"Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." 2 Cor 3:3
My life is an open book, so is yours. It's open because it is still being written. If your life is anything like mine, it will be pretty boring reading when it is finished, but it will be read. In all honesty, that last statement is probably not true. I think it will be boring reading, but if God is writing it, I'm sure it will be valuable reading to anyone who is led to read it.
The fact is, God is writing His message to the world, our world, upon our hearts. And this message is expressed in our daily lives. It may not seem like much to us, but every day the Father writes a new chapter and every chapter is different. For example, my daily routine was disrupted some time ago when I went to church (I was in charge of little church on an island). One of our sisters was sitting by herself. I knew her father was in bad shape in the hospital, not expected to live. I sat next to her and she began to cry. Suffice it to say that I was God's messenger for the moment, bringing a message of encouragement and hope. Not that her father would be healed, she's had plenty of that. This hope was that God was in control and that He was there to encourage her and help her through this struggle.
I can see that some of the past chapters of my life, dull though they were, were written for just this occasion. She read part of my book. I think it helped. She smiled on the way out the door after the service had ended.
Now I bring you hope. Those chapters, the boring ones, the hard ones, the sad ones, the happy ones... all of them, were written for a purpose. The lessons in them might be needed for such a time as you will have tomorrow or next week or next year. One thing I have learned about God, He is a master conservationist. Nothing goes to waste with Him. He uses all things for good, our good and His good. He wants to use you.
Be available. Amen and Amen.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 99; II Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9
O Lord, we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and in the longing of our hearts, by the words of my lips and in the thoughts that we form. Speak, O Lord, for your servants listen. Amen.
The Transfiguration is the story of a glimpse of glory.
Just before the beginning of Lent, every year the church goes mountain climbing. We go, like Peter and James and John did, following Jesus.
At the mountain height we see him as he really is. By him and with him and in him the glory of God shines.
The season of Epiphany ends as it began with a shining star.
Jesus the Day Star, the bright and morning star, shines here on the mount of Transfiguration as the light from heaven shone above his cradle in Bethlehem thirty or so years earlier.
But why? Why do we climb to see this light? Why do we take valuable time away from our busy lives and devote ourselves to climbing the mountain where God's glory is revealed? Are not there hungry to be fed? Jobs to be done? Aren't there bills to be paid? Children to be fed and clothed? Sick to be healed? Grievers to be consoled? Why does Jesus take this time away from his mission? Why do we?
Mark Twain once said: "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
We climb the mountain of Transfiguration each year before Lent begins for the same reason Moses climbed Mount Pisgah
- to get a glimpse of the Promised Land
- to see where we ourselves are headed.
"Come dance with the West wind, and touch on the mountaintops," wrote John Denver. "Sail o'er the canyons, and up to the stars. And reach for the heavens, and hope for the future, and all that we can be, not what we are."
All that we can be - not what we are.
When Jesus arrived at the mountain top his figure changed and the outside of him, which had been ordinary and like us, shone as if he was not like one of us.
Jesus shone with the glory that caused old Moses to shine that day on the mountain of Sinai, when the holy law from heaven came down.
He shone with the glory that carried old Elijah up to heaven's height - gone from this world - but alive in the next.
He shone with the glory of his own baptismal day, when his Father's voice from above was heard to say: "This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased" - and indeed those words first uttered at the River are repeated on the Mountain Top.
What can mere mortals say when faced with such glory?
"Let all mortal flesh keep silence" says the old hymn.
But not Peter. When in doubt, shout it out.
First say the obvious, "Lord, it is good for us to be here."
Then make a plan without listening: how about we prolong this camp-out on the mountain Lord? We can rig up a tent for you and Elijah and even one for Moses.
But that, of course was not the point.
Jesus was facing the long journey to another mountain, where he would be lifted higher. Jesus knew that ahead was the long walk to the cross, with all its possible escapes and sidetracks. Jesus knew that he could walk away from the will of the Holy One.
Jesus knew that he had a way out of this, but Jesus also knew that he would not take it. He knew that his death was only weeks away.
As unlikely as it seems, the scripture tells in many places that to be like Jesus is our destiny; that the intention of God in his calling of us is to make us like him.
We are destined for glory
- a glory like his
- a glory that will make us shine as he shone.
But first - as with Jesus - there is cross to bear.
And so - each year we climb the mountain of Transfiguration with him.
We climb because there is a rough road ahead of us.
We climb to share the vision that Peter and James and John beheld, and to be strengthened by it for our return to the lowlands and for the days before we receive the fullness of the glory that Jesus gives to us through his death and his resurrection.
I imagine Jesus seeking the face of the Holy One as he drew near to time of his sacrifice, - and finding in the example of Moses, the great lawgiver whose face was unveiled when he talked with the Holy One - and in Elijah, the great prophet who was both afraid and yet willing to challenge the kings of the earth, both the strength and the courage for the road ahead.
Jesus looked ahead to the choices of the Passion and God gave him the vision and the strength he needed: - the vision and the strength to walk with us in the long steps of life's journey.
And God too wills to give us the vision and the strength we need - the vision and the strength to face the fears and foibles of our lives. - the vision and the strength we need to respond to the call of God to live beyond ourselves, to live lives of sacrifice and courage till the glory we see in Christ settles on us not just for a day, but forever.
The road ahead is the way of the cross.
In the weeks to come we will be reminded that the Lord did not go straight from his baptism to heaven.
He went out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We will remember that he walked the path of suffering for us, that he prayed for us, that he fought the spiritual fight for us. That he bled and died for us.
In Lent we remember that God has made the way of the cross to be the way of life and peace, and that our destiny is joined to Christ's destiny.
Last week we sang three favourite hymns of Cecil Drage.
The last verse of the last hymn went like this (don't worry now, I'm not going to sing it, I'm going to read it).
When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first begun.
The glimpse that we are granted of Christ's glory on the holy mountain is the foretaste of heaven; the image of humanity as God intended us to be in creation.
As we prepare to bring ourselves into the disciplined walk of faith and devotion during the fast of Lent, we remember this glory of God that calls to us.
We remember that we too will be bright shining as the sun.
The mountain of Transfiguration reminds us that though Jesus walked in the way of the cross, he also rose from the dead in the glory of the Father.
Easter is the end of Lent, its goal. Everything we do in Lent brings us a step closer to the joys of Easter.
On the holy mountain of Transfiguration, we taste those sweet eternal joys.
We take strength from them, Christ's strength, as we prepare to walk our Lenten journey together - - blessed be his name, now and forevermore. Amen.
The Transfiguration is the story of a glimpse of glory.
Just before the beginning of Lent, every year the church goes mountain climbing. We go, like Peter and James and John did, following Jesus.
At the mountain height we see him as he really is. By him and with him and in him the glory of God shines.
The season of Epiphany ends as it began with a shining star.
Jesus the Day Star, the bright and morning star, shines here on the mount of Transfiguration as the light from heaven shone above his cradle in Bethlehem thirty or so years earlier.
But why? Why do we climb to see this light? Why do we take valuable time away from our busy lives and devote ourselves to climbing the mountain where God's glory is revealed? Are not there hungry to be fed? Jobs to be done? Aren't there bills to be paid? Children to be fed and clothed? Sick to be healed? Grievers to be consoled? Why does Jesus take this time away from his mission? Why do we?
Mark Twain once said: "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
We climb the mountain of Transfiguration each year before Lent begins for the same reason Moses climbed Mount Pisgah
- to get a glimpse of the Promised Land
- to see where we ourselves are headed.
"Come dance with the West wind, and touch on the mountaintops," wrote John Denver. "Sail o'er the canyons, and up to the stars. And reach for the heavens, and hope for the future, and all that we can be, not what we are."
All that we can be - not what we are.
When Jesus arrived at the mountain top his figure changed and the outside of him, which had been ordinary and like us, shone as if he was not like one of us.
Jesus shone with the glory that caused old Moses to shine that day on the mountain of Sinai, when the holy law from heaven came down.
He shone with the glory that carried old Elijah up to heaven's height - gone from this world - but alive in the next.
He shone with the glory of his own baptismal day, when his Father's voice from above was heard to say: "This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased" - and indeed those words first uttered at the River are repeated on the Mountain Top.
What can mere mortals say when faced with such glory?
"Let all mortal flesh keep silence" says the old hymn.
But not Peter. When in doubt, shout it out.
First say the obvious, "Lord, it is good for us to be here."
Then make a plan without listening: how about we prolong this camp-out on the mountain Lord? We can rig up a tent for you and Elijah and even one for Moses.
But that, of course was not the point.
Jesus was facing the long journey to another mountain, where he would be lifted higher. Jesus knew that ahead was the long walk to the cross, with all its possible escapes and sidetracks. Jesus knew that he could walk away from the will of the Holy One.
Jesus knew that he had a way out of this, but Jesus also knew that he would not take it. He knew that his death was only weeks away.
As unlikely as it seems, the scripture tells in many places that to be like Jesus is our destiny; that the intention of God in his calling of us is to make us like him.
We are destined for glory
- a glory like his
- a glory that will make us shine as he shone.
But first - as with Jesus - there is cross to bear.
And so - each year we climb the mountain of Transfiguration with him.
We climb because there is a rough road ahead of us.
We climb to share the vision that Peter and James and John beheld, and to be strengthened by it for our return to the lowlands and for the days before we receive the fullness of the glory that Jesus gives to us through his death and his resurrection.
I imagine Jesus seeking the face of the Holy One as he drew near to time of his sacrifice, - and finding in the example of Moses, the great lawgiver whose face was unveiled when he talked with the Holy One - and in Elijah, the great prophet who was both afraid and yet willing to challenge the kings of the earth, both the strength and the courage for the road ahead.
Jesus looked ahead to the choices of the Passion and God gave him the vision and the strength he needed: - the vision and the strength to walk with us in the long steps of life's journey.
And God too wills to give us the vision and the strength we need - the vision and the strength to face the fears and foibles of our lives. - the vision and the strength we need to respond to the call of God to live beyond ourselves, to live lives of sacrifice and courage till the glory we see in Christ settles on us not just for a day, but forever.
The road ahead is the way of the cross.
In the weeks to come we will be reminded that the Lord did not go straight from his baptism to heaven.
He went out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We will remember that he walked the path of suffering for us, that he prayed for us, that he fought the spiritual fight for us. That he bled and died for us.
In Lent we remember that God has made the way of the cross to be the way of life and peace, and that our destiny is joined to Christ's destiny.
Last week we sang three favourite hymns of Cecil Drage.
The last verse of the last hymn went like this (don't worry now, I'm not going to sing it, I'm going to read it).
When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first begun.
The glimpse that we are granted of Christ's glory on the holy mountain is the foretaste of heaven; the image of humanity as God intended us to be in creation.
As we prepare to bring ourselves into the disciplined walk of faith and devotion during the fast of Lent, we remember this glory of God that calls to us.
We remember that we too will be bright shining as the sun.
The mountain of Transfiguration reminds us that though Jesus walked in the way of the cross, he also rose from the dead in the glory of the Father.
Easter is the end of Lent, its goal. Everything we do in Lent brings us a step closer to the joys of Easter.
On the holy mountain of Transfiguration, we taste those sweet eternal joys.
We take strength from them, Christ's strength, as we prepare to walk our Lenten journey together - - blessed be his name, now and forevermore. Amen.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Gen 12:1-2
"Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing." Gen 12:1-2
Promises are good. Everyone like to be promised something they want. The problem with promises is that they are only as good as the one who makes the promise.
In our society we find many broken promises. It seems there is nothing keeping a husband and wife from breaking their matrimonial promises. Divorce is at an all time high. Infidelity is even more common.
Many fathers feel there is no problem breaking a promise of a fishing trip to a son or daughter when there is something more important - like free tickets to a professional soccer game or a little extra work at the office. After all, there are more weekends for fishing and those tickets are a one time thing. (They never consider the effect broken promises have on the heart of a child.) Employers are always promising more pay and less work when the reality is just the opposite. Store advertisements promise to have a certain product at a really good price - the product "didn't come in on the last shipment - and no we don't give rain checks on sale items."
Have you paid close attention to commercials lately? What do they sell? Looked at a flower advertisement? Have you ever received a package from them that looks like the product on the advertisement? All of these are selling a promise. "Buy this and you will get that." Often the promises are unfulfilled.
Abram (later called Abraham) was offered a promise, "Go to a country I will show you in the future and I will bless you." Sounds a lot like a telemarketer I talked to the other day. The only difference was that I was talking to a human with a slick line and Abram was talking with the Almighty God. Evidently Abram had had dealings with God before. He trusted Him. Was the promise fulfilled? Certainly. Has God made promises to you? Has he fulfilled them? (Careful before you say "no." His promises are recorded in Scripture. Any other promises you may claim He made - personal prophecy - are subject to human emotion and error.) God promises salvation. He delivers. God promises eternal life. He delivers. God promises answers to prayer. He delivers - but not always the way we want Him to answer. Our God is faithful and true. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Promises are good. Everyone like to be promised something they want. The problem with promises is that they are only as good as the one who makes the promise.
In our society we find many broken promises. It seems there is nothing keeping a husband and wife from breaking their matrimonial promises. Divorce is at an all time high. Infidelity is even more common.
Many fathers feel there is no problem breaking a promise of a fishing trip to a son or daughter when there is something more important - like free tickets to a professional soccer game or a little extra work at the office. After all, there are more weekends for fishing and those tickets are a one time thing. (They never consider the effect broken promises have on the heart of a child.) Employers are always promising more pay and less work when the reality is just the opposite. Store advertisements promise to have a certain product at a really good price - the product "didn't come in on the last shipment - and no we don't give rain checks on sale items."
Have you paid close attention to commercials lately? What do they sell? Looked at a flower advertisement? Have you ever received a package from them that looks like the product on the advertisement? All of these are selling a promise. "Buy this and you will get that." Often the promises are unfulfilled.
Abram (later called Abraham) was offered a promise, "Go to a country I will show you in the future and I will bless you." Sounds a lot like a telemarketer I talked to the other day. The only difference was that I was talking to a human with a slick line and Abram was talking with the Almighty God. Evidently Abram had had dealings with God before. He trusted Him. Was the promise fulfilled? Certainly. Has God made promises to you? Has he fulfilled them? (Careful before you say "no." His promises are recorded in Scripture. Any other promises you may claim He made - personal prophecy - are subject to human emotion and error.) God promises salvation. He delivers. God promises eternal life. He delivers. God promises answers to prayer. He delivers - but not always the way we want Him to answer. Our God is faithful and true. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Deut 13:1 - 3
"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods" "which you have not known" "and let us serve them," you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." Deut 13:1 - 3
So you think that beautiful woman or man is a godsend. That person is perfect in every way. You know that this person was meant just for you. Yes, indeed, God sent her just for you. That may be so, but the reasons might be a bit confusing. So what if you are already married? This person is perfect, the way your spouse used to be...
CUT!
I always wanted to be a movie director and this little scene would make a great little clip from a powerful flick. Too many of us have been in this person's shoes. We have thought that a certain event, item, person, or situation was just so perfect that it had to be sent from God. However, if we look closely at today's verse, we might just come away with a different idea.
The perfect preacher has just come on the scene. His words are eloquent. His message is from the Bible. His life is stellar. His board of directors is composed of names that you recognize and trust. You follow him without question... at least after a period of testing. There is no doubt that he preaches the truth. Then, WHAM!
After he has you under his spell, he proposes that there are multiple ways to God's perfection. He introduces "meditation" into the services telling you that it is a way to get in touch with the Father. A while later, he introduces some suggestive dancing explaining that the movement of the dancers is a demonstration of God's grace and beauty. A few Sundays later the Communion Table has been replaced with smaller "altar" that is used to celebrate the sacrifice to the divine. So far you have followed the logic and it seems to be fine. You have abandoned reading the Word of God yourself because the preacher is doing a much better job... and he does it so deeply. You never dreamed that all of this is in the Bible.
Finally, the preacher places a "Buddha" on the altar and tells you that this is a better way to God.
Do you swallow his progression without question? Answer honestly using the logic of our dear actor and deceived friend. Without a doubt the answer is "yes." Why not? The man's logic is so well presented... including Book, Chapter, and verse. Was the "man" sent from God? He certainly led this believer away from the truth. But WAS HE SENT BY GOD? "... for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
Not all that is bright and shiny and perfect looking is good. Not all that is bright and shiny and perfect is from the devil. That bright and shiny and perfect thing just might be a "plant", a decoy to test your love. Is your love wrapped up in God...or your own desires? Who is on the throne of your life?
The next time the attractive, the beautiful, the perfect fit comes your way, watch carefully what is being said. He, she, they, it just might be a temptation. "So," you ask, "how do I know the difference?" Search the word. Bury it in your heart. Know the truth. Not only will the truth "set you free," it will keep you free! The truth will reveal the works of darkness. The truth will open your mind to all the good things God has for you. The truth will allow you to know a fake... in a heartbeat. When the perfect appears... and it is not Jesus descending from Heaven, keep your eyes open and you mind tuned to God's Word. Resist temptation and it will flee from you! Amen and Amen.
So you think that beautiful woman or man is a godsend. That person is perfect in every way. You know that this person was meant just for you. Yes, indeed, God sent her just for you. That may be so, but the reasons might be a bit confusing. So what if you are already married? This person is perfect, the way your spouse used to be...
CUT!
I always wanted to be a movie director and this little scene would make a great little clip from a powerful flick. Too many of us have been in this person's shoes. We have thought that a certain event, item, person, or situation was just so perfect that it had to be sent from God. However, if we look closely at today's verse, we might just come away with a different idea.
The perfect preacher has just come on the scene. His words are eloquent. His message is from the Bible. His life is stellar. His board of directors is composed of names that you recognize and trust. You follow him without question... at least after a period of testing. There is no doubt that he preaches the truth. Then, WHAM!
After he has you under his spell, he proposes that there are multiple ways to God's perfection. He introduces "meditation" into the services telling you that it is a way to get in touch with the Father. A while later, he introduces some suggestive dancing explaining that the movement of the dancers is a demonstration of God's grace and beauty. A few Sundays later the Communion Table has been replaced with smaller "altar" that is used to celebrate the sacrifice to the divine. So far you have followed the logic and it seems to be fine. You have abandoned reading the Word of God yourself because the preacher is doing a much better job... and he does it so deeply. You never dreamed that all of this is in the Bible.
Finally, the preacher places a "Buddha" on the altar and tells you that this is a better way to God.
Do you swallow his progression without question? Answer honestly using the logic of our dear actor and deceived friend. Without a doubt the answer is "yes." Why not? The man's logic is so well presented... including Book, Chapter, and verse. Was the "man" sent from God? He certainly led this believer away from the truth. But WAS HE SENT BY GOD? "... for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
Not all that is bright and shiny and perfect looking is good. Not all that is bright and shiny and perfect is from the devil. That bright and shiny and perfect thing just might be a "plant", a decoy to test your love. Is your love wrapped up in God...or your own desires? Who is on the throne of your life?
The next time the attractive, the beautiful, the perfect fit comes your way, watch carefully what is being said. He, she, they, it just might be a temptation. "So," you ask, "how do I know the difference?" Search the word. Bury it in your heart. Know the truth. Not only will the truth "set you free," it will keep you free! The truth will reveal the works of darkness. The truth will open your mind to all the good things God has for you. The truth will allow you to know a fake... in a heartbeat. When the perfect appears... and it is not Jesus descending from Heaven, keep your eyes open and you mind tuned to God's Word. Resist temptation and it will flee from you! Amen and Amen.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Gen 17:21
"But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year." Gen 17:21
Sometimes it's very hard to put a promise on the shelf and wait until God does His work. As we have seen, Abraham had that problem. He tried to promote a trusted slave. He and Sarah contrived to produce Ishmael. Now there was nothing wrong with Ishmael - except that He was not God's way to fulfill God's promise. It would seem that Ishmael would have fallen by the wayside and never been heard from again.
WRONG! To this day the descendants of Ishmael are thorns in the side of Israel, God's chosen people. God is not one to back down from a promise, so he extended a secondary promise to Abraham that would be fulfilled through his first born son. He, too, would become a father of nations - just not the chosen nation. Those nations have worked for centuries trying to claim the land God gave Abraham. Their claim is that they are the rightful heirs - being the first-born. If you have understanding this conflict, check the international news stories detailing the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian and Muslim worlds.
Sometimes when we get in the way of God, we make problems that can never completely be undone. Abraham always had his Ishmael. We will always suffer the consequences of our own sins. Some we can escape. They can be reversed. Forgiveness can be petitioned. Restitution can be made. Others are much more complicated. Trusted friendships once broken are often irreconcilable. Confidences once made and broken can never become a confidence again.
When you receive a promise from God, wait on Him to fulfill it. He will. If you take the fulfillment upon yourself, you will only make things worse - if not impossible. If you have already muddied the waters with your own efforts, STOP! Step back and confess to the Father that you have sinned. Ask Him to forgive you. Be willing to accept the consequences - and let God do His work. He is faithful to fulfill all His promises and covenants. Amen and Amen.
Sometimes it's very hard to put a promise on the shelf and wait until God does His work. As we have seen, Abraham had that problem. He tried to promote a trusted slave. He and Sarah contrived to produce Ishmael. Now there was nothing wrong with Ishmael - except that He was not God's way to fulfill God's promise. It would seem that Ishmael would have fallen by the wayside and never been heard from again.
WRONG! To this day the descendants of Ishmael are thorns in the side of Israel, God's chosen people. God is not one to back down from a promise, so he extended a secondary promise to Abraham that would be fulfilled through his first born son. He, too, would become a father of nations - just not the chosen nation. Those nations have worked for centuries trying to claim the land God gave Abraham. Their claim is that they are the rightful heirs - being the first-born. If you have understanding this conflict, check the international news stories detailing the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian and Muslim worlds.
Sometimes when we get in the way of God, we make problems that can never completely be undone. Abraham always had his Ishmael. We will always suffer the consequences of our own sins. Some we can escape. They can be reversed. Forgiveness can be petitioned. Restitution can be made. Others are much more complicated. Trusted friendships once broken are often irreconcilable. Confidences once made and broken can never become a confidence again.
When you receive a promise from God, wait on Him to fulfill it. He will. If you take the fulfillment upon yourself, you will only make things worse - if not impossible. If you have already muddied the waters with your own efforts, STOP! Step back and confess to the Father that you have sinned. Ask Him to forgive you. Be willing to accept the consequences - and let God do His work. He is faithful to fulfill all His promises and covenants. Amen and Amen.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Deut 6:16
"You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah." Deut 6:16
Sometimes the Israelites argued against anything and anyone. So it was at Massah (aka Meribah). The people had just escaped from Egypt and were roaming in the wilderness. At some point, their water was a growing a bit strong... and they complained to Moses. No, really they were about to string Moses from the nearest tree, if there happened to be one nearby. Moses did what all men of God should do. He went to his knees supplicating the Father to do something about this situation.
God instructed Moses to take the rod he had used to strike the Nile and a few trusted elders to a nearby stone. Once there, Moses was to strike the stone with the rod. Sounds a bit strange, but then Moses was used to the strange and unusual from God. After all, that rod, when it hit the Nile, caused the river to turn into blood, and that was after the same rod had turned into a viper and devoured the snakes of the Egyptian sorcerers!
Expecting something strange to happen, Moses walked up to the rock, struck it and stood back from a gusher of a crack in the stone! From within the rock flowed the sweetest water in sufficient quantities to feed the multitude. Before you picture a nice little stream of water like you might see in an Italian fountain, realize that this stream was sufficient to water over a million people and to do it on a daily basis. Wouldn't that rod come in handy if you live in the desert.
The people managed to "snooker" God, or so they thought. They tested God and found they could manipulate Him. "Grumble enough and God will give you the desires of your heart," or so the people thought. But God was not to be "snookered" and would not be manipulated by a rowdy crowd. Moses tells the next generation, before they entered the Promised Land, that they had best not "put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah." Ah. So they tested God. Other references add some light to the meaning of the word "tested." Deuteronomy 9:22 says that the people "provoked" God. That sounds a bit stronger than "tested." Provoking indicates that the people were pushing God to the limit. He was on the verge of anger, AND I DON'T THINK I LIKE AN ANGRY GOD. Deuteronomy 33:8 says that the people "contended" with God. That sounds like a brawl. They started arguing unreasonably and inconsolably with God. Finally Psalm 95:8 says that the people "hardened their heart" against God. That is a serious charge. Hardened hearts are not only inconsolable; they are nearly murderous in nature, as if a person could kill the One True God!
In conclusion, don't you just love it when I conclude? In conclusion, it is ok for God to test us. But we had best not get in the habit of testing Him, except when Malachi gives us instruction: "Bring the whole offering into the warehouse.. test me in this." (Malachi 3:10) Don't test God... except in the tithe. Only in this test will you be permitted to put God on the spot, and He will invariably bless the tither. Amen and Amen.
Sometimes the Israelites argued against anything and anyone. So it was at Massah (aka Meribah). The people had just escaped from Egypt and were roaming in the wilderness. At some point, their water was a growing a bit strong... and they complained to Moses. No, really they were about to string Moses from the nearest tree, if there happened to be one nearby. Moses did what all men of God should do. He went to his knees supplicating the Father to do something about this situation.
God instructed Moses to take the rod he had used to strike the Nile and a few trusted elders to a nearby stone. Once there, Moses was to strike the stone with the rod. Sounds a bit strange, but then Moses was used to the strange and unusual from God. After all, that rod, when it hit the Nile, caused the river to turn into blood, and that was after the same rod had turned into a viper and devoured the snakes of the Egyptian sorcerers!
Expecting something strange to happen, Moses walked up to the rock, struck it and stood back from a gusher of a crack in the stone! From within the rock flowed the sweetest water in sufficient quantities to feed the multitude. Before you picture a nice little stream of water like you might see in an Italian fountain, realize that this stream was sufficient to water over a million people and to do it on a daily basis. Wouldn't that rod come in handy if you live in the desert.
The people managed to "snooker" God, or so they thought. They tested God and found they could manipulate Him. "Grumble enough and God will give you the desires of your heart," or so the people thought. But God was not to be "snookered" and would not be manipulated by a rowdy crowd. Moses tells the next generation, before they entered the Promised Land, that they had best not "put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah." Ah. So they tested God. Other references add some light to the meaning of the word "tested." Deuteronomy 9:22 says that the people "provoked" God. That sounds a bit stronger than "tested." Provoking indicates that the people were pushing God to the limit. He was on the verge of anger, AND I DON'T THINK I LIKE AN ANGRY GOD. Deuteronomy 33:8 says that the people "contended" with God. That sounds like a brawl. They started arguing unreasonably and inconsolably with God. Finally Psalm 95:8 says that the people "hardened their heart" against God. That is a serious charge. Hardened hearts are not only inconsolable; they are nearly murderous in nature, as if a person could kill the One True God!
In conclusion, don't you just love it when I conclude? In conclusion, it is ok for God to test us. But we had best not get in the habit of testing Him, except when Malachi gives us instruction: "Bring the whole offering into the warehouse.. test me in this." (Malachi 3:10) Don't test God... except in the tithe. Only in this test will you be permitted to put God on the spot, and He will invariably bless the tither. Amen and Amen.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Rom 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Rom 3:23
I had done my best, honest. I had worked that clay just like the teacher said. I turned it just so. I rolled it just right. I shaped it and formed it and . . .well I don't understand why she didn't like my pottery. Sure, it didn't look like hers. She was 75 or 80 and I was 10 (well at 10 anyone over 20 is ancient!). She had an edge on experience. How humiliating to get a "D" in art! And my English at that age was just as bad!
I had missed the mark - fallen short - I had sinned by not being able to meet my art teacher's expectations.
We've all done that - missed the mark. We most likely do it every day. We set goals for ourselves and don't get them all finished. We missed the mark. The boss tells us to get this done before we go home - and we fail. We missed the mark. We have sinned. Now don't get me wrong. These are not life threatening "sins" - at least most of them aren't. But they are "sins" none the less. But there are more important "sins" that we must consider - we have all committed our share of them.
We have missed God's idea of perfection. He says "do not lie", and we have all told lies in the past. He gives us a list of 10 things that we should not do - or do. We have failed in more than one. But let's imagine for a moment that there is some wonderful person out there who has managed to sin only one time. "That's wonderful" you may say. And indeed it would be. But there is only one problem. One sin is as bad as a hundred - or a thousand - or a million. That one sin will keep that near sinless guy out of heaven. Why? Because God set the standard - and He set it high.
"Then no one can get to heaven! Right?" It would seem like that - until we understand that Jesus is standing between you (and me) and God. If we have accepted Him as our Lord and our Savior, He will speak to the Judging Father and say something like this, "Daddy, this man is indeed a sinner. However, at the age of 10 he accepted Me as his Lord. He has been washed in My blood. I have redeemed him. Therefore he stands before you spotless - sinless. You must accept Him into Heaven." And the Father will look beyond Jesus, and say to us, "Well done. You are a good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward!"
But, if you haven't put your trust in Jesus. If you have rebelled against God and have rejected His provision for salvation, no amount of good works on your part will change the words of the Father as He speaks "You are unworthy of the kingdom of God. You have not taken advantage of My provision for your purity. You shall not enter into this perfect world. Instead, you must spend all of eternity in hell." If this latter describes your current condition, admit that you are a sinner. Call upon Jesus to save you. I don't want to spend an eternity without ever meeting you in Heaven. Amen and Amen.
I had done my best, honest. I had worked that clay just like the teacher said. I turned it just so. I rolled it just right. I shaped it and formed it and . . .well I don't understand why she didn't like my pottery. Sure, it didn't look like hers. She was 75 or 80 and I was 10 (well at 10 anyone over 20 is ancient!). She had an edge on experience. How humiliating to get a "D" in art! And my English at that age was just as bad!
I had missed the mark - fallen short - I had sinned by not being able to meet my art teacher's expectations.
We've all done that - missed the mark. We most likely do it every day. We set goals for ourselves and don't get them all finished. We missed the mark. The boss tells us to get this done before we go home - and we fail. We missed the mark. We have sinned. Now don't get me wrong. These are not life threatening "sins" - at least most of them aren't. But they are "sins" none the less. But there are more important "sins" that we must consider - we have all committed our share of them.
We have missed God's idea of perfection. He says "do not lie", and we have all told lies in the past. He gives us a list of 10 things that we should not do - or do. We have failed in more than one. But let's imagine for a moment that there is some wonderful person out there who has managed to sin only one time. "That's wonderful" you may say. And indeed it would be. But there is only one problem. One sin is as bad as a hundred - or a thousand - or a million. That one sin will keep that near sinless guy out of heaven. Why? Because God set the standard - and He set it high.
"Then no one can get to heaven! Right?" It would seem like that - until we understand that Jesus is standing between you (and me) and God. If we have accepted Him as our Lord and our Savior, He will speak to the Judging Father and say something like this, "Daddy, this man is indeed a sinner. However, at the age of 10 he accepted Me as his Lord. He has been washed in My blood. I have redeemed him. Therefore he stands before you spotless - sinless. You must accept Him into Heaven." And the Father will look beyond Jesus, and say to us, "Well done. You are a good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward!"
But, if you haven't put your trust in Jesus. If you have rebelled against God and have rejected His provision for salvation, no amount of good works on your part will change the words of the Father as He speaks "You are unworthy of the kingdom of God. You have not taken advantage of My provision for your purity. You shall not enter into this perfect world. Instead, you must spend all of eternity in hell." If this latter describes your current condition, admit that you are a sinner. Call upon Jesus to save you. I don't want to spend an eternity without ever meeting you in Heaven. Amen and Amen.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mark 10:33-34
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again" Mark 10:33-34
Writers often us a technique called "foreshadowing" to hint at things to come. Sir Conan Doyle uses such gimmicks to lead the reader in correct - or misleading - paths on the way to the solution of a mystery. Another writer, Angela Lansbury often did the same in the "Murder, a series she wrote for the television. It is a wonderful tool for the fiction writer.
Today we see the same tool used by Jesus as He and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. To us, it seems that these verses are rather obvious. Jesus is telling His disciples that He will be betrayed into the hands of His enemies. He will be tortured, mocked, ridiculed, beaten, condemned to death, and hung on a cross. He also tells them that He will rise from the grave.
The only problem was that the disciples did not seem to be listening. James and John were seeking a favor of Jesus - "when you come into you kingdom, can we have the places of honor?" They missed the point Jesus was making - totally! Sure, He would have a kingdom - but it would come at a great price. And that kingdom would not be of a nature that they thought. They could see themselves sitting on golden thrones on either side of Jesus' much larger and glorious jewel studded throne. They never heard Jesus say he was about to die.
Surely the others thought James and John were a bit out of line. The ten weren't listening to Jesus either. They were indignant at the request of James and John! Their anger burned towards their toward brothers - and justly so. Those two had been Jesus' favorites from the very beginning. The ten wanted their share of the kingdom too. It's really too bad the twelve didn't listen to the only person worth listening to. It would have certainly helped them understand what would happen in a few short days. They would not have been so frightened when Judas betrayed Jesus. They wouldn't have fled when Jesus was taken captive. Peter might not have denied Jesus three times before dawn on that eventful Friday. Sure, Jesus would die - but the final clause of His statement was so very important: "and three days later He will rise again."
Imagine what would have happened if the disciples had paid attention. The crucifixion could have been a victory celebration. The resurrection an expected climax to a most important week. But they didn't - and they would soon suffer the consequences because they did not hear the foreshadowing statement of their Master.
Jesus often gives us a foreshadowing of what is to come in our lives. Our pastor might be talking about sorrows coming to believers to make us strong. We are drawing cartoons on our bulletin. He tells us to be "prayed up" in advance of the coming troubles. We are telling the kids to quit fighting. Then, when the sermon is over and the invitation sung, we exit the sanctuary thinking the pastor failed to tell us a thing. Three weeks later we wonder why he didn't warn us that the enemy would be having a field day at our expense. If he had only warned us, we would have been praying!
If we can learn anything from today's verses it is this: when God speaks, we had better listen. Amen and Amen.
Writers often us a technique called "foreshadowing" to hint at things to come. Sir Conan Doyle uses such gimmicks to lead the reader in correct - or misleading - paths on the way to the solution of a mystery. Another writer, Angela Lansbury often did the same in the "Murder, a series she wrote for the television. It is a wonderful tool for the fiction writer.
Today we see the same tool used by Jesus as He and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. To us, it seems that these verses are rather obvious. Jesus is telling His disciples that He will be betrayed into the hands of His enemies. He will be tortured, mocked, ridiculed, beaten, condemned to death, and hung on a cross. He also tells them that He will rise from the grave.
The only problem was that the disciples did not seem to be listening. James and John were seeking a favor of Jesus - "when you come into you kingdom, can we have the places of honor?" They missed the point Jesus was making - totally! Sure, He would have a kingdom - but it would come at a great price. And that kingdom would not be of a nature that they thought. They could see themselves sitting on golden thrones on either side of Jesus' much larger and glorious jewel studded throne. They never heard Jesus say he was about to die.
Surely the others thought James and John were a bit out of line. The ten weren't listening to Jesus either. They were indignant at the request of James and John! Their anger burned towards their toward brothers - and justly so. Those two had been Jesus' favorites from the very beginning. The ten wanted their share of the kingdom too. It's really too bad the twelve didn't listen to the only person worth listening to. It would have certainly helped them understand what would happen in a few short days. They would not have been so frightened when Judas betrayed Jesus. They wouldn't have fled when Jesus was taken captive. Peter might not have denied Jesus three times before dawn on that eventful Friday. Sure, Jesus would die - but the final clause of His statement was so very important: "and three days later He will rise again."
Imagine what would have happened if the disciples had paid attention. The crucifixion could have been a victory celebration. The resurrection an expected climax to a most important week. But they didn't - and they would soon suffer the consequences because they did not hear the foreshadowing statement of their Master.
Jesus often gives us a foreshadowing of what is to come in our lives. Our pastor might be talking about sorrows coming to believers to make us strong. We are drawing cartoons on our bulletin. He tells us to be "prayed up" in advance of the coming troubles. We are telling the kids to quit fighting. Then, when the sermon is over and the invitation sung, we exit the sanctuary thinking the pastor failed to tell us a thing. Three weeks later we wonder why he didn't warn us that the enemy would be having a field day at our expense. If he had only warned us, we would have been praying!
If we can learn anything from today's verses it is this: when God speaks, we had better listen. Amen and Amen.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Faith in following and faith in asking
In the silence of the stars, in the quiet of the hills and in the heaving of the sea, you speak O Lord. In the words of the prophets and the message of the Apostles, you speak O Lord. Now we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and the longing of our hearts, by the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts. Speak, O Lord, for you servants listen. Amen.
I would imagine that at one time Bartimeaus, the blind beggar who sat by the roadside, have eyes that could see. His life would have been full of light, and one can also assume that it was full of hope at the time.
However, something unfortunate must have happened to him – and he ended up being unable to see – and as he has been deprived of the usage of his eyesight – all his options in life collapsed, and he ended up as a beggar, sitting and begging by the roadside, hoping upon hope that somebody passing by would take pity on him, always hoping that somebody would fill up his bowl with food, or that some one will give him a few coins in order for him to purchase the little things in life that everybody needs.
In those ancient days of the first century there was very little sympathy one could expect for the misfortune, for those who are blind and those who are handicapped in any manner. I can say with absolute certainty that Bartimaeus was living a very hard life. In some circles in Israel in those days, there were people who assumed that misfortunes was cause by one’s own fault, and that blindness or handicapped of any nature is always a punishment from God, either for something that they have themselves done or for something that their parents may have done.
In some circles the fact that a person was blind simply meant that the person was a drain on precious resources, in other words, a social liability – best to be ignored – best to be left by the roadside begging. How little things have changed in that respect throughout the centuries!
As Bartimaeus was blind and could not see, he was, in the eyes of many people, not even a human being at all. He became to them only an object, an object to be pitied, or cursed, or to even to be completely ignored.
How many of us present here today, I wonder feel as Bartimeaus must have felted? How many of us present here today feels cut off from the land of the living – being prevented by one reason or another from taking part fully in the life that goes on all around us. How many of us are unable to exercise the options that everybody else seems to be in possession of, feeling hurt and alone, and wondering, wondering if perhaps in some way we do deserve what we are going through right now.
How many of us feel trapped in the life that we are having?
- in the job that we have?
- in the relationships we have?
- in the financial struggles we are having?
How many of us have the feeling that we are not able to break free, to change things, or unable to do anything at all, except dream of how it used to be, or dream of how things should have been?
How many of us, being in this kind of position, do anything about it? How many of us reaches out to other people or to God for help?
How many of us reach out to our friends and neighbours and confide to them of our own feelings, our own needs? How many of us here actually ask our family members for help when help is needed? How many of us even think of reaching out to God and ask Him for His help?
Sometimes we suffer really hard; sometimes we suffer for a very long time, not because the situation we found ourselves in cannot be overcome, but only because we are afraid to ask for help. Often we do not ask for help as we do not want to become a burden to others, or perhaps we do not want to seem weak to other people, or even admit our own weaknesses to our own selves.
I have heard of a woman who will not pray to God for herself, just because she thinks he has much more important things to do than to listen to her.
I have heard of a man who will not tell his own wife as to how much he is hurting inside himself, just because he does not think that she will be interested in his plight, as she already has so many of her own problems to bear.
I know of several people in Hong Kong who will not ask other people for help with their own substance abuse problems, just because they cannot admit to themselves that their problems have become much bigger than they themselves are.
I also know of children who are having a very difficult time dealing with life. They will not ask their parents or their teachers for help, just because they are afraid that they by asking for help, they will either get into trouble, or, even worse, be ignored, if they do ask for help from the adults.
There are times in our lives when we all needed help. There are times in our lifetime when if we are to survive at all, if we are to continue living, if we are go keep on growing, we must turn to other people and to God and ask Him for help in getting what we need.
Doctor Fred Collier, a retired medical doctor tells this story about himself when he was a youth.
He was a medical student in the Army Specialized Training Corps in 1945 when the Second World War came to a close. He was from a poor family that did not have the kind of money that he needed in order to complete medical school on his own. So when he was discharged out of the army, he had absolutely no idea as to how he will ever finish his schooling, if indeed he will ever finish it at all.
One day he happened to pick up a copy of a magazine while he was sitting inside a barber’s shop. One of the articles in the magazine talked about the kindness and compassion of Eleanor Roosevelt, whose husband, the late President Franklin Roosevelt had passed away only a few months ago.
That particular article in the magazine planted the seed of an idea into Fred’s mind. He went off to the local library and with the help of the librarian found Mrs. Roosevelt’s home address. He got home, sat down and wrote a letter to her, telling her about his problems. He wrote it and rewrote the letter until he had the letter written exactly the way that he wanted it.
When he put the letter in an envelope and deposits it into the mailbox, even his young wife wondered whether the effort was worth the time and the postage stamp that Fred spent on the letter.
Much to Fred’s surprise, Mrs. Roosevelt sent him a letter agreeing to a meeting with him. At the end of the meeting, she gave him her promise to help him. In the months and years of his study, Fred regularly received checks from Mrs. Roosevelt. Fred in turn, kept her informed of his progress and sent her copies of all of his term papers. Her secretary later on said that Mrs. Roosevelt always read Fred’s letters and reports with great interest.
Later on, Mrs. Roosevelt even paid the couple a visit in their sparsely furnished flat. The landlord of the flat nearly had a heart attack when he recognized their famous visitor.
When Fred finally finishes Medical School from Yale University, he told Mrs. Roosevelt that he did not know as to how he would ever be able to repay her. She told him that repayment was not necessary, nor does she want any repayment. Then she told him that she will be adequately repaid, if when one day, after he becomes financially secured, he will help out someone who is truly deserving of help, as he was.
Doctor Fred Collier reached out for help and he received it. So did the blind Bartimaeus. They both reached out for help from someone whom they knew could help them in their respective situations. They reached out to someone they hoped and prayed would help.
It is a very difficult thing to do, this act of asking for help. A very difficult thing, a very humbling thing, but there are times in our lives when each and every one of us will need help from someone. There are times when we must turn to other people and to God for help or else we will perish.
The good news is that there is absolutely no situation in life that is so bad that someone cannot help us with it, that someone cannot help us to overcome such a situation. Or at least to bear it with a hope and strength that will transforms it, and us as a result completely.
And even if it is a situation where we cannot go to someone else for that help that we so desperately needed, there is no situation where we cannot go to God for help and still find the help that we needed so badly.
God does not always answer our prayers in the way or manner that we had in mind, but God will always answer our prayers in a way that is appropriate to the situation. God will always give to us what we need, and God will always give us the strength to bear what we must bear and to bear it so well that our world will changes because of it.
This is the lesson of the Garden of Gethsemane and of every dark night of the soul. It is also the lesson of the cross and of the tomb and of all the sufferings that God may ask us to bear.
It is what lies behind all transformation that matters. What lies behind Easter, what lies behind new life, eternal life, and an abundant and rich life.
Jesus told us that seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. Ask and you shall receive. These are all promises of our Lord, Jesus Christ; promises that He kept time and time again in His walk upon this earth with us. Those are promises that he keeps from heaven as he intercedes for us before the throne of God.
Many Bible commentators who commented on today’s Scripture readings from the Gospel of mark commented on how the blind Bartimeaus could see more than many people who have good eyes can see with their sight.
When I was preparing for today’s sermon, I was struck by this. I am struck by this because I know just how easy it is for anyone to be blind to Christ. I know just how easy that we can ignore His presence when I am struggling with some problems or caught up in some situation or other that is hurting me and also hurting someone else. I know the faith that it takes in order to ask God for help; the courage that it takes in order to go to someone and confess your need to them; and the vision that it will require in order to admit your blindness and to beg them for help when deep inside you, there is a voice telling to keep quite about your problems.
But what really strikes me even more about the blind Bartimeaus is not that he not only saw Jesus as the one who could help him and had the faith to ask Jesus for that help. It was that after Jesus helped him and told him to go on his own way, that he had the faith to follow Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God can and definitely help you with your problems, as He helped me all those years with my problems, no matter how big or how small your problem is, He is never too busy to help. From my own experiences I know that His word will give you the wisdom and the insight that you will need when you feel lost.
Our Lord, Jesus Christ will always reach out and touch you when you call upon Him for His help, and that He will always give you your rest when you seek it from Him. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength that you needed when you waited upon the Holy Sprit and will guide you and lead you when you turn to the Spirit for help and guidance.
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit will do all this freely for you, without demanding that you do anything special in return or that you need to be someone special, for every one of you are special in God’s sight.
God will help every one of us, just as Eleanor Roosevelt helped Dr. Fred Collier. God will help us in many and various ways – sometimes through other people, sometimes directly within your hearts, and always helping us without any expectation of return or repayment of any kind.
After He help those who have had the faith to turn to Him for help, Jesus almost always tell them, as He said to Bartimeaus, “go – your faith has made you well.”
What a wonderful thing it is, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if and when we have the faith to ask, we, like Bartimeaus, also have the faith to follow Jesus and to learn to do for other people what has been done for us.
Never be afraid to ask for help. Do not be afraid to turn to your friends and your neighbours and share your needs; and most important of all, do not be afraid to turn to God, who alone can help you when nobody else can.
Do not be afraid to ask, and after asking – in perfect freedom – pass on what you have received, and follow the one who gives the entire all He has for you.
Praise be to God for the salvation He grants us through Jesus Christ our Lord, brother, our friend, and our servant. Amen.
I would imagine that at one time Bartimeaus, the blind beggar who sat by the roadside, have eyes that could see. His life would have been full of light, and one can also assume that it was full of hope at the time.
However, something unfortunate must have happened to him – and he ended up being unable to see – and as he has been deprived of the usage of his eyesight – all his options in life collapsed, and he ended up as a beggar, sitting and begging by the roadside, hoping upon hope that somebody passing by would take pity on him, always hoping that somebody would fill up his bowl with food, or that some one will give him a few coins in order for him to purchase the little things in life that everybody needs.
In those ancient days of the first century there was very little sympathy one could expect for the misfortune, for those who are blind and those who are handicapped in any manner. I can say with absolute certainty that Bartimaeus was living a very hard life. In some circles in Israel in those days, there were people who assumed that misfortunes was cause by one’s own fault, and that blindness or handicapped of any nature is always a punishment from God, either for something that they have themselves done or for something that their parents may have done.
In some circles the fact that a person was blind simply meant that the person was a drain on precious resources, in other words, a social liability – best to be ignored – best to be left by the roadside begging. How little things have changed in that respect throughout the centuries!
As Bartimaeus was blind and could not see, he was, in the eyes of many people, not even a human being at all. He became to them only an object, an object to be pitied, or cursed, or to even to be completely ignored.
How many of us present here today, I wonder feel as Bartimeaus must have felted? How many of us present here today feels cut off from the land of the living – being prevented by one reason or another from taking part fully in the life that goes on all around us. How many of us are unable to exercise the options that everybody else seems to be in possession of, feeling hurt and alone, and wondering, wondering if perhaps in some way we do deserve what we are going through right now.
How many of us feel trapped in the life that we are having?
- in the job that we have?
- in the relationships we have?
- in the financial struggles we are having?
How many of us have the feeling that we are not able to break free, to change things, or unable to do anything at all, except dream of how it used to be, or dream of how things should have been?
How many of us, being in this kind of position, do anything about it? How many of us reaches out to other people or to God for help?
How many of us reach out to our friends and neighbours and confide to them of our own feelings, our own needs? How many of us here actually ask our family members for help when help is needed? How many of us even think of reaching out to God and ask Him for His help?
Sometimes we suffer really hard; sometimes we suffer for a very long time, not because the situation we found ourselves in cannot be overcome, but only because we are afraid to ask for help. Often we do not ask for help as we do not want to become a burden to others, or perhaps we do not want to seem weak to other people, or even admit our own weaknesses to our own selves.
I have heard of a woman who will not pray to God for herself, just because she thinks he has much more important things to do than to listen to her.
I have heard of a man who will not tell his own wife as to how much he is hurting inside himself, just because he does not think that she will be interested in his plight, as she already has so many of her own problems to bear.
I know of several people in Hong Kong who will not ask other people for help with their own substance abuse problems, just because they cannot admit to themselves that their problems have become much bigger than they themselves are.
I also know of children who are having a very difficult time dealing with life. They will not ask their parents or their teachers for help, just because they are afraid that they by asking for help, they will either get into trouble, or, even worse, be ignored, if they do ask for help from the adults.
There are times in our lives when we all needed help. There are times in our lifetime when if we are to survive at all, if we are to continue living, if we are go keep on growing, we must turn to other people and to God and ask Him for help in getting what we need.
Doctor Fred Collier, a retired medical doctor tells this story about himself when he was a youth.
He was a medical student in the Army Specialized Training Corps in 1945 when the Second World War came to a close. He was from a poor family that did not have the kind of money that he needed in order to complete medical school on his own. So when he was discharged out of the army, he had absolutely no idea as to how he will ever finish his schooling, if indeed he will ever finish it at all.
One day he happened to pick up a copy of a magazine while he was sitting inside a barber’s shop. One of the articles in the magazine talked about the kindness and compassion of Eleanor Roosevelt, whose husband, the late President Franklin Roosevelt had passed away only a few months ago.
That particular article in the magazine planted the seed of an idea into Fred’s mind. He went off to the local library and with the help of the librarian found Mrs. Roosevelt’s home address. He got home, sat down and wrote a letter to her, telling her about his problems. He wrote it and rewrote the letter until he had the letter written exactly the way that he wanted it.
When he put the letter in an envelope and deposits it into the mailbox, even his young wife wondered whether the effort was worth the time and the postage stamp that Fred spent on the letter.
Much to Fred’s surprise, Mrs. Roosevelt sent him a letter agreeing to a meeting with him. At the end of the meeting, she gave him her promise to help him. In the months and years of his study, Fred regularly received checks from Mrs. Roosevelt. Fred in turn, kept her informed of his progress and sent her copies of all of his term papers. Her secretary later on said that Mrs. Roosevelt always read Fred’s letters and reports with great interest.
Later on, Mrs. Roosevelt even paid the couple a visit in their sparsely furnished flat. The landlord of the flat nearly had a heart attack when he recognized their famous visitor.
When Fred finally finishes Medical School from Yale University, he told Mrs. Roosevelt that he did not know as to how he would ever be able to repay her. She told him that repayment was not necessary, nor does she want any repayment. Then she told him that she will be adequately repaid, if when one day, after he becomes financially secured, he will help out someone who is truly deserving of help, as he was.
Doctor Fred Collier reached out for help and he received it. So did the blind Bartimaeus. They both reached out for help from someone whom they knew could help them in their respective situations. They reached out to someone they hoped and prayed would help.
It is a very difficult thing to do, this act of asking for help. A very difficult thing, a very humbling thing, but there are times in our lives when each and every one of us will need help from someone. There are times when we must turn to other people and to God for help or else we will perish.
The good news is that there is absolutely no situation in life that is so bad that someone cannot help us with it, that someone cannot help us to overcome such a situation. Or at least to bear it with a hope and strength that will transforms it, and us as a result completely.
And even if it is a situation where we cannot go to someone else for that help that we so desperately needed, there is no situation where we cannot go to God for help and still find the help that we needed so badly.
God does not always answer our prayers in the way or manner that we had in mind, but God will always answer our prayers in a way that is appropriate to the situation. God will always give to us what we need, and God will always give us the strength to bear what we must bear and to bear it so well that our world will changes because of it.
This is the lesson of the Garden of Gethsemane and of every dark night of the soul. It is also the lesson of the cross and of the tomb and of all the sufferings that God may ask us to bear.
It is what lies behind all transformation that matters. What lies behind Easter, what lies behind new life, eternal life, and an abundant and rich life.
Jesus told us that seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. Ask and you shall receive. These are all promises of our Lord, Jesus Christ; promises that He kept time and time again in His walk upon this earth with us. Those are promises that he keeps from heaven as he intercedes for us before the throne of God.
Many Bible commentators who commented on today’s Scripture readings from the Gospel of mark commented on how the blind Bartimeaus could see more than many people who have good eyes can see with their sight.
When I was preparing for today’s sermon, I was struck by this. I am struck by this because I know just how easy it is for anyone to be blind to Christ. I know just how easy that we can ignore His presence when I am struggling with some problems or caught up in some situation or other that is hurting me and also hurting someone else. I know the faith that it takes in order to ask God for help; the courage that it takes in order to go to someone and confess your need to them; and the vision that it will require in order to admit your blindness and to beg them for help when deep inside you, there is a voice telling to keep quite about your problems.
But what really strikes me even more about the blind Bartimeaus is not that he not only saw Jesus as the one who could help him and had the faith to ask Jesus for that help. It was that after Jesus helped him and told him to go on his own way, that he had the faith to follow Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God can and definitely help you with your problems, as He helped me all those years with my problems, no matter how big or how small your problem is, He is never too busy to help. From my own experiences I know that His word will give you the wisdom and the insight that you will need when you feel lost.
Our Lord, Jesus Christ will always reach out and touch you when you call upon Him for His help, and that He will always give you your rest when you seek it from Him. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength that you needed when you waited upon the Holy Sprit and will guide you and lead you when you turn to the Spirit for help and guidance.
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit will do all this freely for you, without demanding that you do anything special in return or that you need to be someone special, for every one of you are special in God’s sight.
God will help every one of us, just as Eleanor Roosevelt helped Dr. Fred Collier. God will help us in many and various ways – sometimes through other people, sometimes directly within your hearts, and always helping us without any expectation of return or repayment of any kind.
After He help those who have had the faith to turn to Him for help, Jesus almost always tell them, as He said to Bartimeaus, “go – your faith has made you well.”
What a wonderful thing it is, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if and when we have the faith to ask, we, like Bartimeaus, also have the faith to follow Jesus and to learn to do for other people what has been done for us.
Never be afraid to ask for help. Do not be afraid to turn to your friends and your neighbours and share your needs; and most important of all, do not be afraid to turn to God, who alone can help you when nobody else can.
Do not be afraid to ask, and after asking – in perfect freedom – pass on what you have received, and follow the one who gives the entire all He has for you.
Praise be to God for the salvation He grants us through Jesus Christ our Lord, brother, our friend, and our servant. Amen.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Gen 37:3-4
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him." Gen 37:3-4
Joseph wasn't the problem so much as Israel's reaction to him. Israel lavished upon his youngest (at that time) son. He "loved him more that all his sons." I suppose there was some just cause. He was the last born son of Israel's favorite wife (that's another story). He gave Joseph all the advantages. While he dressed the other sons well, he made Joseph special clothes. It's like buying most of your children clothes from the Salvation Army Family Stores, (a charitable shop run by the Salvation Army here in Hong Kong) while buying your favorite child only designer garments from the fanciest stores in town.
It will always cause problems. Joseph's brothers were jealous - and rightfully so. (You could say they had "older brother syndrome" - "you never killed a fatted calf for me!") They already had a severe disliking for their youngest sibling. Joseph didn't help matters much by relaying his dreams of his prominence to his brothers. Really now, why should they bow down to him? Here's the problem.
If you openly exalt one child over another, you will invariably damage all of them. It's a fact. Look at the trouble that arose from Israel's favoritism. Hatred, distrust, contemplated murder, slavery, imprisonment, suffering, loss, lying. All of these things resulted from this misplaced "love." Sure, good came of it.
Joseph survived the suffering. Israel survived the loss of his favorite son. Murder was avoided because reason prevailed. The family was ultimately saved because of Joseph. That doesn't mean all the decisions were right - all that happened was the way God wanted it. But it worked out.
Parents, I encourage you to learn from Israel's error. Do your best to treat all your children equally - give them all the love they need. Don't squander your love on one at the expense of the others. Israel would probably be the first to tell you that the suffering, the pain, of this mistake is severe. It is better to love all and have all than to love one over the other and lose all.
This advice can apply to many other situations as well. Teachers, take note. Preachers, take note. Employers, take note. All of us need to take note and avoid this pitfall. It leads to trouble. Amen and Amen.
Joseph wasn't the problem so much as Israel's reaction to him. Israel lavished upon his youngest (at that time) son. He "loved him more that all his sons." I suppose there was some just cause. He was the last born son of Israel's favorite wife (that's another story). He gave Joseph all the advantages. While he dressed the other sons well, he made Joseph special clothes. It's like buying most of your children clothes from the Salvation Army Family Stores, (a charitable shop run by the Salvation Army here in Hong Kong) while buying your favorite child only designer garments from the fanciest stores in town.
It will always cause problems. Joseph's brothers were jealous - and rightfully so. (You could say they had "older brother syndrome" - "you never killed a fatted calf for me!") They already had a severe disliking for their youngest sibling. Joseph didn't help matters much by relaying his dreams of his prominence to his brothers. Really now, why should they bow down to him? Here's the problem.
If you openly exalt one child over another, you will invariably damage all of them. It's a fact. Look at the trouble that arose from Israel's favoritism. Hatred, distrust, contemplated murder, slavery, imprisonment, suffering, loss, lying. All of these things resulted from this misplaced "love." Sure, good came of it.
Joseph survived the suffering. Israel survived the loss of his favorite son. Murder was avoided because reason prevailed. The family was ultimately saved because of Joseph. That doesn't mean all the decisions were right - all that happened was the way God wanted it. But it worked out.
Parents, I encourage you to learn from Israel's error. Do your best to treat all your children equally - give them all the love they need. Don't squander your love on one at the expense of the others. Israel would probably be the first to tell you that the suffering, the pain, of this mistake is severe. It is better to love all and have all than to love one over the other and lose all.
This advice can apply to many other situations as well. Teachers, take note. Preachers, take note. Employers, take note. All of us need to take note and avoid this pitfall. It leads to trouble. Amen and Amen.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Psalm 68:6
"God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land." Psalm 68:6
It's all about love. That's the sum total of the human experience. Of course we define love in many different ways, but when it comes down to it, we are all looking for the same thing - a love that passes understanding - one that is pure and satisfying beyond description. It's beyond the physical, though that is were many stop in their search. The physical is simply a shallow imitation if what we all desire. We want that eternal love, one that transcends time and space. There is only one place to find that kind of love - in the Father's arms.
The prodigal son found that out. When he was in the pig sty (a rough place for a young Jewish boy), he knew that what he had experienced, what he thought was love, was nothing. When the money was gone, the love was gone. He realized that his father's servants felt more love than he did. He would have been satisfied with the love his father gave the servants.
Still, when he approached home, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and gave that lost son all that he wanted and needed. The prodigal found perfect love in the arms of his father.
David says that God places the lonely in a family. The lonely, like the prodigal, have mostly given up on ever finding perfect love. They have convinced themselves that second or third best or none at all in the love category is all they are worthy of.
But the Father has other plans. He wants to give them all that He has for them. He desires above all else to provide perfect love - His love. All they have to do is start out for home and the Father will come running to them. Perhaps you know of some lonely people. Do you shun them, or do you give them love? Do you cross the street and tell your children to look the other way, or do you feed them? How do you look at the homeless, the downtrodden, the poor, the filthy, the addict? They are people that Jesus died for. If God was willing to pay that price, don't you think you should be able to give them some of the Father's love - share the love He has freely given you? Don't be stingy with your love, give it away! The Father will give you much more in return - guaranteed! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
It's all about love. That's the sum total of the human experience. Of course we define love in many different ways, but when it comes down to it, we are all looking for the same thing - a love that passes understanding - one that is pure and satisfying beyond description. It's beyond the physical, though that is were many stop in their search. The physical is simply a shallow imitation if what we all desire. We want that eternal love, one that transcends time and space. There is only one place to find that kind of love - in the Father's arms.
The prodigal son found that out. When he was in the pig sty (a rough place for a young Jewish boy), he knew that what he had experienced, what he thought was love, was nothing. When the money was gone, the love was gone. He realized that his father's servants felt more love than he did. He would have been satisfied with the love his father gave the servants.
Still, when he approached home, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and gave that lost son all that he wanted and needed. The prodigal found perfect love in the arms of his father.
David says that God places the lonely in a family. The lonely, like the prodigal, have mostly given up on ever finding perfect love. They have convinced themselves that second or third best or none at all in the love category is all they are worthy of.
But the Father has other plans. He wants to give them all that He has for them. He desires above all else to provide perfect love - His love. All they have to do is start out for home and the Father will come running to them. Perhaps you know of some lonely people. Do you shun them, or do you give them love? Do you cross the street and tell your children to look the other way, or do you feed them? How do you look at the homeless, the downtrodden, the poor, the filthy, the addict? They are people that Jesus died for. If God was willing to pay that price, don't you think you should be able to give them some of the Father's love - share the love He has freely given you? Don't be stingy with your love, give it away! The Father will give you much more in return - guaranteed! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
2 Corinth 13:5
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified." 2 Corinth 13:5
Some people hate tests. They would cram for them and study the material and could know it inside and out - and still hate tests. Finals are the worst. They usually carried 1/3rd the weight of an entire semester's grade. Do poorly on one of those and you repeated the course. The fear of failure is always present - and we hate failure as much as we hate tests. Still, tests are a necessary evil in the scheme of education. Without them, we would have no incentive to learn. We would never have mastered the dreaded multiplication tables. We would never have studied Shakespeare. We would have totally ignored some subject matter that has proven to be absolutely nonessential for our every day lives.
Tests have helped make me into the man that I am - well rounded (don't laugh about my physical appearance - I mean mentally!) man. Come to think of it, though I used to like tests, I still like them now - of course a high grade is not the issue any more. Success in life is the issue.
Successful Christian living is the issue. And sometimes, the lives of people around me are the issue. All of these are far more important than whether or not I can "ace" the course. Paul tells us to take a test - a self-test. On that exam is one question. "Am I in the faith?" What does that mean? "Am I right with God? Or, have I parted ways with Him?" In all honesty, we are either one or the other. There is no middle ground. It is a black and white question demanding a "yes" or a "no." "Maybe" or "Sometimes" will never do. And the answer we give will indeed shape our lives.
So, how did you do? Now bear in mind that this is not the final for the course. It's only a "pop quiz." If you aren't satisfied with the answer, you can work to change it. You can improve it. Oh, by the way, it's an "open book" exam. You can check your answer against the Word of God - it's always available. You can always bring it to "class" and its yard stick is always accurate. If your answer is not adequate, I hope you will work on it. We never know when the final will come. Amen and Amen.
Some people hate tests. They would cram for them and study the material and could know it inside and out - and still hate tests. Finals are the worst. They usually carried 1/3rd the weight of an entire semester's grade. Do poorly on one of those and you repeated the course. The fear of failure is always present - and we hate failure as much as we hate tests. Still, tests are a necessary evil in the scheme of education. Without them, we would have no incentive to learn. We would never have mastered the dreaded multiplication tables. We would never have studied Shakespeare. We would have totally ignored some subject matter that has proven to be absolutely nonessential for our every day lives.
Tests have helped make me into the man that I am - well rounded (don't laugh about my physical appearance - I mean mentally!) man. Come to think of it, though I used to like tests, I still like them now - of course a high grade is not the issue any more. Success in life is the issue.
Successful Christian living is the issue. And sometimes, the lives of people around me are the issue. All of these are far more important than whether or not I can "ace" the course. Paul tells us to take a test - a self-test. On that exam is one question. "Am I in the faith?" What does that mean? "Am I right with God? Or, have I parted ways with Him?" In all honesty, we are either one or the other. There is no middle ground. It is a black and white question demanding a "yes" or a "no." "Maybe" or "Sometimes" will never do. And the answer we give will indeed shape our lives.
So, how did you do? Now bear in mind that this is not the final for the course. It's only a "pop quiz." If you aren't satisfied with the answer, you can work to change it. You can improve it. Oh, by the way, it's an "open book" exam. You can check your answer against the Word of God - it's always available. You can always bring it to "class" and its yard stick is always accurate. If your answer is not adequate, I hope you will work on it. We never know when the final will come. Amen and Amen.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Psalm 42:1-2
"As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" Psalm 42:1-2
I don't know a lot about deer, so I will talk about camels. Well, actually I don't know a lot about camels - but I've read quite a few books that talk about camels. Camels can smell water several miles away. . . especially after they have been driven through a desert for several days. We all know that camels have an astounding reservoir inside their bodies. This allows them to spend days in the desert without water. Still, when they are running dry, they will run to a distant water hole. Many a desert traveler has been saved by simply holding on to his camel.
Something I do know about is dogs. Dogs spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer. After spending several hours outside the first thing they rush to is the water bowl! It's just natural for animals of all kinds to find water. It is the most elemental of needs for most living creatures. It seems that man is the only living creature who does not long for water naturally. The average person would rather drink a flavored beverage than plain old water. It would serve us well to "pant for water" in a literal way!
David says his desire for God is as strong as a thirsty animal's desire for water. Nothing will stand between him and his God. So should it be for us (though I suspect that if we had to make a choice on a given non-church night we just might choose our favorite TV show.) How thirsty was David for God? How thirsty should we be for God? David wanted to - no anxiously looked forward to - the time he would meet God face to face! How many of us can say that? We need to - no we must desire God above all else. Why? Our very lives depend upon it. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
I don't know a lot about deer, so I will talk about camels. Well, actually I don't know a lot about camels - but I've read quite a few books that talk about camels. Camels can smell water several miles away. . . especially after they have been driven through a desert for several days. We all know that camels have an astounding reservoir inside their bodies. This allows them to spend days in the desert without water. Still, when they are running dry, they will run to a distant water hole. Many a desert traveler has been saved by simply holding on to his camel.
Something I do know about is dogs. Dogs spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer. After spending several hours outside the first thing they rush to is the water bowl! It's just natural for animals of all kinds to find water. It is the most elemental of needs for most living creatures. It seems that man is the only living creature who does not long for water naturally. The average person would rather drink a flavored beverage than plain old water. It would serve us well to "pant for water" in a literal way!
David says his desire for God is as strong as a thirsty animal's desire for water. Nothing will stand between him and his God. So should it be for us (though I suspect that if we had to make a choice on a given non-church night we just might choose our favorite TV show.) How thirsty was David for God? How thirsty should we be for God? David wanted to - no anxiously looked forward to - the time he would meet God face to face! How many of us can say that? We need to - no we must desire God above all else. Why? Our very lives depend upon it. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Proverbs 12:4
"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones." Proverbs 12:4
Everyone wants quality. Most men, if they have to wear a suit, would love to own a custom tailored suit. A suit from the best tailor in town cut to our own body shape would feel wonderful. Unfortunately, most of us can't afford such a garment. Most of us would love to drive a Mercedes Benz or luxury car or sports machine. The feel of fine tooled leather; the power available at the touch of foot to pedal; the exhilaration of such precision machinery must be "out of this world." Unfortunately, most of us drive our old clunkers until they are beyond repair and then buy someone else's cast-off and do it all again.
Most women would love to have the finest jewelry, perhaps a $100,000 diamond ring to go with her luxurious furs and designer clothing. Unfortunately, most of them live on a very small budget. All of life is a trade-off. We desire the best. We settle for the best our money can buy.
Solomon tells his son that the best wife in the world is a treasure worth clinging to. Whatever a man does, wherever he goes, his wife makes him look good. It may not be that she is the most beautiful woman, physically, in the room. It is that she is smooth and secure. Her role is to support her husband. She makes sure he looks good in his clothing. She sees to it that he knows what is happening (after all, we all know that most men are clueless!) and what is soon to happen. She makes her home a palace to be enjoyed by her family. She is frugal in her extravagance. (See finds a way to furnish her home and clothe her family with products that look like they cost a million, and she does it on pennies.)
Yes, we all desire the best our money can buy, and we are proud of what we own.
God is the same way. He has chosen us because He sees in us the excellence He created in us. He sees beyond the zits and flaws and sins. He sees deep into the soul, and He sees not the filth, but the perfection He created and will recreate. God does not make mistakes. Never has. Never will. His desire is that we become His showpiece. Oh, He knows our limitations, he did create us. He knows our flaws. He wept over each one as we inflicted them upon ourselves. But He knows what is yet to come. In many ways He is like a diamond cutter. What I see as a pretty rock, He sees as a brilliant cut diamond. What I see as a flaw, He sees as raw material ready for the Craftsman. What I see as failure, He sees as an opportunity to witness His power and love and grace and mercy.
To God, we are like an "excellent wife." He desires for us to make Him "proud." And, what's more, He gives us the tools, the opportunities, and the experiences to do just that. Are you allowing Him to make you into a "crown jewel"? Amen and Amen.
Everyone wants quality. Most men, if they have to wear a suit, would love to own a custom tailored suit. A suit from the best tailor in town cut to our own body shape would feel wonderful. Unfortunately, most of us can't afford such a garment. Most of us would love to drive a Mercedes Benz or luxury car or sports machine. The feel of fine tooled leather; the power available at the touch of foot to pedal; the exhilaration of such precision machinery must be "out of this world." Unfortunately, most of us drive our old clunkers until they are beyond repair and then buy someone else's cast-off and do it all again.
Most women would love to have the finest jewelry, perhaps a $100,000 diamond ring to go with her luxurious furs and designer clothing. Unfortunately, most of them live on a very small budget. All of life is a trade-off. We desire the best. We settle for the best our money can buy.
Solomon tells his son that the best wife in the world is a treasure worth clinging to. Whatever a man does, wherever he goes, his wife makes him look good. It may not be that she is the most beautiful woman, physically, in the room. It is that she is smooth and secure. Her role is to support her husband. She makes sure he looks good in his clothing. She sees to it that he knows what is happening (after all, we all know that most men are clueless!) and what is soon to happen. She makes her home a palace to be enjoyed by her family. She is frugal in her extravagance. (See finds a way to furnish her home and clothe her family with products that look like they cost a million, and she does it on pennies.)
Yes, we all desire the best our money can buy, and we are proud of what we own.
God is the same way. He has chosen us because He sees in us the excellence He created in us. He sees beyond the zits and flaws and sins. He sees deep into the soul, and He sees not the filth, but the perfection He created and will recreate. God does not make mistakes. Never has. Never will. His desire is that we become His showpiece. Oh, He knows our limitations, he did create us. He knows our flaws. He wept over each one as we inflicted them upon ourselves. But He knows what is yet to come. In many ways He is like a diamond cutter. What I see as a pretty rock, He sees as a brilliant cut diamond. What I see as a flaw, He sees as raw material ready for the Craftsman. What I see as failure, He sees as an opportunity to witness His power and love and grace and mercy.
To God, we are like an "excellent wife." He desires for us to make Him "proud." And, what's more, He gives us the tools, the opportunities, and the experiences to do just that. Are you allowing Him to make you into a "crown jewel"? Amen and Amen.
Monday, February 14, 2011
James 2:18
"But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" James 2:18
When my son Edward was just a toddler, I would stand him up on the table and call for him to jump from the table into my arms. Did Edward believe I would catch him? Yes. How did I know he believed? Because he jumped. Suppose he wouldn't jump. "Do you believe I will catch you, Edward?" I might coax, and he may nod yes. But if he never jumps, does he really believe I will catch him? No. Faith is active, not passive. Faith takes a stand. Faith makes a move. Faith speaks up.
There are a lot of Christians who claim to have great faith in God but are spiritually lethargic and don't do anything. Faith without action is not faith; it's dead, meaningless (James 2:17, 18)! If it isn't expressed, it isn't faith. In order to believe God and His Word, we must do what He says. If you don't do what He says, you don't really believe Him. Faith and action are inseparable.
Sadly, one of the common pictures of the church today is of a group of people with an assumed faith but little action. We're thankful that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us, but we're basically cowering in fear and defeat in the world, just hanging on until the rapture. We treat the church as if it's a hospital. We get together to compare wounds and hold each other's hands, yearning for Jesus to come take us away.
The church is not a hospital; it's a military outpost under orders to storm the gates of hell. Every believer is on active duty, called to take part in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, 20). Thankfully the church has an infirmary where we can minister to the weak and wounded, and that ministry is necessary. But our real purpose is to be change agents in the world, taking a stand, living by faith, and accomplishing something for God. You can say you believe God and His Word. But if you are not actively involved in His plan, are you really a mature believer? Amen and Amen.
When my son Edward was just a toddler, I would stand him up on the table and call for him to jump from the table into my arms. Did Edward believe I would catch him? Yes. How did I know he believed? Because he jumped. Suppose he wouldn't jump. "Do you believe I will catch you, Edward?" I might coax, and he may nod yes. But if he never jumps, does he really believe I will catch him? No. Faith is active, not passive. Faith takes a stand. Faith makes a move. Faith speaks up.
There are a lot of Christians who claim to have great faith in God but are spiritually lethargic and don't do anything. Faith without action is not faith; it's dead, meaningless (James 2:17, 18)! If it isn't expressed, it isn't faith. In order to believe God and His Word, we must do what He says. If you don't do what He says, you don't really believe Him. Faith and action are inseparable.
Sadly, one of the common pictures of the church today is of a group of people with an assumed faith but little action. We're thankful that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us, but we're basically cowering in fear and defeat in the world, just hanging on until the rapture. We treat the church as if it's a hospital. We get together to compare wounds and hold each other's hands, yearning for Jesus to come take us away.
The church is not a hospital; it's a military outpost under orders to storm the gates of hell. Every believer is on active duty, called to take part in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, 20). Thankfully the church has an infirmary where we can minister to the weak and wounded, and that ministry is necessary. But our real purpose is to be change agents in the world, taking a stand, living by faith, and accomplishing something for God. You can say you believe God and His Word. But if you are not actively involved in His plan, are you really a mature believer? Amen and Amen.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37
BLESS THOU, THE WORDS OF MY LIPS AND THE MEDITATIONS OF OUR HEARTS THAT THEY BE OF PROFIT TO US AND ACCEPTABLE TO THEE, OH OUR ROCK AND OUR REDEEMER. AMEN
One day Abraham invited a beggar to his tent for a meal.
When grace was being said, the man began to curse God, declaring that he could not bear to hear his name.
Seized with indignation, Abraham drove the blasphemer away.
When he was at his prayers that night, God said to him, "This man has cursed and reviled me for fifty years, and yet I have given him food to eat every day. Could you not put up with him for a single meal?"
On this day I want to tell you simply this - love each other.
Love each other - not with the love that depends on chemistry, mood, and feelings - nor even with the love that depends on the behaviour of others, but love each other with the kind of love that Christ refers to in today's reading from the Sermon on the Mount.
You know the kind of love I mean - it is the love that goes beyond what seems right according to the letter of the law,, and enters into the Spirit of what God wants for us, the love that enters into feeding others, into healing others, into showing grace to others, into giving peace to others, the love that values others, regardless of who they are or what they have or have not done.
.
Someone once caught WC Fields reading the Bible. "What are you doing?" asked the person. "Looking for loopholes.", growled Fields.
With love - my friends - there is no loophole, no escape hatch, no clauses that say the deal can be revoked if this or that condition is not met.
Love is total - it is unconditional - or it is not love at all.
Think of the words of Jesus we heard read a few minutes ago. They were words addressed to a people used to compromising - to altering love's demands as they are found in the law of God so that those demands would be easier to fulfill.
You have heard it was said you shall not murder - but I say to you that if you are angry with your brother or sister - you will be liable to judgement."
"You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery, but I tell you that everyone who looks with lust at another has already committed adultery..."
"You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbours, but I say to you, love your enemies. and pray for those who persecute you..."
There are no loopholes to found in Jesus' words. No compromises. No deals. No escape hatches.
What Jesus does is crystallize the issues involved in loving God and our neighbours so that we can know - without doubt - just where we stand, and exactly what we need to aim for.
Think about where you stand for a minute - Think about how you love others and ask yourself - is my love up to the standards set by Christ?
If you haven't killed someone - who have you called a fool? What emotion did you pour out upon him or her when you became angry with them? If you haven't committed adultery - and felt good about this - consider what you have wanted to do.......- Or consider who holds a grudge against you because of something you did - something for which you have not apologized? - Or again - what promises and vows have you broken and then justified yourself in doing so? - When was the last time you criticized immigrants for stealing all the jobs in this country, or expressed your dislike for the person who took the promotion that belonged to you?
Perhaps these are poor examples - but most of us you know love only our friends and our family - and we are not sure about our family at times....
We greet those who greet us. We do good to those who do good to us. We lend to those who will pay back. We welcome those who welcome us.
As for everyone else - well - if asked, most of us have a reason for what we do, and an excuse for what we do not do.
What we aim for as Christians - is to break through the limitations of our excuses, we aim to destroy all reasons that we might offer to treat one person as less than another and to enter into relationships with each other that are based upon our equality before God.
An old pilgrim was making his way to the Himalayan Mountains in the bitter cold of winter when it began to rain.
An inn keeper said to him, "How will you ever get there in this kind of weather my good man?"
The old man answered cheerfully - "My heart got there first, so it's easy for the rest of me to follow."
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we can meet all the demands of love that are expressed in the law in one way - and only in one way - we can do so if we our hearts go there first.
Today I urge you - let your hearts go - love God and love each other as deeply as you can.
When you do - you will find, no matter how many mistakes you may make on the way, that goodness and blessedness will blossom along your path, and all that God has planned will come to pass. Amen.
One day Abraham invited a beggar to his tent for a meal.
When grace was being said, the man began to curse God, declaring that he could not bear to hear his name.
Seized with indignation, Abraham drove the blasphemer away.
When he was at his prayers that night, God said to him, "This man has cursed and reviled me for fifty years, and yet I have given him food to eat every day. Could you not put up with him for a single meal?"
On this day I want to tell you simply this - love each other.
Love each other - not with the love that depends on chemistry, mood, and feelings - nor even with the love that depends on the behaviour of others, but love each other with the kind of love that Christ refers to in today's reading from the Sermon on the Mount.
You know the kind of love I mean - it is the love that goes beyond what seems right according to the letter of the law,, and enters into the Spirit of what God wants for us, the love that enters into feeding others, into healing others, into showing grace to others, into giving peace to others, the love that values others, regardless of who they are or what they have or have not done.
.
Someone once caught WC Fields reading the Bible. "What are you doing?" asked the person. "Looking for loopholes.", growled Fields.
With love - my friends - there is no loophole, no escape hatch, no clauses that say the deal can be revoked if this or that condition is not met.
Love is total - it is unconditional - or it is not love at all.
Think of the words of Jesus we heard read a few minutes ago. They were words addressed to a people used to compromising - to altering love's demands as they are found in the law of God so that those demands would be easier to fulfill.
You have heard it was said you shall not murder - but I say to you that if you are angry with your brother or sister - you will be liable to judgement."
"You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery, but I tell you that everyone who looks with lust at another has already committed adultery..."
"You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbours, but I say to you, love your enemies. and pray for those who persecute you..."
There are no loopholes to found in Jesus' words. No compromises. No deals. No escape hatches.
What Jesus does is crystallize the issues involved in loving God and our neighbours so that we can know - without doubt - just where we stand, and exactly what we need to aim for.
Think about where you stand for a minute - Think about how you love others and ask yourself - is my love up to the standards set by Christ?
If you haven't killed someone - who have you called a fool? What emotion did you pour out upon him or her when you became angry with them? If you haven't committed adultery - and felt good about this - consider what you have wanted to do.......- Or consider who holds a grudge against you because of something you did - something for which you have not apologized? - Or again - what promises and vows have you broken and then justified yourself in doing so? - When was the last time you criticized immigrants for stealing all the jobs in this country, or expressed your dislike for the person who took the promotion that belonged to you?
Perhaps these are poor examples - but most of us you know love only our friends and our family - and we are not sure about our family at times....
We greet those who greet us. We do good to those who do good to us. We lend to those who will pay back. We welcome those who welcome us.
As for everyone else - well - if asked, most of us have a reason for what we do, and an excuse for what we do not do.
What we aim for as Christians - is to break through the limitations of our excuses, we aim to destroy all reasons that we might offer to treat one person as less than another and to enter into relationships with each other that are based upon our equality before God.
An old pilgrim was making his way to the Himalayan Mountains in the bitter cold of winter when it began to rain.
An inn keeper said to him, "How will you ever get there in this kind of weather my good man?"
The old man answered cheerfully - "My heart got there first, so it's easy for the rest of me to follow."
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we can meet all the demands of love that are expressed in the law in one way - and only in one way - we can do so if we our hearts go there first.
Today I urge you - let your hearts go - love God and love each other as deeply as you can.
When you do - you will find, no matter how many mistakes you may make on the way, that goodness and blessedness will blossom along your path, and all that God has planned will come to pass. Amen.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Jonah 1:3
"But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD" Jonah 1:3
Don't tell me you've never done it. We all have at some time or another. Most likely we've done it quite recently. Running from the Lord is a common human condition.
Jonah did it in a royal way. He was ordered to Nineveh. He ran for a ship. That would be fine - if Nineveh were on the sea shore - but that lovely, enemy community was landlocked! Running for a ship was not in God's plans. However, God had made plans for Jonah's disobedience. He provided a ship, a storm and a prize winning fish - and Jonah was the bait!
Of course we know what happened to Jonah. It is said by those who have found people who lived in the belly of a great fish - yes, there are numerous historical accounts of this in modern times - that the swallowee is bleached white by the stomach acids of said swallower. What a sight Jonah must have been when he finally strolled into Nineveh - a pure white man, smelling of fish, shouting "Repent or die!"
I can personally testify that I have never been swallowed by a great fish though I have run from doing the will of God. Sometimes I almost wish I had met a great big fish. The lesson may have been easier to learn. Then again it might not have been because Jonah was a tough student. Though he did the will of the Father, he did it without conviction and enthusiasm. Still, the work was done and the desired results were achieved.
Are you running from God? Is He telling you to do something that you don't desire to do? Have you fled for a ship when a camel would be more appropriate? May I suggest that you stop where you are, turn around and head for the nearest used camel dealer, lay your money down, and ask directions for your Nineveh. I won't ask. I won't even suggest it. I strongly urge you to do it. Remember, your fish may chew his food a little more thoroughly than Jonah's! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Don't tell me you've never done it. We all have at some time or another. Most likely we've done it quite recently. Running from the Lord is a common human condition.
Jonah did it in a royal way. He was ordered to Nineveh. He ran for a ship. That would be fine - if Nineveh were on the sea shore - but that lovely, enemy community was landlocked! Running for a ship was not in God's plans. However, God had made plans for Jonah's disobedience. He provided a ship, a storm and a prize winning fish - and Jonah was the bait!
Of course we know what happened to Jonah. It is said by those who have found people who lived in the belly of a great fish - yes, there are numerous historical accounts of this in modern times - that the swallowee is bleached white by the stomach acids of said swallower. What a sight Jonah must have been when he finally strolled into Nineveh - a pure white man, smelling of fish, shouting "Repent or die!"
I can personally testify that I have never been swallowed by a great fish though I have run from doing the will of God. Sometimes I almost wish I had met a great big fish. The lesson may have been easier to learn. Then again it might not have been because Jonah was a tough student. Though he did the will of the Father, he did it without conviction and enthusiasm. Still, the work was done and the desired results were achieved.
Are you running from God? Is He telling you to do something that you don't desire to do? Have you fled for a ship when a camel would be more appropriate? May I suggest that you stop where you are, turn around and head for the nearest used camel dealer, lay your money down, and ask directions for your Nineveh. I won't ask. I won't even suggest it. I strongly urge you to do it. Remember, your fish may chew his food a little more thoroughly than Jonah's! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Jonah 1:17-2:1
"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly" Jonah 1:17-2:1
Ok, so you didn't listen yesterday - or it was already too late. Now you're in the belly of some great fish. It's dark, it stinks, it's wet and your skin burns a bit with the bleaching acids. Now what are you going to do?
Jonah prayed! Not surprising, is it? Someone said there are no atheists in a fox hole. I imagine that is more true in the stomach of some great big deep diving fish. What did he pray? "I'M SORRY GOD!" was probably a good, simple translation. He asked for forgiveness. He praised God. He turned his face towards the Temple (but I have no idea how he knew which direction to twist!) and worshipped (how in the world did he get his hands over his head?) Then the fish became sick of the whole thing and at God's command belched Jonah up on the shore.
If you are in the belly of that fish, don't you think a bit of prayer might be advisable? What are you going to pray? Some would say, "God, how could you possibly let this happen to me? I'm your best man (or woman). You can't get along without me. Sure I messed up - but this? Do you really think I deserve this?" Making deals with God is probably not the best thing to do in this situation. After all, you did go against Him. That's how you got on the ship to start with. You did run. That's why God sent the storm. You did confess you were at fault. That's why God prepared the fish - he could have let you drown, you know. Did you deserve what you got? NO WAY! You deserved a whole lot worse!
"OK. I'll ask for forgiveness. I'll tell God I was wrong. I'll worship Him for who He is - the almighty God. I'll even thank Him for loving me enough to send this stinking fish." That's good. Do you really mean it? Yes? Good. Ah, yes. The fish has turned east. Your ears pop with the lessening of the pressure on them. You hear the muffled sound of surf through the sides of the fish ----- whoa! You didn't know the fish was that sick of you! You hit the ground - running I hope! Amen and Amen.
Ok, so you didn't listen yesterday - or it was already too late. Now you're in the belly of some great fish. It's dark, it stinks, it's wet and your skin burns a bit with the bleaching acids. Now what are you going to do?
Jonah prayed! Not surprising, is it? Someone said there are no atheists in a fox hole. I imagine that is more true in the stomach of some great big deep diving fish. What did he pray? "I'M SORRY GOD!" was probably a good, simple translation. He asked for forgiveness. He praised God. He turned his face towards the Temple (but I have no idea how he knew which direction to twist!) and worshipped (how in the world did he get his hands over his head?) Then the fish became sick of the whole thing and at God's command belched Jonah up on the shore.
If you are in the belly of that fish, don't you think a bit of prayer might be advisable? What are you going to pray? Some would say, "God, how could you possibly let this happen to me? I'm your best man (or woman). You can't get along without me. Sure I messed up - but this? Do you really think I deserve this?" Making deals with God is probably not the best thing to do in this situation. After all, you did go against Him. That's how you got on the ship to start with. You did run. That's why God sent the storm. You did confess you were at fault. That's why God prepared the fish - he could have let you drown, you know. Did you deserve what you got? NO WAY! You deserved a whole lot worse!
"OK. I'll ask for forgiveness. I'll tell God I was wrong. I'll worship Him for who He is - the almighty God. I'll even thank Him for loving me enough to send this stinking fish." That's good. Do you really mean it? Yes? Good. Ah, yes. The fish has turned east. Your ears pop with the lessening of the pressure on them. You hear the muffled sound of surf through the sides of the fish ----- whoa! You didn't know the fish was that sick of you! You hit the ground - running I hope! Amen and Amen.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Jonah 3:2
"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." Jonah 3:2
So Jonah headed for Nineveh. He still wasn't happy about it. If we could have heard his proclamation of the Word of God, I suspect it would have been without power and authority. The only thing is, God's Word cannot be preached without returning a harvest - and God provided an instant harvest in Nineveh. The people who heard Jonah proclaim "Repent or die," repented, dressed themselves in sack cloth, and dusted themselves with ashes of remorse. In a matter of days the Word passed throughout a city so great that it took three days to walk from one end to another. Finally the Word reached the throne room of the king of Nineveh. He too repented! Imagine. A whole city won to God in days.
So Jonah rejoiced, right? Hardly. He looked to God and said, "I told you this is what would happen. Now you can't destroy the city!" Jonah wanted a great big fireball to consume the city. He wanted the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. He was disappointed that it did not happen! Certainly we are not like Jonah. We would never preach a half-hearted sermon to a people we hated - or would we? Even better, have we? Sorrowfully, I admit that there are those I would rather have not shared the Truth of salvation with. There are those I have crossed the street to avoid. Some received the Word willingly - others never heard because I never spoke! Indeed, there may be some who never heard before their death because I was God's final choice!
With this in mind, I must call upon you to hear the Gospel. Jesus died for you. His blood cleanses you and me from all sin - and we are all sinners. We have all failed to live up to God's expectations. We have all failed to live up to our own expectations. No matter what standard you use to measure success, we have missed it in one way or another. But you do not have to live in your sinful condition. You do not have to die a sinners death - separated from God. All you need to do is call upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell Him you are a sinner. Confess to Him that you have failed. Ask Him to forgive you. Accept the forgiveness that He so willingly gives. He will save you. He will redeem you and set you free. Then He will lead you in everything you need to do. Sure, you're not a Ninevite. You may not be an unbeliever. But if you are, today is your opportunity to find the freedom that comes through salvation in Jesus Christ! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
So Jonah headed for Nineveh. He still wasn't happy about it. If we could have heard his proclamation of the Word of God, I suspect it would have been without power and authority. The only thing is, God's Word cannot be preached without returning a harvest - and God provided an instant harvest in Nineveh. The people who heard Jonah proclaim "Repent or die," repented, dressed themselves in sack cloth, and dusted themselves with ashes of remorse. In a matter of days the Word passed throughout a city so great that it took three days to walk from one end to another. Finally the Word reached the throne room of the king of Nineveh. He too repented! Imagine. A whole city won to God in days.
So Jonah rejoiced, right? Hardly. He looked to God and said, "I told you this is what would happen. Now you can't destroy the city!" Jonah wanted a great big fireball to consume the city. He wanted the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. He was disappointed that it did not happen! Certainly we are not like Jonah. We would never preach a half-hearted sermon to a people we hated - or would we? Even better, have we? Sorrowfully, I admit that there are those I would rather have not shared the Truth of salvation with. There are those I have crossed the street to avoid. Some received the Word willingly - others never heard because I never spoke! Indeed, there may be some who never heard before their death because I was God's final choice!
With this in mind, I must call upon you to hear the Gospel. Jesus died for you. His blood cleanses you and me from all sin - and we are all sinners. We have all failed to live up to God's expectations. We have all failed to live up to our own expectations. No matter what standard you use to measure success, we have missed it in one way or another. But you do not have to live in your sinful condition. You do not have to die a sinners death - separated from God. All you need to do is call upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell Him you are a sinner. Confess to Him that you have failed. Ask Him to forgive you. Accept the forgiveness that He so willingly gives. He will save you. He will redeem you and set you free. Then He will lead you in everything you need to do. Sure, you're not a Ninevite. You may not be an unbeliever. But if you are, today is your opportunity to find the freedom that comes through salvation in Jesus Christ! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Psalms 103:13-14
"As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" Psalms 103:13-14
Wouldn't it be a scary thing if our God was not compassionate? Could you imagine the fear we would live in if our God were mean like the false gods? You borrow a penny from your wife's purse without her knowing. Is it stealing? Will God strike you with lightning - or worse yet - a lingering fatal illness? You say an angry, hateful thing to your mother. Do you duck for fear of some celestial punishment? Talking about living in fear, that would do it.
Fortunately our God had great compassion on those of us who have a healthy fear of Him. That fear is a healthy respect for, not a breath wrong and you die type of fear. Because of this great love, we live in peace knowing that forgiveness is always available should we sin.
Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten that God can be a severe judge. We take for granted that He will love us no matter what. We have not seen an Ananias and Saphira type of incident in our churches lately. So what is there to fear. We can neither see God nor feel Him nor hear Him with an audible voice. This all gives rise to the question "Does he really exist? And even if He does, is He really interested in what I do?" Sure, we never really ask those questions. But we all too often live like we did. Think about it. What do you really think about God? Who is He really? What is your real relationship with Him? Do you really know Him?
Do you really care about what He says? I urge you to honestly answer these questions. If you do, you may be surprised about how much you have to grow in your spiritual life. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Wouldn't it be a scary thing if our God was not compassionate? Could you imagine the fear we would live in if our God were mean like the false gods? You borrow a penny from your wife's purse without her knowing. Is it stealing? Will God strike you with lightning - or worse yet - a lingering fatal illness? You say an angry, hateful thing to your mother. Do you duck for fear of some celestial punishment? Talking about living in fear, that would do it.
Fortunately our God had great compassion on those of us who have a healthy fear of Him. That fear is a healthy respect for, not a breath wrong and you die type of fear. Because of this great love, we live in peace knowing that forgiveness is always available should we sin.
Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten that God can be a severe judge. We take for granted that He will love us no matter what. We have not seen an Ananias and Saphira type of incident in our churches lately. So what is there to fear. We can neither see God nor feel Him nor hear Him with an audible voice. This all gives rise to the question "Does he really exist? And even if He does, is He really interested in what I do?" Sure, we never really ask those questions. But we all too often live like we did. Think about it. What do you really think about God? Who is He really? What is your real relationship with Him? Do you really know Him?
Do you really care about what He says? I urge you to honestly answer these questions. If you do, you may be surprised about how much you have to grow in your spiritual life. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Ex. 4:1-2
"Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'" So the LORD said to him,"What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." Ex. 4:1-2
When Moses asked God, "How will the people know you have sent me to them?" God asked Moses a simple, yet profound question : "What do you have in your hand?"All Moses had was a staff. Yet that staff became a snake. That staff opened the Red Sea. That staff brought water from a rock. That staff did many things.Why? Was there something magical about the staff? No,that staff was powerful because God had put it into Moses' hand and Moses was willing to give it back to God for ministry.
Throughout scripture we see humble possessions used for great things: a slingshot in the hands of a shepherd,a cloak in the hands of a prophet, a box of ointment in the hands of a repentant woman, a few loaves and fishes in the hands of a generous boy. When touched by God, all of these simple items fell giants, opened rivers, taught lessons and fed a multitude. There was nothing special about the objects themselves. They were but material possessions. They carried no inherent eternal value. Each of them would perish over time. But when they were given to God in humble submission to Him, He did great things through them.
What do you have in your hand today? Do you have a skill? Can you write stories, sing songs, create art,bake food? Give your skill to God and see what He cando with it. Do you have a computer, a car, a lawn mower,a set of books, a musical instrument? Put these things in God's hands and see what miracles he can perform with them. Do you have money, personality, position or authority? See what God can do with you and through you when you give it all to him. Do you have sorrow,pain, a broken heart? You may be surprised to learn that even these things God can take and transform into ministry tools. Perhaps, they may be the most powerful tools, He is able to use.
When we place whatever we have in God's hands, a miracle happens. He takes and transforms it. He makes it more powerful, more dynamic than it was when it was in your hand. The staff had to be cast down, the stone had to be released from the sling, the alabaster box had to be broken, the loaves and fishes had to be given away for the miracle to occur. But in each case, these simple objects became more than they were. They became a snake,a giant-killer, a feast for thousands, and a fragrant lesson which permeates the pages of God's word to this very day.
I am reminded of the story of the great concert violinis and composer Paganini. One day the maestro was giving a concert and, according to the story, a string broke. The great man simply transposed the music and continued playing on three strings. Then as if that wasn't bad enough a second string broke. Again he simply continued playing on two strings.When the third string broke, Paganini stopped playing for just a few seconds and said, "One string and Paganini and finished the concert.
You may feel like you have little to offer God. But if you take whatever He has put in your hand and give it back to him, you will find that with just "one string and Jesus" you can create something beautiful for his Glory.
Lord, keep me focused today on what I have in my hand which can be used for your glory. Amen and Amen.
When Moses asked God, "How will the people know you have sent me to them?" God asked Moses a simple, yet profound question : "What do you have in your hand?"All Moses had was a staff. Yet that staff became a snake. That staff opened the Red Sea. That staff brought water from a rock. That staff did many things.Why? Was there something magical about the staff? No,that staff was powerful because God had put it into Moses' hand and Moses was willing to give it back to God for ministry.
Throughout scripture we see humble possessions used for great things: a slingshot in the hands of a shepherd,a cloak in the hands of a prophet, a box of ointment in the hands of a repentant woman, a few loaves and fishes in the hands of a generous boy. When touched by God, all of these simple items fell giants, opened rivers, taught lessons and fed a multitude. There was nothing special about the objects themselves. They were but material possessions. They carried no inherent eternal value. Each of them would perish over time. But when they were given to God in humble submission to Him, He did great things through them.
What do you have in your hand today? Do you have a skill? Can you write stories, sing songs, create art,bake food? Give your skill to God and see what He cando with it. Do you have a computer, a car, a lawn mower,a set of books, a musical instrument? Put these things in God's hands and see what miracles he can perform with them. Do you have money, personality, position or authority? See what God can do with you and through you when you give it all to him. Do you have sorrow,pain, a broken heart? You may be surprised to learn that even these things God can take and transform into ministry tools. Perhaps, they may be the most powerful tools, He is able to use.
When we place whatever we have in God's hands, a miracle happens. He takes and transforms it. He makes it more powerful, more dynamic than it was when it was in your hand. The staff had to be cast down, the stone had to be released from the sling, the alabaster box had to be broken, the loaves and fishes had to be given away for the miracle to occur. But in each case, these simple objects became more than they were. They became a snake,a giant-killer, a feast for thousands, and a fragrant lesson which permeates the pages of God's word to this very day.
I am reminded of the story of the great concert violinis and composer Paganini. One day the maestro was giving a concert and, according to the story, a string broke. The great man simply transposed the music and continued playing on three strings. Then as if that wasn't bad enough a second string broke. Again he simply continued playing on two strings.When the third string broke, Paganini stopped playing for just a few seconds and said, "One string and Paganini and finished the concert.
You may feel like you have little to offer God. But if you take whatever He has put in your hand and give it back to him, you will find that with just "one string and Jesus" you can create something beautiful for his Glory.
Lord, keep me focused today on what I have in my hand which can be used for your glory. Amen and Amen.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Rom 11:17
"And if some of the branches were broken off,and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree" Rom 11:17
The way I understand it is that a person who wants a good apple tree does not start from seed. Instead,they choose a root stock of one variety and the main stock from another. In this way, they develop a variety of apple that has characteristics of both. Roses are the same way. If you plant a hybrid rose, you will note a large knot at the base of the stem just above the root.That is the graft where the flowering stem was attached to the sturdy root.
Paul tells us that some of the branches of Israel were broken off (the ten lost tribes) and that the gentiles (that's most of us) who accepted Jesus as their Messiah, their Lord and Savior, were grafted into the main branch. Any such graft begins immediately to enjoy the benefits of the root - all the nutrients, all the water, all the stability the root has to offer belongs to the new branch as well as the old.
You and I have all the benefits of the natural born Jew. We have all the prophecies, all the blessings - and all the curses if we do not obey God. (You can't pick and choose what you want from the Old Testament. It's not a menu, it's a book of blessings and curses.) Of course, we do have one advantage. Because we came to God through Jesus, the law has been fulfilled for us. It is no longer binding. (Don't get me wrong. We can't willfully disobey the law because Jesus restated most of it in His teachings. The only exception is the command to obey the Sabbath.That command is not repeated in the New Testament.)Because the law is no longer binding, we do not have to be bound to it. We are free from that task master. We are free to love God and obey Him without fear of offending Him with our sinful condition.
So we're home free. Right? Wrong. Paul continue to remind us that what was grafted in can be cut off! Why? If the new branch does not bear good fruit, there is no reason for it to exist - just like a natural branch that does not bear fruit. The end result is that we need to be about our Father's business - the business of winning souls to Jesus - the business of baptizing - the business of disciplining - the business of bearing good fruit. If we aren't doing that, we run the risk of being chopped off by the Master Gardiner and cast into the fire! Amen and Amen.
The way I understand it is that a person who wants a good apple tree does not start from seed. Instead,they choose a root stock of one variety and the main stock from another. In this way, they develop a variety of apple that has characteristics of both. Roses are the same way. If you plant a hybrid rose, you will note a large knot at the base of the stem just above the root.That is the graft where the flowering stem was attached to the sturdy root.
Paul tells us that some of the branches of Israel were broken off (the ten lost tribes) and that the gentiles (that's most of us) who accepted Jesus as their Messiah, their Lord and Savior, were grafted into the main branch. Any such graft begins immediately to enjoy the benefits of the root - all the nutrients, all the water, all the stability the root has to offer belongs to the new branch as well as the old.
You and I have all the benefits of the natural born Jew. We have all the prophecies, all the blessings - and all the curses if we do not obey God. (You can't pick and choose what you want from the Old Testament. It's not a menu, it's a book of blessings and curses.) Of course, we do have one advantage. Because we came to God through Jesus, the law has been fulfilled for us. It is no longer binding. (Don't get me wrong. We can't willfully disobey the law because Jesus restated most of it in His teachings. The only exception is the command to obey the Sabbath.That command is not repeated in the New Testament.)Because the law is no longer binding, we do not have to be bound to it. We are free from that task master. We are free to love God and obey Him without fear of offending Him with our sinful condition.
So we're home free. Right? Wrong. Paul continue to remind us that what was grafted in can be cut off! Why? If the new branch does not bear good fruit, there is no reason for it to exist - just like a natural branch that does not bear fruit. The end result is that we need to be about our Father's business - the business of winning souls to Jesus - the business of baptizing - the business of disciplining - the business of bearing good fruit. If we aren't doing that, we run the risk of being chopped off by the Master Gardiner and cast into the fire! Amen and Amen.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
I Corinthians 1:18-31 and Matthew 5:1-12
Bless thou, the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts that they be of profit to us and acceptable to thee, oh our rock and our redeemer. Amen
Today I want to talk about where we meet God and where God meets us.
I think all of us are familiar with the idea that God is best met in special times, times in which we go to special places, most often by ourselves, and dwell in silence.
Most of us have felt specially blessed when we have been able to spend time away from the bustle and hustle of daily life and to actually go up on a mountain side and look around and see nothing for miles and miles but clouds passing by and hills and valleys receding into the distance.
The scriptures tell us that this is what Jesus did.
Others have the sense feeling when they go deep into the woods where they can hear nothing but birds singing in the trees and the sound of their own breathing, still others contemplate by a river with the eddies of water swirling by, carrying leaves and bits of wood to a destination hundreds of miles from where they sit.
For some - like my wife - it is the beach - an ocean beach where the waves roll in one after another, pushing and pulling the gravel and sand and making whispering rattling sounds punctuated by the noise of the waves crashing and breaking on the shore.
I like going out at late at night and staring up at the stars and the moon and the planets.
All of us have our places of refuge, our places where we go to meet God and to allow him to minister to us in the midst of the beauty, and the quiet, and the loneliness.
We have a great sense of peace in these places, we can think - or even better - we can let go of thinking, and just sense the wonder and beauty of the moment, and then, sometime later, we return to our normal world, feeling more refreshed and stronger than we were than we left it.
This kind of retreat is marvellous - it is one of the ways - one of the important ways, in which we meet God.
Others ways exist of course - ways which involve other people - ways which are not quite as quiet - but which bring us into God's presence none-the-less.
Anyone who has ever seriously prayed with a group of fellow believers about matters that are of deep concern to them or those that they are with - anyone who has sat in a chair and had his or her brothers and sisters in the faith lay their hands on his head and shoulders and intercede for him, - anyone who has gone to church for a number of years and kept his or her ears and eyes and heart open during the hymns and sermons and readings, - anyone who has ever heard the scriptures read and then interpreted by a close friend has - as is promised to those who do these things - met God.
The interesting thing about all these encounters with God is that we are often seeking them...
We do something special,
We expend effort,
We set aside time,
We go somewhere that is different or out of the ordinary,
We seek out privacy - or the company of certain people,
We - as the old hymn goes - take time to be holy.
And that time makes us holy -
Whether we feel it or not -
Whether we are immediately aware of it or not,
Whether we have a fantastic emotional experience
or simply come away feeling that we have done "the right thing"
we have sought God and we have received from God.
We have met God.
But - what about where God meets us?
If we search for God - and I believe we all do at one time or another. If we search for God in special times and places - Where does God search for us? Where does God meet us?
A lot of us you know - do not think we have met God unless we FEEL that we have met him.
We gauge the success of our search for God, our meeting God, by whether or not we feel certain things.
We judge whether or not we have met the Lord, by whether or not we gain a sense of peace, by whether or not we have an emotional high - an emotional rush, by whether or not we have the Spirit send those marvellous chills and tingles up and down our backs.
And by those criteria - most of the time - even in those times when we seek God out in the special places and in the special ways we know about - we fail to meet him.
Life is not, after all, full of special times, full of special moments. Life is full of other stuff, it is full of routines, of ordinary things:
we work, we eat, we sleep,
we play and relax,
we suffer and feel pain,
we sorrow and grieve,
we are insulted and injured,
we struggle and fight against trials and tribulations.
In these ordinary times we are as well in ordinary places,
at home,
at work,
in hospital,
visiting with a friend,
driving in our cars,
standing in elevators,
or sitting in an lobby or a meeting room.
What about these ordinary times, and these ordinary places, these times when we are not taking time to be holy, and those places where we do not expect to meet God but are actually getting on - or trying to get on - with living our lives?
Well - those are the times and the places where God meets us...
There was a TV commercial I watched while I was on a trip that played a fair bit a few years ago that I really enjoyed.
A fellow is setting up a blind date with a young woman over the telephone. They agree to meet at a certain street corner at a certain time and then she asks him "How will I know you". He replies "I'll be driving a Volkswagon". The next scene is at the street corner. He is standing by this sleek looking car and she comes wandering along looking for him - and goes right by him because parked just around the corner from him is a classic BEETLE or BUG.
Do any of you remember that Ad?
I remember it because that is kind of like us when it comes to God - we expect to meet God in a certain way - and we often end up missing His presence in our lives BECAUSE HE HAS COME TO MEET US - but he has done so, he has come to meet us, in a slightly different way - in a slightly different form or place - than that which we expect.
Blessed are the poor in Spirit - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,
Blessed are they that mourn - for they shall be comforted,
Blessed are the meek, - for they shall inherit the earth,
Blessed are the those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - for they shall be satisfied,
Blessed are the merciful - for they shall obtain mercy...
Blessed are the pure in heart...
Blessed are the peacemakers ...
Blessed are those who are persecuted falsely...
What these words mean is quite simply this -
Those who are living out their lives in faith;
Those who go about - seeking to do what is right;
Those who are able to feel their pain and express it;
Those who are trying to show mercy;
Those who are willing to accept insult and injury for the sake ofdoing what is right;
Those who seek to make peace;
Those who are walking humbly before God - are met by God.
God encounters them.
God inhabits them.
God strengthens them.
God rewards them.
They did not have reach out to God in some special manner, though that is what all of us are called to God, so that they might meet God. God comes to them, and meets them - where they are.
Some years back I knew a woman who was dying of cancer. She had struggled with the disease for a number of years. She went through radiation and chemotherapy and all the ills associated with both the disease and its treatment.
I asked her about how she felt about the whole ordeal and where it was surely leading her. She said that it was very difficult at times, she knew she was dying, but even so she felt an astonishing amount of peace and joy. When I asked her if she was scared of what was coming she replied "Why should I be afraid? I believe in God. I know where I came from and where I am going."
She was blessed and she felt it - and others knew it - even when they could not accept what she was suffering.... Blessed are the pure in heart.
I met a woman not so long ago who was the victim of child abuse. She had no real anger left, she understood what had happened - she did not like it - but she prayed for her father that he might prosper, that he might learn, that he might love better. At the time I met her she was helping her brother work on his relationship with her father - and she was helping.
She was a peace maker.- and she was blessed. God was with her. God met her in what she suffered and gave her a vision of himself..
I meet a lot of people who have lost someone - a lot of people who mourn.
The ones who do the worst - are the brave ones - the ones who refuse to let it get them down, the ones who "carry on" with a stiff upper lip - never seeking help, never seeking to understand what is really going on in their hearts..
The ones who do best - are the ones who feel their loss and express it, the ones who cry and get angry, the ones who really sense their loss and can talk about it. Always they are comforted, always - after the days in the tomb - they find new hope and new life
Blessed are they that mourn.
Similar things can be said about all the beatitudes. Similar stories can be told.
God meets us in ways we do not expect, at least those of us who think in the way of the world, rather in the way of God.
He meets us in our weakness, in our grief, in our hunger for salvation, in our attempt to do what is right, in our pain and suffering when we are persecuted.
He meets us in the cross that we share with Jesus.
Paul writes: about this in his letter to the Corinthians - he reminds us that God has chosen the way of foolishness - because in wisdom the world does not acknowledge God that he has chosen the way of weakness, because in strength the world does not accept God.
The proof that God meets us ultimately is found in us -
That proof is not found in our great visions and great moments of religious ecstasy, though these are wonderful things; It is found
in our growth in understanding,
in our increase in love,
in our acceptance and faith in the midst of continual tribulation,
in our doing of justice,
in our love of kindness,
in our humble walking,
Peace I give you, said Jesus - not as the world gives it do I give to it you.
We can go to meet God in many special ways and places and that is good - but know and celebrate this - God comes to meet us - in all ways and in all places. And all he asks us of us as he comes is that we trust and believe in his name. Praise be to him, now and forevermore. AMEN
Today I want to talk about where we meet God and where God meets us.
I think all of us are familiar with the idea that God is best met in special times, times in which we go to special places, most often by ourselves, and dwell in silence.
Most of us have felt specially blessed when we have been able to spend time away from the bustle and hustle of daily life and to actually go up on a mountain side and look around and see nothing for miles and miles but clouds passing by and hills and valleys receding into the distance.
The scriptures tell us that this is what Jesus did.
Others have the sense feeling when they go deep into the woods where they can hear nothing but birds singing in the trees and the sound of their own breathing, still others contemplate by a river with the eddies of water swirling by, carrying leaves and bits of wood to a destination hundreds of miles from where they sit.
For some - like my wife - it is the beach - an ocean beach where the waves roll in one after another, pushing and pulling the gravel and sand and making whispering rattling sounds punctuated by the noise of the waves crashing and breaking on the shore.
I like going out at late at night and staring up at the stars and the moon and the planets.
All of us have our places of refuge, our places where we go to meet God and to allow him to minister to us in the midst of the beauty, and the quiet, and the loneliness.
We have a great sense of peace in these places, we can think - or even better - we can let go of thinking, and just sense the wonder and beauty of the moment, and then, sometime later, we return to our normal world, feeling more refreshed and stronger than we were than we left it.
This kind of retreat is marvellous - it is one of the ways - one of the important ways, in which we meet God.
Others ways exist of course - ways which involve other people - ways which are not quite as quiet - but which bring us into God's presence none-the-less.
Anyone who has ever seriously prayed with a group of fellow believers about matters that are of deep concern to them or those that they are with - anyone who has sat in a chair and had his or her brothers and sisters in the faith lay their hands on his head and shoulders and intercede for him, - anyone who has gone to church for a number of years and kept his or her ears and eyes and heart open during the hymns and sermons and readings, - anyone who has ever heard the scriptures read and then interpreted by a close friend has - as is promised to those who do these things - met God.
The interesting thing about all these encounters with God is that we are often seeking them...
We do something special,
We expend effort,
We set aside time,
We go somewhere that is different or out of the ordinary,
We seek out privacy - or the company of certain people,
We - as the old hymn goes - take time to be holy.
And that time makes us holy -
Whether we feel it or not -
Whether we are immediately aware of it or not,
Whether we have a fantastic emotional experience
or simply come away feeling that we have done "the right thing"
we have sought God and we have received from God.
We have met God.
But - what about where God meets us?
If we search for God - and I believe we all do at one time or another. If we search for God in special times and places - Where does God search for us? Where does God meet us?
A lot of us you know - do not think we have met God unless we FEEL that we have met him.
We gauge the success of our search for God, our meeting God, by whether or not we feel certain things.
We judge whether or not we have met the Lord, by whether or not we gain a sense of peace, by whether or not we have an emotional high - an emotional rush, by whether or not we have the Spirit send those marvellous chills and tingles up and down our backs.
And by those criteria - most of the time - even in those times when we seek God out in the special places and in the special ways we know about - we fail to meet him.
Life is not, after all, full of special times, full of special moments. Life is full of other stuff, it is full of routines, of ordinary things:
we work, we eat, we sleep,
we play and relax,
we suffer and feel pain,
we sorrow and grieve,
we are insulted and injured,
we struggle and fight against trials and tribulations.
In these ordinary times we are as well in ordinary places,
at home,
at work,
in hospital,
visiting with a friend,
driving in our cars,
standing in elevators,
or sitting in an lobby or a meeting room.
What about these ordinary times, and these ordinary places, these times when we are not taking time to be holy, and those places where we do not expect to meet God but are actually getting on - or trying to get on - with living our lives?
Well - those are the times and the places where God meets us...
There was a TV commercial I watched while I was on a trip that played a fair bit a few years ago that I really enjoyed.
A fellow is setting up a blind date with a young woman over the telephone. They agree to meet at a certain street corner at a certain time and then she asks him "How will I know you". He replies "I'll be driving a Volkswagon". The next scene is at the street corner. He is standing by this sleek looking car and she comes wandering along looking for him - and goes right by him because parked just around the corner from him is a classic BEETLE or BUG.
Do any of you remember that Ad?
I remember it because that is kind of like us when it comes to God - we expect to meet God in a certain way - and we often end up missing His presence in our lives BECAUSE HE HAS COME TO MEET US - but he has done so, he has come to meet us, in a slightly different way - in a slightly different form or place - than that which we expect.
Blessed are the poor in Spirit - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,
Blessed are they that mourn - for they shall be comforted,
Blessed are the meek, - for they shall inherit the earth,
Blessed are the those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - for they shall be satisfied,
Blessed are the merciful - for they shall obtain mercy...
Blessed are the pure in heart...
Blessed are the peacemakers ...
Blessed are those who are persecuted falsely...
What these words mean is quite simply this -
Those who are living out their lives in faith;
Those who go about - seeking to do what is right;
Those who are able to feel their pain and express it;
Those who are trying to show mercy;
Those who are willing to accept insult and injury for the sake ofdoing what is right;
Those who seek to make peace;
Those who are walking humbly before God - are met by God.
God encounters them.
God inhabits them.
God strengthens them.
God rewards them.
They did not have reach out to God in some special manner, though that is what all of us are called to God, so that they might meet God. God comes to them, and meets them - where they are.
Some years back I knew a woman who was dying of cancer. She had struggled with the disease for a number of years. She went through radiation and chemotherapy and all the ills associated with both the disease and its treatment.
I asked her about how she felt about the whole ordeal and where it was surely leading her. She said that it was very difficult at times, she knew she was dying, but even so she felt an astonishing amount of peace and joy. When I asked her if she was scared of what was coming she replied "Why should I be afraid? I believe in God. I know where I came from and where I am going."
She was blessed and she felt it - and others knew it - even when they could not accept what she was suffering.... Blessed are the pure in heart.
I met a woman not so long ago who was the victim of child abuse. She had no real anger left, she understood what had happened - she did not like it - but she prayed for her father that he might prosper, that he might learn, that he might love better. At the time I met her she was helping her brother work on his relationship with her father - and she was helping.
She was a peace maker.- and she was blessed. God was with her. God met her in what she suffered and gave her a vision of himself..
I meet a lot of people who have lost someone - a lot of people who mourn.
The ones who do the worst - are the brave ones - the ones who refuse to let it get them down, the ones who "carry on" with a stiff upper lip - never seeking help, never seeking to understand what is really going on in their hearts..
The ones who do best - are the ones who feel their loss and express it, the ones who cry and get angry, the ones who really sense their loss and can talk about it. Always they are comforted, always - after the days in the tomb - they find new hope and new life
Blessed are they that mourn.
Similar things can be said about all the beatitudes. Similar stories can be told.
God meets us in ways we do not expect, at least those of us who think in the way of the world, rather in the way of God.
He meets us in our weakness, in our grief, in our hunger for salvation, in our attempt to do what is right, in our pain and suffering when we are persecuted.
He meets us in the cross that we share with Jesus.
Paul writes: about this in his letter to the Corinthians - he reminds us that God has chosen the way of foolishness - because in wisdom the world does not acknowledge God that he has chosen the way of weakness, because in strength the world does not accept God.
The proof that God meets us ultimately is found in us -
That proof is not found in our great visions and great moments of religious ecstasy, though these are wonderful things; It is found
in our growth in understanding,
in our increase in love,
in our acceptance and faith in the midst of continual tribulation,
in our doing of justice,
in our love of kindness,
in our humble walking,
Peace I give you, said Jesus - not as the world gives it do I give to it you.
We can go to meet God in many special ways and places and that is good - but know and celebrate this - God comes to meet us - in all ways and in all places. And all he asks us of us as he comes is that we trust and believe in his name. Praise be to him, now and forevermore. AMEN
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Rev 2:10
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" Rev 2:10
This verse starts with an ominous tone: "Do not fear what youare about to suffer." That's kind of like the doctor who walks into the room saying "Now, I don't want you to worry, but . . ." Sure. Don't worry. Don't fear. OK. Let's get this over with. What am I about to suffer. Remember that Jesus suffered. At the end of 40 days of fasting,He suffered serious temptation. At the hands of the religious leaders of the day, He suffered ridicule. Finally, in order to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, He was beaten, abused, stripped naked, nailed to a cross, and died. Our Lord knows a bit about suffering. Not too many of us have suffered to that extent. Also remember that our heavenly Father is keeping His eye on us - not to pry, but to protect.
So, He knows what we are about to suffer. What is it? "Behold,the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days." The question is: "ARE WE READY?" If this word were spoken directly to you, what would you say? "Hey, I'm outta here. Suffering was not in the contract!" OR "Well, I suppose the devil is ok. After all, God created everything - including Satan - so I'll just make friends with him. Perhaps he will go easy on me." OR " Come on, Satan. I've been looking for you and I'm ready." "What's that?" you say. "Thrown in jail? What for? Testing? Hey,I graduated from university years ago. I don't need any more tests." Perhaps you have already read the last part of the text, "ten days." "Oh, that's ok. I can surely endure prison for 10 days!" STOP! In the scriptures, 10 is a number of judgment and trial and tribulation. In this case, 10 days means the trial will lasta while, but the time is predetermined. It will not go on forever. That's supposed to be an encouraging word -- IT WON'T LAST FOREVER! And it fits whatever you are going through right now. IT WON'T LAST FOREVER!
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Jesus encourages us with these words - be faithful. I think we can do that - ONE DAY AT A TIME. Be faithful until death - some of the Smyrnan believers would die in their prison cells. Some would die from the persecution. But they could be faithful. As an incentive, Jesus promises the faithful a crown of life! So we are faithful a day at a time until we finally die. Then we trade our fleshly tents in for a crown of ETERNAL LIFE! What a trade! The perishable for the imperishable. The sick for the whole. The dying for the ever living. I'll take it! How about you? Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
This verse starts with an ominous tone: "Do not fear what youare about to suffer." That's kind of like the doctor who walks into the room saying "Now, I don't want you to worry, but . . ." Sure. Don't worry. Don't fear. OK. Let's get this over with. What am I about to suffer. Remember that Jesus suffered. At the end of 40 days of fasting,He suffered serious temptation. At the hands of the religious leaders of the day, He suffered ridicule. Finally, in order to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, He was beaten, abused, stripped naked, nailed to a cross, and died. Our Lord knows a bit about suffering. Not too many of us have suffered to that extent. Also remember that our heavenly Father is keeping His eye on us - not to pry, but to protect.
So, He knows what we are about to suffer. What is it? "Behold,the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days." The question is: "ARE WE READY?" If this word were spoken directly to you, what would you say? "Hey, I'm outta here. Suffering was not in the contract!" OR "Well, I suppose the devil is ok. After all, God created everything - including Satan - so I'll just make friends with him. Perhaps he will go easy on me." OR " Come on, Satan. I've been looking for you and I'm ready." "What's that?" you say. "Thrown in jail? What for? Testing? Hey,I graduated from university years ago. I don't need any more tests." Perhaps you have already read the last part of the text, "ten days." "Oh, that's ok. I can surely endure prison for 10 days!" STOP! In the scriptures, 10 is a number of judgment and trial and tribulation. In this case, 10 days means the trial will lasta while, but the time is predetermined. It will not go on forever. That's supposed to be an encouraging word -- IT WON'T LAST FOREVER! And it fits whatever you are going through right now. IT WON'T LAST FOREVER!
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Jesus encourages us with these words - be faithful. I think we can do that - ONE DAY AT A TIME. Be faithful until death - some of the Smyrnan believers would die in their prison cells. Some would die from the persecution. But they could be faithful. As an incentive, Jesus promises the faithful a crown of life! So we are faithful a day at a time until we finally die. Then we trade our fleshly tents in for a crown of ETERNAL LIFE! What a trade! The perishable for the imperishable. The sick for the whole. The dying for the ever living. I'll take it! How about you? Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Friday, February 4, 2011
2 Pet 3:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" 2 Pet 3:9
"Honey, we need to be going. You know how I hate being late." "I'll be ready in a minute. I have to put the finishing touches on my makeup and then put on my dress, and I'll be ready." Every man knows what that means: sit down, turn on the TV, and watch ten minutes of whatever is on TV. You will be late, unfashionably so, and there is nothing you can do about it. It makes no difference if the engagement is a church service, or a visit with the Queen, or dinner at the Peninsula; you will be late so get used to it.
Often, my friends and I talk about how it can't be long before the Lord returns. All the signs seem to be in place (if we ignore a few) and the world certainly can't get any worse... can it? What is keeping the Lord from accomplishing the final tasks and returning tomorrow or the next day or next year. "Maranatha!" we shout: "Lord, come quickly." Still, the time is not yet and the earth continues to spin on it's axis just like it has for 6,000 or so years.
Isn't it interesting that John finished the Book of Revelation longing for the soon return of the Lord? And Peter tells us to be patient that the Lord will be on time. In the previous verse, Peter had told his readers that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. That certainly doesn't fit with the math we teach in secondary school or university! No wonder it is hard to figure exactly when the Lord will return!
While humans have a bad habit of being time conscious, it seems that the Lord has his own time schedule. One thing is certain from Peter's explanation; the Lord is NEVER late... by His own timing. Another thing is certain; the Lord knows exactly when on time is on time. Oh, one more thing is certain; the Lord keeps His promises...every one of them, and He keeps them exactly on time.
Moses appeared exactly on time to redeem Israel. David appeared on the scene exactly when his services were needed. The prophets appeared one after the other exactly on schedule. The Messiah came exactly when He was needed to redeem the world. Paul was chosen as an apostle to the gentiles... exactly on time.
And each event was promised and delivered... exactly on time. With these and many more examples, we can be assured that the promises we have been given by the Lord will come... exactly on time... never early... never late... just when we need those promises, those answers to prayer, those dire needs met. The next time you feel like the Lord has abandoned you, remember that His timing is perfect. It is our timing that is inferior. Oh, and about the return of the Lord, it will come on time... His time. I may desire that return today, but my desires are mostly self-motivated. His motivations are towards grace. With every day the return is delayed, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions have one more opportunity to turn to Jesus and be saved from certain eternal death. Amen and Amen.
"Honey, we need to be going. You know how I hate being late." "I'll be ready in a minute. I have to put the finishing touches on my makeup and then put on my dress, and I'll be ready." Every man knows what that means: sit down, turn on the TV, and watch ten minutes of whatever is on TV. You will be late, unfashionably so, and there is nothing you can do about it. It makes no difference if the engagement is a church service, or a visit with the Queen, or dinner at the Peninsula; you will be late so get used to it.
Often, my friends and I talk about how it can't be long before the Lord returns. All the signs seem to be in place (if we ignore a few) and the world certainly can't get any worse... can it? What is keeping the Lord from accomplishing the final tasks and returning tomorrow or the next day or next year. "Maranatha!" we shout: "Lord, come quickly." Still, the time is not yet and the earth continues to spin on it's axis just like it has for 6,000 or so years.
Isn't it interesting that John finished the Book of Revelation longing for the soon return of the Lord? And Peter tells us to be patient that the Lord will be on time. In the previous verse, Peter had told his readers that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. That certainly doesn't fit with the math we teach in secondary school or university! No wonder it is hard to figure exactly when the Lord will return!
While humans have a bad habit of being time conscious, it seems that the Lord has his own time schedule. One thing is certain from Peter's explanation; the Lord is NEVER late... by His own timing. Another thing is certain; the Lord knows exactly when on time is on time. Oh, one more thing is certain; the Lord keeps His promises...every one of them, and He keeps them exactly on time.
Moses appeared exactly on time to redeem Israel. David appeared on the scene exactly when his services were needed. The prophets appeared one after the other exactly on schedule. The Messiah came exactly when He was needed to redeem the world. Paul was chosen as an apostle to the gentiles... exactly on time.
And each event was promised and delivered... exactly on time. With these and many more examples, we can be assured that the promises we have been given by the Lord will come... exactly on time... never early... never late... just when we need those promises, those answers to prayer, those dire needs met. The next time you feel like the Lord has abandoned you, remember that His timing is perfect. It is our timing that is inferior. Oh, and about the return of the Lord, it will come on time... His time. I may desire that return today, but my desires are mostly self-motivated. His motivations are towards grace. With every day the return is delayed, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions have one more opportunity to turn to Jesus and be saved from certain eternal death. Amen and Amen.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Isa. 35:1
"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose" Isa. 35:1
Jonathan Edwards in his great sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" asserts that the earth, animals, and plants long to kick man off the face of earth - man is that far from the
perfection that God created. It seems that I came upon a few people who did not like that idea. First, they said, the earth is not a person and thus has no emotions or thinking ability to WANT to kick man off. Second, they said, man is not that bad.
In light of today's verse, I propose that the earth DOES have emotions. Isaiah says that the wilderness and the desert will be glad - glad for what? They will be glad for the return of the
Messiah as He sets the earth aright. He continues to say that the desert or "Arabia" - the great southern desert separating Israel from Egypt - will rejoice and blossom. Sure sounds like
emotion to me; don't you agree? Isaiah continues with other personifications of the earth and its natural inhabitants and how they will be glad at the return of the Messiah's reign. Allow me to show you with another scripture: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now" Rom. 8:19-22
Paul tells us that the whole of creation is straining under the sins of man and is longing for the day it will be delivered from that burden. Indeed, Mr. Edwards was a powerful preacher
with a very deep insight into the ways of God.
Unfortunately, man today does not have that great insight. We, as a whole, believe that we have the ability to fix ourselves and the world. We follow the example of Benjamin Franklin who
thought he could master thirteen "virtues" and thus become nearly perfect. He failed. And even if he succeeded to become "nearly" perfect, that would not have been good enough to get him into Heaven. Only that which is absolutely perfect can stand before the unstained God of the Universe. No man is that good.
Only through the application of the cleansing blood of Jesus can we be made pure enough, whole enough, perfect enough to stand in God's presence. Fortunately, THAT perfection is attainable to those who believe and are willing to die to them selves and live for Jesus and Him alone. Only then will we find that creation is willing to support us and yield to our control. Until that day, the day we ALL are purified by Jesus' sacrifice, the earth would rather cease producing gravity and fling us out into the universe. As Edwards said, we are here only because of the grace of God, and an angry God at that. Amen.
Jonathan Edwards in his great sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" asserts that the earth, animals, and plants long to kick man off the face of earth - man is that far from the
perfection that God created. It seems that I came upon a few people who did not like that idea. First, they said, the earth is not a person and thus has no emotions or thinking ability to WANT to kick man off. Second, they said, man is not that bad.
In light of today's verse, I propose that the earth DOES have emotions. Isaiah says that the wilderness and the desert will be glad - glad for what? They will be glad for the return of the
Messiah as He sets the earth aright. He continues to say that the desert or "Arabia" - the great southern desert separating Israel from Egypt - will rejoice and blossom. Sure sounds like
emotion to me; don't you agree? Isaiah continues with other personifications of the earth and its natural inhabitants and how they will be glad at the return of the Messiah's reign. Allow me to show you with another scripture: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now" Rom. 8:19-22
Paul tells us that the whole of creation is straining under the sins of man and is longing for the day it will be delivered from that burden. Indeed, Mr. Edwards was a powerful preacher
with a very deep insight into the ways of God.
Unfortunately, man today does not have that great insight. We, as a whole, believe that we have the ability to fix ourselves and the world. We follow the example of Benjamin Franklin who
thought he could master thirteen "virtues" and thus become nearly perfect. He failed. And even if he succeeded to become "nearly" perfect, that would not have been good enough to get him into Heaven. Only that which is absolutely perfect can stand before the unstained God of the Universe. No man is that good.
Only through the application of the cleansing blood of Jesus can we be made pure enough, whole enough, perfect enough to stand in God's presence. Fortunately, THAT perfection is attainable to those who believe and are willing to die to them selves and live for Jesus and Him alone. Only then will we find that creation is willing to support us and yield to our control. Until that day, the day we ALL are purified by Jesus' sacrifice, the earth would rather cease producing gravity and fling us out into the universe. As Edwards said, we are here only because of the grace of God, and an angry God at that. Amen.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Prov 25:4
"Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry." Prov 25:4
I have discovered that certain rules must be followed if a person is to make a good electronic gadget. The single most important elements are clean connections and proper soldering techniques. If the items being permanently connected aren't properly cleaned solder will not stick and the connection will corrode and fail in due season. In like manner, if solder is not applied in the right way, the joint will fail. This same principle applies to copper plumbing as well. A dirty joint and insufficient solder will produce a joint that leaks and a leaky joint is almost impossible to repair without totally redoing the leaky section of plumbing.
Solomon tells us that pure silver, that which has been properly refined, is a product a silversmith can use. Pure silver allows the talented silver artist to produce jewelry, silverware, and serving items that will last for generations. However, if the silver is not properly refined or if the silver is over refined, the end product will be worthless and has to be re-melted and processed again.
You and I are in the refining business. Oh, we are not the ones doing the refining. No, we are the silver in the refiner's crucible. We are the ones who start as raw ore with more impurities than silver. We are crushed into small particles. We are sifted and sorted. Just when we think we are in good enough shape, we are cast into the fire. It is there that we find out just how impure we really are. The fire is hot enough to melt us and the impurities around us. The dross, melted impurities, is ladled off and the heat is turned up a notch. New impurities are melted and rise to the surface. They are drawn off and the heat is once again turned up. It is only when the Silversmith sees his perfect reflection in the shimmering silver that the crucible is removed from the fire and we are poured into molds for the Silversmith to use in His craft.
No, it is not pleasant being silver ore. I'm sure I would often prefer to remain impure, the alternative seems unthinkable. But, with each step I find that I am happier with what I see happening. Even then it is easy for me to shout, "Hey, Lord. I'm good enough. You can turn the head down now!" But it won't happen, not until the Master sees Himself reflected in me and that reflection must be perfect or it is back into the fire. It is hard being sent back into the fire, it seems that failure is the reason. But that is not so. Having impurities is not failure to the believer; it is the opportunity for the Master Silversmith to perfect us, to make us into what He knows we are capable of being. Only after the firing and the pouring out and the molding and the carving that we are what the Master knows we can be, a tool to draw other ore into His ways so He can refine them and make them perfect and pure in His sight. Amen.
I have discovered that certain rules must be followed if a person is to make a good electronic gadget. The single most important elements are clean connections and proper soldering techniques. If the items being permanently connected aren't properly cleaned solder will not stick and the connection will corrode and fail in due season. In like manner, if solder is not applied in the right way, the joint will fail. This same principle applies to copper plumbing as well. A dirty joint and insufficient solder will produce a joint that leaks and a leaky joint is almost impossible to repair without totally redoing the leaky section of plumbing.
Solomon tells us that pure silver, that which has been properly refined, is a product a silversmith can use. Pure silver allows the talented silver artist to produce jewelry, silverware, and serving items that will last for generations. However, if the silver is not properly refined or if the silver is over refined, the end product will be worthless and has to be re-melted and processed again.
You and I are in the refining business. Oh, we are not the ones doing the refining. No, we are the silver in the refiner's crucible. We are the ones who start as raw ore with more impurities than silver. We are crushed into small particles. We are sifted and sorted. Just when we think we are in good enough shape, we are cast into the fire. It is there that we find out just how impure we really are. The fire is hot enough to melt us and the impurities around us. The dross, melted impurities, is ladled off and the heat is turned up a notch. New impurities are melted and rise to the surface. They are drawn off and the heat is once again turned up. It is only when the Silversmith sees his perfect reflection in the shimmering silver that the crucible is removed from the fire and we are poured into molds for the Silversmith to use in His craft.
No, it is not pleasant being silver ore. I'm sure I would often prefer to remain impure, the alternative seems unthinkable. But, with each step I find that I am happier with what I see happening. Even then it is easy for me to shout, "Hey, Lord. I'm good enough. You can turn the head down now!" But it won't happen, not until the Master sees Himself reflected in me and that reflection must be perfect or it is back into the fire. It is hard being sent back into the fire, it seems that failure is the reason. But that is not so. Having impurities is not failure to the believer; it is the opportunity for the Master Silversmith to perfect us, to make us into what He knows we are capable of being. Only after the firing and the pouring out and the molding and the carving that we are what the Master knows we can be, a tool to draw other ore into His ways so He can refine them and make them perfect and pure in His sight. Amen.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Proverbs 19:18
"Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction." Proverbs 19:18
An average child begins to struggle with his identity and seek his independence as he approaches the age of 12. The permissive parent starts to panic when the child assumes his own identity and starts pulling away. Fearing the worst, the parent becomes authoritarian by tightening the screws of discipline and restricting the child's activities. A power struggle ensues with predictable results. The child bolts and the parent calls for advice.
The problem of the rebellious, stubborn, disobedient child was easily resolved in the Old Testament: The child was stoned by the men of the city (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Sometimes we wish discipline were that simple! Yet this passage helps us understand that even decent parents who try to be good disciplinarians sometimes have stubborn and rebellious children. Why? Because you aren't the only influence in your child's life.
As parents, we must help our children establish their relationship with God so they know what it means to be a child of God. Once they go off to school, you can't go with them, but God can and does. If we don't help them establish their identity in Christ, they will establish their identity in the world. If we don't give them an eternal purpose and meaning in life, they will establish a temporary purpose and meaning. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
An average child begins to struggle with his identity and seek his independence as he approaches the age of 12. The permissive parent starts to panic when the child assumes his own identity and starts pulling away. Fearing the worst, the parent becomes authoritarian by tightening the screws of discipline and restricting the child's activities. A power struggle ensues with predictable results. The child bolts and the parent calls for advice.
The problem of the rebellious, stubborn, disobedient child was easily resolved in the Old Testament: The child was stoned by the men of the city (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Sometimes we wish discipline were that simple! Yet this passage helps us understand that even decent parents who try to be good disciplinarians sometimes have stubborn and rebellious children. Why? Because you aren't the only influence in your child's life.
As parents, we must help our children establish their relationship with God so they know what it means to be a child of God. Once they go off to school, you can't go with them, but God can and does. If we don't help them establish their identity in Christ, they will establish their identity in the world. If we don't give them an eternal purpose and meaning in life, they will establish a temporary purpose and meaning. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
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