As I look around the world today, I’m honored that God blessed me with the mother He’s given me. It’s sad to see how children bear the marks of not being raised in Godly homes, with parents who do not endeavor to put the Lord first, serve Him, and surrender their families to His care. I’m not bragging by any means, but praise the Lord for a Godly mother that raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Even so much to obey Proverbs when it came to correcting me.

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” – Proverbs 29:15

Thanks mom for all you’ve done for me, and a special thanks to all of the mothers in our church family. Without you we wouldn’t be able to raise up the next generation for the glory and honor of the Lord.

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed;” – Proverbs 31:25-28a

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6

A Christian is an exclusive believer in trusting the finished work of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Any other dependency (self-sufficiency, denomination, priest, baptism, morality, or deed), however sincere, misses the demands of Jesus. You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and not believe Jesus is God (Hebrews 1). You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and expect a further revelation, that in many points is contrary to the Bible, to better support life and faith more than Scripture (Psalm 12:6, 2 Timothy 3:16). You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and expect that good deeds, missionary service, Baptizing the dead, or living a good life is going to put you in favor with God (Romans 3:10-12). All of these heresies to the Christian faith the Mormons propose. That is not Christian, and anyone who lives by such non-biblical fallacy is not a Christian.

We have had some good Presidents who were not Christians, some of which I would have supported. I’m not even suggesting that you not vote for him. But I don’t appreciate men using my Savior to pander for a conservative vote. We are Christians. And because God through His Spirit lives inside of us, we’re smarter than that!

I’ve been introduced recently to terms such as FICs (Family Integrated Churches) and regulatory worship. In the defense of many cliche-driven ministries, there is something to be said about connecting with people around terminology that succinctly describes a doctrine, position, or practice. We’re simple people and we need a vision. But this vocabulary trend we are seeing carries with it some inherent problems.

First, there’s a semi-elitest attitude in expression. Why can’t they just say, “We worship with our kids in church,” or, “if it’s not in the Bible we don’t do it?” There are even associations around a particular worship style, like ncfic.org. I’m not necessarily opposed to the above mentioned practices, but in trying to categorize our philosophy we often leave people very confused. Even more, churches that worship in similar manner without all the branding of philosophy are often seen by congregants as “old-fashioned” or “out of touch.” Personally, I find it difficult to keep up with all the newest labels with my head buried in Bible study all week.

Even more, there are underpinnings of doctrinal problems not clearly identified as we throw around these market-savvy terms. While Ezra preached from a pulpit, we don’t have evidence that Moses did. And while instruments were used in Bible worship, they didn’t have pianos or even sound systems. So the finer points of philosophies, like regulative worship, gloss over some finer points that are left insinuated. I think that’s dangerous.

As a church, let’s work to stay focused without getting caught up in the latest trends. Let’s change as we identify shortcomings in our character or culture without denominational pressure. Let’s keep ourselves unspotted from the marketing agenda. Let’s be open to consider better (and more biblical) ways of worship without the need to be trendy. And let’s worship authentically, biblically, and uniquely, as God gifts us as a body.

Have you ever wondered why? Jesus wasn’t the first to die, nor even the first to be resurrected. The resurrection of Jesus was significant only because of the significance of His death—God physically died!

For the first and only time in the existence of the world, God’s natural order had been interrupted and He had been separated from Himself. It was inevitable, Jesus had warned.

“For [the Son of man] shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.” – Luke 18:32-33

That’s the only reason why we are able to celebrate a resurrection on Easter morning. Without the gruesome and terrible reality that the Son of God died as the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins, we could never appreciate the victory that was won. You know one thing for certain in every resurrection story—someone was dead.

Have you ever seen your sin terrible enough to cause eternal death and separation from God? In reality, we deserve death, both physically and spiritually. It’s not until you come to grips with the grave consequence of your sin that you are ready to trust a risen Savior. He died the death you should have died that we could live the life He won victorious over the grave. I have good news this morning. Jesus Christ rose … from death!

It’s Resurrection Sunday. Many of us have gathered together on this day, to celebrate the ressurection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For many years now, I’ve attended many Easter Sunday Services and watched the crowds come into the church house in their new Easter Sunday attire. People are laughing and greeting each other as some young boy is getting into trouble by his mother. Then it all ends, just in the blink of an eye Easter is over. The gospel was preached, had a wonderful lunch, and my candy jar is fuller than it was the day before. The one thing I never seem to remember is the day after Easter Sunday. Usually Wal-Mart will have candy 50% off, but I can’t recall anything spectacular about the Monday after. However, I do believe the apostles had something to remember after their first Easter Sunday.

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.” – Luke 24:1-3 It’s been nearly 2000 years, we don’t have all the details recorded, but we know what happened on that Resurrection morning. The women came to the tomb to anniont the body of Christ and he was gone.

From there the lives of every man, women and child would change forever. Our Savior was risen from the grave! The day after the resurrection wasn’t just any normal day. These people had good news to tell, and a resurrected Christ to commune with. For many of us, the day after Easter is just a Monday. We celebrate his resurrection every Sunday, but this Sunday is special. We have gathered to worship and exalt Christ our Lord and Savior, and remember the suffering he went through for you and me. We might talk about Sunday’s services on Monday, but will we do like the apostles and share the story of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and coming again?

It is fascinating that we can each look into the Word of God and see something especially for us. While it is only one book, the Holy Spirit uses its message to speak to us individually. We say that the Bible, with its one interpretation, has many applications. At least, that’s what is supposed to happen. While God is talking to us through His Bible, it doesn’t mean that we always hear.

Such is the problem we learned about last week in Jeremiah 13 regarding the children of Israel.

“This evil people, which refuse to hear my words … walk in the imagination of their heart…. but they would not hear.” (Jeremiah 13:10-11)

I wonder how many times the Lord has desired to talk to me, but I wasn’t in a place to hear Him? Perhaps my expectations were inconsistent with the way He was communicating. Have there been times that I was so fixated on the problems of others that I couldn’t see Him addressing mine? I’m sure, as well, that there have been times that I have been so busy with life that I haven’t stopped to listen.

As we gather for worship, God is wanting to commune with us. While His message will be preached collectively to a room of people, He is speaking to individual hearts. Friend, He is talking about our spiritual condition, attitude, family, and so much more. Will you pick up the mirror of the Word of God and see a message so personal that it leaves you no doubt God is speaking to you? Or will you be like Israel in Jeremiah’s day that just cannot hear?

“…there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24b

“…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

It was an immense comfort to know that I didn’t have to walk that journey alone. As I think on those events, I am still discovering ways He took care of me, He custom-tailored every moment. There is a sweet fellowship available to God’s children in the midst of circumstances and I am very thankful for it.

In the end neither of us changed our philosophy of Christ’s second return, but I left encouraged in faith. The spirit and attitude of heart is what I believe was the key.

Would it surprise or offend you to know that some in our church who worship each week are post-trib? Some are Calvinistic and others are Armenian. Some really enjoy liberty in worship to raise hands and shout while others are more reserved.

This is of particular interest to me as I think about the growth of our church. How much like Bayou Drive Baptist Church (or like me) does someone have to be to be brought beyond the arena of corporate worship into the inner circle of our fellowship? Do we communicate an expectation with their marriage, family, or schooling? Do we expect a certain race or religious background? Do we have the fortitude to tolerate and embrace someone who doesn’t smell right or has been stained with a life of sin? What if they’ve never been Baptist?

We, rightly, state our convictions and character through the summary of our Church Constitution. But we must agree that our ultimate agenda is to help people to be like Jesus Christ, and sometimes that demands embracing stripes of a different color.

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: … What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” – Philippians 1:15,18

I’ve been pondering what some might consider a pretty deep thought. When do you grow up? As I’ve been seeking an answer to my question, I have come across many possibilities. Some will say, “Well, the Bible says at 30 you become a man.” I’ve come across many others who will say the age of accountability is 12. While others will tell me when you turn 18 or 21 your considered legal for many things. Others have told me that you are grown when you put others before yourself and take responsibility. Though none of those answers are wrong in their own respects, they still don’t answer my question. When do you grow up? Though after much prayer and study I believe God answered my question.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
1 Corinthians 13:11

Our communication, realization, and contemplation all change and mature when we grow up. Paul in this chapter is dealing with charity and our growth in love. Consider how we behave and how we communicate.

Paul says in the beginning of chapter 13 in verse 1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” The very things we say hold weight, and will either be clear and meaningful, or will be just noise, especially when considering what it takes to grow up. How I talk and communicate towards others makes a difference. As a child I couldn’t understand love and it’s principles. So when I spoke, it would often be selfish or harsh.

The way we talk can damage and ruin our testimony. It can even go as far as to turn someone away from the gospel. On an individual level, God has dealt with me about the little and the big things I say. On the corporate level, I fully believe no matter what age we are, we all have some growing up to do.

I have found myself caught in this tangled web of beauty. My makeup kit that used to read for normal skin has been replaced by “anti-aging” and “firming” products. Rather than just moisturizing at night I mix a cocktail for all my “problem areas”.  I have contributed my fair share of pennies to the multi-billion dollar a year cosmetics industry all the while with less than miraculous results. The world offers us bondage in an unattainable goal. Getting old is going to happen to all of us. Dove is right. Real beauty comes from the inside. But they weren’t the first ones to say that. God was.

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

The secret to real beauty lies within. The woman who loves the Lord and serves Him and prays for His leadership in her life and invests herself in His pursuits and labors in His word will glow from the inside out, not from empowerment, but surrender.  He has provided in chapter 31, and throughout His word, qualities that we should have on our prayer list. They’re not meant to overwhelm and discourage us but to guide us. God so desires to be known by His children. A close walk with the Lord will not ward of wrinkles, but unlike the world’s beauty that fades with time, God’s beauty grows and deepens and brightens as the years go by. We recognize these Godly women when we meet them. They are a magnet and a reminder of what God calls real beauty.