Not for Sundays only

On May 21, 2008 the family of Steven Curtis Chapman, one of contemporary Christian music's best known performers, experienced the kind of tragedy that fills nightmares. Little Maria Chapman, 5, a daughter adopted from China as an infant, ran out to greet her 17 year old brother as he returned home. She ran directly into the path of the vehicle he was driving and he ran over her! She died at the hospital moments later. On a recent broadcast of ABC's Good Morning America, Chapman told this little detail of the story. "Chapman, who immediately got into his car to go to the hospital, had the presence of mind to roll down his window and speak to his inconsolable son Will before leaving. "I really don't remember this," he said about the moments directly following the accident. "It was, actually, Dave -- Uncle Dave that told me. He said, 'You rolled the window down and just, very loudly yelled really... with as much strength as you could muster and just said, 'Will Franklin, your father loves you.'" - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=2

Watching the Chapman's talk about their loss, their grief, and their family's deepening love, I saw Christianity in action. No one can explain why God allowed Maria to die that awful day, but anyone can see the benefit of great faith that produces love and hope. What I really appreciated about the report was the authenticity of the Chapman's faith. They didn't trumpet the name of Jesus or quote a million verses of the Bible. They didn't pretend that they understood what happened. But, they showed amazing love - for God and for each other. What a contrast to those who experience similar tragedy and are forced to grieve without faith's hope, who are so often consumed by rage. Statistics show that more than half of couples who lose a little child to death through accident, later go through divorce.

The Chapman's have a faith that is not for Sundays only, it is for real life. Their faith is not for show, not for social convention, not mere tradition. It is a working faith, robust and encompassing every part of life- good and bad.

The story reported on the brother's response as well. "For the three oldest Chapman children, Emily, Caleb and Will, healing comes through counseling, faith and the unwavering love of family. "Obviously it's been really hard, you know, just the past couple months," said Will about his sister's death. Will described his siblings' show of support and love: "I started running after the accident, you know, and started just running away from the house. And I remember Caleb was the first one to run and kind of just jump on me and hold me. And then Shaoey was right there by him."

"To me, you know, that meant a ton... I didn't really want to be at the house, I just wanted to be away. And I was just freaking out," Will continued. In addition to his supportive family, Will also turned to faith to help him through. "I've gotten str-- a stronger faith through all this, you know, and more faith through all this. But then there's those days, you know, that just hit you and you're just, like, 'Oh, man, this is just awful.' But-- you just gotta continue to choose to live. And that's the faith that, that continues to keep me going, you know." - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=3

Believer, are you living in faith?
Are you worshipping, praying, loving, and living in a way that demonstrates reverence and love for God right now? The time will come when your faith will be tested. Make it strong, send your roots deep into God and His community called the Church.

Jesus Christ explains working faith with this simple metaphor.

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." (Matthew 7:24-27, The Message) __________________

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV)

The story of two men

I know two men whose lives are very distinct! One is 'successful,' using the measures most people apply to the term. He commands hundreds, controls great wealth, and has a degree from a prestigious university. Personally, he is a disaster. He has a failed marriage, is a stranger to his kids, and lives with high levels of anxiety that he 'manages' with liberal quantities of alcohol. He does share his wealth - in large public gifts to various organizations that feed his need for recognition. The other man has few symbols of success. His education is from a small unknown school, he makes a working man's living, and lives an unassuming life. He is beloved by his family, respected by his friends, and sleeps peacefully every night. He gives of himself and his resources mostly in ways that escape notice, even of those with whom he shares!

So, I ask you: which one is really successful? Please do not leap to the false conclusion that I am saying that having an Ivy League education, great wealth, or a powerful position is sinful! Too often a simplistic reading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ leads people to the conclusion that spirituality requires poverty. What is true is that knowing God requires a humble heart, being 'poor in spirit' - something that is often lost to those who enjoy the perks of success! That is why Jesus declared, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25, NKJV) A man who is full of himself has no room for the Spirit of God.

The core difference between the two men I referred to a moment ago is who they serve! The first serves himself and is upfront about it. He claims to be an agnostic and believes that 'you have to grab the gold ring now, for there is nothing later!' Up to this point in life, he has been quite adept at making life mostly work in his favor. The second serves Christ Jesus. From an early adulthood he has, with a detour here and there, followed the way of discipleship with the goal of doing what he believes God wants him to do. One claims to be the king of his own life; the other lives in the Kingdom of God.

The crucified life, the way of the Cross, is not much sought because the end result is often forgotten. God is not a sadistic deity who delights in seeing us writhe in agony, but He does want our complete loyalty, our utter dependence, our unquestioning obedience. Thus, He calls on us to 'die to Self.' The Cross releases us from Self and allows a new life in the Spirit to emerge. "Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was." (Romans 6:5, NLT)

Would you be truly successful, filled with goodness, and God-honoring? Ponder these words and ask the Spirit to make the meaning clear.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, (keeping a moral code) then Christ died in vain." (Galatians 2:20-21, NKJV)

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:24-25, NLT)

"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God." (Galatians 6:14-16, NLT)
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All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
B ring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.


Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

O that, with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!

Edward Peronnet - public domain

Egyptian Horses

Do you ever find yourself running into some situation that is not in your plans, that resists your efforts at a solution, that is beyond your control? Is your response one of frustration or anger - at life, at God, with yourself. Have you thought - "What did I fail to anticipate? Where did I make a wrong decision? What should I have done? Lord, how did this situation come 'round to me again?" Did you notice the misplaced focus in all of those questions? Such questions come from the assumption that we are in God's place in the universe.

Too many times to count, I have stood in that very place of complaint and anger. In those times my patient Father comes to me and whispers - 'what do you see?' When I see the challenges of life through my own resources and abilities, I see struggle and stress. By His Spirit, a gentle, but persistent Father continues to press the question - "What do you see?" His desire is that I will let faith change my perspective and when it does, I will say, "Lord, I see an opportunity for You to show me again how faithful You are to those who walk humbly with You."

Here’s the amazing result of that shift in perspective. Anger and frustration is replaced with new enthusiasm and expectation. I begin to anticipate what He will do.
Will I like His will? Maybe not, but if I ask Him to show me the way and then let Him lead, I am able to obey His Word that says, 'give thanks in every situation.’

Ancient Judah faced a crisis. The Assyrian empire to the north was swallowing up one nation after another, moving ever closer. In Jerusalem, the king’s counselors urged him to turn to the Egyptians in the south and make an alliance. Isaiah, God’s spokesman, counseled a different choice. “Trust God, not Egypt!” His words come to us full of wisdom still today.

“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins."
… This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help." (Isaiah 30:1, 15-18, NLT)

Is there something frustrating you today?
Does a situation exist in your life that threatens your peace or security?Present yourself to Him. Wait for His help. Listen intently, obediently, faithfully. And when He asks, ‘what do you see?’ with eyes of faith tell Him that you see yet another opportunity for His faithfulness to shine through.
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Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine,
Heir of salvation, Purchase of God;
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song;
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior, am happy and blest.
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His Goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song;
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Fanny Crosby – Public Domain

Listening to the Lion's Snarl

Daniel's overnight stay with the lions is one of the Bible stories that many find inspiring. I read it and wonder why God allowed this good, old man to endure such a terrible ordeal! The account is recorded in the 6th chapter of Daniel. After a lifetime of distinguished service, Daniel rose to the highest echelons of the empire. He survived several regime changes and consistently proved himself to be man of integrity and skill. Naturally, this provoked jealousy among those who thought they deserved the power he was given by the king, so they plotted his destruction. Here's a wonderful testimony: "The other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy." (Daniel 6:4, NLT)

But he was a Jew in a foreign land! "We can use his religion against him," they said. "These Jews just won't add our gods to their list of gods. They have this idea that their God is the only God, so let's get the king to outlaw any form of worship other than emperor worship and we'll have him!" That's a 'wow' moment for me. His faith was so strong, so evident, so central to his life that these pagan officials knew that he would not compromise even with a death sentence pending.

Daniel knew exactly what was happening. He wasn't caught by surprise and here's what he did. "When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God." (Daniel 6:10, The Message)

And how does God reward his faithfulness? He does not step in and kill the conspirators! He does not transport Daniel to safety in another place. God gives him an exclusive reservation at the Lion's Den Inn, and he spent an entire night listening to the lion's snarl! Yes, eventually Daniel emerges alive, but not until he has gone through yet another difficult situation.

Believer, most of us pray to be kept from our trials and tests and temptations, but as with Daniel; God often accompanies us through them! The Bible is silent about how Daniel spent that night. Was he afraid? Did he cry? Was he confident that he would be delivered? We do not know. The Word simply says: "When Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." (Daniel 6:23, NIV) When did he trust? Not after he was locked in with the lions. His trust was evident when he knelt to prayer in his apartment, knowing full well he was signing his own death warrant.

If the Lord is allowing you to be close enough to the lions to hear their snarls, do not conclude that He has abandoned you. Trust Him! He seldom writes the script of our lives in a way that takes us along broad, level paths. Jesus Christ tells us "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT) Thankfully, He also promises this: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20, NLT)
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Hide Thou Me -- Harris, Thoro / Tolbert, L.R.

Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my life in vain.
I'm tempted then to murmur, and of my lot complain.
But when I think of Jesus, and all He's done for me,
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me. no other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander, far, far from Thee.
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

Sometimes it seems I dare not, go one step farther on.
And from my heart all courage has slipped away and gone.
But I remember Jesus, and all His love for me.
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages hide Thou me."

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me. no other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander, far, far from Thee.
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

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