This morning I read a story on the Facebook page of the ABC-affiliate TV station in Asheville. This is what I read:
"Google's Motorola Mobility filed a patent for an electronic skin tattoo that would work as a microphone for your cellphone. It cancels noise to make calls clearer. The tattoo would also work as a lie detector because it picks up on skin responses."
You can read the full story at www.wlos.com.
The station then asked what people thought about that. Is it "cool" or "creepy". The overwhelming number of responses I read went for "creepy."
Some commenters went, as I did when I read the story, to the Book of Revelation and to the mark of the beast (Revelation 12:16-17). In fact, when I read the story, my first thought was "people get ready, Jesus is coming."
You may recognize that as a line from a song. You can hear the full song on YouTube at this link: http://youtu.be/5sc1z9arhe0
I can remember back, not so very many years ago, when we would read some of the prophecies in Revelation, like the one concerning the mark of the beast, and it would be hard to comprehend how anything like that could really happen. But in recent years, we have less and less difficulty understanding it. Back in my childhood (way back in the "stone age"!), credit cards and debit cards were unheard of. But now they're the most common way to pay for merchandise. Back then when we read in Scripture that "every eye would see Him", that was beyond the realm of our understanding. But now, with satellites and internet and modern technology that allows us to see what's happening on the other side of the world almost as it happens, it's no longer quite so difficult to imagine.
I don't know exactly how all the events of Revelation will unfold. I don't know exactly what the mark of the beast will be.
But I do know that when I read news accounts like this one, I realize that we are not so far removed from these prophecies being fulfilled.
And the line from that song becomes more important than ever. "People, get ready. Jesus is coming."
Are you ready?
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify for himself a people for his own possession." (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
More Than Enough
As you read that title, you may have thought I was referring to yesterday's snow. And although I didn't have that snow on my mind as I began this post, the flurries and snow showers we had yesterday are, in fact, more than enough for me at this not-yet-winter point in time!
But I have been actually sitting here reflecting on that phrase.....more than enough.....and on lyrics from Chris Tomlin's song Enough:
But I have been actually sitting here reflecting on that phrase.....more than enough.....and on lyrics from Chris Tomlin's song Enough:
All of You is more than enough for all of me.
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love,
And all I have in You is more than enough.
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love,
And all I have in You is more than enough.
More than enough. So very blessed, as are most of us who live in this country. On this very cold morning, I have a roof over my head, warm clothes, plenty of heat and coffee and afghans to snuggle in. I have more than enough food in my pantry. While I may get hungry at some time during the day, I am in no way hungry in the way much of the world's population is hungry. I may grumble because I have run out of my favorite food and need to make a trip to the grocery store, but I'm able to do that. I have a car full of fuel to take me there, abundant choices when I get there, I am physically able to do my own shopping, and I have the funds to pay for what I want to purchase. I have more than enough. Truly I am blessed.
As we approach the holiday season, might we be more mindful of those around us who are less blessed. Who struggle to pay the bills. Who are stressed over how they are going to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Whose homes aren't as warm.
Take a few minutes to consider all the ways you are blessed, remembering that all our blessings aren't reflected in our bank accounts or our pantries. There's the sweet smile of a child. A hug just when you needed it. A special song you heard on the radio or in Sunday's church service. A verse that especially touched your heart as you read your Bible this morning.
Count your blessings today. And as you are remembering how blessed you are, don't forget to be a blessing to others.
"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40 ESV)
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
May We Never Forget
Yesterday we observed Veteran's Day, a day when we remember and honor those men and women who have served in our nation's military. I'm glad there is a day set aside for this purpose, but I also think it's sad that we don't remember them more often. That we don't think about and honor those men and women, and their families, who sacrifice so much on our behalf. Who pay the price so we don't have to. We must never forget that freedom isn't free, and that many have sacrificed much on our behalf.
Freedom comes at a price. A great price. And not only the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens, but the our freedom in Christ as well. May we never forget the great price that our Savior paid that we might be free from sin. May we never forget what it cost Him. May we never take it for granted.
We so often take our freedoms as Americans for granted. Shame on us! And shame on us when we treat our freedom in Christ that casually as well.
May we live this day, and every day, with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus. May we never forget what it cost.
"For you were bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV)
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. For he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)
Freedom comes at a price. A great price. And not only the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens, but the our freedom in Christ as well. May we never forget the great price that our Savior paid that we might be free from sin. May we never forget what it cost Him. May we never take it for granted.
We so often take our freedoms as Americans for granted. Shame on us! And shame on us when we treat our freedom in Christ that casually as well.
May we live this day, and every day, with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus. May we never forget what it cost.
"For you were bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV)
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. For he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)
Monday, November 11, 2013
Be Strong and Courageous
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)
This verse was a part of our Life Group lesson yesterday, as we continued our journey through The Story. Yesterday our journey had us at that point in the history of the Hebrew people where they were crossing into the Promised Land. As they were moving forward to claim the land, it was important for them to remember to "be strong and courageous".
Yesterday's lesson covered the entire book of Joshua in the Old Testament. That's quite a lot to cover in one lesson period! As we looked at God's instructions to Joshua and the people, at His promises to them, and at the events that transpired, we learned several lessons that we can apply to our own lives.
We need to be people of the Word. The Lord said to Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it." (Joshua 1:8 ESV) We need to take that instruction to heart. If we're going to live as God's people in a world that increasingly is turning its back on Him, we need to know the Word. We need to spend time in the Word. We need to obey the Word. We need to be people of the Word.
We need to be people of prayer. There's an episode in Joshua 9 where Joshua made an alliance with the Gibeonites. This turned out to be a bad alliance; the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelites. How did that happen? Because, according to verse 14 of that chapter, "they did not ask counsel from the LORD." Just like Joshua, we can get ourselves into some trouble when we fail to pray.
We need to be identified with God. For the Hebrew people, that mark of identification was circumcision. For us today, we identify with God through baptism, through church membership, through the relationships and associations we cultivate, through the choices we make.
We need to be strong and courageous. That was God's instruction to Joshua and the Hebrew people. It's an instruction repeated throughout the book of Joshua. And, in various forms, it's an instruction repeated throughout the Bible......."fear not"!
How do we live this way? How do we live strong and courageous lives? By remembering! Remembering who God is. Remembering what He has done. Remembering His promises.
When the Hebrew people had crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, they erected 12 memorial stones. These stones served as reminders to the people and to generations to come of what God had done for them.
As we face our challenges in life, whatever they may be - whether illness or job loss or financial strain or some other challenge - we need to remember. We may not have erected stones as reminders, but as life's challenges come - and they will - we can look back and remember. Remember God's promises. Remember His provision. Remember all the times and all the ways He has provided. Has there ever been even one time when God didn't provide for you? Has there ever been even one time when He didn't care? Has there ever been even one time that He forgot about you? No! Then trust Him!
If we are willing to trust Him with our eternity, can we not also trust Him with our today?
"When your children ask their fathers in time to come, what do these stones mean, you shall let your children know, Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." (Joshua 4:21-24 ESV)
This verse was a part of our Life Group lesson yesterday, as we continued our journey through The Story. Yesterday our journey had us at that point in the history of the Hebrew people where they were crossing into the Promised Land. As they were moving forward to claim the land, it was important for them to remember to "be strong and courageous".
Yesterday's lesson covered the entire book of Joshua in the Old Testament. That's quite a lot to cover in one lesson period! As we looked at God's instructions to Joshua and the people, at His promises to them, and at the events that transpired, we learned several lessons that we can apply to our own lives.
We need to be people of the Word. The Lord said to Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it." (Joshua 1:8 ESV) We need to take that instruction to heart. If we're going to live as God's people in a world that increasingly is turning its back on Him, we need to know the Word. We need to spend time in the Word. We need to obey the Word. We need to be people of the Word.
We need to be people of prayer. There's an episode in Joshua 9 where Joshua made an alliance with the Gibeonites. This turned out to be a bad alliance; the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelites. How did that happen? Because, according to verse 14 of that chapter, "they did not ask counsel from the LORD." Just like Joshua, we can get ourselves into some trouble when we fail to pray.
We need to be identified with God. For the Hebrew people, that mark of identification was circumcision. For us today, we identify with God through baptism, through church membership, through the relationships and associations we cultivate, through the choices we make.
We need to be strong and courageous. That was God's instruction to Joshua and the Hebrew people. It's an instruction repeated throughout the book of Joshua. And, in various forms, it's an instruction repeated throughout the Bible......."fear not"!
How do we live this way? How do we live strong and courageous lives? By remembering! Remembering who God is. Remembering what He has done. Remembering His promises.
When the Hebrew people had crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, they erected 12 memorial stones. These stones served as reminders to the people and to generations to come of what God had done for them.
As we face our challenges in life, whatever they may be - whether illness or job loss or financial strain or some other challenge - we need to remember. We may not have erected stones as reminders, but as life's challenges come - and they will - we can look back and remember. Remember God's promises. Remember His provision. Remember all the times and all the ways He has provided. Has there ever been even one time when God didn't provide for you? Has there ever been even one time when He didn't care? Has there ever been even one time that He forgot about you? No! Then trust Him!
If we are willing to trust Him with our eternity, can we not also trust Him with our today?
"When your children ask their fathers in time to come, what do these stones mean, you shall let your children know, Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." (Joshua 4:21-24 ESV)
Friday, November 8, 2013
Snack Attack
Yesterday I had the "munchies". I wanted something salty, so I grabbed a handful of potato chips. Then I wanted something sweet, so I grabbed some candy. I pretty much snacked my way right through the day. Do you ever have days like that, or am I the only one?
Days like that are not a good thing. Not good for my waistline or for my nutrition.
Unfortunately, there are many people who approach God's Word in that same way, with a "snacking mentality." Just grabbing a snack here or there, but never sitting down for a full meal. They have a quick verse here or a devotional thought there. And just as a quick snack is not good for proper nutrition of the physical body, neither is a quick snack of Scripture adequate for proper nutrition for the spirit.
If my body's nourishment comes only from snacks, I will be malnourished. How much more this is for spiritual nourishment!
When was the last time you sat down for a good "meal" of Scripture?
"I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12 NASB)
Days like that are not a good thing. Not good for my waistline or for my nutrition.
Unfortunately, there are many people who approach God's Word in that same way, with a "snacking mentality." Just grabbing a snack here or there, but never sitting down for a full meal. They have a quick verse here or a devotional thought there. And just as a quick snack is not good for proper nutrition of the physical body, neither is a quick snack of Scripture adequate for proper nutrition for the spirit.
If my body's nourishment comes only from snacks, I will be malnourished. How much more this is for spiritual nourishment!
When was the last time you sat down for a good "meal" of Scripture?
"I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12 NASB)
Thursday, November 7, 2013
My Hope
Today is Billy Graham's 95th birthday. It's hard to even begin to comprehend how many people have heard the truth of the gospel because of his faithful preaching of the gospel message.
One of the ways this milestone birthday is being celebrated is with one more message, perhaps his last. This huge evangelistic effort is not being conducted in stadiums or auditoriums, as so many previous crusades were. This week the venues are homes and offices and coffee shops across America as the "My Hope America" videos will be shared over and over again, and as once again the simple message of the cross will proclaimed.
"My Hope America" is a powerful video, a marvel of modern technology, combining previous messages Mr. Graham has preached with a message he delivers from his home here in the mountains. Although technology has certainly changed since those early crusades and tent revivals, the message this precious man of God delivers has not changed. It's still about the cross. It's still about the love of God. It's still the unchanging truth that God loves you and me and all peoples of the world so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on a cruel cross to save us from the penalty of our sin.
That's my hope. That's your hope. That's the hope for America. And for the world.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV)
One of the ways this milestone birthday is being celebrated is with one more message, perhaps his last. This huge evangelistic effort is not being conducted in stadiums or auditoriums, as so many previous crusades were. This week the venues are homes and offices and coffee shops across America as the "My Hope America" videos will be shared over and over again, and as once again the simple message of the cross will proclaimed.
"My Hope America" is a powerful video, a marvel of modern technology, combining previous messages Mr. Graham has preached with a message he delivers from his home here in the mountains. Although technology has certainly changed since those early crusades and tent revivals, the message this precious man of God delivers has not changed. It's still about the cross. It's still about the love of God. It's still the unchanging truth that God loves you and me and all peoples of the world so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on a cruel cross to save us from the penalty of our sin.
That's my hope. That's your hope. That's the hope for America. And for the world.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV)
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
In Everything
"In everything give thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
In everything. In all things. However, you want to phrase it...
No exceptions. There are none of those phrases we want to add to the end of the verse.
It doesn't say in everything except.......
Except cancer.
Except when I lose my job.
Except when I run out of money.
Except politicians. Or government-run health care. Or when I don't like election results.
Except when my friend or my spouse or my son or my daughter or my best friend hurts my feelings.
Except any of the other things you might be able to think of. There are no clarifying phrases at the end of that sentence.
In everything.
Everything means everything.
It's pretty clear.
Note that the verse doesn't say anything about feeling thankful. This is not about an emotional response to circumstances. The verse says to give thanks. That involves the will. A deliberate choice to give thanks, not because I feel like it but in spite of the fact that sometimes I don't.
Give thanks. In everything.
Today might be a good day to start.
"If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes." (from the movie "Facing the Giants")
"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
In everything. In all things. However, you want to phrase it...
No exceptions. There are none of those phrases we want to add to the end of the verse.
It doesn't say in everything except.......
Except cancer.
Except when I lose my job.
Except when I run out of money.
Except politicians. Or government-run health care. Or when I don't like election results.
Except when my friend or my spouse or my son or my daughter or my best friend hurts my feelings.
Except any of the other things you might be able to think of. There are no clarifying phrases at the end of that sentence.
In everything.
Everything means everything.
It's pretty clear.
Note that the verse doesn't say anything about feeling thankful. This is not about an emotional response to circumstances. The verse says to give thanks. That involves the will. A deliberate choice to give thanks, not because I feel like it but in spite of the fact that sometimes I don't.
Give thanks. In everything.
Today might be a good day to start.
"If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes." (from the movie "Facing the Giants")
"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
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