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Published: 07 June 2019

For some reason we gravitate to the recognition of greatness.  The greatest athletes, the greatest destinations, the greatest businesses, the greatest movies etc.  I’m not exactly sure what is behind that tendency but I see it in the Bible too.  For example, Paul extolled the virtues of faith, hope and love, but he said, “The greatest of these is love.”  When Jesus was questioned about the greatest commandment, He responded “To love the Lord your God…and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love seems to top the charts!  But have you found love that great?  In your experience does love rank among the greatest?  Is that idealistic or real?  The church should be the greenhouse for genuine love.  It should be the display to the world of what love looks like.  In the prayer of Jesus (John 17), He actually said that the world would believe that the Father sent the Son because of the loving unity found within the people of God.  Historically, I’m not convinced we’ve done a great job representing the Triune virtue.  Some people have given up on love.  No matter how difficult it becomes in this life, love is the one thing we should not give up on!  It is the glue that holds things together.  It is the sap in the life of the Vine.  It is the greatest!  Therefore, let us receive God’s love and love Him and others…becoming loving people to the glory of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.  May our love for God and mankind both increase and abound.

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Published: 31 May 2019

We’ve been on vacation for two weeks.  We didn’t do anything spectacular.  I didn’t preach anywhere.  We didn’t lead anyone to the Lord.  I shot a turkey.  We caught some blue gills.  I caught a couple trout.  We took naps, read books, went for walks and ate what we wanted.  We had devotions every morning.  We went to church.  It’s really interesting being a visitor.  I’m nervous in those situations.  I wore blue jeans, tennis shoes and left my shirt hanging out.  My beard wasn’t trimmed and I looked really tired…because I was.  Maybe I’m vain, but I thought people were looking at me and wondering if I had a hangover.  I didn’t.  I wanted to hear God’s Word—and did.  I wanted to worship God—and did.  I wanted to be reminded that there are other places that preach and celebrate the glories of Jesus Christ—there are!  I felt weak—I am.  I needed the reminder that there is a strong God, that He is at work and that in spite of my anxiety and fear, He reigns, He loves me and He cares.  I think a lot of people come to church in need of hope and the reminders of God’s greatness.  If you see someone you don’t know on Sunday; no matter how they’re dressed, how they look or what you may think their Saturday night was like; let’s welcome them as image bearers of God.  Let’s pray they will be comforted in God’s presence and strengthened in His love.  Let’s pray they’ll be saved if they’re not and thankful if they are.  Every person has a story and a wobbly heart—God wants to give them life and make them holy.  Let’s be a part of what He is doing.