Got Issues? Who Hasn’t….

I recently had a conversation with someone that simply stated the reason for their recent lack of church attendance was “…we’ve just got some issues right now.” Wow! Really? It seems from their perspective, no one else on earth has things in their life to deal with. If only that were true! Not long after my personal conversion my Mother told me, “Everybody faces much of the same problems throughout life, Christians just handle them much differently.” While sounding like a mere religious cliché at the time, the truth of it could hardly be overstated. Scriptural examples abound.

With the recent release of Hollywood’s version of “Noah” and all the hype from various groups, I decided it was time for me to revisit the biblical narrative (I have not seen the movie and this is not a critique!). For starters, in the midst of a world saturated with outright wickedness and nefarious behavior, Noah found grace in the eyes of God (Gen 6:5-8 NKJV). Simply put, God’s favor rested on Noah even though he did nothing on his own to deserve it. Our contemporary culture continues to probe the depths of sin, rebellion and resistance to true Christianity. Believers are surrounded by scorn and ridicule on every side; yet, God has His favor upon each of us! In spite of the ever-growing trend toward creating a God-less world, Paul reminds us that, “…where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20 emphasis mine). What does that have to do with my issues you may ask? Each of us has been placed on this planet at this specific point in time and space: not five centuries ago or twenty-five years in the future, NOW!

The enemy’s job is to keep our focus shifted onto the parts of our life that seem like failures, fruitlessness or troubles. Imagine what Noah must have felt while floating on an endless sea with the noise and smell of all those animals, plus living with family in close quarters for weeks on end! (Sue says she would have jumped off the boat!) Nevertheless, Noah, and by extension his family, was living within the realm of God’s grace. They had been spared for a purpose. We too have been placed here for a purpose; broadly speaking, to bring glory, honor, praise and exaltation to the name of Jesus. Although inundated with ungodliness from virtually every avenue of life, our worship must not be silenced! True worship, whatever the expression, will diminish the negative and keep our perspective on things eternal.

While Scripture tells us little about Noah’s life (compared to others like David and Paul) we can be relatively certain that during the months at sea, he and his family maintained prayers of petition and genuine worship to the One who spared them. Near the end of the ordeal, the Bible says, “God remembered Noah and every living thing…” (Gen 8:1). It wasn’t that God had forgotten, but rather that the time of complete deliverance had arrived. Undoubtedly, Noah and his family were relieved to finally walk on dry land again! If we will purpose in our hearts to maintain continual worship through prayer, praise, witness and lifestyle, God’s grace will cover us and sustain us through the circumstances of life over and over again. Our existence in this era is not by accident; let us do our part in making now the church’s finest hour! PG

The Unpredictable

In the past three weeks I have dressed in layered, insulated clothing to stay warm while working on a retaining wall outside, while a day or two later I restocked our firewood pile in short sleeves. Just two days ago (Saturday) the mercury touched 68 but this morning (Monday) the whole family is once again gathered by the fireplace sipping hot chocolate while an abundance of ice and sleet covers the yard. What’s up with all this weird weather?

Although the meteorologists have been fairly accurate on their weekly predictions, no one seems to have had a clue about the up and down temps and strange precipitation patterns that have characterized the latter part of our winter. While such bizarre seasonal occurrences are not altogether unheard of, their relative scarcity tends to generate conversation about the uncertainty of the future. Could greenhouse gases be at fault? Fossil fuels? Coal burning power plants? The list of possibilities is endless.

Many of the concerns and questions of contemporary society relate to somewhat different issues than those of only a generation or two ago, much less those of the first century, but the root of our concern for uncertainty remains the same. The anxious religious leaders of the first century questioned Jesus’ authority and authenticity. They were constantly asking Him to prove Himself with miraculous signs. On one occasion Jesus plainly answered their request by saying, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet” (Matt 12:39 NASB). Although they believed in His coming and genuinely anticipated Messiah’s arrival, they were so caught up in their own ideas of Him and His futuristic role they continually questioned His legitimacy and ultimately rejected Him. They were not ready.

This past week I was again reminded that true faith conquers my leaning toward anxiety and worry about what’s ahead; in spite of the proverbial weather and its inconsistency. Following a stern warning to those who put their safety and trust in wealth, Jesus advises His followers to seek the kingdom of God first, then, other things will be provided for us (Lk 12:13ff.). Being a born-again child of God has already placed me (us) in Christ, therefore, if my (our) priorities derive from genuinely seeking God’s will, work and ways (kingdom) in our life, provision will always result; regardless of the exterior climate. Abiding in Christ provides all the needed protection from any weapon formed against the believer!

Rest in His provision!

Happy Spring!…..(almost!)

Choices

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Election Choices Christianity Jesus McDonald's Peace DCF

In roughly eight weeks America will once again go to the polls to exercise their democratic rights in order to determine who will lead the nation through the next four years. At the present time two candidates are foremost in the running; however, as with previous elections, other names will undoubtedly appear on the list of choices. Each one has his/her particular ideology regarding the proper methods to employ so that the majority of citizens reap bountiful benefits. Supposedly, Americans will vote according to their belief in such methodology.

Making selections based on variety is nothing new, examples abound in everything from automobiles and airplanes to zeppelins and zoo-keepers. Perhaps the food industry provides the most vivid illustration. My three kids all love McDonald’s fast food and its quite convenient for me on ball-game afternoons. Since the late 1970’s the Happy Meal has provided children with a classic hamburger and french-fry meal along with a toy of some sort. As time progressed the toys have become boy/girl specific and the selection of sides have increased. Now-a-days at the drive thru window I hear lots of shouting about fries, apple slices, or even an occasional salad; not to mention the choices of juice, soda or milk! Families teach the importance and necessity of choice to their children knowingly or not.

As adults such influence pervades our actions and rationale for living in every area of life including finance, home ownership, clothes, schools, higher education, jobs, transportation and especially worship. I view the effect on choice of worship from two distinct angles: believers and non-believers.
Unfortunately our contemporary culture is a breeding ground for immature believers who travel the country in search of the next fad or “anointing”. Many leave their local church after a very short stay because they are “not being fed” or they “felt the Lord leading them elsewhere.” While my purpose here is not to bash anyone who has made use (hopefully not too frequently!) of these terms, it is interesting to note that in correcting those overly concerned with their personal position Jesus said that His purpose in coming was to serve not to be served (Cf. Matt 20:20-28). Perhaps if modern-day believers were more preoccupied with meeting the needs of those around them and their church community, being fed would be less of an issue.

For the unbeliever the choice really boils down to only two. Although inundated with supposed diversity including such religions as Buddhism, Islam, Scientology, et al, Jesus declared emphatically that He was the only way through which man could receive eternal life. The preachers in the first century church knew this fact and proclaimed it everywhere they went. After Peter and some other disciples witnessed one of many miraculous events they told the crowd “there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12)”. There is no other religion that promises and provides peace on this earth and life eternal after death. Others promote the possibility of a brighter future, but fails to provide any assurance for the life to come. Still others claim that death is final and there is nothing else to hope for.

Such religious groups merely provide a false display of piety while offering nothing of substance for those dealing with the choices and troubles of everyday life. Jesus simply asks us to give our burdens over to Him and He’ll do the rest. His desire is for everyone to live an abundant life filled with hope and joy; not to spend a lifetime in mystical reflection or searching for some inner presence or being. For those who have yet to embrace Christianity, the choice here is clear; Jesus is peace!
The implications of choice are immense. If we choose the wrong candidate in November many Americans and possibly the entire world may suffer adversely. Selecting the wrong sides or toy to go with one’s hamburger or 4 piece McNugget meal could result in meltdown episodes of cataclysmic proportions; especially if cramped in a mini-van (been there done that!). Choosing which church to attend is indeed a decision that must be bathed in prayer. A selection should be based on adherence to Biblical teaching, commitment to evangelism, etc., while understanding the role of individual believers as primarily that of service. Finally, every other choice in life reflects in one way or another what choice we have made concerning the Son of God (the possible lone exception being at McDonald’s!). If Jesus reigns in our life, decision-making becomes less of a headache and more of an avenue in which to further His agenda. With Christ in the driver’s seat, the 3 A’s, appearance, appetite, and attitude (more on these next time) will shout to the world that a life overflowing with joy, meaning and purpose is available by a relationship with Jesus! What’s your choice?