I failed the test!

Since last week, my physical frame has been plagued with severe pain. First it was a shoulder, now a hip. I'm not talking mild discomfort. I'm talking 'take your breath away, make you yell' stabbing pain. The shoulder's pain escalated over two days to the point of becoming immobile, then subsided about as quickly. The hip's pain seems to be on the wane. My response to this week of pain was not one of grace or simple faith! I became short-tempered and had a heart full of complaint. Yes, I failed the test of suffering in patient quietness! As I talked over my responses with the Lord, confessing my failure to accept His grace for this trial, He gently reminded me that many people suffer much worse pain and for extended periods of time. I could sense the Spirit saying, "Are you gentle with them? Do you empathize, encourage, and help them carry the burden? Do you offer them grace and faith, or do you just 'instruct' them?" Being human, I quickly told the Lord I would do better.... and that I didn't need a retest!

Suffering should help us to understand our frailty and make us dependent on our God so that His glory and strengthen can shine through our weakness. But, does it? Too often, no. Many are like me, assuming a right to feeling well, to having a pill at hand to take away pain, to finding a solution now for the things that are difficult. But sometimes the Lord has a purpose for leading us into temptation! (Read that word 'temptation' not as a time of seduction to sin, but rather as a time of testing for the purpose revealing weakness and strengthening faith.)

In the 14th chapter of the Exodus, we learn that shortly after the Israeli people left their Egyptian slavery, delivered by the mighty hand of God, something that defied all logic, happened. Take a look. "Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: "Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon." (Exodus 14:1-2, NLT) God turned them around, led them back toward Egypt and to a place where their ability to get away was blocked by a body of water! Why? Because the Lord wanted to draw the Pharaoh and his armies into one more decisive conflict. He wanted Pharaoh to think that they were confused and ready to be retaken! "I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told." (Exodus 14:4, NLT)

Pharaoh took the bait and soon the Israelis saw the approaching army. Did they remember that God was with them? Did they quietly wait for the next instructions? No. They failed the test! "They panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’ " (Exodus 14:10-12, NLT)

Moses' did not fail the test! "Moses spoke to the people: "Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!" (Exodus 14:13-14, The Message) And we know the rest of that story, the great crossing of the sea when God parted the waters.

A pastor from Kenya and I were talking about faith and prayer. "Jerry, I find that American Christians don't depend enough on the Lord," Patrick said. He went on to explain that in Africa, because they are not so wealthy, because they do not have so many medical resources, the Christians are much more prone to trust God, to fast and to seek Him in times of trial! How unlike us. Usually pain doesn't make us reflective and faithful - it tends to make us loud in complaint and angry with God! Dear friend, let's renew our commitment to Him, trusting Him with the pain as quickly as we praise Him for the blessings. Let's rediscover the God-honoring life that emerges when we dethrone Self and enthrone Christ as Lord of all, and let Him lead us even where we would not naturally choose to go.

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. Paul wrote it as he reflected on his own prayer for relief from something that caused him distress.
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he 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 12:8-10, NIV)

Thanks for praying for the Lord to heal my body.
But I'd appreciate your prayers even more that my faith would be made strong so that I won't flunk the test next time!
____________________

Paradise

Last night 'round 9:30, I sat quietly alone prayerfully thinking about the day that was now ending; and I longed for Paradise. As I prayed, God was near. The experience of His Presence is wonderful, but I still have to deal with the multiple evidences of sin in myself and my world - as I had done throughout yesterday. I am not complaining about my life! I enjoy rich blessings - the love of God, many friendships, a comfortable home, a loving wife, great kids. I even took my Miata out in the Spring sunshine for a spin with the top down yesterday. What I am trying to say is that even with a good life, there is a longing for that promised place where sin cannot enter, where suffering is unknown, and where intimacy with God is unbroken. The Psalmist expresses my desire: "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, NIV)

Heaven is written into us by our Creator. He made us to love and serve Him and, as we invite His Spirit to be at work in us, we will more intensely desire His Presence, which will be perfectly known when we reach Paradise! One of my favorite authors, Dallas Willard, points Believers forward to eternity. Without a firm grasp on the promise of Paradise, we risk becoming disillusioned, even embittered, with the passing of time. He writes, "I meet many faithful Christians who, in spite of their faith, are deeply disappointed in how their lives have turned out. Sometimes it is a matter of how they experience aging, which they take to mean they no longer have a future. But often, due to circumstances or wrongful decisions and actions by others, what they had hoped to accomplish in life they did not .... Much of the distress of these people comes from a failure to realize that their life lies before them.. the life that lies endlessly before us in the kingdom of God." (The Divine Conspiracy) We must look beyond what we cannot understand now and take hold of what we are certainly promised throughout the Scriptures. We must not allow ourselves to make the error of thinking that eternal life only begins when we die, that the joy of Heaven is only available to us after our bodies are in the grave! I am a citizen of Heaven, now by the grace of Jesus Christ. I can and I do commune with the Lord of Glory now. I am called to bring Heaven to earth, to live in earnest expectation of glories to come, while confronting the darkness of sin with the Light of Heaven, right now!

We need to imitate the life of the father of the faithful, Abraham. He heard God's call, grasped the reality of Paradise, and lived the rest of days here on earth on pilgrimage. Was he perfect? No! He took some detours from the straight and narrow path, but he never lost sight of where he was going. "By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God." (Hebrews 11:8-10, The Message)

I am concerned that we do not anticipate Paradise with greater desire because we have adopted a faulty vision of that place. Hollywood has given us the wrong picture of Heaven. The images of the misty fog enveloping transparent spirits floating in a ghostly realm, the fat little cherubs strumming harps as their feet dangle over the edge of clouds, is nonsense! Heaven is a place; yes, a real substantial place, created by the same God that thought up the refraction of sunlight by water moisture which produces the beauty of a rainbow. He did that for a thing of beauty that lasts for a few moments. The One who designed this temporal world, which is destined for destruction, has built a place where we will live eternally. If He would make a temporary world of such splendor, I can only begin to imagine what Heaven, His eternal home looks like. John tried to describe it for us, but could only speak of gates of pearl and streets of gold!

The best conversation, the deepest intimacy with another, the most wonderful worship, the most blissful day of rest - are just glimpses of Glory! So, by faith, reach out and hold onto Heaven. Never lose sight of that place. When life is overwhelming, when sin threatens to engulf you, when all seems futile, when disappointment breaks your heart - look up and thank God that He has written Heaven into your heart. It is precisely the longing for Paradise that makes us unwilling to settle down and desire our best life now. We are headed home!
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16, NIV)
_________________________

Smoke and Mirrors

I spent the morning with a young woman whose life has been turned inside out by a deceiver! To all appearances, the man was a Christian, concerned about serving others, generous, and ready to make a difference in the world. He befriended her, gave her gifts, and played up his meager accomplishments so he appeared to be a person headed for greatness. After he had gained access to her trust, he manipulated her into a significant financial deal. Then, he took off with the goods. He stole more than her money. He took away her ability to trust others, destroyed her self-confidence, and left a great deal of sorrow in the lives of several people.

Have you ever been deceived? It is a fairly common experience. We all encounter people that try to appear to be someone or something other than who they really are. Some are just harmless posers, wanna-be's who are playing a role. That is a stage that most of go through on our way to adulthood. We dress like a favorite actor or musician, adopt the mannerisms of a celebrity, or take on the persona of the coolest person we know. Almost all of us grow out of that stage as we leave our teens years behind and discover our own identity. But there are those who are incapable of being truthful with themselves, who refuse to do the hard work of making a real life for themselves, that become instruments of evil as they live a lie. Their lives are like a movie set; illusions made only of fabrications, boasts, and superficial appearance. They contribute nothing to others and drain away resources - financial, emotional, and relational- from all those with whom they have interactions.

Jesus describes such people as being just like their father! "For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. . . . He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44, NLT) What does the Evil One do? He destroys. He takes. He consumes. The words associated with him are darkness and death! Contrast that with what we find in the One who is Truth Personified! Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" What does He do? He builds up. He gives. He enriches those who love Him and His words. In Him there is Light and Life!

That, dear Believer, is why I love the Truth and despise even the smallest falsehood, the most 'harmless' pretense. The truth, even when it leads to disclosure of what is ugly, is always to be preferred to a lie! When we love the Truth and tell the truth- to ourselves and to others - God is able to change our hearts and minds. As we confess (say the same thing about them as He says) our sins to Him, we not only find forgiveness. We find cleansing and power to live a new life.

Are you an immature poser, a wanna-be who is trying to be somebody you're not? Grow up in Christ. Stop playing silly religious games and do the work of spiritual disciplines that allow you to become a mature Believer, full of the Spirit, who builds the Kingdom of God in the world.

Are you a deceiver, lying and living in a world of deception? I fear for you! It is oh so easy to get lost in the maze of mirrors that a life of lies creates. Fall on your knees and tell the Lord you need to be led to freedom. Tell him that you can't trust your own heart. Ask Him to send His Truth. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV)

Here's a word of Truth. Meditate on it today.
"Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:22-25, NLT)

Plan "D"

We all have a preferred life path, plan "A." We have a back-up alternative, plan "B." There is that which we think is possible but unlikely, plan "C." But what often happens is, plan "D," that which we never even imagined in our wildest dreams or worst nightmares! Plan "D" is not always bad, though often frightening. It is the circumstance that develops unforeseen in our lives, that changes everything, and it shakes us to the core. Plan "D" events include situations like divorce, disease, career loss, a friend that turns against us becoming a foe, disaster, and spiritual crisis. They also can be serendiptious - a sudden promotion, birth of twins, the discovery of love, or spiritual awakening!

Many of us work very hard to keep surprises out of our lives. We plan carefully, build limits and walls into our lives, reduce expectations, and guard our emotions. Though we don't consciously think it, our guiding motto is "Better safe than sorry!" But surprises - both wonderful and not so great - manage to break through anyway. Having experienced some of those plan "D" moments in my lifetime, I can tell you that trusting God and staying faithful through them is the path to joy. If we resist Him, we will become embittered, miserable people. If we walk with Him, letting Him guide and lead, from our tears will water seeds from which grows the beauty of His character in us. In 1988, I found myself pastoring a small country church in New England, after serving on the staff of a suburban growing exciting church for eight years. Initially, I felt like the Lord had sidelined me. I wondered how long I would be 'in exile.' I experienced depression. But, I prayed for faith and embraced the place. That season of my life, which extended for over 12 years, was filled with rich experiences of ministry, loving people, and was of great benefit to my family. Looking back, I see so clearly that what I thought was a Plan "D" was actually God's gift where amazing blessings were bestowed on me for which I am thankful to this day!

In the book of James, the Spirit urges us to faithful acceptance of the lives that God gives to us. "Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. Those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:9-12, NLT) No, the Word does not teach us to be resigned to fate! We must not confuse acceptance of God's reign with resignation to 'life as it is!' James also teaches us, "Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. . . . The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." (James 5:13, 16, NLT) Those 'wonderful results' are often not at all what we expected! They are what God, in His infinite wisdom, brings into our lives.

Believer, go deep with your faith. Let the Holy Spirit of God do His work in you, through you, and to you. He is not always 'fair' in the way that we would determine fairness. His ways are not always pleasant as we would desire. But He is always good, always present, and as the Word promises, "always working for the good of those who love Him and who are called to His eternal purposes." Yes, even on plan "D" days!

Here's a word from the Word. Join Job in this declaration of faith today. "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside." (Job 23:10-11, NKJV)
_____________________

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best;
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He sure would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure,
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in ev'ry tribulation,
So to trust Your promises, O Lord;
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Day By Day -
Berg, Carolina Sandell / Ahnfelt, Oscar / Skoog, Andrew© Public Domain

So, help me, God!

One of the great tragedies of our time is the growing distain that exists towards the Christian church among those who are not Believers. Barna Research, a reputable firm, reports that 38 percent of young Americans (16-29) have a negative impression of present day Christianity.
Christians are perceived as unintelligent and out of touch with the world, as judgmental and quick to find fault, as people who do not live what they teach, and as those who are too willing to readily and uncritically adopt the political views of the right wing. Gabe Lyons, author of unChristian: What a New Generation thinks of Christianity (Baker, 2008) writes of Believers: "we've almost forgotten what it means to be human, or to suffer with other people, or to admit to our brokenness, or to connect with people in areas where we don't have it all figured out. We've tried to portray an image that we have it all together, that our life is best now, that in a lot of ways we have conquered major issues. And we all know that is not reality." ('Christianity In Crisis,' Willow Journal, Winter, 2008)

What a telling observation! Is the assessment of Believers accurate or is it based on superficial perceptions? That I cannot say with certainty. I know many Christians on whom the indictments of insincerity, hypocrisy, blind allegiance to one political party, and judgmentalism can be hung with justice. But, I also know many Believers who work hard to serve the world in Jesus' Name with gentle love, who desire no recognition as they give of their time and resources to help those who are weighed down by terrible sorrow and/or pain. I want to be latter, so help me, God! Don't you?

Even from the 'inside,' as one who has lived his entire adult life in the shadow of the organized church and as a Pastor, I realize that we Believers are often too prone to trust government to make our world a better place, instead of rolling up our sleeves and getting about the business of building the Kingdom of God! Additionally, we let agencies do what Christ calls us to do - care for the poor, love the weak and the sick, and defend the powerless! Too often, we seek places of power instead of service; rejecting the servant's towel in favor of the weight of the law. We think that our society will be redeemed by stricter judges, with the election of politicians who use 'church speak,' or through enactment of laws more narrowly and punitively written. After years of enjoying political influence, the mirage of a legislated morality ought be obvious to Christians. National politicians that have been elected with wide support by evangelical Believers have not been able to do what only the Gospel of Christ can do - change human hearts.

Though the ages, the good news about Jesus has been validated by Christians who have served Him as they served others. Wherever the Church attempted to advance its influence on the tip of a sword, there was only failure, the establishment of a religion perhaps, but not the transformation of a culture. We need to study those history lessons and remember what Jesus urged on us when He showed us the heart of a Servant while He lived among us.

We do not lack for ministry opportunities, Believer! The prisons of America are overflowing. Are we stepping up to share the Word with inmates in Bible studies, and as we do, are we ready to show them the genuine love of Jesus Christ as we embrace them, weep with them, and ask God to bring them new hearts? The families of America are breaking up under terrible pressures. Are we teaching people to keep their covenants by keeping ours; to choose to live with less things so they can live more sanely and wholly by reducing our consumption? Are we modeling concern for those who are oppressed? As ignorant persons foment hatred, do we speak fearlessly to the prejudice that grows from fear, even at the cost of popularity? A sin-sick society, plagued with sexual dysfunction and greed needs models of purity and generosity. Do we confront our own sins and weaknesses with earnest prayer and pursuit of the fruit of Spirit life outlined in Galatians 5; "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (5:22-23, NIV) so that we might lead the way to Christ, who saves from sin?

Nehemiah, the restorer of Jerusalem, points us in the right direction in our desire to bring God to our world. The Word tells us that when he encountered the threats of those who wanted to stop his work he "prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves." (Nehemiah 4:9, NLT) We cannot just disappear into our churches and pray, nor can we only take on the challenges with hard work. Prayer without hard work produces few results. Hard work without prayer produces no lasting results.

Our response to the criticisms of our culture must not be defensive. We must never return attack for attack! Instead, with the same humility Jesus showed to those who constantly attacked Him, we must serve without needing affirmation. We must ask the Spirit to empower us, not in the usual sense, but in our hearts with courage and stamina to continue to do good, for God's glory alone. Our Master asks nothing less of us.
"Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20, CEV) "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8, NLT)

Here I am, Lord. I will serve You and my world in Your Name, so help me, God.
____________________

Nostalgia's Rosy Tint

Nostalgia is a powerful part of the human experiences. I'm not an old man, but, even now, paging through our family picture albums or watching family videos from 10 years ago stirs up such such longing for a return to the time when my kids were running through the house, that I get depressed for hours! Interestingly, those same pictures that make me so morose make my wife thankful that our kids are all grown up. She was a full-time Mom and remembers that era in our family life quite differently than I do! Both of us agree about one thing, however; we can't relive those joys, so we'll find the joys that today offers!

Some people are attempting to navigate their way into the future while staring into the rear-view mirror called the 'past!' They are largely missing the present because they are remembering the past. Every experience of the 'now' is evaluated in the light of 'then.' There's a big problem with living that way. Memory is highly selective. We rewrite history to fit our perceptions, our needs. So, as we remember the 'good old days,' we tend to forget the difficulties and recall the moments of joy. Try to think back just 10 or 20 years. Memory is mostly limited to big moments of joy - birthday celebrations, Christmas, family vacations, or the awful moments of breakups, financial loss, or death. But the ordinary moments - the flat tires, broken appliances, frustrations, arguments, sun rises, unremarkable days... they have disappeared into the mist of memory.

I find that some Christians fall into the trap of nostalgia in their faith walk, too. They bemoan the state of the church, criticize the youth program, and/or long for the preaching of some by-gone pastor or teacher. "It's not the way it used to be," they say. They're right! Change is inevitable!

Churches that work to stay exactly the same - and many do - slide into isolation and gradually die. Some of you are objecting, "Jerry, Christianity is ancient. Traditions are important." And you're right. The Bible assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today, and forever." The ritual celebrations of Communion and Baptism are valuable rites that preserve continuity in the Christian community. However, the ways that the Gospel is communicated; the forms in our worship will all change over time. Each generation's innovations in Christian worship has provoked the ire of the previous generation! The church organ was a scandal in the time of Bach. Few evangelical Christians who defend traditional worship today realize that the hymns of Isaac Watts provoked splits and great commotion in the 18th century American church!

Are you missing out on what God wants to do in your life TODAY, because you're attempting to recreate the spiritual experiences of another time?

Do you fondly remember a decade when God was so close to you? Rejoice in that! Don't try to erase yesterday. What He did for you and with you yesterday is foundational for your walk with Him today, but those things are the past, and He's doing a new thing in you, in me! Ask God to help you to see and appreciate today.
If you think the Church has gone a little 'off the rails,' pray for those who lead, asking the Spirit to make His Presence known - and be ready for God to do a new thing - in you, in your church, in this world!

Here's a word from the Word -
"No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn't even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins." (Luke 5:36-37, NLT)

"Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness." (Psalm 98:1, NLT)

Sweeter Than Honey!

I recently read a book titled: The Year of Living Biblically. A. J. Jacobs, a man who knew nothing about the Bible, decided that he would spend a year following the Bible's words to the letter. His book, which tells the story of his quest, is a hoot, somewhat irreverent, but extremely compelling. Despite his early skepticism and his secular worldview that held no real regard for the reality of the revelation of God in the Bible, Jacobs found that his encounter with the Bible was changing him, turning an atheist into an inquirer. He met up with all kinds of fundamentalists in that year, people who think they are following the Bible and miss the point entirely by focusing only on the words. For example, he handled snakes with a little church in Kentucky that completely ignore the context of Jesus' words found in Mark 16. Yes, he made a huge effort to keep the letter of the Law, but Jacobs never really allowed the Bible to change his heart. What makes his story both funny and sad are his efforts to shape his daily habits by rules that were divorced from a love for God and an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I am a Biblical man. No, I don't handle snakes, grow a long beard, or observe rigid dietary codes. However, my views, my speech, my values; all come from the Bible. From the earliest days of my life, the Book has been the source of truth around which my life is shaped.

From the Book, I learned early that I am not a god and that there is a God to Whom I will give account for the way that I live my life. That singular idea has kept me from giving in to many temptations as well as motivating me to serving faithfully when I preferred to be served.

From the Book, I gained the concept of a loving personal Lord that cares for people and that has caused me to have a high regard for the dignity and personal worth of other people.

From the Book came my sense of eternity, the realization that this present world is just the prelude to the 'forever' life that is promised to all of God's children. Eternity, out there on time's horizon and growing closer each day, makes me hopeful and peaceful.

I don't have a lot of patience with those who twist the wonderful Word into strange doctrines, who use snippets of the Word to support their pet theories. Few things make me more disturbed than hearing someone 'interpret' the Scripture with little or no real skill or study. It is simply too precious to be misused by charlatans, misquoted by simpletons, or ignored by misguided sophisticates! With the Psalmist, I say - "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:103-105, NKJV)

Paul admonished Timothy, a younger pastor, about the importance of good teaching. He said, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV) And James held this caution out to those who would take the podium to teach- "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1, NIV)

John Ortberg writes that
"Some 65 million copies of the Bible are bought or distributed in the U.S. every year-nothing else is a close second. The average house has at least three. People cheer the Bible, buy the Bible, give the Bible, own the Bible-they just don't actually read the Bible. According to George Gallup:
One third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible;
80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it's actually Ben Franklin)." Leadership, Winter, 2008

Are you a person of the Word?
Don't make the mistake of just owning a Bible and thinking that makes you Biblical! Read it. Of course, without the practice of group study, which has precedent spanning three millennia, you will miss much, most, in fact, of what the Bible actually has to say. Really understanding what God says is a life-long quest, a serious study, and demands that we allow the Spirit to make the Word plain to us. But, the reward of knowing and doing what the Word teaches is beyond estimation.

"Every word you give me is a miracle word— how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you. Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me." (Psalm 119:129-133, The Message)
____________________

A Smart Fool?

If you're a student of American history you know about the "Higgins boat" which Dwight Eisenhower credited with changing the course of World War 2. Andrew Higgins built the boats, called LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) in military jargon, that carried our soldiers and supplies to the beaches for the invasion. According to historian Stephen Ambrose, Higgins refused to hire engineers who were graduates of college programs because he believed that schools of engineering taught students to think too narrowly and turned out engineers that began their processes from what they thought could not be done in design, rather than attempting innovation. Higgins wanted men with wisdom and common sense and he found them! His self-taught engineers came up with a shallow draft boat that could go right up to the beaches, drop a ramp on the front, and allow the men to disembark without having to crawl up and over the sides, a slower process that exposed them to enemy fire for a longer period of time. {Source - REV! March-April, 2008}

Wisdom and education are not necessarily one and the same. Mastering a great body of information and having the ability to recall those facts can be a valuable skill, but if learning is not matched with wisdom - which includes:
the ability to apply information to life,
to adapt and create solutions to problems, and
an understanding of how to relate to other people-
a person may well end up being a smart fool! It has been said wisely that "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!" That is not to suggest that education, in itself, is undesirable. Having the opportunity and inclination to gain an education is important. What we must never forget is that information, especially today, has a very short shelf life. The world changes rapidly and the person who is truly wise, will be a life-long learner, continuing to study, to read, and to seek to understand the world in which he lives.

I once thought that by the time I reached my fifth decade of life, and my third decade of pastoral ministry, that my calling to the church would grow easier. It hasn't. Much of what I learned about 'how' to do ministry yesterday no longer applies in an ever-changing world. However, I enjoy greater effectiveness now than I did twenty five years ago, but it isn't because I'm in control of more facts or that I am smarter today than I once then. Truthfully, I get frustrated by my tendency to forget names, faces, and facts. I know that my mental processes are beginning to slow a little; but, I am wiser today than I was twenty years ago. That wisdom makes me more useful to the Kingdom. I'll leave it to you to say if I am actually wise! I am content to make a comparative statement - wiser than I once was! After all, the Bible warns about the folly of becoming 'wise in your own eyes!' (Proverbs 26.12)

Wisdom is not reserved for those who have graduate degrees, those with high IQ's, or those over the age of 50! Wisdom is available to anyone of us who will seek it.

The first step towards true wisdom is revealed in this passage from the Word. "Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." (Hosea 14:9, NIV) There can be no real wisdom without submission to God and His ways. Let me state what might be obvious - the ability to spout Bible trivia is not the same as understanding the ways of the Lord!

The second step on the road to wisdom is humility. A wise man realizes that there is much he does not know and reveals his wisdom by gathering wise counselors! "Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances." (Proverbs 11:14, The Message) Who is on your life team? From whom are you taking advice and counsel? Are you walking with the wise?

Then, too, there is this paradox. The wiser a person becomes the more willing he is to live with mystery and ambiguity! Job was a wise man. When his life turned from good to bad, then from bad to worse, he demanded an explanation - from others and from God. His friends consumed day after day with tedious philosophical arguments about the reasons for Job's suffering. In the end, the Lord swept away their musings. Job himself rose up to demand fair answers from the Lord, to which God said "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" Then Job answered the LORD: "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth." (Job 40:2-4, NIV) Job learned wisely to live with the mystery of faith.

Here's a word from the Word to take with you through this April Fool's Day.

"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
(Proverbs 9:8-12, NIV)

Suffering and Victory

I held the dear saint tightly as she wept. She has served the Lord faithfully and lovingly, even radically, for most of her life. Now, her mind is failing. Physicians have told her that she is in the early stages of dementia. She watched her husband slide into the hazy confusion of mental deterioration before he died and she fears the future holds the same for her. Is her suffering and/or fear the result of some sin? Do her tears reveal a lack of faith that would allow her to 'claim her victory?' There is a kind of triumphal Christianity in the land that would say, yes to both of those questions. Suffering has no place in the theology that see God as the Dispenser of perpetual happiness! But, my study of the Word reveals something different.

The Bible teaches the Believer to live in victory and to embrace suffering: two themes that seem, at first glance, to be in direct contradiction. How do we reconcile Jesus' words- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NIV) with this- "So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you." (1 Peter 4:19, NLT)?

First, we must conquer our culture's love of "now."
We have little patience with problems that persistent beyond a few days. We crave the satisfaction of our desires right now, many of us convinced that we are entitled, as children of a good God, to a better life right here and right now; however we might define it. Christians are not immune to this impatience. We expect God to heal us, now! We demand freedom from our pain, now! We think that we should attain spiritual maturity and depth of intimacy with God, now! We think that Jesus should step in and fix the things that trouble us, now! But, God does not work in our limitations of time. His desires for us span our lifetime; and beyond into eternity.

Second, we must try to understand the difference between momentary happiness and the greater work of grace.
When I am wrestling with temptation and the fight exhausts me, I just want God to come now and 'do something!' When pain, of body or emotion, gnaws away at me, I want something or someone to soothe me. And that is natural. However, the Word reminds me, "We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, NKJV) For me, it takes greater faith to walk willingly with God through fiery trials, than it does to holler long and loud for Him to 'get me out of this mess!'

Third, we allow for mystery!
I have no idea why God allows some of his saints to pass through dementia on their way to Heaven. That makes no sense to me! But, then again, neither does electricity or nuclear physics! I lack the knowledge to grasp how much of life works. Charles R. Swindoll in Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life says, “We’re not supposed to have airtight answers! Why? Because our understanding is earthbound. . . . Our focus is from the ground up. . . . We see now, He sees forever. We judge on the basis of the temporal; He, on the basis of the eternal. . . . His vantage point is infinity." [Discipleship Journal : Issue 32. 1999]

In the book of James there is this direct instruction- "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." (James 5:13, NKJV) What is prayer? It is the communion that we enjoy with Him - ranging from praise, to petition, to weeping wordlessly, to shouting in exultation, to silent contemplation, to watchful waiting.... and more. To think that prayer is only making a list of wants and grievances to be recited before the Lord, bracketed with a Scripture and 'I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen' is both immature and foolish.

My God reveals Himself as the Creator of Awe-inspiring Majesty and as a tender Father. Relating to Him, in faith, in both ways can be a stretch, but it is exactly the stretch that I need to make to remain steady. And, I would urge that you do the same.

Are you suffering? Pray! But not just a simplistic, childish prayer that says, "God, if you love me, get me out this trouble right now." Instead, talk it over with the Lord. Tell Him the desire of your heart. Ask boldly of Him, even as you confess His goodness and His greatness. Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, NKJV) One author writes, "The angry person bangs, the guilty person lightly taps, and the confident person knocks. If I know I am asking and seeking with the right spirit and motives, I can confidently knock. Believing in my status as God’s child, yet accepting His sovereignty over my life, helps me exert just the right amount of pressure. That kind of knocking reveals my reverence and respect for God’s omniscience. " [Discipleship Journal : Issue 32. 1999]
____________________

A Wretch, No more!

John Newton penned the now familiar line - "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" Newton knew the depths of wretchedness. In his youth, he had gone to sea and over time became a captain, but not of noble ships. His ships carried human cargo from their African homes to lands far away. Those ships were islands of misery and death with sick and suffering humans chained below decks in squalor that defies our imagination. In addition to the physical horror, there was the utter loss of hope, the terrible grief of having their lives stolen while their bodies still lived!

In the film, "Amazing Grace" released in 2007 to tell the story of William Wilberforce, the member of England's Parliament who led the 30 year struggle to outlaw slavery, Newton reveals that the horror of slave trade haunts his dreams, despite his own experience of Christ's transforming grace, becoming a minister of the Church of England. He was a wretch, no longer, because of God's intervention.

Some churches have taken to changing the word - 'wretch' - to 'soul' when they sing the that hymn. I prefer to hold onto the word - 'wretch' - because it makes God's grace all that more amazing! What is a 'wretch?' My dictionary defines it as 'a deplorably unhappy person of base or despicable character.' No wonder some hymnals are taking the word out of the song. We moderns don't like to think of ourselves as wretched. We make many excuses:

We don't sin anymore, we just make mistakes.

We were raised by parents who messed us up psychologically by failing to love us adequately.

We lacked opportunities to excel, to get the right education, etc.

Wrong, Wrong, and Wrong again! Inside of every person lives a wretched sinful nature,which is inherited from Adam, the first in the long line of sinful wretches.

Paul knew of the wretched state of humanity first hand, too. He spent years pursuing Christians to bring them, with whatever means necessary back to their senses. He even stood at the murder of Stephen, watching him die as stones thrown by hate-filled men pummeled that young saint's body. Then, he too,met Christ and experienced amazing, transforming grace. Paul never forgot that his sinful nature was ready to make a re-appearance if given the least chance. He wrote, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24, NKJV) But he does not dwell on hopelessness, nor does he make excuse for sin! A greater Power can give a new heart and a new start! Praise pours from his being at the demise of the wretch and the appearance of the glorious man - "The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." (Romans 7:25, The Message)

I awakened today with a strange mixture of wonder and revulsion in my heart- the dark outlines of the wretchedness at the edges of my life repulse me. The utter depravity of humanity - the pornographers, the greedy money merchants who steal the meager wealth of the unsophisticated, the powerful among us who use their power selfishly, the strong who oppress the weak- is everywhere. But against the dark backdrop, there is glory all around, for I am no longer a depraved wretch! I am a saint saved by grace!

And, most amazing of all, I am privileged to join with God in the fight against the wretchedness of the world, a priest of Heaven who is able to make the appeal, "on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV) I rejoice that the God of the ages, through Christ Jesus, would liberate me from wretchedness, not because of anything good thing I've done, but because He is so good and His grace so amazing.Have you bowed your heard, and humbled your heart, recognizing your wretchedness? There is no need to remain in that unhappy state. There is a Savior who gives new hearts and fresh starts to those who receive His amazing grace. He accepts wretches and makes heart, soul, and mind new! The Word promises - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NIV)

Yes, you and I will, from time to time, slip back into our wretchedness when we take our eyes off of Jesus. The sinful nature waits to assert the wretch in us. But we need not wallow in the shame of our sins. Instead, we turn back to our God, and like the lost son, find the open arms of the Waiting Father.

Here's a word from the Word-"We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory,are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)

Away darkness of the wretch! Shine brighter as you live in His amazing grace!

Wright is Wrong

Given that life can be frustrating, that people disappoint us, that situations of unfairness exist all around us, we get fed up and sometimes vent our anger in entirely inappropriate ways. Well, I do, anyway! I would not want some of my past tirades displayed on YouTube for all the world to see. So, I feel some compassion for the Rev. Wright, the pastor of Barack Obama, whose pulpit tirades were the object of much media attention this week. There is good reason for black American to feel anger, to hate what was done by a social structure that first enslaved and then oppressed their fathers. But, Wright as a Christian, should have known what we all need to know: rage feeds irrationality and, though it feels good in the moment, produces terrible fruit down life's road!

Paul challenges Believers to deal with the 'justifiable' anger over life's injustice with stern admonitions. He says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV) He says the same thing in both Galatians and Colossians! That ancient book of wisdom, Proverbs, tells us that "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32, NKJV) When I reflect back on times when I set aside moderation and self-control to give myself over to rage, I see moments of folly. With reason replaced by white hot passionate emotions, I am capable of saying and/or doing things that can only cause pain, that hurt others and myself.

And, while my first reaction to Wright is sorrowful indignation, what follows quickly is a kind of fear and humility. Why? Because I know that I, too, am a man with a sinful nature that struggles to master me. And, Believer, so are you! In a recent gathering of pastors that I attended, someone spoke of a local minister who had broken his marriage vows, sinning against God and his family. We all made the appropriate noises of disgust and professed our dismay that one of our fraternity would 'do such a thing!' Our indignation masked this simple truth - anyone of us sitting there could easily do the same thing except for the grace of God. Wright's rage and our brother's adultery are evidence of the very real struggle with the sinful nature that goes on inside the mind and heart of every person!

Please don't read this as excusing sinful behavior. Paul, even as he acknowledges being "the worst of sinners," (1 Tim. 1.15) determines to live a holy life that honors his Lord and Savior. And so should we. Here's the paradox, when we acknowledge the reality of the potential to sin that is very real, we have taken the first step to break its hold on us. By humbly admitting the truth, we release the power of God in our lives. No one cleans himself up morally and then presents himself to Christ as worthy of being a child of God. The Bible dismisses even the most sincere attempts at making ourselves holy saying, "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory!" (Romans 3.23) Isaiah declares that our attempts at self-righteousness have all the value of 'filthy rags!' (64.4)

But here's the rest of the story.... "now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—"he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:21-26, NIV)

God stepped in! What we cannot do for ourselves, He did for us. What is impossible for us, holiness, He makes not only possible, but inevitable, as we are filled with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The Word exults in our victory. After listing many evidences of the old sinful way of life, Paul says, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ... By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also."
(1 Corinthians 6:11,14, NIV)

Believer, do not accommodate your sinful nature. Make no excuses for those things that are 'normal' but not God-glorifying. Watch out for spiritual pride that points out the sins of others while failing to admit your own. Instead, kneel at the Cross! Receive the gift of salvation and the power to live a new life that is free to all who will believe and receive.
______________________

Trophy

Trophy - it's a funny word, isn't it?

The dictionary defines it as "anything serving as evidence of a victory, valor, or skill." Last year I won one, sort of, at the Pinewood Derby, sponsored by our church's boys group. Using a kit purchased from them, I made a small car to race down a long track. They awarded me the prize for 'slowest car.' I kid you not! It was a moment of glory that won't be remembered. I have another trophy, a copy of a national magazine, issue date in the early 1990's, when an editor first took note of my words and published an article I had written. I remember the pride I felt on receiving an advance copy, opening to that page, and seeing the title and my name printed under it. The paper of the magazine is starting to yellow and the excitement over being 'published' has long since faded.

John Ortberg writes about the fleeting nature of earthly success and the speed with which our trophies become insignificant. "God has a wonderful sense of humor and often sends people to help to remember that 'being enough' is His department. No trophies can confer that status. A few years ago I spoke in a conference in Germany and afterward was asked to sign some books. A woman handed me a German translation of one of my books and said in thickly accented English, 'Danka. This is the best book I ever read.' Germans aren't famous for their sense of humor, but I thought she might be pulling my leg. 'No kidding?' I asked her. 'Yah,' she said, by way of ruthless explanation, 'I don't read much.' " - It All Goes Back in the Box, Zondervan, 2007

What trophies are you reaching for? What serves as evidence of victory for you? More money? Status in your community? Your kids' achievements? Grades, degrees, certificates? Sexual conquest?

Awards and recognition are wonderful. We need to commend those who show skill, who achieve proficiency. But, we are best adjusted when the award is secondary in our order of importance. A real scholar loves to learn more than the degree that comes with education. A true athlete loves the game even more than the championship ring that comes with the win. A genuine Believer loves to serve the Lord and others more than the appreciation that comes to faithful servants! Trophies lose their luster quite quickly. This year's 'magna cum laude' graduate is replaced by the scholar in the next class! Those who make world records in this year's games will see them replaced by someone in a year or two.

Believer, there is a trophy that lasts! The commendation of God, for a life of love, never loses it's value. The Word says, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing." (1 Corinthians 9:24-26, NLT) "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4, NIV)

Jesus spoke of "laying up treasure in Heaven... where it never decays." He wasn't just talking about giving a generous donation to the church. He was talking about investing our time, our affection- all of our resources - in those things that are of eternal value. How you do your job makes it either just about earning a paycheck or about making life better for others for God's glory. Loving, forgiving, seeking to serve makes relationships rich and creates unity in our families, churches, and communities that glorifies God and builds an eternal reward.

I pray that the trophy case in my life isn't just full of fading trinkets of past glory. May God help me to live in a way that connects today with eternity. How about you?
Here's a word from the Word. Embrace the promise!
"Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne." (Revelation 3:19-21, NLT)

A Good Loser?

There are hundreds of books that teach us skills we need to win. Some counsel on the ways of building wealth, others on the agility necessary to mastering a game. But, I am convinced that a skill most needed is that of learning how to lose well! The fact is that we all lose, probably more than we win. It is a fact of life - Nobody wins everytime! It is what we do with the disappointments the come with loss that marks us as great people.

In her book, Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin recounts the story of Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton, two men who met in 1854. One was a country lawyer from Illinois, the other a cultured lawyer from Washington, DC. A big case was to be heard in Illinois, so Stanton's firm retained a local lawyer, Lincoln, just to make a connection with the local judge. Lincoln did not know this so he spent weeks preparing for the case. When Stanton came to Illinois for the case, he ignored Lincoln's work completely. He insulted Lincoln endlessly, until finally Lincoln withdrew from the case, losing his ability to gain compensation. Five years later, Lincoln was the President of the United States and Stanton was the outgoing Attorney General. Lincoln needed a man to run the War Department as the nation was in the crisis of the Civil War. Stanton, his old critic, was the man recommended by many. Lincoln had not forgotten the insults, public and private, that Stanton had rained on him, yet he swallowed his pride and appointed the man for the good of the nation. In the end, they became stalwart allies and Stanton served his President faithfully until the day Lincoln was shot. Stanton mourned Lincoln intensely in death.

How was Lincoln able to choose a man for high office who had previously treated him with such contempt? Because Lincoln had learned to deal with adversity as a result of many losses in his life. He had endured poverty, overcame the early death of family members, lived through successive hardships, and suffered multiple political defeats on his way to the Presidency. Along the way, he had discovered that suffering can be an excellent teacher. He knew that today's loss is an opportunity to make the choices for tomorrow's success! A man less acquainted with personal hardships may well have lacked the courage, grit, and endurance to lead the nation through that dark time that preserved the Union at such terrible cost in life. Suffering had produced a person of great character who realized that the world did not exist to serve him; but that he existed to serve others in this world.

Do you complain bitterly when you are faced with loss?
Do you love to rehearse your sorrows so as to gain the sympathies of others?
Do you carefully protect yourself, your time, your resources from situations that might be costly, or demand inconvenience?
If you answer consistently answer with a 'yes,' dear Believer, then you will be of little use in the work of God.

Jesus Christ lays down these words of uncompromising challenge to each of us who would be part of His work in the world.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26, NIV)
His call is not to stoicism!
He does not demand detachment, nor a stiff upper lip!
Jesus was a man of tenderest emotions. He wept at the death of his friend, Lazarus. He wept over the city of Jerusalem, knowing the judgment that awaited her. He was touched by the hunger of the crowd, the pain of the sick, and the hopelessness of those controlled by evil. He willingly took on the 'loss' of His Glory as God, to become a Man, and to become sin for us all. And why? For the joy of doing the will of God, for that is was, and is, the greatest Win-Win ever! In our obedience to His will, God's Kingdom advances, we are blessed eternally.

Often our bitter wails and manipulations are born of an overdeveloped sense of entitlement! We do not say it in so many words, but the thought is there too often, "God, I am owed a better deal than this!" Truthfully, He owes us nothing, but gives us all things by His grace as we are able to receive them with thanksgiving, holding them loosely, and ready to use them for His purposes. When you find yourself in a hard place today, pray for the grace to give real thanks to God for His purposes in that moment. Careful now. Do not give the fraudulent words of empty praise to Him that is unmatched by a worshipful heart. Surrender yourself, from the first moment of the day, to His reign. Commit yourself to accepting wins and losses with equal grace, as the Lord helps you. A paradox that is amazing results. You will begin to experience greater joy as you live nearer to the Heart of God, which will increase the love that you enjoy for God, and from others. "Whoever loses his life for Me, will find it!"

Here is a word from the Word for your meditation today:
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." (Philippians 3:8-9, NIV)
_________________

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessings fall on me.

I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

I Surrender All
Van DeVenter, Weeden© Public Domain

Right Words Matched with Right Actions

The greeting card business has to be a lucrative thing! It costs four bucks for a piece of paper, some foil imprinting, and a ribbon! The practical side of me says, "Jerry, just go fold a piece of paper, write your thoughts on it, and send it off." Message delivered, money saved. What a cheap guy, huh? Of course, I realize that the message of encouragement or love that a greeting card communicates is much enhanced by the decorative way it is presented, so despite my inclination to be cheap, I buy the cards. As I stood at the card rack yesterday, I wondered how often a card gets purchased and sent simply to meet an expectation? A person can buy a card that says all the right words and mail it. There is no lie detector at the check out register that determines if the heart of the sender is actually filled with the love professed by the card. Sending a card is easy. Really loving somebody is much more expensive!

Jesus challenged his disciples to think about the importance of matching 'right words' with 'right actions' in a teaching story that He told about the religious leaders of His day. These men were His greatest foes. They professed a love for God. They knew all the right words, even how to create loopholes for themselves so they could look righteous while doing exactly what they wanted to do. Jesus wanted those who followed Him to know that God wasn't buying the Pharisees' professions of devotions as authentic. Here's His story.

"A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. "Which of the two obeyed his father?" They replied, "The first." Then Jesus explained his meaning: "I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do." (Matthew 21:28-31, NLT)

Cheap religion is all about making a good impression by singing the 'right' kind of songs, being in the church at the 'right' times, or saying the 'right' kind of prayers -all unmatched by a right kind of heart! No matter how we dress it up, God isn't impressed by words alone. He desires true devotion that encompasses the totality of our lives. According to His story, God would much prefer that we honestly admit to our desire to do our own thing than to say we love Him while continuing to live for ourselves.

Honesty, before Him and with ourselves, allows the Spirit to convict us and change us. Adopting a superficial holiness is a kind of vaccine that prevents us from feeling the effects of sin's sickness that drives us to desperately seek Him! Listen to the passion in the words of the Lord when He challenges a heart-less religion. "Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it." (Matthew 15:7-8, The Message)

Believer, as we worship through another Holy Week, let's engage our hearts! Let God's love, demonstrated in the death of Jesus on the Cross, touch you deeply, calling you to a life of love. Invite the Spirit to take the story of the Resurrection and drive it deeply into your mind, making you a person passionate about living for eternal purposes, not just the things of this present world. Be on guard for mere sentiment replacing real heart-felt devotion.

Here's a word from the Word on which to meditate today.
"Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove." (James 2:14-18, The Message)
_________________________

Secured by the Truth

When I was a little tyke in Sunday School, we sang -
"The devil is a sly old fox
and if I could, I'd put him in a box.
I'd lock him up, and throw away the key,
for all the dirty tricks he's played on me!"

The Scripture is more sophisticated in saying it, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, NKJV) The enemy of all that is good cares nothing for a fair fight and he will exploit anything in his pursuit of destruction. That is why we, Believers, must be full of the Spirit and centered in the grace of God so we are not duped by him.

Recently, I struggled against the temptation to serve Self all day long. I prayed for the tempter's power to be broken and focused my thoughts in praise and meditation on the Word. I know that when I am tired, when life has required me to give everything I have, that my sinful nature will clamor for attention. Just when I thought the battle was won, the enemy of my soul found opportunity to take a couple of more swings at me. Someone questioned my competency and an email arrived that added insult to my character! Ah, yes, he is a canny foe. He whispered, "See, you're really hurting now. You need to just let down your guard. Serve yourself!"

No matter what our occupation, regardless of how long we have been a follower of Jesus - evil is a real foe. The devil and his demons operate in the shadow world of deception and illusion, playing off of the very real circumstances in our lives, offering us 'relief' from our pain through things that will ultimately destroy us: hatred, unforgiveness, greed, sensuality, lust, drunkenness, use of drugs, laziness - to name a few. But in the hour of temptation we seldom see those things for what they are! He dresses them up in his lies and they appear to be just what we need to survive in the moment.

In the 4th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, there is the story of Jesus' encounter with the Devil. In the wilderness, where He was 'led by the Spirit' He found Himself weakened. The tempter shows up to exploit His desires, to offer false solutions to His longing to fulfill the mission God had given Him. "Turn these stones into bread. ... presume on God's power by forcing Him to intervene to save you from yourself ... take a shortcut to power by giving me worship!" Jesus did not argue with the tempter. He turned to Truth! Each deception was countered.
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4, NIV) "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Matthew 4:7, NIV) "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matthew 4:10, NIV)

When you find yourself in the wilderness of Temptation, don't trust your own strength. Let the Truth secure you. Pray for the Light to shine brightly dispelling the shadows. Name the temptation as God does, not with the pretty descriptions offered by the tempter, and the Lord will be your shield and strength.

Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you.
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:9-12, NKJV)
_______________

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb.
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed thro' bloody seas?

Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil,
endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.

Isaac Watts© Public Domain

Which Jesus do you follow?

Christians celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday, the day in which people of ancient Jerusalem welcomed Jesus as their King, or so it would seem on the surface of the story. The story of the restoration of Lazarus from the grave after he had been dead and buried for four days circulated, stirring great excitement. "Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign." (John 12:17-18, NLT) The story out-raced Jesus to Jerusalem and quickly morphed into a "Messiah is coming to restore the Kingdom of David" narrative. So when people heard He was on the road into the city they greeted him with palm branches and shouts that welcomed a new king. They thought that He was about to start the revolution and set them free from Rome's tyranny. Even His own disciples got the fever and started debating which one of them would be Prime Minister, causing Jesus to wash their feet at the Last Supper to remind them of the importance of serving one another in love!

Days later when those crowds saw Jesus in Roman custody, bloodied and bound, their disillusionment turned into fury that was fed by the religious leaders. They screamed for His blood - "Crucify Him!" This is the problem with getting only half the story, with failing to know the Christ of the Bible! Jesus mission was one of liberation and restoration, but not to recreate Israel's earthly glory. He came to announce the Kingdom of Heaven, to raise up a new people of God from every nation, something that only started to come into focus weeks later with the birth of the church, and which only became crystal clear several years later when the Spirit was poured out on the household of Cornelius!

Have you followed the Jesus of the Word or a "Jesus" of popular imagination? We have many Jesus stories being told in our time.
There is the "Happy Good Luck Jesus" who is supposed to make all our troubles vanish, keep our cars in good repair, and protect us from the sorrows of life.
There is the "American Patriot Jesus" who supposedly will keep America first, protect our privileged place in the world's power structure, and allow us to continue to consume prodigious quantities of the world's resources to make ourselves more and more rich!
And, then too, there is the "Prosperity Gospel Jesus" who supposedly is a lot like Santa, handing out health and wealth to all His good kids, so they can enjoy their best life now!

Follow one of those "Jesus" stories and you'll find yourself - sooner or later - disillusioned when 'it doesn't work!' Jesus Christ did promise that He would bring "life to the full" (John 10.10) meaning that He would restore our place at the Father's table, forgive us our sins, and assure us of eternal life. And it is true that those who live in His ways and as He teaches us to live, generally enjoy better lives than those who are slaves of sin and Satan. After all, if you follow the Owner's Manual, life tends to find better emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical health! But He is not the Savior of Indulgence, the giver of perpetual ease! Just as fulfilling His godly mission required sacrifice and suffering, so if we desire to live godly lives that serve His purposes we must be prepared to 'die to self.'

At the beginning of this Holy Week, I urge you to prayerfully consider whether you have the Jesus Christ of Scripture as your Lord and King. Here's how the Word describes Him. May the Lord bless the Word to your mind today.

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions." (Colossians 1:15-21, NLT) Hallelujah, What a Savior!
_________________

A Holy Week

Tom Rees, a pastor in Pennsylvania, sent out the following....
My prayer is that you might follow some or all of his suggestions and find that your celebration of the Resurrection is more blessed than ever before.
________________________

I invite you to join me on a week long journey that leads us from Palm Sunday to the Cross to the Resurrection. During this journey I encourage you to participate in any or all of these three ways;

1) Reflection on the Word:

Spend time each day reflecting on the events that happened during Holy Week through taking time in Bible reading and prayer. This is a great way to prepare our heart to re-discover of the amazing gift of new life that is found in Jesus.

Below you will find a suggested Scripture Reading Plan to help you.

The selected Scriptures are linked directly on line to BibleGateway and are arranged chronologically from the Gospels. Read as much as you can digest. Do not let it overwhelm you. Let God's word speak to your spirit.

1. Sunday, March 16
Matt. 20:17-34; Mark 10:32-52; Luke 18:31-43

2. Monday, March 17
Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15

3. Tuesday, March 18
Matt. 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46

4. Wednesday, March 19
Matt. 21:18 - 26:16; Mark 11:11 - 14:11; Luke 20:1 - 22:6

5. Thursday, March 20
Matt. 26:17-75; Mark 14:12-72; Luke 22:7-62; John. 13:21 - 18:27

6. Friday, March 21
Matt. 27:1-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66 - 23:55; John 18:28 - 19:42

7. Saturday, March 22
Matt.27:62-66; Luke 23:56

8. Sunday, March 23
Matt. 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-6


2) Fasting:

Consider giving something up during this week in order to help you focus, and to humble yourself before God.

3) Fellowship:

I encourage you not to experience Holy week alone. Pray with your family or a good friend.Share your journey, read the Scriptures together and discuss things that God is teaching you.
_________________

Thank you, Tom, for your excellent suggestions!
Now, for those readers who live locally and are not part of another congregation, I extend an invitation to corporate worship.

At the Assembly we have these events planned for next week....Weds. Bible Study - cancelled

3/20 Thursday -
A showing - The Passion of the Christ, at 7 pm in the sanctuary

3/21 Friday - Communion Worship, 7 pm

3/23 Sunday - Christian Education hour in recess

Breakfast served in the Family Fellowship Center from 8:45 to 9:45 am.
(Donations accepted to benefit Youth Ministry and Speed the Light)

Resurrection Celebration - 10:15 am

Pour It On!

I love my wife. Serving her, caring for her, meeting her needs is no burden to me. I do not calculate whether we are 'equal' in our expression of love, or that I have 'done enough' for her, or if she owes, me something in return. It delights me to give her as much of my time, attention, and resources as possible! The simplest things - stopping by her classroom just to say, 'Hi' - figuring out what she would like for dinner and preparing it - greeting her when she is sleepy-eyed in the morning with a "Hey, Beautiful!" - provide me with more joy than I can tell. I do not believe that genuine love is about calculated benefits or minimum requirements. Love always appears irrational to those who view it from the outside.

I want to love Jesus in a similar manner, extravagantly and without calculation of personal benefit! A story in the Gospel tells about one woman's expression of love for the Lord that provoked a strong reaction. Take a look. "Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves. "That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor."
They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me." (Mark 14:3-6, The Message)

When we devote ourselves to a passionate pursuit of Christ, we no longer think that we have 'done enough' when we go to church and/or give our tithe. We do not feel that we are entitled to some blessing just because we have completed some act of worship! We lose any sense of having a 'holy obligation.' Increasingly, our love for Him pulls us to extravagance, worshipping and serving for the sheer delight of giving ourselves to Him. In a recent conversation with some other Pastors, one of them mentioned meeting with a some couples who were preparing to leave the United States to 'bury' themselves in remote locations, far from convenience and comfort, to do missionary work. They are bright, skilled people who could enjoy great careers, make real money, and live safely and comfortably in an American suburb. Yet, they choose an entirely different way of life that appears terribly difficult to some of us. To them it is a delight. Why? No other reason than love! Some look at their choice and, like the men in the text above, say, "a sheer waste."

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, talks about the ways he has served the Lord and His Church. Some called him insane for what he put himself through in order to preach the Gospel. Remember the lengths to which he went? He traveled endlessly, was persecuted, beaten, rejected, thrown out of cities and towns, arrested, jailed, and eventually would be a martyr. Why? "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us." (2 Corinthians 5:13-14, NIV) John says, "We love, because He first loved us." Love begets love. Christ loves us, saves us from judgment and destruction, and sets us on a new course. And, we love Him in return.

So, Believer, have you experienced the love of Christ?
What kind of love are you giving Him in return?
Is it a calculated love that seeks to minimally meet His expectations?
Or is your love 'over the top,' extravagant, and irrational in the eyes of those who do not share it?

Jesus, in His own words, describes how we express love to Him while we are still in this world.
Read His words and then ask yourself, "How can I pour it on?"

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ "Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’

Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ " (Matthew 25:34-40, The Message)

Who, not what

If you want to irritate me, just start to 'explain' the difficult experiences that surround us. The preachers with booming voices who declared that the attacks that cost 3000 lives on September 11, 2001 were 'the judgment of God on America,' make me crazy. Are they so sure that they feel that they can speak for God? Those who tell me that a death from cancer is the result of a 'lack of faithful prayer' on the part of the extended family or church drive me to distraction. Did God speak to them in an audible voice to make His plan known? Those who are so certain they know intricacies of the will of the Lord are, to me anyway, often guilty of a terrible kind of arrogance. There is a phrase from the Word that comes to mind - "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (1 Timothy 3:9, KJV) How can we, with our limited perspective, begin to grasp the complexities of the purposes of God?

With the writer of Scripture I declare with great certainty - "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV) Because I know the loving Father, I am able to relinquish the need to know the 'why' and live with the mysteries that surround me. I was privileged to stand with Gabby and her family as she made her way from earth to Heaven yesterday. The death of a young mother seems so pointless, her suffering so intense. There is a temptation to make sense of the ordeal with platitudes and simplistic explanations, but to do so, is to profane the holy! The truth is that what God is doing is shrouded in the magnificence of His sovereign will and may only become clear in eternity. Our faithful trust defeats the Enemy's attempts to make her death a source of disbelief and magnifies the glory of God.

I am learning to experience 'wonder' more often these days. I have lived my life as a practical man, valuing getting thejob done. I feel best about myself and life when a task iscompleted. It's not a bad trait and helps me to plow through a lotof work, but I am realizing that being so focused on 'work' can keepme from experiencing another dimension of life. I have spent so manydays of my 5 decades on this globe focused on planning the nextmeeting, solving the current problem, writing Sunday's sermon,making sure my family was fed, clothed, and housed -- that I missed much of the beauty of being 'in the moment.' More and more, it is enough for me to simply know, "God is here, with us, now!" The wonder of His Presence removes the need for control, for explanations.

Part of wonder is allowing for the unexplained, the mystery - living without the need to make God fit into our expectations, and loving Him in the bad times as much as in the good ones.Worship and wonder are closely related. We will sense God'sPresence more readily if and when we learn to 'wonder.' The dryness of much in the practice of Christianity is the result of reducing worship to theological concepts and empty liturgy, hurrying through the forms without allowing for the Spirit to touch us, trying to make the 'wonder-full' truths that the Bible tells using the stories of the works of God into neat packages of doctrine. Christians do not have much time for mystery these days.

We want explanations! We want proofs! We want to know howit works and what the benefits are! "Preacher," we demand, "get me saved. Make me good. Give me three steps to being better at ...." But life isn't that simple. There is an awesome mystery that God allows to exist around us which we can only appreciate if we will allow ourselves to wonder.Believer, surrender to the worship of the One who says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9, NIV) Recover the wonder! It will cause you to serve God with morepassion, to love Him more deeply.

Ponder this passage as you move through this day.
Isaiah 29:13-14 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord said:"Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me,And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden."
_________________________

Say it ain't so, Gov!

New York was shocked on Monday afternoon by the news that Gov. Elliot Spitzer was a client of a prostitution ring. A federal probe led to the conclusion that Gov. Spitzer was a regular customer, so-called "Client 9." So, what makes this story about the 'world's oldest profession' so shocking? The hypocrisy factor! The Governor had a reputation as "Mr. Clean." When he was the state's attorney general, he took on corruption and even prosecuted two prostitution rings in the city.

Believer, this story serves as a lesson for us. When we take the name of Jesus Christ, identifying ourselves as His followers, we also invite greater scrutiny of our lives. The Word urges us to "lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT) Our sin need not be so sensational as the Governor's in order to disgrace our Lord. We need only to be unkind, bitter, or rude to cause others to remark, "and he calls himself a Christian?" A few years ago, there was a saying that made its way through churches and onto bumper stickers that offered a kind of feeble excuse for the sins of Believers: "I'm not perfect, just forgiven." So, is that true? Certainly. But, we who are marked by the Spirit as sons of God have an obligation to pursue holiness, to honor the One who is our Father. The way we live must be proof of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Habitual sin must be past tense so that we reflect the Lord's glorious goodness.

"So, Jerry, since I am prone to failure I guess the best thing is to keep my faith under wraps." Not at all! As imperfect humans, we live honorably when we live authentically and transparently. We do not pretend that we, by our own determination, can be better than we are; nor do we cover up our sins with 'holy talk' and elaborate religiosity. When we find that we have lived selfishly, or lovelessly, or lustfully, or greedily, or hatefully; in any way that is incompatible with our status as children of God; we admit it (confession), ask for forgiveness from God and others, and deal with it with the help of the Spirit to bring about genuine transformation. As the Word says, "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14, NIV)

Is there a hole in your integrity? Is some sin hidden away in your life that eats away at your peace with God, that brings guilt and shame to you when you remember it? You can be clean again! You can be free of guilt!

Remember King David's sin? He was devoted to God, so much so that the Word calls him "a man after God's own heart." But he sinned terribly - stealing another man's wife, plotting to have Uriah killed, and covering it all up with a quick marriage to Bathsheba. For a full year, he thought the murder and adultery a thing of the past, until the day that God's prophet showed up in court to tell a story. "There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest." David was furious. "As surely as the Lord lives," he vowed, "any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity." Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man!" (2 Samuel 12:1-7, NLT)

David then sought a place of forgiveness, penning the words of Psalm 51, one of the Bible's most beautiful prayers of confession and contrition. Take these excerpts of David's prayer with you today and invite the Spirit to make your life a thing of beauty that reflects the glory of your Lord.
"Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me." (Psalm 51:1-3, NKJV)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12, NKJV)

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17, NKJV)