My Deliverer

     

     Good music is powerful; the words can be a blessing. Rich Mullins sang one of my favorite songs, it gives me courage whenever I listen to it. This is how it begins: 

Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa 

To escape the rage of a deadly king

There along the banks of the Nile,

Jesus listened to the song

That the captive children used to sing 

They were singin' 

"My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by"

You can listen to it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f38KbtCEJ-s

We see our “Deliverer standing by” in the third Psalm which King David wrote when his son, Absalom, betrayed him. Traitor Absalom gathered many among the Israelites who then attempted a coup. In this text we observe David bringing his terrible distress to Yahweh, placing his confidence in Him, and crying out to God (his Warrior) for deliverance. Now, for just a moment place yourself in David’s sandals. You are up early in the morning, wondering what your son’s next move will be to win the battle that he began against you. Anxiety begins to set in before you get out of bed. Your mind’s eye sees the many faces of former friends who are now enemies. These who were once your people are duped by Absalom’s wickedness, and now they want you to die. This dilemma floats into your mind as you get dressed and then are too anxious to eat breakfast. However, something comes over you. You recall that your God wins every battle, and He alone battled the evil Egyptians by doing the impossible and delivering His children (Exodus 14:1-31). Just as God delivered His children then He delivers His children now. Keeping that in mind, you write something like this: 

Psalm 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. 

(1) O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. 

(2) Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. 

(3) But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 

(4) I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. (5) I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. (6) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. 

(7) Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. 

(8) Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

Notice verses one and two. Three times David mentions the number of enemies. He tells God that they have increased, that many are coming against him, and that many are saying that deliverance is impossible. This is war and in war enemies lie. David’s enemies wanted him to believe that his God would not fight, that he would be assassinated to make room for a new king, the traitor called Absalom. But unlike Absalom, Yahweh is ever faithful to His people. 

Since Yahweh is ever faithful David calls out to Him (v. 4) and He answers, and David slept until morning because God sustained him. When David rises, he is not afraid of ten thousand enemies that would come against him. Even though one little arrow could kill him he has no fear since God, who is his shield, surrounds him (v. 3, 6). But Yahweh’s blessings to his children do not end with shielding from evil; He attacks. “Arise, O LORD, save me, O my God!” David shouts his war cry. Though the enemies abound, our confidence is in our LORD, He is the one who breaks our enemies’ jaws and takes away their harmful power (v. 7). He is our Divine Warrior; yes, the One who parted the Red Sea, letting his children go free but destroying many powerful enemies. And when we, like David, cry out to the LORD our God, asking Him to wage our war we can relax with complete confidence. We are confident because “From the LORD comes deliverance” (v. 8a). Like the song above says, our deliverer is coming, He is already standing by.

Now, do you believe His word? Or, do you believe the lie that says, “your God will not and cannot deliver you?” When we’re alone with our thoughts in the night it is easy to believe a lie. Don’t believe it. Yes, we have much to overcome and we have real enemies, ones who want to see us quit believing and following Christ. We have enemies who would like to force us to believe and do that which is contrary to the Scriptures; they may attempt this by passing more laws. We have enemies who want us to leave the gospel of Christ behind to be yoked to their sets of rules toward a so-called salvation from a false god. In addition, we battle our flesh with its curious cravings and temptations toward sin and self. However, “From the LORD comes deliverance!” 

Would you believe that He can bring you out of the pit of sin or fight victoriously over your enemies? His glory is at stake. Just like the defeat of Israel’s enemies your holiness brings Him glory. Now, it is up to us to lean upon our Deliverer. And let’s show others how the victory of Jesus Christ over death (our biggest enemy) was won on the cross and through the resurrection. Death died, Jesus is risen and He will deliver us to the Father in heaven on that great day. Amen. 

Dear Timothy, Bring The Books

     Having returned from a pastor’s conference I was once again reminded that good people never quit learning. After all, the reason pastors go to conferences is to continue to learn. By our simple presence at one we are stating that we need help; that we do not have it all figured out.

 

It is extremely refreshing to hear an excellent pastor who is 30 years my senior publicly expressing that he does not have it all figured out. This reveals his honesty and his continual dependence upon the Father. Now, since the most learned people do not have their learning career all sewn up, the rest of us need to keep learning too. And, we would do well to remember that the Apostle Paul was a life-long learner. This was something our conference teacher pointed out to us.

During the last conference session the good pastor took us through 2 Timothy 4. He read “When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). We were struck by the Apostle Paul’s desire expressed in this verse. His life is near the end; he has almost completed his race and is now jailed in a cold dungeon where he needs his cloak. And he insists that Timothy bring the scrolls and the parchments. The man who has the equivalent of a triple doctorate, who founded many churches, who taught many people could have said “Oh, I don’t need any books written by man or parchments of Scripture,” but he does not. His longing for a copy of the Old Testament whereby he will learn from the Triune God of the universe is predominant. But is it predominant in my life and yours? Or are you willing to believe the lie that says, “Oh, I know; I don’t need any books, or bibles, or teachers, I learned all that and read all that already.”

On learning, Major League Baseball knows something that many are not willing to admit. Specifically, that no one is ever too talented or too old to learn. Every spring the youngest major league pitchers along with the oldest and the best return to pick up where they left off. They admit that they need coaches to teach them a new pitch and to hone their God-given talents.

Dear reader, we all need a coach to help us become the type of woman or man that God is growing us to be. The design of the church is such that we come together to admit problems and to learn about something that is old, or something that is new. We do not come together to count dollars, or people, or to garner praise. Toward the end of his amazing life Paul leaned on Timothy and Luke, they were his coaches. In addition, we notice that Paul never did much alone; faithful men who made him better always surrounded him. If Paul needed coaches and teachers, I do too. If Paul needed to keep learning and growing, I do too. No matter where we may be, let us all aim toward more fellowship and learning for the glory of Christ. 

Living Acts 2:42 in 2014

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Acts 2:42 provides a good pattern for the Christian life, that goes further than only daily bible reading. In Acts 2:42 we see that the early church spent a lot of time together. Their lives were in danger and so being together out of harms way was the best thing for them to do. Togetherness is still an important aspect of church today, and when we are gathered the four devotions spelled out in Acts 2:42 ought to be the center of our activity. These four devotions are to be ongoing (note the “-ing” in v. 42). It is through these “devotions” we hear from God, and draw near to Him, and draw near to each other.

For 2014 let us be:

1.  Devoting ourselves to the apostle’s teaching: This is referring to the Bible.  Christian men and women are marked by an ongoing devotion to God’s word. We hear the voice of God through our bibles and we obey Him.

2.  Devoting ourselves to fellowship: Fellowship happens when the family of God is gathered. In fellowship we get to know one another. In fellowship we are able to weep with those who are weeping, thus bearing one another’s burdens. In fellowship we praise the Lord together for the blessings we share. Courage and love come to us in our fellowship with one another. To be the church we must be together often.

3.  Devoting ourselves to communion: The specific wording in the verse is “breaking of bread” but we understand that this is one way of saying communion or Lord’s Supper. As a local body we have a pattern of devoting ourselves to communion on the first Sunday of every month. This is a good devotion. But let us aim to approach it with fresh hearts each time; communion ought to bring forth personal praise and celebration for the victory we have in Christ’s cross work.

4.  Devoting ourselves to prayer: It amazes me how easily prayer can be overlooked in our private lives and in our lives together. Let prayer saturate you! Approach God as your Father since He truly is. Pray appropriate prayers that are shaped by God Himself with the instructions and model that He gave us in Matthew 6:1-15. Let your prayers be influenced by other prayers in the Scriptures (for example, Acts 4:24-31; Ephesians 1:18-23, 6:18-20).

Furthermore, remember that your prayers don’t have to be long in order to be effective or right. Short prayers that are to the point are excellent. Also, many of us have certain things in place to encourage us to pray. For instance, we have prayer chains and our prayer times in our Sunday School classes and during our mid-week gatherings. Let’s approach our prayer times with hearts that are truly open to God on behalf of others. We don’t want to only ask God to remove difficulties, but that God would enlighten the eyes of their hearts that they would “know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Eph 1:18-19a). 

Busy Lives Are Empty Lives

For the past year I have been too busy to read a small booklet that was mysteriously placed on my desktop. The booklet is titled Beating Busyness by Adam R. Holz. The quote on the back cover is what finally drew me into its pages. It says, “The emptiest lives are those stuffed with motion from morning to night” (David Henderson).

God wants us to make motion while we work. But our lives must also be open, peaceful, and rested up. The concept of not over stuffing your life is rooted in our Old Testament, which states: “But six days you shall labor and do all of your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work (Exodus 20:9-10b). To not stuff your life pleases God. Further, this is his design. Our lives are to be patterned into a work/rest cycle.

Stuffed lives have no rest cycle. Such lives do not include time for God, prayer, and have little peace. We think we are pleasing God by doing much but we are not. For example, take the story of Mary and Martha. Martha welcomes Jesus into her house. But as he is there she ignores him, while her sister Mary lays at his feet. She is fussing over meaningless details rather than enjoying her company. Obviously Jesus isn’t pleased, he says “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). Mary had chosen Jesus over crazy busy.

Which are you choosing? Recently, one dear saint suggested to me that the word “no” was one of the godliest words we could use when asked to do something more. He was right!

The suggestion to say “no” often falls on deaf ears, which results in most everyone, including me, being too busy. Friends, this is a problem. It isn’t living, and I’m tired of it. I’m weary from weeks that never seem to end, which bleed into new months, seasons, and years. But there is hope; it may only be realized when we take some Sabbath time away from everything. That is what it took for me. It was the silence of the chukar hills, coupled with a full day ahead of me with nothing to do but nothing. It was time with no phones, no computers, no alarm clock, just soul rest. I was 15 again! I was without a care in the world except my thoughts and prayers to God.

Regarding cares, do you feel ruled by “the tyranny of the urgent?” If so, there is hope. And we can change together. Now, I’m not suggesting that anyone do what I do. You can find quiet and prayerful rest in your own home even with young children in the house. That is, you don’t need to go anywhere, but you must fight busyness in your life.

Now, how can we begin to deal with the frenetic pace of our lives? Consider your answers to these questions:

1. What does my life really look like?

2. Why am I so busy?

3. How do I set my priorities?

4. How can I learn to make decisions that reflect God’s wisdom?

5. What is my real mission in life?

6.  What place should quietness, rest, and personal retreat have in my life?

I am in the process of repenting and sorting through busyness in my life. My weeklong vacation led to me realizing that I must make better decisions with my time.

For now, may our Lord richly bless you as you seek Him instead of seeking that next urgent task. 

Highlights Of Turning The World Upside Down

Usually I don’t have the time to sit through an entire basketball game, that is why I love highlights. Since the eleven o’ clock KTVZ news airs Portland Trailblazer highlights, a guy can keep up with the team. Fortunately, sports news and the statistics of my favorite team matter little to the modern church. But the book of Acts matters very much. William Barclay states that “In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth that if we did not possess Acts, we would have, apart from what we could deduce from the letters of Paul, no information whatever about the early church.” Moreover, Barclay reminds us that it is written in a way which “opens a series of windows and gives us vivid glimpses of the great moments and personalities . . .” Therefore, knowing Acts is vital. To that end, I’ve highlighted three principles from Acts. They are listed and explained below and in this statement. When we have the presence of God, when the word of God is proclaimed, and we baptize those who believe we are serving him faithfully. 

• God is constantly present with the church in power. From beginning to end Acts is a book about God and his people who are on his mission. He is the power and the strategy behind the function of the church and its growth.

• He is there to give his orders before the church began (Acts 1:3-1). He is there to cause people to repent and believe his gospel at the start of his church (Acts 2). 
• He is at Peter and John’s arrest and trial (Acts 4). 
• He is present and active in Annanias and Sapphira’s death (Acts 5:1-11). God refuses to be put to the test. 
• He is at Stephen’s trial and martyrdom. God strengthened Stephen and revealed himself to him (Acts 7). 
• He is undeniably presents himself to Saul, and calls Saul to himself for salvation and to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9).
• His presence and work was rather obvious in Caesarea, when the gospel was first preached among Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48, 11:15-18). 
• He is powerful among his preachers and the listeners as the gospel is proclaimed in Iconium. Many believed yet many did not believe. The city was divided over God’s truth, yet His power and presence were so obvious that Luke is careful to note that the apostles were relying upon God (Acts 14:1-4). Even when people do not believe, God is present.
• His power and direction prevented the missions team from preaching Jesus in Asia ( Acts 16:6). 
• His power and planning delivered a hardened man from his sin and delivered Paul and Silas from jail (Acts 18). 
• He was present with Paul and spoke to him, so that he would continue his Corinthian mission (Acts 18:9-11). The apostle stayed for one and a half years. God was with him. Many were saved and baptized. 

We could go further, but time and space will not permit. The second striking principle is how the word of God was frequently used in the ministries of the church, and was the content of most the sermons. 

• The word of God, the gospel is important. It has been said that the true test of a church is whether or not the Bible/gospel is preached and whether or not the ordinances are observed. Whoever said that got it right.  And since I don’t expect you to just take my word for it, take God’s. The sermons and speeches in Acts are packed with bible passages, that show the way of Christ. Also, often the sermons were followed with baptisms. 

• Peter’s first speech in Acts showed how Judas’ death was fulfillment of the Scripture, and then Peter quoted Psalm 69:25 and 109:8. 
• Peter’s famous Pentecost sermon employed numerous passages of Scripture (Acts 2:14-40). He quoted Joel 2:28-32; Psalm 16:8-11, 110:1 just to name a few. Right after his sermon those who believed were baptized and then they all continually devoted themselves to doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and communion (Acts 2:42). 
• The gospel from the Old Testament is rather obvious in Peter’s second sermon where he goes all the way back to Abraham, showing his connection to Jesus. Peter also teaches us that all of God’s prophets had announced that “Christ would suffer” and that “He has thus fulfilled” those prophecies (Acts 3:18-19). Of course, Peter also mentions the truth of the resurrection, showing Jesus’ resurrection tied into the book of Deuteronomy (Acts 3:21-22, cf. Deut 18:15). Peter preaches on, showing his listeners how God’s covenant with Abraham would ultimately bless all nations in Christ (Acts 3:25-26, cf. Gen 22:18). 
• As the first missionaries began their journey from Antioch it is extremely noteworthy how at every opportunity they speak out the gospel and the word of God. A quick search of the book of Acts for the ministry of the word turns up many verses. Here are some that I discovered in about five minutes: 

• Acts 4:31 includes a prayer for the apostles to boldly speak the word of God.
• Some passages that include the ministry of the word are: Acts 6:2, 4, 7; 8:4, 14, 25, 35; 10:36; 11:1, 14, 19; 12:24; 13:5, 7, 44, 46, 49; 14:3, 25; 15:7, 35, 36, 16:6, 32; 17:2, 11, 13; 18:5, 11, 24, 28; 19:10, 20. 

The citations here are not exhaustive, not even close. But one verse that stands out is the very last verse of Acts. It says “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:31). And now, it is up to us to carry on by preaching the kingdom and teaching the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Baptism is a must. There are no shortages of baptisms in the book of Acts. Acts 8:12, “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.” Also, some other places where baptism occurs are Acts 8:13, 38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16.

Throughout vivid moments and great personalities God’s special revelation to us in Acts teaches us much. We are reminded that God always had a powerful presence with his people. His presence with believers is sure and constant. He is always with you. Secondly, we see that his people loved his word. Through it comes faith, and faith in Christ brings salvation to the world. Let us make the Bible a priority in life and in worship. Lastly, we see that his people were baptized. Thus, all who believe today must be baptized by the church. Since we are human, these things may become ritualistic and boring. Rather, when we remember where he is and how he wants us to serve him, we are set free from rituals and legalism. Since the only things that really matter in our faithfulness are the word and the ordinances (baptism and communion). 

Dear Christian, you have all you need to faithfully grow in Christ. His presence always with you. It is often more powerful when we are gathered. His word is at your side and in your heart. It is proclaimed and taught when the church is gathered. His water baptism was either given to you after your conversion, or it awaits you now. If we keep these highlights in mind as we serve Christ together, I believe we will do well. 

Reasons Why I Love the Church (And You Should Too)

Reason #1: Jesus loved the church. I sure am not Jesus, neither are you. But being called by him means we must actually be like him. His passion for his bride brought him to death. You and I ought to prize his beloved church above any program, ministry, school, or institution. 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph 5:25-27). 

Reason #2: It began with the Apostles but it didn’t end with them. We long for connections beyond a current network of friends, family, and tradition. We want an ancient connection. One reason family genealogies are so popular is because most people long for roots. Christians have deep roots, our history began in chapter one of Acts and continues on through 28 chapters of Acts and right up to today. There are no new questions, nor are there new answers. We look to an ancient book (the Bible) for answers. And if we are still curious, there is nearly 2,000 years of historical theology to help us learn how the church taught the Scriptures in years past. 

Mike Horton says that “The church was born in doctrinal debate. It fought its way to dominance through centuries of arguments over doctrinal detail. The Reformation was a controversy between two different gospels.” Today marks a terrific vantage point for the church. There is no reason for heresy; it has all been worked out in history. For starters, we believe the Bible is a genuine book that came from God. The church has taught this since its inception nearly 2,000 years ago. Who are we to think that the Apostles got it wrong? 

Reason #3: The church is full of people who can help. I long to learn more, to be better equipped to serve Christ. I want genuine answers to my questions about God, and I want to mature in Christ with other Christ-followers. And I hope you do as well. If so, there is good news, the church exists to build you up. 

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:11-13). 

Reason #4: The church is commanded by its God to love everyone. Of all the groups of people in the world your local church ought to be the safest and most caring environment around. God’s people are not only called to weep with those who weep but to love one another unconditionally. God calls the church to love those that no one else will love. And to do so with no strings attached. We love because our Lord is glorified when we do so, and we want to show the world his love.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:10-11). 

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8). 

Are you convinced? I hope so. Let’s remember that the church is not a building, a program, or a denomination. We are not scary either. We are God’s people, whom Christ has redeemed and prized as his own. If you don’t love it already, start cultivating a love for the family of God, you can begin with the few reasons I stated above. You can find plenty more in your bible or by discovering a local church on your own. Christianity is not for Lone Ranger types, we all must to belong to the family of God, via a local church. 

Loving Enemies

To love people who hate you seems impossible. Of the commands that Jesus issued in his sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) loving one’s enemies is one of the most difficult to follow (5:43-48). For Jesus, it isn’t enough that we simply stop hating, lusting, divorcing, and lying (5:21-42). To stop isn’t enough because we must replace disobedience with obedience, namely love. Love should displace hate, lust, divorce, and dishonesty. However, even the most loving people think it is acceptable to hate your enemies. For instance, I grew up during the last years of the cold war and I still don’t like Russia. Not many Americans do. But is it possible for a Christian to truly love his or her enemies? Can we love those who not only pose a potential threat (like the U.S.S.R. during the cold war) but even those who have harmed us the most? To be sure, the answer is not found within the strength of the flesh, or a niche of human wisdom, but it is within God himself. And God is leading his followers to love everyone, thus we must begin doing it. 

In his epistle to Rome, Paul sought to guide the church the same way Jesus did. He commands them to do things that are impossible. Notice how Paul instructs us:

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Now, each one of us has lost it at one point or another with another person who did us wrong. Let us remember that evil expressed toward someone can be ever so slight, it may be in a look, or a tone of voice. But no matter what it is, or who it is, we do not posses the right to retaliate. That is to say, we must esteem other people higher than we do ourselves. We treat them as good or better than we would want to be treated. This promotes peace, even among enemies. This is rare, otherworldly, and seemingly impossible, but is it? When someone understands the love of God given in Jesus Christ and is changed by it, should not their life be full of his goodness and love? John Stott, in his comments on Romans 12:17-21, puts it this way.

When we are moved by the mercies of God, and when our minds have been renewed to grasp his will, all our relationships become transformed. Not only do we offer our bodies to God (1-2), and develop a sober self-image (3-8), and love one another in the Christian community (9-16), but now also we serve our enemies (17-21). These have already appeared in the guise of our persecutors (14) and are about to reappear as evildoers (17). In fact, the last five verses of Romans 12 handle the question how Christians should respond to evildoers. 

Back to Jesus’ sermon. There he states that we (his followers) are the light of the world (Matt 5:14). The world is dark, sinful, and filled with hatred. But Christians are light. And because they abide in he who is love, they do good to others. They love everyone. Love and hate are like light and darkness. The one displaces the other. Also, to love an enemy is to do something that only God himself can do. Doing good, even to our enemies is what happens when  we “are moved by the mercies of God, and when our minds have been renewed to grasp his will” (Stott). To be sure, evil does not overcome evil and it never overcomes good. But good always overcomes evil; God is good. 

Therefore, God wants you to never retaliate, but to leave room for his judgment upon those who have harmed you. God wants you to feed your enemies, and to give them something to drink. Because when you do these things, you are validating that the goodness that you are giving is directly from him. Since he is the only one who can do it. Only God can love his enemies and often times he does so through you and me. This love which begins in him comes into us and, through us to the world, telling them that we indeed are his children.