I Like God (May 29)

So, this past week, a friend pointed something out to me, thinking that it might make a good story for a lesson. I laughed it off at first, but then I got to thinking: I’ve been talking about apathy and indifference lately and this kind of fits in. You see, on Facebook, there are these things called pages. There are pages for various companies and products. On any given page, a person can click the “like” button and then they will receive updates from that company or about that product on their homepage. They normally get updates about their friends and such, but now they also get updates about things that they “like.” Also, on other people’s home pages, there will be an update listed that says, for instance, “Joel likes Dr Pepper” or “Joel likes Armstrong Trail.” Well, somewhere along the line, people started creating all sorts of random pages just so they and their friends could “like” them. So now you have stuff like “Fred likes Singing in the rain,” “Julie likes running through puddles in bare feet,” and “Jenny likes eating drippy ice cream on a hot day.” Well, it didn’t take long before someone created a page called “God” and another called “Bible.” Now people can “like” the Bible…and even God. I know, this all sounds pretty absurd, but that’s the kind of things that people do when they seemingly have nothing better to do. So anyway, my friend imagined that there might be people that come before God at the Judgment and say, “God, why am I going to hell? I totally ‘liked’ you on Facebook!” I don’t think anybody would have the guts to say that once they are in the presence of His great holiness, but it does draw a picture of the kind of apathy, indifference, and lack of respect that people have. I mean seriously, compare one of the great evangelists of yesteryear to such a person. One of them gave their entire life to the work of God; they lived and breathed the will of God. Every ounce of life in them was spent for their love of God. The other goes about their own life, filled with assorted pleasures and ideas, and maybe on the off chance that they think of such things, they go on Facebook and click “like” on God. Now, I’m not too crazy about Facebook and I hesitated trying to make a whole lesson based on such an example, but it sure paints a picture, doesn’t it? Wrap your mind around such a drastic spectrum, with such extremes!

So, I ask you today: do you like God? Before you blurt out, “Yes, of course,” let me add…or do you love Him? There is so much in the Bible about loving God and, in fact, it is pretty much a huge part of being a Christian (huge understatement). But if you look up the meaning of the word “love,” you’ll find that it’s a LOT stronger than our nonchalant use of the word “like” in modern times. Let’s beware of becoming indifferent in our love and desire for God. Let’s beware of becoming nonchalant toward the things of God, figuratively shrugging our shoulders to all that is so important…the very essence of life!

Isa 32:9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

Eze 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Rev 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The Wandering One (May 22)

Sometimes people in the family of God seem to wander off for a bit. Maybe you’ve decided to go out on your own and discover what the world has to offer. Maybe you just aren’t that interested in the things of God. Or maybe you’re interested, but just not super-zealous about it.

Luk 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: (12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (19) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (21) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: (24) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (25) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. (27) And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. (28) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. (29) And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: (30) But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. (31) And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. (32) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Well, here we have a story about a guy that took his share of the money from his dad and left town. He went out and really lived it up. But after awhile, the money ran out and things went downhill. It was in that time that he realized that he was in the wrong place. Of course, he eventually decided to head back home. He knew he had wronged his father and didn’t deserve to be called his son. But his father was happy to see him (had been looking for him) and rejoiced to bring him back into the family and household. It’s not too late for you to get up and head back home. Whether you’ve gone away from God as into a far country and completely blocked him out of your riotous life or whether you’ve just been ignoring Him a bit lately, it’s time to turn from that and run back to the Father. God is merciful. Jesus said He came to earth to seek and save the lost. God is calling you and looking for you because He wants you back.

Luk 15:4-7 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.

Encouraged by God's Mercy (May 15)

I’d like to share a devotional by Chris Tiegreen and discuss it for a bit. It’s found in “Worship the King” and is the entry for May 15.

2Co 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

We can be encouraged by remembering God’s promises and also his mercy that He has already shown us. God’s mercy is so great and encompasses so much that when we see it or think about it, we cannot help but be encouraged and strengthened in faith. God is merciful; He gives us the grace that we need in all situations. He is merciful; He gives us the words to speak, the means to obey, and the strength to do His work. He is merciful; He forgives us when we fail and calls us to rely on Him.

Mat 26:36-46 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. (37) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (38) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (40) And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (42) He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (43) And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. (44) And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (45) Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (46) Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mode of Transport (May 8)

The other day, I took a walk on the Armstrong Trail. I was a little south of Phillipston and I looked up in the sky and saw a hawk floating around in the sky. It looked to be so effortlessly drifting on the air currents above the high ridge overlooking the river. I watched it for a little bit as I trudged along down the rocky trail. I would be walking for an hour or two. My heels would probably hurt a little bit. I would be dusty and dirty. That bird, though, was just floating along on the currents of air, soaring here and there as it wished. The stark contrast got me to thinking a little bit about our choice in modes of transport. If I had the choice of drifting along in the air or trudging along the rough trail, I would be silly to choose the latter.

Isa 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Spiritually, I think that many are choosing to trudge along wearily rather than soar above with strength and power from God. Many don’t seem to have the desire to soar with God. Many don’t seem to have the time or care to wait on the Lord.