Clever Free Methodist

In 1 Peter 5:8, the haunting Scripture passage reads, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Were you aware that the Greek word (verb) for “devour” means to “drink down,” “gulp entire” or “swallow”….in other words, we are talking “total consumption” or “complete annihilation” of a person’s life. The reality is that Satan cannot stand the work of an active Christian. Satan is willing to do anything and everything, at any cost, to destroy the work of God in this world. Part of that plan is to destroy you physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of the ways he strategically tries to dismantle us is to keep us busy and too preoccupied with our own agendas, calendars, families, dreams and ambitions.  It is hard to comprehend just how many baptized Christians have succumbed to this ploy of Satan and have become totally caught up in the mad, mindless pursuit of the so-called American dream, the ...

Mark 1:35 is used often to support personal prayer time that is intentional, void of distractions, and interruptions. It tells of Jesus spending “alone time” with God. It says, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.” We need our own prayer time. We need our “alone time” where it is just “me and God” and nothing else. I am more convinced, than ever before, that there’s no way any of us can reach our full spiritual potential as Christian men and women without developing an intentional, strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. True love demands union. True union with God comes only through the life of prayer. I honestly believe God is not going to fully satisfy your spiritual needs, and you are not going to be entirely pleasing to Him, unless you make the time and the effort to have a strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. Your relationship with God depends entirely on how much and how well you are ...

Romans 5:8 “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It is truly amazing to know that God didn’t first put us on a 30-day trial period to see if we could “handle being a Christian” before he would save us. In fact, he sent his Son, Jesus, to us with the risk knowing there was a good chance that he would be rejected and not one, single person would accept his offer of salvation. It was quite a sacrifice. It is what we focus on during the season of LENT . LENT comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.” What happens in Spring? Well, for one, we “Minnesotans” are at least hoping the Winter snow melts away. But, most importantly, the earth comes back to life! Grass becomes green, trees bud and the leaves return, and flowers grow and bloom. That is what Lent is about…about making sure we are spiritually and mentally prepared (ready) for the “coming back to life” of Jesus after he died on the cross! It is making sure we have made a conscious decision to acknowled...

Sometimes the Lord does things in our lives whether or not we have faith. That scares me, at times, to think that my lack of faith (or effort) could cause God to “go on ahead without me” and accomplish a task or mission despite me. That God loves me so much that despite my response, He will still take care of me and have my best interest in mind. Having faith is extremely important in the life of a Believer. Jesus emphasized that time and time again to us in Scripture. For example, Jesus told the father of a demon-possessed son: "Everything is possible for anyone who has faith" ( Mark 9:23 ). The father realized that Jesus was calling him to exercise a deep, trusting faith. So he exclaimed: "I do have faith! Help the little faith I have!" ( Mark 9:24 ) In that situation, Jesus called not only the father to faith but also Jesus' disciples and the large crowd with them. Jesus said:  "What an unbelieving lot you are! How long must I remain with you?...

One of the many beloved “Sunday School” lessons involves the “wee little man” named Zacchaeus . In Luke 19:1-10 , we read the story that he wanted to see Jesus. He climbed up in a sycamore tree to see over the heads of the crowd due to his small stature. Despite the immense crowd, Jesus singles him out, approaches the tree, and engages Zacchaeus in conversation. The dialogue was convincing as we see Jesus helping Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree . As the story ends, Jesus walks with Zacchaeus to his home. Once there, more fellowship, discussion and a meal is shared. Most importantly, in verses 8 and 9 , we hear the impact of Jesus in his life. Zacchaeus has a change of heart. He amends for his past and presents a course of action in which to prove the sincerity of his confession and repentance. Jesus affirms that change by saying “Today salvation has come to this house….” Interesting, to me, is what Jesus said next in verse 10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to ...

Sometimes, if we’ll be honest, things in our lives become challenging if we do not receive recognition, affirmation or guidance from others. Humanly speaking, it can be challenging to “keep on, keeping on” day in and day out….month after month….year after year without any indication that we are “being successful” or “making a difference” of some kind. It can even be hurtful if “nobody seems to notice.” What makes this even more hard to swallow is when other people (doing almost the same things as we are) are getting immediate recognition….accolades….noticed…singled out for an award or “featured” in the newspaper, newsletter of website. I can understand how this could come across as “unfair” and even discouraging when we compare ourselves to the results that others are getting. It can be crippling to become bitter and resentful. It can be damaging to get to the point of feeling like we need to just give up or quit (or even leave the Church) because we aren’t getting the recog...

One of my favorite quotes from Rev. Jerry Falwell is this: "You don't determine a man's greatness by his talents or wealth like the world does, but by what it takes to discourage him."   I pose this question: What does it take to make you throw in the towel and quit? Are you easily swayed by intimidation? Do you quickly retreat at the first sign of opposition? Are you soundly defeated when it appears you're outnumbered by the opposition? Do you quickly become silent and refuse to speak up when it becomes evident you are the minority amongst a vocal majority? It has always been said that "The greatest way for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." It is time for us, as Christians, to guard ourselves against cowering in fear and allowing the godless to run all over us. Of course we don't literally "fight back" or become rude, obnoxious, and hateful in actions or words. We always maintain our composure, our testimony, ...