Preparation for Life Beyond the Stone

Job 7:16; 10:20; 13:15 & 16

Jesus wants to enable you to avoid the empty life syndrome. He wants to energize you and enable you to live the abundant life. That is, He wants to fill your life with purpose as only He can. 

When the world wants to trash you, He wants to renew you.

Even if you feel as though you are walking down psychopath, in the shade of psychiatry, on your way to psycottage, He can revitalize you.

When life turns bitter and meaning is lost, Jesus ambitiously awaits you to offer guidance to a brighter future. 

Do you have a high view of what it means to live?

In the Old Testament, the oldest book in the Bible, Job, chronicles the mental pilgrimage of a man who evaluated life at three stages. His life became a bundle of big burdens. He became a mere miserable shadow of his one-time greatness and opulence. Let’s look at those stages and see which represents you.

LIFE IS EMPTY (Job 7:16)

To his detractors who came to visit. Job cried out: “I loathe my life … let me alone.” Life became so bitter he became a classic manic depressive.

William James, the great psychologist and philosopher, wrote:

“Nothing we ever do is in the strict scientific literalness wiped out. Down among your nerve cells and fibers, the molecules are counting it, registering and scoring it up to be used against you when the next temptation comes. Could the young but realize how soon they will become walking bundles of habits. We are spinning our own fates, good or evil. We are imitators and copiers of our past selves.” Don’t try to live on sensual standard time and not expect a clock stoppage.

LIFE IS ENDING (10:20)

Often before we realize the value of time most of it has passed us. Years accelerate as they increase. Job said, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle…”  He had come to realize time flies.

We lose perspective. To us today is always commonplace. It is yesterday that is beautiful. It is tomorrow when all things seem possible.

Scripture appeals to us to “Redeem the time.” (Ephesians 5:16)

LIFE IS ETERNAL (Job 13:15 & 16)

Job eventually got things in their proper perspective and concluded that life was eternal, therefore, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…”

The following timely warning sounds morbid, but it is joyous if you know where you will spend eternity beyond the stone.

“Just think! some night the stars will gleam
Upon a cold, grey stone,
And trace a name with silver beam,
And lo! ‘twill be your own.”

The Night the Curtain Went Up 12/5/99

John 1:1 and 14

JESUS CHRIST is the play. The world is His stage. The drama of scene one occurred in Bethlehem. The purpose is to dramatically reveal the love of God for His universal audience. Simply stated the purpose of what we call Christmas was an expressive effort on behalf of God to demonstrate to you His great love for you. Within that love He offers the way of life, the potential of peace, the release from guilt, the strategy for stability, the hope of happiness and the means for managing your life constructively.

He put a window in the tiny dark dungeon of our ego in which we wallow, letting in light, providing a vista, and offered release from the slavery of our flesh and the fury of our self-will into what one who experienced it, the Apostle Paul, called “the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

If you suffer from servitude to the flesh and tyranny of self-will, I have good news for you.

To all lonely souls who seek a hand to hold, even if all others have been withdrawn, the birth of Christ is special – for you.

Parents make it a point to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas. If you don’t have a nativity in your home make such a priority. If you are a parent and get a lovely valuable one be sure to get another with which the children can play. Use the figures to teach the true Christmas story.

A little girl was helping her mother unpack the nativity set and set it up. As each piece was taken out the mother told who or what it was. The child in excitement reached into the box and pulled out Jesus in the little manger and exclaimed, “and here’s the baby Jesus in His car seat.”

Tell the story like it is!

To more fully understand who it is that loves you and how He wants to relate to you, note John 1:1 and 14.

In John 1, verses 2 through 13, form a parenthesis. Verses 1 and 14 tie together. Each is divided into three sections. Each links with another in the other verse.

I. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD… (VS. 1) AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH (VS. 14)
John chose the Greek word, LOGOS, to help us understand Who was born in Bethlehem. LOGOS is translated “Word”. A word is an expression of ones self, a revelation made, it gives meaning.

This usage is better understood when it is remembered John’s opening passage closely parallels Genesis 1. Each new phase there begins with “and God said.” Each statement was a fuller revelation of God.

To understand the meaning of a word it helps to see how it was used and what it meant at the time of its usage.

Around the time the New Testament was written a philosopher named Philo used the word “Logos” to mean all that is known or knowable about God. Jesus is all that is known and knowable about God.

A word is a concept and an expression of that concept. As the Word Jesus was the very concept of God and by living among us He was the expression of that concept.

In the Orient there is a relatively small church with a high vaulted ceiling. The dimensions are such that to look up and see the magnificent art in the dome depicting the life of Christ one has to strain the neck and look almost straight up. To make it easier for viewers a large circular mirror has been placed on the floor in the center of the rotunda. Visitors can simply walk up to the rail around the mirror and look down into it to see what is above.

That is what God did. We, even by straining, couldn’t see what He was truly like. Therefore, God sent His Son, that we might better see what He is like. In Him we see all that is known or knowable about God.

The use of LOGOS indicates Jesus was the outward revelation of God.

He was the God/man. It is as much of a miracle to see Jesus as God and man as it is to see Mary as virgin and mother.

As man alone, Jesus could not have saved us.
As God alone, He would not save us.
As the incarnate God/man He came to save us.

In Bethlehem God began to spell out the meaning of His nature and love using an alphabet we can understand…
In Him I see all that I should be.
In Him I see all that God is.

“In the beginning…” literally, “Before time began to begin…Jesus was.” We are told there will be a time when time shall be no more. Time was a part of creation.

The Word became flesh. He was in eternity spirit but in time became flesh. To visit the place of His birth in Bethlehem one can pause and realize “Here, right here, the Word became flesh.” That is, to sense God has been in the room. That is where help begins.

I have difficulty comprehending the great God of eternity but I can relate to Him as a baby who became a man who died for me.

She was five, sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity convinced every word was revelation.

She said they were so poor they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat and they went a long way from home without getting lost. The lady rode a donkey, the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass (hee-hee) but the Three Rich Men found them because a star lited the roof. Shepherds came and you could pet the sheep but not feed them. Then the baby was borned. And do you know who he was? Her quarter eyes inflated to silver dollars. The baby was God.

And she jumped in the air whirled round, dove into the sofa and buried her head under the cushion which is the only proper response to the Good News of the Incarnation.

II. THE WORD WAS WITH GOD (VS. 1) AND DWELT AMONG US (VS. 14)
There is a literal translation of this portion of Vs. 14 which states: “and came and pitched His tent among us…” or “He tabernacled among us.”

To understand this go again to the Old Testament. The tabernacle in the Old Testament is referred to as “the Tabernacle of witness”, that is, testimony: and “the tabernacle (tent) of the congregation,” that is, “the tabernacle (tent) of meeting.”

The first expression related to the place where God gave testimony. The second refers to the place where God and man met. Thus, Jesus is the place where God and man meet, where God gives testimony.

WITH translates a Greek word signifying equality. Literally, “the word was face to face with God,” or the Word was eye to eye with God, as thought they looked upon each other as equals.

III. THE WORD WAS GOD (VS. 1) FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH (VS. 14)
In the Greek text “God” is in the emphatic position. Thus, it read “God and was the Word.” In English we would gain the same meaning by saying, “And the Word (Jesus) was God Himself.” WAS once again stresses His eternality. A legitimate question is posed by the statements: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” How could He be God and be with God. One, “with”, stresses His position. The other “was” emphasizing His character or essence.

He was God. His essence was God. That was His character. His very being was that of a divine nature.

He was “with” God the Father and God the Holy Spirit positionally.

Full of Grace and Truth.
Grace = gentleness, tenderness, pity, beauty.
Truth = having lips that could pronounce a blessing but also a “woe”. Truth has muscles when acting against tyranny, selfishness, all sin.

In appealing to you to make a public commitment to Christ I want to share with you something of the way He made Himself vulnerable in His commitment to you.

Christ’s coming to earth in infant form meant He was entrusting Himself to the response of two rural teenagers named Mary and Joseph.

That involved Joseph enduring the hot shame of his betrothed being ridiculed for being pregnant out of wedlock. The law required him to put her to death. Love compelled him to believe her story about an angel messenger and the infant being miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit.

That involved Mary exposing herself to the ridicule and whisper campaigns regarding her changing anatomy. Knowing of her potential execution she faced the hostile crowd. She did so with confidence. The first thing she did was go visit her cousin Elizabeth who was married to the high priest. He was the very one who would command her execution. She was so committed and so confident of God’s protection she walked right into the jaws of potential death to tell her story.

At the time the angel announced to Mary that she was to give birth to the Messiah she sang praise to the Lord which is recorded in Scripture and called the Magnificat. What do you suppose she thought of her militant Magnificat when isolated and insulted in Nazareth? She believed in her soon to be born child so fully no price was to great to be committed to Him publicly.

Jesus submitted Himself to unimaginable ridicule. When the Son of God became a human being He played by the rules, the harsh rules. Folks in small towns like Nazareth did not treat kindly young boys who grew up with questionable parents. From His infancy and lasting all of His life He exposed Himself to ridicule, derision, sarcasm, and mocking in order to rescue us from sin.

Now won’t you, at whatever expense it might be to you, make public your commitment to Him?

There is a series of new books called “personalized books.” You can have yourself written into the story. The Christmas story is a personalized one. You actually make your own ending to the story depending upon your response to Christ. As nativities are often boxed and stored much of the year you can keep Him boxed in between Thanksgiving and New Year in His cradle forever. Or you can let the story develop to include His life, death, resurrection, and second coming. Include in this drama of life your response to Him as your personalized ending to the story.

A Lifelong Faith Walk

Psalms  27

Jesus wants to enable you to stretch yourself spiritually and expand the circumference of your faith. 

On His earth walk He greatly admired faith. After a woman had exercised admirable faith, He said to her. . . .

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”  (Luke 7:50)

Genuine faith begins when a person finally acknowledges “I’m not God,”  and happily acknowledges God is God, and submits to Him.

Such faith is assuring, insuring, and enduring.

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.

Faith helps us walk fearlessly, run confidently, and live victoriously.

Faith is the basis of life. Some people think it is a sign of weakness. It is rather an indication of strength. Thomas Edison said he never conducted an experiment that did not begin with faith.  

Have you ever driven on one of America’s freeways in a major metropolitan area at peak driving time?  You have faith.

Have you ever gone shopping when there is a mall-wide sale?  You have faith.

Have your ever gone on a date, taken a mate, driven in the rain, flown on a plane, bought or sold an item on credit? You have faith.

Have you ever eaten in a fast-food outlet where you don’t even know the cook, see its preparation, or know its source? You have faith.

Have you ever gone to a doctor you didn’t know, been given a prescription you couldn’t read, taken it to a pharmacist you couldn’t see, and taken the medicine provided?  You have faith.

Faith has many sophisticated definitions. However, faith is merely confidence in God’s character. Write it down, that’s a good one.

In our uncertain times stabilizing faith is needed. An uncertain economy and political instability coupled with all your personal challenges makes a strong faith all the more important.

Faith gives us the courage to face the present with confidence, and the future with expectancy.

All productive faith is based on the foundational faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. It is simply believing He will keep His word and forgive you if you ask Him to, and commit yourself to Him as your Master. Thus begins your faith walk toward Calvary. It is a confident and joyous journey with peaks and valleys through which He will guide you. Have faith in His character and venture.

A Balanced Life

“And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52

In Philippians 2, we learn that when Jesus Christ came in the flesh, He emptied himself of some of what it means to be God. He did not ever become less than God. He was always fully God. But when He came in the flesh, He wanted to fully understand what it was like to be human, and so He had to give up certain aspects that would interfere with being human. He used His ability to perform miracles and help others, but He never used His God nature for Himself.

There are very few theological ideas which have been discussed and debated more, and yet are still misunderstood. Just know that whether we understand it or not, Jesus did grow up just as we do. He developed just as we do. He experienced life just as we do. 

Intellectually – the child grew in “wisdom.”

Jesus grew, according to verse Luke 2:40, in wisdom. He was filled with wisdom, it says. You know, wisdom is different from knowledge. Wisdom is applied knowledge. But before you can acquire wisdom, you must have knowledge. So as Jesus developed in His wisdom, He also developed in His knowledge.

85% of a child’s character is developed in the first 5 years of life – no better way to start them out than with the Bible. 

Physically – the child grew in “stature”

There are very few theological ideas which have been discussed and debated more, and yet are still misunderstood. Just know that whether we understand it or not, Jesus did grow up just as we do. He developed just as we do. He experienced life just as we do. Yet in it all, He was without sin.

Spiritually – the child grew in “favor with God”

Jesus, although He was the Son of God, was also human, and so He had to learn the Bible, and learn theology, and learn obedience just like we do. Jesus was fully human, just like we are, and a big part of being human is theology.

Aspire to live a Spirit filled life. Seek God’s favor in all you do.

Socially – the child grew in “favor with men”

Etiquette is more than fussy rules laid down by stuffy people; etiquette is the oil that lubricates society and reduces the friction of interpersonal relationships. This is a critical part of growing up. Jesus knew how to conduct Himself in various social settings.

Now to measure how balanced your growth is, envision a square: the top side is spiritually, the right side is physically, the bottom is socially, the left side is intellectually. Are all four sides equal or is your development out of balance? Beginning now, ask the Lord to help you live a balanced life. Devote proportionate time to developing each. Evaluate yourself often in order to make adjustments. Square up.

How Many Contented People Do You Know? 2/7/99

How Many Contented People Do You Know?
Do People Who Know You Know One?

Philippians 4:11-13
(Page 1718 Come Alive Bible)

JESUS CHRIST spoke often of qualities that produce contentment in life. He typified by His very life this desirable quality of contentment.

I. REPRESSION IS A REALITY
“WANT” is the word he used in the King James. It meant “need” or even “destitution” or “privation.” This need is described as being found in every circumstance possible. Paul described it as:

ABASED – ranked below another or to be brought low. Meager existence, humbling circumstances, or even abuse. Do you think it is hard to be content in such circumstances? Consider the other extreme.

ABOUND – to have more than abundance, to overflow. Some think it evil to have POSSESSION, POSITION, OR POWER. Some even suggest such assets should be given up or forsaken. It is much more challenging and demanding to have such, use it properly, and maintain a Christlike spirit than to give it up. In things GRAND and GRIEVOUS, Paul had contentment. These things often come in swift succession and thus further challenge contentment.

That is, those who have much and suddenly lose it are shocked. Those who suddenly obtain great wealth find themselves bewildered over how to control it without it controlling them.

In PROSPERITY and PRIVATION we can be content.

Our Lord may be laying at the door of the Christian community one of the greatest witnessing opportunities of our generation. Few things have caused broader concern and near panic than rumors circulating regarding the Y2K scare.

Attitudinal extremes exist regarding Y2K.
What is it?
I am sick and tired of hearing about it.
It will result in starvation, riots, anarchy, and martial law. It is God’s forthcoming judgement of America.

Can you be content in either case?

Members of the Christian community need at all times to be practical. It is always good to be prepared but never panicky. It is good to have reserves but not hoard. It is always good to have your house in order but not frightened.

Every household at all times should have an orderly file of hard copies of vital documents, such as, birth and marriage certificates, title deeds, bank balance, and inventory of items in a safety deposit box, etc.

Most folks keep a few days supply of food in the house. I say most because I went to the home of a former staff member who was having a party. He had misplaced something and asked me to look in the refrigerator to see if it was there. Upon opening the fridge I was amazed he didn’t know it wasn’t there. There was one item in the fridge —- a can of lighter fluid. Why lighter fluid?

With the approach of Y2K it would not be impractical to have a few extra days food on hand in the event there is a glitch that impacts for a few days.

There was a day when Y2K panic might have had a basis. About two years ago when the public first became aware of it things were far behind and looking gloomy. The concern expressed at that time was appropriate. Most of the panic of today is being fanned by data that is two or more years old. Much has been done to rectify that cause for concern. That extreme concern has motivated action to minimize the inconvenience.

Don’t pull yesterday’s clouds over today’s sun.

II. THE RIGHT RESPONSE
Paul said he had “learned” to be content. Have we? Do we evidence our discontent? Have you noticed a variety of bumper stickers stating, “I’d rather be…”. We evidence that we believe contentment is found in these things and circumstances.

Incidentally, be careful what bumper sticker you use. A car stopped at a traffic light was rear ended. The two drivers got out and a heated argument resulted. One driver said, “I really felt like running into someone today to vent my frustrations, and your bumper sticker has given me the right to crash into your car.”

It read: “If it feels good, do it!”

The “I’d rather be…” bumper stickers indicate a desire to change our status.

There once was a canary and a goldfish who were very good friends. They lived close to each other. One hot summer day as they talked the goldfish heard the canary singing and said, “I wish I lived in such a nice open cage and could sing like you.” The canary said, “I wish I lived in such a nice bowl filled with cool water.” Suddenly, they were transposed – the fish to the cage and the canary to the bowl of water. That which they each thought would bring contentment immediately became life threatening.

There once was a boy who wanted a marble. When he got it he desired a ball. Upon receiving it he wished for a top. He then craved a kite. With none or all, was he content?

There once was an adult who wanted money. Upon getting it there was an immediate desire for a sports car. When it was obtained, a desire for land developed. Next a craving for a house became prominent. With none, came contentment.

Trying to find contentment through external things is like trying to carry water in a sieve. It does not come from externals. Can your thirst be satisfied more from drinking from a silver chalice or a paper cup?

What are the potential reactions to repressive circumstances?

A. BITTERNESS – Martha became bitter toward Mary because she sat the feet of Jesus and learned while she served.

B. DEPRESSION – The Psalmist (102:7) spoke of himself as being like “a sparrow upon the house top.” He felt isolated and depressed because of circumstances.

C. SELFISHNESS – Elijah has a victory over the 450 prophets of Balaal. He became selfish and complained he was the only one serving the Lord. The Lord had 7,000 other faithful servants.

A fourth response is possible. It is —

D. CONTENTMENT – The Greek word translated “content” is AUTARKES. It was a word meaning “to be entirely self-sufficient.”

Our self-sufficiency is to be found only in Christ’s sufficiency. Ancient Greek writers shared secular ways of having it.

One was to eliminate all desires. That is difficult. Contentment doesn’t come from possessing much but from controlling our desires.

A second way the ancients suggested of gaining contentment was to eliminate all emotions. Not a good idea.

For such persons love was rooted out of life and caring forbidden.

They suggested starting with a cup. Break it and say, “I don’t care!” Then move to a more valuable item and destroy it and say, “I don’t care!” Continue this process until you don’t care about anything. Then you are content. Not so. At that stage you are far from content you are indifferent and of all people most miserable. You have nothing of value, nothing for which to care.

It means self-sufficiency or self-sufficing, actually contained. It was a word used to describe a city needing no imports. In this light, contentment is seen to be an internal quality not dependent upon externals. Artificial pride, inordinate ambition, and gluttony rob us of contentment.

Critically some may think contentment robs us of ambition. NO, actually contentment enables us to struggle and achieve with composure. It is not intended to restrict our horizons. It is intended to enable us to live without our boundaries. The scripture speaks of some strong elements which rob us of contentment and gives advice how to respond.

Luke 3:14 – “…be content with your wages.”

I Tim. 6-10 (READ) “having food and raiment…”

Heb. 13:5 – “Be content with such things as ye have…”

Contentment comes from commitment to Christ and letting Him take away the cause of discontentment.

If you do not have Christ, the inward source and resource for contentment, you will never find it in people, places or things. There are only 5 senses, just 24 hours in a day, and 60 minutes in an hour. Sooner or later you will get to the end of your sensory and social pleasure. What then?

Christ knew this and therefore opened to us an entire world of spiritual challenges. It is an unlimited and fulfilling sphere.

NOTE: It has to be learned. Paul said, “I have learned…”

II Cor. 11: 24 – 27 (READ) describes the circumstances in which he learned contentment.

His tutor was the “God of peace.”

III. THE REASON FOR THE RESOURCES
Contentment comes from commitment to Christ and letting Him take away the source of discontentment.
He then develops within us a sense of:

AWARENESS: “I know whom I have believed…”

I recently shared the assurance contained in Hebrews 13:5 which literally means: “I will never, no not ever, no never leave you.” I did it in relating a frightening flight experience.

Incidentally, as we prayed those ninety minutes on our way back to Honolulu I kept my face to the window looking out. By the light of the moon I could see the clouds and watched as they either got higher or we got lower. I was hoping it was because we were lower remembering Christ said, “Low I am with you always…”

Flying is one of the greatest thrills known to humanity, but it comes in a far second to the thrill of landing.

A white knuckled friend said after that, “We are about to go on a long flight and I thought ‘I don’t need to hear about a frightening flight.’” Then she said, “Yes, that is exactly what I need to hear. Even in times of fright we can rejoice in the fact He said, “‘I will never, no not ever, no never leave you.’”

That gives contentment.

CONFIDENCE: “Cast your burden upon the Lord.”

Job records this encouragement: “Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace” (Job 22:21).

DILIGENCE: “Be diligent in business” (I Cor. 7:21).

SUBMISSION: “Thy will be done”
“Everywhere and in all things.”

With confidence born out of experience the Psalmist encourages us to “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently on Him, fret not…”

The Scottish people are often heard to say of a person who does not have contentment, “E’s a blooming fret…”

HOW and WHY did he have contentment?
A. He could accept all things (vs. 11),
“I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.
“I have learned to make ends meet regardless of what situation I am in.”
“I AM SELF-SUFFICIENT IN CHRIST’S SUFFICIENCY.”
We are independent upon external circumstances because of being dependent on Christ in all circumstances.

B. He could do all things (vs. 13),
“I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ.”
I AFFIRM CHRIST, I BELIEVE CHRIST, I CHOOSE CHRIST.
The word translated “content” was used to describe a city needing no imports. With Christ we are all sufficient. We have stored the resource for all circumstances.

C. He had all things (vs. 18), “I have all, and abound.”