Exhorting One Another

August 31, 2012Leave a comment

“Listen to this,” I told my son, “according to this study 88% of children raised in evangelical Christian homes will leave the church by the age of 18.”

What do you think?” I asked. “Do you think you will ever be a part of this 88%?”

My son turns 16 next week. He is just a few years shy of this age. So I genuinely wanted to know his thoughts on the subject.

“I don’t know, Mom” he replied. “But I do know that if I ever did get out of church that I would have you and Dad and my church family there to exhort, admonish, and encourage me to come back.”

I explained to my son that none of us are above falling into sin, or are we immune from straying from the fellowship. But I assured him that should that happen in his life that he would always be loved and prayed for.

It was comforting to know that my teenage son had a clear understanding of part of the ministry of the local fellowship. He understood that if he were to stray from God (and then the church as a result) that his brothers and sisters in Christ would be there to hold him accountable.

Regardless of what some will say today, exhortation is a biblical principle.

“Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren…” (2Co 9:5)

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” (1Th 4:1)

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1Th 5:14)

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2Ti 4:2)

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Tit 2:15)

It is detrimental to a person’s spiritual growth to be removed from the fellowship of the local church. Yet, many enthusiastically walk away. When this happens in a young person’s life and they fall into sin, it’s good to know that their parents will always be there. But how much more powerful is it knowing that a whole group of others who love you is there as well – bearing your burdens, lifting you up in prayer, holding you accountable, admonishing you when you sin, and rebuking you in love.

A church that truly loves each other will exhort one another. We do it because we love. We do it because it pleases God. We do it because if we don’t, sin will harden our hearts.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13)

“Jesus loved him”

August 27, 20121 Comment

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, ‘One thing thou lackest…’”

It only takes a few minutes online to see enough pride, arrogance, and debauchery flowing through Facebook, Pinterest, and other sites to make my blood boil. There is a sense of indignation that springs up in my heart, especially when the things of God are debased. The longer I live, the clearer I can see the depravity of man. Of course, times are no different today than when Jesus walked upon this earth. Sin still reigns in the hearts of men. Men still love darkness rather than light. Men’s eyes are still blinded by the god of this world. Man is man – nothing more. But lest we forget, God is God and nothing less.

In 2 Corinthians 5:18 we are told, “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” Have you ever thought about the ministry of reconciliation that the child of God has been given? Our ministry is to help reconcile sinful man to a holy, perfect, and just God. Sometimes this ministry is frustrating. We know “the terror of the Lord” and therefore we persuade men (2 Corinthians 5:11), but “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Sometimes I struggle with how I am to communicate this with those who are blind. This is why I love the Way of the Master evangelism course. I’ve been through it several times and my husband is currently teaching it in our home each Monday night. The point of the course is to evangelize the way Christ did. His method was law to the proud and grace to the humble. When the rich young ruler came to Christ seeking how to inherit eternal life, the Lord did not give him the “plan of salvation”. Nor did He lead him in a “sinner’s prayer”. Nor did Christ tell this man that he had a “God shaped hole in his heart” and if he would just believe that he would receive. Instead, Christ pointed him to the law of God.

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mar 10:18-19)

When this man insisted that he had kept all of these from his youth (obviously bearing false witness) then Jesus, “beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21

Because of this man’s pride, Jesus kept pointing him to the law. Giving away everything to the poor will not save anyone. Jesus was showing him the essence of the 1^st Commandment.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” Exodus 20:3.

But what happens? The man walks away sad. He refuses to follow Christ, because he had another god. “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions,” Mark 10:22.

Other times in Scripture, like the woman at the well in John 4, we see Christ giving the gospel to those who are humble. Law to the proud and grace to the humble.

But what really caught my attention while reading this passage yesterday during our small group study was one simple phrase in Mark 10:21. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him…” Here was an unsaved man who came to Christ, was pointed to the law, and still walked away unregenerate. Yet, Jesus loved him. I’ve missed it in the past. Jesus loved him! Of course He did. He desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. And in His love for the man, the most loving thing that Christ could do for him was to point him to the law of God.

Christian, Do you love the sinner? Do you love them like Christ loved them?

Do I love the sinner like Christ loves them? If I did I would tell them that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27. If I loved them I would tell them about their sins and how “sin is the transgression of the law,” 1 John 3:4. I would tell them that “the wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23a. And I would point them to the law of God so that they would see their need for a Savior. This is the most loving thing we can do.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God,” Romans 3:19.

The Bully

August 18, 2012Leave a comment

In 1890 Amy Lefeuvre captured her readers with a story about a little boy named Teddy. My husband read Teddy’s Button to our children several years ago and it has since been one of my favorites. Teddy wants nothing more than to be a soldier, like his heroic father who fell in battle. But through a turn of events his eyes are opened to the understanding of the greatest battle of all – the spiritual battle warring for his soul. One of my favorite parts in the book is when Teddy commits his life to “the Lord’s Army”. He tells the preacher that he now wants to know who his enemy is so that he can fight. After all, a soldier must fight! The wise old man turns him to a full length mirror and explains that he will be his own worst enemy. So in childlike candor Teddy declares that he will name his new enemy “Bully.” Throughout the book, as Teddy struggles with the epic battle between his flesh and the spirit, he will observe at times that Bully almost won that fight but with God’s help he was able to overcome him.

A few days ago I was reading in the Psalms and was again reminded of this dear story. David wrote Psalm 18 after the Lord delivered him from the hand of Saul. “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.”(Psa 18:17-18)

All I could think about was my own “strong enemy” that is “too strong for me.” Maybe you know that feeling as well. There are days in my life that sin abounds. There are days that my flesh is weak and my faith is feeble. These are the days that I am truly my worst enemy. Satan does not need to come after me to tempt or discourage; I’m doing a fine job on my own. There are days that the war between the flesh and spirit rages mightily. Paul understood this as well. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he wrote, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:18-24)

It almost seems hopeless, doesn’t it? But Paul goes on to say, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 7:25-8:1)

So, on those days when sin abounds, I cling to God’s Word. “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,” (Rom 5:20)

And on those days that my flesh is weak and my faith is feeble, I trust in Christ and His imputed righteousness in me. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:3-4)

And when “Bully” rears his ugly head in my life I remember the Words of the Psalmist. “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.”(Psa 18:17-18)

Matters of the Heart

July 26, 2012July 26, 2012Leave a comment

We have been doing an interesting study through Deuteronomy on Sunday mornings during class. It is interesting to note that Jesus quoted from this book more than any other. A few weeks ago we looked at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in conjunction with passages from Deuteronomy. Our lesson was about the Spirit of the Law.

There are a lot of misconceptions about God’s Law. I have seen an attitude of indifference towards it that is often fostered by easy believism and the prosperity gospel. Its faulty thinking goes like this: “The law does not matter, we live under grace.” This is often followed by: “Don’t be so legalistic. We’re not under the law.” Or, “Jesus did away with the law.” This thought is wrong for several reasons. First, Jesus did not do away with the law; He fulfilled it. Also, obedience is not the definition of legalism. In addition, God’s moral law still exists. It reveals our sin. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Rom 7:7)

In fact, the biblical definition of sin is transgression (or breaking) of the law. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1Jn 3:4) And it only takes the breaking of one law to be guilty. The book of James states that whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (Jas 2:10)

Paul tells us that the unregenerate are still under the law and that by the law they become guilty before God. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Rom 3:19) But thanks be to God that the saved have been made free from the law of sin and death! (Romans 8:2)

So where does the spirit of the law come in? Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount not only elevates the standards of the law, but it shows the spirit of the law. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said that He has come to fulfill the law. In verse 20 He said that unless our righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (the law keepers and most religious of the time) that we would not enter into heaven. Further down He quotes the law from Deuteronomy and contrasts the Old Testament interpretation of the law with the spirit of the law.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Mat 5:21-22)

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Mat 5:27-28)

Why would Christ put the thought of murder or adultery equivalent to the act? The answer is simple. It is because God is concerned with our heart. Sometimes we live as though we forget that there are internal sins as well as external. There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission. Our hearts are important. Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…” (Mat 15:19-20)

In our prideful state we think that if we look good on the outside and don’t commit those “acts” that it doesn’t matter what’s in our heart or our thoughts. Oh, how easy it is to fool others. How foolish it is to think that we can fool God. He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (Mar 7:6)

As a parent I desire nothing more than for my children to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. My standards for my children are high, because God’s standards for His children are high. (Matthew 5:48) But, I have to be careful in my endeavor to raise godly children that I don’t create little Pharisees. (Those who keep the law but whose hearts are far from God.) In truth, it is easier to teach children to obey “laws” than to teach them to follow the “spirit of the law.” But really it’s the heart that matters.

Several years ago I found online a list of family rules that I want to share. (I’m not sure of the source, so if anyone knows where they came from let me know. I will be happy to give credit due.) These family rules have been posted on our refrigerator and referred to often. What I love about these rules is that they are not just a list of do’s and don’ts. The focus of each is on the heart, the spirit of the law. I hope they can be a blessing to you and your family.

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another’s interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bad things…good people?

July 23, 20123 Comments

When a tragedy happens, like the recent one at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie, people start asking questions. How can a 24 year old man walk into a theater, open fire, and brutally kill 12 innocent people and injure 58 more? What led him to do such a horrendous act? Where was God when this happened and why did He allow it?

I have no doubt that this was an atrocious, evil attack that was probably influenced by demonic activity. And our hearts break for the family and friends of the victims. Like the rest of the country, these things are on our mind. We question. We wonder. We seek an answer for the calamity. Yesterday after church we were talking about the shooting. A friend was sharing that when something like this happens, without fail people ask the age old question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?” It was then my 9 year old son replies, “Why do good things happen at all?”

Did you catch that? Why do good things happen at all? He’s right. You see, we ask the wrong question. The question shouldn’t be why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? The truth is that as a whole there are no “good people”. “There is none that doeth good, no, not one,” Romans 3:12. We truly have a misconception that mankind is “good” and deserves God’s blessings. But Jesus clearly set the standard for goodness. “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God,” Luke 18:18-19.

Not only that, but bad things happen because we live in a sinful, wicked, depraved world. To blame God for the world’s evil condition would be equivalent to blaming a car manufacturer for a wrecked vehicle due to reckless driving. If we will be honest and look deep into the truth of God’s Word we would ask a different question all together. Why does any good thing happen to us at all? And the answer to that question is simply because of God’s great mercy.

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” Deuteronomy 7:9.

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee,” Psalm 86:5.

God is merciful and this is why any good thing happens. Like the Psalmist in Psalm 136, I declare “his mercy endureth for ever.” Can you say the same thing? Has God extended His mercy toward you? He is merciful to those that love Him and keep His commandments. He is merciful and good and ready to forgive those that call upon His name.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:16.

From Darkness to Light

July 11, 20122 Comments

I asked my Christian friends to take a serious look at the upcoming election in my last post. One of the questions I asked was whether a Mormon was truly a Christian. I wrote this because the only talk I seem to hear in some Christian circles is that Mitt Romney, a Mormon, is the “only” hope for Christians in this upcoming election. It concerns me that those on the Christian right are placing so much hope in a man who worships a false god. My response is simply that “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,” Psalm 118:8. However, many Christians lean toward a pragmatic view, reaching after what seems to work and completely ignoring whether it is right or not. Too many times we view our political choices and our faith as separate matters. As the people of God, could we please get back to absolutes? You know…right and wrong…light and darkness…truth and lies… There is an unyielding warning to those who don’t. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isa 5:20-21)

I know there are still those who scoff and think that voting for a Mormon for President is no big deal. All I ask is that you do some research and look into what the Mormons truly believe. After my last post I was introduced to a young lady who visited my blog. She has an incredible testimony about coming out of Mormonism. It’s her heart’s desire to share it with others who are entangled in cults and false teaching. I encourage each of you to take the time to read it. You can see it here. You also might want to read her post called, They Use Christian Words. It is very interesting.

As I have said many times before, God in His sovereignty has already determined this election. His will is always accomplished. I just wonder if the results will be His judgment upon us. They, of course, don’t have to be.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jon 3:9-10)

A Christian’s Response to the Upcoming Election

July 5, 20124 Comments

My last post talked about consequences and I am afraid that this next election will hold grave consequences. So what should a Christian’s response be to the upcoming election? It appears that our options for voting are between current President Obama and Mitt Romney. I’m not even going to address the President’s policies these last 3 ½ years. Let his actions speak for himself. I’m also not going to address that fact that Mitt Romney is not a career politician (which I believe is a great asset) or his apparent values. Laying all political, financial, and moral views aside, I want to address something different. Should a Christian vote for a candidate who is not a Christian?

Regardless of how the media likes to spin the issue, the truth from God’s Word is that, “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Evaluate for yourself the “fruits” produced by our current President who strongly supports the murder of innocent babies and homosexual marriage.

So I ask the next question. Is Mitt Romney, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Christian? While I cannot know his heart, I can look at the Mormon religion as a whole.

The Institute for Religious Research has a page on the Mormon religion (http://mit.irr.org/mormonism-christian-2) that explains the basic beliefs of Mormons. Below are a few, but not all, of Mormon beliefs.

Many gods made the world (Abraham 4:1-31)

God the Father was once a man (LDS Church teaches that Jesus Christ, humans, angels, and fallen spirits including Satan are all eternal beings that were never created and that are all spirit brothers and sisters. In particular, Christ and Lucifer (Satan) were two spirit brothers; Christ supported Heavenly Father’s plan while Lucifer did not.)

Adam’s sin was “a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us” (Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 2:14-26; Book of Moses 5:10-12)

Mormonism teaches that a person must become worthy in order to obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of God the Father through obedience to all the commands of the LDS Church (Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 25:23;

LDS Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many “plain and precious parts,” and does not contain the fullness of the gospel (1 Nephi 13:26-29)

LDS Church teaches that faithful Mormons who fulfill all of their spiritual, moral, and ritual obligations can eventually attain the status of gods, beings of the same essential nature as God the Father ruling over their own worlds. “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be” (Lorenzo Snow, in Presidents of the Church: Student Manual [2004], 88, 90; Gospel Fundamentals [2001], 201; Gospel Principles [2009], 275-79; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith [2011], 71).

The Mormonism Research Ministry has compiled this list. (http://www.mrm.org/god-of-mormonism)

The god of Mormonism is one of many gods.
The god of Mormonism is not self-existent.
The god of Mormonism is not transcendent.
The god of Mormonism is not immutable.
The god of Mormonism is not eternally God.
The god of Mormonism is not incorporeal.
The god of Mormonism is not omnipresent.
The god of Mormonism cannot dwell in the believer.
The god of Mormonism is not omnipotent.
The god of Mormonism does not forgive completely.

In his famous “King Follett Discourse” Joseph Smith (prophet, teacher, and leader of the saints) taught,

“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret… [Y]ou have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you…”

According to www.mormon.org in addition to the Bible, Latter-day Saints accept the following books as scripture:

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a record of God’s dealings with the inhabitants of ancient America (2000 BC – 400 AD).
The Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the Church of Jesus Christ in the last days (1830 AD – 1978 AD).
The Pearl of Great Price, a selection of revelations, translations, and writings of Joseph Smith.

This information does not even touch on all the false beliefs of the Mormons. Check it out for yourself.

http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Mormons.html

http://bible-truth.org/arelds.htm

http://cnview.com/on_line_resources/are_mormons_christian.htm

So, it is clear that the god the Mormons worship is not the True God of the Bible. It is also clear that they do not worship the true Christ who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Nor do they uphold the true Word of God.

So here is the dilemma. If we have two unbelievers running for president what do we do? How do we vote? Let me answer that question with this one. Are there only two choices? As a Christian I believe that I should not only vote in each election, but that I should pray and seek out God’s will. So, would God give His children the choice between two unbelievers? Would God want us voting for an unbeliever? Would God not give His children a way to make the right decision? We might be tempted to cast a vote for an unbeliever because it is the “lesser of two evils.” We might be tempted to lay aside the candidates faith or our faith and focus on the politics. But as a Christian I cannot separate my faith from my vote. My faith is not what I do; it is who I am. My conscience tells me that I would be wrong to vote for an unbeliever, regardless of the circumstances. You see, God always gives His children the ability to do what is right. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Co 10:13)

It was John Quincy Adams that said, “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” So it looks like that over the next few months I am going to be doing some research on other 3^rd party candidates, trusting that the God of the Bible is sovereign and knowing my conscience is clear.

My Unbelief

June 18, 20121 Comment

I had to call a friend a few days ago. This particular friend is one I call when I need to hear the truth. You know the type. She doesn’t tell me what I want to hear; she tells me what I need to hear. Perhaps you have a friend like this and can relate. I am very thankful for our friendship. It is one that could be summed up by Proverbs 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” I wanted to have a pity party. She told me to get my eyes off self. I wanted to whine. She told me to rejoice. I wanted to focus on the negative. She told me to look at the positive. I wanted to sit. She told me to get up and serve. We’ve had this conversation many times over the years. Sometimes, like last week, I’m the one who needs the exhortation and sometimes she is. Either way we have an understanding. Regardless of our feelings or emotions, the best thing we can do is point each other to the Lord and His Word.

The circumstances are always different, but the outcome is always the same. It usually goes something like this. One of us has a problem or small trial in our life. This should be no surprise. Jesus said in this world we would have tribulations (John 16:33). But we still act “as though some strange thing happened…” During the trial we prove that we’re human by worrying and fretting. After a day or two of self pity one of us will finally get around to calling the other – already knowing exactly what we’re going to hear.

“Why are you worried?”

“It’s just that I don’t see how this could possibly work out.”

“So, this just gives God a chance to prove Himself strong.”

“I know….but there is no human solution.”

“Hasn’t God always provided for you?”

“Yes, but…”

“Hasn’t He always been faithful?”

“Yes, but this time….”

“Has He ever let you down?”

“No, never.”

“Then don’t you know what the Scriptures say?”

“I do. Just yesterday I was sharing God’s Word with a lady who was having trials of her own.”

“Then it boils down to whether or not you’re going to believe. The bottom line is this. Are you going to have confidence in the trustworthiness of God?”

And so, this was just what I needed to hear. I knew the truth. I still do. I have never had a reason to doubt God’s Word. It says that God will provide for His children (Matthew 6:33). We are told that He will meet all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). It says that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). And we are promised peace if we will trust in God (Isaiah 26:3). Not only are these things so, but time and time again – without fail – God has proven it true.

I do believe…..

But Lord, help my unbelief…….

Sometimes I feel like the father in Mark Chapter 9. Do you know the story? This man had a demon possessed son. If you want to talk about trials and troubles, this man had them. Look at how the father describes his son with this evil spirit, “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away… ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us,” Mark 9:18a, 22. The mother in me wants to weep for this man. I cannot image the pain from seeing his child like this. So in desperation, the father takes his son to Jesus’ disciples for help. Yet, they cannot help him.

How many times do I go to everyone but the One who can and will help me?

When Jesus arrives He offers perhaps the first glimpse of hope this poor father has ever had. He says, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,” Mark 9:23.

How many times has the Lord whispered these same words to me? “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you,” Matthew 17:20. “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” Luke 1:37. “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God,” Luke 18:27.

So this father, as honest and transparent as he can be, with tears in his eyes cries out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,” Mark 9:24.

I think I understand what he was saying because I have been there many times. In fact, I’m still there. I have faith. I believe. But I know that my faith is not as strong as it should be. My faith is weak. It is imperfect. It is flawed in its exercise. So, like this father who does believe, I too add a prayer for grace, mercy, and strength. Lord, Please help the weakness of my faith. Help me to confidently rely upon You. Show Yourself strong on my behalf and be glorified through my weak flesh and failures. I believe Lord, just help me in my unbelief.

Water, Wind, and Waves

June 12, 2012Leave a comment

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The beach was rather refreshing. One day a small girl, with the help of her mother, diligently worked on a sand castle. A young couple entered the water together, laughing and enjoying life. A group of boys played volleyball. A few surfers ventured out to catch a wave or two. Several people relished in the warmth of the sun and simply relaxed. The waters announced its grandeur with each consistent roar. You could almost hear the waves, in a near boastful tone calling out with authority, “You are here to see me. I am the reason you have come.”

What is it about the beach that draws people? Is it the cool breeze from the ocean? Is it the sound of the waves rushing against the shore? Perhaps it is simply the ability to sit and rest without great expectation. I sat and reflected this past week with my feet buried deep into the warmth of the sand. How can man look at the vastness of the ocean and not be drawn to our Creator? The Psalms declare, “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: The Lord of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters,” Psalm 29:3. If we will open our eyes, we can see the Lord’s hand in all of creation. If we will listen, we can hear the Lord speaking through his creation. If we will allow it, we can be drawn closer to the Lord through His creation.

One particular morning the waves were exceptionally boisterous and the undercurrent rather strong. The children and I enjoyed the waves but stayed close to the shore. Dana kept a watchful eye at the edge of the water. He never moved. After a few minutes we would look toward the beach and notice that we have drifted far in one direction. It took an intentional effort on our part to stay in the area in front of my husband. Every now and then Aaron, watching out for his little sister and brother, would remind them to come closer. If not careful, the waves would easily carry us miles away.

As we were moved about by the strength of the water, wind, and waves I could not help but think about the passage in Ephesians about being, “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Oh, how easy it is to be tossed about in our spiritual life. It takes a strong anchor of faith to not waver these days. (“For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed,” James 1:6.) Not only do we need a strong faith in God and His Word, but we need desperately need the church. The church? You might ask; What does that have to do with this passage in Ephesians about being “tossed to and fro”? Let’s look at it in context.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph 4:11-14)

Notice the gifts Christ gave for the provision and edification of His church. Are you blessed to be a part of a local, Bible teaching, New Testament church? It is easy to see the necessity of the church in correlation to the perfecting of the saints, work of the ministry, and edifying of the body of Christ –without it we can easily be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Just as the children and I needed to look to the spot my husband stood to keep us from drifting too far, so do we need to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. And just as we depended upon each other while we were in the waters for safety, God’s children in like manner needs the local church. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:23-25.

Exercises in Generalizations

May 25, 20123 Comments

There is something remarkably precious about the love and fellowship shared between brothers and sisters in Christ. Last night, our family was standing in the parking lot of our church talking with one of the men on our executive leadership team and his sweet wife. We were doing some work around the church building, visiting, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Then, as usual, we started talking about the church and doctrine. In our church, doctrine is often discussed. We love it, teach it, and hold to it. My husband often reminds the congregation that we not only need to know what we believe, but why we believe it. Yet, when you talk to a lot of Christian people today, doctrine seems to be irrelevant. Really, is it that important? I will submit that of course it is; that is unless we want to be “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,” Eph 4:14. And yet, it seems like that is just the case. People are carried about with every (and I mean every) wind of doctrine.

“I’ll believe this, this week.”

“That sounds good for next week.”

“Teach me something new under the sun, I’ll believe it too!”

My husband explains it like this. Many pastors’ sermons are simply exercises in generalizations. They do not know the Bible; therefore, they do not teach it to their flock. Due to this, people are biblically illiterate. Consequently, they will believe anything (or in some cases nothing at all). So as a result, people will often shy away from sound doctrine, because it has gotten to the point of sounding foreign to the “average” church-goer. Could it be that we have reached the time where “they will not endure sound doctrine,” 2 Timothy 4:3?

I am so thankful for all the pastors who hold fast to the faithful words that they, “may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers,” Titus 1:9. And for the men of God that “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine,” Titus 2:1. Keep it up! The Lord is pleased. There are many out there who are doing just this. I am, of course, partial to one in particular. I really love my husband’s preaching. I have learned so much by the expository, verse by verse, teaching of God’s Word. And, I’m thankful for the churches that have ears to hear and that truly want to follow God’s precious Word. Our church is an example of one. I love our church. Each and every one of them! Our people have a heart’s desire to know the Word of God and obey it. We not only have unity, but our unity is built on the truth (sound doctrine) of God’s Word.

Kimberly Williams

Category: Faith