Fear Only God

What is your biggest fear? Is it the loss of a loved one? Is it the loss of a job? Is it a broken relationship? Do you buy into conspiracy theories? Do you believe what you see on social media? Do you believe what you hear from the pundits?

If we allow it, there are many things we can fear. They are numerous and often are false fears. Satan loves to tell us to fear one thing or another. As we succumb to the initial fear, he continues to pound our minds with additional reasons to fear.

We God spoke to the prophet Isaiah, he told him not only not to fear, but also not to be pulled into conspiracy theories. All these things that others worry about will lead to nowhere, other than they will cause us anxiety, which will ultimately lead to physical health issues. Worry and fear takes a toll on our physical bodies as well.

God tells Isaiah to fear only him. In other words, we are to be in awe of God and worship him. We are to let the fears and worries of this world to slide off like water on a duck’s back. We are not to be caught up in conspiracy theories, especially those regarding Christ’s church and His people.

Far too often, it has been the conspiracy theory or the competition of one against another that has torn churches apart. Leave those things behind and trust that God is in control. Your life and the life of the church will be much better off.

I pray we all give up our fears. I pray we stop buying into conspiracy theories. I pray each one of us believe that God is in control and remind ourselves of that regularly. Give your fears to God. Don’t buy into conspiracy theories. Know that God is in control. Fear only God.

Isaiah 8:11-12 The LORD spoke thus to me while his hand was strong upon me and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears or be in dread.”

Who Is My Neighbor?

Who is your neighbor? Have you asked that question? Do you know your neighbor? Who do you consider your neighbor? Have you thought about it? Have you asked others who they consider to be their neighbors? Have you discussed this question in a group?

In our individualistic society, we don’t often think about our neighbor. We may not know our neighbor’s name. We may not view the stranger we encounter in the department store as our neighbor. We may not have any desire to know anyone other than family and close friends.

An expert in the law had been shamed by Jesus. He wanted to vindicate himself. He wanted to limit who he was required to love. He was hoping Jesus would tell him his neighbor was just those he chose to be his neighbor. Jesus did the opposite. Jesus effectively told him everyone was his neighbor, even his enemy.

I have preached on the Good Samaritan a couple times. It is one of my favorites. I like to have everyone put themselves in the shoes of each character in the story. Imagine being the person attacked by the robbers and left for dead. Imagine being the priest walked on the other side of the road to avoid being made unclean. Imagine being the Levite who did the same. Imagine being the Samaritan who stopped to help.

To drive the point home, I like to imagine each character being in the crowd Jesus is telling the story to and Jesus looking directly at them when He states what they did. How did each of them feel? Were the priest and Levite shamed? Did the Jewish man who was helped change his mind about Samaritans? Think about that. How would you feel if you were one of them?

I pray we all think about how we might feel if we were one of the characters. I pray we think about the Good Samaritan. I pray each one of us consider everyone to be our neighbor. Consider each character. Consider being injured. Consider helping. View everyone as your neighbor.

Luke 10:29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Unexpected Insight

Have you had someone test you? Have you had someone attempt to trip you up? Did they pose a tricky question to you? Were they a little smug in asking it? Did they seem to be self-assured that you would be unable to answer them? Were you able to properly respond?

We all experience someone who tries to trip us up at some point in our lives. Some of us face that challenge multiple times. The other person is typically a little smug and often thinks there is no way we can answer them correctly. When we answer them unexpectedly, they are surprised.

Jesus faced the same type of challenge…more than once. In the case of today’s passage, it is an expert in the law, sometimes called a scribe. This person is someone who studied the Jewish or Old Testament law. They read it, copied it, debated it, and interpreted it. They knew the law inside and out. They may have thought of themselves being better than others because of their knowledge.

This expert in the law thought he might trip up Jesus with his question. For there is no statement in the law that says how someone inherits eternal life. But Jesus turns the question around on the expert. When the expert gives the answer the experts agreed upon, Jesus commends him for doing so, then instructs him to go do it.

We can take the same approach Jesus did. We can the turn question back to the questioner. When they answer, we can determine if their answer is correct, and if it is, tell them to go live it. If it isn’t, we can humbly correct them and give them insight they didn’t know they needed. Regardless, rather than falling for the trap, turn it back to the questioner, and give yourself a moment to think.

I pray we all take time to think. I pray we do not fall into the trap a smug person lays for us. I pray each one of us will follow Jesus’ example when someone is testing us. Take time to think. Turn the question around. Follow Jesus’ example. Provide unexpected insight.

Luke 10:25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Purposeful Prayer

What do you pray for? Why do you pray for it? Do you pray to know God’s will? Do you pray for wisdom? Are you praying so that you might walk closer with God? Are you praying so you might please God in all you do? Do you pray that you will be fruitful for God through good works?

We pray for a variety of things for many reasons. We often pray for our families, friends, co-workers, schoolmates, and other church members. We pray for healing more often than anything else. But we also pray for new jobs, increased wages, relationships, and more.

Most often we pray for God to grant something we want, something to fulfill a physical need. But how often do we ask God to reveal what he wants from us? Notice in today’s passage that the Apostle Paul is asking that God give the members of the church in Colossae knowledge and wisdom so they may be fruitful to fulfill God’s mission.

We can pray for the same thing. In fact, we should pray that God enlighten us with his knowledge and wisdom. Our purpose for praying for that is so we may be fruitful for him. The more we are in tune with God’s will, the more effective our works will be. The more effective they are, the more fruitful we are. The more fruitful we are, the more people are reached for Jesus.

I pray we all add to our prayers that God grant us knowledge and wisdom. I pray we seek to fulfill God’s will. I pray each one of us are more fruitful, reaching people for Jesus. Ask for knowledge. Ask for wisdom. Ask that God uses you. Be fruitful. Reach people for Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Bear Fruit In Hope

Has the hope of the truth changed you? Has the gospel message grown in you? Are you bearing fruit because of the hope you have in Jesus? Are you growing in your faith as you gain a better understanding of the gospel message? Do you grasp the significance of God’s grace?

We may want to know the truth. Yet, we often joke that we aren’t sure we want to know it. We may even quote the line from the movie A Few Good Men, “You can’t handle the truth!” The truth can be enlightening, scary, hard to hear, and inspiring all at the same time.

The truth of the gospel should give us hope. After all, the simple message is that Jesus died for us, rose on the third day, we are forgiven of our sins, and promised that we will spend eternity with God. This simple message tells us of God’s grace. It tells us that he loves us enough to send his Son to pay the debt we cannot pay. It shows us God’s grace in a tangible way.

The hope we gain from the truth is to bear fruit through us. How? Our hope should bring us so much joy that we cannot help but tell others. If we are not bearing fruit, perhaps we do not fully comprehend God’s grace or have had our hope for so long that the excitement has worn off. We might need to return to the message of God’s grace in the gospel message and renew our excitement and amazement. Maybe we need to reevaluate where we would be without the truth of the gospel and the hope we have.

I pray we all renew our hope in the truth of the gospel message. I pray we truly comprehend the grace of God. I pray each one of us bear fruit because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Renew your hope. Regain your excitement. Understand God’s grace. Bear fruit in hope.

Colossians 1:5b-6 You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.

Hope In Heaven

What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions love? Do you immediately think of emotional love that brings two people together in relationship? Do you think of a committed love that keeps a couple together for a lifetime? Do you think of work?

We often hear of emotional love. A young couple are attracted to one another. They have emotional feelings for one another. They decide to marry. They have children, love their children, and spend their lives together. But this isn’t the same kind of love spoken of in the Bible.

When the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossae, he speaks of their love for every follower of Jesus. It isn’t an emotional love. It is a decision to love and care for fellow believers. It is a committed love.

Why did they have this love? Their hope. They had a hope that they had obtained a better life because of Jesus Christ. They trusted in the promise of eternal life spent with Him. They were living a better life in the present because they came together as a community. They had less worry and anxiety because they believed in the promises of God.

We, too, can experience a better life today when we believe in God’s promises and love one another. When we lay all our fears, worries, and anxiety at Jesus’ feet, our lives become less stressful, our attitudes improve, and our lives are better. It is the hope, or trust, in Jesus that we have that relieves us of the worries of this world.

I pray we all decide to love one another. I pray we choose to trust in God’s promises. I pray each one of us put our hope in Jesus, laying all our fears, worries, and anxiety at His feet. Love one another. Trust God’s promises. Hope in Jesus. Give Jesus your fears, worries, and anxieties.

Colossians 1:3-5a In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

Plumb Line

How do you determine if a wall is straight? How do you ensure a wall is straight as you build it? Have you heard of a plumb line? Have you used a plumb line? Do you know that a plumb line is a taught string between two points? Why would God reference a plumb line?

Using a plumb line and being very precise when laying the foundation and putting in wall studs, you can build a straight wall. Straight walls can be very important when building a house, but even more important when building a storehouse in which you will be putting shelving units.

But what is meant when God uses a plumb line? He is talking about determining if people are following his commands. He has given his commands to us for our own good. We must remember that God does not need his commands. He is perfect. He does not need instruction.

Because God loves us, he gives us commands to live by. He gives us instruction, guidance, and principles to live by. When being obedient to him, we please him and live the best life we can. Now, we know that being human includes being fallible. We will make mistakes. We will not obey God every moment of every day. Yet, God is willing to forgive us.

However, God does not have infinite patience. Or, God chooses not to have infinite patience. At some point, God’s patience comes to an end—and end of his choosing. At that point, he passes judgment on his people. We might say God’s plumb line is the line in the sand. When we have crossed it, we can count on God taking action.

I pray we all know that God chooses when his patience has run out. I pray we choose to obey God’s commands. I pray each one of us follow God’s guidance so that we will live our best life. God’s patience has an end. Choose to obey. Follow God’s guidance. Live your best life.

Amos 7:7-8 This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.”

Boast In Hope

How do you view hope? What is your perspective of hope? Do you view hope as nothing more than a wish? Do you treat it as wishful thinking? Is your hope more than that? Is it a trust in a promise that you believe will come true?

Many people use hope to mean wish. They hope for a new car. They hope for a better job. They hope for ice cream at the carnival. They hope their favorite team will win. All of these are more like wishing than hoping as the writers of the New Testament define hope.

If our hope in God’s promises is nothing more than wishing for something we are unsure will happen, we are in a sad state. If that is the case, we need to reevaluate our faith. For the faith that Jesus and the apostles spoke of is nothing like wishful thinking. It is a hope that trusts God to fulfill his promises.

How do we gain that hope? First and foremost, we need to read the Bible with a new set of eyes. We need to leave behind our perceptions. We need to ask God to open our minds and teach us the true meaning of his Word.

Next, we need to experience God’s promises. We need to step out in faith and trust God to provide. As we do and we experience him providing, our faith will increase, and our hope will be stronger. We will begin to step out in faith more often and bolder. When we do, God will smile with joy at our trust in him.

I pray we all give up our wishful thinking regarding God’s promises. I pray we trust that he will fulfill his promises. I pray each one of us will step out in faith to experience God. Give up wishful thinking. Trust in God’s promises. Step out in faith. Experience God. Boast in your hope in God.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

Sound the Alarm

Are you involved in your community? Do you know your neighbors? Is your town or city a place where believers in Jesus are welcomed? Why is it important? Do you think it is important? What happens to the town that doesn’t welcome God into it?

Jesus sent seventy-two people out in pairs to the many towns He intended to visit. He told them to stay and eat in the same house. In other words, don’t be jumping from one place to another looking for the best host. Be content with where you initially chose to stay.

He also tells them to be perceptive and discerning. If they go into a town who will not welcome them and thereby not welcome Jesus, there were to curse the town. Now, you may think that is not what Jesus said. But the euphemism He uses means exactly that.

But they were also to give them a warning that the kingdom of God has come near. This was the same as saying the Messiah has arrived. It was saying to them that they better get their act together and make a much better decision than they had just made. It was the promise that judgment was coming.

The same message is true for us today. It is important for our towns and cities to accept Jesus. It is important for us to remind them that judgment is coming. We do not know when, but we can rest assured it is coming. Just as the messengers Jesus sent out warned the people they encountered; we need to warn the people we encounter. It is important for the message of Jesus to be spread throughout our communities.

I pray we all heed the warning of Jesus. I pray we realize it is important that our communities accept Jesus. I pray each one of us will spread the news of Jesus and the approaching judgment. Heed Jesus’ warning. Know it is important for our towns and cities to accept Jesus. Spread the gospel. Give the warning alarm.

Luke 10:10-12 “But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.”

Messengers Needed

Have you ever been sent to deliver a message to someone? Have you had to deliver a message to a crowd of strangers that may or may not be received well? If you have, how comfortable were you doing so? If not, how do you think you would feel about doing so?

Being the messenger can be difficult. So difficult that we even preface our statement with, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” It can be even more difficult if we are presenting a message to a crowd of people we don’t know while not knowing if they will receive it well.

Jesus sent out seventy-two of His followers in pairs to tell people in towns He was going to visit about Him. Now, it would be easy to tell them there was a miracle worker coming who could heal all their sick. But telling them that He was going to preach to them about a new way of living that did not include the old Jewish laws would be a different story.

Yet, they went on their way. They carried the message Jesus told them to carry. So, why did Jesus send them out? He said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Jesus used those He had to start sending the message out. He didn’t ask. He said, “Go” and they went. He also told them to pray that God would send more laborers. I’m sure they prayed quite a lot about along their way.

We need to pray that God will send more laborers into the field today. Why? First, our world needs to hear the gospel message, accept it, and choose to follow Jesus. Second, we do not have near enough pastors, preachers, or priests. There are churches who have no pastor. There are communities with no church. We need more laborers who are willing to go into the harvest and speak the gospel message.

I pray we all ask God to send more laborers into the harvest. I pray we prayerfully consider whether we might answer that call. I pray each one of us will tell someone else about Jesus. Ask God to send laborers. Consider being a laborer yourself. Tell others about Jesus.

Luke 10:1-2 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”