September 29: World Heart Day

 

September 29:  World Heart Day

Heart Day is part of an international campaign to spread awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention.  It was created by the World Heart Federation. The first World Heart Day took place in 2000. In 2012, leaders from around the globe committed to the reduction of worldwide mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25 percent by 2025. 

God’s word has a great deal to say about our hearts.  Not the organ that this day focuses on, but the center of our being, the seat of emotion, the deep place within us from which we recognize and express our deepest longings.  That heart is of great concern to God.  Unfortunately, the world has co-opted a biblical understanding of the heart, and has made it the part of us that should control our every thought and our every action.  “Follow your heart” is the world’s way of saying, defy common sense, reject clear thinking, and instead, do what feels right.  This worldview has produced tragic outcomes, and for good reason. 

Apart from Christ, our hearts are poor drivers of our life.  Jeremiah 17:9-10 warns us:  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”  Left to ourselves, our hearts can produce only movement away from God, away from clarity of thought and away from true soul-satisfaction.

As bad as the bad news is, the good news is better.  The fruit of the Christian gospel is laced with promise, not least of all for our hearts.  Ezekiel 36:26 breathes hope into the hearts of all those who turn by faith to God:  “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”  In addition, we are called upon to regularly seek God’s face to reveal to us the content of our hearts.  Psalm 139:23-24 reminds us:  “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

So ask yourself, has your heart been brought to life by the quickening power of God?  Have you surrendered to the Gospel, and is your heart soft and receptive to God’s will?  Then ask, do I live my life based primarily on emotions, or do I blend my heart and mind so that I seek after and live a transformed life?  Finally, ask God to reveal to you the true condition of your heart.  What idols need to be destroyed?  What part of your life do you need to surrender to Him? 

On this day, check your spiritual heart rate, and perform a personal ECG (Electrocardiogram).  Tend to your heart.  Your spiritual health and longevity demand it.

September 28: Drink A Beer Day

 

September 28:  Drink Beer Day

One of the oldest man-made beverages in history, beer has been produced since the Neolithic Era with some breweries dating back as far as 1040. It is little wonder why drinking beer has come to be such a popular activity.  How should believers respond? 

There is no question that alcohol, along with other drugs, is a scourge.  It has accounted for more grief, more pain, and more crime than any other contributing factor.  Obviously, we as Christians should never drink, and we should encourage everyone else to do that same.  Really? 

This is one of those topics that generates heated debate in the Christian community.  Let’s take a deep breath and reflect for a moment.

First, there is no command in scripture that demands that we not drink.  None.  Drunkenness is roundly condemned, as it should be. But those who argue that neither Jesus nor any of His followers ever drank are simply barking up the wrong vine.  They clearly did, and it included alcohol.  Wine is recommended for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 5:23), and even the OT applauds the mellowing effects of alcohol. (Psalm 104:15).  So what are responsible believers to do?

Second, we should never let ourselves be controlled by anything other than the Spirit of God. (Ephesians 5:18) Any chemical that alters our mood or thinking is potentially dangerous.  Third, we should consider our surroundings.  This involves the principle of the weaker brother.  As a pastor, I never drink in public. Not because I believe it would be a sin to do so, but because I do not want a fellow believer who thinks it is a sin to see me and then violate their own conscience by following my example. 

Fourth, we must consider our witness to the world around us.  I mentioned that I do not drink in public.  The fact is that I do not drink at all.  As a recovering addict, I believe that alcohol is a drug, and recovery demands that I abstain from all drugs.  Beyond that, we need to consider whether our commitment to never drink may come across as accusatory or condemning.  We must be winsome, and if that means having a glass of wine with friends or sharing a toast at a wedding, we should feel free to do so unless it violates our personal convictions. 

Finally, we must commit to doing everything to the glory to God.  At times that may mean having a drink!  Other times, abstaining may be appropriate.  Whatever we decide, this is an issue between you and God.  It should also be a decision that accounts for how it might affect others, but it should never be a decision made by others for us.  Should you celebrate today with a beer?  Pray for wisdom, consider any potential dependency, and see yourself in relationship to others.  How will those things influence whether you say “cheers!” or say nothing and have a soft drink?   

September 27: Tourism Day

 

September 27:  Tourism Day 

Tourism Day was established by The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980 to promote sustainable, responsible, and universally accessible tourism. Arguing that tourism benefits both the tourist and the locations that they visit, UNWTO has even established a “code of ethics” for tourists.  Interesting.

As citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we are tourists.  We are not residents, we are just “passing through.”  Do you believe that, and if so, what does that mean?  It means that we are “in” the world, but not “of” it.  Jesus prayed for us:   “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.^[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14-16)

Our mission is to transform ourselves, to the end that we might transform this world. (Romans 12:1-2).  And God Himself has established a “code of ethics” for us.  Matthew 5, 6 and 7 are that code.  Read it, embrace it, even memorize it.  Please do not misunderstand.  Our calling is not to “circle the wagons” and defend our turf while waiting for Jesus to return.  We are salt and light.  The Kingdom of God is like a small seed, like yeast that works its way through the entire lump of dough.  We do that by embracing that code of ethics and by surrendering our will to the Father’s will.  We are to pray, regularly, that His will would be done and that His kingdom would come, on earth as it is in Heaven. 

I recall reading the story of a man who was sent to prison for many years.  Unlike most others, when released, he never returned.  In fact, he became a productive and responsible member of society.  When asked what made the difference, he remarked that many inmates would decorate their cells.  They would do everything they could to make their living space feel as much like home as possible.  “I never did that.  I knew that this was not my home, that someday I would leave all this behind. Why pretend that it was my home?  I was destined for better things.”

So are we!  Let’s not treat this world and everything about it that stands against King Jesus as if they are our allies, as if this is our home.  We are destined for glory!  Let’s live and act like those who know where we are going and what will become of this world someday.  And let’s embrace our code of ethics while visiting.  That’s how we make every square inch of this world holy ground.   

September 26: Johnny Appleseed Day

 

September 26:  Johnny Appleseed Day 

Johnny Appleseed was an American pioneer-nurseryman who ensured that large parts of the United States were introduced to apple trees. His generous and kind ways resulted in him being an American legend. He became a symbol of the importance of apples, as well as being a key leader in conservation.  

What many people don’t know is that Johnny Appleseed was no mere legend, but was, in fact, a missionary named John Chapman. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774. Chapman belonged to the Church of the New Jerusalem, or Swedenborgianism, based on the teachings of Swedish clergyman Emanuel Swedenborg 

Chapman was a man before his time.  He was a pioneer, an environmentalist, and a vegetarian, who committed much of his time and energy to caring for the poor. The teachings of the Church of the New Jerusalem could best be described as Unitarian.  Today, he would be heralded as a Social Gospel warrior. 

He rejected the Biblical teaching of a Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the atoning work of Christ on the cross.  He believed that all religions, if sincerely practiced by their adherents, would ultimately lead to the same God.

Chapman did much good.  He cared for others and was a good steward of the creation.  But ultimately, he led many astray, and like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day he would “travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”  (Matthew 13:15). 

Here is my encouragement for you today.  All truth is God’s truth.  But just because someone does some good in the name of God, don’t be easily taken in.  Do your homework.  Carefully vet those who claim to be sharing the Truth.  Take to heart the charge of Jesus’ half-brother Jude when he wrote:  (I) appeal(ing) to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”  (Jude 3 and 4).  Man cannot live by bread alone – or apples – but by every word that comes from God’s mouth.

September 25: Fitness Day

 

September 25:  Fitness Day 

Fitness Day as a holiday began in the early 2000’s and has since become a way to improve how people feel, lose weight, and grow stronger. The Fitness Day website hosts events all over the United States in cooperation with companies such as Athleta, Girls on the Run, and Class Pass to help men and women bring exercise into their daily lives and challenge themselves.

It is an amazing fact of creation that God designed us to move.  God’s mandate to those created in His image was not “sit on the couch, watch MASH re-runs and eat a bag of chips.”  He wired our brains to reward and reinforce physical activity with chemicals called “endorphins.” Exercise makes for happier humans.

In my many travels around the world, I have observed that there is no country like the USA when it comes to overweight and obese people.  “Sedentary” is a fact of life here.  I know.  I struggle with this myself.  So what are we to do to honor God with our bodies?

First, accept that physical activity and exercise are part of God’s good, perfect creation.  We were made to push our bodies.  Paul wrote to Timothy “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5)  That includes exercise.  Receive it and embrace it as the gift from God that it is.  While many struggle with exercise-inhibiting disabilities, there is still a place for exercise, received with thanksgiving.

Second, make your exercise “holy” by treating your body for what it truly is—an essential part of our God-glorifying pursuits.  “The word of God and prayer” sanctify exercise by giving us the right perspective.  “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Our bodies are not ends in themselves. Our outward appearance is not ultimate.  But a well-functioning body is critical in giving God His due. 

Finally, prioritize your exercise by establishing a routine.  “…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8).  There is value in exercising your body.  Make it a part of each week.  But never forget that spiritual exercise releases “spiritual endorphins” that are of value in this life and the next. 

Today, examine your routine.  Pray over this question.  That, too, is part of how we make our exercise routine “holy.” Start small.  Don’t run out and get a gym membership and commit to a 2-hour workout every day.  Take a brisk walk.  Do some simple strength training at your desk or while you drive.  Build from there.  And for every minute you commit to physical fitness, devote two to your spiritual fitness.  Both will do you good, in this life, and the next.

September 24: Lash Stylist's Day

 

September 24:  Lash Stylists Day 

Established in 2017, Lash Stylists’ Day was devised to help offer a shout out and thanks to professional eyelash stylists. It’s designed to both show some love from clients and also for those in the industry themselves to celebrate and encourage others to learn more about it.  No doubt, it was started by a group of stylists in California. 

I have often puzzled over the jealousy expressed by so many women over boys who have beautiful and long lashes.  I’m sure it’s like me being jealous of guys who are ripped with six-pack abs! Regardless of our sex, we all want to be beautiful or handsome, to be attractive.  The trap is set! 

Our enemy, our diabolically evil and hateful enemy lures us into thinking that what matters is on the outside.  And we fall for it.  Spurred on by advertising and our celebrity crazed culture, we want to be attractive, at least more attractive than someone else.  Despite our quickness to believe Satan’s lies, we know the truth. 

1 Peter 3:3-4:  “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”  1 Samuel 16:7:  “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Again and again, we are encouraged to work on our hearts, not our bodies.  What truly matters is a beautiful mind, a winsome spirit, a handsome heart.  Again, this is not new information.  But we need to regularly break the strangle hold that the world’s thinking has on us.  Today, remind yourself of this.  Strive for inner beauty and strength.  Lash stylists notwithstanding, tend to your heart.

September 23: Restless Leg Awareness Day

 

September 23:  Restless Leg Awareness Day 

Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by urges to move the legs even when at rest, and it can also occur in the arms. This call to awareness is held on the same day each year to coincide with the birth date of Professor Karl-Axel Ekborn (born 23rd September 1907, died 1977). This eminent Swedish neurologist first wrote and described the disease in 1945.

While most of us don’t suffer from this malady, we all struggle with restless hearts from time to time.  For some, we are in a perpetual state of anxiety.  Hear again the full and rich promises of God in Jesus Christ. 

First, know and believe that Jesus truly wants you to experience deep, soul-satisfying rest.  In His day, Christ was surrounded by God-fearing Jews who were perpetually looking over their shoulders, waiting for God to lower the boom.  To them, and to us, He gently invites:  “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).  Do you hear Him?  His teachings are not a burden, and in the midst of our failure to measure up, His default is grace.  Rest! 

Second, consider Jesus’ best student, the Apostle Paul as he drives this point home.  “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13)  What a relief!  Jesus’ yoke is “work out your own salvation,” and His promise is that He will give us both the want to, and the can do!  Rest! 

Rest is our destiny.  God Himself established the perfect rhythm of life by instituting a Sabbath, a rest.  Someday, we will enjoy that rest forever.  As the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 4, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…”  The glory of God’s promises is that we can taste and enjoy that rest now, in this life.  In Christ, we enter His rest now which we will someday enjoy for eternity. Rest!

Today, pray over Matthew 11:28-30.  Insert your name for each use of the personal pronoun “you.”  Then tell The Father that you will listen and learn from Jesus.  You will find rest for your soul, not just your legs.

September 22: Online Recovery Day

“Hello, my name is Dave, and I’m an addict.”  I regularly attend meetings where that is how I introduce myself.  On June 6, 2020, I celebrated 15 years clean.  Unfortunately, meetings like that are hard to find.  As of this writing, the entire nation has been shut down due to the Corona virus.  That makes today’s celebration that much more significant, as many groups are not yet meeting in person. 

Every year, at least 17 million Americans who need help with a substance abuse problem don’t get it. Why? Largely because of the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorders (SUDs) and the perception that treatment is inaccessible. On September 22nd, National Online Recovery Day reminds us that quality substance abuse treatment and recovery support is available entirely online – offering the highest level of privacy and accessibility, in order to reach the millions of people who really need it. 

What does this have to do with all you “normal” readers?  One of the things that I regularly tell my congregation is that we are all addicts.  We suffer from a sin addiction, that expresses itself in a variety of ways.  For some, it is drugs and alcohol, for others it is gossip, and for others it is the need to control.  Regardless of the details, you and I struggle daily with an inclination to sin.  Our new nature, in Christ, has replaced our old selves, but the struggle against “cancelled sin” remains.  Here is where I would like to offer a practical solution.

Most people are not aware of the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).  A.A. had its beginnings in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, as the outcome of a meeting between Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., an Akron surgeon. Leaning on the teachings of The Oxford Group, a Christ-centered approach to addiction recovery, Bill and Bob incorporated those teachings into the 12 steps.

We should all take to heart the admonition of 2 Corinthians 13:5:  “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”  No resource that I know of is better for examining yourself than the 12 Steps. If you have never looked at them, do so today.   Without question, AA and NA have, over the years,  bowed to the pressures of pluralism and the rejection of absolute truth.  That notwithstanding, the steps are an invaluable way to aid in the process of sanctification.  As you read through them, prayerfully consider how they might help you.  An outstanding resource, The 12 Steps, A Spiritual Journey is a biblically based, Christ-centered approach to the steps.  

We could argue for hours about the place of recovery groups for believers, the wisdom of regularly identifying as an addict, and the role of the Holy Spirit in our becoming more Christlike.  But the fact remains that you struggle with sin.  With the exception of God’s Word, the 12 steps may be the greatest resource available to you in that battle.  On this National Online Recovery Day, consider utilizing the gift of The 12 Steps.  We all need to recover from our sin addiction.

September 21: Gratitude Day

 

September 21:  Gratitude Day

This celebration started in 1965 in Hawaii when an international gathering decided that it would be a good idea to have one day per year to formally express gratitude and appreciation for the many wonderful things to be found in the world. Following the meeting in Hawaii, many attendees brought the 21^st of September back to their home countries as “Gratitude Day.” Ever since then, the number of people celebrating Gratitude Day across the world has continued to grow. 

Here is the question for us—Is gratitude a feeling or an action?  The answer is “yes!”  We should be wary of our feeling infused culture.  We are encouraged to “follow our hearts,” to “trust your heart” and to do what we “feel” like doing.  What utter nonsense.  Too often, the pendulum has swung too far for Christ-followers.  “Feelings are irrelevant,” “love is not a feeling,” “it’s only about behavior.”  Equal nonsense.  God’s Word is filled  with encouragement and admonitions to “feel” things, AND to act upon those feelings.  Being grateful is no exception. 

Being thankful should be a daily routine.  Ephesians 5:20 urges us to “give(ing) thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  But look carefully at Colossians 3:15-16:  “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Did you see the connection?  Gratitude IS a condition of the heart.  It is something we feel.  And we are commanded to feel it!  Here is the dilemma—we cannot command emotions.  We cannot make ourselves feel afraid any more than we can make ourselves feel grateful.  But we can behave in ways that reflect gratitude!  How?  By putting God’s word in our hearts and then sharing that with others—by teaching and admonishing each other and singing together.  These are actions that cultivate and promote gratitude. 

“But I often do those things and don’t “feel” grateful.”  First go to God and confess that.  It is a sin not to be grateful.  Repent.  Then ask God to fill your heart with gratitude.  Then, act grateful.  What you will find is that very often, the feelings follow the action.  Regardless, continue to behave like a grateful person, and long for and pray for feelings of peace and joy to well up inside of your heart.  

There are few things more needed today than Christians who look and act grateful.  What a wonderful way to recommend Christ to others.  Today, purpose to be grateful, however that may express itself.  Who knows?  You may reach a point where you are grateful every day, and not just on September 21.

September 20: Wife Appreciation Day

 

September 20:  Wife Appreciation Day

Wife Appreciation Day is a day dedicated to giving husbands a chance to demonstrate just how much they love and appreciate their wives. It has been listed in Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events since it was first established in 1957 and has been hugely popular ever since.  Well, maybe not in every home. 

The facts speak for themselves.  Marriage is down, divorce is up.  And the number of troubled marriages that still constitute a marriage are legion.  What can we do on this day to reverse the trend?  More specifically, what can husbands do on this day?

The answer is simple:  Lead.  Husband, use your God-given authority in the marriage relationship to set the trajectory and long-term direction of your marriage.  Perhaps that sounds like “me Tarzan, you Jane” thinking.  This is precisely where God’s plan for marriage deviates dramatically from that stereotypical notion. 

Without question, the word of God makes clear that our world is built upon the foundation of reflecting the character of God Himself.  In part, that means that relationships of every kind are built upon roles—the receiving and embracing of God-given roles in society.  Just as the Trinity functions, so we were meant to function, and that means that we embrace the fact of “equal but subordinate.”  This is precisely how God exists.  All three members of the Trinity are equal in terms of their divinity, their power, their worth, and their value.  But each has voluntarily embraced different roles that makes one subordinate to the other.  The Son is subordinate to the Father in terms of their roles.  The Spirit is subordinate to the Son in the same way.

So it is in marriage.  Husbands and wives are equals in terms of their being in the image of God, their worth, and their place as co-regents over the creation.  Both are told to be subject to one another.  BUT THEIR MUTUAL SUBMISSION IS NOT IDENTICAL SUBMISSION.  There are clearly defined roles in the marriage relationship.

We are told that “the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:23-24) 

We have opened a huge can of worms, but let’s finish for now with this fundamental truth about the role of the husband in relationship to his wife.  How are husbands to exercise their authority?  SERVICE!  That is what husbands must celebrate today and every day.  WHEN GOD GIVES AUTHORITY, HE ALWAYS EXPLAINS THAT IN TERMS OF SERVICE.  

In Luke 22 we read “ A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.  And he (Jesus) said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.  But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.  Husbands, determine that from this day forward, you will live to serve your wife.  Look to the model of the greatest Husband, Jesus, in relationship to His bride, the Church.

September 19: Talk Like A Pirate Day

 

September 19:  Talk Like A Pirate Day

On June 6, 1995, there was a group of men playing racquetball, and throughout they were shouting encouragement to each other. On this particular day, for reasons unbeknownst to them, they started shouting piratical slang at each other. From there it took on a life of its own, and they realized by the end of the game that it was necessary that they establish a holiday to celebrate the use of such a fine vernacular. The first thing they needed was a date on which to celebrate, and they selected the birthday of the group’s leader’s ex-wife.

For the next seven years they honored this holiday, in relative obscurity, until they happened upon the email address of one Dave Barry, a syndicated columnist and author of a great number of books. Barry promoted the holiday, and it’s been one amazing year after another as people all over the country celebrate this auspicious holiday.  “Arrrggggh, matey!  Shiver me timbers.”

While we are never urged to talk like a pirate, we are urged to speak with a “salty” accent.  Colossians 4:5-6 says  “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”  What an amazing command!  Notice the details:

First, this especially concerns our conversations with “outsiders,” or those who have yet to bow the knee to Jesus Christ.  We are urged to be “wise,” not people with high IQ’s.  Then we are urged to make the most of every opportunity--At the gas station, in line at the grocery store, or conversations with our server at a restaurant.  This also includes our home, in our neighborhoods, and at work.  We should view every encounter as an opportunity.  Finally, we are urged to let our conversation be “gracious,” “seasoned with salt.”  No, that doesn’t mean talk like a pirate.

It does mean that we should be dispensers of grace in all our conversations.  Refrain from being judgmental, compliment when possible, encourage when necessary, and preserve life with your speech.  That is the meaning of the salt metaphor.  In Christ’s day, salt was a precious commodity that served primarily as a preservative.  How does your speech advance the life-giving message of the gospel?  How do your words recommend Christ? 

Today, as you fire off a few “Arrgghs” and ask if Polly wants a cracker, consider adding some timely salt to the conversation.  It can be as simple as a “how can I pray for you,” or as deep as asking “if you could ask God only one question, what would it be?”  Regardless of the particulars, make today and every day a “Talk like a Christ-follower Day.”  What better day for making that change than today?

September 18: Tradesman (Builders) Day

 

September 18:  Tradesman (Builders) Day

Irwin tools, a world-class manufacturer of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, founded this day in 2011 to honor the men and women who work hard to keep the United States running.  Hats off to all those hard-working construction people.

In a roundabout way, today raises an interesting question.  Will there be levels of Heaven and Hell?  Even before the publication of Dante’s Inferno in 1320 AD, this question has perplexed theologians and students of the Bible.  The short answer is, “yes!”  What will that look like and how will that play out?  We have no idea.  But there are a number of Scriptures that indicate that some will be the “greatest” in the Kingdom of Heaven, and others will suffer greater condemnation in Hell.

One passage in particular should give us pause.  I Corinthians 3:10-15 states “¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³ each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 

There is only ONE foundation that provides eternity with God—Jesus Christ.  But the question is asked, how are we building on that foundation?  Each of us should take care.  The day is coming when the construction project of our lives will be revealed.  Some will reap the rewards of a life well spent.  Others will be saved, “but only as through fire.”

Today, reexamine your life.  How are you building on the only sure foundation, Jesus?  What fruit are you bearing, and is that fruit evident?  Press into the good works that God created you for (Ephesians 2:10).  Surrender your life more completely to His will and the power of His Spirit.  Continue to build with gold, silver and precious stones.  On that day when Christ cracks open the sky and shouts “enough!” our works will be made known.  What will your house look like, and will it stand?  

September 17: Get Ready Day

 

September 17:  Get Ready Day 

This day was first established in the mid-2000s by the Public Health Association, and the Get Ready website has a wealth of information to help those who are interested.  Anything from preparing for a hurricane to Spring clean-up is featured.  As Christ-followers, what should we prepare for?

God’s word leaves no doubt.  “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”  (1 Peter 3:15) Are you prepared?  Most of us cringe at the thought.  We feel socially awkward, even embarrassed.  Most of all, we are afraid of feeling stupid.  “What if someone asks a question I don’t know the answer to?”  

Dearest friends.  Our lives are short.  There are literally hundreds of people around you who are going to spend a Christless eternity.  They need to hear the gospel.  They must hear the gospel.  It is the ONLY thing that can change our world and create a brighter future for our country.  So how do we prepare to make a defense to anyone who asks us about Jesus or God or Christianity?

First, we have to know God’s word.  No seminary training is required, and no graduate degree is a prerequisite.  As you make your way through God’s Word, prepare in advance a clear, simple explanation of the gospel.  Use direct quotations from the Bible.  Second, formulate your own story.  How did you come to have hope and purpose and a sense of significance?  How were you introduced to Jesus, and what difference has it made in your life?  Be prepared!  Most people will kindly nod and then condescendingly suggest, “that’s nice for you, and I am glad it works for you, but my life is different.”  That is the most common reaction you will receive.  What are you prepared to say in response? 

Third, ask questions.  A lot of questions.  “Where did you learn that?  What has your experience been?  Did you ever consider that you might be wrong?”  Try to avoid simple declarative statements and instead, ask leading questions and then share God’s truth with them.

Finally, and most importantly, pray for the words to speak.  One of the many promises of God in Christ is “The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.” (Luke 12:12) What a gift!  Jesus said this to His disciples as He was preparing them for the inevitable push back they would receive in sharing the gospel.  It is just as true today as it was then.  So, get ready.  Prepare yourself.  Then step back and watch the glory of God unfold. 

September 16: Working Parents Day

 

September 16:  Working Parents Day 

No one is certain who or when this day was created, but it certainly is a sign of the times.  There was a time when such a day would have been redundant.  “Of course parents work!  They always have.”  What this celebration has in mind is especially working mothers.  Since the 1940’s, women have made up a much greater share of the workforce, and that number is only growing.  Should this give us pause?

It should, and here is why:  Western society is committed to greater role confusion, and the denigration of being a “stay at home mom.”  I know—feminists everywhere are planning their protests even as we speak.  So, let me set the record straight:  I am not advocating that women should remain barefoot and pregnant, in the kitchen.  Nor am I suggesting that there is not a place, often even a need, for women in the workplace.  But a subtle but profound shift has occurred in the West that has left a gigantic hole in the hearts of many women, and also shortchanged generations of children.

Let’s start at the beginning.  Genesis 1:28 includes the blessing that God pronounced over humanity.  ²⁸ And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

Clearly, both the man and the woman were appointed as co-regents over creation.  But that blessing includes a mandate—“be fruitful, and multiply and fill the earth.”  None of the other beings that God created were given such a command.  Part of our stewardship of our world includes procreation, the bearing and raising of children.  The family forms the foundation for everything else that proceeds from mankind.  This establishes the priority of women, and their role as the givers of life.  It is a high calling, perhaps the highest. 

The very notion of family, marriage and child-bearing is under assault.  For a woman to embrace that calling, in the home, is viewed as somehow second-class.  A wife may choose to do that, but she is somehow short-changing herself.  Really? 

Recent studies by Leeds Beckett University and the University of Missouri, have found what they call “a gender equality paradox.”  In the most gender-equal countries in the world (primarily Nordic countries) they have discovered that women tend toward more “feminine” pursuits, including choosing motherhood over careers.  In terms of work outside the home, those same women overwhelmingly choose careers in teaching and nursing, as opposed to STEM fields.  In other words, as we “level the playing field” for women, they “naturally” tend to embrace more feminine outcomes.  It is almost as if there is something pre-wired in men and women, something innate, that moves them in markedly different directions in terms of roles in society.  And a growing body of research is finding that feminism has not only failed to give women what they want, but it has left countless millions of them feeling unfulfilled and insignificant. 

Today, celebrate your sex!  God created men and women as equal but not identical reflections of His character.  And to all the stay at home moms out there, don’t for a moment think that you are somehow giving up on being significant.  There is simply no higher calling for a woman than to be a mom.  Thanks mom.

September 15: Greenpeace Day

 

September 15:  Greenpeace Day 

On 15^th September we celebrate Greenpeace Day. The now internationally recognized organization for ecological issues was originally founded by a group of 17 activists in Vancouver, Canada, protesting against offshore nuclear testing in Alaska on this date in 1971. 

While political issues swirl around this organization, it does raise the issue of stewarding the earth as the gift from God that it is.  This is where good biblical balance is required.  Romans 1 gives us unique insight into the core of the problem surrounding environmental activism.

We read there that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

In other words, the creation is a means to an end, not an end in itself.  It is there to point us to God and to reveal Him to mankind.  And it is glorious!  You cannot drink in the beauty and complexity of the creation without concluding that there is a God, and that He deserves our worship.  But….the same passage goes on to say “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.²⁴ Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

Here is the problem.  Rather than a means to the end of glorifying God, the creation has become an end in itself.  It is a god!  Here is where we must draw the line.  We must treat the creation with care, even reverence, but only to a point.  We are stewards of our world.  But when the creation takes the place of the Creator, we put ourselves in peril.  We risk experiencing the “wrath of God” unless we repent and seek The Truth.

Today, marvel at our world.  Watch a sunset or sunrise.  YouTube a video on how the ecosystems of our planet are stunningly resilient and fine tuned.  Sit on the shore of Lake Michigan or the Gulf of Mexico and realize how small you are.  But always let those things take you where they were meant to—to the throne of grace, upon which sits the One who made it all, and maintains it all.  Take care, of our world, and your eternity.

September 14: September is Sepsis Awareness Month

 September 14: Sepsis Awareness Month

I knew that something was wrong when I awoke to find all my children and my wife gathered around my hospital bed. Unbeknownst to me, the doctor had told my wife to invite the kids to come and say goodbye. The chances were very good that I wasn’t going to make it. The problem? I had pneumonia, and the infection had gone septic. I was fighting off septicemia (an infection in the blood stream that causes organ failure and potentially death).

Before that day, I had heard of sepsis, but had no idea what the symptoms were or what to look for. If only I had celebrated Sepsis Awareness Month the year before! September has been designated as Sepsis Awareness Month by Sepsis Alliance since 2011. Every September since, the organization has invited healthcare professionals and individuals in all areas of medicine, as well as businesses and organizations, to help raise awareness of sepsis and save lives. One in ten deaths associated with childbirth and pregnancy are because of maternal sepsis. It is believed that sepsis leads to six million deaths per year worldwide.

Who knew? You would think that something that deadly would be common knowledge. But people are grossly uninformed, and millions pay the price each year. As stunning as those numbers are, there is another infection that is much more lethal and infects every person on the planet. It is called “sin.” The symptoms are obvious. The illness is progressive in nature, and the fatality rate is 100%.

We live in a world that not only rejects these undeniable facts, but worse, our world actively campaigns to convince us all that we are not sick. In fact, to suggest that we are sick is viewed as unkind, judgmental and cruel.

One of my seminary professors once remarked that every worldview, bred of any culture, religion or people group, falls into one of two categories. Either, we believe that mankind is basically good with a propensity for evil, or we believe that mankind is basically evil with a propensity to do good. Which is true for you? The entire Christian worldview stands and falls here. We believe the latter. God’s word is clear. We are desperately wicked by nature. All of us.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot, we must not, fudge on this truth. We are all born with inclinations and desires to reject God, run from Him, and do everything in our power to cozy up to anything or anyone that opposed Him. The solution to every problem, the antidote for every social ill, is a changed heart—change from a dead and willfully disobedient heart, to one that humbly seeks to submit to the will of God. Only one thing can affect that kind of cure: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Please, friend. Don’t waver on this. Fight injustices and seek to right wrongs but remember that the only cure for our sin-sick souls is the love of God in Jesus Christ. The good news of the gospel is only truly good for those who know just how truly bad the bad news is. As valuable as a Sepsis Awareness Month might be, what we really need is a Sin Awareness Life.

To Read: Romans 3:10-23; 6:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 51:5; Matthew 7:13-14

September 13: Positive Thinking Day

 

September 13:  Positive Thinking Day

Positive Thinking Day has been going since 2003.  I was begun by Dr. Kirsten Harrell, a psychologist and life coach in Ohio who says she discovered the effectiveness of positive thinking while dealing with chronic pain.

I have a friend(s) who is among the most negative people I have ever met.  If you ask him if he is a glass half-full or glass half-empty person, he would respond by complaining “you have a glass?”  We all know people like that.  Maybe you are one.  If so, would it surprise you to know that you are in great spiritual danger?  

Paul wrote to the Philippians “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”  Did you catch it?  Rejoicing, regardless of the circumstances is “safe for you.”  A failure to rejoice is…dangerous for you!  

It would be impossible to look at all the scriptures that encourage us to be happy and joyous, to look at things differently than the world does.  We are told to look up, to see God in all things, to ponder God’s great love, to remember that Christ is making all things new, to long for the day when every crooked place will be made straight and every valley will be lifted up. 

Following Jesus is far from easy.  There is no “puppies and rainbows” walk with God.  But our redeemed minds and our full hearts must express themselves in winning and winsome ways.  Everyone around us should marvel at how deeply satisfied and profoundly joy-filled we are.

Use the scriptures below to fill your mind and flood your heart.  Commit some of them to memory!  Invite God’s Spirit to guard your mind and heart against the negative forces that threaten to undo us.  Pray that God will so fill you with His Spirit, that everyone who meets you will wonder how you can have such a positive attitude.  Let this September 13 be the beginning of a new season in your life, one of unparalleled positive thinking.

John 15:1-11; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Philippians 4:6, 8, 13; Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 4:31-32; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 13:6; Romans 12:12; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:28-31; Psalm 118:24; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; Isaiah 41:10