Reading through Success Magazine a few years ago, I stumbled upon a study that answered a few questions, but caused more than it answered. The study mentioned one factor was considered more than others when someone would attend a funeral.
This one factor would determine if someone attended the funeral of a close friend, or even a family member. One factor alone was the determining factor. This one factor was…the weather.
The major factor determining whether to attend the funeral of someone was not the relationship, or the physical presence supporting the family, but the weather. I am not sure what you might consider factors for attending a funeral or not, but does the weather become the decision maker?
When I read this, I immediately thought of church services. Preachers have a way of turning every thought religious at some point, and this one made me consider church services. Sometimes making it to services because of extreme weather is difficult, but the article in Success Magazine was not referring to extreme weather, just simple rain.
In his book, Pepper ‘n Salt, Vance Havner wrote, “My father was faithful to the house of God. When he felt like it and when he didn’t, when the preaching was good and when it wasn’t, my father was there.
Whether the weather be good
Or whether the weather be hot,
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be not,
Whatever the weather, he weathered the weather,
Whether he liked it or not.
Mr. Havner’s words reflect the life his father lived and how his father stayed committed to following God.
Are we committed to our relationship with God over the weather?
Are there things other than weather that keep us away from the Lord?
Belief is a tough word because many think it only occurs in one’s mind. However, when a person believes, you can see their belief in their actions. James said to be “doers of the words and not hearers only.” (James 1.22)
Remember that Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7.16)
So, how do you know what someone believes?
Consider the life of Richard Wurmband. Richard spent 14 years in prison because of his faith in Christ. Three of those 14 years were spent in solitary confinement. During those years, Richard was tortured, but his faith never left. It is interesting to note that Richard had once been a strong non-believer, but he changed. His new life and choice was to tell as many people as he could about Jesus. After being released from prison, Richard Wurmbrand wrote a book containing this quote, “A man really believes not what is recited in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for.”1
Jesus calls for His followers to let their lights shine. (Matthew 5.14-16) Each person whose light is shining allows others to see God. Your belief and conviction in God are clearly seen in your actions.
Do you believe?
Just some thoughts,
1 – Tortured For Christ, Richard Wurmbrand, 50th Anniversary Edition, 2017, p.83
As rocks fell upon the body of the preacher Stephen, standing close was one holding the coats of the stone throwers who agreed with the death sentence of a preacher of God. His name…Saul. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees and held to the law, blameless. It was this Saul who, just a little later, would carry documents to Damascus, allowing him to put Christians in jail; perhaps to meet the same sentence as Stephen.
Sometimes it might be hard to believe it was this same man Saul who would, in a short period, start speaking to the Christians as one of their own. The Christians even had a hard time believing it. Why would a staunch Pharisee convert to Christianity? How could he leave behind everything he believed and live as a Christian? The answer was simple…Jesus.
You know of Saul’s discussion with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 and his baptism in Acts 9.18, but do you remember his words in 1 Timothy 1.15 – “the chief of sinners.” Saul, later to be called Paul, carried a burden with him because of his past. Even though he might have carried this burden, he knew that living in the past was not his purpose. His purpose was to continue to run to the race to receive the prize (Philippians 3.12-14).
Paul knew that focusing on the past would steer one off the track of righteousness. Jesus had spoken of this in Luke 9.62. We need to remember this as Christians, focus on the prize ahead not on the events behind. Colossians 3.2 tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.”
Let us strive, as Paul did, to press onto the prize of Jesus Christ.
Just some thoughts,
The apostle Peter is usually known for two things:
(1) putting his foot in his mouth quite often and
(2) delivering the sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
Those two events in Peter’s life are his most well-known, but also a testimony to his personal growth.
Peter followed Christ after his brother Andrew brought him to see Jesus (John 1.41-42). Who knew that fisherman from a small town in Galilee would follow the Messiah for three years, open his mouth too soon, yet stand before other followers of Jesus and deliver a message which would, through the power of God, convert over 3,000 people from the beginning. (Acts 2.41)
Who knew?
I believe God knew. God knew that one person had the power to share a message and convert others. Jesus knew. From their first meeting, Jesus called Peter “Cephas” which means rock. Whether it is a look into Peter’s character or his firmness in his beliefs, we know that the word “rock” would mean greater things as the years went on. (Note Matthew 16.16-18)
What caused such growth in Peter? What caused Peter to go from being a fisherman to a gospel preacher? What allowed Peter to go from an open mouth to preaching from an open heart?
Peter was not a PH.D. candidate, nor was he a theological scholar, yet the Jewish leaders noticed something about his life. They noticed that this “uneducated, common” man had been with Jesus. (Acts 4.13)
Because Peter spent time with Jesus, people saw his boldness and his life. Spending time with Jesus not only changed Peter’s life, but it will change your life.
How can you spend time with Jesus? Open his words and spend time with His followers being encouraged together.
Just a thought,
In a few more weeks, Lord willing, calendars will move from 2023 to 2024. Another year has come and gone. Its days have hurried by. For many, the days of 2023 seem like they just started; for others, they are ready for a new year to begin.
A new year brings a time to live better. As some say before, “you cannot go back and start a new beginning, but you can start today and create a new ending.” Through the blessings of God, each one of us can begin a new year with a clean slate.
How will you begin 2024?
- Will you read your Bible all the way through? It is the word of God that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalms 119.105)
- Will you practice a pure religion? James says a pure religion is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction. (James 1:27)
- Will you attend services to build one another up? The Hebrews writer encourages us to stir one another up to love and good works by being together. (Hebrews 10.24-25)
- Will you let your light shine brighter in 2024? The world, in all its chaos, will try to do better at the beginning of next year. Many people make those resolutions, and we can be a shining light in the world. (Matthew 5.14-16; Philippians 2.14-15)
I love that God sees fit, despite our craziness, to give us days upon this earth. They are times spent with family, friends, working and doing whatever else our hands find to do. Looking back on our lives, I am sure that each of us will agree that we have been blessed.
How will you bless others with the blessings that God has given you this upcoming year?
Just some thoughts,
By the time you read this, the first few days of December have already passed by and the others are coming quickly. I am never sure if it is just the time of the year with all the holidays or the face that I am getting a little older, but the time seems to move more quickly at the end of each year. This quick passage of time reminds me of the inspired words of James, “For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4.14, ESV)
God must have a place in our time on earth. Without God, there would be no time. Be sure your life is not so busy making a living that you forget to live for eternity. The parable of the Rich Fool is a great reminder of how we use our time. The rich fool, amid gathering possessions, made no place for God.
One night, the rich man’s soul was required of him by the Creator of time. (Luke 12.16-23)
Are you making time for God?
Christians must remember that time is a gift. Realizing that God has given each person a gift of time can make or break the way they handle their time. For instance, remember each day is filled with 24 hours, or 1,440 minutes, or even 86,400 seconds. Do we handle our time well in His sight? Remember Ephesians 5.15-16.
Christians must remember our time in the place they are is for a greater purpose. I am a firm believer that wherever you are in life, at whatever time, you are there for a reason. Your time in this life is something of noble purpose. For instance, notice the verses below,
“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4.13-14, ESV)
Mordecai encourages Esther to take action because of her position in the time they were living. Reread the story of Esther and notice her place and the purpose she was able to live.
Christians must remember their time involves other people. There are certain people in this world who are always late. It might never occur to them when they are late. They show that your time does not matter. Be considerate of others and at least call ahead when you are going late. Remember that your time also needs to be one of service to your fellow man. Consider verses like Galatians 6.10 and Romans 12.9-21.
Also remember this verse from Philippians: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2.4, ESV)
A Christian’s time is important for many reason other than those listed above. Even Solomon, in all of his wisdom, riches and position as king, reflected on how life passes quickly in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Allow me to offer some suggestions on maximizing our time (spiritually).
- Commit to one of these for a month and see if you grow spiritually.
- Get up 15 minutes earlier and spend part of that time in prayer.
- Go to bed 15 minutes later and spent part of the time praying with/for your family.
- Encourage one person a day (send a card, email, phone call).
- Read one Psalm a day.
- Buy the Bible on CD and listen to it in your car—Build knowledge while driving.
