Need a hand

I read a story about a farmer and his son who were working together in the field. The father instructed the boy to go around and pick up all the large stones he could find and throw them into a ditch nearby so they would not interfere with plowing. The son work diligently for many hours but was not quite able to complete the assignment.  Finally he called out, “Dad, there’s one rock here I can’t move even though I’ve tried my hardest.” “No, Son,” replied the father, “you haven’t tried your hardest until you’ve called for me to help you. I can give you the strength you need.” The father came alongside the boy and added his strength. Together, they moved the stubborn rock with ease.

The Scripture tells us about an assignment God had given to a man named Abraham.  What God called upon Abraham to do was something that was impossible for him, if tried under his own power. God commanded him to “walk before Me and be blameless.” The word blameless (Heb. tamym) carries the sense of being complete, whole or mature. It implies a level of integrity that is rarely found among men. In the natural, this would have been impossible for Abraham, except for one condition: the One who called him to live this way was God.

Interestingly enough, those who follow Christ find the same admonition in the New Testament.  Many people have tried to live this Christian life in their own power, and they all have failed. Some have come to believe that it’s impossible to achieve such maturity in a sinful world. And, apart from the God’s help, it is. But God said, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).

What we need to understand is that God will empower us to accomplish what He has called us to do.  We must put ourselves in His hands and allow the power of His Spirit to work through us. Only He is able to present us faultless before the throne. In His power our life can be complete and our walk can be blameless.

There is no rock in our life too big to be moved when we cooperate with what God is trying to do in and through us.

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”

Get rid of fear

Everywhere you look there is evidence of fear. We fear what we do not know. We fear what we know. Even the people we think are the most brave, if they’re honest, will admit to moments of intense fear.

It is reported that during World War II, a military governor met with Gen. George Patton in Sicily. After he praised Patton for his courage and bravery, the general replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man—the truth is, I am a craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.” Patton’s honesty is refreshing.

The Scripture presents a special man named Abraham. He was just as human any of usI. Even though he had 318 trained soldiers in his personal army and had just won a major victory over four mighty kings (Gen. 14:13-17), he still experienced times of apprehension and dread. That’s why God said, “Do not be afraid.” God reminded him that: “I am your shield [to protect you from evil], your exceedingly great reward [to meet all your needs].”

We can categorize our fears into two broad categories. We fear that something will harm us or that we will suffer need in some way. God’s Word tells us that He is sufficient for both of these concerns. The psalmist speaks of God’s protection from evil when he says, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Ps. 91:7). And in another psalm we are assured of God’s provision: “The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (34:10).

Are there fears that trouble you today? Ask God to remove those from you. The God of Abraham is sufficient both to protect you and to provide for all your needs.  If we stay close to His love, fear will depart.

God’s perfect love casts out all fear.

Step by step

The Chinese philosopher Lao-Tse once said, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” I am the kind of person who wants to hurry through the journey to get to the destination.  Are you that way?  When we drive somewhere, I want to find the quickest way there.  Please don’t ask me to stop and at a rest area.  We can stop for that when we get to a gas station.  Why not kill two birds with one stone?  While we all tend to focus on the destination, the time it will take to complete our journey or the items we need to accomplish it, the trip itself cannot begin until we’re willing to take the first step.

In Scripture we see how Abraham was willing to take that first step. Though he had a stopover in Haran, he ultimately did reach is destination. Some have faulted him for stopping short of Canaan. We don’t know for sure why he didn’t go on. Perhaps his father, Terah, was not physically able to continue. We do know that Terah died in Haran. It is also possible that Abraham got temporarily sidetracked. Circumstances may have caused him momentarily to forget that God’s call was to Canaan, not Haran. But we should never forget that at least Abraham took the first step toward his ultimate destination.

What vision has God placed upon your heart?  It might be the soul of your lost neighbor or perhaps God has burdened your heart to teach a Sunday school class.  He might be asking you to receive more training in the Bible or launch out in a nursing home ministry. Whatever it is, you may not be able to see yourself reaching that goal. The answer is found in taking that first step. Even though the way ahead may not seem clear at the moment, there is one thing for certain, if you don’t begin you’ll never finish.

Trust God to guide you and to provide whatever you need along the way. Expect God to step in with His power and direction at the right moment. As you take the first step, He will make sure all the other steps fall in place.

Remember, the hardest step is always the first step.

Genesis 11:31 And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there.

An Answer for Jena?

It is difficult in our country to have calm dialogue.  Whether the subject is religion, sports, politics or race, we don’t seem to be able to bring perspectives together and find resolution.  It seems we would rather stand back and let out bottled up emotions through stereotypical buzz words which simply insight the same response by those with opposing views.

From my perspective, this has become the means of communication in this country.  We aren’t really trying to understand each other and bring about a positive change.  We want to be right.  We want to win the argument.  We want to outshout our opponents.  I think we have succeeded in raising the volume in the debate but certainly not the level of the debate.

It used to be that Congress was a place of debate.  People with honestly different perspectives about issues would consider the alternatives and try to forge a consensus on a means to meet the problem keeping in mind the diversity of perspectives.  Now we seem to be more interested in getting the right sound bite so that our opponent can be second in the money line for the next election.  We don’t even take up the big issues of Social Security, immigration, and racial inequalities.  Those are hot button issues that we can’t even discuss because there is always an election upcoming.

Certainly paralysis is not the answer to the issues we face.  We can’t rebuild New Orleans because we can’t talk about the racial perspectives.  We yell at one another over the situation in Jena when it is really unclear to most what has happened.  Can’t we find a way to discuss the issues and leave the inflammatory rhetoric on the sideline?  I am not saying these issues don’t prompt strong emotions on all sides.  But, civilized people find ways to control their emotions and work through issues to find resolutions.

I guess this may be asking too much of our culture.  We are diverse.  We should celebrate our diversity.  We should allow for different perspectives.  We should talk and not scream.  We should discuss and not yell.  Of course this is only if we are trying to find a resolution instead of winning the argument.

How far

How do we determine what is good enough?  I mean, if we believe that a relationship with God is the most important thing we can have, how do we determine how good that relationship should be?

There is an interesting story in Numbers chapter 32.  Part of the Israelites decided that they didn’t want to enter the Promised Land.  Rather, they wanted to stay on the east side of the Jordan River and settle there to raise their cattle.  God had offered to the children of Israel a land flowing with milk and honey and just before entering into that blessed promise, two and a half of the twelve tribes decided they didn’t want to live there; incredible.

Living on the east of the Jordan would provide a significant challenge for these people.  They would be effectively cut off from the rest of Israel.  It would take great effort on their part to stay in touch and in fellowship with the rest of their brothers.  And it isn’t long before the effort required to maintain a close relationship is just not made.  Not only will they not have close ties with their brothers but they will be outside the protection of the rest of the nation and open to constant invasion.

I wonder how closely this parallels the lives of some Christians.  We know that we need to grow spiritually.  We know that we need to read the Scripture.  We know that we need to have a prayer time daily with God.  We know that we should gather together with the saints on a consistent basis.  We know that we need to be a witness to those who are lost.

We know these are the things God has given to us that will help to make a close relationship with Him.  Yet, often we choose not to do these things.  Or, we choose to do only those that we want to do.  We are selective based upon our desires.  How far can we live from God and still enjoy the fellowship and protection He offers?

Maybe we should ponder these things.  Maybe we should examine what we think making Jesus the Lord of our life really means.

Wisely or Poorly

A few years ago the newspapers carried a story about a woman who was divorcing her husband after discovering he had two other wives and several children by each of them. His explanation? He couldn’t bear the thought of hurting any of them, so he had married all three. He was a traveling salesman, so he was able to carry out the farce for several years. Rather than facing a hard choice, he took the easy way out.

Choices can be difficult.  They require going forward on one path, or with one thing, and leaving another.  Since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we struggle to determine which choice to make. 

In the Indiana Jones move, “The Last Crusade”, two characters were trying to pick the cup of Jesus.  Choosing the right one would bring immortality;  the wrong choice would bring instant death.  Of course the evil character chose the wrong cup and instantly died; He chose poorly.  The hero, chose correctly and was able to save his father; He chose wisely.

The Scripture tells us about the struggle the children of Israel had in this very area.  They wondered if God could be trusted with their future, their lives, their children, their hopes.  Once established in the Promised Land, the Israelites were confronted with a multitude of choices. And the choices weren’t necessarily easy. They could worship the gods of Egypt. These were gods that their parents had known from their long years of servitude. Our past is so hard to overcome.  On the other hand, the gods of the Amorites(and all the other “ites”), the nations they had just conquered, offered opportunities to indulge the flesh, which many found attractive. Some stood confronted with knowing the right path, which may not satisfy their desires, and just giving into the desires of the flesh and serving themselves.  There was one who publicly made a bold stand, Joshua.  He was not afraid to make the hard decision. He declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Choosing to serve the Lord is not always an easy decision. Sometimes it means going against the religious beliefs of your family. Other times peer pressure and the desire to “fit in” cause us to be reluctant to openly declare our commitment to the Lord. Often people find it easiest to try to blend in like a chameleon, changing colors to fit whatever group they happen to be with. Ultimately, we have to make the hard decisions.

Who will you serve today?  Will you serve your wants and desires?  Or, will you choose the bold path and publicly declare God as your choice?  Choose wisely.

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

 

 

A Solid Rock

On the southern coast of Spain, in the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, is the peninsula of rock called Gibraltar.. Covering most of this peninsula is an enormous mass of limestone 1,398 feet high. Over the years, this rock has become a symbol of stability and certainty. We have coined a phrase, familiar to most, “Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.”

We long to have things that are rock solid; something that is immovable; something dependable. Over the years, Gibraltar has developed that reputation. Shippers have gazed upon this mass of rock as they have battled the unpredictability of the sea.

Yet God’s Word has proven to be even more dependable. In the book of Joshua, God spoke to Joshua about three events that would transpire in the future. As far as God was concerned, these events were as good as done. In chapter 6, God said of Jericho, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king and the might men of valor” (v. 2). And that’s what happened. In chapter 8, He said to Joshua concerning Ai, “See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land” (v. 1). Sure enough, it came about (vv. 18-25). Then in chapter 10, God promised Joshua victory over the Amorites, saying, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand” (v. 8). Again, God came through on His word (vv. 10-11).

God’s Word never fells. It has been dependable, regardless of the amount of time between the prophecy and its proclamation. From Genesis chapter 3 all the way through the Old Testament, God proclaimed the promise of the Deliverer to come. And, as the Apostle Paul states, in the fullness of time Christ came. God’s Word never fells. Some day the forces of nature will wear down the Rock of Gibraltar and it will crumble, But, Jesus promised, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35).

In our day, it is difficult to find things that we can depend upon. But, we can be confident that what God says, He will do. What He declares, He will perform. If you haven’t being using this wonderful resource given to us by a loving God, I encourage you to start to find the strength recorded in its pages. Psalm 61 tells us that there is a Rock higher than I.

Stop and Think

Stop and think. Three simple words but sometimes hard to do. Yesterday, Aug 22 another mentor of mine went home to be with the Lord, M C Johnson. I have been so fortunate to have had some outstanding pastors in my life that have helped me, not only personally, but also professionally.
With the passing of Pastor Johnson, two former pastors have gone home to be with the Lord. My pastor growing up was Verne Gerdes. He graduated four years ago. Yesterday, the man who helped me through my early years of marriage and children, graduated. In addition, Pastor Johnson later hired me to come on staff at Calvary Temple in Springfield, IL. So, in addition to being a pastor, he was an employer.
There was one other pastor that was a personal friend of mine who has also graduated. Gene Atkinson was not my personal pastor but was a close personal friend who helped me to develop in my walk with the Lord.
I must say that my walk with the Lord would not be anywhere near as fulfilling and personal if it had not been for these three men. Each was different in personality and gifting. But, each loved God and desired to lead others to a close relationship with God.
Pastor Johnson will be remembered for his innovation and his drive to build a great church. He was a story teller and had the ability to make everyone he came in contact with feel like they were important to him. He leaves a great church behind and countless numbers of people he led to the Lord. I will remember him for these things as well but also for the investment he and his wife made in our lives. Of course, I will not forget the countless times he teased me and my wife mercilessly.
There are countless stories that will be told about him in the course of the next few days. One that comes to my mind is when he was dedicating my youngest daughter Erica, just before we moved from Springfield to Joplin, MO. He inadvertently called Erica, Eureka.
I must say thanks to God for His faithfulness to me in bringing so many wonderful people to mentor me along the way. So, though I am sad at the passing of Pastor Johnson, I rejoice in knowing that he has gone home to be with the Lord and I am truly grateful that God used him to impact my family.

It’s In The Book

We just celebrated a milestone at my church, Mt Olive Baptist Church – Chandlerville. 148 years ago, the church was formed. Just before the election of Abraham Lincoln to the White House and the subsequent Civil War, a group of 5 met at Dick School on August 21, 1859 to “constitute a church on the principles of the New Testament Scripture.” No doubt they couldn’t project that we would be celebrating their efforts in 2007. Yet, God had things in store for this rural community.
As we look at the history of the church, it is interesting to follow how closely it parallels the history of our country. Each time the nation was embroiled in turmoil or strife, the community came to receive instruction, direction, comfort, and hope. Each of these are elements of blessing we derive from walking close to the Lord. It began with the Civil War when many from our community joined with others from Illinois to serve under Grant and risk their lives to save the Union. And each and every conflict and turmoil since has seen a return to the place God meets with His people every week.
When times were good, many found their walk with God less important. Funny how we think that we can run things in the good times and only run to God in the bad. But, nevertheless, the history of our church certainly bares that out.
Through out the years there were many different pastors. Some stayed a year or two; some longer. There were years when many different people filled the pulpit because the church couldn’t support a full time clergy. Our 28th pastor was different, Vern Gerdes took the helm for good in 1957 (having previously served 4 years) and continued unabated until his going home in 2003. He carried and directed the church through some amazingly difficult times. His tenure led the congregation through the turbulent 60s and 70s. During these decades it looked like the country would be torn apart. The Nation forgot God in 1963, but God had raised up a standard in Cass County. Vern established a solid foundation for the church; the Scripture. It was from this foundation that many came to the Lord and were discipled. The church grew, not because of military crisis, but because of a moral one. Families came because people wanted themselves and their children immersed in the Word of God. So, the 80s and 90s were strong times for the church because of many dedicated people and solid leadership. Vern’s passing has been difficult for this country church, but his teachings and leadership continue to be evident in the many who continue to make this their church home.
God has always been faithful to raise up a standard against evil and the evil one. None of us know all of the plans God has for Mt Olive. Many larger churches have closed their doors in this community over the last few years. But, God has through time raised up a people to serve Him at Mt Olive and I can see the flames of revival sweeping once again in the hearts of those who call this home. I believe the half has not been written about His church in the country. But, God has a plan, it is in His Book.

No Regrets

A man never opened the car door for his wife nor did any of the other little niceties that wives appreciate. He felt such a show of chivalry was silly. “Besides,” he said, “she doesn’t have two broken arms.” This went on for many years until finally his wife died. At the funeral, the family waited at the hearse for the pallbearers. When they came, the mortician called the husband by name and asked, “Open the door for her, will you?” The man reached for the door handle and suddenly froze. Regret came crashing in on him. He realized he had never opened the car door for her in her life; now in her death it would be the first, last and only time.
Sometimes in life we want do overs. Have you every hoped for that? Sometimes we just want an opportunity to do things differently than what we just did. If the truth were known, none of us is totally satisfied with what we have done with our lives. You have probably heard people say, “If I knew then what I know now, it would be different.”
Alas, the only one who can have this kind of knowledge is God. He knows the beginning from the end. It seems a little short sighted on our part not to seek guidance from the one who knows what is about to happen. But, we certainly don’t avail ourselves of His help and direction.
Only an uncaring individual walks through life without having said or done something he regrets. If it’s within our power, we should right such wrongs. An apology, a change in behavior, even an offer of restitution may take the sting out of our regrets. But sometimes it won’t happen; sometimes it’s just too late.
As Christians, we must live so as to minimize regrets. And when we experience them, we should be quick to ask for God’s forgiveness and for forgiveness from those we wrong. We should live by the Galatians 6:10 principle: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Live thoughtfully today and you won’t have to live regretfully tomorrow.