On a Journey Following the Master

Scripture tells of many pilgrims who went on a trip, a journey, a pilgrimage.   God told Abraham: Leave your country and go to the land I will show you.   Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and ends up in Egypt; years later, God uses Joseph’s position in Egypt to save his people from famine in Palestine.  Hundreds of years later, God tells Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt and through the wilderness to the promised land. 

In the New Testament, God’s Son is born while his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, are on a trip to Bethlehem for the census.  When Joseph is warned that some bad guys are out to kill their son, the family packs up and moves to Egypt.  Then, when the coast is clear, they return to Nazareth in Galilee.  Much of Jesus’ ministry is spent traveling around various places.  Years later, Paul is converted to Christ on the road to Damascus. 

So many important things happened in the Bible, when God’s people were traveling from one place to another.  The Christian’s life is often called “walking with Jesus.”  God’s people are pilgrims following the Master.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with perseverance the race that is set out for us.”   Life’s obstacles will test our perseverance; steadfast endurance is needed to finish the race or pilgrimage.  

Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “Let us focus on Jesus.”  We have a tendency to look at others around us to see how we’re doing.  The problem is that means taking our eyes off of Jesus.  Jesus endured the cross and its shame.  He endured hardships and suffered much before finishing his journey.  If you’re going through a hardship now, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and keep moving toward the finish line.

When you are tired and worn out, remember the promise of Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

On your journey through life, begin wherever you are.  If you’re not living in a relationship with Jesus, begin by confessing your sins and asking Jesus to forgive your sins.  Make it your goal to follow Jesus as your Master.  Read His Word, the Bible. 

Then take a step forward in faith.  Abraham left his homeland, not knowing where God was leading him to.  Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, not knowing how or where their baby would be delivered.  Trust God to guide you and your decisions.  Step forward in faith.

Let God be your Guide on the journey of life.  God will lead you and watch over you.  He desires what’s best for you and me.  Make this verse, Psalm 25:4, your prayer - “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

The Greatest of All Time

 "I'm now a legend.  I'm also the greatest athlete to ever live."  - Usain Bolt, after becoming the first man to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the 100 and 200 meters.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt is definitely the fastest man alive.  If you don't believe that, just ask him!  I have been amazed watching Bolt run the last two Olympics.  His speed and ability defy explanation.  How can a man 6'5" tall run that fast?  Sports commentators have exhausted the English language trying to describe Usain's accomplishments.  One word, though, they have never used to describe Bolt is "humble."

In stark contrast to Usain Bolt's self-glorifying rhetoric, the Olympics also brought us Gabby Douglas.  This 4'11" gymnast claimed gold for the United States in the all-around competition.  In a television interview after her amazing performance she said, “I give all the glory to God.  It’s kind of a win-win situation.  The glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on me.”  She then tweeted to her fans, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

A 16-year-old gymnast reminds us of a powerful biblical truth.  All the glory goes to God.  He alone is the giver of all that is good in this world.  It's so tempting for us to take the credit when good things come our way and then to blame God when things fall apart. 

I would challenge us in the coming days to begin and end each day giving God all the glory for every good and perfect gift.  God is showering our lives with blessing whether we think we are in an abundant season or not.  We just need to open our eyes and appreciate His blessings all around us. 

Usain, I hate to burst your bubble, but our God is the True Legend and the Greatest of All Time.

Preppers for Jesus

Have you heard of the preppers?  Preppers are preparing for a disaster, or as some say, for “The End of The World as We Know It.”  They gather large quantities of food, water, and other supplies.  They learn skills to become more self-sufficient.  They prepare for a long period of time without the electrical grid.  Most have guns to protect themselves in case law enforcement cannot help them.  You can learn more about preppers at www.survivalblog.com/ or americanpreppersnetwork.com.  Some see prepping as a wise plan, while others see it as unnecessary or strange.

I believe that some preparation is wise.  Since 9/11, FEMA has recommended that you store one gallon of water per person, per day, so that you can survive 3 days in your home, and enough food to last 3 days.  Life brings unexpected disasters.  What would you do if a tornado hit your home?  How well were you prepared for this recession?  If your electricity was cut off in an ice storm, how many days could you survive without electricity?  Does your family have a plan on how to deal with a fire in your home?

In Genesis 41, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream that Egypt would have 7 years of abundant crops followed 7 years of famine.  So Joseph was put in charge of saving up extra food supplies during the 7 years of abundant crops, to prepare for the 7 years of drought and famine.  That lead Pharaoh and Joseph to wisely use the abundant years to prepare for the lean years of hardship.  The decision lead to the saving of the Egyptian people, and to the survival of the Israelites when Joseph’s family came to Egypt to receive food from him.  Maybe Joseph and Pharaoh were the original preppers.

Have you ever considered spiritual preparedness?

Are you trusting Christ’s mercy for the ultimate day of judgment in Revelation 20: 11-15?  Do you regularly confess your sins?  Or do you, like the Pharisee in the temple, give thanks to God that you’re not like those “sinners?”  (Luke 18:9-14)

Have you ever learned to read the Bible for your own spiritual nurture?  What if you were in a situation where you did not have access to a good Bible-teaching church or pastor?  (Those who have lived away from the Bible-Belt may have experienced this.)  Would your faith decline or deteriorate in your new world?  Or would you be able to sustain your faith? 

If you’re a parent or grandparent, are you training your children or grandchildren in the ways of faith, hope, and love in Christ?  Relying on your church to train your children is not enough to prepare your child for life in today’s world.  Imagine a rope that is 168 inches long.  There are 168 hours in a week.  If your child is taught by a church for 2-3 hours per week, that leaves huge segments of time when you child will be influenced by others.  Consider your child’s daycare workers or school teacher.  Are they influencing your child for good or for worldly ways? 

Can you devote a few hours every week, or say 20 minutes a day, to reading the Bible to your young child?  Or talking to your older child about what the Bible means?  When you watch TV or a movie with your child, do you point out good or bad things in the show and bring up what Scripture teaches about those things?  Do you know what your child is looking at online?  There are software programs that monitor children online.  Do you pray with your child at mealtime or bedtime?  How much are you influencing your child or grandchild for God?  Is your child being prepared for a life of faith in Christ?

I’m not affirming all aspects of the prepper life, but I believe that the Christian life includes getting prepared for some things.  You can become a prepper for Jesus.