Chaos or Comfort

Twenty nine ships were wreck in a great storm in 1905 on Lake Superior. It was a chaotic night with powerful storm winds blowing these ships around. The sailor on those ships had lost their bearings and in the bewilderment and confusion, while the shadow of death washed upon the deck, they perished in the night. It was only after this terrible tragedy was Split Rock lighthouse built. Split Rock is located near Beaver Bay on Lake Superior. It stands 168 feet above the water and shines for 22 miles.

My family and I were able to visit the lighthouse during its 100th anniversary month (Carol and two of my children pictured). The Light has not been turned on for 50 years and this night the light shone brightly. Scriptures tells us “thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” You see, God is not the author of confusion. Too many Christian believers have turned off their light and have forsaken the truth and principles of the Holy Word. Without the Holy Word burning brightly in your heart not only will you shipwreck your conscience and soul, but you also cannot provide light for your loved ones, and they will follow in your steps of darkness. Let God’s Word light your way. You’ll rejoice in true freedom, and you’ll rejoice in leading others into the joy of living in the light of Christ.

A 9th. Hole Marriage

My family lives across the street from the 9th hole of a golf course. My kids sell lemonade and golf balls to the golfers. Believe it or not, I get free golfing, but I would rather go walking with my wife around the golf course. A few days ago we were walking to get our exercise and my ankle was really giving me problems. I started to feel sorry for myself. You see, I broke my ankle 11 months ago and now I have a plate and seven screws holding it together. The broken ankle ended my sports activities, but I can now forecast some weather changes by the pain in my ankle. Oh, by the way, if any of these blogs do not make sense, it is because I probably have a screw loose. What’s your excuse? Anyway, getting back to the story, I was feeling sorry for myself while walking next to my wife, when I looked up into her glimmering, and joyful eyes, and at that moment my ankle zapped me with a jolt of pain. It was at that moment I was reminded of what a wonderful wife I have married. No! It is not because she is a pain, but because she has cared for me, not just through surgery on the ankle but also for 23 years. Anyone putting up with me that long has to be terrific.

My wife, Carol is a terrific person with excellent character. I do love her. She is fun, strong, and encouraging. She lovingly and gently challenges me. She does not challenge me to get a honey do list accomplished, but to be a better person. I’ve sought to challenge her in the same way. The change of growing was revealed to us by our oldest daughter, when she reminded us of this ongoing success (challenge) of helping each other become better people as she scolded us with these words: “Would you two stop arguing over who is going to sacrifice for the other. One of you needs to get selfish and just take.” Carol and I looked at each other for a moment and then laughed. This is what marriage is about. Helping each other become a better person in the Lord and for the Lord. I must admit, the Lord gets the credit for waking me from feeling sorry for myself by using the pain in my ankle to remind me of the blessings which befall all around. Take a moment and let the Lord open your eyes to the blessings around you. May God richly bless you in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Trials and Troubles (Part 2)

Last post we learned there is a huge advantage of becoming a child of God, for God uses trials and troubles to bless his children. The book of James is written to believers who have been scattered all over known world. In the first few verses, the book reveals the reality and responsibility of believers living in trials and troubles.

First, we’ll look at the realities of trouble and trials. James 1:2 states “when ye fall into divers temptations.” The first reality is “when ye.” This means every believer (child of God) without exception will have trials and troubles. Now notice the word “divers” which means many and various. Therefore, every believer will face many kinds of trials and troubles. Next notice the word “temptations” which conveys the meaning of trials or testing with a purpose. Therefore the reality of life for a child of God is that he will face many trials and troubles during his lifetime and each one has a specific purpose to shape them into that which they were created to be.

Second, we’ll look at the responsibilities of God’s children in dealing with trials and troubles. The first responsibility is to embrace the trials. We read in 1:3, “know this.” Know What? Know that the trials will bring you forth in beauty and greatness (James 1:3-4). If one refuses to embrace the trial, one runs from the trial which only prolongs the trial. The second responsibility is to entrust the trials to God. James 1:4 uses the words “But let.” One must let God use the trials to shape and mold them into true godliness. Those who do not became religious, not godly. Third, one should exalt God through the trials. James 1:2 tells us to “count it all joy.” Joy is the deep-seated appreciation for God’s handiwork not only in our lives, but also in the lives of our loved ones, and brings forth purity of all things.

The truth of the matter is if we do not fulfill our threefold responsibility: Embracing the trials from God, while entrusting the trials to God, and exalting God through the trials, the trials will turn one bitter and cranky. Those children of God who do not respond will prolong their trials and will miss out on the enjoyment of God’s loving grace and the abundance of life God has lain out before them. God will still continue to work on them gently and tenderly mold them for His glory. May each trial be embraced, entrusted, and exalted in God’s glory and in His joy.

Trials and Troubles

Trials, hardships, and problems seem to be everywhere. They seem to be lurking at every corner. The words of Job explain it well, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Many questions come to mind, but let’s limit the questions to one. If the Almighty God is powerful, why does He allow these troubles to take place in my life?

Two key words come to mind, Punishment and Chastening. In English these two words are often used as synonyms. Yet in Scripture there is clear difference. Let us define these words careful, thereby, being able to answer our question. Punishment means a sentence of judgment, while chastening means action of correction. God does not punish His children, He corrects them. God does punish those who are not His children. The first truth which must be lodged in one’s heart is God never punishes His child or His children. If you have placed your heart and soul in the hands of Christ, by believing He has paid your sin upon the cross, then you will never face punishment. Only those people who embrace religion or reject Jesus Christ face punishment. Hebrews 12:5-8 makes this very clear. “ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

These verses teach several lessons. Yet, let us stay focused on the question at hand. Why am I facing trials and troubles if God is so powerful? If you are not a child of God you are under God’s wrath. The real punishment is yet to come. There is no real purpose other than being punished for sin. For those who are a child of God some of the trials are of one’s own making, other trials are caused by someone else, and still other trials are caused by simply living in a sinful world. Yet one thing you can be sure of, and that is every trial you face is being shaped by God so that your trials and troubles may mold you into greatness. Therefore, do not despise God or the trials, but learn and grow in the way God intends for these trials to shape and bless your life. Remember if you’re a child of God, God has “ … loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jer. 31:3).

What! Standing in a Garage?

You have read, or have heard it said, “Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than standing in the garage makes you a car.” What I hope people realize is cars do not go to the garage to become a car, for they are already a car. Christians do not go to church to become a Christian for they are already a Christian. Those who go to church to become a Christian are not Christians and will not become a Christian simply by going to church. Those who are not a Christian only get religion when they go to church. I don’t know about you, but I hate religion. As far as I am concern religion is as joyful as watching paint dry and is as useful as standing on a highway in front of an oncoming diesel.
So, why do Christians go to church? In some ways for the same reasons a car goes to the garage. First, it is a place of shelter from the storms. Church is a place where like-minded Christians gather not having to concern themselves with the devices (storms) of this world. Second, church is place to be repaired, cleaned, and polished. Strength and encouragement comes from gathering with like-minded Christians with Jesus Christ. God’s tool “The Word” works to repair, clean, and polish the heart and soul of his children. Each day there is wear and tear upon the heart and soul of Christians, just as there is wear and tear on one’s car. The church aids in getting you ready for another week of serving God. Third, the church is place to be readied to transport God’s love and the gospel of salvation message. As the car gets loaded up to transport one to work, the worship at church loads one up to deliver God’s love and gospel of salvation message. The world hates Christians and the world makes it difficult to live. If you want evidence, watch the nightly news give tolerance to all the religions, but not to genuine Christians. Finally, and the most important reason to go to church is to Worship the Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy Him with fellow believing Christians.
In conclusion, if you have no desire to go to church, it is because you may not be a genuine Christian. When God transforms you to be His child, he also gives you a desire to know Him in the gathering of other believers. If you are going to church and you are not getting repaired, cleansed, and polished at church, you are going to a religious church, rather than a genuine church which actually teaches “The Word” in God’s love and worships God. Yes it is true: “Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than standing in the garage makes you a car.” Yet, that is not an acceptable excuse before God Almighty. Did you gather together with like-minded believers in church last Sunday? And where will you be this Sunday? Are you honestly committed to Christ and His cause? May God enrich your heart to love Him.