Thanksgiving

Of all the rich blessings that come from the grace of God, the greatest is the gift of salvation. I’m grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes down from our Father in heaven, but the abundant, eternal life He gives in Christ Jesus far outshines them all.

Have you thanked God for your salvation today? 

Or have you even received His gift of everlasting life yet?

Sometimes in passing thought I wonder where I’d be without Him. What would my life be like if Jesus had not have called me to believe in Him? What if I had flat out rejected His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of all my sin? What if I had despised His mercy and grace and the promise of heaven?

Maybe I could get by in this world. Go to work, make some money, try to hold a family together. Maybe even make an effort to do some good for others, coach my kid’s baseball team, give some money to the food pantry or the Red Cross once in a while. I could feel pretty good about myself. Be a good, productive citizen. But what assurance for better things to come would I really have to look forward to?

Or perhaps I’d be the guy who couldn’t hold down a job. Maybe I’d be the alcoholic who lived in secret shame, or the homeless man who lost his house and whose wife kicked him out to the street for gambling all our money away. Maybe you’d be reading about me on in the police blotter for abusing kids or holding up a gas station.

It is sobering and saddening to think about living without the life and hope of Jesus. You just can’t find the kind of meaning and fulfillment in life apart from Him. You can’t find the kind of strength or help you need to make it without Him. It’s foolish to even try. There’s just no other way. All other roads will ultimately lead to emptiness, frustration, disappointment, regret and death. 

Friend, if you have not yet come to Jesus for eternal salvation, then I have some good news for you. Today can be a brand new day, the beginning of a brand new life. The Bible says, “For 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).

That’s got your name written all over it. You are immeasurably loved by the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of Lords. But because our sins have separated us from Him, we deserve His wrath rather than His mercy. And no amount of good deeds could ever earn any of us favor with a holy and righteous God.

Jesus, however, is God’s perfect provision for our sin: “But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved…” (Ephesians 2:4-5). This is the amazing grace that is greater than our sin! Jesus took our sin upon Himself on the cross that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.

In the words of the famous hymn: “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.”

So what do we have to do in order to receive this forgiveness for sin and the assurance of everlasting life? Repent of sin and believe in Jesus. That’s it. You can call upon the name of the Lord right now, receiving Him as your Savior and Lord.

And you’ll agree with me that of all the blessings that come from the gracious hand of God, the greatest of all is the gift of salvation in Jesus. “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

Our Transparent Community Thanksgiving Service

In the name of transparency, I want to let you know exactly what’s in store for you if you vote with your feet to attend this year’s Community Thanksgiving Service.

That line is intended to speak in contrast to the current White House administration which promised to be the most transparent this nation has ever seen. As it has played out however, they’ve been doing nothing but covering up, misleading, deceiving, distancing, backpedaling and eating their empty promises. When South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson rudely interrupted the President’s joint session speech to Congress in 2009 yelling out, “You lie!” at least he was telling the truth.

In the news this past week (not the main stream lap dog news media, mind you), videos have surfaced unveiling some telling footage featuring one of the major advisors to the Affordable Care Act. The infamous consultant is Jonathan Gruber, MIT professor and Obamacare architect, who was paid $400,000 through contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services in 2009, in addition to other state contracts of $1.6 million to help design the health law.

You need to look up some of the videos to get the full impact of Gruber’s arrogance and condescension, but here are a couple of lines. “Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage,” he said at the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. “And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass.”

And this: “This [Affordable Care Act] was written in a tortured way to make sure CBO did not score the mandate as taxes. If CBO scored the mandate as taxes, the bill dies.” If I had more space, there’s plenty more material indicting the administration’s intentionally dishonest approach. But you get the idea. You’re not stupid.

Now that’s what I call true transparency. This has been quite a revealing behind-the-scenes look at what many of the leading liberal elitists really think, but are usually careful to not say publicly. Yet they’re not even blushing as they brush this news aside.

Nancy Pelosi (should I even waste the ink on her comments?) has touted Gruber’s work in helping craft the healthcare plan. After his comments have gone public however, Pelosi now claims she doesn’t even know who he is, nor did he help write the bill.

Seriously, you can look all this stuff up. Not on the main stream news, however.

And President Obama himself is, of course, distancing himself from Gruber, calling him “some advisor who never worked on our staff.” Just some advisor, huh? Records show Gruber has visited the White House more than a dozen times, with one of the meetings in the Oval Office with Pres. Obama, which Gruber bragged about on a PBS “Frontline” interview in 2012, as they ironed out the bill.

The healthcare fiasco is just one of many news items which make it seem to me like we’re just not getting the whole story. Think IRS scandal, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Immigration issues, birth certificate (oh, I forgot, that one’s been settled, right?).

So when it comes to transparency you may not get it from Washington, but you will get it here without the spin. The Community Thanksgiving Service to be held this Sunday, Nov. 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Petersburg First Baptist Church will be a worship and thanksgiving celebration to the Lord Almighty. We will sing praise songs and hymns. We will pray. We will read the Bible. There will be a gospel-centered message. We will receive an offering. We will offer a mix of healthy and unhealthy snacks after the service.

I’m not lying. Pastors from at least seven churches are planning to be there, and I hope you are, too. We think you’re smart enough to make a good decision and join us!

Thanking God

 It’s a good day to be alive in Petersburg, IL! If you were able to get up and out of bed this morning, eat a decent meal or two or three today, take a hot shower, wear some warm clothes, go to work or school or enjoy retirement, then I hope you’ll agree with me.

God’s “common grace” abounds as He delights to show His favor to mankind. The blessings of everyday things we often take for granted are truly gifts from the hand of God, intended to lead us to praise and thank Him, and ultimately to lead us to the greatest gift of all – eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Have you thanked God lately for the home you live in? “Wait a minute,” you say. “God didn’t give me that home. I worked hard to earn enough money to buy it!”

But who do you think gave you the ability to earn wealth? Who providentially opened the door for the job you have? Who wired your mind and crafted your hands to be able to learn your trade or succeed in your profession? Who instills within the heart of man the desire to research, accomplish and teach? Who gives man the responsibility to care for his family, his community and his world, and impresses upon him the willingness to strive for the good of his fellow man?

In just two weeks many of us will be sitting around tables full of food with our families in warm homes, maybe cheering on a favorite football team or watching a spectacular parade in New York City. We’ll know that we’re supposed to be thankful, but will we address our gratitude to the proper Source? Here’s where many miss the message.

I want to offer a very practical way of helping you express your thanks where the thanks is truly due. Rather than saying, “I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my friends. I’m thankful for my health,” or whatever else it is, turn your attention to the Giver of such blessings. Perhaps say it like this with gratitude from your heart, “God, thank You for the blessing of my family. Thank You, Lord, for my faithful friends. Father in heaven, I give You thanks for the health You’ve given me.”

And while we’re on the subject, why not give God thanks for the freedoms we have in this nation, and for the men and women in uniform who have put their lives on the line for us? The Lord has surely been gracious to us in America.

Thank You, Father, for the blessings and opportunities and freedoms You’ve given us. And thank You for all those who have sacrificed so much for this nation, and for those serving even now to protect us from the evil schemes of our enemies and to promote the greater good throughout the world. Please cover them with Your strong hand of protection. Provide for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Remind them of Your presence and Your promises as they call upon Your name. Bless their families at home with Your peace that passes all understanding, given freely to those who pray to You with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friend, may I suggest even now, for the next two weeks and beyond, that you ask God to continue to cultivate within you a heart of gratitude to Him? Take note of the everyday blessings of life, and give thanks to God for them all. Choose gratitude rather than grumbling, complaining and whining. Count your many blessings and see what God has done! It’s a good day to be alive!

Pastor Appreciation Blessings

Ever wonder what it would be like to go to your own funeral? Wouldn’t you like to hear how people remembered you, what they thought of you, what kind of impact you made in their lives?

Hopefully people would actually show up and have some nice things to say!

This past Sunday I didn’t attend my own funeral (thankfully), but people did show up and say some nice things in appreciation of their pastor. In fact, it was rather a blessing to my family and me to hear several speak and to read many notes of kindness and encouragement from the congregation. The accolades were actually somewhat embarrassing, and the generosity was quite overwhelming. 

To borrow a line from an old Toby Mac song, “Love was in the house and the house was packed.” 

Can I just say that God is good? Sometimes He blows me away with His goodness. And the times when I’m not being blown away I’m not really paying attention. Have you ever heard this line somewhere before, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”? Which days does that leave out? 

Now, I’m not real sure that I deserve any of the compliments handed out Sunday. If there’s any good thing in me at all, if I’ve helped anyone out along the way, if I’ve pointed anyone to the Lord, if I’ve made a difference in this world at all, the credit all goes to Jesus. 

Steve Baughman, the king of awesome Christian T-shirts, was wearing one on Sunday that would have fit me perfectly (metaphorically speaking). It said on the front: “I’m not the man I ought to be”, and to that I say Amen. I know what the Bible says about being a godly man, and I can assure you that you will not find my bald headed photo in the dictionary under the entry “looks like Jesus.” And it’s not just because I don’t have beautifully flowing long brown hair and a nice no-shave November beard, both of which of course Jesus had because that’s how He looks in all the artwork painted by European painters in the Renaissance. Such an Anglo-looking man for a first-century Jew, too. Curious. 

But the back of Steve’s shirt highlights my spiritual journey well: “Thank God I’m not the man I used to be.” Apart from the transforming work of Christ in my life, apart from His daily goodness and mercy, apart from the unceasing faithfulness of the Lord, I don’t know where I’d be, but it sure wouldn’t be in the pulpit on Sunday. 

It’s only because of Jesus that I know I’m forgiven and freed of sin’s penalty and power. It’s only because of Jesus that I know I’m clothed with the righteousness and holiness of Christ. It’s only because of Jesus that I know I’ve been given new life and have an inheritance kept in heaven for me that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. 

I’m not all that I ought to be, but thank God I’m no longer dead in sin. I have been made alive with Christ by His grace because of the richness and greatness of God’s love, demonstrated to the full through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross and His triumphant resurrection victory over the grave. Amen! 

I wish everyone had a chance to endure, I mean, experience such a blessing of hearing others tell you how much you mean to them. Why not tell someone you love today how much you appreciate them – before the funeral?

Exposing Satan's Lies; Revealing the Truth of Jesus

I really wanted to write an article this week exposing Islam to be a false religion. I intended to use this space to pose some questions like: If Islamic terrorists groups such as ISIS are not truly representative of the Muslim religion, then why is there not a great outcry among mainstream, peace-loving Muslims condemning such acts of terror? Why isn’t more action being taken to root out potential Islamic terrorists from our own country? Why do our nation’s leaders seem so quick to defend Islam while mounting increasing attacks on Christianity? 

Have we forgotten 9/11? What about the sniper attacks in 2002? The Boston Marathon bombings? Have we missed the news on the Ft. Hood shooter? Have we ignored the recent beheading in Moore, Oklahoma, and the killer’s conversion to Islam, his disdain for America, admiration for jihad terrorists, and desire to see Sharia law enforced? Who else hijacks planes and plants bombs and beheads innocent victims all in the name of religion, shouting Islamic phrases about bringing praise to Allah?

But maybe I don’t know enough about Islam to write a piece that would reflect their beliefs and practices accurately. I don’t really know what most Muslims think about the “radical” extremists who murder, rape and pillage as they seek to establish a broad Islamic state. And I sure don’t know why the politically correct establishment can’t tell the difference between workplace violence and radical Islamic terrorism.

What I do know, however, is the truth of the Word of God. The Bible – not the Qur’an, not the Book of Mormon, nor any other “sacred text” – is God-breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit, completely true and unchanging, tells the all-time greatest story that’s ever been told and compels us to believe word for word.

For central to this incredible story lies the truth that Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth as the Son of God to take on the likeness of man, that He died on a cross to forgive the sins of mankind, that He triumphed over sin and death by rising from the dead, that He ascended into heaven, and that one day He will come again and bring salvation to all who believe in Him while executing judgment on all who reject Him.

That’s the story of a holy God against whom we all have sinned and deserve the sentence of death and hell, but who in the riches of His love sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That’s the story of mercy and grace. It’s a story of redemption, and it’s available to all.

In fact, part of the beauty of this story is that salvation is offered freely in Jesus to all who call upon His name in truth. That includes the Jews and the Gentiles alike. It includes both men and women. It includes people from every nation under heaven, every tongue, every tribe. In Christ there is pardon from sin to all who repent of their wicked ways and receive the mercy of Christ Jesus.

The Bible says the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God, so don’t be fooled. The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers – they’re all disqualified (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11). Sin disqualifies us all. But those who are washed clean of their sins in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will indeed inherit the promise of everlasting life in heaven.

Jesus is our only Savior and our only hope. Not Mohammad. Not Buddha. Not Confucius. Not Moses. But Jesus. And only in Him are lives truly changed, set free from the chains of sin and given the breath of life. May Satan’s deceptions be exposed, and may the truth of Jesus Christ prevail. 

Barry the Betta

Recently we have welcomed a new member to our family: Barry, the betta fish. Don’t ask me why his name is Barry; Toby named him. I don’t think there’s any political connection, but living in a fishbowl puts both the president and the fish in the same water.

Can you imagine what it would be like to have your every move tracked, every decision judged, every golf outing scrutinized, every vacation criticized, and every fundraising event analyzed? The guy can’t eat without somebody counting his calories (and the cost of the meal to taxpayers). He can’t read a book or attend church without someone inferring his motives by whom he’s allowing to influence him. The guy can’t even take a smoke break without someone making it into a headline.

It’s kind of like being monitored by the NSA.

It’s tough to be Barry. He lives all by himself in a one-gallon aquarium on the center of the kitchen table. Please don’t call PETA on us. He needs to be insulated from the wild of the sea otherwise he’d get eaten alive. He’s no match for the hardened enemies who would destroy him. They’re not interested in peace treaties or dialogue. Their only intent is to make him an appetizer.

I’m not sure if Barry likes living in the fishbowl or not. He likes to be the king of the waters, though. He swims around like he’s looking for a fight. If he could, I’m sure he’d make all kinds of changes, to the climate, the conditions, the culture. He’d think they would all be positive, progressive changes that would lead to a better future – at least his version of a better future – even though there are good reasons why the stability of the current structures have worked well for the success of fish for a long time. 

But he’s only a fish. What does he know?

The thing is, he doesn’t even realize that he’s not really in control of his own destiny. There is a greater King who reigns over all the fish of the sea (and those in aquariums). And He rules with wisdom, power and love. This King is an awesome King. Even though some fish despise the King’s rule and set themselves together against Him, raging and plotting to overthrow Him, their efforts are all in vain.

In fact, the King laughs at their futile attempts. They are to Him a school of minnows strategizing over how to destroy the great white shark. Then He warns the rulers of the sea to bow before His throne, or else they will face the fury of His wrath.

Those who serve Him with fear and tremble before Him with rejoicing will find that His ways are good and right and just. They will know the great blessing that comes by taking refuge in Him. Would that all the fish recognize the gracious King and turn to Him for salvation!

Barry’s only going to last for a couple more years. His time in the fishbowl is running short. How will he live out his remaining days? Will he continue to fight against the provisions and protections and purposes and promises of the King, or will he yield himself in trust and thanksgiving and service and love to the One who placed Him there?

I’d better row this column to shore. I think Barry needs some more food. And lots of prayer.

Longing for revival in the church

If you were at First Baptist Church Sunday morning, you may skip this article and go read the funnies. Otherwise, allow me to share a few thoughts from the message. Then you can decide whether or not you wished you would have read the funny section instead. 

This week our nation is celebrating Independence Day. And, indeed, there is much to celebrate. We enjoy freedoms in this land like no other nation on earth, and for this we owe the gratitude to God. Our founding fathers recognized their own dependence upon the “protection of divine Providence” as they declared their independence from Great Britain. They made their case “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,” and grounded their convictions under the self-evident truth “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” 

I’m certain that it would be very curious to a John Adams and the 55 other signers of the Declaration of Independence as to how and why this nation has abandoned her reliance upon the Lord God. But we have. Just look at the ungodly decisions this country has made to legally allow the killing of unborn children – where innocent blood is on our hands. Look at the arrogance and audacity of judges to redefine the God-ordained institution of marriage. Look at the rampant sexual immorality that pervades this land, where the God-blessed boundaries have all been mocked. Look at the soul-numbing violence portrayed through certain genres of music, through video games and in the movies – and then unshockingly played out in real life by some. 

Space permits me from going on, but you get the point. Our national morality has predictably plummeted because we have quit looking to God for help. And we are suffering the consequences economically, politically, socially and spiritually. Perhaps we have already reached the point where God’s righteous wrath that has been kindled upon this nation will not be quenched. 

Such it was in the days of Josiah, the king of Judah, where the nation had so provoked the Lord to anger by their evil practices that He was about to bring swift disaster upon them. But because Josiah turned to the Lord with all his heart, God stayed His hand of wrath in his generation. See 2 Kings 22-23 for details. 

Listen, friend, I don’t know how long before we reap the full measure of the Almighty’s judgment against us for our rebellion against Him, but I do believe He will spare us from disaster if we’ll turn wholeheartedly to Him in repentance and faith. 

For Josiah, the turning came when they got into the Word of God. That’s where we need to start, as well. We need to submit to the truth and authority of the Bible. We need to recognize the implications of our disobedience and repent of our sins. We need to humble ourselves before God and commit to walk in His ways. We need to get rid of the idols that keep us from following the Lord and return to worshipping Him as Lord. 

Christians, it begins with us. I would love to see a spiritual renewal spread throughout this land. But I’m not waiting for it to come through Washington. I’m not expecting the courts to right the ship. I’m not counting on Congress to legislate a reformation. If revival comes, it will come through the church belonging to Christ Jesus, walking in the ways of Christ according to the Word of Christ. 

I long to see this generation of believers rise up and radiate the glory of Christ, not just in America, but throughout the world. My prayer is that of the psalmist who wrote: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine up us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” (Psalm 67:1-3).  

If it were me...

If it were me, I’d make a watch battery that would last more than a year. Why do most batteries die so soon, especially in flashlights? And shouldn’t lightbulbs last for years and years? Are batteries and lightbulbs the only things we can’t improve upon in our advanced technological age?

If it were me, I’d find a way to enforce journalistic credibility in the media. I’m sorry, but I can hardly read, listen to or watch a news report today without detecting the overt political/social bias behind it – whether right or left. Every story has a spin. Whatever happened to fair, unbiased, honest, objective journalism?

Walter Cronkite would sign-off saying, “And that’s the way it is,” and for the most part, what he reported was the way it was. Today, however, it depends on who’s covering the story asking, “How can we make this story conform to our political/social agenda?” That’s a long way from asking the old who, what, where, when and why.

If it were me, I’d open a Chick-Fil-A in Petersburg. Or maybe a Taco Bell.

If it were me, I think I’d search for the lost IRS e-mails in the same place as Flight MH 370. Okay, seriously, you mean to tell me that the IRS can keep tabs on millions upon millions of taxpayers’ documents and expect households to produce seven years of tax information upon demand, but when they come under fire themselves the potentially incriminating e-mails are just lost? No way.

If it were me and I was opening a meat market, I would not post flyers with a picture of a dog on it. That’s just me.

If it were me, I would ban any form of transgender “reassignment surgeries” and all related nonsense that finds this nation bending over backwards attempting to eliminate the distinctions between male and female. You may or may not know that your tax dollars are being used to fund “sex-change” operations through Medicare, that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is “open” to lifting the ban on transgendered individuals serving in the military, and that Pres. Obama has championed the cause of transgender rights and affirmed this behavior far more than any other president in U.S. history.

At the same time, our neighbors to the north in a recent Vancouver school board decision will begin allowing gender-confused students and their parents to use “sex-neutral third person” pronouns of “xe, xem, and xyr” instead of “he/she” and “him/her.” Students may also choose their preferred washroom based on their “perceived gender.” You think that sounds ridiculous, but it’s already happening in the good ‘ole USA, too.

People truly suffering from gender-identity issues need help, not applause. They need help understanding their unique and significant roles as male or female. They need help in dealing with underlying psychological and/or spiritual issues that have confused them terribly. They need to know that God does not make mistakes, but that when He created them in His own image, whether male or female, He had a plan for them.

They need the gospel, just like everyone else. The Bible tells us clearly that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And since sin leads to death and hell, and because we cannot earn heaven by our own merit, we need Jesus. The only way anyone will be saved from death to everlasting life is through Christ. “No one comes to the Father except through Me,” Jesus declared (John 14:6).

Friend, no matter where you’re at in life – straight, crooked or confused – Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, to offer repentance and forgiveness of sins, and to give abundant and eternal life to “whosoever believeth in Him.”

If it were me, I’d choose new life in Christ over the way of sin that leads to death.

Random Day Celebration

I’m unofficially designating today as Random Day. Actually, many of my days are pretty random, as are many of my thoughts. So why don’t we spend the next few moments together in this column celebrating Random Day?   

First Random Day topic: Community Block Party. Can I just say a big “Thank you!” to everyone who came last Friday night? We had a great time and hope you enjoyed the event. We had nearly 60 volunteers from the church serving in various ways, and I am blessed to pastor such a giving group of believers. There would be so many people to thank for going above and beyond that I would be afraid of leaving someone out if I began naming names. So let me again say how grateful I am for all your help.

I would, however, be remiss if I failed to give a shout out to Ray, Cindy and Bob – the New Jerusalem Singers – for blessing us with great gospel songs throughout the evening. I need to also give a word of thanks to Bob and Sarah Jane Swaar for providing the train rides. You are two of the most pleasant and patient people I’ve ever met. 

And to all who came whether by yourself or with your family, we are so glad you were there! I hope you sensed the grace of God and His joyous presence among us. If you don’t attend church regularly, let me invite you to come and be our guest this Sunday morning. We would love to welcome you.

Random Day topic No. 2: Father’s Day. I was happy to recognize so many men in church this past Sunday for Father’s Day. Guys, you have the responsibility to lead your families in the ways of the Lord. Thanks for taking that lead by making worship a priority in your life, and I trust that each and every day you’ll set the pace by investing time in the Word of God and prayer, by living a life of integrity and by showing this confused world what it means to be a true man of God. I’m praying for you, men. Stand strong!

Random Day topic No. 3: The deal to free U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for the release of five of the Taliban’s top operatives from Guantanamo Bay prison. Wait, that’s old news now. Nevermind.

Random Day topic No. 4: Benghazi. Wait, that’s old news, too. Isn’t it? What about the IRS scandal, Obamacare or the VA nightmare? Eh, not today.

Random Day topic No. 5: The World Cup. Does anyone around here even follow hockey? Just kidding. I don’t personally have any interest in the Stanley Cup, either.

Random Day topic No. 6: Vacation Bible School. Parents, mark your calendar for the week of July 20-24 for the First Baptist Church’s VBS. This year’s “Agency D3” theme will invite children to come discover, decide and defend the truth about who Jesus really is. Those who have finished Pre-K through completion of 6^th grade are welcome.

Random Day topic No. 7: Leviticus. I’ve just re-read the book of Leviticus. It’s in the Bible. There’s probably a reason we don’t spend a lot of time reading through Leviticus. Allow me to sum up the main theme for you, in case you haven’t taken the time to read it, or just don’t really want to. God is holy, and He demands holiness from His people. That kind of personal holiness may have looked differently to the people of Israel than the way we’d apply it to ourselves today, but the truth remains. Because God is holy, we must likewise deal with our sin and strive for to live holy lives in Christ.

The bad news is that we can’t do it on our own – believe me, I’ve tried, and can’t. But the Good News is that Jesus came to take away our sins once for all time when He offered Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, and He is in the business of making holy those who come to Him through faith. And He certainly does the job well, if we’ll trust Him to do it for us. There’s nothing random about the way God works. 

Exploring the Character of God

What’s your perception of God? It seems everyone has some opinion. Some think of Him as a frustrated and angry God just waiting for someone to step out of line so he can zap the miscreant with a bolt of lightning. Others view God as an older grandfatherly type who doesn’t want to bother anyone, who thinks it’s great when people decide to show up at his house, but understands if you can’t make it. And, of course, some just don’t think of God at all. It’s easier to live life the way they want to live it if they can find a way to try to shut God out of the picture altogether. 

But opinions are cheap. They’re worthless, really, if not grounded in truth. If, in my opinion, I think water ought to boil at 211 degrees and freeze at 33, my opinion means nothing. I’m only showing myself to be ignorant and foolish for rejecting the truth and believing a lie. Truth triumphs over my opinion.

So it is with our understanding of God. The truth about God according to the Bible trumps every opinion we can come up with. The existence of God, or the character, nature and attributes of God are not up for debate. And the sooner we come to grips with the God of the Bible, the better.

The psalmist says of Him: “For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:3-5).

Upon the Lord’s deliverance of the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang this song: “Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble…Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:6-7, 11). 

When David was rescued by the Lord from the hand of Saul, he burst forth in praise: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:2-4).

When Jesus asked His followers who they thought He was, Peter exclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). And the mighty King of kings, the One who is the true God in the flesh, affirmed Peter’s great confession of faith.

If only we understood more about the holiness of God. If only we learned more of His greatness and majesty. If only we could grasp something of His glory. If only we realized His goodness and mercy, His righteousness and justice, His love and faithfulness and wisdom and grace.

How quickly we would see our sin and our utter unworthiness to stand before Him. How quickly we would seek the salvation that He offers in Christ Jesus and run to Him for mercy. How quickly we would offer our lives in joyful obedience to His will. How quickly we would want to please Him by living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus. And how quickly we would find in Him richer blessings of joy, peace, hope, satisfaction and purpose in life beyond anything we’ve ever known.

Let me invite you to join us at the First Baptist Church in Petersburg for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. over the next several weeks as we explore the character of God, and allow the Almighty to reveal Himself in truth as we seek Him in His Word.