Keeping Perspective

40 days past, we began our observance of Lent, the time of preparation. World events overwhelmed us and here we are at Maundy Thursday remembering our Savior’s death and, in a few days, His Resurrection. Let’s not allow the chaotic news, the social distance, or our internal dread keep us from worship and renewal.  Let’s truly keep the fast and the feast so that we will not lose sight of our true identity and God’s great love.

2,000 years ago, Jesus observed Passover with His disciples. Why did He do it? He was remembering that night in Egypt when the Lord calling His people to faith, and ‘passed over’ their homes as He moved in judgment through the land of Egypt. When they, in faith, splashed the blood a sacrificed lamb on the sides of the entry doors of their homes, God spared their sons. In faithful obedience, they found salvation. God then led those people out of slavery in Egypt to return to the Promised Land, where they became His people, a holy nation. Passover celebrated a new identity for the children of Abraham.

When Jesus celebrated that Passover, He revealed a new era, a new covenant about to be written. Do you remember? "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them,  "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:14-20, NIV)  

He was the new Lamb of God! Those who responded to the invitation of the Spirit and accepted His sacrifice on their behalf, found salvation becoming a part of God’s plan to call people out of captivity to sin into His Church, a holy people, whose mission would be to announce that Christ has conquered sin and death, the ‘Kingdom Come!’  This is what we remember and celebrate in these holy days.

At the Cross, there was an intense battle. In a mystery that is beyond our full understanding, God dealt with sin, evil, and death by becoming sin for us.  Jesus emerged from the tomb the Victor, the sacrificial Lamb of God, now the King of Glory. What a tragedy to reduce our commemoration of this amazing cosmic event to some chocolate candy, colored eggs, and the Easter bunny.

The somberness of this day, the fast of Good Friday, the observance of Communion, the feast of Easter – they are part of the way we remember, renew, and keep perspective in a world that conspires to make us forget who we are, what is our hope and our calling to be His holy people.  Let us remember, reverently, yet joyfully that the Kingdom is come. We are no slaves to sin, no longer doomed to death. We are beloved children of God, called to Life and Light. Our Jesus is both Savior and King!  

 Jesus said - "Do this in remembrance of me!"   When we share the Lord's Supper, we will pray to go again to the Cross, the altar where His sacrifice changed our destiny, where He tore down the barriers that kept us from God's Presence, where the authority and hope of the new Kingdom was released. and made possible.  

(I will celebrate a ‘virtual’ Communion on Good Friday at 7 PM. You can connect through the Facebook page of Faith Discovery Church or through the church’s website – https://FaithDiscovery.com)

So, enter in! When you take the Cup and Bread in Communion, when you sing of the Empty Tomb - pray as Jesus taught  - "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, NIV)  New life, new dedication, healing, hope – this is the Kingdom Come.  Has the kingdom come to you?

Here is a word from the Word about our NEW identity in Christ Jesus. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10, NIV)

Abba, lift us me and help me to see beyond today, beyond the troubles.

Renew me in faith and teach me of Your desire for me.

When I take the Cup and Bread, when I remember in fast and feast,

Let Your Spirit write of Your love and my holy calling on my heart.

Lead us to renewal and rediscovery of the joy of the Lord as

We worship You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

_______________

Who You Say I Am
(Your identity in Christ)

Who am I that the highest King

Would welcome me

I was lost but He brought me in

Oh His love for me

Oh His love for me

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

Free at last

He has ransomed me

His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin

Jesus died for me

Yes He died for me

In my Father's house

There's a place for me

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

I am chosen not forsaken

I am who You say I am

You are for me not against me

I am who You say I am

(Oh) (Yes) I am who You say I am

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan

© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

The other virus

In all the talk about ‘the’ virus, a few make glancing reference to another challenge that Americans will face in coming months. Despair! Most of the support systems that keep humans healthy are curtailed right now – family gatherings, traditional celebrations, and church worship. When we are isolated, if we lose sight of the future, we can slip into despair and it can kill, too.  

 A century ago, (1915-1918) during the first world war and the influenza pandemic that followed it, the death rate rose in the US steeply. The common thread in many of those deaths was not physical. People were dying because they had lost hope.

Christian, I have good news and a challenge for us. We are people whose hope has deep roots in an unchanging faith and we have the privilege of sharing that hope with others. The inspired writer of Hebrews explains that "God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us." (Hebrews 6:18-20, The Message)

Hope is born out of faith. There is a direct relationship of depth of our confidence to face an uncertain future and our faith in God’s ability to keep us. Oh, I hear you as you ask, “Jerry, why doesn’t God just remove all my doubts?” Because even if He wrote in the sky, without faith, we would find an alternative explanation. Woody Allen once joked that he would believe “If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank.” No, he wouldn’t. He would assume a bank error or a secret benefactor! 
Faith is a choice that rests on the anticipation of God’s promise. "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25, NIV)

Let me remind you that faith and doubt are the two sides of the same coin, so to speak. As rational beings, we look around and find things that defy our understanding, things are hard to reconcile with what we learned in Sunday School, when life was simpler and painted in primary colors. But that doubt can, if we choose, lead us to faith in a Person, trusting Jesus to be Savior, Forgiver, Healer, and Life. I find it compelling that Jesus made no arguments about faith, the existence of God, or even His own divinity. Instead, He said, “Look at what I say and do and trust Me!” 

As life has unraveled rapidly in a month’s time, many Christians awakened to the realization that they were coasting along on assumptions, borrowed belief, and pop theology that was largely superficial. It is hard to come to grips with the fact that we loved Jesus more for the ‘good life’ we assumed was our birthright as His disciples than for simply Who He is. Hard questions are being asked, soul searching is beginning.

It is time to go back to the foundation of faith. We must turn our hearts and minds to Christ Jesus. The next step is to integrate what we profess to believe about Him into the daily choices we make – ‘grabbing the promised hope with both hands.’  When we do this, hope grows in us and it is contagious.

Next Sunday, we celebrate our core hope – the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul says that this event seals the deal for us. After a long chapter about why he believes in life beyond this present life, in which he explains why his faith rests on the historicity of that first Easter, he tells us: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NIV)

Are you struggling with despair? Face it and reach up and out. God hears even the wordless sighs. Tell someone you trust and love that you’re fearful, that you cannot see tomorrow. I pray they are wise enough to listen, love, and wait with you without the need to provide a quick solution.

I know you are not me, but I offer my life-long experience with faith as an encouragement. For more than 50 years I have walked with Jesus, through some glorious days and some dark valleys. My faith is not evidence of intellect, personal discipline, or strength of character. That I am full of hope is evidence of His gift of grace and love. He has kept me through failure, a major depression in mid-life, in the loss of my beloved wife. He is my hope. Is He yours?

The word from the Word comes to us from 2^nd Timothy, Paul’s last letter, sent from death row. He urges us to take hold of Jesus, our Great Hope.  "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things.
Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." (2 Timothy 2:10-14, NIV)

_______________

40

(U2 sings Psalm 40)

I waited patiently for the Lord

He inclined and heard my cry

He set my feet upon a rock

And made my footsteps firm

Many will see

Many will see and fear

I will sing - sing a new song

I will sing - sing a new song

How long to sing this song?

How long to sing this song?

How long? How long? How long?

How long to sing this song?

Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You

And I will sing, I'll sing this song

Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You

And I will sing, I'll sing this song

(from the 40th Psalm)

Forty (40)

Paul Hewson, Larry Mullen

CCLI License No. 810055

Somebody please make me happy!

The empty refrigerator made a trip to the grocery store necessary yesterday. As I pulled into the parking lot, I prayed for God’s grace to be evident in me, knowing that this time is not always bringing out the best in people. I made a point of offering a word of thanks to each employee; not a speech, not interrupting them. I just simply said, “Thanks for keeping us fed and supplied. God bless you, friend.”  Their faces brightened for a moment. It was a conscious choice to be other-centered – and in those simple exchanges I found joy!

At the risk of sounding like a lecturing Grandpa, I want to urge you to set aside Self, to consciously think about the people around you, their needs, their emotions. Being cooped up in a house with one another, it does not take much to raise the levels of irritation to intolerable levels, does it?  Kids that are arguing, a spouse that thoughtlessly adds to the clutter by leaving his stuff lying around, her desire to watch another Hallmark movie, that hurtful remark about the way you look … it can be a long list of sources of aggravation. It is compounded by worry about where all this ends, about how we will end up financially, if someone we love will get sick. We are tempted to complain and say, “Won’t somebody just please make me happy?”

What’s needed in that moment is a different perspective. A long time ago, I used to sing a little song in Sunday School that said, “Jesus and Others and You, what a wonderful way to spell JOY.” It’s true that when we stop thinking about ourselves and serve others selflessly, WE gain a spiritual benefit. We create a place for God’s joy to grow in us. The opposite is also true. The more focused we are on our own needs, on how much we want to be happy, the deeper our misery becomes.

Christian, joy is an evidence of the life of the Spirit in us. In Galatians 5, where we read of the character of the Christian, we find that little word- JOY – right after LOVE.  Let’s not confuse giddy happiness with true joy. You know that, but keep it front and center in your mind as you pray for the ‘joy of the Lord’ to flow from you. Is Christ Lord of your life? Are you prepared to make Him Lord of your emotions, too?

In James 1, I found my meditation this morning. As you read it, do not allow the familiarity to rob the words of their impact. "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." (James 1:2-5, NLT)  In the NIV that opening line is “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials.”

Why can we choose to be joyful in times of trouble?

Because God assures us that these days serve a real purpose of making spiritual muscle. When we choose to allow the Spirit to work in us, when we are humble enough to admit our need, to put aside our personal desires we become ‘mature,’ growing a faith that is able to endure, ‘ready for anything.’ This flies in the face of our culture that encourages self-indulgence. Increasingly we confuse minor inconvenience with real catastrophe. God help us, truly.

In our pursuit of God’s joy, there is one thing that will surely block the way - trying to assume control of everything in life. When we make a little gods of ourselves life will inevitably become full of irritation over pressure, people, and problems! Trust this and live it - God rules. Nothing that is happening to you right now is a surprise to Him.   

When faith grows, joy grows. “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." (Isaiah 46:8-10, NIV)

Here’s a word from the Word. Let it draw a smile to your face as it rebirths joy in your heart.  "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, … And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:3-6, NLT)

Jesus,

Others,

You -  what a wonderful way to spell JOY!

______________

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode To Joy)
(a great presentation of this wonderful hymn by Michael W. Smith)

Joyful joyful we adore Thee

God of glory Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness

Drive the dark of doubt away

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day

All Thy works with joy surround Thee

Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays

Stars and angels sing around Thee

Center of unbroken praise

Field and forest vale and mountain

Flowery meadow flashing sea

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Call us to rejoice in Thee

Thou art giving and forgiving

Ever blessing ever blest

Wellspring of the joy of living

Ocean depth of happy rest

Thou our Father Christ our Brother

All who live in love are Thine

Teach us how to love each other

Lift us to the joy divine

Mortals join the mighty chorus

Which the morning stars began

Father love is reigning o'er us

Brother love binds man to man

Ever singing march we onward

Victors in the midst of strife

Joyful music lifts us sunward

In the triumph song of life

Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven

© Words: Public Domain