There's nothing quite like the soft rumble your motorcycle makes as you negotiate the curves of a back road - nothing quite like the feel of the cool wind as it rushes past. I was exulting in the experience this morning on my way to work. It was just a beautiful morning to ride.
Suddenly I was arrested by a thought. I had just passed a dangerous stretch of road, and I had not even paid attention to it. I wrote about this deer-infested patch of road in an earlier post. But after having seen deer in that stretch of road several times, this morning I was oblivious and wasn't paying attention as I drove it.
"Is there a lesson in that, Lord?" I prayed as I motored on down the road. Then just ahead I saw that familiar flash of brown. But this time it wasn't moving - it was dead along the side of the road. The King had my attention now, so I thought about the experience the rest of the way in to work.
It is so easy to become complacent in the Christian life. Especially when our lives are happy and healthy and problem free. When we hurt, we talk to God about it. When we are sick, we ask for health and seek the Great Physician. When our marriages are broken, or our friends and families are fractured, we run straight to the One Who can fix them.
But when things are calm, when our lives feel safe, when we feel the cool breeze blowing across our faces - that's when we are in danger of letting down our guard and falling flat on our faces. That dead deer was a neon sign to me this morning - you are in most danger when you become complacent. Paul, that great warrior of the faith, put it well, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV)
Are things going well for you, my friend? At such times, praise God for His goodness, and pray to Him for His protection. We need to pray one for another just as much during the good times as during the bad. Our newly initiated Wednesday Evening Prayer Meetings are based on this principle - we pray for each other, whether we have stated needs or not. We pray hardest for those who are on the mountaintop. We'll meet this Wednesday at 6:30 and do that very thing. Join us.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
My Sins Have Overtaken Me
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. (Psalm 40:12 NIV)
It is absolutely necessary that we understand the concept of sin. You cannot know how to be saved until you understand that you are in need of it - you are lost in sin. Repentance - turning away from our sin and toward God, is a necessary prerequisite for salvation.
And so we talk about sin... we preach about sin... we encourage one another to turn from sin and lead holy lives. Luke 24:46 says that "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." It is vital that we understand sin, and that we turn from sin to the Lord Jesus Christ.
But for the Christian it is just as vital to accept the forgiveness that comes with that action. When you turn to Christ in repentance, and trust Him for the salvation that He alone can give, you are forgiven... immediately... forever. The writer of Psalms put it like this, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12 NIV) Can you measure the distance between the east and the west? It's infinite - and that's just how far God removes your sin from you when you put your trust in Christ.
Go back and re-read the verse at the top of this note. Too many of us are like that Psalmist. We let our sin overwhelm us. We feel guilty and defeated. As we allow the devil to make us feel guilty over and over about sin that's already been forgiven, we "cannot see" and our "heart fails within us." Our eyes, which should be on Christ, become focused on ourselves and our perceived guilt. Our heart, which should be singing for joy over what Jesus has done for us, becomes stifled with guilt. We come to feel that "my sins have overtaken me."
Christian - you are forgiven. Believe it, and rejoice in it.
It is absolutely necessary that we understand the concept of sin. You cannot know how to be saved until you understand that you are in need of it - you are lost in sin. Repentance - turning away from our sin and toward God, is a necessary prerequisite for salvation.
And so we talk about sin... we preach about sin... we encourage one another to turn from sin and lead holy lives. Luke 24:46 says that "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." It is vital that we understand sin, and that we turn from sin to the Lord Jesus Christ.
But for the Christian it is just as vital to accept the forgiveness that comes with that action. When you turn to Christ in repentance, and trust Him for the salvation that He alone can give, you are forgiven... immediately... forever. The writer of Psalms put it like this, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12 NIV) Can you measure the distance between the east and the west? It's infinite - and that's just how far God removes your sin from you when you put your trust in Christ.
Go back and re-read the verse at the top of this note. Too many of us are like that Psalmist. We let our sin overwhelm us. We feel guilty and defeated. As we allow the devil to make us feel guilty over and over about sin that's already been forgiven, we "cannot see" and our "heart fails within us." Our eyes, which should be on Christ, become focused on ourselves and our perceived guilt. Our heart, which should be singing for joy over what Jesus has done for us, becomes stifled with guilt. We come to feel that "my sins have overtaken me."
Christian - you are forgiven. Believe it, and rejoice in it.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Insanity or Change?
Albert Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." He may have been quoting Benjamin Franklin, for I've also seen this quote attributed to old Ben.
One of the truly remarkable things about a church as old as ours is the simple fact that it is still here. Staying power is rare in this world. Faithfulness is a quality that we need far more of. Randolph Christian Church has "stayed by the stuff" and remained faithful to our King for many many years. Those of you who have been here for an extended period can take pride in that faithfulness.
But a church is not a success just because it is still around. A church succeeds only as it reaches people with the life-changing truth of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Always, that means we must be open to changing our tactics to reach an ever widening audience.
No army wins battles without changing its tactics. No football team can beat a powerful foe unless the coach knows when to make adjustments, and makes them. No business stays in business if it does not adjust to meet changes in the marketplace. And no church can succeed without also changing when it needs to change.
I know that change is hard for people, but it is necessary, and I challenge you to support it here at RCC. Remember the words of Jesus which I think are so appropriate to our church, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52 NASB) Did you see that? Both the new and the old are needed.
We don't have much trouble with the old here at RCC, but I challenge you all to consider our need for the new. We are not reaching children and families. So we are starting a Sunday School on September 9. We are not praying enough one for another as a church, so we have started a Wednesday night prayer meeting. We are desperately in need of men on our team. We are therefore making changes to make our services less feminine, and more masculine. We will never abandon the good old hymns of the faith, but we are pumping up our music program by adding some of the newer and more contemporary music.
Change is in the air, and it's only just beginning! It's half-time in this football game, and we need to put some points on the board. Let's adjust. Let's change. Let's win!
One of the truly remarkable things about a church as old as ours is the simple fact that it is still here. Staying power is rare in this world. Faithfulness is a quality that we need far more of. Randolph Christian Church has "stayed by the stuff" and remained faithful to our King for many many years. Those of you who have been here for an extended period can take pride in that faithfulness.
But a church is not a success just because it is still around. A church succeeds only as it reaches people with the life-changing truth of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Always, that means we must be open to changing our tactics to reach an ever widening audience.
No army wins battles without changing its tactics. No football team can beat a powerful foe unless the coach knows when to make adjustments, and makes them. No business stays in business if it does not adjust to meet changes in the marketplace. And no church can succeed without also changing when it needs to change.
I know that change is hard for people, but it is necessary, and I challenge you to support it here at RCC. Remember the words of Jesus which I think are so appropriate to our church, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52 NASB) Did you see that? Both the new and the old are needed.
We don't have much trouble with the old here at RCC, but I challenge you all to consider our need for the new. We are not reaching children and families. So we are starting a Sunday School on September 9. We are not praying enough one for another as a church, so we have started a Wednesday night prayer meeting. We are desperately in need of men on our team. We are therefore making changes to make our services less feminine, and more masculine. We will never abandon the good old hymns of the faith, but we are pumping up our music program by adding some of the newer and more contemporary music.
Change is in the air, and it's only just beginning! It's half-time in this football game, and we need to put some points on the board. Let's adjust. Let's change. Let's win!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
If the Lord Wills
A good reminder from Dr. David Jeremiah:
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:15)
Experts are always predicting the future - how many hurricanes will strike this year, what will happen to the stock market, and how the housing market will fare, which teams will end up in the World Series, and which products will be hits on store shelves.
It's risky business because no one has the ability to see even five minutes into the future.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, "A wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment, because for every matter there is a time and judgment . . . for he does not know what will happen; so who can tell him when it will occur?" (Ecclesiastes 8:5,7)
Wisdom is the ability to do God's will in God's timing; and though we do not know exactly what the future holds, we can always say, "If the Lord wills . . . ."
Make your plans prayerfully and hold them loosely. And with every prayer request and every plan and project, give it to Him, saying, "Lord, if it be Your will . . . ."
We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:15)
Experts are always predicting the future - how many hurricanes will strike this year, what will happen to the stock market, and how the housing market will fare, which teams will end up in the World Series, and which products will be hits on store shelves.
It's risky business because no one has the ability to see even five minutes into the future.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, "A wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment, because for every matter there is a time and judgment . . . for he does not know what will happen; so who can tell him when it will occur?" (Ecclesiastes 8:5,7)
Wisdom is the ability to do God's will in God's timing; and though we do not know exactly what the future holds, we can always say, "If the Lord wills . . . ."
Make your plans prayerfully and hold them loosely. And with every prayer request and every plan and project, give it to Him, saying, "Lord, if it be Your will . . . ."
We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Rightly Dividing the Word
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)
Maria Fedorovna, the empress of Russia and wife of Czar Alexander III, was known for her philanthropy. She once saved a prisoner from exile in Siberia by transposing a single comma in a warrant signed by Alexander. The czar had written: “Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia.” After Maria’s intervention, the note read: “Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia.” The prisoner was eventually released. (from Today in the Word, July 14, 1993)
Accuracy is everything, isn't it? None of us would want to undergo brain surgery from a "close-is-good-enough" surgeon, would we? We would want to believe the guy knew EXACTLY where to make that incision, right? Accuracy is everything.
So with our handling of the Bible. Accuracy is everything. Paul told Timothy to "rightly divide the word of truth." When we apply this principle, we do away with so many misconceptions and perceived problems in the Bible. It interprets itself, if we just "rightly divide the word."
For example, in God's ten commandments, He forbade murder. "Thou shalt not MURDER." (Exodus 20:13) However, God is also the author of capital punishment (Genesis 9:1-6). "See," shout the unbelievers, "that Bible is FULL of inconsistencies like that!" But there is no inconsistency. One verse is directed at individuals. One is directed at governments. Rightly divided, we see that the Bible always forbids murder, but also requires governments to take action in dealing with crime. We get confused when we apply God's teaching about government to us as individuals, or vice versa.
Let's be accurate. Let's rightly divide the word of truth. When we do, we find the Bible is perfect, and contains not a single mistake.
Maria Fedorovna, the empress of Russia and wife of Czar Alexander III, was known for her philanthropy. She once saved a prisoner from exile in Siberia by transposing a single comma in a warrant signed by Alexander. The czar had written: “Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia.” After Maria’s intervention, the note read: “Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia.” The prisoner was eventually released. (from Today in the Word, July 14, 1993)
Accuracy is everything, isn't it? None of us would want to undergo brain surgery from a "close-is-good-enough" surgeon, would we? We would want to believe the guy knew EXACTLY where to make that incision, right? Accuracy is everything.
So with our handling of the Bible. Accuracy is everything. Paul told Timothy to "rightly divide the word of truth." When we apply this principle, we do away with so many misconceptions and perceived problems in the Bible. It interprets itself, if we just "rightly divide the word."
For example, in God's ten commandments, He forbade murder. "Thou shalt not MURDER." (Exodus 20:13) However, God is also the author of capital punishment (Genesis 9:1-6). "See," shout the unbelievers, "that Bible is FULL of inconsistencies like that!" But there is no inconsistency. One verse is directed at individuals. One is directed at governments. Rightly divided, we see that the Bible always forbids murder, but also requires governments to take action in dealing with crime. We get confused when we apply God's teaching about government to us as individuals, or vice versa.
Let's be accurate. Let's rightly divide the word of truth. When we do, we find the Bible is perfect, and contains not a single mistake.
Monday, August 6, 2007
In Battle or in Bed
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
A captain in the Confederate army once asked General "Stonewall" Jackson how he could remain so calm in the face of the horrors of war. Jackson, a staunch Christian, answered, "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."
Jesus modeled that same peace in the midst of danger. When the boat carrying Him and His disciples encountered a tremendous storm at sea, Jesus slept through it! The disciples were astonished at His calm. But He knew what Stonewall knew - The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom (or what) shall I be afraid?
Do you have that level of confidence in God? It's there for the asking.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
A captain in the Confederate army once asked General "Stonewall" Jackson how he could remain so calm in the face of the horrors of war. Jackson, a staunch Christian, answered, "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."
Jesus modeled that same peace in the midst of danger. When the boat carrying Him and His disciples encountered a tremendous storm at sea, Jesus slept through it! The disciples were astonished at His calm. But He knew what Stonewall knew - The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom (or what) shall I be afraid?
Do you have that level of confidence in God? It's there for the asking.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
120 Years Per Inch?
"In the beginning, God..." (Genesis 1:1)
Do you believe that?
I recently toured an underground cavern which was stunningly beautiful. Stalactites of breathtaking beauty and design hung from the ceiling while mirrored from below by stalagmites. Cavern after cavern increasingly revealed the artistic genius of our God. At one point during the tour, the group entered a large cavern containing what appeared to be a church organ at one end. Apparently, years ago, somebody had discoverered that when you tap a stalactite, it produces a sound. Armed with this knowledge, the discoverer went on to create this organ that generates its music from tapping thousands of the stalactites in the cave. Seconds later, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was echoing eerily from the flickering depths of the cave. I marvelled and worshipped at the same time. A mighty fortress, indeed! "The earth showeth forth His handiwork."
But what's that you say? Those stalactites and stalagmites were formed over millions of years? Each of those magnificent sculptures was formed at a rate of one inch per every 120 years? It was simply a natural process that occurred during that eons-long period when mankind was evolving from the primordial ooze?
Sorry, I just don't buy that. "In the beginning God." If you accept that one phrase in our Bible, then you have no trouble believing everything else - including the fact the earth is not millions or billions of years old, but only thousands, as the Bible teaches... and including the fact that things like that amazing cavern with its stunning hues and colors and sculptures that put Michelangelo to shame, were all the result of a creative God.
"In the beginning God!" That is the world view that shapes every aspect of our belief system as Christians. And that world view includes the fact that God is God - sovereign and supreme. He can do as He pleases and does not rely on natural processes. He can create all the multiplied trillions of stars in our universe with a simple word, so why would we think He needs 120 years to form an inch of rock?
"In the beginning God." Say it over and over and over to yourself today. If you get hold of that truth it colors everything you see, everything you say, everything you believe.
"In the beginning God."
Do you believe that?
I recently toured an underground cavern which was stunningly beautiful. Stalactites of breathtaking beauty and design hung from the ceiling while mirrored from below by stalagmites. Cavern after cavern increasingly revealed the artistic genius of our God. At one point during the tour, the group entered a large cavern containing what appeared to be a church organ at one end. Apparently, years ago, somebody had discoverered that when you tap a stalactite, it produces a sound. Armed with this knowledge, the discoverer went on to create this organ that generates its music from tapping thousands of the stalactites in the cave. Seconds later, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was echoing eerily from the flickering depths of the cave. I marvelled and worshipped at the same time. A mighty fortress, indeed! "The earth showeth forth His handiwork."
But what's that you say? Those stalactites and stalagmites were formed over millions of years? Each of those magnificent sculptures was formed at a rate of one inch per every 120 years? It was simply a natural process that occurred during that eons-long period when mankind was evolving from the primordial ooze?
Sorry, I just don't buy that. "In the beginning God." If you accept that one phrase in our Bible, then you have no trouble believing everything else - including the fact the earth is not millions or billions of years old, but only thousands, as the Bible teaches... and including the fact that things like that amazing cavern with its stunning hues and colors and sculptures that put Michelangelo to shame, were all the result of a creative God.
"In the beginning God!" That is the world view that shapes every aspect of our belief system as Christians. And that world view includes the fact that God is God - sovereign and supreme. He can do as He pleases and does not rely on natural processes. He can create all the multiplied trillions of stars in our universe with a simple word, so why would we think He needs 120 years to form an inch of rock?
"In the beginning God." Say it over and over and over to yourself today. If you get hold of that truth it colors everything you see, everything you say, everything you believe.
"In the beginning God."
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