Hope in Christ

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5 ESV). Last week was a very significant week in our nation. Without dealing with the particulars of the decisions of the Supreme Court, let me say that many have missed the great truth as they turn to a desire to control the behavior of people through legislation or government. There is only one government that can guarantee peace and hope. That is the government of Christ. It has been said that man can live 40 days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only one second without hope. No matter what we are facing, we all need hope. But where are we going to find this hope that we so desperately need? We are not going to find it in people or things. Nor are we going to find it in a politician or a political persuasion, regardless of what side of the aisle we are on. Nor are we going to find it in technology or science or in a relationship or in an accomplishment. Sometimes people will put their hope in their investments or their bank accounts or their home. But listen to what the Bible says in Job 8:13–15: "The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web. They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure." These are very poignant words in light of our nation's present situation. We should not put our hope in people. We should not put our hope in things. We need to put our hope in God. This will give us the strength to go on in life, because we know there is an afterlife where things will be made right. There may be times when you feel helpless, but you never should feel hopeless. The Bible brims with promises of hope for every follower of Jesus Christ. That’s the message for everyone today. I have found it impossible to adequately make the right decision for myself; I sure don’t want to do it for others! Instead, I desire to pint people to the One who can make the right decision in everything, every time. His name is Jesus! There’s our hope!

The End of Pain

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV). We’ve been looking at adversity over the last few days. Today we continue that thought a bit longer. In our reading today, the Apostle Paul says we “do not lose heart… because of the light and momentary afflictions.” I believe what the apostle is saying with all of my heart. It has been my experience that my trials have always been “light and momentary” after they’re over! If you’re like me, you’ve experienced this too. When we are going through the difficulty, they are anything but light or fleeting. The reason for that is in our focus. We’re looking at what is happening at that moment, rather than what God is doing ultimately in our lives. Adversity prepares us for what God has ahead. God's people will be better off eternally because they suffered temporarily. The tradeoff in eternity will bear this out. Our troubles won't last forever. The argument for the greater good may be the strongest biblical case for the whys of human suffering. But it requires great trust on our part. This means that we need to look at our suffering and say, "It will all make sense in eternity, and it will produce something that would not have been there otherwise. So in faith, I am going to accept this truth and wait to see the outcome." Despite the worst tragedy, God can bring good out of bad. That doesn't mean He makes bad things good. But it does mean that despite bad things, He can bring good. This is an important distinction, because often people are looking for cause and effect. They try to connect the dots: This bad thing happened so this good thing would happen. . . . And this even better thing happened. Now I get it. Sometimes life works that way. It did for Joseph. After being betrayed by his brothers, he was able to tell them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people" (cf. Genesis 50:20). But sometimes we can't see the outcome. It may be years before you are able to see and experience the good God is working in your life. The truth is that, ultimately, all things work together for good for God’s children. The end of pain is our good. It is our eternal life!

Faith that Stands the Test

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8 ESV). I am not fond of pain. Most of us are that way. Generally we all want to avoid pain. We want to be comfortable. Things like pain-free dentistry appeal to us. And so does effortless weight loss. We are looking for the workout that doesn't require us to, well, actually workout. And we want the pounds to just melt off without changing our eating habits. But what is true in losing weight is true in life as well: No pain, no gain. The pain that comes into our lives has its purpose. It reminds us of a deeper need, and that is our need for God. I can always tell when it’s time to go for my phlebotomies; my bones really start to hurt. Because of some conflicting medications over the last year I have not been able to do that. There are days when I am not my best. Stuff hurts that has nothing to do with my age! However, I find that pain reminds us that I need God. In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote that pain "removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul." God uses pain. And through adversity, we learn eternal truths that we would not learn otherwise. As author Randy Alcorn has said, "If you base your faith on lack of affliction, your faith lives on the brink of extinction and will fall apart because of a frightening diagnosis or a shattering phone call. Token faith will not survive suffering, nor should it." The faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. God’s goal for all of his children is to get us to the place where we might be presented perfect and spotless. That will only happen as the old life dies. And that is what adversity in your life does. Pain is distressing. There can be nights of agony when God seems so unfair and it seems that there is no possible help or answer. Temporary relief may seem adequate, but the real solution to suffering is not to isolate it in an attempt to do away with it, nor even to grit our teeth and endure it. The solution, rather, is to condition our attitudes so that we learn to triumph in and through suffering. When the Apostle Paul sought relief from his “thorn in the flesh,” God did not take it away, but reassured him with: “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Remember

You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 8:18-20 ESV). My memory seems to get worse and worse as I get older. Mary and I were riding from Kyle’s house to ours, which is about five miles. Mary said, “Why don’t you drive through McDonalds and we’ll get some hamburgers for supper?” It was pretty late and we just wanted to get a quick bite for the evening. There was also a Taco Bell nearby, and I said, “So, you want to drive through Taco Bell?” Only a few minutes had passed. I just forgot what she said! That wasn’t very serious, but the forgetfulness God warns Israel about was very serious. It applies to us as well. Israel had gone through 40 years of wilderness wanderings where they literally were dependent on God for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every day, the Lord brought them manna, which would be waiting for them outside of their tent. But when they were poised to enter into a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of abundance, the Lord gave them a warning, essentially saying, "Now as you enter into this land, I want you to remember me. After you have eaten and are full, do not forget the Lord." Prosperity has a tendency to make us proud and self-sufficient. Sometimes we don't think we need God when we have our salary or investments or career or homes or health or families. But when an economy goes south or a stock market crashes or a home burns to the ground or our health fails, then we turn to God and are reminded of what really matters. When we have a lot, we more easily forget the Lord. We take his provision and grace for granted. So if you are in a time right now where you life is going reasonably well, that is fantastic. But here is what I would say to you: Don't forget the Lord. Give Him glory. On the other hand, if the bottom has dropped out recently and you have received bad news, I also would say don't forget the Lord. Turn to Him, call upon Him, and ask Him for His help. Remember the Lord and all he has accomplished on your behalf. My little dog, Teddy, loves to bury the bones I give him. It is as if he’s not sure I’m always going to continue to feed him. Can I remind you that God will never forsake us? He will always remember!

Wide Awake

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-27 ESV). There are those times in our lives when the circumstances are so senseless that it may appear that God is asleep. Our reading is one of those times for the disciples. Jesus instructed his disciples to get into the boat to travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A storm blew in and began to threaten the boat. Jesus had fallen asleep in the stern of the boat. The disciples were incredulous at his lack of attention to the obvious peril they found themselves in. They were wondering if he was even remotely aware of their predicament! I have seen a boat very similar to the boat the disciples would have been in. There is a museum in Israel that houses what is known as the “Jesus Boat,” which is like the boat these fishermen would have had. This was not a sophisticated craft, but a very simple little boat. Jesus managed to go to sleep in the little area underneath the top deck, most likely exhausted after a hard day of ministry. Jesus could sleep because He was resting confidently in the will of His Father. And the disciples should have done that, too. He told them they would be fine. In Mark's version of this same story, Jesus told them, "Let us cross over to the other side" (cf. Mark 4:35). And that meant they would cross over to the other side. He didn't promise them an easy trip. But He did promise them a safe arrival. And although the shrieking of the storm did not wake Jesus, the cry of His people did. The moment the disciples cried out, He responded immediately and powerfully. He silenced the thunder and calmed the sea! It is a good lesson for us to learn. God is always wide awake. A mother and her little four-year-old daughter were preparing to retire for the night. The child was afraid of the dark, and the mother, alone with the child, felt fearful also. When the light was out, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window. "Mother," she asked, "is the moon God's light?" "Yes," said the mother. "God's light is always shining." The next question was, "Will God blow out His light and go to sleep?" And the mother replied, "No, my child. God never goes to sleep." Then out of a simplicity of a child's faith she said that which gave reassurance to the fearful mother: "Well, so long as God is awake, I am not afraid." Don’t worry… He’s always wide awake!

A Beautiful Work

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV). This passage of Scripture I am using for our reading today comes from the beginning of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. He had been in need of some basic things, food, water, clothing, and money to continue in his captivity. The church, though not wealthy, took up the challenge to provide for him during his time of need. He writes to acknowledge his gratitude for their generosity and compassion. At the beginning of the letter he makes this sweeping statement of hope for them that also applies to us. It is a word of encouragement to take all believers through their journey with an unshakeable belief that God will complete His work in us. As believers we are all a work in progress. I like to think of myself as a craftsman in the area of woodworking. I do use that word loosely. The truth is I am more of a jack-of-all-trades and master of none kind of guy. However, I do love to build things, large and small. Sometimes people will ask me to build something for them. This is a great source of joy for me. The first step for me is to get the materials together. Then I start to work. When my sons and I have been working on such projects together I usually am asked where the plans are? I am always forced to smile. You see, in my mind's eye, I already know what it will look like and how to get there. The plan is already drawn in my mind. The crazy thing is that when I am finished with the project everyone is very happy with the finished project. The same is true much more so as God is working on the project of our lives, we see it begin to take shape and sometimes wonder if the “builder” really knows what he’s doing! But in God's mind, the project is done. It is already finished. And, it will be perfect in every way. That is how God looks at you and me. Although it is still a work in progress for us, God knows exactly what He is doing. There is an expected end, and it is good. No wonder Paul can say, I am sure of this. He knows the craftsman and has complete trust in his work. He has seen it before and he is seeing it in their lives as it begins to take form. When we read the Scripture we are able to see how God completes his work. It is always a work of art! Nothing should shake our confidence in that truth. He will complete this good work in your life. Keep following him!

Yard Sale Treasure

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15 ESV). Last week Kyle and Brandy had a yard sale in which we had some things to be sold as well. One of the items was an old pastel drawing I had done when I was in college for Mary. It was a still life of a very sad looking dog. I remember when I did it and why I made it so sad. It was a time when I had gone home for a few weeks and would not be able to see Mary since she remained at her home in Bryan. I really didn’t think anyone would buy it, but it seemed like something we would want to part with; so, we priced it at a dollar with the frame and placed it for sale. A young lady came to the yard sale. She saw the sad puppy and remarked how sad he was. I told her the story and she remarked how she collected pictures of sad clowns and animals. She also told me that she didn’t want to buy it either! I said, “Do you like it?” She answered, “Yes.” I simply said, “What if I give it to you?” She was delighted. She did buy other things, but that was one of her “treasures.” I even autographed the back for her. As I was helping her load her purchases into her car we began to talk. I told her my story of how I had met Mary and ultimately was born again. I found out quickly she was also a believer and a little more of her story. It was a great moment to share with her the gift of God in Christ. Our reading today is very clear of how we have a debt that only Jesus can pay. In fact, he paid it in full so that he might give us eternal life in return. I was reminded of this principle especially as I negotiated some of the prices with buyers for the items they were interested in. I was also reminded that there is no negotiation between us and God for our forgiveness and eternal life. There was a great price to be paid; however, he sent his only begotten Son to pay it for us. We no longer have a debt, because he paid what we could never pay! The ultimate gift of grace and love has been proffered to us. When we see that painting we like, but don’t have the money for, all we need to do is reach out to accept it as a gift from Him. And, he autographs it in his very own blood! Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow! Now that’s a successful yard sale treasure!

Delays and Leftovers

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:54-59 ESV). Mary and I have made two trips in the last two months that we flew instead of drove. We went to Washington DC and to Ft. Worth, TX for time to visit with our kids. Both times we chose flights that were direct. There have been other trips I have taken that necessitated layovers. Whenever I travel, I do my best to avoid layovers. I always try to get a direct flight wherever I am going. It just seems like such a hassle to wait in an airport for the next leg of a flight to your destination. I know there are times when it simply cannot be avoided; but, if it can, I do my best to do so. Thank God there are no layovers on the way to heaven. There is no place called purgatory found in the Bible. Nor can we find anything called "soul sleep," a state of suspended animation. Rather, the Bible promises that a believer will enter Christ's presence immediately following death. When death strikes the Christian down, he falls into heaven. Certainly this is the impact of the description of Stephen’s death. Watching the stoning of Stephen must have made a tremendous impact on Paul. Later he wrote, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). John Bunyan said that death "will be but a passage out of a prison into a palace." That doesn't mean we should hasten our death, or refuse to recognize how important it is to take care of our health. But it does mean that we don't have to fear it, because death died when Christ rose. Because Jesus is alive, He is at the right hand of the Father. When your day comes to leave this world, the Lord will be waiting for you. I don't know whether He will be standing up for you or me as He did for Stephen. But He will be waiting. Death will come at the appointed time, not a moment before and not a moment after. Live this life as if you have just this day left; and, recognize that whenever your time comes, he will safely take you home. There won’t be any delays or layovers on that trip!

Its Not Fair!

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1 ESV). I’ve been the pastor of six different churches over the last forty-five years. Each of them had different personalities and structures. While there have been challenging times in each of these ministries, there have also been great joys in each of them as well. I have found some things to be the same in every church. When a church begins to reach out and impact the culture around them, where the people desire to live godly lives, there always seems to be opposition or division within the fellowship. In the book of Acts, we see this playing out in the early church. A disagreement arose in the early church about how the widows were being treated. There was a feeling that partiality was being shown to one group over another. Some folks felt they were not being treated “fairly.” Luke says, “A complaint arose.” During the days of Alexander the Great, the Greek culture and philosophy had permeated the world. Many of the Jews had adopted Grecian ways, and they were known as Grecians, or Hellenists. Unlike the native Hebrews, they spoke Greek. But there were other Jews, called Hebrews, who stayed true to the old ways. They were critical of the Grecian believers and thought of them as second-class Jews. The Grecians felt their widows were getting less attention than those who were raised in the Jewish culture. And it caused a division in the church. Probably more havoc has been wreaked on the church through division than anything else. And when you get down to it, many of the divisions in a church are actually over minor things. People will get bent out of shape over things that really don't matter. You can always find something wrong with a church. No church is perfect. Perhaps you have stopped attending church services because of some misunderstanding. Could I encourage you to seek out the leadership and convey to them your feelings? It may be the beginning of a healing process that will bring both of you back into community. I know some are thinking, “You don’t know how stubborn they are.” Perhaps that is true; and, perhaps there is a strong obstinacy on the part of the leadership. Regardless, make the first move of charity and reconciliation toward those whom you feel have hurt you. No one is perfect, but we all can go forward to reconciliation. The apostles’ response was wonderful. They recognized the need to reform some of the ways things were being done and the church continued to grow. God blesses us in relationship. It’s not really about “fair”; it’s about keeping the family together.

A Day for Dads

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV). Father’s Day always brings mixed emotions for me. There is always the joy of hearing from my children. We get an opportunity to talk every week, but hearing from them on this day is a little different; it is somehow more important and therefore special. However, there is also a simple sadness that I don’t get to make that kind of call to my Dad. Daddy would be 100 years old this year had he lived. He died in 1974 at the age of 58. I remember so much about that day. It seems those details have stuck in my mind more than some others that are much happier. I have come to recognize that it is all the more important to realize that, while the other experiences are happier, his death is a greater reminder of the faithfulness of God. After all, that is the day he got to go home. I often hear people talk about the death of a loved one as if they have “lost” them. Might I remind you that you can only lose that which you cannot find? My Dad is not lost. I know right where to find him. He’s home! In our reading today, the apostle reminds us of the enjoinder to honor our parents “that it might go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” I find it easier to honor someone when we remember everything about them. So, today, I will spend some time filtering through the memories of those things he did and said to me through the years. While he was not a believer until just prior to his death, some of the things he taught me by both word and action have stuck with me and proven to be rooted firmly in the Scripture. Perhaps the one principle that sticks out the most was his way of teaching me, subtly at times. I learned the importance of letting my word be my bond; I learned the essential of family first; I learned the great joy that comes from being present tense. There are so many things that fill in many of the blanks of my life that he gave to me early in life. These things then become a motivating factor for me to do the same for my children. Certainly this is what Paul meant when he continued: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. I am unashamedly proud of my children. It is not a pride in what I have done, but who they have become. Just as I am not perfect, neither are they; but, they have placed themselves on a path to make the journey. I am confident that God has begun this work and will complete it as well. Today is a good day! I hope it is for you as well. If not, take some time to pray your way through the truth that regardless of your earthly father, you heavenly father is indeed perfect in every way. Trust in Him!

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 10

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). As if the first eight characteristics weren’t daunting enough, the Apostle Paul now says the Holy Spirit desires to produce “self-control.” This word is translated temperance and its root means “to be strong in a thing. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says a person with self control is “one who masters his desires and passions.” So often self control is viewed in the negative; keeping restraint in the face of temptations, evil emotions, or other sin. Such a view is only a partial definition. Self-control also describes your ability to apply the numerous gifts and powers of God in your life at the right moment, in the right way and according to God's will not your own. According to Vines it is “the various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God.” Daniel Goldman wrote the following: The essence of emotional self-regulation is the ability to delay impulse in the service of a goal. The importance of this trait to success was shown in an experiment begun in the 1960s by psychologist Walter Mischel at a preschool on the Stanford University campus. Children were told that they could have a single treat, such as a marshmallow, right now. However, if they would wait while the experimenter ran an errand, they could have two marshmallows. Some preschoolers grabbed the marshmallow immediately, but others were able to wait what, for them, must have seemed an endless 20 minutes. To sustain themselves in their struggle, they covered their eyes so they wouldn’t see the temptation, rested their heads on their arms, talked to themselves, sang, and some even tried to sleep. These kids got the two-marshmallow reward. The interesting part of this experiment came in the follow-up. The children who as 4-year-olds had been able to wait for the two marshmallows were, as adolescents, still able to delay gratification in pursuing their goals. They were more socially competent and self-assertive, and better able to cope with life’s frustrations. In contrast, the kids who grabbed the one marshmallow were, as adolescents, more likely to be stubborn, indecisive, and stressed. Delayed gratification is almost a lost trait in our current culture. Some time ago Mary and I were sitting down with my son, Aaron, at a very nice Italian restaurant in Washington D.C. The server came and filled our water glasses and proceeded to get our drink orders. We recited them around the table and off he went. I thought that a bit odd in that he did not rush to get at least some order of appetizer from us. He came back with the drinks and some dipping oil with fresh bread. And he left again. I thought, he must be very busy with other tables. Later I would come to know that our table was his only assignment. He continued to come back slowly checking on us getting the next course in our meal. We sat, leisurely talked, and ate a wonderful meal together. It was a far cry from the fast food mentality of our culture. Had I wanted to get in and get out as quickly as possible, I would have been thoroughly disappointed. I find life is often played out like that. We lose the joy of waiting by demanding the immediate. Let the Holy Spirit slow you down through self-control. You won’t miss a thing worth having!

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 9

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). Now we come to a very misunderstood word. Paul says a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is “gentleness.” It is from the Greek word “prautes.” This word is translated “mildness,” “meekness,” or "humility.” It is used by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5:5). Vines says, “Gentleness is an inner grace of the soul and the exercises of it is chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit to accept God's dealings with us as good and therefore without disputing or resisting.” In other words, meekness is not on display for people to marvel at. This humility is directed to God. It always keeps God in the proper place in our life. In the face of adversity or trial we ought to rise up bearing the full armor of God and fight ruthlessly to defeat our enemy. But in the presence of God you bow low in recognition of who He is in your life. A.W. Tozer wrote, “The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto.” So meekness is not the absence of backbone in your life. You are not called to lie down and roll over whenever it pleases the enemy. No, a truly humble heart knows when to bow and when to rise. Meekness is God’s preventative to pride. Unfortunately, pride has been redefined in our modern American culture as a virtue. The strong, the beautiful, the powerful, the intelligent, and the privileged take every opportunity to put themselves forward. Politicians manifest pride in speeches and debates; entertainers glamorize pride in their movies and lifestyles; educators teach pride by emphasizing self-esteem and making every child a winner, whether they deserve it or not; and sports icons reinforce pride as the path to greatness. The great tragedy is that this is not only wrong minded, it is destructive in our lives. Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about pride and overconfidence. He said, “It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, ‘Congratulations.’ I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters.” Hmmmm… gentleness, meekness… I think we all would do well do cultivate that fruit from the Holy Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). Paul now says the Holy Spirit produces “faithfulness” in our lives. This word is translated from the Greek word “pistis.” It means "persuasion, assurance, belief, faith, fidelity, reliability, or faithfulness.” It is a very powerful part of the cluster of fruit through the Holy Spirit. We know that hearing the word of God stirs faith in our lives (cf. Romans 8:17). Here we find another way for faith to rise in our hearts. It is through the active work of the Holy Spirit in us. Do you see the significance of this? It is an incredible declaration. It is that quality that bends us toward trusting the character and promises of God. This is wonderful. When the desperate father approaches Jesus about the illness of his young son, Jesus simply assures him by saying, “All things are possible for one who believes.” The man knowing his own failure and doubt, simply cries out, “I believe. Help my unbelief.” (cf. Mark 9:23-24). Because God is trustworthy we can believe in Him. There is another aspect of this faith, it is fidelity. The Holy Spirit's work in us causes us to be a reliable person; one that is faithful and dependable. These are valuable qualities not often found in our day. It makes you a better spouse and parent to your children. It places you in strategic job situations where you are a valuable asset to your employer. It allows God to entrust you with the greatest news of all time; the Gospel of Jesus. James R. Sizoo said, “Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success. It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung.” Recently Mary and I were going through some old boxes that we hadn’t unpacked in years. They moved from Texas to North Carolina, and then to Tennessee with us, still packed and put away in storage. We found certificates and plaques awarded to us and our children for everything from perfect attendance in Sunday School to a proclamation from the Senate of the State of Texas for outstanding service. It was strange to recognize how little those awards really meant. The acts were important, each in their own way, but the applause from men is not nearly as important as simply being found faithful. That will be the greatest sentence ever heard for me: “Well done, my faithful servant.” Are you faithful?

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 7

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). The next word is similar to that which we looked at yesterday. It is “goodness” from the Greek “agathosune.” It means "virtue" or "beneficence" even "the act of generous giving, with the implication of its relationship to goodness, to be generous, or generosity." For over forty years Eunice Pike worked with the Mazatec Indians in Southwestern Mexico. During this time she has discovered some interesting things about these beautiful people. For instance, the people seldom wish someone well. Not only that, they are hesitant to teach one another or to share the gospel with each other. If asked, “Who taught you to bake bread?” the village baker answers, “I just know,” meaning he has acquired the knowledge without anyone’s help. Eunice says this odd behavior stems from the Indian’s concept of “limited good.” They believe there is only so much good, so much knowledge, so much love to go around. To teach another means you might drain yourself of knowledge. To love a second child means you have to love the first child less. To wish someone well, simply saying, “Have a good day,” means you have just given away some of your own happiness, which cannot be reacquired. It sounds so foolish to us to think anyone could actually believe this; yet, many find themselves refusing to believe the provision of God and become stingy with their resources. Of course, God desires we be wise in our savings as well as giving; however, I find we err on the side of saving much more than giving! I am so grateful to pastor a church that is not that way. Recently we received a very large gift to the church. We could have easily used the money to finish our project of stained glass and shutters in the sanctuary; however, when I simply announced that Mary and I were going to give enough to pay for one of the six windows, before the week was done, we had more than enough to pay for the windows! Oh, the money we gave, God has already given it back to us! The Holy Spirit works in your life to make you generous. He leads you in your giving. Never again will you have to feel guilty because of a lack of faith when it comes to giving. You will also not have to succumb to the manipulation of man to give. You can simply rely on this precious slice of the fruit of the Holy Spirit growing in you to lead you in your generosity! How’s this part of your fruit?

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 6

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). The next descriptor the Apostle Paul uses if “kindness.” The original language is "chrestotes." This word means "usefulness,” or “moral excellence in character or demeanor.” The root word means “to employ, to use, useful, easy, better, good, kind, and gracious.” It speaks of what is right and upright. It is goodness in action. The enemy wants to render you useless or abused in everything you do. The Holy Spirit on the other hand has the ability to make you useful in any given situation, to find what is easy, better or useful in deeds and words. The 1928 Olympics are long now in the history books; however, there is a wonderful story concerning of Henry Pearce of Australia. He was competing in the single scull rowing event. He was leading when a duck and her string of ducklings came into view up ahead. They were on a collision course and Pearce reckoned that his scull would cut the string in two and sink a few ducklings in the process, so he pulled in his oars. When the ducks passed, Pearce again bent his back to the task. There’s a happy ending to the story. Pearce won. Usually, acts of sportsmanship result in defeat. Remember Leo Durocher’s pronouncement, “Nice guys finish last”? Several years ago in the marathon tandem kayak racing event at the world championships in Copenhagen. Danish paddlers were leading when their rudder was damaged in a portage. British paddlers, who were in second place, stopped to help the Danes fix the damage. The Danes went on to defeat the British by one second in an event that lasted nearly three hours. But there’s a happy ending to this story too. According to The Wall Street Journal, the British kayakers won what many people regard as the highest honor in sports. They became the winner of the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy. The trophy is named for the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and it has been awarded annually for the past 48 years to people in sports who have demonstrated nobility of spirit. It is big news in Europe, but it has not been given much recognition in the United States. In the past, the trophy has gone to a Hungarian tennis player who pleaded with officials to give his opponent more time to recover from a cramp, and to a high school basketball coach who forfeited the Georgia state championship after he found out that one of his players was scholastically ineligible. The first trophy went to an Italian bobsledder named Eugenio Monti for a gesture that exhibited a touch of class. In the two-man bobsled event at the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics, Monti was the leader after his final run. The only one given a chance to beat him was Tony Nash of Great Britain. As Nash and his teammate got ready for their final run, they discovered that a critical bolt on their sled had snapped at the last moment. Monti was informed of the problem and immediately took the corresponding bolt from his own sled and sent it up to Nash. Nash fixed his sled, came hurtling down the course to set a record and won the gold medal. Kindness… it can come at any moment, in many ways. It is precipitated by the work of the Holy Spirit bearing fruit in your life. How’s it working?

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 5

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). The next word the apostle uses is one of the most difficult to deal with; it is “patience,: which comes from the Greek word "makrothumia." The word used here means "with long temper" or "to bear with" or "longsuffering". According to the Vines it is “that quality of self restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, associated with mercy. It does not surrender to circumstance or succumb to trial. It is connected to hope." It is also one of the catalysts to receive the promises of God (cf. Hebrews 6:12). Some of this characteristic has to do with simply slowing down. I find it so easy to get into a hurry. That is counterproductive to achieving peace. To those of you who are like me and seem to always be in a hurry, here’s some good advice from the 19th-century preacher A. B. Simpson: “Beloved, have you ever thought that someday you will not have anything to try you, or anyone to vex you again? There will be no opportunity in heaven to learn or to show the spirit of patience, forbearance, and longsuffering. If you are to practice these things, it must be now.” Each day affords countless opportunities to learn patience. Let’s not waste them. Commenting on our need for this virtue, M. H. Lount has said, “God’s best gifts come slowly. We could not use them if they did not. Many a man, called of God to work in which he is pouring out his life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire. But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so impatiently longed for. Paul had time to realize this as he lay in prison. Moses must have asked, ‘Why?’ many times during the delays in Midian and in the wilderness. Jesus Himself experienced the discipline of delay in His silent years before His great public ministry began. God wants us to see results as we work for Him, but His first concern is our growth. That’s why He often withholds success as we learn patience. The Lord teaches us this needed lesson through the blessed discipline of delay.” If you find yourself in one of those places where you are being called on to wait, relax. God knows your path and has not forgotten you on the way. He may be simply allowing you a little time to catch your breath before the next climb! It is an incredible work of the Holy Spirit as he produces in us a patience that enables us not be crushed by circumstances nor give up in the face of adversity. It allows us to draw strength from the foundation of our faith that God will accomplish what He has promised in our lives.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 4

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). The next characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit is peace. The Greek word the apostle uses is "eirene." This word means "to join" and by implication it means prosperity. It is translated peace, quietness, rest and one. According to the Strong's Concordance it describes harmonious relationships between men and nations. It speaks of freedom from attack. The corresponding Hebrew word "shalom" primarily means wholeness and is connected to salvation. It also means to be "finished," “to be made perfect," and "full." Isn't it wonderful that a slice of the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in your life is to promote and establish peace and harmonious relationships with people and ultimately nations? It brings you to a place of wholeness, fulfillment and completion. Peace also is connected to salvation. A saved soul is a soul at peace because the Prince of peace. This peace may not always come to us without circumstantial turmoil. Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner. The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel it’s cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. If you are surrounded with the turmoil of life, would you let the Holy Spirit bring the fruit of peace to your life? It begins with redemption and continues through life to our ultimate glorification in Christ.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 3

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). The next word Paul uses to describe the fruit of the Spirit is “joy.” It is the Greek word "chara." This word means "cheerfulness or gladness". Its root means "to be cheerful or to be well-off; to be glad". Joy is so much more than mere happy moments or a laughing matter. Joy originates because of a more meaningful source. Hebrews 12:2 says: "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God". What was this joy that was set before Him? And how could this joy be strong enough to cause Him to endure the cross and despise the shame such suffering would bring? I believe Christ's joy was centered in His Father. Because of that He also saw you and I in need of the work only he could accomplish. Humanity is the object of God’s joy. His unconditional love for us stirs a phenomenal joy because of us. His sacrifice on that cross, dying for our sins would position us towards salvation; fellowship with God Almighty! That is the joy that was set before Him! Mere laughter or happiness has no real root. Both have superficial causes. Real joy as a fruit of the Spirit is deeply rooted in a person! We are God's joy and He is ours! The Gospel ignites real joy! It is founded in the salvation message. It is always connected to redemption (cf. Luke 15:7). Because joy is not a reaction to emotion or connected to circumstance but rooted in the presence of God in our lives, we can rejoice in the Lord always (cf. Philippians 4:4). Bruce Larson tells a story of a particular church conference in Omaha. People were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were not typically free to express their joy verbally in a service, it began a bit slowly. However, all through the service balloons ascended. Sometimes it was during a particularly inspiration quote or reading; at other times it was during an instrumental solo or choral rendition of a hymn. When the service came to an end, over one-third of the balloons were unreleased. Perhaps it was because the exercise itself was flawed. After all, real joy has nothing to do with how we feel; it is centered in who we are at our core. Being the children of God ought to produce within us a sense of the great benefits that are ours in eternal life. At least for me, when I think about what awaits me on the other side, I can let my balloon go easily! How about you?

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 2

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). Remember, all nine of these characteristics are to be seen as one single “fruit.” However, each expresses a different facet of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The first we will examine is love. The Greek word is "agape. This word is one of five used in the New Testament and translated “love” in our English Bibles. It refers to the sacrificial love associated with the work of God in making the atonement possible for us through Jesus. It is far different that what the devil has offered in the world. Satan's best attempt to reproduce this kind of love ends in mere lust. Man's best rendering is conditional affection. Agape is unconditional love. It is used to describe the Father's attitude towards the Son (cf. John 17:26) and to those who believe in the Son of God (cf. John 14:21). Vines defines “agape” as "a love that is not drawn out because of the excellence of its objects but because of the divine will in deliberate choice." This love does not love because it gets something in return or because those being loved are deserving; it loves because that is what it does! It expresses the essential nature of God. I like the illustration I read recently of a certain medieval monk as he announced he would be preaching the next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the wound from the spear. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say. Imagine being able to love like this! Because of the work of God's Spirit in your life you can! Let me make some simple suggestions: First, love without discrimination. It’s always easy to love folks like us; God’s love is without elimination because of differences. Second, love with a care that is tangible. Love has an actionable response attached. There is a “do” component to this kind of love. Third, this love makes time for people. It is often inconvenient and unrewarded; but, giving our time is the most sacrificial expression of our love. Fourth, love with real transparency. This is not the kind of transparency that we hear so often from politicians; this is letting people see the real us with our joys and sorrows, victories and defeats. How’s your fruit looking so far? The Holy Spirit wants it to be sweet. Let him do that.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 1

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). As we begin this mini-series there are some basic principles that are helpful to understand. First, the word "fruit" here is used in the singular. Paul is not referring to nine different fruits. If you can imagine a cluster of grapes, each of the grapes is a little different, but they are all grapes from the same vine. Together they are a whole. God's design for these nine characteristics was to function together. It is the visible expression of the Holy Spirit's power working inwardly in the life of the Believer. Their appearance is a result of God's power activated in us through the Holy Spirit. The Greek word translated “fruit” carries with it the meaning "to be plucked, to seize, to catch, or to pull". It is a simple way for the apostle to declare these characteristics appear in the life of the believer and are made available for others to enjoy! I have some fruit trees in my yard that are beginning to produce. There is something far better about picking a peach just ripe from one of my trees and eating it. As good as the fruit might be at the local market, it is not quite as good as fresh picked! Additionally, we ought to understand that fruit is a result of the growth of seed and the fruit very often carries the seed for the next harvest. Jesus made it clear that the seed is the Scripture (cf. Luke 8:11). When you read, study and welcome the Scripture into your life you give the Holy Spirit in you the materials to fashion His fruit in you. When His fruit is displayed through you, their "enjoyment" plants more seed for the Holy Spirit to work with. The Scripture and the Holy Spirit always work together toward multiplication. The more seed, the more fruit and vice versa. A farmer planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. The one he planted to provide a hedge to hide the unsightly view of an old landfill; the other to provide shade to rest under near a cool mountain stream which ran down beside his fields. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and bear fruit. One day the farmer decided to gather the fruit from the tree nearest his house; it was the one used to provide a hedge from the landfill. As he brought the fruit inside the house, he noticed that it was a little odd looking. Later that evening, while sitting on his porch the farmer took one of the pieces of fruit for a snack. Biting into the fruit, he found it to be extremely bitter, and completely inedible. Casting the fruit aside he looked across the field to the other tree over by the mountain stream. After walking across the field, the farmer took a piece of the fruit from the other tree and bit into it. It was sweet and delicious. The fruit was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. We have a similar choice. Where we put our “roots” down can determine the fruit we bear. Where are your roots?

The Living Water

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:10-15 ESV). Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church in Santa Fe, Tennessee. We had a marvelous week with great attendance and even greater Bible teaching. Our adults did an incredible job again this year! The theme this year was “Running the Race.” Each evening as we met together we studied some of the “I am” statements of Jesus. One of the passages for the week was our reading for today. There are so many wonderful truths in this passage. Just the fact that Jesus offers life to this outcast woman is an incredible encouragement to us. However, there is an interesting truth revealed at the end of the conversation that we should not overlook. The woman answered Jesus with this request to give her the water “so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” Matthew Henry has an interesting observation of this response by the Samaritan woman: The woman (whether in jest or earnest is hard to say) begs of him to give her some of this water. Some think that she speaks tauntingly, and ridicules what Christ had said as mere stuff and, in derision of it, not desires, but challenges him to give her some of this water. Others think that it was a well-meant but weak and ignorant desire. She apprehended that he meant something very good and useful, and therefore saith Amen, at a venture. Whatever it be, let me have it who will show me any good? Ease, or saving of labor, is a valuable good to poor laboring people. Even those that are weak and ignorant may yet have some faint and fluctuating desires towards Christ and his gifts, and some good wishes of grace and glory. Carnal hearts, in their best wishes, look no higher than carnal ends. "Give it to me," saith she, "not that I may have everlasting life" (which Christ proposed), "but that I come not hither to draw." I find it altogether too true that many people only need Jesus when the need Him. If he will make our lives easier or more convenient then we are amenable to the exchange. If what Jesus gives us really makes life better, then certainly we want that life. This is a good place to remind us that Jesus’ promise to us is not an easier life, it is an eternal life. In fact, it is often true the life of a believer is harder, not easier. Yet, it is always better! We’ll explore that a bit over the next few days. Trust him because he loves you not because of what he gives you!

Contentment at the End

And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days. (Job 42:12-17 ESV). The book of Job ends on a note of contentment and peace. Job was probably about seventy when the book opens, so he is an old man. What a picture of peace, a contented man. God had greatly blessed him. I find it very comforting as I talk to other older people who have learned the secret to contentment. Some have confused contentment with resignation; however, it far from that! When we are able to face both our past and future with equal peace, that is contentment. This is Job. Because of the gift of grace in our lives, the old is past, put away forever. God invites us always to forget about all the distrust and fears, all the anxieties of the past, all the resentments we have been holding against others, all the grudges, all the criticisms. We have a new beginning every day. The question that hovers over us as we close this book is how we will choose to live each of our days. Will it be on the old basis of it-all-depends-on-me, do-it-yourself goodness before God, trying my best to be pleasing to God and meaning it with all my heart but never realizing the depths of evil with which I have to deal? Or will I accept the gift of God that is waiting for me every day, fresh from His hand, a gift of forgiveness, of righteousness already mine, of a relationship in which He is my dear Father and I am his cherished, beloved son, and in which I therefore have provided for me all I need, all day long, so that I may say no to evil and yes to truth and right? If it is, each of our days will be characterized by peace and contentment. We recently finished a remodeling project in our church. We finished the installation of stained glass and plantation style shutters in the sanctuary. While it was good before, the difference now is striking. The colors of the stained glass filter in a kaleidoscope of the spectrum. It almost seems as if there is a perpetual rainbow in the room now. I think that’s how God wants us to see every circumstance of our lives. Regardless of what you may be facing at this time in your life, God has given you an unbreakable promise to bless you with peace and contentment. Choose His way… you won’t be disappointed!

Job, It's Christmas!

And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. (Job 42:10-11 ESV). We get to my favorite part of Job with today’s reading. It sounds like Christmas at Job’s house! There is this wonderful family gathering. Job's brothers and sisters and all his friends who had known him before are getting together. The uncles and aunts are there as well as all the cousins, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. By this time Job is a seventy-year-old man or even older, and though his own children had all perished, he must have had grandchildren and great-grandchildren by now, and all the neighbors and friends had brought their families. So this was a great family occasion as Christmas is for us and always has been. They set out an incredible feast. We usually start with Becca’s “sticky buns” in the morning. She has a special recipe from her mom that is incredible. It goes all day with folks coming and going and food being consumed throughout the day. This is not an unusual custom at Christmas. Throughout history and in most cultures where Christmas is recognized, feasting has been a part of the Christmas celebration. There is another thing Job does at this celebration. It is what we would call fellowship. Job's family and friends gathered to comfort him and to express sympathy and understanding for all the pain and suffering he had been going through. They brought gifts as well. These friends gave to Job gifts of silver and gold. In the Bible these two metals are used symbolically as a picture of redemption. Silver is the sign of redemption, and gold is the picture of deity; God redeeming people. That is why this is Christmas at Job's house. Job's witness to his friends evidently had such effect upon them that in gratitude for what they learned from him, they gave him gifts of silver and gold to express their understanding of God's redemption among people. Job discovered two thousand years before Jesus' birth and eventual death on the cross that One was coming into the world, and, as the angel said to Mary, He will save his people from their sins (cf. Matthew 1:21). This is what brings joy and gladness to believers' hearts at ANY time. If you know the Lord Jesus, you have the greatest gift God can give to a person. This allows us to look forward rather than backward in life. All of the trials and challenges of life then begin to pale in comparison to what he has done for us. Come on! Join me in a little early Christmas!

Elihu's Wisdom

Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? “Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. (Job 36:22-24 ESV). Elihu's final word to Job is an incredible recitation of the glory of God in language that staggers the reader. First, he reminds us that God is beyond human instruction. Notice how he begins: God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Second, he reminds us that God is beyond human understanding. Third, he reminds us that God acts beyond the rigid categories and reasons of humans. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. God uses His natural powers for both blessing and judgment alike. And then (cf. Job 37), we have such a marvelous description of a great electric storm that many of the commentators feel that this was an actual occurrence, that a storm began to break out at this moment, and Elihu used it as a vivid example of what he had been saying about God. In parts of Texas you can see for a long way. There aren’t many hills or trees to get in the way! When a thunderstorm begins to form on the horizon, you can see the building of the clouds in a perspective I have not seen in any other place. It is both a terrifying and awe-inspiring experience, with the lightning crackling and splitting the sky and the roaring of the thunder. This is what Elihu begins to describe in these verses. Then he speaks of how God sends the snow and the rain; he sends tornadoes, the whirlwinds, and the frost; he controls the cycles of the weather. Next time you are watching a weather report on television, and the broadcast shows a satellite picture, notice how it appears in spirals. This is what Elihu refers to. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. Then he tells us why: He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love (cf. Job 37:13). God has many reasons for doing things; we are not always certain what they are. God's wisdom is inscrutable. Job can do none of these things. All the way through the Bible, from beginning to end, the only man or woman who ever receives anything from God is the one who comes with a humble and contrite heart. If you think you have something to offer Him or that you have achievements that nobody else can equal, you cut yourself off from the wisdom and knowledge of God. But those who come humbly, contrite, waiting upon God, asking Him to teach them, will find that God will pick them up in grace and power and glory and restore them. How are you coming to Him? Elihu was wise, regardless of his age!

Eihu Speaks

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. (Job 32:5-9 ESV). Elihu is seen as a cocky, young man by many who read this part of the Book of Job. Some see him as merely repeating what gossip he has heard from others. However, I think Elihu plays a very important role in the story. First, when you come to the end of the book and you read the rebuke that God gives to the three friends of Job, you will note that Elihu is not included. He is not rebuked for what he says, and he does not have to ask Job to pray for him, as they do. The second thing is that he is given an obvious, prominent part in this drama. His message occupies the next five chapters, and he is allowed to give one of the major discourses of this book. And third, he always speaks with courtesy and sensitivity to Job, despite the strong feelings that he admits he has. The other friends were caustic and sarcastic in their approach to Job, but this young man is very courteous when he addresses him. He recognizes the depth of Job's suffering, and he always speaks with understanding. The fourth, and probably most important, thing is that Elihu claims to speak not as the other men did from their experience, but he claims to speak from revelation. We can learn much from him. It is not the accumulation of years of experience that makes people wise; it is what God has taught them through the years. And this is a very important point. God can teach a young man or woman as much as an older man or woman. And when we speak from the wisdom of God, then we can truly be wise, regardless of what our calendar age may be. I know we who have lived a while tend to think it is the years that have made us wise! If we are wise at all, it is not only because we are older. I am reminded of a schoolteacher who applied for a job and was turned down for another younger teacher who only had three years of experience. The first teacher protested to the principal, I've had twenty-five years' experience, so why was I passed over in favor of this younger one? And the principal said, Well, I have to disagree with you. You haven't had twenty-five years' experience. You've had one year's experience twenty-five times. It is quite possible to go through life repeating the same way of thinking and never learn wisdom. So Elihu is right here. It is not simply the elderly who are wise, because God gives wisdom. Seek Him and His path, you will be wise.

Happy Birthday, Mary!

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12 ESV). Today is the 27th anniversary of Mary’s 39th birthday. You do the math. I’m not dumb enough to put that in print! I can tell you that she is still as beautiful and wonderful as the first day we met. Of course, we all have our foibles; however, I have found that it is a matter of focus that brings everything in an appropriate perspective. Dealing with so many couples who are in such difficult relationships, I find it true that focus is often skewed. Haven’t you noticed how easy it is to see the bad so much more clearly than the good? In fact, studies have indicated that when our focus is over half of bad versus good, there is an 80% chance the relationship will fail. Let me make three suggestions that I believe will help you find that “excellent wife.” If you’re married, she’s probably right beside you. 1. First, let go of grudges. Everyone makes mistakes, and forgiveness is the key to a healthy relationship. Get a blank sheet of paper. Write down the grudge your holding onto about your partner and circle it. Around this circle make another ten circles. In each surrounding circle write positive traits, qualities, and attributes about your partner. Make effort to focus on all of these positive qualities instead of the one negative thing they did or said. 2. Second, learn to be actively constructive in responding to one another. It’s a great feeling to share our good news with others, and there are many different ways we can respond to this good news. We can passively respond and not show any real interest, or we can really express our enthusiasm for the good fortune of our partner. In order to cultivate positive emotions, practice responding actively and constructively when your partner reports positive events. Use your body language and tone of voice to reflect you really care and are happy with them. 3. Third, use the “Three Good Things” exercise. Gratitude is a great way to focus on the positive. Take time each night to write down three positive things your partner did that day. They may have said something nice, did something kind for you, or showed generosity to someone else. Whatever it was, write it down to remind yourself of what you appreciate about them. Using these techniques can help to stabilize conflict and prevent a downward spiral of negativity. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes; so don’t overlook all the positive qualities that make your partner truly amazing.

The End of Our Words

If my land has cried out against me and its furrows have wept together, if I have eaten its yield without payment and made its owners breathe their last, let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. (Job 31:38-40 ESV). Those of you who know me, also know that I am rarely at a loss for something to say. Often, I catch myself not coming quickly enough to the end of my words. Well, finally we get to this part of the Book of Job and see that he has reached the end of his words; he has nothing more to say. Baffled, questioning, tormented, yet unwilling to forsake God, he falls silent. There are some summary principles we might review. First, our theology is too small for our God. We think we know the Bible, we think we have God boxed in, and we understand how He is going to act. And just as surely as we do, God is going to do something that will not fit our theology. He is greater than any human study of Him. He is not going to be inconsistent with Himself; He never is. He is not capricious, acting out of anger and malice. He is a loving God, but His love will take forms of expression that we do not understand. Up to this point Job has had his faith in the rule of God, but now at last he has begun to reach out tremblingly to exercise faith in the God who rules. Second, our view of ourselves is impossibly inadequate. Job has been defending himself, and he has been remembering all his good deeds. When trouble strikes we all tend to wonder why these things should befall us. We tend to justify ourselves with self-defense. All this makes us realize that we have little understanding of the depths of sin's attack upon us and the depravity of our hearts. The one thing God teaches us by these pressures and problems of life is to understand that there are depths of sin within us of which we are not yet aware. There is no sin beyond the reach of our internal depravity. The seed of every sin lies within us all. Third, we need to see that self-vindication often explains the silence of God. God is always patient to allow us to speak. He will not talk over us. He is not in a political debate. You’ve all seen those shows where each participant is trying to make their point so passionately that neither can be heard. As long as people are defending themselves, God will not speak over them. There is a theme that runs all through the Bible.This is true in our lives as well. That is why Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit (cf. Matthew 5:3), those who are bankrupt in themselves, who have come to the end. When we shut up and stop defending and justifying ourselves, God will rise to show us his plan and purpose bringing victory to our lives. That is what we will see in the book of Job at the end; God will begin to speak on Job's behalf. Maybe it’s time to come to the end of your words too.

Just Hang Up

Then Job answered and said: “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?” (Job 26:1-4 ESV). Sometimes you just have to hang up the phone! In chapter 26 Job hangs up the phone, in a sense. He says there is no use talking to his friends anymore. His answer to Bildad is one of rather deep and rich irony in which he suggests that his friends have been of no help at all to him. I think, however, that Job needs to learn something from this, and we will see in the next chapters that he does. Oswald Chambers reminds us that God can never make us into wine if we object to the fingers that he uses to crush us with; or if we do, it will be at great pain to ourselves. Job does not see here that God also is using these friends in his life. Satan has sent them; God is using them; and we will soon see the result in Job's life. Once again he goes on to state the majesty of God in a brilliant and moving passage. He says that there is a mystery in God that no human can plumb. Even when we have understood something of the greatness of His wisdom and majesty in nature, when we have learned of His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience, and we know that as part of our theology, it still does not explain all of His ways. I am reminded of a verse from Robert Browning's poem, "Bishop Blougram's Apology," where the poet describes an arrogant young man who has worked out all his theology so that God is carefully boxed in. He believes he knows the answers to all the theological riddles of life; there is no place for God in it. He can handle it all himself. He comes to an old bishop and tells him he does not need God any longer; he is committed to his unbelief. The old bishop warns him: Just when we are safest, there's a sunset-touch, A fancy from a flower-bell, some one's death, A chorus-ending from Euripides,— And that's enough for fifty hopes and fears... The Grand Perhaps. What he means is that just when you think you have God all worked out, something happens that you can't handle. It doesn't fit your box. You see a sunset that is so moving that it awakens depths in you that you can't explain. Someone dies, and you don't know how to handle it. You see a flower, and you are touched by it. You listen to a chorus, and it moves you in such a strange way, it doesn't fit the facts. And in all these ways God is breaking through into our lives. It is the great mystery of God.

A Living Redeemer

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. (Job 19:25-27 ESV). This is one of the great words of faith in the Old Testament, one of the earliest references of the resurrection of the body found in the Scripture. Slowly, through the anguish and gloom of this man's heart, born out of the passion and the pathos that he feels, comes the dawning realization that God is working out a great and mighty purpose, and that one of these days God Himself shall be visibly present before people. God will come Himself and vindicate all that He does. This is a marvelous glance ahead by faith to the incarnation of the Lord. Job calls him my Redeemer and my Vindicator, the one who will defend me and vindicate all that has happened to me. I think there is nothing that the study of this book of Job does for us more than to understand that life is basically a mystery. We are surrounded by mystery. We cannot comprehend it all; it is painted on too large a canvas. It is too great and involved for us to grasp it all. The ways of God are beyond us many times, and yet Job is gradually learning in the midst of his pain to trust the God who is there, to trust that He will come up with answers and that He is working out a purpose in line with His love. That is what life gradually teaches us. Elisabeth Elliot described briefly her first widowhood. Her husband was slain along with four companions in the jungles of Ecuador by members of the Auca tribe. She spent thirteen years as a widow, and then she married a gracious and wonderful man with whom she was very happy for just a few more years. Then he died, taken by cancer. She said, I have spent six-sevenths of my life single, though I have been married twice. I did not choose the gift of widowhood, but I accepted it as the sphere in which I am to live to the glory of God. This is what Job is gradually learning. God is working out a purpose. So often we tend to believe that life’s experiences are random. There are those that delight us and those that bring us to our knees in despair. How tragic we cannot see that even in the worst of storms Jesus sets the example of calm. We will get to the other side safely. Count on the Master of all Creation to bring you through! One night while conducting an evangelistic meeting in the Salvation Army Citadel in Chicago, Booth Tucker preached on the sympathy of Jesus. After his message a man approached him and said, “If your wife had just died, like mine has, and your babies were crying for their mother, who would never come back, you wouldn’t be saying what you’re saying.” Tragically, a few days later, Tucker’s wife was killed in a train wreck. Her body was brought to Chicago and carried to the same Citadel for the funeral. After the service the bereaved preacher looked down into the silent face of his wife and then turned to those attending. “The other day a man told me I wouldn’t speak of the sympathy of Jesus if my wife had just died. If that man is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, but it has a song put there by Jesus. I want that man to know that Jesus Christ speaks comfort to me today.”

The View from the Upper Deck

Texas A&M is finishing their rebuilding of Kyle Field, their football stadium. It will be expanded to seat over 100,000 spectators! That means some folks are going to have seats in what is known as the “upper decks.” I’ve been in those seats before and it was a long way from the field of play. They do have the largest video screen installed of any other stadium, but still, that’s a long way from the real action. In chapters 13-14 of Job we see a similar dilemma exposed in life. It is a vivid expression of what is wrong with our view of life. Job is looking at life as a natural man, and he sees it as the world sees it, that everything is for now. This life is the wholly important thing, and the reason you were brought into existence is to make something out of this present experience, you never get another chance. We are reminded of that on television: You only go around once! If you are going to live, live with gusto. We are constantly exhorted by the world, with its distorted understanding of life, to seize the present moment, you will never get another one. If you don't make it now, it will be too late. This is one of the major reasons Christian couples are divorcing, sometimes after twenty-five or thirty years of marriage. People begin to feel the force of this argument, and they believe it. They think the only thing left, if there is to be any pleasure and enjoyment in life, is to seize the present moment. I have not been able to put it all together in all this time, so I'm going to leave and start over. It is a view too far away from the real action; it’s the view from the upper decks of life. What God is teaching Job in this book is that living for today is not what it is all about. This is not why we exist; this is but a time of preparation to get ready for the real life that lies ahead. Compare Job's view of life with the revelation of the New Testament and the view of New Testament writers as to what lies beyond death, and you see a stark and vivid contrast. They look forward to something so beautiful and grand and glorious breaking upon them that they could hardly wait to seize it! But here you get only the idea that everything must be done now. I think this is why we get upset with ourselves and with life at times. We feel life has been put together backwards. You have to make all the major decisions at the time when you know practically nothing, when you are so uninformed that you can hardly even see things right. This is what Job is feeling here; there is no way back. The truth is that God will always provide for us the answers we need when we need them. Just wait a bit and watch how he unfolds those paths to you. Yes, I’m talking about patience; but, it is not painful. Wait and you will be refreshed by His presence in ways you could not imagine!