It's Time To Rise Up O Men of God!

Rise up O men of God,
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength,
To serve the King of Kings,
To serve the King of Kings.

Rise up O men of God,
His Kingdom tarries long,
Bring in the day of brotherhood,
And end the night of wrong,
And end the night of wrong.

Rise up O men of God,
The Church for you doth wait.
Send forth to serve the needs of men
In Christ our strength is great,
In Christ our strength is great.

Lift high the Cross of Christ,
Tread where His feet have trod,
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up O men of God,
Rise up O men of God.

Rise up O men of God,
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength,
To serve the King of Kings,
To serve the King of Kings.

Songwriters: Traditional / Phil Keaggy / Bill Batstone / Buddy Owens

Here Comes The Son

Today there is a heaviness in the land.

Negativity is the new norm as day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute we rush to eat a diet of the latest update about a disease that is ravaging the land.

Twenty-four hours a day the media spews out the vomit we call “news” as our lungs breath in the toxicity until it causes us to faint or pass out.

Conspiracy theorists are having a field day as sides are chosen as to what is really going on as both sides point their fingers at the other side.

Like the smell of a skunk that has just sprayed we gasp for a breath of fresh air.

Clocks are only used to find your favorite show. Calendars show only days (instead of weeks or months) as this Groundhog Day endlessly repeats.

“I just don’t know what to do…” is the heart cry of many.

And yet, through the confusion the Word of God SHOUTS to His people through the prophet Isaiah chapter 60:

Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. (v1)

Why is He telling us to arise and shine?

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people (v2)

That sounds like the time we are living in. some days it seems as though the whole earth is wrapped in darkness.

Yes, darkness; thick darkness, gross darkness…all the people of the earth are sunk in deep darkness. 

And you say; “Now I am even more despaired!”

My friend: KEEP READING

BUT (say that again)

BUT the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you. (v2b)

In the middle of times that seem out of control the Lord SHOUTS:

Get out of bed, Wake up.

Put your face in the sunlight.
God’s bright glory has risen for you.

The LORD is exhorting Believers during this time of despair and uncertainty to be a light for Him. To be a reflection of His goodness, His glory to those who are trapped by the darkness.

In fact, He is telling us through the prophet Isaiah that when we arise and shine, people will come to listen to what we have to tell:

The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising. (v3)

Even those relatives who seem far away will come to you:

Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. (v4)

The result will be

Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord. (v 4-6)

In other words, when we arise and shine, the darkness is dispelled.

WE are called to bring the light into this world out of control.

Some of you might be thinking, “Jesus is the Light of the world, not me!”

And I would say that you are correct. In John 9:5, Jesus refers to Himself as the Light of the world.

But in Matthew 5:14 and 16, Jesus also said,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden... In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

My friend, don’t wait for this to all blow over before you share what the LORD has done for you.

We are called to be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why we’re living the way we are…

to 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)

So, wake up sleepy head! Arise! Shine! So that others will exclaim:

“HERE COMES THE SON!”

All Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Because of the Resurrection we have...FREEDOM!!!

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:7-8:

“Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

The cross and the Resurrection are linked together. Without the Resurrection, the cross of Jesus is meaningless. Apart from the Resurrection, the cross is a tragedy and a defeat.

Many people risk their lives for others such as fire fighters, police, healthcare workers, caregivers, etc.

Many people have died or were killed so others could have freedom: Among them are soldiers and freedom fighters

But because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we have a different type of freedom

Because of the Resurrection we have...

·        Freedom from FEAR

·        Freedom from STRESS

·        Freedom from BONDAGE & ADDICTION

·        Freedom from DISCOURAGEMENT

·        Freedom from ACCUSATION

·        Freedom from SHAME & CONDEMNATION

·        Freedom from SIN & DEATH

And why is that? It is because Jesus lives! He didn’t just die; He was resurrected!

This is Ephesians 1:7-10 in the Message Version:

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”

Today our world is filled with dangers of a virus out of our control. Many are experiencing fear and strife. You too may be experiencing fear and strife

BUT Because of the resurrection…We no longer need to fear death or disaster.

Just as Jesus triumphed, we, too, can triumph. We can be confident that death will have no sting in our lives. Confident that we too will be resurrected.

Opportunities for worry, stress, and fear may come your way…

But as a Believer in Jesus Christ; you don’t have to walk in them. You have FREEDOM!

The words of the Lord Jesus are more relevant than ever before. Once again, He comes to those who love Him and says, “Fear not.”

I pray that this thrilling knowledge will sink deep into your heart,

Because of the Resurrection we have...Freedom!!!

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

Momentous Menagerie

Jesus said that we need to be childlike. This includes both our faith and our approach to the Father. In fact, He was pretty adamant and said; "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15)

He is NOT talking about salvation or where you go when you die. If you put your faith and trust in the accomplished and complete work of Jesus Christ, you can have assurance that when you die you WILL go to heaven (see Romans 10:9-13)

He is NOT talking about age, but rather, about HOW you approach and enter into the Kingdom of God each and every day here on earth. He is talking about the wonder and amazement of how children come to you and ASSUME that you DO want to be with them.

He is talking about how children dance like no one is watching, and laugh and play. Actually, they don't make good religious folk...they need to be taught that as they learn false things about our Good, Good Heavenly Father.

He is talking about how children ASK for things they want, but don't really need. This was driven home to me recently by a couple of our grandchildren.

We were about to watch a movie with them and they came into the room bringing EACH a PILE of stuffed animals and proceeded to line them up in a position so that they too could watch the movie.

I surveyed them and realized that several of them were new; which meant there was still a pile of them in the bedroom in which they were staying AND another pile in the family room where they had been playing!

I thought of a time a few weeks ago when Cathy and I, along with them and their parents, had been site seeing and stopped in a toy store. I was amazed at how unhesitant they were to pick out several stuffed animals and ASK their parents if they would purchase them. Mom and dad said "no" this time.

And yet, I have seen this on MANY occasions. Their posture wasn't about greed or covetousness; but rather about ASKING. They asked because that is what children do; they ask.

Oh and they actually believe that they will receive. No, not because they beg or whine or pout (my grandchildren don't do this). They ask because they have a history with their parent’s generosity.

As I said, approaching the Kingdom Of God isn't just about receiving; we're too super-spiritual for that....Or is it?

Have we been so adult-like that we don't even ask and anticipate that our Good, Good Heavenly Father will provide?

Jesus Himself said: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

This struck me today when I was reading Hebrews 11:6 which says:

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him."

Too often I will focus on: "impossible to please" and the word "sincerely"(NKJV use the word "diligently").

Today I saw the word "rewards" (NKJV uses the word "rewarder").

Basically, it comes from two Greek words that mean: to reward, give away, that is, up, over, back, etc. (in various applications): - deliver (again), give (again), (re-) pay (-ment be made), perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield.

Do you see the implication of the words screaming out "again"?

The writer is trying to communicate that EACH and EVERY time we approach our Good, Good Heavenly Father, He will make it worth our while! He is not put off by the repeated asking. He is not looking at "how many you already have". He is a REWARDER! COMPENSATOR! RESTORER! Over and over and over and over and over....

Children think this way; so they keep asking.

And Jesus is saying that you will never get into His Kingdom UNLESS and UNTIL you approach Him this way; like a little child...blindly trusting the Father's goodness, provision, care, and leadership in your life.

When you approach Him this way, you will be filled with an unshakable hope that He will provide for you an abundant life of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17)

He is calling each of us into a greater lifestyle of the faith of a child. He is calling for you to trust Him for ALL that you need. He is calling for YOU.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

My Dad Is In Charge

It was a Friday night in nineteen seventy something and I was working part time at the Post Office while attending art college. And, because I was only part time, I was able to carry the load of college and still make money to pay my way.

One evening, I arrived at my normal timeslot and was greeted by a new supervisor who wanted to talk with me.

He said that he had replaced my old boss who had retired and that he had some great concerns about how few hours I worked each day.

I explained to him that I was special and only was scheduled to work four hours a day from six until ten in the evening. This was the arrangement that I had with my old boss.

He explained to me that because my old boss no longer worked there and he was now in change, that would need to change; effective immediately.

He added that if I was unwilling to work a full eight-hour shift and be available for overtime as necessary, I should go home and no longer report for work.

Because I realized that he was serious and because I had no intention of ever working full time while attending college, I took off my badge, handed it to him, and went home.

When I arrived home, my dad asked why I was home so early.

As I explained what had transpired, my dad’s face became very stern.

“That guy has no right to demand that of you! Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, adding “Don’t you know that I could’ve worked things out for you?”

 

I mumbled something as I felt the sting of disappointment that my dad expressed in me not going to him for help.

For some reason I hadn’t thought of my dad, who had worked his whole career at the post office and was higher up in management then my new boss was.

I mumbled something else as I walked out the door, realizing that I had disappointment to two people in a very short span of time.

I don’t remember much of what happened during the weekend but, needless to say, on Monday I was back working for the Post office. My dad had gone into work and explained what had happened and “heads began to roll”.

They not only agreed that my new boss was out of line and had no authority to say what he said to me, but they also offered my old job and hours back to me with an apology that this had ever taken place.

I felt triumphant that night as I strolled back into work knowing that my boss had limited authority over my life. My dad outranked him and there was nothing that he could do about it!

My dad was happy that he was able to help. What I thought was disappointment on his face was frustration that someone had messed up his son’s life and that I hadn’t come to him to ask for his help.

In time I learned that is what I do with my heavenly Father. I will get myself in trouble or else someone or something will threaten me and I don’t even go to Him and ask for His help.

Instead, I quit or hide or roll over.

His Son Jesus paid for my sins and that is why I call Him Savior.

But He is also Lord. That means He is supreme in all authority; He is still in control of EVERYTHING and of EVERY situation.

He simply wants us to ask for His help.

Jesus is Savior and Lord.

“Therefore, God elevated Him (Jesus) to the place of highest honor
    and gave Him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)

 “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—(Acts 10:36)

“But for us, There is one God, the Father,
    by whom all things were created,
    and for whom we live.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    through whom all things were created,
    and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

I Made This For You

Cathy was sitting on the front porch at our family cabin drinking a cup of coffee as she took in the beauty outside. She loves this place and is very grateful for it.

The cabin was built by her father (and other family members including myself) thirty years ago as a gift; which has deeper meaning and memories for us now that he has gone to be with the Lord over twelve years ago.

The cabin was made for vacations, retreats, and other forms of respite. Some have spent their honeymoons there. It has served me well for many sermons and times of meditations.

I am very happy to see our children taking their families to it and enjoying it the way it was intended... laughter and life and memories filling the air.

Cathy shared with me, as she came back inside to the kitchen table where I was sitting, just how grateful she is as she can even now see her father saying to her; "I made this for you!" many years past when we first cleared some trees on the property and poured the footings.

"I made this for you as a place for you and your family as a place for rest, relaxation, restoration, and community..."

"I made this for you far beyond some gifts that are made for you."

And then she shared with me how she saw beyond the physical structure of the porch and realized that her father had made the cabin to be a place to sit and ponder the place where he had chosen to build it. He wanted her to enjoy what he had seen and treasured about the lake and land.

 

It was more than just the cabin that he wanted her to enjoy....there was a world beyond the cabin; which really was a shelter for when this place had changed and the elements were cold or hot or windy or snowy or rainy...

And then she thought of the Lord who had literally created all that her dad had seen...

And she heard Father saying to her (deep in her spirit) "I made this for YOU!"

And she was filled with gratefulness for her dad to have built the cabin, to create a space for her to sit and ponder this place that meant so much to him. A place designed and created by a God who reveals Himself as "Father" who had made all of this for her.

“Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelations 4:11 KJV)

What Is The Gospel?

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

Holding My Breath While Trying To Breathe

There were five of them sitting around the table today. All of them looked retired and able to slowly sip their coffees as they seemed delighted in each other's company.

"I want you to know that you have always been a good neighbor and friend and I am going to miss you...” one of them said to another and was met with a warm smile.

"So when did you sell your house?" another man asked and then waited to hear of the process of selling his house that he had lived in for a long time.

"Do you have any plans for what you are going to do with the snow?"; another friend chided, inquiring as to whether he was planning on taking the snow with him to his new home. 

Laughter filled the coffee shop as each gave their opinion as to how to get rid of the snow and other items that he didn't plan on taking with him when he moved.

In time, the conversation turned to medical issues and tests and blood pressure revealing that they were much older than I.

They were also much more relaxed than I as they seemed in no hurry to finish their coffee and "do some real work..."

I'm sixty one years old this year. Slowly, methodically I transition into the next phase of life; whatever that means...

It was always my understanding that as one gets older it would be easier to relax and yet to come up to the coffee shop today took a lot of effort.

My plan was to come up here yesterday; and yet my day was soon filled with the tyranny of the urgent, and quickly the day was over.

So today I got up, showered, took time to read my Bible and several devotionals for the day before heading out the door. 

But, before I could actually leave, several attempts to grab my time came up as I wrestled to get out of the house with as much effort as getting an overweight lady into a pair of size small pantyhose!

I received multiple texts from multiple people seeking my attention and response. And with each response, another text would come in response to my response, keeping the conversation going.

And, when not responding to the texts, phone calls and emails would also "take-a-number" and seek my attention.

As I ponder the "interruptions", I speak to God that it is a nice 'problem' to have so many friends who want to talk. In this world of individuals, I so blessed to have the 'problem' of so many who would like to talk. I am a rich man.

But, as I tried to get to my task of heading out the door, I found myself actually having to give myself permission to stop and to rest and to slow down. And no amount of justifying that I needed to leave and get some writing done was working.

You see, I have a very large office in my home and with Cathy gone for the day, I really have no reason that I can't get work done at home. In fact, while sitting here a neighbor came in and chided; "Ain't you got nothing to do?" referring to me sitting and drinking coffee.

I showed him my IPad and explained that I was working.

The main reason that I come up to work here one day a week (rather than working at home) is so that on days when I am not meeting with individuals or couples for counseling, I don't go stir crazy. The noise of the coffee shop keeps me reminded on these long winter days that I am not alone in this world.

Coffee shops aren't just about coffee; we always have an ample supply at home. No, they are places to sit and ponder and dream and write and socialize.

But I digress as I once again slow myself down and enjoy the environment which I am in.

Why, oh why, is it so hard to slow down? Possibly because I am trying to do so in my own effort; using all of my own methods. I was trying to hold my breath while trying to breathe; and it wasn't working.

Something had to give...I thought as I sat and eaves-dropped on the table across the room from me. These men seemed to be in no hurry to go anywhere; geographically or even in conversation.

It is on days like these that I realize the futility of trying to do things on my own; after all that is why I am sitting in a noisy, crowded room instead of sitting at home alone.

I realize just how much I need the LORD to direct my steps. And to lead me. And to complete the work that He started. And everything in between today and perfection.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)

Once again I realize that the LORD isn't asking me to change anything but trying to be my own lord. He wants me to stop and to pause awhile and KNOW that He is God. He is LORD, He is in control.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10)

Once again I am reminded that this walk or journey that I am on is about trusting Him more; which is something that I need to rely on Him to do. I need to believe that He will increase my trust in Him. 

“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalms 37:5 NKJV)

He will bring about change in my life as He leads me through opportunities for me to see that I really can trust Him. He is trustworthy and can be relied on. He faithfully shows me that He is faithful.

I can stop trying to hold my breath as I try to get through my day and allow Him to be the very breath that fills my lungs. 

“For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” (Acts 17:28)

And so I stopped; even paused what I was writing, and listened and talked with people who crossed my path as I slowly drank my coffee as I stopped trying to be the LORD of my life today.

So where are you at today, my friend? Do you know Him as your Savior? That's really where it all starts. Today is the day of salvation to all who call upon the Name of Jesus.

He simply wants you to acknowledge (confess) your wrong doing (sins) and admit your need to surrender to Him. He died and was buried and rose again to pay for your sins (and mine). It is a free gift to you that cost Him His very life.

He wants you to come to Him TODAY.

And to you who already are a follower of Jesus; resting totally on the completed work of His death, burial, and resurrection: Have you once again surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? 

Or have you once again tried to take control? My exhortation is for you to stop trying to hold your breath and to really allow Him to be your breath.

“You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” (Psalms 104:29)

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

All Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved