All the Things I Know

In this day of technology, there are so many things we know how to do, yet so much more we need to know. When it comes to "our" areas of expertise, we "really" know our stuff. But when it is all said and done, what of this is essential and pertinent in my life right now? I would venture to say that most of us do not know God as we should - the essential element of life. At Messiah College a few nights ago, Senators Obama and Clinton were asked some pointed questions about faith and religion. Although their rhetoric may have "seemed" eloquent, we who know Christ, could easily see how their answers skirted around the truth and actually fell way short of displaying a knowledge of the One true God. Sadly, our country which was founded on the One True God and His precepts, is run by a bunch of people who claim to know, but have NOT the knowledge of Christ. Let's not be so hasty to judge, though. I'm reminded of three passages (there are many more) which speak specifically about knowing Him. Ps. 9:10, "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Jer. 9:24, "'But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD." Phil. 3:10, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Believe me, I don't think for one moment that I have "arrived" and feel that I know God, JEHOVAH as I ought. However; I strive on a daily basis to do what Paul was yearning for in his own life while he was suffering horribly in prison and under great persecution, "I want to know Christ!" Let's each of us ask a question of ourselves, "Do I really want to know Him?" Steve Green once wrote and recorded a song that goes like this:

Oh, I want to know You more!
Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,
looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more.

How often do we find ourselves looking into the eyes of Jesus pleading with Him, "Oh, how I want to know You more!"?....Well, you can do that today, right now and get to know who Jesus really is.

Vanishing Before Our Very Eyes - By Dan McDonald

James 4:13-17 tells us how short our lives are, and he compares them to "a vapor." We see the mist for mere seconds, then it vanishes before our eyes! Our lives are given to us for a few years...then we're gone. J.I. Packer once wrote, "we are all children of our age, and the spirit of OUR age is a spirit of tearing hurry. And it is a pragmatic spirit; it is a spirit that demands quick results." God has made us stewards over our lives. A day of reckoning will come when God will check up on us and evaluate our management skills. I think what happens so many times is that we tend to have the attitude James was talking about in verse 13 of chapter 4: "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit." He goes on to say/ask how can you even make such decisions when you don't know whether you'll be here tomorrow or not? This is not to say we aren't to set goals - God is very clear on "counting the cost," Prov. 4:26: "ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." However, the problem comes when we tend to fall in love with an ability to maximize resources, instead of remembering that the point of stewardship is NOT productivity but accountability. In other words, we are not to do more "maximizing" until we have been faithful and productive with what God has given to us at this very moment. Businesses often fall apart because their visions become so great, yet they fail to manage, take care of, nurture, etc. what's right in front of them. This can apply to all areas of life: our families, friends, and yes, even our fellowships (our churches). Let's be prudent with what God has given to us right now - at this very moment before it vanishes...then if the Lord wills or God willing when we have appropriately managed what He has given, "go to such and such a city...and make a profit."

I Will Never Leave You!

by Dan McDonald..."My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30. This is one of the most awesome passages in the Bible dealing with our security in Christ, a truth with which so many Christians struggle today. I vividly remember as a teen battling with the thoughts about NOT being be saved because my life didn't reflect one of Christ-likeness, but rather one of an "unsaved" person. Therefore, because of my "works" I didn't think I was a child of God. As a result, I constantly prayed the "sinner's prayer" probably to the tune of a thousand times throughout my high school years. Oh, I had made a profession earlier on in my life and believed on Jesus as the scriptures teach - but I just didn't "feel" saved at this time in my life. Not until my mid to late 20's did I realize the significance of the afore mentioned words of Christ, "No one is able to snatch or steal you from My hand or My Father's hand because We are one." A few misleading sayings like: "You didn't truly believe," "You really didn't mean it," "By your fruits you will know them," "A true Christian would NEVER do anything like that," and many more dispiriting idioms we commonly hear based soley on WORKS, led to my doubting of Christ's one-time work in my life. However; Bible verses such as Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness..." Eph. 2:9 "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." and Rom. 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved," are all clear on what constitutes a believer. All those years of doubt, discouragement and reckless abandon because of a distorted view of salvation made me quite an insecure individual! Needless!...How about you? Are there days you don't quite "feel" saved because of some comment someone has made about you, or because of some work or deed you've done or participated in that you know was inappropriate? We are ALL sinners saved by our Savior's wonderful grace (undeserved favor). If you have believed on the name of the Lord, whatever age you were, as the scriptures so clearly teach, you ARE saved! Now, go away from where you are with this renewed hope, faith and vision - Your Father will NEVER leave you or disown you!

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?!