I Wanna Be Ready! by Dan McDonald

The words of an 80's gospel song go like this: "When the time comes, I want Him to know me. When the time comes, I want to be there; and when the time comes I want to be ready, when Jesus comes to take me home." I hear these same words echoed through out the New Testament as Christ addresses His disciples about this same truth. He tells them to be in a state of watchfulness for the Lord's coming, for they do not know the time or day He will come back. Are we like them? I mean, are we so caught up in the things of this world that our hearts' desires are wrapped around what can make us happy? Or are we looking toward heaven, Jesus and the Kingdom? (Matt. 6:33) The Bible tells us in Luke 12:34 that where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well. I don't know about you, but sometimes I find that I struggle daily with "setting my affection/desire/deep longings on things above" (Col. 3:2). Let's not get so busy multi-tasking and filling our agendas/appointment books/things-to-do lists with what we call "important" things, when in actuality they are non-essentials. As Scott Krippaine sings, "The main thing is to keep the MAIN THING the main THING"; Jesus! Let's rehearse once again those words of the 80's song I began with: "When the time comes, I want Him to know me. When the time comes, I want to be there; and when the time comes I want to be ready, when Jesus comes to take me home."

Can You Forgive?

by Dan McDonald...The concept of forgiveness seems to be often overlooked. Jesus was pretty straight-forward when 'forgiving others' was the issue at hand. Let's take a look at children; this is exactly what Jesus did. He said that unless we humble ourselves as "these precious little ones, we will not enter the Kingdom" (rest). Examine the innocence of children and how they trust and forgive readily...unfortunately many of them reach a certain age and and this virtuousness seems to vanish, and they can be downright mean, sometimes! We can blame it on anything we want; however, when the truth 'be told,' these blameless children are just mere reflections of those who've raised them. Let's take a retrospective look at our own lives and make sure we are holding nothing against another person. For, in Matthew 18, the Lord shares a poignant parable about someone who didn't forgive. His punishment was quite cruel and rather tortuous(verses 21 - 34). Verse 35 of that chapter says this: "So my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does NOT forgive his brother (or sister) his trespasses.".....On a positive note, let's forgive and love one another as the Lord has loved and forgiven us.

It's Just a "Little Thing!"

by Dan McDonald...Many of us have heard or even used the above saying many times before; However, have we ever taken the time to evaluate the implications of such "a little thing"? The Bible tells us in Matthew 10 about some things that really matter, and that there are specific consequences and rewards for those who do those "things." Yes, Christ is speaking to the 12 disciples whom He has just called, yet we as believers can also take these same truths and apply them to our lives as well. He calls them to take the good news of the Kingdom to everyone they meet. "If they accept it give them your peace, if they don't, keep your peace with you." Notice Christ doesn't say to curse them, gossip about them, talk about them maliciously, or even turn a proud nose up to them. He goes on to say later in the chapter, that if we just give a cup of water to one of His own, that man will "certainly not lose his reward." I guess the converse might be true as well; if we hold something back from or offend one of His own - even if it may only seem a "little thing" - that man will certainly lose his reward. I know one BIG thing is I do not want to lose my reward, and I believe if we admit it, we would all rather hold onto our rewards that Christ has for us. Next time you think, "Aw, it's just a little thing," think about this passage of scripture and what the Lord taught his disciples....and us about our actions and words. I leave you with this verse: II Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

What is True Worship?

Many people believe worship is singing some songs on Sunday morning or evening. Some people think if they lift their hands, blurt out in unknown tongues, or fall to their knees crying, they've worshiped. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1 that when we have presented our bodies as holy, set-apart, living sacrifices to Jesus, we have completed a spiritual act of worship. Notice, I said "a" spiritual act of worship. This MUST be done on a regular, daily basis to be complete. Imagine our corporate worship on the first day of the week if we have spent 6 other days worshipping like this?!