Jesus
...now browsing by tag
Friday, February 7th, 2025

We all have different battles we face. Some are mental-we struggle with depression, or suicide, or feelings of low self-worth. Some are physical-a long-standing physical battle like MS, or cancer, or chronic fatigue, or back issues. Some are social-we hate crowds so anxiety is a daily struggle, or we have this fear of rejection, of being seen as a misfit. Some are spiritual-we seem to struggle daily with distance from God, or of feeling guilty because we don’t keep a vow we made, or of a sin that keeps haunting us. But there is one battle we all face and we cannot get away from it, cannot rationalize it, nor can we “set the table right.” The struggle we all face is a 3-letter word:
S-I-N
“Sin leaves each of us guilty. The question is, ‘What will we do with our guilt?'” Paul David Tripp states in his little opening gambit from February 2nd. The Scripture reading for this past in the Everyday Gospel Devotional and is the basis for this week’s message is Leviticus 5-23 and it is all about sin. As I have already stated, we all face it. It and the guilt that accompanies it is inescapable. In the OT Law system they had different kinds of offerings to make. We in the NT era of grace have Someone who had already made that offering for us. His name is Jesus.
We will be exploring that in depth Sunday morning. I’d like to invite you to join us in person if possible. If not, we live stream both services at 9:00 and 10:45. You can send a request to our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, IN. You may also watch via our YouTube channel at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship. If you happen to watch, would you mind letting us know? No pressure. I promise. I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted in InTheShadow | 2 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Forgiveness, Jesus, Reflection, Sermon Series, Sin
Tuesday, February 4th, 2025
As I read this morning from Leviticus 11-13 during my reading through the Bible, I kept wanting to either skip past some things or to simply say, “I read this” and close my Bible. After all, no one is checking up on me. Right? I mean, who would know? Well…you know the answer to that question. 🙂
Now…in case you are not in the “read-the-Bible” mode, I’ll just tell you that Leviticus is part of a mind-numbing section of Scripture where rules, laws, and stipulations are laid down for the people to follow. I recently had someone ask me, “How in the world could they remember all of those laws and ‘eat this and don’t eat this’ or ‘don’t touch this'”? That’s a great point! The answer is: I don’t know. Leviticus 11-13 is about what they can and cannot eat, touch or get near. It is about skin diseases and what is clean and unclean and how long to be in quarantine and when to get out. See why I was looking for a way out?
Then I went back and read a couple of sentences I highlighted in Paul David Tripp’s Everyday Gospel Devotional.
“By the loving miracle of God’s grace, unclean hearts are made new and pure.” (p.42)
“Although the laws surrounding leprosy had to do with God’s lovingly and wisely protecting his people from a deadly infection, they also point to something profoundly deeper. Sin is the ultimate infection. No one escapes this disease. {My note: Romans 3:23 shows us that}. It separates us all from our Maker. It cries out for the ultimate cure, one only the Messiah can provide.” (p.43)
Psalm 69:5-6 is rather poignant: “O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me. O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies, Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.” (NLT) What a difference our lives would make if that verse was a daily prayer. The stain of sin won’t just go away. We can’t wish it away, hope it away, dream it away, fantasize it away, speak it away, sleep it away, or pretend it away. It is humanly unremovable and can only be taken away by an act of grace. 2000+ years ago that act of grace was done on a hill outside Jerusalem.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Forgiveness, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story, Surrender
Monday, December 23rd, 2024
As I write this it is hard to believe that Christmas is only two days away. Of course, if you go according to the retailers Christmas has been happening for a couple of months. I heard yesterday that WalMart already has Valentine’s Day stuff out. Well…so much for Christmas. Let me rephrase that: so much for the commercial side of Christmas. I’m biased enough as a Christ-follower to realize that the season holds a much deeper meaning than presents, trees, endless “elevator Christmas” music, and debt.
Christmas often has hackneyed words or phrases which are used that diminish or even misrepresent the season. We often hear “Joy to the World” and yet it is during this time that more suicides happen, more sadness is prevalent, and endless violence (can anyone say a car careening through a marketplace in Germany for no real good reason at all) seems the norm. Our culture is in the throes of an antisemitic mindset that makes us forget that the very Savior whose birth we celebrate is both Jewish and middle eastern.
But I’m off on a rabbit trail with that. My whole purpose for writing about hackneyed phrases is one we hear often. Each time I hear it I cringe. I give grace because so many mean well, but the truth is that the phrase is not true. I know what the saying is trying to say and I know that those who say it are truly trying to keep the focus where it belongs, but I believe it gets it wrong. That saying?
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
I can hear the gasps now. “How could you Bill? How can you possibly say that is wrong?” Easy. Because it is. I’ll say this as simply as I can:
JESUS IS THE MEANING OF THE SEASON. WE ARE THE REASON.
The whole reason Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh, was to purchase our salvation by dying on a cross for our sin. We were lost and desolate and had no hope of a future because of sin. Sin had separated us from God. Not from God’s love (hence the reason why Jesus came), but from a relationship with Him. John 3:16 is clear on that. Sin brought separation; Jesus’ death brought salvation. But all that was not possible on our own. It was only possible by the humble act of God becoming flesh in the form of a baby. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
So you see…we are the reason.
And I hope you now see that Jesus is the One who gives this whole season any meaning.
I’ll get off my hobby horse now. 🙂 I’ll simply wish you a joy-filled Christmas as you remember the real meaning of the season. This will be my last post this week. We leave early tomorrow morning for Ohio to spend some precious time with Janna, Mike, Braden (our grandson), Cameron (his girlfriend…although to call her that is so 90s), and Andrew (Mike’s son). We will plan to be back home on Thursday. I know I will run into a ton of traffic tomorrow and hopefully not as much on Thursday. I’m just hoping that all travel is safe for all. I will be back here, Lord willing, on Monday, the 30th.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Christmas, God's Plan, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024
With the coming of Christmas on the horizon talk begins about the humble beginnings of Jesus in a manger. That humble beginning started a “trend” that we see throughout the course of Jesus’ earthly ministry. His was a ministry of humility, of caring, of sympathizing and empathizing with others. The only ones He had trouble with were those who didn’t think they had a problem-the religious leaders. They were, after all, the elite. Or so they thought. Jesus was constantly bringing them down to earth, down to reality, and He refused to be impressed or intimidated by their so-called credentials or status among the people. He saw through their duplicity and hypocrisy and called them on it.
Take the life of Jesus as a perfect example. He was unlike any earthly king. He did not invade the earth to impress anyone or to set up an earthly kingdom. No matter that the common folk expected Him to do that. Some suggest Judas betrayed Jesus to “call His bluff” about being king and when it went south, he turned in the silver and took his own life. That’s one of those unanswered questions that will stay unanswered. Jesus once gave His perspective on the whole thing. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45) Consider also His death. His death displayed the ultimate humility that characterized His whole life.
Being a servant is not on many people’s radar. Whether we talk about politicians, school administrators, CEOs, a church leader, a pastor, an athlete, or someone you work with every day, being humble, sacrificial and a servant is missing. In the church, we have false apostles and hirelings who are always looking to make a name for themselves. They make themselves the central focus of every story. They paint themselves as the hero who rides in on a white horse, instead of admitting their lack of discipline and/or having the answers. Their preaching is little more than glorified displays of their own egos. They erect monuments to themselves (while all the while publicly saying it is all about God). Somehow I just cannot see Jesus living in a multi-million dollar home and being in debt up to the yazoo because He had to have a church building that was nothing more than a glorified temple to Himself.
The Apostle Paul hit the bullseye when he said, “May I never boast except in the cross of Christ.” (Gal. 6:14) Those are wise words we would do well to emulate. Jesus set the example for us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not build monuments that will soon turn to dust. In reality though, you don’t have to be a rich anything, or live in a mansion to have the attitude of being better than others. Let’s begin following the example Jesus set for us: humility and sacrifice for others.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Generosity, God's Plan, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Years ago I bought a book by the late Francis Schaeffer entitled No Little People. It was a collection of 16 of his sermons. My favorite was No Little People, No Little Places. The gist of that sermon can easily be seen by the title. No one or no place the follower of Christ is should ever be seen as too small or too insignificant.
In his December 3rd devotion from Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotion, author Paul David Tripp wrote, “God calls us to represent Him in this fallen world not because we are able but because He is.” When Moses found himself before the burning bush in Exodus 3-4, he was filled with excuses on how God made a mistake calling him to face the Egyptians and to free His people in Egypt.
Moses does what many of us do. God calls us or leads us to do something and we pull out the “Excuses-to-use” book. “I’m insignificant.” “I can’t talk.” “They won’t believe me.” “Send someone else.” Excuse after excuse. Comparison. Feeling inadequate. All in an attempt to avoid heeding God’s call.
Over the years I’ve learned something important. God doesn’t call people because they are multi-talented; can woo the socks off people; are a good fund-raiser; have an outgoing personality; or any other welcome trait that we put a premium on. No, God actually uses people who are not full of themselves. He’s not looking for those who think they are God’s gift to the human race. He is looking for people who are willing to be used. Those who realize they are nothing and can do nothing without Him.
He’s looking for people who are humble and small and willing to follow and trust Him. Hmmm. Seems to me like the precedent was set over 2000 years ago by a baby in a manger.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Christmas, God's Plan, Humility, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Usefullness
Monday, December 2nd, 2024
December 2nd! Hard to believe, isn’t it, that Christmas is a mere 23 days away. In the church world, we have already begun preparing for that day. In yesterday’s message, I made a statement that I firmly believe in. It is one, I said, you can drive a nail through. That statement was God remembers His promises; God remembers His people.
Due to a messed up sleep schedule from the knee surgery, as well as rehab appointments in the early morning, I have had to adjust my time when I have my daily devotions. But I have still tried to stay on track each day. For this season, part of my time is using Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional by Paul David Tripp. Keeping in mind the statement I made yesterday in my message, this is what Tripp’s December 2nd devotion said:
“When I read the story of Abraham and Sarah’s long wait for a promised son, I think of another Son that was promised. The hope of the world rested on the shoulders of this promised Son, but as century followed century, it seemed as though this Son would never come. But one night in a stable in Bethlehem, to a lowly carpenter and his wife the promised Messiah came. Nothing in all of those centuries that has passed was able to stop the promised of God. Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God, the Lamb, the Savior was born at just the right time to provide justification, reconciliation, forgiveness, and new life to all who believe. God’s promises are not limited by human weakness or the passage of time. Don’t give way to fear; God will do what He has promised to do.”
Those words by PDT simply confirm what I said. God remembers His promises; God remembers His people. Long thought forsaken, God’s people had virtually given up looking for their Messiah. But God was not done yet. He brought to fruition every word He ever said; every act He ever did; every feast ever enacted, by the birth of a tiny baby in the city of Bethlehem. God in the flesh, the Messiah, Jesus.
My hope and prayer for you and for me is that the awareness of God’s gift becomes even more alive in us as we celebrate His birth this month.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christmas, God's Plan, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Truth
Thursday, November 7th, 2024
Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, or screamed at? I’m sure most of would answer Yes to that question. But I have another type of incident in mind.
Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, screamed at, or embarrassed by a “person of God” either standing on the street corner or college campus supposedly preaching about Jesus? When I lived in a college town in the 80s-90s, one of the first things I heard about was the so-called preacher (better translated embarrassment, one-who-turned-others-off) at our local university. It was hard for me to believe the story was actually true until I heard several others tell me randomly about it. This so-called evangelist would stand in an outside common area and scream and yell at the students as they walked by. He would throw out the name of Jesus (maybe to give him some validity?), while at the same time ranting and raving about the sin and promiscuity of the college students. He screamed about the boys who had long hair and called the girls some not-so-nice names if they wore shorts or pants. (As if that is a eternal life deal-breaker). When some of the college kids would tell me I could sense my blood boiling, but I could also feel myself turning different shades of green out of sickness and disgust.
What got to me is that I have come to realize that evangelism is more about planting seeds than wielding a sword. I’m sure you have probably heard the old adage which goes something like “more bees are drawn to honey than vinegar.” It is the sweet-smelling and sweet-tasting nectar of the flower which draws the bee or butterfly to it. I seriously doubt the smell of vinegar would do that. I believe people are attracted to hearing the message of Christ by our winsome, caring manner rather than by ranting and raving about sin, and how they are anything but people for dressing or looking a certain way. Ironically, I met this man’s brother several years later and while talking with him, he talked about his embarrassment of his brother. Tragically, the man probably saw it as a badge of honor to “suffer” for the name of Christ.
I know this is a negative-type post and it is not meant to be. My point is to remind us that if we are to share the Gospel with others, let’s do it with grace and “honey” not anger and “vinegar.” Keep in mind also this does not just happen on a college campus. We often give off “airs” of arrogance and judgment in our daily speech. Let’s be careful in what and how we say it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Evangelism, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Peaching, Reflection, Sharing Christ, Story
Monday, November 4th, 2024
I have recently reread the book largely responsible for my escape from legalism: Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur. This probably makes read #15 or more (but who’s counting?). 🙂 It is fiction, although the “doctrinal struggles” of the book’s main character, Pastor Jason Faircloth, are very real. I would simply encourage you to pick up a copy. You will be hooked!
Two quotes stand out in my mind. They are observations Jason makes:
“Christian growth is the lifetime process of personally discovering what is inherently valuable, and what is not.”
“The essence of the Christian walk is to live contrary to human nature.” (Both quotes from page 249)
It is the latter one that struck me this time as I read. If there was ever someone who lived a counterculture life, it was Jesus. He rejected the supposed piety of the religious leaders. He rejected living up to the letter of the Law without sincerity and the heart engaged. An example is in the Sermon on the Mount where He says multiple times, “You have heard…but I say to you.”
Then there is the teaching in Mark 8:34-37: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (NLT) That teaching goes against the grain of commonly-heard teaching. Save your life by giving it away? Seriously?
Walking with Jesus is a walk against the grain. It is a walk contrary to human nature. Be different. Act different. Live different. This is the call of Jesus.
Posted in InTheShadow | 7 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Wednesday, October 30th, 2024
In my daily Bible reading, I began this morning in the book of Romans. Considered Paul’s magnum opus, it is chalk full of truth. All kinds of truth. The purpose of this devotion today is not to give an overview of the whole book, but to give a glimpse into chapter 1.
- Verses 1-7 has Paul greeting the Roman followers of Christ. He gives some serious doctrinal truth as to who Jesus is.
- Verses 8-17 has Paul grateful for the Roman followers of Jesus because the love they have for Jesus has spread and others have heard about their love. He gives, perhaps, the most succinct purpose of the Gospel in verses 16-17: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'” (NLT)
But then he lowers the boom. He writes about God’s displeasure with sin-all sin. His approach is multi-pronged:
- There are those who disregard God Himself. They deny His existence. I would put them in the “We can’t see Him so He is not real” camp. Paul says they are without excuse. (v.20). He says those who want to think that way are fools. Instead of worshiping a real God, they worship a fake god (images of people, birds, animals and reptiles).
- Then comes a very distinct and very confrontational passage: verses 24-27. These are called “clobber verses” because they are used as clubs to confront, judge, condemn and beat people over the head who struggle with SSA. In all honesty, only those who want to justify theirs-or someone else’s actions-can overlook this. BUT…
- I am stopped dead in my tracks by verses 28-32. Lest I get arrogant and stand on a self-righteous soapbox, there is a laundry list of sin that condemns us all. We may say, “SSA? Not me!” and feel good about ourselves. But hold on! Look at the list: every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. Then Paul writes, “They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.” As each one is leveled, we start hopping around lest His divine foot stomp nail our feet to the floor and expose our sinful heart.
Short recap I know. There is so much more to say. I simply say: investigate on your own. Read this chapter slowly, all the while asking God to speak to your heart. The message will not only be clear; it is one you cannot escape. I think we all need the message of Romans 1, but I especially am grateful for the simple words about Good News in verses 16-17 (see above).
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Bible/Scripture, Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Jesus, Lifestyle, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Quiet Time, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Story, Truth Telling
Tuesday, October 29th, 2024
One of the most used passages in the Bible is found in I Corinthians 13. You might recognize it as the “Love Chapter.” It is used in weddings. You find it on home decor, bookmarks, even non-religious items/organizations use it. That’s because “love” is the essence of life. But just seeing it as a warm fuzzy saying is missing out on the real strength and power of that passage. Let me explain.
The Corinthian church was a mess, and when I say a mess, I mean a royal mess. Division. Incest. Compromise of truth. Quarreling over spiritual gifts. Fighting over who was more important and whom they followed. All those and more. There was one thing missing in all of that mess:
L. O. V. E.
In truth, love covers a multitude of sins. but there is one sin that blows love apart. Maybe stifles is a better word. That sin is pride and arrogance. The want and desire for power. I was speaking with someone recently expressing a genuine concern for a mutual acquaintance who has gotten into hot water. People are clamoring for a resignation. Not too long ago this person was the belle of the ball, the prince of the crown.
What happened? Pride. Arrogance. The inability to want or accept criticism. Surrounding oneself with “yes” people. A crushing of dissenting voices. Compromise of values took place and in its place was placed initiatives that devalued people. Sadly, unless there is repentance and a sincere apology and an honest attempt to change, great will be the fall. I’m afraid the arrogance and “what I want” will be so strong that proper steps will not happen and a life will be broken to pieces. Blame will be cast that “I was misunderstood” or “They are too pig-headed to see the big picture.” I’m afraid “I told you so” will be uttered, which will cause even more damage. I hate that because there had been much positive action. But like a lot of things, the past will be forgotten for the present. All because this person wouldn’t heed the loving, warning voices of others.
In case you need a refresher: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful of proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Cor. 13:4-7 (NLT)
Receive it. Learn from it. Give it. Practice it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Arrogance, Christian Living, Friendship, God's Plan, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Pride, Reflection, Scripture look