HOW WORTHY IS GOD, IF WE ARE TO LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF HIM?

For one thing, He has a kingdom. A kingdom Christians want to be a part of. A kingdom to set our eyes on.

If we try to live as if we're worthy of God, we won't succeed. For none, not even one, is worthy. Yet by God's grace, and the atonement for sin by His Son, we are justified. As I've said before, quoting an anonymous source justified means "just as if I'd never sinned". But we can't stop there, for God also wants us sanctified or made righteous.

One quality of sanctification and how we can live our lives for Him is through love. After all, Jesus told us that the most important commandment was to love God. The second most important to love our neighbors as ourselves.

A great example from scripture is Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, who demonstrated extravagant love for the Savior. She anointed Jesus with expensive nard, an ointment/spice from an alabaster jar. As He reclined at the table, she poured out the best she had to offer for Jesus. She anointed his head and feet. To the displeasure of some of the men gathered there. It was worth approximately one year's wages. (Matt 26:6-13)

Jesus not only corrected the disapproving, "The poor will always be with you. You only have me for a little while," but but added that her story will be remembered and retold through scripture.

It seems that Mary "got it" when those closest to Jesus, the disciples didn't. Her display of her capacity of love called out that deed that had effects for years and years. Pouring out the best we have for the Lord is what makes us more worthy.

JEALOUS, YESSIREE

Oprah. Kobe. Hillary. Barack. Shaquille.

There aren't too many in today's society known by only their first name. And only one has her own magazine. With her picture on every cover. Hitchcock might have been in every movie he made, but he didn't promote himself as much as Oprah.

She won an Oscar, I believe, for her performance in a great movie, The Color Purple. If she didn't, she should have. But that's the last good thing I'm going to say about her.

Raised a Baptist, she said she stopped following organized religion when she heard a preacher say "God is a jealous God." Oprah didn't like that. She wanted God to be what she wanted Him to be.

Lots and lots of folks want that, too. That's is to make God in their own image. It escapes me now where in scripture it was pointed out that since God had created all there is, He is sovereign, not they. But to think otherwise, that God is not satisfying you by His ways, is just a little self-centered. Rather like putting your mug on the cover of your magazine. Every month.

Even if she feels that way why does she have to share her mis-belief with her followers? Does she want a following based on her spiritual beliefs? Is she trying to be a god(dess)? Is she trying to get others to question their faith? Is she trying purposely to lead others away from God by her disbelief?

But what about all the people she helps? All the money she gives to worthy causes? It's a heart issue. And I won't go there. I'm not supposed to nor can judge someone else. I can do the math, though. If her income exceeds $10 million annually and she gives away only $1 million to a church, then she's not even tithing as scripture dictates.

If she serves others out of the goodness of her heart, then she's doing what scripture stresses. If she's giving to others to promote herself, then she's received her rewards on earth; there won't be any forthcoming in heaven. To receive the rewards in heaven, one is to give lovingly and anonymously.

Who am I to tell Oprah how to live and how to give? Absolutely nobody. But there's a great model in the Holy Bible. It was inspired by a jealous God who wants our attention and devotion. And He doesn't need a magazine cover or tv show. Plus, He probably had plenty of Oscars in Heaven.

AND THE EARTH QUAKED IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Our son was out of town. Our daughter in California called. She had reached him in a nearby town at a conference. Yes, he had felt the earthquake last week. His oldest son had awakened, but not his other two children. The dog had barked and barked. He had felt it at 4:37 AM as he sat at his computer before leaving for the conference.

But we couldn't reach him. I got a hold of my brother. He said he felt it shake his bed and thought, "The Lord is coming."

When good friend Nelson from Scottsdale called to see how our family back in MTV was after the quake, I told him my brother's response. Nelson replied, "Man, I wish the Lord had come."

That's the kind of Christian he is. My thoughts were a little different. I know I'm ready for the Lord. There's nothing else I can do. I've accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I've repented of my sins. I am a follower of Jesus. I sincerely love and adore Him.

But I'm not quite ready. I'd like to see how this all plays out. I'm pretty satisfied with my life now. I like worshipping and serving Him here. Don't get me wrong. I'm looking forward to claim my part in His kingdom. I'm assured of that. But I don't mind a little more earth time to see how my children grow and what my grandchildren will become.

Maybe I have one foot too firmly planted here because Nelson has four beautiful daughters that he has to enjoy and appreciate and he's ready. He's the kind of Christian I look up to.

And when the rapture comes, oh yes, I want to meet my savior in the sky (Rev 20;1-5). Don't ever think I would want to be left behind. Right now, I'm just not in a hurry. But, on the other hand, I'm ready and looking forward to the day.

"DON'T DIE ON THIRD"

When I was 4 years old, I lived next door to our pastor. Naturally I had to be good. Well, most of the time. Maybe that's why we moved when I was 5.

Our pastor was Rev. Otho Williams, a highly respected minister known throughout the state. A devout Christian, he took an interest in youth. My cousin took an interest in his daughter, but that's another story. (Just like the writing to the right. Do you read it as Good or Evil?)

Pastor Williams coached a youth baseball team back in the early 50's, according to Logan St. Baptist interim Pastor Wendall Garrison. He told his players that once they reached base, they had to make it home. "Don't die on third (base)" was his constant call.

Of course being a minister, he was able to relate his baseball knowledge to scripture about finishing the race (1Cor 9:27), not being disqualified for the prize. The prize of course is the kingdom of heaven. And one must stay strong in the Lord to be able to go home, that is, to receive his reward. But the race is for the strong and one cannot come up short.

One of his former baseball players was wounded in Korea a few years after he played for Rev. Williams. It was a severe wound that took his life. Before he died, he sent word: "Tell Otho I didn't die on third." He had run the race. He had fought the good fight.

But it doesn't stop with this inspirational story. We, too, must finish the race. We, too, must fight the good fight. By being in prayer, being in the Word, being in worship service, and being servants for our Lord and Savior. It's a strict training regiment. But as Rev. Garrison said Sunday, and what my former neighbor would say, we can't go through life merely doing what we want to do. We have to do what God wants us to do. We can't die at first, second, or third base.

"WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME..."

This past weekend I had three friends pass away. One was a grade school and high school friend. One was on my Little League baseball team. The other I played against in Church League Basketball. His three sons played on our son's Little League teams, and his oldest was in our Rotisserie Baseball League.

And, yet, I never had a spiritual discussion with any of them. I'm sure two of them attended church regularly, at least at one time. But why did the most important thing in our lives never come up in any discussions or small talk I ever made with them?

Was it my fault? Was I ashamed of the gospel? Was I so self-centered that I thought if I discuss my religious convictions that they would judge me poorly in today's world? Was I an agent of God put specifically into their lives to direct them to Jesus?

I really don't have any answers, but in my most recent entries, I've addressed the same issue, so I'd say it's weighing on my heart. Is the Holy Spirit nudging me? After 12 weeks of studying Experiencing God by Blackaby, I should know God is constantly working right down the middle of my life. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit by prayer, the Word, church, and circumstances of our lives. The most telling thing of all is that if God is not speaking to us, then we don't have a relationship with Him.

So while I may not have answers, Mr. Blackaby does. And God certainly does. We simply cannot be nebulous in our talk. No talk about our spirituality is unimportant. We serve a living God, the Great I Am. Let us proclaim Him and our allegiance.

PSALMS AND REVELATIONS

Isn't it funny how sometimes we overlook the obvious? There are psalms, but the book is Psalm. It's the same with the book of Revelation, though of course John received revelations. I guess it's not too important, but as Christians, we can't be too careful. We don't want someone to not hear the message because we messed up.

That used to be a real fear of mine. If I say the wrong thing, if I push a non-believer too far, if I make him feel uncomfortable, if I somehow elevate my religious status, then just maybe I've kept him out of the kingdom. What I omitted is that I don't dictate who is in the kingdom by what I do or don't do: it's the Holy Spirit in his life.

Now while that may not be entirely correct when I disavow my importance. I must be salt and light to the world. I must not make another stumble by my actions. I may just illuminate enough to make another want what I have--that is peace, love, joy , patience...(Gal 5:22-23). But if I fail in my attempt to help win one to Christ, I'm sure that God will send another to witness to him. Just as in my life, He put just the right people at just the right time for me. He's God. That's what He does best. I mean besides creating, loving, forgiving, ...(The Holy Bible).

We simply can never praise Him enough. And if we have trouble in our evangelical efforts, we can always simply give our testimony of what God has done in our lives. No one can refute or deny that. It's something we must share. Something that we must give away.

IF GOD LOVES ME, WHY CAN'T HE HELP ME OPEN MY LOCKER?

That's the title of a now dated teen devotional book from 20 years or so ago. While the title may be catchy, it does play a sour note with me.

After 9/11 there was much talk about where God was and how He could allow that tragedy to happen. Why was God mad at us was also posed.

It's easy to accept the good things God blesses us with. We readily accept them. Unfortuately, we act as if somehow we were deserving, we were entitled to them and it was nice (and only right) that God recognized that fact.

But when things don't go our way, we have a tendency to question God and wonder if He's worthy of our trust. If we don't trust God, then we are in the clutches of circumstance. We either move into the despair of hopelessness (chance) or we trust God. And that's the difference between apples and oranges.

There was harmony for a brief period of time. Until Genesis 3 and the disobedience of Eve and Adam. This is the only explanation the Bible gives for telling us why there is suffering in the world. Instead of telling why there is suffering, scripture tells us how to overcome it. And it's never easy.

It wasn't easy for God either. Not when He saw His Son hanging on the cross. His answer was three days later. We never go through suffering alone. God is with us. Is He trustworthy? Count on it. He'll never leave us; He'll never forsake us. As Joshua is about to die (Joshua 23:14) he says "not one of all God's promises has failed".

It's up to you. "In the world you've got trouble. In me you have peace." (John 16:33) My prayer is that in the middle of pain and suffering I'll trust God. After all, He's the apple of my eye.