Anything BUT a Cakewalk!
(The cakewalk is still a part of life in Tucker County West Virginia – thought the numbers are not in chalk anymore!)
Wait patiently for the Lord.
….Be brave and courageous.
….Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NLT
It’s not always easy, but it is always necessary!
Luke 17:3-4 (<<click here to read the passage)
I graduated from Tucker County High School in the great state of West Virginia! It sits on the top of Backbone Mountain at about 3,000 feet above sea level smack dab in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest. The closest community east is over 7 miles away, down the mountain. The closest community west is over 6 miles away.
I was in the band in high school and a big fundraiser for us were cakewalks. We would sit on the steps of the county courthouse in Parsons and play songs. There were chalked numbers on the sidewalks and people would pay to walk around the numbers and when we stopped playing a number would be called. If you were standing on that number, you got the cake (or pie or cookies) with that number on it! Real exciting, huh? But kids loved it and many adults did, too!
That may have been fun but striving to follow Jesus amid living life here on earth is quite often anything but a cakewalk!
Did you happen to read today’s Scripture…or did you skip past it? Well just in case, let’s look at it, but this time from the Amplified Bible.
Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].” AMP
That’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it? Honestly, isn’t forgiving someone one time a difficult enough task? It may depend on what is being forgiven and who we are supposed to forgive…but is there anything in that passage that allows for any of those qualifiers? …no, there isn’t. Jesus doesn’t give us any room for “buts” and “what ifs”. There are no “maybes” and not a single “could” or “should” …but there is a must. And the must is not a suggestion…Jesus didn’t give suggestions. It is a command. And it’s not from a mom or a dad, or a teacher or a coach or a drill sergeant or a boss or a spouse…it is from God Himself.
It was from a different set of circumstances but Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is just as applicable here, too.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” NLT
Once again, the Amplified Bible’s emphasis at the end of verse 4.
Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].” (emphasis mine)
Forgiveness can be challenging enough, but giving up resentment? Recalling and annulling the offense? That is why we cling to Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:26! It is difficult but, with God – everything is possible!
Oct 4th, 2020, Sun, 5:28 pm
Better a Millstone
Recent deaths of friends and individuals in our area have left me in a somber mood, Father. Instead of being melancholy, may I rejoice in the fact that they have all been dearly loved children of Yours and are all now with You. Amen.
Luke 17:1-2 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m sure that the plight of children in our world hasn’t changed a whole lot throughout the course of time. They have always been easy and accessible targets for those who would wish to harm or take advantage of them. There are times when they are preyed upon and other times, unfortunately, that they are just neglected and forgotten.
Vulnerable…that’s the word. Malleable minds so easily influenced and molded. And once set, they are almost impossible to change.
I admit it is a rare day indeed when my phone is not in my pocket. Yet I find it very disturbing as to how many children today have free access to all that smartphones and tablets have to “offer”.
Yes, communication is important and there is the entertainment “value” – to a degree. But they have become modern-day babysitters…and very poor ones at that. Safeguards, as such, are available, though I would be surprised that many parents really bother with them and I would be equally surprised if many tech-savvy kids couldn’t easily find their way around them. But there is an unlimited amount of junk – and that word is nowhere near expansive or dark enough! – out there for any and everyone to get hold of, including kids. It is easily an open door to the very gates of Hell!
Death, killing, blood, violence, sex, profanity, disregard for authority, substance abuse – and the list is never-ending – are readily available in music and games and images. Indulged in long enough and we become desensitized to the depravity of it all. Oh, it’s fine! It’s just pretend! We’re just having fun! And in the end, we are branded for life… It truly is an uphill battle for those seeking freedom.
Today’s passage reads,
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. NLT
Lord Jesus, may we seek to protect those within our charge. May we take note. May we not be oblivious to what we are allowing to fill the minds of our children and ourselves, as well. Purify our hearts, set our course in Your ways not the ways of the world. Amen.
Oct 1st, 2020, Thurs, 7:16 pm
I Can’t Do It Myself
A beautiful day is coming to a close, Father. The sun’s light is no longer touching anything within view. The only light is from the reflective glow of its setting. Even in that light, there is beauty to behold. Thank You, Father, for all Your creation has to offer!
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One of the biggest struggles in following You, Lord, is getting out of the way. The “I can do it myself” mentality can so get us in trouble.
A dear friend of mine gifted me a beautiful book of Puritan prayer and this is a portion of one,
Thou hast taught me the necessity of a Mediator, a Messiah…
…and this by faith in thy beloved Son who teaches me
not to guide myself,
not to obey myself,
not to try to rule and conquer sin
but to cleave to the one who will do it all for me.
It was a fairly common occurrence when I worked at Kohl’s to see a parent with a young child who insisted on pushing their cart. On many occasions, the child could barely reach the handle; much less see anything that laid ahead – fixtures, displays, little old ladies, etc. The child proclaimed emphatically (and quite often loudly) “I can do it myself!” But mom or dad had to stay close by, had to be ready to react at a moment’s notice or problems could quickly ensue.
I’m just glad that I never… who am I kidding?! It has been a fairly common occurrence, in my life, to see a parent – You, Lord – with a child – me – and I insist on (fill in the blank). I can’t see what lies ahead…but You do.
When it comes to my spiritual walk, I have had to learn my lesson. I can’t do it myself. I cannot “guide” or “obey myself.” I am totally inept in my attempts “to rule and conquer sin.” My only hope of success is to “cleave to the one who will do it for me.” Only in You will I find success. You alone can bring me victory. My Lord and Savior guide me, help me to be obedient to You. Enable me to leave the ruling and conquering of sin to You. You are the Parent – I am Your child.
Sept 30th, 2020, Wed, 7:06 pm
(originally posted Sept 18th, 2016, Sun, 6:35 am)
Getting What We Deserve
Teach me how to live, O Lord.….Lead me along the right path… Psalm 27:11a
The desire of my heart!
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Luke 16:19-31 (<<click here to read the passage)
As Jesus continues to speak of what is truly of value in our lives, He shares the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
A couple of observations.
The rich man who was all that and had everything the world had to offer isn’t even given a name. With all of his wealth and power and influence, he was just one more nameless figure lost in the annuls of time, because when all was said and done his investments equaled nothing.
Lazarus’ life, on the other hand, was full of want and pain and suffering. But…he was not nameless. Like many with little to their name, he clung to the only thing that could not be taken from him…His God.
Lazarus died and was carried by angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. “No-name” died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. vs22-23NLT
Did you notice that “no-name” was aware of where he was and where Lazarus was, too? Also, even in the midst of his torment, he had not changed his ways. He was still looking out for himself. ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ v24NLT
But no pity could be given him.
“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ vs25-26NLT
As things sunk in, he thought of someone beyond himself and asked that Lazarus be allowed to return and warn his five brothers of their pending doom.
“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” vs29-31NLT
One final observation from my study Bible,
The rich man thought that his five brothers would surely believe a messenger who had been raised from the dead. But Jesus said that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, who spoke constantly of caring for the poor, not even a resurrection would convince them. Notice the irony in Jesus’ statement; on his way to Jerusalem to die. He was fully aware that even when he had risen from the dead, most of the religious leaders would not accept him. They were set in their ways, and neither Scripture nor God’s Son himself would shake them loose. (Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation)
Lord Jesus, may we realize sooner rather than later that we will be getting what we deserve. Shake us loose!
Sept 29th, 2020, Tues, 7:12 pm
I Stand Alone
There seems to be a lot on my mind today, Father. Enable me to work through and to work past it, to communicate what You need to communicate. Amen.
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Part of my struggle today is the fact that when individuals of great spiritual stature step from life amongst us to life in Christ beyond the threshold of death, a void is left. Pending crossings have the same impact. Reading what people have shared regarding both of these individuals has got my mind rolling.
At my age, it makes me think – has my life been well spent? My sermon yesterday addressed the importance of investing not in just the here-and-now but in things of eternal value. Those things include my own spiritual well-being – taking in God’s word, spending time in heart-searching communication with Him, and taking the opportunity to join with other followers of Christ in worship and learning together. Yes, those are important…but it is of equal importance that I invest in the lives of others. This, of course, includes writing for my blog and preparing for public worship and teaching on Sundays with my congregations and any who happens to join us online. Not to mention, my daily interaction with family, friends, and co-workers.
I firmly believe that the enemy of our souls does everything he can to undermine us. Doubt is sown in our minds so that we question the worth of who we are and what we have done with the resources we have been given. Especially in the light of those who go before us.
We are all our own persons. We are who we are because of all the experiences and decisions we have made in our lives. Some have been good, and some have not been good. Some experiences and decisions have been outright bad. But they are all as they are. We cannot go back and change a single one of them. Yet, good and bad, we are the byproduct of our lives.
I stand alone. When I stand before God, I will answer only for myself. I won’t be compared with anyone else who has walked this earth. My gifts and talents and abilities will not be measured against those of another. The sins that are mine, if I have repented and sought forgiveness for them will not be held to my account, for Jesus has paid the price for them all.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul is writing about the division that had occurred over those who followed his teaching, those who followed Apollos’ teachings, and those who followed the teachings of Peter. In response he said,
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. NLT (emphasis mine)
And then this is the passage that came to mind,
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. NLT
In the eyes of God, we each are accountable for what we do, first of all with Him, and they for what we do with the gifts he has graciously given us. Will the materials with which you have built withstand the fire of judgment or will they perish, and you gain heaven by the skin of your teeth?
Lord Jesus, may we not be lackadaisical about our work in Your kingdom. May we see it for what it is – essential as eternal investments, not just for us but for those with whom we are responsible to share Your truth. Amen.
Sept 28th, 2020, Mon, 12:43 pm