What is the Lord doing?

Are you SURE this is the way?

I can just about hear it now. "Moses, are you sure this is the way?" I hope you guys won't hate me for this, but if Mrs. Moses had asked this question I wouldn't think it unreasonable. In fact, I figure that more than one of the Jews on the trek to the promised land, must have wondered, "Does God know the way?" It's not a blasphemous question if we don't ask it in a blasphemous way or with derisive intent. There were more direct routes to the land between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea. If you have any idea where you are going, you may have noticed that you aren't on the most direct route, either. God didn't book you in first class, in fact, you might be stuck beside the road with a flat tire, at this very moment, and you wonder, "Does God have a clue?" A friend recently shared a message from Deuteronomy 8. One of the realities he pointed to was that part of God's purpose for the people of Israel was to "humble [them], test . . . [them], to know what was in [their] heart, whether [they] would keep His commandments or not" (Deuteronomy 8:2). The next verse even says that He let them be hungry. Talk about cruelty. My friend pointed out that all through the Bible we find God humbling and testing His people. Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 10, Hebrews 5:8, & 12 are several examples. There is a balance we need to see. It was not only God's intent to toughen them through difficulties that they could bear, He protected them from dangers too great for them.   “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”” (Exodus 13:17, NASB95) I can hear some of you, "The Lord let my brother die in a car wreck," and, "I lost my health in. . . . " Where was the Lord then? When you read those Romans 8, and Hebrews 12 passages you'll notice that there is some disagreement about destination. We think we know where we want to go. Our Lord knows for sure where we need to go. Back in Sunday School we used to sing,    "My Lord knows the way through the Wilderness. All I have to do is follow."   It's STTA.

Don't Just Survive, Thrive!

Something To Think About "Don't just survive!", 9/3

As we've been working through 1 Peter at CBC, I've been struck several times with the similarity of the situation of  the people Peter wrote to, "who reside as aliens, scattered . . ." and the pictures I see in the news of Christians who have been forced to flee from their homes in the Middle East.  It is obvious that Peter cared deeply for his scattered congregation.  He wanted to help them, but not merely to survive; he wanted them to thrive in the midst of their hostile situation.  One example of this is found in 1 Peter 3:15. Peter is talking to folk who are suffering, in some cases not merely in spite of their good deeds, but, apparently, because of their virtuous actions.  Look for instance at 3:14.   In the midst of such fear-inducing unfairness the Apostle says,    “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)   While the word in the translation above is defense it is clear that Peter is not encouraging a hunkering down strategy.  Other translations use the word answer.  The Greek word in question is the word from which we get our word apology.  I'm not talking about "I'm sorry," but, "This is why what I believe makes sense," which clearly implies, "You should consider this as well." It kind of reminds me of the old Rambo movie.  The well-muscled Vietnam vet, who doesn't play well with others, shows up in a small town, where, to say the least. folk don't make him feel welcome.  Soon there are cops, guns, and dogs after the lone Rambo.  It doesn't look good.  Then Colonel Trautman, Rambo's former commanding officer shows up, not to save the former soldier from the cops, but to save them from the super-fighter. As I look back through history I see good evidence that these persecuted believers got it.  The enemies of the Faith did not stamp out the Faith.  On the contrary, this band of beleaguered believers so impacted that their world that we still feel the impact two millennia later.  We ought not to be offensive--make sure you read the "gentleness and reverence" part of the verse above--but we are to be on the offense.  Peter's good buddy, Paul, declared to another group of Christians who knew the meaning of persecution, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God"  (Romans 1:16). We are on the offense!. It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world and how God's message makes it right.

Messing with the Mess, or Cleaning It Up?

Have you noticed, this world is in a mess?

Natural disasters, made worse by crumbling technology.

Hard-hearted, not to mention "headed" dictators see their positions of power as a means for personal enrichment.

When the oppressed people rise up, too often their movement is hi-jacked by those with another destructive agenda.

The age old observation, "I don't know what this world is coming to!" is certainly apropos.

Is it like the weather?

Everybody talks about it, but no one does anything about it. Certainly talk is not only cheap, but incredibly abundant. The airwaves, cables, and Internet are full of talk. I'm listening to some of it in the background as I type this piece.

I'm glad to say some are doing more than talking. Certainly the dedicated men and women in our armed forces are making an incredible difference, but that is another article, for another day. Right now I'm thinking about those who go out with the Bible being their weapon. They battle for the hearts of people.

Jesus told His followers to go into all the world and seek to make disciples--fully devoted followers of Christ. This weekend at Covington Bible Church we honor those who leave home to take the Good News to places where the folk aren't likely to hear unless they do go. I'm thinking about folk who have gone to regions dominated by modern secularism, to proclaim a two millennia old message that is still relevant. Or, others who have gone to people who have barely emerged from the stone-age, people who still live under the oppression of spirits real and imagined that makes their life dark and fearful. Like the brave firemen who ran into the twin-towers while others were fleeing, these men and women go to places not because they are safe or comfortable, but because the need is great.

But not only do we honor those who have gone, we encourage others to go. Billions of people still have not heard the Good News that "God so loved the world. . . ."

Find out more about CBC's Missions Emphasis Weekendhere. We'd love for you to join us. This world is a mess. Let's do something about it.

It's STTA.