Fright Night!

 

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:15-18 ESV).

 

You may have heard me say that I enjoy some of the “supernatural” movies and series. They typically involve vampires, werewolves, witches, and other fictional characters. I am not a fan of the horror genre. Just doesn’t appeal to me. I have through the years made my way to various haunted houses. In fact, there was a time years ago when I was a fledgling Student Minister at Tyler Junior College that I used our two story building as the base for such a “house.” With lots of help from the student council and other volunteers we turned the interior into quite a display of “horror.” It drew countless college students to make their way through the spooky graveyard and frightening passageways. While they were there we also distributed gospel messages and shared the message of hope and freedom in Christ.

 

While most people associate Halloween with fear—fear of death, fear of dying, fear of evil. But when we come to know the true power and trustworthiness of God, many of the fears we have in life melt away. Fear, however, is a natural and good feeling. Without fear we would make many stupid mistakes, hurting ourselves and others in the process. Without fear, we would not have enough wisdom to flee when true dangers present themselves.

 

One of the ways people deal with their fears is by making fun of the fear itself. That, in fact, is part of the origin of Halloween, which means "all hallows eve." People were naturally afraid of death and dying, and so they decided to face their greatest fear by poking fun at death. In our reading today, we are told that perfected love drives out fear. That is to say, when we become certain of God's love, we don't have to be afraid anymore. It's as if God is the parent who comes in at night and tucks us in, turns on the night light, and tells us that there are no monsters. In God's great love, all fear melts away.

 

We can remove our fears by serving others. When we abandon our lives in service, we often discover that our fears lessen as our friendship and love deepens. As you and I think about our fears now, I hope that we will see that just as God has protected and redeemed those who have come before us, God will protect and redeem us, too. Even from death itself! Happy Halloween! We can celebrate even tonight through Christ!

 

Glow!

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV).

 

It’s nearly Halloween. Two things happen at this time of the year. Fall begins to announce its arrival with cooler weather and the changing of the colors on the foliage of the forest. And, pumpkins begin to arrive in most of the grocery stores and other outlets for fresh vegetables and fruits. We are not typically drawn to use them in our decorations, though it is certainly a striking part of many other family homes décor. We also begin to see Christmas decorations on display as well, though that’s a topic for another time. Halloween costumes and disguises are selling out in stores as trick-or-treaters are ready to take over the streets.

 

A popular symbol of both harvest time and Halloween is the pumpkin. I was thinking recently that being a Christian is a lot like being a pumpkin. Perhaps you are visualizing this orange, round vegetable and wondering how you could ever be compared to one of these squashes! Simply put, like a child chooses a pumpkin to carve and mold an image upon, so God carves and molds His own unique design in us. The Scriptures tell us that the Lord chooses us. He lifts us up and washes the dirt from our skin. Then he opens us, connecting deep inside to scoop out all the slimy, yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, spite, lies, and fear. Then He carves a new creation, and makes our faces shine by putting His light inside for all to see.

 

Sometimes I feel like I don't want my light to shine because I am ashamed of a thought or action or pattern in my life. I try to hide the light Christ has put in me, and blend in with the crowd. What I forget is that when God carved me, created me, and gave me His Son, I no longer had to count on my own strength. I can count on the Lord's. It is He who washes me clean; it is He who gives me a spirit of strength and perseverance; it is He who makes me pure; it is He who frees me from sin; and it is He who gives me hope. When I realize that my part of the equation is to rely on His strength and power, then I can do as Scriptures say, and GLOW through the Holy Spirit. What starts as an everyday squash turns into a lantern of light. What starts as an everyday person turns into a beacon of hope for all to see. Through our union with Christ, we are given the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit who enters and dwells in our lives. So make sure you keep your lantern lit for all to see.

 

 

Halloween Costumes

 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV).

 

We no longer get very many “trick or treaters.” Since we live at the back of the property the children usually stop at the main house and never venture to ours. I do remember living in Weatherford, Texas some years ago and we would give away pounds of candy to costumed children. Sometimes they would arrive by the van-full. It was always a delight to see how they were dressed. There were ghosts and goblins, witches and vampires, super heroes, and princesses galore. It was delightful time seeing the smiles when I dropped candy into their bags and baskets.

 

There are other times when we dress in a “costume.” Sometimes what you wear ­allows other people to see what you value and what your character is like. If you go to a sports game, you will be surrounded by a sea of team jerseys. When pictures of Prince Harry and Meghan of England first appeared in public, the apparel she wore was sold out in minutes. I suppose the buyers wanted to have that “look.”

 

Our reading today talks about a different kind of clothing to wear all year round. We are encouraged to dress in a way that shows what we value and who we are. We are reminded to put off things that are sinful, demeaning, and hurtful, such as malice, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Then we are urged to put on a new set of clothes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We also add love, “which binds them all together in perfect unity.” In other words, that makes our outfits perfectly coordinated! All of these articles were “worn” perfectly by Jesus Christ; as his followers, we model our lives after him.

 

Watch what you wear… make sure it fits who you are in Christ!

 

Our Inheritance

 

Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. (Psalm 37:34-39 ESV).

 

The Bible has a lot to say about inheritance, and it all points to God’s promises of inheriting full life in his kingdom forever. God shows his goodness by giving an inheritance to his children. “Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land,” says the psalmist. “The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” In ancient Israel the focus was on the land God had given the twelve tribes of Israel, but today we know that this refers to the whole earth in the new heaven and new earth. In fact, Jesus quoted from this psalm when he said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (cf. Matthew 5:5).

 

All of us understand the power of an “inheritance.” Some might be tempted to think my reference is to a material or financial inheritance. Of course these are of great benefit should you be fortunate enough to be the recipient of such a windfall. However, the greatest inheritance any parent may pass on to their children is their name. And, this is what God’s reference is.

 

God’s goodness inspires parents to leave an inheritance for the generations that follow. Money saved up for one’s children and grandchildren, so that they may have a head start in life, is a good thing. But people who honor the Lord also show care and compassion for the poor, and they work against injustice and discrimination. In all that he did, Jesus modeled these important teachings. We can do these good things because of who we are. We are the child of God and thus we have been given care and compassion, mercy and grace.

 

Do good, care for people in need. Don’t neglect your family for anyone or anything. Love the Lord, love your neighbor in Jesus’ name, share the good news of God’s love, and know that, by grace, you have the blessings of eternal life in his kingdom.

 

You Are Mine!

 

“And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment. Your breasts were formed, and your hair had grown; yet you were naked and bare. When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine. Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.” (Ezekiel 16:6-9 ESV).

 

In order to fully understand our reading today we ought to also consider the Apostle Paul when he wrote: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV). This is both positional and relational language. The Bible uses “adoption” to describe who we are in Christ. It is a powerful image.

 

Perhaps you have read about or seen heart-wrenching pictures of orphanages in some countries where babies lie unattended in their cribs, crying piteously in unchanged diapers. No one plays with them, hugs them, kisses them, or coos at them. The workers are overburdened and overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. Our reading today includes a striking allegory about Jerusalem in its miserable plight. Israel was lying unloved and unattended, at the mercy of all who surrounded them. Truthfully that is the condition of all people before God adopts them through the grace secured by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

 

The Apostle John says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 1:5). Or, as Paul put it, “In love he predestined us for adoption.” If God had left us in our sinful state, we would have died. And today, because God has put his Spirit in us, we can live forever. Because of his love for us, we can turn away from sin. Believing in Christ, we are washed, and we live in his love. We are cherished. God becomes our loving Father. He loves and disciplines us as his children, and we live in his family forever. That is the amazing love of God!