May 13, 2014

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

In light of the controversy surrounding the NFL's St. Louis Rams drafting the gay defensive lineman out of the University of Missouri, Michael Sam, I share this insightful perspective from my friend, Tom Kinnan.

"Questions…they come at us all the time. And…our natural instinct is to want to answer. In fact, there are times we want to provide answers that will astound and leave the questioner in awe of our brilliance. Oh…you know it’s true.

But is that necessary? You see…questions often are full of agendas. Questions have the ability to polarize, stigmatize and antagonize. Remember the age old question, “Do you still beat your wife?” How do you answer that without losing?!

One of today’s similar questions is this: “Why do Christians hate homosexuals?” What?! How do you even begin to answer that question without seeming to be defensive or assuming the idea behind the question is valid? We need to stop trying to figure out the answers and strive to better understand the one asking the question. How do we do that?

Ask questions that honestly probe rather than assume or attack. If someone comes at you with a double barrel question…don’t pull the trigger for them. It won’t be pretty when it’s over. It would be better to come back with “Why do you ask?” From there, continue to ask questions seeking to get at the heart of the matter. Sometimes you may discover a parched soul rather than a loaded gun.

You see…we don’t need to prove we are right…or better…or more informed. We don’t need to reflect negatively on others for any reason. We don’t need to be the conscience for others. God is more than capable. We do need to provide light that helps others see the road. But any light coming from us is not our own…the light is God. We are a lamp stand. Before we give directions, we might want to discover where the questioner is headed and not assume. We need to ask questions…seek to discover…desire to understand. That doesn't mean we throw out the truth…on the contrary. We want to ask questions that help others discover truth.

Jesus was not only full of wisdom…He was full of questions (read the Gospels); and, as God’s Word says…full of grace and truth. Discoveries are nice when truth is mixed with grace: it’s more welcoming… more inviting…more desirable.

Would you like to help people discover Christ? Learn to ask questions instead of thinking you must have all the answers. I offer this principle to remember: it’s not always what you answer, it’s what you ask that can make the difference."

Thanks! Good words, Pastor Tom! 

May 12, 2014

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

I came across this excerpt from a recent message by Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Pastor at Moody Church on the campus of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. It is a wake-up call to believers in 2014 America!

"This is this trouble, this is the rub. If you are 40 years old or younger, there’s the 40-40 split in America. If you are under 40, you probably belong to a group of evangelicals who basically see nothing wrong with same sex marriage. They are more tolerant, saying that there may be other religions that lead you to God, so on and so forth. I say it humbly: They don’t have much of a clue. Not everybody of course, but many of them have no clue what the implications are or what the real issues are. They were reared by “Will and Grace” on television. They are obsessed with technology. Many young people – not the ones that are here today by the way; they are the exception – but many young people are so narcissistic. Yesterday I heard on the news that one kid took 200 selfies – 200 pictures of himself in a single day. I mean the whole technology world out there.

So there are those who say we can’t preach against homosexuality or mention Islam or anything because we want to win these people to Christ, and that’s a barrier. So what we’ve found is that the gospel and its implications are often dumbed down. Then you have a form of ecumenism that compromises the gospel. And then there’s something else and that is it’s popular today to say, “God loves you unconditionally.”

Now, to the one who’s sitting in the pew that’s sleeping with his girlfriend, he says to himself, “I know exactly what that means. That means that it’s okay for me to continue to sleep with my girlfriend because, after all, God loves me unconditionally. That’s His job. That’s who He is.

You see it used to be, and some of you who are older would remember this, that preachers used to preach against sin, and then when people knew that they couldn’t live up to God’s standard, and they were aware of their sin, then grace was offered to them. Thank God for amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

Today grace is offered up front. Grace is offered to people when they don’t even know they need it and whether or not they really care as to whether or not they want it because God loves you “unconditionally.” Not to put too fine a point on it, but there are several different passages in Scripture in the Psalms where it says that God says, “I am angry with the wicked every day.”

Certainly, God loves the elect, those who are saved and He loved them, the Bible says, from the foundation of the world. But to throw that out there for everybody to hear – that God loves you unconditionally – is really to water down the seriousness of sin and the real understanding of  grace. Because you cannot understand grace until you fully understand sin and the better you understand sin the better you will magnify grace. But we don’t have that today in our society.”

May 11, 2014

"She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."…" Proverbs 31:27-29

It was late Sunday afternoon on January 15, 1950 and a very pregnant Reita Mae Snyder was sitting on a stool in her kitchen in Bourbon, Indiana frying some steaks for dinner.

Trust me, the woman can cook! But the steaks on the stove were about to be interrupted by the "bun in the oven" as labor pains began in a serious way.

Don Snyder devoured both steaks while Reita packed her stuff for the 16.2 miles trip down U.S. 30 to the Murphy Medical Center in Warsaw, Indiana. Around 10:30 that night they welcomed a 9' 15" 22 1/2 " baby boy into the world. They named him Bradley Donn Snyder.

Over the next ten years she gave birth to four daughters and another son and, she took on a step-son. We all call her, "Mom". We still do!

Despite working two jobs in addition to cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping and canning fruits and vegetables she made sure we got to church Sunday morning and Sunday night and midweek prayer meeting. She "brought us up in the way we should go" as the Bible instructs.

Functioning essentially as a single parent, she prayed for us, punished us, and pushed us in the direction of the Christian faith and Christian friends. She wasn't above chasing away friends of ours that she didn't like. If she thought they were a bad influence and we didn't listen you her urging  to stop hanging out with certain friends, she would take it upon herself to suggest they get lost.

Mom wasn't perfect but her love was and her intentions were. You could call some of her methods into question but you had to give her a high grade for tenacity. For Pete's sake, she spanked me when I was 16 years old!

There are seven productive contributing adults making the world a better place because "Mom" built the right stuff into us and beat the bad stuff out of us!

On this Mother's Day, Mom, your children rise up and call you blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!
.

May 10, 2014

"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:20-24

This week leading up to Mother's Day we have focused on the great mothers of the Bible. It's kind of hard to do that without including Eve. None of us would be here without her.

God made Eve from Adam and for Adam to be a "helpmate". Life is challenging and even more so when you tackle it alone. I find it a great tribute to women that even though Adam was intricately connected with God, He saw the need to create another "helper" or "soul-mate" for Adam. It almost looks as though God created woman to be a helper for man BUT ALSO as a helper for God!

I told my son the other day, "Next to God, a good woman is the best thing that can happen to a man." It has been true in my life. I think God would agree with that.

As happy and satisfied as Adam was with God it was God Himself Who recognized Adam needed something else - woman. She was handmade by Him to complete a perfect creation!

Eve, the first wife and the first mother was a marvelous gift from God! She was hand-picked and hand-made for Adam by God. She was God's gift to Adam and God's tool to help shape his life, grace his journey and lighten his burden.

Of course, we know how it ended. We know that the very same one who completed paradise eventually brought it down by her disobedience. So, she was the first and final perfect woman.

Still, women are one of God's great ideas! I am thankful that He created them. Not only have the played a HUGE part in the history of mankind, they have been key contributors in the development of the Christian faith and particularly in the local church.

Thank God for women! Thank God for the women in my life - my mother, my wonderful wife, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, my sisters, my grand daughters and the strong women in my church. I honor you. I bless you!

This is your week leading up to your day! May you know how much you matter!

May 9, 2014

"In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." I Samuel 1:10-17

Another godly woman we honor is Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her name means "favored by God".

Initially that was not the case, however. She was the favored wife of Elkanah despite the fact she was barren. There was no greater shame for a married woman in that culture than being unable to bear children. It was a burden that nearly crushed her and certainly tested her faith.

One day during an annual feast she went to the tabernacle and was crying out to God with such earnestness that she was thought to be drunk by Eli, the priest. He began to chastise her for her totally inappropriate behavior. When she explained herself and her woeful situation, Eli blessed her and assured he that her prayer would be answered.

Indeed it was! She became pregnant and had a son she named "Samuel" - which meant "heard by God". Samuel went on to serve Eli and later became one of the great priests and prophets of Israel. He would be the one God used to choose David and later anoint him as king.

I want to focus on three things that are admirable about Hannah that modern women can emulate:

1) She called upon God in her time of trouble. She turned to prayer rather than despair.

2) She promised God to consecrate the son to God if God would honor her with a child. If God would deliver her from her shame she would dedicate the child to Him.

3) When God answered her prayer and gave her the long-desired child she kept her word. God delivered on His promise and so did she.

Modern mothers would benefit from being women of prayer like Hannah. Peter reminds you to "cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you." Turn to prayer and don't despair.

Recognize that your child (children) as gift(s) from God. Like Hannah, you are a mother by virtue of a sacred contract with God. He gives life and you are to nurture and shape it.

Dedicate your child(ren) to the Lord. Do it daily. Give back to Him what He has trusted to you.

Hannah is a model for modern motherhood. Read the story. Learn the lessons. Live it out!

May 8, 2014

"And they followed the lead of their own husbands. Sarah was like that. She obeyed Abraham. She called him her master. Do you want to be like her? Then do what is right. And don't give in to fear. " I Peter 3:5-6

How would you like to be remembered?

Four things are mentioned about Sarah and they are all good. I would be honored to have even one of them said about me. Let's review:

1) She obeyed Abraham

2) She honored him

3) She did what was right

4) She did not give into fear

Sarah, wife of Abraham and mother of the Jewish race, is memorialized in these two verses. Let's consider that as we continue our tribute to great women of the Bible.

Sarah was a half-sister to Abraham and ten years younger than him. She became his wife and then God called Abraham to begin a great adventure of faith that would eventually result in him becoming the father of a nation. Obviously, to accomplish that would require both of them. So the call of God came to them as a couple - a team. Abraham fulfilling the destiny that God called him to depended on her assistance. It wasn't just his calling it was their calling! For God's plan to be completed would require her to be in right relationship with God and to be right with Abraham. There is a lesson right there! You can't be at odds with your husband and be good with God.

This destiny to which God called them required them to live as nomads. They would be leaving the safety and security of their home and their families to wander in an unfamiliar land headed to an unknown destination. How many women would want that lifestyle?

Abraham and Sarah gave up everything they knew in order to gain possession of something that they had never seen and could only imagine. God had asked them to make significant sacrifices sight unseen. That meant both of them had to be in agreement together and with God.

Out of their sacrifice and out of their struggles came the nation that produced a Savior. If Abraham had not obeyed God and if Sarah had not yielded to Abraham, we might still be lost in our sins.

Abraham is the historical figure and the highly honored patriarch, but Sarah was the woman behind the man! From the womb of Sarah came a nation and a Savior and a spiritual kingdom that will never end!

Why?

Because she obeyed Abraham, she honored him, she did what was right and she did not give in to fear! Great women become great because they do great things.

What great thing will you do today?

May 7, 2014

"May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar." "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking."So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels." Genesis 24:14-20

The son of promise had finally been given to Abraham and Sarah. He was worth the wait! He brought them such great joy! Since they were already up in age when he was born they found it urgent to find a suitable wife for him before they died. So, Abraham dispatched one of his most trusted servants with instructions to return to his home region to search for the young woman.

Knowing how important this assignment was and not wanting to disappoint his master, this servant prayed as he traveled. When he came upon the well outside the village and he spied a beautiful young lady he agreed on a sign from the Lord. He would ask for water and if the young woman agreed to give him a drink and then offer water to his camels as well, that would be a sign.

So, it is worth noting what set Rebekah apart. It was her "and then some" attitude. Her willingness to make the extra effort paid big dividends. It always does!

Jesus taught about the importance of the second mile but this is centuries before that. She had a desire for excellence. She possessed a servant's heart. That is a winning attitude.

God graced womanhood with a desire to serve. And woman have blessed their families with their hard work and labors of love. They have endeared themselves not only by their beauty and their charms, but by their helpful service.

However, the attitude that Rebekah displayed is a model for everyone regardless of gender. The "and then some" attitude will commend you wherever you are and whatever you desire to do, Not only will it help you stand out from the crowd, but more importantly it will honor God!

Heading into this Mother's Day week-end it is a great time to stop and examine your attitude. Do you possess this servant's heart? Are you willing to make that extra effort to lighten someone's load? Will be mindful of the "and then some" you can do. What is the additional thing you can do at work? What is the one more thing you can do for your neighbor? What is the extra act of kindness you can do for your church? What second-mile deed can you do for an adversary? And, most importantly for this week-end, what extra effort can you make to honor your mother this week-end?

God calls you to serve! And then some!