Faith Like a Child

This installment has been offered by my faithful wife, Sis. Devone

My little girl runs into the kitchen with a flushed face and sweaty hair sticking up in the front. Running all around outside in the warm Indian Summer made her pretty hot! Breathing hard and trying to catch her breath, she finally says, “Mommy… can I … have…some water?” I knew what she wanted as soon as she came in the door, but I wait until she gets the request out before I hand her a cold glass of water. She knows that I will provide that need for her, because I love her… she never doubted that I would give her that water.

God knows everything we need before we ask Him. He is watching us and working in our lives with such love, as Matthew 6:8 tells us: “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” God’s heart is full of love for us, just as our hearts are full of love for our children. He loves us more than we love our children, and He sees our trust when we pray to Him. He doesn’t wait until we prove that we need something, or until we ask Him in just the right way.

We should approach God with trust, just as our children approach us confidently to get something that they need. He will never let us down, even when His “response time” doesn’t coincide with our idea of what it should be. His timing is perfect. He will give us all that we need.

Infectious Faith

The Bible is chock full of the accounts of God’s faithful servants.  As fellow servants of God, we all look to these examples and strive to exhibit the same qualities as these great men and women in our walk towards His Kingdom.  There seems to be at least one common denominator in all the heroes of the Bible, and that is that the faith of one person was enough to inspire and motivate a multitude of people.  Bro. Roger recently gave an exhortation on “David’s Mighty Men”, which was another great example of how David’s faith and love for God inspired his mighty men to show that same faith in battle, and in everyday life.  Moses’ faith was enough to lead an entire nation along the path God laid out.  The faith of Esther saved her people, as she was willing to risk her life for them.  If it weren’t for the faith of Mordecai, Esther wouldn’t have had the foundation required to accomplish her destiny.  The Jews would be gone from the face of the Earth, but we know that isn’t in God’s plan.  God used His faithful followers to carry out His will, exactly as it was supposed to happen.  There are countless other Biblical heroes whose faith changed the course of the world. 

The lesson for us is that these were just sinful individuals.  These were people like me.  These were people like you.  King David was just like me.  Esther was just like you.   What makes us think that God isn’t going to use us in the same way he has used our brethren in the past?  We need to understand that it only takes one person to inspire thousands of others, and it only takes the faith of one person to save a nation of people from extinction.  It could be you.  If we could muster the courage to proclaim the gospel to everyone around us, maybe we would have the privilege of being used by God in such a way that will cause us to join the ranks of these great heroes, secure our place in the history of God’s plan, and inspire future generations to change the world.

In God’s Garden

Gardening season may be about over for the year, but there is plenty of work to be done in our Father’s garden year round.  God has blessed us with all the tools we could ever need.  Is there any reason we should not be consistently working in God’s garden?  There are seeds to be planted, sprouts to be cared for, and weeds to pull.  With that in mind, let’s read one of the parables of Jesus:

 Matthew 13:3-9

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears, let him hear.”"

 We have tried planting corn for two years in a row at our house.  We have sowed rows upon rows of corn seed, without one single stalk to show for it.  Corn isn’t easy to grow, I’m told, but we keep on planting it with high hopes.  I tell you this practical story because there are countless hazards that befall the majority of our spiritual seeds, as we try to share our hope with others.  It seems that no matter how hard we try, it’s nearly impossible to see any fruit from our labors.  The odds are stacked against us.  Although we know that with God, all things are possible, the statistics still show a dismal picture.

 If we only see one seed grow for every 100 we sow, that’s fine.  Several seeds will fall on the rocky ground, sprout briefly and die.  Some will get eaten by the birds, and some will not survive the weather.  But the real reward comes in that one in a hundred.  That one seed that produces fruit a hundredfold.  So, don’t be discouraged because we know that failure is only achieved by not sowing any seeds.  If we all took it upon ourselves to double the number of seeds we scatter, the results would be amazing.  God’s given us a vast garden to work in.  He’s given us the tools, and He’s given us a perfect example of how to tend that garden in the person of Jesus Christ.  It’s time to get a green thumb for God.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.

Just Enough

This morning as my children were eating breakfast, they were also complaining:  “I don’t like this oatmeal! I wanted cereal!  This is too hot! This is too cold!  These blueberries are too sour!”

It just so happened that we were reading part of Psalms 78 as our morning Bible reading this morning.  Not only did the kids draw a parallel between themselves and the moaning, groaning Israelites (“We don’t want manna! We want meat! Oh, wait! Too much meat!”), but…

I drew a parallel for myself.

How often do we overlook the bountiful mercies and blessings that God bestows upon us every single day of our lives?  How often do we complain… if I just had this, or that… or a little more money… a little less debt… a little more fun, a little less worry… if only my wife was more like this… if only my husband would be like that… if only, if only, if only. 

Even though the Israelites were unappreciative, ungrateful, and oblivious (much like WE are today) the Bible says, in Psalms 78: “He was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them.  Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath…  But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert.  He guided them to safety, so they were unafraid….”

What a merciful God – how worthy He is of our thankfulness, gratefulness, and praise.  Take time today to thank Him for giving you just enough… of just what you need.

Desert, anyone?

If you’re like me, when you think of the Israelites, you think of the desert.  All the wandering, the disobedience, the annoying forgetfulness of God’s greatness… the list goes on and on. 

So, what exactly is a desert?  The American Heritage Dictionary describes it as ”a. a barren or desolate area, an often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation. b. A region of permanent cold that is largely or entirely devoid of life. c. An apparently lifeless area.” 

What does this mean for us?  What lesson is God trying to teach us? 

Well, think about this.  You may be going through a ”desert” in your life right now.  You may be in a place of spiritual dryness…a barren marriage… you may feel desolate and alone in some sickness or physical ailment…  you may be going through some ‘extreme temperatures’ in your relationships, or sparseness in your finances.  There are many ways in which we may have our own deserts in life.   

But when you think of the Israelites and the desert, don’t you also think about the miracles?  Think of all the miracles that God did in the desert!  The parting of the sea, the manna, the quail, the water from the rock, the pillar of cloud, the pillar of fire, the healing of disease… the list goes on and on.  God’s power and majesty was very apparent in the desert.  He didn’t try to hide it.  He wasn’t subtle.  It was ‘in your face’ power.  God is a “hands-on” God! 

Truthfully, God does some of His best work in the desert.  Let Him work in yours.

The Least We Can Do

When someone comes to meeting inappropriately dressed or looking like they just hopped out of bed, I have often heard the statement, “Well, at least they’re here”. Yes, without a doubt, it is a joyous thing when we see our brethren and friends at meeting. Is “the least” we can offer acceptable to God? Do we want to encourage an attitude of “giving the least” in our ecclesias? Shouldn’t we all be striving to give our Lord and Our Heavenly Father our VERY BEST?

In 1st Samuel 2 verses 12-17, we have an example of people settling for “the least.” Hophni and Phineas were the two sons of Eli and served as priests in the house of the LORD. They are described as “worthless men” who had “no regard for the LORD.” They “treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.” But at least they were there serving the LORD, right? Obviously, this was not acceptable to God. The judgment was passed and they were both slain.

Our Heavenly Father cares about the heart rather than the outward appearance, but the attitude of the heart should be reflected by the outward appearance. We are told to “count others better than ourselves” and “to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together….. but encouraging one another” and we are humbled to be in the presence of our Gracious God.  And so, my dear brethren, when we are convinced that it doesn’t matter whether we are offering our least and believing it is our best, let us consider that our Heavenly Father has given us HIS VERY BEST in the giving of His Son and let us also remember that our Lord and Savior, Jesus gave us HIS VERY BEST – his life so that we might live. May we use this encouragement to spur one another on to give our very best to God and Jesus, for they deserve no less.

Everybody is Somebody’s Pastor – Part 1

A father was having a discussion with his sons about tucking in their shirts and looking exceptionally nice for church on Sunday. Like most boys, they were more comfortable without their shirts tucked in and without a tie on. One of the boys made a comment along these lines, “I’m not a pastor, and dressing up is something that pastors do.” Later on, at a restaurant, the father directed the attention of his sons to a family who was all dressed up in suits and ties. This was not normal attire for a fast food restaurant, so the boys were encouraged to ask the finely dressed gentlemen if they were pastors. As it turns out, they were not pastors, but they felt that they should put their best foot forward when worshipping God. Dressing up was a way to show respect when they came into the house of God, and when they left their church that day, it was also a way to quietly preach to the world what is important in their lives. It seems to be a simple, yet effective way to show your faith. After all, the boys assumed the dressed up men might be pastors. Not only did it express to God through their action that they respect Him, but it also sent the same message to those boys who saw them in public.

You can make the argument that God looks on the heart, and man looks on the outside as the Bible says:

1 Samuel 16:7 “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

While that is clearly true, what does your heart look like when you don’t care enough to give God the respect he deserves? What does God see when you reserve your best for something that is more important to you than Him? When you truly have a heart for God, you will wear that heart on your sleeve, and it will be evident in your appearance and your actions. We must keep in mind that everybody is somebody’s pastor. Whether you are aware of it or not, there are people watching you and looking to you for an example. There are young ones who see the example you set, and they are learning. There is a popular saying, “You may be the only Bible a person ever reads.” As individuals, what is the lesson we are silently preaching to our audience?

Modern Day Superhero

Regardless of your generation, you grew up with superheroes. Maybe it was the Lone Ranger, or Captain Kirk, or the Green Hornet, or fill in your own blank. The one thing that all the superheroes seem to have in common is their fearlessness. They were not afraid of anything. The world could be in mortal danger, and they were firmly grounded in the confidence that everything will be just fine.

Now, in a very real way, the world is coming to an end. The signs are obvious, and the material things of this world will very soon pass away. Do we have the same kind of superhero faith that David had? I’m talking about the kind of faith it takes to stand before a giant with only a small stone and a sling.

Psalms 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Probably sooner than you think, we will all have to face our giant, and let our true faith be known. Only our giant will seem to loom much larger, and it is unlikely that a sling and a stone will dispatch it. Our giant probably won’t be from an enemy land either, but will likely come from within. Maybe it will be materialism, or maybe it will be ignorance. It will be different for each of us, but I can already see some of the giants off in the horizon. It’s time to look at our lives as a battlefield and purge the things that weigh us down, and arm ourselves with spiritual ammunition. Cling to your fellow soldiers, and hone each other’s skills. Take a minute and think about where you are vulnerable, and fortify yourself in those areas. Do you have what it takes to be a modern day superhero? Do you know for a fact that nothing can stop you with God on your side? This may be a little heavy on the metaphorical side, but that’s the trail my thoughts have taken me down this week. I keep telling myself that God is in control, and I’m ready for whatever He has in store. It’s just easier said than done.

Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Loving Life

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, ‘You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness.’” -Luke 1:41-44

 “You knit me together in my mother’s womb… I praise you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  -Psalm 139:13

The lengths to which our society has gone to make the systematic, businesslike murder of over 3000 American citizens EVERY DAY never ceases to amaze and sicken me.  God must look on us with overwhelming sorrow as we continually overlook these acts and choose to look the other way without so much as a whimper.  Clearly, abortion cannot be pleasing in the eyes of God.  So should we, as His followers, choose to say something? Dare to go against the flow? Should we use our voices to help those without a voice?

Biblical  truth is simple: all human life is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27).  No one is worthless whom God has created and for whom He sacrificed his son.  God’s 6^th commandment forbids abortion, because killing a person is wrong, no matter how SMALL that person may be.  It’s up to you… use your voice. Take a stand.  If you don’t, who will? 

“When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there – you saw me before I was born.” -Psalms 139:15

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.” -Jer 1:5

(This has been another installment of an anonymous bro. or sis. writing a weekly meditation for you.  Please consider writing about something important to you, or whatever God has put on your heart this week.  I would be happy to post it for you.)

Deer, me.

In another country, far from our home, there are deer farms.  The farmers raise the fawns from birth and keep their deer in vast pastures enclosed by a fence only 4 feet high.  The deer never escape.  Now, if you live in an area like I do, the deer are almost as plentiful as mosquitos.  They just tend to leave a larger dent when you hit them with your car.  Deer can jump very high, and a 6 foot fence wasn’t enough to keep them from pilfering through our vegetable garden, so what keeps those other deer at the farm from escaping?

 The answer is tradition.  The deer have been raised from birth, and have never known anything other than captivity.  The fear of the unknown keeps them from even trying to jump over the short fence.  They are comfortable in their pasture and don’t see the need to leave.  All their basic needs are met inside the fence.  The pasture was good enough for their parents, so it is good enough for them.

 Do you see the parallel here?  Are we the deer that never take our faith outside of the walls of our church?  It was good enough for our parents.  Our basic needs are met.  It’s comfortable.  It’s home.  Why should we leave all that?  My answer is simple.  It’s not about you.  It’s about bringing glory to God and fulfilling the great commission.  

 Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

 How are we supposed to do that by watching the world pass us by through the windows of our church building?  Are we really content with our “outreach” efforts?  Does holding a “public” seminar that is attended by only church members, and no “public” make us feel as though we are fulfilling this commandment?  I fear we may be confusing in-reach with outreach.  I implore everyone to come up with some outreach ideas and institute them before we have to give an account before our Lord.