“Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!” (Psalm 36:10-12 NIV).
Yesterday we talked about God’s love. Notice verse 10, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Somewhere in our sinfulness we have gotten the mistaken idea that the truth, “God is love,” (1 John 4:16 NIV) automatically excuses us from any consequence of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our text reminds us that God’s love is experienced by “those who know (Him)” and His righteousness is reserved for “the upright in heart.” Our text goes on to remind us that there is coming a day when all who are unrighteous one day will “lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!”
If God is only love everyone gets to go to heaven–no matter how they lived or what they did. Before you rejoice at that thought, this means, Adolph Hitler, the mass murder of some 15 million people, Joseph Stalin who murdered some 30-60 million Russians, Chairman Mao Tse Tung who murdered 30 million Chinese, Saddam Hussain’s sons who brutally tortured and murdered thousands of innocent people, Nero, the terrorists who brought down the world trade center . . . all of these are enjoying the benefits of heaven today if God is only love. Ah, now the problem becomes a little more clear.
The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches that He is just. The Bible says, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV– emphasis mine). And the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV). Now if God is just, certainly those listed in the paragraph above are not in heaven. But, before you rejoice, understand this: if God were only just, not only are the men mentioned above where they belong, but if God is only just, no one gets to go to heaven. “There is no one righteous, not even one . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10 & 23 NIV). This is why we need Christ. In Christ the justice of God is satisfied so that the love of God may be extended. You cannot experience the personal love of God apart from Christ. If you want to stand, you must stand in Him. If you want to stand you must first kneel at the foot of the cross.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Unbelievable Love
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Ps 36:5-9 NIV).
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him.
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Playing with Fire
“An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” (Ps 36:1-4 NIV emphasis mine).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addiction is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addiction is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Power of the Tongue
“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28 NIV).
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.” (Emphasis mine).
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends than Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.” (Emphasis mine).
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends than Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
Monday, October 24, 2011
How to Handle a good Roast
“1O Lord, fight those fighting me; declare war on them for their attacks on me. 2Put on your armor, take your shield and protect me by standing in front. 3Lift your spear in my defense, for my pursuers are getting very close. Let me hear you say that you will save me from them. 4Dishonor those who are trying to kill me. Turn them back and confuse them. 5Blow them away like chaff in the wind—wind sent by the Angel of the Lord. 6Make their path dark and slippery before them, with the Angel of the Lord pursuing them. 7For though I did them no wrong, yet they laid a trap for me and dug a pitfall in my path. 8Let them be overtaken by sudden ruin, caught in their own net and destroyed.” (Psalm 35:1-8 TLB).
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve lived my life under) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve lived my life under) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
Friday, October 21, 2011
No Condemnation for Redeemed
“The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:22 NIV).
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
God Will Comfort You
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Answered Prayer
“17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
His Eye Is On You
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15 NIV).
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Long Life
“Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want to live a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend you time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it.” (Psalm 34:11-14 TLB).
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Honor God
“Let the Lord’s people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10 NLT).
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Frustration-Where the Monkey Drops It
"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans." (Romans 8:28, The Living Bible)
At the Calcutta Country Club and Golf Course in Calcutta, India, ground rule number ten on the golf course is simply, “Play the ball where the monkey drops it.” This ground rule may also provide special insight for families.
India itself is a country of contrasts. Though surrounded by slums of abject poverty, the Calcutta Country club is one of the most posh and refined golf facilities in the world, reserved for the privileged few of wealth and influence. This beautifully laid-out and maintained course is cut directly out of a magnolia jungle. Thus, the course is surrounded by thick groves of huge, lush magnolias. These magnolias are also home to large monkey populations. In the trees, the monkeys find not only shelter from the sweltering Indian sun but also a superb view of the fairways.
For reasons yet undiscovered, these same monkeys have developed a special affinity for golf balls, especially as the balls bounce and roll down the fairways. As you might imagine, this affinity poses quite a problem for golfers. At the Calcutta Country Club, they have developed a unique solution to a unique problem.
As the golfer connects with the golf ball, a rustling can be heard among the magnolia trees. The ever vigilant monkeys spring from the trees in pursuit of the bouncing projectile. At that time, the caddie, madly waving a golf club, races down the fairway toward the ball. Usually these tactics succeed in preventing the monkey from capturing the ball. On occasion, however, it is the monkey who is successful. As the monkey grasps the ball and flees, the caddie intensifies his efforts at intimidation. Invariably, at the approach of the human the monkey will drop the golf ball. And there’s the rub. The monkey may or may not drop the ball in the fairway, in a good lie, or even within the boundary. The golfer is not allowed the prerogoative of returning the ball to its original spot, regardless of whether its position has worsened or improved. Thus we are left with the Calcutta Country Club rule number ten: Play the ball where the monkey drops it!
In families, especially in (blended) families, we often discover that the courts or prior relationships have left us with “unfavorable lies.” At the discovery, we are left with the choice: either we expend our lives trying to change the unchangeable and bemoaning our lot or we can deal with the reality. The first option leads only to frustration; the second opens our lives to divine intervention that can make something meaningful and worthwhile out of that which has been broken. (Hughes, R. Kent, 1001 Great Stories “Quotes”, (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton IL pp. 173-174).
At the Calcutta Country Club and Golf Course in Calcutta, India, ground rule number ten on the golf course is simply, “Play the ball where the monkey drops it.” This ground rule may also provide special insight for families.
India itself is a country of contrasts. Though surrounded by slums of abject poverty, the Calcutta Country club is one of the most posh and refined golf facilities in the world, reserved for the privileged few of wealth and influence. This beautifully laid-out and maintained course is cut directly out of a magnolia jungle. Thus, the course is surrounded by thick groves of huge, lush magnolias. These magnolias are also home to large monkey populations. In the trees, the monkeys find not only shelter from the sweltering Indian sun but also a superb view of the fairways.
For reasons yet undiscovered, these same monkeys have developed a special affinity for golf balls, especially as the balls bounce and roll down the fairways. As you might imagine, this affinity poses quite a problem for golfers. At the Calcutta Country Club, they have developed a unique solution to a unique problem.
As the golfer connects with the golf ball, a rustling can be heard among the magnolia trees. The ever vigilant monkeys spring from the trees in pursuit of the bouncing projectile. At that time, the caddie, madly waving a golf club, races down the fairway toward the ball. Usually these tactics succeed in preventing the monkey from capturing the ball. On occasion, however, it is the monkey who is successful. As the monkey grasps the ball and flees, the caddie intensifies his efforts at intimidation. Invariably, at the approach of the human the monkey will drop the golf ball. And there’s the rub. The monkey may or may not drop the ball in the fairway, in a good lie, or even within the boundary. The golfer is not allowed the prerogoative of returning the ball to its original spot, regardless of whether its position has worsened or improved. Thus we are left with the Calcutta Country Club rule number ten: Play the ball where the monkey drops it!
In families, especially in (blended) families, we often discover that the courts or prior relationships have left us with “unfavorable lies.” At the discovery, we are left with the choice: either we expend our lives trying to change the unchangeable and bemoaning our lot or we can deal with the reality. The first option leads only to frustration; the second opens our lives to divine intervention that can make something meaningful and worthwhile out of that which has been broken. (Hughes, R. Kent, 1001 Great Stories “Quotes”, (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton IL pp. 173-174).
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Necessity of Christ
“Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!” (Psalm 36:10-12 NIV).
Yesterday we talked about God’s love. Notice verse 10, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Somewhere in our sinfulness we have gotten the mistaken idea that the truth, “God is love,” (1 John 4:16 NIV) automatically excuses us from any consequence of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our text reminds us that God’s love is experienced by “those who know (Him)” and His righteousness is reserved for “the upright in heart.” Our text goes on to remind us that there is coming a day when all who are unrighteous one day will “lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!”
If God is only love everyone gets to go to heaven–no matter how they lived or what they did. Before you rejoice at that thought, this means, Adolph Hitler, the mass murder of some 15 million people, Joseph Stalin who murdered some 30-60 million Russians, Chairman Mao Tse Tung who murdered 30 million Chinese, Saddam Hussain’s sons who brutally tortured and murdered thousands of innocent people, Nero, the terrorists who brought down the world trade center . . . all of these are enjoying the benefits of heaven today if God is only love. Ah, now the problem becomes a little more clear.
The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches that He is just. The Bible says, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV– emphasis mine). And the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV). Now if God is just, certainly those listed in the paragraph above are not in heaven. But, before you rejoice, understand this: if God were only just, not only are the men mentioned above where they belong, but if God is only just, no one gets to go to heaven. “There is no one righteous, not even one . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10 & 23 NIV). This is why we need Christ. In Christ the justice of God is satisfied so that the love of God may be extended. You cannot experience the personal love of God apart from Christ. If you want to stand, you must stand in Him. If you want to stand you must first kneel at the foot of the cross.
Yesterday we talked about God’s love. Notice verse 10, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Somewhere in our sinfulness we have gotten the mistaken idea that the truth, “God is love,” (1 John 4:16 NIV) automatically excuses us from any consequence of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our text reminds us that God’s love is experienced by “those who know (Him)” and His righteousness is reserved for “the upright in heart.” Our text goes on to remind us that there is coming a day when all who are unrighteous one day will “lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!”
If God is only love everyone gets to go to heaven–no matter how they lived or what they did. Before you rejoice at that thought, this means, Adolph Hitler, the mass murder of some 15 million people, Joseph Stalin who murdered some 30-60 million Russians, Chairman Mao Tse Tung who murdered 30 million Chinese, Saddam Hussain’s sons who brutally tortured and murdered thousands of innocent people, Nero, the terrorists who brought down the world trade center . . . all of these are enjoying the benefits of heaven today if God is only love. Ah, now the problem becomes a little more clear.
The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches that He is just. The Bible says, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV– emphasis mine). And the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV). Now if God is just, certainly those listed in the paragraph above are not in heaven. But, before you rejoice, understand this: if God were only just, not only are the men mentioned above where they belong, but if God is only just, no one gets to go to heaven. “There is no one righteous, not even one . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10 & 23 NIV). This is why we need Christ. In Christ the justice of God is satisfied so that the love of God may be extended. You cannot experience the personal love of God apart from Christ. If you want to stand, you must stand in Him. If you want to stand you must first kneel at the foot of the cross.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
God's Unfathonable Love
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Ps 36:5-9 NIV).
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Monday, June 13, 2011
Personal Responsibility
“An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” (Ps 36:1-4 NIV emphasis mine).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addition is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addition is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Tongue: How do you use it?
“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28 NIV).
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.”
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends then Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.”
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends then Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
When Lies Abound
“O Lord, fight those fighting me; declare war on them for their attacks on me. Put on your armor, take your shield and protect me by standing in front. Lift your spear in my defense, for my pursuers are getting very close. Let me hear you say that you will save me from them. Dishonor those who are trying to kill me. Turn them back and confuse them. Blow them away like chaff in the wind—wind sent by the Angel of the Lord. Make their path dark and slippery before them, with the Angel of the Lord pursuing them. For though I did them no wrong, yet they laid a trap for me and dug a pitfall in my path. Let them be overtaken by sudden ruin, caught in their own net and destroyed.” (Psalm 35:1-8 TLB).
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve seen thus far) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve seen thus far) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Proper Focus-Right Riches
“The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:22 NIV).
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
God Repairs What Others Discard
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Most Underused Weapon in the Christian Arsenal
“17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Seeing God in Our Pain
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15 NIV).
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Monday, April 25, 2011
How to Live the "Good Life"
“Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want to live a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend you time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it.” (Psalm 34:11-14 TLB).
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sure Provision
“Let the Lord’s people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10 NLT).
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Discover God's Goodness
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Stop Playin with Spiritual Spiders!
I have been dealing with the difficult subject of identifying false teachers, and as expected I have received both complements and criticisms for these columns. I have been encouraged by some and warned by others to “back off.” Many it seems feel that it is always wrong to say something negative about anything. They scream (literally), “Judge not, lest you be judged!” forgetting that they themselves are in fact making a judgment by their very cry of being non-judgmental.
In any case, I am in it, so let me finish my list of things that should always set off a flag of warning in the heart of anyone who is genuinely seeking to know truth. If your mind is already made up, just save yourself some time and skip this column today, you’ll only grow more upset.
Jeremiah 23:32 says, "Their made-up dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send them, and they have no message at all for my people, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:32, The Living Bible) and the prophet Ezekiel said, "Your ‘prophets’ describe false visions and speak false messages they claim are from God, when he hasn’t spoken one word to them at all. Thus they repair the walls with whitewash!" (Ezekiel 22:28, The Living Bible).
One of the major warning signs that a man is a false teacher is when he (or she) begins to claim that their personal perversion of Scripture takes precedence over the clear teachings of Scripture. I heard one such man declare, “People will tell you we are a cult. Don’t believe them! The only true preachers are the ones I have trained and ordained.” When I confronted one of this parishioners with this statement he responded, “Oh, yes. We may seem like a cult, but if you will only come and let the Bishop explain, you will begin to understand.” Really?
The Bible warns, " And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people." (Romans 16:17-18, NLT).
“Stay away from them” Paul warns. The reason false teachers are able to prosper and gain a following is because unsuspecting Christians are willing to put up with their teaching even when they know something is wrong. Here’s the trap. They say enough “good things” that undiscerning people are willing to put up with the questionable things. Before long, we find ourselves “understanding” the false as the gentleman mentioned two paragraphs above pointed out. Sadly, familiarity breeds compromise and that is why the Bible warns us over and over again to flee not flirt with that which is false.
Another tale-tell sign of false teachers today is their propensity to justify sexual sin. The Lord warned his church in Thyatira "“But I have this against you: You let that woman Jezebel spread false teachings. She says she is a prophetess, but by her teaching she leads my people to take part in sexual sins " (Revelation 2:20, NCV).
One final warning flag (there are many others, but I will end this series with this one), is the movement common today attempting to move believers today back into Old Testament practices. Galatians 2:4 warns of this dangerous trend and Paul gives this injunction, " As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith." (1 Timothy 1:3-4, NIV). He completes that thought in his second letter to Timothy, "They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people. These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.”" (2 Timothy 3:5-6, The Message).
Do you want to really know the true from the false? There is one sure way to do that. Familiarize yourself with the true Word of God and then you will be able to discern whether the teacher is telling you truth or leading you into a web of deception. And I plead with you, don’t play with spiritual spiders. Steer completely clear of them.
In any case, I am in it, so let me finish my list of things that should always set off a flag of warning in the heart of anyone who is genuinely seeking to know truth. If your mind is already made up, just save yourself some time and skip this column today, you’ll only grow more upset.
Jeremiah 23:32 says, "Their made-up dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send them, and they have no message at all for my people, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:32, The Living Bible) and the prophet Ezekiel said, "Your ‘prophets’ describe false visions and speak false messages they claim are from God, when he hasn’t spoken one word to them at all. Thus they repair the walls with whitewash!" (Ezekiel 22:28, The Living Bible).
One of the major warning signs that a man is a false teacher is when he (or she) begins to claim that their personal perversion of Scripture takes precedence over the clear teachings of Scripture. I heard one such man declare, “People will tell you we are a cult. Don’t believe them! The only true preachers are the ones I have trained and ordained.” When I confronted one of this parishioners with this statement he responded, “Oh, yes. We may seem like a cult, but if you will only come and let the Bishop explain, you will begin to understand.” Really?
The Bible warns, " And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people." (Romans 16:17-18, NLT).
“Stay away from them” Paul warns. The reason false teachers are able to prosper and gain a following is because unsuspecting Christians are willing to put up with their teaching even when they know something is wrong. Here’s the trap. They say enough “good things” that undiscerning people are willing to put up with the questionable things. Before long, we find ourselves “understanding” the false as the gentleman mentioned two paragraphs above pointed out. Sadly, familiarity breeds compromise and that is why the Bible warns us over and over again to flee not flirt with that which is false.
Another tale-tell sign of false teachers today is their propensity to justify sexual sin. The Lord warned his church in Thyatira "“But I have this against you: You let that woman Jezebel spread false teachings. She says she is a prophetess, but by her teaching she leads my people to take part in sexual sins " (Revelation 2:20, NCV).
One final warning flag (there are many others, but I will end this series with this one), is the movement common today attempting to move believers today back into Old Testament practices. Galatians 2:4 warns of this dangerous trend and Paul gives this injunction, " As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith." (1 Timothy 1:3-4, NIV). He completes that thought in his second letter to Timothy, "They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people. These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.”" (2 Timothy 3:5-6, The Message).
Do you want to really know the true from the false? There is one sure way to do that. Familiarize yourself with the true Word of God and then you will be able to discern whether the teacher is telling you truth or leading you into a web of deception. And I plead with you, don’t play with spiritual spiders. Steer completely clear of them.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tale-Tell Signs of a False Teacher
For the last few days I have been writing on the importance of the church recognizing that not everyone who comes in the name of Christ is actually following Christ. Jesus warned, " “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matthew 7:15, NIV).
The question is, how do we recognize the false from the true? After all, false teachers don’t announce themselves as false, just the opposite they claim to have a corner on truth! The Bible says, "God never sent those men at all; they are “phonies” who have fooled you into thinking they are Christ’s apostles. Yet I am not surprised! Satan can change himself into an angel of light, so it is no wonder his servants can do it too, and seem like godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, The Living Bible). So let me begin to wrap up this current series by giving you some things to watch out for; teachings that should raise a flag of warning in your heart.
One of the most common tactics of false teachers today is to claim that they never speak on anything “negative.” The Bible warns, "The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading." (Lamentations 2:14, NIV) and Jeremiah warned, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14, NIV).
The reason so many fall prey to these purveyors of prosperity is because it is such an easy message. Much of what passes as the Gospel today is little more than pop psychology aimed at making us feel good about ourselves. The problem comes when their message makes us feel comfortable within ourselves even when we are living in some known and clear sin. Paul warned, "For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas." (2 Timothy 4:3-4, The Living Bible).
One prominent false teacher began his sojourn into error with the words, “I only teach what is positive; nothing negative and sin and hell are negative, so I won’t speak on them” and now has graduated to claiming that large parts of Scripture are written by “cranky old men” who had a (personal) problem with a certain lifestyle and therefore what they wrote is not really from God. Now that is a key mark of a false teacher. They claim that their insight supercedes Divine Inspiration.
Another common tactic among false teachers is to link obedience to prosperity. One false teacher declared for instance that “Jesus was filthy rich” because he obeyed the will of God perfectly. He went on to explain that Jesus’ apparent poverty was only because he hid his riches from his followers!
The Bible says, " Anyone who has a different teaching does not agree with the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that shows the true way to serve God. This person is full of pride and understands nothing, but is sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. This brings jealousy, fighting, speaking against others, evil mistrust, and constant quarrels from those who have evil minds and have lost the truth. They think that serving God is a way to get rich." (1 Timothy 6:3-5, NCV).
Please note that last phrase, “They think serving God is a way to get rich.” These false teachers promise those they deceive that if they will show their faith by giving them “seed money” God will then be obligated to bless them monetarily. They grow rich while their followers desperately cling to their false promises and sacrifice many times beyond their means.
The question is, how do we recognize the false from the true? After all, false teachers don’t announce themselves as false, just the opposite they claim to have a corner on truth! The Bible says, "God never sent those men at all; they are “phonies” who have fooled you into thinking they are Christ’s apostles. Yet I am not surprised! Satan can change himself into an angel of light, so it is no wonder his servants can do it too, and seem like godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, The Living Bible). So let me begin to wrap up this current series by giving you some things to watch out for; teachings that should raise a flag of warning in your heart.
One of the most common tactics of false teachers today is to claim that they never speak on anything “negative.” The Bible warns, "The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading." (Lamentations 2:14, NIV) and Jeremiah warned, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14, NIV).
The reason so many fall prey to these purveyors of prosperity is because it is such an easy message. Much of what passes as the Gospel today is little more than pop psychology aimed at making us feel good about ourselves. The problem comes when their message makes us feel comfortable within ourselves even when we are living in some known and clear sin. Paul warned, "For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas." (2 Timothy 4:3-4, The Living Bible).
One prominent false teacher began his sojourn into error with the words, “I only teach what is positive; nothing negative and sin and hell are negative, so I won’t speak on them” and now has graduated to claiming that large parts of Scripture are written by “cranky old men” who had a (personal) problem with a certain lifestyle and therefore what they wrote is not really from God. Now that is a key mark of a false teacher. They claim that their insight supercedes Divine Inspiration.
Another common tactic among false teachers is to link obedience to prosperity. One false teacher declared for instance that “Jesus was filthy rich” because he obeyed the will of God perfectly. He went on to explain that Jesus’ apparent poverty was only because he hid his riches from his followers!
The Bible says, " Anyone who has a different teaching does not agree with the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that shows the true way to serve God. This person is full of pride and understands nothing, but is sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. This brings jealousy, fighting, speaking against others, evil mistrust, and constant quarrels from those who have evil minds and have lost the truth. They think that serving God is a way to get rich." (1 Timothy 6:3-5, NCV).
Please note that last phrase, “They think serving God is a way to get rich.” These false teachers promise those they deceive that if they will show their faith by giving them “seed money” God will then be obligated to bless them monetarily. They grow rich while their followers desperately cling to their false promises and sacrifice many times beyond their means.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Does the Glove Fit? False Teachers part 2
Last week I wrote a warning about false teachers. Sadly we in the church put up with a lot of stuff we should really be putting out of the church. Of course I realize that having written what I wrote last week really leaves me open to the charge of “being a false teacher.” That charge certainly has been leveled at me in the past by some false teachers I know. One such person warned his congregation, “You have to be careful of that John Pearrell, he’s dangerous! He believes that the Bible is actually the Word of God!” When I heard that, I took it has a compliment rather than a criticism.
I tell my family at Gateway, “I will never purposefully mislead you, but I am a man and I can and do make mistakes. When I discover them, I will be quick to correct them and let you know that I was wrong. I always try to tell you truth, but don’t accept what I say, check it out in Scripture for yourself, because I am a man and I will, at times make mistakes.”
So if I claim someone else is perhaps a false teacher and they turn around and accuse me of being a false teacher, how is an individual to determine which of us is telling the truth? The simple answer is, check out what is claimed against the standard of Scripture. Does it fit with what the Bible says?
Do you recall the famous quote by O.J. Simpson’s defense attorney, the late Johnny Cochran? “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.” Same is true in determining if someone is a true preacher of the Gospel or a false prophet of the Gospel. If what is says fits with what is recorded, you can be certain that it is truth; if it doesn’t, if it appears to be a forced interpretation, you can be certain that it is a false interpretation. Paul wrote about some of the false teachers of his day, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:6-9, NIV).
Let’s make a quick practical application of that statement. There is a group today that is desperately trying to pass itself off as simply another denomination within the Christian faith. They have high morals, clean lifestyles, and show a lot of what we might label the Christian compassion. However, a study of their theology shows a great deviation from the Biblical record. For one thing, they claim that their new message was delivered to them by an angel (see Galatians 1:6-9 above). Furthermore they claim an infinite progression of gods. Their claim that the faithful can become gods of their own worlds certainly is appealing to our fallen natures (remember the first sin was the temptation that we could become like God), when you compare the claim to Scripture such as Isaiah 43:10, it becomes instantly apparent that the claim of multiple gods before our current God and the claim that other gods will follow, is clearly a false claim–if you believe Scripture that is. Therefore, as unpopular as this next statement will be with some, its truthfulness stands: the claims of this group are false when compared to Scripture and no amount of explanation really matters. Either the Bible is true or it is not. If it is not, then yes, anything goes. But if it is true, then we have a standard by which we can judge the truth or falsehood of a claim. That is how you can tell whether a person is a true minister of the Gospel or a false teacher looking to gather a following after themselves.
If I were to tell you that 2 plus 2 equaled 3, you would probably think me strange. According to the accepted rules of mathematics, we know that 2 plus 2 equals 4. Successful space missions are possible only because of our grasp and submission to the rules of math, in all its fields. My ability to understand it all, doesn’t change its validity one bit. The same is true spiritually. If a spiritual leader tries to convince you that 2 plus 2 is 3 or 5 or any other number beside 4, you can be certain that the leader is either woefully ignorant of the truth he is trying to convey or they are purposefully deceiving you for some personal gain. In such case, run, don’t walk away!
I tell my family at Gateway, “I will never purposefully mislead you, but I am a man and I can and do make mistakes. When I discover them, I will be quick to correct them and let you know that I was wrong. I always try to tell you truth, but don’t accept what I say, check it out in Scripture for yourself, because I am a man and I will, at times make mistakes.”
So if I claim someone else is perhaps a false teacher and they turn around and accuse me of being a false teacher, how is an individual to determine which of us is telling the truth? The simple answer is, check out what is claimed against the standard of Scripture. Does it fit with what the Bible says?
Do you recall the famous quote by O.J. Simpson’s defense attorney, the late Johnny Cochran? “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.” Same is true in determining if someone is a true preacher of the Gospel or a false prophet of the Gospel. If what is says fits with what is recorded, you can be certain that it is truth; if it doesn’t, if it appears to be a forced interpretation, you can be certain that it is a false interpretation. Paul wrote about some of the false teachers of his day, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:6-9, NIV).
Let’s make a quick practical application of that statement. There is a group today that is desperately trying to pass itself off as simply another denomination within the Christian faith. They have high morals, clean lifestyles, and show a lot of what we might label the Christian compassion. However, a study of their theology shows a great deviation from the Biblical record. For one thing, they claim that their new message was delivered to them by an angel (see Galatians 1:6-9 above). Furthermore they claim an infinite progression of gods. Their claim that the faithful can become gods of their own worlds certainly is appealing to our fallen natures (remember the first sin was the temptation that we could become like God), when you compare the claim to Scripture such as Isaiah 43:10, it becomes instantly apparent that the claim of multiple gods before our current God and the claim that other gods will follow, is clearly a false claim–if you believe Scripture that is. Therefore, as unpopular as this next statement will be with some, its truthfulness stands: the claims of this group are false when compared to Scripture and no amount of explanation really matters. Either the Bible is true or it is not. If it is not, then yes, anything goes. But if it is true, then we have a standard by which we can judge the truth or falsehood of a claim. That is how you can tell whether a person is a true minister of the Gospel or a false teacher looking to gather a following after themselves.
If I were to tell you that 2 plus 2 equaled 3, you would probably think me strange. According to the accepted rules of mathematics, we know that 2 plus 2 equals 4. Successful space missions are possible only because of our grasp and submission to the rules of math, in all its fields. My ability to understand it all, doesn’t change its validity one bit. The same is true spiritually. If a spiritual leader tries to convince you that 2 plus 2 is 3 or 5 or any other number beside 4, you can be certain that the leader is either woefully ignorant of the truth he is trying to convey or they are purposefully deceiving you for some personal gain. In such case, run, don’t walk away!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Out of the Frying Pan--Dealing with False Teachers
How does the saying go? “Out of the frying pan and into the fire.” I fear that is what I am about to do as I write this article. You see, there is a growing crisis in Christendom today, but it is a crisis few want to address. Attempt to broach the subject and you are immediately hit with responses like, “Who died and made you judge?” “You have no right to say (something negative) about any one else’s ministry.” And on and on the litany goes.
Because of this mentality false teachers have been able to not only safely enter the flock, but they find protection within the flock! The very people they are devouring are the people who scream bloody murder if anyone dares try rescue them. I am sorry, but there is something wrong with that picture.
Jesus warned his followers, "“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. " (Matthew 7:15-16, The Message)
Paul warned the church of his day, "I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following." (Acts 20:29-30, NLT).
The Apostle John wrote, "Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around," (1 John 4:1, The Living Bible). Jude warned, "I say this because some godless teachers have wormed their way in among you, saying that after we become Christians we can do just as we like without fear of God’s punishment. The fate of such people was written long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 4, The Living Bible). And, "These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever . . .These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 12-13, 19 NIV).
We could go on and on. Every writer in the New Testament says something about false teachers–there are, as far as I can tell, no exceptions. Yet today very few ministers or teachers or even lay-men are willing to identify the false teachers in our midst. We put up with what we should be putting out! The result is the Christian message has been so distorted that it is nearly impossible for the average person to recognize truth from error. The consequences of our current condition are many. Political correctness has replaced bold proclamation in many pulpits and a spirit of deception has invaded the pews. Those who have come to believe an illusion about the message of the Gospel quickly become disillusioned and many leave the church hurt and angry.
Because of this mentality false teachers have been able to not only safely enter the flock, but they find protection within the flock! The very people they are devouring are the people who scream bloody murder if anyone dares try rescue them. I am sorry, but there is something wrong with that picture.
Jesus warned his followers, "“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. " (Matthew 7:15-16, The Message)
Paul warned the church of his day, "I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following." (Acts 20:29-30, NLT).
The Apostle John wrote, "Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around," (1 John 4:1, The Living Bible). Jude warned, "I say this because some godless teachers have wormed their way in among you, saying that after we become Christians we can do just as we like without fear of God’s punishment. The fate of such people was written long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 4, The Living Bible). And, "These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever . . .These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 12-13, 19 NIV).
We could go on and on. Every writer in the New Testament says something about false teachers–there are, as far as I can tell, no exceptions. Yet today very few ministers or teachers or even lay-men are willing to identify the false teachers in our midst. We put up with what we should be putting out! The result is the Christian message has been so distorted that it is nearly impossible for the average person to recognize truth from error. The consequences of our current condition are many. Political correctness has replaced bold proclamation in many pulpits and a spirit of deception has invaded the pews. Those who have come to believe an illusion about the message of the Gospel quickly become disillusioned and many leave the church hurt and angry.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Security in an Insecure World
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalm 34:5-7 NIV).
We looked at verse 5 in yesterday’s thought. When we call on Jesus not only are all things possible, but there is a radiant confidence that shows! “Their faces are never covered with shame.” The Bible says, “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33 NIV).
Do not misunderstand what I am saying. In this life there are setbacks and disappointments. But never forget that we were not made for this life! We were made for eternity! The Christian never has to hang his or her head in shame (if they are living an obedient life), because ultimately the believer has the promise of God that our faith and faithfulness will one day be rewarded!
Next promise: “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” God always hears the cries of His faithful. Please note those last two words. The Bible reminds us, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV).
There is an appalling tendency today among those who claim to be believers to live self-centered lives that reflect the patterns of this world rather than the pattern Christ set for us. We live sinful lives and wonder why “God didn’t answer my prayers.” To pray in Jesus’ Name is not some magical mantra that procures our every want. To pray in Jesus’ Name means we pray with the authority of heaven behind us. I like what Adrian Rodgers has said regarding this: “Prayer that God answers is prayer that begins in Heaven; we just complete the circuit!”
Finally there is the marvelous promise, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Now of course if we only understand this verse in light of this life we have to conclude that this promise has failed miserably. Look at the millions of martyrs down through the centuries. Where was the angel of the Lord then? I’ll tell you where: He was right there beside them!
As marvelous as the promise of verse 7 is, we miss its impact if we don’t know some basic rules of Biblical interpretation. Whenever you see the phrase, “The angel of the Lord” (with the term Lord in small caps) you can be certain that this is a reference not to any angel but the pre-incarnate second person of the Trinity–The Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus Himself guards those who love Him! What an awesome thought! He guards you carefully today. Hear his promise, 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40 NIV). 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”(John 10:27-30 NIV). It is He who guards you.
We looked at verse 5 in yesterday’s thought. When we call on Jesus not only are all things possible, but there is a radiant confidence that shows! “Their faces are never covered with shame.” The Bible says, “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33 NIV).
Do not misunderstand what I am saying. In this life there are setbacks and disappointments. But never forget that we were not made for this life! We were made for eternity! The Christian never has to hang his or her head in shame (if they are living an obedient life), because ultimately the believer has the promise of God that our faith and faithfulness will one day be rewarded!
Next promise: “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” God always hears the cries of His faithful. Please note those last two words. The Bible reminds us, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV).
There is an appalling tendency today among those who claim to be believers to live self-centered lives that reflect the patterns of this world rather than the pattern Christ set for us. We live sinful lives and wonder why “God didn’t answer my prayers.” To pray in Jesus’ Name is not some magical mantra that procures our every want. To pray in Jesus’ Name means we pray with the authority of heaven behind us. I like what Adrian Rodgers has said regarding this: “Prayer that God answers is prayer that begins in Heaven; we just complete the circuit!”
Finally there is the marvelous promise, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Now of course if we only understand this verse in light of this life we have to conclude that this promise has failed miserably. Look at the millions of martyrs down through the centuries. Where was the angel of the Lord then? I’ll tell you where: He was right there beside them!
As marvelous as the promise of verse 7 is, we miss its impact if we don’t know some basic rules of Biblical interpretation. Whenever you see the phrase, “The angel of the Lord” (with the term Lord in small caps) you can be certain that this is a reference not to any angel but the pre-incarnate second person of the Trinity–The Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus Himself guards those who love Him! What an awesome thought! He guards you carefully today. Hear his promise, 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40 NIV). 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”(John 10:27-30 NIV). It is He who guards you.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Prayer: Key to Personal Joy
“4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. 5.Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces” (Psalm 34:4-5 NLT).
The song-writer was right, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
As I write this thought, I am in the midst of preparing Sunday’s sermon. This week I am speaking on the ministry of the Holy Spirit and in my text Jesus reminds His followers of coming persecution. The world is no friend to the Christian. So many struggle today because they have forgotten this basic truth. We live in the world, but we are not to be of the world; we live in the world but the world is not to live in us. Now because we live in a fallen world, we suffer. There are those misguided souls today who believe and teach that faithful Christians should have no problems. While that skewed theology may sound inviting, it has no basis in Scripture, no basis in truth. God’s people have suffered since Cain killed Abel! So do not be surprised if you are suffering. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT).
Again I remind you that in our passage in Psalm, David rejoices not because he is delivered from troubling circumstances but because he is freed from fear of those circumstances. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 NIV). How would you deal with a guy like that? How could you discourage him? If he lives he’s happy in Christ and if he dies he is happy with Christ. That should be the attitude of every believer! “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.” Nothing can shake the believer whose eyes stay fixed on Christ.
The song-writer was right, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
As I write this thought, I am in the midst of preparing Sunday’s sermon. This week I am speaking on the ministry of the Holy Spirit and in my text Jesus reminds His followers of coming persecution. The world is no friend to the Christian. So many struggle today because they have forgotten this basic truth. We live in the world, but we are not to be of the world; we live in the world but the world is not to live in us. Now because we live in a fallen world, we suffer. There are those misguided souls today who believe and teach that faithful Christians should have no problems. While that skewed theology may sound inviting, it has no basis in Scripture, no basis in truth. God’s people have suffered since Cain killed Abel! So do not be surprised if you are suffering. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT).
Again I remind you that in our passage in Psalm, David rejoices not because he is delivered from troubling circumstances but because he is freed from fear of those circumstances. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 NIV). How would you deal with a guy like that? How could you discourage him? If he lives he’s happy in Christ and if he dies he is happy with Christ. That should be the attitude of every believer! “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.” Nothing can shake the believer whose eyes stay fixed on Christ.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Radiant Joy
“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” (Psalm 34:5 NLT).
Where do you go when the world seems to be closing in around you? When the dark clouds of trouble begin to gather? Remember the setting to this Psalm. David is running for his life from King Saul and the armies of Israel. He is public enemy number 1, anyone in Israel found helping him was executed. He flees into Philistia, to the town of Gath whose hometown hero he had slain. His identity is quickly discovered and he has to act like a madman to survive. In all of this, he is calling upon the Lord for help and deliverance. The result he discovered that “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
What is it that you face today? May I suggest that the solution that David found is just as valid for you today? Your circumstances may not change overnight (David’s lot didn’t change until 13 years later), but your circumstances don’t have to change your demeanor–look to Him for help and discover a joy that cannot be hidden!
Where do you go when the world seems to be closing in around you? When the dark clouds of trouble begin to gather? Remember the setting to this Psalm. David is running for his life from King Saul and the armies of Israel. He is public enemy number 1, anyone in Israel found helping him was executed. He flees into Philistia, to the town of Gath whose hometown hero he had slain. His identity is quickly discovered and he has to act like a madman to survive. In all of this, he is calling upon the Lord for help and deliverance. The result he discovered that “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
What is it that you face today? May I suggest that the solution that David found is just as valid for you today? Your circumstances may not change overnight (David’s lot didn’t change until 13 years later), but your circumstances don’t have to change your demeanor–look to Him for help and discover a joy that cannot be hidden!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Freedom From Fear
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 NIV).
We began our study in this Psalm yesterday. Let me back up and give you the setting. This Psalm was written by David while he was running for his life from Saul. During this time, David was forced to flee into enemy territory. While in Gath, the people recognized him and brought him to the attention of the king, Achish (Abimelech is the title of Philistian kings).
Quick quiz: what famous person was from Gath? If you said Goliath you are right! David seeks refuge in the city of the great Philistine champion. David had killed this home-town hero and by that act had turned the fortunes of war to Israel’s favor. I don’t believe the sight of him in the city was a very welcomed one! If you want to read more of the setting of this Psalm read 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1.
With that said, let’s pick up where we left off in our study. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Did you catch that? David wasn’t instantly delivered from his circumstances, that would not happen for another 13 years. But David was delivered from the fear of his situation. When we seek God’s face, worry and fear flee. Like David we can find ourselves in what appears to be hopeless circumstances and yet experience a blessed, unexplainable peace and sense of comfort and security. The Bible says, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) The Message renders this particular passage this way: “6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Emphasis mine). Pearrell loose translation: “The peace that God gives doesn’t make sense to those watching.”
David’s deliverance was from his fears, not from his circumstances. Many times we seem to get upset with God when He doesn’t rend the heavens and come to our aid. Truth be told, He has come to our aid. The problem we have is that we want His help on our terms and because of this sinful selfishness we miss the help He has given!
What fears are you facing today? You can either focus on them and develop all sorts of worries, anxieties and emotional problems, or you can focus on God and find His wonderful freedom from fear.
We began our study in this Psalm yesterday. Let me back up and give you the setting. This Psalm was written by David while he was running for his life from Saul. During this time, David was forced to flee into enemy territory. While in Gath, the people recognized him and brought him to the attention of the king, Achish (Abimelech is the title of Philistian kings).
Quick quiz: what famous person was from Gath? If you said Goliath you are right! David seeks refuge in the city of the great Philistine champion. David had killed this home-town hero and by that act had turned the fortunes of war to Israel’s favor. I don’t believe the sight of him in the city was a very welcomed one! If you want to read more of the setting of this Psalm read 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1.
With that said, let’s pick up where we left off in our study. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Did you catch that? David wasn’t instantly delivered from his circumstances, that would not happen for another 13 years. But David was delivered from the fear of his situation. When we seek God’s face, worry and fear flee. Like David we can find ourselves in what appears to be hopeless circumstances and yet experience a blessed, unexplainable peace and sense of comfort and security. The Bible says, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) The Message renders this particular passage this way: “6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Emphasis mine). Pearrell loose translation: “The peace that God gives doesn’t make sense to those watching.”
David’s deliverance was from his fears, not from his circumstances. Many times we seem to get upset with God when He doesn’t rend the heavens and come to our aid. Truth be told, He has come to our aid. The problem we have is that we want His help on our terms and because of this sinful selfishness we miss the help He has given!
What fears are you facing today? You can either focus on them and develop all sorts of worries, anxieties and emotional problems, or you can focus on God and find His wonderful freedom from fear.
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