Does God Really Know You?

Marsha Kaitz, a psychology professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, did a test to see how well mothers know their babies.  According to the Associated Press, the 46 mothers chosen for the test had all given birth in the previous five to 79 hours.  They had all breast fed their newborn.

Each mother was blindfolded and then asked to identify which of three sleeping babies was her own.  Nearly 70 percent of the mothers correctly chose their baby.  Most of the mothers said they knew their child by the texture or temperature of the infant's hand.  The woman apparently learned the identifying features during routine contact, said Kaitz, because they weren't allowed to study their babies to prepare for the experiment.

70 percent of the Moms could identify their child.  That's pretty impressive.  Even more impressive is Almighty God's ability to know His children.  It's 100%!

That's the word from the psalmist David.  Read Psalm 139 this week to learn more.  David writes it clearly - God knows you through and through.  From the time your alarm clock goes off in the morning until you switch off the bedroom light at night and hit the sack, God knows what you've done, where you've been and what you've said.  There is no place where you can hide from His Spirit.  There is no darkness that can conceal you.  From the moment of your conception until this very moment, God has you on His heavenly GPS screen.

And that's good! When we're honored for our hard work on the job, God knows and rejoices.  When we pound the pavement seeking any kind of a job, God knows and is with you.  God's searching knowledge of us leads us to put down our guard and be transparently honest with Him.  His Law shows how we have offended the Lord and so His Spirit leads us to repentance and faith.  His Gospel reassures us of the Lord's forgiveness and salvation.  We have His promise - the Lord will lead us in the way everlasting.  May God bolster your faith as you pray Psalm 139 this week.

It was a mighty fine week

We began the week with visitors from Peoria - Todd and Jo.  We hiked Fernwood Botanical Gardens and then sipped a glass of wine at a local winery with great views.  Tuesday we walked the bluff and had some beautiful views of Lake Michigan.  On Wednesday they left and so did my dear, sweet wife.  Sherri attended the Juice Plus conference in Indianapolis.

While she was gone Jake (our sweet dog) and I batched it.  I didn't have a car so we stuck close to home.  Did our mile and a half morning walk, did some "honey do" chores, watched the Arizona Cardinals lose another game they should have won and just took it easy.  Sherri returned on Friday and we binge-watched several more episodes or "White Collar," which is soon to leave Netflix.  Sherri is especially unhappy with this development.

Saturday Sherri attended a woman's retreat at church and I traveled with my youngest daughter and my grandson to Holland Michigan to watch him play in a soccer game.  His team has been together for three years and they are beginning to play like a real team.  Quick movement of the ball on offense with tenacious defense.  They really are fun to watch and they were the victors 5 to 3.

Yesterday we went to Bible class and church.  The Bible class is led by someone who has become a good friend.  He is an excellent teacher and I was pleased that he unpacked Psalm 77, one of my favorites. After church we went out to celebrate his wife's 70th birthday.  I want to say that she is 70 years young because she had a cheerful spirit and caring heart.  We'll miss them when we leave Michigan.

This week we begin packing for our return home.  It had been a wonderful summer but I'm ready to go.  I'll be back in the swing of things, so to speak, by preaching on Sunday at Christ the Redeemer and teaching on Thursday at Church of the Master.  And I'm finally going to start working on the book of devotions that I've talked about for years.  

That was my week.  Hope yours is enjoyable and filled with God's blessings!

How To Size Up A Person

In Matthew, chapter 15, Jesus said to a crowd: Listen and understand.  What goes into a man's mouth does not make him "unclean," but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean."

The Pharisees, Jesus' self-righteous enemies, considered a person unclean or unacceptable to God by failing to keep their regulations and traditions.  The Pharisees rule book far exceeded the commands of God.  For example, the Pharisees had very specific regulations about when and how a person should wash their hands.  But the people were expected to know and to keep every little rule.

The disciples didn't quite get what Jesus meant and asked him to explain His little parable.  Here's verses 16-20: Are you still so dull? Jesus asked them.  Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a mouth come from the heart and these make a man "unclean."  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man "unclean;" but eating with unwashed hands does not make him "unclean."

Jesus does something very revealing here.  He described the defilement of a person in much different terms than the Pharisees.  The Lord teaches that defilement comes from an impure hearts.  What seperates a person from God is not what they eat but by their sinful and unrepentant ways.

So if you really want to know what a person is made of just listen to what they say and write.  Do their words defend or accuse? Do their words lift up or tear down.  Do their words frame a person's actions in the best and kindest way or is their goal to hurt and ruin a reputation.  Oh, we all need to repent for things we've said and done that failed to keep God's command.  Have mercy on us, O Lord! Still, if you really want to know what is in a person's heart, then do as Jesus advises - hear what comes out of their mouth.

The difference between darkness and light

Darkness is not knowing God and, even worse, not realizing that you are living for Satan.  Darkness is confusion over goodness and evil; it is not really understanding that true goodness can only be inspired by God's grace.  Darkness is looking at death with a big question mark or, more honestly, in complete fear.  Light is the opposite.  A person who stands in the light of Jesus and His revelation of God the Father knows God, flees the devil, loves good, hates evil.  He know that he can face death, for in Christ he has already died and risen again, and that his death is but a continuation of the life he now has but far greater.

from "Gospel Motivation" by Robert J. Koester, Northwestern Publishing House, page 113. 

The Friday Funny

A pastor and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates.  St. Peter greeted both of them and gave them their room assignments.

"Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units.  And for you, sir (the lawyer) here are the keys to our finest penthouse suite."

The pastor cried, "This is unfair.  Shouldn't I be given the better place?"

St. Peter replied, "Listen, pastors up here are a dime a dozen, but this is the first lawyer we've seen!"

(Apologies to all lawyers)

Handle with Care!

I received a package the other day with a huge sticker which read, "Handle With Care!" That got my attention. How do we deal with such packages?  We pick them up more gingerly.  We sit them down more carefully.  An ordinary package might get tossed on the kitchen table or in the trunk of our car.  Not so with a "Handle With Care" package.  We want to protect the contents of the package.  We want to make sure that nothing is damaged or broken.  "Handle With Care" packages are special and important.

According to Psalm 121, God sees you as His very special "Handle With Care" person.  Five times in eight verses, we learn that God "watches" over you.  The root of this word in the Hebrew language means "to exercise great care over."  How does God show great care for you?

Psalm 121 tells the story - God gives you His undivided attention.  He is watching you at all times, not just when it is convenient for Him.  Even when you are asleep, God is wide awake, watching and caring for you.  The psalmist makes it clear that there is no trial or trouble that can separate you from your Heavenly Father's protection and care.

Next time you're tempted to wonder if God is really paying attention to you, remember verse eight - "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more."  This promise is sure and certain and it is for you! 

Excel at greeting guests and visitors

In watching the videos of those who went to church the Sunday following the Charlie Kirk assassination I was cheered to hear so many speak of how warmly they were greeted.  The regular church goer does not realized that one of the most frightening things a person can do is attend a church where you don't know a soul and have no idea what is waiting for you when you arrive.

So, how does your church do in this important work?  If someone were to visit your church for the first time would they grade you church as warm and welcoming?  Would your church receive a passing grade?

Can I make a few suggestions? First, "good morning" is barely a greeting, especially to a newcomer.  With many folks it sounds perfunctory.  If a greeter welcomes someone they do not recognize, say: "Good morning! I don't believe I know you.  My name is ______."

99 times out of 100 the person will respond with their name.  They might even tell you that they are new to the area and looking for a church.  Or they might say that it is their first time attending your church.  With that information you can make sure they receive a bulletin or newsletter.  If your church has some kind of welcoming gift, make sure they receive one.  Help them find a place to sit (visitors usually are more comfortable in the back of the sanctuary.)  If they have children or youth, let them know where their kids might want to go.

When greeters make a good first impression it's that much easier for the pastor to connect with the visitor after the service.  And that goes a long way toward encouraging that person or family to return again.

Excel at greeting guests and visitors.  With everything happening in the world today, you might just come across someone who is seeking hope and peace.  What a privilege to point that person to the giver of lasting hope and peace, our Lord Jesus.