“Now, don’t forget….” How many times have you heard that? Our lives are full of responsibilities, big and small. Our brains are stuffed with things we must recall – get the oil changed in the car, pick up shirts at the laundry, send a note of thanks, pay the water bill, get a card for Smitty’s retirement party, make an appointment with the dentist … it is a seemingly endless list. There are so many things to remember that we need reminders, don’t we? Some people make lists. I use Outlook, a computer program, that helps me remember dates, deadlines, birthdays, and events!
In the Scripture, Peter says, “Now, don’t forget the most important thing.” In the 3rd chapter of his 2nd letter, he tells us to always keep the promise of the Coming of the Lord in mind.
"You must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment."
(2 Peter 3:8-10, NLT)
Many a sinful decision, many regrettable acts, occur because someone has forgotten that they will be held accountable, that the circumstances of this moment will change. If we fail to calculate the consequences of today’s choices, we will live as fools! Wisdom is born in the realization that what we do today plants the seeds from which tomorrow grows!
Our lives are kept on track if we frequently recall that life is not endless, that assuredly God will wrap up history – perhaps for us in our death, perhaps for the world by the Return of His Son in glorious power. This is both an awful and awesome fact. It is awful for those who have ignored the will of God who will find themselves judged and destroyed. It is awesome for those who have looked forward and lived faithfully, obediently; who will finally receive the reward and vindication of the righteous.
Peter asks, "Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?" (2 Peter 3:11, The Message) We need not live in terror of the brevity of this earthly life since we have the promise of eternal life! But, we must not live in the delusion that life as we know it now will never end. Understanding our destiny motivates us to live well, to leave behind the sinful, the silly, the superficial. A person who knows his mortality goes deeper in the pursuit of Christ. The stories of lives changed by a brush with death are many in history.
Why wait for such a dramatic event?
Why not take the wisdom of the Word to heart and start to live with the end in sight?
"And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved." (2 Peter 3:14-15, NLT)
Now, don’t forget!
_________________
A parade began at Calvary,
And the saints of all the ages fill its ranks.
O'er the sands of time they're marching
To their King's great coronation.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
Nothing here holds their allegiance,
They're not bound by shackles forged of earthly gold.
Since that day they knelt at Calvary,
They've been pilgrims ever wandering
Just looking for a place to rest their souls.
All the saints are getting restless,
O, what glorious expectation fills each face.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
O this could be the dawning
Of that grand and glorious day,
When the face of Jesus we behold.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages,
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
This Could Be The Dawning
Gaither, William J. / Gaither, Gloria
© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lost or Exchanged?
Guys who are getting married often joke about losing their freedom. “She owns me now,” they moan, half seriously. It is true that a married person is no longer just ‘me!’ They now live as ‘we.’ If a married man and woman try to maintain separate lives, they will never achieve the oneness that God planned for those who join themselves as husband and wife. If they focus only on what they must surrender to gain unity, they will fail to appreciate what they stand to gain by loving their spouse without reservation! By the way, guys, statistics show that married men who are family-oriented are healthier, happier, more stable, and generally more productive than men who never marry. Thank you, very much, ladies!
Being a disciple of Christ involves a kind of loss, too! Jesus, in discussing God’s Kingdom, observed that "the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" (Matthew 13:45-46, NLT) Occasionally I counsel with someone who is struggling with commitment to the Lord. The questions asked are usually about the minimal acceptable level of participation in order to go to Heaven. “How often do I have to go to church? How much money do I have to contribute? Can I keep my old friends?” Thinking along those lines reveals an undeveloped appreciation about who Jesus Christ is and what it means to follow Him.
Just as a man who half-hearted in loving his wife can never really know the joy of a close marriage, so a disciple who follows Jesus from a distance will never enjoy the amazing joy of loving the Lord! Paul, the apostle, had gained many things in his religion! He was morally upright, respected by his community, and full of self-confidence. Then, Christ found him and called him. As the Spirit revealed the treasure he could gain, he willingly gave up what he had achieved. He describes the choices he made like this: "Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, 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. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11, NIV)
Disciple, are you trying to live in two worlds - hanging onto old ways, reserving certain areas of your life to yourself even while claiming to be a Christian?
Do you complain about the ‘cost’ that accompanies the call? If your answer is 'yes,' then you are setting yourself up for disappointment! Once you have experienced the life of the Spirit nothing from this world can be fulfilling; but you can never totally enjoy the amazing embrace of God’s love while holding back parts of your heart from Him, either. The only way to find the ‘abundant life’ that He promises to those who love Him, is to radically commit yourself.
Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder the call and promise, then commit!
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds." (Matthew 16:24-27, NLT)
______________________
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
'Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!"
So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
by Martha Snell Nicholson
Being a disciple of Christ involves a kind of loss, too! Jesus, in discussing God’s Kingdom, observed that "the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" (Matthew 13:45-46, NLT) Occasionally I counsel with someone who is struggling with commitment to the Lord. The questions asked are usually about the minimal acceptable level of participation in order to go to Heaven. “How often do I have to go to church? How much money do I have to contribute? Can I keep my old friends?” Thinking along those lines reveals an undeveloped appreciation about who Jesus Christ is and what it means to follow Him.
Just as a man who half-hearted in loving his wife can never really know the joy of a close marriage, so a disciple who follows Jesus from a distance will never enjoy the amazing joy of loving the Lord! Paul, the apostle, had gained many things in his religion! He was morally upright, respected by his community, and full of self-confidence. Then, Christ found him and called him. As the Spirit revealed the treasure he could gain, he willingly gave up what he had achieved. He describes the choices he made like this: "Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, 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. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11, NIV)
Disciple, are you trying to live in two worlds - hanging onto old ways, reserving certain areas of your life to yourself even while claiming to be a Christian?
Do you complain about the ‘cost’ that accompanies the call? If your answer is 'yes,' then you are setting yourself up for disappointment! Once you have experienced the life of the Spirit nothing from this world can be fulfilling; but you can never totally enjoy the amazing embrace of God’s love while holding back parts of your heart from Him, either. The only way to find the ‘abundant life’ that He promises to those who love Him, is to radically commit yourself.
Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder the call and promise, then commit!
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds." (Matthew 16:24-27, NLT)
______________________
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
'Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!"
So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
by Martha Snell Nicholson
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Give me good guts, please, Lord!"
I'm very sorry about AIDS orphans in Africa, starvation produced by poverty in Zimbabwe, and tyranny in North Korea, but, what can I do about these things?
I just want to turn off the news! Yes, I am experiencing some compassion fatigue! When any person is repeatedly exposed to suffering people, there is a built-in defense mechanism that kicks in. Compassion fatigue can cause a person's heart to become hard as a stone! We see an awful lot of human need and suffering, don't we? The news media brings story after story of sorrow to us - ranging from a local murder to a bombing in Baghdad where dozens die because of religious hatred. We see starving children in Africa, faces twisted with hatred in Pakistan, drug addicts in San Francisco - all up close! The natural response? Develop a hard heart and throw the problem back onto those in pain or need: "That's their problem, not mine!"
"What do you expect me to do about it?" "They made their bed, guess they'll have to sleep in it." "Fools!"
We're all subject to compassion fatigue! When busy days pile one on top of another; when deadlines line up; when there are demands to meet the expectations of others - we might find ourselves saying, "Oh no, not another person with a problem." If that's where you are emotionally, won't you join me in prayer asking the Father for a heart that beats with His love, a tender heart? The Lord promises those who are hardened by sin: "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart!" (Ezekiel 11:19, NLT) My prayer this morning is for a tender heart! In several passages of the New Testament, disciples are urged to be 'tender-hearted' towards others. In Ephesians 4:32 we are urged to "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Peter says, "All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." (1 Peter 3:8)
In this gentleness towards those in need, we are like our Heavenly Father "for he is full of tenderness and mercy!" (James 5:11) I thought you might like a little insight on 'tender hearted' or 'pitiful' - the word in the King James Version. Literally, it means 'good bowels!' Gross, right? Not really. Those who lived in ancient times believed that the emotions were centered in the abdominal cavity; the heart, the liver, and the intestines! They experienced fear, joy, love ... and felt those things physically - pounding heart, nausea, etc.! Thus, they concluded that their gut was the center of emotion. So they used the figure of speech, "eusplagchnos," (NT Greek) which is literally, 'good bowels!'
Let the lesson will take hold of you and pray for restoration of 'good guts!' Will you allow God to restore your emotions?Will you allow yourself to feel the sorrow of those who mourn, sharethe joy the of those who rejoice? Have great guts -- a tender heart!
________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
I will be my brother's keeper,
Love through me.
Hearts are bleeding deep inside,
Love can dry the weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Rambo, Dottie© 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)CCLI License No. 810055
I just want to turn off the news! Yes, I am experiencing some compassion fatigue! When any person is repeatedly exposed to suffering people, there is a built-in defense mechanism that kicks in. Compassion fatigue can cause a person's heart to become hard as a stone! We see an awful lot of human need and suffering, don't we? The news media brings story after story of sorrow to us - ranging from a local murder to a bombing in Baghdad where dozens die because of religious hatred. We see starving children in Africa, faces twisted with hatred in Pakistan, drug addicts in San Francisco - all up close! The natural response? Develop a hard heart and throw the problem back onto those in pain or need: "That's their problem, not mine!"
"What do you expect me to do about it?" "They made their bed, guess they'll have to sleep in it." "Fools!"
We're all subject to compassion fatigue! When busy days pile one on top of another; when deadlines line up; when there are demands to meet the expectations of others - we might find ourselves saying, "Oh no, not another person with a problem." If that's where you are emotionally, won't you join me in prayer asking the Father for a heart that beats with His love, a tender heart? The Lord promises those who are hardened by sin: "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart!" (Ezekiel 11:19, NLT) My prayer this morning is for a tender heart! In several passages of the New Testament, disciples are urged to be 'tender-hearted' towards others. In Ephesians 4:32 we are urged to "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Peter says, "All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." (1 Peter 3:8)
In this gentleness towards those in need, we are like our Heavenly Father "for he is full of tenderness and mercy!" (James 5:11) I thought you might like a little insight on 'tender hearted' or 'pitiful' - the word in the King James Version. Literally, it means 'good bowels!' Gross, right? Not really. Those who lived in ancient times believed that the emotions were centered in the abdominal cavity; the heart, the liver, and the intestines! They experienced fear, joy, love ... and felt those things physically - pounding heart, nausea, etc.! Thus, they concluded that their gut was the center of emotion. So they used the figure of speech, "eusplagchnos," (NT Greek) which is literally, 'good bowels!'
Let the lesson will take hold of you and pray for restoration of 'good guts!' Will you allow God to restore your emotions?Will you allow yourself to feel the sorrow of those who mourn, sharethe joy the of those who rejoice? Have great guts -- a tender heart!
________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
I will be my brother's keeper,
Love through me.
Hearts are bleeding deep inside,
Love can dry the weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Rambo, Dottie© 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wholly, Holy Confidence!
Last week, when the news was full of another politician’s infidelity, Bev said, "Promise me that you will never have an affair!" My response surprised her, "I can't make you that promise." I explained that IF I think that I am too good, too smart, or too dedicated to her to sin in that way, I am a lying to myself and living with a flimsy defense against sin. The Word warns, "Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence." (1 Corinthians 10:12, The Message) If my hope for holy living is misplaced in my own self-discipline, I am a prime candidate for failure. However, IF I acknowledge the sinful nature that struggles within us all, and consequently open up my life to the Spirit of God and His gracious work, He strengthens me. I finished my response to my wife saying, "I can't make that promise. But, by God's grace, I will love you faithfully and always."
When I hear a disciple huffing and puffing about another's sin: "How could he do that? What kind of person is he? Why, I'd never do such a thing!" - I cringe inwardly. That self-righteousness, which is no righteousness at all, is a tragedy in progress. There is no one quite so blind as the one who think he is above sin! Jeremiah evaluates human nature with a piercing statement: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" (17:9) Only the Holy Spirit discerns the secrets hidden in you and me! IF we will walk humbly and constantly with Him, His power will keep us! David, whose heart was divided - sometimes passionately in love with his God and sometimes filled with sin - cries out with a prayer we all should pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)
It seems so logical to respond to a rebel heart with stronger rules or self-condemnation, but these will always fail. Why? Because there is a flaw in the inner man called 'sin' that sabotages even our best intentions. That is why Paul comes down hard on those Christians who look to self-discipline alone for holiness. "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." (Colossians 3:22-23 NIV) The mystery of our Christianity is the Cross and the weakness of the Cross is our strength, our holiness, and our hope!
Is there a place in our lives for disciplined choices? Of course.
Is there a need to make wise decisions and to practice those habits that open our lives to the inflow of the Holy Spirit? Yes, and again, yes! We are fools if we abuse the grace of God by flirting with sin. A person who lives carelessly with open sin in his life has failed to grasp the full dimension of God's grace which will lead him to a changed life! Some, on hearing Paul's exposition of God's grace that responds to human sinfulness by expanding to encompass it, said, "So then shall we sin freely?" The Word's answer is this: "Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 6:2, NLT)
Are you locked in mortal combat with some sinful habit? Does it seem to you that you are about to be destroyed by lust, greed, a lack of forgiveness, or hatred?
Now, here's the illogical statement. Take your eyes off of yourself and your sin. Stop obsessing over it!
"But, Jerry, if I do that, I just know I will be destroyed by it." No, you will not IF you gaze on Christ. The Word says, "If you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective." (Colossians 3:1-2, The Message) See the Son standing there, holding out a new coat of holiness to you. It is a holiness that God alone can provide. Put it on! You are His child. The Enemy of your soul will argue mightily against this truth. He will seek to turn your attention to what you were and what you fear you may become again. He will tell you that God cannot love you UNTIL you have mastered all sin. He lies!
God loves you today because of His Son. In the full acceptance of that love is found the freedom to choose, to say "yes" to holiness today. Becoming a disciple with a life that is disciplined in the ways of the Spirit is important, but it is not first. Transformation by the power of the Cross is FIRST, then comes the patterning of discipleship.
Now, do you understand why I, in myself, could not promise faithfulness to my wife?
Yet, she is secure in our covenant because of Christ, IN ME, that gives me strength to love her with a faithful and true heart.
You are secure in Him. Let Him love you to wholeness and holiness today.
________________
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er,
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee© Public Domain
When I hear a disciple huffing and puffing about another's sin: "How could he do that? What kind of person is he? Why, I'd never do such a thing!" - I cringe inwardly. That self-righteousness, which is no righteousness at all, is a tragedy in progress. There is no one quite so blind as the one who think he is above sin! Jeremiah evaluates human nature with a piercing statement: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" (17:9) Only the Holy Spirit discerns the secrets hidden in you and me! IF we will walk humbly and constantly with Him, His power will keep us! David, whose heart was divided - sometimes passionately in love with his God and sometimes filled with sin - cries out with a prayer we all should pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)
It seems so logical to respond to a rebel heart with stronger rules or self-condemnation, but these will always fail. Why? Because there is a flaw in the inner man called 'sin' that sabotages even our best intentions. That is why Paul comes down hard on those Christians who look to self-discipline alone for holiness. "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." (Colossians 3:22-23 NIV) The mystery of our Christianity is the Cross and the weakness of the Cross is our strength, our holiness, and our hope!
Is there a place in our lives for disciplined choices? Of course.
Is there a need to make wise decisions and to practice those habits that open our lives to the inflow of the Holy Spirit? Yes, and again, yes! We are fools if we abuse the grace of God by flirting with sin. A person who lives carelessly with open sin in his life has failed to grasp the full dimension of God's grace which will lead him to a changed life! Some, on hearing Paul's exposition of God's grace that responds to human sinfulness by expanding to encompass it, said, "So then shall we sin freely?" The Word's answer is this: "Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 6:2, NLT)
Are you locked in mortal combat with some sinful habit? Does it seem to you that you are about to be destroyed by lust, greed, a lack of forgiveness, or hatred?
Now, here's the illogical statement. Take your eyes off of yourself and your sin. Stop obsessing over it!
"But, Jerry, if I do that, I just know I will be destroyed by it." No, you will not IF you gaze on Christ. The Word says, "If you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective." (Colossians 3:1-2, The Message) See the Son standing there, holding out a new coat of holiness to you. It is a holiness that God alone can provide. Put it on! You are His child. The Enemy of your soul will argue mightily against this truth. He will seek to turn your attention to what you were and what you fear you may become again. He will tell you that God cannot love you UNTIL you have mastered all sin. He lies!
God loves you today because of His Son. In the full acceptance of that love is found the freedom to choose, to say "yes" to holiness today. Becoming a disciple with a life that is disciplined in the ways of the Spirit is important, but it is not first. Transformation by the power of the Cross is FIRST, then comes the patterning of discipleship.
Now, do you understand why I, in myself, could not promise faithfulness to my wife?
Yet, she is secure in our covenant because of Christ, IN ME, that gives me strength to love her with a faithful and true heart.
You are secure in Him. Let Him love you to wholeness and holiness today.
________________
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er,
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee© Public Domain
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Gaffe
The sermon was on the subject of loving completely. I had made the first point about our inability to love well unless we have experienced God’s love. I moved into my next idea about those things that keep us from loving others. Then, it happened. I spoke three words and saw the eyes of a woman in front of me widen as she thought of an entirely different image than I was reaching for! Then I heard the snickers of several others. The second meaning of what I had just said hit me. My face grew hot with embarrassment! Yes, it was a gaffe and a half. No, I won’t repeat here. Last night as Bev and I remembered the moment, we dissolved into laughter. 35 minutes of preaching and what will most people remember? Three words!
On the serious side, my faux pas yesterday made me think about how easily our lives can become defined by a single decision, a mistake, a choice made in haste or for ignoble reasons. My little mistake only ruined a single sermon. The mistakes of some ruin their lives. While watching “Frost vs. Nixon” last night, the same thought returned. Richard M. Nixon’s entire political career comes down to a single word for most people, “Watergate.” A stupid decision to cover up a crime of little significance destroyed him and His Presidency. But, the seeds of that destruction were planted by a wider flaw, an insecurity that ran deep and unacknowledged in the man. If Nixon had learned to overcome his sense of inferiority and defeated his paranoia, only God knows what his political acumen might have produced for America.
Are you living wisely, disciple? Are you giving the Spirit access to your heart and mind so that He can bring about health and wholeness in your thoughts and plans? The pitfalls, temptations, and possibilities of mistakes are many. We need to pray- "Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!" (Psalm 90:12, The Message)
Should we somehow fall or fail, and we will; the Scripture is replete with illustrations of the redemption God offers to those who turn to Him. David, the poet–king of Israel, fell long and hard into deep sin. When the ugly facts were exposed, he turned to God in humble prayer. "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. … Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12, NIV)
John reminds us that the road to restoration requires confession, owning our sins without excuse. "If we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus." (1 John 1:9-2:1, The Message)
I’ll have to live with the jokes about my gaffe in the pulpit for a few weeks! I will probably be a little apprehensive about speaking next Sunday and certainly more vigilant in my choice of words. Disciple, be vigilant about those choices that really matter. Walk near to the Lord. Respond quickly to the Spirit’s gentle prompts.
“Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes." (Matthew 6:9-13, The Message)
____________
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou my Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal Home.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Watts, Isaac / Croft, William© Public Domain
On the serious side, my faux pas yesterday made me think about how easily our lives can become defined by a single decision, a mistake, a choice made in haste or for ignoble reasons. My little mistake only ruined a single sermon. The mistakes of some ruin their lives. While watching “Frost vs. Nixon” last night, the same thought returned. Richard M. Nixon’s entire political career comes down to a single word for most people, “Watergate.” A stupid decision to cover up a crime of little significance destroyed him and His Presidency. But, the seeds of that destruction were planted by a wider flaw, an insecurity that ran deep and unacknowledged in the man. If Nixon had learned to overcome his sense of inferiority and defeated his paranoia, only God knows what his political acumen might have produced for America.
Are you living wisely, disciple? Are you giving the Spirit access to your heart and mind so that He can bring about health and wholeness in your thoughts and plans? The pitfalls, temptations, and possibilities of mistakes are many. We need to pray- "Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!" (Psalm 90:12, The Message)
Should we somehow fall or fail, and we will; the Scripture is replete with illustrations of the redemption God offers to those who turn to Him. David, the poet–king of Israel, fell long and hard into deep sin. When the ugly facts were exposed, he turned to God in humble prayer. "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. … Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12, NIV)
John reminds us that the road to restoration requires confession, owning our sins without excuse. "If we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus." (1 John 1:9-2:1, The Message)
I’ll have to live with the jokes about my gaffe in the pulpit for a few weeks! I will probably be a little apprehensive about speaking next Sunday and certainly more vigilant in my choice of words. Disciple, be vigilant about those choices that really matter. Walk near to the Lord. Respond quickly to the Spirit’s gentle prompts.
“Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes." (Matthew 6:9-13, The Message)
____________
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou my Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal Home.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Watts, Isaac / Croft, William© Public Domain
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