Walking Through the Dark with God

“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places,
like those who have long been dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is appalled within me.”  Psalm 143:1-4

“Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me,
Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant.”  Psalm 143:7-12

Have you ever noticed how we use things to describe our experiences? A car that continually needs repair is called “a lemon.” “The breadwinner” brings home “the bacon.” We get “red” when angry, “green” when jealous; and when someone is a coward, they’re “yellow.”

All of these circumstances (though humorous) are in need of some kind of resolution. Maybe that’s why we sometimes try to make light of them. We know from experience that laughing at a problem does not make it go away. It may help us cope but supplies no answers.
   
For the believer, there is a key in those dark moments when life looks bleak, when feelings are not just hurt but wounded, when disappointment just about sinks you into despair. That key is - remember. Remember what God has revealed about Himself in the Word. He has promised to “never desert you, nor...forsake you” (Heb. 13:5); and although you may feel alone, His presence is nonetheless real.

Can you view God as Someone Who cares about you even more than you care about yourself? He does. He knows your future better than you know your past. In the darkness of your trial, look to Him. He is walking by your side.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is comfort in life’s darkest hour.

The Opportunities Around You

“Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.’ Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”  Mark 10:46-52

There is an old story of a wealthy man who had a fine estate in the country but every day would travel many miles to the city to work. Friends and family were never informed as to the nature of this man’s career, but since he was seemingly successful, no one really questioned his occupation.

Then one day it was discovered that instead of having a prestigious position in some large corporation, he was actually playing the part of a blind street beggar. He knew the “tricks of that trade” so well and hid behind various disguises which caused passersby to pity him and give him money. All is not as it seems.

How many of those who you pass or work among each day are really wearing a disguise? Laughter hides their silent cries. Bright, new clothes disguise a spirit in the depths of depression. A lonely and insecure person hides behind a coarse joke or vulgar story. An “I don’t care” attitude veils a heart aching from disappointment and abuse.

Ask the Lord to help you take off your disguise. Then as His open and transparent ambassador, seek to help those around you. Their darkness and blindness, their hurts, shame, guilt, and diseases can be healed and made right when Christ’s love removes the need to hide behind the disguise.

What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say.

The Pathway to Spiritual Freedom

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”  Luke 15:11-24

We live in a day when every group, organization, and individual seems to be saying the same thing: “I want what I want...NOW!” - often with little or no consideration for the rights of others whom they push and shove to have their way. That type of behavior should not surprise us at all. It is normal for the “natural man” to press for his rights.

The underlying motivation for this life is summed up in one word: freedom! And the ultimate gift of freedom is (supposedly) to be able to do whatever one wants to do. That was the first and original lie which caused the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, and it is still around today - deceiving many.

Real freedom is not found in the absence of all restraints but in a trusting submission to the wise laws and principles which God has revealed through His Word. But they are completely set against the mind-set of the “rights conscious” person. In fact, they are death because in order to gain freedom from God, you must give up all your rights. The price is high and many - like the rich, young man in Jesus’ day - must sadly hang their heads and walk away - forever without what they really want.

Could it be that what many fear the most about being a Christian would in fact be the real fulfillment of their greatest desire - freedom?

Dependence upon God is clear evidence of spiritual maturity.

Open All the Doors

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”  Revelation 3:20

You are probably familiar with the well-known painting of Christ standing at the door, knocking. It is a favorite of children and adults. We use that picture to illustrate that we need to respond to His knock and open the door and ask Him in. This picture has led many to understand salvation.

Once Christ comes through the door of your life, it is just the beginning. You see, every room in your house (life) has a door on it, and many of those doors are shut; some of them are even locked.

Jesus knows that for your house to be livable and useable, it has to be open and clean. So His interest is now turned to every closed door in your life. That first closet door nearest the front door, the back bedroom door, the door leading to the basement - each one harbors guilt and embarrassment over sin; but the Savior stands before each one, asking to be let in.

“Why does He want to go in there?” is the question you keep asking yourself. He knows that behind all your protest you really want those old closets and back rooms cleaned up - to not be accosted by your sin. Let the seeking Savior open all the doors of your life and, with His cleansing power, remodel and redecorate each room which once housed only guilt and shame.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

A Woman of Excellence

“An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
‘Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.’
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.”
Proverbs 31:10-31

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Coming of Christ for His Church

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” 
John 14:1-11

One of the most painful emotions with which many people have to deal is the feeling of loneliness. We hate to feel alone because it carries with it the sense that we are unloved, unlovely, uncared for, and undesirable - all of which tend to plunge a person into depression. We are all born with the need to be loved; and when the need is not met or when love is withheld or we are bitterly disappointed, great emotional damage often results.

Jesus was keenly aware of this basic emotional need. Not only was He aware of it but He ministered with that need on His mind. Even when He died and when He returned to the presence of the Father, Jesus was making provision for our defense against the terror of loneliness. We have to gift of “the Comforter” in the from of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian has a unique hope - the hope of the returning of the crucified Savior, Jesus Christ. He has kept every promise He has ever made. He has been preparing a place for us in heaven, and at the Father’s command, He is coming back to take us “home.” “Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1) but believe the words of Jesus, accept what He has done for you, and anticipate His return as a bride waits for her bridegroom.

“Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Prophet and Priest and King”

The Church’s Missionary Call

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”  Acts 13:1-3

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”  Matthew 28:18-20

This missionary hymn from the burdened heart of A.B. Simpson states well the call of the world missions:

“A hundred thousand souls a day,
Are passing one by one away,
In Christless guilt and gloom.
Without one ray of hope or light,
With future dark as endless night,
They’re passing to their doom.

Armies of prayer your promise claim
Prove the full power of Jesus’ name
And take the victory.
Your conquering Captain leads you on,
The glorious fight may still be won,
This very century.

The Master’s coming draweth near,
The Son of Man will soon appear,
His Kingdom is at hand.
But ere that glorious day can be,
This Gospel of the Kingdom,
We must preach in every land.

O let us then His coming haste,
O let us end this awful waste
Of souls that never die.
A thousand million still are lost,
A Savior’s blood has paid the cost,
O hear their dying cry.

They’re passing, passing fast away,
A hundred thousand souls a day,
In Christless guilt and gloom.   
O Church of Christ, what wilt thou say
When in the awful judgement day,
They charge thee with their doom?”

Every church should support two pastors -
for the thousands at home, for the millions abroad.