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The most common use of “trespass” is the unlawful entry upon the land of another. Although “trespass” can also mean sin or offense. I think it’s useful to consider the common definition. Most landowners post “No Trespassing” signs not just because they don’t want visitors; but because there is danger when we wander from the “assigned paths.”  Isn’t “sin” really getting off the path, the act of moving from where we should be to some other place?  In teaching us to pray, Jesus follows up the concept of seeking the Father’s will on earth as in Heaven with forgiveness when we stray from that path. To the Jewish disciples, accounting for trespasses required sacrifices. Jesus is introducing a radically new concept. After His death, the perfect sacrifice has already been made. The temple sacrifice is no longer needed. He who strays from the path need not make sacrifice, but must appropriate the benefits of Christ’s perfect sacrifice by seeking forgiveness.  In another place, these trespasses are referred to as debts. When we stray, a debt is owed. Again, the debt has been paid; but that payment needs to be appropriated.  One of the real signs of our spiritual maturity is when […]

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (ESV) One of the toughest things in life is getting the proper perspective on today, yesterday and tomorrow. It’s easy to say that we need to move forward from yesterday, leave tomorrow for tomorrow and live for today. It’s not easy to do in practice.  The past keeps its hold on our ankles as we try to walk forward. Sometimes it’s guilt from our past. Sometimes it’s past glory that we miss. We need to learn from the past, but let go of it.  Others are fixed on the future. They worry about tomorrow or spend so much time looking forward to something ahead, that they miss the wonders of today.  Although it’s not an issue for most Americans, in most of the world, a person wakes up hopeful for adequate nourishment for today. It is no accident that our loving Father divided our lives into twenty-four hour periods. Our bodies need refreshment in that period.  It seems our emotions and spirits need a recycle in the same time period.  Focus is the key to success […]

  Today men will pay a small fortune to be King for a day. They will get a queen years younger than themselves. They will get to parade through town in gaudy costumes and throw fake coins and faker jewelry to the screaming masses who will fight each other for the opportunity to grab the worthless treasures. The common folk will wear masks and costumes and drink and do things they hope they will forget the next day. I know it’s all in “good fun” and “tradition.” I’ve heard it’s a “religious” holiday and tomorrow the revelers will don ashes and spend 40 days preparing for the death and resurrection of the savior. All I know there will be more drunk today, catching beads, and wearing masks than will wear ashes tomorrow and far more than will keep 40 days of “lent.” Just saying.

“Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Christ’s disciples were looking for a political kingdom. They were oppressed by the Romans and they wanted it to end. This is an easy trap to fall into. We envision how life would be with Jesus on the throne. That’s a vision that will be realized when Jesus returns. But the kingdom exists now. Jesus told his disciples they would see the kingdom in their lifetimes. They did. With His death and resurrection, it became possible for Jesus to be Lord (King) of any who chose to follow Him. The utopia that some seek will be universal one day; it’s possible on an individual basis now.The perfect world is the world in which God’s will is followed perfectly. Now that’s true only in heaven. Heaven on earth comes one believer at a time; one day at a time. Even the greatest lovers of Christ don’t do His will perfectly now. But they do learn that the more they can do His will, the more joy they can experience. It’s the great lie of Satan than our choice is between happiness and following God; when the […]

There are an infinite number of ways to classify people: by race, color, national origin, education,  and wealth, for example. I have come to believe the most important classification is the separation between those who take God seriously and those who don’t. In the “don’t” category are many who don’t believe in God at all. But there are also many who “believe” there is a God, or maybe that there is probably a God. But the simple belief in God or in the possibility of God is not of life changing significance.  The real life changing difference is between those who take God seriously and those who don’t. Those who take God seriously conclude not only that there is a superior being who created all things, but also conclude that God created for a reason and that reason forms the basis for our existence. Those who take God seriously “hallow” his name. They don’t merely acknowledge his existence or even his superiority; but his right as creator to make the rules and determine the roles of his creatures.  Regretfully, even in Christian churches there are “believers” who don’t take God seriously. Some attend because they get comfort from attendance. […]

Last night Rose and I watched Air Force One in which Harrison Ford plays the President of the United States who single handedly takes Air Force One back from a hijacking gang of terrorists. We couldn’t help but wish we had a President like that. We don’t. We won’t. We actually have a better deal. We have a Father who is the King of the Universe. Yet we live like life is such a problem. Since Our Father is the King of Heaven, we need to fully recognize His Position and ours. Since Our Father is in Heaven we need to live as if we realize that this is not our home; Heaven is. All the glorious beauty of earth is just a reflection of it’s maker, like the moon is but a reflection of the sun. We are here, instead of at home in Heaven, because we have a job to do. Paying next month’s bills, a sick child, a sliding economy, the threat of terrorism . . . these should be no big deal to children of the King. Why do they occupy so much of our attention? Because the enemy has us distracted from our mission. […]

Luke 11:1-13 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord’s Prayer 11 Now Jesusas John taught his disciples.”  When a question is asked, there is often more to the inquiry than just what is spoken. The disciples had been observing Jesus. It was obvious there was much different about this man. He said and did marvelous things. But maybe most significantly He had a new and different relationship with His Father. They noticed it in the way He spoke to and of the Father. Isn’t that how we judge relationships? Observe how a couple talks to each other. You can quickly ascertain the depth or the shallowness of the relationship. The disciples detected something new and different and wanted it. The disciple who asked was saying, “Teach us to talk to the Father like you do. We want to know Him like you do.” Jesus understood the desire behind the question. He must have smiled as he began, “Our Father. . .” He was telling them, as He is telling us, you can have what I have. The one I talk to and walk with isn’t just my Father, He’s Our Father. This was a radical new thought. They thought of God […]

I greatly enjoy spending time at Angola. The fellowship, prayer and praise and worship are always great. But at a real personal level I am lifted up because I come away with a sense of thanksgiving. I get a new perspective on just how blessed I am. I’m not spending the rest of my life in prison. Pretty much any little wrinkles in my life seem pretty smooth when compared to that life story.  But there is more to it than that. Most of these guys are not satisfied with their life story. Some are middle aged guys who have been in prison since they were teens and will die there. That would seem to be a life story written and completed. Yet these men recognize that with Jesus we are new men with new beginnings and a new story.  Some of us don’t get the full benefit of salvation because we view it as simply assurance of heaven one day and don’t learn that with Jesus comes a new life story now. Before we get too far along in life we settle into a story of our lives. We have parents we’ve come from, education we’ve had or […]