Set the Snake Down.

John 11:25-26 (NIV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Here is a story that comes from India, somewhere around the 1850s.

The location was the home of the British Governor-General who had invited the important folks of the British community to join him in celebrating the Queen's birthday.

While the adults were preoccupied with talk of matters political, the children were free to wander the grounds and play. Every once in a while one of the little ones would interrupt the adults with a question, an argument which needed to be settled, or a scraped knee which had to be comforted. That's why nobody paid much attention when a three-year-old wandered in with a prize in his hand.

Nobody paid much attention until someone noticed the child was holding a small, poisonous snake: a Russell's viper. The child's father, with as calm a voice as he could muster, said, "John, put that down right this minute."

Now John might have thought his father was just trying to spoil his fun. He could have run away clutching his treasure. He could have debated or negotiated his father's request. If he had pursued any of those alternatives, in all probability, he would have died.

Instead, John did as his loving father had asked. He set the snake down, and he lived.

It hardly needs to be said that the little boy is an excellent example for all of humanity. Like him, we also ought to listen to our loving Father as He speaks to us in Holy Writ, as He lays out the path for our salvation.

When our Father commands, "Leave this sin alone," we ought to take note. When He says, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him," we ought to pay attention (see Matthew 17:5). When Jesus says, "Believe on Me and you will never die," we ought to be thankful and put all our hope of salvation in His nail-pierced hands.

Dear Lord, thank you for loving us enough to send Your Son to be our salvation. We pray for those who are close to us and who refuse to listen. May they learn to trust You and Your good intentions before it is too late. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lessons from Lineolated Parakeets

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Lineolated Parakeets. Like me you might not have heard of them before. That's because these birds aren't common today. These birds, which are called Linnies for short, are a little larger than a Budgie, and they have little black lines running all around their bodies. They come in many colors, including blue, green, and cream.

They like to spend lots of time together, and when separated, one starts to tweet for the other one to come back. If, after all the squawking they make, they do not re-find each other, they eventually become quite. It's like us with God. Sometimes worldly things separate us from God. He always calls us back, (Rev 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.") but sometimes we're too busy to answer, and we drift farther and farther from him. Eventually we're too far to hear him.

When the Linnies do see one other again, they always fly towards each other! They are a good example of how we should act and go answer God.

Another thing that we can learn from them is that, unlike their relatives, the Budgie, and other smaller birds in the parrot family, these birds act a lot like parrots. For example, they hold their food in their feet, instead of picking it up with their beaks, which is a good thing, because when birds use their beaks, the food usually drops or it gets abandoned. They also do many other parrot-like things, like being acrobats. We are a lot like those birds. Sometimes we act like Budgies and Cockatiels in thinking that we're too small to do things God asks us to do. But sometimes we act like the Linnies and do what God asks us to do immediately, in spite of our size. (Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.)

We can learn a lot from these birds if we want to.

Dear Lord, today we pray that we would do as You would have us to do.  Help us not do it in our own time but in the time that You would have for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I Murdered My Grandmother

Mark 4:9 (NIV)

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said.

One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who came down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir."

It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Not quite knowing what to say, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."

Have many times have you ever heard someone say, "Nobody ever listens to me!"? And how many people go through life frustrated because there truly is nobody who will take the time to really listen to what they have to say? Everybody wants to talk, but so few want to listen! Benjamin Franklin once said, "A pair of good ears will drink dry a hundred tongues."

Today make it your goal to stop and listen, really listen. Let’s not just go through the motions.

Dear Lord, Help us to slow down and really listen today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hearing the Lord

Isaiah 42:20 (NIV)

You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;

    your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

During the winter of 1943, two-year-old Steven Henning of Huntley, Illinois caught spiral meningitis. Because of World War II, there was a shortage of needed penicillin to treat Steven. Sadly, he lost his hearing.

For the next 57 years, Steve lived in his silent world. He married, he and his wife Pat adopted five children, but he was isolated and frustrated from the world of the hearing.

Then on January 30, 2001, Steve underwent an experimental procedure called a cocklear implant. Following the procedure, Steve had to wait 6 weeks for the swelling from the operation to subside.

Finally in mid-March Steve’s family gathered around him in his hospital bed and the audiologist told Pat to say whatever she wanted him to hear first. Pat leaned over and gently said in Steve’s ear “I love you.”

The Henning family went silent, waiting for Steve’s response. Finally he said: “I can hear that!” “I think I’m going to have to get used to that sound” said Steve.

Steve’s operation opened up a whole new world for him as he learned how to hear for the first time.

For too long, many people have lived in their silent world, not hearing the voice of their Heavenly Father. Let’s help the world around us hear the voice of our Lord.

Dear Lord, today we pray for those who do not personally know as their Savior. We ask that they may recognize Your voice today.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do You Hear What is Really Important?

Matthew 13:15-16 (NIV)

15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;

    they hardly hear with their ears,

    and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

    hear with their ears,

    understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket." 

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super- human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for." "But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is no God, and that He never speaks to us anymore. But perhaps they can't see or hear Him because they aren't listening for Him. They are living for themselves, not for God.

If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work in your life and in the world. And you'll be able to hear Him when He Speaks.

Dear Lord, Help our ears be open to You today.  Help us get our priorities in the right place. Help us to listen. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Are You a Super Bowl Christian?

Philippians 3:10, 12 (NIV)

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday I thought it would be fun to look at the church using some football-speak theology.

1.  Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.

2. Bench warmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit.

3. Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.

4.  Personal Foul:  Standing inside the church door complaining to the pastor about the sermon.

5.  Extra point - What you receive when you tell the preacher the sermon was too short.

6.  Fumble - A lousy sermon.

7.  Halftime - The period between Sunday school and worship.

8.  Illegal motion - Leaving before the benediction

9.  Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week’s illustrations

10.  End Run - Getting out of church quickly, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.

11.  Staying in the Pocket - What happens to tithes and offerings aren’t given to the Lord’s work.  

12. Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime."

Sometimes in our Christian Life we get knocked down but as Paul shares in today’s verse we must press on.

During a Monday night football game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, one of the announcers observed that Walter Payton, the Bears’ running back, had accumulated over nine miles in career rushing yardage. The other announcer remarked, “Yeah, and that’s with someone knocking him down every 4.6 yards!” Walter Payton is one of the most successful running back ever even though he got knocked down many times. The secret was that he kept getting back up. Even the best – gets knocked down. The key to success is to get up and run again just as hard.

Paul acknowledged that he was not yet there. But he was moving in that direction. Each day he drew closer because He had the desire, and was disciplined, He was determined, dedicated, committed and focused, He was willing to deny himself,

And he was developing godly character distinction.

With the drawing of his last breath he crossed the goal line of glory. The time clock sounded and he had won the game. Paul was a Super Bowl Christian. Waiting for him on the other side was a prize…A prize greater than any super bowl ring.  For Paul there would be crowns that will last for eternity.  And it can be that way for us!

Today Super Bowl  XLVIII will be over.  In the end one team will emerge victorious.  A trophy will be rewarded, Rings will be presented, Cash will be given, Glory will be bestowed, and Advertising contracts will be awarded. One team will have bragging rights for a year.

Yet today a greater game of importance is being played, and you are a key player on the field. You have the opportunity to play for eternal rewards. You can win a prize that will never dim. The outcome is up to you.

Will you choose to be a bush league Christian, or will you choose to become a Super Bowl Christian.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the abilities that You have given to each of us. Help us today to use them in a manner that is pleasing to You.  Help us be Super Bowl Christians. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Do You Stop to Listen?

James 1:19 (NIV)

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become anger.

The other day I read about a college professor who was leaving the office for several days. The man normally received a great deal of e-mail, and so he arranged for his e-mail program to automatically send a simple reply to anyone who sent him a message. Then he left.

The professor's plan was great, except for one small thing he forgot: the dozen or so automated mailing lists he was on. This meant that whenever an automated e-mail was sent to his account, the account sent back the professor's “out of town” message. Unfortunately, the automated system was not set up to handle this reply, which caused it to send the professor another message telling him so...which caused his account to respond with another message, and so on and so on....

E-mail traffic began to climb, until eventually the school’s e-mail system was handling more than 800 messages every five minutes, and crashed. System managers had to break into the professor’s account to fix the problem. The machines were so busy talking to one another they don’t even have time to listen anymore!

We have more ways to communicate today than ever before. We can communicate with the other side of the world as quickly as we can walk across the street. We can send a message to millions of people with the touch of a single button. We have pagers, cell-phones, modems, and e-mail, all designed to help us communicate.

But sometimes I wonder if, in spite of all our communication tools, we have lost the skill of communicating. Loneliness doesn’t seem to have abated. Despair seems to be at its usual levels. I heard recently about a woman who ran an ad in the newspaper offering to sit and listen to phone callers’ talk for 30 minutes for $5.00. Are we that desperate for someone to listen? Amazingly, the answer seems to be “yes.”

How are your listening skills? Are you too busy to listen, or do you make time for this most simple of loving gestures. Take a few minutes to listen to someone today. You will do somebody a world of good.

Dear Lord, Help us to take the time to listen today. WE know that there are many out there that need someone to be there for them. Help us be that person today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.