Of Specks And Logs
By Bill Denton
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3, NASB95)
Comedian Steve Martin said, "Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes."
"Monday Morning Insight," www.ChurchStaffing.com (4-25-05)
We are all critics. It’s just part of our nature. Perhaps in its most benign form, criticism is our effort to improve things. After all, lots of things need improvement, legitimately so. There is really nothing wrong with identifying things that are not what they should be, offering one’s observation of that fact, then making things better.
Let me offer a criticism. No, let me tag along with Jesus and point you to one of his observations about human nature. It’s found in that non-benign question, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” It is not a benign question because it forces us to reconsider the object and purpose of our criticisms.
It is much easier to observe the faults of others instead of noting of my own. I don’t think I’m the only person who has made the same discovery. It’s always easier, less threatening, and certainly less demanding for me to camp out on the doorstep of somebody else’s shortcomings. Sometimes, it’s even enjoyable, this practice of observing human behavior around me. I can even predict with a fair amount of accuracy which people are going to find themselves in trouble or suffering the negative consequences of their faults.
For quite some time, I’ve been aware that others find this job of personal critic to be enticing. Some have shared their tidbits of gossip, noting with the appearance of deep concern that the one under scrutiny has provided fodder for continued criticism. Am I making more of this than is reasonably true? Surely not!
Jesus did not believe that criticism was a small problem. Neither did Jesus say that we should put a stop to all criticism. That’s what some would have us believe, because they frequently refer to the statement in Mt. 7:1: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” But to think that Jesus wanted no judging at all is to miss his point. It seems that he wanted critics to understand how things work. Critics are subject to criticism. Jesus actually wanted us to be our own best critic. Take a look at the log in your own eye before you deal with the speck in your brother’s eye. See your own very real imperfections before you blow out of proportion the relatively small problems in your brother. The old adage is true: “The only person you can change is - you!”
We all have plenty of room for improvement. Of course, it takes a critical eye to notice the problems and make corrections. I’ll try to do more of that for myself and less for you.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Monday, March 06, 2006
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For February 26, 2006
“Did My Best” Or “Just Got By”
By Bill Denton
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, (Colossians 3:23, NASB95)
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.
Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to students at Barratt Junior High
School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967
Too many people are guilty of the “just-get-by” syndrome. Students in school are often more concerned with a passing grade rather than learning all they can learn. Some athletes just want to “get-by” instead of giving a stellar effort. Business is plagued with people who demonstrate this attitude. Don’t believe it? Ask yourself why customer service is so frequently less than acceptable. Pay attention to the quality of the products you purchase. Quality and service are two things that are worth the money. The “just-get-by” syndrome is even found among Christians and may be the single biggest problem of the modern church.
The problem is often disguised in the questions people ask. “How many times a week do I have to attend church services?” a lady once asked. Now, I know people who fall into the trap of actually providing a number in answer to this question, but it is fraught with problems. What if I told this lady, “You just have to attend once.” Perhaps she would be satisfied, but more likely she would look for justification to occasionally miss even that one. What if I said, “You have to attend three times.” What do you think she would do if a fourth opportunity arose? My point is that you can’t win at the number game with a person seeking the minimum.
The “just-get-by” syndrome shows up in attitudes about salvation. “What must I do to be saved,” is sometimes a desire to know the bare minimum it takes to get to heaven. It’s not really a question about what all one might do to serve God. I’ve always thought the little story Jesus told about the three servants who were each given different “talents” or sums of money while the master left for a trip. One got five talents, another got two, and the last got one. The first two each went out, put the money to work and doubled what the master invested in them. The last, fearful man that he was, buried his talent for safe-keeping. When the master returned, both the first two servants were applauded and rewarded. Only the last was condemned. We usually focus on that last fellow and warn people not to be like him. That’s a good lesson. But, think about the first two for a moment. These were obviously two men with differing abilities. The master invested according to the ability of each man. What both had in common was the desire to the best they could. That’s what they did, and that’s what pleased the master. Don’t “just-get-by.” Do your best, whatever it is. It may not be what someone else does, but is it your best? As God’s people, let’s move toward doing all we can instead of just getting by.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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By Bill Denton
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, (Colossians 3:23, NASB95)
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.
Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to students at Barratt Junior High
School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967
Too many people are guilty of the “just-get-by” syndrome. Students in school are often more concerned with a passing grade rather than learning all they can learn. Some athletes just want to “get-by” instead of giving a stellar effort. Business is plagued with people who demonstrate this attitude. Don’t believe it? Ask yourself why customer service is so frequently less than acceptable. Pay attention to the quality of the products you purchase. Quality and service are two things that are worth the money. The “just-get-by” syndrome is even found among Christians and may be the single biggest problem of the modern church.
The problem is often disguised in the questions people ask. “How many times a week do I have to attend church services?” a lady once asked. Now, I know people who fall into the trap of actually providing a number in answer to this question, but it is fraught with problems. What if I told this lady, “You just have to attend once.” Perhaps she would be satisfied, but more likely she would look for justification to occasionally miss even that one. What if I said, “You have to attend three times.” What do you think she would do if a fourth opportunity arose? My point is that you can’t win at the number game with a person seeking the minimum.
The “just-get-by” syndrome shows up in attitudes about salvation. “What must I do to be saved,” is sometimes a desire to know the bare minimum it takes to get to heaven. It’s not really a question about what all one might do to serve God. I’ve always thought the little story Jesus told about the three servants who were each given different “talents” or sums of money while the master left for a trip. One got five talents, another got two, and the last got one. The first two each went out, put the money to work and doubled what the master invested in them. The last, fearful man that he was, buried his talent for safe-keeping. When the master returned, both the first two servants were applauded and rewarded. Only the last was condemned. We usually focus on that last fellow and warn people not to be like him. That’s a good lesson. But, think about the first two for a moment. These were obviously two men with differing abilities. The master invested according to the ability of each man. What both had in common was the desire to the best they could. That’s what they did, and that’s what pleased the master. Don’t “just-get-by.” Do your best, whatever it is. It may not be what someone else does, but is it your best? As God’s people, let’s move toward doing all we can instead of just getting by.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For February 19, 2006
More Than One Member
By Bill Denton
For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:14, NASB95)
Dear Preacher: There are 566 members in our church, but 100 are frail and elderly. That leaves 466 to do all the work. However, 80 are young people away at college. That leaves 386 to do all the work. However, 150 of them are tired businessmen, so that leaves 236 to do all the work. 150 are housewives with children. That leaves 86 to do all the work. There are also 46 members who have other important interests. Which leaves 40 to do all the work, but 15 live too far away to come regularly. So that leaves 25 to do all the work. And 23 of them say they've done their part. So, preacher, that leaves YOU and ME and, frankly, I'm exhausted.Good luck to you.A. Member
Source Unknown
I’ve read several variations on this little illustration. The numbers vary but the point is the same. There are many people who make up a church, then it ends up with only one doing all the work. I’m thankful that’s not true about our congregation. I continue to be impressed by the number of folks who are actively involved in making our congregation busy and accomplishing good things. We try to involve everyone who is willing to help, and for the most part, I believe the greater number of people in our church are quick to jump in and participate.
I know that in lots of places it’s not quite like that. There are lots of churches that match the little illustration above. Even in churches like ours where the majority of people do pitch in, there are still a few who seem to think “church” only means a place to get things, not to give.
Over the years I’ve heard from some of those folks. They are the ones who get upset because someone didn’t do something for them. They seem to be extremely sensitive to being overlooked, left out, ignored, or forgotten. Sometimes, it seems that people have a great propensity for overlooking all the good that is done for them, unless one of the “special” people do it. I once knew a family whose daughter was terminally ill. Numbers of people sat with them at the hospital, prayed for them, cooked meals, etc. After the daughter died, they were very critical, commenting that the church hadn’t done much for them. I understand about grief, but I also understand that this was their view long before, and long after, the death of their daughter. I’ve known others who seemed to think that nobody else’s prayer counted unless the preacher came by to pray. Once, I met an elder and his wife coming out of a lady’s hospital room where they had just visited. When I went in, the lady said, “I’ve waited all day for someone to come pray for me.” Did the elder pray for her? Yes, but I guess it didn’t count. The body of Christ is more than one member. Any particular congregation is more than one member. It takes all of us, and the more the better. When the body works well, don’t ignore it.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For February 12, 2006
Nine Years Out Of Your Life
By Bill Denton
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17, NASB95).
Rafael Antonio Lozano is a man with a mission, albeit a strange one. The 33-year-old computer programmer from Plano, Texas, is on a quest to visit every company-owned Starbucks on the planet.
Lozano, who calls himself Winter, began his mission in 1997, when there were 1,304 such stores worldwide. Today, there are over 6,000 in 37 countries. As of October 31st, 2005, Winter had visited 4,918 Starbucks in North America, in addition to 213 others around the globe.
Despite his impressive pace, Winter is realistic about the nature of his quest, saying, "As long as they keep building Starbucks, I'll never be finished." He is also realistic about the importance of his mission. "Every time I reach a Starbucks, I feel like I've accomplished something," he said, "when actually I've accomplished nothing."
Jayne Clark, "Sooner or Latte, He'll Get There," USAToday.com (10-13-05)
Now there’s a busy guy, though it seems that neither he nor I would describe his busyness as accomplishing anything particularly worthwhile. Maybe he should have talked to the Starbucks people and got them to pay for all his trips and coffee and use him to advertise their coffee shops. As it stands, I can’t see where he’s doing anything worthwhile.
Lest we get on this fellow’s case too harshly, perhaps it would behoove us to consider whether we are accomplishing anything better. Silly thought, you say? Well, let’s think about it.
Take TV time, just as an example. According to the A.C. Nielson Co., the average American watches 3 hours and 46 minutes of TV daily. That works out to more than 52 days of non-stop TV watching each year -- almost two months! By the age of 65, that average American will have spent nearly 9 years watching TV. What could you do with 9 years? Learn several new skills? Travel to distant places? Get 2 or 3 college degrees? Learn to speak a second language? Write a book? Maybe none of that interests you, but surely there is something you’d like to do that having 9 years available would give you a big start toward doing it.
What’s really amazing are the number of people who don’t seem to think they have time for spiritual activities. We’re too busy to attend Bible classes. Worship, with the possible exception of Sunday mornings, often interferes with TV time (remember I’m one of the people who grew up having to decide between Walt Disney’s Sunday night TV program and church!). TV isn’t our only problem, just one - but it is a big one.
Next time you are tempted to claim you don’t have enough time to do something, figure out if you’re an average American. If so, you’ve got more available time than you think.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Sunday, February 05, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article for February 5, 2006
Person of the Year: God!
By Bill Denton
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, NASB95)
Annually, Time picks the Person of the Year to appear on the cover of its magazine. Previous honorees were asked whom they would select for 2006, and Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent and whistleblower chosen for the honor in 2002, responded:
I think the "Person" of the Year should be God. On the one hand, more people seem certain they know God's will on the social issues of the day. On the other, all of us feel the need to find answers as we confront the "acts of God" dominating the news, like diseases and global catastrophes.
"Some Past Honorees Give Their Picks for This Year," Time (11-21-05)
I understand Ms. Rowley’s suggestion, and must confess to a great deal of agreement with the sentiment. On the other hand, how would we ever have anyone but God as Person of the Year? It seems to me that God would dominate, if He were given a fair consideration.
It does bring up a question about honoring God. He doesn’t have to be chosen for Time’s cover and granted a title. It’s entirely appropriate for us to recognize those among us who stand out and deserve some special consideration. Honor for God should greatly supercede a magazine cover layout, or a special edition dedication.
Both Paul and John, writing respectively in the books of Romans and Revelation, draw upon the idea of honoring God. Paul said in Romans that failing to honor God stood at the brink of a precipitous plunge into sin. John writes of his glimpse into the heavenly scene where the twenty-four elders proclaim their obeisance to God having acknowledged His right to receive glory, honor and power. After all, God is creator of all, therefore all should acknowledge the relative positions of both themselves and the God who created everything.
I suppose in some way, this may sound like some very complicated thing, but it’s not really. I once heard a fellow say (probably quoting someone else who originated this statement), that the greatest lesson he ever learned was this: There is a God and I’m not Him.
Honoring God begins with a recognition that He exists. Go back and read the first chapter of Romans. Man’s downward spiral into ruin started with a lack of honor for God that eventually led to an outright denial of God. Lack of honor for God resulted in man elevating all sorts of things into the place of God. Sometimes it was in the form of idols. Much of the time, we elevate ourselves into God’s place. Honoring God, starts by acknowledging His existence. Everything else flows from that. Once there is God, other things fall into place. Who do you honor?
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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By Bill Denton
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, NASB95)
Annually, Time picks the Person of the Year to appear on the cover of its magazine. Previous honorees were asked whom they would select for 2006, and Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent and whistleblower chosen for the honor in 2002, responded:
I think the "Person" of the Year should be God. On the one hand, more people seem certain they know God's will on the social issues of the day. On the other, all of us feel the need to find answers as we confront the "acts of God" dominating the news, like diseases and global catastrophes.
"Some Past Honorees Give Their Picks for This Year," Time (11-21-05)
I understand Ms. Rowley’s suggestion, and must confess to a great deal of agreement with the sentiment. On the other hand, how would we ever have anyone but God as Person of the Year? It seems to me that God would dominate, if He were given a fair consideration.
It does bring up a question about honoring God. He doesn’t have to be chosen for Time’s cover and granted a title. It’s entirely appropriate for us to recognize those among us who stand out and deserve some special consideration. Honor for God should greatly supercede a magazine cover layout, or a special edition dedication.
Both Paul and John, writing respectively in the books of Romans and Revelation, draw upon the idea of honoring God. Paul said in Romans that failing to honor God stood at the brink of a precipitous plunge into sin. John writes of his glimpse into the heavenly scene where the twenty-four elders proclaim their obeisance to God having acknowledged His right to receive glory, honor and power. After all, God is creator of all, therefore all should acknowledge the relative positions of both themselves and the God who created everything.
I suppose in some way, this may sound like some very complicated thing, but it’s not really. I once heard a fellow say (probably quoting someone else who originated this statement), that the greatest lesson he ever learned was this: There is a God and I’m not Him.
Honoring God begins with a recognition that He exists. Go back and read the first chapter of Romans. Man’s downward spiral into ruin started with a lack of honor for God that eventually led to an outright denial of God. Lack of honor for God resulted in man elevating all sorts of things into the place of God. Sometimes it was in the form of idols. Much of the time, we elevate ourselves into God’s place. Honoring God, starts by acknowledging His existence. Everything else flows from that. Once there is God, other things fall into place. Who do you honor?
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Monday, January 30, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For January 29, 2006
What Happens After The Preacher Speaks?
By Bill Denton
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14, NASB95)
A few months ago I was invited to speak at a 20-something conference. I was driving north on interstate 95 listening to a CD when I heard something totally deflating if you're a preacher by trade: "Studies indicate that we forget 95 percent of what we hear within three days."
And that's if your sermon was good!
-- Mark Batterson, “Red Pill Preaching,” www.preachingtoday.com
Batterson goes on in his article to talk about communication, and the importance of saying old things in new ways to better communicate and thus help people remember more. That’s a goal to which every communicator can relate.
It does bring to mind a very real concern for every preacher. If people so quickly forget so much of what they hear, then why did God choose this medium by which to communicate such important truths? Sometimes, we get bogged down in wondering about all the imponderables and forget that whether or not we understand everything, we can understand some things. Let’s go for the understandable. Here are a couple of things you need to know.
Preachers stand in a long line of vital communicators. Though we hesitate to employ the word “prophet,” the truth is that the main job of prophets was not to foretell the future, it was to deliver God’s message to the people of their time. Preachers do that today. We deliver a message from God to people who need to hear what God says.
Don’t pick on your preacher too much. He doesn’t have to be the most eloquent fellow around. He doesn’t have to be the wittiest, or the smoothest. He doesn’t even have to be the most excited or animated person you know. He doesn’t even have to say what you like to hear or what you want to hear. He does have to be faithful to his job. He must tell you what God wants you to hear. That responsibility sometimes grates on both you and your preacher!
Sure, it helps if a preacher has developed an interesting delivery method. It helps if he’s got at least a vague handle on the language, and is able to illustrate and word things in ways that make the message of God memorable. But, you won’t find our modern concern with preaching methods, communication principles, etc., in the Bible. God leaves those up to us, I think. He’s much more focused on what he wants us to know.
Next time your preacher stands up you listen up. At the heart of all he’s doing there in the pulpit, is something vitally important to you. God has a message. The preacher is delivering it. What happens after that is your responsibility -- the biggest responsibility in preaching.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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By Bill Denton
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14, NASB95)
A few months ago I was invited to speak at a 20-something conference. I was driving north on interstate 95 listening to a CD when I heard something totally deflating if you're a preacher by trade: "Studies indicate that we forget 95 percent of what we hear within three days."
And that's if your sermon was good!
-- Mark Batterson, “Red Pill Preaching,” www.preachingtoday.com
Batterson goes on in his article to talk about communication, and the importance of saying old things in new ways to better communicate and thus help people remember more. That’s a goal to which every communicator can relate.
It does bring to mind a very real concern for every preacher. If people so quickly forget so much of what they hear, then why did God choose this medium by which to communicate such important truths? Sometimes, we get bogged down in wondering about all the imponderables and forget that whether or not we understand everything, we can understand some things. Let’s go for the understandable. Here are a couple of things you need to know.
Preachers stand in a long line of vital communicators. Though we hesitate to employ the word “prophet,” the truth is that the main job of prophets was not to foretell the future, it was to deliver God’s message to the people of their time. Preachers do that today. We deliver a message from God to people who need to hear what God says.
Don’t pick on your preacher too much. He doesn’t have to be the most eloquent fellow around. He doesn’t have to be the wittiest, or the smoothest. He doesn’t even have to be the most excited or animated person you know. He doesn’t even have to say what you like to hear or what you want to hear. He does have to be faithful to his job. He must tell you what God wants you to hear. That responsibility sometimes grates on both you and your preacher!
Sure, it helps if a preacher has developed an interesting delivery method. It helps if he’s got at least a vague handle on the language, and is able to illustrate and word things in ways that make the message of God memorable. But, you won’t find our modern concern with preaching methods, communication principles, etc., in the Bible. God leaves those up to us, I think. He’s much more focused on what he wants us to know.
Next time your preacher stands up you listen up. At the heart of all he’s doing there in the pulpit, is something vitally important to you. God has a message. The preacher is delivering it. What happens after that is your responsibility -- the biggest responsibility in preaching.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Friday, January 13, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For January 8, 2006
The Fool’s Creed
By Bill Denton
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God . . . .” (Psalm 14:1, NASB95)
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said: "God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools, and he has not been disappointed. If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world."
Penny Brown Roberts, “Scalia: Faithful Live for Christ,” theadvocate.com
It seems that from whichever direction one chooses to consider things, somebody is a fool! The Psalmist declared that the fool has announced to himself, “There is no God.” On the other hand, the worldly view of the non-God crowd is that those who believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, are just a bunch of fools. See, somebody is a fool.
Consider for a moment the person who believes in God and Jesus. This person doesn’t come to believe in a vacuum. After all, he or she has had to deal with the biblical explanation of the Universe itself. They have been forced to confront the obvious about themselves: there is something terribly wrong with people, and it’s called sin. They have heard that there is good news proclaimed in the name of Jesus and it’s good because it has to do with the solution to our sin problem. They have it on the word of God that while life may bring sorrows and tragedies, and end in death, ultimately there is a resurrection to life and an eternal home in heaven. Foolishness, declares the non-God folks.
So what does the unbeliever have to offer us? Frankly, nothing. Any appeal to human wisdom immediately runs into the reality wall. Any appeal to technology, philosophy, or any number of promising areas of benefit to humankind fails to generate much hope. After all, the evidence in whatever area one might care to explore, reveals not just failure, but hopelessness.
Which fool’s creed is better? One that consistently produces hopelessness or one that consistently produces hope? In one sense, we get to choose what kind of foolishness we’ll believe, and what kind of fool we’ll be.
If the biblical message about Jesus isn’t true, if he didn’t take away our sins, if he didn’t rise from the dead and if he’s not coming back to gather us to our eternal reward, then it doesn’t matter what we choose. If it’s true, then it makes all the difference in the world. Perhaps this is one reason the Psalmist understood so well the root problem of the real fool. He is the one who declared God nonexistent. He says to himself that God isn’t true. But, God if God is true, then the real fool is the one who says he isn’t. I believe God is! I know. I’m a fool. What are you?
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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By Bill Denton
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God . . . .” (Psalm 14:1, NASB95)
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said: "God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools, and he has not been disappointed. If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world."
Penny Brown Roberts, “Scalia: Faithful Live for Christ,” theadvocate.com
It seems that from whichever direction one chooses to consider things, somebody is a fool! The Psalmist declared that the fool has announced to himself, “There is no God.” On the other hand, the worldly view of the non-God crowd is that those who believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, are just a bunch of fools. See, somebody is a fool.
Consider for a moment the person who believes in God and Jesus. This person doesn’t come to believe in a vacuum. After all, he or she has had to deal with the biblical explanation of the Universe itself. They have been forced to confront the obvious about themselves: there is something terribly wrong with people, and it’s called sin. They have heard that there is good news proclaimed in the name of Jesus and it’s good because it has to do with the solution to our sin problem. They have it on the word of God that while life may bring sorrows and tragedies, and end in death, ultimately there is a resurrection to life and an eternal home in heaven. Foolishness, declares the non-God folks.
So what does the unbeliever have to offer us? Frankly, nothing. Any appeal to human wisdom immediately runs into the reality wall. Any appeal to technology, philosophy, or any number of promising areas of benefit to humankind fails to generate much hope. After all, the evidence in whatever area one might care to explore, reveals not just failure, but hopelessness.
Which fool’s creed is better? One that consistently produces hopelessness or one that consistently produces hope? In one sense, we get to choose what kind of foolishness we’ll believe, and what kind of fool we’ll be.
If the biblical message about Jesus isn’t true, if he didn’t take away our sins, if he didn’t rise from the dead and if he’s not coming back to gather us to our eternal reward, then it doesn’t matter what we choose. If it’s true, then it makes all the difference in the world. Perhaps this is one reason the Psalmist understood so well the root problem of the real fool. He is the one who declared God nonexistent. He says to himself that God isn’t true. But, God if God is true, then the real fool is the one who says he isn’t. I believe God is! I know. I’m a fool. What are you?
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Sunday, January 01, 2006
CrossTies Devotional Article For January 1, 2006
I Feel Like A New Man
By Bill Denton
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB95)
See each day as a chance for something new to happen, something you never experienced before. -- Sadie and Bessie Delany, Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 2.
Watch what happens during the last week of one year and the first week of the new year. People start talking about making resolutions, others get out their “goal setting” lists, and a few dispense with the formalities and just set out to improve themselves. There is something about a New Year that triggers brain cells to gear up, make plans, and do better.
I’ve got nothing against this at all. In fact, I sometimes make New Year’s resolutions. Not that I’m necessarily any more successful at achieving them than the next fellow, it’s something I feel compelled to do. The New Year blows in with all sorts of promise and hope and opportunity. Why not take advantage of it?
Christians should be thoroughly immersed in “newness.” When we became a Christian, we put off the old man and put on the new one. For us, old things passed away and new things were ushered in. Our baptism brought is into a new life as we experienced the passing of the old one. We live in relationship with God through the new covenant based on Jesus Christ. We practice a new commandment as we love one another as Jesus loved us. We are the new Jerusalem, the bride made ready for her husband. A new song is on our lips. Even the future is painted with scenes of a new heaven and a new earth. We have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, whose work involves the renewing of our minds, and transforming us from a sin-stained wretch to saint. Even as our physical bodies are wearing out, the inner man is being renewed daily. That’s a lot of “new” going on!
The point is simply this: Every day you wake up, God is at work in your life to make possible new things. Some of these new things you’ve never experienced before. They are new in the sense of time. Others compare to things you’ve experienced many times before, but they are new in the sense that they are renewed, made better, improved, better equipped, or simply made possible. You don’t have to wait for the New Year to show up. This is all happening to you, for you, and in you every moment you experience life.
I suppose New Year resolutions and goals could fit into our effort to participate in all this newness. Surely, there is something about the season that encourages these things. What I want you to see, though, is that each day the Lord blesses you with 24-hours worth of new. Then it starts over again the next day. Someone was once having one of those superb days of good health and great blessing. He said to his friend, “I feel like a new man!” In the truest sense, that’s us.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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By Bill Denton
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB95)
See each day as a chance for something new to happen, something you never experienced before. -- Sadie and Bessie Delany, Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 2.
Watch what happens during the last week of one year and the first week of the new year. People start talking about making resolutions, others get out their “goal setting” lists, and a few dispense with the formalities and just set out to improve themselves. There is something about a New Year that triggers brain cells to gear up, make plans, and do better.
I’ve got nothing against this at all. In fact, I sometimes make New Year’s resolutions. Not that I’m necessarily any more successful at achieving them than the next fellow, it’s something I feel compelled to do. The New Year blows in with all sorts of promise and hope and opportunity. Why not take advantage of it?
Christians should be thoroughly immersed in “newness.” When we became a Christian, we put off the old man and put on the new one. For us, old things passed away and new things were ushered in. Our baptism brought is into a new life as we experienced the passing of the old one. We live in relationship with God through the new covenant based on Jesus Christ. We practice a new commandment as we love one another as Jesus loved us. We are the new Jerusalem, the bride made ready for her husband. A new song is on our lips. Even the future is painted with scenes of a new heaven and a new earth. We have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, whose work involves the renewing of our minds, and transforming us from a sin-stained wretch to saint. Even as our physical bodies are wearing out, the inner man is being renewed daily. That’s a lot of “new” going on!
The point is simply this: Every day you wake up, God is at work in your life to make possible new things. Some of these new things you’ve never experienced before. They are new in the sense of time. Others compare to things you’ve experienced many times before, but they are new in the sense that they are renewed, made better, improved, better equipped, or simply made possible. You don’t have to wait for the New Year to show up. This is all happening to you, for you, and in you every moment you experience life.
I suppose New Year resolutions and goals could fit into our effort to participate in all this newness. Surely, there is something about the season that encourages these things. What I want you to see, though, is that each day the Lord blesses you with 24-hours worth of new. Then it starts over again the next day. Someone was once having one of those superb days of good health and great blessing. He said to his friend, “I feel like a new man!” In the truest sense, that’s us.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Friday, December 30, 2005
God With Us
God With Us
By Bill Denton
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, NASB95)
The true Christian religion ... does not begin at the top, as all other religions do; it begins at the bottom. You must run directly to the manger and the mother's womb, embrace this Infant and Virgin's Child in your arms, and look at Him--born, being nursed, growing up, going about in human society, teaching, dying, rising again, ascending above all the heavens, and having authority over all things. - Martin Luther in Lectures on Galatians. Christianity Today, Vol. 38, no. 14.
If you would like to do away with all the reservation, hesitation, and outright unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah, then start at his birth. Modern man has played down the meaning and implication of the doctrine of the Incarnation. Though we are seldom aware of it any more, the “Christmas” story is actually weighty doctrine. It is not, as many would have it, simply a pastoral manger scene suitable for a children’s play re-enactment, or for a drive-by “live” manger out in the church yard, complete with real sheep, a cow, and costumed shepherds and wise men. No, there is far more to the birth of Jesus than such scenes tend to convey.
When Jesus was born, he was as the Scriptures say, Emmanuel, “God with us.” If you get that one single point, if you understand that the baby born to Mary was God in the flesh of humanity, then you are prepared for all that follows. This child, though in every appearance, a human being like all the rest of us, was in every sense God as well. The mystery of the incarnation may still puzzle us, but once we accept this fundamental fact, the rest of the story of Jesus becomes completely understandable and acceptable.
Take the miracles of Jesus, as an example. Believing in a miracle worker is not easy, unless the miracle worker is God, and then miracles become easy to believe because of the one causing them to happen. Take Jesus’ offer to forgive sins. Now, who could do that except God alone, questioned the Jews, and us. Such a claim would be ridiculous, except for the fact that Jesus was the very one we acknowledge as possessing the power to forgive. Take his resurrection from the dead. Not only is resurrection from death completely unexpected, but according to the apostle Paul, it declares one more thing to us: Jesus was the Son of God. Start wherever you would like in the life of Jesus, and if you find it difficult to accept or believe, return to the stable where he was born and ask yourself, “Who was the child born to Mary?”
Once you settle the answer to that question, there is no more obstacle to belief. We do not have to wait for a man to become God, for God has already become man. All the power of divine grace, love and mercy found its grandest expression in that child. “God with us,” is the explanation we need. Rejoice at the birth of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, God in the flesh. Get this point you will then see God at work in that Jesus says and does.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Wednesday, December 14, 2005
CrossTies Devotional Article for December 11, 2005
CrossTies Radio on the Internet is already reaching people near home
and on the other side of the world! To listen, click on the following link.
Do us a favor and listen, then promote to your friends and family. Thanks!
http://www.live365.com/stations/bdenton
Or, listen to the audio version of this devotional article. Just click on the link below:
http://www.clickcaster.com/clickcast/list/400
The Indescribable Gift
By Bill Denton
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NASB95)
Your standard man, at this point in the Christmas season, has purchased zero gifts. He has not yet gotten around to purchasing an acceptable gift for his wife for last Christmas. He did give her something last year, but he could tell by her reaction to it that she had not been dreaming of getting an auto emergency kit, even though it was the deluxe model with booster cables and an air compressor. Clearly this gift violated an important rule, but the man had no idea what this rule was, and his wife was too upset to tell him.
Dave Barry, "Your Gift Is in the Male,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44760-2004Dec7.html (12-12-04)
Men are notorious gift-givers. OK, that may be a misleading statement, because Dave Barry probably has us men pegged accurately. We’re not all that great at buying gifts. We think we’re being practical, the person for whom we bought the gift thinks we’re nuts. When it comes to gift-giving, most of us men could use a little help.
I remember a time when I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday. She said, “Oh, nothing.” Now, being the very logical, practical person that I am, I took her at her word. When her birthday rolled around, there was no present. Let’s just say that I try not to make the same mistake any more. I read somewhere about a fellow who bought his wife a rain gauge for their anniversary. After all, being a farmer’s daughter, she often kept up with the weather. His gift is now one of the family jokes, and I suspect he shops with a different purpose now-a-days. I’ve heard all kinds of gift stories. Some of them make you scratch your head and wonder what in the world that guy was thinking about when he bought that. Others make you smile as you realize how well-intentioned the gift was, but how far off the mark it ended up. Some get the “Oh, no!” response as you realize the gift was really what the giver himself wanted. And, most of these stories are tales about men’s attempts at gift-giving.
Thankfully, not everyone is so gift-challenged. Plenty of wives have opened up a little black felt box and gasped at the sparkling gem inside. Or, they’ve opened the door and found one of those huge red bows topping a new car. Or, they opened a card to read a not-so-bad attempt at love poetry. There have been children shocked when Dad actually got that new bicycle or the pony. Occasionally, we men can come through with a great gift.
There is One who has come through with the greatest gift of all. When God sent His Son, Jesus into the world to die for our sins, and to rise from the dead to give hope of eternal life, it was the gift of all gifts. No gift-loaded Christmas tree has ever secreted a gift as loving, as desperately needed, as beautiful, or as magnificent. We may struggle to give appropriate gifts, but God has come through for us with a gift for all time, for all eternity. It’s an indescribable gift!
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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and on the other side of the world! To listen, click on the following link.
Do us a favor and listen, then promote to your friends and family. Thanks!
http://www.live365.com/stations/bdenton
Or, listen to the audio version of this devotional article. Just click on the link below:
http://www.clickcaster.com/clickcast/list/400
The Indescribable Gift
By Bill Denton
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NASB95)
Your standard man, at this point in the Christmas season, has purchased zero gifts. He has not yet gotten around to purchasing an acceptable gift for his wife for last Christmas. He did give her something last year, but he could tell by her reaction to it that she had not been dreaming of getting an auto emergency kit, even though it was the deluxe model with booster cables and an air compressor. Clearly this gift violated an important rule, but the man had no idea what this rule was, and his wife was too upset to tell him.
Dave Barry, "Your Gift Is in the Male,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44760-2004Dec7.html (12-12-04)
Men are notorious gift-givers. OK, that may be a misleading statement, because Dave Barry probably has us men pegged accurately. We’re not all that great at buying gifts. We think we’re being practical, the person for whom we bought the gift thinks we’re nuts. When it comes to gift-giving, most of us men could use a little help.
I remember a time when I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday. She said, “Oh, nothing.” Now, being the very logical, practical person that I am, I took her at her word. When her birthday rolled around, there was no present. Let’s just say that I try not to make the same mistake any more. I read somewhere about a fellow who bought his wife a rain gauge for their anniversary. After all, being a farmer’s daughter, she often kept up with the weather. His gift is now one of the family jokes, and I suspect he shops with a different purpose now-a-days. I’ve heard all kinds of gift stories. Some of them make you scratch your head and wonder what in the world that guy was thinking about when he bought that. Others make you smile as you realize how well-intentioned the gift was, but how far off the mark it ended up. Some get the “Oh, no!” response as you realize the gift was really what the giver himself wanted. And, most of these stories are tales about men’s attempts at gift-giving.
Thankfully, not everyone is so gift-challenged. Plenty of wives have opened up a little black felt box and gasped at the sparkling gem inside. Or, they’ve opened the door and found one of those huge red bows topping a new car. Or, they opened a card to read a not-so-bad attempt at love poetry. There have been children shocked when Dad actually got that new bicycle or the pony. Occasionally, we men can come through with a great gift.
There is One who has come through with the greatest gift of all. When God sent His Son, Jesus into the world to die for our sins, and to rise from the dead to give hope of eternal life, it was the gift of all gifts. No gift-loaded Christmas tree has ever secreted a gift as loving, as desperately needed, as beautiful, or as magnificent. We may struggle to give appropriate gifts, but God has come through for us with a gift for all time, for all eternity. It’s an indescribable gift!
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Monday, December 05, 2005
CrossTies Devotional Article for December 4, 2005
CrossTies Radio on the Internet is already reaching people near home
and on the other side of the world! To listen, click on the following link.
Do us a favor and listen, then promote to your friends and family. Thanks!
http://www.live365.com/stations/bdenton
Problems With Christmas
By Bill Denton
While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7, NASB95)
We often talk about the night before Christmas, but what do you think about on the morning after Christmas? I've been thinking about this wonderful thing called "the spirit of Christmas." Have you noticed it? Once a year toward the winter solstice, something odd happens. People's attitudes go through an annual change. People start talking about peace and goodwill. They go out of their way to give and forgive. Families get together. We call this different atmosphere "the spirit of Christmas." -- Stuart Briscoe, “Christmas 365 Days A Year,” PreachingToday.com
Depending on who is talking, you might hear several criticisms or problems with Christmas. As I see it, the problems revolved around three basic facts. Some think that to bring up these things we’re being negative or picky. Well, hold on, because that’s not true, but we do need to consider the three facts from which the problems spring.
The first is the date itself. At best, it’s an arbitrary date. The truth is that we just don’t know when Jesus was born. Some believe December 25 is a good guess, others think it’s considerably off. But, we need to avoid the extreme position of some people who do all they can to “uncelebrate” Jesus’ birth because they dislike the date. The more important fact is that he was born, and it’s not all that uncommon for us to pick arbitrary dates to celebrate a person’s birth. Focus on the essential truth here instead of the one nobody is going to resolve.
The second is the celebration itself. The Bible does not tell us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There is plenty of emphasis on celebrating his death in the Lord’s supper, but celebrating Jesus’ birth just isn’t there. Then again, how do we leave it out? You can’t get to his death without first getting to his birth. Not only that, but looking at the good news in Jesus, you will discover that everything about him revolves around five fundamental facts: the incarnation; the crucifixion; the resurrection; the ascension; and his return. The truth is that the incarnation of Jesus is what sets up all the others. Now, you can eliminate a birthday party if you want, but don’t go so far that you miss the essential truth of God come in the flesh that happened at his birth.
The third is quite different from the first two. They are more biblical or theological in nature. The third problem has more to do with the brevity of the celebration. Stuart Briscoe’s observation is right. When people begin thinking about the birth of Jesus, something happens to the “spirit” of the people. But, this may bring us to the greatest of all problems with Christmas: it’s too brief of a celebration. All the good-will is focused down on a week or two at the end of the year. Briscoe’s sermon goes on to bemoan the fleeting nature of the “spirit of Christmas,” and he’s right about that. What a difference it would be if Christ were our focus all year long.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Monday, November 28, 2005
CrossTies Devotional Article For November 27, 2005
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Until He Comes
By Bill Denton
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NASB95)
My cousin's daughter Kathy usually stays in children's church on Sunday mornings, but one Sunday she went with her parents to the regular adult service. When Communion was served, she turned to her mother and whispered loudly, "The snack in children's church is much better. And we get a lot more juice."
Elizabeth Charles Gomes, Wyncote, Penn., Today's Christian Woman, "Heart to Heart."
No one would harshly judge the immature words of a child who did not understand the meaning of the Lord’s supper. But, when adult believers demonstrate an immature understanding it should give us no comfort at all. The communion meal is a memorial pointing both back to the event that gives it meaning and forward to the event which is its intended goal.
Here’s what I mean. The broken bread reminds us of the body of Christ. The cup is the new covenant in the blood of Jesus. We take these in remembrance of Jesus. In other words, in the bread and in the fruit of the vine, we remember his body and his blood shed for us. The meaning of the supper is found in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Paul goes further, however, and says that when we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. That’s forward thinking, future oriented, pointing toward something that hasn’t happened yet. It is the goal of the cross Paul has in mind, and that involves our future. The supper does not only point to the past accomplishment of Jesus on the cross, it points ahead to what he died to accomplish.
Every time we gather around the Lord’s table, we ought to think in both directions. We think back to get the meaning. We think forward in order to understand the “so what” of the matter. Jesus died on the cross, a sacrifice to take away our sins. “So what?” He’s coming again, that’s what. Because he’s coming again, we proclaim again and again what he did.
Why is this so important? Not just so we don’t forget what Jesus did, but so we will also look forward to what he will yet do for us. The penalty for sin has been paid at the cross, but Jesus will return to gather to himself all those for whom he paid the price of his death. Every time you eat the bread and drink the wine, you proclaim what he did and point to what he will yet do.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Monday, November 21, 2005
CrossTies Devotional Article for November 20, 2005
Big Announcement!
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Eternally Grateful
By Bill Denton
“always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20, NASB95)
Lucy asks Charlie Brown to help with her homework. "I'll be eternally grateful," she promises.
"Fair enough. I've never had anyone be eternally grateful before," replied Charlie. "Just subtract 4 from 10 to get how many apples the farmer had left."
Lucy says, "That's it! That's it! I have to be eternally grateful for that? I was robbed! I can't be
eternally grateful for this, it was too easy!"
With his blank stare, Charlie replies, "Well whatever you think is fair."
"How about if I just say 'thanks, bro!'" replied Lucy.
On his way outside, Charlie meets Linus who asks, "Where've you been, Charlie Brown?"
"Helping Lucy with her homework."
Linus asks, "Did she appreciate it?"
Charlie answers, "At greatly reduced prices."
Charles Schultz, “Peanuts” cartoon strip.
At any given moment, have you ever felt that you might be ‘eternally grateful’ for something? Five minutes later, did the thought occur that ‘eternal’ gratitude might be a bit much? I think we may be more like Lucy than we’d like to admit.
Gratitude seems to be difficult for us. Sometimes it’s because we get to thinking that people owe us whatever they did, or whatever they gave us. Maybe it’s because we delude ourselves into thinking we deserve whatever we got, if it’s good and positive, that is. Whenever those thoughts intrude upon our minds, gratitude is left out. Sometimes, gratitude is embarrassing. We don’t like to look needy or helpless, and if we’re too grateful, it might make us look bad. So we think. The point is simply that expressing gratitude is tough.
Even salvation gets short-changed in the gratitude department. “Saved? Oh, yeah, right. Uh, sure. Thanks, Lord!” No, we might not actually say that, but it’s not far from the content of our thoughts. I’m convinced, however, that when it comes to actually living forever in heaven, and experiencing all the blessings of salvation, gratitude won’t get left out.
After all, the whole point of eternal life and a home in heaven is that sin and condemnation are dealt with and put away. It means we’ve been redeemed, sanctified and glorified. There is fellowship with Jesus and the Father. There is the company of saved who share in the heavenlies with us. There is the constant praise of God happening. You won’t be able to forget or ignore God’s love, mercy and grace for they will be ever-present in an obvious way.
Whatever else happens forever in heaven, of this one thing I’m sure: we’ll be eternally grateful. This Thanksgiving Day, put salvation at the top of your list of things to be thankful for.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Thursday, November 17, 2005
CrossTies Devotional Article for Nov 13, 2005
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A More Difficult Discipleship
By Bill Denton
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32, NASB95)
Today there are multitudes of men who are willing to give their minds to the Word of God to study it as an intellectual pursuit, to listen to what Jesus Christ has to say. And they may even submit themselves to the teaching and preaching of the Scriptures from an evangelical pulpit. But these people have made no response to that truth or to the person of Jesus Christ . . . . It is possible to approach the Word simply to have one’s intellect stirred, to do what the Athenians did —to listen to some new thing —without any relationship to the truth or without any impact of that truth on one’s life. Such a person may call himself a disciple, but on the authority of the Word of God, he is not. He is among the curious who sit to be titillated and tantalized without any response to the truth that is presented.
- Pentecost, J. D. (1996). Design for discipleship : Discovering God's blueprint for the Christian life. (Page 12).
For years, I’ve tried to get people to see that there is a difference between intellectual Christianity and real discipleship. I haven’t always been successful. Of course, one of the most difficult people to deal with has been myself! It’s easy to make discipleship only a mind game.
I do fear that we have neglected serious discipleship for a milder, less threatening catechism, and I realize I’m saying this largely to folks who don’t think they have a catechism! I think most of those folks are just unaware of reality. When a large part of your discipleship is spent learning how to regurgitate a specific list of doctrinal items, and when one’s standing in the “faith community” depends on the ability to provide appropriate answers, then this pretty much fits.
Of course, the other end of the spectrum is a disdain for “intellectualism,” at least that seems to be the substance of some people’s faith. They don’t seem to want to have to learn anything at all, but you know, it takes a pretty staunch mental effort to offer such a consistent resistance. Both extremes miss the target of real discipleship.
When it comes to following Jesus, there are some things to learn. You just can’t get around it. Jesus’ approach to people focused on teaching. He wanted to communicate some things that folks could wrap their minds around. But, Jesus didn’t offer just a mental or intellectual exercise. What Jesus taught was intended to change a person’s life. The sad thing is that you can miss either end of things. In other words, you can miss what Jesus taught or you can miss putting it to work in your life. Either way you miss it. Frankly, I think this was much of the problem of the Pharisees. They knew a lot. Then again, they had missed knowing a lot, too. Worse, what they knew, they didn’t put to into their lives to be changed by it. A disciple of Jesus must be a ‘learner’ and a ‘practitioner.’ Anything less won’t do. Freedom is in knowing the truth so that the living of life comes within the will of the Father. A real disciple wants to know, and wants to do.
© Copyright 2005, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Parents Impact The Lives Of Their Children
I am neither an expert on parenting, nor an expert parent. However, as a minister and a counselor, I have my share of work trying to help others wrestle their way through the very difficult task of being parents. Recently, our "Sermon Planning Committee" met to offer suggestions and help plan the third quarter 2005's sermons. I find this an excellent way to discover needs in our congregation, and to get input that helps shape my sermons so that they actually address current concerns, problems, questions, etc. Out of that meeting came a series of lessons on parenting. I'll share a few important points here.
1. The state and nature of your marriage will impact your kids. Parents need to get honest about what affects their children. Too many parents seem to think that the relationship between themselves, that is between the Mom and the Dad, somehow isn't something that greatly impacts their children. Wrong. Very wrong. Parents need to understand that children are affected greatly by whatever is happening in the relationship shared by the parents. Distant, angry, disconnected relationships that are going in different directions and do not demonstrate a solid unity are providing far greater impact on the children in that family than one might think. Parental example, agreement on discipline, family security, and a child's feeling of worth and importance are just a few of the things that are negatively impacted by their parents' relationship with one another. Moms and Dads need to consider seriously what they are teaching their kids and how they are affecting life through the state and nature of their marriage.
2. Children should not have to learn about marriage from people who act like children. Unfortunately, today's kids are learning all about marriage relationships from parents who exhibit woefully immature behavior. Anyone who has observed through the kitchen window a group of children playing in the yard might expect to see some immature behavior. One might expect to see them treat one another unfairly, to use hurtful language, to experience jealousy, or even to get into a fight. Stand in the yard and observe through the kitchen window a couple of parents inside the house and you might be surprised to see pretty much the same kind of behavior. Unfair treatment, hurtful language, jealousy, and (yes) fights are not uncommon in a lot of homes. Children are seeing these things, taking it all in, and it is giving them a terrible concept of what maturity ought to be, what a mature relationship ought to be. When they grow up, a lot of those children will resort to the same immature behavior they saw in their parents and repeat it in their own marriage.
3. Parents need to make liberal use of what I call the "Big Four." These are indispensible tools that can be used to provide the absolute best atmosphere in which children can grow into their own maturity.
A. The first is love. Parents need to love their children. It would be great if this were true, but if you will just observe parents with their children, you might get a different picture. Love is made up of several things. It is not just an emotion, though I would certainly encourage parents to "be in love with" their children on a deeply emotional level. Parenting calls for "agape" love. You can see this in 1 Corinthians 13. This love is not so much an emotion as it is an act of decision and will. It is doing what is right and best for a child regardless how you happen to feel at any given moment. Loving kids calls for words of love. I hate to say it, but sometimes when shopping, I've heard some of the most unloving words spoken to little kids by parents who are oblivious to the harm they are doing. Unkind, nasty, hateful, and even curse words are used to address and identify these children. Kids deserve better words than these. Loving touch is also needed. Children need safe, comforting arms to hold them. They need a tender hand to caress them. Babies who aren't held will fail to "thrive," something that can lead to death! Children are made to experience loving touch. Children also need the love of a parent's most valuable resource -- their time and personal involvement in the child's life.
B. The second and third go together simply because they are so often found together in scripture. Parents must grant grace and mercy to their children. Grace is getting what you don't deserve. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Anyone who has been a parent for a while understands that sometimes children need to get what they don't deserve and not get what they do deserve. Grace and mercy! You can learn the "grace and mercy lesson" from Hebrews 4:15-16. The passage tells us that we have confident access to God so that we can receive grace and mercy when we need it. I'd suggest we need it most when things have gone wrong, when we haven't been right or done right, when shame might otherwise cause us to hide our faces from the Father. But, because we have a great high priest who sympathizes with us, who understands what we're struggling with, he gives us access to grace so we can get what we don't deserve, and mercy so that we don't get what we do deserve. Parents need to remember what it was like to be a child. They need to sympathize because they know what it's like to face tough choices and to struggle with doing what is right. Because they remember what it was like, because they understand the fight their kids are in, they can be gracious and merciful.
C. Fourth, parents need to forgive their children. Go get your concordance out and just look up any number of passages on forgiveness in the New Testament. Read the ones that say we need to forgive so that we can be forgiven. Read the ones that tell you to forgive because you've been forgiven. Then ask yourself how those passages can be applied to everyone except our children. If you should forgive anyone, it ought to be your kids.
There's more to this series, so I'll try to post the additional information in a couple of weeks. Parenting is too important to take lightly. It's a huge job, with an enormous responsibility. One of the best things a parent can do is simply get real about the things that have a significant impact on their children's lives. Once aware, you're in a better position to do something positive about it.
1. The state and nature of your marriage will impact your kids. Parents need to get honest about what affects their children. Too many parents seem to think that the relationship between themselves, that is between the Mom and the Dad, somehow isn't something that greatly impacts their children. Wrong. Very wrong. Parents need to understand that children are affected greatly by whatever is happening in the relationship shared by the parents. Distant, angry, disconnected relationships that are going in different directions and do not demonstrate a solid unity are providing far greater impact on the children in that family than one might think. Parental example, agreement on discipline, family security, and a child's feeling of worth and importance are just a few of the things that are negatively impacted by their parents' relationship with one another. Moms and Dads need to consider seriously what they are teaching their kids and how they are affecting life through the state and nature of their marriage.
2. Children should not have to learn about marriage from people who act like children. Unfortunately, today's kids are learning all about marriage relationships from parents who exhibit woefully immature behavior. Anyone who has observed through the kitchen window a group of children playing in the yard might expect to see some immature behavior. One might expect to see them treat one another unfairly, to use hurtful language, to experience jealousy, or even to get into a fight. Stand in the yard and observe through the kitchen window a couple of parents inside the house and you might be surprised to see pretty much the same kind of behavior. Unfair treatment, hurtful language, jealousy, and (yes) fights are not uncommon in a lot of homes. Children are seeing these things, taking it all in, and it is giving them a terrible concept of what maturity ought to be, what a mature relationship ought to be. When they grow up, a lot of those children will resort to the same immature behavior they saw in their parents and repeat it in their own marriage.
3. Parents need to make liberal use of what I call the "Big Four." These are indispensible tools that can be used to provide the absolute best atmosphere in which children can grow into their own maturity.
A. The first is love. Parents need to love their children. It would be great if this were true, but if you will just observe parents with their children, you might get a different picture. Love is made up of several things. It is not just an emotion, though I would certainly encourage parents to "be in love with" their children on a deeply emotional level. Parenting calls for "agape" love. You can see this in 1 Corinthians 13. This love is not so much an emotion as it is an act of decision and will. It is doing what is right and best for a child regardless how you happen to feel at any given moment. Loving kids calls for words of love. I hate to say it, but sometimes when shopping, I've heard some of the most unloving words spoken to little kids by parents who are oblivious to the harm they are doing. Unkind, nasty, hateful, and even curse words are used to address and identify these children. Kids deserve better words than these. Loving touch is also needed. Children need safe, comforting arms to hold them. They need a tender hand to caress them. Babies who aren't held will fail to "thrive," something that can lead to death! Children are made to experience loving touch. Children also need the love of a parent's most valuable resource -- their time and personal involvement in the child's life.
B. The second and third go together simply because they are so often found together in scripture. Parents must grant grace and mercy to their children. Grace is getting what you don't deserve. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Anyone who has been a parent for a while understands that sometimes children need to get what they don't deserve and not get what they do deserve. Grace and mercy! You can learn the "grace and mercy lesson" from Hebrews 4:15-16. The passage tells us that we have confident access to God so that we can receive grace and mercy when we need it. I'd suggest we need it most when things have gone wrong, when we haven't been right or done right, when shame might otherwise cause us to hide our faces from the Father. But, because we have a great high priest who sympathizes with us, who understands what we're struggling with, he gives us access to grace so we can get what we don't deserve, and mercy so that we don't get what we do deserve. Parents need to remember what it was like to be a child. They need to sympathize because they know what it's like to face tough choices and to struggle with doing what is right. Because they remember what it was like, because they understand the fight their kids are in, they can be gracious and merciful.
C. Fourth, parents need to forgive their children. Go get your concordance out and just look up any number of passages on forgiveness in the New Testament. Read the ones that say we need to forgive so that we can be forgiven. Read the ones that tell you to forgive because you've been forgiven. Then ask yourself how those passages can be applied to everyone except our children. If you should forgive anyone, it ought to be your kids.
There's more to this series, so I'll try to post the additional information in a couple of weeks. Parenting is too important to take lightly. It's a huge job, with an enormous responsibility. One of the best things a parent can do is simply get real about the things that have a significant impact on their children's lives. Once aware, you're in a better position to do something positive about it.
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