The Ideal Focus

This Wednesday, July 4, marks two hundred thirty-one years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. This marked a turning point. Historians record how that these people were taking a real risk. Their determination for freedom for themselves and future generations was the motivation that energized them.

What if our dedication to the Lord and His church had the same determination? Do we remember that our diligent efforts in the Lord's work will bless future generations? Even greater than the cause of the early American colonists is the work of the Lord's church. Our work is directly linked to eternity. Our foundation is the Lord and His gospel. Our standard is the only perfect and sure word, the Bible. Before us is the greatest reward available to mankind, heaven. Indeed, doing our best should be our natural response!

"Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).

Absolute Dependence On God

How do you view God? Does He seem faraway or distant? Is your relationship with Him close and sustaining? From the book of Psalms we are given some meaningful insights into the possibilities of our relationship with the one true and living God. Please consider the following statement from David, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn and my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

Without realizing it, we may allow ourselves to think that there is a lack of connection between God and this world. But most assuredly, we serve a personal God. For example, the apostle Peter declared, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers” (I Peter 3:12). Another example is the following assurance to Christians from the apostle Paul, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

A strengthening reminder is that God desires a close relationship with us. The Psalmist David, in following the Lord, approached his life in light of the Lord’s desires. This is a good reminder for us. We can absolutely depend on the Lord. As the apostle Paul exclaimed in praise to God, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Some Reflections For Father's Day

An early memory from childhood involves asking my mother in the morning, “Where is Daddy?” She would tell me that he had just left for work. Often I would look at the kitchen table and I would see his coffee cup and plate from his breakfast. Though it seems very silly now, at three years old it was fun to take his spoon and get the sugar that was still in his cup. Knowing that it had been my father’s cup just a little earlier in the morning made it special.

One of life’s sweetest blessings for me is being a father. It is a never-ending responsibility. I find myself thinking about this responsibility at various times in the day. My attention is always captured when a book or article I read mentions being a father. Hearing a special little girl say something that I have said or in the way I have said it often takes my breath away.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord . . .” (Psalm 127:3).

He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions

The song "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross" reminds us of the blessings we have because of our Lord's sacrifice. This vivid demonstration of His love should motivate us to faithfully serve Him. The following article, from an unknown author, describes the depth of our Lord's suffering on the cross for you and me.

There are six varieties of wounds a person can suffer:

Abrasive wound: the skin is scraped off. This can result in stumbling, by carrying a rough object, or by a glancing blow. “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull . . . “ (John 19:17).

Contused wound: caused by a heavy blow. “And they smote him on the head with a reed . . . “ (Mark 15:19).

Incised wound: produced by a knife, spear, or other sharp instrument. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him” (John 19:1).

Lacerated wound: the flesh is torn open, leaving jagged edges. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spiting” (Isaiah 50:6).

Penetrating wound: the flesh is pierced through. “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails. . . “ (John 20:25).

Punctured wound: made by a pointed or spiked instrument. “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side . . .” (John 19:34).

Jesus suffered all these wounds. Yes, Jesus suffered real physical pain, but what Jesus suffered physically by itself does not give the power to the cross. Jesus also endured spiritual pain in “becoming sin for us” (II Corinthians 5:21).

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

author unknown

Warning: It is Dangerous To Be Distracted

It happens very innocently. One morning as you are driving down the highway you begin thinking about a conversation you had the previous evening. You begin reviewing in your mind what you said. Perhaps you even begin to wish that you had not said a particular thing, or maybe there is something that now you regretted you had not said. And then all of a sudden you realize you have run off the road. You may have even hit something with your car. There is a very simple explanation for what has happened. You allowed yourself to be distracted while driving.

Each year the cause of many automobile accidents is that the driver became distracted. While the driver should have been concentrating on the operation of the automobile, his mind goes to other matters that impair his ability to properly operate his automobile. The result is that he puts both himself and other people at a very serious risk. Sometimes the consequences of a driver being distracted involve the loss of life, both of the driver and other people.

A much greater threat to our well-being can be described as spiritual distraction. Indeed, the goal of our lives as Christians is for heaven to be our eternal home. Anything that takes us away from that focus is a distraction. Consider these words from the apostle Paul that emphasize the striving of his life, “I press toward the goal for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

At times there may be questions or situations that trouble us in life. Instead of getting “caught up in the moment,” may we more often ponder our aim and striving of heaven. Otherwise we may end up being spiritually distracted. Most assuredly, anything here on earth that distracts us from an eternal home in heaven should be resisted and avoided. We have an upward calling. In Christ we are blessed with a marvelous hope, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). We have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises (II Peter 1:4). We can rest in the assurance that our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 & 6). Also, the apostle Paul emphasized the following blessing we have in Christ, “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10).

The promise of heaven is thrilling to consider. As Jesus has assured, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). May God help us that we will faithfully maintain our upward calling. Heaven is before us, and it is our earnestly desired destination. Please do not allow yourself to become distracted along the journey of your life.

The Potential Of Today

Christianity involves being alert to the hurts and heartaches of the people about us. A thoughtful word of encouragement, a sincere word of concern, or a moment or two of our time can do a great deal in helping another person. The assurance that someone cares has a great potential in extending strength to a fellow traveler on the road of life.
Here is some food for thought: An interesting phrase that I have come across in the past couple of months is “intentional living.” This refers to having a purpose that impacts every area of our lives. It is approaching and living each moment in light of the purpose of our lives. Indeed, life should never be viewed or approached as merely something that “just happens.”
Let's more often remember these words of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Important Building Blocks For Our Children

It is a matter of reality that today’s children will be tomorrow’s adults. As I have often thought, our children are our greatest natural resource. Indeed, an important reminder is that we need to be making sure that we are providing our children today with the best foundation possible for their lives.
Sometimes without realizing it, we give our children the latest from the world of gadgets, gizmos, and games. Maybe we even try to justify this as we think about the pleasant memories of childhood this will provide them. The truth may be that as adults we like having these things around in part for our enjoyment too!
The following listing is a reminder to us as parents of some things we need to be making sure our children are receiving. Think of these as building blocks our children need as they build their future. If we do not provide these things for our children, they will be hindered and handicapped in building a successful future.
1. Unconditional Love The world can be rough and tough at times. Our children need to have the confidence that we will always be there for them, we want what is best for them, and that we love them. This confidence will give them a security that will shelter them in the storms of life.
2. Open Communication Home needs to be the place where we can openly share the thoughts and feelings with one another. This is certainly important in the parent-child relationship. Devoting regular and significant time to conversation with our children from the earliest time in their lives can pay rich dividends in the future. Open communication is certainly crucial as they reach the sometimes turbulent teenage years. If they are made to feel comfortable they can discuss anything with us, this will be a great help to them as to us as parents during this time of transition in their lives.
3. The Proper Example While there is instruction that we verbally give our children, there is also the instruction we give them by the example we are setting before them. Our children have the uncanny ability to watch and remember seemingly little things that we have long forgotten. The unfortunate thing is when those occasions are times of weakness in our lives. Often the lessons we give our children by our examples are the ones they remember most. May this be a sobering reminder to us to do our best to always set before them the proper example in behavior and attitude. To borrow a popular advertising slogan, giving our children a proper example is “a gift that keeps on giving.”
4. A Moral Compass By the time our children reach adulthood, they will have established convictions regarding morality. If we neglect our responsibility to teach them that some things are right and some things are wrong, we can be assured they will be influenced from other sources regarding morality. Teaching and training in moral matters is the responsibility of the home.

You Are Important

Have you ever felt that your life was drifting away? Discouragement can creep into your life. If it is not honestly handled, it has a way of growing. Please regularly meditate on the following life principles that are emphasized in the Bible:

1. You were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Humans have an exalted place among God’s creation. The fact that you have been created in His image means you are precious to Him.

2. God loves you personally and individually. God’s love for us is a thread that runs throughout the Bible (Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16, I John 4:7). Never lose sight of the reality that God’s love reaches down to each of us. Also, His love is pure. That is, God does not tell us, “I’ll love you if . . .” God loves us because love is His nature (I John 4:8).

3. God wants you to be saved. God does not want you to be eternally lost in Hell. The apostle Paul declared concerning our heavenly Father, “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). Indeed, the Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). But God will not save anyone against their will. We must respond in loving obedience to Him (Matthew 7:21; 11:28-30).

4. God desires your involvement in His work. The apostle Paul reminded Christians, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). This is not meant to suggest that our good works saves us. In fact, the previous statement is made in the context of Paul emphasizing that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 & 9). The apostle Paul also encouraged Christians, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).