Fall Creek Christian Church

"If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels."  Luke 9:26 We've all been in those, "Share your most embarrassing moment" conversations.  Stories range from misspoken words to inappropriate actions to anything else imaginable.  Laughter normally follows the stories, which is the point of course.  There are, however, shamed filled moments that are no laughing matter. In our verse for the day, Jesus mentions the most important ... shame for knowing him and for following what he says.  To be ashamed of him and his word sets us up for a bad day when he returns in all of his glory.  He will be ashamed of us. O my ... I don't know about you, but I really really do not want to be one of Jesus' "most embarrassing moments" stories.  What are we doing or not doing that betrays a shame for Jesus in our hearts?  What are we v

"I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. ... 'I am not even worthy to come and meet you.  Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.' ... The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news."  Luke 6:47-48, Luke 7:7, Psalm 68:11 My 6th grade teacher was my favorite.  He was tough, but fair.  His expectations were high and articulated very clearly.  It was one of the few moments in my life where I actually wanted to sit in the front row.  In doing so, I made sure I was listening to what he had to say. The Bible puts a premium on listening, particularly when God is speaking.  Our verses for the day tell us that God's word provides a solid foundation, unleashes his power, and results in the heralding of good news.  We're told also that the heavens declare his glory and

"But you have raised a banner for those who honor you-- a rallying point in the face of attack.  Use your strong right arm to save us, and and rescue our beloved people. ... Oh please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.  With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes."  Psalm 60:4-5, 11-12 I've had the privilege of personally sitting down and listening to some of our WWII heroes as they recount some of their harrowing experiences in the war.  Grenades. Foxholes. Snipers. Chaos. Confusion.  Scenes of life and death struggle.  One marine told me of walking up the mountain on Iwo Jima.  He watched those in front of him carrying a large flag.  As he made his way out of the jungle into the next clearing ... There it was, waving in the wind.  A rallying point, a banner of hope and victory. King David, who wrote this Psalm, knew the horrors of war.  He had looked for the rallying point banner in the midst of battle man

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."   Numbers  14:24 In the too few moments in my life where I could honestly say, "I got it right", each one would have a connection point with God's instructions.  I have never experienced regret, guilt or shame when I chose to trust and obey God.  I am unable to recall any time when I did not obey God and left feeling good about it. In Numbers 14, we find a man named Caleb who got it right.  God told Moses to send some men to explore the land which he was about to give to the Israelites.  Ten of them decided to change the mission.  They decided it was their job to determine whether or not it was a good idea to take possession of the land or not, essentially disregarding God's instructions.  They got it wrong and it cost them their lives.  Caleb, however, was firmly fixed on one question:  What did

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with surging."  Psalm 46:1-3 Life seems to follow a pattern of:  Storms approaching, Storms raging, Storms subsiding.  The older we get the less surprised we are at this pattern.  However, regardless of age or mounting experiences, the fury of the storm never loses its sting.  It still hurts when others are cruel.  It still concerns when resources are not matching needs.  It still grieves to say, "Good-bye."  Broken dreams still break the heart. This reality was not lost on the writers of this Psalm.  They got it.  Perhaps, it's better to say, "They got him."  Ever-present trouble requires ever-present help.  The ground beneath our feet may give way.  The towering strength of the mountain may crumble.  The sea may rise in fur