Jeremiah 3:15 (NASB)
15 "Then
I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and
understanding.
Preachers come and go. With every vacancy churches find themselves having to seek God for the next preacher. This is a daunting task. Some preachers get appointed by their superiors to serve in local congregations. Many churches form search committees to find "God's man."
This usually starts with gathering and sifting through dozens and dozens of resumes. Much prayer is made. Finalists are narrowed down. References are checked. Sermons are watched and listened to all in the hopes that God will unify hearts around one individual. An interview is set up and if that goes well an invitation is extended to come preach and to be voted on by the congregation.
I intentionally started this article with the sentence, "Preachers come and go." This is true. For many pastorless churches they are on a hunt for a preacher. While that is important to God He also wants so much more for local congregations than a preacher. He wants shepherds.
What is the difference. Preachers can stand behind the pulpit and orate. They proclaim truth. Yet I have known some preachers who felt called to preach but had little concern for the people in the pews. Such preachers are unapproachable after they perform on stage. They often run off, avoid the crowds, disappear to their office in hiding. Such preachers seldom make visits in the hospitals or in homes. They busy themselves with sermon preparation. While that is important people are also important.
Churches often fixate on finding a preacher when God wants to send shepherds. Shepherds nurture the sheep, protect them, and tend to their needs. They also feed the sheep. They pasture them in the ich truth of God's word with a steady diet of spiritual nourishment. They often preach expositional messages through books of the Bible rather than topical sermons.
Shepherds are available to their flock. They are on call all day everyday. They are willing to be inconvenienced even during sermon preparation time or on days off. They make hospital visits and house calls. They invest in people They love the people they minister among.
Churches need God's chosen shepherds and not just preachers. I fear what Bible colleges and Seminaries are turning out for pastors these days. Do these young ministers really think pastoring a church is an eight to five job. Do they all ministry is about what takes place on Sunday mornings or evenings and Wednesday nights.
I had a funeral director tell me once he could not find anyone to do a graveside funeral for a family without a pastor. All the pastors were busy or did not want to give up family time. Yes, he actually had pastors say that. He told me int the old days how preachers saw it as their duty to be available to to the people of the community but times had changed. I preached that funeral service missing part of my son's football game I was supposed to help coach. I showed up at half time after the funeral in my slacks and dress shirt. Shepherds tend to people. They love people. Ministry is about connecting people to God. Shepherds minister to people. They serve people.
Yes, shepherds are supposed to feed the sheep. They are supposed to offer then spiritual meat. Shepherds are called to preach. It is possible for a minister to be shepherd and a preacher. That is what the church needs. In the New Testament a shepherd is called a pastor. Don't mistake the term pastor for preacher. A true pastor is a shepherd and a preacher.
The next time your church is looking for a new pastor I hope they will seek God for a shepherd and not just a preacher.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Prophet To The Nations
Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NASB)
4 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
I recall the day and exactly where I was when I read these verses years ago. God gripped my heart with them. I felt like He personally wrote those verses to me that day. It moved me so deeply I had "Jeremiah 1:5" engraved on a Bible I used to preach from.
In no way am I comparing myself to Jeremiah or any other biblical prophet. What struck me that day is that from birth God had a plan for me. He knew me in the womb and consecrated me in the spring and summer days of 1966. When I was born in the fall of 1966 He had set me apart in His plan to preach.
I did not meet Jesus as my Savior for seventeen years. It took another year and a half before I clearly heard God's call on my life to preach. I did hear it though and responded to that call on July, 4, 1985.
God did not just call me to preach. He put a boldness in me to preach hard truth among a hard hearted generation. I have not shied away from preaching the hard stuff as well as the encouraging stuff. Neither have I backed away from writing hard truth.
I have taken some mission trips and anticipate in the future I will do so again. I have traveled to a few foreign countries for Jesus. Yet, I have never felt like I was truly getting to be a prophet to the nations.
That is until I began writing this blog. Through the wonder of technology what I write and post here is available to people all over the world. What I like even more is this material is available for free if people have access to the internet. I want it that way. I am not looking to make a quick buck. I am looking to share truth. Like Vance Havner used to say, "I came to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." Through this blog I can do so all over the world.
A few weeks ago a very strange thing happened. I am able to keep up with how many visitors come to this site as well as from what countries people are from and how many visitors view the site from each country. By far and away over the past eight years the United States has the most visitors. Usually that is followed by Canada with a few. From time to time sporadic visitors come from countries like France, Germany, Brazil, China, and so forth. A few weeks ago for several days in a row there were four times as many visitors from Russia reading this material as from the United States. Hundreds of visitors from Russia came. I do not know one person in Russia. I don't know how they stumbled on this material. Yet they did.
In that moment I felt like I was truly getting to serve as a prophet to the nations. As suddenly as all those Russian visitors showed up they disappeared again. In the past thirty days not one person has visited this site from Russia. We have had people visit from Kenya, Portugal, Spain, and the Philippines. I praise God for He is using this material all around the world. Glory to God.
I trust in the future I will again board planes and travel to distant shores. Until then I write His messages to be sent out around the world. This is what I was born to do. For this purpose God appointed me. I am a prophet to the nations.
4 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
I recall the day and exactly where I was when I read these verses years ago. God gripped my heart with them. I felt like He personally wrote those verses to me that day. It moved me so deeply I had "Jeremiah 1:5" engraved on a Bible I used to preach from.
In no way am I comparing myself to Jeremiah or any other biblical prophet. What struck me that day is that from birth God had a plan for me. He knew me in the womb and consecrated me in the spring and summer days of 1966. When I was born in the fall of 1966 He had set me apart in His plan to preach.
I did not meet Jesus as my Savior for seventeen years. It took another year and a half before I clearly heard God's call on my life to preach. I did hear it though and responded to that call on July, 4, 1985.
God did not just call me to preach. He put a boldness in me to preach hard truth among a hard hearted generation. I have not shied away from preaching the hard stuff as well as the encouraging stuff. Neither have I backed away from writing hard truth.
I have taken some mission trips and anticipate in the future I will do so again. I have traveled to a few foreign countries for Jesus. Yet, I have never felt like I was truly getting to be a prophet to the nations.
That is until I began writing this blog. Through the wonder of technology what I write and post here is available to people all over the world. What I like even more is this material is available for free if people have access to the internet. I want it that way. I am not looking to make a quick buck. I am looking to share truth. Like Vance Havner used to say, "I came to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." Through this blog I can do so all over the world.
A few weeks ago a very strange thing happened. I am able to keep up with how many visitors come to this site as well as from what countries people are from and how many visitors view the site from each country. By far and away over the past eight years the United States has the most visitors. Usually that is followed by Canada with a few. From time to time sporadic visitors come from countries like France, Germany, Brazil, China, and so forth. A few weeks ago for several days in a row there were four times as many visitors from Russia reading this material as from the United States. Hundreds of visitors from Russia came. I do not know one person in Russia. I don't know how they stumbled on this material. Yet they did.
In that moment I felt like I was truly getting to serve as a prophet to the nations. As suddenly as all those Russian visitors showed up they disappeared again. In the past thirty days not one person has visited this site from Russia. We have had people visit from Kenya, Portugal, Spain, and the Philippines. I praise God for He is using this material all around the world. Glory to God.
I trust in the future I will again board planes and travel to distant shores. Until then I write His messages to be sent out around the world. This is what I was born to do. For this purpose God appointed me. I am a prophet to the nations.
I Have Seen Your Tears
Isaiah 38:1-5 (NASB)
1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'"
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
3 and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
5 "Go and say to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
I believe there are different levels of prayer. The heavier the burden, the greater the need, the bigger the mountain, the higher level of praying is needed.
Hezekiah was about to die. Isaiah sent on mission for God delivered the sobering news, "Set your house in order for you shall die and not live."
Hezekiah in desperation prayed. He did more than pray. He prayed with tears. His tears must have meant something to God for He stopped Isaiah and sent him back with a new message, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life."
Did you catch that. God heard his prayers. God also saw his tears. Hezekiah watered his prayer with tears. It is like the tears served as a fertilizer to make his prayers more potent and fruitful.
When is the last time you heard anyone pray with tears during a worship service? When is the last time you heard anyone pray in tears during a prayer meeting? Furthermore, when is the last time you prayed in tears?
While I don't profess to understand prayer fully, I do believe tears and brokenness moves God to action more than dry eyed prayers alone. I am not talking about fake crocodile tears. I am not talking about putting on an academy award winning performance to impress people with tearful praying. I am talking about truly broken, desperate, fervent tearful prayers because there is no other hope.
Hannah's tearful praying moved God to conceive young Samuel in her womb after she had been barren for years. Those who sow seed in tears come harvest with joyful shouting. That has always spoken to me about praying with brokenness over lost people around us.
There is way too much tearless praying and tearless preaching going on these days. Is it any wonder we do not often see the miraculous.
I have to confess, though I carry many heavy burdens for people, I have not shed a tear in a long long while. It is like my tears are broken. The pains are so deep and many burdens have weighed on me for so long that the tears no longer come. Do I dare ask God to return them? Do I dare ask God to unstop the dam and let the torrent of tears flow again?
I remember a season when I could barely pray at all without tears. It came after an eventful night when I truly asked God to break my heart. I pleaded with Him to let me feel what He felt. I asked Him to share His burden with me. Suddenly I felt deep sorrow and I began sobbing uncontrollably. The burden intensified and so did the tears. I could not get a grip. I felt like a weight was sitting on my chest making it difficult to breathe. Eventually I pleaded with God to relieve the burden for I could stand under it.
Since that day I recall many tearful prayer times. One at ETBU in a youth camp. One on my living room floor in Hudson, TX. Another in my office at FBC Paradise. One during the Shake The City Revival in Seminole during the service when I had no word from God and knelt at the altar. Another in a front pew in Seminole during a Sunday evening service when overcome with the majesty of God during worship. Repeatedly in my home over a beloved brother in Christ straying from the Lord. Multiple times over my wife and children. So many for Faith Community Church I cannot count them.
If I want the highest level of praying that is precisely what I need to do. I need to ask God to break my heart and give me tears in praying again. I need to wet the floor with tear drops as I intercede for those I love. I need to be moved in brokenness in prayer once again. What about you?
1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'"
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
3 and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
5 "Go and say to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
I believe there are different levels of prayer. The heavier the burden, the greater the need, the bigger the mountain, the higher level of praying is needed.
Hezekiah was about to die. Isaiah sent on mission for God delivered the sobering news, "Set your house in order for you shall die and not live."
Hezekiah in desperation prayed. He did more than pray. He prayed with tears. His tears must have meant something to God for He stopped Isaiah and sent him back with a new message, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life."
Did you catch that. God heard his prayers. God also saw his tears. Hezekiah watered his prayer with tears. It is like the tears served as a fertilizer to make his prayers more potent and fruitful.
When is the last time you heard anyone pray with tears during a worship service? When is the last time you heard anyone pray in tears during a prayer meeting? Furthermore, when is the last time you prayed in tears?
While I don't profess to understand prayer fully, I do believe tears and brokenness moves God to action more than dry eyed prayers alone. I am not talking about fake crocodile tears. I am not talking about putting on an academy award winning performance to impress people with tearful praying. I am talking about truly broken, desperate, fervent tearful prayers because there is no other hope.
Hannah's tearful praying moved God to conceive young Samuel in her womb after she had been barren for years. Those who sow seed in tears come harvest with joyful shouting. That has always spoken to me about praying with brokenness over lost people around us.
There is way too much tearless praying and tearless preaching going on these days. Is it any wonder we do not often see the miraculous.
I have to confess, though I carry many heavy burdens for people, I have not shed a tear in a long long while. It is like my tears are broken. The pains are so deep and many burdens have weighed on me for so long that the tears no longer come. Do I dare ask God to return them? Do I dare ask God to unstop the dam and let the torrent of tears flow again?
I remember a season when I could barely pray at all without tears. It came after an eventful night when I truly asked God to break my heart. I pleaded with Him to let me feel what He felt. I asked Him to share His burden with me. Suddenly I felt deep sorrow and I began sobbing uncontrollably. The burden intensified and so did the tears. I could not get a grip. I felt like a weight was sitting on my chest making it difficult to breathe. Eventually I pleaded with God to relieve the burden for I could stand under it.
Since that day I recall many tearful prayer times. One at ETBU in a youth camp. One on my living room floor in Hudson, TX. Another in my office at FBC Paradise. One during the Shake The City Revival in Seminole during the service when I had no word from God and knelt at the altar. Another in a front pew in Seminole during a Sunday evening service when overcome with the majesty of God during worship. Repeatedly in my home over a beloved brother in Christ straying from the Lord. Multiple times over my wife and children. So many for Faith Community Church I cannot count them.
If I want the highest level of praying that is precisely what I need to do. I need to ask God to break my heart and give me tears in praying again. I need to wet the floor with tear drops as I intercede for those I love. I need to be moved in brokenness in prayer once again. What about you?
Lip Service
Isaiah 29:13 (NASB)
13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
While the United States in the past prided itself on being a Christian nation the truth is we are a nation of lip service today. Many churches are declining in attendance. Even those who attend worship services often do so out of religious obligation rather than to draw near to God. We sing "O How I Love Jesus" but do not give Him the time of today. We say we believe His word and yet many Bibles are never cracked open in a month's time. We say we yearn for truth and yet accumulate preachers who tickle the ears and do not rock the boat. We say Christ is the Head of the church and yet how many wrangle and manipulate to have controlling power over local congregations. We say we don't want people to perish in hell and yet sit silently tight lipped while by the tens of thousands people plunge into wrathful eternity without having heard a personal gospel witness. We say we believe in the power of prayer and yet the prayer meeting is nearly extinct. Like I said earlier, we are a nation of Christian lip service.
God predicted such a day would come. A day when people would draw near with words. They would honor Him, or to put it another way, they would respect and magnify with only words. Their actions did not follow what they were saying.
In addition, they removed their hearts far from God. That means they abandoned God and distanced themselves far from Him. These were God's chosen people. Is it different today for Christians. How many say the right things, do some of the right things, but internally they have distanced themselves far from a close relationship with their Creator. They have abandoned Him for other priorities like work, materialism, comfort, convenience, and security.
Such people do not revere God. That means they do not fear Him. People sin with a casual attitude that accompanies grace preaching without being balanced with holiness peaching and living. Who fears God anymore in the church? We hear about God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, but seldom hear about His wrath, judgment, justice, and the consequences for those not forgiven. We hear sermons about trying harder and doing more but seldom hear about loving Him and submitting to Him in communion rather than rote tradition. God desires a relationship with people. He desires more than people following rules, regulations, and religious routines.
Even contemporary churches do things out of rote tradition. A person can sing the newest song week after week and it can become meaningless. We sing from rote memory rather than a heart inspired to awe an awesome God. Contemporary churches do things by rote just like traditional churches. Don't believe it. Watch what happens when the music starts. People stand. Teenagers have been trained to stand at youth events. They do so in the church I serve but do they worship. Do they sing. Do they engage their hearts with God in expressions of love and adoration. If not why do they stand. If they are not going to engage in worship wouldn't God be more honored if they sat rather to stand because everyone else is.
We give a lot of lip service to God these days. I am appalled at how few people bring a Bible to a worship service or a Bible study. How can we truthfully say He is our Lord and we do not even know what He says in His word much less obey it. I have little doubt if people do not see bringing a Bile to church they probably do not prioritize reading it in devotions.
Repentance is in order for the people of God. We must close the distance between us and God in humility and a desire for more of Him and less lip service and tradition by rote. Those things will never fulfill. Will we draw near to God and believe He will draw near to us. Will we connect ourselves with lip service for the rest of our days.
13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
While the United States in the past prided itself on being a Christian nation the truth is we are a nation of lip service today. Many churches are declining in attendance. Even those who attend worship services often do so out of religious obligation rather than to draw near to God. We sing "O How I Love Jesus" but do not give Him the time of today. We say we believe His word and yet many Bibles are never cracked open in a month's time. We say we yearn for truth and yet accumulate preachers who tickle the ears and do not rock the boat. We say Christ is the Head of the church and yet how many wrangle and manipulate to have controlling power over local congregations. We say we don't want people to perish in hell and yet sit silently tight lipped while by the tens of thousands people plunge into wrathful eternity without having heard a personal gospel witness. We say we believe in the power of prayer and yet the prayer meeting is nearly extinct. Like I said earlier, we are a nation of Christian lip service.
God predicted such a day would come. A day when people would draw near with words. They would honor Him, or to put it another way, they would respect and magnify with only words. Their actions did not follow what they were saying.
In addition, they removed their hearts far from God. That means they abandoned God and distanced themselves far from Him. These were God's chosen people. Is it different today for Christians. How many say the right things, do some of the right things, but internally they have distanced themselves far from a close relationship with their Creator. They have abandoned Him for other priorities like work, materialism, comfort, convenience, and security.
Such people do not revere God. That means they do not fear Him. People sin with a casual attitude that accompanies grace preaching without being balanced with holiness peaching and living. Who fears God anymore in the church? We hear about God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, but seldom hear about His wrath, judgment, justice, and the consequences for those not forgiven. We hear sermons about trying harder and doing more but seldom hear about loving Him and submitting to Him in communion rather than rote tradition. God desires a relationship with people. He desires more than people following rules, regulations, and religious routines.
Even contemporary churches do things out of rote tradition. A person can sing the newest song week after week and it can become meaningless. We sing from rote memory rather than a heart inspired to awe an awesome God. Contemporary churches do things by rote just like traditional churches. Don't believe it. Watch what happens when the music starts. People stand. Teenagers have been trained to stand at youth events. They do so in the church I serve but do they worship. Do they sing. Do they engage their hearts with God in expressions of love and adoration. If not why do they stand. If they are not going to engage in worship wouldn't God be more honored if they sat rather to stand because everyone else is.
We give a lot of lip service to God these days. I am appalled at how few people bring a Bible to a worship service or a Bible study. How can we truthfully say He is our Lord and we do not even know what He says in His word much less obey it. I have little doubt if people do not see bringing a Bile to church they probably do not prioritize reading it in devotions.
Repentance is in order for the people of God. We must close the distance between us and God in humility and a desire for more of Him and less lip service and tradition by rote. Those things will never fulfill. Will we draw near to God and believe He will draw near to us. Will we connect ourselves with lip service for the rest of our days.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Dad, What Are You Doing?
After a quick trip to the grocery store Turner and I were headed home. I noticed a kid walking on the shoulder of a major highway. I thought quickly in my mind about there not being houses on that road for miles. I passed the kid and the thought entered my mind to pick the him up and give a ride. I kept driving. Turner had already reclined his chair to sleep after a busy day.
I wrestled back and forth if I should turn around or keep driving. My flesh wanted to get home. Yet I felt a piercing conviction. I just wrote about loving people who can do nothing for you in return earlier today and knew what I should do. The hypocrisy of it all finally got to me so I u-turned and headed back for the kid.
This is when Turner asked, "Dad, what are you doing?" My simple reply, "I am obeying God."
When we pulled up the kid approached the car and did indeed want a ride. Turns out the kid was a girl named Hannah who just moved to this area. Normally she would ride the bus home. She walked to a job interview and her ride fell through to bring her home. With no-one available to pick her up for hours she started walking. So she started walking turns out what would have been miles from her home. She lives in Runaway Bay where my family lives. That is nine miles from where I picked her up. She told me she prayed for God to send her a ride. Turner and I were the answer to that prayer.
I asked her about her relationship with Jesus and where she would spend eternity. Turns out she trusted Jesus for salvation back in fifth grade. She said He was all she had to lean on back then. She was extremely polite. She does not own a cell phone. She really needs a job. I may never see her again.
When we dropped her off I asked Turner how he felt. He said good. I asked what things could have happened if we had not stopped to pick her up. He replied, "She could have been hit by a vehicle, it would have taken her more than hour to walk home, and we would have missed out on the blessing."
He missed one other thing. I had the chance to teach my son a valuable lesson about hearing from the Lord, obeying Him, and sharing my faith that I could never pass on in a hundred sermons. He got the chance to see a sermon lived out.
I hope you will get asked what you are doing sometime by one of your children and you will be able to say, "I'm obeying God." That is a lesson that will stick.
I wrestled back and forth if I should turn around or keep driving. My flesh wanted to get home. Yet I felt a piercing conviction. I just wrote about loving people who can do nothing for you in return earlier today and knew what I should do. The hypocrisy of it all finally got to me so I u-turned and headed back for the kid.
This is when Turner asked, "Dad, what are you doing?" My simple reply, "I am obeying God."
When we pulled up the kid approached the car and did indeed want a ride. Turns out the kid was a girl named Hannah who just moved to this area. Normally she would ride the bus home. She walked to a job interview and her ride fell through to bring her home. With no-one available to pick her up for hours she started walking. So she started walking turns out what would have been miles from her home. She lives in Runaway Bay where my family lives. That is nine miles from where I picked her up. She told me she prayed for God to send her a ride. Turner and I were the answer to that prayer.
I asked her about her relationship with Jesus and where she would spend eternity. Turns out she trusted Jesus for salvation back in fifth grade. She said He was all she had to lean on back then. She was extremely polite. She does not own a cell phone. She really needs a job. I may never see her again.
When we dropped her off I asked Turner how he felt. He said good. I asked what things could have happened if we had not stopped to pick her up. He replied, "She could have been hit by a vehicle, it would have taken her more than hour to walk home, and we would have missed out on the blessing."
He missed one other thing. I had the chance to teach my son a valuable lesson about hearing from the Lord, obeying Him, and sharing my faith that I could never pass on in a hundred sermons. He got the chance to see a sermon lived out.
I hope you will get asked what you are doing sometime by one of your children and you will be able to say, "I'm obeying God." That is a lesson that will stick.
Check Up
I am about to go my primary care physician for a check up. This is an at least twice a year routine plus monthly or bi-monthly visits to my retina physician.
That is not what is on my mind today. I am thinking more along the lines of a spiritual check up. Take your spiritual vital signs. Do you love God more today than yesterday? Are your affections for Jesus greater now than at this time last year?
Next, let us move on to faith. How much confidence do you have in God today? Is your belief and confidence in Him stronger today than it has been in the past month? Is your faith growing and maturing as you face the many battles and tests?
Do you love people?. Not just those who love you in return. Do you genuinely love people? All kinds of people. People who can not do one thing for you to advance your career persona, or pocketbook? Do you love suffering people, broken people, hurting people, dying people, ostracized people, and the people nobody else loves except Jesus?
How is your joy? I am not asking what you are going through. I am asking if you have joy despite what you are going through? Jesus joyfully endured the cross. Paul joyfully endured prison. Are you joyfully enduring the stuff you are going through?
How is your hunger for God's word? Do you long for it to meet God in those pages like a deer pants for the water brooks? Do you find scripture sweet and satisfying like honey? Do you delight in truth? Are you growing in knowledge of the Bible? Is your mind getting consistently transformed as you read, meditate, memorize and study the Bible?
I am not going to ask if you are attending worship? Many do that. Are you getting anything out of it? Are you actually worshipping? Are you eager to hear truth and learn? Do you enjoy the fellowship of God's people? Are you consistently adjusting your life to the truth you learn in obedience?
We have only scratched the surface. I did not even ask about what thoughts dominate your mind? Thoughts of hope, faith, trust, peace or thoughts of despair, doubt, and anxiety.
As you go through this check up as I have you might find repentance is in order. I certainly did.
That is not what is on my mind today. I am thinking more along the lines of a spiritual check up. Take your spiritual vital signs. Do you love God more today than yesterday? Are your affections for Jesus greater now than at this time last year?
Next, let us move on to faith. How much confidence do you have in God today? Is your belief and confidence in Him stronger today than it has been in the past month? Is your faith growing and maturing as you face the many battles and tests?
Do you love people?. Not just those who love you in return. Do you genuinely love people? All kinds of people. People who can not do one thing for you to advance your career persona, or pocketbook? Do you love suffering people, broken people, hurting people, dying people, ostracized people, and the people nobody else loves except Jesus?
How is your joy? I am not asking what you are going through. I am asking if you have joy despite what you are going through? Jesus joyfully endured the cross. Paul joyfully endured prison. Are you joyfully enduring the stuff you are going through?
How is your hunger for God's word? Do you long for it to meet God in those pages like a deer pants for the water brooks? Do you find scripture sweet and satisfying like honey? Do you delight in truth? Are you growing in knowledge of the Bible? Is your mind getting consistently transformed as you read, meditate, memorize and study the Bible?
I am not going to ask if you are attending worship? Many do that. Are you getting anything out of it? Are you actually worshipping? Are you eager to hear truth and learn? Do you enjoy the fellowship of God's people? Are you consistently adjusting your life to the truth you learn in obedience?
We have only scratched the surface. I did not even ask about what thoughts dominate your mind? Thoughts of hope, faith, trust, peace or thoughts of despair, doubt, and anxiety.
As you go through this check up as I have you might find repentance is in order. I certainly did.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Clinging To The Sword
Life is a battle. There are many skirmishes. Oh I don't mean in the real sense of war, though there are plenty of those. I mean there are challenges. There are obstacles to overcome. Some last for the briefest of moments. Other battles last much longer. When these challenges come we can chose to keep fighting or we can chose to quit.
Eleazar chose to fight. His hand clung to the sword. That means he held fast and fastened his grip to the sword. He embraced the battle against the Philistines. He stepped up the challenge. Even though he wearied in the fight he did not quit. He leaned on God and eventually God gave the victory. Why do I believe Eleazar leaned on God? His name means "God has helped."
Today my writing is brief but filled with challenge. Cling to your sword. Keep fighting. Don't give up. Trust God for the victory. Do this with your children and grandchildren. Do this with your church family. Do this with your community. Do this with your country. Cling to your sword.
Cling to your sword. Fasten your grip firmly in prayer, resolve, willingness to stand firm in the battle. I thank the Lord for the example of Eleazar found in [II Sam 22:9-10] and the encouragement he brought me today.
Eleazar chose to fight. His hand clung to the sword. That means he held fast and fastened his grip to the sword. He embraced the battle against the Philistines. He stepped up the challenge. Even though he wearied in the fight he did not quit. He leaned on God and eventually God gave the victory. Why do I believe Eleazar leaned on God? His name means "God has helped."
Today my writing is brief but filled with challenge. Cling to your sword. Keep fighting. Don't give up. Trust God for the victory. Do this with your children and grandchildren. Do this with your church family. Do this with your community. Do this with your country. Cling to your sword.
Cling to your sword. Fasten your grip firmly in prayer, resolve, willingness to stand firm in the battle. I thank the Lord for the example of Eleazar found in [II Sam 22:9-10] and the encouragement he brought me today.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Who Or What?
I was in the middle of teaching last night when suddenly I noticed something in the scriptures I had not noticed before. God gave me revelation right in the middle of teaching. This is not the first time something like this has happened. One of the best messages the Lord ever game me happened right in the middle of teaching when God revealed something to me I had not seen before. That message remains one of my all time favorites.
For months I have been teaching through the book of Romans verse by verse. Last night we finished chapter eight. To give a little context I left off the week before with the thought about who can bring a charge against God's elect. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, makes accusations and brings charges against people night and day.
Last night I taught over these verses. Romans 8:34-39 (NASB)
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For months I have been teaching through the book of Romans verse by verse. Last night we finished chapter eight. To give a little context I left off the week before with the thought about who can bring a charge against God's elect. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, makes accusations and brings charges against people night and day.
Last night I taught over these verses. Romans 8:34-39 (NASB)
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What jumped out at me was verse 35. It starts out with the ward who. But look at what follows. The thought in the verse is not connected to people but rather to circumstances or things that can happen to a person. Here is the thought. Who can separate or divide us from the love of Jesus? Instead of listing people Paul lists things like, tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. I wondered why Paul did not use the word what. What can separate us from the love of Jesus. He does not use the word what but chooses the word who.
A man in our study thoughtfully connected the word who to Satan from the context of previous verses. That is when the lightbulb went off and the whole passage opened up in a new way. Satan wants us to doubt the love of Jesus. He attacks us, tempts us, set snares for us, entices us, and deceives us. Lucifer comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. One of his chief tactics is to get us to doubt the love of Jesus when we are going through adversity. The evil one plants thoughts in our minds that go like this. Jesus if You love me then why areYou allowing me to go through all these hard things. If You love me why are You letting these negative things happen.
If our adversary can get us to doubt that Jesus really loves us, we will not be as quick to trust Him, as willing to serve Him, and we become more susceptible to temptation and sin. So Satan comes at us with everything he has to get us to doubt the love of Jesus. He unleashes demonic activity all around us to trip us.
In the middle of all of this one truth comes shouting out of these verses like through a megaphone. NOTHING AND NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF JESUS. Let's look at this from two vantage points.
The first, is no matter what we are going through Jesus loves us. We can never truthfully judge His love based on the adversity we are gong through. Joesph suffered in prison, David was hunted down like a fugitive by a jealous tyrannical king. Job suffered immeasurably. Jeremiah endured rejection and persecution for preaching the truth. Many of the disciples were martyrs. Paul suffered beatings and imprisonment. In fact he wrote the book of Romans while in prison. HE DID NOT DOUBT THE LOVE OF JESUS. Just because you are a follower of Jesus does not mean you will not have to endure suffering and spiritual attacks along the way. None of that can divide you from the steadfast love of Jesus.
There is another vantage point I want to consider. Paul said in all those things we overwhelming conquer. Meaning we are victorious. Are we? Are you victorious in the minute affairs of daily life. A flat tire. A broken appliance. A headache. Diagnosis of disease. I could go on and on. What happens often is that when things don't work out like we wanted we get distracted and maybe even mad at God. We are easily enticed to seek the temporary pleasures of sin for comfort. In these times we turn our backs on the Lord and trample His grace and mercy extended to us. Even then, hear the tender voice of Jesus, "No one and nothing can separate you from My love." Even in our rebellion He patiently loves us. Nothing we do can sever His love from us. That is both a liberating and sobering truth at the same time. We conquer through Jesus. Meaning He conquers the adversities we go through and secures us with His enduring love.
At the conclusion of our study last night, in response to the love of Jesus, one man commented, "That mades me want to serve Jesus all the more." True and well said.
I thank the Lord for grabbing my attention with the little word "who" and my question as to why the word "what" was not used. Satan wants to distract us and plant doubts in our minds about the love of Jesus. He is exposed. He is a liar and a deceiver. We are on to his game. Let us stand secure but humbled in the love of Jesus. That love is underserved but overwhelmingly comforting.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Real Knowledge
So many people make decisions for Jesus but ultimately fade away. They do not endure. Some still attend worship services. They still hear Bible studies and sermons but they do not have a desire to learn. Do these have a real knowledge of the Lord and salvation. Maybe they made an emotional decision but did they come to real knowledge of Jesus Christ? This will matter most in eternity.
In our rush to get people to walk an aisle, decide for Jesus, pray the prayer, and follow in baptism are we rushing people through without them ever having come to a real knowledge of the Lord. If a person has no love for God, no desire for worship, little rowth in God's word, no Christian service or not want Christian fellowship something is dreadfully wrong. Do such people have a real knowledge of the Lord.
Real, true, genuine knowledge of the Lord comes through conviction of sin, repentance of sin, faith in Jesus for salvation, and an inward transformation that expresses itself outwardly. In such a person's life there will be the continual process of sanctification, maturity, for the rest of their days. That signifies real knowledge of the Lord. May our pews be filled with those people and those coming to a true saving knowledge of Jesus. No more pretending. No more con jobs. No more faking Christianity. May we not settle for untying less than true knowledge.
In our rush to get people to walk an aisle, decide for Jesus, pray the prayer, and follow in baptism are we rushing people through without them ever having come to a real knowledge of the Lord. If a person has no love for God, no desire for worship, little rowth in God's word, no Christian service or not want Christian fellowship something is dreadfully wrong. Do such people have a real knowledge of the Lord.
Real, true, genuine knowledge of the Lord comes through conviction of sin, repentance of sin, faith in Jesus for salvation, and an inward transformation that expresses itself outwardly. In such a person's life there will be the continual process of sanctification, maturity, for the rest of their days. That signifies real knowledge of the Lord. May our pews be filled with those people and those coming to a true saving knowledge of Jesus. No more pretending. No more con jobs. No more faking Christianity. May we not settle for untying less than true knowledge.
What's On Your Mind
What is on your mind right now? What is passing through your thoughts? Are you thinking about someone you care about and have a deep burden for? Are you longing after a child or children gone off to college or career? Is your mind fixated on troubles overwhelming you? We are all thinking about something.
Now the question is are you worried, anxious, restless, fearful, or abiding in peace.
Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)
3 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
The word steadfast in this verse mens to be upheld, supported, leaning. Who is upholding your mind and thoughts. If you are doing it on your own you are probably failing. If you depend on others to uphold your thoughts you will find sooner or later they can let you down. If you are leaning on the media to keep you informed you will quickly get disillusioned by their lies and false propaganda.
To cope with the issues of daily living and live in peace only God can uphold our minds. He does a wonderful job as evidenced by [Phil 4:6-7] He does not do this just every once in awhile. God keeps your mind in perfect peace. The word keep means to watch, guard, to preserve. Face it. We have multiple reasons not to live in peace.
Our world is spinning out of control. Corruption, racial division, dishonest governments, threats of war, financial struggles, health concerns, and the steady march toward end times prophesies fulfilled. There is plenty to make us afraid and stressed. Yet God guards our minds and preserves them when we determine to trust in Him. Night and day. Day in and day out. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Until our demise.
If we truly trust God we will carefree. Oh, we will have burdens and trials. We will heartaches and sorrows. But, if we truly trust Him we will cast those cares on Him. We will not carry those burdens. Our Father will be our confidence. No matter what crisis we face. He will be our confidence and security as we rely on Him.
I just got off the phone with some medical personnel. We discussed a knee brace for Tucker after he underwent a second knee operation. The purpose of the call was to discuss financial terms. Between Tucker's knee, my diabetes and eye issues, and Brenda's arthritis we have had no shortage of medical expenses.
I purposed to trust God. I breathed a prayer laying our need before my God. I choose to leave it there. I will not carry this care with me. I will trust Him and also trust He will keep my mind in perfect peace. So if you ask me in this moment what is on my mind I can tell you it is Isaiah 26:3. I am going to commit that verse to memory. I will pull it out repeatedly as a reminder. I trust Him to uphold and support my thoughts. In return I will abide in perfect peace.
Now the question is are you worried, anxious, restless, fearful, or abiding in peace.
Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)
3 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
The word steadfast in this verse mens to be upheld, supported, leaning. Who is upholding your mind and thoughts. If you are doing it on your own you are probably failing. If you depend on others to uphold your thoughts you will find sooner or later they can let you down. If you are leaning on the media to keep you informed you will quickly get disillusioned by their lies and false propaganda.
To cope with the issues of daily living and live in peace only God can uphold our minds. He does a wonderful job as evidenced by [Phil 4:6-7] He does not do this just every once in awhile. God keeps your mind in perfect peace. The word keep means to watch, guard, to preserve. Face it. We have multiple reasons not to live in peace.
Our world is spinning out of control. Corruption, racial division, dishonest governments, threats of war, financial struggles, health concerns, and the steady march toward end times prophesies fulfilled. There is plenty to make us afraid and stressed. Yet God guards our minds and preserves them when we determine to trust in Him. Night and day. Day in and day out. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Until our demise.
If we truly trust God we will carefree. Oh, we will have burdens and trials. We will heartaches and sorrows. But, if we truly trust Him we will cast those cares on Him. We will not carry those burdens. Our Father will be our confidence. No matter what crisis we face. He will be our confidence and security as we rely on Him.
I just got off the phone with some medical personnel. We discussed a knee brace for Tucker after he underwent a second knee operation. The purpose of the call was to discuss financial terms. Between Tucker's knee, my diabetes and eye issues, and Brenda's arthritis we have had no shortage of medical expenses.
I purposed to trust God. I breathed a prayer laying our need before my God. I choose to leave it there. I will not carry this care with me. I will trust Him and also trust He will keep my mind in perfect peace. So if you ask me in this moment what is on my mind I can tell you it is Isaiah 26:3. I am going to commit that verse to memory. I will pull it out repeatedly as a reminder. I trust Him to uphold and support my thoughts. In return I will abide in perfect peace.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Worship: The Gift Or The Giver
Many Christians live with roller coaster emotions. They go from mountain top experiences to the valley of despair on a regular basis. When God moves the way they want Him to they rejoice and celebrate. When the Lord does not answer the prayer or pour out the desired blessing wanted many pout, get depressed, and sulk.
So life goes. People go from euphoria when God blesses, provides, heals, directs, and protects. When the blessing does not come, the provision is withheld, health worsens, guidance is withheld, and harm comes we no longer worship. This was the pattern for Israel when they left Egypt. They faced a trial. They complained. God intervened. They rejoiced. They faced another trial. They complained again. And the cycle repeated.
This leads me to the primary focus in this writing. Do we really worship the gift or the Giver of the gift? If we worship Jehovah is He not worthy of that worship no matter how He chooses to work in our lives. Even if He does not do it the way we want is He still not worthy of worship.
Do we get more excited about His gifts than we do about Him who gives the gifts. May this not be. The Bible is filled with stories of people who still worshipped God even though they faced heartaches, trials, and persecutions. When God delivered them or gave them peace it was often short lived followed by more trials. They still worshipped the one true God.
Contrast that with people who get so excited about God's work and gifts. They testify. They praise. They celebrate. They react the opposite when God in His sovereign will chooses to work differently than expected. The gift should never be enjoyed or estimated greater value than He who gave the gift.
Not one person reading this can say God always has worked or answered your every prayer the way you wanted. We have faced disappointments in our journey with the Lord. So what do we do then. How do we respond when the cancer comes, the radiation and chemotherapy do not work. What do we do when the loved one dies we prayed to be healed for so long. What do we do when the finances do not cover all the necessary expenses. Do we worship then. Or do we wait for the Lord's next gift to before we worship. Does have to keep proving Himself over and over again to get our worship
May we live out our days getting more excited about our Creator than about the gifts He gives. May we celebrate when He works giving us our desires as well as when the outcome is less than desirable. That is what He deserves and what He demands. Let us worship the Giver of the gifts more than the gifts.
So life goes. People go from euphoria when God blesses, provides, heals, directs, and protects. When the blessing does not come, the provision is withheld, health worsens, guidance is withheld, and harm comes we no longer worship. This was the pattern for Israel when they left Egypt. They faced a trial. They complained. God intervened. They rejoiced. They faced another trial. They complained again. And the cycle repeated.
This leads me to the primary focus in this writing. Do we really worship the gift or the Giver of the gift? If we worship Jehovah is He not worthy of that worship no matter how He chooses to work in our lives. Even if He does not do it the way we want is He still not worthy of worship.
Do we get more excited about His gifts than we do about Him who gives the gifts. May this not be. The Bible is filled with stories of people who still worshipped God even though they faced heartaches, trials, and persecutions. When God delivered them or gave them peace it was often short lived followed by more trials. They still worshipped the one true God.
Contrast that with people who get so excited about God's work and gifts. They testify. They praise. They celebrate. They react the opposite when God in His sovereign will chooses to work differently than expected. The gift should never be enjoyed or estimated greater value than He who gave the gift.
Not one person reading this can say God always has worked or answered your every prayer the way you wanted. We have faced disappointments in our journey with the Lord. So what do we do then. How do we respond when the cancer comes, the radiation and chemotherapy do not work. What do we do when the loved one dies we prayed to be healed for so long. What do we do when the finances do not cover all the necessary expenses. Do we worship then. Or do we wait for the Lord's next gift to before we worship. Does have to keep proving Himself over and over again to get our worship
May we live out our days getting more excited about our Creator than about the gifts He gives. May we celebrate when He works giving us our desires as well as when the outcome is less than desirable. That is what He deserves and what He demands. Let us worship the Giver of the gifts more than the gifts.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Is Anyone Watching
Like pawns in a game people go through life. They work. They play. They eat and sleep. They marry, They have children. They grow old. They die. Life is played out like ball players in a game in a huge stadium. What Christians believe is God is the audience.
Is anyone really watching? Is God truly viewing the mundane affairs of life as well as the sinister plots of satanic schemes? Is there truly an all seeing eye found in the Creator of the universe?
Many believe there is no God and the point of life is to seek pleasure and power. It does not matter to them how these things are achieved. They are a morality unto themselves. Caution is thrown to the wind in the pursuit of hedonism.
There are others who believe that God sees everything, knows everything, and governs everything. This thought tempers the way they respond to temptations, tests, and their approach to life. In their mind, if God is watching, then they want to please Him and honor Him.
If God is really watching, I mean this morning and this very minute, watching me as I type does that make a difference? Yes. I do believe He is watching. He is keenly aware of my typing this blog but also of my thoughts, attitudes, motives, ambitions, desires, temptations, anxieties, peace, faith, fears, and all the rest. He sees right through me past the exterior and facade.
Since God is watching, not as an uninterested spectator in the stands of life, but as an active participant how then shall we live. It is true He watches. It is also true He works. Even now He is working circumstances together for His purposes, pulling together resources, connecting dots, opening opportunities, shutting doors, giving revelation, weaving wonders, and working His will. He does all this because He is always watching and He is always working.
It doesn't always feel that way. At times it may seem He is very distant, uninterested, turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to us. This is not the case. At times it appears He is absent and silent. Though we cry out in desperation for His intervention and reassurance there are times when it seems like nobody is really there and no-one is watching.
Do not be deceived. He sees. He listens. He cares. Then why so many disappointments.?Why so much distress? Why so much despair? Why doesn't He always answer when we call? Why do prayers for physical healing often go unanswered? Why do desperate spouses' prayers for their marriage to heal and reconciliation to come go unheeded? Why does the pain linger? Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper sometimes? It appears nobody is watching or working at all.
For the rest of our days we can ask our why questions. They are never ending. Like it or not, in the end it all comes back to faith. Do I trust God? Do we really believe He is, not only there, but that He is also watching?
I am not learned enough to answer all the why questions asked by bewildered and broken people. One lady recently commented to me after facing a severe test, "I do not know what I am supposed to be learning from this. What is God trying to teach me?" She went on to say how she alternates between tears of brokenness and desperate prayers for help and feelings of rage against God. All I could tell her is that after years of walking with the Lord it seems to me it all comes back to faith. Do we trust God?
What if the desired outcome does not happen? Does that prove God is not there or not watching? Not at all. God plans, thinks, works, and strategizes on a higher scale than we conceive. He does not have to keep going around proving Himself to skeptical humanity. He did that repeatedly in the Bible. Ultimately He did that in sending Jesus. God in human flesh. People still doubted then just like they do today.
Is anyone watching? Faith screams at me yes. Doubt may shout to you a different message. Eternity is a long time to stake on the belief nobody is really up there watching. Though I do not understand many things, though I have suffered, though I've had to endure severe trials, I still believe God is there watching, caring, listening, working, loving, and never forsaking.
So, on this early Thursday morning my heart is contented that my Father is watching. This thought comforts me. He sees every word typed on this screen. He knows I write to honor Him and to help His people. He also knows I believe He is watching. Like a loving father watching over His children so He watches you and me. Don't be too quick to judge Him. You do not know the end of the story and can only see life from the present. God watches. He saw the beginning. He watches now. He has already seen the end. Trust Him.
Is anyone really watching? Is God truly viewing the mundane affairs of life as well as the sinister plots of satanic schemes? Is there truly an all seeing eye found in the Creator of the universe?
Many believe there is no God and the point of life is to seek pleasure and power. It does not matter to them how these things are achieved. They are a morality unto themselves. Caution is thrown to the wind in the pursuit of hedonism.
There are others who believe that God sees everything, knows everything, and governs everything. This thought tempers the way they respond to temptations, tests, and their approach to life. In their mind, if God is watching, then they want to please Him and honor Him.
If God is really watching, I mean this morning and this very minute, watching me as I type does that make a difference? Yes. I do believe He is watching. He is keenly aware of my typing this blog but also of my thoughts, attitudes, motives, ambitions, desires, temptations, anxieties, peace, faith, fears, and all the rest. He sees right through me past the exterior and facade.
Since God is watching, not as an uninterested spectator in the stands of life, but as an active participant how then shall we live. It is true He watches. It is also true He works. Even now He is working circumstances together for His purposes, pulling together resources, connecting dots, opening opportunities, shutting doors, giving revelation, weaving wonders, and working His will. He does all this because He is always watching and He is always working.
It doesn't always feel that way. At times it may seem He is very distant, uninterested, turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to us. This is not the case. At times it appears He is absent and silent. Though we cry out in desperation for His intervention and reassurance there are times when it seems like nobody is really there and no-one is watching.
Do not be deceived. He sees. He listens. He cares. Then why so many disappointments.?Why so much distress? Why so much despair? Why doesn't He always answer when we call? Why do prayers for physical healing often go unanswered? Why do desperate spouses' prayers for their marriage to heal and reconciliation to come go unheeded? Why does the pain linger? Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper sometimes? It appears nobody is watching or working at all.
For the rest of our days we can ask our why questions. They are never ending. Like it or not, in the end it all comes back to faith. Do I trust God? Do we really believe He is, not only there, but that He is also watching?
I am not learned enough to answer all the why questions asked by bewildered and broken people. One lady recently commented to me after facing a severe test, "I do not know what I am supposed to be learning from this. What is God trying to teach me?" She went on to say how she alternates between tears of brokenness and desperate prayers for help and feelings of rage against God. All I could tell her is that after years of walking with the Lord it seems to me it all comes back to faith. Do we trust God?
What if the desired outcome does not happen? Does that prove God is not there or not watching? Not at all. God plans, thinks, works, and strategizes on a higher scale than we conceive. He does not have to keep going around proving Himself to skeptical humanity. He did that repeatedly in the Bible. Ultimately He did that in sending Jesus. God in human flesh. People still doubted then just like they do today.
Is anyone watching? Faith screams at me yes. Doubt may shout to you a different message. Eternity is a long time to stake on the belief nobody is really up there watching. Though I do not understand many things, though I have suffered, though I've had to endure severe trials, I still believe God is there watching, caring, listening, working, loving, and never forsaking.
So, on this early Thursday morning my heart is contented that my Father is watching. This thought comforts me. He sees every word typed on this screen. He knows I write to honor Him and to help His people. He also knows I believe He is watching. Like a loving father watching over His children so He watches you and me. Don't be too quick to judge Him. You do not know the end of the story and can only see life from the present. God watches. He saw the beginning. He watches now. He has already seen the end. Trust Him.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Abiding In His Presence
Millions gathered for worship this past weekend. How many abided in the presence of God? How many truly encountered Him contrasted with how many enjoyed the entertainment.
It is Monday morning here in Runaway Bay. I am contemplating abiding in the presence of the Lord this morning. In our personal lives well as in corporate worship.
I had to ask myself some hard questions. Do I really want to abide in the presence of the Lord. I am not intimidated by religious routines of quiet times or normal worship services. It is a whole other matter to abide in His presence. He changes everything. He brings us into submission, to repentance, to reverential fear, and into true holiness. His presence, though available, is often ignored for the familiar religious routines.
Aren't we tired of the worn out routines devoid of the presence of God. I am convinced much of what we call worship services do not honor God. I believe He is grieved when we sing the old anthems of the faith from rote memory but with a stale heart and a cold love. Likewise, I believe God is not honored when we have bands playing new songs without reverence and people acting like they are at a concert instead of worship. I believe pastors can preach sermons not empowered by the Spirit of God though they may be doctrinally correct. I also believe people can hear truth expounded while not truly listening to the truth being preached or taught.
Do we really want God's abiding presence in corporate worship? What would that look like? How long would that service last? What would happen during altar calls? If we were honest I think many would say they prefer the tried true method of maintaining the status quo rather than having God truly show up week after week and doing serious work among His people.
Sometimes in the middle of a service I stop singing and ask the Lord if He is honored by what we are doing. I want to know if He is pleased with the preaching or did I preach to tickle ears and be complimented by men. Is His spirit grieved or embraced as we respond to the truth shared that morning.
Though it appears risky to my flesh and normal routines of Sunday, I want the abiding presence of God to fill His house. I am not talking about weird manifestations or signs. I just want the awareness that God has shown up, He has drawn us close to Him, and we will never be the same.
In times of devotion I want the courage to linger long in His presence rather than to rush through the ritual of a quiet time. I want to press in past the noise, past the distractions, and past the routine into His abiding presence. I want to sit at His feet. I want to press near to His heart. I want to hear Him speak. I want to know Him rather than content myself to merely know about Him. I want His presence and His truth to saturate my soul.
Anything less will never satisfy. Anything less will not transform my life nor this world. Anything less is not God's best for me, those who read this, or His church. Lord, abide with us, strip away our pride, ego, rebellion, flesh until we are more fully aware of your abiding presence in private and corporate worship.
It is Monday morning here in Runaway Bay. I am contemplating abiding in the presence of the Lord this morning. In our personal lives well as in corporate worship.
I had to ask myself some hard questions. Do I really want to abide in the presence of the Lord. I am not intimidated by religious routines of quiet times or normal worship services. It is a whole other matter to abide in His presence. He changes everything. He brings us into submission, to repentance, to reverential fear, and into true holiness. His presence, though available, is often ignored for the familiar religious routines.
Aren't we tired of the worn out routines devoid of the presence of God. I am convinced much of what we call worship services do not honor God. I believe He is grieved when we sing the old anthems of the faith from rote memory but with a stale heart and a cold love. Likewise, I believe God is not honored when we have bands playing new songs without reverence and people acting like they are at a concert instead of worship. I believe pastors can preach sermons not empowered by the Spirit of God though they may be doctrinally correct. I also believe people can hear truth expounded while not truly listening to the truth being preached or taught.
Do we really want God's abiding presence in corporate worship? What would that look like? How long would that service last? What would happen during altar calls? If we were honest I think many would say they prefer the tried true method of maintaining the status quo rather than having God truly show up week after week and doing serious work among His people.
Sometimes in the middle of a service I stop singing and ask the Lord if He is honored by what we are doing. I want to know if He is pleased with the preaching or did I preach to tickle ears and be complimented by men. Is His spirit grieved or embraced as we respond to the truth shared that morning.
Though it appears risky to my flesh and normal routines of Sunday, I want the abiding presence of God to fill His house. I am not talking about weird manifestations or signs. I just want the awareness that God has shown up, He has drawn us close to Him, and we will never be the same.
In times of devotion I want the courage to linger long in His presence rather than to rush through the ritual of a quiet time. I want to press in past the noise, past the distractions, and past the routine into His abiding presence. I want to sit at His feet. I want to press near to His heart. I want to hear Him speak. I want to know Him rather than content myself to merely know about Him. I want His presence and His truth to saturate my soul.
Anything less will never satisfy. Anything less will not transform my life nor this world. Anything less is not God's best for me, those who read this, or His church. Lord, abide with us, strip away our pride, ego, rebellion, flesh until we are more fully aware of your abiding presence in private and corporate worship.
Grace And Peace
Paul starts off many of his epistles with the phrase "grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I contemplated the true significance of that statement this past weekend.
How many people live with guilt. They feel guilty for things they have done. They have lied, cheated, stolen, fornicated, been unfaithful in their marriages, flew into fits of rage, gossiped, and other wicked things. I some cases these things were not one time acts. They have been habitual behavior. With each one the guilt increases. The shame intensifies. The regret lingers. The condemnation grows.
People also feel guilty for the good things they should have done but did not do. Guilt can also haunt people for being more successful than others. People go to many extremes trying to relieve their guilt. Some go to therapy. Some read books or articles.Others do good deeds or give to charitable causes all in an effort to remove guilt.
How many people live without any peace. Like wild horses running out of control so do people's thoughts. They live with panic attacks, anxiety, and fear. They constantly play what if scenarios in their mind. They contemplate their problems adding more and more stress to already stressful situations. They don to sleep well.
If this continues people will go to extremes in search for peace. They often experiment with alcohol, drugs, and sex to dull the senses in passing pleasures even if it only brings temporary peace. Many times poor choices at this point only lead to more guilt. It is a never ending cycle.
Yet, in Jesus there is both grace and peace. Jesus paid our ransom when sin held us hostage. He set us free. Let these truths really sink in. Ephesians 1:7 (NASB)
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
How many people live with guilt. They feel guilty for things they have done. They have lied, cheated, stolen, fornicated, been unfaithful in their marriages, flew into fits of rage, gossiped, and other wicked things. I some cases these things were not one time acts. They have been habitual behavior. With each one the guilt increases. The shame intensifies. The regret lingers. The condemnation grows.
People also feel guilty for the good things they should have done but did not do. Guilt can also haunt people for being more successful than others. People go to many extremes trying to relieve their guilt. Some go to therapy. Some read books or articles.Others do good deeds or give to charitable causes all in an effort to remove guilt.
How many people live without any peace. Like wild horses running out of control so do people's thoughts. They live with panic attacks, anxiety, and fear. They constantly play what if scenarios in their mind. They contemplate their problems adding more and more stress to already stressful situations. They don to sleep well.
If this continues people will go to extremes in search for peace. They often experiment with alcohol, drugs, and sex to dull the senses in passing pleasures even if it only brings temporary peace. Many times poor choices at this point only lead to more guilt. It is a never ending cycle.
Yet, in Jesus there is both grace and peace. Jesus paid our ransom when sin held us hostage. He set us free. Let these truths really sink in. Ephesians 1:7 (NASB)
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The saved have been covered in lavish grace. Therefore we no longer have to carry guilt. We are free and forgiven.
We also have bene given peace from Jesus. No matter what storms rage around you His peace can comfort you. Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
6 Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
To have the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds day in and day out like a sentinel would bring order to the internal chaos many live with daily.
There it is. Grace and peace offered through Jesus. Many people try everything under the sun to relieve their guilt and in vain to find peace when Jesus offers both freely. I never want to take grace and peace for granted. I want to communicate those truths to people I come in contact with all around me. Grace and peace make a world of difference.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
The Perfecting Work Of Jesus
Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Are you blood bought, redeemed, and saved by the blood of the Lamb? Have you experienced amazing grace, the power in the blood, and is it well with your soul? When the roll is called up yonder will you be there and will you one day fly away?
If so this is a reminder for you. Jesus is not finished with you. He will continue working on and in you all the days of your life. He will mature you, perfect you, refine you, shape you, teach you, convict you, bring you to repentance, enlighten you with revelation, and fresh encounters with Him.
What He started in you before you were saved through opening your eyes to the gospel, leading you to repentance and salvation was an investment He will make good on. His work in your life did not stop on the day of your salvation. No. Most assuredly it continues to this very day and this very hour. He will perfect, or to put it another way, complete and fulfill what He began in you.
I cannot tell you what encouragement that brings me. I know my inconsistencies. I know how often I begin well and then flounder before the finish. I know how easily distracted I get, how this world can entice me away from Jesus and things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Even so, Jesus never quits working on me and the same goes for you.
As we yield to His unrelenting work we progress in the faith. We make another lap in the race of life. We gain new ground and new insights along the way. Sadly, some refuse to submit and continue learning the same lessons over and over again for an entire lifetime. They should have matured but they still need to be fed bottles of spiritual milk like an infant rather than feasting on the meat of doctrine and deep truth. Even in this Jesus continues persistently and patiently to work on His own children.
One day all the striving, stress, trials and tests will be over. For the saved will graduate to Heaven. We will promote from this world to a celestial city we cannot even fathom in our wildest imaginations. Jesus will help us get there. When we get tired He will be our strength. When we give into temptation His grace will forgive and cover us. When we get distracted by the cars of this world His peace will guard our hearts and minds. When we get heavy laden He will give us rest as we cast our cares on Him. He will sustain us in the hard times as well as the easy times. He will usher us all the way to glory. That is reason for celebration. Hallelujah!
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Are you blood bought, redeemed, and saved by the blood of the Lamb? Have you experienced amazing grace, the power in the blood, and is it well with your soul? When the roll is called up yonder will you be there and will you one day fly away?
If so this is a reminder for you. Jesus is not finished with you. He will continue working on and in you all the days of your life. He will mature you, perfect you, refine you, shape you, teach you, convict you, bring you to repentance, enlighten you with revelation, and fresh encounters with Him.
What He started in you before you were saved through opening your eyes to the gospel, leading you to repentance and salvation was an investment He will make good on. His work in your life did not stop on the day of your salvation. No. Most assuredly it continues to this very day and this very hour. He will perfect, or to put it another way, complete and fulfill what He began in you.
I cannot tell you what encouragement that brings me. I know my inconsistencies. I know how often I begin well and then flounder before the finish. I know how easily distracted I get, how this world can entice me away from Jesus and things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Even so, Jesus never quits working on me and the same goes for you.
As we yield to His unrelenting work we progress in the faith. We make another lap in the race of life. We gain new ground and new insights along the way. Sadly, some refuse to submit and continue learning the same lessons over and over again for an entire lifetime. They should have matured but they still need to be fed bottles of spiritual milk like an infant rather than feasting on the meat of doctrine and deep truth. Even in this Jesus continues persistently and patiently to work on His own children.
One day all the striving, stress, trials and tests will be over. For the saved will graduate to Heaven. We will promote from this world to a celestial city we cannot even fathom in our wildest imaginations. Jesus will help us get there. When we get tired He will be our strength. When we give into temptation His grace will forgive and cover us. When we get distracted by the cars of this world His peace will guard our hearts and minds. When we get heavy laden He will give us rest as we cast our cares on Him. He will sustain us in the hard times as well as the easy times. He will usher us all the way to glory. That is reason for celebration. Hallelujah!
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Lord, Are You Still There
Lord, as I come before You to pray, are You still there,
At times You are silent and it doesn't seem like You care,
I know that is a lie - a very old trick of the evil enemy,
Who wants to steal, kill, and destroy - no friend to me,
You are compassionate, kind, love overflows Your banks,
Grace spills Your cup ad in response I offer my thanks,
When You are silent - Your way muddled and unsure,
When the road is difficult and the path becomes obscure,
When everything in me panics and it is easier to doubt,
When like an immature child and I get mad and pout,
Yet You are there in the vast silence of my mind and soul,
You still reign sovereign and supreme firmly in control,
You are still there, listening and working Your perfect will,
On this morning Lord, I comfort myself - You are there still.
At times You are silent and it doesn't seem like You care,
I know that is a lie - a very old trick of the evil enemy,
Who wants to steal, kill, and destroy - no friend to me,
You are compassionate, kind, love overflows Your banks,
Grace spills Your cup ad in response I offer my thanks,
When You are silent - Your way muddled and unsure,
When the road is difficult and the path becomes obscure,
When everything in me panics and it is easier to doubt,
When like an immature child and I get mad and pout,
Yet You are there in the vast silence of my mind and soul,
You still reign sovereign and supreme firmly in control,
You are still there, listening and working Your perfect will,
On this morning Lord, I comfort myself - You are there still.
Available
To be available means to be able to be used at someone's disposal. Parents are available to their children running them around to places they need to be. Teachers are available to students for extra help to understand the classroom material. Coaches are often available for athletes to put in extra work in preparation for their sport.
What is on my mind this morning is people making themselves available to Jesus to serve, to labor, to go, to stay, to love, to give, to pray, to witness, to encourage, to rebuke, and a host of other things. Reading my Bible yesterday I came across a verse that has meant a great deal to me over the years. The verse is about availability for the divine calling and purposes.
Isaiah 6:8 (NASB)
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Do you wake up day in and day out making yourself available to the Lord? Do you volunteer for His purposes? Do you, like Isaiah, say, "Here I am."
This is a far different attitude than the one that prevails in churches today. Church has become a place where people content themselves to come and sit in worship instead of engaging in service for the King Jesus. Multitudes of attenders satisfy themselves to come and sit in anonymity. They don't want to do anything.
How does that attitude square with scripture? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
What is on my mind this morning is people making themselves available to Jesus to serve, to labor, to go, to stay, to love, to give, to pray, to witness, to encourage, to rebuke, and a host of other things. Reading my Bible yesterday I came across a verse that has meant a great deal to me over the years. The verse is about availability for the divine calling and purposes.
Isaiah 6:8 (NASB)
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Do you wake up day in and day out making yourself available to the Lord? Do you volunteer for His purposes? Do you, like Isaiah, say, "Here I am."
This is a far different attitude than the one that prevails in churches today. Church has become a place where people content themselves to come and sit in worship instead of engaging in service for the King Jesus. Multitudes of attenders satisfy themselves to come and sit in anonymity. They don't want to do anything.
How does that attitude square with scripture? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Did you catch that phrase, "He died that they who lives might no longer live for themselves but for Him..." Everyday, all over the world, in prayer closets and in larger meetings God is calling people. The mindset of Christians daily should be one of availability everyday. Available to be sent to encourage and comfort someone ill or lonely. Available to minister to persons in the hospital. Available to go on a short term mission trip. Available to share financial resources for kingdom purposes. Available to help others go do mission work. Available to do anything for the glory of the Lord. That is why we are supposed to live.
So let me ask you in closing, are you available to the Lord right now? It does not matter if you know what He wants you to do. The question is are you available? Let's all give Jesus our yes and trust Him to reveal His direction in time. As for me I can say, "Lord, here I am. Send me."
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Wake Up Calls
I have not used an alarm clock in several decades. Brenda does. The sound is startling and unpleasant. Normally I awake in the early morning hours before her to read, pray and study. Many times I will go back to bed to get an extra hour of sleep before the beginning of the day. Brenda's alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. sharp five days a week.
There are other wake up calls. The kind God gives when He wants to get someone's attention. Those wake up calls can come in many forms. They are often meant to bring people to repentance and a return to a right relationship with the Lord.
Some people hit their alarms on the morning with the snooze button which allows another ten minutes before it sounds again. How many people hit the snooze on God refusing to answer His wake up calls. They ignore His alarm or they outright reject it.
God gave Jonah a wake up call in a storm when Jonah refused to go to Nineveh. He literally went down and fell asleep in the ship. The sailors had to awaken him. He still refused to repent and preferred to be thrown overboard than submit to God.
God sent another wake up call when He sent the great fish to swallow Jonah whole. Only then did Jonah finally repent and commit to obey the Lord. Even then he did it reluctantly and pouted in the end.
Has God sent you a wake up call. They come in many forms. Have you heeded that wake up call.
There are other wake up calls. The kind God gives when He wants to get someone's attention. Those wake up calls can come in many forms. They are often meant to bring people to repentance and a return to a right relationship with the Lord.
Some people hit their alarms on the morning with the snooze button which allows another ten minutes before it sounds again. How many people hit the snooze on God refusing to answer His wake up calls. They ignore His alarm or they outright reject it.
God gave Jonah a wake up call in a storm when Jonah refused to go to Nineveh. He literally went down and fell asleep in the ship. The sailors had to awaken him. He still refused to repent and preferred to be thrown overboard than submit to God.
God sent another wake up call when He sent the great fish to swallow Jonah whole. Only then did Jonah finally repent and commit to obey the Lord. Even then he did it reluctantly and pouted in the end.
Has God sent you a wake up call. They come in many forms. Have you heeded that wake up call.
Key Keeper
Picture if you can life being like one long corridor with doors on each side. From the day of birth to the last day you travel this corridor. You try to open some doors and they are locked. Knocks on the doors yields no answers and you move on. Many of these are doors you were never intended to enter. Some doors open but you do not find anything worthwhile on the other side so you move on.
Life is a series of coming to doors and seeing if the doors open. Some doors do and others don't. Sometimes you come across a door you truly believe you are to open and walk through. You try but the door is locked. You knock and knock but nobody comes to open it. After a long season it is tempting to give up and just move on even though you remain convinced you are supposed to go through that door.
May I present another option. Call out to Jesus the great key keeper. Ask Him to come and open the locked door. Revelation 3:7 (NASB)
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens:
Life is a series of coming to doors and seeing if the doors open. Some doors do and others don't. Sometimes you come across a door you truly believe you are to open and walk through. You try but the door is locked. You knock and knock but nobody comes to open it. After a long season it is tempting to give up and just move on even though you remain convinced you are supposed to go through that door.
May I present another option. Call out to Jesus the great key keeper. Ask Him to come and open the locked door. Revelation 3:7 (NASB)
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens:
I praise the Lord He holds the keys to every locked door we will ever need opened. He holds the keys to Heaven, spiritual breakthroughs, new opportunities, revival, financial provision, new direction, fresh vision, revelation, strength, hope, comfort, peace, and so much more.
Many of you reading this are standing before a locked door. After much prayer, guidance from God's word, and confirmation from the Holy Spirit you are convinced you are supposed to walk through that door. Wait on the Key Keeper to come. If He wills you to go through that door He will most assuredly come at the right time to open it for you. Do not lose heart. Wait on the Lord and He will come at the perfect time to unlock the door to His will for you.
Guided By The Unseen Hand
Life is filled with choices, crossroads, intersections, and decisions. How does one navigate through the maze of life. It is easy to make the wrong choice, the wrong turn, and to pursue the wrong direction. How do we stay on the right path. How do we know which way to go when facing multiple options. How do we know, as children of God, what God wants.
I have walked with Abba Father for over three decades. As I look back at all the twists and turns in life I can say with certainty I have been guided by an unseen hand. I have not always made the right decisions. I have not always turned in the right direction at every crossroad but God has pulled me in the right direction.
For instance, when I neared graduation in high school I did not have a clue where I wanted to go to college. All I knew was I wanted to keep playing football and at the time I wanted to major in journalism. My youth minister sent my game highlights to Howard Payne University and scheduled me for a visit on the campus and wit the head coach. I had never heard of the school.
Brownwood, TX is a long away from Lufkin, TX. Nearly 300 miles. I did not know what to expect when I arrived on the campus. They took me on a campus tour. It did not take long because Howard Payne is not a large campus. Enrollment back then was around 700 students. I met with the head football coach. After some discussions Coach Hicks offered me a football scholarship and my course was set.
What I did not know is the guidance of the unseen hand of God. For three months after my visit to Howard Payne my life changed. God called me to preach. I did not connect the dots until I was officially on campus standing in line at registration. I heard two guys talking in front of me about bring Bible majors at Howard Payne. I put two and two together and deducted since I was called to preach I needed to forget about being a journalism major and major in Bible.
What I also did not know at the time is that two years later God would lead a brown eyes brunette beauty to transfer to Howard Payne for her last two years of college. That beauty has been my wife for the past twenty five years.
We do not always know what God is up to. We can't always connect the dots. We can't clearly discern the distant future. What we can do is trust the unseen hand of God to guide us and to orchestrate things we could never anticipate.
An added benefit of my time at Howard Payne is getting to meet dear friends like Eric Adcock, Jase Waller, Kyle and Angela Horton, Bart and Hope Howell, Julie Carter, and many others. It is very interesting how God has used many of these people to direct my path along the past couple of decades.
Maybe today you sit confused. Maybe you have lost your way. Or perhaps you are at a dead end and do not knowwhat to do. Trust the unseen hand of God to guide you and to make a way for you even when there seems to be no way of escape. I bless God for guiding me all these years with His sovereign unseen hand.
I have walked with Abba Father for over three decades. As I look back at all the twists and turns in life I can say with certainty I have been guided by an unseen hand. I have not always made the right decisions. I have not always turned in the right direction at every crossroad but God has pulled me in the right direction.
For instance, when I neared graduation in high school I did not have a clue where I wanted to go to college. All I knew was I wanted to keep playing football and at the time I wanted to major in journalism. My youth minister sent my game highlights to Howard Payne University and scheduled me for a visit on the campus and wit the head coach. I had never heard of the school.
Brownwood, TX is a long away from Lufkin, TX. Nearly 300 miles. I did not know what to expect when I arrived on the campus. They took me on a campus tour. It did not take long because Howard Payne is not a large campus. Enrollment back then was around 700 students. I met with the head football coach. After some discussions Coach Hicks offered me a football scholarship and my course was set.
What I did not know is the guidance of the unseen hand of God. For three months after my visit to Howard Payne my life changed. God called me to preach. I did not connect the dots until I was officially on campus standing in line at registration. I heard two guys talking in front of me about bring Bible majors at Howard Payne. I put two and two together and deducted since I was called to preach I needed to forget about being a journalism major and major in Bible.
What I also did not know at the time is that two years later God would lead a brown eyes brunette beauty to transfer to Howard Payne for her last two years of college. That beauty has been my wife for the past twenty five years.
We do not always know what God is up to. We can't always connect the dots. We can't clearly discern the distant future. What we can do is trust the unseen hand of God to guide us and to orchestrate things we could never anticipate.
An added benefit of my time at Howard Payne is getting to meet dear friends like Eric Adcock, Jase Waller, Kyle and Angela Horton, Bart and Hope Howell, Julie Carter, and many others. It is very interesting how God has used many of these people to direct my path along the past couple of decades.
Maybe today you sit confused. Maybe you have lost your way. Or perhaps you are at a dead end and do not knowwhat to do. Trust the unseen hand of God to guide you and to make a way for you even when there seems to be no way of escape. I bless God for guiding me all these years with His sovereign unseen hand.
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Then There Were Four
It is official. We are down to four in the Edwards household. Taylor left for his junior year of football on Friday. I still miss him when he leaves and enjoyed the time we shared working out this summer. We delivered Tanner to Wayland Baptist University for his freshman year of football. I have thought about him numerous times over the past twenty-four hours. I so glad for him getting to live out his dream of playing college football. He went to church today with his new offensive line coach.
Lunch after church today was smaller and cheaper. We only needed a table for four. I thought about the numerous times over the years when we needed a table for six. From Happy Meals to Mexican food to Taylor's recent 21st birthday celebration we have shared many happy memories.
I tried to give my boys my time, and unwavering support over the years. They have always been a high priority for me. We have played together, worked together, exercised together, traveled together, cooked together, studied the Bible together, and worshipped together.
I am not a parent who wants to hold my children back. I want them to each follow God's path and I know that will mean most likely they will not always live near me. I do not want to hold them back. I want them to all follow God's dreams and plans for them.
Two of them are well on their way. The oldest two both want to teach and coach; one english and one history.
Still it saddens me that half of my boys are just about gone out of the house permanently. Tucker is now driving. Turner is an eighth grader. I want to make the most of the time I have with each of them. Lord willing the older boys will be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those will be special occasions. We will laugh. We will catch up.
I will see them play football. One in Brownwood. One in Plainview. The younger two in and around Paradise. Those boys will never know how much I love them and how proud I am of each of them. What a blessing that out of all the fathers in the world God chose me for each of them. Along with Brenda nothing is a greater blessing to me other than my personal salvation than my boys. .
Lunch after church today was smaller and cheaper. We only needed a table for four. I thought about the numerous times over the years when we needed a table for six. From Happy Meals to Mexican food to Taylor's recent 21st birthday celebration we have shared many happy memories.
I tried to give my boys my time, and unwavering support over the years. They have always been a high priority for me. We have played together, worked together, exercised together, traveled together, cooked together, studied the Bible together, and worshipped together.
I am not a parent who wants to hold my children back. I want them to each follow God's path and I know that will mean most likely they will not always live near me. I do not want to hold them back. I want them to all follow God's dreams and plans for them.
Two of them are well on their way. The oldest two both want to teach and coach; one english and one history.
Still it saddens me that half of my boys are just about gone out of the house permanently. Tucker is now driving. Turner is an eighth grader. I want to make the most of the time I have with each of them. Lord willing the older boys will be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those will be special occasions. We will laugh. We will catch up.
I will see them play football. One in Brownwood. One in Plainview. The younger two in and around Paradise. Those boys will never know how much I love them and how proud I am of each of them. What a blessing that out of all the fathers in the world God chose me for each of them. Along with Brenda nothing is a greater blessing to me other than my personal salvation than my boys. .
You Are Turning Me Away?
She met me this morning as our service concluded. She is a passionate, devoted, and committed follower of Jesus. She is a college student visiting. She told me an unbelievable story about a recent visit to well known mega church.
She made reservations to attend their new member's class months ago. She ran ten minutes late to the meeting. When she arrive at the check in point she was refused entry to the class. The lady at the check in station said the class was full. When a co-worker told the lady there were still empty seats the lady told him they could not break the fire code.
The young college student asked, "Are you really turning me away?" She learned that five others had bene turned away before her. This young lady is exactly the kind of member churches should want. She is not just an attender. She is a worker.
She went on to tell me how on Sundays people reserve seats like at a concert. All the religious mentality of this church struck her. Some will be quick to defend her getting turned away to obey fire code.
I contrast that mentality with a story from the famed life of D.L. Moody. He preached in a small wooden church and people came from all over to hear him. The crowds jammed in the tiny sanctuary like sardines. People even stood outside listening through open windows. Suddenly Moody noticed the exterior walls buckling from the pressure of so many people inside. He calmly directed the people outside. He concluded his sermon preaching from the front porch.
He did not turn people away. Has the mentality in mega churches turned so drastically that people are being turned away. Spiritually hungry people. May that not be the case.
I will not soon forget what that young girl said to me in the end. She commented how this is a church the religious world raves about. Yet all she felt was a religious spirit. She experienced a whole other side of it. Her experience was not positive and I doubt she will return there. I wonder if Jesus is pleased with such churches.
Yet who am I to cast stones. I wonder if Jesus is pleased with the church I serve as pastor.
She made reservations to attend their new member's class months ago. She ran ten minutes late to the meeting. When she arrive at the check in point she was refused entry to the class. The lady at the check in station said the class was full. When a co-worker told the lady there were still empty seats the lady told him they could not break the fire code.
The young college student asked, "Are you really turning me away?" She learned that five others had bene turned away before her. This young lady is exactly the kind of member churches should want. She is not just an attender. She is a worker.
She went on to tell me how on Sundays people reserve seats like at a concert. All the religious mentality of this church struck her. Some will be quick to defend her getting turned away to obey fire code.
I contrast that mentality with a story from the famed life of D.L. Moody. He preached in a small wooden church and people came from all over to hear him. The crowds jammed in the tiny sanctuary like sardines. People even stood outside listening through open windows. Suddenly Moody noticed the exterior walls buckling from the pressure of so many people inside. He calmly directed the people outside. He concluded his sermon preaching from the front porch.
He did not turn people away. Has the mentality in mega churches turned so drastically that people are being turned away. Spiritually hungry people. May that not be the case.
I will not soon forget what that young girl said to me in the end. She commented how this is a church the religious world raves about. Yet all she felt was a religious spirit. She experienced a whole other side of it. Her experience was not positive and I doubt she will return there. I wonder if Jesus is pleased with such churches.
Yet who am I to cast stones. I wonder if Jesus is pleased with the church I serve as pastor.
Take Down The Crosses
There is a new movement to take down crosses in churches. Some experts say crosses are religious symbols and might offend people. The message of the cross and gospel are offensive. Paul put it another way. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (NASB)
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The cross and what Jesus did is central to the whole message of the Bible. We are not supposed to take down crosses. Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him. Matthew 16:24 (NASB)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone
wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow
Me.
Crosses should not be taken down. Crosses should be taken up as we willingly follow Jesus and endure hardship and perhaps persecution. Sure the message of the cross is a stumbling block and offends people. In this overly politically correct world the message of the cross does not fit. Yet it is the most important message of all.
So I don't care what the so called experts say. We should not take crosses down in churches or other places. It might appear a foolish message to the world. To those who have experienced salvation we know the wisdom of God displayed with His Son hanging on a cross and the power of that redemptive act to set us free. No. We don't need to take crosses down. We need to take up our crosses and follow Jesus all of our days.
Bond Servant
For over 300 years the African slave trade was an ugly stain on history. It is estimated that over 15 million slaves ended up in South and North America. Slavery took the lives of many. History teaches us of the inhuman treatment of slaves. To this day racism is felt in many places.
Yet, Paul referred to himself both as a slave and a bond servant in Rom 1:1 and Phil 1:1. The normal believer does not identify with that. Believers see themselves as children of God, followers of Jesus, modern day disciples, Christians, but you will rarely hear anyone refer to themselves as a bond servant or a slave to Jesus.
Truth is the modern church has it backwards. People see themselves as the master and Jesus existing to serve them or to meet their needs. That is not the case. Jesus bought and paid the redemption for His church. Therefore, He has the right and ownership over saved people. He has the authority to call people to do anything, go anywhere, a and at anytime.
The saved, in light of our salvation and the price paid for it, have no rights. We exist to please and glorify our Master. We, therefore, are to submit to Jesus. We are to obey Him. We are to serve Him. And we are to do this all voluntarily.
African slaves did not have that luxury. They were forced into bondage. They were severely punished and even killed if they did not obey. They really had no choice. If they tried to escape they were hunted down with hounds and beaten into submission or killed.
Paul voluntarily considered himself a bond servant to Jesus. Why? What other response is there to love and grace of God poured out to redeem us from a life of sin and eternal destruction. God's love and grace leads people into voluntary bond service as with Paul. Should it be any different for the rest of us?
Yet, Paul referred to himself both as a slave and a bond servant in Rom 1:1 and Phil 1:1. The normal believer does not identify with that. Believers see themselves as children of God, followers of Jesus, modern day disciples, Christians, but you will rarely hear anyone refer to themselves as a bond servant or a slave to Jesus.
Truth is the modern church has it backwards. People see themselves as the master and Jesus existing to serve them or to meet their needs. That is not the case. Jesus bought and paid the redemption for His church. Therefore, He has the right and ownership over saved people. He has the authority to call people to do anything, go anywhere, a and at anytime.
The saved, in light of our salvation and the price paid for it, have no rights. We exist to please and glorify our Master. We, therefore, are to submit to Jesus. We are to obey Him. We are to serve Him. And we are to do this all voluntarily.
African slaves did not have that luxury. They were forced into bondage. They were severely punished and even killed if they did not obey. They really had no choice. If they tried to escape they were hunted down with hounds and beaten into submission or killed.
Paul voluntarily considered himself a bond servant to Jesus. Why? What other response is there to love and grace of God poured out to redeem us from a life of sin and eternal destruction. God's love and grace leads people into voluntary bond service as with Paul. Should it be any different for the rest of us?
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Pastor, Do You Love Your Flock
I know there are many pastors who are little more than preachers. They love to stand on the stage and proclaim truth but have little regard for the people they are preaching to. They are unapproachable and do not want to be bothered by the people. There are other professional clergy who use people to accomplish their personal goals. They blow into churches and blow out when they can advance themselves.
It is a true blessing when a pastor loves a church and the congregation also loves the pastor. The true pastor nurtures the sheep, protects them, prays for them, thanks God for them, and serves them with a whole heart. Philippians 1:3-4 (NASB)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 (NASB)
5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—
6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
It is a true blessing when a pastor loves a church and the congregation also loves the pastor. The true pastor nurtures the sheep, protects them, prays for them, thanks God for them, and serves them with a whole heart. Philippians 1:3-4 (NASB)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 (NASB)
5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—
6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
Notice how Paul wrote that he did come with flattering speech, greed, or seek glory from men. He came with a heart of love for the people He compared his love to that of a nurturing mother. He had fond affection for his flock. He did not just preach truth to them but gave his life in service also.
I had lunch with such a retired pastor this week. He spent the majority of his ministry in two different churches. He gave fourteen years to one and over twenty to the other. Now eighty years old he seldom preaches anymore but his love for people is infectious. We went out to eat and he knew the name of a waitress he befriended and invited to church over the years. He loves people.
Being around that man humbled me. Reading God's word convicted me to make loving people the high priority of life and ministry. Thank you Apostle Paul and Brother Bob for this wonderful reminder. These were pastors who truly loved the people they served.
Church Agenda
I have heard the same story over and over again through the years. It happens in churches of all sizes, locations, and denominations. Some pastor, group of people, or church leader get an agenda and work to see that agenda fulfilled. It does not matter if people get hurt in the process. The agenda is all the consuming passion. The agenda is pursued with reckless abandon. In the wake of such people are strewn divided churches, hurt people, lack of forgiveness, and a bewildered community who watches and hears it all unfold.
I heard about two more such groups in two different churches this week. Different locations but the same story. People with a church agenda thinking they knew best caused much harm.
There should only be one person who carries out a personal agenda in the church. His name is Jesus. He alone is the head of the church. [Eph 5:23] The church is His bride. He loves the local church. He alone has the right to sit at the head of the table. He alone has the right to determine direction. He is the ultimate authority. His agenda is the only agenda that matters.
In many churches there are people who have been members longer than I have been alive. They have given much money and much service. They believe the local church is THEIR church. They try to control it even if it means manipulation. But hear this. THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS ALONE. IT IS NOT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON. I DON'T CARE HOW LONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS, WHAT THEIR LEADERSHIP TITLE MIGHT BE, OR HOW MJCH MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN. THEY NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS OFF IT AND IN REPENTANCE SUBMIT TO CHRIST!
Strong words. Yet needed. I have never shied away from preaching or writing the hard truth. How many more churches have to be destroyed because people have their own church agenda and do not submit to the Headship of Jesus.
In a perfect world churches would remain unified if congregations would just sit at the feet of Jesus, listen to Him, and follow His instructions without personal church agendas. I have seen and experienced this on occasion. It is beautiful. Truly did the Psalmist write Psalm 133:1 (NASB)
1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it
is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
I heard about two more such groups in two different churches this week. Different locations but the same story. People with a church agenda thinking they knew best caused much harm.
There should only be one person who carries out a personal agenda in the church. His name is Jesus. He alone is the head of the church. [Eph 5:23] The church is His bride. He loves the local church. He alone has the right to sit at the head of the table. He alone has the right to determine direction. He is the ultimate authority. His agenda is the only agenda that matters.
In many churches there are people who have been members longer than I have been alive. They have given much money and much service. They believe the local church is THEIR church. They try to control it even if it means manipulation. But hear this. THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS ALONE. IT IS NOT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON. I DON'T CARE HOW LONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS, WHAT THEIR LEADERSHIP TITLE MIGHT BE, OR HOW MJCH MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN. THEY NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS OFF IT AND IN REPENTANCE SUBMIT TO CHRIST!
Strong words. Yet needed. I have never shied away from preaching or writing the hard truth. How many more churches have to be destroyed because people have their own church agenda and do not submit to the Headship of Jesus.
In a perfect world churches would remain unified if congregations would just sit at the feet of Jesus, listen to Him, and follow His instructions without personal church agendas. I have seen and experienced this on occasion. It is beautiful. Truly did the Psalmist write Psalm 133:1 (NASB)
1
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