“God works with lifetimes.” (Dr. Tim Jordan, “Hope Deferred” audio).
Genesis 37-50
Joseph's life seemed to make sense when he was 17. As the favorite son of his father, he dreamed that his siblings would bow down to him—not all that far-fetched for a favorite son. However, his brothers had a plan to annul the dreams, and for 13 years his dreams made no sense. He served God faithfully, but was taken from his family to be a slave, and from his master to be a prisoner. What had become of his dreams? The only faint glimmers he would see of God's promise during that time would have come in the way in which God prospered him. As a slave, he was the head slave. As a prisoner, he was the head prisoner. Still, his dreams made no sense. Can you imagine what it must have been like to interpret the dreams of others—dreams that were so quickly fulfilled—and still be waiting and longing for the fulfillment of your own when each day seemed to make that fulfillment more unlikely? And then God made everything make sense. God is not limited to our yearly planner. Regardless of how far afield God's leading seems to have brought us, we must continue being faithful. Everything will make sense eventually.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Do We Proclaim an Urgent Message?
Many times our attempt to warn people of coming punishment in an eternal Hell mirrors Lot's failed attempt to get his prospective sons-in-law to flee the city. They thought he was jesting (Genesis 19:14). Certainly there was no conviction in his words, because there was no urgency in his own heart. He was not anxious to leave the city and would himself have been destroyed had the angels not forcibly removed him from the premises (Genesis 19:16). He revealed how little he understood the peril by begging to go to a different city, thinking that his life would be in danger in the hills, not realizing that his life was on the line with every moment he hesitated (Genesis 19:19, 20). He then apparently dawdled on his way to Zoar (Genesis 19:23). It was not until God's judgment fell that he grasped the seriousness of the situation (Genesis 19:30). But lest we stand in judgment of Lot, we should consider our own efforts at evangelism. John 3:18 clearly proclaims the truth that everyone must either trust Christ for salvation from the penalty of their sins, or else they will receive the condemnation under which they are already living. Matthew 25:41 and 46 says that this condemnation is eternal punishment in unquenchable fire. Why do we dawdle at warning people of their peril and directing them to the way of salvation? Do we even believe God's Word? Do we recognize how we ourselves have been snatched like dry twigs out of the fire? When will we forsake the meaningless pleasures of this life for the cause of winning souls? Must we wait until we see God's judgment fall before we grasp the urgency of the Great Commission?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Take Time to be Holy
As I was flipping through a hymnal yesterday, I took time to read the Hymn with the above title. As I did so, I was struck by the basic and essential truths contained in the poem. I would encourage you to read through the stanzas carefully, observing each thought that the author penned, for in them you will discover the practical fundamentals that should be true of every Christian's life.
“Take Time to Be Holy”
William D. Longstaff (1822-1894)
“As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy.” (1 Peter 1:15)
1. Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy Guide,
And run not before Him, Whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow, Still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word.
“Take Time to Be Holy”
William D. Longstaff (1822-1894)
“As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy.” (1 Peter 1:15)
1. Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy Guide,
And run not before Him, Whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow, Still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
God Leads His Dear Children Along
God has been at work in my life during the last few months with regard to planting a church in Green Bay. When I first received the call almost a year ago, my idea was that I would focus on Anglo people first, and then reach out to Hispanic people once the church was established. However, God has been redirecting my thoughts through His Word and through circumstances. Now it looks like not only will the church-plant target Hispanics right from the start, but that God will be using me to reach out to Hispanics at home in Marinette and in Green Bay prior to moving the latter city sometime in 2010. Here's why:
1. God began by surrounding me with people who could give advice.
As I looked toward Green Bay and began attempting to compile resources that would help me to plant a church, God began bringing person after person into my life who had a burden for Hispanic people, who knew how to minister to them, and who knew others who could provide additional advice and resources toward that end. I found this all to be very exciting, but there is a big problem--I do not speak Spanish. Granted, I hope to be ministering to Hispanics in the United States where many of them have learned at least enough English to get by, but I would either need to become fluent enough in Spanish to be able to communicate the Gospel, or God would need to provide someone who was fluent. I began praying for the latter.
2. God saved Brandon Gauthier.
Before I began praying for someone who was fluent in Spanish, God was already at work in Brandon's life. Brandon is a young man who has been a friend of my pastor's son for many years, but was unsaved until this summer. Through several big events God brought him to the point that he would be receptive to the Gospel, and he trusted Christ as his Savior. His salvation alone would be a great praise, but there is more, because in addition to the great zeal he has as a new believer to see other people saved, he is also fluent in Spanish, and has a particular burden for Hispanics having spent every summer of his teenage years in Peru.
3. God directed me toward Hispanics.
While the above events were playing out, I began praying that God would lead me specifically through His Word as to what people group I should make my focus in Green Bay. I remembered that when I had prayed about going to Green Bay in the first place, He had directed me through specific verses. I asked that He would do so again. The answer was quick in coming. Almost as soon as I began praying these words came to mind: "And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation" (Romans 15:20). This verse is significant because while there are not enough Bible-centered churches of similar faith and practice in Green Bay, there are none (to my knowledge) that reach out to Hispanics. This verse has continued as my answer with each subsequent occasion that I give thought to the topic.
4. God has put me in contact with Hispanics.
In addition to the other things that God has been doing, He has begun putting me in contact with Hispanics--primarily through Brandon, who delivers mail for the Post Office both in Marinette and in Green Bay. Last week my family was able to visit an unsaved Hispanic family in Marinette, and last night Brandon told me of a Peruvian lady in Green Bay who is a Baptist, but who has been unable to find a place to worship because she does not understand enough of the service. She asked if we would be willing to come down and do a Bible study with her and others of her acquaintence once a month. I look forward to meeting this lady and finding out more about her testimony and background. I am also praying for the salvation of the family I mentioned, as they have attended Twin City Baptist, and know a couple other families from the church.
Please pray for my family and I as we continue to pray for God's leading and follow the guidance He has given so far. Pray for us also as we begin learning Spanish.
1. God began by surrounding me with people who could give advice.
As I looked toward Green Bay and began attempting to compile resources that would help me to plant a church, God began bringing person after person into my life who had a burden for Hispanic people, who knew how to minister to them, and who knew others who could provide additional advice and resources toward that end. I found this all to be very exciting, but there is a big problem--I do not speak Spanish. Granted, I hope to be ministering to Hispanics in the United States where many of them have learned at least enough English to get by, but I would either need to become fluent enough in Spanish to be able to communicate the Gospel, or God would need to provide someone who was fluent. I began praying for the latter.
2. God saved Brandon Gauthier.
Before I began praying for someone who was fluent in Spanish, God was already at work in Brandon's life. Brandon is a young man who has been a friend of my pastor's son for many years, but was unsaved until this summer. Through several big events God brought him to the point that he would be receptive to the Gospel, and he trusted Christ as his Savior. His salvation alone would be a great praise, but there is more, because in addition to the great zeal he has as a new believer to see other people saved, he is also fluent in Spanish, and has a particular burden for Hispanics having spent every summer of his teenage years in Peru.
3. God directed me toward Hispanics.
While the above events were playing out, I began praying that God would lead me specifically through His Word as to what people group I should make my focus in Green Bay. I remembered that when I had prayed about going to Green Bay in the first place, He had directed me through specific verses. I asked that He would do so again. The answer was quick in coming. Almost as soon as I began praying these words came to mind: "And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation" (Romans 15:20). This verse is significant because while there are not enough Bible-centered churches of similar faith and practice in Green Bay, there are none (to my knowledge) that reach out to Hispanics. This verse has continued as my answer with each subsequent occasion that I give thought to the topic.
4. God has put me in contact with Hispanics.
In addition to the other things that God has been doing, He has begun putting me in contact with Hispanics--primarily through Brandon, who delivers mail for the Post Office both in Marinette and in Green Bay. Last week my family was able to visit an unsaved Hispanic family in Marinette, and last night Brandon told me of a Peruvian lady in Green Bay who is a Baptist, but who has been unable to find a place to worship because she does not understand enough of the service. She asked if we would be willing to come down and do a Bible study with her and others of her acquaintence once a month. I look forward to meeting this lady and finding out more about her testimony and background. I am also praying for the salvation of the family I mentioned, as they have attended Twin City Baptist, and know a couple other families from the church.
Please pray for my family and I as we continue to pray for God's leading and follow the guidance He has given so far. Pray for us also as we begin learning Spanish.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Maclaren Quote
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle" --Ian Maclaren*
From the time we were children we have been consistently reminded that the world does not revolve around us--meaning that we should not take our own interests into exclusive consideration. Philippians 2:4 says it this way, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." To be interested in aiding other people--to be actively seeking ways to serve them--reveals a loving heart. We should allow the confidence we find in God's Word while fighting our own battles to encourage others in the battles they are fighting--even when we do not know they are struggling. Then Psalm 119:74 will be true of us, which says, "Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word."
From the time we were children we have been consistently reminded that the world does not revolve around us--meaning that we should not take our own interests into exclusive consideration. Philippians 2:4 says it this way, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." To be interested in aiding other people--to be actively seeking ways to serve them--reveals a loving heart. We should allow the confidence we find in God's Word while fighting our own battles to encourage others in the battles they are fighting--even when we do not know they are struggling. Then Psalm 119:74 will be true of us, which says, "Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word."
*(The above quote was found in Wiersbe's The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament, Wisdom and Poetry, 321)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thank You, God, for Freedom
[On April 6 Stephen Harder posted a series of thought-provoking questions on his blog. I highly recommend reading it click here. One particular section of his post caught my attention since it had to do with the topic of persecution--a topic on which I have been thinking of late. I desired to respond to his article, but was unable to consolidate my thoughts enough for a comment. Hence, I decided to write several posts on my own blog in response. This is one of them. I should caution the reader in advance that none of these posts is intended to give the complete picture of my thoughts on the subject, so try not to judge me too quickly if I do not approach the topic in the same way you would. If you do not like one you may like the others, so stay tuned. I should also point out that though Stephen's article was the catalyst which caused me to write, and though I may reference it from time to time, I am not actually addressing what he wrote. If I appear to attack some wrong-headed thinking from time to time, it is probably my own that I have in mind.]
Nearly every Sunday at some point during the day I can count on hearing someone thank God for "the freedom to worship publicly." Here in the United States we do not have to worry about the police forcing their way into the service and dragging away our pastors and other church leaders. We do not have to worry that the visitor we see sitting in the back row might be an informer. We have it easy compared to many of our brothers and sisters around the world. Oftentimes I find myself saying that we have it too easy--especially when I hear of the plight of God's people in other places. However, I should remember that our religious freedom is a gift from God, and I should not carelessly overlook it in favor of some romantic view of suffering that I hold (and which will be further discussed this week).
I believe that 1 Timothy 2:1-4 speaks to this topic when it says:
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
In this passage Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for "all men", but he calls out rulers for special mention. The purposes for which he instructs Timothy to pray for them are 1. that they would be saved (v. 4), and 2. that Christians would be able to "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (v. 2). I have listed the purposes in reverse order because I want to focus on the second one. The terms "quiet" and "peaceable" both speak to the idea of tranquility, which leads me to picture a dead-calm lake with no ripples or waves. God's purpose for this tranquility (the same tranquility for which he encourages us to pray) is not so that we would have stress-free lives, but so that we would be free to live our lives quietly in godliness and reverence, which are pleasing to Him. God has given us the opportunity to live out our salvation in just such an environment in the United States. This is not a permanent condition. Looking back, we find that religious freedom was unknown in early America as the different factions of Christianity built miniature kingdoms in the colonies in which they persecuted each other through the same means they had used in Europe. Looking ahead, we can easily envision a time when Christianity will no longer be accepted the way it is today. For now, however, God has granted us tranquility. May we not flatter ourselves with the idea of what we will do when persecution arrives, but instead be wise and thankful stewards of the opportunity God has given us in the era of religious freedom in which we live.
Nearly every Sunday at some point during the day I can count on hearing someone thank God for "the freedom to worship publicly." Here in the United States we do not have to worry about the police forcing their way into the service and dragging away our pastors and other church leaders. We do not have to worry that the visitor we see sitting in the back row might be an informer. We have it easy compared to many of our brothers and sisters around the world. Oftentimes I find myself saying that we have it too easy--especially when I hear of the plight of God's people in other places. However, I should remember that our religious freedom is a gift from God, and I should not carelessly overlook it in favor of some romantic view of suffering that I hold (and which will be further discussed this week).
I believe that 1 Timothy 2:1-4 speaks to this topic when it says:
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
In this passage Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for "all men", but he calls out rulers for special mention. The purposes for which he instructs Timothy to pray for them are 1. that they would be saved (v. 4), and 2. that Christians would be able to "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (v. 2). I have listed the purposes in reverse order because I want to focus on the second one. The terms "quiet" and "peaceable" both speak to the idea of tranquility, which leads me to picture a dead-calm lake with no ripples or waves. God's purpose for this tranquility (the same tranquility for which he encourages us to pray) is not so that we would have stress-free lives, but so that we would be free to live our lives quietly in godliness and reverence, which are pleasing to Him. God has given us the opportunity to live out our salvation in just such an environment in the United States. This is not a permanent condition. Looking back, we find that religious freedom was unknown in early America as the different factions of Christianity built miniature kingdoms in the colonies in which they persecuted each other through the same means they had used in Europe. Looking ahead, we can easily envision a time when Christianity will no longer be accepted the way it is today. For now, however, God has granted us tranquility. May we not flatter ourselves with the idea of what we will do when persecution arrives, but instead be wise and thankful stewards of the opportunity God has given us in the era of religious freedom in which we live.
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