The 23rd Psalm - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

Continuing with my thoughts about Psalm 23, moving on to the rest of verse 1...“I shall not be in want.”

‘Want’ is an interesting word.  As any parent knows, ‘want’ is an integral part of a child’s language.  Every time a commercial comes on for some new toy, they immediately ‘want’ it.  Around our house, our grandchildren are already letting us know what they ‘want’ for Christmas...which is still 7 months away!  Of course, adults are also pretty familiar with 'want’ as well.  We all ‘want’ something - be it clothes, jewelry, tools, a new vehicle, a vacation, whatever.  Fill in the blank.  So in the positive sense of the word, ‘want’ is equivalent to desire.  And, as we all know, there is no shortage of things that we desire.

‘Want’, however, also has a negative sense.  In a word, ‘want’ indicates lack.  As in something missing or lacking.  We see this in Daniel 5:27, and the writing on the wall which Daniel interprets for King Belshazzar, “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.”   Not good.  In other words, God was telling King Belshazzar that he was lacking in the area of character and godliness.  The result was he was killed that very night.  Another word that would substitute for ‘want’ is need.  This is a word that we are more familiar with.  What is interesting about the phrase “I shall not be in want”, is that ‘want’ is used in the negative sense in a positive way.  (Stay with me on this one.)  What David is saying is that since the Lord is his Shepherd, he will have no ‘wants’.  No lack.  No needs.  In other words, David will lack for nothing in his life.  All of his needs will be taken care of.  This is obviously a huge positive for David.

What a precious promise this is for each of us as well!  All of us have needs in this life.  From the most basic needs of food and water to the more complex needs of purpose and fulfillment.  In short, life is a constant struggle by us to meet all of our needs.  Unfortunately, not only do we have a lot of needs, many of them are reoccurring, which means that they have to be met over and over again.  This is part of the perplexing nature of human existence.  No sooner do we have a need met, than it requires our attention once again soon after (food, water, rest, etc.).  The good news is that our Shepherd, Jesus (John 10) is able to meet all of our needs.  He is able to take care of us to the point where we are not ‘wanting’ for anything.  Everything, from the most basic needs to the most complex, are taken care of by Him.  All we have to do is to trust Him.  To willingly place ourselves under His control.  To follow His leading.

Again, isn’t this wonderful news!  This means we can get off the proverbial treadmill of life.  We don’t have to relentlessly try to meet our needs only to discover that we have to start all over again.  Countless millions of people are doing this very thing every single day.  And they are worn out from it.  Exhausted.  Discouraged.  As Jesus said in Matthew 6, if we will put the Kingdom of God first in our lives, all of our needs will be taken care of.  All of them!  This means we can relax.  We can enjoy life.  We can follow close at the heels of our Good Shepherd without a single care in the world.  Our needs will be taken care of.  Daily.  Abundantly.  We will not be in want.

Lord, I thank you for the reality that is found here in the first verse of the 23rd Psalm - that when I follow Your leading I will not be in want - today, tomorrow, ever!  How simple this makes my life!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

Psalm 1:2 says that “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night.”  I’ve been thinking about this verse for some time.  And asking God what it looks like?  I mean, exactly what portions of Scripture could I meditate on that would draw me into His presence?  Yesterday God answered that prayer.

As I was mowing my lawn (this gives me 90 minutes to think and pray) my mind was drawn to the 23rd Psalm.  I think everyone would agree that this is the most popular Psalm.  And probably one of the most famous passages of Scripture.  Right up there with John 3:16 and a few other verses.  In my mind I went over the Psalm verse-by-verse.  And even word-by-word.  In my post today I just want to mention what God showed my in famous opening line of the Psalm - The Lord is my Shepherd.

The Lord - Wow.  Where to begin?  The Bible tells us that the Lord is eternal in the Heavens.  Master and Creator of the Universe.  Maker of Heaven and earth.  Almighty.  Omniscient.  Omnipresent.  Holy.  The center and attention of Heaven.  I thought about Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6.  Seated on His throne.  High and lifted up.  The train of His robe filling the Temple.  Attended to by angels.  Smoke.  Thunder.  Glory.  These are just a few insights into who the Lord is.

Is - One of the smaller words, for sure.  Yet is has a lot to say.  The same mighty, exalted, glorious Lord that we just looked at ‘is’.  I don’t profess to be an English major but it seems to me that ‘is’ denotes present tense.  In other words, not the past, or the future, but right now.  ‘The Lord is’.  In other words, He exists right now.  This brings great comfort and encouragement to me because I need the Lord now!  The past is over and done with.  Tomorrow is still in the future.  I need the Lord today.  Right now.  Right this very minute.

My - Another small word that says a lot.  Again, venturing into territory that I am probably not qualified to explore, as I understand it, ‘my’ is possessive.  In other words, whatever or whoever the object is, when I say ‘my’, it belongs to me.  Me!  This means that I have some sort of stake of ownership in it.  It personalizes things.  No longer is it ‘the’ Lord, as in everyone’s Lord but ‘my’ Lord!  This reminds me of the words of Thomas after He saw the resurrected Jesus with his own eyes in John 20:28, “My Lord and my God!”  The word ‘my’ takes things from being abstract and makes them personal.  Is there any better word to attach ‘my’ to than the Lord?

Shepherd - Here is the object of the entire first phrase.  Most of us who are familiar with the Bible are also familiar with what a shepherd is.  Shepherds have a long, rich tradition in Scripture.  The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) were all shepherds to some degree.  So was Moses.  And David.  Amos the prophet.  Shepherds were also the ones who received the news of the birth of Jesus and who saw Him the night He was born.  What does a shepherd do?  Care for sheep.  Which is a pretty big job when it comes right down to it.  Without getting ahead of myself, a shepherd takes care of a sheep’s need for food and water.  Shelter and protection.  He inspects it from time-to-time to make sure that it hasn’t been infected with parasites or some kind of illness.  The shepherd lives with the sheep day and night.  As a result the shepherd knows his sheep better than any one else.  He knows his sheep intimately. 

The Lord is my Shepherd - So now we put it all together.  The great, almighty, sovereign Lord of the universe is a shepherd.  And He is my Shepherd!  Right now.  At this very moment.  This means He is currently watching over me.  Meeting all of my needs.  Protecting me.  Guiding me.  Loving me.  Again, I say wow!  What an incredible thought!  No wonder why the 23rd Psalm is one the most beloved passages of Scripture.  We’ve only looked at five words and already we are overwhelmed with wonder and gratefulness!

What words to think about and meditate on!  What words of comfort and encouragement!  What words of hope and joy!  So let's take some time and go over these words in our minds.  To think about what they mean for us.  To let them speak to our spirit and soul.  This is why they have been preserved for us.  These are God’s own words straight to our hearts!

Lord, I thank you for Your Word.  In particular for the 23rd Psalm.  Oh how much those first few words say to me.  How they speak to my heart.  How they encourage and strengthen me.  And humble me.  Who am I that You should care for me?  And watch over me?  And know me so intimately?  And love me so much?  May the reality of these words penetrate to the depths of my being.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Incredible Hulk

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:19-20&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+29:22&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:24-25&version=NIV1984

The other day, I was watching some DVD’s with my grandsons, Brett & Jaydon, 5 and 3 respectively.  They love watching superhero DVD’s (yes!!) and so they had selected The Avengers.  One of the episodes on the DVD featured the Incredible Hulk.  I remember reading about the Incredible Hulk in comic books when I was a teenager.  And then I watched the TV series by the same name starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno from 1978-1982.  But I haven't seen the movie about the big, green guy that came out in 2008.  Guess I'm going to have to do that.

If you aren’t familiar with the Incredible Hulk, the story goes like this.  A scientist, Dr. David Banner, accidently exposes himself to high levels of gamma radiation.  The radiation doesn’t appear to have an effect on him at first, but when Banner gets angry, he suddenly turns into a very powerful green monster known as the Incredible Hulk.  The theme is basically a combination of the Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Frankenstein stories.  Of course, the Incredible Hulk, with his raw power, greatly appeals to boys and men.

 

As I said, I grew up reading comic books about all the superheros, but as I sat there watching the animated version of the Hulk with my grandsons, I was reminded why I have a problem with him.  The problem is that when David Banner gets angry he turns into the Incredible Hulk.  The Hulk then uses his superior strength to take care of whatever situation he’s dealing with.  So the underlying lesson is that getting angry solves problems.  That is not the kind of lesson I want to teach my grandchildren.  Or anyone else’s children or grandchildren, for that matter.  The reason why is that nothing could be further from the truth.

In real life, anger creates far more problems than it solves.  Think of a marriage where a couple gets into an argument. Yelling and screaming.  Name-calling. Slamming doors.  Throwing objects. Maybe even physical abuse.  Instead of discussing their differences in a rational manner that makes solving problems possible, anger makes reconciliation very difficult.  If not impossible.  The same is true of other situations.  Whenever a person or persons become angry, common-sense and level-headedness usually go out the window.  The result is that a relatively small disagreement can mushroom into a huge argument or altercation.  One that leaves behind hurt feelings.  Guilt.  Remorse.  Lasting scars. 

Now there are athletes who use anger to help motivate them to play better.  They nurse grudges against an opponent.  Or they manufacture an offense from the most innocent of comments.  Or perceive a slight.  This athlete then uses their anger to help them play better.  Of course, the downside to this is that an athlete’s anger can cause them to take revenge on another player.  To do something that is illegal.  If caught, they get penalized and so does their team.  The end result is that sometimes the anger the athlete was trying to use to help them ends up hurting them and their team instead.  Then there is the larger issue that anger often becomes a learned behavior.  How many athletes do we know who get angry off the field as well?  Who wind up getting into fights at bars.  Or who are involved in domestic violence in the home.

The fact is that there is not much good that comes from anger.  In the overwhelming majority of cases, anger only makes things worse.  Which is why the Bible has so much to say about it.  Among other things, we are told to refrain from anger.  To deal with it immediately and not let it go on unaddressed (Ephesians 4:26).  To stay away from people who are given to anger so that we don’t adopt the pattern ourselves (Proverbs 22:24-25).  To give a gentle reply to people and not a harsh one (Proverbs 15:1).  Yes, it is true that Jesus displayed anger.  His cleansing of the Temple is a prime example of this.  But Jesus’ anger was a holy anger.  It was indignation at the callous disregard He saw of His people toward God.  It was focused anger.  Controlled.  Unlike the anger that we often experience which leads us to become out-of-control.

The bottom line is that I’ll probably still watch the Incredible Hulk with my grandsons.  But I will use it as a teaching tool.  I will explain to them that anger does not solve problems.  It creates them.  And makes them worse.  I will then tell them what the Bible says about anger.  And talk to them about the poster child for anger in the Bible - Samson.  Anger certainly was the undoing of his life.  I will explain how allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives is a much better route to take.  That such things as patience, forgiveness and love are much better responses to problems.  And problem people. 

Lord, You know that anger is one issue that I struggled with as a child.  Most likely I learned it from my dad.  It was an area that threatened to ruin my entire life.  I thank you that when I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior that Your Holy Spirit helped me in this area.  To the point where now people can’t believe that I ever had a problem with it.  Continue to help me to avoid anger.  To be loving.  Kind.  Patient.  Forgiving.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOX News: The Christian News Channel?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:3-5&version=NIV1984 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:28&version=NIV1984 

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

I confess.  I don’t watch a lot of news.  In fact, I don’t watch any news.  I used to.  I’ve never been one for national news.  But Beth & I used to watch the local news.  Every night.  But then our routine changed.  And it’s not like there’s much good on the news.  A crime here.  A tragedy there.  More controversies that a person can even keep track of.  Besides, I get to see the headlines everyday when I log on to my home page.  So I feel like I am pretty up-to-date with what’s happening in the world.

If I were going to watch a national news program it certainly would be FOX News.  Out of all the networks I think they present a much less biased and liberal view.  Now this does not mean that FOX News is conservative.  But they are much more conservative than the network news programs.  I did watch FOX News fairly extensively during the Iraqi invasion.  I trusted them to be fairly unbiased in their reporting.  I liked Shephard Smith and thought that he did a good job of covering the war.

In a world devoid of options, many Christians have gravitated to FOX News as the news channel of choice.   Like me, they like FOX’s less-liberal-biased reporting.  And their willingness to present the conservative view on matters.  After all, FOX News purports itself to be fair and balanced.  As a result, FOX News has been adopted by many Christians as the only news channel to be watched.  The same way that the Republican Party has become the only political party for Christians.  In the process, commentators such as Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh have become revered as courageous people who stand up to the liberals.  They tell it like it is.  They put the liberals in their place.  They throw their arguments back in their face.  I admit that part of me enjoys this, too.  It is so gratifying to see the same tactics that the liberals are using, used against them.  Fight fire with fire.  See how you like it!

But while I appreciate FOX News as being the best that we have to choose from, I am going to stop short of anointing it as the spokesperson for my faith.  First of all, I don’t know if many of the commentators are Christians.  This means that while they can give clever and insightful responses to many of our country’s problems, they don’t do so from a Biblical perspective.  For example, when was the last time that a commentator actually said that Jesus was the answer to a problem?  When was the last time that a commentator stated that the proper way to respond to hate was with love?  I understand why they don’t.  It’s because they don’t know Jesus in the first place.  So how could they possibly promote Christian-based values and strategies? 

Secondly, the tactics that the commentators use to defend their beliefs are not Christian.  The Bible has many verses that talk about ‘speaking the truth in love’, not letting ‘any unwholesome word’ come from our lips, about making sure that our conversation is ‘always full of grace, seasoned with salt’.  The fact is that when you start making fun of your opponents, attack them, call them names, and belittle them, you are stooping down to their level.  But hey, it attracts viewers.  And isn’t that what really matters?  However, as a Christian, I would never speak to someone, or about someone else, in this way.  Nor would I expect any other Christian to speak to someone else in this way.

And this is precisely the point.  Is any of our haranguing about the left changing them?  Is it transforming their hearts and minds?  No.  It is simply causing them to dig in that much more.  The strategy to use is love.  Sure, state the facts.  Present the logical argument.  Stand up for the truth.  But do it with grace and love.  That’s what Jesus would do.

So while FOX News is the best available source for reliable, unbiased news on the networks, we need to remember that, at its heart, it still is humanistic.  And humanistic solutions, while they sound good, will never work.  At least not in the long term.  So let’s not buy into them.  Only godly solutions will work.  And one day, when Jesus appears back on this planet, those godly solutions are going to be implemented.  Peace will reign.  Righteousness will be the norm.  And this world will be exactly the way God created it to be.  The way that we long for it to be.  Now that will be news indeed!

Lord, help me to remember that the way to counter hate, deception and evil is with love, truth and righteousness.  Help me to be able to sincerely pray for my enemies.  For those who are actively seeking to destroy this country.  For those who are opposing Your kingdom in the process.  May You bring the light of Your presence into their lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Likes It! He Likes It! - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+20:9&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043:2&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209:16&version=NIV1984

Continuing yesterday’s post and my feelings of failure and frustration in ministry.  I am called to be a pastor.  But I don’t often feel like I’m making the grade.  What should I do?

I pray.  A lot.  I cry out to God.  I am so pathetic.  I have so many shortcomings and weaknesses.  How in the world is anyone getting anything out of my ministry?  Then something happens.  I think for a moment.  I have been caught in the trap of being self-critical.  Of looking only where I come up short.  And not where I have succeeded.  Of looking only at what I don't like about ministry.  And not what I enjoy.  It turns out that there is a lot I actually like about ministry.  I enjoy reading and studying the Bible each day.  And I definitely like preaching.  And teaching.  I like seeing people being transformed by God's amazing power.  I enjoy the relationships that I've developed over the years with so many people.  As I am thinking about all this, something else happens.  I get positive feedback from others.  They confirm that God is using me.  An encouragement card.  A verbal word of praise.  Or thanks.  Occasionally someone mentions how a sermon spoke to them.  Or they mention how much a visit meant to them.  They tell me that they regularly read my blog.  And are blessed by it.  Who knew?

To bring this full circle, what I have finally discovered about ministry is, “I like it!  I really like it!”  There is nothing else I want to do with my life.  As hard and as difficult as it is at times, ministry is the only thing I can do.  Anything else would be waste of my God-given talents.  No, I haven’t arrived.  And probably never will.  And no, I will never be able to get all the ministries that I want to have up-and-running in my church.  And it is probably never going to become a very large church.  But that’s OK.  I’m doing what God wants me to.  Where He wants me to do it.

And isn’t that about the best that any of us can hope for?  I mean, which one of us has the ‘perfect’ job?  Which one of us feels like we are constantly performing to our potential?  That we are doing well in every area of our lives?  Which one of us isn't painfully aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings?  Which one of us doesn’t deal with feelings of failure?  Or get discouraged from time to time?  The fact is that we all do.  Some do more than others but no one is exempt.

What's the answer?  First of all, to know that we are in the center of God's will.  When you know that you are right where God wants you to be, it is a great means of comfort and encouragement.  Secondly, to know that God will help us.  I love Romans 8:32 and think of it often.  "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"  The point is clear.  If God gave us Jesus to save us from our sins, He will give us whatever we need to accomplish His will - strength, wisdom, patience, understanding, etc.  Thirdly, to know that God is pleased with effort.  He knows that we are human.  He made us!  He knows that we will stumble from time to time.  And even fail.  And He's OK with that!  Because He knows that we are doing the best that we can under the circumstances.  The fact is that God never asks more than what we are capable of! 

So if you feel that you're not cutting it in life, that you're not a good spouse, or parent, or employee, or Sunday School teacher, relax.  Continue to have faith in God.  Keep on doing what you're doing.  If He wants you to do things differently He will tell you.  Remember that others are not your judge.  And neither are you!  God is your judge.  And it just might be that He is not as hard and demanding as you think He is.  Also be aware that you have more successes than you give yourself credit for.  Think about what it is that you are doing right.  The places where you see God blessing.  You need to hold on to this when discouragement and disillusionment come.  Learn to be content where you are.  That was Paul's advice.  Focus on what you like.  It's probably more than what you think it is.  Bloom where you are.  Someday you will see what God accomplished through you.  And you will be amazed!  And grateful to Him!

Lord, there are times when I am my own worst enemy!  Help me to remember that I am where You have led me - doing what You want me to do.  If you want me to go somewhere else - or to do things differently - let me know.  I will obey.  Otherwise I am going to continue to do my best, right where I am, as You enable me.  Help me to be faithful and to trust You for the results.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

He Likes It! He Likes It! - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy+3:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy+4:2&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+5:2&version=NASB

In 1974 a TV commercial for Life Cereal was unveiled.  It involved 2 young brothers who weren’t sure that they wanted to try a new cereal.  So they decided to give it to their youngest brother, 4-year-old Mikey.  Mikey, it seems, didn’t like much of anything.  Well, Mikey tried the cereal, and to his brother’s surprise, he liked it.  In fact, their reply, “He likes it!  Hey Mikey!” became an instant hit.  The commercial was so successful that it ran for 12 years, becoming one of the longest-running commercials since.  You can watch the commercial at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow5cHJx43i0  I was thinking about that old commercial earlier today.

At the end of August I will have been in ministry for 20 years.  That’s probably not much of a milestone to many pastors.  But it is to me.  I had no clue as to whether I would be a good pastor or not.  So just surviving has to say something.  During this time ministry has been pretty much what I expected it to be.  I knew that it involved preaching & teaching.  Counseling & administration.  And officiating at weddings and funerals.  What I didn’t realize was the immensity of the job.  That there was so much to do.  And I gradually became aware that I wasn’t getting it all done.  Each time I would go to District Conference some speaker would talk about the importance of a particular aspect of ministry.  “If you’re not discipling your people, you’re not doing your job!”  “Reaching the lost is a pastor’s first and most important task.”  “You need to be training your people.”  “Missions is God’s heartbeat.  A pastor needs to be out front leading the charge in this area.”  Every time I listened to these guys I would sink a little lower in my seat.  “I need to ramp things up and get after it.  I’m not even close to doing what I should be doing!” I thought.

Then I would listen to other pastors talk.  One pastor would mention how he fasts for days at a time.  Every month.  Another pastor says that he gets up at 5:30 AM, every morning, and spends 2 hours in prayer and devotions.  Another pastor says that he spends time every week out in his community.  Wow!  I thought I was doing pretty good before all this.  I’m not doing any of these things!  Then there are the testimonies from pastors who are tearing it up.  And the articles that you read.  Or maybe the churches right in your own community.  Things like: 200 conversions last year.  Church attendance doubled.  Built a brand new church.  Worship musicians that are semi-professional.  Finally, there’s the nagging feeling that your District Superintendent isn’t happy with your performance.  Oh, he may not say anything negative.  At least not to you.  But he doesn’t say anything positive either.  So what am I supposed to believe.  Apparently I’m not doing a good job.

Of course, being a perfectionist doesn’t help matters.  Even without all of the stuff above, I am constantly disappointed with my performance.  There is so much to do!  And all I seem to be able to do is to maintain the status quo.  But that isn’t good enough.  So I work harder.  Smarter.  Longer.  I’m making a little progress.  But nowhere near enough.  Then I get discouraged.  “Maybe...I’m not cut out for this job.”  “Maybe...someone else could do better.”  “Maybe...I ought to think about some other line of work.”  With pressure and thoughts like this I can’t really say that I have enjoyed ministry.  Oh sure, there are moments here and there where I feel successful.  But they are few and far between.  And this is at a church that treats their pastor well!  I have no clue how I would survive in a dysfunctional church.  I wouldn’t!  They would chew me up and spit me out so fast it’d make my head spin!  More on this subject in tomorrow's post.

Lord, I know that I often don't measure up to my own expectations for ministry.  And perhaps I don't measure up to the expectations of others either.  But this I know - I am being faithful to Your call upon my life.  And I will never be able to accomplish anything in ministry except as you enable me.  Work through me to accomplish Your will in my life.  And in my church.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

My College Graduation: 20 Years Later

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17:20&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:38&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2011:1&version=NIV1984

Yesterday was 20 years since I graduated from Crown (St Paul Bible) College.  Wow.  Time really does fly!  I was 38 years old - soon to be 39.  Almost old enough to be the parent of many of my classmates! I remember walking across the stage with pride receiving my diploma.  A lot of time, money and effort went into that piece of paper!  A huge blessing was that my parents and all of my brothers made the trip out from New York to see me graduate.  One of my most treasured pictures is of my dad, three brothers and my two sons with me at the front of the college the morning of graduation.  My graduation was actually the fulfillment of a dream that God gave me as a child.

If you can believe this, I was called into ministry before I was actually a Christian!  It is an interesting story.  After being miraculously healed of a brain tumor (another great story) my parents upheld their end of the bargain by starting to attend church.  We were unchurched and unsaved at the time.  Unfortunately the church we started attending was a mainline denomination that didn’t preach the Gospel.  Anyway, liking to read, as well as having a love for biography and history, I took to the Bible like a duck takes to water.  In the span of 3 years I knew more about the Bible than any of the children who’d grown up in the church.  I remember that I took pieces of paper and put Bible verses on them.  Then I’d tape them all over the walls and hallway of our house. (I’m sure my parents really liked that!).  This was how I memorized Scripture.  Then I’d get my younger brothers and sisters together and we’d play church.  Of course, I was both the teacher and pastor.  I’d make tests on pieces of paper where they had to fill in the blanks.  Then I would preach to them.  I believed in a full-service church! 

Somewhere along the line I must have mentioned something to my parents about wanting to become a pastor.  While I was in 6th grade my dad took me to see the pastor.  We sat in his study and talked.  I remember that he gave me 4 or 5 books to read about Jesus and the Bible.  Of course, I read them in no time.  At home we would periodically watch Billy Graham Crusades on our old black-and-white TV.  I wanted to become the next Billy Graham.  It was another year or two later, after we started attending an evangelical church, that I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior.  The first one in my entire family of 8.  Unfortunately, by the time I graduated from high school, I had lost sight of the dream.  I got a job and went to work.  Was married.  In 1976 I enrolled at Houghton College, south of Buffalo, to pursue a degree in pastoral ministry.  I went for a week.  I really enjoyed it.  But I was working rotating shifts at a paper plant.  And it was an hour-plus commute there and back each day.  So I prayed about it.  And withdrew.  At least I got all my tuition money back!

In the Spring of 1988 I talked to Beth about attending Bible College.  It seemed like the impossible dream.  I would have to quit my job.  (I was the only one working).  We had 3 children.  We’d have to sell our house.  (It was a fixer-upper that we didn’t have the money to fix!).  We had an old beater of a car.  And no money!  Well, how was this going to work out?  I applied to Crown College and was accepted.  We put our house up for sale.  (It didn’t sell until 18 months later - and then we practically gave it away!)  We sold or gave away a lot of our furniture.  I quit my job.  We packed up our car and an old pick-up truck and headed for the college.  What a traumatic move that was!  We left behind both sets of parents.  All of our friends.  The only place we’d ever lived.  I felt like Abraham.  (Except that I knew where I was going).  I just didn’t know how we were ever going to make it work!  Needless to say God provided everything that we needed.  I received some scholarships.  I qualified for some grants.  I worked 20 hours a week.  Beth went to work at a local daycare.  All of this led to the momentous day in 1992.  Which, in turn, led us to Kalispell a few months later.  The place we continue to minister at.

Why do I share this story?  Well, not only because it means so much to me, but also to encourage you.  You see, when we headed off to Crown College in Minnesota, we were no different than you.  We had everyday lives and commitments. Then God came calling.  He put me in a situation where I was desperate - so desperate that I would do anything!  Which led me to do something that, on paper, looked impossible.  And that many friends and relatives thought was crazy.  Of course, I didn’t do this without a lot of prayer.  And seeking the guidance of spiritually-mature believers.  But it was still a huge step of faith.  The financial, emotional and spiritual costs were enormous.  The point is this: God rewards faith.  Always has and always will.  And the bigger the step of faith the bigger the reward.

So where have you taken a step of faith lately?  Have you witnessed to somebody?  Or taken on a new ministry in your church?  Have you begun tithing?  Or given money that you didn’t have to give?  Have you recently quit your job?  Or taken another one?  Have you started a business?  Or joined a league or an organization?  It doesn’t matter what you’ve done.  It only matters that you’ve done something.  Anything.  That you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone into the unknown.  That you’re faith is in God.  Remember:  No matter how big or small the step of faith is, every step of faith is a step toward God!

Lord, I thank you for the way that You rewarded our faith 24 years ago when we left New York to attend Crown College.  How uncertain those days were!  There were so many questions and so few answers.  And yet You led, provided, and blessed all along the way.  And now I look back and see all the fruit from that one decision.  And I am amazed!  Help me to continue to walk by faith.  And so please You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus Mean?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2011:28-31&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:1-11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9:36&version=NIV1984

For most people, even those who may not have read the Gospels, Jesus is a seen as loving and kind.  And with good reason.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus healed all kinds of people of all kinds of diseases and illnesses.  He healed the deaf.  The mute.  The lame.  The paralyzed.  He cast demons out of people.  He blessed babies and small children.  He had compassion for hungry people and fed them when they were without food.  He extended forgiveness to a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  He healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever.  He brought Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter back to life.  And also the widow of Nain’s son.  Of course, there was the resurrection of His friend Lazarus.  So there is ample evidence to prove that Jesus was compassionate, loving and kind.

Then there is the other side of Jesus. There was His driving the money changers and merchants out of the Temple with a whip. There was His difficult teachings, such as in John 6, where He talks about people eating His flesh and drinking His blood.  Why didn’t Jesus just come out and explain what He was talking about?  Two chapters later, in John 8, we see that Jesus told the crowd that their father was Satan.  Meaning that they were children of Satan.  Ouch!

But perhaps the most perplexing thing for some people are Jesus’ comments to the religious leaders of His day.  Time after time we see that Jesus had some very harsh things to say to them.  In Matthew 23 we have what has become known as The Seven Woes.  In this section Jesus goes off on the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.  He repeatedly calls them hypocrites.  He also refers to them as snakes and vipers.  As whitewashed tombs.  And blind guides.  And there are other occasions where Jesus thoroughly denounced His critics in a similar scathing fashion.  This has caused some people to view Jesus as being rather mean.  Abrupt.  Spiteful.  Someone who is quick to condemn.  Someone who is very intolerant of others.  As a result of this some people are afraid of Jesus.  They see Him as being someone who is hard to get to know.  Someone who is rather difficult to love.  But is this really the case?

The thing to keep in mind is that Jesus never scolded or was rude to an earnest seeker.  The woman caught in adultery?  He didn’t condemn her.  The rich, young man who came to Jesus wanting to know how he could obtain eternal life?  The Scripture tells us that Jesus looked at him with love.  Peter, who began to slip beneath the waves when his faith faltered?  Jesus immediately stretched out His hand to rescue him.  Time after time Jesus was patient, kind, forgiving, merciful and compassionate with people.  The only people He ever responded harshly to were those of the religious establishment who actively opposed Him.  People who claimed to be righteous but who were far from it.  People who made a public pretense of being spiritual who were anything but.

So, is Jesus mean?  It depends.  Not when we approach Him in humility.  Not when we come to Him in repentance.  Not when we come to Him for forgiveness.  Or mercy.  Not when we are earnestly seeking to know and understand Him.  When we approach Jesus like this we find out that He is patient with us.  Gentle.  Kind.  Understanding.  Loving.  By the same token, we should never take Jesus as a pushover.  As someone that we can deceive.  Or control.  Or use.  If we approach Jesus like this then we can expect to experience His anger.  His words will be sharp.  Pointed.  They will expose our hypocrisy.  And wound us.  Not out of revenge.  But out of a desire to cause us to see ourselves for who we really are.  And hopefully to repent.

In the final analysis, the Jesus that we see in Scripture is the kind of Jesus that we want to see.  So what kind of Jesus are you seeing?  I hope it's the loving, caring, compassionate Jesus.  The Jesus who loved you enough to die on the cross for your sins.

Lord, I thank you that the Jesus I know is loving.  Kind.  Caring.  Compassionate.  Always ready to forgive.  To strengthen.  Comfort.  Encourage.  I pray for those who struggle with their perception of Jesus that they would see that He is a wonderful Savior.  A Gentle Shepherd.  A forever Friend.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Universalism - Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved? Part III

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%207&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%2012-13&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV1984

For the past couple posts we have been looking at the doctrine of Universalism - the belief that someday everybody makes it to Heaven.  Certainly this is the desire of every believer.  And it is even the desire of God.  In 2 Peter 3:9 we are told, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  Yes, God wants everyone to be saved.  This is His desire.  But at the same time, He values human choice.  And Scripture is clear that not everyone is going to choose to repent.  In fact, Jesus said that there would be few who would repent and go down the narrow road.  So what are some additional problems with Universalism?

Fourthly, Universalism means that there will be people in Heaven who have never repented.  Because God relented.  If people steadfastly refuse to repent of their sin, what is God to do?  I suppose that He could just let bygones be bygones and let them into Heaven.  But what about His justice?  Justice demands that sin be punished.  And who says that just because people suffer in Hell that they will one day repent?  This is kind of like the criminal who is behind bars who is sorry that they have been caught but who has no interest in changing at all.  Should we let criminals like this go free?  No way.  And neither will God let people who have refused to repent enter Heaven.  Not now.  Not ever.

Fifthly, universalism means that God will have violated a person’s free will.  As we have already seen, repentance is an absolute must for the forgiveness of sins.  So if a person refuses to repent, and God does place them in Heaven, He has done that which He pledged never to do.  He violated a person’s free will.  He overrode their ability to choose their own fate.  I have known of some people who were violently opposed to God right up to the day they died.  What kind of God would He be to take someone like this and put them in Heaven anyway?  Against their wishes?  The Bible is clear that God respects the choices we make.  Good choices have good consequences.  Bad choices have bad consequences.  God will respect every person’s choice not to repent.  The consequence of that choice will be an eternity in Hell.

Sixthly, Universalism gives people a false sense of hope.  That if they die without Christ they will eventually make it to Heaven.  “So what if I don’t get around to it in this life?  I will eventually make it to Heaven anyway!”  Wow.  This is another direct contradiction of God’s Word.  In Hebrews 9:27 we are told, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”  What does this verse mean?  That we need to repent while we still have breath.  After we die it is too late.  There is no reincarnation.  There is no second chance.  No divine reprieve.  Lost.  In Hell.  Forever.

Seventhly, Universalism makes evangelism and missions pointless.  If everyone is eventually going to be saved, then why are we so driven to reach people with the Gospel?  Sure, some of them might have to suffer for a period of time in Hell.  But eventually they will get out.  And wind up in Heaven.  And who knows?  Maybe they will even be better off for the experience?  Maybe they will make model citizens in Heaven?  Once again, the Bible is clear: every Christian has a mandate to share the Gospel with others.  Now.  While there is still time.  Before it is too late.

Now, admittedly, thousands of years of people suffering is a very daunting and disturbing thought.  But to suffer eternally?  This is beyond comprehension.  As such, it casts God in a very unkind light.  But, again, my contention is that we simply don’t see things from God’s point of view.  How terrible, how disgusting, how evil sin is.  How much sin offends His holy character.  How much damage sin has to done to His creation.  How much pain and suffering sin has caused humankind.  Sin is unredeemable.  Unfixable.  As such it must be punished.  Eternally.  There is no other option.

One final thought on Universalism.  If you believe in it, what if you’re wrong?  What if Hell is a thousand times worse than you ever imagined?  What if it is eternal?  Then what?  Then it’s too late.  And you will have all eternity to regret your decision.  If you are not a Christian, you need to repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus TODAY!  While there is still time.  While God’s grace is still extended to you.  Because tomorrow could be too late.  You really can’t afford to take that chance.

Lord, how sad it is that people don’t believe You.  That they refuse to believe what You say.  Even worse, that they refuse to take advantage of Your offer of salvation.  Paid for by Your Son’s own blood.  Please have mercy on them.  Do whatever You have to do to get them to see the light.  To repent.  And find forgiveness.  And thereby gain Heaven.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Universalism - Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved? Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thess%201:9&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:47-48&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV1984

Yesterday I wrote about the very popular doctrine of Universalism.  The belief that eventually everyone will be saved and make it to Heaven.  It certainly has a happy ending!  Just like many fairy tales.  Everyone loves a good fairy tale.  Unfortunately, the hope that all people are one day going to be saved is just that - a fairy tale.  And certainly not reality.  So, on what basis is Universalism wrong?  As Shakespeare once said, ‘Let me count the ways’.

First of all, universalism goes against the clear teaching of the Bible.  Yesterday, today, and in tomorrow’s post I have put at the top of the page some Scriptures that speak of the eternality of Hell.  Verses such as Matthew 25:46 where Jesus says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  Sort of hard to get by that one.  And there are many other verses as well.  When it comes to Hell the Bible uses terms such as ‘eternal’ and ‘forever’.  Certainly not words that have a time limit attached to them.  Rather they are time-less.  Besides, doesn’t it seem hypocritical to believe in an eternity in Heaven but not in Hell?  If Hell is taken to be temporary then what makes us so sure that Heaven isn’t as well?

Secondly, Universalism undermines the character of God.  Basically it says that God doesn’t really mean what He says.  If God says that people who don’t put their faith in Jesus are going to suffer eternally in Hell, and then changes His mind and lets them into Heaven, on what other issues might God change His mind?  Might He eventually decide to cast some people out of Heaven?  Might He decide to just pull the plug on everything and start all over again?  Or just go back to the way everything was in eternity past, when only the Godhead existed?  In Numbers 23:19 we are told, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?”  Part of our understanding of God is that He is perfect.  Perfection implies that He never makes a mistake.  It also implies He never changes His mind.  If God has said that unrepentant sinners will spend eternity suffering in Hell, it will happen.  If it didn’t then we would not be able to believe anything that God says.  And since God would no longer be perfect, He would no longer be God.  At least not the unique God that Scripture portrays Him to be.  I don’t think we want to go down that road.

Thirdly, Universalism undervalues the holiness of God.  The longer I live the more convinced I am that we, as humans, know precious little about this aspect of God.  The reason is simple.  We are humans.  We are sinful.  That about does it.  In our sinful, fallen state we are so conditioned to sin that we have lost our objectivity.  What is holiness?  No sin.  None.  Not even the tiniest bit.  Not even in its most innocent form.  The fact is that God cannot stand sin.  He hates it.  It cannot exist in His Presence.  So what is to be done with sinful human beings who reject God’s offer of forgiveness?  Those individuals who persist in their sin?  Who embrace it?  Who enjoy it?  Who come to embody it?  Clearly something has to give, and it isn’t God.  Now, I know that God is going to get beat up over this - the fact that He won’t let sinful people into Heaven - but, again, if God were to do this He wouldn’t be God.  He cannot compromise His holiness.  So, if sinners cannot be in God’s Presence, then where will they be?  The short answer is, Hell.  For all eternity.  More thoughts about this subject in tomorrow’s post. 

Lord, I pray against Satan who is ultimately behind the doctrine of Universalism.  As Jesus said, he was a liar from the beginning.  And the truth is not in him.  Help people to keep from being deceived that Hell is not literal.  That it doesn’t involve suffering.  And that it isn’t for eternity.  This is a lie from the pit of Hell itself.  Help people to see through the deception and to respond to Your offer of forgiveness and grace.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Universalism - Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved? Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2025:45-46&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2014:11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2018:8&version=NIV1984

Suffering.  No one likes to suffer.  And very few people like to see others suffer.  This is why there are such people as counselors, doctors, nurses, surgeons, hospice and clergy.  They assist people who are suffering.  Physically.  Emotionally.  Spiritually.  This is not to mention family, friends and multitudes of others who are moved to compassion at the sight of human suffering.  It is because suffering is so disliked that the doctrine of Hell is so disturbing.

According to the Bible, all humans are sinners. Regardless of gender. Age. Skin color. Language. Country of origin. Or social position.  They are born this way.  In sin.  Separated from God.  This means that they have no relationship with Him.  As a result of this, everyone is headed to an eternity in Hell.  This is the default mode of every single person.  To change this, God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  When people accept this sacrifice (by repenting of their sins and putting their faith in Jesus as their Savior) they pass from death to life.  Their eternal destination is now changed.  To Heaven.  Now, near as I can figure, no one is upset about enjoying Heaven for eternity.  But there a lot of people who do not like, or agree with, people suffering in Hell for eternity.  This is where the doctrine of Universalism comes into play.

Simply stated, Universalism is the belief that someday (and there are different views on when this will happen) all those who are in Hell will eventually be saved.  In other words, they will eventually make it to Heaven.  While the early church theologian, Origen (3rd century AD) first developed this idea, it didn’t really get much traction until the mid-17th century in England.  By the 19th century it had begun to take root in our country as well.  An example of this is George De Benneville.  Living in the 18th century, De Benneville rejected his Christian faith and developed his own variation of it.  He was convinced that Hell was simply for purification.  And not for punishment.  After a person had suffered for some time, De Benneville felt that they would be accepted into Heaven.  And he was also convinced that a good, loving God would never punish anyone eternally.  So he began preaching Universalism doctrine wherever he went.

Since the 19th century Universalism has become enormously popular.  In fact, as Richard Bauckham (Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of St Andrews) states, “no traditional Christian doctrine has been so widely abandoned as that of eternal punishment.”  Well, I wonder why that is?  Could it be because we have lost the concept of justice and punishment these days?  Or the concept of absolute truth?  Bingo!  We have.  It is now commonly accepted that all religions lead to Heaven.  And that a loving God (for those who still believe in Him) would never eternally punish anyone for sin. 

Of course, as Christians, our view on the eternal nature of Hell is based upon Scripture.  So just exactly what does the Bible say about Hell?  Is it eternal or not?  More on this subject tomorrow.

Lord, I thank you that You have made a way for me to be saved.  And all humankind.  Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  He died so that I wouldn’t experience eternal death.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lie Of Greener Grass

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Tim%206:6-8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%204:11-12&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:17&version=NIV1984

With the abundant moisture that we’ve received this Spring my grass is green.  Very green.  So is everybody else's.  Of course, green grass is a thing of beauty.  Lush, green grass is so inviting.  Once it’s been cut, that is!  And a nice, well-trimmed, green lawn greatly adds to the curb appeal of any house.  Unfortunately, as Spring gives way to summer, many lawns will begin to lose their ‘greenness’.  In fact, in a dry summer, the grass in lawns that are not watered will turn brown.  That grass will be ugly.  But at least it won’t have to be mowed!

There is a proverb in our culture about green grass.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before.  It goes like this - “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”  By this it is meant that we tend to think that others have it better than we do.  Have you ever felt this way?  I have at times.  I look with envy at others who are better looking.  Or who have a bigger house.  Or get to take vacations in Hawaii.  Or who are able to take their grandchildren to Disneyland.  Or I might envy other pastors whose churches are bigger.  Or who are great preachers.  Or who are more popular.  I’m sure you have felt this way at times as well.  Someone else’s life looks much better than your own.  They have a prettier/handsomer spouse.  Or a smarter one.  Or a more understanding one.  Or they have a better job.  Or more money.  Less stress.  More time off.  Or their children are smarter.  Or more athletic.  Or cuter.  The truth is that there is always someone who seems to have it better than we do.  And on days when we are discouraged, it seems like everyone has it better than we do!  There is no doubt that the grass is a lot greener on their side of the fence than it is in ours!  But is this really the case?  The answer is no.

We are unaware that the person with the drop-dead good looks is absolutely paranoid about losing them.  That they stress over every new wrinkle or blemish.  We don’t realize that their good-looking or fun-loving spouse is self-centered.  Or is cheating on them behind their back.  We don’t understand that while they make more money than we do, the demands of their job are a lot greater than ours.  We don’t know about all the back-stabbing or the problems with employees they have to deal with.  We have no way of knowing that they have multiple credit cards that are maxed out.  That creditors are hounding them constantly.  That they are on the verge of bankruptcy.  We are unaware that arthritis, a bad back, and insomnia are a way of life for them.  Nor are we aware of all the arguments, the name-calling, the coldness that is present in their marriage.  No, we don’t see any of these things from our vantage point.  If we did we would no longer envy them.  We might even pity them.  The truth is that sometimes, underneath all the trappings of success, there are some pretty desperate and pathetic lives.

What does the Bible have to say about ‘greener grass’?  Nothing specifically.  But it does talk about the danger of envy.  And the benefits of contentment.  This is what it all comes down to, doesn’t it?  We are discontent with what we have because we perceive that someone else has it better.  Maybe they do.  Chances are they don’t.  And even if they do have it ‘better’ than we do (and this would only be in some areas) what is that to us?  Why can’t we just enjoy what we have right in front of us?  What God has lovingly and wisely provided for us?  When we look at it that way it puts things in perspective doesn’t it?

Yes, some people have it better than we do.  But there are many, many more who are much worse off than we are.  People who are starving.  People who have no freedom.  People who are divorced.  People who have all kinds of pain.  Or disabilities.  People who live in oppressive or abusive situations.  Compared to them, we have it easy!  So let’s not give in to the lie of ‘greener’ grass.  Let’s learn to be thankful for what we have.  Chances are that our grass is just as green as the next person’s.  Besides, if our grass is green, doesn’t that say something?  It shows that God is blessing us.  So why don’t we just sit back and enjoy it.  Perhaps a little lawn party is in order!

Lord, there are times when I envy the lives of others.  They seem to have things that I don’t.  Or they seem to have less troubles and heartaches than I do.  The reality is that I could be much worse off than I am.  Help me to be content with my life.  And thankful.  To know that it all comes from Your loving hand.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.