Orders From Headquarters

ORDERS FROM HEADQUARTERS

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” - Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus is Lord. I think most Christians would agree with this statement, but do our lives reflect this? When a person joins the military, he is immediately instructed about the importance of saluting and obeying those of higher rank. A man will not have a successful military career if he only picks and chooses the commands he obeys.

At work, you are accountable to your boss or supervisor. You are responsible to carry out the commands and directives that he gives.

On a greater scale, Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Yet our perception of His commands are drastically different from the commands our boss gives. We treat the commands of Jesus like they are options.

Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This command, that we refer to as the Great Commission, is known by most believers. Yet very few people treat His command seriously. How many believers are actively sharing their faith? How many Christians are known as fishers of men? Our Lord has given us a command, yet we act as if this command is for someone else. Many think it is the pastor's job to evangelize. Some think that a select few are called to share the Good News.

It is amazing that we are not selective when it comes to receiving the positive promises of God, but we are very select in obeying the commands of God. Yet in John 14:15, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Obedience should be the natural response of a loving heart to a gracious God.

In the Great Commission, what are we commanded to do?

First of all, we are taught to evangelize. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...” We are taught to go and share the message of the Gospel. We are called to be proactive rather than reactive. We are not told to wait for an evangelistic opportunity. We are called to go. We are to be active in this work. Far too many are waiting for someone to come out of nowhere and ask them how to be saved. While this could happen, that is not the normal way evangelism works. Rather than waiting for sinners to come to us, we are commanded to go to them.

Secondly, we are called to enlist. Those who hear and believe the Gospel need to follow the Lord. Jesus taught us “... baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” When someone professes faith in Jesus, they should be baptized in water. This is a command from our Lord. We are not greater than our Lord Jesus. He was baptized by John. We are to follow in His steps. In baptism, the water is a symbolic grave where the old sinful life is buried and the believer rises to a new life in Christ. We celebrate the beauty and meaning of this ceremony. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. Evangelism is not the end of the Great Commission. When a person repents and believes, we continue obeying the Great Commission by baptizing the new believer. I realize that baptism is not considered highly important by many churches, but it needs to be. Baptism is a step of obedience for the new believer … and for the Christian worker who desires to keep the Great Commission.

Finally, we are commanded to educate. A new believer that has been baptized needs to be taught. Jesus said, “... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Discipleship is a vital part of the Great Commission. We haven't obeyed the Great Commission fully if we fall short of teaching discipleship to new believers. Ultimately, we want to teach new believers to obey the Great Commission themselves. Properly implemented, the Great Commission results in multiplied growth that continues for generations to come.

Here's the big question. Are YOU a Great Commission Christian? Are you actively obeying the Great Commission? Are you seeking to win souls to Christ? Are you leading them to be baptized into a local body of believers? Do you seek to instruct the new believer to be a fully devoted follower of Christ? Are you a Great Commission Christian who leads others to be Great Commission Christians?

The disciples were Great Commission Christians. They evangelized. They baptized those who believed. They emphasized discipleship and Christian doctrine.

The early church took Jesus' command seriously. So should we.

Worshiping God

 WORSHIPING GOD

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” - Psalm 95:6

Humans were created to worship. Since the Garden of Eden until now, men and women have been worshipers. Since Adam's fall, mankind has shifted the focus of his worship from God to other things. In the Old Testament, men worshiped idols that they created and formed in their own hands. In the New Testament, people worshiped religious and human traditions. Even today, worship continues here in America. Some worship a favorite sports team. Others worship a politician or political party. A few are enamored with power and wealth.

Probably the most common idol in America is the worship of self. We are consumed with the person we see in the mirror. We think highly of ourselves and seek to please ourselves at all cost. If you trace every sin to the root, you will probably find selfishness as the key ingredient of every sin man commits.

But mankind was not created to worship this way. We were created to worship God alone. Sin has diverted our attention to lesser matters. Rather than worshiping the God who created us, we have settled for far lower things. We worship the creation rather than the Creator. We worship the gifts rather than the Giver. We adore possessions instead of the One who possesses all things.

Worship stirs us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Worship is never boring.

Watch a boy when he meets his sports hero. When this boy sees his “hero,” he gets excited. He is stirred. He can't wait to have this athlete sign a picture or memento. He is thrilled to his picture made with this athlete. It is a moment he treasures the rest of his life. We call it, “hero worship.” The boy has high regard for this athlete. He keeps a poster in his bedroom. When this athlete is competing, the boy will sit and watch the event on his television, cheering for his hero throughout the event. Yes, this is worship. The boy is engaged mentally and emotionally just to see this athlete.

Do we have such high regard for God? Isn't He far more worthy of such devotion as an athlete? Do we long to meet with Him? Are we exciting to read about Him in the Bible? Are we looking forward to seeing Him face to face?

If we claim to be followers of Jesus, it should be understood that we are worshipers of God. Yet how can we worship? What is required of us to worship God?

First of all, we must give Him our attention. We give our time and attention to things we value. It is easy to identify what a person treasures because he will devote attention to the object of his devotion. Do we give God our attention? Is He the focus of our mind each day?

Secondly, we must give God our affection. We must put our heart and soul into the experience of worship. Our worship of Him should be an act of love. Worship and love go hand-in-hand. We worship what we love and we love what we worship. For instance, many worship their favorite sports team. They will travel long distances to see them play. They love their team. They worship their team. They show up for their “worship service” hours in advance and actively engage in verbal praise for their idol. Why do we see pagans worship with such zeal and devotion while Christians are very lukewarm and loveless in our worship of the real God? In genuine worship, we give our affection to God.

Finally, we give Him our adoration. Worship is more than hearing a sermon or singing a hymn. Worship is the act of knowing and loving our glorious Lord. As we hear sermons that reveal Him to us and hear songs that draw us close to Him, we adore Him more and more. Our reading of the Scriptures can be an act of worship as we learn about Him. When we pray with faith, we see Him in His majesty and are encouraged to know that this mighty God hears our feeble pleas. When we fellowship with other believers, our faith in Him is strengthened as we hear others share what the Lord is doing in their lives. God should be adored. As we ponder His attributes, we are overwhelmed that this loving God is perfect in all His ways.

In Psalm 95:6, we are invited to worship: “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Worship humbles us, but exalts our Lord. As we meditate on His holiness, greatness and glory, we are brought to our knees before Him. The proud never worship anyone but themselves. The wise recognize their unworthiness and approach the Lord with fear and faith.

While most of humanity worships their little idols, we should look above to the only true God and worship Him.

He is worthy of such worship.

Delighting In God

DELIGHTING IN GOD

“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” - Psalm 37:4

When I was growing up, certain things brought me delight. I enjoyed special days like Christmas Day, our annual 4^th of July family reunion and the first day of summer vacation. I looked forward to such events with great expectation.

As an adult, I tend to find delight in the times I spend with family, friends and church. Relationships bring me great enjoyment. Yes, I still look forward to special days and events, but it's the people that bring delight to me.

In Psalm 37, we are told to delight ourselves in the Lord. Based on the facial expression I see among professing Christians, I'd predict that most church members struggle in this area. While they believe in God, they don't really cherish Him. They don't enjoy His presence. They don't seek His face. They don't find much delight in Him. That is tragic.

One of the reasons that Christians struggle to delight themselves in God is because there are so many things that distract them. The enemy has strategically placed many items along the way to lure our attention away from the Lord.

Have you ever driven the freeway at night? For many miles you have only the freeway lights and other cars providing you light. However, when you approach a large city, the entire landscape is illuminated with many buildings, signs and exits. For miles, you've traveled in the darkness of night, but now the bright lights of the city have your attention. You can't help but look at some of the sites. When you see signs advertising a restaurant, you suddenly have an appetite. It takes effort to keep your eyes on the road.

This happens in life. Our eyes need to be focused on Jesus, but there are many bright lights, flashy signs and impressive scenes to capture our attention. We have social media, television, streaming music and the responsibilities of life to keep us occupied. Time that should be dedicated to the Lord and His work is quickly drained by entertainment, social events and hobbies. We find ourselves saying, “no,” to the things we should be doing, while saying, “yes,” to the things we should avoid.

How can we delight ourselves in the Lord?

First of all, we must value Him for who He is. We tend to delight in the things we value most. Sadly, many believers have undervalued the Lord. They would refuse to admit it, but their actions say otherwise. We value money, time and family relationships. I am not critical of this, since each one does have certain value. However, when you realize that these things are gifts from God, it should heighten our value of the Lord. He created money, time and relationships. He gave them to us, simply out of His goodness and love. Furthermore, His gifts are reflections of His grace. Money, time and relationships have limitations. Our Lord is inexhaustible. He is eternal. We need to value Him for who He is. When we value Him as we should, our hearts will gravitate towards Him. We will find our delight in Him.

Secondly, we must give of our time to Him. We need to set aside time to meditate on Him. We should concentrate on the cross and His resurrection. We should consider all the blessings that we have because He has saved us. We need to express our affection through worship and praise. We should regularly give Him thanks for the blessings we receive. We should learn more of Him as we read the Scriptures and hear sound Biblical teaching. We should share in our devotion with other believers at a local church.

As we spend time with the Lord, our delight in Him increases. Psalm 16:11 says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Notice that we experience joy when we are in His presence. Obviously, the more time we spend with Him, the more this joy abounds. Let us be like Mary, who sat at His feet and heard His word. Our Lord said of her, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” (Luke 10:42).

The psalmist wrote, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Most people jump to the end of this verse and then try to manipulate God into giving them what they want. However, the promise of the last part of the verse is contingent upon us keeping the first part of the verse. He gives us the desires of our heart WHEN we delight ourselves in Him. You see, when you delight in the Lord, the desires of your heart begin to change. Rather than desiring worldly possessions, fame or selfish goals, your heart yearns for more and more of Him.

It was said of David that he was a man after God's own heart. Where are the people with a heart for God today? Where are the individuals who refuse to accept anything less than the Lord Himself?

Why can't that person be you?

Loving God

LOVING GOD

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” - Matthew 22:37-38

After His resurrection, Jesus asked Simon Peter three identical questions, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” What if the Lord asked you the same question. How would you respond?

I think most believers would like to give a positive answer to the Lord's question. No doubt about it, we love the Lord. But do we really?

It is one thing to know the Lord, it is another thing to love Him. While it is good to cultivate a greater knowledge of the Lord, it is even better to have a deepening love for Him.

For many believers, their love for Jesus began with great intensity, but slowly the love has declined. The church at Ephesus had this problem. The Lord said to them, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Notice that the Ephesian church didn't lose their first love. They left it.

What about you? Perhaps you can talk about the love you once had for Jesus, but what about right now? Do you love Jesus with all your heart?

Jesus taught us, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Notice that this is more than a suggestion, it is a command.

Let's be honest about it. Most American Christians struggle with the idea of obeying commands. We don't like being told what to do. We tolerate this on the job, but resist it elsewhere. Even at church, we enjoy hearing about God's love, but we tend to get uncomfortable when challenged to repent of sin, surrender to the Lordship of Christ and obey His commands. Our lack of obedience to God demonstrates our lack of faith and devotion. It is a serious matter. Somehow, we've turned the commands of God into options.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all is to love God. Thus, if we fail to keep this commandment, it is a serious matter. If we fail to love God, it is because we love something or someone else more. We are guilty of idolatry and spiritual adultery when we exalt something or someone above God Himself. Only God is worthy of our ultimate love and devotion.

When Jesus commanded us to love God, He said we should love God,”... with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” We should love Him from the heart. Loving God is more than an intellectual exercise. It is an emotional experience. Love should come from the very core of our being. It is more than “going through the motions.” It is the engagement of our heart.

Secondly, we are to love with all of our soul. It is a spiritual experience. Only a born-again believer can love God properly. A lost person is spiritually dead and unable to love God fully. A follower of Jesus can love God because he has had a life-changing experience of grace. He has been given a new heart … a heart that loves God.

Third, we are to love with all our mind. It is a mental experience. Loving God is not an “out-of-body” experience. As our minds are renewed by the power of the Word, we learn more about our Lord, causing us to love Him more and more. Worship is more than an emotional event. Genuine worship includes the involvement of our minds as we meditate on God. Our love for Him grows day by day.

If you feel that your love for Jesus has weakened, let me suggest that you block off all distractions and read Isaiah 53. Slowly meditate on the chapter. Think about the cross and its implications for your life. Mentally picture the Lord dying on the cross for your sins. Think seriously about the love that motivated Him to sacrifice everything for your sake. Consider the fact that you were the reason He willingly endured such agony. Consider how He rescued you from sin. Think about how He saved you and changed your life. You owe Him everything. Such a long session of meditation will cause love to grow in your heart for Him.

Let your love grow even deeper by expressing your love to Him. When it comes to loving God, speak it. Verbally tell the Lord that you love Him. Secondly, show it. Obey His commands. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Finally, share it. Tell others that you love the Lord. Share with them why you have genuine affection for the Lord Jesus. These three things will cause your love to reach new levels of intensity.

God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. Through Him, we have eternal salvation.

Do you love Him?

Fear Factor

 FEAR FACTOR

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” - Proverbs 9:10

I am not a huge fan of “reality” shows. Part of the reason for my opinion is that such shows don't really reflect reality. They would be better categorized as “unscripted dramas.” In an effort to provide inexpensive programming, TV executives schedule these shows. The cost of producing a TV series is getting too expensive and viewership has shrunk. “Reality” shows and game shows may be produced for a fraction of the cost and still produce a viewing audience.

In the early 2000's a “reality” TV show aired that was entitled, “Fear Factor.” I truly disliked this show. The whole premise of the show was to put ordinary people in terrifying situations. Who wants to see people eat bugs or lie down in a container with snakes? Some must have liked it. The show aired for about five seasons.

While these unnerving situations make for a TV show, we don't like to face fear in real life. Whether it is the prospect of making a public speech or facing our own mortality, fear is something we'd rather avoid. Fear is like a red light on the dash of your car, warning you that a potentially harmful situation is near. Like other emotions, fear can be based more on fantasy than reality. Much of the things we fear never come into fruition.

Yet there are things we should fear. These fears are healthy fears that should not be dismissed. For example, it is healthy to fear a venomous snake. This fear prompts us to treat a poisonous reptile with respect. We shouldn't take a copperhead or rattlesnake in our hands and treat it like a pet. Fear keeps us from such a foolish act. Furthermore, fear keeps us from driving recklessly on a snow covered road. It is a healthy fear that keeps us from touching a live power line. No, we're not “scared” of a venomous snake, a snow covered road or electricity, but we have a healthy fear that keeps us from danger.

Proverbs 9:10 tell us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Sadly, these days we don't hear many sermons about fearing God. Pastors would rather preach about positive subjects while neglecting negative topics. Yet is important for us to fear God.

When I was growing up, my father was someone I looked up to. He was my hero. I thought he was invincible. He was smart. He had a sense of humor. He was skillful. He was talented. I loved my father. Yet I also feared my father.

Such a confession may rattle some who read this, but it is true. I loved and respected my father, but I also feared him because he practiced discipline. Why did my parents enforce strong discipline? They didn't want me to grow up to be a disrespectful, dishonest and despicable person. They didn't want their son to bring shame to the family because of a criminal act. They didn't want their son to be known as a crook or habitual liar. Discipline is a means of correction, but it is also means of teaching. I was taught that there were things to avoid … and other things I needed to do. Yes, I feared discipline. But I also feared disappointing my father. This fear kept my life from getting out of control.

I feared my earthly father. But I also fear my heavenly Father. Why should we fear God? First of all, because He is God. The fact that He is God should render a degree of fear within us. Far too many people treat Him like a gentle grandfather or a butler. He is the sovereign God of the universe.

Secondly, we should fear God because of His power. He has awesome power. He is the One who brought judgment on Sodom. We do not want to live in open hostility against One who can destroy us forever. Who can stand before the One who has the power to destroy everything? Some teach that Christians should not fear God in this manner. Yet in Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Third, we should fear God because of His affection for us. We should fear doing anything that hurts that One who loves us the most.

Fearing God is just the beginning of wisdom. We are wise to fear Him, knowing that we must stand before Him very soon. We must give an account of our lives. This same fear prompts us to warn others of impending judgment. In Psalm 34:11-14, the Bible says, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Fearing God keeps us from evil. Fearing God also prompts us to do right.

We need a revival of godly fear in America. In an age where education is emphasized to the neglect of wisdom, we need wise men and women. This begins with us fearing God once more. It must begin with you and me.

Be wise. Fear God.

When God Remains Silent

WHEN GOD REMAINS SILENT

“But he answered her not a word.” - Matthew 15:23

In our moments of desperation, we tend to cry out to God for help. Our most earnest prayers come from a pit of despair. Our petitions tend to be very sincere and specific in such moments. Yet there have been times that our frantic pleas were met with silence from above. There are times in such moments that He chooses to be silent. We feel as though a wall has separated us from Him. It almost feels the veil of the temple has been put back in place. Our access to God feels severed. Our prayers feel like words bouncing off the ceiling. In spite of our desperate situation, God seems to remain silent.

There are times we feel this way because we are not receiving the answers that we desire. We cry out aloud, but God may answer in a whisper. We look for a miracle, but He provides mercy instead. We seek for healing, but He provides comfort. In these situations, we often look back and see what God has done and give Him thanks. But at the time, we feel like He has let us down.

At other times, silence is all we receive from Him. In our text, a lady comes begging Jesus for the deliverance of her daughter. She needs a miracle desperately. She knows that Jesus can provide it. This is her one and only chance to get help for her child. In spite of her plea, Jesus did not answer her a word.

Perhaps you can identify with this. Maybe you are currently going through private pain. You have been praying for God to resolve a situation, but no answer has come.

As mere humans, we cannot fully comprehend the ways of God. It is not my intention to explain God's actions. I am not God. He is. He is sovereign. He does not come to any of us for consultation. Since He is Lord of all, He can do whatever He wishes. I cannot explain why the Lord may be silent in spite of your predicament and pleas.

So what should we do in those times when heaven seems silent? What should be our response when the Lord seems to hide His face from us? I am not an expert on this, but I do wish to offer some practical tips.

First of all, we must understand that such times do come to God's people. Even the most committed Christian may face times of divine silence. Job was a God-fearing man. Job was a man whom the Lord even commended. Yet when Job faced great suffering and heartache, he cried out to God and God seemed silent for such a long period of time.

Secondly, we must look within. Is some sin hindering our prayers? Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” We need to ask ourselves if there resides within us a sin that we need to repent of. Sin may be keeping our prayers from being answered.

Third, we should recognize the smaller things around us. God may be doing things that we are overlooking. In your time of pain or grief, you may have Christian friends who are praying for you, supporting you and available to help. Have you ever thought that such friends are a gift from the Lord? Grace may come in different ways. God may be doing much more than you are giving Him credit for.

Also, we need to embrace the spiritual discipline of waiting. We live in a right-now culture. We expect immediate results all the time. The psalmist advises us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” As I once wrote in a song, “The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

Furthermore, we need to practice persistence in prayer. Keep praying until an answer comes. It has been said that God's delays are not necessarily denials. It could be you are one prayer away from a breakthrough.

Finally, we need to trust God during the times of divine silence. Faith includes trusting God during times of uncertainty. Charles Spurgeon once said, “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

God's silence does not mean that He doesn't care. Neither does it mean that He has quit working. Even when things seem out of control, He is still on the throne.

Be comforted in this fact: God is good and He is in control.

Health, Healing & Hope

HEALTH, HEALING AND HOPE

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” - Psalm 103:2-3

Good health is a gift from the Lord. He grants us this gift each moment. Like most of you, I tend to take this gift for granted. I must be honest and confess that I haven't taken my health seriously in the past. That is no longer the case.

Although good health is a gift from the Lord, He is not obligated to grant this gift to everyone all the time. Rather than feeling entitled to good health, we need to recognize it as the gift it really is and thank the One who provided it.

3 John verse 2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I know that many will pin their theology around this verse. However, this is John's greeting of good will rather than a promise of prosperity and health. Notice he says, “I wish above all things...” This verse conveys John's wish, not God's promise. When I write a personal letter to someone, I will often begin by saying, “I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.” This is basically what John is saying in this verse. Thus, we cannot use this as a proof text that it is God's will for everyone to be wealthy and healthy.

Sickness, disease and death exists in our world because of Adam's sin in the Garden. It is true that some people are suffering because of bad choices. For instance, cigarette smoking can bring long-term health problems years after a person quits. The same can be said of substance abuse and other unhealthy lifestyles.

But most cases of suffering cannot be directly attributed to bad choices. Covid has killed many. Cancer continues to kill the young and old. Heart disease remains a major problem. Alzheimer's disease is a sad reality for many.

Good health is not promised for everyone. People in the Bible suffered, including strong believers. Job suffered greatly. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Timothy had a stomach ailment.

Since good health is not guaranteed, we must face these questions: Does God still heal? Is divine healing still possible? There are two extreme views on this issue. On one hand, there are some who feel that divine healing is a thing of the past. They think that supernatural healing died with the Apostles. On the other extreme are those who believe that divine healing is promised for everyone who has faith to receive it.

We have no evidence to prove that divine healing has ceased. There have been too many documented cases of healing to indicate that it still occurs. Many can testify that they have known cases of miracles … including myself. The Bible never declared that healing would cease at some point after the first century.

On the other hand, the Bible never guarantees healing either. In fact, the Apostle Paul prayed for his “thorn in the flesh,” be removed … but his request was denied. We find no record that Timothy's stomach ailment was healed. Paul simply gave him practical advice about treating his problem. In 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul mentions that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus. These men were not healed --- and it wasn't due to their lack of faith.

We must come to the conclusion, then, that God does heal, but does so after the counsel of His own will. God is sovereign. Although we don't understand all the details of His will, He is in control. He is greater than cancer. He is stronger than heart disease. He is God. He has the power to heal anyone of anything at any time.

So why doesn't He? Why do little children die? Why do the best saints seem to suffer the most? Why does He heal one person while dozens with the same disease perish? Doesn't God care? Of course He does. Yet there is more to the story than we can comprehend. He knows things we don't know. The details of His plans are so vast that our finite minds cannot comprehend them.

It is not wrong to ask God to heal someone. We should have the absolute confidence that He can do it. But also we should entrust Him with the outcome, whether it be healing or not.

Here's the sobering truth. Unless Jesus returns in our lifetime, none of us are leaving here alive. All of us will face death. We are currently dying. Since the Garden of Eden, death has prevailed over mankind. Thankfully, the story has shifted. Jesus came and defeated death, hell and the grave. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. His resurrection three days later guarantees the resurrection of every one who believes in Him. That is our blessed hope.

Our hope lies in the fact that one day, Jesus will return. In a split second, every believer will rise to meet Him. Whether we are dead or alive at that moment, we will rise to be with Him forever. In heaven, there will be no sickness or disease.

That is the happy conclusion every believer is longing for.

Pain & Praise

PAIN AND PRAISE

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” - Job 1:20-21

How often do you sing? Daily? Weekly? Occasionally? I have to admit that I don't sing as much as I once did. Looking back, there were summer days when I would sit on the front porch swing and open a new Southern Gospel convention songbook, sight-read the music and sing brand new Gospel songs. I haven't done this in quiet some time. I used to sing a great deal when I drove. I still make positive use of my commute to and from work, but singing is not normally on the agenda. I need to get back to singing more often. Yes, I sing at church along with the congregation each time I'm at church, but I need to revive my private time of singing.

Singing should be more than a vocal exercise. Properly conducted, Christian singing should be offered as praise unto God. Praise, whether provided in song or words, is the process of vocally giving tribute and honor to God. You see, you can praise the Lord without singing and you can sing without praising the Lord. Praise is a means of adoration and reverence, issuing from a human heart. God is the target of this praise. He, alone, is worthy of such praise.

We tend to praise the Lord when things are going well. Problems and pain tends to suppress our singing. Yet God is good all the time. He is good on my good days and He is still good on my bad days. He is worthy of praise at all times. Every day is a good day to praise the Lord. Yet it is easy to say this when things are going well. 

When I have bad days, I am reminded of Job. He had some really bad days. I find comfort in the fact that someone has been through worse conditions that I am going through. Consider the magnitude of Job's problems: Job lost his health, his wealth, his children and was mistreated by his wife and friends. To make things worse, when Job prayed, it didn't seem like God was answering. When Job needed him most, God didn't seem to be available. Can you identify with this?

After hearing that his children had been killed, the Bible says, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Grief, pain and uncertainty had suddenly come upon Job. Yet Job was resolved to praise the Name of the Lord in spite of his circumstances. That is a valuable lesson for all of us to remember.

If you only praise God during the good times, you are robbing God of praise He deserves. The goodness and grace of God should prompt us to praise Him. The truth is that God never changes. Our circumstances may change. The weather constantly changes. People may change. The stock market rises and falls. Jobs may come and go. Good health can't be counted on. But God never changes. He is still great. He is still good. He is still worthy of praise.

When I consider all the Job suddenly lost, it makes me feel better about my bad days. Yet Job continued to pray, serve God and praise Him. His faith was under attack by the enemy. Yet Job stood firm. Yes, he had questions. He struggled. Job really suffered. His situation seemed unbearable. God's silence was the worst part of his situation. Yet Job was resolved to praise the Lord.

What about us? If your health is taken away, never to return, will you still praise the Lord? If your spouse leaves you, will you continue to serve God? If your friends turn against you, will you let it rob you of your song?

My father passed away in 2020. A year or so before his death, he was in the ICU at the hospital, struggling with pneumonia, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. We were visiting him on a Saturday evening. Knowing we were going to church the next day, he told us to praise the Lord at church. He said to praise the Lord even in the bad times. God blesses those who bless Him. Dad advised us that when things seem bleak, praise the Lord anyway.

That's what Job did. David did this, too. David wrote many of the psalms. Some of his psalms were written during times of uncertainty and despair. Paul & Silas praised the Lord as they were bleeding in a prison cell. It is always a good time to praise the Lord. Including right now.

Don't wait until you have a pain-free, care-free day. Praise the Lord today. He is worthy. You may find yourself being blessed in the process. Praise Him publicly. Praise Him privately. Worship Him alone.

Give your praise to an audience of One.

Suffering and Sovereignty

 SUFFERING AND SOVEREIGNTY

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:3-5

Life is often difficult and painful. Following Jesus does not bring immunity to suffering. Some of the most notable saints have suffered greatly. None of us are promised a pain-free life.

Theologically, we understand that pain has come upon mankind because of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam's sin brought pain and death to all of us. Yet we must confess that certain people seem to suffer more than others.

Skeptics would argue that either God is uncaring or unable to stop suffering. Neither accusation is true. God is aware of our suffering and cares about our pain. Yes, He can end suffering. One day He will.

For the committed Christian, pain is not a theological problem. While it is true that certain people suffer more than others, we do not argue or complain about this issue. We simply trust God with the things we don't understand. We know He can be trusted with all things, including our suffering.

Suffering may come in different ways. Many suffer physically because of disease or injury. Others suffer emotionally due to rejection, betrayal or personal loss. There are saints who struggle with depression and the suffering can be rather devastating. There are believers who wrestle with anxiety and panic attacks. Many are suffering today in our churches. Don't judge someone else's pain by your own experience. Their level of anguish may be far deeper than yours. Their capacity to handle pain may be far different from yours as well.

If you are suffering today, be assured that God knows about your pain. He knows how much you are suffering. He is available to hear your prayer. He has the power to bring relief. Take your case to Him. Also, enlist the saints around you. Have them pray with you about your needs. All of us need the prayers of others.

If God cares for us and can do all things, why does He permit suffering to continue in our lives? I cannot and will not speak on God's behalf. There is much I do not know. I can speak only from my experience.

One thing I've learned is that suffering is part of God's sanctification process. Isaiah wrote, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10). Suffering can be part of God's pruning process, removing impurities from our lives. Just as heat melts away dross from a precious metal, the heat of affliction melts away sinful dross from within. Yet the sanctification process is more than just removing sinful things. It also includes shedding unproductive areas from our lives. It is impossible to grow in holiness without suffering.

Also, suffering makes us more like Jesus. While most believers desire to be more like Jesus, we don't always enjoy the process that may be required to move us in that direction. We have more empathy for others who suffer because of our own experience.

Suffering keeps us close to God. When life is easy and pain-free, we tend to drift a little here and there. Slowly over time, a distance grows between the Lord and ourselves. Pain has a way of reminding us of our need for the Lord. Suffering keeps us humble. Pain drives us to our knees. The promises of God get very precious to us when we are in pain.

Finally, suffering reminds us that this world is not our home. When we face pain and problems, we get a yearning for a better place. Apart from suffering, we tend to plant our roots too deeply in the soil of this world. Pain reminds us that we are not permanent residents of this world. We have reservations for a place far better than this. Our passion for heaven grows as we endure afflictions in this world.

God is in control of all things. He is very knowledgeable of your situation. He cares about you. Yet His concern runs deeper than the superficial concerns of daily life. His desire is for you to grow in holiness and become more like Jesus. Thus, suffering can be part of His plan. Realizing this, we should join with the Apostle Paul and say, “... we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

While God permits suffering in this world, it is only temporary for the child of God.

A Love Like No Other

 A LOVE LIKE NO OTHER

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

I can appreciate the love a mother has for her child. I can understand the love a man has for his wife. I can relate with the child who loves his parents. I join with those who love our country. Yet it is difficult to understand how that God can love us.

God's love is a love like no other. He loved His enemies. He cared for those who mistreated Him, used His Name in disgust and trampled His mercy under their feet. He patiently endured rejection and ridicule. Some teach that God loved us because He saw what we could become by His grace. Yet Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Two verses later, Paul states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God loved us in spite of our unworthiness, selfishness and sinfulness.

God did not love us because we are lovable. He loves us because He is love, and as such, He has the capacity to love as no human can. How amazing it is to consider the depth of His love for us!

God sent His Son to this world on a rescue mission. He was not obligated to do such a thing, other than an obligation to keep the promise that a deliverer would come. This promise was revealed in the Old Testament and kept in the New Testament. Why would God make such a promise? Because of love.

Love is the reason Jesus came to earth. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son ...” God did not send His Son because I was so lovable. Neither was Jesus sent because of my worthiness. He was sent because of love. That is a love like no other.

Jesus said that He was sent to earth because of love. Yet He also described the rescue mission He came on. “... that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Mankind was perishing. In fact, mankind is still perishing. Without a Savior, mankind would be doomed without hope. Our sins had separated us from God. The justice of God demanded that we be punished by death. Yet the love of God made a way for us.

On the cross of Calvary, justice and mercy met. Justice was satisfied as Jesus died in our place, paying for our sins. The mercy of God was expressed on our behalf. His death provided salvation to those who would believe. Yes, justice and mercy met at the cross … but it was love that made it all possible.

We were spiritually bankrupt, but Jesus came and paid our debt. We owe Him everything! Love was the reason for the cross. There He paid a debt He did not owe, because we had a debt we could not pay. Now because of the cross, our debt is paid in full. When we placed our faith in Him, His payment was set to our account. I am debt free because of Jesus!

A married couple will celebrate when their house is paid for. A church will hold a special service and rejoice that a mortgage has been paid in full. Folks, we should rejoice that our sin debt has been paid in full. Never get over what Jesus has done.

Think about our Lord on the cross. There, lifted above the earth with hands spread wide, He stood in the gap for us. The cross bridged the gap between man and God. Because of the cross, we can know God and have fellowship with Him.

On the cross, our Lord suffered like no man has ever suffered. He took our guilt upon Himself. Love is the reason He went to the cross. Love is the reason He was nailed to the cross. Love is the reason He stayed on that cross and died for us. That is a love like no other.

We live in a society where many have an entitlement mindset. Let me be very blunt. If we got what we deserved, all of us would go to hell. I don't want justice, I want mercy. Thankfully, mercy is available at the foot of the cross, but you have to humble yourself to receive it. Grace is abundant for the worst of sinners if they come to Jesus in repentance, but it is out of reach to those who are proud or feel entitled.

Everlasting life is available for those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith. Look to the cross and believe. By faith, receive His payment to your account. Receive the grace and mercy that His blood freely purchased for you. Meet the One who cared enough to give His life so you could live.

Come, experience a love like no other.

Something Better

SOMETHING BETTER

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” - 1 Corinthians 13:13

In the past, the advertising business has been guilty of hyperbole in their ads. Often we'd hear phrases like, “new and improved,” and “better than ever.” They would try to gain a share of the market by convincing buyers that their product has improved. Also, they would attempt to show that their product was better than a competitor's version of the same product.

When it comes to issues of faith, the American Church has bought into the consumer mindset, trying to sell Christianity like it is a product. Ministers sound like salesmen, pointing out the positive side of Christianity. Of course, they sidestep issues like trials, persecution and martyrdom. The main defense of the Christianity is its authenticity, something that is not always emphasized. Christianity is true. Its founder is alive. Its message is real and relevant. The real issue when choosing religions is not the popular sales points. The real matter is truth. Which religion, if any, is true? This is really the core issue. On this level, Christianity prevails without a rival.

Yet even within Christianity we tend to emphasize some matters over others. When it comes to Biblical topics, we can be guilty of concentrating on the ones we like and enjoy, while avoiding other topics that can be just as important. 

As followers of Jesus, we tend to emphasize subjects like, “faith,” and “hope,” yet the Apostle Paul wrote, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” 

Faith and hope are both vital in our daily walk. Our salvation came by grace through faith. We are called to walk by faith, not by sight. The Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith.

We also need hope. Biblical hope is more than just wishful thinking. Hope is more than just dreaming. Hope is more than a coping mechanism. Biblical hope is the assurance that God will keep His promise. We have a living hope in a living Lord. Because Jesus is alive, we have a genuine hope of the resurrection. This hope is the foundation of our faith.

Faith, hope and love are all significant components in our journey. Yet Paul makes a distinction between them. According to Paul, there is something better than faith and hope. Love is the greatest of the three. Why is that?

Faith and hope exists within us. Our faith and hope rests in the promises of God. But love is something that exists within God Himself. In fact, while it is true that God has love, the first epistle of John tells us that God is love. Jesus is love personified. Faith and hope are things we have, but love is who He is.

Our faith and hope cause us to love Him and others more. The two greatest commandments are not to have faith or hope, but to love God and others. Love is the natural outcome of Biblical faith and hope. If we claim to have faith and hope, yet exhibit little or no love, something is badly wrong. We are most like our Lord when exercise love.

God is love. He has graciously enabled humans to give, receive and enjoy love. We can enjoy different degrees of affection, based on each relationship. For instance, the love that a man has for a friend is different than the love he has for his children. A man should love his wife with the deepest form of human love, an intimate, sacrificial love. Over and over again, the Scripture points out that marital love is a reflection of the love God has for us.

Love is a more than an emotion. It is a selfless demonstration of care shown for another person. God expects His children to love each other. We should be known for our love.

Let me be clear about something. Love is not a mushy emotion that permits sin and wrong. It is not tolerant of lies. Instead, love causes us to want the best for others. As such, love may cause us to call out the sin or wrong in others. Until they honestly repent, they can never experience God's best for them. Love does not treat sin lightly. In this permissive society, a loving Christian can be called cruel for speaking the truth. Yet any other response is not loving at all.

Faith and hope is vital to our existence. Yet love is even better.

May we never settle for less.

Active Love

ACTIVE LOVE

“Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

If you look up the word, “love,” in the dictionary, you'll find that love is both a noun and a verb. Although we tend to think about what love is, it is important to consider what love does. It is impossible to possess love for a person and keep it bottled up for any length of time. Love tends to reveal itself.

In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul dedicates a chapter of the epistle solely to the subject of love. In chapter 13, verses 4 thru 7, Paul reveals several things about love. In these verses, we find love in action.

Verse 4 says, “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” Love is patient and kind. The reason that love is patient and kind is because love focuses on the welfare of someone else. We consider their situation. We try to understand their challenges. We do this because we genuinely care.

Also, this verse teaches that love does not envy, boast or is proud. This is because if you love someone, you seek their advancement. You applaud their successes. You appreciate their accomplishments. The focus is on the person you love, not yourself.

Verse 5 teaches us that love, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Paul teaches us that love does not treat others with disrespect or dishonor. Neither does love act selfishly, seeking personal gain. This is in sharp contrast to the world, isn't it? Most people are pursuing selfish goals, driven with personal ambition. They aren't concerned about the devastating affects it has on others. As believers, we are called to live at a higher level than this. Looking back at my past, I must confess that when I've acted selfishly, it hurt others. When I treat others with love, everything changes.

Paul continues his description of love in verse 6, teaching us that love, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” A loving heart hates sin but loves the truth. It is true that the truth can hurt, but love goes beyond the superficial, temporary results and focuses on the well-being of others. People are hurting today because of sin. Sin is destroying marriages, breaking up homes, leading people to immorality and substance abuse. If we love others, we will hate sin because sin dishonors God and destroys people. On the flip side, if we love others, we will rejoice in the truth. We know that Jesus is the person of truth. We rejoice to hear His Name spoke reverently. We rejoice to share Him with others. We greatly rejoice when a sinner turns to Him and is saved. We love Him because He first loved us. Praise the Lord!

Love is an action word. In verse 7, Paul states the love, “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love leads us to sacrificial living. God has used many people to make an incredible difference in this world. If you examine the lives of these saints, you'll find a common characteristic: they loved people. They were willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of others. Their faith, endurance and contributions were rooted in the fertile soil of love.

Sometimes I hear saints talk about love, but fail to demonstrate it in a tangible way. Love is more than a feeling or an emotion. It is a divine work in the heart of an individual that causes that person to have genuine concern and compassion for others, leading to outward expressions of mercy and grace.

Look back at our text: “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” We could easily substitute the name, “Jesus,” for “charity,” in this passage. You see everything that these verses teach about love is true of the Lord … because He is love.

Jesus demonstrated love on the grandest scale. His love for us was a sacrificial love. Love is the reason He came to earth. Love is the reason He died on the cross. His love remains the same today. He loves you. He loves me. I am overwhelmed with this truth, aren't you?

Love is more than a word in a song or a feeling felt during a romantic movie. Love is an action word. We can claim to love others, but if this love remains bottled up inside of us, what good is it?

As James wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

That's the kind of love our world needs today!