"Our Saturdays"

  "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.' Having said this, He breathed His last." (Luke 23:46) Trusting but enduring a horrible death. All Jesus had was the promise from His Father. No one to hold Him, touch Him or help. He simply died in our place because of our sins trusting God would do as He promised, raise Him from death's grip. 

  Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had taken away the body of Jesus and prepared a mixture of myrrh and aloes. The women followed seeing where the tomb was and how Jesus was laid. Jesus is lifeless as the stones around. 

  God made Himself known to mankind on Friday by displays of nature and the relationship to Jesus Christ the Lord. Open graves, a blackened sun in the brightest part of the day as the earth was shaken. On Saturday, all went silent. The Lord Jesus is silent. The God of heaven and earth is silent. Saturday is the day between the struggle and the solution for all mankind. What was going to happen? As silent Saturday came along man heard or saw nothing. It all seemed over. 

  Sometimes we have these "Saturdays" in our lives. Friday we found out we have no employment any longer. Friday we received unfavorable news about our health. Friday our child went across the line. Friday our marriage has reached a height of disappointment. We pray. We cry. We reach out and there seems to be such silence. Our lives seem so dark. What are we to do? Why hasn't God done something? The silence of Saturday grieves us.

  We are called to do as Jesus did...lie still and wait. Jesus trusted God from the beginning to the end. No matter what physical forces were around, Jesus simply trusted and His body lay there on Saturday waiting. Jesus knew the promises. Jesus had a conviction about God and His word: "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life..." (Psa. 16:10-11) Jesus knew God would not leave Him alone. 

  Then came  Sunday when God raised His Son and grip of sin and it's power were destroyed! The solution for all mankind was made known. He lives! He reigns! The first day of the week began a new chapter with the Lord Jesus Christ in charge! Just because of silence on Saturday does not mean God was absent or inactive. 

  We have many "Saturdays" in our lives and it leaves us bewildered. But just because something is not done on the spot, when you want it doesn't mean God is not aware or inactive. Our "Saturdays" have a purpose. Those silent "Saturdays" are to help us focus and simply be still. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  (Psa. 46:10) Sometimes we need to simply be still and stop trying to direct things when we encounter them. If God had raised Jesus within thirty minutes of His death, we would not appreciate the depth of the love and power. If God were to come and solve your problems the moment they appear, you would miss an opportunity for faith to grow and a deep sense of love for His strength. It's for this reason that God gives us "Saturdays." Learning to be patient and "know that I am God" has great benefits. Trust in the Lord and learn that silence is an opportunity for prayer and awaiting the "Sunday" power.

"Stumps and Dirt"

  Many years ago while growing up in West Texas a fellow brother in Christ owned some land with mesquite trees on it. He wanted to use some of that land for farming so he began the task of pulling stumps. I went out to help him one day while he was pulling stumps. That was some of the most difficult work I ever had to do. Those who have pulled stumps know exactly what I'm saying. A few weeks later the stumps were removed and the ground was ready to be plowed.

  I went back out when he was plowing just to see and he approached me asking, "Smell that? That's a sweet smell of dirt!" It was all dirt. No stumps and ready to be used and useful. 

  It struck me the other day that the church many times is like the land being cleared to be useful. Sometimes there are those stumps and they keep the richness of the blessings in Christ Jesus in check! Jesus was preparing the soil of hearts and encountered many who impeded what the Lord was looking for. They were stumps and unwilling to move. When the soil of the heart is pure it gives the opportunity for seed to be planted and grown as intended. Useful and rich. The Lord has blessed His people with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3) and redeemed us (Eph. 1:7). The Lord has provided us with EVERYTHING that pertains to life and godliness. Nothing is missing. Everything is for our benefit and our blessing. Yet there are those stumps who stir and refuse. They throw in their attitudes which are less than Christ-like. The church struggles. But here's the good news, you can be an aroma for Christ. Hold to His promises. Be humble and pull up any stumps that are in the heart so the soil of the heart is good and useful. You will be amazed how the Lord grows you. 

"S I N"

  I do a lot of counseling. Marriages, families and individuals. People come by and share their life struggles and they are real. Heartache, disappointment and sometimes rebellion troubles the souls. For the majority, their struggles seem so big and complicated they do not know what to do. Many times people speak that their situation is so complex that it is hard to explain. Many times individuals have sought out "professionals" and found no answers and they seem to grasping at straws. I guess one might say that I sometimes fall as a last resort! First or last, at least they come.

  Here is the thing. I know the answer to all situations before I am ever told what is going on. There are no letters before or after my name as I am a nobody. But I understand why things are the way they are. Our day and times is no different from the day and times of Jesus. The same problems He faced with people are the same problems we face today. The only thing that has changed is we have gotten better at covering up the problem with all these layers and that's what makes people confused or complicated. The problem up front and always: S I N! It's not anything else. One can listen to this action or these words spoken in a situation but the cause is s i n! In marriages, s i n separates people. In families s i n brings destruction and hurts. In individual lives s i n creates confusion and hopelessness. S I N is the enemy of man.

  Knowing the problem up front makes it easy when the circumstances are laid out. S i n is involved in every step of the way. People express what happened in certain situations and they don't know what to do from this point. It is rather a simple solution knowing the individuals are trapped and need the answer to overcome the power of s i n. People need saving from s i n and being held in its power. That's where the answer is simple. They need the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's that simple. God's power to save from s i n is found in the gospel (Rom. 1:16). S i n robs one of life. Jesus came to give life. When things get confusing and complicated you can bet s i n is the root cause. Once we can see the cause the solution is easy for those with faith. 

  Next time someone comes to you with all this swirling complexity they want to share realize up front you know the problem and the solution. S i n is overcome by Jesus Christ. Point them to Jesus. No gimmicks, no mastermind plan but just simple and plain words of Jesus and Him crucified!

"Retreat"

  We recently had a congregational retreat. We try to do this every four years for our congregation but as time has moved us forward we have expanded into the lives of families, brothers and sisters from all parts of this nation. It takes two years of planning (which is why we only do this every four years) and physically wears me out. But that can be overcome! The blessings received are beyond the physical. People tell me to get others to help and I do on certain things but I guess as I am, with all my flaws graciously brought into Christ's love, I want to make sure it glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthens us. That's not saying others can't or don't do that. It's just me. Yes, sometimes my humanness gets in the way but I always keep things pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. I can do better and I will!

  We had 242 people at this years retreat in Colorado at Snow Mountain Ranch. Many have asked about it and others have asked how to go about putting one together. I'm glad people ask but I have no real answers. You just do it with Christ as the center piece! Kevin Lawrence from Gideon, Missouri did our speaking and what an outstanding job he did pointing us toward fellowship with God. It's so encouraging to see humble servants of the Lord just preach/teach simply and plainly. There were other preachers (I believe 8) there from different locations and I can say I love them everyone. Many times preachers want to compete with one another or push their personal agendas or ways. Not one of these servants of God did that. Every man of God was kind and humble. They each pull from God's word to be their guide and not their personal opinion. I was thankful to the Father above for bringing all these men into my life and sharing in this retreat.

  Our next retreat will be in 2020 if the Lord will allow. I am prayerfully considering this process asking for guidance and strength. As I reflect on what we did and accomplished, it was good, very good. Families have time together that they may never have done as a family. Brethren get to be with one another and see each in the level of life. It is wonderful. There is too much world in our lives and not enough life in our lives! Someone asked why we traveled that far. It's simple. If we had something like this local, people would be trying to fit some schedule they had or some work they have on-going into this week. To travel away, completely out of the norm, focusing on life in Christ is center stage without any interference. Jesus would often slip up into the mountains to pray. I see the value! In all things, we need to be gaining a deep understanding of our life in Christ Jesus so we have something greater to share not only in our families but to the lost world around. Refreshing of the soul brings things into greater focus!

"Does Jesus Really Make Any Difference?"

  Does Jesus really make any difference to us? Let's be honest in our apporach. Church division, marriages crumble, arguments among brethren, hatred, strife, bitterness and hardness of heart seem to abound in the lives of many who claim Jesus Christ. 

  We have people pursue their own ideas in the body of Christ and the next thing you know people part ways. People stating they would never have anything to do with certain ones again. The Supper is taken while hatred is in the heart toward others. Does Jesus really make any difference to us?

  Marriages can be difficult at times but for many, hurt feelings and hateful words become the norm and slowly two start drifting apart. Infidelity results and the blame is placed on the other. No one accepts responsibility for their own actions. Cutting words are used to let the other know how they feel. Hearts become embittered and hard and then it happens...divorce. Does Jesus really make any difference to us?

  False accusations are brought up and some seem to be waiting to hear such, especially if it involves one who they already don't like. It's licked up like a cold cup of water on a sweltering day. They dig into it from a source that spews bitterness. Sides are joined and lines are drawn. It's a time bomb ticking. Does Jesus really make any difference to us?

  How many times have you sat and read from God's word? How many sermons have you heard? How many times does Jesus call us to be tenderhearted, forgiving as He has forgiven us? We read and know yet we do the opposite. It is shrugged off as nothing but it is everything! Does Jesus really make any difference to us?

   

"It's All In The Mind Set"

 The Lord calls us to set our minds on the Spirit (Rom. 8:6). The Lord calls us to seek things above continually (Col. 3:1). The Lord calls us to set our minds on the things above and not on the earth (Col. 3:2). Set, to fix it! To continually draw our minds upward where Christ is seated. It is a matter of spiritual life and death. It's that serious. And we wonder why the things we face on this earth take us down so easily. 

  Heaven is bent on getting us to eternity. God planned on our forgiveness through Jesus but that's only part of it. There has to be a way to be forgiven so we can stand in the presence of a holy God. Jesus provides us with that. All our sins, ALL OUR SINS were taken away and that's the covenant of God. Where does that leave us? We need the power to take us to the end and that power comes from God. The power to forgive and the power to overcome painful situations, God has done it all! 

  The Lord calls us to live by faith. Set your minds! Fix it and let your minds not just dwell but be fixed seeking when we encounter situations. When someone upsets us, what do we normally do? We dwell on how we were hurt. The more you dwell on it, the more angry you become. As the mind dwells on the situation we start slowly falling apart spiritually. We are easily agitated. When the opportunity presents itself we say something or do something to show how upset we are. The situation becomes worse and sometimes it can become 'unmendable'. Where did it start? Someone not setting their mind on the Spirit and seeking Jesus where He sits. Our lives take a downward spiral. We become weaker especially dealing with that person or situation. Misery sets in. The spiritual is lost. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...we have to look no further than those three to realize none of those are in our lives when we encounter a difficult situation and set our minds on the situation. The Lord would lead us into love, joy and peace and the rest of His life listed in Gal. 5:22-23. The Lord's power is there to help and we choose to set our minds somewhere else. Keeping the Lord our of your situation will leave you weak and helpless because He is not going to walk in the world of your mind set on the things on this earth. The Lord is calling us upward! He's is power. He's the provider and when we don't set our minds there is nothing He can do. Bottom line is we refuse His help by not setting our minds.

  I've noticed over the years when something goes wrong for people, it seems to be all they think about and talk about. You can encourage and point them but generally the response is, "I know that", and it's left right there. That makes matters worse. To know and still not respond by faith is the worst place to put yourself. 

  It takes faith and discipline to set your mind but the result of your response, whether good or bad, will be your choice. God's trying to help. God has helped. God's power is in our reach. It all boils down to where we set our minds. Where you set your mind on a daily basis determines everything!!

"Ites"

  Not loving the Lord God and His truth is what sent the Hebrew people back into a wilderness of trial and wanderings. That was not what God had in mind for them. Just listening to God's word and following would bring great benefit and joy. But that wasn't the result and it wasn't God's choice but theirs.

  Forty years passed and it's time to bring the next generation back into the promises of God full of hope. Before entering what God provides, there had to be some things put before them as a warning so they wouldn't follow the same path as their parents and grandparents. It was a matter of life and death for them. God gave them seven "ites" to destroy completely. They were the Hittities, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, the Hivites and Jebusites. (Deut. 7:1-2) These nations were to be removed in favor of His people and they were greater and strong than Israel. God promised to be the power to remove these nations if His people would listen and heed. These "ites" God knew would influence them away from Himself to follow their teachings and thoughts. These "ites" were a great danger to their spiritual survival. These "ites" had different beliefs. These "ites" ended up taking Israel away from God and His promises and they eventually were destroyed.

  This is a very difficult lesson for us to learn today with all the teaching and books floating around in our religious world. There seems to be little discernment and if we speak of "contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3) it gets people into an uproar. But if we would be a people seeking, searching and listening to the truth as spoken from God, the gain for us is great. In our nation, voices are speaking all around. Believe this. Believe that. Here's a new writing with new insight. Just as Israel faced their "ites" we too have many "ites" facing us. The struggle for truth and spiritual survival remains the same today. The truth from God's word seems to get lost. Preaching/teaching from God and His word gets lost in all the stories and videos. The "ites" aren't driven out and as they have rested among us, truth is obscured. Many aren't bothered. Many believe it's part of God. Peter heralded to the saints that there are going to be those who secretly introduce destructive heresies (II Pet. 2:1). What is a heresy? It's a self-willed opinion that is substituted for the truth! But it doesn't end there. Peter goes on to say that many will follow their sensuality and the way of truth, it will be maligned (II Pet. 2:2). Peter knew it. The other apostles knew it. Jesus knew it.

  I'm not saying I have all the answers but this I can say, just as the "ites" took down Israel and kept them from God's intentions we too have the same message of "ites" around us. God's word is no longer enough. His simplicity and purity have been made obscure. People are running everywhere to what's new and 'fun' while the word of God is limited or left out. When is the last time you sat down and just read the word of the Lord without any helps or your own ideas placed in it? Just simply read and  heed? Too many are wandering in the wilderness with no clue why things are the way they are. Listen to the truth of the Lord with all your heart!