Posts
"But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Speaking on a strictly personal basis, beloved, I know of no danger so great for the servant of Jesus Christ than that of becoming spiritually insignificant! And if asked, I am convinced that many of my contemporaries would rank such a danger high on their list as well. The Apostle Paul spoke indirectly of his own desire to avoid such insignificance when he wrote to the saints in Corinth concerning his need to discipline his living so as not to become himself "disqualified" in the final analysis.
This same word in the original language of the New Testament means literally "without approval" in the sense of being unacceptable. As this statement of the apostle came to mind, beloved, all that I could think about was the danger of becoming spiritually insignificant because of an undisciplined life. And to add to the graphic image here presented by Paul, note the qualifying term which precedes it - "after I have preached (or proclaimed God's truth) to others." What more devastating event could occur, then, in a Christian's life than to herald the gospel, to minister to hurting hearts, to disciple other believers, and then to fail to maintain one's own spiritual significance because of a lack of self-control?
What was the apostle's solution to such a dreaded prospect? What specifically did he determine that he needed to do within his own life? Again the original language of Scripture is even more graphic than the one we have just considered. Here the word means "strike under the eye" in the literal sense of giving oneself a black eye or figuratively of subjecting oneself to a rigorous spiritual discipline so as to remain a true and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. And to succeed in that quest is the height of spiritual significance, beloved!
As I continued, then, with my own meditative thoughts concerning this awesome truth, I came to the conclusion that to be spiritually insignificant would be to have failed to stay the course and, thus, to have failed to make an impact upon the lives of those whom the Spirit of God caused to cross my path. So in that sense, I find that I join myself wholeheartedly to the desire of the Apostle Paul - heart to heart and soul to soul - to discipline myself vigorously so that my service will show in the end to have had spiritual significance. Just some personal thoughts I wanted to share with you. May the Spirit of God lead each of you to ever be spiritually significant! Insignificance is a danger to be avoided at all cost.
Ron
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
People Are What We Do
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4)
Until I read my son's most recent blog post, beloved, I had no idea what the Spirit of God was leading me to write for my own blog this week. Just a short while ago I remembered that I had received an e-notice of his post and I took the time just a few moments ago to read it. Then I went back and read it again. One illustration that he used spoke a precious truth to my heart so powerfully that I want to share it with you. Ready? People are what we do! As Christians all that we do in following Jesus Christ is all about people. Do yourself a favor and visit Jerry's blog site and read his latest post carefully. I will try to remember to include his blog address at the end of this devotional.
In his blog post Jerry suggested that we visit a store that sells gold fish and other varieties of tropical fish. He said for us to go to the most crowded tank that we can find and try to single out one of the fish in that tank and keep our eye on it as it swims about. Then he added this wonderful challenge: turn around quickly one time and then try to reconnect with that same fish you had just been watching!
What is the point? The point to me is that we need to learn to make people our focus in life. Not church committee meetings. Not choir practice. Not programs. But people! Unfortunately, as we have all learned the hard way, our lives as Christians become so busy that we "lose sight" of the very people to whom we are supposed to be ministering the love of Jesus Christ (remember spinning around in front of the fish tank?). We get so tied up with schedules and agendas that we forget all about people!
The Apostle Paul must have faced the same problem with the church in his day because of what is recorded above that he wrote to the saints in Philippi - regard one another as more important than yourself. I dare you to try to carry out that command of God, beloved, without really focusing intimately upon people! Dare I say it again? People are what we do! Success in ministry can't be gauged by budget line items or packed pews or great choirs or (shut my mouth!) gifted preachers. It can only be gauged by the impact that we make on the lives of people one person at a time and one day at a time.
I really don't have a handy ending to this devotional, beloved, so let me wrap it up by once again reminding you even as I remind myself as one who stands regularly in a pulpit that people are what we do. So take a good look around you. Take a good look at your church. Then ask yourself this question: "What eternal differences are we making in the lives of people in our community?" Answer that question honestly and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
By the way, Jerry's blog site address is jerrythinks.wordpress.com. I invite you to check it out and read the entire article. It will speak to your heart!
Ron
Until I read my son's most recent blog post, beloved, I had no idea what the Spirit of God was leading me to write for my own blog this week. Just a short while ago I remembered that I had received an e-notice of his post and I took the time just a few moments ago to read it. Then I went back and read it again. One illustration that he used spoke a precious truth to my heart so powerfully that I want to share it with you. Ready? People are what we do! As Christians all that we do in following Jesus Christ is all about people. Do yourself a favor and visit Jerry's blog site and read his latest post carefully. I will try to remember to include his blog address at the end of this devotional.
In his blog post Jerry suggested that we visit a store that sells gold fish and other varieties of tropical fish. He said for us to go to the most crowded tank that we can find and try to single out one of the fish in that tank and keep our eye on it as it swims about. Then he added this wonderful challenge: turn around quickly one time and then try to reconnect with that same fish you had just been watching!
What is the point? The point to me is that we need to learn to make people our focus in life. Not church committee meetings. Not choir practice. Not programs. But people! Unfortunately, as we have all learned the hard way, our lives as Christians become so busy that we "lose sight" of the very people to whom we are supposed to be ministering the love of Jesus Christ (remember spinning around in front of the fish tank?). We get so tied up with schedules and agendas that we forget all about people!
The Apostle Paul must have faced the same problem with the church in his day because of what is recorded above that he wrote to the saints in Philippi - regard one another as more important than yourself. I dare you to try to carry out that command of God, beloved, without really focusing intimately upon people! Dare I say it again? People are what we do! Success in ministry can't be gauged by budget line items or packed pews or great choirs or (shut my mouth!) gifted preachers. It can only be gauged by the impact that we make on the lives of people one person at a time and one day at a time.
I really don't have a handy ending to this devotional, beloved, so let me wrap it up by once again reminding you even as I remind myself as one who stands regularly in a pulpit that people are what we do. So take a good look around you. Take a good look at your church. Then ask yourself this question: "What eternal differences are we making in the lives of people in our community?" Answer that question honestly and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
By the way, Jerry's blog site address is jerrythinks.wordpress.com. I invite you to check it out and read the entire article. It will speak to your heart!
Ron
Friday, July 29, 2011
Can You See the Mulberries Moving?
"And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines" (1 Chronicles 14:15, NKJV)
Sounds in the tops of the mulberry trees - what a glorious picture of the presence and the power of God in the life of any man He may choose to lead, beloved! Do you know the story? If not, then let me tell you. If so, then it is worth hearing again.
David had just at long last been proclaimed king over all Israel. A great festival attended by everyone had taken place with worship and rejoicing that the nation had her rightful king upon the throne. Finally the nobles and commanders and all visitors returned to their homes and the land grew quiet. The Philistines had been watching from afar with growing paranoia and hostility. Seeing that the people were finally dispersed, they flooded into the land of Judah, filling the Valley of Rephaim with an army that was seemingly innumerable. David inquired of the Lord and was directed to assault them directly. David and the forces of Israel did so and won a great victory.
Still again the Philistines came into the Valley of Rephaim in great numbers. Once again David inquired of the Lord, refusing to act upon the basis of his previous victory. Good thinking! This time God directed him to come around behind the armies of the Philistines and to camp against them where the mulberry trees grew. Then God gave to David an unusual directive, as our focal verse of Scripture reveals. He was to wait until he could hear the sounds of an army moving through the leaves at the tops of the mulberry trees, then he was to attack them from behind. Again, David obeyed God implicitly and again God routed the Philistines before him.
I have heard it said and have read from any of a number of theologians and writers that possibly the "sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees" could easily have been the hosts of heaven leading the way for David to the victory which he inevitably realized. Whether that understanding is literally true, what a glorious picture it is nonetheless of how God goes before us in every situation that we face! In a beautifully poetic way, God said to David, "Wait until you see Me move, then you move and follow Me!"
How often today do we find ourselves on the wrong path simply because we did not think to wait for the leaves in the tops of the mulberry trees to move, beloved? Are you facing a set of circumstances right now in which you need the clear leading of God in your life? Then, do what David did. Wait for the evidence of God's moving and then follow Him wherever He may lead! For us today as Christians, that moving of the leaves comes to us as we study His Word and follow His leading there. Are the mulberry leaves moving yet in your life? Are you moving forward in obedience to God's will?
Ron
Sounds in the tops of the mulberry trees - what a glorious picture of the presence and the power of God in the life of any man He may choose to lead, beloved! Do you know the story? If not, then let me tell you. If so, then it is worth hearing again.
David had just at long last been proclaimed king over all Israel. A great festival attended by everyone had taken place with worship and rejoicing that the nation had her rightful king upon the throne. Finally the nobles and commanders and all visitors returned to their homes and the land grew quiet. The Philistines had been watching from afar with growing paranoia and hostility. Seeing that the people were finally dispersed, they flooded into the land of Judah, filling the Valley of Rephaim with an army that was seemingly innumerable. David inquired of the Lord and was directed to assault them directly. David and the forces of Israel did so and won a great victory.
Still again the Philistines came into the Valley of Rephaim in great numbers. Once again David inquired of the Lord, refusing to act upon the basis of his previous victory. Good thinking! This time God directed him to come around behind the armies of the Philistines and to camp against them where the mulberry trees grew. Then God gave to David an unusual directive, as our focal verse of Scripture reveals. He was to wait until he could hear the sounds of an army moving through the leaves at the tops of the mulberry trees, then he was to attack them from behind. Again, David obeyed God implicitly and again God routed the Philistines before him.
I have heard it said and have read from any of a number of theologians and writers that possibly the "sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees" could easily have been the hosts of heaven leading the way for David to the victory which he inevitably realized. Whether that understanding is literally true, what a glorious picture it is nonetheless of how God goes before us in every situation that we face! In a beautifully poetic way, God said to David, "Wait until you see Me move, then you move and follow Me!"
How often today do we find ourselves on the wrong path simply because we did not think to wait for the leaves in the tops of the mulberry trees to move, beloved? Are you facing a set of circumstances right now in which you need the clear leading of God in your life? Then, do what David did. Wait for the evidence of God's moving and then follow Him wherever He may lead! For us today as Christians, that moving of the leaves comes to us as we study His Word and follow His leading there. Are the mulberry leaves moving yet in your life? Are you moving forward in obedience to God's will?
Ron
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How Does God 'Taste'?
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8)
"Have a blessed day!" How many times has someone said that to you, beloved? Or how about the ever popular "God bless you!"? The issue of being "blessed" is certainly one with which we seem to be fascinated today, judging by our choice of expressions anyway.
You will forgive me, I am sure, if I share thoughts with you in this devotion which are a bit more personal, a bit closer to home than usual. There is absolutely no doubt about it - I am a blessed man! I have the most wonderful wife that any man could ever be so "blessed" as to have. She is a treasure to me and, as the writer in the book of Proverbs says: "Her worth is far above jewels" (31:10). So in that one sense alone I have been privileged to "taste and see that the Lord is good"!
Then there are my three wonderful kids. Kids? I'm not sure they would appreciate me calling them that since they are 42, 40, and 37 respectively. But make no mistake about it, beloved, our two daughters and our son are the best! They are wonderful parents in their own right and I love the way that they love their mother and how much they respect her and look up to her. Nor could I possibly forget to say how blessed I am with the "in-law" kids that marriage has brought to me. Our two sons-in-law and our daughter-in-law are simply the best! All of that is another "taste" of God's goodness that just keeps bringing me back for more!
And have I shown you pictures of my grandchildren yet? No? Then you've just got to see them! Those 4 girls and 5 guys fairly make their Pop's vest buttons burst with pride. When I think about them, I am afraid that I am guilty of getting that famous "Jello pudding grin" you've been seeing on the commercials. How good God has been in blessing me with each one of them!
Another "taste" of God's goodness comes in the form of my extended family, both by blood and by marriage. Too many to possibly name here, they know who they are and know how much I love them and appreciate them.
One very special "taste" of God's goodness has been for many years and still is today the blessed privilege of being able to share His Word with believers as a pastor and preacher of the gospel. Very simply, I have been blessed to have the best "job" in the world! I cannot even begin to count the blessings that have accrued to me because of this one taste of God's goodness. Some of the most wonderful friends whose love I enjoy now have been my stalwart companions in the vineyard of God's kingdom. I cherish every one of them and praise God for them.
On and on my list of ways that the "taste" of God's goodness in my life is delicious could go, beloved. But let me simply bring this to a close by saying that the most glorious proof of God's goodness is without a doubt the blessing of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I could 'rare' back and shout whenever I think of how His love and mercy have washed over me again and again! O to be sure, God is good! So how does God "taste" to you, beloved? I hope that you can say with me that He tastes "good"!
Ron
"Have a blessed day!" How many times has someone said that to you, beloved? Or how about the ever popular "God bless you!"? The issue of being "blessed" is certainly one with which we seem to be fascinated today, judging by our choice of expressions anyway.
You will forgive me, I am sure, if I share thoughts with you in this devotion which are a bit more personal, a bit closer to home than usual. There is absolutely no doubt about it - I am a blessed man! I have the most wonderful wife that any man could ever be so "blessed" as to have. She is a treasure to me and, as the writer in the book of Proverbs says: "Her worth is far above jewels" (31:10). So in that one sense alone I have been privileged to "taste and see that the Lord is good"!
Then there are my three wonderful kids. Kids? I'm not sure they would appreciate me calling them that since they are 42, 40, and 37 respectively. But make no mistake about it, beloved, our two daughters and our son are the best! They are wonderful parents in their own right and I love the way that they love their mother and how much they respect her and look up to her. Nor could I possibly forget to say how blessed I am with the "in-law" kids that marriage has brought to me. Our two sons-in-law and our daughter-in-law are simply the best! All of that is another "taste" of God's goodness that just keeps bringing me back for more!
And have I shown you pictures of my grandchildren yet? No? Then you've just got to see them! Those 4 girls and 5 guys fairly make their Pop's vest buttons burst with pride. When I think about them, I am afraid that I am guilty of getting that famous "Jello pudding grin" you've been seeing on the commercials. How good God has been in blessing me with each one of them!
Another "taste" of God's goodness comes in the form of my extended family, both by blood and by marriage. Too many to possibly name here, they know who they are and know how much I love them and appreciate them.
One very special "taste" of God's goodness has been for many years and still is today the blessed privilege of being able to share His Word with believers as a pastor and preacher of the gospel. Very simply, I have been blessed to have the best "job" in the world! I cannot even begin to count the blessings that have accrued to me because of this one taste of God's goodness. Some of the most wonderful friends whose love I enjoy now have been my stalwart companions in the vineyard of God's kingdom. I cherish every one of them and praise God for them.
On and on my list of ways that the "taste" of God's goodness in my life is delicious could go, beloved. But let me simply bring this to a close by saying that the most glorious proof of God's goodness is without a doubt the blessing of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I could 'rare' back and shout whenever I think of how His love and mercy have washed over me again and again! O to be sure, God is good! So how does God "taste" to you, beloved? I hope that you can say with me that He tastes "good"!
Ron
Friday, July 15, 2011
Where Is Jesus Going?
"And seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them" (Mark 6:48)
One of the most overlooked facts about that night on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water in the midst of a storm concerns the reality of where He was headed when He found them floundering in the midst of the storm! Clearly, as John Mark has recorded, Jesus was not headed for their boat but for the opposite shore. You may recall that where Jesus was going was where He had sent them the evening before following the feeding of the 5,000:
"And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away" (v. 45)
So Jesus was not heading toward their boat when He appeared on the horizon that night, but rather toward the same destination which He had given to His disciples! Surprisingly perhaps, He was not on the surface of the sea that night to once again bail them out of trouble, but rather to reach His intended objective.
It is so in our lives as Christians today, beloved, a truth that many of us still have to learn. Jesus does not "trail along" after us in life, stepping in to help whenever we mess up. He is rather on a mission of His own and that mission He has plainly outlined for us to understand:
"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work'" (John 4:34)
Just because Jesus did end up getting into the boat with His disciples early that morning, beloved, does not mean that He is following us around so that He may "rubber-stamp" whatever it is that we want to do in life. He only got into the boat because Peter had called out to Him and asked to join Him out on the water. Otherwise, as Mark makes clear, He would have kept right on going.
It is vital, then, for us to answer for ourselves this question - "Where is Jesus going?" It is not He who is desirous of joining us in what we are doing. It is we who need to find out where He is going and join Him in that! Just as He said to the disciples of John when they asked where He was going - "Come and see" (John 1:39) -so today He invites you and me to join Him in what He is doing for the Father's kingdom! Where is Jesus going? Find out and join Him!
Ron
One of the most overlooked facts about that night on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water in the midst of a storm concerns the reality of where He was headed when He found them floundering in the midst of the storm! Clearly, as John Mark has recorded, Jesus was not headed for their boat but for the opposite shore. You may recall that where Jesus was going was where He had sent them the evening before following the feeding of the 5,000:
"And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away" (v. 45)
So Jesus was not heading toward their boat when He appeared on the horizon that night, but rather toward the same destination which He had given to His disciples! Surprisingly perhaps, He was not on the surface of the sea that night to once again bail them out of trouble, but rather to reach His intended objective.
It is so in our lives as Christians today, beloved, a truth that many of us still have to learn. Jesus does not "trail along" after us in life, stepping in to help whenever we mess up. He is rather on a mission of His own and that mission He has plainly outlined for us to understand:
"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work'" (John 4:34)
Just because Jesus did end up getting into the boat with His disciples early that morning, beloved, does not mean that He is following us around so that He may "rubber-stamp" whatever it is that we want to do in life. He only got into the boat because Peter had called out to Him and asked to join Him out on the water. Otherwise, as Mark makes clear, He would have kept right on going.
It is vital, then, for us to answer for ourselves this question - "Where is Jesus going?" It is not He who is desirous of joining us in what we are doing. It is we who need to find out where He is going and join Him in that! Just as He said to the disciples of John when they asked where He was going - "Come and see" (John 1:39) -so today He invites you and me to join Him in what He is doing for the Father's kingdom! Where is Jesus going? Find out and join Him!
Ron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)