A Seat at the Table

Have you ever felt out of place?  That strange, sinking feeling that people get when they realize they were picked last for the dodge-ball team maybe?  Or the sudden awareness that you have gone to a party and didn't catch the memo stating it was a formal affair - so you showed up wearing a t-shirt and sneakers?  Whatever the details may have been, I believe it is a truism to say that most people have felt out of place at one time or another.  It's so easy to feel like we don't fit in or don't belong sometimes.

For me, this first occurred during a Little League season right around fifth grade.  I was a late walk-on to the team, and I simply wasn't very good.  One of my friends had convinced me to give it a try.  I lacked the years of experience that the other kids had, along with a general confusion about where I was supposed to throw the ball at any given moment.  Apparently it's always safe to throw it to the pitcher they told me, except for when it wasn't, and unless the coach tells you otherwise.  That's assuming you can hear the coach over the dull roar of parents in the bleachers anyway.  You get the idea - I'm not a natural baseball player.    

Sufficed to say, I really didn't fit in on that team.  My favorite part of the game was after it was over, because we got a quick visit to the snack bar for icy cones.  I am proud to say that for my own kids, this lack of ability to play team sports seems to have skipped a generation.  In fact, two of the three do quite well with baseball and softball.  My role has switched to become one of the parents in the stands.  

When we take this analogy into the spiritual arena, you will be relieved to know that membership in the divine family of God isn't the same as walking into a new and unfamiliar sport.  It is less intimidating I think.  In fact, Jesus often talked about the importance of declaring affiliation with himself and the Father.  

John 15:5 says, "I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  We might learn from this I think, that it is much better to be part of the vine … part of the grand design that is the Holy Trinity.  Better to affiliate and claim membership to that which is life-giving and sustainable.  After all, no one wants to be 'pruned' out of the main vine, right?

There is another curious theme that runs through the New Testament.  Jesus tells a number of parables relating to the kingdom of heaven by way of the banquet metaphor.  We are told that the Lord will welcome His guests into His house and provide them a seat at the "banquet table."  We are also told not to seek out the most important and affluent chair at the table, but rather to remain humble and sit with the other guests.  We are simply to be grateful just to be there and enjoy the food.  It's much easier to fit in that way.  

Matthew 22:2-4 tells us, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.  Then he sent some more servants and said,'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready.  Come to the wedding banquet."

We have now this portrait before us.  There will be an amazing wedding banquet someday.  It will consist of those who are invited, if they choose to come.  The parable says that many will give excuses as to why they cannot attend.  They are busy with work or other obligations.  These declarations will all fall flat on that great day by the way.  But for the guests at the feast who show up, the entrees served will be love and acceptance - they will have a seat at the table reserved just for them.  No more feeling out of place, and no more wondering whether or not to throw the baseball to the pitcher or to first base.  The voices of the cheering parents in the stands will be replaced and overshadowed by the glow of Christ's light.  He is the vine, we are the branches … the way things were always supposed to be.  

Now I don't believe it follows, by the way, that any and every sin will be allowed into the banquet hall along with the guests.  In fact, there is mention made in the parable about an unknown man who had snuck into the feast without the proper clothing.  True he doesn't fit in, but for good reason.  He has not sought after forgiveness, has no interest in repentance, and does not accept Jesus as the vine.  After being discovered, the story says that he is dismissed out into the cold … just past the banquet hall doors.  Have no fear, people like that will never get their hands on your seat at the table; it doesn't work that way.  

But we know that this fate isn't predestined of course, otherwise the good news of the Gospel wouldn't be so good at all.  So how do you and I make sure that we are 'dressed appropriately' for the feast?  We call upon the name of Christ to save and uphold us.  We ask to be a branch on his vine.  We respond with an RSVP to the party ahead of time.  Scripture says salvation is open to anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord - so call upon it now.  Get right with God, and please show up to the banquet on time.  

The born-again Christian has assurance that eternity will be spent with a loving God, in a mansion with many rooms, and a seat reserved just for you.  There will be no more loneliness, confusion, or feeling out of place.  No more pain or suffering - that will be the old order of things.  Instead, we get to live forever in a type of fulfilled abundance that we have never known before.  We will be accepted and loved.  We will have a seat at the table.  

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Less Than Holy

A crisis situation has the ability to expose peoples' true colors.  In an era of cell phone videos and YouTube, it no longer does any good to pretend that people do the right thing all of the time.  Let's face it, Big Brother is often watching, and it doesn't take much work to quickly download real time video of human beings behaving badly.  Sometimes mankind rises to the occasion, and other times - we sink to the bottom.  

Now please note that I'm not trying to build a case against the idea that most people want to do the right thing most of the time.  This may in fact be quite true.  But take for example a piece of video that went viral back in March (right when the COVID-19 panic began to set in) that showed a woman in a supermarket with an entire shopping cart full of toilet paper.  The video then revealed that another lady walked up to her and requested just one package of bathroom tissue, as the shelves were now bare.  The first woman replied by denying this request, and attempted to keep the entire cart of toilet paper for herself.  As you may surmise, an argument ensued.  

I don't know how this transaction ended, but I can tell you that it certainly seemed as though the first woman was acting in a selfish manner at the time.  No doubt she was probably frightened; scarcity does that to a person.  There was no getting around it, however, the video showed what it showed.  Crisis plus fear equals people acting reprehensibly sometimes.  My point is this: many people, if left to their own devices, will often fall short of the glory of God.  They may in fact demonstrate behavior that is 'less than holy' at times.  

Now before I start to sound judgmental here, I want to point out that ancient Scripture also reflects our difficult situation all too clearly.  Apparently people haven't changed much in a few thousand years, at least when it comes to certain things.  We will focus our attention on the book of Proverbs for this lesson, as it has a lot to say about this type of behavior.  

I think most of you will agree that certain life situations accentuate less than holy behavior in three general areas: jealousy, pride, and selfishness.  

If we discuss jealousy first, we can look to Proverbs 14:30 which says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  We all know what it's like to want something.  We understand what it's like to covet it so badly that we omit any piece of empathy for the person who has what we want, and we go straight to being jealous.  Proverbs says here that this attitude can 'rot the bones.'  It destroys our peace, and leaves us green with envy, never to recover that peace until we also acquire said item.  Only the catch is, even if we get what we want, we aren't always happy with it (at least not for very long).  That is how the human heart works sometimes - always looking ahead, and never content with the present.  The grass always appears greener on the other side of the fence.  

Second, certain circumstances can sometimes reveal within us a hearty bit of pride.  Proverbs 3:7 says "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."  It should be mentioned here that many theologians have attested to the fact that pride may have helped foster "original sin."  Back in the garden of Eden, the devil tempted Adam and Eve with deception.  But even before that, the devil himself was converted over from a good and holy being, to something prideful and repugnant.  He considered himself so perfect and beautiful that he ought to be like God.  Laughable to think about now, but it must have seemed like a good idea at the time.  Regardless of that origin story - it's best that you and I harbor a humble heart I would think … don't you agree?

Finally, we must mention selfishness.  That poor woman in the YouTube video may never live that event down.  Her fifteen minutes of fame appeared on CNN.  It was splashed across televisions and Internet browsers for a couple days at least.  She had made up her mind that there was no way she was going to share even one package of bathroom tissue that day.  

Proverbs 18:1 says "An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels."  Indeed a quarrel was started that day at the supermarket.  We know from Scripture that it is better to give than to receive, but do we actually follow through with that concept when no one is watching.  Or more to the point, when we don't think anyone is watching.  Oh how much easier it was to pretend to be good when there wasn't a camera installed in each cell phone.  It's a more transparent world in many ways now; it holds us accountable.    

The fact remains that God calls us to be better than all this, even in times of trial.  He calls us to follow and trust in Him.  Ezekiel is an old book from the Bible, and not often quoted nowadays.  This all changed after an influential pop culture film entitled 'Pulp Fiction' was released almost two decades ago.  In the film, one of the main characters is known for quoting certain chapters and verses of this Old Testament book throughout the movie.  For now, we will focus on just one area.

Ezekiel 36: 26-27 says "I [God] will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your selfish heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."  

You see, that is the promise from Jesus … we are to be given a new heart.  And this new heart can do miraculous things from time to time.  It acts to change people's minds about whether or not mankind is moral.  This new heart can provide leadership where it is needed, hope when it is called for, and generosity when necessary - even if things look grim.  

A redeemed heart from God does nothing less than reflect Jesus instead of our own (often selfish) desires.  Now don't get me wrong, people will still struggle with sin until the day our Lord comes back for the Second Advent.  But I think a new heart means that we no longer have to worry all the time about whether we are acting holy enough or not.  God fills in the gaps where we fall short.  I suspect it was always meant to be this way.  

It is okay to share some of your bathroom tissue I think, especially if you have an entire cart full of it.  Try not to live in the fear that you will run out of something, but rather, lean into the promises of the Bible.  Remember those Scriptures that talk about living an abundant life, even though things may sometimes seem dark all around us?  Cultivate an Ezekiel kind of heart, and other people will start to notice.  You will stand out in a crowd, as the born again Christian was always meant to.



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Suffer the Children Unto Me

From the moment we started our own family, God has been sending young neighborhood kids to our home. I have often joked with other people that we 'collect kids.'  In actuality, what happens is that God seems to send children over to us, one way or another.  They stop by to play with our kids, to have snacks, or maybe just to play video games.  This phenomenon happens no matter where we move, or where we have lived in the past.  There has always been a steady stream of little ones knocking on our front door.  

I'm embarrassed to say that in the beginning, it used to annoy me a little.  I would be out trying to mow the lawn, or maybe doing some other work around the house.  And then came a knock on the door.  I've since learned that this is a blessing.  A way for us to help give back to God by helping watch over these little ones.  We are a safe place for them to come and have social interactions with other kids.  They arrive, and we open the door.  A simple but effective formula. 

It reminds me of the famous Scripture from Matthew 19:14 that says, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Some translations say "suffer the little children unto me."  The term suffer here means simply to allow them to come forward.  


Jesus was often counter-cultural, and this situation was no exception.  Children back in first century Palestine were often marginalized, or thought of as simply less important.  Surely their parents loved them, but generally speaking, the rest of the culture thought of them as second class citizens.  Not the case with God.  He loved them, and so did His son.  The scene described in the book of Matthew was one where the disciples tried to stop people from bringing kids to the Messiah in order to be prayed over.  Jesus saw this, and put a stop to it.  He welcomed the young ones in, no matter how tired he was. 

We are in fact children in God's eyes - we know this because the Bible describes our relationship in this fashion quite often.  I am certain that God suffers us the same way Jesus did two-thousand years ago.  Jesus was willing to spend time with these young ones ... to take a moment out of his schedule and listen to them.  Scripture also says that we must be like little children in order to enter into Heaven.  Matthew 18:3-4 says, "...Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

We have heard things similar to this before from Jesus.  He also told his disciples that in order to be first in Heaven, they must learn to be last here on Earth.  No doubt this was confusing for them; it is confusing for us now.  

So this begs the question: how do we become like kids in God's eyes?  Why should a holy being such as God 'suffer' us to himself?  I don't know about you, but if the Bible takes the time to lay out a way for us to come closer to the Father, I'm going to listen.  Even if the answer may be couched inside of a parable or metaphor.  

I believe there are three ways in which you and I can become more like children in God's eyes.  The first way is to simply have faith.  We know from Scripture that good works are important, but that without the accompanying faith - they fall short.  Feeding the homeless for God is entirely different than feeding the homeless in order to impress other people or make ourselves feel better.  It is a matter of the heart.

Second, we can become more like children in God's eyes when we walk next to Him.  Everyone follows something or someone - some type of code or a way of thinking.  Even the man espousing no belief system is putting forward a belief, for example.  So why not consider being obedient to what God wants for us?  It might just so happen that this is better for us in the long run anyway, over and above what popular culture can teach.  

Finally, we can become more like children in God's eyes when we seek Him out.  This takes diligent and deliberate action on our part.  Think of those times in your life when God seemed distant, like He wasn't there.  Now ask this question: did He leave us, or did we maybe pull away from Him?  The more often we deliberately take time to trust Him in difficult situations, the more likely we might be to remember our faith when we really need it.  Continue to watch for God and to seek Him out.  There will be competing voices in your life, no doubt.  But listen intently so that His voice is the loudest one.

John 6:37 makes and extraordinary claim.  It says, "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."  This seems to imply that if God sees fit to view us as His children, then Jesus also sees fit to suffer us to himself.  There will never be a sin too grievous that it cannot be forgiven, or a time when you sought after God vehemently but He turned His back on you.  Indeed, Hebrews 13:5 says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."  It isn't in God's character to abandon us.

So please continue to bring those little ones with you to church.  With a pandemic flaring around us, it is understandable that not everyone will worship together in person for a while.  But keep them in the fold, keep them engaged in what God is doing.  And in the process, make sure you are listening to His still, small voice also.  We are all His children, and He will never leave us or forsake us.  Take full advantage of that divine promise - it doesn't get any better than that. There is nothing comparable to it this side of Heaven. 



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Cast Your Cares Upon God

Have you ever had one of those moments in life that took your breath away?  Sometimes they are moments of joy, like maybe a budding romance or when someone does something generous to touch your soul.  Other times, however, something can happen that sends chills down your spine and adrenaline throughout your entire body.  One such occasion occurred to me while I was following my middle child home from school one day.  He was riding his bike and I was in the car immediately behind him, maybe ten yards back.  I was driving slow, and we were almost home. 

We began to pass a certain intersection right off the town square - it has stop signs on two sides, but not all four sides.  It looks like a four-way stop, but it isn't.  Drivers are allowed the right of way coming up a hill and through the intersection (local readers may be familiar with the spot I am referring to).  At any rate, on this particular day, my son didn't come to a full stop at his stop sign, and decided to continue riding through the intersection.  As he crossed, an oncoming vehicle jutted up the hill and came to a screeching halt, just in time for the front bumper of the car to touch his bike tire.  Fortunately by that time, both bicycle and car were at zero velocity.  I cannot say the same for my heart, as it wanted to explode out of my chest.  I had front row tickets from the driver's seat of my own car, as I watched what could have been a real tragedy unfold right before me.  

It all seemed to unwind in slow motion.  It reminded me of how little we can really  control when it comes to this life.  Similar things probably happen every day across our country.  Sometimes they end badly, and we end up watching grief-stricken parents on the nightly news.  

While considering all of this, it occurs to me that in light of what we can and cannot control, we can choose what we worry about.  For example, from that point forward if I chose to do so, I could have forced my child to wear layers of bubble-wrap and two helmets every time he took his bicycle for a ride.  Or maybe I could have decided that he was grounded from his bike for the next thirty-five years.  I didn't do that though.  Instead, my wife and I elected to follow the sentiment expressed in a particular piece of Scripture.  1 Peter is a New Testament letter that is short in duration, but wide in scope.

1 Peter 5:7 says this: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  

Here Peter is speaking to both older church elders, as well as the younger generation in the church.  He says we are to remain humble, because if we really know God, we understand He is fully sovereign.  Peter then implores us to cast our anxiety, fear, and worry upon God Himself.  It shouldn't be up to us to carry that burden alone all the time.  A modern day translation of this Scripture might read as follows: stop trying to control everything all the time, be humble enough to understand that it's impossible anyway, so do what you can do, and give the rest up to God.  

Easier said than done sometimes, I'll grant you that.  Add to this, the fact that some of us seem more or less built to worry and control things - and you have a real dilemma.  But what does trying to control and worry all the time accomplish in our lives?  Doesn't it often make it easier for us to blame ourselves when things go wrong?  Doesn't it often seem to give way to making it a bit easier to blame someone else also?  The burden of worry and anxiety can bring about the very event we are trying to avoid sometimes I think.  And it often walks shoulder to shoulder with blame casting, in an attempt to dissuade personal responsibility.

You will note who the Bible says enjoys assigning blame also.  1 Peter 5:8 goes on to say, "Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  

Satan often assigns blame and encourages anxiety.  We have been warned that there exists such a creature of sufficient demonic power that he can actually sway humankind away from godly thought and action.  Powerful enough that Peter warns us to 'be on our guard.'   True, we cannot blame everything on a being with horns and a pitchfork, but a good deal of sin and fear in the world is in fact demonic in nature.  Think about how divisive the COVID-19 pandemic has been psychologically for our country.  People often attack each other, simply based on where they stand on wearing a mask or using hand sanitizer.  What does this accomplish - other than panic or blame casting? Not much.

I want to make it clear also that I don't believe for a minute that even a casual reading of the Bible asserts you and I were meant to live a life of fear and worry.  It is a miserable existence because it doesn't mesh with our inner being.  God gives us promises to rest on and a narrative in the Bible that spans across almost four-thousand years, which exhorts mankind to pick up his or her cross, and walk boldly into the realm of the faithful.  The believer is allowed to call upon the very name of God's Son and make prayer demands and supplication.  Name another religion that grants us that ability in quite the same way.

We Christians carry a big stick, but we must be humble about it at the same time.  Use it as a walking stick to help navigate the spiritual path, and not as a sword to destroy and cast blame.  Learning to live with one foot in Heaven can mean the difference between living a life of survival and anxiety, and one of abundance and joy (even if there is a pandemic going on).  Even if someone you love almost gets hit by a car.  You can choose to worry and survive - or to be victorious and joyful.  Give me joy any day.

Pardon the analogy, but fear spreads like a virus.  Godly joy is even more contagious, however.  And for that type of joy, you need not wear a face covering or stay inside for weeks on end.  That type of joy is available to us right now, if we want it.  The path to acquire it was laid out for us in God's Word, such that we can call upon the name of Jesus whenever we need it.  We may cast our cares upon the creator; we can give it up to God.  

Pastors in fact, often fall victim to worry or anxiety.  Famous mega-church preacher Andy Stanley used to say that people who shepherd churches sometimes believe the myth that "if we don't do this or that, then it won't get done."  For example: if we don't start preparing a sermon early in the week, it won't be ready by Sunday morning.  Or if we take some vacation time, the church will be negatively impacted.  You get the idea. 

If you are experiencing a similar type of anxiety in your life, then know that you have permission to hand it over to God.  Worry just a little if you need to, do what you can to fix or prevent it, and then send up the rest up through prayer or fasting.  Let the devil cast fear and place blame as often as he wants.  I have a feeling he has read the last part of Revelation just like we have, and it says that God ultimately wins.  You have won also if you are a believer in Christ, sometimes we just need reminded that we can claim that victory in the here and now.




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In the Midst

What would it be like to wake up one morning, turn on the television or boot up the computer, and be greeted by a parade of good news for once?  How would it feel to look around the world and see joy and happiness, instead of deadly hurricanes and COVID-19 hotspots?  I think about this sometimes.  I often wonder if we have become so accustomed to all of this bad news that we have forgotten what it feels like to be content with the simple things at our immediate disposal.  Tending to a garden for example ... or mowing the lawn.  But instead, we look around and what we often see is chaos and anxiety.  

One thing I have always noticed about the Gospel message - the good news that Jesus came to offer the world - is that it was designed by God to prevail, no matter what is going on around us in any given generation.  In the midst of chaos, the Word of God will always be victorious.  Now this is a tall order actually, and if we truly believe it, it changes the way we think about the importance of our faith walk.  

However, when the world sees this unique trust and faith, sometimes it reacts negatively.  Christian persecution still goes on today, and in many countries around the world, if you are caught with a Bible on your person, the situation can become dangerous.  I personally believe that we witness chaos in our midst in our own country, when Christian churches are singled out in the news media as places to "stay away" from (so as not to contract the coronavirus for example).  This theme was recounted on the nightly news for about three weeks a while back.  But God is still in charge, and many (if not most) of our evangelical churches have opened back up to some degree (like most other businesses).  God's spirit has prevailed again; the Gospel Message is continuing to flourish.  

In the midst of fear and civil unrest, hatred and violence, apostasy and lukewarm living - God's message still wins.  It often doesn't seem like it, but I think an honest accounting of the evidence still points toward a loving creator.  Consider for a moment three things that I think the Bible has promised us in the midst of dark times.

First, we are promised that God will help us to overcome.  John 16:33 recounts that Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world." 

People can take away many different meanings from this, but I believe Jesus was telling us here that there will be times in our lives when the 'sheep will scatter.'  We should expect this - it is what he was trying to explain to his disciples.  Times when things look bad in the natural realm.  But in the midst of this - God continues to provide for and guide His flock.

Second, we are promised that God will comfort us in times of trouble.  Phil 4:6-7 says, "Do not be  anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  

These are Paul's final exhortations to the church in Philippi.  One of his last chances to make sure that God's people remember that if you pray regularly, God fills your anxious nature with peace.  The type of peace that surpasses understanding.  I believe this is why the faithful believer can have a calm demeanor, even while on their deathbed.  Others around them cannot figure this out, but it remains true.  They witness God's work in that individual's life, and they see the supernatural peace working in tandem with a lifelong faith, resulting in a sense of spiritual rest during those final days of life.  Ask any Hospice worker to contrast the dying experience between a faithful believer and everyone else.  The difference is often astonishing. 

Finally, we are promised that God will preserve the church during dark times.  Matthew 16:18 says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."   

This is part of a discussion that the Son of God had with Peter about what it means to be the Messiah.  Peter correctly asserts that Jesus is of a Godly origin, and in so doing, that very affirmation was recorded for us to study two-thousand years later.  God tells Peter (and us) that no matter what occurs, the church will ultimately win.  Maybe not a church building or a denomination ... but the kingdom of heaven here on Earth.  There will be no force - either naturally occurring or supernatural - that can fully stop what God has decided to do in the heart of every believer.  Let that sink in for a moment.  In the midst of all the chaos happening in the world today, some form of church will always survive.  

Years ago I was traveling home from a family reunion on the Interstate with my wife and kids in the car.  It was February in Iowa, so we had our fair share of snow and ice that day.  As it happened, one of the overpasses on the highway had black ice on it.  Police cars were trying to slow vehicles down as they sped over the hill and onto the bridges, but many didn't heed the warning in time.  More than a few cars hit the ditch that night.  As soon as I saw the flashing lights from the squad cars, I began to pump my brakes lightly.  My car began to fishtail left and right.  For what seemed like an eternity, the road was in control of our car, and not the driver.  Talk about a scary situation. 

During that precarious time, I remember praying to God desperately.  I had small children in the car with me.  My wife was in the passenger seat.  Minutes later, after I had regained control of the vehicle, we slowed to a crawl on the road and began rejoicing that everyone was still alive.  The point is that things looked really bad in the natural, but God was still in charge.  He still helped us to overcome, to seek His comfort, and to preserve the little slice of the kingdom of heaven that was riding in the car that night.  He had other plans for us.  Plans to lead me faithfully to eventually pastor a church.  Plans for my wife to become a first lady.  Plans for my children to grow up believers.  Our fate would not be sealed that night on the road. 

In the midst of trouble, some people look around at the circumstances and shrug their shoulders.  Others look up to God.  Looking up is better. 

Many of you will remember a public figure named Fred Rogers. He was on television for quite some time and had a hit children's show called 'Mr. Roger's Neighborhood' that ran for an astonishing thirty years.  During his weekly show, Fred would sometimes talk about maintaining a hopeful attitude in times of trial.  He had a way of speaking to children in a way they could understand, while at the same time communicating to parents what they needed to hear also.  I believe he was a modern day saint in many ways. 

Mr. Rogers always used to say, "In times of sadness and confusion, look around for the helpers."  The import here is that no matter what is going on outside, there will be someone, somewhere who is willing to help.  Someone who will help us to overcome, to comfort, and to preserve what is good and righteous.  This is exactly what God desires us to do through His church.  We should be the helpers; we should be healers of broken hearts and lost people.  A place where communities can point and say look there, I see the helpers.  Through them, God has comforted me. 

The Christian church should be there in the midst.  We should point people to a loving God.  A God who makes promises ... the kind of promises that don't get broken.  Promises that include a way for us to overcome hardship, and to endure and preserve the faithful and true church.  Praise God that we might always be able to look around and find the helpers. Better yet if we are helping people ourselves. 



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A Life of Purpose and Meaning

I have a feeling that people from all walks of life have pondered the question 'what is the meaning of life?'  It sounds cliche sometimes to say it out loud, but it really isn't.  It's one of those haunting feelings we get from time to time, dancing around in the back of our mind.  This thought presses down on us occasionally, and often when we least expect it.  For many people, I suspect this question surfaces at pivotal landmark events like graduation ceremonies or weddings.  Celebrations that represent progress or transition from one stage of life to the next.  If often forces us to take an inventory of where we are at in our own lives. 

At funeral services we gather to grieve the passing of a loved one or a friend, and we hear the pastor talk about a life well lived.  It is difficult not to think about eternal things at times like this.  We reflect on our own journey ... is our own life being well lived?  Will someone stand up at a microphone after we are gone and say similar nice things?  Will they be honest if they do?

I am always taken back a bit when I hear Solomon's words from the Book of Ecclesiastes.  He was wise, and often times, rather blunt I think.  Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Meaningless?  Meaningless!  says the Teacher.  Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless."

Solomon then goes on to say that almost all activity we engage in will come to nothing eventually.  I think he is right.  Take for example, the fact that I am sitting at a computer right now, writing this article.  Some of you might read it, and hopefully it will edify and enlighten the reader at least a little.  But someday, not even that long from now, it will fade into posterity; drowned out by the voices of successive generations of writers perhaps.  As you are reading this text now, it matters in the sense that it has become part of your consciousness.  But what will happen in the next half hour or so as you move on with your busy life?  

So what then, is the purpose of it all?  What does this grand design that we are all a part of actually mean?  It becomes a matter of finding purpose.  We exist now in a world experiencing a pandemic, civil unrest, and an uncertain future.  Most of us thought we would be finished fighting COVID-19 by now.  Surely there is more to life than this.  And so the thought creeps into our minds again ... always there, never really going away for long.  What is the meaning of my life?

Bear with me now, as I want to pass along something that has helped guide me up to this point.  I believe it speaks directly to the question of purpose and meaning.  It isn't a self-help tip or some piece of biased opinion.  It comes to us by way of an ancient proverb (or saying) found in the Old Testament.  Proverbs 9:10 tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

I believe that this fear (which really means respect and obedience) for God, and a pursuit of His knowledge will lead us directly to faith.  If we follow this path to fruition, mankind cannot help but end up exactly where God wants him to be: cultivating a healthy respect and awe for His creative existence.  It trumps all other forms of fruitless gain.  In fact, Solomon goes on to list off ten things that seem like they matter on the surface, but have no lasting impact without God's involvement.  Things like work, wealth, competition, power, etc.  All of these things will be here today, and eventually, gone tomorrow.  At some point in the future, even your own family line may not know that you existed.  Humbling, isn't it?  And also cause for sorrow, if it weren't for God and His eternal qualities.

So my advice is this: 'baptize' everything you do for the sake of God's goodness.  Are you a writer?  Then write books and articles for Him.  Are you a coach?  Then lead your athletes to be Godly competitors.  Any talent you happen to possess is from God anyway ... you know that don't you?  Stop and think about this for a moment.  Were you not simply born with this or that ability?  You might be using it to your own gain, but you didn't invent or create it.  It was given to you before you were born.  

And consider this also: if you cannot baptize an activity for the sake of God, then it might be sin.  If you are indulging in an activity that you cannot return back to God or use to help other people, it may be something that needs to go from your life.  The type of thing that requires repentance, and then forgiveness.  It isn't benefiting you now, and it won't help you later either.  Sin always has a way of getting worse instead of better, unless or until you focus on eliminating it ... and then often success only follows with God's supernatural help.  Ask the recovering alcoholic how he or she got sober.  They will often point to a higher power. 

A meaningful life begins with seeking after the one for whom all meaning is born and nurtured.  Respect and fear God, and then pursue knowledge of Him.  It is a lifelong endeavor, and it doesn't stop after an alter call or a commissioning ceremony.  Life without God can be busy - maybe even temporarily happy - but it cannot be fruitful.  I cannot give back to the world a lasting, eternal gift in the same way that Jesus demonstrates love to us without seeking after the Father of Lights.  You will just be going through the motions, not unlike the image of a hamster in a wheel.  Round and round you go, keeping busy and trying not to think about eternal things or your eventual departure from this Earth.  Trying never to ruminate about what someone might stand up and say at your own funeral.  Busy for the sake of being busy.

Seek God and love Him, and this will sustain you in ways that defy imagination.  You will have gained more grace than any of us deserve, and you will then be able to pass it on to other people.  You can get rid of that fruitless, meaningless feeling forever.  You are called to so much more than that anyway. 




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Worshipping Our Own Version of God

When I was a young single man, I remember thinking what it must be like to settle down someday and have children.  It seemed really nice, and I looked forward to that reality one day in the future.  Then later, when I met my wife and we were engaged, we would often discuss what it would be like to be parents together.  I thought I had a pretty good idea what it would be like.  I enjoyed holding other people's babies and playing with my younger cousins from time to time.  I figured I had a pretty good handle on what the whole parenting thing would look like.  

The split between reality and the theoretical would soon occur, however, as my daughter came along shortly after we were married.  Two more young ones followed over the next six years or so, and I discovered one very important thing.  Namely, that I had no idea what being a parent was really like, until I became one myself.  Spending time playing with cousins and neighbor kids really doesn't prepare you for 2 a.m. bottle feedings and a perpetual lack of sleep.  Nor does it prepare you for those special moments when those little faces look up at you with pure, unadulterated love in their eyes.  I suspect it's the same way with grandchildren.  

My point is this: we often think we know something, when in reality, there is still much to learn.   If we think about the concept of God for example, different people can have a multitude of ideas about what this being is really like.  They are pretty confidant that the deity they are praying to is the embodiment of whatever concept they have envisioned in their own mind.  But that is often the catch ... it is a created concept they are worshipping.  It may not be grounded in Scripture or solid Christian teaching whatsoever.  Even the notion of 'solid teaching' can sometimes differ depending on who you talk to.  

Let us take a look at the example of Jesus resting next to Jacob's well with the Samaritan woman.  The Gospel of John lays out a picture of a tired and thirsty Messiah who arrives in Samaria with nothing to draw water from the well.  After a quick discussion about spiritual things, John 4:22 records this statement: "You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."

You will note here that Jesus was not making a statement about racial superiority, but rather, he was trying to help this woman understand that the concept of God that she had adhered to was not one-hundred-percent accurate.  It's hard to argue with the son of God on the subject of who the Father really is.  Easier to debate God with each other I suspect (and in fact we often do).  This is why I've always found it so funny to picture the Pharisees debating Jesus about Old Testament law.  Who would know better than Christ?

The question still stands today - are many of us worshipping a fictional God that we have created ourselves?  Do we really know who we are praying to?  Do we understand who we are coming together each Sunday to worship?  This revelation can be both frightening and freeing at the same time. 

I believe one example of this fictional God is very popular today.  It basically builds a case that God is some type of politically correct being who doesn't require repentance from sin.  In other words, a senile type of older man with a white beard who doesn't really care what we do with our personal lives, as long as everyone is happy and healthy.  Sound familiar?

This is an easy God to love, because it requires no sacrifice on our part.  This fictional version of God makes no demands upon our lives, has nothing to say about the great issues of our time, and will not ever judge us or become angry.  This version of God doesn't care or comment on same sex marriage, abortion, or make any comment in either direction about morality or ethos.  He is more like a fun uncle who shows up at the house every once in a while with ice cream or candy.  Not anything like an omniscient, omnipotent creator.  

Think I'm exaggerating?  Try suggesting God is a personal being who can get angry or render judgement on a nation, and see what type of response you get from the general public.  By and large, many have fallen victim to a God of their own creation.  And when confronted with the concept of the Biblical God, people will often react with anger or frustration. 

But there is hope.  If we seek out knowledge from the Bible concerning who God really is and what He actually did, then the picture becomes much clearer.  The tide begins to turn.  The historical God of Abraham and Isaac begins to render into clear view.  In my own studies, I have been able to draw three conclusions about who this awesome God of ours really is.  And although I am just as subject to error as any other human being, I think most mainstream Christians would agree with the short list that follows.  

First, the true God of the Bible hates sin.  I know because He tells us so, and Jesus does also.  Multiple times throughout the Scriptures we are commanded to turn from our sin and repent (both as a nation and as an individual).  The idea of sinning away without any notion of sanctification over time, is not a luxury we are afforded if you read though the actual text.  

Second, the true God of the Bible is long suffering.  Scripture shows us time and time again that before a prophet would bring a plague or judgement upon a country or nation, hundreds of years would pass by.  In other words, if God corrected a people group, chances are they had been refusing to repent for a long, long time.  It isn't like how human beings become angry at the drop of a hat and fire back at each other sometimes.  God is much more patient and long suffering when it comes to us. 


Finally, the true God of the Bible extends the offer of salvation to anyone who calls on His name.  It's no good trying to assert that certain people are more holy than others, and therefore deserve God's love more.  I think we do a disservice to the Scriptures if we think or act in that fashion.  The offer of eternal life from Jesus stands for anyone at any time, we need only repent of our sins, accept Him as lord and savior, and put our trust in God and become baptized.  

I have often heard people say things like, "I wish God would send me a sign or a signal."  Although I empathize with their plight (especially in today's confusing world), I must maintain that God's foremost sign for the human race is in fact the Holy Bible.  It is nothing short of a love letter written out in the form of sixty-six books over the course of some 3,500 years.  I implore people to read through it on their own, and then get involved in some type of Christian study group.  We have so much information about the true God and who He is, and it's right at our fingertips.  What a gift this is for humanity.  What a powerful thing it is to really understand who we are worshipping, and to be confidant in what He wants for our lives.  It is then only a matter of time until we begin praying and giving thanks to more accurate version of the Father of Lights.  

The Bible says that He knew us before we were even born ... the least we can do is take the time to learn a little about Him as well.  Not so much what culture might tell us, but  what Jesus actually said and did. 



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Grace Under Pressure

We live in a difficult and confusing time.  Although different people across many different generations have uttered something similar to this, it sure seems to apply today in the year 2020.  When I read the news or watch political discourse, I can usually feel some type of agenda.  When I do my own research about the current coronavirus pandemic that we are experiencing, it often leads to more confusion and discouragement.  Should we wear a mask in public or not?  Does the virus spread from people without symptoms or not?  Should I stay home all the time, or go out in public again?  And for many people, if they speak out against the current narrative of fear surrounding COVID-19, they are met with discord and rebuke.  Tolerance for other viewpoints seems to be a rare thing right now. 

In so many ways, this is the 'New America', and I don't mean just social distancing and increased use of hand sanitizer.  With the civil unrest that is occurring right now by groups of people protesting in public places, fear of rioting and looting, as well as layers of racial division being revealed in America - it is tempting for many to simply give up on society, lock their doors, and stay home.  Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert once said, "Racism is America's pre-existing condition."  

I can think of no other time in recent history, when the ability to extend grace and understanding to each other has been more important.  During the terrorist attack on domestic soil on September 11, 2001, there was almost immediate unity in America.  After Islamic terrorist groups flew airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York City, I remember this strange feeling of anger, that soon gave way to a collective call for Americans to unite and be strong.  To put aside differences, and come together against a common enemy of the state.  But things seem different now.  The COVID-19 virus, the fear of economic collapse, and the undercurrent of racial discord create almost the perfect environment for people to stop listening to each other.  Unity isn't what appears to be taking place.  What a time it could be to show empathy and love to others, instead of propagating hate and anxiety.   

John 1:16 grants us wisdom when it says, "Out of his [Jesus] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."  This statement comes right after we are introduced to John the Baptist's testimony about the soon coming Christ.  

Likewise, 2 Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."   The knowledge - the chance learn about and follow God - can lead us directly to a state of being that incorporates grace.  Grace not only freely given to you and I from God, but the expectation that this grace will be extended to other people also ...  even if the rest of the world has fallen into relative chaos.  

Now this is a tall order; not easy to do at all.  But as I move through these difficult times like everyone else, I would like to offer three ways that you and I can show grace under pressure.  The first thing to remember is that the Bible exhorts us to be slow to speak under most circumstances - so I would like to recommend that we Listen first.  The simple act of listening to another human being fully and in committed fashion, allows us to get a handle on not only what they are going through, but what they are feeling.  As a good portion of impatience and frustration stems from emotionally charged environments, sitting quietly and listening seeks to accept the other person's viewpoint as important and meaningful (no matter the content of that view might be).

Second, it is wise to Learn the other person's perspective.  It involves something referred to years ago as 'flipping the script' (i.e.: switching a situation up and placing yourself in their shoes).  This takes determination and effort, but it almost always pays off.  For example, before you make a cavalier comment on social media about the coronavirus, place yourself in the perspective of other people who may be more vulnerable or frightened than you.  Similarly, prior to commenting negatively about the protests going on across our nation, put yourself in the position of a person of color, who has had to experience a lifetime of unfair treatment and discrimination.  Many indulge themselves in the lure of being an armchair quarterback, but few take the time to learn and really understand the other person's experiences.  It's always easier to interpret life through the lens of our own opinion.  

Finally, Love always.  The apostle Paul tells us that no matter how many great things we have done for the church or for God, if we don't have love, then we don't have anything.  Love seeks to extend both grace and kindness; it actually does something.  It commands us to listen, learn, and then to act or respond in some fashion commensurate with Jesus Christ.  What Would Jesus Do was a catchphrase years ago, but I find it often falls short in certain areas.  Let's ask rather: what would you and I do now, knowing what Jesus did for us?  Are we listening to each other with God's heart, or are we being divisive and cynical.

This dialogue often reminds me of John Wesley's three simple rules that the Methodist Church strives to live by.  They are as follows: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.  Although the third edict was shortened from it's original state (which used to say 'observe all the ordinances of God') ... it is impactful nonetheless.  Listen to people, then seek to empathize with them, and then respond with love and grace.  

By the way, this doesn't automatically mean that you must then agree with them.  In fact, a good many folks with whom I have disagreed vehemently about certain things, won my respect because they took the time to understand my position at the outset, instead of trying to dominate the discussion with their own opinion first.  It may end up that I eventually agree with what they are saying, or it may not.  But the fact remains that I felt respected and valued as a person first and foremost.  Would this not change the tide in most high pressure situations?  Would this not de-escalate most arguments?

The truth of the matter is this - if we do not offer other people grace, then we shouldn't expect it in return.  We should not be surprised if the order of the day is hate speech or fear.  If the Christian church does not extend the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, then we will not draw people to God.  If you can remember a time in your life when you were hurting, and someone listened to you, learned your perspective, and then reacted with love - then revel in it.  And by all means, pay it forward.  



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Brought Near by the Blood of Christ

Recently I found myself dropping off two of my kids at the middle school so they could clean out their lockers.  The semester ended abruptly in March, as fear of the COVID-19 virus began to grip the community.  Schools all across America (and other countries as well) closed down for the rest of the year.  Jackets and books were still in lockers, and everything went on hold.  Finally it had come time to send the young ones back to the school building so they could grab their items.  

As I pulled the car around onto the familiar S-curved side street by the school, my two boys jumped out and ran toward the front door.  All of a sudden, I had this strange pang of emotions run through me.  It was a contrast between joy, irony, and nostalgia.  I realized in an instant that I had taken for granted the simple act of dropping off youngsters at school.  Who would have thought that this little action could have meant so much?  I remember so often lamenting about not really having time to get there and back in the mornings because of my job.  Those complaints seemed silly now.  

The apostle Paul is really good at clarifying things in the New Testament.  In many of his epistles, the reader is left wondering things like, "oh yeah, why didn't I think of it that way?"  He tends to put things in a way that brings silly complaints to light. 

If we look at Ephesians 2:11-13, it says, "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised' by those who call themselves 'the circumcision' (which is done in the body by human hands) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

I believe that Paul here is exhorting the church in Ephesus to remain humble, and not get cocky when it comes to living Godly lives.  And this advice goes for everyone, even two-thousand years later.  We dare not take our salvation or inclusion in the divine family for granted.  If it weren't for God's son coming to Earth on a rescue mission for you and I, we would still be lost in our sins.

Recall that during this time-frame (and prior to the arrival of Jesus) the Jewish religious sect often considered the Gentiles (people of non-Jewish birth) as somehow lower or less pure than themselves.  In the same way that it would be frowned upon for a Samaritan to spend time with a Jew back then, they viewed the Gentile people as lacking the one true faith tradition.  You can imagine what happened when Paul began to argue in the Synagogues that regular people were loved by God just as much as the religious elect.  He wasn't always popular. 

And nowadays, some people have 'paid it forward' with this type of religious aristocracy.  But instead of the traditional religious Jew versus the Gentile, it is now the Christian zealot versus the unbeliever.  In other words, some in the church today flaunt their religious knowledge as a weapon, designed to belittle or talk down to those who don't yet know Jesus.  Same situation, different era.  We must not take the inclusion provided to us by God for granted by holding it over someone else's head.  This doesn't show the love of Jesus, and it isn't what God meant when He said that love sums up all of the prophets and commandments.  We don't deserve God's grace any more than we can earn our own salvation.  Therefore, there is no impetus for arrogance. 

What a world it would be, if we could divorce personal pride and status from religious fortitude.  If we could advertise God by way of a personal relationship with His son, instead of the rule book mentality.  Contained in the pages of the Bible resides both grace and verisimilitude, as well as edicts and commandments.   And I love God for this by the way.  It seems almost as if the Bible was constructed in just such a way so that if anyone reading it began to feel a bit overconfident about obeying the law, then the next page all of a sudden emphasizes faith instead.  Likewise, if we become too conceded about our faith walk, then it won't be long before we stumble across a Scripture that remind us that works matter also.  

Well school will be back in session at some point I would assume, whether that will consist of returning to a physical building or not.  Perhaps it will be half and half - some remote learning and some classroom work also?  At any rate, I will try never again to take for granted the simple act of dropping off my boys at the S-curve again.  Pretty soon they will be in high school anyway, and then before I know it, I will be sitting in the bleachers on graduation day.  

Don't take God for granted, nor your relationship with His son either.  You were purchased at great cost Scripture says, but trust me ... you didn't earn your way into grace (and neither did I).  We are brought near to God by the blood of Christ.  It is a gift, and if we are wise we will accept it.  Things have a tendency to go better when we listen to God, especially in the spiritual sense.  And when we really understand the sacrifice part of our Christian heritage, then pride and arrogance will have no quarter with us.  We will take nothing for granted.



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Six Feet Apart

According to most people, we are living in a time referred to as the 'new normal.'  Due to constraints put on our society from the COVID-19 pandemic, people are strongly encouraged to participate in social distancing.  This term had no meaning six months ago for most of us.  Now it is all over the nightly news.  Churches had to close, at least for a while.  People have begun working from home over the Internet.  And if you don't happen to be computer savvy or Internet wise, then you spend a lot of time at home ... alone.  Sometimes isolated from your family, friends, and even co-workers.  Phone calls and letter writing help, but it has been made clear to me in recent months that people are social creatures.  Even the staunch introvert craves personal interaction from time to time.  And if you do go out in public, the new mantra has become six feet apart.  Supposedly, this is the amount of space that ensures our safety from other people who may be carrying the virus.  

Now I want to mention here, that this feeling of loneliness and hopelessness isn't new, it has happened before in history.  There was the Spanish Flu in 1918, and the Black Plague from the middle ages.  Not to mention the recent splash of smaller pestilences in the last twenty years or so.  But I want to go even further back for a moment.  

Bible historians will recall that Jerusalem in the year 586 B.C. wasn't a pretty sight.  The city walls had been demolished by an invading army, and the town itself had many areas that were leveled.  No doubt God's people also felt alone and afraid.  This was the backdrop for the prophet Jeremiah when he wrote the Book of Lamentations.  

Listen to this piece of Scripture from chapter 3, verses 22-26: "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'  The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.  It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.'"

It appears that the people who inhabited Jerusalem at that time were also waiting to come back together again ... to be strong once more.  They were waiting on God to rebuild their culture, infrastructure, and their way of life.  Wanting to live without fear and anxiety again.  Sound familiar?

Many of us today are seeking solace in modern medicine and technological advances.  Who wouldn't be listening to scientists and doctors right now?  But for some, I believe that whether or not we get a vaccine has become the mainstay of their faith.  We know from dealing with other types of coronaviruses (the common cold for example), that it is very difficult to pin down a cure.  These types of bugs change and mutate quickly from one season to the next.  And I know that this reality scares many people to their core.  What if there isn't a successful vaccine?

Now let me interject here that I would be just as happy as anyone else if they rolled out a cure in the next few months.  But my point is this: at the end of the day, who are we relying on to rebuild and renew our society?  I have a feeling that for many, the answer to this question isn't the Christian God.  

Post-virus Earth will survive this crisis; we always do.  Death or sickness may rule for a time, but typically not for long.  God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.  There will be a day when we read the newspaper headline: The Pandemic is Over.  But we must also remember to trust in God during this time.  Not in a superficial way that pushes the idea that He will never let us suffer or die.  But rather, with a more mature faith that says even if the worst happens, Jesus has our soul well fortified.  We will eventually end up in a place where moth and rust do not destroy, and where God is our one true desire.  He will also rebuild us here on Earth, He will restore us ... and then it will be up to us to  obey Him.  Not to walk in fear, but with faith and hope that things will eventually get better.  

Donate money to medical research if you like, stay informed by watching and reading the news, and also trust your eternal well being to God the Father.  

I have often thought of this time as a 'sifting of the saints.'  A period when God is fortifying and rebuilding His church on this planet.  We had it really good for a very long time.  Plenty of food to eat and enough money to thrive as a nation.  But this type of relative contentment doesn't usually lead to spiritual growth.  No, I'm afraid trials and suffering are what build character.  God may not bring on the pain, but He can surely redeem it.  I suspect this is the way it's been for thousands of years.  

I believe we will come out of this crisis stronger, with a faith that was forged in fire and tribulation.  And there will be a time when we no longer need to stand six feet apart from each other ... a time when keeping a safe distance will no longer be the paramount thing on our mind.  Medical cure or not, God will rebuild and redeem His people - the same way He did for the Israelites thousands of years ago.  The challenge will be to keep praising Him in the meantime, when things look scary all around us.  We may stand apart from each other physically for a while, but we can pray together spiritually - as we have always done.  



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Wrong in the Spirit

A great many of us begin the right thing for the wrong reasons.  We may join a health club for the sole purpose of becoming more attractive, when a better reason would probably be simply to get healthy.  We may decide that we want a promotion at our job, but instead of working hard and climbing the success ladder through dedication and work ethic, we ego stroke the boss or try to win recognition through less mainstream  channels.  The point is, sometimes people think the ends justify the means.  

There is often a sort of 'economic transaction' mode of understanding the world that we bring with us to spiritual matters.  It is an easy mistake to make, but when it happens, it sticks out like a sore thumb.  Imagine for a moment an individual who may donate large sums of money so that the church can build something new, but then wants their name to be proudly displayed next to it.  Or maybe they are doing it so that the good work shows up in the media or is visible in front of others.  Even if we aren't talking about money, some can still have the notion that if I do this, then the church should give me that.  

Enter in the curious story of Simon the Sorcerer from the book of Acts.  We remember that Acts outlines the events of the early church, starting immediately after Jesus ascends to Heaven.  Simon was well known by many during this time for being able to practice strange and miraculous things, and he also boasted and bragged about it.  This happens a lot today, by the way.  Psychics and diviners who claim to talk to the dead, for example, are all over our television screens and social media.  For a certain amount of money, psychic so-and-so might claim that they can put you right through to your deceased uncle.  What makes matters worse, is that these folks often do their Internet research on their victims prior to "reading their fortune", and they grab enough of the vital information ahead of time so that it sounds legitimate.  

And we cannot forget that today, just like two-thousand years ago, a portion of these of people actually can tap into the demonic, in order to cause signs and 'miracles' to occur.  This isn't just my opinion, it is also Biblical.  Either way, God warns us to stay away from this crowd.  But it can be very tempting to listen sometimes. 

It just so happened that this particular diviner Simon heard the apostle Philip preaching the word of God one day in Samaria, and was drawn to him.  He watched as other people began converting to the Christian faith, and even watched some of the baptisms.  No doubt some of these people used to follow Simon; now they followed God.  Acts says that Peter and John showed up later, and began laying hands on people so the Holy Spirit could come upon them. 

Acts 8:18-19 goes on to describe Simon's reaction upon witnessing this event.  It says, "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, 'Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.'"

Simon really missed the boat on this one.  He brought that idea of an economic transaction into the kingdom of heaven.  He thought that the ends justified the means, and that money was a good enough bartering tool to procure what the apostles were calling forth from God. 

We cannot buy the spirit of God of course.  In fact, the Bible says that we simply receive God's grace, we receive His spirit, and we accept the gift of salvation.  You can see here, that God is holding all the cards.  It is up to us to simply accept and receive what He is offering ... don't bother trying to buy it like some common financial transaction.  Now this is a difficult concept because the rest of the world operates differently.  Indeed, if we look back throughout history, we may find situations where the church accepted large sums of money or political clout, in exchange for increased blessing.  If it feels like the handiwork of man (and not God), then it probably is.  Most economic transactions operate that way - they have the same slant to them.  

Acts 4:12 tells us clearly regarding Jesus that, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."  Jesus saves us, not money or status.  

Later in the story we find out that Peter quickly admonishes Simon and tells him that his money will perish with him, as he was most definitely wrong in the spirit.  Simon immediately begs the apostles to pray for him, so that his life may be preserved.  At least there is some fear of God present at this point.  

We don't know if Simon went on to actually repent and be saved, the account in Acts doesn't tell us that.  Did he repent of his sins?  Maybe so.  Have you and I repented of our own sins?  Only God the Father knows for certain.  Playing dress up when it comes to religion is a dangerous thing.  We can pass ourselves off as moral, upstanding people for a while in front of others.  But at the end of the day, we either know Jesus personally, or we don't.  We view the things of God as business transactions, or something more special and unique.  

Give your tithes and offerings to the church, give your heart to God, and accept salvation from Jesus.  But don't confuse material wealth for spiritual riches - they aren't the same thing.



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