Fall Creek Christian Church

"At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter..." Luke 25:54-62 I wasn't sure how the young man was going to react. Getting caught in a bald-faced lie is not a great way to start the day. To make matters worse, he was lying about not stealing. There he was guiltier than guilty having just broken two of the top ten commandments. His face went flush and he mumbled something as he walked away. He never did own up to what he had done and certainly never made restitution. I wish he would have, for his sake not mine.   Jesus' friend Peter knew what it felt like to be called out for failing. He lied three times about not knowing Jesus. It was a tough spot to be in. I get it. Jesus was just arrested. His friends were on the run. He had no idea what was about to happen and what that would mean for him. He panicked and lied, three times. The rooster crowed. It was the signal Jesus had told Peter about a few hours earlier. It was then that Jesus turned towards Peter and t...

"Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!...How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:28-44 It happened again. Another regular monthly bill just went up without even the tiniest of a heads up. I don't know why I keep getting surprised by this apparent standard business practice. Now, I'll have to call to get the next newest short-term deal. I'm sure this pattern will continue until Jesus returns and my expectation as a customer to always get the best service at the best price will remain unmet. As Jesus rides into Jerusalem amidst the shouts and songs of the people, countless expectations are in play. The most obvious was the people's expectations of Jesus' Kingship. Drive the Romans out of Israel. Establish the nation of Israel to its former glory and beyond. Within the week, their expectat...

"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Luke 16:1-15 So, what would you do if you won the lottery? Not the scratch off $10,000 lottery. No, I'm talking the $700,000,000 mega-super-lotsa-tons-o-money lottery. Many who win end up bankrupt. Some lose family and friendships. Some do okay, but not many. I'd like to think I'd be outrageously generous and not let it change the way I do life, but I honestly don't know. Jesus discussed money and wealth all the time. Here, in Luke 16, Jesus continues with another parable. In it, he presents a manager who got himself in trouble and then "shrewdly" found a way out of it. He then tells those listening how one who is following him should use worldly wealth. Serve others. Be faithful with little. Take good care of others' property. Always prioritize God over wealth. Jesus knew that money and all the privilege, prestige and power that came with...

"If at that time you and your children return to the Lord your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today, then the Lord your God will restore all your fortunes. He will have mercy on you..." Deuteronomy 30:1-20 Okay, so installing windows is not in my wheelhouse. It didn't seem like a such a big deal. I had a towel on the frame to cushion the light taps from a rubber mallet. It was a simple attempt to square the window up before sealing it up. It worked! The only problem was the window pane shattered to make that last little adjustment possible. Thankfully, a phone call, a new pane and a few bucks later it was all restored.   At risk of making the understatement of the millennium, Moses had his hands full with the people of Israel. Forty years was a long time to wander the desert with very difficult travel companions. As his time on earth was nearing its close, he warned them against breaking God's laws. He ...

"The disciples were terrified and amazed. 'Who is this man?'...people in the region of the Garasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone for a great wave of fear swept over them. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him." Luke 8:22-39 Several years ago now, a friend rolled into town with a his newly acquired Dodge Viper. Basically, it's a massive engine with wheels attached to it. "Want to drive?" he asked. "Absolutely!" I said trying my best to blunt my uneasiness. As soon as I released the clutch and stepped on the gas pedal, I thought to myself, "This road trip isn't going to end well." Heart pounding, I pulled over, smiled and gave him his keys.  The disciples, the townspeople and the man liberated from demonic bondage all responded to the power of Jesus in very different ways. The disciples responded with fear and amazement. I'm scared, but I simply must follow. The townspeople were cold b...

"I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people...Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven...'" Luke 2:8-38 At a recent baptism of a new believer in Jesus, I was reminded about rejoicing angels. Jesus said that all of heaven rejoices whenever there is a soul saved. I love the words of a preacher at such a time who said, "Glory! We made a little noise in heaven today!" The angels also praise and rejoice being in God's presence. They also praise and rejoice at the works of God. Those are such special moments when we join them. As Luke unpacks the arrival of Jesus, there is rejoicing and praising going on all over the place. Yep, the angels were right on cue and right on key with their praise. The shepherds skipped with joy back to their sheep with praise on their lips. Simeon couldn't contain his joy as prophetic praise poured out of his mo...

  "She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them." Luke 2:1-7   After watching the film "Greater" recently, I was confronted once again with the harsh reality that blessings from God do not always follow obedience to God. The family in this true story was absolutely rocked to the core. If you haven't seen this film yet, please watch it. We have such a hard time embracing God's sovereign 30,000-foot reality when we are living in a 10-foot world. Good = Blessed. Right?    I have to believe some of these thoughts had to be whirling through Joseph's mind as he brought his betrothed to Bethlehem. She's very pregnant with a child that isn't his. They're forced to travel over rough terrain for miles. He couldn't even find a proper place to stay to have the baby. Another account records he had to flee with them to Egypt to escape a homi...