Never Too Late

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:13-15 ESV). Problems and disappointments in the past can plant seeds of weariness and discouragement in our lives. But despite your background or age, you can still enjoy life and foster a better world. It’s never too late to accomplish your goals. The next time you get discouraged or feel the world is passing you by, think about these people:  At age 53, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female Prime Minister.  At 64, Francis Chichester sailed alone around the world in a 53-foot yacht.  At 65, Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister for the first time and started the epic struggle against Hitler.  At 72, Golda Meir became Prime Minister of Israel.  At 75, Ed Delano of California bicycled 3100 miles in 33 days to attend his 50th college reunion in Worcester, Massachusetts.  At 76, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli became Pope John XXIII and inaugurated major changes in his church.  At 80, Grandma Moses, who had started painting in her late 70's, had her first one-woman exhibit.  At 80, Winston Churchill returned to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament and also exhibited 62 of his paintings.  At 81, Benjamin Franklin skillfully mediated between disagreeing factions at the US Constitutional Convention.  At 96, George C. Selbach scored a 110-yard hole-in-one at Indian River, Michigan.  And on his 100th birthday, ragtime pianist Eubie Blake exclaimed, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." Each of these men and women left their unique mark on the world. They had plenty of excuses to avoid even trying to reach their goals. But they chose to ignore the excuses, and live with zest and determination. You can make the same choice, despite what has happened in the past. As these and countless other people prove, the real limits in life are those you place on yourself. Rather than looking back at past disappointments, set your sights forward, with specific goals in mind. Then, with the help of God, work at achieving those goals. As you look at the future, think about what is really important in the long run. S. Truett Cathay wrote: "If you wish to enrich days, plant flowers; If you wish to enrich years, plant trees; If you wish to enrich Eternity, plant ideals in the lives of others." What about your planting? Do you allow the past to plant weariness and discouragement in your life? Or do gaze toward the future, and plant positive seeds in your own life and in the lives of others? Why not have some good talks with God? Ask Him what is it that He wants you to leave your mark on. Listen carefully, looking around to see what opportunities God is opening up for you. Don't hold on to preconceived notions, but be open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Then begin some planting. It is never too late to start working on an eternal heritage.

No Stinger Left

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 ESV). I don’t often preach at funerals any longer. However, this year we have had three in our little church. One of those dear folks was just a few weeks shy of 100 years old! He was considered the patriarch of the family and will be greatly missed. It reminded me of another dear friend whom I led the memorial service for several years ago. Weldon Watson first welcomed our family to Weatherford with an invitation to his home for Sunday lunch. My boys were young at the time and he entertained them with his many projects. He was a meticulous craftsman. His shop was filled with interesting tools and projects in one stage of completion or the other. Looking back over my notes I remembered a wonderful story that was an encouragement to me. I pray it will encourage you as well. A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm breeze of the sunny day. All of a sudden, a big bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat. If she is stung, she could die within an hour. "Oh, Daddy," she squeals in terror. "It's a bee! It's going to sting me!" The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing around toward him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist. Holding it in his hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father's hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee. The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics, "Daddy, it's going to sting me!" The father gently says, "No honey, he's not going to sting you now. Look at my hand." The bee's stinger is there in his hand. Our reading today says, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" There is One who knows the sting of death, the sting of sin, the sting of deceit, the sting of feeling worthless. He has all of those stingers in His hands. When you see that nail-scarred hand, realize that, on your behalf, He took all the pain that the enemy could through at Him. He reduced the enemy to a big black bee that's lost its stinger--all the devil can do is buzz. That's the victory that He won for you.

Lessons from the Hen House

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:9-10 ESV). People can be so cruel to one another. The thoughtless way that we treat one another is one of the most destructive forms of behavior. Our reading this morning gives clear direction to the way we are to relate to one another. The following story illustrates this truth: Randy was spending the summer on the farm with his Grandfather. One day, he and his Grandfather went into the chicken coop, and Randy scattered a handful of grain over the floor. The chickens scrambled madly for it, but one chicken was having trouble. Every time it tried to eat, the others pecked it. Randy saw a red spot on the chicken's neck. "Look, Grandpa!" he exclaimed, "That chicken is hurt!" Just then a big rooster jabbed the sore on the neck of the chicken, making it even larger. Grandpa picked up the chicken and carried the squawking bird out of the pen. "Come on, old girl. We'll put you in a separate place until your neck heals," he said. Randy watched as Grandpa rubbed medicine into the sore. "Why do the other chickens peck this one?" he asked. "Well, Randy, I can't tell you exactly why," answered Grandpa, "but this is the way chickens act. They always pick on those who are different from the rest, and on those who are hurt." "That seems stupid," said Randy. "Right you are, Randy," said Grandpa, "but do you know that people often do the same thing?" "They do?" asked Randy, surprised, "How?" "When others have skin that is a different color, or perhaps their eyes or noses look a little different, some people make fun of them," explained Grandpa. Randy immediately thought of a boy named Darrin. Some of the other boys teased Darrin about his bright, red-orange hair. Randy was glad now that he had not joined in the teasing--but felt bad that he had not tried to stop it either. "It's too bad when people act like chickens," continued Grandpa. Randy looked up at his Grandfather with admiration. "Grandpa," he said, "what the chickens were doing to this one was cruel. I'm proud of you for helping her!" Randy learned that some people act like chickens. If a person looks differently from themselves, they pick on that person. The "picking" may take different forms, but it still hurts, and is wrong. Randy also learned that something positive can be done as his Grandfather intervened to stop the abuse from continuing. We can learn that same lesson from the hen house! Genesis 1:26-27 says God created humans in his own "image" and "likeness." So respect people no matter how they look. Refuse to show favoritism or prejudice because of someone's physical characteristics. Do what you can to promote positive attitudes between different racial groups. That's good citizenship, and good theology!

Ransomed

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV). During the Civil War, the Confederate Army had again invaded the North. The Confederate general came to Hagerstown, Maryland, and he threatened to burn the town unless they came up with a $20,000 ransom. A local businessman rallied the townspeople and he collected the ransom. Hagerstown was spared. Then the Confederate forces moved on to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and made the same demand. Those people did not come up with the ransom. Chambersburg was burned to the ground. Ransom unpaid, you pay the penalty. Ransom paid, you go free. The ransom made the difference. That's true, not only in the history of those Civil War communities, it's true in our own personal histories. You and I face a terrible penalty and the ransom makes all the difference. Not just for now, but for eternity. The penalty every one of us faces is spelled out in six stark words in the Bible: the wages of sin is death (Cf. Romans 6:23). In other words, what we get paid for running our life our way instead of God's way is "death." And the Bible makes it clear that death is a spiritual death, eternal separation from the God who made us. "Hell" is the word God uses to describe an unspeakable eternity without Him, without His love and with no relief. It's a price I deserve to pay because I have made me the center of my universe and I have pushed God to the edge. It's a price we all deserve to pay. Our fear of death is not irrational especially in light of the judgment on the other side. But then there's the ransom. Jesus tells us about it in our reading for today. He says, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." The price for you to go free has been paid by the only Son God has. When Jesus was going through that awful agony of the cross, He was literally paying for every thing you've ever done against God. For you to pay for your sins would take an eternity in hell. But the Son of God was paying your price, going through your hell for you, as He sacrificed His life on the cross. He was taking your place! Jesus has done everything that needed to be done for your sins to be forgiven, for you to be rescued from an awful eternity. Is he speaking that life into you today? Like so many before you call out to him, “Lord, save me.” He will not turn you away.

Your Reward

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12 ESV). An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for many years and was returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension, their health was broken, and they were feeling defeated, discouraged and afraid. They discovered they had been booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the president’s entourage, with passengers and crew alike trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service to God in Africa all these years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everyone makes much over him, but no one gives two hoots about us.” “Dear,” his wife said, “you shouldn’t feel that way. “I can’t help it. It just doesn’t seem right,” answered the missionary. When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the president. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The newspapers were full of stories about the president’s arrival, but no one noticed the missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city. That night the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this anymore. God is not treating us fairly.” His wife wisely replied, “Why don’t you go into the bedroom and pray about it for a little while?” A little while later he came out of the bedroom. Now, however, his face was completely changed. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?” “The Lord settled it with me,” he said. “I told Him how bitter I was that the president received this tremendous homecoming, and no one met us when we returned home. And when I was finished, it seemed as if the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But you’re not home yet.’” None of us who claim the name of Jesus are home yet either! Do not become weary in your well doing. Remain faithful. Your reward awaits you in heaven!

Annie

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:1-9 ESV). Annie was a large, rather unattractive girl. Actually, Annie was fat. A member of a youth group, Annie regularly attended most of the youth functions and Bible studies. During one of those meetings, the youth leader introduced a situational learning game called, "The Lifeboat." He instructed the dozen high school kids present to form their chairs to resemble the seating on a lifeboat. Then he said, "You twelve are the only survivors of a shipwreck. You have managed to make it to this lifeboat. Once you are aboard, however, you find to your horror that there are only provisions for eleven. Also, the boat can hold only eleven survivors. Twelve people will capsize the boat, leaving you all to drown. You must decide what to do." The group stared blankly at each other for a few moments before bursting into lively discussion. They decided that for the good of the majority of the members of the group, one person must be sacrificed. But who? As the group discussed who would be left to drown, they eliminated various individuals perceived to be of value to the survivors. The strongest and most athletic boys couldn't be sacrificed - their strength would be needed to row. Naturally, the boys wouldn't think of letting any of the pretty girls become shark food. Slowly each individual in the group, with the exception of Annie, was mentioned and then discarded as a candidate for sacrifice. Some were too smart, too talented, or too popular. Finally, Annie, who may not have been attractive but who was not dumb, blurted out, "I'll jump." "No, no!" protested the group. But when pressed, they couldn't think of one good reason why she shouldn't jump - so they remained silent. When the time to play the game ran out, the group members announced that they couldn't reach a decision on what to do. The youth worker went on to teach a lesson using the example of the lifeboat. But Annie had already learned a lesson. The next day, Annie jumped. Her youth group had affirmed her worst thought about herself. She was of no value. Her "friends" in the youth group were baffled and deeply saddened by her suicide. After all, she had so much to live for. They just couldn't think of what it was. 1 We rarely look below the surface to see the worth of a person. Instead, we too often equate a person's value with looks, popularity, possessions, or abilities. If none of those things is obvious, then we see no value at all in that individual. But every human being was created in God's image and is loved by Him. In fact, He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to sacrifice Himself for us.

Composites

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 ESV). Over the years I have been responsible for putting together financial packages for churches and businesses in preparation for loan applications. In every case it was absolutely essential to put together several years of comparative numbers dealing with indicators of the health and growth of the organization. These “composites” are page after page of numbers that become indicators of trends within the operation of the church or business. One indicator may be too high or another too low, which prompts the loan officers to investigate the reason and ask for further explanation as to how the organization has taken steps to find a solution. While representing them focus becomes the most challenging task. Remembering those days and reading our text for today began my thinking for this morning’s devotional. Focus is essential to any success. Athletes must stay focused to win a game. Students must concentrate on their studies to progress in their chosen field. Workers doing potentially dangerous tasks must not be distracted. Focus and concentration is important in Christianity. Jesus put it this way. "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire." (cf. Matthew 18:8) Psalm 119:113 adds, "I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your law." Today’s reading is even more pointed. A double-minded person has no sure foundation in life. Such a person "... is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." (verse 6) The double-minded person is "unstable in all his ways" (verse 7). The answer is so simple: Focus on the life God has secured for you in the sacrifice of Christ. As with anything we study there are two parts to a solution. First, find the problem. That takes focus. Then we must formulate a plan and take action toward the implementation of that plan. When you find yourself enmeshed in a destructive habit the first essential is accomplished. You’ve discovered it. Now it remains for you to change it, perhaps eliminating it altogether. I know this is where the excuse of “I’m not strong enough” is usually offered. There is truth in that, however no validity. God knows we aren’t strong enough. That’s why he offers us the strength. Ask for it. His promise is to give it!