Life Here and There

Gideon is one of my favorite Bible heroes. In my wife’s Bible class curriculum, he’s known as “G. I. Deon!” I especially love the way he’s introduced…

The way Gideon sees himself:

Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
~Judges 6:11

His further questioning of God’s choice of him shows us a heart of humility and self-abasement. There was a lack of courage throughout all the land, and Gideon demonstrated this widespread fear. Everybody lived the part of the oppressed. But look at the way God sees Gideon (and announces accordingly):

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!
~ Judges 6:12

I wrote in the margin of my Bible next to this verse, “God calls ‘em like HE sees ‘em!” We see God doing this throughout Scripture – God assigning names and titles to people who really don’t seem to fit the part because He sees what they can and will become. While the rest of the world labels us according to external factors, God labels us according to the heart.

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Moses grew up in Egypt as the adopted son of the daughter of Pharaoh himself. He was royal by adoption, privileged in his childhood, educated, cultured, and trained for political leadership in the home of the most powerful man in the world at the time. But he was raised by his birth mother by a divine act of grace, so he knew all along he was really a Jew.

When Moses hit age 40, he made a defining decision to repudiate his Egyptian privileges to “suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” (Heb. 11) He decided to respond to the inner burden of his heart for his own nation of oppressed people. Good decision. Bad timing and miscalculations followed.

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The title of this post is attention-getting for an obvious reason – most people fear the thought of standing before a group of people and speaking… out loud. I was too, and still am to some degree. When I was a kid, I was painfully and awkwardly shy. In the fifth grade, I had to give an oral report on the life of Will Rogers. I handled it by self-interviewing. I sat in the teacher’s chair and rolled left and right, pretending to be Will Rogers on one side, and something of a Johnny Carson on the other. Did it work? Well I turned red, teared up a bit, and sweated profusely, but I got an “A.” I didn’t have to speak before another audience for about seven years.

Now, I’m a Pastor. I preach three times per week, teach classes, lead Bible studies and small groups, and occasionally speak in a revival or conference. Because of my role, I’ll speak before an audience between 150 and 180 times this year. My church is not large by modern standards, but our Sunday morning crowd often runs about 230 to 250, so there are plenty of potentially intimidating faces to be concerned with.

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Today was kind of tough… for Momma anyway. We saw our little girl “walk the line” to graduate from Preschool. The theme was What A Wonderful World, which all nineteen graduates sang together. They actually played Pomp and Circumstance as they marched in. She got a diploma and an award for Developing the Most in Confidence throughout the year. We’re so proud!

Angie handles moments like these with a mothering sadness. Her little girl will never graduate from Preschool again. I, on the other hand, handle things a bit differently. While Mamma shed a few tears, I was frustrated that the camera wasn’t working quite right. For me, it’s just one more step toward adulthood, which is the goal. I know that the time will fly and I’ll be crying at her wedding far too soon. Nevertheless, I tend to look forward to each next occasion while Angie wants to hang on to her little girl.

One thing I know, I’m going to enjoy another graduation someday. I’m not referring to Ella’s High School graduation, though I know I’ll enjoy that too, but the day I “walk the line” at the judgment seat of Christ. On the one hand, I view that day with trepidation – there is so much more to be done here in this life. On the other hand, I can’t wait for the eternal reward God has promised to all who place their faith squarely in Him alone.

Our little baby is all grown up… or at least about to head for kindergarten, but I feel that we have so much work to do. If she’s out of the house by eighteen, then we only have fourteen more years to prepare her heart to be forever sensitive to the Savior’s voice. We want to pray her into the family of God, model a genuine love for Jesus, and watch as she surrenders herself to His will daily. May God so prepare us for our graduation day!

At our wedding, Angie and I chose to have Louie Armstrong’s song played… What a Wonderful World. In light of yesterday’s shootings, and so many other monumental tragedies in recent years, is it really a wonderful world? We were driving to Fort Smith yesterday for the annual meeting of the BMA of America and were reflecting on some of the tragedies that have taken place at this same time of the year such as the Oklahoma City bombing (April, 1995), the Waco compound burning (April, 1993), and Columbine (April, 1999). Each of these tragedies evoked emotions of fear and trepidation about living in this present world.

Our daughter begins kindergarten this fall. She’s nearly five years old and we’re already speculating about the nature of the world in which she will grow up and go through school. The news media tackles subjects like campus security and the psychological reasons behind such an awful rampage. But the secular media can never fully comprehend the nature of human depravity. Evil men will do evil things, no matter our level of security. If not on a campus, then in a restaurant, an airport, or a World Trade Center. Is this really a wonderful world?

There are natural and supernatural factors that can only be seen through a God-centered world view. The depravity of man runs deep in the heart. Evil abounds in humankind and murder, war, and bloodshed will continue as long as lost mankind has some dominion over this present realm. Further, Satan is labeled in Scripture as the “prince of the power of the air… the god of this world.” We who live on earth, live in a time and place where darkness has dominion. Is it really a wonderful world?

My answer, surprisingly, is yes. Why? Because it is in this present realm that God is actively working to extend His saving and healing grace to a lost and depraved people. It is here that God moves. It was into this humanity that Jesus, the light, came into the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God’s glory was put on display through the life of Jesus Christ, through His atoning death, and through His miraculous resurrection. Do we live in a wonderful world? Only insomuch as Jesus makes the difference.

Last night, we were ministered to by a wonderful gospel singer who performed the old song Beulah Land. I love the lines… “Beulah land, I’m longing for thee, and someday on thee I’ll stand…” Our world, inundated with pain and loss and suffering, is merely a waiting room, a practice run, an incubation chamber for eternity. For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, heaven is our real home. Hell awaits those who reject His free offer of grace.

Amazingly, we cannot forget that it is this world which will someday be renovated by fire. This world will be redeemed. It currently groans with birth pains, waiting to be delivered from its depraved lostness. It’s a wonderful world, plagued by the inherent sinfulness of humankind. It’s wracked with pain and evil. Yet everything on God’s time line is moving toward a great and triumphant finality. Jesus will rule and reign.

Our hearts are gripped, in times like this, with uncertainty and fear. Then Scripture speaks on behalf of its divine author… “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Is this world your home, or do you seek a city to come, a home not made with human hands preserved in the eternities for you? Jesus Christ came to be the light and hope of a lost and dark world. He came to offer you peace, pardon, and eternal life if you’ll only trust fully in Him, even in the world’s darkest moments. More is to come. Scripture foretells that times will wax worse and worse. Yet Jesus’ hand is always extended toward you. Embrace Him who is ready to embrace you, and enjoy the unspeakable peace and confidence of God.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” -2 Corinthians 5:17

There is much to be said for the power of our identity. The way you live your life, make decisions, and carry yourself all depend on how you define and identify yourself. We all have certain labels we apply to ourselves such as conservative or liberal, old-fashioned or cutting edge, outgoing or shy. We use these terms to further define who we are in the world. Here’s a new term for every believer to remember… “new creature.”

Have you realized yet that if you’ve trusted Christ as Savior, you are now a new creature? In fact, you are “in Christ.” Your life is hidden with Him. He’s now your new identity. You can wear Jesus’ namebadge knowing that He died to cover you with His identity and to forgive you of all of your sins by the blood He shed for you. If you’ve committed your life to Him, then you are now blood-bought, sanctified, set apart for God’s usage. You’re a child of the King. You’re the heir of the Lord of the universe, a joint heir of Jesus. You’re bound for glory.

So smile today. Know who you are! Have you received Christ personally? If so, He’s received You as His very own and He would claim you as His child in front of all of humanity. Walk in the confidence of His forgiveness today. Old things are passed away, all things are new. Meet the new you today!

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” -1 Peter 5:6-7

Those are the words I used to read about 30 seconds before I would preach. Now they ring in my heart naturally. It has been said that people place the fear of public speaking right up there with death! For me, confidence does not come naturally and yet I have grown to enjoy and thrive in speaking from my pulpit every week. The source of my confidence, however, may surprise you. I don’t use public speaking gimicks or tricks. I don’t picture everyone in their underwear (I’m wondering how it is that so many people actually recommend this???). I simply visualize two things: one is my big God, and the other is an audience that needs what I have to say.

You see, preaching is the delivery of God’s words through a human personality. I came to grips with my inability to present God’s message on my own a long time ago. If left up to me, I’d stumble and bumble through an eight minute presentation, then go hide somewhere in shame. But when I realize that God is up to something great within the hearts of my listeners, I can’t wait to share what He’s given me in the study. It’s actually thrilling to watch Him work.

My confidence is rooted first of all in the identity of my God – He’s big, audacious, and radically committed to seeing His truth spread throughout all the world for His own glory. Second, my confidence is rooted in my identity as His child, His called Ambassador, His earthly spokesperson, His mouthpiece. God never calls the qualified, He qualifies the called. What is the source of your confidence in life? For me, it’s the fact that I’m called and the One who called me backs me up! He’s ready any moment to rescue me if I’m ready any moment to speak for Him. Are you ready to live in total God-confidence?

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth graet things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” -James 3:5

Yesterday, as I was trying to act goofy to get a laugh out of my daughter Ella, I bounced off our bed and my kneecap landed square against the angle-iron of our bedframe. For several hours, I wondered if I’d broken it. I couldn’t straigten it out, bend it, or lift it. It was red, swollen, and hot to the touch. We proceeded to go to the Mall twenty minutes away for a family outing and I hobbled around until I couldn’t stand it any longer. If it didn’t get better by Monday, I was heading to the Doctor.

Thankfully, by Sunday morning, I could bend my leg and the swelling was gone. The whole experience was a reminder of how much one little body part can mean to the body. With an injured kneecap, there are so many things you can’t do that you normally don’t think twice about.

James says our tongues are like that too. Compared to the rest of the body, we wouldn’t think the tongue such a significant part, but it can do great damage to people’s lives. There again, it can also build up and edify others. A word we utter may demolish or establish someone’s confidence.

God has designed the world in such a way that little things matter a lot. From the tongue to the kneecap, to the people who might be passed over as insignificant by the world, God uses little things in big ways. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes this same application to the church as the “body of Christ.” Every member is important. Every role is significant. And every member is dependent on every other member, no matter how “small” a role they may play. You may feel “small” today, but God can use you to hold His church together, to influence a lost soul for eternity, and to change a life forever!

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification… For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7)

It’s very easy to get caught up in the pursuit of something secondary to God’s great purpose for us as believers. We constantly face the temptation to be driven toward success or popularity, possessions or prestige. But God has caught us and called us to a higher purpose, a better life, a heavenly goal. We’ve been called to cleanness.

While many believers will suffer spiritually as they struggle to gain the freedom to rule their own lives (and thus resorting back to the old, unredeemed life), we must pursue the purpose for which we have been apprehended by Jesus – holiness, cleanness, and sanctification. What other pursuit could be more important in our personal journey of faith?

If you’re a believer, you’ve been caught! Jesus, the fisher of men, has apprehended you. He has purchased you in such a way that you are no longer your own. Contrary to popular opinion and American individualism, you are not your own any longer. God has placed certain spiritual authorities in your life. He’s placed you in the family of God and your church has a mutual stake in the outcome of your faith. While you may scream for the freedom to rule your own domain, God’s Word will remind you that the greatest freedom of all is to be enjoyed within the boundaries of God’s will.

His will is in one respect, an individual issue. In another respect, His will is universal to all believers. We cannot resort to a Christian brand of moral relativism. Instead we must realize that certain rules are applicable for all Christians, regardless of individual circumstances. This is not legalism, which is seeking to please or “pay off” God through rule-keeping. Rather it is merely reverencing God’s moral authority as our Father, Lord, and King.

If Jesus is your Savior, then pursue that for which you’ve been saved – holiness! It’s a worthy pursuit. Holiness brings the confidence of spiritual assurance, it earns a crown in heaven, it pleases the Lord who purchased us with His precious blood, and it supports our verbal witness to a lost world. Give yourself wholly to this goal – total perfection, total spiritual completeness, and total Christlikeness!

“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”—2 Timothy 4:18

Do you stand in spiritual confidence today? A couple of days ago a young lady stopped by our office to ask for some gas money. After giving her what little cash we had on hand I asked her if she was sure that she had a relationship with Christ or if she was going to heaven. She suddenly plopped down in my office chair with a sigh and stated plainly, “No, I really don’t know at all.”

I often wonder how it is that one could be content to live every day with no real certainty of eternal life. With the possibility of judgment and hell in front of us, how can we ignore the issue of making sure of our eternal fate? Paul faced the end of his life with tremendous confidence, but notice the source of that confidence – “The Lord shall deliver me… and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom…”

This is really the essence of being saved and beginning the Christian life – trusting the Lord alone. And as we Baptists like to say, “once saved, always safe;” but not because of our own goodness, but because the One who saves, also keeps!