Wandering In The Wilderness Week One

Celebrate Freedom July 4th - Pray For Our Leaders!

Pray For Our Leaders (July 4^th weekend 2017)

As we set aside time this week to celebrate our freedoms within the United States, we can express many forms of celebration – none of which is any nobler or righter than the exercise of our freedom to worship God as we see fit to do. And it is most expressive of our worship of the one true God by petitioning him for his guidance of those whom he has seen just to place in authority over our nation and therefore over us as its citizens. The apostle Paul’s instructions in his letter to Timothy that our “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority,” so that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1,2) justifies this call to prayer so that we may continue in our place of blessing, peace, and freedom.

In such a land of freedom, in a nation of choice, there may be among us some who oppose the position of current leadership and stand firmly against their rule. To these brothers and sisters, fellow believers, and fellow citizens, I challenge us all in times of disagreement with human governments to obey the commands of the LORD given by the Holy Spirit to Paul when he wrote: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1,2) If still you find it difficult to pray for those in power, and see those who hold positions of power as enemies, opposite of your own values, then consider the very words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who told is disciples to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Whether in genuine love or in obedience to God, how then should we pray?

We begin by praying that leaders will be men and women who serve with humility. Individuals who serve as leaders in our country are citizens the same as you and I. They have been elected or appointed to positions higher than we currently hold, but positions that we too, given the desire and opportunity, may hold ourselves. It is after all a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” (Abraham Lincoln) Leaders today should head the commission of Paul to the church of Philippi when he wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3,4) Pray also that our leaders will follow the words and example of Jesus so that “whoever wants to become great among you must be a servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

Next, let us pray that our leaders find and use wisdom. Ben Franklin once stated that “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too fast and wise too late.” Passionately pray that God will give wisdom to our leaders and with equal passion, let us pray they receive it. Pray that our decision makers are listening to wisdom and that their actions are protected from error and consequences. The book of Proverbs tells us “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:6). Wisdom is a gift that God desires for all to have. Our act of petition and prayer activates it. His word tells us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) This wisdom is different than the collected thoughts of man - “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) Great leaders of the past valued wisdom. Abraham Lincoln once remarked that he does “not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”

Pray that our leaders who find wisdom will be men and women of peace. Thomas Jefferson was a bit pessimistic about this quality in man. He is quoted as saying “An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting.” Despite the late president’s reservations, the bible tells us that we should “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19) We should seek goodness and happiness for our leaders as they carry out their burden of leadership and Proverbs 12:20 promises “those who promote peace have joy.” So let us pray for our leaders to be people of peace.

Pray that our leaders never grow weary of doing good. (Galatians 6:9) Our first president, George Washington, appealed to this notion when he wrote “Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.” We need to pray that our leaders will “always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Pray that they are good in deed and word, guiding their speech following the profound yet simple rule that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

Only God is all knowing, and the issues and situations presented to our leadership is complex and challenging always.  Pray then that our leaders will be open to advice and instruction, and that their advisors be true and pure in their intent. I believe Ben Franklin comments on the failure to heed instruction when he wrote “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” The author of Proverbs warns about the outcome of a country whose leadership does not seek advice when he wrote: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14) Pray that our leaders’ pride will not limit them, and that they will avoid conflict, for it is written “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Proverbs 13:10).

It takes humility and wisdom to accept the advice of others, but the gain of information and knowledge is immeasurable. Again, we turn to the insight of Ben Franklin who stated: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Pray that our leaders gain from the knowledge of others surrounding them.

Abraham Lincoln once told a story that a man who “watched his pear tree day after day, impatient for the ripening of the fruit. Any attempt to force the process and he would spoil both the fruit and the tree. But he waited patiently and the ripe pear at the right time fell into his lap.” Patience is a virtue whose only teacher is time. So, let us petition God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, to give our leaders patience and perseverance. Pray that our leaders become “completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) We seek leaders who display wisdom and knowledge, and the Bible tells us that “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Proverbs 14:29) Thus we pray for leaders to display wisdom and understanding through patience rather than the folly of impatient and impulsive words. Proverbs warns us “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,” but it gives hope that “the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” (Proverbs 15:18) When issues and passions collide, there are sure to be times of friction, so let us pray that our leaders hear and submit to the teachings of Solomon who states: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) At times the tasks at hand seem too much, but pray that our current leadership takes the advice of former president, John Quincy Adams – “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties and obstacles vanish.”

What right have we, the general masses, the vagabond sinner, to petition the Creator and Sustainer of the universe on behalf of men and women whom many hold to higher esteem than common man? We who have Christ are able to stand and make such petitions because we are made righteous in him alone, and once being made righteous, are promised that the “prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) At the 1984 National Day of Prayer, then president Ronald Reagan, commented on this effective tool: “We all in this room, I know, and we know millions more everywhere, turn to God in prayer, believing in the power and spirit of prayer. So often we direct our prayers to those problems that are immediate to us, knowing that He has promised his help to us when we turn to him. And yet in a world today that is so torn with strife… I wonder if we have ever thought about the greatest tool that we have – the power of prayer and God’s help.”

President Reagan was not wrong to challenge the American people to invoke the privilege of prayer. James wrote some two thousand years ago that “You desire but do not have... You covet but you cannot get what you want... You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” (James 4:2,3)

We seek and ask God for intervention on behalf of our leaders.

We seek and ask God with right motives, pure in heart and intention.

We pray for leadership so that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  

We pray for leadership because we are commanded “be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

We pray and petition, not because we have authority, but because we are joined with the one who does! We are made righteous by him, the Savior, the Messiah, the truth, the life, and the way – Jesus the Christ! And by that gifted righteousness we pray and ask to intervene for leaders in this nation.

In closing, I want to encourage us all to never stop praying. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not with the next change in administration. Rather though, keep praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and we should “be sober-minded; be watchful. [Our] adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) It would give the devil no small joy to devour our leaders, to mislead our leaders, and destroy them. We who are believers, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) Take hold of the command by Paul to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) President Kennedy at the 1963 National Day of Prayer breakfast stated it this way: “This morning we pray together; this evening apart. But each morning and each evening, let us remember the advice of my fellow Bostonian, the Reverend Phillip Brooks: ‘Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.’”

Praise God, we know the one from whom all answers flow! Let us all pray! 

Palm Sunday 2017

One week before Jesus died on the cross, he entered Jerusalem with shouts of salvation ringing through the streets. the people of Jerusalem responded to his arrival as recorded in Matthew 21:9 -

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The reaction by most of the religious leaders of the day was fury! Quickly the schemed a plan to have this man killed. But why now? He had healed, preached, and taught for years in their city. Why would this entry on a donkey accompanied by shouts of salvation give them the ammunition they needed to conduct one of the greatest misuses of justice?

In 1 Kings 1 we read the story of how David's son Adonijah declared himself king. To make the announcement, he sent fifty chariots before him declaring his kingship. He was full of bravado, pride, and frankly - full of himself! He went through the town declaring his status and then threw a party. David heard of this and wanted his son Solomon to be the real king. He declared that Solomon would be appointed king and that instead of the pompous chariot spectacle, Solomon would ride in on a donkey - a lowly animal for a servant king. Solomon rode the donkey through town, was declared the rightful king, and assumed the throne.

So we see in Jesus the same approach - a servant king riding in on a lowly animal. How much that was in juxtaposition to the pomp and circumstance of the Roman leaders. The chariots, legions of soldiers, and fanfare was spared no expense. But here on Palm Sunday we read of the true king arriving as his ancestor had - humble but authentic.

The cries for salvation, "hosanna", were cries to a king. This salvation would come at a price. Jesus spent his last week before his death teaching and preparing his followers for his departure. He submitted himself to the authority of the Jewish leaders and the rule of Rome, resulting in his crucifixion. On the cross, Jesus completed his work here on earth. His final words summarize his effort and give us inspiration for our lives. His words, recorded for us in John 19:30 are a term most commonly associated with accounting. He tells everyone "it is finished" before he bows his head and gives up his spirit. The term for "it is finished" is an accounting term meaning "paid in full".

His completed work provides salvation from Death, Debt of Sin, and Damnation. Paul writes of these things to the Colossians in his letter to them (chapter 2):

"13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

We are made alive with Christ (verse 13)! This is amazing! We no longer have our life (one that begins at a certain point and will last forever) but we now share in the life of Christ (which has no beginning and no end). This means that God sees us in his son, the one who has no sin - and therefore will never face spiritual death!

Our debt of sin is cancelled by his death on the cross (verse 14). we are charged with breaking the laws of God, and God is a just God, demanding retribution for this injustice. But through the sacrifice of Christ our debt is canceled (the Greek term here means obliterated, erased, wiped out) and we no long can be held accountable for that debt!

This debt had a serious payment: damnation. All who sin will have to be paid the wages of sin with is death (Romans 6:23). Death is described here in Romans with a Greek word meaning misery of the soul. What greater misery wold there be than the total separation of us from God with no hope of reconciliation. This is the very judgement that awaits all who are not written in the lamb's book of life (have salvation). All who reject God's salvation will be cast out (Revelation 20:14-15). Thank God, the death of Jesus on the cross saves us from this eternal damnation!

The completed work of Christ on the cross also provides us with victory over evil. In Colossians 2:15 we read that God disarmed the powers and authorities by the cross. This is not speaking of the Roman rulers at that time. It is a spiritual victory! The cross disarmed the rulers, authorities, and the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms - ones that we truly fight against (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus alluded to this fact that he was fighting a spiritual fight and not a physical battle when he tells Pilate during his trial “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). The cross provided victory over spiritual evil in a way that allows us to be free from all indenture-hood spiritually speaking!

On the cross, Jesus paid it all. We owe no further sin debt, we are truly free!  

CHURCH: Better Than Ever! Week Two

When we find ourselves in a place that we are comfortable, we have a tendency to seek the status quo. Seeing the church as a status quo organization is dangerous. It is a living organism - the body of Christ here on earth. The body is either growing or dying, As we get older, our natural bodies seem to expand with little to no effort. This expansion is not always healthy. True can be said of a local church. Explosive numerical growth can be both a positive and a negative. So the question is how can we work with God to build a faithful (healthy) church?

Healthy, faithful church growth is a result of God's power and authority. In Acts chapter 2 we read that "the LORD added to their numbers daily those who were being saved." God is the author and finisher of our faith. It is true for the church as a whole as well - he is the creator and sustainer of his future bride. Many books and articles have explored the concept of church growth, but I believe true growth must be both numerical and spiritual. Gary McIntosh addresses this issue in his book Biblical Church Growth. He begins with the premise that since the church is the embodiment of Christ here on earth, and given that Jesus is a life-giving savior, then his body (the church) should be life giving as well.

What makes a church a life-giving church? McIntosh present nine fundamental principles to use as evaluation of a healthy life-giving church.

God reveals himself in all of nature. Psalm 19:1 confirms that "all the heavens tell of the glory of God." But this glory is corrupted by the corruption of all creation by sin. Man needed further instruction, and so God provided it by His Word - the Bible. The bible is "God breathed" and good for teaching and training (1 Timothy 3:16,17). It must be the cornerstone of a successful church growth.

In John 15;8, Jesus tells us that his father "is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit and prove that you are my disciples." We glorify God by being loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlling (Galatians 5:22,23). It is the chief and highest goal for man - to glorify God (Westminster Confession, 1647).

The church is committed to the Great Commission - teaching people about Christ so that they know, then teaching them about him so that they can go out and share with others. Discipleship is key to growing a faithful healthy church.

We can be compared to a rechargeable battery - we can be vessels of power of certain situation, but we need an external source of power to keep us charged. The Holy Spirit is available to us as a power cord to "plug into" God's inexhaustible power. If we are to have the energy to see real church growth and development, then we must be drawing energy from an unlimited source, not ourselves or risk failing to complete task of bringing glory to God.

The purpose of the shepherd is to lead, protect, train, nurture the sheep so that they grow to maturity. Mature sheep are productive, and lead to having other sheep. A good shepherd "leads the flock among them" (1 Peter 5:2). The shepherd is found in and among the sheep. They are a servant leader, not a celebrity, authoritarian, or privileged pontiff.

The church is comprised of individuals. These individuals are the ministers of the church. They are the ambassadors into the community - sharing God as they go about their daily lives. They must be effective ministers.

Jesus is the perfect example. In John 1:14 we discover that Jesus put aside his culture (heavenly perfection and riches) and exchanged them for flesh and came to live among us. He met us where we were. He became a shepherd among the sheep. He did this so that his message would be better understood, but he did not compromise his principles. Effective message delivery may look different in various parts of the world, but the message of God's love and forgiveness does not.

When you read this you may be thinking of a personal experience or story of local churches who seek a specific target as detailed in their mission statements. It may read something like "we are a church who seeks millennials" or "we are a church who welcomes everyone who loves lights out loud praise between the ages of 18 to 35" or "we are reaching baby boomers with the rock steady traditions of our beloved church reaching back two thousand years." The tag lines may change, but the message is clear: "We want a church that looks,acts, sounds like us." This is NOT God's idea of targeted focus.

His plan has been the same in both Old and New Testaments - start with one (Abraham in OT, Jesus in NT) - grow into a large group (Jewish nation in OT, the Church in NT) - then impact and bless the world through this group. Or as Jesus put it in Acts 1:8 - go into Jerusalem (local), expand into Judea (region), and into the world! A healthy church growth plan has a target of everyone everywhere, one soul at a time regardless of age, culture, or preferences.

God has always been about order and structure. He existed prior to time and creation as Father, Son, and Spirit. He appointed leaders throughout the bible, and in the New Testament entrusted his venue of change (the church) in the hands of men. There are clear guidelines for leaders (Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, 1 Peter 5) and there are clearly more requirements on leaders (Hebrews 13:17, James 3:1), but leadership is vital to a growing church. there is organization in God's plan.

The effectiveness of a growing life-giving church is its members. Next week we will explore how we can become effective life-giving members of the body of Christ!

CHURCH: Better Than Ever! Week One

In the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, inventor Caractacus Potts transforms a Grand Prix winning car from trash to treasure, from forgotten to fantabulous. I believe that many have seen the church as they have seen Chitty - a once wonderful thing that is broken and need of repair. But it simply is not true! The church is the body of Christ and is just as wonderful and amazing today as she was on the day of Pentecost some two thousand years ago! The church, if conducted biblically, is better than ever!

Bill Hybels, pastor and founder of Willow Creek Church, is passionate about the local church. He states:

"Nothing on earth has greater potential to change lives and carry out His kingdom work in your community, than your local church. There's nothing like the local church when it's working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close."

Jesus foretold the power and impact of the church in John 14:12. Speaking of his believers, the members of his future church, he told us:

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these."

Wow! Imagine all that Jesus did while he was here on earth. No imagine that we, his body, his church, will be able to do all those things and more. The church can be an amazing element of influence and change in this world. In order to be that impactful entity it is designed to be, I believe we must fulfill three main roles.

First, we must fulfill the Great Commandment. In Matthew 22 we read of an exchange between Jesus and a group of the teachers of the Law.

“Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” they asked. 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

As a church we need to focus on loving God - our spiritual service, worship, and study. Equally though, we must work on loving our fellow man - both the fellow believer and the non-believer around us. We cannot love God if we do not love our fellow humans. This love takes many forms. It can be a helping hand, a listening ear, and sometimes an instructive word. Loving our neighbor was best explained in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). There Jesus lays out that our neighbor is anyone and everyone.

Second, we must fulfill the Great Commission. In Matthew 28, just before he leaves his disciples here on earth, Jesus gives them (and us) this goal:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The church is often focused on converting non-believers into believers - which is good, but not fulfillment of this passage. Here Jesus lays out the practice of conversion followed by discipleship. We must teach, train, and develop fellow believers. While on earth, Jesus set the example by taking time to tell others about God's love, trained them for a time when he would not be with them, and developed them to lead the church after his departure. We must act as a church in the same way - producing mature Christians that are trained and ready for the challenges of Christian living. 

Third, we must help build the Great Community. The body of Christ is the church, comprised of many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-20). Each part has its place and its role to play. In order for the body - the church - to function properly, the parts must do what they are intended to do. 

• We need to be the eyes of the body – not looking for the wrong in people but the good in them.
• We need to be the ears of the body – hearing the hurt and pain of people, not just hearing them be hurtful.
• We need to be the hands of the body – not striking out at people, but reaching out to people.
• We need to be the feet of the body – not trampling over people, but propelling them forward.
• We need to be the heart of the body – not having a hard heart, but having a NEW heart (of Christ) for people.

When we move from adversary to advocate, we can serve our world more effectively as the Church. 

The church is better than ever when the church is completing its mission, fulfilling its purpose, and bringing glory to God. Let us pray as Paul did in Ephesians 3:20-21 for the power from God to bring glory to him:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

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God's WiFi Week Two

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One Another Week Three

One Another Week Two

One Another Week One