Back To The Present

On December 31st, when you look back over the previous year, what would you wish you had changed? This is the question I posed to the church yesterday in my sermon. I like the question because it imposes a practical accountability--we're looking back examining how we lived. And it offers great hope--we haven't lived out the year YET! 

So, if we were able to mentally transport ourselves to the last day of this year and reflect on our Christian lives, what would we see? If there is a sense of frustration, this could be for two reasons: 

1) We were thwarted in our attempts at growth. Warning! Recognize this as reality in the Christian pilgrimage, but don't be "blown away" by it. As long as we are in this "body of flesh" we will fail to comply on some level in our pursuit of God. Know that, accept it, and move on by pursuing God MORE. 

2) We are remiss because we didn't prepare properly. The first reason happens only if you have a plan and have been somewhat successful in fulfilling it. This second reason is the result of a lack in that department. Thus, we become victims of the adage: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." We are remiss because we had not moved closer to a living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ, as we imagine Christians should. But we applied no measures to put ourselves in the path of grace.

OK. So now what do we do? Well, remember, we are not really there . . . at December 31st, I mean. We can say, "Alright, I have a whole year to make up for my lack of planning!" Then, we set about to put in place whatever we need to grow. And we do it with joy and anticipation! That's the greatest advantage of the forward, backward look!

"Hindsight makes wise men of us all." Well, this is potentially true. Hindsight does not necessarily make us wise, like practice does not necessarily make perfect. It makes permanent. Practice right, perform right. The backward look can put things in perspective, the kind that allows us to examine our priorities perhaps with a better degree of objectivity. 

In light of that, let's jump back to the present and joyfully make those changes! Here are some our church folk shared:  

1) Pray--actually DO it, not just talk about doing it; 

2) Read three biographies; 

3) Several mentioned various Bible reading plans; 

4) Another sheepishly said he simply wanted to invite one person to church! We chuckled at this but agreed we all could do this and more. 

5) My wife offered that she was going to isolate Psalm 119, focusing more directly on the implications in this wonderful psalm on God's Word. 

6) My daughter said she would make a practice of praying BEFORE Scripture reading to increase her ability to focus more intently. 

7) Another man said he wanted to witness to one person a week. 

8) I plan to read Calvin's Institutes along with the crew at Reformation 21 online (a sort of self-imposed discipline). 

There are many resources. Let us band together and give ourselves more completely to Christ in 2009. Then, when December 31st rolls around, we will have good reason to be joyous, not sad.

Surprising Spirit Power!

All Christians and certainly ministers of the Gospel take great joy in realizing the Spirit's awesome power to open up Scripture truth to us like no other. But that's the problem, isn't it--we need to realize Spirit-power more. We need to see how God takes normal folk and gives them supernatural insight. 

QUESTION: Who said the following?

“There is none holy like the Lord; 

there is none besides you; 

there is no rock like our God. 

Talk no more so very proudly, 

let not arrogance come from your mouth; 

for the Lord is a God of knowledge, 

and by him actions are weighed.

And this . . . 

And his mercy is for those who fear him 

from generation to generation. 

He has shown strength with his arm; 

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones 

and exalted those of humble estate; 

He has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent away empty. 

These are deep and powerful theological words. And we would most likely attribute them to someone like Samuel, David or Solomon, or Paul if they were New Testament. But (as you may have guessed) the first was spoken by Hannah in 1 Samuel 2, and the later by Mary in Luke 1. 

Frankly, we know little of Hannah other than her part in birthing the great prophet Samuel, yet her spiritual insight and doxological declarations boggle the mind. Where did she get such an education?

And Mary? Well, she was a young lady, some think 14 or 15 years old! Yet, try to fathom the weightiness of her words. Immediately you are made aware that these were not her own, but words that came from a much higher Source. 

It's not that women in general cannot exhibit such an astute understanding of Scripture. God created women equally capable spiritually. It's just that we do not often witness such exhibitions in Scripture, from men or women--apart from God's Spirit. Here are these specific women, heretofore unknowns opening their mouths in such intuitive ways that it might make any preacher envious--if it were allowed!? Ultimately, we take knowledge of Hannah and Mary (like Peter & John in Acts 4) that they have "been with Jesus." And that is a very good thing!

My point? Thoughtful, intelligent and spiritually perceptive words, if they can come from such women by the Spirit's power, can also come from any believer. Even from a preacher on Sunday morning? Was it not God's wisdom to take "uneducated" servants and overwhelm us with their Spirit-enabled speech? 

Application? I need to hear this. Again and again, as a Pastor, I need to know, to recollect from Scriptural example that it is NOT by might, nor by (man's) power, but by the Spirit says the LORD of hosts (Zech. 4:6). The infilling Spirit grants to the humble seeker empowering words to impart God's grace to hearers. Yes, we may struggle to assemble the right message, but it is not for a lack of empowerment from on High. Further, God may make us wait patiently so that our hearts are made to ache for Him--a pruning process necessary if we are to communicate the dynanmic Word in our messages. This year, let us all--layman and preacher alike--throw down the gauntlet and entrust our hearts as well as our words into the Almighty hands of Him who gave us language and the Spirit to proclaim truth.

Bible Reading Plans for the New Year!

There is a general rule of thumb to follow with regard to picking and using a Bible reading plan for the New Year -- just be sure to read regularly! No plan is a good plan if you don't follow through on it. But for the newcomer to Bible reading, finding a workable plan can be an exciting way to start the new year. While the veteran believer may just be looking for an alternate method for Bible intake. Below is a link to Justin Taylor's blog, Between Two Worlds which gives ten Bible Reading Plans with some explanations to help you decide which one to use. I plan to use the ESV Study Bible reading plan-conveniently located near the end of my Study Bible. About this Taylor's blog explains: 

With this plan there are four readings each day, divided into four main sections:

• Psalms and Wisdom Literature;
  
• Pentateuch and the History of Israel;
  
• Chronicles and Prophets; and
  
• Gospels and Epistles

Remember Paul's words to the Colossian church: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (3:16). This is indeed that more sure word of prophecy to which we all do well to pay attention (2 Peter 1:19). May the Lord richly bless His Word to our souls by the power of the Spirit, that we may be like trees planted by streams of water (Psalm 1).  

Two Essentials for Successful Praying

1 Peter 3:7 & 4:7--
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. And, The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 

Here are two verses in 1 Peter which attach successful praying to right ethical behavior. In the first instance, men are urged to love their wives with consideration so that their prayers would not be hindered. In other words, their devotion to God falls in direct line with their attitude toward their wives. What is particularly striking here is the fact that prayer is used as a sort of leverage to accomplish this. It's as if Peter (under Spirit guidance) assumes his readers pray, and that they will want to pray successfully! That's really amazing given the current climate in the churches today in terms of their desire for prayer. Would this type of inducement win the ear of today's Christian man? Would they care? 

The second verse urges upon us a sober mind and self-discipline in order to pray. Again, effective praying is the end goal. So, we must ensure that we remain in the right frame of mind in order to be effective. Matthew Henry said, 

"The right ordering of the body is of great use to promote the good of the soul. When the appetites and inclinations of the body are restrained and governed by God’s word and true reason, and the interests of the body are submitted to the interests and necessities of the soul, then it is not the soul’s enemy, but its friend and helper." 

He is on to something. The body and the soul are intimately connected. In a day when irresponsibility has achieved artistic status, it is timely to read these verses. Again, I ask the question: How would this directive be received today? Would successful praying rank high enough in most church-goers' minds to prompt humble application of discipline and spiritual sobriety in order to do it?

These two Scriptures apparently moved Peter's hearers. More importantly, do they move us today? Most assuredly they need to. By God's grace make this your aim this new year. 

My First Spurgeon Sermon!

The year was 1970. I was in my freshman year at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. I had occasion to join what was termed, "Prayer Band," an after dinner meeting in the classroom building to pray for missionaries. Each group was dedicated to a certain continent or country. I chose Europe, mainly because my future brother-in-law, Tom Coffman attended. And though I visited others, for four and a half years I stayed with this group. 

In the course of a meeting, someone usually led a brief devotional related to prayer, then we took 3 x 5 cards of missionaries and prayed through them for the remainder of the time. When I was first asked to speak, I thought, "I should check out the bookstore and see if there are any resources that might be of help." It was then that I first became aware of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, specifically his "Twelve Sermons on Prayer." And, Oh, what a treasure I found!

I remember the first sermon I read was from Psalm 147:9, "He giveth his ravens to eat." 

First, I was amazed that he chose such a text for the subject of prayer. An eighteen year old, I wasn't used to hearing sermons preached on such obscure texts. (Or, I couldn't remember having heard any). But this was a legitimate application which glorified the richness of God's Word. That I am sure is true.

Second, from this inauspicious text, Spurgeon wove the most wonderfully moving call to Christians to trust in a God who, if he will feed these birds (who hardly care for their own) will certainly feed or hear our prayers! I was honestly astonished. I felt as though I had entered into another world, which though it had obviously existed before, seemed to have newly emerged right there under my very nose! I knew nothing of Spurgeon until that day--at least, not that I can recollect. 

Third, that was a watershed moment in my life, for it introduced me to the "Prince of Preachers" who was to continue having a profound effect upon me for the rest of my life. So common were this man's words upon my lips that even in seminary, my classmates used to jokingly refer to me as "Spurgeon." That's what the reading of new writers can do. Not every time, of course. But once in a while, you stumble onto a great treasure--in this case, one that has cultivated a lifetime of spiritual nourishment. That was (I can't believe it) 38 years ago! In the course of obeying God in prayer, I was introduced to this giant of the faith. That's often how God works, isn't it? He leads us as we are walking with him along the way. And many of the benefits we derive were neither the subjects of our prayers, nor were we able to anticipate them. God is so good!

There's WONDER in "Wonderful"

There is an exciting anticipation comprised in the word "Wonder," especially as it is connected with divinity in the Bible, particularly during the Christmas season. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). Observe two truths arising from this text:

First, according to E. J. Young (late professor of Westminster Seminary) the literal term is "wonder." That it occurs first imparts emphasis. So, not only is the Messiah wonderful, but he is himself a Wonder, inside and out, through and through. The idea of “wonder” is used in Psalm 78:12, where it refers to the works of God, In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, . . . Here the same word is used to describe the miracles God performed in Egypt, dividing the Red Sea, the pillars of cloud and fire, and water from a rock in the desert. These are some of God’s wonders. The word refers to what God has done and not to the work of man.

Second, “wonder” refers to something, or, in God’s case, someone, who is incomprehensible to man. In Judges 13:18, the angel of the Lord asks Gideon, “Why are you asking what is my name, since it is Wonderful,” or secret? Essentially, this is an OT form of Jesus incarnate. Similarly, Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" (Genesis 32:29). This wasn’t just an angel, but God himself! Ouch!! Wonder, then means that he surpasses human thought and power. So, while the Christ child seems so approachable (Immanuel-"God with us"), we do well to remember that he is also transcendent (above us, beyond us). Rudolph Otto named this aspect of God, numinous, or the "Wholly Other." Indeed, mystery surrounds God and we must be careful not to allow our knowledge of him to degrade into that which is too pedestrian. 

A right stance for us to take, then, with regard to God is to repeat with David, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it" (Psalm 139:6). Peer over the fence at God's awesomeness, and in shocked silence, behold the Lamb! Charles Wesley got it right when he penned "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." In his original version he wrote:

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,

Hail the incarnate deity!

Pleased as man with men to appear,

Jesus! Our Immanuel here!

Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.

Enter into this glorious place, unearned by man--true, but not un-enjoyed!

Prayer Is More Than Praying

I thought of entitling this, "Don't Ruin Prayer By Praying." But I thought better of it, not because it isn't what I meant to say, but because it comes at my subject from a too negative point of view. Still, there is truth enough in the alternate title to mention it.

I woke up this Christmas morning with a certain glee, a warm contentedness connected to, though not necessarily dependent on the holiday. It was because I was walking with Jesus. There was a certain joy attending my morning. Do you ever have such a satisfied sense of God's presence that you don't want it to go away? No one was up yet (I habitually am up well before the household). So, as I began to align myself to a new day, assembling the typical tools--Bible, laptop and books--it became apparent none of these would immediately reinforce this sense of communion with God. Still, two ideas converged to assist in my appreciation of this evidently subjective state.

First, as I routinely prepared Christmas Blend (Starbucks) coffee, my mind kept ruminating on likely subjects for intercession. It seemed that with such a clear and blessed sense upon me, I should put people or issues into my prayers as petitions. Now, there is certainly a need for such prayers, no doubt. Scripture clearly commands it. What happened was a sort of "knee-jerk" reaction. I found no compelling reason to add anything to this time of communion. Rather, I felt that I should just enjoy "walking" with God. It was a pleasant occasion, if puzzling.

Second, about this time another thing happened which furnished my reflection with clarity. My son-in-law, Jay, in his routine, came downstairs for coffee and "devo's." It was in our interchange that "flesh" was added to the bare bones of my initial musings. Upon asking what he was reading, he informed me it was Ben Patterson's Deepening Your Conversation With God, subtitled, "Learning to Love to Pray." He loved it having devoured it more quickly than his usual pace. One particular quotation he shared from his reading provided me some explanation,

"Perhaps one reason God delays his answers to our prayers is because he knows we need to be with him far more than we need the things we ask of him. . . . But we can say that as we prayed long and hard, we found something that we may not have been looking for when we began to pray, something better than the thing we asked of God. We found his incomparable presence. The praying can often be greater than the things we prayed for."

In my case, I had found the "something better" before I started praying. But the principle applies just the same. Here, in a serendipitous sort of way, a confluence of experience and a "chance" quotation combined to solidify what had come to me on Christmas morn, what I trust will at times be the experience of all believers. I don't want to elbow God aside while I insist on forcing a request on him when I stand in the fulfilling position of enjoying his love. God grant us the patience and wisdom to rest in God's immense love when we're involved in this glorious pilgrimage of faith.