We are reminded by Isaiah that living life is not about physical strength, ability or beauty; it isn’t about material wealth or having it all together.  Living life is about trusting in Jesus, and in trusting the Lord.

Living life is more than salvation through trusting in Christ (though that is essential).  It is about trusting the Lord through all the things that are part of living – the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, when things are going great and when things are kind of cloudy and uncertain. And when our trust is focused on the Lord – his leadership, his provision, his faithfulness – it takes the stress out of life and the worry out of living, regardless of the circumstances.  Then, we can live without worry, without becoming weary, and with all the confidence we need to sustain us and keep us from fretting and fainting.

The old song says it well…

“Oh soul are you weary and troubled, No light in the darkness you see,

there’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

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.”

Sometimes I struggle with staying focused – wandering thoughts, distracted thinking, things that go on in life that cause a measure of trouble keeping me on track with the Lord.  I think, and I guess hope, that I’m not alone in this struggle against the flesh and the world around me.

Recently the Lord spoke to me out of Colossians chapter 3, and verses 1-11 (from the Christian Standard Bible)…

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.  But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

This is such a powerful passage for me, and for most of us that belong to Christ!  It speaks loudly to the things of the flesh we struggle with, and that the enemy uses to tempt us.

On the fleshly side we still struggle with impurities and evil desires that are contrary to God’s will and design for us, and who we are now in Christ.  It may vary in severity from believer to believer, but we all have some level of struggle with the old nature.  All of this is rooted in us not living out the truth of who we really are – in Christ.

By faith in Christ I have, believers in Christ have, died and been raised to a life that is now hidden with Christ in the Lord.  THAT is who we are, who I really am.  It is a spiritual reality that comes from the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ that we share with Him.

So now, we should seek things that are above, from the Lord, not of this world that is passing away.  By my choice, our choices, we must decide to put to death all those ungodly and impure thoughts, and put away those attitudes and ask God to cleanse our hearts and minds and mouths.  And while I am not capable of making that happen, I can and do yield myself to the Lord – who is capable.

I really do want to come to the place that Christ really is all, and in all, in me!  I would hope that is the desire of all who really know Christ.  But there is more from this passage and message to us about the “how” of all this.  While my spiritual freedom is from Christ and absolute because of Him, not me – there are still things I/we must choose in order to experience all of this in our living.  There are action words here for me/us to choose…

• Set my mind – the intentional act of making things above my focus and to guide my living;
• Put to death – the decision to not gratify the things of the flesh, to make them dead to me;
• Put away – the choice of responding to life, and anything that does’t happen like I want, with faith, hope and joy, rather than carnal despair or anger;
• Put off – to consciously get rid of those things that belong to the flesh and the world;
• Put on – to consciously clothe myself with the newness of Christ, to put Him on – His character, integrity and purity.

Lord, help us to “get” what you have already done as Your part, what You have already done in us by our faith in Christ, and given us by placing Your Spirit within us – the freedom that is ours in Him.  And then, help us by Your Spirit to choose the actions and attitudes that cause us to experience Your work through us day by day!  Give us strength and wisdom to do what only we can choose to do – choose to allow You to have complete control!

By the Word and Your Spirit keep us focused on You and Your plan for our lives!

“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, ESV)

Christians are murdered for their faith and refusal to convert to Islam in other lands.  Christians are sued and found liable for refusing service to gay couples in our own land.  The Christian faith is assaulted by entertainers, by courts, by non-believers who want their immorality to be tolerated but who themselves cannot tolerate Christian morality.  Even some churches that claim to be Christian are more concerned about political correctness than being faithful to biblical truth.  And most lately, a mass shooting in the church in Texas reminds us that even the sanctuary can be a scary and tragic place.

It is amazing how the world we live in has turned so dramatically against the Lord who created and sustains all things!  In my own lifetime, what a shift I have seen take place from a general understanding of right and wrong that was based on the Bible.  It is not just a political shift, nor a governmental shift, nor something that has been imposed on our society.  It is a cultural shift that is rooted in the depths of the personal soul, and that has been allowed to morph into a collective elevation of the carnal nature of man.  And even the most recent act of violence in Texas should tell us that, while revenge could have been carried out anywhere those family members would be found, a church building at worship time was the chosen killing field, almost as if thumbing a nose at God.

“…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  (James 1:14-15, NIV)

THAT is the root of it all – persecution in other lands, political correctness against religion, societies abhorrence for the holy and appetite for perversion, and even a lone gunman’s rage against relatives that spills over onto other innocents as well.  It is mankind running away from God until they are so far from him that they think they can eradicate Him and His Truth from their presence.  They pass laws that purport to supersede His Law.  They arrest those who stand for Him and His Truth and who refuse to submit to man’s law.  They behead those who refuse to denounce Him and His Truth and convert to false religion.  And they plot to murder with no thought of the consequences.

I can tell you this… God is not laughing when senseless murder enters the church house!  He is not unaware when this happens, and I know that he is grieved at the pain of a pastor and his family and the members of Christ’s body.  And, I am certain of his care and comfort that will be poured out on those hurting people, continuing to give them hope, help and peace through his Spirit and through God’s people.

But what does God do about all those attackers of his people that we see everywhere?  He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.  He laughs at the puniness of man – who thinks he can snuff out God’s people.  He laughs at the arrogance of man, that thinks somehow by hurting and killing God’s people they will halt His work on this earth.  He laughs, not because he is amused, but because He holds their insolence in contempt.  He is not amused at the persecution, he holds them in derision.   And, he laughs because he knows the final outcome of it all, and that final victory is assured in his plan!

Think about it.  Continue to pray for our hurting brothers and sisters in Sutherland Springs, Texas!  Pray for the persecuted around the world and even in the U.S.!  And draw comfort and strength from the fact that God is still on his throne and the final chapter and ending is still his, and will be accomplished just as he desires!

Isaiah 48:17-18 (CSBBible) …  “This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who leads you in the way you should go.  If only you had paid attention to my commands.  Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

A recent anniversary trip that Peggy and I took to Maui was a wonderful getaway for us, and a time to really relax, spend time with God in his Word and prayer, and celebrate the wonderful way God has blessed us in marriage and life.  God blessed us with a wonderful place to stay, with a view of the ocean from our lanai (that’s a patio for any other main-landers out there).

As I watched the waves crashing on the volcanic rocks beneath us I thought about how God has blessed us with waves of mercy and grace, over and over, crashing against my fleshly nature and ways – and washing those sins away into the sea of his forgiveness, never to be remembered against me again.  What a marvelous truth!

And the more I have meditated over that, the more I realize how there is to be an ongoing work of God in my life.  Not only does he want to wash away my sin, he also wants to flood us with a river of peace, and like a waves of the sea let righteousness that only he can give flow into my daily experience.

In a world that is in chaos, and a culture here in our own country that is torn apart by division and turmoil – what an important truth this is to remember!  God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to purchase our peace on his cross.  If we will receive Christ into our lives by faith, and if we will live in obedience to God’s Truth revealed in Jesus and in his Word — then his peace will be like a river, and his righteousness will come crashing in on us with waves of cleansing power.

Hallelujah!  Praise His Name!

In a conversation the other day with several other ministers the subject of worship came up, specifically the worship we offer to God through music in our churches.  The sad truth of some listlessness that exists in some congregations that we had observed was part of that conversation.  We talked about how, at times, in some places, and among some people, there can be a dullness in how people approach the music that is sung in church.

To be sure, there is something to be said for music leadership and how those out front or on the platform have a responsibility to provide a base from which engaging corporate worship takes place.  And, that is not about how trained  they are, or how “professionally” they are, but more about how thoughtful they are, and how they exemplify genuine worship.  It doesn’t matter if there is a great voice, a good band, or great pianist, even if they use background tracks or lead acapella – their heart for worship is what matters most.

But, no matter what the leadership is, or their skill or expertise in leading a music portion of a worship service, the act of worship is always a matter of the heart of a person in the service.  And singing in rote fashion with no feeling, no joy, no awe or wonder toward God, blank faced while mind is wandering somewhere other than where you are – is not worship.

By the way, this is not something that is new today.  I read from Spurgeon’s Classic Treasury of David for part of my daily devotion time, and lately the readings have been on worship.  In one it says, “Too much hymn singing is not to the Lord but to the ear of the congregation. Above all, our singing should be sincere, heartfelt, and fervently directed to the Lord”.  In another place he writes, “The beauty of holiness is the only beauty which God desires in our public services and nothing less can take its place. He does not regard the beauty of architecture and clothing. Moral and spiritual beauty are what delight His soul. Worship must not be rendered to Him in a careless, sinful, superficial manner; we must be reverent, sincere, earnest, and pure in heart, both in our prayers and praises.” **

John Wesley is quoted as saying, “Sing lustily, and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you are half dead or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.” **

I am privileged to pastor a group of people who are, in the majority, really engaged in worship – both through the music that they sing with genuine feeling, and in the Word and service.  I, myself, have to be careful that my singing is really from the heart as I prepare to enter the pulpit to share from God’s Word.  My prayer is that God’s people everywhere will worship the Lord with the honor, reverence and joy that is due to His Holy Name, and that we would SING, like we really mean it!

Please, let me know what you think.

***  (Roger Campbell. Spurgeon’s Daily Treasures in the Psalms: Selections from the Classic Treasury of David. Kregel Publications. Kindle Edition.)

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve got this.”?  Maybe you have said it yourself, “I got this!”.  Did you know that if you Google “I’ve got this”, you find multiple links to various dictionaries and other sources?  Yes, from the Cambridge English Dictionary to the Urban Dictionary, and everything in between.

What does it mean to say, “I got this!”  Well, in general terms it means that you can handle something, that you will take care of something, or just to say that you have things under control.  Really?  Because the problem is, most of the time when we say that, we probably don’t mean it, and even if we do mean it it’s probably stretching the truth.

We all know that life is stressful these days, and there is no shortage of things that we must deal with that range from a little irritating, all the way to being completely overwhelming.  But, when it comes to what we tell others it’s kind of like when we ask each other at church, “Good morning, how are you?”  And we slip up that old familiar mask to say, “I’m fine.” – when we’re not fine at all, it’s a charade!

The longer I live, the older I get, the more of life I experience – I realize that “I don’t got this.”  You know what, I’m not always OK or fine, I don’t have things under control much of the time, and there actually are things in my life that I can’t handle and I can’t take care of.     And, I don’t think I am alone.  I believe there are lots of people, and Christian people, that pretend they are alright and everything is good – when in reality they are struggling with a problem, with a temptation or sin, and facing hurts hiding their pain and disorientation.

But listen, also the longer I live with Christ in me, the more mature I get in my walk with the Lord, and the more of life’s experiences I take to Him – I hear God say to me when I am at the end of myself, “I’ve got this!”.  I love how the psalmist says it in Psalm 121:1-8 (HCSB)

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.  Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.  

The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side.  The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.  The LORD will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.  The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious promise that you are with us, that you never leave us, that you would never forsake us, that you are at work in all things for our good, and for the good of your Kingdom!  By your Spirit’s work within us, remind us of this every day, and in every situation, and for all the challenges we face.  Remind us to lift up our eyes toward you, and thank you that you are our keeper, our shade, and our Protector.  In Jesus name, Amen!

PRAISE GOD FOR SMALLER IN ATTENDANCE CHURCH PASTORS!

The following is mostly someone else’s writing, and don’t remember who or when.  I have made only minor personal edits and additions from my own heart and experience.  I found it years ago, but just believe this is an important word to the brave, courageous and diligent men who serve their church, even though it may be a smaller attendance or membership church.  They are my heroes, and I hope they are yours.

In some arenas of discussion today, it seems unpopular, even paradoxical and inconsistent to use “successful” and “pastoring a smaller in attendance church” in the same breath.  It seems that for many, when thinking about churches and pastors, success has to do with big numbers, or at least exponentially increasing numbers.  For a church to not be growing by substantially and ever larger numbers is to some – failure.  Some think for a pastor to remain in a church and the numbers of baptisms and the number of attendees not increase in a substantive way is failure.

But, while it may seem that a slow growing church is failing, and a pastor that is not baptizing hundreds of people every year is a failure – we need to reconsider that ideal.

There are many valid reasons why a church might not show significant growth over even a number of years time.  Small town populations limit the degree to which most churches will grow.  Changing economies will effect a church’s ability to grow – plants or mines close, industry bases change, families come and go with some kinds of work, there are seasonal and many other factors to figure in to the formula.  We live in an ever-increasing itinerant society.  For some, smaller and rural areas and communities are places to “get away”, even to hide from others, maybe even thinking they can hide from God.

Baptisms are not always the best standard by which to gauge a pastor’s, or church’s success.  Many churches are reaching out to difficult cultures, where public professions and “joining” are just not easily accepted.  Some churches are reaching people for salvation, but for various reasons are not seeing those people follow through with baptism and church membership.  Again, there are itinerant and seasonal situations that affect this; sometimes parents prevent children from being baptized, as can some spouses.  And, while baptism seems to have been more immediate in the churches of the New Testament times, today baptism comes within the context of the discipleship journey – sometimes months, or even years after the initial decision.

Maybe the best example to follow in determining our success in ministry is not the easy road of counting noses and baptisms, but rather in comparing ourselves as ministers to the Lord Jesus Christ.  If He indeed is the Shepherd, and we his under-shepherds, we ought to look at his model and pattern of ministry.

Some of us in pioneer areas, and in smaller and/or depressed areas, might draw comfort from the reminder that Jesus did not baptize any converts in his three years of ministry.  It might be comforting to remember that in his three years of ministry, he only garnered a close following of eleven men, and on a good meeting day only had about one hundred and twenty show up.  Sure, on special occasions he spoke to thousands of people, but it was not the norm. The truth is, many days he had more detractors than followers, and had more people trying to kill him than make him King.

So, what was the mark of success in Jesus life and ministry?  In his own words, it was simply this, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38-39 NIV)

Hey pastor, struggling away in a small town and in a church that is doing the best you can against unbelievable cultural and situational odds – do not forget your calling to that place of service.  In addition, do not forget that God called you there to simply do his will – for you, and in that place.  We serve a God who brings people together into a local body.  His will is that you faithfully hold forth the Good News of Jesus Christ, to lead the people of your church to minister effectively with what you have, where you are.  He does not measure your success by the numbers of people you attract to a meeting, or even the number people you are able to pass through the waters of baptism. Remember too, what we are told in 1 Corinthians 12:18 (HCSB), “But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.”

Do not let other people in other places put you down because of your lack of numerical output.  Do not dream of moving up the ladder of so-called success to bigger churches.  Plant your life where God has placed you.  Discover what his will looks like for you, and in your setting and situation.  Be the best you can be for Christ.  Do the best you can for his Kingdom.  Love the people God allows you to reach and gather.  Be a mentor and friend to them, and help them grow into all they can be by God’s grace.  Do not let them fall away without doing your best to bring them back home.  Reach, win and baptize as many as you can, and never use your situation as an excuse to not do your best.  Then, slip under the covers of your bed each night and sleep well, knowing that you have served God’s purpose as best you could.

And those who live and minister in Bible-belt locations, where populations are large and there is a cultural openness to the church should be careful before smugly pronouncing general judgment on churches and pastors that have only a few baptisms to show for their hard labor for the Lord.  Some of these pastors may not have the education others have, but many have masters and doctoral level degrees, they just feel called to where they are.  These men and their families are uniquely gifted to serve the Lord.  They sure do not have the salary and benefits many have.  Some of these churches are living miracles that they even continue to exist.  And, these are some of the most dedicated and committed servants of Christ you will find anywhere.  It might be interesting to see what kind of “success” many critics would have in some of these out-the-way places in which God’s faithful servants toil.

Lord Jesus, give us love for one another that encourages and does not put down.  Help us to consider the weaker among us, in difficult circumstances, and reach out to build them up instead of tearing them down.  And Lord, bless in a special and abundant way those who serve you where others won’t even consider going, and where the going is especially hard.  Reach out your hand to lift their spirits and to sustain their lives.  Help them to rest in the knowledge of your will, and in their fulfilling your will where you have placed them.  Amen.

I’m reminded lately of an old hymn we used to sing in church, and especially verse #1…

“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through
My treasures are laid up, Somewhere beyond the blue.”

 (Written by Mary Reeves Davis • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)

As I survey the political landscape and ponder the political and cultural atmosphere we find ourselves in, in this country, I have a couple of reactions and/or responses:

• Why in the world are we believers in Christ so astonished at the mess we find ourselves in as a nation; and,
• Maybe more importantly, I am amazed at the volume of comments in social media and email by those who are believers in Christ, and the degree of outrage and venomous comments and attitudes that are expressed.

First, in regard to the astonishment at the mess we are in as a nation, and as a culture – have we not been told that this is the way of the world, and should we not expect these things from those who are disconnected from the Lord and the truth of his Word?  Why do we still expect a majority of the population that doesn’t know Christ, and are not committed to the values of His Word, to act right, reasonably and with righteousness?

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19, ESV).

Listen, all the political debates and posturing, all the talk about racism and fairness, all the overdone claims of victimization, all of the moral corruptness that is in all aspects of this earthly experience – all of it is just a product of the foolishness of man and his meager attempts to make self matter, and to gather all the they can for selfish concerns.  But, all of it is also “folly” with God, and it will result in nothing good, and nothing that lasts!  There is a day coming when he will judge all of this and find it wanting.

Secondly, as far as the comments, attitudes and outrage of Christians that the government and political process we live under would be this dysfunctional, and that there is animus toward the things of God – what more could we expect from a carnal, worldly, system?  And, why do we allow ourselves to get sucked into over concern of what matters about it all?

“And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you — you of little faith? So don’t worry” (Matthew 6:28-31a, HCSB).

In other words, my translation, stop worrying about the things of this world – material, political, cultural, etc.!  We have a God who is in control of our lives, and we are to stop worrying about things we cannot control, and things that are only carnal, and keep our focus on the Lord.  So, let’s stop acting the outcome of one political election is life or death, and stop trusting in any individual or government for our stability and source of hope!

Now, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be good citizens and shouldn’t participate in processes – like elections – that we have the privilege of doing.  Yes, make sure you understand the issues and who people are that you are to vote about.  Yes, I am registered to vote and will do so on November 8th.  Yes, study the culture and attitudes of your neighborhood, your community and your state – so you can understand better how to minister and share the Good News with them.

All I am thinking at this point is that we need to chill out when it comes to getting too involved in the political scene.  Not because we don’t have the right.  Not because we shouldn’t have an opinion.  Not because we are scared to loose our tax exemption or might be persecuted.  But, because if we get too caught up in all of the rhetoric we might just shut doors to witness and ministry, because it is too easy to neglect time in spiritual pursuits, and because when we go too far it can bring unnecessary shame or discredit on our Lord’s name!  And, we have to keep our trust for the future squarely in our God, and know that whatever happens we are in His hand.

Could we just take a deep breath, take a couple of steps back, and get our focus and our faith back on the one Source that never fails us, and on the One who is ultimate control over all that happens in the history of His Creation?  Could we, just for a moment, stop putting trust in a worldly system and context, and return to faith firmly on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith?  Why don’t we just take a break from all the news, and all the hubbub about elections, all the social media — and re-orient ourselves to a confidence that He who is in us in greater than he that is in the world, and reaffirm our confidence that He who began a good work within us will bring it to completion in His time, and in the day of our Lord Jesus?

I think doing so, might just make us better citizens, and I am sure it will make us better witnesses for Christ – who is, or at least should be – our life (Colossians 3:4, & 3:1-17)!

That’s my thoughts – let me know what you think.