Liquid Gold

I came across a serious case of writers block this morning. It is difficult at times focus on the Lord when life can be so busy. Each day when we get up there is an agenda that must be filled and a list in need of completion... simply put, we live in a culture saturated with time obligations.

Today I woke up feeling a bit dehydrated and that is a bad thing today because I give plasma twice a week and today is the day to do it. I was frustrated trying to focus on God but knowing I had to be drinking and eating as well with only an hour to do so. I said to myself, "where is God in all of this, surely there is something here" and that is when it hit me, my message for the day:

"Liquid Gold" this is a term used for human plasma, this implies the great value. I give plasma twice a week out of my heart and as an incentive I receive a cash donation. Although the cash is nice, it is not the driving force behind giving. Plasma is used to save lives, I am used to save lives because I give it. Plasma is contained in a persons blood and it is largely composed of water, but there are precious proteins and nutrients in it as well which a persons body needs. Where is God in this?

There is a great amount of symbolism in the process of plasma giving. Plasma is in my blood so in order for them to get it they must take my blood out. In a sense then; my blood is a saving vehicle. I get a picture of Christs' blood and its saving power. 1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." The blood that flows from His veins saves us from a death that is more than flesh but of the spirit. How much more precious is the blood of Christ than mine. I do not know for sure if there is any physical thing more valuable than that blood which was shed for us.

We were bought with a price, a high price. Paul over and over again would remind people saying "do you not know you have been purchased with a price." Christ blood which was shed for us is more valuable than we can put words to or a price tag on. This same value was placed on the lives of each one of you for it was considered worth it to purchase you with such a great price. I think at this time it is appropriate to reflect on the blood of Christ with a popular hymn.

God bless.
Words & Music: Robert Lowry, in Gospel Music, by William Doane and Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I'll overcome--.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I'll reach my home--;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing!
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring!;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Great Love

Sometimes it can be hard to find reasons to serve God. We have this New Testament Love which lets us know everything is alright or at least going to be. Sometimes we need a little fuel to help us realize the prize we have been purchased with. This is a little story with a big impact a professor told me a few years back:

Back in the day when I was young and still in shape I worked on a farm with a group of friends. We were down south and the days were humid and hot. Mosquitoes bit hard and sweating never cooled you off.

After one of these dreadful days of summer we all decided to pack together in the tail end of an old blue Chevy and head a lake about eight miles away. When we arrived we did it old school, stripped to our skibbies and ran for it. It was a full blown race to a dock a little ways out. All of us were focused on the win but I especially was winning. I arrived at the dock first and in triumph I stood upon my platform.

As the rest of the guys began to drag in we looked back to see what distance we had covered o' so quickly only to see our buddy chuck splashing, gulping, and well... drowning. Chuck was known to be a kidder and a sore loser, so we thought he might have been pulling a leg. Soon it became evident he wasn't. We dove in to the rescue and never had we swam so fast. We pulled him up to the lake front and help was arriving; one of the neighbors must have heard the commotion and called, thank God.

Once revived Chuck looked around and said "where's Don, he was right there with me?" We continued to look and did not find him. We assumed the event was a bit overwhelming for him and he took a walk or something. We weren't going to ditch him in the middle of the country so while waiting we went back swimming. Not long after we entered the water and Hank stepped on something awkward. It was Don's leg. Don drowned right in that spot not long before. He was standing on the bottom of the lake, arms lifted up, holding our good friend Chuck up so he wouldn't drown. Don ended up losing his life in an effort to save a friend.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. This very picture is one of Christ. Jesus too died in an effort to save us. The image of the saving Christ suffering with arms nailed is ours to hold. Jesus did not die in vain. After all this was done for us, what can we do in return. We should remember this each day to help us realize a plan and purpose for our lives, the Love He has for us, and to encourage action.

God Bless.

Doing!

There is something profound about being a Christian... We are charged to carry out the will of God. What I am about to write may seem a bit harsh... I believe we will seek to do His will when we are born again. Now I am not trying to John 3:16 bash because I know every word is perfect, but I am advocating action in response to it. Are you ready for something to chew on? Let me lay it out for you.

I think I am going to expand on this topic for the next few days because there are about fifty sermons here. I will begin with the very popular yet at times abused verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." I would like to point out one very important word - BELIEVES. What is it about this word that perpetuates emphasis, isn't it an easy word. I look at the Greek for this word here and I get pisteuō {pist-yoo'-o} to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.) I love this because as mentioned in yesterdays message "do we believe in God like we believe in Santa Clause?" You see the word used here is different from that type of belief. The word used here is saying we must fully trust Jesus with our well being and commit to Him; accepting His existence is not enough, even the demons believe in Him and know what he did, but that does not save them.

The word "believe" is a verb... how about that, this means it perpetuates action. Jesus laid out an outline for us to follow, these are the fundamentals of Christianity: Matt. 22:36-40 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." The first and most important thing we should do in reaction is truly love God and seek a relationship with Him. and second we should love our neighbor as yourself.

A commitment to another is considered a relationship. In the definition given for the original "believe" we saw the word "commit," and to commit requires effort.... this means we have got to do something. James said "faith without works is dead." I would like to bring this into a new light, James 2:22-23 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his(Abraham's) works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God." The way I see it is works will be in response to faith, and faith is made perfect by works. For this reason it was written "faith without works is dead" for works are a response and perfecting tool of faith. Ultimately if you really love God and have faith there will be works... there will be good fruit.

Remember; however, it is not works that saves us but we are "saved by Gods Grace through faith." This is where the relationship comes in, He exchanges grace for relationship because relationship is fulfilling the greatest commandment " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." In Matthew chapter 7 we see a scenario of judgment and how works alone don't do the trick. "21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" It starts with the a relationship with Him, how else can we know His will.

Well I think that is just about enough rambling for the day. I look forward to writing tomorrows message. God Bless you and go do something.

Contemplation "The reward for serving God is the service itself."

From the mind of Rev. Anthony C. S. Flanigan

I wrote this message a little while ago but thought it needed to be posted as a kickoff post....

Today I received something rather refreshing. As a waiter I get to plant seeds in the lives of those I serve. It is rare a seed is sown in me by one whom I serve at work. The seed came in the form of an article from the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle; Torah Portion. The name of this man handing me an article unfortunately has not stuck in my mind, however I may refer to him as Mr. egg beaters, fruit and dry wheat toast.

If I were a completely oblivious and pompous-holier than thou type Christian I would have disregarded this article at its' origin. What "Christian" wants to read Jewish expository? This Christian! Why wouldn't I! Unfortunately there is a severe lack of maturity and wisdom in a vast majority of "Christians" today, (an observation of fruits, not a judgment.) Christians should develop a hunger for Gods word, as well as effective understanding of other religions, for the purpose of effective ministry and proper representation of God. The Jewish religion concentrates on the Law of God, thus I want the understanding and convictions contained in Gods law. We are told in Romans that knowledge of God's Law is knowledge of sin. How can one stop sinning if they are not convicted.

The article began with a quote from President John Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." The article concentrated on the life of Abraham; most importantly, his obedience to God even when told to sacrifice His only son Isaac. Abraham's obedience to God is a model to all people of all faiths. I am reminded of the Abrahamic Covenant and its terms and context. When a covenant was made in those times, an animal was to be slaughtered, cut in half and each member of the covenant was to walk through the middle of the sacrifice stating loyalty to the covenant. "If I don't hold up my end of the covenant, you may do to me as we did to this animal." One thing making the Abrahamic Covenant special is God did not allow Abraham to go through the sacrifice. God shows His abundant grace and mercy by stating He will hold up his end whether Abraham is faithful to his end or not. God was determined to bless Abraham.

Why does this four thousand year old covenant matter to Christians today? It is the fulfillment of this covenant which blesses us with salvation. There is a reason why St. Matthew began his gospel with the lineage of Christ. He was showing us how Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham. Abraham was told in the covenant the nations would be blessed through him. Jesus, being a super-great grandson of Abraham harnesses blessings available to all, Jew and Gentile.

Ultimately this article's aim made me want to ask this convicting question, "Do we believe in God like a child believes in Santa Claus, or do we believe for His Sacrifice and Greatness." Being able to have a personal relationship with God of the universe is honor and reward enough to die to ourselves and give it all to him. We should be reminded, we are all covered in sin and don't deserve grace, let alone any other blessings given. We need to get out of our self absolved mindsets, realize our sin and thank God with all we have, we don't deserve what we have, we don't deserve more and if we have less we should bless Him still. Remember Job? We need to press on to glorify God. God doesn't exist to bless us, we exist to bring Him glory and honor.