Captivated by Christ

A Revelation of My Heart

2011-12-19T08:58:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday evening I attended the 2^ndannual Christmas dinner-theater production at First Baptist Church, Moriarty,NM. It was so enjoyable to be back with my church family and see folks I hadnot seen since my “retirement” at the end of August. Congratulations to thechurch and its choir for a wonderful production and a Christ-honoring evening.The church is progressing well as it moves into its future without me as itspastor.

Therein lies the revelation of my heart. My emotions weremixed that evening. As much as I celebrated the advance of the church, I couldnot help but wonder if they missed me. The question is not so much if theymissed me as a friend. Of course they do. But I wonder if they missed me astheir pastor, if they missed myleadership. This is not a questioning of God’s leadership. I am very assuredthat God led the church and me into this new phase. What it does reveal is mycontinued desire to be appreciated, even glorified. I remember a line in themovie “Hoosiers” when Gene Hackman exclaimed that everyone wants to be a godeven for just a little while. That pretty much sums up what I was feeling lastSaturday.

My Fallen Heart

This is the essence of the fallen human condition that weinherited from Adam and Eve. We all want to be like god. Instead ofacknowledging, worshipping, and glorifying the One, True God, and enjoiningothers to do the same, we all want to usurp his place in our own lives and thelives of others. As I travel to see my kids this week for Christmas, likely Iwill suffer this malady again. My desire for my kids to love and appreciate meas an earthly father so easily morphs into wanting them to appreciate me as agod—the one they cannot get along without. I am under no illusions as to the idiocyof that desire. One day—coming much too quickly—I will pass from their lives.But the desire to be worshipped as a god by my family, friends, and fellowhuman beings is much too prevalent in my heart.

I wish this ugly part of me would just go away. But likemy continual struggle with eating too much of the wrong things for the wrongreasons, the desire to be god tenaciously clings to my being. What a wretchedman I am! Some might say that there is nothing wrong with wanting to beappreciated. I agree with that somewhat. However, when that desire dominates meand my relationships with others, it bring inestimable harm to all.Self-serving leadership always does harm whether in families, churches,communities or countries.

While that ugly part of me is far from dead, I rejoice that it isdeclining. God has done everything needed to overcome that depraved part of me.He sent Jesus Christ to not only forgive my sins, but to give me an entirelynew nature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, thenew has come! I now possess a newnature that really desires God to be God in my life. Secondly, God sent HisSpirit to live in me so that I can move from this wretched condition to aGod-honoring life. This work of God is described in Romans 7-8, climaxing in Romans8:37 (NIV) (In all things) we are more than conquerors through him who lovedus. Finally, in His Word God offerspromises through which His power actually flows to transform me into truegodliness. 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) He has given us his very great and preciouspromises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature andescape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. God is at workin me and will complete me someday (Philippians 1:6). John the Baptist claimed,“He must increase, I must decrease.” With God’s help that is becoming true ofme too. Merry Christmas.

When Atheists attack Christmas

2011-12-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! Right in the middle of the Christmasseason, the new, more militant, atheists in our land organize attacks against Christmasdisplays. Here are two cases from today's news. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/13/atheist-messages-displace-california-park-nativity-scenes/?test=latestnews& http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/10/atheist-group-seeks-banner-to-join-christmas-display/?intcmp=obinsite#ixzz1gDJ9pKir.

I believe it would be fair to say that the new atheists would like to silenceChristmas altogether. The proposed atheists’ banner in Elwood City, PA seems to indicatethis radical agenda: "At this seasonof the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL. There are no gods, no devils, noangels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is butmyth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." One whobelieves this message would be compelled to remove all children from anyreligious influence. If religion truly hardens hearts and enslaves minds, thenadults that teach religion to children are child abusers, even parents.

How should we react to such ardent atheists? First, weshould not try to silence them. When we refuse to listen to another person’spoint of view, that refusal comes from fear that we cannot argue reasonablywith them. Look again at the banner message. There is no reason involved intheir message. They make an unsubstantiated claim that cannot be proven. It takesas much, or more, faith to BELIEVE there is no god as it takes to BELIEVE thatGod exists. Even our Founders, including Thomas Jefferson called the existenceof a Creator self-evident. We have nothing to fear. Let atheists display theirbanners and make their arguments. Reasonable men and women will ascertain thetruth. Their banner is also an indirect ad hominem attack—attacking the personof anyone who practices religion. Reasonable men and women refuse to resort toad hominem attacks, because they have sound arguments.

Second, we should not rollover for them. What ourFounders envisioned was all religions—atheistic, Christian, or other—having voicein the public square. To rollover and play dead in the face of atheisticpressure is to allow secularism to be the state-advocated religion, which isunconstitutional. Let’s seek a voice in the public square, not an exclusiveone, as the atheists seek, but an equal voice. Reasonable men and women willascertain the truth.

Third, we should grieve for them. The Apostle Paul stated quite well in Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV) For, as I have often told you before and now say again even withtears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹Theirdestiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in theirshame. Their mind is on earthly things. When the Apostle Paul talked aboutthe enemies of Christ, he spoke forthrightly but not with hatred or anger.Rather, he grieved for them. We should too. What is the cause of our grief? Wegrieve because the creature has rejected the love and grace of his or herself-evident Creator. How sad God must be! We grieve because the atheist’sconclusion that earthly existence is all there is leaves them with such ameaningless, self-absorbed, existence. Despite their claims to the contrary, ifdeath is the end of our existence, then death mocks everything that makes lifemeaningful. “Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” is the onlyreasonable approach to life for the atheist. What a sad way to live! Lastly, wegrieve that men and women who claim to be so reasonable ignore thepreponderance of evidence before them. Even children know that the design ofnature points to (not proves) the existence of designer. I have lived over 60years and have never seen order come from chaos without a designer doing it(i.e. children mess up, mothers clean up). Have you?

I am not angry with atheists and never will be. What arethey to do? If I were one of them, I would resort to the same tactics. But Iwill not rollover for them either, no matter how vitriolic their attacks. Irefuse to rollover for three reasons. First is the glory of God. God deserves theworship of all human beings. Second, I refuse to rollover for the sake of theatheist. There is a better way to approach and practice life than the one he orshe self-constructs. Self-construction ultimately leads to self-destruction. Theway of Christ leads to life itself, full, abundant, and free. Third, I refuseto rollover because I stand on firm ground. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death norlife, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anypowers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in allcreation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in ChristJesus our Lord. The poor atheist possesses no such assurance or hope.

In closing, I call the atheist to be reasonable. Look at all theevidence. Look at alternate presuppositions. Both atheists and Christians have presuppositions.Which ones fit the evidence more clearly? As the Founders said, reasonable menwill see the self-evident truth. If you are an atheist, I am praying for you.

The View from "Retirement"

2011-11-05T13:22:00.000-06:00

Andy Rooney died yesterday, November 4, just one monthafter delivering his 1,097^th televised commentary at the close of“60 Minutes.” Rooney so dreaded the day he had to end this run that he keptgoing until age 92. Even then, according to the Associated Press, “he said hewasn’t retiring. Writers never retire.” Sadly, his life in retirement was alltoo short.

Did retirement abet his demise? Probably not; old age andcomplications from surgery did. However, I am just two months into my own“retirement,” and now more than ever I can understand Rooney’s dislike of theterm. The word “retirement” dates to the early 1500s when it simply meant to“withdraw to privacy,” as in one retiring for the night. However, with theincreasing human life span and the advent of the industrial age, retirement becamea stage in one’s work life when one withdrew from his/her occupation and labor.When I left the pastorate at the end of August, I entered into retirement. Iwish I hadn’t called it that, however, because I was not retiring. I was simplychanging ministry venues. Like writers, Christians don’t retire.

Furthermore, using the word “retirement” attached astigma to me. The stigma is that due to advanced age and lack of employment, Iam less valuable to society. This stigma is found even in the church, whereBiblical truth about aging should dictate otherwise. Proverbs 16:31 (NIV) Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it isattained by a righteous life. Proverbs 20:29 (NIV) The glory of young men is their strength,gray hair the splendor of the old. According to Scripture we shouldappreciate the vitality of the young AND the longevity of the old, especiallywhen it is a long obedience in God’s direction. I was surprised just howquickly I was stigmatized. I imagine this was Rooney’s fear and the very reasonhe shunned the word “retirement.”

But there is a benefit to retirement that I did not anticipate. Despitemy dimming eyesight, retirement has given me clarity about life and work. I amclear about the truth found in Galatians 6:7 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.Just like God established the law of gravity, which cannot be denied, so heestablished this law of life: a man reaps what he sows. This holds true for theyoung and the old, the working and the retired. How important it is for me tograsp this. I do not possess a pension that would afford me a life of retiredease. I no longer hold a position for which people will give me a salary. I must produce income for Diane and me to liveout our days. The only way to do that is to sow that which will produce aharvest. Sowing produces reaping; production provides compensation Outflowresults in income. This is an inviolable truth about life and economics. Rooneypracticed this. He started his “60 Minutes” run on July 2, 1978 and continued throughout the years when most people do retire. He produced what people would buy. He said,"I obviously have a knack for getting on paper what a lot of people havethought and didn't realize they thought. And they say, `Hey, yeah!' And theylike that." I must now do this. Retirement makes this clear. So myquestion is: What can I produce that will cause people to say, “Hey yeah!” WhenI figure that out, I won’t be retired. Neither will I be poor. Perhaps in oureconomy all of us need to ask this question.

Religion in Your School?

2011-09-19T17:42:00.000-06:00

Is there religion in your public school? You likely thinknot, if you subscribe to the common understanding that religion is “the serviceor worship of God or the supernatural” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary(MWCD)). Such religion is being systematically removed from public educationalinstitutions. But I think we need to take another look at the term, “religion.”

There is a broader definition of religion in MWCD. Areligious person is one who “manifests faithful devotion to an acknowledgedultimate reality or deity.” For the theist ultimate reality is a deity, God,the Creator and Sustainer of all things. No one disagrees that such a person isa religious. But the atheist possesses an ultimate reality too, something orsomeone other than God. The atheist is equally devoted to the belief that thereis no God as the theist is to the belief that there is a God. Equal devotion impliesequal religion. Both theist and atheist are religious.

At this point most atheists will pull out their trump card—science.Believe it or not, as a theist I am quite all right with that, as long as theatheist will acknowledge and abide by the limits of science. What is science? Sciencerefers to a system of acquiring knowledge. This system uses observation andexperimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena. From this definitionit is easy to understand why theists were the first scientists. An orderly Godwould create an orderly world. For the good of people and to increase theirunderstanding of the Creator, scientists set about to discover and codify thatorder. However, because human beings are finite in their ability to observe andknow, science is inadequate as a way to discover ultimate reality. To usescience in this way is to twist science into a religion called scientism.

Is there religion in your school? Yes, there has to be.Human beings require an ultimate reality to give definition to their lives. Butsince they are finite in their ability to know, they must fill in the gapbetween limited knowledge and full devotion with faith. That’s why human beingsare inherently religious. All humans possess a faith to fill in the gaps betweenwhat they know and what they believe. That’s true for theists and atheistsalike. There is religion in your school whether your school is private, public, orparochial.

The First Amendment of the Constitution states that “Congress shall makeno law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof.” To systematically remove by law any mention of a theisticreligion in public schools is to establish the religion of atheism within theirwalls. That is unconstitutional. The more appropriate way to approach this isto create an atmosphere of civility where all religions can be expressed andeven debated. In my opinion such expression and debate should be encouragedeven in so-called Christian schools. In such an atmosphere reason will apprehendthe truth. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” Even atheists can agreewith that.

Reflecting on 9/11

2011-09-10T12:43:00.000-06:00

Where were you when you first heard about the terroristattacks that beautiful September morning? I was in my home in Pittsburghworking on next Sunday’s message when my daughter, Bethany, called, “Have youheard what’s going on in New York?” I turned on the TV and fast becamemesmerized by the horrible images. About that time my son, Travis, returnedhome from an early morning college class. We sat stunned, the only distraction,the roar of a low and fast flying jet overhead. I assumed it was militaryaircraft, only later discovering that we lay directly under the flight path ofFlight 93. Minutes later Todd Beamer, his fellow valiant passengers, and theterrorists they fought would lie dead in field not more than 90 miles fromwhere we sat. An event is permanently imprinted in one’s memory when it isaccompanied by great emotion. Anger, sadness, fear, love—all was present in myheart that day. I shall never forget.

The very next night I left my family in Pittsburgh and underan eerily quiet sky drove to New Jersey for 3 weeks of chaplaincy ministry,serving the first to deploy to Afghanistan. Over the next five years I wouldspend close to three of those years away from home caring for our airmen heavilyinvolved in the fight against Al Qaeda. I had planned on soon retiring from theAir Force chaplaincy prior to 9/11, but felt compelled to stay after that day.I didn’t retire until mandated to do so seven years later. This is just one ofthe ways 9/11 changed my life, as it did for all of us.

Remembering 9/11 is important. Reflecting on it is far moreso. What became apparent that day was the existence of evil. The images of 9/11are unmistakable evidence of evil in human beings. Are we not even now, 10years later, angered by the evil of 11 men whose only intent was to maim andmurder as many as possible? But I wonder whether anger is the proper emotionalresponse to 9/11. If I am only angered by the evil of 9/11 and other atrocities,then I see evil as separate from myself, as something others possess, but not I.This is a dangerous attitude that fuels the never ending cycle of violence inour world. The 9/11 hijackers didn’t see themselves as evil. They were killingevil Americans. Likewise, I fear that in our response to their attack, we might think in similar fashion, we are killing evil Islamic Fundamentalists. Howmuch harder it is to kill others, when one owns up to his or her own evil. Atthe heart of “Just War Theory,” that calls for restraint in exercising war, isthe Biblical truth about every human heart, including my own: Jeremiah 17:9(NIV) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who canunderstand it? English writer andphilosopher, G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), was asked, “What is wrong with theworld?” He surprised his questioner by answering, “I am.” His answer agreedwith Jesus who pinpointed the human heart as the seat of evil. Mark 7:21-22(NIV) For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexualimmorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²²greed, malice, deceit,lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. The admission of evil in ourown hearts will elicit restraint in the prosecution of war, lest we perpetrateunnecessary evil on our fellow human beings.

Such an admission willalso compel us to turn to the only solution for the human problem of evil.Government is not it. Government, their military, and their law enforcement agencies were ordainedby God to restrain the evil of the human heart (Romans 13:1-6).Fortunately, God did not stop there. God went much farther. He put in a place away to actually change the human heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore,if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new hascome! When we enter a relationship with Jesus Christ, God begins toexercise His power to change our hearts from a perpetrator of evil to a harbingerof good. Government restrains the human heart. God changes it.

On this 10^th anniversary of 9/11 Ilike you will view the images of that horrible day again. I pray that you willjoin me in not just remembering, but reflecting, seeing the reflection of ourown evil hearts in the evil perpetrated against us that day. I pray then thatyou will also join me in turning to the only one who can solve the problem ofevil, our Lord Jesus Christ. May God not just restrain evil, but reduce itspresence in the human heart, beginning with my own.

Creeping Tyranny

2011-08-26T09:36:00.002-06:00

Humanity, of course, can survive under various forms of tyranny. It has for thousands of years. In fact, real freedom for large numbers of people came into existence a little over 225 years ago, in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This real freedom was then protected in 1787 when the Constitution of the United States was ratified. It’s possible, however, that this brief interlude of freedom could become just an historical accident in the long history of humankind. It is our hope that this in only possible, but not probable. However, unless we do something and do something quickly, I believe that our freedoms could be totally lost in a generation or two.

That’s because tyranny has been creeping into the culture of the United States since the days of the Great Depression and Roosevelt’s New Deal. The trend toward centralization of government has deprived us of much of the individual freedom Americans once took for granted. I first became aware of this creeping tyranny when I moved to Minnesota in 1983 and discovered that one had to purchase a state license to cross country ski. I couldn’t believe it. My wife and I recently hiked in the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California. Before going into the wilderness, we were required by law to get a permit. It was free, but the fine for not doing so was not. The law was supposedly created for our own good. Our failure to return the permit would tell someone that we were lost. While these may seem like a minor, even good, things, they are indicators of the “Big Brother” mentality of our government. If I am stupid enough to hike in the wilderness without a map, compass, plenty of provisions and without telling someone where I am going, I deserve my fate. I don’t need nor want “Big Brother.” Good citizens don’t either.

As I said, these are minor things. But the mindset that allows minor things produces major intrusions into our lives. Viktor Posgay was sentenced to serve time in prison for removing a heap of trash, thousands of old auto tires and other rubbish from his property, and replacing what he had removed with clean sand. EPA inspectors decided that Posgay’s land was not his land at all but was a “wetland,” which could not be developed because of overriding and uncompensated state interests. Posgay, an immigrant who came to this country to escape communism, ran afoul of our own version of the secret police. Bill Ellen was also charged with an alleged wetland crime. He had secured some 37 different permits to fill land in order to build a series of duck ponds. He was creating wetlands, but an EPA bureaucrat ordered him to halt the dump trucks he had hired. Ellen redirected the trucks to a different place on the site. This was judged to be “insubordinate behavior.” Ellen spent six months in jail. The greatest irony is that he did not even own the land; he was simply the environmental consultant on the project. Despite his expert knowledge, he was trapped. Such things are happening repeatedly in our society in our encounters with government at all levels—local, state, and federal. The good thing about dealing with local officials is that we can influence them far more because they are our friends and neighbors. If they don’t listen to our words then we can more easily vote them out of office than we can at the state and federal level. That’s why our founders limited our federal government. Tyranny is far more difficult when you live next to the ones you want to tyrannize.

The question we all need to ask is why did this happen? How has tyranny crept into our society and why is it accelerating today? Let me use Social Security as an illustration. The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. Roosevelt explained the need for Social Security in an address to Congress on June 8, 1934. "Security was attained in the earlier days through the interdependence of members of families upon each other and of the families within a small community upon each other. The complexities of great communities and of organized industry make less real these simple means of security. Therefore, we are compelled to employ the active interest of the Nation as a whole through government in order to encourage a greater security for each individual who composes it . . . This seeking for a greater measure of welfare and happiness does not indicate a change in values. It is rather a return to values lost in the course of our economic development and expansion . . ." Two things to notice here. Roosevelt appealed to a value we all hold dear for ourselves and our families: security; and, he claimed that government could do a better job at providing security than any other entity in our culture, including ourselves, our families, and our communities. We bought into his arguments fully and completely. That has led to the increase of tyranny in our lives.

Today, we look to government for far more than social or economic security. We expect government to do our charity work. We demand that government protect us from corporate greed and environmental disaster. Today, we even expect government to provide affordable healthcare while giving us the license to live in unhealthy ways. All of this is forced on the backs of taxpayers, because the government has no funds of its own, only that which it can extort out of taxpayer’s pockets. After signing the Social Security Act Roosevelt addressed the American people. "We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life…Yet, down deep we expect the government to insure us 100 percent. That’s why tyranny is creeping into our lives.

Anytime we turn to government for security, we give them permission to take liberty away from us in the form of taxes. There must be some taxation, of course, so the government can perform its enumerated functions, outlined for us in Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution. However, Congress is authorized to do only 21 things. Social Security is not one of them. In fact ¾ of what Congress taxes us and spends our money for is nowhere on that list. Not only is that unconstitutional, it is tyrannical. Taxes are confiscation of private property, something that does not fit with liberty. Unless they are for those 21 things, taxes are unconstitutional.

The most important question here today is not how it happened, but what must be done to reverse the trend and bring liberty back into our lives?

1) Desire liberty more than security. Hitler tried overthrowing the German Bavarian government in 1923 by force, but failed. He was imprisoned during which he wrote Mein Kampf. The worldwide depression in 1929 gave him another chance. This time, however, he used the crisis and the democratic process to succeed. On July 14, 1933 he consolidated his power when the Reichstag ruled that the Nazi Party was the sole political party in Germany. It is true that Hitler then engineered a near miraculous economic revival in his country. If only he had stopped there. But he didn’t stop until the German people had surrendered their personal rights, until laws were enacted that led to the extermination of more than 8 million people, and until Germany and several other countries were destroyed in a way that killed fifty million people in the greatest bloodbath in history. What began as an economic miracle ended with a moral and political nightmare.

This happened because the German people loved security more than liberty. Gerald Suster writes in his book, “Hitler: The Occult Messiah,” Many welcomed the abolition of individual responsibility for one’s actions; for some it is easier to obey than to accept the dangers of freedom. Workers now had job security, a health service, cheap holiday schemes; if freedom meant starvation, then slavery was preferable.”

In Aesop’s Fable 29 a lean, hungry wolf met a plump well-fed dog on moonlit night. It had been a bad time recently for the wolf. He was next to starving. So when he saw the well-fed dog, he asked, “How did you become so sleek? Your food must certainly agree with you.” The dog responded, “Well, if you want to live like I do, you only need to act like I do.” The dog then explained how he was fed choice morsels off his master’s table, as much as he wanted. This sounded good to the wolf, so he started making his way back with the dog to the master’s house. But along the way, he noticed a mark on the dog’s neck. Curious, he asked how it got there. “Oh, it’s a mere trifle. It probably got there from the collar that’s fastened to my chain.” “Chain!” the wolf exclaimed. “Do you mean to say you can’t rover whenever and wherever you want?” The dog tried to explain that he was chained only part of the time and reminded the wolf of the choice food. But then he noticed that the wolf was returning to the forest. “Where are you going,” the dog asked. “Farewell, my friend,” said the wolfe. “You’re welcome to your dainties, but for me, a dry crust with liberty will always be worth more than all the luxury a king with a chain could ever provide.”

We must once again, as our Founders were, become people who say, “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

2) Assume personal responsibility rather than asking the government or even corporations to do it for me. Part of that responsibility is paying for the debts that we have incurred rather than asking our children to do it.

3) Learn the Principles of the Constitution and elect political representatives who will abide by those principles. We must learn not only the words of the Constitution (though that would be a good start) but the principles and values that prompted their writing and enshrining.

4) Develop virtue. Benjamin Franklin said, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” If we are virtuous we won’t need or want masters. It’s a virtuous people who will also care for their neighbors without the tyranny of the government.

5) Educate the next generation. We must pass along the principles of liberty to the next generation. That’s why we are starting a Classical Charter school here in the Estancia Valley.

The job of the next President and Congress is not to get things done, but to get things undone—to dismantle bureaucracy, repeal regulations, reduce spending, and lower taxes—to get government out of the way and off our backs—so that we, the American people using the free enterprise system, through our own creativity and hard work can get things done. That is liberty—economic and political—the very thing that enables people to live well and brings them happiness. Before the Tea Party looks to Washington, let us look within. That is where the Constitutional, limited government we desire finds its genesis.

The Principle of Accumulation

2011-02-11T11:54:00.002-07:00

Shoveling snow in subzero temperatures in recent days reminded me of the winter Diane and I spent in Northern Minnesota. There I shoveled snow every morning. Overnight the extreme cold wrung every drop of moisture out of the air, depositing 2-3 inches of fluff on the sidewalk. Walking on that fluff would turn it to ice. So every morning out I went, heavily clothed, shovel in hand. We never did have a snowstorm that winter. Yet, by the end of winter there were four foot walls of snow on either side of the sidewalk, accumulated 2-3 inches at a time.

I call this the principle of accumulation. Piles of material are accumulated a little bit at a time. What holds true of snow is also true in our soul. Seldom do piles of good or evil heap up all at once. What usually happens is that “stuff,” for good or ill accumulates bit by bit over time. We need to ask what we are accumulating in our lives through our lifestyles, habits, and decisions.

As Christ-followers we possess two natures—the Spirit of God and the sinful nature. Romans 7-8 and Galatians 5-6 reveal that we permit one or the other to dominate, accumulating “stuff” in our souls. Galatians 6:8 (NIV) The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. We are either sowing (accumulating) to please the sinful nature or sowing (accumulating) to please the Spirit. Daily habits and decisions seem of little consequence. Yet they accumulate over time, piling up either godly stuff or evil stuff in our souls—the principle of accumulation.

This principle drives us as a church to stress the importance of daily decisions and habits far more than the one-time decision of professing Christ. Professing Christ is an important step, because our new nature is born then. But it is just the first step. In fact, if that step doesn’t affect your habits and decisions, it probably wasn’t a step at all. It was just a profession, a bunch of spiritual sounding words, but it didn’t issue in a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The proof that we possess the new nature is the thousands of little steps that follow over a lifetime. Luke 9:23 says we are not a Christ-follower if we are not accumulating to the Spirit, making those daily, regular decisions that please the Spirit.

Spiritual accumulation is like shoveling snow. Shoveling snow 2-3 inches at a time is relatively easy. Shoveling snow 2-3 feet at a time is impossible. That’s why we as a church encourage small steps of increasing commitment. It begins with a commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior, then to membership and participation in His body—the church. That is followed by a commitment to maturity through biblically mandated and time tested spiritual disciplines. Next a commitment to ministry is made by discovering how God has formed and equipped one to serve. Finally, we urge becoming an on-mission Christian, extending God’s Kingdom both locally and globally. Asking ourselves to make these commitments all at once is too much. But inch by inch we can accumulate four foot godly, Spirit-pleasing drifts along the paths of our lives.

There is one other thing to note. We default to sin nature accumulation. Spiritual disciplines and commitments are hard, but life-building. Accumulating to our sinful nature is easy, but life-destroying. You must intentionally take the high and hard road of sowing to please the Spirit. What are you accumulating in your soul? 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When this is our daily habit, we will accumulate life!

A Tribute to a Life Well-Lived

2010-08-13T10:03:00.001-06:00

Diane's family asked me to share the eulogy at my Father-in-Law's funeral. I was both honored and humbled. Here is what I wrote and spoke:

Eulogy

Finley Van Scyoc

At the end of Stephen Spielberg’s epic movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” Private Ryan, now an elderly World War II veteran, standing before the grave of the one who saved his life, turns to his wife and pleads with her, “Tell me I am a good man; tell me I am a good man.” All decent men long to hear that from those closest to them. “Finley Van Scyoc, we your family and your friends are here to tell the world that you were and are a good man.”

Finley was born on July 2, 1923 in Enid to Finley and Virginia (Frazier) Van Scyoc. He entered his eternal home with his Savior Jesus Christ on July 31, 2010 after a six month battle with cancer. Finley graduated from Enid High School with the class of 1941, then enlisted in the army shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. He served 32 months in Europe during World War II with the U.S. Infantry, 3rd Division in the G-2 section. He returned home in December 1945. Finley worked for Oklahoma Gas and Electric for 38 years, ending his career as the Credit Manager.

He celebrated his return home from the war by marrying his sweetheart, Dorothy Astley, on December 22, 1946. Finley and Dorothy displayed their faith in Jesus Christ by building a godly, loving marriage that lasted 63 years. Finley also invested his life in First Baptist Church, of which he was a cradle to grave member. Finley served as usher and deacon, and in his retirement years sustained a ministry to shut-ins. His hobbies included an immaculate yard and equally magnificent refurbished furniture.

Finley was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his four children: Cathy (Jim) Gantenbein of Bremerton, WA; Susan (Brent) Ballweg of Choctaw OK; Diane (Tom) Schenk of Moriarty NM; Huck (Tammie) Van Scyoc of Nashville, AR, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Those are the facts of Dad’s life, but they are NOT the substance. On behalf of the family let me share the substance. Dad was loyal, trustworthy, faithful. One town, one church, one house, one wife, many friends, for life. If you go into dad’s garage, you will see a conglomeration of tools, nearly all of them old. It’s not that Dad didn’t believe in new things. He just didn’t find many of them necessary. He would fix the old. I purchased a big garden tiller around 1985. When Diane and I moved to Pittsburgh in 1991, we found we couldn’t grow an extensive garden, so I lent the tiller to Dad for his use. He used it every year since, including 2010. Now he gives it back, still running like a top. That was Dad. Faithful to people; fixing things. He kept things running and working as long as he could.

Dad was a servant. You couldn’t outserve Dad. The picture that epitomizes Dad’s servant heart was washing dishes. Dad figured if mom did the cooking (he never was too good at that), he could do the washing. Dad would arrange his vacation based on which child needed his help the most. If you had a big project, Dad would travel cross country to help. That’s, of course, why his church made him both an usher and a deacon.

Dad was hospitable to the core. Cathy wrote, “The number of people Mom and Dad have welcomed into their home and helped in one way or another are too many to count. Always ready to help/minister to the people God placed in their path.” It has only been in the last few years that Dad locked his front door. One night when Mom and he were sleeping they were startled awake by a shadowy figure at the foot of their bed. “What the **** are you doing?” Dad exclaimed. Dad didn’t often use colorful language, but that was an appropriate moment. Turns out that it was a distraught young woman who entered their house by happenstance—actually by God’s design. Dad and Mom got up and took care of her needs.

Huck used this passage from Ecclesiastes 5 to describe his father. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NIV) Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot.
¹⁹Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. ²⁰He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Dad was glad with his lot in life. He worked hard with what God gave him. That was never much, but Dad used well what God did give him. His grandson calls him the original Dave Ramsey. As a result God did what He promised. He multiplied the little into enough for Dad to be very generous toward others and to take care of Mom for as long as she lives.

Susan and Diane would use the following verse to describe their father. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Dad was the most supportive father and grandfather, I have ever seen. He would spare no time or treasure to be present at any activities in which his children were engaged—from concerts to recitals to building projects to church services. If his kids were involved, Dad was there. All the kids would say it was almost embarrassing to be with Dad in a crowd, because he would brag on them so much. All the kids had different gifts and interests. Dad was proud of every one.

All of this to say that Dad through word and deed showed his family, friends, and community what a Christ-follower is. He was a man of faith in Christ. Dad was a good man, but he was not a perfect man. He knew it and we did too. He trusted Christ for and received from Him forgiveness of his sins. The grace he received from Christ made him gracious towards others. I above all needed that from him. And I received it abundantly. I will never forget his undeserved kindness toward me. The other night when I was up late with Dad along with Susan, Brent, and Diane, he awoke with a start and told all of us to go to bed. He didn’t want to be a bother. But I told him, “Dad, you didn’t kick me out of your house when I deserved it long ago, so you are not getting rid of me so easily now.” He flickered a smile, squeezed my hand, and went back to sleep.

I close with one final picture that I heard last night for the first time. Kris (Goodman) Rogers is a close family friend, like another daughter. It was by God’s grace that Kris was one of Dad’s nurses in the final stage of his life journey. Kris told this story. At a FBC church service, Christ called out to Kris, 3^rd grader at the time. She heard his voice and accepted his offer of salvation, coming forward in the service. Dad was the deacon at the front that service. When she came to him, he lifted Kris over his head and said, “I am so proud of you.” That sums up Dad.

Yes, Dad you were a good man, for two reasons: You were wise enough to receive God’s grace through Christ and to follow Him well for the remainder of your days, living an authentically Christ-like life before all who knew you. And I believe as you entered heaven last Saturday, Jesus enfolded you in his arms and said, “Finley, I am so proud of you.”

Day 31: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-31T19:39:00.001-06:00

July 31, 2010

Morning

Psalm 27:11 (NIV) Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

God will answer that prayer with Jesus. John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The great Bible teacher, R.A. Torrey, told a story of four men who were climbing the Matterhorn mountain. A guide, a tourist, a second guide, and a second tourist were all roped together for the climb. As they went over a particularly difficult place, the second tourist lost his footing and fell over the side of the cliff. The sudden yank of the rope carried the second guide over the side with him. He carried the other tourist with him over the edge. Three men were now dangling over the cliff, but the guide who was in the lead, feeling the first pull on the rope, drove his ax into the ice, braced himself, and held on for dear life. The first tourist regained his footing, then the guide, and then the second tourist. They continued the climb in safety.

So it is in this life. As the human race ascended the lofty cliffs of life, the first Adam lost his footing and tumbled headlong over the abyss. In his sin, he pulled the next man after him, and then the next, and the next, until the entire human race hung in deadly peril. All was not lost. Along came the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, who kept His footing and stood fast in His sinless deity. Thus, all those who are united to Him by a living faith in Him, are secure and safe on the path to Heaven.

So hang on to Him. Mark 13:13 (NIV) All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Evening

“LORD, my portion,” David declared in Psalm 16:5. John Phillips shares the story of the born-again ruler of England, King George VI. In the course of his duties, King George traveled to Canada. It was thought by the Canadian officials that the king might want to meet a native-born Indian chief. They chose Chief Whitefeather. The chief was asked to sing something for the king. They assumed he would sing an Indian war song. Whitefeather, however, was a Christian. Chief Whitefeather began to sing:

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I'd rather be His than have riches untold.

I'd rather have Jesus than house or land. I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hands.

Than to be the king of a vast domain, Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything, This world affords today.

The stunned Canadian officials waited to see what King George would do. The king went over, took Chief Whitefeather by the hand and said, "I'd rather have Jesus too."

If you have Christ, you lack nothing. If you lack Christ, you have nothing. Is He our portion? Ask God to reveal the answer to that question and, if needed, to reveal Jesus.

Day 30: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-30T10:38:00.000-06:00

July 30, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Review Psalm 16, noting David’s devotion to the Lord. In this closing verse David reveals why he was so devoted. David received his greatest happiness from God. He was committed to his own happiness. 17^th century mathematician/philosopher, Blaise Pascal, claimed that we do what makes us happy. The Founders of our Country agreed with Pascal, calling the pursuit of happiness an inalienable right from God. David served God because no greater happiness could be found.

We always do what we think gives us the greatest happiness. No matter what we say about Christ, if we choose other things above Jesus, we believe that they will make us happier than He will. But is that true? Jesus said that is not true. Matthew 13:44-47 (NIV) "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. ⁴⁵"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Jesus said that anything you must give up to follow Him will seem small compared to what you receive from Him. Matthew 19:29 (NIV) Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Like David the Apostle Paul also experienced God as his greatest treasure. Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV) Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What 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…

Meditate on the Scriptures in today’s devotionals until you believe that greatest happiness comes from Christ. Perhaps C.S. Lewis can help you here: “Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”(C. S. Lewis, from the sermon "The Weight of Glory") Don’t be half-hearted. Make the Lord your happiness.

Evening

Note the change in tense. You will fill me with joy…with eternal pleasures. David knew that life with God always gets better. God serves the best wine last (John 2:10). That requires faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Life is good now with the Lord, but it will be better. Believe it by faith. Drift to sleep tonight with the truth that the best is yet to come. Philippians 1:21 (NIV) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Day 29: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-29T12:04:00.001-06:00

July 29, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You have made known to me the path of life…

Finding the “path of life” seems difficult. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Our thoughts and feelings may tell us the path we are traveling is right, but at the end of that path is destruction and death. What seems all right can really be all wrong. Israel tried “doing what is right in their own eyes” during the times of the Judges (Judges 17:6, 21:25). The result was utter chaos and foreign domination. From time to time they would cry out to God for deliverance. God would deliver them. Then they would go right back to their own way.

David found a better way to live. Certainly, David asked God for deliverance. But He also asked God for direction, then listened when God gave it. When David listened to God he found himself on “the path of life.” This is the witness of Scripture. Psalm 119:2 (NIV) Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. James 1:25 (NIV) The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. We should follow David’s example, saturating our minds with the truth of God, attaching our emotions to the concerns of God, and surrendering our will to the will of God. When we do that, we like David will find ourselves on the “path of life.”

Why is the “path of life” difficult to find? The difficulty is not knowing God’s will. The difficulty is wanting God’s will. When you want God’s will only, when you come to Him without a personal agenda, then you will know God’s will. Here’s what you must do to walk the path of life. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Meditate on the phrases that include trust, lean not, and acknowledge. When we incorporate those principles fully in our lives, God will make our paths straight. We will find ourselves on the path of life. Ask God for his help.

Evening

When God wants to shows us the path of life, He leads us to His Son, Jesus Christ. Scripture defines eternal life like this: John 17:3 (NIV) Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Jesus is the way, truth, and life (John 14:6).

Jesus describes the “path of life” in very simple terms. Matthew 4:19 (NIV) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Here it is: 1) Come to Christ as your Savior; 2) Follow Christ as your Leader; 3) Sit under Christ as your Teacher, so He can make you into what He wants you to be; then, 4) Join Christ as a fellow Missionary, fishing for men. Simple? Yes! Too difficult? No! Do I want to do it? This is the real question. But this is the path of life. Mark 8:35 (NIV) Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Day 28: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-27T21:09:00.000-06:00

July 28, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:10 (NIV) You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Did you know the Bible mentions the materialistic, atheistic philosophy of Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Friederich Nietzche, Karl Marx, Carl Sagan, etc? Isaiah penned their approach to life in Isaiah 22:13 (NIV) "Let us eat and drink," you say, "for tomorrow we die!" What else is there to do besides party if death is the end of our existence? In Ecclesiastes Solomon evaluated this philosophy. His oft repeated phrase about this is “everything is meaningless.” That’s the despair we face if death wins. No wonder Scripture identifies death as the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). Until death is destroyed, there will be escapist parties, but no victory parade (2 Corinthians 2:14).

David has some good news for us. Death loses and life wins. (God) will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. David prophesies his own victory over death and the resurrection of the Holy One, Jesus Christ. The two are connected. (1 Corinthians 15:13). How did David know these things? He knew God. He knew God as the living God. Therefore He must be the God of the living, not the dead (Luke 20:38). David is sure of this as he states in his most famous Psalm: Psalm 23:4, 6 (NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You can be sure too.

The resurrection changes everything. It means that forgiveness of sin is real (1 Corinthians 15:17) and hope lives (1 Peter 1:3-9). The resurrection enabled Bonhoeffer to say as he walked to the gallows on April 9, 1945, “This is the end, for me the beginning of life,” a poignant restatement of David’s words. Go through your day today in the hope of the resurrection. In Christ death is defeated. John 11:25-26 (NIV) "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" BELIEVE!

Evening

The resurrection changes everything about the way we live our lives. It means we become citizens of heaven instead of earth. Philippians 3:20 (NIV) Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we expect the fullness of life not now, but then. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Few of us would ever admit to being atheists. Too many of us live like we are, investing in the things of earth, choosing entertainment and earthly endeavors over worship, and seeking safety over following Christ. Jesus calls a person who lives this way “a fool” (Luke 12:16-21). If you believe, quit living like an atheist. Be rich towards God. Jesus tells you how to be rich toward God in the rest of Luke 12, summing up with this: Luke 12:34 (NIV) Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Ask God to give you a heart for Him and a resurrection approach towards your earthly life. Then sleep tonight and serve tomorrow.

Day 27: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-27T21:05:00.000-06:00

July 27, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:9 (NIV) Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

God wants us to do more than cope with life. He wants us to conquer it. Romans 8:37 (NIV) In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. What are all these things? Before and after v37, Paul listed them: trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, (v35), death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, any powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation (vs.38-39), things that have troubled everyone. In all these things, God wants us to conquer.

The Good News is that God does more than desire victorious feelings for us. When we set Him ALWAYS before us, He makes us victors, but in a way that starkly contrasts the way the world approaches it. The world’s approach is outside-in stimulation. Change a person’s circumstances so that the person changes his or her behavior. Even churches try this when they believe that if we change programs or personnel we will increase attendance. The trouble is the person remains the same. When the stimulation is removed or the person becomes immune, behavior doesn’t change. God’s approach is not stimulation, but transformation. You see it in David. God gave him a glad heart and a rejoicing tongue (or spirit). He was changed on the inside. Then the outside began to change so much so that even his body began to rest secure. God’s approach is to change us (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then whether the circumstances change or not, we still are glad, we still rejoice, we even experience better health. We are “more than conquerors.”

So how is your heart and your spirit? Are they glad and rejoicing? If they are not, likely your body is not as healthy as it should be. And, you are vulnerable to succumbing psychologically and physically to the stresses and difficulties of life. The root cause is that you have set something else before you rather than the LORD. Push the reset button. Reset the Lord before you. Meditate on Psalm 32. When David allowed sin to distance him from the Lord, he felt it not just in his soul, but in his bones. Finally, his pain caused him to reset. He confessed his sin and ended up rejoicing again in the Lord, the most effective preventive medicine in the world. Try David’s approach. It works.

Evening

The world’s approach has left us open to phobias. A phobia is an irrational, intense, and persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, animals, or people. I think of our poor young women today beset by an epidemic of anorexia and bulimia, the result of not knowing God’s truth about their true beauty. Young boys suffer in different ways from a similar lack of truth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 (NIV) "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This is the same inside-out approach that David experienced. It needs to begin from the moment our children are born and intensify as they approach puberty. Pray for parents and other adults to infuse today’s children with truth, so they can withstand Satan’s lies.

Day 26: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-26T07:50:00.001-06:00

July 26, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:8 (NIV) I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

This “ALWAYS” is not what we must do, but what we will receive when we ALWAYS set the Lord before us. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Father's Day was an enjoyable day for the Simonton family in 1990. The day that followed was not. Lee Simonton left for work with his new Father's Day wing-tip shoes and a promise to be home for lunch. At 10:40 a.m. his promise to return was broken. An irate customer stormed into the Jacksonville, Florida, General Motors Acceptance Corporation office where Lee worked and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle and a handgun. Lee became a fatality, because he shielded a female co-worker from the gunfire. His tragic death brought unbearable pain to his wife and two children. The loss of both love and security were terribly frightening for them. They were hurt, scared, and angry over the lot they had received. Yet, from the pages of God's Word they found divine peace and hope. Psalm 37 gave Debra the strength to forgive the man who took her husband and replaced her bitterness with peace. Six-year-old Melissa took comfort in verse 25 of her mother's Psalm: "I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." In Exodus 22:22-24, the little man of the house, eight-year-old Josh, claimed the promise of God to defend widows and orphans. Together they bravely walked the pathway of sorrow and along their journey they found "the peace which passes all understanding." It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can provide such peace in the midst of painful sorrow. (Mattoon’s Treasures)

It is amazing to me how I (and you) turn elsewhere other than the Lord for peace. Sometimes those other things give us respite, but they never give us lasting peace. Only the Lord does that, because He, unlike anyone or anything else ALWAYS keeps His promises. The Lord Jesus is proof of that. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. The next time your peace starts to fade, don’t run to the bottle, pills, TV, food, or other counselors. Set the LORD always before you, beginning today, and He will give you peace at all times and in every way. He promised.

Evening

Here are two other “ALWAYS” that we receive when we set the LORD ALWAYS before us. We ALWAYS prevail in this life. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. Therefore we are always confident about our future in heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV) We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. Thank God for the gift of these two ALWAYS, then sleep in peace.

Day 25: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-25T10:05:00.001-06:00

July 25, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:8 (NIV) I have set the Lord ALWAYS before me.

How the LORD longs to hear the word “ALWAYS” on the lips of his people Too often He hears the word “if” instead. I will set the Lord before me “if”… No one who replaces “ALWAYS” with “if” is fit for ministry. Luke 9:62 (NIV) Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

On March 6, 1987, Eamon Coughlan, the Irish world record holder at 1500 meters, was running in a qualifying heat at the World Indoor Track Championships in Indianapolis. With two and a half laps left, he was tripped. He fell, but he got up and with great effort managed to catch the leaders. With only 20 yards left in the race, he was in third place—good enough to qualify for the finals. He looked over his shoulder to the inside, and, seeing no one, he let up. Another runner, however, charging hard on the outside, passed Coughlan a yard before the finish, thus eliminating him from the finals.

If we allow one “if” in our devotion to the Lord, we will not endure. We will be eliminated from effective ministry. Satan will target and exploit that “if” and we will quit. To endure to the end we must ALWAYS set the Lord before us. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) ¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Very few will do that. But if you do, the Lord will use you and reward you mightily. He promised in Revelation 2:10 (NIV) Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Before the Lord, replace all your “ifs” with “AlWAYS” just for today. Then do it again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and…

Evening

Here is another “always.”. Acts 24:16 (NIV) I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. A clear conscience involves these areas of life: 1) Every thought— 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ; 2) Every word—Matthew 12:36 (NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken; 3) Every deed—2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad; 4) Every motive-- Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ¹⁰"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." When it comes to this “always” we offer excuses. Instead of excuses, offer confession (1 John 1:9). Then recommit to purity in all things (1 John 3:3).

Day 24: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-24T15:24:00.000-06:00

July 24, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:8 (NIV) I have set the Lord ALWAYS before me.

This phrase is a deep well from which we can and should drink. It reveals the reasons for David’s stability and perseverance in life. Meditate on the word “Always.” What would it mean for us to “set the Lord ALWAYS before us?” Scripture provides the answers, describing some things we always must do.

First, we should ALWAYS immerse ourselves in Scripture. David alluded to this in the previous verse. But we can’t put the LORD before us without putting Scripture in us. Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Our success in life and ministry depends on our immersion in Scripture. Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV) ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Second, we should ALWAYS rejoice, pray, and give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. The three are inseparable. You can’t do one without the others. This is the opposite of complaining. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) ¹⁴Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶as you hold out the word of life…Just doing this “always” will make us a “Christian star” and an effective evangelist.

There’s more. But for today, ask God’s to instill His word in you and to remind you today to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Make mental notes of how well you do this and the difference it made in your dealings with people and circumstances. When you return tonight, make sure to give thanks.

Evening

Ephesians 5:20 (NIV) Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything… In 1942, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker became lost over the South Pacific in his B-17, forced with his men to ditch in the ocean. For a month, Captain Eddie and his companions fought sun, sea, sharks, and starvation. On one particularly hot day Rickenbacker dozed off in the heat. In Captain Eddie's own words, "Something landed on my head. I knew that it was a sea gull. Everyone else knew too. The gull meant food... if I could catch it." Captain Eddie caught the gull. Its flesh was eaten. Its intestines were used for bait to catch fish. The survivors were sustained because a lone sea gull, hundreds of miles from land, offered itself as a sacrifice. Captain Eddie never forgot. Every Friday evening... on a lonely stretch of Florida seacoast... he would carry a bucket of shrimp to feed the gulls... remembering the one that gave itself without a struggle... like manna in the wilderness. What seagulls has God brought into your life to save you? Give thanks for them tonight.

Day23: 31 Days of Christ

2010-07-24T15:18:00.000-06:00

July 23, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:8 (NIV) I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

No wonder David did such great things in life. He had great confidence! “I will not be shaken.” The Hebrew word is mot, which means totter, shake, or slip. The word speaks of great insecurity when it is used to describe earthly things and those who depend on them. Psalm 82:5 (NIV) "They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. When prefixed with a negative, however, it denotes the dependability and certainty of God and those who depend on Him. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord.

How important is confidence in life? Any athlete can tell you that it is extremely important. The pictures that play in your mind before an athletic competition often determine its success or failure. If you think you will make your free throw, you will make it more times than not. If you think you will fail, you almost always will. So it is with life. One, who approaches life with confidence, will find victory more than defeat.

What is the appropriate basis for confidence? Not in oneself. James 4:13-14 (NIV) Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Not in other people. Psalm 60:11 (NIV) Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. If you want confidence that cannot be shaken, trust in the Lord. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Today, renew your trust in the Lord. Then approach your day with confidence in Him, and in His ability to work in and through you for good. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) ⁵⁷But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸Therefore, 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.

Evening

God is trustworthy. Even when lamenting Israel’s terrible judgment at the hand of God, Jeremiah spoke with confidence in God’s faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. However, God’s faithfulness will produce an unshakeable life ONLY in those who set the Lord ALWAYS before them. Have you? We will spend a few quiet times answering that question. But for tonight commit yourself to doing whatever the Lord says next. Sleep well.

Day 22: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-22T10:33:00.000-06:00

July 22, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:7 (NIV) I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. The term was first coined by the German physician Johann Christian Reil in 1808. It means the 'medical treatment of the mind.’ Today mental illness is considered a disorder of brain circuits caused by developmental processes shaped by genetics and experience. Therefore, mental illness may be the product of brain development, with varying outcomes depending on biology and environment. (Wikipedia)

Could this be an explanation of the epidemic of mental disorders in our society? Our brains were meant to develop under the care and counsel of the One who created them, something that is happening to fewer and fewer children today (Ephesians 6:4). If indeed God is our Creator, then only He knows how our brains are wired and how they should develop. Of course, sin has had a destructive effect upon our mental wiring. But the Good News is that our minds can be made new again in Christ (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24). Perhaps it’s not “medical treatment of the mind” we need. Maybe it’s spiritual treatment of the mind that is most helpful in preventing and alleviating mental disorders.

David would say so. Remember that this Psalm is a synopsis of the refuge he found in the Lord over a lifetime of difficulties. How had he combated the stress that could lead to mental fatigue and disorder? He made the Lord His counselor. The wonderful thing about the Lord is that He is free, He is available 24/7, He knows you because He made you, and He loves you enough to speak the truth compassionately. To care for your mind wash it in the counsel of the Lord day and night (Ephesians 5:26). Bathe the minds of your children and grandchildren in God’s Word too, the earlier the better, so that their minds will develop in healthy ways. And, if you are struggling with mental illness, certainly a good counselor/psychiatrist is in order. But make sure that they are spokespersons for the Counselor Creator, the one who knows your brain better than you or they do. Seek the Lord’s counsel right now for your own mental health. Pray for those who are suffering mental disorders. Only the Lord can renew (rewire) the mind.

Evening

As David surveyed the Lord’s counsel over his lifetime, David praised Him. That would be a good exercise for you tonight. Think back how God and His Word have given you counsel during your life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Psalm 119 is a celebration in song of God’s Word. Skim through it tonight, looking for the good and godly impact God’s Word imparts. Then join the Psalmist in celebration. You will sleep better.

Day 21: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-21T08:34:00.000-06:00

July 21, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV)Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. ⁶The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

What is life? David offers a concrete picture of life in these verses. First, he defines life as a portion. The Hebrew word is “menat.” The root indicates “counting.” David considers what has been counted out to him. The second word is cup, coming from the word, kos. The idea here is “holding together” as a cup does with a drink. David considers what holds his life together. The third word is lot, the Hebrew word, “goral.” This word looks to the future, reflecting the idea that “the future is determined by casting lots.” David is asking, “Is my future a product of chance or is it in the hands of a God?” Fourth, is the term boundary lines, the word, “hebel.” This word signifies a “rope used for surveying property.” David is taking note of the boundary lines of his life—place, time, position, gifts, talents, etc. Acts 17:26-27 (NIV) (God) determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. The final word is inheritance, the Hebrew word “nahalat.” The meaning is more “take possession of” than “inherit by last will and testament.” David ponders, “What do I possess that cannot be lost?”

Now use these words with the rest of Scripture to assess your own life. What has been counted out to you? What holds your life together? What is your future? What are your boundaries? What do you actually possess? Do you conclude as David did that life was secure, pleasant, delightful? You will if you begin where David began—with the LORD. David had made the LORD, the beginning and the ending of his life. God had counted out David’s blessings, held his life together, secured his future, determined his life boundaries, and was David’s inheritance. Choose the LORD as fully, deeply, and singularly as David did, then life will be secure, pleasant, delightful. Choose Him now, by trusting Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and bring you into a relationship with God. Revelation 21:6 (NIV) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Evening

Paul had lost everything—his freedom, his ministry, his family, his riches. Only the executioner’s sword awaited. Yet Paul exclaimed, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day. Paul died with hope, because like David the LORD was his portion. Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV) 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, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Make this your prayer too.

Day 20: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-20T10:12:00.001-06:00

July 20, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV) Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. ⁶The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

As you read these verses remember that this is a “Refuge Psalm” (v1). That means that David was likely experiencing severe difficulties. Yet, in the midst of those difficulties, David was also experiencing “a secure lot, pleasant places, and a delightful inheritance.” Human existence is like this for everyone—a mixture of bane and blessing.

This is a keen insight into life that the Bible teaches from beginning to end. Human existence was meant to be a “walk in the Garden with God”—all blessing (Genesis 2). “The Fall” of humankind into sin, however, brought with it sin’s horrifying effects. (Genesis 3) Suddenly, human beings became at odds with God and each other. Murder and war soon followed. Even creation began to resist human beings. What is gushing out of the ocean floor and poisoning the Gulf region is both oil and sin’s effects.

This morning, thank God that following “The Fall” God began the long process of restoring humankind to the original “all good” state (Genesis 4 to Revelation 22). God’s finished work is beautifully depicted in the Bible’s final chapters, Revelation 21-22. Turn to those chapters, meditate on them, and let their beauty quench the thirst of your soul. This is the life that we are looking for. The centerpiece of heaven’s beauty is God Himself. There we will be “walking in the Garden with God” again.

This redemption from sin’s effects and restoration to Garden existence is the very reason Christ came. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. When you walk with God now, you can count on walking in the Garden with Him soon. Don’t try to manufacture a “Garden Existence” on earth. We can’t. Rather, receive it as a gift from Him. His Gift begins with a relationship, spreads to a perspective of life, and culminates in a walk with Him in heaven.

Evening

We will sleep better at night if we can develop David’s positive perspective of life. This will never happen if we look primarily at our circumstances. In this fallen world, circumstances are often difficult. David countered this reality with the reality of God. V5 literally begins like this: “LORD, my portion and my cup.” David’s pleasant places really weren’t the circumstances of his life, whether the shepherd’s field, the King’s palace, or the fugitive’s tent. David’s pleasant place was the Lord’s side.

Christ-followers can always be positive. We have a choice where to look—Christ or circumstances. If we choose Christ, we won’t lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Don’t close your eyes tonight until with God’s help you fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2,3). Then with eyes on Him determine tomorrow to quit complaining, to shine like a star in the universe, and to hold out the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).

Day 19: 31 Days of Prayer

2010-07-19T06:04:00.000-06:00

July 19, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16:4 (NIV) The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.

The last portion of this verse is David’s emphatic way of saying that he would not fellowship with those “run after other gods” nor participate in works of darkness. “Libations of blood” is likely a reference to either the heinous child sacrifices that were made in the cults of Molech and Chemosh, or to the drinking of blood in other cults, a practice strictly forbidden by God (Leviticus 3:17). David would have nothing to do with such cults or their practitioners or give any place to these gods in his speech.

This was a commitment to purity. David would struggle with this, of course. He would not struggle with the worship of idols. But he would struggle with moral purity, resulting in the lowest moments of his life—adultery, murder, death of one child, and rebellion of another. Truly, sorrows do increase when we run after other gods.

Don’t give even the smallest place in your heart to other gods. Banish them completely. Serve God wholeheartedly (Ephesians 6:7). Seek purity (1 Timothy 5:22). Only then will you reach your full potential for the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV) ²⁰In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. ²¹If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

This morning, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, do some housecleaning. Sweep out everything that competes with your wholehearted service to the Lord. Then run the race God gives you with abandon. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Evening

Charles Spurgeon comments on this verse: “The text shows the sinner's greediness after (sin). Professed believers are often slow towards the true Lord, but sinners hasten after other gods. They run like madmen where we creep like snails. Let their zeal rebuke our tardiness.” I have loved sports all my life. Watching them, however, is becoming increasingly difficult, because the passion exhibited by athletes in their pursuit of excellence and sports fans in their worship of athletes so far exceeds the passion of Christians for Jesus. People pay huge sums to attend athletic events, yet church leaders have to plead for supposed Christians to attend worship. Spurgeon is right: “Let their zeal rebuke our tardiness.” How is your zeal for the Lord? If it’s declining tonight, why not make the same request as David? Psalm 51:12 (NIV) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. It is your duty to keep your passion for the Lord “red-hot.” Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.