About A Daily Prayer

There is a book called “The Cloud of Unknowing” written more than 600 years ago by a devoted, unknown saint.  In his pre-Elizabethan English, the author says he wrote his book, “That God’s children might go on to be ‘oned’ with God.”  Not a bad goal. 

At the very start of his work, this unknown author wrote a brief prayer that got me thinking about the way I begin each day.  You see, I believe in daily prayer.  In fact, I believe in constant prayer. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 states it clearly, “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

But, It strikes me that the first prayer…. Saying “Good morning” to the Father, should be a special prayer.  Like the one this old-time writer used to begin his book.  Perhaps you’ll find it as thought provoking as I do. 

First I’ll put it down just as he did… in the old style English of his day.  Then, I’ll let you see my own version.  Either way it’s a great prayer.

 

“Oh God, under whom all hearts be open, and unto whom all will speaketh,

and unto whom no privy thing is hid, I beseech Thee,

so for to cleanse the intent of my heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace,

that I may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee!”

Here’s how I pray it. 

“Oh God, all hearts are open to You, and to You all men will pray,

and to You no private thing is hidden.  Therefore I beg You,

to cleanse the intent of my heart with the unspeakable gift of Your grace,

so that I may perfectly love You and worthily praise You!”

Think about it….

Is Christmas Depressing?

Well, Halloween and Thanksgiving are over and the holiday season is in full swing.  We’ve had our “Turkey Day Sales,” “Black Friday Sales,” and “Cyber Monday” will be here tomorrow.  But, in spite of all the gifts we’ve purchased and deals we’ve gotten for ourselves, so many of us still feel empty and depressed during the entire holiday season.  I’ve been thinking about this… Why is it that so many Americans…even good “church attending” folk, often feel lonely, isolated, and troubled during the holidays? 

Could it be that we look at our lives in juxtaposition to what the Christmas cards show and feel our experience is falling short?  That charming, isolated, snow covered cabin full of gorgeous decorations and a beautiful roaring fire, seems to mock our everyday struggles to pay the bills, failures at making every one of our family and friends completely delighted with gifts we can’t afford, and the unshakeable worries of everyday life.  After all, when the holidays happen during days of hard times, trials, and tough decisions, they can be downright depressing. 

Instead of spending Thanksgiving being thankful for what God has given us we spend the day over-eating and planning our over-spending, leaving us with another year of under-living.  No wonder Christmas is depressing! 

Every Christmas my mother and sisters write annual poems.  It’s a fun way for them to inform us of their doings while giving a cheerful spin on the season.  In that tradition I want to give you a Christmas poem – but with a completely different intent.  

Let’s stop for a moment and re-think the reason for the season and God’s interest in our lives.  If you’re having trials and tribulations perhaps it’s time to ask yourself what God is trying to tell you this Christmas. 

If you don’t know Him personally, perhaps it’s time.  Nothing depressing about the grace of God given in the person of Jesus coming to take away your sin! 

If you are a Christian and having a hard time perhaps God has special plans for you during the tests of this season. 

It’s in this spirit that I offer a poem.  I found it on the internet and have taken liberties with its content – I hope the unknown author is not offended.  I’ve made the poem my own.  It expresses my feelings for each of you this Christmas and for the year beyond. 

 

The Valleys:

Author unknown – an internet poem
Rewritten by Len Allen

Sometimes life is hard to bear, full of sorrows, trials, and woe.

It’s then that I remember – it’s in the valleys that I grow!

 If I always stayed on mountain tops and never lived with pain,

I would not grasp the love of God and life would be in vain.

I do not always understand why things happen as they do,

But one thing in my life is sure – my Lord will see me through.

Yes, Jesus’ birth was glorious but He came for harder stuff,

He came to die for all my sins, and isn’t that enough?

My little valleys don’t seem so bad, when I see Christ upon the cross.

How He suffered in that awful pain, His victory – Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining when I’m feeling very low.

Just give me a reminder; it’s in the valleys that I grow!

Continue to strengthen me Oh Lord, and use my life each day,

To share Your love with others and help them find their way.

I have so much to learn about and my growth is very slow.

Sometimes I need the mountain tops, but it’s in the valleys that I grow!

When celebrating Christmas cheer leaves me feeling sad and low,

Christ is with me in the valleys and it’s His Joy that I know!  

Thank you for the valleys, Lord. Strength and grace you do bestow,

The mountain tops are glorious, but it’s in the valleys that I grow!

 

Merry Christmas and blessed 2013….    A year of valleys – a year of Joy!

 Think about it….

Is Believing In Christ Weird?

Many of you know that I was in the advertising business for many years… so today I want to talk about Budweiser.   

If you’ve watched a football game recently, you’ve seen a Budweiser beer commercial showing male sports fans doing all kinds of funny things as superstitious acts to “help” their team win.  There are guys patting team flags, wearing mismatched socks, and turning their beer bottles so the label’s cosmic force will help a field goal…all while Stevie Wonder sings his hit song, Superstition, in the background.  It’s funny.  We smile because we know that stuff doesn’t really make a difference.  But then, at the very end of the commercial the announcer comes on with a voice-over saying, “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.” And that got me thinking. 

In the book, The Case for Christ, the author, Lee Strobel, makes the statement that Christ’s claim of being God is only insane if He isn’t God.  And that got me thinking about Budweiser and that funny TV spot. 

There are millions of people, myself included, who can testify that Christ’s claim of being God, given to mankind as a totally free gift, offered without the necessity of doing all kinds of religious acts (like patting a church flag, wearing strange clothing, or holding up their Bibles in a certain way), and being willing and able to change our sinful, selfish lives into lives with significant spiritual meaning – is absolutely true.   

My life and the lives of all those millions (perhaps even you) gives proof to the Budweiser commercial that says, “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”  Maybe it’s time to ask yourself what’s working in your life.  What’s meaningful?  What makes you a significant person? Have you been doing all kinds of stuff to convince God He should bless you?  It’s time to just ask Christ to come into your life and change you to a completely new person.  He can do it!  He will do it! 

And if you’ve asked Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, maybe it’s time you just trust Him and quit exhausting yourself with religious activities and ask Him to show you how to best serve Him in your community.   

Too many of us are very, very busy “doing” instead of quietly living our lives based upon the powerful, living, Word of God, revealing a personal relationship with a life-changing, life-directing Christ. 

Although I do not endorse Budweiser, or drinking too much beer, I come back to their funny, wonderful, thought-provoking commercial.  Believing in Christ is only weird if He doesn’t work… And He works mightily! 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.   Ephesians 2:8–9 

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.   John 1:12

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.   2 Corinthians 5:17  

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”   Matthew 11:29–30  

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.   1 John 5:11–13  

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.    John 10:10  

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.  Romans 12:1–3 

 

Believing Jesus Christ came to earth

to offer us all the free opportunity to accept Him

as the one who freely died for our sins

so that we could live with God for eternity

and have a completely new life of joy, peace, and blessing

is not weird…

He works! 

Think about it….

 

Can You Count To Ten?

Sitting in a restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee I overheard an interesting conversation.  So, blatantly eavesdropping, I listened to two men talking about the 100 verses that every Bible-believing Christian should know.  The discussion was passionate and heart-felt and it got me thinking.  

Since the Word of God is a living, dynamic book which God uses to speak truth into our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is an extremely personal thing to consider what verses have most impacted your life.  What a blessing it’s been to contemplate the last 44 years and meditate on how God has used the Scriptures to quite literally change my life.  What specific verses has God used to teach, comfort, challenge, or convict me?  

Thinking of a list of 100 is overwhelming, BUT I would suggest that every Christian who claims to be a person of the book should be able to point to at least ten places in the scriptures that could be called “life-changing.”  Can you?  Can you count to ten?  Sit down with a blank piece of paper and write a verse that’s meant a lot in your life.  Maybe you can’t quote it word-perfect but you know where it’s found and you understand what it has said to your Christian experience.  I promise, it will be a blessing, a praise to the Lord, and just plain fun. 

And just for fun, I’m giving you the ten verses (or sets of verses) that have, with Christ’s help, changed my life.  They are NOT in any kind of order of importance, but each one is significant to me and my Christian walk. 

1.  (My life verse) The importance of God’s Word in my life - Ezra 7:10 - For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.  

2.   My assurance that I have eternal life because I have Jesus - 1 John 5:11–13 - and the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.  

3.   God is able to do anything with me - Luke 1:37 - “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  

4.   God is able to do anything through me - Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  

5.   I should be ambitious to lead a life at peace in order to have a good testimony to those outside the faith - 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 - and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.  

6.   I should consider Christ as THE power controlling my life – 1 Peter 5:6 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 

7.   Nothing that happens to me will negatively impact my faith in the Lord - Job 13:15a - “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…  

8.   I make my plans BUT God is in charge of my life - Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.  

9.   Even when times are hard and my family doesn’t understand, God renews His blessings in my life – I have confidence in Him - Lamentations 3:14, 21-24 - I have become a laughingstock to all my people, Their mocking song all the day. --- This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”  

10.   When I’m surrounded by tough circumstances and I don’t know what to do – I just look to Jesus – He fights my fights - 2 Chronicles 20:12, 17 -  “O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” --- ‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”  

Well, that’s my list.  What’s yours?  Spend a little time reviewing your life and the times when a verse really spoke to you.  For me, it turned into a real time of worship and thanksgiving.  What an amazing God we have!

Count to ten - have fun and let me know what happens.

 

Think about it….

 

 

About A.W. Tozer and My Battle

A.W. Tozer was an author who spent 44 years pastoring churches, writing books, editing Christian magazines, and mentoring fellow believers.  He received two honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his contribution to our Christian world view.   

Although he wrote in the 1950’s & 60’s, his words make me think.  He wrote about the church of 2012 as if he was sitting at a computer tapping out Biblical warnings to those of us in the spiritual fight against the world today.  He wrote:

A Great Loss: Power to Wage Spiritual Warfare

And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  1 Timothy 3:7  

The Christian should always be aware that the devil’s master strategy against us is to destroy our power to wage spiritual warfare! And he has been succeeding, we must add. 

The average Christian these days is a harmless enough thing, God knows. He is a child wearing with considerable self-consciousness the harness of the warrior; he is a sick eaglet that can never mount up with wings; he is a spent pilgrim who has given up the journey and sits with a waxy smile trying to get what pleasure he can from sniffing the wilted flowers he has plucked by the way. 

Such as these have been reached! Satan has gotten to them early.

By means of false teaching or inadequate teaching, or the huge discouragement that comes from the example of a decadent church, he has succeeded in weakening their resolution, neutralizing their convictions and taming their original urge to do exploits; now they are little more than statistics that contribute financially to the upkeep of the religious institution. 

There can be complete victory for us if we will but take the way of the triumphant Christ, but too many have accepted the low-keyed Christian life as the normal one. That is all Satan wants. That will ground our power, stunt our growth and render us harmless to the kingdom of darkness—and we sons of eternity just cannot afford such a thing! ^[1] 

Think about it….

 

---

^[1] Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (1991-). Renewed day by day : A daily devotional. Camp Hill, PA.: WingSpread.

Are You A Code Talker?

Recently I was talking with my daughter-in-law.  She was explaining some of her course work for her doctoral studies in statistical analysis.  I was completely lost after the third word.  It was as if she was speaking a completely different language – so I glazed over and phased out.  My son looked at me with a smile and said, “Welcome to my world.”  As I was thinking about our conversation, if you could call it that, I wondered how many times, when sharing my faith, I used that same kind of non-understandable language.  

In World War Two the Japanese began to listen in on allied radio communications.  The American army began to look for a way to use the radio without the enemy being able to understand.  They recruited a number of Navajo Indians and trained them to use their very obscure native language for military radio dispatches.  When the Japanese listened they couldn’t understand a single word.  This detachment of Navajo radiomen became known as the Code-Talkers and in the entire war not one of their transmissions was ever “de-coded.”  

So, I’ve been thinking, am I a Code-Talker when it comes to communicating with non-Christians in my life?  Do I use a language that has no meaning for them, so they just glaze over and phase out?   

Imagine something like this…an acquaintance asks, “How ya doing?” and I answer, “I’m blessed, because my salvation is assured, I’m covered in the blood, sanctified, glorified, and praisin’ the Lord for His propitiation and intercession.” I would have sounded very spiritual but, just like a Navajo Code-Talker, I’d have lost my friend after the second or third word.  

In 1 Corinthians 14:9-11 the Apostle Paul said, “So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian [Code-Talker], and the one who speaks will be a barbarian [Code-Talker] to me…  

Paul is talking about communicating not just babbling some unknowable words which are totally meaningless to the hearer.  Later in verse 19 he says he’d rather speak five words that he understood and that were understandable by others than ten thousand that were not.  I feel challenged as a Christian to think through the real meaning of “Christian Buzz Words” so that I can more simply communicate what God is doing in my life.  In the church we get so used to Code-Talking that often we don’t even communicate with other believers.  We can hear words so often we just smile and nod but never learn their meaning. 

I meet with a number of people every week to discuss what the Bible says to them.  When we read verses I find myself regularly asking, “What does that word mean?” and more often than not, I get blank stares.  It becomes obvious we’re using words that sound good but that have no real meaning in our lives.  If that’s the case, are we teaching anything? – or learning anything? 

I can remember one of my early spiritual mentors asking me to explain the meaning of a Bible text as if my audience was from a completely different planet, with none of the usual cultural or social references.  It was very difficult to do.  Yet, non-believers are actually from a completely different worldly realm.  They speak a different language and, unless we take great care in our conversations, they will have no idea what we’re talking about.  No wonder our efforts to tell people about Christ can be so weak. 

In a recent article by “Money Talks News” it listed a number of things for which kids born in 2011 would have no experiential understanding.  If a teacher referred to things like video or cassette tapes, movie rental stores, paper maps, wired telephones, long distance calling, dial-up internet, encyclopedias, film cameras, fax machines, or handwritten letters – the student would have no idea what they were talking about.   

Every year, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., releases its Mindset List to give a snapshot of how the incoming freshmen class views the world. The list for the Class of 2016 includes the comment, “The Biblical sources of terms such as "forbidden fruit," ''the writing on the wall," ''good Samaritan," and "the promised land" are unknown to most of them.” If a young person doesn’t know where the Good Samaritan comes from he certainly won’t know what “saving grace” is all about. 

Can you communicate the good news about Jesus without using code words?  Ask yourself if you understand them.  If you don’t the non-believers in your life certainly won’t.  

The Barna Research Group has reported that one third of Americans have never been to a church of any kind.  Do you think these neighbors and friends understand spiritual jargon?  No!  

The Bible clearly commands Christians to “Go and Tell” the people around us the good news Jesus offers.  But are we clearly going and telling – with no code-talking? 

Think about it….

 

 

I Can Ride In On My Own Abilities - Can't I?

This story is absolutely true…  My father’s older brother – my uncle – wanted to be a great architect and, although he was from a small town in South Dakota, he left home to study at a fancy school “out East.”

Discovering that most of his fellow students were from the upper-classes, he quickly began to feel very much on the outs as the country bumpkin.  He couldn’t play tennis; he didn’t know how to golf or play bridge, so when it came to the finer social activities, he was left out.

He desperately wanted to “belong” so one day, at a fancy country club, he knew he had his big opportunity.  As my uncle was following a group of his school mates, a screaming young girl on a runaway horse rushed away from the stables.  He thought, “Finally, something I know how to do… I’ve been riding since I was a kid.  I’ll show these snobs what riding is all about and save the girl to boot.” 

 

Looking around, he saw a horse grazing quietly next to the riding club and took off at a dead run yelling, “I’ll save you.”  He confidently sprinted up to the horse, placed both his hands on its rump and vaulted up onto the horse’s back grabbing its mane in a single movement.  Thinking this looked like it was right out of a movie scene, my uncle was confident he’d be seen as a real hero by his classmates and finally be accepted into their social circle.

It turns out that the horse was a very old, very gentle child’s riding horse that had been put out to pasture a long time back and as this big man ran up, slapped its rump, landed full on its back, and screamed “HEYAH!” it was too much.  In shock, the old horse passed gas and died where it stood – leaving my uncle sitting on a stinking, dead horse with its mane still clutched in his hand.  So much for playing the hero! 

I’ve been thinking that every time I perceive a circumstance that I believe I can handle in my own strength and with my own abilities, I end up sitting on a stinkin’, dead horse.  

This happened to Israel.  God had been showing them His wonderous power by defeating the enemies of His people… against huge odds God had provided victory over Jericho.  Obviously it was totally God – but Israel got cocky.  One day Joshua sends some spies to look at a little town called Ai.  The story is recorded in Joshua 7:2,3.     

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.” 

In other words, the spies said, “Ai is just a little town.  We can handle this battle.  Let’s just send a few guys up there and we’ll defeat ‘em.”  So, trusting in their own military ability they attack and end up sitting on a dead, stinkin’ horse of defeat. 

Look at Joshua 7:4,5.  So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai. The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water.  

When it comes to being used of God for anything, even the smallest service or ministry, I must always remember NOT to rely on my own talents and abilities, because without Christ I’m nothing and able to accomplish nothing.   

Jeremiah 9:23 sums it up for me,  Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches…

It’s not what I know (wisdom) – it’s not what I can do in my strength (might) – it’s not what I have (riches).   

They only thing you and I have for successfully living the Christian life is summed up in the next verse Jeremiah 9:24… but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.  

Do you notice who does the “exercising” in that verse?  That’s right – God does it all.  I can only rejoice and glory that I know God personally through His son, Jesus. 

If you ask me how I’m going to accomplish something in my life, my answer will be Philippians 4:13 and ONLY Philippians 4:13… 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  

NO DEAD STINKIN’ HORSES FOR ME!  How about you?

 

Think about it….

Why Does God Allow Flat Tires?

We’ve all been there.  The scenario is familiar.  We’ve got an incredibly busy day planned.  It’s a brutal schedule but if everything goes just right, it will be a real day of accomplishment.  You’re looking forward to that great feeling of satisfaction at getting so much done – and then – a flat tire!  Oh man! You look at that thing and feel like it looks… deflated. 

You pray, perhaps with a little exasperation, God! Didn’t you know that this was going to be a really productive day?  Didn’t you want me to be successful?  Are you really going to be that mean – to let this stupid flat interrupt my entire plan? 

In reality the disruption may not be a flat.  It could be bad weather, traffic jams, illness, mechanical failures, family emergencies, or a thousand other things that keep us from functioning through the appointments and chores of the day.  Also in reality, we too often get very angry at the Lord for these kinds of interruptions.  Many of us can “lose our religion” in the middle of traffic, or having a long wait in a doctor’s office. 

But the next time something like this happens to you – AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN – stop and think about God’s love and His plan for your life.  It might even be a good time to pray and thank the Lord for being in control of the circumstances that seem to move our lives in unseen ways along unseen paths. 

We shouldn’t allow our plans to interfere with God’s direction for our lives.  He knows what He’s doing.  Proverbs 16:9 says, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”  So, when our precious plans are interrupted, we can stop and thank God for the three gracious words in the middle of this verse, “But the Lord.”  At that moment in time, God has a better idea of what you should be doing.  And, after all, He is God. 

Today is September 11^th – you may have read of the scores of examples where God interfered with people’s plans and ultimately saved their lives.  The woman who forgot her lunch and went back for it, the man who stopped at a drug store because his new shoes gave him a blister, the flat tire, the broken down car – all were late to work and missed the tragedy.  There’s a great chance that many of these folks were upset that their plans were messed up by seemingly trivial events.  “But the Lord” had other plans for them.   

These miracles of interruption in no way diminish the pain of the families and friends of those who did not survive the terror of that day.  If anything they drive home the need for each of us to be ready to submit to God’s direction – no matter where it takes us.  We know of some believers in Christ who had divine appointments in the stairwells and offices… appointments which God had scheduled to over-ride whatever plans they might have made for that day.

 

When I was new in my faith in Jesus, I was riding to a ministry appointment with a pastor friend and we had to pull off the road because of a flat tire.  I clearly remember starting to get upset that we were going to be late.  But, I observed that my friend was calm, cool, and relaxed as he started to cheerfully change that tire.  I asked him why he wasn’t mad about the delay.  His answer set my mind on a completely new train of thought.  He said, “God is in control of my life and, as far as I know, by delaying us here with this tire He has saved our lives by keeping us from some terrible accident that could have happened up ahead.”  Then my friend quoted a verse I’ve since memorized and often consider when “irritating stuff” happens to my plans… And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28  

From that day on – even on September 11^th, I realize that my job is to love God, study His purposes in my life, and listen for His call.  His job is to cause everything to work together for good.  

So the next time you’re interrupted in your plan for the day, don’t get angry and sit fuming at the circumstance.  Think of God’s love, God’s mercy, and God’s grace.  Rejoice that He’s in control, knows what He’s doing, and works everything out for good.   

Obviously on this day of remembrance, not everything that happens is good.  Families can have sad, sad circumstances of loss and pain – in and of itself not good.  But from the sorrow lives are focused, changed, and in some cases enhanced with purpose – all of which can work out for the ultimate good.  And can, in the hearts of Christians, give glory to a loving, merciful, sovereign, and mighty God. 

“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”                       Job 42:2  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.                                2 Corinthians 1:3–5  

Think about it….

 

 

Sometimes A Whisper Is Enough

The Whisper 

Once upon a time there was a young Indian boy who dreamed, as most boys do, of being a man. When he became a man of the tribe he knew he would have respect and honor and be offered opportunities to do great feats for the benefit of his tribe.  

The only thing standing in his way of becoming a man was the “test of manhood.”  During this much-anticipated and feared test the young boy would be blindfolded, have his hands bound and then be taken into the deep forest. There the youngster would be left sitting on a stump with his eyes still covered and hands still tied. To pass the test, he must sit through the night braving the unknown, the unseen and perhaps dangerous beasts of the forest. If he survived the night he could return to the tribal elders; they would then declare him a true man and true brave.  

Well, the time came for the young boy to be tested. His father bound his eyes and hands and took him to his destiny. They went around and around, through bushes, around trees, across streams. The boy didn’t know where he was or even how far they’d come. Just before the father left him he leaned over and whispered into the boy’s ear, “Son, be strong, be brave, and don’t give in to your fear.”  Then, he was alone. The night sounds were terrifying. All night his imagination ran wild. What terrible thing was creeping upon him?  How could he survive the worst?  Yet he sat in his fear like a stone. He had never felt so alone, so abandoned. He heard the panther and bear nearby. He could feel the eyes of the hungry wolves surrounding him. A number of times he thought he must cry out. Becoming a man wasn’t that important!  He could go back to being a boy. All he had to do was tear the blindfold from his eyes and wiggle loose from his bindings. He could do it. Then he’d be safe from all the surrounding dangers. But, he thought of his family and their shame if he showed his cowardice. So, he stayed all the way through the night.  

When he felt the sun on his face in the morning he knew, although he had been left and could have been so easily killed by all the animals of the night, he’d made it. He had passed the test. He felt lucky, fortunate to have survived, and a little proud of his own courage. It was time. He took his blindfold off and looked around. There, just a few feet away, was his father standing with bow ready and arrows at hand. His father looked at him and said, “I’m proud of you son, you are a brave man.”  The boy became angry and cried out, “Didn’t you think I could make it on my own?  Didn’t you believe in me?”  The father smiled and exclaimed, “You I trusted, but I love you and I was not going to leave you defenseless before all these dangers. You were brave. But I was here all night keeping guard.” 

This story illustrates that even when it seems we’ve been left all alone out in the darkness of the trials of life, our loving Father is standing nearby on guard for our safety. Even though He loves us, He wants us to go through the dark experience of seemingly being all alone and seemingly being unable to move. He allows our imaginations to run into paralyzing, disheartening fear. Sometimes the encouraging word He gives us is only at the beginning of our trial. He whispers in our ears, “Be strong, be courageous, and do not despair!”    [“The Whisper” is taken as an excerpt from the book, Unemployed: Life in the Wilderness by Len M. Allen]

1 Chronicles 28:20   

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.   

Joshua 1:7

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”  

Philippians 4:11–13

… I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

 

Think about it….

 

 

 

 

Life Is A Test... BUT...

My wife and I enjoy playing the board game Scrabble.  It’s a challenge for me because I’m such a lousy speller, but we have some friends who enjoy playing with an “open” official Scrabble dictionary.  If you want to play a word but you’re not sure of the spelling you can look it up before you place the tiles on the board.  I’ve been thinking that life is just like playing Scrabble.  You are faced with a set of circumstances (the layout of the board), you only have a few resources to face those circumstances (the letter tiles), and you have to make some decisions about what to do (to play a word).  You want to do the best you can but if you do something wrong like placing the tiles in the wrong place or misspelling a word you can really be set back.  Sounds like my life.  I face my circumstances:  have to choose from my available resources and make decisions I hope will count for something. 

Life is like that.  Life is a test… BUT… God has given His permission for it to be an “open-book” test.  Before we make a decision, before we make a move, before we potentially make a big mistake, God says we can open the book and follow His instructions to make the right decision.   

In school, I loved open-book tests.  You could read a question then go look for the correct answer.  Well, I’ve been thinking that God has given us this fantastic book called the Bible…AND life’s an open-book test. I can go find the right answer… it’s great! 

I love Psalms 119:97-104.  These are some of my favorite verses about the function of God’s Word in my life: 

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.  

Now, I’m not the smartest guy in the fight for righteous living.  I may not know all the scripture I need to stand against my opponent and make the godly choice… BUT… I do have an open-book. 

And just like when Jesus was tempted in His wilderness, I can say, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” - Matthew 4:4  

I want to be able to go find the “word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” but to do that I need to have the book open and be studying it.  An open-book test won’t do you much good unless you have the book open! 

I was recently reading about life on the internet – now, THAT is scary! I came across a very interesting anonymous quote that likened life to the Emergency Broadcast System message we hear on radio stations every so often… “BEEEEEP… this is only a test.”  The quote went like this, “This life is a test. It is only a test. Had this been an actual life, you would have received further instructions as to what to do and where to go.”  Obviously the person giving this quote was frustrated with his or her decision making options.  Many people have the feeling this life is a test but they think they’re left on their own without any directions.  It struck me as I read the quote – I have good news.  This life IS a test and it IS our actual life.  BUT we HAVE received instructions on what to do and where to go.  God’s word is the instruction book.  AND, life is an open-book test.  Is that great news?

 

Think about it….

Life Is Going To Pot

I’ve been thinking…   Life Is Going To Pot.

Are you dissatisfied with an area of your life?  Perhaps your career isn’t going as expected, maybe your family relations aren’t what they should be, your relationship with God might even be lacking, or the state of your health is worrisome.  Do you think that your life is going to pot?  Well, I agree – it is. 

Suffering Job asked almost a continuous stream of questions like: “Is this what my life will end like?  Why is this happening to me?” and “I think you made a mistake, God!”  He finally comes to an understanding in Job 42:2,3 when he prays, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”  Job recognizes that God is in charge of his life and all these questions were asked in ignorance of God’s control… what Bible scholars call Sovereignty.   

But how does God exercise His sovereign control over each of us?  The Bible gives us the example of the potter… making pots to accomplish roles that he has decided for them.   

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?  Isaiah 45:9 (ESV)  

Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?  Romans 9:21 (ESV)  

So, I’ve been thinking that the goal of my life is to be good malleable clay in the hands of my sovereign Lord.  I should confess my stubborn sins of pride, lust for power, and desire for position, and surrender my every moment to His control… after all, He does know what He’s doing. 

If I consider my life as a process where God is forming me into the pot He wants me to be… my goal is then to have my life literally “going to pot.”  The pot God wants for me.  The uses God wants to put me to.  

Then, even if my life/pot is one that from my perspective is average, I can be assured it is the life God desires me to live… and I want to live this life to His glory and praise. 

Paul was explaining this to young, first-time pastor Timothy when he wrote, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  2 Timothy 2:20–21 (ESV)  

It is in this context of walking through life as a surrendered lump of clay ready and willing for God to use in any way He sees fit that verses like these make sense. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 (ESV)  

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20 (ESV)  

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,   James 1:2 (ESV)  

No matter what the specific circumstances of our lives may be, if we are walking the path the Lord has asked us to walk, and serving Him with faithful obedience, our lives are being formed by the great potter/master into the pots He desires us to be. 

And what does that pot look like – the pot that God wants for each of us? 

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  Colossians 3:5–10 (ESV)  

Do you want to live a life where you are being formed into the image of a pot that looks like Christ to those around you?  Let’s not be pots in the image of the sinful world we live in – let’s have lives that are going to pot – a pot that looks like Christ.   

The master potter wants to make you into a pot that’s a self-portrait.  Does your pot of a life look like God?  Then no matter what happens, we know the Lord/potter is in control.   

I want my life to go to that pot… yes indeed!

Think about it….