Month: October 2020

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” James 2:8

            I’m guessing the verse quoted above is not a big surprise to very many people. Jesus told us that this is the second greatest commandment and that it is like the greatest commandment: to Love God with our whole being. I think that means that we don’t really love God if we don’t also love our neighbor. So how do we love someone? If the feeling of love isn’t there, is that really our fault? I mean, how do you make yourself feel love when that feeling doesn’t naturally come? That’s not what this type of love is like. There is the kind of love that we feel. Then there’s the type of love that’s a choice. In that instance, we may or may not feel the loving feelings. But even if we don’t, we still choose to treat them with dignity, respect, and in the way we would want to be treated.

            There can be many aspects of what that includes, but I want to talk about one of them. I heard it said once that when we choose to love someone, we choose to cover them with silence. In other words, if you know something about someone that may not be complimentary, you choose to not repeat it. It means that we don’t make jokes at another’s expense. We don’t talk negatively about that person. In fact, we don’t even roll our eyes when that person’s name is mentioned.

            There is so much division in our culture right now. So many are loudly proclaiming their opinions on a multitude of subjects. Then those who disagree have to voice their opinions just as loudly, or even louder. And the debate goes back and forth, growing louder and more degrading with each exchange of opinion. We may have started out talking about a particular subject but before long we’ll find ourselves talking about the person with whom we disagree. Because they hold a different opinion, they must be stupid, or uneducated, or if we’re being really nice, we think they’re uninformed. Is it possible that maybe they’re right? Maybe, just maybe, we’re both right. Have we made allowances for different situations in life, or different backgrounds?

            I have a huge challenge for all of us. At least, it’s a huge one for me. Maybe it’ll be easier for you. I’m challenging myself to not say a single derogatory comment about any candidate running for any position right now. I may have a strong opinion on who would be the better choice. Or maybe I don’t like either choice but I think I know who is the lesser of two “evils.” I will pray about the election and I will ask that God’s will be done. But coming up to the election and even after, I will talk only about issues, not people. In addition, I’m challenging myself to not denigrate anyone who thinks another candidate would be the better choice. You think that’s going to be hard? Well, here’s the really hard part. With God’s help, I’m going to try to even change my attitudes toward those who think differently than I. How? By praying for them. Not praying that God would change their mind to agree with me. But praying that God would bless them and that He would show both of us His will. I told you this was a big challenge! Are you in it with me? Let’s try to change the divisiveness in our culture one interaction at a time.

“He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” Psalm 111:5

            What are the things that control your thoughts? What do you worry about? What circumstances cause that little pit in your stomach? What can take you from complete serenity to agitation? There are many things that can have those effects on us, and the answers depend greatly on the individual. But there is one thing that is fairly universal: money. I know that in our culture, that’s not something we typically talk about. We don’t tell others how much we make. We don’t share our bank balance with our friends. It’s one of those taboo subjects for us. But the same can’t be said for God. He has a lot to say about money. And He has every right to say as much as He wants, because it all came from Him and it all belongs to Him.

            That realization makes it pretty easy for us. You want to know how much money I have – or anyone, for that matter? The answer is $0.00. Whatever my bank balance, whatever’s in my wallet isn’t really mine. It belongs to God. He’s the One in control of all of it. Here’s the flip side: if you’re bottom line is showing more red than black, that is God’s money that seems rather scarce. It’s not really our problem. It’s God’s. This verse reminds us that God is going to provide all that we need. If you just really don’t know how the month’s bills are going to be paid, that’s okay because God already has that all worked out.

            That doesn’t mean we’re free to blow any penny that comes our way. God asks us to be good stewards of the money He has entrusted to us. If you’re in the red but the FedEx truck still pulls up to your door every day with packages of non-essential items, then it’s time for you to make some changes. God will help us change, but He won’t necessarily bail us out of trouble of our own making without repentance. He may want us to experience the consequences of our overspending to help us break that shopping habit.

            But what about those times when the unexpected happens? When you lose your job with little or no notice? Suddenly there’s no paycheck coming. Or what if you receive a large, completely unexpected bill? That’s when this verse is so comforting. God’s got this. Sure, we may not have money for luxuries for a while, but He’s not going to let us starve. He’s there for us. What knocked us for a loop didn’t surprise Him. He has a plan. Trust Him. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Rest in Him. If you’re facing a period of unexpected monetary leanness, praise God! He’s going to show Himself faithful in ways that will bless your socks off! We’ll come out the other side with a new level of trust in the God Who has promised to provide our every need.

“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24

The first question this verse raises is who in the world was Enoch?! He’s even mentioned in Hebrews 11, the chapter that is commonly called the “Faith Chapter.” So let’s find out a little more about him.  The problem is, the Bible has very little to say about this guy.  He was the seventh generation from Adam, he was the father of Methuselah, he lived to be 365 years old, and he was a prophet who prophesied against godless people.  But the most important information about this important man is found in the verse above. He walked with God.

What a way to be remembered – as someone who walked with God!  He isn’t remembered for writing a book of the Bible, finding a cure for cancer, or even giving a great sermon.  He’s remembered for his relationship with God, a relationship so strong that he didn’t even experience physical death! 

So what does it mean to walk with God?  Well, first it’s walking, not running.  It’s not running ahead of God, thinking we know better.  Nor is it sitting, doing nothing, waiting for God to do everything for us.  It’s walking.  Step by step.  Sometimes painful steps, sometimes joyful steps, but always putting one foot in front of the other.  The next word is just as important: with.  Sometimes I can get so intent on putting one foot in front of the other that I forget to look where I’m going.  If I’m wandering away from the path God is on, that means I’m on the wrong path.    My prayer for all of is that we would walk (not run or sit) with (not wander off from) God.

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

            This verse is found just after that section of scripture we would all like to ignore: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” I wonder if you’re like me. When a new trial comes, a new challenge in my life, I can rise up and meet it head on. I don’t necessarily find joy in it, but at least I can address the issue. Facing the trial is not usually the problem. It’s when that trial goes on. And on. And on. When I have no idea how long a difficult season is going to last, it seems to pull me further and further down. That light at the end of tunnel is so hopeful! But when you can’t see that light, it can be just the opposite. It can feel as if I’m going into a darker and darker tunnel.

            Those are the times when perseverance is necessary. But how do we find the perseverance to keep going? Verse 3 tells us that perseverance comes from the testing of our faith. That doesn’t sound like a very fun answer, does it? It’s kind of like patience. It would be nice if God just gave us all the perseverance we need, right when we need it. But instead, He grows it in us. He allows us to experience tests that will develop us into people who have the stamina to persevere. Tests are the workouts that build those perseverance muscles. It’s not a fun process, but it is necessary and takes us to a good place.

            That good place is a place of maturity and completeness. Just think of it! We won’t lack anything! I know I’m not there, because I often think that I don’t have what it takes for trials I face. But when we’re fully mature and complete we won’t be lacking anything. I’m not even sure that will happen this side of heaven. But at least we’ll get closer with each trial we face, each time we persevere.

            Do you think that you just can’t go another day? Hang onto your faith! Do you feel like the dark tunnel is closing in around you? Your faith will see you through. Are you even struggling to keep that faith? Go back to the basics. Tell God exactly how you’re feeling. If necessary, complain to Him that it’s not fair, or you’re beaten down, or whatever your situation. Be honest with Him. Cry out to Him. Read Psalm 22 to Him. Honesty doesn’t offend God. Fall down before Him and He will pick you up, dust you off, and set you back on the right path. Then hang onto that faith in Him and soon you’ll realize that you have persevered!