3 lessons learned in the woods and their spiritual implications

You will get a kick out of this if you are an outdoorsman.  If you’re not, the spiritual implications arevaluable, trust me.   I recently spent a few days bowhunting in adense forest in central Missouri.  On thesecond morning of the hunt, I awoke 30 minutes before the alarm went off.  I slept great!  I was rested and ready to go.  Getting up extra early, I was able to readthe Bible, pray and enjoy some good coffee before we left the cabin.  I had only been in this set of woods oncebefore and yet walked directly to the tree I wanted to hunt from.  Awesome! The morning was goingperfectly.  I climbed the tree and gotsettled in my stand.  I knew this wasgoing to be a great day.

About 7:30 a.m. I saw movement on my right side.  Here he came. A nice buck emerges from the brush about 20 yards away.  I had only a small lane to shoot through andknew I couldn’t waste much time.  That’swhen it happened; a series of mistakes that would turn my “perfect” morninginto a long, wet, disappointing day.  Letme explain.

As I drew my bow, my peep sight turned.  Aargh! That’s when I realized my firstmistake of the morning; I didn’t give my equipment a thorough check.  Then, I made my second mistake, I didn’tregroup.  I thought about it.  I really did. But instead, I took a blind shot. The result was a poor shot and hours of tracking in the rain! 

Tired and frustrated, I settled into a different spot in theevening.  I just knew that the deer wouldcome from one direction so I set my climbing stand to face it.  I had good, clear shooting lanes, my peepsight was in

place and I was ready.  Thenit happened. The deer did not come from the direction I was facing. Nope, itcame from behind me.  When I realized it,I got impatient.  Instead of waiting forthe right moment to turn my body into position, I hastily turned around to geta shot.  By the time I got back to where Ineeded to be, I was busted.  I watched asthe deer galloped away from about 25 yards. I neglected to follow the basicrules of hunting.

Needless to say, as I lay in the bed that night my emotionswere much different than how they had begun earlier that morning.  My anticipation of a great day had turned toa restless night of disappointment and a list of “should haves.”

As I pondered on the mishaps it struck me.  The mistakes I made in the woods are often madein our faith journey with the Lord.  Wego from unspeakable joy and great anticipation to regret and disappointment

4 Focus Points to Greater Kingdom Impact

I’m sure you have heard it said just like I have; “If there are so many Christians, then why aren’t we seeing a greater impact on our society and world?”  Personally, I don’t believe it is from a lack of concern.  Every Christ-follower that I have had discussion with has a genuine concern over the moral and spiritual decline we are witnessing in society.   Now, I may be wrong, but I also don’t believe I have ever met a true believer who wasn’t deeply burdened for those who are without a personal relationship with Christ.  Yet, that still doesn’t answer the question, “Why aren’t Christians making a greater impact?”

As I mentioned, I don’t think it is from a lack of concern.  I believe for many of us, the enemy is using a different tool from his evil collection; he has got us distracted.  Christians are not exempt from the everyday pressures of life.  Like everyone else, Christ-followers have families to raise, jobs to go to, lawns to mow, dishes to wash, bills to pay, PTA meetings to attend and the list goes on and on. Satan knows that he doesn’t have to harden our heart, he can simply distract our focus.

I love the story about former New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra.  He was known for his

If you want to make a difference, spend time with a child

Last week, my seven-year-old daughter walked up to me and asked for a pocket-knife lesson.  As you can imagine, I was shocked.  I thought, "My daughter wants a knife lesson?"  The more I thought about it, my thoughts went from "What?" to "Cool!"  You should have seen us in just a few minutes.  There we were sitting on the deck whittling away on sticks.  She had a smile a mile wide, and so did I.  When I told her that we were whittling, she thought I said, "Fiddling."  She said, "Dad, I love to fiddle!"

The past few days I've spent with my ten-year-old nephew who is visiting while on a school break.  We have hunted, fished, played basketball, laughed, and wrestled.  It's a wonder we haven't broken anything. There have probably been times this week that my wife has been glad we have all girls - too much testosterone around the house this week.  Words fail me to explain the feeling I had watching him put a worm on his hook for the first time, reeling in a fish, and learning to filet the fish for supper.  As we ate those bluegill he said, "This is the best fish ever."  The glow of wonder and awe that has beamed from his eyes have reminded me of the little blessings I too often take for granted.

God keeps impressing on my heart the incredible impact that one person can have on another if they will just spend a few minutes with them.  This is no more clearly seen than

Faith that Works

Recently, in the Bible study group that my wife and I enjoy each week, our discussion on authentic Christianity turned to the topics of grace and works.  If you want to get a theological firestorm started, just get a debate going on the role grace and works play in one’s eternal salvation.  Personally, I am very thankful that the gift of Salvation is just that, a gift.  Forgiveness of sin, being made righteous before a holy God, and having the confidence of eternal life is nothing short of the undeserved favor (grace) that God pours upon the soul of a sinner who finally realizes his or her utter spiritual depravity and calls out to Jesus.  He alone can bring peace between sinful mankind and Holy God.

As the song writer penned, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”

The Scriptures declare, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1: 13-14, NIV).

I know you will join me in giving praise to the Lord for His grace.  Yet, in our thanksgiving for God’s indescribable gift, we cannot forget that following grace must be a transformed life that declares through our actions that we have indeed received grace. In reading 1 Thessalonians, we get a glimpse of the power of the Gospel as it is displayed with both grace and works in the life of a believer.

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1: 3, NIV)

The writer, Paul, was moved by the genuineness of the faith in these Thessalonian believers.  They had received the message of redemption through Christ and that knowledge had traveled 18 inches south from their ears to their heart.  They did not simply hear the Gospel, it transformed them.  Paul remarks, “We remember your WORK, your LABOR, and your ENDURANCE.” 

A few verses later, Paul states that he did not even have to write about their works of faith because the whole community was talking about them.  He said, “For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1: 9-10, NIV)

The Apostle James writes, “as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2: 26, NIV).

Even Jesus taught, “…a tree is recognized by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33, NIV).

Life Application:

Are you a follower of Jesus?  If so, have you stopped to give thanks to God today for the incredible grace He offers you through Jesus?  As you give Him praise, ask Him to empower you to live out your faith so that others will believe your testimony by your actions.  Show others through your life that change Jesus makes.

Give Yourself Permission to Smile

It is stated that the wisest man in history was the great King Solomon of Israel.  To this day, his wise proverbs inspire us, challenge us, help guide us down a road of self-improvement and draw us closer to God.  In addition to the book of Proverbs recorded in the Bible, the book of Ecclesiastes is also attributed to him.  Written toward the end of his life, Ecclesiastes has a different feel than his Proverbs, but is no less beneficial to our  life and faith.

When you begin reading Ecclesiastes, you are struck with the author's dark, depressive tone.  Though a man given wisdom from above, like all of us, Solomon did not always yield to heavenly wisdom and made many mistakes.  In Ecclesiastes, he writes from a reflective point of view as if he is looking back over his life and asking the questions "Why did I do that?" "Was that important?" "Where did my focus get off track?"  Over and over again he repeats the words, "Everything is meaningless!" and "Chasing after the wind."

hen reading Ecclesiastes, It's tempting to close the book and open to a different section of the Bible. We are more comfortable with lighter, more uplifting texts of Scripture.  Truth is, some of

Backstage Christianity

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  – Matthew 6: 3-4

He was one of the toughest men I have ever met.  Still laying brick and block a decade past the age most men retire, he reveled in watching twenty-year-old brick-layers sitting exhausted on the sidelines while he continued working. The product of years of hard labor and a horrible accident as a toddler, his hands were like vice grips.  When he approached you for a handshake he would say, “Give me three fingers.”  I learned early on to only give him two fingers because if you gave him three, he would break the one in the middle.  Wow! He was strong.

He was dedicated to his tasks, dedicated to his family, and dedicated to his faith in God.  He was a man’s man. Yet, as I was driving through the Kentucky

Applying Precious Promises from Above

The beautiful thing about being a Christian is that when we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus, we come to life spiritually.  Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be "born again" (John 3: 3). That is, we must become alive spiritually to God.  That happens the very moment you surrender to Jesus and receive Him as your Lord.  At that very moment the Holy Spirit moves into you.  The Apostle Paul proclaimed that we are the "Temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 6:19).  How amazing!

 Now, when the Holy Spirit moves in, He doesn’t move in empty handed.  He brings with Him wonderful blessings for you.  The Bible teaches in Romans chapter 12 and 1

Monday Morning Devotional

The Molding Hand of Correction

“…so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

                                                                                Exodus 20:20

“I’m going to take you to the woodshed!”  If that statement was ever directed towards you, it wasn’t a happy time.  I can say that I never doubted the love my parents have for me.  I’ve always had  peace knowing that they love me, that they would care for me, that they would feed me (which has never been a small task), and even when I objected when they said “no” as we walked through the Toy section of the department store, down deep I knew my needs would always be met.

I have always known that they love me, however, I have also always known that correction awaited me when I was disobedient or defiant.   One night after a “moment of correction”, my mother sat beside me and said, “If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t correct you.”  That was a little hard to swallow at the moment, but as time passed I came to understand.

My behavior has been molded by both..a hand of love…and a hand of correction.  The writer of Hebrews states, “…the Lord disciplines those He loves”…(ch. 12:6). Like a loving parent, God is molding us into the people He created us to be.   He molds us with both a hand of love and a hand of correction.

The author writes, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12: 5-6).

Ultimately, God is shaping you to be like the Lord Jesus.

The Voice Behind You...

Could anything be better than spending your days walking alongside the creator of the Universe?  Think about the questions you could ask.  Imagine looking into eyes of the one who flung the stars into place and gave life to all creation.  If someone came up to you with a problem, you simply look over to Jesus and say, “He can handle this one.”  How incredible!

Surprisingly though, just hours before His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus says to His disciples, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7, NASB).

Can you imagine the look on their faces?  “To our advantage?  How can anything be better than having you here with us?”  But it really is to our advantage.  You see, when Jesus walked this earth,

You are a Piece of Art

He seemed almost erratic as he bounced from side to side on the stage splashing bright paints of various colors upon a large canvas.  Lisa and I had joined several thousand others at a Contemporary Christian concert and were caught in awe as the artist, dressed in a black robe, created his masterpiece before our eyes as the band filled the room with music and praise.

One minute passed, then two, then three and to be honest, we still couldn’t make out what the image was going to be.  Finally, the artist stepped back as to unveil to the crowd his work of art and it still made no sense at all.  Then he walked up to the canvas and turned it 180’ and what we beheld sent a hush over the entire crowd, it was an incredible portrait of the face of Jesus.

We have been blessed over the ages with some very talented artist whose works have often left us breathless.  Still yet, their creativity pales when compared to the true Master Artist – God.  On a

The Last Great Act of Creation...

I’ve often said that when God created mankind, He saved the best till last.  Think of it, Before God made the human race, He created every universe, galaxy, and solar system.  Before men and women walked on the earth, God placed the stars in the sky and hung the sun and moon in its place. With incredible creativity, God grew the trees, grass, and flowers.  Birds were flying, deer were running, and fish were swimming all before God created man.  He saved the best for last.

However, upon further study of the creation account found in the Biblical book of Genesis, I have come to the conclusion that I was mistaken when I said that the beginning of humanity was the last great act of creation.  Though I still believe that men, women, boys and girls are the prize of creation, the apple of God’s eye, there is one more great invention of God.  What is it you ask?  The answer is found in Genesis 2: 21-24,

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²² Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

²³ And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  ²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Live like an Ambassador

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”         1 Corinthians 5:20

Do you know what an ambassador is?  And ambassador is one who lives in a country that is not his own to represent the one he is from.  If you are a Christian, the Bible says you have been called to be an Ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ.  You have been bought at a price, you are not your own, you belong to God.

People often identify themselves by where they are from.  We take pride in the state or country we are from.  We fly their flags in our yards and wear their colors on our clothing.  Christ-followers should unashamedly identify ourselves with Christ.

Someone recently asked me why Christians aren’t having more of an impact on society.  This wonderful lady was concerned with the spiritual and moral decline we are witnessing here in America.  “How can this be?" She asked.  My answer comes in the form of another question, “Could it be that we who follow Christ have forgotten that we are to live as Ambassadors for Christ?”

Think about what it means to be an ambassador.  An ambassador must live in one society, while

The Faces of Hope

Their names are ordinary. Names like Herbert, Pearl, Ron, Bryan, Joe, Lola, Winnie, yet their stories are anything but. Each face comes with a story, a history of tragedy, pain, fear, and loss.  They are the remnant of a land torn apart by war and disease.  They are the orphans of West Africa.

You wouldn’t know their past by simply looking in their eyes. They are not filled with tears, but with beams of light.  Nor would you gather that some of these children have suffered a lifetime of sadness in their few short years by watching their actions.  They sing.  They dance.  They laugh.  They giggle with a joy that the world cannot give and the world surely cannot take away.

They understand the feelings of abandonment.  Some of these little ones were left at the hospital just hours after their birth, while others, lost their entire families, their mothers and fathers, sisters