Religious Celebration

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."  (Ps 122:1)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. . . . Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.   (Ps 84:1-2, 10)

            I was saddened to hear from a well-meaning colleague of mine that if anyone enjoyed their worship experience then it was a sin.  “Joy has no place in the worship of the church,” he said.  “What we do here is dead serious.  It’s supposed to be a sacrifice and you’re not supposed to enjoy sacrificing.  If you’re enjoying it (your worship experience), then you haven’t sacrificed enough.”  I hope that his reaction was in response to the attitude that many have where they want to be served and pleased; when they “shop around” for a group whose Sunday performance appeals to them and makes them “feel” spiritual and fulfilled.

            Yet, all too often I sense this attitude among too many in our assemblies.  Our long history of practicing our worship rituals in the atmosphere of solemn silence – afraid to “offend” God if we aren’t reverent enough; terrified that God will revoke our place in the family if we don’t show up often enough or if we don’t show the adequate amount of seriousness when we practice our acts of worship – may have influenced this sad attitude towards the purpose we meet together.

            I hope you can see from the words of the Psalms above that God is looking for quite a different sentiment about the time we spend with Him and each other.  The Psalmists were constantly calling for the people to praise God with joyous hearts; to look forward to the time when they could be in His presence; to feel the wonder and awe associated with worshiping in the midst of multiple believers.

            Just consider for a moment, the holy days that God called for His people to observe (Passover; Pentecost (Weeks); Day of Atonement; Unleavened Bread) and the sacrifices they were required to present at His altar:  they were times of feasting and celebration!  Notice the festive atmosphere when the Passover was celebrated (Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 29-31 & Josiah – 2 Chronicles 34).  They didn’t even follow the regulations right (2 Chron. 30:18-20), but God overlooked that in favor of the joy and love brought on by their fellowship and celebration.  And Nehemiah forbade any sadness when the people reinstituted the covenant (Neh. 8:10) reminding them that the joy of the LORD would be their strength.

            So why can’t we allow our worship times to be times of joy and celebration?  Why must we stress the guilt of our sin and the terribleness of Jesus’ sacrifice and lose all sense of the joy of our salvation that He freely and gladly bestows?  Do we really think that Jesus is still on the cross – still in the tomb?  Is true worship supposed to be a “funeral home” atmosphere?

            Let’s change our thinking so that we want to be in attendance on the Lord’s Day to encourage and to be encouraged.  Let’s find ways that we can use our talents to serve without having to be asked, or be prodded to be part of an organized program.  Let’s see the Lord’s Supper as a time to rejoice that, though Jesus suffered and died to pay for our sins, He rose from the dead defeating Satan once and for all – and that He lives forevermore!  Let’s learn to be anxious to give our money, time, energy, talents, etc.  Let’s sing with heart-felt devotion to God and to one another. 

            God has given us of His Holy Spirit so that we have a constant and near divine presence guiding us in continuous religious celebration to God. Let’s take advantage of this blessing daily so that we will look forward to the times that we spend with His people in His holy presence.

Doug

Trust And Obey

    “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”                                   Hebrews 11:1

     Don’t you wish that God was a little bit more detailed on His definition of faith?  Couldn’t an all-powerful, creator God put the concept of faith in more manageable terms?

     The answer is obviously “yes.”  So why didn’t the Father make it easier for us?  Well, He did.  If a human had decided to make this concept up it might be worded something like:

     “Faith is like . . . Noah - who was motivated to erect a huge never-before-seen box, and collect all of the different kinds of animals in the world in pairs, and house them and his family inside this box to be spared from a never-before-experienced catastrophe.”  OR . . .

     “Faith is like . . . Abraham - who listened to a never-before-known deity, and packed up his family and all of his earthly belongings to go to a never-before-seen land in order to receive the promise of numberless descendants – even though he and his wife Sarah were childless.” 

OR . . .

        “Faith is like . . . Moses - who saw a never-before-seen bush, listened to a never-before-heard voice inside of it, watched 10 never-before-imagined acts of power, led a multitude of murmuring ingrates along a never-before-experienced pathway, ate a never-before-eaten kind of bread, drank from a never-before-known kind of rock, and received 10 never-before-published laws.” 

OR . . .

     God could have just listed their accomplishments briefly as He did in the first place and allow us to digest the information while learning through our own experiences with Him how to follow their example.

     You’ll have to admit by providing the highlights of what motivated these people to trust God’s promises and obey accordingly shows that they had to deal with a lot more than anything we are faced with.  And yet even though they did not understand (1) why God had them do something strange or (2) what the outcome would be, they matured a small amount of faith into huge successes in their experience with God. In other words, their faith was made manifest to countless generations because they trusted and obeyed.   

     So I’ve come to realize that my struggle isn’t with a definition of a theological term (faith) as much as it is with my own desire and commitment to trust God and then obey without questioning. The legacy I leave in this life will be largely based on the outcome of what my faith in God produces; not necessarily with the details of the events that the Holy Spirit has guided me through. So I hope and pray that will be enough for others who follow to be encouraged to trust God, obey Him and establish their own legacy of faith to bless and pass on to successive generations on into eternity.

Doug

Something To Boast About

People boast about a lot of things: their physical appearance, their intelligence, an athletic performance, singing ability, the amount of money they make, the escapades they get away with, the list is practically endless.  Yet most of us can see right through most of the big talk we hear.  It becomes obvious that the person is either trying to impress others or they’re attempting to compensate for a lack of self-esteem.  Sometimes it appears that the boasting is meant as a means to control a situation and/or to assert authority.  Whatever the case, these rants usually result in a shouting match with one party demanding proof and both sides going separate ways.

If only we could learn not to boast; or better yet, learn to boast about something that really matters.  Does such a topic exist?  Is there really something substantial to boast about that we can continually proclaim and effectively embolden others to join us in bragging about?   Is there an achievement worth boasting about openly and honestly that won’t make us look shallow or arrogant?  God says there is; check out Jeremiah 9:23-24.

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

It’s not wise to boast about wisdom because there is always more to learn and apply. And physical strength doesn’t last; just ask anyone experiencing old age.  And riches don’t last either; this latest recession (depression?) is proof of that. 

No, the only thing worth boasting about is in our understanding and knowing God.  That’s something to boast about because our relationship with Him is the only thing that lasts.  For if we truly understand Him, we will be striving to act as He does (notice the list of attributes that He delights in: “exercising” kindness, justice, righteousness – meaning that our actions will be loving, merciful, forgiving, serving, patient, trustworthy & honest, selfless, etc.).  And since He is infinite in all characteristics there will always be more to learn and know and to put into practice.

So, evidently it isn’t wrong to boast – as long as we boast about a subject that really matters.  And the only thing that EVER matters is God Himself.  It would be nice if our world considered this something to boast about.  But that won’t be happening any time soon.  So make this something you commit to on your own:

1.      Ask God to reveal Himself to you and grow to understand your loving Creator in the most intimate way. 

2.      Hunger and thirst to know Him more passionately by striving to be like Him in every way. 

3.      And go ahead and boast about your personal encounters with Him.  This will encourage the others around you to do the same. And then, what a wonderful would this will be.

Doug

The Power of God’s Word

What would you consider to be the most powerful thing in the world?  Is it a Mack truck?  How about the atom bomb?  How about the AIDS virus, or a volcano blast, or an earthquake, or a tsunami?  While I would agree with you on the awesome magnitude of all of these things, I have to say that I know of something that is much stronger than all-of-the-above put together.  The most powerful thing in the world is . . . words.

Spoken or written, the things we say have a powerful impact.  Words can build or destroy.  They can send nations to war or ensure peace.  They can make others into enemies or friends.  They can condemn or save.  It all depends on how we use them (James 3:3-12).

It is no wonder, then, that God chose words to reveal Himself and His laws to man.  The Bible, rightly called God’s Word, is a storehouse of absolute power.  In it we learn from God Himself how the universe came into being, why we were created and how God has brought about our redemption from sin (and many other pertinent things).  And though many people refuse to listen to God’s Word, the basic principles for proper living which are contained in its pages cannot be improved upon or substituted without serious consequences. 

Yet many people never enjoy the tremendous power of God’s Word that is right within their grasp.  Even those who have learned and read it most of their lives are still defeated by Satan’s distractions and distortions.  Why is that?  Because just knowing what God says is not enough; the power of God’s Word is in its application to our everyday lives (James 1:22). 

The Gospel has the power of salvation (Romans 1:16), but only when it is obeyed. 

God’s Spirit helps us through our trials with life (Romans 8:31), but only when we humble                      ourselves and follow Him completely. 

His “Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105), but only when I                         willingly live according to its principles.

Our world is falling apart because people think they can improve upon God’s Word or because they no longer think it is useful.  What they fail to realize is that you can’t improve upon perfection.  And the only thing in the universe that is continually being proved true and perfect is the Word of God; the power to live life to its fullest.

Get to know God and His Word.  Make it a daily part of your life.  Practice its principles and share them with others.  In doing so, it His Word will provide the power needed to make your life truly successful (Joshua 1:7).

Doug

Tested by God

            “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”                            Psalm 139:23-24

            That was a v-e-r-y dangerous request that David made. What was he thinking? Did he really want God to look so closely at his life (not like God knew everything about him intimately already)? Did he really want his offenses (sins) pointed out to him? The answers to all of these are, “Yes” he did. His faith was strong enough for him to realize (1) that God was going to be merciful and kind, not condescending and demeaning, (2) that sin is truly evil and toxic to true happiness and contentment, and (3) that he would never be free spiritually as long his sins remained unrecognized and unanswered for. Check out David’s Psalms of repentance (32, 51) and note how stressed and ashamed he was before dealing with his sin, and how relieved and tranquil he was after facing and dealing with them.

            This request to be tested by God is really only dangerous when our faith is weak or when we really don’t want to deal with our sin and be rid of it. Or even if we refuse to come to grips with how damaging and destructive our misdeeds are to our longevity and happiness. The person that is striving to walk by faith and fulfill the divine purpose God created him/her for knows that success is only possible when all obstacles and hindrances are overcome and avoided. Until that happens, we will constantly be dogged and defeated by our shame and guilt, and life will just seem to be filled with challenges, annoyances, problems, difficulties, and worries.

            So then, David’s sentiment in this Psalm is the very medicine our sick soul needs to be healed. Just like a doctor must help us find and eradicate the tumors or viruses that are making us ill, God’s Spirit within us is helping us to discover, define, and remove the sins, harmful attitudes, greedy thoughts, misguided goals, and all other ungodly behaviors so that we can begin to heal spiritually. Because, you see, until we are aware of all sin, especially “secret” sin, we won’t be able to be rid of any of it and it will continue to spring up and haunt and defeat us (and usually at the most inopportune times).

            It is mandatory therefore that we are open and available at all times to be tested by God. Allow Him to search your heart diligently and carefully and to know your anxious thoughts so He can make you aware of them and help you to disable them. Mature your faith to the point where you are comfortable with The Holy Spirit pointing out your offenses so you can avoid them in the future and continue on the way that leads to everlasting life.

            God wants you to understand that you will never be really free and truly alive until ALL sin is done away with – completely.

Doug

Perseverance in Bad Times

            “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”                               Romans 5:3-5

            Take note of a very important biblical truth: God is not pleased with our suffering.  He takes no pleasure in our heartaches, sorrows and disappointments.  He has claimed to use these at times to cause us to refocus our priorities (Amos 4:6-11).  But not all bad things that happen are God’s attempt to wake us up spiritually or to punish us for unrepentant sin.  Job’s friends thought this way and received divine retribution for being faulty representatives of YHWH (Job 42:7-8). 

            Bad things happen to all people (godly & ungodly) just because.  Too many times, there just isn’t an explanation for them.  Once sin entered the world, life became difficult and filled with many unpleasant experiences. Yet it doesn’t mean that God has departed from us, nor is He angry with us, nor has He forgotten us.  Instead, He may be using these hardships to exemplify the superiority of faith over our constant desire of needing everything proven to us (2 Cor. 5:7).

            Abraham’s faith motivated him to go through the trouble of leaving his home so he could be a more useful servant for YHWH.  Jacob’s faith helped him overcome the hardships caused by Uncle Laban so he could help establish a new nation for YHWH.  It was faith that helped Joseph put up with his brothers’ hatred and mistreatment so that many years later he would be in the right place at the right time to save the known world from starvation.  Moses’ faith allowed him to be able to tolerate the immature and reckless Israelites for 40 years.  Yes, God could have taken these bad times away, but consider how much better off the world has been with their example of faith, perseverance, integrity and desire to be with God.  They saw their sufferings as opportunities to grow their faith, survive Satan’s onslaughts and take hold of God’s promise of eternal life (as Paul says in the passage above).

            So, instead of getting frustrated and questioning, consider the following possibilities for why God allows bad times in your life:

                        It may take some time for your prayer(s) to be answered.

                                    Things are being put into place, so keep on keeping on until then.

                        You may not yet be ready for what you will be facing next.

                                    Extra training may be needed so you can handle what’s ahead.

                        He may be preparing you to help others later on.

                                    Those who have overcome a crisis are the best at helping others succeed.

                        Others have free-will too; God doesn’t force them to be good, loving or helpful.   

                                    Your perseverance may be what’s needed to encourage them to change.

            In all of this keep in mind that the answer(s) will not be easy, exciting or even wanted.  Building faith through perseverance will take every ounce of energy you can muster.  Growing to be like Jesus isn’t for the faint of heart.  But take courage in this: “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).  And since He only wants you to succeed (Jeremiah 29:11), have the fortitude and courage to face the challenges that come your way and determine to make the most of every opportunity (good or bad) to be more like Him.

Doug

Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

Job was truly a remarkable man.  God even says so (Job 1:1, 8 & 2:3).  After losing every kind of blessing (including his health), he refused to whine, complain or blame God.  Even when his wife and friends turned against him he retained his faith.

The book of Job stands out among all of the biblical writings as much for what it says as for what it doesn’t say.  Job’s reply to the tragedies he endured is still relevant for us today – if we take his attitude to heart and imitate his example of faith (see 1:21).

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,”

We are dependent upon God for every need in life.

“And naked I shall depart.”

When we leave this life, we only take our integrity and character with us.

“The LORD gave”

Everything we have in this life is a gift and blessing; not a right – God owes us nothing!

“And the LORD has taken away;”

            Since everything belongs to Him, He has the right to do with it all as He pleases.

“Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

            Our relationship with God is to be our first priority in all things.

            The questions posed in this book still cause problems for us today.  Fortunately in the New Testament age we benefit from God’s answer to this issue.  Why do the righteous suffer?  Just look at Christ on the cross and see the suffering of the only really innocent person.  Can our troubles, trials and sufferings compare with what He endured at Calvary?  In His sufferings we see a God who cares so much for us that He willingly bore the whole stinking mass of human sin and suffering.  For it is in Jesus Christ that the greatest sufferings this world can experience (betrayal, torture and death) provide us with the ultimate blessings (forgiveness of sin and the gift of God’s continual presence - Acts 2:38).

            So the next time you’re tempted to blame God and ask, “Why?” remember Job and his refusal to be separated from the God who promises to be with you through it all.  He desires to bless you beyond all belief, but that can only happen when we actively distance ourselves from the sin that is destroying our souls. Keep in mind the mansion He has prepared for you in the next life that will be free from all of the evils in this life and be in the practice of understanding all that is implicit in Job’s insight: “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Doug