Children have a way of getting right to the point.
Last week I spoke to my granddaughter on the phone. She will soon be five years old. I told her I loved her and can’t wait to hug her and kiss her. Normal grandpa stuff.
Her response? “I love you too, Grandpa. You can come soon and hug me and kiss me. But no pokies.”
What she meant by “No pokies” was a mystery. Then my daughter got on the phone and explained that her husband shaves once a week. My granddaughter wanted to be sure my beard wasn’t prickly. That way there’d be no “pokies.”
Well, needless to say, I had a good chuckle. I thought, “How precious!” Then I told my wife we need to go visit them soon so I can hold my granddaughter and get those hugs and kisses.
There’s something about the honesty and innocence of children that inspires us. And they can teach us much if we will pay attention.
Well, hold on just a minute. Aren’t we supposed to teach children?
Yes, but there is much we can learn from them. Especially when it comes to faith.
Jesus knew that some of the purest faith in the world belongs to children. The average adult of his day viewed children as unimportant and something of a bother. Even Jesus’ disciples.
One day when parents wanted Jesus to pray for their children, the disciples rebuked them. So Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Another time Jesus added, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
His point? The openness, faith and receptivity of children are an example to us.
The kingdom of God must be received as a gift. It is available to all who are humble and know they are helpless. Human effort is of no avail.
And that’s really the point of Christmas.
Christmas is about God offering us a gift. We did nothing to deserve it. He offers us a Savior who can forgive our sin and give us eternal life—a life of joy and purpose.
It cost God a lot. He gave us his very best. But it’s a free gift to all who receive it with the simple faith and trust of a child. Will you open your heart and accept it by faith?
As adults it’s too easy for us to lose Jesus in the Christmas rush. Don’t let it happen to you.
So when you gather with your family this year, watch the little children. Not only are they cute, they’re special to God. Their faith can point our hearts in the right direction.
And guys, if you want hugs and kisses—be sure you don’t have any “pokies”!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Real Christmas Present
Frosty the Snowman’s first words when he came to life were “Happy Birthday!”
The TV show is an annual favorite for many during the Christmas season. I guess the writers thought that Frosty’s first day of life was naturally his birthday. And it makes sense in the world of cartoons.
In a video I watched the other day a small child was asked why we celebrate Christmas. Her answer? “Because it’s Santa’s Birthday!”
At least the TV show and the little girl got it half right. Christmas is about a birthday, but not Frosty’s or Santa’s! The fact that some children may think so shows that we need to do a better job teaching them about Christmas.
No doubt some kids even think Christmas is about them since they get all the presents. Many children receive more presents at Christmas than they do for their own birthday!
Well hold on just a minute. Whose birthday is in anyway? And why all the presents?
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines Christmas as “an annual Christian festival on December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” It says that it’s also become a secular holiday when people traditionally exchange presents and greetings.
We practice many of our Christmas traditions without ever giving thought as to why we do them. Exchanging presents is a good example. Why do we do that?
One reason we give gifts is to help us remember that the birth of the Savior was God’s great gift to the world. Talk about a surprise gift! Most people don’t think they need a savior. They don’t feel like they’re drowning or trapped and need to be rescued. Why a savior?
Two thousand years ago Israel was hoping for a savior to deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire and Caesar. What they got was One who offered spiritual salvation instead of political deliverance. And the nation’s leaders rejected it.
But God turned the rejection and death of Christ into an offer of salvation for the whole world. The Bible says that faith in Christ brings deliverance from sin and judgment to come.
What a gift! Salvation that doesn’t depend on being born into the right family or belonging to the “right” religion. Salvation that is free. What a Christmas present!
Today many people are drowning in failure and the consequences of bad decisions. In the Bible God gave us standards to live by. Those who break his rules often suffer the consequences in their health and in their relationships. The Bible calls that “sin.”
Unable to fix our broken relationship with God, we need someone to save us. And that’s where God’s great gift comes into the picture. God’s purpose in sending Christ was for him to become the Savior of the world. To save us from sin and its consequences that lead to death.
The angel told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David [Bethlehem] a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). People who heard Jesus and personally experienced his ministry recognized that he was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
So this Christmas, before you put down your credit card to buy those presents, pick up a Bible and turn to the Gospel of Luke. Read about the first Christmas in chapter two. Join in the wonder the Shepherds felt when they saw Jesus, the Savior. Worship him with the wise men.
When a person recognizes who Jesus is and puts their trust in him to save them, God gives them the ultimate gift, eternal life. That’s the real present of Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
The TV show is an annual favorite for many during the Christmas season. I guess the writers thought that Frosty’s first day of life was naturally his birthday. And it makes sense in the world of cartoons.
In a video I watched the other day a small child was asked why we celebrate Christmas. Her answer? “Because it’s Santa’s Birthday!”
At least the TV show and the little girl got it half right. Christmas is about a birthday, but not Frosty’s or Santa’s! The fact that some children may think so shows that we need to do a better job teaching them about Christmas.
No doubt some kids even think Christmas is about them since they get all the presents. Many children receive more presents at Christmas than they do for their own birthday!
Well hold on just a minute. Whose birthday is in anyway? And why all the presents?
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines Christmas as “an annual Christian festival on December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” It says that it’s also become a secular holiday when people traditionally exchange presents and greetings.
We practice many of our Christmas traditions without ever giving thought as to why we do them. Exchanging presents is a good example. Why do we do that?
One reason we give gifts is to help us remember that the birth of the Savior was God’s great gift to the world. Talk about a surprise gift! Most people don’t think they need a savior. They don’t feel like they’re drowning or trapped and need to be rescued. Why a savior?
Two thousand years ago Israel was hoping for a savior to deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire and Caesar. What they got was One who offered spiritual salvation instead of political deliverance. And the nation’s leaders rejected it.
But God turned the rejection and death of Christ into an offer of salvation for the whole world. The Bible says that faith in Christ brings deliverance from sin and judgment to come.
What a gift! Salvation that doesn’t depend on being born into the right family or belonging to the “right” religion. Salvation that is free. What a Christmas present!
Today many people are drowning in failure and the consequences of bad decisions. In the Bible God gave us standards to live by. Those who break his rules often suffer the consequences in their health and in their relationships. The Bible calls that “sin.”
Unable to fix our broken relationship with God, we need someone to save us. And that’s where God’s great gift comes into the picture. God’s purpose in sending Christ was for him to become the Savior of the world. To save us from sin and its consequences that lead to death.
The angel told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David [Bethlehem] a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). People who heard Jesus and personally experienced his ministry recognized that he was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
So this Christmas, before you put down your credit card to buy those presents, pick up a Bible and turn to the Gospel of Luke. Read about the first Christmas in chapter two. Join in the wonder the Shepherds felt when they saw Jesus, the Savior. Worship him with the wise men.
When a person recognizes who Jesus is and puts their trust in him to save them, God gives them the ultimate gift, eternal life. That’s the real present of Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Heart Trouble
The heart of a problem is sometimes the problem of the heart.
Let me explain. Maybe you’re one of those people whose parents made them go to church as a child and hated it. I was not. So I’ve always wondered what that was all about.
My parents brought me to church before I can remember. They told me that when I was three years old I asked God to forgive my sin and for Jesus Christ to be my Lord and my Savior.
Since I was so young I had no memory of that event. But I do remember repeating that decision during a church service when I was older. I wanted to remember my commitment.
I also remember that I always loved church. Sunday was my favorite day of the week. The songs, hymns, Bible Stories and lessons connected with my young heart. I looked forward to Vacation Bible School every year. When I finally got to go to Church Camp and Youth Group, I was thrilled.
Here’s my guess. If you went to a spiritual life-giving church that taught the Bible, but you hated it and felt rejected, it may have been a heart problem.
Well, hold it just a minute. Aren’t some churches to blame—sort of “bad apples?”
Sure. Churches can be cold, legalistic and judgmental. That’s possible. But don’t give up on church just because you went to one that didn’t meet your need. The solution is to keep looking for one that does—a church where you can meet with God, people live their faith, the Bible is taught, and Jesus Christ is Lord. I didn’t give up on apples just because I had a bad one.
But if the problem wasn’t the church, it may be your heart.
Some folks who attend church have no interest in God. They are self-absorbed takers. Their only interest is whether or not it’s an enjoyable experience for them. Sadly their attitude keeps them from finding the fulfillment they’re looking for and which only God can give them.
It may be you are looking in the wrong place. I encourage you to start looking for your fulfillment where I found it: in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
When you do, you’ll discover that God is real and that he is not rejecting you at all. He doesn’t reject anyone who comes to him in faith. Because of our self-centered emphasis on pleasure, we reject him. God isn’t hiding from us. The reality is that we are hiding from him.
The greatest discovery of my life was that God loved me, was seeking a personal relationship with me and wanted to forgive all my failures and give me a fresh start.
Jesus said that God seeks worshippers who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” Jesus also told people, “Your sins are forgiven.” He alone can forgive our failures, even when we cannot forgive ourselves.
When we have problems with our physical heart, we go to a heart specialist. We listen to the diagnosis and then take appropriate action. We value the specialist’s advice.
If the problem is spiritual, go to the one who understands the human heart and soul. God alone has the treatment that works every time it’s tried. His advice is invaluable.
Maybe you’re skeptical. Then listen to Jesus’ challenge: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” Then he added, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” He meant himself.
The heart of our problem is the problem of our hearts. The solution? Believe the right message about the right person: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world died for your sin.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Let me explain. Maybe you’re one of those people whose parents made them go to church as a child and hated it. I was not. So I’ve always wondered what that was all about.
My parents brought me to church before I can remember. They told me that when I was three years old I asked God to forgive my sin and for Jesus Christ to be my Lord and my Savior.
Since I was so young I had no memory of that event. But I do remember repeating that decision during a church service when I was older. I wanted to remember my commitment.
I also remember that I always loved church. Sunday was my favorite day of the week. The songs, hymns, Bible Stories and lessons connected with my young heart. I looked forward to Vacation Bible School every year. When I finally got to go to Church Camp and Youth Group, I was thrilled.
Here’s my guess. If you went to a spiritual life-giving church that taught the Bible, but you hated it and felt rejected, it may have been a heart problem.
Well, hold it just a minute. Aren’t some churches to blame—sort of “bad apples?”
Sure. Churches can be cold, legalistic and judgmental. That’s possible. But don’t give up on church just because you went to one that didn’t meet your need. The solution is to keep looking for one that does—a church where you can meet with God, people live their faith, the Bible is taught, and Jesus Christ is Lord. I didn’t give up on apples just because I had a bad one.
But if the problem wasn’t the church, it may be your heart.
Some folks who attend church have no interest in God. They are self-absorbed takers. Their only interest is whether or not it’s an enjoyable experience for them. Sadly their attitude keeps them from finding the fulfillment they’re looking for and which only God can give them.
It may be you are looking in the wrong place. I encourage you to start looking for your fulfillment where I found it: in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
When you do, you’ll discover that God is real and that he is not rejecting you at all. He doesn’t reject anyone who comes to him in faith. Because of our self-centered emphasis on pleasure, we reject him. God isn’t hiding from us. The reality is that we are hiding from him.
The greatest discovery of my life was that God loved me, was seeking a personal relationship with me and wanted to forgive all my failures and give me a fresh start.
Jesus said that God seeks worshippers who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” Jesus also told people, “Your sins are forgiven.” He alone can forgive our failures, even when we cannot forgive ourselves.
When we have problems with our physical heart, we go to a heart specialist. We listen to the diagnosis and then take appropriate action. We value the specialist’s advice.
If the problem is spiritual, go to the one who understands the human heart and soul. God alone has the treatment that works every time it’s tried. His advice is invaluable.
Maybe you’re skeptical. Then listen to Jesus’ challenge: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” Then he added, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” He meant himself.
The heart of our problem is the problem of our hearts. The solution? Believe the right message about the right person: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world died for your sin.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Travel Restrictions
“You can’t take it with you” was never truer than today.
Since September 11, 2001, things once considered harmless can no longer go anywhere near a commercial airplane. Anyone flying since that fateful day is very familiar with the new travel restrictions!
It took me a while to get used to the new reality. In November of 2001 I flew to Arizona with my family to spend Thanksgiving with relatives. Going through airport security, I forgot I was carrying a penknife in my pocket. Suddenly that small knife was enough to keep me off the plane. How could I be so dumb? They could have arrested me on the spot!
Thankfully I was allowed to throw it away and board the plane.
One day we all hope to successfully travel to our final destination. Are you aware that God has “travel restrictions” on what you can bring to Heaven?
Well, hold on just a minute! How can there be travel restrictions for Heaven? --Because the Bible tells us God is a holy God and he cannot permit sin in his presence.
“Holy” means God is clean, pure and separated above all other beings and there is no other god like him. It means his character is totally good and entirely without evil.
The Bible says, “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Do you meet the standard? Like the penknife I carry, we’re so used to our sins we forget they’re in our spiritual “pockets.” And even “small” sins will keep us from holiness and Heaven. --Now that’s a travel restriction!
Many people believe the way to get to Heaven is by doing more good things than bad in this life. And when they meet God, they hope the good deeds will outweigh the bad.
But there’s a big problem with that view. The Bible says that all of our good works are like filthy rags in God’s sight. Nothing we do even comes close to his standard. Only perfection makes it into Heaven. And perfection is humanly impossible. You know it and so do I.
Thankfully God is not only holy but he is also a God of love.
Because of his great love for us, the Bible says that God sent his only son, Jesus, to solve our sin problem. Jesus made a way for us to have fellowship with God now and then live with him forever. His perfect life on earth and his death in our place on the cross makes it possible for God to forgive us. The resurrection proved his power to conquer sin’s eternal death penalty.
Before Jesus came, sin was enough to keep us out of Heaven and God’s presence. But since Jesus’ death paid for our sin, the only thing standing between God and us is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says God forgives the sin of whoever accepts Jesus as their personal Savior. They share in his holiness. However, the Bible is just as clear that those who will not believe in Christ still stand condemned because of their unbelief. Their sin is not forgiven.
It’s sad to think that many people will miss Heaven by five letters:
J-E-S-U-S.
For some reason they just can’t bring themselves to accept the Jesus of the Bible. They won’t trust him.
With the summer vacation season upon us, airline travelers need to be aware of travel restrictions before flying. But since any day could be the day of your trip to eternity, think about God’s travel restrictions (and Jesus’ solution) before it’s too late.
Remember--someone tougher than the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will be doing the pre-flight inspection of your “baggage” before you’re cleared for Heaven. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is The Judge of the living and the dead. He is also our Savior.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
Since September 11, 2001, things once considered harmless can no longer go anywhere near a commercial airplane. Anyone flying since that fateful day is very familiar with the new travel restrictions!
It took me a while to get used to the new reality. In November of 2001 I flew to Arizona with my family to spend Thanksgiving with relatives. Going through airport security, I forgot I was carrying a penknife in my pocket. Suddenly that small knife was enough to keep me off the plane. How could I be so dumb? They could have arrested me on the spot!
Thankfully I was allowed to throw it away and board the plane.
One day we all hope to successfully travel to our final destination. Are you aware that God has “travel restrictions” on what you can bring to Heaven?
Well, hold on just a minute! How can there be travel restrictions for Heaven? --Because the Bible tells us God is a holy God and he cannot permit sin in his presence.
“Holy” means God is clean, pure and separated above all other beings and there is no other god like him. It means his character is totally good and entirely without evil.
The Bible says, “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Do you meet the standard? Like the penknife I carry, we’re so used to our sins we forget they’re in our spiritual “pockets.” And even “small” sins will keep us from holiness and Heaven. --Now that’s a travel restriction!
Many people believe the way to get to Heaven is by doing more good things than bad in this life. And when they meet God, they hope the good deeds will outweigh the bad.
But there’s a big problem with that view. The Bible says that all of our good works are like filthy rags in God’s sight. Nothing we do even comes close to his standard. Only perfection makes it into Heaven. And perfection is humanly impossible. You know it and so do I.
Thankfully God is not only holy but he is also a God of love.
Because of his great love for us, the Bible says that God sent his only son, Jesus, to solve our sin problem. Jesus made a way for us to have fellowship with God now and then live with him forever. His perfect life on earth and his death in our place on the cross makes it possible for God to forgive us. The resurrection proved his power to conquer sin’s eternal death penalty.
Before Jesus came, sin was enough to keep us out of Heaven and God’s presence. But since Jesus’ death paid for our sin, the only thing standing between God and us is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says God forgives the sin of whoever accepts Jesus as their personal Savior. They share in his holiness. However, the Bible is just as clear that those who will not believe in Christ still stand condemned because of their unbelief. Their sin is not forgiven.
It’s sad to think that many people will miss Heaven by five letters:
J-E-S-U-S.
For some reason they just can’t bring themselves to accept the Jesus of the Bible. They won’t trust him.
With the summer vacation season upon us, airline travelers need to be aware of travel restrictions before flying. But since any day could be the day of your trip to eternity, think about God’s travel restrictions (and Jesus’ solution) before it’s too late.
Remember--someone tougher than the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will be doing the pre-flight inspection of your “baggage” before you’re cleared for Heaven. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is The Judge of the living and the dead. He is also our Savior.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
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