WOE IS ME

Read Jeremiah 15:10-21.

Self-pity is not a particularly attractive attitude, but an understandable one, given difficult circumstances we may find ourselves in.   The prophet Jeremiah was fairly wallowing in it as we come to the fifteenth chapter of this book—and can we blame him?

All he has tried to do is to be faithful to God’s call and proclaim his message.  The result was that people despised him and fought against him on every hand.  His sermons not only failed to bring sinners to their knees, it caused them to seek the man of God’s life!  And he was fine with dying.  He wished he had never been born.  It was that bad.

You may be shocked at that.  We want to elevate Bible characters to a legendary level—making them virtual demi-gods.  Reading Scripture shows us the opposite—that they were real men and women, plagued by doubts and fears, who knew heartache and pain like all of us—and sometimes much more than any of us!

The prophet spoke the truth—hard medicine to swallow—and yet the bitter pill of the call to repentance was an act of great compassion.  It was the only hope for the Jews—and they rejected it.  What would remain would be God’s fire and fury.

Back to the scorned preacher—he was not that way!  God knew his heart.  He didn’t loathe the Word of God; he loved it—voraciously devouring its message—and responding joyfully to those wonderful words of life!  He was not ashamed to identify himself with the name of the LORD.  He refused to sit in the seat of the scornful.  The result was that he was alone, broken-hearted—and becoming bitter.

It was then that he approached a line, none ought to cross.  He accuses God of wrong—that the Lord had been unfaithful to him. Like the promise of water in the desert, he came to God and said, “It is only a mirage.”

God answers his man—and calls him to repentance.  Jeremiah is headed down a path where he will join his countrymen in judgment, if he doesn’t turn around.  He thinks he has reached the end of his rope and God informs him that His power is available when Jeremiah’s resources fail.  He will not change his circumstances, but He will enable him to stand in the storm.  God won’t take away the enemy, but He will give the victory.

May God fortify our feeble faith.  The enemy is real.  The pain is not imaginary.  The test is severe—but our God is greater!

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

You may recall Tina Turner’s pop music hit from years ago that posed this question.  As we approach Valentine’s Day—a time designated to celebrate love—it is an uncomfortable conversation we need to have.  Turner’s song was very cynical—conveying that the relationship of man and women is merely physical in nature and love is just a romantic ideal— an antiquated notion.  Many people look at marriage and love that way—even among those who claim Christianity as their faith.

The numbers are staggering.  The shocking statistics from the Federal Government Centers for Disease Control finds 60% of women and 67% of men believe, “Living together before marriage may help prevent divorce.”  The numbers of women and men who agreed, “A young couple should not live together unless they are married has been decreasing from 34.7% in 2002 to 30.8% in 2006-2010, down to 28% in 2013.  I would like to think the attitudes among those in Bible-believing churches would be the reverse of this, but from what I hear and see, those convictions may be eroding.  With each passing year, the culture more than the Scripture seems to direct our morals.

Times have changed—but, God has not.  His standards have not.

Sex isn’t dirty.  It is a precious gift of God who made us sexual beings and designed it for procreation—and also pleasure—within the bounds of holy matrimony. God wasn’t trying to rob us of fun, but rather His commands are for our benefit so that we may experience ultimate joy.  The fact is “trying it out” by cohabitation does not help prevent divorce, but studies show that the guilt and shame—the self-centered baggage—carried into marriage increases the odds the marriage will fail.  A fire in the fireplace can heat your home on a cold winter’s night.  Let that fire escape its barrier and it will burn the house down!

What’s love got to do with it?  Everything—true love, God’s way.  Much of what is described as love today is lust.

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV)  A sobering truth, isn’t it?  Because I love you, I must warn you.

Thankfully, there is grace and mercy available from the Lord.  We can turn from our sin and seek Him.  His way is always best.  May God use His Word to shape us and His Spirit to convict us in this area. I can go astray in this sexually explicit society.  If I don’t stay close to God and close to my spouse, Satan can find an easy target.  If David, a man after God’s own heart, could yield to temptation, any of us can.  Pray for one another.  Pray for marriages.  Pray for purity.  As we come to Valentine’s Day, may we celebrate true love!

AN APPOINTMENT TO KEEP

Read Psalm 5.

There are some appointments we should keep today.  David met with God first thing in the morning as he prayed.  Will you?  He came before his King in surrender.  He cried out to his God in supplication.  Before he looked into the face of men, he looked up to the face of his Master.  Can you think of anyone more important to see today?  

He is a holy God.  David felt the gravity of this appointment.  Let us come before Him in repentance.  It is an awesome thing to be in His presence.  We do not come causally or carelessly, and yet we are invited through grace to come.  God is waiting for you.  Will you keep that appointment?

The second appointment we should keep today is to gather at the house of God for worship.  There is an appointed hour and place to meet with God’s people to celebrate His goodness together.  

David speaks of coming into God’s house “in the multitude of Your mercy.”  By rights we should all be in hell today, but God has shown mercy in that we are alive.  Having sought His salvation, we can now sing and shout for joy in that God has shown us mercy on top of mercy.  

The world is a hostile place.  David had many enemies. Yet, the house of God was a sanctuary—a place of refuge for his soul.  I need that.  You need that.  Will you keep that appointment?

What will be your attitude and activity today as you come before the Lord and meet with His people?  Will an overflowing heart of love and joy be exuberantly expressed?  God deserves our praise.  He has taken us through another week, and so we are privileged to thank Him for what He has done, as we anticipate more blessing to come in the week ahead.  With favor He surrounds us as a shield. 

PASSIONATE PRAYING

Read Psalm 4.

There should be earnestness in our praying—not going through the motions, mouthing a few pious phrases, checking it off our “to do list” and then moving on.  Such praying is wasted breath.  It rises no higher than the ceiling.  It is like those who draw near to God with their lips, while their heart is far from Him.

David’s plea was urgent and passionate.  He needs an answer from God.  There is confidence God will hear because God has relieved him from distress before.  There is confidence, yet not the arrogance of a petulant, demanding child.  He begs for mercy.  Yet, there is boldness to come to the throne of grace.   He needs deliverance from his foes, and their diabolical schemes.

David was a man after God’s own heart.  That did not make him immune from the attacks of others.  In fact, it guarantees it.  If you please God, you will displease a lot of people.  Yet, David realizes that he is in God’s hands.

How do you feel when people lie about you?  It angered David—and that is an emotional response, altogether proper.  But, he speaks within his heart a warning not to allow that anger to be sinfully expressed.  He will not take matters into his own hands, but trust in a sovereign God to whom vengeance properly belongs.  He calms his soul by meditating on the Lord while he lies in bed.

David directed his heart from looking around him at his enemies, to looking above him at his God.  He worships.  He trusts.  Having been attacked, he puts it in the hands of the Lord.  The anger then dissipates.  The potential fear dissolves.  Instead, David expresses joy and experiences peace.  Despite his circumstances, and the threats of men, he reposes in the arms of God.  Can you find a safer place?

WILL YOU STILL NOT BE MADE CLEAN?

Read Jeremiah 13:18-27

If we do not humble ourselves, then God will humble us.  We can bow our knee to God willingly or God can bring us to our knees forcibly.  We can be broken before God in contrition or be broken by God in correction.  This is the warning God gave to Judah through Jeremiah.

He began with a message to the leaders of Jerusalem—the king and queen mother—for they had failed to shepherd the people spiritually and the result is they would see the people suffer physically.  As a woman conceiving, carrying, and birthing a baby, they would see the process James describes, “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (1:15).  

The people of Jerusalem had committed spiritual adultery against the Lord as unfaithful idolaters.  Their morally lewd practices and shameful acts arose from the worship of promiscuous, pagan deities whose temples essentially housed an orgy. Since they wanted such nakedness, God would pull their skirts over their heads, exposing them to the Babylonian conquerors who would strip them bare and shackle them in bondage.  Away to Babylon they would be taken, to a place flooded with idols, since that was the kind of worship they set their hearts on.  God would gorge them with it, until they could bear no more.

The reality is they could not cleanse themselves.  Lest we sit in self-righteous judgment on those Jews, we had best look in the mirror of God’s holy law and understand our hearts are likewise depraved.  As an Ethiopian cannot change the color of his skin and a leopard cannot exchange his spots for the stripes of a tiger, we cannot change our sinful nature.  It is who we are.  

That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus—an extremely committed religionist—that he had to be born again—to gain a new nature (see John 3).  Christ said that none get to heaven otherwise.  It is not reformation of our old nature, but regeneration bringing a new nature that saves us and fits us for heaven.  Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from sin.  God must make us clean.  Apart from that He will say, “Woe to you....  Will you still not be MADE clean?” (Emphasis added)

THE PARTY’S OVER!

Read Jeremiah 13:12-17.

When Herbert Hoover ran for President in 1928, his campaign promised, “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.”  At the time, it was a slogan indicating that the economy would boom and people would prosper under a Hoover administration.  Instead, eight months into his presidency, the stock market crashed and the United States entered the Great Depression.

God makes a similar promise to Judah.  It was a familiar expression for prosperity at the time: “Every bottle shall be filled with wine.”  It was spoken with sarcasm, but the Jews missed the meaning, and in their pride said, “Do we not certainly know that...?”  So smug were they, that even though Jeremiah had been warning them of judgment, they were singing, “Happy days are here again!”

Our economy seems to be booming at the time—and we should be grateful to God.  But, let us refrain from the folly that thinks we may sin with impunity—drunk with pride, power, and prosperity—lest unhappy days of God’s wrath descend.  The wine bottles would be full in Jerusalem, but the people would empty the contents and become filled with wine in celebration.  They would stagger into one another and fall down to their hurt.  In the midst of the celebration, God would essentially say, “The party’s over!”

Will we listen?  Will we learn?  Will Americans repent of their pride and give glory to God alone?  If we do not them we can expect the same end to “our shining city on a hill” as befell Jerusalem. The lights will be turned out and darkness will cover the land.  If you look from space as night blankets the United States, you can see an America where lights shine like beacons across the continent.  Do you know what would happen, if a low yield nuclear weapon emitting an electro-magnetic pulse was exploded above us?  The electrical grid would fail.  All electronics and computers would be wiped out.  Deep darkness would descend.

Jeremiah wept for what was coming to his nation.  Repentant lamentation should supplant raucous laughter in America, or there will be weeping and wailing surpassing anything we have known as judgment falls.

GOOD FOR NOTHING

Read Jer.13:1-11. 

Good for nothing—not a flattering description to give someone.  Yet, it was the accurate assessment of God concerning Judah.  

It was illustrated by an object lesson—a visual aid—Jeremiah used to communicate the wicked ways of his people.  God told Jeremiah to buy a sash and wear it.  This was a garment, much like underwear worn against the skin, stretching from the waist to the thigh.  Being made of linen meant it was rather expensive—not cheap material.  He was not to wash it, so you can imagine how underwear might get a bit nasty. After a time, the prophet was told to take the garment and bury it under a rock beside the Euphrates River which bordered Babylon. Later, he was commanded to make the seven hundred mile round trip and recover the garment, which was now ruined—good for nothing.

The message was plain.  God valued the Jews.  He brought them close to Him.  They might have been a people “for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.”  Failing to listen to God’s commands and cling to Him, Israel and Judah would be cast away as worthless, soiled underwear.  Babylon’s armies would cross the Euphrates and conquer Jerusalem.

There are few things more tragic than wasted potential.  We hear the sad stories of a gifted athlete who might have been a champion, but their lack of discipline kept them from attaining the crown.  Instead they chose the party scene—drugs and drunkenness, wine and women—the nightlife when they ought to have been sleeping.  What might have been would never be.  They became washed up, wasted, worthless to the team.

I have seen this among church members and leaders.  I have witnessed the giftedness of a singer, teacher, deacon or preacher, walking close to God and being blessed and blessing others.  Then they begin to drift.  They no longer are as passionate for God.  They bury their talent under worldly concerns and amusements.  Their soul becomes soiled and their witness in tatters.

Is God speaking to you today?  Will you hear and heed the message?  

Good for nothing—don’t let that be your epitaph. 

GOD FORSAKEN

God forsaken—what a frightening term for a fearful truth—and it was what the inhabitants of Jerusalem were about to experience.  The vultures were circling and the jackals were skulking—waiting to pick the bones of the dead.  The Jews should have raised their voices to God in repentance, but instead roared at Him as a lion in their arrogance.  That was folly to be met with God’s fury.

The Lord had brought them into a land flowing with milk and honey, but soon there would only be desolation.  The rulers of Babylon—the commanders of their army—would invade—rape, pillage, destroy, kill, and enslave until all would be destroyed.  

Notice, that it is “the sword of the LORD” that falls upon them.  God is sovereign and even as He will use the Babylonians as His sword, it is His hand that wields it.  God is not beyond using a foreign nation to bring down wrath on a land like America today—such a God-blessed land that can soon become a desolation because we have forgotten the source of our blessing.  Nuclear weapons would do that.

The farmers sowed what they hoped would be a harvest of grain, but they would instead reap thorns.  You reap what you sow, and thorns are the crop that comes from the curse of sin.

When Jerusalem fell, the nations that encircled them—Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Syria, and others would be exult in the downfall of Judah and like the aforementioned vultures and jackals were eager to devour the scraps.  Yet, Babylon would conquer those nations, as well.

Out of the dark storm clouds descending on Jerusalem, a beam of hope breaks through in the distance.  After 70 years of captivity, the Jews will be permitted to return.  God will have compassion—and not just to them.  The pagans who dwelt in the land, and influenced the Jews to call on Baal, can be influenced by the Jews to call on the LORD—and “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Rom.10:13). There is hope for Jews and Gentiles alike.  We can sink roots of repentance into the soil of salvation or we will be uprooted and destroyed.  There is no middle ground. 

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL STAMINA

Read Jeremiah 12:1-6.

Why do bad things happen to good people?  It is an age-old, perplexing question. Jeremiah stands that on its head with an equally vexing question, essentially asking God, “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Jeremiah is not bitter.  He prefaces his question with a confession of God’s utter righteousness.  Yet, even though the prophet knows this in his head, his heart is another matter—struggling with the fact that he as a prophet was being faithful to God, resulting in suffering and the false prophets were being faithless and experiencing success.  His eyes were full of tears over sin while the false prophets mouths were full of laughter profiting from sin.  The hypocrites were firm in their position and fruitful in their profession—using religious vocabulary to beguile the people while the prophets’ minds were on profits instead of God.

Jeremiah was a great man.  But, he was a man—subject to the same struggles of us all.  We sometimes think the champions of the Bible were supermen, but no—they felt the same hurt, and fretted over the same issues as we do.  If you are struggling while serving God today, just remember that you are in good company—all God’s men have.  Faithfulness to God means there will be no favor from the godless.

Jeremiah proposes a solution.  He has been treated like a sheep for the slaughter by the religious leaders (11:19), so why wouldn’t God turn it around and bring the same judgment on his foes?  It’s only fair!

God’s answer is not what we might expect.  Basically, God told him that what happened in him was more important than what happened to him!  God not only permitted Jeremiah’s pain, but He had a purpose for it.  The prophet questioned God, so God questioned him.  I paraphrase, “If you’re struggling to keep up running with the infantry, how do you expect to race with the cavalry?  If you’re worn down running in an oasis, how will you be at slogging through a jungle?  If you think it hard to endure the taunts of the enemy, how will you withstand the treachery of your family?”

There is only one way to develop spiritual stamina and strengthen faith muscles—resistance.  We must place ourselves in a gym with a grueling workout.  We must run until we think we are going to collapse.  That’s how we get ready for a marathon.  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Heb.12:1-3)

DESPERATE FOR GOD

Read Psalm 3

All of us at some point will find ourselves in a situation where we desperately need God.  Maybe you’re at that point today.  That’s why you’re reading this—hoping to find some help in your desperate state.  I have good news.  King David, writer of this psalm, found himself in such a spot (see superscription).  Can you imagine heartache so great as knowing that your own child is trying to kill you? Perhaps you’re in this desperate place because of bad choices—David was reaping what he had sown.  Or you’ve done nothing wrong in particular, but still you find yourself in a mess.  Whatever the cause, the truth remains, that you are desperate for God.

We can face DISTRESSING TROUBLE  (v.1-2)  This is a “psalm” of David.  For the first time the word “psalm” is used.  It comes from the Heb. Mizmor a term meaning to prune or cut away extraneous branches.  Have you ever spoken to someone beating around the bush, giving all sorts of unnecessary details and you say, “Cut to the chase!”  That’s what David did!  He got directly to the point.  There may be a time when turning a flowery phrase and rising to heights of oratorical splendor may be fine, but when a man is drowning he doesn’t say, “O great lifeguard who sits enthroned upon the beach chair, wouldst thou in an opportune season see fit to journey across the burning sands and plunge into these whitecaps, swimming against the current that you may bring me safely to shore, for I am perishing in this riptide.”  NO!  You’ll drown.  You cry, “Help!”

David does so because of the dimensions of the trouble (v.1)  David had always had his enemies.  Those who follow the Lord will always face fierce foes.  Jesus said that the servant isn’t greater than his master.  If they treated Him with hatred, how do we expect better treatment? But the sheer size of the opposition was overwhelming to the king whose crown had been taken by his own son.  I would remind you that the majority are not always right.  In fact, we most always are going to find the devil’s numbers much larger than our own.  Do not be desperate to have the world’s approval, but be desperate for God’s.  If you please God, you will often displease people.  You may not find yourself on a battlefield running for your life like David, but you will face battles from time to time—count on it.  I look at the prayer cards each week and I read the pleas of desperate people who are facing financial disaster, health concerns, family issues--the dimensions of the troubles is vast.  What do we do?  What David did—cry out to God!

If we do not gaze into God’s face with faith then we are going to succumb to the discouragement from the trouble (v.2)  The enemy of our souls will seek to undermine our faith with fear.  He will whisper, “Why, even God has forsaken you.”  In response, David writes, “Selah” for the first of 3 times in this psalm and many times in others.  It is a musical notation and Bible scholars don’t know what.  What we do know is that it had the thrust of causing the audience to stop and consider carefully what was said.  David says, “Stop for a moment.  Reflect.  Don’t judge anything by appearances alone.  Get God’s perspective.”

DISTRESSING TROUBLE can bring us to DETERMINED TRUST  (v.3-6)  He refuses to be overwhelmed by his trouble, but looks beyond it to God.  Are many against Him?  He knows that if God be for us who can be against us!  Does the accuser say that God has abandoned you?  He knows God will never leave us nor forsake us.

We find courage rooted in God's Person (v.3-4)  “But YOU” is emphatic.  In contrast to the fickleness of man, He rested in the faithfulness of God!  God is our protector “a shield” and promoter “my glory” and peace “who lifts up my head.”  David offered passionate, prevailing prayer “I cried to the Lord.”  It was the persistent pattern of his life.  He recalled the countless times God had heard him before.  In this same wilderness he had fled from Saul and been preserved.  The God who gave him the crown the first time, would restore it again.

We have confidence resting in God's provision (v.5-6)  Stressful days are often followed by sleepless nights.  But David didn’t have to reach for medication—he relied on meditation.  He didn’t count sheep, but contemplated the Shepherd and slept like a baby.  When he woke still alive he knew the Lord was watching over him and a new hope dawned.

So David moves from DISTRESSING TROUBLE to DETERMINED TRUST that yields DECISIVE TRIUMPH  (v.7-8)  We are more than conquerors!

Remember the source of triumph (v.7a, 8a)  This is the battle cry of Israel! Our champion is undefeated. “My God” is concerned about you!

Note the scope of triumph (v.7b, 8b)  Satan has had his teeth knocked out—the worst he can do is gum you!  When God blessed the leader the scope of blessing extends to the people.  So pray for them!

Salvation is of the Lord.  That is our greatest need.  If we can trust God with meeting that need--and He has through Jesus--can we not trust Him with lesser ones?

THE PATH TO PROSPERITY

Read Psalm 1

As we embark on a new year, do we desire God to prosper us?  By that, I do not mean a spirit of greed and covetousness, but wanting to be all God designs for us and to have all that God desires for us.  The Psalmist shows the way.

There is the POSITION of one God prospers (v.1).  It is stated in the negative.  

God blesses the one who refuses to stride with the ungodly.  He or she chooses to march to the beat of a different drum.  Our counsel comes from saints and not sinners.

God blesses the one who refuses to stand with the sinful.  It doesn’t mean we do not seek to befriend sinners in order to win them to faith, but that we do not abide in their wicked ways.

God blesses the one who refuses to sit with the scoffer.  If we fill our minds with the diatribes and distortions aimed at undermining our faith, we will see an erosion of conviction.

As a child, I learned in church, “Be careful little feet where you go...be careful little eyes what you see...be careful little ears what you hear.”  It is a profound truth stated in simple text.

There is the PASSION of one God prospers (v.2).  

Let this year be one of devotion to the truth of Scripture.  It is God’s love letter to you.  I cannot fathom how one can claim to love God and ignore His Word.

Let this passion move you to meditation on the truth of Scripture.  Immerse yourself in it.  Chew on it until thoroughly digested, as the metaphor of a sheep chewing its cud—conveyed by the Hebrew term.

There is the PRODUCTION of one God prospers (v.3).

You will be firmly planted—roots penetrating deeply so as not to be blown about by every wind of doctrine.  Such draw nourishment from the rivers of the Spirit to prevent spiritual drought.

You will be fruitfully productive—in every season bearing the appropriate fruit of the Spirit for that situation.

You will be fragrantly perennial.  Picture the pine whose leaves do not turn and fall off.  Recall the fragrance of its branches.  So, from start to finish we can shed abroad the fragrance of Christ consistently.

You will be faithfully prosperous.  In every area of life, the touch of God will be manifest.

This stands in contrast to the ungodly (v.4-6).  They are mere chaff driven by the wind, sifted at the Judgment Seat and rejected, doomed to eternal destruction.  Which side will we choose?  To prosper in the eternal sunshine of Heaven, or to perish in the everlasting darkness of Hell?

INVESTING IN ETERNITY

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV)

Right now the stock market is in record territory, rising like a rocket.  The thing about rockets, however, is they can come down just as fast—with a crash at the end.  Let me tell you where you need to invest—in eternity!  The things of God will endure when all that is of this world passes away.  While it is true that we can’t take it with us, we can send it on ahead to a place where it is safe.  On earth, designer clothes can be moth-eaten, fancy cars will rust, and extravagant homes may be plundered by thieves.  No worries about that in heaven!  You are guaranteed an abundant return on your investment!

The month of November will feature a series of Biblical messages to challenge us in this area.  By far, the most significant investment we can make is on FRIEND DAY, November 5.  Invite some friends to join you at Pole Creek where they will hear a special Gospel message on “Life’s Most Important Question.”

On November 12, we will consider “The Stewardship Challenge.”  God challenges us to “prove” Him.  Did you know this is the only area where God invites us to put Him to the test?

November 19 presents “The Stewardship Choice.”  We have a choice about how we invest in what God gives to us.  What we have is not ours, but His and we will be accountable for how we choose to invest it.

The series concludes on November 26 with “The Stewardship Commitment.”  The commitment we make needs to be plentiful, purposeful, and productive.  We will ask God to guide us in our giving commitment for the next year.

Thank you for being such a generous church!  The Lord has blessed us with a big-hearted congregation.  It is a privilege to serve you!

Blessings,

Pastor Dennis  

IMPROVE YOUR SERVE

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  (Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV)

What Paul means by “things that accompany salvation,” points in the context to the Christian’s “work and labor of love” demonstrated “in that you have ministered to the saints….”  Our “full assurance of hope” is reinforced by our service to Christ.  Note—we are not saved because we serve, but we serve because we are saved.  The question then is not will I serve God or not—that is not an option—but how effective am I in service?

That vital matter leads me to share a series of messages in October entitled, “Improve Your Serve.”  No matter where we are on the scale of faithfulness to serve and fruitfulness in service, there is always room for improvement.  So, we will share from Scripture how we can be more effective in our work for the Lord.

I don’t know if you play tennis or have at some point, but if you do then you understand how crucial the serve is to winning the match.  Where you serve—there is a specific area where the ball must land—and the way you serve—the greater the speed and spin you put on the ball the better—cannot be overstated as to its significance.  One of the keys to improving your serve in tennis is follow through.  It isn’t just focusing on the immediate impact at the point of striking the ball—certainly crucial—but how we follow through the point of impact which determines direction and velocity.

As a spiritual illustration, the point of impact is the commitment to follow Christ which calls us to salvation and with salvation a commission to service.  The impact on us is the receiving of grace gifts that equip us with the resources we need to get the job done.  The impact on the world is measured by the degree of follow through.  This is what gives our service force and leads us to victory—victorious Christian service!

So, what has God called you to do?  How has He wired you up?  What are your spiritual gifts?  Are you following through on serving Him?

THE HOME FOR DISCIPLESHIP

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  (2 Timothy 1:1-5 NKJV)

The home base for discipleship is the Christian home.  While the church can offer resources and reinforcement for discipling our children, we cannot replace what God can do through a father and mother.  Here we see a young man, Timothy, who would make a difference in the world because he was discipled in the home.  A spiritual legacy was transmitted from his mother and grandmother.  Paul had become as a father to him in mentoring him for ministry.  Here is hope for the single parent or for a child whose parents have no spiritual interest.  The church's involvement must extend beyond a couple of hours of teaching during the week and have individual members who invest time and attention on that child which is lacking in the home.  Bottom line: the church has been hemorrhaging youth for years and this must be reversed!  This will not change until authentic faith is modeled and taught consistently in the family unit.  Gone are the days (if there ever were such) that you could drop your kids off at church and expect that will get the job done.  At best that approach is creating spiritual mediocrity and at worst, shoving our sons and daughters toward the abyss.  Dads and Moms, the church will seek to support you more intentionally and effectively, but you must own the responsibility.  God gave you those kids.  What will you do with them?

THE RAREST OF JEWELS

It as been said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Since I don’t have room in this newsletter for a thousand words—and you might not take the time to read them—I will paint a picture of this Biblical principle: a virtuous woman is a rare jewel; a godly mother is of exquisite worth.  I found one in 1973—a treasure called Marilyn Crayton—who on August 24, 1974 became Marilyn Thurman.  Then in 1978, she became a mother with the arrival of the first of five children.  Her portrait in words will be framed by an acrostic of her name.

M—is for model.  She will be embarrassed to read this, of course—and she will quickly deny it, giving you all kinds of reasons why she is not that great a mother.  She isn’t perfect, but Marilyn is a model which every young woman would be wise to emulate.  Her daughters are following her pattern, and by my admittedly prejudiced opinion, are virtuous women as well.

A—is for Alert.  Marilyn has radar—a remarkable intuitive ability.  The kids will tell you she has eyes in the back of her head.  She is ever aware of dangers to the family and opportunities for good.  She has been an invaluable source of help in decision-making to me due to this quality. Her diligent study of the Word of God and sensitivity to the Spirit of God are the root of this.

R—is for Real.  I don’t know a person more real than Marilyn.  She is what she is and you know where she stands.  There is not a shred of pretense.  She hates subterfuge.  Marilyn is so transparent.  You don’t have to wonder what she’s thinking.  You can read her like a book.

I—is for Intercessor.  There is no telling where I would be if not for the faithful, fervent prayers of my wife.  She regularly cries out to God on behalf of our family and flock.  There have been times I have awakened in the night to hear her whispering passionate prayers.  When the “spiritual” preacher may want to collapse in slumber, she will often say, “Let’s pray.”

L—is for Loving.  Since Marilyn pledge her love to me, I have never doubted it for a moment.  She declares it and demonstrates it in a myriad of ways on a daily basis.  Her love for her children and grandchildren is so intense that you had rather try to rob a mama bear of her cubs than do something to her family.  All this flows from her love for the Lord. She loves people.

Y—is for Yielded. She follows the Biblical command to yield to my leadership.  She doesn’t hesitate to express her opinion, but when the final call must be made she defers to me.  Only one exception would be possible—her final allegiance is to Christ.  She is surrendered to Him.

N—is for Near.  She is not omnipresent as the Lord, but she stands by her man.  I know that some of you reading this are single or single again—and this partnership is something you crave or now miss.  If the Lord tarries His coming, one of us will likely slip away first and what a sorrowful thought!  For now, I just want to squeeze out every minute with her in this frantic life.

To all the women out there—let me challenge you to be virtuous.  For each wife, may I urge you to be godly.  To each mother who models holiness, I say, “Happy Mother’s Day!”  Men and children, heed the Biblical injunction:

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  (Proverbs 31:28-30 NKJV)

POWER FROM OUR PAIN

We have likely heard the expression, “No pain; no gain.”  That is true in getting physically fit.  Working out is exactly that—work!  If muscles are to be built they are first made sore.  It is the exertion that produces the stamina and strength.  There is no easy way.  This is a spiritual axiom as well.  Faith muscle can only develop through resistance.  Pain produces power.  It is for our profit if received as such.  We have the notable example of the Apostle Paul as he shared it in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10:

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.  For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul is speaking of an experience he had—unsure whether it was a vision or transported physically into God’s presence.  The occasion is uncertain, but the destination is said to be, “the third heaven.”  The first heaven is our sky—the atmosphere where clouds form and birds fly; the second heaven is space—where the stars shine and planets pursue their courses; the third heaven is Paradise where God sits on His throne—the object of worship by angels and departed saints.

It is of note that Paul refused to give details of his trip to Heaven, unlike many who have found great profit in writing books and making movies about “near death” experiences.  If Paul was forbidden to speak of what he heard, then why are people free today to describe such?  I am making no judgment, just asking the question.

Be that as it may, what is known is that God put a governor on the Apostle, lest he run away with pride and wreck his ministry.  Conceit over his experience would potentially prove his downfall, so God moved to preserve his servant—and in a most unusual manner.  God sent Paul “a thorn in the flesh…a messenger of Satan to buffet me….” 

We do not know the nature of Paul’s affliction—a myriad of ideas have been proposed—and we simply cannot say with confidence.  Perhaps this is God’s intent, so that whatever affliction we may face enables us to identify with the Apostle, and it would prevent pride from those who had the same problem were it defined, perhaps prompting the boast, “I’ve got Paul’s disease!”  That is how sinister pride can be, and that is why God would afflict his choice servant with pain so he would not fall.

Notice the source of Paul’s pain—God!  It was, “a messenger of Satan,” to be sure, but dispensed by a sovereign God as a gift!  He says this was “given” to him.  Strange gift!  Not exactly what you would want to find under your Christmas tree!  Yet, the omniscient and omnibenevolent God gave Paul precisely what was needed when he gave permission for this demonic buffeting to occur.  This is reminiscent of Job’s experience, where God initiated the waves of disaster that would sweep over him as a result of the Lord’s challenge to Satan and subsequent permission to attack him.  Always remember that God is in charge.  Satan and his imps have no power but what God permits, and if he permits them to bring problems then it is to fulfill His purpose with that very evil generating good (Rom.8:28).  The Old Testament story of Joseph is a perfect illustration.  All the harm that was meant for him would become the very vehicle that would carry him to power!

Paul described this as a “thorn,” literally, a sharp stake driven into him.  That is most suggestive.  It recalls the sharp spikes hammered into the flesh of Christ and the spear thrust into His side.  What an awful evil was done; what agonizing pain He felt!  Yet, this is how God wrought His most wondrous work as the satanic act of killing Jesus would be the very means of crushing the Serpent (Gen.3:15).  This is God’s mysterious and glorious way.

Still, Paul was human and not a masochist who found pleasure in the pain itself.  Normal folk would not.  They would do what he did—pray for deliverance!  Jesus prayed that if there would be any other way to accomplish His mission than to drink that bitter cup, then that would be His desire.  There was not, and He submitted after praying three times.  In this, Paul followed the Lord’s example.

Beware those who claim that if you have enough faith then all your problems will vanish.  Faith often creates more pain than it removes!  It was true for Jesus.  It was true for Paul.  It was true for Job.  It was true for Joseph.  It will be true for us.

God had something better in mind for His servant.  He promised something superior to physical deliverance.  God gave him abundant, amazing grace.  The Apostle’s pain that drove him to his knees in submission would enable him to rise clothed in power!  The affliction would not limit him, but enable him to tap into God’s limitless might.  So, instead of expressing grief, he exuded gladness.  Paul’s contentment in his circumstances was found in being in the will of the Lord.  There is no better place to be!

LITTLE IS MUCH

And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2)

Bigger is better.  Go big or go home.  Build it and they will come.  That’s the American way of thinking isn’t it?  The evangelical church has adopted that philosophy too, it seems.  Well-intended, in many cases—an effort to reach as many people as possible—and who could fault that?  The difficulty comes when the mission to men becomes a movement of men that leads to a monument for men.

Large is nothing if God isn’t in it.  Little is much when He is.  Gideon is a case in point.  God chose the least likely leader to field the tiniest army in battle against a great foe.  You can read the whole story in Judges 6-8.  Let me summarize:

Israel started as underdogs—beaten down and dominated by foreign powers.  God heard their desperate cries and tapped Gideon to bring about the deliverance.  His response to God’s call was, “Who me?”  Then God started whittling down the already small army.  There were 32,000 and when God commanded that everyone who was afraid to go home—22,000 turned tail and ran.  God said there were still too many and tested them with the result being Gideon was left with 300—not 3000—300!  Their secret weapon was a bunch of trumpets, torches, and water pitchers!  They would ride down the valley in the dark, blowing trumpets, breaking pitchers, waving torches, screaming, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”  Yeah, right.

But, it worked!  Why?  God was on their side, and that makes a majority.  He got the glory by the way because only God could bring this about.  This story underscores that little is much when God is in it!

I will be candid with you—as a pastor when church members head down the road to the bigger, better, shinier, newer church, it is natural to take it personal, and feel like a failure.  Keeping the morale of the troops up when we look around and see the vacant spots is hard. Making up for the missing in leadership vacancies and financial voids is challenging.

God hasn’t left the building.  He is with us.  Little is much when God is in it.  Maybe we should remember this: “It isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”  We are Pole Creek.  We have a job to do.  So long as I am here, I intend to press forward, and when I am gone someday, you will keep on track because it isn’t about the pastor, it’s about Jesus Christ.