Cut Down

This big tree used to stand tall in our front yard.  It rose high above our home.  But not any longer.  Some guys showed up the other day and cut it down.  And now it stands no more.

Just as those guys can cut down trees, God can cut down people.

Psalm 55:23 says, "But you, God, will bring down the wicked..."

God reserves the right and has the ability to bring any of us down when we defy Him and rebel against Him with no sense of remorse or repentance.  He does punish.  He does get tough with people at times when He deems it necessary.

Our modern world has tried so hard to make God it's Heavenly Buddy that it has forgotten to have a healthy fear of Him.  What a foolish, reckless mistake it is when we do this.  After all, He is a holy judge and He does have wrath.  To blatantly defy Him is to risk being cut down by Him one way or another.

Let's remember who we're dealing with when it comes to God.  And let's remember that just as sure as He blesses and comforts, He also deals strongly with those who have no regard for His righteousness character and expectations.  God most certainly has the freedom to cut us down.

The Ripple Effect

One thing life has taught me is this:  Each choice we make affects other people.  This is true with good choices, and wrong ones.  Our actions have a ripple effect that will most certainly impact the lives of people around us, one way or another.

In Joshua 7, Aachan sinned against God.  He stole some items after a battle.  The problem was that God had clearly instructed everyone not to take anything.  Because of Aachan's selfish choice, the nation of Israel lost their next battle.  Then all of Aachan's family members were killed before he too lost his own life.  See the point?  Aachan's choice had a ripple effect with negative consequences for those who were connected to him.

Selfishness is at the root of sin.  In doing wrong, we are only thinking about ourselves.  Nobody else. Then, when it's time for us to pay the price, there is collateral damage all around us.  How tragic!

May we always remember that each choice we make is far-reaching.  Everything we do is going to affect the lives of our families, friends, co-workers, and fellow church members.  This means we need to consider the wide range repercussions of what we do before we spring into action.

If our lives are morally upright, productive, and selfless, others around us will end up being blessed because of it.

If our lives are immoral, lazy, and selfish, others around us will end up being hurt because if it.

There is a ripple effect that inevitably follows our choices.  It's just a fact of life.  So let's always remember that when we are deciding between right and wrong.

Why The Virgin Mary Matters

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, is especially celebrated this time of year.  And why shouldn't she be?  We set time aside here in December to rejoice over the birth of our Savior.  Mary had the privilege and thrill of birthing and caring for The One who would save humanity from its sin. 

That's the obvious reason she matters.  For that alone, Mary deserves our respect.  The mother of our Lord is more than worthy of honor from you and me.

But, Mary is also a big deal for other reasons.  Her actions teach us some lessons.  Let's reflect on her for just a moment...

Mary is proof that we have a powerful God, who can do anything.  She was a virgin.  There had been no physical union between her and Joseph, who was soon to be her husband.  Yet God miraculously enabled her to carry a child in her womb.  Science can't explain it, but God indeed caused this to happen.

If God can do a miracle in Mary's life, isn't it safe to conclude that He can also do extraordinary things in our lives?  I do believe so!  God can heal diseases, free addicts, meet needs, change lives, repair relationships, forgive sins, and save souls.  All things are possible with our God.

Mary is a reminder that serving God, regardless of the cost, is always worth it in the end.  This would not be easy for Mary.  Surely there would be people who would look down on her and gossip about her being pregnant before her wedding day.  Some people were (and still are) cruel about things like that.  She had to have known that there would be folks who didn't understand this miracle that was happening inside of her.  A difficult road awaited this young lady, who was most likely 12 or 13 years of age.  But Mary agreed to be a servant of God with an obedient heart.  Her attitude was good, her mind was set, and her life would never be the same.  And because of this, she will always be celebrated as a special person of high worth.

God called Mary to be the mother of Jesus Christ.  What is He calling you to do?  Maybe it's going on a short-term mission trip, working to repair your broken marriage, witnessing to an unsaved person, writing a book, or going to minister in a local nursing home.  Whatever it is, Mary's choice is a valuable reminder to just do it!  Get on board with what God wants in your life.  Say "Yes!" to His calling.  And when you do, I can promise it will be worth the sacrifices you make.  God will bless you for it.  There are very few greater thrills than carrying out God's purposes for our lives.

Mary was special.  She made the most of her life.  And she set an example for all of us.

Let's have faith and believe in our all-powerful God.

Let's faithfully serve our God, who has been so good to us.

Let's live a life that counts.

Remember The Blood

I met an old man the other night here in Sumter.  A real friendly fellow.  After we spoke a few moments, I was about to walk off.  He grabbed my wrist and placed something in my hand.  His words were "Always remember the blood of Jesus."  I opened up my hand and saw a little red button that resembled a drop of blood.

That really got to me.  What a powerful reminder.  And a true one. 

Years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified on a Roman cross.  It was a brutal form of execution.  When that happened, He bled.  A lot.

Why should we always remember this?  Well, because of the blood of Jesus...

Our sins are forgiven,

Our souls are saved,

Our lives are changed,

Our futures are bright.

Thanks be to our risen Lord!  He sacrificed Himself and shed His own blood for us.  In doing this, He rescued us from an empty life and a hopeless future.  What a Savior we have in Jesus!

Let's always remember the blood.

Emerson's Good Conduct

My son came home today with a blue ribbon.  It was an award he won at school.  The ribbon read "Good Conduct".  I was proud of my boy and I made sure to congratulate him.

His "Good Conduct" award means this:  He behaves in the right way, and he follows the rules.  Does this mean he's perfect?  No, of course not.  He's a normal young boy.  But overall, he's conducting himself properly.

You know, good conduct matters for us adults too.  God expects us to behave ourselves and follow the rules He has laid out for us.  Publically and privately, we are simply to do what Steven Spielberg's alien, E.T., told Elliot:  "Be good."

Here is some scripture for us all to remember:

Proverbs 21:3 "Do what is right and just"

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good"

1 Timothy 6:11 "pursue righteousness"

1 Peter 1:16 "Be holy, as I am holy"

The common thread that runs through these verses is this:  Christians, we must behave and be good.  God expects that out of us. 

No, none of us are perfect.  You're not.  And I'm not either.  You and I have failed and made mistakes along the way.  But let's repent, learn from our mistakes, and do better in the future.  

With the guidance of scripture and in the power of God's Holy Spirit, we can grow more and more like Christ.  We can live in righteousness.  And we can reflect the holiness of God to the world.

Yep, it's true.  Our behavior does matter.  With God's help, we can do right and live right.  

So let's get on with it!

My Pregnant Wife & The World Series

13 years ago, my wife was about to give birth to our youngest daughter.  She was in labor in her hospital room and I was in there with her.  Because we had been in there for a while, we had the tv on with the volume turned all the way down.  The World Series was on.

Finally, her doctor walked in.  He was a good guy.  I enjoyed talking with him.  Anyway, when he walked in, he looked up at the tv and said, "Oh yeah, the World Series is on!  Who's winning?"  I told him the score and then we stood there for a minute watching the game and shooting the breeze.  We had a few laughs and watched a few pitches.

Then it occurred to both of us that my pregnant wife needed our attention.  She was the reason we were in there to begin with, and we were losing focus.  So, needless to say, we shifted our attention on to her and the big event that was about to take place.  It was time for our Rachel to come into the world!

Lara and I still laugh about that story today.  I'm glad she's a good sport about it.  It's one event we will never forget.

If we're not careful, we can lose focus with the important things of life.  And that's not good.  Not at all.

In Revelation 2:4 Jesus said this to a church:  "You have forsaken the love you had at first."  He reminded believers they were distracted and not focused on their Lord like they should have been.  They had shifted their eyes away from where they needed to be.

Husbands, don't get distracted by the World Series when your attention should be on your wife.

And, Christians, don't get distracted by the trivial, insignificant matters of life when your attention needs to be on your Lord.

May God help us all to set our hearts and minds where they ought to be.  Matters of spiritual and eternal significance need to be on the forefront of our desires and thoughts.  Let's seek God first, worship God first, and love God first.   Nothing in this world, including the World Series, is more important than that.

A Screen Door

I visited this weekend with an older gentleman that I greatly respect.  He's a fine Christian man, and I see qualities in him that I want more of in my own life.  I just look up to him.

At one point during our talk he looked at me and said this about himself:  "You know, David, I have more faults in me than a screen door has holes."  Wow, I did not see that coming from such a great guy like him.  But I admired his humility and honesty.

Even the best people we know have struggles and make mistakes.  They're no different from the rest of us.  We all fall short and sin one way or another.

One of the many things I think we will love about Heaven is this:  There will be no temptation, no sin, and no moral failure.  We won't wrestle with wrong cravings and impure desires up there like we do down here.  Won't that be fantastic?!

Yep, we all struggle in various ways.  And sometimes we get weary from that.  It can get exhausting when the inner war rages on.  But there IS good news:  We won't battle forever.  The fight will one day end.  And better days are coming.

So let's hang in there, keep our eyes on Jesus, and live in righteousness.  When we fail, let's confess it to God and claim His amazing forgiveness.  Also, let's remember that even though we have more faults in us than a screen door has holes, God's grace is greater than our sin, and His work in us is ongoing.

He Hears

I visited a sweet, elderly lady in the hospital this week.  As always, she was a total pleasure.  A smile was on her face because she learned she was about to be released and allowed to go home.  She looked at me and said, "Preacher, I pray daily to God.  And He hears me.  I know He really hears me!"

"Yes Ma'am", I replied.  "He sure does."  Joy filled that little room as we celebrated that wonderful truth.

Child of God, your Heavenly Father does hear your prayers.

When you ask for forgiveness, He hears.

When you express gratitude, He hears.

When you cry out for help, He hears.

When you request guidance, He hears.

Isn't that great news?!  We can pray whenever we want.  And God hears.  Always.

Find comfort in knowing that the prayers of your heart reach the ears of God.

Remember

I could not remember it.

A lady asked me yesterday for my wife's cell phone number.  I had to tell her I forgot.  See, I have it programmed into my phone and I just hit a button to call Lara.  So it's been quite a while since I had to even think about what her number is.  When I told her this, the lady laughed and asked me, "Now, how are you going to call her if you don't have your cell phone with you?"  Good question.  She got me on that one.

I guess I do need to commit it to memory.

Many folks don't have phone numbers memorized any more.

And, come to think if it, lots of people don't have Bible verses memorized any more either.  Like phone numbers, guys and gals have to pause, scratch their heads, and try to remember passages of scripture.  If we're honest, we'll admit many of us need to do a better job with that.

I remember good ole Dr. Tom Painter.  He was a preacher that mentored me a little bit during my early years of ministry.  And he was my wife's grandfather.  That man had committed tons of Bible verses to memory.  He could quote long passages in a skinny minute.  It was impressive.

Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart..."  Can you and I say that?  Have we read and stored portions of God's word in our hearts and minds?  We should!  When we memorize scripture, we have peace ready for storms, strength ready for battles, guidance ready for decisions, and help ready for temptations.  When scripture is stored in our hearts and minds, it makes a difference in our lives,

Yeah, we would all do well to memorize important phone numbers.

But even more importantly, we would be extra wise to memorize God's Word.  That'll pay off in ways we can't begin to imagine.  And we'll be glad one day that we took the time to do it.

Me Again

At my birthday dinner the other night, my son, Emerson, gave me an envelope.  I opened it up and found a sheet of paper with one of his creations.  He said, "Dad, I listed out all the things that you love."

As I read his list, I had to smile.  This is what he had written: "Happy Birthday Daddy!  God.  James Bond.  Church.  Oregon Ducks.  Gamecocks.  Preaching.  Me!  Football.  Sports.  Mini.  Me Again!"

My boy twice mentioned that I love him.  That showed me it meant a lot to him.  And it reminded me that he is a normal boy.  He wants his dad to love him.

As I reflect on that, I realize we all ought to rejoice in knowing that God, our Heavenly Father, loves us.  He cares deeply about you and me.  We matter to Him, indeed.  And that will never change.

No matter how tough life may get, find comfort in this truth:  The Heavenly Father loves you.  Deeply.  Eternally.  Sacrificially.  Powerfully.  And He always will.