Suffering

Suffering...not a word that normally gives me or anyone else warm fuzzies.  As American's, our suffering is quite different than that of someone in a country such as China where they have forced abortions and limited religious freedom.  I'm very thankful I live here, where we at least have some freedom left.
I recently went through a trial of sorts that few knew about.  It was a very familiar trial...something I have struggled with my entire adult life...it has to do with the single state I have been in, having never been married.  Being single was not in my life plan.  I valued marriage early in life as I was taught early it was a one shot deal.  So, I'd rather be single than have married the wrong person and be regretting that.  
But, I've always wanted to be married.  In my late 30's as the biological clock screamed it's head off at me, I had a talk with the Lord...actually, it was probably a series of talks over a period of time, and I told Him that it was okay.  If I never married, I would be fine.  And, I do feel that way today.  It has not always been the case.  I used to think that I could not handle life unmarried.  I'm grateful for God's grace which has made a difference in that part of my life.
So, back to my recent trial...yes, it had to do with a man...keeping it vague for obvious reasons...but, we spent a lovely day together...he treated me with great respect and was a gentleman.  So, what is the trial?  Well, there's no future in this relationship as we don't share a Christian view on the world and life.  This is a non negotiable for me.  So, it was hard.  Hard to come home and face that reality.  It was suffering.  It was painful.  It was for my good.  The Bible gives me great hope for my suffering!  Here is help...In 2 Corinthians 1:5 we read, "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
^{So, I know that my suffering has purpose!!!  It's not a meaningless part of life as an evolutionist might think, but, instead, it is an opportunity to find help in Jesus!  Christ allows me to suffer so that I will run to Him.  He helped me to do that after I got home. My heart hurt so bad.  I was struggling to focus and get back into the swing of life.  He lead me to a book I've had for years which addressed this subject.  Through reading it, He spoke.  He reminded me of truths I needed to remember.  
Here's another scripture which I love!  Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Wow!  These sufferings are so light.  So temporal.  In heaven someday, I won't be sorry I chose the right thing.  The glory I will know by the grace of God will make my singleness here on earth as NOTHING.  
And, one more.  Philippians 3:10,} that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death..  In order to really know Christ fully, I. Must. Suffer.  Sad but true.  He suffered for me to purchase my salvation.  The least I can do, is suffer for Him.

I love the words of this beautiful gospel song...The End of the Way.
"When the last, feeble step has been taken,
And the gates of that city appear,
And the beautiful songs of the angels
Float out on my listening ear;
When all that now seems so mysterious
Will be bright and as clear as the day,
Then the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way."  Charles Tillman

The Purpose of the Church, Pt. 2

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I'm still pondering what the church is supposed to be all about...Certainly the worship of God, our Savior is a primary reason for the church.  My former professor, Garen L. Wolf gives us a clue.  He states that when we come to worship at church, it is not about us, but all about Him.  When you think of some of what is going on in modern churches today, one has to wonder if this simple, yet profound concept has been forgotten or tossed on the ash heap of yesteryear, outdated and irrelevant.  Recently, I was introduced to a Youtube clip from MorningStar Ministries in South Carolina.  This is the "Holy Ghost Hokie Pokie."  I'm not kidding.  This has a hard, driving beat which is reminiscent of rock music which is another whole topic of discussion, and it's words repeated over and over with very little variation.  It is a horrible example of "working a crowd up," to try and achieve a particular outcome.  I also wonder how this could really be "all about God," when it appears to be more about people shaking, gyrating and trying to feel good about something?  I give you the clip for your own conclusion...(see above) From Youtube, we find some of the words which are part of this "song."  "You put your right hand in, you take your right hand out, you put your whole self in and see astounding and miraculous healing's all about..." (taken from HarvestFest 2009).
Where, may I ask is there anything about worshiping and glorifying God?  Where is the God focus which causes us to muse on His mighty attributes?  Where is His glory that we might see how we desperately need Him?  As Dr. Steve Lawson stated recently at the Strange Fire Conference at Grace Community Church in California, this is like a "bad fraternity party."  Nothing here about worship or the grace of God shown to us in Christ.  

I contrast that with the words and music of this beautiful hymn, Blessed Assurance.  Here, Fanny Crosby, blind most of her life, writes of the wonderful assurance she has in Christ.  "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!  Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!  Heir of salvation, purchase of God.  Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!"  Here, we see Christ lifted up, while the songwriter testifies of the wonderful change in her life since Christ has entered!  I submit, there is no comparison.  Which one of these two "worship styles," best represents Ephesians 4:12-14 as to the purpose of the church? ."... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting..."

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY19JgtL3Wg





The answer is very obvious...

The Church's Purpose?

What is the purpose of the church?  Ephesians 4:12-14 gives us God's answer..."... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting..."

Is the church a place for saints or sinners?  Is the church a place for social clubbiness or the gospel being preached?  Is the church a place for saints to be built up, edified and encouraged, or should we pander to the sinners and try how to make them feel comfortable?

It is alarming when churches shift their focus from the scriptures and the edification of saints to trying to figure out what will make sinners "comfortable" in the church atmosphere!  Going so far as to poll sinners to find out what kind of music they want, instead of turning to the scripture and Biblical principles to figure out how we can better honor Christ through our music and worship.  

Above all, the local church must be focused on the scriptures, lifting up Christ and preaching the gospel.  Social programs may follow as the local church seeks to follow Christ, but it won't be the primary focus.  

What did the early church do in their times of gathering?  The book of Acts gives
us information about that..."And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."  (2:42) If local churches would follow this model, how different the church world would be.  Does your local church follow this model, or the modern, "seeker friendly" one?

It's Still "Merry Christmas!"

It's still, "Merry Christmas," even though not everything in  my life is "merry."  So, how can it still be "merry?"  It can still be "merry" because of Christ.  Period.  As John Piper says so well, Jesus came to not so much bring me bread, but as to BE BREAD!  A line from a familiar Christmas Carol comes to mind..."...the hopes and fears of all the years, are  met in Thee, tonight."  Yes, all of my hopes can be met and fulfilled, ultimately in Christ.  So, even though my brother Michael is fighting cancer something fierce, Christmas is still "merry."  
Jesus came to bring us life!  Not a better life on this earth, but eternal life which begins in our hearts here.  Throw out all the "health and wealth" gospel bringers, they can't offer me any scripture which can support that.  Jesus came to bring the real, abiding life which springs hope eternal, even in the midst of great suffering!  The promise of sins forgiven, and Christ alive within.   Christ came to give so much more than a present under the tree, He came to take care of my GREATEST need, the need for salvation and forgiveness.  So, yes, Christmas is still "merry," no matter what!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope..."(I Pet. 1:3, NIV)

This Is Just What Heaven Means to Me [Live]

I don't have any great words of wisdom today.  As I write, my dear brother, Michael Wright, is facing the final leg of his journey through this world, barring a miracle from God.  I remember nearly four years ago, the day this all began, where I was, and the sweater I was wearing.  Little did I really know all the twists and turns this journey would take him and his family on.  It has truly been a roller coaster ride.  I'm so thankful he has the sure hope of a home in heaven with Jesus!  He has lived a life of great testimony for sure, and so many have been blessed by his life.  Sunday evening, and into Monday, I would break into tears at various times, as it really hit me where we might be in this journey.  Michael was born only one year and eleven days after me, so we grew up together, literally.  My mother said that when Michael was learning to walk, and would fall, I would fall down, too, just to get attention!  (LOL)  He has been a great brother, so kind, cheerful and giving.  I have been so blessed to have him as my brother.  Yesterday, I thought about this song, and I love the way Vestal Goodman sings it!  What a hope! 

What Kind of Life do I expect?

Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  But take heart!  I've conquered the world!" (The Message).

What Kind of Life do I expect?  Well, I'll tell you what I expected in the past, anyway.  I expected to have all of my dreams fulfilled...great marriage, nice home, wonderful children, enough money to pay my bills, etc.  But, what did I get?  A life of singleness, living in rental properties, no children and presently struggle to pay my bills.  What else did I get?  A brother fighting with all his might to beat cancer for a little while longer.  I have struggled with not getting what I expected.  Did I do something wrong?  Was I unattractive?  Was I too this, that, or the other?  

I believe the real answer lies in Jesus' words...we WILL have difficulties.  It's not whether we will or won't have them, but just a matter of when.  I should EXPECT difficulties.  The fiery trials should not surprise me at all.  I should not be surprised that all my dreams did not come true.  I should not be surprised that my brother has cancer.  I should not be surprised that suffering abounds in many places. 

 We live in a sin cursed world which waits for its' deliverance.  We were not made for a sinful, messed up world.  We groan for the perfection for which we were created.  I should expect troubles.  I should also remember that Jesus has already conquered them all on the cross!   In all of these things, Jesus has promised to be with the one who has trusted in Him.  I should take heart! 

When the Lord rejoices over us...

In Zephaniah 3:17, we read,  

     " The Lord your God in your midst,

      The Mighty One, will save;

      He will rejoice over you with gladness,

      He will quiet you with His love,

      He will rejoice over you with singing."

We have all experienced times in our lives when our hearts are broken, hurting, fearful or lonely.  It seems that all have forsaken us and there is no hope for tomorrow.  It seems that everyone is arrayed against us, and life is not worth living.  It is in that moment when we MUST run to our Father in heaven, Jesus Christ.  For these difficult times, He shed His precious blood on Calvary.  In Isaiah we read, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."   

If we come to Him, we can leave all of our sorrows, burdens, cares and sins at the foot of the cross.  There, Christ bore all of this for us.  We can be assured that as we empty ourselves, His love, His joy and peace will flow over and through us.  His presence will quiet us with His love, and He will rejoice over another human being who brings everything to Him!  How foolish we are when we try and bear all of our burdens ourselves!  We were never meant to bear them; we physically cannot.  HE, alone, can bear our trials and tribulations.  Then, and only then, can we experience His loving presence which results in security, stability and sanity.  

Rest in Him!  Enjoy His rejoicing, His love and His singing...