Christian Living

Giving is not a minor topic in Scripture. In fact, the word give in its various forms is used 2,162 times throughout the Bible—that is more than believe (271 times), prayer (268 times), and love (714 times) all combined! Of the twenty-nine parables Jesus told, sixteen deal with money or possessions.

We live in a day of analysts. And everyone, it seems, wants to analyze the church. Some analyze to be critical, some to posture themselves as “better than the imperfect church” in order to gain members for their “near-perfect church.” It seems most pastors view themselves to be more balanced than others or to have a better understanding of grace, theology, missions, etc. than others. Perhaps these self-assessments are true, perhaps not.

One of the most often rehearsed quotes from the lips of the apostle Paul can be found in the third chapter of the book of Philippians. After listing all the things he has been through—both good and bad—he reaffirms his intention to continue to pursue Christ by saying:

In the home where I lived as a boy, there was a medicine cabinet that hung on the wall above the sink in the bathroom. That cabinet is where you would find the thermometer and antibiotic cream and other items that relate to health and sickness. In that cabinet were two small bottles that looked very similar.

I recently preached from 1 Chronicles 28 and 29 on having a renewed vision for the work of God. Amazingly, after forty years of leading God’s people, David’s heart for God was still passionate, and his vision for God’s work was still fresh. As I studied for this message, I was impressed by how David personally participated in providing materials for the construction of the tabernacle.

People who call themselves Christians are involved in just about every activity you can possibly imagine, and sometimes attempt to justify very ungodly actions by claiming that they are ministering to others through their sinful lifestyles. As we live in a culture that tolerates every type of life and justifies every type of lifestyle, how can we know what we should and shouldn’t do, especially in questionable areas?

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” It was a dark and difficult time for the children of Judah. They had been uprooted from their homes, separated from their families, and placed in a pagan land.

Recently, a younger pastor asked me to speak at a meeting on the topic, “Why I am a Baptist.” I must go on record to say that I am not only a Baptist; I am an independent, separated Baptist, and I am proud to be so.

If there was one message spoken by the Lord Jesus during His earthly sojourn, it was the message, “Follow Me.” When He was calling those fishermen to become His disciples and eventually apostles, He said to them, “Follow Me.” When He approached the seat of customs where Levi worked, He said, “Follow Me.”

Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes life takes me for such a ride that I’m not sure which end is up. During times like these, we begin to question God and begin to wonder exactly what He’s doing. Such thinking isn’t wrong or sinful. The Psalms are replete with David crying out to God and wondering what exactly God is up to.

It must be acknowledged that the Bible preacher will have opponents. They are the gainsayers of Luke 21. They are the haters of Matthew 10. They are the enemies that the Lord said every true disciple would have (Matthew 5:44 and Psalm 23:5). It is highly important for a faithful servant of the Lord to know how to handle the opposition. God tells us how to do this at the end of 2 Timothy 2.

Have you ever felt that what God has called you to do is more than you can handle? Have you felt overwhelmed to the point that you want to quit? Then you, my friend, have had a Moses moment!

Time after time in the Bible, we find God providing an abundant blessing for one of His servants, then immediately exhorting that servant to be a blessing to others and to glorify His name. We see this principle when God blessed Abraham, then immediately said, “Thou shalt be a blessing.”

One aspect of the Lord Jesus Christ that no religious leader can ever hope to claim is that of His eternal and omnipotent power. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”—Revelation 1:8

The following list will provide some practical reasons for serving. Keep in mind that this list is far from exhaustive, but provides some compelling motivations for serving our great God! Why, then, should I involve myself in the ministry?

The early life and ministry of Jesus Christ drew many followers. One might suppose that some of these were following because of His powerful miracles. Anyone who could turn water into wine by speaking a word (John 2) or cause a man to walk after thirty-eight years of being bed ridden (John 5) or feed five thousand with five loaves and two fish (John 6) was certainly worth a listen.

Physiologically, a fresh calendar suggests a fresh start. But realistically, January 1 cannot obliterate the needs and burdens of December 31. What can you do practically to renew your soul for the new year?

If there is any aspect of Jesus Christ we should learn, it is His passion. What drove Him, and still motivates Him throughout eternity? Can we ponder: why would He leave that glorious realm of Heaven to come to this earth? Why humble Himself, take to Himself human flesh, and be willing to go to the cross?

Don’t make the mistake of enjoying the wrapping of Christmas—activities, time with family, gift exchanges, traditions—without enjoying what is behind the wrapping—the gift. Quite simply, Jesus is the gift of Christmas. And, with Paul, we exclaim, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

We were looking forward to getting back to our home in Indiana for the Christmas season. As an evangelist, I look forward to those times spent off the road with family and friends. Our last meeting was in northern Wisconsin the second week of December. Snow had already covered the ground, and temperatures were well below freezing. It was easy to get into the Christmas spirit.