The Worst News Of All Time

"I never knew you.” - Jesus (Matthew 7:23)

It will happen. Those words will echo in the hearts and minds of many for all of eternity. And yet, on that day many will be surprised . . . 

Let me ask you something, when you look back on your week how many of these things showed up in your completed column? "Perform miracles", "Drive out demons", "Prophesy in the name of Jesus" Anyone? Yet Jesus said that on Judgement Day this is what countless men and women who thought they were working on His behalf will say and hear, "'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:22-23)

I used to write this verse off since I believed that Jesus was only talking about false prophets and fake disciples – definitely not me. But then I read it again. These ‘false teachers’ actually prophesied, cast out demons and did miracles. I’ve never cast out a demon or performed a miracle or prophesied in Jesus’ name. And if someone were walking around today doing all these things I would probably consider them a super-Christian. 

Another one of the key things that we cannot miss in this scripture is the fact that they were surprised! They didn't have a clue that they were not true followers of Jesus, in fact, they saw themselves as active participants in His Kingdom. They fully expected to hear Jesus say, ‘well done’ as they would be escorted into their faithful reward. How did they miss the fact that they were lost? How did they so inaccurately misjudge the trajectory of their life? And how do we keep from doing the same?

Making The Time . . .

Are our lives getting busier day by day or what?  Let's take a quick look at all the ways our lives are becoming more hectic;

• Staying connected to the ever-present digital world of social media; online-publications, shopping, and entertainment, and even work, through the internet and our smart devices
• Navigating through rush hour-packed freeways in nerve-racking traffic to work and home; shuttling our kids here and there. (Or we did before COVID . . . )
• Working long, hard, exhausting hours on our jobs
• Striving to keep ourselves and our families healthy by eating right and exercising
• Trying to keep our homes clean and in order and running household errands

This whirlwind of activities, noise, information, attractions, and distractions of our post-modern lives can leave us feeling exhausted, confused, and disconnected from God. So how do we find calm centers in the storm where we can rest and focus on God?

Sunset Grill

| summer evening | driving from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | so burnt my socks hurt my ankles | day drawing to a close | |sunroof open | the world seems limitless | magic . . . | bookended by this song |

Some Facts About Lions

When Jesus told his followers to be wary of satan, He reminded them that their enemy prowled about roaring like a lion. This would be an example that they would be very familiar with. In Jesus's day, two thousand years ago, over a million lions roamed throughout regions that covered Europe, Syria, Israel, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, and India. Today, there are fewer than 32,000 lions left on earth. 

Here are some other facts about lions: 

Did you know that Aslan is the Turkish and Mongolian word for “lion?” It is also the name of the lion in C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.

Lions are the second largest of the big cats, after tigers.