Jeremiah and Jonah

Jeremiah and Jonah

I like to think that the good guy ultimately finds success, don’t you? If I do the right things I should hope for positive results. Generally, that is true! There are, however, two contrasting stories in the Bible that teach me that a faithful Christian must look beyond today or even tomorrow to gauge success. Consider the lives and ministries of Jeremiah and Jonah.

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet during a turbulent era in Judah. He was faithful to that calling in the most difficult of circumstances, through rejection and outright persecution. The enemies of Judah were ‘at the gate’ but the people would not seek the help of the Lord. For all of his efforts, Jeremiah only lived to see his nation overrun and destroyed.

Jonah was called, too. He was a faithless prophet, running from God, preaching to people who he hoped would be destroyed. And, he saw a national spiritual renewal emerge from his work! 

Here is my conclusion - the ‘success’ of our work for God cannot be measured in visible results. There are variables that we cannot see, forces at work outside of our control. We serve faithfully, trusting God to see what we do, why we do it, and to provide the richest reward in Heaven. We may not always see the harvest from our efforts in the season that we expect. Does this mean God has failed in His promises? Not at all!   It reminds us that He allows us to choose our own path. We can choose life or death.

God urges us to “endure... and keep your eyes on Jesus ... who finished the race.” Eternity’s promise is certain! But still, we need to encourage each other through this day.

passage marries our heavenly calling with the importance of daily faithfulness. "Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."  (Philippians 3:17-21, The Message) 

Are you short on visible results in your work?
Have you planted much and reaped little?
Is your disappointment crushing?

Remember - God knows. God sees. God never forgets.

Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit make it alive for us, challenging us to be like Jeremiah, faithful through it all. "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a true saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. Remind everyone of these things, and command them in God’s name to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth."

(2 Timothy 2:10-15, NLT) 

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Faithful, You Are Faithful

Lord, You have shown Yourself to be

Never changing, always faithful.

Lord, You have shown Your heart for me,

The loving touch of a caring Father.

In ev'ry day that passes,

And all the world's distractions,

Through seasons and life's changes,

You always remain faithful-

To me!

With Your

Perfect love, perfect love

Casts out all fear and shows me,

That ev'ry word and promise, to me,

Will be fulfilled, will be fulfilled.

Eoghan Heaslip

© 2000 Song Solutions Daybreak (Admin. by Music Services)

CCLI License # 810055

The Best Kind of Friend

The best kind of friend

The story of David, who rose from a country shepherd boy to Israel’s hero and, by God’s calling to the throne, experienced encouragement along the way. He was not a ‘self-made’ man even though he was gifted, with deep faith and great courage.  He needed people who helped him achieve his greatness! As a young man, Jonathan, the apparent crown prince of the nation, offered encouragement helped David get through some awful times, knowing that he was giving away his throne in the process. Even when he was powerful, David had a council of advisors that the Bible calls "David's mighty men." Isn't that rich? These men believed in him and served alongside of him in the campaigns he waged for Israel's safety. What would he have been without these people? Only God knows.

I ask myself - "On the whole, am I a giver or a taker, a critic or an encourager?"  There are plenty of critics who will take note when our work is less than stellar or when we fail.  Far fewer will be those who who see the good, send the 'thank you' note, who help others achieve.  Why does cooperation require so much more effort than competition?

At a time when I was experiencing some doubts about my effectiveness in ministry, the congregation celebrated “Pastor Appreciation Day.” People were given the opportunity to write a note of thanks and the bundle was presented to me along with gifts. Those notes were like water poured on a parched plant. I read through them, some scrawled in childish handwriting, others written in flowing prose – and felt new strength surge within me.  Why?  I was encouraged. God used their kind words to tell me, "Jerry, I am using you to accomplish My work in this world. It’s worth it."  Encouragement can be like medicine for the soul.

Christians are directed (no, it’s not a suggestion!) to keep meeting together to "encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25, NIV)  Though the meaning is not vague, so many choose to be only loosely affiliated with a local church.  Why? The purpose of that instruction is for our benefit, that we will gain the strength of being connected, mutually offering our gifts to the Lord.  Among those gifts are the relational ones. "If your gift is to encourage others, do it!... And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." (Romans 12:8, NLT)

Some will 'encourage' you but for their own gain. They will fill your ear with words that are manipulative. If we are feelings self-doubt, we will be tempted to believe those flattering words. And, yes, it will hurt when we figure out we were used. I'm sure everyone of us can think of a time when we let somebody 'sweet talk' us into doing something or being somebody that we really were not. Proverbs, that treasure trove of practical wisdom, calls flattery a "a snare." It trips us up!

Be an encourager today!

• Don't flatter, but give praise.
• Take note of those who are often 'invisible' to the world, make eye contact, and say a sincere 'thank you.'
• If you know of someone who is struggling to keep their head above water - give them a call and pray with them, briefly and sincerely, for God's strength for this day.
• Has someone helped you make it through a hard time that is due a word of praise? Then, tell them TODAY!

You have a choice today as you deal with others- to dwell on missed expectations or to find ways to encourage. A bitter, cynical critic sucks the life out of every situation and relationship. An encourager, blesses and finds a blessing! "God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, The Message)

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Lord God, the world teaches me to be a critic.
The talk show hosts, the movie critics, the political pundits,
and even some preachers, fill the world with angry words, hurtful words, negative words.
Their attitude sticks to me and makes me critical, too.
I pray that you would do a work in my heart and mind.

Help me to see the best, to choose to forget myself, and
to lift up somebody today who needs to be encouraged.

Make me a bright light of hope in a dark world of despair,
a source of refreshing words that bring life to the dry desert of someone's life.

As you have loved me, help me to love others, for Jesus' sake.
In His holy name I pray. Amen.

Betrayed!

Betrayed

When a ‘friend’ turns against us, the pain is sharp, isn’t it?  When someone with whom we have shared a part of our life walks out, the loss is real, and grief persists like the ache of a broken bone. Betrayal is as old as Creation. Rejection is fueled by many reasons – from misunderstandings, to jealousy, to opportunism. It is common to human relationships. But, the fact that it happens to everyone does not change the fact that it hurts; badly!  David, the songwriter of the Bible says “My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.”  Why?  Because someone who was a friend had become his enemy! "If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God." (Psalm 55:12-14, NIV)

This Psalm reveals the emotional storm that comes with rejection.  At one point, he tells God to "Haul my betrayers off alive to hell—let them experience the horror, let them feel every desolate detail of a damned life." (Psalm 55:15, The Message)  As shocking as it may be, he says, “Go to Hell!” David is distraught, then angry, then hopeful, then heart-broken.  He ultimately chooses to trust the Lord for justice.

When we are hurt, there will be a struggle with anger. The worst thing to do is to pretend we do not care or that it does not matter.  Of course, it does.  But, we ought to take a lesson from David. It is best to work through our emotions with God, not out there in the world. It is nearly impossible to clean up the mess that we create when we throw angry, hurtful words around.  Taking our pain to the Lord and choosing to trust Him for justice, allows us to rise above bitterness.  This is critically important! Why?  Because, when grow bitter the tragedy is compounded.  Bitterness is a poison that spreads to all our relationships, stealing our ability to love. Those who live in Christ must take a different road. The Word directs us to break the cycle of recrimination. "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9, NIV)   Jesus said we must forgive and that forgiveness must be active, not passive.  We cannot say, “I forgive,” and then just move on!  He told us that when somebody slaps us in the face on one side, we should offer them the other as well! (Matthew 5:39)  Our love is modeled on His.  It is not a wimpy love, a cowardly love, a self-protective love. It is a BOLD love that pursues relationship.

“Ah, Jerry, does this mean we must become door mats for the world or that we must turn into people so desperate for a relationship we will allow others to do anything to us?” Not at all!  The love we find in God, however, secures our hearts so that we can face rejection, absorb the pain, and pursue reconciliation.  Even as we do, we must remember that a restored relationships involves both sides. Forgiveness is mine to offer, but the other person is free to accept it or reject it.  In the spirit of Jesus, I can take the blame and defuse conflict, but ultimately restoration requires the engagement of both.  And, sadly, in our broken world, that is not guaranteed.

The Word asks us to work on conflict and rejection this way.  If we reject the wisdom of Christ, the Enemy gains great advantage to hinder, even destroy the work of God. Here’s the word from the Word. If you’re hurting, rejected, today, it is for you.  If not, then store it away, because inevitably, the time will come that you will need it. “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love." (Matthew 18:15-17, The Message)

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They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

We are one in the Spirit,

We are one in the Lord,

We are one in the Spirit,

We are one in the Lord,

And we pray that all unity

May one day be restored.

All praise to the Father

From whom all things come,

And all praise to

Christ Jesus His only Son,

And all praise to

The Spirit who makes us one.

And they'll know we are Christians

By our love, by our love!

Yes, they'll know we are Christians

By our love!

Peter Scholtes

© 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin. by Lorenz Corporation)

CCLI License # 810055