Monthly Archives: January 2015

My sheep know my voice

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

I remember many years ago, the State Fair offered free telephone calls to anywhere in the world. This was way before Skype, cell phones, and internet chat. So, I stepped in the booth and called a former co-teacher I used to work with in Australia. I hadn’t thought about the time zone difference nor that I hadn’t spoken to this person in the many years since I lived overseas. I just dialed their number and said, “Hi. How are you doing?” Once I said who I was, my friend was all excited to talk with me, but at first she didn’t recognize my voice. After all, it had been a very long time.

Does it seem like God is quiet sometimes, that you just can’t hear His voice? Maybe you feel He has forgotten and left you. Maybe you think God doesn’t speak to people anymore, that we’re just left on our own to figure life out. Or maybe, just maybe, we don’t hear God’s voice because we don’t listen for it. In fact, maybe like my call to my Aussie coworker, it’s been so long since you’ve had a conversation with Him that you don’t even recognize His voice any more.

We listen to so many things these days. There’s the radio, our favorite CDs, the iPod, the phone, the internet, the TV. There’s Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter to keep up with. There’s our family and friends who want and need your attention. And your ministry efforts and favorite causes call to you. Then your work shouts, “Pay attention to me,” in a voice so loud as to drown out everything else. And underneath the favorite novels and magazines, maybe there is a bible. No wonder we have a hard time listening to God!

Being likened to sheep is not the highest compliment. Sheep wander and stray. They follow their own way and get into trouble. Typically, we think of sheep as rather helpless and dumb. But smart sheep know the voice of their shepherd. They tune out distractions and pay attention to the voice of the one who protects and provides for them. They listen to Him and follow Him.

What kind of sheep are you going to be today? One who says, “I’ll have it MY way” or one who listens and follows the voice of the good shepherd? Be still, listen, and follow.

Like a river that flows unrelenting

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Like a River That Flows Unrelenting

We lift our hands in worship.

We clap in joyful praise.

We swoon in waves of emotion.

Our hearts are set ablaze.

We listen as pastor preaches.

We put gifts in the offering plate.

We partake in accustomed communion

And pray with words ornate.

But where, O Lord, do you find

True worship that honors your name?

Where must our worship flow?

How will it spread your great fame?

Let it be found in a boundless river

That flows through the days of our lives,

Uncontained by a sanctuary,

Living water that brings new life.

Let Your truth bear its mark on our motives,

Our ambitions reflect your great grace.

Let your Spirit wash over our sorrows

And praise you in our troubling place.

Like a river that flows unrelenting,

May our hearts flow with humble refrains.

Let our worship be marked by our actions

That bring praise to your great name.

Like a river that flows unrelenting,

May our hearts flow with humble refrains.

Let our worship be marked by our actions

That bring praise to your great name.

Let worship flow through your day.

True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

Death rehearsal

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CS Lewis wrote a letter to a friend about pain, fear, and death:

“Pain is terrible, but surely you need not have fear as well? Can you not see death as the friend and deliverer? It means stripping off that body which is tormenting you: like taking off a shirt or getting out of a dungeon. What is there to be afraid of? You have long attempted (and none of us does more) a Christian life. Your sins are confessed and absolved. Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave it with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

Remember, though we struggle against things because we are afraid of them, it is often the other way round – we get afraid because we struggle. Are you struggling, resisting? Don’t you think Our Lord says to you ‘Peace, child, peace. Relax. Let go. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Let go, I will catch you. Do you trust me so little?’

Of course, this may not be the end. Then make it a good rehearsal.

Yours (and like you a tired traveller near the journey’s end), Jack

From The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III

Culture of life

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Reverend Franklin Graham was recently quoted saying that America is increasingly embracing a “culture of death” that reflects a rejection of the gospel of Jesus, even among Christians.

I read that nearly 15 million people tuned in to watch the latest episode of the zombie-filled Walking Dead, outranking even the Broncos-Chiefs game viewers. Even if Dracula could not see his reflection in a mirror, the godless worldview that has such a hold on our society can be clearly seen. It seems ironic that there is such a fixation on fictional death while ignoring the reality of our own death and what happens after that.

Life is short and after that – eternity, the forever and ever. Sadly, few will engage in any meaningful discussion of this reality or make preparation for it. Days, months, and years fly by in pursuit of nothing that lasts and loss of everything that does.

“Death is not a fictional television series,” said Rev. Graham. “It is not a popular gaming topic. It is the entryway into either eternal life or eternal death. And a culture that treats it as mere fantasy and amusing entertainment does so at its peril.”

Where is our hope? Our hope is found in letting God control the remote of our lives, asking “Will this honor Him?” before we press the button. Our hope is found in standing firm in our faith and living in the culture of life that Jesus offers us, abundant life to the full – even in the face of cancer, poverty, loneliness, pain, anxiety, and depression.

None of us know the time of our last breath. For some, it comes quite unexpectedly. Don’t let your life be marked by the celebration of Hollywood’s obsession with death. Let your day be filled with real life, abundant and full. Let God’s Spirit show you the way to live a life that matters, both now… And forever!

Capturing the cross

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A caption in last week’s news is a reminder of why Go Light Our World^TMpromotes the true gospel even in so-called ‘Christian’ countries.

The photo showed scores of ‘religious’ men diving off a dock into a cold lake in Sophia, Bulgaria (not far from the GLOW ministry in Vetren). They are trying to grab hold of a wooden cross thrown by the Orthodox priest to bless the waters. The men engage in this activity with hope that catching the cross will bring health and prosperity to the one who captures it.

Do void superstitions have influence over your life? Are “good luck” and “cross your fingers” woven into your vocabulary? Do you find yourself doing good deeds in hopes it will bring you blessing or good karma?

There is a way to capture the cross. And you don’t need to dive into frigid waters after some wooden icon. Simply bow your heart where you are right now, and extend your open hands in submission to the one who died on that cross and who offers His forgiveness and great hope to you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and show you the way you should go today.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
– Jesus, Mark 8:34

When faith prevails

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Faith prevails!

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Whenever there is news of an impending storm, folks make preparation. They flock to the store to load up on food and other supplies. They make sure the flashlights are working. And if possible, they leave work early so they won’t get caught in the storm.

Doesn’t it make sense to also prepare for the storms of life that come unannounced? We can do that by building our faith every day, and especially when “all is well.” Faith is like a bank. You make deposits during the prosperous times so that there will be something to draw on during the lean times.

Faith teaches us to “delight and triumph in the Lord; for when all is gone, his God is not gone. Even when provisions are cut off, to make it appear that man lives not by bread alone, we may be supplied by the graces and comforts of God’s Spirit.” (Matthew Henry)

Even when the vineyards and fig trees of our life are destroyed, we can – and must – find that as a time to praise God who sustains us. He is the one who prepares and equips us for life’s storms. He is the one who heals our wounds and brings us hope in seemingly hopeless situations. When all else is gone, He is the one who remains.

When trouble comes, where will you run? Prepare your heart by building it up with faith that prevails. And rejoice in His faithfulness.

Another dimension

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We all understand what comprises a 2D drawing or 3D image. Maybe you’ve seen a 3D movie where the screen ‘comes to life.” At the outstanding 4D movie presentation of Beyond All Boundaries at the New Orleans World War II Museum, live actors appear to literally walk off the screen and onto the stage. You vividly experience the wind, the fog, the smells, and the vibrations from the explosions of war seemingly happening all around you.

Did you know that science does not restrict the study of dimensions to the physical realm? Mathematics and other sciences deal with abstract spaces quite independent of the physical space we perceive and live in. And so we might consider another special dimension of life where we are in one certain physical place, surrounded and filled by real physical components, and yet at the same time quite separated from those elements:

Consider the spiritual dimension of God’s presence. The dimension of God’s presence is one of such closeness to Him that one can relate to and experience the “existence beyond the visible universe, departing from what is usual and normal especially so as to transcend the laws of nature.” (Quoted excerpt from Merriam Webster dictionary’s definition of supernatural).

Just as we enter the experience of a 4D movie theater by walking in and sitting down, we enter the spiritual dimension of God’s presence by making ourselves receptive to Him, by inviting Him to sit with us, and by responding to what He reveals to us. As a 4D movie can give us a glimpse of actually “being there,” even more so does entering the dimension of God’s presence give us a glimpse of heaven, on earth, here and now. It is putting oneself in a position that transcends our surroundings. Storms may prevail, but the sailor who dwells in God’s presence finds peace in the storm.

Paul calls this sufficient grace. (2 Corinthians 12:9). He shows us that we enter this grace by offering our body (our life) as a living sacrifice that is pleasing to God. Our experience of the dimension of God’s presence is measured by the ways become transformed by the renewing of our minds by His Spirit and His Word, and by not conforming to the ways of the world. And beyond simply transcending our circumstances, entering God’s presence reveals His purpose for our lives, His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Are you ready to experience the adventurous dimension of living that transcends the troubles and worries of this life? Make yourself receptive to Him and respond to His voice.

If you believe, you will see the glory of God. John 11:40

Be best blessed

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If you could choose between receiving a gift that lasts just for a short time or one that lasts forever, which would you choose?

It probably sounds like a silly question. Of course, we value good things that last. But do our prayers match this? Indeed, we are encouraged to pray for our daily bread, but there are even greater blessings in store for those who seek them. What are these greater blessings? Paul speaks to them in his letter to the Ephesians (and to us, by the way):

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

What are these spiritual blessings offered to us? Paul outlines them in verses 4-8:

Benefits of knowing God
Our salvation
Adoption into His family
Forgiveness!
Wisdom, discernment, insight
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Power to live in accordance with God’s will
Hope of living forever with Jesus

That’s quite a list of blessings to begin your daily declaration of praise!

Matthew Henry writes: “Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so.” In other words, our true happiness, peace, and fulfillment in life come not from the physical realm that we so easily see and measure and enjoy but from the spiritual realm that we come to experience through faith. These spiritual blessings are available to us right now through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and will also last forever in the heavenly realms where Christ dwells and where we already are seated with Him (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Do you really desire the very best that God intends for you? Really? Then let your prayers be not only for your daily bread, but more especially for His indwelling presence. Ask to see God more clearly and to see others through his eyes. Seek to know God not just about Him. Pursue discerning wisdom, strength, and courage. Ask not just for increased ability; answer God’s call for your availability to be His purposeful and intentional light wherever you go today.

Be best blessed.
Discover and enjoy God’s best blessings for you today.

What does it mean to say, “I’m blessed?”

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There’s a tendency for us to say, “I’m blessed” when things go our way. Indeed, God is the bestower of many blessings for which we ought to be daily and eternally grateful. But have you noticed how often this little phrase is used to refer primarily to our material blessings?

This new car is such a blessing.

My business was so blessed last year.

We are blessed our house sold quickly.

How blessed we are compared to the poor in the world.

It sounds right to respond to good things by saying, “I’m blessed.” Isn’t it the right thing to say?

Well, yes and no. It is always good to give thanks for our blessings, to acknowledge God’s goodness to us. But let’s be cautioned. The giving of material gifts is not the exclusive measure of God’s favor. Faithfulness is not defined by the extent we are physically blessed. Now, many faithful do indeed enjoy material blessings and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, most everyone in the USA is blessed if we to use a comparative measure of wealth.

If wealth and health were indicative of God’s blessings, we might ask why so many truly faithful servants suffer with cancer, lose jobs, suffer financially, and lose loved ones too early. And why do those who ignore or raise their fists at God do so well?

“Scripture does not promise a life of comfort as a payment on our faith. In fact, if we were to read the whole record, we’d find that most of the faithful entered eternity without attaining earthly fortune and usually by means of a tortuous death.

So how does Jesus define “blessed”?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Blessed are those who mourn
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the pure in heart
Blessed are the peacemakers
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12)

Let’s understand that we really ARE blessed and rejoice in that truth! But also let’s understand the nature of those blessings aren’t essentially found in our financial prosperity.
I like the way Scott Dannemiller puts it:

“My blessing is this. I know a God who gives hope to the hopeless. I know a God who loves the unlovable. I know a God who comforts the sorrowful. And I know a God who has planted this same power within me. Within all of us.

And for this blessing, may our response always be,

“I am grateful…Use me.”

Faith through trials

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Don’t let your troubles determine how you see God.

Let God help you see your troubles through His eyes.

There is something about trials that strip away unwanted elements and reveal our underlying character and abilities. More importantly, trials speak evidence to God’s work in us. We speak of the ‘trial by fire’ that destroys all that is merely temporal and leaves that which is everlasting, the mark God places on the faithful. There is the heat of the furnace that removes the impurities and leaves only that which is pure. Shadrach and his buddies experienced the fiery furnace first hand. In the face of what appeared to be certain death, they stood firm in their faith. Daniel’s trial of trusting God when surrounded by hungry lions speaks to God’s role in the dangerous times of our lives.

Most of us don’t have to face real lions or a literal furnace of fire in our lives. But we are no strangers to trials, are we? Trials beset everyone. Some trials, like an upcoming exam or handling an audit well, are relatively easy for the well-prepared. Other trials spring upon us with little or no notice. Some trials rank at the level of inconvenient nuisances; others threaten our families, our finances, and even our physical well-being.

Like the metal that is refined by fire, trials reveal our true inner character. While preparation can’t prevent trials from coming our way, we can prepare ourselves to withstand the fire.

Like the musician who practices diligently, the athlete who pushes their physical limits, or the supervisor who builds and coaches teams committed to quality, when the test comes they’re prepared. But what prepares us for those trials that test our very soul? How do we stand firm when our livelihood and even our life is threatened?

We build faith, day by day. Jesus said that even as the tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree that provides shade for the birds, so our faith grows. Our small faith grows when we acknowledge God when all is well. It grows more when we acknowledge Him in the small trials we face throughout the week. Day by day, year by year, as we write the story of our lives, we have opportunity to grow the seed of faith into something that withstands the most severe storms.

God helps us see our trials differently, by seeing Him in the midst of it. Every problem is an opportunity to trust God and exercise your faith. Today is your preparation for tomorrow’s storms. Let your faith guide you through any difficulty you face, big or small.

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.
Psalm 26:2