Living with Eternal Purpose

Many people wander aimlessly through life without purpose. They have no guiding sense of direction or calling that helps them prioritize their time, investments, or day-to-day decisions on what to do and what not to do. They just kind of drift along with the flow.

Despite the busy-ness of necessary and self-imposed demands, without finding meaning to their labor or existence, life soon feels futile and hopeless.

Why am I here? Who am I? What’s the point? Whatever.

Is there more to life than this? Does my work really matter in the end? How can I find significance and satisfaction? What’s going to happen when I die?

If you’re asking questions like these, I would suggest to you that it’s because God has created you for a purpose, and until you discover it, you’ll continue to drift like a ship lost at sea.

The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes addressed many of these same concerns. Indeed, he explored and indulged in everything life had to offer – work, wealth, women, wine, wisdom, power, possessions, prominence – he pursued it all and had it all. Yet, he found everything meaningless in the end, a “chasing after the wind” as he describes it (Ecc. 1:14).

But the story doesn’t end in futility or despair. And yours doesn’t have to, either.

See, we’ve been created by a loving God who has “set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecc. 3:11). We are created by Him and for Him, and if we spend our lives seeking the things of the world apart from Him, then we’ll reach the same pointless conclusion as “The Preacher” of Ecclesiastes: “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecc. 1:2).

But when we seek the Lord with all our hearts, loving Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, following Him, then we’ll truly find fullness of life like the bright sunlight breaking through the gloom of a dreary sky.

Friend, you were made in the image of God with a deep craving in your heart to know Him! Not just to know about Him, but to know Him in a genuine love-relationship that gives true purpose and meaning to everything in this life and in the life to come.

The Bible tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

In Jesus, there is peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus, there is joy that words cannot express. In Jesus, there is hope that remains unshakeable. In Jesus, there is new, abundant, and eternal life. In Jesus, there is purpose in everything under the sun because we live no longer for ourselves but for Him – the One who died for us and was raised to life.

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13).

Isn’t it time you started living life with eternal purpose?

Wash your hands!?

It is possible to get so enamored with our own religious traditions that we miss the very heart of worship.

The Pharisees got their britches bent out of shape because the disciples of Jesus didn’t wash their hands before they ate. Of course, this was pre-Covid! LOL! And according to their tradition, that would make them defiled.

Jesus said to them, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites, for he wrote: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God” (Mark 7:6-7).  

True worship is not about washing your hands or raising your hands or saying particular prayers or observing special days or abstaining from certain foods.

It’s about living in faith from a heart of reverence and awe and purity and humility and love and obedience toward a holy God. Worship springs from a heart that overflows with gratitude for the marvelous mercy and amazing grace of the Savior who came down from heaven to save wretches like you and me.

Jesus went on to say that it’s not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out of a person that defiles him. “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 8:21-23).

The Bible says plainly that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In other words, we’re all defiled, and we all deserve the just penalty for our sins, which is death and eternal separation from God in hell.

And no amount of washing our hands or keeping religious traditions can take away our sin. But Jesus can, and He did.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).

“For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The defilements of our sin stains are forgiven at the cross, where Christ took the nails for us. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

So, go and please wash your hands before you eat and use all the hand sanitizer you want, but make sure that your heart is washed clean by repenting from sin and receiving Jesus as the Savior and Master of your life.

There's only one way

Congratulations to both the Bluejays boys and girls high school basketball teams on an outstanding season! At this writing the girls are undefeated and the boys are unbeaten in conference play. To Coach Kesler, Coach Rathgeb, and their teams – great job! You’ve had a remarkable run in an extremely challenging season. 

It’s been fun to follow the Jays, even though the only way I’ve been able to watch any games this year has been through the NFHS Network which streams the games online. I’m grateful for that, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not the same as being in the gym. 

By the way, special thanks to Neil Gurnsey and Mike Logsdon for their stellar work in announcing the games! It’s so much better to watch with play-by-play than without. Now, if somebody could just figure out how to keep that camera from swinging back and forth from one end of the court to the other during time-outs, that would be great – I’m getting dizzy! 

So anybody can watch through this network. All you have to do is sign-up and pay a relatively small subscription cost and figure out how to find it on your device. But that’s the only way to do it. You can search every channel on your satellite or cable provider, you can install a 30-foot antenna in your backyard if you want, but if you really want to watch the Bullets v. Bluejays on Tuesday night, you’ve got to go through the network. 

When it comes to far weightier matters of eternal destinations, there is likewise only one way to heaven. You’ve got to go through Jesus. 

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). It is an exclusive claim, no question. But it’s an all-inclusive offer! 

And it’s grounded in the most amazing display of love ever given. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Abundant and eternal life is available to anyone – but you’ve got to go through Jesus. 

You could try to make it to heaven in a million other ways or through a million other religions, but there’s only one God who loved you so much that He stepped down out of heaven and took on the likeness of man, humbled Himself to the point of death – even death on a cross! – and paid the cost by bearing our sins in His body to save us from the judgment we deserve. Jesus is the way! 

And He pleads with you to come to Him. “Enter by the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13). The narrow gate opens to a hard road, but it leads to eternal life. The wide gate opens to an easy road that leads to destruction. These are the only two options to your eternal destination. 

So I ask: Which way are you going?

 

Your gender is not a blunder

Poor Mr. Potato Head. Toy manufacturer Hasbro announced a “rebranding” of their iconic toy by dropping the “Mr.” from the product name in an attempt to dismantle traditional gender norms and family forms. 

Indeed, their corporate website features their new promotional packaging including two potato dads with a tyke in one photo and two moms and a baby in another. 

Hasbro GM Kimberly Boyd said in an interview with business magazine Fast Company that the Mr. and Mrs. brand was "limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure.” 

The company later clarified that it’s keeping individual Mr. & Mrs. Potato Heads on the shelves, but their intention is clearly to become more “inclusive.” It should be noted that the company understands the primary “sweet spot” for the toy is 2-3 year olds. 

Why do I bring this up? And why am I concerned about the dangerous, divisive, and deceptively misnamed “Equality Act”? 

While bending over backward to promote the perverse lifestyle choices of a distorted few, if passed this bill opens the door to all kinds of nonsense from allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports to sharing locker rooms, bathrooms, shelters, prison cells and more. It will restrict foster care and adoption agencies, religious schools and ministries, and essentially lead to regulated public speech. 

Listen, I’m not in favor of discriminating against anyone, but how does honoring depravity restore honor? And when the next amendment adds protection to child molesters and sex traffickers, who’s going to say we’ve got to stop this madness!? 

I’m highly in favor of biology, truth, decency, and common sense for the common good. We need to teach our children without apology at ages 2-3 and every age that boys are boys and girls and girls. How is this not indisputable? 

And when a young person who’s being manipulated and indoctrinated by a sexually infatuated and twisted culture begins questioning his or her “gender” or “sexual orientation,” we must compassionately offer true life-saving help rather than feed them with the devil’s lies. 

One’s gender is not a blunder. God did not make a mistake when He made them male and female. Each person is created uniquely, wonderfully, purposefully, and lovingly to display the glory of the One who made us in His very own image! 

Let’s appreciate and applaud the beautiful design of the Maker of all things! Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But God in astounding love sent Jesus to die for us so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be made new! And if He has the power to raise Jesus from death to life, then He has the power to destroy every deviant desire and transform our hearts into the holiness of Christ. 

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

 

Draw Near

 I love our Sunday night men’s Bible studies at the First Baptist Church! There’s a bond of friendship and fellowship that develops quickly when men get together to sharpen one another in the faith like iron sharpens iron.

Guys, if you need a place of connection, a group of men who will encourage you and help you grow, there’s room at the table for you. Give me a call at 217-632-2488 and I’ll give you more details. And I’m not talking about a self-righteous, holier-than-thou lecture hall style meeting, but an authentic gathering of men seeking to be more faithful to our God.

Ladies, we have some great options for women’s studies, as well, and I’d be delighted to help get you connected if you’re interested. 

Our men’s group has been learning from a video teaching series by Dr. Tony Evans called “The Power of Jesus’ Names.” This past week Dr. Evans reflected on two names by which Jesus is revealed: Our Great High Priest and the Lamb of God. 

I have to confess that I while I rely humbly and gratefully upon His role as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29), the description of Jesus as the Great High Priest is one I need to better take to heart. 

Of His permanent priesthood, the author of Hebrews writes, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

Is that not a mighty word of grace? This High Priest – the one Mediator between God and man, God incarnate, Christ Jesus – has all power and authority to secure the salvation of His people, and He ever-lives to intercede for the saints according to the will of God! I mean, if that doesn’t give you confident assurance in both the strength you need to make it day by day as well as the promised hope for eternal life in Christ, then I don’t know what will! 

Of course, if you’re not a believer then you do not have access to this promise nor the assurance of heaven. And so I would plead with you to draw near to Jesus by His grace through faith now, before it’s too late! 

Tony Evans gives this encouraging word from this study: “Jesus can sympathize. He understands. He feels what you feel. That’s why He has so much compassion. And you and I can access that sympathy and compassion by drawing near to the throne of grace, where we receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. 

“But we must take steps to draw near. We must move forward in confidence. If you have a long-distance relationship with Jesus, your Great High Priest, you will never get to witness His priesthood working on your behalf. If you are only a Sunday-morning Christian, you will never experience His priesthood helping you in your times of need. In order to see God intervene in your situations, you need to confidently approach Him through the relationship you have with Jesus, the Great High Priest. You’ve got to draw near.” 

Seriously, men, you know you need this. Let’s draw near together.

Move-on-to-the-next-game life strategies

[A little late in publishing this here...oh, well, hope it's helpful still!]

Well, that was a huge flop. I’m reeling today over the Chiefs’ beatdown by the Bucs in the Super Bowl. I mean, it was ugly. The Bucs seriously played a great game. They were practically flawless. Almost everything they did worked perfectly on offense and defense.

But as a Chiefs’ fan, it was hard to watch. Oh, well, there’s always next year!

What do you do when life beats you down? Do you ever feel like you just got smoked? Nothing you do turns out right. Always a step or two behind. Trying to catch up but you just can’t seem to get on track.

Here are four move-on-to-the-next-game strategies you might be able to use.

1. It’s okay to tell God you’re hurting. Let’s face it, sometimes the circumstances of life stink. We make bad decisions that prove costly. We end up as collateral damage from somebody else’s reckless behavior. Or we simply get caught up in a pandemic that has knocked millions to the ground in all kinds of ways.

Take it to the Lord! “Now let us have a little talk with Jesus, let us tell Him all about our troubles. He will hear our faintest cry, and He will answer by and by.” He really does care about what you’re going through. He loves you more than you know. And you can cry out to Him with your hurts, your pain, your tears, and your fears. “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

2. Ask God for help. Not only does He care, He can do something about it. In another song the chorus goes: “Take it to the One who calmed the waters, take it to the One who really cares, take it to the One who made the lame to walk again. Get on your knees and handle with prayer.” 

Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?” If He calmed the raging sea with a word and made the lame to walk again, don’t you think He can come through in your situation? He’s the God of all creation – ask Him for some help.

3. Trust Him to act. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Trust His ways, His provision, His timing, and His purposes. He’s probably not going to ask for your advice in how He should handle it, but His thoughts and His wisdom are much higher than yours, so wait upon the Lord and trust Him even through the valley.

4. Get up and take the next step. You should certainly learn from the past, but you can’t dwell there. “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

In the strength God provides and by the light of His Word, get up and take the next step of faith. Follow where He leads. Obey His voice. You might be down, but you’re not out – not when you belong to Jesus.

And if you don’t yet know Him as Savior, now’s a good time to believe. We need to be ready for the next game.

           

           

Fire in my bones

 What are we to make of the imprisonment and ultimate beheading of John the Baptist?

“For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her’” (Matthew 14:3-4).

In other words, John rebuked the king of the land for this immorality and it ended up costing him his life.

I mean, couldn’t he have just kept his mouth shut, mind his own business and let it go. After all, sinners gonna sin, right? Why bother to call it out? Live and let live, bro.

Prophets have never been popular people. Those who do wicked things don’t usually appreciate having their sins exposed by the light of God’s Word.

Jeremiah was another prophet who was imprisoned because he warned the people of impending destruction that God was bringing upon them because of their sin. And when he thought, You know, maybe I’d better just not say anything, “There is in my heart, as it were,” he says, “a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9).

When God plants His Word in the hearts of his heralds, they cannot hold it in. The threats of persecution and even death do not detour them, for they have a sacred charge from the Lord their King, to whom they have pledged their lives, and in whom is their sure reward.

The current cancel culture that seeks to silence every unpopular, politically incorrect voice is not a new phenomenon. And those who preach the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His call to holiness will increasingly face its wrath in this nation.

But the fire in their bones burns for the salvation of souls! The call to “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand,” which both John and Jesus came proclaiming, still compels them to plead with men to turn from their wicked ways and find mercy at the cross of Christ.

Jesus was the light of the world, but He was hated because He testified about the world that its works were evil (John 8:12; 7:7). Yet “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Peter and John (the apostle) had been arrested, warned, and threatened to quit preaching in the name of Jesus. Their response is my appeal to all who claim the name of Jesus: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19).

May the Lord grant us boldness to testify to the truth, unashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). And may He burn within our hearts the loving compassion for souls that compels us to preach the word of the cross no matter the cost.

Lincoln's take on the Bible

So what would Abe Lincoln think about the way of the USA these days? He was no stranger to conflict and chaos, of course. Issues of freedom, rights, justice, race, and more engulfed this nation in civil war as Lincoln bore the burden of seeking to bring peace and healing to a divided people. Could unity become a possibility? 

What principles guided his decisions? Whom did he consult for help? How did he lead through such turmoil?

There’s one account that offers a glimpse into the mind of a man who faced an impossible challenge, which offers some insight that would serve us well today.

On September 11, 1863, The New York Times reported on a meeting Lincoln held with a committee of the Loyal Colored People of Baltimore. This was just several months following his Emancipation Proclamation, essentially declaring that “all persons held as slaves” (within the rebellious states) “are, and henceforward, shall be free.” Of course, the fight would and must continue, but this executive order paved the way toward the abolition of slavery in America.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Rev. S.W. Chase addressed the President with a presentation of a beautiful edition of a Bible in token of their appreciation for his labors. 

In part, Chase said:

“Our hearts will ever feel the most unbounded gratitude toward you. We come forward to present a copy of the Holy Scriptures as a token of respect to you for your active part in the cause of emancipation. This great event will be a matter of history. In future, when our sons shall ask what mean these tokens, they will be told of your mighty acts, and rise up and call you blessed.”

Lincoln’s reply (in part) unveils his heart: “I can only say now, as I have often said before, it has always been a sentiment with me that all mankind should be free. 

“So far as I have been able, so far as came within my sphere, I have always acted as I believed was right and just, and done all I could for the good of mankind…In regard to the great book. I have only to say it is the best gift which God has ever given man.

“All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book. But for that book we could not know right from wrong. All those things desirable to man are contained in it. I return you my sincere thanks for this very elegant copy of this great book of God which you present."

So how did Lincoln lead this nation through an impassable divide? He led by believing that the Bible alone provides the answer to what is right and what is wrong – and he acted upon that truth. All the good for mankind he desired to achieve was grounded in the principles communicated in this “great book of God.” 

The psalmist wrote: “The sum of your word is truth, and all your righteous rules endure forever” (Psalm 119:160). 

May God grant our leaders today wisdom, courage, and faith to govern according to the truth of God’s righteousness.

 

The Dream Worth Keeping

 

In his famously convicting and inspiring, “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drew from his life experience, the U.S. Constitution, and biblical theology to call this nation to racial justice.

He quotes from Amos 5:24 (one of several biblical references in this speech) reflecting God’s own heart saying, “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until ‘justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.’”

Not unlike our nation still today, the people of Israel long ago were guilty of a laundry list of sins against God: sexual immorality, apathy for the nation’s demise, violence and robbery, silencing the prophets, and making a mockery of their religion. There’s truly nothing new under the sun!

But the recurring theme throughout Amos was their corruption of justice by oppressing the poor and needy. 

The throne of God sits on a foundation of justice and righteousness. Those who claim His name must share His heart for such values, especially reflected in the way we treat one another. We must learn to hate evil and love good. We must embrace the truth that every human being is made in the image of God – from the moment of conception to natural death, every color, every nation, every tongue, every tribe.

In other words, there’s no place in the heart of a Christian for racial hatred or prejudice of any kind. The cross of Christ purges sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Rather, in His strength, let us lead the way in loving one another just like Jesus did – red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight! Let’s model for the world what it looks like to treat one another with respect and honor and kindness and humility. Let’s wave the banner for righteousness and seek justice for those in need.

The dream of unity and freedom for all can be achieved, but I say only through the transforming work of Christ. Naming and blaming and shaming only hardens hearts, but the gospel of peace – through the blood of Jesus – changes hearts, breaks down every dividing wall of hostility, and reconciles us to God in one body. That’s a dream worth keeping!

 

Learning from 2020 to face the challenges yet to come

What has God has been trying to say to you (and to us – as mortal men, and as churches striving to hear His voice and obey) in light of all that was 2020 and all that is yet come?

I have shared with the Petersburg First Baptist Church one main truth and seven supporting lessons over the past few weeks that I believe God wanted me to say, and thought they might be helpful to you here, as well, in highly summarized form.

First: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). Amid the chaos and confusion all around, we must remember that God is still on His throne and there will never be a transfer of power to another administration. He alone is God, and His name will be exalted. We rest our souls in this truth. 

Under this reality come seven lessons we must believe and embrace. 

1. Jesus calls his followers to make an “all-in” commitment to Him. “How long will you waver between two opinions? If God is God, follow Him. But if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). You can’t play the part of a Christian on Sunday then live like the devil the rest of the week. You can diversify your financial portfolio, but you’ve got to be sold-out to Jesus.

2. Jesus prepares us to be battle-ready. Yes, we’re in a spiritual war. If you’re all-in following Jesus, then expect to be hated by the world. Expect to be mocked, insulted, threatened, and persecuted. The cancel culture is coming for the church that preaches the gospel. But we are strengthened to stand in the power of His might. See Ephesians 6:10-20.

3. Jesus pleads for the unity of His church. In Christ there is no black or white, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, elephant or donkey. The cross breaks down every dividing wall of hostility. We’re united in Jesus as one body, one in heart and soul, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Our identity is in Him alone, and we must unite.

4. Jesus commands us to love one another. Followers of Christ are marked by their love – loving the Lord wholeheartedly and loving your neighbor as yourself. When the love of God abides in us, we will lay down our lives for the brothers and we will show special care for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and needy, the weak and the oppressed.

5. Jesus commissions us to make disciples of all nations. We have to be much more intentional about teaching our children to follow in the ways of the Lord. We have to teach, train, equip, and encourage one another in the church to be obedient to the commands of Christ. We have to be the example for others to follow in line with the Word of God.

6. Jesus promises He will come again. This truth keeps our eyes fixed on Jesus and motives us in the faith of godly living. In light of His soon and sudden return, we must be ready, be holy, and be hopeful. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).

7. Jesus sends us out as His witness to the world. Speaking the truth with love, we must warn and plead with men to be reconciled to God in Christ, for those who reject Jesus will be eternally condemned, but those who repent and believe He will save. We’re empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel that brings salvation. We must boldly preach the Word.

Friend, I don’t know what 2021 will bring, but I know that now is the time to follow Jesus, the Holy One who became sin for us on the cross, that we might become the righteousness of God, and rose in victory that we might have eternal life.