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Luke 15:11-24 The sun had broken first light and revealed a cloudless sky. The ripening wheat was barely rippled by a meager breeze - another hot day. The man was already outside giving instructions. A group of servants headed toward the animal pens while others moved in the direction of the vineyard. The man’s older son could be seen leading some workers out toward the wheat fields. The work day had begun. As the man ascended the small rise on his way back to the main house, he paused to survey his estate. He was pleased. The crops had been coming right along. The servants, in spite of an occasional snag, were a hard working bunch. Yet, one thing was missing from his near perfect picture - his younger son. He had left home a long time ago and had never been heard from. The ache in the father’s heart had not gone away and was renewed daily as he thought about his welfare. Even now, as he did several times a day, his eyes had come to rest on the most distant point on the road which began at the house and disappeared between two wheat fields. “When he comes home,” he thought, “he must come down this road. Some day, he will come. Perhaps today.” The morning passed rather uneventfully, and the afternoon was now half spent. The father was returning from the sheep fold where they were having trouble with a pregnant ewe. As usual, he paused on the path and looked out down the road. Upon it was a solitary figure, shabbily dressed, walking slowly toward the house. For a moment (but only a moment) he thought he was imagining the figure for he had done so in his mind so many times before. But this was for real, and he still knew that walk, that frame - it was his son! Filled with joy and compassion the father raced down the road. When he got to the young man, he wrapped him in his arms, kissed him, and held him for the longest time. His child was back. His son had come home! Is your Father looking for you to come home, too?

Luke 24:1-49 Read any of the accounts of the resurrection. Better yet, read them all. It was a morning of surprises - for everybody. (God loves to surprise us, doesn’t He?) Despite the fact that Jesus had affirmed again and again that He would die and be resurrected on the third day, no one seemed ready to believe it when it actually happened. The soldiers guarding the tomb were surprised. First was the earthquake. Then the angel descended from heaven who came and rolled the stone from the tomb and sat upon it. It seems that these men watched all that the angel did. Being believers in gods and goddesses, etc., it’s no wonder they “shook for fear of him and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:4). They had seen the real thing! The women who came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body were completely surprised. They did not find His body, but they encountered the angel who invited them to see the place where Jesus’ body had lain. And he tells them that He is risen from the dead. This was all too much for them as they “went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them” (Mark 16:8). Later in the day, Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18). What an honor that was. What a surprise! There He is in person, alive from the dead. Jesus has to tell her not to hold on to Him, but go tell the others. I’ve often wondered if she was not granted this privilege because her faith may have been the most genuine since Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2). Then we have the disciples - Peter, John, Thomas... They didn’t believe the women’s testimony. After Peter and John had been to the tomb, it was said that John believed, but Peter marveled. Thomas would not believe until He had personally seen the nail prints. It was the greatest surprise. Despite His having affirmed it, they found it difficult to accept His resurrection. What about you? Is Jesus alive from the dead? If you believe that He is, it will change your entire life from the inside out. You should not be surprised!

Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16 Many of us have begun to get the vaccines for the COVID-19 virus. We understand how vaccines work. If a person receives a vaccine into their body, then it works to prevent them from coming down with the disease it was designed to ward off. We thank God that He has enabled mankind to develop such medical wonders which have kept multitudes from suffering and even death. Knowing the wisdom of our God, it should not surprise us that He has provided two “vaccines” to ward off spiritual “disease.” They are the word of God and the Holy Spirit. These are, of course, so closely intertwined as to be inseparable. In our Colossians text, Paul urges: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you...” Contrary to popular thinking, this verse isn’t about singing, but about the word of God. If the word lives in us, then we know the truths of God. We know the good and the evil. We know how God expects us to live. So we know how to choose the good and avoid the evil. If the word of truth dwells in us, we are “vaccinated” against lies and evil. Similarly, in the Ephesian passage, Paul exhorts: “...be filled with the Spirit.” We see the connection between these two passages in that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). When the Holy Spirit fills us (we are under His influence), we are “vaccinated” against committing sin. Needless to say, we must continue to replenish that Word and continue to submit to the Spirit in order to stay “vaccinated.” Why, then, does Paul bring up singing in both these texts? When the word of God lives in us, it becomes the fountain and the focus of our congregational singing. Not only is God praised, but the worshipers are engaged in “teaching and admonishing one another.” The assembly of the saints is designed for mutual edification and encouragement. When we teach and admonish one another in our songs, we help one another stay “vaccinated” against sin. It’s a glorious thing!

Isaiah 35:8-10 As Isaiah envisions the glorious days of the Messiah, he writes of a highway, a road called “the Highway of Holiness” which leads travelers on the true way home to God. He says that even if they are fools they will not go astray. Certainly, the day is here in which that Highway has been constructed which runs through the cross of Jesus Christ and leads to an eternal home. We must exercise caution, however, in thinking that this “highway” is like our interstate highway system or, even worse, like the autobahn in Germany. When we set out on this Highway of Holiness, we do not set the cruise control, adjust the climate setting, put in our favorite CD’s and sit back for a nice smooth ride to the Promised Land. In fact, we’re not riding at all - we’re walking! (Ephesians 5:2, 8, 15; et al). Staying on the highway will keep us from going astray, but no easy trip is guaranteed. In fact, Paul says “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Sometimes the road is smooth, and the travel is exhilarating. Sometimes there are places with bumps and holes; often many bumps and holes. At times, huge bumps and holes! There are washouts in the road, and in some places it is not paved. Gravel. Then dirt. A narrow winding path. We wonder if we are still on the “highway” at all! And the storms can descend unexpectedly with howling fury. Driving rains make for difficult seeing and arduous slopping through mud. Then freezing rain with treacherous icy footing. Then the snow - beautiful but often deadly to the traveler. But the pilgrim presses on for his heart if set on a sure rest and warm welcome a the end of the journey. His Lord has told him it is so. And so the weariness and the struggle of the journey pales in comparison to the anticipated glow of the light in the window of the Father’s house (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Aren’t you glad it is so?!!

1 Corinthians 15:58 This past Sunday (as of this writing), Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500. He was able to avoid two crashes involving multiple cars, especially the one on the last lap, and cross the finish line first. He only led for part of the last lap. It was his first win on the circuit in 358 starts. At thirty-six years of age, the news article referred to him as a “journeyman” driver. What is a journeyman? Being a baseball fan, I am more familiar with journeymen pitchers or outfielders, etc. A journeyman is a player who knows the game, even loves the game. He is a solid performer with decent skills who plays the game hard - like it’s supposed to be played. He is reliable and comes ready to play. But a journeyman will never reach the Hall of Fame. He’ll not win the Cy Young award or be named MVP. It is possible that he might be named an All-Star a time or two, but most never are. As a result, he might be traded to different teams throughout his career. Hence the label of journey-man. Every good team, every winning team, has several journeymen on its roster. They are needed. Most of us who serve the Lord Jesus are journeymen. We were not commanded to build an ark. We were not chosen to lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. We were not called as prophets with a message of repentance for Israel. We were not chosen as apostles. Jesus did not appear to us after His resurrection. We are journeymen. But we have come to play. We know the “game,” and we play hard. We play to win. We are reliable, and we keep improving our skills. We love our Lord and His church. We love the lost. We’re not looking for one of the places on Jesus’ right or left in the kingdom. Just that crown of life. Paul’s words are appropriate: “...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” But remember: even as journeymen, we have been chosen!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Year in and year out, the Bible tops the non-fiction best seller list. In fact, as I understand it, because of its perennial foremost position, it isn’t even put on the list anymore! By the way, have you read God’s bestseller? Cover to cover? How many times? What is the driving force behind this phenomenon? Don’t be surprised if it isn’t God Himself. The Preacher wrote of mankind that God “has also set eternity in their heart.” We have this kind of longing within for something outside of ourselves. There is this regular urging or nudging for us to look up and out and consider where we are, how we came to be, and what our purpose is. This “eternity” also connects with the thousands of markers which God has set in His creation. When we look into the starry expanse on a new-moon night, or see the wedge of geese on migration, or witness the birth of a babe, that “eternity” begins to resonate within us. Something is touched. Something stirs. The honest and honorable among us will begin to search for answers. Others will ignore the stirrings or bury them in mundane pursuits. The entire phenomenon is as if we are driving our vehicles down the road of life, and every time we look in the rear view mirror God is there smiling back at us! He gives a “Here I am” wave. He’s everywhere. He’s everywhere if we just open our eyes and clean out our ears. He is in hot pursuit of each one of us for He wants every person to live eternally and not die the second death. In another place, Jesus spoke of the most powerful marker which God has set in the world. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32) When properly understood, the drawing power of Jesus of Nazareth dying for all humanity has no equal. No wonder people buy the Book and want to know more. No wonder Jesus tells His followers to proclaim the gospel to all creation. No wonder. Do you wonder about these things?

Acts 18:1-11 One would never have thought this of the apostle Paul. He had a stellar record when it came to proclaiming the gospel. In town after town, he testified to Jews and to any Gentiles who would listen that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He had been opposed in many places and even stoned, but he had not been deterred. After all, He had received a special visit from the Lord on the way to Damascus and been given personal instructions about proclaiming the Word. But something happened in Corinth. Corinth, a Roman colony, center of East - West maritime commerce and thus a city of great wealth. Corinth, a cesspool of vice and immorality; home of a great temple to the healing god Asclepias; and center to the cult worship of Aphrodite. Corinth was filled with the evils of the world. When Paul came to Corinth, he took up residence and trade with Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers. (Read our text.) On the Sabbath, he was about his usual task of reasoning and trying to persuade those who were in the synagogue. But after Silas and Timothy’s arrival, Paul is moved in the Spirit (NKJ) to more solemnly affirm Jesus as the Christ (NAS). The opposition became fierce at this point, and Paul withdrew to the house of Titius Justus. And despite the fact that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, his household, and many others are baptized, Paul receives a night vision from the Lord. “Do not be afraid any longer...do not be silent;” Paul - afraid?! Afraid he would be harmed?! Paul - afraid to speak?! Evidently. Ponder it. Let it sink in. Paul had his limits. Paul was human. Paul needed some serious encouragement, and he got it from the Lord and stayed eighteen months preaching in Corinth. We all have our limits. When you “hit the wall,” don’t quit! Seek the Lord. Get help from a brother or sister. Do not be afraid. If you see someone floundering who has “hit the wall,” pray and provide encouragement. Too many have become silent because they have become afraid. Too many. Do not be afraid. Do not be silent.

Matthew 8:16-17; 12:15-16 Time and again in the gospels we read of Jesus’ healing people. He healed every kind of disease from blindness and deafness to lameness and leprosy. He cast out evil spirits. He even raised the dead! We marvel at God’s power and are thankful for His compassion. But we wish to consider this about our Lord. He was always present “in the moment.” What do we mean by that? We have all done this, and it is a by-product of our very fast-paced world, but also of our own self-centeredness and indifference to others. Some examples. You meet a friend on the street who begins to share with you about her vacation, but you hardly hear what she says because you want to get to the bank and the grocery store. You are not “in the moment.” Your wife is relating to you the problem which one of the kids had in school that day, but you are thinking about settling into your chair to watch the big game. You’re not in the moment. After church, a good sister comes up to you to share a problem she has and to ask for prayers. Your mind is on getting home, lunch, and your Sunday afternoon nap. Not in the moment. Jesus was always in the moment. Whomever He was with had His full attention. Every individual and group of people was important to Him. In our texts we read that Jesus healed “all” who came to Him. None were turned away. We know that at times this involved huge crowds. How easy it would have been to say: “It’s really getting late. Come back tomorrow.” Or: “We need to get to the next village before dark, but I plan to be back, Lord willing.” Or: “That’s enough for today. You can see the great power God has given Me.” Jesus was “present in the moment” because each person mattered to Him. He loved each one. Each ailment, each problem, each teaching opportunity mattered to Him because each person was important. This is none other than the love of God. Live “in the moment.” Otherwise you will miss the opportunities which life presents.

Jeremiah 33:1-3 It was the strangest feeling. Halfway up the I-470 hill, I realized I had forgotten my phone. It was a feeling of emptiness, being alone, even a little scary. Years ago, we thought nothing of traveling around without a mobile phone. We didn’t even know what they were - something out of a Dick Tracy comic. Now we can’t leave home without them! They do serve some good purposes. Anyway, I was on the way to my usual fellowship breakfast, as I’ll call it, and I always text Shirley to let her know I’ve arrived safely. Well, no phone - no text. I prayed she wouldn’t panic and would see my phone still left on charge. She did - eventually - but not after some tense moments and a text to my fellow “breakfaster” to see if I had made it. Neither one of us liked being disconnected from the other. Similarly, the Lord does not want us to be disconnected from Him. He has a “wireless” service which is always accessible. The password is easy to remember - Jesus. He wants us to call anytime. To Jeremiah He promised: “Call to Me and I will answer you...” Prayer is for our benefit, not God’s. He knows the danger for us to be disconnected from Him, and so He makes Himself available morning, noon and night. As our heavenly Father, He knows the problems we face, the trouble we can get into, and the various needs we have. He is always on call. Sadly, many Christians go through their day without being connected to the Lord. They just plow ahead without requesting guidance from the Almighty, struggle with problems by themselves, and fall flat when the Tempter comes around. It’s no wonder they feel frustrated and alone in their daily walk. They have not bothered to connect with their heavenly Father. Every day, get connected with the Lord. Stay connected. Just a short call here and there to keep in touch and hear that reassuring voice on the other end: “I’m so glad you called. What’s up?”

Mark 6:30-32 Do you have a secluded place where you can go to get away from it all? Well? We’re not necessarily talking about a literal place, although it could be. But you might live alone and have the whole place to yourself! We’re not talking about the very popular “me” time in which you grab your box of Cheez-its and cue up your favorite show via the DVR; or curl up in your chair with a cup of tea and your favorite novel; or luxuriate in your scented bath. Nope. We’re talking about making opportunity for you to be alone with the Lord. Just you and Him. In our text, the disciples had just returned from a circuit in which they had taught the gospel, healed, and cast out unclean spirits. Jesus recognized that they needed rest and called them to go away to a “secluded place.” There was just too much traffic where they were. “Traffic” is usually our biggest problem in finding that secluded place. You know: TV, texting/phoning, social media (How many platforms are there now?), video games, zoom, internet shopping, kids, spouse... It’s a wonder any of us can think at all! This isn’t about going to the assembly on Sunday morning no matter how needful that is. It’s about being alone with your Savior and Lord. Just the two of you. A prayer. Some scripture. Then He looks you in the eye and says: “How are you doing?” Of course, He already knows, but He wants to know if you know. Now some confession. Sins. Failures. Fears. Concerns. Some rejoicing and thanksgiving for His blessings. A request for help with your weakness. Some requests for others. He offers some counsel, words of encouragement and assurances. Then, He takes His leave but reminds you He’s never far away. It’s a blessed time. So, do you have a secluded place?

Psalm 27:4 One of the arguments for a Creator rather than random processes of natural selection is the beauty which abounds on the earth. If we’re talking “survival of the fittest,” we’d want strength, endurance, speed, agility, weaponry, et al. Beauty does not fit into such a scenario and would seem to be quite a hindrance in situations in which one creature was trying to hide from another. Beauty is found virtually everywhere in the creation. Magnificent colors treat our eyes: flowers, birds, tropical fish, sunrises, sunsets, etc. Graceful forms add to the display: the shapes of flowers, the symmetry and designs of leaves, the wings of a butterfly. Majestic scenes force us to pause: a meadow filled with wild flowers, snow-capped mountains covered in evergreens below the tree line, the beach edging a blue ocean. In fact, we’ve all seen the pictures of the earth itself which were taken from the moon - it is a beautiful planet. So, what would this tell us about our God who created all of this beauty for us to relish? Would He not appreciate beauty? Would He not make us to appreciate beauty? Would He not think that beauty was necessary for any number of reasons? Would this not speak about God Himself? In his Psalm, one of the things which David asks of the Lord is “to behold the beauty of the Lord.” This is one characteristic of God which is frequently overlooked. Scripture indicates that God is radiant with beauty and resplendent in His glory. In Revelation (4:2-6), we have a vision of God being “like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance” with a rainbow around His throne which looked as an emerald does. Before His throne is “something like a sea of glass, like crystal.” No ugliness here. Glory is beautiful. And consider this. Don’t we see a good deed as something lovely? When the leper asked Jesus if He was willing to cleanse him and Jesus said, “I am willing,” and touched him to make him whole - wasn’t that a beautiful thing? Behold the beauty of the Lord.

Luke 17:3-4 If you have ever done something wrong (Who hasn’t?), and have been convicted in your conscience for your trespass, and have been carrying the guilt and shame around with you, you know how deeply the soul longs to be released from its burden. (This could be sin against another person or against our Lord.) And when you finally receive the forgiveness you so desperately want, you know what a great weight has been lifted from you and that the shackles that bound you to your offense have been broken. You are free, again! Forgiveness has the power to set us free. It can be difficult to accept that you did wrong to another person. We sometimes try to hide behind such things as “I didn’t mean to say that,” or “I forgot,” or “I didn’t think you would mind.” Acknowledging our having offended another person is the beginning of the road to forgiveness. If that step is never taken, forgiveness will never happen. Let us now consider the person against whom I have sinned. My offense has become a barrier between me and them. What might they be thinking? “Does he really believe what he said about me?” “Does she care about me at all?” “How should I now act toward him?” “Has our relationship changed?” If you’ve ever been in this position (I think we all have.), you know the questions and uncertainty which exist between you and that person. So when he or she comes to you and admits, “I did you wrong,” a great weight is lifted from your shoulders as well. The cloud of uncertainty which stood between the two of you was lifted. You are free as well - free to continue in your relationship without doubts standing in the way. Such is the freeing power of forgiveness. To both the offender and the offended, forgiveness gives freedom. No wonder the Lord insists that we confess our faults to one another and seek forgiveness. It’s a blessed thing!