April 19 thru 25, 2009

Sunday, John 20:19; One of the greatest inhibitors known to the human race is fear. I’m not talking about the kind of fear that helps protect us from danger, rather about the condition that causes people to hesitate, procrastinate or stop short of some worthy goal. Such fear has a way of magnifying difficulties, building non-existent barriers and creating anxiety and tension. When this happens it is as if our spiritual insight and capacity to think creatively have been locked in a windowless room and we loose sight of the possibilities of an endeavor and we become paralyzed by all the bad that could happen as a result of trying. If you’ve prayed about what you were contemplating (or doing) and it is right, good and beneficial, then be aware that within that room there is another presence besides fear—it is the presence of the spirit of Jesus offering you the same confidence building assurance offered to the disciples. It is up to each of us to choose which presence we tune in to and acknowledge. The doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Monday, John 20:31; Several years ago I met a remarkably successful man. As I got to know him, he told me that as a young lad he had discovered the power of belief. Throughout his life he had put into the practice the concept that if he could really believe in what he was attempting to do, he could do it—and his track record in business proved this philosophy worked for him. In spite of his successes, he confessed that for many years he felt empty inside and he found it becoming more difficult as time went by to get excited by what life had to offer him. Then he said he returned to the little town where he had grown up for a week-end visit and he attended the rural church he had known as a boy. Not much had changed, the old upright piano was still there and the small crowd still sang the same familiar hymns of his boyhood. The church had what was known as a quarter-time pastor (he was pastor of four churches, rotating between them on certain Sundays). The day of his visit there was no preaching, an elderly man simply read from the twentieth chapter of John and made a few comments. My friend said that he didn’t remember what the old gentleman had to say because the words of the 31st verse burned into his mind “believing you may have life in his name”. Suddenly, he said he had found the missing link to happiness! He began applying the principle and power of belief that he had used so successfully in his secular pursuits to his spiritual life and he said his life was transformed. “John 20:31 found me and I found real life, exciting and new when I began to really believe in Jesus and he came alive in me!” That through believing you may have life in his name.

Tuesday, John 21:2; Who is the greatest Christian example you’ve ever known? I’m sure that for some of you it might be a famous preacher or missionary. Over the years, I’ve put that question to countless people and the vast majority of them name someone that very few people have ever heard of. One lady told me it was Miss Hattie, who taught the Card Class (you younger folks don’t know what that is? That’s what the little people’s Sunday School class was called before all the fancy technology was invented). Miss Hattie was always there rain or shine, patient with the children, finding simple ways to instill an awareness of God and the love of Jesus in her students. She was also known for being the first one to respond when there was a need in the community. The lady who told me about Miss Hattie grew up, graduated with honors from a prestigious university and became an executive in a major corporation. She confided that Miss Hattie taught her by example to trust God, lean on his promises and be faithful in whatever you were doing. In our scripture passage today we find three Disciples mentioned, Peter, Nathanael and Thomas. Peter and to a lesser degree, Thomas have popped in and out of the gospel narrative, but this is Nathanel’s first appearance since the first chapter. He is an example of someone who was continually faithful, working behind the scenes doing what he could…but making a contribution, albeit not a flashy one. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas…Nathanael…and two other disciples

Wednesday, John 21:12; Have you ever had an overwhelming feeling to telephone someone or to drop by to check on them and when you followed through on it you discovered that they were in need of encouragement or help in working through a problem? Old Pastor Amos, an elderly minister I got to know over three decades ago during my first pastorate in the segregated South called such feelings “holy hunches”. He told me, “Young fella, anytime you gets the idea and a burnin’ in your gut that you oughta check it out, then you better be listenin’ ‘cause its probably the Lord tellin’ you somebody needs you.” Over the years, I’ve had many holy hunches and most of them have led to my being instrumental in strengthening someone’s faith, leading them to a deep spiritual realization of Jesus Christ in their lives or helping share their burden. My wife and daughter launched an ambitious ministry aimed at strengthening families through family worship (www.familyworshipnow.com). One of the things they stress is learning to listen for the voice of God (as he speaks through his word and in our minds). Having been misunderstood a few times by participants in her programs (folks who only hear God telling them to inform other people how they should live, change, etc) she now clarifies what she means by explaining “If it is speaking to you about you, then listen closely; if it is talking about what someone else ought to do, then be sure your tuned in on the right frequency!” The disciples in today’s passage knew that the voice from the shore was speaking to them, about them, and their holy hunch was that it was the Lord’s voice. Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord

Thursday, John 21:15; My father used to tell the story of a deacon who was a member of a church he served as pastor. He was always telling dad that they needed to pray for this member or that member of the church “because they ain’t pullin’ their weight around here.” The interesting thing about this scenario was that this particular individual was known for always being too busy, too sick or too old when it came time to do anything around the church. Jesus had just had his famous “feed my sheep” conversation with Peter, and Peter’s response had been to try to deflect the conversation to John by asking, “What about this guy? What’s he supposed to do?” Something I discovered forty years ago is that anytime I asked the Good Lord a question like that, his usual response has always been “What business is that of yours? Follow me and do what you’ve been called to do.” When Peter saw him (John), he said…”Lord, what about him?” Jesus said…”What is that to you? (You) Follow me.”

Friday, John 24:21; Growing up as I did in a conservative denomination committed to evangelism I learned early the importance of witnessing. As a teenager I was taught “Romans Road”, as a young pastor I started using the “Evangelism Explosion” and other sure-fire “soul winning” techniques. The problem was, that’s what they were—techniques. But the pieces never really fell together until I studied evangelism under Richard Stoll Armstrong, then Professor of Evangelism at Princeton. It was a simple approach based on the fact that most people want to tell you about their struggles, difficulties, etc. After listening for a few minutes, the Christian witness simply ask “As I was listening to you, I was wondering, what role has your religious faith played in helping you…” (or some similar questions). After getting an answer (which gives the witness a clue as to where this person has been or is spiritually), the witness responds with words along the lines of “I’ve faced similar problems myself, would you mind if I shared how I was able to deal with them, with you?” Suddenly, I was able to turn any conversation into a “faith sharing” conversation—and the other person listened and usually responded! In thinking back on this approach it reminded me of my father, whom I have seen lead many people to a meaningful relationship with Jesus. He usually told stories about his own or someone else’s struggles and how a simple, childlike faith in God through Jesus lead to a deeper understanding of the problem, insights and new life. Like professor Armstrong, dad simply told people what he knew to be true about the power of Jesus Christ. That’s what John says he is doing, simply testifying to what he knows firsthand. How has Jesus changed your life? How has your religious faith given you strength, courage and comfort? Why not simply try telling your story to a struggling individual this week? This is the disciple who is testifying to these things...

Saturday, John 21:25; While attending a conference in upstate New York I heard someone say “When prayer ceases, coincidences stop happening.” Even though it’s been almost a quarter of a century I’ve never forgotten those words. The speaker’s point was that many times we write off as coincidence (or good luck) God’s answers to our prayers because the answer wasn’t as miraculous as parting the Red Sea. I was reminded of this just the other day. Like most people, as I back out of my garage each morning I ask God to watch over me and keep me safe through the day (gets to be a habit like saying grace before eating). Well, I was late leaving my office to drive to an appointment (due to a couple of unexpected situations that I had to resolve) and I was annoyed by the delay. As I zoomed out of the parking lot and headed toward an expressway, I flipped on the radio and heard an announcement that this particular expressway was backed up several miles due to an accident that had happened about 15 minutes earlier. As I took an alternate route to my destination, the words “When prayer ceases, coincidences stop happening” came to mind and I realized that had I left my office on time I would have been in the middle of the wreck or the traffic jam. While John wasn’t talking specifically about answered prayers he was cautioning against limiting the life and deeds of Jesus to just the things that he (or others) had written down. In other words, we shouldn’t put Jesus in a box and say “that’s all there is and there’s no more.” The same holds true in our prayer life and spiritual life because God often has ways of answering prayers and guiding our steps that are outside the box of our understanding. But there are also many other things that Jesus did (that aren’t written down)

Easter Week!

EASTER SUNDAY, John 20:11-18; The writer of Hebrews boldly proclaims, …that through (his) death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14,15). Paul puts it this way For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. (I Corinthians 15:21,22). The Easter story contains within it a profound communication to people everywhere that Almighty God has triumphed over all the forces of evil! No longer must we be feel helpless, enslaved or defeated. No longer must we feel isolated or alone. The message of Easter is about God, through the life of Jesus touching many lives. And he is still touching lives today! The message of Easter is demonstrated by the millions of ordinary people who have been empowered and whose faith guided them do extraordinary things for God and humankind. The message of Easter is that we can have life, real life—always exciting and new if we allow the one who has triumphed over death, hell and the grave to be both our master and example. The message of Easter is that everything is in place for God’s dream for every person to be realized, if they will but accept the message, grasp His dream for their lives and embrace the challenge of newness of life!

Monday, Luke 21:2,3; The Easter event provides the power we need to begin living life to its fullest, most meaningful. And when we look at the countless lives that message has impacted it also gives us a glimpse of the awesome ability of Almighty God to take that which many people would consider less than adequate and do wondrous things through them. D.L. Moody was a shoe salesman who went on to preach before royalty! G. Campbell Morgan, the great expositor was rejected for the Methodist ministry because they felt he lacked the gifts and temperament necessary for ministry. A political climber who was rejected by the church because of his history of persecuting it, who went on to evangelize most of the known world—his name was Saul of Tarsus! We could go on with our list of men and women that God has used and is using, some of them well known, others known only in their community. Some would be ministers, others business executives, small business owners, farmers, mechanics, office workers, teachers and sales people. Whether we are talking about well known men and women who’ve been used by God or an unknown minimum wage worker who teaches a Sunday School class, the common denominator in these difference makers is that they have embraced the Easter message and given themselves totally to accepting the challenge God has placed in their heart. And Jesus saw a poor widow put in two cooper pennies, and said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all of them…’

Tuesday, Matthew 25:23; I once delivered a message entitled, Putting The Steam Back In Your Dream. The message enunciated many of the principles I’ve laid out so far this week. The next day I received a telephone call from a man who had been in attendance at the service inquiring how he could find God’s dream for his life. He told me that he was retired and didn’t make much money, he couldn’t sing and he was afraid to even lead in silent prayer! After we talked for a while I discovered that he had a love of poetry and that he didn’t have a problem reading poetry in front of groups. In fact, he was an excellent oral reader. I coaxed him into expanding his reading before groups to include the scripture lesson. Every Sunday morning, until he left the church a few years later, he blessed the hearts of the congregation with a well prepared reading of the day’s lesson, as well as an appropriate poem! The way to be a “good servant” is to discover what you are good at doing, dedicate it to God and find ways to serve using that gift. The path to becoming known as a faithful servant is to continually seek to develop that gift and consistently do what you do best in the place you find yourself. Well done, good and faithful servant…

Wednesday, Mark 9:35; Do you know what causes the most problems in the church? It is the same thing that causes problems in the home and the work place—people who seek to feel important! Every human being has within them the desire to feel appreciated, respected and that their contribution to the group effort is valued by others. Unfortunately, when they don’t sense that this is happening they often do things to make themselves important. They might use gossip and innuendo to create conflicts, work to undermine those in leadership or try to organize a rebellion against them. One of the stories my father used to tell dealt with such a person. He had been the bane of three previous pastors and after dad become pastor of the church continued to live up to his reputation (those of you who are pastors can empathize with my dad). The man was a deacon and felt that he should also lead the singing (even though he couldn’t carry a tune), superintend and teach Sunday School, as well as serve as treasurer. My father was one of the most patient, low key men I’ve ever known (a gene I failed to get from him). He gradually helped this man accept his limitations and discover and apply his real talents. When the man died many years later, he was sincerely eulogized by the current pastor as one of the greatest deacons he had ever had. Why? Because years before he had learned from my dad that the secret to being important was to know your limitations and serve from your strengths. If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all

Thursday, Mark 10:1; In order to realize the dream God has for us we must discover what we do best and be willing to use it for God’s purposes. Using it for God’s purposes makes us a servant. But to be a good and faithful servant means we are willing to use it everyday of the week and not just on Sunday. In other words, we make it a habit to look for opportunities to serve others everywhere we are. Now this doesn’t mean that we attempt to draw attention to ourselves, far from it. Instead we model our service after Jesus in our lesson for today. Notice that the crowds came to him. He didn’t get a bullhorn or start working miracles to draw people, they came to him. Then it says that he taught them as was his custom. Another word for custom is habit. Jesus was in the habit of taking advantage of every opportunity that presented itself to use his ability to teach people—not judgmentally preach at them, but to enlighten them and stimulate their thinking in order to turn their minds to spiritual things. Sometimes he seized the opportunity with just one person, at other times, such as this occasion it was with a group. The stories of those we consider great servants of God overflow with them being in the habit of serving at every opportunity. As was his custom, he taught them.

Friday, John 10:42; There is a common misconception among many people today about the primary purpose for being a good and faithful servant. The idea is that by doing so, one somehow insulates themselves from difficulties, struggle and problems. The fact is that nobody is immune to the situations that create these circumstances. But it is also a fact that those who possess a firm faith in God and continue to be faithful servants tend to overcome such conditions because they are convinced that God will give them the courage, strength and guidance to emerge from them bigger, stronger and wiser individuals. The primary purpose for being a good and faithful servant of God’s Easter dream is that other people will recognize that the claims about Jesus are valid. John the Baptist had been a good and faithful servant (even though he lived in poverty and had more troubles than most of us will ever have). Today’s lesson poses the question, do the things we do as servants help people realize that everything they’ve heard about Jesus is true? And many people believed in him…

Saturday, Ephesians 3:20; Have you grasp God’s Easter dream for you? Has something stirred your mind toward ways you can use your abilities to become a good and faithful servant of that dream? If so, I’m sure that you have also had thoughts telling you that it is impossible! That you would look foolish if you tried and people might make fun of you. That you might fail! These thoughts aren’t any different from the thoughts others have had who have dared to take a risk by accepting the challenge to optimize their abilities toward something beyond their comfort level. As human beings we tend to think small. It has been my privilege to become acquainted with many prominent ministers over the years. Some of them are world famous, others are well known within their particular faith tradition. In every case none of them started out to be “great”. Instead they simply began allowing God to use what abilities they had where they were. The idea that they would become who they became was beyond their wildest dream. The same holds true of laypeople who are good and faithful servants. There is no way we can begin to imagine where being a good and faithful servant will lead us. We must simply accept God’s dream for our lives, discover and develop our abilities, find ways to use them and then leave the results up to God. Those results will surpass what you think is possible. Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (possible)…