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"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18)
It has been quite some time since I sat down to put together a devotional blog, beloved, and I am glad to be doing it now at long last. We are working our way on Sunday mornings through what is known as "The Upper Room Discourse" of Jesus, His final night with His disciples before going to the cross. In actuality, these words were spoken after they had left the upper room and were on their way to Gethsemane. But we consider them as part of that discourse as well.
These may seem to us on the surface to be words that are dark and somber, but Jesus was seeking to reveal to His disciples just what it would cost them to walk as He had walked and to serve as He had served. He wanted them to know, as He does each of us today, that there is a definite "down side" to following Him in obedience. Here in verses 17-25 we find that He disclosed to them first of all that they would be hated by those who had hated Him if they were faithful in proclaiming the gospel message and in turning the hearts of men to repentance and forgiveness. If they chose to come out from the world has He had done, then hatred for them and their message would be the world's response to their ministry. That reality has not changed at all today!
Next Jesus revealed to them in the 20th verse that they would not only be hated but persecuted as well. You see, beloved, "hatred" does not like to stand alone but prefers to express itself in harassment and torture. It wants the object of its hatred not only to be silenced but to suffer for having spoken and stood in the first place.
Finally, Jesus let them know that because of being hated and persecuted, they would be totally rejected by the world (verses 21-25). Because the gospel message is rejected today, then those who proclaim it are rejected as well. Have you noticed that, while "religion" is tolerated and even protected, any who desire a "relationship" with Jesus Christ by faith are not? Have you noticed how fundamental Christianity is being blamed for society's woes? It is not that they reject our political views, beloved, as much as it is that they reject the truth of God that Jesus Christ is the only Way and the only Truth and the only Life!
Yes, there is a "down side" to following Jesus Christ for any person today who would choose to be faithful. But the most important truth is that, though we experience a "down" side in living for Christ, we are never "defeated." Do you recall what the Apostle Paul wrote to encourage the hearts of the saints in Corinth?
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
Though a "down side" to following Christ, then, know that we remain more than conquerors through Him who loved us, beloved! Know that faithfulness to Christ, even bearing the down side of living as His servants in this world, is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed one day to us and through us. Hallelujah!
Ron
Friday, July 11, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Dumbing Down or Wising Up?
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)
A popular "buzzword" that has recently gained notoriety in media usage is the rather distasteful term "dumbing down." I heard it used just this week via the airwaves to describe the administrative leadership of New York City's decision to penalize certain charter schools by expelling them from public facilities they are using. And it is being done in spite of the fact that their students' test scores have far outstripped those of NYC public school students. Would that not seem to you to be an example of "dumbing down" a trend that should be nurtured and developed and encouraged? What is unfortunate is that throughout the halls of U.S. leadership we are seeing manifold evidence of this alarming trend at work!
What is even more tragic, beloved, is that we are seeing the effect of this same disastrous trend in the church of Jesus Christ as well. More and more members are opting for minimal learning and maximum entertainment in their worship experience. Yet Paul here urged Timothy to make his primary objective that of learning how to "handle accurately the word of truth." The only truth that matters today is God's truth, beloved, and the only answers that will meet people's needs are God's answers. Instead of "dumbing down" spiritually as Christians, then, we need to be "wising up" by studying His Word and learning how to apply it in every possible circumstance of life. Only as we do so will we never have cause to be embarrassed or feel ashamed because our ministry is shallow or ineffective.
Ron
A popular "buzzword" that has recently gained notoriety in media usage is the rather distasteful term "dumbing down." I heard it used just this week via the airwaves to describe the administrative leadership of New York City's decision to penalize certain charter schools by expelling them from public facilities they are using. And it is being done in spite of the fact that their students' test scores have far outstripped those of NYC public school students. Would that not seem to you to be an example of "dumbing down" a trend that should be nurtured and developed and encouraged? What is unfortunate is that throughout the halls of U.S. leadership we are seeing manifold evidence of this alarming trend at work!
What is even more tragic, beloved, is that we are seeing the effect of this same disastrous trend in the church of Jesus Christ as well. More and more members are opting for minimal learning and maximum entertainment in their worship experience. Yet Paul here urged Timothy to make his primary objective that of learning how to "handle accurately the word of truth." The only truth that matters today is God's truth, beloved, and the only answers that will meet people's needs are God's answers. Instead of "dumbing down" spiritually as Christians, then, we need to be "wising up" by studying His Word and learning how to apply it in every possible circumstance of life. Only as we do so will we never have cause to be embarrassed or feel ashamed because our ministry is shallow or ineffective.
Ron
Friday, February 28, 2014
A Couple of Guys Named Earl
"And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26)
I had originally intended to write this post quite some time ago, beloved. In fact, the idea has been simmering on one of the back burners of my mind for a while. It was recently brought forward when my sister changed her Face Book photo and replaced it with one of my mother and father taken around the time of their wedding in the early 1940's. Just seeing their beautiful faces reminded me that I needed to get back to this blog idea and "git 'er done."
You may have already figured out that the two guys named Earl are my dad and me. My grandparents gave him the name Earl as a surname (don't even ask what the "T" stands for in his middle name!). Then Mom and Dad gave me the name Earl as my middle name and it is one that I have worn gladly and proudly throughout my life. Wearing the name Earl for me is a true badge of honor. My father in his life was an honorable man, a man of dignity and integrity who loved his country and served it well. The photo that I have already mentioned shows him in his military uniform during WWII. On every bomber mission while on active duty he would crawl through that narrow tunnel in the belly of his B-17, strap himself into the tail gunner's turret and, with his fellow crew members, put his life on the line to defend liberty against horrible and perverted aggression. I guess you can tell from that bit of nostalgic rambling that I am honored myself to be a guy named Earl.
Although many of you no doubt have similar stories you could tell, the point that I really started out to make is that we all as followers of Jesus Christ have a koinonia, a "sharing in common," that is far more than just a couple of guys named Earl. You see, we each have the honor and the privilege of being known as a person named Christian. And with that privilege comes the most awesome responsibility that it is possible for any one individual to bear. We have the task of bearing that glorious name before the eyes of a watching world, most of whom do not have that privilege yet. They are watching you and me to see if they can figure out why it is so important for them as well to become a guy named Christian. And the decision that they will each ultimately make, though their own to make and their own consequences to bear, will still in great measure be affected by what they see in you and me.
So I am just a guy named Earl and you already know why it is such an honor for me to bear that name. But more than that I am a guy named Christian and it is my joy and my responsibility to bear that name as Jesus did. The reality for me personally is that I fall and I get back up. I fall again and I get back up again...but I never lose sight of the name that I bear and of the cost that Jesus paid to give me the privilege to bear it.
Say, how is that name fairing in your daily care?
Ron
I had originally intended to write this post quite some time ago, beloved. In fact, the idea has been simmering on one of the back burners of my mind for a while. It was recently brought forward when my sister changed her Face Book photo and replaced it with one of my mother and father taken around the time of their wedding in the early 1940's. Just seeing their beautiful faces reminded me that I needed to get back to this blog idea and "git 'er done."
You may have already figured out that the two guys named Earl are my dad and me. My grandparents gave him the name Earl as a surname (don't even ask what the "T" stands for in his middle name!). Then Mom and Dad gave me the name Earl as my middle name and it is one that I have worn gladly and proudly throughout my life. Wearing the name Earl for me is a true badge of honor. My father in his life was an honorable man, a man of dignity and integrity who loved his country and served it well. The photo that I have already mentioned shows him in his military uniform during WWII. On every bomber mission while on active duty he would crawl through that narrow tunnel in the belly of his B-17, strap himself into the tail gunner's turret and, with his fellow crew members, put his life on the line to defend liberty against horrible and perverted aggression. I guess you can tell from that bit of nostalgic rambling that I am honored myself to be a guy named Earl.
Although many of you no doubt have similar stories you could tell, the point that I really started out to make is that we all as followers of Jesus Christ have a koinonia, a "sharing in common," that is far more than just a couple of guys named Earl. You see, we each have the honor and the privilege of being known as a person named Christian. And with that privilege comes the most awesome responsibility that it is possible for any one individual to bear. We have the task of bearing that glorious name before the eyes of a watching world, most of whom do not have that privilege yet. They are watching you and me to see if they can figure out why it is so important for them as well to become a guy named Christian. And the decision that they will each ultimately make, though their own to make and their own consequences to bear, will still in great measure be affected by what they see in you and me.
So I am just a guy named Earl and you already know why it is such an honor for me to bear that name. But more than that I am a guy named Christian and it is my joy and my responsibility to bear that name as Jesus did. The reality for me personally is that I fall and I get back up. I fall again and I get back up again...but I never lose sight of the name that I bear and of the cost that Jesus paid to give me the privilege to bear it.
Say, how is that name fairing in your daily care?
Ron
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Garbologist at Work!
"...in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11)
I am indebted for the idea behind this devotional thought to a waste collection agency, one of its trucks anyway, behind which we found ourselves this morning and upon whose rear portion we saw proudly displayed the sign: GARBOLOGIST AT WORK! Garbologist! Don't you just love that term? What an intriguing title for the critical and beneficial work of garbage removal and disposal!
Even as I commented to my wife and chuckled about that sign as we passed the truck, the thought immediately occurred to me that there is a "garbologist" at work in the world today and that there is absolutely nothing "beneficial" about his activities. I hereby officially bestow upon Satan, the enemy of all mankind, the title of "Garbologist"! All that he plans and all that he carries out is nothing but sheer spiritual garbage in the lives of people. His primary goal is now and always has been to keep people away from the grace and mercy and love of God. Know this for a certainty, beloved, that Satan stands opposed to everything that God by His grace is doing in the world today. If that fact does not earn for him the title of "Garbologist," then I do not know what does!
The Apostle Paul in his second recorded letter to the church in Corinth gives to us a wonderful word of encouragement and source of hope in our daily dealings with the enemy of our souls. He first promises that there is no need for any "advantage (to) be taken of us by Satan." In other words, we do not have to find ourselves covered by the spiritual garbage that he seeks to heap up in our lives. We do not have to fall prey to his schemes or become victims of his lies. And the reason is simply, as Paul put it so well, that "we are not ignorant of his schemes." That is one of the most glorious promises in all of the New Testament concerning the potential victory of the child of God! The apostle told the Corinthian believers that we as followers of Jesus Christ are "not ignorant" of how the enemy works today. We not only know from personal life experience, but we know because the Word of God instructs us in how to deal with him and how to have victory over him. This same Paul exhorted the saints in Ephesus to "put on the full armor of God" in facing each new day.
"Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11)
So there is no reason, beloved, especially as we face the onset of a brand new year, for any of us to fall prey to the "garbage" that Satan loves to sling: thoughts that are misaligned with the truth of God, actions that are not in keeping with what He requires of us, attitudes that are not glorifying to Him or edifying to one another, a lifestyle that is not redemptive because it does not point the way to the cross of Calvary.
May this New Year be for you one of complete and total victory over Satan and one of glorifying Jesus Christ in all that you say and do. And remember, always keep your eyes and ears open! There is ever nearby a garbologist at work!
Ron
I am indebted for the idea behind this devotional thought to a waste collection agency, one of its trucks anyway, behind which we found ourselves this morning and upon whose rear portion we saw proudly displayed the sign: GARBOLOGIST AT WORK! Garbologist! Don't you just love that term? What an intriguing title for the critical and beneficial work of garbage removal and disposal!
Even as I commented to my wife and chuckled about that sign as we passed the truck, the thought immediately occurred to me that there is a "garbologist" at work in the world today and that there is absolutely nothing "beneficial" about his activities. I hereby officially bestow upon Satan, the enemy of all mankind, the title of "Garbologist"! All that he plans and all that he carries out is nothing but sheer spiritual garbage in the lives of people. His primary goal is now and always has been to keep people away from the grace and mercy and love of God. Know this for a certainty, beloved, that Satan stands opposed to everything that God by His grace is doing in the world today. If that fact does not earn for him the title of "Garbologist," then I do not know what does!
The Apostle Paul in his second recorded letter to the church in Corinth gives to us a wonderful word of encouragement and source of hope in our daily dealings with the enemy of our souls. He first promises that there is no need for any "advantage (to) be taken of us by Satan." In other words, we do not have to find ourselves covered by the spiritual garbage that he seeks to heap up in our lives. We do not have to fall prey to his schemes or become victims of his lies. And the reason is simply, as Paul put it so well, that "we are not ignorant of his schemes." That is one of the most glorious promises in all of the New Testament concerning the potential victory of the child of God! The apostle told the Corinthian believers that we as followers of Jesus Christ are "not ignorant" of how the enemy works today. We not only know from personal life experience, but we know because the Word of God instructs us in how to deal with him and how to have victory over him. This same Paul exhorted the saints in Ephesus to "put on the full armor of God" in facing each new day.
"Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11)
So there is no reason, beloved, especially as we face the onset of a brand new year, for any of us to fall prey to the "garbage" that Satan loves to sling: thoughts that are misaligned with the truth of God, actions that are not in keeping with what He requires of us, attitudes that are not glorifying to Him or edifying to one another, a lifestyle that is not redemptive because it does not point the way to the cross of Calvary.
May this New Year be for you one of complete and total victory over Satan and one of glorifying Jesus Christ in all that you say and do. And remember, always keep your eyes and ears open! There is ever nearby a garbologist at work!
Ron
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Secret to Staying Awake in Church
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6)
It's been a while since I have posted anything, beloved, primarily because I remain determined to do so only when I feel like I really have something worthwhile to share with you. Tonight I have been working on the current passage in the book of Acts upon which we are focused at present in Sunday worship. The passage is a unique one involving a young man who "fell asleep in church" while the Apostle Paul was preaching and fell to his death from a third story window. Often today believers assume that it was a sign that Paul's sermon was too long for Eutychus and he could not stay awake.
What I find in this unusual experience, however, is a question that immediately confronts us when we jump to such a conclusion. That question quite simply is: "Too long with reference to what standard?" The truth is that what is "too long" for some worshipers is in fact "too short" for others! I have enjoyed the privilege of preaching on the island of St. Lucia in the West Indies where worshipers are accustomed to services that go on for two to three hours. I have personally been asked by the resident pastor there to preach for 90 minutes. I don't know about other denominations, beloved, but try that in the average Baptist church and see what happens!
In the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus pronounced that "blessed" or happy and fulfilled are those who have a true "hunger and thirst for righteousness." How could a worshiper possibly lose his focus in any way, much less actually fall asleep, when the truth of God is being taught in a service of worship? Instead of asking, then, if Paul's sermon was too long for Eutychus' attention span, perhaps we should consider that Eutychus' hunger was too short for Paul's message!
How is your personal "hunger and thirst" for righteousness, beloved? Does the enemy consider you to be a threat to his perverted purposes or does he rather find you to be "yawning" your way through each day as a professing Christian? Are the Biblical messages we hear on a regular basis truly "too long" for our ability to pay attention, or is the problem with the degree of our spiritual hunger?
Do you want to know, then, the secret to staying awake in church? Develop a hunger for the Word of God, an insatiable craving to live out the truths of God each and every day, and you will never become a Eutychus. Other than this, the only advice that I can give you is to stay away from churches where the sanctuary is above the ground floor!
Ron
It's been a while since I have posted anything, beloved, primarily because I remain determined to do so only when I feel like I really have something worthwhile to share with you. Tonight I have been working on the current passage in the book of Acts upon which we are focused at present in Sunday worship. The passage is a unique one involving a young man who "fell asleep in church" while the Apostle Paul was preaching and fell to his death from a third story window. Often today believers assume that it was a sign that Paul's sermon was too long for Eutychus and he could not stay awake.
What I find in this unusual experience, however, is a question that immediately confronts us when we jump to such a conclusion. That question quite simply is: "Too long with reference to what standard?" The truth is that what is "too long" for some worshipers is in fact "too short" for others! I have enjoyed the privilege of preaching on the island of St. Lucia in the West Indies where worshipers are accustomed to services that go on for two to three hours. I have personally been asked by the resident pastor there to preach for 90 minutes. I don't know about other denominations, beloved, but try that in the average Baptist church and see what happens!
In the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus pronounced that "blessed" or happy and fulfilled are those who have a true "hunger and thirst for righteousness." How could a worshiper possibly lose his focus in any way, much less actually fall asleep, when the truth of God is being taught in a service of worship? Instead of asking, then, if Paul's sermon was too long for Eutychus' attention span, perhaps we should consider that Eutychus' hunger was too short for Paul's message!
How is your personal "hunger and thirst" for righteousness, beloved? Does the enemy consider you to be a threat to his perverted purposes or does he rather find you to be "yawning" your way through each day as a professing Christian? Are the Biblical messages we hear on a regular basis truly "too long" for our ability to pay attention, or is the problem with the degree of our spiritual hunger?
Do you want to know, then, the secret to staying awake in church? Develop a hunger for the Word of God, an insatiable craving to live out the truths of God each and every day, and you will never become a Eutychus. Other than this, the only advice that I can give you is to stay away from churches where the sanctuary is above the ground floor!
Ron
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