Whitewashed Tombs

Have you ever been called a name?  I’m not talking about a nickname like “Pip” but instead, something nasty and hurtful.  Has anyone ever called you something that just really hurt your feelings?  I would imagine so.  Often times those things that people call us are full of hate, anger, and even lies.  However, there are times when (even though we would not want to admit it) that we really are the things we are being called.  When those names and words hit us, it hurts, because we know there is some truth to the statement. 

So with that in mind, what if you were called a “Whitewashed Tomb?”  Moreover, what if Jesus Christ called you a “whitewashed tomb”?  OUCH!!  In Matthew 23, as Jesus addressed the crowds He delivers “Seven Woes” regarding the teachers of the law and the Pharisees:  (27) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.  (28)In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” 

OUCH!!

The hurtful thing about this word from Christ is that many of us continue to live as a whitewashed tomb.  We can play the religious game.  We can dress the part.  We can be good “church people.”  We have the Christian t-shirts, the conservative bumper stickers, and even vote against abortion.  We go to church every time the doors are open.  We know every song that is sung at church (If it fits our preference).  We even know certain Scripture (that we like). 

However, when Christ looks at us with his supernatural x-ray eyes, he looks straight at our hearts and minds.  Underneath all the “Christian” outward appearances what does He really see?  Many of those who play the religious game harbor reservoirs of hate within them.  Some have a river flowing from their hearts that floods their being with racism, greed, anger, resentment, and pride.  Others neglect their children, compete with other church members, and foster hard feelings wherever they go. 

Granted, none of us are perfect.  But, let us be honest, you can be a professional at religion and be on the fast track to Hell.  You may have feasted on church goodness, but never even tasted true grace. 

If we are living as a whitewashed tomb is it any wonder that people turn away from church and run from God?  Is it any wonder that churches are dying all around us?  Is it any wonder that throughout this country oppression and persecution toward believers is on the rise?

It is time that we clean out our garbage.  It is time to empty our filthy hearts and let the Holy Spirit reside within us forever.  The greatest house cleaner in all of history is the Holy Spirit, so let Him in; let Him cleanse us all so that we may never be whitewashed tombs.  May we allow Christ to gather his “children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” (Matthew 23:37)

A Prayer for Families

"For centuries, kings and queens, presidents and senates, pastors and priests have attempted to address and resolve issues concerning families, because every wise leader knows that whatever happens in the family makes an impression on the world." - Think Orange

Families are crumbling to pieces all around us.  Marriage has become a contract to be mocked and thrown aside on a whim.  Children's hearts break daily because their homes are filled with hatred, anger, and neglect.  

So where does healing start?  Should we pass a bill in Congress?  What if we began a new program in the city?  Perhaps if we started a fun new program at church things would get better?  Maybe some of these would have some impact but ultimately healing and reconciliation in our families must start with us; it must start with us turning truthfully and honestly to God.  

For some of you reading this it may sound like a cliche.  "Turn to God."  You have heard that time and again about every issue on the planet.  Indeed we have.  The problem is we have heard it but we have not listened.  Throughout Scripture we see moments where prophets, leaders, and teachers tell God's people to turn from everything else and live fully for God.  Stop playing games, stop worshiping idols, and give your devotion to God.  

I pray that our families would do this, and I ask that you join me.  Begin praying for your family that you would turn completely to God.  

I pray especially for our men.  Men, it is time that we "MAN UP" and lead our families the way God intended.  It is time that Father's bring their children up "in the training and instruction of The Lord." Trust me when I say that is what our kids are craving.  If you think our children want gadgets and gizmos more than anything, you could not be further from the truth.  Our children want their Fathers and they want their Fathers to teach them about God.   I see the tears, I hear the prayers, and I listen to the cries that students have for their Fathers.  

So I pray for our families.   I pray that we would all take our families to the throne of our Heavenly Father.  And I ask that you join me.  

A Prayer for Families

"For centuries, kings and queens, presidents and senates, pastors and priests have attempted to address and resolve issues concerning families, because every wise leader knows that whatever happens in the family makes an impression on the world." - Think Orange

Families are crumbling to pieces all around us.  Marriage has become a contract to be mocked and thrown aside on a whim.  Children's hearts break daily because their homes are filled with hatred, anger, and neglect.

So where does healing start?  Should we pass a bill in Congress?  What if we began a new program in the city?  Perhaps if we started a fun new program at church things would get better?  Maybe some of these would have some impact but ultimately healing and reconciliation in our families must start with us; it must start with us turning truthfully and honestly to God.

For some of you reading this it may sound like a cliche.  "Turn to God."  You have heard that time and again about every issue on the planet.  Indeed we have.  The problem is we have heard it but we have not listened.  Throughout Scripture we see moments where prophets, leaders, and teachers tell God's people to turn from everything else and live fully for God.  Stop playing games, stop worshiping idols, and give your devotion to God.

I pray that our families would do this, and I ask that you join me.  Begin praying for your family that you would turn completely to God.

I pray especially for our men.  Men, it is time that we "MAN UP" and lead our families the way God intended.  It is time that Father's bring their children up "in the training and instruction of The Lord." Trust me when I say that is what our kids are craving.  If you think our children want gadgets and gizmos more than anything, you could not be further from the truth.  Our children want their Fathers and they want their Fathers to teach them about God.   I see the tears, I hear the prayers, and I listen to the cries that students have for their Fathers.

So I pray for our families.   I pray that we would all take our families to the throne of our Heavenly Father.  And I ask that you join me.

Give Thanks - Psalm 100

AWESOME

MIGHTY

INCREDIBLE

INDESCRIBABLE

AMAZING

FANTASTIC

FAITHFUL

LOVING

LEADING

PATIENT

TEACHING

OUTSTANDING

BEAUTIFUL

WONDERFUL

HELPER

These are just a few of things that come to my mind this morning when I think about God.  As I think upon God’s greatness I am thankful for not only what He has done for me but for who He is as well. For you see, God is God regardless of what He does for me.  God is God no matter how many “earthly” blessings I may have today.  God is still God and He is still amazing.  On the rainy days and on the sunny days; in the noise and in the silence; in the chaos and in the calm; God is still God . . . and He is GREAT. 

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Worship the Lord with gladness; 
 come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God. 
 It is he who made us, and we are his; 
 we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
 and his courts with praise; 
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; 
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

**Image courtesy of Google Image Search

Spiritual Markers

December 3 is a special day for me.  For it was on this day, 13 years ago that I met my beautiful wife Dawn.  Less than a week later we went on our first date; a walk through the Christmas Lights at the Lewis home in Purvis.  I charmed . . . sparks flew . . . romance blossomed . . . and love grew.  Our first date was a wonderful night in which we talked for hours discussing everything from our favorite color to marriage.  (Yes – marriage came up on the first date! – and SHE brought it up)  This was the start of a wonderful relationship that God ordained and blessed from the beginning.  Now I know if you are reading this you are probably impressed that I know the date.  Well, you should be impressed – and I have no choice – she tests me all the time. 

For such a special night, it stands to reason that we both remember this night very well.  In honor of our first date, every year during the Christmas season, we take a night to go back through the lights to remember that special evening, to celebrate our life together, and to thank God for how He has blessed us.  This is a marker for us, reminding us of God’s blessings. 

Perhaps you have something similar for your family; a certain tradition or activity that you do to remember a special occasion.  You have markers that remind you of a great moment, a loved one, a family tradition, etc.  In the Old Testament, Samuel shows us the importance of spiritual markers: 

1 Samuel 7:1-12

1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.  Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.  5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.  7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.  10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.  12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

In setting up the stone, Samuel made it known that it was God and God alone that blessed them in battle.  It was God who delivered them.  It was God who blessed them.  Through this marker, all would remember God’s provision, and all would know that it was God who led them and helped them. 

Have you set spiritual markers in your heart and in your life?  Do you recognize moments when God really showed up and showed out in your life?  If not, take a moment today and search your memories and be reminded of how great God has blessed you and how God brought you through ups and downs in life. 

Celebrate the moments of God’s blessings so that you will be reminded of His faithfulness therefore giving you strength to endure the hard times.  Remember the help God has given you so that you may be determined that He will continue to guide you.  Tell others your testimony of how God has helped you so others may know that He is God. 

So go, “raise your Ebenezer.”

**Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,

                  tune my heart to sing thy grace;

                  streams of mercy, never ceasing,

                  call for songs of loudest praise.

                  Teach me some melodious sonnet,

                  sung by flaming tongues above.

                  Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

                  mount of thy redeeming love.

                  Here I raise mine Ebenezer;

                  hither by thy help I'm come;

                  and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

                  safely to arrive at home.

                  Jesus sought me when a stranger,

                  wandering from the fold of God;

                  he, to rescue me from danger,

                  interposed his precious blood.

                  O to grace how great a debtor

                  daily I'm constrained to be!

                  Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

                  bind my wandering heart to thee.

                  Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

                  prone to leave the God I love;

                  here's my heart, O take and seal it,

                  seal it for thy courts above.

In The Blink of An Eye

It is amazing how quickly things can change.  Truly things seem to change in the blink of an eye.  The weather can change in an instant.  The score in a game can change as momentum changes.  A great suspense movie or book will change at any moment leaving you breathless.  When things change in our lives through tragedy, a challenge, a blessing, or just what we call “life” how do you respond? 

I would imagine that at times you have responded in anger.  Other times you have responded in fear or perhaps anxiety.  Sometimes you probably have responded with a boldness you did not even know you were capable of presenting.

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas have begun to preach the gospel in Lystra and have healed a lame man during their time there.  As the crowds witnessed this miracle with great awe and excitement, they began to declare that these apostles were the “gods” who “have come down to us in human form!”  The crowd was eager and ready to praise and worship these two men they believed to be Zeus and Hermes. 

These two men of God (the one true God) would have nothing to do with this mistaken identity and passionately began to share the truth of Jehovah God with them.  Despite Paul’s earnest pleas and faithful exhortations they continued to believe that they were gods. 

And then came the change . . .

In verse 19 we find that “some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over.  They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.  (20)  But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.  The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

How quickly things can change!  From having the opportunity to preach God’s Word one moment to being stoned the next.  From having to convince the crowd not to worship them one moment, then taking their beatings the next.  But how did Paul respond? After nearly dying,  “He got up and went back into the city.”  Although he would not stay there long, just look at the boldness with which he continued his mission. 

Perhaps he was thinking of this event, or others like it, when he wrote 1 Corinthians 15:58:  “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

When things change in the blink of an eye, we often turn and run for the hills.  Sometimes we give up.  Often times we hide our head in the sand.  I pray today that we would get back up and continue the mission.  I pray today that we would be bold and we would have complete trust in the Holy Spirit and his power over our lives and in our lives. 

**Photo courtesy of Google Image Search.  

Prayer and Faith

I am guessing that most of you have seen the classic holiday film, “A Christmas Story.”  Perhaps you are one of the many who watch it over and over and over again during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Marathons.  It is truly a classic: the beautiful fra-gi-le’ lamp, double-

dog dares, the bullies, and of course, the Red Rider BB Gun. 

I love Ralphie’s spirit.  He reminds me so much of myself as a kid; imagining scenes of battle in the backyard, wanting a gun more than anything, but thankfully never wearing the bunny outfit. 

What I really loved about this character was the ultimate belief he had that Santa would get him that gun.  He had no doubt that if he could just talk to the “Big Guy” he would get that gun.  He believed. . . . wholeheartedly. 

Now I would never be one to compare God to Santa Claus (although I do believe many people make that mistake), but I would like to look at Ralphie’s belief in what he was asking for and ours.  When he asked, he believed.  Do we believe when we pray to God?  I mean truly believe?

In Acts 12 Peter has been arrested, placed in prison, scheduled for public trial, and eventually execution.  In verse 5 God’s Word tells us “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”  We do not know exactly what they were praying but I would guess it was a little of all of the following:

o   God please protect Peter.

o   God please give Peter strength to endure.

o   God please bless Peter.

And I guarantee you that many were praying . . . .

·      God please free Peter.

Wouldn’t you imagine that his friends and Christian brothers and sisters were asking God to deliver Peter?  If I get arrested SOMEONE better be praying that I get released.  It is very likely that this was a major prayer request that evening, and that is what makes verses 12-16 so amazing.  Peter is broken out of jail by an angel and he goes to the house where believers are staying and they do not believe it is him.  In fact they tell Rhoda (who answered the door) that she was out of her mind and “it must be his angel.”  Finally, when Peter got them to open the door it says they “were astonished.”

Now I can assure you that these early believers had way more faith than I do so I am not being critical of these heroes of the faith.  However, this passage paints a great picture of how we often limit God and lack proper faith and belief in our prayers.  Too often I am guilty of praying for something, but deep down my faith is not really backing those prayers.  Too often, there is a hint of disbelief in what God can do.  

I am afraid that I would be the one yelling “you’re out of your mind.” 

So I pray today that each of our prayers would have true belief and faith backing them up.  Ralphie believed in what he was asking for and he was asking Santa Claus.  We are talking to the Creator of all things.  Let us all have a little more faith today.  

*Image courtesy of Google Image Search.