Posted by David on September 28, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
At least within our society, we adopt a way to measure life’s experiences. It is a simple, subjective way to measure: Good things feel good, and bad things feel bad. Thus, if something feels good, it cannot be bad; and if something feels bad, it cannot be good.
Most hasten to add that there are numerous exceptions: Discipline rarely “feels” good. Chemotherapy rarely “feels” good. Yet, both are administered and endured because an eventual improvement is sought, but not guaranteed.
My point is NOT that one’s feelings have no value in determining wise and unwise, good and bad, or right and wrong. My point: the Christian who uses only his or her feelings as a primary means to determine (1) the meaning of a scripture, (2) right or wrong, or (3) correct behavior makes himself or herself an inviting target for Satan’s deception.
Before Jesus raised Lazarus, he told Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha thought only of the final resurrection. When Jesus’ affirmed he was the power of life and resurrection, Martha did not “feel” an immediate solution to her grief for her brother. (See John 11:23,24.)
When Jesus was in Gethsemane less than 24 hours before his death (Matthew 26:38-44), or Paul was frustrated by his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), or Peter was afraid of the Judaizing teachers (Galatians 2:11, 12), or Barnabas was deceived by hypocritical forces (Galatians 2:13), “feelings” either threatened to mask or did mask God at work. Jesus’ feelings said, “Death is unacceptable.” Paul’s feelings said, “You can be more effective for God without this thorn.” Peter’s feelings said, “I do not want to experience that again.” Barnabas’ feelings said, “They cannot be wrong about this.”
Thank God Jesus did not surrender to his feelings! Thank God Paul listened to Christ when He explained! May we be warned by Peter’s fear and Barnabas’ deception! Yes, always consider your feelings, but never let your feelings become God’s voice. (If we do not consider our feelings, we will have no conscience.)
Jesus knew God was at work in his death. He saw beyond how he felt and felt grieved for those who caused his death (Luke 23:34). Stephen even saw God at work in his death (Acts 7:59, 60). That is the key for the Christian-to see God working when we experience the distasteful. God often works through human pain and injustice.
Posted by David on September 21, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
There are moments I remember feeling “justified” for doing things that I now deeply regret. There are moments I remember saying things I thought were profound only to discover later that they were only stupid. Unfortunately, life does not have a “do over” button. When “now” anxieties “justify” anxious decisions, later in life [when hopefully we know better because we have learned more] all we can do is live with the regret.
I have seen incredible sacrifice, unbelievable kindness, quiet acts of service, planned thoughtfulness beyond imagination, and forgiveness only because hearts were touched by God. I have witnessed Christians take enormous risks to be kind. I have seen Christians care for people one would not have thought they noticed.
Also, I have seen one elder force another elder to resign because “he is consistently late.” I have had a mature Christian come to my carport before daylight multiple times to put roofing nails under my tires because he was angry with me. I once saw two leading men of a congregation prepare to fist fight each other in a business meeting because they disagreed. I witnessed a congregation’s leadership totally alter their decision process to keep one negative person from vetoing all mission decisions. I have been told by an angry Christian that every problem existing in a congregation was my fault. [None of these incidents occurred at West-Ark.]
In all these situations, Christians felt fully justified in their acts and decisions. Also, all these Christians did some truly godly things. In my judgment, they just got more emotional and anxious about matters than God is. Thus, they decided they were “justified” in settling matters their way instead of God’s way.
When we are dead and not even an asterisk on the horizon, God will still prevail. We need to exercise great care to assist God and not Satan in our anxieties. High on God’s priority list is the godless world learning peace from God’s family.
Paul made this statement to Jewish Christians and gentile Christians who were in such dispute that they treated each other as enemies: “But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:15).
Posted by David on September 14, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
I suspect most, if not all of us adults, clearly remember where we were that morning as those events unfolded. I am sure that many of us easily remember the shock and amazement of that day. After all, we are the benevolent, kind-hearted good guys-how could anyone anywhere hate us that much? What did any of those people do to deserve a horrific end? How could anyone think those families deserved such horrible suffering?
We were suddenly and horribly introduced to some harsh realities about the views of some people toward Americans. (May I quickly add not everyone hates us! We need to constantly remember that! It is just as unjust to stereotype others as it is for others to stereotype us!) Yet, we must ask, “Why do some find it easy to hate us?”
- People who have nothing, who live in unimaginable poverty without any hope of escaping it, often resent us for having so much.
- People who have little opportunity often resent the too common American mindset that thinks the rest of the world exists to support the American lifestyle.
- Many people do not like the moral values of our culture, and see American values as a threat to their values. (Do we not fear some of those values?)
- Often other people’s perception of Americans is shaped more by movie exploits and TV images than real life in this nation.
Perhaps that day what naivety remained in the American people became a fearful skepticism. There was a time when we as a people were more likely to think good of others rather than bad. No longer. Now na?ve innocence has transformed into a hardened cynicism. Instead of thinking the best of people as our first thought, we too commonly think the worst of people as our first thought.
In this tragedy there is also enormous opportunity. If ever there was a time when we could demonstrate the beauty of Christian peace in God’s family, now is the time. However, we must understand the importance of living at peace among ourselves before we can project the image of peace to a fragmented world. That requires both courage and understanding. Is not faith in Jesus Christ the essence of courage and understanding? The issue is quite personal for all of us: “Do I seek that courage and understanding?”
Posted by David on September 7, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Corinth fascinates me for many reasons. One reason is found in the fact that Paul chose congregational unity as the first thing to address in this troubled congregation. In this congregation, there was sexual immorality that not even idol worshippers permitted (5:1). Christians attacked Christians in a court system that did not even know the living God existed (6:1). Christians were not considerate of Christians who disagreed with them (6:12-20). Christians disagreed concerning marriage issues (7). They wrangled with each other over idolatry issues (8). They abused communion (11:17-34). They abused spiritual gifts (12). They failed to understand the importance of love among Christians (13). Their questions concerning resurrection butchered the concept (15). With all these problems, Paul addressed the problem of internal unity first (1:10-4:21).
If Christians are going to be a powerful, positive voice in their community, they must practice the love expressed in unity. If unity exists, it exists because Christian respect reigns, not because everyone is in agreement on everything. Moral problems will not reign where such unity binds Christian to Christian. The voice of inconsideration will not speak for Christians bound to each other where such unity exists. Remembrance of our Lord’s sacrifice will not be abused among Christians with the courage to embrace unity. God’s gifts will not be exploited among Christians committed to God’s family in the spirit of unity. Unity based on respect for each other found in God’s respect for us is the foundation of godly behavior and spiritual eloquence. It is the voice that must be heard and respected even by those who do not believe.
One of the strongest condemnations written by Paul was written in 1 Corinthians 3:17, “If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” When our anxieties seem to justify an attack on unity, we need to take Paul’s warning to heart. We also need to ready our answer to God for our course of action, for He surely will ask us.
Perhaps a reason for Paul being so direct in this matter of congregational unity is found in this truth: it takes a lot of courage and character to be a person committed to God’s concept of unity. However, it also takes a lot of courage and character to be a Christian. Not everyone shapes his or her life by a resurrection that occurred 2000 years ago.
Posted by David on August 24, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
2 Kings 20:1-3, In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ?Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
2 Kings 18-20 records the rule of King Hezekiah of Judah. He was one of the few kings in Judah who led a spiritual reform to lead the people back to God. After some striking events in which he placed his trust in God, he became sick to the point of death. When the prophet Isaiah confirmed Hezekiah would die, Hezekiah prayed for an extended lifetime. God added fifteen years to his life and told him he would protect him and his kingdom throughout this period.
In these fifteen years, Hezekiah foolishly showed all his treasurers to some well-wishers from Babylon. The prophet Isaiah told him that the day would come when Babylon would take all those treasurers and some of his sons to Babylon. Hezekiah said to himself, “That’s okay-I will live and die in peace” (2 Kings 20:20).
The greatest mistakes this great king made came in his fifteen year extension of life. He lived too long! He made God’s blessing his curse!
It is difficult to accept this truth: the significance of your life is not measured by how long you live but by how much faith in God you have. It is much too easy to use God’s blessings to curse ourselves.
If we are not careful, the older we get, the more important it becomes to declare our significance. As ability declines, the temptation to be arrogant increases. Wise is the person who is not intoxicated by a personal sense of his or her accomplishments! It is easy to “get drunk” on the memories of the past! It is challenging to leave the remembering to God as you use what ability you have to serve His purposes.
Do not be remembered for the arrogance of your old age. Be remembered for a lifetime of faith in God. Do not count your years. Mature your trust in God!
Posted by David on August 17, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
This is a difficult passage. For a long time, a debate has been ongoing about Agrippa’s attitude when he made the statement, “Paul, you almost persuade me to be a Christian.” (1) Was the king near conversion? Or, (2) was he chastising Paul for a brazen attempt at evangelizing him? On Paul’s part, there was boldness in the original not evident in an English translation, a boldness the king may have considered shocking for a prisoner to make to a significant authority. However, we could say nothing that would end the argument-too little information is available.
Perhaps we could ask a fruitful question by each asking self the question, “Why am I a Christian?” Begin with the observation that the Christian in this situation was a prisoner. Eventually his appeal to Caesar resulted in a trial in Rome. Even later, his appearances in Rome resulted in his execution.
Am I a Christian:
- To obtain advantages and blessings that would not otherwise be available to me?
- To escape consequences which scare me?
- To obligate God to protect me from bad things?
- To express faith in the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
- To declare faith in the restoration of the Creator God to His rightful position?
Consider some observations. (1) It is common in talking about salvation to discuss our benefits, but to rarely discuss God. We focus on matters like forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, justification, and propitiation as though salvation was primarily about us and not about the God who gave us Jesus Christ. (2) It is uncommon for us to focus on or discuss the enormous injustice the Creator endured when His creation honored the evil that odiously perverted the earthly creation of the Creator. (3) Perhaps the primary objective of our salvation is to promote the restoration of the Creator to His rightful place and the secondary benefit of our salvation is our forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, justification, and propitiation. Unselfishness focuses on God. Selfishness focuses on us.
“When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (Corinthians 15:28)
Posted by David on August 10, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
Years ago I was deer hunting in a remote area with my usual success-none! The hunting lease was at least five miles from the nearest house. This was long before cell phones! As usual, I hunted until dark-I could not see. I had a long walk through the woods back to my truck. Upon arrival, I shockingly realized I had no key! There I was beside a huge machine. However, because I had no key, it was useless to me!
This morning as I started my truck after working out at a rehab gym, I again considered that small piece of metal that could bring a big machine to life. I probably had $50 of gasoline in the tank, a few miles of wiring, a six cylinder engine, air conditioning (yes, it is hot enough now to need it early in the morning), new tires, a radio, and hundreds of pounds of metal, plastic, and cloth before me. Yet, none of it worked without that small key. Again I sat in awe as I considered that such a small thing allowed such a complex machine to function. The key did not give the machine its potential. It merely allowed that potential to roar into usefulness.
Grace is a small word. Basically it shows kindness and consideration when there is no call for kindness and consideration. Yet, what potential it unleashes! A useless being roars to useful life because that small word grace is utilized. Examples? Consider:
1. A little encouragement can turn a person’s outlook around.
2. A little kindness can cause a person to replace worthlessness with worth.
3. A little thoughtfulness can move a lifeless person to discover life.
4. A little hope moves some from idle despair to successful effort.
OR
1. A little discouragement causes a person to quit.
2. A little unkindness convinces a person he or she has no value.
3. A little thoughtlessness plunges a person to ?the point of no return’ in the depths of lifelessness.
4. Hopeless words turn idle despair to utter despair. |
Thank God for giving us Jesus Christ when we are not worth the cost! Thank You for seeing our potential when we saw none! Thank You for giving us life when we were truly lifeless. Without Your grace, we are nothing. May we give as we received!
Posted by David on August 3, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
Adult life might be described as an obstacle course. The adult race begins with a heavy dose of hormones, increases speed with a challenging mixture of responsibilities, maintains speed with urgent achievements, slows unwillingly with increasing physical weaknesses, and coasts to a stop with lots of remembrances [and perhaps a pinch of wondering about “what if”].
The ?hormones’ can be responsible for temptations of poor judgment. The ?mixture of responsibilities’ involves temptations coming from new relationships that irreversibly change existence. The ?urgent responsibilities’ form temptations from the old ?new’ awareness-the need for health insurance, the need for life insurance, the need for a higher education fund for the kids’ college experience, the need for retirement funds for the end of work life, the need for work success, the need to be competitive when you do not have the energy to compete, etc. Temptations from ?physical weakness’ come from just plain wearing out-that is when you sing to yourself, “the old gray mare ain’t what she used to be.” The ?remembrances’ give rise to the temptations of regret [the fact there are no “do overs” available to change any part of your past you do not like].
To think adult life was easy in any past time frame is deceitful. To say, “But they didn’t have to contend with …” is misleading. Adult existence always has involved insecurity, uncertainty, and physical decline. Every time frame and circumstance had [has] its own forms of powerful temptations. The truth is that no adult “has it made.” Anyone who thinks that would likely not last long in a “has it made” situation.
The Christian commitment is not an easy commitment. It never has been. It never will be. He or she who expects it to become simple will only be disillusioned. Thankfully, we have a God so filled with mercy, grace, and forgiveness that our weaknesses never weary Him. He proved that is true and cared for all our needs in Jesus’ crucifixion. All we must do is ?run the course,’ obstacles and all, to express our appreciation for what He did and what He continues to do in our forgiveness.
Thanks to what God did, everyone who runs the race with his or her eyes on Jesus is a winner-not because of what we do, but because of what God did for us. Never have you attended a victory celebration that can begin to compare to the victory celebration of praise when those in Christ are welcomed home to live with God!
Posted by David on July 27, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
Every person at some time in his or her life has dropped a stone in water. It may have been throwing rocks in a pond. It may have been skipping a rock on a river. It may have been dropping pebbles in a mud hole. The end result is always the same: the rock sinks, small or large waves radiate in a circle from the point of the rock sinking, and then in a few minutes all is calm and smooth again. It is as though the stone was never there.
Consider one other interesting observance in this fascinating phenomena: there is no visible hole. Unless it is a huge rock and a big splash, most people see no hole. Quickly, virtually instantly, water closes over the rock, and it is as though the rock never entered the water. You can see the rings of waves circling the entry point of the rock. You can, with a high degree of ease, guess the entry point of the rock. Yet, there is no hole!
When a death occurs, relatives and close friends may grieve a long time. There is a hole in their lives that cannot be filled. To them, there is an emptiness, a sense of loss that is visible every day. However, it is not so to people in general. Life, like water, quickly fills the void. Suddenly, to everyone else, there is no “hole.”
There are only waves moving away from the life that ceased a physical existence. If the waves are high enough, there can be disaster or healing in them. The waves Jesus’ death made are still rolling strong 2,000 years after he died. In those waves are hope-the hope of redemption, the hope of an existence that death cannot touch.
Years ago three friends shared much in their lives. One day one of the three suddenly, unexpectedly, died. The next morning one of the living friends drove down the street and past the home of the dead friend. When he reached his office, he called the other living friend and said in a sober voice, “Nothing has changed!” A life disappeared. A huge hole was left in two friends’ hearts. Yet, life, unchanged, continued on.
All of us will die. Except for the few who were close to us, life quickly will cover us and move on. As time passes, most will forget we lived, rarely recalling our name. There is little most of us can do about that truth.
Yet, there is one thing. May the waves you leave behind give hope and not despair. May they bring abundance of purpose to others and not a meaningless existence. May people be blessed because you were.
In Christ, that is a possibility for all of us-no matter how big or small this world considers us to be. Make your life of lasting meaning to you and others by belonging to Christ!
Posted by David on July 20, 2006 under Bulletin Articles
The context of the above statement is fascinating. Jesus called the Pharisees and the scribes’ attention to the fact that their positions nullified one of God’s Ten Commandments given to Israel in Exodus 20. The Pharisees and scribes’ reasoning seemed to be this. God commanded us to take care of our elderly parents. However, the temple is a national institution built to honor God. It is more important [spiritual] to support the temple that serves God through sacrificial worship and prayer than it is to take care of parents. Thus if you commit something to support the temple that should be used to meet your parents’ need, you are excused from caring for your parents.
Jesus made this statement to illustrate they actually did what they accused him of doing by violating the tradition of the Jewish elders. Jesus also declared their hearts did not belong to God and their worship was useless.
Please remember the Pharisees and scribes existed as a significant spiritual influence and scriptural authority in Israel. Even to Jesus’ disciples, the Pharisees and scribes’ feelings mattered. At that moment, the disciples could not fathom Jesus’ insensitivity to the Pharisees and scribes’ feelings and reactions.
This is the point to note now: Jesus “saw” a reality that not even the twelve “saw.” In fact, the only person who “saw” this reality was Jesus. What Jesus “saw” was a fairly simple truth: we honor God by valuing what He values, not by honoring what we value.
It was Israel that considered the temple as more significant than parents. It was Israel that regarded worship at the national temple as more significant than a command from God Himself. Do you give God the greatest honor by offering a sacrifice at the temple, or by obeying God?
Was what Jesus “saw” true? Yes! Was what he “saw” significant? Absolutely! Did what he “saw” direct people away from God? Certainly! Did what he “saw” cause spiritual people to substitute their values for God’s values? Without question! Did what Jesus “saw” make him popular or appreciated? No!
As we spiritually mature, we “see” things we never “saw” before. More times than not, those around us do not “see” what we “see.” Blessed is the Christian who refuses to stop “seeing” because he/she develops spiritually. Blessed is the Christian who leads as he or she “sees” rather than destroys as he or she “sees.” Read Matthew 15:13-20.
Matthew 12:7 “But if you had known what this means, ?I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
