She Will Never See Or Know...

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

I love the children of FredWes!

One of the things I love about them (or for them) is that they will grow up into adulthood and never be able to remember a time that they didn't go to church!

That is a tribute to their parents!

But I am thinking of a group of children, about 60,000,000 strong, that will never remember a time when they DID go to church. Or ever see a church. Or ever see their parents.

Why?

Because they will be destroyed within the womb before they ever draw a breath. They have been or will be an innocent helpless victim of an abortionist.

I understand that the decision to have an abortion is often made by a young woman who is under duress and who has not been told the truth about the procedure or the possible side effects of this life-altering decision she is about to make.  As a result, she will spend her life wondering if she did the right thing while deep inside she knows she didn't

She will never see or know the life she has carried in her womb for months but there will never be a day for the rest of her life that she won't think about it. She will wonder what her child would have looked like if he had been given the chance to be born. There will be a haunting regret that will never go away. She will see another child out in public places and her thoughts will turn to the child she allowed to 
be murdered.

Abortion is a heinous and hideous sin. There is no other way to look at it. To invade the sanctity and security of the mother's womb to cruelly tear apart a defenseless and innocent body can be considered nothing less than murder.

But as evil as the act of aborting a baby is, the grace of God in Jesus Christ is greater than this sin. There is forgiveness and restoration for the mother who will cry out to God for mercy.

And due to the grace of Jesus through His shed blood on the Cross, that child will never know anything other than Heaven. He will never remember a time when he wasn't in the arms of Jesus and finally in a safe and secure place!

January 16, 2018

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

I have been dealing with the issue of attitudes during this month. Today I touched on the attitude of humility. Here are a few of the thoughts I shared:

WHAT IS HUMILITY?

During the days when Mohammed Ali was a great boxer, he would go around in his arrogance and say that, "He was the greatest." Humility was never his strong suit. One day, back in his prime, he was on an airplane and the plane was ready to take off and the flight attendant had repeatedly told him to put on his seat belt. He finally told her, "I'm superman and superman don't need no seat belt." The flight attendant didn't hesitate a minute but shot back with, "Superman don't need no airplane either, now buckle up."

He buckled up!

That’s not humility – that’s pride. "Pride, the idolatrous worship of self, is the national religion of hell."

Here's the deal with humility, either you humble yourself or you will be humbled. Neither is particularly easy, but humbling yourself is preferable and more honorable.

Humility, Rick Warren reminds us, is “not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is not thinking of yourself at all.” – J. Elton Trueblood

The story is told of two goats that met each other on a narrow ledge just wide enough for one goat to pass. The two goats faced each other and wondered, What shall we do? They could not back up that would be too dangerous. They could not go around because the ledge was too narrow. Now, if the goats had no more sense than humans they would have began butting each other until one fell over the ledge. However, goats have a lot of sense, more than some people. What they did: one goat laid down and let the other walk over him.

That is an example of humility – NOT THAT YOU LET PEOPLE WALK ALL OVER YOU - BUT THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO LAY DOWN WHEN NECESSARY TO SERVE OTHERS.

Shane Claiborne, who spent a summer in the slums of Calcutta with Mother Teresa, wrote about her experience there. She said, “People often ask me what Mother Teresa was like. Sometimes it’s like they wonder if she glowed in the dark or had a halo. She was short, wrinkled, and precious, maybe even a little ornery — like a beautiful, wise old granny. But there is one thing I will never forget — her feet. Her feet were deformed. Each morning in Mass, I would stare at them. I wondered if she had contracted leprosy. But I wasn’t going to ask, of course. ‘Hey Mother, what’s wrong with your feet?’ One day a sister said to us, ‘Have you noticed her feet?’ We nodded, curious. She said: ‘Her feet are deformed because we get just enough donated shoes for everyone, and Mother does not want anyone to get stuck with the worst pair, so she digs through and finds them. And years of doing that have deformed her feet.’ Years of loving her neighbor as herself deformed her feet.” Humility means that our focus is away from ourselves and not on ourselves.

Humility is taking the focus of life away from ourselves and onto God and others.

A FORMULA FOR HUMILITY - H2O - Think twice about Him – Think once about others – Then think about you! - THAT’S humility!

Don't wait to be humbled - or humiliated, humble yourself before God and honor your brothers and sisters. Start today!

January 15, 2018

"The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10

The journey of life is marked by milestones and landmarks. I went speeding past one today as I marked my 68th birthday. That blur in my rear view mirror must be my life!

God has been incredibly good to me! As I look back I and review my life I see His footprints and fingerprints all over the place! I have been blessed beyond belief. And the good news is - I still am!

First, He blessed me with a godly mother. More than any single human being, she has shaped my life. She is one of my heroes. I have am thankful for the family I have. My sisters, brothers, my great children and grandchildren. As well as a large number of nieces and nephews.

Second, I was blessed to be born in a great nation. A land of freedom and opportunity and peace and goodness. It is humbling and gratifying to be an American.

Third, He put people in my path who drew me to Jesus and significantly shaped my faith journey. I am eternally grateful to Him and to them - too numerous to name.

Fourth, He placed a calling on my life and invested gifts in me. He has allowed me the privilege of preaching and teaching His Word and serving His church. I hope to leave a legacy of faith that others will want to follow.

Fifth, He miraculously provided me with a life-partner who has made me significantly better as a person and as a minister. And we aren't through yet!

Sixth, He has blessed me with incredible health, strength and energy that has allowed me to serve him well for a long time. I don't know how long I will enjoy this level of health, but either way I will use whatever strength I have to serve Him. In addition, my wife, my kids and grand kids have also enjoyed great health.

And, He has enriched my life with a host of friends whom I treasure more as the years pass. As I look over my Facebook page I have been flooded with greetings from friends I have known over the years. Some of the friends I grew up with and have known for over 50 years have checked in. Friends that I made in college have checked in. People I have been privilege to serve as pastor from the various churches I pastored, many of them have checked in. Lots of my new friends from FredWes, this amazing church I am serving now, have taken the time to send greetings.

Hitting 68 is sort of a sobering time! According to the Scriptures I am in the home stretch of my race. The Word says that 70 or 80 years is about what we can expect. Only God knows what that number is, and I am fine with that because He has been so faithful with the days He has given me so far! I have always been motivated by the attitude that my best days are still five years ahead! I see no reason to change that!

Pray for me that I will run well on this last leg of the race and run through the tape! Thanks for sharing my journey with me and making it memorable! As gratifying as it is to look back - the best is yet to come!

January 14, 2018

"He answered, 'I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.'" Genesis 3:10

This is a very heart-breaking encounter between God and Adam. It shows the death of innocence and the end of intimacy with God. Things would never be the same. However, this encounter is also very instructive. Let's see what we can learn from their misdeeds.

Observation One - It takes more than being honest with God to be intimate with God.

After Adam's sin he played "hide and seek" with God. He hid and God came seeking Him. When God found him, Adam confessed to his sin. He didn't lie to God. He told the truth. But he was still hiding from Him. Agreement with God did not restore oneness with God.

Our corollary would be when we confess our sins to Christ. He promises He will "forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness". That act of faith can bring us into relationship with God but not automatically into intimacy with him.

Observation Two: Adam's honest confession didn't remove the consequences of his sin.

Adam reveals three damaging consequences of sin in his confession - guilt, fear and shame. Those negative emotions caused him to hide from God.

Guilt is the result of moral failure. Adam felt guilty because he was! He sinned against his own spirit because God gave him a clear command and he deliberately disobeyed. Fear is the result of knowing he was in danger of the judgment. The shame comes as a result of his inadequacy apart from God. These are three very strong negative effects that Adam had to overcome to regain intimacy with God. They kept him chained to his past and unable to enjoy the moment. He was never able to overcome those consequences and reestablish the intimate walk with God he had once known. He could hide his sin but not remove it. Adam was doomed to wander on the edge of Paradise the rest of his day. He became a recipient of the grace and mercy of God but never again enjoyed the intimate presence of God.

Observation Three: Intimacy is being spiritually, morally and emotionally naked before God.

Before Adam sinned, he and even were completely naked before God and absolutely comfortable. There was nothing hidden and everything fully revealed. Sin changed that for Adam.

Because of Adam we are born hiding from God. We inherit a nature riddled infected with guilt, fear and shame. How do we come out of hiding? How do we shed the guilt, fear and shame in order to feel like we belong in the presence of God?

Honesty is a good start. Facing the truth about who we and the truth about Who He is and surrendering to that truth will usher us into relationship with Christ. The truth is that it takes faith in the Second Adam to deliver us from Adam. Agreeing with that truth and confessing it will get you into a relationship with God but it won't gain you intimacy.

What does it mean to be intimate with God? It means allowing Him complete access to every area of your life and earnestly seeking to know Him completely. It means clinging to God with the complete absence of guilt, fear and shame. It means coming confidently and comfortably into His presence and feeling you belong.

Doesn't that sound good! It's what the First Adam lost you and what the Second Adam won back for you. He took your guilt! He removed your fear! He absorbed your shame! Don't be content to dwell on the edge of Paradise, enter in and walk intimately with your Creator!

January 13, 2018

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." Revelation 6:9-11

The soul is the essential life force that animates you and grants you immortality.

Your soul is why the vast majority of your life will be lived after you die.

Or, to put it another way, your soul will not die. Your soul will last for eternity either in the presence of God or forever separated from God.

In this series of posts I have pointed to the Scripture text above to show Biblical evidence of souls still alive following their violent deaths on earth.

So you can know three things:

• Your soul will survive!
• Your soul will arrive

Today we will learn the third encouraging truth about your eternal soul:

Your soul will thrive!

First, remember where this scene is played out - HEAVEN! So, that alone means your soul will thrive!

Second, they were given a white robe. The white robe is the symbol of righteousness. Only righteous souls make it to Heaven. Once your righteous soul makes it to Heaven there will be no more battles with temptation or sin! So you could say your soul will thrive in righteousness! Heaven will be filled with righteous souls!

Some might ask, "How can a soul wear a robe?" That might cause a skeptic to doubt the veracity of this Scripture. Remember this whole story is told in a narrative heavy with symbolism. But the bigger question should be, how can these souls ever deserve a white robe?

The answer to the white righteous robe is found in the centerpiece of Heaven, Jesus Christ the Son of God and our Savior! It is only through His sacrificial death on the cross  receiving His gift of salvation you have a chance at a righteousness that gets you to the righteous place where your soul can thrive.

Have you trusted Jesus for salvation?

How is it with your soul?

How Is It With Your Soul?

"When he ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they had held firm in their witness to the Word of God. They were gathered under the Altar, and cried out in loud prayers, “How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before you step in and avenge our murders?” Then each martyr was given a white robe and told to sit back and wait until the full number of martyrs was filled from among their servant companions and friends in the faith." Revelation 6:9-11

This is one of the few Scripture portions that gives a glance into Heaven showing souls of those who have died on earth.

In these verses we can be assured these souls are very much alive and very engaged with other souls and the Heavenly Beings.

My last post revealed that our souls will survive. 

Today's post will assure you our souls will arrive.

How often has your heart been grieved by the evil and injustice around you? 

Don't you grow weary of innocent people suffering at the hands cruel people?

Have you ever wondered if justice will be done and evil people get what is coming to them?

Do you get tired of waiting for that to happen?

Then you will identify with those who even in Heaven, are crying out to God for justice. They are promised that justice is at hand and they will see it.

In Heaven all wrongs will be made right.

In Heaven injustice will be judged justly.

In Heaven the innocent with be vindicated and the guilty will be exposed and punished.

And the souls who make it to Heaven by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will see that day arrive when justice will reign and evil will be dealt with.

How is it with your soul?

January 11, 2018

"When he ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they had held firm in their witness to the Word of God. They were gathered under the Altar, and cried out in loud prayers, “How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before you step in and avenge our murders?” Then each martyr was given a white robe and told to sit back and wait until the full number of martyrs was filled from among their servant companions and friends in the faith." Revelation 6:9-11

Last week I made a statement that will be an ongoing theme throughout this series, "The VAST majority of your life will be spent after you die."

That is absolutely true and it is true because every person has an immortal soul.

The Scripture above taken from the sixth chapter of the Revelation gives a glimpse of souls in Heaven following their death on earth.

I want to refer to encouraging truths revealed in this portion of Scripture. Here is the first one:

Your soul will survive!

Those pictured in this Heavenly preview had been killed (murdered) because of their stand for Christ. When they were faced with the threat to "deny or die" they refused to deny their faith in their Savior.

I am sure when they chose to die for their faith they did so with the confidence their soul would survive in the place called Heaven that has been prepared for them.

So, again, I say it! The VAST majority of your life will be spent in eternity!

The big question is where will your eternal soul spend eternity?

As you see above, there is a Heaven where eternal souls will go to be with Jesus and in the presence of God forever!

But as I also established last week, Heaven is available but it in not automatic. Heaven is the result of a choice! Those who choose to confess their sin and turn from their sinful ways and commit to follow Jesus will gain the gift of salvation. The gift of salvation includes the gift of eternal life in Heaven!

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3:16

Salvation through Christ saves the soul from eternal condemnation and Hell. 

How is your soul?