When Tragedy Strikes - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2055:8-9&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43:2&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%204:13&version=NASB

Yesterday I told about Scott & Janet Willis and the accident in which they lost 6 of their 9 children instantly.  It is among a parent’s worst nightmares.  But the way that the Willis’ responded is a pastor’s dream.  The following is an editorial that I read recently concerning the Willis'.  It is written by Andree Seu in the October 22, 2011 edition of World Magazine.  It is an editorial that I immediately connected with.  One of those “I’ve-got-to-tear-this-page-out-and-keep-it” kind of editorials.  I share it in the hope that it will connect with you as well:

Scott and Janet Willis lost six children in a single day when a piece of metal fell off a truck and punctured the gas tank of their minivan.  That's the part of the story that is public, so I am not telling tales out of school.  The accident unraveled a corruption scandal of bribes for driver's licenses funneled into campaign chests, and ultimately sent a governor of Illinois to prison.

But this is an essay about meeting the Willises 17 years later at a Christian conference, and about Psalm 34, and the triumph of Christendom by that simplest and most elusive of acts — believing God.  And it is about the responsibility placed on me by knowing this now.  And on you too, if you continue to read.

By the ball of fire that consumed their minivan on Interstate 94, Scott (his face badly burned) said to his wife (her hands badly burned) what she told me are the best words he could have said: "It was very quick.  And they're with the Lord now."  Then, as he was helped to one ambulance and she to another, he called back to her: "Psalm 34."

Surrounded by emergency responders, Janet kept praying out, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth," with the accent on "will."  I believe it is the same way Jesus must have cried to His Father, "I will put My trust in Him" (Hebrews 2:13), not from a lotus position, but in torment.

Because of the Willises, there is no turning back for me.  I can never again countenance childhood trauma as an excuse for present sins.

Gone is my ability ever to say that the Lord does not expect us to praise Him at all times.  The oft-heard caveat that in certain sufferings it is impossible to praise the Lord — and uncharitable to expect another to do so — is totally and irreversibly undercut by this testimony.

Gone forever is my ability to engage in ivory tower discussions on the applicability of certain Scriptures to my life.  All speculations over whether the Psalms are merely liturgy or are meant to be obeyed are forthwith canceled.  The Willises read the words "I will bless the Lord at all times" and came to the astonishing conclusion that it meant they should bless the Lord at all times.

Gone, therefore, is my ability to take Scripture at anything but face value.  No turning back.

Thanks to the Willises, I can never again entertain as a theoretical possibility the notion that a person is unable to keep God's commandments.  Janet Willis chose, in an act of volition stripped bare of any warmth of feeling, to trust in her God.

Blown out of the water is any attempt to come up with a scenario in which I might be excused for abandoning my faith.  The Willises robbed me of that luxury when they underwent a testing at the extremities of human experience, and overcame — as the Son of Man with eyes of flame among the lampstands bids us overcome.

Banished are my quid pro quos, the restrictions I put on God's discipline unawares; the time limits I set Him for pulling rescue out of affliction; the lines I would not let Him cross; the right I reserved to judge His justice.  The Willises have placed their stake here: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

"Sing, O barren one, who did not bear" (Isaiah 54:1).  A command to sing at such a time would be cruel counsel if it were not true that in worship we find deliverance.  Praise meets trauma where nothing else can reach.  Praise in the face of devastation releases blessings obtainable in no other way.  The presence of God is directly related to worship.

Because the Willises chose to praise, I can choose.  And because the Willises chose to praise, I must choose.  They have upped the ante of my life.  Meeting them has increased my obligation, as every testimony of God's deeds increases obligation.  I cannot pretend we never made acquaintance.

What a privilege to meet someone to whom the Lord has entrusted so much suffering.

Lord, I thank you for the incredible witness that the Willis’ have been to so many people.  Including me.  It is possible to experience tragedy and not succumb to it.  Or walk away from You.  Or become a bitter, angry person.  With Your help I can do all things.  The fact is that I might never experience a tragedy.  That is up to You to decide.  My request is that You continue to help me to pursue You on a daily basis.  That I will be able to praise and joyfully serve You through the difficult times in my life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When Tragedy Strikes - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127:3&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:4&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034:17-18&version=NASB

On November 8, 1994, Pastor Scott Willis and his wife, Janet, were traveling with 6 of their 9 children on Interstate 94 near Milwaukee.  A piece of metal fell off a truck ahead of them.  Being unable to avoid it without losing control of their minivan, Scott had no choice but to run over it.  And hope for the best.  The best did not happen.  Instead, it was the absolute worst that could happen.  That piece of metal ended up rupturing their rear gas tank.  The tank exploded.  Scott and Janet managed to get out of their van, sustaining burns from which they would later recover.  Their children were not so fortunate.  5 of them died instantly.  Their last child in the vehicle, Benjamin, died several hours later.

News of the tragedy spread quickly.  Throughout the United States.  And then the world.  And well it should have.  Losing 6 of your children in a single moment.  To something that was not your fault.  Something that you could not have prevented even if you had tried.  Being utterly helpless as you watch your children burn to death.  This is every parent’s nightmare.  A lot of people instantly felt a strong connection with the Willis’ loss.  Of course, another part of the interest in this story is the fact that this tragedy happened to a pastor and his wife.  Two people who were serving God.  And then God did this to them!  Or, at the very least, God let it happen.  One could easily debate which one is worse.

Interestingly, however, the Willis’ didn’t react negatively to this accident.  That fateful night, as the Willis’ stood helplessly by, watching their children die in the resulting fire, Scott turned to his wife and said, “This is the moment for which we are prepared”.  Really?  I could think of a thousand other things I would have said at the time.  Things such as ‘NOOOOO!!”  Or, GOD WHY ME??  WHY OUR CHILDREN??  But that just goes to show you the kind of relationship that Scott and Janet had with God.  It’s the kind that doesn’t collapse and disappear in the face of tragedy.  Instead of blaming God, they drew closer to him.  Their faith in a God who is good, loving, and kind is what sustained them.

Over the days and weeks ahead Jesus walked with them through the valley of the shadow of death.  The Willis’ later described how they were able to cope in the face of such a horrific tragedy.  “Every morning we awake and say, ‘This is one more day to prove the faithfulness of God’.  Every night we say, ‘We are one day closer to seeing our children again.’”  Such is the testimony of this couple who understood that children are a gift from God.  And when God wants them back, He has the right to take them to Himself.

In our valley, as in a lot of communities across our country, there are Emergency Preparedness  simulations.  A mock accident or disaster scene is created.  Then local first-responders are called to the scene.  It gives them a chance to practice their emergency response skills so that when a real emergency happens, they are prepared.  And able to handle it.

In one sense, none of us can fully prepare for tragedy.  I mean how do you go about preparing to lose 6 of your children in a matter of moments?  You don’t.  By their very nature, tragedies happen spontaneously.  Without any advance notice.  One moment everything’s fine and dandy.  The next moment, our lives are irreparably changed.  So it is impossible to realistically plan for tragedy.  In fact, I don’t know that I would want to go through a simulation on the various tragedies that could possibly overtake me or my family.

But, in another sense, we can prepare for tragedy.  We do this on a daily basis.  By being closely connected to God.  Through reading His Word.  And memorizing Scripture.  Through prayer.  And worship.  And the giving of thanks.  By being close enough to God that we know His heart.  Knowing that when tragedy does come it’s not because God is mad at us.  Or being spiteful or vindictive.  It’s because He is using our tragedy for a higher purpose.  In our lives and in the lives of others.  God is still good.  He still loves us.  We can still trust Him.  Even when we don’t understand.

Lord, I admit that sometimes I am afraid of tragedy happening to me or those I love.  I confess that I don’t know that I could handle it.  But I am encouraged by people such as the Willis’.  People who have suffered unbelievable tragedy and yet continue to place their faith and trust in You.  Help prepare me today for the future.  Help me to draw so close to You that if-and-when tragedy strikes, my first and only response will be to trust You.  And to bless Your name.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Creating The World

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%206:10&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%207:13-14&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+11:15&version=NASB

Last week I saw the following bumper sticker on the vehicle in front of me while in traffic.  It said, ‘Create the world you want to see.’  A good thought, for sure.  We all want a better world, don’t we?  A world that’s kinder.  More loving.  Forgiving.  A world where people don’t fight.  Or take advantage of each other.  Where people are safe.  And help each other. 

The fact is that not only did God create the world, in a sense, so do we.  As the bumper sticker implies, each of us has a hand in creating the world we live in.  Some for the better.  Others for the worse.  If we love God and our neighbor, we make the world a better place.  If we despise God and our neighbor, we make the world a worse place.  In the end, everyone of us is somewhat responsible for the condition of the world we live in.

Now while it is a noble thing to want to create a better world, Christians have a much higher purpose than this.  We are busy creating the world God wants to see.  A world of love.  Righteousness.  Holiness.  A world where grace and forgiveness are freely given.  A world where the word of the Lord is treasured.  And obeyed.  A world where God reigns in the hearts of humankind.

The good news is that someday the world that God wants, the world that we really want, is going to become reality.  The wolf will dwell with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6).  The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).  The glory of the Lord will be revealed (Isaiah 40:5).

So as the world appears to get worse and worse, we should not despair.  Our individual efforts might not seem like much now but they are adding up.  As we attempt to do the will of God on a daily basis there will come a day when our efforts will pay off.  Jesus will return.  Peace will be restored.  His righteous reign will begin.  And never end.  The world will be the way that He originally created it to be.

Lord, I thank you that through Your Holy Spirit living in me that I am a change-agent in this world.  That little by little, I am helping to transform this world into the world that You want.  Help me to remember this.  And not get discouraged.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm - Student Driver Edition

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=NASB

After I finished my post yesterday I was inspired.  At least I thought I was inspired!  So I re-wrote the 23rd Psalm.  Updated it a little bit.  To go along with my thought from yesterday.  I call it, The 23rd Psalm, The Student Driver Edition.  If you can believe it, I wrote it in 5 minutes!  I think it's kind of cute.  I hope God feels the same way.  If not, I guess I'll hear about it.  Enjoy.

     God is my Student Driver, I shall always be afraid,
     He drives me through green pastures, He plows through troubled waters,
     He disturbs my soul,
     He taketh me down roads that I’ve never been down before - for my own sake.

     Even though He drives at a prudent speed, in the right lane, in the middle of the day, I will be 
     afraid, for I am beside myself,
     The fact that He hath no road map maketh me very uncomfortable,
     He prepareth to step on the gas to outrun my enemies,
     He maketh my head snap with His sudden turns, my heart is in my throat,
     Surely I will never recover from this all the days of my life,
     And when we finally get where we are going, I am going to get out of the vehicle forever!

Lord, thank you that I can trust You completely with my life.  That You always know where we are going.  What turns to make.  How fast or slow to go.  This removes so much of the stress in my life.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Is My Student Driver

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=NIV

Ever heard of the phrase ‘God is my Pilot’?  Well I came up with a totally new phrase.  Completely original.  'God is my Student Driver'.  How do you like that?  I was thinking about God as I was driving my car this morning.  You know, how as Christians He’s supposed to be in control of our lives.

The reality is that for many Christians, God is in the passenger seat.  That’s right.  They make all of the decisions in their lives.  What they’ll be, where they’ll live, how they’ll live, who they’ll marry, how they’ll spend their money and so on.  They’ve got God in the vehicle with them but that’s about the extent of it.  Sure, they may ask God for His input from time-to-time.  But they are still the ones in control.  Behind the wheel.

Then there are other Christians who have no problem with God driving.  They gladly sit in the passenger seat.  That’s because they know that God deserves to be driving.  He’s more experienced.  Knowledgeable.  And besides, that’s what the Bible says they are supposed to do.  So they are all over it.  End of story, right?  Wrong.

First of all, just because God’s driving doesn’t mean that they don’t get behind the wheel again from time to time.  Those darn rest stops!  Secondly, if God’s about to go in a direction they don’t want to go, they have no problem just reaching right over and turning the wheel where they want to go.  It’s pretty easy actually.  Now this doesn’t mean that it’s safe to do.  Just easy.

Still other Christians treat God as their Student Driver.  I think this is where I am most of the time.  What do I mean by this?  I mean that even though I may be in the passenger seat I’m not all that comfortable with it.  It’s not like I can to go to sleep while God’s driving!  The truth is that I’m nervous the whole time that I’m in the vehicle with Him.  Is He going to go too fast?  Or too slow?  Is He going to take a wrong turn?  Will He be able to stop in time if something jumps out in front of us?  What about the various road conditions we might encounter?  Finances?  Health?  Relationships?  Can He navigate safely through all these hazards?  What if He falls asleep at the wheel?  Can He manage to keep us out of the ditch?  Or keep us from getting killed?  (Figuratively, of course!)  The fact is that I have to watch God like a hawk the whole time.  Just to make sure that everything goes OK.  Just like I would a Student Driver.

Unfortunately, while I’m still going to get to the places that God wants to take me in this arrangement, I’m going to be nothing more than a bundle of nerves.  God wants better for me than that.  He wants me to relax.  To enjoy the ride.  He wants to be my everyday, regular driver.  Someone whom I can trust completely.  All the time.  In good weather and bad.  Day or night.  In familiar territory or unfamiliar territory.

So, just how do I go from God being my Student Driver to my Regular Driver?  One word.  Faith.  Faith that He knows what He’s doing.  Faith that He knows the way.  Even though I don’t.  Faith that He can handle any combination of road conditions/weather that is possible.  Faith that I am safer with Him driving than I could ever possibly be if I were behind the wheel.

Sorry, but I’ve got to go.  God’s driving and I’m going to get a little shut-eye.  Hey God, wake me up when we get to our next destination, will You?

Lord, help me not to treat You as a Student Driver in my life.  Always watchful.  Always nervous.  Always afraid.  Help me to have complete faith and confidence in Your abilities to guide and direct my life.  To keep me safe.  To help me arrive at my final destination.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thirst

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20143:6&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+42:2&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20107:8-9&version=NIV

 Thirst.  Would you say that it’s a good thing or a bad thing?  I guess it depends upon how thirsty you are!  The fact is that no one likes to be thirsty.  Thirst is unpleasant.  Thirst is our body’s way of telling us that we need water.  Water is essential to our health.  And our very life.  Those who specialize in the health and/or human anatomy tell us that everyone needs water.  And plenty of it.  It is recommended that we drink 64 oz of water per day.  Or more.  Lack of water not only leads to thirst but also fatigue, headaches, constipation, confusion and, in extreme cases, the shutting down of organs and death.  So water is very important to us.  And thirst is the first signal that we are low on it.

When I was attending Crown College I took several Preaching courses.  Near the end of one of the courses each student had to prepare and deliver a sermon to the rest of the class.  In the chapel.  If you’ve never been to Crown College the chapel is huge.   Cavernous is more like it.  It seats around 600+ students.  Our class size was about 12.  So picture 1 student preaching to 11 other students and the professor.  Can anyone say the word, echo?

Anyway, the one sermon (and only sermon that I remember) came from Chou Vang.  Chou was from the country of Laos.  To open his sermon he asked if we had ever been thirsty.  Really thirsty.  Then he told about a time when he had experienced this.  The Communists had overrun his country and he was rounded up along with a number of others.  He was something like 12 at the time.  Hands tied behind their backs, the whole group was forced to march for miles in the hot sun.  As a result he became very thirsty.  I’m guessing he was thirstier than any of us has even been.  I forget exactly what happened next.  Obviously they didn’t get killed since Vang was talking about his experience in his sermon.  It was probably a means of intimidation.  The result was that this single experience was burned into his memory.  After I heard him speak it was burned into mine as well.  How was I to know that one of my fellow students had suffered such a traumatic experience?  Vang then went on to talk about how physical thirst is a picture of spiritual thirst.  One day Vang accepted Jesus as his Savior.  His spiritual thirst was quenched.  He eventually made his way to the United States.  And then to Crown College.

It is interesting that Bible has a lot to say about thirst.  First of all, it gives us several examples of people who were thirsty.  There’s Hagar and her son, Ishmael, who were both ready to die of thirst when God miraculously provided them with water in the dessert.  Then there are the Israelites who periodically suffered thirst as they wandered through the wilderness.  Once again God miraculously quenched their thirst in a variety of ways, from making bitter water sweet to causing water to gush from a rock.   Then there is the picture of Jesus dying on the cross and one of His few statements is simply, “I thirst”.  Someone quickly put a sponge full of vinegar to His lips.  He died shortly thereafter.

Secondly, the Bible talks about thirst in spiritual terms.  In this way thirst can lead us to God.  It can cause us to seek Him.  One of my favorite verses is found in Psalm 63:1.  “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”  There is nothing like thirsting after God.  Wanting Him.  Needing Him.  Desperately needing Him.  So much so that we can’t go on without Him.  If you've ever been there then you know exactly what I mean.  Just as intense physical thirst can be very uncomfortable so can spiritual thirst.  It's enough to drive us to our knees.  In despair.  And you know what?  When we get that desperate, water miraculously appears!  God quenches our thirsty souls.  He sends His refreshing Holy Spirit.  All of a sudden we are full of love.  And peace.  And rejoicing.  We feel God's presence like we never have before.  And we want more.  More of Him.  This is what I earnestly desire.  To have my  spiritual thirst quenched in such a way that I will never be the same!

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”  Revelation 22:17

Lord, I am thirsty.  Desperately thirsty.  Thirsty for You.  Come quench my thirst.  Satisfy me with Yourself.  Fill me to overflowing.  Let that overflow spill into the lives of others around me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A King's Ransom

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2020:25-28&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31:5&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:5-6&version=NIV

A King’s Ransom.  Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase before.  It refers to a large sum of money.  Such as “The price of a new truck these days is the equivalent of a king’s ransom.”  The phrase originated in the 15th century and referred to the large sum of money a country had to pay in order to have their king, who was captured in a war, returned to them safely.

In March 1938, Germany invaded neighboring Austria and annexed it.  This meant that all Austrians now were under German law.  For most Austrians, this did not radically change anything.  Except Jews.  Austrian Jews immediately came under the harsh and repressive German laws which discriminated against them.  Under the 1935 Nuremberg Racial Laws, a person was considered a Jew if 3 or 4 of their grandparents were Jewish.  This resulted in confiscation of property, sentence to a concentration camp and ultimately death.  However, if a person only had 1 or 2 Jewish grandparents they were considered ‘mixed blood’.  They still suffered restrictions in the areas of education, marriage and employment but at least they didn’t have to worry about being imprisoned and killed.

Trapped inside Austria were some siblings of the famous Austrian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein.  The Wittgensteins, who were among the richest families in Austria, were of Jewish descent although they had long-since converted to Catholicism.  Ludwig was living in Ireland at the time and subsequently applied for and received British citizenship.  Unfortunately, his siblings were now trapped inside German-controlled Austria.  Wittgenstein’s brother, Paul, immediately and secretly left the country with his wife and fled to England.  Another sister, Gretl, was married to an American and was safe.  However another sister was in great peril due to her Jewish roots.

Immediately Ludvig, Gretl & Paul began working on a plan to rescue their sister.  They put in a request to have her reclassified from being a ‘Jew’ to a person of 'mixed blood'.  Unfortunately this request had to be personally approved by Hitler himself.  In 1939, records show that there were 2,100 requests for reclassification.  Hitler approved only 12.  Fortunately, the Wittgenstein’s sister received a reclassification.  This enabled her to leave the country and avoid subsequent persecution and death.  The reclassification came at a great price however.  The 3 Wittgenstein siblings were forced to pay the Nazi’s 1.7 metric tons of gold.  If this sounds like a lot, it is.  As of last month’s price of gold, that amounted to $103,000,000!  That is an exorbitant amount of money.  It is truly a king’s ransom.  But that is what the Wittgenstein’s siblings were willing to pay to get their sister out of Austria and to freedom.

While $103,000,000 is a lot of money it is nothing compared to the cost of our salvation.  God, in His great love and mercy, ransomed us from the control of Satan by an even steeper price - the blood of Jesus Christ, His only Son.  In I Peter 1:18-19 we are told, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  The death of Jesus for our sins is truly the definition of a king’s ransom.  If this doesn’t scream love and worth to us, nothing will!

Lord, I thank you that You loved me so much that You ransomed me from the power and control of Satan.  That ransom came at an incredible cost - the death of Your only Son.  May I never forget it.  May I always be humbled by it.  May I live a life worthy of it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tim Tebow

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy+3:12&version=KJV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16:24&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:13-16&version=NIV

Tim Tebow.  Maybe you’ve heard of him.  Maybe you haven’t.  Chances are that if you haven’t you will.  Mr. Tebow is the current starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos in the NFL.  He won his first game yesterday in a miracle come-back. Tebow, himself, is something of a miracle.

Tebow was born in the Philippines where his parents were involved in missionary work.  During her pregnancy, Tebow’s mother, Pam, suffered a life-threatening infection.  The drugs used to treat her had an adverse affect upon her placenta.  Pam was advised to have an abortion.  She refused.  The doctors expected her son to be stillborn.  God intervened.  Tebow was born healthy, without any defects at all.  Today he stands 6' 3", 230 lbs.  I call that very healthy.

Tebow’s parents moved back to the U. S., settling in Jacksonville, Florida.  Tebow excelled in football.  In his Junior and Senior years in high school Tebow was named Florida’s highschool Player Of The Year.  Tebow was heavily recruited and went to the University of Florida.  In 2007 Tebow won the Heisman trophy as the best player in college football.  The following year, 2008, he led his team, the Florida Gators, to the NCAA College Football Championship.  Now, as I’ve said, he is the starting QB for the Denver Broncos.

On and off the field, Tebow is well-known for his character.  He is kind and compassionate.  Humble and honest.  A hard worker and very polite.  He doesn’t drink or do drugs.  Doesn’t smoke or swear.  In an interview not too long ago he confessed to being a virgin.  Tebow works for and supports numerous charities.  And he is well-known for his Christian beliefs.  Ah, here is the problem.

Not every one appreciates this.  In fact, some people downright despise him for it.  The following are some comments about Tebow.  From sportswriters.  You would think that sportswriters would write about sports, right?  Wrong.  Today’s sportswriters feel perfectly free to go beyond athletic performance to critique and criticize other areas of an athlete's life as well.  Consider the following:

In 2009, CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel complained that, “Tebow's religion is seen as good because it is the religion of the majority. But it's not the religion of everybody. It's exclusionary, and just because you share Tebow's faith, that doesn't mean you're right.”

Later that year Huffington Post blogger Mark Axlerod found it "disturbing" that Tebow "has to bring that religious faith onto the playing field as a way of testifying to it, as a way of letting people know just how deeply religious he is.  The irony of making faith a kind of religious highlight reel is that belief in God isn't a spectator sport nor is a football field a venue for religious politicking."

Yes, Tebow has more than his share of fans and admirers but he also has more than his share of detractors and haters.  Whenever I read an article on the Internet about Tebow I like to scroll down and read the posts.  I am shocked to see all the hate.  The venom.  One poster said that they wished that Tebow’s mom had gone through with the abortion!  Really?  You would write something like this?  Now, granted we are talking about an athlete here, and so there are always going to be people who don’t like you just because you play for the ‘other’ team.  But there is something much deeper at work here.  Something more sinister.

Make no mistake.  There is a very strong anti-God undercurrent in our country today.  And it is increasing daily.  As Christians, we still have the right to be a witness and to express our faith but a growing number of people resent this.  They don’t want to see or hear a single word from us about our faith.  And if they do, we are violating their right to be ‘religion free’.  The day is coming when we will no longer be free to practice or live out our faith.  Persecution is coming.  It may not happen tomorrow.  Or next week.  But it will.  Jesus said that there would be a cost to following Him.  That we needed to be willing to pay that cost.

Now is the time to speak out.  To attend church.  To be involved in ministry.  To give.  To pray.  To share our faith.  We will not always have this right.  That day is rapidly coming to an end.  Darkness is approaching.  When the going gets tough what will we choose?  To follow Jesus?  Or the world?  We won’t be able to do both.

Lord, help me to take full advantage of the freedom of religion that I enjoy in this country.  Help me to take my faith seriously.  To live as You want me to live.  To be salt and light in the world.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

A Prayer - St Ignatius Of Loyola

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017:10&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:9&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:5-13&version=NIV

Chances are that you have probably never heard of St Ignatius Of Loyola.  First of all, he lived a long time ago.  1491-1556.  That’s about the time that America was being discovered.  And the Reformation was spreading across Europe.  Secondly, Ignatius was a priest and theologian.  Not exactly the kind of occupation that attracts a lot of notoriety.  That being said, Ignatius was the founder of the Jesuits.

My main focus with Ignatius is one of his prayers that has been preserved for us.  I love simple prayers.  Prayers that say much in few words.  Prayers that get right to the heart of a matter.  Ignatius has one of those kinds of prayers.

    Teach us, Good Lord, to serve Thee
    As Thou deservest,
    To give and not count the cost,
    To fight and not heed the wounds,
    To toil and not to seek for rest,
    To labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will.

So many times we approach our faith like Jesus’ disciples did with a ‘what’s in it for me?’ approach.  We complain.  We keep track of the cost.  We feel like we’ve done more than our fair share.  That we are fully out of Jesus’ debt by our service.  Ignatius addresses this fact.  In a way that I really appreciate.  And am inspired by.

Lord, I thank you for the privilege of serving You.  It’s not easy at times.  There are valleys.  And dangers.  I get tired.  And discouraged.  Help me to keep the faith.  To keep going.  To finish well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14:12&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%202:20-21&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:31&version=NASB

Thursday Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi met his fate.  And a bloody one at that.  He was pulled, wounded and bleeding, from a drain pipe he had crawled into to hide.  Interestingly, the man who was responsible for the deaths of so many innocent people pleaded with the rebels not to kill him.  Or his sons.  Sounds a little cowardly to me.  I guess, in the end, no one wants to die.  Especially when you don’t know Jesus.  Unfortunately for Gadhafi, the rebels did not treat him very kindly.  In the end, he was killed and his dead body was displayed for the world to see.  So ended 42 years of terror in Libya.  And elsewhere around the world.

It wasn’t too long ago that Gadhafi felt pretty confident in himself.  For 4 decades he had been virtually untouchable in his own country.  Surrounded by loyalists.  And a highly-paid,  well-equipped security force.  He also lived a life of extravagant luxury, with an estimated $200 billion in bank accounts and investments around the world.  $200 billion while one-third of his people lived in poverty.  Is that a crime or what?  It took a long time.  42 years to be exact.  But his day came.  Now he has joined the long list of dictators who are dead.  Who will one day be judged by God for their wicked deeds.  Saddam Hussein, Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Bentio Mussolini, Idi Amin.  We can be sure that for each of these men, and others like them, the worst is yet to come.  An eternity of suffering in Hell.  Folks, that’s as bad as it gets.

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of Gadhafi’s in our world.  Oh, they’re not dictators (although there are still quite a few of them left).  They are people who have decided to live for the things of this world.  Fame.  Money.  Status.  Possessions.  Power.  And some of these people actually seem to succeed.  To have chosen wisely.  They make money.  They have fun.  They appear to enjoy life.  But their decision is bad on 2 counts.  First of all, nothing lasts forever.  Sooner or later, the party’s over.  Secondly, the consequences are enormous.  Life apart from God and everything that is in any way good, fun, or worthwhile.  Forever.  Sounds like an incredibly bad decision to me.

Jesus said it best.  In Matthew 16:26 He asked the penetrating question, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  Great question.  Just exactly what is our soul worth?  The $200 billion that Gadhafi had stored around the world?  I don’t think so.  To borrow a phrase from Master Card, it is priceless.  In the end, no amount of money, or popularity, or fun, is worth our soul.  It is the only thing that we have that’s of any real worth.  That will last into the realm known as eternity.  This is why we need to guard it.  At all costs.

Lord, I thank you that You are sovereign in all the earth.  You raise kings and You depose kings.  All people, big and small, are in Your hands.  I thank you that You care very deeply about my soul.  And have provided a way for it to live eternally with You.  For that I will be eternally grateful.  Teach me to number my days.  And to live wisely here on earth.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Standing On The Promises

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+23:19&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:8&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055:10-11&version=NIV

Yesterday I posted about the value of so-called ‘praying the promises’.  Someone has estimated that there are over 3,573 promises of God in the Bible.  I think I will just take their word for it.  That’s a lot of promises for us to claim.  And to stand on.  That’s the way R. Kelso Carter referred to them in his popular hymn, Standing On The Promises.

v 2    Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
        When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
        By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
        Standing on the promises of God.

Ch    Standing, standing,
        Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
        Standing, standing,
        I'm standing on the promises of God.

If, as we saw yesterday, the promises of God have been preserved for us in Scripture for our benefit, then we should go ahead and claim them.  And pray them.  Bring them to God.  A great idea is to incorporate this practice into our devotions.  To this end, there are a number of great pocket-sized Bible Promise books available.  I think every Christian ought to have a copy of one for their use.  I have one and it is very handy.

http://www.christianbook.com/gods-promises-your-every-need-nkjv/a-l-gill/9781404186651/pd/186651?item_code=WW&netp_id=513424&event=ESRCQ&view=details#curr      NKJV

http://www.christianbook.com/bible-promises-for-you-niv/9780310812685/pd/823682?item_code=WW&netp_id=517513&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr      NIV

http://www.christianbook.com/the-nlt-bible-promise-book/ronald-beers/9781414313566/pd/31356X?item_code=WW&netp_id=462493&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr      NLT

In my opinion, one of the best benefits of God’s promises is in regard to temptation.  All of us has at least one area of our lives that we are weak in.  For some people it’s worry.  For others it’s lust.  Or fear.  Or the future.  What we need to do is to find one or two promises that speaks to our weakness.  For me, it’s fear.  So I claim the promise of God found in Isaiah 41:10.  I use it over and over again when I feel afraid.
        “Fear not, for I am with you.  Be not dismayed, I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you by My righteous right hand."

Go ahead.  Try it.  Find a promise that you really need at this point in your life.  Then memorize it.  Claim it.  Stand upon it.  Bring it daily before God.  And before long, the power of His promise will begin to make an amazing difference in your life!

Lord, once again I thank you for Your promises.  They are Your promises to me.  Help me to claim them.  And pray them.  And stand upon them.  Use them to help build my faith and trust in You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praying The Promises

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Cor%201:20&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:23&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%208:56&version=NIV

Three or four months ago Pastor Todd and I had a discussion in my office about the promises of God.  I don’t remember the exact way Todd brought up the subject.  It was something that he had either heard or read about this.  Simply stated, it was about people who ‘pray the promises’.  In other words, when some people pray they remind God of one of His many promises found in the Bible.  In effect, they ask Him to answer their prayer based on this promise.  The questions that Todd and I discussed were, Why do they do this?  Is it really necessary?

Well, since God is perfect we know that He is incapable of forgetting any of His promises.  It would follow then that, if this is the case, He really doesn’t need to be reminded of them.  That being said, is there any precedent in Scripture for it or any command to pray in this manner?  If so, is there any benefit for us to practice this?  First of all, let’s see if there is any precedent for reminding God of His promises in the Bible.

In Exodus 32 God was angry with the Israelites over their making and worshiping of the Golden Calf.  In verses 13 & 14 we have Moses’ conversation with God.  “Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’”  Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.”  Then in 2 Chronicles 6:42, at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon prayed, “Lord God, do not reject Your anointed one.  Remember the great love promised to David Your servant.”  Finally, there is the prayer of Nehemiah when he heard about the sad state of affairs in Jerusalem.  “Remember the instruction You gave Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to Me and obey My commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name."  In each instance one of God’s servants reminded God of one of the promises He had made.  So I would say that the practice of reminding God of His promises is supported in Scripture.  Next we need to see what benefit there might be for us in doing this.

As we’ve already seen, God never forgets His promises so we don’t need to remind Him of them.  So, praying the promises must be for our benefit.  When we take one of God’s promises to Him in prayer, what we are doing is responding in faith.  We are telling God that we agree with His promises.  That we believe in them.  That we fully expect that they are going to be kept.  So praying the promises has the effect of increasing our faith - faith to believe in a God who is faithful.  Who always keeps His word.  And praying in faith always brings results!

Lord, I thank you for Your many promises found in Your Word.  Promises to save me.  And keep me.  Guide me.  Protect me.  Bless me.  Use me.  May I be encouraged and strengthened by them.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Restaurant Evangelism

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:13-14&version=NIV
 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:15&version=NIV 

Somewhere back in the mid-90's I was in Missoula for some District business.  For lunch, a number of us pastors went to HuHot.  There, one of the pastors, Dr Rick Mann, did something I had never seen before.  As the waitress was taking our orders, he told her that we were getting ready to pray for our meal.  Did she have anything that she wanted us to pray about?  Incredibly, she mentioned something about problems with her boyfriend.  So after she went to place our order, we not only gave thanks for our food, we also prayed for the waitress’ request.

I have never forgotten that occasion.  What an opportunity to be a witness for Jesus!  In the years since I have tried to do the same.  Whenever I go to a restaurant the first thing I do is try to learn the name of my server.  If the opportunity presents itself, I then tell them that we are going to say grace shortly, and ask them if there is anything that we can pray for them about.  Most of the time they give me some sort of request - help on an exam, finances, wisdom for their future, etc.  This is a great example of taking something that we do all the time (eating out) and using it for Jesus.

The great thing about restaurant evangelism is that it takes practically no training.  Anyone can do it!  It might seem a little stiff and artificial the first time you try it but with a little practice (and prayer!) you can get to the point where it comes naturally.  And you know what?  Most people aren’t offended by being prayed for.  As long as you don’t make them stand right there while you pray!  You want to be careful to be discreet about this.  Embarrassing them is not going to help.  Also, if you are going to do this make sure that you treat your waiter/waitress with manners and respect.  And make sure that you tip them well!  Praying for them and then giving them a poor tip leaves a bad impression of Christians.  This is the opposite effect that we want to have.

Restaurant evangelism also has other positive side effects.  It is a great modeling tool for other Christians who might be eating out with you.  Hopefully they will also begin to use it.  And it is a tremendous example for children.  They get to see, first-hand, Mom & Dad, living out their faith in everyday life.  And if I am out eating with people who are not Christians, I ask them if they mind if I pray for the food.  I’ve never had anyone refuse.  Just another way that we can be salt and light no matter where we are.  Or what we’re doing!

Lord, help me to be creative in my witness for You.  To incorporate a word or deed for You in everything that I do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A God Of Encouragement

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15:5&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians+2:16&version=NIV

Last night before I went to sleep I took a few minutes to think about my day.  I guess you would call it reflection.  As I did so I thought about a person who said they enjoyed reading my blog.  Later in the morning I was talking to someone about our men’s breakfast this past Saturday.  In particular, the sharing time.  They told me how one man, who never opens up in public, shared with some other men about his struggles in fathering.  Then I received some positive feedback on the sermon Sunday.  Of course, during lunch there was the touching statement from my grandson that I mentioned in yesterday’s post.  Then right before I went to bed (and started on this journey of reflection) I had been doing some reading.  I felt God speaking to my heart.  Whispering assurance about an issue I had been praying about for some time.

As I thought about all these separate events of my day, all of a sudden I began to connect the dots.  I couldn’t believe it.  In 5 or 6 different ways God had given me encouragement throughout the day.  He had affirmed that the things I was doing were making a difference in the lives of others.  Unfortunately I would have missed it if I hadn’t taken those few moments to pause and reflect.  I am so glad that I did.  What an awesome, amazing God I serve!

As Christians we understand that God has many attributes.  He is a God of love.  And power.  He is a God who provides.  And guides.  But we don’t often think of Him as a God of encouragement.  But He is.  In Psalm 103:14 we read, “For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”  The fact is that God understands our fragile nature.  He knows our struggles.  He knows that we are weak.  He knows that we get discouraged.  So what does He do?  He encourages us!  In a hundred different ways.  A compliment.  A thank you card.  A verse from His Word.  A smile.  Some good news.  In each of these ways and more, God whispers to our heart.  “Don’t be discouraged.  I’m right here.  You’re on the right track.  You’ll be OK.”

I like that.  In fact, I need that.  During those times when I get the ‘blues’, when I wonder ‘what’s the use’, when I am not sure that anything I am doing is making a difference, God encourages me.  That is, well, it’s encouraging!  The God who created and sustains the whole universe, knows and cares about me.  And you!

Lord, You know that I am human.  Nothing but dust.  I often get discouraged.  With life.  With others.  With myself.  Yet You are faithful.  You take the time to encourage me.  To reassure me.  To lift my spirit.  Thank you for this.  I so appreciate it.  And need it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Out Of The Mouth Of Babes

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2021:16&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NIV

As much as I would like to deny it I am a workaholic.  I know that I couldn’t convince anyone who knows me otherwise.  So, I decided to take a rare ‘day off’ today.  I’ve been working way too much lately.  Almost non-stop.  That’s the danger of having a job that you can also do at home. 

Anyway, at noon I helped Beth get the grandkids ready for lunch.  With 4 of them to care for she can use the help.  As I was helping with their drinks I drew attention to the t-shirt I was wearing.  It has a large cross on it.  I said, “What is Pap Pap wearing on his shirt?”  “A cross!” they all yelled.  “Who died on the cross?”, I asked.  Brett responded, “Jesus died on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to die on the cross.  He took our punishment.”  Wow!  Out of the mouth of babes.  I was taken aback at just how much Brett knew.  Being a couple weeks short of his 5th birthday he displayed a better understanding of Jesus than most adults do.  The question is, why?

Obviously the answer begins at home.  Charles & Becky are doing their part to raise their children in the ways of God.  They have some Veggie Tale videos that their kids watch.  And Bible story books that they read to them.  Then they say grace at meals and prayers at bedtime.  Charles also teaches the kids some worship songs.  They are engaging their children in spiritual matters.

The other part of the answer is our church.  As Brett & Jaydon attend Sunday School and the Worship Service week after week what they are learning at home is reinforced.  Of course, Brett also attends Faith Kids during the sermon and Transformation Kids on Wednesday nights.  Over a period of almost 5 years this amounts to a lot of godly influence in Brett’s life.

This is the 1-2 punch of raising up the next generation for Christ.  It starts in the home with  parents providing Christian resources for their children.  It begins as parents take their spiritual responsibilities seriously by praying with and for their children, reading the Bible to them, and talking about God in the home.  It continues as parents take their children to church on a regular basis.  When they go with their children to Sunday School.  And the Worship Service.  When children see their parents actively worshiping and serving the Lord.

As parents and grandparents, sometimes we don’t always see what God is doing in our children’s and grandchildren’s lives.  We keep teaching.  And praying.  And trying to influence.  But we don’t see much.  Then, out of nowhere, our children make a statement like Brett’s.  Or they react in a Christ-like manner.  Then we see it.  We get a glimpse of what God is doing in their lives.  And it gives us goose bumps.  It strengthens our resolve to stay the course.  To keep praying.  To keep investing.  To continue to be involved in one of the greatest ministries this side of Heaven - raising up the next generation for Christ!

Lord, I thank you for my children.  And grandchildren.  And for other people’s children and grandchildren.  For the incredible privilege that I have been given to be involved in their spiritual growth.  Help me to do my best to teach, pray, encourage, guide and model.  Help me to stay the course.  To not grow weary.  Or neglect my sacred obligation.  Continue to give me periodic glimpses of what You are doing in their lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Commission

Read Romans 10:13-15, Luke 10:2, Matthew 28:19-20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:13-15&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10:2&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2028:19-20&version=NASB

The Commission - by G. Shirie Westfall

I asked the Lord to help my neighbor,
To carry the Gospel to distant lands,
And to comfort the sick, but He said to me,
If you love Me, be My hands.

I asked the Lord to go to the dying,
To the orphan in the street,
And visit the prisoner, but He said to me,
If you love Me, be My feet.

I asked the Lord to look after the poor,
To watch over each babe that cries,
And see each man’s need, but He said to me,
If you love Me, be My eyes.

I said to the Lord, I want to serve You,
But I don’t know where to start,
To love is the answer, He said to me,
If you love Me, be my heart.

Lord, help me to realize that You want me to be the answer to many of my own prayers.  Help me to live in such a way that I am Your physical presence in the world.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Longer Charging Needed

Read Matthew 26:36-44, Luke 11:5-10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:36-44&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2011:5-10&version=NIV

A couple years ago Beth & I were having major issues with our cell phones.  Our batteries were dying.  They would no longer hold a charge.  If either of us were on a call of any length, our phone would die.  It got to the point where if I was going to be on the phone for more than a minute or two I needed to have my phone plugged into the charger.  Between the two of us we didn’t have one usable phone.  We continued like this for 3 or 4 months.  Until we were eligible for an upgrade.  A very welcome upgrade.

When we went to the store to select new phones we talked to the sales rep about our problem.  Unfortunately we had unknowingly been contributing to our own demise.  Let me explain.  Neither Beth or I use our phone all that much.  90% of our calls are to each other or to our children.  Yet each night we faithfully plugged in our respective phones to charge.  Even though we might still have 4 bars showing.  The result was that the constant recharging of our batteries caused us to lose their full range.  So, after a while, we were only capable of using a small fraction of our batteries.  Hence the problem.

What the rep recommended that we do with our new phones was to periodically charge them.  Only when they needed it.  When we only had 1 bar left.  This meant that we might recharge our phones only once a week or so.  Here we are almost 2 years later and our phones are still doing pretty good.  It seems like they needed less frequent, longer charges.  As opposed to more frequent, shorter charges.  I hope you are following along. 

One night I was reflecting on this and how it relates to prayer.  It seems like most of us, myself included, are pretty good with the short, frequent prayers.  A quick prayer during our devotional time, grace at meals, a prayer or two throughout the day.  But that’s it.  There’s certainly nothing wrong with this but the question arises, Is this enough?  Are small, periodic prayers enough to keep us spiritually healthy?  You already know the answer.  No.  What we also need are longer times of prayer.  A half-hour.  An hour.  Maybe more.  These are times when our spirit can really get in touch with God.  Times when we can get lost in worship.  Overcome with thanksgiving.  Grapple with issues in our lives.  No, we might not be able to carve these times of longer prayer out of our lives on a daily basis.  But we need to find some time, somewhere for them.  It’s the only way we can go deeper in our relationship with God.  Where He really does become our all in all.

Lord, in the busyness of my schedule, I realize my need for You.  Help me to make a commitment to periodically praying for an extended time.  So that I can know Your heart.  Hear Your voice.  Feel Your love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Choice Is Ours

Read Matthew 6:25-34, I Peter 5:7

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Peter%205:7&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%206:25-34&version=NIV

Ever notice that our world has become much smaller these days?  Gone is the day when we felt safe and secure in our own little communities.  Now the big, bad world is right there on our doorstep.  In a matter of minutes we can learn of the kidnapping of a child in Alabama, the impending default of the Greek economy, or the latest American military casualties in Afghanistan.  And, of course, the news from our local community is not much better.  Unemployment is up, as well as retail prices and crime.  There’s just not a lot of good news these days.  Or if there is, it doesn’t make the headlines.

Then there are the personal struggles that each of us has.  Overwork, lack of sleep, chaotic schedules, strained relationships, family members who are facing health issues, stretching the Almighty Dollar farther and farther.  You know.  You deal with it every day.  Just like I do.  I guess what I’m saying in all this is that there is a lot to worry about these days.  An awful lot.  And while experts tell us that 90% of what we worry about never happens, with all the stuff there is to worry about, the remaining 10% can actually add up to be quite a bit!  What can we do?  Well, we have a choice.

In Philippians 4:6 the Apostle tells us “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.”  Do you see the choice in this verse?  Worry or pray.  Hmmm.  I know all about the worry option.  What is the prayer option?  Paul goes on to write, “Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”  The prayer option consists of requests and thanksgiving.  Asking God for what we need.  Thanking Him for what He has done.  If we will do this verse 7 gives us the results that we can expect.  “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  The results we can expect are peace.  Peace of heart.  Peace of mind.  So ultimately the choice is between worry and peace.  Does that sound like much of a choice to you?  It’s sort of like trying to choose between eating turnips and a bowl of ice cream.  It’s not really much of a choice after all!  But the fact is that we still need to make a choice.

You see, worry comes naturally.  So naturally that we can worry most of the day about this and that, and not even realize it.  That’s why we need to make a choice.  A deliberate choice not to engage in the natural activity of worry.  A deliberate choice to engage in the supernatural activity of prayer.  When we make this choice then God’s peace will guard our hearts and mind.

I don’t know that I enjoy worrying.  It takes an awful lot out of me.  That’s why I am glad that there is an option available.  God’s option.  Prayer.  In fact, it’s not an option.  It’s my only hope of surviving in this world.

Lord, there is so much to worry about these days.  And most of it seems legitimate.  Help me to realize that You have provided me with an option to worry.  An option to pray.  To be worry-free.  To trust You.  Help me to choose to take advantage of it.  Frequently.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trust Yourself?

Read Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov%203:5-6&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2033:3&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%207:7-8&version=NIV

A couple of days ago I came across the following saying on a poster at Positive Outlooks.  It said, “Trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do.”  Apparently it was said by Dr.  Spock.  (The famous pediatrician.  Not to be confused with Mr. Spock.  The Vulcan on Star Trek!)  Anyway, when I saw

Preview

this quote I had mixed reactions.

On one hand I can see the message in a positive light.  (Maybe this is why it is on the site Positive Outlooks in the first place!)  As we all know, there are some people who doubt themselves.  For those of us who have children, we often see this in them.  We know that they have the skills or capabilities of performing some task or accomplishing some project but they don’t know it.  They are scared.  Nervous.  Unsure.  In their mind they really don’t know whether or not they are going to be able to come through.  The last thing they want to do is to fail.  To look foolish.  So we encourage them.  We encourage them to take a step of faith and try, knowing that they will be fine.  They will succeed.

On the other hand, I look at the message on this poster and I see it in a negative light.  More humanistic propaganda.  In other words, we always know what’s best for us.  All we need to do is get in touch with our inner self.  To trust our own instincts.  To make a decision and then run with it.  Really?  In some cases, this may indeed be true.  But in many others it isn’t.  Speaking for myself, I don’t always know what to do in a situation.  Sometimes my instincts and read on a situation are wrong.  Way wrong.  Ooops!  Other times my actions may not necessarily be wrong but they could have been better.  This is where God comes into the picture.

The Bible tells us that God is all-knowing.  That He knows the end from the beginning.  In other words, He knows what is going to happen tomorrow.  And the next day.  And next week.  And next year.  I don’t have that kind of knowledge.  Sure I can project what might happen in the future.  But I don’t know.  Not with any degree of certainty.  Not only does God know the future, He also knows the facts.  All of them.  He knows what was said, what others are thinking, what unseen or unconsidered forces are at work.  Once again, I don’t.  All I know is what I know.  (Did that just sound weird?)  In other words, I only know what I have observed or been told.  Other than that I am clueless.  I could be thinking that a situation or a person is rather harmless and they could be waiting to have me for lunch!

The point is that relying on God is the surest way to live, to make decisions.  He alone knows what the future holds.  He knows all the facts in a given situation.  So the best thing I can do in life is to trust Him.  Not myself.  Fortunately, not only does God know what I need to know, He’s more than willing to share it with me.  He will help me make good decision after good decision in life as I rely upon Him.  All I have to do is ask.  In faith.  Then act on what He tells me.

I find great comfort in this.  I have a friend in high places.  Very high places.  And, yes, He is a Know-It-All.  In the best sense of the word.  So I am going to put my trust in Him.  Let Him lead and guide me.

Lord, I thank you that I have a source of wisdom and knowledge far beyond my own.  And it’s found in You.  Help me to come to You for every decision that I make in life.  Big and small.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don't Look Now - Trouble's Coming!

Read 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-17

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+5:8&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EPh%206:10-17&version=NASB

This past weekend 16-year-old Evan Van Der Spuy, was competing in a weekend bicycle race.  Along with 350 other cyclists.  This, in of itself, doesn’t make it more special than any other mountain bike race.  Except for the fact that this particular race was being held in eastern South Africa.  Through a game reserve.

Unfortunately, as Van Der Spuy was riding across a section of the trail a 350 lb hartebeest buck (a type of antelope) came flying out of nowhere, knocking Van Der Spuy completely off his bicycle.  Apparently the buck was being a little territorial.  He didn’t like bikers invading his space.  So he decided to take it out on Van Der Spuy.  I don’t know if Van Der Spuy was able to finish the race or not?  At the end of the video you can see that his helmet was pretty much trashed.  One account I read said that Van Der Spuy was briefly knocked unconscious and spent the night in a local hospital for observation.  What really made this experience unique is that it was caught on video.  Apparently the rider behind Van Der Spuy had a camera on his helmet and caught the whole incident on tape.  Boy, what a hartebeest will do to get on camera!  Note to self = be careful when you bike through a game reserve!

In a way, Satan is just like this hartebeest.  Whenever we, as Christians, begin to invade his territory, watch out!  When we least expect it, he will blindside us.  He will try to knock us off our feet.  Get us off our game.  Satan doesn’t like us witnessing to unsaved friends and relatives.  He doesn’t like Christians who are trying to be a light at work.  Or at school.  He doesn’t like missionaries and nationals who are trying to reach people in remote parts of the earth where there is little, if any, Christian presence.  So Satan tries to intimidate us.  To give us a good lick in the hope that we'll run away scared.  That we'll quit witnessing.  That we'll leave the lost still in his control.

But Scripture tells us that Satan in a defeated foe.  Jesus defeated him on the cross.  Satan may try to intimidate us but he can't do any real damage.  We will persevere.  We will get right back up and finish the work that Jesus gave us to do.  The light of His glory will shine in the darkness.

Lord, as I do Your will, help me to be on the lookout for Satan.  While I am no match for him, You are.  Help me to put on the whole armor of God each day so that I can successfully stand against his assaults.  So that You can lead me on to victory.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jail Time

Read Philippians 16:16-34

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-34&version=NIV

For the past 3 months I have been going to the Flathead County Jail.  Visitation is on Monday nights.  To visit men anyway.  To visit women it is Tuesdays.  I can’t say that I love jail ministry.  I have always contended that I would rather be involved in prevention than cleanup.  That I would rather be involved in helping keep people from jail - than to assist them in dealing with life in jail.

That being said, I will go to the jail whenever there is a need.  Several months ago a woman from our church asked me if I would go visit her grandson.  These kinds of situations are always delicate.  You don’t know if it’s the person who asked you to go who wants this or the person who is in jail.  The fact is that just because you go to visit a prisoner doesn’t mean that they will see you.  They can refuse.  Some do.

So I went to visit a young man I had never met.  He almost didn’t come to see me.  Then he told me why.  He didn’t want to be one of those guys who ‘used’ a pastoral visit as an excuse to get out of his cell for a half hour.  I respected that.

The guy is young (30-ish).  His wife was killed in a freak accident not too long ago.  He has 2 elementary-school aged sons who are currently living with his mother.  That’s tough.  I think of myself being in that situation.  It’s the kind of thing that nightmares are made of.  What do you say to a person in a situation like this?  I did a lot of praying.

Basically, I’ve been telling him that his life is not over yet.  It’s simply on hold.  Besides, he is still a dad to his 2 boys.  And he will always be.  They need him.  They come visit him every weekend.  Even though he’s made some mistakes he can still be an example to his sons.  He can do the right thing.  With God’s help he can begin to make some changes.  His sons can still be proud of their dad.

I also told him not to waste his pain.  Or his time.  Learn from his mistakes.  He certainly has plenty of time to think about where he went wrong.  And what he can do differently.  More importantly, he has plenty of time to start making those ‘ruts of righteousness’ that I like to talk about.  He has a Bible.  I’ve encouraged him to read it.  Read Mark.  Then Acts.  Psalms and Proverbs are also good.  Of course, prayer is another must.  Being real and honest before God.  Monday he mentioned that he was having a hard time with his thoughts.  Don’t we all?  I encouraged him to memorize Philippians 4:6-7.  He said he would.  I like this guy.  I’m thinking that he’s going to be a winner.  The kind of guy who learns from his mistakes.  I’m really praying that this is the case.

The fact is that while many of us will never spend a single day in jail we do have seasons where God gives us a ‘timeout’.  We are laid off.  Or we get an illness.  A time when we are removed from the daily routine of life.  At first, we are put out by this.  We get mad.  Angry.  Upset.  Depressed.  But we must not lose sight of the fact that God is still in control.  Our ‘timeout’ may be just what we need.  A little time to think about where it is we are going in life.  A little time to make some necessary adjustments and changes.  A little time to begin forming new habits and disciplines.  Once we begin to make progress in this area, God usually gets us back in the flow of things.  The busyness of life returns.  Hopefully the lessons aren’t forgotten.

Lord, help me that I will never waste any of the experiences in my life.  That even in those times when I am removed from the daily flow of life, that I will still be productive.  That I will read my Bible more.  And pray more.  And make You a priority in my life.  Then, when this season of waiting is over, I will be closer to You.  And better equipped to serve You.  And others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.