Finding Comfort in These Times

     Following the decision by the Supreme Court on Friday, I found myself deeply disappointed and grieved over the direction our nation seems to be taking.  I, along with many others, had prayed for a different resolution that would affirm God's design for marriage, but it was not to be.  Then, today, I ran across an article written by Erik Raymond at "The Gospel Coalition" entitled Dear Christian Friend: You Are Not Home .  I was deeply comforted as I was reminded once again that this world is not my home.  I am just passing through.

     Pastor Raymond reminded Christians that all of us need wake up calls from time to time.  Indeed, for me this definitely was the case.  I remember that our Lord Jesus Christ admonished believers to store up  treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt rather than here on earth (Matthew
6:19-21).  Investing our time, talents and focus on growing in the faith to which we are called will reap greater benefits for us that will last for eternity.  This life here is brief and we cannot take earthly treasures with us.  Remembering that we are citizens of heaven helps us keep our priorities straight.

After all, we do not fit in with the world system because our very presence here is a reminder of God whom they do not know.

      Unfortunately, I think Western Christians have become complacent because we were once in the majority, but this no longer holds true.  The differences between those who are followers of Christ and those who are not are becoming more and more pronounced.  Jesus told us in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  Just as Jesus was persecuted, rejected by His own people and despised by the rulers in His day. so we also shall know this same treatment.  

     As some celebrated the decision, I found a new resolve growing in my own heart that I believe is true of Christians around our country.  First and foremost, there is a new resolve in the hearts of those who trust in Christ.  This resolve grows out of seeking God in prayer and looking into the Bible for better answers to the questions that people are now asking.  Pressure from the culture always brings out  what is in the heart.  For the church, this is an opportunity to be that light on the hill shining in the darkness that many might be saved.

     Secondly, our current circumstances put new meaning to the term "ambassador" for Christ.  The Apostle Paul referred to believers in this manner in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."  As an ambassador, we represent Christ in this world.  The job is not easy nor is it popular.  No wonder we feel like outsiders at times.  We are in a foreign place, but one day God will call us home to Himself.  Therefore, we need to make the most of every opportunity we have to share the "Good News" of salvation in Christ alone.

     Finally, the most important aspect is that our trust and dependence on God grows exponentially.  He is our refuge, our strength and our very present help in trouble.  Difficulties tend to drive believers back into the arms of God more quickly than any other stimulus.  For this, we should all thank our Lord who is, indeed, sovereign over all the affairs of men.   Nothing has taken Him by surprise and He is more than able to help us walk in His peace.  

     I firmly believe that Erik Raymond is correct.  We have to remind ourselves that this is not all there is, but we have a home in heaven with our Lord.  His ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our thoughts; yet, if we remain faithful to Him,  He will bring us safely home.   Selah!

Looking Back with Greater Clarity

      Maybe it's because I am growing older that I often sit and reflect on life.  I see things now in a much different light than when I was in my twenties and thirties busy with our children trying to go in ten different directions all at once.  Those days were filled with stress, tension, and at times, exhaustion .  However much of it was my own doing. 
     Solomon had a similar problem.  He was endowed by God with great wisdom, wealth and peace.  Yet, he chose to squander much of his blessing by marrying many wives who were not believers but pagans.  They led him into foreign worship which greatly displeased the Lord.  At a later time in his life, Solomon reflected on the emptiness of "self" gratification in the Book of Ecclesiastes.  He says in Ecclesiastes 1:12-14: " I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.  And I applied my

heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.  It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.  I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."  For Solomon, life has been empty when it comes to the pursuit of pleasure or even of wealth.  He had it all.  However, in it, he found no deep satisfaction.
     As this book winds down to a conclusion, King Solomon says these two important statements:  "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them;.....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" (Eccles. 12:1; 13b-14).  Having reviewed his life and all that he has observed, Solomon now reminds the young to remember the fear of the Lord and to keep His commandments.  What wonderful wisdom he imparted, and he learned it the hard way through actions that separated him from God at times.
     While I have endeavored to walk in the light of the Gospel all my life, I have missed the boat at times like Solomon.  However, God grants us the grace in later years to pass on what we have learned to help our children, grandchildren, and fellow believers so they do not run into the same "walls" we have.  With this being said, here is some practical advice to help you on your walk.
     1)  Learn to say "NO".  At the time you are up to your ears in diapers, college, or work, someone will come along and tell you about a GREAT ministry opportunity that you would be perfect for.  You already are stressed beyond belief, but you don't want to let God down, now do you?  Somehow you will find a way to make it happen.  Sadly, all you do is cheat yourself and those around you.  Our most important ministry is in our home to our spouse and our children if we are married.  If you are a single person but still trying to find your niche in the job world or with college, do not overburden yourself with a million obligations.  Believe me, I know what I am saying.  I was the Queen of the overloaded Titanic schedule quickly sunk by exhaustion in college.  I carried this into our home, and now, I wish I had spent more time enjoying what God had given to me in our children instead of always looking out to do more beyond the home.  If you learn to say "NO", there will be other opportunities for you when life is not so hectic.
    2)  Remember that you are a human being - not a human doing.  Your worth as a person is in Christ not in all your accomplishments and activities.  I had a wise college professor that told me it was great to win lots of trophies, but one day, I would have to dust them all off and the thrill would be gone.  Reaching the pinnacle of achievement is wonderful at the moment, but it doesn't fulfill your heart the way a relationship with Christ does.  In addition, the blessing of a family and time invested in serving them reaps rewards that no amount of recognition in this world can ever equal.  I have a lot of dusty trophies today that cannot compare to the four wonderful children we raised and the eight precious grandchildren God has blessed us with.  There is no comparison.  My advice is to invest yourself in serving God by serving your family, your friends and in your work place.  Accolades are wonderful but the crowds move on in this world.  As Solomon said, "All is vanity".  The only thing that will last forever is your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Develop that and you will find true wholeness in your life.
    3)  Invest yourselves in others.  Instead of worrying about all the things you do not have or why someone else has them rather than you, start thanking God for what you do have.  Then, go out and invest yourself in the lives of others.  Rejoice when they rejoice.  Weep when they weep.  As we do things to help others, we find such blessing.  It cures depression, envy, and self-pity quicker than any other remedy I know.  Lets face it. We are a selfish, self-centered, sinful people.  Our hearts always tend to look out for number one.  However, if we are in Christ, we are supposed to be a different person...a new man or woman.  The old man has passed away - remember?  Therefore, lets be serious about putting on the new man.  When others pass by some one who needs help, we need to be the ones to reach out our hand.  We can be a good Samaritan in another person's life or we can remain detached and miss the blessing.  I once had a psychologist tell me that the best way to defeat  depression was to go out and help others.  I took that advice and found such a joy through service.  This glorifies the Lord when it is done with a heart to please Him rather than for our own glory.
     4) Cherish each day as though it is your last.  Life is short.  We do not know the hour when the Lord will call us home.  Therefore, make every effort to use your time as a good steward.  Devote yourself to prayer and Bible study each day so that you may grow in grace and knowledge.  Share your faith with family and friends that they may hear the Good News.  Kiss and hug family members whenever you have the opportunity and tell them you love them.  It does no good to say this after they are gone.  While we are here, we are to shine as lights on a hill in this world of darkness so that others will see Christ in us.  If we make the most of our time, we will not live with regrets later in life.  We will also bring glory to God by living each day as the gift that it is.
     These are just a few of the lessons I have learned over the years.  Certainly, as long as I am here, God is not finished with me.  He will continue to refine, remind, and realign my thinking so I reflect His dear Son our Lord.  Along with Solomon, though, I pray that we all will "fear God and keep His commandments."  May these insights encourage you and keep your feet from stumbling as we see the time drawing near for our Lord's return.  Selah!

The Agent of Death

     Today was a sad day in Christendom when the news broke that Tullian Tchividjian had resigned from his ministry at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale.  He admitted to moral failure which is another way of saying he had fallen into sin with another woman.  Sadly, he is not the first leader who has given way to temptation nor will he be the last, but each time a man of God stumbles in this way, the ripples extend far beyond the immediate situation.  Pastor Tullian's family is fractured not only by his actions but also his wife's, the church is reeling from the news and those outside of the immediate church are also heartbroken over this triumph of sin in the life of a believer.  The argument in the secular world is that as long as my actions don't hurt anyone else then it doesn't matter what we do.  Ah, but those words come from Satan himself because we do not live in a vacuum.  We live in relationship to God whom we are all destined to meet one day either as judge or Savior and we are in relationship with one another.  Our actions do make a difference.
     If you do not believe me, look at the situation in Charleston, SC.  The actions of one young man led to destruction of life in nine families and touched the whole community.  Shock waves echoed around the nation as well as in the family of this young man.  What devastation with the commission of this crime!  This young man's life is over as he has known it no matter what the verdict is in the case.  It is true what our Pastor preached this past Sunday:  "Sin is the agent of death."  Dreams die, hope dies, relationships die, and people are forever changed.
     At best, we bear the marred image of our Creator.  It is only when God, in His mercy, opens our hearts to receive the Good News of redemption in Christ that we can shake off the bondage of sin.  Then, God the Holy Spirit goes about the work of sanctifying us and forming us into the image of His dear Son.   However, this does not mean that we cannot fall into sin again.  On the contrary, we still have the old sin nature clinging to us.  The difference is, that now, we can choose to obey God or step into sin.  Before this, we were in bondage and could only choose sin.
     In his message, our Pastor preached on Hebrews 12:1-3:  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."  These words serve to remind all believers that we have many who, through their very lives as recorded in God's Word, have provided for us an encouraging example of how to live.  They have gone before us to show us the way.  Then, the writer tells us to throw off every weight and sin.  This is what holds us back, trips us up and keeps us from looking to Jesus.  Cain had the opportunity to turn things around when his sacrifice to God was not accepted.  The Lord warned him that sin was crouching at his door (Genesis 4:7) and assured him that he would be accepted if he did what was right.  However, we know that he chose to murder his brother in a jealous rage instead.  By contrast, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, had the means and opportunity to sin with his master's wife.  Yet, he ran from the temptation for he valued his relationship with God.  Ultimately, he was the victor as a result of his faithfulness while Cain spent his life running from the Lord as a marked man.  So what should our response be when we hear about the moral failure of others?
     First, we need to come to grips with the fact that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Any one can be fall into sin.  The Bible warns us to be on our guard and to flee temptation.  Therefore, we need to be careful not to point the finger at others when they fall lest we also fall into the same trap.
     Secondly, we need to be a people of prayer.  Pray for Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, his family and church.  In fact, pray daily for your church and your pastors.  These are not easy days to walk in for any believer.  Also, pray for your church leaders in any capacity that they may have God's wisdom.
     Finally, if we find ourselves caught up in temptation, remember the high price we will pay if we choose to disobey God.  We could lose our reputation, our family and hurt many others by an action we may take.  Sin separates us from God and others.  It is, indeed, an agent of death.
     I am a firm believer in a God whose desire is to restore His children when they do fall.  However, they must first repent and renounce their sin and turn again to the only One who can satisfy all our desires in this life and the life to come.  Let us join together to pray for this situation and our own church bodies that the fire of sin may not tarnish the glory of God.  Selah!