HOPEless – Endurance

November 13th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

For those of you who do actually read these reflections, I apologize for the tardiness the last two weeks in having them ready for your Life Group.  Around the beginning of May 2009, Chip McGee (Life Groups Pastor) asked me if I would consider helping with the sermon-based life group lessons.  Every week for over six months now, I have contributed a small piece of the puzzle that makes up weekly Life Group Lessons here at Christ Church.  What a blessing this has been for me!  I thank Chip (and assistant Anita McGill) for their patience with me, as well as their faithful commitment to planting seeds for life-change through small groups.  The ever-expanding circle of small groups meeting regularly outside of the walls of the church… in homes, the marketplace, the workplace, schools… is a vision that Pastor Charles has had since coming here to Hickory.  Along with his study of John Wesley’s emphasis on small groups meeting together in eighteenth century England, Pastor Charles was inspired to emphasize “doing life together” through his mentor and friend, Dr. Dale Galloway of New Hope Community Church in Portland, Oregon.  Dr. Galloway was in turn inspired by Pastor/Bishop Sundo Kim and impressed by the exponential growth of Kwang Lim Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea.   It is no wonder that being a part of a small group is a core value for each member of Christ Church.  Not only do we grow in God’s grace together, but there is the added blessing of unconditional love and support available in times of need.

Last week we learned that hope is born out of suffering.  I must confess that this subject is so close to home (literally) that I have had a difficult time processing through the lesson.  James (the half-brother of our Lord and influential leader in the early church) pierces my heart with these words: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV)  My trials and seasons of testing this past year have been very painful, and often confusing.  I often feel like I am straddling a double-track path.  On one side I see the way I am supposed to be, how I am supposed to react to the trials.  But on the other side (the side I am usually on, if I can be honest) I see the real emotions of anger and bitterness surfacing way too often.  There have been times in the past eleven months that I have felt like a phony… like a failure… like a wimp.  Some days I feel further away from God than I have in over twenty years.  I can’t seem to flip the switch and start believing and saying the right things.  But are they the right things to say if that is not where I am right now?  If hope is born out of suffering, like a new baby is born out of a mother’s hard suffering of labor and delivery, then there has to be a gestation period.  Nine months span the distance between inception and delivery.  During that interim, a healthy mother will accept her condition, take care of herself because there is another person to consider, and she will patiently wait to see the fruit of new life.  Perhaps a parallel can be drawn to seasons of suffering.  For a certain measure of time over which we have no control, we accept where we are, decide to take care of ourselves because there are other persons to consider who are counting on us, and we patiently wait to see the fruit of new life.  If we think we can speed things up, we only fool ourselves and add to the misery.

I often think about the apostle Paul.  What an inspiration he is to me!  He met the Lord in his old identity, Saul of Tarsus.  He was on his way—doing the right thing, he thought—to Damascus with letters from the high priest in his hand giving him authority to raid and persecute new believers in this ancient city.  I’m sure when he mounted his horse that day and set out from Jerusalem, he had no idea who was waiting for him on the road.  “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:3-4)  For a period of time, Saul is struck with blindness from the glorious light, but after receiving instruction from the Lord to go to the home of a godly man named Ananias, Saul continues his journey into the city of Damascus.  But now instead of leading the way, the men traveling with him have to lead him.  And instead of storming the first small group he comes to, he humbly enters a home on Straight Street.  Interestingly, while all this is taking place, this man called Ananias is also receiving instruction from the Lord, “Go! This man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and a before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)  Wow!  Before Saul receives his sight, and certainly before he understands his new mission, the Lord knows how much Saul must suffer for Him.

So many times, eager Christians dream of being famous and influential in kingdom circles.  Starry-eyed followers of Jesus envision themselves leading grand ministries… maybe teaching or preaching on television or the internet.  But what if your calling… my calling… isn’t so glamorous?   What if the Lord called you for this: to suffer for the name of Christ Jesus… and that’s it?   What if my mission, which if accepted would bring great glory to the Father in Heaven, was suffering?   What if our job description looked like this: suffering, suffering, suffering?   Paul’s did.   The apostle Paul (formerly Saul) was alright with this.  He courageously accepted his mission, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die…” (See Acts 21:13).  Over and over again, in his letters (most of which were written from a jail cell) he identifies himself like this: “I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus…”   Each time Paul was chained for his faith, he had a decision to make.  “Am I going to feel sorry for myself?  Or am I going to make the most of this situation?”  Paul not only wrote words of encouragement and instruction to fellow believers across Asia Minor (letters or epistles found in the New Testament), but he tirelessly shared the Good News about Christ with fellow inmates, wardens, kings, governors, rich people, common people, the learned, the unlearned, the religious, the irreligious, the young, the old, men, women, Jews, Gentiles.  Somehow Paul settled in his spirit to effectually and faithfully follow in the footsteps of the One whose feet had been pierced for him.  Paul so identifies with the suffering of his Savior that he pens these words: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Your life’s journey may have led you to a place where the very foundations of your faith are being shaken.  Wherever you find yourself this day, know “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Please don’t give up.  Christ gives us what we need in order to endure the most difficult times, and that is, Himself.  He gives His Holy Spirit to so fill our lives that Scripture says we will bear fruit. (Galatians 5:22) Fruit is beautiful hanging on the vine.  But it wasn’t created just to look pretty.  To be fully enjoyed, fruit has to ripen.  Then it is picked, cut up or crushed, shared, consumed.  Sometimes it has to age in order to make delicious, vintage wine fit for a King’s banquet table… or valuable enough for an offering.  “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us,” Paul says in Romans 8:18.  “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God.  And I want all of you to share that joy.” (Philippians 2:17)

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HOPEless – Is there hope in suffering?

November 6th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

For Background, Read Scripture Genesis 37, Psalm 105:16-25

These are sad words found in Genesis 37:35, “…I will go to my grave mourning for my son.”  I hope you read the entire thirty-seventh chapter of the book of Genesis.  If you haven’t, please take time to do that now, if at all possible.  It will be important for you to understand the unfolding of events that we will discuss in the lesson for this week.  (Read Genesis 37)

Our story today opens with Jacob back in Canaan after two decades away in Paddan-Aram.  He had gone to his mother’s people in Paddan-Aram twenty years prior, in order to flee the wrath of his angry twin brother, Esau, who had pledged to kill him for stealing his rightful blessings as Isaac’s first-born.  Jacob had arrived in Paddan-Aram with nothing.  But after twenty years of working for his mother’s brother, Laban, he had not only married two of his daughters, but he “became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, female and male servants, and many camels and donkeys.” (Gen. 30:43)  Jacob makes it safely back to Canaan with his growing family and extensive wealth (after being chased down by his father-in-law and a meeting on the road with Easu), but he is not in the area for long before his own rebellious sons cause him trouble in Shechem.    God delivered Jacob, and led Jacob to Bethel and then on to Ephrath, where his beloved wife, Rachel, died giving birth to his youngest son, Benjamin.  Finally, Jacob made it back to Hebron just in time to see his father die. 

Jacob was no stranger to difficulties.  In reading about the life of Jacob, sometimes it seems as though Jacob is his own worst enemy.  But despite the dysfunction, God loved Jacob and called him by a new name, “Israel.” (See Gen. 32:28)  Further, God promised to bless him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’  Be fruitful and multiply.  You will become a great nation, even many nations.  Kings will be among your descendants!  And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac.  Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” (Gen. 35:11-12)  Even though Jacob knew the pain of unfair favoritism shown by his parents (Isaac favored Esau, Rebekah favored Jacob), he did the same thing by favoring his and Rachel’s son, Joseph.  Rachel is only able to have two sons, Joseph and Benjamin.  And when Rachel dies, Jacob’s favor toward Joseph deepens, causing even greater jealousy among the other sons.  Here is where chapter thirty-seven picks up.  Joseph is young—only seventeen years old—and shares with his family about two dreams that he has.  The two very peculiar dreams seem to elevate Joseph over his jealous brother, and even his father.  “But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.” (Gen. 37:11)

When Jacob sends Joseph to check on the brothers who are away pasturing the flocks (Gen. 37:12-14), Jacob doesn’t realize that he won’t see him again… at least not for a long time… and certainly not in Canaan.   I don’t think Jacob knew just how jealous and mean-spirited his other sons were (even after the horrific display found in Genesis 34).  It is as though Jacob blindly sends his beloved Joseph into a den of vicious wolves when he sends him to check on his brothers.  The brothers see him in the distance and immediately plot his death.  But instead of following through with the idea of killing the seventeen-year-old brother, they end up selling Joseph to Ishmaelite traders heading for far-away Egypt.  We may think that we know this story found in the thirty-seventh chapter of Genesis very well.  But I believe it’s very important for us to stop for a moment, and realize that as far as Jacob is concerned, Joseph dies at this point.  When the brothers bring back to their father the coat dipped in blood—and let their father believe that Joseph has been eaten by wild animals—Joseph is dead to Jacob.  In Jacob’s mind, Joseph is gone.  His hopes and dreams for Joseph are gone.  Jacob has lost Rachel.  Now Jacob has lost Joseph.  “He mourned deeply for his son for a long time.  His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.  ‘I will go to my grave mourning for my son,’ he would say, and then he would weep.” (Gen. 37:34b-35) 

As far as we can see, there is no rhyme or reason to the hardships of life.  We cross one hurdle, just in time to face another.  Often our best efforts at parenting leave us feeling like failures.  Often our brightest hope in modern medicine doesn’t save our loved one.  And strange as it may sound to those of us steeped to “Christian-ise,” often our sincerest faith in God doesn’t seem to be enough to spare our world from pain.  We don’t have to look far to see persons dealing with pain, and suffering, and hardship.  (It may be as close as the reflection in your mirror.)  But while I agree that there is really no answer adequate to satisfy the question of why?  I do know from God’s Word, that He himself is also acquainted with our grief and despair.  If there is any comfort in pain, perhaps it is in knowing that the Lord Jesus also suffered for our sakes.  His presence is very near to those who are crushed in spirit.  I remember speaking with a mother whose precious daughter was suffering from cancer, and the mother said to me, “I would never wish this on anyone… but I have actually felt the Lord’s presence right here with me… so real and so tender.  I know that if we weren’t going through this ordeal, I would have never known the presence of Jesus to be so personal.”  The psalmist says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18)

Throughout the pages of Scripture, I am inspired by the real men and women who choose to trust God and hope in His greater purpose, instead of resigning to despair and meaninglessness.   I think of the apostle Paul, for example, who chose to encourage and strengthen his fellow believers from a jail cell.  And of course, I think of young Joseph in our reading for today from Genesis.  I am so impressed with the character of this youth.  At only seventeen years old, he is taken from his father, and for thirteen years, while Jacob lives in Canaan surrounded by sadness, Joseph is in Egypt.  God is with Joseph and allows him to prosper even in the face of imprisonment, the accusation of an immoral woman, and unfair imprisonment again.  In time, he is brought out of the prison in order to interpret a dream of the Pharaoh.  God protects Joseph for God’s own purpose, and I believe that God is pleased with Joseph’s obedience and character.  God strengthens Joseph to be a person of honor when no one is looking, as well as when everyone is watching.  He is consistent in his desire to revere God, and as a result, God gives him wisdom and understanding well beyond his years.  And, oh how I want to say to the old man back in Canaan, “Be patient, Jacob.  Don’t lose hope.  Your son will live again!”

After thirteen years the old man, Jacob, hears the words: “Joseph is still alive!  And he is governor of all the land of Egypt!” (Gen. 45:26a)  Scripture says that Jacob is stunned at the news and can hardly believe it.  “But when they repeated to Jacob everything Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, their father’s spirits revived… So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions.”  (Gen. 45:27, Gen. 46:1a) Jacob has had to face many hardships and has been well-acquainted with suffering.  Now he gets a taste of resurrection.  In God’s purposes, there is always hope.

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Jumpstart – Why Stop at Mercy?

October 30th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

As we enter into this season of thanksgiving and reflection, I am reminded that throughout Scripture God calls His people to remember Him.  Our spirits are lifted when we intentionally remember God’s goodness and faithfulness, and pause for worship.  He is the source of life.  Our first grandbaby was born this past Tuesday evening, and Charles and I witnessed the miracle of a brand new person entering this world.  Awake, alert, and looking around, little Alice reminded me that each one of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)  Through the birth of this little one, God has brought our family, extended family, and our church family closer together.  Last night, for the first time, four generations gathered around our dinner table (Alice in her baby swing).  Remembering God’s faithfulness toward us in the past – and present – stirs up within us hope for tomorrow.  “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Many scholars believe that the book of Lamentations and the book of Jeremiah were originally one manuscript, and that Jeremiah was indeed the author of Lamentations.  With this in mind, before we look at our text for today’s reading, let’s go back to the beginning of the book bearing this man’s name.  “These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin…the LORD gave me this message: ‘I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:1, 5)  Jeremiah was born into his world during a time of darkness and despair.  Sadly, God’s people had forgotten their Father, their Deliverer, and stubbornly refused to acknowledge God’s faithfulness.  Somehow they had arrived at a place in their hearts where they falsely believed that they had a “right” to occupy the land that was promised to their ancestors.  Oh, they presented themselves as a religious people… but in the secret places of their hearts, they denied God.  They chose to follow their own ideas, and lived under the false notion that their private worship of idols was hidden from God. 

This had not happened overnight.  Some might argue that the downfall began with an unwise decision of king Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) which resulted in the division of the kingdom.  Some might argue that the problem stemmed from Solomon’s many wives whose pagan gods led Solomon’s heart away from his God.  Other students of the Bible might argue that the problem could be traced back to the days of Joshua, when Israel failed to obey God’s instructions to drive out all the inhabitants of the land.  Still other s might say that the hearts of these people were stubborn from the days of their deliverance by God through Moses.  All of these arguments would be correct… and then some.  For from the beginning of time, man has demanded his own way.  Apart from God’s Spirit at work in the heart of man, a dual influence is at work in man’s spirit.  One force (Satan) seeks to destroy man.  The other force (the flesh) is at enmity with God the Creator.  God personally called out to Abram.  Abram responded in faith.  God personally called out to Isaac.  Isaac responded in faith.  God personally called out to Jacob.  Jacob responded in faith.  And on and on, God calls out to man – each and every individual who is ever born into this world – the question is, how will each person respond?  God’s heart has always been for all the nations of the world to know Him.  The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were called to be a conduit of God’s mercy and unfailing love to all people of the world.  But they lost their way, because they lost their love for their Redeemer.  After generations of prostituting their allegiance to surrounding nations and false idols, God finally allowed the punishment of which he had warned them to be unleashed… first, by the Assyrians, who overtook Israel in 721 BC… then, by the Babylonians who defeated Judah and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 588 BC

Around 627 BC, Jeremiah steps onto the pages of Scripture as a young man to whom God has declared, “Look I have put my words in your mouth!  Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms.” (Jer. 1:9b-10a)  God first gave these messages to Jeremiah during the 13^th year of the reign of Josiah, and God’s messages to Jeremiah continued until the 11^th year of the reign of Zedekiah (Jer.1:2-3).   Israel is no longer a nation.  Judah has been taken captive.  The LORD punishes His people for their deliberate sin.  They had ignored God, and now they were facing the consequences of their rebellion.  In a culture where lies are believed and false hope is given, Jeremiah is compelled to speak God’s truth.  In faith, Jeremiah obediently speaks the words God puts in his mouth and sadly faces great rejection by his own people.  He is beaten, mistreated, thrown into prison, and thrown into a well.  Because he is considered a traitor, many plot his death.  It is no wonder that Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet.”  Throughout the book bearing his name, as well as Lamentations, we see God’s warnings, yes, but the overriding theme is God’s mercy.  God’s desire is to bless the people He loves, not punish them.  But the people do not turn from their sin… God’s heart grieves… thus, Jeremiah’s heart grieves.

Hence, we arrive at the collection of funeral songs (five poems of lament) that we find in the Old Testament known by the name, Lamentations.  “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.  I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.  Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this; The faithful love of the LORD never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’  The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.   And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline… for no one is abandoned by the LORD forever.  Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.  For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” (Lamentations 3:19-27, 31-33)  Over and over, in the messages that God gives his servant, Jeremiah, the LORD promises to bring His people back to their homeland.  “Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah.  For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah.  I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again.  I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jer.30:2-3)

I invite you to a time of silence and reflection.  Perhaps you might read the entire collection of Jeremiah’s laments for his people, and remember that each day is a gift from our God who has given us life. If you have strayed, it’s not too late to turn back.  Pray.  Confess your sin, and turn to God.  Your Father is waiting.  “I will bring my people back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.  And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.” (Jer. 32:37b-39)

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No Regrets – Praying

October 23rd, 2009 by Julie Kyker

We don’t usually think of Joshua as a prophet.  We tend to remember Joshua as assistant to Moses in his earlier years.  We remember Joshua as one of the spies sent into Canaan to scout out the land of promise. We think of him as Moses’ successor… as a leader, a warrior…as a faithful servant of God.  But today as I read the opening to this twenty-fourth chapter of the book bearing his name, I see Joshua in a new role.  Today I see Joshua as God’s prophet, as God’s mouthpiece: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says…” (Joshua 24:2)  I don’t know how I could have missed this before.  Review the book of Joshua and see that throughout its entirety, there is record of the LORD speaking to Joshua, and Joshua relaying God’s message to his people.  As Moses’ successor, Joshua had big shoes to fill.  God validates Joshua’s leadership and calls him to the task of leading Jacob’s descendants into the Promised Land. God says, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them… For I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail you or abandon you.” (Joshua 1:2, 5b)

From the beginning of his tenure as Israel’s leader, God encourages the son of Nun to “be strong and courageous for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.” (Joshua 1:6)  Joshua resolves in his heart to be faithful to his God.  He leads God’s people into the land, and drives out enemy nations as he had been instructed.  Time is of essence, and as the clock of his time on earth is ticking, Joshua realizes that he will not be able to oversee the conquest of all of the land. (see Joshua 13:1) Before his death, Moses had meticulously assigned land to each of Israel’s twelve tribes (descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob). In obedience to God and in honor of the incredible leadership of his mentor, Moses, Joshua does his best to ensure that the remaining unconquered territory be divided into allotments of land according to Moses’ instructions.  By the close of his life, Joshua has certainly paid his dues like his predecessor.  In my opinion, Joshua has earned the right for us to listen closely to what he has to say… to what God has to say. 

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods.  But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan.  I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac.  To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau.  To Esau I gave the mountains of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.  Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people.” (Joshua 24:1-5)  Joshua outlines the history of this nation that stands before him.  He reminds them that from their inception, God has initiated this relationship.  God has been behind every act of deliverance and provision.  “I took… I gave…I sent… I brought.”  God took Abraham out of the polytheistic fabric of the ancient Mesopotamians.  God gave Abraham many descendants through Isaac and his son Jacob.  God sent Jacob and his children down into Egypt.  And God brought them out of Egypt as free people.

Joshua continues his discourse by reminding the people of God’s protection.  God, their King, has brought down the proud Egyptians, defeated the Amorites, given victory, given them land, and turned curses into blessing.  “It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.  I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living.  I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.”  (Joshua 24:12b-13)  At critical junctures, before moving ahead, it is important to stop and recall God’s faithfulness and remember God’s promises to us.  This is exactly what Joshua did.  Backing up to chapter twenty-three we read these words: “Joshua, who was now very old, called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel.  He said to them, ‘I am now a very old man.  You have seen everything the LORD your God has done for you during my lifetime.  The LORD your God has fought for you against your enemies.  I have allotted to you as your homeland all the land of the nations yet unconquered, as well as the land of those we have already conquered—from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.  This land will be yours, for the LORD your God will himself drive out all the people living there now.  You will take possession of their land, just as the LORD your God promised you.  So be careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instructions.  Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.  Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land.  Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them.  Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now.’” (Joshua 23:1b-8) 

When we stop and intentionally recall God’s faithfulness, God’s provision, God’s protection in our lives, we are encouraged to believe God again, and to believe God for more.  Joshua was smart.  He had called together “all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers.  So they came and presented themselves to God.” (Joshua 24:1)  It was time for a meeting.  It was time for serious evaluation.  Joshua was careful to point the people’s attention to Yahweh.  Is it time to call together a meeting in Shechem?  Christ Church is experiencing transition in several areas of growth even as I type these “reflections.”  But it’s nothing new for us.  As we discussed last week, rapid growth brings change.  Christ Church has grown rapidly, and so our leadership has often called us to Shechem.  In fact, I would venture to say that Christ Church has grown rapidly, because it has been willing to courageously face change. 

Every autumn, for eleven years now, Christ Church has celebrated in the spirit of “Joshua” as we remember God’s faithfulness. Our “Joshua Celebrations” are like a meeting in Shechem when we remember where God has brought us and ask God where he wants to take us?  In obedience, our leaders recommit themselves to God, and ask each of us to recommit ourselves for the coming year.  We are challenged to commit our time in volunteer service, our tithes and free-will offerings for the expansion of ministry and outreach, and our presence at weekend worship so that corporately we can say together, “We love you, Lord.”  Together we declare, “All that we have comes from you, Lord. We choose to honor you with all that we are.  And like Joshua, we declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:15b)  God has blessed this church richly. This is Christ’s church.  All the glory belongs to Him!

Joshua’s words are as strong to us today as they were that day at Shechem.  “So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly.  Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt.  Serve the LORD alone.  But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve.  Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates?  Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live?  But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15)  The people seem to be ready to make their commitment, so they respond affirmatively and enthusiastically. (vv.16-18) However, according to the next two verses (vv.19-20), Joshua challenges their sincerity.  “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God.  He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.  If you abandon the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.” (Joshua 24:19-20)  How could Joshua say this?  He had led these people long enough to know them well. 

A person is strengthened in his/her resolve to follow through with a decision.  God has designed us so that our determination becomes an energy that helps us to overcome obstacles and see solutions as we pursue a desire of the heart.  If I am determined in my heart to pursue a desire that is noble and good, I will be strengthened with an inner fortitude in order to accomplish that worthy goal.  If I am determined in my heart to pursue a desire that is shameful and unhealthy for me, I will be strengthened in the opposite direction with an inner obstinacy in order to satisfy that unhealthy desire.  God’s grace melts the heart of one individual and seems to harden the heart of another.  One is framed in surrender.  The other is framed in resistance.  One is willing to turn.  The other stubbornly refuses.  The layers of a man’s heart can either be softened or hardened.  In the book of Exodus, when God called Moses to represent him before Egypt’s brutal ruler, Pharaoh’s heart was like clay baking in the sun.  He was determined to keep the Hebrews as slaves, and so he was strengthened in his resolve to not let them go. Over time (ten plagues), his stubbornness and pride led to his downfall.  Scripture is replete with examples of hard-hearted leaders bringing down a whole nation.  The innocent suffer when persons in position of influence are determined to flex their muscles and claim power that belongs to God alone.  In our Scripture for this lesson, Joshua seems to understand this human trait.  And so he sternly warns the people to check their resolve. 

How can our hearts stay tender and responsive to God’s way?  I believe one way is to act upon what we say we believe.  For example, the people said they would serve the LORD.  “All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”  Our words are no good if we do not throw away our idols and live into our commitments.  Is it hard at times to stay on God’s path?  Of course it is.  But if we resolve in our hearts to do the right thing, and humbly trust God to help us, we will be strengthened in that decision of faith.  “The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.  When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)  Further, as believers in Christ, we are strengthened when we regularly meet together for worship, when we serve others in the name of Christ, and when we give the best and first portion of our income back to God.  “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.  Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.  And don’t forget to do good and share with those in need.  These are the sacrifices that please God.  Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say.  Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God.  Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow.  That would certainly not be for your benefit.” (Hebrews 13:14-17) 

It may be time for you and I to get alone with God, to go to Shechem privately and evaluate where we are.  “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.  You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.  For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)  This past year, I have had to take many walks to Shechem and get alone with God.  The following is my PREP journal entry from February 13, 2009.  (The Scripture was Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Prov.9:7-8):

I don’t feel like writing in this PREP journal this evening.  But I’m going to anyway.  As meaningless as it seems to be right now… perhaps I need to more than ever.  (The phone is ringing and really getting on my last nerve.)  The tabernacle is being constructed by specially gifted men and women.  The people are excited to offer their gifts and contribute to the work the LORD has given Moses.  In the NT, our Lord is taking the nails for us, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani”—“My God, my God why have you abandoned me?”  I feel abandoned right now, nothing like Jesus felt.  But it is worthy to ponder: He knows what I’m going through (what ‘we’ as a family are facing.)  I feel like such an utter fool…like a failure as a mother…my lack of faith to face what is ahead leaves me with feelings of anger and bewilderment.  Lord, would you please help me not sin against you?

Last week during worship when we were singing “Lead Me to the Cross,” my heart began to fall under conviction.  “Do I really want to go to the cross of Christ? Am I ready to trace his steps of suffering that led to Calvary?  After finishing the supper with his disciples, Jesus went out of that upper room knowing what faced him.  He crossed the Kidron Valley, made his way to the Mount of Olives, and entered a familiar grove of trees we know as Gethsemane.  Kneeling there on the damp earth underneath the gnarled, tangled branches of olive trees, Christ settled in his heart what we all must settle.  Is it my way or your way, Father?  Is it my will or your will?  What am I determined to do?  What is my resolve?  Our Lord Christ knelt in total surrender and accepted the Father’s will.  God’s way might mean suffering.  No one wants to suffer.  Jesus didn’t want to suffer.  He pleaded, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me…” (Luke 22:42a)  God has brought me (and our family) a long way since that cold evening in February.  Many times, I have had to stop and intentionally recall God’s faithfulness.  “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.” (Psalm 34:19)  At your critical junctures, what is your heart’s resolve?

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No Regrets – Serving

October 16th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

I think I am going to scream if one more person asks me if I’m ready to be a grandma!  Our daughter is due to have her first baby any day now.  Charles and I are proud of our daughter, and we look forward to loving this new little person who will be joining our household.  But, no, I am not ready to be a grandmother.  Charles and I are ready to love and do what we can to help support our daughter during this monumental time in her life.  Change is difficult.  Whether it is in the home, in our jobs, in our marriage, in our financial stability, in our church… change and transition takes its toll on any one of us who has to tread through it.  Our Scripture for this lesson talks about some change (transition) that the early apostles had to contend with.  “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent…” (Acts 6:1a)  Before we go another step, it would be worth our while to look at this picture for a moment.  Who is multiplying?  Believers… new followers of Christ. The early church is not just growing, they are multiplying rapidly.  With the rapid growth, what does the next phrase reveal?  That there are “rumblings of discontent.”  In a nutshell, growth brings change. Change unsettles us.

So many times we don’t think about the early church having problems.  But I have news for you.  They did.  The Bible is like one giant photo album full of pictures of real people.  If you and I look closely at God’s living Word, we will see the good, the bad, the ugly… and if we look even more closely we will always see how God’s mercy runs deeper than the mistakes of his people.  Here in this picture found in Acts, chapter six, we already see the multi-cultural faces of Greek-speaking believers and Hebrew-speaking believers.  The Greek-speaking believers are complaining that their widows have been overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  Rapid growth brings people together, and where there are people there are problems.  Problems bring push-back.  And push-back brings division. Thankfully, these early apostles were wise leaders filled with God’s Spirit.  “So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.  They said, ‘We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.  And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will give them this responsibility.  Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.’” (Acts 6:2-4)  In other words, share ministry and give work to those who are gifted for the task.  This freed the apostles to carry on with what they were called to do.  The disciples didn’t have time to spend on the distribution of food.  Running a food program was not where the disciples were gifted by God to serve.  They needed to be spending time in prayer (discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading) and teaching God’s Word.

The year before we came to Christ Church, Charles was a doctoral student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Charles was one of seventeen scholars selected for the Beeson Doctorate of Ministries Study.  This was a program unlike any other doctoral program in the country at that time.  Each candidate lived on campus for nearly a full year in communal townhomes built just for these doctoral students and their families.  The candidates attended classes on leadership together as a group.  Their course of study included strategic time away to learn as a group under cutting-edge leaders and pastors throughout North America and Korea.  (It was sort of like the “schools of prophets” that we read about during the days of Elijah!) This was an extremely pivotal year for Charles.  The dean of this program, Dale Galloway, became a mentor to Charles. He challenged each student to dream big for God and His Kingdom, and to be a life-long learner.  He challenged these young leaders to think outside the box, and always be open to rethinking and reinventing effective ways to share the Gospel of Christ.  This year at Asbury made a lasting impression on Charles to live into the ministry-job description outlined in Ephesians, chapter four.  “Now these are gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)  Dale Galloway, who was a successful church planter himself, would often hold both of his hands out and ask, “How many fingers am I holding up?”  The answer so obvious would be profoundly embedded upon the minds of these doctoral students.  “Ten… ten is all the people you can effectively lead at one time,” he would say.  “In order to grow a great church you must give ministry away.  Train and equip your lay people to use their Spiritual gifts.  Commission lay pastors and teach them how to lead small groups.  Their small groups will multiply… train more lay pastors… more small groups multiply… train more lay pastors.  That’s how you grow a great church.”  

The early church was growing quickly and decisions had to be made quickly.  New leaders had to be trained. The disciples instructed their brothers to “select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will give them this responsibility.” (Acts 6:3)  Sharing ministry is absolutely key in exponential Kingdom growth.  Each of us receives a spiritual gift when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart.  We place our trust in Christ.  Christ, in turn, entrusts us with a special gift to use in his church.  “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.  To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.  The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.  He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy.  He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.  Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.  It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts.  He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body.  So it is with the body of Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:7-12)

It is important for us to pray for our spiritual leaders to be filled with God’s wisdom, so that when a decision has to be made fast, our pastors and leaders can navigate our church through critical junctures. The church is not a democracy.  It is the Bride of Christ.  “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.” (Colossians 1:18a)  The church belongs to Christ.  His body and his Bride are one.  The union of Christ (the groom) and the church (his Bride) is compared to marriage by the apostle Paul. The covenant of salvation binds me to Christ, and keeps me from sinning.  Similarly, the covenant of marriage binds me to my husband, and also keeps me from a life of sin.  As followers of Christ, we have entered into the new covenant made possible by the blood of Christ.  For Jesus took our place in death and was raised to life so that we no longer have to live in sin.  As members of Christ’s body, we are called to serve where the Holy Spirit has gifted us.  Collectively, as the Bride of Christ, the church is a lovely, glowing reflection of our glorious groom.  As I write these “reflections” I am looking at a picture of my parents on my desk.  My mother looks beautiful in this picture.  Her smile is a direct (inner) reflection of the man sitting beside her in the picture, my dad.  He has been a man faithful to the covenant they made together almost fifty years ago.  She has joined him in this covenant.  When the Bride faithfully joins her Groom in covenant, there is beauty for the world to behold.  We know that Christ will always be faithful.  When the church is true to her commitment and lovingly serves her Lord by serving others, she is glowing with the genuine beauty of Christ.  Our Groom’s reflection in us will captivate the eyes of a curious world. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

This past summer a team of eighteen persons from Christ Church served together for about a week in Ghana, West Africa.  Some of us didn’t even know each other at the onset of the trip.  By the end of eight days we had not only become well-acquainted but there was a certain beauty surrounding each member of our mission team.  On the last morning, I recall sitting in the front of our tro-tro (small van/bus) and glancing back to make sure everyone was on the bus.  It was the most beautiful sight.  I saw some tired bodies, yes, but each face was glowing with the radiant shine of God’s love.  When we serve Christ by serving others, we unlock the door to true soul satisfaction.  When we are serving, our eyes begin to see with clarity.  We begin to really see other people.  We begin to understand that we are not so different.  We forget things like pride and social status, because in heaven’s eyes it doesn’t exist.  We don’t place so much importance on things like hot showers and air-conditioning.  The men of Ghana didn’t care what kind of car we drove up in.  The ladies in the villages didn’t care whether or not we girls were wearing the latest styles.  The children at the orphanage didn’t care what kind of careers and jobs we had back home.  They only knew that we were there to serve them in the name of Jesus.  There is joy in serving that you and I will never know unless we serve.

The Lord wants us to serve because he wants us to experience the joy of giving ourselves away. “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” (Mark 8:35) Those who are wise will choose to serve, intentionally investing in what is good and positive. Refusing to serve results in lazy fat-cats who sit around and complain about what is bad and negative.  Believe it or not, sometimes I can get mad over the strangest of things.  We are experiencing change and transition right now in the area of music and worship, which is currently redefining my role of ministry.  I have been shocked at myself… the ugly that has surfaced over the shift!  And this is something we have been praying about for a long time.  I have been on my knees more in the last three weeks than I have in years.  I am discovering that if I’m not careful, I can throw a fit and try to justify my feelings to the point that I step off the Lord’s path.  I stubbornly take my own path for a season, and boy, do I pay dearly for it!  It is wrong to be dead-set against change.  If obedience means humbling myself to serve in a lowlier position, then I get low.  And I remember that Christ doesn’t need me.  He loves me.  But he doesn’t need me.  His kingdom will still come.  His purpose will still be done, whether or not I am on board.  I don’t want to miss Christ at work.  I don’t want to miss the wonder of seeing lives changed. I don’t want to miss Christ’s Kingdom.  I want to be on the front row.  I run the risk of missing Christ at work – and seeing his glory – when I choose to become self-absorbed and remain in my misery.  Refusing to serve as we have been commanded, breeds negativity in the body of Christ, and it can potentially poison the efforts of others who have decided to serve.  It is not lovely.  It is ugly.  And it confuses a watching world desperate for truth and hope.

Every gift of every believer in the body of Christ is important.  Just because a ministry is seemingly lowly or less prominent doesn’t mean it is less important than a more upfront gift of ministry.  “In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.” (I Corinthians 12:22)  Also, there are times we may find ourselves in a season of life where we are not able to serve.  We may be dealing with a physical inhibitor, or grieving the loss of a loved one.  Christ knows our hearts.  He knows where we are.  We don’t have to be legalistic about serving, because our serving (works) will not save us.  There are times you and I may need others in the body of Christ to serve us. “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” (I Corinthians 12:26)  The apostle Paul says that our gifts have been given to us for the benefit of others, and the best gift of all is love.  “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” (I Corinthians 13:1-2)  Love… real, genuine, unconditional Christ-like love is the beautiful bow and wrapping around every gift.

The story of the “The Acts of the Apostles” may more appropriately be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.”  The book of Acts is a collection of journal entries outlining the birth and expansion of the early church.  In it we see how the message of God’s love spread to the nations as we read about the exciting missionary journeys of Paul, Barnabas, and Silas.  The early church had to embrace change as believers multiplied.  The early apostles had to give away ministry and share the work load.  New believers had to learn to roll up their sleeves and serve alongside their leaders.  The spreading of Christ’ Gospel message was at stake.  The Good News of Christ is still at stake today.  So many souls still live in darkness.  There are thousands of persons in our own communities who do not know that God loves them.  I think of all the young people who have no clue who Christ is.  Young people can spot fake.  They are looking for what is real and genuine.  They are looking for truth and hope.  Oh, that the body of Christ would rise up and be the beautiful Bride that reflects her Groom!  Loving and serving our neighbors through Taking-It-To-The-Streets, for example, will stir the interests of curious onlookers.  Change is hard.  It is difficult to think about entering a new season of life.  But as John Ortberg has said, “It’s up to the older generation to figure out how to hand the faith to the younger generation.” (from an article “The Gap” – Leadership Journal, summer ‘09)  We may not be ready to be “grandparents” in the faith, but ready or not, a new generation is here.  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

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No Regrets – Inviting

October 9th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

It has been difficult for me to know exactly where to begin our background and reflections for this week’s Life Group lesson.  In staff meeting on Tuesday, Pastor Charles said that too often churches measure success by their “seating capacity.”  As I think about this statement, my heart is convicted.  I am so guilty.  How many times do I harbor a false pride over the growth of Christ Church, or feel a twinge of jealously when I hear about another church growing faster than we are growing?  Why is it hard for us to celebrate when other churches – our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith – have vital ministries and strong outreach in their communities?  Without even thinking about it, we do elevate churches by the size of their ministries, by the significance of their pastor, by how much their church name is recognized among certain ecclesiastical circles.  We are “wowed” by seating capacities…by extravagant sound systems and state-of-the-art video projections.  We quickly judge the effectiveness of a local congregation by how up-to-date and “cutting edge” their worship music is executed.  But certainly, as Pastor Charles shared with the staff this week, a Biblically-functioning, New Testament church is not so concerned about its seating capacity.  An apostolic New Testament church (like the one that is birthed in the book of Acts) is actually focused upon its “sending capacity.”  According to Webster’s dictionary, the term apostle means “one sent on a mission.”

According to Scripture our God has had a plan of salvation in place since before the beginning of time.  “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)  If we could write this verse down on an index card and place it in our Bibles, this next year as we read through the Scriptures daily, we would see how this glorious definition applies on every page of God’s Word.  We would see that each time God’s presence is manifest—a glimpse of his appearance is visible (made known) to the human eye—it is the LORD Christ.  (Remember the index card: “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.”)  Oh, Father, open our eyes to see you!  Help us see Christ on the pages of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  Can you see?  Look closely. See Christ in connection with the conquests of Joshua, the period of the Judges, and the picture of our kinsman redeemer found in Ruth’s story.  See Christ in Samuel’s faithfulness as the last judge of Israel.  See our LORD Christ in the record of the kings of Israel and Judah.  See Christ as captives are released when a Persian king decides to free God’s people.  See with new eyes how Christ put on “flesh” and was born into our physical world.  Like all of us born into this world, the baby body of our Lord Christ made its descent from his mother’s womb into an existence upon this planet measured by days, weeks, years… The name “Jesus” was given him, and as well as an assignment that he alone could accomplish.  For you see, Christ Jesus had made his descent from heaven and “God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” (Colossians 1:19)  Our Lord Jesus Christ was “one sent on a mission” by God the Father Himself.  Heaven is all about sending capacity.

Last week we looked at the final book of the Old Testament.  We learned that in the brief, four chapters bearing the title Malachi, God’s messenger was compelled to communicate God’s love for his people.  He also communicated God’s desire for pure worship, an urgent call to repentance, and one final warning of imminent judgment.  Malachi’s message is a picture of God as Father pleading for his children to return to him.  In his great mercy, God warns his people to fear his name and turn from their sin before that “great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives.” (Malachi 4:5)  The approximate four hundred years that follow is a period of deep darkness.  By 332 BC the Greeks would overthrow the Medo-Persian Empire (which had been merciful toward the Jews) and a young Macedonian known as “Alexander the Great” will have stormed the pages of history.  His unquenchable thirst for world conquest will not have been satisfied by the time of his early death, leaving his empire to be divided among four generals in 323 BC.  “Two opposing empires emerged – the Seleucids of Greece and western Asia, and the Ptolemies of North Africa.  Palestine, as a land bridge between the two, became their battleground, and in different times the vassal state of one or the other.  In 198 BC, it became part of the Seleucid Empire.” (The Baker Atlas of Christian History, p.51).  It was from this Seleucid Empire that a ruler called Antiochus IV Epiphanes would arise and desecrate God’s Temple in Jerusalem (built by Zerubbabel) and horribly persecute the Jews.  The horrific suffering endured by many faithful Jews during this Seleucid rule was unprecedented prior to this point in their history.  It is believed by many scholars that the descriptions of suffering described in Hebrews 11:35-38 is in reference to this period of time.  By 63 BC the power of the Greeks had faded and the Romans now ruled.

It has been said that the darkest hour is just before the dawn. See the first beams of light as the new day of salvation is dawning.  By the time of Christ’s birth, the Emperor Augustus has “brought peace, prosperity and stability to the Roman Empire… Further conquests by the Emperor Trajan expanded the imperial boundary to its maximum extent in 116 CE.  An extensive programme of road building enabled a Roman citizen to travel safely and quickly; from Britain to Mesopotamia he needed no languages other than Latin and Greek, no passport and only the Roman denarius for currency.” (The Baker Atlas of Christian History, p.57)    Christ’s birth was right on schedule.  Just as the area of land we call Palestine is literally a land bridge converging continents, Christ’s birth in Bethlehem was a life bridge converging God’s love with the souls of the human race.  The timing was critical.  Each prophecy concerning Christ’s birth was fulfilled, and “so the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14)  World leaders come on the scene and exit nearly as quickly as they arrive.  Tyrannical rulers of various kingdoms will flex their muscles and before long their strength atrophies before a watching world.  Politicians strut and sprint with their long-legged lies and make a lot of noise like big, boastful belfries, but after a term or two in office, the public (if prudent) can see their true character.  Empires rise and empires fall, but “the LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.” (Psalm 103:19)  A throne cannot be established unless enemies are defeated.

Just before his crucifixion, Jesus stood before Pilate (the Roman procurator) and declared “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36a)  Jesus doesn’t lie.  He was telling Pilate the truth.  In fact, when Pilate asked the rhetorical question, “What is truth?” Scripture says “he went out again…” (See John 18:38)  Sometimes I have wondered, if Pilate had stuck around long enough to listen for Jesus’ response, perhaps he would have heard the words, “Pilate, I am the Truth.”  Oh that we would quit firing the questions, and quiet ourselves long enough to hear Truth!  Our Lord Jesus Christ has a Kingdom, and it is not of this world.  As Jesus endured the cross, “he canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)  This is the good news: that Christ Jesus has taken our place in death.  Christ paid a debt we could never pay, and was raised to life after faithfully fulfilling the mission for which he was sent.  The disciples of Jesus were eventually called “apostles” because they were the first men sent by Christ Himself.  These apostles are referred to as a “foundation” on which the church of our Lord Jesus Christ would expand.  (See Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 21:14) 

The apostle Paul tells new believers in his letter to the Romans: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved…For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” (Romans 10:9-10, 13-15a)  As was mentioned earlier, heaven is all about “sending capacity” and heaven alone can measure the success of our “sending capacity.” At the right time God sends.  Are we ready to go? 

It is important to note that the Holy Spirit is absolutely key in the sending forth of Christ-followers.  After his resurrection, Jesus had told his followers: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)  But also “once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.  John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 1:4-5)   Anytime God sends his children on an assignment, his Spirit goes before them.  At his command, his Spirit has been known to part waters, cause walls to crumble, stop time, open the mouth of a donkey, raise the dead, wipe out an entire enemy army, fill pools of water with no wind or rain, rescue three youth from flames, and close the mouths of lions.  In fact, it was the very presence of God that went ahead of Jacob’s descendants as they fled Egypt.  “The LORD went ahead of them.  He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire.  This allowed them to travel by day or by night.  And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22)  Moses and the descendants of Israel (Jacob) did not move unless God instructed them to.  How did God do this?  “Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.  But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.  The cloud of the LORD hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it.  This continued throughout all their journeys.” (Exodus 40:36-38)

If Moses was careful to follow God’s leading, shouldn’t we be just as careful?  When God said to stay, Moses stayed.  When God said “Go,” Moses and the people started packing up (and the Tabernacle was no small thing to pack up and move).  This week launches the unveiling of a new mission statement for Christ Church.  Actually, it is not so much new as it is a broadening of our first mission statement.  Pastor Charles said that increasing our “sending capacity” will increase our “inviting capacity.”  Increasing our “inviting capacity” will increase our “worshiping capacity.”  Increasing our “worshiping capacity” will increase our “learning capacity.” Increasing our “learning capacity” will increase our “tithing capacity.”  Increasing our “tithing capacity” will increase our “serving capacity.”  And increasing our “serving capacity” will increase our “praying capacity” as we ask for God’s guidance in order to reach unchurched millions for His Kingdom.  Our energies are focused on reaching and developing.  Each new believer is like a babe in the faith.  We each need to be loved, nurtured, and developed in our faith so that we can grow and mature in the Lord…ready to love, ready to serve, and ready to be “sent.”  The glory of God is going before us.  It’s time to pack up and follow his Spirit.

God didn’t call Abram out of Mesopotamia to leave him in Ur.  God didn’t appear to Moses from the burning bush to leave him at Sinai. God didn’t bring Jacob’s descendants to the edge of the Promised Land just to leave them in the wilderness.  God didn’t bring Joshua to Jericho just to let the walls fall on him and crush him.  God didn’t send Samuel to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to anoint a new king just so young David could keep tending sheep.  God didn’t allow his people to be taken into captivity and not plan for a remnant to return to their homeland.  God didn’t bring his people to the exhausting of the first covenant just to leave them in the dark years of the inter-testimental period.  God hasn’t birthed his church through the sacrifice of His Son and the out-pouring of His Spirit just so we could keep wearing the same, old filthy rags.  And God hasn’t brought Christ Church to a juncture that calls for more courage and greater faithfulness just to let us lose our footing and give hell something to laugh about.  No. We are the Bride of Christ, preparing for the day of our wedding.  We are secure in Christ.  We are “members of God’s family.  Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”(Ephesians 2:19b-20)   

The other day I wanted to do some cleaning around the house, and so I had washed several blankets, quilts, afghans, and throws.  After they dried I really didn’t have a good place to store them so I just spread them across our king-size bed, which already had a comforter on it.  Later that night, when Charles and I were finally ready to climb into bed, we were so tired we didn’t feel like moving all the extra covers.  So we just turned out the lights and wedged ourselves underneath the layers.  It wasn’t long before we got tickled.  Neither one of us could breathe, let alone move.  My toes were starting to curl backwards when Charles said, “Why in the world do we have all these covers on the bed?”   As we began peeling back the extra blankets, we both agreed it was like the weight of God’s glory.  When God’s glory falls upon His people we can’t move. When His glory goes before us, we had better move!  “I have heard all about you, LORD.  I am filled with awe by your amazing works.” (Habakkuk 3:2a)  Once when Jesus saw a man who had been blind from birth, the disciples asked Jesus why this man had been born blind.  Jesus said, “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.  We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.  The night is coming, and then no one can work.” (John 9:3-4)  We have our work. God’s glory is moving. Go as one who is sent!

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No Regrets – Finances

October 2nd, 2009 by Julie Kyker

A couple of years ago, after a few wonderful days together at Hilton Head Island, Charles and I wanted to enjoy our last morning at the beach.  We had gotten up early to go walking.  After seeing the sunrise across the Atlantic we made our approximate one mile trek back to the villa.  Just as we were approaching the boardwalk, we were inspired by a fit, elderly man clad only in a pair of running shorts getting his cardio exercise alongside the waves.  He wasn’t going very fast, but the perspiration glistening on his tanned skin revealed that his steady shuffle/jog had effectively gotten his heart rate where it needed to be.  And his slender physique told me that he had probably disciplined himself to exercise for many years now.  Charles commented, “That’s me in about thirty years!”  I thought, “Well, let’s see… Charles is mid forties… so that would put him about seventy-five… yes, that’s about right.”  For a moment time seemed to stand still.  As I tromped through the loose, thick part of the sand, I suddenly had an overwhelming sense of the sheer brevity of our days on earth.  By this point, the fit senior was a small figure a hundred yards up the beach.  My eyes turned to my husband just a few feet in front of me.  My feet are still walking but my mind is racing, “In a matter of a few years, Charles will be in his mid-seventies… and so will I…!  And after that…? That’s about the end of the line.”  

Then it occurred to me.  We have only a few years.  Wouldn’t it be a good idea to think through all this?  We are born.  We grow.  We develop as a child… then a teen… then a young adult… then an older adult… then…?  A person may live his entire life with no regard for God.  But if he considers himself to be even half-way smart, wouldn’t it be a wise thing to do some serious research and find out what (or rather Who) is behind our existence?  Did you will yourself to be born?  Did you get to choose your parents?  Did you know what family you would be born into?  Did you choose your race… the color of your skin?  Did you choose what era of time in which you would take up space on this planet?  Wouldn’t it be a good idea to get to know the One who holds time in His hands?  There is Someone behind all this… this thing called life.  It all belongs to Him.  “The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1)  The prophet came to this conclusion when the LORD Himself told him in no uncertain terms: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

This week our emphasis is Giving.  What does my story mentioned above have to do with giving, and in particularly, tithing?  Stewardship is one word that comes to mind.  But another word that comes to mind is the word: trust.  The older man on the beach had obviously been a good steward of the physical ability he had been given.  This man’s physical strength came from God, whether or not he acknowledged it.  I’m not sure what motivated him.  Maybe he had a young wife at home he was trying to keep up with.  Maybe he was single, and wanted to woo the ladies at the retirement center.  Or maybe he was motivated simply because his doctor had told him that his health depended on his physical activity.  Whatever… this man disciplined himself to exercise and trusted that his body would reap the benefits.  Discipline is a decision.  Stewardship is a choice.  Trust is a motivator. It was clear that this elderly man had chosen to be a good steward of his body, and the fact that he was still moving was proof that his discipline was paying off.

Our Scripture takes us to the time when many Jews have returned to Judah after some seventy years in Babylonian captivity.  Had his people not learned anything from those long years of captivity?  God sends a message yet again to his people (Malachi actually means “my messenger”) warning them of the consequences of their sin.  In the first five verses of Malachi, chapter one, the LORD affirms his love for his people.   But by the time we get to verse six, the LORD indicts the people for showing contempt for his name.  God says, “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.  Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’  You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.” (Malachi 1:7)  God had fulfilled his promise by bringing them back into their homeland, and yet his people are indifferent to what he has done for them.  They don’t give God their best.  They are offering God blind and blemished animals for sacrifice (v.8) and animals that are stolen and crippled and sick (v.13).  “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord.  For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!” (Malachi 1:14)

In the second chapter of Malachi, God’s messenger is even more direct – this time with the priests.  First, we should recall that in Exodus 28:1 God instructed Moses to “Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons… Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.”  Now nearly thirty generations later, listen to God’s heart as his messenger outlines the original intent of the priests: “The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them.  This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.  They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me.  They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.  The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  But you priests have left God’s paths.  Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin.  You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites…” (Malachi 2:5-8)  How sad to have one life to live… and not only do you miss the way to the LORD God for yourself, but you lead others away from the knowledge of the one, true God.  It is a very serious matter.  It may be time to step back and evaluate. 

Malachi’s third chapter describes the LORD’S judgment.  God promises to purify the Levites like gold and silver “so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.” (v.3)  The picture here is God as refiner.  In order to refine precious metals, the refiner subjects the metal to a fire so hot, the metal becomes molten.  As it is liquefied by the intense heat, impurities or waste called “dross” begin to surface.  Once the impurity is removed, the precious metal is considered refined.  It has been reduced to its pure state.  “I am the LORD, and I do not change.  That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.  Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them.  Now return to me, and I will return to you… You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.” (Malachi 3:6-7a, 9)  God’s people had not only been cheating employees out of fair wages, oppressing widows and orphans, and mistreating the foreigners living among them, they had cheated God out of the tithe.  Stealing from God is not a smart thing to do.  Plain and simple, the tithe belongs to God. 

Again, we recall that many years earlier, according to the LORD’S instruction to Moses, “One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy.” (Leviticus 27:30)  God had delivered Jacob’s descendants out of cruel bondage, and now God fully expected his people to worship him.  Worship is tithing.  Tithing is trusting.  Through the deliberate decision (discipline) of tithing, God’s redeemed people were saying by their actions, “We know that you are the one, true living God.  You have delivered us from our slavery, brought us into this land, and we trust you.  All that we have comes from you!”  The Levites were descendants of Jacob’s third son, Levi.  Moses and Aaron were of this lineage, and God had selected these sons of Levi to be his special servants in the care of the tabernacle, as well as in matters regarding worship.  (The descendants of Aaron were exclusively selected to serve in the office of priests unto God.)  Because of the special calling (holy occupation) of these men who were born of Levi’s birth line, these men would spend their time in service to God.  God provided for the Levites and their families through the gifts of the other eleven tribes of Israel.  But please note that the Levites were not exempt from tithing.  Even though the Levites were supported by the tithe of the people, God said to “give a tenth of the tithes you receive—a tithe of the tithe—to the LORD as a sacred offering.” (Numbers 18:26)  Indeed, all of Israel was expected to bring to God a representative portion of the rich abundance of the land blessed by God Himself.

By the end of the third chapter and the brief six verses of the fourth chapter, God’s “Malachi” has faithfully delivered one final message before the silence of the inter-testimental period.  The message is one that still preaches today.  While every detail is not spelled out, it is a message that continues to unfold.  It reveals the tension displayed on every page of Scripture…God’s power/man’s weakness… God’s holiness/man’s sin….  It is a message with dual theme: God promises to be merciful toward those who fear him (those who have put their trust in God).  God promises to unleash the fire of his judgment upon the arrogant and the wicked (those who have refused to put their trust in God).  “In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.  ‘They will be my people,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  ‘On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure.  I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.  Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’” (Malachi 3:16b-18)    

For those who have ultimately refused to put their trust in God: “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace.  On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw.  They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.” (Malachi 4:1)  But for those who ultimately place their trust in God, “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.  On that day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” (Malachi 4:2-3)  Three more verses before nearly four hundred years of famine begin… not a famine of food, but a famine of God’s Word.  Listen closely.  God says through his messenger called “Malachi”—remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant (v.4).  I promise to send the prophet “Elijah” before that great and dreadful day of “the LORD arrives” (v.5).    This prophet’s preaching will tenderize the hearts of fathers toward their children, and children toward their fathers (v.6). 

I believe it’s time to take inventory.  Do you have any idea why the present tense is used in verse five – “the LORD arrives?”  Our God is not limited to time as we are.  I have heard my Dad say so many times, “God dwells in the eternal present.”  That is why God identifies himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)  How else could God have told Abram that he would make him a great nation and all people of the earth would be blessed through his seed?  Who can see that far into the future?  How could Job in the midst of all his suffering say with confidence, “I know that my Redeemer lives…?”  How could Isaiah tell Ahaz with confidence that God would give the sign, “the virgin will conceive and bear a son…and the government will one day rest upon his shoulders?”  How could Daniel be given a glimpse into the courts of heaven and see thrones being put in place and the Ancient of Days taking his place, surrounded by millions upon millions?  How could psalm after psalm declare with certainty that God has established his throne in the heavens and from there he rules over everything… that “surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord ascended to the heights…led a crowd of captives… your procession has come into view, O God…?”   How could Jesus standing before Pilate—after being beaten, scorned, abandoned, and seemingly defeated with a death sentence hanging in the balance—say, “my Kingdom is not of this world?”  How could the apostle John—the last one of Jesus’ disciples, exiled on an island called Patmos—hear a loud voice like a trumpet blast and turn to see “someone like the Son of Man?”   It is because God IS…  Unbound by time, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)

We must remember that while our feet may be planted on earth by a force called “gravity,” our planet is suspended in space.  Think about that for a moment.  God can be trusted because “he holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:17)  God declares through his prophet, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  Could you build me a temple as good as that?  Could you build me such a resting place?  My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine.  I, the LORD, have spoken!  I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2)   God has given you your life.  Consider for a moment all that makes up “who you are.”  You may think about your spouse, your family, your job, your friends, your community.  You may think about your parents, the history (or tapestry) of your life’s journey up to this point… the decisions you have made, the people with whom your path has crossed.  Christ has been there all along.  He knows your history.  As Jill Briscoe has said, “I have learned that God is waiting around the corner of tomorrow, with my future in his hands, and my job is to be responsive to what I know of his will today.” (Prayer that Works -Briscoe, p.35)  A tithe is a small thing in comparison to all that God has done for us.  He stands above, before, behind the corridor of your days and says, “I’ve got you. You won’t fall.  My everlasting arms are under you.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)  Trust him!

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No Regrets – Learning

September 25th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

I remember one Sunday morning when I was in the sixth grade, my Sunday school teacher looked intently at me from across the table. She paused, placed her hand on a worn Bible, and said, “Julie, there are treasures in this book.” She declared it with such sincerity of heart, something in me was stirred and I knew that she was telling me the truth. I was the only sixth grader at that time in the class, because my friends in seventh grade had just moved up to the next class in our little country church. There was a moment of silence. I believed her. I trusted her. And I knew she cared about me, because she faithfully prepared lessons each week to teach one student… me. The pensive look on her face melted into a familiar smile, and she continued the lesson. But I was thinking, “I want to know God’s Word. I want to search for those buried treasures!” In a brief moment the invitation had been given. I was ready to embark on a journey.

Even now the clock on my phone says that it is 9:24, and today also happens to be 9/24. Do you know that our Lord, the LORD God, is aware of every activity going on at any given moment of time? The psalmist invites us, “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him. For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance.” (Psalm 66:5-7) You and I have an invitation to come to God’s Word! Open your Bible to see what he has done… the awesome miracles he does for us. Truly, there is buried treasure waiting to be discovered. But do you and I want to know God? Do we desire understanding? Do you and I have a heart to learn? God is ready to teach us – even reveal a glimpse of his glory – if we are ready to sit at his feet, open the ever-living, deeply-breathing pages of his eternal Word. Your Life Group is a great place to begin.

Our Scripture today takes us to our good brother, the apostle Paul. In the very first verse of his letter to the believers in Ephesus, he writes, “This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1) In college, I learned that a good journalist always gives the five “W’s” – the who, what, when, where, why… and sometimes, gives the “H” – how? Paul is a good writer. He answers who the letter is from by identifying himself. He also names the one who chose him, thereby stating how he came to this juncture in life. And because God has chosen Paul for God’s own will and purposes, Paul confidently addresses what he is. He is an apostle of Christ Jesus. Why is Paul penning this letter? He obviously wants to get a message to God’s holy people (faithful followers of Christ Jesus). Where? He answers, “in Ephesus.” The only “W” left is when. We do have to read into the first four verses to find his answer. But it is gloriously worth the wait. “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4) When did God choose us? Before God even made the world, he loved us and chose us as his own!

There is a reason why so much of the New Testament is comprised of letters written by the hand of Paul. Paul was an evangelist, yes. But Paul was also a teacher. He had a heart for learning, and he was passionate about new believers (his children in the faith) coming into a fuller understand of the message that they had believed. Paul desired for young believers in the faith to be actively seeking after God, steadily pursuing a lifestyle that would set them free in Christ, and diligently studying the Scriptures so that their new faith would be strengthened. He knew that as these new believers grew in their faith, they would become mature believers who would use their spiritual gifts “to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12) Paul says, “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of the body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:14-15) But know this. If we become idle and lazy in our new faith, we won’t miraculously default to maturity in Christ. It takes work on our part. “Works” can never save us (Ephesians 2:9) but we are called to “work hard” (Philippians 2:12 and II Timothy 2:15) and to put on our shoes and run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1). If we put forth no effort, we default to immature, childish thinking. We will begin to demand our own way, and throw a fit if we don’t get it.

One day some Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for not properly washing their hands before eating. (See Matthew 15:1-20) These Pharisees and teachers of religious law were not concerned about the disciples ingesting germs. No, they were bent on finding fault with Jesus. There was a certain ceremonial ritual of hand-washing that these legalists observed before eating a meal. The Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples as unholy men with unholy habits. So how in the world could Jesus be holy, they must have thought? Notice in verse one, they “arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus” in order to ask him this one question. “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.” (Matthew 15:2) Bent on outwardly impressing others – and even God, these men failed to remember that God is not impressed by an outward display of worship if there is no deep reservoir of gratitude behind it (true worship from a true heart). The sacrifice that God desires is a “broken and repentant heart.” (Psalm 51:17)

Jesus quickly responded “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you’… Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’” (Matthew 15:3-5, 7-9) The fifth of God’s Ten Commandments was clear: “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) Somehow through the years of Israel’s history, and the darkness of their own minds, these leaders of Israel (who were supposed to be good shepherds for God’s people) had come to a sad place where they cancelled the very word of God for the sake of their own tradition (v.6) Jesus calls to the crowd, “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth… the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.” (Matthew 15:11, 18-20) What words do you speak? What are the words coming out of my mouth? Words can heal. Words can kill. (James 3:1-12)

It is absolutely vital for you and me to cultivate the soil of our hearts so that we continue to learn and grow in our faith. “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1) Scripture says that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14) If you have accepted Christ into your heart, you should know that the very presence of Christ (the Word of God made flesh) lives in your heart! You are now joined to Christ (and all other believers) through a personal love relationship. “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) With this new faith, there are certain responsibilities that come with it… just as there are in any good relationship. Paul says in this fourth chapter of Ephesians that we are to be grateful for our calling (this motivates us to lead a life worthy of our calling). We are to be humble, gentle, and patient with each other. We are to make an allowance for each other’s faults through love. We are to do our very best to live in peace and unity. We are to serve our new family, using our spiritual gifts for the benefit of others. “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

Further, if you have accepted Christ into your heart, you should also know that there are certain risks at stake for the person who claims to be a Christian but then refuses to invest in his relationship with Christ and with other believers. Have we accepted Christ or not? If we are not diligently filling our minds with the truth of God’s Word, it may be time to take a step back, and seriously evaluate just what it is that we are putting into our minds. If we are constantly finding fault with others and endlessly trying to fix things that we think are wrong with the church, it may be time to get on our faces before God and humbly ask him how we got off track. If we are more concerned about putting on a good show while hiding secret sins that we really ought to repent of, we may need to get off the “stage” and spend some time in our prayer closets. “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” (I Peter 1:18-22)

Life Groups (small groups) are analogous to the metaphor that Jesus used in John, chapter fifteen. The branches are many and full, and intertwined. Each one is interconnected and rooted in the Vine, Christ himself. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Apart from the interconnected fellowship with Christ and other believers (our brothers and sisters) we are nothing more than a useless branch that will eventually be thrown away. (See John 15:6) The writer of Hebrews gives this very serious warning to believers who refuse to go on to maturity: “For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
If we think we can live into the fullness of God’s salvation apart from his church, his Word, his life… we are only fooling ourselves, and we run the risk of a hardened heart.

Just a few moments ago, I took a break from writing and went down to the kitchen here at the church to make myself a cup of tea. On the way back, I mused over the precious sight that I often see in the halls of this church. It was a stream of little folks walking quietly to the restrooms. One hand on the hip and the other hand’s index finger pointed vertically across the lips means two things. Be quiet, and keep your hands to yourself. And I must say, each little fella was working hard to comply. One by one each child disappeared around the corner, I thought, “these little persons (under three feet tall) are adults-in-the-making. In a matter of years, some of them will be taller, and certainly, stronger and smarter than I am.” Fast-forward in time and one thing proves true. It is a Kingdom principle that Jesus demonstrated, and Paul also knew well. When loving and mature adults are willing to invest in the lives of others (young or old), a rich reward is harvested of more healthy, mature adults that lovingly invest in the lives of others. Are you and I willing to invest in another person, even if they are the only student in the classroom? I hope so. It could make all the difference in the world. Your investment… my investment could cause a ripple effect that only heaven will be able to measure. “Don’t be mislead—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:8-9)

The desire I felt in the sixth grade to venture into the journey of studying God’s Word was a result of the Holy Spirit at work in my heart. God stirred my heart that day. Only God’s Spirit at work in you and me causes us to seek after God. The psalmist declares that “only fools say in their heart, ‘there is no God.’”(Psalm 53:1) Notice it isn’t a matter of merely saying out loud ‘there is no God”… it is a matter of “saying” it in the heart first. The fool has said what he believes in his heart. Since “there is no God” for the fool, his life reveals his heart. Sadly, the end will be regret. Is God’s Spirit at work in your heart?
You can pray to receive Christ now. He loves you and wants to give you a new heart.

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No Regrets – Worship

September 20th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

Have you ever wondered why more stuff makes you more miserable? I have. Once during a conversation with a friend about building our home – how so many things were already in need of repair, and how we would change so many things if we had to do over again – Charles and I will never forget our friend’s comment. As we all three sat at the dining room table, he smiled, looked around and simply commented, “Big house, big problems. That is why I live in a trailer.” (Nervous laughter from Charles and Julie.) I’m thinking, “But we have four kids… we wanted a place we could spread out and have some space… we wanted rooms we could close off in order to study or practice music and not be bothered by the television in the next room… we wanted a home office with an area for the computer…” But… but… but… we want… we want… we want…!

We live in a culture that is mixed up. Our culture teaches us how to think. We think we should be able to get what we want when we want it. We think the way “up” is up to us. We think a big house will make us happy. We think we deserve nice things. We think our children are more special than anybody else’s children. We think a nice car will be a mobile metaphor of our success. We think growing old can be avoided. We think youth can be bought. We think our bodies are immortal. We think sex is to be shared. We think we can steal and not hurt anyone. We think we can hide bad habits. We think lies are okay. We think cheating is acceptable. We think Christians are weird. We think portrayals of Jesus on Family Guy are funny. We think the Bible is a fairy tale. We think we are better than the poor. We think the elderly are to be pushed aside. We think marriage can be between two men. We think a woman kissing a woman is sexy. We think unborn babies are a choice. We think we can worship whatever we want and whoever we want without eternal consequence. And we think God is not watching?

Look closely at the video rolling in the fourth chapter of Matthew. Actually, let’s rewind just a little to the close of chapter three. Jesus is being baptized. I imagine that at some point, the Holy Spirit specifically instructs Jesus to leave the area around Galilee in order to meet John at the Jordan River. (See Matthew 3:13) Why do I think this? Because the Father will confirm His Son’s obedience: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3:17) At just the right time Jesus approaches John the Baptist, and expresses a desire to be baptized. At first, John tries to talk Jesus out of it, saying, “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you. So why are you coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14) But Jesus says “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” (Matthew 3:15) The Father is pleased with His Son, and manifests His approval by opening the heavens and sending forth a dove. As John watches the dove descend and make its way to rest upon this man, John recalls that God had told him earlier that this sign would happen. John would later testify, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he hold me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” (John 1:32-24)

Now we are at the first verse of Matthew, chapter four. Notice that Jesus is still being led by the Holy Spirit. Only this time Jesus is not led to the banks of the Jordan, but Jesus is led to the parched, arid terrain of the wilderness. Jesus is again obedient. He doesn’t throw a fit because his Father has led him to a place replete with wild animals and deplete of food and drink. No, Jesus chooses to stay here as long as God’s Spirit says to stay. It happens to be forty days and forty nights. Isn’t it interesting that immediately after Jesus was baptized, he was tested and taunted by the devil? One of the first lessons that new believers in Christ learn, is that the enemy is swift to attack when we are vulnerable. So often, just after a person stands publicly to profess their new faith in Christ (vulnerable), he walks away or wakes up the next morning and suddenly feels foolish. Some voice (the enemy’s) is already planting doubt in his mind. Seemingly out of nowhere, the new believer is hit with thoughts like, “you’re crazy to think you could ever change… you looked ridiculous… it was just a feeling… you were caught up in the moment… you might as well go back to your old lifestyle… nothing’s changed… give it up now, man.”

Satan’s tactics have not changed from the beginning. He is our adversary and he is out to plant doubt in your mind… in my mind. Remember what he told Eve? “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) Notice how he approaches Jesus. “If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3) That’s what the devil does. In my experience, the enemy plants doubt… that leads to uncertainty… that leads to confusion… that leads to a troubled spirit… that leads to a big lie! Here is an example of Satan’s lie: GOD DOESN’T GIVE A _____ ABOUT YOU. YOU’RE A LOSER. FACE IT. YOU DON’T REALLY BELONG TO GOD. YOU BELONG TO ME. YOU WEREN’T MADE FOR HEAVEN. YOU WERE MADE FOR HELL! SO WHAT’S THE USE OF TRYING? JUST TEAM UP WITH ME AND LET’S START RAISIN’ SOME HELL!”

I believe that all three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness have something to do with the accuser (Satan) trying to plant doubt in Jesus’ mind as to his true sonship.
(1) If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread… (doubt: maybe you’re not really the Son of God…)
(2) If you are the Son of God, jump off! (doubt: maybe the angels won’t really protect you, because you’re not really the Son of God…)
(3) If you will fall down and worship me, I will give you all these worldly kingdoms that your eyes can see… (doubt: maybe you’re no more special than me, Lucifer, Jesus. After all, you and I go way back… remember? You know what I’m capable of! You’ve seen me in action! Now’s your chance, Jesus. You can get in on the action, too, before anybody really even knows who you are…)

Where does Satan plant doubt in your mind? Here are some lies he has used on me.
“You have already blown it… what’s one more time?”
“You don’t deserve this… you used to be something special… now look at you!”
“Just leave him… you’ll do fine on your own… actually you’ll do better on your own.”
“These kids are keeping you from fulfilling your dreams!”
“You’re a loser… you’re so stupid… You don’t deserve to be happy.”
“You’re a winner… you’re so smart… These idiots don’t deserve you.”
“If you really had it together, your home would look like a magazine picture.”
“You’re never going to change. Girl, you’re stuck here.”
“Just let it out. Everybody loses their temper.” The list goes on.

Before we try to resort to blaming others or blaming God for our temptations, let’s hear what James has to say. “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:12-15)

For me, the enemy planting doubt leads to uncertainty. I begin to wonder if God really loves me. So I have a green light to withhold love from others. The uncertainty brings on confusion. Maybe God hasn’t really forgiven me of all my sin. I might as well sin more. The confusion unravels into a troubled spirit. How can I think I have been redeemed? I am going to crawl back to my pit of depression, where it’s safe. And before long, I am engulfed in a giant lie. I am just one, big disappointment to God.

Hear the good news! We may have blown it, but God gives second-chances. We don’t have to live the lie. You can live in the truth. Jesus said that you can “know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) In fact, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6a) Oh, that we would not buy into the lie that somehow we have to make our own way in life! God will make the way clear for us if we surrender to Him as our Heavenly Father. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8) Oh, that we would not buy into the lie that truth is obscure, or worse, subjective! Truth is a person. Come to the person of Jesus and you’ve come to Truth. We can know the truth… we can know Jesus. Oh, that we would not buy into the lie that this earthly life is all there is! God gave us new life when Christ rose from the dead. Long before you and I were born “he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)

Either we don’t know these wonderful promises or we forget them. We get bogged down in our busyness trying to “get”. We try to figure out our own solutions to our own problems. We foolishly depend on our own understanding. We proudly refuse to simply trust God. We do not discipline ourselves to seek hard after God. And truth be known, we don’t really care which path God desires for us, because we want to do our own thing. We are so caught up in “getting” that we aren’t free to receive what God has for us… for our marriage… for our family. Listen to the words of James: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: if you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:1-4)

What can I say? Our desire for “more” has limited us to “less.” We limit ourselves to less intimacy with our spouse, less time with our children, less resources for God’s Kingdom, less desire for right-living, and less desire for heaven. Jesus didn’t have a spouse, because he has a bride-in-the-making called the church. (Revelation 19:7-8) Jesus didn’t have children, per se. He had disciples and then feeble followers like us. Jesus didn’t have money… because all authority in heaven and earth belong to him. Jesus didn’t “live right” according to his critics, but he is the Sun of Righteousness, according to Malachi 4:2. Jesus left the riches of heaven so that he could share heaven’s riches with you and me. Jesus journeyed into the “wild” of that wilderness in Matthew 4:1, because the Spirit drove him there. (See Mark 1:12 NKJV) And the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for this reason: “to be tempted there by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1) Victory over temptation is possible only through Christ. He is our perfect example. The writer of Hebrews describes Christ this way: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Forty days is a long time in the desert with nothing to eat or drink. I am the first to admit that I don’t know real hunger. Even as I am typing this document, I am snacking on an apple and munching on a left-ever dinner roll. Jesus, however, knew spiritual hunger and Jesus knew physical hunger. He became poor spiritually and physically so that you could “know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) Have you ever been verbally abused? Jesus was subjected to Satan’s abuse. Have you been treated unfairly? Have you had to endure physical pain and hardship? Jesus drank from a cup of suffering so severe that his very lifeblood was relinquished in order to atone for all sins… for all time. Our Lord Christ courageously faced a task that no other person was qualified to accept, much less accomplish.

Satan was out to get Jesus from the beginning. Upon that third temptation in the desert, Jesus says, “Get out of here, Satan, for the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” (Matthew 4:10) In heaven’s economy, the way up is down. Worship is humbling ourselves before the Father and acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves. There is only one Savior. Following him runs against culture. But if you are serious about following Christ, “humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:7-8, 10) What are you trying so desperately to get? Open your hands to receive.

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When Job Prayed for His Friends

September 11th, 2009 by Julie Kyker

Over the last couple of weeks, I bet I have had over a dozen people tell me that they have been praying for me and my family. Individuals have gone out of their way to tell me that I “had been on their heart.” It is hard to express in words how encouraging this has been to me. I do not take this lightly, because I have felt their prayers. For instance, I am not so easily overwhelmed by things lately. I have had a certain boldness in my spirit that is uncharacteristic of me. I have experienced a peace that I know is not of this world. Truths from God’s Word have been revealed to me unlike any other time in my life. And I have sensed God’s presence so strongly, that I am often “speechless” in my inner self… His goodness is too good for words.

Please understand that I am not speaking of life being a “bed of roses.” Every single day I face very complicated challenges (complicated for me.) And more often than not, there seems to be no let-up. I often think the more we want to be faithful followers of our Lord, the more the heat is turned up. The Lord is a refining fire. Those persons who desire to be faithful will be refined like silver. The dross (impurity) is burned away “so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.” (See Malachi 3:2-4)

Our Scripture takes us into the company of a man whose very identity had been stripped bare. All that he once owned and everything he once valued, including his faith in God, was tested before a watching world. Not only did he suffer the loss of his ten children, his servants and his wealth, but he was struck with “terrible boils from head to foot.” Scripture says that “Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.” (See Job 2:4-8) This is my own thinking, but I have often wondered if Job was a good-looking, handsome man. Because when his friends finally saw him, they didn’t recognize him. (Job 2:12) In our culture so much value is placed on health and appearance that when it is stripped away due to an illness or an accident, it can be devastating. As far as we can see, there is no rhyme or reason to the ugliness of suffering.

When Job’s friends saw him in this state, they “sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights.” (Job 2:13) Not one of the three ever offers to pray for their friend, Job. The first one to speak is Job. Over the next thirty-five chapters, each man shares in dialogue, questions, and personal opinion regarding Job’s plight. As they search for possible reasons as to why this good man is suffering, their discourse reveals several things to me. I do sense their sincerity in their quest for truth and answers. But, instead of talking so much, why do they never think to pray for Job? Not one time, according to Scripture, does one friend say, “Hey, let’s stop and pray. Let’s pray for our good friend, Job. We don’t know why he is suffering, but we sure can lift him up in prayer!” Not one time, do we read anything of the sort. So I ask myself, where do I turn when truth is obscure and answers are hard, if not impossible, to find? Do I pray or keep talking?

Job said, “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.” (Job 23:3-5) But there is a problem, Job soon admits. Where is God? Hear the sadness in his words: “I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.” (Job 23:8-9) In my experience, my efforts to “find” God have almost always proved to be most unsuccessful. Why is that? I’m not sure, except that I think it may have something to do with works or pride. Usually it is God that finds me, when I am at my lowest and have no where else to turn. Job’s next words reveal a similar experience: “I cannot find him… But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:8b, 10) Job sees that for God’s own purposes (unknown to Job at this point), the very core of his faith is being tested… refined. And though the suffering is unbearable, Job is hopeful that he will be as pure as gleaming gold in the end.

What makes Job valuable to others and gleam like purest gold in the end? It is when, at God’s command, Job prays for his friends. “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf.” (See Job 42:8) It is the suffering that Job endured which purified his heart and made his prayers acceptable before heaven’s throne. Scripture says “When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!” (Job 42:10) Many years later, the apostle Paul would write: “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation!” (2 Corinthians 1:3b-6a) And in his letter to new believers in Rome, Paul writes that if we are to share in Christ’s glory, “we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” (See Romans 8:17-18)

When the apostle John was exiled on the island called Patmos, God wanted John to see a glimpse of heaven’s glory and certain appointments on heaven’s calendar. God also wanted his servant John to see that the Lord Jesus (the Lion of the tribe of Judah) is the Lamb of God whose blood ransoms people for God. In the fifth chapter of the book of Revelation, John sees the Lamb open a scroll that no one else is qualified to open. When he takes the scroll, there are “living beings” and “elders” in heaven who fall down before the Lamb. John says, “Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God. From every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.’” (Revelation 5:8b-10)

Here is a vital point, I believe. Christ wants his true followers to emulate him, and follow his example in all things. The Lord Jesus Christ was (is) the only person qualified to satisfy the sin-debt of all humankind. Christ was obedient and his suffering (his sacrifice on the cross) paid for that sin-debt. Heaven recognizes the Lord Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest (See Hebrews 4:14-16) where Christ intercedes on our behalf. When I trust in Christ, and believe that his sacrifice was good enough to personally pay for my own debt of sin, I am then set free from the chains of sin bondage. (See Romans 6:5-11) Because I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, heaven recognizes that I am a child of God and hears my petitions. Since Christ has set me free, Christ expects me to selflessly follow his example and intercede (pray) for “my friends.” Just as Job was restored when he prayed for his friends, we are restored when we stand in proxy for other persons in their time of need and lift them up before heaven’s throne.

Listen to what James has to say in regards to Job. “For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:10-11) The Lord wanted to restore Job’s life. The Lord also wanted to show mercy toward Job’s friends, even though they had spoken against God. There was a threefold partnering going on… (1)God’s character shining through and His will being accomplished (2) Job’s obedience to God as he intercedes on behalf of his friends who have “angered” God (3) Forgiveness offered to Job’s friends through their own obedience and humility.

It takes great humility to ask for prayer, and it takes great humility to obediently carry the load of another person’s burdens through prayer. Often when I am in pits of despair I don’t have the strength (or the good sense) to ask someone to be praying for me. The Holy Spirit lays my burden upon the heart of another believer. Somehow, they sense the need to pray for me. When I am too sick, or too depressed, or too weak physically to know what to pray, I can trust the Holy Spirit to know what I need. (See Romans 8:26-28)

Consider the following series of questions/answers outlined in the book of James, and evaluate where you are right now. “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (James 5:13-15) There are times when we are called to be recipients of prayers made on our behalf, and there are times when we are called to be intercessors on behalf of another person. As followers of Christ, we are “royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” (See 1 Peter 2:9) God expects us to live into our “priesthood.” Heaven is waiting.

I have been reading a book by Jill Briscoe, and on the very first page she makes a poignant comment. She says that she has “discovered that prayer that doesn’t work, doesn’t work! It takes work to step out of time into eternity—and work to learn the art of leaving things undone so that the greater thing can be done.” (Prayer that Works by Jill Briscoe, p.1) When Jesus looked out over the crowd of people—his heart breaking because they were like sheep with no shepherd to lead them—he turned to disciples who in time were called to “lead” like good shepherds. “The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So pray… ‘what do we pray for, Lord?’ Pray for more workers.” (Matt. 9:37) It takes work to pray. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes a good friend like Job.

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