Posted by David on April 5, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
At some point in the last 150 years, we placed ourselves under a curse. It happened slowly and innocently, not suddenly and dramatically. When? The moment we concluded that conformity to prevailing religious emphases verifies true conversion.
It is the concept of spiritual cloning. “Conversion to Christ manifests itself in identical ways in every person. Genuinely converted people think alike, reason alike, reach identical conclusions, have identical emphases, conform to identical standards, and defend identical convictions with identical reasoning.”
James and John (the sons of thunder) were very unlike cocky, confident Peter, but God used all of them. Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot came from groups whose thinking and actions were totally opposite, but God used both of them. Nicodemus and the Samaritan divorcee came from different spiritual universes, but God used both of them. Barnabas, the son of exhortation, radically differed from Paul, the converted persecutor, but God used both of them. The discouraged John Mark and the uncircumcised Titus were quite different from all the above, but God used them too. Jews and idol worshippers who were converted to Christ shared nothing in common, but God used them both.
The “people diversity” of the early church is staggering. Only one thing allowed God to use these diverse Christians for His purposes: their living faith in Christ.
Some have asked me, “What do you think the congregation will decide about the building? About the screening committee? About additional elders?” My honest answer: I haven’t the slightest idea. These are your choices, not mine.
“What do you see in all this?” I see incredible opportunity. “For facilities? worship? leadership? growth potential?” Certainly, I see those opportunities, and each has more potential than we grasp. But none of them are the incredible opportunity that I see. Whatever you decide, what an opportunity! For what? For us to grow in Christ’s spirit, for us to destroy old walls, for us to live in the present instead of the past, for us as a congregation to pursue Christ’s total objectives instead of our own preferences.
Posted by David on March 22, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
“Hindsight” is incredibly accurate. Last week a group of us were enjoying each other’s company. As is typically, we were sharing “tales from our pasts.” One person shared an incident that occurred about thirty years ago. A sale provided him with some uncommitted funds. A gifted businessman asked him, “What do you plan to do with that money?” He replied, “I have no plans for it.” The businessman strongly urged him to invest the money in a new company–Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he just deposited it in a bank. Laughingly, he wondered what that investment would be worth today had he made it. Hindsight!
Every congregation looks back over a history of great decisions, mediocre decisions, and poor decisions. Rarely is it immediately evident that a decision was great, mediocre, or poor. Some great decisions “at the moment of deciding” prove to be poor decisions in time. Some poor decisions “at the moment of deciding” prove to be fortunate decisions in time. In most decisions, we make what we believe to be the wisest decision at that moment.
Our “wise decisions at that moment” are subject to many influences. Are we addressing “now” realities? Are we considering the future? What do we want to accomplish? How do we view our purpose? How do we define our objective? Are we exercising responsible stewardship? Of course, our answers are subjective. Personal perspectives, experiences, concerns, and value systems form the foundation of our decisions. No process can eliminate the subjective element.
We approach many decisions that will affect our future. May each of us add these to the questions we ask and answer. Will this minister to the families within the congregation? Will this strengthen the fellowship of God’s family? Will this increase the potential for outreach and influence in our community? Will this promote growth in ways that can increase our outreach and influence in the world? Will this allow God’s Spirit to be more active in the life of the congregation? Will this make our ministries more like Jesus’ ministry?
Will these questions remove the subjective element from our decisions? No. Will they lead us all to the same conclusions? No. Will they give us all the same focus? No. Will they guarantee that we will make the wisest choice? No.
Then why consider them? They will bring each of us closer to the heart that Jesus wants us to have. Our best decisions always come from Christ-centered, good hearts.
Posted by David on February 22, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Lord, it is so easy to feel superior. What a temptation! I rarely recognize the feeling as one of superiority, but it is. I see others and silently say, “If he had faith, he would not struggle. If she loved God, she would not waiver. If he had a prayer life, he would be stronger. If she spent time studying the Bible, her doubts would disappear.”
Then, in the security of my self-confidence, I rejoice in the strength of my faith and the depth of my love. I smile when I consider my prayer life and my knowledge of Your word. I reassure myself by thinking of the many things I do for you.
Later, as I reflect on these times, an ugly awareness stares at me. I see the Pharisee who felt spiritually superior because he was not like the wicked tax collector.
Who am I to measure the faith or the love of another person? Is knowledge of Your word measured by the ability to dissect verses or by clinging to the message? Are the notable ways to serve Christ restricted to my list of godly works? Am I to forget that You were thrilled when a widow gave a penny? Or that You note the cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name?
My dark days descended on me. Desperate illness struck my family, and one that I loved died. Injustices destroyed my career. My dreams for my children turned into ashes. Neither time nor money permit me to serve You in the ways that I did.
Each day I know struggle and weakness. Evil mocks my strength. I wavier because my faith was in me, not You. And I am afraid as I learn to trust You instead of me. Suddenly, my Bible knowledge became “book knowledge.” In that moment I understood the difference between having Bible knowledge and laying a foundation upon the Rock.
Troubles easily become despair, and despair easily becomes hopelessness. What a temptation! Father, help me find courage in the cross! Help me find confidence in the resurrection! Help me find hope in Your forgiveness! Help me find assurance in Jesus’ return!
Posted by David on February 15, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
We American Christians tend to be aggressive even when we appear to be passive. We possess a form of certainty that must amuse and frustrate God. We are uncertain about precious little. “Our way of thinking” coupled with “our spiritual perspectives” ooze with a certainty not to be questioned.
We never intentionally instruct God or tell Him how to “conduct His business.” Aren’t we careful to say, “If it is your will,” when we make requests for the sick? However, our convictions about God’s priorities or concerns are never shy.
In this certainty, often we are quite definite about when, where, and how God is and is not working. It is hard for us to understand that not even evil prevents God from being at work. God is at work everywhere in everything. In context, that is the point of Romans 8:28. God even uses evil to accomplish His objectives and fulfill His purposes. I did not say that God causes evil. I said that God uses evil.
Consider two clear examples. Evil motivated Joseph’s brothers to sell him as a slave. Year’s later, Joseph realized that God worked through that evil to save his entire family. He told his brothers, “You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20). Did God make Joseph’s brothers evil? No, Satan did that. But God used Satan’s evil initiative to accomplish His own purposes.
The greatest example is the crucifixion of Jesus. Lawless (godless–NAS) men killed Jesus (Acts 2:23). Satan’s greatest single victory on earth was the execution of God’s son. Yet, God worked through that evil to achieve His greatest victory in earth. That death atoned for all human sin from the first one to the world’s end. That death led to resurrection. In the resurrection, God made Jesus Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).
Thankfully, God does not do things as we Christian humans do. Often we spend more energy and time in debating when, where, and how to work than in working. God is not afflicted with such indecision. He just works–all the time everywhere. Even when a teenager is sold into slavery or His son is executed, God is at work.
Were visible, spiritual caution signs placed everywhere God is at work, we American Christians would be astounded. Maybe we would help more and hinder less.
Posted by David on February 8, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Jerry and Meg Canfield returned to Laos from West-Ark in late December 1997. There they primarily worked on health projects. This work was done with registration and approval of the Lao government.
Saturday night, 31 January 1998, we learned that Jerry and Meg, Ken Fox, a Thai preacher, and around forty Laotian Christians were arrested Friday evening during a Bible study assembly in Laos.
The U.S. State Department, U.S. embassies in Laos and Thailand, Congressman Asa Hutchinson, and Senator Tim Hutchinson began actively seeking a resolution. Tuesday morning, Jerry, Meg, Ken, and the Thai preacher were released.
Please pray for our Laotian brothers and sisters who remain in jail.
Rarely do we experience such impressionable reminders of the contrast between life in the United States and life in much of the world. The separation of church and state is debated here with great emotion. However, the controversy does not question the right of the church to exist, function, or express itself. Aggressive initiatives question the right of the church to function in some areas of public life. Some wish to place significant restrictions on the rights and activities of all religions in this nation. Many of these advocates argue that religion significantly restricts their rights and activities.
The American debate is significant and could result in restrictions previously unknown in this nation. But no one seriously advocates the destruction of the church.
When members from this congregation are arrested for hosting a home Bible study with persons who want to assemble, it sobers us. It should. It should also shake individual, spiritual apathy. Blessings unused accomplish little more than blessings denied.
Posted by David on February 1, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Lord, thank You for the spiritual influences in my life. Christian parents and grandparents are such a blessing! My life is powerfully blessed because I grew up in a praying home that studied the Bible. The church is the source of many special blessings. How thankful I am that it stresses Your authority and Your word. How thankful I am that it emphasizes the importance of obedience and morality.
I am deeply grateful for my spiritual heritage. My life is constantly touched by the hearts and minds of past generations who were devoted to being only Christians. Though I shall never know their sacrifices, their searching faith will always bless me.
I have grown through my study and prayer. I know that You are at work in my heart and mind. I see things that I have never seen. My understanding of Your principles and truths has reached new depths. The more I grow, the more I understand. The more I understand, the more I want to grow.
As I yearn to plunge deeper into the mind and heart of Christ, I meet an unexpected obstacle. I am shocked by areas of my faith. In some of my spiritual places, I discover my faith trusts a religious ‘system’ instead of Your Son. In those places, as my faith in Your Son grows, my ‘system’ feels threatened.
So, spiritually, I find ‘me’ in conflict with ‘me.’ My ‘system’ declares that I am in conflict with ‘them,’ and, in the past, I believed that. But my growing faith has reached a new level of honesty. Jesus shows me that my growing faith and my ‘system’ are struggling.
I cherish my heritage. I cherish the faith of my family. I cherish the church. I cherish my understanding of the Bible’s importance. I cherish my commitment to obedience.
I also cherish Jesus, my spiritual role model. I hunger for Your priorities. I hunger for a fuller understanding of Your will. I hunger to love and help people as You do. I hunger to have the heart and mind of Jesus so that helping people becomes helping the person. I hunger to be a Christian who does good in our world because I am a child of the God who does good in our world.
Lord, in spite of my conflict with me, help me grow. May those of the next generation be blessed by my growing faith just as I am blessed by the growing faith of generations past.
Posted by David on November 23, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Genesis 2:7 states that God formed Adam out of dust. It does not suggest that God used a cookie cutter to do it. Adam was hand-crafted by God. He was not made on a divine production line.
Adam’s first two sons were distinctive individuals. Abel and Cain were literally as different as light and darkness. No cookie cutter reproductions there.
The Israelite men through whom God worked were distinctly different. Moses was the man of meekness; David was an aggressive man of war; and Elijah such an eccentric we would have labeled him weird. No cookie cutter types here.
Neither did Jesus use a cookie cutter. His disciples were not spiritual reproductions formed on a divine assembly line.
When Jesus selected the twelve men to be his special disciples, he did not look for duplicates. He did not seek clones who talked, acted, and thought as people who were spiritually formed by a divine cookie cutter.
James and John had thundering personalities. They wanted to protect “the significance and integrity” of Jesus (Luke 9:51-56). They also sought prominent positions in the group (Mark 10:35-45). John ordered a man not to cast demons out of people in Jesus’ name because he was not part of “the group” (Luke 9:49-50).
Peter was the outspoken one who never failed to say something. Previously, Matthew collected taxes that probably helped support the Roman army. Simon came from a radical religious sect that used violence to pursue their purposes. Thomas could step forward with courage (John 11:16), or he could be filled with doubt (John 20:24,25). No cookie cutter used here.
Jesus reached out to Mary Magdalene (who had seven evil spirits), Nicodemus (a member of the Jewish supreme court), a Samaritan woman (who was an outcast in her own community), a weeping prostitute (whose penitent behavior was publicly unacceptable), and a dying thief (a skeptic who was convinced). No cookie cutter in evidence here.
Imagine a congregation with Moses, David, Elijah, James, John, Peter, Matthew, Simon, Thomas, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the forgiven prostitute as members. Talk about diversity! Yet, God touched and used each of them–and uses them thousands of years after they died!
Why did we create the idea that God commissioned us to use a divinely patented cooker cutter? Why did we decide that every Christian must look alike, think alike, and behave alike spiritually? God loves individuals as individuals. God saves individuals as individuals. Thank you, God!
Posted by David on November 16, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Alan Smith in his e-mail, “Thought For The Day,” shared some fascinating quotes last week. In 1899, Charles H. Duell, Commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents said, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” In 1943, Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM said, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” In 1949, Popular Mechanics wrote, “Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall said in 1957, “I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won’t last out the year.” An engineer in the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, discussing the microchip, asked, “But, what…is it good for?” Ken Olson, president, chairman, and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation said in 1977, “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
Obviously, they did not envisioned today’s role for computers. Computers start our cars. Computers enable the 911 system to respond to our emergencies. Computers price our purchases in checkout lanes. Computers help the pharmacists fill our prescriptions. Our life histories (from medical records to social security) are preserved by computer. Every facet of life is touched by the work of a computer. I am typing these thoughts on a computer. A computer makes it possible to produce this newsletter, and a computer will help mail it. And, in much less than one life time, such applications will be primitive.
We can be so confident, so definite, so certain about what is and is not needed in our congregation. Each opinion and conviction runs deep and strong. Each varies greatly from Christian to Christian. We see and access needs so differently. Why? Why do members hold such different view points and value systems? Each of us is powerfully influenced by each of these factors: personal background; concept of relationship; good and bad experiences; successes and failures; disappointments and disillusionment; and one’s personal definition of faith and conviction.
As I consider my lifetime of teaching, advocating, and position taking, I see that truth in me. In 2050, Christians will discuss the 1990s’ view of Christianity and the direction of the church. Someone will quote us personally to verify a point. Will the quote be humorously nearsighted?
Thank you, God, for giving us grace for our sins instead of rewards for our prophecies.
Posted by David on November 9, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
I want to express genuine, personal appreciation for our elders. What they continue to do in our congregational family meetings is a tremendous leadership investment in the health of this congregation. It is not easy to provide a forum for the congregation to express itself. It is not simple to invite everyone with a view or a preference to express it. No “short cuts” are created by listening to diverse perspectives among our members. But it is infinitely healthy for the congregation. It is spiritually constructive for our present and our future. Thank you, elders, for the heart, spirit, and attitude you display in these meetings.
In last Sunday evening’s family meeting, one impressive thing was clearly evident. Each person who spoke was interested in influencing lives for Christ, in having a greater spiritual impact on the Fort Smith area, and in serving Christ’s purposes. Everyone who presented a thought, a view, or asked a question spoke from that perspective. As expected, there were diverse views concerning how to best accomplish our common concern. Numerous approaches were suggested. Differing avenues were recommended.
Each concern expressed was legitimate. All perspectives voiced were valid. All needs declared exist. Each idea has merits and limitations. Each who endorsed an idea, acknowledged a need, or favored a specific course of action saw the merits of his or her interests or concerns. The needs that capture our attention impress us.
May we pray earnestly for ourselves and for the congregation as we continue our exploration of possibilities. Pray that God will help us grow into the greatest possible spiritual influence.
Remember missions weekend! Remember the banquet Friday night. Be present for Bible class and both worship assemblies Sunday. Pray about our missions works and our missions funding for the coming year. If your fixed income will not permit you to be financially involved, pray for the work. The power is in God, and your prayers appropriate that power. May those of us who are capable of giving give generously.
Posted by David on November 2, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
After we entered this world, we loved for others to make our decisions. We influence those decisions by loudly declaring felt needs. Self-centered rebellion became a skill. But decisions? “You make them–I’ll reject them if I don’t like them.”
As adolescence stirred, we suddenly wanted to make every decision. The power of decision was life’s most precious right! It affirmed selfhood and created freedom!
In early adult life, we cherished decisions. Decisions created opportunity, were the foundation of dreams, and opened the gateway to achievement.
With age, decisions often were seen as curses. We cherished routine and despised change. Decisions always interrupted routine and initiated change.
We, as a congregation, will make a number of extremely important decisions in the coming year. Our choices will affect “now” in significant ways and will affect our future in critical ways. Each choice will directly impact our spiritual maturity, our effectiveness in touching hearts and minds, and our purposes and objectives as God’s people.
Some will want others to choose while they retain the right to be unhappy about the choices. Some will feel the spiritual adrenaline created by the adventure of bold new challenges. Some will dream dreams as they see the possibilities of new opportunity and accomplishment. Some will see “the curse” as the comfortable routine of “the way it was” is assaulted yet again by the horrible “c” word.
Yet, as you analyze all those reactions that describe most if not all of us, you see a prominent, obvious common threat. In each reaction the concern is principally about “me,” not about “Him.”
God’s will focuses on His eternal objectives. God’s purposes focus on His earthly pursuit of His eternal objectives. Commitment to God’s purposes achieve God’s will. God’s will cannot be achieved apart from pursuing His purposes.
Somewhere in the mist of past decades, we separate the will of God from the purposes of God. Jesus Christ is the actual, complete embodiment of both God’s will and purposes. While we frequently affirm the will, we commonly lose sight of the purpose. We use “the authority” concern to endorse the will, but what do we use to confirm the purpose? If we are somewhat successful in identifying the will, but lose all sight of the purpose, have we really advanced God’s cause in Fort Smith and on earth?
Read the gospels diligently to rediscover His purposes as well as His will in Jesus.
