Change for my Change

2 Timothy 3:1-2 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money..."

Paul is writing to Timothy and telling him about the last days. Paul paints a picture of what men will look like and act like in these last days. Men will love themselves, love money and in verse 4 he says they will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Wow! I have to ask myself as a 21st century American, middle class (wealthy to the world), white guy living in comfort in the Maplehood; am I a lover of myself, money and pleasure? Do I love these things more than God? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. My checkbook certainly doesn't bode well for me. That needs to change. And who or what is my true love? My time and money should reflect my love for Jesus. I am going to spend some time this weekend praying about this and talking with Erin about this. Cuz I am not entirely sure of what, but some things need to change.

Dear Jesus help me change what I do with my change. Sorry for the pun Jesus. Amen.

Paranormal Activity

Acts 19:11-12 "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them."

Paul is traveling and spreading the kingdom of God. He teaches, heals the sick, and casts out demons. His power is so strong that even his touch has miraculous power. It all sounds very Christ like.

I saw the film Paranormal Activity yesterday. I like scary movies and it's almost Halloween. In this film, a girl is haunted by a demon. She intends to call a demonologist to help her get rid of the demon but never does call. I was amazed there are people who actually call themselves demonologists! Any way, if I'm correct theologically speaking, we too have this same power as Paul. As Jesus' followers he has empowered us to teach the word and heal the sick and cast out evil spirits. Why don't I do all of this? Maybe my theology is flawed or is it my faith? I have no fear of demons and I'd like to think I'd cast out any old demon (in the name of Jesus of course) if given the opportunity. Maybe I need to be more aware of the very real supernatural world we live in. Today I'll look for things...

Dear Jesus, thank you for your word and your power. Help me to see what you want me to see today. Amen.

Unexpected Places

Acts 17:23 "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."

Paul is in Athens and he sees many statues and objects of worship. He notices one labeled "An Unknown God." Paul uses this as a springboard to talk about Jesus and his gospel. He essentially says, "Hey let me tell you about this unknown God. In fact I know a thing or two about this unknown God." It's all so brilliant! I just love the attitude involved in this story. I love how Paul embraces the culture and uses it to his advantage to talk about Jesus. Instead of hiding from culture or running away, he flips it on it's head and ends up converting people!

I guess this just shows me how I should see Christ and be aware of his story and his plan at all times. Wherever I am and whatever I am doing, I should take the time to stop and look and listen and see Christ everywhere. If I am discerning and patient, I can use this world to point to the supernatural world and to Jesus. Maybe even today, as I speak, and see a movie and attend a meeting, I can find Jesus in the unexpected places.

Dear Jesus, help me find you in the unexpected places. Amen.

He's Got My Back

Luke 10: 16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

Jesus has just sent out 72 disciples to go and spread the good news and heal the sick. Jesus gives them authority over the power of the enemy and they seem to have some supernatural powers. They are able to cast out demons, heal the sick and perform other God-like miracles. And he tells them that if people reject them, they are really rejecting him and the one who sent him.

I guess this passage just reaffirms to me that Jesus is on my side. He's got my back so to speak. If I am rejected while doing his will, it's no big thing and I shouldn't feel bad or take it personally, I should just press on. With Jesus on my side, I can overcome everything. I need to remember that this week.

Dear Jesus, thank you for being there for me. Amen.

The Rude Plank

Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

Jesus is teaching people to not be hypocrites. He tells them that they should be careful when pointing out sin in others and take more time to see the sin in their own lives. The Pharisees were really good at this.

How judgmental am I? How often am I looking at the specks in others? I don't think I have a huge problem with this, but I have to admit, I probably do spend more time noticing other people specks than I do reflecting on my own. I really have been bothered by other people's rudeness lately. So, am I rude? I guess I can be. I don't think Jesus was always Mr. Niceguy we always think but I don't think he was ever rude to people for no reason. I need to work on being kind and polite today and maybe cut some people some slack.

Dear Jesus, help me to treat others with respect today and not be rude. Amen.

Death by a Sword

Acts 12:2 "He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword."

King Herod did not like this new movement of Jesus followers. So he did his best to round them up and kill them. Acts 12:2 states that Herod had James, "put to death with the sword." James died for his faith and for following Jesus.

I have always been intrigued by martyrs. These people, often willingly, die for their faith, for their beliefs. But maybe it's something even more than that? It's not like James died for some idea he had, or some philosophical argument his mind agreed with. He died for a cause, for a revolution, for a man. He was so convicted, so dedicated, he gave his life for Jesus. And such an amazing, horrific event is only described in scripture by one simple verse, almost lost in the rest of the chapter. Almost as if it's no big deal. This is what may happen. It's part of the deal. I'll never forget the saying, "some people died for their faith, all we have to do is live for ours." I need to live for my faith and live for my Jesus today.

Dear Jesus, help me seize this day and live it fully for you. Amen.

Forgiven Much, Love Much

Luke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Jesus is eating at a Pharisee's house and a "sinful" woman comes in and begins washing Jesus' feet. The Pharisee is disgusted and thinks Jesus ought to know better than to associate with a sinful woman, much less let her touch him and clean his feet. Jesus points out that this woman has been forgiven and as a result of hr forgiveness she is showing great love to Jesus.

I have been forgiven so much. Jesus has freed me from so many sins and so many mistakes. Maybe I don't love much because I don't realize and think about how much I have been forgiven? Maybe I need to take more time to reflect on all the ways I have been forgiven and restored?

Dear Jesus, help me today to remember the many ways you have forgiven and healed me. Amen.

The Right Kind of Wrong Crowd

Luke 15: 1 "Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him."

Jesus had a large following of tax collectors and other sinners. The Pharisees always gave him a hard time about this so this time, Jesus tells them three stories. He tells them the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

I find it interesting that Jesus talks about these lost items after getting ripped for hanging with the wrong crowd. So who represents the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son-the sinners and low lifes Jesus is hanging with and getting ripped for! I often relate this story to me and think of myself as the lost one Jesus loves and drops everything to find. But, the people I don't really like and the people I don't hang out with are the lost ones. I need to search for them. I need to spend more time with the rejected and the lost.

Dear Jesus, help me hang with the right kind of wrong crowd. Amen.

Before it All Goes Down

2 Peter 3:14 "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."

Peter is writing about the second coming. He says that the "day of the Lord" is coming soon and we should prepare ourselves for it. We should "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." We would not want to be living in sin or be at odds with Christ when he returns.

It is easy to live in the moment and forget the eternity of God and the eternity of God's story. We are in the thick of the story and with our temporal eyes we have a hard time realizing that there are very real and very cosmic events about to happen in the future. Christ will come back. There will be an "end of days" and Jesus will create a new heaven and a new earth. And I don't claim to know much about end times or when and how this will all unfold, but Peter makes it clear we should be ready at any time. We should make sure our lives and our hearts are right with God before it all goes down.

Dear Jesus, help me be right with you each day. And help me do my best to share your word with others. Amen.

Lip Sync Jesus

Ephesians 5:4 "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

Paul is telling the Christians in Ephesus how to imitate Christ. He says a big part of imitating Christ is by watching the words that come out of our mouths.

I struggle with this! It is so easy for me to be sarcastic, and to engage in "foolish talk and coarse joking" sometimes. And the truth is, the words that come out of my mouth reflect the attitudes and condition of my heart. I must do better at this. I want people to hear words of praise, thanksgiving, and love come from my mouth. I need to be a better imitator of Christ's mouth. I need to lip sync to Jesus!

Dear Jesus, help me speak your kinds of words and say the things you need me to say. Amen.

A Time of Prayer

Acts 3:1 "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon."

In this passage Peter and John heal a cripple near the temple. This particular verse doesn't have much to do with the main point of the story as it just tells us the fact that they were on their way to the temple around 3pm-at the time of prayer. I just find it interesting that they had a designated "time of prayer."

Prayer has been on my mind the past few weeks a lot. I have been prompted to pray more the past few weeks-for myself, for my ministry, and with my kids. I think God may be trying to get something across to me. The Jews and the early Christians had a set time of prayer each day. Each day, there was a designated time when they dropped everything, walked to the temple and prayed. Such dedication! Next week, I begin a series titled "Prayer" with HangTime on Wednesday nights. My hope is to teach the kids how to pray and why it is important. But I must admit, I still don't pray as much as I should or in the right spirit. I need God to teach me and motivate me these next few weeks. I want to be the kind of man who is known as a man of prayer. I want to make sure I make the time for my time of prayer.

Dear Jesus, help me talk with you more. Amen.