Do They See Christ in You?

Matthew 7:16 (NIV)

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Do you ever find yourself wondering of you are making a difference in this world? Do you find yourself often discouraged and at times shocked about your lack of zeal? Has this question ever haunted the recesses of your mind: "Do people see Christ in me?"

But what if fruit is not forthcoming?

As long as we remain in only an intellectual understanding of Christ, we will never be satisfied. Words are nice, but they are worthless when compared to genuine love. The ones who shine for Christ are not those who talk about God (Pharisees talked about God a lot and see what they did to His Son!), but are those who follow the footsteps of Jesus and love like He does. After all, Christianity can all be summed up in the word "love". If love is non-existent in us, we don't know Jesus personally! (See 1 John 5:2)

Only if we decide to start loving others unselfishly will we begin to have a purpose in life, and this is a consequence of knowing Jesus intimately. People will notice that we have encountered the One named love (Jesus). "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV2)

During World War II the Nazis turned Russian prisoners into slave workers. Their living conditions were atrocious and they barely received any food. None of them could last very long. If they made it through an entire year, they were the lucky ones. Hopeless and discouraged, these slaves often tried to escape. And why not? They were going to die anyway!

The Nazis threatened severe punishments to anyone who offered aid to these slaves. What would we do if we lived in Jersey, for example, and we encountered such a fugitive?

Would we denounce him?

No, we are not that kind of people!

Maybe we would give him some well-meant advice?

But that wouldn't really be of any help to him, would it!

Would we consider sheltering him?

Louisa Gould did. She sheltered Feodor Burriy, known also as "Bill", for a period of two years! Imagine the drain on her food resources! Already she was living with very little. Still, she couldn't help but reach out to this hopeless man.

In May 1944 she and her family were denounced. Her brother survived the cruelties of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, but Louisa perished in the gas chambers of Ravensbruck in February 1945.

And what of Bill? Thanks to this caring family, he was able to escape.

Would they have done differently if they had known they would end up in a concentration camp? Not if they were motivated by genuine love, for genuine love does not make exceptions! Genuine love would have still helped that poor slave worker with no hesitation whatsoever.

Louise and her family were not the only ones who helped fugitive slaves. On March 1966, the USSR presented gold watches to twenty of the Jersey islanders for their compassion towards these Russian slave workers.

If we had lived in Jersey during World War II, would we have been amongst the recipients of those gold watches?

The problem is, love can never be genuine if it doesn't come directly from God: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1-2, NIV2) We have to be willing to be open vessels for the glory of God. We must depend solely on the One who is our gardener. After all, He is the only One who can help us become "even more fruitful".

Through Him, once we know Him intimately, we won't be able to resist the inner urge to "Do everything in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV2)

Only then will we do as follows: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV2)

Are we willing to reach out to the hopeless ones that are all around us?

Dear Lord, help our hearts be open to showing the love and compassion that You have shown to us. Helps us be Your hands and feet today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For What or For Whom are YOU Living?

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A man had the good fortune and insight to take a chance with a credit card company in the Baltimore area several decades ago. He retired as a wealthy, high-ranking executive. In the course of his career, he put together a streak so impressive (35 years in which he never missed a day of work) that Cal Ripken wrote him a letter commending him for it. When he retired, the company gave him a classic car as well as many other lavish gifts. He had many benefits and perks, the admiration of peers and competitors, resort town houses, and considerable wealth. Yet, one day very soon after he retired, a doctor visit changed his life dramatically. He was found to have an aggressive form of cancer. Two or three months later, he was dead....

This is not a commentary on the morality or priorities of this man. His story just points out that his well-laid plans and successful career building could not forestall or avoid the inevitable end result common to every man.

It also should provoke a question. For what are we living? Is our identity tied up in our career? Do we want to be known as the life of the party? Is it all about travel and adventure? Does life revolve around going to the river, the campground, the fishing hole, the beach, or the mountains? Is it sports, shopping, spending, or spirituality? Of necessity, all of us have a central focus. It is the thing that forms the bull's eye at which we repeatedly find ourselves aiming.

The Scriptures reveal that Jesus should have the preeminence in our lives (see Colossians 1:18). Jesus is to be FIRST PLACE in our list of priorities. When it comes to our jobs, Jesus must take FIRST PLACE. When it comes to our recreation, same thing. When it comes to relationships, He deserves primary position. Whatever we say or do, Jesus must be at the forefront.

Only God knows the heart, but is it ever the case that we often choose money, sports, pleasure, recreation, hobbies, career, children, parents, spouse, or some other thing over Christ? The teaching of Jesus indicates that we often struggle in these areas. He warns that we may invest in the wrong kind of treasure rather than the true riches (Matthew 6:19-21). He implies that money can trump the Messiah as master of man (Matthew 6:24). He admonishes disciples to seek the kingdom first over "things" (Matthew 6:33). He warns against choosing family members over Himself (Matthew 10:37).

When life draws to a close, one will be confronted by the reality of what he or she made first place. Certainly, when one crosses the sea from time to eternity, there will be no denying, rationalizing, debating, or arguing about what one has chosen as his/her "bull's eye." But, in our heart of hearts, don't we really know what's most important to us... right now? It's what occupies the greatest amount of our interest, time, energy, emotion, and effort. It is what we live for.

When we die, will what we live for help us live eternally or will it cause us to experience eternal death (cf. Revelation 21:8)? Let's heed Paul's urging to "set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2) by trusting God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of our sin (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10), submitting to baptism (immersion) in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and living for Him for the rest of our lives (Revelation 2:10).

For what or for whom are YOU living?

Dear Lord, we pray that our focus in life would be on You and the things that You would have for us to do. Thank You that You love us and care for us help us show that by the way we live. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You Making the Most Out of Every Opportunity?

Colossians 4:5 (NIV)

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

As we celebrated my youngest son’s and my birthday today with our family around us it was fun to think about all that has happen In the past 19 years. So many great times. So many questions asked.

I thought about life and started thinking about, why things are like they are? I started thinking about the many questions that have surfaced in life. I realized that many of them were hard to answer, and perhaps others could not be answered at all. Sometimes we have no answers for the questions.

Mommy, Daddy........Why?

Mommy, why are the roses red?

Mommy, why is the grass green and the sky blue?

Why does a spider have a web and not a house?

Daddy, why can't I play in your toolbox?

mom, why do I have to read?

Daddy, why can't I stay out until 12:00? The other kids are.

Mother, why do you hate me?

Daddy, why don't the girls like me?

Why do I have to be so skinny?

Why do I have braces and wear glasses?

Why do I have to be 16?

Mom, why do I have to graduate?

Dad, why do I have to grow up?

Mom, Dad, Why are we digging the hole?

Mom, why don't you write more often?

Dad, why do I miss my old friends?

Dad, why do you love me so much?

Dad, why do you spoil me?

Mom, why is it hard to make new friends?

Dad, why do I miss being at home?

Dad, why does my heart skip a beat when she looks in my eyes?

Mother, why is being "in love" the greatest feeling in the world?

Mother, why do they have to grow up?

Daddy, why do they have to leave?

Dad, why did Bomper have to leave?

Why did my youth slip past me?

Why does my hair glisten a shiny silver?

Why do my hands quiver when I bend to pick a flower?

Why, God, are the roses red?

As I reread the questions I wrote I felt a small tear slowly sliding down my cheek. It was then that I realized that this life that God has given each of us goes by so fast. Let’s not focus on the questions but instead take the time to enjoy each moment as it comes.

Dear Lord, thank You for the time that You have given to each of us. Help us not waste the time You have given us but to embrace it and enjoy it to the fullest. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You Content?

Hebrews 13:5  (NIV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

    never will I forsake you.”

There is a story of a wealthy man named Karl who loved to ride his horse over his vast estate and congratulate himself on his good fortune. On one such ride, he came across an old tenant farmer named Hans. Hans had just stopped to eat his lunch in the shade of a great oak tree and had his head bowed in prayer.

His prayer finished, Hans looked up and said, "Greetings, sire, and God bless you! It is always an honor to see you. I was just giving thanks for my food."

"Humph!" snorted Karl, seeing the coarse dark bread and cheese that were the old man's lunch. "If that was all I had to eat, I don't think I would feel like giving thanks."

"Oh, it is quite sufficient," said Hans. "Yet it is more than remarkable that you should ride by today, sire.,, I feel I should tell you about a strange dream I had just before waking up this morning."

"What did you dream, old man?" asked Karl with a condescending smile.

"It seemed that I was standing in a place of peace and beauty. Then I could hear a voice saying, 'The wealthiest man in the valley will die tonight.' "

"Dreams!" snarled the landowner. "Nonsense!" And he galloped away.

"Lord, have mercy on his soul, if he really is to die so soon," prayed the pious old man as he watched the horse and its rider disappear from view.

"Die tonight?" mused Karl. It was a silly thought. He felt fine, and surely the best thing for him to do was to forget the old man's story of his dream. But he couldn't forget it. As the day went on, he realized he didn't feel well at all. So he sent for his physician.

Karl told his doctor the whole story. "Sounds like poppycock to me," replied the physician, "but for your peace of mind, let me examine you."

The examination complete, Karl's doctor was earnest with assurances. "Karl, you're as strong and healthy as that handsome horse you ride. There's no way you are going to die soon. Forget that old man and his stupid dream!" Feeling a bit foolish for all his worry, he thanked the doctor and dismissed him.

The next morning, there was a loud knocking at Karl's door. "It's about one of your tenants," the messenger said. "Old Hans died in his sleep last night."

Who was the richest? What made him rich? Think about as we work to get all the toys of life that make us feel like we are rich. Be content with what God has given you.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the things You have given to us. Help us be content and thankful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Are You on Autopilot?

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Early on the morning of February 17, 1994, James Rich crawled behind the controls of his plane at an airport near Louisville, Ky. The plan was to make a 30-minute flight to Crossville, Tenn., where a friend of his was the airport manager. He would arrive just about the time his friend was showing up for work and show off the 1972 Piper Seneca he had just finished restoring.

The 40-year-old pilot had not slept much the night before. He had been out late with some friends. So he was still tired when he cleared the runway and pointed his plane south for the quick trip. Climbing to 3,500 feet and putting the Seneca on automatic pilot, he dozed off.

Rich must have slept for about three hours. The next thing he knew, he was trying to get his head clear while looking through broken clouds onto what he took to be a lake. A closer look revealed that the "lake" extended to the horizon in all directions. Then a glance at the gas gauge told him he was out of fuel.

Knowing that he was in trouble, he radioed an SOS. Only then did he discover his true location - 188 miles west of Clearwater and 190 miles south of Panama City. He was over the Gulf of Mexico and had only a few minutes of gasoline left.

Eighty-five miles short of land, the last drop of fuel was gone. His uninsured $70,000 plane hit the Gulf, sank in about 45 seconds, and pulled Rich down with its undertow. Two cushions pulled from the plane popped him back to the surface. They would have to keep him afloat until help came, for Rich couldn't swim.

Within 15 minutes, a helicopter was there to drop a rescue basket. Rich scrambled in and was hoisted to safety - still clinging to his seat cushions.

Mr. Rich's humorous-though-harrowing experience reminds all of us that we need to stay alert about the direction of our lives. It is easy to get up, work, eat, and sleep day after day with our lives on automatic pilot. Thus many a life, marriage, or business winds up far off course and confused. Sometimes there is a devastating crash - with no last-minute rescue from death.

Be sure the things you do this week are consistent with what God wants for your life. Set your goals and priorities in accordance to what God wants and then let Him lead you.

Dear Lord, help us not get so busy that we just go through life on auto pilot.  Help us to stay in Your word so that we know what it is we are to do. Help us not get off track. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Things to Think About

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast. We get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values, talked too much, loved too seldom and "lied" too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; added years to life, not life to years.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; done larger things, not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes, but lower morals; more food but less appeasement; more acquaintances, fewer friends; more effort, less success.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the storeroom. . . . and yet the choice is ours.

With all the things that are out there calling for our time we need to remember in everything we do, do everything as if it is for the Lord. He wants to bless you why not bless Him today with your actions.

Dear Lord, thank You for the things You have given to us and the people You have allowed to be part of our life. Help us do the things that will bring honor to You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pilgrimage or Destiny

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NIV)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

He lived "way out in the sticks." Maybe it wasn't exactly the end of the earth, but you could see it from there. Then he won an all-expenses-paid trip to New York by being the designated caller in a radio contest.

So he took his first ride on a jet. He landed at LaGuardia only to have a limousine waiting for him. He was still wide-eyed as it pulled up to the entrance of a posh hotel and people rushed to open doors, carry luggage, and otherwise tend to his needs. A bellhop said he would show him to his room.

That room was his first disappointment. It was nice, but it was smaller than he had envisioned for a penthouse. And it seemed he was going to have to share it, for two people were already there when he walked into it.

Sensing something wrong, the bellhop asked, "Is there a problem, sir?"

"I don't mean to gripe," he said. "I was just expecting a bigger room."

"Oh, sir," he replied, "your luxury suite is twenty-nine stories up. This is only the elevator that takes you there."

What are you facing today? Cancer? Bankruptcy? Bad job? No job? Frustration? Anger? Alcoholism? Unhappy customers? No customers? Being single? Being married? Being a parent? Being a child?

Don't think for a moment that today's situation has to be the story of your life, the sum of your existence. The good, the bad, and the indifferent of today are mile-markers on your longer journey to eternity. The terrain over which you are traveling ought not be confused with its outcome.

"You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet!" wrote Paul. "Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going" (2 Cor. 5:6-7, The Message).

If a lack of patience is a serious problem with you today, perhaps it's because you have confused your pilgrimage with your destiny, the elevator with the penthouse. Hold on. Stay the course. You're not there yet.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would keep our eyes on You and the destiny You have for us. Help us not get wrapped up with the things along the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.