Walking With Jesus

On Whom Does God Look with Favor?

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Could you build Me a temple as good as that? Could you build Me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are Mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My word.’” (Isaiah 66:1-2 NLT)

Would you like the Lord to bless you? What’s it worth to you?

It’s no accident that the verses above begin with God’s explanation of who He is as Owner and Ruler of everything He created – including you and me. There’s nothing we can do to make God’s life any better or any worse, but there’s a lot He can do to benefit us.

There’s a part of us, as human beings, that have this sometimes-subtle expectation, whether we’ve submitted to His authority or not, that God owes us. By virtue of our existence, we believe our lives should be better than they are. And the irony is, it doesn’t matter if our annual income is 10 thousand dollars or 10 million.

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When we get a cold or flu, we feel abused, as if God is punishing us, even if that’s the only time we give Him a thought. And it seems it’s compounded when we profess faith in Him. It’s as if our expectations increase; God’s debt to us really climbs after we profess faith in Him. Yes, of course, I’m exaggerating, but, unfortunately, not by much.

Think with me about the 12 disciples in a couple of scenarios – first, in the boat when the winds and waves were threatening. They awakened their Master with these words: “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” Might they have said: “Master, wake up! We’re fearing You might drown.” Where was the center of their primary concern? Yep, same as ours – themselves.

Then I think of the feeding of the five thousand men and their families. Who initiated the inquiry about eating? The disciples did, but in what context? The disciples’ plan was to send to everyone home hungry, but Jesus said to them: “That isn’t necessary – you feed them.” And immediately, rather than saying: “Okay, Lord, what’s Your plan?” They looked at their measly five loaves and two fish and concluded, it’s not enough!

“Little is much when God is in it!” It doesn’t matter the size of the need as long as you’re comparing it to the size of your Savior. So, who does God look upon with favor? The word that’s translated “humble” in the verse above, can also be translated “poor, weak, afflicted, needy.” The implication to me is, the less we have the more dependent we are on the Lord, but that’s not always the case, is it?

Humility isn’t tied to income any more than being contrite or respectful in the presence of Jesus or His written Word. These qualities have more to do with the posture of our heart than the position of our bank ledger. It has more to do with how we view God than how we view ourselves.

God favors those who see their need of Him, value His friendship, and depend on His blessing. Blessing and love are two separate categories of concern. God loves everyone equally; He has no favorites, but He blesses those whose heart and mind are in tune with His. He doesn’t waste His blessings on discontents, complainers, and those who have no regard for His authority.

And, yes, I’m aware that His sun shines on the just and the unjust, but that’s not what the verses above are talking about. I believe Isaiah has heard the Lord declare to whom His heart is bent, not for favor, but for friendship; not simply expecting God to be the proverbial “genie in the bottle,” but being His child in desperate need of a Father. My desperation for God isn’t growing less as I age, it’s increasing exponentially. How about yours?

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

For Whom Would You Die?

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT)

Would you be willing to die for someone who murdered your spouse or kidnapped your child and sold them into slavery? Forgive me for the shocking examples, but unless and until you realize that, given the right circumstances, you are capable of anything anyone else in history has done and worse, you won’t fully appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made when He gave His sinless life in your place on the Cross.

David Jeremiah wrote: “It’s a hypothetical question with no fixed answer, and in Romans 5:6-7 Paul raised the question to set up a stark contrast. He said that hypothetically someone might die so that a righteous person might live—though it would be rare for someone to do that. If it would be rare to die for a righteous person, it would be unheard of for someone to die for a sinful, evil person. And yet that is what Christ did.”

Think about that for a minute! I’m writing this post on a Sunday afternoon. I left for church a little after 7:00 a.m. so that I could serve as a Greeter at one of our entrances. After the message the Pastor invited people to come forward for prayer. There was an elderly woman who was making her way down the stairs to go forward, but it was apparent she was struggling. Being the observant and caring specimen that I am I ignored her, but my wife noted that she needed help, so I “volunteered.” I helped her to the front of the church, then waited and walked with her back to her family.

Some people who saw me do that would conclude that I was a kind and selfless person, not knowing if it hadn’t been for my wife’s “suggestion” I would likely have let her struggle on her own. What’s my point? We tend to think of others we see at church, in small group meetings, etc. as better than they really are. Men that I consider good “men of God,” struggle with lust, porn, alcohol, drugs, and other debilitating addictions – not so much in their behavior, but in their minds.

There are people in my life who might die for me, but they’d be making a mistake – I don’t deserve their sacrifice. Neither do you deserve the sacrifice of someone who loves you dying in your place. None of us do, that’s the point. Yet, Jesus, not when He saw us at our best, but at our worst, laid down His life to give us a shot, not simply at a “better life,” but a perfect life with Him in heaven – the absolute LAST place we ever deserve to be!

My gratitude to Jesus doesn’t emanate from my goodness, it shouts forth from my wretchedness. The Lord said to the Church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:17: “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

My purpose isn’t to tear you down, it’s to build you up in Jesus. Unless and until you see Jesus for the magnificent Savior He is you can’t and won’t give Him the adoration, praise, and worship He alone deserves. You’ll feel confident you’re a good person who doesn’t really need much from Him, not the blatant sinner who is capable of atrocities your mind can’t even imagine.

Never forget you are a sinner saved by grace, not because you deserve it, but because you don’t!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed

What Is Sin?

“The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, ‘Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.’” (John 5:13-14 NLT)

Do you realize that every time you choose your will over God’s you sin? Sin isn’t simply doing something wrong, in terms of an activity or action. No, sin begins in the mind, it starts with how we think. Right actions follow right thinking and vice versa.

The verses above are referring to the man who had laid by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years and was healed by Jesus. Because Jesus had instructed him to: “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” the Pharisees were all over the healed man to give them information about Jesus. At first, the man didn’t know, because Jesus had blended into the crowd, but don’t miss this, even before the man went to the Pharisees to rat Jesus out, Jesus spoke to him the words in the above verse.

What does that tell us? Jesus doesn’t need to hear his words or ours in order to know what’s in our heart. But it also tells us that we can have a serious and obvious encounter with Jesus and still not know who He is. Can you even begin to imagine what it would have been like to lie on a mat for 38 years hoping to be able to get into a pool you are hoping will heal you?

In my mind’s eye I envision the man over time just losing heart and giving up. At first he no doubt remained positive, assuring himself: “I’ll be first the next time. I’ve got this. For sure the next time.” But the next time comes and goes, and the next time, and the next for 38 years. How do you spell “HOPELESS?”

Then one day Jesus shows up. It’s a day like any other, but for some reason everything is different. This Rabbi, this smiling, gentle Teacher isn’t going to someone else, He’s standing over ME! It’s hard to make out His features because of the sun and the glare of the water, but it’s true! He’s asking me “Would you like to be well?”

You’d think the first word out of his mouth would be “YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!” but it isn’t. His words reflect, not only what in his mind is his hopeless physical condition, but his deteriorated mental and emotional state: “I can’t, sir.” But that doesn’t deter Jesus one bit. He tells the man to pick up his mat and walk, then continues on his way.

Do you find that odd? I think of the leper, the blind man, and others whom Jesus hugged and with whom He celebrated. Why did He walk away? Remember, this area was literally flooded with sick people, but Jesus wasn’t there for all of them, just this man. Did He love the others less? Of course not, but they weren’t His mission in this instance.

Jesus’ focus was this specific man and his specific need. And I’m convinced healing his body was secondary to His real mission – to see this man become His follower; to allow the Spirit of the living God to invade his heart and change his life, but that, from all outward indications, didn’t happen. Was his sin too great for Jesus to forgive? Of course not, but that has to be the man’s desire. Jesus doesn’t make us follow Him or force us to receive forgiveness.

What about you? Have you been “healed” in some significant way, but you’re still following the dictates of your own heart and mind? Have you had an encounter with Jesus, but your life is still the same? Please don’t make the same mistake the man in the story made. Don’t let Jesus walk away before you grab Him and confess your need of Him and yield your life and allegiance to Him.

If you’re not certain you’re walking with Jesus, please click this link and let your heart know for sure: Ron Huchcraft’s Bridge to God.

Unforgiven sin is the cancer that will eat you alive – in this life and the next!

Blessings, Ed 😊

A Holy Nation

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)

Is it safe to say that many professing “Christians” in America have little to no real understanding of who the Church is and what her role is? What do you think of when you hear the terms “holy nation” used together? Perhaps the children of Israel?

What first comes to mind when you hear the word “holy?” Do you see and understand it in a behavioral sense? Do you equate perfection with holy or holiness? Do you envision a particular lifestyle or style of dress? Perhaps like the Amish or Quakers?

The term “holy” literally means “to be separated to God,” but in its highest application it has reference to God’s holiness, “His purity, majesty, and glory.” (Strong’s). When you think about it, isn’t that our goal as Jesus followers?

Jesus was the embodiment of all truth, the visible presence of the invisible God. As He lived His life as a human being, His goal was to be perfect as His Father in heaven was perfect; to be holy – completely and without reservation to be set apart for sacred purpose. Jesus’ goal was to let the Father live His life out through Him. Do you realize that’s His desire for you and me as His followers?

“Yeh, but we can never be perfect like Jesus, at least not on this earth, while we’re in these bodies.” And you’re right, but that’s not the point. We are already flawless and perfect when seen by the Father through the lens of Jesus’ perfection. So, to the extent our lives, individually and corporately, reflect the purity, majesty, and glory of Jesus, we will be a holy nation, separated to fulfill God’s purposes.

Jackie Hill Perry wrote: “We must show the next generation what it means to be a holy nation. This holy nation isn’t America. It’s the church of God.” Yes, and amen! But how? How can we most positively and powerfully impact a whole generation of young people to follow after the heart of God? I believe it begins in our heart and mind.

We must, by God’s grace and with His guidance, live lives above reproach. What might that look like? We will be people who model our lives after Jesus – finding strength and guidance in our love for and devotion to His Holy Word, the Bible; we will be truth-tellers in the broadest and best sense – NEVER lying, and seeking to never allow ourselves to get into compromising situations.

We must pursue holiness of heart, mind, soul, and body, by seeing ourselves as God’s sacred instruments, set apart for His exclusive use. And we must learn to love one another as brothers and sisters – as family – in the Body of Christ. What does that mean? It means we must be more “inclusive” and less “exclusive.” And, honestly, I realize that can be scary, but we’ve got to find a way to share our lives with our blood-bought brothers and sisters. None of us are specimens of human perfection, but we can strive together to be better.

While serving a small church in Kentucky there were 8-10 churches in our little community. We, as Pastors, began to meet together and formed a co-op ministry to address the needs of the community. It brought us together as men and women of God. We loved each other and helped each other in practical ways. Our common bond wasn’t doctrine, it was Jesus. We preached in one another’s churches, celebrated one another’s victories, and suffered with one another in our defeats. I loved those Pastors, and they loved me.

Let’s work, soul by soul, church by church, to be a holy nation united to the glory and honor of our Savior and to live a positive example worthy of following for those who are watching, both young and old.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Forgiveness and Why Is It So Vital?

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7 NLT)

Have you ever done or said something that literally at the second the words passed through your lips, or the deed was done, you knew it was a major mistake? How we wish we could have do-overs for those instances! Gratefully, that’s exactly what happens when we seek God’s forgiveness!

The word Paul uses in the verse above that’s translated “forgiveness” means: “remission, deliverance, liberty.” It means: “letting them go as if they had never been committed” (Strong’s). That’s why when we come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness of our sins, He can view us as if we’d never sinned, just like Him. We’re liberated from our sin debt, and it’s never remembered against us again. Wow! What a Savior!

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That’s what the Lord wants to see happen between us when we forgive one another. And your knee-jerk response might be: “That’s impossible!” And you’d be exactly right, it is. But do you remember what Jesus said from the Cross in reference to those who had just put nails through His holy hands and feet? “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus never expects anything from us that He doesn’t model in His own life.

You may wonder how you’d ever muster the strength to forgive the person who did __________ to you (and you can fill in the worst thing that’s ever happened to you). You may not believe me but think about this for a minute. Jesus was sinless, we’re not, but He voluntarily bore the penalty for every sin we’d ever commit. How did He do that?

Colossians 1:19-22 says: “For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.”

Though it’s impossible for us to understand, think about this: Jesus bore the weight of our sin in His body on the cross. Have you ever had someone walk on your back? Have you ever had an emotional trauma weigh on your soul? Think about the weight of the sin of billions of people upon your heart, mind, soul, and body. That’s what Jesus did to make it possible for us to be forgiven – and for us to forgive those who sin against us!

There are atrocities that my mind can’t comprehend that are committed every day in our world. Children are murdered in their mother’s womb; millions are kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered at the whim of the rich and powerful; lies are stated as truth from the mouths of the government and media, from those we should be able to trust; and we defile each other in ways that were unimaginable only a few years ago.

We live in a world that is circling the proverbial drain. Isn’t it time for those of us who profess the holy name of Jesus to get over ourselves and forgive each other? Can’t we muster the grace to obey the One who forgave us and lay down our “rights” to be heard? I hate the sin of others, but what makes me sick to my stomach and keeps me awake at night is the sin that lurks in my own soul.

The world will never come to Jesus unless and until they see a clear picture of Him in and through the lives of those of us who bear His Name. O God, help us!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed

The Way Forward

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24 NLT)

What has the Lord laid on your heart to do for Him? Is there a family member, friend, neighbor, stranger you just met, a co-worker, or a long, lost friend who has come to your remembrance and the Lord is asking you to reach out to them?

Is there a specific reason He’s prompting you to reach out? Is there an opportunity to be a witness for Jesus, to be a friend or advocate, guiding them in what they’re seeking to do or be? Perhaps you have experience in dealing with something with which they’re struggling? Whatever the reason for His prompting, pray carefully before you move forward.

In my experience and, as I understand Scripture, it’s not uncommon for us to receive mixed messages when it comes to the voice of God, not because He doesn’t make Himself clear, but because Satan is often seeking to mix God’s signals with his own. As a Jesus follower we are never immune to Satan’s interruptions, especially when we’re wanting to hear the Lord clearly and precisely.

Spiritual warfare is real, and Satan and his devilish emissaries are alive and active. That is not to say that we need to be fearful or alarmed. Satan is subject to the authority of Christ Jesus just like we are, so the good news is, while Satan can harass and tempt us, neither he, nor his evil spirits, can indwell us. If you are filled with God’s Spirit, you never have to be afraid of evil controlling you or forcing you to do something against your will.

Nothing can enter your life except it passes through the filter of God’s permission, so, if you’re dealing with temptations, ungodly habits, or a lifestyle you know is dishonoring to the Lord, run to the Lord, seek His forgiveness and be certain you’re filled with God’s Spirit. Every born-again believer in Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit upon repentance and conversion.

If you’re not certain you belong to Jesus, please check out Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge Illustration by clicking this link.

Okay, so what does all of this have to do with moving forward? Everything! Until you know with certainty that Jesus is your Lord, you’ll be groping in spiritual darkness, and guess who loves the darkness? Satan and his demons. If you’re trusting your feelings or receiving conflicting answers to your inquiries of God or others, the only way forward is to look back and make sure you don’t have any “skeletons” in your closet. What does that mean?

It means that if you have unforgiveness in your heart for someone, that you’re trying to cover up with good deeds or by being more “spiritual,” you’ve got to take a step back and make that relationship or those relationships right before you can move forward. If you’ve hurt someone or someone has hurt you, you need to ask forgiveness or offer forgiveness before you’re going to make progress moving forward.

Forgiveness is a multi-dimensional process, so let’s look at it more closely in tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Why Does Christianity Work?

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NLT)

Christianity, as I understand it, isn’t a religion, as much as it’s a relationship. So, the question above could also be asked, as with any relationship, “Why does a relationship with the God of the Bible work?”

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that when I first came to know the Lord, at age 15, my adventure with prayer began when I sat an empty chair across from me and believed Jesus was sitting in it. So, I began talking with Him as if He was exactly who He claimed to be – God in human form.

An invisible God is a mystery, one with whom it’s very difficult to have any kind of meaningful relationship. Perhaps that’s why so many other religions tie their belief systems to a human being, now dead, of course, but who once lived. Buddha, Muhammed, Joseph Smith, to name a few.

Their religions work for them because they tie their beliefs to a person who taught what they now believe. On some levels they saw their beliefs embodied in and revealed in and through that person. Even though, in most cases, their religions were only helpful in this life, it sustained them and gave them something to hold onto while on this earth.

The second issue that is troublesome about other world religions is that they are incomplete. For the most part they create an environment that demands loyalty defined by “good works.” These good works can, and often do, result in some very pious and, from all outward appearances, good people, but their performance on earth leaves them wondering whether they will ever qualify for life after death, if indeed there is life after death in their belief system.

The third element that calls to question the validity of a founder of a religion is honesty – is the proponent of all the good things they taught truthful about their own adherence to their expectations of those who follow them? Is what they taught true?

Lee Stobel was an atheist who used his investigative skills learned as a journalist to seek the truth about Christianity. Lee wrote: “Christianity isn’t true because it works. It works because it’s true.” Christianity is the only world religion where God came to man. Every other world religion has some means of man working their way to God.

God poured Himself into human flesh, becoming a man who gave visibility to the invisible God. He not only taught well, He lived what He taught, so much so He was killed for claiming to be God, whom He of course was, but not many believed Him – until He walked out of His grave under His own authority.

Christianity works for me because the “invisible” person in the chair to whom I prayed was and is real, alive, and actively involved in my life. You can go to the tomb of every other founder of a world religion and find their remains, only Jesus’ tomb is empty. Only Jesus is alive and interacting with His followers every day and in ever detail of our lives.

Who are you following? If it’s not the God of the Bible, revealed in and through the person of Jesus, you’re wasting your time and effort. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Not your goodness, personal merit, and not your efforts to prove you’re worthy. The blood of Jesus alone is payment for sin and the only way anyone can “deserve” heaven is by placing their faith and trust in the only One who paid for their admission.

If you don’t yet know Him, yield your life and allegiance to Jesus today. Click on the link below if you’re not certain how to give your life to Jesus. You are loved beyond measure. You’re the reason Jesus was willing to give His life on the Cross. If you’d been the only person on earth who needed a Savior, He would have still died, just for you! Please go to Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge illustration so you can be certain your sins are forgiven and you have new life in Jesus.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Which Fire Are You Stoking?

“’Haven’t you read the Scriptures?’ Jesus replied. ‘They record that from the beginning “God made them male and female.”’ And He said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.’” (Matthew 19:4-6 NLT)

If you’re not already, you may want to sit down for this, it’s heavy! Are you ready? Men and women are different! Revolutionary, right? Yes, I know, we all KNOW that, so why do we act so crazy when it plays out in our marriages and friendships?

As men we’re expected to know exactly what our wives are thinking (but rarely do), but isn’t it nuts that our wives want to know what we’re thinking (but we rarely know that either)? That’s why forgiveness is such a vital need for our homes and relationships. None of us, male or female, get it right 100% of the time, so why not exercise our God given command to forgive?

It’s my opinion that a very high percentage of divorces occur, not because of mistakes made, even serious issues like unfaithfulness, but because of our inability to give full expression to what we’re feeling and or, because of a failure to forgive. Sometimes, unfortunately, we’re not forgiven because we don’t ask, either because we’re stubborn or, in a very few instances, we don’t realize what we’ve done wrong.

What’s gained when we forgive? Perhaps the best outcome of asking for forgiveness is reconciliation, but even if that doesn’t happen immediately, at least it opens the door, if even a crack, to allow healing to come at a later time. To refuse to forgive is to close the door to forgiveness. How do I know that?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” To what end? Unforgiven sin separates us from each other as well as from the Father. It builds a wall that over time can be insurmountable.

Leslie J. Barner used an expression in reference to herself and her husband in a devotional that clicked with me. She referred to their marriage partnership as: “Team Us!”

When my kids were small, we used to camp a lot. The kids would usually wear themselves out and turn in after a smore or two, but after getting the kids tucked in, my wife and I sat by the fire. It felt good in the evening cool, but it also was an opportunity to review the day and share things that went well and things that didn’t.

It gave us opportunities to cement the “Team,” to say things to one another that needed to be said, both positive and negative. But even if we just sat in silence, we were together. We didn’t need anyone to remind us that if our little family was going to thrive, we had to work together. If harsh words had been spoken during the day, it gave us the perfect platform to ask for or give forgiveness.

Fire, like many other things in life, can work positively, to warm us and cook our food, but it can also kill us and burn up the things we’ve worked a lifetime to attain. Which fire will you stoke when it comes to your marriage? How about your relationships with co-workers, friends, loved ones?

Barner wrote: “Fire isn’t all bad. Controlled fires, like kind, encouraging, supportive words, are life giving and warm the heart. Wildfires only break hearts. We can choose which type of fire we will stoke.”

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When We Use Our Tongue Irresponsibly

“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (James 3:5-6 NLT)

Growing up I was often audience to unkind and demeaning things my mom would say to my dad, usually while she was drinking. To hear her rants caused anger to rise in my own heart. While I knew my dad had faults and was far from perfect, he was always good to me, and I hated it when mom would humiliate him in my presence. It was only by God’s grace that their marriage held together.

Fast forward to today when I say things to my wife, that in my mind are justified and “need to be said,” but that hurt and or push her away. What am I thinking? In most cases, I’m not, and that’s the point. Proverbs 18:21 says: “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

It’s frustrating when we use our tongue irresponsibly in private, but it creates a whole new set of dangers when we speak to a loved one or friend inappropriately in a public setting. What might have been quickly forgiven and forgotten in a one-on-one setting, becomes an environment where another’s feelings are not only hurt, but embarrassment humiliates them in front of others.

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Think of how Jesus used words. The only people with whom He was ever “short,” were self-righteous religious people. Why? Because of all people they should have known better than to put themselves ahead of others, treating another person made in God’s image like they didn’t exist, as though they were dirt under their nails.

Leslie J. Barner wrote: “Have I ever said things I shouldn’t have? Yep! Or hurt my husband’s feelings with my words? Unfortunately, I have. But one thing I hope to resist at all costs is embarrassing Aubrey in public.“ It’s not unusual for us, even as Jesus followers, to engage our tongue before we put our brain in gear, but when that results in embarrassing or belittling our spouse, family member, friend, or even an enemy, it lessens Christ in the minds or those in whose mind we most want Him to be magnified.

We’re not perfect and won’t be until Jesus completes our transformation, but to use that as an excuse for hurting others with our attitudes, expressions, and words is to fail to understand that what we say and do to “the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!” (Matthew 25:40)

We tend to be on our guard, our best behavior, when we’re with people from church or good friends, but too often that “good behavior” gets set aside like our shoes when we come in the door of our homes, and we end up saying things that hurt and sting those we profess to love the most. Why do we do that? Aren’t we commissioned and commanded to treat others, especially our loved ones, with honor, dignity, and love?

Two things the Lord is teaching me in this season of my life: Train my eyes to not look the second time at an attractive woman and train my tongue to remain silent when I’m upset with my wife. Isn’t it ironic that the person I love the most is the one whom I have the greatest capacity to hurt? Perhaps we need to confess to the Lord our weakness and inability to do what we need to do, not only as it relates to how we use our tongue, but in every area of our life.

Until we realize that “apart from Me (Jesus) you can do nothing,” we’ll continue to fail miserably in the ways we treat others, especially those for whom we most want to be Jesus. By His grace let’s determine to use our words to bless and uplift, not tear down and destroy.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Dark Side of Truth

“I will darken the bright stars overhead and cover your land in darkness. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” (Ezekiel 32:8 NLT)

Do you ever mourn for lost people? Does the thought of a loved one or friend going to hell fill your heart with grief and bring tears to your eyes? It does mine. Sometimes there’s such a darkness that fills my soul that it literally is hard for me to function. Having walked with the Lord for so long it’s incomprehensible to me why someone would trade heaven for hell, forgiveness for condemnation, the Light of life for darkness.

In the verses of Ezekiel 32 the Lord shares with Ezekiel the fate of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. In verse 2 the Lord literally asks Ezekiel to “mourn for Pharoah, king of Egypt, and give him this message.” The message was of his impending doom and destruction. It was the truth, but it was very dark, filled with despair and hopelessness.

We invited friends to come to church with us on Christmas Eve last year and afterward one of our guests made the comment that she thought the Pastor’s message was “dark.” It set me aback as I love the message of Christ’s birth, in anticipation of His sinless life, death, and resurrection, knowing that apart from His sacrifice we’d all be hopelessly lost forever.

The pastor had simply shared the fate of lost people and our state, in this life and the next, apart from the Lord’s saving grace. It wasn’t graphic, in the sense of being something that would purposely induce fear, but honest, straightforward truth from God’s Word.

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Ron Hutchcraft said in a recent broadcast: “Some of us live like the truth will scare us to death or hurt too much. But it can’t hurt nearly as much as avoiding the truth about yourself – that truth that continues to poison your relationships, or limit your life, and bring you down. Someone listening today has been running from your mirrors, even trying to break your mirrors by shooting them down. But God put those people in your life because He loves you too much to let you keep running from the truth that is costing you so much.”

Do you realize how vitally important the “mirror” of your life is as a Jesus follower? Ideally, the light of our lives as believers in Jesus, shines into the darkness of this world and into the lives of those whose lives are being lived apart from His saving grace. Perhaps you’re reading this today and you’re not yet a Jesus follower.

Maybe the darkness of the truth of why Jesus died confuses or confounds you because you view yourself as a good person. On many levels that may be true, but please let the knowledge of what Jesus did, drive you to a point of yielding your life and allegiance to Him. You need to allow the darkness of your own soul to awaken you to your need to repent (turn from your sin) and receive the gift of eternal life that only Jesus can give you.

Why is that so vital to understand? Because the Truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us, is our only avenue of forgiveness from sin and the hope of eternal life. Jesus is the embodiment of all Truth, which means it’s impossible for Him to lie. The truth is we’re all sinners whose lives are hopelessly leading to an eternal death, separation from the sanctuary of God’s presence, for all eternity, unless and until we open our lives to Jesus.

I implore you to come to Him today! Click the highlighted link and find out for yourself how to know you’re forgiven of all your sin and on your way to a life of peace and joy in Jesus. Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge to God illustration.

Blessings, Ed 😊