Faith Stimulus

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21

Most of us will soon receive a check in the mail from the U.S. government. A lot of people are already planning how they will spend it, and some have even already spent it! The great majority are using that money to buy something they’ve been wanting… a new TV, some home improvements, exercise equipment… the list is endless. Whatever they may buy, I confidently assume that 99% of people are spending that money on their own wants and desires, perhaps masked thinly as “needs.” Few of us actually need this unexpected windfall to meet regular expenses or necessary emergencies.

A few days ago the blog “Desiring God” inspired me with this idea. If you are a follower of Jesus, I challenge you to use the entire sum of money you will receive as “economic stimulus” for God’s glory. Donate it to an orphanage, buy meals for the homeless, send it to a missionary, or buy Bibles with it and hand them out door to door. “Store up treasures in heaven.” It’s an investment that can’t go wrong.

Above and beyond the praise our Lord will receive from the beneficiaries of your giving, you will most likely have a more personal chance to bring Him glory. Within the next few months the question, “What are you spending your check on?” will become a hot topic around water coolers and in break rooms across the country. This may be a chance for opening the door to share your faith with someone who would never listen otherwise.

This is an opportunity for you to show your freedom from the love of money and materialism. I have been thinking of the people who will read this, and how each one of you will react. If you have a platform, a pulpit, or a blog, (and I know some of you do) I ask you to encourage others as well. Give glory to God!

It is Finished

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed His head and gave up His spirit." -John 19:30

I have recently been reading "Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor," a biography of the great missionary to China. In the book it relates how he picked up a gospel tract for entertainent, planning to read the "story" and skip the "sermon," and was struck by the words "It is finished."

"What was finished?'"
And at once I replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin. The debt was paid for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Then came the further thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?"

This week at church we heard a message which meshed perfectly with this. The pastor spoke on "Religion versus the Gospel." He emphasized that all of the things that we and other people do, many of them very "good" things, are not a part of the Good News that Jesus Christ paid the price and offered forgiveness. We cannot work our way into heaven, or into any merit with God. There is nothing left for us to do!

Throughout Jesus ministry in Israel He blasted the religious fervor of the Jews, condemning their public prayers, their scrupulous tithing, and their carefully preserved cleanliness. In your church and life would He find the same things to condemn? I think all of us, especially those who have grown up in the church, demand of ourselves certain good works. The insidious idea that we are "doing something for God," and therefore promoting ourselves, sneaks in so easily.

Remember today that in Christ "It is finished!" There is nothing left for you to do! Your sins are forgiven! It should be a natural response to this incomprehensible mercy to worship and love your great Forgiver with the utmost of your life and being. But this is always and only thanks to Him, and never merit with Him. Live in the freedom of accepting His payment for sins, and praise Him!

He Will be Praised!

"...and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father..." -Philippians 2:11

"...if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out..." -Luke 19:40

I am not typically a television watcher, but for the last few weeks Sarah and I have spent a few hours each week watching a show that I'm sure you've heard of, even if you don't have a television. We watch American Idol.

This show has the largest viewing audience of any show on earth. It has been duplicated in many countries worldwide. It is at this time the ultimate that Hollywood has to offer. The name is perfect for the show... and frightening in its boldness. If you are one of the few who don't know, the show is an open competition for a music recording contract and instant worldwide fame. From thousands of hopefuls they narrow the field until the final dozen are household names. Although one person wins it all, the show is such a phenomenal hit that the top few contenders lives are changed forever.

But I'm not here to promote a television show. Last week they aired a special edition of the show called "Idol Gives Back." The show was funded by corporate giants such as Ford Motors and Apple/Mac electronics. I didn't count, but I would guess that almost a hundred celebrities made guest appearances on the show... from famous actors to rock stars to presidential candidates. They were all there to ask people to give to charities... and the works of many of these charities are very praiseworthy.

I watched the show with very mixed feelings, and I have been thinking about it ever since. When I think of the rich and famous of Hollywood, I don't imagine that they are anything like what a Christian should be like. I don't look to the stars of television to give me an example to follow. But during this show, they were doing just that. We think that many of them are morally bankrupt, and yet they are doing the feeding of the hungry and the giving to the poor that the hands of Jesus should be doing.

At the end of the show something happened that jarred me to the core. On this show, of all shows, they closed with the well known church hymn which includes the following lines:

"...shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing,
Glory and majesty, praise to the King,
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your Name!"

As the song was broadcast worldwide I sat in wonder and conviction. It seemed to me that the message was clear... God will do His work, and He will use any instrument He chooses. He does not depend on me or the church for His glory, but is glorified by creation and even by Hollywood!

Praise Him today!