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Archive for August, 2008

John 13:14-15 “And since I, the Lord & teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow, do as I have done to you.”

In Mark 4, I listen again to the Parable of the Sower. And, I am moved.

While the parable clearly refers to the Gospel and our response to it, I’m struck by how true the parable is for any truth that is shared in our lives. Truth, as I’ve mentioned before, is available for all. There is no shade under the sun where Truth can be hidden. We can shield our ears and eyes from it. But, that doesn’t change the fact that the Truth is for all.

Over the course of our lives, when we allow God to direct our paths, He leads us through the valley. And along the way, He shares knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to implement into our daily lives. While this knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are not the Gospel, it nonetheless is still truth, and blessings that come from Him. How do we respond to these lesser seeds of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding?

I was moved by the Holy Spirit to reconsider how I have responded to recent truth. I’ve been “hesitant” to move down that path. I’ve grown comfortable in the valley that the Lord made available to me. So, when the idea of moving on was presented to me, I resisted. I was a big fish in this small pond. And, I liked it. But recently, I’ve been allowed to see the ocean, and the blue whales that make it their home. The Lord has provided His grace and blessing to show me the way that I too may swim with the whales.

Something has been holding me back though. Too much mud. Or, as in the parable, too many weeds. Some might call it fear of the unknown. But, I don’t know if it’s fair to call it fear, ‘cause I don’t “feel” fear. What I do feel, however, is a lack of faith; a lack of trust.

Forgive me, Father.

In this regard, the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that He’s offered to share with me have, thus far, fallen on hard soil. Fortunately, His appointed farmer is still able and willing to tend to my fields. And prayerfully, the hearing of His word during my daily commute will be the life giving rain that is needed for the seeds to germinate. And, to that end, every seed must die before it can germinate. Plainly stated, I must die to my selfish desires on a daily basis, pick up my cross, trust in Him who loves me, and follow.

Dear Jesus, into thy hands, I give to thee. I want to believe!

Matthew 9:10-13 (NLT)

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

As I drove along and listened to the Bible Experience, I listened to the passage above and thought to myself, “Am I a victim of my own protectionist walls.” Not long ago, I was persecuted by some members of my own local church family regarding my plans to invite the community to join us for a series of picnics in our yard. I responded to these critics by informing them that Jesus desires for us to share His word with the world. And the world, as I continued, is beyond our walls.

If Jesus was willing to sit, visit, and eat with those who were “cast aside” by the “enlightened” ones, shouldn’t we model our outward ministry to others in the same manner.

Something to think about…

Matthew 7:6 – - Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Ellen G. White writes that we are “wonderfully and fearfully” made. My appreciation of that statement is heightened by my study of the bujyutsu of Japan, i.e. martial arts.

During this morning’s commute, my Bible Experience brought to mind a book that I’ve been introduced through my training. The information therein originated in Japan and is thousands of years old. More specifically, the book discusses and describes the abilities we all have as humans when we are first and foremost connected to Him, who made us. The book was compiled by an individual who rightfully and respectfully gives homage to God as the actual author. In fact, he says of himself that he is merely the recipient of God’s truth and a willing vessel to share for future generations.

This book is available to anyone. It can be purchased on the internet. Or, it can be borrowed from any library in Japan. And still, although the information is in plain sight, the truth that is available within is fully hidden. In fact, only a handful of individuals throughout history can honestly claim to have achieved the teachings.

Why?

Jesus used parables to teach many truths. He would say, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Matt 13:9, NLT)

When His disciples wondered and asked why He didn’t just make it plain, He told them, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Matt 13:11-12, NLT)

For those without an ear to hear, or an eye to see, or a heart to feel as given by the blessing of God Himself, can not contemplate and/or imagine the manifestation that comes from the truth that is given to us.

Initially, after receiving the insight of the contents of the book mentioned above, I wanted to tell all who were interested in the bujyutsu of my good fortune. I wanted them to know that they too could have the same opportunity. When they showed their skepticism or their lack of belief, I engaged them in debate. I sought out every objection they held dear in order to overcome them. I wanted to enable those individuals to see the truth as it has been shared with me, and seek the opportunity to capture it.

My efforts were in vain and disdained. Moreover, I found myself doing to them what I find to be reprehensible amongst some of us as Adventists; citing a higher sense of truth and enlightenment while making others feel less about what truth they have themselves. Moreover, I found myself struggling with discouragement. The enemy, through the “inner me,” spoke to me often. I began to question and vacillate. If this is the truth, why then is there so much resistance to accepting it,” I wondered.

I forgot. The Gospel is for all. But not all will accept it. Truth is for all. But not all will be able to attain the fullness of it.

No matter how on fire we can be to evangelize and share the truth and the way, many will turn their backs to it. Still, we must not allow ourselves to become discouraged. We can’t lose sight of the fact that as they first rejected Him, most will reject us, because of Him.

Believe!

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Matthew 1:18-20 (NLT)

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Right from the start of my daily privilege of listening to the Bible Experience, I’m struck by the story of a man who learns that the woman he is prepared to marry is pregnant. I’m speaking of Joseph, of course. I imagine what he must have been thinking when Mary told him. But, I know how he must have felt.

I recall, with clear recollection, of being young and “in love” with my very first girlfriend. I wasn’t even out of high school yet, but I just knew that K.D. was the perfect match for me. Imagine that. But, I don’t need to imagine what it felt like when she told me that she was pregnant. And, I too, like Joseph knew that I couldn’t possibly be the father.

Although I felt betrayed, I was in what I can only describe as a state of shock. So much so that I think my only words to her was, “congratulations.” Everyone in my school just knew I had to be the father. Even my mother suspected I was the father.

It started as a whisper. But, when it finally became know that I wasn’t the father, it became an open joke. Somebody else beat my time and got my girl pregnant. And, to make matters worse, I never, ever suspected that there was someone else.

Feeling hurt, feeling ashamed, and feeling like a lame duck, I became angry. I remember that I refused to even speak with her. When I saw her in the hallways, I turned and went the other way. Eventually, she transferred to a different school; one that could attend to her special needs. After all, we were only 16 years old.

As I listen to the story of Joseph, I can honestly feel what he must have felt. Still, Joseph was a man of God. He was willing to allow the Lord to guide him and be the Lord of his life regardless of the circumstances. He was obedient. And most importantly, he recognized that his feelings were not an accurate measure of how he should conduct himself and react to circumstances. Joseph allowed God’s will to be the guiding light of his life.

It’s an important lesson.

~ ~ ~

Years later, as I was leaving home for college, K.D. called me at home to wish me well. She even invited me over to see the baby…a girl, and a toddler at that point. I declined. About two years after that I believe, when I was beginning my junior year of college, K.D. got my phone number somehow and called me again. She wanted to see me. She wanted to know if I could possibly still be interested in seeing her. That was the last time we ever spoke.

And, I still have a difficult time trusting others and letting my guard down.

With vivid clarity, I’m beginning to see why the Lord has placed me in my current situation. I tried my very best to find a job close to home. I was even willing to be vastly under-employed for the opportunity to have a short commute. I have so much on my plate these days, I prayed for the simplicity of a solution that I felt was best, not just for me, but for my entire family. But, as I’ve shared earlier, the Lord has led me, when I’ve been willing to be led, by creating circumstances, and/or restricting opportunities that might have “distracted” me.

So, as I drive each day, to and from work, spending more than two and a half hours in the car each day, I believe the Lord wants my “captive” attention. And, He shall have it.

A few weeks ago, I started a new job. I’m very thankful of the opportunity to work and support my family. It is a blessing that arrived right on time and not a minute too soon. God is good…all the time.

However, my commute is upwards of an hour to an hour and a half, each way. Initially, I dreaded the commute. But, for the past couple of days, I’ve had the pleasure of listening to the Bible Experience.

I began my journey in the New Testament, listening to the Book of Matthew. And although I’ve read through the Gospels many times over, I’m in awe of how the Holy Spirit moves me through certain passages. I will endeavor to bring these ‘movings’ of the Spirit to you as I continue this journey Along the Way.

Very few New Testament characters rival Simon Peter in terms of bold actions and outrageous statements. He invited himself to walk with Jesus on the water, he cut off a man’s ear, and he initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet just before the Last Supper. Often, when Jesus asked His disciples a question, it was Peter who spoke up. With James and John, Peter accompanied Jesus on some of His most outstanding miracles.

Yet often in the sermons that mention Peter, he’s treated as kind of a lovable buffoon; someone who speaks and acts before he thinks through the results of his words or actions. The implied message of these sermons is, “Don’t be like Peter. Keep your mouth shut and your hands to yourself. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

That attitude misses the entire point of his story: Peter’s influence in the early church was huge because he was willing to take risks for Christ. When Peter was converted and transformed, the Holy Spirit used Peter’s bold proclamations and brave actions to build up Christ’s kingdom.

Can the Lord use only “perfect” people—or is there room for folk like you and me?

Peter’s story shows us through his humanness that God can use just about anyone. Peter swore, denied Christ, even resorted to violence, and yet, he went forth with “the keys to the kingdom” and became a mighty witness for God’s truth and God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, or Christ.

Peter was a fisherman, unschooled in the higher realms of Scripture, certainly not one who sat at the foot of the rabbis of old. Yet, despite his “rough” background and sometimes “raw” behavior, God’s grace transformed him into an evangelist par excellence.

Can you think of people whom you’ve known over the years whose worldly experience ill-fitted them for spiritual achievement, and yet these people were used to reach others with the gospel and the three angels’ messages?

Join us over the next two weeks as Owen Kong provides us with his leadership to facilitate this vital exploration and discussion.

When I lead a discussion during Sabbath School, I find a sense of ‘encouragement,’ for lack of a better word, when the sermon that follows continues upon the same theme. One might assume that this would be a frequent occurrence. But, on the contrary, it is not always the case.

The pastor prepares his sermons well in advance. Due to the fact that he has three church congregations, sits on no less than six New Jersey Conference level committees, and holds a departmental position, he is in a word, busy! Thus, he trusts his congregation leaders to fulfill their missions. As such, he is not aware from one week to the next what we are studying in Sabbath School. So, when the occasion arises where his sermon and the Sabbath School lesson are “in synch,” it is a very strong blessing to all of us in attendance that can only be considered from God.

Recently, I submitted a post entitled, “They Just Don’t Get It.” There within, I attempted to acknowledge that our salvation has nothing to do with our ability to behave in a certain manner. Rather, our salvation is a gift, which is everything we base our hopes upon. That said, even though we accept the gift of salvation, we are called to live a changed life; a life that reflects our love for Jesus and accepting the truth that He shares with us.

This past weekend, once again, my pastor’s sermon and I were “in synch.” Specifically, consider the words of Paul in Philippians 3:12-14:

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul emphasizes that he doesn’t consider himself to have been “saved.” Rather, he considers himself called to a responsibility to “press toward the goal” of the prize. The prize is of course the crown of heaven. He is NOT saying that he has to work for his prize. Rather, he is saying that he is always striving to be like Christ and thus completely live his life fully for Him. In short, it’s a mindset that we, as Christians, should adapt: to model our lives to be like Christ.

In Corinthians 11:1 Paul says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

My pastor, Mike Gill, said this past Sabbath, “We can’t think of ourselves of having made it yet. Oh, we can have confidence that God will finish the work he has begun in us. Because we are saved by grace, through faith and not of ourselves but through a gift of God, we can trust in the gift giver…Paul has no trust that he has reached a level of perfection that is worthy of Heaven’s approval. [Rather, he] trusts that those justified in the Father’s sight are seen as perfect solely based on the merits of Christ.

“There is always room for growth in all of us.”

Some people read the Bible as if they’re cramming for an exam or preparing to play a game of Trivial Pursuit. They fill their heads with lots of details: names, places, chapters, and verses. But that kind of knowledge, while useful on a certain level, does not have the power to transform our lives. Jesus said to those who persecuted Him, “ ‘You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life’ ” (John 5:39, 40, NIV).

This week’s lesson focuses on one of Christ’s disciples who, perhaps more than any other, understood Jesus’ character of unconditional love and unqualified acceptance of sinners.

This lesson is to remind us that knowledge about the Bible will take us only so far in securing our salvation. In the final analysis, only our relationship with Christ will save us and transform us—as it did for John—from being a “child of Thunder” to a “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Join us this week as elder Richard White leads and facilitates our discussion through this important lesson.