Learning from Joseph at Christmas…

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To many, Joseph is a mere footnote in biblical history. But we can be sure that God was as concerned with who would be the earthly “father” of His Son as He was of who would be His mother.

I looked in my Bible for a quote from Joseph, and to my surprise I couldn’t find one. I never thought about this before, but Joseph doesn’t say a single word in the Gospels. We might assume his words are recorded, because we can imagine the conversations he had with Mary, and the Angel Gabriel. We can “hear” him talking to the innkeeper. We can visualize him teaching Jesus about carpentry…but then he fades from the scene. It is widely thought that Joseph was much older than Mary, and when Jesus began His ministry, Mary appears alone, and although the Bible doesn’t say she’s a widow, we can figure that Joseph has since died.

Here are a couple of things we know about Joseph.  

JOSEPH WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. (Matthew 1:19)

“Righteous” or “just” means “acting or being in conformity with divine or moral law”. The strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph as a man with strong beliefs. He was prepared to do what was right despite the pain he knew it would cause.

We are introduced to Joseph in the middle of a personal crisis. Having become engaged to a beautiful young girl, he has worked hard to establish an income to support his new bride and begin a family. He is in love. He is committed to Mary. He believed she loved him, until the news that his precious bride is pregnant.

Heart-broken and betrayed, how should he respond? Should he publicly shame her? Should he turn her over to the authorities to be stoned? Her explanation of the pregnancy was unbelievable, even blasphemous.

If Mary would not have been stoned on the charge of adultery, she could have been stoned on the charge of serious blasphemy. However, Joseph chooses the path of mercy. He was “a righteous man and unwilling to put her to shame,” so he “resolved to divorce her quietly.” Before any divine explanation, Joseph chooses mercy. No malice. No explosion. Certainly he could have asked a lot of questions here: “How could you do this to me? Who’s the father?” But, no words are recorded, only tenderness. He might be the talk of Nazareth. Friends might make snide comments. But he would not hurt Mary, no matter what he thought she had done to him. When he could have demanded a bitter sentence, he chose a righteous mercy.  He not only tried to do what was right, he tried to do it in the right way.

How much do we need to temper our righteousness with mercy? It is so easy to belittle people and criticize when we are right.  But just because you are right doesn’t mean you have to be angry about it.  May we never give in to the temptation to choose wrong over right. Let us always do right. But may we never be ‘so’ right, that we do not show compassion and forgiveness to those in the wrong.  We may one day need that same attitude shown to us.

JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF GREAT FAITH

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost… And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins… Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife” (Matthew 1:20-21, 24)

It is significant to note that the angel Gabriel personally appeared to Mary to inform her that she would be the mother of the promised Messiah; but “an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream” telling Joseph not to fear taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20). It was also in a dream that an angel instructed Joseph to “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” (Luke 2:13). In both instances, Joseph did not doubt, question or ponder even though it was in dreams that he saw and heard the angels’ admonitions. Joseph, nonetheless, was obedient.

May we, like Joseph, trust Jesus.  Especially when it is difficult, we need to trust Him. Though the path is dark and we do not know how God is going to work it all out, we need to obediently trust Him. No matter how much we think it’s going to cost us – trust Him.

Here’s a story that may help you understand our need to trust God.

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I’ll catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you!” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters.”

The Bible & Health Care

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Every now and then I read an article that I just need to share with others.  This is one of those.  With all the talk about HealthCare I found this article a great source of Biblical information. I hope it’s a blessing to you.  It was written by Mark Coppenger. You can read the complete article at Baptist Press.

At the moment, we’re having a national brouhaha over health care. Perhaps it’s a good time to put the matter of health in biblical perspective.

Consider these 10 facets of the biblical witness:

1. Doctoring is biblical.

Jesus honored the medical profession by calling Himself the Great Physician and by inspiring a doctor, Luke, to write much of the New Testament (Luke and Acts). Illness is real and there are physical resources for dealing with it.

2. God has graciously placed medical resources in nature.

Proverbs 31:6 and 1 Timothy 5:23 speak, respectively, of alcohol as sedative and palliative. These passages anticipate a range of medications available for such purposes, from anesthesia to antibiotics (e.g., aspirin from willow bark and penicillin from mold).

3. Healing was a sign of Jesus’ power and compassion.

The Gospels are full of healing accounts, from blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10 to the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8. And the prophets continually pressed their hearers to care for genuine victims of circumstance and oppression. Following His example and infused by His Spirit, Christians have been at the forefront of the healing arts throughout church history.

4. Primary responsibility lies with the individual and the family.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Paul says, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat,” and in 1 Timothy 5:8, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” By extension, basic coverage for life’s essentials begins at home, and we should not burden others unless we can’t help it.

5. We are to be stewards of our health.

In this connection, 1 Corinthians 6 teaches that our bodies should be regarded as temples of the Holy Spirit; Proverbs 23 tells us to “put a knife to our throats” if we tend toward gluttony. Though genes and physical circumstances have much to do with our health, much of it is still under our control.

6. The Bible commends prayer for the sick.

James 5 directs those who are ailing to call on the church for intercession. And yes, miracles can happen.

7. Worry is a sin.

While careful stewardship of our bodies is our responsibility, anxiety over potential lapses and shortfalls in care should not cripple us. Jesus reminds us of provision for “birds of the air” and “lilies of the field” in Matthew 6, and asks, rhetorically in Luke 12, who can add a day to his life by worry. Furthermore, Paul posts the antidote to anxiety in Philippians 4: prayer saturated with thanksgiving.

8. We’re all dying.

This has been the case since Adam’s fall, in Genesis 3, where God said that Adam and his offspring would return “to the dust.” In that sense, medicine is fighting a losing battle, and to presume to eliminate all maladies would be to emulate King Canute, who parked his throne on the seashore and then commanded the tide not to invade his land.

9. There is no substitute for truth.

Regarding health care, the economics are complex, the discourse heated, the public policy ramifications enormous and the politics incendiary. The “father of lies” (John 8:44) loves to sow confusion in the midst of the conversation.

10. Those in Christ will inherit eternal health.

As it says of the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” This is the real, extended health care plan.

Can you share other principles that may help in the HealthCare talk of our country?

Learning from Elisabeth about Prayer

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While there is actually quite a bit of Scripture devoted to Elizabeth, she sort of gets lost in the nativity narrative. We tend to skip over her role as the mother of John the Baptist in our eagerness to magnify Mary’s significance.

Her husband, Zechariah, and Elizabeth lived when wicked Herod was on the throne. He was the guy who not only killed members of his family but also ordered the extermination of all male babies under the age of two. Zechariah was a priest and Elizabeth was also from a family of priests. Both of them walked with God and took their faith seriously. They lived in an unnamed village in the hill country of Judea, obscure and ordinary, yet upright before God.

As we take a look at Elizabeth’s life from Luke 1, I want to draw out six practical truths that will help us.

1. Describe your disappointment (v. 7).

As devoted as Elizabeth was, she was also deeply disappointed. Some of you couples may be experiencing this kind of pain as well. In that culture barrenness was considered to be a sign of God’s disfavor so this couple would have lived with some shame and the knowledge that while they were devoted to God, others probably thought they had done something wrong. In what area of life are you experiencing unmet expectations? What prayers have been met with silence?

2. Pray for God’s provision (v. 8-25).

At least once a year, Zechariah would leave home while his order served at the Temple. It was similar to being in the Reserves. This had to be difficult for Elizabeth but she also knew that it was an honor for her husband to serve in this way. Zechariah was chosen by lot to go into the Holy Place and burn incense. This was a once-in-a lifetime privilege and was the greatest moment in the life of any priest. As a thousand priests stand outside and thousands of worshippers have gathered in the Court of Israel, Zechariah stands alone in the holy place. Only he’s not alone because an angel of the Lord suddenly appears and announces that their prayer was heard and they would have a son, John. The little verb phrase “has been heard” can be literally translated “was heard and is being heard.”

This is amazing because Zechariah and Elizabeth are quite old and past the normal age to have children. It’s quite possible that they had been praying for 40 years or more but nothing had happened. Or maybe they had given up much earlier. And now they were too old. And yet here’s an angel saying: “Your prayer has been heard.”

3. Trust God’s timing.

One of the hardest things to do when we pray is to wait for God’s answers. God answers prayer according to His timing and His delays are not the same thing as His denials. God often waits until things are humanly impossible and then He does what only He can do. God waits in order to display His glory, to dispense His grace and to grow our character. I like how one author puts it.

When we pray a prayer that is not right, God will say, “NO.”

When we pray a prayer and we are not right, God will say, “GROW.”

When we pray a prayer and the timing is not right, God will say, “SLOW.” But, when we pray a prayer and all is right, God will say, “GO.”

In what area do you need to trust God’s timing?

4. Look for ways to encourage others (v. 36-37, 39-42).

When you’re going through something, look for ways that God wants to use you to encourage someone else. Most of us get so wrapped up in our own worries that we forget that there are people around us who need encouragement. In fact, one reason God ministers to us is so that we’ll minister to others. Elizabeth was a huge encouragement to Mary. In fact, Elizabeth’s pregnancy was used as an example by the angel when he spoke to Mary. Elizabeth and Mary now had something in common because both of their pregnancies were miraculous. When they met, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb and then in a loud voice she praised God through Mary. I love this about Elizabeth – her focus is on Mary, not on herself. And, these words were further confirmation to her about what Gabriel had told her. Learn from Elizabeth and look around and see who needs some encouragement today. It’s likely that God wants to use you to help someone who is going through something you have already experienced.

5. Enjoy the blessing of believing (v. 43-45).

Every member of Elizabeth’s family was impacted by the announcement of the Lord’s salvation. Notice that Elizabeth called Jesus “my Lord” even before He was born in verse 43.  She then blesses Mary by affirming her for her acceptance of the Lord’s will in her life. An aged priest has less faith than a young peasant girl, and thus Elizabeth’s blessing of Mary for her faith in God’s promise contains a mild rebuke for her doubting husband, who did not believe Gabriel’s words. May I suggest that Elizabeth seems to have had much deeper spiritual and scriptural insight than Zechariah did? She speaks of much more than she would have learned from what the angel said to her husband – not just that their son would be the forerunner, but that the son of Mary is Lord and Savior. Elizabeth had no doubt that Jesus was the Lord and the only way to salvation.

6. Speak up when the time’s right (v. 22-24, 59-65).

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Elizabeth when she was pregnant? We know from verse 24 that she was in seclusion for five months.  Zechariah couldn’t speak at all for these months and verse 60 tells us that eight days after the baby was born when it came time to name him everyone thought he would be named after Zechariah but Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John!” This probably got everyone talking and so they made signs to his father and he wrote out these words: “His name is John.” At that moment he was finally able to speak and his first words were in praise of God.  I love how Elizabeth speaks up and speaks out. She was not afraid to say what she knew to be true, no matter what others thought of her.

I hope you will take courage to continue to pray for God to work in and through you.  Don’t give up!

A few thoughts about Mary, the Mother of Jesus

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I heard recently about a small boy who was praying to God about a bike he wanted for Christmas he badly wanted. “I’ve been good for a year,” he said. But after a moment’s reflection he thought about all the things he did that were wrong. Then, he began his prayer again, “I’ve been good for the past month,” he said. But he remembered a few things he did to his sister. “I’ve been good this whole week,” he said. But then he remembered how he treated his little brother. “I’ve been good all day,” he said. But then he remembered how he talked to his mom that morning. He suddenly got up  and went to the living room to the little nativity scene that had the figures of Mary and Joseph. He picked up the figure of Mary and went back to his prayer and started again: “If you ever want to see your mom again…!”

As the mother of Jesus, Mary is better known than any other woman in world history and has held a place of highest honor since those days of the manger in Bethlehem. But what was her life like? Who was she really?

Mary lived in a small town called Nazareth . When Gabriel appears to Mary, she is probably about 14 or 15 years old. She is betrothed to Joseph, the contract being as solemn and as binding as marriage itself. According to the text, she has maintained her sexual purity, as well as her spiritual purity. She is living close to the Lord and is living a good life before the Lord. Mary probably had her life all planned out and things were going well. A bright future is awaiting her; she has everything for which to live. When Gabriel makes His announcement to Mary, her life is immediately turned upside down. Mary is called upon to bear shame, reproach and humiliation for the glory of God. Hers is to be the greatest honor ever afforded to woman, but at the same time it carried with it a tremendous social disgrace.

Often, God will allow things to happen in your life and mine that are hard to bear and hard to understand, yet the Lord sends them our way so that we might grow in Him and come to know Him in a better way. When these times arise, it is easy to question the Lord and His judgment. It is always easy to question but it is far nobler to comply with the Lord.

Luke 1 gives us a glimpse into the character of Mary.  Here a few things we can pick up from Scripture. 

A. Faithful – Luke 1:27

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

We are told that the angel came to “a virgin.” The word used refers to a female that is sexually pure. The vessel God chose to use to bring His Son into this world was a perfectly pure vessel.

B. Submissive – Luke 1:38

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Despite the shame that would come her way, despite the humiliation she would bear, Mary was willing to submit her life to the will of the Lord. By doing so, she has set an example of obedience and surrender that every child of God should follow.

C. Godly – Luke 1:46-55

Mary expresses her personal praise to the Lord for His blessings to her own life. She praises God for:

Her salvation (v. 47)

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Her personal blessings (v. 48-49)

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Corporate Blessings (v. 50)

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

God’s Faithfulness (v. 54-55).

He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

In doing so, she sets an example that every Christian should seek to follow.

The message of Mary’s story is this: you may at times find yourself in difficult situations, but if you will surrender yourself to God and will allow Him to write the script for your story, you will have a blessed life – just like  Mary.

With that in mind, do you have the same heart that dwelled in Mary? Are you in a personal relationship with God today? Are you in such a position in your walk with the Lord where you can truly celebrate Him this Christmas? Is there a need for you to come to Him and meet Him on a personal basis? Is there a need for you to come to Him and make some things right with Him? Is there a need in your heart to just come and bow before Him and worship Him? Whatever your need may be, please come to Him and let Him have His way in your life.

Things I’m Thankful For…

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It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, & draw up a list of resolutions for New Years. But there is another list we often overlook a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful.  Let me read a part of the list that several housewives compiled. They wrote that they were especially thankful:

For automatic dishwashers because they make it possible for us to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back in for their after dinner snacks.

For husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house because they usually make them big enough to call in the professionals.

For children who put away their things & clean up after themselves. They’re such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents

For teenagers because they give parents an opportunity to learn a second language.

For Smoke alarms because they let you know when the turkey’s done.

Now our list might not be the same as theirs, but I’m convinced that if we began to make a list, we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.

Like you, I’m sure, my list would include the major things life, health, family, friends, & the nation we live in, despite all its flaws.

But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, our church family, & the mercy that God showers upon us each day. With Jesus we have so much for which to celebrate on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day is a distinctive holiday. It doesn’t commemorate a battle or anyone’s birthday or anniversary. It is simply a day set aside to express our nation’s thanks to our nation’s God. The Pilgrim fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock almost 400 years ago knew nothing of the affluent times which you and I enjoy today in this great country of ours. During that first long winter at Plymouth Colony, seven times as many graves were made for the dead as home for the living.

The Pilgrims didn’t have much, but they possessed a great gratitude and it was upon this very thing that America was built.

In Psalm 103 David makes no requests. All he does is praise the Lord for three wonderful blessings, which he names in verses 3-5 and then explains in the rest of the psalm.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Forgiveness (v. 3)

The word translated ‘forgives’ is used in Scripture only of God’s forgiveness of sinners.  The word of ‘iniquity’ pictures sin as something twisted and distorted.  Those who have trusted Christ have experienced God’s forgiveness. David knew something about God’s gracious forgiveness.

Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man’s healing. That next week he got a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, “You prayed for my husband. He had cancer.” Campolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been eradicated! But before he could think much about it she said, “He died.” Compolo felt terrible. But she continued, “Don’t feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence. But the lady told Compolo, “After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, the last three days have been the best days of our lives. We’ve sung. We’ve laughed. We’ve read Scripture. We prayed. Oh, they’ve been wonderful days. And I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing.” And then she said something incredibly profound.  She said, “He wasn’t cured, but he was healed.”

Forgiveness is like:

healing when you’re sick (v. 3)

relief when you are burdened (v. 11,12)

reconciliation when you have hurt someone (v. 13-14)

Redemption (v. 4)

God redeemed Israel from bondage and from difficulties they faced on their journey to Canaan. ‘Redeem’ pictures God rescuing someone about to fall into a pit. He frees us that He might be our Master and care for us forever.

There is a story of a young man who lovingly built a little sailboat. Having finished it, he took it to a stream behind his house and put it in the water. The little boat sailed perfectly! But the wind blew hard and his boat was taken away and he could not find it. After he searched for a long time he sadly returned home. One day he was walking downtown and saw his boat in a store window. Having found out from the store-owner how much the boat would cost he returned home and got all the money he had. After paying for the boat, he was walking home and said to his boat, “you are twice mine, I made you and I bought you”.

This beautiful little story teaches a very valuable lesson for us.

  • Jesus Christ lovingly created or made us in the beginning (John 1:1-2).
  • Then we sinned and separated ourselves from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
  • However God loved us so much that He gave His only son, His greatest gift, and bought us back (John 3: 16).
  • Jesus, on the other hand, gave His life freely in order to buy us back (John 10:1`5-18).

Peace – Satisfaction (v. 5)

Life can be a struggle. But God gives peace and spiritual renewal. David compares it to the eagle that looks old but still soars upward with new strength (Is. 40:31).

There’s a great paradox here. We’re satisfied but never satisfied. We’re filled and the filling is so sweet and so rich and full that we want more.

Fanny Crosby, the great writer of gospel songs, was blinded when only 6 weeks old by a country doctor who thought he was treating her with eyedrops. Yet her attitude soon manifested itself. At age 8, she wrote this little poem:

O, what a happy child I am – Although I cannot see!

I am resolved that in this world, Contented I will be.

As you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal Thursday, take time to thank God for these blessings.

Don’t Mess with Grandpa!

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During Thanksgiving afternoon, a grandpa and his teenage grandson were watching the Detroit Lions football game.  Grandpa noticed his grandson was consumed with messing with his new cell phone.  ”Why don’t you get off that thing and spend a little time in the real world!”  he scolded him.

“Grandpa, this is my new smart phone.  It has everything!  Anything you want to know, you can find it here!” said his grandson.

“Well, when I was in school we kept all our ‘smarts’ in our head.  We didn’t need a little machine to think for us.  We were smart all by ourselves,”  argued the 80 year old.

“But this is really smart.  I can prove it!  I will make a bet that this phone is smarter than you are.  I’ll ask you a question and if you don’t know the answer, you have to give me $1.  Then you can ask me a question, and if I can’t figure it out on my smart phone I’ll give you $20!  How does that sound?” challenged the confident teen.

“Okay. It’s worth $1 to test the smart phone.”

The boy started the test. “Grandpa, what is the population of China?”

After just a few minutes, the grandfather said, “Well, you’ve got me on that one. I have no idea how many people live in China.  Here’s a dollar.” And he gave him his first dollar.

So the boy continued the debate, “Okay grandpa. You have to ask me a question and I’ll show you how smart this is.”

“Well, let’s see. What goes uphill on 3 legs, but goes downhill on 4 legs?” asked the grandpa.

“Just give me a minute.”  The boy began his search. He googled. He tweeted. He chatted. He emailed. He searched. For 20 minutes he looked everywhere on the web for the answer, but he couldn’t find anything that came close.  Finally, after half an hour, he reluctantly exclaimed, “Okay grandpa.  I can’t find the answer. You win.”

“So give me my $20 dollars” grandpa said. And the boy reluctantly complied.

After a few minutes, the young teen quietly asked his grandpa, “Tell me… what is it that goes uphill on 3 legs, but goes down hill on 4 legs?”

For  few minutes grandpa just looked at him.  Finally, grandpa reached in his pocket and pulled out $1.  ”I don’t know.”

DON’T MESS WITH GRANDPA!

The Other Famous Death on November 22

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Because of the assassination of President Kennedy, November 22, 1963 is a day in history that has gone down as one of those “I know exactly where I was and what I was doing and thinking ” days, like 9-11 is to this generation and December 7, 1941 to the previous generation. Today marks the 50th anniversary of that fateful day in Dallas. Television transmitted the nightmare instantly to hundreds of millions. I was only 4 years old.

But the events of the day overshadowed the deaths another great man – CS Lewis.  CS Lewis, was a British man of extreme intellect, an Oxford graduate, and a veteran of World War One . He had been an atheist until sometime after the war, when he was “Dragged kicking and screaming into faith”, as “the most reluctant convert ever”.

His lectures on air would eventually be published as books, such as Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Abolition of Man, and Surprised by Joy. These are considered classics of apologetics.

Lewis’s children’s novels have also become classics, such as his Chronicles of Narnia series enjoyed by millions. The Christian allegory of Narnia have convinced millions of the claims of the christian faith.

On this day that we remember JFK, I just want you to think of the brilliance of one of the greatest Christian minds of the 20th century.  Below is just a few of the quotes by the great Christian thinker.

If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.

If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.

The safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell chose it.

 There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.

If not now, when?

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Each of us fight against a common enemy. We knew about it when we were young, and we still may not know how to spell it, but each of us are experts at it – PROCRASTINATION – putting off until tomorrow what we should do today.

Each of us have our own unique way of displaying this character flaw: It may be our tall grass or leaves not raked up, our unwashed car, our unkept hair, the closet, the basement, the back seat of the car, the corner desk…. and the list could go on forever.

Mark Twain once said, “Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow.” I like that.  Another person said, “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”

In his effort to help with our time management, Stephen Covey wrote a book, “& Habits of Highly Effective People.”  In this book he listed 4 types of activities: Important, Not Important, Urgent, Not Urgent.  Urgent requires immediate attention – NOW!  Important has to do with results.

We may have many things in our life that we feel is important. But one that is of the utmost importance and very urgent is evangelism & missions.  Because it is so important, it cannot be put off until another day. It must be done quickly! It must be done today.

There are three illustrations in the Bible that show the importance of doing the right thing quickly. We can apply them to sharing our faith or giving to missions.

Urgency is required when you’re on a schedule.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (Luke 14:21)

This is part of a parable Jesus told about a man who had a banquet.   Several people accepted his invitation, but when it came time for the banquet they all had an excuse why the could not attend.  So the man told his servant to go out quickly and invite anybody and everybody to attend. It was important to go quickly because the dinner was ready now.

Salvation is ready now. Jesus has died on the cross and there is nothing left to do. He is ready to save. We have no idea how long that invitation will be open, so we’d better share our faith now, while the time is right.

Urgency is required when the message is life-changing.

 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. (Matthew 28:7)

Some messages are not too important. Others are very negative. But there are some messages that change the course of history.

Some may not know the history of the U.S. involvement in the War of 1812. England and France were having their own war. The U.S. was neutral. But the British & French were messing with the shipping of the U.S. Napolean (French) announced that U.S. vessels could trade wherever and with whomever they wanted. But England kept interfering. Finally, President James Madison petitioned Congress to help stop the harrassment. On June 18 the U.S. declared war against Great Britain.  But on June 16, two days prior to the declaration of war on Britain, a motion was entered and passed in Britain to cease interference with U.S. commerce.  Yet the message took too long in those days to arrive in the U.S. It was good news that arrived too late.

Urgency is required when people are dying.

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. (Numbers 16:46-48)

The people of Israel were complaining against Moses (again). God decided to send a plague as a judgment.  Many were dying, but Aaron ran quickly to make an atonement for them so the plague would stop. People are dying everywhere because of sin.  The Bible has the only message of hope to a dying world and the only cure to sin.  It is Jesus.  People need to be told before their last breath.  We must go quickly.

One night in 1962 in a hotel in Seattle, Billy Graham was sound asleep. Suddenly he awoke with what he later described s a ‘burden to pray for Marilyn Monroe,’ the movie actress. When the feeling continued the next day, one of Graham’s associates tried to reach the actress. Her agent offered no hope for a meeting immediately. “Not now. Maybe two weeks from now.”  TWo weeks later Marilyn Monroe’s suicide shocked the world. Two weeks was too late.

It is important to share your faith with someone today.

Tomorrow may be too late.

Are you a Good Soldier of the Cross? Thoughts for Veterans Day

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This weekend  we honor all veterans on Veterans Day. That is great!  However, in this post I want to take a look at what is required to become a true veteran of the cross of Christ.

Webster’s Dictionary says a veteran is: a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like; a person who has served in a military force, esp. during a war. Let us now take a look at what is required to be a good soldier and thus become a true veteran of the Lord.

Volunteer

America no longer forces men and women to serve in the military service of their country. They are asked to volunteer to serve. Recruitment officers are sent out to encourage people to volunteer to serve in the military. God does not force anyone to serve in the service of His Kingdom, but He does plead with us to volunteer and come to salvation through Christ our Lord. He also sends out recruitment officers to urge people to serve in His Army.

  • Jeremiah 44:4 I have sent my servants the prophets to you again and again to tell you not to do these detestable things that I hate.
  • 2 Cor. 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
  • 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Christ is pleading today for the sinner to come and serve Him willingly.

Complete Faith

When you serve this in the American military, you must have faith in the American government that it will supply your every need. Your food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, and even your companions are supplied by your government. When you serve Jesus, you must also have faith in the One who has called you into His service that He will supply your every need. You will not have to worry about your physical needs when you serve Christ.

  • Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Christ will even provide godly company for you to keep!!

  • 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
  • 1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Complete Commitment

When you serve in the US military, you are expected to be completely committed to your country and to allow nothing to prevent you from performing your duties and serving faithfully. When you serve Jesus, you are also expected to be completely committed to Him and His Kingdom. You are expected to serve Him faithfully, not allowing anything to keep you from doing His will.

  • Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
  • Luke 5:27-28 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
  • Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
  • Philip. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Commitment requires discipline. Several years ago, in England, Sir John Barbirolli was conducting a great symphony orchestra before a “standing room only” audience. The concert hall was unusual in that it was used for cultural events on weekdays and for religious services on Sundays. On this particular Saturday evening, one of the patrons of the orchestra noticed that the preacher was in the audience. He leaned over and said to him, sarcastically, “When are you going to fill this hall on Sunday the way Sir John Barbirolli has tonight?” The preacher looked his antagonist straight in the eye and said with a steady voice, “I will fill this hall on Sunday morning when you give to me, as you gave to Sir John tonight, eighty-five disciplined men and women to be with me and to work with me”

Complete Obedience

When you serve in the US military, you are required to follow orders and are expected to be obedient to the letter. When you serve Jesus, He expects and requires no less.

  • Matthew 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
  • John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
  • Isaiah 1:19-20 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, “Amazing Grace” said: “… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.  It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do.”

Complete Devotion

When you serve in the American military, you are expected to be completely devoted to the country it represents. ‘Devotion’ (defined by Webster) is: 1. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc. 2.profound dedication, esp. to religion; consecration.  When you serve Jesus, He expects you to be completely devoted (consecrated) to Him and His Kingdom.

  • 1 Chron. 29:5 Now then, who will follow my example? Who will give himself and all that he has to the Lord?”

To be a true spiritual veteran, one must be completely devoted to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To become true veterans of the cross, we must first be good soldiers of the cross. May the Lord, this Veteran’s Day, make us all true Spiritual Veterans.

 

5 Things Discipleship is Not

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I’m writing a BIG paper (50,000 words) to complete my Doctorate in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Baptist University.  This project is on the effect of grouping on discipleship.  My premise is that the dynamics of a small group differs from meeting one-on-one.  I’m finding out that Jesus used many group ratios in His discipling His apostles.  So, I thought I’d share a few thoughts about what discipleship is not with you.

Discipleship is a word that gets thrown around in Christian circles a lot.  According to Rick Warren, discipleship is “the process of transformation that changes us to be increasingly more like Christ through the Word (John 17:17), the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18), and circumstance (Rom. 8:28-29)”  But sometimes it helps to understand what something is but determining what it is not.  So, what are some misunderstandings of the definition of discipleship. What is discipleship not?

1. Discipleship is not a program.

Some churches have a program in their church called ‘Discipleship.’  That is great and is a very positive experience for many.  But discipleship is not an event or curriculum that a person goes through.  Discipleship is the process of becoming more like Jesus Christ and that will never end.  Many Christians think that if they go through a 16 lesson course called discipleship or some other class, they are discipled.  But discipleship does not end.

2. Discipleship is not only for beginners.

When a person becomes a Christian it is important for them to be grounded in their faith and given the tools for a lifelong pursuit of growing to be more like Jesus.  This is often called ‘discipleship’ or ‘follow up.’  However, discipleship is not limited to only new converts.  Since discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus and following Him, it is for Christians at every level of spiritual maturity. One of the problems of viewing discipleship as a ‘beginner only’ experience is more mature Christians think they have ‘grown out’ of some of the disciplines necessary for the growth of new Christians.  New Christians are often introduced to Bible reading, Bible study, Bible memory, prayer, consistent church attendance and other spiritual disciplines that will help them grow in their new faith in Christ.  Sometimes a more experienced Christian may feel they no longer need to read their Bible, memorize Scripture, attend church service.  But the basic disciplines of the Christian life are meant to be practiced throughout life.

3. Discipleship is not only for leaders.

Since discipleship is the journey to be like Christ, some Christians think that kind of faith is only for pastors, missionaries, or church leaders.  They feel that Christian leaders are the ones expected to be close to Jesus in attitude and action and the ‘disciplined life’  is for those who are ‘full-time’ Christians.  But though church members have higher expectations for their leaders, God expects the same character qualities and actions from all His children.  We may start our Christian life in different situations but we all should be growing in the same direction – Jesus Christ

4. Discipleship is not for a certain kind of Christian.

God has created all kinds of Christians with different likes and abilities.  The problem with this is that a narrow view of discipleship may cause some Christians to think that certain Christians are real good at discipleship while others are just not gifted.

Because many discipleship programs and philosophies involve lots of reading and a certain amount of intellectual understanding, some Christians do not think they are good at it.  They are not book people. They are doers.  But much of the discipleship journey is about doing. One of the problems of intellectual Christians is they think it is only an agreement of a list of doctrines.  It is not what you know but who you know. We are to be ‘doers of the Word, not hearers only.’

Other Christians just can not keep up with the structure of discipleship.  Their personality is more free and open.  Yet, the discipleship journey demands a certain amount of structured and demands a consistent walk with Christ. So, many Christians who have failed in maintaining the spiritual disciplines it takes to consistently grow in their Christian faith, just give up and determine it is not something they are good at.  They are not good at organization and structure that others seem to have.  But discipleship is not just for those who can keep it.  It is for every Christian.

5. Discipleship is not optional.

The common teaching many have accepted is that a Christian is someone who trusts Jesus Christ as Savior, receives eternal life, and becomes part of the family of God. This thinking continues to teach that a disciple is someone who takes their Christianity to the next level and decides to be a more serious, active Christian.  But there is no Biblical evidence to make a disciple a second level Christian. A disciple is the primary term in the Gospels that refers to one of Jesus’ followers. The Greek word for disciple is mathetes and simply means a learner or follower.  A disciple of Jesus is simply a saved follower of Jesus. Discipleship is the life of following Christ.  Adding ‘ship’ to the end of ‘disciple’ means ‘the state of being a disciple.’  Every disciple is on the journey. Every Christian is involved in discipleship. It is not an option. It is just a matter of how good it is going.

I hope you will not use some of these excuses for not being involved in discipleship.  Whether in your personal life or in a community of believers, our primary purpose in life is to glorify God by becoming more like Jesus.

What excuses have you heard or used not to be involved in discipleship?