Recently I was reminded of a stunning vision God gave me several decades ago. Although this wasn’t an audible voice from heaven, I’m convinced it was a word picture crafted by the Holy Spirit. 

I was sitting around a poker table with some other guys. It seemed odd for the Lord to speak to me through a story like this, because I know practically nothing about poker. 

Next to me on the table were several large stacks of poker chips. To my surprise, I saw myself confidently pushing all the chips to the middle of the table. “All in!” I boldly declared.

Even for a poker novice like me, the point was clear. If I was going to fully trust God with my life, I must give Him all the chips. I couldn’t claim “Jesus is Lord” and yet withhold part of my life from Him. 

This vision was accompanied by a flashback to the day I first surrendered to Christ. I was a senior in high school, with my whole life ahead of me. But even though I attempted to give Christ all my poker chips that day, there weren’t yet many chips to give Him.

By the time I had the vision of poker chips, however, lots of things had changed. I had three wonderful children, a nice house, several cars, a new cell phone, a functional computer, a closet full of clothes, and some savings for retirement.

I realized that I now had a considerable array of poker chips, so there was much more to lose. “All in” might really cost me something this time!

As I pondered whether it was still prudent to wholeheartedly trust Jesus with my life, I remembered this statement by the apostle Paul: “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day”  (2 Timothy 1:12). 

What a reassuring message! We can be confident He will take good care of the poker chips we’ve entrusted to Him. 

But here I am in 2026, confronted once again with the same decision. My stack of poker chips has continued to grow, and I sure don’t want to lose any of them at my advanced age. 

Have you ever dealt with this? Periodically, it seems, life brings every follower of Jesus to this fundamental crossroads: Are we still “all in”? Does He still have all the chips?

I’m not a gambler by nature. I’ve never gambled on the Super Bowl or other sports events. Nor do I gamble on risky stocks on Wall Street. 

Nevertheless, I’ve discovered it’s always a safe bet to entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19). That’s why, ever since my new birth in 1969, I’ve been a lifelong “gambler” on the kingdom of God. 

Now, at age 75, I’m wondering if there are more adventures in store—adventures that will require new steps of faith. Hey, Caleb was 85 years old and still driving giants out of the Promised Land! His secret? “He followed the Lord, the God of Israel, completely”  (Joshua 14:6-14).

The Rewarder

Throughout the Bible, we see that God is a rewarder of those who fully trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6). In fact, He’s actively searching for people like that: “The eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him”  (2 Chronicles 16:9a). 

• Abraham discovered God as “Jehovah Jireh”  (his Provider) only after he took the bold step of entrusting his precious son Isaac to the Lord (Genesis 22:1-19).  
• Moses had to lay down his shepherd’s rod in order for it to become “the rod of God,” infused with supernatural power (Exodus 4:2, 4:17, 14:16-31, 17:5-7, 17:8-13). 
• David, instead of striving to fulfill his own purposes, “served the purpose of God in his generation”  (Acts 13:36). 
• A poor widow was preparing to have just one more meal with her son before they starved to death—but everything changed when she entrusted her meager resources to God’s prophet (1 Kings 17:8-16).
• When the fishermen were called to follow Jesus, they “left everything”—including their father and the family business (Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-22). 
• When a young boy surrendered his loaves and fishes to the Lord, thousands of people were fed—with 12 baskets left over (John 6:5-13).
• The early Christians often met each other’s financial needs through their sacrificial generosity (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37). 

With these amazing Biblical examples before us, we have no excuse for being tightfisted with our lives and our possessions. God stands ready to bless those who surrender everything to Him. 

But let’s be honest. Some of us took bold steps of faith in our early days as a Christian, but it seems more difficult now. At various points, I changed careers, made geographical moves, initiated new ministries, and invested sacrificially into God’s kingdom. Would I still be willing to do such daring things if called upon today?

Friend, I hope you are wrestling with this as I am. When first called into God’s kingdom, we gave the Lord a resounding “YES,” but now it’s time to renew that YES once again.  

Keeping Some in Reserve

Believe me, I understand why some old guys like me would want to keep some poker chips in reserve. From a financial standpoint, that’s the sensible thing to do. 

Yet God is challenging me on this. Even if some money stays in my bank account or 401(k), He keeps reminding me that it all belongs to Him  (Psalm 24:1). 

One day Jesus pointed out how a poor widow gave just two tiny coins into the treasury. “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on”  (Mark 12:41-44). 

Frankly, if I was this woman’s financial planner, I would have cautioned her not to do that. But somehow it seemed to work.

This story shows that God is not so concerned about how much we GIVE. The better question is how much are we still KEEPING?

Remember the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5:1-11) In their case, God’s judgment didn’t come because they held back some of the proceeds back from the land they sold. Rather, they were judged for their dishonesty—portraying themselves as having given ALL, while holding back some of the poker chips for themselves. 

What a stark reminder that God hates hypocrisy and seeks “truth in the inner self”  (Psalm 51:6). 

Advocating for a “Common Purse”

A humorous memory involves a story many years ago when I was involved in planting a church in Ohio. We typically had quite long meetings and featured an “open mic” for people to share whatever they felt the Holy Spirit was putting on their heart.

One Sunday, a passionate young believer named Sam came up to the microphone and exhorted us to be more dedicated to the Lord and His kingdom. The best way to show our full commitment, Sam told us, was to have a “common purse,” pooling all our money and material possessions. 

Perhaps you think Sam had a great idea. The early church did seem to have moments when they radically shared their resources. However, that has never been a successful longtime feature of church life, whether in Bible times or church history. 

And here’s why Sam’s story still makes me chuckle: When he made his passionate proposal about pooling our resources, Sam was unemployed!  In fact, he was in debt and had practically no assets at all.

When I think of the poker table story, I remember how easy it was for Sam to tell us he was “all in” that day. With no poker chips of his own, he was hoping to live off the rest of us for a while.

Going Backward?

Through these recollections from the past, God is asking me to make sure I still have all my chips on the table. And I’ve learned that even if I’m “all in” today, I will have to face the same question tomorrow (Luke 9:23-25).

I wonder if that’s what happened to Peter and the other fishermen in John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection. Although these men had boldly left everything to follow Jesus in their early days as disciples, here they were picking up their fishing gear again. 

Fortunately, Jesus met them there that day. Just as He had given them a miracle catch of fish before (Luke 5:1-11), He did so again.

“Do you love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter (John 21:15-19). 

Not just once but three times, Jesus asked Peter about his love—matching the three times Peter had denied Him.

Friend, the Bible says, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Jesus was “all in” when He sacrificed His life for you. Is it too much to ask that you lay down your life to share His Good News with others?

The post Saga of a Lifelong Gambler appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

Reflections on My Recent Birthday:

When someone asked how I was planning to celebrate my 75^th birthday, I quipped with a smile: “Celebrating would be too risky, because 75 candles on my cake might cause the whole house to burn down!”

Yet now I’ve had time to reflect on more serious thoughts. How did I ever get so old?!  I can sympathize with the guy who said, “If I knew I would live so long, I would have taken better care of myself!”

For any of us, life goes by in a flash. As the Bible describes so well, “Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14). 

However, the Bible also says that if we recognize the brevity of life, there’s hope we’ll gain wisdom and choose the right priorities—eternal values rather than things that quickly pass away (1 John 2:15-17). A psalm attributed to Moses offers this insightful prayer: “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

This means if there’s something great we hope to accomplish in life, we have no time to waste. We must “seize the day” (carpe diem), lest the moment passes us by. As Leonard Ravenhill used to remind people, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”

And I love how Myles Munroe famously pointed out that a graveyard is the richest place on earth, filled with untapped potential, unwritten books, unsung songs, and unfulfilled dreams. He urged people to live fully and “die empty,” making sure their gifts and purpose are shared with the world before they pass. 

Sadly, Dr. Munroe’s own life was tragically cut short by a plane crash at age 60. But, thankfully, his amazing legacy lives on through his writings, his videos, and the many lives he impacted. “Though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

My Senior Discount

I’ve found that there are some perks to being old, although not many. Coffee is cheaper at McDonalds, and our local grocery store offers a senior discount on Thursdays.

When I went to a movie recently, the young girl at the box office charged me full price. “Is that your price for seniors?” I asked her. 

“No, I didn’t realize you were that old,” she replied apologetically. Her mistake was a temporary boost to my self-image, and I also was grateful that she gave me a refund on the ticket price.

Yes, many people think I look younger than my age, which is wonderful. But that always gets me thinking of the hilariously misguided statements often made about aging:

• “Age is just a number!” Yeah, right. And mileage on a car is “just a number” too. But if your car has over 200,000 miles, that’s a very significant number. 

• “You’re only as old as you feel!” While that may be true for some people, in my case it provides no encouragement at all. Although I’m sometimes pegged as someone who is 55 or 65, I often feel more like 95!

• “Old age isn’t for wimps!” This is no doubt true. But as I look back over the various seasons of my life, I realize that courage was needed in every season. College, law school, marriage, kids, grandkids, health challenges, and various geographical and career shifts—I needed valor all along the way. 

As someone has noted about turtles, “They only make progress if they stick out their neck.” Time and again, the Lord has called me to stick my neck out and take uncomfortable steps of faith. 

Are Your Candles Still Burning?

As I reflect on my 75^th birthday, I can’t get over the image of 75 candles burning on a cake. Although that sight would probably be alarming to a Fire Marshall, it challenges us with a very profound lesson: At least the candles are still burning!

The fact is, many people never make it to age 75. And I’m grieved that many 75-year-olds no longer have candles that are still providing any light or fire. Despite having had many years of life, they no longer have much life in their years.

When Jesus said His followers were to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16), He never mentioned any age limit!

Likewise, King David was confident God’s goodness and mercy would follow him “all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). Thankfully, there’s no expiration date for sowing seeds of the Lord’s kindness to those around us.   

A few years ago, I posted several articles about the dating mishaps of my good friend Ron. Although he was dating Christian women in their 50s and 60s, he lamented that most of them no longer had any passion to impact the world.

“Jim,” Ron told me, “I simply don’t have the same priorities as these women. While I’m still trying to change the world, it seems they’re just planning their next trips to Paris, London, or Rome!”

Like Ron, I’m still trying to change the world, which often puts me at odds with others in my generation. Thanks to a quantum leap in international ministry opportunities, 2025 was perhaps my most fruitful year ever. This is not to boast, but simply to illustrate that God can still graciously use guys who are old and past their prime.

Friend, if you’re old like me, you probably can already see life’s finish line in view. But no matter your age, I pray your “candles” are still burning brightly. With whatever time is remaining, let’s lovingly shine our candles to share the light of God’s Good News to anyone who will listen.

The post 75 CANDLES! appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

A pivotal moment in my life occurred around this time of year in 2010. My friend Don Wright and I were taking our usual walk around the track of Weddington High School, and I told him quite earnestly, “Don, some things have really got to change in my life next year.”

Don has a way of getting to the heart of a matter, and he reminded me of a sobering truth: “I think you said the same thing last year at this time, Jim!”

How terrible it was to see that many areas of my life had become STUCK. Year after year, I had complained. I vowed that things would be different in the coming months and year. Yet nothing really changed.

I hope you have a friend like Don Wright-someone able to provide a mirror to your life and hold you accountable to making the necessary changes to get unstuck. Otherwise, I have bad news: Your New Year’s resolutions are unlikely to bear much fruit.

But what if you’re not even sure about what’s wrong with your current life? Maybe you’re feeling apathetic and dissatisfied, but you don’t know where to start in diagnosing the problem or making any changes.

After years of studying what the Bible says about having an abundant and impactful life, I’ve concluded that these 5 areas hold the key:

CONNECTION TO GOD: Before you worry about any other changes in your life, this should be the starting place. Without a vital connection with the Lord as your “higher power,” your best efforts will surely fall short.

Since I work for a Christian ministry, you might think this area would never be a problem for me. Not true! I’ve discovered that even when you’re surrounded by “ministry,” your connection with God will be anemic unless you spend time cultivating your personal relationship with Him. There must be intentionality and a constant hunger to keep growing in your intimacy with the Lord.

CONNECTION WITH PEOPLE: Unless you’re a hermit, you already have a number of connections with other people. But are they the right people-those helping you become a better “you” so you can fulfill your highest calling in life? Perhaps you need to delete or minimize some relationships in your life, especially any that are toxic, negative, or overly draining.

In my case, although I have great friends, I find myself desiring to spend more time mentoring the next generation of leaders. I also would really value an older mentor in my own life. Once again, changes like these will require some intentionality on my part if they’re ever going to happen.

CONNECTION WITH TRUTH: In the early days of my Christian life, I spent lots of time studying the Bible, which helped provide me with a strong spiritual foundation ever since. However, I’ve slacked off in recent years. Instead of learning new things, I’ve been relying far too much on my previous studies.

Successful people are nearly always lifetime learners, continually reading, studying, and growing. What are your plans to keep learning and growing in the coming year?

CONNECTION WITH CHARACTER: Knowledge and hard work will only get you so far. Perhaps you need to deal with long-standing issues of character and maturity that have robbed you of joy and hindered your fruitfulness. Has an addiction been undermining your life, or do you need freedom from some negative emotion like fear, anger, or depression?

The Bible has a lot to say about the type of “fruit” coming from our lives (e.g., Matthew 12:33, Galatians 5:19-23, John 15:1-5). A new year is a great time to assess the quality of our fruit and do any pruning that may be necessary.

CONNECTION WITH SERVICE: God put each of us on this earth to make an impact in some way. An ingrown life is inevitably boring and unfulfilling, so it’s crucial to identify our place of service. Ideally, our service should flow from the spiritual gifts and passions the Lord has given us, but sometimes we’ll be called upon just to fill a need we see. As we reach out to bless others, more of God’s blessings are released in our own lives as well (Genesis 12:2, Acts 20:35).

I encourage you to assess these 5 areas of your life as you head into the new year. And if you’re in some kind of leadership or management role, you can encourage your team members to grow in these areas too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’ve developed an entire curriculum around these 5 connections, complete with an assessment test to see how you’re presently doing in each area. If you make a tax-deductible gift of any amount to Crosslink Ministries by clicking the DONATE button above, I will be happy to email you some of these great discipleship resources upon request.

The post Ready for an Honest New Year’s Assessment? appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

How This Unexpectedly Became My Happiest Year in Decades

Note: I recently came across this blog I wrote in 2017 after a six-week sabbatical in New Zealand. It contains some of the greatest insights I’ve ever had about the Christian life. But, to my amazement, God is still dealing with most of these very same issues in my life today, and 2025 was one of my happiest years as well.

Some of the details of my life have changed in the past eight years (e.g., I have a few more grandkids and no longer work for the ministry I was with in 2017). But the principles are the same, and I believe they will be life-changing for you as well. Let me know what you think!

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Like King David in the Psalms, many of my journal entries in recent years could have been titled, “Why am I so depressed…so dissatisfied with life?” This was especially true most years in November and December, when I faced holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

So it came as a surprise when I noticed this month that I’m happier than I’ve been in years – even decades. How could this be, when most things in my life are exactly the same as they’ve been for the past several years?

Strangely, although I still have the same job, friends, and marital status as I did a year ago, somehow my perspective is radically different. This seemed puzzling at first. Yes, God used my sabbatical in May and June to change my outlook, and the birth of my first grandchild certainly helped as well. But I’m convinced that my new perspective has little to do with any external changes in my life this year – the transformation has been almost entirely a matter of the heart.

While some aspects of my new outlook are difficult to put into words, I’ve identified 6 specific adjustments God supernaturally brought to my attitude this year. Perhaps these will be helpful to you as well:

1. No more striving. During my sabbatical I recognized my bad habit of striving for God’s affection or people’s applause. How stupid! God already loves me – enough to send His Son to die in my place – and there’s absolutely nothing I can do earn more of His love or favor. That’s a life-changing realization! Likewise, there’s no need to strive for more kudos from other people. Those who matter in my life already love me, and if someone doesn’t  love me, I guess they don’t really matter. 

This year I also recognized the unhealthy ways I’ve been striving to make more of an impact. Although it’s noble to desire a greater impact for God’s kingdom, my self-image had become far too entangled with my perception of the impact I was having. God had to take me to the other side of the world – New Zealand – to show me the startling fact that I already am making an incredible impact.

While I was in the process of questioning my usefulness and impact, the Lord reminded me that I’m part of an international ministry that’s recording more than one million salvations through our evangelistic outreaches this year. Also, there have been 30 million views of our daily discipleship videos, and I was directly involved in writing the scripts for those. In addition, I wrote books, booklets, pamphlets, and magazine articles that have impacted thousands of people. 

I’m not citing this evidence to boast, but rather to illustrate how crazy it is to for me to strive for greater self-esteem based on increasing my accomplishments. It’s time to REST and REJOICE in what God has done!

• No more envy. Until this summer, I never realized the deadly grip jealousy and envy had on me. The final item of the Ten Commandments warns about this: “You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbor’s”  (Exodus 20:17). God has done a remarkable work in delivering me from envy the past six months, and this has resulted in incredible JOY! 

No longer do I envy ANYONE. Others may have a bigger salary, a nicer house, and a faster car, but I don’t envy them. And although I have friends who’ve gotten engaged this year, I’m not envious of them, nor of my friends who already have happy marriages. 

In Philippians 4:19, the apostle Paul describes the Lord’s ability to meet our needs, and it’s great to know that miraculous provision is possible during our times of lack. But, earlier in the chapter, Paul spoke about another amazing secret he had learned – the ability to be content regardless of his present circumstances (vs. 11-12). When we recognize how blessed we already are, there’s no need to envy those around us – and that should be a cause for great rejoicing. 

• No more regrets. If you have regrets today, I can sympathize. None of us is happy about everything we’ve done in past, nor everything that happened to us. If we’re honest, there are certainly some things we wish had turned out differently. 

However, this year Romans 8:28 has become more than a nice religious memory verse for me. God truly can turn ALL things around for good when we love Him and seek to fulfill His purposes. Without the agony of Jesus’ cross, there would have been no forgiveness. And somehow God always uses our  “crosses” to release more of His resurrection power and blessings. 

Perhaps you’ve faced some horrendous events you can’t even begin to understand right now. My heart goes out to you. But I believe the day will come when you’ll be able to say along with Joseph, “God meant it for GOOD”  (Genesis 50:20). You’ll cast off the regrets holding you captive, enabling you to get unstuck from the traumas that once caused you unspeakable pain.

• No more complaining. Like never before, I’m making an effort to replace grumbling with gratitude. Paul had a lot he could have complained about while sitting in a Roman prison cell. But instead he chose to focus on the people he was thankful for (Philippians 1:3-7) and the things in his life that were praiseworthy (4:4-8). That kind of adjusted focus goes a long way toward experiencing a happier and more joyful life.

I’m sure I’ll continue to struggle with this at times. I’ll be tempted to complain about aches and pains, singleness, the traffic in Charlotte, and countless other annoyances. But thankfully God has given me the power to change my focus and choose gratitude – and that makes all the difference.

• No more worries. At my advanced age, there are plenty of things a person could worry about. We worry about future health problems and wonder who would take care of us in that event. We worry about whether our financial reserves will run out before we die. We worry about being alone in our latter years. And I’m sure you can think of some other things to worry about as well…

Once again, my circumstances haven’t changed much, but my perspective is quite different than it was last year at this time. Why waste time and emotional energy worrying, when God has consistently proven Himself faithful throughout the years? 

When I reflect on my past, I notice that the things I worried about seldom actually happened. Instead, God provided what I needed, even if it was at the last minute. Shouldn’t I trust Him to provide for me in the future too? Hey, during my sabbatical, I lived for six weeks with just the stuff I could fit into a medium-sized suitcase – and I didn’t lack anything. 

My concerns about future financial provision gained a better perspective this year when I visited a multimillionaire friend. Once he had lavish homes in several different states, but now he lives in an assisted living center. Although he still has plenty of money, he spends his days in a small, one-room apartment – not much different than the kind of place someone on government assistance would have. Nevertheless, my friend is happy as can be, grateful that he has a bed, a comfortable chair, a TV, his own bathroom, and three meals a day. What else would he really need? At this point, his great wealth has largely become irrelevant. 

• No more codependence. I’ll admit, I have a long-time habit of trying to rescue people. That may not sound like a problem to you, but sometimes it has caused me unnecessary trouble. You see, those of us who are pastors and caregivers at heart frequently go overboard, forgetting to set boundaries and take care of ourselves. 

Recently God reminded me of the beautiful words found in Isaiah 9:6-7, “The government will be upon HIS shoulder.”  Too often, I’ve tried to shoulder the problems of the universe on my own shoulders, which is a sure prescription for burnout, if not disaster. 

So if you see me trying to rescue a damsel in distress, there’s a good chance you should rebuke me. Instead of trying to solve everyone’s problems, caregivers like me must learn the hard lesson of letting God be God, and pointing people to Him instead of to ourselves (Psalm 46:10). As John the Baptist discovered, we must boldly admit, “I am not the Christ!”  (John 1:20).

Imagine the overwhelming joy you’d experience if God set you free from striving…envy…regrets…complaining…worries…and codependence. It would be the best year you’ve had in decades!

I have a few additional reasons for being exceptionally happy this year. My job description at work has undergone some helpful tweaks. My home is also better organized now, because I got rid of some clutter when I moved. It always feels good to get rid of unnecessary “stuff,” doesn’t it?

Looking back on this year, I’m still amazed that most of the significant, joy-producing changes occurred in my heart, not in any of my circumstances. Ironically, these internal transformations probably could have happened in 2016, 2015, or even decades ago. Yet even though I wish I would have learned the lessons much sooner, there’s no time for regrets. Regardless of how long it took me to discover these simple truths, I’m VERY grateful that 2017 turned out to be such a transformational year.

Dear friend, you don’t have to wait until you’re my age to implement these life-changing perspectives. Life is too short to delay any longer. You might as well start being happy as soon as possible.  

The post The Happiness Switch appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

I learned a famous saying in my childhood, meant to deflect the taunts of bullies: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Although this sounded comforting at the time, I soon learned how misguided it was. 

What a rude awakening to discover that words often do more damage than sticks and stones. Our physical wounds are painful, but there’s usually a much shorter recovery time than for the destructive impact of people’s words. 

In fact, sometimes the damage from toxic words lasts a lifetime. And there are countless examples of toxic words triggering sticks and stones – and even deadly forms of violence.

For those who study the Bible, none of this should come as a surprise. King Solomon wrote that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). He also pointed out that “a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

The Bible teaches that our words are never neutral. They either build up or tear down, imparting either life or death.

I’ve recently heard some people try to downplay how powerful our words are. Yet the Bible warns:

“The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5-6).

We all must bear responsibility for our words, lest we unwittingly start a fire. We need to guard our words and tone of voice when we interact with our spouse and children. And many of us need to tone down our rhetoric at work, on social media, and in the public square. 

When you consider this war of words, what do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you part of the answer or part of the problem? Sadly, I’ve been both of these at one time or another (see James 3:9-10). 

Some have described America’s cultural divide as a virtual civil war. Not only has there been a “war of words,” but the words have increasingly prompted deranged people to justify violence. Even though that should never be an option, it’s not a surprising reaction for people who’ve become convinced their enemies are “Hitler” and “an existential threat to our democracy.” 

Whether on the left or on the right, we must be careful of the rhetoric we use in demonizing our opponents. Some of the negative characterizations are hyperbole, to say the least. 

Cowardly Communications

In the 1950s and 60s, Westerns were at the peak of their popularity, both in theaters and on TV. I distinctly remember how cowboys like John Wayne and James Garner confronted any “bad guys” who challenged them: “Those are fighting words!” 

However, things have drastically changed since the days when we dealt with our enemies face to face. Back in the Wild West, it took courage to challenge enemies, but the internet has changed all of that. Now we can sit in the safety of our home and freely cast insults toward people on social media. In most case, these are adversaries we’ve never even met. 

Notice how social media has enabled cowardly communications in our war of words. Although this makes it possible to do great damage in a short period of time, many people are completely detached from reality. They feel no more responsibility than if they were eradicating villains on a video game. 

We’ve also witnessed how the internet enables unhinged people to offer validation to each other. Antisocial chat groups freely radicalize young people, planting seeds of confusion, hatred, and violence.  

Nevertheless, the Bible offers good news if we heed its instructions: God promises to “heal our land” if His people turn fully to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

But what can one person do? God’s Word says we each can play a positive role in resolving our nation’s war of words: “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). If we are wise, that’s how we will use our words in the days ahead.  

The post Our Deadly War of Words appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

Before answering the important question of when Christ is returning, I need to share a personal story.

Back around 1972, I was dating a girl named Joni who had some questions about the end times and the return of Jesus. Having just read Hal Lindsey’s bestselling book, The Late Great Planet Earth, I thought I had all the answers. 

Joni was no theologian, but she persisted in asking some hard questions. Lindsey confidently said Christ would have to return within the generation that saw the rebirth of Israel as a nation. That meant the second coming would surely occur sometime in the 20^th century, most likely by 1988.

Based on this premise, some friends of mine dropped out of college. Getting an education seemed like a huge waste of time and money if the second coming was so near.

But when Jesus didn’t return by 1988, many people were disillusioned. Instead of just blaming Hal Lindsey’s flawed analysis, they concluded that the Bible itself had made inaccurate predictions. 

Lindsey described the “rapture” of the church as an event preceding a terrible seven-year tribulation period when God would pour out His judgments upon unbelievers. Numerous other books and movies would eventually further this view, warning about the dangers for those “left behind” at the rapture. 

However, by the time my conversation with Joni ended that night, I had to admit I was blindly trusting the research of others but needed to do my own study. For the next week or so, I dug into every prophetic Bible passage I could find. 

You may not agree, but I became convinced that Lindsey’s rapture doctrine was incorrect. Yes, we’re clearly told that Jesus will catch us away (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). But what is the timing on that? What if Lindsey’s pre-tribulation timeline was pieced together based on wishful thinking rather than sound hermeneutics?

Although I ended up with five or six pages of notes on the subject, let me share just a few of the scripture passages that stood out to me. The first one was this:

“Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31). 

While Lindsey confidently said Jesus would come and take us away before the tribulation period started, Jesus clearly said otherwise: “AFTER the tribulation of those days.”  And the “loud trumpet call”  Jesus mentions here correlates with what Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. 

Likewise, I believe the trumpet in these two passages is the same as the seventh (final) trumpet in Revelation 11:15: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’”  This is a beautiful declaration of what will happen when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom.

The rapture concept of a “secret” coming of Jesus is also dispelled by this description of His return: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him”  (Revelation 1:7). Quite the contrary to a secret return for the church, this says “EVERY eye will see him,” even His enemies. 

What About the Tribulation?

The real issue of the “rapture” is when it will occur. Many Bible teachers bend over backwards trying to prove that believers will not be present on earth during the “Great Tribulation” period. Viewing that as a time of the Lord’s wrath, they point to the fact that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). 

Yes, there will be a time of tribulation before Jesus returns, as Matthew 24 says. But I’m no longer sure it will be seven years in length. Perhaps the great tribulation described in the Bible refers to events in the past (such as 70 A.D.) or the present, not the future. Here’s the reality: Christians throughout history have experienced periods of tribulation and persecution. This is nothing new.

Even though many American Christians can’t fathom the possibility of facing future tribulation, Paul warned us about this: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”  (Acts 14:22). The rapture concept fits in well with feel-good American Christianity, but the Bible says we should expect opposition in the normal Christian life: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”  (2 Timothy 3:12).

So, if we face no persecution, we should be alarmed! This year I’ve interacted with Christians all over the world who’ve undergone fierce hostility because of their faith. For many who seek to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, their experience has been ridicule, job losses, beatings, imprisonments, and sometimes even death. Just last week, I heard of 70 believers who were beheaded!

Sometimes I picture what it would be like to preach the rapture doctrine in a Muslim country like Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iran. “Brothers and sisters, I have good news!” I would begin. “Jesus will return soon, and you’ll be able to miss the coming tribulation.”

That message may work in America, but I don’t think it would resonate among believers who are already experiencing great persecution and tribulation. For them, their “blessed hope” is that Jesus will soon return to rescue them—not from some future tribulation, but from the tribulation they are already in!

So, I often find myself preaching about the second coming to Christians in persecuted lands. Yet instead of assuring them about a rapture that precedes tribulation, I preach that Jesus will soon return to set up His earthly kingdom. 

The Bible promises that Christ will restore everything Adam and Eve forfeited in Genesis 3. Instead of conflict, chaos, sickness, anxiety, and death, He will make everything new. There will be a new heaven and new earth, and “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore”  (Revelation 21:1-5). 

That’s good news, indeed!

More Questions

At a birthday party with my grandkids last week, a devoted Christian woman asked me questions reminiscent of the conversation with my girlfriend Joni years ago: “Jim, I hear you are a pastor,” she began. “Do you believe in the rapture and the possibility that Jesus will return this year?”

Frankly, I stammered and was unable to give her a clear, concise answer. That’s one of the reasons I decided to write this blog.

As I reflect on the subject today, I realize there’s one thing I actually like about the rapture doctrine: It teaches that Jesus can return at any moment, so we must continually be alert and ready. 

In contrast, those who dismiss the pre-tribulation rapture idea are prone to say Jesus can’t return until all sorts of other things happen first. For example, there’s all sorts of speculation about a third temple being built in Israel, the sacrifice of red heifers, getting the gospel to more unreached people groups, the rise of Antichrist and a one-world government, and so on. 

Although I have opinions on some of these allegedly necessary “signs of the times,” I believe the overwhelming testimony of the scriptures is that Jesus will come at a day and hour when He’s not expected. He warned that His followers must remain in a state of readiness, faithfully doing the things He has instructed us to do (Matthew 24:45-51). He also said we should be sure to have extra oil in our lamps, because the Bridegroom’s return may be delayed (Matthew 25:1-13).

Any valid teachings about Jesus’ return should thus prompt us to urgency and preparedness, not complacency. We should make sure our hearts are right with God and ask the Lord for greater compassion for the lost and more boldness in sharing the gospel. 

When Will the Last Trumpet Sound?

Some Bible teachers and social media influencers have pointed out that the major events in Jesus’ life and ministry typically occurred on Jewish feast days. His crucifixion coincided with the Feast of Passover and His resurrection was on the Feast of Firstfruits. Then the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Feast of Pentecost. 

This prompts an interesting question: Will Jesus’ return be on the Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah? This year the date will be from September 22 to September 24—just a few weeks away! Internet prophets have convinced millions of people that Jesus will be coming back that day.

Do I think Jesus will return at the Feast of Trumpets this year? I doubt it, but I really have no idea. It could be this year or many decades from now. Yet I am sure of this: It’s time for us as followers of Christ, whether in persecuted lands or places like the United States, to recommit ourselves to passion for Him and compassion for others.

Jesus gave us this stern warning: “Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly”  (Luke 21:34). For Bible prophecy or any other issue, the heart of the matter is always a matter of the heart.

Are there clear prophetic signs pointing to Jesus’ return? Even though there will always be skeptics and scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4), the answer is clearly yes. 

We’ve been warned that “perilous times”  will come in the last days, so that sign shouldn’t be any surprise. But instead of being paralyzed by fear or lulled to sleep by apathy, Jesus told us what our posture must be: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near”  (Luke 21:28). 

Sincere believers may have valid questions about the details and timeline. After all, the religious leaders in Jesus’ day had many misguided interpretations of the Old Testament prophetic scriptures about the Messiah’s coming. I certainly don’t have all the answers about Jesus’ return—and I’m skeptical of anyone else who claims to have it all figured out. In fact, if you see someone promoting their elaborate charts detailing the last days, you should be skeptical too.

Even Jesus’ disciples had questions about when He would inaugurate His kingdom. Yet instead of giving them a timeline, He gave them a task: you “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses”  (Acts 1:6-8). 

And don’t miss Peter’s reminder that our understanding of prophecy should impact “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness”  (2 Peter 3:11-12). If our view of the end times doesn’t affect our conduct, having the correct theology will be of little use.

It all gets down to this: Let’s make sure we’re ready to stand before Jesus at His return. Regardless of how we understand the details and timeline, the constant cry of our hearts should be, “Come, Lord Jesus!”  (Revelation 22:20).

P.S. I’ve come to love a new song about the second coming: “Come Jesus Come,” by Stephen McWhirter. Here’s the link, and I think it will inspire you as well.

https://youtu.be/_SF9xrCtdgE?si=ofIaakdjR1ib2oBw

The post Will Jesus Come Back This Year? appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

This year I’ve been confronted with the enormous financial hardships of Christians all around the world. The needs are especially great right now among my Pakistani friends hit by devastating floods in recent weeks. 

This year more than 100 Pakistani pastors have contacted me for help. They are hungry to hear the Word of God, but they also need financial support to fund their outreaches to widows, orphans, and the impoverished people laboring in Pakistan’s brickyards.

The financial needs were already great—and then the floods made things infinitely worse. If you don’t believe me, do a Google search for “Pakistan floods” or “flooding in the Punjab.” The scenes are horrific. Thousands of people have lost even the meager material possessions they had, and many are in dire need of food, water, and basic shelter.

Seeing such overwhelming needs, what can one person possibly do to make a difference? It’s often tempting to just throw up our hands and declare that the situation is hopeless. 

This has got me thinking about a famous story you may have heard…

One day an old man was walking along a beach in the early morning and noticed the tide had washed thousands of starfish up onto the shore. Ahead he spotted a young girl gathering up the starfish and then tossing them, one by one, back into the ocean.

Intrigued by what he saw, he approached the girl and asked why she was spending so much energy on what seemed to be a waste of time. 

“The starfish can’t live if they are left out in the sun,” the girl replied.

This still made no sense to the old man. He gazed out as far as he could see and responded, “But there are hundreds of miles of beaches and countless starfish. You can’t possibly rescue all of them.”

Not sure the girl was listening, the man continued to press his point: “What difference is it going to make to throw a few starfish back anyway?”

The girl bent down and picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as she could into the ocean. With a smile on her face, she turned and said, “Well, I sure did make a difference to that one!”

Recognizing that the girl had won the argument, the old man leaned over, picked up a starfish, and joined the girl in throwing starfish into the water. 

The moral of the story? Even if we can’t help every starfish, that’s no excuse for doing nothing.

Helping the Pakistanis

I’m sure there must be some humanitarian organizations trying to help the flood victims in Pakistan. But it’s an Islamic country, and government help always goes to the Muslims first. 

Crosslink Ministries is my small, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. We have limited resources, but if you would like to donate money for Pakistan, you can do so at www.CrosslinkMinistries.org. 

Jesus is able to multiply our resources, just like the time He took five loaves and two fish and fed thousands. With your help, we might not be able to help thousands like He did, but at least we can make a significant difference for a few.

The post Saved Any Starfish Lately? appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish.

And the fish were hungry.

Week after week, month after month, and year after year these, who called themselves fishermen, met in meetings and talked about their call to go about fishing.

Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss fishing and to promote fishing and hear about all the ways of fishing, such as the new fishing equipment, fish calls, and whether any new bait was discovered.

These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called “Fishing Headquarters.” The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however: They didn’t actually fish.

All the fishermen seemed to agree that what is needed is a board which could challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing. The board was formed by those who had the great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in far-away streams and lakes where many other fish of different colors lived.

Large, elaborate, and expensive training centers were built whose purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing.

Some spent much study and travel to learn the history of fishing and to see faraway places where the founding fathers did great fishing in the centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who handed down the idea of fishing.

Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. And they went off to foreign lands…to teach fishing.

Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen’s clubs. They anguished over those who were not committed enough to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men?”

Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t catch fish were not really fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if year after year they never catches a fish? Is one following if they aren’t fishing?

Article written by Win Arn, The Pastor’s Church Growth Handbook

The post Parable of the Fishless Fishermen appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

If you live anywhere in the northern hemisphere, you’ve probably been dealing with sweltering temperatures in recent weeks. Here in the Carolinas, we’ve had several days near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and my Pakistani friends have had it even worse.

There has been abundant heat and lots of perspiration this summer!

Against this current backdrop, I was stunned by an intriguing Old Testament passage about the priests who would minister in the temple: 

“When they enter the gates of the inner court they are to wear linen garments; they must not have on them anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court and within it. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists”  (Ezekiel 44:17-18).  

Hmmm… So, what’s the big deal about wearing linen instead of wool? The passage continues with this explanation: “They are not to put on anything that makes them sweat.” 

This may seem like an insignificant difference to you, but it’s not. We all sweat, so perspiration is an inevitable part of our physical lives. But sweat in this passage is emblematic of something much deeper—God’s curse pronounced after Adam sinned:

“You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground”  (Genesis 3:17-19).

This was a profound change from the life Adam and Eve originally had in the Garden of Eden. The Lord had lovingly placed them in a garden already abounding in food and other necessities (Genesis 2:8-9). No work on Adam’s part was necessary. All he had to do was partake of God’s gracious, unmerited gift.

It was a wonderful life, and no sweat was required!

The temple priests in Ezekiel’s day were supposed to model this same reality: salvation and provision based on grace rather than striving. In contrast, “wool” would have been symbolic of human effort and religious works—the very opposite of what Jesus later revealed in the gospel. 

When we see the marriage supper of the Lamb at the end of time, it shouldn’t surprise us how the bride will be dressed: “She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure”  (Revelation 19:7-8). Notice that her wedding dress was a GIFT, something she was “given.”

Personal Application

I find myself quite challenged by this “no sweat” message. Those of us who “work for God” often perspire far too much. Instead of relying upon the power of the Holy Spirit, we exert our own fleshly effort. Rather than trusting in the Lord, we lean on our own expertise and ingenuity (Proverbs 3:5-7). 

Jesus taught that fleshly effort is unfruitful in bringing about eternal fruit (John 15:5, 15:16). Even worse, the thing it does produce is SWEAT. And although I don’t want to be too graphic, what does our sweat inevitably produce: BODY ODOR!

Are you getting a clearer picture of why God’s holy priesthood should be clothed in “linen” garments instead of wool? Religion always ends up stinking!

Let’s be brutally honest here. The world is tired of breathing the fumes of our religious perspiration. Instead, they’re craving a much different fragrance: the sweet aroma of Christ:

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place”  (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Thanks be to God, indeed. This amazing supernatural transformation will impact our own lives and everyone around us. 

Yes, the Bible teaches that God’s grace will motivates us to work hard (1 Corinthians 15:10). However, the secret to the Christian life is not hard work but “Christ in us”  (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27). That’s the only way we can experience victorious, no-sweat Christianity. 

Some of us are due for a refreshing shower of God’s love to remove the stench. And let’s not forget to ditch the stinky religious attire infused with our sweat. Praise God, fresh linen garments are our future!

The post What’s So Bad About a Little SWEAT?! appeared first on Jim Buchan's Blogsite.

It happens. Even if you’re not bipolar, you’ll inevitably experience the peaks and valleys of life. Like waves on the seashore, there will be high tide and low tide—and perhaps even an occasional tsunami. 

When faced with such things, it’s helpful to remember you’re not alone. Whether you know it or not, your friends and loved ones are dealing with their own battles. No one is exempt.

So this is not a time for arrogance—as if you are immune from struggles. Nor is it a time for self-pity—as if your problems are greater than anyone else’s. 

We who are believers must avoid the fallacy of attributing every trial to a “lack of faith.” The Bible’s greatest heroes often went from exhilaration to exasperation in short order:

• Moses had just witnessed one of the most amazing miracles of all time, the parting of the Red Sea and drowning of the Egyptian army. But the celebration was short-lived: Only three days later, his followers were grumbling because there was no suitable water to drink (Exodus 14 – 15).

• David was so caught up in worship one day that he boldly declared, “I will never be shaken!” Yet in the very next verse he lamented, “You hid Your face, and I was dismayed”  (Psalm 30:1-7). Apparently, it’s not good to be cocky when times are good.

• Elijah had just experienced his finest hour, defeating the false prophets on Mount Carmel and then bringing about rain after Israel’s three-year drought. However, the exhausted prophet became depressed and even suicidal when Queen Jezebel threatened his life (1 Kings 19). His downward spiral was temporary, but it was deep.

Stories like these include lessons too numerous to list here. But here’s something good to remember: Although low tide will come, it won’t last forever.

When I played baseball as a kid, I experienced a hitting slump one season. I remember my dad pointing out that I normally got on base one out of every three times at bat. So, if I struck out a few times, that meant I was almost certain to get a hit next time!

Jesus and the Disciples

Burnout is a very real problem for those in ministry. The devil portrays God as a slavedriver (Matthew 25:24), but that narrative is completely false. Instead of pushing us toward ever-greater burnout, Jesus sends exactly the opposite message:

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light”  (Matthew 11:28-30).

Despite these beautiful assurances, there were times in Jesus’ ministry when He and the disciples were overwhelmed with busyness. During their crescendo of powerful ministry, multitudes of needy people were coming and going, and there wasn’t even time to eat. 

How did Jesus handle this? Did He tell the disciples to just “get over it” and work harder to further His kingdom? Did He exhort these men to, once again, put the needs of others before their own? 

If you’ve ever worked for a Christian ministry or nonprofit, you may have expected an approach like this. In contrast, Jesus gave His followers some wise and compassionate advice: “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”  (Mark 6:30-32). 

Have you ever encountered a busy time like this? I surely have—many times, in fact. As happened with Jesus’ disciples, there’s a danger that our exhilarating BLESSINGS of fruitful ministry can eventually turn into ugly spiritual and emotional BURNOUT. 

Perhaps another sports analogy will help to put this into perspective. Picture a basketball game in the third quarter. The score is very close, yet the coach takes his star player out of the game and sits him on the bench for a while. Was it because the player was having a bad game? Most likely, it was just the opposite: The coach wanted the star player to be at his best in the closing quarter of the game.

If you watch much basketball, you’ll sometimes see a player angry their coach forced them to rest for a few minutes. However, Jesus is a wise coach, and we can trust His directives. If we take time to listen, He’s certain to periodically make us rest (see Psalm 23:1-2).

Who’s to Blame?

The devil wants us to blame God for our burnout, but that would be a big mistake. Shockingly, the actual religious slavedriver is the devil himself! You see, religion apart from Jesus is inherently exhausting. And if we blame the Lord for our burnout, we’ll drift even further from Him—the very One who offers to heal our frayed emotions.

Usually, the secondary cause of our burnout is people-pleasing. Although we may sincerely think we’re burning out in service to God, often we’re just on a cruel treadmill of trying to impress people so we can feel better about ourselves. 

If you find yourself on the edge of burnout today, take a step off the treadmill and regain your bearings. Make sure you’re being led by the Holy Spirit instead of unreasonable human expectations. As Psalm 46:10 commands, take time to “be still” and remember that He’s God—and you’re not!

Jesus’ interactions with His disciples demonstrated His realization that life is a marathon rather than a sprint. There’s nothing fast or frantic about abiding in Him, yet that was His prescription for bearing more fruit (John 15:5).

Let’s be clear: This is not a recommendation for laziness, self-centeredness, or inaction. The world is a very needy place, and I hope you’re engaged in some activities to make it better. And even though it’s painful to face, I hope God has opened your eyes to the reality of human suffering and your responsibility to help when you can.

But I also encourage you to learn the beauty of taking Jesus’s yoke and getting periodic rest breaks along the way. Perhaps this means a commitment to a weekly sabbath, or maybe it means scheduling a personal retreat. This is important, because YOU are important! Jesus loves you and wants to help you avoid or recover from burnout and cynicism. 

As an old preacher used to say, “The reason Jesus said we must ‘come apart’ is because He didn’t want us to ‘fall apart’!” 

I pray you will feel His loving embrace today. May you hear the tender call of the Bridegroom, “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away”  (Song of Solomon 2:13). All true ministry starts with that!

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