Walking With Jesus

Let Your Past Be Past

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

What does it mean to belong to Christ? Think of it like this. Let’s say you buy a used car. It’s new to you, but at one point it belonged to someone else. You now own that car. What does that mean? It means you’re the new operator. It goes wherever you want it to go, whenever you want it to go, at the speed you want it to go. It’s no longer under any obligation to its old owner. It does whatever you direct it to do.

As with any illustration, this one has its limitations, but that’s essentially what happens when we become a new person in Christ Jesus. We’re under new management. Like an automobile, or any possession for that matter, we don’t belong to ourselves and we’re no longer under our previous owners’ (satanic) control. We now take our directives from Jesus. We move in new directions; we learn from new sources; we develop new habits; we begin to steward what now belongs to God. Essentially, He “cleans house” and begins to orient us to our new life and new way of living.

At first, we may rebel and complain about how our new Owner is leading us. It’s not unlike starting a diet or a workout program. At first, it’s hard and even though we know it’s in our best interest, it still doesn’t feel very good. It makes us “sore” and cramps our previous “style.” But over time, as we get to know our new Owner better, we understand He doesn’t do or say anything except it’s in the context of His great love for us.

Photo by William Choquette on Pexels.com

Some reading this may not like the reference to Jesus as our new Owner, but Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Another way to say what Paul wrote is, you are under new management.

As we submit our body, mind, soul, and strength to the Lord’s control, we find that the old ways aren’t satisfying anymore. And over time we begin to understand and enjoy being God’s “property,” God’s child. We also discover that some things in our past are difficult to release, not necessarily because of our grip on them, but because of their grip on us.

Some sins die hard, especially habits that seek to pull us away from what the Holy Spirit is working to do in and through us. The only antidote is to form new, God-honoring habits to take their place. Our minds are designed to only focus on one thing at a time. So as you think about the times you’re tempted to take drugs or over indulge in alcohol, watch pornography, post inappropriate material or comments on social media, spend time with the wrong people who are pulling you away from the Lord, or anything else you know you need to leave in your past, you’ve got to allow the Lord to “train” you to fill that time with things that will bless you and honor Him.

For example, in order to change the negative thought patterns that previously ruled our minds, we’ve got to learn to fill our minds with things that are positive, uplifting, encouraging, things that will point us to Jesus, not pull us away. Reading and studying the Bible is a must. Yet, some very common objections I hear when I make this suggestion is: “I hate to read” or “it’s boring” or “I’m not a good reader” or “it makes me sleepy.” There are others, but hopefully you get the point. You’ve got to move your focus from what you don’t like to what this new discipline will do for you. What do you want your life to look like? Find someone to mentor you who models what you want to become and let them walk with you through the things you find difficult to do on your own.

Join a small group of people who are also new to following Jesus and support each other, holding one another accountable to do, at least at first, minimal Bible reading and study, as well as attending corporate worship together. Then talk with people you respect who have walked with the Lord longer and get their input.

For the nearly sixty years I’ve been reading the Bible I still marvel at the new things the Lord is teaching me nearly every day. I so appreciate how the Lord will speak to me, lead me, love me, direct me, counsel me, implore me, discipline me, correct me, and encourage me through His holy Word.

The only way you can learn to let your past be past, is allowing your new Owner to help you see and long for your new, bright, and eternal future.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?

“Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.” (Proverbs 11:3 NLT)

“Honest” Abe Lincoln believed “Honesty is the best policy,” but is it? Couple that with Proverbs 12:22 that says: “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.” I’ve heard people say things like: “This is the honest truth.” Is there another kind of truth? Or make reference to someone who has “twisted” the truth. Am I suggesting that we should deliberately be dishonest or hide the truth? Absolutely not! However, I do believe there are times to keep our mouths shut, or if we must speak, be honest with grace.

A friend, whom I believe to be a godly man, shared that when his wife came home after getting her hair cut, he was compelled to tell her it made her look five years older. In his words, “It was my honest opinion.” She hadn’t asked his opinion, he just volunteered it, but his “honesty” cost him a night in the guest room! That story had a happy ending, because his wife is forgiving and understanding, and, yes, he gave me permission to share it. But it illustrates something I believe happens too often in the Body of Christ.

Sometimes it’s just better to keep our “honest” opinions to ourselves, because, unfortunately, far too often we end up sharing them with the wrong people or at the wrong time. That, my friend, becomes a rabbit hole called “gossip,” and it’s an abomination to our Father in heaven.

Paul writes in Romans 1:28-29: “Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.” The verses continue to list other abominations, but, hopefully, these will suffice to help us get a context for what God thinks of gossip.

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

The plot thickens because there are times when technically the words are truthful. For example, let’s say Bill and Helen, who are both married to other people, are seen at a restaurant together. Someone could see them and assume they’re having an affair and feel “led” to share what they saw with someone else on a social media platform. One thing leads to another and before long some “loving” person goes to Bill and Helen’s spouses to deliver the “bad” news.

The conversations begin something like this: “I hate to be the one to tell you, but did you know…?” To which the spouses respond, “Of course we knew, Helen wanted to speak with Bill about a job opportunity she knew was opening at her company. Both of their schedules are crazy and their lunch meeting at the restaurant was all that made sense. We were invited but thought it would be better if they had privacy to discuss the job together. And by the way, of what concern is that to you?”

The truth is, they met at a restaurant. What someone saw became gossip when they didn’t bother to get the facts before publishing what they “thought” they saw. To me, and I believe to God, the sickest and saddest is when these morsels of gossip become couched in the form of a “prayer request.”

“We’ve got to pray for Bill and Helen and their dear spouses. Why I saw them together…” In God’s sight that’s a wickedness that rivals greed, hate, envy, and murder. The right thing to do, especially if it’s someone you know well and know their character, is to give them the benefit of the doubt, and keep your thoughts to yourself. But if it’s questionable and your genuine interest is their wellbeing and reputation, always go to the person(s) involved first. And while it may not be any of your business, give them an opportunity for you to tell them what it looked like and allow them to give an explanation if they deem one is necessary.

Just understand that there are times when you can be 100% truthful and 100% honest and still be 100% wrong. The best thing in EVERY situation is go to the Lord FIRST, then follow His directives cautiously and with much grace.

Blessings, Ed 😊

How Our Past Can Flavor Our Future

“Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (Mark 9:22 NLT)

My wife is an excellent cook. Perhaps that had something to do with her son majoring in the culinary arts. It’s fun to watch her when she’s cooking something, to put a dab of this and a sprinkle of that, then taste it or bring me some in a spoon to test. “What’s it missing?” she might ask. Of course, I never know. 😊

It’s not unusual for people to ask a similar question regarding their life. “What am I missing? Why can’t I ever seem to get it right?” Sometimes our lives just don’t “taste” right, but we don’t understand why.

I attended a seminar years ago and the speaker’s contention was that each of us is fitted with a set of lenses designed for us, based on our specific set of life’s circumstances. Everything that we experience in our lives is filtered through these “life” lenses. Every new experience, opportunity, or idea is interpreted in light of the collective information stored in these “lenses.”

For example, let’s say that you were told as a child that you were a burden, worthless, stupid, dumb, clumsy, you should never have been born. Or, on the other hand, you were told your possibilities were endless, you were brilliant, loved, beautiful, talented, etc., the list is virtually endless. Over time, if we hear something often enough, we begin to believe it, then internalize it. For us, it becomes “truth” and, thus, is imprinted on the lenses of our life.

The speaker’s conclusion was, in order to change, you have to replace the filters through which you view your life. That’s essentially why Jesus died. He wants to give you new “lenses” through which you can see life in general, but also your specific life in particular.

Too many times we’re crippled by something that was said or done to us, or which we experienced that so traumatized us, it’s as if it was branded into our memory. And please understand, I realize that some things may take professional help in learning how to allow us to believe differently about ourselves, thus opening the door of opportunity for us to move in new directions. But I also understand the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy of our souls and enable us to stop believing lies and begin to believe the truth of which Jesus speaks and is. God can enable us to be and do anything He says we can be and do. How do I know that?

In Mark chapter 9 Jesus is introduced to a man who brought his son to Him who was demon-possessed. The man says to Jesus: “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (vs 22) Jesus responded: “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’…Anything is possible if a person believes.’” (vs 23) To which the father cried out: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” (vs 24)

Is that where you find yourself today? You want with all your heart, like a father with a demon-possessed son, to believe you can change. You’ve begged God to stop the “tracks” that repeat in your head over and over every time you try to move in a new direction, but seemingly to no avail. You’ve been victimized by past experiences, and it’s crippled you to the new possibilities that God is inviting you into. Bring your pain, heartache, crippling memories, and unbelief to the only One who can deliver you from the satanic grip that is holding you powerless.

Jesus doesn’t remake, remodel, or redesign our old selves. He scraps the old and gives us a brand-new life. Today you can become a new creation in Christ Jesus, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, the Lord will give you wings to “fly” above the lies of the past into the promises of a new future. But you’re going to need people to help you learn to walk in this new life. You need a family of Jesus followers to help you, to stabilize, and support you as you learn what it means to know and love Jesus, and as He directs your steps in a whole new direction.

Click the link to this brief video, then click on “yes, I prayed the prayer” at the end. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Things We Don’t Yet Understand

“You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.” (Matthew 13:11 NLT)

In the above verse, the word “secrets” can also be translated “mysteries.” And Jesus further explains in the verses following: “To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (vss 11-12)

There were many things I didn’t understand when I first began my journey with Jesus, but over the years the Lord has given me insight into most of them. There are still mysteries, especially related to end times, but for the most part I have clarity in the direction the Lord desires my life to go. One thing I discovered that has made a big difference, is the Lord has corrected things I thought I understood, when in fact I didn’t have a clue.

For example, as a relatively new believer and novice student of the Bible, I didn’t realize that what I was being taught in Seminary was the Professor’s “brand” of truth. It wasn’t that it was necessarily wrong, but it was more indoctrination into their “brand,” rather than strictly instruction in what the Bible taught. What does that mean?

It means, for example, if I’m studying at an institution that is predominantly training students in a Calvinistic theology, training them to lead churches who follow that persuasion, they’re going to teach me to understand the Bible in that light. The same is true if I attend a school who trains Pastors and leaders for Wesleyan-Arminian traditions. Is that wrong? Not necessarily, it’s just the way it is.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Problems arise in today’s churches because you have many from varying denominational and theological backgrounds, all of whom are thinking they want to hear the “truth” of what the Bible teaches. A Pastor can only preach and teach the truth as he or she has come to understand it. And the plot thickens because many people, especially those who have been believers for a long time, aren’t really interested in the Truth of the Bible, they want a church and preacher who reinforces that in which they’ve already been indoctrinated – i.e. their “brand.”

So, what’s a person to do? Personally, I lean heavily on three things. First, the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says in John 14:26: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” The second thing that is critical to me is what have the Church Fathers historically held as the central tenets of the Christian Faith? And, thirdly, I pay attention to the spirit of the one who is speaking/teaching.

In Romans 8:16 Paul writes: “For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” In other words, I can know that I’m living for the Lord because His Spirit, residing in me, will bear witness with my spirit that I’m a child of God. I believe a similar thing happens when I meet another person who professes to know, love, and teach the truths of my Savior, Jesus. Unless the Spirit of Jesus within me bears witness with the Spirit of Jesus in this other person that we’re of the same Spirit, I don’t put much credence in what they’re saying.

Honestly, I’m not concerned about a lot of peripheral things that people believe and teach. My concern is what they teach about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Gifts of the Spirit, and Salvation, which to me are core truths we need to hold in common. People of a kindred spirit can walk together, learn from one another, and celebrate and serve Jesus together, even if they don’t agree on every point of doctrine. We may also begin to understand why we differ on some things and realize we’re not as far apart as we first thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

God Still Has Secrets

“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one.” (Deuteronomy 29:29a NLT)

There are things that God covers or conceals from us. Why would He do that?

The verse continues by saying: “We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” (Deuteronomy 29:29b NLT)

One reference to secrets that always amuses me is “secret sins.” The reality is everyone has secrets, but none of them are hidden from God. God knows the down and dirty about all of us. We may conceal things from one another, but never from God.

Also, just in passing, let me say there is no such thing as an unsolved crime. A person may evade legal accountability, but will one day stand before the Lord, in whose presence every detail of their lives will be laid bare. Then they will bear the consequences of God’s “legal” system and justice will prevail.

In Luke 10 we’re given insight into a conversation between Jesus and 72 of His followers whom He sent to surrounding villages and towns to preach and teach about Him. When they returned, the Bible says: “they joyfully reported to Him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’” We may use the word “ecstatic.” They were so excited they could hardly contain themselves. At that point Jesus shared something that puts a lot of things in proper perspective, for them and us. He said: “…don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.’” (vs. 20)

The Bible then says: “At the same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and He said, ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”

A very important secret was shared with Jesus’ 72 and with us, that if we grasp its significance can change our lives. What’s the secret? Too often we get excited about the wrong things. We tend to get fired up about things that matter to us, rather than those things that matter to God. We like things that make us look good – “even the demons obey us…” – rather than the things that exalt Jesus and make Him the focal point of whatever we do – “rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Even Satan can perform miracles, but only God can register someone’s name in heaven.

Another “secret” that frightens me is when I do, say, or write things with the intention of making people think more of me, rather than more of Jesus. If you ever sense that’s what’s happening, would you please call me on it? I want to be childlike, in the sense that everything I do is to please and honor my Father.

When my kids were small, to them I was a giant who knew everything. Now, well, you know the rest. The older they got, the bigger they got in their own eyes, thus, the smaller I became, and, I might add, rightfully so. God never intended us to be the proverbial “giants” in our kid’s eyes, but to make Him huge to them through the way we loved and “lived” Him before them.

God conceals things from us, not to hurt us or cause us harm, but to protect us. He guards our hearts and minds, preventing us from thinking too highly of ourselves, seeking to enable us to always maintain a healthy and right view of Him.

May I let you in on a “secret?” God’s crazy about you! His love for you is mind-boggling and powerful enough to change the course of your life forever if you’ll let Him. Please let Him.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Making Time to Pray

“Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8b NLT)

God listens to and cares about the prayers of His people.

Years ago, I heard a story about a person who went to heaven. They were given a tour and shown all the wonders that heaven alone possessed. While walking with the angel who was giving the tour, the person noticed numerous warehouses. Being curious, they asked the angel what was inside. “Those hold all the treasures for which God’s people never asked.”

Prayer takes time, and time is the one thing most people don’t think they have. We tend to invest our time in a couple of ways: Doing the things we love or being with the people we love. That doesn’t count work, school, or other responsibilities that we may or may not enjoy. But we rarely prioritize talking with God and seeking His face for more than a few minutes. Oh, the treasures we forfeit that God would be pleased for us to have.

Each day has 96 15-minute segments. Every person has the same number of minutes in a 24-hour period, irrespective of who they are or what they choose to do with them. One hour is less than 5% of your day, yet to think of spending 60 minutes with God is nearly unthinkable to many professing believers.

I love having conversations with my wife. I don’t call it prayer, but it’s really, at its core, no different on many levels than having a conversation with God. How healthy do you think a marriage would be if you spent less than 5% of your time together? This isn’t about guilt, it’s about reality.

It’s taken many years, but in this season of my life there’s hardly a minute I’m not conscious of God’s presence in my life. I may not be “praying,” but I’m desiring His input into whatever I’m doing. And I’m not just referring to “spiritual” things, although when you think about it, everything we do, say, or think effects our relationship with God.

If you love someone, you desire to be with them. Even if we’re not in the same room, there’s a comfort in knowing that the person I most love in this world is close by. When my wife and I are separated I’m constantly checking my watch, almost counting the minutes until we’ll be together again. It’s as if a part of me is missing when we’re separated.

That’s how I feel about the Lord. Yes, I realize He never leaves me, but if I’m not intentional about remembering He’s with me, I can get sidetracked and try to do things on my own. It doesn’t matter if I’m working on something in the garage, doing dishes, or working in the yard, I depend on the Lord’s help to work in and through me.

Some will think that’s silly, because in their minds they do virtually everything on their own. That’s called the grace of God and ignorance. If God wasn’t extending to us His grace, we could literally do nothing. There are those who mistakenly believe they don’t need God for anything. “I can take care of myself!” they will say or think.

What if God decided to refuse to allow you to breathe His air or restricted the use of the muscles and mind He gave you as a gift? I’ve spent many hours visiting people in the hospital or other treatment facilities. For years they’ve taken God’s gift of health for granted, treating their bodies as though they’d last forever. There will come a day when God has our full attention, because all the ways He’s extended to us His grace will cease. Then we’ll be begging God to give us back what we’ve destroyed through our negligence and carelessness. One day all we’ll long for is one more minute to talk with God.

Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Make the Lord the priority He desires and deserves to be in your life. Just click the link below to discover how you can have a relationship with the only true and living God.

https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed 😊

Prayer IS Doing Something (Part 2)

“May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere.” (Psalm 67:7 NLT)

John Stonestreet of the Colson Center wrote: “Not only is prayer the practice of appealing to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, it is an essential way to align our hearts and minds with His. To have a Christian worldview is to think like God thinks. Prayer accomplishes this.”

In my mind, that summarizes our goal in prayer. I’m so prone to think of prayer as speaking to God, but I learn very little, if anything, when I’m talking. My most effective and fruitful periods of prayer are the times I take the time to listen, not just as I read the Bible, but as I literally stay silent and listen for God’s still, small voice.

Learning that the Almighty God isn’t our proverbial “Genie in the bottle,” is a giant step. Sometimes we’re tempted to treat God like He’s an order taker at a drive-up window: “Hi, I’ll have a raise, a great night with my wife, and a new car. Thanks.” It’s humbling when He answers: “Hmmm, your order isn’t coming through. Could you have come to the wrong drive-through?”

He’s also teaching me to be more grateful. Often, rather than asking Him for something that’s clearly in line with His will, He’s leading me simply to thank Him in advance as an act of faith and worship. For example, I’ve struggled for months with whether or not to sell a car that I dearly love. I took it to the Lord and said: “Father, I love You supremely and I don’t want anything to keep my focus from being fully on You. When the time is right, thank You for letting me know.” I’m not begging for an answer, I’m leaving the decision up to Him.

Recently in a devotion I was reading, a grandfather was speaking with his 5-year-old grandson who was explaining what he wanted to be when he grew up. Then he added, “of course, it’s up to Jesus.” That’s the kind of attitude I want to have when I pray.

There’s a sense in which prayer is opening our heart and mind to see the future from God’s perspective. Our framework is so limited and often so short sighted. We tend to want what we want when we want it and it’s hard for us to see things any other way but our own. Personally, I want what God wants, regardless of the way it may seem to me. God can see through the clouds of doubt and uncertainty into the brilliant light of His will for me (and you 😊). Our thinking may be filled with questions, leading to fear and reservation, but that can simply be as the mist of the morning before the sun breaks through.

When you think of prayer as the “work” that opens the door for God to work, it can have enormous benefit for those willing to learn to pray, not simply learn to “say prayers.” “Now I lay me down to sleep…” is a wonderful prayer for children to learn, but as believers in Jesus we must take the time and make the effort to learn to speak and listen to Him in much the same way we’d speak to anyone else in our life whose friendship, love, and closeness we value.

Sometimes the most profound and uplifting prayer we can offer to the Lord is: “Heavenly Father, my Friend, I need You. I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do or which way to turn. I’m not seeing clearly how to move forward in my life. I don’t even know what to ask You to do for me other than hold me and help me find my way.”

In my life I’ve found this to be true: “You don’t know God is all you need until you discover God is all you’ve got.” When you finally discover the true and living God, prayer will be worth the effort.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Praying IS Doing Something!

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell You what He did for me.” (Psalm 66:16 NLT)

Has someone ever shared with you a need? It could have been physical, emotional, relational, financial or any number of other needs people have. As you listened, your mind was racing trying to come up with an answer, but all that could come out of your mouth was: “I suppose I could pray with you about it.”

Like most men, I’m a “fixer.” Often, if you have a problem, I have an answer. It may not be what you need or want, but it’s something you can “do” to address what you’re dealing with. Do you realize the first and most important thing you can ever do is pray?

The question then becomes: “What does that mean?” “What does it mean to ‘pray?’” For some reading those words, it seems a silly question. I can almost hear someone saying: “We just talk about whatever’s on our heart.” That’s good, and it’s an important part of prayer. But I’m finding in my life that the most important beginning point for me when I pray is to listen. How do I do that?

The most consistent means that I’ve found to listen for God’s voice is through His Word, the Bible. I read and study His Word every day. But if I have something specific to pray about, I may research a word or idea to get a sense as to how God views whatever it is I’m praying about.

For example, let’s say someone asks me to pray for their 90-year-old grandmother who is suffering from pneumonia. She’s a believer and is ready to meet Jesus. I would pray differently for her than a 27-year-old who was in a motorcycle accident and isn’t a believer. How so? In my mind death for a believer is perfect healing. If I’m sick and the prospects are good that I’m going to die, pray for my perfect healing 😊. I can’t wait to see Jesus.

But when I pray for someone who isn’t saved, my first concern isn’t their physical health, it’s their soul. I can’t quote you a specific verse, but I believe if there’s breath there’s hope. A person may be in a coma, unable to communicate with another person, but I believe the Lord can speak to a person’s spirit. He can communicate love, forgiveness, hope, peace, in short, whatever that person needs to get their soul right with God. And please understand, God won’t make someone open their heart to Him, but will allow the spirit of the person to respond to His Spirit affirming or denying their willingness to respond.

Prayer for me has many levels. Every morning as I walk the pups, I talk with the Lord. I use the Lord’s prayer as a guide. I express praise, adoration, and worship to the one true God who is alone worthy. I seek to position myself in a posture of humility and acceptance of the fact that He is God, and I am not. This is the supreme Commander-in-Chief of everything that has life. I’m not at His throne to make demands or give Him orders. I’m there to listen to His heart and follow His directives.

There are some things I know are His will. I know He loves lost people, so I lift every neighbor to Him every day. If I know their name, I use it, but if I don’t know their name yet, I ask the Lord to open the hearts and minds of whoever lives in each house as I pass it.

All throughout the day, whatever I’m doing, I’m talking with the Lord and/or seeking to listen to what He wants to say to me. One thing He’s teaching me that I’ve been very slow to hear, is going to Him FIRST when I have a need. Regardless of how small it seems; I ask His help. I lost a car key and all I’m hearing Him say is “pocket.” So, if one of you has my car key in your pocket, cough it up. I need it! 😊

Let’s look at this a little more closely tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Too Busy to Care

“Does it mean nothing to you, all you who pass by?” (Lamentations 1:12)

Conservative estimates calculate that there were minimally 750 million people on the earth when God sent the flood. It’s astounding to me that out of all those people God only found one man, according to Genesis 6:9, who “was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time.” An argument could be made that it was miraculous that God found even one.

The Bible doesn’t tell us how long it took Noah to build the Ark, but it does tell us that while he was working on the Ark, he was warning the people of God’s righteous judgment (2 Peter 2:5). Yet, no one, not a single person, believed Noah.

Could it have been that the story Noah was telling was to them unbelievable? After all, it had never rained. Or, perhaps they were just so busy following the dictates of their sinful natures they didn’t care what God was up to. But then it started to sprinkle and suddenly everyone was interested. What will it take to get the attention of the people of our world?

There are a lot of parallels between Noah’s times and ours. Ironically, Jesus said in Matthew 24:37: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.” God pronounced, far in advance, that the judgment was coming, but His message given through Noah was ignored. Yet, the unprecedented wickedness that prevailed when Noah was building the Ark, has literally been superseded by the wickedness and ungodliness of the world in which we now live.

What wasn’t considered to be acceptable behavior a generation ago is now common. What wouldn’t have been tolerated in videos a decade ago is now demanded. Are people today so blind to the consequences of their corporate sin or are they just too busy digging deeper spiritual holes for themselves to care?

My heart aches to see those I love conduct their lives as if there’s no judgment coming. Or be oblivious to the warnings that God has declared through His Word and through His messengers that what happened to humanity in Noah’s day is a foreshadow of things to come.

Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:6-7: “Then (in Noah’s day) He used water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.”

There are two avenues of thought as I ponder the soon coming end to life on this planet. Are those too busy to care, who are speeding to an eternity separated from love, joy, peace, and everything they’re striving to attain in this life? Or are those of us who know the Savior and are basking in our confidence that we’re going to heaven, too busy to care about those who are lost?

If I were to ask you, “When did you come to know Jesus?” Some would struggle to remember a specific date, as I would, but the key issue is, “Was there a time you confessed your need of a Savior, repented of you sin, and received God’s gift of eternal life in Jesus?” In some ways it’s like asking me if I’m married. There’s no middle ground. I’m married or I’m not. It’s similar in our relationship with Jesus.

Our life in Christ must have a beginning, and it demands ongoing cooperation with God’s Spirit to grow in our relationship with Jesus. In much the same way, if our marriage is going to be healthy, there must be cooperation and mutual desire to grow together. Additionally, there was very likely a person in your life, as there was in mine, who influenced you to yield your life to Jesus.

My point is this. Am I or are you that person for someone in our spheres of influence who is heading to a Christ-less eternity? I think of the chorus by Dr. Leon Tucker and Ira D. Sankey: “Lord lay some soul upon my heart, And love that soul through me; And may I nobly do my part To win that soul for Thee.”

Can we be so busy seeing the masses that we fail to see the person next door or down the street; the person who cuts our hair, bags our groceries, or serves us lunch? Do they mean nothing to us as we pass them by?

Blessings, Ed 😊

The One True God of the Bible

“But the Lord is the only true God.” (Jeremiah 10:10a NLT)

In the days in which we live you’re in a vast minority to believe there is only one God. And an even greater minority to believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Why is that?

I’m certainly no expert in the history of the world, but I know enough to recognize some of the critical periods in history that changed the course of man forever. One was the Dark Ages where those who were supposedly “godly” defiled everything it meant to be a person of God. Then the proverbial pendulum swung the other way to the so-called Age of Enlightenment when anyone and anything of God was despised and discounted. Christians were martyred and churches and Bibles were burned.

The foundational principles upon which the United States of America were originally based were taken from God’s Word. And, while the men who put their lives on the line for a democratic society, including religious freedom, held strongly to Biblical truths and principles, there’s little to show for their efforts today. What’s my point?

God hasn’t changed! He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, what’s changed? I have. You have. The issue with which we must wrestle today isn’t what’s happened to the world around us. The world is following a very predictable and expected road to perdition. The most glaring problem in America today isn’t the local or federal government. It isn’t the Colleges, Universities, or lower systems of education. It isn’t even healthcare or the Welfare system. It’s me and you who claim to know and love and serve the God of the Bible – the One true and living God – but our lives look so much like everyone else’s no one can see the difference, at least not enough difference to ask us any questions about why we live the way we do, and for Whom.

And even as I write, the Lord is cautioning me. The truth is, I can’t speak for you. I can only speak for myself. I must do more to make the God of the Bible known. I must live my life in greater and greater submission to the authority of the only true and living God so that those who know me; those who read these posts; those with whom I serve at church; those in my neighborhood and with whom I have contact throughout my day; and especially, those in my own family and circle of close friends, MUST know Whom I serve and why!

I must stop following the ways of the world in my appetites for entertainment, recreation, hobbies, possessions, in short, ANYTHING that is unlike Jesus or pushes me away from His holy standard of conduct in speech, thought, and action. Yet, I don’t want to be seen as the proverbial “holier than thou.”

I want to be more like my wife. Love is her first “language.” Compassion is who she is. Jesus is more evident in her than most anyone I know. She doesn’t have to think about whether the Lord is leading her to give help or show mercy to someone, He’s given her instincts and special senses that enable her to know who He wants her to serve, when, and how. Of course, she’s not perfect, but she’s about as close as anyone I know on this earth.

How will the world ever change? The same way the world changed after Jesus came. One person at a time. Will you allow the Lord to put on your heart ONE PERSON who needs Jesus to whom you can reach out this week? My wife is doing her part. I want to do my part. My precious sister is seeking to do her part. My niece and nephew are seeking to do their part. I know in my spirit that there are many doing their part. Will you do your part?

Put your “YES” on the table! Just tell the Lord: “Whatever You want, whenever You want it, I’m in!” Let’s start, by God’s grace and with His help, to chip away, one person at a time, at the degrading results of sin in our families, neighborhoods, communities, and cities to the glory and fame of the One True God of the Bible.

Let’s live with such conviction and determination to love and honor Jesus that others want to know, love and serve Him too. It starts with prayer!

Blessings, Ed 😊