Our Only Hope - Jesus (Part 4)

 

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” (John 11:32-36 ESV).

 

Grief is universal. We have all experienced  the bitter pain of saying good-bye to a loved one who has died. Maybe you have shed tears at the funeral of your spouse, or you have endured the unimaginable pain of burying a child. That walk through the valley of the shadow of death may have been last month or many years ago, but the ache never goes away.

 

Unfortunately people don’t always know what to do with those who mourn. Well-meaning folks may try to minimize the pain by using trite phrases or empty words. We might sentimentalize death or deny the finality of it. Jesus cautions us that denying our pain is a dead-end road that offers little comfort.

 

In Jesus’ kingdom, mourning is a reminder of comfort. Jesus himself, when confronted with the reality of the grave, wept (John 11:35). He mourned. He grieved. And he grieves with us in the loss of a spouse, child, or other loved one. He stands alongside us in our pain, and he sheds tears with us.

 

But that’s not all. Jesus came not only to shed tears; he came to shed his blood. He faced death squarely, submitted himself to it, and conquered it. Because he triumphed over death, we can be assured that one day we will live in a world without disease, mourning, or death. Knowing that Jesus has overpowered death offers us comfort when we mourn.

 

He is truly our only hope in such a time as grief! Lean on His promise to conquer the hold of death in your life.

 

Our Only Hope - Jesus (Part 3)

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is ka shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. (Psalm 91:1-10 ESV).

 

If you know how big and scary and difficult the world is, our reading today is for you. These are words of comfort: God is our shelter; God will cover us with his feathers spread wide, and under God’s wings we will find refuge. Birds do that by instinct; they see a threat and spread their wings, forming a canopy of protection. Their offspring run for cover and huddle there until the danger passes. Reflecting on the relationship between God and ourselves, the psalmist says God will protect us in a way like that. We can find refuge under his wings. Surely God will shield and protect us.

 

However, it also happens that sometimes a threat doesn’t pass us by, and we don’t feel protected at all. The promise is not that pain and tragedy will mysteriously flow around us, but that ultimately nothing can separate us from the reach of our God’s arms, from his love.

 

We live “in the shelter of the Most High”; we rest and find comfort “in the shadow of the Almighty.” We do not fear because the all-powerful God of heaven and earth is here with us, walking alongside and in front of us and behind us, as a mother hen who will never abandon her young.

 

We’re safe in God’s care, and he is always with us. Our only hope of such protection is found in Jesus alone!

 

Our Only Hope - Jesus (Part 2)

 

[Jesus said] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 ESV).

 

The Bible does not ignore trouble. From the garden in Genesis to the final battle in Revelation, trouble is a part of the picture. Our reading comes from the fourteenth chapter of John’s gospel. It is full of incredible encouragement as Jesus and His disciples face the last moments of His life on earth. We see that even here in the room with Jesus and his disciples there has been trouble. Jesus has spoken of Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial. While the intimate picture John paints of Jesus’ last hours with his disciples is beautiful in many ways, it is not a perfect picture. And for this we can be glad, for our lives are not perfect pictures either.

 

A spiritual song that came out of the United States’ use of slavery says, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” Not one of us gets through life without encountering difficulty and pain. Sometimes our troubles are so deep, our pain so profound, that it’s hard to have hope. If this describes your life right now, know that Jesus’ words are for you. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

 

Please notice that Jesus is not saying we should simply ignore or minimize our troubles. No. Jesus’ instructions are simple: Trust the Father; trust me. That is what’s needed. That is what brings hope to a troubled heart. Trust the One who holds your future. Trouble does not have the final word. Trust Jesus, who has given his life to secure for you an eternal home and who offers hope for your troubled heart today.

 

Our Only Hope - Jesus (Part 1)

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV).

 

This week has been packed with both joys and sorrows. Earlier I attended the funeral of a young man (51 years old) that I have known since his early teens. It was a wonderful celebration of life but still filled with sorrow for his family and friends. Mid-week was filled with ministry to people with various challenges in their lives. During the weekend, I officiated the wedding of a young couple whose lives I have been involved in. It was a very delightful joy to be a part of this new adventure for them. However, in the midst of this joy is the anxiety of the future. These things reminded me of the ever-present potential of change, both good and bad in our world.

 

In fact, it is not a stretch for us to say our world today is filled with turmoil. But not only our world, but our personal lives are also full of stress, sorrow, and grief. Sometimes we wonder how we can make it through the day. The Bible has much to say about suffering and grief. Its pages often encourage us to “Fear not” when we become terrified and to “Take refuge in the Lord” when overcome with sorrow. Many people have found comfort in the opening words of an old confession, the Heidelberg Catechism. This confession was first used in 1563 as a teaching tool in churches in Germany, but soon other churches and believers found comfort in its teachings as well. The confession begins by asking this question:

What is your only comfort in life and in death? The answer affirms: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

 

I am aware that the topic of suffering fills the minds of many—even the most faithful of believers. So, today I will begin a little series of devotions entitled “Our Only Hope – Jesus.” It is my prayer that these readings will encourage you in your struggles and provide hope, comfort, and a way to live in and through the hard times of sorrow and grief. I encourage you to commit yourself to the truth that Jesus is indeed the One who is our Light in the darkness that can never be overcome!

 

Making Disciples, Being Available

 

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 ESV).

 

This last installment of Morning Devotionals around the them of making disciples requires a confession. Before that, let me give you a bit of context to the attached picture. Mary and I were in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, having finished a delightful lunch at the Apple Barn Restaurant and decided to sit down on the bench among the fall decorations just off the porch. The weather was pleasant and it was not very crowded. As we were sitting for a bit a lady, whom we did not know, walked up to us and began to talk to us. She stayed for a bit after asking some questions about where we were from, whether we had been to the Smokies before, how was the food, and other benign conversation starters. Well, here’s the confession, I’m not that interested in having conversations with strangers. However, it happens all the time. My family has often teased me asking if I was wearing my sign? The “sign” is the imaginary one that reads “please talk to me.” I promise I don’t ever do anything to encourage people to randomly start talking to me, but they do. After a bit, the stranger complimented us on how we looked like such a “nice old couple,” and then offered to take a picture of us together with our camera.

 

I was thankful for the photo. We don’t often get to take those photos since we typically travel alone. However, talking to strangers is a bit more than I want to do to get one. That is the opposite of what God desires from us as we take on the act of making disciples. Jesus often stopped to talk with and care for people who had needs or questions—people who were poor, ill, or doubtful. This took a lot of time and energy. Jesus understood self-care and made time for prayer and quiet away from everyone, but he also made himself radically available to whomever he met. That should be our focus as well.

 

Even as he prepared to ascend to heaven, Jesus promised to be with his followers. When Jesus gave his parting instructions, he did not abandon his disciples to the task, but rather said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus has given us his Spirit to walk with us through whatever challenges we face. The Spirit is always here, God with us. Of course, we can’t match the 24/7 availability of the Holy Spirit, but we can choose to give people high priority. Jesus made time for people and reminds us that whatever we do for others, we do for him (cf. Matthew 25:40). In the Spirit of Christ, we should make ourselves available to help others along the way. This is how we can serve, guide, redirect, encourage, confront, teach, share, testify, question, understand, listen, advise, and teach others as Jesus did. Be available. It will amaze you how often people will read “your sign” and give you the opportunity to share with them.

 

Making Disciples, Teaching Generosity

 

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (Acts 9:36-42 ESV).

 

Often mentoring will involve giving to others. When we recognize that every gift we have is from God’s hand and not something we have earned or are entitled to, we become more open to sharing our time, talents, and possessions. As we are filled with God’s grace, the natural response is to share generously with others. Dorcas was known for her compassion for the poor in her community. She was known for doing good and investing in those who had needs. Her relationship with God was not just for herself but also for the benefit of others.

 

The death of Dorcas left her community in distress. Friends searched for Peter to see if there was something he could do. Widows showed him all the clothing Dorcas had made for them—gifts that reminded them of her love. Gifts placed in the hand of someone in need point to the hand of the heavenly Father, who loves us completely and generously supplies all that we need.

 

Our culture tends to focus on accumulating wealth instead of giving to people in need. Dorcas, described as a disciple, was one who imitated the generosity of God. This act of generosity, was a model for all those who encountered her. This is the example for us as we seek to make disciples of all people.

 

Making Disciples, Teaching Courage

 

Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:19-25 ESV).

 

Today’s reading is from a larger context (Daniel 3:1-30) that most people are familiar with. It is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They knew that their first allegiance was to God and they should worship only him. Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize any authority above his own; he wanted to be the object of worship. He had commissioned a great statue and ordered that everyone must bow and worship his image or face execution by fire in a furnace.

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to face the anger of the king and even die rather than deny their heavenly Father, in whose image they were made. They faced adversity with courage and modeled for the king what it looked like to honor the convictions of their faith. Their testimony is compelling. In effect, they said, “We believe God is able to save us, but even if he does not do that in this life, we will not worship anyone but him.”

 

This statement enraged the king so much that he raised the temperature to the point that even the soldiers in charge of these men were killed by the heat. But God protected his servants from the fire and allowed them to leave the furnace unscathed. After the dramatic rescue of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the king had a change of heart and praised God. Their faith mentored the king himself.

 

Courage to stand up for your convictions in the face of adversity is one of the principles that must be taught through the modeling of wise mentors. Are you committed to being such a person?

 

Making Disciples, Teaching the Meaning of Grace

 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-7 ESV).

 

The opening lines of Paul’s letter to the Colossians are filled with praise. The good news of salvation and new life in Christ was spreading throughout the region, and the community was overflowing with God’s love. Epaphras played an instrumental role in starting the church in Colossae. He faithfully shared the gospel message with the people and helped them understand the hope to which God had called them. He helped the people understand God’s grace.

 

When we understand grace, we see ourselves differently; and then we are able to see others differently. We develop love and generosity for others because that is what God has given us. By God’s grace we are forgiven our sins and given new life to enjoy with God forever, guided by his Holy Spirit.

 

For the Colossian church, God’s grace was transforming their world. They were producing the fruit of the Spirit, the gospel message was going out into the world, and people were coming to faith.

 

Part of our role in discipling others is to help them understand the message of God’s grace. Once we have understood the depths of God’s grace for us, we want others to know it too. This becomes a foundational truth in our relationships. It also becomes the most essential tool for advancing the growth of others to become more like Christ. Shame and guilt are replaced by a desire to learn more of Him and the freedom to model His life before others. Show this grace to others!

 

Making Disciples, Teaching the Value of Relationships

 

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of lZoar. (This was before the Lord mdestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) (Genesis 13:1-10 ESV).

 

Abraham had mentored Lot for years, but their family cooperative had reached its limits. The local grazing land could not support both of their herds. Their herdsmen argued as their disagreements grew. They needed more space. Abraham could have sided with his men against Lot or told Lot to know his place, but instead he valued their relationship over the petty details of disagreements. Abraham wanted to bless Lot and put tension out of their relationship.

 

Abraham loved Lot enough to give him the opportunity to take the best land. He was not concerned with having the best for himself but was willing to let Lot make the first choice. He would accept whatever remained. Rather than squabbling, Abraham trusted God to take care of him and provide for his needs. He demonstrated to Lot that he cared about him. Abraham showed Lot that their relationship was more important than arguing over material things and desires.

 

All families can struggle when there is too much togetherness. Being too close under one roof, for example, can lead to tensions in relationships. Are you prioritizing relationships in your life? Are you teaching others to do the same? It is an imperative if we are to teach the abundant life Jesus desires for us.

 

Making Disciples, Teaching Obedience

 

Now man angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31 ESV).

 

It’s easier to be obedient when it’s my idea. When it is someone else who commands the action, it is much more difficult. And, when it is counter-intuitive, well, that’s nearly impossible. Obedience, even when counter-intuitive, involves submitting to authority or a command despite it seeming illogical or against one's instincts. This often requires trusting the source of the command, even if the reason isn't immediately clear, and acting on it. It can be challenging because it goes against the human desire for autonomy and understanding, but it always leads to positive spiritual growth.  

 

The Ethiopian in our reading today was a prominent official. He had charge of his queen’s treasury. He was also a God-fearing man and was returning from Jerusalem, where he had gone to worship God. During the long chariot ride home he occupied himself by reading from the book of Isaiah. As the man struggled to understand what it all meant, God connected him with a teacher.

 

God sent an angel to direct Philip to the desert road heading south. Philip obeyed, and the Spirit urged him to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian official. As Philip heard the man reading, his heart opened to engage with him over the Scriptures. Philip asked a loving question: “Do you understand what you are reading?”

 

Because Philip was obedient in following God’s leading, he was given the opportunity to see God’s transformative power in the life of this man from a foreign land. It certainly was a direct question, though I sense a gentleness coming from Philip. I wonder if God may be working in your life directing you to an Ethiopian traveling in your path. Be bold in your confidence to trust the Spirit’s leading. Trust the Spirit to guide you.

Making Disciples, Developing a Teachable Spirit

 

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV).

 

Another essential in making disciples is cultivating a teachable spirit. Elijah the prophet placed his cloak over the shoulders of Elisha the farmer. At God’s command, Elijah was summoning Elisha to leave his farm and take on the work of prophet for God’s people. Elisha was to be Elijah’s apprentice. This was not a small request, and it would require great commitment from Elisha.

 

Elisha made his commitment clear. He brought an end to his old occupation by killing his oxen, burning the plow to cook the meat, and sharing it with his family and neighbors. They joined in as witnesses recognizing this change in his life. Elisha wanted to show God and everyone that he was fully committed to this new call and mentoring relationship. Trusting God as he went forward, Elisha did not look back.

 

Discipleship requires a willingness to be taught and redirected. It requires a commitment to letting the Spirit work in our lives. Hesitation and looking back are not going to work. Either God is our only comfort, or we will try in vain to find comfort elsewhere. Discipleship does not always demand a major career change, but it does require placing everything in God’s service. Taking a step of faith requires a full commitment to being discipled.

 

A teachable spirit also requires the development of humility. We must recognize we are not always right! In fact, I’ve found I’m often wrong. The Holy Spirit sees to it that I find the right answer to every question. Trust in Him!

 

Making Disciples, the Sovereignty of God

 

“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! If you say, ‘How we will pursue him!’ and, ‘The root of the matter is found in him,’ be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.” (Job 19:23-29 ESV).

 

Job endured the worst of life’s trials. He felt the grief of the death of his children, he suffered the pain of failing health, he was rejected by his friends, and his wife urged him to simply “curse God and die.” Yet, he modeled for his friends and family how to stand before God in these trials. Job did not curse God as his wife had suggested (Job 2:9). And he did not listen to the bad advice that his friends gave him. He knew the plan of God for him was good.

 

One thing was clear to Job: “I know that my redeemer lives.” Job understood that he had a big God who was in control and that one day, when all the suffering was over, he would understand more fully. Job did not pretend he had not suffered. He had lost nearly everything. He had also lost all respect in the community. Everyone looked down on him, assuming he had sinned. His life was miserable, but that did not change the central truth that God was still in control.

 

The only thing Job repented of was that he eventually demanded an explanation from God. He learned it was enough to trust that God was in control and had a plan for his life. (cf. Job 40-42.)

 

There is much we do not fully understand in this life, and, like Job, we can envision that in heaven one day our understanding will be clear. However, if we are to teach others to experience the fullness of God’s presence and power, we must teach them in word and deed that God knows what He is doing and the end of it is always good. Even when things are a mess, we must believe that the God of the universe is still in control.

 

Naking Disciples, Learning to Listen

 

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:1-10 ESV).

 

Listening for God is an important life skill, and God is not silent. We live in a noisy culture that often speaks in ways that are contrary to God’s voice. It can be difficult to hear God if we are more in tune with the voice of this world. As we disciple others we should teach them to listen for the voice of God. Of course, this requires that we become more adept at hearing God’s voice as well. Our reading illustrates that today.

 

Samuel was confused. He heard a voice and thought it was his mentor, Eli, calling for him. He kept going to Eli’s room until Eli realized that the voice was God trying to get Samuel’s attention. That was the beginning of Samuel’s journey to become one of the most important prophets of the Old Testament.

 

As we listen for God, we will be more in tune with his leading in our lives. Eli mentored Samuel by teaching him how to respond to God’s voice: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”—in other words, “I am ready to hear what you have to say, and I am ready to obey!” God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks through creation, giving testimony to his faithfulness and creativity. He speaks through the Scripture, where we come to understand his salvation and purpose for us. He speaks through wise mentors in our lives. He speaks through life situations, opening and closing doors. God speaks by his Holy Spirit, equipping us with gifts and passions to use for service in his kingdom. All of these are essential in learning to listen to the voice of God as He speaks into our lives.

 

Making Disciples, Trusting God's Plan

 

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:1-5 ESV).

 

Joseph’s story contains all the drama of reality television. In a shocking revelation, he exposed the truth about what had become of him. The misfit whom his brothers had sold into slavery was now a powerful ruler in Egypt! What would happen now that the tables had turned and Joseph was in control? His brothers, who had plotted his death, were now at his mercy! The brothers were terrified, unable even to answer Joseph. They had lived their lives in guilt and shame, and now came the moment of truth.

 

Fortunately for the brothers, Joseph was focused not on revenge but on how God had been at work in his life all along. Joseph had had some time to consider his situation, and his conclusion was this: God put me here, and he has a plan for my life. Joseph could see how the difficulties in his life prepared him for the leadership position he now had. He could see how God had protected and guided him through all his experiences.

 

As we disciple others, we must be willing to share glimpses we have seen of God’s faithfulness in our lives, equipping us for the challenges we have faced. God uses both the good and the bad for the greater good and for his glory. This first-hand accounts of the truth of God working in our lives must be shared to have the full effect in the lives of others. Don’t be afraid to use your story of God’s work in your life. It is the most irrefutable truth we possess!

 

Making Disciples, Teaching Obedience by Obeying

 

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-14 ESV).

 

Abraham must have been heartbroken. God had told him to sacrifice his beloved son. Through this only heir, Abraham and his descendants were to be blessed (cf. Genesis 17:19). It could not have made sense to Abraham, but he trusted God and responded in obedience. Isaac too knew the love of his father, Abraham, and trusted him enough to follow his instructions.

 

Abraham modeled obedience to God for Isaac to see. If his father said that God would provide, that was enough. They did not know God’s plan, but they trusted God to be in charge. By faith “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” (Hebrews 11:19).

 

It is hard to trust God when we do not understand his plan, when we cannot make sense of what God is calling us to do. Rather, we long to preserve the illusion that we are in control of our life. We want God to work things out according to our plan, but that is not the way God works. God asks us to trust him and to obey.

 

To disciple others, we must be disciples. While we certainly cannot be perfect, we can be growing in our sanctification. This will involve our learning more to trust God and obey Him. That act becomes a powerful teaching tool. Our example is essential in the process of making disciples. How can we expect others to do more than we are willing to do? Trust and obey!

 

Making Disciples, Developing Trust

 

Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-16 ESV).

 

Our reading today illustrates the importance of developing a relationship of trust in order to teach others how to trust. The widow of Zarephath was preparing to make her last meal. A drought had caused a severe famine, and she was out of food. Unable to feed her family, she was not looking to give the prophet her last piece of bread. Rather, despair was on her agenda: We are going to eat this last bread and then die. Elijah asked her for the one thing she didn’t think she could spare. Giving up her last resource, she could only lean on God. In this desperate moment she was pushed beyond her very limits to endure. She was out of food and without any options, but God was ready to work a miracle. What she needed was to trust God enough to be obedient.

 

Perhaps the greatest challenge in our lives is remaining confident that God is in charge and trusting him to work out the best plan for us. Godly mentors develop a relationship of trust and stretch us in our obedience to God. God challenges us to move beyond our expectations and imaginings and to respond in obedience to the calling he has placed on our lives.

 

Disciple-makers are called to help others to stretch in new ways. Accomplishing that requires that we develop a relationship of trust with those we lead. Then it requires that we teach by both word and deed. Commit yourself to being that kind of believer.

Making Disciples, a Lost Art

 

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. (Exodus 18:13-22 ESV).

 

Making disciples, in a Christian context, is about actively helping others grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It involves more than just sharing the gospel; it's a process of teaching, modeling, and encouraging others to follow Jesus's teachings and live according to his example. For the next few weeks I want us to look at the examples in Scripture of how God has designed this wonderful ministry into His plan for the redemption of His children and their sanctification.

 

In our reading today we find the father-in-law of Moses, who cared about his daughter’s family. Moses had a big job but was exhausting. In compassion, Jethro offered Moses advice to help him work in a healthier way: “What you are doing is not good… the work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (v. 18). Jethro offered his wisdom to Moses in love. He wanted to help Moses avoid the burnout of trying to do all the leadership himself. Moses, thankfully, had a teachable spirit. He could have ignored his father-in-law’s wisdom and continued down the path toward exhaustion, but Moses chose instead to follow Jethro’s advice. He could have received this as criticism of his work, but instead Moses heard it as a gift from a wise mentor.

 

God calls us to care about the people around us. Sometimes caring means sharing our wisdom, and other times it means being willing to be taught. The Spirit knits the church together for our benefit and for God’s glory. We can benefit from the godly wisdom of our brothers and sisters if we keep a teachable spirit. This is certainly at the heart of what we have called “The Great Commission.” Jesus told His disciples prior to ascending back to heaven:

 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-29 ESV).

 

While we all have various gifts and personalities, we all have this common calling to make disciples.

 

God's Story Has a Hallmark Ending!

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV).

 

You may not be familiar with the Hallmark Channel and its productions. I especially like the Christmas movies they air during the season. All of them are entertaining and they inevitably move toward what has been called a "Hallmark ending." This typically refers to a conclusion in a movie or story where everything works out happily ever after, often with romantic love as the central theme. These endings are characterized by resolution, reconciliation, and a sense of closure, often involving a romantic kiss or a declaration of love. While some find these predictable and formulaic, I appreciate the optimistic and feel-good nature of such conclusions, especially in the context of romantic comedies or holiday films. It is not often that I see such a story in real life. When they do happen, I am reminded that God’s story has such an ending already planned and being implemented.

 

In the middle of a difficult story it can be comforting to know that things will turn out well in the end. Then, even if part of the story is distressing, you know that things will be resolved later. The same is true in God’s big story for us and his world. It begins in a perfect world, but we’re in the middle now, and a fierce battle is raging around us. When the forces of evil bring suffering or fear into our lives, it can be reassuring to know how our story will end.

 

I think that’s one of the main reasons why God included the book of Revelation in the Bible. Sometimes Christians mistakenly treat the last book in the Bible as a collection of end time trivia over which we can speculate. But the real purpose of the book is to give a credible response to the request “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Jesus summarizes the entire book of powerful visions and apocalyptic imagery with these simple promises: “I am making everything new,” and “I am coming soon.” We’re still in the middle of our stories, but we can trust that, in Christ, the end will be amazingly good!

 

Living Your Story in Peace

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9 ESV).

 

There is often an incredible contrast in living with frantic anxiety and deep, lasting peace. Followers of Jesus are given enough of their story at a time to live at peace. I’ve seen and experienced this throughout my life. Some of our stories actually start pretty badly, with broken families, bodies, and emotions that experience deep pain—and often terrible kinds of abuse. Even so, we can still know that our Storyteller has promised to work everything out for good by the end of the story. And that means that if everything’s not yet all right, then we’re not yet at the end.

 

As we live in the part of the story between our brokenness today and God’s “happily ever after” someday, we can know that every chapter of our story will somehow serve the purpose that God wrote into our lives from the very beginning. This is our assurance from the promises of God. This is the first step toward achieving a peaceful life.

 

In fact, when we live with a story that is punctuated with trial and difficulty, we should practice an intentionality and mindfulness rooted in the truth that this is merely God’s perfect way of delivering the ultimate good in our life. Instead of feeling the cold desperation of scrambling for everything, we can relax. Instead of trying nervously to achieve some success right now, we can allow God’s Holy Spirit to make us new over time. Because we know that the end of our story will be a good one, we can let God create his fruit in us: his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). And through it all, God’s peace surrounds us like a shield.

 

Remember we are in a cross-country marathon, not a sprint!

 

Defiance toward God's Story by Pretending

 

And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.” And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” (Isaiah 29:11-14 ESV).

 

As I wrote in the last few days, sometimes we defy God deliberately; and, at other times we try to resist him passively, giving God the silent treatment as we refuse to pray, worship, or even talk about him. We also resist God when we pretend to be following Him. We merely go through the motions, even though our hearts aren’t in it. There are times when we do this simply because we believe our pain is too great to let anyone see it. There are other more insidious reasons for hypocrisy. Those are the most damaging.

 

Sometimes we do that in our marriages or families. We may dutifully go through the motions of fulfilling our spouse’s demands, while inwardly bristling at the burdens placed on us. Or we may technically do the tasks on our parent’s chore list, but the look on our face shows that we’re not doing it willingly.

 

Sometimes we also do that with God. We appear to be participating wholeheartedly in the things of God, but it’s mostly for appearances. We may sing in worship or participate in the discussion at a Bible study, but our participation has more to do with not wanting to look bad in front of our friends than really wanting to honor God. One of the scary aspects of organized religion is that we can easily “fake it.” It’s possible to go through the motions in church for years while carefully keeping God at arm’s length. The result is usually a grim religiosity lacking in faithfulness and joy.

 

Whatever the motivation, God is asking us for truth in our relationship. He doesn’t desire our meaningless activities. He desires a genuine relationship… the good, the bad, and the ugly. All of it He is working together for our great good!

Passive Defiance toward God's Story

 

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 ESV).

 

Most of us don’t deliberately defy God very often. But that doesn’t mean we always accept his story line for our lives. Instead, we simply find subtle ways to resist God’s working in our lives. For instance, one thing we try is to give God the silent treatment. Some people are masters at giving others the silent treatment. The silent treatment is a form of non-communication where one person intentionally refuses to engage with another, either by not speaking or not acknowledging their presence. It can be a passive-aggressive tactic used to express displeasure, disapproval, or contempt. While it can feel temporarily satisfying to the person giving it, the silent treatment can have damaging long-term consequences on relationships.

 

When a conflict comes up in their family or workplace, they simply stop communicating. They withdraw and become silent, hoping that their furious silence will convince people to see things their way. They can communicate something very clearly without saying a word. This is true spiritually as well. We turn away in silence, thinking that our silence will somehow convince Him to keep his distance. We stop praying or serving, and whenever possible we find excuses to avoid Bible study or worship. And if we find we must engage in any of those activities, we make clear that we’re simply going through the motions. Of course, it’s silly to try to keep secrets from a God who knows everything, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try it.

 

The good news is that God is never silent to us. While it may be difficult to understand God’s message, He is never absent from us. No winder the Apostle Paul tells us in our reading today to “pray without ceasing.” Don’t withdraw, lean in closer to the only One who has the power to write your story for great good!