Read: James 2:19-27
But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 2:22
Back in 1976, when I was a senior in high school, my computer science professor predicted a crisis in the year 2000 (Y2K for short). Even back then, he said that too many people were programming years with just two digits, ostensibly because it saved space, but really because it was easier. In such a system, the year 2000 would be represented as "00". So, in the year 2000 someone born in the year 1959 would be, in the anthropomorphic eyes of the computer, negative 59 years old instead of 41. This could cause problems with billing, with social security payments, electrical switching problems, and even make the air traffic control system fail. Mr. Cumberland said, “If any of you use only two digits, I hope you lose everything in the year 2000, because it’s going to be all your fault.”
Y2K has come and gone without all the dire predictions coming true—but only because tens of billions of dollars were spent to fix the problem. How did we get into this mess and others like it? Why do we mess up our lives by taking the easy way out? The answer is simple—we are lazy. We know to do right and yet we don't do it. We have been told how to avoid problems, but refuse to do what it takes. Why? Two simple self-deceptions: (1) we think a little less effort now won't matter down the road; or (2) we believe that we'll be willing to deal with the consequences later.
God knows us better than that. He wants us to obey His Word, not just because it does Him good, but because it's the best way for us to live. The Holy Spirit said through James, “If you don't do what you hear, you are just lying to yourself!” Our present actions impact future events in ways we may never know until it is too late. A small omission today could cause big problems later in your life or in the lives of others. Challenge yourself to not take the easy way out. Take every opportunity to obey God's commands.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Whose Finger are You Holding Onto?
Read: Joshua 23:1-16
“Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.”
Joshua 23:7-8
When my father was four years old, he went with his father to the local town fair. As they made their way through the imposing, noisy crowd, he held onto my grandfather’s index finger so he wouldn’t get lost. They walked through the animal exhibits, the new tractors, and the garden and flower shows without incident. However, when they reached the midway, with the ice cream, cotton candy, games, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other rides, it was just too much for him. He let go of his daddy’s finger and ran over to one of the booths to get a better look.
After satisfying his curiosity, he grew afraid. He thought he felt his daddy’s presence next to him and reached up to grab the finger—but the finger kept pulling away. Looking up in despair, he saw that the finger belonged not to his daddy, but to a stranger! Immediately he ran out to the parking lot and found the family car, where he was later reunited with his father.
How often do we let the things of the world distract us and let go of God’s finger? Then when we need help, we try to grasp onto the first thing we can, only to find out it is powerless to rescue us? Run back to God, hold tightly to him, and don’t let go. And if you do let go, remember that he’s always there to take you back. After all, he sent his only Son to die for you so that you could be his child and He, your daddy.
“Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.”
Joshua 23:7-8
When my father was four years old, he went with his father to the local town fair. As they made their way through the imposing, noisy crowd, he held onto my grandfather’s index finger so he wouldn’t get lost. They walked through the animal exhibits, the new tractors, and the garden and flower shows without incident. However, when they reached the midway, with the ice cream, cotton candy, games, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other rides, it was just too much for him. He let go of his daddy’s finger and ran over to one of the booths to get a better look.
After satisfying his curiosity, he grew afraid. He thought he felt his daddy’s presence next to him and reached up to grab the finger—but the finger kept pulling away. Looking up in despair, he saw that the finger belonged not to his daddy, but to a stranger! Immediately he ran out to the parking lot and found the family car, where he was later reunited with his father.
How often do we let the things of the world distract us and let go of God’s finger? Then when we need help, we try to grasp onto the first thing we can, only to find out it is powerless to rescue us? Run back to God, hold tightly to him, and don’t let go. And if you do let go, remember that he’s always there to take you back. After all, he sent his only Son to die for you so that you could be his child and He, your daddy.
Monday, December 29, 2008
"Is it not a little one?"
READ: Genesis 19:15-22
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one. Oh, let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." Genesis 19:20
I sometimes used to ask, “Can't I have a piece of candy before supper? It's just a little one.” My father would respond with Lot's question, “Is it not a little one?” and launch into the following story.
After living in Sodom for years, Lot is confronted by two angels and told to flee into the wilderness while God destroys the city. Lot retorts that he will die if he does so and insists that he must flee to a small city—“is it not a little one?” God reluctantly agrees that Lot may go. But it is at great cost to Lot, because there, his wife became a pillar of salt. And there, he continued his rebellion against God.
How often do we excuse a sin with “is it not a little one?” Alcoholics: can you take just one little drink? Lusters: can you flirt just one time with a person of the opposite sex? Overeaters: can you just eat one small dessert off your diet? Procrastinators (like me): can you put off working on that project just one more day? Or maybe it’s not even a “sin” as we usually define it. Maybe it’s just little distractions (like TV, video games, reading, or golf) that end up sapping our time so we are unable to do the important tasks that God has for us.
God knows our weaknesses. Let's take them to Him and remember that we need to flee temptation of the sin that so easily keeps us from doing His will. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we can handle such a “little one.”
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one. Oh, let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." Genesis 19:20
I sometimes used to ask, “Can't I have a piece of candy before supper? It's just a little one.” My father would respond with Lot's question, “Is it not a little one?” and launch into the following story.
After living in Sodom for years, Lot is confronted by two angels and told to flee into the wilderness while God destroys the city. Lot retorts that he will die if he does so and insists that he must flee to a small city—“is it not a little one?” God reluctantly agrees that Lot may go. But it is at great cost to Lot, because there, his wife became a pillar of salt. And there, he continued his rebellion against God.
How often do we excuse a sin with “is it not a little one?” Alcoholics: can you take just one little drink? Lusters: can you flirt just one time with a person of the opposite sex? Overeaters: can you just eat one small dessert off your diet? Procrastinators (like me): can you put off working on that project just one more day? Or maybe it’s not even a “sin” as we usually define it. Maybe it’s just little distractions (like TV, video games, reading, or golf) that end up sapping our time so we are unable to do the important tasks that God has for us.
God knows our weaknesses. Let's take them to Him and remember that we need to flee temptation of the sin that so easily keeps us from doing His will. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we can handle such a “little one.”
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