Author Archives: Justin

Sep 26

The Book of All Books

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As I was growing up, reading was one of my least favorite things to do. I never enjoyed when my teachers assigned me the task of reading. Whether I was asked to read an entire book or only a chapter or two didn’t matter, I didn’t enjoy reading. When I graduated college and begin my first job, the preacher I worked with challenged me to make reading a part of my ministry. His challenge wasn’t easy, but today I enjoy reading a good book. I like to read everything from action and mystery, to uplifting volumes and religious works. Now reading is almost always a part of my daily activities.

I have read several books over the course of the last few years. Many of them relate to Christianity and religion in some form or fashion. However, there is one book I like to read that stands high and above all other books. I continue to go back to this one book time and time again. Yes, I’m taking about the Bible. I know, you never would have guessed I was going to write that would you? The Bible is my favorite book. God’s Word is unlike any other book I’ve ever read. Please allow me the opportunity to explain what makes the Bible the book of all books.

First, the Bible is God’s Word to mankind. Unlike the other books I enjoy reading, the Bible is the only one which has been inspired by God. Paul told the young Timothy, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). There is no greater author than the very author of the universe. This alone separates the Bible from every other book ever written.

Second, the Bible is beyond human production. Many people try to prove that the Bible is not inspired by God, but rather that it’s just another book produced by man. However, when one takes a close look, it is easy to see that the Bible is different from all other books. For instance, consider the amazing unity found within the pages of the Bible. This book was written over a period of about 1600 years by approximately 40 different writers who came from various backgrounds and educational levels. With this type of history, the Bible easily could be inconsistent. However, the Bible never once contradicts itself. It’s as though the Bible was penned by a single hand. The apostle Peter wrote, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). The fact that the Bible is beyond human production is a reason the Bible is unlike any other book ever written.

Third, no matter how many times I read God’s Word, I always learn something new. I love when I open God’s word and have things I have never thought about before jump out at me. These new lessons deepen my love for this amazing book. Most books, once you have read them, you know the story and you are no longer surprised by its content during future reads. With God’s Word this is not the case. I have a bookmark I keep in my Bibles that says, “Wisdom is gained every time your Bible is opened.” The Bible is the book above all books because unlike other books, I continually learn from it.

I enjoy reading all different types of books. Books that are funny, educational, serious, and thrilling. Yet, only one book do I continually go back to time after time, and that’s the B-I-B-L-E. Yes, friends, the Bible is the book for me!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Sep 12

When God’s Plan Is Different!

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Have your plans ever not worked out exactly like you had planned or intended? I can recall several times in my life when I had this very experience. I had certain plans, but for whatever reason those plans didn’t work out. Instead, I found myself in the midst of some circumstances I had not planned for and didn’t like. It seemed as if those circumstances weren’t going to change anytime soon.

Right now, if you are in some circumstance that you don’t want to be, stop and ask yourself “Am I here for a reason?” Remember the Southern kingdom, Judah? God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to lead an army to the gates of Jerusalem to destroy the temple and capture the people. This raid happened on three separate occasions (605 BC, 597 BC and 586 BC). It was during the last raid when the temple was destroyed. Maybe you are wondering why God allowed this to happen. The reason is because the Israelites turned away from the Lord (Jer. 25:8-9). They ignored God’s warnings and the prophets He sent them even to the point of killing some of those prophets. Thus, God raised up king Nebuchadnezzar to execute judgment upon His people.

The people of Judah were no different than all of us. They found themselves in the midst of circumstances they didn’t plan for. Let’s consider the many valuable lessons that we can learn from Judah and their unplanned circumstances.

God Will Not Always Do What We Expect Him To Do (Jer. 29:1-4).

I imagine that the people of Judah didn’t expect God to allow this to happen to them. After all, they were His chosen people. However, God doesn’t just allow this to happen, He clearly takes credit for sending Judah into exile (v. 4; 27:6). We must remember that sometimes God doesn’t work according to our plans or our timetable. In fact, at times God does the things we would least expect (ex: Joseph being sold in slavery and separated from his family; Moses being taken away from his mother, etc.).

God’s ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9). We must remember that sometimes God does things we wouldn’t expect Him to do because we can’t comprehend His thoughts. The people of Judah ended up involved in circumstances they didn’t like. When we end up in circumstances we don’t like, consider the fact that God might have brought us to such circumstances for a reason. Maybe you and I end up in certain circumstances because that’s where God wants us to be. Maybe there is something for us to learn or accomplish. Friends, never forget, God is often working in our lives during those inconvenient circumstances we find ourselves in.

God Wants Us To Be Productive/Useful Where We Are Regardless Of Our Plan (Jer. 29:5-7).

When we find ourselves in the midst of circumstances we don’t want to be in, the easy thing to do is complain and make excuses. In fact, sometimes we blame our situation for our lack of service to God on the unwelcomed circumstances in our lives. We might be employed and working long hours. It would be easy to use this as an excuse for a lack of service. But with God, it doesn’t matter. No matter our circumstances, God wants us to be productive in our service to Him. If we are employed and working long hours, God wants us to be a light to our coworkers. He wants us to demonstrate how Christians behave and work. If we are grieving, instead of using this as an excuse for a lack of service, God wants us to learn to minster to others who are grieving.

God wanted Judah to transform their situation and make the most of it instead of blaming God for their circumstances. It’s time we stop making excuses for our lack of service and get busy. I heard it said that the problem with excuses is that “They’re like armpits, everyone’s got a couple and they usually stink.” Regardless of our circumstances, God expects us to be useful in our service to Him.

God Can Accomplish Great Things Through Our Unplanned Circumstances (Jer. 29:8-10).

Consider what God accomplished through the 70 years of captivity that Judah found herself in. First, the grip of idolatry was broken. It took severe measures, but God was able to remove the virus of idolatry. Second, God established a presence among the Babylonians. Remember Daniel and his three friends? Their rise to prominence and power would have never happened had Judah not found herself in captivity. Third, Nebuchadnezzar became a believer. In Daniel 4 we read of how king Nebuchadnezzar became prideful, lost his mind and ate grass with cattle for 7 years. When he came to his senses, he cried out to the Lord in repentance of his sins (Dan. 4).

The people of Judah were unable to see God working in their circumstances through the 70 years. It’s the same for us today. We may not be able to see what God is accomplishing in our lives right away, but we can be certain that He can accomplish great things through our troubling circumstances.

God Still Cares For Us In Spite Of Our Present Circumstances (v. 11).

It would have been easy for Judah to think that God no longer cared for them because of their current circumstances. If God really cared, why would He allow this to happen, right? However, God through the prophet Jeremiah reminded the people that He still cared for them in spite of what was taking place in their lives. For instance, notice what the Lord said, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).  Did you catch what the Lord said? He indicated that He was thinking about Judah and that His thoughts were good.

When we find ourselves in circumstances that are unpleasant, we would do well to realize that God still cares for us. Our present circumstances do not change the way God feels about us. After all, man is God’s prized creation (Gen. 1:26-27).

God Has A Plan For Our Lives (vs. 12-14).

Many of you have probably wondered the age old question, “What is God’s plan for me?” I personally believe that God has the same plan for us that He had for the captives of Judah. First, God wants us to learn to depend on Him (v. 12). Israel was in captivity because they had failed to depend on the Lord. Yet, God continually came through for the Israelites in times of crisis (Exodus 3:7). He was proven to be dependable.

Second, God wants us to seek and find Him (vs. 13-14). God is not trying to hide from us. Jesus said, “Seek and you shall find” (Matt. 7:7-9). God’s ultimate desire is that all people will come to know and live for Him (2 Pet. 3:9).

Third, God wants to give us a future and a hope (v. 11). The future for Judah was to return home to their land. The future and hope for us today is like nothing we can image. It’s an eternal home in heaven with God our Father

Friends, I don’t know where you are in your life right now, but I know this…God has a plan for you. You may not like the circumstances of your life, but perhaps you are where you are for a reason. Maybe there is something for you to learn or accomplish.

Remember, even when God’s plan is different from ours, His plan is always better!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

 

Aug 23

Meeting His Expectations

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Last week I began teaching Bible at Knoxville Christian School (KCS).  On the first full day of class, I went over the class rules and expectations for this year as did most teachers.  As a teacher, I have certain expectations which I expect the students to meet: be on time, come to class prepared, respect others.  If the students meet my class expectations, I anticipate us having a great year.

As I was working on my list of class expectations, I began thinking: what does God expect of me? Does God have certain expectations for those of us who are Christians? I mean, if I have expectations for my students, then surely God has expectations for His children, right? Consider these passages from God’s holy and divine word.

Matthew 5:48 – Jesus expects us to be perfect in love as our Father God is! We cannot fully attain this kind of perfection in this life, for we are not perfect. However, Jesus set a high standard for us to follow. We should strive to be like our Father.

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus expects us to go and teach others about His great love for them!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 22:37-38 – Jesus expects us to love God and place Him before everything else in our lives!

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”

Matthew 22:39-40 –Jesus expects us to love our neighbors in the same way that we love ourselves!

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

You see friends, just as you and I have expectations of others, God has expectations for His children. Too many times we dismiss the expectations of God because of our sinful nature. But let us remember, God’s expectations of us are always attainable. We should strive to meet them. If we do, we can anticipate a rewarding life. How are you doing at meeting the expectations of God?

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Jul 18

Missed Opportunities!

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It looked like they were going to do it again!  The United States Women’s Soccer Team was only four minutes away from winning their record setting third World Cup title.  Eyes all across this country were glued to the television set anticipating a celebration like no other in women’s soccer history.  What they saw instead may have been the most disappointing loss in the history of the U.S. women’s soccer team.

On two separate occasions, the United States looked like they were going to be victorious.  The first was in regulation.  The U.S. had a one goal lead with nine minutes left, only to let Japan tie up the game.  In the extra time period, the U.S. again looked as though they would hoist the World Cup trophy.  With four minutes left to play in the extra period and the United States clinging to a 2-1 lead, Japan did it again; they tied up the game in the closing minutes of play and sent the Women’s World Cup final to penalty kicks.  Unfortunately, for the U.S., their luck ran out.  Japan beat the United States on penalty kicks securing a marvelous run to the World Cup title.  For the U.S. all that was left was what might have been.

Anyone who watched this match knows that the United States should have won.  They completely dominated the majority of the match.  Regrettably, they fell short because of missed opportunities.  In the first half, the U.S. had several opportunities to score and put the game away.  Instead, they missed those opportunities and allowed Japan to stay in the game and eventually win.  I believe when our girls look back on this loss, they will be reminded of all their missed opportunities.

I’m afraid that many of us do exactly the same thing every day of our lives.  We miss opportunities that could impact and change the outcome of something far more important than a soccer game.  We miss opportunities that could change the outcome of people’s lives.  The apostle Paul said, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).  Paul stressed to the church at Galatia the importance of making the most of opportunities to do good.

Every morning we wake up to a new day, we have multiple opportunities to do things for others.  Maybe it is something small like being kind to them, or asking them how they are doing.  Perhaps it’s something bigger like helping them through a difficult time in their lives or teaching them the Gospel of Christ.  It doesn’t matter whether or not we consider it big or small, when an opportunity presents itself, let’s make the most of that opportunity.  We will never understand the impact our actions and words can have on the outcome of someone’s life until we are willing to take those opportunities and use them for good.  I don’t want to look back over my life with regret and remember all the missed opportunities I had to change the outcome of someone’s life.  I want to know that I made the most of those opportunities presented to me.  Friends, let’s make the most of our opportunities, you never know, you may have an opportunity to affect someone’s eternal destiny.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Jul 12

Grumbling and Complaining

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Last Sunday afternoon Miranda and I loaded up the church van with seven of our young people and headed to Freed-Hardeman University for HORIZONS 2011. A couple of hours into our five hour trip, somewhere around mile marker 251, the church van decided it would completely shut down and refused to go any farther. For the next two hours, our group stood on the side of Interstate 40 and waited for help. Finally, a friend of mine arranged for some of his family to come and pick us up and take us to their church building to wait until brother Tony Williams could get there with the other church van. Around 5:45 p.m., about the time we should have been rolling into Henderson, we were finally back on the interstate headed west for FHU. At 10:00 p.m. eastern standard time, we arrived on the campus of Freed-Hardman University. We were only four hours behind our estimated arrival time.

I tell you all this not to complain, but rather to brag on our young people. Not once, I repeat, not once, did any one of our young people ever complain about what had happened. Even while standing on the side of Interstate 40 in 99 degree heat, we never heard one negative comment. As I reflect on our adventure to HORIZONS 2011, I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul when he said, “Do all things without grumbling or complaining that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).

Our trip to HORIZONS last Sunday was nothing like any of us expected. We didn’t plan on our van breaking down, standing in the sun for 2 hours, or missing the Sunday night activities at HORIZONS. However, everyone had a great attitude and despite what happened on Sunday, it was a fun trip. In fact, we all agreed our trip last Sunday was the best trip any of us have ever had in a church van. It was an experience that none of us will ever forget.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

On I-40 where the church van broke down. Take a close look at the sign in the background!