Crack Pots

                                       
                              

Growing up I remember that there was a phrase used to refer to someone who did a foolish or silly thing.  It was sometimes used in jest and sometimes to ridicule; “you’re a crack pot”.  Though I’ve not heard it much recently my generation and older may remember this phrase and perhaps even still use it on occasion.  Truth be known we are all cracked pots.

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the works of your hand.”    -Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)

Yet how many of us have been guilty of living as if we are the Potter having designed our own lives.

“You turn things upside down!  Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’, or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’.”     -Isaiah 29:17 (ESV)

Truth be known God has designed all of us for a purpose.  By striving to take control of our own lives we wind up damaging what God has created and become “cracked pots”.  But there is hope.

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.” ³ So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. ⁴ And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. ⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”  –Jeremiah 18:1-6 (ESV)

Praise God our damaged souls can be “reworked” into something better.  It is impossible for man to soften the clay and rework it once its been hardened by the fire.  When damaged it is only good to be destroyed and discarded.  God, on the other hand, can soften the soul again through the His Word and the Holy Spirit that it can be fashioned after His design.   We can be “reworked”.  In fact, God is in the business of reworking or renewing us in His image again.  

So if you feel like damaged goods maybe today is the day you can return to your Potter so He can reshape and remake you into something useful in His Kingdom.  Let go and put yourself in His hands.
                               

EASTER OR RESURRECTION DAY?

     

Easter was originally a pagan festival. The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with a festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre Or Ostara (from which we derive the name "Easter"). When the second-century Christians encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity but continued to celebrate pagan feasts and festivals, but in an effort to "Christianize" the festival.  Unfortunately they met with limited success and in truth some of the pagan practices and teachings infiltrated the church. 

Even so, Easter somehow managed to retain the fertility symbols and the Easter Basket. (I always wondered what the Easter Basket had to do with Christ's resurrection. Didn't you?) Eastre, goddess of fertility, has managed to infiltrate our society with the well known "Rabbit Test" (do they still call it that?) to find out if a woman is pregnant. So now each year in the Spring we see the Easter candy, baskets and rabbits permeate our society.  One can hardly go into a store this time of year without seeing such trappings of ancient paganism packaged for commercial or financial gain. 

Let me say this…I do not believe in or put faith in Easter.  But I do believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!  Do not fall prey to the trap that our world has set to get you to think that Easter and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead are one and the same.  A rabbit and decorated eggs may be part of the Easter celebrations as they have been since instituted in paganistic practices in ancient times but they have nothing to do with Jesus Christ.  In fact, nowhere in the Bible will you find that we are instructed to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as a special day once a year at a certain time

 

Now I would remind you, brothers,^[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ² and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

 

                                                                       -1 Corinthians 15:1-8

 

Let me say that for the Christian every day is resurrection day and not simply one day in the year!  Collectively in our worship every Sunday is resurrection day!

I could take several weeks reviewing with you the various evidences for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evidences from…

ü Jesus’ own testimony  & predictions before his death.

ü Jesus’ own followers.

ü Enemies who tried to silence the teaching of the resurrection.

ü Historical sources outside of the Scriptures.

ü Individuals such as Paul and others.

ü Groups that saw Jesus personally.

ü The scene at the tomb, which by the way was not empty.  There was something very important in the tomb to give strong evidence for the resurrection.

ü The transformation that took place in the disciples.

Not because of the insufficiency of evidence but in spite of its magnitude do men today still reject the resurrection of Jesus. How do we explain the change from Saturday to Sunday worship without the resurrection?  The majority of the first Christians were of Jewish background and had been fanatically attached to their Sabbath.  It took something extremely significant to change this habit; it took the resurrection to do it!  By the way, Sunday is not the Sabbath!   No where in the new Testament does it refer to the first day of the week as the Sabbath. 

The disciples of Jesus spent the rest of their lives proclaiming the message of the resurrection, as cowards transformed into men of courage. They were willing to face arrest, imprisonment, beatings, being stoned, and even death.  Not one of them ever denied the Lord or recanted his belief that the Lord had risen.

 

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in Christ we have hope^[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

                                                                     1 Corinthians 15:12-22

It is my desire to strive to be a Christian as shown in the New Testament and to strive to help the Lord's Church be the way He desired.  Like many of you I grew up in a culture that made Easter and Resurrection Day to be one and the same.   I do not like using the term "Easter" to refer to the resurrection of Jesus from the grave but from time to time I even find myself slipping up and saying the term.  It can be very difficult to change after years of the  customs and traditions one has grown up bomdarding you with ways to pollute the intent of God's Church.  I encourage you all to make the effort to transform and renew your minds to be people who strive after the Scriptures for living the Christian life. 

 

 

 

WISDOM FOR LIFE

One of the most quoted passages from the book of Proverbs is 3:5-6 which is packed with so much wisdom.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Let’s briefly break this passage down so we can take it in.

1)     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,…”

Our path of life-long wisdom starts with trusting and loving the Lord God first and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33) then we will discover that other things in our lives seem to fall into place nicely.  So the question to ask yourself is, “Just how much do you really trust God”?

2)     “and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Why is it that so often we tend to try to do things our way first?   Then we find ourselves time and time again facing a predicament or challenge we did not count on or anticipate.  Yes we do need to increase our understanding but that should come from God who is willing to provide wisdom if we but ask.   What we need to do is strive to get “our own understanding” in tune with God’s so that our understanding comes from Him.  How can we do that you may ask?  Through prayer, reading God’s Word and the counsel of Godly friends we can increase our understanding to be in harmony with God’s desires.  The real question is, “Where are you leaning?” 

3)    “In all your ways acknowledge him,”

It is one thing to know about God but quite another to actually know God.  Knowing God in your life will be seen by how you declare your relationship with Him.  Do you declare the greatness of God in your life to others, particularly to those outside the church?  Do you acknowledge how God works in your life and give Him praise and credit for His moving in your life?  One thing I think we can all do a better job of is giving praise reports of how God has moved and influenced our lives.   When something wonderful happens that honors God I call it a “God sighting”.  Acknowledging God’s actions and movement in your life with not only draw you closer to Him but encourage others to do the same.   So the question to ask yourself on this is, “What can you acknowledge this week about God”?

4)    “and he will make straight your paths.”

If you want to strive after Godliness you need God to help direct you in the proper way to go.   If you want success to honor God you must be fully committed to God in everything you do.   God has your best interest at heart and you really should want to be where He wants you to be.  A question to ask is “Do you really want to travel the straight and narrow road that God has set before you?”

The Challenge:

Memorize this passage so that you can quickly bring it mind from time to time as a reminder of God’s will for your life and how to walk in Godly wisdom.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

THE LAW OF LIBERTY

In reading the New Testament the term “law” is used frequently and usually refers to the Old Testament and the laws given under Moses.  This law teaches us what our problem is, namely sin.  The Law of Moses shows us what our problem is but does not provide the solution or remedy since no one can keep all the Law.  With the coming of Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection the Old Law was fulfilled in His perfection and a new law was put in place.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perserveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”            -James 1:22-25

“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.  For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.”     -James 2:12-13

Let’s make two observations about the Law of Liberty…

First, the Law of Liberty requires a preserving action demonstrating the life of freedom from sin.   This is the heart of the message of James book.  Faith must be shown and acted upon not merely stated.  Anyone can say that they believe in Jesus, even demons believe that, but a true follower of Christ will demonstrate it and strive to live it out.  You will see it in the fruit of their lives.  It must be seen in the deeds and lifestyle of the believer.  When one truly understands what spiritual freedom from sin really entails it should drive one to live a life of thanksgiving in deeds and actions not merely in words.

Second, the Law of Liberty was created by and remains driven by mercy.  We are to demonstrate mercy to others just as Christ has shown it to us.  A judgment day is coming and each of us will stand before the author of life.  Do you want to be judged according to the Law of Moses or according to the Law of Liberty?   I choose the latter!  Look at James 2:13 again, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

So here is a question to ponder…

Which law is at work in your life?

 

FAITH ONLY? WHAT ABOUT WORKS?

 

     So-called main stream evangelical Christianity has and continues to preach that we are “saved by grace not by works.” The Scripture passage often cited is Ephesians 2:9 which reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Using this verse alone we can see that there is a natural and logical conclusion for the underlying supposition that we are saved by “faith only.” However, taking a single verse out of context is not how to properly interpret the original intent and meaning of the Scriptures. Let’s read on in Ephesians and look at verse 10:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“

         Let’s reconcile these two verses as they were originally intended to be understood. It is true that without God’s grace we would still be in our sins. Accepting God’s grace is the first step that must take place. We cannot earn our righteousness, however, through this grace should come a natural outpouring of “good works” which we were created to do in Christ. Otherwise, we can run the risk of losing the grace we were offered.  Jesus himself on multiple occasions alluded to the fact that we will be judged by our works. For example, in Matthew 25 the parable of the Talents shows the importance of using our gifts for the Lord and the dangers of doing nothing. Jesus immediately follows this parable with an explanation of the final judgment in verses 31-46 where he clearly indicates that we will be judged by our service to him and sharing his love with others in a tangible way. Those who have not demonstrated “good works” of gratitude for the grace they have been offered will not receive an eternal reward.  “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46)

           The grace God has offered us is not by our works but by the works of Jesus going to the cross in our place. We do not deserve it. We could never earn the grace offered. However, the fruit of our lives or “good works” are in gratitude for that grace and will determine if we keep what God has offered.

          In James 2:14-26 we see some additional insight regarding the relationship between our faith and our works of service.  What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? The implied answer to this questions is, “no” faith alone cannot save.  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good^[a] is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

          What good is a dead faith?  Can it save?  Again the answer, “No.”  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. The matter of our righteousness and salvation is not a matter of one or the other but of both faith and works.  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!  Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

          Perhaps the most misunderstood and misused verse in the New Testament is John 3:16 where so many preach that we only need to believe and nothing else. The verse in James 2:19 printed above shatters the popular idea that John 3:16 is the whole of the salvation process. Even demons believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God but it does them no good. Belief alone is not sufficient to become righteous and saved. Belief is a critical first step but it is not the only step needed to become righteous. There is more!  A couple of verses later we see that works are mentioned as part of the process. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:20-21)

          Let’s return to James 2:21-26 as we consider further the relationship of faith and works in the salvation process. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James uses the Old Testament example of Abraham to show the relationship of works to our faith. Abraham believed God and was righteous in his eyes because his works demonstrated the reality of his faith.

 

                                             

             Regarding the popular “faith only” doctrine that permeates much of so-called Christianity there is only one verse in the entire New Testament that has the phrase “faith only” or “faith alone” and it is this verse in James 2:24 yet it says “…that a person is justified by works and not faith alone.”  Did you catch that, “not faith alone”?

           We are saved by the wonderful grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it or deserve it. Without His mercy and grace we are still in our sins and without hope. God offers each of us a wonderful gift but as with any gift we receive, it is only ours as long as we take care of it and keep it. It can be lost!  Producing fruit worthy of our repentance and doing good works of gratitude for what Jesus has graciously done for us is what keeps us in good standing and righteous in God’s eyes.  Fan into flame the tremendous grace God has given you with works of gratitude so that when you face God you may hear those wonderful words, “Well done good and faithful servant”. 

 

All scripture verses are from the ESV Bible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew 7:7-8 Is Not A Blanket Promise

                                                                          
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."  
                                                                                   -Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

"Ask and you shall receive" is a phrase of Jesus' that occurs several times in the Gospels in various forms. Too often it has been taken out of context and misinterpreted to mean "ask for anything you want and I'll give it to you". 

Jesus goes on to say in verse 11 "...how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" This same discourse is repeated in Luke 11:9-13 but the words "good things" are replaced with "the Holy Spirit".  The good gift God wants to give His children is the Holy Spirit as we can also see in Acts 2:38 which reads, "And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one  of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."     John 14:13-14 (ESV)

To ask anything of God as our Father and to do so in His name we must first be as His child. When one follows the instructions of Acts 2:38, they becomes a child of God. If as His child we ask for something and the answer is "no" we may be inclined to be frustrated but don't loose heart. "No" can also mean "Not now" as our desires and requests must be in harmony with His will.
When we finish our prayers "in Jesus Name" we are saying that above all may His will be done, not ours. 
 
Are you asking God according to His will? This can be a tough one to know. Of course, the Scriptures do reveal much of God's will for our lives but in specific areas or circumstances is what we want actually His will?  If what we want is not God's will, we should not really want to receive it should we? 

The real challenge then is aligning our wants to God's will. Like in any relationship the stronger and closer the relationship the better one understands the other. The closer we strive to get in fellowship to God the clearer His will becomes and the easier it will be to know what to ask for in His name.  This is where faith comes in because without faith it is impossible to please God. 

Another important point to make that is often lost in many English translations is the fact that this text in Matthew 7:7-8 it is not referring to a one time request. In the Greek it is not simply "ask", "seek" or "knock" but "ask and keep on asking", "seek and keep on seeking" and "knock and keep on knocking".  Though I'm usually not a fan of the New Living Translation in this instance it gets it right.

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

                                                                                         -Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

We are to keep on praying or as Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing". 

We are not only to "ask" but to actively "seek" that which we ask for and to persistently "knock" or pursue God's good and perfect will for our lives.  This is not a passive activity. To truly ask, seek and knock takes time, energy and work.

So don't give up! Keep on seeking and asking and watch your faith grow!

Genesis 24:1  -  "Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years.  And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." (ESV)

Living a long life with a spouse you love and children and grandchildren that are dear to you is a wonderful blessing.   Losing your spouse (as Abraham did) in your golden years does not mean that God is finished with you yet.   Abraham married again, had even more children and was used by God even more.  He was described as a Godly man “full of years” (Genesis 25:8).  To live to an old age can be a blessing but to look back and see that your years were “full” makes the blessing multiplied.  God may have more in store for you in your later years than you may now realize.   Keep yourself available to the Lord so that your last years are as full as your previous ones. 

My Prayer...

Father, help me to continue to direct my heart in service so that I not only have many years of life but that they are full of joy and peace as I strive to honor you.  May your Spirit make me “full” to the end of my days so that you may be honored and others see my life as one dedicated to serving according to Your will.