Category: Faith

One Generation

Posted on by scott
Daniel, Rebekah and Isaiah McKinley

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. – Psalm 145:4-7

Soul Man

Jonathon Edwards is considered by many to be the greatest theologian in American history. His sermons and his theological writings have continued to greatly influence the landscape of Christianity long after he preached his last sermon. But his primary concern wasn’t in the realm of the academic or intellectual. Rather, being a spiritually minded man (Romans 8:5), Edwards was passionate about the souls of his fellow man. Especially his own children.

When the great English preacher George Whitefield made a return visit to the United States in 1740, Jonathon Edwards made sure he secured him to preach in his church in Northampton, New England. Although Edwards considered Whitefield to be rather flamboyant, he could not deny the hand of God upon his preaching. Even his own wife stated that Whitefield was the best preacher she had ever heard. Ouch.

Regardless of their differences, Jonathon Edward invited George Whitefield to his personal residence to address his children in spiritual matters. Despite his larger than life credentials, Edwards was more concerned about the souls of his children than his pride. Thankfully so. A few years later his daughter Jerusha would pass away at the age of seventeen. Their consolation was the certainty of her salvation, thanks to the influence of Whitefield.

Jonathon and Sarah Edwards have a great legacy in church history, and it includes their recognition of their greatest God ordained responsibility, the proper training and instruction of their children. Specifically, as the Psalmist reminds us, one generation is obligated to teach the next about the works and character of God.

Dire Consequences

2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord. – Exodus 10:2

7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel….10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. – Judges 2:7,10

Imagine growing up an Israelite, hearing the accounts of the Exodus. With a mighty hand God unleashed His plagues on Egypt culminating with the Passover. As Pharaoh and his army pursued your ancestors, God parted the waters to provide a way of escape. Once safe on the other shore, God then used the same waters to drown Pharaoh and his army.

For years, your ancestors wandered in the desert led not by Moses, but by God Himself in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Daily God fed the people and kept their clothes from wearing out. Every day they were sustained was a miracle, yet God performed many other signs along the way to show His awesome character.

When Moses passed, God continued to perform miracles under Joshua’s leadership as the promised land was conquered and possessed. Who could ever forget what He did at Jericho as He crumbled their mighty wall. But forget they did. As we see from the Book of Judges, another generation arose who did not know God or His works. Inevitably, chaos pursued as everyone then did what was right in their own eyes.

“If God does not exist, everything is permitted.” – Dostoevsky

Image Bearers

If God doesn’t exist, everything is permitted not simply because of a lack of a punisher, but because of a lack of purpose. In other words, many people who do not believe in eternal punishment will still promote “morality” and ethics. But what is their ultimate foundation? What is the basis of their teaching, and from where do their morals or ethics derive?

If God doesn’t exist, then we are not His image bearers. Accordingly, if God has not created us in His image, then we are not His children. If God has not “set eternity in the hearts of men”, what is our value? What are we here for? Further yet, can we really “wrong” one another and who would define what that looks like?

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the flesh, which Paul tells us is death (Romans 8:5-6). We must not deceive ourselves. The only difference between the profligate sinner and the moralist is one of degree, not substance.

Look around you. We live in a society that rejects truth. Everyone seems to be doing what is right in his own eyes. Which is just another way of saying they are doing wrong. There is little respect for our fellow man. In our self-centeredness we have no respect for those in authority. In fact, many of us are shaking our fists in defiance at a God we don’t believe in! Doesn’t it seem that we are living in a time that can be summarized with the statement from Judges?

“And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done”

Responsibility

5 He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7     so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
    whose spirit was not faithful to God. – Psalm 78:5-8

As Christians, we alone understand what is wrong with the world. We see the powers and principalities behind the visible. With our spiritual eyes, we see the rulers of the darkness of this world. It is a conflict between heaven and hell. Our politicians and educators don’t have the ability to deal with the problems.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is time we accept responsibility. The world is going to act like the world. We can’t lament that. Nor can we neglect the clear mandates of God. We have to act like spiritually minded people who are passionate about souls. We have to tell of the works of God, beginning with our children and grandchildren. Rather than witnessing a generation who does not know the Lord or His works, I would rather be a part of a “great awakening”. If it could happen during the lives of Edwards and Whitefield, it can certainly happen today.

We may not have witnessed the miracles that were performed during the days of Moses and Joshua. Or even those performed during the lives of Elijah and Elisha or those that occurred during the book of Acts. But we know the character of God because of the Scriptures and the life of Christ who is the exact representation of our Heavenly Father. Bottom line, the character of God is our final authority. We need to share Him. It begins with the Gospel. It begins in our homes.

If you are a born again Child of God, you have a testimony that you can share with your children and grandchildren “that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God”. Our children and our world need that hope!! Seeing fists raised in defiance turn to hands raised in praise would be miracle enough for me.

“…this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” – 1 John 5:4b

Faith

I am no theologian, in fact I am far from it. I will never be confused with Jonathon Edwards for sure. But I firmly believe that a hallmark of the Christian faith is perseverance (Matthew 24:13). So much so that I always remind my children, and whoever else will listen, that as long as we have our faith we can’t “lose”. In other words, no matter what the world throws at us, or how bad the circumstances may seem, we always have our faith to “carry” us.

I say this not so much as a challenge but a reminder. Our faith is not in our limited capacities or abilities, but rather in a sovereign all powerful God who loves us with a perfect love and holds us in His hands. Our perseverance isn’t a reflection of our ability to hold on, but His. Our responsibility is to surrender our lives to Him and trust Him with it.

When the storms of life shake our world, and once again remind us that we are not autonomous, we are soon reminded that our faith is our most “valuable” possession. Because of who our faith is in. Life’s crises have a way of exposing the limited value of our worldly possessions, talents and even our diplomas that so many of us place our “faith” in.

Like the apostles in the storm tossed boat we have one hope; “Jesus save us.”

Faith Refined

As I have been sharing the last couple of weeks, our family has gone through another storm. However, as difficult as it has been, I must say I have never been more proud of my children for the way they have responded. The death of baby Isaiah was a great shock and the pain has been excruciating, but Christ has been our anchor, and the Church has been His hands and feet.

The love expressed by and to my family and been very humbling to behold. In a very real way our faith has been refined and our relationships forged by the fire we have gone through. Even in the midst of something so sorrowful, we see the mighty workings of God. Workings that we will share with the children yet unborn.

Unless the return of Christ is soon, most of us will not get out of this world alive, so let me repeat, as long as we have our faith we can never “lose”. It is a Truth I will probably have etched on my tombstone so that even in death I can “teach” generations to come. Every generation needs and deserves to hear Truth.

Daniel & Isaiah

On the evening after Isaiah’s burial, our son-in-law Daniel showed up at our house. However, it wasn’t to visit us, but rather his firstborn son in the cemetery next door. With a folding chair in one hand and Isaiah’s children Bible in the other, Daniel made his was over to Isaiah’s grave. Once there, he promptly settled into his chair and opened the Bible, and commenced reading to his beloved son.

As I saw Daniel at the graveside through my window, I was struck with mixed emotions. The sadness of Isaiah’s passing was intermingled with the humorous irony of the scene. What could Daniel possibly teach his son who is in the presence of the living Word? But I must confess, as stated earlier, pride overruled the sadness and humorous. Faith ruled the day, and as sorrowful and painful as it was, we didn’t “lose”.

Daniel recognizes the existence of God and His perfect character. Because he does, he also understands the sanctity of human life and the fact that God is the Author. Accordingly, he wanted to share God’s Truth with his firstborn. It is a privilege and responsibility he takes very seriously. Daniel recognizes that his faith is his most valuable possession. Why wouldn’t he want to share it with his son?

May God challenge and enable us to be as obedient as Daniel in sharing the greatness of God to the next generation, for their hope and God’s fame!

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 4

Only Believe

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Palm Sunday

Last Sunday, March 28th 2021, the Christian faith recognized Palm Sunday, the day Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. With much fanfare, Jesus entered the great city riding a colt as the crowd adorned His path with their cloaks and palm branches while crying out,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

Who besides the members of the Holy Trinity could know how quickly things would change during the upcoming Holy Week? What would begin with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed colt to shouts of acclamation, would soon transpire to witnessing Jesus carrying our cross on his bloody and beaten body out of Jerusalem to shouts of derision and tears of defeat. His exit from Jerusalem couldn’t have been a greater contrast to His entry.

But Jesus wasn’t finished.

Graveside Visit

Palm Sunday is a day of anticipation. We know it precedes Easter Sunday by one week, but what a difficult week it is that separates them. The Temple must be cleansed by Jesus, and then His Temple must be destroyed by the Father. Before the stone can be rolled away, the cup must be drunk to the dregs. Life can be so bittersweet.

As Palm Sunday was coming to a close, my heart told me I had to make a graveside visit. My mind however wasn’t so convinced. It was getting late, it was dark, and it was cold and windy. Despite the arguments, my conscience wasn’t listening. Hence I grabbed my flashlight and my coat and walked to the cemetery next door and then made my trek to the far end.

Turning on my flashlight I shone it on the tombstone I had to see, simply etched:

Brooke Elizabeth Becker

Feb. 19, 2010, March 28, 2010

Daughter of Scott and Becky

Even though nobody else besides me would know it, I felt I had to go to my daughter’s graveside on the eleventh anniversary of her passing. Which also happened to be on a Palm Sunday. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I turned off my flashlight and made my way back home with the wind howling and the darkness enveloping me. On the day we commemorate Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I can rejoice in my daughter’s triumphal entry into the presence of Christ.

Yes life can be bittersweet, but our hope is the fact that Christ isn’t finished.

Funeral Crasher

Although the first miracle Jesus performed was at a wedding, He soon gained a reputation for disrupting funerals. As Luke chapter seven records, Jesus was entering a town called Nain when He came across a funeral procession. With a crowd at His back, Jesus paused for the procession and the large crowd following the widow who was about to bury her only son. With both crowds at a standstill, Jesus spoke three simple words to the grieving mother.

“Do not weep”.

Do not weep? Her husband is dead and now she is about to bury her only son. Who is going to protect her? Who is going to provide for her? What about that void in her heart? Do not weep?

14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. – Luke 17:14-15

Christ isn’t finished.

Only Believe

Jairus was a desperate man. As a synagogue ruler he may have been a man of some social status. He was charged with the responsibility of maintaining the synagogue and scheduling it’s services, but as is true of all men, his abilities were limited. Ruling a synagogue doesn’t equip a man to battle death. With his only daughter on the brink of eternity he was faced with one hope. Jesus.

Falling at the feet of Jesus, Jairus implored Him to intercede on behalf of his daughter. What father wants to face the prospect of burying his twelve year old child? Humbled by his utter helplessness, Jairus does the only thing he can; he implores Jesus to come to his home where his daughter is quickly fading.

As Jesus is approaching the home of Jairus the dreaded news is delivered by a messenger. There is no longer any need to bother Jesus, because the girl has died. The news obviously must have stunned Jairus, but Jesus countered the bad news with these comforting words:

“Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” – Luke 8:50

Do not fear? A father has just received word that his only daughter is dead! His heart has been pierced by the worst conceivable pain. How can he face his future? Do not fear?

51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. – John 8:51-55

Christ isn’t finished.

Come Out

Jesus loved the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but where was He during their hour of greatest need? When the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was ill He did not make a bee line to their home. Rather, He stayed two additional days in the place where He was. As Jesus was “stalling”, Mary and Martha were becoming more desperate with each passing hour as Lazarus’ condition worsened. Where is the balm when we need it most?

Finally, when Jesus was ready, He and HIs disciples began their Journey to Bethany and the home of Lazarus. But they were too late. By the time they arrived, Lazarus was dead and had already been in the tomb four days. Rebuked by Martha for being late, and being charged for the responsibility of her brother’s death, Jesus responded:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

Do you believe this? If not Martha, watch this!

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” – John 11:38-44

Christ isn’t finished.

Grief upon Grief

Life can be so cruel. Or should I say, death can be so cruel? Yesterday, on the eleventh anniversary of the date we buried our little girl, death struck again. This time it took a Grandson. I feel as if I have been kicked in the stomach and somebody has taken all of the air out of the room. After having been down this path, I hoped against all hope my children would never have to experience the pain of losing a child. But like the widow of Nain, Jairus, Martha and Mary, I am reminded that I am so frail and helpless. Certainly no match for death. But….

Christ isn’t finished.

The grave is not the end. Hence, when Jesus refers to the death of the saints, He likens it to sleep.

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” – John 11:11

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” – Luke 8:52

And Paul writes:

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. – 1 Corinthian 15:17-18

But Christ has been raised.

Encourage One Another

When I walked out of the cemetery last Sunday night in the teeth of the howling wind, little could I have known what the next couple of days would bring. With the tombstone of my daughter behind me I was looking forward to the future. Anticipating the joy that awaited our family with two babies expected in the next couple of months. I never dreamed I would be burying some of those hopes. But death will not have the final word.

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen.  – Luke 24:1-6a

Today we feel like we are stuck in Gethsemane. Wrestling with God that we could be spared the pain, but acquiescing to His will. As I try to come to grips with the pain and the grief, I hear the same words I heard at my daughter’s graveside.

Only believe. Your daughter lives.

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Christ isn’t finished. It is only because He lives that we have life. For eternity!! In the midst of our grief, we can rejoice that our grandson Isaiah is in the presence of our Savior with our daughter Brooke.

Some day, we too will “fall asleep in Christ” and awake in His presence.

Do you believe Christ is the resurrection and the life?

Praise God for the empty tomb!

What Should We Believe?

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5 Every word of God proves true;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
    lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6

Sign Language

We expect, during an election year, to see yards dressed (or littered) with signs promoting political candidates. The fallen leaves and the dying grass share space with the political hopefuls that will set our world straight. Or so we perpetually hope.

However, I am sure you have noticed many signs that don’t directly endorse any candidates, rather they seem to promote a different hope. Social justice. Many of these signs are a list introduced by the exclamation: “We Believe”. I am not sure if these signs are intended to underhandedly promote one party over the other or to unite our deeply divided society with a common cause. Regardless, on the surface I suspect we would all agree that we are for social justice. Unfortunately, I believe there is a dangerous gap between what the signs say, and what they imply. (If they don’t have deeper implications, I am afraid we would have to dismiss many of them as utter nonsense).

The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of what we believe, as well as the seriousness of the words we speak. Further, as Christians, we are to defend Biblical Truth. And altering it is not an option. Therefore, when we see these signs, I think we would be wise to ask whether their slogans are in line with Scripture or whether they are meaningless or harmful platitudes.

So lets look at some of the sign language.

Black Lives Matter

Of course this is a true statement. At least it is to Christians. The issue isn’t which lives matter, it is why they matter. As humans we were created in the image of God, regardless of skin color. To God, every life matters. Shame on those who even make an issue of race.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
     you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14

Since we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by our Creator God, we need to be careful about elevating any one race over another. Even under the guise of social justice. Further, if one black life matters, they all matter. Yet, despite the rhetoric, blacks like Clarence Thomas, Candace Owens, Thomas Sowell and many others are often slurred as Uncle Tom’s and even called the N word by their fellow blacks.

Let’s be consistent. All lives matter even if they disagree with the progressive narratives.

Love is Love

I believe it may be accurately stated that love is the most powerful force in the world, but I cannot concede, based on the Bible, that all love is equal, as this motto seems to imply.

God is love… – 1 John 4:16

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16

As you can see, the Bible tells us that God is love, and that out of His love for us He sent Christ to this earth to save us from the consequences of our sins. In addition, in 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen, Paul records what true love looks like. Further, the Bible uses different words to differentiate between different kinds of loves. But it never equates sin with love. In other words, the Bible doesn’t recognize the perverted “love” between two people of the same sex as equivalent to the love between a man and a woman. To the contrary, there are many passages condemning such relationships as an abomination.

When we are told that love is love, we must remember that true love is objective. It cannot be defined by itself (despite what postmodernists want to believe). The same God who is love, is also light. And since He is, we must recognize that true love doesn’t allow others to live in darkness, but rather points them to the light that true Love sent into this world.

Science is Real

While it is easy to concede that science is real, it is dangerous to assume that science makes a good “final authority”. While science (if I can assign to it human attributes) has done much good for civilization, it makes for a poor god.

2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them. – Psalm 111:2

17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. – Ecclesiastes 8:17

Unlike God, science (scientists) are often wrong. For proof, we need to look no further than the Covid projections that were based on scientific models. Technically, science cannot even “prove” mathematics (science is limited to propositions not proofs). Yet despite it’s limitations, unfortunately for many, science has become an idol. Perhaps Einstein’s quote should help us keep human reasoning in perspective. “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.” 

Limited to the realm of the empirical, science will never answer man’s greatest questions or fulfil his greatest need. Only the all knowing and all powerful Creator can do so.

Science may be real, but it will never occupy God’s throne.

No Human is Illegal

While it may be true that no human is inherently “illegal”, that does not imply that no human is a lawbreaker. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. – Acts 3:19-20

Those that claim no human is illegal, are obviously pushing for open borders. When they ignore our border policies and immigration laws, they are snubbing the very fabric of our society. Imagine the anarchy if all of us could simply disregard the laws we disagree with.

God is a God of order, not chaos. Accordingly, the nuclear family, governments, and even borders were his idea to preserve life and order.

 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, – Acts 17:26

While I recognize that our country has a rich immigration “history”, that doesn’t imply that we should not protect our citizens from illegal immigrants. Laws exist that allow immigrants to become citizens legally. The fairest and most compassionate thing we can do for everyone is to enforce them not ignore them.

Sobering Words

My objective is not to make light of social justice. Not at all. But, as I mentioned earlier, we need to be careful about the words we speak, and in this case, the messages we send. Intentional or not. When writing about this subject, this is what Matthew Henry wrote:

“Add thou not unto his words, because they are pure and perfect. This forbids the advancing of any thing, not only in contradiction to the word of God, but in competition to it; though it be under the plausible pretence of explaining it, yet, if it pretend to be of equal authority with it, it is adding to his words, which is not only a reproach to them as in insufficient, but opens the door to all manner of errors and corruptions; for, that one absurdity being granted, that the word of any man, or company of men, is to be received with the same faith and veneration as the word of God, a thousand follow. We must be content with what God has thought fit to make known to us his mind, and not covet to be wise above what is written”.

Redefining words or stripping them of their meanings can be dangerous. May we never compromise Truth in our passion for “noble” causes. Even in the midst of an election year, social unrest, and a pandemic, His every word proves true, and He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. May the sign language always send us back to Him.

BTW, my favorite yard sign:

Jesus-2020

What is Repentance?

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3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:3 -4

Illness & MLJ

Having spent a lot of time “on the shelf” recently with an extended illness, I have had the privilege of doing a lot of reading. Specifically, I have been spending a lot of time with perhaps my favorite expositor, Martyn Lloyd Jones, as I work through his commentaries on the book of Romans. I thought I would share some thoughts based on his outline of today’s text from Romans chapter 2.

Practices

Towards the end of the first chapter of Romans, Paul lists some of the sinful practices of the unrighteous, warning us that upon them the wrath of God was being revealed as He “gave them up”. This wrath of abandonment, allowed them to continue down the path they had chosen and the eternal wrath that would be their final destiny. The unrighteous began their way down this path by suppressing the truth that God had plainly revealed to them and failing to honor Him or give Him thanks. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

What does a fool look like? According to the inspired Word of God, a fool exchanges the glory of the immortal God for images of His creation. Further, they practice impurity by dishonoring their bodies, and they fulfil dishonorable passions through homosexuality. Also, they are marked by evil, covetousness and malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

As if this list isn’t painful enough, Paul makes a final indictment against the foolish. “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).

Judge or Repent?

While it is easy, and dare I say “natural” to look at such a list of sins and stand in judgement of the unrighteous, Paul gives us a reality check. Instead or casting stones in a posture of superiority, we should look at the vile practices of these “fools” and examine ourselves. Are we guilty of doing the very things we are judging in others? While our pride promotes us to seats of judgement, our behavior reveals our true position. God takes our holiness seriously, and so must we.

Over the course of time, we have reduced salvation to a simple prayer of “belief”, but if we are honest with the Scriptures, we will see that the clarion call of the gospel was always one of repentance. When John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ, he did so by preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin. When Jesus preached, He warned his audiences of the need to repent because the kingdom of God was at hand (Mt. 4:17) and if they did not repent they would perish (Luke 13:3, 5).

When the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly preached the need to repent. When he was saying farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Paul reminded them that his ministry was to preach the repentance that is towards God and the faith that is towards the Lord Jesus Christ. If the necessity of repentance was the first matter of priority to Christ and the early church, do we have any right to make it any less? If we “invite” people to Jesus, making promises regarding what He can do for them, without warning them of the wrath of God and the need for repentance, are we doing them any real favor?

If we agree that repentance isn’t “optional”, but is of first order of importance, we must then ask what it specifically entails.

Think Again

In Latin, the term repent simply means “think again”. Over the course of time we will hear and read certain words so frequently that we don’t take the time to consider their meanings. But if the effect of God’s kindness is to lead us to repentance, perhaps it is time that we stop and “think again” what that means. If our repentance means that much to God, we certainly don’t want to be guilty of presuming on His kindness.

In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells the Parable of the Two Sons. In the parable, the father tells the first son to go and work in the vineyard. The son initially responds by saying “no” to his father, but then he repents and goes out to work in the vineyard. When the father approached his second son with the same request, this son initially said “yes” to his father, however, despite his verbal response, he failed to actually go out and work in the vineyard.

Although the first son originally said “no” to his father, he later “thought again” about his father’s request. As our Savior stated, this son repented. But this son didn’t just illustrate the Latin definition of repentance, but the Greek as well, which carries the idea of a “change of mind”. True repentance entails looking at a subject, thinking about it again, and then coming to a different conclusion: changing our minds.

Action Plan

As important as these first two steps are, they don’t entail all of what it means to repent. As we see from Jesus’ parable, repentance also involves action. As we so often hear, a man acts according to his thinking. As MLJ said, “Repentance is not something detached and theoretical and academic. Repentance does include the idea of not only a change of mind but a change of a course of action, a change in the whole direction and habit of one’s life”.

Indeed, action is an important component of repentance, but it is vital that we don’t separate it from the prior. In other words, we can’t think of repentance only in terms of actions. Again, in the words of MLJ: “We must emphasize this, for some people seem to think of repentance only in terms of actions. They think repentance means that a man stops getting drunk or being an adulterer or whatever else it may be, and begins to live a different life, but that is the end of repentance, not the beginning. The beginning is this changed attitude towards God, this new thinking about God Himself; thinking about God in terms of the scriptural revelation rather than in terms of our own ideas and our philosophies and our arguments from man to God, instead of from God to man”.

I think if we can learn anything from the Beatitudes, it is that God is concerned that our being is transformed before our actions are “reformed”.

Proper Perspectives

The Bible tells us that the natural mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We see in today’s text the propensity for man to look at the kindness, forbearance and patience of God and coming to the wrong conclusion. This should not surprise us. Man seems to either not think about God at all, or when he does think about Him, he has wrong thoughts about Him. How easy it is to look at the troubles around us and question the love and kindness of God. How often do we question His character because everything doesn’t “go our way”?

For these reasons, it is important, as the first step of repentance, to stop and think about the character of God. The natural man needs to think differently about God, in a sense “reversing the effects of the Garden”. We need to see God clearly as He reveals Himself in the Bible, and most clearly in the Person of Jesus Christ. When we do so, we will see that our thoughts about God have often been wrong. Like Job, when we truly see God as He is, our only response will be to cover our mouths in fear of blaspheming His name in our ignorance (Job 40:4).

Once we change our thoughts and minds about God, we must stop and do the same about ourselves. Once we see how exalted God is, we will begin to see why the Bible can refer to us as worms. Indeed, nothing good dwells in us (our flesh). No longer will we look at our circumstances and question the love and kindness of God. Instead, we can only wonder in awe why He ever “decided” to shower us with His infinite love. Truly, we don’t deserve it.

Glorious Destiny

According to Lloyd-Jones, the person who changes his view about God and self, will then change his view about everything else.

“His whole view of life is different. Before this, his idea of life was, really, what the world is enjoying today, or what it persuades itself that it is enjoying. But the moment a man repents, he has an entirely different view of life in this world. He sees himself in the light of God and before God. He now sees life as a journey in the direction of God, not as a place into which you come to settle down and just have a so-called good time, and let yourself go, and live like an animal obeying the lusts of the flesh and so on. No! He sees man now as someone with a great and glorious destiny. Like those depicted in Hebrews chapter eleven, he sees life as a journey, as a pilgrimage. He is but a sojourner in this world, he is travelling home to God, and his whole view of life and death and of everything that happens to him becomes different. That is a part of repentance.”

Once we see our lives as a journey in the direction of God, our conduct will profoundly change. Now our actions will fall in step with our new perspectives.

Soul Agony

As our nation approaches another election, many people are talking about the soul of our country. While the people on both sides of the political aisle are pointing out the sins of the other, wouldn’t we do well to take a moment to reflect on our own souls?

No politician is responsible for the pride in our hearts. No political ideology can justify the animosity towards our “neighbors”. As badly as I want to understand (and change) those who hold contrary political views, I have to realize that is not God’s top priority. God’s kindness is meant to lead “me” to repentance. As long as I am looking at (and condemning) others, I will be less sensitive to my own sins.

How about you? How is your “sense” of your sinfulness? When was the last time you wept under conviction of your own sin? When was the last time you experienced an agony of the soul because of the consciousness of your sin before a Holy God?

If we truly want revival and reawakening, we have to once again make repentance the clarion call of the Gospel. May God forgive us for presuming on His kindness!

The Lion Has Roared

Posted on by scott

8 The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?” – Amos 3:8

Seeking to Devour

Satan is a great enemy that Peter likens to a roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour. Accordingly, Peter warns us to be sober minded and watchful (1 Peter 5:7-9). Whether he masquerades as an angel of light ( 2 Cor. 11:14), enters Eden as a crafty serpent (Genesis 3:1), or roars like a lion, Satan is indeed a very real threat to mankind.

Since enticing Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in rebellion against the Word of God, Satan has been using any means to “devour” the children of God. For those who love “light” and all that is associated with it, Satan is willing to capitalize on our attraction by deceiving us with ‘angelic’ attributes such as goodness, truthfulness and love. If we are not sober minded, he will draw us in with his string of faux pearls. If we bite, he will use them to choke us.

By likening Satan to a roaring lion seeking to devour us, Peter pulls off the enemy’s angelic mask that he so often hides behind. Quite contrary to an angel of light, Satan is rather darkness personified. If he can’t have our souls, he wants to destroy our lives. As he roams the earth he stealthily looks for the vulnerable to devour. Like a preying big cat in a spiritual jungle, Satan is looking for the weak and suffering, newborns, those who may be isolated and separated from the flock. and the unprepared and unsuspecting.

Like a proud lion, Satan will roar to proclaim his territory and intimidate his enemies. But like a lion, he waits until after he has feasted before he roars. Beware! He quietly lies in hiding ready to pounce.

Warning

“Did God really say…?” That is how Satan planted the first seed of doubt and he has been doing it ever since Eden.

Why would a loving God allow suffering? If you were truly a Christian would you still be struggling with sin and doubt? If God is so powerful why can’t He stop catastrophes and death? Is the blood of Christ really sufficient for your salvation? Is Heaven real or is a cold grave our final resting place?

Our hearts may be desperately wicked but our minds can often be our own worst enemies. When Satan roars too often we tremble. When we do, Truth can become blurry. Our joy can give way to fear. Questions replace our confidence. Instead of serving we isolate ourselves. Our souls may be secure, but our effectiveness is diminished. Be sober and watchful!

Satan is an enemy that never sleeps. He is constantly on the prowl, roaming the earth seeking someone to devour. We are wise to heed Peter’s warning. Especially if we know we are vulnerable.

Staking Territory

I have to believe that after the crucifixion of Christ, Satan unleashed a terrible roar. Christ, His great enemy, was hanging dead on a cross. Certainly, Satan was the mighty lion on the jungle of earth. With Christ seemingly out of the picture, who would challenge his dominance?

After Jesus, it was Stephen and James who were soon executed for their faith. As each Christian was added to the roll of martyrdom, the enemy of the church shook his mane and roared. His appetite has been insatiable ever since Cain spilled the blood of Abel.

We can’t undo the bite of the forbidden fruit. It is too late for Cain to rule over the sin that was crouching at the door. With the cherubim and the flashing flaming sword blocking the entrance, we can’t go back to the Garden of Eden. Sin and death are now a part of Satan’s jungle. He is going to roar as long as he can keep us living in fear. But as loud as he may be, he is merely a paper lion on a leash who will soon be extinct.

Fear

As intimidating as Satan may be, in the final analysis, he is not THE Lion we need to fear. Before Peter likened Satan to a roaring lion, the Old Testament prophet Amos told us that the true Lion, God, has roared. Unlike Satan, God’s power is unlimited and His reign is everlasting.

Yes, we are to respect the power and influence of Satan. To ignore his threat would be foolishness. But we need to keep his influence in perspective as Christ reminded us.

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

Satan works through sinful men in threatening fashions. The lips of religious Jewish leaders shouted for the death of Christ and the hands of Roman soldiers nailed Him to a cross. A Jewish mob stoned Stephen to death and Herod’s sword made James a martyr also. Indeed, the history of the Church is filled with much suffering, but as Christ reminds us, the enemies tether only reaches so far.

Roars

When Jesus drank from the bitter cup, He knew what awaited Him on the other side of the cross. As Stephen was stoned to death, he saw His Savior standing at the right hand of God, and he had the assurance that he would soon join Him. Similarly, James had the confidence that although Herod’s sword could take his life, it could not touch his soul. That belonged to his Savior. Let Satan roar.

Feed the Christian to the wild beasts. Use them as human torches to light your parties. Burn them at the stake as dissenters. Behead them as infidels. Go ahead and kill their bodies. You may spill the blood of a Christian in a variety of methods, and you may silence his voice, but you can never stop his testimony.

Satan roars to intimidate, God roars to motivate. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we have the Truth. We have a testimony. Satan roars to strike fear into our hearts so we will remain silent. God has roared to shake us out of our apathy so we will speak up!

Prophesy

We started this journey by looking at Jesus’ struggle in the Garden of Gethsamane (http://helpmewithmyunbelief.com/2019/09/16/a-bitter-cup/). The cup was imminent and his anguish was intense. We proceeded to look at the failing of His most intimate friends as they slept while Jesus prayed (http://helpmewithmyunbelief.com/2019/10/03/garden-sleepers/) Despite their weak flesh, Jesus loved them unconditionally. Enough to drink the bitter cup to its dregs. Next, we looked at the contents of the frightful cup, the awful wrath of God (http://helpmewithmyunbelief.com/2019/10/09/behold-the-storm/). A wrath so violent that only God in the flesh could endure it. These studies have reminded us of the reality of the intense spiritual battle around us. A battle between two roaring lions each staking their claims.

The garden of Eden was real, and so was the fall. As a consequence, sin and death are undeniable realities. Unless Christ returns first, the grave awaits all of us. As Christians, the question becomes how will we redeem the time that we have before we are taken home. We know we are eternal beings. We also know we are surrounded by numerous people who are still in darkness under the domain of the enemy. Their souls destined for an eternity separated from their Creator. Christ loved us enough to take the wrath of God on our behalf. What are we willing to do for the lost? They desperately need to hear of the awful wrath of God that awaits them if they don’t repent and accept His grace.

Armed with the Truth, we have a choice to make; which lion are we going to listen to? Both are roaring.

“Did God really say…?”

It’s time to expose the false lion and end his masquerade!

The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?” – Amos 3:8b

Dead Men Walking

Posted on by scott

 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. – Matthew 27:50-53

Sunday Surprise

History revolves around the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Every Easter season we recount the events surrounding the empty tomb where Christ’s body was laid to rest.  As we read the Gospel accounts, much discussion is made of the surprise reaction of those that found the stone rolled away early that first Resurrection Sunday.

Despite Old Testament prophecies and the foretelling words of Christ Himself, His followers were stunned to find His body missing.  Even the raising of Lazarus did not adequately prepare them for the surprise of that historic day.  And why should it?

Death and the grave don’t easily give up the dead.  Since the bite of the forbidden fruit in Eden death has been such a certainty.  So much so that every generation fears and respects its presence.  Despite our efforts to push it from our thoughts, death has a way of too often interrupting our lives.  From our perspective death doesn’t usually “play” fair, but it does “play” for keeps.

Headstones

A few weeks ago, my family picked out my mother’s headstone.  Soon the stone will be placed at her grave site.  It will be just another reminder of the reality of her death.  Earthly speaking, what is more enduring than the granite stone that will mark her final resting place?

Such is the earthly plight of man.  We began as dust and will return to dust and then a stone will mark where we are laid to rest.  A permanent monument attempting to keep alive a fading legacy.

Our American landscape is full of them.

It is only natural to want to honor the lives and legacies of the deceased.  For many, the fitting way to do so is with a respectful burial and monument.  A tradition that has been carried on for years.

Historically the Greeks and Romans used stone monuments to honor the dead and prevent the graves from being disturbed.  We want the same for our deceased loved ones today.

Cemeteries

When he gave his famous speech dedicating the cemetery in Gettysburg, President Lincoln stated that those who fought there had already consecrated the ground.  Many gave their lives so that the nation might live.  Too many.

When you go to Arlington national cemetery, you are overwhelmed by endless rows of monuments paying tribute to thousands of others who also have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  I believe visiting each of these cemeteries is a beneficial exercise in may respects.

However, as intriguing as Arlington and Gettysburg are, we don’t have to drive to Pennsylvania or Virginia to pay our respects to the deceased.  As stated above, cemeteries make up a prominent part of the American landscape.

Today’s cemeteries were preceded by yesterday’s graveyards.  Churchyards that doubled as burial grounds, until they eventually ran out of sufficient space to bury their deceased.

The grave is never satisfied (Proverbs 27:20).  Every day we are one step closer to death.  Because of it’s certainty I already have the deed to my plot.  As sobering as it is to think about, one of these days I will be the one whose grave site is being visited.  Until then, I will continue to make my way to Gettysburg and Arlington in addition to visiting the grave sites of my loved ones.

Unexpected Visitors

There is nothing unusual about going to a cemetery and seeing the living paying their respects to the deceased.  Happens every day.  But what about the deceased coming out of their graves and coming to town to visit the living?

That is what happened the day of Jesus’ death.  As we celebrate Passion Week we seldom talk about one of the most intriguing surprises of Good Friday.

According to Matthew’s account, just after Jesus yielded up His spirit, the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  Obviously, this represents the barrier between God and men being removed by the death of Christ.

But in addition to the curtain being torn, there was an earthquake.  One which shook the earth and split the rocks, thus opening the tombs of the saints and enabling their bodies to take a walk into Jerusalem and do some visiting of their own.

Dead Men Walking

As I stated at the beginning, we often talk about the surprise of the followers of Christ at the discovery of the His empty tomb.  But have you ever contemplated the surprise of those in Jerusalem that witnessed the visitation of the saints immediately following the death of Christ?

Imagine the chaos if you can.  How did the bodies of the deceased saints look?  What or whom did they visit?  Did they walk to the Temple to observe the now torn curtain?

More importantly, what can it mean for us?

Everything.

That granite headstone may not be as enduring as it seems.  That deed to my cemetery plot may not be worth the paper it is written on.  That do not disturb sign?  Doesn’t apply to Jesus.

What in heaven or on earth can withstand the loud voice of Christ?  Certainly, death and the tomb are no match for it!

When Jesus went to the cross, He did so meekly, like a sheep being led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).  But when He yielded His spirit, Jesus did so with a loud voice.  He wasn’t a helpless victim hanging on a cruel Roman cross, He was a victorious King setting His saints free.

When this King shouted, “It is finished“, death and the tomb were forever changed.  The Sunday surprise was Christ’s exclamation point to God’s perfect plan of redemption.

A Loud Voice

Chances are, someday, like me, you too will have your remains laid to rest in a cemetery.  In the tradition of the Greeks and Romans, your site will probably be marked with a stone to honor you and prevent your grave from being disturbed.

At least until Jesus comes.

When Jesus stood outside the tomb of Lazarus, He commanded  Lazarus to come forth, and he did.  Despite the fact that he had been dead for three days, the grave could not contain Lazarus after the voice of Christ called him out.  It had to surrender to the Savior.

Similarly, as Christ cried out on the cross, the earth shook and the saints arose from their graves and walked into Jerusalem.  Whether they were in the tomb for three days or three hundred years, the saints could not remain in their graves once Christ lifted up His voice.  Like the grave of Lazarus, the graves of the Saints had to surrender to the voice of the Savior.

And someday, Child of God, your grave will to.  Christ is coming back, and His voice will be heard on earth once again.

Looking Up

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Child of God, that cemetery is not your final resting place.  Some day, maybe soon, Christ is coming back.  He will give a cry of command.  When He  does so His saints that have died in the Faith will raise from their graves and join those who are alive as they meet Christ in the air.

How can we be so certain of this meeting?

As Christians we not only have the witness of Christ’s empty tomb, but we also have the testimony of dead men walking.  May this fact leave a lasting impression on us much like it would have for those in Jerusalem who witnessed it so many years ago.

As Paul reminded the Thessalonians, “encourage one another with these words“.

Christ has risen.

He has risen indeed.

And in the words of Lincoln, He has given His life so others may live.

Happy Easter.

Safe and Sound

Posted on by scott

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared – 1 John 3:2a

Someone’s Missing

Today we are celebrating Brooke’s ninth birthday.  It is a bittersweet day.  To say the least.  We are gathering as a family to celebrate our youngest child’s birthday, without her presence.  The absence of her physical presence has precipitated a litany of questions.

If our preemie baby had lived to come home from the hospital, what would she be like as a little nine-year-old girl?  Who would she look like?  What personality traits would she have?  How would she interact with her siblings, nephews, and nieces?  What limitations might she have had as a result of being hooked up to a respirator for her entire brief life?

I think for anyone who has lost a child these types of questions are inevitable.  With each passing birthday and holiday, we can’t help but wonder how our lives would differ with Brooke in the equation.  But wonder is all we can do.  As we journey down this road called life we continue to pass milestones without our “baby” to share the experiences.

Lofty Mysteries

As we think about our departed daughter, we find that our questions are not limited to just the here and now.  We also have questions that transcend the temporal.  As intriguing as is it to ponder what Brooke might look and be like if she were still with us, we also question her current “status” in heaven.

As I was talking to my co-worker (Tammy) yesterday about celebrating Brooke’s birthday, she mentioned the three children that are awaiting her in heaven.  Children that she would dearly have loved to hold and nurture as a mother but was denied the privilege because of miscarriages.

Tammy has total confidence that her children await her in heaven, but in what state?  How “old” will they appear?  What type of bodies will they have?  How will she recognize her children she never held?

These are questions we will have to wait to have answered until we join our loved ones in heaven.  All we know is that our earthly bodies are merely seeds that are sown in dishonor but will be raised in glory (1 Cor. 15:43).  Our natural bodies will give way to a spiritual one.

Now and Later

Brooke may not be with us, but I would rather celebrate her birthday without her than to ignore it.  She is still a special part of our family.  Although we all grieve her absence, we also anticipate the day we will be reunited with her in heaven.

I believe it is a healthy thing not to live in denial.  We have all lost loved ones that we will never see again on this side of eternity.  While I recognize that others don’t want to continually hear about our losses or our struggles, pretending they don’t exist or never happened doesn’t help anyone.

Paul not only writes that our earthly bodies are “sown in dishonor”, but he also tells us that they are “sown in weakness” (1 Cor. 15:43b).  These jars of clay (2 Cor. 4:7) that we live in for a short period of time are so fragile.  But Paul encourages us that our weak bodies will be raised in power.  However, before our weak bodies are raised in power, we need all the encouragement we can get.

There can be a lot of difficult days before our earthly seeds are “raised in glory”, which makes me so thankful for the mercy God shines on us before He takes us home.

Safe and Sound

After sharing supper as a family tonight, we shared some memories of Brooke’s passing.  It isn’t often we discuss these memories but we do cherish them almost as if they were sacred.  It is always sobering thinking about our loved ones crossing over the river of death into eternity.

After our discussion, I sat down in the rocking chair.  As I was contemplating Brooke’s brief life, my four-year-old grand-daughter climbed onto my lap and rocked with me.  It was definitely one of those moments of mercy God shines on us to encourage us in our weakness.

As I rocked my grand-daughter I was reminded of the song my daughters were so anxiously looking forward to playing for their little sister when she came home from the hospital.  But never would.  For a long time after Brooke’s passing, I could not listen to the song.  The pain was too deep.  But what a comfort it is to know that the love and safety we wanted to provide for her in our humble home could never compare to heaven.

Sorry, Tammy.  I don’t know what our babies will look like in heaven, but I do know they are safe and sound.  And I also know that until our earthly seeds are raised in glory and we can join them, God will be faithful in shining His mercies on us.

Until we are in glory, enjoy every opportunity you get of rocking that child.  It is a blessing we earthly seeds should never take for granted.

The Song

Safe and Sound
Matthew West
Can’t believe you’re here now
Tiny dream come true
The answer to a prayer now
I’m so in love with you
Couldn’t wait to meet you
Hope you like your name
I get the funny feeling
Life will never be the same
Safe and sound
You’re here with me now
Like I hoped you’d be
Safe and sound
You’re here with me now
And that’s all I’ll ever need
The world’s a scary place here
But baby it’s alright
I’ll make sure the coast is clear
So you can just sleep tight
But if you’re afraid of monsters
Like everybody is
I’ll be right beside you
Closer than a kiss
Safe and sound
I’m here with you now
And you will always be
Safe and sound
I’m here with you now
And that’s all you’ll ever need
Someday I’m gonna teach you
The reason why we pray
So that heaven’s love may reach you
Every single day
So, baby close your eyes now
And say a prayer with me
Lord, I lay me down to sleep now
But I know I will be
Safe and sound
You’re here with us now
And we will always be
Safe and sound You’re here with us now
And that’s all we’ll ever, all we’ll ever need
You’re all we’ll ever need

 

Exceeding Great Reward

Posted on by scott

 

15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” – Genesis 15:1

Carts and carrots

As you trudge through life pulling your cart of burdens, what is it that you are striving for?  What is the proverbial carrot on the stick that motivates you?  When you are up to your knees in mud, trying to get your load through the next rut, what gives you the strength to take the next step?

Many people aspire wealth.  The more they can accumulate the better.  When the harvest is good, more and larger barns are built.  How much is enough?  The cart is not a burden if it is full of goods.  So they tell themselves.

Some people are driven by emotional insecurities.  For them there can never be enough affirmation.  Their deepest desire is fame or recognition.  As they trudge through life pulling their cart they make sure it is detailed and covered with more stickers than a NASCAR race car.  As they pull their cart down Main Street they make sure they are often testing it’s horn.

For some, like Abram, proginey is paramount.  As a young man, Abram could boast living ancestry as far back as ten generations!  Noah, who lived to be 950 years old, was still alive when Abram was born.  But while Abram could reminisce with every one of his male ancestors from his father Terah to his (9x) great-grandfather Noah, he had no child to call his own.

After these things

When God spoke to Abram in a vision as recorded in today’s text, Abram’s cart was “parked” in Canaan.  After the death of his father Terah, God told Abram to leave his country and his people and move to a land that He would show him.

While it would be difficult to pack up and leave everything he knew, God made a covenant with Abram.  While it would be difficult at 75 years of age to make a new beginning, Abram had the assurance of God and His blessings.  But when would they come?

At this point in history, Abram is still childless.  At this point in history, Abram does not own a foot of ground.  To make matters worse, there has been tension between the camp of Abram and his nephew Lot.  In humility, Abram allowed Lot first choice of land.  Being a man of logic, Lot chose the most fertile land for himself.

Although Abram and Lot parted ways, Abram never stopped loving his nephew.  When a war broke out between rival kings, Lot was caught in the middle and carried away captive.  Showing no concern for his own safety, Abram gathered his men and rescued Lot.

These were the “things” that preceded Abram’s vision from God.

Fear Not

We all live with fears and uncertainties.  At one point or another we will all battle doubt and despair.  Although Abram may have been a very brave man, it would only be natural that perhaps he might fear retribution from those he fought with to regain Lot’s freedom.

If Abram did not fear retribution, perhaps the events of Lot’s capture reminded him of life’s uncertainties.  Without any warning, life can change so quickly.  How easily might Lot have been killed by the warring factions.  Certainly, Abram’s life may have been in danger when he set out to rescue his nephew.

Although many of his ancestors were still alive, Abram was not immune from the painful experience associated with death.  His brother Haran, Lot’s father, was buried in Ur, the land of his birth.  Likewise, his father Terah, was buried Haran.

But perhaps Abram’s greatest fear was infertility.  As he and Sarai were aging, it is very possible that his hopes for progeny were perhaps buried in Sarai’s barren womb.

Although Abram’s cart did not yet hold a son, it did carry God’s promises.

Fear not, Abram!

I am

We often speak of the great “I am” statements of the Bible, but I don’t know if I have ever heard this one from Genesis chapter fifteen included among them.  When Abram needs encouragement, God Himself provides it.

“I am your shield”.

After saving Lot from his captors, Abram encountered the mysterious figure Melchizedek, king of Salem, and priest of God Most High.  Melchizedek not only blessed Abram, but he also reminded him that it was God, “who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (Gen. 14:20b)!  

How comforting to know that when trials come our way, the great I Am is our shield.  He is our protector.  The Bible uses numerous illustrations to encourage us of the refuge we have in God.  God is our strong tower (Prov. 18:10), our refuge and tower of strength (Psalm 61:3) and our strong rock (Psalm 62:7).

Further, when disaster comes, we know that we can take refuge in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 57:1).  When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are comforted by the protection of His rod and staff (Psalm 23).

No one is greater than God.  When we are in the hands of Christ, no one can snatch us out (John 10:28-29).

The great I AM is our shield, but He is so much more.

Very great reward

In the original language, God tells Abram that He is not only his shield, but God Himself, is Abram’s very great reward.  Or as the King James has it, his exceeding great reward.

Abram left his land and his family with only his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and the promises of God.  Promises of becoming a great nation, having his name made great, and being blessed and being a blessing.  In addition, his descendants would be given the land of Canaan.

As Abram drove his cart of burdens from the land of his family to the promised land, he drove it by faith.  Abram would encounter ruts.  He would trudge through mud.  His way would often be difficult, but he believed his reward would be great.

Abram was not a perfect man, as evidenced by his relationship with Hagar, but he was motivated by a perfect reward.  The great I Am.

Let’s come full circle.  What is your greatest motivation in life?  Do you recognize God for what He is?  Do you recognize Him as your very great reward?  Don’t strive for the world’s carrots on a stick.  They will all rot.  Only the great I Am can fulfill your greatest longings and meet your greatest needs.  Enjoy the relationship you were created to have.

Consider the attributes of God.  He alone is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, immutable, sovereign, holy, etc.  Your exceeding great reward is without equal.  The wealth of the world and the praise of man are nothing compared to Him.  And nobody can love you the way He does.  Not even close.  God promised Abram so much, but the most rewarding “thing” He gave him was Himself.

What could be a better reward?

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. – Psalm 73:25

Instead of Ashes

Posted on by scott

 

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations. – Isaiah 61:1-4

Fire

Yesterday morning, just after first light, I ventured into town to look at a pile of rubble.  No, I am not a dumpster diver.  I have no attraction to rubble.  But like a moth I couldn’t stay away from the light.  I had to make sure it was real despite my wishes that it wasn’t.

In a year filled with so much loss and grief, tragedy has struck again.

With tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat I parked my car on Main Street.  Along with my son I walked up to the yellow tape blocking the sidewalk and looked in disbelief at the pile of brick and mortar.  On top of the pile of brick rested a large steel beam.  Below the pile of bricks was buried the charred remains of businesses and a home.  Buried below the bricks was a lot of past history and future hope.

Fire is no respecter of the past, nor does it care about the future.

As I surveyed the scene, I wanted to rewind time just twenty-four hours.  The morning prior, two buildings graced Main Street where the rubble now lay.  Two buildings that stood sentinel for the better part of the towns history which began in the mid 1800’s.  A lot of hard work had gone into the construction of the buildings and the building of the businesses they housed.  Despite the best efforts of nearly twenty fire departments, one fire reduced them to the pile of rubble I couldn’t stay away from.

Boot

The loss from the fire will leave a void not only on Main Street, but in our family as well.  Not only was a family business lost, but also an apartment that served as home for multiple members of the family for years.  To a few of my siblings and their children the apartment was the source of many family memories.  For a couple of my nephews and nieces it was their first home.  Besides the sweat equity and financial investment put into the business on the ground level, there were a lot of fond memories associated with the apartment above it.

This was no ordinary heap of ashes I was drawn to.  This was a sight I had to see to believe.  Despite watching the blaze for hours the day before it still seemed surreal.  One of those events you know is real but you still have to make sure.  And when you are sure you wish you weren’t.

As the events of the prior day were still replaying in my mind I saw a little boot at the edge of the rubble.  A reminder of not only the tragedy that transpired, but the tragedy that was averted.  While the fire may have claimed a couple of old buildings and the possessions they contained, it did not claim any lives.  The family living above one of the businesses narrowly escaped the fire with their two young boys partially dressed.  As bad as the fire was it could have been worse.

The little boot was a timely reminder.  Some things can never be replaced.

Down

With my mother’s death this past summer, the fire was just another blow to the family.  As the fire ravaged, we helplessly watched the firemen fighting a hopeless battle.  As emotional as the scene was, it was most difficult on my father and sister.  My father purchased the building in the early 1990’s and my sister is the current owner.  The two of them, along with my deceased mother, had the most sweat equity in the business.  None of us were “ready” for another loss.  But how often are we?

Although I rarely go to the movies, I did see Batman Begins years ago.  One scene in particular has stuck with me from that movie.  After Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) laments to his trusty butler Alfred that he has failed, Alfred replies, “Why do we fall sir, so that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

Whether we fall, or whether we are knocked down, we need to get back up.  Nobody likes to be down, planted on their backside, but the position can have it’s benefits.  While it is true that there is no place to go but up, I believe that more importantly, when we get back up we arise a different person.  Being down doesn’t have to be equated with being defeated.  Triumph can blossom from tragedy.

Seeds

Before my early morning trip to the rubble pile, I sent my sister a text reminding her that flowers grow in ashes.  When we are down we can rise up even stronger.  And instead of seeing the bricks on the ground as defeat, we must recognize them for what they really are.  Seeds.

We can choose to look at fallen bricks as defeat; the end of a run, or as seeds; the promise of a bright future.  The fire didn’t care.  The bricks are indifferent.  The choice is up to us.  Are we going to lament the past, or look forward to the future.  The future has my vote.

Before I left the scene of the fire, I crossed the yellow tape and picked up three seeds (aka bricks) and put them in my car.  I can’t rewind time so I decided to carry just a bit of the past home with me to plant for the future.  I am looking forward to the possibilities.

Ashes

The remains of the fire are just another reminder of spiritual truths.  When Isaiah penned the words quoted above, it is natural to imagine the comfort they might have brought to the Israelites in exile with Zion (Jerusalem) in ruins.  More rubble that was mourned over.  But their mourning would be interrupted by the Messiah.

To those who were “down”, the promise of the coming Messiah was good news.

When Jesus began His ministry He read from this passage of scripture in Isaiah and told His audience, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).  But the good news of the Messiah wasn’t just for Zion or the Israelites in exile, it is for you and me.

You and I were being ravaged by sin.  Like a fire within us, sin was destroying us.  Just as the numerous firefighters could not save the burning buildings, we cannot save ourselves from the blazing fire of sin.  There isn’t enough water in the world to do so.

Like the Israelites during the days of Isaiah, we needed One who was Anointed by God to save us.  We needed a Savior of new beginnings.  One who can bury the past and give us a new future.  Jesus is the only One who can replace our ashes of mourning with a beautiful headdress.  One that is worthy of being seated by His throne.

Oaks

Look closely at the words Isaiah used to describe those who were “down”.  Poor, brokenhearted, captives, bound, mourning and faint spirited.  From such despair, Jesus lifted us up.  And when He lifts us up, He makes us a new creation.

When death takes a loved one, don’t give into despair.  When a fire destroys your possessions, don’t deny the ashes.  Jesus has already defeated death.  He has already lifted you from the ashes of sin and made you an oak of righteousness.  Mourn for a little while if you need to but never forget, our Messiah has promised us His oil of gladness.

As painful as losses are, I am glad God is a God of new beginnings.  Like the boot lying in the rubble, the cross on Cavalry is a reminder not only of the tragedy that happened, but the tragedy that was averted.  Jesus died so you could live.  He died so you could wear a crown instead of ashes.

I am not sure what tomorrow holds, but I am guessing it can’t topple an Oak of Righteousness.  After all, we are rooted in Christ.

Is Anyone Suffering?

Posted on by scott

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. – James 5:13

Wise Guy

The Book of James is often referred to as the Proverbs of the New Testament.  In this short Book, James, the half brother of Jesus, focuses on practical Christian living.  Under the conviction that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), James encourages Christians to live like Christians.  He is not interested in mere words; he desires action.  According to James we must not deceive ourselves.  We must be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22-23).

For James, if our faith doesn’t result in real life change, it is a worthless faith.  Using very sobering words, James reminds us that even the demons believe in God and shudder (James 2:19), but their “faith” isn’t going to save them.  In fact, he likens such faith to a body without a spirit (James 2:26).  Dead.

James isn’t simply speaking in theoretical terms.  He once walked the path of unbelief.  Before the resurrection of Jesus, James did not believe that his half brother was the Messiah (John 7:6).  In fact, before James’ spiritual eyes were opened, he might have been among those who thought Jesus was “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  But James would soon come around!

Wisdom may come in small steps, but it always takes the path of prayer (James 1:5).

Oh Brother

James may not have been a believer during the life of Jesus, but you would have to suspect that living with Him under the same roof for the better part of three decades would have left an impression on him.  While the sinless nature of Christ may have been rather convicting at times, James must have certainly been moved by the humility, selflessness and sincere love of Jesus.

How much of the Angelic encounters and the unique birth of Jesus did Joseph and Mary share with their other children?  Certainly they heard rumors that Jesus was conceived out of wedlock (John 8:41).  How would James reconcile the claims of his parents and the “evidence” offered by the skeptics?

James may not have been a believer during the life of his half brother, but his cynicism was no match for the death and resurrection of Jesus.  After the resurrected Christ appeared to James (1 Cor. 15:7), there was no going back.  James was no longer a doubting half brother; he was forever to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1).

Suffering

James addresses his book to the Jews who are dispersed.  The twelve tribes were subjected to great trials, so accordingly, James encourages them to look at the positive aspects of their suffering.  In fact he tells them to count it all joy.

I have written so often about suffering that I was reluctant to do so again.  But unfortunately it is a subject we cannot get away from.  We are surrounded by so many hurting people.  Friends who have lost a baby.  Coworkers who have lost a spouse.  A classmate who was just diagnosed with stage four cancer.  The trials are never ending.  Sadly, for many, the suffering is most intense during the Christmas season.

In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens reminds us that during the Christmas season, “Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.” Those that lack are reminded of their lack and those that have will revel in their abundance.  For many, it is hard to be joyous when there is an empty chair at the feast.  The lights lose their glimmer and the music isn’t as uplifting without our loved ones to share them with.  For many that have so long rejoiced in abundance, want is difficult to embrace.

Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.

Prayer

Doesn’t James’ advice seem like an oversimplification? He doesn’t tell the suffering to get counseling.  He doesn’t tell them to take a drug, or in his day grab the wine bottle.  Nor does he tell them to record their feelings in a journal. No mention is made of a self help group or group therapy.  James’ primary concern for the suffering is to go to Heaven’s throne in prayer.

As is evidenced by his epistle, James believed in the power of prayer.  And He modeled what he preached.  Because of his piety, James was often referred to as “James the Just.”  Because of his prayer life, he became known as “The Man with Camel’s Knees.”

As he interceded on behalf of the saints, James would pray on his knees.  Because he spent so much time kneeling in prayer, his knees became calloused like a camel’s.

Why would James spend so much time in prayer?  Why would he encourage those that are suffering to pray?  James understood the test of trials.  He understood that suffering is much greater than an empty chair at the table and it’s corresponding emotions.  Although James has a lot to say about suffering and prayer, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture.  Ultimately, James is concerned about faith.  Real faith.  Faith that perseveres.

Faith

It is easy to celebrate Christmas when all is well.  It is easy to praise God when we are being showered by His blessings.  But how do we respond when we are faced with our first Christmas without a loved one?  How real is our faith when we have to bury a child?  I am not trying to be insensitive. These are tests we have personally faced and are facing now.  This is real life.  This is exactly what James is writing about.

The sharp edges of real life are often used to expose real faith.  Or the lack thereof.

Before he tells the suffering to pray, James warns his audience not to swear.  Not to make oaths.  It appears, in the context, that James is promoting prayer as an alternative to swearing.  Ultimately, our suffering fleshes out our unbelief or our faith.  James understands the spiritual implications.

Because he has seen the resurrected Christ, James encourages us to pray.  Like wisdom, faith often comes in small steps.  But in His wisdom, God grows it by taking it through the fire of suffering, and not around it.

Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.  Not that God would remove the suffering, but that we would have the strength to endure it.  When suffering comes your way don’t shake your fist at God.  Don’t blame Him for being unfair.  Humble yourself and get on your knees and approach His throne in prayer.

Save your fists for clinging to your Faith.  In the final analysis it is the most precious possession you have.  And may you rejoice in your Abundance this Christmas.

As James can testify, that Babe in the manger rose from the dead.  That is the foundation of our Faith.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12