Paul Got Annoyed

In Acts, chapter 16, we read the following story:

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.

Was it not true what the woman was saying? And why wouldn't Paul like another member of the entourage?

A couple observations.

1. Being this woman had some type of spirit in her, the way in which she was proclaiming the truth was probably with a tinge of spitefulness. Not of glad or happy proclamation - but more likely of vindictiveness.
2. Everyone has their "limits" of tolerance. We read that Paul had been putting up with this woman for two days! Can you imagine that? Perhaps what is most amazing is that he put up with it for that long! It was right that Paul finally said, "enough" - and freed the woman.

What can be learned from this episode in the life of Paul? One key point is the name of Jesus Christ has great power. Use it and proclaim it. Another point is that how we speak truth matters greatly. To tell someone that the result of not believing in Christ will result in an eternity in darkness, with pride and spite in our voices will not be received as truth. It will be perceived as hate.

Lord, help us with broken-hearts proclaim your truths - knowing full well that we are benefactors of your grace and not proprietors of it.

7 Things God Has Saved Me From

Abraham Piper recently wrote a great little list of "10 things we don't mention in worship songs - but that I'm happy God saved me from".

I thought I would do my own:

1. Myself
2. Drugs and alcohol use
3. Teenage fatherhood
4. Good looks
5. Being very popular
6. Being wealthy
7. Belief in another religion

Is this God's Punishment?

A good - balanced response to the recent catastrophies.

On this Age of Skepticism

Tim Keller, author of The Reason for God, gives an important and effective talk on skepticism and belief.

HT: Steve McCoy

Reverse Slam

At a recent church meeting, two men were being voted on to fill an open deacon position. Ballots were issued to the 27 members of the church and very soon after, counted.

"The vote has been tallied, and we have 13 votes for Harold - and 14 for Howard. Close one!"

Howard made his way to the front of the church and faced the congregation.

"I know that we are in a political season right now and there is a lot of slamming of candidates and mud-slinging. Well, I want to do a reverse slam. I want you all to honor Harold. He is truly a man of God. And, he loves you all. Thanks."

Lord, please give us a heart of graciousness when we experience triumph and when we experience loss. Make us humble, and contrite - knowing that all has come from your hand.

Lincoln: A Humble Instrument

In his 1863 "Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day", Abraham Lincoln asserted that American's had taken for granted God's kindness: "We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own".

Marvin Olasky writes in his article "Pilgrim Politician" (WORLD, Feb 9/16, 2008), that this proclamation "applied the Old Testament pattern - God's faithfulness, man's forgetfulness, God's discipline - to a new people who had become [to quote Lincoln] 'too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.'"

Lord, help us to not become too proud or deceieved that we could presume you never existed.

Only With God Can We See

"God is like the sun; you cannot look at it, but without it, you cannot look at anything else."

G.K. Chesterton

The Fixed Point

Apologist Ravi Zacharias tells this story of a woman who was in her car, stuck in traffic. Bored, the woman looks down and begins reading a newspaper. In no time at all - and out of the corner of her eye - she senses that her car is moving...or, is it the car next to her that is moving? She looks up, disillusioned, and quickly focuses her attention to a light post on the sidewalk - a fixed point. She orientates herself and soon realizes it is the other car which is moving. She sighs, in relief.

When we are at a loss - and we do not know where truth is to be found, or even if it can be found - we must set our focus on Jesus. When chaos surrounds us, and "truth" is no where in sight, Jesus shines brightly. Only He can make a clearing where there is only darkness and fog.

Christ is the compass for a lost world.

Thank you Lord for lighting the way - and showing us Truth.

To Be Commended By God Alone

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, "for it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends."

It is one of the most dire temptations we face as christians (let alone, citizens of this world): wanting to receive approval of man over and above the approval of our Father in heaven.

We too often see what praise "gives" to another person. Getting the attention and admiration of others, can land you in the White House, get you a better job, grant you more book sales, or make you popular. The desire for acceptance is a powerful drug and creates unwitting addicts.

Its side effects are real. Compromise. Lack of courage. Pride.

In Christ, we see One who primarily sought to please His Father, by his unashamed ability to confront sinners when others would have wilted - and love sinners would others would have hated. In Jesus, we find our ultimate example of one whom the Lord commended.

"Let us therefore, leaving off all other things, aim exclusively at this --- that we may be approved by God and may be satisfied to have His approbation alone, as it justly ought to be regarded by us as of more value than all the applauses of the whole world." John Calvin

Trusting in the Creator - in all Things

Here's an amazing video of one man who has every reason to hate and distrust God - but has a sweet trust in his Savior.

HT: RO

A Hate for God

The man had lived much of his life in a dutiful devotion to God; attending church, helping out at Sunday School, participating in other outside church activities and outreaches. By all outward appearances, his was a life to be modeled.

So it came as a big surprise to all, when - after years of dutiful submission - his life became a trainwreck as he dived into a waste-pit of sin.

Graciously, God did not allow this man to live very long as a slave. He was eventually pulled out of the mud - more needy, and free.

Asked why he plunged into a life of sin the restored and now broken man said, "I had lived my whole life for God, as if He needed me. I thought that if I did enough for God, He would in turn keep my life safe, but stay out of my way. It finally all came to a head after years of bitter disappointment in God for not meeting my expectations and for never having received 'proper' repayment of my 'dutiful' acts. I had finally come to the conclusion that I hated God - and I'd had enough."

Such is the predicament for many dutiful Christians who flip their relationship with the Lord into a transaction, as if the Lord could be bought and manipulated to serve their purposes.

We would do well to remember that it was our Lord and Savior who has done all the needed transactions and we remain - and forever will remain - the beneficiaries of them. We will never repay the Lord. Nor should we try. Our Christian lives will be lived well in a spirit of brokenness and thankfulness to the Giver. Always in thanksgiving for what He did on our behalf, rescuing us from a sure death. With that in view and with our hearts filled to overflowing in thanksgiving, we rejoice, giving praise to our Father - not out of duty - but out of broken-hearted sorrow and joyful submission to our King.

Who has ever given to God, that He should repay him?...for from Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. Lord, help us to keep our relationship with you always on the receiving end of your mercy and love. Your ways are altogether right and true. Your purposes more wise and sure than ours could ever hope to be. Lord, we are your children, desperately in need of You.

Why We Trust in Bridges

When was the last time you tried to find out if the bridge you are about to cross is structurally sound? Or, for that matter, asked to speak with its builders - to find out if they are trustworthy? Or, tried to find out the last time it had been inspected? Or tuned? (yes, bridges get "tuned")

Why do we put such blind faith in a structure that is so important?

I might assume that most people wouldn't consider their faith in a bridge to be blind. Many would likely give the following reasons for their confidence:

"It has always been there"

"It appears strong"

"It held me the last time I went over it"

"Bridges rarely collapse"

All of these reasons, are experiential. Through repeated use and observation, a bridge proves its faithfulness.

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In many respects, Jesus too has proven his trustworthiness.

History presents all men and women everywhere with the personhood of Jesus Christ. We all are witnesses to Christ in the way the Bible speaks of his glory and life of Truth. Never has a life been lived like this one. There is something so intrinsically truthful and real about His life that it beckons us to follow and trust.

Lord, help our unbelieving hearts trust in you alone. Jesus, you are the atoning sacrifice that gives us access to your kingdom and prescence. It is through you alone we have a hope. You are the bridge over which - and in which we cross for sweet fellowship. You took the initiative. Thank you.

True Story of Redemption

Here's a great story of redemption.

HT: DO

We Must Suffer

Writer and pastor, Dr. John Piper once told his parishoners (quoting a friend), "I have never learned anything about trusting God from the easy times, only from hard times."

The mark of a freed christian is that he has come to the realization that it is not him who governs, or is soveriegn, or all-powerful. He has been brought low by the sweetness of purifying suffering and pain. He realizes that the void and want is large and profound within his soul and it cannot (and has not) been filled by anything in the world. All things and persons he has enjoyed only serve as echos to that void and cry out for something more meaningful, and more lasting.

It is the true mark of a christian when - at last - he has come to the end of the road (himself) and says, "I'm threw with self-love, man-worshipping and idols - none have satisfied. Give me God."

It is not surprising that the freed person in Christ has been brought to this realization through trial, pain or shortcoming. Suffering seems to be the most poignant reminder to our prideful hearts that we are not as "in control" and worthy of worship as our souls have led us to believe. The biggest killer of us all is not heart disease, but pride.

Pride has a hard time maintaining its hold in our lives, when we are humbled. When, we lose a loved one. When we see the hated and scorned, turn on their perpetrators with love. When we experience a great fall, having risen so high. And when our "functional saviors" fail us, once again.

Lord, help us not to rebuke the sufferings you have ordained for us. But, help us to learn to lean more on you - and to depend on the one who will deliver us one day from all pain; and will turn all sadness into deep, void-filling joy.

Crying for the Lost

John Fischer writes a great article about the life/ministry of Francis Schaeffer and his "legacy of tears".

Lord, help us to weep for the lost. And then, move us to action, to help bring the blind to sight.

The Rightness of God's Judgment

In his second inaugural address to the nation, Abraham Lincoln had the following words for his fellow countrymen - who were just coming out of a bloody and fierce Civil War:

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

Pretty shocking stuff, coming from the President of the United States. In essence, Lincoln was assuming in his speech that the Civil War was a punishment to its people for treating one another as "less than" - or unequal.

Lincoln knew the ugliness and vileness inherent in keeping another man in forced subjection. And how it violated the very nature of goodwill and benevolence which should be attributed to all men and woman; black/white/yellow/brown. He knew too - that God would not stand for such evil. And, went as far as to proclaim the war which ensued over its "rightness" as a judgment handed down from God to redeem the wrong which had been done.

Lord, help us to see your judgments as "altogether true and righteous". That may times your judgments - which seem harsh on the onset - end up redeeming and making things new again. You are the Great Redeemer!

Only God is Big Enough

There is a story which originated from G.K. Chesterton that told of a father and his three children, ages 3, 6 and 9.

One night, as he was going room-to-room putting his kids to bed, he told each - the same story.

"...and then, I got up and walked to the door.." said the father, finishing up the tale to his 3-year-old.

The boy's eyes were large and his mouth wide open.

He finished up the story - and then walked into his 6-year-old daughter's room.

"...and then, I got up and walked to the door.."

The girls eyes were intently fixed on her father.

"..and opened it..."

"Oh no! Watch out!" the daughter exclaimed, terrified.

He finished the story, tucked his daughter in bed and shut off the lights.

Lastly, the father walked into his 9-year-olds bedroom and began to weave his tale.

"...and then, I got up and walked to the door...and opened it..."

The boy smiled.

"...and behind the door...was...a lion!"

The boy's eye lit up and his jaw dropped.

"Oh, wow!" he exclaimed.

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Chesterton's aim of relaying this story was to make an important point: as we get older, our heart seems to need bigger and bigger things to fill it. No longer is it just fulfilled with the big blue ball rolling on the ground. It longs for something more profound.

Our hearts were made to be in awe. And the only thing big enough to fill them is God.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" May we find our joy in seeking Your endless depths and riches! Only You are big enough to fill our deepest longings, O God!

Freedom as a Covering for Evil

Peter writes in his first letter of the Bible, "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil.."

Peter recognized that some free men would use their newfound freedom in Christ as a contriving tool for sin.

Paul too writes about freedom obtained through Christ. In Romans, he writes that many might use their freedom as a means to sin and obtain even more grace (but objected by saying, "let it not be so!")

Both Paul and Peter knew full well, of the endless appetite of the heart toward evil.

Freedom in Christ does not give the Christian a license to self-gratify - but to sacrifice self for the good of others.

Freedom in Christ does not give warrant to more self-love but to more radical love of others.

Freedom in Christ does not provide cover for secret sins - but pushes for the expulsion of evil in the heart and a drive for the pursuit of righteousness.

Let our lives echo Peter's words, "that by doing right, [we] may silence the ignorance of foolish men."

Lord, help us to live as free men. Free men who love and pursue righteousness. Who expose the evil that lies beneath - for the glory of your name - that none should stumble or be "lied to" by our lives lived out for you.

10 Years After

Yesterday, was the tenth anniversary of my father's death. It's amazing to think on, because it seemed like it was that - just yesterday.

When I think back about dad - I am filled with precious memories and things that I will take with me for as long as I have memory.

I find it odd, some of the things that come to mind when I think of him...

The way in which he would sit at the kitchen table, off to the side, legs crossed. How he'd wear his pants, hitched way up past his belly. The Hush Puppies. The towel around the neck in the summertime, collar flipped up. His teethy grin. The odd manner in which he would swing a golf club.

What I cherish most - and what I hold on to most is the way in which he lived his life. His was one of peace and diplomacy. His gentle, yet authoritative nature put me at ease. I thought, "if dad is here, everything will be okay."

He lived humbly. He didn't make a lot of money. Didn't seek fame or fortune.

He was devoted to two main things: Jesus first - and family second.

His was not an uncommon life lived amongst the daily grind. Yet there was a peace about him that was uncommon and unwordly.

And, even in his death, that peace endured. On the morning of April 5, 1997, he told my mother, "Jesus is going to take me home today." And so it was fitting that he went to be, where we all belong - back into the arms of our Savior.

Lord, I pray that you were honored in my father's life and death. And, I pray, that you might make all your children shine forth your love and that when we die - your name would be lifted up and not ours.

The Fickle Lover

In a recent magazine article, author/theologian N.T. Wright was asked about the popularity of the Gospel of Judas, which has given rise to an interest in Gnosticism. His response:

"The Gnostic conspiracy theory says that orthodoxy hushed up the really exciting thing and promoted this boring sterile thing with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And of course there's a great lie underneath that. In the second and third centuries, the people being thrown to the lions and burned at the stake and sawed in two were not the ones reading Thomas and Judas and the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary. They were the ones reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Because the empire is perfectly happy with Gnosticism. Gnosticism poses no threat to the empire. Whereas Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do. It's the church's shame that in the last 200 years, the church has muzzled Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and turned them into instruments of a controlling, sterile orthodoxy. But the texts themselves are explosive."

Lord, help me to be satisfied in your explosive, unchanging, foundational - and rock-solid truth. Guard my heart - and seal it. Seal it to thy truth above!