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April, 2010
Dear Friends,
"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" (John
6:67)
Before asking this question, Jesus had been speaking to a large
group of His disciples. He said things that they did not
understand and they were offended by what He said (60, 61). It was
at this point that "many of His disciples went back, and walked no
more with Him." (66)
This was
not a crowd of people who had been only listening to Jesus preach.
These people had walked with Him and chosen to follow Him. They
were disciples. But they left Him.
Has God ever offended you? Has He
ever done, permitted or said something in your life that you have
not understood, appreciated, or been able to accept? Don't be
super-spiritual. Be honest! Has this happened to such an extent
that you feel that God has violated your trust?
Whether it is the recent earthquakes in Haiti or Chile, or a more
personal tragedy that hits closer to home, we all have "Why?"
questions. It is at this point that subtle accusations against God
begin to form in our hearts. Many people pull back, hold back, or
even turn away from Him. Others, however, accept the challenge to
grow.
God wants to be loved for Who He is, not what He does. It doesn't
even have to be something tragic to expose the shallow
relationship many have with Him. Are you trusting Him to
do something, or are you
trusting Him to be Who He
really is and Who He reveals Himself to be in His Word?
Does your personal relationship with Jesus overshadow your
questions, or is it the other way around? Are you prepared to
accept that there is more to God than you have ever even imagined?
If you think you've got Him figured out, you're surely in for some
surprises, not to mention some disappointments.
Are you really trusting Him?
When we love God for Who He is,
when we trust Him even when we
don't understand or know what He's doing
or why, we touch the very
heart of God deeper than our understanding can measure.
Peter's response to the question Jesus asked was, "Lord, to whom
shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe (to
entrust and commit oneself to another) and are sure that thou
art that Christ, the Son of the living God." (68, 69, italics
added) May you, also, accept the challenge to take His hand and
walk with Him through your present trial, coming to know Him more
deeply and intimately, and seeing the end that He purposes for you
on the other side. God bless you!
__________________________________________ January 2010
Dear Friends,
I trust you all have had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a
blessed New Year!
Recently I read a book in which the author attempted to deal with
the issue of suffering, particularly in the lives of believers.
The book of Job was often quoted and many real life examples were
given of people who experienced great pain and hardships. The
question of why God allows suffering surfaced again and again.
This is a challenging question and one for which there are no easy
answers. Especially when the situation involves someone who loves
and is committed to the Lord and then experiences something so
horrific that it would be consistent with either God's total
abandonment or His nonexistence.
Many Christians do not believe that suffering has any place in the
life of a Christian. Others live in a state of denial, pretending
that nothing bad ever happens to them. (This last bunch is scarier
than the first!) Yet suffering is a reality. Pain is part of the
human experience. But why does God allow it? Couldn't He prevent
it after all? Is it possible that even suffering can serve the
purpose of God? I believe it is.
For one thing, suffering
can make me tender and sensitive to the pain of others where I
wasn't before. It allows me to empathize and have compassionate
understanding where before I would have been too hard. For another
thing, pain causes me to press into Jesus where I wouldn't have
without it. It forces me to acknowledge my need for Him on a level
that I don't acknowledge it on when life is hunky-dunky. Some of
my most intimate encounters with God and important periods of
spiritual growth came out of suffering. I'm not saying that
suffering is the will of God for His people. But I am saying that
suffering can serve the will of God for His people.
This never seemed to be an issue for the early Christians. I
believe that is because they weren't as earthly minded as we are
today. They recognized that this world and everything in it is
temporary and passing. We, on the other hand, tend to treat this
all like it's eternal. But it isn't! One day this will pass away,
all suffering will end and our questions will all be answered. In
eternity, in Heaven, there will be no suffering or pain. "And God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation
21:4. "Our Heavenly Father holds all things in His hand, even our
questions." (Corrie ten Boom) The challenge for each of us is to
trust Him, no matter what happens to us. God bless you and keep
you!
________________________________________________
September 2009
Dear Friends,
Hebrews chapter 2 verses 8 and 9 tell us, "Thou hast put all
things in subjection under his (Jesus) feet. For in that he put
all in subjection under him, he left nothing
that is not put under him. But
now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who
was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man."
Circumstances.
We often find ourselves in circumstances that we would never
choose if we had that kind of control in our lives. Yet every
circumstance we find ourselves in is permitted by God. He is
sovereign and in control. As Brother Arthur Burt from Wales has
said, "Don't pray for God to change your circumstances. He sent
your circumstances to change you." God is in our circumstances
(Psalm 37:23,24).
The Word quoted above tells us that all things
have (past tense)
been put in subjection under the feet of Jesus, even our
circumstances. He is Lord of all! Don't fall into the trap that
many Christians have fallen into, which is the trap of the big
Devil/little God syndrome. Satan is a defeated enemy (Matthew
28:18; Colossians 2:15). Yet, at present, we do not
see all things in
subjection to and under the feet of Jesus. The world seems like an
asylum with the inmates in charge. But, we see Jesus, crucified,
risen and crowned with glory and honor. This inspires our faith as
we consider how out of the worst tragedy in human history, the
death of the Son of God, God redeemed mankind. The Devil even
played his part in this!
Be encouraged and dare to trust God to bring you through even the
worst of circumstances. Maybe your facing a layoff. Maybe you've
already lost your job, your savings, or even your home. Be
thankful for what you still have and what God has allowed you to
keep. Your story doesn't end here. God isn't finished yet. Dare to
trust Him and see this thing through to the end that He purposes.
He loves you and even right now holds you in the palm of His hand.
God bless you!
______________________________________________
August 2009
Dear Friends,
Genesis 32:24-32 tells of Jacob wrestling all night with the Lord.
"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until
the breaking of the day... And Jacob called the name of the place
Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is
preserved" (v's. 24, 30). Jacob's life, among other things,
illustrates the choice we all must make whether to let God rule
and reign in our lives or to attempt to rule our own lives in his
stead.
Jacob's name
meant one who supplants. A
supplanter is one who takes the place of another, usually by
violence or force. The basic issue in Jacob's life was would he
let God be his God or would he attempt to be his own god? This is
a basic issue with all of us. However, it remains true that there
is only one God. And I'm not him! And neither are you!
Jacob was the second born of a set of twins. He was favored by his
mother as a child and young man. His older brother, Esau, was what
many would consider a man's man. Jacob was what many would
consider a sissy. He was deceitful, manipulative, independent, and
yet ambitious to be a great man. He wanted to be
somebody. But from the look of
things, he was not destined for anything great. Before God can
use a man like Jacob, or anyone of us for that matter, He has to
do a work in the person. He must change that person from the
inside out. That was the only hope for Jacob. It's the only hope
for any of us. But there is a struggle before it happens.
acob wrestled
with the Lord all night, but his whole life had been a struggle
about who would be in charge. Are you struggling right now? Jacob
was a good wrestler. He nearly won the match, but for God's mercy.
Whenever we wrestle with God and we win, we really lose big! The
Lord touched Jacob's thigh and put it out of joint. Jacob was now
faced with his own limitation and vulnerability. He was no longer
holding on to win a wrestling match, but in desperation for a
blessing. Before God would bless him, Jacob had to take
responsibility for what he was.
What is thy name? And he said,
Jacob (v. 27). He had to also recognize his need. In
recognizing our need we can bow to the Lordship of Christ in our
lives.
God changed Jacob's name. "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob,
but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men,
and hast prevailed" (v. 28). The name Israel means,
God has prevailed. When God
prevails in our lives, then and only then do we truly prevail.
Only when we let God be our God will we know freedom from the
tyranny of ourselves. Only then can our lives truly be great.
Jacob's descendents became a great nation through whom our Savior
was born. The nation of Israel stands today because Jacob lost
that wrestling match. What greatness in your life hinges on you
losing your wrestling match with God?
___________________________________
July 2009
Dear Friends,
Psalm 107 deals with the lovingkindness of God. He continually
reveals His lovingkindness to us and so often we fail to recognize
it. Even when we feel we have gone down in defeat for the last
time, God stands over us waving His banner of victory. On the
other end of every trial, God has a song of deliverance for us
(Psalm 30).
Verses 2-7 deal
with the redeemed of the Lord. These are the "poor in spirit" that
Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:3. They are the ones who are not too
proud to acknowledge their need and accept the offer of God's
grace. We always have reasons to give thanks! Verses 10-11
deal with those who have heard God's Word and counsel but have
rejected both with contempt. These are the rebels and the losers!
Anyone who rejects God's Word and counsel loses in the end. Yet
God's lovingkindness is extended to them as well. Verse 17 deals
with fools. Webster's Dictionary
defines a fool as a "silly or stupid person who lacks judgement or
sense." And yet again, God's lovingkindness is extended. That's
good news for all of us. At one time or another, we've all played
the fool. Verses 23-24 deal with those who go about their business
every day and are surrounded by evidences of the lovingkindness of
the Lord but take no notice. God knows how to get their attention!
He brings the proud in heart down. He exalts the poor in spirit.
Which are you?
In every case, it was in trouble and distress that these people
cried out to the Lord. Trouble and distress can be great blessings
in our lives if they serve the purpose of causing us to cry out to
the Lord. God always hears us when we cry out to Him! He is always
there for us! He is our deliverer! Do you see the evidences of His
loving kindness in your life? If you do, give Him thanks.
_____________________________________________________
June 2009
Dear Friends,
I Peter 1:3-9 deals with the trial of faith in the life of a
believer. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and
finisher of our faith. He Himself imparts the very faith of God
(Mark 11:22) to us. This God-given faith is not to be confused
with natural, human faith, which always has it's point of failure.
Once He imparts faith, God arranges for a trial to prove it. "Said
I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest
see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
The trial of
our faith is more precious to God than that of gold tried in the
fire. This proves the difference between the objective we desire
when our faith is tried and the objective that God is after when
our faith is tried. From the human perspective, gold refined in
fire is the purest gold and worth the highest price. From God's
perspective, faith that is tried and found to the praise and honor
and glory of God is more precious than any gold. From the human
perspective, trials are generally not pleasant and we want them to
be over so that we can feel better. From God's perspective, trials
serve His purpose of proving His work in our lives and glorifying
Him. The issue is the glory of God.
We often think we are farther along than we really are and that we
are something that we really are not. God then permits a good
shaking in our lives to bring us to reality. When everything that
can fall has fallen and the dust settles and clears, His work
still stands! And Jesus is the only One left standing!
The temptation in trial is to accuse God of abandoning us. I
believe that at whatever point, going into trial and temptation,
that I accuse God of not loving and abandoning me, it is at that
same point, going into blessing and prosperity, that I would leave
God. Again, God uses trials to bring us to reality. I Corinthians
2:9 tells us that, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love Him." He has something on the other side of
this present trial that will be better than before. He has
promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5,6). As Corrie
ten Boom used to say, "With Jesus, the best is yet to come, and
the very best is yet to be!"
____________________________________________________________
May 2009
Dear Friends,
Matthew 15:25 records a simple prayer of faith. A woman came
to Jesus to ask Him to help her daughter who was demon-possessed.
She simply prayed, "Lord, help me." Jesus responded and her
daughter was set free. Psalm 145:18 tells us the Lord is close to
those who call upon Him in truth. Faith is not denial! We are to
call upon God in our trouble, not in denial (Psalm 50:15). Instead
of pretending we don't have problems we should be inviting Jesus
into the situations that challenge us and watch what He will do
(Psalm 46:1-3,10,11). Is Jesus that real to you? Who do you run
to, who do you trust, when you're in trouble? Psalm 18:31 asks,
"For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?"
Certainty and stability are in the Lord, alone!
As a child of God, you have a Heavenly Father Who is committed to
take care of you, all the time and in every situation. Can He
handle your problems? Or are they too great for Him? You must
settle this for yourself. He promises in Hebrews 13:5-6 to never,
ever leave us, abandon us, or leave us helpless. The only
condition is that you are in fact His child.
Real faith is not faith in your faith, but faith in God. The
evangelist, Kathryn Kuhlman, said, "Combine your little faith with
a great God and miracles will happen." This was proven again and
again during the course of her ministry. It can be proven in your
life as well if you, like the woman in Matthew 15, will exercise
what faith you do have, call upon your God and Father in your
trouble, invite Him into the situation, and watch what He will do.
Jesus is your help! He is your all in all! He is all we need!
___________________________________________________________________
April 2009
Dear Friends,
We all face present challenges and future uncertainties. What in
my life gives me stability, security and safety? Is it my job? My
relationships (family and friends)? Insurance? Money or earning
potential? Government and politicians? Myself (my strength, my
intelligence, my abilities)? Whatever it is, what happens when
these things fail? Proverbs 24:10 says, "If thou faint in the day
of adversity, thy strength is small" (KJV).
Psalm 18:2 (a
Psalm of David) says, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and
my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my
buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Verse
31 goes on to say, "For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock
save our God?" For ancient people, a rock (or a firm
foundation) represented stability, security and safety. They
trusted in fortresses, personal strength, weaponry (offensive and
defensive), strategic heights in battle (horns or hilltop peaks),
and high towers. To David, GOD was all of this and more. David's
stability, security and safety primarily and finally were in
God. Are mine? Are yours?
Can the things that we trust in fail? Can God fail? What, or who
do I trust? Am I anxious or at real peace? Biblical peace can only
come from God and is the consequence of a trusting heart. "Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in
the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:3,4). Trust
is not an emotion or feeling. It is a choice based on real
evidence. Biblical faith is not blind faith. God always gives us
sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. In Psalm 18,
David looks back to times in his life when God proved Himself
faithful. Those experiences served to encourage David's faith as
he met his present challenges.
The simple point of the message is this: Let Jesus be your
rock! Psalm 61:2 says, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto
thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is
higher than I." May you know the presence and faithfulness of our
risen, living Savior this Easter season and always as you fix your
eyes on Him and trust Him. God bless you!
________________________________________________________________________
March 2009
Dear Friends,
Mark 5:22-43 tells the story of a man named Jairus whose daughter
was so sick she was as good as dead. He came to Jesus asking Him
to come to his home and lay His hands on his daughter so that she
would be healed and live. Jesus immediately complied. But as they
went, messengers came to them saying the little girl had died. It
seemed that it was too late and Jairus was surely disappointed and
devastated by the news. As far as the
messengers were concerned, Jesus was now irrelevant, powerless and
inadequate for the situation. "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest
thou the Master any further?" (V.35)
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