BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “There was a man named John who was sent from God.” John 1:6 HCSB

John the Baptist is an important Biblical figure. He was a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is often view as the last Old Testament prophet and the first New Testament prophet. He preached repentance and introduced this concept of “baptism” as sign of repentance and turning to a new life.

John was called by God. He was a man with a holy vocation. We see that before he was conceived the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah and said of his prophesied son, “He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:16,17 NKJV)

Every believer in Christ can live life with a sense of fulfilling “God’s call” in a “holy” vocation. It may not be as a prophet or preacher, but I believe the Lord sets apart individuals to serve His purposes in a host of  vocations. God’s people sprinkled throughout the various spheres of our society is what enables the church to be “salt and light” to others.

John was a man of vision. A prophet is one who both “fore-tells” and “forth-tells.” John called people to repentance, but He also pointed to the Messiah, Jesus, who was to come. When Jesus appeared on the banks of the Jordan River, he did not hesitate to point out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The Lord through His Holy Spirit enables us to see beyond this natural world and to lay hold of what eternity itself promises and has to offer.

John was a voice.  When asked by religious leaders who he was, he responded, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:23 HCSB) In his “preaching” John reminded people of the words of the prophets of old. He spoke the truth, even when it wasn’t readily accepted and even brought him into trouble with the powers of the day. His “voice” became such an irritant and a source of conflict that he was eventually martyred by Herod.

We have the same responsibility to speak God’s truth, to remind people of what the “Bible” says. It is not our opinion or speaking ability that matters. What matter is the truth that we communicate to others, even when it is not popular.

John played a unique and special role in God’s plan of redemption. But what we observe from his life can be a challenge of all Christ-followers. A challenge to follow and see our purpose in “God’s call” to be a person of “vision” and to be simply be a “voice” of truth in our present world.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You that we can see those who are uniquely used by You. Help us to understand that in Your sovereign plan You desire to use us all in a unique way, as we follow Your call, embrace Your vision and are faithful to be Your voice.

Last night Debbie and I enjoyed participating with a panel at Southwest First Assembly on “how to be a person of influence.” We stayed in Denver with our friends George and Annette Brauchler. What a delight to be treated the the kind hospitality at the “Brauchler bed ‘n breakfast.” This afternoon was grandson Caedmon’s birthday party. But before that a large group of family and friends gathered at a workout center where David (Tex) Martin proposed to my niece Kate Summers. It was a grand and moving event with other family joining the via “Face Time.” Great to live in the land of modern technology.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name…” John 1:10-12 HCSB

John declares that the eternal Son of God, the creator of the world and all that is in it, came to His creation. Yet, the world did not recognize Him. After all, why would a God come and appear in “human flesh?” Why would the Almighty subject Himself to the frailties of a human body and to encounter the challenges of human relationships and live in a fallen world?

He did so as Jesus said, “to show us the Father.” Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9 NIV) What is God like? Look at Jesus. Yet “the world” has its own ideas of what greatness and god-likeness is and they did see it in Jesus and did not recognize Jesus as “God with us.”

It is one thing to come to the world in general and not be recognized; but what about those who should have the greatest insight and were looking for the Messiah, the redeemer of God’s people? John says, “He came to His own, but they did not receive Him.

Jesus was welcomed at His birth by shepherds and wise men. But as He lived among God’s own people, as He spoke God’s Word, as He healed and revealed, they did not receive Him. As a matter of fact the religious leaders who should have have the greatest insight, became the greatest enemies of Jesus. Out of jealousy and their own grab for power those who were to represent God, had the Son of God hung on a cross.

Yet there is a third group. This group not only received Jesus, but they “believed on His name.” As a result, they became the true “children of God.” Not born of natural heritage, but through spiritual birth. Even as Jesus told, Nicodemus, “you must be born again.” (John 3:7 NIV) This “spiritual adoption” is of great significance.  It is a “game changer.” Through Jesus it reached to all humanity.

Jesus came so, “whosoever will may come.” “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.“ (Revelation 22:17 NIV) “Whosoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NIV)

Those “whosoevers” in Jesus day and down to ours include some “unlikely” individuals. Tax collectors, prostitutes, the spiritually oppressed, the desperate and self-sufficient, the the down and out and the up and outs.

The challenge then is to recognize Jesus for who He is. To receive Him, welcome Him into your life and to believe in Him, by trusting in Him alone to make you one of His children.

We live in a world that talks a lot about “rights.” Here is one you should embrace: the right to be a child of God. “…all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

Prayer for today… Lord we believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for coming that we might see and know the reality of Him who is the creator and redeemer of all mankind. Today, we recognize, receive and believe that as You make us Your children, You secure our future and You direct our journey through life.

Last night grandson Caed slept downstairs for the inaugural overnight stay in our newly completed basement. He even helped me set up one of the twin beds for his bedroom. Today we came to Lakewood to bring Caed back home and to participate in a panel at Southwest First Assembly’s family Vacation Bible School. Tomorrow is Caed’s 8th birthday party. This last week, it was great to connect with some great granddads who are committed to making a difference in the upcoming generations. These granddads have been to “GrandCamps” for several years. (from let to right) Mike is from Fort Collins, Ron from Castle Rock and Dean from Greeley.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 HCSB

The first eighteen verses of John’s Gospel are some of the grandest in scripture. We find the declaration of who Jesus is, He revelation of Himself, the responses to His revelation and the hope that He offers all who receive Him.

John simply refers to Jesus as the “Word.” That which communicates and reveals. John puts forth clearly Jesus Divine nature and His eternal existence. We see that the “Word” was with God. So, we are introduced to this mystery that we refer to as the “trinity.” One God, three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus was an agent in the creation of all that is. “All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:3 HCSB) Paul declared the truth of Jesus the Son’s role in creation when he wrote,

“For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16 HCSB)

Jesus is light and life. He is the life-giver and the light He possesses can not be extinguished. As John declares, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 NIV) Jesus brings life and those who live in Him experience the life that He brings and will exist in the eternal life that speaks of His very existence.

We see in John’s words, the truth that God has provided “one way for all people.” Speaking of John the Baptist we read, “He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him…” (John 1:7 HCSB) We then read, “The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9 HCSB)

There may be others who claim to be light, who offer a “way” to God, but Jesus is the “true” light. If His light is in your life, you have that which is the “real thing” Anything else is a false representation of Jesus the “light of the world”

Like John the Baptist, all Christ-followers have the opportunity to, “testify about the light.” As we do we are not confused about who the true light is. As we read of John, “…he was not the light…” As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we are to reflect the light of “Son of God.” As we do, we are not confused as the source of that light that we possess. That enables us to walk, “humbly before our God” and to be thankful for what He has done for us.

Prayer for today… Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of who You are and how You came to earth to dispel the darkness in our life. Help us to allow Your light to shine through us to point others to You. Thank You that You created all that there is and You have created us to live in You and enjoy You forever.

We wrapped up GrandCamp 2016 this morning. Caed returned to Fort Collins with me until we go to Lakewood tomorrow. But he told me he was missing his mom and dad and brother and sister. That last few days children and grandparents alike enjoyed the ministry of Air Force Chaplain, General Bob Page and his wife Ruth. They connected well with the children and challenged the adults.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed times, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship must go out by way of the south gate, and whoever enters by way of the south gate must go out by way of the north gate. No one must return through the gate by which he entered, but must go out by the opposite gate.“ Ezekiel 46:9 HCSB

This instruction to the God’s people for the day when they are restored to the promised land is one of symbolic significance. Worshipers coming to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts were to leave through the opposite gate by which they came. “If you enter the north gate, you must go out by the way of the south gate.”

Why this odd instruction? It would seem to be a “huge inconvenience.” But the inconvenience that it caused served as a vivid picture of what happens when we come into the presence of the Lord. In a word, we are “changed.” When we encounter the Living God our lives are changed and redirected. We can’t return to “old ways” but we are set on a “new path” and in a “new direction.”

We see this pictured in Paul’s words to the Corinthians “… if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) The concept of “repentance” is to go in a new direction. Encountering the Lord’s provision results in a new life, a new direction, a change in the trajectory of life.

Each time the worshipers came for the feasts to offer sacrifices, to come into the presence of the Lord, they were reminded of this important truth. How significant for us to grasp that reality for our lives today. That is not only a picture of the new life Christ brings as we submit our lives to Him; but it should be a reminder of what is to transpire each time we encounter the presence of the Lord in worship and are confronted with the truth of His Word.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that, “Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” (Hebrews 10:20 NLT)

When I come into God’s presence, I may be carrying guilt over sin, but I leave free and forgiven. I may come burden with the cares of this world, but I leave with confidence that “God is with me.” I may come wounded and broken, but I leave healed and with hope. I may come alienated in relationship and carrying bitterness in my heart, but I leave reconciled and free.

So, remember, when you come into God’s presence, when confronted with His truth and you lift your heart in worship, you can not leave the same way that you came.

Prayer for today…  Lord, thank You that we are changed in Your presence. When we encounter who You are and what You desire for our lives, we “leave in a new direction.” You show us a new way, a new direction, filled with fresh hope.

Today was the final full day of GrandCamp. It concluded with the “Blessing Ceremony” when each grandparent, affirms the grandchild’s character, value, speaks encouraging words for their future and pledges to be there for them. A little gift is presented to each child as a token to remember the occasion. This year it was a “blessing box” for children to keep special items or record memories of the Lord’s work in their life. In Caed’s I took some of my personal business cards and wrote scriptures for him to read from time to time.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…let us run with endurance the race marked out for us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1,2 NIV

As Caed memorized this portion of these verses at GrandCamp, I had a good time talking about a “race course.” When there is a race, the runners don’t determine the route they are to go. It is established and laid out by the “race director.” The same race event, may even have a slightly different course from year to year. It is the responsibility of the runners to follow the course “marked out” for them to follow.

What happens if a runner gets tired or feels they can see a shortcut to the finish line? They leave the course and become disqualified for the prize. Staying to the course, even when you are getting tired, even then the path seems monotonous, even when you think you have a better way to the end, even when it is hard, is vital to getting to the finish line regardless of the time it takes.

Caed asked, “How do the runners know the course they are to follow?” Good questions. In a road race there is a person on a bike who goes ahead of the runners to show them the way to the finish line. Who is that for us in our spiritual life? “Jesus” correctly answers Caed.

We are to follow Jesus, keeping our eyes on Jesus in order to make to the end of our “course.” As the writer of Hebrews says, “Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.” So our faith has its origins in Jesus and it finds its maturity and fulfillment in Jesus.

As Chaplain, General Bob Paige pointed out to grandparents, faith has two important parts. It is our “confidence in Jesus” and it is the “content of our belief.” Our faith grounds us to Jesus the person, the Son of God and to His Word, which guides and directs our life.

Some view the “race marked out” as an individual, personalized race for each person. There may be some application in that. However, it is important to understand that we all are running a course that has a focus on Jesus, serving His purposes, bringing Him glory, living lives pleasing to Him. That course will have its inevitable ups and down, trials, challenges and disappointments. That is why our focus is so important. To make it the finish line, the finish line is always kept in focus. A runner runs looking for the sight of that finish line and striving to make it to the end.

Such is to be our aim and our determination. Not being sidetracked by any pain, difficulty or the length of of course, but trusting that the finish line will be over the next horizon. Crossing the finish line is when we take our leave and find the satisfaction of having “finished the course” and receiving the prize.

Prayer for today… Lord thank you for giving us the strength and determination to endure as travel our course of life in following You. Let us keep our eyes on You and on the prize that is set before us.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...” Hebrews 12:1 NIV

Our day two at GrandCamp was a good morning with some rain in the afternoon. We played games, enjoyed an interactive Bible study with the children and a challenging presentation to Grandparents, while the children hiked and worked on a craft project.

The memory verse from yesterday was the second part of Hebrews 12:1 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…” As I talked to grandson Caed about the statement we focused on the “H” and “E” so he could remember the order of the key verbs.

That which “hinders” in and of itself may not be a bad aspect of life. However, when it consumes and becomes a “weight” that distracts us from our spiritual journey it can be a hindrance in our Christian life. In the “Parable of the  Soils” Jesus talks about the “cares of the world” that represent the weeds that grow up and choke the Word of God.

In the same way we need to be aware of the potential and real hindrances that have an impact on our Christian growth and ability to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” I demonstrated an “hindrance to Caed by talking about a heavy backpack or by grabbing him by the back of his T-Shirt and telling him to try to run.

Hebrews on the other hand tells us that sin is a snare. It is a trap. It is like the spiders web that lures and then ensnares its victim. Samson in his persistent disobedience learned that sin “blinds, binds and grinds.” For him that took place literally. Then I notice the words, “easily ensnares.”

We need to be on guard and to not feel immune from the deceptiveness of sin, or that which leads to the snare of sin. Paul cautioned, “…if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!“ (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV)

Finally, the first words communicate a power truth. We must “throw off” hindrances and sin. Decisive action is required. It doesn’t “just happen.” It doesn’t happen by recognizing the hindrance or sin. It doesn’t happen by wanting to change or praying or by “thinking it away.” There are some good “pre-steps”; but we must take the deliberate and decisive action that is needed to address the specific area of concern. As we do, we can be confident of the Lord’s strength and provision.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You that You not only give us the goal to shoot for in life, but the instructions on how to achieve that goal. Let us all seek to “win the prize” of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and to run the race before us with our eyes on You and taking the steps needed to address hindrances and sin that would distract and detour us in our spiritual journey. 

This was the first full day of Grand Camp. We enjoyed a lot of activity; learning and having fun. The afternoon was free to enjoy recreation here at the “Y.” Caed went swimming, I took a nap. One of the surprises from yesterday at Dakota Ridge Church was seeing my friend Cindy Sovine-Miller and her husband Noah. I met Cindy in her lobbying role at the Capitol in 2007 and was pleased to find that her family had recently started attending the church.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…Then they will know that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel 6:14 NIV

Many people are constantly looking for a “sign” or some indication that the Lord is God. That the Lord is to be respected and “feared” and One to whom we submit our lives. Some believe that if they were not to do what they are doing that “God would strike them with lightning.”

We certainly see that God has revealed Himself in many ways. He does so through nature and the world around. He does so through His Word and the witness of Jesus, the Eternal  Son of God.

In the days of the Old Testament when God was preparing to judge His people for their constant rebellion, idolatry and refusal to listen to the words of the prophets, God was preparing to “show them” who He was, so without a doubt they would, “know that I am the Lord.”

That phrase is found 28 times in the Bible and 26 of them are in the Book of Ezekiel. The first occurrence is in chapter 6 and the last in chapter 38.  Sprinkled throughout the pages of this prophetic book, we find the Lord revealing Himself through the actions He is prepared to take.

What we can observe that this “revelation” of the Lord is not just to His people, but to other nations of the earth. Most notably Egypt and Babylon. These ancient powerful nations were going to come to realize that what they accomplished was not due to their superior culture, wisdom or military might, but it was because God was using them and allowing them to fulfill His purposes in the earth.

So we read, “Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 29:9 NIV)  “…I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:23 NIV)

The actions of the Lord are seen in judgment and restoration, “The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair…I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. “‘Then they will know that I am the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 7:27 NIV) “… I will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 36:11 NIV)

The Lord, if needed, “tears down” that which needs to be removed, that which stand in our way to Him and He then rebuilds and restores for the glory of His name.

When the dust settles, when the Lord’s will is accomplished and His actions clearly seen, it is then time for people to recognize and honor Him for who He is. However, that still takes an open heart and a willingness to lay aside pride and stubbornness and to know that there is a God who orders the affairs of nations and of people. He does so out of His love and desire for all to come to know Him and dwell with Him for ever.

There is the old says, “we can do this the hard way or the easy way!” The easy way is to have an open heart to the Lord and His ways, to seek Him and honor Him with our life. The hard was is to experience the “heavy hand” of the Lord doing what is needed for us to “bow the knee” and recognize that He is the Lord.

Prayer for today… “Lord, how true that your plans and ways are beyond our understanding. But what we do know is that You desire all to recognize and affirm Your Lordship. Not because You need that, but because we need that to be all that You created us to be. Thank You that You move “heaven and earth” to rescue us from ourselves.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus…” Hebrews 12:1,2 HCSB

What a great day! I had the opportunity to be the special guest at Dakota Ridge Church this morning. It was such a delight to see so many old friends and to meet new ones. I shared about my health challenges and book and shared a short message. It is hard to believe that is has been 10 years since I left my pastoral ministry to run for political office.

This afternoon Caedmon and I traveled to Estes Park for this year’s “Grand Camp.” It is great to see so many who were at the camp last year and at the same hard to believe it has been a year. I had the opportunity to share on the first night with the group as well.

Our theme this year is from Hebrews 12:1,2 and is entitled, “The Amazing Race.” I spoke briefly about perseverance and how it relates to my experience of the last three years. In so doing I asked, the adults and children to consider:

1 –  What is perseverance (or endurance)?

2 – What areas of life require perseverance?

3 – What enables us to persevere in life?

Perseverance is simply that ability to keep going when we want to stop. I had two 10-year old boys come forward. I had them both run in place for a minute. While the first “ran” I asked everyone to remain silent.  As the second “ran”, I had everyone cheer the entire time. The difference was noticeable.

Perseverance is needed in so many arenas of life. For adults it may be continuing in a difficult job, or a child it is continuing in a challenging class. It applies to our faith, the trials that come our way, marriage and a host of other areas of life.

What empowers us to persevere? Having others “cheering us on” makes a difference. We can experience that in athletic competition, but the same applies to others areas of life. When I was in recovery my friend Pastor Bob Strauch was with me during one of my workout sessions. With a background as an athlete and coach, he was verbally encouraging me on, “you can do it!” “keep trying!” “good job!” “Come on one more!” About a week later I was in therapy and having struggle and my therapist asked, “where is that guy who was here last week?!” You can use him right now, you did better when he was here.”

We are encouraged by those who come alongside and those who have “gone before us.” That is why Hebrews 12, follows Hebrews 11 and those who are commended for their faith. It is an account of those who “stuck it out”, even when what they believed, did not materialize. The writer of Hebrews refers to this “cloud (or crowd) of witness” with the implication of “If they can make, you can make it!”

Then we realize that our focus makes all the difference. We must “Keep our eyes on Jesus.” Jesus is not only our example of endurance, but He is the one who provides the strength that we need at the time  we need it.

We are also reminded that at the finish line there “awaits a crown of righteousness that the Lord shall give on that day…” (2 Timothy 4:9) It isn’t true on earth, but it is in heaven, we can all be “winners!”

Prayer for today…. “Lord, thank You for  Your example and the power You provide so that we can “endure.” Enable us all to “keep our eyes on You.” Let us not grow weary and give up. Allow us to be to others that source of encouragement they need at the right time.”