Thursday Morning Christians

It is a wonderful privilege to worship the Lord with other Christians on the first day of the week. To participate in the singing, Bible study, prayers, and communion is a great way to start a week. Together we have fellowship with the Lord and His saints. It is a time to focus not so much on the physical but rather on the spiritual. We aren’t inclined to lie, cheat, cuss, steal, or behave in any manner that is unfitting for a Christian when we are gathered together on a Sunday worship service or a Wednesday night Bible Study.

But what about on Thursday morning? Am I still a Christian without being around other Christians? Sadly, some people don’t think being faithful to Christ requires anything beyond the worship. Thankfully, I’ve not seen members of the Lord’s church behave in such a manner, but I have seen the danger of behaving sinfully from those that attend denominations. I’ve heard a religious leader of a local church cuss during a meeting for summer baseball. I’ve seen a “devoted” member of another group buying scratch off lottery tickets. I see them and think how sad the influence they must have on the non-religious. So, I must be diligent to maintain my Christian walk through the week.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Letting our light shine isn’t meant just for the corporate worship on a Sunday morning, but Tuesday evening as well.

Paul wrote, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27). I don’t want to preach godly living to others on Sunday and disqualify (reject, castaway) my soul on Saturday morning.

Let us guard the influence we have on others through the week. We should not do anything that would bring reproach upon the name of God, but rather those things that would glorify God, all through the week!

Jesus and Death

I probably do not have to explain what death does to those that are left. While the one that we love has passed from this life, we are filled with emotions that we generally do not exhibit at other times in our life. The searing loss, the endless, uncontrollable tears, and the utter shock are common to all of mankind. We may even wonder in our grief why God would allow death to take our loved ones. We may wonder if God even cares at all. It’s at this point we should be reminded of the death of Lazarus in John 11.

Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived in the town of Bethany. We know that these three were close friends of our Lord and He loved them very much. Upon receiving news that Lazarus was sick, Jesus waited two more days before He would travel to Bethany, arriving after the death of His dear friend. While the sisters mourned the loss of their brother, they also knew if Jesus had been there before death, Lazarus would have been healed by Jesus. However, Jesus knew what He was going to do and proceeds to the tomb of Lazarus. It’s at this point in the narrative we read, “Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (John 11:33). So, let me ask again, does God care how I feel when someone dies? I think the answer is seen in Jesus’ reaction to death – He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus was not merely annoyed with death, but He was shaken to the core.

B.B. Warfield said of this verse, “It is death that was the object of His wrath, and behind death him who has the power of death, and whom he has come into the world to destroy…What John does for us in this particular statement is to uncover to us the heart of Jesus, as he wins for us salvation. Not in cold unconcern, but in flaming wrath against the foe, Jesus smites in our behalf.”

This description of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus shows us His purpose for coming into the world, to abolish the grip of death and save us from our sins. As Paul famously summed it up, “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.” “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Works Cited

Warfield, B.B. The Person and Work of Jesus. Philadelphia, 1950.

The Old Gray Hair

I happened to glance in the mirror the other day and was immediately struck by the number of gray hairs I now have. I took a few moments to look at my changing hair and reflected on what I’ve been through in the past. I could name a handful of people that helped “jump-start” the gray hairs with their antagonistic attitude toward me and my family. I thought about my kids growing up, taking more responsibility upon them, but still worrying about their spiritual and physical well-being. I thought about the fact that gray hair is just common with old age, although 41 isn’t that old, is it?

I also thought about people that dye their hair to cover the gray and how people have asked me if I ever thought about dying my hair. While this is not an indictment in anyway on those that might want to cover the old gray hair, it’s not something that I’ve ever wanted to do. I appreciate people that allow the gray to show. It’s like I’m saying that I’m proud of what I’ve been through. I’ve lived life, I survived the struggles, and I have the wisdom to show it.

The Bible speaks favorably of gray hairs, “The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head” (Proverbs 20:29), “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 16:31). God has placed honor on the old man and woman, the gray head is their beauty. “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32). The outward respect due to old age is immediately connected with the fear of God.

Gray hairs are a fact of life. For some, they may come quicker than for others. It shows experience and wisdom that should be respected by all. It’s not something to be ashamed of, but thankful for. Thankful that we’ve lived long enough in the Lord’s service to enjoy the old gray hair.

Five Smooth Stones

“Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine” 1 Samuel 17:40.

Most are familiar with this verse as it is part of the narrative regarding the battle between David and Goliath. While there are many excellent lessons that can be learned from this encounter, the faith of David or the power of God, this verse about David choosing five smooth stone has always intrigued me. Why did he take five stones to fight the giant when only one was needed? Was David concerned that he might miss with his sling? What reason could he possibly have for wanting to choose five smooth stones? The reason, in my opinion, my have something to do with the giant’s family.

David probably picked up five smooth stones to kill Goliath because Goliath had four relatives (2 Samuel 21:16, 19; 1 Chronicles 20:4, 5).  In that ancient culture there was a phenomenon called “blood revenge.” If a person were to harm another person, often times a relative would come and take vengeance on the offender.  Then, it might occur where a retaliation was made and then more relatives got involved on both sides and an escalation of violence often followed.  David possibly knew that if he would defeat Goliath he would also have to deal with his relatives.

Here’s a great lesson for us. David was prepared to go the extra mile, to fight not just one giant, but all the giants. As Christians, we sometimes try to do “just enough” for the Lord. We may only want to be involved in one small aspect of the Lord’s work when we need to prepare to fight all the “giants” of sin. Paul wrote, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:22-24). Whatever our work is, we need to do it with all our might! Plan to do more than “just enough” in the service to the Lord.

Also, keep in mind another thing Paul wrote, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). We should never neglect doing good toward others, we should not think we can limit how much we do for the Lord. Let’s be like David and plan to do more than most people expect!

My Team

You’ve probably heard, or even said, in regards to a sports team something like, “We won a hard fought game” or “I can’t believe we traded our best player away.” Although I may have no financial stock or responsibility in a team, because I am a fan, I may refer to them as “my team.” I do this because I am emotionally invested in the team. I want to see them succeed. I show up and support them anytime I possibly can. I don’t care if it’s hot or cold, dry or wet, I will be at their games. It doesn’t even bother me when people act hypocritical, people that are not as “devoted” as me but they show up anyway. We will usually say and do these things most generally about anything we are a part of…until it comes to the church.

Suddenly, we talk about “those” people. We talk about what “they” are doing or not doing. We can’t attend worship if it’s too cold or too hot. And don’t get me started about the hypocrites that show up.

I want to make it clear…the church belongs to the Lord (Matthew 16:18), and He bought it with His blood (Acts 20:28). I know that the Lord added me to His church when I was baptized into Christ (Acts 2:47; Romans 6:1-4). The church, in those terms, does not belong to me. But I am emotionally invested in it. My whole life is centered on my association with the church. If I start to talk in terms of the church as “them” and “they” instead of “us” and “we”, perhaps I am the hypocrite.

If I think the church isn’t doing enough as far as evangelism, will I complain about “them” or will I talk about what “we” can do?

If I think the church isn’t doing enough as far as benevolence is concerned, do I bemoan “their” lack of love or will I examine “myself” as part of the problem?

If I think the edification I need from “those” people is lacking, can “I” be more uplifting?

Notice the words of our Lord, “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20, 21).

The kingdom of God, the church, is within us. Let us act and speak accordingly.

Acorns and Guilt

When I was about five or six years old, I lived in Clearwater Florida. I remember one day my mother and I went to visit one of her friends across town. This lady had children older than me and they had the idea to throw acorns at cars as they passed buy. Wanting to fit in, I started throwing acorns at car and as fate would have it, I was the only one that actually hit a car. The person driving immediately stopped, backed up, and confronted me about throwing it. I couldn’t deny doing it, since the older kids ran off and left me there by myself. After the verbal chastisement from the driver, he drove off and I went inside the house and hid. The guilt of what I had done was overwhelming. My mother knew something was wrong and I confessed. She didn’t punish me for what I did because she saw how the guilt I felt affected me. There were a couple of lessons I’ve learned from that encounter.

Guilt can be a tremendous motivator to keep a person on the straight and narrow way. I haven’t thrown anything at a passing car for the last 36 years! I know God has forgiven of my sins, and like the apostle Paul, I try to press forward, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” Philippians 3:13. However, like Paul, my past can come up in my mind and keep me humble, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” 1 Timothy 1:15, 16.

Also, confessing sins will cause a great relief in our lives. James wrote, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). God knows that acknowledging our sins to others, even if it’s just admitting we have sinned without going into detail of those sins, can remove the anxiety and guilt we feel. Until I confessed to my mother about what I had done, I was feeling sick, after I admitted to my actions, I remember enjoying the rest of the day.

Allow guilt to motivate you to press forward to confess your need for forgiveness and make you a better servant of God.