Disappointments?

 

Yesterday God prompted me to think of the folly of those who put getting rich at the top of their priority list. All day I remembered this amazing promise from Jesus:

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33–34)

And all day I was thankful that He blessed my life with abundance. Putting His righteousness at the top of the list resulted in blessings never expected. I often feel like a spoiled brat in His kingdom.

Yet this morning I woke up feeling anxious for tomorrow, for family who do not seek the Lord, and anxious for other things and commitments. I sang the truths but felt as if I didn’t mean them or believe them. The sermon yesterday was about disappointments and many of them coming from wanting the wrong things. Is my desire for the salvation of others a ‘wrong’ desire? I don’t think so. Why then this sadness?

Could it be that I wanted instant results? One unsaved family person was here — with no interest or desire in anything but what could be seen on her cell phone. But then we went to an event at church and a boy who spent much of his youth in our home was there and we had the most incredible conversation about our abundant life in Christ. I can rejoice that this boy now a man who seems more like family than some family does.

But this morning the burden for family stuck. Piper points to God and in mixing the order of these verses, reminds me that God…

… determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. . . .  His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. . . .  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. . . . The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:3-11)

Reading them in this order seemed to calm my heart. This God who names the stars (and they do what He says) is able to deal with all whose lives are wounded, sometimes with their own sin. One person comes to mind who has been on a slippery slope for many years and is now in a slimy pit. Is there hope for her? Will this pit break the hardness of her heart?

I might as well ask if the God who tells the stars what to do can bind up her wounds. What folly to think that she is beyond His power. Yes, He could cast her to the ground, but I’m not asking for that, but thinking how He loves us even while we were sinners and I want Him to delight in the day when she hopes in His love rather than in the lure of all that is not only false but ruining her life.

PRAY: God, the burdens in my heart threaten to overwhelm me at times, even after the blessings and joy of deep and sweet fellowship with Your family and mine in the house of the Lord. Forgive me for letting those burdens overrule the peace and joy of trusting You totally and completely. You are fully able to accomplish Your will in the lives of those who seem to never give You a second thought. I know the Holy Spirit has the power to heal hearts that are broken and messed up by sin as well as other wounds. All I can say is ‘have at it’ — humble their pride and in stedfast love and mercy, bring them to their knees before Jesus.

 

How to view this messy world. . . .

We listen and watch the folly happening in the world and are dismayed, yet if I can keep my mind on the wonder of God, it is easier to not be bothered by it all. For one thing, those who strive for more money than even a large family could ever spend in their lifetime, fail to think about that last word — lifetime. What benefit is billions or power when someone turns to dust in his grave? What does it do for someone to spurn God for their own will to be done? What does  God think of all this:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (Psalm 2:1–4)

Those who mock God are mocked by God, forgetting or neglecting to know that He numbers the stars, even named them. Piper offers these statistics:

“The earth. . . .  is a small planet revolving around a star called the sun which has a volume 1.3 million times that of the earth. There are stars a million times brighter than the sun. There are about a hundred billion stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, which is one hundred thousand light years across. (A light year is six million million miles.) The sun travels about 155 miles per second, and so it would take two hundred million years to make a single revolution on its orbit in the Milky Way. There are millions of other galaxies besides ours.”

And God placed them there and rules their orbits. Every detail of creation is subject to the law of God and to His commands. What do a few mere humans think when they grab for power? This God can rob them of their breath in an instant. While they delight in the chaos they create, God laughs.

Another psalm mocks the idea that “those with the most toys wins.” I deliberately left out part of this bumper sticker folly, for the Word of God says most clearly what happens to them:

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:5–12)

No matter how much money is made legitimately, or by robbing a bank, or by insider trading, or by any other method, that money is useless to those who gained it for greed. The righeous can escape guilt in being generous to the poor, but both good and bad, no rich man can escape the consequences of being a mere human.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23–24) Is this not because those who are rich tend to suppose that they can get what they want because their wealth proves that God is blessing them — which is totally opposed to what the gospel says. We are saved by grace, never our financial or worldly status.

Jesus also tells such who seek wealth: “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24) Money may get them all it will buy, but that is all they will get. Not only that, hoarding it for themselves is folly because, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9) There is more…

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. (James 5:1–2)
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)

PRAY: Lord, You tell me to pray for people who are “in high positions” and have influence that can ruin lives. They need wisdom and mercy more than being eliminated. With confidence, I just pray that Your will is done — for them and for those who suffer because of the chaos being created by their priority in gods that have no power over the stars.

Putting Jesus first. . . .

Christian books and Christian preachers say to put Jesus first. The Bible is clear; He is to be the priority of our lives, and telling others about Him is supposed to be a the top of our to-do list. It is easy to write about this, to discuss it with other believers, but doing it is more challenging.

My hubby shared Christ this week as easily as some people talk about the weather. The response was favorable. He was not ridiculed, a fear that keeps many mouths shut. I’m both pleased with his example and convicted that my obedience is more talk and less action.

Today’s reading offers a strong example and more conviction. Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. He writes as I do but his words reveal that he ‘walks the talk’ and is doing what he tells others to do. These several verses reveal much about the priority of his life and that he is a teacher but also a doer…  

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:12–30)

Paul’s first thought is to reassure those worried about him. He sees God’s purpose in having him in prison. Others are now also boldly sharing Christ, even those who have selfish motives. His priority is knowing Jesus AND making Him known. This is happening.

Not only that the “whole imperial guard” and others also are aware of this priority — because Paul is not keeping his mouth shut in jail but joyfully letting everyone know of his confidence in the Lord. He knows that such a response to his situation is affecting them. Christians will suffer for such boldness but Christ will be glorified, even if persecution and death are the result.

Earlier, Peter denied Christ in fear for his life, but when filled with the Spirit, he was bold to proclaim Him, just as did Paul, and just as many do today in places where their hearers will abuse and even kill them. This begs the question: what keeps my mouth shut other than fear? And since God is not the author of fear, all my talk about any desire to depart and be with Christ needs to be matched with action that proves it.

PRAY: Jesus, my heart is too often fickle in its loyalty to You, in putting You first in my life. It is easier to say it than actually live it out like I should. I confess unwarranted reluctance to practice what I preach. Grant boldness that I might honor You.

 

That Final Move

In my thirty-plus moves, this latest one feels more like “home” than any of the others. When we first viewed the property, I instantly felt this was our home. It did happen one other time, not in a house but a country. Our first trip to Scotland for a clan reunion in the north of Edinburgh, I felt as if I belonged in that place. My parents were not ever there, but the sense of being ‘home’ was strong.

This morning’s devotional reading suggests “at the moment of death, we will experience a deep at-homeness.” There will be a contentment beyond any other that gives peace and security not previously known. I agree with this:

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

These days, more courage than ever is needed to feel at home here on earth. Our world has become increasingly unpredictable. Even without the political instability, since we moved to our present home, I’m hard-pressed to remember one day that was without an unusual or unpredictable event, sometimes more than one. For example, just when I thought we were settled, we had an invasion of ants, mild in number but annoying and a scramble to cure that problem. Such a small thing compared to the persecution many Christians endure. Yet even this helps me think of Paul’s words:

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:23–26)

Even as I feel the effects of aging, unpredictable days, and the mess in this world, there is still a sense that God isn’t finished with me being here and not home with Him. I have no idea what will happen next but He continually surprises me, often with answered prayer. This week one answer related to what seemed an impossible situation in the life of a needy working mom. God changed things using an unexpected visitor and a big fight in her life — both worked together creating a perfect solution that we would never have imagined.

Another surprise happened when my hubby was raking grass, something he didn’t have to do. However the maintenance man stopped to help, then said something that prompted hubby to share the gospel with him. The man admitted he had been thinking about God and needed to know more.

One day our Father will call us to our eternal home and we will gladly go. Right now, the task is remains that I listen to Him and do what He says.

PRAY: Jesus, sometimes the days seem shorter than my to-do list, but I know that You are in charge. The necessary tasks will be done and our desire is to give You glory for Your hand in our lives in this place — and also be delighted to see You when we move to Your home.

Never-ending Mystery. . . .

Observation: when 83, a person thinks more about death than when 23, or 33, or even 73. Far too many of my Christian friends seem to dread it, fight to stay alive (and healthy) and are not ready at all for that transition.

This past week, I asked God to give me the right attitude about death. And without anything happening (other than the usual aches and fatigue) I began getting excited to the adventure of stepping into eternity. This is sort of like reading a good mystery. I like best those that I cannot figure out until the ending. Since God reveals very little information about eternity, it is a mystery, intriguing and each day is a page-turner. Yet I do know one thing — I will see Jesus! For that reason: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The ‘gain’ part is easy. I will be like Him. What greater gain is that? The Word of God testifies to this truth:

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus. . . .  (Hebrews 12:22–24)

While I don’t agree with the usual definition of ‘perfectionist’ yet always want to do the best I can, and being made perfect goes far beyond all my intentions and abilities. Being perfect is even a mystery. It will be solved, yet as appealing as that is, seeing Jesus is even more appealing.

Herein is the mystery. How is He both fully God and fully man? What does He look like? Will He still bear the scars of being here? What will the expression on His face say? I can barely think of His touch or a hug, but I do long for the wonder of meeting Him face to face. No more tears, no more pain, nothing can hold a candle to seeing Him like He is and realizing that the mystery will be over — even though I will spend all of forever finding out all there is to know about my amazing Lord.

PRAY: Jesus, You are my life now, my joy and peace. The wonder of You is in every breath yet there is more, and more, and more. Yes, to live is You — yet to die and be with You is an incredible hope that fills my heart and mind with the excitement of discovering that the lovely mystery of You will satisfy my soul — for eternity.

Seek truth and defend it

The Bible tells me to contend or strive for the faith that was given to all genuine believers (Jude 3). This statement also reveals that God makes truth known to His people — and it is up to us to make sure it it not abandoned or forgotten, first in my own life and then in the lives of others who also know it.

In my years of leading Bible studies, I’ve noticed that when truth is spoken, most Christians do not argue with it. Some might say, “I know that, but. . . .” and express what is making that particular truth a problem for them, usually because of contrary circumstances. Just pointing out a promise from God or a truth related to their issue often changes the ‘but’ to a praise.

Teaching truth helps us spot any lies that bombard our minds and lives. While some might yawn at the word ‘doctrine’ it should not put anyone to sleep but wake us up. Doctrine is not based upon static and dead ideas but upon living truths to be cherished and defended.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Doctrine is based not only on the Word  of God, but also on the character of God and correct interpretation of what He is saying. Sometimes even well-meaning Christians pick up a single teaching without considering the total teaching of the Bible. This is one reason that we need to be in communion with one another. Open discussion often reveals truth that I’d not seen before or that was interpreted without considering other sections of the Bible. I’m responsible to seek all that God says, not just the parts that appeal to me, and not just what I hope to be true.

Again, the Bible is its own authority. I can consider other authorities, but this is not an intellectual exercise. Reason and tradition play a role, but the most important consideration is that God uses His Word, both written and living, to reveal Himself to me and change my life. His goal is to transform me to be like Jesus.

Not only that, all other sources for understanding, such as personal experience, reason, or tradition must be judged by Scripture, not the other way around. If this is not held vital, false teachings and heresies inevitably follow. My relative who believes the Bible is the Word of God has nevertheless followed the teachings of a cult. Instead of Sola Scriptura (meaning Scripture alone is the final and controlling authority for all true Christian teaching and doctrinal formulation) this person trusts whatever his cult leaders say to be true.

Every Christian expresses their beliefs in some doctrinal form, whether highly developed or rudimentary. We must so we can “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) God reveals it and we defend it. False teaching is a constant threat to biblical integrity. Wisdom says:

Now 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. (Acts 17:11)
Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:2–5)
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him. (Titus 3:10)

PRAY: Jesus, You are the truth and lies are so dangerous to me besides being contrary to all that You are. Because you live in me, truth is precious. While no one person can express all truth, I need to be willing to examine and be corrected by Scripture. Enable me to seek truth always, for in seeking it, I am seeking You and wanting to more deeply know You. Amen.

Why learn doctrine?

Early church teaching was not enough. Personal Bible study was not enough. I went to Bible school in my 60’s. It was not enough. I completed a Master’s degree in biblical and theological studies. It was not enough. Now I’m reading Stephen Charnock’s two-volume, “The Existence and Attributes of God.” It is not enough. The hunger to know God and the desire to know the whole counsel of God remains.

Paul said, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27) What is it?

John Piper says when the foundation of what I knew cannot see everything, a deeper foundation is needed. It sees and feels everything, and he lists cancer, nuclear weapons, environmental crises, terrorism, abortion, burned-out cities, broken marriages, bummed-out kids, depression, but that deeper foundation does not fail or allow me to break or sink into despair. It allows me to be joyful, no matter what:

Again I will build you, and you shall be built. . . .  Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. (Jeremiah 31:4)

How does God build His people to dance, no matter what? Piper points out, “This is the whole counsel of God. If you intend to dance in the April sun, just remember, either you do it with your eyes closed or you do it on the great granite tableland of the whole counsel of God, also known as doctrine.”

Yesterday I thought much about dying and leaving this world. Those thoughts threatened my joy, even as I watched a cheeky squirrel running back and forth along the fence, even as I nearly completed a bright blue and yellow quilt, even as I had a brief but blessed online communication with my oldest grandchild. But doctrine brings joy back:

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22–23)

How can this kind of treatment feel like a blessing? Because my hope is in a reward secured by Jesus Christ and trusted because of the faith He puts in my heart — and this is doctrine. Without it, there is no leaping for joy when hated, excluded, reviled, and spurned as if an evil person.

I’ve seen how all that I see (as it pounds against my awareness because of modern technology) requires a deeper foundation, a greater understanding of this God in whom I trust. How can He bless me in this messed up world? How can joy remain as friends are diagnosed with stage four cancer, bombs fall in cities filled with terrified humanity, earthquakes destroy thousands at a time, terrorists kill at random, babies are aborted by the millions, divorce rates rise, children are abandoned and homeless, even godly pastors suffer depression, and many in my family seem headed to hell?

Doctrine. The God who can give me joy in this mess here will take me to the greater reward of eternal joy. It does not matter how twisted this world becomes because He will usher in a forever that is marked by eternal joy.

PRAY: Jesus, I just taste it here, even in the hurt of what I see. Your joy is not the same as the ‘happy, happy’ of this world for it floods my life here no matter what the latest news says, or hearing prayer requests that desire comfort without asking for the grace to leap for joy even when You do not remove the pain. Doctrine. It tells me about You and the more I know about You, the more I can think and speak of Your glory and blessing, and jump for joy even when my body yells a bit because it now creaks when I leap!