Semper Fidelis

As the website comes into focus, you hear: “From now on you will speak only when spoken to and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be ‘yes sir’!” And to the left of the screen it says, “Become a Marine!”

As I read through the Marine code of conduct, I was struck by the fact that these men and women basically sell themselves out to defending and if need be, giving their lives for our country and our way of life. They take a vow to these six articles:

Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my people while they still have the means to resist.

Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep my faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my action, and dedicated to the principles which make my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of America.

How are we believers in the faithfulness department? Do we take a vow with Galatians 2:20, proclaiming that “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” and then in the midst of hardship, succumb to the realities of life and forsake what Christ has called us to do and to be?

It has been said of the Marines:
“The few the proud the Marines”.

It has been written of heaven: “For many are invited,

but few are chosen”. (Matt. 22:14)

What a Day That Will Be!

Well, I did it! I finally went to a Homecoming at my college alma mater. It’s been 25 years since graduation and except for one or two people in my class, we have not been in the same room for over 20 years. I didn’t know what to expect. With the help of Facebook, I was able to make sure that I was up on some names and faces, but was mostly wondering what the conversations would be like. My journey has taken me to extreme highs and lows over the past 25 years and I knew others might have the same story.

What I experienced was nothing less than a joyful reunion of (now) men and women with whom I had shared my life with for 4-5 years during our early adulthood. It was like we picked up where we left off. One morning, I was walking down a stair case and from a distance, I see three guys with whom I had shared life with from 18-21 years of age and all I me with was smiles, laughter, hugs and jokes about my bald head! It was glorious!!

As the weekend went on, laughter was mixed with shared stories of difficulties and hope, failure and restoration, and in the end we all were comforted with the reality that time changes many things, but one thing remains the same, God is good and God is faithful!

As incredible as my 25th reunion/homecoming was, I can only imagine what heaven is going to be like? When we open our eyes for the first time and take our first breath on the other side, what will our reaction be? I’m not sure, but one thing I do know is that it won’t be long before each of us begins to perhaps hum then sing, bow then pray as we join with the myriads of those who preceded us, in worshipping the One who remains Good and Faithful for all time and eternity. What a day that will be!

In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth

and under the earth and on the sea,
and all that is in them,

singing: "To him who sits on the throne

and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said,

"Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:12-14 (NIV)

Jesus Is Lord

What comes to mind when you think of “Lordship”? We hear that word used a lot, especially as we sing words phrases such as “He is Lord”, “Lord, I lift Your Name on high”, “Lord, You are…”, “The Lord is Good,” or “In my life, Lord, be glorified.” We use it when we pray, “Dear Lord…”, but what does this word mean in our relationship to Jesus?

For many years, I thought that I had to get to a point in my life where I allowed Jesus to be “Lord” over my life; that I had to allow Him to be “Lord over all or He was not Lord at all…” Those make for compelling lyrics, and in truth I can daily give more of myself to Him to be under His control, but the truth of the matter is that Jesus is Lord, period. “He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, He is Lord of all who live, He is Lord above the universe, all praise to Him we give!” (see Revelation 17:14)

What we must realize is that Jesus is Lord and it’s up to us to accept that fact and live according to that reality. Either we will accept His Lordship under His grace and mercy in this life, or we will be forced to accept it in his judgment and condemnation after this life is over.

His being Lord is not up for debate. Our acknowledgment and acceptance of His Lordship is what we are to live out and exclaim with our every breath! He is your Lord whether you like it our not. The question is whether you acknowledge it and choose to live like it. Just saying “He is Lord” does not make Him your Lord, either, however, saying it in truth only comes from the power and leading of God’s Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

When Scripture says in Philippians 2:9, “…every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father,” these will not all be willing participants. Will you be? Are you now? This week read Romans 14:11 and be resolved with the right choice now and experience a life led by His Lordship today. Give Him your everthingness today. That is one way we can worship Him with our lives this week by acknowledging His Lordship in our lives and in all we do.

He is worthy of our doing so!

Christlike Infuuence We Have On Those Around Us

“What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying!”

Have you ever wondered what kind of influence you have on those around you? Have you ever cared? Whether you know it or not, your life is influential to those around you.

Not too long ago, this fact was brought home to me in an encouraging way while I was visiting another church. I happened to see a young man that I hardly recognized. He said hello and I responded in kind, still unaware of who he actually was. Sensing my confusion, he told me his name. I could not believe it! As we spoke, he told me what he had been doing since we last saw each other. He then told me that he was in college and that a visit we had years ago greatly influenced his decision to go to the school he was attending. I didn’t even remember talking with him about college, but he said that my excitement and encouragement about this school had made him take a closer look and he found that it was exactly what he was looking for.

Later, after reflecting on this conversation, my heart was prompted to think of what Heaven will be like. Will anyone there approach me and tell me that they were encouraged toward the Savior because of something I did or said to them here?

Our worship time together today lends itself to our being excited about what we have in Christ. Are those around us during the week, our families included; just as excited as they see us live out our lives? When we suffer do they wonder where our strength comes from? When they ask how we handle the difficulties in life, do we tell them of the hope that we have in Christ? When we rejoice, is our praise directed toward Father God?

Everyday, with every breath we take and every decision we make, we advertise something. What kind of advertisement are you and I for the Lord?

As we live in the world that God has given to us this week, remember that there are many who need Jesus, all around you, to whom you will be the closest that they will every get unless they accept Him personally. Let’s walk the walk before them.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts,

known and read by everybody.”

(2 Corinthians 3:2 NIV)

Do Not Do It… Worship God!

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me,

"Do not do it… Worship God!” (Rev 19:10 NIV)

As John was caught up with what he was seeing in heaven he was so overcome with the culture of praise and worship and being in the presence of the Almighty that he began to worship the messenger of God rather than the God of the message. The angel reminded him that there is only one who is worthy to be worshipped and that is God Almighty! We are created to be worshippers. Every created being is made with the ability and the drive to worship, to give worth to something, someone higher than themselves.

The problem comes when the object of our worship is wrong. Since the beginning of time people have been worshipping “out of focus”. This happens when we see incredible things coming from something that has been created and we become so focused on the beauty, the talent, the power, the love, the comfort, or the provision that we forget where those things ultimately originated from.

Lest we think that only those who worship trees, the sun, feet, or animals are the only ones off course, consider some of the things even many Christians can fall into the trap of worshipping and by doing so, ascribe more worth to the creation than to the Creator. For example:

Financial stability – instead of worshipping the One who provides.

A loved one – instead of worshipping the One

who brought the loved one into our lives.

A sports hero – instead of worshipping the one

who gave them their talents and abilities.

The tools of worship – instead of worshipping
the Object of our worship.

Physical beauty – instead of worshipping the One

who fashioned the beautiful one.

God is the only one worthy to receive our worship. Today, ask the Lord to reveal in your life where this may be out of line. Is it your finances, your family or even your religion? Talk to Him about it today and make the journey back to the place where He receives the worship that He is worthy of. Be sure to thank Him for the gift, but never allow your thankfulness for the gift to get in the way of your worship of the Giver.

Pastor MJ