What I Don't Know Could Be For A Reason

One thing I've learned in my Christian walk is I don't have all the answers to life's complex questions. I don't know why there is disease in the world, hunger, crime, bad things that happen to good people. I don't know everything about heaven. Heck, after 20 years of marriage, I don't know everything about the complexity of my wife. She still amazes me.

I do know that God didn't intend to have all these bad things in his original plan. He created the perfect garden in the perfect world and put man and woman in it. Then when sin entered into the world it all changed. In his final sermon before his death Moses reviewed the covenant with God's chosen people and it included their blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

But in Deuterononmy 29:29 Moses tells us why things might be a little foggy. "The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions."

This verse is saying that God is the one who is in charge and in control and he reveals things to us when he wants to, but he also is saying that we don't have to answer for what we don't know. This however, is not an excuse for ignorance. If God has revealed something to us in his word and we don't find it because we don't read it doesn't mean it's a secret. It just means we weren't looking.

The word I like in this verse is accountable. It's a word we don't like much today. We're always looking to pass blame when we mess up. If people were accountable for their choices then we probably wouldn't have so many trial lawyers. God will hold us accountable for how we treated the spouse he gave us, how we parented our kids, what we did with the resources he gave us.

But the number one thing we will be held into account for is what we did with God's Son, Jesus. God sent him to earth to die a horrific death on the cross for the sins of you and I. Did we receive the gift or choose to deny it. Did we begin eternal life by getting to know His Son? Do we know Him more this year than last year?

Okay everyone, let's not allow Jesus to be a secret to us.

Is Love All I Really Need?

For those of you old enough to remember, there was a song in the 60’s by the Beatles called “All You Need is Love.” The chorus went “All you need is love, love is all you need.” I know, it doesn’t sound too deep, but I never thought the song was actually very profound. I’m sure it was by accident, but nonetheless, it spoke great biblical truth.

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible has to be 1 Corinthians 13. It is often called “The Love Chapter.” While the above mentioned song said we just need love to exist it failed to mention what love is. It’s a word that is used everywhere and in every circumstance and situation. You often hear “I love this steak,” I love you forever,” “I love this house,” “I love my job.” The list goes on and on.

If we like something just a little, we seem to love it. But what is love. If I did a man on the street interview I’m sure I would come up with answers that all point to feelings. If I like a certain something or someone enough it will produce a feeling of love. In the relational scene you often hear “I met someone special and we fell in love.” Have you ever thought if you can fall in love then you could somehow fall “out of love?”

Somehow, love has to be more than a feeling or we will be swayed all day long by how we feel. What does the apostle Paul say about love in 1 Corinthians 13 4:7. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

It sure sounds like a lot more than a feeling. It seems more like an action to me. I could spend weeks going thru each aspect of the love chapter, but suffice is to say it takes a conscious action on my part to be loving. And don’t confuse liking someone with loving them. I know my wife loves me unconditionally, but I know there are days when she probably doesn’t like me a whole lot. Don’t get me wrong, God gives us the feeling that love produces, but it is so much more.

God is calling us to set aside our feelings, not just with our spouses, but with everyone when it comes to loving them. If I’m whining and complaining over slow service in a restaurant then I’m not showing God’s love. If I forgive someone one day, but then throw it back in their face at a later date in the heat of a moment I’m not being very loving. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion-how can God’s love be in that person?” 1 John 3:16-17

It’s clear that talk is cheap when it comes to love. Anyone can say “I love you,” but when you’re in a pinch can you count on them? “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18

Paul is saying that we can do and accomplish many great things, but if we don’t love others it’s all for nothing. So the next time you don’t feel like loving that difficult person on the phone, in your workplace or even in your home try doing something that is loving and watch how God works and He brings you the feeling alongside the action.

How important is this love thing to God? “Three things will last forever-faith, hope and love- and the greatest of these is love” 1 Cor 13:13. I encourage you this week to spend some time in this chapter and gain the whole context. I think God would really love it if you did.

My God is Closer Than Your god

"For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?" Deuteronomy 4:7-8

Do you know how awesome and meaninful this verse is that Moses gave the Israelites as a reminder before heading into the Promised Land? We have full access to God anytime, anyplace and anywhere. We don't have to jump thru any hoops to come to Him. We don't have to earn his approval by going door to door, we don't to bow down x amount of times a day facing a certain direction in hopes he will notice us.

Because of Jesus, we can know that He is with us always. You're struggling at work today, send a prayer God's way. You're stuck in traffic on the way to or from work, talk to God instead of listening to the radio or talking on your cell phone. You know if you wear a blue tooth, the car next to you will think you're talking on your phone anyway. You're boss is giving you a hard time today, ask God for patience and maybe a mild case of the flu for your boss to keep him home a few days.

The point is we are a blessed and chosen people and nation. Wherever you read the nation of Israel in the Bible, you can know that the USA has also had His favor because we were a nation founded on Him and grounded in Him. I worry about our nation that the Lord will turn away from us because we are turning away from Him. That is why we need to be praying for a revival in this country. We had it for a short time in the aftermath of September 11th, but unfortunately once we lost sight of the images of the towers falling down, we fell back into our regular routine.

We're in the midst of a presidential election and I would love a candidate to be bold enough and quote this verse about the times we live in right now. "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seem my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

If our nation was to do this, how fortunate that our God is so close at hand.

Say What?

I love the bumper sticker for a construction company that says “Character Matters.” I’m ready for a new one that says, “Words Matter.” Our language today is going from bad to worse to the point we have a new air pollution epidemic.

Profanity is running rampant out there today and it’s showing no signs of letting up Today, it’s often referred to as adult language as if it’s something that we grow into. You know, you reach a certain age and its okay to drop the f-bomb because you’re now a mature adult. This topic comes to mind to me as I heard the second example in a week of female celebrities cursing on morning television as if it was no big deal. It wasn’t part of a comedy act or telling a dirty joke, but just two women speaking face to face with an interviewer and one drops the f-word and another the c-word.

As Christians, we’re called to be holy because God is holy and that includes our language. What does His word say about our words? Can we praise God on Sunday’s and give hand gestures at the driver who cuts us off on Monday’s? In the Ten Commandments it made the top three. Exodus 20:7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” This doesn’t just include cursing, but what about expressions like “Oh my God” or “for the love of God”. If you’re not honoring him with your speech then God can’t be pleased.

Ephesians 4:29 says “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” And Colossians 3:7-8 says “You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”

As believers our words are to evolve, but not in the wrong direction. We’re to use our words to build people up and not tear down or make people cringe or use for shock value or to get laughs. I was at a high school football game this past season and I was shocked to hear the language I did from the stands from both the students and the parents. Do you know where the kids started speaking like this? Chances are it came from their parents or other grown-ups in their life.

For those of you reading this that are parents or maybe you have young cousins, nieces or nephews the kids are listening to our words, not just the words we tell them not to use. It’s the old caught not taught syndrome. It’s time we take back the language in this country and not just turn a blind ear to the profanity around us. If someone swears in your presence then let them know it bothers you and ask them to find better words to use.

I’m telling you this from someone who used to swear as if it was nothing. It wasn’t just when I bumped my head or I was angry. I swore using the words as verbs and adjectives, but I can also testify that I was cured instantly thru the power of the Holy Spirit after hearing a powerful message on the 3rd Commandment. My language was healed and Taylor and Shelby became great accountability for me.

I’ll leave you this final challenge that I have taken with my kids. I have always found the term “adult language” a strange term so I have told my kids that if I use a word then they can use it. The results so far have been awesome. They keep me on track and now that they’re older (15 and 13) I can do the same. Now I have slipped a little over the years, but only in small ways, but it’s especially convicting when your son or daughter correct you. It definitely leads you right into confession and repentance.

Now go and bless someone today.

Mark

You Meant Now?

The great thing about God's Word is you find yourself describing it this way, "I love this story," or "this is one of my favorite passages". But the more you read and study His Word the more you find how just about everything in it becomes your favorite.

One of those stories for me comes from the book of Numbers. It's found in the Old Testament and it's a book that my wife would suggest to people not to start in if they were reading the Bible for the first time. Yea, it starts out with a lot of numbers, the 12 tribes of Israel had to take a census of the men at least 20 years of age so they knew what size their military would be made up of in case of battle. But it leads to a story of faith, obedience and timing.

It comes in Numbers 13 where Moses sends out the 12 leaders of each tribe to scout the Promised Land of Caanan. They were to give a report of what they found. "See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? Is the soil fertile or poor? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see."19-20.

I love the part there about whether the "land is good" as if God would move them from Egypt thru the desert and across the Red Sea into a Promised Land that was crummy. So as the story goes and 12 men check out the Land for 40 days and find great food, soil and probable great weather, but there was one small problem. There was some inhabitants of the land that looked a little intimidating. So 10 of the 12 scouts told the people "it's to hard, the people are too big, we'll never make it." I can just hear the whining. Because I've done the same thing.

But Joshua and Caleb, without hesitation, said we can take the land. Verse 30- But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses, "Lets go at once to take the land," he said. We can certainly conquer it. Notice how Caleb didn't say, "Let's pray about it. Let's break into groups and have a pow-wow and discuss it. No, he said let's go now. Caleb and Joshua knew the Lord had already given the go-ahead way in Egypt. That's why it was called the Promised Land. No obstacle was going to be too big for them.

Well, obviously, this disobediance did not please the Lord. He was ready to wipe them out again, but Moses interceded on their behalf, again. He spared their lives of an immediate death (except the 10 scouts who doubted, they were dropped dead on the spot), but was originally meant to be an 11 day journey from Mt. Sinai would now take 40 years to reach their destination, one year for each day the scout team was in the Promised Land.

But the funny part (funny in a sad way) comes the next day when the people got up and acted like it was no big deal and it was time to go into the Promised Land. Now they were ready to go. You mean, "we don't get a do-over." 14:40 "Then they got up early the next morning and went to the top of the range of hills. "let's go," they said. We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the Lord has promised us."

The problem was he promised them the land yesterday. Their disobediance, lack of faith that He would go before them and poor timing (today was a little late) left them with a mighty long excercise period, 40 years worth of extra laps.

God doesn't always give us another opportunity. Is there something in your life the Lord has promised you if only you do your part. If you miss out He might give the opportunity to someone else. There is times for prayer and there is times for action. If you're abiding in Him, He'll be clear to you.

Now don't forget your walking shoes.

Peace Man

Growing up as a child in the 60s the word peace came up a lot. It was used as a slogan “Peace Baby” and “Peace Man”, it was used as a protest movement and even a sign, the whole spreading of your forefinger and middle finger. Even today, in the midst of our time of war people are looking for peace by a means of an end to the war. For some, peace is just as absence of war.

But for me, it’s so much more and so much different. The kind of peace I’m talking about is only available thru the love of Jesus Christ. Biblical peace in the Old Testament comes from the word “shalom” which speaks of a relationship of harmony and wholeness. The new testament Greek word is “eirene” which describes the harmonious relationship between men.

We live in such a fallen, troubled world and last Friday while surfing the cable news web sites several stories made it abundantly clear that we live in a world that desperately needs Jesus. I read of a husband who stabbed his wife and then shot her in her 5th grade classroom, another where a man kills six people at a city council meeting after losing a lawsuit. Another had a teen beat another kid to death at school while another taped it on his cell phone and did nothing. Another had a mom giving her 11-year-old beer and marijuana as a birthday gift (what happened to a sleepover). And finally, a dad was charged with child abuse for circumcising his two children when they were 8 days old, with a utility knife.

This past summer after much reading and prayer I came up with my life verse. I was encouraged by my mentor and friend, Catherine Martin to have God reveal a verse that I can draw upon, to find my purpose in and direct my life. For me it came from Isaiah 26:3. It’s not long, but it packs a punch. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you."
Besides the gift of salvation, I have often thought about what I love about having Jesus in my life and then this verse hit me. It’s the perfect peace he offers. No matter what evil goes on in this world, who’s elected into office, or the seemingly lack of morality in the culture I can be rest assured that God is in control. I can have the harmony and wholeness of my relationship with Jesus Christ. With His peace, I know I don’t have to have the answer to all of life’s issues. I just need to keep on doing what He asks me to do which is to know Him better each day and do what He asks me to do.

My partner verse to Isaiah 26:3 is from Jesus himself where He is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. He knew they were going to go out into a world that was messed up and He told not to get discouraged. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So I hope this will offer some encouragement to you as you work, live and try to raise a family in these troubled times. Our troubles are small compared to what Jesus went thru on our behalf, but they’re still troubles nonetheless. But take heart everyone, victory is ours. Jesus has overcome your troubles and mine.

Have a peace-filled day.

Mark

A New View

I had a brief moment in the backyard last night as I went to turn the pool light out and normally since its been so cold I just rush out and get back in the house where its warm. But this time I took the opportunity to look up for a change and what a beautiful sky I saw. It was so clear and the stars were bright and out in full amazement. It's one of the things I like most about the desert is the evenings where we regularly get a great show like this.

I've had opportunities to feel down in recent times and often we try to fill these periods with activities, over-indulging in food or drink, or just plain pouting. When we hit moments like this we need a new view or a new perspective. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible has to be Isaiah 40. It offers so much comfort to me and since it was written to the Israelites about life after their captivity there is great application for me.

"Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing." Isaiah 40:26.

When you look up for a change of perspective you see the Lord and remember he put each star up in the heavens and knows them by name don't you know how much more important we are to God? One of the other things I like about Isaiah 40 is it is full of rhetorical questions. And I loved the way they are asked, almost in a smart alec way and since I've often wondered if sarcasm is a spiritual gift (it's not) they often cause me to laugh.

The questions all have to do with His power. (V12) "Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measure off the heavens with his finger?"........(V 18)"To whom can you compare God?"..........(V21-4 straight questions) "Haven't you heard? Don't you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God- the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?"

Pretty emphatic huh? Since he's the creator of everything including us He is bigger than all our problems. And whether you're out tonight and you look up and want to thank Him or plead for His grace and mercy try and recall to mind or post somewhere to remember the words of Verses 28-31. They are so powerful.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

While you're sleeping tonight, remember the Lord isn't. He will give you the strength to face your day when you wake up. It's a promise you can bank on. Enjoy the view.

Mark

I Hope I Fail Better?

I started a touch of the cold over the weekend so I hope I feel better. I went to an excellent conference on Saturday called “Boundaries” and the speakers were Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, authors of the Boundaries series. The most poignant thing from the conference came at the end when they said we’re going to fail in life. We will need to fail, we need to practice failing. Why? Because it becomes an opportunity for growth. Hebrews 5:14 says “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” When we become believers the Bible says we are “born again”. So if that’s the case then we are reborn as “babies”. We need to grow up.

Part of that is failing and because of Jesus he allows us to “fail well”. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1. We are the last people that need to be embarrassed that we fail. Jesus, because of his death on the cross, allows us to mess up and come to him and tell him we messed up and ask him for forgiveness and we will be cleansed of all unrighteousness. The world’s impression of Christians is that we walk around and that we’re “perfect” and we’re very judgmental.

I was at lunch with my wife and a friend the other day and she said her husband thinks that every one at church seems so perfect. She obviously didn’t see me a few hours earlier. Just because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we don’t mess up, but when we do we need to fess up. Earlier that day, I had lost my temper at someone and it was in front of people and it was embarrassing for the person I got mad at. I think it kind of surprised some people because they haven’t seen me Iose my cool before. While my point of the argument may have been valid, my delivery stunk so I apologized later which I know the Lord wanted me to do and the enemy was not pleased.

The point here is that I need to use opportunities like this as a chance for growth. God doesn’t want me and you to keep repeating the same mistakes (we still will), but he wants us to grab a hold of the “solid food” and not continue to nurse on the “Gerbers”. The verses prior to Romans 8:1 in chapter 7 are a great read. They are all about how we want to do the right thing and we try, but we constantly mess up. That’s because we were born in sin and live in these fleshly bodies. But because of Jesus he gives us the freedom to overcome our sins and grow.

As I look back over the past year I realize it’s been a year of a lot of failure for me, but I know at the same time it’s been a tremendous amount of spiritual growth as well. I’ve failed in my marriage many times recently repeating the same mistakes, not listening, digging my heals in, not speaking the truth in love. But thanks to the grace of God and my wife, we’re at the best possible place in our marriage we have ever been.

So the next time you’re in church or you see some celebrity glorifying himself and not God just remember that person blows it just like you. The President blows it, Billy Graham messes up, your senior pastor will lose his temper, your boss will come across unloving. But thanks to Jesus it doesn’t waste a hurt. He will use it for His Glory if we allow him to.

I think I’m failing better now.

Mark