Keeping an eye on the clock

Football is a complex game. Most of the attention is focused on the plays, the defense, the quarterback’s ability to throw a good pass. Often forgotten is the strategy of managing the clock. The game is limited to 60 minutes of playing time so part of getting a win is making sure that the team ‘owns’ the ball. Timeouts become strategic tools to “stop the clock” to allow for additional plays. “Running out the clock” keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team.

This life we are living here on earth is not infinite. Knowing that we need to keep an eye on the clock! In one of His more difficult messages to fully understand Jesus told us to be aware of the limits of our time. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out. “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21:29-36, The Message)

What words. Don’t lose sight of the main fact by digging too deeply in to the details. Jesus tells us that time for us is not an infinite resource. This world is on God’s clock and He has declared a moment when the Kingdom will be fully realized by the coming of the Lord.  Mysterious? Yes, it is.  Christ will return in majesty, the second coming not to save but to bring all things to account before the Just Judge. That passage, however, should renew our understanding that our destiny is eternal.  The win for us is not living here forever but rather in knowing the promise of His welcome at the moment of our own entry into the Kingdom.   

Despite being surrounded by changing seasons, aging people, and things that wear out or become obsolete so many of us manage to deny the reality of the clock. Somehow we convince ourselves that there will always be a tomorrow.  We need not become obsessed with mortality, nor should we be so enthralled with the promise of the Second Coming of Christ that we fail to live fully in this moment. Remember this – the best use of today will be shaped by being fully aware of the clock.

Are you ‘killing time?’ What a waste.

Are you ‘making the most of every opportunity?’  This is the way to know God’s favor.

Are you praying for the coming of the King?

Here is a word from the Word.  Lord, use these words to help us to be aware of the times and to live so that we can welcome You at a moment’s notice.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NIV)

__________

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver

Born a child and yet a King

Born to reign in us forever

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne

Charles Wesley | Rowland Hugh Prichard

© Words: Public Domain

Did God ask me to do this?

Currently I am being challenged by Ann VosKamp’s newest book, The Broken Way. She authentically invites the reader into her life telling the stories of her own brokenness and meeting God in those places. I don’t doubt her and find her words encouraging, but it is so much easier to read about being broken by sin and giving Self the boot than it is to actually live it. Would you agree?

Last night, I was at the end of my rope; weary of dealing with a person who brings constant conflict into my life, a broken man-child who cannot understand or accept love, and who resists any and every attempt to help him get life right.  I am reminded of that moment when Peter stepped out of the boat on the Sea of Galilee at Jesus’ invitation.  A moment later the preposterous nature of what he was doing hit him and when he started to sink all he had the presence of mind to say was - "Lord, save me."  That was me! I prayerfully told the Lord that I just could not do it any longer - out of options, out of hope, spent, done, afraid. Thankfully, my sad, faithless prayer was offered up in the quiet of my bedroom where no one had to actually witness the self-pity.  With the arrival of the dawn, my perspective is a little better, knowing that HE is the Savior, I am not.  In a strange way, I can give thanks for the trial because it does cause me to rely on God.

Have you been in that kind of place, friend?

Peter reflects on his Christian life and reminds us "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. " (1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message)  We tend to wonder if God has failed us, if He has turned His back on us when pain persists, don’t we?  That temptation is old as Eden. Satan’s approach to Eve was to suggest that God was not good, that He was withholding the best things in life from her.  I have heard that same whisper. When I listen, things get bad. When I go to my knees, I find that He is sufficient.

VosKamp writes “How do you bind up the slow bleeding of your one broken heart and still believe that wounded warriors win, still believe that there is no remission of sins or the crossing of finish lines without things getting downright bloody, still believe that scars and wounds and broken places might become you and become who you are? … I am not enough for any of this.”   She points, not to self-help, not to escape but rather to the place of Broken Love! On the Cross Jesus Himself hung in His place of ultimate brokenness and even He groaned, more like screamed, “My God, why have You forsaken me.”  He had to go through death to find resurrection. So must we. 

No, that’s not exactly what I wanted to hear either, but there it is, inescapable truth.  And, there is no neat resolve of our story in 46 minutes, like those TV dramas we watch. There are few burning bush moments where God shows up and says “I AM.”  Mostly there are just prayers for courage and tears that silently entreat Him to hold our hearts together even as we wait for faith’s reward.

In my broken place I hang onto Paul’s confession, making it mine. And so can you! "But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)  Whatever challenges you're facing today,  God is present.   He will provide all that you need, if not all that you think you need.   Trust Him.  Wait for Him. 

Here's a word from the Word.  Let the living Word fill your mind with His Presence as you meditate on the promise.   

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God."
(2 Corinthians 9:8-12, NKJV)

________________________

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."

Hide Thou Me
Harris, Thoro / Tolbert, L.R. © 1926. Renewed 1953 Singspiration Music
CCLI License No. 810055

A New and Forever Life!

I stood there in the water in front of the church, listening to the people sing, waiting to start the baptism. Feelings of elation and wonder surged through me.  Six people were about to make the statement, “I am a Believer now.”  Sinners becoming saints; the lost now found, those once without hope now living in the full assurance of life in Christ- the core reason for our existence as a church.  I love Sundays when we baptize!  We feed the hungry, teach the young, provide community for those who struggle but our main mission is the one that Jesus gave 2000 years ago - "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, The Message)  The anthem that closed our worship became a shout of victory – “The splendor of the King, Clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice … How great is our God.”

On this Monday morning, my friend, are you keeping Christ first, focused on His promise, living in His way?  Baptism Sundays help this pastor of 4 decades to remember the ‘why’ of the ‘what’ in my life. I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to balance church budgets, tending the business of the organization.  But, then as I speak those words “It is my privilege as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize you in the Name of God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit,” it is all worthwhile. This is why we exist. You are an ambassador of Christ Jesus, given the responsibility and privilege of turning hearts to their Father, helping people find their way home!

This season of Thanksgiving make it your prayer and goal to help someone know the Hope that Jesus gives. “Jerry, I am not a pastor. That’s your business.” Yes, it is, but not mine alone. You do life with people that I will never know. You have friends and family to whom you are the link to Life.  You do not have to be obnoxious about it, carrying a big black Bible and slapping them down as ‘sinners.’  We live in the Light and He promises that even though “At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” (John 12:31-32, The Message) He spoke first of the Cross where He was lifted up to save us from sin and by extension, of our lives as we make Him known. Lift Jesus up with love. Make Him known with joy in adversity. Let the hope of life eternal make you steady in Hope. Others will see and hunger for life.

On this Monday morning, He commissions you and me to “Go and tell!”  Let’s remember that actions speak louder than words. 

Here is the word from the Word. "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21, NLT)

Abba, this world is burdened with darkness.

Friends are seeking life and hope in places that yield no return.

Evil seems to win, too often.

Make my life radiant with Your Light.
Love through me.  Help me to lift Jesus up for all to see.

Give me the privilege, this day, to lead someone to consider You

And to turn to Jesus as his Savior.

Spirit of God, empower me to live authentically for You.

Amen.

____________

How Great Is Our God

The splendor of the King

Clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice

All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

And trembles at His voice

How great is our God

Sing with me

How great is our God

And all will see how great

How great is our God

And age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the End

Beginning and the End

The Godhead three in one

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names

Worthy of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves

© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

Faith Discovery Church

www.FaithDiscovery.com