Let Losses Inspire You to Keep Running

Since the first of this year, I’ve had to say goodbye to several longtime friends who have left this life and gone to be with the Lord. The latest of those departures took place just last week. I’m not referring to relatives – that can be a whole other level of loss and grief. These were brothers in Christ, in some cases colleagues in ministry, with whom I’ve journeyed over many miles along the pathway of life. And some of those miles were challenging ones. I never served in the military, but I understand there can be a special bond between soldiers who fought together during times of war. I feel similarly about some of these particular men due to certain circumstances in which we found ourselves. We fought side-by-side as we faced some rather difficult conflicts and challenges along the way. We prayed together, agonized together, counseled one another, and supported each other as we sought to follow what we believed to be God’s will. In a sense I feel like I’ve lost my “band of brothers” with whom I shared some unique experiences over the years.

Whenever we encounter such losses, especially when we feel like we’re increasingly having to go it alone, it can be tempting in our grief to get discouraged or not to stay the course. However, I would suggest that the moving on of these departed loved ones to their eternal home should provide us with even more incentive to remain faithful to the pathway God has called us to follow.

I’m reminded of the various individuals mentioned in the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews. They are commended for their faith and the manner in which it caused them to face certain challenges in their lives. As the next chapter opens, it refers back to those heroes of faith by saying, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). In other words, the lives and testimonies of those faithful ones who are no longer with us should inspire us to follow their example. As they ran their race well until they reached the finish line, so should we. I don’t know that this is suggesting they are “witnesses” in the sense of watching what we’re doing, but their example is a witness to how we should be continuing to follow in the pathway they’ve laid out for us.

 Let’s honor those who have run the race with us by continuing to run it ourselves. The torch or baton has been passed along to you and me now. Let’s be willing to keep fighting the battles. Let’s be faithful to stand up for what’s right. Let’s stay true to God’s Word. Let’s keep the faith and finish our course. Our company of fellow-soldiers may seem like it’s growing smaller. However, our Commander who is as mighty and capable as ever is still leading the way.  And He can fight effectively whether the numbers of His followers are few or many. Additionally, there may be new recruits who are looking to you to lead the way now. Your example could end up inspiring them to be good soldiers for Christ.

Losses are going to come, especially as we get older. The ranks may seem to be diminishing. Nevertheless, let’s use that fact as an incentive to honor the memory of those who served with us by fulfilling our mission and being faithful to our God.   

 

Watch Out for Mispronunciations of God’s Word

Maybe you’ve seen the TV commercial where a little girl repeatedly mispronounces the name “Pinnacle” as “piccanel”. Some of our kids made a few of those types of blunders too, such as referring to spaghetti as “pasgetti” or to a blanket as a “lambert”. It can be cute when a young child twists words in those ways. However, I have to admit that those commercials have become a little annoying, especially when you realize the girl is now old enough to know better and that the initial cute slip-up has become merely a staged ad campaign.

It’s a much more serious matter to mispronounce what God says. And it’s being done regularly and loudly in our day. I’m not talking about people disagreeing with God’s Word, but those who take what God has spoken and twist it or declare that He’s actually saying something different from what He clearly states. Ashamedly, many of us are joining right in with the erroneous pronouncements, either because we don’t know any better, we prefer the alternate versions, or we’re afraid to face the possible consequences of daring to stand by the obvious teaching of God’s Word. Here are a few prominent examples.

Acts 4:12 declares in reference to Jesus - “Nor is their salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Bible doesn’t speak of adherents to other religions as “brothers” or “sisters” who serve the same God we worship. They are considered spiritually lost apart from Christ. They are condemned as worshipers of false gods and as idol worshipers. Jesus declared that He is the only way to God, yet many today are suggesting that His declaration didn’t mean what it sounded like. Somehow they mispronounce “I am the way” to “I am one of many ways.”

Furthermore, God’s Word declares that He made humanity in two genders, male and female, a truth which Jesus Himself affirmed – “But in the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). It’s a severe twisting of a truth which is based on God’s Word, biology, and unbiased common sense to suggest that there are more than two genders. Nevertheless, many are turning away from reality and embracing such notions, even crediting God for creating people in those ways.

That particular mispronunciation of God’s Word likely stems from another one – the idea that homosexual behavior is not condemned by God. In describing an ungodly society, God’s Word states, “God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, turned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful” (Romans 1:26-27). Yet we’re being told today that this clear statement condemning this practice doesn’t really mean what it says.

Let’s not forget one more example, one which I’m sure I’ll encounter this week – the idea that love can’t accompany disagreement or correction. God’s Word says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6). However, if we love people enough to tell them the truth or to correct them, we’re accused of hating people. God says that we can and should speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15).

  If people don’t like what God says, they should just admit it. But they shouldn’t mispronounce what He clearly says about certain subjects and claim that their view is in harmony with Him and His Word. A child’s little honest mistake of mispronunciation is amusing, but an adult’s intentional misrepresentation of God’s Word isn’t. More of us need the honesty and courage to pronounce His Word correctly.

 

God’s Ability Has Not Been Diminished

If you patronize certain businesses these days, especially restaurants, you really have to pack your patience. Most of it is due to their being shorthanded. I won’t get into all the reasons why people aren’t choosing to work those jobs, but the lack of staff certainly affects the quality and timeliness of service. In spite of plenty of empty tables, it takes longer to be seated, to place orders, to receive your food, and to take care of the check. Don’t blame the servers. As a matter of fact, we ought to be expressing our appreciation even more to those overwhelmed workers. They’re often doing the best they can under the circumstances. They just don’t have the manpower to do what they used to do in the same amount of time.

It reminds me of the question the Lord asked Moses on one occasion. After God had led the Israelites into the wilderness after delivering them from their slavery in Egypt, the people complained about not having meat to eat. When God promised to provide an abundance of what they were requesting, Moses questioned His ability to fulfill that vow. God responded by asking him, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” (Numbers 11:23). God was more or less asking, “Am I not as powerful as I have been in the past? Has my ability to do great things decreased since I brought those plagues on Egypt and parted the waters of the Red Sea?” The implied answer was “no”. God was not short-armed or shorthanded. He could still do great things, no matter how difficult the challenge. His power and resources had not diminished.

We may be tempted to wonder the same thing at times. Today’s world seems to have an abundance of challenging problems in the realms of nature, social issues, politics, and the spiritual climate in which we find ourselves. Are these difficulties beyond God’s capability to deal with? Why don’t we witness Him doing more great things in connection with these challenges? Is He still able? Is He not willing? Where is the God who can part waters, control plagues, and bring revival? “Has the arm of the Lord been shortened?”

God has not grown weaker. Neither is He shorthanded when it comes to sending out angels to do His bidding. Today’s challenges aren’t any more insurmountable than some others He has overcome throughout history. We may be tempted to blame God or to get impatient with His apparent slowness or reluctance to act. However, maybe the problem isn’t with God, but with us.

Consider another scripture: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Our world is not enduring the results of a weak God, but the results of our sin that has separated us from Him. We’re not doing what we need to do in order to restore the relationship that would allow a great God to graciously and powerfully act on our behalf. There needs to be a turning away from our ways and an embracing of God and His ways, both by the world and by the Church. We need to humble ourselves before the Almighty and submit ourselves completely to Him.

So it’s not that God isn’t able or willing to do what’s needed today. He’s moving in mighty ways to try to get us to take appropriate action. The question isn’t about what God can do. The most relevant question is “what will we do?” 

 

God’s Word Isn’t Intended to be Edited

I was scrolling through Facebook when I quickly skimmed past an advertisement for church bulletins. As what I thought I had seen in that brief moment sunk into my mind, I decided to scroll back up to make sure I had understood it correctly. I soon discovered that I hadn’t. The company was selling “editable” church bulletins, which means that they can be revised or that local church information can be added to the template. However, I had misread one word, thinking it was advertising “edible” bulletins.

After laughing at my mistaken notion, I began to wonder if maybe some creative person should actually invent such a product for churches. It would certainly help resolve the problem of people always leaving their bulletins behind in the hymnal rack. Just eat them instead. It also might provide a nice snack for unruly toddlers during the service. Those edible versions could even come in different flavors for the various seasons, such as candy cane flavored around Christmas. It’s an interesting idea, but probably wouldn’t work, especially for those of us who still discourage people from having food or drink in the sanctuary. We would have to post a sign: “Be sure to eat your bulletin before entering the sanctuary.”

When it comes to God’s Word, I’m afraid we’re facing almost the opposite situation. Too many people seem to consider it to be “editable” rather than “edible”. However, we’re not meant to take on the role of being editors of the Word of God. The Bible isn’t open to our additions and subtractions to its text. We can’t choose which parts to keep and which ones to dispose of. I believe more people need to take seriously the warning given near the end of the last book of the Bible about not adding to or taking away from its words (see Revelation 22:18-19), a warning which I believe applies not only to the book of Revelation, but to the entire Bible.

There are those today who edit the Bible to fit their views, opinions, or preferences. They may not change the words, but they suggest a different meaning from what it is clearly stating or the way it has been traditionally interpreted since the days of the early Church. They sometimes latch on to some obscure possible meaning of the Greek or Hebrew word involved in order to make the text say what they want it to say or to fit in better with our society’s current values. Don’t get me wrong. We need to understand the context of Scripture, as well as to discern what’s meant to be taken literally or figuratively. We can gain insights from studies of the original languages in which it was written. And traditional views aren’t infallible simply because of their longstanding acceptance. However, too many people aren’t really pursuing truth in these matters, but rather are trying to find ways to justify their own opinions. They’re not really interested in what God says or are willing to submit to His wisdom. They’re only intent on furthering their own agenda.

God’s Word is not “editable”, but is meant to be “edible”. We need to feed on the truth of what God has revealed. We need to receive it as we would a nourishing meal. Some of it will taste sweet to us, while other parts my be hard to swallow. Some of what God tells us can be painful, especially when He shows us our own faults, shortcomings, and sins. It’s hard when we have to admit that our ideas are wrong and submit to His wiser ways. Nevertheless, let’s not dare to take it upon ourselves to try to change His Word. Let’s eat it, feed on it, and let it change us.   

Don’t Underestimate God’s Power at Work in You

Did you hear about the strange contraption that washed up on a Florida beach recently? It was this big plastic bubble with flotation devices attached to it. It belongs to a man who gets inside of it and propels it along by what some refer to as walking or running on water. This marathon runner apparently raises money for charity through his endeavors and has dreams of trying to travel from Florida to New York, or even to Bermuda, in his unusual vessel, although I understand he hasn’t been very successful at it yet. He claims to want to inspire people to chase their dreams and to believe that they can accomplish whatever they want to do.

I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll draw my inspiration from the One who really walked on water, and He didn’t need any plastic bubble in order to do it. One of the amazing aspects of that incident recorded for us in the Gospels is the fact that not only did Jesus perform this miracle as the unique Son of God, but He also imparted the same miraculous power to one of His disciples, a regular, faulty human being like you and me. Peter also was able to tread on the surface of the water for a short time until he let fear and doubt enter his mind.

  It’s wonderful that we serve a Savior for whom nothing is impossible. He can do miracles. He can walk on water. However, let’s not overlook the rest of the truth expressed in that account. He can also give us the power to do great things. The same supernatural ability that allowed Him to take a stroll on surface of the sea is at work in our lives. I’m not advocating for anyone to go out and attempt to literally walk on water. Nevertheless, I do believe we are often guilty of underestimating what the Lord can do in our lives if we would simply rely on Him and yield to His working in us.

Ephesians 3:20 refers to “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. The Lord is able to do far more than we could imagine – greater things than walking on water. And if we know Him as our Savior, that divine power works in us, too. However, it’s not just about us going out and performing miracles like Jesus did, although we shouldn’t count out that possibility. It’s also about His giving us the power we need to overcome sin in our lives, to be His witnesses, to live holy lives, to love people who are hard to love, to courageously stand up for what’s right, to be bright lights in a dark world, and to become more like Him in our character and conduct.

 Too many professed followers of Christ act like they’re powerless to do what Jesus says to do or to live the kind of life He calls us to live. They don’t put up much of a struggle against temptation and fail to strive toward the Lord’s standard of holiness and purity. They depend much more on God’s forgiveness for their constant failings than on the power of God to give them victory.

We need to trust that the One who enabled Peter to walk on water can empower us to do whatever He calls us to do and whatever His Word says we should do. The Lord can do more in you than you might think. Trust Him, yield to Him, and just let Him work.  

 

Let’s Fulfill Our Mission before Time Expires    

Recently we took one of our grandsons with us to a church conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. During some free time for enjoying the local attractions, we, along with the teenage kids of another pastor, tackled one of those escape room adventures. The six of us had one hour to solve puzzles, follow clues, and accomplish our appointed mission in order to get out of our locked chamber. It took us all working together, sometimes rather feverishly, to try to reach the goal. I’m glad to report that with only eighteen seconds left on the clock we finished the task and made our escape.

Sometimes it feels like we’re facing a similar countdown in today’s world.  God’s clock seems to be speedily ticking toward some kind of climatic event or conclusion. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that the world is going to end at any moment or declaring with certainty that Jesus will be returning tomorrow. However, when you look at what the Bible says about the last days and the signs of Christ’s return drawing near, it does seem like everything is rapidly falling into place in preparation for God’s judgment and Christ coming to take His people home.

As I was watching the morning news one day last week, it struck me how the headlines seemed like they were being taken from some movie depicting divine judgment and the condition of the world in the last days. The main stories involved a severe drought, terrible wildfires, devastating floods, the continuing pandemic, and even a plague of grasshoppers. It sounded like the fulfillment of some Old Testament prophecies about the coming Day of the Lord. Yet those are the times in which we’re living today. And unfortunately, very few people seem to interpret any of these events as reasons for us to repent and submit to God.

  Some of us recognize the signs, but simply acknowledge the fact that Jesus is coming soon and focus on waiting expectantly for Him to rapture us out of this world before final judgment falls. However, I don’t believe that’s the attitude the Lord wants us to have in these times. It’s like our experience in the escape room. We didn’t just sit there waiting for the time to run out and someone to open the door. We had work to do. We had a mission to accomplish before it was too late. There was a sense of urgency as we labored to finish the task before us.

Do we have that sense of urgency as followers of Christ today? This isn’t the time to isolate ourselves, hide in the corners of our churches, and wait for Jesus to provide our way of escape. It’s not the time to throw up our hands in despair and give up or quit trying. Neither is it the time to just angrily condemn the evil around us and leave the ungodly to face the consequences of their poor choices. We’ve got work to do! We have a wonderful message about God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, the provision for forgiveness of sins, and divine enablement to be a holy people to share with a lost world. We have lives to touch for Christ as He empowers us to be lights in the darkness and Christlike examples in an ungodly society. We are called to uphold truth and God’s Word in the midst of a culture that is rejecting it. We need to be praying, witnessing, and serving with a sense that time is quickly running out.

 The clock is ticking. We don’t know how much time is left. Let’s be busy accomplishing our mission for Christ.

 

What’s Under the Surface of Our Profession of Faith?    

One day I opened a package of brand-name peanut butter sandwich crackers we had left over from a recent trip. As I lifted the first cracker from the pack, the two pieces separated to reveal that there was no peanut butter in the middle to hold it together. I’m not talking about just having a miniscule amount of the substance. The inside of those crackers was completely clean – not a drop of filling. The second cracker I tried was the same way. Two out of the six sandwich crackers in the pack contained nothing on the inside. I was rather disappointed that my snack didn’t live up to what its name promised.

   Do we live up to what our name promises as we profess to be believers, Christians, and followers of Jesus? It’s disappointing when we get to know someone, see what’s beneath the surface in a person’s character, and find that the substance doesn’t seem to be there. What’s on the inside doesn’t seem to match up with the outward image or packaging. Notwithstanding, we don’t know all that may be present in other people’s hearts and thankfully we aren’t the final judges. However, we should keep a close watch on what’s inside our own hearts. We may look like and act like those who know Christ, but is the substance there? Are we like empty religious shells, or is the filling there on the inside that connects our outward appearance to our true character?

What “substance” should we expect to find underneath the surface of a professing Christian? For one thing, there should be a real, up-to-date relationship with Jesus. We should be trusting Him as our Savior, fellowshipping with Him as our ever-present companion, and submitting to Him as our Lord. There should be a relationship, not just rituals. And that relationship shouldn’t just be based on some past experience, but it should be current and active. Secondly, there should be a love for the Lord and for other people. Jesus said that it all comes down to two commandments, loving God with all our heart and loving others as ourselves. If we’re not devoted to the Lord and letting Him fill our hearts with His love for those around us, we’re like crackers without the peanut butter. A third part of that substance that should be found within us is holiness or Christlikeness. A real relationship with Jesus will change us on the inside and cause us to take on more of His qualities, such as the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). If we’re not growing and being transformed more into the image of Christ, we’re not delivering what the package promises when we say we’re Christians.

 My wife had purchased some Oreo cookies for that same trip, too. Those treats are also known for their filling – that sweet, white creamy filling which some people like to lick off first after pulling apart the two outer ends of the cookie. However, these weren’t the regular Oreos. These weren’t even the “double-stuffed” version with extra filling. These were billed as “mega-stuffed”. These had an abundant supply of the tasty filling stuffed within them.

 Let’s not settle for just having a little of the substance of what it means to be a Christian present within us. Let’s seek to be “mega-stuffed” believers. Let’s pursue knowing Jesus better and drawing as close to Him as we possibly can. Let’s pray that we will abound in our love for God and others. And let’s seek to be entirely sanctified or made holy as the Lord continues to work in our hearts to make us more like Him. Make sure the substance is there, and let’s get as much of it as we can.