Tell EVERYONE!

 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done.  Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.  Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.  Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.  Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.  Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.  He is the Lord our God.  His justice is seen throughout the land.  He always stands by his covenant—the commitment he made to a thousand generations.  This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.  He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant:  “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.”  Psalm 105:1-11

There’s enough bad news to go around these days (especially if you snap on the news channels and cry while they endlessly pour on the world’s messiness).  So, let’s focus on a little Good News (ie. The Gospel).

Here’s the question:  How do you share a positive witness for Christ while there’s so much going on that’s got people wringing their hands and checking their pulses?  And will people really hear what you’re saying about Jesus when they’re so worried?

Well, that’s really two questions, isn’t it?  So let’s deal with them one at a time.  (Which is really the answer to most of life’s problems).

About sharing a positive witness, even in tough times of crisis…make sure you have a witness before you set about sharing it.  That’s another twofold checkpoint.

1.     You don’t have a witness if you’ve never given your life to Christ.  Give me a call and we’ll make sure of that.

2.     This other part becomes easier, because it’s just a matter of applying what the Psalmist wrote in today’s text.  Go back over this Psalm and ask the questions of what he’s telling you to do.

Let’s unpack what the Psalm writer is asking us to consider:

The Psalmist writes:  Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness

So, do that, and mark in your mind how if feels to say those words.  Adopt that as your theme for the day, week, or, better yet, your life.

The Psalmist writes:  Sing to him; yes, sing his praises

Invest $12 in a hymnal for your home, but don’t let it collect dust on a shelf.  Use it in your devotional time every day.  If you can’t carry a tune in a bucket (like me), just say the words out loud.  In those hymns are so much doctrine and understanding of God’s ways, and how to proclaim His greatness, singing them often will embed Godliness in your conversation with others.

The Psalmist writes:  Exult in his holy name;

In a post a couple of years ago ^{(see it here)} I wrote about “exulting”.  That’s exactly the kind of relationship pigs have with their mud.  They wallow (as pigs do) in mud to rid themselves of parasites.  But, they also just seem to love it!  That is the key to exulting in God.  You pursue relationship with God, exulting, wallowing in all He shows you in His word, because you know He will deal with the parasites of sin.  The wonder it creates in you is guaranteed to shine around for others to see. 

So, yes, you can share a positive witness, even (especially) in hard times like now, if you’ll let the Word of God dwell richly in you, it will change you every day, giving your conversation a different tone, bringing the word of hope to your world.

Now, for the other question:  With all they’re worrying about, will they hear?

Are you kidding?  With all people are concerned and wringing their hands about these days a good word is the one thing they crave to hear. 

But, in the bigger picture just remember that it’s not in your job description to make them hear, your job is to make certain what you say is the Good News, and the way you say it is born of love in your heart. 

Let’s Pray Together:

Father, hear our prayer today; we are often fearful of sharing our faith.  There’s so much misunderstanding and anger these days.  Help us to overcome fear, and be faithful witnesses.

For You Today

Go graciously to people, care about them, share what God has shown you and done for you, and then leave the worrying to God; He knows how to handle that.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today.  Have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO                                                                                                         

Title Image:  Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For other posts on sharing the Good News:  Telling the Story and Let the Whole World Know

Chariot of Fire

 

Friday, May 22, 2020

2 Kings 2:1-12

When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal.  And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”  But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!”  So they went down together to Bethel.  The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”  “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”  Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.”  But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.”  So they went on together to Jericho.  Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”  “Of course I know,” Elisha answered.  “But be quiet about it.”  Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.”  But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.”  So they went on together.  Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River.  Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it.  The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground!  When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”  And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”  “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request.  But if not, then you won’t.”  As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire.  It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.  Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!”  And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. 

Every leader who cares about the flock they’re charged with leading looks down the road to the next leader of that flock.  There are many moving parts to transition.  In Elijah’s case, his “assistant” Elisha made it an easy choice.  Elisha was, as this account shows, fiercely loyal and unselfish; he would not leave Elijah’s side.  It is an encouragement every leader needs to have an Elisha. 

As the story unfolds it becomes obvious the successor decision isn’t Elijah’s, it is God’s.  Elijah’s last words…if you see me taken your request is granted…has nothing to do with Elijah’s will or Elisha’s, it is the prophet pointing to the sovereignty of God’s will.  His final sentence assures that, But if not, then you won’t.  Elijah was not presumptuous where God’s will was concerned.  When Elijah’s propheting days came to a close, whether or not he wanted his protégé, Elisha to fill his shoes as prophet in Israel, was of little importance; it was always going to be God’s choice.

As it turned out, it was God’s will for Elisha to serve, and do many more miracles than his mentor.  That may refer to Elisha’s request to inherit “a double share of spirit” of Elijah’s kind.  When God honors something you can count on meticulous attention to detail.

The tribe in which I serve (Methodists) has a longstanding tradition of clergy serving at the discretionary choice of bishops.  A bishop, in consultation with his cabinet (of District Superintendents) sends me a notice once a year as to where I will serve in the coming year.  My current charge as local pastor to two churches, is about to enter its ninth year.  I have in served in pastoral roles to ten different churches over the last 39 years.  In each circumstance, upon leaving, I always had that chariot of fire image moment, wondering if I’d left too soon, not left soon enough, or if I’d been obedient as God’s servant in that spot.  From this perspective I now see that as a largely non-productive exercise.  It is enough to know that in each place I served, and the people with whom I served, my heart’s desire was to be obedient.  It is God who chose successors to follow me, just as God put me in those places, following someone else.

It is always interesting, though, the way God does all that; it is a magnificent thing to watch the unfolding of thoughts and ways that are much higher than mine[1].

Let’s Pray

Father, help us to NOT kick at the changes in our lives.  Help us to be loyal, like Elisha, ready for however your Spirit will work in us.

For You Today

Changes cause us to evaluate, adjust the sails, and get busy with the journey.  When God sends a chariot of fire to your group, family, or ministry, it could be a sign a double-share  of His Spirit and power are also on the way.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today.  Have a blessed day!

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Title Image:  By Giuseppe Angeli (Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For another post on Elijah’s leadership see When Kings Must Bow

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[1] Isaiah 55:9

Two Roads - One Destination

[1] 

Friday, January 3, 2020

“But what do you think about this?  A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’  The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.  Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’  But he didn’t go.  “Which of the two obeyed his father?”  They replied, “The first.”  Matthew 21:28-31a

For me it’s always a holy moment when I look back to “connect the dots” on the pathway that unfolded as God led someone to bow the knee and serve the King.  Our Mom had a full scholarship to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and become a missionary.  However, this was during The Great Depression, and her father shut down that opportunity, insisting she stay at home after high school to earn money to help support the family.  

Mom never lost the missionary fire within; she was a shining light quietly inspiring and changing lives.  The first life she impacted was Elwood (Slim) Brownworth.  She wouldn’t go to the movies with him unless he agreed to come to church with her.  That started a different kind of fire, and it lasted 67 years.

Mom served our Lord in the church we attended in those early years, as Sunday School superintendent, leading Vacation Bible School, and attending to many other details of church life.  But the missionary-in-residence of our humble 4-room cottage most lived-out her commitment to Christ in the day-to-day routines of the faithful life of a Jesus disciple right in front of her two children.  That visible testimony of the grace of God had the effect that it always has; two different lives impacted to travel two different roads, with one destination.

My brother, Thom, four years older than I, went off to Houghton College when I was a freshman in high school.  Thom was the first college student in our family.  His plan was for ministry studies, but the financial burden of college costs was too heavy, and the scholarship from the State of NY could only be used for non-ministry purposes.  So, the math major was born, and my big brother graduated with honors.  This pathway started a different kind of ministry than Thom had imagined.  In the classroom at Stony Brook School he would teach math to students, but the ministry became modeling faithful Christian discipleship for his children, grandchildren, students and peers.  That lasted more than five decades.  It wasn’t the road he’d planned, but God leads the way we can serve Him best.

Meanwhile, Thom’s brother was treading a different path.  College was a bust, and the younger brother became an education drop-out, drafted, and wandering in the far country.  

Eventually, God’s Spirit finally got through to the more hard-headed of the brothers, whose wandering gave way to a re-call into commitment of life; this led to a different kind of wandering – 40 years of itinerancy – like Abraham, following God far from home and family.  

Getting back to the elder brother; Thom retired from the classroom a few years ago…to become a student.  (It seems the Brownworth boys can’t help this).  

This time, however, there was no scholarship hanging in the balance; this was a long-delayed dream-following which would culminate a month ago in being commissioned as a deacon in the Lutheran church, to serve at the Lord’s beck and call, teaching and ministering to others in need.  The classroom is now, as John Wesley would say about his parish, the world.

For You Today

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

In retrospect there is an easier (and better) way to do things than imagining we chart our own course and captain our own ship.  Mom knew that; her boys took a while to figure it out.  Learned in the process…answer God…it’s never too late!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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[1] Title Image:  Pixabay.com      Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

When Stubborn and Rebellious Meets Immovable and Faithful

[i][ii]

Monday, March 18, 2019

The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt.  Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’  And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.  Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey.  But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people.  If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.”  When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes.  For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people.  If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you.  Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.”  So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes.  Exodus 33:1-6

It was a simple thing; the zipper on my jacket wouldn’t cooperate, and I was late for the school bus that would take me to my first-grade class.  Mom started to help me zip-up, and I yanked the zipper out of her hand – NO! said the brat with all his superior 6-year-old wisdom, I’ll do it!  It’s almost like there’s a merit badge for always being self-sufficient and claiming to have accomplished life by yourself.  It’s like that with politics, family, relationships and matters of faith…we seem to learn the hard way, proving there are much fewer geniuses than we imagined.

Israel was helpless, enslaved for 400 years in Egypt.  God sent Moses to announce the captivity was at an end.  Pharaoh eventually capitulated and let the people go.  Slaves became free, and they imagined that meant they were in charge of the universe.  But that was a cardinal error; the brat-nation had much to learn. Stubborn and Rebellious Israel had met Immovable and Faithful God.

There’s that old saying, what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object.  The problem with applying that to a relationship with God is there’s nothing that is irresistible when compared with immovable God.  It’s much more that we, the created beings of God’s hands, are fragile, housed in temporary bodies with imperfect and limited knowledge.  When it comes to a contest with humans vs. Yahweh, we are more like the local nursing home residents’ football team going up against the New England Patriots in a Not-So-Super-Bowl…it won’t be pretty!

God, in His infinite wisdom, kept a safe distance (for Israel) from Israel.  They needed that space to find out just how dependent they were on their God.  Rebelliousness and stubborn ways need to experience stubbing toes and falling-down.  It’s how we learn to walk.

People who have suffered a stroke, or been in a coma, learn this lesson in a heartbeat.  When they wake-up they realize there are things that must be learned all over again.  Simple things, like how to pick up a ball, or say a simple word they’d used a million times. 

It is this way with the stubborn rebelliousness with which we convince ourselves we can make it just fine without our Creator.  Baby steps, all over again!

For You Today

If you want a tested, reliable, immovable and faithful path to spiritual liberty and life, let Scripture have the last word today and every day:

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.  Remember what it says:  “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”            Hebrews 3:14-15

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day.

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[i] Title Image:   Pixabay.com

[ii] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The New Living Translation©

Hanging-In

[1]

Friday, August 17, 2018

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters.  Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught.  Stay away from them.  Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests.  By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.  But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord.  This makes me very happy.  I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  Romans 16:17-20^(NLT)

There is a distinction between persistence and stubbornness.  And though that line appears somewhat thin, particularly at a first, casual glance, the driving forces behind the persistent person are far-removed from the one who is just stubborn. 

Here are three of those differences:

1.     Motive

Paul tells us a stubborn person is interested in his own agenda, not serving Christ.  Stubborn people want what they want, and really don’t care what they have to do to achieve their personal gain.  There is little integrity involved…only achieving a desired outcome. 

I once had a church leader look me in the eye and inform me that the church would not follow me because I was an outsider.  He said:  Preachers come and go; we hire and fire them, because we are the church here…not you. 

We must be careful not to judge motive too closely; we are not equipped to look inside another person and understand his or her darkness.  That is God’s purview alone, along with deciding on what kind of correction is needed.  So understanding the driving force of what motivates a stubborn person from within is given here to help us keep a check on our own reasons for hanging-in, not judging or controlling others.

2.     Method

Paul holds up to the Roman believers the chief ingredient of how stubborn people achieve their success – deception.  Paul got this from Jesus, whose “discussions” with the religious leaders hardly ever went well.  Their motives were selfish and controlling, and their method was deceptive; Jesus finally had enough of it, and this is what He said:

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does.  He was a murderer from the beginning.  He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  John 8:44^(NLT)

A persistent person won’t lie; he hangs-in with truth, no matter how tough it might be.

3.     Result

The result of selfishness-driven stubbornness, as opposed to unselfish persistence in the truth, is as far removed as East is from West.  Stubborn people, living in ignorance or deception (and ignorance is a kind of self-deception) always create division.  They might use sweet-sounding words of cooperation and unity, but that kind of manipulation, coupled with a selfish motive always divides.

On the other hand, persistent, truth-holding, truth-living people are faithful; this is the result which comes from people you can count-on to mean what they say, and do what they say.  There is a confidence that comes with persistence in truth which builds trust and strength in those they serve.

So, persistence and stubbornness are not even distant cousins!

For You Today

Does it seem sometimes like you just can’t hang-in for much longer; like giving up is getting to be that corner you’ve been dreading?  That’s ok; it’s one of the marks of people who walk by faith, and don’t try to manipulate just to make things easier.

Hang-in, my brothers and sisters; He may not be on your schedule, but He is always on time!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day.

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[1] Title Image:  Courtesy of Pixabay.com