Do you pray? The question is not whether you say a few perfunctory words over your meals or repeat a ritual at bedtime. Nor is my inquiry about those moments of desperation when even agnostics beg God for favor. Winston Churchill, England’s Prime Minister who led that nation through the 2nd World war, was a man without a living faith, by his own profession. Once in a conversation with President Roosevelt he said, “I ask God to protect us on the field of battle.” When I ask about prayer, I am urging an unending conversation with God, which is the heart of real prayer!
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” That line from the hymn is the truth. Prayer is the primary work of the disciple. A disciple who does not pray is bereft of strength, cut off from his Father. One who prays will overcome temptation, will see God’s purposes fulfilled, and will live with greater peace. If those things are true, then why do so many disciples pray so poorly, so little?
In the book, Longing for God, Fosters explores the writings of many Christians for pathways of devotion. In a chapter that explores some of the writing of Thomas Aquinas, a Christian of the 13th century, he includes these insights from Aquinas’ Summa Theologica about some mistakes that keep us from praying effectively.
First is the erroneous belief ‘that the world operates independently of God.’ The deists of the 18th century firmly believed in the existence of God, but they also thought that He left the world on its own. The common illustration among them was that God was like a Clockmaker who built and wound the device, then stepped away to let it run. So, they believed the Creation was self-sustaining and without God’s intervention. Are you a functional deist, disciple? In your heart, do you think that God has left us to our own wits and wisdom, to work it the best we can on our own? If this is your mindset, you will not pray well!
Second, is the ‘error to believe that everything is fixed.’ If everything is pre-determined, if the course of our lives are set, then to pray for change is absurd, an exercise in futility.
Third, there is the error of believing that ‘God changes His mind.’ Certain passages of the Scripture, if read superficially, could bring us to this conclusion. Then, too, many are gripped by a selfish desire to beg God to ‘soften the consequences brought into life by our own actions. Aquinas teaches that we must accept that God’s will has ultimate purpose. Once we settle this matter, we recognize that prayer is a secondary cause in which God invites us to join with Him in accomplishing His purposes. Through prayer we work to sort out what role we will play as secondary agents in God’s primary purposes.’ This is what Jesus teaches us in His words in John 15. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ... If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." (NIV)
To think of prayer only as a time to present our ‘wish list’ to God, a begging session to try to get Him to do what we want Him to do, is to make this high and holy occupation much less than it is. Yes, our Father tells us to bring our petitions to Him boldly. But, Jesus also reminds us that if He provides for sparrows, we of much greater value than a bird, can rest assured in His care as well. Then he tells us the true focus of prayer is to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33, NIV) The Message is rich in amplifying this text: "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Go back and re-read that line a few times! Then ask yourself: do my prayers reveal a heart and mind that is totally oriented around God, loving Him, knowing Him, serving Him?
Prayer is work, first in importance for the true disciple. That is why the Word urges us to ‘pray without ceasing.’ There will be formal petitions, quiet contemplation, tears of desperation, and words of adoration. There will be lengthy times alone with God, urgent words spoken in the middle of life’s messes, and patient waiting through times when He appears silent. All this, and more, is prayer.
The one constant is that prayer is not about me or you, but about Him; about knowing Him, about learning to live in the center of His will. Prayer, rightly focused, enables us to ‘understand what God is doing and how we can join with Him. Thus, we become co-participants with God. His will sets everything in motion. Our will, directed by prayer, allows us to participate in His purposes.” (Longing For God, Foster, IVP, 2008)
_____________
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do Thy friends despise forsake Thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield Thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Scriven, Joseph M. / Converse, Charles C.
© Public Domain
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Spirited Defense
Life, when we are alone, becomes overwhelming! The Teacher wrote that "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT) Sometimes the best of friends fail us, however. There are situations where it really does seem that no one understands, no one is available to take our side.
Disciples are never alone! On the night before He went to the Cross, Jesus had a heart to heart talk with His disciples. He told me He was leaving them. He warned them that the world would turn on them, hating them even when they were good because they wouldn’t fit in. Then He promised, "It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7, NIV) The Holy Spirit is always with us, advocating for us, and working through us. He’s on our side! Despite being hated by the world, we need not feel abandoned or afraid. He is not a passive Friend, quietly standing in the shadows, either. Here’s what the Lord says about the Spirit’s work. "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (John 16:8, NIV)
What we cannot do by our own strength, He will do. Ever tried to ‘guilt’ an unbeliever? They can justify themselves, comparing their lives to somebody worse off than they are- and there is always somebody worse! The Holy Spirit, however, can bring real conviction of sin that is inescapable and inexcusable. Ever tried to tell an unbeliever that righteousness is a desirable choice? “Yeah,” they say, “and diets are fun, too!” Sin is pleasurable, ‘for a season.’ But the Spirit can reveal the joy of serving God, the deep sense of purpose that is found in loving Him. Ever tried to make somebody see coming judgment? Like Annie they’ll sing, “Tomorrow, tomorrow; I love you tomorrow, you’re only a day away.” Judgment will never come, or so they think. But the Holy Spirit can peel away the deception and let them sense the reality of God’s pending judgment.
I am so thankful for the Comfort of the Spirit, but I am equally thankful that He is a powerful Agent of Change in the world. I want to be on His side, trusting Him, praying for His power to be brought to bear on those around me who need a Savior, a transforming experience, a new life! Disciple, don’t try to ‘go it alone.’ The work of God can never be done with intellectual ability, with great financial resources, through intricate organization alone! All of those things are good and, if put into God’s service, useful but the real power belongs to the Spirit.
Jesus went on to explain to His disciples that the Spirit would also remain powerfully at work in them, too. Two words stand out- Truth and Glory! "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." (John 16:13-15, NIV)
Are you feeling incapable, alone, ineffective, like a reject?
Stop! Meditate on this prayer and make it yours.
Let God be God; around you and in you!
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:17-21, NIV)
____________
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fill me with Your power,
Satisfy my needs.
Only You can make me whole,
Give me strength to make me grow.
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fall afresh on me.
Come, Holy Spirit
Malcolm Fletcher © 1986, 1994 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055
Disciples are never alone! On the night before He went to the Cross, Jesus had a heart to heart talk with His disciples. He told me He was leaving them. He warned them that the world would turn on them, hating them even when they were good because they wouldn’t fit in. Then He promised, "It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7, NIV) The Holy Spirit is always with us, advocating for us, and working through us. He’s on our side! Despite being hated by the world, we need not feel abandoned or afraid. He is not a passive Friend, quietly standing in the shadows, either. Here’s what the Lord says about the Spirit’s work. "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (John 16:8, NIV)
What we cannot do by our own strength, He will do. Ever tried to ‘guilt’ an unbeliever? They can justify themselves, comparing their lives to somebody worse off than they are- and there is always somebody worse! The Holy Spirit, however, can bring real conviction of sin that is inescapable and inexcusable. Ever tried to tell an unbeliever that righteousness is a desirable choice? “Yeah,” they say, “and diets are fun, too!” Sin is pleasurable, ‘for a season.’ But the Spirit can reveal the joy of serving God, the deep sense of purpose that is found in loving Him. Ever tried to make somebody see coming judgment? Like Annie they’ll sing, “Tomorrow, tomorrow; I love you tomorrow, you’re only a day away.” Judgment will never come, or so they think. But the Holy Spirit can peel away the deception and let them sense the reality of God’s pending judgment.
I am so thankful for the Comfort of the Spirit, but I am equally thankful that He is a powerful Agent of Change in the world. I want to be on His side, trusting Him, praying for His power to be brought to bear on those around me who need a Savior, a transforming experience, a new life! Disciple, don’t try to ‘go it alone.’ The work of God can never be done with intellectual ability, with great financial resources, through intricate organization alone! All of those things are good and, if put into God’s service, useful but the real power belongs to the Spirit.
Jesus went on to explain to His disciples that the Spirit would also remain powerfully at work in them, too. Two words stand out- Truth and Glory! "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." (John 16:13-15, NIV)
Are you feeling incapable, alone, ineffective, like a reject?
Stop! Meditate on this prayer and make it yours.
Let God be God; around you and in you!
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:17-21, NIV)
____________
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fill me with Your power,
Satisfy my needs.
Only You can make me whole,
Give me strength to make me grow.
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fall afresh on me.
Come, Holy Spirit
Malcolm Fletcher © 1986, 1994 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"Oh, come on! It's not a big sin!"
"Pastor, we sold our property. We are giving the total amount to the church." What a great gift, except there was a problem. The gift was not all of the money. Part of it was still in the bank. Do you recognize the story of Ananias and Sapphira? We read it in Acts 5. This couple, early converts to the Christ way, gave the money from the sale to the Church claiming that they were giving the whole amount. Secretly agreeing between themselves, they decided to hold back a percentage for themselves. When Peter questioned them about their contribution, they lied. And, then they dropped dead, right in church!
Pastor Peter's words reveal their sin was not in the gift, but in the lie! "Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it." (Acts 5:4-5, The Message) If God handed down that same quick and severe judgment on every pretender and hypocrite in the Church today it would be a very small gathering at church this Sunday, wouldn't it?
Here's what we do need to remember: sin always exacts a cost, perhaps not today, but sin collects, with major interest! You think that is just an Old Testament Law concept? Then how do you explain Paul's warning about receiving Communion while hanging onto willful sin? He says, "For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way." (1 Corinthians 11:29-31, NLT)
In our quest for a 'safe' God; a therapeutic and comforting religion, we have conveniently chosen to ignore those texts that remind us that He is a holy, just, and righteous God. We must ever so grateful for the Cross. There the sacrifice of of Christ took away the eternal punishment of our sin, but we must also keep in mind that no sin is without some consequence.Many think only of Heaven and Hell when it comes to wrong-doing.
All the time I am asked, "If a person does __________________, will he go to Heaven?" But that question misses a big point about life right here, right now! It ignores the principle of planting and harvest. What we plant, will produce a harvest - at some point. Take this illustration: A Christ-follower is unfaithful to his wife. He realizes his sin and repents. Yes, God can and will forgive all sin. But, the harvest of the seeds sown by his infidelity will come! There will be great grief and pain to his wife. His children will go through confusion and fear, perhaps even turning against God, mistakenly blaming Him for the sins of their father.
Believer, we must not test God's grace! King Saul chose to disobey God's clear directions and kept some of the plunder from a military campaign. In his mind it was 'no big deal.' When he was called to account, he thought he could 'buy' God's favor with a sacrifice. The prophet Samuel harshly reminded the king he had seriously misunderstood the heart of God. "What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols." 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT
Are you considering 'testing' God, thinking that if you're caught you can play "Let's Make A Deal" with the Almighty? You're wrong. You may find a place of forgiveness, but there will be scars and the name of Christ will be stained.
The better choice is to 'die to self' first, surrendering that desire to God. Put Him first regardless. Trust His way as the BEST WAY. The same planting and harvest principle works for good, too. Plant good seed and expect a harvest of righteousness! Here's a word from the Word. Let it fill your thoughts today.
"Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others-ignoring God!- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds!
But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10, The Message)
Pastor Peter's words reveal their sin was not in the gift, but in the lie! "Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it." (Acts 5:4-5, The Message) If God handed down that same quick and severe judgment on every pretender and hypocrite in the Church today it would be a very small gathering at church this Sunday, wouldn't it?
Here's what we do need to remember: sin always exacts a cost, perhaps not today, but sin collects, with major interest! You think that is just an Old Testament Law concept? Then how do you explain Paul's warning about receiving Communion while hanging onto willful sin? He says, "For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way." (1 Corinthians 11:29-31, NLT)
In our quest for a 'safe' God; a therapeutic and comforting religion, we have conveniently chosen to ignore those texts that remind us that He is a holy, just, and righteous God. We must ever so grateful for the Cross. There the sacrifice of of Christ took away the eternal punishment of our sin, but we must also keep in mind that no sin is without some consequence.Many think only of Heaven and Hell when it comes to wrong-doing.
All the time I am asked, "If a person does __________________, will he go to Heaven?" But that question misses a big point about life right here, right now! It ignores the principle of planting and harvest. What we plant, will produce a harvest - at some point. Take this illustration: A Christ-follower is unfaithful to his wife. He realizes his sin and repents. Yes, God can and will forgive all sin. But, the harvest of the seeds sown by his infidelity will come! There will be great grief and pain to his wife. His children will go through confusion and fear, perhaps even turning against God, mistakenly blaming Him for the sins of their father.
Believer, we must not test God's grace! King Saul chose to disobey God's clear directions and kept some of the plunder from a military campaign. In his mind it was 'no big deal.' When he was called to account, he thought he could 'buy' God's favor with a sacrifice. The prophet Samuel harshly reminded the king he had seriously misunderstood the heart of God. "What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols." 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT
Are you considering 'testing' God, thinking that if you're caught you can play "Let's Make A Deal" with the Almighty? You're wrong. You may find a place of forgiveness, but there will be scars and the name of Christ will be stained.
The better choice is to 'die to self' first, surrendering that desire to God. Put Him first regardless. Trust His way as the BEST WAY. The same planting and harvest principle works for good, too. Plant good seed and expect a harvest of righteousness! Here's a word from the Word. Let it fill your thoughts today.
"Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others-ignoring God!- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds!
But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10, The Message)
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Holy; Wholly, Holey?
Disciple are you wholly holy or is your commitment to the Lord tattered and holey? It’s a fair question! An honest Christian has to acknowledge that he is a work in progress. Who among us has not found himself stunned by the intensity of some temptation or even surprised by failure in himself or another? I can still recall the sick feeling that I felt in the pit of my stomach when, all the way back in 1988, the sexual addiction and sins of Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart became public knowledge. At that time, he was a well-known preacher whose broadcasts could be seen around the world. Then, we found out that his holiness was full of holes!
I am currently reading Longing for God, an exploration of the pathways of Christian devotion, written by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe. The authors explore the writings of Christians of the past to see how they pursued holiness. In a chapter about John Bunyan who penned the classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, the authors point out Bunyan’s understanding of the Christian life as journey. Bunyan’s allegory places emphasis on “struggle in the spiritual journey. He made much of the grace of God throughout his life, but he never saw grace as opposed to struggle, only as opposed to earning. Christian (Bunyan’s main character) struggles through the Slough of Despond and struggles to enter the Straight Gate and struggles up the Hill of Difficulty and struggles to overcome Apollyon (the Devil). At times he stumbles and falls and he must overcome these setbacks.”
Fighting the good fight of faith does not indicate hypocrisy or lack of holiness. It is the common experience of those who would walk with God in this world. The tragedy of the failure of people like Swaggart is born out of denying that temptation is real and powerful and present! Disciple, you should not conclude that you are unholy because you find the Devil roaring in your face, or the appetites of your body clamoring to be fed, or the bright lights of the world attractive! Nor should any sincere Believer decide that since temptation is so common and God’s grace so great that he should just wallow in the muck of self-indulgence!
The Word makes the declaration that comforts us and challenges us at the same time. "God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"(Romans 5:20-6:2, NLT)
The only way to become wholly holy is to be set right with God through the gift of grace found in Christ Jesus. By faith we accept the gift we could never earn by any amount of our own goodness. Christ Jesus sealed the covenant (the promise of God to receive us as His children) by His death. His Resurrection is the shout of triumph over sin and death! But we must not forget the journey, the struggle. Right alongside of that majestic message of grace is the call to endure, to ‘work out’ that salvation in our daily lives where we meet temptation.
Here’s a word from the Word.
"…the power of God, … has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. … I am not ashamed, because 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 1:8-12, NIV)
____________
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
My song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons,
Blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see.
Only Thou art holy;
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in power,
In love, in purity.
Holy Holy Holy
Dykes, John B. / Heber, Reginald
© Public Domain
I am currently reading Longing for God, an exploration of the pathways of Christian devotion, written by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe. The authors explore the writings of Christians of the past to see how they pursued holiness. In a chapter about John Bunyan who penned the classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, the authors point out Bunyan’s understanding of the Christian life as journey. Bunyan’s allegory places emphasis on “struggle in the spiritual journey. He made much of the grace of God throughout his life, but he never saw grace as opposed to struggle, only as opposed to earning. Christian (Bunyan’s main character) struggles through the Slough of Despond and struggles to enter the Straight Gate and struggles up the Hill of Difficulty and struggles to overcome Apollyon (the Devil). At times he stumbles and falls and he must overcome these setbacks.”
Fighting the good fight of faith does not indicate hypocrisy or lack of holiness. It is the common experience of those who would walk with God in this world. The tragedy of the failure of people like Swaggart is born out of denying that temptation is real and powerful and present! Disciple, you should not conclude that you are unholy because you find the Devil roaring in your face, or the appetites of your body clamoring to be fed, or the bright lights of the world attractive! Nor should any sincere Believer decide that since temptation is so common and God’s grace so great that he should just wallow in the muck of self-indulgence!
The Word makes the declaration that comforts us and challenges us at the same time. "God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"(Romans 5:20-6:2, NLT)
The only way to become wholly holy is to be set right with God through the gift of grace found in Christ Jesus. By faith we accept the gift we could never earn by any amount of our own goodness. Christ Jesus sealed the covenant (the promise of God to receive us as His children) by His death. His Resurrection is the shout of triumph over sin and death! But we must not forget the journey, the struggle. Right alongside of that majestic message of grace is the call to endure, to ‘work out’ that salvation in our daily lives where we meet temptation.
Here’s a word from the Word.
"…the power of God, … has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. … I am not ashamed, because 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 1:8-12, NIV)
____________
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
My song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons,
Blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see.
Only Thou art holy;
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in power,
In love, in purity.
Holy Holy Holy
Dykes, John B. / Heber, Reginald
© Public Domain
Monday, June 08, 2009
Four months later…
Bev and I visited Dad’s grave yesterday. He’s been gone for 4 months. The cemetery has put topsoil in place and the grass is starting to cover that little scar on the earth’s surface. There’s something symbolic in that, similar to what is happening in my heart. The grief is different these days; less stabbing, more like an ache that comes and goes in intensity. The emotions are different, too. Instead of just remembering Dad in those last hard months when he was so weak and sick, I’m recalling episodes from our life together and feeling emotions that range from sorrow, regret, loss, and even to anger over missed opportunities.
Dad’s death has made me older, not chronologically, but emotionally and spiritually. There is no denying mortality anymore. While Bev and I stood for a few moments at his grave, we both spoke of our own inevitable demise, now much more real given that we are likely entering the last quarter of our race. That might seem morbid, even depressing. For me, it is liberating and creates an impetus for focus. I am much less inclined to do things simply because they ‘ought to be done,’ or because somebody else wants me to do them. I do what I want to do more readily and, of course, I do what I believe God desires me to do. Paradoxically, feeling Heaven closer, makes fully experiencing today more urgent!
I am told that it was a common practice in ages past to keep reminders of mortality close at hand. Many kept skulls sitting in plain view so as not to forget that they would die. Grim? Perhaps, but certainly preferable over our current practice of worshipping perpetual youth and all the foolishness that accompanies that pretense. The teacher reminds us to keep it all in balance. "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”" (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NLT)
The treks to Dad’s grave are times of renewal! Standing there I thank God for eternal life and I am drawn to "lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:19, NIV) Legacy, too, takes shape. Dying is not just about gaining heaven, as glorious as that promise may be. It is about who and what I leave behind. I am determined- by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit- to leave no debt outstanding, to faithfully point beyond myself to the Savior.
Here’s a suggestion for you. One of these beautiful days, go visit a cemetery with your friend, your spouse, or maybe alone. Walk among the stones, pausing to read the names and dates. OK, I heard a lot of you just ask, “Jerry, have you lost your mind?” Not at all. Make it a prayer walk, a time to reflect on the priorities of your life. Ask the hard questions of yourself about how you’re living right now. Someday, the book of your life will be closed. God gives us the privilege of writing the text that make the story! Remembering that life here is not forever, will help you to write a better story – of that I am positive.
"Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends. The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it. … The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:6-14, The Message)
_____________
Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!
Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.
Saved By Grace
Fanny Crosby, public domain
Dad’s death has made me older, not chronologically, but emotionally and spiritually. There is no denying mortality anymore. While Bev and I stood for a few moments at his grave, we both spoke of our own inevitable demise, now much more real given that we are likely entering the last quarter of our race. That might seem morbid, even depressing. For me, it is liberating and creates an impetus for focus. I am much less inclined to do things simply because they ‘ought to be done,’ or because somebody else wants me to do them. I do what I want to do more readily and, of course, I do what I believe God desires me to do. Paradoxically, feeling Heaven closer, makes fully experiencing today more urgent!
I am told that it was a common practice in ages past to keep reminders of mortality close at hand. Many kept skulls sitting in plain view so as not to forget that they would die. Grim? Perhaps, but certainly preferable over our current practice of worshipping perpetual youth and all the foolishness that accompanies that pretense. The teacher reminds us to keep it all in balance. "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”" (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NLT)
The treks to Dad’s grave are times of renewal! Standing there I thank God for eternal life and I am drawn to "lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:19, NIV) Legacy, too, takes shape. Dying is not just about gaining heaven, as glorious as that promise may be. It is about who and what I leave behind. I am determined- by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit- to leave no debt outstanding, to faithfully point beyond myself to the Savior.
Here’s a suggestion for you. One of these beautiful days, go visit a cemetery with your friend, your spouse, or maybe alone. Walk among the stones, pausing to read the names and dates. OK, I heard a lot of you just ask, “Jerry, have you lost your mind?” Not at all. Make it a prayer walk, a time to reflect on the priorities of your life. Ask the hard questions of yourself about how you’re living right now. Someday, the book of your life will be closed. God gives us the privilege of writing the text that make the story! Remembering that life here is not forever, will help you to write a better story – of that I am positive.
"Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends. The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it. … The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:6-14, The Message)
_____________
Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!
Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.
Saved By Grace
Fanny Crosby, public domain
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