I’ve never liked the word “religious.” To me, “religion” smacks of organizations, institutions, rules and loads of self-righteousness. So I don’t want to be “religious.” I just want to be Christian.
But there is a sense in which “religious” is a good word. It refers to the practical living out of faith. It means living with a constant awareness of God. Living “religiously” is the opposite of living “secularly.” Living “secularly” doesn’t mean denying God, it indicates a lack of awareness of God. It means not thinking about God at all.
Let me put it this way: Imagine a person coming up to you and bluntly asking, “What do you think of me?” And you say, “I don’t.”
I mean, how could you be more offensive to someone? You’re saying, in effect, “I don’t think ill of you, I don’t think good of you. I just don’t think about you at all. You’re not part of my life.”
That’s what a secular person thinks of God ? not at all. A secular person is not anti-God. God just isn’t part of his or her thinking. But the opposite is true of the godly person. The person who lives religiously thinks about God almost all the time. God is important whether you are waking up or going to sleep, working or playing, worshiping or praying. For the godly, religious Christian, God is woven into the very fabric of every part of life.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Did you ever think?
My wife, Charleen, and I were reflecting back on our years of marriage one day. It wasn’t a “what if” conversation, it was a “did you ever think” conversation. Did you ever think that we would live in the places that we lived in? Did you ever think, Charleen, that you’d work for a daily newspaper? Leith, did you ever think that you’d become a mobile home repairman? Did you think we’d be at a university in Illinois and graduate school in Colorado? And did you think that we’d end up in Minnesota? I’m not sure I even knew where Minnesota was at the time we were married. On our wedding day we promised that we would love each other for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, until death us do part. We had no idea what paths we would take, what decisions we would make – no idea how life would process out.
Marriage is about relationship. It isn’t primarily about the specific decisions. We can’t even remember many of the decisions that we agonized over at the time. Those decisions are certainly part of our relationship, but the relationship is far more important than the individual decisions.
And that’s what decision making is for a Christian. God's will is mostly about relationship. To be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Maintaining that relationship is more important than career, money or even marriage. When making the important decisions of life we need to worry less about the outcome and focus far more on our relationship with God.
Marriage is about relationship. It isn’t primarily about the specific decisions. We can’t even remember many of the decisions that we agonized over at the time. Those decisions are certainly part of our relationship, but the relationship is far more important than the individual decisions.
And that’s what decision making is for a Christian. God's will is mostly about relationship. To be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Maintaining that relationship is more important than career, money or even marriage. When making the important decisions of life we need to worry less about the outcome and focus far more on our relationship with God.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Believe!
Following the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, the dictator Joseph Stalin hoped to eradicate Christianity from Russia. In an effort to replace Christian faith with Communist atheism he sent commissars to every city and town and village, even to the most remote places in the Soviet Union. They delivered long speeches, trying to persuade the people that God did not exist and that they should renounce Jesus Christ and replace him with Karl Marx. After one such speech to an assembly of peasants in a remote rural village, the commissar finished with a flourish. He had talked a very long time and he was pretty well satisfied with himself. He was convinced that he had talked the impressionable peasants out of their faith and into his communism and atheism. When he sat down there was a deep silence in the assembly hall. Then a Russian Orthodox Priest stood up in the back of the hall and shouted out, “I have one thing to say to you. Christ is risen!” The entire crowd immediately and resoundingly replied, “Christ is risen, indeed!”
The people in that hall had experienced Jesus for themselves in their lives and they had believed. Nothing was going to dissuade them. Karl Marx had remained in his tomb, but death could not hold Jesus.
This Easter I invite you to see for yourself. Experience the risen Christ. See the empty tomb. Believe in him and be transformed from now to eternity.
The people in that hall had experienced Jesus for themselves in their lives and they had believed. Nothing was going to dissuade them. Karl Marx had remained in his tomb, but death could not hold Jesus.
This Easter I invite you to see for yourself. Experience the risen Christ. See the empty tomb. Believe in him and be transformed from now to eternity.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
We All Need Hope
We all need hope to help us get through tough times. When we’re sick, we hope to get well. When we’re unemployed, we hope for a job. When our family breaks up, we hope for reconciliation. Prisoners serving a long sentence hope for a pardon or parole.
One of the very best parts of Christianity is that it’s a religion of hope. Many world religions are more about fear – fear that either there is no life after death or that the next life might be worse. Christians, on the other hand, are all about hope. God has promised to see us through the worst this world can deal to us. God promises us eternal life. The best is always yet to come.
This was especially important to first century Christians who were few in number and constantly threatened with suffering. Their confidence in God in the midst of uncertainties was amazing. Their enemies killed them because of their faith, only to discover that Christians faced death with hope. Martyrdom became a stunning tool for evangelism and recruitment. As the pagans saw the hope demonstrated by Jesus’ followers even as they died, many decided to become Christians themselves.
It was to these suffering Christians, and to us today, that St. Peter penned these words of hope, “And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”
One of the very best parts of Christianity is that it’s a religion of hope. Many world religions are more about fear – fear that either there is no life after death or that the next life might be worse. Christians, on the other hand, are all about hope. God has promised to see us through the worst this world can deal to us. God promises us eternal life. The best is always yet to come.
This was especially important to first century Christians who were few in number and constantly threatened with suffering. Their confidence in God in the midst of uncertainties was amazing. Their enemies killed them because of their faith, only to discover that Christians faced death with hope. Martyrdom became a stunning tool for evangelism and recruitment. As the pagans saw the hope demonstrated by Jesus’ followers even as they died, many decided to become Christians themselves.
It was to these suffering Christians, and to us today, that St. Peter penned these words of hope, “And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A Needless Death
Many years there have been small plane crashes in the Rocky Mountains. Some times the planes and their victims are never found because the crash occurs in a remote area. I remember one in particular. The pilot survived for several weeks in the crumpled fuselage of his single engine plane. He recorded his struggles in a diary until he finally died of exposure. The next spring some hikers found the plane, his body and his diary. The irony of the whole thing was that the wreckage was only a few hundred yards from a major thoroughfare. It had been traveled all winter long by thousands of motorists. Help was so near, yet so far.
We ask, “How could that have happened?” We can only guess. It had to have been ignorance. The pilot obviously didn’t know how close he was to help. It could have been because of disbelief. He may have heard the hum of tires and thought he was hallucinating. Or it might have been delusion. Maybe his mind told him something contrary to the facts of reality. Whatever it was, the pilot had needlessly died.
What about you? Is your life being eked out in the crumpled fuselage of unfulfilled dreams? Is your diary full of shattered hopes and of bitter resentments?Then listen carefully. Do you know that you can find happiness and fullness of life by believing in Jesus? Don’t miss out on God’s rescue because of ignorance, disbelief or delusion. Fullness of life is yours through Jesus.
We ask, “How could that have happened?” We can only guess. It had to have been ignorance. The pilot obviously didn’t know how close he was to help. It could have been because of disbelief. He may have heard the hum of tires and thought he was hallucinating. Or it might have been delusion. Maybe his mind told him something contrary to the facts of reality. Whatever it was, the pilot had needlessly died.
What about you? Is your life being eked out in the crumpled fuselage of unfulfilled dreams? Is your diary full of shattered hopes and of bitter resentments?Then listen carefully. Do you know that you can find happiness and fullness of life by believing in Jesus? Don’t miss out on God’s rescue because of ignorance, disbelief or delusion. Fullness of life is yours through Jesus.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Be Joyful Always
In a letter to the first century church, St. Paul told them to “Be joyful always.” The fact that it’s written in the form of a command is very significant. What we have here is not a suggestion, an encouragement or a piece of wise advice. It’s not implying that the greatest griefs of life can by easily replaced by some superficial happiness. This is the Word of God ordering us to be joyful! So, you say, “How do I do that? I can’t control how I feel.” And that’s the point exactly.
This quote is talking about actions, not feelings. Feelings can’t be commanded. Feelings are emotional responses to both what’s inside of us and to what’s happening to us on the outside. Feelings are extraordinarily difficult to control. Not even God commands us how or what to feel. But he does command us what to do. And one of those commands is to “be joyful.” Let’s compare it to going to the doctor because you feel run down and tired all the time. Your physician would not tell you to “stop feeling tired” or order you to “feel energetic.” But she might say, “Exercise 30 minutes every day.”
She knows that if you take her advice and go home and exercise, the action of exercising will have the byproduct of altering your feeling of tiredness.
Joy is an action, not an emotion. And the action of joy has the power to change our emotions.
Listen.
This quote is talking about actions, not feelings. Feelings can’t be commanded. Feelings are emotional responses to both what’s inside of us and to what’s happening to us on the outside. Feelings are extraordinarily difficult to control. Not even God commands us how or what to feel. But he does command us what to do. And one of those commands is to “be joyful.” Let’s compare it to going to the doctor because you feel run down and tired all the time. Your physician would not tell you to “stop feeling tired” or order you to “feel energetic.” But she might say, “Exercise 30 minutes every day.”
She knows that if you take her advice and go home and exercise, the action of exercising will have the byproduct of altering your feeling of tiredness.
Joy is an action, not an emotion. And the action of joy has the power to change our emotions.
Listen.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Under the Surface
I grew up near the Atlantic Ocean and it was an important part of my childhood. To this day I have a deep love and respect for the sea. I can spend hours just watching the waves. There's a beauty and a restless excitement about it all. But when I studied the ocean in college I came to understand it very differently than the way I experienced it as a boy at the beach. As a child I saw the ocean only in terms of the waves on the surface. I delighted in plunging in and trying to swim around. Some days it was too rough to risk and other days it was as calm as a pitcher of milk.
It was in a college classroom that I began to understand that you can't make a surface judgment of the ocean. I learned that the life of the sea is far more determined by the deep currents than the surface waves. Miles below the surface there’s a stability that no hurricane can stir. So, do not try to understand the Atlantic or the Pacific by what you see on the surface, but by studying what flows beneath.
And so it is with this thing we call Christian joy. It is not directly tied to whatever storm is stirring up the surface of our lives. Joy is who we are and what we believe. To be joyful is to choose God’s reality for the deep currents of our lives, rather than having life controlled by the turmoil of circumstances on the surface.
Listen.
It was in a college classroom that I began to understand that you can't make a surface judgment of the ocean. I learned that the life of the sea is far more determined by the deep currents than the surface waves. Miles below the surface there’s a stability that no hurricane can stir. So, do not try to understand the Atlantic or the Pacific by what you see on the surface, but by studying what flows beneath.
And so it is with this thing we call Christian joy. It is not directly tied to whatever storm is stirring up the surface of our lives. Joy is who we are and what we believe. To be joyful is to choose God’s reality for the deep currents of our lives, rather than having life controlled by the turmoil of circumstances on the surface.
Listen.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Make a Difference!
A newspaper reporter once asked me why our church chose to get involved in helping people in Africa suffering from HIV/AIDS. My answer was quick and simple, “We’re just doing what Christians have always done. Christians have responded with love and compassion during epidemics all the way back to the bubonic plagues and smallpox epidemics of the Roman Empire. That’s what Christians do – they make a difference in the world.”
And what’s true of Christians as a group should be true of us individually as well. At the end of our lives, we want to be able to say that it mattered that we were here. We want to have made a difference in the name of Jesus Christ. No one wants to finish life poorly. We don’t want the measure of our lives to be the money we earned, the education we received or the possessions we accumulated. We want to make a real difference.
One of the best ways to get started is by simply looking for opportunities. You know those bumper stickers that say, “Start seeing motorcycles”? The point is that there are motorcycles whether you see them or not. Just open your eyes and look around and you’ll see lots of things that you would otherwise miss.
I challenge you to try it for a week. Look for ways you can reach out and make a difference in the lives of other people. God will give you lots of ideas – and they will be ideas that fit who you are and what you can do.
Related Scripture: Mark 12: 30-31 & I Corinthians 12:4-6
© 2007 Leith Anderson
And what’s true of Christians as a group should be true of us individually as well. At the end of our lives, we want to be able to say that it mattered that we were here. We want to have made a difference in the name of Jesus Christ. No one wants to finish life poorly. We don’t want the measure of our lives to be the money we earned, the education we received or the possessions we accumulated. We want to make a real difference.
One of the best ways to get started is by simply looking for opportunities. You know those bumper stickers that say, “Start seeing motorcycles”? The point is that there are motorcycles whether you see them or not. Just open your eyes and look around and you’ll see lots of things that you would otherwise miss.
I challenge you to try it for a week. Look for ways you can reach out and make a difference in the lives of other people. God will give you lots of ideas – and they will be ideas that fit who you are and what you can do.
Related Scripture: Mark 12: 30-31 & I Corinthians 12:4-6
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Friday, October 19, 2007
What Motivates You?
It’s said that “Love makes the world go ‘round.” But for many, guilt is a greater motivator. How often do you do things not out of love, but because you feel obligated?
Those who find themselves in positions of leadership within a church setting are particularly vulnerable to this.
When God calls us to lead others we are to respond willingly, understanding that spiritual leadership is an awesome responsibility and a privilege. Listen to St. Peter’s challenge to leaders: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers. Not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.
Peter wanted us to be aware of the wrong reasons to say “yes” to spiritual leadership. The first is obligation. Sometimes when asked to lead others in church or community we do it out of sheer duty. It’s perhaps better than saying “no,” but hardly the best reason. The second “wrong reason” is greed. This is when you take on a responsibility because it will benefit you by providing you with recognition, power or financial gain.
Peter tells us to be eager to serve and eager to lead. Our attitude toward should not be “How can others serve me?” but, “How can I serve others?”
When we are called upon to be leaders, to shepherd others for God’s sake, may we eagerly say “yes” because we are willing and we want to bless others.
Related Scripture: I Peter 5:2
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Getting a Second Chance
When we make unwise choices and mess up, we can’t always count on getting a second chance to go back and do it right. But that’s exactly what happened to Jonah in the Old Testament. God gave him a second chance.
The first time around when God asked him to go warn the city of Nineveh to repent, Jonah had refused and run away. He ended up in the belly of a great fish with three days to think about it. Then God caused the fish to vomit Jonah up onto dry land, giving Jonah a second chance.
This time when God said, "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim… the message I give you," Jonah obeyed. He delivered the message, but his attitude hadn''t changed. Jonah still hated the people of Nineveh and didn’t want them to repent and be forgiven. He wanted them judged and destroyed. His ride in the belly of the fish had caused his behavior to change, but not his heart.
To Jonah’s dismay, his enemies in Nineveh listened to God’s warning, repented and were spared. Jonah was angry. He didn’t want God to give them a second chance. Jonah did the right thing but with the wrong attitude.
What about you? Don’t wait until you’re in a situation as hopeless as the belly of a fish. Decide right now to do what God wants you to do whether you feel like it or not. If God is offering you a second chance, say “Yes,” but do it with the right attitude!
Related Scripture: Jonah 3:2 -4:1
© 2007 Leith Anderson
The first time around when God asked him to go warn the city of Nineveh to repent, Jonah had refused and run away. He ended up in the belly of a great fish with three days to think about it. Then God caused the fish to vomit Jonah up onto dry land, giving Jonah a second chance.
This time when God said, "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim… the message I give you," Jonah obeyed. He delivered the message, but his attitude hadn''t changed. Jonah still hated the people of Nineveh and didn’t want them to repent and be forgiven. He wanted them judged and destroyed. His ride in the belly of the fish had caused his behavior to change, but not his heart.
To Jonah’s dismay, his enemies in Nineveh listened to God’s warning, repented and were spared. Jonah was angry. He didn’t want God to give them a second chance. Jonah did the right thing but with the wrong attitude.
What about you? Don’t wait until you’re in a situation as hopeless as the belly of a fish. Decide right now to do what God wants you to do whether you feel like it or not. If God is offering you a second chance, say “Yes,” but do it with the right attitude!
Related Scripture: Jonah 3:2 -4:1
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Power Corrupts
An old axiom says that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Very few leaders handle power well.
The Bible tells the story of Joseph, a young Hebrew man who was sold into slavery in Egypt because his brothers hated him for being their father’s favorite. In spite of the hardships of slavery, Joseph remained faithful to God. After years of suffering, God rewarded Joseph’s faithfulness by having the ruler of Egypt promote him to the position of Prime Minister.
Drought spread throughout the region and because of Joseph’s wise management, only Egypt had food. Joseph’s brothers were sent by their father to Egypt in search of grain. When they stood before Joseph they didn’t recognize him. They thought he was dead.
How would you treat those who had mistreated you if you were in the position of control? At first Joseph struggled with what to do, but soon the character of this man shone brightly. He forgave his brothers, giving them food, protection and land. He used his power for good. When his brothers eventually realized that this powerful prime minister of Egypt was actually the kid brother they had sold into slavery, they were scared to death. But Joseph told them, “Don’t be afraid.…You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
What a stunning perspective! Joseph realized that even when people intend to harm us, God intends those very acts be used for good.
Related Scripture: Genesis 19: 19-20
© 2007 Leith Anderson
The Bible tells the story of Joseph, a young Hebrew man who was sold into slavery in Egypt because his brothers hated him for being their father’s favorite. In spite of the hardships of slavery, Joseph remained faithful to God. After years of suffering, God rewarded Joseph’s faithfulness by having the ruler of Egypt promote him to the position of Prime Minister.
Drought spread throughout the region and because of Joseph’s wise management, only Egypt had food. Joseph’s brothers were sent by their father to Egypt in search of grain. When they stood before Joseph they didn’t recognize him. They thought he was dead.
How would you treat those who had mistreated you if you were in the position of control? At first Joseph struggled with what to do, but soon the character of this man shone brightly. He forgave his brothers, giving them food, protection and land. He used his power for good. When his brothers eventually realized that this powerful prime minister of Egypt was actually the kid brother they had sold into slavery, they were scared to death. But Joseph told them, “Don’t be afraid.…You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
What a stunning perspective! Joseph realized that even when people intend to harm us, God intends those very acts be used for good.
Related Scripture: Genesis 19: 19-20
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Monday, October 8, 2007
When Life Isn't Fair
What do you do when everything goes wrong and life isn’t fair? Thousands of years ago a boy was born to a nomadic Middle Eastern family. His father, Jacob, had more than a dozen children from two wives and two concubines, and his most recent son to be born was named Joseph. Perhaps because he was the youngest, his father favored Joseph. And that favoritism nurtured resentment among his brothers.
When a caravan of traders came by, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery, telling their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. When the caravan arrived in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potipher, the captain of Pharaoh’s palace guard.
Joseph suffered the hard life of a slave but he didn’t complain. He honored God and faithfully served Potipher. God blessed Joseph and gave him success. Potipher promoted Joseph to the position of top slave in charge of his estate. But things got worse again when Joseph was falsely accused and put in prison. Two years later, in a dramatic turn of events, Joseph was able to interpret two dreams for the Pharaoh that none of the other wise men in Egypt had been able to do. Joseph spoke with stunning clarity, giving the credit for his wisdom to God. As a result, Pharaoh believed him and promoted Joseph to the position of Prime Minister.
Joseph experienced a life of extremes: hardship, good fortune, imprisonment, release and promotion. Yet he never lost sight of the fact that God is in control.
Related Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23
© 2007 Leith Anderson
When a caravan of traders came by, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery, telling their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. When the caravan arrived in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potipher, the captain of Pharaoh’s palace guard.
Joseph suffered the hard life of a slave but he didn’t complain. He honored God and faithfully served Potipher. God blessed Joseph and gave him success. Potipher promoted Joseph to the position of top slave in charge of his estate. But things got worse again when Joseph was falsely accused and put in prison. Two years later, in a dramatic turn of events, Joseph was able to interpret two dreams for the Pharaoh that none of the other wise men in Egypt had been able to do. Joseph spoke with stunning clarity, giving the credit for his wisdom to God. As a result, Pharaoh believed him and promoted Joseph to the position of Prime Minister.
Joseph experienced a life of extremes: hardship, good fortune, imprisonment, release and promotion. Yet he never lost sight of the fact that God is in control.
Related Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Friday, October 5, 2007
Don't Misuse My Name!
How would you feel if you heard someone gossiping about you, or saying that you are a cheat and a liar?” It would hurt and you probably wouldn’t like it. Did you know that God is also sensitive about the use of his name?
It’s important enough to him that the third of the Ten Commandments is, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” The initial meaning of this commandment was not what we most often think of today. It was saying that when you use God’s name to swear a promise, as in a court of law, always make sure that you keep the promise. It still applies to marriage vows, baptismal vows, court testimony or whenever the name of God is invoked.
The second understanding of misusing God’s name is profanity. One of the most frequent insertions into every-day American conversation is, “Oh my God.” People say it in regards to the weather, sports, or just about anything that is happening. I don’t even know that they hear themselves saying it. But such flippancy in the use of his name is really an insult to God. We wouldn’t like it if our names were used in a similar way, and God doesn’t like it either. It’s a matter of respect. Remember, “The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Related Scripture: Exodus 20:7
© 2007 Leith Anderson
It’s important enough to him that the third of the Ten Commandments is, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” The initial meaning of this commandment was not what we most often think of today. It was saying that when you use God’s name to swear a promise, as in a court of law, always make sure that you keep the promise. It still applies to marriage vows, baptismal vows, court testimony or whenever the name of God is invoked.
The second understanding of misusing God’s name is profanity. One of the most frequent insertions into every-day American conversation is, “Oh my God.” People say it in regards to the weather, sports, or just about anything that is happening. I don’t even know that they hear themselves saying it. But such flippancy in the use of his name is really an insult to God. We wouldn’t like it if our names were used in a similar way, and God doesn’t like it either. It’s a matter of respect. Remember, “The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Related Scripture: Exodus 20:7
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Benefits to Being a Christian
Did you know that there are enormous benefits to being a Christian? The Bible says that when you put your faith and trust in Jesus “you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This doesn’t mean that when we become Christians we’ll never sin, make mistakes or face hardships in life; it means that there is nothing that will take us down or that God cannot overcome.
The Bible was written during the time of the Roman Empire and the picture is of soldiers marching to battle. In the Roman army a unit of one hundred soldiers was called a century – and its leader was a centurion. If the century was marching along and one soldier tripped or fell, the assurance was that the century would not leave that soldier behind, they would help him up.
The same promise is being made to Christians. Becoming a Christian isn’t just an insurance policy for heaven after we die, the benefits begin immediately. And one of those benefits is that God will come along side of us and help us not to fall or be destroyed by the circumstances of life.
A second benefit is a rich welcome into the presence of God. Every Christian is guaranteed a place in the eternal kingdom of God. When you think of it, this life is comparatively short, while eternity lasts forever! Believing in Jesus fills our lives with joyful anticipation of the destination that awaits us.
Related Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 10-11
© 2007 Leith Anderson
The Bible was written during the time of the Roman Empire and the picture is of soldiers marching to battle. In the Roman army a unit of one hundred soldiers was called a century – and its leader was a centurion. If the century was marching along and one soldier tripped or fell, the assurance was that the century would not leave that soldier behind, they would help him up.
The same promise is being made to Christians. Becoming a Christian isn’t just an insurance policy for heaven after we die, the benefits begin immediately. And one of those benefits is that God will come along side of us and help us not to fall or be destroyed by the circumstances of life.
A second benefit is a rich welcome into the presence of God. Every Christian is guaranteed a place in the eternal kingdom of God. When you think of it, this life is comparatively short, while eternity lasts forever! Believing in Jesus fills our lives with joyful anticipation of the destination that awaits us.
Related Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 10-11
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Seeking Confirmation
There’s nothing quite like a free trip! Recently I cashed in some frequent flyer miles. I went online, entered my Frequent Flyer number, chose my destination and travel dates, and selected my flights. I was issued a confirmation number but I wanted to talk to a real person to make sure. So I called the 800 number. The agent said, “You’ve got an e-ticket.” Well, I wanted something more tangible so she offered further confirmation by e-mail, fax, or by mail. I told her that I would like all three. I really wanted to be sure I was getting that trip!
I was reminded of St. Peter’s words when he told us to be “eager to make your calling and election sure.” Peter wasn’t writing about an airline destination, but about our eternal destination. He was talking to those of us who have called up God in prayer and asked for a reservation to go to heaven.
God gives two confirmations. First there is confirmation from the Bible. It says, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then there is a change in our behavior. Becoming a Christian changes a person’s desires and behavior. It’s not that living a good life makes us a Christian; it’s that being a Christian makes us live a better life. Seeking confirmation of our eternal destiny from God enables us to joyfully anticipate the benefits of our reservation.
Related Scripture: Romans 10:9
© 2007 Leith Anderson
I was reminded of St. Peter’s words when he told us to be “eager to make your calling and election sure.” Peter wasn’t writing about an airline destination, but about our eternal destination. He was talking to those of us who have called up God in prayer and asked for a reservation to go to heaven.
God gives two confirmations. First there is confirmation from the Bible. It says, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then there is a change in our behavior. Becoming a Christian changes a person’s desires and behavior. It’s not that living a good life makes us a Christian; it’s that being a Christian makes us live a better life. Seeking confirmation of our eternal destiny from God enables us to joyfully anticipate the benefits of our reservation.
Related Scripture: Romans 10:9
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Monday, October 1, 2007
Like Father, Like Son
One of America’s top crimes is larceny-theft. It can be robbing a bank or writing a bad check. It can be copyright infringement, especially with music where you are cheating someone out of their royalty. There are lots of different ways of taking something we shouldn’t have.
There’s a story about a father who found out from the school authorities that his son had stolen pencils. The father was outraged. When the son came home, he gave him a spanking and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Why do you steal? Don’t I bring home enough pencils for you from work?”
Compare that with the actions of Ascension Franco Gonzales, an illegal immigrant living in Los Angeles. He earns $1,300 a month as a dishwasher and sends $800 of that to his parents in Mexico every month to help them build a concrete block house. The newspaper reported that Gonzales saw bags of money fall out of an armored truck. He agonized over what to do but then called the police and turned it in, knowing that he risked being deported. It turned out to be $203,000. He said he just couldn’t keep it. It wouldn’t be right. He was raised by his parents to be a good Catholic and he could not steal what was not his.
In both stories it was like father, like son. If we are trusting in God as our father, when we face temptation we’ll know what to do.
Related Scripture: I Corinthians 10:13 & Matthew 26:41
© 2007 Leith Anderson
There’s a story about a father who found out from the school authorities that his son had stolen pencils. The father was outraged. When the son came home, he gave him a spanking and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Why do you steal? Don’t I bring home enough pencils for you from work?”
Compare that with the actions of Ascension Franco Gonzales, an illegal immigrant living in Los Angeles. He earns $1,300 a month as a dishwasher and sends $800 of that to his parents in Mexico every month to help them build a concrete block house. The newspaper reported that Gonzales saw bags of money fall out of an armored truck. He agonized over what to do but then called the police and turned it in, knowing that he risked being deported. It turned out to be $203,000. He said he just couldn’t keep it. It wouldn’t be right. He was raised by his parents to be a good Catholic and he could not steal what was not his.
In both stories it was like father, like son. If we are trusting in God as our father, when we face temptation we’ll know what to do.
Related Scripture: I Corinthians 10:13 & Matthew 26:41
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Friday, September 28, 2007
No Other Gods Before Me
In the ancient world everyone was a polytheist—believing in multiple gods. Every nation had different gods and humans struggled to stay out of the way of their conflicts.
For four hundred years the Hebrew people had lived under the control of the Egyptians who worshipped many gods. Then, under the leadership of Moses, they were suddenly set free from their slavery in Egypt. Talk about a life change! Even more revolutionary, Moses had a mountaintop encounter with God where God gave him Ten Commandments. The first commandment was, “You shall have no other gods before me.” All they knew was living with multiple, conflicting gods. Now they were being told that their God (Yahweh) was to always have precedence over other gods. This was a risky notion. What if the other gods didn’t like it?
An even better translation of the Hebrew words in the first commandment is, “You shall have no other gods besides me.” In other words, Yahweh was not to be their top god, he was to be their only God.
We live in a society with many competing gods with names like “Luck,” “Money,” “Science,” “Counseling,” “Education,” and “Things.” We often believe that these gods can cure our cancer, solve our problems and get us what we want in life. But the Lord of heaven and earth is saying that it’s not that way. He alone is the true God and we are to swear our allegiance to Him and Him alone.
Related Scripture: Exodus 20:3
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Who "Creates?"
Did you know that every time the verb “create” appears in the Old Testament it is always about what God does? It is never about what humans do. We are not creators. As much as we may be impressed with our human ability to invent machines and medicines, we are merely the stewards of what God has already created. Even the creations of the most innovative science fiction film makers are comprised of variations of creatures we already know. Only God can speak a universe into existence.
In the New Testament it says, "By Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”
In our world, creation defines ownership. Those same science fiction film makers “own” the movie they create. If God created the world, then he owns it. In the book of Psalms it says, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.”
One of the most basic questions of life is over the question of ownership. Does everything belong to God or do we own it? Is it our world and our environment for us to treat as we please? Are these our bodies so that we can determine our own destiny? The answer to this question of ownership is the essential difference between being a Christian and a non-Christian, between being a believer and an unbeliever. If God is truly the creator, and therefore the owner, then we are accountable to Him.
Related Scripture: Colossians 1:16 & Psalms 24:1
© 2007 Leith Anderson
In the New Testament it says, "By Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”
In our world, creation defines ownership. Those same science fiction film makers “own” the movie they create. If God created the world, then he owns it. In the book of Psalms it says, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.”
One of the most basic questions of life is over the question of ownership. Does everything belong to God or do we own it? Is it our world and our environment for us to treat as we please? Are these our bodies so that we can determine our own destiny? The answer to this question of ownership is the essential difference between being a Christian and a non-Christian, between being a believer and an unbeliever. If God is truly the creator, and therefore the owner, then we are accountable to Him.
Related Scripture: Colossians 1:16 & Psalms 24:1
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Dr. Einstein
Several years ago when Billy Graham was honored at a special luncheon, he replied to all the accolades with a story. “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist…. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached into his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat by him. He still couldn’t find it. The conductor said, ‘Doctor Einstein, I know who you are.… I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’ Einstein nodded appreciatively.
The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’”
Billy Graham went on to explain to his audience, “I not only know who I am, I also know where I’m going.” He knew he was trusting in Jesus and that the Bible promises, “whoever believes in [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life [in heaven].” Do you know where you are going?
Related Scripture: John 3:16
© 2007 Leith Anderson
The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’”
Billy Graham went on to explain to his audience, “I not only know who I am, I also know where I’m going.” He knew he was trusting in Jesus and that the Bible promises, “whoever believes in [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life [in heaven].” Do you know where you are going?
Related Scripture: John 3:16
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Finding Meaning in Tragedy
Author Richard Exley tells the story of a pastor whose son committed suicide. Returning to his pulpit ten days later, his text was Romans 8:28. With a trembling voice he read, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He said, “I cannot make my son’s suicide fit into this passage. It’s impossible for me to see how anything good could come out of it. Yet I realize that I only see in part. I only know in part.”
Fighting for composure, he continued, “It’s like the miracle of the shipyard. Almost every part of our great ocean-going vessels are made of steel. If you take any single part…and throw it into the ocean, it will sink. Steel doesn’t float! But when the shipbuilders are finished, when the last plate has been riveted in place, then that massive steel ship is virtually unsinkable.”
“Taken by itself, my son’s suicide is senseless. Throw it into the sea of Romans 8:28, and it sinks. Still, I believe that when the Eternal Shipbuilder has finally finished, when God has worked out his perfect design, even this senseless tragedy will somehow work to our eternal good.”
In the midst of his despair, this Christian father’s hope was in God’s promise to “work for the good of those who love him.” He came to realize that God shapes our lives through both agony and ecstasy to make us more like Jesus.
Related Scripture: Romans 8:28
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Fighting for composure, he continued, “It’s like the miracle of the shipyard. Almost every part of our great ocean-going vessels are made of steel. If you take any single part…and throw it into the ocean, it will sink. Steel doesn’t float! But when the shipbuilders are finished, when the last plate has been riveted in place, then that massive steel ship is virtually unsinkable.”
“Taken by itself, my son’s suicide is senseless. Throw it into the sea of Romans 8:28, and it sinks. Still, I believe that when the Eternal Shipbuilder has finally finished, when God has worked out his perfect design, even this senseless tragedy will somehow work to our eternal good.”
In the midst of his despair, this Christian father’s hope was in God’s promise to “work for the good of those who love him.” He came to realize that God shapes our lives through both agony and ecstasy to make us more like Jesus.
Related Scripture: Romans 8:28
© 2007 Leith Anderson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
