July 24, 2013

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.'" John 14:6
 

Truth is still highly valued in our culture even though it is rarely practiced.
 

We take an oath to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." We have truth in lending laws and truth in advertising laws because we understand that truth is the foundation of trust and trust is necessary if we are to have a coherent functioning society.
 

The quest for truth is as old as mankind. For centuries thinking people have asked, "What is truth?" Good question.
 

When someone asks, "What is truth", I think they are asking three things:
 

What Is Real?
 

Truth defines reality for us. Or at least it should. Jesus not only knows the truth, He IS THE TRUTH! Truth is not just a concept or a precept or a principle, it is a Person. Jesus came to earth to make God real to us. Jesus was God in the flesh so we could see Truth, and hear Truth, and touch Truth.
 

I don't know anything more real that Jesus, do you?
 

What Is Right?
 

I believe people still prefer to do the right thing. I think people nowadays have trouble knowing what is right and doing right does not come naturally for us. These days right and wrong are determined primarily by how a person feels about a situation. So right and wrong have become entirely subjective. That is for those who don't believe in Jesus.
 

Jesus showed us what it means to be right. Right means being right with God. Jesus was not only right, He was righteous and became our righteousness when He died for all the wrong we did. The reason He could die for all our wrong was because He was righteous.
 

What Is Reliable?
 

Truth is reliable. It stands. It will be the same tomorrow as it is today. Another word for reliable would be "absolute" - but we don't like that word.
 

Jesus is reliable. He is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow". Who else do you know like that?
 

When it comes to the truth about how to get to heaven, who is more real, more right and more reliable than Jesus?

July 23, 2013

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.' John 14:6'"
 

Logically, it seems that there should be several ways or even many ways to get to heaven. Afterall, there are multiple ways to get almost anywhere. You can google or mapquest a location and have the option of finding the fastest way or the most direct way. Americans love options. We are used to options because........well, because we're AMERICANS and we can have them!

 

With that being true, it is not hard to understand why many in our culture are offended by the notion that there is only one way to get to heaven. That doesn't resonate with post-Christian relativist Americans. When you make that claim you will get some resistance.

Maybe you have discovered that. If you haven't you may not be taking a strong enough for the faith.

 

So, how can you take a reasoned and confident stand on this unpopular position - the truth - that there is only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus?

 

It is pretty simple, actually. If you believe that Jesus IS the Son of God Who died for the sins of the world. And if you believe that He rose again from the dead. Then obviously you should know and believe what He has to say.

 

Our last post dealt with the fact that Jesus is "I AM". Today we focus on His second claim, "I am THE WAY....."

 

Do you want to know the way to heaven? Know Jesus, He is the way to heaven. That is true because He is the way to God and God is in charge of heaven.

 

Jesus is the way to heaven because He is the way to forgiveness from sins. Sin keeps us from God and therefore, it keeps us from heaven.

 

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has been there, came here and went back there. Who else can make that claim? If I want directions to a certain place, should I ask someone who has been there before or should I take directions from someone who has not?

 

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has paid the price of admission. Heaven, like almost every other place, has an admission cost. The price of admission is a righteous relationship with the God of heaven. But since you are morally and spiritually bankrupt you can't pay the price. That is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for your sins. When you trust in Jesus you get access to God which also gets you entrance to heaven.

 

Jesus is the way because He is the Son of God. Abraham needed a way to get a son. God made a way.

 

Noah needed a way to save his family from the impending universal destruction of the flood. God made a way.

 

Israel needed some one to deliver them from captivity in Egypt. God called Moses and Moses became the way.

 

When Moses was leading God's people through the wilderness to the Promised Land, he ran into a barrier known as the Red Sea. Moses needed a way over or through the Red Sea because Pharoah's army had trapped them against the sea. God opened the sea and made a way!

 

So, when Jesus says He is the way, you can believe Him. He has always made a way where there was no way.

 

Until you can find someone else who is a better "I Am" and who is also "the way", you had better trust Jesus to provide the way to heaven. In the meantime, stand confidently in Jesus, the "I Am" who is the "way"!

July 22, 2013

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6

Let's take it head on. The thing that is most offensive about our faith in this age of relativism and diversity is the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ.

Honestly, we don't even like to think that our neighbor, Bob, who is so kind and helpful, who is a model husband and father, who volunteers in the community and coaches little league is going to die and go to hell if he does not trust Christ for salvation.

If that thought is hard for us to handle, imagine how it sits with an non-believer.

No wonder we will be challenged in our belief that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Expect it. Prepare for it. Brace your faith for the attacks.

How can I do that?

Consider Who it is that make the exclusive statement, "......no one comes to the Father except by me."

Jesus said, "I am...."

Where have I heard that before?

God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

When Moses asked for credentials to use when he went to face a powerful skeptic, God simply said, "I AM WHO I AM". God is the Eternally Present, Eternally Powerful, and Eternally Personal God. Jesus is His Son. We either believe that or we don't. If we believe it, then we must stand on it. The only way to stand against relativism is with absolute truth.

By the way, how did that work out for Moses?

If God is Who He says He is, and if Jesus is His Son, then what He says must be obeyed. Even if it offends people. Even if it doesn't "feel right" to us.

Moses prevailed over Pharaoh because He believed God and obeyed Him, even though what God told him to do didn't always "feel right".

Here's your challenge today: Will you be made right or will you settle for "feeling" right.

July 20, 2013

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

I am fondly remembering a couple of Summers ago when I got to enjoy some time with my almost (then) 10 year-old granddaughter, Zoey. We spent the day at King's Dominion. She rode every roller-coaster she was tall enough to qualify for. She even rode the drop tower - 172 foot high that free-fall drops over 100 feet. I watched. She was fearless. I rode the Scooby Coaster with her.

I was thinking that it would be nice to be that fearless. Then I realized that one reason she was without fear was because she was with her dad and her granddad. The other reason is that she was 9 and didn't know any better. Plus, she was more focused on fun than she was on fear. Focus matters!

Those of us who have lived a little longer have learned to be fearful because of our failures, our painful experiences, and our losses. We fear the future because we project our past forward.

The Psalmist boasts about his fearlessness. He has chosen to fear no one. How does that happen?

Rather than project his fears forward, he chooses to frame his future with faith. But faith is only as good as its object. Fear is the result of misplaced faith. If I trust in myself or if I trust in a false hope, that faith will fail me.

His faith is in the Lord's light and the Lord's salvation. How does that work?

One of the major fear inducers is darkness. Most of us are afraid of the dark when we are children. Even as adults we are careful about about going into dark areas. Darkness represents a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding or knowing the wrong things. Darkness indicates a lack of relationship with God.

God is light. He bring us knowledge and wisdom and insight. We are able to see ourselves clearly and understand our need for Him. He exposes our fears so we can replace them with faith. We overcome fear as we walk out of our darkness into His light.

God is our salvation. Saved from what? From ourselves - our self-destructive nature. From our self-will that rebels against God. God's salvation delivers us from our past and secures our future - in time and for eternity.

Is fear an issue in your life? I am not talking about a fear of roller-coasters, I am talking about fear of the future. I am talking about fear that cripples relationships and paralyzes your potential.

These are fearful times. The days ahead look foreboding. How can we not be afraid?

Simple. Make God your Lord! How do you do that? Surrender your darkness to His light. Surrender your self-will and receive His salvation.

All you have to lose is your fear!

July 19, 2013

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23

 

Here is the testimony of one satisfied sheep! The source of his satisfaction? A very good shepherd!

When was the last time you felt satisfied? What would it take to satisfy you? What would have to happen? What would it take? Do you even know?

How did it happen for this sheep? How did he become so satisfied?

The Present Care of His Shepherd

This satisfied sheep had a shepherd who cared for his every need. The shepherd provided for his physical sustenance by leading him to lush green pastures where he can graze to the full. The shepherd provided for his emotional security. Sheep are not built for swimming. They are terrified of rapidly moving water. Should a sheep fall into the water and his wool become saturated, he become seriously top-heavy and sink beneath the currents. But the good shepherd knows that and intentionally leads the sheep away from the swift streams to the quiet waters.

And, the good shepherd protects the safety of his sheep. He guards them with his rod and his staff. The rod is the weapon used against would be predators and the staff is used to steer a wandering sheep back to the safety of the flock.

If you are not sure what it would take to satisfy you, think about these three things: having a shepherd who provides for your sustenance, your security and your safety. That worked for this shepherd, what would that do for you?

 

The Promised Care of the Shepherd

 

The satisfaction this sheep is experiencing is attributable to the care he is presently receiving from his good shepherd. His physical needs, His emotional needs and his spiritual needs are all being met. That's helpful today, but what about tomorrow? Can I continue to count on my shepherd?
 

The fact is, when the Lord is your Shepherd, the future is your friend! He promises to care for you in the future just as He currently cares for you!
 

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
 

This satisfied sheep shows you that if you can find contentment in your Shepherd with His current care, you can have confidence in His continued care in days to come. 
 

Want some satisfaction? Follow the Good Shepherd!

July 18, 2013

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ." Philippians 2:5

In real estate they say it is "location, location, location". For believers it is "attitude, attitude, attitude." And, I guess you could say that your attitude has a lot to do with your spiritual location!

 

This verse is the hinge point of this portion of Scripture. After exhorting us about our attitudes, Paul points to the example of Jesus and says in essence, "Here's your attitude!"

 

That begs the question, "What IS the attitude of Christ?"

 

Obviously, there was obedience and there was humility but the BIG attitude here is GRACE.

 

It was grace that THOUGHT the plan of salvation. When Adam selfishly chose to rebel against God and wreck paradise, God could have been justified in vaporizing them and starting over. But His response was not vindictive or vengeful - it was gracious. He launched a plan to send a Second Adam to redeem the damage of the first Adam.

 

It was grace that WROUGHT it. God began to unfold His marvelous plan as history became the record of HIS story! Through Abraham, God raised up a nation through whom a Savior would arise. His grace orchestrated all the people and all the events that set the stage for a teen-age Jewish girl to give birth to Jesus in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem.

 

It was grace that BOUGHT it. Grace is free but it wasn't cheap! It cost God all that He had. Jesus demonstrated the divine attitudes of surrender, sacrifice, selflessness and servant hood. The Sinless One resisted all the temptations of the human experience, especially that which brought down the first Adam - selfish desire. Ultimately, the reward for His perfection was death on a cruel cross. In His sinlessness He was able to assume our sin, our shame, our guilt and our sickness and defeat them on the cross. As the words of the song express, "We'll never know how much it cost to see our sins upon His cross".

 

And, perhaps most amazing is His grace that SOUGHT us! He pursues you and me with His Spirit. He proclaims His love and grace through His Word. He presents His grace through people who have been touched and transformed by His grace. And that IS the challenge that comes to you and me. Will we surrender to His grace? Will we be saved and sanctified by His grace? Will we become living examples of His grace through our attitudes and actions? Can He use us to seek others? Will others be amazed by the grace they see in us?

 

If your attitude is like that of Jesus you will grace your world. If not you will dis-grace it.

July 17, 2013

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:1

 

Jesus told a story one day about two men. One of those men He referred to as "foolish" and the other he called "wise". Other than the fact that Jesus said it (and if Jesus calls you a "fool" you are one) what separates a wise man from a foolish man?

 

 

In Jesus' little story it was the men themselves who differentiated themselves by their actions. The "foolish" man built a house on a foundation of sand. While it was cheaper and easier to build on sand it was also short-sighted. When the first big thunderstorm of the season blew through with its torrential rains and winds the house crumbled as its foundation washed away. The "wise" man build his house on a solid foundation of rock. It is more diificult to chisel through the rock and anchor a foundation there. But the painstaking effort and expense paid off when that storm blew in and washed his neighbor away while his house stood strong.

 

 

According to Jesus, wisdom is not a matter of what you know but what you show! God is not interested in theories, He wants transformed lives. He wants obedience. He wants you to build your life on the foundation of a personal relationship with Him.

 

 

As the brother of Jesus, James echoes the same truth in his writings. He says, "You can't claim to be wise and act like a fool!" If you act foolish you will be judged as a fool. It is that simple.

 

 

Do you want to be wise? Build on a proper foundation. This verse tells you that you need understanding. You must understand truth from error. You must understand the importance of obeying God and living according to His revealed truth in the Word. The foundation of your life must be built on His truth and His commands and His will. You must know it and then show it.

 

 

If understanding is a key to wisdom, and it is, then humility is evidence of a wise heart. Humility is the by-product of obedience. You cannot be proud and obedient at the same time. Likewise, you cannot be wise and proud.

 

 

Intelligence can be measured by an IQ test. Can wisdom be measured?

 

 

James would say, "Absolutely!" In this third chapter he lays out an "OQ" test -an obedient quotient. The wise man passed his "OQ" test, the foolish man failed his.

 

 

How is your "OQ"?