Tell the story again!

Good morning,

                Have you ever read a book more than once? Why in the world would you do that? You know the story. You know the plot, the characters, the climax, and the end. If you read it again, there won’t be any major surprises. Maybe you’ll note a few small things you missed the first time. Why take the time to read it all over again?

                When we were children - if we were blessed to have parents who read to us - it was probably a common thing for us to ask for a certain story over and over again. Or perhaps your own kids ask for a certain story repeatedly. You may be sick and tired ofThe Cat in the Hat or have memorized by now the Berenstain Bears. You can only take so much, right? When I get some time in the evening or in the car I am currently listening to a dramatized version of The Lord of the Rings. I’ve read the books several times and listened to this audio version quite a few times. A year or two (or three) will go by and I will come back to it and give it a fresh listen. Even though I know the story and everything that will happen in it, I love to listen again. I think it is because I know the story and everything that will happen in it that I want to read or hear it once more. There is an enjoyment… a comfort and good feeling that comes from hearing the familiar repeated.

                I once learned that this is how worship works. Our worship involves telling stories over and over. This coming Sunday we will share the Lord’s Supper, which tells the story of His sacrificial death for us on the cross. In a few weeks we will celebrate Easter, and we will hear the story of the resurrection of Jesus… again. Even though we know the story of the death and resurrection, we come together and are reminded. The retelling of the story leads us to worship the Lord… to attribute worth to His name and to love Him for who He is and what He has done. This is one of the great things the Bible does for us. The reading of it – and the repeated reading of it – tells God’s story to us and we delight in it. In fact, delighting in God’s story in the Word is to worship. We know the beginning, middle, and end, but we want it again, because we love it. We often think about what we would do if we were the person being described. We wonder what our response, what our actions, and what our reactions would be. The Bible draws us in and calls forth a response of some kind from us. We want to find ourselves in God’s story.

                More than any other book, the Bible is not a book to be read one time followed by a conclusion of then having it all figured out – once and for all. It draws us back again and again. If we delight in it, the most commonly remembered stories (like David and Goliath) in it will speak to us anew, spark our imagination afresh, and spur us to deeper areas of love for the Lord and obedience to Him.

                There is an old hymn called Tell Me the Old, Old Story. In it the singer seeks to hear the good news again and again. Here are the lyrics…

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,  Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,  For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

Refrain         Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,  That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;  The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;  Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be, In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear  That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,  Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”

                The song was written by Arabella Katherine Hankey. Daughter of banker Thom­as Hank­ey, Kath­er­ine (known to her friends as Kate) (1834-1911) be­longed to an evan­gel­ic­al group known as the Clap­ham Sect in England. The group was main­ly known for its an­ti-slav­ery and pro-mis­sion­ary stanc­es. While still a teen­ag­er, Hank­ey taught Sun­day school for girls. Lat­er, she tra­veled to South Af­ri­ca to be a nurse, and to help her in­val­id bro­ther. In her early 30’s, Hankey con­tract­ed a se­vere ill­ness. Dur­ing her pro­tract­ed re­cov­ery, she wrote a long po­em about Je­sus. It is in two parts, with the first, 50 stan­zas in length, ask­ing about Him, and the se­cond an­swer­ing the quest­ion. I Love to Tell the Sto­ry and Tell Me the Old, Old Sto­ry both come from this po­em.

Deuteronomy 6:20-23  -  ²⁰ In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” ²¹ tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. ²² Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.

PRAYER: “Father, may we never grow weary of Your story. And every time we open Your Word please excite our imagination and increase our love for You and lead us to worship.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott

Keeping Love from Growing Cold

            I have this thing about my driveway in the winter. I like to keep it really clean every time it snows. I scrape it clear to every edge. I try not to drive or step where I am about to shovel, because the compacted snow is always harder to scrape and lift and move than fresh snow. One reason for good clearing is that even the smallest amount of sunshine – even on a cold day – works well to heat the pavement and melt the little snow that remains. And after another short while, the pavement will be clear and dry. I know my mailman likes it that way as well.

            In Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus teaches about the end of the age and the many signs that will accompany it. Though there are different interpretive approaches among Christians to try to understand what Jesus said and how to apply it, there is one verse (24:12) that I think applies to most any time – past, present or future. In that verse Jesus says, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Jesus is warning that Christians will live in difficult and challenging times. One characteristic of those times is that wickedness will be on the rise at all levels of life. That wickedness will have both a direct and indirect impact on those who claim to be His followers (“Christians”). There will be wickedness directed at Christians. And there will be wickedness that is more in the way of being a temptation to Christians. It will seek to draw them away from Christ. Jesus expects that wickedness to be so prevalent and so dominant that it will “freeze” any love that might be directed to Him. In other words, the hearts of many will become cold toward Him.

            I’ve always been surprised and intrigued by people who once claimed a burning love and passion for someone, yet who end up despising and hating the same person. I always wonder, “How could this happen? How can love that burned so hot grow so cold?” And it seems like this happens sometimes with people who claim to love Jesus so much. Jesus’ message in Matthew reminds us that we live in a “snowy” world (if I can put it that way). Temptation and wickedness “fall heavy” at times and seek to bury our hearts. Evil seeks to cover us up and “insulate/isolate” us from God’s love. We must be ever vigilant about it, and keep our hearts “clear” through confession of our sin and by making intentional choices to do away with wickedness “shovelful by shovelful” you might say. Unless we are watchful, wickedness will “pile up” on us. And one result of that is love for God growing cold. Isn’t that such a sad thing to see? And, even worse, to experience?

            Love is related to our will more than it is to our feelings. It is an action and a frame of reference that is chosen. We must be intentional about love (especially for God) because it is not automatically produced in us. Every time we choose Him rather than the wickedness that is so prevalent around us, our hearts respond to Him like the pavement to the sun. May our love for God not grow cold, even when wickedness around us is thick and heavy. May we turn from wickedness (even in all the small things in life) and cling to Him in love. We love because He first loved us. May everything else in our lives melt in the presence of His love and our response to Him. And may we be diligent in clearing away evil, so that our love will not grow cold.

Matthew 24:10-13 (NIV) ¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Proverbs 23:19 (NIV) ¹⁹ Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Joshua 22:5 (NIV) ⁵ But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

PRAYER: “Father, deliver us from evil and lead us to choose You in love day by day and moment by moment. Keep our eyes and hearts diligent so that we will not allow the wickedness around us to “bury” us and turn our hearts cold toward You. May we ever have a first love for You.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Lessons from a long chapter on Skin Problems

Good morning,

            “Okay… what was it Pastor Records said yesterday in church? ‘If you read Leviticus 13, God can fill your heart with something if you’re open to Him. I’m sure of it.’ So… let’s take a look at what it says.”

            (about 10 minutes later…)

            “Are you kidding? Skin disease… white hairs… black hairs… unclean… clean… flesh… boil… spot… sore… mildew…? What a long chapter on skin problems. Yuckkkk!  Is there really any spiritual benefit in such a passage? Any spiritual lessons of value? Well, let’s think about this.

            First, a chapter like this reminds me that God cares very much for the physical welfare of His people. These people were in a hostile wilderness and were likely prone to bites and bacteria of many kinds. Perhaps the reactions in the skin and some of the diseases that developed were contagious. We can’t apply modern medicine to biblical times. The medical approaches of our time were simply not available in those days. And since the Fall we can have no expectation of perfect health, perpetual healing, or exemption from death. They needed guidance that could make a difference in their day-to-day health with the extremely limited resources available. So these were precautions and methods supplied by God so that the people had safe and prescribed ways of dealing with common, transferable diseases and infections. And it seems like the concern – over and over again – was the safety and security of the community, and doing everything possible to separate the sick from the well until they are no longer sick: then restoring them to their families and community. Though it seems foreign and unappealing to me, I do not miss the clear indications of God’s caring love for His people. In very tangible ways God is seeing to the well-being of people whom He loves. Thank you, God, for this practical indication of Your nature and mercy.

Second, when I read this chapter I think of the amazing grace and love of Jesus. Verse 45 describes the need and requirements for people with infectious diseases to dress and appear in a way that will repulse others and aid them in keeping their distance. If that were not enough, they are also directed to cry out (about themselves) “Unclean! Unclean!” People were to stay away. Imagine what that must have been like. How humiliating! How isolating! Necessary, but difficult if you’re the unclean one. And yet, when a leper (Matthew 8:1-3) with a very serious skin disease comes to Jesus, we read that Jesus touched him. Unheard of! Touch someone that Law said “Stay away from”? By rights Jesus could have turned His back on him and walked away. But it was a wonderful expression of grace for Jesus to place His hand on him and then heal him. And that’s my Savior! What a privilege to know Him and be loved by Him!

Third, Jesus expected His followers to emulate Him. Not long after He healed the leper, He commanded His disciples to follow His example – literally. They, too, would need to love enough that they would be willing to touch the sick. How can I do something like this, Lord? Certainly not by my will and ability. Only by Your presence and power. Only by Your strength through me, because my impulse is to run away from the person who cries (literally or silently)… “Unclean! Unclean!” In myflesh I want nothing to do with them. But by Your Spirit, I can be like Jesus to them. Lord… help me to be Your hands to those in need around me.

Fourth, mildew can kill, and it’s an indicator of the presence of death in some way. It will spread if not checked. God knew its danger and again makes provision for practices which would lead to life and health and protection of clothing and other articles from destruction. Again… God caring for His people. Praise Him! When you think about it, Leviticus 13 isn’t very pleasant, but it causes me to appreciate the Lord all the more because of His concern and compassion. Thank You, Lord!

Matthew 8:1-3 (NIV) - ¹ When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ²A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." ³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

Matthew 10:5-8 (NIV) -  ⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for this chapter in Your Word, another reminder to me of Your deep love. You always know what’s best for Your people.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott

"Light"

Good morning,

            The single largest sporting event in the world came to a grinding halt Sunday evening, and kept the contestants from the field of play for over 30 minutes. The problem was a power failure of some kind that led to about half of the lighting going dark. Jokes were made about the halftime show having something to do with it. My first thought was maybe some kind of terrorist effort to disrupt or bring harm to people. To my knowledge, league officials and New Orleans city officials have been unable to determine exactly what happened and why, and have been vague when addressing the subject. Happily, there was no crime of violence being perpetrated. Who knows… maybe it was a mouse or a squirrel in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever it was caused cessation of play and loss of communication for the main commentators of the game: Jim Nance and Phil Simms.

            This game was too important to continue playing without perfect conditions. When I was a kid we played our football games (after dark) under the streetlights of a nearby highway, or even to the headlights of a few cars. We played in (much) less than perfect conditions. But our games didn’t have millions of dollars at stake. Our games wouldn’t produce a true world championship result. But we had fun. Oh, did we have fun! No pads, no protection, sometimes as few as three or four on a team. We knew how to play and enjoy ourselves with a minimum of “niceties”.

            A man or woman doesn’t really need all that much light to find Christ. He doesn’t have to have perfect conditions, perfect sermons, perfect (complete) knowledge or understanding of everything in the Bible. There is no perfect time or place. All he needs to know is that he has a need and that God has provided for that need. The need is beyond his own ability to meet or repair. His life doesn’t work right, and the cause of the problem is sin. But he has enough “light” to see that he has a problem. And God, the Holy Spirit is at work in his heart with the light of Christ… the light of the Gospel. God sent His Son to fix the problem. It’s a “light” problem also. People need light in their darkness. And Jesus is that light. We who are Christ’s disciples are called to bear His light to those in darkness. We do that by Iiving, teaching, and doing the Gospel. While God is Light, and all enlightenment comes from Him, it takes just a little to overcome the darkness. Even a small light makes a great difference. May you and I be people who reflect Christ in dark places… with love, grace, and truth.

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) - ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

John 1:4-9 (NIV) - ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ⁶ There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹ The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

1 John 1:5-7 (NIV) - ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) - ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

PRAYER: “Father, let me walk in the light of Your love and in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ, Your only Son. May others see Christ in me.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott