God's Standard Never Changes

I recently shared a message with the church I serve as pastor on Matthew 25:31-46. In this passage, Jesus tells about an event that will take place in the future. It is a wonderful event for those who have faithfully followed Christ. It is also a traumatic event for those who haven’t.

Jesus says that those who are welcomed into heaven are not just those who say that they are followers but show it by their actions. He gives some pretty specific ways that people either demonstrate their faith or don’t.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:35-36)

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. (Matthew 25:42-43)

Jesus said that the demonstration of our faith will determine whether we are in or out. This is not to be mistaken as salvation by merits. The Bible is clear that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).  But that faith is also one that will show itself to be true through actions in our lives (James 2:14-26).

I found this scene that Jesus talks about in Matthew 25 very sobering. We can talk a big game about believing in Jesus and being associated with Him. The truth is (from His mouth) the proof is in the fruit. We can say whatever we want, but it is only true when you can back it up.

I had wondered why this was the only place where this was talked about in such detail… that is until I read Job 31.

In Job 31, one can see this man who was having a “rough week” making a final appeal about why the trouble he was experiencing was not a result of sin in his life. In his appeal, Job exclaims…

if I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused eyes if the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow), if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering, if his body has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep… (Job 31:16-20)

The sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler (Job 31:32)

After reading this chapter, my mind was blown. There it was in plain sight. The ways in which Jesus said that true faith is demonstrated was done by Job in his life.

God’s standards never change.  The Bible tells us that He is an unchanging God (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17).  When it comes to His standards, we should not be surprised when He says that those standards do not change either. God still demands that His followers be those who are transformed by the love of God to the point where it effects their actions.

Read More

Give Thanks Day 13

As I continue to move through this month expressing my thanks for various things in my life, I have come to one that is not the easiest. There are some things that come in life that make you want to do everything but give thanks. One such event took place in our family about 8 years ago when we miscarried our first child. My wife has written a great post about that here.

There are some things that are easy to give thanks for, but others - especially in the moment - are not so easy. Finding out that you are having a baby for which you have prayed - easy. Finding out that the heartbeat of that child is no longer there - not so much.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. ~ James 1:2-4 HCSB

These verses from the Bible seem so strange. Be grateful for the trials that come our way? That's right. Because the sovereign God of the universe has got everything under control. There is nothing that escapes His notice. Because of His proven love for me over and over (and over again), I can say thank You for whatever comes my way - even the trials.

God has used the loss of "Peanut" to teach me to be grateful for all my children. Too many times we think we are entitled to things. We are entitled to NOTHING! Because of that dark day where the heart monitor was silent, I have learned to grab and love my boys every day, because you never know when it will be the last opportunity to do so.

So today, I am thankful for the trials that God is using to make me mature and complete - even though I don't like them.

Read More

We Are Smoke

"You don't even know what tomorrow will bring - what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes." James 4:14 HCSB

I thought about this verse this afternoon. I found myself working putting together the toddler bed for our middle son, Sam. Yep, our little curly-headed mischief-maker is moving to a "big boy bed."



I have been told too many times to count by people who have already raised their children to cherish these times because they'll be gone before you know it. It is times like today that I see a glimpse of just how true that statement is.

For all the parents of young children reading this, don't forget that these precious treasures that God has entrusted us with are only with us a relatively short time. Let's make the most of each moment with them and store up some memories for the day when they head off to college or to start their own family.

Read More

Crossroads Weekend Update

Series: "Bonding with James" An examination of the New Testament book of James by taking titles from James Bond movies.

Message: "Goldeneye" (James 5:1-6; Luke 18:18-27).  This message was the final in our "Bonding with James" series.  We are a very wealthy and prosperous society in America.  If not careful, our riches can blind us to the things that God is calling us to.  We looked to encourage students to keep our things - wealth, popularity, toys, etc - in the proper perspective so that they do not rob us from experiencing the great plans that God has in store.

Game: "Turkey Trivia".  This was a PowerPoint game with trivia questions about Thanksgiving topics.  It was fun to hear the answers from the students and watch their reactions to the answers.

Read More

Crossroads Weekend Update

Series: "Bonding with James" - An examination of the New Testament book of James by taking titles from James Bond movies.

Message: "A View To A Kill" James 3:1-12.  This message focused on the power of our words.  Our words can be a very powerful thing, and can be used for great things or to destroy.  We had a great testimony from a college student who's family was visiting during the morning service about how a couple of our students used their words in a great way.

Music: "Blessed Be Your Name", "Filled With Your Glory", and "Mighty to Save".  It was good to have Josh, Murphy, and Erica (all college students) back and leading worship for our students.

Games: We did another round of "Paper, Rock, Scissors" and made Emily Roberts (6th grader who is the reigning champion) defend her title.  She did defend it victoriously against the challenger.

Student Involvement: We had a student come by during the week last week and make a video of announcements that we shared with the group.  It was great.  The students paid more attention to the announcements and we had a good laugh at some of the mannerisms of the student.

You can hear the podcast of this message by clicking here.

Read More

Weekend Update

We had a great night with the student ministry of FBC Birmingham last night.  We are in the middle of a series called "Bonding with James" where we are taking a walk thru the New Testament book of James.

Message: "Die Another Day" Part 2 in the "Bonding with James" series.  We talked about temptation and how to overcome it.  I really felt good about this message and thought that it came across effectively.  I was bummed out afterwards to find out that our podcast recorder didn't work (again).  Temptations are something that we all face but don't have to give in to.  If we set up guardrails and stand on the word of God, we can find victory over any temptation that comes our way!

Music: "Marvelous Light" - Charlie Hall; "Enough" - Chris Tomlin; "The Savior's Love" - old hymn.  It was good to have Josh, our music guy, back.  It was also his birthday, so we snuck a "Happy Birthday" in there for him.  I'm constantly reminded of how important musical worship is to a person's life.

Student Involvement: We did a game at the beginning of "Guess who's bad decision it is?"  This was a game that we made up.  We had students write down on a card a bad decision that they had made and turn it in.  We read them aloud (they knew we would) and had the group try to guess who's blunder it was.  This made a great icebreaker and lead-in to the message.

What are some ways that you deal with temptation?
How have you creatively taught about temptation with students?

Read More

Hiding Sin?

I am once again in the process of reading through the Bible in a year.  Today's reading in Genesis brought me to an interesting passage.  It is found in Genesis 9:20-27.   After the Flood, Noah becomes a farmer and vine-dresser.  One day, he gets drunk on some wine and is laying in his tent naked.  Ham discovers this and runs to tell his brothers.  Shem and Japheth cover their father's shame.  When Noah finds out all that has happened, he curses Ham and blesses Shem and Japheth.

At first, this seems very wrong.  Is there a blessing for the older boys who covered up their father's sin?  Why was the young one given a curse for not doing anything.  As I study this passage, it is clear that it's not about hiding sin, but rather honoring your parents.  Shem and Japheth wanted to bring honor to their father and protect him.  The only thing that Ham did was to go and tell others about his father's mistake.

When we as believers in Jesus Christ see someone who is struggling with sin, there are a couple of ways that we can respond.

1. We can ignore it. It's not our problem.  Why should we get involved in their problems?


2. We can talk about it. "Did you hear about so-and-so?"


3. We can step in and intervene. We are commanded to share the love of Christ with others.  Love is demonstrated not just talked about.  DC Talk said it best in a song of old, "Love is a verb."  James 5:20 says, "you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (NLT)

How are you showing the love of Christ to those around you today?

Read More