Southside's Blog

"You see, resentment is a prison. Jesus doesn’t question the reality of your wounds, he just doubts whether resentment is going to heal them. What are you going to do? Are you going to spend your life guarding the jail cell, or are you going to trust your wounds to Jesus?"

From Mike: Max you don't understand. Jesus may not exact all the vengeance that I believe is necessary! Folks, if that's your attitude then you will continue your prison sentence of dealing with resentment. Just remember that you sentenced yourself!

If you’re talking about your financial debt, that’s not likely to happen. But if you’re talking about your spiritual debt, it already has. Your heavenly Father has covered your shortfall. In God’s house you’re covered by the roof of his grace!

So the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. “My Father,” he prayed, “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

From Mike: In addition to the fact that I really enjoyed Max's devotional this morning, I had to share some humor. When I was a kid, my Mother and I had a constant battle over green beans.  Every time she made them, I had to try them again.  I strongly objected.

When I was in rehab in 2015 for a major stroke, I could only swallow liquid and had to be careful with that. For the first ten days I lived on soup and Ensure. The day finally came when they switched me to pureed food. Breakfast was a scrambled egg and pureed biscuit. That might have been the best biscuit I've ever eaten. I looked forward to lunch with anticipation. The offering was some kind of brown meat pureed, mashed potatoes, and a giant scoop of evil-looking green mass. Yep, they pureed green beans. I could see the giant smile on Mother's face up in heaven. Pureeing them does not make them better!

Mike

So the next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, just remember who prepared the meal. Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God’s help, he did. And with God’s help, you can too.

From Mike: There is always a request for prayers for those going through adversity in the Southside bulletin. The vast majority of the requests are because of health. Wonder how many people are struggling with something other than illness? Marriage problems, children problems, work problems, or other problems with living life. Most of us don't open up about the different struggles in life. The next time you pray for the members at Southside, ask for God's help swallowing the broccoli, whatever it may be.!

"You and I live in a loud world. To get someone’s attention is no easy task. But when someone’s willing to silence everything else so he can hear us clearly, it’s a privilege. A rare privilege indeed!"

These are two of Max Lucado’s recent devotionals. Some valuable thoughts1

DON’T STOP IN SHECHEM -

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

What voices seduce you? Distract you? Lure you away from your destiny? To be clear, if you have the gift of Christ in your heart, you are set for life. Sin cannot destroy you. But it can trip you, ensnare you, entangle you. It cannot take your salvation, but it can take your joy, peace of mind, and rest.

Jacob learned this lesson. He got out of Shechem. He realized that if they stayed, the Canaanites, who were much larger in number, would retaliate and kill his entire household. He pulled up stakes, loaded his camels, and turned toward Bethel. And to the degree that Shechem was sordid, Bethel was beautiful. But Jacob had to make a change. Do likewise. Don’t stop in Shechem when the blessing is in Bethel.

GOD CAME TO JACOB -

Jacob’s season at Shechem was a toxic wasteland. Jacob forgot who he was and what God had commanded. His disobedience resulted in a devastated family. Rape. Carnage. Sacrilege. Genesis 34 is the darkest chapter in the Jacob story. It’s not that God was not present, it’s that God was not sought. Jacob once again lived life by his own terms and paid a high price for doing so. What a sorry excuse for a patriarch. God will surely abandon him.

But that’s not what happens. “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God,…'” (Genesis 35:1 NIV). Instead of giving up on Jacob, God spoke to him. God took the initiative. God came to Jacob. And Jacob came to his senses. God never gave up on him, and he’ll never give up on you.

Psalm 36:1 reads, “Sin lurks deep in the hearts of the wicked, forever urging them on to evil deeds” (TLB).

The human heart is a dark place. When God is not sought, when society submits to no one higher than self, the result is chaos. We become savages. We victimize the vulnerable. We break hearts, homes, covenants, and promises.

We create a poisoned system where people suppress their better selves and rise on the backs of others. It awards power and force and downplays kindness and grace.

To be clear, in the Christian calculus, humanity is treasured, priceless, and destined for glory. We are created in God’s image. But we have squandered our inheritance by seeking to be God. Yet there is hope! And his name is Jesus. He came to rescue us from ourselves.

From Mike: This was Max’s devotional from a couple of weeks ago. I’ve read it several times. It strikes me that he is writing about the USA. Maybe that was his intention.

We have reached an all-time low in the USA. Christians are not in favor with a  large segment of society. I’ve not experienced this directly, however, the internet and news media have labeled Christians as cruel and mean-spirited. Now I have known some Christians who do fit that label.

Homosexuality, living together outside of marriage, having children outside of marriage, and a number of similar situations are acceptable in our society. We dare not to speak against any of these situations as being sinful less we are labeled as mean-spirited.

As Christians what are we to do? Matthew 10:32: "Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.” This is what God wants! He never promised us an easy way!

Quote from the internet: “I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than stand with the world and be judged by God.”

Thanks!

Mike -  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

But there is a treatment! Jesus took on our sin, our COVID-19 of the soul. He, the only virus-free being in human history, allowed himself to be infected with the human condition. In order to treat our sin, our Good Father infused and infuses us with the purest life. “It is no longer I who live,” Paul proclaimed, “but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT). Coursing through the vein of the saint is the sinless, disease-blocking, life-giving transfusion of Christ.

Shechem was only twenty miles from Bethel. Jacob was within eyeshot of his goal. Jacob and his nomadic clan, weary from travel, decided to pitch their tents. They met some Shechemites. They made a few friends. They bought land. Jacob lived to regret each choice. What about you? Make it your aim to obey God. Blessing follows obedience.

God had gone ahead of him. God had kept the promise he had made in Bethel. “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land” (Genesis 28:15). He will do the same with you my friend. God never gives up on you.

God never gives up on you!

From Mike: Max's words in this devotion comfort me when I reflect on my past. I still remember some of my history. It's not that I dwell on my sins, but I believe the memories help me not to repeat them. If you still have memories, do not let them weigh you down, thinking God does not love you because of your history.  Even Paul struggled! What he wrote God inspired! I hope you take Philippians to heart.

Read what Paul said: Romans 7:15-20

Our greatest need in life, regardless of anything else is to be in a loving relationship with God. If we are not in a loving bond with Him, it’s our fault, not God’s fault. He wants to be number one, so we must examine our lives and may need to make changes.

How far do you want God to go to get your attention concerning your relationship with Him? The writer of the question asked if we were willing to ask God for suffering, sickness, adversity, anguish, trials, tribulations, and heartaches to remain in or return to a good relationship with Him. It seems we must have gone haywire for these types of attention-getters to be needed. He loves us and is willing to do whatever is necessary to bring us closer to Him and save us, but will we readily accept His actions?

When I pray for my and other people's relationship with God, I find it very difficult to ask Him to do whatever it takes to make the necessary improvements especially if it appears just a momentary lapse. My prayers usually ask for positive events and virtuous people in our lives to encourage us. Maybe a devotional reading and prayer or just an encouraging word from someone. I would not care to hear from someone  that I’m hell bound. No harsh judgments, but rather show love and kindness as you encourage me to repair my relationship with Him.

When I’m struggling, the spiritual side says to ask for whatever will work but the human says you can do it yourself without any drastic actions from God. After all, I am not in that bad enough shape. Am I? Maybe we need a tune-up. Most of the time, when I recognize that my attitude is not what it should be a request to God for improvement usually works. What if I get completely off the track? I hope I dare to request God to do whatever to get my attention.

It is difficult to request the bad things for someone else. Most people I’ve worked with in CASA are already experiencing a difficult life. Parents in jail, on drugs, and too many don’t care about their children. Several of those children are now of age and are using drugs, in jail, and headed in the wrong direction just like their parents. It seems some positive experiences with God might help more. If you are praying about others’ relationship with God, it seems wise to admit that you are unsure what to ask for and leave it in God’s hands.

God doesn’t always use negative experiences to get our attention. Kay and I were experiencing some negativity with the church during college, so we drifted away. In our third year of marriage, we were blessed with Chad, our son. We both were raised in the church, so raising a heathen child was not an option. We found a church and became members. God used a joyous event to get our attention. God knew what to do!

To understand what to ask God to do, be completely honest in evaluating your relationship with Him. Discuss it with your minister, an elder, or maybe a friend or relative you trust in their advice and love for you. Remember we are talking about your soul!

Before you do anything, ask yourself if you are a positive influencer for others. Be honest because you are now dealing with someone else’s soul.

Thanks!

Mike

God let Jacob fight until it appeared that Jacob was in control. And then, with one touch, God dislocated his hip. Jacob fell to the ground, broken and humbled. The hip is the largest weight-bearing joint, and it engages some of the strongest muscles. Yet it was putty at the touch of the Stranger. The message of the dislocation? “You aren’t as strong as you think. Rely on me.” Is that a message for you?

Mike: Last three sentences Two excellent comments and question

"Dr. Michael Wirth, who gave me the image, said, “We wondered, ‘Can both mother and child survive? If not, do we take the mother and lose the child? Lose the mother and save the child?’” They never had to make the choice. The mother lived, the baby was delivered, and Michael kept the X-ray as a reminder: God delivers life through brokenness. Broken families, hearts, dreams—even broken people."

From Mike: Most of us know of stories like this. You may have a similar personal story. Some call it a miracle. There may be someone who reads this and says but God did not save my family. TELL ME WHY? 

I don't believe there is an answer that will instantly wipe away their hurt! Ask them to focus on the following verses over a period time and let them know you will pray for them. These verses require a faith in God to have any understanding and will not provide instant comfort.

Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

If you have thoughts on this let me know!

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks!

He does, however, let us reap what we sow. Evil rebounds. So does good. Jesus summed up the bounce-back principle when he said, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2 NIV). Do you want God to disperse mercy upon you with a bucket? Then use a bucket as you disperse mercy to others.  Would you want him to use a teaspoon? Well, you get the point. God never gives up on you.

From Mike: Good thoughts to reflect on. Good yard stick to measure by.

“God does not exist for us; we exist for God. God does not exist to make a big deal out of Max; Max exists to make a big deal out of God. So, can we appreciate the folly in thinking we have anything to offer God that he does not already have? Can we applaud the stunning, surprising patience of God? Jacob thought his allegiance was so valuable that God would meet his terms in order to receive it. Monstrous self-exaltation.”

“Yet God always responds with grace. Psalm 103:13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” God hears our prayers. You are obedient when you ask for help. But please be careful – prayer is not asking God to do what you want; it’s trusting God to do what is best. God never gives up on you.”

From Mike: The bold words are my doing. Read Philippians below.

Philippians 4:6 ESV: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I believe we always are to be humble and ask that God’s will be done. Max’s words did not seem to match Philippians. I’ve sent an email to him asking for his further thoughts. More later

The promise of Jacob and Bethel is this: the Lord is in the wilderness, in the despair, in the misery, mess, and mayhem, and broken hearts. God will meet you. God will speak, angels will come. And you will soon declare, “The Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”

From Mike: This should bring hope for those who believe. It's not a guarantee!  Too many expect a guarantee. If you believe in and claim to have a relationship with God but do not find comfort and hope then something is amiss in your relationship with Him. Pray about it!

Never Gives Up On You - Max's new book

I have had my own occasions in which I’ve wrestled with God. Seems we all could account for a divine wrestling match.

One of the most dramatic occurred some 20 years ago; I was about 50 years old. To the casual observer, I was on top of the world. Our brand-new church sanctuary was bursting at the seams. We added new members every week. The congregation had very little debt and absolutely no doubt that their pastor was doing great work.

Our church actually appeared on the list of popular San Antonio attractions. Tour companies bused tourists to our services. The magazine Christianity Today sent a reporter to write a profile on me. The writer called me "America’s Pastor." Reader’s Digest designated me as the "Best Preacher in America."

All cylinders were firing. I turned sermons into books. My publisher turned books into arena events. I wrote kids stories and recorded kids videos. It was wild!

What no one knew was this: I was a mess.

Our staff was struggling. Departments were squaring off against one another. Tacky emails were flying like missives. Ministers were competing for budget dollars. A couple of invaluable employees, weary from the tension, quietly resigned. And since I was the senior pastor, it fell to me to set things in order.

Yet, who had time for intramural squabbles? I had lessons to prepare. The problem with Sundays is that they happen each week! In addition, I led a midweek prayer service and taught a weekly early morning men’s gathering. Deadlines were coming at me from all sides. I needed time to think, to pray, and to study.

What’s more (or consequently) I was unhealthy. My heart had the rhythm of a Morse code message: irregular and inconsistent. The cardiologist diagnosed me with atrial fibrillation, put me on medicine, and told me to slow down. But how could I?

The staff needed me. The pulpit required me. The publisher was counting on me. The entire world was looking to me. So I did what came naturally. I began to drink.

Not publicly. I was the guy you see at the convenience store who buys the big can of beer, hides it in a sack, and presses it against his thigh so no one will see as he hurries out the door. My store of choice was on the other side of the city lest I be seen. I’d sit in the car, pull the can out of the sack, and guzzle the liquid until it took the edge off the sharp demands of the day.

That’s how "America’s Pastor" was coping with his world gone crazy.

Life comes with inflection points, junctures in which we know our world is about to change. Events that time-stamp life. Crossroads that demand a decision. Go this way? Or that? Everyone has them. You do. I do. Jacob did. Jacob’s came with a name: Jabbok. It is the location where Jacob wrestled with an angel and walked away with a lame hip.

My Jabbok, as it turned out, was a parking lot. The wrestling match lasted for the better part of an hour on a spring afternoon. I told God I had everything under control. The staff issues were manageable. The deadlines were manageable. The stress was manageable. The drinking was manageable. But then came a moment of truth. God didn’t touch my hip, but he spoke to my heart. Really, Max? If you have everything together, if you have a lock on this issue, then why are you hiding in a parking lot, sipping a beer that you’ve concealed in a brown paper bag?

Jabbok. That moment in which God brings you face-to-face with yourself, and what you see you don’t like.

Jabbok. When you use all your strength, only to find your strength won’t give you what you need.

Jabbok. A single touch on the hip that brings you to your knees.

Jabbok. Jab. Buck.

Yet even in the moment, or especially in that moment, God dispenses grace. Look what happened next to Jacob.

"What is your name?" the man asked. He replied, "Jacob." (Gen. 32:27 NLT)

On the page of your Bible, there is scarcely a space between the question and the reply. In real time, however, I sense a pause, a long, painful pause. What is your name? There was only one answer, and Jacob choked to spit it out. My . . .name . . . is . . .Jacob. This was a confession. Jacob was admitting to God that he was, indeed, a Jacob: a heel, a cheater, a hustler, a smart operator, a fraud. "That’s who I am. I’m a Jacob."

"Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won." (v. 28)

Of all the times to be given a new name. And of all the times to be given this name -- Israel means "God fights" or "God strives." The name celebrated, and celebrates, God’s power and loyalty.

The old Jacob fought for himself. The old Jacob relied on his wits, trickery, and fast feet. Jacob, himself, took care of himself. The new Jacob had a new source of power: God. From this day forward each introduction would be a reminder of God’s presence. "Hello, my name is God fights." Each call to dinner a welcome instruction, "God fights, it’s time to eat." His email address was This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. His business card reminded all who read it of the true power of Israel: "God fights." His old name reflected his old self. His new name reflected his new strength. "God fights."

What grace.

God extended it to me. Abundantly. I confessed my hypocrisy to our elders, and they did what good pastors do. They covered me with prayer and designed a plan to help me cope with demands. I admitted my struggle to the congregation and in doing so activated a dozen or so conversations with members who battled the same temptation.

We no longer see tour buses in our parking lot, and that’s fine with me. I enjoy an occasional beer—but for flavor, not stress management. And if anyone mentions the "America’s Pastor" moniker, an image comes to mind. The image of a weary, lonely preacher in a convenience store parking lot.

God met me there that day. He gave me a new name as well. Not Israel. That one was already taken. But "forgiven." And I’m happy to wear it.

From Mike: I've read Max's books and material for about 35-40 years and never knew this part of his life. You never know what others go through. It helps to know that someone like him has been there and helps us go through times like this!

"Jacob skedaddled. Jacob purloined the blessing, but… his family was splintered, he was without a home, he had to run for his life, his twin wanted to kill him, he had betrayed his father’s trust, and he, as far as we know, never saw his mother again. All because he took a shortcut. He couldn’t wait on God to do what God had promised."

From Mike: I admit that I'm not a patient person so I'm often tempted to take shortcuts. Seems like God did not spend much time with me when he handed out patient. 

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I believe we all are given the fruit but in different measures. When we pray and hand something over to Him we need to practice Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”  If patience is practiced, He will work it out. The result may not be totally to our liking but that gives us the opportunity to practice faithfulness and trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." TRY IT! IT WORKS!