WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  This well known proverb points to the fact that a given situation has meaning or value according to the attitude of the person who looks at it.  One person looks at garbage and sees a stinking mess…. Another sees good fertilizer to enrich the soil and produce an abundant crop….One person glares at the rain clouds and thinks about cancelling the planned picnic…Someone else hears the voice of God in the thunder and sees God’s majesty in the flashes of lightning and welcomes the refreshing moisture for a thirsty earth….Life to some is filled with problems with no solutions; while others see a possibility in every problem!

Faith cancels the problems in our experience because there are no problems with the all- wise and all- powerful God. We have many limitations, but He is gloriously illimitable. It is in our limitations that we most often exercise our trust in the One who cannot fail.

The barren womb of Sarah was a problem to Abraham, but God gave him the promised son right on time….The Red Sea was a problem to Moses, but God took him and two million through it on dry land…Jericho was a problem to Joshua, but God broke down the walls and gates and gave His people great victory….King Saul was a problem to David, but God protected David, gave him sweet Psalms in his seclusion and brought him triumphantly to the throne….The prison and chains were a problem to Paul, but God furthered the Gospel while His Apostle was fettered.

All of these people were distinguished by the way they looked at their problems. They looked at their problems and then (sometimes with a real struggle) they looked to God. In the magic of that moment, the miracle occurred. Things were out of their hands and in His hands. He was the difference between a human impossibility and a God-honoring reality!

A sovereign protector I have,   Unseen, yet forever at hand…Unchangeably faithful to save,  Almighty to rule and command.    He smiles and my comforts abound;  His grace as the dew shall descend.    And walls of salvation surround  the soul He delights to defend.

Augustus Toplady   (1740-1778)

 

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES FOR A PASTOR

A recent article about the great success of a mega-church pastor caused me to reflect on my 60 years as a pastor. Success is very hard to define, but I believe for me it meant following certain principles. These principles are a combination of Bible truth and common sense.

1. I never placed a value on my service…In all my years as a pastor, I refused to negotiate a contract or discuss what salary I should receive, because I felt there was no biblical basis for such. I can’t imagine that Jesus or the Apostles would have required a stipend from people before they would preach or teach.

2. In line with the above, I believed that God had promised to supply all my needs…Not greeds,  but needs! (God’s people always provided well for me and my family.)

3. I would cast the vision, but we wouldn’t move on any ministry or project until our board affirmed it.  We were a team.

4. I enjoyed delegating responsibilities to staff and giving them latitude to work within their calling without being too closely supervised..I welcomed their special skills, and thanked them personally and publicly.

5.  Caution was exercised with regard to contact with members of the opposite sex… I never travelled in an automobile with a lady without others present…I had an open-door policy when counselling a lady in my office (receptionist nearby)….When appropriate, I spoke in public about my love for my wife and the good relationship we enjoyed.

6.  I tried always to remember that I must sincerely practice what I preach. A  holy life out of the pulpit gives credence and vital affirmation to what is said in the pulpit. (It is impossible to be a good pastor and a bad person at the same time..they are mutually exclusive.)

7. I learned that being with people in need is sometimes more important than speaking to people about their needs…our presence is in itself a message…It says, I am here for you..I care for you.

8. I led my congregations from the pulpit. I preached God’s Word with the prayer that the Holy Spirit would anoint me and that the truth would transform people’s lives. God’s Word is alive and quickening and remains in the hearts of people long after the preacher is gone. (Former parishioners testify to this.)

9. I viewed the ministry as a high-calling  and a great privilege.  It was a joy to feed and lead God’s flock….And God was gracious to over-rule my weaknesses and failures ….In retirement, I look back with deep gratitude.  May our Lord be praised. Amen.  

(You might consider sharing this with some one considering pastoral ministry)

SMALL STATEMENTS…LARGE LESSONS

REJOICE ALWAYS..PRAY WITHOUT CEASING…IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS…DO NOT  QUENCH  THE SPIRIT…DO NOT DESPISE PROPHECIES (PREACHING)….TEST ALL THINGS…ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL….  I THESSALONIANS 5: 16-22

These concise expressions of truth are unique in Paul’s style of writing. The average Bible student and the learned scholar are both captivated by them. And it is important to observe that the inspired author is not making suggestions, he is giving imperatives!

REJOICE ALWAYS….We must always distinguish between joy and happiness. Happiness is dependent on happenings. If life is pleasant, we are happy. But joy is not what happens to us but what is experienced in us. It is the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22. He enables us to “rejoice always” in every situation whether positive or negative.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING….This does not mean that we are to never end a prayer, it rather says that we are to pray regularly and persistently. We don’t give up when answers to our prayers do not come soon.

IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS….We don’t thank Him  “for” everything because somethings are evil.  Rather, we give thanks “in” everything. We must maintain an attitude of gratitude in everything that comes our way.

DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT…One of the emblems of the Spirit is fire. We quench the Spirit when act contrary to God’s Word.  We must remember that He is the author of that Word and we douse the fire when we live lives of disobedience.

DO NOT DESPISE PROPHECIES (PREACHING)….Prophecy is both fore-telling and forth-telling.  My view is that the text refers to the latter. Preaching is an essential in our churches.(II Tim.4:2) We have models of preaching in Jesus (Matt. 4:17) and the Apostles (I Cor. 9:16). Some people look down on preaching by saying things like, “Don’t preach at me!” We must support our Bible preaching pastors and defend them in their work when necessary.

TEST ALL THINGS…As believers, we are open to ministry, but we are not gullible. We must be like the Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11).  Every sermon and Bible lecture is to be tested by the Scriptures.

Finally,  ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL…Evil comes in many forms. Satan is clever in sending temptations is a variety of ways. God help us to be discerning and have the grace and gumption to reject them all. Amen.

PERILOUS TIMES

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”  II Timothy 3:1-5……Serious Bible believers agree that we are now in the last days of this dispensation and that this passage is a graphic description of the world in which we live.

Another obvious characteristic of this un-regenerated world is its extreme hatred of Christians and the persecution that always follows. The Lord Jesus spoke to this issue when He said, “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”  John 15: 18-21.

Several important truths stand out in these words from our Lord:       1. The world hated Jesus before it hated us.       2. Jesus has chosen us out of the world. Not the world of John 3:16,  but the world system that is under the “god of this world”, Satan.    3.The persecution believers experience today is an extension of the awful persecution Jesus went through when He was here. And there is more persecution now than ever in the history of the church ie. North Korea, Niger, China, Pakistan, Egypt etc. We have not felt the severity of this in our part of the world, but it is  coming. God help us to prepare our children and grandchildren!        4. Some will respond positively  to our word, just as it responded positively to word of our Savior. The Lord is building His church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it now or in the future. As someone quaintly said, “I have read the back of the Book, and we win!”    Amen.

ARE YOU ONE OF HIS SHEEP?

HE CALLS HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME AND LEADS THEM OUT  JOHN 10:31

In these simple words from our Lord we have profound truths about the Good Shepherd and His relationship with His sheep.

Observe the Shepherd’s Ownership of His Sheep….“He calls His own sheep…” The sheep are owned by the Good Shepherd. We are not our own because we have been bought with a price. In John 10:11 we read, “I am the good shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” The price He paid for us was His own precious blood. In Hebrews 13:20 we are told that this sacrifice established an “everlasting covenant.” Jesus gave His life for the sheep. He could not have given more!

Observe the Shepherd’s Fellowship with His Sheep….“He calls His..sheep by name..” As individual sheep, we are not just a number or lost in the flock . No, we have personal identity. He takes loving notice of each one of us. All of our needs and problems are known to Him and He cares for us One on one. What a great fellowship this is!

Observe the Shepherd’s Leadership for His Sheep….“He leads them out.”   The good Shepherd never drives His sheep; He always goes before them. He doesn’t just show the way, He personally is the way!  In His perfect knowledge and wisdom, He always leads us where we should be. When we follow Him, we are never alone to face our enemies or deal with difficult situations. Indeed, He will lead us to green pastures and to a place of rest beside still waters. See Psalm 23…..I close with the quaint song for children from an unknown composer.         HIS SHEEP AM I

In God’s green pastures feeding, by His cool waters lie, Soft in the evening walk my Lord and I…All the sheep of His pasture fare so wondrously fine,  His sheep am I…Waters cool, in the valley, pastures green on the mountain, In the evening walk my Lord and I…Dark the night, in the valley, rough the way on the mountain…Step by step, My Lord and I.    

 

 

 

 

 

A TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER JOHN

Next Saturday will mark two years since my brother John went to be with the Lord.  I  share some memories that I have of him.

I remember him in his childhood as a cute little guy. With his red hair, freckles and bib-overalls, he was definitely a Huckleberry Finn type. He did struggle at times with health issues. The Lord Jesus entered his life in these early years after I spoke to him from the Scriptures.

I remember him in his teens as energetic and ready for a good time.  He was learning to control his fiery temper.

I remember his brief service in the Quartermaster Corp in Germany. It was not a job he enjoyed.

I remember his distinguished service on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Patrol. It was probably the most fulfilling time in his life. He enjoyed his work and he was a good officer. And he loved his family.

I remember him as a gifted singer and entertainer. He enjoyed being up front and watching people respond. His laughter was his trademark. He and other officers formed THE LAWMEN and performed in many places to appreciative audiences.

And finally, I remember with sadness how his social drinking turned to heavy drinking. A.A and my brother Claude and his wife Esther were a great help, but he kept slipping back and he left us too soon….But by the grace of God we shall see him again! Amen.

 

 

GOD’S PRESENCE

There are many things which God’s people are not promised;  such as  handsome faces or success in business, or beautiful children, or  pleasant  neighbors,  or no crabgrass or a thousand other things. But He has promised His presence at all times and in all circumstances, here and now, and forever. I share eight passages of Scripture where promises of His presence are expressed in various ways:

 

1. Joshua 1:9  do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
2. Exodus 33:14  And He said, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
3. Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
4. I John 4:16  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God (abides) in him.
5. Genesis 28:15  Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.
6. Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me…
7. Psalm 16:11  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
8. Revelation 21:3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.…..We learn from these passages from the Bible that His presence with his people has Practical effects…He brings them to where they belong…. His presence also has Emotional effects…they experience  Joy….And we learn that God’s presence with His people has   Psychological effects…they learn not to  fear and to rest….And finally, we learn that God’s presence with His people has Eternal effects……we will be with Him and He will be with us  FOREVER, AMEN AND AMEN!

THE HARD SAYINGS OF CHRIST

“this is a hard saying; who can understand it?…From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more .”  John 6:60,66

In a recent posting, I focused on the gracious words spoken by our Lord. To give biblical balance and to present another way that Jesus spoke, I present the following:

Jesus spoke severe words to hypocrites….“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  Matt.23:13.   Jesus repeats this in verses 14,15,16,23,25,27and29. He also called them serpents and a  brood of vipers! Our Lord had his strongest words of condemnation for religious people  who did not practice what they preached. They were the worst kind of frauds. He called them fools, blind and whitewashed tombs.

Our Lord had harsh words also for cities who ignored His miracles and refused to repent. “Woe to you , Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!…And you Capernaum..will be brought down to Hades…”   Matt. 11:21, 23.

Finally, one of the most disturbing statements that Jesus ever made is recorded in Matt.7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord ‘ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'” Obviously, it is possible to look and act and practice like a genuine disciple and still not truly know Him. Sobering, indeed!

 

 

 

BELIEVING IS SEEING?

Most of what the secular world tells us is wrong. For example, we are told that “seeing is believing.”  The materialist believes only in what he sees. Life to him is pretty concrete;  none of this God and angels and “pie in the sky by and by” for him! He looks at us believers as “being so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use.” He feels that the only reality is what you can put your finger on. Everything else is beyond the realm of his understanding and experience and he therefore rejects it as being non-existent.

The Psalmist expressed the philosophy of the person of faith when he said, “I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord  in the land of the living.”  To him and to all believers, believing is seeing. He saw the blessings of the Lord with eyes of faith before he saw them with eyes of flesh! His faith sustained him until the promised blessing was his. He didn’t faint.

Joshua and Caleb are good examples of this. They believed God’s promises and wanted to go immediately into the Promised Land and claim their possessions. They were voted down however by ten comrade spies who were more “sensible.” These ten were living by the sense of sight and they believed what saw. They giants and high-walled cities and all kinds of problems. To them “seeing was believing” and moving forward was too risky. They believed in giants not in God. And, therefore, they did not go anywhere and they did not get anything.  No, they went in circles in the wilderness for 40 years died a very “sensible” death!

But their unbelief did not cancel the promised blessing for Caleb and Joshua. We hear Caleb at age 85 saying, “Give me this mountain”, giants and all! His faith had been rewarded and he and future generations enjoyed the blessing. Amen.

 

COARSE LANGUAGE..VERBAL ATTACKS..DESTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE

Even to the casual observer, our national discourse is very negative. What is said by the White House and to the White House is often filled with words that cause us to cringe when we realize that children are listening. If we had talked that way in our growing-up years, we would have our mouths washed out with soap! These dark words that we hurl at one another can happen between political parties or conservatives and liberals, or sometimes within church groups….What can I do about this? I can do very little to change the talk of others, but I can by the grace of God control what I as a believer say.

Listen to God’s Word: The tongue of the wise uses knowledge wisely  Prov.:15:2  A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! Prov. 15:23  The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious. Eccl. 10:12  So all bore witness to Him (Jesus), and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth…Luke 4:22  Let your speech always be with grace.  Col. 4:6  Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thess . 4:18.  

In closing, let us be warned by the sobering words of our Lord: But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified (declared righteous) and by your words you will be condemned.

Yes! Words matter now and in our future!   He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.  Prov. 13:3