Sunday Praise & Worship Message - New Normal

In almost every new article or segment that I read or listen to, I hear the same term, “new normal”, used over and over. It has become the new buzz phrase that has come to symbolize this new decade. New social practices such as distancing and reduced capacity are now becoming the new norm. There have even been discussions and suggestions regarding the handshake. Some doctors feel that the accepted and traditional custom should be eliminated from our daily interactions. 

Everything we do from now on will be scrutinized through the lens of the new norm. Although I am not a fan of the term, I believe that we should embrace a new way of thinking and feeling towards one another. As we continue to deal with COVID-19 and its impact in our lives, we should also take a moment to look at our lives through a spiritual lens.   

Last week, I talked about having a new heart and a new spirit. When we accepted Christ Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, we received the free gift of salvation from our Heavenly Father through the blood of His son, Jesus. As we received that gift, we received a new heart and a new spirit. Our old stony, sin-filled heart was removed and a new one was placed into us. Our old spirit of disobedience was ripped away and a new spirit of love for our Father and for others was put in its place.

After receiving our new hearts and our new souls, we are called to walk with the Lord daily and dedicate our lives to serving Him and to loving one another. There is a new norm for us as Christians. We are no longer to walk in darkness and act disobediently. We have been transformed and we should reject that old, sinful lifestyle by living a life of worship and love.

In chapter two of his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes, “But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”

In this passage, Paul tells us that there is no way for us to satisfy the requirements of the law. No matter how hard we try, there is no way that we could, on our own, meet the requirements of the law and avoid spiritual death. Our salvation can only come through the blood of Jesus poured out as an atonement for our sins. When we accepted this gift, we were given a new life and a new way to live. 

The grace that we receive has a deep meaning for us. Just like that beautiful song by Isaac Watts, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, you cannot help but be humbled by the value of that gift of salvation. The son of God the Father came from his throne on high to live among us and show us the way back to the Father. When it came time to lay down his life for our sins, he walked the Via Dolorosa to die upon a cross. While on that cross, Jesus suffered for each of us and bore the world’s sins upon his broken body. When the moment came, the skies grew dark and the stone moaned as Jesus took his last breath and gave up his spirit.

In chapter nineteen of his gospel, John records that final moment of Jesus, “He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

It is through that act of love for each of us that Jesus made us right with God the Father. As a child of God, Jesus lives in you and walks with you daily. His lessons and his life are ours to guide our daily steps. We are no longer part of the old norm, but, rather, a part of the new norm.

As we walk daily in that new life, let us always remember the life of Jesus and his sacrifice for us and live our lives in accordance to his teachings. This new norm means that we live our lives with a Christ-like attitude daily and devote ourselves to God. 

Paul writes, in chapter two of his epistle to the Philippians, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.”

Don’t let Jesus’ sacrifice become meaningless in your life. Live a life dedicated in love and service to the Lord and to those around you. Act in a way that is Christ-like and hold firmly to the word of life. Don’t let anything come between you and that new norm. As you continue your daily walk with the Lord, you will soon find that this new norm will strengthen you for the days ahead and that you will stand firm in His grace. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - The King Rides a Donkey

In many large cities that have historical districts, you will often find bronze or stone statues depicting a great general astride a fiery stallion, flashing his saber as he leads an attack to rescue the people. Next to those statues are plaques describing the epic battle that was fought. The words describe the thousands upon thousands of soldiers with bayonets fixed to rifles behind him as they marched into battle. As you continue to read the stories associated with those heroes, you are filled with awe and a level of pride knowing that men were willing to do so much for those who cried out in despair.

Heroes, past, present and future, will always be celebrated and remembered in stories. Each one given honor and glory each time his or her story is shared with those interested in hearing it. But, there was one who was heralded as a king, but he didn’t ride into a city with a saber flashing as he yelled, “Charge!”

This king came into the city of Jerusalem not on a fiery steed, but, rather, on the back of a lowly donkey. A donkey is a beast of burden and only those of low station would ride one. He did not come to conquer those in the city. He came to love them and give them the gift of salvation given by God the Father. His hands were not clenched in anger. They were open in friendship and love. Those who witnessed his entrance into the city celebrating his coming like that of a hero. However, in less than a week, those same people would be demanding not the love that he brought but his blood.

The Hebrew prophet, Zechariah, wrote, in chapter nine of the book bearing his name, “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah calls this new king who comes “righteous and victorious”. Another word that he uses to describe this king is “humble”. It almost seems like the words should be at odds with one another. On one side, you have the word, victorious, while on the other, you have the word, “humble”. They almost seem diametrically opposed to one another. But, when you think about Jesus’ life and what he came to do, those very same words compliment one another and fit perfectly. He came into this world to save us not condemn us. He came to die for our sins and was resurrected to give us victory over death. Because of his sacrifice for us, we receive the free gift of salvation directly from the hand of the Father. That is the victory that was humbly given to us.

When you read the account of Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem, you see the people greeting him and praising him and celebrating his coming. But, there were those who didn’t like what they were seeing or hearing. There were those who felt that Jesus threatened the establishment and wanted to overthrow the status quo.

In chapter twenty-one of the Gospel of Matthew, we read not only the account of Jesus’ celebrated entry into the city of Jerusalem but we also read about him clearing the temple of the money changers and those conducting business in the House of God.

Jesus says to those conducting business in the temple, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

He is quoting the words of two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah. He reminds them, and us as well, that when we come into the House of the Lord it is a place of prayer and not a den for thieves to conduct business.

When the status quo is threatened, things change very quickly. The same people who celebrated his entrance into the city were turned against him by those who were powerful members of the Sanhedrin.

It is so very interesting to think of this in our own lives. On one hand, we celebrate the coming of the Lord and on the other, we try to protect our old way of life. We say one thing and mean quite a different thing when it comes to what is in our heart.

Over the past couple of months, I have personally witnessed the dedication of EMTs, nurses, doctors, facility people, food service individuals and so many others. Each goes to work to help those in need and gives so much to each. I applaud them for all that they do.

While I witness this, I also see the other part of our society, the greedy individuals who hoard and sell items for a lot more than the standard cost. I see people stealing, cheating and robbing those who have very little. As I write about those individuals, I am truly sickened by the thoughts.

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us do it with a heart full of joy and the desire to live a life full of love and compassion for each other. Let us not change or go back to our old ways. Jesus came into this world to give us the gift of salvation and to save us from our sinful lives. When we accepted him as our Savior and Lord, we were reborn to walk in the newness of life. Act that way all the time. 

Later in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, in chapter twenty-three, criticizes the religious leaders by telling them, “Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Celebrate Palm Sunday not only outwardly but also from the inside. Do not be accused of being a hypocrite by doing things you know are wrong. When you live a life that has been transformed, live it in love and service to all of God’s children. When you do all things that you, as a child of God, know are righteous, you can easily stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Love and Care for Each Other

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have witnessed instances of selfishness punctuated with even more instances of self-centeredness. It seems for every twenty or thirty of those stories, there is one that demonstrates love and compassion for others. Needless to say, the stories of self-sacrifice and charity are often buried under a sea of stories that just make people shake their heads in disbelief.

As I watch the world trying to cope with this “undiscovered country” of global pandemic, I realize that the only way for us to get through this and remain dedicated to the ideal of love for one another is to truly remember that we should be servants to one another. When we put the health and needs of others above our own, we are no longer just animals, but, rather, human beings who love one another.

Several people have asked me a question similar to the one that the Pharisees asked Jesus, “What is the most important thing for us to do as Christians during this time of crises?”

My answer is the same as Jesus’. We are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind and soul and, equally as important, love one another.

In chapter twenty-two of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus replied to the Pharisees, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

You notice what Jesus says about these two important laws. If you just follow those, the others, as well as the demands of the prophets, rest on these. When you examine the laws in the Old Testament, most of them easily follow into two simple buckets. The first governs our relationship with God the Father. The second governs our relationship with each other. 

If we just followed these two laws that Jesus calls important, we would be living in a far, far better world. By loving God and loving each other, our entire world would change overnight and be something of a paradise. There would be no need for other laws. We would do everything out of love for God and for each other. Nothing would please me more than to see a world where hate, bigotry, greed, lust and other sins would be a thing of the past.

Jesus, in chapter thirteen of the Gospel of John, says to his disciples, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

When we love one another, we reflect God’s love not only for us but also the entire world. This is how the simple message of the Good News spread like wildfire. It does not require a degree from a seminary to preach this message. It starts by demonstrating God’s love to everyone around us.

As people witness that love in action, they will, in turn, ask why. It is through that simple question that we are able to preach the Word to the lost and those in need of salvation. Many have found God not through a paper tract handed out but through the deeds and actions of those who are followers of the Christ.

Soon enough, we will see the end of this pandemic and each of us will have an opportunity to reflect on it. What will we say about it and ourselves? Will we look at ourselves and just shake our heads in disbelief as we think about our actions?

I have seen too many stories of selfishness and not enough of self-sacrifice. There are times when I just do not listen to the news or care to do so. Each day brings us to the brink of collapse. I am not preaching about doomsday or Judgement Day. I speak of the day when we, as human beings, give into the desires of this world and we spiral downwards into the pit of despair. 

Before we all take that last step, let us pause and think of what Jesus told the Pharisees.  Then let us live to love not only God the Father but also to love everyone. 

In his first epistle, John, in chapter four, writes, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

God lives in us when we love those around us and by doing so, His love is visible to the world and becomes real to all those who are looking for something that will fill that void in their hearts and souls.

As we begin another week, let us truly love one another and show the world that things can be better. We can make a big difference in other people’s lives and do so much to ease the pain and suffering of so many. We just have to start by loving God and then applying that love He had for us to the rest of the world by loving just one person at a time. When we learn to do these things, we can definitely stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Wolves in the Fold

Over the past couple of months, I have heard many say that we are living in the end times and that the day of judgement is at hand. In almost the same breath, after scaring everyone, many ask for donations and hawk their wares to all those who will listen to their pitch of paradise and perdition. Many, who can ill-afford it, will gladly give them money to buy or exchange their money for some sort of bucket of food or cure for COVID-19. Each claims to speak their message in soft, but persuasive, tones to “tickle the ears” of those who fall victim to these “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

Jesus says, in chapter seven of the Gospel of Matthew, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Each day seems to be worse than the last. More scammers and those who profess to preach the Good News prey on those willing to listen to their messages. Some will fall victim to these charlatans and gladly give them their money. Instead of praying for those in need, they “prey” on them. These wolves look for the weak and those who are desperate only to give them false hope and continue to bilk them until they have nothing left to give.

Just as you work to protect yourselves from the virus, you should also work to protect yourselves from those who would swindle you out of your money with empty words. Beware of these individuals who are only interested in lining their pockets through the fear, uncertainty and doubt of others.

In chapter twenty-three of his book, Jeremiah writes, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: “Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD!”

Many will claim that they speak for the Lord or that God has placed a message upon their heart. The messages and words have a fragrance of sincerity, but you will soon find that the closer you listen to their words, that same fragrance turns into the stench of death. Their words are empty and bring no hope.

In his second epistle to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”

Even during the days of the early church, there were those who preached in the name of God only to further their own agenda of filling their earthly coffers and building for themselves earthly wealth. Have you no eyes to see what those who have called out, “Lord, Lord” have done? Some have preached a false gospel designed only to tickle the ears of those who would listen while slipping in a message of deceit and deception.

Jesus, in chapter thirteen of the Gospel of Mark, said, “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!”

In chapter four of his second letter to his brother in Christ, Timothy, Paul writes, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”

What Paul observed then, we also see now. Many flock to those who preach a gospel filled with love and hope to entice those who long for those things. Their empty words will lead only to disillusionment and sadness. Many will no longer believe and become sullen. Some will have their hearts hardened and become skeptical of those who preach the true Gospel of the Lord.

Many have asked why I have not written books. I respond, “The free gift of God is love and salvation through His son, Christ Jesus. Likewise, His Word is free.”

The key word is free. I cannot improve on the words of the Lord or embellish upon them. I can only preach the Word as it was given by God the Father. Each word, written by men of God, inspired and given life by the breath of God.

As we continue to go through this valley of darkness called “pandemic”, let us test every word spoken by those who profess to be God’s messengers, His prophets or apostles of Christ. Examine each word against the entire content of the Holy Scripture. Be in prayer daily asking for God’s word and love to fill you with wisdom and discernment. Do not allow those who prey on others to fill their pockets with earthly treasures a foothold in your life. 

 In chapter four of his first epistle, John writes, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”

There are many false prophets who claim that they speak with conviction and authority. Question every word. If they say that the Bible says this or that, read the scripture to truly determine the real meaning. When you do these things, I guarantee that your daily walk with the Lord will be a blessing even during the roughest of times. Rest assured that you will be standing firm in His grace daily as you follow His words and not the words of those wolves in sheep’s clothing and false prophets.     

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt

In the past couple of weeks, I witnessed fear, uncertainty and doubt gripping the entire world. Now that COVID-19, or the coronavirus, has been called a pandemic, everyone is running scared. I see people buying up toilet paper, beans, rice and everything else they can get their hands on. This morning I went to do my weekly grocery shopping only to find the parking lot filled with more cars than I had expected. Grocery carts were scarce and when I went down some of the food aisles, food was even scarcer. Shelf after shelf were emptied. I talked with some of the vendors trying desperately to restock the shelves. One told me that fifty-six cases of bottled water flew off the shelves in one hour. Everyone listening to the President’s address declaring a state of national emergency decided to run to their local stores and buy up everything. One of the checkout clerks told me that she had people with grocery bills of $400. Words like “crazy”, “irrational” and “nuts” peppered the conversations of people who were there just to buy their weekly groceries.

I am not saying that you should not be prepared for shortages of essentials; however, I ask you to really think hard about what is happening. Televangelists are shouting the message of doom and the “end times” while also asking for more donations. They all say that Judgement Day is coming soon. If the end is coming soon, then why are so many asking for more donations? It is quite simple. They, like others, are fanning the flames of hysteria, fear, uncertainty and doubt. 

Listen to the news. Each day there is more and more information and even more misinformation. People in Iran are drinking industrial-grade alcohol which can cause blindness and, in some cases, death, because someone said that drinking it would kill the virus. Some are even gargling with undiluted bleach. All of these “treatments” are deadly, but people are afraid. While in the same store today, I saw people with surgical gloves on. I realize that people do need to be cautious and try to avoid contact, but there is a point when you must stop and think about what you are doing.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us of what people will say about the end times. He says in chapter twenty-four, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

Throughout the annals of man’s existence, people have declared that Judgement Day is at hand. Some go as far as to actually pick a date. Many have fallen victim to these claims and have sold their homes, belongings and even cashed in their retirement. Each waited for the very moment of the end and when the moment came, nothing happened.

Years ago, people were afraid of the year 2000. Y2K, as it came to be called, was the date when computers would go crazy and microwave ovens would seek the blood of their creators. Yes. Many fell for this and began to stockpile supplies. But, when the day came, nothing happened. Computers did not become self-aware and launch nuclear missiles to start World War 3. Nothing happened. 

Somehow, through all of this, we forget the words of Jesus. He told us not to panic. These things must take place. 

I was talking to a couple of people and I ran through all of the different health emergencies that we have seen. We had swine flu, H1N1, MERS, SARS, Zika, West Nile and a host of others. I ended my discussion by saying that we survived those and we will survive COVID-19. I asked them to think about the best things we could do to protect ourselves. They listed washing our hands, avoiding touching our faces, and a few other ones. Simple things that everyone should be doing regardless of pandemic or no pandemic. Every doctor I know of has said the exact same things. We just need to stop panicking and get on with our lives by using a little common sense and realizing that life is too short to waste on running around flailing our arms in the air and screaming that the sky is falling.

John, in chapter four of his first epistle, writes, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.”

When there is love, there is no fear. Why should we be anxious or worry about things that we have no real control of in our lives? Is that fear being motivated out of possible punishment for our transgressions? But, you should not focus on that. You should focus on the love of the Father. He has provided salvation through His son, Christ Jesus. He, as John points out, loved us first. Through His love for us, He gave His son as our atonement sacrifice. All we have to do is accept that gift of salvation and His love and begin our daily walk close to the Lord with no fear or trepidation in our lives.

This emergency will pass into the past. Another chapter of our existence that will one day fill a future history book. How should we end that chapter? Will the author write that everyone was scared senseless and turned on one another like a pack of wild animals? Or, will the author write that people came together and loved one another while helping those in need? 

If we are to truly love one another, we must realize that we have nothing to fear and that we are able to do so much for one another. Each day I see a glimmer of hope in the selfless acts of others. Nurses, doctors and a host of healthcare workers give to those in need without fear or reservation. Each does what comes naturally to us all, caring for others. But, sometimes, we let fear, uncertainty and doubt rule our lives. When we allow that to occur, fear becomes our watchword and our way of life.

Don’t let fear rule your life. Life truly is beautiful and the best part of it is you. Each of us can either love and care for others or we can separate ourselves and be selfish. The choice is up to you.

Isaiah records, in chapter forty-one of his book, the words of the Lord, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

So, as you go through this day and weeks ahead, I ask you to think about what you are doing. Are you allowing fear, uncertainty and doubt to fill your mind and heart each moment? Or, are you living like God intended with no fear and with His strength? When you live as God intended, you are able to stand firm in His grace.  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.