Another Chapter Closes

Bev and I met with her doctor yesterday. She finished her chemo rounds 3 weeks ago and last week had follow up tests.  When we discussed it all, he told her that further chemo was not needed, and that she would see him again in 3 months. He was positive about her progress. After leaving his office, we cried, our tears a mixture of release of tension and deep gratitude – to God for mercy, for friends who have prayed for us, for love of family so strong.  We are realistic about the kind of disease she had.  Her doctor was clear that the likelihood of recurrence is high, but we have learned to be thankful for this day; and this day was a good one!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118:1, NIV)

"I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Psalm 118:13-14, NIV)

"I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done." (Psalm 118:17, NIV)

This chapter was written in sorrow. The valley was deep. I will not pretend it was easy.  Many nights eternity was near, mortality too obvious to ignore.  I am not sugarcoating the anguish when I say that our love for the Lord and one another grew deeper.  Knowing what I know today, would I choose the road we walked since March voluntarily?  I suppose the “Sunday School answer” would be yes, but I’m too human.  Though there are the blessings found in the dark caves we explored, I prefer happy! 

Yet, the suffering and uncertainty were not without meaning or purpose.  Paul’s words about his own time of anguish take new meaning to us.  He said of his experiences,  “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”  (2 Cor. 1:8-11 NLT)

Have I learned anything?  I believe I have. 

1. I know better than ever that life here is short and Heaven is home!  Even with the close of this chapter, I know that in terms of this earthly life I have much more past than future!  I am loving life but can say “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21 NIV)

2. Sometimes all you can do is ‘hang on.’ Some days and nights stretched on endlessly. The old cliché about reaching the end of my rope, tying a knot, and hanging on came to mind. Was it faith or stubbornness?  God knows, but I pray it was faith anchored to the Rock of my Salvation. Even when there was no good road ahead the choice was to trust, to take a step, to go forward… and night yielded to day, time and again.

3. Friends are treasures. Solomon said  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)  Amen!  Oh, how we treasure the love of friends and family.

Here’s the word from the Word. It’s my song today.

"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing."
(Psalm 34:1-10, NIV)

________________

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Doing Preventative Maintenance

Maintenance is constant in this world where things break, decay, and fall apart. I’m always fixing something on my house, a piece of siding that comes loose, a door that gets hard to open, a faucet that drips. I could ignore them; for a while, but in time neglect would cost me major dollars.  My car demands maintenance, too. Sure, I could drive on tires that are under- inflated for a while before they would fail. I can overlook oil changes and the engine won’t stop immediately. Saving $40 on an oil change can turn into a $3000 engine replacement! Preventative maintenance is a wise investment – a few dollars now saves thousands later!

The principle holds in our Christianity. Regular engagement with the spiritual disciplines opens us to the Presence of the Spirit. Making the choices for worship, prayer, study, service, and giving are an investment. Yes, they are a kind of preventative maintenance that keeps our relationship with God intact and healthy.

Do you have to go to worship regularly to be a Christian? No, you don’t. You won’t be as effective as a solo act, but you can have saving faith, apart from being in your local church. I’m sure you did not expect that from a veteran Pastor.  You can make Sunday into a play day: golfing, fishing, and visiting with family. Short term you won't see much impact on your life. You might even feel some relief about getting rid of the need to be up and out of the house on Sunday morning.  However, a subtle erosion of spiritual health will start immediately when you neglect the fellowship of the Church.  With time, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate. If you are a parent, know this: your kids will conclude that church is just one of life’s options, and as young adults, they will discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.

Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality. 
Failure to engage in generous giving won't make you into Ebenezer Scrooge in a year's time. 
Failure to pray won't turn you into an atheist overnight! 

But... over the long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual collapse. Your ears will not discern the 'still, small voice of God.'
Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'

Eugene Peterson says that the Christian life is “a long obedience in the same direction!’

Here is wisdom from the Word.  "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT) 

"Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates." (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, The Message)

Make an investment in doing the small things.
Amazingly- the big stuff will take care of itself!

_______________

Tempted, Tried, and Sometimes Failing

That apple pie was right around the corner in the kitchen.  I resisted for a half-hour, my thoughts turning again to the possibility of enjoyment that could be mine with minimal effort.  In the end temptation won. That was just pie and a few hundred calories.  What about the yearning, the temptation that has a much more serious consequence?

Hearing of person who falls flat on his face, some Christians shake their heads in disgust – “How could he do that?” Others are quick to declare, "I'd never do that.  I'm above being tempted in that way."  Here’s the truth as God sees it – like it or not: "You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted." (1 Corinthians 10:13, CEV) The nature of what tempts me will be different from what tempts you, but Satan baits the hook for us all. Old, young, smart or not, pastor, teacher, police, or plumber - we all come to that fork in life's road where there are just two choices:  our will or God's will.  

For one it may be laziness: "Let it go 'til tomorrow.  Why sweat?"  For another it may be the allure of sex:  an escape from life’s drudgery. For another it is the alcohol that takes the edge off of life, that makes it hurt less for a while.  Pride may pull another to pretend to be what he is not. Many fall prey to the lure of stuff – more shiny toys, clothes, a new car. Yes, we're all tempted!  "But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations." (1 Corinthians 10:13, CEV)  However, victory requires our cooperation with the Spirit.

How do we resist temptation?  

Expect it.   

Evil circles, the Bible says, like a lion on the prowl, looking to have us for dinner. And, contrary to accepted wisdom, evil and the father of it do not always attack at our perceived weakness.  We generally have our defenses in place there. So, he may surprise us at the point of our strength. Peter reminds us that when we're going through the trials of temptation we are sharing the same experience that Christ endured and he says, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12, NIV)  

Never negotiate! 

You can't outwit temptation.  If you want something badly and spend long enough thinking about getting it, you will find an excuse or a justification. That is why the Bible says, "O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11, NKJV)   "But, Jerry, doesn't the Bible tell us to 'resist the Devil'"   That does not mean we stand as close to the fire of temptation as we think we can without getting burnt! We resist him when we humbly surrender to God and anchor ourselves in faith.

Take care of your REAL needs!

We need love, security, food, intimacy, and significance. He has provided a way for each of those needs to be met in a way that makes us whole, and when we do, we are much less vulnerable to temptation.  That apple pie I mentioned a moment ago is not that desirable when my hunger has been satisfied with a solid meal. Fatigue is relieved by rest. Love cannot be found in an illicit affair. When we do things God’s way, it may appear hard, but in the long term, His way is THE way that we find all our needs met.

Live openly before Christ!  

We can endure "by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:2-3, NLT)  Temptation makes us feel like we are being torn in two, emotionally and spiritually.   The battle rages on as in - I just "gotta have it!" whatever the 'it' is at that moment.  Don’t hide out. Don’t try to muscle it out. Go and tell the Lord about the battle. Ask for the the reinforcement of the Spirit! 

When we  humble ourselves, quietly waiting before Him, His peace will come.   Why? 
Because Jesus is our Priest and Intercessor before God.  

Remember, Christian, there is no shame in admitting to the temptation, for temptation is not sin!     While we live in this world, temptations will come at us.   Some come from the world systems in which we work and live.   Some come from what the Bible calls, 'the flesh,' or the sinful nature, the desires and needs of our physical body that crave satisfaction in destructive ways.  And, some are diabolical, devilish schemes that come from the enemy of God and good.   

Here's a word from the Word.  Draw the strength of the promise from it today and meet temptation with the Truth that in Christ, you can overcome!

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared.

You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:10-18, The Message)

______________________  

In The Light

I keep trying to find a life

On my own apart from You,

I am the king of excuses,

I've got one

For every selfish thing I do.

What's going on inside of me?

I despise my own behavior.

This only serves to confirm my suspicions

That I'm still a man in need of a Savior.

I wanna be in the light as You are in the light.

I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens.

Lord be my light and be my salvation.

All I want is to be in the light of love.

All I want is to be in the light.

Is there such a thing as a man of peace?

If there is then a man of peace I want to be.

I will need Your help if I am ever to be that,

If I'm to lay down, lay down, lay down,

Then, I'll lay my life for my brothers and sisters,

I will need Your help,

Jesus, I need Your light forever shining bright.

Charlie Peacock

© 1991, 1997 Sparrow Song (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

With Whom Do You Walk?

In a long reading of the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles, I read name after name, records of Israel’s history. In the text are scattered notes; about where a clan lived, about some event in a man’s life, and then there is this: "In earlier times Phinehas, son of Eleazar, was in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him." (1 Chronicles 9:20, NIV) Phinehas, the gatekeeper, a security guard for the Temple, lives in the Bible as a man noted for his intimacy with God!  Not a lot of sermons get preached from those chapters. Sometimes we wonder why this long list of Hebrew names is even in the inspired Scripture.  Then, a line like that one jumps out. “And the LORD was with him.”

Could there be anything better to be said about a person?  “He was a really kind man,” is good but does not compare.  “He was very hard-working,” is good, too.  “She was amazingly creative and skilled to lead,” would be nice. But, “the Lord was with him,” has no equal.  When God’s Spirit fills our life, everything else finds the right order.  Those who walk closely with the Lord will be loving people for God is love. Those who know Him intimately will be faithful, steady, and committed to the things that actually matter.

There are few people who share similar reputations with Phinehas. Enoch, of whom we know little, "walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5:24, NIV)  Mary, the mother of Jesus, even as a young woman, enjoyed a rich spiritual life.  The angel who brought her the news that she would be the mother of the Messiah said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28, NLT)

We are tempted to turn these people into special saints, persons unlike us.  Truth is, they were ordinary people who chose to respond to the Presence of God and who came to be known to us for their deep relationship with the Lord.  Someday in the future, when someone is describing you will they say, “The Lord was with him.”?

Here’s the word from the Word.  Believe it, live it! I "beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. …  (so) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:1-4, 22-24, NLT)

Now Walk With God

Now walk with God

And He will be your dearest Friend,

Where'er you go,

In everything you do.

And may your life

Reflect His love to ev'ryone,

Now walk with God

And He will walk with you.

Otis Skillings

© 1969 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055