Will It Ever End?

            In C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, four children in WWII England enter a different world – the world of Narnia – through an old wardrobe closet in a rarely used part of an old estate. Narnia is a wondrous land, where animals can speak and all kinds of unusual things happen. When they first enter Narnia, the children find it to be a frozen land, where it is always winter, but never Christmas. As I write this we are expecting another winter storm in downeast Maine. Between that and the cold temperatures it's easy to feel at times like winter won’t end. It certainly hasn’t felt like spring yet. People are just looking for some relief, and most cannot afford the time or money it would take to travel south.

            “Just looking for some relief.” Weather is just one of “burdens” of life we may deal with. Stress and feelings of “heaviness” come to us in many ways, and we can reach points in our lives when we feel a strong need for a break… for some change of pace or release from the pressure. For example, those who live with 24/7 caretaking situations deal with this kind of thing constantly, and commonly come to a place of desperately needing a respite.

            In our Thursday night study of James and in preparing to preach from Matthew 4 (temptation of Christ), I have been reminded that temptation can be like one of things that is relentless in our lives. The enemy and those who serve him don’t seem to want to give up, but often keep us under steady pressure to sin. And as our pursuit and longing for holiness increases, we may find ourselves under the force of increased temptation.

            Temptation begins by taking a desire that exists within us. That desire may be perfectly normal and healthy, or the taint of evil may be on it. But the tempter appeals to that desire by providing an outward opportunity to fulfill it, or gratify it, in a manner contrary to God’s will and plan. Everyone has desires and needs. But there are many “shortcuts” offered by the world that fall short of God’s glory. And when inward desire and outward opportunity come together, they produce something which conflicts with God’s will and ways – what we commonly refer to as sin. The Christian faces an ongoing battle with temptation – one that may wax and wane, but never completely goes away this side of eternity. God has chosen to not remove temptation from the many trials which we, as Christians, undergo. The good news is that every temptation is an opportunity for victory in the Lord and for Him to be glorified. Falling to temptation of any kind is not inevitable. God can sanctify our desires as our love for Him deepens and matures. We can find holy ways to fulfill our desires. We can be intentional about exercising more control (by ourselves or with the help of others) over those outward opportunities the world uses to entice us.

            I find that temptation is often stronger when we are silent about it. But when we find a friend we can talk to – a friend who loves us and cares for us – it is often the first step in victory over the temptation. However, our embarrassment or shame often keeps us from opening up to someone else and we often choose to struggle alone. We fear judgment and rejection from others, so we remain quiet. But remaining quiet does little to help us overcome temptation. Jesus did not remain quiet about the temptations He faced. The only way the record of them could have been included in the Gospels was if Jesus told them about it. And certainly He understands everything about our temptations, since He Himself underwent every temptation possible, yet was without sin. He is our victor, and He has victor’s power to share with those who rely upon Him.

            One of the things I am looking forward to when Jesus comes again, or when I go to Him, is the seemingly unending winter of temptation coming to an end. Heaven – a place with no temptation or sin – will be wonderful. My will will perfectly desire the Father’s will. My wants will be in perfect alignment with Him.

            May the Lord help us until then. And may we help one another in love and grace. May we encourage one another and be tender and merciful to one another.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) ¹³  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

James 5:16 (NIV) ¹⁶  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV) ¹  Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for the victory over temptation that Jesus won, and for the power that resides in him – which he freely gives to us – to extend that victory into my own life. You know well the temptations that I face. In your grace, lead me always to take the way out from it that you provide. May you be glorified in me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

The "Good" Old Days

            Nostalgia = “a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time: a nostalgia for his college days.”

      Nostalgic = “experiencing or exhibiting nostalgia, a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation.”

            One of the “sideshows” of aging is experiencing strong feelings of nostalgia. All it takes is a certain sound, scent, or sight to take one back – even if just for a moment – to an earlier time or place in life. In the past week or two I have been hit with a few strong waves of nostalgia. I received notice of a date and place for my 40^th high school class reunion in August. Old photos and memories of people long forgotten brought me back to thoughts of being in high school and a mix of both positive and negative feelings.

            I watched a part of a PBS fundraising program about music on the Ed Sullivan Show, remembering myself as an 8 year old in the living room watching some of my sisters and their high school aged friends screaming and more or less going crazy when the Beatles were introduced. I experience a great deal of nostalgia through music. It is a powerful thing. I have seen people nearing the end of their lives mouth the words to old hymns or respond in some way when otherwise they were basically unresponsive and non-communicative. It’s amazing how deeply music enters the soul.

            I try to get out most days for a walk, primarily for health reasons. During a recent warm-up day (one of the few) I came across a lot of water on the streets and roads. I grew up in a house that was on a small hill. Every Spring the snow would melt off the hill and the water would run down the sides of the street. During the winter months city crews had spread a great deal of sand/dirt on the road whenever they plowed, so in the Spring we had lots to work with. My friends and I would grab shovels and start moving enough dirt to build dams. Some of them were quite spectacular feats of engineering in our opinion, holding back water as far as 20-30 feet. But the most fun was breaching the dam and watching the water “destroy” all the little things in its path as it resumed its flow down the street. Going for walks gives you plenty of time to think about important stuff like this, which in the busyness of life would not likely occupy your thoughts.

            Looking back can be a positive, heartwarming experience, or it can be a negative, embittering experience. Hard as people may try – and look quite foolish in the attempt – we cannot re-create our lives. Hopefully we have learned from the negative and become wiser persons, and experienced gratitude for the positive. Memories are a good thing. In 2 Samuel 23 we read about three of David’s “mighty men” responding to his wishful thinking: "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" (v.23). They risked their lives and broke through the Philistine lines, secured some of the water and returned with it one day. David is so overwhelmed at their love and sacrificial deed that he couldn’t drink it. Instead he poured it out before the Lord. Do you suppose they were insulted when he did this? I don’t think so. A greater use for the gifts we receive (than for ourselves) is to give them to the Lord. This memory – this bit of nostalgia – turned into an opportunity to worship the Lord. Do you think we, too, could turn our memories into occasions to worship the Lord? Whether our memories are positive or negative, we can translate them into thanksgiving and praise in both prayer and, when possible and appropriate, as a witness to others. Many of my memories lead to the exclamation, “Lord, You really have been so good to me! Thank You so much for those blessings. And, thank You for those harder times, through which I grew and came to trust You more.”

            May the Lord become the object of worship in our lives when the memories flood in. May they be a source of joy, and may healing come to sooth the hurtful memories. Amen!

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 (NIV) ¹  Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-- ²  before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; ³  when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; ⁴  when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; ⁵  when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. ⁶  Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, ⁷  and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

PRAYER:  Lord, indeed you have been good to me, so I want to give you thanks. There are some memories I could do without. Would you please redeem them so that they become something that will lead me to love and trust you more? In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

How We See the World

      An old friend of mine posted something I thought was very interesting on Facebook the other day. I’m not sure who the original author is. Perhaps you have seen it. I have modified it slightly and placed it below for you to read. There are two steps to this. The first step is to just read it. I’ll give you step two when you finish.

I will live my life according to these beliefs

God does not exist

It is just foolish to think

That there is a God with a cosmic plan

That an all-powerful God brings redemption and healing to the pain and suffering of the world

Is a comforting thought, however

It

Is only wishful thinking

People do as they please without eternal consequences

The idea that

I am deserving of Hell

Because of sin

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

“The more you have, the happier you will be”

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

In a world with no God

There is freedom to be who I want to be

But with God

Everything is fine

It is ridiculous to think

I am lost and in need of saving

            Now, step two is to read it again, from the bottom to the top. Do that now.

            While the grammar may not be perfect, it is an illustration of what is called our “worldview”. Everyone has a worldview. A worldview is a set of beliefs that underlie and shape all human thought and action. Your worldview will define how you see and understand what the world is and how it works. In our Foundations of Apologetics group that meets each Sunday evening, we learned that there are four basic questions that underlie our formation of a worldview:

1.     Where did I come from? (Origin)

2.     How do I separate good from bad? (Morality)

3.     What is my life’s meaning? (Purpose)

4.     What’s going to happen to me when I die? (Destiny)

Depending on which direction you read the description above, two very distinct and contrasting worldviews are displayed. Each of us live our lives according to how we answer these questions. The Christian sees the world this way: “I was created by an eternal, loving, just, and holy God. His Word – the Bible – tells me what He has established as good, and what He has said is wrong. The purpose of my life is to bring God glory in all that I am and all that I do. When I die, I am going to live eternally with Him in heaven because by grace Jesus Christ has redeemed me by His atoning death on the cross.”

Now, that could be worded in varying ways. It could definitely be expanded upon, and made richer and deeper in meaning. But you get the idea. For the Christian, a worldview is shaped by the Truth of God’s Word and the entrance of God’s Son into history and all the implications of who Christ was, what He taught, and what He did. The fact that He rose from the dead will contribute to a completely different worldview. How do you answer those four questions? Do your answers satisfy? Those who find their answers in Christ and in the Word of God will never be disappointed.

John 8:31-32 (NIV) ³¹  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Psalm 19:8-11 (NIV) ⁸  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. ¹⁰  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. ¹¹  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Luke 21:33 (NIV) ³³  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

PRAYER:  Father, open my eyes to see You. Let your Spirit bear witness to me of who you are and may he give me understanding to know you and love you. May your Word shape my life. May all of my assumptions and presuppositions about truth, reality, and life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

Thou Shalt Not Take the Lord Lightly

       Last week I wrote about how common it is for us to take others for granted. We have to be very careful in order to not take our spouse or some other close relation or friend for granted. As a pastor, I try to be careful not to take for granted those who give of themselves to our ministry together in the Lord. Now, when I have taken someone for granted, I try to set it right because, as I said before, no one likes it when this is done to them. It shows disrespect, rather than love: carelessness rather than care.

But of even greater concern to me is when I have taken the Lord for granted, or have considered lightly some aspect of His attention toward me. Just the fact that God has even thought about me is an incredibly amazing thing. But beyond that I am actually the object of His love and grace. I have no right to expect anything good from Him, yet He directs His goodness toward me every day. Everything I have is from Him. He fills my life with good things and He invites me into fellowship with Him. Christ has made these things possible and there is nothing that He is - or has done – that I should take for granted.

It is not just inappropriate to take the Lord for granted. It is downright dangerous. God will not be ignored. He will not be treated lightly. He will not be presumed upon. Presumption upon the Lord is a sin to be carefully avoided. For one, the sin of presumption is an unloving act, and we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. The sin of presumption leads us to believe and act as if God owes us something… as if we deserve something from Him. Such is not the case. The sin of presumption devalues the Lord, diminishing Him to a place of insignificance. To treat that which has greatest value as if it had no value is perilous, and simply foolish.

The person who presumes upon the Lord doesn’t do it by mistake. S/He knows better. S/He knowingly ignores the right to do or the wrong to avoid, assuming somehow that God doesn’t know or doesn’t care what s/he is doing. It is not a sin of ignorance, but more commonly involves a willful, deliberate disregard for the Lord and His Word. Presumption is when a person acts in a way that does not take the Lord seriously: acting as if His Word doesn’t apply to me, and assuming that what I do doesn’t matter to Him. We might be tempted to think, “I’m the object of His grace so I can do whatever I want to do.” This kind of presumption is, in a way, the act of a person pointing at God and saying, “I dare you.” As a follower of Jesus, saved by His grace, this is not something I ever want to do. To think, “I can do what I want… He will forgive me anyway.”… is a form of testing the Lord, something we are commanded in the Scriptures to avoid.

In sum, I encourage you to not take for granted the seriousness of taking the Lord for granted. Let us pay attention to our attitudes and thoughts with regard to the Lord. Let us enjoy His grace, but let us also avoid presuming upon it. Let us live to please Him and experience the pleasure of a pure conscience.

Psalm 139:17 (KJV) ¹⁷  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Romans 6:15 (NIV) ¹⁵  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Psalm 19:13-14 (KJV) ¹³  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. ¹⁴  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Matthew 4:7 (NIV) ⁷  Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV) ⁵  The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:19 (NIV) ¹⁹  holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

PRAYER:  Father, protect me and deliver me from presuming upon your grace and love. Purify my heart and fill me with the righteousness and love of Jesus Christ. Have mercy upon me for everything foolish I have run after while at the same time disregarding you. I can claim no ignorance of your Word or your will. Too often my sins have been sins of commission. Oh Lord, forgive, I pray. I am lost without your grace. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott