Making A Difference

Jude makes quite a statement about some of the Christians of his day. A statement that should apply to our day as well. He said "and of some have compassion, making a difference" Jude 22. Do we make a difference today? If not, why not? I have a couple of ideas about that. First, I think that some people don't make a difference because they don't think they can. They view themselves as insignificant and their life as meaningless. But, God made us in our time for a purpose and even though the English is poor I like what someone once said - "God don't make no junk". Realize that YOU can make a difference and someone is waiting for you to do just that. Second, I think that some people are lacking the key ingredient that Jude speaks of which is compassion. Too many times, our compassion is inward, focused only on self. We are passionate about that which pertains to us, but lacking in passion when it comes to someone else. That seems to be the calling card of the world today. For us to truly be concerned about someone else is very different, obviously different. When Jesus left the glories of Heaven to save sinful man, it was an act of compassion and He made a difference. When Jesus lives through the Christian, manifesting that same compassion, the world sees a difference. This world is on its way to hell, but you can make a difference.

God Know Best

Several years ago there was a popular TV show named "Father Knows Best". It was about a typical family of that day and what they went thru raising 3 kids. I say typical, though it wasn't anything like our house. Anyway, the idea was that regardless of what they went through, ultimately, father knew what was the best for all concerned. It was always a disaster when the teenage boy tried to do things on his own and his dad would have to come in and save the day. I mention this, not to be nostalgic, but to remind us that our Heavenly Father knows best. The reason that the father in the show knew best was because he had gone through the same things that his son was facing and had a good idea about the outcome. We have an even better situation because our Heavenly Father is the God of creation and the God of the universe, who knows all things and can never make a mistake. There were usually occasions when the teenagers thought they had a better understanding of what to do, because, after all, dad was an old fogey and out of touch. Sometimes we get so brazen that we think we know more than Omniscient God, and boy is that ever a mistake. We make our decisions based upon our limited knowledge and He makes His decisions based upon "all knowledge" He knows exactly what is going on and what He is trying to accomplish in our lives, so put your faith in Him because this is one time when Father does know best.

Gone Home

I remember when I first left home and began a life on my own. Then days would come when I would return home to visit for a while, only to have to leave again. I didn't understand why my mother cried - maybe it was tears of joy. Years later, when we had kids of our own that had grown up and moved away it becam very clear. They would come home for a visit and and we would have such a good time together until the day came when they had to go home. We knew that we would see them again, and it probably wouldn't be too terribly long before we did. But, the idea of them leaving still just didn't sit well. I think it was just the joy that we had while we were together, that we could not experience while we were apart, that was difficult to live without. I remember that when we knew they would be coming, we would look at the clock and wonder just where they were in their travels and how much longer it would be until they arrived. Here is my point in all of this. I just recently received word of the passing away of one of our senior saints. She had been blessed with over 90 years here on this earth, but the last couple were not so great physically. She always had a wonderful smile on her face and truly enjoyed life. We will miss here greatly. But, the reality is that she has just gone home and we know that we will see her again, very soon. And, when we do see her, it will be in her new glorified body, without all of the aches and pains that she left behind. As much as she enjoyed life here, she is rejoicing even more in her new home with the Lord. Please pray for the family. She was ready to go. Are you?

The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same

As most of you know, I enjoy using puns for humor. I just think they are punny - see. Anyway, when I first heard this statement I thought someone was just trying to be funny. But recently, I begun to realize just how true the statement is. Having been in this world for a few years now - I am trying not to say I am getting old - I can look back and see how much this world has changed in the last 50 years. Not only can man fly around the world in a matter of hours now, but he can also soar into the heavens and look down on this earth for outer space. While in the past, it would take days for a letter to reach a foreign country, now we can sit at our computers and type a letter that reaches another continent in mere seconds via email. We have hundreds and thousands of modern conveniences that give us more time and yet we still can't seem to find time for God. I guess that is one thing that hasn't changed. When Solomon told us in Ecc 3 that there is nothing new under the sun, he wasn't referring to the gadgets and gizmos that man has created. I think he had more of the consistancy of God in mind. With all of these modern marvels, we are still a sinful people that are in need of a Savior. There is still just one way to be saved - through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. I am glad for the changes that have occured in my lifetime. But, I am even more glad that God has not changed nor has His plan of Salvation.

No Dr For Me

Several years ago I got a phone call early one Sunday morning. I was rather surprise at what I heard when I answered. The call was from a man in our church who informed me that they would not be there that day. Obviously, I asked if everything was alright, to which he responded that he and his teenage boys had had a big fight and they didn't think they were in a good enough spiritual condition to come to Church. So I posed the following question to him - "if he was as physically sick as he was spiritually sick would he go to a Doctor"? Without hesitation, he assured me that he would. My suggestion to him was that he make an appointment with the Great Physician - Jesus Christ - and come on in to pay Him a visit. Isn't it amazing how we can come up with all kinds of excuses to not come to Church and we can make all kinds of arrangements to do the other things that we want to do? So, here is my point. When we find ourselves beginning to make excuses for not doing the simple things that God wants us to do, realize that it is but a symptom of a Spiritual sickness and we need to quickly go to the Great Physician for immediate healing and forgiveness. If it is "no Dr. for you", then you will remain sick and get sicker. By the way, there is no HMO to keep you from going to this Dr. and His fee has already been paid.