Fall Creek Christian Church

  "This place was also called Mizpah, for Laban said, "May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this treaty when we are out of each other's sight. I won't know about it if you are harsh to my daughters or if you take other wives, but God will see it."   Genesis 31:49-50  Several years ago, as I was driving away from the gas pump, I noticed the amount I paid for the gas and the amount on the pump were not the same. The attendant had undercharged me by five cents. I was already running late and "it was only five cents" so I kept driving. I was haunted that next week. I saw nickels everywhere - on the counter, in the car, on the dresser, in my dreams ... Ugh! Relief finally came when the next week, I went to that same station, slapped the nickel down on the counter and blurted out, "Here's your nickel!" Our verses today record part of a scene when two men, Jacob and Laban, enter into a treaty with each other. ...

“Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority." I Peter 3:22 There have been more times than I care to admit where I've had an authority problem. And like the lyric to a famous song I've discovered, "When I fight authority, authority always wins." It doesn't matter if I get caught or not. Rebellion has never served me well. Sooner or later, I come to regret those decisions that represent me demanding my way particularly those that run contrary to Jesus' instructions. In our verse for the day, Peter provides us with a glimpse behind the curtain into the throne room of God. Jesus is there seated in the place of honor next to God. Angels are there. Authorities and powers are there too. In the world unseen to us, there is no confusion as to who is in charge. They all get it. Jesus rules.  Meanwhile, back here on earth, a battle rages. There are pretender...

"For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die."  Philippians 1:20  As I watched one of our brave military members receive their congressional medal of honor, I was completely mesmerized. The acts of heroism recited and recognized by those honoring them left me wanting to be a better person. My mind whirled imagining the scene they encountered and the decisions they made in the midst of it. It was inspiring to all to see such selflessness, courage, and sacrifice. Honor matters. In our verse for the day, we find honor prominently placed right next to Jesus. He embodied honor at every level in every circumstance he faced. What "medal" is he worthy of? His Father bestowed upon him the "name that is above every name." What about us? What could we possibly give Jesus that wou...

"When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!" II Cor.  10:18 A few weeks ago, during a men's softball game, I fell victim to the visions of granduer that sometimes plagues us middle aged men. A deep line drive provided me the opportunity to do my best Willie Mays over-the-shoulder catch impersonation. Well, let's just say there is a very good reason why he played major league baseball and I didn't. While looking over my shoulder to catch the ball, I failed to notice the chain link fence that was closing in on me at a high rate of speed. When I regained my senses, I was bleeding and bruised from head to toe. Worst of all, however, was the fact that I had dropped the ball when I hit the fence! My moment to boast of my "greatest catch ever" was lost. Not only could I not commend myself as a great softball outfielder, I actually succeeded in imprinting my below average athletici...

"Then King David went in and sat down before the Lord and prayed. Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving me a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!"  I Chronicles 17:16-17 There are no shortages of examples in my life of times when I have embarrassed myself and those around me. My propensity to say and do things that miss the mark is one I cannot deny. Humiliation and self-depreciation follow closely behind these episodes. Finally, there is a struggle to regain my footing and move forward. Does this pattern sound familiar? In our verses for the day, we see David humbled before God. His humility, however, was not rooted in his failures even though he had his fair share of those. It was rooted in his clear recognition of his comparative smallness in the presence of God. One commentator expressed it this way, "Humility is not...

"... Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable."  Romans 12:17 There are very few words left these days that universally generate positive emotions and thoughts.  The word "honorable" is one of those. Recently, I had to have some body work done on one of our vehicles after a little fender bender initiated by a family member, who will remain unnamed.  We were very pleased with the work and that the cost was less than the estimate.  In addition, they sent the car to be detailed inside and out after the repair was completed!  The car was returned to us in far better condition than we had dropped it off. I'm thinking that the manager had read our verse for the day.  Conducting oneself in an honorable way leaves a lasting impression.  I won't ever feel the need to seek out a different body shop.  Living honorably is such a big deal that God saw fit to address it in his word so that we would address it with him in our daily liv...