“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4).

I’m certain that for many of us, the end of the year is a time to reflect upon the past and look ahead to the coming year. Now I have absolutely no idea what lies ahead in 2012. But there is no uncertainty about what lies ahead for us in eternity. Peter outlines what we have to look forward to. 

First, he tells us that we have an inheritance awaiting us. When we think of inheriting something, the first thing that comes to mind is that a relative has left something to us. The Bible tells us that’s not a bad analogy because Paul calls us “sons of God” in Galatians 3:26. As such, our heavenly Father has left us an inheritance. The word “inheritance” means something received as a birthright, something not earned. Isn’t that exactly what God’s gift of eternal life is; a gift not earned by us, but earned for us by Christ? 

Then he goes on to tell us that our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. These are powerful words. Taken together, they mean that our inheritance can never decay because it’s uncontaminated and will never pass away or diminish in any manner. And further, our inheritance is kept for us by God himself. It’s reserved, guarded from loss, and held fast by God’s never-fading care and concern. Now, that’s something to look forward to, don’t you think?

Let me tell you how these thoughts should bless our hearts as we meditate on our inheritance. There are no doubt stretching times ahead. I don’t know what the next year might bring our way. However, I do know that God is sovereign, and whatever comes will have passed through His hand of goodness and grace. And if what lies ahead causes us tears and sorrow, it’s important to recall our inheritance kept safely in heaven for us. This means that as we think of our inheritance, the things of this world will assume their proper place in God’s providence and plan.

How much time do you spend thinking about your heavenly inheritance? No matter what your answer, you would benefit from more time considering all that God has planned for you; don’t you agree? I’ve determined to meditate and think deeply about heaven during 2012. Ask me how it’s going. My hope is that you will do the same. 

The hymn writer wrote, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” That’s what heaven is, the unveiled glory and grace of Jesus Christ, and it’s waiting there for you.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2)

There have been people who, the minute they were born, were destined for greatness. For example, in 1500 A.D. a baby was born that everyone expected great things from. His name was Charles. His father was Duke Philip, his mother was Joanna, the daughter of Queen Ferdinand of Spain, and he belonged to the famous Hapsburg family who ruled the German Empire. So when Charles was only a day old, he was a very powerful and famous person. On the day he was born, he became the future ruler of part of France, most of Germany, some of Italy, and all of Spain. This Charles became Charles V, one of the most powerful rulers in Europe. But this did not surprise anyone, because ever since his birth everyone expected him to become great.

There was another baby who was destined for greatness the moment he was born. When Jesus was born of Mary, not only did the world know that he was going to be great, but the world also knew many of the details of his life. That is because God caused these details to be recorded in the Old Testament.

There are incredible differences between Jesus and Charles. Charles was born into wealth; Jesus was born into poverty. Charles’ parents were powerful; Mary and Joseph were simple. Charles was born in a palace; Jesus was born in a stable. Charles’ birth was announced to the rulers of the world; Jesus’ birth was announced to shepherds. Charles was wrapped in fine silk; Jesus was wrapped in plain cloth. Charles was greeted by important people; Jesus was greeted by animals in a manger. Charles was born into safety; Jesus had to flee to Egypt. 

Charles ruled by might; Jesus ruled by example. Charles was born in a famous city; Jesus was born in a small village. Charles lived in opulence and splendor; Jesus lived in poverty without a permanent home. Charles was surrounded by servants; Jesus came to serve. Charles died rich and famous; Jesus died as a criminal. Charles was born to rule; Jesus was born to die. Charles died for himself; Jesus died for you and for me.

But beyond all of these comparisons, there is one that must be stressed above all others. Charles is dead; Jesus is ALIVE! This is the perfect time of year to recall the full meaning and significance of Jesus’ birth. Let me encourage you to ask yourself a crucially important question. This Jesus is more than a baby; he is a king. And because he is a king, he demands our allegiance. Have you come under the kingdom of Jesus Christ? If not, it is a simple thing to do. 

First, acknowledge that you are a sinner and in need of a savior. Second, ask Jesus Christ to become your Savior and King, and place your faith in him who died in your place. Third, thank him for what he has done in dying for you. And finally, live for him and joyfully submit yourself to his rule and dominion. If you do, this will become the best Christmas of your life!

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

It’s very strange, especially the week before Christmas, to consider the content of the verse cited above. After all, Christmas should bring us joyful thoughts. It’s supposed to be the most joyous time of the year! Why think of a verse that reminds us of our inborn wickedness, our bent toward evil? Those were the thoughts I dealt with as I meditated on the above verse this past week. 

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Christmas joy is magnified to an even greater degree if we understand why it was necessary. And further, our joy is intensified as we realize that God did not have to do what he did to rescue us from the wickedness and evil of our hearts. That’s a staggering thought. 

You see, if we take God at his word, then he knows better than we do that every part of our hearts, our intentions and our thoughts are evil; not some of the time, but all of the time. In that light, why would a perfectly holy God devise a plan in eternity past to set in motion a series of events for the purpose of rescuing those whose hearts are continually wretched, wicked, worthless and vile? 

Well, I believe the answer to that question is found, at least in part, in Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prayed, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You.” 

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ birth was part of the eternal and predetermined plan of God. The purpose of his birth was so that he might become a man and live a holy and sinless life, thereby making him the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind. But, according to Jesus’ prayer, what was the purpose of his sinless life and death? Well, the purpose his birth, death and resurrection was for the glory of the Father; “…glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify You.” So the birth of Christ was for the purpose of bringing a sinless sacrifice to the cross in order to glorify the Father. Thus, the cross was all about God’s glory and not primarily man’s salvation. Yet having said that, we must not forget that whenever God works for his glory it is always for the good of man. 

I don’t know about you, but my joy at Christmas is way over the top when I consider the wickedness and evil of my heart and the birth of the One who acted for the Father’s glory in making a way for the salvation of lost sinners. As Christmas Eve approaches, would you take a minute to consider that the birth of Christ is part of God’s redemptive plan for you? If that does not bring you joy, I am not sure what will!

“Because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord …I also have heard you” (II Kings 22:19).

One of the many lessons I have learned about the Lord is that if he does anything well, it’s that he forgives us when we mess up. That’s just another way of saying that the Lord longs to show us grace, to forgive us when we sin against him. Anyone who desires to walk closely with Christ comes to realize that, among other things, God is truly a forgiving God. I count on that every day.

Yet as much as God longs to pour out forgiving grace upon us, his grace does not come without the necessary heart attitude on our part. That’s where the passage cited above speaks to each of us. I see two key words in the verse, words that set the tone for us to be on the receiving end of God’s forgiveness. Take a look.

The first word is “penitent.” In the original language, the word means “soft, weak or tender.” In other words, one thing the Lord looks for as we seek his forgiveness is the degree to which our hearts are not hard, defensive, closed or otherwise rebellious against him. Can you see that such attitudes preclude God’s forgiveness? He wants us to be soft towards him as we come to him to be forgiven.  

But note as well the word “humbled.” It means “to be subdued or brought low.” That’s simply suggests that a proud or haughty spirit does not find itself on the receiving end of forgiving grace. Put all of that together now. The verse tells us that God hears us when we have soft and subdued hearts as we seek his forgiving grace.

Let’s now make that practical for us. My guess is that many of us have something for which God’s forgiving grace is needed. And further, you may not have evidenced the attitudes of heart that God listens for as it relates to being on the receiving end of his forgiveness. As a result, you may find yourself sensing a degree of distance from God. What can you do to restore the close fellowship with God that he desires?

The answer is contained in the verse cited above. First, check your heart. In other words, make certain that your heart is soft and responsive to the Lord and what you know to be right. Don’t be defensive or rebellious. Let that go! Second, go to the Lord with genuine humility and lowliness of spirit. Such a posture on our part guarantees a listening ear on his part. 

I don’t know about you, but my spirit is always unsettled when there is something that I know I should take to the Lord, yet delay in doing so. If that describes you, act now. Check your heart and make the necessary adjustments so that the Lord might say to you, “I also have heard you.”

“How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (I Kings 18:21).

The above question was posed by the Prophet Elijah to all the leaders of Israel. It’s hard to imagine a more devastating question posed to a rebellious king and his people. Yet the question needed to be asked. Immediately following his question, Elijah summoned all the priests of Baal to the top of Mount Carmel, where the Lord showed the entire nation and its leaders that he was the true God, not the image of Baal they had been worshipping. God took extraordinary means to prove himself to his people.

As I have considered Elijah’s question, it struck me that what he asked many centuries ago is equally relevant in our day. Let me explain. There is barely a week that passes without my interacting with someone who seems to be “limping between two opinions.” In our day, the two competing opinions may not be the Lord God and Baal, but rather between following Christ or embracing the values and mindset of the world. There is a sense in which we all are dealing with “two different opinions.” The question is not whether they exist, but rather which one we follow.

Now as I have thought about Elijah’s question, there is one word that struck me. It’s the word “limping.” I think the prophet used that word for a specific purpose. In the original language, the word means to be lame or to move in a halting manner. Thus, there is something unhealthy about the individual who seeks to entertain Christ and the world at the same time. Walking the line between Christ and the world makes one unhealthy and halting. Jesus put it another way when he said that a man cannot serve two masters. It’s the same idea.  

Here now is where this applies to each of us on a day in and day out basis. I am certain that if we were totally honest, each of us could identify areas in our lives where we are not following Christ as closely as we know we should. We’ve made compromises of one sort and to one degree or another. It’s our everyday battle, the never-ending contrast between our old nature and our new. Yet Elijah framed it for what it is. We say we love Christ, but do we live accordingly? Do we limp along as Christians because we are drawn by the lame allure of the world? 

What I find quite interesting is how the people responded to his question. The end of verse 21 reads, “And the people did not answer him a word.” They knew they were wrong. They had no answer. They knew that Baal had consumed them, not the Lord God. They were speechless. Are you? Are you limping along as a Christian because you are seeking to entertain two “opinions” - the Lord’s and Baal?

“What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it?” (Isaiah 5:4)

In the above verse, God through the prophet Isaiah asked each of us as Christians a very important question. What he asked is this: “I have blessed you in every imaginable way; what else can I do for you to show you my love?” Later in the same verse he said, “When I looked for it (my vineyard—the people of Israel) to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?”        

The Apostle Paul put it another way when he said in the first chapter of Ephesians, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Do you see it? There is literally nothing more God can do for us than what he has already done in sending Christ to the cross.        

Let me show you what Paul told the Colossian believers regarding what the cross brought to them. He said that they were “delivered from the domain of darkness, transferred to the kingdom of light, redeemed, forgiven, reconciled to God, presented holy and blameless before God, firmly rooted and grounded in him, built up in him, made complete in him, buried with him in baptism, and made alive in him, having the certificate of death cancelled.” Can you think of anything that is left out of the list of incredible things God has done for us?        

Paul went on to pray that the Colossians would “be filled with the knowledge of his will, walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bear fruit in good works, increase in the knowledge of God, receive strength with all power, and attain to all steadfastness.” I think it is clear that when God does something, he goes all the way and leaves nothing undone.       

How does this apply in our day? I speak regularly with Christians who struggle in various areas of life; and in some measure, they struggle because they are not familiar with all that God has already done for them, and lack thankfulness for his actions on their part. Can you imagine how different our lives would be if we lived in light of what God has already accomplished on our behalf, as well as if we demonstrated a continual spirit of thankfulness? We would focus on his greatness as opposed to our weakness, on his glory and not our sin, on his power and not our fear, on his sovereignty and not our selfishness, on his purposes and not our pride, on his security and not our uncertainties. A life that focuses on the cross represents a life that is lived above the trivial things that sap our vitality for Christ and his kingdom. Such a life is a continual concert of thanksgiving for God’s goodness and blessings.      

When we understand that all the purposes of God were realized in his Son Jesus Christ, and we live in light of his sufficiency in every area of life, we can answer Isaiah’s question with one word. “What more was there for me to do for you?”        

Nothing; absolutely nothing. Thank you, God for your indescribable gift!

“Do not take to heart all the things that people say. Your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others” (Ecclesiastes 7:21).

I think you would agree that there are words that heal, as well as words that wound. Each of us has been on the receiving end of both. Yet the funny thing is, at least this is my observation, we tend to have a shorter memory for healing words than we do for wounding words. Sadly, I think we are wired that way.

One of my most frequent conversations with people centers on words that resulted in pain, confusion, anger, or feelings of rejection. We all know how devastating words can be. The Apostle James put it well when he wrote, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6).

Now with those thoughts in mind, I want you to consider what characterizes the bulk and content of your words. Do your words heal or wound? I often find myself speaking words that are not as healing as I might like them to be. My guess is that it’s the same for you. So what can we do about it?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is to ask the Lord to help us monitor what’s in our hearts, because whatever dominates our hearts will eventually flow out of our mouths. That is to say that our words are a fairly accurate barometer of our hearts. So if you find yourself speaking wounding words, the first thing to do is to check your heart. Be open and honest before the Lord, asking him to heal your attitude, thereby enabling you to speak healing words. 

The second thing that comes to mind after checking our hearts is to check our humility. I think you would agree that in many instances wounding words are fueled by selfishness (motivated by pride). When we criticize, condemn, judge or in some other way speak ill of someone, are we not generally speaking out of a spirit of superiority which reflects pride on our part?

Then finally (this may be the hardest part) if need be, go to someone you have wounded recently with your words and ask for forgiveness. Conversely, if someone asks your forgiveness for wounding words spoken against you, forgive them without reservation. If God readily forgives us, why would we hesitate to be equally quick to forgive others? My goal this week is to grow in my desire and ability to speak words that heal, not wound. And further, in Solomon’s own words I plan to “not take to heart all the things that people say.”  Sound advice, would you agree?

“And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go well with him through the days of his life that God has given him…” (Ecclesiastes 8:15).

Joy is an elusive commodity in our day. The primary reason is that most people pursue happiness in place of joy. It only makes sense that pursuing the wrong thing generally brings the wrong outcome. In that light, it is crucial to understand that joy and happiness are not the same things. Happiness can be fleeting, shallow and man-made. True joy on the other hand is substantial, deep, and flows ultimately from God. 

Now the word joy is found 179 times in the Bible. As it relates to the use of the word in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul incorporated the word into many of his letters. But what’s interesting is that most of the times he used the word, he linked it with something related to God. In various places, Paul linked joy with prayer, faith, the Holy Spirit, hope, glory, love and thanksgiving. I think there is a lesson in that for all of us to consider, especially in light of what King Solomon wrote about joy in the verse cited above. 

I believe the truth that Solomon wished to get across, in combination with the way the Apostle Paul used the word, is this: joy must be pursued. And further, it’s possible to possess joy throughout life because ultimately joy is not found in the shallow pursuit of happiness, but rather in the deep and lasting person of God. Simply put, lifelong joy is found in a lifelong pursuit of God. 

In that light, let me ask you to consider what you are presently looking to for joy? If you are seeking joy in the absence of trials or challenges, in the possession of things, or in fleeting pleasures, you are destined to fail. You see, according to Solomon, happiness departs, but joy endures. 

Listen again to Solomon’s words: “Man has no good thing under the sun but to be joyful.” It’s hard to miss his point. We are built by God to pursue joy. He intends for us to pursue joy. It is his will and desire that we be joyful through all the days of our lives. Nothing else matters; nothing else lasts. Nothing else satisfies the craving of our hearts that God built into us. 

So the question for all of us is this. Are we pursuing joy in our pursuit of God? If so, we are destined to find it because God wants us to be joyful. He commends us to joy all the days of our lives. However, if we are pursuing happiness instead of joy, we are destined to be disappointed. God has given us life; and further, God has given us a worthy pursuit, joy. Find it in him and nothing else. You won’t be disappointed because God guarantees it!

“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133).

I wonder if you have ever considered how many times the Lord has acted in a manner that has prevented you from sinning against him. I’ve come to the place of seeing that God is so interested in the testimony of our lives that he will act to remove us from situations and circumstances that increase the potential for bad choices on our part. We may sense it at the moment, or come to realize it at a later date. Yes, God intervenes at times to keep us from sinning.

Now with that thought in mind, pay attention to the words of the psalmist. He made two direct requests. First he asked the Lord to “steady” his steps. The word “steady” means to fix, establish or arrange. Thus the psalmist is asking that the Lord arrange his steps so that he might walk aright. Further, note the words “iniquity” and “dominion.” Iniquity refers to wickedness; dominion refers to mastery. The psalmist is asking that wickedness not have mastery over him. So with all of that as background, the question arises, how does this apply to you and to me?

I think the answer to that is relatively simple. Do you build into your regular prayer time specific requests that the Lord arrange your steps so that you do not become mastered by wickedness? If the psalmist prayed it, why would we not do the same? That thought leads me to wonder the degree to which my life might better reflect the abiding presence of Christ if I had prayed in that manner.

Here is what I suggest you do in light of Psalm 119:133. First, ask God to identify (my guess is that you already know) areas in your life that grieve him. Be transparent and willing to listen as the Holy Spirit brings these things to mind for you. Then ask God to not only give you the desire, but the strength to avoid that which you know to be wrong. Finally, as you sense his power to flee from sin, ask him to be intentional and active in preventing you from going back there.

I know of no other way to break free from destructive patterns of behavior that we know to be wrong. Being mastered by wickedness is not a good thing. Steady and established steps are needed to break free from such patterns of living.

There is one last thing to consider as you incorporate such praying into your routine. Expect results! You see, if godly living glorifies God, and we pray for the resources to live in a Godly manner, then in essence we are praying that our lives glorify God. And further, if what is most important to God is his glory, then we should expect his power, thereby enabling us to possess steady steps accompanied by freedom from iniquity. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God commands what he wills and wills what he commands?

“I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

Have you ever considered the fact that God is a perfectionist? Everything he does is perfect because he is perfect. His creation, his works, his word, his salvation and his acts in the lives of his people are all perfect. And further, as Solomon tells us in the passage cited above, once God acts, there is nothing to add to or take away from it. How different from you and me!

Now as it relates to God’s perfection, it applies to both his character and his actions. No doubt, any discussion of the perfection of God’s character takes on a deep theological tone. Frankly, it is very difficult for us to wrap our minds around the absolute perfection of God. Who can comprehend it?

But the same cannot be said about the perfection of God’s actions. I believe we are better able to understand and more importantly, grasp the concept of God always acting perfectly in our lives. The reason why we can grasp it is that God intends for it to bring us great comfort. Let me explain.

Few of us would argue with the absolute sovereignty of God over every aspect of our lives. The psalmist put it well; “Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the deeps” (Psalm 135:6). Thus, God is not dependent to any degree on the choices of his creation to dictate or influence his actions. In other words, he does whatever he pleases; and whatever he does is perfect. Put all of that together now and see if it does not bring comfort to you.

Is there something going on in your life at present that’s causing you a measure of discomfort, confusion or anxiety? And further, can you identify it as something flowing from God’s hand as opposed to the consequences of your own actions? The range of possibilities is endless.

Now with that thought in mind, can you see that whatever is going on in your life, whether it’s a recent or a longstanding issue, is there precisely because the Lord “does as he pleases” and further, that it is perfect in every respect? There is nothing to add to or take away from it.

So if this is a season of difficulty for you, simply remember that God is sovereign and his actions are perfect. Don’t try to fight God’s sovereignty or add to his actions. You will lose. Our task is to accept his actions and rest in his providence. After all, how can you do better than perfection?

“I will walk with integrity of heart within my house” (Psalm 101:2).

Over the years I’ve come to see that the surest reflection of my devotion to Christ and the truest measure of my desire for personal holiness is manifested not in the public arena, but rather in the secret places of my life. In other words, who I am in private is the most accurate barometer of my devotion to Jesus Christ.

The above passage of scripture caught my attention earlier this week. Frankly, I can’t get it out of my mind. It speaks of David’s longing to be consistent in all areas of his life: public and private, open and secret. Consider the verse with me for a moment.

There are two words David used that speak of private or hidden places. The words “heart” and “house” suggest places that have restricted access. Only a select few know what’s going on in your home, and even fewer people (you and God) know what the condition of your heart is. Do you catch David’s intent? He’s making a commitment before the Lord that those who are close to him see integrity in all of his actions. And further, in referencing his heart he’s telling the Lord that he wants the most secret places of his life to be characterized by holiness. Wow, that speaks to me.

Be honest. We’re experts at putting on a show of how “spiritual” we are. I had a conversation with someone two weeks ago that was very one-sided. He did the talking. All he talked about was how active he was in spiritual pursuits. I’m certainly not in a position to judge him, nor would I. But at the same time I found myself wondering what his “heart” and “house” were like. You see, the sad truth is that far too many Christians are overtly spiritual at church yet secretly sinful at home and or in their hearts. These are painful things to consider, but true nonetheless.

The Bible tells us clearly that God judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  He’s primarily interested in holiness in the secret places of our lives. How are you doing in this regard? This is a tough question, but one I believe every Christian must answer if we’re to be honest in our relationship with Christ.

Here’s what I’m learning to do. As I spend time alone with the Lord, I ask Him to show me any areas in which my house and heart lack integrity. Then, just as David prayed, I ask the Lord to empower me live a life of holiness and integrity. It’s no easy task, yet one that God longs for us to undertake. How’s your house and heart today?

“How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land…?” (Joshua 18:3).

One of the most important lessons we can learn as Christians is that delayed obedience is a form of disobedience. With that thought in mind, let me set the context of the verse cited above and make it practical for us in our day.

The first two verses of Joshua 18 make it clear that God had worked in the midst of his people to “subdue the land that was before them.” In other words, the land was ready for the Hebrew people to dwell in. Now I am not sure why they hesitated. All we know from the text is that Joshua gathered them and asked the question contained in verse three. He then went on to outline a plan they could follow, thereby enabling them to take possession of the land. We know that they followed his advice and subsequently dwelt in the land. 

Now with that narrative in mind, I can’t help but wonder if there are times when we “put off going…” I’m guessing that there times when we sense we are to act in one way or another, yet we put off doing what we know to be right. I know that applies to a variety of situations, and perhaps applies in some way for you right now. Let me give you some examples.

From time to time I hear someone say something like this; “I know I should talk to that person about God; I know I should apologize; I know I should not hold that grudge; I know I need to be more consistent; I know the way I talk can be offensive; I know God is asking me to submit; I know………” The list is endless.

I’m sure that the people in Joshua’s day knew they should enter the land. The text tells us that the “whole congregation of Israel assembled… the land lay subdued before them.” In other words, at the time they gathered, they knew the land was theirs. Yet they hesitated to enter it until Joshua challenged them and outlined a course of action for them to follow. As a result of following Joshua’s suggestion, they were blessed.

Can you see that the same principle applies for each of us? In God’s way of working, obedience results in blessing. God always honors obedience. That’s the consistent record of the Bible. When we obey, God acts for our good. When we disobey (delayed obedience), there are always consequences.

In that light, let me ask you if there is an area in your life in which you are guilty of delayed obedience. If so, my counsel to you is quite simple; obey. Don’t rationalize why you have not done so. I’m sure you can come up with a million excuses. Don’t! Just obey! Don’t put it off any longer. God will be glorified and you will be blessed as you do so.

“When he had summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he sent a man ahead of them, Joseph. . .” (Psalm 105:16-17).

I think you would agree that the story of Joseph is one of the most riveting stories in all of the Old Testament. He is one of the few people in the entire Bible about whom nothing negative is said.

Now I assume you know the basics of his life. As a young man, he was sold into slavery by his brothers. He lived in Egypt where he came to be a very powerful man. Many years later, a severe famine caused his father Jacob to send his brothers (the same brothers who sold him into slavery) to travel to Egypt to purchase grain. At a strategic moment, Joseph revealed himself to them. The result was that his father and brothers and their households moved to Egypt, ultimately becoming slaves to a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph.

As I have considered his life, the verse cited above really speaks to me. I am blessed and encouraged by the phrase, “he sent a man ahead of them.” There is so much for us to learn from that. Here is what I mean.

It appears that the Lord brought about the famine as noted in the first part of the verse; “When he had summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread.” But note as well that in the same verse we read, “He sent a man ahead of them.” The only way to interpret that is that at the same time God brought about the famine, he planted the seeds for their deliverance. There is a tremendous amount of comfort in that for us I believe.

Let me explain. I spend a significant amount of time talking with you one on one each week. As you describe the challenges you face, (the variety of issues that enter our lives is endless) is it not of great comfort to know that the sovereign God who brings about the challenges we face at the same time provides the deliverance we seek? Thus, he has the end in mind when he providentially allows the faith-stretching challenges we face.

Let’s make that observation very practical. Identify the biggest faith stretcher in your life today. As you identify it, how does it change your thinking to know that God’s deliverance is already “ahead of you” just as it was for Jacob and his sons? In a practical sense that means that when the need arises to exercise faith, the end product of our faith is already in place. The Apostle Paul put it this way; “God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape.”

When the famine arose, God had already planned their deliverance. When Joseph was a slave in prison, God had planned his deliverance. There will never be a time when God has not sent someone or something “ahead of you.” Is that awesome or what?!

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

I had an interesting experience this past weekend, something unexpected and unplanned. It spoke to my heart and reminded me of the verse cited above. Let me explain.

On Saturday afternoon Ruth and I took two of our grandchildren swimming at the Y. After we were done, my grandson and I were sitting outside the weight room as we waited for the others to finish changing. As we were sitting there, I watched an elderly gentleman, easily in his 80s, climb the stairs. He had a tough time doing so. He walked over to the door of the weight room, near where we were sitting. Quite spontaneously we made eye contact and he said to me, “Young man, never give up; you can’t afford to quit.” I watched him struggle a bit to get the door open. I watched him as he sat at one of the machines and how he strained to push the weights a fraction of the distance the exercise machine would permit.

Can I tell you; I don’t know this gentleman, but his words and his actions spoke to me on a deep level. Simply put, he refuses to allow the infirmities of age get in the way of doing what he can to remain active and vibrant. I got to wondering if we as followers of Jesus Christ maintain the same attitude toward the spiritual activities and pursuits God calls us to.

Here is how this applies to you and to me. I talk with far too many tired Christians. I am referring to believers in Jesus Christ who feel they are too busy, too tired, too stretched, too fragile or too fatigued to model what Paul said in Acts 20:24; “If only I may finish my course.” 

Now to be sure, there are not many like Paul among us. I am aware of that. Yet all of us have been given salvation for a purpose, and that purpose is to magnify the name of Jesus Christ as we speak his name to those who are headed to an eternity separated from God. In that light, there is simply no place in God’s economy to coast, to retire or to slack off. No matter how much you have been involved in ministry, served the church or reached out to those in need, there is no place to retire. In that light, I must ask you to examine the degree to which you are committed to “finishing your course.”

My friend at the Y was limited in what he could do, but he never stopped trying. I watched him as he strained at the weight machine. Friends, his comment “Never give up; can’t afford to quit” applies to all of us, but particularly to those to whom the gift of eternal life has been given. Have you given up or are you committed to finishing your course?

“They received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

The 17th chapter of the book of Acts portrays the stunning difference between two groups of people. One group was intent on maintaining their traditions, while the other group was intent on seeking the truth. There is a difference. Let me explain.

Acts chapter 17 describes two locations that Paul visited, following his stay in Philippi, where he saw the birth of the first church in Europe. After he left Philippi, his first stop was in Thessalonica. As was his custom, he entered the synagogue and “reasoned with them from the scriptures.” The text tells us that some became Christians, along with a great many Greeks and “leading women.” Shortly after that, we learn that “the Jews were jealous and formed a mob.”  As a result of the uproar they caused, Paul and Silas were forced to flee the city.

After fleeing from Thessalonica, they travelled to Berea where they repeated their pattern of attending the synagogue. The text tells us in verse 11 that “these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” What a contrast between how the Jews responded in Thessalonica compared to how they responded in Berea! Paul used the scriptures in Thessalonica, but was rejected. In Berea, they examined the scriptures daily to verify the truth of what Paul was saying.

Now you may be wondering how this applies to us in our day. Well, it should come as no surprise to you that we are just as tradition bound as were the Jews in Thessalonica. You see, they were more interested in maintaining tradition than in seeking the truth. I see examples of this all around.

Two weeks ago, I received a call from a person new to Wausau. They had several questions about the church and what our Sunday services include. This individual was quite direct and forthcoming in expressing their concern that we do not incorporate several things into our Sunday services that they had been accustomed to in their previous church. When I asked why they felt so strongly about the practices they were accustomed to, it became apparent that tradition was the driving force, tradition as opposed to examining the scriptures to determine if such practices were truly edifying or not. We had an interesting conversation to say the least. I concluded by suggesting that there are likely other churches in town that might be a better fit.

Was I wrong? I think not. You see no matter our preferences or the traditions we have become accustomed to, as followers of Christ we must always adopt the posture of the Berean Jews who “received the word with all eagerness, and examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Truth as opposed to tradition is always the safe path, would you agree?

“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent” (Revelation 2:21).

The words “repent” or “repentance” appears a total of 55 times in the Old and New Testament combined. When the Hebrew and the Greek meanings are united, the words mean to change one’s mind, to turn back from or to return to something. Thus, to repent signifies a change of mind and a change in direction. In the context of the verse cited above, the text is telling the church in Thyatira that it’s tolerance of false teaching and sinful behavior is something from which it must repent. It must stop thinking and acting in a sinful manner.

I believe that the definition of repentance and the example given in the book of Revelation have immediate and direct implications for each of us. Let me explain what I mean. Seldom a week goes by that I don’t sit with someone who regrets words, actions and thoughts that grieve them and from which they desire to repent. In some instances, the stories they share represent life-long struggles with certain issues that represent sin in their lives. Now the good news is that their awareness of the sin and the degree to which they regret it signifies that their conscience has not become hardened or callous toward what they know to be right. The bad news is that they have not been able to repent and break free from the thoughts and actions that have been troubling them for so long.

Now apply that to the verse cited above. It appears that God is longsuffering and patient toward us when we are entangled in a pattern of sin from which we know we should repent. The verse makes that clear as John wrote; “I gave her time to repent.” However, we must never take the patience and mercy of God for granted. From cover to cover the Bible tells us that God hates sin and will act against those who refuse to repent. Later in the same chapter John wrote; “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” Thus, God is indeed patient toward our sin; yet his patience must never be taken for granted. That’s a very dangerous place to be.

How then does this become practical for us? Well, it’s hard for me to imagine that of the hundreds of you reading this, there are not some for whom the issue of repentance is very troubling. You know that God has been prompting you to turn back, to change your mind about something. Yet it has not happened yet. Friends, that’s a double danger. First, the sin continues; and second, you are trashing the mercy and patience of God. Frankly, I’m fearful on your behalf. What to do?

Well, in another place John wrote; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” In that light, the first step is confession. Get clean before God. Once so cleansed, the next step is to ask God to grant you the desire to turn from that which you know to be wrong.  Tell someone if need be. Solicit the support of a close friend. Then by God’s grace, (step by step) take the necessary actions to remove yourself from the patterns of thought and behaviors that you have just confessed to be sin. God is faithful and will grant you all you need to stay strong in that regard. Later on John wrote; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Sprit says…”  I wonder. Are you listening?

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

Life was hard in Paul’s day. The “modern conveniences” we enjoy were nonexistent in the first century world. Added to the daily struggles they faced were the additional hostilities they endured as followers of Christ. After all, embracing the teaching of a dead man, one who was crucified, came at a high cost. In contrast, we live in a pluralistic society, one in which everything is generally accepted as long we give equal tolerance to the views of others. Such was not the case for them.

It’s in that light that I am struck by the multiple times the Apostle Paul sought to “strengthen” those to whom he ministered. We see examples of this throughout the books and letters he wrote. But what caught my attention in the passage cited above is his focus on “endurance and patience with joy.” Let me explain what I mean.

The need to endure and be patient is generally associated with something unpleasant. We endure illness, hard times and the like. It’s necessary for us to have patience when things don’t go our way or when we must bear with something we dislike. So in general, the need for endurance and patience becomes necessary when something is not going as we would prefer. That’s an easy enough thing to understand.

But note in particular the way in which Paul linked patience and endurance with joy. From his perspective, endurance and patience should not come at the expense of joy. In other words, joy is possible during seasons of endurance and patience. It’s in that light that his words speak to each of us. Let me explain what I mean.

A good part of my week is spent interacting with you. As you share your prayer requests, as well as your hurts and sorrows, there is often a need for patience and endurance. That goes without saying. But what I have learned in many instances is that joy need not be sacrificed in the midst of the daily trials and challenges we face. How is that accomplished?

Well, it becomes a matter of focus I believe. One can focus on the reasons why endurance is called for, or on the reality of God’s promises and the deep trust they create. You see, whatever we are enduring at any given moment does not compare with the certainty of God’s promises and the trust that flows from them. So if you find yourself needing endurance and patience, the thing to do is to direct your attention to God’s many promises. As you do so, I’m certain that your joy will be restored. Try it. It works. Patience and endurance with joy is possible!

“And God said...” (Genesis 1).

The other night I had the pleasure of listening to my almost three-year-old granddaughter recite Genesis 1:1. Her parents have started her memorizing scripture and it’s a joy to listen to her. Now for the most part she has it down, but more work is needed on verse one. Listening to her made me think that it’s been awhile since I went back to read the first chapter of Genesis. So when I got home that night, I took 20 minutes or so to read and re-read the chapter.

As I did so, I noticed the phrase “And God said”  a total of ten times in the chapter. As I meditated on that observation, a number of thoughts came to mind. However, at the forefront of my thoughts was the realization (once again) that what God says, he does. God spoke and there was light, an expanse in the midst of the waters, dry ground, vegetation, lights in the heavens, living creatures, and on and on.

Now what struck me was not the awesome power of God over creation. That goes without saying. No; what struck me is that God is still speaking today. He speaks to his people through what he has already spoken in his word. And further, the power contained in God’s voice, which resulted in creation, has not diminished one bit. That is simply to say that what God says to us in his word is equally powerful to what he spoke over creation.

Now how does that apply to you and to me? Well, I think it applies in at least two ways. First, it applies to his promises. The Bible is filled with promises that God has made to his people, to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. My Bible is filled with highlighted passages that reflect his promises. The power of his spoken word over creation is identical to the power behind his promises. What he says he does. That thought should lend great comfort to the promises we cling to when life gets tough. When he says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” he means it!

But the second way this applies has to do with his commands. Again, the power of his spoken word over creation lends equal power and authority to his commands. This thought alone is very convicting. You see, the commands of God are predicated on his power and authority as creator of all things, as God of the universe. It’s one thing for a child to say, “Mom, give me a drink,” and quite another thing when God says, “I desire that in every place the men should pray…” (I Timothy 2:8).

Friends, what God has spoken is powerful. It resulted in the creation of the universe. But it also guarantees the fulfillment of his promises and validates the authority of his commands. May the words, “And God said”  speak to your heart as it did mine this past week.

“You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

In the midst of the Sadducees’ attempt to trick Jesus, he set them straight in a very direct and powerful fashion. He didn’t debate with them, attempt to appease them, or even try to make the differences between them appear less dramatic. He told them in a very straightforward manner that they were wrong. Yet, he went further as he indicated to them why they were wrong.

Their error was twofold. First, they did not know the scriptures; and second, they did not know the power of God. May these things never be said about Wausau Alliance Church, or any of us that are part of this church! Our foundation as a church is the Word of God, and our heritage lies in trusting in the power of God. This is who we are and what we stand upon.

This has direct application for each of us, especially in the world we live in today. The highest goal of many is that we might get along peacefully. There is certainly nothing wrong with pursuing peaceful relationships with those that cross our paths. However, peace at the expense of the truth is something else.

I speak with many of you who are engaged in meaningful discussions with your co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members. In many cases, you engage them in significant discussions regarding substantial issues. My counsel to you is simple. In love, speak the truth and point them to the power of God. Show them that the Bible is relevant today for all of the issues of life. And further, point them to God’s power and eager willingness to provide them with the resources (power) they need.

My interactions with people point me to the necessity of being a person of truth as well as a person of hope. The source of truth is the Bible, and the source of hope is God’s willingness and ability to meet all of our needs. As you and I become dispensers of truth and hope (God’s word and his power), we will be more likely to attract those around us to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden … let your light shine before others… so that they may give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Join me in being a dispenser of truth and a witness to God’s power. Our world desperately needs it!

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him…
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”
(Matthew 4:20, 22)

I’m impressed with the manner in which the disciples dropped what they were doing in response to Jesus’ call upon their lives. In this passage, we see the word “immediately” used twice. The word literally means “at once.”  I’m curious as to whether we act in the same manner when Jesus calls us.

If your house was on fire, or there was some type of threat to your life or that of your children, you would act at once, would you not? Of course you would. Yet do we act in the same manner when we sense God calling us to take action, minister to others, step out in faith, or join in what He is doing in our midst? I’m sorry to suggest that for some, the answer is no.

I speak with people regularly who wonder if God is calling them to take some action, or deal with something in their life or that of their family. In some instances, the person has been thinking about taking action for many months; yet because of various reasons, a delay has taken place. Can I suggest to you that delayed obedience is the same thing as disobedience? You see, when God calls or convicts us to move forward, no matter what the action might involve, he expects us to have the same response as the disciples who “immediately left their nets… Immediately left the boat… and followed Him.”

I am willing to guess that most of us have at least one area of life in which God has been speaking, asking us to step out in faith and move forward. Perhaps it’s a family issue, work-related, child concerns, a strained relationship, an area of personal accountability or even an issue surrounding secret sin that you know is displeasing the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect, so if you sense his calling, act immediately! His call guarantees that he will equip you with the courage, wisdom and resources you need to do so.

The Apostle Paul said it best: “No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (tried or challenged) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Do you catch what Paul is saying? God’s call to action means that he guarantees you the needed resources to act. In other words: “God, please tell me what to do and then empower me to do so.” Would you think this through and see what it means in your life? Let’s commit ourselves to be people who act immediately in response to God’s leading.

“And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15).

Over the years, the topic of waiting has come up frequently on the pages of this blog. There’s a reason for that. You see, you and I will never cease to find ourselves in seasons of waiting; and as I’ve said before, we don’t wait well, do we?

Well, as I meditated on the above verse this past week, I tried to put myself in Abraham’s place. As you know, God promised him a son, a land and a people. He was able to see the fulfillment of the first part of that promise in his lifetime. Yet the final parts of the promise (a land and a people) he never completely saw before he died. Thus, his wait was never rewarded with seeing the promises fulfilled. Yet in spite of not seeing firsthand the fulfillment of God’s promises, we read that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Here is what I take away from that observation. God’s faithfulness to his promises must never be gauged by whether we see the promise fulfilled or not. In other words, he is equally faithful regardless of the timing. That can be hard to swallow at times, and for this reason. I talk to people on a regular basis that are trusting in God’s promises. Their faith is not the issue. They truly believe that God will fulfill that which he has promised. Yet their faith is stretched when they are presented with the thought that the fulfillment of God’s promises may not be realized in their lifetime. That’s tough.

Let me give you several examples. I know people who have been praying for decades for family members who do not know Christ as their Savior. In some instances, (years after they are gone) the one they prayed for came to faith in Christ.  I know others who have been praying for years for ministry situations of one type or another. It’s said that two women prayed for the nation of Laos for 80 years before the gospel reached the most remote parts of that country. Both of those examples (and many more) make it plain that the faithfulness of God is not defined by the timing of his actions. Let me repeat that; the faithfulness of God is not defined by the timing of his actions.

In that light, let me ask you this question. What have you been praying for over the past year? What have you been praying for over the past decade or longer? From your perspective, has God been slow to respond? If that describes you to any degree, I have a word of encouragement for you. The Apostle Peter put it best; “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some counts slowness.”

Friend, God is faithful to his promises. You may not see it, but that does not change his faithfulness. Just like Abraham, may your trust in the faithfulness of God be counted to you as righteousness.

I heard from Greg this morning and the team is off to begin construction and Children's ministry this morning. Please pray for a fruitful time of ministry and for Angie's lost bag to arrive.

 “For you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance… that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).

One of my favorite places to visit is Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Michigan. I spent a good deal of time at the park during my undergraduate days at Northern Michigan University. Two weeks ago, Ruth and I had the opportunity to visit the park. As we walked on the rocks littering the shore of Lake Superior, my attention was drawn to the large and weather beaten trees along the shoreline. I can only imagine the decades of harsh weather they have endured, thereby making them strong and in a rugged way very beautiful.

As I thought about that, the question came to mind as to whether their strength, endurance and unique beauty would have been possible if they had not grown on the shores of Lake Superior, thereby exposing them to very harsh weather conditions. I wonder.  Can you see how that the same principle applies to you and me?

The Apostle James understood that endurance comes through testing. No doubt, he had lived through many tests of his faith. He came to recognize that testing constitutes the incubator for endurance. That is to say that life’s trials translate into strength, endurance and beauty such as I saw in the trees that caught my attention. How does this principle apply to the things you are facing right now?

Well as you know, I have been on sabbatical for the past month. I’ve been home barely 72 hours. In the space of those days, I’ve witnessed a family endure the grief of losing a son to death, as well as another family come to grips with the loss of an unborn child. I’ve prayed with several people who are facing significant health issues, counseled with those who are enduring considerable financial trials, as well as listened to several brothers and sisters share the suffering they are experiencing. These are no small things by any means. These constitute, in James’ words, “the testing of your faith.” Yet in each and every instance, I have sensed the faith of those undergoing such things. That is to say that their faith is resulting in the increase of their endurance. Who but God works in that manner?

Can I ask you to make this personal as you consider your situation? Friends, God promises his presence and strength during seasons of trial. And as you know, he always keeps his promises. I’ve witnessed it this past week.

My prayer for each of us is that the storms of life will serve to make us ruggedly enduring, as well as faithfully strong and beautiful as the testing of our faith produces in us that which only such testing can produce, God-exalting endurance. Next time you are in Marquette, Michigan take a walk along the shore of Lake Superior. Notice the trees; they have important lessons to teach us.

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

Can you identify a time in your life when you were tired, really tired? You know what I mean. I’m speaking of more than a lack of sleep but rather the type of tiredness that springs from physical, spiritual and emotional fatigue. I’ve been there on more than one occasion; that’s why Paul’s words to the Colossians speak to me.  

I note several things in Paul’s words that serve to encourage us during our times of fatigue. First, he notes that our strength is to be with “all power according to his glorious might.” The literal meaning of Paul’s words suggests that the measure of strength available to us is in comparison to God’s glory and might. When is the last time you tried to measure God’s glory and might? You get my point. What Paul is telling us is that God’s resources are available to us in proportion to his power and glory. Wow! 

The second thing he tells us is that the purpose of God’s power granted unto us is so that we might endure our present circumstances. Paul wants us to rely on God for however long our tiring circumstances last. Finally, the patience we display during tiring times is to be flavored with joy that flows from the certainty that it is God’s power that enables us to endure. I see in that a wonderful formula for survival during tiring times, don’t you? 

Now let’s make this practical. Are you tired? How tired are you? What circumstances have conspired to make you tired? Do you see any relief on the way? With these questions in mind there are several things to consider. 

Certainly one thing to take into consideration during tiring times is to seek ways to restore your strength. The gospels have several references to Jesus and his followers getting away for the purpose of restoring their strength. If such a season of rest is possible, by all means take advantage of it! 

Yet we have all knows times when such rest isn’t possible, at least not in the short term. This is where Paul’s words become applicable. Here’s how it works. Simply do the next thing that must be done, whatever it might be, in the power of God. Do it with joy as you rely on his strength. It’s amazing how ready God is to empower you to “do the next thing”. As we engage in our activities, while seeking a time to rest, we’ll begin to feel God’s strength and power working in us. The result is joy. Paul learned this lesson. You can also!

“Fight the good fight of faith.” (I Timothy 6:12)

No one typically goes looking for a fight. Yet I am certain that each of us at one time or another has found ourselves in a fight. Perhaps it was a fight of wills or maybe a fight to prove ourselves right. Power struggles often dissolve into fights. Family members fight, nations fight, cultures fight, and good and evil fight every minute of every day.

If you were raised as I was, you were taught that fighting is wrong. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to be gentle with one another; not to let the sun go down on our anger. Further, we are told that God’s leaders must not be contentious or quarrelsome. So what does Paul mean when he tells Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith”?

There are at least two things to keep in mind if we want to take Paul’s instructions to heart. First, we must understand that Satan’s chief target will always be our faith. He may use various tactics, yet it will always be our faith that will be at the center of his attacks. Why? Well, listen to a sampling of the things that are linked to faith: we have forgiveness and sanctification through faith (Acts 26:18); we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1); we walk by faith (II Corinthians 5:7); our blessings come by faith (Galatians 3:9); the Holy Spirit is ours by faith (Galatians 3:14); we are sons of God by faith (Galatians 3:26); we have access to God by faith (Ephesians 3:12); and we are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Do you get the picture? Everything we have from God is ours by faith. In fact, Habakkuk said, “The righteous shall live by his faith” and the writer of Hebrews said that without faith “it is impossible to please God.” Satan hates our faith.

But there is another reason why Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, and that is because it is truly a fight. You see, when the bottom falls out of our lives through sickness, family strife, financial threat, loneliness, persecution, overwhelming fear, rejection, or any number of other things, the easiest thing to do is waver in faith. We have all experienced this, have we not? Yet what God longs to hear, what brings him the greatest glory, is when we can tell him in the midst of Satan’s attack that we trust him, showing that our faith is steady.

Some of us are in the fight of our lives right now. Am I right? Paul said it would be a fight. Yet God longs to hear us tell him that we trust him. Can you do it? We are never in a stronger position that when we tell God that we trust him. Yes, it is a fight. Yes, it takes faith. And yes, God is pleased when we exercise faith in him because he is our exceeding joy. Let’s fight the fight of faith together!!

“All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).

Preaching through Mark 9 this past Sunday on the issue of faith raised some very practical questions for myself and for others. I received an email that expresses questions that I think many of us wrestle with regarding prayer and our faith. This person wrote: “I have NO problem believing and saying the statement, ‘Nothing is impossible with God, He CAN do anything.’  The thing is; I just don't know if he WILL do it. He isn't predictable.  I don't know when he'll answer a prayer and when he won't (in the way that I hope he will).  Is that not having faith?  Or is that just being realistic? This comes into play in prayer a lot. Sometimes I don't ask, not because I don't think he can or is incapable of doing it, but because I just don't think he will.  Or the things I have been praying for that haven't happened (like my mom's health, for example) have further confirmed these thoughts that while, yes, God can heal her, he just isn't.  I’m not sure if that is weak faith or not.”

While I realize this is a very difficult question, it is legimitate to ask and important to wrestle with. I have to admit that I have had very similar feelings regarding prayer and what exactly I am supposed to believe in. At times I have seen myself slip into a fatalistic mindset of thinking that God will do whatever he is going to do whether I pray or not. After clearly confessing these misunderstandings, I need to bring my complex and skeptical thoughts back to Scripture to see the simple, clear commands.

The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us to be absolutely persistent, to the point of being obnoxious in our asking. It was after the woman repeatedly asked that the Judge granted her requests. James says in James 4:2 that “you have not because you ask not.” Because Scripture is so clear about the fact that we are to ask no matter what, we cannot allow ourselves to begin disobeying Scripture by not asking!

We often get confused into thinking that we have to believe a certain way for our prayers to be effective, but let me tell you that I think the faith that we are to have is not faith in ourselves or faith in our ability to believe, but in God himself. Jesus taught us in the Garden of Gethsemane that our faith isn’t to be in HOW we pray, but in WHO we pray to. He prayed for God’s will to be done. That is faith - faith in God’s sovereignty, wisdom, justice, goodness, and providence! Personally I find a lot of freedom in knowing that I am to trust in WHO God is and not WHO I am and how I believe!

When we pray in faith, we tell God that we believe that he can do all things. To most of us, that isn’t where we have difficulty. That’s why in some ways the exercising of faith happens more after we ask than before! We exercise faith when we see God answer our prayers in ways that we wouldn’t necessarily prefer! The question we wrestle with then is this: Do we have the faith to just ask?!

Pastor Greg

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…” (Joshua 8:1)

What are you discouraged by today? What are you afraid of? The word “discouraged” appears 15 times in the Bible. In ten of those occurrences it is linked with the word “afraid.” So, it appears that fear in our lives often results in discouragement. I know that happens to me, and I assume it is present in your life as well.  

There are many things that we fear and that lead us to become discouraged. We fear death, health issues, financial problems, relational difficulties, failure, disaster, and being alone. I speak with people almost daily that are struggling with fear and discouragement. Yet when I hear God’s simple command to Joshua, I realize anew that ultimately it is God who is in the position to deal with our fears and discouragement. 

Joshua chapter 8 describes God’s command to Joshua following the nation’s defeat at Ai, which was due to the sin of one man. Of course they were fearful and discouraged; who wouldn’t be? Yet in a few simple words, God tells Joshua, “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged… for I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai…” Many of us read that and think, “It can’t be that easy, can it?” 

As I consider the sovereignty of God, his purposes in our lives, and his desire that we bring our needs to him for his supply, I see in a fresh way that it truly is that easy. We are never in a stronger place than when we realize that it is God and God alone who can handle our fears and encourage us with his power and presence during our times of discouragement. The Bible tells us that God keeps his promises, and that he will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to remain strong. The Bible tells us that at the time of our fear and discouragement, God will give us the strength to endure, as well as provide us a way out.

Can we learn to trust in a powerful and loving God during fearful and discouraging times, which we will all face? God does his best work when we are at our weakest point. What are your fears today? Release them to a faithful God and get ready to see the demonstration of his power in your life.

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while’ … and they went away to a desolate place by themselves” (Mark 6:31-32).

Over the course of my years at the university, but especially over the course of my pastoral ministry, I have come to see the benefit (the necessity) of quiet time away from the busyness of ministering to a growing church. God has been exceedingly good to me in that regard.

As you know, I begin a four-week sabbatical following this morning’s service. Ruth and I plan to spend our time away from Wausau. Our intent is to rest, perhaps travel a bit, and generally spend quiet time together. The church’s initiative in encouraging us to do so is a huge blessing to us. We are grateful. And as we are away, it is also a comfort to me to know that you are in very good hands with Pastor Greg preaching over the next four weeks. You will be blessed.

As I enter this time of sabbatical, I am aware that busyness is often our fiercest enemy as it relates to deepening our relationship with the Lord. No doubt we are busy. And if I’m correct, most of you would suggest that you are way too busy. As a result, your time for prayer and feasting on God’s word suffers. The general press of life and all of its responsibilities comes at a cost, does it not? In that light, I began thinking of the cost of busyness. Here is what came to mind.

In no particular order, here are some of the things I’ve learned as well as heard from others regarding the cost of busyness. Busyness costs us sleep, peace of mind, physical energy, patience, joy, time to think, time with others, as well as the simple pleasure of “taking life in.” When put in those terms, busyness costs.

Now I know that you may not be in a position to enjoy a season of freedom from the busyness of life. Yet one of the lessons I’ve learned is that we are as busy as we want to be. That’s simply another way of saying that we make conscious choices that keep us busy. Am I right? 

If you identify with some of the costs of busyness I spoke of, let me encourage you to consider something. Fifteen minutes of quiet is surely something everyone can find during the day. Frankly, if you say that’s impossible, I am very concerned for you. Here is what I suggest. Pray for it. Plan for it. Protect it. Prize it, and then do it!  Don’t wait till you feel you have time. Rather, make the time. God will make his presence known to you in a fresh way as you set aside time with him as a priority in your day. Who knows; fifteen minutes might stretch into????  During my time away, I will be praying daily for you; praying that busyness lessens as your heart deepens with Christ.

“But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind” (Job 23:13-14).

There are few topics that engender greater discussion than the absolute sovereignty of God. I believe there is something deeply imbedded in our DNA that wants us to value our sovereignty over what the scriptures tell us about God’s sovereignty. Yet, the Bible is clear and unmistakable in ascribing absolute sovereignty to God. It’s in that light that Job came to write what he did about God’s sovereignty.

I don’t need to re-tell Job’s story. In the 42 chapters of the book of Job, his trials, faith journey, and ultimate release from pain and suffering are well described. If you were to examine my Bible, you would find more passages highlighted in Job than in any other book of the Bible. I have feasted on Job over the years, not so much because I have shared his depth of pain, but rather because of the way he responded as the sovereignty of God, in the form of pain, unfolded in his life. It was Job’s experience of pain that brought him to the place of embracing the sovereignty of God over everything, and especially over the challenges he faced. He came to the place of losing everything, yet at the same time he wrote, “He will complete what he appoints for me.”

It’s in that light that I want to ask you this question. Is God in the process of completing something that he has appointed for you, and surrounding which you currently find yourself, in a time of deep challenge? I know that to be the case for some of you as we have prayed and cried and searched the scriptures together. Further, I know that such things may be in your future based on what Job said at the end of the passage; “Many such things are in his mind.”

If you find yourself currently in a time of confusion, pain and uncertainty, would you let the sovereignty of God do what he intends for it to accomplish; that being to bring comfort and peace into the midst of your pain. We are never in a stronger position than when we are able to tell God that we trust him in the midst of the storms of life. There is never a time when God is more glorified or pleased than when we submit to his sovereignty as opposed to fighting against it (as if we could change his plans). Job said God is unchangeable, that he accomplishes whatever he desires. That includes the circumstances he sovereignly weaves together to bring us to the place of joining with Job in saying, “What he desires, that he does.”

I don’t know how that plays out in your life. I’ve seen it at work in mine, and I am deeply grateful that what he appoints for me, he will surely complete.

“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose”
(I Corinthians 12:18).

June is “Volunteer Appreciation Month.” During the month of June, we set aside time each Sunday to express our appreciation for the many wonderful people who volunteer their time to serve us as a church. It is no understatement to suggest that without the volunteers we have, the ministry of the church would be severely hindered. Once again, let me express my deep appreciation to all of you who volunteer, no matter what area of ministry you are engaged in.

In that light, I was particularly blessed (to the point of tears) as I watched more than 100 kids enter the building each morning this past week for Vacation Bible School.  The enthusiasm on their faces was contagious. At the same time, however, I thought of the 50 plus volunteers who devoted every morning this past week to serving in VBS. That’s where the passage of scripture quoted above speaks to me.

You see, God is interested in our service. As such, he has “arranged” us so that we fit perfectly into his body in order to serve his people. The word “arranged” has a particular meaning. It means that God has individually placed each person for a specific purpose (serving). I like that. It suggests that God has taken the initiative in preparing us for specific areas of serving, with no one area of service more important than another, because we are all members of the same body.

Now how does this apply to you? Well, I think you can see that the passage applies to all of God’s people in that we are all meant to serve because God has “arranged” it to be so. More directly, serving is not an option because God is the “arranger.”

That observation leads to a question that applies to each of us. Are you serving? The manner of service you engage in is not as crucial as the fact that you are sensing that God has purposed you to do so. Thus, serving benefits you perhaps more than those you serve; because when we follow through with how God has arranged us, we receive his favor and blessing.

The principle involved in all of this is simple; serve! There is always room to serve God’s people both inside and outside the church. The benefits of serving are twofold. You are blessed and others are ministered to. God has arranged it to be so.

Here is what I would ask you to do. First, if you are not serving, ask yourself why. There is a reason, and upon reflection you will likely learn that it is not a valid reason. Second, if you are serving, enjoy the blessings that God brings to you as you give of yourself to others. It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive, yet God has a wonderful way of richly blessings us as we sense that we have been “arranged” in the body to serve!

“You have put more joy in my heart than when the grain and wine abound” (Psalm 4:7).

Joy is an elusive commodity in our day. Would you agree? Somehow, over time we have confused happiness with joy. In the Bible these are not the same thing. The word “joy” as used in the scriptures means “gladness that comes from God.” I like that, for it says that joy is independent of circumstances because it originates with God as opposed to “grain and wine.”

Now any discussion of joy naturally leads to the question, “How’s your joy?” In other words, are you feeling God’s joy at this time or are you looking to external things to bring you a sense of gladness? In that light, what is it about God that brings us gladness? My response to that question is that the things God brings to us are far too long to list in a short space such as this.

I spent some time meditating on the things that God has done in my life to bring me joy. The list is long, but let me share the highlights. First, he saved me apart from any merit, ability, or power of my own. He took the initiative in seeing that I heard the gospel; and further, he enabled me to respond in faith. Second, he has been faithful to me ever since I came to faith in Christ. There has never been a time when I’ve felt alone, abandoned, or on my own. That does not mean there have not been difficult times. Rather, it means that no matter how difficult the circumstances may have been, there was never a time when I doubted God’s presence.

Third, he continually bears with my weakness. No matter how many times I mess up, his grace and mercy prevail. That astounds me because no one but me knows how much I mess up. And finally, he has given me a safe and secure future in his presence. There’s more to be sure, but those four things are joy producers, are they not?

Now with all of that in mind, I’m wondering how many of us are depending on things other than God for joy. We live in a culture that bombards us with the message that gladness and joy come from external things. Yet none of what has given me my greatest joy has come from externals. Rather, they have come from the inner blessings that only God produces, the things I identified above.

In light of these things, I would encourage you to take a look at your joy and the source from which you are seeking it. There are many things that bring happiness, but only God brings deep joy. And do you know the best thing about the joy he brings? He loves to make us joyful -- in him. Tell God this week that you long to feel the same joy David felt, the joy that surpasses the happiness that other things bring. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with happiness. But joy is deeper and less prone to weaken when its source is God.

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective… because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you”
(Philemon 4-7).

Big things often come in small packages. Such is surely the case as it relates to the Apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon. Although the letter is made up of only 25 verses, it contains much to learn and much to consider. As I studied the book this past week, I was particularly moved by verses four through seven. Paul expressed deep thankfulness for several things from which we might learn.

First, he noted that his prayers were filled with thankfulness because of the love and faith he knew existed in the church that met in the home of Apphia and Archippus. What a wonderful testimony to their maturity in Christ! This group of saints was acknowledged by Paul to be men and women of love and faith. If only such words might apply to all of God’s people. But there’s more.

Paul also took pains to mention the sharing of their faith, which is a natural byproduct of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s simply another way of saying that when a church is filled with love and faith, telling others about Christ comes about spontaneously. God’s people cannot help but speak of Christ when their hearts overflow with love and faith.

But note in particular the outcome of their faith, love and witnessing. We are told that “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.” I like that. What it suggests is that refreshed hearts are the result of doing what God expects of all Christians. That is, as we grow in faith and love, speaking freely of what Jesus has done in our lives, our hearts benefit; our hearts are refreshed.

Now how does this apply to each of us on a daily basis? I speak almost daily with fellow Christians who describe “tired hearts” as opposed to “refreshed hearts.” Inevitably, as part of the conversation, it becomes apparent that their faith and love are under attack. Some can’t recall the last time they spoke to another person about Jesus. When such a condition exists, it’s only a matter of time before life becomes dreary, dull, lifeless, joyless and thankless. What a sharp contrast to those Paul had in mind when he wrote to Philemon.

Friends, if you heart needs refreshing, I would encourage you to consider two things. First, tell God your faith is weak and your love is faltering. If he does anything well, he comes alongside those who express such weakness. And second, no matter how inadequate you feel, tell another person about Jesus and what he means to you. Over time your heart will feel the difference. I guarantee it. Later in the letter Paul wrote, “I am confident that you will do even more.” That’s my prayer for you this week!

“So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man” (Acts 24:16).

A number of years ago, an ad appeared on television, the purpose of which was to promote higher education. There was a line in the ad that got right to the point. At a strategic moment the voice said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” The point being made was that access to higher education should be available for all who choose to pursue it.

Well, the passage cited above makes us aware of something else that’s a terrible thing to waste, a clear conscience. Let me explain. The conscience is God’s gift to his children. He placed it there to serve as an inner voice, a mechanism whereby the Holy Spirit speaks to us at the deepest level. Although there may be times we wish it were not so vocal, we should never despise or demean its importance. That’s where the words cited above speak to each of us.

You see, in his speech before King Agrippa, Saul sought to demonstrate his integrity, as well as the truthfulness of his relationship with Christ, by telling the king that his conscience was clear. I wonder how many of us can attest to a clear conscience as did Saul.

But there is more. Not only did Saul speak of his clear conscience before God and man, he also said that he takes “pains” to keep it clear. That speaks to me simply because I can’t always say the same thing about myself. My guess is that if we are to be honest, there are times each of us cannot claim to take pains to maintain a clear conscience. That observation raises the question; “How do we keep a clear conscience?”

There are two things that come to mind in that regard. First, taking pains to keep a clear conscience begins with the pursuit of personal holiness. Every part of our lives should be oriented toward doing what Paul told Timothy; “Set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” In that light, can you see that a mandatory component of a clear conscience is the pursuit of personal holiness?

The second component of a clear conscience is a readiness to admit our sin and seek forgiveness as soon as our conscience makes us aware of it. If we fail to do that, we increase the risk of deadening our conscience. That’s bad! Thus, when our inner voice alerts us to the presence of sin, we should confess it immediately and ask God to enable us to flee from it.

Life is indeed sweeter when the conscience is clear. We are better able to enjoy our relationship with God and with others when we possess and take pains to maintain a clear conscience. Let your conscience speak to you at this very moment. Is your conscience clear and are you taking pains to keep it so? I trust you are.

“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness… there came the voice of the Lord, ‘I am the God of your fathers… and now come, I will send you to Egypt.’”

Forty years is a long time to wait for one’s marching orders, would you agree? As you know, Moses had been working for his father-in-law for forty years, ever since he fled from Egypt. We have no idea the degree to which he understood that his time away from Egypt was for a larger purpose. All we know is that forty years is a long time. Would you wait forty years? We tend to get agitated if we have to wait forty minutes, let alone forty years.

Yet in God’s way of working, waiting is an essential and unavoidable part of preparing one’s heart for God’s ultimate purposes for us. Waiting is hard, frustrating, discouraging, deflating and perplexing, while at the same time unavoidable. As Christians, our posture must be to embrace God’s hand during the “silent” periods of our lives, no matter how long they last. I came across a poem this week that was a blessing to me as it relates to waiting. It springs from the pen of J. Danson Smith. I think you will be blessed as well.

“Waiting! Yes patiently waiting!
Till next steps made plain will be;
To hear with the inner hearing
The voice that will call for me.

Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!
With hope that need not grow dim;
The Master is pledged to guide me,
And my eyes are unto him.

Waiting! Expectantly waiting!
Perhaps it may be today;
The Master will quickly open
The gate to my future way.

Waiting! Yes waiting! Still waiting!
I know, though I’ve waited long;
That while he upholds his purpose,
His waiting cannot be wrong.

Waiting! Yes waiting! Still waiting!
The Master will not be late;
Since he knows that I am waiting
For him to unlatch the gate.”

Some of us this morning are waiting, and we don’t particularly like it. Would you allow these words to bless your heart as they have done mine?

“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13).

Question: Who but God has the ability to bring salvation to those who we consider least likely? Answer: No one.

In that light, I think you would agree that if the Bible shows us anything, it’s that God saves those who, at least to our eyes, appear least likely to turn to Christ for salvation. Think of Augustine, Martin Luther, John Newton, C. S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, Charles Colson and Josh McDowell, just to name a few. These are men who were vehemently opposed to God at one point in their lives.

Frankly, that same thing may apply to some of you. Perhaps you can reflect on a time in your life when a relationship with God was the furthest thing from your mind. I know that applies to the Apostle Paul, who came to faith in Christ after encountering him on the road to Damascus. In the words of Ananias, who spoke what is cited above, “I have heard…how much evil he has done to your saints.”

I wish I had time to tell you the stories of how the men named above came to faith in Christ. I encourage you to read their stories for yourself. Although you will learn a lot about them, the biggest lesson is about God. What you will conclude in reading their stories is that God takes the initiative in saving those who appear least likely to come to faith in Christ.

In that light, what we learn is that God is sovereign over everything, including those to whom he brings saving faith. Let me say that in a different way. The men named above did not find God. Rather, God found them. That’s certainly what we can surmise from the story of Paul’s salvation in Acts chapter nine.

Listen to a sample of the things Paul said about himself as a means of demonstrating the grace of God in saving him, in spite of his hatred of Christianity. In various places he wrote: “I persecuted this Way to the death; if anyone has confidence in the flesh, I far more; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church; even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor, I was shown mercy.” The only way to interpret those words is that Paul understood that it was not he who found God, but rather God who found him. It’s with that understanding that Paul wrote, “But God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

We must never lose sight of the fact that salvation is God’s gift to us. Even the faith that saved us is God’s gift. That thought alone should humble us to a significant degree. Friends, can you echo the words of Paul? “To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given.”

“So there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).

Joy is an elusive commodity in our day, would you agree? Joy is something we all desire, yet often have a difficult time achieving. I wonder if the reason why we lack joy is because we don’t understand what true joy is, let alone look for it in the wrong places. It’s in that context that the words of Luke in Acts 8:8 caught my attention. Not only was there joy in the city he referred to, he said that there was much joy. I like that.

Now in reading about the “much joy” Luke referred to, a reasonable question relates to its source. In other words, what produced and sustained the joy Luke made mention of? Well, in order to answer that question, we must examine the preceding verses. So let’s do so for a moment.

A careful review of verses 5-8 suggests three reasons for their joy. In verse five we read that “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.” So reason number one for their joy was that they heard the message preached by Philip, salvation in Christ.

But there is more. Not only did they hear his message with their ears, the text tells us that they “paid attention to what was being said.” The phrase “paid attention” means that they brought his message near to their hearts. They devoted their thoughts to it. That signifies to me that what they heard with their ears made a difference to their hearts. Proclamation makes a difference when it penetrates the heart, which is what took place for them.

Finally, as was common throughout the book of Acts, effective proclamation was accompanied by external signs. In other words, they saw the power of God at work in the form of healing and other signs.

Now put those things together. Hearing Christ proclaimed, responding in faith and witnessing the power of God at work resulted in “much joy” in that city. How does that apply to you and me? Well, can you see that what brought them much joy works in the same manner in our day? What that says to me is that much joy is found in a right relationship with God that comes only through bringing the message of Christ near to our hearts as we respond in faith to His offer of salvation. As we do so, we will see the power of God at work as lives are transformed from spiritual death to spiritual life and vigor, which if you think about it is far more amazing than a paralyzed man walking again.

Are you looking for much joy? They found it in hearing and responding to the message of salvation in Christ. That’s the only place to find joy, “much joy” to be exact!

“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven… He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:27, 39).

John the Baptist is certainly one of the most interesting characters in the New Testament. He was on the scene for a very short period of time. As you know, he was quite eccentric. The gospel of Matthew tells us that he preached in the wilderness. He wore a garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Further, his message was not meant to please the crowds, but was simple and direct; “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” You know the outcome of John’s life; as a result of his preaching, he was arrested by Herod and subsequently beheaded.

Now there’s no doubt that Jesus thought very highly of John. In Matthew 11:11 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” That’s a remarkable statement, would you agree? Jesus’ words tell us that John was greater than Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David or any of the prophets and disciples. That’s incredible! What Jesus said about John caused me to ask what it was about John that Jesus thought so highly of. Could it be that Jesus said what he did about John because of what we read in the passage cited above?

Take a look at John’s words and you will see something that’s highly prized by God. John understood that everything he had came from God. And further, he was a deeply humble man, even in light of the public following he acquired. Let me say that in a different way. John had no desire to possess anything the world might offer, nor did he seek anything for himself. His only desire was to see himself decrease as Jesus increased. I’d say that’s a wonderful philosophy to live by, especially in our status and possession driven culture. And further, I’d say that’s a particularly important attitude for anyone in ministry to adopt as well.

Let me suggest now how John’s words apply to you and me. I’ve come to see in my own life that the single most important thing for me to recall is that the Christian life is not about me, but rather about Christ. The degree to which we acknowledge that he must increase as we decrease defines our fruitfulness for God. As soon as we start to think otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes more about us and less about Christ. 

So in that light, how would you define yourself? If your desire is to make life more about you, be careful. You might get what you are after, but at what cost? On the other hand, if you define yourself as making much of Christ and less of yourself, you will receive a reward far beyond anything you might imagine; the favor of your Savior and the pleasure of God. Which is it for you?

“God called to him, ‘Moses, Moses’ and he said, ‘Here I am’” (Exodus 3:4).

I am constantly amazed at the number of times I engage in conversations with friends who are seeking to determine whether God is calling them to do something, to step out in faith in one manner or another. At times, those I am speaking with are on the edge of taking a huge step. At other times, they are simply working a process to see what God is doing. In either case, they are at various stages of determining God’s will for their lives.

One of the things I’ve learned is that, when we are about to act upon something God may be calling us to do, our attitude should be similar to Moses’ attitude, “Here I am.” That’s simply to say that a ready person never needs to get ready. He or she is ready at all times to do even the smallest thing God asks.

At the risk of offending you, let me share that I frequently become frustrated when people spend undue time speaking of how they want to serve God and be faithful in all things, while at the same time stand still doing nothing. Moses did not stand still. He did not need to get ready. He had the right relationship with God. As a result, he was ready.

The reason why we seem unready is that when God speaks, many of us are like men caught in a thick fog. We give no answer because we are standing still. That is to say that the best way to know how to heed God’s call is to be moving forward in serving in some way or another. The form of the service is irrelevant. The process of obedience displayed through serving is what’s important.

Let me encourage you with these thoughts. We have no choice in what we want to do should God call us in a particular direction. The only choice we have is to be obedient. God can and does put us where he wants us. He can put us in pleasant places or otherwise. That’s up to him. Yet far too often, our desire to serve is shallow because we are in a fog. We are inactive, thus never in the proper place to hear God’s voice. Serving helps lift the fog.

Let me be very direct with you on this point. Some of you are feeling God “loosening the roots” on what has become familiar and comfortable to you. It’s an uncomfortable feeling; I know. My advice is simple. Keep serving or start serving. As you serve the Lord, he will make his voice clear. He will provide the clarity and direction you desire. His voice will become stronger, and your vision will become clearer and clearer. It’s hard to steer a vehicle that’s not moving. The same thing applies to our lives. Get serving and let God do the steering.

“If I then, your Lord and your teacher, have washed your feet, you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14).

There is a very real sense in which an accurate measure of the love we have for Christ and others is the degree to which we wash the feet of God’s people. Note how Jesus put it in the text cited above. He told them that, even though he was their Lord and their teacher, his washing of their feet was meant to encourage them to serve others to the same degree. I’ve spent a good deal of time meditating on that passage this week. Further, I witnessed an example of such service that sticks in my mind.

This past week, I attended our District pastors’ conference in Germantown, WI. The Alliance Church in Germantown (Crossway Church) is a vibrant and growing congregation. Last fall they moved into a brand new worship center. The building still smells new. During one of the breaks in the conference, I left to go to the washroom. When I entered, I saw one of our district pastors washing the outside door of one of the stalls in the restroom. And by the way, this individual is the senior pastor in one of the larger churches in the district. He’s a good friend. I asked him what he was doing. He commented that he noticed a large “scuff mark” on the outside of the door. He thought that he would clean it because the building was new and he wanted it to look as good as possible.

Now as I’ve thought about that, I must tell you that I was quite taken by the manner in which he “washed the feet” of Crossway Church. It wasn’t his church. It wasn’t his responsibility to clean the door; and further, he was a guest who could have easily left the mark for others to clean. Yet he didn’t. His simple act of service, which would have gone completely unnoticed if I had not entered at that moment, is a perfect example of what Jesus meant in John chapter 13.

This now leads to a very simple question for each of us. In what manner are you actively and intentionally engaged in washing the feet of God’s people? And further, to what degree are we as parents teaching our sons and daughters to do the same? I believe it is as simple as this: serving is not an option, but a solemn responsibility. And further, the act of serving is something that must be taught to our children. One of my greatest joys is when I watch many of you, children alongside, serve in one form or another. Can I tell you, as an older father, that you are doing the right thing as you serve and engage your children in serving also? I am grateful that we are a church that relishes serving one another. Yet there are still needs. Check the bulletin to see what I mean.

If Jesus Christ could wash the feet of the disciples, I wonder what we might do to further abound in serving one another. Start small if need be, but start! God will be glorified and you will be blessed as you wash the feet of God’s people. And yes, feet can be smelly, but the resulting joy is well worth the effort!

“What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27).

In our everyday experience, darkness and silence are considered profitable for one thing only; a good night’s sleep. Yet in God’s way of doing things, darkness and silence are always for a bigger purpose. Let me explain.

Isn’t it true that when we are lying in bed deep into the night we are better able to hear even the faintest sound? Who hasn’t had their attention focused on an unidentified sound in the middle of the night? That same sound would go completely unnoticed if it were not for the darkness and silence of night.

Now apply that thought to how God works in our lives. Is it not true that God often orchestrates seasons of darkness and silence so that we might hear his voice in a new and fresh way? In other words, God uses darkness and silence to equip us for whatever he intends for us. There is a deep lesson in this for each of us.

Oswald Chambers put it this way. “At times, God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed him. Watch where God puts you into darkness, and when you are there, keep your mouth shut. Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. Darkness is the time to listen; to listen and to heed.”

There is indeed a world of wisdom in Chamber’s words. You see, we are not wired to be silent in the dark. When darkness comes, whatever form it takes, we are prone to make abundant noise as we try to discover our way out of the darkness into the light. The noise we make while fumbling in the dark most likely prevents us from hearing the soft whisper of God’s voice. In other words, our noise drowns out the soft whisper of God. The very best posture when we find ourselves in the dark is to listen carefully for God’s voice. God most likely has a very precious message for us; something that we will share with someone else when others find themselves in the dark.

What does this mean for you and for me? Well, I know that some of us find ourselves in the darkness. Perhaps you’ve tried everything you know to find your way out; you’ve made a lot of noise in doing so. But I wonder if the noise you’ve made has come at the expense of hearing the gentle sigh of God’s voice. If that describes you, I have a simple word of advice; stop making noise and start listening. God speaks to us in the dark so that we might one day “speak in the light” and “proclaim on the housetops” the wonderful things we have learned during the dark and silent times.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out… and he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

Within the space of three weeks, the Rossetti family will have experienced two very distinct blessings. On March 19th, our daughter, Jennifer was married. Shortly thereafter, we will welcome granddaughter number three into our family. God is good!

As I’ve been praying for and thinking deeply on the significance of these events, I couldn’t help but think of both of them as significant “beginnings,” one of a married life and the other of a new life. With that in mind, it came to me that neither the start of a married life nor the start of a new life brings any measure of certainty regarding where and how God may lead. It is with that thought in mind that the passage of scripture cited above speaks to me at a very deep level. Let me share with you what I’ve been thinking.

Without doubt, there are many unexpected things that enter the life of a new marriage. Although newly married couples have some idea of what the future might hold, God may have other ideas which must be factored in. Further, no one but God can know what lies ahead for a baby over the course of her life. In either case, the story of Abraham is instructive for us. You see, his life was going well. He had made plans of his own, but God had other plans for him. God said “go” and he went in faith, with no idea what that meant.

Our daughter and son-in-law have plans, good plans; yet only God knows what unexpected things might enter their lives, causing them to “go out, not knowing where they are going.” Further, there is a sense in which our new granddaughter is something like a blank slate to us, with her life story yet to be written. God may choose to call her to a place she does not know, a place where faith will be what sustains her during the uncertainty of going.

Now, you may wonder how this applies to you and to me. Well, there are times when we don’t know where we are going or what God is doing. Am I right? Have you been asking God where he may be leading in your life? We’ve all knows such times. When I find myself in that situation, I’ve come to see that God may choose not to tell me where he is leading; but instead, he may show me more of who he is. There is a difference, you see. Knowing more of who God is sustains us more than knowing where he is leading or what he is doing.

Are there uncertainties in your life right now? If so, my counsel is simple. Don’t worry as much about where he is leading or what he is doing. Take the time to learn more of who God is. Abraham went out, not knowing where he was going, because he knew the God who was leading.

“You, who call on the Lord, give yourself no rest. . .” (Isaiah 62:6).

In the mid 1800’s, Robert Murray McCheyne said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” Can you grasp the simple truth that Jesus Christ is praying for you and me without ceasing? He never rests. He is praying on our behalf in ways that we could never pray for ourselves. I take great comfort in the reality that the Son of God intercedes for my needs.

Yet, how well do we model his example of prayer in our lives on a daily basis? Be honest; for many of us, prayer is our weakest spiritual discipline. Yet it is only through prayer that the power of God is brought to bear in the difficulties of life each of us face.

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress said: “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” As life brings us unexpected twists and turns, I am learning the simple truth that I am never in a stronger place than when I am on my knees. Prayer can do anything God can do. I, for one, never want to put a limit on what God can do in the midst of the surprises life brings.

Some of us, even as we sit here this morning, are facing things that appear impossible. Yet, Jesus Christ is already praying for these very issues, and he does not give up or grow weary. As I meditate on this truth, it strikes me that the very least we can do is to partner with him in prayer. Getting started is very simple. Simply talk to him and tell him what is on your heart. You will learn that it is by praying that you learn to pray. The process is more important than the product.

Think of the power that flows from a praying church! Let’s accept the challenge and go to the Lord for everything. He will be glorified and we will be blessed as a result. Resist the temptation to solve the issues of life on your own. Remember, Christ is already at work in prayer on your behalf. WOW!

“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?”
(John 14:9)

There are few questions that convict me as deeply as the one Jesus asked Philip. Look again at the verse and fill in your name to see if Jesus’ question speaks to you as well.

There’s no doubt that Jesus’ earthly ministry was relatively short, three years to be exact. Further, once Jesus began his public ministry, he and the disciples were seldom alone. They were pressed by crowds of people everywhere they went. In that sense, there was little one-on-one time between Philip and Jesus. So when Jesus asked, “Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me?” he must have had something other than earthly familiarity in mind.

Now as I’ve considered Jesus’ question, a number of thoughts came to me. Let me share them with you. The first is that familiarity with Jesus is not necessarily based on the length of the relationship. Unlike human relationships that deepen only with time, closeness to Jesus is not as dependent upon time. In that sense, I think God blesses us richly when our goal is to become more intimate with Jesus even when we have not known him for a lengthy period of time. I think it brings joy to Jesus when his children take the steps necessary to become more intimate with him. I’ve come to see that the more intimate we become with Jesus, the greater the fruit he brings to bear in our lives. Since he is the vine and we are the branches, intimacy with Christ is mandatory for spiritual fruit to occur.

The second thought that struck me is that as we become more intimate with Jesus, the less we will be prominent, and the more Jesus will be prominent. In other words, as our intimacy with Jesus deepens, those around us will sense Christ as opposed to sensing us. Have you ever interacted with a Christian in whose presence you sense Christ above their presence? I have, and it is a sweet thing indeed.

Third, intimacy with Jesus brings us a pleasant, agreeable and satisfying confidence, even in the midst of life’s most challenging events. I trust you’ve known the beauty that a deep relationship with a friend brings during troubling times. Deep intimacy with Jesus brings us an even deeper measure of comfort and confidence.

Friends, it doesn’t matter how long you have been a Christian; knowing Jesus should always be a priority. After 41 years of being a Christian, there is a sense in which I’m still getting to know him. I don’t want to stop getting to know Jesus. How about you?

“Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now?’” (John 13:37a)

One of the most frequent conversations I have with you surrounds your desire to determine God’s will for your life. The specific issues vary, but generally include decisions about changing jobs, moving, entering into relationships, determining if God is calling you into ministry, what to do about a particular problem you are facing, or family decisions of one sort or another. We can all identify with what it’s like when we have a tough decision to make, seeking God’s will as we consider our options.

In the passage of scripture cited above, the Apostle Peter wanted to do something. He wanted to follow Jesus. What’s wrong with that? Yet just prior to Peter’s statement, Jesus told him that he could not follow him, that he would follow him “afterward.” As I considered Jesus’ words to Peter, it struck me that there are times when we are unable to understand why we cannot do what we want to do. There are times when God introduces into our lives what Oswald Chambers called the “blank space.” What I’ve come to learn in my own life is that when God introduces the “blank space,” the worst thing for me to do is to fill it. The “blank space” is not a time to act, but rather a time to wait.

In that light, would you agree that one of the hardest lessons for us to learn is that God engineers our blank spaces? Blank spaces are for a purpose; perhaps to teach us something, to humble us or to allow God to work in the unseen so that when the time is right, everything fits together for our good.

Here now is the tough part for us to embrace. We make a mistake when we run ahead of God’s guidance during the blank spaces. In other words, whenever there is doubt, the best thing for us to do is to wait.

A closer look at the text of John 13 suggests that Peter’s statement, “Why can I not follow you?” was predicated on emotions instead of certainty. The basic principle to consider is this; never act on what you feel to be God’s will based on impulse or emotions. If you do, the risk is high for making a mistake that may take years to fix. When it is a question of the providential will of God, the best thing we can do is to wait for God to act. We must never fill in the “blank spaces” based on our own effort.

I wonder how many of us reading these words are presently experiencing the “blank space.” If that describes you, no matter the decision you need to make, my counsel to you is simple. Whenever there is doubt, wait. God always makes his will for us clear. He is not a God of confusion, but rather, leads his children in the good way for his glory and our good. May these thoughts bring confidence to you when God says to you, “Not now; wait.”

“Enoch walked with God. . .” (Genesis 5:24).

I think you’d agree with me that there are a number of Bible characters about whom we know very little. Enoch is one such individual. His name appears in a limited fashion in the Bible. We have no record of great accomplishments on his behalf. He did not rule over a vast number of people, build great cities, conqueror the enemies of God, amass great wealth or any such thing. Yet there is something very instructive about what the Bible tells us about him. It says in very direct and simple language, “Enoch walked with God.” That phrase speaks to me. Let me explain what I mean.

I’ve come to see in my own life, as well as in others, that a very accurate barometer of faith is not what we do in the extraordinary and exceptional moments of life. What really defines a person is what he or she does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing exciting or tremendous going on. In other words, there is a sense in which faith is best measured in the “ordinary” as opposed to the “extraordinary.”  That observation is very convicting for all of us I believe, and for this reason.

Each of us craves after the extraordinary. We look for the exciting as opposed to the mundane. We’re wired to seek after the thrilling, not the humdrum. The thought of a dreary, boring, uninteresting existence makes us shudder. We’re always after something that’s more exciting than what we currently have. Such desires take a number of forms, even in the life of the Christian.

Yet we see nothing of that in Enoch. Unlike Moses who led the people out of Egypt or Joshua who conquered the land; unlike David who ruled Israel or Solomon, the wisest and richest man alive, Enoch had no such things in his life. Yet he had something far more important, something that catches God’s eye. Enoch had a consistent, unwavering, reliable, steady and constant walk with God. Enoch walked with God. In fact, Enoch’s walk with God was such that the latter part of the verse tells us that “God took him.” In other words, Enoch did not see death. God took him into eternity apart from death. Friends, that’s how much God values our walk with him.

Consider this thought for a moment. God may or may not call you to do extraordinary things as the world defines them. You may never command, build, write, preach, achieve, or become famous. In God’s way of working, that may be his best gift to you. But there is one thing all of us can do. By God’s grace, we can all walk with God as Enoch did.

“Fret not yourself; it leads only to evil” (Psalm 37:8).

There are a number of words in the English language that have a deep and significant meaning. “Fret” is one of those words. We don’t often use it; yet it often describes how we feel. The origin of the word can be traced back to the mid 12th century in England. It means “to eat or gnaw, to wear away or corrode something.” The word appears four times in the entire Bible and only in the Old Testament. Three of those occurrences are in Psalm 37.

With that in mind, what is it that causes us to fret? I think the answer to that is quite simple. When we are worried or anxious about life’s circumstances, our peace of mind is eaten away and our joy is gnawed on. I sit many nights watching my dog gnaw on bones we give to her. She will not give up until the bone is reduced to a small piece of what it was originally. That’s a good picture of what fretting does. It corrodes our peace, gnaws our joy, and eats away our focus on the Lord.

What then is the solution to fretting? Well, it sounds simplistic, but I believe the scriptures are quite clear in teaching that resting in the Lord as opposed to being swayed by circumstances is the antidote to fretting. The psalmist made it clear that fretting leads to evil. What he is saying is that fretting takes our eyes off the Lord, which always ends at some point in sin. You see, for some people it’s easy to assume that a little worry and anxiety reflects a measure of wisdom.

Friends, it’s just the opposite. Worry reflects our wickedness, not our wisdom; and for this reason. Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances, but on the depth of our relationship with God. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Need I remind you that Jesus never worried? He never fretted. The reason is because he was never out to get his own way, but rather to see the Father’s will accomplished in his life.

This leads us to a very important question. Do you find yourself in the midst of circumstances that cause you to fret? And further, are you of a mind that your current circumstances are too much for God to handle? If that describes how you feel right now, I have a very simple piece of wisdom for you to consider. Consciously put your fretting aside and dwell in the “shadow of the Almighty.” Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about your circumstances. Shift your focus off circumstances and onto the Lord, who has promised to never leave nor forsake you. Oswald Chambers put it this way; “All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.” Does that describe you? If so, tell God and ask him to make his presence so real to you that fretting fades and faith comes to the forefront. “Do not fret; it leads only to evil.”

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).

I’m certain that it wouldn’t take much for me to convince you that sin is bad. All one needs to do is to examine the current state of the world scene to observe that sin dictates the values, morals and mindset of the day; the examples of which are far too numerous to list. Yet as I’ve meditated on the passage cited above, two things came to mind for me. The first is that although sin causes untold suffering to men, the worst thing about it is that it created the need for the sinless Son of God to be crucified. The need for Christ to go to the cross is the most devastating effect of sin.

But the second thing I see in the passage is that because of the cross, sin does not win. The ultimate outcome of Satan, the one who brought sin to Adam and Eve, is simple. He will be crushed by the “God of Peace.” So on one hand sin is horrible in that it necessitated the Son of God to hang on a cross. But on the other hand, Satan will be crushed by the God of peace.

Now what does that mean for you and me? It means that Satan will never be able to defeat a person who is armed with true grace. Those who have received the grace of God in Christ will ultimately be victorious. The Holy Spirit who led Christ into the wilderness also gave him victory. What he did for Jesus, he will do for us as well.

Here’s my point. God is our very best friend as we battle against sin. No amount of personal discipline, inner resolve or established safeguards (as important as these things might be) can ever secure victory over the inroads of sin in our lives. It is only through the abiding presence of Jesus Christ living in us that we will ever be able to kill sin.

In that light, there is a partnership we must pursue with God. The partnership I have in mind looks like this; God provides the power to overcome sin, we must accept it and make choices in light of it.

That leads me to ask you a very simple question. Can you identify an area in your life where the inroad of sin is manifesting itself? In other words, if God has determined that he will crush Satan, how can you implement his power to deal with the allure of sin in your life right now? My guess is that each of us can readily identify an area of sin that we want to “crush.”

Yes indeed; the God of peace will one day “crush” Satan. He stands ready to assist you in crushing him on your behalf as well. Sin put Christ on the cross, but he didn’t stay there. He lives in you to empower you to do what he will ultimately do to Satan; crush him!

I spent two days home this past week with the flu. During those days, I devoted a considerable amount of time meditating on several Puritan prayers. The one I’ve quoted below spoke very deeply to my heart. I trust it will speak to your heart as well.


The Cry of a Convicted Sinner
The Valley of Vision, p. 68-69, Published by The Banner of Truth Trust, author unknown

“THOU RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY SOVEREIGN,
in whose hand is my life and whose are all my ways. Keep me from fluttering about religion; fix me firm in it, for I am irresolute. My decisions are smoke and vapor, and I do not glorify thee or behave according to thy will. Cut me not off before my thoughts grow to responses, and the budding of my soul into full flower, for thou art forbearing and good, patient and kind.

Save me from myself, from the artifices and deceits of sin, from the treachery of my perverse nature, from denying thy charge against my offenses, from a life of continual rebellion against thee, from wrong principles, views, and ends; for I know that all my thoughts, affections, desires and pursuits are alienated from thee.

I have acted as if I hated thee, although thou art love itself; have contrived to tempt thee to the uttermost, to wear out thy patience; have lived evilly in word and action.

Had I been a prince I would long ago have crushed such a rebel. Had I been a father I would long since have rejected my child. O, thou Father of my spirit, thou king of my life, cast me not into destruction, drive me not from thy presence, but wound my heart that it may be healed; break it that thine own hand may make it whole”


Can I encourage you to read and re-read this prayer. Let it sink deeply into your mind and heart. Ask God to show you yourself in the words of the prayer. I did, and I did not like what I saw at times. The author of this prayer, although anonymous, understood the sinful nature of his heart in contrast to the patience and lovingkindness of God. We would do well to model his attitudes and longing. Would you agree?

“For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself… But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God. He delivered us… and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope…” (II Corinthians 1:8-9).

One of my most solemn responsibilities as a pastor is to come along side you as you experience events that result in your feeling “burdened beyond strength.” No doubt such things take on a variety of forms. These include health, family, relational, work and financial issues. At times, such things come upon us suddenly and without warning. At other times, the burdens we endure seem to grow over time and just keep coming. You know exactly what I mean. Some of you are in such a time right now.

It’s comforting to me at such times to remind you (and myself) that although such burdens make us feel alone and adrift, captive to things over which we have little or no control, from God’s perspective that is never the case. God never purposes things to occur, even the most painful things, apart from a sovereign and divine purpose. The Apostle Paul came to see this in his own life and expressed it quite clearly in the passage cited above. Take a look at it with me.

The first thing that strikes me is Paul’s raw and brutal honesty. His burden was such that he “despaired of life itself.” Friends, no matter how strong your faith may be, there are times when life itself seems purposeless and futile. Paul understood that. He knew that God is big enough to handle even the most painful of our cries in the midst of our pain. When events make you despair of life itself, it’s perfectly OK to tell God in the strongest of terms that you are at the very end of your endurance. He understands. He can handle it.

But note secondly that Paul came to see God’s purpose in his pain. He realized that God’s purpose was to make him “rely on God” as his sole source of strength. Paul came to see that pain was for the purpose of pointing him to God and to God’s sufficiency. Once he realized that, his focus changed; leading us to an additional observation. Paul’s pain focused his hope. He came to see that God delivers us, and will continue to do so, as our hope is focused solely upon God, not upon any other source. 

Friends, I don’t know how these words speak into your heart at this time. I know some of your “despairing” situations, but not all of them. My prayer for you is that you will respond as Paul did; speak honestly to God, seek God’s purpose in your pain, and focus solely on the strength and hope he brings. In his time and in his way he will do for you what he did for Paul; “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.”

“For I am watching over my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1:12).

There was a time when a person’s word was dependable and trustworthy. Sadly, that is no longer the case. I read somewhere recently that a famous professional athlete had a contract that was over one hundred-twenty five pages long. All of that was for the purpose of making certain that his word and the word of his employer were understood fully by each party. A significant part of the document described the consequences for one or both parties should they not fulfill their part of the agreement. We hear of contracts entered into by couples prior to their marriage. Such contracts specify what will occur should one or both parties decide to terminate the relationship.

I wonder how much time the typical lawyer spends writing or reading contracts or legal agreements of one form or another. There is a sense in which if a person’s word was trustworthy, such contracts would not be necessary. The simple reality is that far too frequently, men do not keep their word.

Now contrast that with the words of Jeremiah. As God’s chosen prophet, he described how God views his word: “I am watching over my word to perform it.” That’s quite a statement, would you agree? God is keeping watch over his word for the express purpose of insuring that everything it says is performed. Men cannot be depended on in like manner, nor can any contract produced by human effort insure such trustworthiness. God watches his word. God keeps his word. God completes his word. There is a lifetime of truth in that.

Now I think you’d agree that the world we live in is filled with experts. All one has to do is pick up the newspaper, watch television or glance at the most recent magazine to identify so-called experts. They give us their word on issues regarding health, money, politics, relationships, and on and on. Yet I wonder how many of them have the ability to “watch over their word to perform it.” My guess is that none of them even care if their word is fulfilled. They are more interested in offering their opinions, caring little about the accuracy of their words.

Don’t you find a tremendous amount of comfort and confidence knowing that God has given us his word; and further, that he watches over it? His word never fails. He will never break his contract with us because his word is trustworthy. His advice is certain and secure. All we ever need to know about him is found in his word. Every promise we might ever need is found in his word. Every piece of advice he provides he has watched over to make certain it is performed. With those thoughts in mind, why would anyone consider elevating the word of others above the word of God?  After all, they don’t watch over it to perform it, do they?

“But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied” (Acts 12:24)

We begin this morning a new series of messages from the book of Acts. I can’t tell you at the outset how long the series will be. Suffice it to say that it will be lengthy, as the book is far too rich to gloss over in a quick fashion.

Now as I’ve read and re-read the book in anticipation of preaching through it, several very significant themes emerged, each worth stressing. My hope is that over the course of this series we will touch on these as we move through the book and cover the appropriate passages.

At the outset however, let me take the opportunity to show you one of the themes that has been quite instructive to me as I’ve prepared for this series of messages. It is best summarized in the passage I cited above. Take a look at it again. What I have in mind is the numerous times throughout Acts where the power of the word of God is referenced. Listen to a small sample of what I mean.

“And they devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching” (2:42).

“For we cannot but speak of what we have heard” (4:20).

“And every day in the temple and from house to house they did not cease teaching and preaching” (5:42).

“He preached boldly in the name of Jesus” (9:28).

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith” (16:5).

“Paul was occupied with the word” (18:9).

“So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (19:20).

I trust you can see from this small sample that the act of preaching played no small part in the life of the new church, as well as in the spread of the gospel throughout the known world. What I want us to see from this is that the same truth holds true for us in our day. In other words, the lifeblood of the church and the spread of the gospel is the act of preaching. Preaching is God’s designated mechanism whereby the “manifold wisdom of God” is brought to his people.

Thus, as we begin a new series of messages at the start of this New Year, I would ask you to do two things. First pray for me as I seek to honor God in preparing messages each week. And second, come each week prepared to hear from God (not from the preacher). My part is to prepare. Your part is to come prepared to listen. If we do these two things in partnership, God will be glorified and his people will be blessed.