Tuesday, December 31, 2013

HUMBLING LEUKEMIA--SHE WAS JESUS

Leukemia and chemo is a very humbling experience.  There are times when one cannot get out of bed or do any personal self-care, due to the weakness.  And that's hard for most any American to take.

John 13:6-8

Context--Jesus with his disciples in the upper room, preparing them for his death, resurrection, ascension and them living life without him there.  Jesus is doing a task that only the lowliest slave of a house would do--washing people's dirty feet.

When Jesus gets to Peter, he protests--"Lord you will never wash my feet."  You are rabbi and leader, Lord.  You shouldn't be doing this lowly task.  (Notice Peter didn't offer in the text to get up and take Jesus' place.)  Jesus explained to Peter that Peter did not yet understand what Jesus was doing (or about to do in going to crucifixion for Peter and all others.  Jesus would lower Himself again, through the Cross, and take the sin of the world.

A few days after the stem cell transplant, I was sitting up in chair and able to do my own bath, but could still not get to my feet due to swelling in my legs.  The nurse tech washed them for me, and it dawned on me, and I said it, John 13.  I told her about how Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples just as she was washing my feet.  The worst day with the feet was the day they had sweated very badly, and smelled very badly, and I told her to just get two tubs of water to let me put them in and soak because they were terrible to me.  But she did so without complaining or making me feel like I was less than a person.

It was humbling for me when my wife did this, but even more humbling when a nurse tech, one I didn't know well at all, was doing this and other self-care for me. 

What did Peter learn (and I learn) that could help us live our lives with the Lord better?

  • None of us (especially Christians) should be too good to humble ourselves, lower ourselves to meet a practical need another has.  We all are equal in the sight of God.
  • None of us should be too good to humble ourselves, and let another serve us, when it is our time to have a need, and someone comes to help and serve.  Ecclesiastes 3 says, "There is a time for every purpose under heaven"--a time to be well and a time to be sick.  Do not rob someone of their opportunity to minister and serve.
  • What is important is not "position" in life; what is important is doing what God asks us to do.
  • Meeting practical needs is showing Jesus' love and humility.  Follow His example.  (Remember, Jesus original call to Peter was "Follow Me.")
  • Spiritual eyes must be open for practical needs to be seen, and spiritual hearts must be open to move from seeing to doing.  But that's what faith is--seeing, believing, and then doing--"follow up or follow Me."
What do you learn from this important episode in Peter's life?

Sunday, December 29, 2013

PETER WALKS ON WATER

Walking on water is impossible--but in Matthew 14:22-36, we find two different people walking on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus had a busy day of ministry, so he sends the disciples in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus goes to a mountain to pray to His Father and spends evening and much of the night.  The disciples are fighting to get the boat across because a storm comes up. 

Early in the morning, Jesus joins them by walking on the Sea.  The disciples see Him, and are afraid he is a ghost.  I mean, who can walk on water?

Jesus tells them not to be afraid, that it is He (literally "I am.")

When Peter realizes it is Jesus, he asks Jesus to identify Himself by asking Peter to come to Him, walking on the water.  Jesus tells Peter to come, and Peter does.

Successfully walking toward Jesus, Peter then sees the storm and effects of the wind, and begins to sink.  Of course, he asks Jesus to save him.  Jesus lifts him out of the waves and asks Peter, "O you of  little faith, why did you doubt. (ESV)

They get into the boat; the storm ceases, and the disciples worship Jesus and say, "Truly, You are the Son of God."  Good statement since only God can control nature.

Peter--impetuous, fool hardy, maybe full of faith, and yet like us all, he has his doubts too, especially when he thinks about the situation he faces.  Who can walk on water?  Who can do so during a storm?  Certainly I can't; I don't have the power to overcome those forces, yet Peter was doing that due to Jesus' power just a minute before.

What so often happens with us like Peter, is that we take our eyes off Jesus.  We look more at the situation than we do the God who can control anything and do miracles.  So we let the situation become bigger as we make Jesus smaller.  Who is the Lord--the situation you face or Jesus?

Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God) used to say, "Look at the circumstance from God's perspective rather than looking at God through the circumstance."    In other words, what could God achieve through this; how could He grow me through this; what purpose might He have that I might join and obey and follow?

Jesus saved Peter, but He also shows Him that faith is necessary to do what God wants.  We should not doubt His power to do ANYTHING.  The impossible is possible with God and His son, Jesus.

Peter and the disciples learn important lessons from this story.  They learn to trust God (at least for now) for anything--even impossible things.  They learn to focus on Jesus not circumstances.  And they learn a bit more of who Jesus is--they worshiped Him and called Him the Son of God.

What do you face right now that is IMPOSSIBLE?  Will God be there for you in this seemingly impossible situation/task?  Is He powerful enough to overcome or help you get through it?

Keep your focus on Jesus, not the problem or situation; look for His perspective.

And through this all, you will learn that Jesus is the Son of God, and you will learn more of what that means--all good lessons for followers of Jesus who are on a long and winding road.  And the more you learn about the real Jesus, the more you will worship Him.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

ALWAYS FISHING

Some people are always fishing--spring, summer, fall and even ice fishing. 

I'm looking at the life of Peter right now, and notice some beneficial things in the call of Peter to "Follow Jesus."  (Mt 4:18-22; Mk 1:16-20; Lk 5:1-11).  The Lucan account may be a fuller version of the same story in Mt and Mk, or could be another story.  I focus on the fuller account in Lk today.

The professional fishermen, Peter, James, John, had fished all night and not caught anything.  Jesus tells them to cast the nets out deeper for a catch.  Simon Peter doesn't protest, but just says they were unsuccessful overnight, their best time to fish.  This highlights the story even more.

Peter and the others cast the nets as Jesus tells them, and get a miraculous amount of fish.  "so full that their nets begin to break" and they fill two boats.  Peter recognizes Jesus' appearance and miracle show he (Peter) is in the presence of God--at least something only God could do.  So as Isaiah in Is. 6, when God appears, Peter realizes he is sinful and not worthy to be in Jesus' presence.  He is awestruck and amazed.

Similar words when God shows up to people (theophany) in the Old Testament, "Don't be afraid."  Saying, "I am here for a good purpose; I want to empower you to do my work."

"From now on you will catch men."  (Whatever that means)

In all three Gospels, the fishermen leave family, business, leave everything to follow Jesus.

Peter was told to fish in "deeper" water.  Probably not an allegory really here, but there are times in life when people expect too little, need challenges and a change from the same old.  But Jesus does not call us to a life of ease and comfort.  He calls us to listen to Him for directions.  And that means we go into deeper water than we would on our own.

Even when it doesn't make sense, I am to listen and obey the Lord.  And it often does not make sense from my or a human standpoint.  But remember, God's ways are not our ways.

When one recognizes he/she is in the presence of God, the attitude one needs is that of awe, worship, respect, and realizing one`s sinfulness.  It is only of God's grace and mercy that we can be in the presence of a Holy God.

God comes to us with an important and good purpose in mind.  Greater service for Christ is part of our gratitude for His forgiveness and grace.

Fear is human; not godly.  Focus on God can take fear away.

When the challenge from God comes, the answer for us is to "leave everything and follow Him."

For the disciple/believer/follower of Christ, everyday is an opportunity to be an influencer for Jesus among people we are around.  It is a chance to "fish for men/women." 

I will probably never see 3000 accept Christ through my service, like Peter did at Pentecost (Acts 2).  But I can help people move closer to becoming followers of Jesus everyday--one by one.  And that too is part of praying, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Let's go fishing, even in an informal way.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

EXISTENCE--> PRESENCE--> POWER

REAL EXISTENCE offers His PRESENCE, which leads to His POWER.

Joshua 1

"Be strong and courageous."

"Be strong and very courageous."

"Be strong and courageous, because I AM."

"Be strong and courageous, because I AM with you."

"Be strong and courageous,  because I AM with you wherever you go."

  1. REAL EXISTENCE--God Is--Gen. 1--God exists
  2. PRESENCE--"I AM with you!  This God who exists offers His Presence to you and me.
  3. POWER--"I AM with you, SO be strong and courageous."  This God who exists, offers His Presence to you, which leads to His POWER being available to you."
Acts 1:8

"And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Presence through His Existence).  And you shall be my witnesses"..."wherever you go." (Josh 1)

Draw strength from the One who has always EXISTED today, as He offers you His POWER through His PRESENCE, wherever you go.


REAL EXISTENCE-->PRESENCE-->POWER

Saturday, October 19, 2013

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS

Focus is often lacking among Christians as it is among Americans.  We have so many projects going at once--"too many irons in the fire," the old saying goes.  We try to get everything out of life we can--and more done all the time--more, more, more.  Is there anything wrong with that?  Could be.

I wish every believer could read A Testament of Devotion, a small devotional book by Quaker, Thomas Kelly.  I especially wish everyone could read the short essay within the book titled, "The Simplification of Life."  It discusses being controlled, not by the pulls of life, not by our own thoughts, desires, needs, urgencies, but by the Divine Center.  (Quakers use many terms for God unfamiliar to other Christians.)  But, as he says, we so often do not seek out the "Divine Center" to focus on what is important and what is OUR service, our ministry, our way of loving Him and loving others.  Instead, we just shoot out shotgun at everything in our path, rather than the focus of the rifle at the real target each of us should be striving toward.

Kelly says, where there is time made to "focus" on God and His purpose, then we find ourselves being less pulled in too many directions and more focused on what is important.  But what is important should be for the Christian "what is important to God," not just to you and me.  And truthfully, I don't want to live that way--that means "denying self, taking up my cross, and following Jesus" (how's that for a good biblical idea--Lk 9:23).  But my self doesn't want crucifying--just let me live my life the way I want to, as I seek to worship and follow Christ "MY" way.

Kelly says, we know there are some who slip into the Divine Center and live their live--even busy lives--less harried, less split, less feverishly--and they find joy, peace, rest in the midst of it all.  They seem to find fulfillment when many of us are just involved going from activity to activity, and just feeling more tired rather than joyful in doing good.  What is the difference?  Gaining focus from God as to His purpose for me.

I have also been reading a book titled, Plan B, by Pete Wilson.  It discusses what one does when my Plan A is not God's plan, but God brings to us Plan B.  What happens when what I want to do conflicts with what God brings into my life--like illness or failure or (you add the circumstance).  How do you and I, as believers, deal with God's Plan B?

Again it is a matter of focus.  Wilson says we so often focus on the what, when and where of knowing God's will (and God's plan) "that we neglect the most important question, which is why."  (Wilson, p. 77)  Why are we doing what we are doing?  Why am I living my life for Christ?  Why am I here?

As Wilson discusses the Apostle Paul, he says this, "He knows why he's doing what he's doing.  He knows his purpose, his mission--to bring glory to God with his life." (Wilson, p. 77)

When one knows his purpose, his mission, then it is easier to live that out through daily interactions with people, daily events, and to leave off those that are not part of that purpose.  Simplicity--focus--saying "yes" to some, and "no" to others.  But you must know the "why," the purpose, your purpose.

And where do we learn that purpose, and continue to refocus on that purpose?  By spending time with the "Divine Center"--God Himself.  Jesus did it when there was so much healing, preaching and teaching to do, but he went off by himself to pray, and then he told his disciples, "we must move on to other cities, because that is why I came."  There was great success where He was, but He got alone with God to refocus on His purpose--"WHY" He was here.  If Jesus needed that, do you?

What are you involved in that you should probably let someone else do or that you just need to drop?  (This applies to churches as well--see a book titled, Simple Church.)  The reason this happens though is for focus, and the focus comes when we ask God "why" and He reveals to us what is most important to us living out the "why."

Focus, focus, focus.  Do you need to get alone with God, to consistently ask God, "why"?  Why am I doing what I am doing?  Is it really to "glorify God with my life" or is it for some other reason?

Wouldn't it be great to be "busy doing what you were created to do and be" rather than just pulled in every direction.  Seek out the Divine Center, consistently, and see the focus of life change.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

GOD'S WORK

The Bible is a book about God and His purposes and His ways.  There are people mentioned, of course, but the focus is God.

As I read through Joshua now, I see this focus clearly.  The Israelites are receiving what God promised Abraham in God's covenant with them.  They were to receive three things--relationship with God, many descendants, and a great land.  They had received all by this time in the Bible except the promised land, and we see this happening in the book of Joshua.

Chapter 6 is the initial conquest, which is the city of Jericho.  God gives them the plan, and it is not like any war plan any military leader would come up with.  Israel was to march around the city for 7 days, each of the first six days, one time, while blowing a trumpet (shophar).  Then they would go back to their camp.  However, on the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, and then when the signal was given, shout.  The walls then were to fall down and they were to go into the city and fight.

And the plan worked. On the seventh day, they went into the city and wiped out everyone in the city, including the animals.  This was a ban the God had put on the city.  Israel was to take no spoils but to destroy everyone/thing, except for metals and what would not burn.  These were then to be given to the treasury of the Lord.

Rahab, the woman who had saved the spies earlier in Joshua, was spared along with her family that had gathered in her house during the siege.  This was promised to her that they would be spared, as she had asked.

What do we find in Joshua 6?  Remember first that in the last of chapter 5, the "commander of the army of the Lord" had met with Joshua.  Did he give instructions then to Joshua?  Did he appear to lead Joshua, implying that this place was "holy ground," that is, dedicated to God (thus the ban on the people and things found there)?

One thing we note--for the walls to fall down like this (trumpet and shout), it had to be a work of God.  This was not, and still is not, military planning.  It was not the superior forces of Israel for this to happen, and it is not just coincidence that it happened when it did (even if an earthquake occurred or some other physical phenomena).  The timing was God's--the work was God's--it was God's doing, not Israel's doing.  God gave the plan in advance--and then He followed through on His plan--proving His Word would occur. 

The ban--the killing of everyone--a tough situation--not something telling Israel that this would be a principle for all time or every battle, though it did occur in Canaan.  They were to wipe out the people and things that related to worship of other gods there.  Part of that was the sin of the Canaanites (see references in your reference or study Bible).  Part of that was protection for Israel as they moved in, that they would not go after false gods.  (However, they didn't follow God's instructions, and they dealt with going after false gods all the time they were in the Promised Land.)

This ban was for a certain time and place--not a principle for all time--not an ethnic cleansing, since some were spared (not only Rahab's family, but the Gibeonites later in Joshua).  God has the power, as God to create, to destroy, as He is creator but also judge.  And only God sees perfectly--no person ever does.  And as Sovereign, He is God over all.

Gold, silver and other things were given to the treasury to prevent greed on the part of the people and also to help with building a Temple later on as well.

So this was a work of God.  God's work is to be done God's way.  Even when it sounds totally illogical (Are you smarter than God?) or not the way you or any person would do it.  But in this way, God got the credit for it.

However, word got around at the end about Israel, their God, and Joshua. "So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land." (NIV)  It proved to Israel that God was with Joshua as God had been with Moses, thus making his leadership more trustworthy in their eyes.  But the word also got around the Promised Land about the invasion of Israel, and the fear grew among the people who lived there.  (Remember what Rahab had said earlier when the spies came, that people were in fear of this nation.)

What situation are you facing that you have trouble believing God can do it?  Or maybe God is saying something about the situation, but to you, it doesn't make sense.  Who you going to trust--God or yourself?  Is God getting the glory in your life for things that are happening or are you getting the glory?  What walls in your own life need to come down, so you can trust God more fully?

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Whose side are you on?  Who is on your side?  Whether an argument, a team sport, or problems in relationships, often we find a side to be for or against.

In Joshua 5, Joshua and the Israelites are getting prepared to go into the Promised Land, the final aspect of the Covenant that God made with Abraham--the aspect that had not yet been fulfilled.

As they did so, they got spiritually prepared--and remember this is a new generation--second generation out of Egypt.  So first of all, the act of circumcision for this new generation.  It represented to the Jew the acceptance of God's Covenant with them.  So this new generation had to accept it for themselves--they could not live on their parent's acceptance of the Covenant with God.

A second aspect we find here is that they observed the Passover.  It was remembering what God had done, in bringing them out of slavery into freedom.  It was a way of showing solidarity with their history, their past, and past generations.  They were to observe this each year, but had not for several, so this action on their part showed their obedience to God once again.

Not only had they accepted God's covenant, they also were showing their willingness to live in obedience to Him and His commands.  And these were part of the covenant God made with them.  These are important things for them, as they prepare to go into the Promised Land to receive what God had promised.  Spiritual preparation is always important--in fact, the most important for believers.

But then a curious passage (Josh. 5:13-15).  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, God's chosen man, goes near Jericho.  As he does so, a man with a drawn sword appears before him.  Joshua asks the man, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"  In other words, whose side are you on.  (Word had gotten around the land of Canaan that the Israelites were right near Canaan and things they had done already to other enemies--so fear was there among the people living in Canaan). 

The man's response, "Neither."  I am for neither you nor your enemies.  And he goes on to say, "As commander of the LORD's army I have now come."  Now wait a minute!  Wasn't the Lord behind Joshua and the Israelites taking over this land?  Wasn't He the one giving them this Promised Land?

Was this an angel of the LORD?  Was it the LORD Himself?  Joshua immediately bows down before the man in reverence and asks, "What message do you have for me?"  He recognizes this is either God or one representing the LORD.  So he asks a good question, "Why are you here?  What is the message you are to deliver to me?  (Angels or God doesn't just appear, it seems for no reason.)

The man before Joshua tells him to take off his sandals, because he is only holy ground.  You remember this was also said to Moses at the burning bush.  So it was a confirmation to Joshua that indeed "God was with him in the same way He'd been with Moses."  It should build up the faith--the strength and courage (chapter 1)--of Joshua on the eve of beginning the battles to capture the land.

But what other messages were probably here?  One, God is not on our side; He wants us to be on His side.  Now God loves everyone; sinners as well as believers.  He loves the sinner and hates the sin.

Is our side always right?  Of course not.  But is God's side/mind/purpose always right?  Of course.  So we need to come to God and listen to Him, not just ask God to "bless" our plans, our works for Him, our purposes.  We should get our marching orders from Him, not He from us.  A good reminder for Joshua and Israel as they enter the Promised Land.

That also says things should be done "God's way," not necessarily the way we think.  God would give His people specific instructions as they captured the land.  When they followed Him, they achieved success.  When they didn't listen or disobeyed, they found failure.  The battles were dependent on God and listening to His instructions/plans.

God doesn't need to know my plans and join me (whose side are you on), I need to know His plans  and join Him.

Be aware also that when God speaks, that is "holy ground."  When God chooses to speak to us, that is not the norm--the everyday--the common.  Therefore, that is holy ground--a message to be heard and heeded, not taken lightly.

The Promised Land was indeed holy ground, but it was only holy ground because of God, His blessing, His covenant, His choosing, His purpose.  Entering that land needed to be done in God's way and behind His leading, not just what they thought.

Are not our lives also "holy ground" as God communicates to us and wants us to "be on His side, not just He be on our side"?  I need to hear from God more than He needs to hear from me.  And then, I need to obey.

How might this apply to your life right now?  Where do you see yourself in this story about Joshua?

Friday, October 11, 2013

PRESENCE OR ANSWERS?

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants after" ... the healing of my disease.  "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants after" ... the wisdom to grow my church.  "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants after" ... a new ... and a solution to my problem.

Let's be honest.  When do we really seek God, for God's sake?  To spend time with Him--to cultivate a relationship with Him--to just "be" in His Presence?

I am rereading Thomas Kelly's, A Testament of Devotion, a very tiny (less than 100 pages) but challenging book written by a 20th century Quaker.  There is lots of talk of the Inner Light, and other different terms for God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus being within our hearts.

As Kelly writes, I realize how I'm missing something--actually how I'm missing SomeOne.  I seek to pray to "receive things" rather than praying to "meet with the LORD," the Lover of My Soul.

I believe this is probably the case with many, many believers, including religious leaders, pastors (I are one), and people seeking to disciple others (surely not them).

Have you ever felt desperate for God, for His Presence--rather than what He could do in your circumstances?

Now, when we do this, we are going to the right place--to the LORD, but we're missing something.  I just got out of the hospital, being there some 7+ weeks.  The first four weeks, my wife stayed there all the time, day and night.  When she needed to get back to work, and was now 100 miles from me, what did I miss the most?  I did not miss the "things" she did for me--nurses, doctors, tech people basically could do those things--in fact I found that I could do some of those things for myself.

What I missed the most was my wife's presence--the ability to see her, to talk personally with her, to just be together and feel the assurance and love of her being there.  It just wasn't the same on the phone or texting, I have to admit.

But am I that way with God, the Inner Light, the Divine Presence?  Well, no.  I seek to meet with Him when I need something--a solution to my loneliness or my need for healing or more money for this bill or that want.  I don't seek His Presence.

But isn't that what the Psalmist, probably David, was seeking in Psalm 42:1-2?  He was wanting to spend time with God--the companionship, the assurance of Presence, the Person not the thing He could provide.  I think so.

Does God give answers to prayer?  Well, of course He does.  Does He give wisdom and solutions and ideas of how to grow our church or have better family life or healing for our diseases?  Of course.

But wouldn't it be refreshing if you and I just sought out God without an agenda of "getting something"  and sought just to be in His Presence, basking in the friendship, the companionship, the love He shows just by being with us, sinful creatures forgiven and made clean so we can BE with Him, a Holy, fully Righteous God?

My challenge in days to come is to seek the Lord for the Lord's sake--rather than just to come out of  need to find an answer or solution.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for YOU, O God.  When can I come and meet with YOU?"

Friday, October 4, 2013

NEW CREATION

An old friend reunited me with an old friend who reunited me with an old friend.  Yesterday, I had a visit with a friend I went to high school with.  He brought a book by Thomas Kelly, titled, A Testimony of Devotion, in which reading brought me a very, very familiar Scripture verse.  (Do you see the three old friends here?)

By the way, if you have never read the small devotional book by Thomas Kelly that I mentioned (Testament), pick up or borrow a copy and do not read it.  Slow down and savor it--take it slowly, ponder it, meditate on what is within as God reveals Himself to you through this Quaker writer of the 20th century.

The third old friend, the Scripture verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17, is what I blog about today.  I've read it, quoted it, thought about it (I guess not enough--though there is always more "meat" from Scripture, as we meditate further upon it.), and shared it with others.  But today, God brought new insights.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature."  Another version says "new creation."

Creation--where God created "out of nothing."  Where God made things He'd not made before.  Where God uniquely made each thing upon this earth, including human beings--woman and man. 

Creation--where God brought order out of chaos--where He brought form out of nothingness.

2 Corinthians 5:17  We often think of this as a transformation of the person who accepts Christ as Saviour--but does that go far enough?  Think of the descriptions of creation and even creature.  Something unique to itself--something totally new--something unlike what it was like before.

When a person comes to Christ as Saviour, there is a total change, not a reforming of what was.  There is a creation out of nothing--a totally different creature unlike the one before--a bringing order out of the chaos of one's life.

I often just seek change without changing the inner core.  God seeks the total change--total creation of a totally different creature from the one before.  That is a much bigger change than most of us want or are willing to seek.

Are you a totally different "creature" than you were before accepting Jesus?  Are you totally refocused from self to Christ?  That's what God did in "salvation" and coming to be "in Christ."  Are you allowing Him to continue to do that process of "total creation" in you?

Don't get overly familiar with "old friends"--so overly familiar that you are not willing to be changed by new insights they may want to bring you--or that God may want to bring you.

"If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a totally new creature--totally new creation of God."

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

GREATEST PROVISION

What is the great thing God has provided for you?  And as you answer, I am going to say, "no, no, and no."

Some will talk about the physical--the family, the house, the money, etc.  But is that really the greatest provision you have received from God?

Some will get really spiritual and say, "salvation, heaven, being part of God's church?  But are those really the greatest things God has provided for you?

Think about Abraham's call in Genesis12, 15, etc.  Think about chapter 22.  Was it the ram--saving his promised covenant son--a test overcome?  No.

Think of anyone in the hall of fame of faith in Hebrews 11.

Think of the prophets, the Apostles, Paul.

What was the greatest provision of God for all of them, and for you if you are a believer in Christ?  It was GOD HIMSELF.  He gave you Himself.

Jehovah Jireh--"The LORD my provider."

The greatest provision was, is, and will continue to be--Himself.

He pursued a relationship with you--you didn't pursue Him.  He offered you a relationship, a friendship, a covenant, an offer to communicate with Him through Jesus.  And He also provided Himself to dwell within the believer in the Holy Spirit--God living inside of you.

So when you thank God for His provisions, certainly thank Him for His physical and emotional blessings.  For heaven, salvation, life eternal, church.

But never forget to thank Him for the greatest Provision--that of Himself.  Amazing that a Holy God, a Perfect God, a God who is love, an All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Everything God would want a relationship--a friendship--a covenant, with you or me!

God's greatest Provision is Himself.  Bask in that today.

Friday, September 27, 2013

LIVES WELL LIVED

As a boy, I played basketball for my school, the Thompsonville Tigers.  In elementary, we played a much smaller town called Akin.  I don't remember whether we ever beat them or not, but one thing I remember is playing against two guys named Miller--brothers a year apart.  And in the stands watching was a husband and wife with two other little Miller clones--I mean, these guys looked alike.

During teen years, I visited a little church, I guess to do special music, called Steeleville Baptist Church (you would turn just before Benton, by a farm implement company.  By the way, later the daughter of that farm implement company was my pastor's wife in T-ville.

A little later, our church had a very active youth program and singing group called "The Happenings."  (Well remember, this was the 60's).  Eventually this family, the Miller family, came to join our church, and what a blessing to us they were.  Gene wanted to be sure he kept his boys active in church, and ours was the place for the time.

I was the age of Larry and Dennis, and then a few years younger were Rodney and Paul.  And they were active in the youth group--we went on mission trips (one time to Louisville Kentucky), other churches to sing, lock ins, retreats, and God used our pastor, Jerry Pyle, to bless the youth and grow the youth.  Three preachers, to my knowledge, came out of the group, but many, many serious commitments to Christ were made that influence the rest of our lives.

Eventually, youth grow up and go their separate ways and pastors go God's ways.  After Jerry was when a guy a year older than me, Richard Shaw (wife was the farm implement owner's daughter), and they were a great blessing to me as I finished college and had an interim time at home before I got my teaching job.

Had not seen Rodney Miller nor heard of him since, but had occasionally seen his older brothers--one of whom married a gal from our youth group.  They were very active in church (Gene and his wife passed along not just church going, but genuine faith, and it "caught." as they lived in the area.  But Rod has been, I guess, over many places, and to Georgia where he lives with a fine looking family.

Now he has begun a new endeavor called Small Town/Big Deal, where he is telling the stories of small towns and their peoples on RFD-TV.  (Also available on the internet--Google it).  When I came down with my leukemia, we got back in touch with one another.

In Proverbs, I believe 22:6, says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  I've heard it preached as a promise of God, but that's not really so.  It is wisdom literature--wise sayings that generally occur in life, but not a guarantee.  Many Christians would attest, sadly to the fact it is not a promise, but continues to be their prayer for their kids.

In general, if we train up a child God's way, and in the way the child should go, the child will follow that path through life, or return to that path at some point.

The Miller family is still being blessed through a hard working farm family that "trained up their children in a godly way," and they are still being blessed because of it.

Thanks Rodney for reconnecting.

One other thing I want to say, God's way for Rod and I have been different through life.  But that was God's intention and plan.  God used who we were and our faith to mold us into who we are today.  God wants to do that for you too.  So seek the Lord while He may be found, trust Him, and He will do it.

Shalom.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Do Something

A few months ago, I led a small group through a study, titled, "Real Life Discipleship Training Manual."  It was a workbook designed to teach groups principles to lead small discipling groups.

One of the things within that was that in the discipleship process, there was God's part, the leaders part and our part.  Each is important in the process of growing into a disciple of Jesus Christ.

In the late 1970's, when I was studying at Southwestern Seminary in Ft Worth, Texas, there was a professor of counseling called John Drakeford.  One of Dr. Drakeford's important statements was, "Act yourself into a new way of feeling."  There are times when we don't "feel" like doing something, following God, witnessing, getting out of bed.  But the point was, at times, we just had to overcome out feelings by taking action--doing something, and the feelings would follow.

In the Christian life, that is often the case, as it is with me now on chemotherapy.  At times, there seems to be no flavor to my food.  At times, to keep up my strength, I have to just force myself to eat something, even with no flavor.  But I know I have to eat to work though what is going on in my body right now.  So I do what I can to "act myself into a new way of feeling."

God's part is the healing, and the doctors/nurses are co-laborers in that process.  But also I am part of that too, as I do MY part.

Nike said in ads a few years years ago, "Just do it!"  And so often to grow in Christian discipleship, that is what's necessary.  I don't "feel" like it; but I must just "do it," following the Lord's instructions; even when I don't understand, don't want to, feel I can't.  The power is His; the motivation is His; but I am to follow to obey.

What is it today that you need to "act yourself into a new way of feeling," as you seek to follow the Lord and become His more fully committed disciple?

Monday, September 16, 2013

GUYS, GET REAL

Yes, guys, get real--be a man--face up to it.  You are going to die.  (Whoa, didn't like this beginning.)  But I'm going to get very practical at the end in "being prepared" (Boy Scout motto)

Experience tells us this.  How many people do you know who are over 100 years old?  What happened to all the others who did not live that long?  Get real, guys, get real.  Will you be the exception?  Why you?  How so?

Jewish Wisdom Literature tells us so. 
There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:3-8, NIV, biblegateway.com)
 
"A time to be born, and a time to die."  In the verses, a series of contrasts--but I really don't like the  pair with which he begins.  Couldn't he have eased us into it like a good modern author?  Nope, straight to the point.  Limits to our earthly existence--a beginning and an ending.
 
But guys don't really believe this?  Do they?  Nah.  I will beat the odds.  I will be the one exception.  Bee Gee's phrase from one of their disco songs, "I'm Gonna Live Forever."  (Maybe in the movie, "Saturday Night Fever.") 
 
So we go against experience and we go against 3000 year old wisdom literature, and say, "Not me."  Guys, get real!
 
So how do you prepare for death when you're fully alive--enjoying life?  Why even think about it?    Because we all have people in our lives who love us.  Because we all have people in our lives whom we love.  Because we all have purposes, things we want to achieve, but time is limited.  "A time to be born, and a time to die."
 
  1. You quit thinking "I'm invincible"--nothing can happen to me.
  2. You actually go to the doctor regularly (by the way, here I mean medical doctor not PhD).  As a boy, as a teen, as a 30's I can do it all guy, throughout life.   Diseases do not wait until we are 60 or 70 to hit us.  May I also add, you regularly go to your dentist for consistent oral care.  This way you protect those who love you and those you love.  Regularly may be defined by your doctor according to age.  Maybe a one year check on younger men, but every six months or so as we age.  Their the experts in medical areas--listen to them.  You're the expert in what YOU do.
  3. If you're not sure the doctor is correct about something or if he doesn't listen to you, then seek a second or third opinion--another doctor, maybe in your city or a city nearby.
  4. When a doctor gives you medications to take or things you are to do, follow them, unless they cause you complications.  If they do, call him back; tell him; get a change.  Everyone of us is uniquely made by God, and one medication doesn't work for us all.
  5. Realize that God gave these physicians, nurses, medical people special knowledge, special education, special compassion to help us live life longer and more healthily.  I want life to be quantity, but I want life to be quality.  I want to live this life able to enjoy it to the utmost
  6. Realize you are more than just a physical being.  You are also an emotional, social, spiritual being.  We all have emotions.  We all need friends and love and support.  And, I believe, strongly, we all need a relationship with the Creator of the first humans.  How did the first two humans get here?  Genesis says, "They were created by God; male and female, He created them." (Genesis 2)  For me, that makes sense that they had to have their start by Someone greater than they were.
  7. As a Christian, that means for me, I investigate the truth claims of Jesus as found in the New Testament.  Could He really be the Jewish Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament that lived, died, and came alive again after death as written in the New Testament?  (That one's hard to believe--life again after dying!)
 
You are going to die.  But this God LOVES you.  He wants to guide you to make wise decisions in this life, even decisions about going to the doctor to love your loved ones better.  He would love to give you long life; but He is most interested about quality of your life.  A life that is really happy and fulfilled and productive.
 
But He also said, through Jesus in John 14:   “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  (NIV, biblegateway.com)
 
Jesus lived.  Jesus died. Jesus came alive.  Jesus will return for those who belong to Him.  And they will live with Him and God forever--eternally--no ending to that life.
 
Be prepared!  Death will come.  Young, 30 somethings, 80's; it will come.  Take care of yourself and your loved ones by being practical in the meantime, but also prepare that if that day came today, you are also ready to meet God and live with Him forever.  Check out Jesus Christ.
 
Be prepared!
 
(By the way, I note that of the followers of this blog, most are women or most "likes" on Facebook from it are women.  I guess my style is just better read by them or they tolerate long posts.  But maybe some of them need to read this to you, their man, their husbands, their lovers, their friends)

Sunday, September 15, 2013

DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?

In John chapter 5, Jesus asks a man an interesting question, but one we must all answer for healing to come.  "Do you WANT to get well?"

Within healing there are, it three involved (a Trinity, if you will).  One of those is the Great Physician--God--Jesus--and he is THE ULTIMATE HEALER.  He put within our bodies great systems to heal itself, to move blood, to move oxygen, to move cells to kill infection.  Pretty great idea, right?

But also this same God decided to, at times, use miracles such as Jesus did in John 5,where a man 38 years in an invalid condition, got up to walk at Jesus request.

So 1) God is Ultimate Healer

Second within the healing realm are the medical facilities, medications, doctors, nurses, staff, that discover, promote, educate and provide their knowledge to healing.  Many acknowledge that God is the ultimate healer, but whether they do or not, they work with existing systems that they did not put into place in the human body.  They tweak, and discover, and learn new ways and technologies to aid the healing.

Third, is the patient--you, me, us.  Each of us need a hope, a reason, a purpose, people in our life that make us want to be healed.  When hope is gone, physicians can go no farther.  Hope is necessary to the healing process.  It is easy to live a long-haul disease and give up hope for improvement--that life can get any better.  For some who are very old, that may be God's way of helping them get less settled and comfortable with this world, and prepare to enter the world to come.

But for younger ones of us, God may want to give us hope through encouragers, family, supporters, churches, a new granddaughter (just thought I'd throw that one in, since I have one--want to see pics?).  He may want to give us hope through reading the Bible, through prayer for change, through gifts or love brought from friends, family, church members.

Two Sundays ago, I received a bombard of text messages at Barnes Hospital.  My pastor, Wes, had at a certain time in their service, people with cell phones take our phone number and send messages of prayer, encouragement, love, hope to us.  WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT!  Novel idea--Turn your cell phone ON, not OFF, during worship as a tool of ministry.  THANKS PASTOR WES.

But three parts, and that is where the question of Jesus comes in.  "Do you WANT to get well?"

Whatever the ailment, YOU have something to do about your healing, your overcoming whatever the problem or affliction is.  YOU have to WANT to get well.

God's Part
Medical Staff Part
Your Part

Do you want to get well?  Keep up the hope, the purpose, the "want to" so you too can overcome.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

FATHER GOD, WHY?

As I sit in this hospital room, beginning the second round of chemo for leukemia, these things I ask the Father God:

  • Why do You allow me, a fulltime minister of yours for over 30 years, to be suddenly unemployed before retirement age?
  • Why do You allow a person who was called "the youngest 60 year old I know," suddenly to be fighting for his physical life at 62 with cancer?
  • Why God, after a year of unemployment, but now hired in a full time teaching position, am I not allowed to teach one day of the school year?
  • Why God, do you strike down one seeking to preach and teach effectively your Word to others at the peak of his gifting and knowledge?
  • Why Lord, do you give a man a wife who is his best friend for 36 years, and make his days wonderful due to her dedication and love?
  • Why do you grant children to be proud of, and a grandchild to be proud of as well?
  • Why do you allow a little boy from a small town literally to impact people around the world without leaving his home state?
  • Why do allow me a love relationship with You, the King of the Universe Creator, Provider, Sustainer, Redeemer?
  • Why did you give me such loving parents who believed marriage was for life, and lived it over 60 years?
  • Why did you allow me to have received an inheritance, that paid off my house before this illness was made known?
  • Why do you have a special place prepared for me, with other disciples of yours, to worship you forever and ever, and why is that secure, so that I do not worry what will happen if the next breath does not come?
Because You are God!  Because You are Sovereign!  Because You are worthy of my praise, adoration and worship!  Because You are Love and Loving!

Whether it's 62 years, or 92 (like my father) or 100 (like my mother), I give thanks to the LORD for He is good, and His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Join me in giving thanks to the LORD.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Memorizing Scripture

One of the things I was challenged to do, years ago, was to memorize Scripture.  Little did I realize the value of that as the years went by.

One man that used to be at College Student week at our national camp was Rollin.  He said the greatest thing he had encouraged students to do in his ministry was challenging them to "hide God's word in their heart."  Rollin would get up before maybe 2500 people and quote the 46th Psalm or an entire chapter in a NT book.

Because memorized Word is present it is always "living and active and sharp as a two-edged sword, to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12)

I attempted to memorize single verses or a few together such as Philippians 2:5-11 or Philippians 4:13-19.  And some of those stuck.

Guess what--now 20- 30-40 years later, memorized Scripture comes to mind in various situations and gives me strength, challenge, encouragement. 

You say, "I can't memorize Scripture."  And I say, "Have you ever really tried it?' The key is going over the verses again and again over time--days, years, months.

Most of us know our Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, license plates, kids names, friends, various store names--which is more important to know--these or God's Word?

Review--review--review.  And lots of it just comes down to laziness.  I don't memorize and review because I don't want to.

But believe me, this is something that helps me so often right now--a sleepless night--a worry--a fear--a child out too late--being told I have leukemia.

So I want to encourage you to memorize God's word.  Find verses that especially speak to you as you read the Bible.  Work to memorize them perfectly.  Then review them often--every day or so until you have them down.

When my wife did a Beth Moore study in James, she took up Beth's challenge to memorize book of James.  She had most of it down.  She told me one of the neatest things about this was as she reviewed and did it over and over, new meaning came forth from the Word.  But most of us will never take the challenge--make the time to "store God's Word in our hearts."  So what a blessing you miss.

"Hide the Word of God in your heart, that you might not sin against God."  But do it also just for the pure pleasure of relating to the God of the Universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords--the One who loved you so much He sent Jesus to give His life a ransom for your (and my sin).

Memorizing Scripture is a way of getting to know God better for those (not just preachers) who are willing to take the challenge.  Start small--1-2 verses per week--review everyday or every other day--and see what benefits it brings to your life!

When I have no physical Bible, I still have God's Word within me, speaking, challenging, convicting, teaching me.

So when are you going to begin memorizing Scripture?  Maybe--today?

Thursday, September 12, 2013

REFLECTIONS ON FAITH

What is faith?  Personally I believe I do not have faith in prayer, nor in the church, nor in people, But in God and His Son, Jesus.

Do I believe in prayer and the church?  Yes, but because of belief in the Lord God.

I've noticed during this time of "retreat" due to my medical confinement that several have commended my wife and I on the depth of faith we have.  But it seems to me that's where the priority may be off a bit.  The faith is in God and Jesus.  It is not because of the "bigness" of my faith that I will get through this all.  It is due to the loving Father, the Sovereign God who has plans and brings them to effect in life.  Jesus said, "If you have the faith of mustard seed"--that's not much, though He did chide His disciples as "you of little faith."

Faith--trust--genuine subordination of oneself to a loving, holy, righteous, compassionate God is what's important.

Faith should reflect God not you and me.  It should glorify Him, not me. 

Some of us do not live by faith; we walk by sight.  We live by God's blessings, family, personal inner strength, things human not divine.  When the blessing of God is there, then praise the  Lord.  But when things turn sour, at times even due to our undoing, we move away from God.  We abandon Him and His church.  We do not seek to be true and faithful to a Holy God, a Righteous God, or to Jesus way of living life.

Hebrews 11 is a wonderful listing of as someone has said, "the hall of fame of faith."  But there are many other examples such as Abraham, David, Ananias and a man renamed Paul.

I preached last on August 11th, just before my hospitalization.  I said, "Faith is not faith if it is only for the good times."  I stand by that.  It is especially for the hard times, but in all of them, good or bad, trust is essential--trust that God has not only "a" plan, but "the" plan.  That plan is to redeem and save, to love all, to establish a faith relationship with everyone.  And that plan is also that He would be glorified and worshiped for who He is.

Do my wife and I have stronger faith than many?  Well maybe.  We are learning in this struggle more of what faith means.  Faith can be grown if you cooperate with God in the process instead of fighting God in the process. 

The process begins when you decide to "follow Jesus" and when you decide also to be part of His body, the church, and when you seek not only to grow through teachings of others (preachers, teachers, etc.), but also do your own study/reading/praying/reflecting on spiritual literature.  It is cultivated over time.  Maybe why my wife and I seem to have great faith to many (I say we're still weak--the strength is God, not us).  Faith is cultivated over days, years and months of "seeking after God," trying to listen and be true to His purposes, through minutes which over time turn into hours getting to know God in Scripture.

Don't look for a Bible-believing church, nor a Bible-teaching church.  Look for a Bible-living church--where people seem to attempt to put into practice the teachings of Jesus and God.  Often those combine, but not always. 

And always remember that a breakdown for all of us is "living what we say we believe."  Ask for God's forgiveness when you fail (you will).  Forgive yourself, but get back to the path of faith so you don't lose your way on the journey to knowing God.

Words from 2 Corinthians 12 today:  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV, biblegateway.com)

 So where are you in faith today?  And what do you need to do to strengthen faith NOW for the hard times to come LATER?  It is well worth the seeking and the journey to know God. 

Friday, September 6, 2013

Whose Fragrance Do You Give Off?

Reading in 2 Corinthians 2 today, I came across this:  "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." (2:14, NIV)

O that when people walked past us--when people were around us--when they saw our true nature, it would be shedding the fragrance of Christ--His love, His compassion, His caring, His genuine nature!  That would be a prayer for me worth praying.

So often I am impatient--I am self-centered--I am frustrated with people and get angry at them.  So often I say things out of wrong motives--focused on me, not the need of the other, even the need of the other for growth, improvement.

But what if, what if, today I would focus more, and you would focus more, on being the essence, the odor, the fragrance of Christ to those whom you are around?  How would others respond to us and their world differently today?

I plan to attempt (that may not last long) to let the fragrance of Christ smell through me today.  I guess that aids in the knowledge of God being seen as the Psalmist said, "Taste and see that the LORD is good."  Could that happen through me today?  I  hope so.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Mom Visited Me

Was it chemo or a dream?  I really don't care.  I'd had fevers most every night since I entered the hospital almost 2 weeks ago.  A couple of nights ago, on chemo overnight, I began having some colorful dreams, images, etc. appearing to me when I closed my eyes.  Many colors, shapes, even scary spiders, upon which I decided to praise and thank God for focus my mind of Him and His ways (Philippians 4:8).

And then it happened.  An outline of the top of a door came, as if open with light shining brightly through it.  Several figures seemed to go past, but then one came, stopped and just stayed there for a short while.

As I saw the outline of the head, I realized it was my Mom, in her later years of life (she died in 2007)--the outline of her white hair, all freshly permed and picked out--so pretty it was.  She was there for a moment, looked a minute or two, it seemed, and then was gone.

As I pondered the experience, I wondered what this meant.  Was she coming from my family members or even the Lord to say, "Now you too can come home, my child"?  No, I don't think so.  What I believe was happening was a confirmation from God that I am still to be here for a while.  It was a tender momma, with a sick son, seeing if his fever had broken. When I was a boy my mom would come and put her hand on my head, seeing then it was ok, and then moving on to her own bed. And to me, that's what happened that night.  She came to make sure I was ok, to say "You'll be all right," and then to go back to her peaceful night of rest with the Lord.

Dream, chemo, empty thoughts, intellectual--I really don't care.  It was an opportunity to feel the love of my earthly momma, given to me at this troubled time by my Heavenly Abba.  And for that I grateful!

Monday, August 5, 2013

NOT STOPPED BY PROBLEMS


God works despite problems!  Do you believe that?  And things fall into His plans even when they look like they cannot.
Acts 8:1-8, 12-17, 25-31, 35-40.
Saul was there when Stephen was stoned.  Persecution, due partly to Saul made the followers, except for the apostles, scatter from Jerusalem.  They scattered to Judea and Samaria.  (See Acts 1:8—fulfillment of Jesus’ saying).
1.      Notice who it was that scattered—not the Apostles, but their followers—other believers—those who learned from them—ordinary people we might say.

2.      Problems may lead to God’s plan and purpose being accomplished.  Both good reminders for us.
Story of Philip—remember who was Philip—called to wait on tables—but “full of Holy Spirit and spiritual wisdom.”
What was Philip doing here?  Waiting on tables?  No.  Scattered by persecution to Samaria and other areas and sharing Christ as he went.  Just as Stephen—doing more than we saw him called to do.
Because of his witness in Samaria, people were accepting Christ.  Peter and John, apostles in Jerusalem, came to check it out.  Could Samaritans accept Jesus?  Was their conversion genuine?  Early church being sure to watch over new conversions as the gospel message spread.
Interesting that these Samaritans had accepted Christ and were baptized in water, but Holy Spirit had not come into them yet.  When one accepts Christ, we believe at that point the Holy Spirit of God comes to reside in the person.  Probably this did not happen yet, until Peter and John came, just so the early apostolic leaders and church in Jerusalem would accept these Samaritan conversions and believe what happened was genuine as they came and confirmed it.
Peter and John pray for them—lay hands on them—and Holy Spirit comes to live in them.
v. 25  Peter and John really believed Samaritans could accept Christ, because we see as they returned to Jerusalem, they shared Christ on their way.
Story of Philip and Ethiopian eunuch—Philip obedient to leading of Holy Spirit—leads this important man in government of a North African country to Christ.  More Acts 1:8 fulfillment—“Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”  Fulfillment through apostles—no—through man called to wait on tables in early church.
After baptizing the eunuch, Holy Spirit moves Philip away quickly, and he continues sharing Christ on his way, until he reached Caesarea.  Contagious enthusiasm to share Christ with others.
Several things for us to compare to our lives from this passage.
1.      How anxious are we, His church, to share the gospel message with others.  A man who was not an apostle was seeing conversions through his life and witness. 

2.      Do we look at problems in life as God’s plan—and possibly as God’s plan to use us effectively in the lives of others for His sake?  Persecution led to the spread of the gospel message into new parts of the world. 

3.      How often do we believe that His Holy Spirit has us where we are for God’s purposes?  Could it be that we are in places we are—school, work, shopping, sports events—to reflect Christ to others and minister to people? 

4.      When people seek God, we need to be ready to sincerely listen to them and then share the truth about God with them.  Eunuch asked some good questions—Philip used an Old Testament passage (Isaiah) to lead the man to Jesus the Messiah.  

5.      We should always be listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice in our lives, and then obey Him.

Monday, July 29, 2013

YOU NEVER KNOW


You never know who’s watching you—who’s learning from you—who’s testing or assessing you—sometimes from close up—sometimes from afar.  Our life may be much more influential—even to strangers—than we would ever think.
Acts 7:1-3, 39, 51-8:1
Book title—“Acts of the Apostles” or “Acts of Holy Spirit.”  Today, story is not about an apostle—about one called to “wait on tables”—to serve in the daily distribution of food.  Last week—found the qualification was to be “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.”
Stephen—one of those men.  But he did more than that—he witnessed and confounded the Jews with his testimony—full of the Spirit and godly wisdom.
Arrested—charges that he spoke blasphemy against Moses and Temple.  So in ch. 7, Stephen gives his defense.
First he recounts the history of Israel—how he knew that history—and yet it was a history of God’s people rejecting Him and Moses and losing the Temple due to their disobedience.
Then he told them they were just like their forefathers—rejecting the prophets and killing those who told about the Messiah—and they killed the Messiah who had come.  Sounds much like the sermon of Peter earlier in Acts.
So they stoned him to death.  But notice the attitude and way of his death.  Full of the Holy Spirit—vision of heaven and Jesus the Messiah standing there.  To them—more blasphemy that Jesus would be at God’s right hand.
Notice v. 58—when they stoned him, they took off their outer robes to better throw stones, and they laid their robes at the feet of a man named “Saul.”
How does Stephen die?  As he does so, he prays a similar prayer to the prayer of Jesus when he was being crucified—“Lord do not hold this sin against them.”  And also he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
And in this way, he died.  But notice also ch. 8:1, “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” (NIV)
What do we see in this story about Stephen (that applies to us)?
1)      Christians need to be “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” 

a.       None of us ever knows what will be asked of us—or what situation we will be in, because of God’s purpose in our lives or His purpose in the world. 

2)      Christians should be ready to share their faith—to tell what Jesus did for them—to give their testimony whenever a good opportunity comes. 

a.       Peter says (1 Peter 3:15),  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (NIV).  Isn’t this what Stephen did? 

b.      This man knew the history of the Jews—he began where they were—with what they knew and accepted—as he shared about the Messiah. 

3)      There is a connection between being “full of the Holy Spirit and godly wisdom” and “giving a reason for the hope within you” when the opportunity arises.  Sharing Christ is not an act of a person—it is an act of the Holy Spirit through the person. 

4)      The attitude for the Christian is just as important as the words.  The two need to go together.  Stephen could have ranted and raved about how he was being mistreated and killed with trumped up charges.  Instead he died with faith in the Lord—and with compassion for those who were killing him unjustly. 

5)      We never know who’s watching or who will be affected by our words and our attitude as a believer—an attitude of being “full of the Holy Spirit and godly wisdom.” 

a.       Saul—persecutor of Christians—steeped in Jewish faith—trained by top rabbis—star pupil and Jewish evangelist—watching what went on.

b.      How did this experience of seeing this follower of Jesus killed and the faith and compassion he showed enter into Saul’s conversion later on?  Probably greatly! 

c.       God uses our faith—our experiences—our words to witness and grow others in the faith and into the faith.

d.      Saul later would become Paul—the greatest early Christian evangelist, missionary, church planter, apostle to the Gentiles.  When a new Christian, Paul “confounded the Jews” with his knowledge of OT scriptures and used them to show how Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Are you full of the Holy Spirit and godly wisdom?
Are you ready to share the “reason for the hope within you” when opportunities come?
Are your attitudes and actions things that would give a positive witness for the change Christ has made in your life?
Who’s watching you—your words—your life—your faith?  How are you affecting them—for Christ or against Christ?
You never know—you never know who—and you never know when.  But God is always at work around you, to will and work for His good purposes.
And it could even be in the way you die.  But even more, in the way you live.

 

Monday, July 22, 2013

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

God calls—God equips—we may do more, but we should not do less. 

Acts 6:1-15 

Prejudice—within the early church—church taking care of widows—giving food—Greek speaking women not being taken care of as the Hebrew speaking women. 

The Twelve apostles knew their calling—their task within the body of Christ—“the ministry of the Word of God.”  If they were diverted from “their” calling from God, the church would not grow and expand as God wanted it to. 

Nothing wrong with waiting on tables—organizing a food ministry—serving in this way IF that is what God calls you to.  But they knew they had a different calling. 

Qualifications within the church for this food distribution ministry—“full of the Spirit and wisdom.”  Whether the task is what we think to be a spiritual task (preaching/teaching the Word) or a physical ministry (food ministry)—there was a spiritual qualification—“filled with Spirit” and wisdom. 

Delegation—this ministry would be “turned over” to others from the Apostles.  Released to others to carry it out. 

Were the apostles too good to do it?  No, it was a very important task/ministry of the early church.  But an apostle—a pastor—cannot do everything.  If he or they do that, the total ministry will suffer. 

Easy for churches to expect their pastor to do everything—and in some churches—for members to do nothing.  Several problems with that.  One, the pastor is not called to all of it.  He is called especially to pray and to preach/teach the Word of God.  When he neglects that for other things, the church suffers. 

Another problem with him doing everything is that not everyone is gifted to DO everything.  Each Christian has a gift and calling from God to put into use within the body of Christ.  When each does less than that, the church suffers. 

A third problem with pastor/apostle doing it all is that it does not allow others to grow spiritually or grow in using their call and gift from God.  Stagnation in the Christian faith for any of us is wrong!  We each are called to grow—to minister—to serve as God leads us and shows us.  Ephesians 4 says a pastor should “equip the saints for the work of service.”  That means letting others do the ministry—not do it all himself. 

Especially note the names Stephen, Philip, and a man, Nicolas from Antioch—we heard of another man from Antioch—a man named Barnabas.  The story in Acts will continue especially through these men.  These men did “more” than expected of them through this ministry of food, but they did not do “less” than expected. 

Where are the people here who are “full of faith” and the “Holy Spirit”?  God calls each of us to be that—but God especially uses those who are to enable to church to grow. 

v. 7  “So the word of God spread.  The number of disciples increased rapidly.” 

Disciples—not just followers or “hangers on”—remember disciples are learners, committed followers, those seeking to pattern their lives after Jesus.  Every Christian is called to become a disciple. 

Rest of chapter and into chapter 7, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs.”  Called to “wait on tables”—because of being full of Holy Spirit and wisdom”—but he did MORE than just that ministry.  He did not do less—He did MORE—and that is the spirit of discipleship—and the Spirit of God’s leading. 

Stephen shared his faith—preached—taught in power—v. 10, those who opposed him “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”  Stephen did MORE, not less. 

What was the difference in his life?  “full of Holy Spirit and spiritual wisdom.” 

Are you full of the Holy Spirit and spiritual wisdom?  Some say they are—but the proof is in the living—in the service—in what people see from one’s life. 

A disciple is “full of the H.S. and spiritual wisdom”—full of faith. 

So lies were told by those who opposed Stephen—that he taught blasphemy.  They did not want to believe that Jesus was Messiah. 

In chapter 7, we will find more of the story of Stephen before the Sanhedrin Council.  God will use him powerfully especially in the life of one young man as he testifies on Jesus’ behalf.  One young man—but a man who would be called by God to a ministry that you and I have benefitted from greatly. 

If you want to know more, read chapter 7. 

What is your ministry in your church—this body of Christ—what does God want you doing? 

Are you “full of the Holy Spirit” and “spiritual wisdom”?  Are you doing things that aid you in being full of the Spirit and wisdom?  A disciple will do more than expected, not less.