The Security of God

Read Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is one of my favorites and I often claim it for myself.  Our security, whether spiritual, physical, or emotional comes from God.  The person and work of God's Son, Jesus Christ promises those of us who trust Him protection from ultimate harm.  This Psalm answers three critical questions about our security.

The first question is, "Who?"
That is the most important one, because someone can promise security but may not have the willingness or ability to carry it out.  The One promising our security is "The Most High" or the God above all Gods.  He is "Almighty" which means that God intervenes with saving power when our strength is gone.  Think here of the death of Jesus for our sins and his subsequent resurrection for our life.  He is "LORD" which tells us that He is our promising God, the One who loves us and has and always will exist.  He is "God" which, in the Hebrew is a plural word reminding us of His three-fold nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Second question is, "What?
He brings us protection from the "fowler" or trapper which represents human-made destruction.  We have security from "pestilence" which is illness.  We are free from "fear".  He brings us protection from "destruction" which stands for natural disasters.  Vs. 13 reminds us that even the Devil himself cannot ultimately harm us.  Notice that the Psalmist makes these claims while he must realize that  destruction and disaster are all around.  We cannot know why some apparently bad things happen to us but we ought to base our faith and our prayers on what God promises us and leave the results up to Him.

Question three is,  "How?"
"His Faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."  We can depend on the truth that the LORD is true to His word.  His faithfulness reminds us of God's perfect and unchanging character.  We can find shelter under His wings.  His angels also keep us from all sorts of disasters and difficulties.  We are then called to have faith in who God is and what He promises to us.  Our faith is expressed in our testimony(vs. 2), our rest in Him(vs. 9), our love for Him(vs. 14), and our calling on Him(vs. 15).

Actually all we have that is good is found in Him.  The Apostle Paul talks often about all the blessings that come to the one that is "in Christ".  The life comes those of us who are living in Christ is forever and we will see His salvation(vs. 16).  Just like creation, God's security is clearly visible--only now it is by faith.

Hooray for Jesus

We seem to be living in more and more in a narcissistic society.  A good example of the "it's all about me'
generation we are experiencing is the applause people are now giving to themselves.  You see it with guests on TV shows, athletes, celebrities and politicians all clapping for themselves when introduced or saying or doing something significant.  Now everyone enjoys being praised but in past times the recipient would acknowledge the applause graciously or with a "who me?" attitude.  There are examples in the Bible where someone was regarded as a god and often paid the price for such folly and pride.  The good examples are of those like the angel who told John in Revelation not to bow down to him for he said that he was a creature just like John.

Those of us who pour the praise on others without pointing out God's role in it all are  helping the push for a 'ME" society.  It seems to be all about human accomplishment with little or no glory going to our Creator.  A better attitude is found in a very flawed man named David.  He looked up into the vast sea of stares in the mighty universe and said, "what is man that Thou takest thought of Him?" Why should God even care about us--especially since we seem to not care about Him.  David was a flawed man but he had a heart for God.  And when the Messiah came he would be called, "the Son of David"  which was quite an honor.  This Son of David was the Son of God--He was Jesus and yet, even he said, 'I can do nothing on my own but only what I see the Father doing.

It turns out that God is a self-giving person.  And since we are made in his image we are called to be selfless.

And by the way, have you noticed that Cheerleaders don't lead cheers anymore(in High School anyway).  They call attention to themselves and they cheer.  Rarely do they actually lead a cheer!  I turns out that the real cheer leaders are the one who we are supposed to be cheering for.  You can see them on the field or court waving their arms imploring the fans to cheer them.

All I can say is, "Hooray for Jesus!"

Where Is God?

A few days ago I attended a funeral of a man who had been a great asset to our local community.  He truly had been a fine man with a servant's heart.  The funeral service lasted over an hour and a half.  Eight different speakers extolled the wonderful qualities of the deceased and praised his selfless service to others. 

Everything the speakers said was true but I had a terrible feeling that something was wrong.  We were, after all, in a church.  We had listened to and sung some moving hymns.  Yet, on and on, the eulogies went; praising human accomplishment(though well deserved) without any mention of God.  Something was terribly wrong with this picture.  Finally, the pastor began to speak.  At first I thought it was going to be the same litany we had been hearing.  Then he said that this man who had meant so much to his family, friends, and community, had expressed his faith in God.  There it was!  He had faith in God. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who deserves the praise.  All that my friend accomplished pales in comparison to his faith in Christ.  As a matter of fact, it was his faith in God that caused him to be the man that he was.  Why did it take so long for the mention of God to show up in the eulogies?  I don't know the answer to that question but I can say that this funeral service stands for me as a parable of many Christian lives(I'm sorry to say that it has been my life all to often).  We tend to compartmentalize our lives.  God has His place but it is not first place.  We have a relationship with Him and not a moment by moment one. 

I really believe that this man had a good relationship with God and is now in heaven.  I just wish that fact had been mentioned more often in his funeral.  Maybe we all need to have a little more God talk in our words.  And I can surely say that I need to keep up my daily commitment to Christ, making sure that I am focusing on Him and serving Him.  My friend's life of service is one that I want to emulate.  But most of all, I want that service to issue out of a sincere personal relationship with the living God. 

Happy Birthday, America

This month we are celebrating America’s Birthday.  A lot of people think that the USA is in trouble and on decline.  They point to the economic woes, the corruption in government, the moral decay, and many other reasons that indicate we have seen our best days.  It may be for me, wishful thinking, but I do not agree.  I certainly see all the negative things going on, especially the moral decline, but I still think we are a good nation that God will still bless.

If I am wrong and the doomsayers are right, it’s OK.  Of course, I hate it for my children and grandchildren but my citizenship is not in this world.  Believers in Christ are citizens of Heaven(Philippians 3:20).   I am glad and proud to be an American but my hope and destiny is in a more lasting Kingdom(see Hebrews 11:8-16).  Abraham looked forward to a city with eternal foundations whose builder and maker was God.  And because He longed for a heavenly homeland, and lived as a nomad on earth, God is not ashamed to be called his God.

Wherever Abraham went he tried to make his world a better place.  But He knew where is really belonged and never gave up on it.  If the USA and all of the west should suffer decline the church will still be here and Jesus will still be the King of Kings.  I want to be the best American I can be.  I love my country.  But I belong to Jesus Christ and my ultimate allegiance is to Him and His Kingdom,  It only would have taken 10 righteous people in Sodom from being destroyed.  I believe that  we have enough righteous people to keep us safe.

If we are diligent to do what we can for America our grand kids will enjoy a wonderful nation.  May it be.  Let it be. Dear God, let it be.

Citizenship in Heaven

Pastor’s Heart

This month we are celebrating America’s Birthday.  A lot of people think that the USA is in trouble and on decline.  They point to the economic woes, the corruption in government, the moral decay, and many other reasons that indicate we have seen our best days.  It may be for me, wishful thinking, but I do not agree.  I certainly see all the negative things going on, especially the moral decline, but I still think we are a good nation that God will still bless.

If I am wrong and the doomsayers are right, it’s OK.  Of course, I hate it for my children and grandchildren but my citizenship is not in this world.  Believers in Christ are citizens of Heaven(Philippians 3:20).   I am glad and proud to be an American but my hope and destiny is in a more lasting Kingdom(see Hebrews 11:8-16).  Abraham looked forward to a city with eternal foundations whose builder and maker was God.  And because He longed for a heavenly homeland, and lived as a nomad on earth, God is not ashamed to be called his God.

Wherever Abraham went he tried to make his world a better place.  But He knew where is really belonged and never gave up on it.  If the USA and all of the west should suffer decline the church will still be here and Jesus will still be the King of Kings.  I want to be the best American I can be.  I love my country.  But I belong to Jesus Christ and my ultimate allegiance is to Him and His Kingdom,  It only would have taken 10 righteous people in Sodom from being destroyed.  I believe that  we have enough righteous people to keep us safe.

If we are diligent to do what we can for “American we can do, our grandkids will enjoy a wonderful nation.  May it be.  Let it be. Dear God, let it be.

Abba, Daddy and Phil Mickelson

Jesus called His heavenly Father, "Abba"(Mk. 14:35)  Abba is best translated into English as "Daddy".  Obviously, Jesus had a special relationship with His "Daddy" that they both enjoyed from all eternity.

The amazing thing is that the Bible tells us that we also can refer to God our Father as "Abba. Daddy."  We read in Romans 8:14 that we have received the Spirit of Sonship   "And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"  What does this mean?  Well, for sure, it means that we can also have an intimate personal relationship with God.  He is awesome.  He is Holy.  He is Other.  He is Almighty.  But He is also the believer's Daddy.  But we also have all the rights and privileges that come with being a son of God.  We learn in Romans 8:17 "Now if we are children, we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."  That really says it all! 
 Because of God's love and the sacrifice of His Son we have all the rights and privileges of a child of God.

Apart from God, there are no perfect fathers.  There are some men who express very well what God the Father is like.  One of those fathers is the golfer Phil Mickelson.  Several years ago he was expecting his first child while playing in the U.S. Open which he had never won.  He told his wife to call him when she went into delivery and he would walk of the course, even if he was in contention, and come home.  The baby was born the day after the tournament and Phil lost by one stroke.   Fourteen years later that baby girl was graduating from middle school.  Phil was going to be won the favorites to win the 2013 U.S. Open in which he had finished second five tines but still never won.  With the tournament to begin on Thursday in Philadelphia, Phil was in California on Wednesday night to see his daughter graduate.  After the ceremony he took the red eye back to Philly just in time to play in the Open.  The tournament ended on Fathers' Day and it would have been a perfect ending had Mickelson won.  Unfortunately he barely missed winning again.

I am sure Phil Mickelson is heart-broken  But he has already shown the world and his family what his priorities are.  Yes, he wanted to win one of the few titles he has never won.  But his family clearly comes first.  He gets my vote for Father of the Year.  He demonstrated to his daughter that she is loved and he will always be there for her.  He has also(perhaps unwittingly) demonstrated the how our Heavenly Father cares about us.  God loves us and is always there for us. 

I am sure that after Phil gets over this tough loss, he will realize that he is really considered a great man, which, for sure, trumps being a great golfer.  He should know that he has encouraged all of us and reminded us of a God who loves us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Is This That?

Read Acts, chapter 2.

Amazing things were happening!  It was the Day of Pentecost almost 2,000 years ago.  The followers of Jesus were so excited about God that the pilgrim visitors to Jerusalem thought they must be drunk.  When Peter got up to speak, the only logical reason he could give why these disciples were not drunk was that it was too early in the day!  He said, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" and then Peter quoted the words that spoke of many signs and wonders taking place(Joel 2:28,29).

Here in this great coming out party the church was born!  When you see the results of the early days of the church of Jesus Christ and look at today's  congregations you have to wonder, "Is this that?"  There are three main elements to to that early church:

1)  Proclamation.   vss. 14-40.  Peter proclaimed Christ.  He spoke of the life of Jesus and his death.  But the Pentecostal Preacher spoke mostly of the resurrection of Christ.  The portions of the message that deal with the history of Jesus have 13 dealing with the resurrection versus 2 dealing with his life and death.  Jesus lived and perfect life and died an agonizing sacrificial death but the thing that sets Christianity apart from other religions and that thrills all who think of death is that he is alive!  He has conquered death!  Peter says that the coming of the Holy Spirit is the proof that Jesus lives and is Lord(vs.33).

2)  Transformation  vss. 1-13, 41   Clearly, people's lives were radically changed!  This miracle, in itself is another proof of Jesus' resurrection.  The followers of Christ went from being cowardly, timid, and silent disciples to being exuberant, enthusiastic, and brave.  And the Holy Spirit anointed message of Peter cause another 3,000 people to do the same.

3)  Dedication.  vss. 42-47     All these on fire servants of Christ now spent the bulk of their free time in dedicated Bible study, prayer, fellowship worship, and evangelism.  There existed among the people of The Way and unity and love that impressed still others to give their lives to Christ!

Again, as I look at churches today, I ask, is this that?  And if this isn't that, then why not?