All have sinned, Whispers from Your Father, God

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV

When I inspired Paul to write these words I drove a stake in the ground to punctuate mankind’s dilemma.  Some say it was the fork in the road of their life. All of humanity has sinned.  In fact, I had Paul emphasize it again.  “There is none righteous, no not one.” 

Some have tried to convince me that there are degrees of sinfulness.  They say that others are really bad people, but I should overlook their own sins.  But sin in your life is like crap.  It doesn’t look good on anybody and it always smells bad.  How much crap would you allow to remain on your body, because you think it is just a little bit?  All sins stinks before Me and makes Me want to vomit.

I physically made your body to be able to experience my glory.  My glory is the pure unfiltered essence of my presence.   My son exhibited my glory in human form as John captured it, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NIV. 

So sin, doesn’t just make you fall behind, or reveal that you do not quite measure up to my standards.  It reveals your insufficiency, your lack, your barrenness, your underservedness and uncovers your hidden impure motives. 

Death is the consequence of sin, but it is not the remedy.  It is the shedding of blood that is required to cover sin.  Innocent blood shed in behalf of another, negates the power and ramification of sin.  For those who receive it, My Son died and shed his blood so that others could be free of the grip of their own sin.  He took on the sin of others and experienced death, so that others could experience life and my glory.

Oh, how I want to share all of Me with all of you.  I created you so that we could enjoy each other’s presence.  Let me remove the sin that so easily entangles.  I have and always will love you, even when you were dead in the middle of your sinful actions and thoughts. I have made a way, when you thought there was no way out.  My Son is the way, the truth and the life.

Whispers from your Father, God

I am creator, Whispers from Your Father, God

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

From the moment I created the earth, I knew how you would fit into the framework of humanity.  You are not an accident even if your birth came as a surprise or inconvenient circumstances.  I have never made a mistake and your life is not my first.

My creativity is not second nature to me, it is a core expression of my personality.  I have placed that same essence of creativity inside you.  It is part of being made in my image.  Each of your five senses were given for you to experience my creativity.  I enjoy your reactions as you smell a rose, feel rain upon your face, taste a snowflake, touch the sand at the edge of a beach, hear the birds awaken the morning, and watch the changing colors of every original sunset.

As I reflected upon all that I created, it was good.  This is also true of your life and well being.  When I fashioned you into a new creation, I will not stop until you are fully formed into my image.  You are the apple of my eye.  Hear me, when I declare that which I am perfecting in you is good.

Whispers from Your Father, God

The Lost have a name

¹⁵ Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) NLT

On one of my morning walks I passed the driveway of a childcare home.  I noticed a container of yogurt on the driveway and a bag nearby with several containers in it.  I knew that cars would soon be driving over the bag and making an even larger mess.  Before I knew it, I had stopped and picked up the trash.

Now the trash was mine and I began looking for a place to get rid of it- not a garbage can in sight.  I saw other trash thrown along the road, but I couldn’t just throw the bag on the ground again.  As cars passed by, I realized that I was now being identified with the trash that I had picked up.  Finally I found the proper place to dispose of the trash.

When it comes to loving the lost, Jesus reveals at least two principles in the story with Levi.  First, Jesus owned his activity.  He could have declined the invitation to go eat at Matthew’s home.  Certainly he would have known that the Pharisees were watching for they were also among those following him.  But Jesus always moved in the direction of those who were hurting, needy and lost.  He came to seek and to save that which was lost.  In your sphere of influence, are there people who are needy, hurting, or lost?  Is it possible that you need “to pick up” a relationship with them?  The lost have a name…who are they for you?

Secondly, Jesus was not afraid to be identified with the disreputable.  We are so glad, because as a believer that is the condition in which he found all of us before becoming saved.  In our pursuit of following Jesus we can slip into sanitized Christianity that keeps us from engaging and loving those who are still in the dark.  This is not an easy task to be genuine with those lost without compromising our values.  But Jesus did it.

The key to engaging those yet to become followers of Jesus, is to be keenly aware of our own judgmentallism.  When we think we are better than someone else, they know it.  Our words of love will not match our reception of love.  But when we see all people as those who are loved by Jesus, we can see God’s kingdom come into our midst.

The good news of the gospel is still good.  There are many who need someone to share that there is life beyond what they have experienced.  Let’s take up some ownership for their salvation.  Let’s reject pride.  Don’t let fear keep us from being able to spend enough time with the lost that they can experience Jesus unconditional love through us.

You are equipped for the task, because you are loved by Jesus

Can you say ap·pre·ci·ate? I thought you could.

Working with Katy and Micah this summer has allowed me to wear the name tag “Mr. Rogers”.  For years I have been called Pastor Greg partly in effort to resist all of the “how’s your neighborhood” jokes.  But today, I’m embracing the association of Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood) by highlighting a word for the day -Appreciation.  Can you say ap·pre·ci·ate?.  Sure you  can, good job.

Seriously, appreciation is taken from the root Latin words meaning to “add more price”, Webster defines it as to grasp the worth, value or nature, to admire highly or judge with heightened perception of value.

Paul encourages expressing appreciation.  ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.    I Corinthians 16:17-18 NIV

 Many begin this discussion with all of the ways that we feel un-appreciated.  We think we give great effort at work and possibly no one notices…definitely not reflected in our pay.  Or perhaps, you are in a relationship in which you feel that you are giving far more than the other person.  Moms are possibly the most under-appreciated people on the planet for their tireless and nonstop work of providing care for the home.

 But the important question is “how do YOU communicate appreciation”?  There is no certain right way to do it, but not communicating appreciation is always wrong or at least selfish.  Some of you will communicate it through words, acts of service, giving of gifts, spending time with a person, of physical touch.  You may recognize these as the five love languages by Gary Smalley.  The key is that there is a variety of ways to communicate to someone how much you value them.

 I would like to pose a series of questions to stimulate your thinking about increasing the appreciation atmosphere in your world.  For true appreciation is like a boomerang.  The more you throw it out, it eventually will come back to you.

-       How would an atmosphere of appreciation change your work environment?

-       How does your spouse know that you highly value their worth in your life?

-       Would others consider you to be someone who is appreciative?

-        IF the shoe fits, why do you struggle expressing appreciation?

-       How could expressing appreciation to God enhance your spiritual closeness to Him?  In what ways do you communicate it?   The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:3 NIV

 This side of heaven we have the freedom to use our tongue for as much good as possible.  Communicating heartfelt and deserved appreciation is always a win – win.

I just wanted to say, “I hope your neighborhood is full of appreciation- because you deserve it.”

 Blessings on ya, Pastor Greg

I DARE YOU - Read the Bible Aloud 21 Day Challenge

I Dare You – Read the Bible Aloud

Tough guy actor Robert Conrad played in a series of commercials for Eveready batteries back in the late 1970’s.  He claimed they were the best batteries ever.  If you disagreed with him, then he would put the battery on his shoulder.  Look at you and say, “I dare you to knock it off.”

So, I dare you to read the Bible aloud; not just once, but for 21 days.

What difference would that make you may say?  Perhaps you already have your morning devotion and read through your daily reading plan.  Praise God, you are in the minority, recent polls have 1 in 5 Americans reading the Bible daily.  For a Book that we espouse as the Word of God…meaning that we believe it is a written revelation from God to us; most have never read it in its entirety.

Found this scripture in the Bible, “³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”  Revelation 1:3. So, God says that there is a blessing for those who read it aloud.  I know that John was referring primarily to the book of Revelation, but the principle remains true.  There is a blessing for those who read and hear the Word of God.

Also, faith comes through hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  I know that there is spiritual hearing - when God’s Spirit is speaking to our spirit.  But I also know there is an advantage to physically hearing the Word of God.  We respond to that which we hear.

So here is the plan.

Ask God to reveal Himself to you and increase your faith.  Set a start date, then read 1 chapter of the gospel John each day for 21 days.

Husbands read over your wife, possibly as you lay down to go to sleep

Wives read over your husband while he sleeps or is at work.

Moms read over your children, possibly while they are going to sleep.

Singles read over your pets or a picture of your family

Teens turn off all media and read.  Allow yourself to become comfortable with hearing God’s word in your mouth.

For those who struggle reading aloud, it not a race.  Find a You Version app that reads the word aloud and follow along as best as you can.

After 21 days, let me know what surprised you.  Share what you enjoyed and what was difficult.

We get to use our tongue for anything that we want, this side of heaven.  Much of what comes out of our mouths we wish had never come out.  Jesus said that what comes out of our mouths reveals what has been in our heart.  So, I challenge you to intentionally allow God’s Word to ROLL off Your TONGUE.  Be prepared to Hear God’s word and put it into practice.

I’m not a tough guy, but I DARE YOU – Take the 21 Day Read the Bible ALOUD challenge.  A blessing awaits.

Where did you come from?

Where did you come from?

 ²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! ²⁹ We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” ³⁰ The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.  John 9:28-30

 Lineage is an important part of the Bible.  Just look at the chapters in the book of Numbers and 1 Chronicles that are devoted to all of the begats.  Even the New Testament starts with the generations that preceded the birth of Jesus.  

 On this Father’s day, you may reflect on your own heritage.  With DNA testing abounding, there are numerous companies willing to help you trace your family tree to countries of origin.  I am the 5^th James Rogers, that’s my middle name.  And my son, Micah James, became the 6^th. Thanks to my uncles and aunts who are passionate about genealogy, I have photos of all of those grandpa’s.

 Jesus claimed that God is God of the living not the dead.  When God spoke to Moses, he declared that “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  Not I was their God.

Regardless of your past heritage, whether you had some “low down scums” in your past or you descended from “distant royalty”, the most important question is “how are you related to God, the Father?”  John 1:9-13 states speaking of Jesus, ^“0 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

 God is a good Father.  He is always present and will never leave you nor forsake you.  He will never embarrass you or act like you are not his child.  He grants wisdom, courage, comfort, direction and love.  He does require obedience and disciplines when correction is needed.  He desires to lavish his love on us that we should be called children of God, for that is what we are. 

 You may not be able to trace your ancestry, you may not even like your family,  but you have the opportunity to be adopted as a child into the family of God. As such, your “Daddy” is the strongest, smartest, lovingest and toughest Dad ever.  That’s where you come from as a child of God.

Whispers, from your Father God - that's not for me

That’s not for me

I spoke a word of correction to you today.  You replied, “that’s not for me”.  You proceeded to tell me

how much good that you have done lately.  You were hoping to convince me that the scales of balance of good works tilted into your favor.  You wanted me to compare your behavior with that of your neighbor.  Surely, you thought that I would see your righteousness is better than the guy next door.  You dismissed my voice quickly, because you thought how well that word is for the other guy in the row behind you. 

I spoke a word of wisdom to you today.  You replied, “that’s not for me”.  From your perspective, your way seemed so much more direct and functional.  You informed me how thankful you are that I had given you a great mind and for this task you really didn’t need me…yet.  You relied on your own reasoning, in which you followed your plan to its intended conclusion…but I was not involved or expected to participate in your journey or task.

I spoke a word of comfort to you today.  You replied, “that’s not for me”.  You laid out your best argument for you deserving all of the pain that you are enduring.  You have told me again and again how unworthy you are because of your sinfulness.  My Son has already endured all the penalties and pain that are demanded from my righteous judgments.  There is no longer any condemnation…do you hear me?

I spoke to you today.  But my voice was unrecognizable in the mist of  the clutter and confusion of life.  “Why, me?”, you question.  “Why do I feel as though I am walking through this life alone?”

My spiritual Q-tip is repentance.  Accept responsibility for rejecting my voice.  Disobedience is directly related to not responding to the words that I have spoken to you, not just “doing something wrong.” Find the place in which you rejected my words to follow your own understanding. Repent for rejecting my counsel and ask to hear clearly again.

Blessed are you for hearing my words and putting them into practice.  Blessed are you for taking time to dialogue with me.  I have so much to share with you, words that will bring you comfort and direction, a hope and a future.  I am here and speaking to you.  I call you by name and I know that you will follow, because you know my voice as a good shepherd.   Include me in ALL of life…because I am speaking to you.

Whispers, from your Father, God