The essence of life is found in the 14th chapter of the book of Job.  It says, “Man, that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.”  This simple statement contains several realities.  The first thing is, it distinguishes the difference between the man created by God, from man born of a woman.  The man created by God was created perfect and existed in a perfect environment.  His life was trouble free, and his only concern was to obey God.  However, the life of man born of a woman is totally different.  By comparison, our lives are very, very short.  At first glance, to consider living beyond 70+ years seems like a long time - until you live it.  It is then the vivid words of James 4:14 hold true that our lives are like a vapor. In other words, it has come and gone before we know it.  It’s the next part of the statement that gives us woe: “and full of trouble.”  That pretty much sums it all up.  It feels sometimes either trouble is here, has just left, or is just around the corner.
 
But here’s the beauty of Job’s statement put into perspective.  If this was all there was to life: live, full of trouble, and then die - life would lack meaning, purpose and value.  What the world has missed in its assessment of the existence of God is, the true meaning of life has nothing at all to do with the measurement man uses to determine a successful life.  There is no accounting for what happens at the end of life.  What they miss is it doesn’t matter what you accomplish in your time on the planet, because you leave every bit of it behind at death.  So, what’s the point.  The real point is the “what’s next.”  The “what’s next” is what happens to us from the grave moving forward.  For the Christian, this is where life finds its fulfillment in eternity.  For the world, there is only final judgment and eternal damnation.  It’s up to us to help them understand the rest of the story.  If not us, who will?  More on this next week.
 
Blessings!
Lamar

​Last week we looked at a story of an incident that happened to a little 9 year old girl in school.  If you recall, she was chastised because she led a prayer at lunch for herself and two of her friends.  As a result, she was taken to the principal’s office, her parents were contacted and informed if she did this again, she would be suspended from the school system.  As I ended this story, I commented as Christianity has been attacked in the past; it still continues, to this day.   At the conclusion, following a thought, I asked three questions.  Here is an excerpt from last week:
 
What matters is how we choose to respond.  Do we respond with evil hearts?  Absolutely not!  Are we to defend God regardless the cost?  I say no.  Are we to seek peace if peace is possible? To that, a resounding yes (Romans 12:18).
 
I want to clarify the point of the second question, ”Are we to defend God regardless of the cost?”
 
As I answered no, my point was not a question of defending God.  It was directed at our attitude and disposition as we do so. In all moments, as his ambassadors, we are to remember that we represent God.  Therefore, even in the face of evil, God does not give us permission to sink to a level lower than that of his children in our response.  We are to honor God in ALL our actions because it is love that draws the world to the cross, and not our arguments. So as the body of Christ moves forward in our effort to reach the lost, we must remember to lead with love first, then we will discover, our message will be heard.
 
Blessings!
Lamar

​Last week we looked at a situation concerning Joe Kennedy, the coach whose praying on the field after his teams’ football games made it all the way to the Supreme Court.  This week I want to introduce you to a story I recall from a few years ago. This  happened to a little 9 year old girl in school.  She and two of her friends had sat down to eat their lunches, when the little girl suggested they should pray first.  Having led her friends in prayer, later that day she was called to the principal's office where she was chastised for praying in school.  Also, her parents were called, and informed that if their daughter did such again, she would be removed from the school system.  When I read this story a number of years ago, I was confused as to why they would treat saying a simple prayer as though she had participated in some horrible crime.  Now, time has allowed me to see clearer. I now realize that was the beginning of much of what we see happening today.  Christianity has in the past, and will continue in the future, to come under attack from those in the world who oppose God. What matters is how we choose to respond.  Do we respond with evil hearts?  Absolutely not!  Are we to defend God regardless the cost?  I say no.  Are we to seek peace if peace is possible? To that, a resounding yes.  However, in situations where our rights are being threatened, appealing to legal sources may be the correct response, as long as we can do it in the spirit and love of Jesus Christ.  I believe that is the answer the world is really seeking.  They are looking for him and waiting to see him in us.  Let your light shine!!
 
Blessings!
Lamar

​We have noticed in our study of the book of Mark that every time Jesus was confronted by an evil spirit, the spirit succumbed to the will of Jesus.  Mark uses these moments to reinforce the fact that Jesus is in control of all things at all times.  Mark also did this to encourage believers to continue to trust in Christ regardless of their circumstances - even death at the hands of the evil emperor Nero.
 
I see a very similar situation taking place today because Satan is still at work. Often when Christians exercise their right to pray, someone (Satan’s tool) gets threatened and the end result is the courts getting involved.  This happened recently to a football coach who prays at the conclusion of every game. Spectators didn’t like this and complained to the school. The coach was told he must refrain from praying, because someone might assume the school endorses prayer. The coach refused and was fired. His appeal made it all the way to the Supreme Court which sided with the coach who concluded this matter should have never been an issue.
 
I mentioned this issue because Christians are under attack, and now we have gotten to a place where no longer are we judged by what a person does or says; but now can be judged by what is perceived to be true.  However, the world supports every group regardless of their immoral stance, but when it comes to prayer or anything Godly, they attempt to strip us of our right to personally exercise our faith.  What are we to do?  Find out next week.
 
Blessings!
Lamar