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Behold, He is coming with clouds . . . —Revelation 1:7 Tuesday was Rosemary’s birthday and it rained. The rain was only really a problem at the time of her birthday celebration dinner when it was coming down pretty good and I had to run through the rain to get to the restaurant. Rosemary says it didn’t bother her; in fact, she said, she loves the rain. Of course, I had dropped her off under the covered walkway and I was the one getting wet. No mind, it was, after all, her birthday. I guess generally I like all the seasons and all forms of weather, in moderation. I love the first cool snap of fall, gumbo weather, but in February I am ready for spring’s warmth. I like a surprising spring shower but a week of rain and hurricanes I can probably do without. We are told that every cloud has a silver lining and I suppose that means that there is some good in even bad situations. For us Christians there is even better news, in every cloud, and, in fact, in every season and weather of our lives, there is Jesus.  He is there when times […]

He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side . . . —Mark 6:45 This verse begins the segment of scripture in which Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples who were straining at rowing the boat to the place He had directed them. Notice that He didn’t tell them: “Go out on the water and I’ll walk out to meet you.” Without a reason or a stated purpose, the disciples simply did what they were told. That’s how we need to respond to God. We must do what we are told. We don’t ask “why” or question the destination. We just walk on. Otherwise, we develop “dreams” or “visions” of where we should be. That’s God’s role. Ours is to be obedient. To put one foot in front of the other. We may never see the completed work or arrive at a clear destination, other than our heavenly home. In fact, as in this story, the destination wasn’t the point; the journey was. On our walk we encounter the Risen Christ, miraculous, walking on water and He calls us to deeper faith as He did Peter. What is my […]

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine . . . —John 7:17 To really understand something, one has to do it. One trip to the Christian Book Store should convince anyone that there is plenty of “study” out there. One look at our world advises there isn’t much “learning.” The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience. And our orders, the “rules” we are to obey are pretty simple: “Go and make disciplines.” Yet most of us, if we spend any time on our “walk” spend it reading or studying and very little doing. I learn more about my God in one week of VBS (not really doing that much) or one Kairos weekend than I do in months of study or reading and I do plenty of that. Although we deny it, we act as if Christianity is a theology rather than a walk. A walk requires steps but first it requires a destination. Christ gives us the destination and points our way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105. For too […]

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20 I love a good murder mystery or thriller. The bad guy has to be really bad. My wife prefers her bad guys more real. She follows politics and watches Fox News. Even as kids we love the Big Bad Wolf. I suspect that one of  the reason for our love of bad guys is our belief that God grades on the curve. It is comforting to know that there are men more evil than us out there. Of course we know that God doesn’t grade on the curve.  Maybe not all that comes from our mouths are “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” but there is plenty enough bad stuff in us to make us unacceptable to a Holy God. His Word penetrates and shows us for what we are: sinners in need of a Savior. f I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence […]

Blessed are . . . —Matthew 5:3-11 We wish to “be blessed.” We wish blessings on others.  But what does it really mean to “be blessed.” In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes many who are blessed; but the pronouncements  seems simplistic yet contradictory. The poor will have kingdoms; the mourning will be comforted, meek obtain power, etc. Many have tried to create a world where the Beatitudes are tghe norm. Others look at them as describing what heaven will be like. I believe Jesus is describing the incredible work of the Holy Spirit in the life of he believer. The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations— it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us. To  be  blessed is to live the Spirit controlled life and nothing […]

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom . . . —1 Corinthians 2:4 As a trial lawyer, I am aware that the common perception is that the smoothest talking lawyer is likely to win his case. But my experience does not support that. Most juries have enough sense to determine the truth and where justice lies if the facts are presented to them. Some are, not doubt, influenced by persuasive talk, but not most. Paul was a scholar. His knowledge of the scriptures was unequaled. He was also an orator of the highest degree. The gospel is powerful and simple truth. Not only does it not need a smooth presentation, but when we attempt to persuade with our human wisdom, we detract from its power. Many of the most effective preachers have been poor orators. Some read their sermons in a dry monotone; but the spirit fell and souls were saved, because they spoke the word. As we learned this week at VBS, the bible is true. Whether we preach from pulpits or, as layman, preach with our lives, our goal is to lift up Jesus. “And I, if I am lifted up. […]

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us . . . sanctification . . . —1 Corinthians 1:30 The mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He “became for [me] . . . sanctification . . . .”  What OC has to say today is so significant that I have reproduced it exactly. Please note the one point in particular that I struggled with. I believe he is saying that although the perfection of Christ is completely and instantly available to us. It is not completely exhibited at once, but rather becomes evident in our lives gradually as He changes us and we grow under His guidance.   Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life. The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is “Christ in you . . .” ( Colossians 1:27 ). It is His wonderful life that is […]

This is the will of God, your sanctification. . . —1 Thessalonians 4:3 God wants us sanctified. If it’s not happening, it’s not God.  Sanctification means to be made holy. Holy means separated for God’s purpose. Before God will use any part of us, separate it for His purpose, we have to release it. As long as we hold on to any part of us, any part of our lives, it can’t be used by Him. It can’t be made holy. It can’t be sanctified.  In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me down until there is nothing left but myself,. But its a voluntary process. I must release each part. Am I willing to be myself and nothing more? What of my relationships? Am I willing to have no friends, no father, no brother, and no self-interest? Every part that is released becomes holy. It is sanctified. It becomes His. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me— it is Himself in me (see 1 Corinthians 1:30  ).   Release it and be blessed. Nick