Nick’s Walk

12 For the rulers, against the authorities, against this present darkness, against in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 Jesus taught us to pray to be delivered from evil. We need to pray that earnestly because most of us can’t even identify evil any more. Satan has three effective tricks that keep us confused. He has some people convinced that if he exists at all, he is a cartoon character with horns and a tail and no real power. He has others believing that He is as powerful, if not more powerful than God. These folks believe that Satan can ultimately win. Finally, and perhaps most prevalent today, he has some believing that he isn’t the real enemy; other men are. The truth is that it’s a real fight. It’s a spiritual fight. Just as Jesus’ reign as king is not yet perfected. Satan’s ultimate defeat is not yet perfected. We need to take Satan seriously as we take God seriously. But notice, Jesus taught us to pray that God deliver us from evil. There is no question in that prayer that God has the power to deliver. The victory has been ultimately determined but the battle is no less real.  Perhaps the biggest danger now […]

At first blush it seems strange to be asking God not to lead us into temptation. Is God the Tempter? Certainly not, but it is important to remember that God is in control, even of the tempter. Like Satan’s harassment of Job, God would only allow him to go so far. God is in control. One look around at our world might lead one to ask, “What control?” It may seem God has lost control. Several years ago Twila Paris had a Christian music hit. I loved the music and the lyrics: God is in controlWe will choose to remember and never be shakenThere is no power above or beside Him, we knowGod is in control History marches onThere is a bottom line drawn across the agesCulture can make its planOh, but the line never changesNo matter how the deception may flyThere is one thing that has always been trueIt will be true forever He has never let you downWhy start to worry now?He is still the Lord of all we seeAnd He is still the loving FatherWatching over you and me  God is in control. He controls even the temptations we may face. And He is still the loving Father, […]

We humans are strange creatures. We hang on to things that harm us. We grasp tenaciously to bad habits and sin. Harmful relationships seem to stick to us. But probably nothing is tougher to let go of than guilt and unforgiveness. We are sickly fond of these. Like most harmful things they have their root in pride. With guilt we are so proud as to believe that our sins are too great to be forgiven. We think, but don’t articulate, that Jesus didn’t do enough to cover those awful acts that only we are wonderful enough to perpetrate. Pride’s at the root of unforgiveness, too. How dare anyone trespass on the rights of one as important as us. Saying they are sorry just doesn’t cut it. We are so proud that we don’t even forgive ourselves. We sometimes even think we hold God in unforgiveness. How could He have allowed what He has allowed in our lives? I have long struggled with the connection Jesus sets up in the Lord’s Prayer between being forgiven and forgiving others. I have finally come to this conclusion. Accepting forgiveness for our own shortcomings (call them sin even though it’s out of style) […]

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. […]