Raise the Blinds

I want to introduce you to Emily Letts, an abortion counselor at Cherry Hill Women’s Center in New Jersey. Emily, 25, decided to film her abortion procedure and share it with the world. Well, Emily’s video went viral this week. This is why she was afforded the chance to explain her experience in the latest issue of Cosmopolitan. I am introducing you to Emily because I want you to see that this is the world we live in. A world that not only accepts a woman’s “right” to choose, but celebrates a woman that decides, before she is even pregnant, that she is going to have an abortion. We must notice that this decision was not based on a health issue, a rape, or incest. This decision wasn’t really even based on a conversation between two partners. Instead, this decision was made before Emily even decided to “lay down” with a partner.

This story makes my stomach turn. Where is the outrage? What are we doing as a nation? Have we really reached a point where we are celebrating someone’s decision to take a life? I realize that some would argue with my assessment there. I realize that some are saying that it was a fetus not a life or a baby that Emily aborted. If this is the case than why would Emily say this, “It will always be a special memory for me. I still have my sonogram, and if my apartment were to catch fire, it would be the first thing I’d grab.” Maybe some of you are still having a difficult time connecting this fetus to a baby or a life. Maybe Emily can assist again with this statement, “I don’t feel like a bad person. I don’t feel sad. I feel in awe of the fact that I can make a baby. I can make life.” Does that clear anything up for you? Emily believes wholeheartedly that she made a baby and that she can make life. In two sentences she refers to the “fetus” inside of her as a baby and as life. Using her own words, Emily would agree with me that life begins at conception.

Now that you know her story, does this bring about any emotions? Are you angry? Are you sad? Are you hurt? Are you happy? Are you celebrating her “brave” decision? We must understand that the abortion narrative has changed. We are no longer hearing defendants cite rape, incest, health of the child, or health of the mother as the primary justifiable reason to have an abortion. These are certainly included, but the argument has shifted to complete convenience. Abortion supporters are now even openly claiming that it is a life that they are aborting. Judith Arcana, an abortion activists/supporter, had this to say concerning the “fetus”, “But we should never disregard the fact that being pregnant means there is a baby growing inside of a woman, a baby whose life is ended. We ought not to pretend this is not happening.” Did you hear that? The narrative now, from the abortion activists, is clear. They agree that it is a baby/life they are aborting and they have no issue with that.

What does this mean for the pro-life movement? It means that there needs to be a movement!! Being pro-life is more than a bumper sticker. It is more than political fodder. It is easy to argue with folks and say the right things or to sign petitions, but truly what are you doing to celebrate and promote life? Have you visited any life celebrating facilities to volunteer or to pray? These facilities are all over the country. We have two locally, Hope Resource Center  in Knoxville or Choices Resource Center in Oak Ridge. We can no longer sit on the sideline. 

This, in my estimation, is the issue that will define our generation and our nation. I look back at the Civil Rights Movement and cannot help but wonder why more didn’t stand up for those that could not stand for themselves. Why were people willing to stay on the sidelines while brothers and sisters were being mistreated, tortured, and murdered? Many Christians stood on the sideline saying the right things, but when it came down to getting to work and standing up for others they were nowhere to be found. They might have said things like, “I am pro-African-American but I don’t want to get involved” or maybe they simply lowered the blinds in their windows while their brothers and sisters were being attacked by police dogs and sprayed with fire hoses in the street. Where were our parents and grandparents during this? How could the “greatest” country in the world allow and even promote this type of behavior?

I pray that my children one day will not look back at this time and this generation, my generation, and say where were you dad? “Where were you when 3200 babies were being aborted every day? Did you say the right things and sign the right petitions and sit on the sidelines? Did you simply close your blinds dad?” The thought of this breaks my heart.  Folks we must open the blinds. We must not simply get off the sidelines we must run off the sidelines. We must get involved!!

I realize that this topic is heavy and creates a great deal of emotion when discussed. I realize that some use this as an opportunity to fight and meet hate with hate. This is not the answer. The answer is the gospel. The answer is Jesus. We celebrate a Savior that gives life. We celebrate a Jesus that pours out his mercy and grace on His people. So…what does this mean? This means that we pray for Emily and other women like her. We don’t offer up hate to Emily. My heart breaks for Emily. I pray that God would save her and that she would repent. I pray that God would pull her out of the darkness and that she would be ambassador for the gospel! Let this be the start of you getting off the sidelines. Pray for women today all over the world that are contemplating abortion.  This is the start but there is so much more to be done. I would encourage you to contact your local pregnancy center and get involved. We have been called to go to the broken places. So raise the blinds…better yet, throw them away and get to work as you seek to see the gospel move and the Kingdom expanded.

Sunday is Coming

Jesus was arrested, tortured, and abused

His people were mocked, mistreated, and confused

How could they take Him?

What are we to do…where are we to go?

Should we fight, should we stand?

Should we hide, should we flee?

Has it all been a lie?

Now that our Jesus is to die

Never leave us nor forsake us…

This is what we were told

This is why we stood bold

Yet…now He’s on a cross

And we are suffering this great loss

A good man He was

But now it’s over…

We are alone and afraid

Hiding, waiting to see His grave

We never thought this day would come

Now…we are simply left…numb

Where do we go now?

Back to our boats?

Back to our families?

Many disciples were perplexed at this ending

Is it really over?

Had Jesus left?

These thoughts would penetrate our minds as well but we know…

Sunday is coming

Death cannot hold Him

Sunday is coming

Sin has no victory

Sunday is coming

A spear in the side is nothing more than a splinter

Sunday is coming

Nails in my God’s hands and feet are nothing but scars…

Sunday is coming

Spitting, mocking, taunting are just words

Sunday is coming

Legs broken and mangled don’t change one fact…

Sunday is coming

A giant stone to keep Jesus in and people out is simply a pebble…

Sunday is coming

SUNDAY IS COMING

SUNDAY…CAME!

The glorious day of Easter occurred

An empty tomb is where He emerged

Our sin paid for and our debt reconciled…

The truth didn’t end on that Friday…

Sunday came and Jesus rose

The disciples concerns were no more

As Jesus showed them the scars that He bore

So this week and every minute of your life…

Embrace this glorious truth…

Sunday is coming

That Blessed Night

Oh…Blessed night…Oh…Starry night

The night a baby was born

The night life was forever transformed

The night was like no other

For this night a virgin became a mother

A mother to a Son

A mother to the One

The One that was waited for

The One that was prayed for

He came as light in the night

He came to make all things right

A little manger in a little stall

Mary and Joseph made the haul

Taxes brought them there

But His birth paid the fare

A mother and a father celebrated

As shepherds hyperventilated

For this Baby wasn’t just part of the plan

No…this Baby was the plan

“For unto you is born”, words that shook the earth

As the heavens celebrated our Savior’s birth

“Glory to God in the highest” was their song

A thousand angels sang along

Songs of praise for a King

Finally a chance for freedom to ring

Freedom from sin and death

Because Jesus took that first breath

Praise God for that night

Praise God for His foresight

We were hopeless and afraid

Yet God paved the way

So celebrate this season of wonder

And don’t let the world take you asunder

Our focus should not be on “me”

But instead on He

A King born that special night

A Savior that brought us life

A Counselor to the hurting

A Messiah to the undeserving

Oh…Blessed night…oh…Starry night

The night a baby was born

The night life was forever transformed

Overwhelmed by Truth; A Note to Self

God has saved you, He has pulled you out of the darkness, the tomb is empty, sins are forgiven, life is provided, and glory is coming...these truths are overwhelming to me! Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever mediated on these facts; that only God could provide?

God has saved you! Saved us from what? He has saved us from an eternity in hell. He has saved us from ourselves. He has saved us from death. He has saved us from bondage. Please get that. You must not neglect this truth. You cannot, no matter how hard you try, save yourself. You are a sinner in drastic need of a Savior. You are a sinner, which means it is impossible for you to save yourself. Your deeds, your desires, your wants, and your words alone only further point to you need for a Savior. A Savior that man could not produce. A Savior that man could not fathom. A Savior that only God could send. If that doesn't make you shout than nothing will.

He has pulled you out of the darkness. This statement continues to blow my mind. Darkness is scary. The since of despair and fear associated with darkness is sometimes too much to bear. I think folks sometimes argue that being afraid of the dark is a kid's problem not an adult problem. I tend to disagree. You place me in a dark room and there is a good chance that this adult male becomes a wimply kid real quick. Maybe...you need to embrace this truth in your day to day life. Darkness can only be abolished by light. Your sinful dark life is no different. That only changes when the Light, Jesus, enters in. Please know that this Light is not some environmentally friendly bulb that slowly reaches brightness. No...This Light enters and is so bright that folks are blinded, but not where darkness is all they see, no...Blinded so Light is all they see (Acts 9). When Jesus enters in and pulls you out of the darkness Light is all you see and what a wonderful Light it is.

The tomb is empty! Did you hear me?...THE TOMB IS EMPTY!!!! Stop acting like Jesus is trapped in some tomb. Stop living as if your Savior is dead. He is alive. He conquered death. Have you read Isaiah 25? Verse 8 is glorious, "He will swallow up death forever; and the LORD GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken." This is what you have with an empty tomb. You have that as Christians...you have that as followers!!
Sins are forgiven. The truths keep coming. Your sins are forgiven. Your chains are gone. Your freedom is real and clear. This is something not offered by man. Can man forgive? Should man forgive? Sure, but that only happens because He first forgave. Do you realize that, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"(2 Corinthians 5:21)? God did that for you. He forgave you and brought you freedom. So...as you forgive you bask in the truth that your ultimate forgiveness was provided at the cross where Christ was crucified, where the King of Kings took on your sins. What a humbling truth you have in that!

Life is provided. You do realize that you were dead, right? Before Christ entered in and saved you, you were dead. Dead and on a path to destruction. Dead and on a path to self. Dead on a path to hell. This is your reality apart from Christ. However, with Christ we have a reality of life. Step into that truth today. You are alive. Say it with me, "YOU ARE ALIVE!" This life provided isn't about trinkets and things of this earth. This life is about eternity. Have you ever thought about how long that is? I am reminded of the great movie, Sandlot, as the little boy looks into the camera and says, "Forever, Forever, FFFOOORRREEEVVVEEERRR." Multiply that times infinity and you still are short when it comes to eternity. So...God in his grace and mercy provides us with life and life eternally. An eternity of praising our God and basking in his truths!!

Glory is coming. Once again, Jesus is not dead. Scripture tells you that He is going to come again. Revelation 21:4 points this out clearly, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." That verse brings goosebumps every time. No more tears...Glory is coming. No more death...Glory is coming. No more mourning...Glory is coming. No more crying...Glory is coming. No more pain...Glory is coming. "What a day of rejoicing that will be"!! Please embrace this truth. Paul did. Paul told us that in Philippians 1, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." So Paul understood that he had a mission here on earth. He needed to share Christ while he was here. The Gospel needed to be spread. This, however, was not the end for Paul. He did this knowing that glory was coming. He did this knowing that God was working and that a day was coming. That day was the day described in Revelation 21.

Embrace these truths. These truths must shape your life. Have these truths on your mind when you rise up in the morning and when you lie down at night. When you are struggling...embrace these truths. When you are having a "mountain top" experience...embrace these truths. When things are running right along...embrace these truths. Let them overwhelm your everyday. Why? Because He lives!!

Our THIRD Child

THIRD Child…what do you mean?

You walk in here and it can clearly be seen

You have one car-seat

And nothing in between…

This doesn’t make since but it is true nonetheless

Our second child is gone

Oh…how hard to confess…

How does this happen?

Please sir explain…

This explanation must start with a word

This explanation may sound absurd…

Our child, our baby

Described by one word sounds lazy

But I will do my best

To not sound crazy…

This word is known

This word has grown

This word makes us groan…

With sadness and fear

We tremble

When it is describing our baby

That was as big as a thimble…

This word is not long yet it cuts to the bone

This word can sometimes leave us feeling alone

This word can mean different things

But to a parent who has lost

It usually means pain…

I sometimes struggle to tell it

So please allow me to spell it

M-I-S-C-A-R-R-I-A-G-E

Miscarriage…What does that mean?

Miscarriage…how can that be seen?

Was our baby wrongfully taken?

Was our lives wrongfully shaken?

They say “it wasn’t meant to be”

They say “it wasn’t for us to see”

They say “it wasn’t a baby”

They say “it was simply a fetus…maybe”

This line of thinking does not fly

This line of thinking spits in the face of the One on high…

We look to Scripture and know

We look to Scripture to show…

The glorious plans of the Father

Who knitted our baby together…

In the womb of my wife…the mother…

So I say to them

Our second child was not a mistake

Our second child did not just escape

Our second child was called home

Our second child was never alone

You see

This is not our home

This is not the end

Some may argue that life ended that day for our child

But we argue that their life had just began…

My God…Our God

Was not surprised

My God…Our God was not distant

My God…Our God knew in an instant

That although we would mourn for this child

His plans were superior and His sovereignty not mild…

I realize that some may think us to be prideful

Some may say “those guys think they know it all”

This would be false

This would be your loss

We are not prideful

We are not supreme

We simply look to the One…the King

His ways not our ways

His thoughts not our thoughts

I don’t claim to understand

But I do embrace His plan

Would we have had a boy?

Would we have had a girl?

Would they have grown up to save the world?

These questions are natural but these questions conflict

Because these questions treat God like He is St. Nick…

Our God is not a genie

Our God is not Houdini

Our God put the stars in the sky

Our God made the mountains to reach high…

Our God is not in handcuffs

Simply waiting for a key

Our God is orchestrating

And we should take a knee…

He simply says and it is done

He simply says and He has won

So…are we angry are we sad

Yes… but we are fallen creatures with an amazing dad

There were tears and there was fear

But we held tight to the One who was near

Hurt is a reality and pain is a definite

But the love of the Father is nothing but a constant

He was there then and He is here now…

So people please hear me when I say

Our lives did not end on that day…

My wife is pregnant now

And we can only bow

As we prepare for the birth of our second, no our THIRD child

The Gospel Truth

Jesus stepped down from His thrown

Entering this world with a groan

His mama, a bit hesitant

His earthly dad a bit resistant

But His love was resilient

He grew up physically and mentally

He inspired His disciples intellectually and spiritually

He told them all...

A day would come when He would fall

His falling didn’t mean they would be the ones calling

His falling meant He would be calling

He took what we couldn’t

He took the nails that He shouldn’t

He took the spitting the mocking and the flogging

Why?

For who?

For me?

For Him?

For you?

Yes!

This answer shouldn’t surprise

For He removed the blinders from our hearts…our eyes

We look to the cross and His pain

And we find salvation in that shame

The story doesn’t stop there

You see

3 days later the tomb was bare...

Where did He go?

What were we to know?

The King had rose

He was right under their nose

He stayed for 40 days

He ate, He drank, He prayed...

Our lives were forever transformed

Because the Trinity decided to send Him to be born

He then went to be with the Father...sending a Helper

The Holy Spirit our shelter

He came

He died

He rose

He ascended

He brought life to those that offended...

The One true God is holy

And we should praise Him for His glory

My thanks seems like an understatement

But I must make this proclamation

He loves me

He called me

He saved me

He sustains me

This is the gospel

This is the truth...

In that instance

Our sins were paid for

In that instance

Our sins were died for

Our flesh no longer king

My life no longer supreme

When Christ took that last breath

He brought salvation, peace, and rest...

Now church, this is the truth...

Open up your ears and hear this

Our God authored every last bit of this...

My life, my faith, my eternity secure

Because Christ poured out His blood that was pure

Did you hear that?

Did you see that?

The spotless Lamb hung on a cross

Rises from the grave like a boss

No, like a king

No, like the King

"Praise the One who paid my debt

And raised this life up from the dead"

I was dead

But now alive

My sin, my pride, my fame...all died for

When He came

A Singled-Minded Goal: Truth Being Preached at all Costs

Do you ever spend time thinking about the gospel? Are you spending time thinking about the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior and Lord? This is the life changing life saving truth, right? This is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). This is the truth that completely transformed Paul on the road to Damascus, taking him from a life of suppressing Truth to a life of worshiping Truth.

I want this to be the focus this week as we tackle 1 Timothy 1:3-17. We must dive into the Word and see the importance of this amazing, God glorifying Gospel. Paul had one singled-minded mission/goal. His life's purpose was to glorify God by sharing the gospel with as many people as possible. He understood the gospel could stand on its own. He understood that man's additions or subtractions to the gospel would do nothing but harm. Paul, of course, spent time relating to people and contexualizing (1 Corinthians 9:22), but his gospel message never changed.

I pray that this quick study will be encouraging. I pray that you will see Paul's desire to see the truth preached. We must take heed of his warnings to Timothy. We must recognize the importance of truth gospel-centered doctrine. We must better understand the life-transforming power offered by Christ. In doing this we will bring more glory and Praise to our Father and Lord.

Watered Down Gospel = No Gospel at All
(1 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV)

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Paul is warning Timothy here of those that may desire to teach a watered down or a false gospel. These "teachers" were focused on man and not God. Thees folks are not interested in a God-honoring message. They are infatuated with a self-honoring message that leaves them getting all the credit and glory. 

Teaching is an important aspect of a Christian's life and maturity. Strong teaching of the Word is a key ingredient in the lives of the lost as well as believers. Think about your life. Who has helped shape your Christian walk? Who can you point to as a mentor or shepherd in your journey? I would argue that for most of us, the people that come to mind are teachers--youth pastors, church pastors, or your life group leaders. Biblical teachers have always and will always play a huge role in the shaping of the church and its believers. This is why Paul was warning Timothy. If teachers help shape the church and its members than we must make sure that those teachers are teaching and preaching Truth.

The Law Does Not Save

(1 Timothy 1:8-11 ESV)

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

We must not neglect the truth that the Law was given to man from God. This means that the Law is intrinsically good. Who is the Law for? The Law is for us--sinners. The Law opens our eyes to the fact that we are sinners. Left to ourselves we are unable to uphold or keep the Law. This is truly an impossible task.

On the surface these truths are a bit depressing, but we must look deeper. What does this mean for us? This means we need a Savior. This means we need someone to conquer what we are incapable of conquering. This means we need someone who will take the wrath that we deserve. This is what Jesus did, willingly I might add. This is the truth found in the Word. This is the truth Paul is pleading with Timothy to preach. 

We are sinners and left alone we are destined for hell but God our Lord paved a way for us to be saved. Our Savior laid down His life to glorify the Father and save us. He saves us from the Law, He saves us from the chains of sin and death. He saves us to Himself!

The Apprehender was Apprehended 

(1 Timothy 1:12-16 ESV)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

These verses are wonderful illustrations of Christ's transforming power. Take some time to think about Paul's transformation. This is the same guy that held the coats of those stoning Stephen (Acts 7). This is the same guy that ravaged the church. His mission was to stop the spread of the gospel at all costs. He had no desire to follow Christ, but what happened? Christ literally knocked him to the ground and saved him (Acts 9). 

This is what Paul is pointing out in verses 12-16. Paul calls himself the foremost sinner--the worst of the worst. Paul's life illustrates the mercy and grace offered and provided by God. Paul is screaming, "God saved me, the worst of the worst!" Why would God do this? Why save a man like Paul who was actively working against the church? Paul answers this question in verse 16.

God didn't save Paul because He needed him on His--God's--team. God saved Paul to "demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life." What does this mean for you and me? What does this mean for friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family? This means God can save anyone. We pray and share the gospel knowing with full confidence God continues to save "the worst of them."

God-Centered Glorification

(1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I love the way Paul closes out verse 17. Paul finishes his testimony in this letter by illustrating the patience, mercy, and grace of God. He could have taken the credit. He could have focused on himself and the things he was doing for the gospel, but instead he gave credit to the only deserving recipient--God. 

Paul understood that apart from God and His saving grace he was destined for an eternity in hell. Paul understood that he needed a Savior. It was because of this understanding that Paul was saturated with the gospel. Paul made it his mission to encourage and disciple people like Timothy to share in this calling. 

Paul was the vehicle God used to grow the church. This is why Paul spent so much time praising God. We praise God because He is the only one that deserves our words, actions, hearts, and our minds. God deserves this "forever and ever. Amen."