Let hopelessness give way to peace

Among my childhood memories is an anxious period during the Cold War, when President John Kennedy issued an ultimatum to Russian leader Nikita Khruschev to remove missiles from a Cuban launch site. My wife and I both recall school drills that involved crouching under desks in case of nuclear attack.

Those who study history realize how very close this world came to disaster during this standoff, which ended with Khruschev removing the missiles. I was blessed this Christmas with discovery of a sermon my father shared during that "crisis season" of 1962.

In the midst of that time of high anxiety, Dad posed this question: "Will you believe that there are people who do not worry about the prospect of atomic death without warning?"

He then answered boldly: "There is a way to a sure confidence that were death to come this day, life will have just begun."

He continued: "Ways and means of waging war and inflicting destruction become more terrible, but men do not change in their basic nature, loves, loyalties, fears and hopes -- because God has planted in the soul of every man a hunger to know Him and His peace."

"That desire is often perverted," he continued, "and many die trying alone to find their destiny. How tragic this is so! Still, Christ stands with open arms and calls confused, twisted and lost men and women to His peace, His salvation for now and all eternity."

The Christmas message ended with this prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, let this be the last hopeless Christmas for all who hear, and the first joyous Christmas for as many as yet wander apart from your peace and assurance that life was given to all this day in Bethlehem -- if we will but take the gift of Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen."

We pray that prayer again today, 50 years later. May all who are fearful and alone come to know the peace of a life lived in and through Jesus Christ.

Godly characteristics

I was listening to the car radio a few days ago when the speaker, whose name I cannot recall, talked about "the characteristics of a godly man."

There were four characteristics on his list. They follow, with associated Scriptures:

Listener. Mark 9:7: "Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: 'This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him'."

Righteous. Hebrews 10:38: "But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

Obedient. 1 Peter 1:14: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance."

Humble. Isaiah 66:2: "For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being, declares the Lord. But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

The wonder of fellowship

Often Jesus manifests His presence in our lives through the words and actions of fellow believers. That reality was demonstrated in dramatic fashion in our lives last week after my wife suffered a serious fall.

Soon after arriving at the emergency room I was able to text a handful of brothers and our fellowship prayer team leader as a series of examinations and tests began in a busy ER center. Prayers for peace yielded immediate results, and prayers for His protection were answered when we ultimately learned my wife had suffered no breaks or threatening internal injuries.

"You're battered and bruised," said the physician, "but not broken."

With that welcome news we were released to the comfort of our home, where we learned of continued prayer on my wife's behalf. We also saw Christ's love reflected by His children in the form of phone calls, visits and delivery of meals, one of which included the delicious homemade bread pictured here.

My wife recalls the painful minutes after her fall on a slippery deck a block away from our home. She remembers asking "Why, God?" as she struggled alone with the pain and uncertainty of the injury that occurred when she was simply trying to deliver a pie to our nephews.

The answer to her question is still not certain, but we see clearly that she was never alone. God was present throughout her ordeal, protecting her from a myriad of physical injury possibilities more serious than what she suffered. We see clearly the opportunity the fall created for an immediate call for His comfort and protection. We have experienced the love He expressed through many gracious brothers and sisters who came alongside, offering His love through prayer, phone calls, visits and delivery of meals prepared with loving hands.

We give thanks, Jesus, for the unconditional love you modeled for us as you "emptied yourself" and became flesh, ultimately choosing -- even though you were without sin -- to take on our sins and die on the cross so that we may be redeemed, admitted into the promise of eternal life with the Father rather than suffering the eternal separation we deserve. We give you thanks for the wonder of the fellowship of believers, a precious and powerful means of manifesting your presence in our lives.

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Sacred service

This morning I share a vital reminder to all who call themselves Christians, especially those who anguish over their failure (real or perceived) to witness the gospel. From Oswald Chambers:

"When we preach the historical facts of the life and death of our Lord as they are conveyed in the New Testament, our words are made sacred. God uses these words, on the basis of His redemption, to create something in those who listen which otherwise could never have been created."

The pressure is off! We are merely His instruments, and when we act or speak in harmony with His will, we can be assured He is pleased. Acting through His believers into the lives of those who have been made ready by the power of the Holy Spirit, God can achieve His will.

(Chambers excerpt from"My Utmost for His Highest," November 9, "Sacred Service.")

Privileged to support a call

I was privileged recently to hear from a brother who, after months of prayer, has accepted the Lord's call into the ministry. He asked for opportunity among a group of brothers to share what is on his heart, and he asked for prayer.

This evening was memorable on many levels. First of all, I and others noted that the "calling" on our brother's life came as no surprise to us. In fact (and I know he realizes this), he has been engaged in personal ministry as long as I have known him. This call, however, is the call to pastor a flock in a new place, as yet undetermined.

I was encouraged as my brother shared with a spirit of humility, combined as only God can do with a spirit of courage and boldness. "I am nothing. I'm a simple guy. Only in Christ am I anything," our brother shared. "I cannot be all things to all people ... but I can teach, and I can love .. and that's what I'm going to do. I want to live in the center of God's will for my life."

In coming months this man's brothers and sisters in Christ will hold him up in prayer; pastors will take him under their wings as "lead shepherd in training;" targeted prayers will seek to clarify such things as place of calling, provision, protection against demonic attack, and possibly expression of support from others who are willing to relocate to a new fellowship.

Like others, I am excited for my brother and his wife, who have stepped in faith onto a path that does not currently feature many familiar "markers." We will continue to pray for a new "family" in His church ... and we will pray in gratitude that this pastor and his flock will answer not to a "parent" church, but solely to Christ's authority.

"Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast." Matthew 22:9

Shed your burdens

Several years ago in a "Men's Fraternity" study (Robert Lewis) we learned about unresolved issues that many of us insist on "packing" with us wherever we go.

Similarly, my wife and several dozen sisters in Christ spent a recent weekend focused on "Shedding Your Burdens, Receiving His Grace." The women visualized their unresolved issues as "bricks," with scriptural support and a graphic skit to drive home the point of our natural resistance to surrendering our load to the Lord.

The reality is that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But it has never been God's desire for us to suffer under the weight of "bricks" such as guilt and fear.

Because of His grace, and the blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Who is Jesus the Christ, we are invited to GIVE OVER our loads and freely RECEIVE the unconditional, never ending love of the perfect Father.

I pray that someone struggling with the lie that he/she must first "clean up" before surrendering and receiving God's grace will finally see clearly that His invitation is simply to "come," warts and all.

I pray that someone who has surrendered his/her life to the Lord will speak the name of Jesus and claim His redemption when a demonic whisper suggests: "There is no way a perfect God could possibly love a phony like you."

Remember: "The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy." Jesus, on the other hand, "...came that we may have life, and have it in abundance!" (John 10:10)

Recall the words of Jesus Himself: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mattthew 11:28-29

Having to make hard choices

This is a message well worth your time, delivered by Pastor Wayne Barber of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pastor Wayne builds his message around Judges 24, noting that we have only two choices in life: God or the flesh. He also notes that without the Holy Spirit, we have no capacity to deny the flesh.

We give thanks for His grace, for the blood of Christ that redeems us from all sin: past, present and future ... when we surrender our will and recognize Him as Lord of our lives. ("Victory is NOT us overcoming sin. It is JESUS overcoming US!")

Please pray, mama

It is my privilege to share this Facebook entry posted this week by my daughter, mother of two: I love God’s word! Two-year-old Jakie was clearly tired and cranky and now MAD! I pulled out my Bible study and we read what God’s word says about “anger,” and what His word says to do. I asked Jakie if he felt mad inside. He grunted, “YES!” I shared with him that sometimes I feel angry too, and sometimes I disobey God and act in my flesh and miss the mark. I SIN. I then feel sad in my heart that I chose the flesh and ask the Lord to forgive me. I talk to Him about what I said and did that dishonored Him and the other person. I told Jakie I usually cry because of my sinful behavior. He inched closer to me now. I read Galatians: “Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” I asked Jakie if anger made him feel good inside and he yelped, “No!” I asked if he’d like the feeling to go away, and he quickly nodded his head. I told Him I love him and even more so, that GOD loves him and wants what’s best for him, so much that He sent His one and only Son to die in our place. Jakies eyes brightened: “Like when we watched the Jesus movie earlier! God sent JESUS for us. I want to pray. You please pray mama!” I prayed and my sweet blue-eyed Jakie’s heart was restored and he was ready to finish some Bible passages, SAY HIS PSALM and head for bed! God never ceases to cause me to stand in awe. He caused both of us to draw near to Him through the truth and power of His word! Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Reflections of a godly woman

From my daughter's Facebook entry Tuesday, August 7, 2012: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 To "believe" means, "to commit to one's trust." To trust in God is to yield your whole life to Him, to DIE to self. He wants the WHOLE of us! Believing is seeking His will through His word. It's is more than the lip service of talking about who we are. It's Christ IN US showing WHOSE we are! Should we not yield to His word and the work of His Spirit so that HIS life in us reflects the glory of HIS work in us? He is indeed our life. We as yielded bondservants no longer live for ourselves. HE lives IN US and we are called to yield to Him at all times and in all things. What a joy! Let us seek Him and HIS word, so that we are continually sanctified in HIM moment by moment, day by day. We are told through His word: "Do not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 Let us consider the COST, for Christ paid the debt on the cross and bore our shame. Let us abhor evil and cling to that which is good, acceptable and perfect: The KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS, ALMIGHTY GOD. For He is THE treasure! When sin and flesh rise, let us cling to the One who saves and confess our sin, as He is faithful and just and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! THE ONE true GOD gave His SON to conquer sin and death so we can live free. There is NO greater gift!

Rosenberg pays tribute to Chuck Colson

Chuck Colson Goes Home to be with the Lord
A dramatic conversion and an impactful life.

Joel C. Rosenberg
Washington, D.C., April 23, 2012) -- "I live everyday to the fullest because I live it for Christ," Chuck Colson liked to say. "And no matter what I do today....I'm going to do something to advance the kingdom of God. Does that make you fulfilled? You bet it does, and it gives you joy about living."

Charles W. Colson went home to heaven this weekend at the age of 80 after complications from a brain hemmorhage. What joy for him that he is now in the presence of his Savior for eternity, yet what a loss for the cause of Christ here on earth. Colson was, of course, President Nixon's lawyer, consigliere, and "hatchet man" during the Watergate crisis. He was convicted and went to prison for the crimes he committed in the White House. But he was then was dramatically converted -- "born again," as he famously put it, citing John chapter 3 -- by his newfound faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. He was discipled by several older, wiser Christian men who loved him and helped him develop a love for reading the Word of God and for prayer and also helped him reorient his worldview from a secular worldview to a distinctly Biblical perspective.

Not long after his salvation, Colson founded a ministry called Prison Fellowship to serve some of the most unsavory and unlovable people in 100 countries around the world with the transforming love of Christ. Through Colson's ministry, thousands upon thousands of convicts have heard the gospel, heard about God's amazing love and grace for the lost, turned their lives over to Christ, had their lives completely transformed, and become evangelists, disciple-makers, and game-changers all over the world. What's more, many Christians have been moved to visit, love and serve prisoners in obedience to Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 25. Colson thus went from being a convict himself to becoming a remarkable force in Christendom who lived a life of tremendous impact.

"It won't do for us to just sit around in our sanctuaries, entertain ourselves, sing our 'happy clappies' and feel good about ourselves," Colson once said. "This is a time for the church to engage the world, and it has to be done through the church."

My interest in politics and my love for Christ in high school led me to read --actually, devour, with great fascination -- several of Colson's books, including Born Again which describes the remarkable story of how he came to Christ (my favorite), and Kingdoms In Conflict (which I believe is now out of print). I only met him once (during a booksellers convention we were both speaking at), but was moved by his story and inspired by his example. It was, therefore, a wonderful surprise when I learned several years ago that Colson had read "Epicenter," been intrigued by the conversions of millions of Muslims to Christ, and cited the book in one of his Breakpoint radio commentaries and newspaper columns called, "Why Muslims Convert: They Want Jesus Instead." The man loved great conversion stories, and loved to encourage believers to be used by the Lord to help convert others.

To his credit, he also sincerely loved Israel, was a true friend of the Jewish people, and encouraged Christians to love and bless Israel because of the teachings of the Scriptures. "Much of the world shrugged at this latest mass murder in Israel," Colson wrote in a 2008 column. "But we, as followers of Jesus Christ, can do no less than raise our voices in outrage for our elder brothers in the faith. Sound the alarm over the consequences if we pull out of Iraq. How many friends do you suppose we would have left in the Middle East if Israel is destroyed?"

Please pray for his family and team as they rejoice for him but mourn his passing and miss his presence. Please also pray that the Lord would use the media coverage of Colson's passing to share the gospel with many people who need to experience the same forgiveness and healing that Colson himself experienced when he met Jesus for himself in 1974.

Reflect God's glory

2 Corinthians 3:18"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Manna on the ground!

From Major W. Ian Thomas' book titled "The Saving Life of Christ (1961):"

"While Moses was away on the mountain speaking with God and receiving the law, Aaron yielded to the pressure of the people and, half naked in their shame, they worshiped the golden calf which he had made. What despair and what misgivings must have filled the hearts of the faithful few, and yet the next morning, mingled with the shattered fragments of those tablets of stone, which had been written upon with the finger of God -- there was manna on the ground! This is the amazing patience of God! This is a love that will not let you go!"

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20

"I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

I give thanks, Father, that among the shattered fragments of my thoughts and actions apart from Your will, there remains Your Spirit in me. I give thanks that regardless of our departures from Your will, You are always faithful to Your beloved children, NOW and forever. Amen.

George Washington's 'earnest prayer'

Below is an excerpt from the prayer written by Washington at Newburgh, New York, at the close of the Revolutionary War on June 14, 1783. It was sent to the 13 governors of the newly freed states in a "Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of all the States on the Disbanding of the Army."

"It remains, then, to be my final and only request that your Excellency will communicate these sentiments to your legislature at their next meeting, and that they may be considered the legacy of one, who has ardently wished, on all occasions, to be useful to his country, and who, even in the shade of retirement, will not fail to implore the divine benediction on it."

"I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation."

Behold the Man -- a men's conference

On January 28 I enjoyed the fellowship of 900-plus Christian men gathered for a one-day conference at Calvary Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace. In addition to wonderful worship and prayer, the day featured four speakers: Ben Courson, Brian Holman, Mike MacIntosh and rap artist This'l.

From Courson, my notes included a challenge to "do the thing that scares you the most." Satan, he suggested, "often speaks to us through a well-meaning friend." He urged those in his audience to "do that which, without God, is doomed to fail."

From MacIntosh: "A godly man has a heart for Christ; stop at the cross, and give Him your heart;" and "Take it seriously that God is calling you, and has a precise mission for you."

From This'l: Culture tells us that a man is judged to be "successful" based on things like material possessions and sexual prowess. A godly man models his life after Jesus Christ, and is willing to fight for his family, church, community. He wore a shirt bearing the words of one of his songs: "I signed up to die," referencing the decision to "die to self" and live for Jesus.

From Holman, a former professional baseball pitcher: "Never quit. Trust in God. Never give up;" and "Failure is inevitable, but it cannot derail God's plan for your life. It can only test your resolve. Use failure as a fuel. Fear is what stands between a man and an extraordinary life."

To hear each speaker's entire presentation, go to the following:
http://calvaryfellowship.org/audio/tag/Events%7CSeries/NW%20Mens%20Conference%202012#

Mission ministry doesn't require passport

“The mission field is wherever you are called to be. I believe our days are numbered, so it doesn’t matter what country I’m in.”

Those are the words of 24-year-old friend David Grove, who came home recently for a brief visit in the U.S. before returning to missionary work in Kampala, Uganda.

I recall the days of my youth, when I thought all "serious" Christians must serve as full-time ministers or missionaries. Today I understand how childish and restricting that idea was. When we are surrendered fully to God, when we grasp the magnitude of His grace in our own lives, we have a desire to share the good news with everyone. Our "mission field" then becomes wherever God has placed us: family home, school, workplace.

I pray that I will be recognized as a child of God, set apart from those who do not yet know Him, and that I will be willing, even eager, to "introduce" Him when God presents opportunity. In the meantime, I give thanks for Christian missionaries who respond to the great commission, leaving familiar, comfortable surroundings to bring the gospel to all corners of the world.

Isaiah 61:1
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners."

Fight for your family

At prayer service the other night our fellowship entered into prayer in defense of marriages. I recalled vulnerable times in my own marriage, times when I was preoccupied, focused on career but passive about my critical role as spiritual leader of my family. This song by Sanctus Real captures beautifully the heart cry of a wife and children seeking love and leadership from husband and father:

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent, but on the inside

Oh, I can hear them saying

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?"

Lyrics by Matthew Hammitt, Jason Ingram, Christopher Jame Rohman

I give thanks for God's perfect plan of love; for the gifts of marriage and family. I give Him thanks for giving me "new eyes" to see my wife and children as He sees them, and for a passion to be responsible for leadership in our home.