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Watch Sunday’s Sermon – Week 8 of “Fan or Follower – Keep Watch!”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Today is election day.

Yesterday I listened to a podcast on the question, “Should a Christian get involved in politics?” on the website https://crossexamined.org/.  The podcast is worth listening to.

The short answer is, “Yes!”

Why? (Some of these are borrowed from the podcast.)

1. It is an opportunity to love your neighbor.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

One of the two great commands God has given to us is to love our neighbor.  The laws that are passed by our nation have a direct and indirect impact on people and their well-being.  By voting and being involved in politics, we have opportunity to put into office those that would promote and protect the lives of people.  We can help to protect the lives of unborn in a personal way, but laws to protect the unborn are loving to the unborn.  Youth are being bombarded with gender confusion and given a smorgasbord of gender options when there are only two genders given at birth.  Those that would promote abuse of children physically and emotionally over this issue are not expressing love to kids (even though it is promoted as such).  Laws impact the lives of those that are being illegally trafficked for sexual services.  It is loving to promote safety in our communities through the enforcement of laws and incarceration of those that would bring harm to our streets. In fact, this is why God gave authority to government. 

Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Our culture confuses Christians by causing us to think that evil is good, and standing up for good is racist, close-minded, or white privilege.  The fact is that the biblical world-view of Christians provides a fabric for a society to love people.  Good laws show love for people while curtailing activity that is destructive behavior.

1. We are called to be salt and light in the world.

Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The podcast offers a long list of involvement that Christians have had to influence a positive impact on people: the end of slavery, upholding the value of women, the end of temple prostitution and more.  The advantage of Christians is they have a view of the world that is from God himself that allows for people to live with boundaries, but with blessing for all.  Our moral fabric is guided by truth of God’s word and a confidence that how he loves people is a blessing to all people in society.  Our involvement in society is to be a blessing to all who live in that society.

One key caution.  The United States is NOT the kingdom of God.  We must always keep distinct the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world.  The kingdom of God is guided by the Gospel and the Word of God IS the ruling body of doctrine and guidance for life.  The role of the Church is first and foremost the proclamation of the Gospel.  The primary role of the Church is NOT to change the politics of a country.  

That being said, as Christians, we live in the kingdom of this world.  Jesus has left us in the world to influence the world for him.  Yes, primarily it is through the Gospel, but it also is through our involvement in our communities, state and country and aiding in passing laws and upholding laws that align to the moral fabric and biblical-worldview the Lord gives us.

So as a citizen of the United States, exercise the privilege and responsibility to vote today.  Engage in local council meetings, school boards and the like, not bringing ill-repute on the Christian faith, but speaking the truth in love.

Let your light shine as you vote and engage in politics!

Apply: Go vote!

Prayer: Lord, we trust that governing authorities are there because you allow them to be in that position.  We ask that those elected today would honor the authority you give them and seek to be guided by your wisdom as they engage in the office to which they are elected.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 8 of “Fan or Follower – Keep Watch!”  (LISTEN HERE).

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“Watch out!” is a dire and impending warning that something dangerous is about to happen unless I change course very quickly.

“Keep watch!” is a indefinite indication that something is going to happen at some point and when it does happen I want to and/or need to be ready.

Sometimes “Watch out!” is easier because in a short period of time, one identifies the danger, avoids it and moves on.

Keeping watch can be long, tiresome, and bring inevitable thoughts of, “I don’t think this will ever happen,” and lead to apathy, indifference and doubt that keeping watch is even worth it.

Yet Jesus says, “Keep watch!”

Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

When Jesus left this earth, he promised he would come back.  The challenge?  He didn’t give us a specific time or day, just a promise.

So, the challenge for us is this.  Will we live today and every day with the awareness that today Jesus could return?  Or will we slip to a thought that “It won’t happen in my lifetime” and become complacent and indifferent to the idea that he is coming back?

Perhaps it depends on the day.

It is certainly easy to get busy with each day’s activities without giving a thought that Jesus could return today.  Jesus acknowledges this as he teaches: 

Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 

The flood caught people off guard.  Jesus said some knew nothing about the flood coming until the water swept them away.  (There were 100 years for the word to get out about an impending flood…did they never hear or choose not to recognize the warning?)  The point?  People will be going about life without any awareness of Christ’s coming.  Some will be ready.  Some won’t.

Is Jesus advocating for “Stop life and wait for me to come!”  No.  The reality is life and its events will continue.  However, Jesus doesn’t want us to live in ignorance or apathy of his return.

If you are reading this devotion, you are no longer ignorant.  Jesus will return to this earth to judge the living and the dead and bring all believers, body and soul, to be with him.

If you are reading this devotion, you will be tempted to apathy.  Like a teenager who throws a party in his parents home with the expectation they won’t be home for a long time, we can engage in life without any thought of our Savior’s coming or the life to which our Savior calls us.  With apathy, we allow our sinful nature to run amuck figuring, “Jesus won’t be coming for a long time.”

But then the parents come home.  Then Jesus comes.

We don’t want to be caught unprepared.

So Jesus encourages us, “Keep watch!”

Peter encourages us, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray” (1 Peter 4:7).

How are we to be ready?  The devotions, I pray, this week will help!

Apply: Are you ready? Or does this devotion find a bit of apathy?  Repent of apathy.  Get ready!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your promise to return.  Send us your Spirit so that at all times in all places, even as we go through the activities of life, we live in the anticipation of your return.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 7 of “Fan or Follower – Seek Truth”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.  

Truth does something.

It resonates.

It carries authority.

It impacts people.

It stands out.

It amazes people.

Why?

Because our soul yearns for truth.  We tire of discerning what is true and what is not.  We want someone or something that we can count on, believe in, depend on.  We want someone’s word to stand.  We want what someone says to come true.  Even if truth is hard to hear, deep down we want to hear truth over deception.

In political foray of midterm elections, we want a candidate to tell the truth.  We cringe with skepticism when candidates seem to simply speak empty platitudes absent of substance and truth.

In the doctor’s office, we want the truth.  Am I well or not?  When we know whether we are well or sick, we can move forward appropriately.  Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, tell me what I need to hear.

In Jesus’ Sermon the Mount, he didn’t take a poll of the people to determine what was important to them and then speak about it.  He knew what the people needed to hear and told the truth about it.  He didn’t make things up.  He didn’t say what he thought people wanted to hear.  He simply spoke truth into the lives of people…because he knew they needed it.

The teachers of the law weren’t always giving it to them.

The Pharisees had clouded it over with their extra teachings.

Jesus spoke with authority, because he was speaking the truth.

Deception comes with hesitation.  Truth comes with conviction.

Our country has a truth problem.  Truth is hard to come by.  Yet, as was said, everyone yearns for it.  God says, “I’m giving it to you.  Here are my Words.”

John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 

The news won’t always give you truth.  Social media won’t always give you truth.  Even churches won’t always give you truth.  But God will always speak truth in his Word.  You don’t have to discern where it is or what it is, because every word is truth.

So as Jesus encouraged, hear these words and put them into practice.  Let God’s truth given on every page of the BIble settle your soul, guard your heart and guide your steps.

Apply: What might you change in your schedule to allow time for God’s Word of truth to speak daily into your heart and soul?

Prayer: Thank you Lord for caring enough to always speak the truth to us.  It carries great authority and great comfort for my soul.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 7 of “Fan or Follower – Seek Truth”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 

Whenever a hurricane strikes a coastal city like Ian did in the Ft. Myers, FL area, we see the effects of winds, waves, and flooding.  A storm of the strength of Ian wreaked havoc on the barrier islands and many homes that enjoyed ocean front views are no longer.

This reflection is in no way to make light of or minimize the loss many families have experienced at the brunt of a powerful storm.  The strength of one’s home and the security of a solid foundation are critical to withstand storms of hurricane strength.

The next hurricane is not a matter of “if,” it is a matter of “when.”  So, if one is going to build or rebuild in this area, strength of the structure and its foundation matters.

It’s not a matter of “if” a hurricane will come in our lives, it’s a matter of “when.”

What storms are you in, facing or anticipating?  Not physical storms, but spiritual ones.  Satan loves to bring storms in life that beat against our faith and seek to destroy it.  Some are gentle breezes…some “Cat 5” hurricane strength.

What do those storms look like?

• Maybe an unexpected death of a spouse or parent leaving us at a loss for the future.
• Walking into work and being fired and now without a job and regular income.
• World affairs that threaten lives or livelihood.
• A child that is following a path of poor choices, bad friendships, and destructive behavior.
• Addiction to cope with the challenges of life.

What is yours?

Jesus is not naive to think that storms will not come.  In fact he KNOWS they will come and want us to survive these storms and come through them stronger in faith, not weaker.  So he gives us his loving direction: Hear my Word AND put it into practice.

Both men in Jesus’ short parable hear the Words of God.  One puts them into practice and another blows them off.

So what might that look like? Here are a few examples of hearing and doing the Word of God.

Jesus encourages, 

Psalm 50:15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”  So when trouble comes, we call on the Lord…as a first resort, not last.

When we put wisdom from the Lord on managing our wealth into practice, we are are able to navigate a time without income.

Proverbs 13:7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing; another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth. – Proverbs 13:7

God’s truth guides our relationships and enables us to enjoy blessing out of conflict.

Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord.

When we are navigating earthly challenges or facing our own mortality, the Word encourages us.

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

These are just a small sample of encouragement for our souls as we navigate the winds and waves of life.  

Truth of God put into practice is the foundation that cannot be shaken!

Apply: What challenges in life are shaking your spiritual foundation?  What truth of God’s Word will serve to provide a solid foundation as you navigate the challenge?

Prayer: Lord thank you for your word of truth.  Help me not to just hear it, but to put it into practice!  AMEN.

 

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 7 of “Fan or Follower – Seek Truth”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 

What?

Are we understanding Jesus correctly that people who hail the name of the Lord and act in the name of the Lord will be sent to hell?

Religious? Spiritual people? Sent away from the Lord forever?

It catches the many off guard when Jesus says to them, “I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers.”

As with all of Jesus’ words he tells us this because he loves us.  He is warning us so we don’t fall into the same trap.

So what is the deception?  What is the tactic Satan is using?

Satan loves to get us to believe that being outwardly spiritual and pious is what the Lord desires.  He wants us to think that a good spiritual performance before God will earn a spot in heaven, or at least recognition by the Father in heaven.

I cringe when people at funerals say something like, “I know he’s in a better place because he was such a good man.”

Outward actions…Outward spiritual actions don’t save.

Jesus condemns superficial religious activity.

Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.  

Outward activity without inner conviction is religious deception.  The inner conviction the Lord is looking for is faith in him as Savior.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The heart, transformed by the Spirit of God, produces the will of God.  Jesus says he will recognize those that do the will of God.  What is the will of God?

John 6:40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

The will of God is produced from a heart that trusts firmly in the work of God.

As shocking as it may sound, the truth must be spoken.  Only faith that has its substance in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will be welcomed into heaven.

Here’s the substance of saving faith:

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

Going through the motions of following Jesus will end in a harsh departure from the one you feigned to follow.  However a heart of faith in the Lord Jesus will produce a life of good fruit and receive a welcome by grace to an eternity in heaven.

Apply: Did these words of Jesus shock you?  For what do you need to repent?  What happens when the Spirit of God works in your heart a trust and love for the Lord Jesus as your Savior?

Prayer: Lord, thank you again for your warnings.  May all of my life be driven by a faith-filled heart which loves and trusts in God above all things.  AMEN.