Putting A Stop Sign Up To Gossip

Recently I was asked to define gossip and to explain the difference between gossiping and calling out injustice. I gave the definitions I've learned during various Bible studies along with a few other thoughts. Then I went and prayed, something I realize I should have done first. While I was in prayer a question boiled up in my heart. It's a simple question, one I am going to start asking myself often. I passed it along to the person who asked about gossiping and would like to pass it along to you just to give you something to think about.

Before I do so, I admit to you that this is an area where I have not always been in the right. This question has already helped me see how far off course I am. It is a question which, if you answer honestly and prayerfully, will likely change your conversations. Are you ready for change? Then start asking yourself:

"Is this a conversation I can have about someone I truly love?"

It's that simple. But keep in mind that followers of Jesus are called to love everyone. So anything we would say about anyone should be limited by the fact that we love that person. And anything that can't be said out of love?...well...you should probably keep your mouth shut.

They Were Outside in Prayer

How's your prayer life? How about your church's prayer life. I ask because it seems like time and time again when there is a life changing event there are also people praying. It's as if God orchestrates His timing in such a way that His biggest blessings are received when His people seek Him in prayer. So if your prayer life or your church's prayer life are off, you might be missing out.

I wonder if Zacharias and Elizabeth understood the blessings of prayer before John was born. I suspect that they did. After all, Luke tells us that "...they were both righteous before God." (Luke 1:7). I suspect anyone who is counted as righteous likely has a good prayer life. We know from the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) that faith factors in as well. So most likely Zacharias and Elizabeth were people of faith who, although left without a child, continued to believe in God and to lift up prayers of faith in their Lord God.

And so it was that while Zacharias was alone fulfilling His duties in the temple that he was surprised by the appearance of an angel (Luke 1:11-12). As exciting and impressive as this is, it's important that we don't overlook what was going on outside the temple while Zacharias was inside. The Bible tells us that while Zacharias was inside the temple the people were outside praying (Luke 1:10). Remember the chain of events that is about to happen. Zecharias sees an angel and learns that he will have a son. This son was to be unique and would prepare the way for the savior of the world. What are the people of God doing as God's plans are revealed by an angel? They are praying!

Furthermore the angel tells Zacharias that his prayer has been answered. Prayer was an important part of God's plan. It was important that Zacharias and Elizabeth be people of prayer even though his faith was not perfect. It was important that the people were praying. How do we know it's important? We know because the Bible mentions these prayers. Were they all praying for Zacharias to have a son? I doubt it and I doubt Zacharias and Elizabeth were praying for someone like John. But it was important that they were praying and their prayers put them all in position to witness God in action.

I do not think it a coincidence that the people were praying when the angel appeared. I believe that an individual and a church that are dedicated to prayer will get many chances to see God in action today. So I ask again, how is your prayer life? How is your church's prayer life? Are you missing out?

Are Christians Innocent and What Happened on the Cross?

The cross: Christianity's most recognizable symbol. Believers look upon it and are reminded of the gift of salvation offered to all and received by those who believe. But the people of Rome likely saw something else. Back then crosses stood in public places for all to see and for passersby the cross made one single declaration. It was Rome's way of announcing that a person had been tried and found guilty as charged. But who is really guilty when it comes to the cross of Jesus Christ? To answer that question we must look at what really happened upon that cross.

To best understand what happened on the cross of Jesus Christ we need only look at what happened to Barabbas. Barabbas had been found guilty of taking part in a rebellion during which someone was murdered. He and his co-conspirators were being kept on Rome's version of death row when Pontus Pilate offered to turn loose one prisoner. Pilate offered the people a choice between releasing Barabbas or releasing Jesus. The people chose Barabbas. As a result, the guilty went free leaving the innocent to die in his place.

The Bible says that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We are all guilty of violating our creator's moral standard. As a result we all have been sentenced but not all will receive the punishment we have earned. Our creator has made a choice. As a result you and I have the opportunity to go free. In our place we leave behind the innocent who served our sentence. Like Barabbas we can go free knowing that Jesus, the Son of God, suffered a punishment that was meant for us.

So what really happened at the cross? An innocent man, a man who never sinned, died and the guilty went free. Who was guilty? Who really deserves to be punished? Barnabbas was guilty. I am guilty. You are guilty. We all have been found guilty. And yes Christians were found guilty as charged. Fortunately our Judge chose to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for our sins. By faith we can choose to agree with God that we are guilty and that because of what happened on that cross, our sins are fully forgiven and completely washed away.

Is The Church Still A Source of Hope?

Is today's church a source of hope during difficult times?

One of my favorite television shows is Food Network's Restaurant Impossible, starring Robert Irvine. In each episode Chef Irvine visits a failing restaurant. Early episodes involved Irvine showing up unexpectedly, having been invited by someone close to the restaurant's owner. More recently Irvine's visits are scheduled but owners sometimes still seem caught off guard by the force of Irvine's personality. (Executive producer Marc Summers once called Chef Irvine a cartoon character come to life and it seems like Irvine is quite the experience.) Irvine doesn't just fix the restaurant, he challenges the mindset that caused the restaurant to fail in the first place. In 48 hours Irvine and his crew breathe life into a desperate situation, leaving behind the hope of future success.

I find myself wondering if I instill the same feeling of hope in those around me. After all, the Bible does say that as a follower of Christ I should have an impact on those around me. The Bible says that I, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, am the salt of the earth. Salt takes something that is bland and makes it taste better. Salt takes something that's basic and lifts it up, enhancing the flavor and giving hope that the meal will be spectacular. In Christ, we believers are called to lift up those around us, giving hope of a better outcome no matter the situation. Is the church still in the business of offering hope? Am I?