God's Providence in Trials

Trials are going to come.  We can surely speak of the difficulties we face at the workplace, home, or even in our own hearts.  At times it seems that once we get through one difficulty another is waiting in the shadows to unexpectedly pounce upon us.  No one on this earth would say that they have never had one trial or another in their lifetime.  Trials are inevitable.  They will always come.

There is no one in the Bible, other than perhaps Job or Christ, who had more difficulties, pain, and trials in life than the Apostle Paul.  This week we will read in Acts 27 Paul’s very adventurous (and I use that term loosely) trip to Rome.  He is a faithful follower of Christ and it seems that no matter where he turns there is always another trial awaiting him.  This time it is a shipwreck.  Paul could very easily become frustrated with the path on which the Lord has taken him since his conversion on the road to Damascus.  But his response to this trial is a teachable moment for us all.

If we were in his place, how would we respond?  What can Paul’s response teach us about our own faith through trials?  James, the brother of Jesus, says in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  What does it even mean to count it joy?  What does it take for us to lean upon our faith in times of trouble?  And is God still present with us in the midst of trials?  Where does He come in this story?

May God use our time together this week to teach us about trials and our response to those trials.  May we be prayerfully prepared for His Word to guide, teach, and direct us this week.

The Christian Response to Civil Government

An incident occurred last October in Temecula, California in which a seventh grade student was “publically ridiculed by a teacher for reading the Bible.  The classroom assignment had been to read a non-fiction book.  The teacher told the student in front of the class that the Bible was fiction and refused to give him credit for the assignment.”* 

 

This is just one of many stories that have been told over the years of the government’s stance on Christianity and more specifically the gospel message.  It is understandable that emotions tend to make their way into this conversation but if we can put those emotions to the side are we as Christians able to know God’s desire for us in dealing with our civil government?  How should a Christian react to such stories and others like it in which the government seems to be persecuting and censoring the gospel message?  What does the Bible have to say about the Christian’s response to their civil government?  What is civil disobedience?  When is it appropriate to participate in civil disobedience?  Where does God come into the conversation?

 

Paul has been in custody in Caesarea for over two years and is finally given a trial before Governor Festus.  In Acts 25:1-12, Paul’s reaction to the charges, his words to Festus, and his appeal to go before Caesar all give us some insight into how we as Christians should view and react to civil government.  May God guide our hearts and minds as we dig into his Word this week and may we prayerfully be prepared to accept the Holy Spirit’s molding and forming of our hearts.


* http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/01/14/first-grader-told-to-stop-talking-about-bible/?intcmp=latestnews

Closed Doors and an Open Heart

This week we will be studying Acts 16:6-15.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy are on their way to a place called Bithynia but are thwarted in their efforts by the Holy Spirit.  This isn’t the first time God has closed a door on the group.  They desired to go to Asia and speak the Gospel Message but were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to utter a word.  All this seems strange until Paul has a dream.  This dream is the catalyst to a “chance” meeting with a woman named Lydia.

There are times in our lives that we are prevented from fulfilling what we believe to be the right thing.  Sometimes our own sinful nature gets in the way.  Other times the enemy and his dominion are hard at work.  But still other times God is the one stepping into the picture.  This seems counter to what we understand about God.  After all, doesn’t He want us to do good things?

We who are Christ’s disciples need to trust the Word of God and His guidance.  But to know, hear, and understand His will takes more than a dream.  It takes effort, sacrifice, and a willingness to let go of ourselves in favor of God’s will for our lives.

Do we know what God desires for our lives?  Are we willing to accept God’s will when He closes doors around us?  Remember that one closed door may lead to an open door where we may see the work of God in the heart of one individual.  We may be witness to the salvation of another.

May we be prayerfully ready to head through the open doors when they are revealed to us and may we be prepared for whatever the Spirit may speak to us through His Word.

Seeing God at Work

This week at FBC we will be studying Acts 13:4-12 and discovering the work of God through newly appointed missionaries Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus.  As these two men follow the call of the Holy Spirit, preaching the gospel message, they encounter a road block.  More specifically, they encounter a man, an enemy of God, who does all he can to subvert the message Paul and Barnabas are teaching.  But God will not be swayed.  He has set a path for Paul and Barnabas that is straight and no enemy of God can make this same path crooked. 

Do those of us who claim to be disciples of Christ see the work of our master in, through, and around us?  Or do we go through life one day at a time as the world does, with no sense of our sovereign master guiding us?  How do we react when we encounter roadblocks set up by the enemies of God?  Do we crumble under the pressure or do we stand firm and continue down the straight path the Lord has laid before us?

May the Holy Spirit prepare us for what God has in store for us this week.  And may we be prepared for the Word of God to mold, form, teach, and convict us.

Our Divine Vocation

Luke 2:34a-35 (ESV) “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

This past Saturday I officiated over a funeral for a 69 year old man who had been battling cancer for the past two years.  In the end he had lost over 80 pounds, could barely walk, and was so sensitive to light and sound that no one could talk to him and all the lights had to be turned off.  For the two years he took chemotherapy and radiation his body slowly began to deteriorate and suffering became a daily occurrence.

The question begs to be asked: Why would God allow such suffering?  This man was no stranger to God.  He had been a believer most of his life, raised his children in a godly way, and was a great example of faithfulness to Him even unto the end.  Why would God allow his own children to suffer in such a terrible way?

Tabletalk from Ligonier Ministries addresses this issue.  Why do the people of God suffer?  As a child of God, suffering may be my divine vocation.  Here is what Tabletalk has to say about this issue.

Scripture is clear that suffering is one of the many vocations - calls - that the Lord gives to His people.  This may be hard for us to receive, but there are many examples in the Bible of people who were called to periods of pain and difficulty.  God allowed Job, for instance, to experience all manner of trouble. . . When Job asked, "Why?" God answers by emphasizing His sovereignty and , consequently, Job's need to trust Him.  Much of our suffering falls into this category - we do not know exactly why the Lord lets it happen, but we must nonetheless trust His goodness.

Christ was the ultimate example of suffering.  What he endured on the cross is unimaginable and more suffering than any one person will experience in a lifetime.  In Luke 2:22-35, Simeon tells Mary of the suffering her baby will endure.  But that suffering will also have an affect on Mary.  This suffering was the vocation of Jesus and Mary.  It was their divine call to endure such tragedy for the sake of God's glory and great name.

Why did my friend have to suffer so much in the end?  It is truly a mystery.  But to the end he continued to praise the name of God and trust in his ways.  Like my friend, we must trust in the goodness of God.  We may never understand the meaning of suffering and tragedy, but we can understand that God is sovereign over all things.  He is in control and in the end his good name will be lifted high.

How Do You Deal With the Loss of a Child?

Our beautiful daughter Kahra born February 2009

It was on July 28, 2005 that my wife and I had a miscarriage at around eleven weeks along and we lost our first child.  To this day the emotions are fresh and the feelings of a life lost are still raw.  The wound has healed, but the scar is deep and still very sensitive.

To this day my wife and I struggle to explain exactly why God would take something so precious to us without knowing a face or personality.  Having a child was a great desire for us both.  Perhaps we weren't ready.  Maybe we both needed to grow up a little before the pressure of a baby in our life changed everything.  Perhaps there is no explanation that can satisfy the pain of our experience.

But we do know that God is God and we are not.  Whatever he has planned for our lives we, as his children, must submit to and glorify him.  Through that difficult time we slowly healed and opportunities arose for us to care for and cry with others who had lost a child.  We understood the pain.  We understood the confusion.  We understood the loneliness that so many parents go through when they lose a child.  We understood the completely unbiblical things people would say to make us feel better.  (i.e. - "Your baby must have been deformed and God knew you couldn't handle it." or "God needed him with him." as if God needs anything from us.) 

We are better people because of the loss of our child.   God is more glorified with our lives now than before our loss.  In the end, to Him be the glory.

If you encounter those who have lost a young child or older child it may be difficult to know how to react.  Lisa Blanco has written a great article on Gospel Coalition's blog here on the loss of their son who was born six week premature.  If you are in a ministry of any sort (full-time or volunteer) please read her article.  It will proved great insight into how God works through such terrible circumstances and our reaction to those circumstances and God as His children.

Be Still

Last week I began a routine of going for a walk at 6:00am not only for exercise but also to spend time in communication with God.  The cool air wakes me up and I start my day focused on God and His work in my life for the coming day.  The walk takes me just over thirty minutes and I usually spend the entirety of it speaking to God.  But last Sunday was different.  Halfway through my walk God spoke to me.  It wasn't an audible voice but it might as well have been.  God said, "Shut up!"  I was a bit startled to say the least.  But as I looked up to the horizon ahead of me I say the sun rising.  It wasn't spectacular.  Honestly, I've seen better.  But it was as if God was telling me that I talk too much to Him and don't spend nearly enough time listening to Him.  And in that moment I was enthralled at the thought that I was alive one more day.  I was breathing in and out.  I had another day to live for Him.  What a privilege and honor to live one more day for God.

Later, during the morning service, some sang the song "Be Still" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I've always loved that song but that morning it held more meaning.  I had heard God tell me to slow down, stop talking, and know that He is God of me and all the world around me.

Psalm 46:8-11 (ESV) ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is above all things.  In this world we spend too much time being busy.  I get worried about the day to come or how my schedule will work out to spend enough time doing ministry with the church and my family.  When will I take time to dig into God's Word for personal spiritual growth?  Do I have time to visit that family in the hospital?  When do I get a break?

God is in control.  He makes wars to cease.  He breaks down armies.  He is sovereign over all things on this earth.  So be still and know that He is God.  He is our refuge.  He is out fortress.  He is our all.

Rob Bell's Legacy is Beginning To Take Shape

The Rob Bell topic has gone on for a while and there isn't much new information that can be discussed and debated.  But I read an article at foxnews.com which addressed the legacy that Rob Bell is leaving.  This article addresses his views on Hell and Universalism which are deceiving a number of people within the faith community.  Take a look here and see what is beginning.  Though Bell's words and platform will lead many astray we can be confident that God is still in control and at work in the world today.  This too shall pass.

Romans 8:28-33 (ESV) ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

This Too Shall Pass

God's Word lasts forever.  No matter the circumstances.  No matter what false teachers may raise their voices.  The Word of God and the truth of His gospel will never end.  Truth is truth and it is the truth which sets the captives free.  Free from sin.  Free from themselves.  Free.  But only through the blood of Jesus Christ and His sovereign grace.  Amen.

God The All

O God whose will conquers all,
There is no comfort in anything apart from enjoying you
     and being engaged in your service;
Thou are All in all, and all enjoyments are what
     to me you made them, and no more.
I am well pleased with your will, whatever it is,
     or should be in all respects,
And if you bid me decide for myself in any affair,
     I would choose to refer all to you,
     for you are infinitely wise and cannot do amiss,
     as I am in danger of doing.
I rejoice to think that all things are at your disposal,
     and it delights me to leave them there.
Then prayer turns wholly into praise,
     and all I can do is to adore and bless you.
What shall I give you for all you benefits?
     I am in a strait between two, knowing not what to do;
I long to make some return, but have nothing to offer,
     and can only rejoice that you do all,
     that none in heaven or on earth shares your honor;
I can of myself do nothing  to glorify your blessed name,
     but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to you,
I know that you are the author and finisher of faith,
     that the whole work of redemption is yours alone,
     that every good work or thought found in me
        is the effect of your power and grace,
     that you sole motive in working in me to will
        and to do is for your good pleasure.
O God, it is amazing that men can talk so much
     about man's creaturely power and goodness,
     when, if you did not hold us back every
     moment, we should be devils incarnate.
This, by bitter experience, you have taught me
     concerning myself.

          (The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions)

Can We Change the Mind of God?

This is a question I find coming up more and more in my ministry.  Much of the issue is with the difference in the theological understanding of God's and our power and how they interact.  In evangelical circles most would turn to scripture for a solid grasp of this topic.  But when taken at the surface we can see that scripture seems to contradict itself.  Let's take a look at both sides of the issue from the Word's point of view.

Can we change the mind of God?  Yes.  There are three major passages that come to mind in support of this position: Exodus 32:9-14 (Moses asks God to spare Israel at Mt. Sinai and God relents his wrath), 2 Kings 20:1-7 (Hezekiah's life is spared and is extended 15 years because Hezekiah reminds God that he has walked with him throughout his life), and Genesis 18:20-33 (Abraham asks for God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there is anyone found righteous within the cities).  In each of these passages God declares his will and a man asks (in one way or another) God to spare a life or lives.

Can we change the mind of God?  No.  Here are three passages to support this position: Numbers 23:19 (Pagan prophet Balaam speaks God's words to Balak),
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

1 Samuel 15:29 (Saul rejected as king by God)
"And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret."

Psalm 33:10-11
"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."

Does scripture contradict itself?  Can God contradict himself?  Can we thwart or overthrow the will of God?  The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no.  The question should not be "Can we change the mind of God?"  This puts the focus on me and as a depraved being I am not in a position to tell God what is right or what is wrong.  The focus of the question should be on God and his perfect will.  Can God change his own mind when his will is final?  We must understand that when the Lord makes a pronouncement intended to be final, he cannot be talked out of it buy a mere human.  God's will is final.

When he seemingly changes his mind to complete destroy the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai he is reminded of his covenant made with Abraham.  Did God suddenly let his anger get the better of him and forget about the covenant?  That is obviously a silly question.  But He still sends a plague upon the people for their disobedience.  Hezekiah's life was spared at that moment, but he still dies 15 years later.  God still destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah despite his promise not to if there was anyone found righteous within the cities.  Lot and his family were evacuated before the destruction.

We need to get beyond ourselves and look to God and his character.  I am not above God in that I can know what is best for a particular situation.  I am not above God in that my powerful prayers can overthrow his will.  My power is minuscule compared to His.  Churches need to focus not on themselves and their will, but the will of the Creator.  I am not above Him.  He is above me.  From this point of view we can see clearly that a mere human cannot talk God out of an action when God has already pronounced it final.

One final word: "Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

Amen and Amen.

Our Amazing God

Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
"In the beginning, God . . ."

It is simply amazing how great our God is.  God is not limited by time.  He was here from before the creation of the world and history.  God created history.  Think about this: all that is around us, including the things made from made, were put here by God.  Man-made things are only a bunch of God-made thing put together.  We would have nothing if God was not there first.  Isn't He simply amazing.  Bask in our holy, awesome, glorious, omnipotent, omniscience, omnipresent, and overwhelmingly wonderful God.  Amen.

Our Limitless God

2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Isn't it amazing how limitless God is?  Even time does not limit God as it does us.  His patience with us is great.  And when we get impatient with His timing He just sits back and continues to be patient.  We work around limitations (seconds, minutes, hours, days, years) but God is limitless. 

I will let Calvin finish this blog off.  Read his words of encouragement.

"He now turns to speak to the godly; and he reminds them that when the coming of Christ is the subject, they were to raise upwards their eyes, for by so doing, they would not limit, by their unreasonable wishes, the time appointed by the Lord. For waiting seems very long on this account, because we have our eyes fixed on the shortness of the present life, and we also increase weariness by computing days, hours, and minutes. But when the eternity of God's kingdom comes to our minds, many ages vanish away like so many moments.

"This then is what the Apostle calls our attention to, so that we may know that the day of resurrection does not depend on the present flow of time, but on the hidden purpose of God, as though he had said, 'Men wish to anticipate God for this reason, because they measure time according to the judgment of their own flesh; and they are by nature inclined to impatience, so that celerity is even delay to them: do ye then ascend in your minds to heaven, and thus time will be to you neither long nor short.'"

Really? . . . Really! . . . Really?

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (ESV)
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

I believe that God is sovereign over all things.  He either allows or causes all things to happen.  He is in control of all things, knows all things, and if it is his desire he will do something.  This seems to me a very basic understanding of God that most Protestants hold to with a few exceptions or tweaks.

I recently met a pastor who has a theology that blew my mind (and not in a good way).  He does not believe in God's omniscience (all-knowing) nature.  At least, not in the way most theologians, let alone everyday Joes, define it.  He believes that God knows what He is going to do, but not what we are going to do.  Wow!  I had never met someone with that belief and hope that someday I can have a conversation with him about it.  But putting my "Really?" response aside, I want to address this issue.  Long, drawn out arguments are not to be used on a blog, so I will keep this short.

It seems that most of Paul' writings are not focused on himself.  Even when he calls himself the "foremost" of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16) the focus is not on himself, but on Christ.  The entire book of Romans, though Paul here mentions himself numerous times, is not focused on Paul, but on Christ.  Ephesians is written to a group of believers to teach them doctrine focused on Christ.  When Paul lays out the requirements for elders, deacons, women, men, children, etc. the focus is not on the people, but on Christ.

Where this pastor I mentioned above misses the point is that his life is not about himself.  God is not out there rubbing his hands together waiting to see what we are going to do.  If you take the omniscience away from God then you lose his sovereignty.  God is no longer God and we begin to live for ourselves just hoping that God will join us.  God has a plan for each of us and he is in control of that plan.  We cannot put ourselves outside the sphere of God's sovereignty.  If we do then we become God and we reduce God.  Not a good thing.

". . . so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him . . ."

Amen.