Entry #27 -- Barbecue Beans

Sometimes I think I should just wear a bib when I eat! No kidding, it’s not only terribly frustrating, but it can be quite embarrassing as well. The other evening, I was enjoying a wonderful steak & potato burrito from a local fast food taco restaurant—when, blurp—a single oozy drop of juiciness plopped itself down on my shirt. Now I know I am not alone in this; I’m quite sure others share the same propensity for sloppiness that I endure. (Yes, you know who you are!) No problem, I went home washed the shirt and all was well—that was until today’s unfortunate encounter with a single stray barbecue bean leaving a tiny, thread-like, red trail of barbecue sauce—on the same shirt I just washed! It’s amazing what effect a single tiny bean can have.

Well, of course, that event proceeded to get my thoughts rolling. If a single tiny barbecue bean can leave such an obvious effect on a shirt—what lasting effect might an individual Christian have in the life of another individual?

When Christ taught his disciples, he used the analogy of salt. He reminded the disciples that they were to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13, NIV). I think the example carries its intended positive effect even to us in our world today. Often, we see an opportunity, but we hesitate. Perhaps it can be too easy for us to excuse ourselves from opportunities to serve because, after all, “I’m only a single grain of salt—what difference can I make?” True enough, because I like to cook, I can tell you that a single grain of salt cannot and does not change a whole recipe into salt. But I can assure you that a single grain of salt will permanently alter the chemical composition of that recipe. It will never be the same. And given time for other grains of salt to join with you, the result can be quite remarkable.

In the letters of Paul to the early churches, more than once he spoke of opportunities to serve:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

Although it may take some courage as we begin to put into practice, “make the most of every opportunity,” we can draw encouragement from the words written in Psalm 90:17,

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”

As we enter this new year, try looking for new opportunities to spread a good word of cheer, or take a moment to do a good deed. One small action may not completely change the life of that individual, but I can assure you it will leave its mark of kindness in their heart.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian 

Entry #26 -- Exactly as Planned

The LORD God planned for His Only Son to come to earth in human form. Jesus Christ would be born fully Son of God and fully Son of Man.

Luke 2:1-20, emphasis on verse 20

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” 

When all was completed—it was exactly as the LORD God planned it to be.

The LORD God planned for His Only Son to die on the cross as the way for our salvation. He also planned for Christ to rise again on the third day as the way for our hope.

Matthew 20:17-19 [Also, Mark 10:32-34 and Luke 18:31-33]

“Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!’ ”

When all was completed—it was exactly as the LORD God planned it to be.

The Lord God planned for His Only Son to return to earth as the way for our eternal life. Christ’s return will be sudden, loud, and visible to all.

Matthew 24:27, 30-31 [Also, Mark 13:26-27]

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

John 14:1-4, with emphasis on verses 2-3

“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

I Corinthians 15:51-57, with emphasis on verses 51-52

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

I Thessalonians 4:13-18, with emphasis on verses 16-17

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Titus 2:13

“While we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”

II Peter 3:8-10, 13-14 with emphasis on verses 9, 10, and 13

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

Revelation 1:7

“Look, he is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see him.”

Revelation 21:3-4

“Now the dwelling place of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 22:7, 12, and 20

Behold, I am coming soon!
Behold, I am coming soon!
Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

When all is completed—it will be exactly as the LORD God planned it to be.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian 

Entry #25 -- New Year's Solution

Ah, yes. Time once again to make New Year’s Resolutions. Why? I could make a resolution about money; but come December 31, 2018, I’m either going to have more money or less money than I do right now. I could make a resolution about my weight; but come December 31, 2018, I’m either going to weigh more or weigh less than I do right now. I could make a resolution involving time; but come December 31, 2018, I’m going to have the same number of hours and minutes in a day as I do right now. I think the latest statistics show something like 8% or 9% of resolutions are kept, and something like 80% or 90% fail by February. Whoa! This blog is sounding a bit on the gloomy side, so let’s shift the focus.

What is the goal or purpose of a resolution? By definition; making a resolution is a way to have or show that you are determined to take action for some future purpose. In most cases it seems we make a resolution because we perceive a problem that needs to be fixed. Examples might be in the case of too little money—a resolution to save more money; in the case of too much weight—a resolution to lose more weight; in the case of time management—oh well, let’s talk about it later. Yes, that was intended to be humorous.

What is the greatest problem I face, or you face? My first thought was that we are living in a world so desperately in need of a Savior, yet all-the-while desperately trying to ignore their need of a Savior. As we find in the book of Jude:

“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude, vs. 20-21 (NLT)

I am confident you would agree with me that this is a most serious problem. However; let’s go a step beyond this and I think we will discover an even more serious problem in our world. The prophet Amos warned his people then; and we would do well to be warned today:

“ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Sovereign LORD, ‘when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.’ ” Amos 8:11-12 (NIV)

Now to be clear, there is nothing wrong with making a New Year’s Resolution since it does bring about focus for change. However, I would submit that perhaps what is truly needed is a New Year’s Solution. As Christians, we know the solution to the most serious problem in our world: The world needs to hear the Good News, the Gospel that shares the path to salvation through belief in Jesus Christ our Lord. And WE need to be the spreaders of that Solution!

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
 “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…” 2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)
 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
 “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT)
 “I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (NLT)

Here is my challenge to you:

In the year 2018, rather than make a personal New Year’s Resolution—make every effort to be part of the New Year’s Solution of spreading the Gospel to a world in need.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian