Galatians419

Who Would You Be Surprised to See in Heaven?

2012-02-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Matthew 23:13-14

Who would you be surprised to see in Heaven? A murderer? A Mormon? A child abuser? Your mother-in-law? That bully from junior high? Who would make you look twice inside the pearly gates?

Who’s going to look twice at you?

Every person on the earth is sinful, and every sin has consequences, both temporal and eternal. Forgiveness doesn’t release anyone from state prison. If you do the crime, you will do the time. This is justice.

But, Heaven is another story. None of us are good enough to deserve Heaven – not even good people like you and me. We’ve all failed God in some way and thus became God’s enemy. But, nobody has to stay on the wrong side of God.

There are sins so heinous that we can’t imagine the offender making it to Heaven. We can thank God that we don’t struggle with these particular sins. Yet, to God all sin is heinous, even ours.

The only solution for broken lives is God’s grace. Only through God’s mercy, which is really His pity for us, does anyone find forgiveness and salvation. If grace is good for some, but not for others, then we should all feel insecure about that.

God’s grace is sufficient for every person on the planet. Everyone God calls will be saved – regardless of what He has called them out of.

So, what about Mormons? With any religious group the two key questions are: (1) What is their source of truth? And (2) What do they hold as their means of salvation? Everyone who believes in the truth of God’s Word, the Bible, and trusts solely in Jesus Christ for their salvation by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9) will enter God’s Kingdom.

People in regular, Bible-believing churches who haven’t surrendered their hearts and lives to Christ won’t make Heaven. But, everyone who confesses with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believes in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead will be saved (Romans 10:8-9). That is the only criteria for entrance into Heaven. Anyone else’s rules don’t apply.

Who do you find yourself steering clear of, even at church? Would you be uncomfortable having a cup of coffee with any other believer? What backgrounds do you have difficulty relating to? Could your actions be keeping someone from finding their Savior? That’s a hard thought.

Pray for the folks who just came to mind. Pray that God will open your heart toward them – not in a naïve way, but in a loving way. Ask God to help you see that person as He sees them.

Once upon a time, someone saw what God could do in your life and introduced you to Him. What would the lives of those around you look like if they belonged to Jesus?

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Plagiarizing God’s Word

2012-02-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:8-12

The best preaching is plagiarism. What we say and what we do should be lifted directly from the pages of Scripture. While creativity in expressing ourselves is a God-given gift, what we say and how we live our lives should be a reflection of God’s Truth.

Now, this passage should be read in the context of the wishes of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, or else things could get weird in a hurry. What if my kids stopped calling me “Dad” because of Jesus’ words here and began to call me “Allen”? That’s not where Jesus is going with this.

The titles of master, teacher and rabbi were high honors for these religious leaders. They prided themselves in their position. They needed an ego boost to keep their insecurities at bay.

By referring to God Himself as our Master, Teacher and Rabbi, Jesus cuts out the middle man. Our goal in life shouldn’t be to seek honor for ourselves or give honor to insecure people to merely prop up their egos. All we need is The Master and The Teacher.

Now God has called all of His people to ministry in various roles (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4). While most believers have a day job, a few are blessed with full-time church work. But, the Kingdom of God isn’t built on a pyramid or an org chart.

The greatest in God’s Kingdom on earth is Jesus. Yet, the Greatest became the least by offering Himself as a sacrifice for all of our sins. Beneath the derelict on skid row, one level down from the prostitute, underneath the oppressors and slave holders in this world went Jesus to save them, and us, from all of our sins.

The nature of the church is to serve each other. Rewards will come later in Heaven. Honors will be given on the other side. But, on this side, our role is to serve.

At this point in your life, what task do you feel is beneath you? What do you feel that you deserve? How are these thoughts and feelings getting in the way of God using you? God elevates the humble and demotes the proud. You have to go down to go up.

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The Secrets of Insecure Leaders

2012-02-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

Matthew 23:5-7

Insecure people can be both dangerous and obnoxious. Believe me, I know. At times, I am one.

People who seem so full of themselves prove to be rather empty. They want to be the center of attention because this helps to validate who they are. They need other people to think well of them, because they think so little of themselves.

This was the case with the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They narrowed down God’s Law to manageable requirements. No human being could perfectly obey the Law, so the bar had to be lowered at least to the level where they qualified as righteous.

But, think about these religious leaders. They had no assurance of their salvation like believers today. Theirs was a religion of externals – sacrifices and synagogues. They fulfilled the mechanics of religion but lacked a personal relationship with God. They lived in a cycle of sin and sacrifice, then sin again. Grace was lacking. Peace was scarce. Guilt and shame were plentiful.

They presented themselves as more than who they really were. They cast the shadow of the Great and Powerful Oz, yet they were merely men hiding behind a curtain.

Insecure people often appear larger than life. What they present to the world often seems unreal – probably because it’s fake.

People driven by insecurity don’t believe the truth about themselves. They don’t see themselves as God sees them. God loves every insecure person on the planet. We are important to Him. He designed us for a purpose. Where we feel inadequate, He makes us adequate.

When do you feel tempted to present yourself as someone you are not? What assumptions do you allow people to keep? When someone criticizes, what place does that take you to?

You are enough. God made you to be you. He has equipped you with both strengths and weaknesses to fulfill your purpose on this earth. Yes, I said “weaknesses.” More people will relate to your failures than to your successes.

Don’t allow the devil or anyone else, including you, to poison your thoughts and convince you that you are worthless. When you hit the wall and don’t know what to do next, cry out to God: “I can’t make this work. I don’t know what to do. I need you to help me.” And, God always will.

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[Weekly Digest] Galatians419 Devotionals for week of 2/12/2012

2012-02-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed anything this week...

Don't Go There

By Allen White

“Nothing is certain, but death and taxes,” so the old saying goes. I wonder if that quote got its start in this verse. The Pharisees challenged Jesus on his view of taxes, while the Sadducees went after him on death and resurrection. In general, these are things we all think about at times. Read more...

If You Don’t Do Anything Else, Do This

By Allen White

In the tag team match of trying to tie Jesus up with His own words, the Pharisees pick up where the Sadducees failed. If they could only catch Jesus in a twisted Scripture, they would have the justification they felt they needed. But, not only does this tactic backfire, it also produces one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture. Read more...

The Truth About Pastors

By Allen White

Over the years, I’ve known quite a number of pastors. Some whose churches I attended. Some I worked for. And, hundreds I’ve consulted with and coached over the years. While I’ve never met a pastor who was quite as despicable as the Pharisees, not one of them was perfect either. Read more...

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The Truth About Pastors

2012-02-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23:1-4

Pastors are people. They are not cut from a different clothe. They just have a different calling from the rest. Most are sincere, godly people. Many are broken and complex. All of them are sinful and weak, just like everybody else.

I learned early on in ministry to look at Jesus as my example, because people will always disappoint you. Even good people have bad days.

I’ve often wondered why God doesn’t call better people. Even when you look in the Bible, Abraham lied. Moses murdered. David, well, you know David. Can’t God do better than this?

The reality is all God has to work with are sinful, fallen people who depend on His grace to survive spiritually. God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called, which is a good thing, because I’m one of those pastor people too.

While the Pharisees didn’t apply the truth of God’s Word to their lives, they taught the truth of God’s Word. Jesus instructed people to hear the truth of God’s Word and follow the teaching, but not to follow their example.

Now, I’m not trying to set up some sort of moral loophole for pastors who have lost all credibility. The Pharisees were not highly regarded, but God’s Word should always be highly regarded. While it is difficult to follow a leader who doesn’t allow God’s Word to transform his life, it’s not impossible to be transformed yourself.

Every one of us, pastor or not, has areas of our lives we need to continually surrender to God. We have broken places that need healing. We have sinned and need to seek forgiveness from God and others.

But, we all have the truth of God’s Word. Rather than getting caught up in following a personality or depending on someone else’s spirituality, we need to hear the truth of God’s Word regardless of who’s communicating it.

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If You Don’t Do Anything Else, Do This

2012-02-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40

What’s the greatest commandment? Jesus says the first and greatest commandment is to love God with our whole being: heart, soul, mind and other places mention strength. God wants our devotion through our thoughts, our feelings, our will, and our actions.

When it comes to thoughts, most believers are educated well beyond their level of obedience. We know the Bible. We’ve heard teaching. We’ve memorized Scripture. But, how has God’s Word transformed our lives?

I was talking to a pastor the other day about a series he’s starting on the “One Anothers” of Scripture – Love one another, Forgive one another, Greet one another with a holy kiss – you know the verses. He has a lot of scientists and engineers in his church. If someone says, “Well, it’s not rocket science.” In that church, it actually is.

We were talking about the outcomes for the series. If people simply studied and memorized the “One Anothers,” we agreed this would be a failure. But, to take Christ’s words to heart and actually begin to practice the “One Anothers” – there we would see success.

That may seem like such a simplistic, ridiculous example, yet how many of us have read Colossians 3:13 and continue to harbor bitterness and resentment in our hearts toward someone. It’s not so simple after all.

Jesus added a second commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” How do we love ourselves? By making sure our needs are met for starters. Who do we know whose needs aren’t met? They don’t have adequate food or shelter. Maybe they don’t have anyone to talk to. Maybe they need someone to believe in them. How can you love that person like you love yourself?

This passage, known as the Great Commandment, is Jesus saying to us, “If you don’t do anything else, love God with everything you have and love other people as much as you love yourself.” If we can get those two things down, the rest is easy.

As you think about these verses today, what do you need to surrender to God? What thought popped into your head? Now, don’t get discouraged if what you need to do seems impossible. Ask God to help you. He always will.

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Don't Go There

2012-02-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.

“Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Matthew 22:15-33

The political climate of the day was not in favor of paying taxes to the Roman government. In fact, Jews who collected taxes for the Romans viewed as among the worst of sinners in many people’s opinions.

If the Pharisees could get Jesus to advocate paying taxes, they could turn the crowd against Him. If they could get Him to rebel against Roman taxation, then they had Him there too. But, Jesus was no ordinary human. He knew what they were thinking.

Jesus’ answer is simple and poetic: “If it belongs to Caesar, give it to Caesar. If it belongs to God, give it to God.” It’s the perfect answer.

Then the Sadducess, who didn’t actually believe in the resurrection of the dead, challenged Jesus on a hypothetical about the resurrection. How dumb did they think He was?

Again, Jesus gives a simple and direct answer: nobody is married in Heaven. The point was moot. End of discussion.

The Pharisees and Sadducees weren’t looking for the truth. They were looking for a fight. Jesus knew better than to even go there.

Is there someone in your life who will say and do things just to get you worked up? They aren’t happy until they get a rise out of you. If they can make you angry, then they know they can control you.

How do you deal with a person who just seems against you? Looking at Jesus example, we start with kindness. Jesus didn’t avoid them. He responded in a kind way.

But, the other thing we learn from Jesus is not to play their game. While we may not have the perfect thing to say in every situation, we can choose just not to go there. It’s not worth it.

Who do you dread being around? What relationships are difficult for you? Invite God into that conversation, not in a public or dramatic way, but in a whispered prayer. Let God direct the situation and say as little as possible.

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[Weekly Digest] Galatians419 Devotionals for week of 2/5/2012

2012-02-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed something this week:

Christian Athiests

By Allen White

Back in Bible college, we would often be called to moments of commitment in our chapel services. Usually those appeals would go like this, “Everyone who will commit to pray for this missionary every day, please rise to your feet.”

My friends would hop to their feet. I would sit in my chair. Scornfully, my friends would whisper, “You’re not going to pray for this missionary?”

I would whisper back, Read more...

God’s Unfair Labor Practices

By Allen White

In this day and age, a parable like this doesn’t make any sense. If we owned a vineyard and sent an employee to check on it, only to discover the employee was killed by the tenant, we’d call the police. We’d have them arrested. We would throw them out immediately. But, this was no ordinary vineyard. Read more...

How Do You Know Who’s Going to Heaven?

By Allen White

This parable aims at a hard truth – not everyone will make it to Heaven. Even among those who traffic in church circles -- not all of them belong to God. How do you know? How do you know who’s in and who’s out?

Some guests were invited to the banquet, but they were distracted by other things. Their business and their interests kept them from the party.

Others were invited, but were actually resistant to the invitation. Their response was met with severe punishment.

Then others, who prior to Jesus’ day, were never invited to the party suddenly received invitations. Who let them in? God did.

We can see from this parable that God’s people, Abraham’s descendents, who rejected Jesus, also refused entrance into God’s Kingdom. They may yet change their minds. Read more...

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How Do You Know Who’s Going to Heaven?

2012-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

Some guests were invited to the banquet, but they were distracted by other things. Their business and their interests kept them from the party.

Others were invited, but were actually resistant to the invitation. Their response was met with severe punishment.

Then others, who prior to Jesus’ day, were never invited to the party suddenly received invitations. Who let them in? God did.

We can see from this parable that God’s people, Abraham’s descendents, who rejected Jesus, also refused entrance into God’s Kingdom. They may yet change their minds.

The next invitations went out to Gentiles. This would include most of us who are Christians today. We are not the natural born children of Abraham, but spiritually we are part of God’s family.

Then, there’s the poor guy who was wearing the wrong clothes. Was grandma right? Do we need to wear our Sunday best instead of our Sunday whatever to church?

The correct attire for this party is God’s righteousness that only comes through our relationship with Christ. We can’t earn it on our own. In fact, our futile attempts amount to garbage (Philippians 3:8). This man was wearing the filthy rags of his righteous deeds instead of the pure righteousness of Christ.

Admission to God’s party comes only through accepting His invitation. Not everyone who’s invited will come. That’s unfortunate. God paid the ultimate price by sending His Son to save us. Those who reject God’s gift will not make it to Heaven. God desires to forgive everyone for all of their sins, yet there are some who cling to their sins rather than to Christ.

Who needs to be invited to the party? God has an open invitation. Maybe invite them to church with you next Sunday. Maybe serve them in some way to show them the love of Christ. Definitely pray for them, before you do anything else. You never know who just might show up at God’s party.

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God’s Unfair Labor Practices

2012-02-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus had a way with words. He used stories to teach the truth. His method was brilliant. Everyone loves a good story. They capture our attention. They keep our interest. Then once everyone was listening, Jesus made His point.

These wicked tenants were the religious leaders. Over the centuries, they had killed God’s prophets, and soon they would kill God’s Son. They knew who He was talking about.

The Kingdom of God belongs to those who produce its fruit, not those who feel they deserve God’s Kingdom for whatever reason. The religious leaders felt their position entitled them to the things of God. Their history, their pedigree, their education and reputation put them first in line, at least in their own minds.

But, people who feel they deserve actually de-serve when it comes to God’s work. They have rights to be catered to. They also have no biblical basis for feeling they have rights to anything.

“But, I am a founding member.” “I was baptized at an early age.” “My family has been in this church for generations.” The question God might be asking is “What have you done for Me lately?”

Whether you’ve been a Christian for forty years or forty days, the key to God’s Kingdom is humility. What we try to produce for God amounts to nothing, but what God creates through our lives counts for everything.

Where are you tempted to rest on your laurels spiritually? What do you feel you might deserve from God or from the church? What is beneath you? God has far more for you than what you could ever dream up. But it takes a humble heart and an open hand to receive it.

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Christian Atheists

2012-02-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28-32

My friends would hop to their feet. I would sit in my chair. Scornfully, my friends would whisper, “You’re not going to pray for this missionary?”

I would whisper back, “I probably will, but you won’t pray for him every day.” By the next week, we’d all forgotten the poor missionary’s name.

Most of us desire to be better than what we are. We aspire to be good husbands/wives, parents, employers/employees, and most of all children of God. We aspire to a lot. But, what counts is not who we hope we are or even who we say we are. What matters is who we really are, and what God is doing in our lives.

In God’s economy, the redeemed lives of the worst of sinners have far more Kingdom potential than the well-educated, overly articulate folks who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. Better to shut up and do nothing, than over-promise and under-deliver. What’s better still is to promise nothing and then deliver anyway.

If we say we believe in the power of prayer, how often do we pray? If we say we believe God will provide for our needs according to His riches in glory, how much do we worry? If we say God’s grace is sufficient, how much do we beat ourselves up over things in the past that we can do nothing about?

What we do is what we actually believe. Not what we say we believe. Not what we think we believe. But, what we actually do.

If believers profess to a creed, then don’t live it out, we are essentially what Craig Groeschel calls in his book, Christian Atheist. We say we believe in God, but we act like we don’t.

If you believe in the power of prayer, then stop and pray right now. If you believe God will provide, then ask for God’s peace every time you start to worry. If you’re continually dogged by regrets, ask God to cleanse your mind. Devour God’s Word and hear the Truth about who God thinks you are.

When someone asks for a commitment on the spur of the moment, the easiest and best answer is “No” or maybe “I’ll think about it.” Unless your actions can commit to a “Yes,” you’ll only make a mess.

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Weekly & Monthly Digest for Week of January 29, 2012

2012-02-03T06:06:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed something this week. Below are the top posts for January 2012.

Is God Calling You to do Something Ridiculous?

By Allen White

It’s interesting that a prophesied event starts with a donkey-jacking. Jesus instructs His disciples to find a specific donkey and colt and to bring the animals to Him. If anybody asks, they are to say the Lord needs them. “The Son of God has requisitioned your beasts.” Read more...

Anger Management

By Allen White

It’s hard to grasp the reality that Jesus is both God and man. He’s not half and half, but fully God and fully man. If we tend to think of Him as more one than the other, we enter into heresy.

I used to think Jesus could do all of the miracles He did because He is God. He lived a perfect life because of His Deity. How could I compete with that?

Yet everything Jesus did was directed by His Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We can relate to that. Read more...

When to Just Save Your Breath

By Allen White

If everyone believed the sun revolved around the earth, how could you convince them otherwise? If everyone believed the world was flat, how could you prove it’s actually round? After all, that moon landing was just staged in Hollywood, right?

It’s clear the religious leaders didn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God. In fact, if He admitted to that status, then His arrest and punishment would be easily justified. Blasphemy was the highest offense. Read more...

When to Just Save Your Breath

2012-02-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus, of course, knew where they were going with all of this. So, rather than giving them an answer they wouldn’t accept, He asked a question which would expose their intention.

Was John’s baptism of divine or human origin? An honest answer would foil their plot to expose Jesus, so they gave a political answer: “We don’t know. We can’t recall. We can neither confirm nor deny…”

Since the religious leaders couldn’t agree on a starting point with Jesus, He didn’t answer their question either. The events leading up to His arrest, crucifixion and resurrection where “scheduled” in God’s plan in relation to Passover week. This wasn’t the time.

Often we encounter people who see things from a completely different angle and in some cases maybe a different planet or plane of reality. (Often, we’re related to these folks.) Reasoning from your point of view seems to go nowhere.

In order to communicate your point, you have to understand where they’re coming from (or at least try). Unless you can engage them from their point of view, then the conversation is, well, pointless.

When I take my car to a mechanic, my explanation about what’s going on with my car often involves the word “thing.” The thing that makes the thing work isn’t working. Fortunately, my mechanic understands my novice terminology, identifies the problem, and fixes it. Or, at a minimum, he does something I’m not aware of and gives me a big bill.

Unbelievers don’t understand spiritual things. Only people with the Spirit of God can truly understand the things of God. Then, there’s the fact that believers aren’t perfect. When we try to explain the things of God in an imperfect way to people who can’t understand spiritual things in the first place, well, confusion will always follow. But, there are things no one can argue with.

If you once upon a time lived only for yourself, but now through God’s power you’ve become a more generous and loving person, people will notice that. If you’ve harbored bitterness and resentment against someone, but by God’s grace you’ve finally forgiven an offense -- that will get noticed too.

The work of God in you is far more powerful than words about God coming from your mouth. Rather than debate who’s right and who’s wrong, prove it. Allow Jesus Christ to live His life through you and show everyone a better way.

The next time someone asks a pointed question about your faith, maybe the answer is a question. How can you understand them better? Where are they coming from? What’s their point of view? Often a seemingly intellectual debate has an emotional root. Pray that God will heal their hurt.

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Anger Management

2012-01-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:12-22

It’s hard to grasp the reality that Jesus is both God and man. He’s not half and half, but fully God and fully man. If we tend to think of Him as more one than the other, we enter into heresy.

I used to think Jesus could do all of the miracles He did because He is God. He lived a perfect life because of His Deity. How could I compete with that?

Yet everything Jesus did was directed by His Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We can relate to that.

Accepting a Divine Being in human form is challenging to grasp. It ranks right up there with God revealing Himself as a Trinity – again, mind boggling. But, the hardest thing for us to grasp is the love of God.

How could a perfect God have such mercy on imperfect people? How could He have such compassion for humans, who by their actions made themselves His enemies? We know what God has revealed about Himself, but we certainly don’t know everything about Him.

In these two accounts, we witness something remarkable about Jesus. He is angered by the money changers who are cheating the devout at the temple. And, He’s angered by a fruitless fig tree. Jesus is mad. He turns over tables and curses a tree. Jesus didn’t sin, but He also didn’t hold it in.

The money changers were an obstacle to honest worship. The fig tree got in the way of a full tummy. Both of these irked Jesus, and He made that known. Jesus didn’t take time to reason all of this out. Sometimes zeal takes things where wisdom cannot.

The first time I saw a fig tree was on a drive along the 99 freeway in central California, near Fresno. The trees looked bent over and deformed – frankly, they all looked cursed. But, figs weren’t the issue. Jesus was teaching His disciples about faith.

The withered fig tree was a small example of the power of faith in God. Jesus told them, “If you think this is something, then you just wait. You ain’t seen nothing yet.” (I’m sure our Perfect Savior didn’t have bad grammar.)

Jesus is a real person. He feels things just like we do. Jesus didn’t have an anger problem. He expressed His anger, but He never sinned.

What do you do when you feel anger? Do you lash out at someone? Do you sulk and fume?

The sin and evil of this world should make us angry. But, rather than just ranting and raving about the wrongs of this world, what are you doing about it? If your anger merely makes you unpleasant to be around, then you’re not accomplishing much for God’s Kingdom.

Pay attention to what makes you angry. When you hit that Popeye moment when you “can’t stanz it no more,” then ask God what He wants you to do about it. As Jesus said, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

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Is God Calling You to do Something Ridiculous?

2012-01-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11

I know it seems a little early to talk about Palm Sunday. I mean we haven’t even broken all of our New Year’s resolutions yet. But, this is where the Gospel is taking us.

The disciples don’t hesitate to act. They lead the animals back to Jesus without fear of a low speed chase of any kind. Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled specifically and exactly. No one animal would have worked. No other animal or mode of transportation was suitable.

The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions, unconventional as they were, in order to fulfill a prophesy uttered centuries before. But, if we were among the disciples, would we have been as willing to take the risk? What about the donkey owner? What about “Thou shalt not steal?” I suppose technically it was borrowing.

Now, before we get all excited and decide to requisition our neighbor’s new car, we should keep in mind that Jesus’ words were a one time, specific instruction. And, of course, we should also remember, “Thou shalt not covet…” But, sometimes God calls us to do things out of the norm in order to magnify His glory.

When someone wrongs us, and we forgive rather than hold a grudge, God is glorified. When we live in obedience to God’s Word, even when doing so appears to give us a disadvantage, God is glorified. When we put aside the temporary fixes and allow God to transform us, He is glorified.

What crazy thing do you feel God is leading you into? Please keep in mind, if where you think God is leading you contradicts God’s Word, it’s not God leading you. Please understand, I don’t say this lightly.

God’s plan for each of us doesn’t usually fit in societal norms. God didn’t design you to fit into a broken, fallen world. He made you for so much more.

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[Weekly Digest] Galatians419 Devotionals for week of 1/22/2012

2012-01-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

Personal Note -- I would like to thank all of you for your generosity toward this ministry over the last few weeks. Every gift helps to move this ministry forward. I am both honored and humbled that you read these devotionals and support them. God bless, Allen

Just in case you missed something this week:

God Is Unfair, And We Should Be Grateful

By Allen White

Why should people who don’t work as hard or don’t work as long be paid the same as people who’ve worked so hard all day? If two people had the same job today and one was paid less than the other, we would call this discrimination. If someone was paid the same for doing far less work, we would label it favoritism. There is an unfairness to this scenario that is a little hard to live with. Read more...

When Last Place Gets First

By Allen White

Jesus has nothing to prove. He is the most powerful being in the universe. In fact, He created the universe. Jesus knows everything – past, present and future. He is present everywhere all of the time. And, Jesus never changes.

Shouting at Jesus

By Allen White

Imagine yourself as one of two blind me. We don’t know how long you’ve been blind. But, whether it was your whole life or just a part of your life due to an injury, it’s incurable.

But, now you have a shred of hope. You’ve heard about Jesus and His ability to heal. You’ve heard stories of other blind people who are now seeing. This is your shot at possibly seeing for the first time in your life. Read more...

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Shouting at Jesus

2012-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34

Imagine yourself as one of two blind me. We don’t know how long you’ve been blind. But, whether it was your whole life or just a part of your life due to an injury, it’s incurable.

You hear the crowd. As the crowd noise rises, you hear Jesus and His disciples coming your way. This is your chance of a lifetime. This is your one shot to healing and sight.

You and your buddy begin shouting at the top of your lungs. What you lack in sight, you make up for in volume. The disciples immediately try to quiet you down. Your desperate cry is deafening.

You cannot be dissuaded. You continue to shout until you have Jesus attention. Your need is so desperate. The cure is standing right in front of you now.

Some people think you’re making a fool out of yourself, but they just don’t understand. The key to your future – the pathway from begging to productivity – the only answer to your problem is right there. Wild horses couldn’t keep you away.

Jesus turns and speaks healing into your life. Instantly, you can see. You believed. You asked, and now you see. Now, you really have something to shout about.

The blind men had an advantage over you and me. Their need made them completely helpless except for Jesus’ intervention. For most of us, we’re still trying to figure something out to make things happen on our own. The sooner we get to helplessness, the sooner Jesus can help.

What are you truly desperate about these days? How are you exhausting yourself, yet not getting the results you desire? When was the last time you shouted at Jesus?

Maybe it’s time to cry out: “I can’t do this. Can You help me? I’m about ready to give up. Jesus, I need You do so something I can’t.” Jesus answers loud prayers like that. Maybe not always in the way we expect, but He hears us and acts. Do you believe?

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When Last Place Gets First

2012-01-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28

In that first paragraph, you have Theology 101. God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and immutable. (Those terms track with the sentences of paragraph one, in case you were wondering.)

By possessing all knowledge, power and space, Jesus certainly isn’t insecure. He is just as comfortable with last as He is with first. Jesus was at home on a Heavenly throne just as much as He was in an earthly home. He certainly didn’t need to look out for number one.

The request from James and John’s mother irritates us on several levels. First, since the brothers couldn’t get their way with Jesus previously, they complained to their mother. Mommy had to intervene for her boys. I’m sure the other ten were collectively rolling their eyes.

They were grappling for something they didn’t deserve. One wanted to be Jesus’ right hand man, while the other wanted to be the left hand man. Had they secured those spots, I’m sure the next controversy would involve who had which spot.

This power play by Zebedee’s boys did nothing but lower morale and nurture resentment among the rest of the disciples. When we put ourselves forward, we tend to move backward. God is the one who elevates us or demotes us.

When our lives don’t appear to be headed up and to the right, we might wonder why God isn’t blessing us. But, is position and worldly success really a blessing? What if God gave us what we thought we wanted, then we later discovered those things drew us further away from God? Is that a blessing?

If God could use a negative circumstance in your life to draw you closer to Him, would that be worth it? Would we choose comfort and ease over a close connection with our Savior?

Life is hard. Sometimes our circumstances cause us to question God’s love and His plan for our lives. If we allow those low points to take us deeper into God’s love for us, then we have succeeded. But, if we live shallow lives that appear to be outwardly successful, is that success?

Oh, and the other thing that irritates us about James and John – sometimes we feel we deserve more than we do too.

How can you put yourself last today? How can you prefer someone over yourself? How can you serve someone without expecting something in return? These actions elevate us to Christlikeness.

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God Is Unfair, And We Should Be Grateful

2012-01-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:1-16

When you think about this unfairness, it extends well into our spiritual lives. Some of us have been Christians as long as we can remember, while others might come to Christ on their death beds. Why is it that a life-long commitment to Christ seems to get the same reward in Heaven as a last-minute decision?

Shouldn’t life-long Christians be entitled to larger mansions or better seats at the table? After all, they’ve worked all of their lives to serve Christ, right? It would be unfair to give them the same reward as these Johnny-come-latelies.

For those who are keeping score, let’s review the concept of fairness in our spiritual lives. Every person who’s ever lived has sinned (Romans 3:23). The fair thing for God to do is to punish our sin with death (Romans 6:23). When it comes to our eternity, we don’t want fairness. We all want mercy.

Whether you’ve worked hard to live a good life or have partied hard and didn’t care, God’s grace is sufficient for each of us. Our good work amounts to nothing. When it comes to the things of God, we don’t want rewards, we need grace.

As believers, we should rejoice every time someone makes a decision to follow God, even if it’s at the 11^th hour. If we can’t celebrate someone crossing from death unto life, then our attitude is “Well, they can just go to Hell. That’s what they deserve for the way they’ve lived their lives.” And, that’s what we deserve as well.

Rather than begrudging God’s patience with someone else, we should be grateful for God’s patience in our lives. God has a plan for us. God has a plan for them.

If we are jealous of people who seem to sin more and get away with it, then maybe we should sin more. Let’s see where that gets us. Maybe we haven’t accumulated enough regrets yet.

Where do you struggle with this idea of fairness? How are you tempted to prove you’re more deserving in your relationship with God than others might be? God’s grace is sufficient, even for our bad attitudes.

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You Can’t Out Give God

2012-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 19:27-30

It’s easier to make an investment than a sacrifice. A sacrifice seems like your just giving up something valuable in return for who knows what. On an investment, you expect a return, even if it’s only 0.89% these days.

We invest time in our children, so they grow up to make good decisions. We invest money to send them to college and put a roof over their heads. At times, it might feel like a sacrifice, but it’s an investment.

Many believers have given generously or have even foregone lucrative opportunities in order to serve God and build His Kingdom on this earth. Sure you might not be driving the nicest car or living in the biggest house, but according to Jesus’ words to His disciples, our reward is eternal life and, oh, 100 times our investment.

Let’s think about that. As I talked about Bible numbers a few days ago, when Jesus says 100 times, He doesn’t just mean that if you give $10, you’ll get $1,000 in return. In Bible times, the number ten symbolized an infinite multiplier. So, what does 10 tens or 100 times mean? It’s an incredible return. But, this is about more than money.

Most of Jesus’ disciples didn’t have much money to contribute. In fact, with Judas Iscariot helping himself to the treasury, financially, they were moving in the wrong direction. But, they gave of themselves. They devoted themselves to follow Jesus and trusted that He would supply their needs. And, He did.

After Pentecost, when Peter and John encountered a lame man begging for money, they didn’t have money to give him (Acts 3:1-10). But, what they could give him was a miracle by the power of God. The man simply wanted to feed himself. God, through Peter and John, gave the man something money couldn’t buy – his fully restored health.

God wants to use you. How have you let God use you? What God wants to do in your life is only limited by your willingness to surrender to Him. How do I know that? Because the biggest obstacle in my life is me.

But, when I’ve said, “Lord, here I am. Use me.” He has in remarkable ways. I know what you’re thinking, “But, Allen, you’re a pastor. God uses pastors differently than other people.” I wouldn’t be a pastor if I hadn’t surrendered myself to God, now would I?

God isn’t necessarily going to call you to be on staff at a church. But, God is calling you to full-time ministry. Your ministry might take place in an office or a factory or a school or a neighborhood. Your ministry might not come with a paycheck, but God will provide for all of your needs.

God doesn’t want your faith to be tied to the S&P 500. God wants you to trust deeply in Him. He will provide for all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). I know that’s true.

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Does Poverty Make You More Spiritual?

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:16-26

Americans are among the wealthiest people in the world – even in this economy. The majority of the world lives on less than $2 per day. We can barely get a decent cup of coffee for that.

Even though most of us haven’t appeared on a show like the “Top 500 million Wealthiest People in the World,” we are a little uncomfortable with these words from Jesus. Do we need to be poor to truly serve Christ?

Some authors like David Platt in Radical challenge us to use our worldly resources to expand the Kingdom and not spend so much on ourselves. While that is certainly biblical, we always need to be careful when we transfer our convictions to other people’s lives. Some Christian leaders have dubbed this the “Poverty Gospel.” The best thing for any of us is to gain a clear sense of what God has called us to do. If we’re not sure, God will direct when we ask.

The dilemma with the rich young ruler who came to Jesus was not that he had money. His issue was that money had him. Jesus encountered many other wealthy people in His ministry, yet He did not challenge them to give up their wealth to follow Him.

Jesus, who is God, is omniscient. He knows everything. Jesus knew that this man didn’t struggle with morality. He kept the Law down to the jot and tittle. The man’s issue was his attachment to his money. Jesus knew this struggle. He knew the man couldn’t follow two masters (Matthew 6:24). For this man to choose Jesus, he had to deny the other love in his life. Sadly, he couldn’t do it.

I’ve known quite a number of wealthy people over the years. Most of them have a great perspective on money, God and generosity. They have money, but money doesn’t have them. But, there are a lot of middle class folks who get caught up in the pursuit of money and (implied) happiness. They are serving a cruel master.

Money may not be your issue. The cheap substitutes for God fall in three categories: pleasure, possessions and prestige. Some people are held back by what others might think about them. Others are caught up in whatever makes them feel good. And, yes, others crave more stuff.

If you don’t think you fall into one of those categories, let me ask you this: what do you do when you’re stressed out? Do you rely on pleasure, possessions or prestige or do you rely on God? Ouch. Vegging out in front of the TV just to “numb out” is a legal, available drug. What should you do?

Read five Psalms and talk to God in the morning. Seriously, I do this most days. It changes my perspective on life, reminds me God is in control, and gives me the courage I need to face the day.

Now, what about all of that money that either has you or you so desperately want? Give it away. The antidote for materialism is generosity. Give a regular tithes and offerings to your church. Help the poor through credible ministries like Water of Life or World Vision. Then, ask God to satisfy the desires of your heart.

What you desire is not a thing or an experience. What you truly desire is a close connection with your Heavenly Father. The world will try to convince you otherwise. We call it advertising. But the things of this world are a poor substitute for all God has in store for each of us.

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The Advantages of Childhood

2012-01-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15

Most people come to Christ as children. In fact, 80 percent of all Christians make the decision to follow Christ before they are 12 years old. That was true for me.

While I can’t remember not being a Christian, I do remember making a decision for Christ 40 years ago. That seems like a long time. Of course, I was seven at the time.

Why are children more responsive to the Gospel? Well, for one, they don’t have to deal with the complexities of life and the big questions that weigh on adults. While children today are exposed to so much, so early, they have a certain innocence and simplicity of faith. Now, they will certainly wrestle with weighty issue in their teen years and especially in college, like we all did, but a child sees the world much differently than an adult.

Children are more creative, more imaginative. If adults possess the creativity of a child, we either label them as eccentric or genius or both. Adults must work hard to fit in. Children are far more comfortable with who they are.

Children have so much fertile soil for the Gospel. They are open to spiritual things. They are accepting of what seems impossible for adults. Adult lives are full of weeds. Much like the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13:1-13), the cares of this world tend to crowd out life-giving faith. This is true, even for believers. When was the last time you thought or said that something couldn’t happen?

So, two conclusions here. First, we all need to nurture the faith of the children in our lives. This might mean volunteering in a class at church. Every church needs volunteers. Adults may seem easier to work with, but working with children is far more rewarding.

Secondly, you and I need to become more childlike in our approach to God. We serve a God who can, not a God who can’t. We serve a God who will, not a God who won’t. We serve a God who dreams big, not a God who thinks small.

When was the last time you dreamed big? When was the last time you might have embarrassed yourself a little with your enthusiasm? When was the last time you realized the Creator of the Universe wants to do big things in your life? Hold on to the child-like dream. Don’t let the weeds choke it out.

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[Weekly Digest] Galatians419 Devotionals for week of 1/8/2012

2012-01-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Just in case you might have missed something this week:

It’s Time to Parole Yourself

By Allen White

For my children, forgiveness is easy. I would even say it’s cheap. They pick on each other and fight like children do. When one of them is hurt or upset, we ask the offender to apologize. It usually goes something like this:

Offender: “I’m sorry.”

Offended: “That’s okay.”

Sometimes we do this sort of exchange too. The problem is that if someone has hurt or offended another, it’s not okay. If it was okay, it wouldn’t hurt. If it was okay, it wouldn’t matter. If it was okay, no apology is necessary. If it’s okay, then what will keep them from doing it again and again? It’s not okay. It does matter. Read more...

Marriage is Hard, Worthwhile Work

By Allen White

Among the religious people in Jesus’ day, divorce was cheap. If a man’s wife burned his toast, he could simply give her a certificate of divorce, and the marriage was over.

Jesus’ challenge to them and to us is “Don’t cry over burnt toast. Tough it out.” That may seem silly, but think about the reasons people you know have gotten divorced. Did it really have to come to that? Read more...

Modern Day Eunuchs?

By Allen White

In Bible College, there was always a group of guys who claimed to be “Bachelors ‘til the Rapture.” This was the group that spent Saturday nights alone in their dorm rooms. If you couldn’t get a date, then why not over-spiritualize it? Read more...

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Modern Day Eunuchs?

2012-01-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Matthew 19:10-12

The disciples’ question about avoiding marriage implies that they weren’t married at the time. If they had been married, they would have known better than to ask. Marriage is worth far more than all of the trouble.

To have someone who loves you and believes in you - To have someone to support and encourage - To have a partner and companion - To have a lover and friend – these are the benefits despite any conflicts.

But, Jesus said, “Hey, if you’re called to be a eunuch, then be a eunuch.” Some men were born eunuchs. Some became eunuchs. These often worked in harems. If a person could accept it, then, sure, he could be a eunuch for the Kingdom. Some people are indeed called to be single – but not many of us.

Studies show the happiest man is a married man. Of course, they also say the happiest woman is an unmarried woman. It’s probably a good thing that other studies show that woman tend to outlive men.

When I was single, I was a pretty good Christian in my own mind. Marriage has certainly revealed my selfishness and flaws. Now, I know what to work on. And, I certainly have plenty to pray about.

Several years ago, a man in our church began to lose interest in his wife. His interest was drawn toward a girl he dated in high school. Even though he hadn’t talked to her in years, he began to imagine his life with her instead of his actual wife, who he talked to every day.

Eventually their marriage failed. His relationship with his wife just couldn’t compete with the imaginary relationship in his head. He lost his wife and children to live alone with his fantasy. He never reconnected with his long lost love. Last I heard, he still lives alone.

Would it be better to live alone than to deal with the problems in marriage? Absolutely not. If God has called you to be single for Him, then you’re not married now. If you are single and you feel God has called you to remain single for Him, then God will give you the grace you need.

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Marriage is Hard, Worthwhile Work

2012-01-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Allen White

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Matthew 19:1-9

Among the religious people in Jesus’ day, divorce was cheap. If a man’s wife burned his toast, he could simply give her a certificate of divorce, and the marriage was over.

Jesus reminds us that marriage as God intended is a union of body, soul and spirit between a man and a woman. To separate is definitely not a clean break. It’s a jagged tear that leaves both spouses deeply wounded. Even the most seemingly amiable divorce feels like going through Hell.

Marriage takes hard work. Our spouses point out all of our flaws. They know how to push our buttons. At times they are selfish. And, at times, so are we.

Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman described his marriage as a “30-year tug a war.” That seems like a good description.

All of us are prone to sin. Put two sinful people together for years of marriage, and you will have both mistakes and outright sinfulness. Yes, we should avoid sin – by all means. But, the reality is we all sin, pretty much every day. There is a remedy.

The Bible tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Colossians 4:32). Kindness, compassion and forgiveness can take us all a long way.

There are reasons for divorce. Jesus specifically named sexual immorality. Short of that, we should do our best to work out our problems and become the spouse God intends us to be.

Some days marriage may seem impossible. But, God will help us. God will not help us control our spouse, but He will help us control ourselves.

Years ago, I heard a speaker say that 70 percent of conflict in marriage is caused by the same issues over and over. If nearly three quarters of fights are caused by the same issue, then you’re probably not fighting about as much as you think.

What issues do you need to focus on in your marriage? What resentment or bitterness are nurturing toward your spouse? Forgive and don’t allow the devil to have a foothold in your marriage.

Pray for your spouse every day. Pray for God to use your marriage to grow you spiritually.

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It’s Time to Parole Yourself

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Modern Day Eunuchs?

Marriage is Hard, Worthwhile Work