"He Sent His Word and Healed Them"

Most of my communication is about the stuff of life, practical exchange of necessary information such as, "Please take out the garbage this morning."  Or, “Who’s picking up the kids from school?”
There those conversations that cause us to linger, when words are an expression of what’s in our heart. We talk about our dreams and disappointments. We caress with tender words of affection. We affirm with words of love that sparkle and dance!  Not all the words I use are original. On occasions, I buy the 'words' of another - printed on a card - to express sympathy, love, encouragement, or celebration!

Prayer is our daily conversation with our Abba (heavenly Father). Many of those prayers are often about the mundane stuff of living, aren't they?  Since marriage is a model of our relationship with Him, there are lessons to be drawn from that source. We should pray about our budgets, about the health of our bodies, about our kids and school; talking with the Lord about the ordinary stuff of living.  And, should also find times to pray with worshipful words, thoughtful words, words of wonder, pauses full of awe, interludes of stirred emotions - at least every now and then! The Bible tells us to 'pray about everything!'

Do you have difficulty going beyond  prayers that are like this - "Lord, bless the kids, my wife..."?  Why not borrow the beautiful prayer words of the Scripture? There are some amazing prayers recorded in the Word that touch on our deepest needs, our most intimate longings, that give us ways of expressing our love to Jesus Christ that are incredibly beautiful.

In the Psalms we find ways to express our adoration - "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." (Psalm 8:1, NIV)  

There are words to help us pour out our grief- "My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my pleading hands to you for mercy." (Psalm 88:9, NLT)  

There are words to pray for our friends. What surpasses Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1? "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 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." (Ephesians 1:16-18, NIV)

Praying like that takes us out of the superficial ‘bless me’ language, the ruts of communication into which we fall so easily. Remember, the prayers in the Scripture are not just poetry written to our emotions! Those words are Spirit-inspired and are given to fill us with hope. When we make them our own, when we call on the Lord with them, we invite Him to meet our need and to build our faith.  And yes, praying the Word will enrich our understanding of ourselves and our Lord. He will use His Word to change the way in which we think even as we pray those ‘borrowed’ prayers.

So, take time to use the Word in prayer from time to time. May those inspired Words shape your thoughts, express your heart, and deepen your conversation with God.

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (Psalm 107:19-22, NIV)

The world is going to Hell all around me

America is rapidly losing faith. For the first time in her history, this country no longer counts Protestant Christians as a majority. The ‘church’ has become increasingly irrelevant in a nation where the vast majority would “rather sleep in or play golf on a Sunday morning.”   (America Is Losing Faith)  A seismic shift in cultural attitudes is happening in the next generation who religiously define themselves as ‘nones,’ not at all meaning that they are without belief in God, but that they refuse to align themselves with organized religion, particularly with a Christian church.  This trend is wider than church.  Younger Americans don’t trust government, banks, or corporations, either.

In my opinion, most conservative Christians made a tragic mistake 40 years ago with the birth of what has come to known as the ‘religious right.’ We chose to align ourselves with a political movement and to seek to enforce our values through restrictive laws. The good that the church does in the name of Christ; feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, giving support to grieving families, strengthening basic social structures, bringing a message of eternal life, was obscured by the noisy attacks of media savvy preachers who majored on condemnation of homosexuals, women who sought abortions, and entertainment that they deemed unfit.  Issues of human rights, care for Creation, economic equality, peace, and justice went largely ignored by conservative Christians, even as the nation moved progressively on those issues.  

 Most tragically, the Gospel became the Law, Christ’s glory hidden behind rhetoric of power.  True or not, the church came to be viewed as just another place where the old generation was using the instruments of the establishment to protect their privilege.

So, what should those who love Jesus do?   First of all, stop being so afraid! Fear is the worst motivator in the world. Fearful people become defensive, shrill, and angry. The Christian story in the book of Acts reveals the power of God that will keep His Church alive.  If we are people of the Spirit, we can boldly go on the offense against the sins of the world, but not as mean, angry, punitive people. Our offense is to be mounted in long-suffering love. The Truth we tell is unyielding, but wrapped in the compassion that Jesus showed for the sinners he met. Did He attack the adulterous woman? No, He defended her with His love and then challenged her to ‘go and sin no more!’  Did He attack Zacchaeus, the tax collector? No, He went to his house for dinner and, while there, laid out the message of God’s redeeming grace.  What happened?  The greedy crook was transformed and gave away his ill-gotten wealth!

We are called to bear the light in dark places. It’s what Christians have always done. Jesus did not tell us to go wave banners, form coalitions, or elect people to office to protect our privileges. He told us that we are “the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-17, NIV)

Our concern need not be ‘relevance.’  The ancient principles of God need not be discarded in a vain attempt to attract sinners back to God by watering down His Word. But, we must be people of integrity who are committed to living His Word in its entirety.  God’s people will value the gift of life, but not just when it comes to abortion. They will also defend those who die when drones rain bombs on civilians in poor nations.  God’s people will value moral covenants, and keep their own marriage vows.  God’s people will be willing to give up their own lives by unselfishly giving away their wealth. We must shed our concern about being safe, about having our ‘rights.’  Remember, in most places and throughout  2,000 years of history, true Christians have been a persecuted minority. What did Jesus say? “Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble." (Matthew 5:11-12, The Message)

And, yes, we will major on the Gospel, realizing that the true change is one that begins in the heart when the Spirit gives life.  We preach Christ, not rules.  He makes us righteous, not regulations.  Here’s a word from the Word.  As we live it, God will build His Church!  Even as the world goes to Hell all around us, and yes, the sins of sensuality and self-indulgence will bring death; let us remember to preach Christ.

"So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus.

For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom." (1 Corinthians 1:23-30, NLT)

Amen

Living in perpetual happiness?

Gerald Sittser, a devout Christian, was enjoying a family trip when a car driven by a drunk came around a curve. In a moment, he lost his mother, his wife, and his daughter.  Out of his anguish, he wrote A Grace Disguised, How the Soul Grows Through Loss.  He did not pretend that his loss was without pain. He did not indulge himself in sin to avoid the sadness. He endured it, carried the crushing burden, and from his searing experience shares this;  “The soul is elastic, like a balloon. It can grow larger through suffering. Loss can enlarge its capacity for anger, depression, despair, and anguish, all natural and legitimate emotions whenever we experience loss. Once enlarged, the soul is also capable of experiencing greater joy, strength, peace, and love. What we consider opposites—east and water, night and light, sorrow and joy, weakness and strength, anger and love, despair and hope, death and life—are no more mutually exclusive than winter and sunlight. The soul has the capacity to experience these opposites, even at the same time.”

The belief that those who are good Christians can live in perpetual happiness, always serene, never uncertain, is common and persistent. Somehow the promise of the joy of the Lord gets turned into an expectation that those of deep faith will avoid life’s trials. When that false hope merges with an experience of deep sorrow,  a person compounds his pain with unnecessary feelings of guilt or failure.  Let me state it plainly here: Real Christians go through dark valleys!  The great tragedy is that many Christians prefer a superficial faith and will do almost anything to avoid hard things, to go around rather than through experiences that can make God their treasure.

David endured much sorrow as he walked out God’s plan for his life. He lived for nearly 20 years in the shadow of King Saul’s jealousy. He had to deal with threats of death, irrationality, and isolation. Even David’s friends questioned his faith!  Was it easy for him? You judge as you read his song. “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall." (Psalm 13:1-4, NLT)  He longed for relief, but trusted God through it all!

This Passion Week we must remember that our Lord chose to go to the Cross. He was not forced. He willingly submitted Himself to the plans of the Father, enduring great sorrow and pain in the process.  In the garden, as he prayed, the Gospels say that He was in anguish!  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44, NIV)  The way to His highest purpose and greatest glory was through terrible suffering.  We should not expect a different way.  "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5, NIV) "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8, NIV) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:9-10, NIV)

Please do not wrongly conclude that you must seek out suffering, that you must work at causing yourself pain. The Word does not encourage misery for its own sake. Ascetism (denying one’s self pleasure or comfort) can be just religiosity, a vain attempt to earn God’s favor or impress other people.  The road to Glory, to an ‘enlarged soul,’ is one where we are led by the Spirit and should He choose to lead us along a darkened pathway, let’s walk it out with faith, authentically entering into the suffering and taking the grace offered by the Spirit in that moment.

Here are words from the Word. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5, NIV) "Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven. " (Luke 6:21-23, NKJV)

_________

My Life Is In Your Hands

You don't have to worry

And don't you be afraid

Joy comes in the morning

Troubles they don't last always

For there's a friend named Jesus

Who will wipe your tears away

And if your heart is broken

Just lift your hands and say

(Oh) I know that I can make it

I know that I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in Your hands

With Jesus I can take it

With Him I know I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in Your hands

So when your tests and trials

They seem to get you down

And all your friends and loved ones

Are nowhere to be found

Remember there's a friend named Jesus

Who will wipe your tears away

And if your heart is broken

Just lift your hands and say

My life is in Your hands

My life is in Your hands

My life is in Your hands

Kirk Franklin

© 1996 Lilly Mack Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

The time is NOW!

Phil Malcolm, a missionary coordinating ministry to Africa's Children, laid out numbers that boggle the mind. There are 500 million kids in Africa, 90% of whom live in abject poverty, illiterate, without access to healthcare, and often victims of the violence of war. The challenges to Christian ministry on that continent are huge. One man raised his hand and asked, "How can you do it? Don't you get overwhelmed by the needs confronting you?" Phil acknowledged that sometimes discouragement does come his way, but he chooses to look at the face of the one child in front of him that he can reach today!

What can you do for the Lord today? If we think about trying to change the world, feed all the hungry, comfort every sad person, bring the Gospel to the millions who do not really know Christ - we will most likely do nothing. Our mind just will not be able to wrap around the need or find a solution. The Word tells us to "Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:16-17, NLT)  

Serve the one person standing in front of you. Love the one person that stands nearest to you. Find a way to act in the place where you are in life right now. We are all tempted to wait until another day to join some grand scheme, to look for that ministry that really excites us, before we get our hands dirty. And, we wait, and wait, and wait... while life passes us by and Hell celebrates our inaction.

Phil also mentioned that there are some who come to Africa, make a lot of noise, and then go home. They find that Africa's needs cannot be met in a month, that some of her challenges are so rooted, that they simply do not visibly yield to the solutions offered up. We love results so much, he observed, that we just will not stick with the project when it's not fun anymore. What an observation!

Will you make a commitment to do what the Lord shows you to do faithfully; today, tomorrow, and the year after that? Ministry should be fulfilling! But, 'fulfilling' is not always found in something 'new' or in success that can be measured in numbers. God blesses faithfulness, showing up each day with excellence, dedication, and a willingness to get the job done.

You have heard it before, but it needs to be repeated. Do not quit too soon! Take a break for renewal. Re-evaluate methods. Learn from those who do it best. Listen for the voice of the Spirit. Enlist people to stand with you; but don't quit!

Study this word from the Word. Before you read it, pause for moment and pray this: "Lord, teach me and give me courage to accept the Truth." OK, now read it.

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." (Galatians 6:8-10, NLT)

Go, the world is waiting for you. Start where you are!

Want to know more about the Malcolms? See Malcolms in Africa