Lepers.
 
Human outcasts.
 
Excommunicated from the community. Isolated from loved ones for a lifetime.  Cursed with a loathsome disease that required them to declare “Unclean, unclean.” whenever they appeared in public. Such was the sad, pitiful life of a person afflicted with leprosy.
 
One day ten lepers cried out with loud voices to the Son of God as He passed by. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Read the entire scenario in Luke 17:11-21. Hearing their heartfelt cries and seeing their pitiful condition, Jesus, full of compassion, instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests.
 
Why go to the priests? The Levitical law required that when a leper was healed he had to be declared clean by the priests.
 

• Something wonderful was about to happen.

 
The Word says the lepers obeyed Jesus’ command to go. And “as they were going, they were cleansed.”  As they went, they were healed. The Lord showered mercy upon the lepers as they obeyed His command to go. Leprosy was cleansed. They would be declared clean.
 
Imagine the astonishment and joy of the ten lepers as they touched their once rotten flesh that is now The Lord restored them to physical, emotional, and social wholeness with His Word.. Jesus miraculously healed them!
 

• It was now time for the former lepers to shout the praises of God for His great mercy.

 
A funny thing happened after the healed lepers left the temple. Our primary verse for the week reports that only one of the men thanked Jesus for healing him. Just one.
 
“Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.”  Luke 17:15-16
 

• One out of ten turned back. Imagine: only one came back to give Jesus thanks for healing him.

 
With a loud voice, the one grateful man glorified God and fell on his face before the Lord in humility and gratitude.
 
One grateful man.  The Son of God was shocked. Verses 17-18 state “And Jesus answered and said,” Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
 

• Can you feel the disappointment and pain in the Lord’s question?

 
It blew Him away that nine out of ten never even returned to say thanks. Ten were healed. Nine were ungrateful. Utterly amazing. Hard to comprehend.
 
In verse 19, the Lord told the single thankful man to rise up and enter back into life. His faith had made him whole. The one grateful guy, once a looked down upon, segregated foreigner to boot, was declared whole not only by the priests but by the Great Physician Himself! Wow!
 

• Imagine the wonderful new life that began that moment for the thankful former leper!

 
 It is worthy of noting that no further mention is made of the thankless nine except that of leaving a legacy of ungratefulness for what God did in their lives. Shame on them.
 
Seven Simple Truths About Gratitude.
 
1.     God deserves our thanks for His goodness to us.
2.     Gratitude is an attitude of the heart.
3.     God works in us when we go and do what He tells us to do.
4.     Giving God the glory is the mark of healthy, heartfelt faith.
5.     Crying out to God for help should be followed by shouting His praises when we are helped.
6.     We choose to be the thankful one or the unthankful nine.
7.     God’s blessing comes to those who are grateful.
 
            *** ONE GRATEFUL GUY. 
 

• If only one in ten does indeed give God thanks, will that one be you?

 
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving-kindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”                                                              Psalm 107:1-2a 
 
A Word For Your Week: Be grateful because God has done great things for you.

A gentleman made an appointment with me for counseling. Life was stressing him out. Having rehearsed a lengthy list of troubles troubling him, he looked at me with a discouraged, perplexed look. Then he commented “Steve, if this is all there is to life, I don’t think I like it!”
 
Have you ever thought what he verbalized? If you and I are honest, most of us have at one time or another.
           
Honestly, if this earthly life is all there is, I do not always like it either. Sometimes life can just plain stink! Can I get an Amen!
 

• But what makes life on planet earth bearable, endurable, conquerable and even enjoyable, is that our life is about eternity, not just earthly existence.

 
 Ecclesiastes 3:11a reads “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart…”
 
·      Today’s word is about life perspective.
 
The Apostle Paul shares with us timely truth tips to hold on to when troubles visit life.
 
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  II Corinthians 4:18
 
·      Life for Christians is about faith for eternity.
 
Our magnificent Creator and gracious, loving Heavenly Father has prepared a place for us that is spiritually, physically, and every other way out of this world!
           
Paul understood this. Even though he was properly immersed in earthly pursuits as he preached the Gospel, and suffered from many trying troubles, Paul was a BIG PICTURE PERSON.
 
A big picture person focuses on the eternal, not the temporal. They look for what is behind what they see. Big picture people know there is a spiritual realm beyond this earthly one.
           
·      Troubles trip us up when we neglect to take the long look at life.
 
Christians are called to triumph, not trip over trouble. When we are thinking about the Big Stuff (eternal) it is easy not to sweat the small stuff (temporal).
 
In verses 16-18, Paul contrasts the temporal and eternal, the seen and the unseen. Focusing on the seen (sight alone) creates anxiety and frustration. Focusing on the unseen (faith and hope) sparks anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm.  
 
Unseen does not mean it is not there. I cannot see air, but it is there. If not, well, see you later because I cannot breathe! Just because we have not physically seen Jesus, does not mean He is not alive and able to change our lives.
 
I Peter 1:8 declares “and though you have not seen Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”  WOW… I love this verse. We do not have to see Jesus to know He is with us.
 
·      The unseen is seen with the eye of faith.  
 
Paul’s Perspective On Temporal Troubles.
 
Paul exhorts us to not “lose heart” and live triumphantly over troubles for the following reasons.
 
1. Focus on your inner man, not the outer man. Let’s face it: our flesh is decaying. But our spirit is being “renewed day by day.” Decay makes for a bad day. Renewal turns trouble into triumph! Guess where we should put our energy?
 
2. Temporal troubles are momentary. Trials, tests, and troubles are of short duration. They have a limited shelf life.  Troubles may feel like they are terminal and eternal. But they are not. When faith keeps feelings in check, troubles last just a few moments…and they usually will not kill us!
 
3. Temporal troubles are light compared to the weight of eternal glory. Too often we empower our troubles and give them weight they do not deserve. Troubles in light of eternity are not as heavy as we make them out to be. They are light weight, not heavy weights. Do not blow out of proportion what God says is a small thing. Our “light  affliction” produces for us a great glory that cannot be compared to trouble in any way.
 
4. Keep your eyes fixed on the unseen, not the seen. What we see is temporal and time bound. Focus on what you see and feel, and trouble is spelled TROUBLE!!! What we do not see is eternal and timeless. Rivet your spiritual eyes on what you cannot see and feel, and trouble is spelled trouble. Faith and hope in Jesus Christ turn TROUBLE into trouble every time!
 
·      The long look keeps us from tripping up over tiny, temporary troubles.
 
Rubber meets the road: Are you my friend troubled by life right now? DO NOT LOSE HEART! Your troubles are not as big and bad as they want you to believe them to be.
           
·      Take a deep spiritual breath. Take the long look. Face your troubles with faith. Talk to your troubles. Tell them they are no big deal. Then watch them fade away into the sunset of insignificance.  
 
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”      John 14:1-3
 
Beloved Christin, an eternal home in heaven with Jesus is worth the long look of faith. Hallelujah!  
 
A Word For Your Week: Trouble will not triumph over you and me because Jesus is bigger than trouble.   

Adverse circumstances are part of life. I wish they weren’t, but they are!
 
Adversity makes us feel anxious, wondering what is going to happen next. You and I can feel stuck or stalled in life when adversity comes knocking on our door.
 
But imagine a day like this.  
 
You get up, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, drive to work and do your job. Then people you care about mercilessly pummel you with rocks. Then they drag your severely battered, bruised and bloodied body into a ditch outside of the city.
 
Abused. Abandoned. Alone. Left to die.    
 
Most likely you and I will never experience a day like the one just described. But the apostle Paul of the Bible did. Our scripture passage for this week reveals a serious, adverse scenario that became life-threatening for God’s chosen servant.
 
“…. they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city.”  Acts 14:19-20
 

• Paul was stoned with rocks (not with wacky weed!). Big rocks. Hard rocks. Jagged rocks. Rocks that hurt. Why? Simply for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 
I am certain a physical beat-down with stones was not scheduled in the Apostles’ day-timer for that morning! So how did Paul respond to a stoning? Verse 20 states “he arose and entered the city”. Which city? The one where he had just been stoned!
 
Are you kidding me? Did you get hit with one rock too many brother Paul? Did you lose some of your marbles during the stoning? How in the world could you walk back into your adversary’s backyard? What in the world were you thinking?
 

• Left for dead, Paul plowed ahead with God’s purpose in His life.

 
Paul turned a stoning into a ministry opportunity. By the grace of God, he marched right back in to share the Rock of salvation with those who threw rocks and tossed him out of town.  
 

• Smack dab in the middle of serious personal adversity, Paul advanced.

 
 Persecution propelled him forward. Difficulty moved him to greater determination and diligence in his ministry of declaring and sharing the Good News!
 
Contrast the disciple’s response with Paul’s. They stood around. Hung out, probably sucking their thumbs and whining about their situation! Paralyzed by fear, troubled by the tribulation they had encountered, they retreated while Paul advanced. The disciples were more near death then Paul. Paul was wounded and traumatized in his body. But his ministry colleagues were troubled in their spirit.
 

• The disciples froze in adversity while Paul rose in adversity to bring glory to God.

 
As Christians you and I must come to grips with verse 22, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  Note “many tribulations.” You and I must pass through them to enter God’s kingdom. This being true, we need to learn how to advance through adversity if we are to be victorious overcomers like Paul and our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  
 
I believe it is entirely possible that Paul successfully endured a stoning because he personally witnessed Stephen’s stoning in Acts 8.  
 
Stephen’s courageous testimony of faith and subsequent martyrdom touched Paul’s heart. The apostle was inspired witnessing Stephen advance through adversity. In Acts 9, on the road to Damascus, Paul received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. The same spirit of Jesus that was in Stephen also resided in Paul.
 

• When times are tough, you and I can stand around like the disciples and do nothing, or we can rise up, take a faith stand, and do something positive and productive like Paul.

 
Advice For Advancing Through Adversity.
 

• Commit yourself completely to your calling.
• Take your eyes off your problems. Focus them on your purpose. 
• Remember that God, the Rock of salvation, is bigger than any rock-throwing adversary. 
• Resolve to move forward by faith when circumstances are pushing you backwards. 
• While others may retreat in the face of adversity, you choose to run to, not away, from the battle.
• Trust the Lord to turn an unpleasant experience into a good one. He is an expert at that!
• Ask yourself: How can I make lemonade out of these lemons?

 
Adversity is part of life. Christians are not exempt from tough times. So, when trials, tribulation, testing, challenges, difficult seasons and opposition raise their ugly heads, will you retreat or advance?
 

• Adverse life circumstances test  our fortitude, our determination, our commitment to advance during every season of uncertainty, confusion and concern. 

 

• Faith in Christ stands firm in times of adversity.

 
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.”                                         I Peter 4:12-13
 
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”                                            Ephesians 6:13
 
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  I Corinthians 15:5
 
A Word For Your Week: When the going gets tough, the tough advance through adversity to fulfill God’s will.
 

​Years ago I taught a married couple’s Sunday School class. With warm fondness, I remember how much fun we had together building our marriages and families studying God’s Word together.
 
A couple of the guys who were my best friends in the class liked to rag on the fact that I am short in physical stature (5’ 5 ½” inches to be exact!).  When I left to take my first church as pastor, the class threw a great going away party for me and Jo Ann.
 
Ø  My buddies wrote and then sang a little jingle that went something like this: “Steve Roll will be ten feet tall when he gets to heaven, but everyone else will be eleven!” Ragged me to the bitter end! Their tribute was awesome and made me try to walk a little taller!
 
Our scripture for the week showcases a momentous battle between a giant named Goliath and a shepherd boy named David. Read I Samuel 17.
 
Goliath was an uncircumcised Philistine phenom A mammoth, mountain-sized, menacing, muscle bound, meanness machine who openly taunted God and caused the Israeli army to tremble in their combat sandals. Goliath was nine feet tall and weighed 700 lbs!
           
Ø  Goliath was a real problem. A big problem.  HE SEEMED TOO BIG TO HIT.
 
I once heard John Maxwell say “Your problem is not your problem.” John shared how we can turn our problems over to God, and when our problems become His problems, He solves them for us.
 
Goliath was not Israel’s problem. Goliath was God’s problem. But Saul and Goliath made God’s problem their problem. In doing so, God’s warriors were stopped dead in their tracks by Goliath’s trash-talking taunts for forty days and nights.  
           
Ø  Goliath was big but not too big for God.
 
Saul and the Israeli army forgot who their God was and how big and bad (good bad!) He was.
 
Enter shepherd boy David. You will discover that David had a different perspective than Saul and the Israeli soldiers. He walked in faith, not fear.
 
“Then David said to the Philistine (Goliath), “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.”
 I Samuel 17:45
 
Ø  David looked up at the colossal champion of Israel’s enemy and decided THIS GUY IS TOO BIG TO MISS! David could see that Goliath was nine feet tall.  But that did not bother David, for David knew that His God was at least ten feet tall!
 
Without hesitation, with a fire burning in his heart, and the Israeli and Philistine armies looking on, David publicly, boldly confessed his faith (verses 31-37), courageously confronted Goliath with confidence and certainty (verses 45-47), and conquered convincingly the giant in the name of the Lord (verses 48-53). 
 
Ø  Let me ask you: How big is your God? I mean how big is your God? Is He big enough to handle any problem you have?
 
Problems seem so big because, like Goliath, they stand tall, scream loudly, cast a scary shadow, instill fear and worry,  laugh and mock at our seeming insignificance.
           
Ø  Problems can become gigantic when we focus on them instead of God and our faith in Him. The more Goliath taunts us, our faith in our God either gets smaller or bigger!
 
Goliath looked big in front of a cowering army and a little, shepherd boy with a slingshot. But Goliath was cut down to size in a hurry through the faith of a courageous servant who attacked his enemy in the name of the Living God!  
 
Ø  It is a fact that you and I find out how big our God is and how much faith we have in Him when Goliath shows up. Goliaths test our trust in God.
 
Try this simple exercise the next time you have a Goliath problem. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Put Goliath (your problem) on one side and God (your solution) on the other. Write out everything you know about Goliath and God, then decide who is bigger, God or Goliath. Who you decide is bigger determines the outcome of your situation.
 
Ø  The God of the Bible is bigger than any and every Goliath we may ever encounter in life.
 
My friend, Goliath better think twice when God’s kids are in town! Christians do not defeat problems in their name. We gain victory over the enemy because the battle is the Lord’s (verse 47), we fight by faith in the name of the Lord (verses 37, 45-46) and victory belongs to the Lord! (See Proverbs 21:31).
 
Ø  Got a problem? A giant problem! A Goliath taunting you and mocking your faith? Take your problem and put it in God’s hands. Remember that God is at least ten feet tall and He still slays nine foot Goliaths.  
 
“There is none like Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might. Who would not fear Thee, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Thy due…...”  Jeremiah 10:7a
 
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEE!”
                                                                                                                  Jeremiah 32:17
A Word For Your Week: God is always bigger than your biggest problem.
 
 

​Have you wondered why America is in a moral freefall?

• America: a morally declining culture due to compromising convictions.

In every corner of our great country, you and I witness blind-sighted, deceived people who are falling away from long-held, cherished, traditional values, moral principles, biblical beliefs and codes of personal and corporate conduct that everyday Americans have held near and dear for over 245 years.

• As a people, the United States is in a sad state of affairs concerning convictions.  

Unfortunately, and I say this with deep concern and heavy sorrow in my heart, the spirit of compromise has invaded, infected and is immobilizing the church.
There are some “ministers,” “fellowships” and “professing Christians,” who are in grave danger of falling away from the faith or have already turned their back on the Savior due to compromising convictions.  Culturally, politically correct theology and practice is crippling the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the name of tolerance, acceptance and inclusion, which have been enshrined as sacred watchwords in our wayward society, even Christian people have strayed from truth. THE TRUTH. Jesus said what no other person has ever declared: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6.
Because Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life in heaven, why wouldn’t everyone want to turn to Him, not away from Him? How can it be that some would turn their back on the One who took stripes on His back to save them from sin, death, the grave and eternal damnation? Turning away from God’s Only Son is not a good thing to do.
The Bible addresses falling away from the faith. Unbelievably, especially in the “last days,” there will be many who deny the faith and turn away from Jesus.
“And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another.” Matthew 24:10
“Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me…” II Timothy 4:9
“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many a snare.” I Timothy 6:10
“For in the case of those who have been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance since they again crucify to themselves he Son of God, and put Him to open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6.
Jesus, Paul, and the Hebrews writer make it clear: under pressure, some will fall away by forsaking the Christian faith. Their fall from faith will be great.
Think about the day you and I live in. Do you know supposed Christians who no longer confess Christ, who have dropped out of church, who are silent about Jesus, who are acting like the world, who have forsaken the Lord Himself?
Sadly, there are people falling away from Jesus all around you and me.
Factors That Contribute To Falling Away From Faith In Christ

• You no longer stand in awe, reverence, and fear of Almighty God. His sovereign holiness means little or nothing to you. It you think your Creator and Redeemer is just “the man upstairs,” or only “the good Lord,” or someone or something you turn to when in trouble, your faith is seriously shallow. Cultural Christianity is not biblical Christianity.
• A lukewarm heart. Revelation 3:14-22 declares God will spit out the lukewarm follower. A cold heart toward Jesus and the body of Christ is a spiritual red flag. Cold hearts and seared consciences are a sure sign of slipping faith.
• You are falling away if you believe there are many paths to God. Jesus said He is the only way. There is only one Cross and one resurrection from the dead. There are not multiple saviors. The world falsely hopes there are many highways to heaven. The Bible says there is only one.
• You may be falling away if you are not feeding and exercising your faith. If you are not reading your Bible, praying, attending church regularly, fellowshipping with fellow Christians, serving in the church and our culture, and when given opportunity to share your faith with others you do not know, be very careful.  A fall is closer than you think. (Hebrews 10:25).
• Worldly behavior. When you are talking and acting like those who do not believe in God, your faith will be eroded. What about what comes out of your mouth? Who do you spend time with? Who influences you most? Would those who know you best say you act like the unbelieving world? (I John 2:15-17).
• Compromising moral convictions. When worldly values supersede biblical truth and principles, a fall can be just around the corner. The world system, influenced and empowered by Satan, labors tirelessly to deceive you and me into believing that abortion is acceptable, sex outside of marriage is normal, homosexuality is natural, same sex marriage is approved by God, lying, cheating, stealing, and corruption is fine if you want to get ahead in a greed and power-based society.

 
None of these “positions,” as well as many others, represent biblical values in the Word of God. If you believe like the world, you are slipping down a slippery slope of unbelief.  

• You are disappointed with a life situation and blame God for it. Romans 10:11 declares “Whoever believes in Him, Jesus, will not be disappointed.” Deal with disappointment by turning to Jesus, not away from Him. Overcome adversity with faith in the Lord.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no compromise when it comes to Christ’s Cross. The empty tomb demands that you and I decide with all our heart if Jesus is God’s Son or not.

• Are you completely convinced about what you believe and why you believe it? Would you lay down your life for your Christian convictions? Will you stand up for Jesus everyday of your life?

I end this blog with powerfully simple words from a historical hymn of the church.
“I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” “Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back.”
How about you? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, have you settled it that there is no turning back ever? Under all circumstances, will you stand for the Lord and His Word, keep the faith, and finish your course for Christ? (II Timothy 4:7-8). 
As for Steve Roll, I will never compromise my Christian convictions, character or conduct.
Take a moment right now to reaffirm your faith that Jesus is your life and you will never fall away from the faith.
A Word For Your Week: Never, never turn your back on the Lord Jesus Christ.

​I love new, don’t you? Of course you do!
New trumps old almost every time (antique/classic automobiles, magnificent Victorian style mansions, and fine vintage furniture excepted!).
There is nothing like the scent of a new car, the keys to a new house, the birth of a baby, a marriage ceremony sending the newlyweds off to a honeymoon, and, oh yes, one of my favorites, fresh, baked bread!
I met my wife Jo Ann in San Diego. Highway 74 is a major highway connecting downtown with Spring Valley, where Jo Ann lived. I logged a lot of miles on my 1972 Camaro traveling Highway 74 when we dated.
Two things made the drive memorable. First and foremost, seeing my sweetheart. Secondly, Sunbeam Bread. Just as Highway 74 weaved its way downtown, the unmistakable aroma of fresh baked bread captured my nostrils. I can smell it today in my head!  New, fresh bread rolled out of the bakery daily, to the delight of bread eaters everywhere.
Newly baked fresh bread is real bread!
I do not believe there will be any day-old bread in heaven. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will serve new, fresh, out of this world bread! There is no doubt in my mind when those who confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord enter the pearly gates, day old bread will be history. Non-existent. Heaven’s bakers will bake up a batch of new bread!

• The new normal for Christ’s children in glory will be new.

The good news is that you and I do not have to wait to get to heaven to experience something new.
The Bible reveals many characteristics about our Heavenly Father who is our Creator and Redeemer.  One thing about the Living God that fascinates and blesses me is:  He is always doing something new.
“And He who sits on the throne said “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write for these things are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past; Behold, I will do something new. Will you not be aware of it.” Isaiah 43:18-19a.
I encourage you to search scripture in the Bible (use a Strong’s Concordance) to see how God does new things. Phrases like new birth, new life, new man, new creature, new song, new wine, new beginnings, new opportunities, new heaven and earth, new covenant, new heart, new thing, new spirit, new gate, new testament, new cloth, new wine, new wineskin, new commandment, new and living way, new Jerusalem. It is obvious the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about new!
New is the way God rolls.  New is normal for Him. God is always doing something new.
Thoughtful Nuggets About New

• The new birth is the beginning of living life in Christ for a lifetime.
• New is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for you and me.
• New challenges our attitudes. perceptions and perspectives.  New gets in the face of the old.
• New shakes up the proverbial apple cart. New rattles our comfort cages.
• Staying the same (old ways) is willful resistance to something new.
• New demands that I choose to change. No change, no new.
• New is not a one-time experience. New is constant when we walk by faith and trust the God who is always making things new. New stretches faith to deeper, higher levels of trust.
• New comes to those who expect God to do something new. Believe every day in something new from the God who loves to bless His children with surprises.   
• A mark of Christian maturity is growth in Christ. Growing in Him is all about being open to new things God has in store for us according to His promises.

If we choose, new is for me and you.
Let’s be honest. Life can become boring, stale, and get old in a hurry. God knows this. Because of His great love for us, He brings “new” into our lives all throughout our faith journey. He encourages and empowers us to keep our faith fresh, vibrant, expectant, and focused on the new paths the Lord has laid before us. Old roads are old. New roads can be extremely exciting because they are new!
Unfortunately, too many folks seldom experience something new. Why? Because they hold on to the old. Fearful of an uncertain future, they cling to what they think is a safe, risk free, certain today that is overshadowed by yesterday.

• New can be frightening because faith requires risk.

How about you? Holding on to the old? Need something new? Why settle for old when God is waiting to show you something new? Turn your heart and faith toward the One who wants to do something new in you. Open your heart to something new today. Why wait?

• My friend if you are at a crossroad, in a season of transition, choose new. New is always God’s best for us! It really is!
• Be bold. Step out of the old. Step up to new. New is good for you and me.  

A Word For Your Week: Something new is God’s will for you and me too!    

​2025.
 
A New Year is here. Now what?
 
Is New Years just a time to celebrate the turning of the calendar by counting down the clock with a crystal ball in New York City, setting off breathtaking, fantastic fireworks, making personal resolutions, sipping some bubbly and kissing someone you love, or could it be a significant turning point in our life?
 

• I believe what a new year brings is up to you and me.

 

• One of the major truths throughout the Bible is that God is always doing something new.

 
From Genesis to Revelation, and everything in between, God is about the business of making things new. The Apostle John, the receiver of the revelation of things to come, wrote by the Holy Spirit “And He who sits on the throne, said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5
 
God is a God of new. New is normal for the Sovereign Lord of the universe. New is in His holy nature. God’s faithful, true word declares He does new things. Guess what?  Our heavenly Father loves to do new for me and you!
 

• One of my favorite verses in scripture is found in Isaiah 43:18-19a which reads “ 

“Do not call to mind the former things, or dwell on the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new.” Numerous times throughout my faith journey the Lord used this verse to reassure me that He would do something new in me.
 
At a significant juncture in my journey, I was deeply depressed, despairing of life, and uncertain about the future. The Lord lovingly overwhelmed a broken guy who was struggling to find his way back from a life setback. Oh, how I needed to hear that God was going to do something new! God, not Steve or anyone else would deliver me from the “former things,” the hurtful “things of the past” that I was dwelling on.
 
“Behold” means to pay attention. Listen up. The Holy Spirit spoke to me: Steve, yesterday is history. The old is behind. The future is forward. Your Father in heaven is going to do something new. Note the word says, “WILL DO something new,” not might, or hope to do. What a promise from the Promise Keeper!
 
With His help, I focused on something new, not something old. Today, not yesterday. Over time, my attitude and life changed. The Lord brought me back from my setback. I am a comeback kid in Christ who knows the power of God doing something new!
 
Do you need something new in 2025? Are you tired of dwelling on yesterday? How is focusing on hurt, pain and heartache helping you to move forward? Do you really think the Lord wants you to drag negative baggage into your faith journey in the New Year?
 
Time to close out 2024 and open the door of 2025 with some new luggage!
 
Something New In You In The New Year
 
I do not know what the something new in you should be in 2025. But you and God do. Here are a few suggestions that may apply to your life.
 

• Get things right with the Lord. You know what they are.
• Watch your words. Confess life, not death with your mouth.
• Clean up your language. Flush your potty mouth!
• Speak your confession of faith with confidence.
• Overcome something that has beaten you down for years.
• Overcome a bad habit. Defeat a stronghold.
• Deal a death blow to secret sin.
• Restore a relationship that matters to you.
• Make right something you did wrong in 2024.
• Stand up. Stand out. Stand boldly. Stand strong for Jesus Christ.
• Commit to be a positive influence for God’s Kingdom in 2025.

 
Resolutions, like gym memberships and diet plans, last about three weeks. Commitments to make significant changes in our life, with God’s help, can last a lifetime.
 
Write down what your something new in the New Year is going to be. ____________ _____________________________________________________________________.
 
 Could it be there is someone in your life that would love to see you do something new for you in 2025? Someone who genuinely cares about you is pulling for you to do better in an area of your life and hoping you will do something about it.
 
Why not surprise them with a new you in the New Year!
 
You might live a better life than I do. But I know this about me, I need something new all the time! I really do. Just ask my wife…I am sure she has an idea or two for me in 2025!
 
Robert Schuler has said “It takes guts to leave the ruts. A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out.” Doing the same old thing, the same old way is being stuck in a rut. Living in a rut is not God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for His followers.
 

• Refuse to stay stuck in an old rut. Choose to do something new. Get out of the rut you have been in before it becomes your grave.

 
Every day, not just New Year’s, is an opportunity to be and do something new in Christ.
        
A NEW YOU IN THE NEW YEAR…. why not? Look to the Lord to do something new in you in the New Year.
 
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17
 
A Word For Your Week: Something new in you in 2025.

​Christmas is a wonderful time of the year.
           
I am a Christian. I believe with all my heart that Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son Jesus Christ.
 
Imagine with me for a moment you are one of the shepherds tending your sheep. Fairly normal, probably boring, sheep herding shift. Then, the night sky lights up with angelic messengers. declaring a wonderful, history and life-changing message for humanity.
 
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
 

• God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son that first Christmas to be the Savior of mankind. The angel announced “good news of a great joy.” A Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born in Bethlehem for you, me and the whole world.

 
Personally, I really enjoy the traditions of the holiday festivities. Santa Claus. Brightly lit Christmas trees. Families sharing a festive meal. Goodies galore. Wide-eyed children (adults too!) excited to open presents. Neighborhood light tours. Inspirational church programs and pageants all warm my sentimental heart.
 

• News Bulletin:  Santa Claus is not our Savior. Jesus is. He is the light of the world that outshines any Christmas light display. 

           
Fact: Ever since the birth of Jesus over two thousand years ago, Satan, the world and our surrounding culture has declared war on Christmas. Their target: Jesus Christ. Anti-Christian, secular minded, liberal thinkers boldly attempt to remove Christ from Christmas.
 
You who keep up with culture know their tactics.  Ban Nativity scenes from public. No Christmas carols banished from school holiday programs. “Happy Holidays” is the politically correct replacement for Merry Christmas.  Even poinsettias have been removed from a courthouse because they are a religious symbol! Talk about “Bah, Humbug!”
 

• The above efforts of unbelieving folks infuriate me and saddens my heart.  

 
I have a few thoughts worth thinking about regarding the futile attempt of arrogant, self-righteous, Christ rejecters who are on a mission they can never win.  
 

• Man may remove a manger in a nativity scene but not the message of the manger.
• Man can replace Christmas with a X-mas, but Jesus is still Savior of the world. 
• Can man undo what God has done? Never going to happen!
• Do you really think any mere man can take the Lord God out of anything?
• Does man really think he can trump God’s Word in the Bible with his word?
• Do you think God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are panicking in heaven over secular man’s efforts to erase Christmas?  Can you imagine God declaring, “O My gosh, what shall We do?” Not likely!
• Who in this or any world can dethrone Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

 
Oh, unbelieving, secular man, wake up! Jesus came at Christmas, grew up, taught truth, personally suffered, was crucified on a cruel cross and rose from the dead with resurrection power to be your Savior.
 
History is “His” Story. The redemption story began with a baby born in a manger that first Christmas. Two thousand years after the holy child’s birth, our lost, sad, sin-sick world still needs Jesus.
 

• Christmas can never be taken away because Christ lives in our heart.  

 
Fellow Christian, this Christmas stand up for what you believe. Never be intimidated by an unbelieving culture. Refuse to be shaken by the foolishness that abounds.
 

• Celebrate Jesus Christ joyfully, boldly and unashamedly. Pray for lost souls. Share your faith in a winsome manner with those who wander aimlessly in spiritual darkness, blinded by Satan. As the light of the world, reach out with God’s love and mercy to those who are sincerely looking for truth.

 
At Christmas, and everyday of the year, Jesus is still, and will always be, good news of a great joy!
 
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
 
A Word For Your Week: Jesus Christ is Christmas.

“I am bored.” “My life is boring.” “I am bored to tears.” 
Recently I have heard statements about being bored from a seventy-year-old retiree, a thirty-year-old Generation Z-er, an eleven-year-old fourth grader, and a forty-year-old wife and mother.
BORING HAPPENS.

• Fact:  You and I can become bored.

Steve Roll has been bitten by the boring bug more times than I can count. I definitely do not like the sense that my life is stuck on the boredom button. Being bored is not my buddy.

• Last time I checked, boredom is not one of the fruits of the Spirit!

 B-o-r-i-n-g is epidemic in our hyper-speed, fast-paced, entertainment crazed, technology driven society. Our culture has more STUFF TO DO THAN EVER. Activities ad nauseum. Endless events. Online games. Unceasing demands on our time and energy.
Lots of stuff to do…BUT WE HAVE MORE BOREDOM THAN EVER!
Americans are a go, go, go ….do, do, do people that have no idea what to do when the go and do come to a screeching halt.
I have a couple of thoughts about boredom. Boring is never invited. It just shows up. Who gets up in the morning, begins their day by declaring I cannot wait to be bored today?  No one in their reasonably sound mind that I know.
Boring is a genuine feeling that comes and goes.
Boredom messes with our head and emotions. Stimulates all sorts of stinking thinking. Tempts us to be discouraged and depressed. Being bored is a royal pain in the hind end! 

• So, what should you and I do when boring shows up? How about focusing on the abundant life we believers in Christ have in Him? Good idea!  

The Parable of the Good Shepherd is found in John 10:1-18. Read this passage in its entirety. Jesus declares He is the Good Shepherd (the Savior) who takes care of the sheep (you and me).
 A shepherd knows each sheep by name. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice. Shepherds protect the sheep from predators who seek to destroy them. The shepherd is willing to lay his life down to save the sheep.
In verse 10 John writes about Jesus: “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I (the Good Shepherd) have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly,”     
What does abundant life in Christ have to do with beating boring? Everything. When you and I walk by faith that the Good Shepherd Jesus laid His life down for us sheep so we could have an abundant life, boredom fades into the sunset!
Boredom wants you and me to think we have no life. Nothing is happening. Where did the fun go? Jesus laid down His life on a cruel Cross and rose from the dead so that we could be saved. Salvation is all about joy! The joy of receiving Jesus’ joy that no one can steal from us (John 16:20).
Listen up my friend.  When I am wrestling with boring, I still have abundant life in Christ. His victory is my victory. His joy is my joy. His peace is my peace. How can abundant life in Christ be boring? Not possible. Abundant life in the Lord is sustaining, satisfying, gratifying, fulfilling and eternal.
Just a thought. Boring won’t kill you! Make boredom work for you.

• When boredom sneaks up on you, remind the boredom boogey-man that you have abundant life in Christ. I am alive forever in Jesus. Take that boredom!

Battling Boredom

• Boredom has a lifespan. It does not last forever. Sometimes boring lingers longer than at other times. If a person is bored all the time, they need to get a life! The point is: you and I will not be bored all the days of our lives unless we choose to do so!
• When boredom shows up, do not do something stupid that you will regret. Resist the temptation to do anything out of God’s will just because you are bored. Amazing how many bored folks sin!
• Being busy for the sake of being busy is not the antidote for boredom. Busyness will just wear you out… and make you more bored with life!
• Get up. Get out. Do something meaningful and rewarding. Then come back and take a nap! Sleep that boring spirit off.   
• Turn “boring” moments into opportunities to draw closer to God. Read your Bible. Listen to praise music. Pray for people you care about. Write an encouraging note to someone. Text a scripture to someone. Call someone up. Serve your loved ones. Help out with ministry at your church. Reach out to help someone who needs assistance and encouragement from a servant of Jesus.
• Life is not just about me. Boredom’s focus is self. Stop being so self-centered. Be other-centered. Who needs me to serve them in Jesus’ name today? There is nothing more rewarding (and not boring) when we volunteer to serve others along life’s journey. The regards are amazing!
• Keep your spiritual armor on (Ephesians 6:1-10). Satan will attack with a spirit of boredom to keep Christ’s followers from abundant living in Christ and reaching out to win lost souls for the Kingdom of God. Sadly, folks who reject Jesus, will be bored all the way to hell!
• When boredom comes knocking on your mind’s door, keep the door locked. Find something meaningful and valuable to do. Boring will have to knock on someone else’s door!

 

• My friend, Spirit-filled living, enjoying abundant life in Christ, beats boring. Life is not boring when we love Jesus with all our heart and serve others in His name.   

“It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 20:26
“Now we who are strong should bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.” Romans 15:1
“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2
A Word For Your Week: Beat boredom with abundant life in Christ!

Two people.  Similar life circumstances. One is joyful, happy. The other sad and depressed.
The difference?  Attitude. One chooses joy. The other does not.

• A strikingly significant sign of our troubling times is the joylessness of so many people.

If you do not believe me, I challenge you to look straight into the eyes of people you meet. What is obvious by its absence is the sparkle of joy. Very few people’s eyes dance with joy anymore. Nor do many walk with a joyful bounce in their step.      

Sadly, in our society, joyless people are the rule while joyful people are the exception. A genuinely joyful person sticks out in the crowd like a happy sore thumb (can a sore thumb be happy?). Not sure about that one!   
Lack of joy puts many people in their grave long before they are pronounced dead! Know anyone like this? I have seen far too many joyless people in my lifetime.
Oh, how our world needs joy! How can you and I be joyful in a joyless world?

In his book “Laugh Again,” author Charles Swindoll writes:

“I have discovered that a joyful countenance has nothing to do with one’s age or one’s occupation (or lack of it) or one’s geography or education or marital status or good looks or circumstances. Joy is a choice. It is a matter of attitude that stems from one’s confidence in God—that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of what ever has happened, is happening, and will happen. Either we fix our minds on that and determine to laugh again, or we wail and whine our way through life, complaining that we never got a fair shake. Laughing one’s way through life depends on nothing external. Regardless of how severely the winds of adversity may blow, we set our sails toward joy.”

• Setting our life sails toward joy is setting our faith and confidence firmly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The book of Philippians is a book about joy. I encourage you to study Philippians this week in detail. These 104 verses, penned by Paul from prison, are packed with joy and rejoicing! Thirteen times he uses the word joy, rejoice or rejoicing. During personal persecution and agonizing adversity, Paul intentionally set his sail toward joy.
Three life-altering observations about the attitude of joy and rejoicing that I am learning from Paul in Philippians.    

First, JOY is not based on CIRCUMSTANCES. If circumstances are responsible for joy, then Paul should have been horribly depressed! He was chained to a Roman guard, under house arrest, awaiting execution.  Few if any of Paul’s daily circumstances shouted joy. Read II Corinthians 11:22-33 and see what Paul’s life was like.

Paul rose above his difficult situation by rejoicing in the Lord. His joy was internal, not external. Rejoicing flowed from the inside (his heart), not from the outside (his situation.).    

• A Roman jail cell could not lock joy out of Paul’s heart.   

Second, JOY is a CHOICE. Life is about choice. Circumstances, good and bad, have a way of choosing us. But you and I choose our response to life’s twists and turns.  According to God’s Word, we can choose joy in all circumstances!

• Paul did. Incarcerated, isolated, maltreated, misunderstood, tortured, forgotten, and nearing the end of earthly life, God’s apostle of grace rejoiced in the Lord.   

Joy does not choose us. Joy must be chosen. To rejoice or not rejoice is up to me. Joy is my choice and my choice alone.      

• Like Paul, if we want joy, we must choose joy.

Third, JOY comes from JESUS CHRIST. The source of genuine joy is God.  The world apart from God knows nothing of real joy. In verse 4:4 Paul exhorts Christians to “Rejoice in the Lord; again, I will say rejoice.” Paul makes it crystal clear who to rejoice in (Jesus) and how often to rejoice in Him (always).

The one and only object of a Christian’s joy is Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus came and gave His life so that His joy would be made full in all who believe in Him (John 17:13). Nothing can steal His joy from our heart without our permission.

• Rejoicing in all circumstances is a byproduct of knowing Jesus on a personal basis.

Bottom line: JESUS IN OUR JOY! He is risen from the dead and coming back one day soon to take His beloved bride the church home to be with Him in heaven for all eternity! Now that is something worth being joyful about, isn’t it!

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and your eyes danced with joy? You had a joyful bounce in your step? Others noticed a joyful spirit in you?

• If you are tired of being joyless, and desire to be joyful, begin right now by taking the following steps to a joyful attitude and a happier life.

1. Decide to be a joyful person.
2. Choose joy in every circumstance.
3. Refuse to allow anyone or anything to steal your joy.
4. Rejoice in the Lord! ALWAYS!
No matter which way the winds of life are blowing, set your sail for JOY!
“The joy of the Lord is our strength”                                      Nehemiah 8:10

“These things I have spoken to you, that My (Jesus Christ) joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”                                      John 15:11                            
A Word For Your Week: Today and everyday choose Jesus Christ and His joy.