Author: Dale

Strike up the band!  Spread the news!  The backyard patio project is complete!  What seemed like a task I could handle became an overwhelming situation that finally was beyond my skills. As my friend Andy Bonikowsky says, “God likes to surprise us” (Jeremiah 33:3), and He did so by providing what was needed financially, physically and skillfully. Last night, my wife and I were able to enjoy our fire pit, the warmth, s’mores and the stars!  Wow!  How great is our God!

Before Andrew and Alli, our son-in-law and daughter, joined us, Denise and I sat by the fire and read several passages concerning marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4 and 1 Peter 3:1-2).  I read a portion, then she read a section.  We concluded our time in prayer thanking God for the gift of the patio and the gift of marriage as well as asking Him to help us “keep the home-fires burnin’.”

You see, we have been on a fast-track of late in reference to ministry and life in general.  How easy it is to get so caught up in your daily routines that you forget each other.  You miss just holding each other in your arms for an extended time.  You only give each other a peck kiss instead of a long, passionate “I loooovveee you” kiss!  You only speak in passing, and then in broken, perhaps interrupted sentences.  Your cell phone gets more attention than your spouse.  Prayer time together gets push aside and marriage operates in the flesh instead of the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-26).  It only takes one day for marriage to start getting cold.

Men, may I remind you that you are responsible to “keep the home-fires burnin’.”  You are the leader.  Yes, your wife can contribute, but you are the one to keep things “stirred up” in the right way!   So, how about tonight?  Build a fire in the backyard and rekindle the embers of your marriage!  If you can’t build are real fire out back, then build one in your wife’s heart!  Need some help?  Look at the previous paragraph.   Stir up the fire, guys!  Those s’mores and her kisses will be tasty and hot!

Oh my!  It is April Fool’s!  The one day that the prank comes out in all of us, huh?

April Fools’ Day (sometimes called All Fools’ Day) is celebrated every year on April 1^st by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The jokes and their victims are called April fools. People playing April Fool jokes expose their prank by shouting April Fool. Some newspapers, magazines, and other published media report fake stories, which are usually explained the next day or below the news section in small letters. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.  Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (1392) contains the first recorded association between April 1^st and foolishness.   (Wikipedia)

Here’s two ideas just for fun:

God’s Word has much to say about All Fools Day, especially to one who lives as a fool.  Read the following and see.  Are you are fool?  And, this no joke or prank.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life.  (Proverbs 7:21-23)

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15)

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20).

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. (Proverbs 14:3)

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)

Do any of these characteristics describe you?  Do you need to turn from going your own way and trust in God?  Do you live following your foolish heart or do you live and make decisions believing God with all of your heart?

Something you need to also consider is found in a portion of a sermon from Bob Deffinbaugh. “Satan is the prince of fools. As I think through the characteristics of a fool, I am reminded that no one is better described than Satan himself. He chose to rebel against God and to assert his will over God’s (Isa. 14:1215).He delights in sin, and he actively seeks to lead others in his evil way. He sets himself about the task of hindering others and bringing about their destruction (I Pet. 5:8).He is a deceiver (I Tim. 2:14; Rev. 20:3), a sinner (I John 3:8), a liar and a murderer (John 8:44).He accuses the saints before God and slanders them (Rev. 12:10).He is arrogant and proud (Ezek. 28:17; I Tim. 3:6). He is a troublemaker and a nuisance. Because of this, he should be avoided, but we should not attempt to rebuke him (Jude 8-9). Satan is the prince of fools, the essence of folly.”

God’s Word has much more to say about a fool or being foolish, but the absolute fool is everyone who rejects Christ as Savior and Lord (Luke 12:13-21).  How wonderful to know that God has provided complete salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, for every man.  How equally tragic for anyone to reject the cross work and resurrection of Christ and go to hell with their sins forgiven.  That is the absolute fool.

If you have never surrendered to Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please do so today.  Reject the prince of fools, Satan, and his deception and lies, and turn completely to Christ, Who is absolute Truth and Light.  (John 8:12; 10:7-30; 14:1-6; Romans 10:9-13).

You may play some pranks on some people on this April Fool’s Day, but be wise when it comes to the seriousness of eternity.  It’s the difference between an eternal day of joy or an eternal day of agony.

For more information about surrendering to the claims of Christ, please listen to this gospel presentation:  Five Questions Video

This picture brings great joy to my heart as I watch this project coming together and to an expected end.  Lord willing, we want to use this expanded brick patio as a gathering place for our neighbors, church family, visitors, and anyone who comes along.  We really desire for it to be a gospel gathering place.  As I have watched the crew do some of the prep work, the measuring, the compacting, and careful placement of the brick, I have been reminded of Christ building His Church (Matthew 16:18), one brick at a time.

This project began with an idea, a picture and a pergola. From there, a neighbor helped lay out the design, dig up the dirt and secure the bricks.  Then I spread the chat/block dust.  Finally, it came time to lay the brick pavers.  I was way over my head when this project began, but when I saw that stack of 7,000 brick, I knew I was in extreme deep water.  Oh, I could have laid out the bricks, but what a mess it would have turned out to be!  I needed someone who really knew what they were doing.  So, the men in this picture are professionals . . . unlike me!

Another project took place yesterday. Our church  was downtown enjoying the privilege of feeding the homeless.  Many are involved in this ministry. It takes cooks, servers, singers, preachers and sharers.  How blessed to minister to these people, but there is only One Who can do the best work, the work of regeneration.  That work occurred yesterday morning before we even arrived at the Melting Pot.  While standing in line to purchase food to be cooked for this ministry, our Melting Pot leader noticed the clerk was wearing a bracelet inscribed with the name “Jesus,” and inquired about it.  This began an engaging conversation about the gospel. The clerk said she had received the bracelet as a gift from her mother, but that she, herself, was not a believer. He asked, “Do you have time for me to share with you how you can know Christ as your personal Savior?  The  clerk replied, “I am going on break after I ring up your items.  Yes, I will meet you outside.”  David took his groceries to the van and then joined this dear lady at an outside table.  There, the Holy Spirit convicted her of “sin, righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:8), and she put her faith and trust in Christ alone as her Lord and Savior!  Praise the Lord!

You see, many people did what they could do to serve yesterday at the Melting Pot before, during and after.   I did what I could do along with others on my backyard project.  But when it came down to laying the brick, only one could do that.  When it comes down to lost souls being added to the Church (Matthew 16:18), only One, the Lord Jesus Christ, can do that.  We as followers of Christ are to be involved in many ways in spreading and sharing the gospel, but only One can “lay the brick one brick at a time” (1 Peter 2:4-10).  He’s the Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22), the Savior of men (1 John 4:14), and the Sustainer of the Church (Colossians 1:15-18).  His work is awesome and God glorifying! And one day He will bring this project to an end (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  In the meantime, we just keep on being engaged in gospel work while the Master Bricklayer continues to “seek and to save” (Luke 19:10), one brick at a time!

If you have never surrendered to the work of Christ for you, please listen to this gospel presentation:  Five Questions Video

“Since my wife passed away, I’ve been thinking about Heaven a whole lot more.”  These were the words of a dear preacher and man of God who recently, after 63 years of marriage, said, “I’ll see you later” to his dear wife who was promoted to Glory.  He then followed up that statement with, “When I was young, in my 20’s, I thought I knew everything including all about Heaven.  I realize now that I don’t know that much about it, but I sure do think about Heaven a lot now.”

Do you think a lot about Heaven?  Let the following passages sink into your soul for a bit:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.  (Revelation 21:21-25)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  (John 14:1-6)

But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This dear preacher and follower of Christ has a greater longer for Heaven as the years here drift away, as loved ones move on, and as he meditates on the promises of Glory, his eternal home.  For him, each day is getting better in spite of his frail physical condition.  For him, his view is eternal.  For him, he does know a lot about heaven because the Lord is drawing his heart closer to Home.

Matthew Henry said, “Those who have the New Jerusalem in their eye must have the ways that lead to it in their heart.”

Lastly, hear the words of Charles Spurgeon who wrote, “Why, if this Book said no more than ‘they shall be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory’ (John 17:24), we should know enough of Heaven to make our hearts dance for joy.  To be with Jesus where He is, to behold His glory, this is bliss pressed down and running over, more than our bosoms can hold.”

Have you been thinking a lot about Heaven?  As you do, watch the following: Thinkin’ About Home

“I am witch.  I have studied many Celtic gods and goddesses, and in a dream one of the goddesses spoke to me.  I have been following her ever since.  I also believe in reincarnation.”

“So, since you believe in reincarnation, what were you before?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, what will you be after what you are now?”

“I don’t know.”

Another conversation went like this:

“So, who is Jesus to you?”

“Oh, I don’t believe in Jesus.  I’m an atheist.  I used to be a Southern Baptist, but after hearing all the different teachings about God, I figured what I had been taught was false.”

These are two portions of conversations with a girl and a guy at a local college campus as many of us from our church engaged the students in gospel conversations while a visiting evangelistic team played their instruments and sang.  The music caused some to stop and that enabled us to speak with them, and for some, God gave us the opportunity to share Christ with them. Others were not interested in any way, some even showing disgust or mocking us in some fashion.  Truth is, we do not deserve any respect from anyone.

We are living in a pagan, post-modern world.  These souls do not need us shouting at them, calling them names, shaking our heads at them and being angry.  They need genuine followers of Christ who are willing to get out of their comfortable holy huddles and intentionally seek to build relationships with them.  They need someone to genuinely care for them, to listen to them, and then to share the gospel like Jesus did (John 4).  One student said to us, “Thank you for speaking in respecful tones.  Most religious people come on campus and shout at us.  We do not listen to them.  Sometimes we just shout back.  You know, you can draw more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

In route to meet everyone for our campus outreach, I heard the song, “People Need the Lord.”  As I listened, the words resonated in my heart knowing what the day held for us.  Indeed, people need the Lord, and they need us to tell them about our eternal, living Savior.

Everyday they pass me by,

I can see it in their eyes.

Empty people filled with care,

Headed who knows where?

On they go through private pain,

Living fear to fear.

Laughter hides their silent cries,

Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

When will we realize people need the Lord?

So, are you engaging the culture, the community, the campus for Christ or are you staying comfortable in your holy huddle?

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”  (John 4:39-42)

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  (Matthew 28:1-8)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  (Romans 8:11)

Rejoice as you listen to:  Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will

Lyrics:

1) Every power on earth and in heaven

Is a shadow in His light,

No authority, law or government

Challenges His sovereign might.

 

His reign and rule have no boundary,

All that is, His hands have wrought.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord our God.

 

2) We are well aware we were orphans once,

Bent and broken in our shame,

Then He sought us out and adopted us,

Now we bear His royal name.

 

Every sin or crime we have ever done

Is no match for Jesus’ blood.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

3) We are rescued out of darkest night,

Freed from Satan’s evil hold

And the kingdom of our Savior’s light

Is our soul’s eternal home.

 

Though the enemy tries to steal and kill

What the death of Christ has bought

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

Bridge

Our God is victorious,

He always wins! He always wins!

In love He reigns over us,

He always wins! He always wins!

 

4)  We, the Church, declare: Jesus Christ is King,

For He conquered death once for all.

We will live in light of His victory

Following His gospel call.

 

And when the story ends we know Jesus wins,

For His power cannot be stopped.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

(Ross King)

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.  (Romans 5:6-11)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Phillip P. Bliss

1

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name

For the Son of God who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood;

Sealed my pardon with His blood;

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

3

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

Full atonement—can it be?

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

4

Lifted up was He to die,

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in heaven exalted high;

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!