The followers of Jesus were showing signs of disappointment and concern. He had just let them know he would be leaving soon. These were the men who left jobs and families, and just about everything from their former lives, just to follow Jesus. Now he announces he is leaving.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4
Do you think often about the return of Jesus? Where will you be and what will you be doing when that happens? Will you feel a joyous excitement? Will you be afraid? (Those questions are for you to consider in some private time.......but please give them some consideration.)
From looking at the scripture about end times and the return of our Lord, there are some important things we can know now about that time.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Acts 1 gives us the account of Jesus leaving this earth, and the verses we are considering today let us know about his return. This week, we will be looking at those things the Bible tells us about Jesus coming back. Be sure you read the blog every day.
ronbwriting@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Monday, August 8, 2016
73%
I was cleaning out some files when I came across a report which, after reading, I wanted to share. Bear in mind this report is about 2 1/2 years old so some statistics may have changed.
The report from the Barna Group is out. I receive those reports in my email and always read them to see what is happening in the churches of America. There are always lots of statistics, followed by some researched information, and sometimes suggestions that are worth our consideration.
The report from the Barna Group is out. I receive those reports in my email and always read them to see what is happening in the churches of America. There are always lots of statistics, followed by some researched information, and sometimes suggestions that are worth our consideration.
This most recent report is in the form of a question and answer session with the President of a group called Q Place (Question Place.) This organization recognizes there are people all over the world that would be open to an interactive session where questions about the Bible, God and the church are discussed.
In this particular report, the topic leans toward effectively entering into a spiritual conversation with others. Further, when spiritual conversation is exchanged there is a better chance of sharing the message of the gospel.
Barna gave some interesting statistics in one of the questions they posed, statistics which shook me into thinking how miserably we Christians are failing in our attempt to be obedient to the Great Commission. Here is the quoted question, "Only 4% of unchurched adults were invited to church by a friend and actually went, 23% were invited but declined, and 73% were never invited at all. Why do you think this invitational model isn’t working?"
In this question, the term "invitational model" is the spiritual conversation method under consideration. There may be a lot to say about the ineffectiveness of a conversation in which we invite someone to church, but the 4% that actually came to church when invited, and the 23% that didn't, only adds up to 27% that received verbal invitations. That large 73% of people which said they were never invited at all, is the shocking part to me.
I hope you are bearing in mind the Great Commission is still a valid and vital command for the followers of Jesus. The command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), is our Lord's instruction to his followers which will result in bringing the unsaved, the unchurched, the untaught, into the body of Christ.
I realize not all Christians have the knack for striking up a spiritual conversation with someone. The scenario of feeling free to say, "Let me tell you about Jesus," or "Come see the exciting things God is doing in our church," isn't a scenario that is happening. I'm just thinking of all those Christian friends of mine who have no difficulty inviting someone to dinner, or a movie, or a football game. Shouldn't we, with the same zeal, be willing and able to invite them to church?
I've only covered one point of the interesting and informative report, but it has opened my eyes to my shortcoming of neglecting that 73%. It tells me again, God knows what is best. Can you imagine the effect on our churches when we get serious about conversing with that 73% who have never been invited to "come see a man?"
<ronbwriting@gmail.com>
Friday, August 5, 2016
I've been raised!
Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
These verses depict a paradox of the life of the Christian. While he is living in this world and carrying out the responsibility of "going into all the world to preach the gospel," the apostle Paul is telling us here that our hearts and minds are to be focused on heavenly things. Jesus, in the sermon on the mount was expressing similar sentiments when he said we should not store up treasures on the earth. Moths and rust can eat away at our treasure, and robbers can even steal them from us. Instead, Jesus urges us to store up treasures in heaven, and goes so far as to say, "Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
The paradox is this. We are in the world, and have responsibilities to ourselves and our fellow man in addition to those we have to God. Evangelizing the world is no small task. Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves isn't always easy. Gathering for worship and praise doesn't always find us in the right mood. Now consider the words of Jesus and Paul encouraging us to place our priorities on heaven, and not on the things of this world.
I like how John MacArthur solves this paradox, and in his words, we already know the answer. We know that physically we are in the sphere of earthly living. However, if we have been raised with Christ, as in dying to self and receiving the newness of life Christ brings, then we can set our hearts on things above. What a revelation! We are in this world, yet experiencing heavenly blessings all because we have been raised with Christ.
Notice again in the verses printed above, this involves setting our hearts on things above, in the very place where Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God. Not only are our hearts to be set on heaven, but our minds as well.
While living in this life, in this world, we belong to Jesus because we have committed ourselves to following him and given ourselves to him. The blessing is this: even while we are living here, we have a foretaste of our eternal destination. That's the plan of a God who loves you.
<ronbwriting@gmail.com>
Thursday, August 4, 2016
God's Creation
It's been a week, so my heart and mind are about finished absorbing the bad news. There is an emptiness in the house, and in the lives of the kids and grandkids. Our Chihuahua, PD (Puppy Dog) which as been an important part of the family, died last week. He was 18 years and 2 months old.
I have been on the web and finding Mark Lowery's song, "All Dogs Go to Heaven." Mark wears a t-shirt to support that song title by quoting Psalm 36:6. I will just say if that's true, then PD will be there.
Over the years, PD made lots of friends. He would climb up on the back of the couch where he could look out the front window. We joked about him directing traffic in front of the house. Even the mail man would wave at PD looking out the window. Several of the neighbors were always looking to see him perched on the back of the couch, watching over the whole neighborhood.
PD's world started changing when his hearing began to fail. It would take a shrill whistle to get his attention. He started losing hair. Next, his eyesight diminished. We all knew this would probably be his last year with us. You can understand how this has been on our hearts and in our thoughts since he passed.
He reminded me in his passing, I, too, have some hearing trouble. Then, I suppose I should confess my eyesight is not what it used to be. Yep, you guessed it....the hair is going, too. In spite of getting older, PD continued to be loyal, loving, and the source of happiness.
Oh yes, he also reminded me of those people I have known over the years who are gaining in age with the rest of us. What lies ahead, only God knows. That's why we place our trust and love in the Lord, knowing our bodies are wearing out. We are not as strong as we used to be. We are not as fast as we used to be. I'm saying we need to take a lesson from PD, and all of God's creatures. We must continue to be loyal to the promises and commitments we have made. We must continue to be an example for those who are younger. We must encourage those we meet to be followers of Jesus.
There is another section of scripture that I think of often. Romans 8:19-21, notice the mention of all of God's creation. "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." I would like for you to consider, "all of creation" is doing exactly what it was created to do.....except man. Humans sin and fall short of the glory of God, and for that reason Jesus came to offer himself to redeem us.
We are missing PD, but continuing to be thankful for the years he was with us. He was part of God's creation, and blessed us with love and laughter.
ronbwriting@gmail.com
I have been on the web and finding Mark Lowery's song, "All Dogs Go to Heaven." Mark wears a t-shirt to support that song title by quoting Psalm 36:6. I will just say if that's true, then PD will be there.
Over the years, PD made lots of friends. He would climb up on the back of the couch where he could look out the front window. We joked about him directing traffic in front of the house. Even the mail man would wave at PD looking out the window. Several of the neighbors were always looking to see him perched on the back of the couch, watching over the whole neighborhood.
PD's world started changing when his hearing began to fail. It would take a shrill whistle to get his attention. He started losing hair. Next, his eyesight diminished. We all knew this would probably be his last year with us. You can understand how this has been on our hearts and in our thoughts since he passed.
He reminded me in his passing, I, too, have some hearing trouble. Then, I suppose I should confess my eyesight is not what it used to be. Yep, you guessed it....the hair is going, too. In spite of getting older, PD continued to be loyal, loving, and the source of happiness.
Oh yes, he also reminded me of those people I have known over the years who are gaining in age with the rest of us. What lies ahead, only God knows. That's why we place our trust and love in the Lord, knowing our bodies are wearing out. We are not as strong as we used to be. We are not as fast as we used to be. I'm saying we need to take a lesson from PD, and all of God's creatures. We must continue to be loyal to the promises and commitments we have made. We must continue to be an example for those who are younger. We must encourage those we meet to be followers of Jesus.
There is another section of scripture that I think of often. Romans 8:19-21, notice the mention of all of God's creation. "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." I would like for you to consider, "all of creation" is doing exactly what it was created to do.....except man. Humans sin and fall short of the glory of God, and for that reason Jesus came to offer himself to redeem us.
We are missing PD, but continuing to be thankful for the years he was with us. He was part of God's creation, and blessed us with love and laughter.
ronbwriting@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Pray for me
James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
One of the most powerful books in the New Testament is the Book of James. In the verse above he encourages Christians to pray for each other. Let us first establish the fact the act of intercessory prayer is one thing we Christians are asked to do, and the one thing we can all do. How difficult is it for us to say a prayer for someone else?
My favorite reading on the subject of intercessory prayer comes from the pen of Andrew Murray, who shows us the importance of this act in his little booklet, "The Secret of Intercession." Here is a quote from his introductory remarks,
Intercession! Would one not say that this is the very holiest exercise of our boldness as God's children, the highest privilege and enjoyment connected with our intercourse with God--the power of being used by God as instruments for His great work of making men His habitation and showing forth His glory? Would one not think that the Church would count this one of the chief means of grace, and see above everything to cultivate in God's children the power or an unceasing prayerfulness on behalf of the perishing world?
Murray goes on to suggest that believers, those who have been brought into a "rightness" with God, should actively be involved in lives of prayer, especially prayers for each other. That brings me to ask myself, and all believers to think for a moment about the people we need to be including in our prayers. Yes, we need to continue to pray those prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful deeds of God. We should never omit prayers seeking forgiveness for sin in our lives. But right now, perhaps with pen and paper, think of the people you know who are struggling, in need, suffering health issues, needing to know Jesus, people who teach us, people we can teach, our children, our parents.......the list is endless.
This type of prayer was especially important to Paul as he traveled on his missionary journeys, establishing churches, converting people to Christianity, and fulfilling his God-given purpose of spreading the gospel. In his letter to the Colossian church, written from a prison cell, he says, " Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Let's vow today, as I pray for each one who reads this devotional blog, you will be praying for me, too. It is going to be so amazing for us to see the workings of God in the lives of those for which we pray.
<ronbwriting@gmail.com>
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
For their good.....
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
Romans 15:1-5
I read a story this week, a story that reaches back to 1941, about an event that took place just 10 days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The attack triggered America's entrance into World War II. Our entire country was devastated and worries of the war being fought both abroad and in our home country. Thousands were enlisting, as the heart of America was beating by the sacrifices of its people.
The story was about a small town in Nebraska whose residents heard a rumor that a troop train, loaded with men from the Nebraska National Guard would be passing through their town. The entire community started organizing and working toward making "goodie bags" for all the troops on that train. There would be food, toiletries, magazines, snacks, and just about anything else to show this community's support. When the train arrived, they learned it was not the Nebraska National Guard, but a troop train that had originated in Kansas, and loaded with men that nobody knew. They thought briefly, then decided to share all the prepared bags with their neighboring Kansas troops. All of this led to something better.
The community further organized and decided to make the goody bags available to every troop train that came through their town. I can hardly imagine the work and sacrifice involved, but the people of North Platte, Nebraska never missed a troop train during the entire war. Not only were the needs of the troops met in such a gracious way, but the community folks became closer and closer to each other as they worked day in and day out to show love and support for those defending our country.
The last troop train passed through that Nebraska town in April of 1946. The war was over and the troops were arriving back home. At that point it was calculated this single community had blessed over six million servicemen during the war years. Counting the folks from neighboring towns, some 45,000 volunteers had made a difference by serving sandwiches, drinks, and other necessities to our fighting men.
The next paragraph in the story I read asked a single question. "What are you doing to build up the people that you encounter every day? Now look to the scripture above, with special emphasis on verse 2. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Spend some time today serving others, praying for others, helping others....for their good, to build them up. God bless!
ronbwriting@gmail.com
Romans 15:1-5
I read a story this week, a story that reaches back to 1941, about an event that took place just 10 days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The attack triggered America's entrance into World War II. Our entire country was devastated and worries of the war being fought both abroad and in our home country. Thousands were enlisting, as the heart of America was beating by the sacrifices of its people.
The story was about a small town in Nebraska whose residents heard a rumor that a troop train, loaded with men from the Nebraska National Guard would be passing through their town. The entire community started organizing and working toward making "goodie bags" for all the troops on that train. There would be food, toiletries, magazines, snacks, and just about anything else to show this community's support. When the train arrived, they learned it was not the Nebraska National Guard, but a troop train that had originated in Kansas, and loaded with men that nobody knew. They thought briefly, then decided to share all the prepared bags with their neighboring Kansas troops. All of this led to something better.
The community further organized and decided to make the goody bags available to every troop train that came through their town. I can hardly imagine the work and sacrifice involved, but the people of North Platte, Nebraska never missed a troop train during the entire war. Not only were the needs of the troops met in such a gracious way, but the community folks became closer and closer to each other as they worked day in and day out to show love and support for those defending our country.
The last troop train passed through that Nebraska town in April of 1946. The war was over and the troops were arriving back home. At that point it was calculated this single community had blessed over six million servicemen during the war years. Counting the folks from neighboring towns, some 45,000 volunteers had made a difference by serving sandwiches, drinks, and other necessities to our fighting men.
The next paragraph in the story I read asked a single question. "What are you doing to build up the people that you encounter every day? Now look to the scripture above, with special emphasis on verse 2. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Spend some time today serving others, praying for others, helping others....for their good, to build them up. God bless!
ronbwriting@gmail.com
Monday, August 1, 2016
Such a Frenzy
Follow this scenario. You get a call from City Hall. The mayor is coming to your house to give you an award for having the most beautiful yard in town. Spring rains have helped in keeping things green. Colorful flowers are blooming. The yard man has just finished his weekly trim on the grass and shrubs. Everything looks beautiful but that phone call has put you into a sudden frenzy.
Your mind is racing about things that need to be done before the mayor's arrival. Perhaps the front porch needs swept. The garbage cans are still out by the curb. Your car in the driveway hasn't been washed in a couple of weeks. There is so much to do so you get the rest of the family to join your frenzy by delegating tasks that must be done before the special guest gets there. Suddenly your house is a bee hive of activity because you want everything to be perfect.
Then you think of the sweat pants and tank top you are wearing. You can't have your picture taken on the award-winning lawn in clothes like that. And your hair! Sure you ran a brush through it this morning but when a dignitary like the mayor comes to your house, you want to look at least as nice as your lawn.
All this thinking is climaxed by your wondering if you should serve refreshments. Is there something you can "throw together" fast enough to pass for dignitary entertainment?
This reminds me of a story Jesus told about visiting in the home of sisters named Mary and Martha. Look at Luke 10:38-42. Make no mistake about it. If you knew Jesus was coming to see you at your home, wouldn't there be some work to be done before his arrival?
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Are there things that put us in a frenzy and cause us to miss important opportunities? Mary was a hostess that welcomed Jesus into her home and "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." Martha, likewise was a hostess that was so distracted with the preparations for the Lord's visit, she spent the time Jesus was in her presence "worried and upset."
What things are priority in your life that prevent you from spending quality time with the Lord? We choose what is better when we invite Jesus into our lives, our homes, our schools and our businesses, when we make him the priority.
<ronbwriting@gmail.com>
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