january 11 i was sitting in the stairwell crying

 
I was sitting in the stairwell crying.  I had just prayed over a teenager in intensive care in Houston who had been in a car wreck.  He was in a coma.  I have never seen a person as beaten up as he was.  His face was so swollen that he didn’t even look human.  I had to sit alone for a few minutes and weep before returning to the waiting room to visit with his parents.  I didn’t want to fall apart in their presence.  He lived I am happy to report.  It is amazing how the human body can mend after being abused. When I think about how pitiful he looked I am reminded of a verse in the Bible about Jesus. Written about 700 years before it happened it foretold His beating.  Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: Jesus was beaten beyond recognition.  The movie “The Passion Of The Christ” depicts the best (or worse) picture of our beaten Lord I have seen.  Yet His beating was much worse. He was hated so much.  He never sinned yet He became sin for our sakes. 1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: Even when He created the first man He knew He would die on a cross. Revelation 13:8  the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Jesus knew man could never save himself by obeying the law.  The more we understand God’s law the more we realize we can never reach the high bar it demands.  How frustrating.  Every time we consider an evil thought or say a bad word or do a wrong action we fail to obey the law. Jesus took the beating we deserved so our sins can be transferred from us to Him when we hear, believe, repent and pray.  Colossians 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Today His face is no longer marred.  However the wounds from the nails in His wrists and feet remain as an ugly reminder of how ugly sin is.  He was beaten beyond recognition.  Now in Christ your life can be changed from something ugly to something beautiful.  In Jesus we become a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Have you asked Him to make you a new person? 

 Jump.  When my children were young I would place them on top of our van and instruct them to jump into my arms.  My desire was to teach them to trust and obey.  After the first jump they joyfully looked forward to me setting them back on the van so they could jump again.  One time after I put our son back on the van I turned to talk to someone else standing there.  I thought my son would wait until I looked into his eyes and held my arms out at the ready and give a nod.  I was wrong.  He jumped and landed face down in the dirt.  Words cannot express how horrified I was.  I picked him up apologizing and expecting him to be in tears.  But he didn’t cry.  He wasn’t hurt.  In fact he wanted me to put him on the van again.  I was so relieved he wasn’t hurt but I felt terrible for letting him down. And I mean I let him down.  Literally. Our Heavenly Father expects us to trust and obey.  He never turns His attention away from me but frequently I turn my attention  away from Him. You and I can decide just how dedicated we want to be to our Master.  We can love Him mildly or we can love Him with all of our heart.  He wants our all.   (Matthew 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.) The more we trust and obey the more delightful this adventure is.  Frequently as babes in Christ we are so thrilled with our new encounter with the Lord that we talk about Him all the time.  We are what you could term “on fire” for Jesus.  But time has a way of turning our spiritual lights from bright to dim.  The headlights still shine in the darkness, but they are not as bright as they were.  In cars bright lights from an oncoming car annoy us.  In life if our lights are on bright for Jesus we will annoy those who love darkness.  Jump.  Are you living a life of obedience?  Do you read a portion of the Bible daily?  Do you pray daily?  Do you attend a Bible teaching church?  Do you present yourself ready to move at His command?  (Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.) When it seems Jesus has let you down please remember He makes no mistakes.  There is a reason for what you are experiencing.  Perhaps He is correcting you.  Perhaps He is burning out the dross to make you more like Him. Trust Him.  Try Him. Prove Him and enjoy the journey. 

 Let George Do It.  What do you do at your church?  If someone's shoe tracks dog mess inside whose job is it to clean it up?   If a toilet needs plunging who is expected to plunge it?  Clean up vomit?  Being a servant of the Lord is not always pleasant.  Do we really mean it when we say with Isaiah "Here am I, send me?"   Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. I feel safe in saying no one enjoys cleaning up dog mess or vomit.  But it has to be done.  Are you too good to do that which is necessary?  Do you argue with someone else willing to clean up the mess because you want to spare them the chore? You should. You see we are no bodies.  That is until Jesus saves us and makes us some body.  You are somebody in Christ.  However if you ever consider yourself to be "somebody" you make yourself a "nobody."  We should not strive to be best among the church.  Some people seek preeminence and try to boss the church.  3 John 1:9-10  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Let George do it.  No....our desire...if we are physically able to do the task...should be “here let me do it.”  Much to the surprise and dismay of His disciples Jesus insisted on washing their feet.  John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Do you realize the greatest among us shall be the servant?  Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Not that we should desire to be the greatest.  We should desire to be used in the service of His Majesty.  C.H. Spurgeon said, "Do not desire to be the principal man in the church.  Be lowly.  Be humble.  The best man in the church is the man who is willing to be a doormat for all to wipe their boots on, the brother who does not mind what happens to him at all as long as God is glorified."  Do you mind what happens to you as long as you are in God's will?  Enjoy the Christian adventure. 

 My Vanity Bible.  I have a “good” Bible and I have a “vanity” Bible.  I got the “vanity” Bible about 50 years ago and have preached  thousands of sermons out of it.  I have sermon notes written in the margins.  I have verses I have colored and verses I have underlined.  The pages are literally falling out.  Many pages are torn and taped back together. I call it my “vanity” Bible because Satan’s darts cause me to want to proudly “show” it off.  You see when I open that Bible to counsel someone my terrible thoughts go something like this.  “Yes, show them your pages falling out.  After all Charles Spurgeon said, ‘A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.’  Show people you aren’t falling apart because you have a Bible that is.  Proudly let them see all the notes you have written through the decades and show them all the verses you have underlined.  Yes, point them to your holiness.  Let them see how spiritual and well versed you are.”  Do you see how vain I am? I hate to confess my unholiness to you but I am a terrible person.  Look to Jesus, not this preacher.  I try to always take my newer Bible with me when I preach.  Often I get to counsel someone and share with  them the Scriptures showing them how to be saved.  My newer Bible, my “good” Bible is not all marked up and falling apart because since I got it most of my sermons have been written on my computer.  Or my notes are on my phone where I read my Bible most often. On the rare occasion when I have misplaced my “good” Bible I have to take my “vanity” Bible to the pulpit with me.  But I hate for anyone to see what bad shape it is in because I am afraid they will think about my Bible  or me instead of the Lord.  I want them to see Jesus, not me.  I am so vain. The Bible is powerful because it is God’s Word.  Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. People searching for Jesus need to see Jesus, not me.  Not my notes.  Not my years of labor.  They need to see Jesus.  So you see even sharing the Bible with someone can be used by Satan to cause pride in our hearts.  Or at least in my heart.  Please do not use your “holiness” to impress people.  Show people Jesus. 

 Out of control.  Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. Balaam was hired by the enemies of God to curse God's children.  Balaam was torn between obeying God and getting rich.  Many a man has sacrificed obedience to God for material wealth and has paid a dreadful price.  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Perhaps you have pierced yourself through with many sorrows for chasing the almighty dollar.  If we learn from our mistakes the mistake becomes a valuable lesson. The Lord sent an angel to stop Balaam. Balaam couldn't see the angel but the donkey sure could. First the donkey detoured into a field.  Balaam hit him. The second time the donkey saw the angel he ran into a wall and crushed Balaam's foot.  He struck him again.  The third time the angel stopped the donkey it just dropped to the ground. Balaam struck him again. Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? Balaam said that he wished he had a sword so he could kill the donkey.  He was in such a rage, determined that he was right that he didn't even realize that the donkey spoke clearly to him. We have a tendency to get so upset that rational thinking leaves us.  Years ago on Interstate 45 in bumper to bumper traffic I stopped when the car in front slammed on his brakes.  The car behind me didn't stop.  He pushed my car into the car in front.  The driver in front jumped out screaming at me for not stopping.  He was furious.  Shouting and ranting at my poor driver skills. After I made sure my wife and daughter were not injured I stepped out of the car and said..."Come with me."  I took him to the rear of my car.  The car behind me was till plowed into the trunk of my car.  He looked at it and he realized what had happened. Immediately his attitude changed.  "Oh man.  I am so sorry.  It's not your fault.  Are you ok?  Is your family ok?'  Be careful that your emotions don't control your life.  We will all have things we regret on judgment day. By the way, God can speak through any old donkey.  Will you let Him speak through you? 

 
Balaam  Numbers 22:12  And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.  The Israelites freed from Egyptian slavery wandered in the wilderness about 40 years because they refused to obey God.  They were attacked but not defeated.  Balak, King of the Moabites, saw the army of about 603,000 men plus their families and was terrified they would conquer him.  He knew he couldn't out fight them. So he turned to spiritual warfare.  He hired a man whom God had used to bless and curse people.  If Balaam would curse the Israelites Balak wouldn't have to fight them.  Balaam loved money and decided to go against God's word and curse the Israelites.  But God would not let him.  Now let's fast forward to our situation.  Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.  Years ago the Lord convicted me to not vote for anyone who is pro-slaughter of unborn children.  I had to vote for the candidate against abortion.  Donald Trump has said things that make me cringe.  A successful man of the world acts like a man of the world.  America has a history of witchcraft.  For perhaps the first time in American history witches have united to curse their president. Says Breitbart, "The spell also invokes evil on “those who abet” Trump, which would seem to appear to cover his staff and political nominees, and perhaps the millions who voted for him as well."  Since witches are casting spells against President Trump and perhaps those who voted for him...we are in the middle of spiritual warfare.  The minister who licensed me to preach 56 years ago stated that when people speak evil of a person its best to closely weight out all of the facts before passing judgment.  Bad things were said about Jesus.  He was in the right.  I have concluded that since President Trump has the disapproval of witches...he may be doing something right. Far from perfect he was still our president.  We don't have to agree with everything he says or does...but if Satan is against him...he may be doing something right.  King Cyrus conquered the Babylonians and encouraged the Jewish slaves to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.  President Trump moved our US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  Many Jewish people consider him a type of Cyrus.  They even minted a half shekel imprinted with Cyrus and Trump on the face...with the image of the third temple they want to build on the back of the coin.  Like him or hate him perhaps we can agree with this...  Our country needs our Christian prayers. 

 
Perceiving the unperceivable.  Jesus knew what people were thinking. Mark 2:6  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?  Jesus knew what they were thinking.  It is probably a good thing that you and I do not have that perception.  While face to face talking to you I may think..."Goodness you are not aging well."  Or "When is the last time you brushed your teeth?"  Or "Your hair is awful."  Things thought that don't need to be said out loud. We all do it. Or is it just me? There were times when Jesus was misunderstood and He intentionally let them continue with their misunderstanding.   John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip knew his Bible well enough to know that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem...not Nazareth.   Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;  If Jesus knew what Nathanael was thinking He could have said, "Nathanael...just for your information...I was born in Bethlehem."  That would have set Nathanael straight but presumably Jesus let him continue in his misunderstanding.  Eventually the day came when Nathanael learned that indeed Jesus did come from Bethlehem.  Upon that discovery Nathanael may have thought..."I have been wrong all this time. I didn't realize Jesus was from Bethlehem.  I wonder what else I have taken for granted not perceiving the truth? Present the truth.  Don't argue to convince.  Reason with those who want to reason reasonably...but do not force feed.  Someday...and it may be after they die...they will realize they rejected the truth.  At least you presented the truth.  What they do with it is up to them.  Don't cram Christianity down someone's throat.  State the truth.  Don't get upset when they reject it.  Be their friend.  Pray for them. And pray that as the Holy Spirit deals with their heart they will listen to Him. Over time as your words marinate in their heart the person may quietly accept the truth.  We pray that they will. 

 Ready to get dunked?  Our church was having a Fall Festival. I was sitting on the seat of the dunking booth.  No one had hit the target yet.  I was having fun.  “Come on Ed.  Try again.”  After another three throws I said, “Hey Ed why don’t you step up to the girls line?”  With greater effort Ed tried hitting the target until he hurt his shoulder.  Others were having trouble hitting the target too.  Then my wife came up to the booth and asked me if I was having fun.  “Great fun.”  “Ready to get dunked?”  “Yes, if anyone can hit the target.”  Suddenly she pushed the target with her hand and down I went.  Betrayed by my wife.  My how the people laughed. I got dunked.  Now let me ask you.  Have you ever been dunked?  I am referring to being dunked for Jesus.  Some denominations sprinkle their infants. Some denominations sprinkle new members.  Some denominations baptize people by immersion.  I baptized one man dying of cancer in his bathtub because he was too weak to come to the church baptistery.  What is the value of baptism?  Will baptism save you?  Will church membership save you?  Do you have to be a member of a certain church to get right with God?  I could ask many questions and never answer them to the satisfaction of everyone.  So I shall not try.  But I will say this.  If you are depending on baptism or christening or church membership or tithing or good deeds or any other work you can do to get you into Heaven you need to pray about your salvation.  Religion is man reaching up to God saying, “Look down here.  Look at me. I am a good person.  I do this or I do that.”   It is natural to think we must be good enough to get God’s attention so we can accumulate enough good points to be able to get into Heaven. Can our good deeds or works or religious ceremonies get us into God’s good favor?  No. Let me ask you to do me a favor.  If you are not sure of your salvation and you want to be sure you are right with God please do this.  Get alone with God.  Ask Him to reveal to you His truth.  Tell Him you are going to read from His Bible and ask Him to show you the truth.  Start with the Gospel of John.  Then with an open mind do it.  Read His Bible.  John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. The verses in the Bible will testify of Jesus and point you to the truth. Study the Bible yourself. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. If you will rightly divide the Word of truth the truth shall be revealed to you.  Follow it. 

 
Return to sender.  A loving mother sent her adult child a birthday card.  A few days later she found the unopened envelope in her mailbox.  The postal service had done what they were paid to do but this child had brought it back.  The reason? Years ago a family disagreement produced hard feelings that were still unresolved. Bitterness. Unforgiveness. This is something that  all of us have experienced.  We have all had others wrong us and we all have wronged others. For a moment let’s think about the love of God.  Have you returned to sender His love message to you?  God gave His Son to save you from your sins if you will hear, believe, repent and ask Him to forgive you. (John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.) We already stand condemned as sinners but God doesn’t want us to die in our sins.   (John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.)  Similar to someone on shore throwing us a lifeline to pull us to safety when we are drowning Jesus died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sins.  You must be drowning to appreciate someone throwing you a lifeline. Likewise if you are enjoying swimming in sin you don’t want to hear about God.  You “return to sender” the Good News that Jesus saves.  But if you are sinking deep in sin and are fed up with living in sin Jesus offers to save you.  If you refuse to forgive someone who has offended you God will not forgive you. (Luke 6:37 forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:) Your unforgiving bitterness opens a window that reveals  what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.) Sometimes your actions speak louder than your words. Your choice is to forgive others or to not forgive others.  To be forgiven or not to be forgiven. The ball in in your court.  Will you live on in the misery of resentment and unforgiveness or will you forgive and be forgiven and enjoy the adventure that leads to Heaven? 

 Running to God.   Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them.  Abraham looked up and saw three men standing by. One of them was the Lord.  Abraham ran to meet them.  The Lord told him that His previous promise of a son through Sarah would come to pass. Please notice.  1. Jesus appeared.  This was not Abraham's first encounter with the Lord. It was about 24 years previous the Lord had told him he and Sarah would have a child.  In the meantime being frustrated with God for how long it was taking Sarah offered her maid Hagar to be a surrogate mother.  She conceived and bore a son...Ishmael.  Now Ishmael is about 13 and Abraham is 99.  Sarah is 89.  God is going to keep His promise after all these years.  Jesus still appears.  John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Jesus was lifted up on a cross and today is drawing all men to Him.  He most often speaks through His Word the Bible and the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit.  He is drawing you to Him.  Are you looking for Him?  He is looking for you.  He wants to be real to you too.  Point 2. When you know it's Him...will you run to Him or will you run away from  Him?  Jonah chose to run away.  You know how that ended.  Abraham ran to meet Him.  When He gets your attention which way will you go?  Did you know there is one time in the Bible when God ran?  The Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son ran to His son when He saw him.  Luke 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The Father sees you when you want to come home.  He has compassion and runs to you to kiss you and welcome you back.  Don't you want to come home?  Point 3.  Expect Him to keep His Word.  Stand on His promises.  God is not a liar.  He loves you no matter what you have done.  He will let you live the Christian adventure if you want to.  You may end up killed by the sword as James was.  You may be beheaded as Paul was.  You may live a short life...or a long life.  But it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Run towards God.  Run with God.  Enjoy the adventure.