Sufficient in His Hands

Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.

— Matthew 14:19

 

A little boy was asked what his favorite Bible story was. He said, "I like the one where everyone loafs and fishes." That is not exactly what happened with the Feeding of the Five Thousand, but it is a great story.

Jesus was at the peak of His ministry during this time, and His popularity was spreading. Multitudes of people were anxiously following Him. A large crowd had gathered to hear Him, and they were hungry.

The Other Side of Compassion

"But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."

— John 6:27

 

The day after the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, Jesus taught the crowd about the most important things of life. He said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. 

 

Using God

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

— Colossians 3:23–24

 

Sometimes people will attempt to use God for personal gain. They will invoke the name of Jesus Christ when they need something from people who believe in Him. Politicians are very fond of this.

Long Lines

I don't know about you, but I am not a fan of long lines.

When I am at the supermarket, I will even go to the 12-items-or-less line, so I don't have to wait. The problem is that I usually need to get more than 12 items, but I do it anyway, just so I don't have to wait in another line!

Of course, I will still count the number of items the person in front of me is buying!

Our Generous God

The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

— Proverbs 11:25

 

The amazing thing in the story about the Feeding of the Five Thousand is how the miracle was done. God could have done it any way He wanted. It could have rained bread from heaven. But He did it through natural means. The supernatural worked through the natural.

It Matters to God

You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?

— Psalm 56:8

 

Jesus taught us to pray as follows: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread . . ." (Matthew 6:9–11). In this template for all prayer, Jesus is effectively saying, "When you pray, always acknowledge the greatness of God. Pray for the will of God, and pray for the provision of God."

A Seared Conscience

Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

— Luke 23:11

 

Talk about opportunity. Herod had the greatest Old Testament prophet ever, John the Baptist, locked up. He could call on him 24/7, but he had John executed—even beheaded. Worse yet, he later had standing before him God incarnate, the Creator of the universe in human form: Jesus Christ himself. But Herod just wanted Jesus to do a trick. Herod could have poured out his heart, confessed his sins, found pardon, and resensitized his seared conscience. But he did not. And Jesus did no miracles for him.

A Permanent Reminder

"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself."

— Luke 24:39

 

What did the resurrected body of Jesus look like? The Bible tells us that after Jesus' cruel torture, crucifixion, and three days in the tomb, He was recognizable, and that His followers knew who He was.

We know that He had a body of flesh and bone. Jesus told the disciples, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have" (Luke 24:39).

Go Tell Peter

But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.

— Mark 16:7

 

Perhaps the most notable of Jesus' resurrection appearances is when He met Simon Peter. We all know how Peter denied and deserted the Lord. Peter was devastated by his own unfaithfulness; and he really needed encouragement.

The last sight Peter had of his Lord was as Jesus was taken away for trial. Poor Peter, his world came crashing in on him. He had so many regrets. He was never even able to tell the Lord he was sorry.

How's your Appetite?

It has been said that more have been killed by food than by poison. The second best can often be the worst enemy of the best.

That is what Jesus was talking about in the Parable of the Sower when He said, "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14 NKJV).

The Power of Christ's Words

Christ' passionate love for the world is evident in His statements from the Cross:

Statement One

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

Do you realize that you are in need of the Father's forgiveness?

Statement Two

"Today you will with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43

Have you realized and confessed Jesus as your personal Savior?

Surrender at Gethsemane

Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

— Mark 14:34

 

Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life?

If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through as He agonized at Gethsemane.

Hebrews tells us, "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (4:15–16 NLT).

The Lord's Supper

So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup.

— 1 Corinthians 11:27–28

 

Matthew 26 contains one of the most well-known events in human history and certainly the most famous meal ever eaten, the Last Supper.

As the disciples sat together, Jesus said, " 'Take it and eat it, for this is my body' " (verse 26). He then gave thanks and offered them the cup and said, " 'Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many' " (verses 27–28).

Jesus, as He often did, was speaking symbolically. To say He was speaking literally here does not fit with the word pictures He often used. After all, Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. And didn't He say that He was the Door?

Easter Brings Hope

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

— John 11:25

 

Easter is not about brightly colored eggs, wearing pastels, or enjoying a big meal, although it could include these. Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For some, Easter will be a great day, spent surrounded by family and friends. But for others, it will be a sad day, because Easter is a reminder of a loved one who has died and is now desperately missed.

Death seems so cruel, so harsh, and so final. That is what the disciples were feeling when they saw their Lord, whom they had left everything to follow, hanging on the cross. They were devastated. Death had crushed them. But if they would have gone back in their memories, they would have recalled an important event and statement Jesus had made.

What Breaks God's Heart

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

— Luke 19:41–42

 

As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowds were celebrating. They were laughing. They were cheering. They were having a great time. And what was Jesus doing? He saw the city, and He wept over it. Here was the crowd, whipped into a frenzy, and Jesus was weeping. The crowd was rejoicing, and Christ was sobbing.

Why did Jesus weep when He saw Jerusalem? Being God and having omniscience, Jesus knew these fickle people who were crying out, "Hosanna!" would soon be shouting, "Crucify Him!" He knew that one of His handpicked disciples, Judas, would betray Him. He knew that another disciple, Peter, would deny Him. He knew that Caiaphas, the high priest, would conspire with Pilate, the Roman governor, to bring about His death. And, He knew the future of Jerusalem. Looking ahead 40 years, He saw the destruction that would come upon the city at the hands of the Emperor Titus and his Roman legions.

A New Relationship

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "

— John 20:17

 

On the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus didn't allow Mary to touch Him. He was essentially saying, "It's not going to be the way it used to be. You can't hold on to Me in the old way. It's a new covenant."

Then He made a radical statement: "Go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God' " (John 20:17). For Jesus to call God His Father was one thing. But He said, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father. . . . " In other words, "He is your Father now too."

Wholehearted Devotion

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. . . .

— Mark 16:9

 

Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. It is interesting to think about, because among the Jews of the day, the testimony of a woman was not held in high regard. In fact, some of the rabbis falsely taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection.

It is also worth noting that women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. Mary had courage that many of the men did not have when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary "observed where He was laid" (Mark 15:47). She watched as they took His crucified body from the cross and wrapped it and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And Mary, along with the other women, was at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to demonstrate her love for Jesus by anointing his body with spices (see Mark 16:1–2).

The God Who Suffers

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows.

— Isaiah 53:3–4

 

When we think of God, we usually consider that fact that He is righteous, holy, loving, and good. But here is something else to consider about God: He is the God who has suffered. We don't tend to think that a perfect Creator would experience such a human trait as human pain and suffering. After all, why would you suffer if you did not have to?

But God has suffered, and more deeply than any of us could ever imagine. In his book The Cross of Christ, John Stott said, "Our God is a suffering God." And I think he is right.

A Heartfelt Act

Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.

— Matthew 26:13

 

As you read the New Testament, you can't help but notice how little it says about the major events of world history. You might think Scripture would mention Rome and all its mighty conquests. But it doesn't.

Instead, God brings out nuances that are entirely different.

Here in Matthew 26, for example, we find a unique story that God wants us never to forget (see verse 13). It was the incredible sacrifice that a woman made for Jesus. What was it that she did that so impressed the Lord? Was it a miracle or some great teaching? No. It was a heartfelt act.

Hope Beyond This Life

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

— 1 Corinthians 15:13–14

 

Not only does the Bible tell us we will live beyond the grave, but it also tells us there is hope beyond this life. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves there is life beyond the grave for the believer. The Bible says, "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

No doubt this is why the devil has tried to discredit the Resurrection over the years. This is why, ever since the first century, he has been spreading his rumors about what happened to the body of Christ. And one of the oldest rumors of all was that His body was stolen by the disciples.

A Foundational Truth

If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release.

— Job 14:14

 

In one of the oldest books of the Bible, the Book of Job, the question is asked, "If mortals die, can they live again?" That is something everyone should ask in life: "What's going to happen to me when I die? What is there beyond this place called Earth?"

Before I became a Christian, I thought about this quite often. I was only a teenager, and it was sort of a heavy subject to be contemplating. But I did find myself thinking about death on semi-regular basis. It isn't that I was obsessed with death or that I wanted to die. My belief at the time was that once people stopped living, they simply ceased to exist. I was not certain there was a place called heaven. I was definitely hoping there wasn't a place called hell. My conclusion was that when you're gone, you're gone. It's all over with.

A Working Conscience

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

— 1 Timothy 4:1–2

 

Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the famed Sherlock Holmes novels, was a bit of a practical joker. One day, on a lark, he jotted out a note and sent it to 12 of his closest friends. The note read, "Flee at once! All is discovered!" Within 24 hours, all 12 of his friends had left the country.

The conscience is a bit like an alarm; it warns us of impending danger. Sometimes we are tempted to ignore or even disable alarms because we don't want to listen to them. The smoke alarm in my house only goes off at 3:00 A.M., warning that the battery is dead. It is very tempting to disconnect it so that I won't have to listen to it.

But if our conscience is working, if it is reminding us that something we have said or done is wrong, then that is a good thing. We want a conscience that is tender, a conscience that works properly. We don't want to try to disable it, and we certainly don't want to dull it, because the Bible warns that we can sear our conscience as with a hot iron (see 1 Timothy 4:1–2). This means having a conscience that is calloused and hard.

Deal with It

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

— Matthew 5:30

 

The film, 127 Hours, tells the true story of Aron Ralston, who was climbing in Utah when a boulder shifted, pinning his arm against a canyon wall. He tried everything to remove the boulder. A couple of days passed. He was cold. He was out of water. No one was coming to his aid. He knew the only way he would make it out of there was to free himself. So he decided to cut off his arm. He used a pocketknife, and it took a long time. Amazingly, after doing such a thing, he rappelled 65 feet to the canyon floor and walked out. That is a crazy story. But better to be alive and have one arm than to have two arms and be dead.

Is there an area in your life that you need to cut off—that you need to deal with? Maybe right now as you are reading these words, you are thinking about it. God sees it, just as though it were written over your head. You have rationalized it and have somehow managed to find a way to live with it. But right now it has come to the forefront of your mind. That could be the compromise in your life. That could be the thing that will bring you down.

The Problem with Compromise

Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

— Matthew 13:33

 

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like leaven, a comparison that may not mean a lot to us today. But it would have been immediately understood by the people of His day. Leaven is like yeast, and it always has negative connotations in Scripture.

Before the Passover, Moses instructed the Israelites, "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses . . . " (Exodus 12:15). Picking up on this theme, Paul wrote to believers in Corinth who were actually boasting about welcoming a compromising believer: "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:6–7). Jesus also said, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees" (Matthew16:6).

What Is a Disciple?

In the Great Commission, Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. But what does it mean to make disciples? And more to the point, what exactly is a disciple?

As I have stated before, every disciple is a Christian, but not every Christian is necessarily a disciple. So, before I can make disciples, I have to be sure that I myself am one, because it takes one to make one.

In Luke 14, Jesus laid out His requirements for discipleship. Let's look at one of them here: The disciple must love Jesus more than anyone or anything else.

The Weapon of Compromise

Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."

— Matthew 13:31–32

 

When Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed," people of His day would have understood that Jesus was comparing it to the smallest of things. A mustard seed was regarded as one of the smallest of the seeds.

But here is the thing we need to know: Mustard seeds don't grow into trees; they grow into bushes or shrubs. So it was unnatural growth. Jesus was saying the kingdom of God is like something small that grew really big. It would be like a Chihuahua that grew to the size of an elephant. The idea was that it is something that is not normal.

The Church Marches On

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

— Matthew 16:18

 

Our numbers have never been greater in the church today. So-called megachurches dot our landscape across the United States and around the world. What an amazing thing when you stop and consider the fact that our faith had such humble beginnings.

When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem due to the decree of Caesar Augustus that everyone should be taxed, who would have thought that little baby would grow into a man who would change the world—and world history—from that point forward? During His ministry, I don't think the Romans paid a lot of attention to Jesus Christ or to His claims. They tolerated Judaism and would allow it to exist as long as the Jews conformed to Roman law.

The Moment of Truth

But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.

— Numbers 32:23

 

In 1990, the band Milli Vanilli was awarded a Grammy for Best New Artist. They were quite successful in their day, selling millions of albums. But then it was revealed that they did not do the vocals on their own recordings. Some studio singers had done that. Their Grammy was returned. There came a moment when Milli Vanilli had to face the music.

And there will come a day when everyone will have to face the music as well. There are some who are putting on a good show right now as Christians. They have just about everyone convinced. They have their parents convinced. They have their husband or their wife convinced. They have all of their friends thinking they are very committed believers. But they are living a double life and are fooling them all.

Time Will Tell

Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away."

— Matthew 13:24–25

 

Even back in the apostle Paul's day, there were counterfeit Christians. He wrote to the church at Corinth, "I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not" (2 Corinthians 11:26). There are a lot of people today who are putting on a great performance, but it is not genuine. It is not real. They are posers.

In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares found in Matthew 13, Jesus talked about people like these—genuine imitations. Jesus was not referring to struggling believers, but to phonies. He was talking about actors. And in this parable, He exposed one of the ways in which the devil works. Specifically it is one of the ways the devil will be working in the end times: through imitation.

Judgment, Not Condemnation

 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

— 1 Peter 4:17

 

Sometimes I think Christians believe they are never to make any evaluations of others, that they are to just be loving toward everyone. While it is true that we should be loving, that also means speaking the truth. In fact, the Bible tells us to speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). So if I am having lunch with a friend who has spinach in his teeth, then as a friend, I will tell him that. A friend tells a friend the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or awkward.

A Counterfeit Gospel

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.

— Galatians 1:6

 

I watched a very famous preacher being interviewed awhile ago on television. When the topic of sin came up, the preacher said, "I never talk about sin. I never use the word 'sin,' because people already know they are sinners. I am not here to beat people down. I just want to lift them up." However, I don't think that most people know they are sinners. And our job is not just to lift people up; it is to point them to Christ. So we have to use the word "sin."

A Positive Influence

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

— Matthew 5:16

 

When I was in elementary school, we had a little game that we would play in which we would touch someone and say, "You have cooties." Of course, we had to have a way to defend ourselves, so when someone would touch us and claim they just gave us cooties, we would say, "Not me, I don't have cooties." Then we would hold out our hands, revealing the handwritten initials, C. P., which stood for "cootie protection."

I think Christians are sometimes that way around unbelievers. They appear as though they are avoiding all contact with them. I can understand not wanting to be influenced in a bad way. But how about influencing others in a good way?

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

— Revelation 12:12

 

Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, opens with the words, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . . . " That is how our world will be prior to the return of Jesus Christ: both the best and the worst will be happening at the same time. In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, Jesus paints a picture of the last days in which both God and the devil will be at work.

Genuine Imitations

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy . . . having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

— 2 Timothy 3:1–2, 5

 

An oxymoron basically is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms, like "jumbo shrimp," "virtual reality," "friendly fire," and "found missing." Then there is one of my favorites: "fresh frozen." You might go into a restaurant and ask, "Is this fish fresh?"

"It is fresh frozen," the server will say.

The Secret of Spiritual Growth

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

— John 15:4

 

Imagine if I planted a tree in my front yard, but after awhile, I decided it would look better in my backyard. Then after a few months, I realized it would be better in the front yard. So I dig it up and plant it again in the front yard. Not only will that tree fail to flourish, but it also will struggle to just survive.

Oxymoron

We have all heard of various oxymoronic terms that are commonly used. For instance:

• Freezer burn
• Jumbo shrimp
• "Found missing"
• Deafening silence
• Genuine imitation

These are all self-contradicting terms. I have a new one to add to the list.

Unforgiving Christian

If you are a true Christian, then you must forgive others. Forgiven people must be forgiving people. That's because, as fatally flawed people, we are going to sin. We are going to hurt one another, whether it be intentional or unintentional.

Destined for Greatness

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

— 2 Corinthians 1:4

 

It has been said that it takes a steady hand to hold a full cup. God was planning to give a full cup to the apostle Paul. So He took Paul away and put him into obscurity in the desert of Arabia for a time. We are not told what happened there, but we can only presume that he drew close to the Lord in fellowship and communion. It was there that Paul refined his theology, evidenced in the New Testament epistles that God inspired him to write. 

 

Simple Obedience

"Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel."

— Acts 9:15

 

Prior to his conversion, Saul was a leading Pharisee and possibly even a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He presided over the death of the first martyr of the Christian church, Stephen. After his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road resulted in his conversion, the Christians of Saul's day were at first suspicious of his conversion, and understandably so.

So when God directed a believer in Damascus named Ananias to seek out Saul and pray for him, Ananias was reluctant, of course. But Ananias did what God told him to do. He found Saul in the place where God said he would be. He prayed that the Lord would restore Saul's sight (he had been blinded by the light as Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus Road), which the Lord did.

Shaped by Suffering

"Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

— 1 Corinthians 12:10

 

On a recent visit to North Carolina, I drove through a town named Mocksville. I should have been born there. Prior to becoming a Christian, I always loved to mock other people. So when I became a follower of Jesus, I was shocked to discover that I was the one being mocked. People were laughing at me because of my faith in Christ.

This is what happened to Paul, but in a far more intense way. Right after his conversion, he started preaching the gospel in Damascus. But he was so powerful and persuasive that the religious leaders wanted him dead.

It's Faith—Not Feelings

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

— Romans 1:16–17

 

Why is it that someone could be radically converted (or seemingly so) and passionate about their new faith and then, without warning, just give up? They seemed to have had the most amazing conversion ever, but all of a sudden, they just bailed and walked away. How could that happen?

I would suggest that person never was converted to begin with. It is not about the emotion of a moment; it is about the test of time. If a person is a real Christian, he or she will continue on—though not flawlessly and not perfectly. It is even possible for a person who is a Christian to go astray for a time.

The Enemy to Growth

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

— Philippians 3:13–14

 

Are you satisfied with your spiritual life right now? I am not satisfied with mine. I feel there is a lot of growing I still need to do. I feel there are a lot of things I still need to learn and a lot of changes that still need to happen in my life. And guess what? The same is true for you.

The enemy to growth is contentment. There is a place for being content as a Christian, but never be content with where you are spiritually. You should always be wanting more—wanting to learn more and wanting to grow more.

Climbing or Slipping?

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God

— Colossians 1:9–10

 

A father was talking with his daughter and her five-year-old-friend, Kristin, about birthdays. As it turned out, Kristin's birthday was just three days after his birthday. So he said to the little girl, "You know what, Kristin? Our birthdays are only three days apart!"

She looked at him for a moment and said, "Yeah, but you grew much faster than I did."

What Matters in the End

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

— 2 Timothy 4:7

 

When Paul wrote the words of his final epistle from the Mamertine Prison in Rome, he knew that his time on earth was coming to an end. He had faithfully proclaimed the Good News, and though he had been warned that he would be arrested if he kept preaching the gospel, he persisted. So he found himself chained up in that miserable, primitive, little place, all alone.

Live Wisely

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom"

— Psalm 90:12

 

Let's say that tomorrow morning you got a call from the president of your bank, and he told you that an anonymous donor who loved you very much would be depositing 86,400 pennies into your bank account every day. The only condition is that you will have to spend all of the money. You can't carry it over from one day to the next, and what isn't spent will be taken away. When you take out your calculator, you realize that it amounts to a lot of money each year.

Keep Your Heart in Heaven

It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

— 1 Corinthians 15:52

 

My wife Cathe and I had the privilege of attending a dinner where Billy Graham was interviewed by his longtime ministry associate, Cliff Barrows. When asked if there was anything left to do that he had not yet done, Billy Graham replied without hesitation, "I want to see Ruth." Of course, he was speaking of his wife Ruth, whom he loved deeply and misses greatly. It broke his heart when God took her to heaven.

When you have a loved one who has gone before you into eternity, it causes you to have a longing for heaven that you did not have before, because now it is personal. There is someone there whom you want to see again. With a son in heaven, Cathe and I have been profoundly affected, and it causes our hearts to be more in heaven.

When Bad Things Lead to Good

Chuck Swindoll tells a story about a man who was shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Seeing that rescue might be a long time in coming, he painstakingly built a little hut to provide himself protection from the elements, and a place to store the few items he had managed to salvage from the wreck.

For weeks, this man lived in this little hut, with only the hot sun and the cold nights to keep him company. Each and every day, he would prayerfully scan the horizon, hoping for the approach of a ship.

Finishing Well

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

— 1 Corinthians 9:26

 

The apostle Paul drew three comparisons to illustrate what it is like to live as a believer. He likened himself to a fighter, a runner, and a soldier.

First, he said he was like a fighter: "I have fought the good fight . . . " (2 Timothy 4:7). The idea Paul was conveying was a potential fight to the death. This reminds us that the Christian life is a conflict. Once you enter into this new relationship with God, you discover that your adversary, the devil, will try to undermine you. It is a spiritual battle, and thus we need to use spiritual weapons.

Second Chances

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born a of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."

— Galatians 4:4–5

 

Some people are keenly interested in researching their family tree. Many times they are hoping they are related to someone important, perhaps a historical figure or a member of a royal family. But sometimes they find out things they wish they had not known. They discover some pretty notorious characters in their family tree.

You may be surprised to know that the family tree of Jesus Christ was one of the most messed-up family trees of all time. Recorded for us in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, it included prostitutes, cheats, adulterers, liars, and even a murderer. Yet we have to remember that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and that includes genealogies. And in the genealogy of Jesus, the grace of God is on display.

Fully God and Fully Man

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

— Hebrews 4:14–15

 

Before there was a world, before there were planets, before there was light, before there was matter, there was Jesus. Coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus was with God—and He was God. John 1:1–2 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

We cannot pinpoint the moment in time when there was the beginning, because John was going back in time to eternity past. He was going back further than our minds can imagine.

From Resisting to Resting

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

— Genesis 32:28

 

Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was a conniver. He just couldn't wait on God's timing. On the day that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were born, Esau came first, with Jacob holding on to his brother's foot. That is how Jacob earned his name, which means "heel-catcher."

When they were older, Jacob not only convinced Esau to sell him his birthright for some stew, but he also tricked their father into giving him the blessing that was intended for Esau. Esau wanted to kill him, so Jacob went into exile and ended up working for a guy he really deserved: Laban, who was as much of a conniver as Jacob was.

From Resisting to Resting

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

— Genesis 32:28

Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was a conniver. He just couldn't wait on God's timing. On the day that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were born, Esau came first, with Jacob holding on to his brother's foot. That is how Jacob earned his name, which means "heel-catcher."

Nowhere Else to Go

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

— Psalm 61:2

 

A grieving father recently asked me, "What words helped you?"

I told him, "Well, I don't know what words helped me. I just know who helped me. And I know where I needed to turn. I need to turn to Jesus."

When we are burdened, when we are overwhelmed, we need to come to Jesus. There really is nowhere else to go. Jesus did not say that when you are burdened or overwhelmed, you should go to counseling. Nor did He say you should just go read a book, or even go to church or go hear a sermon—although these things are good. Ultimately, the answer is to go to Jesus.

Every Day in Every Way

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

— Matthew 11:29

 

My wife is a very good driver. She is very careful. But I don't like to be driven around by my wife, because I am a consummate backseat driver. I am constantly giving her instructions: "Turn right . . . get in the right lane. Get in it now! Now! Okay . . . hurry! Go around that person. . . ." I think she has found it easier to just let me drive.

Many times, we can be that way with God. He says, "Give me the steering wheel," but we are saying, "Lord, speed up. Speed up! Speed up!! No, Lord, get out of this lane. I don't like this. Change this. . . . " But He wants to be in control.

Trying to Keep Up

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

— Matthew 11:28–30

 

Some years ago, a Tacoma, Washington newspaper ran a story about Tattoo, an eight-month-old basset hound who went for an unplanned run one day. When his owner accidentally shut the dog's leash in the car door and took off for a drive, Tattoo had no choice but to try and keep up. Fortunately, a motorcycle officer saw the passing vehicle with something being dragged behind it. But before Tattoo's owner finally stopped and the dog was rescued, the vehicle had reached speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Although Tattoo was dragged some of the way, he was not injured. Imagine poor Tattoo with his little basset hound legs, trying to keep up.

Who Wore It Best?

Who Wore It Best?

Perhaps you have seen those side-by-side photos in magazines like People or US Magazine that ask, "Who wore it best?" You see pictures of two celebrities wearing the same outfit, and the readers are encouraged to vote on "who wore it best?" It's usually a no-brainer, since one is usually quite a bit more attractive then the other.

Allow me to take that same question and apply to a different area of our lives: our acceptance of sin.

God's Sign to a Lost World

God's Sign to a Lost World

One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."

— Matthew 12:38

Sometimes we think that if we could do a miracle for our unbelieving friends, they would come to faith in Christ. We might be thinking, If I could just pray and this person was healed, they would believe right there. I know they would. If I could just do something dazzling. . . . But you know what? That wouldn't convince them.

Even though Jesus raised people from the dead, and even after He was bodily raised from the dead and people saw Him with their own eyes, they still rejected Him.

The Esau Syndrome

The Esau Syndrome

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

— Luke 6:45

 

It has been said that in an average day, from morning to night, we speak enough words to fill a book of about 50 or 60 pages. In an average year, our words could fill 100 books consisting of 200 pages.

But I don't think it is necessarily a good thing to say so much, because the Bible says we will be held accountable for everything we say. Jesus said, "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak" (Matthew 12:36).

God Is Not Mocked

God Is Not Mocked

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap"

— Galatians 6:7

 

The Bible tells us that one of the signs of the last days is that people will go out of their way to blaspheme God. That will be a distinguishing characteristic of the Antichrist, whom the Scripture says will blaspheme God. Even as God's judgment is falling on nonbelievers during the Tribulation, Revelation 16:9 says, "And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory."

Blasphemy represents the conscious denouncing and rejection of God. It is a defiant irreverence, the sin of intentionally and openly speaking evil against God. To commit this sin does not merely represent unbelief, but determined unbelief.

Loving the Dark And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. — John 3:19

Loving the Dark

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

— John 3:19

 

The Pharisees did not doubt Jesus because they merely disagreed with Him. They doubted Jesus because they were hardened against him.

Doubt is a matter of the mind. Even Christians have moments of doubt. We don't always understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. Unbelief, in contrast, is a matter of the will. It is a choice we make.

The Pharisees were full of unbelief. They did not reject Jesus for lack of evidence or because He was not consistent with what He said. The fact is that Jesus was the perfect example. Even Pontius Pilate, who had examined countless people, said, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4), and "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person" (Matthew 27:24). Judas Iscariot, who spent three, concentrated years with Jesus and even betrayed Him said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). So Jesus clearly was a model of everything that He said.

A Dangerous Place

A Dangerous Place

But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."

— Matthew 12:24

 

The Pharisees were men who had dedicated their lives to the study of Scripture. They took a solemn vow before three witnesses to spend every moment of their lives obeying the Ten Commandments. That is not to say they succeeded, because clearly they did not. But that is at least what they tried to do. And with a few exceptions, such as Nicodemus, these Pharisees—these religious experts—had hard hearts.

What is ironic is they spent their time studying the Scriptures. These men, immersed in such a spiritual endeavor, had hearts that were so hard, they attributed to the devil that which was being done by God.

God's Eraser

God's Eraser

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."

— Psalm 86:5

 

From Genesis to Revelation, it is clear that we have a forgiving God. He described himself to Moses in this way: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . " (Exodus 34:6–7).

David wrote, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).

Micah, reflecting on this great truth, said, "He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths

Stand Your Ground

Stand Your Ground

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?"

— Luke 7:24

 

A traveler who was visiting a logging area in the northwestern United States watched with great interest as a lumberjack walking alongside a mountain stream periodically jagged his sharp hook into a log and separated it from the others. The traveler asked the logger what he was doing.

"Well, these logs may all look alike to you," the logger said, "but I recognize that some of them are quite different. The ones that I let pass are from trees that grow in a valley, where they are always protected from the storms. The grain on those logs is rather course. But the logs I pull aside come from high up in the mountains, where they are beaten by strong winds from the time they are quite small. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine grain. We save these for choice work. They are too good to be used for ordinary lumber."

Remember

Remember

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

— Luke 24:27

 

When you are going through hardship, you don't need pious platitudes or silly sayings. You need the Word of God. That alone resonates. That alone gives hope. That alone resounds in your soul. And, quite frankly, not only do those other things fail to help, but they sometimes hurt. When we try to think of something clever or insightful to say that isn't based on what Scripture says, it can be very unhelpful, to say the least.

Even if you have been a Christian for awhile and have studied the Word of God—or even preached the Word of God—it doesn't mean that you cannot forget it on occasion. That is why Peter, in one of his epistles, wrote that he wanted to stir up the people's memory by reminding them of certain things (see 2 Peter 3:1).

Remember

Remember

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

— Luke 24:27

 

When you are going through hardship, you don't need pious platitudes or silly sayings. You need the Word of God. That alone resonates. That alone gives hope. That alone resounds in your soul. And, quite frankly, not only do those other things fail to help, but they sometimes hurt. When we try to think of something clever or insightful to say that isn't based on what Scripture says, it can be very unhelpful, to say the least.

Even if you have been a Christian for awhile and have studied the Word of God—or even preached the Word of God—it doesn't mean that you cannot forget it on occasion. That is why Peter, in one of his epistles, wrote that he wanted to stir up the people's memory by reminding them of certain things (see 2 Peter 3:1).

Struggling with Doubt

Struggling with Doubt

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

— Matthew 11:2

 

It may surprise you to know that some of the greatest men and women of God whom we read about in the pages of Scripture have had their moments of doubt. Even the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, struggled with doubt.

In John's case, we might say that his doubt was due to confusion. He had a certain concept of what the Christ was supposed to do that Jesus simply was not doing. It is not that Jesus was failing to do what He was supposed to do; it was that John misunderstood what God was going to do.

An Element of Faith

An Element of Faith

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

— 2 Corinthians 1:8

 

A French proverb says, "He that knows nothing doubts nothing." Sometimes doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith. It means we are thinking something through. We are grappling with it. We are trying to process and understand it. And sometimes we have to go through the foyer of doubt to enter into the sanctuary of certainty.

Doubting is not necessarily sinful. Doubt is a matter of the mind, while unbelief is a matter of the will. Doubt says, "I don't get it. Help me understand this. Work with me through this." But unbelief says, "I get it. I don't like it. And I refuse to accept it."

The Joy of Evangelism

The Joy of Evangelism

It is my firm belief that God can use you to bring others into His kingdom. Why would God tell us to engage in this thing we call evangelism if it were not so?

Know this: the calling of God is the enabling of God.

I believe that God wants to use all of us to bring people to Himself. The book of Proverbs says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). Scripture also tells us, "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever" (Daniel 12:3 NLT).

Meager Offerings

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

— John 6:11

 

It was a meager offering when the young boy brought his lunch of five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Even Andrew said, "But what are they among so many?" (John 6:9). But Jesus took it, blessed it, and multiplied it—and thousands were impacted.

God can take your meager offering and do a lot with a little. A. W. Tozer said, "The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice, a voice from God—not an echo of what others are doing and saying, but an authentic voice." What the world needs to see today is an authentic Christian, not a perfect voice, not a flawless person (because there is no such individual), but authenticity. That is what people need to see.

Sons of Thunder

These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"). . . .

— Mark 3:16–17

 

You don't get a nickname like Sons of Thunder for no reason. But that is how Jesus' disciples, James and John, were known. They were rough-hewn guys—amazing, colorful characters. They would not back away from a confrontation. In fact, they might even have looked forward to one. They could be very aggressive. And they also could be very insensitive.

Practical Philip

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

— John 1:43

 

The interesting thing about Philip, one of the Twelve, is that he was personally reached by Jesus himself. While Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, and Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, no one brought Philip to Jesus. Instead, Jesus came right to him. John's Gospel tells us, "The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow Me' " (John 1:43). Normally God reaches people through people, but this was an exception to the rule.

Skeptical Thomas

And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

— John 20:28

 

When we think of Jesus' disciple, Thomas, one word comes to mind: doubt. But it would be more accurate to call Thomas a skeptic, not a doubter. And skepticism is not always a bad thing.

It has been said that skepticism is the first step toward truth. Skepticism is not always a sign that a person is wrong; it may be a sign that he or she is thinking. And frankly, I think some Christians could use a little more skepticism, because sometimes we are too quick to believe anyone or anything that comes along.

The Traitor's Traitor

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.

— Matthew 26:14–15

The most mysterious, and perhaps the most misunderstood, of the twelve disciples is Judas Iscariot. His very name is synonymous with evil and treachery. Judas is the traitor's traitor, ending his life in suicide after he sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. But there is more to Judas than that.

I think if we could travel back in time to the first century and actually see Jesus and His disciples, we wouldn't be able point out Judas. I don't think he would be the sinister man we would suspect—at least outwardly. In fact, Judas might even appear to be relatively compassionate.

For example, when Jesus and the disciples were at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary in Bethany, Mary brought out some expensive perfume and began to wipe Jesus' feet with it. Jesus was deeply touched by this sacrificial act, but it was Judas who pointed out that this costly perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Those listening may have thought, That is a good point. You know, Judas is a good steward. He is frugal. He is thoughtful. Let's give Judas a round of applause.

Faithful Andrew

He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

— John 1:41

Andrew could be the patron saint, if you will, of relatively unknown but faithful followers of Jesus. Andrew was the first of the disciples to be called. In fact, he was called even before his brother Peter. It was Andrew who brought Peter to Jesus. Andrew obviously knew Peter. He knew that Peter was a force of nature, the kind of a guy who, when he walked into a room, would light it up. He would dominate the conversation. He was a natural leader, the guy that others looked to.

A Fresh Start

"You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance."
—Psalm 65:11

As we come to the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old one, we often wish we could turn over a new leaf or have a fresh start. No doubt about it, there have been certain things we have said or done in this past year that we have come to regret.

Within Limits

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

— 2 Corinthians 12:8–9

 

When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, a sign is effectively hung around your neck that says, "Under new management." You now belong to Jesus Christ, and He does not operate on a timeshare program. Isn't that nice to know? He doesn't say, "Okay, now I have Greg for six months, and the devil can have him for the next six months." That is not what happens. When we put our faith in Christ, He comes in and is the sole resident in our hearts and lives.

Bad for Business?

The whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

— Matthew 8:34

 

You would think that after the miracle of casting out demons from two men who had violently oppressed them, the people in the area would have said, "Jesus, You are the man! We love what you did! Now we can go back to the cemetery and pay our respects to our loved ones and put flowers on their graves. We wouldn't even go near there before. These guys were scary. Thank you, Lord, for coming to our community." But that is not what happened. Instead, they wanted Him to go away. Why? It was because Jesus was bad for business.