Stay Away From the Stink (Jun 28)

Most Saturdays, I take my bike out for a ride and often see some wildlife. I always see birds and chipmunks, of course, but I have also seen deer, pheasants, groundhogs, and even snakes. A few weeks ago, I rode my bike on a round trip from Sarver, PA to Butler, PA. Most of the way to the turn around point of the journey, near Vogleyville Road, while I was riding through a grassy section of trail, I happened to look down to my side. When I did, I saw black and white looking back up at me, equally as shocked. My legs were tired, but I pedaled faster to gain some distance, glad that Mr. Skunk and I were facing the same direction. So if he did spray his stink, it would have been behind me instead of into my path. But it did give me a moment to think just how stinky of a situation that could have been. I probably couldn't have ridden along side a skunk for long without becoming stinky myself.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with [Satan]? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We all know that the things around us: the people we hang out with, the activities that we're about, and the environment in which we spend time, can have a profound impact on us. These things change us. They affect us. If I had hung around the skunk for awhile longer, I would have been quite stinky for quite some time. In like manner, these things close to our life have a tendency of rubbing off on us or changing the way we think or act.

If you've ever spent time in a place filled with people that smoke, you know what I mean. You might be in there for only a (seemingly) short time, but for the rest of the day you can smell the smoke in your clothes. One time I came home from my company's Christmas party and I believe that we had Bible Study that evening. I did not change my clothes—I wore the same sweater as I had earlier in the day. Throughout the evening, I kept getting whiffs of the smell of beer. I wished I had changed my clothes because I wasn't crazy about carrying around that smell all night, even if it was so faint that nobody else could smell it. I have noticed the smell of cigarettes on my jacket after hanging it next to other jackets when I'm getting a haircut. If our clothes can pick up these smells just by being near other things for an hour or two, how much are we affected by allowing our hearts and minds to be “close to” the ways of the world or our lives to intermingle with those that have rejected God? Do you not notice a bit of a change in the way you think, the way you act, the way you speak, or your overall desire for the purity of God?

I'm not saying that you should run off and be a hermit or something and never have any contact with anyone, especially people outside the church, lest you be dirtied by them. No, I'm talking about close relationships and intimate dealings. I understand you are going to be subjected to coarse talk and actions at work, in school, and around town. So while we can't avoid everything, we can at least spend much time in prayer, seeking God for guidance and protection. And we can make decisions that are holy instead of choosing to wallow in the filth and hang dangerously close to the stinky skunks.

John 17:15 – I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Lost and Found (Jun 21)

I have here my camera in its case. Now, most likely that does not seem to you to be a big deal. So Joel brought his camera: what is so special about that? Well, you see, yesterday I did not have my camera. I was on my return trip from Templeton to Kittanning, when I decided to take a picture. You see, often when I go for a long ride, I have my camera case strapped to my bike, in case I see anything interesting or if there is beautiful scenery that would make a nice picture. So, anyway, I stopped to take a picture and I reached down, and there was no camera! Uh oh! I realized that my camera was lost! Now do you see why it's a big deal that I have my camera with me? It was lost. If I had just shrugged my shoulders and kept riding, I wouldn't have a camera anymore and I'd have to buy a new one or something. But when I saw that it was lost, I turned around and backtracked until it was found (some nice people had found it in the middle of the road, picked it up, and flagged me down when they saw me coming back to look for it).

Some of you that read this today are lost. The wonderful thing is, there is a God that loves you very much and He is seeking to save those that are lost. He wants you to come into His house and be His child. He loves you that much. Even though there are some churches full with many Christians, God still puts forth the effort to go out and find you...because He loves you and His family isn't complete without you. Oh, you might be in church and going through the motions, but your heart is lost. It is empty. Maybe you used to love God, but that love just isn't there anymore. Maybe you've been raised in the church, but have never personally surrendered your heart to God. He is looking for you. If I had to ride the whole way back to Templeton, I might have done it to find that camera. Fortunately, I had used the camera fairly recently on the ride, so I knew I didn't have to pedal more than a mile extra. But some of you are so far from God that there's not even a trace of His thoughts in your heart. But God will reach out that extra distance because you're lost. And when something is lost, it needs to be found.

Luke 15:4-10

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Consider also the parable of the lost son. The man had two sons. One of them chose to take his inheritance and ran away into worldly living. He blew all of his money and then lost all of his friends and possessions. His life was a mess. He finally chose to go home. Even though he wasn't worthy of even being a son anymore, his father was waiting for him and came running to greet him and welcome him home. God is calling you to come home. You've been lost and your heart has lost the desire and love for the Lord. But you hear God calling. He is looking for you. He has come to find that which is lost. He is calling you, lost one, to come home.

Cut-Off Communication (Jun 7)

Several weeks ago, I was speaking with a friend on the telephone. We had spoken for quite some time and the conversation was just about over, but before it was, the call went dead. Another time we were talking, right in the middle of a question, the call again went dead. In both instances, the problem was a dead battery, so we couldn't just reconnect and continue the conversation. When the call went dead, the conversation was over. Now, I know, the conversation was probably about over anyway, but it was different, not having said bye and all that other stuff to end a conversation. Sometimes you lose a call on your cell phone when you go through a bad reception area and there were still some things that you wanted to talk about. When communication lines aren't good, conversations get cut short. Sometimes it's awkward. Sometimes you sit there thinking, “Wait! We weren't done!” Sometimes you just say, “Oh well, we were almost done talking anyway.” We need to have good lines of communication open with God so that we can hear Him speak to us, and also so that we can share our praise, worship, intercession, and requests with Him.

Zechariah 7:11-12

11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

I suppose I should also mention the times that we hang up on people. I can only think of a couple of rare instances that I have done this, but sometimes if we don't want to talk to someone or they are getting on our nerves, we might just hang up to end the conversation. (This is the same as when we avoid, ignore, or blow-off people in regular face-to-face conversations or greetings.) But, let me share a few more scriptures about how important it is to listen to God and also to be in constant communication with Him.

Proverbs 8:32-36

32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Keep the lines of communication open with the Lord: you don't want to miss an important word from the Lord! Pour out your heart to Him in prayer: He doesn't want to miss a word from you! When you have been with Jesus, it will be obvious. People will know: they will see it! Likewise, when you haven't been with Him, for whatever reason the continual conversation may have been cut off, it will be quite evident in your life!