Faith, Relationship, and Prayer

My wife checks her email every day. She normally finds an e-mail with a new recipe from a website she subscribes to. When we go to a doctor, we are prescribed a course of treatment to enable us to return to health. Often we are counseled about living life in way which prevents illnesses or debilitating diseases. Appealing and satisfying food needs recipes, healing needs a prescribed plan, and the ability to live healthily requires goals, discipline, and often endurance.

  

This past week we celebrated Easter Sunday. For Christians it is an annual day of celebration and rejoicing. We rejoice because our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is indeed risen from the dead and is alive forevermore! In the words of the old hymn "I serve a risen Savior; He’s in the world today." We rejoice to know He is alive.  

Thinking on the implications of the resurrection I was reminded of two scriptures. One is Romans 6:5-11. In this text Paul explains that one who is born again has indeed experienced that the old person (the old person separated from God by sin and in bondage to sin) has been put to death. In the same way he declares the one who is put to death in Christ is raised in Him. Verse 10 is significant because it emphasizes that the one raised in Christ Jesus is to live a new life unto God—a resurrected life. Verse 11 commands the one who is truly born again to be aware he or she is to live a resurrected life. 

The second scripture is found in Romans 8:11 which declares that “… He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” As I write this moment, a third scripture comes to mind. In Galatians 2:20 Paul says as a Christ follower, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." All of the scriptures emphasize a born-again Christ follower is to live a resurrected life. The question is: How do we live such a life? What does living a resurrected life look like, as we live it in this crazy and confused world?  

Jesus anticipated this question prior to His crucifixion, and He sought to prepare His disciples by providing a recipe or prescription for them. In John 14:1-14 our Lord teaches that one will live the resurrected life by faith in Him—faith in Him who establishes a place, in the very heart and presence of God, for all who are born again—faith in Him as the One who will guide us in the way, instruct us in truth, and enable us to know His life as we live the resurrected life toward the fulfillment of the hope He establishes. He also tells us He has revealed the Father to us in all He said and did. 

Jesus was even more majestic when He declared, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” The resurrected life is therefore eternal life, as we live in a personal and real knowing relationship with our Heavenly Father (John17:3). Then finally He sends those who are His Christ followers into the world to do greater works than He did because they will be empowered to declare and serve the Kingdom of God. He explained that the preeminent need for a Christ follower is prayer in His name—to live the resurrected life in a consistent prayerful relationship with the Father through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

The prescription or recipe is to believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ, to abide in a confident and real relationship with God as Abba Father, and to prayerfully live life in the hope of eternity. Thus Jesus explains that we abide in Him and He in us.  

Let us celebrate our Lord's resurrection by abiding in His love, praising our Heavenly Father forever, as we endure in His hope to His glory.

Dark Days, Angels of Light, and Glorious Grace

When reading through the Bible we find times when great people of God experience days of despair, disappointment, uncertainty, and even confusion. Most people recall the experience of Elijah who, after evoking and beholding the glory of our Heavenly Father on Mount Carmel, ran to a cave in despair. When reading the Psalms of David we often find him lamenting his plight before our God. Jeremiah and so many others of the prophets of God had dark days come upon them as they faithfully served their God. We know the Apostle Paul describes such an experience in his life in First Corinthians 1:8-11, and then he affirms dark days are experienced by most believers who faithfully serve the Lord in chapter 4, verses 7-9 of the same letter. Perhaps we can empathize with these experiences as we seek to live faithfully in Christ Jesus.

I was experiencing one such day recently. It seemed that concern for the future, obstacles to growth in the church’s ministry, and the grief expressed by some of the Lord's children over wrong attitudes and spirits they have experienced over the years from some who profess to be followers of Christ all seemed to coalesce to shroud my day in a dark cloud of despair. Of course such dark days are not pleasant for me, nor do I suppose them to be appreciated by others, but this day was a day of wonderful opportunity. It was in fact an opportunity to meet the Lord’s angels of light and experience His grace through them.

I encountered the first angel of light as I was seated with a fellow pastor and wonderful brother in Christ. He was sharing out of a pastor’s heart of care and concern for his people and the ministry the Lord had placed him in. He shared from his experience, but was speaking into my life words of encouragement and comfort which strengthened my soul.

After a time of wonderful fellowship and prayer I next found myself standing with a young man who was himself seeking to find how he might be faithful to His Lord. As we were speaking together the Spirit of God began to impress upon me the wonderful privilege afforded me. Here I was standing in a beautiful church building, speaking to a young believer who was a member of another church, and from a totally different cultural background half a world away. It was a moment of a marvelous and humbling reality. The question which came to my mind was: Who am I to deserve such a privilege as this? It was a moment of encounter with an angel of light further dispelling the darkness which seemed to have shrouded my day.

Then I went to a time of small group prayer. A wonderful brother of Christ came in to the small group and began to speak to another person about the song which was on his heart as he awoke that morning. It was to “give the sacrifice of praise unto the Lord.” It called to mind Hebrews 13, and as I turned to read this wonderful chapter, the Spirit of God spoke through the Word of God to shatter the darkness, dispel the cloud, and totally remove any remnant of the shroud of darkness as I realized anew our Lord's power and His presence. I was strengthened and renewed in joy as I heard my Lord call me once again to His side, instruct me from His hope, and pour His abundant grace out upon me. Truly I wonder, who is deserving of such a love and such marvelous grace?

In days of darkness we cannot seem to see the Light—yet the Light sees us and sends His angels of light. Through them He pours out immeasurable grace upon grace. How many times have we encountered His angels of light and missed them? How many times could we be angels of light in others lives but allow our busyness to keep us from it?

Let us abide so we might know His grace in the darkest of days, as He ministries through His angels of light.

Faithfulness, Opposition, and Faith

Christmas of 2010, the joy of celebrating Christ's day, has passed. All disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ have once again marveled at the wonder of God who has so loved the disenfranchised, the broken-in-spirit, the ones laboring in self-destructive self-centeredness, and the ones afflicted with the guilt of failure and sin. We continue to be amazed that He would send the Redeemer of the world to them. His disciples have once again gathered with the shepherds, the wise men, the innkeeper, and with Simeon in the temple to rejoice at the salvation of their Lord. As I reflect upon the incomprehensible grace of our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Lord, the words of an old hymn come to mind: "Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble." 

We continue to marvel with amazement at the grace of our Heavenly Father even as we have now crossed the threshold of a new year. 2010 is now another of those years gone by, and 2011 lies before us with all of its unknown hopes, blessings, opportunities, possibilities and challenges. We know it is filled with some, if not all, of these things for each of our lives. 

How will I face and journey through 2011 as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? This is the question which comes to my mind. Perhaps those who are reading this join me in the experience of prayerful consideration of our level of faithfulness to our Lord and the disciplines which enable us to abide in our Lord Jesus Christ as we journey through this next year. Our burden is not to just make it through the next year, but to do so faithfully fulfilling our Lord's will for us even when we encounter opposition along the paths of our lives.

Opposition comes from circumstances, from controlling or rebellious people, from strongholds in our lives, or our own personal failures. How do we faithfully continue day to day to follow our Lord and His redemptive activity in and through our lives? This would seem to be an appropriate question for churches as well.

I once again began reading through Deuteronomy as I continue to abide in the word of God through daily devotional reading. As I read in Chapter 2 of Moses’ recounting a portion of the journey of the people of God, I took note of three important aspects of a successful journey with God, which I offer for your prayerful considerations.

First I noticed Moses was able to discern the voice of God in the midst of many responsibilities, challenges, criticism, and even failures on the part of the people of God. This of course is a result of Moses’ response to God's call to cooperate with God the Father in His redemptive purposes. Moses had responded with a singular commitment to His call. All believers are saved by the grace of God in Christ Jesus. If we as disciples are to be able to discern the voice or will of God, we must respond with a singular commitment to cooperate with God in His redemptive purposes and love, in and through our lives.

Second, I noticed even as the people of God faithfully followed God’s leading, they encountered situations of potential or active opposition. Four such situations are recorded in Deuteronomy Chapter 2.

• First is the potential of conflict with the people of Esau as they were to pass through their land.
• Then we find the people of God in a similar situation as they journeyed through the lands of Moab.
• Again God’s people encountered the same scenario with the people of Ammon. 
• The fourth was very real opposition from King Sihon, who came out against the people of God as they were faithfully journeying with God.

When they experienced the first three occasions of possible opposition, God gave instruction to His people through Moses that they were not to go against the peoples that posed the possible challenges. The reason He gave for them not to do so is important. He was at work as the Sovereign of His creation, and His purposes were greater than the comfort, reputation, or desires of His people.

In our journey as disciples through this next year, we will encounter opposition. The opposition might be in circumstances, a change in direction, or through controlling or rebellious people around us. If we are to continue through 2011 faithfully, we will need to be abiding with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in order to discern His activity and cooperate with it.

Third I noticed that the instruction of our Lord was different when His people encountered King Sihon. The people of God were being faithful—even in the face of opposition. Even when God’s people follow Him faithfully, they may encounter intimidating opposition. Such opposition can evoke improper responses out of fear or even arrogance. The Israelites had learned a lesson at Kadesh Barnea where they rebelled against God because they thought the opposition before them was so great they could not continue the journey into the Promised Land as God was directing.

But this time they continued to be faithful to God's will and ways. They did not set themselves against King Sihon; they simply continued their journey with the Lord. King Sihon however rose up against them. He and his people stood against the people of God as they were seeking to be faithful. In verse 24 God spoke to Moses saying, "Go up against King Sihon for I have given him, his people, and his lands to you."

As disciples of Christ we will meet opposition, and we must abide in order to discern our Lord's activity in it. Sometimes we will simply move away from the opposition because of the Lord's activity, but at other times being faithful means we will meet and overcome the opposition. We need to exercise faith in the difficult circumstances. We must trust that our Lord is accomplishing His redemptive purposes, as we trust Him to work in us and sustain us in these difficult times.

We sometimes however must stand steadfastly and not submit to those people who would control or demand our submission to them when they stand in opposition to what we know is our Lord's will and ways as we continue our journey. We also must remember to stand steadfastly His way, empowered and guided by His Spirit, with complete faith in His presence and power.

We continue our journey with our Lord through life as we enter yet another year. Let us abide that we may be faithful on the journey, even in the midst of opposition, with complete dependence upon our Lord Jesus Christ who has loved us and given Himself for us. Let us abide as we remember His promise to never leave or forsake us.

Spiritual Lupus, Dry Bones, and Reconciliation

It has been some time since the last blog. Several significant events have occurred since my last blog. One of the most significant was the time I spent with fellow pastors and church members from the International Baptist Convention and the ministry of the guest speaker to the convention. It was a blessed oasis of spiritual refreshment. Recently the Lord has been very present to guide in significant messages for ministry, and a spirit of renewal seems to be growing among His people in His body at IBC Munich. It is an exciting time for the church.

Today I am mindful of a devastating disease which attacks joints, tissue, and blood cells of the body. Lupus for some unknown reason turns on the body and attacks it. It can have a tragic effect on the organs of the body and will severely limit the function of the body and the quality of life of the person afflicted by it.

As I think of this disease I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:18 as he speaks about the preeminence of Christ, who is the head of the church. He then identifies the church as His body. The image of the church as the body of Christ is used by Paul in I Corinthians 12 to describe the importance to the body of each member of the body. I highlight this in order to suggest that often we find the body of Christ afflicted with Spiritual Lupus as the members of the body seem to turn on one another. The consequence is that the body is so focused on itself that it eventually comes to a place of compromise and defeat. This can even result in the destruction of a local body of Christ. Spiritual Lupus is devastating when it afflicts a church, because it can reduce the church to a "valley of dry bones" as seen by the prophet Ezekiel.

The question which is put to Ezekiel is, "Can these dry bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3) Dr. John James answers this question for churches that seem to be devastated by this dreadful disease of Spiritual Lupus. He declares it in the title of his book: Dry Bones Can Live: How to Be a Part of a Healthy Church. Dr. James emphasizes that the treatment of reconciliation and covenant should be applied when a church appears to be a "valley of dry bones."

Dr. James focuses us on Matthew 18:15-20. Today I want to highlight two points made by Dr. James. First, when we are offended, hurt, or perceive ourselves to be the object of someone else’s negative judgment of us, we should go to that person and seek to be reconciled. Second, if the person does not hear us, then we are to take one or two others along with us. These two points will determine our personal spiritual health and the health of the church, and could even provide the cure for Spiritual Lupus.

Note how this can be the cure. First we are to go to the one we believe has offended us and speak directly to him or her in love. This is a cure for Spiritual Lupus, because we often go to those that we know will support or empathize with us, and we deliver a negative report to them about the “one who has offended us.” I wonder if any of us have ever been guilty of doing such a thing. (Perhaps we should all read I John 1:8 before we answer the question.) The moment we deliver such a negative report, we introduce the dreadful disease of Spiritual Lupus into our spiritual lives and the life of our church.

Next note that if our brother/sister doesn't hear us, then we are to take one or two others with us. This will necessitate a discussion of the offense with others. It is here that those who are receiving the report bear the responsibility. Dr. James points out the question which must be asked when one person begins to share a negative report about another: "Are you telling me this in order for me to be part of the reconciliation process?" This question is the preventative medicine we need to have in our hearts and minds in order that we do not introduce Spiritual Lupus into our lives. We must apply the preventative medicine, but the cure also requires restitution. We need to be able to go to those about whom we have given a negative report, and we need to ask their forgiveness; then we must covenant with the Lord not to deliver a negative report about another in the future.

If Spiritual Lupus is affecting your life and the life of our church, then let me recommend that you reconcile with your brothers and/or sisters and covenant with our Lord not to do so in the future. Such action is, after all, the only cure. Let us be reconciled that we might fully abide.

Seasons, Life, and The Preacher

Today my morning walk took me through our beautiful little community south of Munich, along a gorgeous path through a beautiful park, and on the way into a very peaceful forest. As I walked, I noticed golden leaves floating from the branches where they lived and thrived through the seasons of spring and summer. The leaves fell and joined others, as together they formed a golden carpet over the paths along which I walked. As the cool breeze of autumn refreshed my face, I began to think how seasons change to offer a continual feast of beauty to those who can have the desire or capability to perceive it.

Such an experience often calls my attention to life and life experiences. I of course reflect on the glory of our Heavenly Father expressed in and through His creation, but today I was caused to think of the grief which had suddenly invaded the lives of people who are in some way very significant to me. Some from many years ago, others more recently, have been thrown into a time of grief. As I reflected on their lives and their losses, I allowed my thoughts to once again reflect on the realities of life. Life is beautiful in every respect. It is unimaginable that one could witness the birth of a child and not be humbled by the majesty of God as He once again bestows life. We then witness children growing up, and so often we fail to appreciate the beauty of all the changes involved in their lives individually and in their family’s life as they change and mature. Maturity brings with it preparation for an ultimate independence as they make their way through life.

The joys experienced, achievements made, the challenges overcome, relationships formed and relationships lost all can join together to weave a beautiful tapestry of life. Some tapestries portray a life filled with hope, even when loss is very real and often repeated. Even when joy fades, failures disappoint, or life becomes uncertain, hope sustains. Lives filled with such hope portray a special beauty through all the seasons of life, and this beauty glorifies God and sustains a joy. Other tapestries seem to picture lives lived in hopelessness. These lives seem to be characterized by despair, often bitterness, emptiness, and a tragic self-focus.

Life is wonderful, but no life is free from loss—and all loss will cause a sense of grief for each one who has experienced it. What makes the difference between the two is the subject of many explanations, philosophical discussions, sermons, and thoughts. As I walked, I thought of those who had suffered recent loss and the words of our Lord echoed in my mind, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." The question is, “From where does this comfort come?” The Bible explains that hope is not only the basis for our endurance, but it is also the source of our comfort. For hope flows from the very nature of our Heavenly Father's love revealed in His Son Jesus Christ, who has loved us so much that He gave Himself for us.

Solomon wrote a truth thousands of years ago which is relevant to life for each of us today. After his reflection on almost every aspect of life he wrote, "The end of the matter; all has been heard, fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind." To understand this ultimate truth about life is to be able to know the beauty and wonder of life and the comfort of our Heavenly Father's love in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This leads me to once again encourage us to abide in Christ, for to abide in Christ is to know the hope of the very love of God. This hope reminds us of our purpose of life, and it provides the hope in the love of our Heavenly Father, which enables us to rejoice in life through all of its seasons and, yes, be comforted in our grief.

Good Seed, Weeds, and Harvest

My practice is to maintain a routine schedule of prayerfully reading through the Bible and interacting with the Scripture. As I do so, I experience the Lord's ministering to me through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I receive much needed encouragement; other times I receive instruction and wisdom concerning matters about which I am seeking answers and/or guidance. Often times I am convicted or even rebuked by the Spirit as I am confronted in the Word.

Recently I have been reading through the Gospel of Matthew. Each time I begin to read through Matthew I always look forward to the parables of Chapter 13. This past week I once again was enjoying reading these parables. My attention was arrested as I read "The Parable of the Weeds" in verses 24-30 and our Lord’s explanation of the parable in verses 36-43.

Most who are reading this remember the story. A farmer sowed good seed in his field, and he did so with the anticipation of a productive harvest. His success in raising a crop which would produce a good harvest was threatened when his enemy came and sowed bad seed in the field.

As I read this portion of the story, I was reminded of a conversation I once had with a wheat farmer. He explained that he had to be careful each year as he harvested his crop because there was a weed he called "cheat" that would grow in his wheat field along with his crop. He explained the problem was that the "cheat" (weed) would look just like the wheat until it was almost mature and ready for harvest. He also explained that he could not get rid of the "cheat" until harvest time because he would damage too much of his other crop to do so. He had to wait, and then when harvesting the wheat he had to be careful to sift out the "cheat" because he would destroy the integrity of the crop if it were allowed to be included with the wheat.

The dangers the farmer spoke of are represented in the parable told by our Lord. The first danger is that of the crop being destroyed by the weeds sowed by the enemy. We realize this danger and realize the weeds cannot be allowed in the final harvest. We therefore are often tempted to go and root them out of the field in some way—the second danger. Our Lord explains that if we were to make such an attempt, we would destroy the good crop while doing so. Our motives would be correct, but our self-reliant approach would be destructive.

This reminds me of those times when I have been guilty of falling prey to being the spiritual policeman for a congregation. I also am reminded of the destruction of churches and of many spiritual lives that have been compromised when the self-righteous of a congregation take it upon themselves to attack others because they have judged them to be weeds. Such people seem to have a sense of self importance and arrogance in their approach, which has more to do with their pride or agendas than it does with the holiness of God. Weeds can be destructive in more ways than just by contaminating the crop. They can be used by the enemy to tempt sincere people to wrong attitudes and actions which will be more destructive than contamination.

Weeds however cannot be allowed to be part of the harvest, or the harvest will be ruined. Here we find much instruction from our Lord concerning weeds. They are among us, but we must be guided by our Lord's wisdom in our relationship with them. First we must live as the good seeds—by honoring the ways and will of our Lord as we grow as citizens of the Kingdom of God. We must not allow ourselves to be tempted to hatred, resentment, or self-righteous behavior toward the weeds, but we must continue to trust our Lord. The harvest is the end of the age. The weeds may grow alongside the good wheat and may even look like wheat, but when the harvest comes (the end of the age) the weeds will be recognized for what they are and will be gathered out from among the children of the Kingdom and will be destroyed. How tragic for them. Perhaps if we remember the counsel of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love," some of the weeds might become true wheat and be included in the harvest.

As I read this parable once again I am encouraged, instructed, and challenged. I am encouraged to know that the harvest does not depend on my being the spiritual policeman. I am instructed by my Lord in how to continue, even when it seems like some weeds are around me, and I am challenged to take account of the hope that is within me.

Every person born of the Spirit knows and recognizes the destructive nature of unrepented sin in one’s life. All too many churches understand how the spiritual power of the congregation is limited by sin. In the same way many churches have experienced the destruction and compromise of their witness by the manner in which they chose to deal with the weeds. So let us so abide that we can respond to the weeds [and even those who destroy others as they try to remove the weeds] out of the Lord’s counsel, out of our trust in the Lord, and out of the Lord’s love.

Wisdom, Arrogance, and Peace

Today I am mindful of how dependent I am on wisdom. Not just any wisdom, however, will do. I must have wisdom from above. This being true, a legitimate question is How do we know wisdom which is from above?

To answer this question I turn to James 3:13-18. In this passage I find a type of wisdom which can best be described as arrogance. It seems everyone has an opinion, and everyone has a dominant yet basic motivation behind what he or she does. This is true in the Christian community as well as outside the church. It is even true of those who are faithful in attendance at church and in ministry.

According to this scripture arrogance is the expression of wisdom which is motivated by impure and selfish ambitions or desires. These ambitions can be legion. Motivations can be pure, or they can be selfish. Normally ambitious wisdom is characterized by a desire for and an insistence upon control or self-advancement. It is the kind of wisdom that cultivates important relationships, uses deceptive ploys, and manipulates people to achieve what one has determined to accomplish.

Ambitious wisdom normally breeds resentments, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, and even hatred toward others. It often seems to disregard the good of others and even the ultimate impact upon the witness of the name of the Lord and His church. It divides and condemns in order to justify itself.

However, wisdom from above, that is authentic wisdom, is discernable as well. Wisdom from above is first pure in its motives. It is wisdom that rises out of a sincere commitment to and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Such wisdom enables obedience to His command to love God, oneself (appropriately) and others. It is reasonable—that is, it is willing to yield and give way when it recognizes an equal or more effective way of accomplishing the Lord's purposes.

Wisdom from above considers others and does not insist upon its own. Wisdom from above is peaceable. It may require sacrifice, but it will always defer to the truth of God. It does not compromise, but holds forth the teachings of the Scriptures as an authority intended to bring peace to life, family, community, and church. It is peace that flows from above through an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is the descriptive authority:

James 3:13–18 (ESV)
Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The final word in this portion of scripture is highly instructive to me: A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jesus said it this way, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God."

Let us never call right wrong or wrong right, but let us be sowers of seeds in peace. Let us abide that we may know and exercise wisdom from above, be peacemakers, and avoid the evil traps of arrogance.