Life Builds Your Heritage

Have you ever heard of a man named Epaphras?   Yes, he is in the Bible and only mentioned in Paul's letter to the Colossians and the little one-chapter letter to Philemon. Four verses of the entire New Testament tell us all we can learn about Epaphras. 

Paul wrote both of those letters while in was imprisoned in Rome and according to his mention in the letter to Philemon, Epaphras was a fellow prisoner. We also know that even though he is now in prison with Paul, he was actually from Colosse. 

From just several verses in the Bible that mention Epaphras, there is an abundance we can learn from his example.

1.  He had preached the gospel to the Colossian residents.  His teaching had delivered the Good News about Jesus in that city, and obviously had succeeded in bringing many to Christ. In Colossians 1:7-8, "He is Christ's faithful servant...... He told us  about the great love for others the Holy Spirit has given you."

2. He was faithful to the truth.  Having already been described as Christ's faithful servant, Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to understand how Epaphras had been faithful to the message of truth he delivered to them. 

3. He remembered his roots.  From the Roman prison Paul is writing a letter to the church in Colosse, and his fellow prisoner Epaphras, is mentioned by Paul in a salute to the residents of his home town.  We all know how encouraging it can be to receive greetings and good wishes from someone we haven't seen in a while, and Epaphras was just such an encourager to his brethren.

4. Epaphras was a man of prayer.  In the NIV, the verse in Colossians 4:12 mentions that Epaphras "wrestles in prayer for those in Colosse, that they will stand firm in the Lord."

 

5. He was a man of zeal.  We might describe him in today's terminology as being "on fire for the Lord." This is further evidenced as Paul tells the Colossian Christians of the encouragement they receive from Epaphras, and also those in the church  in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 

Just a few  verses in the New Testament about the life of a man who was truly devoted to his God, and truly devoted to the people whose lives he touched.  I confess to you I have read his name in these verses before, but today I see a great example for all believers to follow. Epaphras is to us a picture of faithful devotion to the Lord, and a picture of the love we should have toward each other.

If our journey through life seems insignificant, we need to steer ourselves in the direction of the brethren like Epaphras. I could only hope that I would be remembered as a faithful servant of Christ, that I was a man of fervent prayer, a man of zeal, remembering fellow Christians in love, and remaining faithful to the gospel. 

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I'm Coming Back for You!

The public ministry of Jesus was drawing to a close. His sacrificial death on the cross lay ahead.  I would suppose one of the most difficult things he would need to do would be to inform and warn his disciples on the events that would be happening soon. 

These were the men Jesus had called to follow him. Their following consisted of making drastic changes in their lives and lifestyle. Their previous jobs and families were left behind when they made the decision to follow Jesus.  Our Lord knew of the changes that had come to them. He knew how they had  trusted him and followed him, even in times when it wasn't easy. Jesus needed to use the right words spoken in the right way to assure them everything was going to be all right. 

For a moment, put yourself in their place. You give you allegiance to Jesus. You have walked away from the people and the life you previously knew so you could follow him. You grew to trust him because you had heard his teachings, witnessed his miracles, and believed his truth. 

Then Jesus called his band of believers to him and made the announcement, "I am going away and you cannot go with me."  What a letdown! The announcement he made to them caused them to question their loyalty, and wonder if they had made the right decision when they became a follower. 

John 14 records the comforting words Jesus shared with these men, and they have become words to be shared with all of us when we face disappointment, discouragement, or sorrow.  "Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. My father's house has many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you. 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. You know the way to the place I am going."    Note three things Jesus promises which to bring comfort the them, and to us. 

1.  I am going to prepare a place for you.  The devotion of these men to Jesus had been demonstrated in their trust of God and now Jesus encourages them to trust him, too. While their discouragement was because of their lack of understanding the approaching death of Jesus, the promise was given that their faithfulness would bring the reward of a place in the father's house.  Perhaps when we feel discouraged and let-down, we need to be reminded of that promise for us.

2.  I am going to come back.  Jesus wanted them to know his return to earth would be for the specific purpose to take them with him, where they could be together with him.  Of all the promises we have in this life, the greatest is the promise that Jesus is going to come back to take us home with him. 

3. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  This claim of Jesus provides the sustaining power his followers needed to keep on keeping on with their lives and testimony. In like manner, we find strength in making Jesus our way, truth, and life, even as we face difficulties and disappointment. Life lived on the basis of this promise of Jesus, is a life that becomes a blessing to countless others. Have a great weekend.

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Be merciful to me, a sinner

Luke 18:9-14

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We have come to know the Pharisees as the religious elite of that day. They were really sticklers about following all of the law, including their traditions, and were quick to judge those who swayed in one iota. On the other hand, the tax-collector, also known in some translations as the Publican, was a person despised by almost all his countrymen. His responsibility was to collect the Roman taxes, and he made his living by charging more than the necessary tax. The tax-collectors were notorious for being cheats, liars, and swindlers.

Thus the stage is set for the Pharisee and the tax-collector who were both at the temple to pray. Jesus, in telling the parable, says the Pharisee stood and prayed about himself, thanking God that he was not like other men. He even mentioned several groups, including robbers, evildoers and adulterers. Then his self-righteousness led him to continue in his prayer, "Lord, I am even glad I am not like this tax -collector."  The Pharisee's prayer ended with him assuring God how good he was, by fasting and giving.

The Pharisee in his prayer reminds me of the parable of the lost son that Jesus had told. After he had wasted his inheritance and was living with the pigs, he came to himself and returned home. His older brother expressed jealousy over the rejoicing of the father which welcomed home his lost son. Like the Pharisees, the older brother considered himself the loyal son, not like his brother that had left home and ruined his life. The older brother was faithful, kept the rules of home, and worked harder for the father. 

Are we like the Pharisees at times?....reminding God how faithful we are, how good we are, how hard we work for him?  We are so glad we are not like the sinners that surround us. Those who in disobedience are the guilty ones are the ones we want to keep at a distance. 

The tax collector, realizing his sinfulness, unable to even glance toward heaven, prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."   Jesus teaching went on in Luke 18 to inform his listeners that even more than rule keeping and adherence to religious laws, I want you to be people of love and mercy. Those who recognize their need for God, are also those who are confessing they cannot make it alone. That's why Jesus said that day, it was the tax-collector who when home justified.

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I wish...

James 1:17  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Philippians 4:6  "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

The idea of thanksgiving becomes an automatic practice for the child of God.  While we may often forget to tell God "thank you,"  the very lifestyle of Christians should show they are a thankful being toward their gift-giving God.  We readily admit we would be in a hopeless condition were it not for God's provisional nature toward us.  That's why we thank him for our food, our homes, our families, and on and on to include everything we are and everything we have.  He is a loving God whose love toward us is seen daily in the abundance of blessings he provides.

Are there times when you feel God has shorted you, especially in the "blessings" department?  We see our neighbor prospering and having things we have longed to have.  He drives a better car, wears nicer clothes, takes more vacations, and another list goes on and on. 

 

What is it, you want right now, that you want to ask God to provide?  Here is your chance.  Make a wish list.  Let me help you, by making a list of some things that I have personally wished for. 

New truck, new house, a complete new wardrobe, a big fat bank account, a bass boat, fame, an iPad, safety and health for my family, Caribbean cruise, a trophy buck in my gun sights,  (I could keep making this list forever!)  Does your wish list look anything like mine?

I was on a roll with my list, then I thought about a quote I read earlier today.  It goes like this:

"What you take for granted, someone else is praying for. What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"       OUCH!

Look back to the top of the page and read, really read and absorb the two Bible verses.  And there is one more verse I wish to share with you.   It's from Philippians 4:11-13 and the pen of our old friend, Paul:

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. "  

   

Someday I may have everything on my wish list.  On the other hand, my earthly life may come to an end before I have anything from the list.  That teaches me to be content with what I have, knowing all gifts are from God, and it is he who calls me to do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  While that makes my wish list "not so important," it enriches my life for God when I know he is my source for all things.

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Wearing My White Hat

I am a fan of TV Westerns, and the older black and white movie westerns.  The TV cable provider that serves my house can easily track my viewing choices if there is an old western movie on.  I was raised during the years when western movies were the choice of the majority.  My writings have already reflected in several early blogs about Roy Rogers being one of my childhood heroes.  I also liked Gene Autry, John Wayne, Tom Mix, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, and others.  (Sorry if I missed your favorite cowboy.)

I mentioned TV Westerns at the top of the page so let me mention names which are still of the household category like, Matt Dillon (James Arness), and of course the Cartwrights.  While most of those actors in the westerns were people we like to identify with, their lives were hard, and without the benefit of a lot of the things we have learned to consider common today.  Running water, electric lights, indoor plumbing, to name a few.  My point is that in spite of all the disadvantages they had, they still seemed to enjoy life and helping make living better for others. 

I recently read an article about the morality and good examples of the heroes of the earlier westerns. Admittedly, the newer westerns have followed the course of popularity in the movie industry, many of them including vulgar language and nudity.  But did the westerns of old give us a sense of good morals and right living? 

 

The article suggest several things you could always count on in a western movie; things that were to be lessons for us in morality, making right decisions, and treating others well.   Let's look at some of them. 

The westerns gave us a sense of believing in the right, and defeating the wrong. I remember a disclaimer that played at the end of several TV shows that said, "Viewers will never see criminals glamorized or the 'wrongs' portrayed as right."  From the writers to the  producers to the actors, they all gave us a sense that making all things "right" would prevail. They also gave us the feeling of respect for those who keep us safe, those who enforce the law.  That respect could be tied to the first suggestion when we knew before the villains were on the screen, the good guys would always prevail. The other suggestion in the article said we were taught the limits of vengeance. Realize it or not, that was usually one of the underlying themes of the old westerns.  Let's see how some of these might compare to the Bible.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”   1 Corinthians 15:33

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness"  2 Timothy 3:16

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Ephesians 6:4

"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  Matthew 5:48

While I would never suggest that your salvation is based on Ben Cartwright or Gary Cooper, think today of the basic truths of right and wrong portrayed in the lives of our Hollywood heroes, as we wish for the good old days.   God bless, wear your white hat today..........and Happy Trails.

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Then you will kinow

²⁵ “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
    the great locust and the young locust,
    the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
²⁶ You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
    and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
    who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
²⁷ Then you will know that I am in Israel,
    that I am the Lord your God,
    and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.   Joel 2:25-27

A father chastises his son because of some wrong doing. At our house, we feared the belt. But it wasn't the belt that really made us cry, it was the speech following the belt. The hug and the encouragement to do better and the expression that we were loved, those are the words that made us really feel bad for our misbehavior. 

In the text from the Old Testament prophet Joel, Israel had gone through another low spot in their faithfulness to God. They acted as if they knew more than God about what was best for them. (Sound familiar?)  God's punishment had come, this time in the form of an army of locusts that had destroyed their crops. They have been punished and now God wants them to know he is still the Lord their God and never again will God's people be shamed in this way. 

A locust will attack the healthiest part of the stalk, where it comes out of the ground, usually eating a small hole in the stalk to drain the plant of everything that is healthy. In the same way, we allow those that we call our "little sins" to remain, causing the only minor damage to the soul. We fail to realize that everything that is healthy for the maintenance of our spiritual lives is drained from us and the little sins grow into disastrous consequences. That's what happened to Israel and led to their unfaithfulness. 

God loves and forgives, as we see in his willingness to restore the children of Israel. He is restoring their lost crops, they will have plenty of food and they will praise God. The very next couple of verses are additional words of prophecy from Joel, familiar words, which demonstrate how God desires to strengthen and restore us, too. 

²⁸ “And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.  Joel 2:28-29

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All Day Long

The little boy awakened early in the morning.  He wanted this day to be the most special day he ever had.  It was his birthday, and it was official, he was 8 years-old.  He was down the stairs and in the kitchen ahead of his brother and sister.  Both parents wished him a happy birthday, then mom returned to the chore of preparing breakfast, while dad was catching up on the sports scores from the newspaper.

Before long the other children had reached the kitchen and everyone was busily gathering up school books and lunches and backpacks, while also eating breakfast. It was at that point in the morning routine, silence was broken with the birthday boy asking, "When do my birthday surprises start?"

For this 8 year-old boy, there was the expectation that the entire day would revolve around him.  Nothing was more important that day than his birthday happiness.  Sure, the family had planned for an evening meal in the party room of the pizza place.  There would be some relatives attending and some classmates to join in the celebration.  But his question that morning just hung in mid air.  "When do my birthday surprises start?"

When mom explained the celebration was going to be that evening, and everything else was like any other day, his disappointment was evident. He was happy the evening party had been planned, but he was expecting more.   He sulked a bit as he saw his dad leave for work.  His mom had meetings to attend.  His brother and sister started for the door to catch the school bus. His mom helped him gather his things and shuffled him out the door to the bus, too.  Everything, to everyone else, was just another normal day, and he wanted it to be so special.  

Mom tried to talk to him and build up the excitement for the party that evening, but it was obvious he was disappointed.  Then he explained his view of having a birthday.  "But mom, I am going to be 8 years-old all day long."

That story reminded me of the ways in which we think of God. We may pray that God has his way in our lives, but then we follow our own wishes and decisions, often wondering when the surprises are going to start because we are centered on ourselves.  Some might even say, "we didn't see anything God wanted us to do, and besides, this is Monday, not Sunday! 

While God puts you at the center of his love, he also puts your friends, your enemies, your teachers, your neighbors, everyone else, smack dab in the center of his love, too.  In so doing, he puts people and circumstances in our path  which can alter our plans, so we can follow HIS plans.  Isn't that what happened in Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan? 

"I'm going to be 8 years-old all day, and I am counting on surprises all day long."  That's the picture of someone who thinks everyone, including God, should bow to our wants and wishes.  The life that looks for a "surprise" to use it to help and love and serve others, is finding God's control over everything.  That's how we should be serving him.

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