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Dear Friends,

After some general conversation, our new financial advisor posed the question, “What is your primary objective?” Without missing a beat, Bonnie responded, “To make sure our ‘nest egg’ doesn’t become a ‘goose egg’!”

Later we started to wonder, ”What about our ‘spiritual nest egg’? When we get to heaven, what will we have ‘paid forward’?”

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about storing up treasures in heaven, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Since no one gets to take a U-Haul with them to heaven, what is the treasure Jesus was talking about?

The treasure is found in our relationship with Christ.
 

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV)

So the treasures are wisdom and knowledge found in Christ Jesus. The more we come to know him, the more we can be encouraged and united in love to other believers.

What impact does this have? Once again we find answers in Colossians, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith …, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (verses 6-7)

In God’s economy, treasure is not to be hoarded, but shared. Let us join with the Apostle Paul in praying for opportunities to share the good news:

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 2-3a, 5-6 (NLT)

Our financial advisors can help us avoid turning our “nest eggs” into “goose eggs”, but the spiritual “nest egg” we leave to our family, friends and others is our love of Christ, reflected in the way we live.

Verse for the week: Philippians 4:19 (NLT) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Blessings, Your Friends in Christ

Dear Friends,

On November 11^th, we celebrate Veterans Day – a federal holiday dedicated to men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Marines recognize November 10^th as the day the U.S. Marine Corps was born.

When a young man or woman joins the Marine Corps, he or she raises their right hand and takes an oath to protect and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. Upon taking that oath, they are officially a United States Marine. Of course, once they get on the bus to boot camp, they learn that they have a long way to go before they become combat-ready Marines.

It’s somewhat like that when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are accepted into God’s Corps (His family) – but we are raw recruits, not fully equipped for the spiritual battles that lie ahead.

This week we look at two fifty-cent words that theologians like to throw around: “Justification” and “Sanctification”.  Justification is something that happens for us when we accept Christ; sanctification is something that happens to us as we grow in Christ.

In Christian theology, justification is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin, while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Justification is a point-in-time event. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10: 9-10 (NIV). Once you accept Jesus as your living Lord and Savior, God declares you innocent of all charges – past, present, and future!

Now, going back to our Marine Corps analogy, sanctification is like going through God’s boot camp. It’s the process by which God, acting through the Holy Spirit, builds Christ-like men and women. God has a design and purpose for our lives. As we respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, our faith grows stronger and we become equipped to fulfill God’s purpose.

The Apostle Paul wrote of the need for Christians to be well-equipped: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6: 14-17 (NLT)

In his book, The Language of Salvation, Victor Kuligan helps us understand the significance of each piece of armor presented:

The belt of truth: integrity, single-minded devotion The breastplate of righteousness: living holy and righteous lives Feet fitted with readiness: a willingness to share the gospel The shield of faith: fighting off the flaming arrows of Satan The helmet of salvation: confidence in our status as children of God The sword of the Spirit: knowing and effectively using the Word of God

We live in a world full of troubles, but Jesus left us with his Word to guide us, and with the Holy Spirit as our companion in the fight. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:15-17 (NIV)

Victor Kuligan asks, “What does it mean to be saved? It means being plucked out of danger by God and rescued from harm. It means being given the weapons of righteousness necessary to wage war against every ungodly force as we wait patiently for the return of our triumphant Lord. It means moving from defeat to victory.”

The motto of the Marine Corps – Semper Fidelis – means always faithful. Because God is always faithful, we can live “… being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV) Verses for the Week: 1 Timothy 6:12a (NLT) “Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you …” Blessings, Your friends in Christ We offer our appreciation and thanks to veterans of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the Reserve Forces – and a very Happy Birthday to the U.S.M.C.

Dear Friends,

Many years ago, while eating lunch with a client in New Orleans, our conversation turned to the topic of “Bucket Lists.” I mentioned that my bucket list included a desire to pet a Bengal tiger. On the way back to his office, my client asked me if I was serious about wanting to pet a tiger.

“Dead serious,” I replied.

Rather than returning to his office, we drove away from the city into a bayou area, eventually pulling up to a remote site – the offices of Twin Tiger Trucking Company. In the center of the complex, there was a large cage, with two full-grown Bengal tigers.

“Still want to pet a tiger?” He challenged.

“UH! Yep!” I replied.

My client introduced me to the tiger’s trainer who took us up to the cage. I got ready to reach in and pet a tiger as it passed. But rather than stopping by the side of the cage, the trainer opened the door and led us inside the cage.

“Don’t make any quick moves,” he cautioned as we gingerly moved to one side of the cage. The larger of the two cats approached and brushed against my leg.

“Don’t worry, he’s a pussycat,” the trainer offered.

Ever so slowly, I reached down and stroked the back of the tiger. I had expected it to be soft and cuddly like a teddy bear, but it was coarse, much like the hair on deer. As the tiger moved past me and approached my client, she suddenly whipped her head around, opened her mouth, and latched onto my client’s leg.

With cat-like speed, the trainer raised a stick he was carrying and yelled, “NO!” The tiger released her grip and raced to the other side of the cage. We rapidly exited the cage. There were bruises on the leg the tiger had bitten, but luckily no major damage. Getting into a cage with two Bengal tigers doesn’t rank among the smartest things I’ve ever done; but it was a way to achieve one of the goals I had set for myself, and I was willing to trust a total stranger with my life.

The question is, to whom are we willing to trust our lives? Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding… (Proverbs 3:5) is often easier said than done. One of the problems we have as finite humans is that we cannot wrap our minds around the concept of an infinite God – a God who created the universe and everything in it. He’s just too big!

“We only hear a small whisper of him. So who can understand God’s thundering power?” Job 26:14b (ICB)

We live in a three dimensional world. – up, down, and sideways. How can we fully understand a being who exists outside of time, a being that has five, ten, or perhaps hundreds of dimensions? But God wants us to know him, so he sent his Son Jesus and gave us the freedom to accept or reject him. God wanted us to come to know him, because in knowing him, we could learn to love and to trust him.

Life, like the tiger in my story, can be unpredictable. Fortunately, God is totally predictable: “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b (NIV)

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” Psalm 46:2

Perhaps it’s time to update our (Christian) Bucket List:

• Draw Near to God. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22”

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

• Be Forgiving. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

• Be Thankful. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28

• “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Psalm 32:11

• Search the Scriptures … as you add to your own bucket list.

Blessings,

Your Friends in Christ

Dedicated to our dear friend, the one-and-only, Bennye “Wildcat” Rose; who went to be with the Lord this past Monday.

 

Dear Friends,

Recently I heard a radio minister make the statement, “You can tell how much you love God by how much you love your neighbor.” Ouch! Who is my neighbor?

Let’s examine the question, “who is my neighbor,” starting in the Book of Luke. A man stood up who knew the Law and tried to trap Jesus. He said, “Teacher, what must I do to have life that lasts forever?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? What does the Law say?” The man said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart. You must love Him with all your soul. You must love Him with all your strength. You must love Him with all your mind. You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Jesus said to him, “You have said the right thing. Do this and you will have life.” The man tried to make himself look good. He asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-29 NLV)

As part of The Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV)

This is one part of the Scriptures that can be difficult for us to understand. Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? Should we love the man who killed nine people on a campus in Oregon, or pray for those who ridicule us for being Christians? Isn’t that asking a lot, Lord?

When we reread Matthew 5: 43-45, we noticed something that we missed before: Jesus doesn’t say to love our enemies because they are loveable; he recognizes evil and unrighteousness. Could it be he doesn’t want us to become what we hate? “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” Romans 20:18-19a (NLT)

When you stop to think about it, it may be easier to love and pray for those “evil” and “unrighteous” people (somewhere out there) than it is to be “Samaritans” to those in our immediate neighborhoods. The Apostle James discusses the issue:  “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  (James 2:14-17 NIV)

We show God how much we love him by sharing our love with everyone … regardless of their lovability. Pray for your enemies and look for ways to love your neighbors. Opportunities abound: the South County Outreach needs food; the Salvation Army and Laura’s House accept donations of clothing and household goods, and of course, there is that grumpy neighbor who might just need your prayers or a kind word.

Verses for the Week: Micah 6:8 (NIV) He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy  and to walk humbly with your God.

Blessings, Your Friends in Christ

Dear Friends, In the 1981 classic film History of the World Part 1, there is a scene in which Mel Brooks – playing the role of Moses – comes down from the mountain carrying three stone tablets of the Law. Addressing the Israelites, he says, “The Lord has given unto you these fifteen” – at which point he drops one of the tablets – “these Ten Commandments.”

We can only guess what those additional commandments might have been: (1) Thou shalt not ask, “Does this toga make me look fat?” (2) Thou shalt not answer if it does. (3) Thou shalt not leave the seat up. (4) Thou shalt not take the last M&M, and my personal favorite (5) Thou shalt not whine.

While it may be fun to think of the rules we might have proposed had we been in charge, Moses cautioned the Israelites, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.”

The fact that the Ten Commandments are spelled out in Exodus 20:1-17 and in Deuteronomy 5: 6-21 is an indication of the importance God placed on these instructions to the Israelites. The Ten Commandments were part of the Mosaic covenant in which God declared, “If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, ⁶ you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6 NIV)

Did the Israelites live up to the terms of the covenant? Of course not, and neither can we. As the Apostle Paul explained, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. (Romans 3:20 NIV)

The story is told of the defendant who appeared before a stone-faced judge for sentencing. “What do you have to say for yourself?” The judge asked.

“I have always lived by the Ten Commandments,” the young man declared.

Two words from the judge sealed his fate, “Name them.”

While we may or may not be able to recite the commandments, Jesus made clear how incapable we are of satisfying the requirements of the law on our own when he spoke of anger, “²¹ “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ ²² But I say, if you are even angry with someone [even yourself], you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot^] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. (Romans 5:21-22)

So we are the defendant who will one day face judgement. Our only plea is guilty as charged,” but “God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God’s anger against us. He used Christ’s blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath. In this way he was being entirely fair, even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would come and take away those sins.” (Romans 3:25 TLB)

Now, rather than being a judgmental standard that we cannot possibly meet, the Ten Commandments – through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us -become aspirational guidelines for living.

The Ten Commandments

I am the Lord thy God … Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet.

Verses for the week:  John 14:15-17a (NLT) ¹⁵ “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”

Blessings, Your Friends in Christ