To Know the Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:16-19 says "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."  

Everyone is looking for love...we all, naturally, want to be loved!  It is a God given desire that each of us have.   Sadly, we generally look in the wrong places to find that love.  Born with a sinful nature, it is only natural for humans to look everywhere but in Christ for love.  Some examples of that search include, seeking after money, sexual sin, controlling ones spouse in order to find satisfaction, insisting that children "fulfill" them, being a workaholic, and many other vices.  

For myself, I, too, have looked in the wrong place many times for love.  To be honest, I thought I HAD to have a husband to be happy.  I thought a job that paid better would make me happy, etc.  I'm grateful that while I would still like to have a husband, it is no longer the MUST item it once was.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach in a Christian school and be a part of God's work even though the pay is small.  God supplies all of my needs!  

It is a blessed day when an individual comes to the realization that there is NO HUMAN alive who can give them the unconditional love that fulfills and satisfies!  What a blessed day when Christ is all and in all!

"Jesus, from your amazing resources, empower me with inner strength through your Holy Spirit.  As You make Yourself more and more at home in my heart, teach me to trust You alone for love.  May my roots go down deep into Your love and keep me strong.  Give me power to understand how wide, how long, and how high and how deep Your love is!  Even though I can't understand it fully in this life, make me complete with Your life and power!!!"

High Places...

In Habakkak 3:17-19 we read these words....^"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: ¹⁸Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ¹⁹The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."  

I think of my dear brother, Michael, who for nearly three years has "labored" in the lonely place of cancer.  I truly cannot imagine all that he goes through as he continues to receive chemo treatments, etc.  Sometimes, he is so discouraged, and probably wonders if there is a reason to press on.  I believe there are several reasons to press on...

All through history, ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, people have walked in darkness.  They have started life's journey with many expectations, hopes, and dreams.  But, all, will eventually find those dreams dashed in big and small ways.  No different for Michael.  It seems that the fig trees refuse to bear fruit, the olive trees have no crop, there is nothing to eat.  It seems that life is useless, difficult and sad.  But, the writer of this scripture had the right idea which I need to remember.  Even though, life is not going according to my plan, I can still CHOOSE to rejoice in God.  I will not feel like it much of the time, but it's a choice that I must make.  

I can remember that God has not placed me here so I can be "happy."  My happiness is not dependent on the hand life deals me.  My "happiness" can come ONLY from a relationship with God.  When that relationship is right, I will have strength to press on and rejoice in Him.  

I believe that Michael has chosen, time after time, to rejoice in God and continue to press on, even in great difficulty.  He has wanted so much that God would be glorified in His life whether by living or dying.  When he does this, God helps him to walk upon the high places of God.  I believe that God has a special plan for Michael and for those of His own who suffer.  In the suffering, God can truly be glorified.  It's easy to praise God when there is no pain, but much more difficult when things are not going well.  

Oh, to have a faith in Christ so strong, that even in the darkest of times, I can praise Him!  My brother is a great example...God bless him and give him strength!  God give me a faith in YOU, so encompassing, that even in darkness there will be praise.  Oh, to walk on the high places with You, above the world and the strife in it...resting safely in You! 

Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing...

Happy New Year!  It is another year, a mostly clean slate, and a chance to start over...Pastor John Piper recently preached a powerful sermon with the thought of "Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing."  What does this mean?  From 2 Corinthians 5 we have these words...
"We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.<sup>"

What does this mean?  To me, it means that life can be awful, everything going south, and yet, within the soul abiding in Christ, there is peace, and yes, even joy.  Not a joy brought about by ideal circumstances, but the joy of sins forgiven, the joy of eternity with Christ...the joy of knowing that HE is in control, and someday it will all make perfect sense!

How do we find that joy?  By abiding in Christ, by spending time with Him, in His Word, meditating on the scripture, singing hymns, trusting Him.  So easy to say and yet so hard to do.

Pastor Piper also says that this joy is what the church needs to do for the world most of all.  If they see a Christian, in the midst of his tears and trials, sorrowing, YET rejoicing in God, they will see and glorify our Father which is in heaven!

Lord, give me that joy!</sup>
 

Don't Copy the World

Romans 12:2 says,   "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

I need the message of this verse so much.  It is so hard to live in this world and not be affected by the behavior and customs of it.  It is so easy to allow our media choices to influence us.  Just watching a news clip probably means you are seeing a woman dressed very immodestly, or a swear word may be used to name a few possibilities.  We go to the grocery store to buy our food and there you see magazine covers right by where you are checking out with suggestive messages, body parts which should be covered are flagrantly displayed, and immoral relationships are celebrated.  How easy it is to be "curious" about these things and pick up a magazine, read it, and voila!  You have just stored an image in your mind which does not meet the criteria set forth in Philippians 4:8; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

It takes mental energy to do what Philippians 4:8 tells us to.  It goes against our flesh, it requires thought and a conscious choice.  After a long day working and feeling stressed, it is easy to set down in front of whatever media outlets we have and "veg out."  I have found this to be a huge problem for me.

I am presently reading Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Timothy J. Keller, and it is an exercise in mental energies.  I am fascinated by Dietrich Bonhoeffer who lived during World War II in Germany.  He risked and eventually gave his own life to stand for righteousness during that time.  This book gives a detailed account of the struggle in the German church before and during World War II.  It is much easier to read a novel or watch a movie than to exercise my brain to read this book.  But, I believe it is good for me to study this great giant of the faith and to understand something of history.  It is essential also, to do things like this to "push back" against the flesh and what is "easy."  It is part of going against the grain of this world which is always trying to push me into its mold and influence me to take part in its customs.  To spend some of my time reading a thoughtful book about history and Christianity is much more profitable and helpful than the latest tabloid magazine. 

"Lord Jesus, give me strength, give me desire to know You, to glorify You, to enjoy You above all things.  May Your life be seen in me." 

 

 

THE POWER OF A SINGLE CHOICE

The time was depression days, 1930's. The setting was a poor area in "hillbilly" country in south Missouri near a little town named Corry. The young woman was already a mother  having married at 16 years of age. Life was hard, making a living was difficult. Then, the preacher came. He preached a message of salvation and repentance from sin. She went to the meetings and heard the glorious possibility of sins forgiven and eternal life through Christ. She responded and became a child of the King of Kings! In that moment, not only was her destiny changed, but so was that of her children, as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and many more. The young woman was Maye Wright, my paternal grandmother. I never knew her as she passed away shortly before I was born. But, having grown up hearing her spoken of so highly, I wish I could've known her.
In time the family moved to Fort Scott, KS in order to have a better life and to be a part of the Church of God (Holiness) there. Sensing a need for Christian education, Maye became one of the founding members of the Fort Scott Bible School and then her children received schooling in that institution. Several of them also attended Kansas City College and Bible School located in Overland Park, KS or lived in the area. There, several of them met their spouses and the family fanned out. Through the years, from among the 11 surviving children and their families have come Christian school teachers, pastors’ wives and a youth pastor. Three have served as employees at the Herald and Banner print shop. One serves as the secretary of the World Missions Department for the Church of God (Holiness) and many have served faithfully in various churches as lay persons assisting in many ways great and small.
So, while my grandmother did not live to witness all of this, the results of her decision continue s to live on in the lives of her descendants. I am grateful for the choice that she made. I hope to sit down with her some day by the River of Life and tell her so.
Never underestimate the power of the choices that you make each and every day!

(The preacher was W. L. Gates)

Some Thoughts on Music...

Recently I spoke at a church in this area on the issue of music. I chose to center my thoughts to start with on the "New Song" Principle. I hope you enjoy these thoughts extracted my talk that day...

MUSIC! Does it really matter?

There is so much which could be said along this subject. Where is one to start? I am drawn to Psalms 40:1-3. Here, the psalmist says

“I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry.

² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

³ He has put a new song in my mouth—

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the Lord.

This is part of the basis for the “New Song Principle.” If we believe what II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” then, how can we believe that everything changes except our music? Instead of changing our music, these days, we are bringing in more and more of the world when it comes to this matter. A little bit of rock beat here, a little of jazz and blues there, and before you know it, there is little difference in the music of the world and the music of the church and those who profess Christ.

One argument used these day is that “we must use the music of the world in order to reach them.” Really? Where does that come from in the Bible? How can being like the world, result in them seeing any reason to change? II Corinthians 6:17 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (KJV) Clearly, anyone who knows Christ will begin to move away from the world and closer to the Lord as he walks the Christian life.

Ray Comfort of www.livingwaters.com preached a powerful message several years ago on the need to present Christ and the gospel in such a way as to cause people to see their eternal, desperate need of Christ!!! Sinners are not in need of “life enhancement” as Comfort described the modern, watered-down gospel we hear. But instead, we need a clear presentation of the gospel that will cause men and women, boys and girls to see that, “yes, I am a sinner, without Christ, condemned to hell without Him.” Seeing one’s need for Christ will result in salvation. We can never “sneak” Christ in through worldly music that has the sinful words swapped out with supposed good words.. We must clearly present Him in our music and preaching. We cannot take worldly styles of music, change the words and convince people that they need a Savior. Therefore, it is important that we present Christ through music which is God-glorifying, and points towards Christ as the Savior of this world.

Some worry that people will feel “uncomfortable” with “church music” if all we sing is hymns and conservative styles of music. But, really, should the sinner “feel comfortable” in the house of God? He should feel VERY uncomfortable if presented with a clear gospel message. God is holy. We are sinners with no way in ourselves to be made holy. Through Christ, this gulf can be spanned. There is no other way. Only by seeing ourselves as destined for eternity without Christ can we have any hope of salvation.

Mr. Garen Wolf, in his book, Church Music Matters, gives us some tests for determining what is appropriate in the church.

Summary of “tests” from Garen Wolf.

1. Does a particular style of music lend itself to the awesomeness and solemnity of worshiping God?

2. Does the style of music we are using in our church remind the people of the music they listen to in a bar or at a dance club?

3. Will this music cause the hearer to think on the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh?

4. What will be the end result of this style of music being performed? Will it cause one to think on Christ?

Rest Beside the Weary Road...

Have you ever felt like you wanted to shout “stop world, let me off!?” Most likely you have, yet it seems like a very difficult thing to do. We are rushing and hurrying everywhere, running to and fro, and for what? Do we need to work all of those hours? Is it necessary to run ourselves ragged so we can have all of the latest trinkets of this earth? There is nothing wrong with hard work, having money and things in and of itself, but what has happened that so many of us are always so tired, harried and frustrated?

Could it be that this is one way that the enemy of our souls attacks us? Maybe he sees that he cannot get us to commit some mortal sin; he knows we won’t murder or rob a bank. But, could his strategy be to get us so busy with the mundane tasks of life, with the ever pressing reality of modern America to have more and more money to buy more and more things so that we will slowly die spiritually?

Perhaps, this Christmas, it is time to remind ourselves, that the reason we are on this earth, is not to possess more things, it is not to be so busy that we have no time for thought and meditation, but, instead, that we might know, love, enjoy and glorify Jesus Christ, our Savior. He said in John 10:10 that He came that we might have life and that it would be abundant life! This abundant life comes only by resting in Him, and leaving our sins, cares and burdens at the cross.

We may find it necessary to leave off some things…perhaps we won’t be able to have a decorated home that looks like it came out of Better Homes and Gardens. Perhaps we will find it necessary to forgo some of our other Christmas "traditions" in order to have more time to move in the rest that Christ came to bring.

But, if we can enjoy a Christmas basking in His presence, what could possibly be better? After all, isn’t HE the reason we celebrate? He came to provide rest for our souls; rest from our sins, rest from the cares of this life, rest from fear and doubt. Perhaps we should try and fill our Christmas season with more meaningful activities which start, first and foremost with just spending time with Him.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 that we should come unto Him and find rest for our souls. We can never find rest in the material things of this world. We can never find rest in anything which takes His place. What can we do, in order to experience the fullness of resting in Him?

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose form is bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful step and slow. Look up, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. Oh rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!”