The Mistake of Reading Between the Lines

  "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

Colossians 4:6

How often do you find yourself in the position of being misunderstood?

You attempt to make a point on a specific issue but discover that your words failed and others misconstrued what you were trying to say.  Instead of accepting your statement or question at face value and replying logically and with reason, they look for unspoken and hidden agendas behind your words.

The responses you get can vary.  You are either seen as lacking knowledge, judgmental, self-righteous, arrogant, hateful, or a host of other accusations.  If you attempt to continue to drive home your point by reorganizing your words, what you thought was only a soul-searching question can erupt into a full-blown argument.   In order to avoid that result, you walk away discouraged and defeated, dropping your point into the ash heap of unanswered and unresolved societal or spiritual conflicts.

It is understood that we don't all think alike when it comes to our world view and, unfortunately, that is even evident in how we express our faith.  Each of us are built in different ways, and the most revealing of that truth is when we attempt to discuss spiritual matters with others.  We won't always agree on everything that grabs our attention, but at least we can choose to respectfully consider what others are attempting to convey.  And the best way we can do that is by not inserting something into the discussion that was never intended to be there.

A recent conversation with a dear and beloved brother in Christ made me realize that I am not alone in this problem.  He is also experiencing it.  The problem we both have faced is that negative reactions and condemnation can come from Christian family members and/or friends.  He was accused of being "too devoted" to Christ (I was stunned.  Is there such a thing?!).  It was subtly insinuated that I was being hateful and not understanding how God works through others (at least, it appeared to be aimed at me).  We expect to get negative reactions from the secular world.  But when we are called to task by a professing Christian who has misunderstood what it is we are attempting to reveal, it becomes a bigger problem.  The end result can be painful for those of us who are only trying to bring certain things to light, things that may have a direct or indirect effect on others and how they view them, and asking others to consider our point and respectfully inject their own thoughts.

However, what is even more troubling is when our point is understood and we then find ourselves being preached at, directly or indirectly, for asking it in the first place.  I am not perfect, and if the issue at hand is deserving of correction on my part, then I will thankfully and gladly accept being steered back onto the right course.  There have been times when it has been necessary because of my ignorance over certain things.  I am grateful that the LORD has placed others in my life who keep my feet firmly planted.  But when conviction propels me to press home a troubling issue, I expect different reactions from those whom I value as trusted members of the family of Christ.

I am probably the worst offender of having knee-jerk reactions, being forced to recant and apologize.  I read so much that I have formed a bad habit of quickly skimming over things, looking for the meat of what is written, and sometimes not deeply considering what is there before I react.  But one thing I am truly working on is to not make the mistake of reading between the lines and misunderstanding what it is someone is attempting to convey.  When we do that, we become the judgmental ones.  Instead of asking for clarification in order to properly respond, we allow self-righteousness and arrogance to overcome us, forgetting that we are speaking to someone who is also supposed to be valued and trusted to properly handle and dispense the Word of God.

Because of the current problems that are raging around the world, we are often forced to read between the lines, looking for the truth behind what is being told.  What the secular world is allowing us to see can confuse or misdirect us, leading us off the righteous path and onto one that is full of dangerous pitfalls.  The enemy never tires from his deceptions; never growing weary of luring us away from the truth, and his greatest weapon is the church.  Therefore, we are commanded to stay vigilant (Matt. 7:15-16), to exhort (Col. 2:1-3) and, yes, even to correct a brother or sister who has strayed away from truth and is in danger of being deceived (1Thes. 5:14-15).

In order to be able to accomplish this, we must all be united in one spirit and with one mind.  And this uniting should be the most obvious in our conversations with each other.  Each of us have been given the amount of wisdom that God wants us to have.  No more.  No less.  But if a brother or sister poses a important question that reveals the difference between what you have been given and what they have received, it is our responsibility to share the knowledge we have in order for them to gain further understanding.  We should never read something else into what they have presented to us.  And we should never become Pharisee-like in our response by assuming we have greater understanding than they have.

Our reaction should be full of the love we are expected to convey to them, never elevating ourselves above them or lording our self-perceived wisdom over the conversation.  If we would employ the apostle Paul's exhortation in the beginning verse of this post, there would be far less pain inflicted on others and less division among us.

Unless the point being made by others is clouded with unspoken words or obviously off-track, stop reading between the lines.  But if you must, at least have the courtesy to see the point being made.  If you will do that, you may discover that they have wisdom that can be passed onto you as you engage in the conversation.

A pure and honest discussion full of grace and "seasoned with salt" is far better than one that has the potential to break the unity we should have with each other.  Stop allowing the enemy to control the time we spend talking about the things of God.  Pause and consider, then enter into the conversation with a clear mind and heart that is focused entirely on what God may be trying to teach all of us.

Only then will we be able to truly say that nothing was left to conjecture or speculation, but resulting in fruitfulness and for the benefit of us all.

The Christian Compromise Party

Isn't labeling yourself a "Christian Democrat" an oxymoron?

In a broad sense, Webster defines "oxymoron" as "something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements." Of course, it can be argued by those bearing the title that they are "fiscal Democrats," as opposed to those who are "social Democrats." However, when you try to separate the two, failure is the only outcome.

Consider this...

If you attempt to define yourself as one or the other, you are compromising your Christianity.  How, you ask? Because if you declare yourself to be a "fiscal Democrat," you are saying you support bigger government, higher taxes, abortion on demand (paid for by your tax dollars), and every other "entitlement" the Federal Government deems worthy  and necessary (paid for by your tax dollars).

If you label yourself a "social Democrat," you support the issues mentioned above,  and more (paid for by your tax dollars), thereby aligning yourself with those in the other category who ultimately take more from us to pay for the things you support.

Sadly, these things are a contradiction to the directions we are given by God in Scripture.  So, if you attach "Christian" to your Democrat party label, it behooves you to reevaluate whether you truly are what you claim to be.

Have I made you think yet?

The same thing can be applied to those who refuse to support either party, based upon their distaste for the current Administration and/or our Congress who appears to be inept at getting anything done.  Perhaps you like the title "Christian Independent" better. You say you love Christ but hate both parties for what you perceive to be their failures in governing this nation.  But, in the meantime, you look with favor upon the current President, in spite of his position on abortion, gay marriage, and every other deviant behavior that's defended by his misguided constituents. You know...a favor for a favor in order to get re-elected?

Or you could label yourself a "Christian Moderate," which makes you neither hot nor cold and places you in the position of being "spewed," or spit, from Christ's mouth because of the bad taste you are leaving there (Rev. 3:15-16).  There is nothing worse than a "lukewarm" fence sitter who will topple either way, depending upon the direction the political wind is blowing.

And of course we have those who stubbornly and determinedly will not budge from their "Christian Libertarian" position (or, better put, philosophy/ideology).  I hate to offend them, but that label is the biggest oxymoron out there.   I can't fault them for wanting to be liberated from the ever-growing monster we call our Federal Government that threatens to consume and rob us of our individual rights granted to us by our constitution.  But...live and let live?  Legalize drugs?  Refuse to lead the fight against abortion? Maintain an isolationist posture, turn your back on growing international situations that may threaten our sovereignty, and not defend our allies as we should - most notably, Israel?  These are just a few of those pesky little problems that define this party, and they certainly don't fit my idea of morality and virtue, much less the way to properly govern this nation and maintain order in society.

Although you may agree with certain talking points from specific candidates, each of these boil down to the position of belonging to the party of "Christian Compromise."  It's not a good position to be in, don't you think?   Especially when it comes to the faith one professes to have and the God you claim to serve.

What many fail or refuse to recognize is that every one of the candidates is just another human being who is a fallen creature quite capable of the things they vehemently insist they oppose.  And when we place too much trust in what they may be saying, we elevate them to a place they don't belong.  They are sinners, just like us.  Each one of them knows how to "game" the system, regardless of the time they have spent in public office and how much they vilify those who have been there longer.  And they will say and do whatever is necessary to draw you to their side and win the nomination.

Age and wisdom has convinced me that a politician is always a politician, no matter how smoothly and convincingly they speak against issues I, too, find disturbing or frustrating.  Campaign promises are empty and meaningless.  Ask yourself how many politicians have been able to accomplish the things they woo you with to garner your vote.  I am betting you will be sitting here a long time trying to come up with even one example.  And regardless of how well-meaning they may be, once they are firmly seated in the oval office and the things that are only privy to that esteemed position are revealed to them, the promises they made take a back seat to the reality of what's truly going on behind the scenes.

Politics is a necessary evil.  I strongly believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their constitutionally given right to vote for the candidate of their choice.   I may not agree with your choice, but I respect your right to exercise it.  But it doesn't mean that you wear your Christianity on your sleeve, then embrace and espouse the convoluted positions some have on how this country should be run.  By allying with certain candidates who have dangerous ideals that go against the grain of Scripture, and has the potential to further destroy this nation that was founded upon the laws and precepts of God that you claim to embrace, is a dangerous mix, and it's one that should be strongly avoided.

LIVE your faith.  SPEAK up for it.  WALK in it.  REFLECT it...even at the polls.

In order for America to be restored and hope renewed by eliminating the current administration and their dangerous agenda, many of us who will vote may have to choke down a great deal of bile by voting for someone with whom we differ on certain issues.  I am hoping we won't have to.  I am fervently praying that God will clearly and decisively reveal to us His choice.  However, if we refuse to stand up for Jesus Christ in the up-coming election and fail to vote for the man or woman who reflects Him the most, we'll stand for nothing and deserve everything that comes.

And that's not the position I want to be in when I'm standing before Him and He asks me, "So...how'd that 2012 election go for ya?"

When November rolls around, GET OUT AND VOTE, AND VOTE RESPONSIBLY!  Do yourself a favor and ignore all the media hype and influence, and the continual barrage of accusations of ignorance by others because you think and believe differently.  At this point in the game, all the name-calling and dirt-dredging is pointless and biased, from all directions.  This nation desperately needs a change from the "change" it got in the last election. It's time to toss out the labels and use the brains God has given us by applying HIS wisdom and electing HIS choice for America, regardless of the party platform the candidates are standing on.

Personally, I'll be eternally grateful when our true KING returns to reign. We sure won't find ourselves trying to choose the best candidate because HE will be the only one.  Until then,  when my pencil is poised over the ballot, I will remember Joshua's warning to the Israelites:

"Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness.   Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:14-15 ESV

I just wish Jesus would return before the next election.  Hardly a day goes by that I don't groan over what I read, hear, or see and long with every fiber of my being for Him to come back and restore order.  If He would, then we would have nothing more to concern ourselves with, the squabbling over who is best suited to bring America and the world out of the ashes of ruin will thankfully end, and true peace and prosperity will be known by everyone.

THAT'S a party I want to be part of.

2012 Resolved

As this year comes to a close and the New Year begins, people around the world will be in full celebration.  I have often thought it a strange practice to revel over the passing of one year and the beginning of another.  I suppose it has more to do with the secular world being relieved that they successfully made it through the previous year, rather than rejoicing that God has given us more time on this earth.

Whatever the reason, streets around the world will be filled with partyers drunk on the fruit of the vine and the idea that the resolutions they have made will be fulfilled, making the New Year more prosperous and giving them a better life than the year before.

Looking back on 2011, there is much that could be grumbled about.  In 2008, the citizenry had naively voted in a President that promised "change," but the "change" that came was not what most expected - or wanted, for that matter.  As the worldwide economy continued its downward spiral, 2011 proved that the ideology that Obama brought to Washington D.C. would only compound the problem here in the United States.   Jobs were lost, unemployment soared, savings dwindled, and homes were foreclosed upon.  Political squabbling became the norm as we watched those who had created the mess unsuccessfully attempt to undo it.

Prices continued to rise, unrest and wars escalated in the Arab nations under the ruse of "democracy," and men turned on each other in the form of class warfare that was being perpetuated by the current Administration and tearing this nation apart.  Capitalism, that had built this nation, was under attack.   Socialism and Marxism were slowly being introduced and accepted by the ignorant mainstream who were struggling to keep their heads above water and fearful of tomorrow, viewing those more fortunate or industrious as wicked and greedy.

Although some, including myself, had legitimate gripes, protests and violence broke out across the nation.  Stirred up by outside influence with an agenda to bring down capitalist America, the altruistic and agenda-driven liberal left rounded up the uneducated and uninformed and squatted in filthy and dangerous encampments.  The have-nots wanted to take down those who did have, with the exception of a elite "few" that they deemed worthy of keeping theirs.  Slowly but surely, the bloated Federal government is sucking Americans dry, stifling industry, discouraging risk, robbing citizens of their rights, and instilling a mindset in the complacent and apathetic that it knows what is best for them and will take care of their needs.

This all sounds pretty dismal, doesn't it?  It sure has given us plenty to gripe and grumble about.  Considering all that I mentioned above, it is no wonder that people will be celebrating the end of 2011 as the ball drops at midnight in Times Square, New York.  They are hoping that 2012 will bring a renewal of hope and prosperity and allow them to forget about their worries and woes.  But, all pessimism aside, I am betting that the things of 2011 were only the beginning of trouble and that mankind's grumbling and complaining will only grow worse as the problems in the world are carried forward into the new year.

I am just as guilty as the next for whining about my life and the perception I have for the things it lacks.  This past year, I have fought envy over others and what they have and I don't, hatred for the world and its depravity, and a multitude of other unhealthy emotions.  I certainly didn't gain anything by thinking or behaving that way.  In fact, I would say with all conviction that I lost out on a great deal, wasting my time looking at the world and grumbling about it instead of knowing God is still in absolute control and counting the things that He has blessed me with in 2011.

I'm not hungry.  He has filled my stomach.

I'm not homeless.  He has provided a roof over my head.

I'm not alone.  He has surrounded me with family and friends to be loved by and to return my love upon them.

And I am sure that if I took the time and you weren't bored into leaving, I could continue to write an endless list of things to be thankful for.

However, the greatest gift God has given me is Himself.

I will go so far as to say that when you have Jesus Christ in your life, He faithfully provides for you in ways we refuse to comprehend.  Although we don't see it this way, nothing else is needed.  I have learned the hard way that all of my grumbling and complaining is sinful and that an attitude adjustment was in order.

When we gripe and complain, we are telling Him that we are not grateful for the things He has given us.  We become like the Israelites wandering in the desert, never mindful of the constant "cloud" in the daytime that hovers protectively over us and the "pillar of fire" in the nighttime that leads us through the darkness of this world (Exodus 13).  He causes water to "spring" up to quench our thirst for Him and feeds us His "manna," the Word of God, through faithful shepherds like my own.  And when we feel as though His well or His table is emptying, He refills them, satisfying our hunger and thirst and strengthening us to finish well this race we call "life."

My beloved Pastor Paul Guay recently reminded and convicted me of how unfruitful my grumbling can be.  In his sermon on Philippians 2:17-18, Paul preached on his namesake, Apostle Paul's, letter to the people and how his desire was that they would "joy to share in the midst of sorrow."  Although the apostle was facing a certain death, he asked the Philippians to rejoice with him, even as he was being "poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice" and to share that joy with others.  Pounding home the meat (or gristle, as my sister, Dana, called it), Pastor Paul exhorted his listeners that we are to share not only in the suffering of others, but also in their joy.  And we are to do it exceedingly so, for we "enhance" each others joy when we do, becoming the sharers of God's grace and mercies that are shed so broadly upon all of us.  

If we attempt to flee from and avoid suffering as the world does (and which we all have done at some point in our lives), we are avoiding profound joy in being found worthy to offer ourselves in sacrifice to God.  What more could we do for Jesus who was so "violently torn asunder" for the sins we have committed in order that we would not have to suffer the Father's wrath?  How selfish we are in our suffering and joy by not sharing it.  As Philippians 1:19-20 reveals, our greatest joy comes from our greatest suffering because, as the Apostle Paul so clearly demonstrates, the reward for doing so will be unequaled.  The day we stand before our King and LORD  Jesus Christ and cast our crowns at His pierced feet will be a day of rejoicing unlike any we have ever experienced.

As the year 2011 comes to a close and 2012 begins, I am more determined to grumble less and rejoice more.  We have no clue what will come in the following months.  But one thing we do know is that God is still God, even in times of trouble and tribulation.  He is still LORD of the universe, holding dominion over all of creation.  Whatever man may bring upon the world will never diminish that truth.

Therefore, my hope for 2012 lies in Jesus Christ and what He has promised me.  With His help, I will grumble less and rejoice with exceeding gladness, knowing that a day will come when we will truly know peace and prosperity. 

To all my readers, may you be resolved in this New Year to continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, of Him crucified, risen, and seated at the right hand of the Father.  And may you also share in each others suffering and joy as we patiently await His glorious return!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Blog Jumping

Children in Chibanzi

Thanks for dropping by!  If you failed to find what you were looking for, or have already read through nearly two years of postings, I have another suggestion.

I recently posted a new article on my other blog, Wongani's Hope, that addresses the current and future needs Beka and Anna have in serving the LORD in Malawi, Africa.  If you haven't yet been there to read the wonderful story of how God is working through these two amazing women, it will only take one click to jump you from this blog to the other and only in a matter of seconds.

Blog jumping can be fun in our search for meaningful posts and like-minded individuals, so I hope you will hover your mouse over Wongani's Hope and click on it.  It's a quick journey, and its one that I am sure you will find rewarding on the other end.

Once you are there, look on the right hand side of the page for "Beka's Story" and the chronological listing from the beginning to the present below the title.  Then get yourself a cup of your choice, sit back, put your feet up, and begin reading.  I am betting that as you progress through the story, you will be anxious to read the next post to see the evidence of God's grace and providence.

When you are done, leave Beka and Anna a comment.  I know they would love to hear from you and that you are praying for them and the children of Malawi.  Then become a "follower" of the blog and watch as Wongani's Hope becomes a reality, for the glory and honor of God.

What are you waiting for?  Get that mouse moving and start blog jumping!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

A Man After Malachi

As Christmas approaches us, our tendency is to concentrate on the preparations, rather than the reason we celebrate it.  Lists of  card and gift recipients are written.  Frustration over what to buy certain individuals consumes us.  Decorations are brought out and dusted off and days are spent setting up the icons and doodads that represent this holiday season.  Plans are made for the feast that will be served on Christmas day and, in the meanwhile, candies, sweets, and treats begin to pile up on every corner of the counter top, threatening to add those extra pounds that eating them brings.

Don't be mistaken.  I love the Christmas season and see nothing wrong with making preparations for it, including putting up a tree.  The sights and smells along with the excitement in the air bring back memories of my childhood.  I look back with longing for the times I spent preparing the festivities for my children and my grandchildren, waiting with great anticipation to see them gather around my tree and watch their expressions as they opened the gifts I had spent hours purchasing and wrapping.  These are memories that are dear and precious to me and I will always treasure them.

But when I think about the years that I did not fully understand why we celebrate this season, I am reminded of the greatest gift I failed to give them and often wish I could turn back the clock and re-do all of the Christmas's where Jesus Christ was not fully represented as He should have been.  I wonder with awe over the emotions that came over me as I listened to the songs written about Him and gazed at the twinkling lights on the  tree - even though I didn't know Him then.  I am sure that past Christmas's would have been much different if I had known Him completely as I do now, and the appreciation for all the hard work done in preparation for that day would have been greater.

When I think about it, we are not much different than the Israelites were in their forgetfulness during seasons of celebration.  As time went on, God's chosen people moved farther away from the true meaning of their existence and what was expected of them.  They exchanged their relationship with the LORD for one of complacency and apathy, mingling with the pagan world and disregarding His will for them.  Intentionally overlooking the real meaning of worship and service to God, the people ate and drank without forethought, failing to remain mindful of the reason for their festivities and rituals and the solemnity that should have preceded them.

Over four hundred years before God sent His Son into this world as a lowly babe, He spoke through His prophets one final time.  In the book of Malachi, God warned the priests and the people of their unfaithfulness to Him.  During the daily sacrifice, the priests had presented "polluted" and imperfect food, sick, blind and lame animals not even fit for their "governors," let alone the King of the universe.  God's condemnation for this offense was great as He thundered His accusations of their unfaithfulness towards Him, cursing them for breaking the Levitical covenant He had made with Aaron (Num. 3:44-48; 18:8-24; Deut. 33:8-11).  The priests were not only intended to represent the people before God, but also to represent God and the law of Moses before the people, and they had failed miserably.

One would think that after hearing the accusations, the priests would have mourned and repented.  But as Malachi so clearly reveals, with the exception of a few who heeded God's warnings, they whined about and questioned His charges, denying the grievances of wrong-doing He was bringing against them.

Unlike other prophets who revealed the future coming of Messiah (see Isaiah 53 for the most astounding example), Malachi leaps across centuries to "The Great Day of the LORD" in his final chapter when God will avenge His name and His honor.  Although it appears God used Malachi as His last messenger, the ending verses speak of another man whom God will choose and who will announce the arrival of the greatest gift God has given to mankind (Is 40:3-5; Matt 3:1-3).  John the Baptist, the man chosen to herald the coming of the long-awaited King and Messiah, would prepare the Way for God's entry into the world to save men from their sins in one final and glorious sacrifice.

The sacrifice that was to come would rival the most perfect sacrificial lamb to be found amongst the people's flocks and laid upon God's altar.  Unlike the imperfect animals brought before God by the priests in Malachi's day, this Lamb would be spotless and unpolluted, defining perfection to the utmost degree.  God would demonstrate to the people what a true sacrifice was intended to be and one that would bring Him the greatest honor and glory.

The animal sacrifices made to God prior to this final sacrifice were not able to cleanse man completely and forever of his sin.  The ritual  had to be performed daily in order for God's mercies and providence to continue.  But this Lamb would once and for all do what the others were unable to do.  The blood that would spill from its veins upon the sacrificial altar would be shed for the sins of mankind, once and for all, its efficacy completely satisfying the requirements demanded by God, restoring His relationship with His children, and giving them life eternal. 

This is what Christmas is all about.  It's not about the festivities, the gifts, the food, the revelry, and everything else that is defined by the world.  Although these things have their place in our celebration, the season is about a Man who was chosen before time began to become the sacrificial Lamb of God.  And it just so happens that His birth and the circumstances surrounding it happened exactly as the prophets who spoke for God said it would.

Although God remained quiet for over four hundred years following Malachi's scorching condemnation for the unworthy sacrifices the priests brought Him, God spoke one final time through His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, "God with us."  Jesus would tell of all the wonders of God and reveal to men His divine and holy nature.  He would heal the deaf and the blind, the lame and the sick, and teach man the Way to eternal life.

There are many theories about when Jesus knew or understood the reason for His entry into the world.  Some say He had awareness as a baby from the beginning.  Others say that awareness did not come until later in His life.  I have often wondered about this myself and have a tendency to lean towards the first theory.  But one thing we do know is that everything He did moved Him closer to His ultimate destination.  He began in a manger for all men to wonder about and walked willingly to the cross to fulfill the Father's perfect plan of redemption and eternal salvation.

When you look at the nativity scene that most likely is placed in a position of prominence in your home, take the baby Jesus from the feed crib and see Him as a man on the cross.  His birth is, indeed, a magnificent and glorious gift to all mankind.  But it was on the cross that the perfect sacrifice was made, and the benefit of Him willingly spilling His blood to atone for our sins reveals the greater gift.

After you have seen Him on the cross, see Him as your risen Savior seated at the right hand of God in all His beautiful glory and perfection (Luke 22:69; Mark 16:19; Acts 7:56; Heb. 1:3). Once you have done this, the Christmas season will hold greater  meaning for you.  The decorations, the food, and the gifts placed under your tree will have more significance and your heart will be better prepared to celebrate our LORD'S birth. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!  May it be filled with the presence of His Holy Spirit and His outpouring of love upon your family.  And may you and yours worship Him in humbleness as you celebrate this season, remembering that God did not forever remain silent after Malachi.  Four hundred years later, He brought us His eternal Word and a perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God, our blessed Savior and King Jesus the Messiah.  And, 2,000 years later, we His children continue to celebrate in remembrance of that day with rejoicing and gladness.

May God bless us all with His Holy presence and pour out His grace upon the world. 

And to our blessed Savior Jesus Christ who was born in the city of Bethlehem while the shepherds watched, the angels sang, and heaven rejoiced:  may He receive all the glory, the honor, and the praise, both now and forevermore!

Our Pastor's Prayers

"See him on his knees: he talks with God; he pours out his heart before the Lord; and in return—whether the world chooses to believe it or not, it is a matter of fact with us—in return the great Invisible Spirit pours into the praying heart a stream of sacred comfort, stays it in its time of trouble, and gives it to rejoice in its moments of sadness." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

For yesterday's devotion time, I opened a book I just received from Grace To You entitled "At the Throne of Grace - A Book of Prayers" by Pastor John MacArthur.  After reading the forward written by his children, the preface written by MacArthur, and the first prayer, I am confident that it will become a treasured book.  It will be one of those that can be read over and over again because of the depth of his expressions to God with cited Scripture verses to further exhort and encourage.  They may be Pastor MacArthur's words, but they reflect what I am sometimes unable to express.

I often wish that I had the same eloquence that men like my own Pastor, Paul Guay, MacArthur, and Spurgeon were so blessed with.  When you read their writings or hear their utterances, there is never a question as to what it is they are conveying.  Although they may have a stack of papers in front of them blackened by ink with their sermon notes, the words that flow during their delivery issue from their hearts.  It is from there that the Holy Spirit speaks through them in order that we, God's children, are able to glean His perfect will for us.  They are teachers in the true Biblical form of the word and the man who is privileged to sit under men like these are truly blessed.

But we sometimes view prayer as a more personal relationship with God, one we are unwilling to share with others.  I understand Pastor MacArthur's hesitancy to allow them to be put into book form.  After all, for the honest preacher they are an unwritten and unpracticed intimate conversation with his God, an expression from the place with which only he and the LORD are familiar.  His concerns that they may be wrongly used are well-founded.  All too often, people merely go through the motions as they stand in public prayer, reciting by rote, half-listening, then mumbling "Amen" at its conclusion without really understanding where they are standing and the One who is seated before them.

The pastoral prayer given before the service starts is perhaps the most important time of worship.  It is the Pastor who is able to open his heart and make it visible to others that unites us to humbly approach the throne of grace where our Holy God is seated.  We stand together as one like-minded body with similar petitions, drawing us closer to the LORD we love.  This all so important prayer prepares our hearts and minds for what is coming next.  It is an opening statement to God that we have gathered to come before Him in worship, praising Him, laying our petitions before Him, and anxious to hear His word.

The second prayer in MacArthur's book had a different theme.  It told the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness.  I believe the prayer's intent was to reach into the minds and hearts of those who may have been sitting idle in their pews, unconcerned or unaware of all that God the Father through God the Son has done for them.  And for those who had already received salvation, it was confirmation of this truth; a reminder, so to speak.  Reading Pastor MacArthur's words took me back to my beginning,  the time of not knowing Him and of my former depravity.  They made me appreciate the love God has for His children, and of the selfless sacrifice He made to save me.

When our Pastor starts the service with prayer, rarely does he speak for himself.  Rather, he employs what is commonly called the "third person" form of the subject.  The pronoun goes from being singular and aimed at oneself (I and me) to plural (we, us), drawing the congregation together as one body with similar conditions, praise, hopes, and pleas.  Although it is a way of uniting us with one voice, our hearts meld together and we join with him as we approach the throne of grace to lay our petitions before the LORD.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be alone with God, to commune in prayer with Him in the privacy of your "inner room" (Matt. 6:6) where it is just you and Him.  These are moments of intimacy and closeness that are unequaled, for the believing man is confident he is in God's presence and that He hears every word.  Jesus often slipped away from the throngs to have those intimate moments with the Father (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16; Luke 9:18; Luke 22:41).  But we should also delight and take comfort in the times when others are speaking for us.  God's presence is no less real, and His ear is just as receptive in these circumstances.

The pastoral prayers that are being spoken define the commonality we have with each other.  They are a way of sharing the precious and divine attribute of knowing Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation He has so graciously bestowed upon us.  It is a way for God to draw our minds and hearts away from the pressing issues that may have followed us into His sanctuary, and to place our focus on Him as our worship begins.  The Pastor's words prepare our hearts for the sermon to come that will further exhort and encourage us.

Although there are those who have been gifted with the ability to speak fluently or persuasively, just the simple words of an honest heart is all that is necessary to secure an audience with God.  It is often said that others covet our prayers for them and their needs.  But the LORD covets them the most.  He longs to hear from us, regardless of the number of words used or how they appear to sound to others.  Whether our prayers are presented singularly or in unison, He is waiting for us to approach Him without fear or feelings of inadequacy.

Therefore, when your Pastor stands before you and asks you to bow your head with him in prayer, do so with all humbleness.  Be grateful for the faithful servant God has placed before you, one who is willing to speak not only for himself, but to also include you and your needs  in his prayers (1Tim. 2:1-2). 

Unite with him in spirit as he adds your unspoken praise or requests to his own.  Delight in the knowledge that the family of God to which you belong are joined together in what God desires the most from us: desiring His presence and approaching Him in humble gratitude.

And when your Pastor is done, don't just mutter your agreement.  Let your "Amen" be filled with heartfelt sincerity, expressing recognition with one united voice for the prayer that has been presented before the throne of grace.

Asking the Right Question

"At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 'Ask what I shall give you.'  And Solomon said, 'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you.  And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.  And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?' " ~ 1Kings 3:9

When you go before the throne of God in prayer, what do you ask of Him?

I am not talking about petitions for those things that are common to prayer: healing, protection, comfort, peace, and usually presented with a plea for immediacy.  What if you already have all these?  What if, like King Solomon, God had already blessed you with position and that which comes with it, yet, like Solomon, you long for more and know that it is not within you to accomplish it?

Although Solomon's situation was a tad bit more complicated and God came to Him in a dream instead of the other way around, he carefully chose his words.  But do we?

God's response to Solomon, "Ask what I shall give you," gave the king the perfect opportunity to have anything and everything a man could want.  He could have just as easily asked God for diamond-studded chariots, a bottomless vat of wine, fields yielding crops year round, and a treasury overflowing with the earth's riches.  Solomon could have requested that God give him long life, or for the defeat of all his enemies without lifting a finger.  In other words, he could have employed what is being taught by today's blab it and grab it preachers who tell you to pray for health, wealth, and prosperity, demanding it to be given to you because you are told you are deserving of it.  But God had chosen Solomon for a purpose and, because His decision was a wise one, He also foreknew Solomon's response and gladly granted him that which he asked, and more.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that the vast majority of us would not have asked for wisdom and discernment.  The proof is best given by the multitudes who believe what they are being told by the prosperity preachers and are practicing it.  Our sinful nature would have compelled us to ask for a long life of ease, the fancier car, the bigger house, and an endless supply of cash to throw around on worthless things that bring temporary pleasure.

Because most of us consider our own wants and needs before we think about how we could use it to further God's kingdom, greed and covetousness would be our first reaction.  (If you think you wouldn't be prone to this, consider what you would first do if you won the lottery.) We probably wouldn't even be aware that it had crept to the forefront, overshadowing His purpose for asking the question.  That is, until conviction over just how depraved our hearts really are washed over us, or we later learned that what we thought we needed only brought temporary pleasure, more disappointment, or misery.

God isn't a genie in a bottle to summon and ceremoniously present us with everything that woos and tempts us.  If He was (and thankfully, He's not), our first request would always be for a better position in life, more money, more comforts (what was your first answer to winning the lottery?).  You may argue that Solomon already had more than most, a palace, wealth, and a position of authority, so what more did he need?

Solomon understood that it was his immaturity in leadership that caused him to lack the most important thing which would ensure God's will for His people was accomplished.  He needed God's wisdom in order to correctly discern the difference between good and evil.  With this precious gem, Solomon would be fit to rule and lead his adulterous kingdom with righteousness and Godly justice and his throne would be secure.  And because he recalled that God had fulfilled His promise to his father, David, and gave Him the praise for doing so, God was pleased and gave Solomon what he did not ask for - health, wealth, and prosperity, including the wisdom to properly dispense it.

"It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  And God said to him, 'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word.  Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.  And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.' " ~ 1Kings 3:10-14

Notice the condition at the end of God's announcement - the "if" attached to the beginning of the last sentence.  Considering that David had sinned many times against Him, it boggles the mind that God only mentioned David keeping His commandments.  After all, Solomon's mother was Bathsheba and we all know that story.  But Solomon would have his own problems that were brought about by disobedience to God's statutes, and he would struggle and prove his own weaknesses many times.  As his life concluded, Solomon gained the greatest piece of wisdom man can attain.  He  understood that the most precious thing man can possess is a right relationship with God and the wisdom He imparts upon His children to walk in obedience and righteousness.  All else is meaningless...

"The end of the matter; all has been heard.  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." ~ Eccl 12:13-14

A long time ago, I began to ask God to pour out His wisdom upon me.  Like Solomon, I knew that I was incapable of judging correctly without it.  I was no different because my life was also full of mistakes and errors in judgment.  Charles Spurgeon sums me up, and what I came to know, quite nicely:

"Many a man might have known if he had but been aware that he did not know.  A sense of ignorance is the doorstep of the palace of wisdom."

Because of my past and the folly I so energetically found myself in, I yearn for God's wisdom, asking Him to always keep my heart and mind firmly fixed upon Him and His desire for me.  Without it, I would be helpless and unable to live my life for Him.

In response, God is slowly but surely honoring my request, giving me only what I need at any given moment- no more, no less.   To be honest, I don't think my mind could handle the profound wisdom He gave to Solomon.  The term "information overload" has significant meaning in that regard; my mind is too puny to handle it, and God knows it.  However, it doesn't mean that I don't occasionally hit Him up for more comforts and ease.  But they are becoming less frequent because He places my focus on Him and the things He desires, rather than my own perceived lack.  Although it is often an uphill battle, God is helping me learn to be content and thankful for the bounty of blessings He has given me.

If God chooses to impart upon us His wisdom, what more do we need?  Buried within its eternal depths are the answers to everything, even those occasional unexpected and unwelcome things that life throws at us.  There is nothing we, with His help, can't overcome.  The discernment the Holy Spirit has given us is the necessary tool to understanding and applying the wisdom He chooses to give to those who ask.

God doles His wisdom out to us in predetermined increments according to the person and the need.  We will never know the length and breadth of it.  He is God and we are not.  But He wants to share much of it with us, and I gladly embrace it when He does.

Therefore, when you go before God's throne to present your petition, follow Solomon's example and first praise Him for the things He has already done for you.  Then ask Him for wisdom to discern between the waning good and the growing evil that is so predominate in this world and threatens to discourage you.  That request alone will assure the ultimate answer to whatever it is that sends you there in the first place.  The wisdom He blesses you with will help you understand the "why's" over the issues of life and better yet, equip you to handle the next thing that comes around. 

"God’s heart, not mine, is the measure of His giving; not my capacity to receive, but His capacity to give." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Who knows?  As He did for Solomon, God may even give you a unexpected bonus for asking the right question.   There is no guarantee that He will and, if that is your purpose, it would be best to rethink what you are doing.  However, if He does choose to do so, count it as a blessing, then consider doing this:

Return the favor.  Take the gift He has graciously given you, lay it at His feet, and ask, "What is it that I can do for You, LORD?"

Fight, Flight, Freeze...or Faith?

"Often when we lose all hope and think this is the end, GOD whispers, ‘Relax, it’s just a bend, not the end.’   Have faith, keep faith, and see what God will do for you."

Someone posted the above words on Facebook the other day and it's one of those things that has stuck with me.  So much so that I have found myself using it for unplanned situations that have reared up, both in others' lives and my own.

There is bottomless depth to these words.   A mine full of the gems of wisdom. The problem is that we sometimes refuse to believe them when we find ourselves facing the unexpected.

If our comforts or security are threatened, our first instinct can be one of three things.  We either freeze, take flight, or fight back.  The "fight or flight response" theory was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon, which was later seen as too simplistic because of the expected reaction his test subject, namely zebras, employed when threatened.   Thus, the additional term "freeze" was added to further explain what is common to some other creatures in the animal kingdom.

It has been determined by human behaviorists that men and women react differently to stressful situations.  I'll give them that much, but did it take millions of dollars in grants and centuries of study to figure that out?  They must be slow learners.  Men will most commonly react with aggression and fight back.  Women will flee, turn to others for help, or try to diffuse the situation.  Of course, the secular world of psychology has created additional terms that describe every action or reaction regarding the "psyche" and the response man gives to certain circumstances he finds himself in.  Ya gotta love 'em.  But they have intentionally omitted the most vital "link" (to borrow the evolutionist's term) in their attempt to find out what makes a person tick.  I hate to tell them this, but I'm not a zebra.

The evolutionist has convinced himself that we somehow rose out of the ooze and muck, left a trail of slime as we climbed up the evolutionary ladder, eventually stood up on two feet that developed over billions of years, and were suddenly struck with the realization there were other creatures from the same source, whatever that may be, who wanted to eat us.  As  "homosapiens" found themselves in the defensive position, somewhere and somehow the "primal instinct" to protect themselves took over, causing one of the above reactions.  Thus, the answer to why we respond to certain situations the way we do.

At last!  It all makes perfect sense to me!

I hope you know that I am being waggish (I just discovered that word - it means "facetious," not serious, trying to be humorous or funny).  But you already knew that, didn't you.  So...let's back up a little to that missing "vital term" the secular and unbelieving world refuses to acknowledge in their attempt to define the mysterious human being and how he reacts to the world around him.  Strangely enough, it starts with the first letter of the other three:  Faith.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it the people of old received their commendation.  By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."  ~ Heb. 11:1-3

There...that's better.

Do you see what the writer of Hebrews is saying?  Everything was made out of nothing and came into being by God breathing out a word.  This makes it understandable why we can believe in Him - that is, have faith that He existed then, now, and forevermore and that all the universe was created by Him- yet not see Him.  Because He has told us so and has given us the requirement needed to understand it - faith.

Do you want more proof?

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."  ~ Gen. 1:1-2

Of course, you first have to believe what He tells us in His Word (the Bible), and that requires faith that only He is able to give you.  If your faith lies in anything but Him, you won't understand it and, sadly, there are those like I mentioned above that believe it's all just a fairy tale.

But back to the zebra...

As I said earlier, I'm not a zebra that, when being chased by a lion, takes off running like a rocket, zigzagging back and forth in an attempt to prevent myself from being eaten.  But it doesn't mean that I haven't acted like one in the past.  Or played possum as a predator stood drooling over me.  I have even reacted aggressively and snarled back on occasion.  These are typical reactions every human experiences.  They are built into us for a reason, but so is faith, whether we choose to recognize and accept it, or not.

Every one of us has faith in something.  It may be in ourselves, in others, in material things we accumulate, or idols made of wood or stone that are blind, dumb, and powerless to save us.  The problem with that kind of faith is that there is no hope or real defense in it.  It is misguided and causes us to place our faith in things that have no ability to bring us anything but trouble, misery, and an eternity of more of the same.

Like the zebra discovered as the lion bore down on him, being devoured by the world can be very unpleasant.  As much as the secularist would like to believe that we evolved from nothing, that zebra didn't have what is innately given to man as the most important reaction to draw from:  faith in an all-powerful God Who is ready and willing to make what appears to him to be an end to the road, but is just a bend with something better lying beyond it.  Call it an escape route, if you will; unseen at the time, yet waiting for us to reach it.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ~ James 1:2-3 

For those of us who have been given faith, we recognize that there is always hope around the corner, even when we temporarily feel as though the road has come to a dead end.  Whether it be the loss of a job, illness, family troubles, or any other circumstance life dishes out to us, after we pick ourselves back up, we are bolstered and our faith renewed by remembering these words:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  ~ Jer. 29:11

This isn't the Joel Osteen method of prosperity and planning your "perfect life now" (if he doesn't recant and repent, one day he will spend an eternity knowing how that zebra felt).  It is faith that God's promises to us will never be broken, in spite of what may come.  It is faith knowing that some of the trials or tribulations we come across in our lifetimes are often intended to strengthen that faith in Him.  Even if we can't presently see Him, it is faith believing that He is always with us to help guide, teach, and comfort us when trouble does come.  And it is unshakable, steadfast, secure, and fixed.  One day there will be an end to the road, a final bend, so to speak.  And what lies waiting for us beyond that bend will be glorious, magnificent victory over all we have endured in faith for His sake, and it will be for all eternity.

If you find yourself wanting to employ one of Mr. Cannon's useless responses, stop and think.

Don't fight - the battle is being fought for you.

Don't take flight - your Advocate is standing ready to defend you.

Don't freeze in fear -  the enemy is trembling at our Savior's feet because he knows he has been defeated.

Instead, relax.  God has everything under control, even that prowling lion snapping at your heels.  Plow deep for what's missing; that which lies waiting for you to utilize. "Have faith, keep faith." Fool the secularists and their theories and just watch and wait to see what God has in mind for you.

I am betting the odds that the zebra comes out ahead and the lion goes home hungry.