Lessons from a Child: Fear

“Daddy, when the scary parts come, will you keep me safe?”

My youngest asked me that question recently while watching the latest Larry Boy video, Larry Boy & the Bad Apple. The moment she asked me I knew God had another lesson for me. I know He wishes I would listen more. (I thought I often have with my own children.)

There are so many things that make us afraid. Uncertainty is my biggest. What is yours? Spiders, the dark, evil men, being alone, lost, blindness, being without God? The list could go on and on. Sometimes we become so afraid we are paralyzed.

I know when my daughter asks me to keep her safe, she wants me to hold her when she is frightened. Help her cover her eyes and tell her when the scary part is over. We know that God loves us more than we can imagine or even comprehend. We probably have no idea how much he helps us through the scary parts of life.

I think about how God protected the great men of faith, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, and David. None of them knew how God would deliver them only that he would. And did he? Yes. But only by connecting the dots throughout their lives could you see the complete hand of God. Faith. Their faith connected the dots for them when they could not see it all.

Lord, where is my faith? I need to be reminded often of these things.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8

And if sons, then his children. Whom he loves and cares for. May God richly bless you His child.

Knowing God and What he can do with Me

I really liked Maria’s post from Dec. 29th 2006. One of my goals in my study of Luke is to know God. I am confident that will also mean trusting him more. And better understanding His love for me.

Blind Man’s Faith! by Maria Toth

Living Lies

One thing that really stands out in Luke is how much people refused to see what was really happening. So many people were blind to who Jesus was. They refused to see the facts and instead chose to believe lies. Once when Jesus cast out a demon, the teachers of the law and leaders claimed that Jesus did it with the power of Satan.

At the end of Jesus’ ministry the leaders sent spies to try to trap Jesus.

Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24″Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.
      He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent. Luke 20:20-26

The Jewish leaders were unable to catch Jesus in a lie. They tried to get him to slip up. However, they were unable to get anything to stick.

Well when you want to believe something is true bad enough you can always lie. I am not sure if they really believed themselves or not but lie they did.

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.”

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
      ”Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.  Luke 23:1-3

One thing they did not lie about was Jesus’ authority, He really was a King. Who still reigns today. And we can still choose to believe whatever we want about who and what Jesus is.

Scripture from the New International Version, Gospel of Luke 20:20-26, Gospel of Luke 23:1-3

Watch out for Life

I am talking about myself here. Luke chapter 21 is a very interesting chapter. Jesus tells the disciples about the times around the destruction of Jerusalem. He also prophesies about His return. At the end he gives this warning,

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

Waiting is so hard. Jesus is talking about future times. How long in the future he does not say. Could be soon maybe longer. Regardless of how long, the Christian must remain faithful, steadfast, and firm.

Jesus knew that life would get in the way of our faith. In his absence his disciples hearts would grow weary in waiting.

Today I find myself busy, busy, busy. The anxieties of life are all over me. Work, children, family, money, chores, problems, heartaches, sickness, and the list can go on an on. What gets in your way of trusting, praying, and hanging on.

The good news.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

God Bless. Stand firm. Pray.

Scripture from the New International Version, Gospel of Luke 21:34-36, Romans 5:1-5

Authority Matters?

Authority: 2 a : power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

Power to…

• Tell me what to do?
• Command me?
• Teach me?
• Change me?

What authority exists in your life controling or changing you? Do you fight authority? No matter what you might think there is some authority you hold to to justify your actions. I do. The Jewish leaders were upset with Jesus and felt threatened by his authority. So they challenged him.

One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”

He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Luke 20:1-8

Why do we challenge authority?

Answer: Because we do not want to change. We are comfortable with the authority we choose to influence us.

Question: Are you content with that?

Jesus came to show us a better way. To show us the way. Am I acting like the Jewish leaders when I refuse to allow Jesus to influence me?

Scripture from the New International Version, Gospel of Luke 20:1-8

What Christmas Means to Me

Pecan pie, ham, turkey, cranberry sauce, hot buttery bread, sweet potato’s with marshmallow’s on top, twice baked potatoes, corn, green beans, dressing, lots of sweet tea, egg nog, and then seconds.

Eating with family, eating with friends, eating at Church. Eating.

Oh, and presents. Gifts for friends and family.

Not sure if see the connection between some of these things and Jesus’ life in Luke. Jesus eats a lot. He eats with everyone, rich, poor, sinners, and the religious elite. Jesus uses this fellowship to teach and to include people.

Jesus gave gifts. He healed the sick, cured the blind, and more importantly forgave sin.

Jesus made everyday Christmas everywhere he went. Still does today!

God bless. Merry Christmas.

Zacchaeus Gets Saved

This passage from Luke is very interesting to me.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ’sinner.’ ”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:1-10

I do not want to assume to much but here are my thoughts…

• Zacchaeus was a sinner. He was also a chief tax collector, cheat, known “sinner”, low down dirty scoundrel. I hope you can relate with Zacchaeus here.  
• Zacchaeus wanted to know Jesus. He was a seeker. How do I know? He climbed a tree! Here is how I profile Zacchaeus. A wealthy man who could have anything he wanted; however, I think he felt empty. If you live a life of wealth, have anything you want, and still feel empty, you might just be interested in something a religious man, in this case Jesus, has to offer.
• Seekers find Jesus. God reveals himself to those who look for him. Not only that but he ate with him.
• Zacchaeus responded to Jesus’ love an acceptance. When Jesus came into Zac’s life he changed. Gave away half of his possessions and repaid his sins 4 times. I suspect that he also spent the rest of his life providing for the Apostles and early Christians. What do you think?
• Jesus came to save what was lost. That is lost people. You, me, our neighbors. Our parents, children, co-workers, friends, enemies, bosses, cousins, nephews, brothers, sisters, nieces, grandchildren, everyone.

But, not everyone in this story was saved. Others watched and did not respond. Some did not see Jesus as the Savior. How do you see him? Feel like changing?

Scripture from the New International Version, Gospel of Luke 19:1-10

You Might be an Older Brother: Self-righteousness

This is a sure giveaway. So confident of our own works, justified before men, on our way to the pearly gates. Then Jesus goes and tells us a parable. What’s up with that?

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“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.’

“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.” Luke 18:9-14

Jesus says enough here. I just need to listen. God, have mercy on me a sinner.

God bless. Don’t pray like my brother prays! No, don’t pray like my brother!

Forgiveness

Maria in her blog has had some good thoughts about relying on God instead of us humans because we end up hurting one another. God takes care of us and strengthens us to bless others. One way we can bless others is through forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not easy though. I think it is easier in the short term to hold a grudge or judge. But in the long run I am only hurting myself.

Jesus said in Luke 17:3-4

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.

In Matthew 6:14-15,

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Pretty straight talk on how our willingness to forgive affects our relationship with God. God by nature forgives. I think God gives us the power to forgive when we truly understand how much he loves us and has forgiven us.

I am thankful for God’s grace, the thing that continually teaches me how to love and forgive.

God bless.

Handle Money Well?

Warning: This topic could lead to self-righteousness and prideful thoughts. No where in this passage did Jesus tell us to compare ourselves or success to others. Just says what it says.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10-12

Jesus says some scary things. Here is one time when I am.

My thoughts,

1. How we handle our money matters to God. I have heard it said, “Look at a man’s check book and you know what is important to him.” God may be testing us with the money he gives us. I could say, “I have never had worldly wealth.” But I could also ask, “how have I handled the money I have been given?”

2. What do you think “true riches” are? I think Jesus is talking about spiritual riches. Because he uses the words (I realize it is NIV words) “worldly wealth” in the first part of the sentence he has to be speaking of something else when he says “true”.

Conclusion: This is not a promise of worldly wealth or success. It is a moral question/statement about who can be trusted with spiritual wealth. Whether or not we can be trusted with worldly wealth, determines how trusted we are with true riches.

God bless. Be trustworthy.