Archive for April, 2023
Then What…
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live….” Deuteronomy 30: 19
Joshua issued this option: “Choose you this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24: 15)
These and other verses confirm one of the greatest blessings God has given human beings is the privilege of choice. It must be kept in mind that choices have consequences. Not facing the consequences has consequences.
From the scientific world comes this confirmation. Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states: “For every action there is a reaction.”
A question serving as a sentinel guarding our thoughts and actions is: Then what…
If I do or say this what will be the result. Not only how will it affect me, but those around me as well. Then what… should guard our reasoning.
You are free to make your choices, but you are not free to choose the consequences of that choice. In making a decision, always anticipate the consequences.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
Consequences are outcomes, either negative or positive, of our actions. There are always consequences to our actions or lack of action. Alfred Montepart, an American engineer, philosopher, and author said: “Nobody ever did or will escape the consequences of his choices.”
From antiquity Job speaks: “As I have observed those who plough evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8)
Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Then what….
Bridle your impulses, it is they that often gets us into our greatest difficulties.
Start at the root of an action to determine the fruit of an action. Had David controlled his impulses when he first lusted over Bathsheba five lives could have been spared and his character not been impugned.
It is important that though conduct has irreversible consequence contrition should prompt efforts of ameliorate the influence by:
First, accept the blame and acknowledge you deserve it. Don’t try to blame anything or anybody. Deal with the issue as soon as possible. Validate the feelings of others and apologize.
With a contrite spirit seek God’s pardon and avow your renewed commitment. Thereafter, seek His guidance in decision making.
A Farmer’s Life
“The hard-working farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit.” II Timothy 2:6
Metaphors are used throughout the Bible to aid our understanding. Athletic metaphors are favorites in the Epistles. The world of athletics is often used to illustrate the Christian life. Mention is made of track and field (1 Corinthians 9:12), boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26), and wrestling (Ephesians 6:12).
One with much meaning that is rarely mentioned is the farmer. The farmer is used as an illustration of a good Christian. Having been reared on a family farm in an agrarian society, and having a degree in horticulture, I know a bit about farming. Consider some similarities between a farmer’s life and that of your life as a commendable Christian life.
A farmer (Christian) knows that occasional failure is inevitable. Regardless of how hard and smart he works, forces of nature can work against him causing failure. Still he does not become defeated, he perseveres. Perseverance is listed along with faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in order to avoid being barren and unfruitful. (II Peter 1:5-9)
A farmer (Christians) must have a lot of patience which is definitely needed in order to deal with the surprises that may come his way. He knows what the Bible means “to wait on the Lord.”
A farmer (Christian) must have a passion for and commitment to the work. Some years and seasons are worse than others and require more work. But farmers keep on going and work through the tough times in order to be productive.
A farmer (Christian) must be committed to life-long learning. Things change so fast it is imperative for him to be a continual-learner. Study to show yourself approved unto God.
A farmer (Christian) must be ingenious, creative and adaptable. As a good musician must master the fundamentals before improvising, so a farmer must master the fundamentals of his craft in order to improvise, adapt, and creatively respond to changing circumstances.
A farmer (Christian) must be a problem solver, the challenges are many. A farmer who thinks a constant stage of life will be arrived at presenting no new challenges is in a state of self-deception. New problems needing a solution arise daily. The problems demand creative solutions.
A farmer (Christian) must be a good time manager. Deferred action can result in crop loss.
A farmer (Christian) knows three things: you reap what you sow, you reap later than you sow, and you reap more than you sow. Therefore, sow wisely, that is always consider “What then….” when acting.
When All Shook-up
My wife and I were on the 24th floor of a hotel in San Diego. It was around 2:00 AM when we were awakened by the shaking of the bed and rumbling. It was an earthquake we later learned measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, a numerical scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake on the basis of seismograph oscillations. The more destructive earthquakes typically have magnitudes between about 5.5 and 8.9. Our’s was a big one. If not, I don’t want a bigger one.
Getting up I saw the curtains swaying, felt the floor shake, and looking out saw water sloshing out of the pool. The entire building swayed from side to side. With each sway I thought it is going down with this one. Looking around I saw my wife curled up in the bed. I asked what she was doing. She said she was praying for our grandchildren, and asked what I was doing. I said, “I am praying for the grandchildren’s grandparents.” It was a shaking experience.
I processed what we should do. I knew not to use the elevator and the stairs were too many and risky. I had read if in an earthquake stand in the doorway. It provides the best support. I thought the reason they suggest standing in the doorway was so they could find our bodies more easily.
I kept reminding myself of the biblical principle that when death comes for the believer there is no fear. I had fear so in light of that factor I knew I was not going to die.
The shaking stopped, but I knew to expect subsequent shakes. There were and each one resurrected more uncertainty. It was a long frightful night.
Though things were shaking all around us there was within us a sense of stability. It wasn’t that there was no cause for concern, it was that there was a greater cause for calm. I kept reminding myself of such promises as: “let not your heart be troubled,” and “… He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you…”
I knew that was a forever never with no exception ever, so that meant He was in the midst of the quake.
With the coming of dawn the quakes ceased and calm prevailed. Our experience proved to be a microcosm of life. Daily we have earthquakes that come in a variety of forms, things that tend to shake us up. In our uncertain times of instability He is with us. That does not mean things will always be alright, but it does mean we will always be alright in life or death.
Stability for unstable times must be cultivated in stable times. Cultivate a personal culture of being aware of His presence in all things. Anchor your soul in the fact “…He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you…”
There is a line from an ageless hymn, “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” It is a daily ongoing personal relationship. Whether you feel like it or not He is there. Live by facts, not feelings.
On Being Strong
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” II Timothy 2: 1 & 3
Who are we that we should think that we alone should be exempt from hardship? Everyone, repeat everyone, experiences them. No one wants them and everyone would like to avoid them. Yet, God allows all of us to experience them. Therefore, there must be some lesson disguised in each. Often the reason why isn’t answered until some time later. The time of waiting on the Lord for the answer often draws us closer to the Lord than the actual answer.
In seeking an answer be sure you are asking the right question. Instead of “why” consider asking “how.” That is, “Lord, now that this has happened how can it make me more like you?”
Twenty-five times in this one Bible Book we are encouraged to be strong and to continue in the strength of Jesus, not give up. That hints in itself that the warfare believers are in is intimidating.
Persons tempted to give up need to be mindful that conditions in Satan’s POW camp are not pleasant.
We, like Timothy, are exhorted to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. We must stir up ourselves to do it, and strengthen ourselves for it. Being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of grace. As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger and stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love for Jesus stronger. This must be understood in opposition to our being strong in our own strength: “Be strong, not confiding in your own sufficiency, but in the grace that is in Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 3: 5) “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6: 10) When Peter promised to die for Jesus rather than deny Him he was strong in his own strength. Had he been strong in the grace that is in Jesus, he would have kept his commitment later after Jesus’ arrest when he denied Him three times.
It is said, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength… those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:29, 30) Count on it and claim the promise.
His strength is not promised to the passive. It is given to the persistent combatant.
Be strengthened by reminding yourself, “I am a child of the King. I have the love and strength provided by my Lord. Therefore, I await your command to charge.”
“Endure hardship as a good soldier.”
A good soldier always obeys his commander.
The Five Jesuses I Have Known
My good friend, Leonard E. LeSourd, long time Executive Editor of Guidepost Magazine, introduced to the five Jesus’ he had known. The title confused me at first. Then he explained how one’s understanding of Jesus changes as they grow spiritually.
The first Jesus was the one with a pale anemic face as depicted on the wall in Sunday School. He believed in God, went to church, and was a perfunctory Christian. Apart from church He was given little thought.
The second Jesus was the historical Jesus he learned of in college. He was easy to take a comfortable position toward. He was a historical figure set far from the mainstream of life. He joined the intellectual crowd who in chorus said, “Jesus was a good man, a great teacher, but you have to be cautious about those myths and fairy tales.” Having such a view of Him prevents one from being considered a fanatic.
The third Jesus he drifted to was Jesus the teacher. In the process of applying for a job he encountered spiritually mature people with a faith he admired. A salesman said to him, “Jesus is the greatest teacher, and there is practical value for us in the gospels for us today.” He grew to consider Jesus as a good psychologist. He understood people. All this was fine as far as it went. Unfortunately his interest was not in what He was and is, but what He could do for him.
The fourth Jesus emerged after college when a fellowship group introduced him to Jesus the person. He wandered into a church and eventually their activities. To them Jesus was more than a teacher, He was a man of adventure. He thought what an adventure it must have been for the apostles to follow such a man.
The fifth and most meaningful Jesus was the indwelling Jesus. On a weekend retreat with peers they began talking about making a personal commitment to Jesus. At first he thought he had already done that in that he believed in God and went to church.
One in the group described how he had made a personal commitment to Jesus as Savior. This made him uneasy because it was a threat to his self-confidence, an emotional faith he had always tried to avoid. Soon he realized it was more than that. Before he left the retreat he knelt and prayed, “Lord I want to give my life to you, and I do so now. Show me how to be a good disciple.”
Life thereafter wasn’t always easy. Some failures and losses followed, but his new found faith supported him. He realized the same power that sustained the apostles in all of their trials was available to him. Thus, he began his faith walk.
With which of the five Jesus’ are you most familiar? Don’t stop growing until you are confidentially familiar with the fifth Jesus.