THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS AND THE CHURCH

I grew up in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City.  I graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School there in 1984.  I then went to college at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.  I've gone to several baseball games at Royals Stadium (Now called Kaufman Stadium in honor of the man who got the Royals started and built the stadium for so many to enjoy.)  With the Kansas City Royals so much a part of my childhood, looking up to and wanting to be like the 1985 World Series champions, I remember the thrill of their come-from-behind win over the St. Louis Cardinals (whom I also later grew to love).  I remember specific games.  I remember idolizing the players.  I remember playing with my friends and imagining we were those players as we played our summer-league baseball games.  It was a time filled with imagination, hope, and wonder.  And it was a time when our community - which crossed cultural and state lines.  The Kansas side owned the Royals as much as the Missouri side.  The Royals were "our team."  And they united us all.  Even as I sat in our student union in Emporia, Kansas watching the 1985 World Series, we all pulled together for the Royals!  And what a surprising win that was!

Now, sitting here in South Central Missouri, "saddened" that my "other" team, the St. Louis Cardinals were not playing the World Series, I ponder the reach of unity and celebration the World Series Champions of 2015 bring to the area.  My friends and family closer to Kansas City than I are using Facebook to announce their plans to take the day off to attend the victory parade.  School Districts are closing in KC to allow staff and students alike to celebrate.  That team, the Kansas City Royals, has won more than a World Series - they have won the hearts of people for miles around - as far as their fans are across the globe!  The thrill of seeing the underdogs (at least the underdogs from the media's perspective) win by coming from behind game after game after game is something that stuns, amazes, and delights the heart - even if you root for another team.  And it unites you with the community of Kansas City! 

I say all that because I sit here also pondering that the excitement over the our "Boys in blue" is a very fleeting thing.  In a few weeks, Spring Training will begin again, and a new season will begin, making the journey to the World Series a whole new race, with entirely new contenders in the post-season, uniting their communities.  With that in mind, why is it the church sees so few victories worthy of such amazing celebration?  Or have we simply forgotten the amazing victory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Talk about a "come-from-behind" win!  I mean, He was dead!  He was buried!  His tomb was sealed!  And still He came back!  That should have us all attending a parade!  We should all be cheering, making and wearing apparel, and lighting up social media with our pride that our Lord has won the day!  Every enemy, every opposing team has lost, and Jesus is King!  We should take a day off and truly celebrate this win!  It's an eternal win.  And it will be repeated by everyone who will follow Jesus!   Shouldn't that make us all glow with wonder, excitement, and spark our imaginations?

And that's Just A Thought for today!  

ARE YOU A BONDSERVANT, SLAVE, OR SERVANT?

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ... (Romans 1:1)

Sometimes translations don't give us the whole meaning of an original text.  The whole meaning of the original text is important to the sincere student of the Bible.  Good Bible interpretation involves understanding what the text says in light of the time in which it was written, the intent of the author, and the choice of words to convey the message.  Today, we look at the word "bondservant."

The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates the Greek word doulos as "slave" rather than "bondservant" as in the NKJV.  However, a cultural study of the times in which this was written, there was a difference between a bondservant and a slave.  Both were owned by their master, but the slave served by compulsion, while the bondservant by choice. Therefore, the KJV translates the word "servant" to bring out the service aspect.  And a "servant" worked for, but was not "owned" by the master. The servant had time to himself, not in the service to his master. Which word best fits the text? I believe the best word is "bondservant" – if Paul's life was any indication about how connected we are to Jesus; and Jesus showed it in how connected He was to the Father in Heaven.

Now that we've covered the meaning of the word, let's get to the application.  Paul was declaring himself to be a willing servant-slave to Jesus Christ.  He made no bones about answering to Jesus for his actions, taking orders from Jesus, and seeking to honor Jesus for his character and nature.  And I can think of no one this side of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection who had more of an impact on the world's faith than Paul as he served the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. 


 
Paul seemed to hold nothing back from serving Jesus.  He "ate, slept, and thought" Jesus.  Soli Christo gloria, "Only Christ's Glory," seems to be his motto.  Paul may have once persecuted Christians, and even believed Jesus to be a fool and a dead one at that.  But after meeting the resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, Paul was convinced that Jesus really IS God and that He is alive and wants to communicate with us to instruct us in His aims for us in this life.

So, I ask myself today, "Are YOU a bondservant of Jesus Christ?  What might you be holding back from the Lord in your service to Him?"

The outcome of events often frustrate me when they aren't as I wish.  After muttering, sometimes not so quietly, about it, I breathe deep and accept them.  I hold back the deepest parts of me because I am afraid of the pain that change will bring (as it always does with hard-headed people like me who seem to only learn by hard knocks).  I hold back for the sake of dignity when I should be loving, caring, and giving.  I don't want to look the fool, weak, or wimpy.  My machismo comes flying out of me.  But that wasn't Jesus' way, and it isn't what He wants from me.

There are many other ways I hold back.  I want to be like Paul, but I'm more like Peter, who resolutely, boldly, and confidently told the Lord he would NEVER deny the Lord Jesus, only to do so three times before the cock crowed in the morning.  My own bold, resolute, confident service to the Lord is more often flawed in action than in intent!  Some bondservant I am when the choices are to be made!

And that is the rub.  It's one thing to CALL oneself a bondservant, but it is altogether different to BE one when choices are to be made.  Do I do this for MY convenience, protection, or understanding?  OR Do I do this because it is what Jesus wills - period?

Lord, may I be a better bondservant today than I was yesterday, because YOU deserve it.  You demonstrated true bondservice as you did ONLY the will of the Father.  You gave me Paul's record as an example.  How far short of your standard I fall.  How great is your grace and mercy that I should still be the center of your love, patience, and purpose as you make me into your image.  I can bask in your love, serve you with gratitude, and delight in your pleasure today.  I am your bondservant - and I will try to be a better one today.  For your glory, Amen!

And that's "Just A Thought" for today. May you be blessed in your walk with the Lord Jesus.

Praying Always

"Praying always." -

Eph_6:18

Prayer is something that nearly everyone I know says they do. I might ask them about their relationship with the Lord, and their answer always turns to prayer. "Oh, I pray every day. Of course I believe in God." And such an answer is intended to satisfy my curiosity and convince me that they are fine, spiritually speaking, and want no further encouragement to live for the Lord. I've always wondered what they pray for, if they ever get their answers, or why they are praying. I've also wondered from time to time if they ever are moved to grow into the likeness of Christ through their prayers, or if they even think about prayer as a time to listen as much as to talk.

"Praying always" seems to be an "attitude of prayer" - implying a communion with the Lord. What a sweet communion that is. There is the awareness of His presence always. How marvelous to walk beside the Living God of Heaven! What bully can get you? What trial can stop you? What temptation can pull you? What need is there that He does not provide for you? His grace is always with you, His smile is there as He leads you to do His Holy Will, and His comfort is there for our broken hearts in grief and pain. Your soul is totally satisfied.

Along with this wonderful blessing comes the great responsibility. Walking with the Lord makes you responsible to your fellow man to live the truth - like Christ were right beside you. You are responsible for telling others about your love - Jesus Christ. Your prayers should be quick to the Lord on behalf of those you meet throughout your day. Your faith should be seen all the time - not just Sunday morning if then. You have the responsibility to live for Christ. May you find that responsibility less a duty and more an expression of the presence of Christ by your side as you are praying always!

What is the vine?

1/22/08

"Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?" - Eze_15:2

Can I claim the fruit that is produced through me? If there be any patience, is it mine? Where did it come from? Is there any growth? Am I responsible for it? Have I any intellect? Ability? Knowledge? Understanding? Who gave it to me? What am I among all the people of God? Is my position of my doing? Is my service and station in life because of ME? Would not others do as well or better? Who chose me? Am I more fit for heaven than another? Do I face fewer temptations because of my own righteousness? Are my debts fewer and smaller than those of others? Is my sin of less consequence than the sins of others?

The vine is dependent upon the tree, as I am dependent upon the Lord. The vine grows as the tree grows, and the Lord provides all that is needed. Should the root be puffed up over the leaf? Without either, the tree dies. The fruit grows only as it is attached to the branch, and the branch attached to the tree. So I must be attached to Christ, immersed in His Spirit, living and feeding from Him. My own character will be fruitful and cleansed from sin. Death and decay await should I allow myself to be separated from the Lord.

I am humbled by this thought time and again. How dare I think, even for a moment, that it is my greatness that allows me the privilege of seeing souls saved, attendance at church rise, my leadership that people rally around. It is foolish to think such thoughts. These thoughts should be separated, and die. It is the glory of God, that I should be allowed to serve and be useful in such a position. Let God receive the credit for all fruit that grows in me, and let it be abundant - that whatever hinders it may be evidently removed. God is the great husbandman - and so I ask him to please prune my life that it may be as fruitful as He has made me to be.

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Some things are special, and reserved for those who are Christians, those who are close to the Lord. They are not experienced by the common man - though they are available to be experienced by him if he should accept Christ as Savior and Lord. These things are deeply intimate, and private - though the effect of them may be displayed on the Christian's face for all to see. Do you, dear Believer, know of some of these things?

• Do you know of a peace which passes all understanding?
• Do you know of the privilege to lean upon the bosom of Christ?
• Do you know of the confidence of having truly sought the Lord by Prayer and heard His voice in response?
• Do you know of the overwhelming desire to shout, "Hallelujah!" because of the joy of being completely forgiven of your sins?

These things may, perhaps, be imitated, but the genuine thing is reserved for those who are calling unto the Lord. What joy, splendor, and assurance is shown to the disciple of Christ! How He shows you marvels of His glory, delights to your soul, and wonders that only the eyes of the redeemed can behold.

Do you long for more than mediocrity in your worship? Do you desire greater and greater things in your devotions? Would you have a deeper understanding of the Bible? Then look to Christ; call unto Him until He answers. There is no conjuring, no manipulating, no majic formula for such things; for they come only by the hand of the Lord which cannot be forced. Wait on Him with obedient heart, and you have His promise of much greater things.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

I don't think that there is a soul alive who has not experienced the effect upon a broken and disconnected branch of a plant. The withering, browning, dying of that branch may not take place immediately, and with some assistance, it can be delayed; but it is inevitable, nonetheless. Our tables have fresh flowers on them. Graves are decorated temporarily with the fresh beauty cut from its life-source. Mothers are decorated with corsages of elegance each year. Yet, all these suffer the same fate as the grapevine that cannot bear fruit for its separation from the main vine.

The Christian should quickly recognize the import of these words and think to the illustration Christ made of the grapevine when the topic of fruit-bearing is mentioned. The connection is essential to life and fruit. The sap of the Holy Spirit is nourishing. The watering of the Word of God is key to growth, filling the believer with the life everlasting.

As today's verse reminds us, it is only from the Lord that any fruit of any value, of any godliness is found. Why are not more people godly people? This verse reveals a truth - we have made idols and so been separated from the vine by that sin. Our idols vary from self to money, to science and humanism. Our worldviews are no longer biblical. We forget to kneel before the throne of Grace, and instead work for the god of pleasure and comfort. Jesus said that whatever is good is from above, and any good we do MUST be led of God. Good is not defined by other men, but by the Lord Himself. Good deeds are deeds done of faith, in obedience to the Lord whose Spirit dwells within. Therefore, the lost are cut off, for they deny the leadership of Christ. The Christian who will not obey is no Christian, and begins to wither. If he would grow, he must repent of all that hinders the flow of the Spirit in his life.

Let me add one more thought to this idea. It is not my thought, but C. H. Spurgeon's. He mentions that God is a wise gardner, thinning out what is growth to add yet more productive growth. Some fruit, some branches, and some shoots need to be removed to promote great fruitfulness. Christian, you will be pruned by the Lord, so do not complain that it is wrong just because it hurts. Rejoice that the pain be for a season, but the result be for the glory of your Savior who will, through the pain, make you far more fruitful.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 1:7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Nothing was as important as spending time with them. Nothing was as pure as their voice. Their smile sent shivers up and down your spine.

Now do you remember that first TRUE love? The one whom you connected with so completely that it was as though they knew you very deeply, and you knew them? Do you remember how much you trusted that person and how much you wanted them to trust you?

So it should be with our Savior - and even more perfectly with Him. Paul said "I know whom I believeth." Job said "I know that my Redeemer liveth." They were certain of their relationship, and it was intimate. They trusted Christ, for Paul also said, "[I] am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." His persuasion was complete. His commitment was his very soul. His body was at the Lord's disposal. He loved Jesus with every fiber of his being - and so should we.

Why should we love Him so? "We should love Him because He first loved us; because he gave himself for us. We have life through his death; we have peace through his blood. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor." - C. H. Spurgeon

When we think on Christ, we should be overtaken with the excellence of Himself; His beauty, his magnificence, and His intimate desire to know and befriend us. We should be enchanted with Him. That should be the desire of our souls, and we must not rest until we can positively, certainly, and completely say that we love Him. This is a love that binds as well as serves. It is the love that unites eternally.

Oh, my soul, do you love your Savior as you ought? NO? Then spend some time reflecting on Him, looking into His eyes, trying to understand His mind and heart. Reach out to Him and find Him reaching back to you. Can you, Oh soul, see His love for you? Respond in kind, and delight in Him.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Psa_111:9

I awoke this morning with a yearning for a closeness (companionship) with the Lord that He has already filled. I didn't feel it; and like I said, I yearned for it - but it was there already. It was established by Jesus Christ before the foundation of the earth. It is eternal - written into the covenant and sealed with the blood of Jesus.

There is a companionship that is everlasting, unseverable. It is the desire of most people to have such. I believe it is what men and women look for in a mate. I believe it drives our lives in ways we may not comprehend. When it fails through human relationships, our hearts are broken. If our hearts are broken often enough or deeply enough, we withdraw, and are made less of a companion ourselves. There is only one remedy for such earthly companionship - forgiveness and love. These two things seem so rare in our world today.

But the void in our hearts for such companionship is filled with the Living God and Loving Savior. Jesus has sent redemption to us - filling us with Himself. He has made us a promise that will never be broken - Himself. He is mighty, and He is pure. He is Holy and He is ours!

It is this passion that makes our worship for Him overflow. It is this covenant that makes our hope of heaven sure. It is His name upon it all - sealing it with His precious blood that indelibly stamps it "sealed" and "perfect." This morning, let your love for Him flow freely in your worship and thanksgiving to Christ.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Son_2:3

Ah, the blessedness of "tasting" the Lord! Spurgeon points out that this is perhaps the highest or most advanced of all the five senses in terms of intimacy - and when applied to the spiritual appreciation of our Lord and Savior, it is all the more wonderful. Spurgeon marvelously illustrates in his Morning By Morning devotion for today that our faith will be applied to our five senses - hearing, seeing, smelling, touching - and tasting. It is this idea that I want to meditate upon this morning.

I remember in my own life when I heard the voice of God calling me to believe. It was then I trusted and was saved. The Bible says that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." So it was.

Next, I saw the truth of scripture and began to trust it for the details of my life - ordering my marriage, my finances, my time, my worship, my prayers, and my friendships. My work was also addressed in the Scripture. I saw the Lord's leadership in my life.

As I grew in prayer and relationship with Jesus, I can now recognize that I was beginning to "smell" the Lord by admiring Him in an adoring way, as one who curls up next to his love and breathes her fragrance through his nostrils. Yes, I learned to love the fragrance of the sweet Savior, appreciating not only his physical blessings, but his very real presence in my life.

I began to touch Christ with my spirit, caressing Him, as it were, with peaceful and delightful communion, as Spurgeon puts it. Christ touched me back with His tender mercies and gentle leading.

Now, I can taste of His person as I drink Him in daily, taking for my very nourishment His Spirit, His way, and His holiness. I marvel at the delightful and sweet flavor of His righteousness and yearn for the continual change in my character that comes from a regular tasting of my Savior's sweet goodness.

Will you not also strive to progress through these stages of drawing near to the Lord? Will you join me in adoring and communing with Jesus Christ under the apple tree before you must part into the labors of life?

Bro. Greg