Influence is Overrated

There is a story of a politician in the United States, with millions of followers on social media, who found out that no one listened when they went to use that influence in Congress. They could scream online, and news outlets would cover it, but fellow politicians weren’t impressed. Thus when it came to getting a specific position on a committee, they were passed over. This shows you that influence is overrated, and a person’s heart can be deceptive. Jesus knew this all too well.

‭‭John‬ ‭2:24-25‬

“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”

Once Jesus’ ministry took of people started following Him. They saw His miracles and heard His teachings, and the crowds swelled, but His newfound influence didn’t sway him. He didn’t trust the crowds because He knows the heart of man can be deceptively wicked. In a world where followers mean everything, Jesus saw through it and didn’t trust the fickleness of the human heart. Influence is overrated.

Alleviate the Anxiety

One thing that people aren’t talking about during the COVID pandemic is the alarming rise of anxiety in people. Many news outlets are attributing it to the election but want to diminish the many lockdowns’ effects. People are struggling and don’t know they have an outlet that can alleviate the anxiety and replace it with a sense of peace. The Apostle Peter gives us some insight in today’s passage.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

These are some of the most reassuring words you can read in the Bible. If you humble yourself and cast all of your anxiety upon Him, the Almighty God will care for and exalt you. This is where we can see the immensity of God. The one who has all the strength cares enough about us as individuals to pay attention to our fears and doubts. It is too easy for you to minimize God and overemphasize your problems, which only leads to spiritual paralysis.

What to Look for in a Pastor

One of the most challenging decisions people face is finding a good church where they can worship. Does it teach the Bible? Will my family be ministered to? There are so many factors to decide, but the most important should be who is leading. Scripture gives us some guidance on what to look for in a pastor. Peter lays out some of those in today’s passage.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:2‬

“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”

Peter gives us one of the most comprehensive lists of what to look for in a pastor. A pastor should be the ultimate example of a servant. In this passage, Peter gives us several key indicators. First, a pastor should resemble a shepherd. Jesus referred to Himself as the “Great Shepherd,” and pastors follow that model by caring for the congregation the way a shepherd cares for a flock. Shepherds lead their flocks to greener pastures and protect them from predators. Does your pastor care for your church in that way?

From the Beginning

As I type this, it is just a few hours before the new year. Most of you have already ushered in 2021, but since I live on the West Coast of the United States, we are one of the last ones to see the calendar’s turning. There is always optimism at the beginning of a new year, and rightfully so. Part of that optimism comes from the fact that Jesus will be with us through whatever happens. He was here from the beginning.

‭‭John‬ ‭1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

As the Apostle John starts his Gospel, he lays down some vital theology. Jesus is God’s revelation to humanity, which is why John calls Him the Word. Jesus was there from the beginning with God because He is God. He didn’t just appear when Mary gave birth to him. It is essential to have the mindset that Jesus was there from the beginning and part of what we call the Trinity. That consists of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Employ Your Gift

Most people discover early on in their adult life what they are talented at. Some are good with numbers and others are good with people. Your career typically tends to fall into the area of your talents. When you start to follow Jesus you are given a gift. It is a special talent or ability with the specific purpose of serving the church. Peter encourages you to employ your gift as an act of obedience.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Peter has a huge heart for the church to work efficiently. He understands how easy it is to get off track and distracted. If each person would employ their gift the church would flourish and thrive. It’s when we withhold or use it in other areas where the church struggles. The key is to use the gift to serve others and give God the glory. When this happens you will find an incredible sense of purpose and joy.

Ready for Jesus to Return

I’m old enough to remember the seventies’ cheesy Christian movies called “A thief in the night” and the “Left Behind” movies of the nineties. One of them scared me to death and left me thinking the rapture had come, and I was left behind more times than once. There is a fixation on the end of the world and the rapture. Are you ready for Jesus to return? Nothing is stopping Him from coming back at any moment.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:7

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”

It seems like the end of the world is right around the corner with everything that has happened this year. All we need is for the trumpet to sound and Jesus to appear on the clouds, and we are heaven-bound. With that being the case, it is essential that sound judgment and spirit-filled prayer be ever-present in your life. Nothing is holding Jesus back from returning for His Bride, and 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that it will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

Sent with Power from On High

The Christian lives the victorious life. You have victory in your life because your sins are forgiven, Christ’s righteousness has been deposited in you, and eternal life is secured. Those are assured of every believer who puts their faith in Jesus. Sadly, many Christians don’t live in that victory but in doubt and discouragement. Jesus…

Hold Fast to the Path

My son is really into mountain biking. That makes my heart glad because it is also my favorite form of exercise and enjoyment. We have been riding the local trails and enjoying one another’s company. One of the keys to mountain biking is staying on the designated trail. Build up too much speed, and you could go barreling off the path and crash. Job reminds us to hold fast to the path in following Jesus.

‭‭Job‬ ‭23:11-12

“My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Very few people have suffered as much loss and testing as Job. He had his family and immense possessions taken from him because the Devil wanted to test him. Job never wavered from following God through all of the trials, even when his wife told him to curse God and die. Job looked at being obedient to God as holding fast to the path. He didn’t waver or stop but kept going in the direction God had for him.

What a Glorious Sight

My kids are still at the age where they like to look at Christmas lights. Sadly, fewer people are putting them up. Our house is one of a handful that makes an effort to hang the lights outside. We spend the good part of a morning putting them up. It’s no easy task, but once they are hung, and we turn them on for the first time, it was well worth it. What a glorious sight it was when the shepherds saw those angels in the sky on that first Christmas.

Luke 2:12-13

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.

The angel who appeared to the shepherds gave specific instructions on how to find the baby. Swaddling clothes were long strips of narrow cloth mothers would wrap firmly around their child to keep them warm and give them the feeling of the womb. Poor families typically did it because they used clothes that had worn out. He was laid in a manger, which is an animal feed trough, because Bethlehem was so busy due to the census. This served as an excellent replacement for a cradle. Jesus was well taken care of considering the circumstances.

The Savior is Born

It is the day before Christmas and the expectation of celebrating is growing. The house and the tree is decorated and we are headed to church to celebrate by observing communion. The Savior is born and joy fills our hearts. No outward circumstances can impact our feelings because we know God’s plan of redemption was successful. Thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:10-11

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Israel was looking for the Messiah to come. They knew He would come from the lineage of David and be born in the city of Bethlehem. This is what threw the Scribes off when they encountered Jesus because He was born in Bethlehem but from Nazareth. The night of His birth an angel appeared to the shepherds and declared three things, prophecy has been fulfilled, the Savior has come, and He is the anointed Messiah. Everything they had hoped for had happened.