Upon this rock

Earlier this week on one of the cable TV religious programs, the host was interviewing a man who stated he had given up on churches. He recounted several instances where his family had selected a church home and attempted to become involved, only to suffer through various problems that caused them to leave.  His concluding statement was something like this, "We are giving up on churches. We want to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings, but we don't want anything to do with the church."

There are two basic points which need to be considered here.  1) There are no perfect churches because churches are made up of imperfect humans.  If I were to find the perfect church, and join it, it would immediately become an imperfect church because I am not perfect.  2) It is impossible to separate Jesus from his church. 

If we really consider the first point, we will admit to its truth. If we have trouble believing the second point, there are some scriptures we need to consider. 

Matthew 16:13-18  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ,  the Son of the living God.”
 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter,  and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

It is on the basis of Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, that Jesus promises to build his church. That confession of the deity of Jesus serves as the foundation for the church of our Lord. 

That is the reason we say Jesus and his church are inseparable.  If we belong to Christ, we belong to his church. He is the foundation on which the church is built. 

There are lots of species of trees that grow tall but appear to be just sitting on the ground. We know those trees can face the strength of wind storms without falling because their roots are deep and strong. I always questioned the construction of sky scrapers because the construction workers always started by digging a huge hole in the ground. I later understood this was going to be the strength of the building with a foundation deep enough and strong enough to support the entire structure.  Just so, Jesus, the foundation of the church, proves to be its strength. 

 

We often sing, "On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand." May we recognize our error when we try to separate Christ from his church. Build your life on him as your foundation and share in the community of believers which comprise his church. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

Time for a Change

Is it time for a change? I'm referring to a change in your life.  Most of us have settled into our comfortable place in life and have become a master at rejecting change. However, a close examination will often reveal needed changes. 

We know of the changes that should be made when we take on the name of Jesus and become a Christian. Paul says, "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away and the new has come."  That's quite a change, but even then we struggle with being the person God wants us to be. In our comfort zone we settle for mediocrity, usually because we are not willing to change. 

I remember once taking my Chevy S-10 pickup truck off-road. Although it wasn't designed for off-road driving, I thought it could go anywhere. Soon I found myself high centered on a mound and the rear wheels of the truck were off the ground. I wanted to go forward, I needed to go forward, but the truck just couldn't accomplish that. Likewise, our lives become high centered with the things of this world and while we desire to move forward and need to move forward, the motivation just isn't there. 

Many Christians find themselves in this position when it comes to having a closer walk with God or taking on new challenges that would increase faith.  One thing is sure, we are not going to realize the change to make those things happen unless we start.  John Henry Newman is credited with the quote, "Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning."  

Our lives in Jesus should be experiencing constant change. Remember we are to be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ. An examination of self will help us realize where we came from, where we are now, and where we are going.  Where we came from is easy to diagnose. As a Christian you have been "delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son." Where we are now is our time to look inward to see the maturing changes which need to happen. Then the answer of where we are going is obvious, we are heading for eternal life.

I am happy I do not have to carry my sins with me into eternity. Jesus died so sins could be forgiven. I also do not want to take a life of mediocrity into eternity. I want to experience the fullness of this life by making spiritual things priority, growing by experiencing all the ups and downs of daily living, knowing that regardless of what happens, I belong to God and he is going to take care of me. 

There are some Bible verses that prove this is the kind of life God chooses for us, and even offers to help in our quest for spiritual maturity.  In the sermon on the mount, Jesus begins one section by saying, "Do not be anxious about your life," and ends that section by saying, "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  He will be there for us. He promises his provision for us when we are truly seeking him.  Then there is the verse that says, "My God will supply all your needs according to his riches." Believe him. Trust him. Take the first step of your start toward changing everything about you that prevents you being like Jesus 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

Sometimes I am Wrong (Requested Repost)

You have been told about my addiction to the television show N.C.I.S.  I am so excited for the beginning of the new fall season because I have watched and re-watched reruns this summer. The leader of the investigative team, Gibbs, is cool and has never been unable to figure out the bad guys in any crime. 

One of the things that makes the show a hit is the set of "rules" which govern Gibbs, and the others are supposed to follow those rules even if they haven't heard of them. Every rule has a number assigned to it so a lot of the communication between the investigative team consists of repeating the rule numbers and everyone is supposed to understand. 

In one episode I watched recently, Gibbs was in conflict with a female attorney who was representing one of the bad guys. Sure enough, Gibbs had a rule about avoiding attorneys. Throughout the hour-long show, Gibbs and the attorney confronted each other several times, but toward the end they had both mellowed a bit. The closing scene was Gibbs looking over a piece of scrap paper where he had written his rule about avoiding attorneys.  He turned the paper over and wrote "Rule 51 - Sometimes I am Wrong."

The new rule is in direct conflict with a rule that's been around throughout the tv series, the rule that says, "Never Apologize, It's a Sign of Weakness."  It took me a while to get over Gibbs admitting his mistake.  The star and hero of the show actually confessing that sometimes he is wrong. 

I have some news for Leroy Jethro Gibbs, we are all wrong at times and apologizing and attempting to make things right is a sign of strength.  One verse that comes to mind is from James 3:2 " We all make many mistakes but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way."

The Bible is filled with the accounts of people who made mistakes. Look at Samson whose mistake was in telling the secret of his mighty strength, and then was captured by the Philistines.  Then there is Jonah who made the mistake of going in the direction totally opposite of where the Lord wanted him to go.  He learned fast that trying to run away from God leads to much sorrow.  In the New Testament, just before the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter was identified as being a follower of Christ, and he swore that he didn't know him at all.  I pray I will never make that mistake. 

We must be careful to avoid being judgmental of others who make mistakes, because we do a good enough job of making our own. Comparing the big mistakes of others to the much smaller mistakes we make can lead us to the point of self-righteousness.  We must never forget the God who forgives us is the God who forgives others as well. 

Here is your homework for today.  At some point today, take out a piece of paper and write Gibbs' rule number 51.  "Sometimes I am Wrong." I confess to you, those are hard words for me to write, but they are the very words that will lead us to stronger relationships in the body of Christ, and a deeper understanding of the God who loves us. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

Let Heaven Fill Your Thoughts

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.  Colossians 3:1-4

We have written about the book of Colossians before and how Paul, the writer, is attempting to show us the supremacy of Jesus Christ, the freedom we have in him, and the right path we find in living our new lives in him.  One of the editors in the study Bible I use from time to time uses the phrase, "Don't lose your head," in describing the mystery of newness of life. We are accused sometimes of losing our head when we show our temper and make rash decisions. But the writer of the study materials I am referring to here is talking about the event of the head actually being separated from the body. 

I am not a medical doctor but I do know enough about the body to inform you when the head is removed, the result is death. As gruesome as that might be to us, it's actually the message of Paul to the Colossian church, concerning some who try to live the Christian life without the proper respect and relationship to Jesus Christ. In fact, that is the primary message of Paul in writing to the church in Colosse. The life of the church flows from Jesus, its head, and the source of spiritual life. 

It may seem strange, but some of the Christians this letter is written to, had began to debate the truth about Jesus being the head of the church. Bear in mind these were people who had acknowledged Jesus death, burial and resurrection.  They claimed him as Savior. Then they tried to bring practices and beliefs from their knowledge of other ancient religions and "blend" it in with Christianity.  Some of their beliefs had actually included the removal of Jesus in his role of being the head of the church. (Sound familiar?)

Paul's message to them and to us is that Jesus in not just a part of our newness of life, he IS our new life. That prompted Paul to tell the Colossians it is "Christ in you, which is your hope of glory."  He then adds, "If you have accepted Christ, you must continue to live in him, in obedience to him, and grow in him." I particularly like the phrase from Colossians 2:7, "Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done."  From Paul's writing and instruction here, we come away with the message that our total dependence in spiritual matters rests on Jesus Christ alone.  It is he that offers salvation, through his death on the cross.  It is he that covers our unrighteousness with his righteousness. 

In the beginning of chapter 3, Paul pleads once more, "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts."

Having a rough day?  Let heaven fill your thoughts. Struggling with life's perplexities? Let heaven fill your thoughts. You name the problem......Let heaven fill your thoughts. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

With God's Help

One of the most exciting stories in the Bible is the story of Nehemiah, and the writing of the book is described in the very first verse as being his memoirs. To set the story, this was at the time when the walls and gates of Jerusalem had been destroyed.  Although Nehemiah was a long way from Jerusalem, his ancestors were buried there.  Because of the desecration of the city, Nehemiah carried the burden of wanting to do something, but knowing he could not accomplish much on his own. 

Nehemiah began his quest with a prayer to the Lord.  Scripture points out to us that the prayers were being prayed by those who honored God and specifically they were praying for success when they went to the king to ask a great favor. At the time, Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the king.

In the following spring Nehemiah was serving wine to the king one day when the king noticed there was something obviously troubling his servant. Upon questioning Nehemiah, the king learned of the wishes for Nehemiah to be a part in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's city walls and gates. The king asked, "What can I do to help? Remember that word "help."  We will see it again. 

Nehemiah told the king of his desire to be sent to Jerusalem, with letters from the king to the leaders of the places through which he must travel. Other letters from the king would be issued so Nehemiah could gather the materials necessary for the construction. The king granted these requests, knowing the hand of God was on Nehemiah. 

On arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah surveyed the ruins of the destroyed walls, gathered the religious and political leaders of the city, and told them of his intent to rebuild. They were all in agreement and dedicated to the rebuilding. Scripture inserts right here in the story, "So they began the good work."

Opposition arose from their enemies, even to the point where they were having to keep one hand on the tools they used for rebuilding, and their other hand on their sword or spears. But Nehemiah reminded them, "The God of heaven will help us succeed."

 The story contains the list of all those leaders that worked together, and some that did not. Opposition continued but Nehemiah said, "We prayed to God and he helped us in guarding our city day and night."  When they heard their enemies were going to attack, a trumpet was sounded for a warning, and as Nehemiah said again, "Our God will help us in the fight."

Through all the ups and downs, the wall was completed in fifty two days, and when the enemies and surrounding nations heard the news, they became frightened. They realized that this work had been done with the help of God.

Nehemiah, once a personal servant to the king, left all that behind to go to a faraway place to accomplish a work with God's blessing. He had a passion for prayer, a passion for the Word of God, a passion for his personal renewed devotion, and above all, a heart of sacrificial service.  If those become the priorities in our lives, we are going to see good things happen. God is longing to help us.

God bless, and have a great weekend.  <ronbwriting@yahoo.com>