Right Under Your Nose

“D

o you notice anything different?”  My mom’s question caught my brother and me off guard.  A quick perusal of the room revealed nothing out of the ordinary.  There were four walls, two windows, a sofa, a chair, a coffee table, a grandmother clock, two end tables, two lamps, a television set, several pictures, and the light switch on the wall was right where it had always been.  No, everything about the room seemed normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

She couldn’t believe we didn’t’ see it and told us to take another look around the room for anything that looked out of place.  “It’s right under your nose,” she said so I immediately looked down at the floor but the carpet I walked on that morning was still securely tacked down and had been vacuumed.   Neither of us noticed the big black box sitting atop the television set and mom had to point us in the right direction.  Suddenly, the box grabbed my attention and I proudly pointed out that it hadn’t been there earlier in the day when we left for school.

Mom was relieved we saw the big box on top of the set.  She wasn’t, however, too impressed with our investigative skills but at least we wouldn’t have to visit the doctor for an eye examination.  The big box covering most of our television set was one of those new VCR’s that permitted you to record your favorite shows and play them back.  In addition, you could rent movies and you could watch them at your leisure and as many times as you wanted.  How wonderful was that?

Yes, it has been several years since the VCR burst onto the scene and the machines now have almost gone the way of the dodo.  But the VCR is not the focus of today’s devotional; our inability to notice the obvious takes center stage today.   That afternoon in our home, my mom was so excited about the new VCR that she wanted to share the good news with us.  I was so wrapped up in the enthusiasm and excitement of the moment that I got my signals crossed.  The VCR was very noticeable and should have caught my attention.  Instead, I was looking for other things in the room like furniture, carpet, paint, new drapes, etc., anything but a VCR.

Jesus had a similar experience with his disciples in Samaria near Jacob’s well.  John 4:35 gives us the brief but revealing statement about that event, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  This passage comes from the story of the woman at the well whom Jesus asked for a drink of water.  By the end of their discussion, Jesus had shared with her the secret of eternal life and had revealed to her that he was the long-awaited Messiah.

His disciples had gone into the village to buy food after their journey.  When they returned, they found Jesus talking with this woman but did not ask him who she was or what he had told her.  When the men offered him something to eat, Jesus refused saying he had food they knew nothing about.  Immediately, they assumed someone had given him something to eat during their absence and at this point in the conversation, they missed the big black box that should have been so obvious.

Jesus took a well-known saying and used it to make his point.  Farmers worked planting seed and once it was in the ground, they waited until the crop came in.  As Jesus stood there looking over the landscape and seeing many of the Samaritans coming to him due to this woman’s testimony, he saw an abundant crop of souls ripe for the picking.  His disciples, however, did not understand what he was saying.   Jesus told them to open their eyes, to see the work and the opportunity that was right under their noses.

Lest we be too hard on the disciples, let’s examine our own lives in light of this story.  We have opportunities every day to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.  All around us, there are people hurting, who are searching, and who just want someone to talk to them or to listen to them.  All these are opportunities for us to share Jesus Christ.  Yet sadly, we go about our daily routine, looking for just the right moment to witness to people.  All around us the field is ripe and we don’t even notice the fruit hanging on the vine.  More to the point, we believe and are searching for extraordinary opportunities and circumstances to witness for Christ.

Today, wherever you are reading this tidbit, let me assure you the opportunities are endless.  If you are at a desk, look around your office.  Your co-workers as well as the people entering your door are an opportunity.  If you are a teacher, your classroom is bursting with possibilities.  If you are a housewife, your family is your field.  If you are in business, your employees, your boss, and all the representatives from other firms and organizations that darken your door are living pieces of fruit waiting to be harvested.  If you are a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, a youth minister, a janitor, a mechanic, a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, you name it; your field is located right under your nose.  Don’t neglect the opportunities God gives you daily to gather fruit for his kingdom.  

On Your Way Home

S

ummertime was the most wonderful time of the year for me as a kid because summertime meant three very important things:  school was out, I could go barefoot, and I could ride my bike anytime and anywhere (well, almost anywhere) I wanted.  I would wake up in the morning and have the whole day ahead of me.  The waking hours were filled with all kinds of possibilities of things to do, places to go, and people to see.  Sounds like I was some big-time explorer with some big-time plans for making a grand discovery, doesn’t it?  Well to me, it felt pretty much like that.

One of my favorite things to do was to ride my bike.  All the kids in our neighborhood had bikes and we rode them all the time.  Most of the time, we would ride in the neighborhood, not too far from our homes.  But we also broadened our horizons, widening the boundaries of our jaunts, venturing across town to the park, or to get ice cream at one of the small convenience stores that dotted our town.

But I also enjoyed the rides I took by myself.  I enjoyed these the most because I usually ended up at the same location, grandma and grandpa’s house.  They lived only a mile away but we always described it as “clear across town,” and sometimes it seemed that their home was the furthermost outpost in the city.

Whenever I arrived, both my grandparents were always glad to see me and anything in the cabinets, the refrigerator, or under grandpa’s chair was game.  Grandpa’s chair was where the most precious of all treasures, Snickers candy bars, was hidden.  Those candy bars were always a special treat because grandpa loved them so much and he always handed me one (or two) when I went over to visit.  But the cookies, the cakes, the ice cream, and anything else were always sampled as well.

Usually, my mom would call me at grandma’s to see what time I was leaving for home.  She usually had something she wanted me to pick up on my way home from one of the local grocery stores.  She always said the same thing, “On your way home….”  Sometimes it was a loaf of bread, a pack of cheese, some sugar, or something to drink.  At other times there were several items but always there was something for me to pick up on my way home.

Jesus left the following instructions for his disciples and for all those who would become believers in him because of their testimony and witness.  In Matthew 28:19 we read these words, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” This passage of scripture is usually referred to as The Great Commission because Jesus gave his followers a big assignment.  They were told to make disciples everywhere they went and to share the truth of God’s word with all those around them.

I like to think of this passage in light of my mother’s phone conversations with me while I visited with my grandparents.  I believe Jesus wanted us to understand that on our way home, we are to pick up as many people as we can and bring them with us.  Now, what we have to understand is that we are on our way home every waking moment of our lives.  As long as we are taking in air, as long as our hearts are beating, and as long as we remain here, we are on our way home.  That means we must constantly be about the task of picking up people and telling them about Jesus and his love for us.

A

s I grew older, I exchanged my bike for a car. However, whenever I visited my grandparents, mom still called and still told to me pick up things on my way home.  Since I had a car, however, I could pick up more things and carry more responsibility.  I believe it is the same with us as we mature in Christ.  We move from a spiritual bike to a spiritual car, being able to pick up more, to carry more, and to deliver more as we mature and grow in our walk with God.  Even today, one thousand miles away from 511 South Elm Street where my grandparents used to live, I still make myself a mental note to pick up certain items on my way home.  What are you picking up on your way home today?

False Advertisement!

L

ike most people these days, I have a collection of musical CD’s.  My tastes in music are varied, ranging from classical to James Taylor to easy listening piano selections by Jim Brickman. I love listening to my collection and find it very entertaining and relaxing to peruse my CD’s and select a series of albums to listen to while I work around the house, study, or write.

Selecting a CD is easy. I simply thumb through the different discs, looking at the pictures in the front of the case as I make my decision.  I know what songs are on each CD and depending on my mood; I either select a CD or go right past it.  This system usually works flawlessly but, as I found out a few days ago, the CD cases can’t always be trusted.

I was in the mood for a particular kind of music, something upbeat and snappy that would spurn me on as I cleaned.  After thumbing through two rows of CD’s, I finally came upon one that exactly fit the moment.  I opened the case, inserted the CD into the player, hit the play button, and got ready for some “cleaning-the-house-like-you-love-it” music!  I had the cleaning supplies all laid out and I was ready for that first note to provide the necessary mood for the task ahead. 

The very first note I heard, however, was not what I expected.  The music was more like a funeral dirge than a “grab-that-vacuum cleaner-and-go-like-mad” kind of song.  I just stood there dumbfounded, not believing what I was hearing.  I stopped the CD player, ejected the disk and compared it to the tile found on the case.  The CD was something completely different than the advertised artist.  I located its case and, sure enough, the CD I was searching for was inside.  I had switched them at some point and didn’t realize it until I placed the CD into the player.  The player read the information on the CD and reveled what was written on it even though it contradicted the cover.

There is a story in the New Testament that goes right along with my experience today.  It involves a conversation between Paul and Peter during Peter’s visit to Antioch. Let’s take a look at Paul’s comments about Peter and this occasion where what was advertised on the cover didn’t match up with what was on the inside.

Galatians 2:14 gives us a brief overview of this conversation:  “When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?” At first, it’s difficult to understand what Paul’s meaning is here.  A little background would help, wouldn’t it?

The believers in the Galatian churches were under intense pressure to conform to the law and customs of the Jews.  Since the first converts were Jewish, some of them insisted that the Law of Moses had to be followed in addition to faith in Christ.  Paul was very much against this notion and said so throughout his writings. 

Paul’s difficulty with Peter stemmed from the fact that Peter was being inconsistent.  While in Antioch, he ate with the Gentiles and acted as they did. But as soon as a delegation arrived from Jerusalem, Peter changed his tune.  He distanced himself from the Gentiles and reverted to Jewish customs and ritual.  Paul would have none of this so he confronted him.

Peter’s actions did not line up with the truth of the Gospel.  What he portrayed on the outside was not compatible with the truth that lived inside him.  When Paul saw it, he was dumfounded and immediately wanted to compare Peter’s life with what Paul knew to be the truth.  Peter’s life did not give forth the witness that Paul was expecting. Essentially, Peter was practicing false advertisement; and he was doing so willingly.

T

his should lead us to examine our own lives today.  When we are placed into many of life’s situations, does the music we produce line up with what we claim to know about Jesus Christ.  Does the cover advertising our claim to be Christians measure up when we are put to the test?  Are we giving those around us cause to enjoy and consider the gospel of Jesus Christ or do they stand dumbfounded, mouths agape because what they see and hear from us doesn’t match what we claim to be?  Does the music of our lives match the cover art we show to the world? Are we practicing false advertisement today?

It's The Same Old Story

F

requent visits to my grandparents’ house were a common occurrence.  When I was younger, I would walk to their home or I would ride my bike.  As I grew older, I would drive my car.  But no matter whether I was older or younger, whether I rode my bike, walked, or drove my car to get there, visits with grandma and grandpa constantly ranked in the top ten things I enjoyed most in life.

I recall many hours sitting in the den watching television or just sitting and talking.  Invariably, granddaddy would tell one of the many stories I had heard at least a thousand times.  He used the same words, the same gestures, the same tone of voice, and he paused in the same places. But the stories were always wonderful and always made me laugh. I never grew tired of hearing the same old stories and I looked forward to hearing everyone of them again and again.

We all have similar experiences about the important people in our lives.  Now when we gather for family reunions we are the ones telling the stories we heard as children.  We use the same words, the same gestures, the same tone of voice, and we pause in the same places.  The stories have the same effect on our listeners as they had on us!  We tell and retell the stories because we love them and because they mark important moments in our lives, moments when things changed, moments that brought us happiness, and moments that changed the way we view the world.

A man in the New Testament had a similar experience!  He was reading a passage from the Scriptures that he didn’t understand.  Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, had the opportunity to tell this man the story of Jesus and Acts 8:35 records this for us. “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

This man is better known in the Scriptures as the Ethiopian Eunuch.  He held a place of prominence and authority in the kingdom of Ethiopia.  He had been to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way back home. In his hands he held the writings of the prophet, Isaiah and the passage before him was confusing.  He was reading Isaiah 53:7-8.  Philip approached the man and asked him if he understood what he was reading.  The man replied he couldn’t unless someone explained it to him.

Philip then began to share with this man the same old story that has been told and retold for years on end.  Beginning with that very passage in Isaiah, Philip explained to the Ethiopian all about Jesus.  He explained about his birth, his life, his ministry, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and his ascension.  When Philip finished the story, the eunuch asked to be baptized right there on the spot.  He wanted to accept Jesus as savior and lord.  So the two men went into the water and Philip baptized him.

Do you realize that the road of life is strewn with people just like this man from Ethiopia?  They have heard about God and Jesus but they can’t see the big picture.  They need someone to talk to them and to explain to them how God’s love was manifested to us in the person of Jesus Christ and how he gave his life for our salvation.  All they need and want is for someone to stop along the way and tell them the same old story that has changed millions of lives. 

T

o tell the story, all you need do is use the same words from the Bible.  You can use the same gestures you’ve used before and the same tone of voice.  You can even take pauses, now and then.  But the story will be the same and the results of that story are powerful and far-reaching.  Who knows, perhaps you will have a chance to speak with someone today about Jesus.  How good of a story teller are you?

Marked For Life!

T

he expression, “He’s a marked man!” took on new meaning for me as I made my way from the classroom building to the parking lot.  As I made my way through the throng of students eagerly heading away from class, I couldn’t help but notice one student in particular.  He was a good distance away from me but I had no difficulty picking him out from among his peers.  It wasn’t that he was taller than they, he wasn’t.  It had nothing to do with his clothes; they were pretty much standard fare for a college student.  His hair was neatly trimmed, and he was clean shaven.  What caught my eye, however, was the fact that both of his arms were colorfully decorated by several tattoos. 

Now, seeing a tattoo is nothing new and it doesn’t carry the shock value in our society that it once did.  After living two years in Europe, not much shocks me anymore, especially in the way of body décor.  Anyway, as this young man continued walking towards me, it became obvious that the girl walking next to him had staked her claim.  Her name took up most of his right arm and some other pictures and slogans decorated his left.  With one glance, it became very apparent as to where this young man’s loyalties lay.

As I continued towards my car, I couldn’t stop reflecting on what I had just seen.  All during my drive from Arlington to Fort Worth, I kept replaying the vision of that young man and the tattoos he had emblazoned on his skin.  I didn’t remember the exact pictures or slogans on his left arm, but the name of his girlfriend sticks out in my mind.  She was a permanent part of his life and everywhere he went, whether she was with him or not, he bore testimony to his feelings for her.

I began looking over my own arms.  They are free from marks of any kind and bear no evidence that I’ve been anywhere remotely near a tattoo parlor.  Yet, my life bears marks just the same and ones that speak more loudly than anything affixed to my body.  I claim to be a Christian, but do my actions show it?  Do my words give evidence of my relationship with Jesus Christ?  Do my actions tell of my loyalty to him?  Does my attitude tell others far away that I belong to Christ?  If someone were to follow me would I go anywhere that I shouldn’t and do anything that would betray my claim to be a follower of Jesus?

Like it or not, we are all marked.  The question is, “Whose mark are we displaying?”  There are really only two choices we can make.  We either bear the mark of Christ, or we bear the mark of the world.  We cannot bear both!  The marks that distinguish a Christian stem from spending time with God, reading his word, obeying his commands, and living a life that is holy and pleasing to him.  This puts us at odds with the rest of the world and should cause us to stick out in the crowd, much like the young man with tattoos all over his arms.

The Apostle Paul described such a mark in his letter to the church at Ephesus.  In Ephesians 1:13, he writes, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”  So, according to Paul, from the moment we heard the truth and accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we all became marked men and women. 

T

oday, is there outward evidence of Christ’s inward presence in our lives?  When people see us, do they see Jesus?  Can they distinguish us from among our peers because we wear his name proudly and boldly for the entire world to see?  Are we living as marked people today?   

On Your Way Home...

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, February 26, 2015 

Today's Title: On Your Way Home… 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Warm, sunny, summer afternoons were perfect for riding a bike.  This was one of my favorite past times in the off-season from school and I spent hours riding around with my brother, my friends, or just by myself.  Since our town was small and relatively safe, I was free to explore all its different areas and visit with friends and acquaintances. Sometimes I would leave in the morning and spend the entire day on my bike, returning home only for lunch, dinner, and bedtime.

We lived on Main Street and my jaunts usually took me toward town.  I would ride my bike up Main Street, passing Cone Street (named for my paternal grandfather), Depot Street, Pink Street, Jacob Street, Oak Street (where I would eventually buy a home), Mountain Street, Mulberry Street, and making a left turn onto Elm Street.  My rides usually took me in this direction because my mom’s parents lived at the end of this street. Their home was the next-to-the-last house on the left.

Elm Street was (and still is) a beautiful street lined with huge trees, nice houses, sprawling yards, and very little traffic.  On my way to my grandparents’ house, I crossed over Academy Street, Carroll Street, Ballard Street, and Old Post Road.  The last stop was grandmother’s house where a cold drink and plenty of cookies, ice cream, and candy were just waiting to be eaten.  I always loved going to grandmother’s and spent quite a bit of my free time there just visiting, talking, and being with my grandparents.

It wasn't uncommon for my mom to call me while I was visiting my grandparents and tell me to pick up a few things at the grocery store on my way home.  I made sure I left in plenty of time and stopped in to pick up the items she needed for dinner.  The grocery store was on the way home so I didn't have to exert any special effort or alter my route.  Stopping by the store, while requiring a little of my time, did not affect my destination and it didn't cramp my style. It was just part of the trip home.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus makes the following statement, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This is a very famous passage of scripture and is usually referred to as the Great Commission. Most of the time we view this passage as Christ’s command to do foreign missions, citing his directive to take the gospel “into all the world.”  But there is also another application, one that is closer to home and one that applies to every believer and follower of Christ.

One possible rendering of the Greek in this passage could be “As you are going…”  Now let’s stop and think about that.  What exactly does that mean to me and to you today?  Simply this, we are to take the good news of Jesus Christ with us everywhere we go.  As we are going to work, Christ should be with us.  As we are going to school, Christ should be with us.  As we are going to lunch, Christ should be with us. As we are going to these places, we are to make disciples.  In other words, we are to teach others what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

That makes it a little more personal doesn't it? Jesus didn't say to make disciples while we were on our way to Borneo or to the outer reaches of Mongolia, did he?  No!  He said for us to make disciples while we are on our way to the office or simply to the grocery store.  We will meet people everywhere we go who need to know Jesus Christ and we will teach them about our savior by our words, actions, and thoughts whether we want to or not. This means the way we live becomes the message of what we believe about Christ!

The Great Commission of Christ is given to all of us, whether we are going to the far reaches of the globe or riding our bike to the grocery store on Main Street.  Where are you going today and what message will you send to the people you meet along the way?  Are you stopping along life’s path, picking things up on your way home?  Think about it today?

False Advertisement?

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, February 23, 2015

Today's Title: False Advertisement?   

Today's Scripture: Galatians 2:14 

Like most people these days, I have a collection of musical CD’s.  My tastes in music are varied, ranging from classical to James Taylor to easy listening piano selections by Jim Brickman. I love listening to my collection and find it very entertaining and relaxing to peruse my CD’s and select a series of albums to listen to while I work around the house, study, or write.

Selecting a CD is easy. I simply thumb through the different discs, looking at the pictures in the front of the case as I make my decision.  I know what songs are on each CD and depending on my mood; I either select a CD or go right past it.  This system usually works flawlessly but, as I found out a few days ago, the CD cases can’t always be trusted.

I was in the mood for a particular kind of music, something upbeat and snappy that would spurn me on as I cleaned.  After thumbing through two rows of CD’s, I finally came upon one that exactly fit the moment.  I opened the case, inserted the CD into the player, hit the play button, and got ready for some “cleaning-the-house-like-you-love-it” music!  I had the cleaning supplies all laid out and I was ready for that first note to provide the necessary mood for the task ahead. 

The very first note I heard, however, was not what I expected.  The music was more like a funeral dirge than a “grab-that-vacuum cleaner-and-go-like-mad” kind of song.  I just stood there dumbfounded, not believing what I was hearing.  I stopped the CD player, ejected the disk and compared it to the tile found on the case.  The CD was something completely different than the advertised artist.  I located its case and, sure enough, the CD I was searching for was inside.  I had switched them at some point and didn't realize it until I placed the CD into the player.  The player read the information on the CD and reveled what was written on it even though it contradicted the cover.

There is a story in the New Testament that goes right along with my experience today.  It involves a conversation between Paul and Peter during Peter’s visit to Antioch. Let’s take a look at Paul’s comments about Peter and this occasion where what was advertised on the cover didn't match up with what was on the inside.

Galatians 2:14 gives us a brief overview of this conversation:  “When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?” At first, it’s difficult to understand what Paul’s meaning is here.  A little background would help, wouldn't it?

The believers in the Galatian churches were under intense pressure to conform to the law and customs of the Jews.  Since the first converts were Jewish, some of them insisted that the Law of Moses had to be followed in addition to faith in Christ.  Paul was very much against this notion and said so throughout his writings. 

Paul’s difficulty with Peter stemmed from the fact that Peter was being inconsistent.  While in Antioch, he ate with the Gentiles and acted as they did. But as soon as a delegation arrived from Jerusalem, Peter changed his tune.  He distanced himself from the Gentiles and reverted to Jewish customs and ritual.  Paul would have none of this so he confronted him.

Peter’s actions did not line up with the truth of the Gospel.  What he portrayed on the outside was not compatible with the truth that lived inside him.  When Paul saw it, he was dumbfounded and immediately wanted to compare Peter’s life with what Paul knew to be the truth.  Peter’s life did not give forth the witness that Paul was expecting. Essentially, Peter was practicing false advertisement; and he was doing so willingly.

This should lead us to examine our own lives today.  When we are placed into many of life’s situations, does the music we produce line up with what we claim to know about Jesus Christ.  Does the cover advertising our claim to be Christians measure up when we are put to the test?  Are we giving those around us cause to enjoy and consider the gospel of Jesus Christ or do they stand dumbfounded, mouths agape because what they see and hear from us doesn't match what we claim to be?  Does the music of our lives match the cover art we show to the world? Are we practicing false advertisement today?

            

You Sound Just Like Your Dad

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Today's Title: You Sound Just Like Your Dad

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 10:24-25

 “Hello.  No, this is Blake.  May I help you?” 

            “Blake, you sound just like your dad on the phone….”

This conversation takes place on numerous occasions when I am visiting my parents in North Carolina, usually for one of the holidays.  So many people call our house looking for my dad that naturally they just expect him to answer the phone.  What a surprise they get when they realize that it’s someone else on the other end of the line.

Sometimes, I have been engaged in a whole conversation before I could stop the other person to convince them I wasn't my dad.  To the person, everyone says we sound alike on the phone.  Personally, I don’t get it.  My dad and I sound nothing alike.  Our voices are different, our mannerisms are different, and our personalities, while similar, are not exactly alike.

However, there are some indisputable facts about the relationship I have with my dad.  I belong to him even though I am now 49 years old.  I am his biologically and genetically.  His genes are a part of my make-up and he gave me life 49 years ago.  I am his emotionally and relationally.  We share a bond and a closeness that no one else shares.  There is no other tie in the world, nor has there ever been, like the one I have with my dad.  I am his volitionally.  He chose to have me; he was certainly under no obligation to have any children. I am his forever, as long as I live.  No matter where I go, no matter what I do, no matter how far away we are from each other, I am his son and he is my dad.  Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, when people mistake me for my dad on the phone, it is a real compliment to me.  Although I am different from him, people always think that he and I are the same person when they hear our voices.  That is amazing isn't it?  That means I have a great responsibility to speak very carefully because I represent my father to so many people.  The words I speak, the tone of my voice, the quality of my speech, all reflect on him.  As far as those on the phone are concerned, they are speaking to him directly and they take the words from my mouth as though they were coming from his.

It is not a far stretch to apply this to the Christian life.  While it is obvious that we are not God; we are His representatives.  Jesus reminded his followers of this fact in Matthew 10:24-25, “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”  Instead of the student being the teacher—which is impossible by the way—he is to be like the teacher.  The teachings of the master should be evident in the student and those who learn from the student should in fact be learning from the master.  The student’s words, actions, thoughts, and example should mirror those of the master exactly. 

This can only happen in the Christian life when we remove “self” from the equation.  We must share God’s word with those around us.  By God’s word, I mean just that.  We are not to water it down, sugar coat it, or alter it in anyway just to please or appease those around us.  The words we speak should reflect the very truths of the Scriptures.  Those who hear us should be hearing what God has to say instead of the message we want to get across.  We can in no way improve upon God’s word; we must simply share it with all those we meet.

 In a few months, I will be home again for a visit.  No sooner will I be home than the phone will ring.  I’ll answer it and someone will accuse me of being my father and we will start the conversation all over again. It will be a good feeling.  As a Christian, are people confusing you with your father today?  Does the sound of your voice convey His love, His grace, His mercy, and His truth to all those who hear you?  Do you sound like your father today?

Let's Go!

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2014

Today's Title: Let's Go!

Today's Scripture: Luke 2:12

If someone wrote you a check for a million dollars, if, suddenly, you came into money that allowed you to pay off all your existing debt, or if your boss walked in and gave you a 50% raise, what would you do?  Probably the first thing you’d do after you picked yourself up off the floor would be to call someone, your best friend or a family member, and tell them what had just happened.  There is something infectious about good news.  We get it and we want to infect everyone else with it.  The shepherds outside of Bethlehem were no exception!

In Luke 2: 15, we read: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Notice the first two words the shepherds say to one another, “Let’s go.”  After hearing the good news about the birth of Christ, they can’t stay where they are.  They have to go and see God’s work and along the way tell everyone what has happened.

This is just a foreshadowing of what Jesus will tell his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  The story of the Good News only began in Bethlehem.  The shepherds ran to the manger to see Jesus and they made sure everyone knew the story.

Have you ever stopped to think that when we tell others of Jesus, we are following in the footsteps of those shepherds so long ago?  The good news of Jesus Christ is not something that can be kept secret.  It will be evident, not only in our words, but in the way we think, act, speak, and live.  In fact, people will be able to tell far more about us by our actions than by our words.

Wherever you are today, at work, school, shopping, the hospital, visiting a friend, or on vacation, you have the same opportunity as those shepherds.  Are you sharing the good news of Jesus by your words and actions?  Does the good news of his coming and his salvation burn within your heart?  Can you say with the shepherds, “Let’s go”?  I trust you can!