Early this morning was the lunar eclipse.  This eclipse was unique in that it fell upon the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year.  I was one of the crazy individuals gave up on some much needed sleep to witness the event.  It is said that this will not occur on the solstice for another 45o years.   This event was also one of the longest eclipse’s on record, and will not occur in this manner again in our life time.  As I stood and watched it last night I had an amazing thought come to mind.

I thought about the verses in Romans 1:20 that talk about how no one will have an excuse for not accepting Christ as their Savior.   God has made Himself known to all men and He is evident through all His work in creation.   As I thought about that while watching the eclipse I couldn’t help but think that God was using His creation to tell the story of salvation.  Let me explain.

As the moon rose last night in it full grandeur it was walking in the light the way in which it was made to walk.  As the night progressed it slowing began to walk in darkness until at once it was completely covered by complete darkness.   After it found its was into complete darkness it turned red.   This red color represents the blood of Christ which was shed for the remission of sins.  Once a lost soul repents and places faith in Christ their sins are covered by the blood of Christ.   Slowly after repenting the moon starts to reemerge from the darkness and return to its walk in the light.

A few thoughts I have about the marvelous story that was on display last night are:

1)  God has done everything possible to make Himself known to us.   It is our responsibility to place our faith in Christ and accept the forgiveness that He offers.

2)  This is an event that only happens once every 450 years.  It is no coincidence that we were alive to view this great event, God is calling out to our nation to repent.  We have strayed and God wants us to return back to Himself.

3)  We have no excuse for not knowing and pursuing God.

4)  No matter how dark the sin we find ourselves living in God’s light finds its way through.

For Discussion:  What other events have you witnessed in nature that declare Gods existence and His plan for humanity?

Well having a garter snake around is probably  not that big of a deal, but it brought to mind something else.  I thought about how often we have little sins in our lives and don’t really think of them as a big deal.  We might have little casual sins that don’t really seem like a big deal, but they usually lead to bigger sins over time.  As we get adjusted to having little sins and gain a comfort level with sin, soon we find ourselves with a new standard for what is sinful and what is not.  Much like the snake that is out grown its current skin our tolerance for sin will grow.  The evidence that our tolerance has grown is the little sins we ignore.  The problem with a growing tolerance  is that we are setting our own standard for sin rather than using the standard God has given us in the Bible.

So what are you little sins? Are there little things that you just blow off as harmless?  Those are the indicators that you are growing comfortable with your sin nature.  Soon you will out grow your current tolerance and soon find your self doing things that you once felt unthinkable.  People tell me that spreading moth balls around the foundation will keep snakes away from the house.  So I will probably do that and try to prevent having a snake problem.  That is probably good advice for sin as well.  Do something to stop the problem before it has a chance to grow and become a big issue.

For discussion:  Name some small sins that people just casually ignore.

The shadows are formed when the person blocks the light source.  Street lights are spaced out so when a person is walking they can actually block light from several sources and angles at the same time.  There is one street  I walk down where I can have five shadows at the same time.  Each shadow leans it at a different angle and effects a different place.  This got me to thinking about how our lives have effects many people in many different ways.

Sometimes the darkness in other peoples lives comes from us blocking the light.  The shadow of our sins can really hinder the lives of those around us.  If we are not careful we become something that prevents light from reaching beyond out selves.  We just absorb light and never let it pass on for the benefit of others.  In Matthew 5, Jesus told His followers they were to be the “light of the world.”  Jesus doesn’t want His followers to cast a shadow on the world.  Jesus wants them to be the light that removes darkness.

Walking on a street at night casting shadow reminded me that there are many things that cast shadows and block the light from going out.  However, the number of street lights that bring light into the night are limited.  The same is true with people.  There are great masses who never do anything except think of themselves, and very few who do anything for the good of others.  Very few people could call themselves lights in this world.

Most people think that because the light is shining on them that they are part of the light.  Being a light is something very different than having a light shine on you.  The truth is that for us to be lights in this world we need Jesus who is the true light of the world.  At best we can only reflect His light to others, and seek to limit where our shadow is cast.  Kind of like our moon which reflects the light of the sun on us each night.  So which kind of person are you?  Are you someone who blocks light from those in your sphere of influence? or are you more like a light pole that shines on the  world around you?

For Discussion:  What is your most interesting storm involving a shadow?

As I was thinking about the bug another thought popped into my head.  What if I hated sin as much as I hated having a bug fly up my nose.  Honestly most of the time I probably enjoy my sins, I don’t want to hate them.   I know things are wrong, but for whatever reason I just don’t want to let go of them.    The truth however is that my sin will do more harm to me than that little bug could ever dream of doing.   My sin puts me at odds with God, and that is a serious matter.

God is my creator and has the power to punish me for my disobedience.  Sin always brings death with it.  My prayer would be that you and I would grow to hate our sin more than I hate having a bug in my nose.  My challenge to you would be next time something you hate happens let it be a reminder to you of how your attitude toward sin should be.  Maybe if you stub your toe on the way to the bathroom tonight maybe it will remind you to hate sin.

For Discussion:  What is some random happening that you extremely dislike?

The book of Romans says that the wages of sin is death.  Why is it that small animals prefer to move around at night?  It is because their actions are hidden from sight.  This is the same reason people try and hide sin in their life.  They want it to be unnoticed by those around them.  The sin will however bring with it death and the person will be staring into the bright light of Gods judgment.   Just like some little critters live longer before meeting up will the tire tread some people manage to live in sin much longer than others.  Unlike the critters no sinner ever escapes the death that sin brings.

The good news is that God sent His Son Jesus so that death would not be the end.  Jesus came and lived a sinless life and then suffered death on our behalf so that we could be forgiven of our sins.  God is just and because of His righteousness He must punish sin, and that means that we deserve His wrath.  When Jesus died that wrath was justified by Him being a substitution for us. Jesus took our penalty and suffered it Himself.  All we have to do is accept this gift by turning away from our sin and trusting in the work the Jesus did on our behalf.

So where are you at?  Do you have parts of your life that you want to hide because you know what you did was wrong.  Are you engaged in some sort of action you know would be unpleasing to God?  All you need to do is turn away from the sin and put your trust in Jesus Christ.  He will forgive you will not have to face the everlasting death that you so deserve.  God wants to save you from your sin, but you must accept His offer for it to happen.  Jesus will not force you to accept His grace.

For Discussion:  What sins do you find are easily hid but still have a great effect on your life?

The first is the barrels have to be filled.  The owner of the barrel must direct the water from a rain gutter into the barrel.  The water has many good uses, but if it is not collected and directed into the rain barrel it cannot be used.  Our lives are very similar to the barrel.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus offers the woman living water, and He makes the same offer to us.  The water is available but we allow it to flow into our lives.    We do this through prayer and bible study.  You can not pour out what you do not put in.

The second idea relating to the rain barrel is that the water must be poured out in order for it to be used.  Just filling the barrel is not enough.  The beautiful flowers around the house will not flourish unless you pour the water out of the barrel for them to drink.  Our lives are much the same.  We can go to church and hear many great messages, but if we don’t apply them it does no good.  Jesus did not give us His word so we could be passive.  Jesus expects us to pour it out in service to Him.

The final idea is that unused water will either be thrown out or it will just fade away.  If you leave the water sitting for any length of time it will begin to evaporate.  Through evaporation water will just disappear and it is totally wasted and never used.   The effort put into collecting it was just a waste of time.  Another problem is that the water that does not evaporate it will soon turn green and become infested will insect larva.  Algae can begin growing in just a matter of days.  Once this happens the water must be thrown out.  In both cases it is just wasted.

Thinking about the rain barrel reminds me of when Jesus spoke of the sower.  Of the many places the seed fell, there was only one place where it thrived and was fruitful.  Just because the seed was available did not guarantee that plants would grow and survive.  If your life is like the rain barrel where are you at right now?  Are you being filled regularly, followed by a  pouring out of your self  so that others can thrive and grow?  If you are not being filled and poured out then you are most likely stale in danger of being thrown out, a life wasted.  The remedy is to give your life to Jesus.  Start spending time in prayer and study of the scriptures, and then start giving yourself to service.  Following Christ is the best thing you can ever do.

For Discussion:  Give an example of an individual who has heard the word yet turned stale.  (no names please)

If the roles were switched around somewhat I get the picture that God could be asking me this question.  Often times I get caught up looking around at what others have.  When I see friends with there family’s and hear the stories about what is going on with their kids it is easy to become much like Hannah.  Often when I see people driving a new car, or when someone moves into a really nice house it is easy to begin questioning the same way.  Even when other seem to be acquiring the latest new gadgets and gizmos  that I cannot afford I start questioning why.  Why can I not seem to attain the same level of wealth and happiness that others seem to just fall into?

As I read about Elkanah asking Hannah about Her distress, I can’t help but think maybe God is asking me the same thing.  God is asking “I am not better to you than all that stuff?”  Has God not already given me much more than I could ever ask for?  God has forgiven my sin, and given me eternal life.  I know for sure that however I leave this earth, I will be in God’s presence for Eternity.   Many of those who I compare my life to may actually be worse off than I.  People can have all the stuff in the world, the best relationships in the world, but if they don’t have Christ they really don’t have anything.  Suddenly I feel like a spoiled brat.

So what about you?  Do you ever find yourself complaining because others seem to have it better than you?  If you a christian think about what Christ has given you.  (Eternal life)   If you are not a Christian, maybe you should think about what you are missing.  If you do not know Jesus Christ, you are missing out on the most important relationship there is.  All the stuff of this world passes away, but God endures forever.  You may do many good things,  be a member of a church, or have all that you could ask for in this world, but if you do not know Christ you will find yourself cast into eternal darkness on the day of judgment.  The only way to begin a relationship with Christ is to confess your sins and pray that He would forgive you.  It will be the best decision you ever make.  I recommend that you read the Bible.  Start reading in Old testament and read the first few books, then jump to the New Testament and read.  God will reveal himself to you.

For Discussion:  What one thing do you feel God is withholding from you?

Some commentators don’t believe this happened.  They believe It was added for effect at a later date.  Other Commentators however believe that it happened, but have varying views about what these dead saints did and how long they might have lived.  Most commentators seem to believe these resurrected saints  provided some sort of testimony about the work of Christ.  Many Scholar believe it was an example of the resurrection to come.  Both of these beliefs seems very reasonable.

I have also been thinking about possible reasons these saint might have been resurrected.  I have a theory, but it probably is nothing more than a theory.  I like to think that it was more of a sign of Christ work and a glimpse of what lies ahead for future believers.  My theory however goes like this.  In the hours and days shortly after Christ was raised from the dead His enemy’s were probably not very happy.  The Pharisees who had worked to get Jesus crucified on a Roman cross would not have wanted Jesus to come back to life.  They wanted Jesus dead.

Well if Jesus was no longer dead, the Pharisees only had two options.  They could accept the Truth, or the Lie about it.  There are several lies that they could tell.  One lie would be that the Disciples had stolen the body.  Another lie would be to replace His missing body with another one.  They would have had to go to another tomb, rob a body and place it in the tomb where Christ was laid, because Jesus was laid in a new tomb.  There were not any other bodies in His tomb.

I just have this image of the Pharisees sending their servants out to steal a body to put in Jesus tomb and the servants coming back saying they couldn’t find one.  The Pharisees say something like: Look in Billy Bob’s tomb, He died just last week, His body will work great.  The servant then replies: It’s not there, someone saw Billy Bob walking around town last night.  The Pharisees say well How about Billy Bubba, He died 3 days ago, get His body.  Servant replies:  It’s gone to, He was out preaching about Jesus last night.  After making several attempts the Pharisees realize there aren’t any fresh corpse’s to steal.  They are all up and walking around.  This passage also says that the resurrected where Saints, so the missing corpses would have all been Hebrew.  Possibly the only corpses available would have been the wrong ethnicity to be used.

I don’t know if this why many saints were brought back to life, but I think it is a good story anyway.  It also got me to thinking.  These Pharisees had to choose whether or not to believe, and they did not have any excuses.  They either had to accept the truth or reject it and cover it up with a lie.  In Romans 1:20 the Bible says that all who reject Christ will be without excuse.  All of God’s attributes are visible through creation and no one will have an excuse for rejecting Christ.  You and I in the same position as the Pharisees we can choose to accept the truth, or reject it.  So which way will you be?  A believer or an unbeliever?

For Discussion:  What would you do if a dead relative showed up at your house alive again?

My garden tiller has a gasoline engine which powers it through the garden.  The main function of a tiller is to break up clumps of soil and to mix the top layer of soil.  The result of using a Garden Tiller successfully is a nice loose powdery soil that is easy to plant.  When the soil has been prepared properly the crops can easily grow and fresh produce is soon enjoyed.  A problem can easily arise with good soil in that unwanted vegetation can grow just as easy as the plants you want to grow.

Weeds to a gardener are never fun.  Many hours of hard work and perseverance goes into keeping a garden weed free.  As I have been reflecting on the gardening process I have had an idea spring into my mind.  The Idea goes like this.  Good things can spring up out of brokenness but the bad things grow well there too.  When I prepare the garden for planting I break it up.  When the soil is ready I has been beat up, broken down, pushed around, and left bare to the elements.  It is in this state that the best produce is grown.

In our lives there are many time when we get beat up, broken down, pushed around and left bare before the world around us.  I know that in today’s world there are many people in a state of brokenness right now.  I want to encourage you if you are one of these people.  Many good things can spring up from this brokenness.  If you will make the effort to plant good seeds in this brokenness a great harvest will come.  The seeds are the words of God, His commandments.  If you will obey them God will bless you and good will come from this hard time.

Just as God can bring good from this brokenness, evil can spring up like weeds in the garden.  In your brokenness the ground can become a place where weeds abound.  Think about it for a minute.  When we are broken it often because people have hurt us, or circumstances have just bombarded us until it seems like there is no hope.  This is the perfect place for all kinds of evil to grow.  Anger, Bitterness, and Addiction are just a few of the evils that grow well here.

Many seem to drink their worry’s away when hard times hit.  Other people grow bitter and angry over issues they face.  Some find revenge tempting after being broken and hurt.   All of these evils just make the pain worse.  They are not solutions to the problem.  They are weeds that need to be removed so all that is good and healthy can have room to grow.  When a gardener removes weeds they pull them out by the roots.  The weeds are then thrown on the ground next to the garden and when the sun bears down on them the roots dry up and the weed dies.  Evils are killed in the same way.

If we will take evils in our life pull them out and expose the roots to the Light they will wither and die.  Jesus is  the source of Light that will destroy the evil within us.  Jesus is the Light of the World.  Through the words of Jesus evil can be removed from out lives.  If you find your self in a place of brokenness today, allow Jesus to help remove the weeds of evil from your life so that He can grow something good within you.

For Discussion:  Can you think of other garden analogies that might reveal how God works in our lives?

When seeing that crews were only going to do the bare minimum I could help but wonder how often I do the same.  Do I just put in the minimum while I’m at work?  When someone asks for my help do I just do the minimum?  What about my relationship with God?  What is the minimum that I can give God?  The minimum I can give God is just to believe that He is and trust that His word is true.  That is the baseline for salvation.  I first need to accept  His word and believe it.  That is the bare minimum.

Should I stop with just the minimum.  I’ve placed my faith in Christ, so should I do more? The highway crew gets away with the minimum, so can I do the same when it come to my spiritual life?  I’m going to heaven when I die, does it matter if my life looks like a patched up mess when I’m done?  Do I need to do more than just accept Christ as my Savior?  I think there is more, we need to then be grateful for what He has done.

We show our gratefulness by obeying His word.  We live out His commands in our daily lives.  We stick to God’s standards rather than our own.  I think many people just want to do the minimum and get eternal life, but then live like nothing has changed.   I want to ask, if our lives don’t look different than the rest of the world around us, have we really even done the minimum?  Accepting Christ is a major change.  We as Christians need to do more than just the minimum.

For Discussion:  What are some effective ways to step beyond the minimum in our lives?