But, what if …

In three weeks Americans will elect a new government.  33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats are up for election on November 5, 2024.  We will choose our President and that person will shape the Executive branch of the United States around new policies. What a privilege we have to choose our government. I hope you are planning to vote and making time to educate yourself about the candidates. 

Fear plays heavily in this election season with threats of catastrophic results if the “other” guy is elected. Both parties are stirring up fear because, in the short-term, it is a very effective motivator.  Tragically, this fear distorts our ability to think clearly.  Fear makes us reactionary rather than visionary!  I am not naïve about the state of the world, nor have I hidden myself from the realities around me.   

America is in a time of rapid social change, filled with self-indulgence, and increasingly godless. The wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East are fires that could explode into world conflict. COVID, just 4 years behind us, made the possiblities of pandemic real, no longer just the subject of theorists.   And yes, many are anxious over issues much closer to home – marriage stress, children who struggle academically or socially, health challenges.

Are you afraid yet?

There is a powerful antidote to the poison of fear. It is NOT positivity, as desirable as that choice may be.  We are invited to FAITH, to entrust ourselves, our kids, our nation, and the world to the loving, living God. Jesus says, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:4-7, NIV) 

Our God holds eternity in His hands. He has the power to destroy us but Jesus reassures us that He cares about us, knowing our greatest needs intimately.  Great faith grows in us when we serve the true God of glory, not the small god of our imaginations. He does not want to occupy a small part of our lives, acknowledged only on Sunday and in times of crisis. He desires to be the center, with every decision we make shaped by our reverence and devotion.

Real faith that meets the challenges of the real world cannot be found in a lesser god.  IF we tame God, diminishing Him to fit within our understanding, the confidence we might know is lost.  If we are willing to live with the mystery of a majestic God, surrendering our self-will to His will, faith will become our solid foundation.  C. S. Lewis, the English author, alludes to the power of Christ when he writes - "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” 

An wwe of God is rooted in true praise and genuine worship.  I am not just speaking of what we do together in a church building. Worship is an ongoing choice to live with an open heart and mind to God’s Presence every day. It is not superstition nor being gullible.  It is seeing His majesty in the sweep of history, His love in ordinary circumstances, responding to the Spirit’s invitation right here, right now. 

The wisdom of the Word teaches us that the awe that comes from giving God His rightful place leads us into wisdom and confidence. Take a look!  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) When the news of calamity and the theories of conspiracies of evil men swirl around you, turn to the Lord in prayer. Don't just pray for relief or for a bubble of safety. Pray instead that the fear of things to come will be replaced by an awesome sense of His love and purposes. Serve Him with such intensity that you have no need to worry.

As we approach this election, hearing the fear-mongering, watching the apocalyptic commercials, let’s take the revealed wisdom of the preacher Isaiah, who was inspired to give us the word from the Word for today.   He was speaking during a dreadful time for Judah. The Assyrian empire on its borders was prepared to invade. Spiritual complacency gripped the people. Yet the Spirit spoke through him and told the faithful: "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary." (Isaiah 8:12-13, NIV)

May you know true peace as you live with profound faith. Amen.

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(Video of this blog at this link)

King Of Kings

In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light
Till from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes

To fulfil the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt

 

Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit three in one
God of Glory – Majesty
Praise forever to the King of kings

 

To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross

For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died

 

And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death

And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who'd come
To the Father are restored

 

And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel shall not faint

By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me

 

Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood
© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes

CCLI License #810055

I'm Forgiven!

I went with my daughter to the little town office in NH to register her car. While she filled out the forms, I looked around and saw a shelf full of books with a sign that invited me to take what I wanted. A little paperback with cover art that dated it to the early 1960’s captured my attention with the tithe – “Even If I’m Bad?”  It was a book of children’s sermons published in 1962.  I picked it up and pointed out the line to Christine observing that we would not say that to a child these days. 

The clerk behind the desk joined the conversation asking why. I replied that we might say a child has made poor choices or even done wrong, but we likely would not describe them as ‘bad.’  It is a label that can have negative effect on self-image.  She smiled and reflected on the shifting values of our culture.  That little exchange made me think about the subject that is not talked about much these days – sin.

The Scripture does not avoid that subject!  Paul is absolute in his inspired statement that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NKJV)   Some of you are sophisticated and reject the idea that ‘sin’ is real, preferring to think that humanity is good; evil coming from oppression, or lack of opportunity, or ignorance. The truth is that the evil is this world is real and results from sin flourishing in the minds and hearts of those who reject God’s love and light.  

David’s song is the lament of a person who has come to know his own failures. "Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds— they haunt me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just." (Psalm 51:2-4, NLT)   He had been swept up by his passions in the process betraying his friends, causing a man’s murder, and abusing his royal power. Yes, he sinned!  He is not a unique example. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that there are places in our hearts, things in our lives, that are wrong, that are beyond the plan of God for us.

One of the reasons we avoid the subject of sin is that we do not know that God has not abandoned us, consigning us to live in guilt or shame.  The grand story of the Scripture is about a God Who saves, Who goes to great lengths to restore us to Himself with forgiveness, and to change our ways – making sinners into saints.  We earn judgment, but we are given grace.  The Word says that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NLT)

The paradox of God’s plan is that He does confront our sinfulness, but not with condemnation. Instead, He loves us to life!  Amazing grace is found in Him. We learn this- "God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT) He isn’t impressed with our attempts to save ourselves with discipline or ‘good’ deeds. He offers us salvation.

Christians need not be sin-obsessed. Indeed, an obsession with ‘sin’ is likely to lead to a fall. Our focus in on the love of the Father, on worshiping Him in a way that leads us to life. If we try to defeat temptation and sin by emptying our lives of them, we only create a large vacuum that needs to be filled. The Word teaches us that we defeat sin by not by our own will to change but rather by letting Christ do for us what we cannot do for ourselves- make us God’s own child!

The transformation is described as ‘light overcoming the darkness.’  There is no way to make a dark room light without introducing a source of energy that brings light waves into that room.  Similarly we cannot escape the darkness of our natural state unless the Light of Christ is introduced to us.  Jesus says “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  (John 8.12)

Got a sin problem?

You’re not alone. Remember this - common is not normal, nor is it acceptable. Christ came to set us free, to save us from our sin!  Believe that and move from death to life, from darkness to light, from despair to hope, from guilt to freedom!

Here is a word from the Word. May the promise compel us to a new way of life, where sin’s power is broken and the beauty of a whole and holy life shines through us. 
"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure." (Romans 5:1-3, NLT)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

Here’s a great little song from years past, best sung then by The Imperials.  Enjoy!)

I'm Forgiven

From the start
You held a place in my heart
A place that no one else could fill
Sin kept Your Spirit from workin' in me
I couldn't look at life honestly

Until the day my will gave way
To the truth that I found in You
I never knew how good it could be
To stand in Your presence totally free

Now I'm forgiven
Now I have a reason
For livin' livin'
Jesus keeps givin' and givin'
And givin' givin'
'Til my heart overflows

I can see Me
As a person who's free
Even when I slip and fall
You are a God who forgives and forgets
Now I wanna give Him my all

I know this love He's placed in my heart
 is a love that will never depart
Sin brought me here to the end of my rope
Now You've given me a brand new hope

I'm forgiven forgiven
I'm forgiven I'm forgiven

Bruce Hibbard, Hadley Hockensmith, Michael Omartian © 1980 Curb Word Music

CCLI License #810055

The Pastor

(A note – In the blog, “he” is used for convenience. The Spirit works in men and women, according to His will.) 

For 46 years I served the church in pastoral ministry.  Since stepping down from the leadership of a church in 2021, I have remained active in ministry, privileged to serve in less visible ways. This month, October, has a tradition of including Pastor Appreciation Day. (generally the 2^nd Sunday)  I’d like to encourage you in that, offering some suggestions about practical things each of us can do to encourage our ministers to do their best, to serve well, and to know real joy in their high calling.

Being a Pastor is not just a ‘job,’ it is a vocation, a way of life. Who he is cannot be separated from what he does. Unless he serves in one of those relatively rare mega-churches, the pastor knows that he is privileged to teach the Word and shape lives as well as be responsible for the mundane tasks of the local church – such as locking the doors and balancing the church budget. Pastoral ministry is not formed by the same imperatives as guides the modern CEO. He is not a ‘hero’ like Lone Ranger of American lore. His title is the best clue to how he serves – Pastor means ‘shepherd.’ He serves to protect, feed, and grow the flock of God!

Unless you have been a pastor, you cannot know how quickly a person must adjust. He moves from emotional highs to lows– birth to death, grief to celebration, praise to criticism – with his flock. He is often the first person called at a time of death, is asked to step into family times of crisis:  marriage difficulty, tragedy, serious illness. He must prepare his heart and mind to lead ‘worship,’  gathering the congregation and leading them to respond to the Spirit.  And, his sermons must be ‘interesting,’ and able to nourish souls. And, he must deliver do that work each week - regardless of his personal circumstances.

There is no better life than the one to which God called me!  Sure, I knew stress and heartbreak. Some years were more ‘successful’ than others. I understood that people who were angry at God frequently aimed their frustration at me,  the one who represented Him before them.  It stung when someone leaned hard on me in a time of need and forgot who I was when life was peachy. When my sinful humanity shown through too visibly some recoiled, even criticized me for the very same issues they had experienced. But, who else gets to lead a person to know new life in Christ as often as a pastor?  Who else knows the joy of being a ‘bridge over troubled waters’ for so many?  Pastors whose hearts are true feel the most joy when those they serve are growing in Christ, when they the ‘fruit’ of their work in a life that is pointed in the right direction.

You can maximize your Pastor’s effectiveness with some gifts you can offer.

1. Pray for him, every day.

Ask the Lord to keep and protect him, to help him to be disciplined and courageous, and to be loving in times of trial, and to stay renewed and alive in the Spirit.  Remember, spiritual leaders are front-line targets. When a pastor fails, there is hurt and disappointment. Even where there is no moral compromise, like all people, pastors become discouraged or disillusioned. So, pray for your Pastor.

2. Accept him and the spiritual gifts God has given to him.

Appreciate the unique strengths of your Pastor and encourage him in those areas where he is not as proficient. He probably knows the gaps in his skills and gifts better than you do. Remember, too, that he does not possess every gift of the Spirit. He, like you, has been created by the Lord to serve in a unique way.

3. If you must criticize him, (and no pastor is above correction or criticism) do it honestly and directly.

Pastors cannot possibly do all things equally well.  Some are more relational than others. Some are better speakers. Some are better administrators.  That means that your need or desire may not always be met as you wish.  Some tolerance is in order as well as honesty.  If you have an issue with your pastor, make a time to sit with him and tell him about it.  Do not be one of those people who tear down the preacher in the hallway at church!  Remember, life looks very different from his side of the pulpit and he may not share your perception. Give him the opportunity to explain that decision with which you disagree.  Take time to understand yourself before you criticize your pastor. If you are angry with God, do not take it out on the one in the pulpit.

4. Don’t idolize or idealize him.

He must live what he teaches, but he cannot do it not perfectly. He, like you, is working out his salvation each day, a recipient of God’s grace. If you turn him into idol, you sin because only God is worthy of your worship and devotion. If you idealize him, pushing him onto a pedestal, you will be disappointed. From that place, his ability to serve you is nearly impossible. He teaches you best, not from some lofty place far removed, but as leads you with an authentic, observable, living faith in a loving Lord. Jesus cautioned his disciples about seeking titles, about hiding behind robes. (see Matthew 23) We are all brothers in Christ. Don’t try to make your pastor more than he is – a Christian walking with Jesus – just like you.

The Word teaches that pastors are a gift from God to His church. Yes, really! The Lord “gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NLT)  What a ministry position description!

Here is a word from the Word. “Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all…. Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?” (Hebrews 13:7, 17 The Message) “Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him.” (1 Timothy 5:17-19, NLT)

I am thankful for all those decades that I was privileged to serve in the pulpit and now it is my joyful responsibility to hold up the hands of my Pastor, to encourage the work of ministry. Join me and let’s make God’s work fruitful and effective. 

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(Video of this blog at this link)