Reflection

Who am I? No, don't worry. I am not having multiple personality disorders. This is a question that I have found myself asking the last few years. Who am I? The obvious answers are a husband, father, teacher, etc. I know this because of what I do everyday. I am a husband to my wife, and I try to be the best husband I can. I fail a lot, but my wife is gracious enough to forgive me. I am a father to my kids. I know because I had a small part in creating them, I play with them, and do my best to raise them in a Godly fashion. I am a teacher. I know this because I go to a school everyday and instruct students on specific topics. We have a self identity based on what we observe ourselves doing everyday. But, aside from who I am in this world, who am I to God? How does He see me? That is a whole new question with so many more implications than the former questions. How do I know that I am doing the best that I can to serve Him. I feel that it is important that we examine who we are, not only to those around us, but to God on a regular basis. Are we being faithful? Are we following His commands that He left for us in the scriptures? Paul taught about this "self-examination" when he gave instruction of how to do the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. In verse 27 - 32 he says "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world." We are to examine ourselves to make sure that we are right with the Lord. In this instance, the scripture says that we should not even participate in communion unless we are in good standing with the Lord. Partaking with some sin or problem with another that has not been dealt with is dangerous. It is like spitting in the face of God. We should not be afraid of dealing with our faults. The Lord disciplines us, because He loves us and does not want us to spend an eternity in hell. Constant reflection on who we are, and what we are doing helps us to keep our minds on Him. It also helps to identify the problems that we have and makes it evident so that we can make things right. Who am I? I am a sinner, that has been born again. Do I have my faults, yes. Do I sin everyday, yes. Do I deserve hell, of course. However, I am forgiven. I am a child of the King. And I try my best everyday to please the One who saved me. I know who I am. Who are you?

Thanks and God Bless you all this week.

FOOD!!!!

Many of the people that know me, know that I love food. I have heard it said many time that there are people that eat to live, and those that live to eat. I believe that I fit under the live to eat category. It also helps that my wife is a wonderful cook. So much of our society and culture is based around food one way or another. We have fellowships where we get together around a meal to enjoy each others company, we have parties, and socials, and even business meetings centered around food. From a biological standpoint, we require food for survival. It provides our bodies with the nutrients and energy we need to exist. Imagine how hard it would be to go without food. We would not last very long. This reminds me of one of the points that Jesus taught in John 6:32-40. "Jesus then said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world. Then they said to Him, Lord, always give us this bread. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." The food here is not of a physical nature but that of a spiritual one. In order to spiritually survive we need the Bread of Life, which is Christ. Our Savior promised that those who truly come to Him will always be filled, and nothing can separate us from Him. What a case for eternal security. What a comfort that we have to know that He will never leave us, and one day we will be with Him in glory.

Thanks and God Bless you all this week!

Praise!

I will always give praise to the One who is Holy, and above all things. I took my wife to the doctor yesterday to get a report on the state of her pregnancy. According to the doctor everything is looking more reassuring. It seems that the pain and contractions are coming from the baby laying in a funny position. The painful and regular contractions seem to be her body's way to try to turn the baby. However, be it she is my daughter, she is very stubborn and wants to stay like she is. I would like to thank all of you that have been praying vigilantly for my wife in this time. It amazes me that as worthless as I am, God still loves me and still cares for me and my family. There is great comfort in that thought. That no matter what, no matter the mistakes that we make, if we are His, He will always be there for us. Even when we tend not to be there for Him. This makes me think of the 23rd Psalm. I know most people think about this Psalm around a time of death. In contrast, I think of it as a way of life.
¹The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
³He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
⁶Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

I know that I have nothing to fear in this life, because I am a child of the King. He will provide all that I need. Even in the face of danger, pain, and death I know that He is there. Nothing in this world can do anything to me unless He allows. And if He allows, it is for my betterment to help me grow. As you go through this week, try reading the 23rd Psalm everyday and look for how God is providing for you and looking out for you everyday. Just as what is described in the Psalm of David. And I hope that His goodness and lovingkindness will follow you all of the days of your lives, and when the time comes, you will be rejoicing with me in Heaven forever.

Thanks and God bless you all this week!

Tough Times

Regretfully I am a little late on this week's post. Circumstances being as they are, have made it somewhat difficult to keep updated. I first of all would like you all to pray for my wife Jenny. She is 28 weeks pregnant and trying to go into labor. The doctors have done what they can to stop the labor and she is on bed rest. Whatever the circumstances may be, the sad thing is some of the comments that I have endured. Many people that spend any time around me know where I stand on God. I am not ashamed of what I believe, nor will I fear the ridicule that comes. My strength comes from the Lord. I have always told people that God has provided for us, and I will not lose hope. I am amazed at the thought of people actually looking for me to break. But I say this to you, My God is faithful. No matter the circumstances, nor the outcome, I will not cease to praise the Lord. King David said it well in Psalm 3:1-6. "O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him. But you are a shield around me, O LORD; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side." I have always believed that a person's actions are the best witness of what one truly believes. It is one thing to say what you believe, but it is an entirely different thing to act on what you say. Even though there are those around us that doubt us and are waiting to see us fall, we must be vigilant in our trust and faith in the Lord. And maybe, just maybe, some of the ones that wait for us to fall, will truly see a miracle in the way that God is faithful to us, and want to know God as well.

Thanks and God Bless you all this week.