What's A Sparrow Worth?

Maybe it comes from growing up feeding horses, cattle, dogs, cats and a racoon, but when winter rolls around I get a lot of pleasure from feeding the birds. In fact, I don't just pick up a sack of wild bird seed and dump it in the bird feeders. I also buy black oil sunflower seeds and mix them with the other seed. Call me a softie, but during the recent ice and snow I made certain that the wild birds in my neighborhood did not go to the roost hungry.

With more than a little shame, I have to admit this was not always the case. As a youngster, I actually enjoyed getting out in the snow, spraying some starter fluid into the intake of the old diesel tractor and then hauling feed and hay to the livestock. Never were those cows and horses happier to see me than when I was their only source of food. But birds were another story. Sparrows were considered nothing more than a nuisance. When they started making too big a mess in our shop I would load the 22 rifle with rat shot, grab a flashlight and shoot the birds roosting in the rafters. The cats always seemed more than happy with me on those nights.

A long time ago I was teaching a Bible class and came to Luke 12:6-7 - "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Etched into my memory is the discussion that ensued. I made the point that a sparrow is basically worthless and nothing more than a disgusting nuisance. I shared that as a boy I would shoot them from the rafters at night. It was then that one of our sweet ladies gave me a whole new perspective on this passage. She pointed out that this text does not say the sparrows are worthless. In fact, she considered everyone of them to be extremely valuable. This was my first encounter with an avid bird watcher. She was also a devoted bird feeder. Her point was well taken. Not one sparrow is forgotten before God.

It's amazing what happens to us when we begin to see our world through the eyes of God. I have no idea how many different kinds of birds enjoyed the bird feeders in my yard this week during a significant ice storm. Even the Sparrow Hawk that scattered the birds one afternoon seemed to appreciate my effort. But here's the amazing thing: God created every species of birds. His handiwork is seen in the perfect design of every living thing on this planet. Because of God, everything created by Him has value. But above all, you are His crowning creation. How valuable are you? So valuable that God would send His Son to redeem you. Yes, there's no doubt about it. It's amazing what happens when we begin to see our world through the eyes of God.

God Bless America

On January 20, 2009 the world watched as the United States of America made another peaceful transfer of power when Barak Obama was sworn in as our 44th President. This inauguration was especially historic due to his race. On the very mall constructed in part by slaves, the son of an African immigrant became the world’s most powerful leader. The largest crowd ever to assemble for a Presidential inauguration packed the grounds. Some estimated that almost two million people attended.

After a night of rest and some time for reflection, a couple of thoughts come to mind.

First, there are many things right about America. You may not agree with a leader’s political stance but you are free to disagree and even speak your mind. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, independent, liberal, conservative, moderate, or progressive there are some things equally embraced by all. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are a land of opportunity. And although the worst of our citizens normally dominate the news media our communities are filled with patriotic, hard working, law abiding citizens. There is a lot right about America. That was well illustrated by the news that not one arrest was made in Washington, D.C. due to criminal activity at the inauguration. As millions gathered to sing “Let Freedom Ring” the world saw that there are many things right about America. But think about this, with God’s blessings we can be so much better. Paul wrote to his son in the faith with this exhortation, “Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (I Timothy 2:1-2) Everything right about America is tied to God answering your prayers for those who are leading us. Don’t forget to pray for your leaders.

The second thought that came to mind was perhaps the most discussed. America elected the man they considered most qualified, not the person who was the correct race. In a world where prejudice reveals some of the worst in mankind’s character, much has changed in our land. Transport us back to 1960 and Barak Obama would not be allowed to eat at many lunch counters in the capital city. He would be required to sit at the back on the bus. Many would have considered him inferior simply because of the color of his skin. Go to any place on our planet and you will find some kind of prejudice putting people at odds with one another. Yet, nothing is farther from the nature of God than prejudice. James wrote, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. …. Have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1, 4) As the Apostle Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians, he shared that his prejudiced eye was radically changed through his relationship with Christ. He wrote, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh…” (II Corinthians 5:16) Before becoming a Christian, he measured up everyone according to the flesh. Are they a Jew? Are they a Pharisee? If not, they were nothing. But now, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17) Becoming a new creation even changes how you view God’s created ones.

Hopelessness Is A Bad Ending To Every Story

In the news the past couple of days is the story of an Indiana pilot who faked a distress call and bailed out of a plane over Alabama. His plane continued on autopilot for some two hundred miles before crashing in a marsh just seventy five feet from a home. He was found at a Gadsden County, Alabama campground Tuesday night after slashing his wrist in a suicide attempt. Why did he take such risky and dramatic steps to fake his death and then actually try to commit suicide? Some are reporting that he was trying to escape legal and financial troubles involving hundreds of thousands of dollars and allegations of fraud.

Ever found yourself having a really bad day and wondering, "How could things get any worse?" If you are a faithful Christian, no matter what you are facing today things could be much worse. That may sound a little presumptuous on my part, but for a faithful Christian it is an absolute fact!

What motivated the man who jumped from his turbo prop airplane to cut his wrists in an attempt to end his life? Bottom line, he believed he had no hope for a solution to his problems. Take this to the bank, when you think you have absolutely "NO HOPE" things have gotten as bad as they can get.

Paul wrote to the brethren in Ephesus and asked them to remember back to the time in their lives when they were without Christ, "having no hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12) Earlier in this same chapter he reminded them that they "once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2) Whether they realized it or not, before they were taught about Jesus Christ, things were as bad as they could get. Satan was directing their lives and they didn't even know it. They were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. We're talking about hopeless!

Take time to read the second chapter of Ephesians. In verse 4 you find the first in a series of two word introductions, "But God." In verse 11, "Therefore remember." In verse 13, "But now." In verse 19, "Now, therefore." This entire chapter is filled to the brim with reasons why we are filled with hope. Today, you may be facing some really tough struggles. But God, who is rich in mercy is with you. Take a minute to remember that you don't have to live or even think like you did before becoming a Christian. Remember that now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. In fact, you are no longer a stranger and a foreigner, but a fellow citizen with the saints and a member of the household of God.

The story never ends well for those without hope. But there has never been a bad ending for those who embrace the hope found in Christ Jesus. That gospel truth explains passages like Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Thank God for hope.

A New Year, A New Life

I like the word "New". It is exciting to know that every January 1 we get to start another "New" year. Of course, that means that we will wrestle with maintaining our focus on some "New" goals, also known as "New" Year's resolutions. A lot of folks will join me in working toward a "New" daily routine of getting some exercise and eating a healthier diet.

But the "New" year also is a great time to "Re-New" your focus on your spiritual health and well being. How about a "New" habit of reading your Bible every single day. I suggest taking advantage of The Daily Bible. It is in chronological order with 365 daily readings, with commentary by F. LaGard Smith, published by Harvest House. You can get one worth the money at http://www.allbibles.com/, which has a warehouse in Shawnee.

Another great thing to focus on in this "New" year is prayer. Enjoy your daily Bible reading and then spend some time in prayer. The privilege of prayer is one of the special gifts God has given us. Few, if any, things express our dependance upon God like prayer.

Here's a little nugget of spiritual protein for today.

"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24