"When you eat the labor of your hands,..."

Love this verse!

Psalms 128:2(NKJV)

2    When you eat the labor of your hands,      You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

It is good that we work and provide for our families.  I believe God made us that way.  There is a satisfaction in seeing your loved ones provided for and cared for. 

That is one of the reasons that I think the welfare system in America is so insidious.  It seems to destroy that desire and that pride in some people. 

There are many people who fall onto hard times for a short while and welfare helps them get back on their feet.  That is a good thing and I'm glad the system works for those people.

Unfortunately there are many people who haven't fared so well in the system.  There are many in the system who would rather game the system and not work.  In some cases it has even become a generational thing.  They take pride in getting all the free stuff.

How sad.  They are missing out on a great blessing that God has for all of us.
 

Psalms 128:2(NKJV)

2    When you eat the labor of your hands,      You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

  

What Does Greatest In Heaven Mean?

Have you ever noticed how sometimes we equate one word with another without even realizing it?  I caught myself doing that with this verse.

Matthew 18:1-5(NKJV)

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 

3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

4Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Does greatest equal most rewarded in Heaven?  Does greatest equal most honored in Heaven?  What does it mean to be greatest in Heaven and what exactly is this verse trying to say? 

Here is what threw me about this verse.  I have written several times about all the verses in the Bible that tell us all who accept Christ are saved but that our rewards in Heaven will be different based on our works.  In my mind I equated greatest in Heaven with most rewarded.

My thought process being that if you got the most rewards in Heaven that would be an indication that you did the most for God.  Does that make sense?

Unfortunately I don't think that fits this verse because you don't see little children going out and doing a lot of work for God on their own.  Therefore I come to the conclusion that greatest in Heaven and most rewarded are not the same thing and that there must be another meaning to these verses.

So how about greatest in Heaven equals most honored?  I think it was James and John's mother who asked Jesus if He could promise her that her son's would sit at God's left hand.  Jesus told her that wasn't an honor (His words) that was His to give.

What does that tell us?  First that some will be held in higher esteem than others in Heaven.  But again, at least to me, that doesn't really make sense in the context of these verses.

So where does that leave us.  I think this is an allegory on the importance and value of faith.  Not just any kind of faith, but child like faith.  I think the greatest in Heaven will be those who lived their lives by faith in Christ.  Complete, total, faith in His ability to lead and direct your life.

Have you demonstrated that faith yet by asking Jesus to lead your life?  Why not?  God has a great plan for your life and it starts with accepting Jesus.  Just have a conversation with Jesus and ask Him to guide you and lead you.  "Dear Jesus…."

Does that mean you don't have to do any work?  Not according to Scripture.  Your reward is still based on the work you do.   It's just that with Jesus leading your life you are much more likely to be doing the work that God actually wants done.  Why?  Because you are following Jesus with childlike faith which makes it much easier for Him to direct you in God's plan for your life. 

Make sense?

Why Moses and Elijah?

Matthew 17:2-3(NKJV)

2and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 

3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 

When I read this today it made me wonder, why Moses and Elijah? 

Nothing wrong with them.  Great choices.  I just wonder if there was any significance in God choosing those two out of all the great people in the Old Testament?

Think of it.  God could have chosen Abraham, Joseph, Isaiah, Daniel, or many others.  He chose Moses and Elijah.  Might make an interesting study to compare the two and see if there is any significance.

Then again maybe it is just another example of God having a little fun and just checking to see if I was really paying attention.  :)

Is This How Jesus Loves His Enemies???

I am once again struck by the abruptness of Jesus in dealing with unbelievers.  Just to be clear, I am talking here about unbelievers who have already chosen not to follow Jesus. 

Notice how they are trying to play gotcha and Jesus is having none of it.

Matthew 16:1-6(NKJV)

1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 

2He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 

3and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ £Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 

4A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of £the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

5Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 

6Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

A couple of things stand out here to me.  Since the Pharisees and Sadducees are clearly adversaries and not true seekers, notice that Jesus doesn't spend any time trying to lovingly turn them around and win them over. 

Why not?  Didn't Jesus say "love your enemies"?  Did Jesus treat them very lovingly?  Seems to me that a lot of modern day Christians would take "love your enemy" to mean that they needed to try and water down Scripture so that they could come to a compromise with the Pharisees and Sadducees so that everyone could feel included and loved.

So we have one of two things going on here.  Either Jesus is a hypocrite for saying "love your neighbor" while treating them this way or a lot of people have a lack of understanding of what Jesus meant by "love your enemy". 

Remember, if you think you have found a contradiction, check your premise.  In this case I think the faulty premise is that capitulation in some way equals love.

How are we supposed to love our enemies then?  I believe we are to love our enemies by praying for them and being willing to reconcile when they are willing to seek reconciliation.  I don't think it means we stop fighting our enemies.

Why do I believe that is the proper way?  Because that is the model that God has shown us.  Scripture tells us that when someone rejects Jesus they are declaring themselves an enemy of God.  God kicks butt against His enemies but God is always willing to forgive and take back anyone who asks forgiveness and accepts Jesus.  If they never do that then Scripture tells us that God will eventually treat all of His enemies to eternal damnation. 

The other thing I notice is that Jesus warns the disciples against the "leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees".  A couple of verses later it is explained what He means.
 

Matthew 16:11-12(NKJV)

11How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 

12Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Another thing that we see in the modern day church is this whole idea that we have to be all inclusive and keep an open mind.  Really?  That doesn't seem to be what Jesus is saying. 

Jesus for Jews only?

Matthew 10:5-6(NKJV)

5These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 

6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

While at first this may seem exclusionary, we know that God made other provisions through Paul to reach the Gentiles.  That part makes sense to me.  Then I cam across this.

Matthew 15:22-28(NKJV)

22And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

23But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

24But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

26But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

27And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

28Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

What I find interesting here is that Jesus was flat out ignoring this woman.  That sure is a different picture than most people have of a loving Jesus isn't it?  When she kept asking he even rebuked her for asking for His help.  He called her a dog.

Think of that!  Jesus degrading this woman and calling her a dog just because she asked for His help.  And He still wasn’t going to help her; until she said something that got His attention. 

What was the final reason that Jesus helped her?  It was her faith that caused Him to act.  Now think of what Jesus did for that faith.  He overrode God's plan. 

Think about it.  What was Jesus' reason for acting this way?  Jesus says He "was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and she was from Canaan.  Now who sent Jesus?  God did.  So Jesus is telling us that God sent Jesus only for the Jews.  And despite Jesus knowing that God sent Him only for the Jews, He disobeyed God and helped that Canaanite woman anyway.

What are we to think of that?  The other thing I wonder from this story is does it mean that there were many other people who he purposely denied His help to because they didn't come up with a quick witty response to demonstrate their faith?  If so whatever happened to the whole mercy and love thing?

Questions that will take more study. 

Pearls before swine baby!

Now this is a command from Jesus.  What do you think it means? 

Matthew 7:6(NKJV)

6“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

I think it means don't waste your time trying to save those who have already made a decision against Jesus who just want to cause others not to believe as well. 

You know the ones I am talking about.  The ones who like to ask Biblical gotcha questions and have no interest in entering into an honest debate.  In other words, the ones who have already declared themselves to be enemies of God by rejecting Jesus.

How does that square with what Jesus said in the book of Mark?

Mark 16:15-16(NKJV)

15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 

Before I answer that let me remind you that contradictions don't exist.  If you think you've found one, check your premise.  (Thanks you Ayn Rand!)

Why would Jesus on the one hand say "Preach it to everyone" and on the other hand say "don't waste your time on these folks"? 

I believe the difference is that the ones He says "don't cast your pearls before swine" about are people that have already heard the message and made a decision not to follow Jesus.  In other words, as other parts of Scripture tells us, they have already declared themselves enemies of God. 

Doesn't that require me to judge them?  Not at all.  They have publicly declared that they don't believe, that they have heard the message and rejected it.  There is no judgment in that.  You are simply taking them at their word. 

Does that mean they are lost forever?  Nope, not according to Scripture as I read it.  They are free to come back and apologize to God anytime they want and He will gladly receive them.  However I believe the ball is in their court.  We shouldn't be wasting time and resources on people that have already declared their unbelief when there are people out there who haven't even heard the message yet. 

One last thing here.  Does that mean we should never engage these folks?  Not at all.  If you get the feeling that they are truly searching and looking then by all means engage with them.  But if all they want to do is steal your faith and the faith of others, don't waste your time. 

How do you tell the difference?  I believe that is where the discernment of the Holy Spirit comes into play but we'll leave that for another time.

The Poor vs The Unbeliever

I am doing something interesting as I start the New Testament over.  I am categorizing everything Jesus said.  One of the greatest Bible study tools I have found is Microsoft One Note.

I set up a new tab for topics that Jesus addresses.  Then when I read something Jesus said I either paste it to a topic or I make up a tab for the new topic. 

Some of the topics are pretty basic.  Things like love, faith, etc.  But some of them are a bit deeper.  Things like Sowing and Reaping.  Do Jesus and God Purposely Exclude  Some People?  Jesus and Unbelievers.  Jesus and the Poor.

The last two I find particularly interesting.  I think there is a tension in the Bible between the two.  Here is what I mean.

There are many places in the Bible where Jesus seems to favor the poor.  We are told to care for the poor.  We are told to feed the poor.  We are told the poor will inherit the earth.    There is so much focus on the poor in the New Testament that the poor seem to take on their own brand of sainthood among some Christians today.  There are some Christians that seem to think that the poor are even morally superior because they are poor.

Here is where the tension comes in.  Look at some of the things Jesus says about unbelievers.

Matthew 13:57-58(NKJV)

57So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 

58Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Look at that.  Because of their unbelief, Jesus purposely withheld many of his blessings from these people.  So here is one Scripture that tells us that even Jesus recognized that not everyone was entitled to His blessings. 

Matthew 13:11-17(NKJV)

11He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 

12For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 

13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 

14And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:      ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,     And seeing you will see and not perceive;

15    For the hearts of this people have grown dull.     Their ears are hard of hearing,     And their eyes they have closed,     Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,     Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,      So that I £should heal them.’ £

16But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 

17for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

So here we have Jesus explaining that not all are intended to understand and benefit from God's plan.  That God had Jesus purposely speaking in code so to speak so that only believers would understand and benefit.  Jesus also explains that those who have much will be given more and those who have little will lose what they have.  Notice he doesn't condemn it, He explains that it is the system in place.

There are also plenty of Scripture that tells us that believers are heirs with Christ. 

Matthew 13:47-50(NKJV)

47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 

48which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 

49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 

50and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Here we have Jesus explaining that during the end times God will separate the wicked from the just and the wicked will fry.

So here is my question. 

Does the fact that someone is poor trump the fact that they are unbelievers and entitle them to all of the benefits that God promised to believers?

I'm looking forward to digging deeper into this issue and I'll let you know what I find. 

Exceptions

Here is an interesting one.  We are told throughout Scripture that the only way to salvation and God is through Jesus.  However it appears there are exceptions.  Take a look.

Matthew 12:39-42(NKJV)

39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 

40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

41The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 

42The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

I have complete confidence in Jesus.  If He wants to make an exception I am OK with that.  Look at the explanation that He gives.  The men of Nineveh showed great faith and repented and I think that is why Jesus made the exception.

The one problem that I have with the exceptions is this.  It is hard to defend staying true to your principals when we have examples like this in the Bible where Jesus made exceptions to His. 

Where I see this exemplified is in the current battles in churches today.  As an example there was an article the other day about how the Catholic Church is trying to stay "relevant" in the face of changing social mores.  I have seen articles saying the same about some Evangelical churches today as well.

Is that what churches should be doing?  Making exceptions to what the Bible says based on changing social mores?  I personally don't think that is appropriate.  I think the Church should be standing up for God's principals.  It's sometimes a hard argument to make however when the other side can point to times where Jesus made exceptions. 

Say what? "...the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."

Here is another one of those that I don't ever remember reading before.  Not only do I not remember reading it but what the heck does it mean?

Matthew 11:12-13(NKJV)

12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 

13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 

What?  Isn't Heaven where God is?  Isn't that the place that all of us who have accepted Jesus expect to go?  Why is God allowing violence in Heaven?  Who is taking heaven by violence?  Do you ever remember reading that there was violence in heaven?
 

This one is going to take some study.

Speaking of what the heck does it mean.  Check this out. 

Matthew 11:18-19(NKJV)

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her £children.”

Again, what???  That sounds suspiciously like "the end justifies the means" to me. 

Another one to study and ponder on.  Studying God's Word is so much fun.  Some days it all seems to make sense.  Some days it doesn't make much sense at all.  But that doesn't matter because everyday that you spend in God's Word helps draw you closer to God! 

Why not? Doesn't Jesus want them saved?

Matthew 10:5-6(NKJV)

5These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 

6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Doesn't this seem odd?  I thought Jesus wanted all to be saved?  Why would he not want the Gentiles or the Samaritans to hear God's Word? 

If Jesus truly is the "way and the truth and the light" and nobody comes to the Father except through Jesus, then isn't Jesus condemning these people to hell by denying them the opportunity to hear God's Word? 

I thought Jesus was all about love.   How does this show love? 

Jesus only wants the Jews to be saved?  Isn't that kind of racist?

Anybody out there old enough to remember Emily Litella from Saturday Night Live?  She was the one who was famous for going into a long diatribe that ended with "Never mind".

Well that is a bit of what we have here.  It's real easy to read this isolated text and ask some really tough questions.  The thing is, for those who have read the whole Bible, you know that there is a big "Never Mind" coming.  What is it?

The Apostle Paul.  You see God had a plan.  It wasn't that Jesus didn't want the Gentiles or the Samaritans to hear the message.  It was that God wanted someone else to bring the message to those folks.  That someone else was Paul. 

What is my point?  Just that this is an example of why it is so important to study all of Scripture.  When you have questions or read things that don’t seem to make sense, store them in the back of your mind and keep reading.  Chances are they will get answered down the road just as this one was.  

Sin and Health

Matthew 9:1-7(NKJV)

1So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 

2Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 

5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 

6But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 

7And he arose and departed to his house.

Verses like this have always troubled me.  It seems to say that the guy is paralyzed because of sin in his life.  I've seen some Christians use verses like this one to say that it is sin that causes all of our problems. 

In some sort of metaphysical way I suppose that is correct but in a real life way I don't buy it. 

Let's take a paralytic for example.  It well could have been sin that caused the paralysis.  The person could have been out drinking and driving and gotten in a wreck.  On the other hand the person could have been born that way.  What sin did they commit?   

I am especially troubled by this verse because it is said by Jesus himself.  I am always loath to take exception to anything that comes straight from Jesus. 

Oh well, one of those things that I am sure the Holy Spirit will help me to understand more clearly when I need to understand it!  

Even demons believe in the end times!

Here is another one of those "Gee I never noticed this before" even though I've studied this passage before.

Matthew 8:28-29(NKJV)

28When He had come to the other side, to the country of the £Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 

29And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

Before the time?  Think about that question.  The question indicates that the demons know that Jesus is going to kick their tail at some point in the future.  They don't even doubt or question that.  They just wonder why he is there so soon, so early. 
 

Even the demons don't question the possibility of an end time, they just question when.  What about you? 

Just one more reason to make sure you are good with God before the end time come.   Have you accepted Jesus yet?  That is the one and only way to make sure you are right with God. 

Why not do it right now?  Just ask Jesus to come and guide your life.  Talk to Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Jesus's Guaranteed Success Formula!!!!

Folks have you ever wanted to know what it takes to succeed?  Have you ever read books on success or gone to seminars like Tony Robins to learn about success?  I have done both of those things and I think they are very valuable.   

However if you want the one true guaranteed success formula, look no further than what Jesus himself said in Matthew 7:7-8.  Take a look.

Matthew 7:7-8(NKJV)

7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

There is a three step formula here.  In two of the three steps we are responsible for the work or action.  I think maybe that is where many people slip up.  They ask and wait for God to strike them with the miracle stick to make their lives magically better.  It doesn't work that way.  But I digress. 

Some people might find this formula a bit simplistic but I am going to suggest that it be used in a certain way.  You can't mistake God for a magic genie in a bottle and think you are going to get anything and everything you ask for.  But if you make absolutely sure that what you ask for is something that both you and God want, and you follow through and seek what you ask for, you are guaranteed to find it.  

The first step is to ask.  What does that mean?  Ask who?  God!  Pray to God.  Talk with Him.  What should I ask for?  Here is my suggestion.  Make it your fervent prayer that God guide you on a daily basis to help you fulfill the plan that God has for your life.  That's it.  Don't worry about what you want.  Don't worry about what you need.  God will take care of all of that as long as you seek him first.

That brings us to step two.  SEEK!

That doesn't mean taking a casual look.  There is more to seek than that.  Seek indicates putting extensive effort into your search.  It means running into dead ends sometimes and having to change course.  It means being willing to put in effort to find and follow God's plan for your life.

Step 3.  Knock!  If you continually seek to follow God's plan for your life, God will not deny you, He will answer!

Step 4.  "Wait a minute.  I thought there were only three steps!"  Well step four is simply repeat the process the rest of your life.  If you do you can't help but be successful in life, at least as God defines success, and that's all that counts isn't it?  

Is God's system evil?

I've written many times abut my surprise at realizing that the Bible tells us that while all are saved by grace and can go to Heaven, once we get there our rewards in Heaven are based on our works.  Here is probably the single most clear passage on the subject because it is Jesus saying it. 

Revelation 22:12-13(NKJV)

12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 

13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the £Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Here is what I don't get about Red Letter Christians (Christians who believe that socialism is Biblical).  If as Jesus says our reward in Heaven will be based on our work, why would you not expect it to be that way on earth as well?  And if reward based on work is the system established in Heaven by God then why do Red Letter Christians call that evil here on earth?  Is it their contention that the system established by God in Heaven is evil? 

Just wondering?

What does it mean to let your light shine?

Matthew 5:16(NKJV)

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does it mean to let your light shone?  How do you let your light shine?  By being excellent at all you do; and then by using the skills that God has given you in the way that God directs you to use those skills to further His Kingdom. 

What really got my attention was the second part of this verse.  "….that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven."

What type of good works are we talking about here?  Here is how I see it.  Jesus is talking about good works on a scale that it even gets the attention of non believers and has them glorifying God for what you do.

Now don't get me wrong.  I think individual good works are important.  We are the hands of God as they say.  When we cut the old lady's grass next door we are letting our light shine.  When we help out that person who needs some groceries, that is letting our light shine.

My point however is that we serve a great God who will help us help so many more people if  we will only let Him.  The problem is we get in the way of God's greatness in our own lives sometimes. 

I think some times good people go to church, listen to the sermons, but then fail to translate what they have learned into action.  How many people do you know who go to work and just want to blend in?  They just want to put in their 8 hours, not draw attention to themselves, and go home; and wonder why they don't seem to get ahead in life.  Are they letting their "light shine"?

Is that really living life the way God instructs us to live it?  Is that really using the gifts and abilities that God has given us to their fullest potential? 

Yeah but that's not what Jesus is talking about here is it?  Isn't Jesus talking about the good works you do for God's kingdom?  I would suggest that they are connected, maybe even one in the same.  Let me explain.

One of the things about effective ministry, ie good works, is that it takes many skills besides just being able to do some work.  It takes persuasion to enlist people in your cause.  

"But I don't need other people for my good works."  Really?  You can do more as an individual than an army of people can do for God?  I don't think so. 

It takes organizational skills to coordinate an army of people.  Let me give you an example.  Our church gives away free groceries every Friday.  People buy food and drop it off at church.  That food has to be organized into bags and made ready for distribution.  Thousands of people have been blessed by this program. 

Now as dedicated and caring as everyone involved with the program is, the fact remains that all of them acting individually could never feed as many people as they do together through the free groceries program.

And it takes leadership.  One of the places people generally develop their organizational and leadership skills is on the job.  And the people who usually end up with the opportunity to learn those skills are the people who are trying to excel, not just blend in.

So there you have it.  That is why I believe that it is important for Christians to excel in all that they do, not just in ministry.  People who excel are generally successful.  People are drawn to other successful people and are willing to help in dynamic ministries.  I would suggest that there is no better way to let your light shine than attempt to be the best you can be in all that you do!

Why know your Bible?

Many people wonder why they should study the Bible.  Isn't going to church and hearing the sermon enough?

I guess the answer to that question depends on what the goal is.  If you want to please God then I would say no, that isn't enough.  In fact if you could only do one or the other, my guess is that God would rather have us in His Word on a daily basis then going to church once a week.

This story in Matthew I think illustrates one of the reasons why it is so important for us to know our Bibles.  Here you have Satan tempting Jesus.  Now we know that Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Jesus has also been described as having a two edged sword coming out of His mouth so I'm pretty sure Jesus could have flat out whipped Satan if He had chosen to.  But what did Jesus do instead?  Read the verses and then I'll give you my answer on the other side.

Matthew 4:1-11(NKJV)

1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

2And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 

3Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”£

5Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 

6and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:      ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,      ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,     Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”£

7Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”£

8Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

9And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

10Then Jesus said to him, £“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”£

11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

In all three cases, Jesus simply defeated Satan with God's Word. 

Now you might wonder, how does that help us?  Because as heirs in Christ we have the same ability.  Can we stop Satan from messing with us and attacking us occasionally?  Nope.  Can't stop that.  But what we can do is know God's Word and use it to turn Satan's attacks into minor irritations that we know we will always prevail in. 

Why?  Because we studied, knew, and depended on God's Word and God.

"Teach me good judgment…."

I love when little nuggets like this catch my eye. 

Psalms 119:66(NKJV)

66    Teach me good judgment and knowledge,     For I believe Your commandments.

This is either King David or King Solomon praying that God would teach him good judgment.  I had never thought of judgment as something that could be taught.  I thought it just came with experience. 

Good to know!

If you're aware enough to ask the question….

Here is a question for you.  Scripture tells us to depend on God and not take matters into our own hands.  Scripture also tells us that as we ask God for help in our lives, God expects us to supply the work to dig ourselves out of whatever situation we are in.  In other words, God doesn't usually just wave a magic wand to fix things.  Does that make sense? 

So here is the question.  How do we know when we have crossed the line from doing the work that God gave us to taking over and replacing God, at least in our own minds?   

That was a question I was pondering today as I meditated on God.  As a control freak I know that is something that I have to guard against.  You know what God's answer to me was? 

"If you are aware enough to ask the question then you are probably OK.  But thanks for asking.  Make sure you keep asking that question frequently the rest of your life and you'll do all right!"   :)

I can do that!

Want to have a great day?

It's pretty simple.  May not work every time but it works about 99% of the time.  Just start every day with an attitude of gratitude as they say.  Simply start each day saying this verse with meaning and feeling.  Truly mean it!  You can't help but have a good day if you do!

Psalms 118:24(NKJV)

24    This is the day the Lord has made;     We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Does there come a time when it is too late?

Apparently so.  I had never noticed this before.

Revelation 22:9-11(NKJV)

9Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. £For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 

10And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 

11He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him £be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

If I'm reading this correctly it seems to be saying that in the end times there will come a point where we are told to stop trying to win souls to Christ.  According to this Scripture there will come a time when it is too late. 

It almost seems like a game of musical chairs.  Right now you have right up until you die to accept Christ.  We've all heard of death bed conversions.  What this seems to be saying is that at some time in the future the music will stop and some will be left scrambling for a seat in Heaven only to find out that the seats are all gone, FOREVER!

Considering all of the great benefits of being a Christian I don’t understand why people wait but they do.  All I can say is don't wait too long!