United Not Divided

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”  Luke 11:17.

A group divided against itself is sure to destroy itself.  Paul wrote to the Galatians about this subject in Galtatians 5:15 “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

This is true of a nation, religion, family, business or any other union of people.  Instead of fighting within and destroying ourselves, we should join hands and strengthen the whole.  Again I refer to the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of of Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

We need to strive to be entwined like a cord and not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

A Clean Break

I Kings 19:19-21

This passage is about the call of Elisha. 

For us, the lesson to learn is — it is imperative that a Christian make a clean break from sin, from the world, from Satan.

First, what it takes to make a clean break.  If you think about a clean break of a bone (such as an arm), it snaps, it’s a total separation of the bone. 

Elisha makes a clean break in order to follow Elijah (v.19).  “mantle (cloak) on him.”  This was his call to be a prophet.

We have a call today, to make a clean break, but “plans” sometime seem to get in the way.  “I’ve got this job”, I’d like to, but I can’t,” “I just can’t live that way,” etc. 

Elisha makes only one request in verse 20 and that was to go and kiss his parents good-bye. 

v. 21 Elisha finished his clean break and he went and answered his call to serve.  He followed Elijah until II Kings when Elijah was caught up in a whirlwind.  At that point, it was time for Elisha to lead.

We can also examine the calling of the apostles — Mark 1:16-20; Mark 2:14ff and John 1:43-49. 

Another example would be in Acts 9 and the story of Saul of Tarsus. 

We do have examples that not all made a clean break, at least initially — Mark 14:50-51 and John 21:3f.

The apostles clean break was not complete until the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, but after that there is no question.

Paul (the former Saul of Tarsus), his break was clean, he didn’t know any other way, but to go all out, be fully committed.  See Phillipians 3:13-14.

Have we made a clean break from sin, the world, Satan?

Think about it this way.  Would you invite and an old girlfriend/boyfriend on your honeymoon? Would you allow them to be a part of your marriage?  That’s absurd to think about. 

When we meet Jesus and are converted — we toss away our old life.  We become the Bride of Christ — we are married to Christ in a sense.  Romans 6:4 talks about being buried with him (united) and raised again to a new life. 

How then can we say to Jesus, “I would like for Satan to come and be a part of our life together.”  That’s just as absurd, just as crazy, just as foolish, but if we haven’t made a clean break then that is exactly what we have done. 

It is not acceptable in either case!

Just as we separate from old flames — we need to separate and make a clean break from the world, from sin, from Satan.  James 4:4 says this “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Elisha and Paul made clean breaks — it is undeniable when you read the accounts in scripture — the task for us is to make a clean break from sin by becoming united with Jesus in baptism, thus separating ourselves from the world and serving Him until death or until He returns, whichever comes first.  (Jude 3; Revelation 2:10).

OSU v Illinois

It’s the Big Ten opener for the four-time defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes this week.  First, out the gate is Illinois, who almost derailed OSU National Title game run two years ago in the Horseshoe.

The Fighting Illini have Juice Williams back at quarterback.  Williams, no relation, had the game of his life two years ago when Illinois upset the top ranked Buckeyes and hasn’t had a game like that since.

Williams is still very dangerous, but he doesn’t have the weapons around him this year like he has had in years past.

Illinois has had two weeks to prepare, which is an advantage and some of their injured players are expected to be back this week.

However, Ohio State gained some confidence last week by dominating Toledo.  Terrelle Pryor had an outstanding game and the defense has the makings of something special.

The defense will keep Ohio State in any game it plays this year, it’s just a matter of how the offense functions.  Pryor, again must make plays and I think that Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall must become a bigger a part of the offense.  Boom Herron will still get his share of carries, but this needs to be a backfield by committee.

Dane Sanzenbacher has the look of a go-to receiver and younsgters Devier Posey and Duron Carter, I believe, will become more involved in the offense starting this week.

For all the problems, Juice and Co. can cause, I don’t think this is a particularly strong Illini defense and that should bode well for Ohio State.

Ohio State will do what it needs to do to win the game and get off on the right foot in conference play.  Although, Illinois seems to always give OSU all they can handle.

Consider Your Ways

These words come from Haggai 1:3-7 in particular v. 7.  “thus says the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways.”

The prophet Haggai had a message from God that he was to give to the people of God.  He stressed the importance of the message by stating “thus says the Lord of Hosts.”

What he was going to tell them was not from himself, but was from God and he wanted them to know that.  The message was brief but very clear. 

Sometimes the messages we get, whether in church or in daily life, are not that clear or easy to receive.  The message sometimes breaks down. 

Haggai was a prophet and God spoke directly to the prophets.  Today we get our messages from God’s Word.  This is what Paul instructed Timothy in II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season: reprove, rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

That’s what every preacher should be doing, preaching the infallible, inerrant Word of God.  It will convey the message from God to man.

Haggai gave them the message that God gave him.  What kind of message was it?  First off, it was a personal message.

The message that God gave Haggai to pass on to the people then, is the same message we need to hear today — “thus says the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways.”

God knows that we have the problem of being more concerned with the faults and sins of others than we do with our own faults and sins.

As you’re reading this you may be thinking, “boy I wish so and so would read this.” See what I mean. 

People like this live in a dream world where everything that is wrong is applied to someone other than themselves.

These folks live their lives looking at others and they can see all the things wrong with those folks, but fail to see even one thing wrong with them.  Have you ever been there? Are you there now?

It is really astounding how people can see the bad in others, but can never see the good.  We are so quick to behold the mote in our brother’s eye, but can’t see the beam in our own eye (Matthew 7:3).

Someone very wise once said, “If you feel that you have no faults, that makes another one.”

There are many people who spend their life doing nothing more than critcizing others. 

There is an old saying that “people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”  But they do.

Remember in John 8 — the story of the adulterous woman.  The religious leaders came to Jesus with an adulterous woman.  “We caught her in very act of adultery, what should we do with her?  The law says she should be stoned but what do you say?” “Jesus said ‘he who is without sin cast the first stone.’”

The Bible records that one by one they all began to walk away.  Why? Because they knew they had sin in their life just as much as she did, and if they were going to stone her, they ought to be stoned next?

Unless you are perfect, and no one is, you have no right casting stones at others.

In addition to this being a personal message, it was a powerful message also.  God said “consider your ways.” What’s He talking about?

The people of Judah were fresh out of Babylonian captivity and had become content in their freedom to build their own houses.  With their newly issued “building permits”, they decided to take care of themselves first.  Never a good idea.  Suddenly the temple was no longer a priority.  All they could think about was what they wanted to do for themselves.

They continued meeting for worship among the ruins of the temple as if nothing was wrong with it.

Haggai was trying to get them to understand that they were focusing on insignificant matters,  like decorating their homes, when they should have been busy constructing the temple.  The people needed to stop and think about how far they had let the temple go, and how perverted their priorities had become in relation to God. 

So, how should we consider our ways? One way is in relation to the work of the Lord.   It is unwise to place your self-interests ahead of God.  Have you ever asked someone to come to church and immediately they said “I can’t come  because I have other things to do during church time?” Or words to that effect. 

What are they saying?  “Going to church is good, but I have things I have committed my life to that I consider to be more important and I have other things that I do during church time.”

This is what God’s people were saying in Haggai — and God was saying. “Thus says the Lord of Hosts , this people say, the time is not come, the time that the Lord’s House should be built,” (v. 2).

They were saying, “I have to take care of my plans.  I will take care of God’s later.” 

Think about Super Bowl Sunday Night — how many church members stay home to watch the game instead of going to church services?  (Perfect example of this).

Also, some think it is the responsibility of the elders and the preacher only to spread the gospel.  And they certainly do their part.  But, I think Jeff Walling said it best with this phrase I heard in a sermon years ago.  “It’s the whole duty of the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.” 

We can also consider our ways in view of the futility of our labors. 

The way some folks live their lives, you would think the things they do are really important.  I work with some people like that.  Every day, people live their lives and waste their time, energy and resources on things that simply do not matter.

When you compare what they are doing to the eternal things of God, their life is no more than an exercise in futility.  My job, in the grand scheme of things, is not a big deal. 

Is what you’re doing with your life really more important than the things your Creator has put you here to do?  Consider what God has in store for those who put Him ahead of their own interests?

Matthew 6:33 says “but seek ye first the kingdon of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

God wants us to consider our ways.  People are paying a tremendous price for not doing so — look at verses 6-7.

Thanks George

I really have to come to appreciate Cincinnati Reds television announcer George Grande. 

The guy is always positive, not always a trait with announcer’s today.  He seems to be very genuine — not having much of an ego.  Also, very different from many today.

Many criticize for him for being too nice — too much like Mister Rogers.  He misjudges distances sometimes and can be a bit chatty, but neither are really bad things.

But, my appreciation really came in one of the telecasts last week.  Coming from back from a commercial, the camera shot was of the sunset — it was awesome — with the blue and purple colors, just incredible and Mr. Grande picked up on it.

He made the comment and I paraphrase ”Looking at that, it’s hard to believe that we aren’t under a higher power,” or words to that effect.

Amen, George.  Thanks George.

With all the forcefeeding of evolution and the Big Bang theory today — it was refreshing to hear an unsolicited comment in support of creation.  Especially when he didn’t have to do it — which made the comment all the better.  And, he’s absolutely right!

I also want to give Mr. Grande kudos for not using the four-letter expletive that is in the title of a sports show on  FSN.  Grande always says the “Best Sports Show Period” and not the “Best D— Sports Show Period” (which is debatable, but that may be for another post).

Again, I say thanks George. 

He, along with Chris Welsh, are the longest TV broadcasting duo in Reds history.  I hope Grande remains a part of the broadcasts for a lot longer.

OSU v. Toledo

The Buckeyes are hoping this a bounce back game after the tough loss to Southern Cal last week.  They are also hoping this is a not a trap game, the ole’ feeling sorry for ourselves over last week and looking ahead to the Big Ten opener next week.

Toledo is coached by former OSU assistant Tim Beckman and he appears to have the Rockets going in the right direction.  The put a 50-spot on Colorado last week.  Colorado is not what they used to be, but the Buffaloes were supposed to win that game.

Ohio State should be able to run the ball better, although the loss of senior tackle Jim Cordle for several weeks is a blow.  I think it may be time to see more of Brandon Saine and see what youngsters Jamal Berry and Jordan Hall bring to the table.  I just don’t see Boom Herron as that bell cow 25-carry a guy game.  I don’t know if the other guys are either, but it sure looks like Herron is not.

Also, Coach Tressel must take the training wheels off Terrelle Pryor and let him do his thing.  He made a couple of poor decisions last week, but that’s because he’s thinking too much and not reacting, not getting that feel for the game, in my opinion.

Defensively, if Ohio State gives the same type of effort they gave last week, Toledo will have a tough time.

The game is at Cleveland Browns Stadium, which is nice for the two teams and more of a neutral game, although I expect the crowd to pro-OSU.

OSU should be able to use this game as good preparation for the Big Ten season.  The Buckeyes have not lost to a MAC team since 1894 I believe, perhaps longer, that streak should remain in tact.

OSU has played Toledo once before and trounced them 49-0 at Ohio Stadium in 1998.  I was at that game, it was OSU game I have been able to go to outside of the Spring Game

I believe the Buckeyes move to 2-1 and can feel good about themselves after this one.

A Special Moment

A very special moment occurred at the Philadelphia Philles/Washington Nationals baseball game on Tuesday night.  If you have not heard about it or seen it I have linked the article from mlb.com.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090916&content_id=7000336&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

It’s one of those moments that if it happened to me — I hope that I would follow this dad’s example. 

It also reminds me of God’s love for us.  He loves us regardless of what we do.  He proved that with John 3:16. 

This was a special moment and so are the moments that we spend with our Father.

Disciple or Christian or Both

John 9:27-28 “He answered ‘I have told you already and you did not listen.  Why do you want to hear it again?  Do you want to become his disciples, too?  Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple!  We are disciples of Moses!’” (NIV).

The word disciple — means learner.  There are different kinds of disciples — disciples of Christ, disciples of Moses (like in the text), disciples of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:15-16), disciples of John (Matthew 9:14). 

Even today we have disciples — disciples of certain political figures, coaches, etc. 

Disciple is a common noun that does not indentify; but Christian is a proper noun that shows relationship to Christ.

Although I’m a learner or follower of Christ, I want that relationship with Him, that special bond that only comes from being a child of His.  Those who are, know what I’m talking about — those who are not, it is my hope and prayer that you not just become a learner or a follower of Christ, but one who has that special relationship with the Son of God — the One True Savior of the World — that you become a Christian.

The Music Stopped…

I received this in an e-mail recently and wanted to pass this along.   Our troops truly are heroes.  Please remember them in your prayers.

MUSIC STOPPED

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movie. This is written from a Chaplain in Iraq : I recently attended a showing of ‘Superman 3′ here at LSA Anaconda.

We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature.

All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped. Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop.

Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: “And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq .

I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad.

OSU v USC

This is the game where Ohio State can get its swagger back.  The USC Trojans come to town with plenty of proven commodities, except at the most important spot, the QB.  Matt Barkley will get his first test of playing in a hostile environment and for the Buckeyes sake, this part of the game better work.  One thing Barkley has in his favor is plenty of established, big-time players at the skill positions.  The Buckeye defense has to get pressure on Barkley and get him out of his comfort zone. 

Offensively, Ohio State has to strike early in this game and put the Trojans on the defensive (if there is such a thing).  Terrelle Pryor may have to do this on his own.  None of the receivers really stood out last week and the Herron/Saine backfield were a little more than pedestrian against Navy.  I still did not see the nastiness in the OSU offensive line that I believe is needed for OSU to win a game like this.  They have to step up this week. 

My heart says Ohio State will win, but my head is having serious doubts.  If Ohio State can do it, perhaps all the naysayers will be silenced at least for a little while, which is more than enough reason to root for Ohio State in this one.  (It is amazing to me that a team can win a game and drop two spots in the polls).

Two things in Ohio State’s favor, home game and USC plays a more recognizable offense, not the difficult triple option that they faced last week.   Easier to prepare for, but still hard to stop.

USC doesn’t walk on water, but they are very, very good, it will take a monumental effort from Ohio State to win, can they?  Only time will tell. 

Again, no prediction as far as score, I hope the Bucks win, but everything in me is telling that this could be bad, very bad.  I have been wrong before, I wouldn’t mind at all if I’m wrong this time.