Where's Your Treasure?

Last night I read a good book entitled, "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn. It was well written and challenging. I have always been interested by how much the Bible says about money and how little Christians want to talk about it. Jesus didn't have a problem talking about it. As a former banker of 14 years, I've never had trouble talking about money. The fact of the matter is that what we think about money and what we do with money is, perhaps, the best indication of where we are spiritually. Especially do I think this is true in our affluent society.

Too many Christians want treasure in heaven and on earth. It doesn't work that way. You are either committed to one or the other. Jesus calls us to a radical commitment. He calls us to follow Him no matter what the cost believing that we are laying up treasure in heaven. What so often slows us down in following Him is that we want so much of the stuff of this world. Understand, it is not so much the stuff that is the issue, rather it is the desire we have for the stuff that is the issue.

How do we break the stranglehold of materialism? Alcorn points us to the biblical answer. It is to give. Give generously. Give sacrificially. Give for the sake of the kingdom. Jesus said something that I find fascinating. He said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). You or I might say it the other way around. We might say where your heart is, that's where you'll put your treasure. Not so. Jesus says wherever you put your treasure, your heart will follow. Sounds radical but really it is obvious. Whatever I invest in I will be interested in. The more I invest the more interested I am. So if you and I want to have more interest in spiritual realities, more interest in Heaven, more interest in advancing the gospel, then we must invest our money, time, and abilities to that end. Will you do that?

I can hear some people raising questions. What about my child's college fund? What about my retirement? What about this or that? The list is endless. Well listen to what Jesus said. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be addes to you." Do you believe that? It is not that it is wrong to have college funds or retirement accounts. But are those things your goal or is serving the King of kings your purpose?

We only have so much time on this earth and then an eternity in heaven. Let's make the most of our short time here so that we can enjoy eternity to the max. You may not think this is a big deal now, but some day you will. So let's ask ourselves where we are putting our treasure and let's commit to laying up as much in heaven as we possibily can. The treasure you lay up here will either go away or you will go away. The treasure in heaven is eternal.

It's a simple question. "Where is your treasure?"

Where's the Love?

Take a look at this picture. Take a good look. What you see is a precious pooch. Baxter is his name, loving people is his game. He's friendly. He's funny. He's lovable. In my last post I told you of the plight of Baxter. We are leaving for California in less than three weeks and Baxter won't be making the move with us. We're looking for a good home for him. I asked for suggestions. Several times a day I eagerly check back thinking surely someone has some concern for Baxter. Alas, each time I check all I see is a zero next to "comments." Zilch. Nada. Absolutely no comments. What's the matter readers, has the cat got your tongue?

Let me exhort you from Scripture. Proverbs 12:10 says, "The righteous man has regard for the life of his beast." How 'bout a little regard, people! Don't you care? Do you want Baxter wandering the streets homeless? The rest of Proverbs 12:10 says, "But the compassion of the wicked is cruel." Is your compassion cruel? Hey, let's cut it straight. Let's respond to the truth.

Now I know what your thinking. You're wondering that if I love Baxter so much, if I care for him, like the scripture says, why am I leaving him behind? You're thinking that I am the one lacking in compassion. Not so!!! I'll tell you why as I told you already in my previous post. Our new home is not a good place for Baxter. It does not have the room he needs. I thought that surely Texans with all their wide open spaces would have a concern for this Texan mutt and his well being.

Having said all this, let me just say that I'm having some fun with you. Hopefully we have found someone who will take Baxter in and love him. It will be hard to say goodbye to the pooch, but we believe he will be happier staying here.

And it is not just the house that doesn't make moving with us so good for Baxter. We are moving to LA to serve on the staff at Grace Church. With Ben starting college, Roberta and I will have an empty nest and lot's of opportunity to minister. This ministry may involve a bit of traveling which is another reason not to have Baxter in our new home. Also, some of our traveling will be to visit Bobby and Christa and our grandchild (due in February 2006).

We have been blessed with the joy of pets over the years but the real joy comes from knowing the Creator and serving Him by teaching His word. We are eager to do this and look forward to serving Him in new ways and places.

And someday we'll probably get another dog.

Man's Best Friend

For almost all of the past 17 years our family has had a dog. First there was Boomer. Then along came Buster. Most recently the family mutt has been Baxter (that's him pictured). And Baxter is 100% mutt. However, Baxter is a very intelligent mutt. He will sit on command. He will come when he is called. He will fetch a ball and bring it back to you. Baxter does not always use his intelligence in commendable ways, if you know what I mean. He is sneaky. One day we looked out in the backyard and he had a sheet spread out on the grass with two napkins alongside the sheet. It looked like he was setting up for a picnic. When I went out to pick up these items I felt like I was breaking up a big date that Baxter had planned. We have no idea how Baxter got a sheet and two napkins out of the house but we do frisk him now before we let him out.

I say all this because we are moving to California in a few weeks and we have decided it would not be best to bring Baxter with us. Not that we don't love the little rascal, but because our new home would not be the best place for a dog like Baxter. We have virtually no yard at the new abode and Baxter needs room to stretch his legs. The picture of Baxter in this blog does not do him justice. He is obeying the command to sit and stay but I'm afraid that he thought he was being punished for something (notice the ears back in the "have I done something wrong?" position). Baxter isn't the sit and stay kind of dog, he is a run and play kind of dog. He's very friendly and just likes to have some fun.

So, dear reader (and I know you're out there), can you help us out? Do you know someone who would like a lovable, playful little mutt like Baxter? Do you know someone who would have a yard big enough for him to chase a ball and run around? If you do please let me know. We hope to hear from you and we are hoping for a good home for Baxter.

Only A Prayer Meeting!

If we cut the Word of God straight we learn of all the great blessings that a believer in Christ possesses. One of those blessings is access to God through Jesus Christ. We can go to the Father in Jesus' name and enjoy fellowship, make our requests, bring our intercessions, cast our cares, express our thanks, etc. What a great privilege. Anytime, any where, I can enjoy communion with the Father because Christ has reconciled me to Him.

Not only is this a personal privilege, but it is a corporate one as well. As believers we can join together for times of prayer. The early church was committed to this practice. In Acts 2:42 it says that the believers were continually devoting themselves to prayer. Literally it reads, "the prayers." This is a reference to set times of corporate prayer. In Acts 3:1 we read of Peter and John going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.

The apostles and early church also would meet spontaneously to pray. We see examples of this in Acts 4:23-24 and Acts 12:5, as well as other places. The early church truly did devote themselves to this wonderful privilege of prayer. They didn't view it as a "have to" but rather as an incredible "get to."

Not only does the New Testament present us with the example of the early church, but we are commanded to pray. Colossians 4:2 says, "Devote yourselves to prayer." The "yourselves" is plural. It is a command to the church. 1 Timothy 2:1,8 also gives a command for prayer in every place, i.e. every church. God tells us to pray not only because it is pleasing to Him but it is for our good.

Unfortunately to many believers today it is only a prayer meeting. It's strictly optional and it is obviously way down the list of things to do. Prayer meetings usually have a very small turn out which to me is absolutely unexplainable. What activity, what TV program, what excuse is so compelling that it keeps people away from this privilege of praying together with other believers to the God of the universe?

Christians today are concerned about the downward spiral of our culture. They are appalled by the blatant sin that is so obvious in our society. Believers are concerned for the well-being of their chidren in the midst of the prevailing corruption. But when Wednesday night rolls around it's only a prayer meeting.

Christians are concerned about issues in their own lives. They have financial issues. They have health concerns. They need wisdom regarding important decisions they are facing. They are wrestling with sin in their life -immorality, fear, gossip, bitterness, etc. But when Wednesday night rolls around it's only a prayer meeting.

Christians are concerned about issues in their own church. They are concerned about projects that need to be completed. They are interested in important decisions that must be made regarding the future direction of the church. They wonder about ministries that go understaffed or altogether neglected. But when Wednesday night rolls around it's only a prayer meeting.

Do Christians really believe that prayer is a privilege and that it matters? Based on their, "it's only a prayer meeting" mentality you would have to seriously wonder. The reality is that most Christians see the Wednesday night prayer time as an inconvience rather that a glorious privilege.

Over the years of my ministry I have tried to make prayer a priority every way that I can. Regarding the formal prayer meetings I have tried to encourage, exhort, and even embarrass people into coming. The sad reality is that many people who are members of the church have never come to a prayer meeting or only very rarely. This is most perplexing to me.

I have been to many prayer meetings. Usually the turn out is disappointing but the time of prayer never is. How can it be? There I am with other believers and we are joining together in fellowship with our heavenly Father. What a glorious time it is when you really realize what it involves.

So, dear reader, what is it to you? Is it only a prayer meeting? No big deal. Take it or leave it. Or is it a wonderful privilege that you enjoy and appreciate because Christ has so wonderfully saved you and blessed you?

Maranatha!

I just finished the longest week of my life. It began late last Friday night (July 8) when I was awakened to the news that my dear friends Bill, Pam, Bethany, and Amy Rehrer had tragically died in an auto accident. That left Matthew Rehrer, and his wife Kara, alone in his family. I immediately called Matthew and early Saturday morning I went to Houston, along with Roberta, Billy, and Ben, to be with Matt.

I have many memories of the Rehrer family. Bill and I worked so closely together for 9 1/2 years. We talked, and dreamed, and prayed about so many things. We encountered so many struggles together. We were constantly in one another's office for advise and counsel. He was a true co-laborer in every sense of the word.

Pam was always there at the school and ministering in the church. She was faithful to do so many things from singing, to gardening, to janitorial, to helping students. You name it, Pam did it, including taking great care of her family.

From a human perspective nobody has contributed more to the ministry of Believers Fellowship and Believers Academy than Bill and Pam.

Matthew is an exceptional young man with many talents. He grew up with my sons. Whether it was playing basketball or golf with Billy, or rooming in college with Bobby, Matthew has been very close to us. One summer he served as an intern for the church and he demonstrated a great heart for the children he ministered to.

Bethany grew to be an exceptional singer, which is what she loved to do - sing unto the Lord. It was always fun when she would be introduced as a member the The Master's College singing group "Majesty" at The Shepherds' Conference. All of us that would be there from BF would cheer her on. Bethany always told me that even though she had gone away to school, she would tell everyone that I was still her pastor.

Amy was a sweetheart. She was talented musically and in working with children. She would have been a sensational mom someday. She was so kind and encouraging to everyone. Even after she grew up she would still give me a hug after church.

Most of all, I will remember the fun we had with the Rehrers. When they would come over to our house and we would eat a meal and play games it was always a hoot. We have had some memorable events together as families.

Well, last Friday night's news began a blur of activities. We went to Houston Saturday. I preached a special message on Sunday morning (which I prepared at my dinner table late Saturday night) to the troubled hearts at BF. Monday was spent going to the cemetary, the funeral home, and making plans for a graveside service and a memorial service. Tuesday was spent finalizing those plans and putting my messages together. Wednesday was a very difficult day doing both services in the heat and in dealing with all the emotions. Wednesday night we had an elder's meeting. Thursday I flew to LA to go to a meeting at Grace Church where I will begin serving in September. Friday I flew home and did a premarital meeting Friday night.

Through all of this one word has been ringing in my mind. The word is Maranatha. It is a Greek word which means "O Lord, come!" It is expressing the desire that the Lord would return and be vindicated. It is the word that Bill would say at the end of every church service. Every Sunday morning and every Sunday evening after Bill would lead the closing hymn he would say the word, "Maranatha."

The Lord came for Bill, Pam, Bethany, and Amy on July 8. Now they are in His presence. No more pain, no more struggles. Nothing but love, peace, and JOY. The Lord still has a purpose for me and you (dear reader) to still be here. Let us be faithful to follow our Lord like our friends were. And let's live with the cry of our hearts being "MARANATHA!"

Sold Out

If we cut the Word straight then we understand that our God is holy, awesome, perfect, all- knowing, all- powerful, loving, gracious, merciful, and compassionate. We also know that we are sinners, rebels, foolish, and deserving of judgment, wrath, and condemnation. We additionally know that God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for sinners, to take their place in judgment, to wash all their sins away. Therefore, all who repent and believe in Jesus stand justified, forgiven, and righteous before this holy, all- powerful, all- knowing, and gracious God. He is holy, because He dealt with our sin. The price He required was paid. He is gracious because He chose to save unworthy sinners. He did this on His own initiative.

If we cut it straight and we rightly understand this great truth, how can we be anything but totally sold out for the Lord? How can anyone who believes this truth be the least bit apathetic towards our God? How can we ever take His Word, His Church, His Work lightly. How can we allow ourselves to get caught up in the trivial matters of this world? How can we entertain sin once we know what it really is and the price that was paid to be forgiven?

The sad truth is that as beleivers we often stumble. We don't do what we should do rather we do what we should not. Sometimes we act like we have forgotten what we claim to believe. We allow ourselves to get caught up in the world and sin.

What is the solution to this dilemma? We need to meditate more on God's Word. Psalm 1 tells us that the man who is blessed is the one who delights in God's Word and he meditates on it day and night. That man is like a firmly planted, well watered , and fruitful tree. We need to talk to ourselves about the truths of God's Word. We need to talk to ourselves when we rise up, when we walk about, and when we lie down. That's what it really means to be sold out. That's what it means to be filled with the Spirit - to live under His influence. If we will meditate on God's Word then the lifestyle that we would associate with being sold out will follow. We might try to whip up some sold out living in our lives but that won't last long. The real substance comes from planting our roots deep into the rich soil of God's word.

So let's meditate on the Word and be sold out for Jesus.

I Love the Church

It seems that many Christians are rather ambivalent towards the church. They don't want to get too involved. Maybe they had a bad experience with a church in the past, so they downplay the importance of the church. They realize that there are good things about the church. They know the Bible talks about the church. But they only get invovled to the degree that they feel comfortable. Perhaps the old saying about Noah's ark applies to the way many think about the church. "If it weren't for the storm on the outside you wouldn't be able to put up with the stench on the inside."

No doubt churches have problems. No doubt believers have had bad experiences in some churches. I have. I have had some horrible experiences in some churches. But I love the church. The reason I love the church is because it is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). The church is the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is the body of Christ (Colossions 1:18). The church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 19:7). The church is precious to God and to Christ. The church was purchased by the very blood of God (Acts 20:28). How can I say that I love God if I don't love His household? How can I say I love Christ if I don't love His bride? If I love the head, I will love the body.

Yes, I have had some bad experiences in church but I have had some wonderful ones as well. The instruction, the fellowship, the worship, the times of prayer, the times of rejoicing, the friendships have been priceless. It is the church, even with all of its imperfections that Christ is committed to and He has used the church with all of its weaknesses to work in my life.

My adult life has been spent devoted to the church. Even before I became a pastor I was involved and serving in the church. The church has had a tremendous influence in the life of my family. All of my children have grown up in church and they all began serving at an early age. Today they are all still serving the church and loving it.

We need to be reminded of Christ's commitment to the church. That's what keeps us going. And we need to be continually devoting ourselves to the local church like the apostles and the early believers did (Acts 2:42). We have to remember that our love for Christ is tangibly demonstrated by our love for the church. Serving the Lord is never a waste of time.

In my last post I talked about my 50th birthday. That night a number of people from the church I pastor threw a surprise party for me. During that time we had some great fellowship just remembering the things the Lord has accomplished in our midst. The people that were there have been through some tough times in churches. But a night of fellowship like we had more than makes up for it. I feel badly for Christians who stay on the fringe of the church. There is a spirit of independence among many Christians which is not good. Those believers miss out on so much.

Revelation 1-3 pictures Christ ministering to His church. Seven letters were sent from the Lord to seven local churches. Five of those churches were having serious problems. But where was Christ in relation to those churches? Well, the churches were pictured by seven lampstands and Jesus was standing right in the middle of them (Revelation 1:9-20). Where are you standing in relation to your church?

I love the church because I love Jesus.