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Mark 3:31-35             We like choices.  And in this country we are blessed to have many choices.  Beef or chicken?  Spaghetti or rotini? Peas or green beans?  Mexican or Chinese?  Comedy or drama?  SUV or sedan?  Red or blue?  We could go on and on.             Now, many choices are relatively inconsequential like those we just noted.  Some are quite weighty.  College, trade school, work force?  Marry or not?  Whom to marry?  Buy a house or not?  What job?  Where to live?  Et al.             And then, some choices are life and death.  In some countries, choosing to become a Christian is a life and death decision.  (We’re not talking about eternal life and the second death.)  Consider this decision which members of the Iranian women’s soccer team recently had to make.  When their national anthem was played for the first time at Australia’s Asian Cup tournament, they remained silent.  Later they changed, but it was too late.  Their government labeled them “wartime traitors.”  But then, they had to make a decision.  Would they go home or not? Asylum was available, but that meant almost certain death or torture for their families back home.  Already, some of their family members had been detained.  In the end, all but two went back to Iran to face whatever consequences there might be - even death for them.  The bonds of family are truly powerful!             Now consider our text in which Jesus was teaching in a house which was crowded with people.  His mother and brothers arrive and want to see Him.  Jesus’ response is often ridiculed when He looked at all those around Him and said: “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”  Although the narrative ends there, I feel certain that Jesus did not ignore His family.  He was taking opportunity to teach a spiritual truth.             Just as the bonds of our earthly families are strong, so are those of our spiritual family.  Over the years - yes, even today many people continue to choose Christ and His family over their own (Mark 10:29-31).  Truly a “life and death” decision.                                                             ><>  Jeff

John 15:12-13             Maybe it’s because we are so familiar with this verse of scripture ( John 15:13 ) that we overlook the somewhat contradictory nature of what Jesus says.  Perhaps it’s because we are so enamored by the word “love” in it that our hearts just kind of “flutter” as we read it and agree with what the Lord says.  Go ahead and read it now and listen closely to what He is telling us.             Jesus is not giving us a definition of love.  He is giving us an example of love in actuality, in the midst of the harshness and difficulty of life.  He leaves much room for other actions which would legitimately be called love but says that greater love cannot be demonstrated than if a person gives his own life for his friends.             Does anything about that statement trouble you?  Do you find His words at least somewhat perplexing shall we say?             Here is the thought:  Why is it that love is unsurpassed when it is demonstrated in death ?             Our concepts of love are usually not so, well, extreme.  We think of a newly wed couple beginning to make adjustments in their life together.  Or a mother’s staying up at night with a sick child.  Or even a generous gift given in time of need.  Or some humble service rendered.  But to connect love with death and especially such a grisly death (for there is no doubt that Jesus has His own death in view here) is not the usual way for us to think.  (I hope you see that as an understatement.)             Consider: If “greater love” is shown via sacrificial death, how did God bring about the conditions needed to demonstrate this depth of His love?             Then this: In what ways might a person “lay down his life for his friends?”             Next: What does this tell us about the presence of pain and suffering in the world today?             Lastly: How am I doing in loving God and those in my life as Christ has loved me?             Hmmm?                                                             ><>  Jeff

James 1:17             A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World.  Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:   Egypt's Great Pyramids Taj Mahal Grand Canyon Panama Canal Empire State Building St. Peter's Basilica China's Great Wall               While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet, so she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.  The girl replied, “Yes, a little.  I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”  The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.”  The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:                                      1            To See                                    2            To Taste                                    3            To Touch                                    4            To Hear.” She hesitated a little, and then added,                                    5          To Feel                                    6            To Laugh                                    7            and To Love.”               There was total silence;  you could have heard a pin drop.             Those things we overlook as simple and ordinary are truly wondrous.  This is a gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought, but are gifts from above.                                                 – via mikeysfunnies.com               Perspective is critical.  How’s yours?                                                             ><>  Jeff

John 18:36-37               Some folks wonder why Jesus didn’t remain on the earth and rule His kingdom and the nations from here below.  Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world, and after His resurrection He ascended to the right hand of His Father to rule in His kingdom.  His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.  But Jesus made sure He left us everything we need to find the Way to Him and to live a life worthy of His name as His disciples.   Before His ascension, Jesus left...             ...His clothes to the soldiers - John 19:23-24             ...His mother to John - John 19:26-27             ...His body to Joseph of Arimathea - John 19:38             ...His scars to Thomas - John 20:27   To His disciples Jesus left...             ...His peace for comfort - John 14:27             ...His supper for remembering - Luke 22:15-20             ...His name for asking - John 14:13-14             ...His word for learning - 1 Peter 1:22-25             ...His example for following - 1 Peter 2:19-21             ...His church for belonging - 1 Corinthians 12:27             ...His mission to accomplish - Matthew 28:18-20             ...an empty tomb for believing - Matthew 28:5-6             ...His promise for encouragement - John 14:2-3             ...the Holy Spirit for helping - John 14:16-18   To the world Jesus left...             ...the gospel for salvation - Romans 1:16               What more do we need?!  Thank you, Jesus!                                                               ><>  Jeff

Ecclesiastes 12:11             It’s time, again, for some more of the wise sayings I’ve collected over the years.  Read, reflect, learn and enjoy!   >                    God cannot lead a man who stands still.  – Gerald Paden   >                    We don’t change the message; the message changes us.   >                    You don’t have to believe everything you think.   >                    Christ came not to tell us how to walk the golden street, but the dirt roads and narrow alleys.   >                    Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God. – Bob Pierce   >                    Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.  – T. S. Eliot   >                    The gospel of Christ comforts the afflicted.  It also afflicts the comfortable.   >                                                        Talent is God-given.    Be humble.                                                            Fame is man-given.      Be grateful.                                                                                    Conceit is self-given.    Be careful.       – John Wooden   >                    Christian discipleship: Learn from Him; Live like Him; Lean on Him.   >                    When you stand at the Pearly Gates, would you rather be told that you were too forgiving or you were too judgmental?   >                    One thing you can give and still keep is your word.                                                               ><>  Jeff

John 6:26-27             Over the years, people have sought after God for various and sundry reasons, many of which were self-centered and for personal gain.  In our text, Jesus speaks with the crowd of five thousand whom He had just fed with the loaves and fishes.  They had followed Him back to the other side of Lake Galilee and were perplexed about how He had made the trip across to the other side.  Jesus ignores their inquiry about His traveling methods and answers with this: “...you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”  They didn’t want the Lord and weren’t particularly interested in who He was.  Jesus wanted to give them “the food which endures to eternal life,” but they just wanted food for their bellies!             So many today are like those in this crowd.  They want something from God but aren’t interested in God Himself.  Perhaps it’s a healing for an illness.  Maybe a better job.  Protection from enemies.  Family problem.  When the trouble is passed, and there is relief, God is discarded.  The gift is welcomed; the Giver is forgotten.             This scenario can also be played out when it comes to salvation, because people don’t understand the nature of salvation nor all that’s involved.  Too many folks think salvation is like “fire insurance” - just get baptized, you’ll be saved, and that’s basically all there is to it.  Parents are often guilty of thinking this way about their children and push them “into the water” before they are ready.             Faith and baptism certainly place an individual into a saved state, but they do much more.  They place them “into Christ,”  into the kingdom of God.  They receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives within them and guides them through life.  They are reconciled to God, no longer enemies with the Almighty but His children.  This all speaks of fellowship, personal knowledge and close relationship.  God said this to Israel: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13).  It is God whom we should seek - our Creator, our heavenly Father.  He will give us blessing and peace.  But we should seek Him just so we can know Him.                                                             ><>  Jeff

1 Timothy 6:17-19             Sometimes (no doubt too often), God gets a “bad rap.”  He is railed upon for not preventing more of the suffering which goes on in the world.  He is seen as an egomaniac who wants humanity groveling at His feet.  He is thought to be too demanding in His expectations of those who would serve Him.  Hell is too severe, the cross too extreme, and “love your enemies” is just out of touch with real life.  It seems that we get an “out of balance” view of God when we dwell on what we do not fully understand and kick against what is personally distasteful.  It is vital that we get a complete picture of our Creator.             In our text, Paul is providing directives to Timothy for people who are rich in material wealth, pointing out the dangers of fixing “their hope on the uncertainty of riches” and not on God “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”  Wait a minute!  What did you say, Paul?   Did you say something about enjoying  things?             Why, yes he did!  Paul writes that God, this God who is accused of being a terrible taskmaster and unconcerned about human suffering, provides us richly with all things to enjoy  in life.  My, oh my, how many of us have missed this?  We are afraid to enjoy life.  We can’t appreciate a cup of coffee just sitting on the porch in the cool of the early morning .. we can’t kick a ball around the back yard with our grandchild ... we can’t sit and watch hummingbirds coming to the feeder ... because we fear that God thinks we are wasting time.  After all, aren’t we supposed to be sober minded and busy with the work of the kingdom?  Why, of course we are.             But maybe, just maybe, if we learned to delight a little more in what our God has given us to enjoy, we would appreciate Him more and have more favorable things to say about Him.  If I recall correctly, wasn’t it Jesus who was at the wedding in Cana, who told us to consider the beauty of the lilies of the field, and who wanted to hold the little children and bless them?  Yes, I believe that was our Lord.             Sure, we can do too much “enjoying” or too much “laboring.”  If we properly blend the two, the labor will be less laborious, and the enjoyments will turn up hidden blessings.  God is so good.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Deuteronomy 15:7-11             We have all seen the neon signs in store and restaurant windows with the blue neon border and words in red which say “OPEN.”  Such signs express more than the current status of the establishment.  The sign says “Come on in,” “We are available,” “You are welcome here,” etc.  They are visually inviting.             The Bible has much to say about people being “open.”  In our text, the Lord is giving instruction about the poor: “...you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother...”  The open hand is based upon a heart which is not hardened but open to the plight of those in need.  In fact, “openness” is a necessary characteristic of a righteous person.             First, a righteous person’s mind is open to the word of God.  What are its truths?  What kind of person does God want me to become?  What are the good works in which He wants me involved?  The ears of the righteous are open to the voice of the Good Shepherd.             Second, the righteous person’s heart is open to accepting those truths and putting them into action in his/her life.  If a person’s heart opens to doing the will of God, then his heart opens to those around him.  His eyes open to see the circumstances of others.  His ears open to the heartaches and cries for comfort and help.             Third, the arms of the righteous are open to welcome and support others.  The hands are open to give aid.  The mouth opens to speak encouragement and hope.  Prayer is offered.  The gospel is shared, and the lips are opened in praise to the Lord (Psalm 51:15).  He/she is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to show the love of God to fellow travelers.             On the other hand, the “closed” person does not open his/her heart to the word of God nor to the circumstances of those around him.  His heart remains focused upon himself - closed to the struggles and cries for help of the needy and the lost.             Are you an open  or a closed  person?  When you become aware of the needs, struggles and lostness of another, what do you do?                                                             ><>  Jeff

1 Corinthians 9:19-23             Having purpose in life is important.  Many people who believe they have no purpose for living become depressed and often give up on living meaningful lives.  They can sink into further depression and despair, often turning to drugs and other escape-from-reality mechanisms.  Some resort to suicide.             There are a wide range of “purposes” for living which run from the honorable to the vile.  Many people find purpose in altruistic endeavors: volunteering in soup kitchens, visiting in care centers, raising money for various charitable causes, etc.  Others find purpose in rearing children and providing for their family.  Others pursue a career which benefits mankind such as medicine or teaching.  Lots of folks immerse themselves in various hobbies and pastimes: fishing, golf, collecting, gardening, antiquing, etc.  For others, money, power and fame are the driving force in their lives.  Some people even find evil purpose in lives of crime.             For the Christian, purpose in life takes on different meaning and perspective.  Having accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, He now becomes our Master, and His purposes become ours.  We gain a new perspective on life.  Let’s take a couple of examples.  We may still want to volunteer in soup kitchens, but now it isn’t just about my own personal satisfaction but about Christ working through me to show His love.  I still want to do well in my career, but now such things as honesty, integrity and fair play come to the fore.  Am I honoring Christ in my work and in my conduct at my place of employment?             Paul’s life took on new purpose after Jesus stopped him in his tracks on the road to Damascus.  He had been living all-out to keep the law of Moses in his life.  Now, Jesus becomes his Lord, and His word becomes his purpose.  He wrote: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel...”   The gospel for Paul was his specific charge from Jesus - to take the message of the cross to the Gentile people.  The gospel became Paul’s purpose in life - both inside and out.             We would all do well to remember Paul’s example.  We need to keep Jesus’ words close to our hearts in all we do.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-24             From where does the knowledge of good and evil originate?  Human beings have that sense that certain things are just “wrong.”  The person who believes in the spontaneous generation of life  (life just sprang from non-life) has no legitimate answer to this question.  The only way for there to be something which can be called evil  is for there to be something which can be objectively called good .  That “something” is none other than a holy God.  The atheistic evolutionist’s world in which man is nothing but elements, enzymes and electro-chemical reactions has no standard to judge good and evil.  Things just exist.  People just are.             Adam and Eve were forbidden by God to eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”  Before they disobeyed, the first pair knew only good.  They did not know what evil was nor had they experienced it.  They lived in a paradise with God.  They didn’t know how “ good ” they had it!  Then everything changed.  Enter the serpent.             One of the devil’s lines in his temptation was that “in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  Eve considered “that the tree was desirable to make one wise.”  She thought that knowing good and evil was a good thing, and so Eve ate.  While they were munching away, the knowledge that they had disobeyed God sunk in.  They got what they wanted.  They tried to cover themselves and hide from God.             It got worse.  God acts, and they begin to experience the consequences of their evil deed.  The woman’s pain in childbirth will be multiplied.  The ground is cursed with weeds so Adam will now toil and sweat to have food.  They are driven from the Garden away from the tree of life and out of fellowship with God.  In a few years, their older son murders their younger one.  They now understand the concept of “good and evil” and have experienced both.             Today, humanity still lives with the consequences of their actions and will do so until the end of all things.  Praise God, however, that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).  Someday, evil will be no more.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 1:3-6             Throughout the New Testament, Christians are referred to as God’s chosen (or elect) people.  Paul writes that “He chose us in Him” (i.e. in Christ) to be holy and blameless.  Peter writes that Christians are a “chosen race (generation), a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1:2:9).  Paul writes to the Thessalonian church (2:2:13) that they had been chosen “for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  This choosing by God was His plan “before the foundation of the world” and comes through the life, death and resurrection of our Savior Christ Jesus.             But the question naturally follows: Chosen for what?  Certainly for salvation, but is that all there is to it?  Does God just want to be able to point to some group of people and say they are His saved?  The idea that the saved are sanctified and holy gives us a good indication of God’s intentions.  Christians are set apart for His purposes.  Saved?  Yes.  But is that the extent of it?  Certainly not.  In the previous scripture reference, Peter continues to say that these are chosen “so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”             Some have quipped in recent years that instead of being the chosen that God’s people are the “frozen.”  Frozen in their church buildings and unable to get out and serve their communities.  Frozen in their traditions and unable to make necessary changes to accomplish the whole will of God.  Frozen in their ways and unable to think differently about better ways to spread the gospel and make disciples.  Frozen in their lifestyles and unwilling to make any sacrifices to further the kingdom of heaven.             For what are the chosen chosen ??  To proclaim the gospel to the lost.  To make disciples.  To equip the saints for ministry.  To do good and show the love of God to all people.  To bear burdens.  To encourage the faint-hearted and support the weak.  To bring back the wandering.  To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.   To live lives worthy of the gospel.             So.  Are you chosen, or are you “frozen”?                                                             ><>  Jeff

John 11:30-37             Does God cry?  What do you think?  Scripture indicates that God experiences anguish of heart when people do wrong.  In the days of Noah (Genesis 6:5-8) we are told that God observed the continual wickedness of mankind and that “He was grieved in His heart.”  Maybe God in heaven does not shed literal tears, but He certainly is hurt by the sinful and destructive actions of us human beings.             It is also important to know this.  God isn’t only concerned about those who sin persistently without repentance and continually reject the gospel.  Though this may be His greatest concern (knowing what pain and sorrow that will ultimately bring), He is also troubled by the heartache which we Christians cause for ourselves and for others when we sin:             When someone is lied to...             When someone is gossiped about...             When somebody steals from another...             When harsh and abusive words are spoken...             When selfishness displaces love...             When marriage vows are broken...             When children are neglected...             When fathers are disrespected...             When mothers are taken for granted...             When the bond of fellowship is disregarded...             When lives are wasted on the trivial day in and day out...                         ...God is grieved, and the Divine heart aches.             When Jesus went to see Mary and Martha after the death of their brother Lazarus, he wept.  He certainly wept for Lazarus, but He knew He was going to raise him up.  Was Jesus not also weeping for Mary and Martha over the grief that their brother’s death had brought to them?  Was He not weeping for all of us who would experience the heartaches, losses and separations which result from sin?             God’s tears.  Maybe we, too, should cry a little more over our own sins and the sins of the world.  Maybe a lot more.                                                             ><>  Jeff