Ronald Reagan and Jesus

Who is responsible for solving the healthcare issues in America today? The politicians that we as Americans have elected appear to say that government is better able to care for the healthcare of Americans than individuals and the free market. This is in stark contrast to Ronald Reagan’s famous quote “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem”.

What does the Bible say about the poor? Jesus tells us that the poor will always be a part of society (Mark 14:7). We are also told that laziness is not a characteristic to be encouraged as evidenced by the rule “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2nd Thessalonians 3:10). That being said, there are people whose plight is not caused by a lack of effort. Jesus healed many people with debilitating diseases (i.e. blindness, paralysis, leprosy) while He was physically on Earth. The apostles also set up a food distribution program for widows to ensure their needs were met (Acts 6:1-5).

We are clearly told that we as individuals are responsible for the care of each other and not to leave such matters to an impersonal government organization. I am reminded of Matthew 25:40 where we are told “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Is God able to say that about you? If you are not happy with your answer, today is yet another opportunity to help those in need.

Is There a Worm in Your Apple?

The extremist that murdered 13 and injured approximately 30 others at Fort Hood has been in the forefront of the news and the hearts of many Americans this week. I would venture to guess that if someone were to look at a line of soldiers without knowing them, they would not be able to pick out which one would betray those he pledged to fight beside.

This isn’t the first instance of betrayal inside a band of brothers. Judas was chosen as one of the 12 disciples to follow Jesus. The other disciples only learned that Judas was going to betray Jesus when he sopped bread with Christ at the same time. Judas was willing to sell out Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Fortunately, our Saviour has power over death and this betrayal was actually part of His plan to save mankind from its own sinfulness.

It has been said that character is what we do when no one is watching. We may be able to fool everyone else, but we cannot fool ourselves and we cannot fool God. Judas hung himself over his betrayal of Jesus. The extremist at Fort Hood was shot and will face trial for his actions. Let’s use these examples of bad character as additional reasons to pursue the righteousness God calls us to.

Pulling a Win out of a Losing Situation

Have you ever had a situation where you thought there were no good outcomes? You evaluate the task, your own resources, and what you see as being available to you and determine that accomplishing the task at hand just isn’t possible. Maybe after coming to this conclusion you have had something in the scenario change that made the task possible or maybe even you were able to accomplish more than expected by the original task.

The disciples were no strangers to these types of scenarios They were with Jesus when crowds of 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39) and 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) men needed food as it was getting late. Jesus had the disciples see what food was available for the crowd to eat. On both occasions there were only a limited amount of fish and loaves of bread that couldn’t possibly feed the crowd. Jesus gave thanks for what was available and there wound up being not only enough fish and bread for all the crowd, but several basketfuls left over as well.

Just because we can’t see how any good can come from a situation doesn’t mean that no good can come from it. God knows about our situations and knows how He intends them to glorify His name. Are you willing to walk on faith to see what plans for a hope and a future the Father has for you?

Playing Within the Game Plan

Have you ever seen a player who has hurt his team by trying to do more than he has been asked to do? It winds up frustrating the player who is trying too hard, as well as his teammates, and isn’t a productive way to achieve the team’s goals.

Peter cut off the ear of a Roman soldier who came to arrest Jesus (John 18:10-11). Jesus told him “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Annanias and Sapphira wanted to look good by claiming to give the church all of the money from the sale of their property (Acts 5:1-11). They had actually held some money back for themselves. Their deceit led to both of their deaths. Moses striking the rock and David committing adultery with Bathsheba are yet other reminders in the Bible of people thinking their plan is better than God’s.

What area of your life do you think you know better than God? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Won’t you trust your next decision to the God who gives you hope and a future?

Encouragement in the Face of Doubt

Have you ever been to a lecture or press conference where the speaker just got hammered with questions? These situations result from the audience strongly disagreeing or questioning the opinion of the speaker. Whether directly said or not, the audience is thinking “Are you serious?”, “That will never work!”, or “How can you be so sure you are right?”.

God is bigger than our fears and doubts. Moses thought he was inadequate to present God’s case to Pharaoh due to his speaking troubles and the unbelief of the Israelites. Instead of giving up on Moses, God provided Aaron to speak for him (Exodus 6:28-7:2). Gideon asked God for several signs before he believed that God was going to use him to save Israel from attack (Judges 6:37-39). Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead when the other disciples told him. Jesus showed mercy on Thomas and allowed Thomas to see, feel, and believe in His resurrection soon thereafter (John 20:19-29).

We all have doubts at times in our lives. God welcomes people bringing honest doubts and questions to him. He has shown us a track record of using people who have doubted to glorify His kingdom. So, what is it that you want to ask God today?

Temples and Palaces

The Dallas Cowboys played their first regular season game in Cowboys Stadium last Sunday. The stadium, which cost over 1 billion dollars to build, is such a marvel that many sportscasters are calling it the “Palace in Dallas”. It is reportedly the largest domed structure in the world with the largest sliding glass doors and the largest video screen to ever hang over a sporting event.

God had the King Solomon and the Israelites build a well known building back in the day known as the temple. Solomon had 70,000 people carrying materials and 80,000 cutting stone with another 3,600 serving as foremen (2 Chronicles 2:18). The foundation, main hall, ceiling beams, doorframes, walls, and doors were all overlaid with gold (2 Chronicles 3-4). The amount of gold to overlay the Most Holy Place was about 21 metric tons (42,000 pounds) of gold. The sea God had Solomon create for the temple held 17,500 gallons of water. There are many other amazing features of the temple, yet God’s people were separated from the Most Holy Place by a curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen.

A woman said to Jesus “Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place we must worship is Jerusalem.” Jesus replied to the woman saying “A time is coming when you will worship your Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” He also told her that “God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4-20-23) After Christ died on the cross for our sins God ripped the temple curtain from top to bottom...symbolizing a new era where God’s people have direct access to Him (Mark 15:38). We are told “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) God has given us as Christians the privilege of being temples for the Holy Spirit. Is the next decision you are about to make going to bring honor to God and His temple or desecrate His temple?

So Close, Yet So Far Away

You may have heard that Michael Crabtree is the only first round draft pick from the 2009 NFL draft that is still unsigned. He is threatening to hold out an entire season and re-enter the 2010 draft. Mr. Crabtree had the opportunity to show the world his talents during his college career and was rewarded as being the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft. At this point, the only thing separates him from being on a NFL roster is signing a contract.

Have you ever been so close to a goal and turned away with only one thing remaining in your way? The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16-23). Jesus told him “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments”. The ruler replied that he had kept all these commandments and was likely shocked when Jesus said “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

It may be that only you and God know what your one thing is that is keeping you from complete surrender. God is not satisfied with being a spare tire or a nice “part” of our lives. Jesus said “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me he can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus told us that “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love” (John 15:10).