God’s mark is on everything that obeys Him.  Martin Luther

This past weekend, we had the privilege of watching our attentive six year old grandson, Luke, receive instruction from a sensitive and knowledgeable T Ball coach. Whether Luke becomes a big leaguer or not doesn’t matter because (no offense baseball lovers) there is more to life than baseball. What does matter will be the sound lessons Luke can learn along the way about living life through the game of baseball  In today’s message, may we single in on what we observed with Luke and his coach at this entry training and then go deeper with a life lesson. 

There’s always a cringe factor when you trust your children to a little league coach.  Most parents (and grand parents) watch closely and hope to come to a level of trust.  After all, every kid is headed to the big leagues, right?  Well, we were treated to Luke’s coach and he was outstanding.  Pictured here, you see him hovering by Luke as he tutored him in the fundamentals of playing first base.  Affirming and encouraging along the way, the coach carefully guided Luke as to where to stand, where to look, how to get ready, and in effect, what to do to become a good player.

As great as any baseball coach can be, there is always more to learn.  Hitting, throwing, sliding, running the bases, getting along with teammates, and using the cut off man only scratches the surface.    In that regard, let’s look at living life itself and to the Ultimate Coach–the One who is Spirit and life and the One who created us and reconciled us to live as He does. 

When we make the decision to “play” on Christ’s team or become part of His family, the Holy Spirit of God becomes our life coach.  He is ever near to be our guide, guard, and governor in living life well or as an over comer.  Our role is to listen to what He says and do it; not in perfection, but in full potential.  In sacred terms –to pray and obey!

If we take an honest moment, we can trace where the idea of effective and sound training or coaching comes from. To whom or what coach can we always turn to in life to create and maintain trust?  What coach is best able to help us see and face the truth?  What coaching system works in a way that brings results?  Who best can rally us from a negative situation to victory?  Who is best suited to help us grow and mature as life players?  What coach is so great that He transcends the game of life because He is love and life.

Family and friends, it’s never too late for us to make the big leagues - God’s way. If we accept Him as our personal sponsor (Savior and Lord) and work out His new nature as His player, then we’ll  marvel at the results of living a life that one day hears His home run call: “Well done my good and faithful servant!”

 PS 1 Tim 4:8; Prov 3:5-6; John 16:33; John 6:63; Eph 1&2

** Reference: Dr. Henry Cloud’s book, Integrity - “the courage to meet the demands of reality”

We have heard of people who trusted God too little, but have you ever heard of anyone who trusted Him too much?  J. Hudson Taylor

Even if it’s hidden or hard to detect, we all have an agenda or a life plan.  Whatever we believe and think way down in the boiler room of our heart determines what we value and ultimately the way we think, plan and act.  The question then arises… What is my agenda?  In today’s message we will use the Bible as our authoritive resource. As we do that, let’s get a sense of personal focus.  Let’s zoom in on three different scenarios using an imaginary friend, named Freddie.

1.  Freddie is in a stadium with his wife and two children.  They’re all dressed up as pirates, jumping up and down and rooting fanatically for their favorite team, the Pittsburg Pirates.

2.  This same Freddie is in a building called a casino. He’s alone, drunk, waging family money he can’t afford, using foul language and batting his eyes at some strange woman who isn’t his wife.

3.  Now our friend Freddie is with his family. They are in a building called a church.  His and their hands are raised, singing away in reverence and sincerely worshipping God.

The first situation is a great example of a normal, yet uniquely family-spirited agenda.  Freddie, as the head of his household, has a life strategy that vitally includes his family. His “wholesome activity” and safe excitement adds to a good family album type memory. His family is what’s most important to Freddie; it’s deep inside the boiler room of his heart and the authority of his thoughts, plans and actions.

In the second situation, we find Freddie hijacked from his family.  He’s in a swamp of poor judgment and discipline, high action temptation, sin, and despair.  The family of unholy evil is at play in him because the devil’s agenda is to steal, kill, and destroy him. (John 10:10).  Freddie is literally a puppet of the enemy; totally separated from his God-graced potential.

In our final scene, Freddie falls under God’s agenda.  As head of household, His united (not perfect) family is under a Holy God, which means God is over them in spirit, soul, and body.  The power of God, not self, or the devil is now the actuality. 

May these examples awaken us to the truth. People have an agenda, and so does the devil and God Almighty. One is either submitted to self glorification, to destruction, or to experiencing life Himself. God’s agenda is for welfare and peace, not calamity or distortion. What is my agenda?   

PS 1 Cor 10:31; Josh 24:15; Jer 29:11

Criticism only finds fault.  Encouraging correction generates hopeful change.

A word is a word, is a word… Or is it?  If I share the word “arithmetic,” for example, the math-bent folks are more likely to lean forward and pay attention while some of the rest of us may want to count ceiling tiles or even worse—run in a panic.  The personal perception of the word and what we do with it becomes more critical sometimes than the word itself.  In today’s message, may we lead our forward leaners, tile counters, and potential panic attackers to a common answer of encouraging correction; a place where we all can benefit.

Please bear with me through a brief, painless, and surface introduction.  One of the unique functions of arithmetic is in multiplication.  For example if we multiply 1 x 2 it equals 2.  If, however, we multiply -1 x 2 it equals -2.  So any positive number multiplied by a positive number produces a positive answer.  Any positive number multiplied by a negative number produces a negative answer.  Whew!!  In faith, I believe none of us got lost.  Now let’s graduate together to an even better result…

On a more critical and practical level, this process applied to our thinking can be devastating no matter how you regard the word “arithmetic.”  There are times when we behave in a decent pattern (say 100 times) and we make a mistake or blatantly sin one time.  The spiritual arithmetic or religious spirit in us leaps in counterfeit joy with the claim that everything about us is therefore negative (100 x-1).  As a result, we can get depressed, shrivel up in guilt and self condemnation, or go down in defeat.  But God!! A. W. Tozer said, “No matter how we may argue, true holiness and spiritual power are not qualities that can be once received and thereafter forgotten, as one might wind a clock or take a vitamin pill. Every advance in the spiritual life must be made against the determined resistance of the world, the flesh, and the devil!”  We must remember, we may be morally negative on occasion, but we are never a negative as far as our loving Creator is concerned.

Our God is a forgiving God.  By His grace and mercy, no matter what knucklehead things we may do, if we honestly repent of our negative behavior, He will put the eraser of forgiveness to our miscalculated act. (1 John 1:9).  He comes to bring abundant life, not to steal, kill or destroy us.  (John 10:10).  Our eternal Father says there is no condemnation to those who walk after Him in Spirit and not in our flesh.  In Him, we are free from sin and the ultimate negative—separation from Him or death (Rom 8:1-2).

So family and friends, whether you are an arithmetic whizz or not, welcome to its Spiritual counterpart; one with a positive answer, no matter how negative we may be or have been.  No matter how you look at it, He is not merely a word. He is the Word who goes by the awesome name of Jesus Christ!

PS John 1:1-14; Jer 29:11

When we stop for a moment and ponder how wonderfully God has made us, all sorts of thoughts generate.  In today’s message, may we capture some of the critical ones and in true faith and hope, thank the Lord for helping us to mature and/or become restored in each of them.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You that I may be Spiritually alive in You. 

Thank You for mental alertness.

Thank You for emotional balance.

Thank You for physical well being.

Thank You for our social adjustment.

Thank You for personal contentment.

Thank You for family influence.

Thank You for economic prosperity.

Thank You for skillful godly wisdom.

As God’s grace is endless, so is any list of elements each of us could produce.  Perhaps you might want to ponder a moment and add some items or confident expectations of your own.

In doing so, have a wonderful day!

PS Psalm 139:14

*** The National Day of Prayer is coming soon.  On Thursday, May 3rd, there will be events held all around our nation.  To find an event close to you, log onto:  http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

You Alone Are God!! Song Lyrics, Marvin Sapp

Remember the days in Biology class when there was an interesting character who always hung around, even on weekends and holidays?  He was the nameless class skeleton and the effective “bare bone” tool the teacher used to demonstrate how our frame fit together.  In today’s message, may we not only go behind the scenes to investigate the intricate work that had to go into constructing that dangling character, but draw an honest conclusion that has an everlasting bearing upon our personal lives.

There was an inherent trust in the ordering and positioning of the bones of our class skeleton.  We knew someone or a group of people had to know by expert and diligent anatomical study how the bones were ordered and connected to each other.  We even had a song back then to help confirm the legitimacy of our suspended friend.  It went something like:  The toe bone’s connected to the foot bone, The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone, The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone, The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone, The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone, The thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone, Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Suppose one day our skeleton friend fell and broke into tiny pieces and needed major reconstruction.  Who would be the best one to put it back together again?  If anyone other than the original qualified creator was chosen, we’d get more of an artist’s rendition rather than the creator’s total accuracy.  At best, there would be a few things askew and the skeleton wouldn’t be just right. What’s more, if we decided to use our reconstructed version as a replacement for the original, there would be many who would look upon it and trust the “new guy” as the real deal.

On a spiritual level, isn’t that what has happened?  Because of sin, the character of Adam and Eve fell from the peace and perfection of the Creator into broken pieces of challenging confusion.  Since then, the religious artist in many of us has relentlessly tried to reconstruct our brokenness without referring back to consult and reconcile with the Creator. How sadly futile that proves to be.

This message may qualify as something slightly different than usual, but here’s the bare bones idea: may the same authority of Christ-the One who removed money from the mouth of a fish, who used mud to heal blind eyes, and who spoke life to an entombed Lazarus-be honored with a deeper appreciation of how absolutely vital He really is!

Let’s make no bones about it, family and friends. There is an even more interesting character who once and for all time hung on a cross for our sins and brokenness. He is the only One who can repair, renew, restore, and reconcile us back in proper order so we can stand tall and function to glorify Him.  His name is Jesus Christ!!

PS Eph 3; Ez 37:7; Isaiah 58:11

Life is fragile; handle it with prayer.  Source Unknown

There’s a familiar saying many of you may recognize and it goes like this: “If you hang around a barbershop long enough, you’ll end up getting a haircut.”  I believe the same to be true of the Bible.  If we abide long enough in God’s Word, then we’ll end up a “cut” above the rest. Many of us recall that last week’s message centered on the amazing content of the Book of Ephesians. To show what happens when we continually seek to live God’s will, let’s keep the focus on this awesome book; only this time, let’s do it through the following prayer:
 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.  We thank you for enlightening us to recognize the opportunity of being part of Your body of believers.  By Your grace, mercy, and brilliant headship, whatever has been corrupted by our sin and disconnect does not translate into separation from You.  You have redeemed all of us by the blood or very life of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We are grateful that as a specific part of your family or body of believers we can be connected or unified to others of the faith by the only means possible—Your loving and harmonizing Holy Spirit. 

To honor and glorify you as our Father, Creator, Truth, Comforter, and Eternal Hope is our most profound privilege for consistent behavior.
 

We stand in awe of You, that in spite of Your all knowing, all powerful, and ever present character, You are willing and purpose to teach, correct, and equip us to function unto full measure as Your children.  You truly are a Love Being!
 

We appreciate that whatever relationships we have—with ourselves, spouses, family, business partners, or others—You are there to help guide, guard, and govern us toward greater integrity or restoration.
 

Lastly, Lord, we ask you to help us feel satisfied that our intimate prayer life with You translates into a perfectly natural and thoroughly practical lifestyle.  Please help us to walk fully dressed in Your light and in Your love.  Thank You for being our God and most profound gift.  It’s only in covenant with You that we can be divinely cut above the rest!  Amen.

PS: James 1:5; Col 3:17; Eph 1:21; Acts 4:12

Salvation is not turning over a new leaf but receiving a new life.  Our Daily Bread

A friend sends me periodic e-mails, and everyone of them has this weighty nugget at the end: “A good perspective, everyone should have one.”  If you are attracted to the wholesomeness of that e-mail ending, then follow me as I exercise my right to share a valid and sound viewing of the upcoming Christian celebration called Easter.

For me, the focus of Easter is not in the secular influences of eggs, bunnies or pagan rituals.  The direct site to see is the Cross and what truly transpired there over 2000 years ago.  From a man’s perspective, including mine for over 50 years, the Cross makes little or no sense whatsoever.  Where is the miracle or cause for celebration with blood, guts, thorns, people yelling, and a fanatic trying to dupe people into believing the latest religious lunacy?  With that as the legitimate alternative, give me painted eggs, bunnies, or Ostara, Goddess of Spring and the Dawn (Oestre/Eastre) any day.

A little over thirteen years ago, however, as I was standing in front of the Pacific Ocean, my perspective changed completely.  It was there that I met the One who hung on that Cross and who I am privileged to celebrate every day, this Easter included.  His name is Jesus Christ and He touched my heart in such a penetrating way that I was fully persuaded that He was real.  That experience ended any inner doubt that He so loved me that my sins and salvation were on His mind when he sacrificed Himself on that Cross.

Just as the Bible predicts, from that time to now, the shade cover of my previous view has lifted steadily.  I have come to know more intimately this God who overcame sin, the grave, and death. Jesus Christ is indeed alive and His Spirit lives in me. It’s His or God’s Holy Spirited perspective, not mine, that truly matters to me now.  I believe His Biblical Word transcends mere perspective to His dimension or nature called truth.  In fact, Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

By faith, I hold that Jesus Christ died for me personally, He physically rose from the dead (unlike anyone ever), to live again and to live specifically and spiritually in me.  What ownership of dynamic faith and hope, and what joy that brings! The lover of my soul pursued me to the ends of this country to bless me with His gracious gift of an eternal relationship; a personal encounter far more than amazing!

So family and friends, stand right where you are and delight in your opportunity to receive His godly perspective.  After all, He is risen for that very purpose! Happy Easter!

PS  Luke 24:46-47; 1 Cor 15:16-20; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 8:33-35; Acts 2:23-24; Acts 13:30-35;

The Book of Ephesians is so rich!  Every time I read any of the chapters, new insights abound.  In today’s message, we’ll take a quick look at this book from a coach’s perspective and discover a formula for a successful individual or team performance.

The first chapter declares that we are privileged to become part of the body of Christ, His church, or “team.” In a similar way, a person agrees to take advantage of resources already prepared to become a golfer, archer, or play as a participant in a team sport.

The second chapter talks about being united in the body of Christ. In a similar way, a successful individual or team performer must be united in purpose. Double mindedness or division among the ranks is a sure way of draining energy and spoiling the vital focus to prevail as a winner.

The third chapter declares that the purpose of our being part of Christ’s body and to be united in our connection is to glorify God.  The worldly parallel would be for the individual or team (heavyweight fighter, Yankees, Patriots, etc.) to be hailed as boxing’s, baseball’s, or football’s best and be glorified as #1.

The fourth chapter speaks of preparation necessary to do the work of the ministry.  This is the first mention of personal responsibility and accountability in becoming Christ-like. In a secular sense, these would be the prerequisites of what it really takes to become a functioning champion of the sporting activity in question.

The fifth chapter focuses on relationships and the guidelines for those to prosper.  Inner family truths are outlined as for marriages, parenting, and business associations.  In the athletic and world system, people skills and their varying dimensions are always part of the critical journey.

The sixth chapter talks about armoring up or putting on the uniform, as would a bowler or a basketball player appropriately dressing for their event.  In the sacred sense, we are to put on Christ to be an overcomer.  The helmet of salvation, boots of peace, a shield of faith, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit make up the uniform.  Prayer follows and is mentioned as most vital.  This is where the power comes in that by faith the plays are directed by the Coach Above who knows everything.

The significant difference between God’s formula for victory and man’s gleaning of it for secular purposes is in the critical substance and destiny.  One is for a goal, a good shot, a trophy, or bragging rights for the here and now.  The One that matters is to hear God say, “Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant”; that’s the one that plays on forever!

PS Book of Ephesians

 Champions are not those who never fail; they are those who never quit. Edwin Luis Cole

 A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to attend a men’s breakfast that is held once a month at a training facility affiliated with New Bedford’s YMCA.  Prior to attending, I decided to brush up on my understanding of the history of the YMCA.  One thing led to another until the focus of what you are about to read became clearer. 

Certainly not an historian, let me stay in my own lane by simply reproducing some information I learned about the YMCA online.

The free encyclopedia Wikipedia describes the Young Men’s Christian Association (commonly known as YMCA or simply the Y) as a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs. Their main motto is: “Empowering young people.” It was founded on June 6, 1844 in London, England by George Williams and it aims to put Christian principles into practice, achieved by developing “a healthy spirit, mind, and body.”  It is one of the many organizations that espouses “muscular” Christianity. Today, YMCAs are open to all, regardless of religion, social class, age or sex.

This organization and its female counterpart (YWCA) were established to provide low-cost housing in a safe Christian environment for rural young men and women journeying to the cities. The YMCA combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry. Philanthropists saw them as places for wholesome recreation that would preserve youth from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution and that would promote good citizenship.

The meeting I attended was inspiring and I got a chance to visit with some fine gentlemen. What has stuck with me is the association of the Y with “muscular” Christianity; not just some religious thing, but the effective and relevant purpose-driven Christian principles or solutions to the problems of a sin-driven world.
 
Scripture says for us to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph 6:10).  Therefore, to be a muscular Christian we must be intimate with God and His nature first. From there, our thought life will flow in a liquid pattern of renewal. Enlightened thought then develops the hopeful authority to direct better choices so our physical bodies will ultimately benefit and improve too.
 
So family and friends, what’s the Muscular Christian fitness plan and where does it lead?  First, we must know that overcoming power is not in religious posturing or in Hercules, but in Christ. We determine a strong desire for God’s Spiritual training assistance. We develop a confidence in our heart that it will happen. We get organized and allow others to help us. We meditate on our godly plan and act courageously, taking the fear of criticism head on.  That’s His fitness plan and in His presence is fullness of joy – and “muscles”!

PS 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Cor 6:19; Phil 4:13; Matt 24:16; 1 Thes 5:23     

Worship and worry cannot live in the same heart: they are mutually exclusive.  Ruth Bell Graham

One recent evening I got a little first hand insight as to why children sometimes visit their parents beds during the night time.  I woke up around 2 AM and my mind was so active with thoughts that getting back to sleep seemed impossible.   After a short time, I got up and went into our living room to lie down on the couch and to read my Bible.  After about a half hour, here’s what happened…

Reading psalm 91 reminded me of God’s flawless character, His care for me, and His determination to protect and love me like no other.  When the names Most High, Almighty, Lord, and God appeared my sense of well being and trust in Him elevated in a sweet and beautiful way.

Following psalm 91, psalm 139 came next.  It was like listening to a lullaby about the attributes of my heavenly parent.  Hearing that God knows all things, is ever present, our (my) Creator and perfectly holy affected my wandering mind to a comfortable standstill.

After reading the two psalms or visiting with the safety and security of Truth Himself, I got up and went back to bed; activated in trust and slept like a baby.

A child might visit his or her parent(s) during the night to feel safe and secure.  I discovered that’s what we must do in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  All I can tell you is this….I had trouble sleeping, I read two psalms, went back to bed and after a sound sleep, literally got up 15 minutes later than usual.

So family and friends, sleep tight and if you find trouble feeling insecure in any way, why not visit with Daddy and rest in His Word!!

PS Matt 11:28