Finishing Well

           Ephod which only the high priest wore.  

I began seriously reading and studying the Bible in my 30’s.  And the more I read, the more I realized very few people finished well.  They did great things…but then gave in to pride or other sins.  Gideon is an example.  

The Angel of the Lord found Gideon hiding in the winepress threshing wheat so the enemy wouldn’t swoop in and steal the food. (Think A Bug’s Life). He was called out, “Hail Mighty Warrior!”  His name means mighty warrior.  The Angel of the Lord told him, “Go in this strength of yours and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.”   And he did through several valiant, miraculous battles.  But at the end of the last battle, the people wanted to make him king and he refused saying God was their king.  But in the next breath, he asked for their gold earrings and made an ephod and “all Israel played the harlot with it. It became a snare to Gideon and his house.”

How did he have valiant victories only to end poorly?  I believe it’s because he began depending on his own strength instead of God’s strength. Did he finally embrace who God created him to be (valiant warrior) only to overextend his strength?  Or maybe he began serving money instead of God. Either way…he lost focus.  

It’s imperative we stay in the Word and pursue truth to finish well. We have to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  We’ll fail when we think we’ve got everything under control.  

Let’s ask God to help us finish well!

Spiritual Storm

Five years ago, I was opening our metal storm door so I could set my plants outside to catch the falling rain. When I touched the handle, every hair on my body stood at attention!! At that same moment lightening struck and thunder crashed!  The next morning, Andy found lightening had struck our church steeple only yards away.  

Have you ever felt that electricity in the air? It’s crazy!! How about spiritually? I’m feeling it now. It seems every cell of my body is standing at attention waiting to see what is about to happen.  II Timothy 3:1 tells us, “But know this that in the last days perilous times will come.” The Greek word for “perilous” means “hard to do, hard to bear, dangerous, troublesome, harsh, fierce, savage.” It infers our strength will be reduced.  

It’s coming. Stay alert spiritually. Don’t discount those feelings of intensity, unusual tiredness, feelings of chaos, and of being overwhelmed. Satan is the prince of the power of the air for a short time and he’s striking because his day is almost over. His frenzied activity is increasing. 

Stay in the Word. Stay focused on Jesus. Be still. Quit pushing. Wait on God. Listen for his voice. 

A storm is coming—but so is Jesus!

In the Center of God’s Will

As pastors and wives (and anyone else), it’s often hard to make decisions when we know it’s going to affect our children.  A move can mean they’re leaving good friends, a wonderful school or teacher, or extended family.  It may not come at a good time or it may affect an important stage of life.  They may resist or even make your life miserable. But remember this…the safest place for your child is for you to be in the center of God’s will.  And you can trust a Father who loves them more than you and is allowing these things for their future and their benefit.  We can’t see into the future, but He can.  And you can trust His heart.  

Are You Fulfilling Prophecy?

Are you fulfilling prophecy—in a negative way? Take a look at these questions and corresponding scriptures. See if any fit.  

1. Have you said, “People have been saying Jesus is coming back for YEARS…and he still hasn’t come!”?  

“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” II Peter 3:3-4

2. Do you refuse to reach out and love your neighbor because of fear? Is there so much evil and craziness in our world that you feel safer locked behind your doors?

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12

3. Has “take care of myself first” become your motto? Are you consumed with making money or are you impressed with how much you have?

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…”  II Timothy 3:1-2

4. Do you call yourself a Christian—but never open your Bible and read it? Is your life powerless spiritually? 

“(In the last days, men will) have a form of godliness but deny its power. And from such people turn away!”  II Timothy 3:5

This is just a short list. I don’t believe we have much time before Jesus comes back. Matthew 24:40-42 says, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”

He’s coming soon! Are you ready? Or will you be left behind? Jesus very clearly said, “Follow Me!” And he meant we should follow him with all of our hearts—and watch for his soon return!

What Does God Hate?

As Moses gives his last instructions to Israel, he tells them in Deuteronomy 16 that they should never set up Asherah poles for worship…because God hates them.  Asherah poles were dedicated to worshiping the fertility goddess, Asherah.  Let’s just say pornography didn’t start in the 20th century. It’s an ancient abomination.  

So God hates when we worship other gods.  What else does he hate?   The next chapter says he detests when Israel brings sick or defective animal sacrifices. He demands the best. Are we offering our best? Or do we offer half-hearted sacrifices of our time and money?

Proverbs 6 gives us a list of the seven things God hates most:

1. Haughty eyes

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that kill the innocent

4. A heart that plots evil 

5. Feet that race to do wrong

6. A false witness who lies

7. A person who stirs up conflict in a community

Moses goes on to tell the people that some day they may desire to have a king. That king should be a man God chooses. He is not to accumulate wealth or wives because both will turn his heart from God. And to keep his heart after God, he should write God’s instructions on a scroll and read them daily. 

There’s our key! In order to obey God, we have to know his instructions. And then we should read them daily. They’re all written in His Word. The only way to avoid doing the things God hates is to READ THE BIBLE DAILY. 

I don’t want to do the things God hates. Do you?

God, help us! We want to obey You and Your Word that You’ve given us. Let it guide us with its light. Let it keep us from evil. Tie it about our neck and foreheads so we’re constantly aware of it. We want to please You, God! Keep us from the things You hate. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Giving

This is an excerpt from Randy Alcorn’s book, The Treasure Principle. If you haven’t read it, you should! As I was re-reading it, this stuck out to me and I began remembering… 

Andy & I have never hidden the fact that we were poor money managers. But in God’s beautiful plan, He put wealthy people in our lives. They never preached at us (but could have)… they were just givers. Many times, Andy & I were the blessed receivers. It was hard at times. Embarrassing at times. But we were watching everything they did. We saw how they gave and how God blessed them so they could give more. And they gave freely—without restraint. And it created a hunger in us. 

We began giving…small, at first. It was rewarding and FUN—exciting, actually!! We got completely out of debt so we could give more. And we did. We’ve given to mission trips, to people who needed food, to people with medical needs, and especially when God says, “Give to this person!” 

One time stands out in my mind. Andy & I had gone to Olive Garden. It was right before the nation-wide Covid shutdown. I never have cash, but I did that day. Our waitress was short with us and we seldom saw her. But God whispered in my heart to give her all of my cash. When she brought our ticket, Andy handed her the credit card to pay for our meal and I handed her the cash. She began crying. Because restaurants were closing down the next day, she was going to be without a job. (I only wished I’d had more cash!) But I posted the story on Facebook and a friend offered her a job at a grocery store. We were able to contact her through Olive Garden and tell her to go apply for the job!

Giving is God’s way. He gives money to us to manage it for Him. It’s all His!! And we get to share it where He wants it used. I encourage you to give. Start with a tithe to your church—and give it with a grateful and cheerful heart! And then give to the needs of others. Give where God tells you to give. Give extravagantly!! You’ll get your socks blessed off!!

Do You Feel “Good?”

If we were honest, most of us would say we’re a pretty good person. But compared to what?  Other people?

Moses was giving his farewell speech to the people of Israel—the people he’d led through the wilderness for over 40 years. The people who had complained about the lack of food and water, the people who had built a golden calf to worship, the people who were afraid to take possession of the Promised Land after God had said he was giving it to them, the people who longed for Egypt—where they’d been slaves, the people who complained endlessly.  

And Moses told them this: “You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.”  The reason He gave them this land was to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey—and they were about to step into that Promised Land.  

It’s not because of our goodness…but His.  

“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 19:16