EDC Christian

Remembering His Life

Remembering His Life

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.” Mark 16:1

Another day of remembrance is here. Every September 11, we will remember the shameful attacks on our country, the sacrifice of men and women responding to help, and the call for international action against terrorists. It is a day our generation will never forget.

Many who lost loved ones in the attack or subsequent wars that followed will never forget. Today we pause to remember their lives. We remember the sacrifice, dedication, and spirit of those who gave so much. We remember the husbands and fathers, the wives and mothers, the sons and daughters. We remember their lives. Some will bring flowers, others will light candles.

Despite the difficult times we have experienced as a nation, we are blessed to live in this great land of freedom. The Lord has prospered and provided time and again for this nation. The Christian foundation continues to guide the land, even as many are veering from the Biblical principles that the Lord has providentially blessed. We have the opportunity to freely remember and reflect on days such as this.

Another day that we should never forget is the scene at the Garden Tomb. The ladies who witnessed the Crucifixion never forgot the day they saw the empty tomb.

It was Sunday morning, the first day of the week when Mary, supernaturally the mother of Jesus and naturally the mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Salome, also known as Mary the sister of Martha, along with a few others according to Luke 24:1, came to the tomb with items with which they were going to anoint the body of Christ. He had been dead three days now. They brought sweet spices that had a perfuming essence and quality fit for a King. It was a gift that they brought to remember the life and death of Jesus.

Just days earlier, Jesus had been unceremoniously beaten in a courtroom, had his clothes stripped off Him, had a large cross to carry up a hill, was met with ridicule and mocking, had a crown of thorns thrust onto His head, had nails driven in His feet and hands, and was hoisted up vertically on that cross for all to see. On that day, man attacked God in the Flesh. Jesus willingly endured the shame and disgrace of the cross.

These ladies had watched and listened as Christ forgave his tormentors, as He cried out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” They saw His blood dripping as they watched Him die. He was taken off the cross, and Joseph of Arimathea begged for His body so it could properly be buried.

Now these ladies were reflecting on the life of Christ that had touched and changed so many people. They brought these special items to honor His life and death. When they got to the tomb however, the door was rolled away. Christ was not in the tomb! The angel told them in Matthew 28:5-6: “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Look, He is not where they laid Him for He is risen from the dead! They came to remember His life and death, but now He was alive! Jesus is alive today! Hundreds of eyewitnesses saw Him following His resurrection. The gifts they brought to remember the life and death of Christ were no longer needed!

Every day is a day to always remember. Jesus at Calvary and the amazing truth of His empty tomb are events we should remember as well. Remember the life of Christ. He is alive today!

If you have not done so, trust Christ for your eternal salvation. The God of eternity, Jesus, offers to you the free gift of salvation. He gave His life so you could believe in Him and have eternal life. Would you trust Christ today?

If you pray to Jesus in faith, He will answer your prayer for eternal life.

Pray to Him: “Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died in my place on the Cross. He had no sin, yet He paid the price for my sin. I believe He rose again from the dead. Please forgive me of my sin and save my soul.”

Did you ask Christ for His forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation? You may enjoy reading the New Testament book of First John. This book will help you grow in your new faith in Jesus.

Give Me This Mountain

Give Me This Mountain

Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. Joshua 14:12

Caleb is asking Joshua for a particular mountain in the Promise Land. Caleb was a faithful man who served the Lord with Joshua and Moses in both the good times and the mostly bad times in the wilderness. Before the nation of Israel was forced to wander the wilderness because of rejecting God’s will to go take the land, he was one of two faithful men who said “God has given us this land, let’s go take it.” In spite of seeing the walled cities and large giants, Caleb knew that God had given them the land if they would simply go there and claim it.

It is interesting that Caleb is now asking Joshua to give him and his family the very land that those giants lived in. He and Joshua were the only ones not afraid – for they knew the Lord was with them. Now Caleb and his family will live in the cities and houses of the very people his nation were afraid of! The name of the city that he was asking for was named after one of the giants. The city is given a new name after Caleb claims it. Verse fourteen of the same chapter tells us why the Lord had Joshua give Caleb his request for this parcel of land: “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.”

God gave Caleb a mountain that most others said they could never have because of the fierce enemy. Caleb, however, followed the Lord with his entire being. We should be encouraged to do the same. Caleb was a man of faith. He believed God, and God rewarded his faithfulness. In a poetic ending, Caleb was given the very land in which the feared giants lived.

We too have enemies that we will struggle with, but by God’s grace, you and I can see victory! Trust the Lord in the difficulties you face today. The Lord will reward your faithfulness tomorrow!

Attitudes and Altitudes

Attitudes and Altitudes

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The Lord has allowed me to fly many times to special meetings in churches and special trips around America and even in other parts of the world. I have been in some of the smallest planes and some of the largest jets! Flying is an incredible way to travel quickly to the next location. Years ago, I had the opportunity to sit beside an airline pilot. He was a passenger, so as we traveled we spoke, and I learned many interesting things about aircraft and flying.

When flying airplanes, it is important to have the “pitch” of the airplane pointed up. If the nose of the airplane is not pointed up, it will not fly! The outlook of the planes nose determines it’s altitude! Our lives ought be pointed up as well! Our attitudes should be looking up! Our attitude determines our altitude. Your outlook will determine how you live your life. If you have a defeated attitude, you will live a defeated life. If you have a bad attitude, you will not lead a joyous life! Micah has been showed by God how he was to live his life. “What is good,” and what the “Lord requires” of us is explained. Living a just life, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God are characteristics of the Christian life.

If I have the wrong attitude towards justice – (For example: if I do not really believe people reap what they sow), then my life will reflect that attitude. If I think “I do not deserve this!” Then I may have the wrong attitude about living justly, because I certainly do not deserve anything good!

What about our attitudes concerning mercy? “He deserves what he got!” Someone might say. “I am glad that this tragedy happened to her.” What terrible things to say! These things reveal a wrong attitude about the mercy of God! We are to be a forgiving people because we have a forgiving God! He has not given us what we deserve and we should rejoice in this!

When it comes to walking with God, we may look at someone else, and say “They certainly have a long way to come.” This would be a critical statement, and a judgmental one. We all have a ways to go in our walk with the Lord! No one has arrived, that is for sure! Are you humble towards God and towards others in your thoughts, words, and actions today?

Perhaps the words and tune of “I’m Pressing On the Upward Way” by Johnson Oatman, Jr.will help set your trajectory today:

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

4. I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

“What is your attitude like? Your attitude will determine your altitude. How high will you fly? Where is the airplane of your life headed?

Letting Go of the Rope

Are You a Forgiving Person?

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

The church I grew up in had several buildings, one being over 100 years old. There was a steeple and a large and loud bell at the top of this building. For Sunday School to start and sometimes to end, the bell would be rung. Some years while a teenager in the youth group, for new year events, we would “ring in the new year” on the old bell. Ringing the bell 95 times for 1995 was terrific!

Attached to the bell was a long rope that hung the entire height of the church building. From the ground floor a person could look up and hold the rope and with effort, ring the bell. Once you were able to get the bell started, it made a terrific sound. If you were close to it, it would hurt your ears it was so loud.

Life will hurt sometimes. People may “run over us” with no regard. We may have hurt feelings and emotions from some bad past experiences. Sometimes we keep ringing the bell of hurt and rehearsing the sound of pain from the past. Could you forgive that person who humiliated you? Could you forgive the man or woman who verbally or even physically hurt you? Can you forgive the person that passed over you in position or ministry? By God’s grace, you can forgive. It is a command from God that we forgive others of their trespasses against us!

Any time you are violated by another person, your faith and what you say you believe is challenged! To pass the test, you must forgive! Are there people and events in your past that when something bad happens today, you think of them and something they did to hurt you? If so, you have not forgiven that person. If you are keeping a checklist of all the wrongs you have endured, then your heart is not currently forgiving of others.

Listen to what the famous Corrie Ten Boom said after enduring all the affliction and pain the Nazi regime caused her, her family, and the world…

“Corrie ten Boom likens forgiveness to letting go of a bell rope. If you have ever seen a country church with a bell in the steeple, you will remember that to get the bell ringing, you have to tug awhile. Once it has begun to ring, you merely maintain the momentum. As long as you keep pulling, the bell keeps ringing.

Corrie ten Boom says forgiveness is letting go of the rope. It is just that simple, but when you do so, the bell keeps ringing. Momentum is still at work. However, if you keep your hands off the rope, the bell will begin to slow and eventually stop.

It is like that with forgiveness. When you decide to forgive, the old feelings of unforgiveness may continue to assert themselves. After all, they have lots of momentum. But if you affirm your decision to forgive, that unforgiving spirit will begin to slow and will eventually be still. Forgiveness is letting go of the “rope” of retribution.”

Let’s become a forgiving people today. After all, if you have been forgiven by God, it is your obligation and duty to exhibit the same type of forgiveness to others, lest they not see the love and forgiveness of God that He has shown to you! Ephesians 4:32 declares: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Let go of the rope of the past; stop ringing the bell of evil thoughts about others and choose to forgive! If we can let go of the rope of hurt and stop pulling on the pain of the past, eventually the sound of unforgiveness will cease and we will be able to whisper in the quietness “I forgive.”

The Place Where Revival Begins

The Place Where Revival Begins

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me….Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalm 51: 10, 13

I like the following quote concerning revival: “Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again.” What a fantastic definition! David had just sinned, committing adultery with one of his soldier’s wife, attempted to cover it up, and then set up Uriah to be killed in battle. He recognizes the need for the sin in his life to be confessed. He also sees the importance of experiencing cleansing from his sin. David confesses his sin, then asks the Lord to clean up his life. Thank the Lord that we can be forgiven our sin because of Jesus Christ! David desired to have a clean, right heart, as he lived before the Lord. We have the same need in our life!

Before David was going to be able to witness and give testimony about his great God, he saw the need to be cleansed. He is having a personal revival – then he is able to teach transgressors the ways of the Lord. Before we will see people saved and the baptismal waters flowing in believer’s baptism, we must see personal revival. We all have loved ones and co-workers or classmates that need the Lord. Before we can effectively share the gospel, we need to be revived ourselves! Fall in love with Jesus all over again. Give up any sin, or uncleanness that is in your life. Be like David and search your heart. David had revival in his heart. The heart is the place where revival begins!

Everyone Wins

Everyone Wins

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

In society today, most everyone wants to “get ahead.” Companies are fighting for the best sales. Stores are competing for the most customers. Individuals in corporations are getting “after it” for the promotion, raise, and recognition. Is there a position, a job, a raise, or a recognition that you would like to receive today?

Peter was asking about rewards and the benefits of faithful Christianity in chapter 19. Jesus responds by giving a parable concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.

After reading Matthew 20:1-16, we can make the following conclusions:

There is work to be done.
Workers are needed.
There is an owner/ householder to reckon with.

The householder offers jobs to different people at different times of the day. Four more waves of workers are added to the workforce before the day is over. When the work day is complete, the workers go to the householder to receive their wages. After watching all these people “come late” to the workforce, the initial hired workers thought they would receive a greater wage. They modified their “expectations” from what they had “agreed” upon in verse 2. A penny a day was a good wage back in this time for manual labor in the field. They were severely disappointed however that they did not get more money or recognition for their day-long effort in the field. Were they cheated?

Verse 15 is key to how to view this: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” We must love this response! Is the householder (Jesus) evil because he is seemingly “more generous” to other workers? The answer is no! Jesus is always just and right. Anything good comes from God! James 1:17 declares. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Avoid feeling shortchanged when another person is blessed, promoted or recognized. Whenever a good thing happens to another person – be happy for them!

When others get a promotion or raise – be encouraged for them. When others get a new car or an update on their house, be blessed along with them. When their kids turn out right, don’t be jealous – be thrilled! When someone else gets to teach or receives a position at church – be thrilled for them! We are commanded in Romans 12:15 to “rejoice with them that do rejoice!”

Christian, keep serving, even if you are not the one being applauded. We do not need to fight to get “ahead” of others! My father used to say while we were growing up as teenagers: “We are all on the same team.” What a great truth! Whenever another servant of our Lord wins, we all win!

Getting Tired?

Getting Tired?

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

It is nothing new, our bodies need rest. We can become tired not only physically, but mentally or emotionally as well. Even our spirits need refreshing. Perhaps you have been doing a work for the Lord in your home with the family or at church, or even in the community – keep it up! Faithfulness is needed more today than ever. Sometimes it seems that Christians get tired to doing the right thing. May God help us never to become tiered of doing the right thing.

During the summer months many people take vacation from school or work to rest and recharge; this should not be a time to take a vacation from church or a vacation from the Lord. Whatever our calling in vocation or calling to ministry service in the church is – we have a good work the Lord has given to us to accomplish. At the end of the labor and effort is the reward. Your energy given to the Lord is not spent – it is invested. What investments are you making for eternity? God will bless your efforts of service as you are faithful to Him. We will reap one day, what we sow in service to the Lord.

One of the most difficult things to do –if you are a motivated servant of the Lord – is to take the time need to rest properly. When facing weariness ask the Lord to help you go back to the basics of prayer, Bible study, faithfulness in church, and witnessing. Sometimes our bodies need to be rested. Sometimes our emotions and spirit need encouragement. Sometimes that encouragement can come from other believers – that is why church participation is so needed. Sometimes, not even God’s people will be able to help. Getting alone with God, setting a part of the day or even a few days away from the norm will be a blessing to your life. Have you heard the statement: “You better come apart or you will fall apart!”? Coming “apart” or away from the normal routine can benefit you.

After resting, be sure to get back to a good routine of faithful service to the Lord! May the Lord help us not to faint in our service to Him.

How to Add Value to Your Workplace

How to Add Value to Your Workplace

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. I Timothy 6:2

Whether or not your boss is a Christian, you should add value to your workplace. The word “benefit” is a good word for any ministry or business. Benefit is defined as “an advantage, a good effect, extra compensation.” Your work ethic, the thoughts you bring to the table, the determination for success, and the team spirit you display are all commodities that should be evident in your life to others at your place of work. Your place of work or service should benefit by your being there.

Some people are “dead-weight” in the workplace. Some people fill a position, but do not get much done. They do not go the extra mile and do not get much accomplished. One quote I found said: “A wasted life is really nothing more than a collection of wasted days. As God gives us life, each one of us starts the new year with the same number of opportunities—365—that we can choose to either use and invest in eternal things or allow to drift by without taking advantage of the gift we have been given. The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is not found primarily in talent but in diligence and effort.”

You can add value to your workplace starting today! Here are some examples:

1. Have a cheerful disposition no matter how the day is going.

2. Be focused on completing what is expected of you with excellence.

3. Have pleasant conversation around the lunch table and avoid speaking in an unkind way to or about the boss; or even other co-workers.

4. Be thankful for the job that God has allowed you to have.

5. Serve with the mind of Christ realizing that in serving the boss at work, you are really serving the Lord as Colossians 3:22 tells us, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:”

Add value to your workplace and let the boss and owners find benefits in having you work for them.

He Never Went to Church Again

He Never Went to Church Again

2 Chronicles 27:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

At the age of 25, Jotham becomes King of Judah. He is known as one of the few Kings that did good and right. It is amazing to read that he never went into the Temple of God while being King. Why did he not go to the temple? If you read about his family life and His father’s Kingdom, you may get a better understanding as to why he never went into the Temple. Years earlier, his father was blessed by the Lord. The army was doing well, the economy was growing, but Jotham’s father Uzziah was lifted up with pride. In a moment of unyielding pride, Azariah goes into the Temple and begins to offer a sacrifice. He bypasses the Priests and begins to take on the priestly role for himself. The High Priest, Azariah, and 80 other priests confronted him and asked him to stop defiling the Temple, but he would not. In a moment, the hand of Uzziah shriveled up and became pale with leprosy. He dashes out of the Temple and lives the rest of his life in isolation, his son, Jotham reigned in his stead.

Perhaps young Jotham decided then, that he would never go into the Temple again. This was a bad experience for him to see happen to his father. Perhaps fear, regret, and bad memories flooded his mind every time he came near the Temple. Some people are like this with church. Perhaps a reader of this devotional avoids church because of one or two past experiences that were negative. Be encouraged to go to church and to love God and His people. The consequences of trying to serve God without Gods people are severe. Jotham did love God, but avoided the Temple, and as a result the verse reads: “the people did yet corruptly.” Many of the people followed his lead and no longer went to the Temple either. They went further away from God than Jotham did.

Parents, your children watch your church attendance. Grandparents, your grandkids watch your church involvement. Neighbor, others will see your example in your personal church attendance. Even if you had a bad past experience at church seek victory in Christ, forgive those needing forgiving, and go to church this Sunday.

Going, Going, Going…

Going, Going, Going…

“He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house.” Isaiah 22:18

The quarterback spins around a tackle. The opposition is closing in fast. He turns to his left, steps back and with great strength, throws the leather football sailing through the air. The commentators are talking quickly as the ball takes flight. The ball is going, going, going… into the next county? How about the next country? Of course for a man to throw the length of a football field would be incredible, but God tells us of something amazing in this passage in Isaiah.

Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer; Which sport do you really like? Is there a ball being thrown or tossed in the sport that you enjoy most? Hitting, kicking, or catching a ball can be terrific fun. Competition can bring out the best, or the worst in a person! How far can you throw a ball? Can you toss a ball all the way into another country? That would be quite a throw!

In Isaiah 22, we find the only verse in all of the Bible with the word “ball.” In this passage the Lord described how He will judge Jerusalem for their rebellion against Him. The Lord fulfilled this promise in 701 BC when Jerusalem was overthrown by Sennacharib, King of the ancient superpower, Assyria.

There was a government leader in Jerusalem named Shebna who the Lord promises He will toss into another country like a ball is tossed or thrown through the air. Shebna was a man who was friends with the Egyptian monarchy. He was looking to Pharaoh to help Judah escape the controlling power of foreign empires. Shebna was in charge of King Hezekiah’s Palace in Jerusalem. He helped oversee some of the large fortification projects Hezekiah was involved in. He was a man who even had a tomb built for himself in a similar way Kings and Pharaohs had fancy tombs built.

Shebna was one of the people God was also going to judge. Pride, rebellion to the Lord, and lust for power are all sins. This is how Shebna lived. Instead of trusting the Lord, Shebna trusted in man, personal intellect, top of the line chariots, and government treaties. May the Lord help us trust Him for every issue in our lives. Not long after this pronouncement, from Isaiah, Shebna was carried away by the Assyrian army. He died a captive in a foreign land. The Lord tosses Shebna into a whole other country because of his sin.

Are there areas in your life in which you are rebelling against the Lord? Have you identified sin that you need to get right with God? God does judge our sin. We find examples of this in the Bible time and time again. Because of His love He will do what it takes to get our attention. Because of His holiness, He wants us to live holy too. Don’t be like Shebna. Seek forgiveness and ask God to help you to live in a way that honors Him each day. We can “win” in the game of life over wrong and do right each day.

Going to a ball game this season? Every time you see a ball thrown, be reminded of Shebna and how the Lord fulfilled His promise of judgment. We can always take God at His Word.