. Worship is not an action or activity, it is a state of being. Worship is not something we do, it is who we are. It is that state of being that leads me to be mentally and spiritually aware of His presence at all times, in all places, and with all people. It is that state of being that leads me to spontaneously burst forth with praise as I become aware of His closeness.

The external acts of “worship” become acts of true worship because in them we have a personal encounter with the living God of the universe. Let’s not be guilty of simply going through the motions of ritualistic worship in which we worship with our lips while our hearts are far removed. Let’s be true worshipers, worshiping out of our state of being, living our lives for His glory.

Blessings!