Great American Heroes

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

-- Luke 16:10

Maybe you remember that amusing series of commercials from several years back called Great American Heroes. Each tongue-in-check ad recognized a faceless individual who labors diligently behind the scenes to support the American lifestyle. What made the commercials memorable was their over-the-top scripts and theme music that saluted the accomplishments of such working-class heroes as "Mr. Backyard Bug-Zapper Inventor," "Mr. Jelly Donut Filler" and "Mr. Driving Range Ball Picker-Upper."

"Without you, Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker, our teams would be in sixth or seventh place," proclaimed the announcer.

Great American Heroes, indeed. And although these commercials were absurd, their celebrations of the Average Joe were in many ways on the mark--at least when it comes to Jesus' viewpoint. For example, society tends to honor sports stars, musicians, actors and politicians as heroes. And there are times when firefighters, police officers and others are lauded (and deservedly so) for their bravery. But Jesus tells us that reality differs from the world's conventional wisdom regarding heroism. From his perspective, the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

What does that mean? The world defines the successful of our society as those who do what it takes to get to the top and stay there. And in many cases, they see the end (prestige and fame) as justifying the means. But for true Christ-followers, this so-called road to fortune is nothing but a dead end to ruin.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with achieving success in business or making lots of money. The trouble comes when wealth, fame and power become the focus of our lives. And rather than being blessings to benefit ourselves and others, they can actually become addictions that enslave us.

What does it look like for a Christ-follower to achieve success? The answer lies in descending the world's ladder of greatness into humility and servant leadership. Serving our neighbors--those next door, in the next cubicle and in the next continent--becomes more of a joy than a chore. And ultimately, the way we live our life Monday through Saturday looks much like how we live it on Sunday.

Maybe you'll never get your own TV commercial like "Mr. King of the Karaoke Mike" or "Mr. Souvenir Snow Globe Maker." But rest assured that the honors will be much greater once you invite Christ to use your gifts and talents to help build his kingdom right here on earth. 

Great American Heroes, indeed.

Join the Family

"'In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,' declares the Lord Almighty."

-- Zechariah 3:10

When you were growing up, were you one of the popular kids in school? Or were you, like many people, a bit awkward and introverted? And at recess, were you one of the first ones picked for the team--or were you the odd man out just about every time?

Some things don't change, whether it's on the playground or in the office park. How many times have you been turned down for that big promotion or lost out to another job candidate? And has the boss ever criticized your sales presentation in front of your co-workers? Rejection can be brutal.

If this strikes close to home, there's some very good news--even for those of us who were never asked to the senior prom or chosen for the varsity debate team. And it's much more important and lasting.

God--the most powerful and loving Presence in the universe--not only knows everything about you, he knew you before you were even born. Your name is written on his hand. And he's also chosen you as his heir. So once you accept his Son--Jesus--as your Lord and Savior, you become his adopted child. And as God's child and heir, you'll share in quite an inheritance to enjoy for eternity.

That's a lot to look forward to once God calls you to join him. But you don't have to wait until then to enjoy some of the family benefits. And one of them is the privilege of knowing God in a personal relationship. Through prayer, you can come to him directly with your joys, needs and sorrows. It's this close, ongoing bond that helps you overcome the rough spots that you're guaranteed to face throughout life.

Jesus taught his disciples that God isn't a strict, unknowable taskmaster who waits to zap us when we do wrong. Christ instead revealed that our Creator is a warm, reassuring and loving Father in the best sense of the word. And to the amazement of all who heard him, Jesus even referred to God as Abba--a child's word that translates into English as daddy. 

The incredible truth is that God has chosen you and me as his adopted children. And just as with Jesus, he wants nothing more than to hear you respond, "Yes, Abba!"

The Ultimate Giver

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.

-- Psalm 4:5

For centuries, Christ-followers have given a portion of their resources to the church to help achieve God's will on Earth. And if you're a committed giver, you've probably discovered that you can't out-give God. We might one day feel led to help a neighbor pay his electric bill or buy a bag of groceries. And then a few days later, we might ourselves be blessed through an unexpected promotion at work or a surprise check in the mail. God's example is a powerful incentive for Believers of all economic levels. After all, he wants us to trust in him--not money--as our provider.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding," we read in Psalms, "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

But when it comes to our money, it really does boil down to trust. We trust God with our eternal salvation. However, do we trust this same God to provide for our daily needs? Christ-followers are called to serve as his hands and feet to feed the hungry, heal the sick and house the homeless. So by making generous giving a spiritual habit, we become more like Him--and all while helping to change the world for the better.

This principle sounds fine in theory--particularly when our bank accounts are full and there's plenty more on the way. But how does it apply to Christ-followers with only modest financial resources?

In the Gospel story known as The Widow's Mite, Jesus described a poor woman who literally gave her last penny as her offering. His point was that since she gave out of her poverty, her small gift was actually much greater in God's eyes than the vast sums offered by rich worshippers. We can see that the widow--although poor--took the initiative and made the most of her gift. Likewise for today's Christ-followers of modest means, giving takes humility. (Who wants to feel compared to others?) What's more, giving out of limited resources takes discipline and trust. Just because we have less than others is no reason to turn our backs on God. And when we're wise with the gifts he gives us, there's more to give back to him and his Kingdom.

Whether our bank accounts are big or small, our generosity brings joy to others. It moves our focus from ourselves and onto the recipient. Moreover, a life of generosity brings joy to our Creator because it shows we're becoming more like him. And why not? After all, ours is a God who is the ultimate giver.

Breaking Bread

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

-- 1 Corinthians 10:16 

If you're like many people, some of your fondest memories involve food. You might remember Thanksgivings with family whenever you smell the rich aroma of roast turkey and sweet potatoes. The unmistakable odor of hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy could take you back decades to your first State Fair. And maybe even the sight of a homemade apple pie reminds you of the ones your grandmother used to bake when you'd come for a weekend visit.

Yes, food holds a powerful place in our lives. And not just because we need it to survive. There's something special--even joyful--about sharing a good meal with family and friends. As Christ-followers, we remember our Savior's sacrificial death through Communion: a symbolic meal of bread and grape juice that reminds us of the last supper he shared with his disciples. The bread and juice represent how Christ's body was broken and his blood was shed for us.

So while we're on the topic of food and its spiritual significance, what's the recipe for a joy-filled, Christ-centered life?

The Bible tells us it's one part unity with other Christ-followers mixed with a measure of regular prayer. Then blend it well with a heaping helping of discernment--the ongoing intentional functions of living, thinking and acting constructively. It's all about habitually looking for the good and dwelling on the positive.

When we have lives that are filled with joy, even the most unpleasant of circumstances can't bring us down. The Apostle Paul exemplified this truth. He spent years in prison chained to his guards while under the constant threat of death. But Paul always prayed thankfully. And instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used his circumstances to change the lives of his fellow prisoners as well as his jailers--and all while writing much of what we today call the New Testament.

Are you hungry for some tasty joy in your life? If you haven't done so already, the first step is to invite Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. Those who grasp this opportunity become the ones he calls the Salt of the Earth: the special people whose distinct "flavor" makes all the difference to an otherwise bland world that lacks hope and meaning.

Teachable Moments

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. 

-- Psalm 119:65-67 

Before there was Albert Einstein, there was Lord Kelvin.

Born William Thomson, this renowned Scots-Irish physicist and engineer was the dominant figure in science during the second half of the 19th Century. He published more than 600 scientific papers and filed 70 patents. He was the president of the Royal Society from 1890 to 1895. And he introduced the world to the term thermodynamics. 

Kelvin was obviously brilliant. But as it turned out, his knowledge was limited to the information available at the time. For example, he claimed that "heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." The Wright Brothers proved him wrong just eight years later. And in 1900 Kelvin declared, "There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement." He also asserted that "X-rays are a hoax." 

Just as Lord Kelvin derided the notion of airplanes and X-rays, many otherwise intelligent people regard Christ-followers as uninformed because they accept the Bible on simple faith. After all, they reason, knowledge is the answer to freedom and a better world. If everyone would think like them, peace and prosperity would prevail!

The problem with this viewpoint is that worldly knowledge is constantly changing and correcting itself. On the other hand, the wisdom and knowledge that God gives us through the Bible is rock-steady. But that hasn't stopped people over the centuries from trying to discredit Jesus and the Scriptures. There are even organizations, books and movies that are dedicated to the pursuit. (Remember The Da Vinci Code?) But their efforts ultimately fail. For example, Biblical truth struck again in 2004 when archaeologists discovered the Pool of Siloam, the site of one of Jesus' recorded miracles. Up until then cynics claimed that the pool was an imaginary place!

The lesson here is that for all its prowess, human knowledge is inherently untrustworthy and limited. God's Word by contrast is proven to be all-powerful, reliable and true. We can and should trust it. After all, the Bible is God's owner's manual for living a productive life and making a positive difference in our world. It's also the dependable road map for finding our eternal home through faith in God's own son, Jesus Christ. There are many good reasons why the Bible is called The Good Book.

Don't misunderstand: Education and human knowledge can be quite valuable. And learning new skills and earning college degrees are definite career-builders. But as Christ-followers, we must remember our source of real knowledge and the words of true life. We're to trust Him with a simple, child-like faith. 

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me," invites our Teacher, "for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Building Blocks

Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.

-- Hebrews 10:25

Church means different things to different people.

Maybe it's one of those modest clapboard places of worship that dot America's countryside. On the other hand it might be a massive European basilica, bejeweled with majestic stained glass. And still others might think of the small home churches found in China and Cuba.

We may envision church as a cathedral, a coffee house or something in between, but the Bible defines it quite differently. Rather than being a structure filled with pews and crowned by a soaring steeple, the church is a collection of people: all those who count Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. No matter who you are and where you live--if you're a Christ-follower--you're part of his church called the Body of Christ.

What a remarkable concept! We speak different languages, are of different races and reflect different cultures. But we're all united by Jesus' death on the cross as payment in full for all the wrongs we have done (and continue to do) in our lives. As varied as we are, we're a single family that has accepted Jesus' free gift of forgiveness and anticipation of eternal life.

As with all families--even the best and most stable--differences, disagreements and disappointments are bound to arise among the siblings. And the fact is that the church isn't perfect. But why should it be? After all, its members are imperfect people who do very imperfect things.

This leads us to another key Biblical truth about the church: It's not about us. Instead, it's all about Jesus. Everything we do as Christ-followers should be done to glorify God through Christ, who the Bible tells us is the head of the church. So whether it's a local gathering of believers or the collective millions of Christ-followers on Earth, this Body of Christ answers to an audience of One.

Jesus paid for his church with something much more valuable than money or gold. He bought our spiritual freedom and eternal future at the price of his own precious blood. So whether we worship him in a massive cathedral, a quaint country church or maybe a refurbished drugstore, we're ultimately one body joined through a common faith.

Let's strive as Christ-followers to make his church a body that's healthy, productive and worthy of his sacrifice.

Gods and Idols

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

-- 1 Corinthians 10:31

We're all worshipers in one way or another.

Christ-followers worship the true God revealed and proven through the Bible. Meanwhile, various religions around the world promote man-made gods, ancestor worship and even the reverence of living things or nature (worshiping the creation rather than the Creator). Then there are today's popular false teachings such as New Age, Scientology and Kabbalah. It's a very long list.

Even those who claim to be strict atheists are actually vigorous worshipers. True, they're not Sunday morning churchgoers who proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But they--like everyone--bow down to something. Some worship money, luxury and pleasure while others bend the knee to intellect and higher learning. Meanwhile, others kneel at the altar of more negative gods such as alcohol, drugs and illicit relationships.

The saying goes that there are no atheists on the battlefield. But there's a different type of conflict that rages every day within us all: the God of the Bible versus the world's gods and idols. It's our hearts, minds and souls that are the prize of war.

Perhaps we don't literally kneel before and worship graven images. But the fact is that that we secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) cherish our own personal gods. Consider the things that we worry about or sacrifice our time and money for. What are the issues that make us angry? What brings us the most joy? And here's a revealing question: Whose attention and applause do we most crave?

If the answer to each question doesn't involve the Lord, then we're likely worshiping an idol. And idols can be difficult to recognize through the smoke and confusion of spiritual warfare. That's because they're experts at camouflage. Even seemingly good things can evolve into inferior "god things" if they're misused. 

With this in mind, let's remember that our Creator--the God of the Bible revealed in person through Jesus Christ--refuses to share his glory with false idols, man-made religions and philosophies. We therefore must consider the God--or gods--in our lives, and then choose the One to serve and live for.

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord," declared Joshua, the courageous Old Testament leader who brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."