Loving God

 LOVING GOD

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” - Matthew 22:37

Our society has gone overboard attaching labels to people they don't agree with. Many of these labels arise from hatred and ignorance. We hear labels like, “homophobic,” “bigot,” and “racist,” used liberally. Such labels are often inaccurate and misapplied.

Even in the church, we have labels to describe those who believe in Jesus. We use labels like, “Christian,” “brother,” “disciple,” or “follower,” to refer to someone who professes faith in Jesus. Yet there is a label that used to be popular that is rarely used these days. We used to describe a believer as, “a person who loves the Lord.” Think about that label. Is this label an accurate description of most church members these days? Do most church members love Jesus?

When John was commanded to write to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation, he was led to commend them for many things. In fact, we would be impressed if such a church existed today. Yet the Lord had a word of rebuke for the Ephesian church: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Perhaps the reason we no longer say that church members love the Lord today is because there is little evidence that they do love Him.

The real question is this: do YOU love the Lord? Is this reflected by the way you live and talk? Can others honestly refer to you as a person who loves the Lord?

The greatest commandment is to love the Lord. Yet this love is to be more than an outward show. Our love for Jesus should be more than a casual friendship. Jesus said that we should love the Lord, “...with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” This is more than a Sunday affection. It is an all-consuming passion for the King of Kings.

There are many reasons why such love is missing among church members these days. We tend to have a powerful love for Jesus when we are converted, but our love tends to fade as we fail to nourish our affection for Him. Furthermore, unconfessed sin weakens our love. Also, we tend to fellowship with others who also lack such passion, slowly becoming like them. After while, we tend to be rather judgmental about people who love Jesus and even suspicious them. We refer to them as religious fanatics.

Yet we are commanded to love the Lord. We often think that loving the Lord is for serious, mature Christians. However, loving the Lord should be a normal activity of the Christian faith. By the way, If we fail to obey the greatest commandment, wouldn't that be the greatest sin? Just something to think about.

There is a difference between liking the Lord and loving the Lord. You make appreciate what He's done and like many things about God. Yet that is not the same as loving Him. I believe that most church members like the Lord, but few love Him.

We need to get back to loving the Lord. This begins by remembering what He has done for us. Meditate about Calvary for a long time. Think about His incredible love for you. Remember that He not only declared His love for you, He demonstrated it at the cross of Calvary. When we remember His love for us, we begin to love Him in return. That's why John wrote, “... we love him because he first loved us.”

Secondly, we need to spend quality time with Him. To know Him is to love Him. Most people only focus on the blessings and never on the One who gave the blessings. The Bible tells us how Jesus visited two sisters in Bethany. While He was visiting, Martha was busy being a good hostess, but her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His word. Many of us are like Martha. We are too busy to enjoy our Lord. We need to be more like Mary. Tune out the world and simply sit at His feet, enjoy His presence, and soak in His teaching.

Third, we need to demonstrate our love for Him through our acts of service and obedience. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Many people are involved in church and ministry activities because it is expected of them. The best motive for service should because of our love and appreciation for the Lord.

Yes, it is refreshing to hear others refer to a Christian as, “a man who loves the Lord,” or “a woman who loves Jesus.”

Can this be said of you?

Fearing God

 FEARING GOD

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” - Proverbs 8:13

I realize that the subject of fearing God is unpopular. There will be some who will immediately turn away from reading this, simply because of the subject matter. I admit that there are more enjoyable subjects than this. I could write about popular subjects like the love of God or the grace of God. While there is much to say about these subjects, I feel the need to write about fearing the Lord.

Our nation is in such a mess right now. This is due, in part, to the fact that most people do not fear God. In fact, the leaven of sin is rapidly spreading throughout churches because many church members lack the fear of God. If we feared God, would we be quick to create division in the church? Would there be so much pride and arrogance? Would we be so permissive about sinful life styles? Have we decided to exclude the first few chapters of Romans from our Bibles?

During my Bible reading of Romans this morning, I came across the fact that there will come a day in which, “... God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ...” Think about it. Your secrets and mine will be revealed and judged soon by our Lord. Does that make you uncomfortable? God knows about our thoughts of jealously, judgment, greed, lust, anger, hatred and selfishness. He knows these secret thoughts and will one day expose and judge them.

We tend to be very judgmental about the outward sins of others, while practicing secret sins ourselves. God knows the secret sins. While God will judge the public sins, He will also judge the secret sins. Like David, we should pray, “Cleanse thou me of secret faults.”

The fear of God is like a guardrail on a curvy, dangerous road. Guardrails are set in place for our protection. The fear of God keeps us from lawlessness. Fearing God motivates us to hate and avoid evil.

What kept Joseph from an adulterous affair with Potiphar's wife? It was the fear of God. Joseph said, “... how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” If Joseph had committed adultery, he would have sinned against Potiphar, Potiphar's wife and his own body. But Joseph knew that, most of all, it would have been a sin against God Himself.

It would be horrible to leave this world while engaged in sin, wouldn't it? Yet many professing believers have no problem with fornication and adultery. Others think it is acceptable to lie or cheat. They live as if God isn't watching. They act as if there will be no consequences for their sins. The fear of God is missing from their lives.

Many act as if God is a grandfather-type person in heaven. They believe that, when we sin, God simply pats us on the head says, “try to do better next time.” These people believe in forgiveness without repentance. They believe in love, but not chastisement. But Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

I know that someone will argue that we should love God instead of fear Him. Actually, we should do both.

When I was growing up, I loved my earthly father … and I feared him, too. I loved and respected my father. Yet my fear of his punishment kept me from going far away from his rules. When he provided correction, it was done with love. He didn't want me to become unruly and ruin my life. He knew how to practice tough love.

Even though my earthly father loved me, my heavenly Father loves me more. Because He loves me, He provides discipline when I need it. I love my heavenly Father, but I also fear His discipline. I don't want to hurt or offend Him. I don't want to disappoint Him. I have found that His discipline can be severe, yet needed. He loves me too much to let me self-destruct with sin.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let us be wise and walk in the fear of God.

Fear and Love

 FEAR AND LOVE

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Proverbs 9:10

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” - Matthew 22:37

Franklin D. Roosevelt became President of the United States in 1933. He defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover in a landslide election in late 1932. Voters blamed Hoover and his policies for the economic crisis they were facing. The crisis, known as the Great Depression, had put many people out of work. Families were struggling to survive. It was difficult for men to provide for their own families.

During his inauguration speech, Roosevelt tried to calm Americans by famously saying, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear is a powerful emotion. So is love.

The words, “fear,” and “love,” don't seem to go together. In fact, 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." We must understand this verse in context. Overall, God's people should be loving, not fearful. Yet it is wrong to make this a blanket statement. There is a place for fear and love in the life of a believer.

With all due respect, FDR was not accurate in saying, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” More than once, the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” There was a time when a Christian man was referred to as a “God-fearing man.” Where are such men today?

As Christians, we should fear and love God. Both are important. Many sermons have been preached about loving God, but these days it is rare to hear a sermon about fearing God. Briefly, I want to explain why it is important to love God … and fear Him.

First of all, the fear of God should motivate us to avoid evil. America is in a mess today because people don't fear God. As I already mentioned, many pulpits are silent about the subject of fearing God. As a result, many believers have an unbalanced view of God. Most Christians believe God to be loving, but they really don't think about such things as God's holiness and righteousness. When Isaiah saw the Lord in His holiness, he responded, “Woe is me!” In Revelation chapter 1, when John saw the glorified Son of God, he fell at his feet. Our God is an awesome God.

At one time, I taught that the fearing God is showing reverence to Him. While there is truth to that, it goes much deeper. We should fear God because He is mighty, holy and perfect. If we saw God's awesome power on display, we would be awe-struck. Yes, we should show reverence to Him, but there should be a healthy fear of His power. Also, we should be aware of His hatred of sin. God takes sin seriously, and so should we. It is one thing to hate sin in Hollywood or Capitol Hill, but what we need to hate most is our own sin. Realizing that there are serious consequences to sin, we should fear God. As Christians, we believe that Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. We believe that He paid the penalty for our sins. That is true. Yet the cross should be a reminder of how serious God treats sin. If sin is so bad that Jesus had to suffer such an awful death, why should we treat it so lightly? Rather than being careless, calloused or even calculating with sin, we should hate and forsake sin because we fear God.

Secondly, we should have a love for God. Our fear of God should motivate us to avoid evil, but our love for God should motivate us live in righteousness. We love God because He first loved us. As we consider His amazing love, it stirs us to love Him. He cared for us in spite of our unworthiness. He cared so much that He gave heaven's best for us. Jesus demonstrated His love toward us when He died on the cross, paying for our sins. He paid a debt He didn't owe because we had a debt we couldn't pay. Because of His incredible love for us, we love Him in return.

Our love for Him motivates us to serve. We work for the Lord because we love Him. Our spiritual activity is motivated by our love for God. While our fear of God keeps us from the things we shouldn't do, love prompts us to do the things we should do. When we love God, we also love His children. In fact, when we love the Lord, we also love the things that He loves.

Yes, as Christians, we should love God. At the same time, we should fear Him. We should be God-loving, God-fearing followers of Jesus.

Does this describe you?

The End Of The Harvest

 THE END OF THE HARVEST

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” - Jeremiah 8:20

I live in the mountains of West Virginia. Here in these hills, many residents have a garden each year. Raising a garden in these mountains can be challenging. You have to battle insects, rough terrain, wild animals and uncertain weather just to enjoy a crop. Gardens begin to dissipate in August. Typically by Labor Day, most of the gardening for the year is over.

The Bible often uses agricultural terms to illustrate spiritual truth. In Biblical times, many people lived off the land. They knew how important it was to sow seed. They realized the importance of tending crops. They were also aware that harvest time was so vital to their welfare.

In this regard, the Old Testament prophet writes about the end of the harvest. There will come a time when the harvest will be over. For many years, God's people have been spreading the Gospel. Through preaching, teaching and personal soul-winning, believers have been sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Souls continue to be saved. Lives are changed by the power of the Word.

Our time to work in the harvest field is limited because the harvest is nearly over. There will come a time when our Lord will return. We are wrong to believe that there will always be time to win souls. We are mistaken to think that people will always have time to repent. It will be a sad time when the harvest ends.

When I was growing up, I would go through the garden at the end of summer. Old plants that once bore many green beans would be wilted. Inevitably, I would still find a bean or two on these plants. They were never harvested and would be destroyed along with the wilted plants.

How sad it will be when people face the reality that the summer is past and they are not saved. The harvest has ended. The workers are called home. The opportunity to repent is forever gone. When the harvest ends, there will be no hope for the unsaved.

It is time for Christians to get busy in the harvest field. Quit complaining about the heat. Stop fussing about the meager efforts of others. Get into the harvest field and work to win souls. It is one thing to think about it, it is another thing to be a worker in the field. Good intensions never produce a harvest. Let's get busy in the harvest field. Time is running out.

The summer is ending. The harvest is coming to an end. Are you saved? It is time to get right with God. Look to Jesus Christ alone for salvation. You are not promised tomorrow. The harvest and the workers will be gathered home very soon.

Will you be among that number?

Help Wanted

 HELP WANTED

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:38

The first job I ever had was at a local radio station. I started as a part-time employee, working the weekends. I knew virtually nothing about broadcasting. Back then, a lot of the programming was automated, so the operator's primary duty was to make sure the right commercials were lined up to run and the reel-to-reel tapes of music did not run out.

After a month or two, my part-time job grew into a full-time job. I worked at that radio station for eleven years. I learned a lot from that job.

These days, it is isn't uncommon to see businesses advertise for workers. Even though the economy is struggling, here in WV there are jobs available. In my area, the big problem is finding workers who can pass a drug test. Sad, isn't it?

Our Lord instructed His disciples to, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” There is a dire need for workers in the harvest field. There is so much to do and few people to do the work.

Those who labor in the harvest field must be “sent forth” by the “Lord of the harvest.” In other words, God calls and equips people to serve. He gives them the assignment where they should serve. For a few, this assignment takes them overseas as missionaries. For most, they are appointed to serve right where they live.

Do you ever pray for more workers to be sent? You should because Jesus commanded us to pray about this. Pray to the Lord of the harvest. Specifically ask for more laborers to be sent. The work is overwhelming and time is fleeting. Pray for more workers to be sent.

The big question is this. Are you working in the harvest field? You have family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends who are lost. Perhaps you've been praying for God to send someone to speak to these individuals. Has it ever occurred to you that the worker God has in mind … is you?

While you pray for more workers, I think it is important to volunteer yourself. Be like Isaiah, who said, “Here am I, send me!”

I'll admit that laboring in the harvest field is exhausting work. The field is large. The heat seems unbearable at times. Many criticize the workers. At times, the work seems unproductive. Paul addressed this when he wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

To be rather candid, most Christians want to enjoy the product of the harvest without investing in the process of the harvest. Yet, the product of the harvest can only come when we invest in the process.

Several years ago, singer and songwriter, Lanny Wolfe, wrote these pensive words:

My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children all want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work in my fields.

There is a need for more workers in the field. God is looking for servants, men and women who will work without a title or applause. He is looking for people who will serve faithfully, not part time. He wants people who will willingly work in the harvest field because they love Jesus and are concerned for others.

Will you be that person?

Harvest Time

 HARVEST TIME

“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” - John 4:35

There is nothing like fresh produce straight from the garden. You can't find anything better than fresh green beans, corn on the cob or newly dug potatoes. Most Americans eat from a can, but the best food comes directly from a garden.

In the region where I live, it is not uncommon to find families raising a garden. However, these gardens don't really compare to the harvest field that Jesus referred to in the Gospels. In Biblical days, these huge wheat fields spanned for acres and required diligent work. Yet, Jesus spoke of these harvest fields metaphorically. Rather than a field of wheat or produce, the harvest field He referred to was a harvest field of souls. Referring to people, Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

We need to look around ourselves. God has strategically placed us among needy people. Some are hurting. Others are searching. Many are deceived. So many people are lost. We've been placed among these people so that we may share the Good News of Jesus with them.

As we look around, we find that the fields are ready for harvest right now. We are living in harvest time. Others may have planted. Yet we have the privilege of gathering in the harvest. It is hard work, but very rewarding.

Sadly, many believers are not working in the harvest field. Although the spiritual need among us has never been greater, we've been deceived into thinking that we just need to mind our own business. Really? We aren't called to mind our own business. We are called to be about our Father's business. The business at hand is the salvation of souls.

I don't possess the power to save souls. Neither do you. However, we've been given the opportunity to go to the field and work.

For those who raise gardens, this is harvest time. The summer is winding down. Crops need to be gathered in. These are the final days of harvest. The same is true spiritually. This is harvest time. We have just a few days to work, so let's get busy.

Too many Christians are arm-chair farmers. They sit in their recliner and expect to reap a harvest. It doesn't work that way. No one ever reaps a harvest from their living room. Watching a TV show about the harvest is not the same thing is working in a harvest field. It is time we get out of the recliner and get busy in the harvest field, winning souls.

These days it seems like Christians want to complain or fuss. We don't have time to stand around and complain. There is a harvest to reap.

The Psalmist wrote, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” The long season of heartfelt prayer and sowing of the Gospel seed leads to a harvest time of rejoicing.

Others have worked the fields before us. We continue to work in the same fields ourselves. As we face our final days in the harvest field, let us do so faithfully, dependently and expectantly.

This is harvest time.

A Graveyard Revival

 A GRAVEYARD REVIVAL

“Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.” - 2 Kings 13:21

In our text, we find that Elisha has died. Yet the story of Elisha’s ministry doesn’t end with his death. I don’t know about you, but I want my life and ministry to leave a legacy for others after I’m gone. From the life of Elisha, I learn a tremendous lesson about legacy: When you live a life of obedience, you leave a legacy for others.

Elisha is now dead. Yet despite the fact that he is dead, God still used him to make a difference. The body and bones of Elisha was used of God to revive a dead man. That’s right. A dead man was revived at the cemetery. There was a graveyard revival.

From our text, I learn about revival. I’ve been praying about revival, haven’t you? As I look at this text, I learn three important components of revival:

1. REVIVAL COMMENCES WITH DESPERATION

As I look at our text, I realize that revival commences with desperation. In our text, a little group of Israelites were burying a dead man. At the very moment they were in the cemetery, the Moabities invaded the land. They didn’t have time to put the dead man in his own grave, so in desperation, they threw him in the grave of Elisha. If it weren’t for desperation, the dead man would have never been revived.

As I look at revival in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and church history, I have found that revival usually begins with desperation. Desperate times require desperate measures. I really believe that desperation drives people to their knees.

I believe that many churches are like graveyards. Yet I believe that God is able to bring a graveyard revival today. I believe that America is a spiritual graveyard. We have churches but not Christ. We have ritual without the relationship. We have religion without righteousness. We have plush without power. America is a spiritual graveyard and needs revival. But mark my words, there will not be a revival in America until the people of America gets desperate enough to fall to their knees.

2. REVIVAL CONTINUES WITH CONSECRATION

From our text, we find that the dead man came to life after two important events: his was lowered into Elisha’s grave and his body contacted Elisha’s bones.

I believe we find two important truths from this story. Revival continues with consecration when there is contrition. The dead man was lowered down. Desperation causes us to fall down upon our knees. Humility is the path to glory. The Bible says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up.” A lack of humility keeps most Christians from experiencing revival.

Secondly, we learn that revival continues with consecration when there is connection. The dead man’s body came in contact with the bones of the man of God, Elisha. Brother, we need to get back to having holy connection with God. Many are content to visit with Christ instead of abiding in Christ. Can you honestly say that you are in full fellowship with God right now? Are there outstanding issues in your life that need addressing? Do you have unconfessed sins in your life? Have you neglected God? Have you neglected your duty? I believe that most of us would have to admit that our connection with God is not as strong as it ought to be. Though we are secure, we need that connection made stronger.

3. REVIVAL CULMINATES WITH TRANSFORMATION

Finally, revival culminates with transformation. Revival is a fresh experience with God that changes lives. If lives are not changed, revival has not occurred.

In our story, a change took place. The dead man was made to live again. That’s what the word “revival” means: to live again. I believe that the change made in the dead man’s life could only come from one source: God had to do it. I believe the same thing is true today. If God doesn’t show up and change lives, our planning and prayers will never change a thing. We need revival today!

I know this... Jesus is coming soon. There will be a graveyard revival when He comes. He is going to call all of the saints, dead & alive. We’ll meet Him in the air. A graveyard revival is impending.

If Jesus were to come today, are you sure that you are ready?