The Man Was Upset!

Posted by on September 25, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

For years, many have noted that Paul’s letter to the Galatians began differently than his letters to other congregations. Typically, no matter how bad a congregation’s problems, Paul began his letters with encouragement. For example, even though the Corinthian congregation had enormous problems, Paul encouraged them. Read 1 Corinthians 1:4-9.

But not to the congregations in Galatia! Why was Paul so upset with them?

No one had a deeper personal appreciation of what God did in Jesus Christ than did Paul. Prior to his conversion, we would have called Paul “a mean man.” His convictions were sincere, but they made him vicious. His convictions made him destructive, not helpful. He was merciless to Jewish men and women who believed in Jesus Christ. He protected the robes of those who killed Stephen, and he thought they did the proper thing by killing Stephen (Acts 7:58, 8:1). He dragged Christian men and women from their homes to imprison them (Acts 8:3). He used force in attempts to get Christian Jews to blaspheme (Acts 26:11). He even described himself as hostile (see Acts 26:9; Galatians 1:13-14; and 1 Timothy 1:13, 14).

Then he discovered his error concerning Jesus (Acts 9:1-9). The result: he became what he despised, was forgiven of murder and abuse of harmless Christians, and became a great missionary among gentiles (read again 1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Why? Why did God forgive Paul for such horrible acts? Among the reasons for such forgiveness is the reason Paul listed in 1 Timothy 1:16. He demonstrated that God’s mercy and forgiveness exceed any form of human failure if (a) a person sees his [or her] error, (b) turns against his [or her] error, and (c) redirects his [or her] behavior.

Then why was Paul so upset with the Galatian congregations? They did not realize what an incredible thing God did for them in Jesus’ death and resurrection! Jesus Christ is God’s good news! For congregations to act like there was a “good news from God” that rivaled what God did in Jesus was unthinkable!

Paul personally knew what God did in Jesus Christ. He did “the unthinkable” and later received forgiveness. He understood that the Galatian congregations existed because of what God did in Christ. He understood that those gentiles could be Christians because of God’s actions in Jesus. To say there was another gospel was unthinkable! Therefore, there was no encouragement because there was no appreciation of God’s acts in Jesus.

Do you appreciate what God did for you in Jesus? Does your behavior show it?

Love to Learn!

Posted by on September 18, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Monday morning as I shaved, I was thinking of this article. (Monday morning is when I typically write the bulletin article.) As I focused on the article, I sprayed shaving cream in my left hand. I am a right handed person. I am also a practical person. Obviously, I do a terrible job of focusing on two matters at the same time.

Fortunately, immediately I realized my mistake. Being practical, I said to myself, “There is no reason I cannot smear a little soap on my face with my left hand.” I am delighted my ears cannot talk and my mouth promised to say nothing! What a mess! I got more foam in my ears than on my jaws! I shaved my whiskers while they laughed-they did not even see the razor coming!

Why did my left hand find a simple task so difficult? My right hand does it daily. Training! I gave all the training from teen years until now to my right hand. So what my right hand does easily without thought, my left hand makes a terrible mess of even when I am deliberate, thoughtful, and concentrate.

So much that seems “to come natural” to a person is a matter of training, not a unique ability. People who conduct themselves righteously do not do so because they have some special ability. They were trained in righteous thought and behavior for a long time. Lengthy training makes their first impulse to think or to act in a righteous manner.

The same thing is true of ungodly thinking or behavior. The person has thought or behaved unrighteously for so long that the first impulse is to think or behave in an unrighteous manner.

So, what is the foundation of the way I think and behave? The key question is, “Who do I wish to be?” Once I decide it is worth the price to change who I am, I begin training. I train myself so my first reaction is to think righteously or behave righteously. I have never met a righteous person who did not consent to righteous training. Who you are is who you are willing to be. It, to you, is worth the price to train.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears the words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall.” (Jesus’ words, Matthew 7:24-27, NASV)

The Choice

Posted by on September 11, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Much has been said in many different contexts about a number of subjects concerning “the right of choice.” Among many of the rights of choice is the right to choose who we are. The choice to convert to Jesus Christ does not destroy choice or the necessity of choice. Choice does not end because a person chooses to follow Jesus Christ.

That is both wonderful and sobering. It is wonderful to understand that I can repent as a Christian at any time. No matter how much I slip as a Christian, no matter what a mess I make of my life, no matter what bad decisions I have made and followed, I can call a halt, repent (redirect), and-with God’s forgiveness and help-turn my life again to following Jesus Christ. It is extremely encouraging to know mistakes, bad decisions, and yielding to evil influences are not final! The option to return to God’s ways is mine! The same incredible forgiveness that made life in Jesus Christ possible still exists for me as a Christian when I make huge mistakes!

It is sobering to realize I can choose to reject God and all His gifts in Jesus Christ if that is my desire. I can choose to revert to anything I wish. That is the core of many temptations-to return to my fantasy of “how good it was when …” (I conveniently forget the struggles and consequences).

Following Jesus Christ never ceases to be a choice. It is a choice in how I see me-a temporary physical being who does not exist after death, or an eternal being who exists after physical death. It is a choice in the way I see life-life as a pursuit of the physical only because the physical only is reality, or life as an investment in what is “to be” because the eternal is as real as the physical. It is a choice in the way I see human existence-only as a matter of time, or as a combination of time and timelessness.

Not matter what I choose, it is a faith choice. I can have faith that the physical, the “here and now,” and that which I physically experience is all there is, or I can have faith in a reality that surpasses the physical, a reality that goes beyond the physical, a reality that goes beyond time. I can believe that life is the result of an accident, or that life is the result of a purposeful God. I can believe I am on my own, or I can believe that the living God wishes me to return to Him. It is my choice, and I will make that choice many times. Every time I am challenged, I will make that choice.

The question: what is your choice? How committed are you to your choice? Is your basic choice for the experiences of now or for God? Who you are very much depends on the choice you make! The direction of your life is determined by your choice!

Unbelievable Kindness

Posted by on September 4, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

For most of this week, we will see and hear of deeds of incredible kindness since (1) the hurricane Gustav did not make a direct hit on New Orleans, and (2) Gustav came ashore with much less destructive force than anticipated. (Do not tell those who suffered significant loss that Gustav was weak!) Had there been an enormous, widespread tragedy, we would see the tragedy. Instead, we will hear repeatedly about unusual, unexpected things done by people for unknown people. We rightly will rejoice in the human spirit that is moved to compassion in moments of great danger.

Ironically, the more people experience compassion, the more compassion is expected. With even more events calling for compassion, struggling people develop expectations. They begin to complain because the compassion shown is not compassionate enough. With additional events calling for compassion, struggling peoples’ complaints grow louder because compassion did not “prevent” the tragedy. Unreasonable expectations make kindness appear to be unkind.

The greatest kindness ever given to people was stated by Paul in the verses above. The enormity of that kindness is not understood until a human understands two things. A human (1) must grasp the enormity of his (or her) need and (2) must grasp that sin is the exact opposite of God. Sin embodies all the cruelty and injustice of hate. God embodies all the beauty and unselfish thoughtfulness of love. God allowed His son to become like His greatest enemy so that we humans might become God’s righteousness.

Any person can be God’s righteousness because of what Jesus did for us in his death. In Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:24 (speaking of Jesus): “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

We humans are not righteous before God because we are good. We are righteous before God because we are forgiven. It is not (and never will be) what we have done for God, but what God did (and does) for us in Jesus Christ. Does that eliminate the need for obedience? No! It gives us more reason for being obedient to show appreciation for what God did for us in Jesus’ death!

The persons who do not understand complain because God does not meet their physical expectations, or they resent God for not preventing the tragedy we caused. The persons who understand are awed that God could make His enemies righteous.

Are you a Christian? Why? See God’s kindness for what it truly is! Appreciate what you see, and rejoice in divine compassion!

Transitions

Posted by on August 28, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

“Water Tank Hill” no longer has a water tank. The road that contained “Dead Man’s Curve” no longer exists. Subdivisions are now where pastures were. Fences that sectioned off places are gone. The place where Dad bought many of our family cars is no longer a car dealership. The high school of my graduation no longer exists. Joyce’s high school building is now being “gutted” to become another facility. The whole area was economically depressed when I grew up-now it is a resort and retirement area.

Things change. Have not things always changed in all centuries? Can you not hear elderly people saying as they looked at an area centuries ago, “I remember when …”

Perhaps it is not so much that “things change,” but that we change. We attended a reunion last weekend. I tried to match my memories of 50 years ago with the white-haired people I saw who did not fit the physical descriptions I recalled. As I looked, I wondered, “What do they see as they look at me?” Maybe the “changed things” are merely mileposts that verify that we passed this way once some time ago.

Transitions occur slowly in most instances. So do we transition slowly, slowly enough that we deceive ourselves. I look in the mirror every day, and I do not see that many changes. I see the image, and my mind says, “You have not changed that much!” (My mind lies to me about some things!) I can pretend I have not “changed that much” until I see things that have changed dramatically-only then am I forced to admit, “You have changed a lot, too!”

If we are honest with ourselves, we hunger deeply for something that does not change. The older you get, the more wonderful the desire is to know someone, to be somewhere that never changes. When you are young, change represents adventuresome opportunities. However, that also will change. As you get older, change represents frustrations. I appreciate the kids helping me with electronic gadgets, but the electronic gadgets themselves frustrate me just by existing.

Jesus Christ is the changeless one. The changeless One invites us to be part of an existence that knows no change and will never need to change. We will be suitable for that existence, and it will be suitable for us. In it there is stability and no frustration. Now that is a place worth seeing-and staying!

Running From or Running Toward

Posted by on August 21, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

At times the conditions produced by our situations have a sobering, chilling effect on us. Like the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2:37), we realize we made horrible mistakes, we wish to flee our circumstances, but we have no idea of what to do. Or, like the young man above, we know what we have done, we know what we deserve, and we have no idea of the reception we should anticipate. In fear, we look for answers, or we decide to redirect our lives by heading in the correct direction.

Fearfully fleeing from the consequences of bad choices is a legitimate reason for redirecting our lives toward God. We can get ourselves into some horrible messes by doing what we consider to be wise. I have yet to meet an older person who does not shake his head in disbelief at the stupid things he did as a younger person! Is it not amazing to consider the stupid things we did then that we were convinced were wonderful things to do? Often we thought acts of rebellion against God were a good idea! When we realized what we did, it was gut-wrenching to realize how stupid we were!

At some point the Christian must stop running from hell in fear and start running toward God in appreciation. The epistles (written to individual Christians and congregations) contain many charges based on “this is what you were, this is who you are, and this is what God has done for you.” Consider Ephesians 2:1-10.

At some point the person must understand what God of Himself achieved in Jesus’ willing death and trusting resurrection. At some point the words forgiveness, sanctification, redemption, and righteousness in Christ through the working of God must become more than mere words. Consider amazing scriptures such as Romans 3:21-30, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, and 1 Peter 2:21-25.

When we begin to grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us, we begin running toward God which involves much more than running away from hell. We flee from hell by “not doing.” We run toward God by “being.” Running from hell over a long period of time typically results in a void. Running to God over a long period of time typically results in a fullness, a meaning, a joy, and a peace that places faith in God’s goodness, not the goodness of self. Are you running away from hell or toward God?

Anxiety: The Soul of Worry

Posted by on August 14, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Anxiety is a strange human emotion. It focuses on the future-negatively. “What are we going to do when or if …?” The implication: “We will have no options.” How often have you had no options? Or, the dreaded feeling: “We will be boxed in with no choices.” How many times have you been “boxed in” and had “no choices”?

Anxiety is a strange emotion because it is self-induced. Who says there will be a “when” or an “if”? “I” do. Who says there will be “no options”? “I” do. Who says that “I” will be “boxed in” and have “no choices”? “I” do.

May I paraphrase Jesus’ statements in words we would use? “Is not existence about more than physical needs? Does not the reality of death limit physical needs? Godless people place 100% of their trust in the physical. They worry about the physical. Godly people understand the real dimension to life that is not physical. They see the folly of seeking only the physical. No matter what you do or decide, you will not eliminate tomorrow’s trouble. Focus your life on realities death cannot touch. It is only by taking care of now that you will be in a position to take care of tomorrow.”

Consider a myth and a couple of questions. Myth: there exists a lifestyle in which there are no anxieties. The person who wastes life on chasing that myth only succeeds in inflicting wounds on self. Questions: Who has avoided difficulty by wringing one’s hands in the panic of anxiety? What is the use of believing God exists if you are going to live like a godless person?

Trusting God involves the way a person looks at life. Perhaps that ranks in the top five ways that Christians fail our world. Christians cannot trust God while living like godless people. When people who are not Christians observe people who are Christians (1) floundering in the same problems (2) by dealing with them in the same ways and attitudes as people who do not trust God, they ask, “What is the use of being a Christian?”

Perhaps the greatest gift you can give to a world out of touch with God is Jesus’ way of looking at life. The “Jesus look” includes understanding that death is not the end of life. The physical is a bridge, not a destination. God is honored by seeing past the physical.

The Power of Choices

Posted by on August 7, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Some choices are understood to be critical and contain significance that is obvious. Other choices are routine and happen almost habitually. Some choices are extremely serious. They demand time and thought. Other choices are “no brainers.” They are made as almost a reflex response to the immediate situation.

Choices are peculiar things. All of them set in motion events that touch lives and produce events beyond our imaginations.

Years ago in another state I knew a teen extremely close to his parents. Whenever possible, the three were together. When he did anything, one or both parents were present. One day, he and a couple of friends agreed to haul some hay to help someone out-a harmless, small, good choice. As they returned, he decided to ride in the bed of the truck-a harmless, small choice. He decided to get atop the cab and put his hands on the wind shield-no harm intended. His friend touched the brakes-no harm intended. The boy on the cab fell and lost his life. Wonder how many lives were affected for many years to come because of that series of choices which intended no harm?

I have not kept a record of funerals I have been a part of for over 50 years. Some involved people who lived long, full lives. Some involved tragedies that were unexpected. Often I heard grieving people say, “If only I had done this,” or, “If only that had happened!” Typically, one small difference, one small choice made differently, would have altered (at least temporarily) the situation in powerful ways.

It is not just the sorrow in death, but also the living of life. Most of us can look at a number of events in our lives that would have impacted the direction of our lives and the lives of others tremendously if only our decision had been made differently.

Few things say as much about who we are and what our values are as do our choices. It is amazing how a single, innocent, insignificant choice can forever determine someone’s opinion of what we are, or alter the direction of our life, or impact someone else in ways we never intended, or change lives that were not involved in our choice. When we realize the impact of a poorly or thoughtlessly made choice, often our only recourse is a declaration of sorrow. However, regardless of our genuine sorrow, our sorrow does not alter the sequence of events we set in motion by a poor or thoughtless choice.

Thank You, God, for Your forgiveness! Give us the patience and the wisdom to make better choices. Help us be responsible when we recognize the hurt of our choices.

All Blessings Have a Price

Posted by on July 31, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Before Paul was a Christian, he knew Jesus was not the Messiah (Christ). He was so certain he was correct in his conclusion, he arrested his own Jewish people, knowing their arrest could lead to death (see Acts 8:1-3 and 9:1, 2). After the events of Acts 9:3-9, Paul knew the exact opposite-he knew Jesus was the Christ.

When the disciple, Ananias, was hesitant to deliver the Lord’s message to Paul, the Lord told Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15, 16).

No one valued more the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ than did Paul. The Lord’s mercy and forgiveness overwhelmed him! He once wrote of himself, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16). In Paul’s estimation, he had been the greatest sinner alive. He received mercy because (a) he acted in ignorance of who Jesus actually was, and (b) he could be used as proof that if God could forgive him, forgiveness could be extended to anyone.

Paul clearly understood that he was not in a saved relationship with God because he, Paul, was wonderful and talented. Paul was in a saved relationship with God because God is wonderful. The fact that God is wonderful is seen in what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The fact that Jesus was Lord was seen in his total surrender to the Father to achieve the Father’s purposes. Paul was more than willing to serve as God and His Christ’s example of the power of divine mercy and grace in forgiveness. Paul was deeply appreciative of the forgiveness he received; he was more than willing to demonstrate God can save anyone.

2 Corinthians 11:24-33 and 12:1-10 declare some of the prices Paul paid for the blessing he found in Jesus Christ. Do not look at Paul’s sufferings as retribution from God. Look at them as the prices he paid to confront evil. Do not complain when your blessings cost you. Instead, focus on the value of your blessings. Never forget, evil confronts godliness.

It Depends On Your Focus

Posted by on July 24, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

The following are words from Joyce Chadwell without David’s editing.

“It is so easy to find fault with others. A couple of days ago I found a shirt button in my bedroom floor. I wondered why David didn’t tell me he had lost a button. I thought, ?Now I am going to have to go through all his shirts and see where it belongs.’ I laid the button on my dressing table to put off going through his shirts or asking him why he didn’t tell me he lost a button. I guess I preferred to stew about it. Well, this morning I decided to put on a denim shirt I wore Monday and guess what. It was MY button all the time. When I started to button my shirt there was a missing button and it matches the one on the dressing table. To paraphrase what Jesus said, ?You should make sure your own shirt has a button before you tackle a closet full of someone else’s shirts,’ or something like that.” (Used by permission.)

Whew! Narrow escape! I would not notice a missing button until I put on a shirt she had washed and ironed! Only then do I say, “Could you fix this shirt?”

Why is it so easy to see others’ faults and flaws and so hard to see our own? May I suggest two reasons. First, as long as I look at you, I do not have to look at me. A focus on your mistakes often means I never have to look at my own. All of us like that! All of us had rather be an expert on others’ flaws rather than dealing with our own flaws. When someone calls attention to our flaws, we are shocked. We are the experts! How could anyone see flaws in us? If such flaws exist, they have a justifying reason for existing-just listen to my reason and you will ignore my flaws!

Second, it is much easier to judge than encourage. Encouragement is just plain hard! It takes gentleness, understanding, and helpfulness. People are so uncooperative and suspicious! “What is in it for you?” “What are you up to?” “What’s your real motive?” What a world-we are more suspicious of kindness than we are of harshness! However, judging is simple. Package it as “constructive criticism” from an “insightful person,” smile, shape opinion into fact, and say anything. The judged should be “grateful” for the “constructive criticism.”

Aren’t you glad God is not a human? Aren’t you glad He continues to “go to the trouble” and “makes the effort” to encourage us in Jesus Christ? God encourages in spite of our flaws and failures (and He truly knows what He is talking about, sees honestly, and accurately understands motives). We, too, should seek to be encouragers because it is godlike, and we wish to be like our spiritual Father who creates us in Jesus Christ.