A Robe Like No Other

     After many years of absence from singing, I put on a choir robe again two years ago.  I really do not know why I had not volunteered for this ministry sooner, but I believe it has to do with timing...God's timing.  All I know for certain is that putting on that robe reminded me that I am a servant of Christ whose call is to help lead in meaningful worship in song.  Don't get me wrong.  The robe is not magic.  However, it does symbolize something much deeper in the lives of all believers; for we know that when we came to Jesus Christ, He took our filthy rags of sin and gave to us a robe of righteousness in exchange.
     Isaiah foretells the time when God will supply His people with a robe of righteousness (61:10):  I

will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  The garments which God covers us in will never rot, tear or be destroyed by the enemy.  His provision is perfect, so what should our response be?
     First, we need to rejoice in God our salvation.  He sent His perfect Son who knew no sin to become sin for us and take our punishment.  It was His blood that washed away our sin and cleansed us.  Putting on that robe of righteousness is a cause to celebrate and rejoice daily because when God looks at us, He sees Jesus.
     Secondly, when we wear the robe of righteousness, we are called to be servants for the sake of His glory.  What a privilege it is to be adopted into the family of God!  Therefore, out of a heart of gratitude, we must follow Paul's admonition to "not think more highly" of ourselves than we ought to for we have been bought with a price (Romans 12:3).  Our purpose in this life should be to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to serve others even as Christ did.
      Not only are we called to rejoice in what God has done and to serve others, but we are also to treat with respect and take care of the "robe of righteousness" which the Lord has given us.  I think most of us can remember as children how our mothers would remind us not to mess up a new outfit.  We were warned with consequences if we did not follow orders.  The same is true with the robe of righteousness.  Our conduct will either dirty that robe or bring glory to God, and whether we like it or not, there are people watching to see what we will do.  Will our walk match our talk?
     Finally, are we willing to tell others how they can also obtain a robe of righteousness?  We have a painful, hurting world robed in filthy rages.  Those without Christ will spend eternity separated from Him, and God has called us to be His witnesses even unto the ends of the earth.  As we visit the sick, comfort those who are grieving, encourage the young and old, we are fulfilling the Lord's call to serve  and love one another.  This is not an easy walk, but it is a fulfilling one.
     Perhaps none of us has really stopped to think that the King of glory has clothed us with His royal robe of righteousness.  With this privilege, comes the joy of living for Him each day.  Today, let us begin looking for ways to honor and glorify the Lord.  His blood has made possible our new wardrobe, and such a cost demands our humility, obedience and holy living.  Selah!

He Has a Plan for Us

     Singing in the choir has given me the opportunity to retain the words to hymns and remember Scripture better than any other exercise.  All week long, now, I have been hearing the music and thinking about the words to the anthem "If You Search with All Your Heart" written by Craig Courtney.  Not only is the melody lovely, but the words come from Scripture found in Jeremiah 29:11-13.  God's Word contains rich and full promises to His children.  These words offer encouragement and blessing.

     Jeremiah 29:11-13 reads:  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.  You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart."  While this passage is specifically tied to Israel who is facing 70 years of captivity, we can glean hope for our own lives as well.  God does not want His people to think He will forget them.  He is working all things together for their good and His glory.  I am certain it does not seem like this is true as they faced exile.  However God did bring them back to their land as He said He would. 

     In the same way when we face difficulties in this life such as an unexpected illness, a loss of a job, not enough money to live on, or a family dispute, we can feel alienated from God and alone.  However, just as with the Children of Israel, God is working behind the scenes that we might grow as 

we face hardships.  This is why it is so critical to read the Bible on a regular, daily basis.

     As we open God's Word, we can see His faithfulness and character more clearly.  He has pulled aside the curtain, as it were, so that we can see what happened in the lives of those who have gone before us.  We see their weaknesses and strengths but most importantly, we see how God works all things together that they may reach maturity in faith. He is doing the same thing for each one of us too.  We may not see the results immediately, but we can be certain that He is at work in all areas of our lives.  His plan for us is perfect, cannot be thwarted by any power or sidetracked.  Even more, God wants to give us a future and a hope.  This is precisely why Jesus came to earth.  He is our HOPE and our future!

     Furthermore, this verse makes clear that if we are searching for God with all our heart we will find Him.  Prayer is the key to finding God and remaining in communication with Him throughout our busy days.  There are times when words do not come to us as we pray.  At moments like this, we can speak God's Word back to Him.  I used to do this with the Psalms, and it left me with a peaceful heart.

     Not only should we read the Word and pray daily, but we should also teach our children and grandchildren to do the same.  We can never start too early with them either.   Helping them see God's plans for them unfold in His Word will give them confidence to move forward in boldness when difficulties come.

     Like the Children of Israel, we serve a covenant God who is faithful to all His promises and nothing or no one can ever separate us from His love.  He will not hide from us but can easily be found in the pages of His holy Word.  Today, do not let despair overcome you.  Instead, read His Word, pray His Word and chew upon it all day long.  You will be satisfied and blessed knowing that He has a future and a hope for you in Christ.  Selah!

      

Words Are Powerful

    For many years now, I have enjoyed visiting various websites, blogs and groups on the Internet to participate in or observe conversations on various topics.  It has always been fun and informative.  However within the last few years, I noticed a trend that concerns me.  In the past, secular websites would often get into a disagreement on an issue and comments would fly like fur during a cat fight.  People's feelings would be wounded and a number would leave never to return.  How sad!  However, blogs and the Internet are not the only places this is happening.  Even in our civil discourse over political issues, we find people throwing vitriolic barbs at one another as though they had been life long enemies rather than representing their views in a constructive manner.  Little is accomplished when this happens.  Instead, people are separated one from another.
     Unfortunately, I have begun to see this happen even on Christian websites and blogs.  Instead of presenting arguments and ideas in a respectful manner, some folks attack without warning leaving the conversations in a tatter.  It happens, as well, in church meetings, national congregational meetings, and
at times, within the home of a believer.  The old joke goes, "What did you have for lunch on Sunday, roasted Pastor?"  These really are not laughing matters but something we all ought to take to the Lord in prayer.  It is hard enough to deal with those in the world who attack the faith.  When Christian brothers and sisters turn the guns on one another, there are many casualties.
     Jesus taught His disciples how we need to relate to one another and to God.  In the Gospel of John chapter 13 verses 34-35, Jesus said:  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."  This is one of the most critical statements Jesus made.  Our love for each other is to mirror the love that Christ has for us.  What kind of love does He demonstrate?  The word agape best describes it.  This word refers to an unconditional love.  Nothing can be done to earn that love...it literally says, "I love you in spite of your imperfections."  Secular society does not operate in this kind of love.  The world's love is more "I will love you if you perform according to my standards.  It is self-centered and self-serving.  Our Lord wanted us to stand out and be different in the way we relate to one another so it would be evident to those outside the faith that we possess a love that builds up, edifies and does not tear down.  This is what makes the Christian faith attractive.
     In addition to uttering this command, Jesus carried the concept further.  John 14:15 reads:  "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."  Beyond professing with our lips that we love the Lord, our lives should reflect obedience to Him and to His commandments.  With regard to our words and deeds, Scripture is clear.  We are not to kill, lie, steal, slander, or envy one another.  Likewise, we are to honor our parents and not commit the sin of adultery (Exodus 20: 9-17).  Jesus summed up all the Law and prophets by reminding His disciples that we were to love God with all our heart and all our soul and all our mind and our neighbors as our self.   By walking in obedience, we prove that we have had a heart change towards God and man alike.
     Paul, in his epistles, echoes these commands from the Lord.  I Thessalonians 5:11 reads:  "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."  In his letter to the Romans, Paul again writes in 14:15:  "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."  These passages point to the importance of encouraging one another.  This shows love and commitment as brothers and sisters in Christ.  This does not mean that we can never disagree.  However, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about this.  Beating someone over the head with your Bible (figuratively speaking)  in public is certainly not the way to glorify the Lord.  Rather, Christ exhorted us to go to a brother or sister privately if we have an issue with them.  We are to make every effort to show love in what we say and do.  This is God honoring.
     When we read a public blog or website where Christians are engaged in derogatory comments, it is no different than being in a public meeting.  Non-Christians who come to read think that if this is the way Christians respond to one another they would rather not become a believer.  Our witness is seen everywhere we go for we carry Christ in these vessels of clay.  Whether we write, speak in a public gathering or in some other forum, we need to exemplify love for one another, respect, courtesy, and measure our words before we say them.  Reputations can be damaged, fellowship can be broken, and irreparable harm to a ministry can occur when we become a judge and jury of another brother or sister.
     Responding to a person in love means showing restraint, humility, and careful thought.  If there is some error we are trying to address, we should do so remembering, first, how Christ loved us unconditionally.  No one can win another back into the fold by attacking him.  Our job is to pray, weigh our words carefully and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their life.
     Words and actions are powerful.  They preach to others what we have in our heart.  We can either have a positive impact on others or create turmoil which leads to confusion.  Satan loves to see the Body of Christ at war with itself.  Therefore, let us be the peacemakers as much as possible.  Let our love for one another be the key characteristic that people see in our lives, and let us behave as ambassadors in this world for Christ.  There are too many people perishing without the knowledge of our Savior every day for us to spend our time battling one another over things which one day we may realize were not that important in light of eternity.  Selah!