Following Jesus on a Straight Street

As a Christ follower, I enjoy studying the Bible and I take my salvation and my Savior seriously. However, as long as I’ve been studying the Bible, I notice little things that prove that saying people throw out there occasionally: “God has a sense of humor.”

People may be speaking about why He made them the way they are or why a hippopotamus, which is huge and fast to boot, has such a little snippet of a tail.

I get giggles reading God’s word sometimes. And, like I said, I take His word seriously. But there are some stories in there in which the little snippet of humor doesn’t go over my head.

Take for instance, Saul being accosted on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. Instead, he meets Jesus and Jesus asks him, “Why are you persecuting ME.?” (my emphasis added)

5-28-17 Sermon: Worth the Cost | Forest Lake United Methodist Church

Then Jesus sets up a meeting between this zealous Pharisee and a man named Ananias, whom God had given a message.

“The Lord told him (Ananias), “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” (Acts 9:11, 12)

There is irony in the fact that a man so crooked in his heart toward Christians would be led to faithful believers, one of whom lives on “Straight Street.”

Jesus is serious when he tells us the road is narrow and few will walk it. And while our lives seem to be taking turns and going over hills, I also believe the road to heaven is straight. The instructions are as simple as the ones God gave to Ananias. We’re the ones who complicate things.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will keep your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6

Aren’t you glad Saul was led to Straight Street and was obedient to the Lord? I surely am.

Living the Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

  “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 In our relationships, we value trustworthiness in people. We want to be able to rely on them. The Holy Spirit grows this virtue in … Continue reading

God Calling

reading-the-bibleWhenever I have questions about what it is God is trying to say to me (in any situation), God’s word is where I first turn for answers. However, the quote below from Michael Molinos often comes to mind. These words are simple and clear, like scripture.

They also seem to come from someone who’s believed God. Someone who has experienced His love. A love that is faithful and sweet no matter what the situation is at present.

In all Your Journey as a Believer,
You will have two kinds of Spiritual Experiences.
One is tender, delightful, and loving.
The Other can be quite obscure,
dry, dark and desolate.
God gives us the First one to Gain us;
He gives us the Second to Purify us.

          ~ Michael Molinos, 17th Century Writer

Why Me?

“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:4

Dear God:
Why did you place me in a family with parents who, though imperfect, were devoted to one another for forty-seven years until death separated them?
Why did you give me a childhood in which I regularly ate three meals a day, had pure water to drink, a safe neighborhood to play in and clean clothes to wear? And God, why did you show your tender love to me through the example of one Sunday school teacher?

Why me, God?

When I walked away from you, why didn’t you walk away from me?
Then when I went away to college and my intellect became my god, why were you so patient?
Why did you give me two children who love and trust me even though I’ve failed them so many times?
Why did you spare my life when my foolishness or despair brought me so close to death?

Why me, God?

And why, after years of living my sinful lifestyle, did you welcome me back to the fold?
Why are you keeping all your promises to me?
Why do I have a roof over my head? Why do I get to walk with two feet, see with two eyes and hear with two ears?

Why do I have friends who stand by me?
When my pain is such a burden I can’t bear it, why do you take it onto yourself?
Why, when I’m so imperfect, do you allow me to serve this world in your name?

Why me?

And why, oh why, God, when I was still an object of your wrath, did you die for me?

Oh, why, why me?

“For God so loved the world…” John 3:16