I’ve seen a lot of changes over my lifetime and will undoubtedly see many more.  We are much smarter than we used to be.  Well, most are.  I remember black and white television sets (that weighed a ton), phones hooked to the wall and sharing a “party line” with neighbors. Now I can watch a television program in full color…on my phone (that I always carry with me).

When I think of all the advances in the medical field, engineering, manufacturing, and agriculture, it truly boggles my mind (I mean…driverless automobiles?) . And I ask “what’s next?  What new thing will come along and change the way we do things or allow us to do things faster or better?” There is no telling.

We are indeed smarter than the generations before us and the next generations will be even smarter.  But, and this is important, we are not any wiser.  Not one bit. People ask how the Bible, written thousands of years ago, could possibly be relevant to people as intelligent and knowledgeable as we are.  The answer is this:  The Bible wasn’t written to give us information about medicine, or engineering, or manufacturing. It was written to human beings by the God who created them.  It addresses the carnal nature of mankind.  And that has not and will not change.  The brilliant scientists, hard-working manufacturers, and technological geniuses are, to their core, human beings.  

They still experience greed, lust, selfishness, sexual confusion, hate, and anger.  They still lie, cheat, steal, gossip, and slander.  No matter how brilliant the chemist, computer whiz, rocket scientist, or physician is, he or she is still driven by the things that ultimately bring about pain, heartache, broken homes, and loneliness.  The sins we face today are the exact sins with which our ancestors struggled and the ones that will plague our descendants. Hebrews  13:8 tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The reason? Because humankind does not change.  We thus need Him more than ever. Read, study, and learn your Bible:  it is the most relevant book ever written!

‬‬‬‬‬‬I was informed by a lady once that the Sabbath Day is Saturday. Thus, by my choice to call Sunday the Sabbath and doing stuff on Saturday, I was being disobedient…maybe even heretical. We were at a wedding rehearsal and it wasn’t the proper time to argue theology with a stranger, so I just told her that I respected her belief and continued the rehearsal.

Here is what I personally believe about the Sabbath:  I believe it to be an “old covenant” institution for God’s Hebrew nation to both give them a time of rest and to glorify God. While the model was certainly based on the creation story, I think the Hebrews went a little overboard on the observance. But that’s what a carnal mind does with divine commands:  it reduces them to a list of “dos” and “don’ts”. 

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.” (Exodus‬ 20‬:8‬, 10‬ NIV‬‬).  Here is a brief synopsis of what the verse says: Keep the Sabbath holy and do not do any work that day. Now, here is where the human mindset comes in.  How do we do that? The reasoning at the time was (and is now) was that to make the day holy we are to do nothing that brings us pleasure.  For instance, reading (except for scripture), watching television, listening to the radio, and recreation of any kind (plus many other things) are strictly forbidden.  

OK, we have nailed the “keep it holy” part. What about work? We can’t cook on the Sabbath (although reheating food that was cooked before sunset on Friday is permissible…as long as you do not have to build a new fire). We are told we can only walk a certain distance; no traveling in a vehicle is allowed; we can’t lift a burden (I wonder how much something must weigh before it becomes a burden). The list goes on.

While Jesus kept the Sabbath as any Jew would, He emphasized that the Sabbath was also to benefit mankind. Then, His death and resurrection ushered in the new covenant.  The law (including the Sabbath) was not voided; it was enhanced. Don’t murder?  No…don’t even get angry. Don’t commit adultery? Nope. Don’t even lust. I believe that goes for the Sabbath, also.  Keep the Sabbath holy?  How about keeping every day holy?  But what about work?  Do we take every day off?  I wish.  But most everybody takes at least one day off during the week…sometimes more.

Christians have decided to meet and sing songs of praise and worship on Sunday.  The early disciples did so because Jesus (the Lord of the Sabbath) rose from the dead on that day.  We call it the “Lord’s Day” and strive to make the day as special as possible. But, honestly, I’m more tired on Sunday than most other days of the week. 

Make every day a “sabbath” to the Lord.  Dwell on Him.  Read His word. Live out your faith so people see Him in you.  I think God will be pleased. And I’ll see you on the Lord’s Day, and we will study, worship and fellowship.

In 1918, a United States postage stamp was printed with the center image upside down. Only one sheet of 100 stamps was printed. In 2018, a single stamp from that sheet sold for almost $1.6 million! What makes a stamp worth that much money? For one thing, it is very rare. But even that doesn’t really explain why it sold for that amount. The fact of the matter is that “worth is determined by what someone is willing to give. It’s just that simple.

There are a lot of people in this world who feel that they aren’t worth much. Many think that their financial situation, social standing, material possessions, or even their weight or looks mean they lack value. Perhaps you feel that way.  So ask yourself this question: “What is someone willing to give for me?”

Look up at that cross on Calvary. See the Man hanging there? Do you see the blood running down His face, hands, and feet? Can you make out the agony on His face? You probably can’t hear His tortured whispers as He speaks. Hour after hour He suffers; the pain is unimaginable. That is the very Son of God, Creator of the universe. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. That is what you are worth to God. That’s what He is willing to give for you.

No matter who you are, no matter how the world views you, you have immense worth and value to the One who matters. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John‬ 3‬:16‬ NIV‬‬). God has a purpose and a plan for you. You are worth a lot more than some little postage stamp … to the One who matters. ‬‬‬‬‬‬

I had a visitor, David Cost, who works with Life On Wheels.  The same day, I had lunch with Randy Wolf.  Randy is a Gideon (who has visited our church on several occasions).  Randy volunteers at the Sav-A-Life organization just down the road from the church.  These organizations are both dedicated to helping women who are in a crisis situation with pregnancies.  They offer help and advice, especially in discovering alternatives to abortion.  Sav-A-Life is a brick and mortar building on Vestavia, while Life on Wheels has two mobile units that travel to different locations.  I applaud both organizations and those two men who dedicate their time and effort to providing help and information for women.

In case you haven’t noticed, I abhor abortion. I feel for women who find themselves in a situation where they feel an abortion is their only recourse to an unexpected and/or unwanted pregnancy.  For the overwhelming number of women who choose abortion the decision is gut-wrenching and seen as a last resort. God still loves those who had to make the decision,  as do I.  And I truly hope that their repentance comes forth and secures the forgiveness that every sinner needs. The blood of Christ covers all sin…even the taking of an innocent life. And that is what abortion does.

Those calloused hearts that cry out for abortion at any time for any reason use euphemistic language to try to lessen the horror of what they call for.  “It’s women’s healthcare” (what about the baby’s health care?) “My Body, My choice” (they’re not dissecting her body) “it is just a clump of cells” (we are all just a clump of cells). But the fact of the matter is an abortion ends a life.  An innocent life.  It may be harsh to say so, but it is murder.  There is a living human being in the womb, and some kill it.  

Some would say that we who oppose abortion are trying to force our religious beliefs on people. Science, however, says that life begins at conception. And I do know un-religious people who have enough common sense to know that and want to protect the life of the child in the womb.  Know this, though, the absence of that scientific fact would not permit me to disregard what the Bible says about the beginning of life: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

Who has the authority to say that something God created has no worth or value?  Certainly not you or me.

Psalms‬ 139‬:13‬-16‬ NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A current philosopher wrote that if it took a promise of eternal reward to motivate someone to do good, then that someone was a (expletive) person. To me, that is just another example of someone totally ignorant about Christianity; no concept of what salvation is and what it does. Christianity is more than just a person deciding to do good, so he/she won’t go to hell. Vastly more.

In fact, if that is the only reason you decide to do good things, I’m not too sure you’ve gained that eternal life. Suppose a man offered you $50 to wash his car. You agree and wash it. When you are through, the car is clean, but you haven’t changed a bit. You did it to enrich yourself. Did you do a good thing? I suppose the man whose car you washed would say so. Are you better off after washing it? You are 50 bucks richer. But nothing has changed about you!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Christianity is about change. You are not the same person with the same worldly outlook. You have been made new, and the Holy Spirit dwells within. Whatever good you do is done for God’s glory. You love Him, you worship Him, and you serve Him.  Life is not about you any longer. You are reborn: a new person. That new person has the heart of Christ, the Mind of Christ, and the desires of Christ. Salvation is a life-changing event.

I know the philosopher thinks himself to be knowledgeable about many things. And I’m sure he is. But his statement about Christianity shows him to be woefully ignorant about that subject. Again, just another example of Satan lying to and deceiving someone. As for me …I’d rather be ignorant about the carnal mind and to know the truth in Christ.

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff.

I am very much encouraged by all the things happening in our church. There is such an awesome spirit of cooperation, work, and excitement about ministry. This year’s church picnic/fish fry was standing room only.  The awesome presentation regarding the Shroud of Turin was truly inspiring.  The next day, the Church Council met and the talk was about ministries and the community.

The Women’s Bible Study begins on July 19 at 5 p.m. It’s exciting that the ladies are back in a Bible study and their enthusiasm is catching. The Men’s Ministry is jumping in with their James 1:27 Ministry.  It is designed to, primarily, assist our widows with any home structural needs, as well as any senior adult that needs a helping hand. And, who knows, there may be a community neighbor that needs the help of a loving church.

We discussed the continuing need of the Green Springs Ministry for food and how we are going to re-emphasize that ministry.  But there was also a focus on a backpack program for kids in need in West Alabama, the Shoebox ministry, and the associational Season of the Savior stocking emphasis over the next few months.

Let me assure you that, as your pastor, it truly does my heart good to see our church focusing on ministry in the community and across our city and state. God is going to bless that! He is going to use Church on the Bluff in a powerful way!

I think you’ll agree with me that rules are a good and necessary thing. Whether it is a board game or a sporting event, rules are important. Rules prevent chaos and bring order. Rules can protect us and prevent inequality. We are a civilized society because there are rules by which we live. Can you imagine living in a culture where there were no rules?

But what about too many rules?  That can get out of hand, too, if we aren’t careful.  Too many rules can often steal some freedoms, happiness, and peace from our lives. That is nowhere as obvious as when it comes to religion.  Christianity changed our interaction with God from simply appeasing a “god or gods” to knowing the one true God.  Not just living to make Him happy and to gain His favor but knowing God personally; having a true relationship with the One who created you.

By the time of the incarnation, the Hebrew religion had become a system of keeping rules. The “rules mindset” almost begged for more rules.  Take the first commandment, for instance. (I’m paraphrasing here) Don’t work on the Sabbath and don’t require anyone else to work. Pretty simple, huh? Nope.  People began asking the religious leaders some honest questions so that they wouldn’t inadvertently disobey God.  What, exactly constitutes work?  Can we fix a meal? Can we visit with friends if we have to walk too far? Can I milk my goat? Is it ok to mend a robe that needs it? It is interesting to read some of the Hebrew laws on how to keep the first commandment.

Rules are necessary, of course.  But if we try to use rules to be closer to God we will keep making up new ones.  I always tell folks they should seek to be closer to the Lord; they need to know him scripturally. As we get to know His character and purpose, rules will follow.  Once we understand the Bible isn’t a rule book it’s a love letter we develop rules  that draw us closer to Him.

When I worked at a TV station in Dothan I learned an important lesson.  One day I woke up feeling bad.   I went in to work because I knew they needed me.  I got progressively worse as the day wore on and it got to the point where I was coughing up blood. When I told my boss what was going on and that I needed to leave and go to the doctor, she said no. She said that there was an important car dealer about to show up to do a couple of commercials.  She strongly insinuated that it may not go well for me if I deserted them in a time of need.  So I stayed and we did the commercial.  When I drug myself to the doctor, he said I had a bad case of pneumonia. The hospital was his suggestion, but I opted for penicillin shots and bed rest. 

So here’s what I learned: my employers did not care about me and did not appreciate the work I put in.  For a young 22-year-old working his first full-time job, it was an awakening.  From that day on I only did the bare minimum.  I did it to the best of my ability and worked hard at it, but did not do anything more than what was expected of me. That was not the right attitude at all…and certainly not a Christian attitude, but all it would have taken was for my bosses to appreciate my work.  And, perhaps, to let me know that on occasion.