Make Spiritual Resolutions

The New Year will soon be upon us, and with it a list of “New Year’s resolutions.” For many of us that list will include items like “lose ten pounds” or “watch less TV”. Most New Year’s resolutions that I have made are items that should have and could have been addressed at an earlier time. I did not have to wait until the first of the year. But the New Year does speak of new beginnings, and serves as a convenient time for making some life changes. I have read where New Year’s Resolutions last for all of about three or four days in most cases. But if you can hold on to the resolution for six weeks – 40 days – most experts agree that you will have developed a habit.

I encourage you to make spiritual resolutions. Then give these resolutions six weeks of practice.

I think of Jonathan Edwards who wrote in his diary, “Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory and to my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now or never so many myriads of ages hence.”

Or Matthew Henry, who wrote, “I do in the beginning of this New Year solemnly make a fresh surrender of myself, my whole self, body, soul, and spirit, to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, covenanting and promising, not in any strength of my own, for I am very weak, but in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, that I will endeavor this year to stand complete in the Will of God.”

Are you puzzled about spiritual resolutions? Let me suggest a few.
• Resolve to read a Psalm or two daily (one if lengthy, two if short). This portion of the Bible will warm your spirit and bring you into God’s Presence. You will learn from the Psalms of God’s greatness and man’s frailty. You will learn to trust God in the disappointing experiences of life and praise Him for the pleasant experiences.
• Pray daily for someone else. Especially for someone you do not particularly like or with whom you had a dispute. Pray that God will bless and work in that person’s life.
• Purchase a good devotional Bible and read from it daily. Don’t know which one to buy or use? Try Seasons of Reflection, 365 daily readings from the Bible, published by International Bible Society (Colorado Springs, CO). If you already have a Bible reading plan, stick with it.

My prayer for you and everyone I know is that the coming year will be a year when you will draw close to the heart of God, experience God’s grace and peace in abundance, and mature in your spiritual life.

For that to happen,

Make spiritual resolutions.

Keep The Truth Central

I read in the newspaper a few days ago that “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” is to be shown on television. This is one of the many stories of Christmas, we think. This is one of the many stories of Christmas?

Fact is, there is nothing about the Grinch that has anything to do with Christmas - at least not the Christmas that I celebrate.

Please don’t get me wrong. I know that children enjoy the story. And I also know that the Grinch has a change of heart, going from a “bad one, Mr. Grinch” to a pretty decent resident of Whoville. I also realize that Christmas has taken on huge secular proportions. It is more a holiday for merchants than for Christians.

But we need to keep the truth central to the holiday. And the truth is: this is a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the God-sent Son. The coming of Christ is simply without a doubt, the most astounding event in history.

Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip, was an ordained minister. Many of his comic strips contain Biblical truth, though the casual reader may not know it. There is one production of Schulz’s that is remarkably clear and to the point, however. It is the program, A Charlie Brown Christmas, also seen on TV. In this particular program, Charlie Brown has failed in his attempts to find the true meaning of Christmas. Then Linus approaches and begins reciting a passage from the Bible:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Then Linus remarks, “That is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Linus is right. That is what Christmas is all about. There are not many stories of Christmas. There is one.

Keep the truth central.

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, You Soldiers of the Cross


I have sung a hymn from time to time that goes, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.” I’ve wondered about the meaning of those lyrics occasionally. After all, they have seemed irrelevant for the most part to me and Americans of my generation. But not now.

The Manhattan Declaration was released on Friday, November 20, 2009. While many have not heard of this document, it was a strong statement by the Christian Church – Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic. It is not unusual for Christians to come together on urgent matters, and this declaration addresses three critically significant issues. Christian leaders agree that the issues of the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage, and religious liberty are under attack as never before. These are moral issues of the most important type, and The Manhattan Declaration (www.manhattandeclaration.org) deserves a serious reading by all, whether Christian or not.

Thirty years ago warnings began that a “culture of death” was encroaching American society. Abortion as a convenient birth control method was then promoted. A fetus soon was referred to as “cell tissue” and compared by “feminists” to a cancerous tumor; euthanasia proponents seemed to be capturing headlines as they pushed for federal or state laws legalizing suicide. The putting to death of the elderly, against their will, was seen – and still is seen – as a way of relieving economic strain.

Sanctity of life means more than abortion and euthanasia today: it includes assisted suicide and the destruction of human embryos for medical experimentation. If this continues unabated, look for genocide and “ethnic cleansing” on the horizon. And do not think of “ethnic” as meaning racial (black or white) or national heritage (Irish or Russian). It will mean whatever group happens to be out of favor at the moment (Fox News commentators, Jews, Christians, bankers, illiterate or disabled persons, etc). And yes, the elderly are still vulnerable.

Marriage has been taking a beating in the courts recently. “What is marriage, anyway?” I was once asked. Before being able to reply, I was informed, “It is just a piece of paper issued by a court.” Really? Or is the “piece of paper” (the certificate) documentation of the commitment by a couple to one another? The redefining of marriage that is current is another blow against the long held understanding – and Biblical teaching – that marriage is between a man and a woman. If something is not done soon – now – to put the brakes on this runaway train the word “marriage” could soon mean a man and his dog or a woman and her cat. Think this is silly? Well, think again. There are already some persons who consider bestiality (human sex with animals) “OK” and are calling that society recognize its legitimacy. We need to understand that marriage is not just about romance, although it includes that dimension. Marriage is also about the generation, promotion and protection of life in what is known as “family.” Marriage is about romance, commitment, affirmation, nurture, procreation, values and emotional stability. And because marriage is precisely about those things, it is the union of a man and a woman.

The Manhattan Declaration says it better than me in stating, “…the use of anti-discrimination statutes … force religious institutions, businesses, and service providers of various sorts to comply with activities they judge to be deeply immoral or go out of business.” Incidents are then cited showing the erosion of religious liberty.

You may want to read The Manhattan Declaration and you may then want to sign it. I urge you to read it. Then pray and use your conscience about signing it. The time to be silent is over. For the sake of us and our children and grandchildren, it is time for Christians everywhere in America to take a stand.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.

Grace to Finish the Race

I was reading from Hebrews 12, "let us run with patience the race that is set before us". It made me reflect for a moment upon the bumps or crises we encounter in the race of life.

He was a pastor from Virginia, and I was visiting with him. "Everyone I know who has become a Christian has done so in a time of crisis," he said. I began to think about it. The more I ponder it, the more it seems true.

A crisis brings a person to God. It is when a child is suddenly stricken with illness that the parent prays. It is when a business faces bankruptcy that the owner turns to God for help. It is when the weather becomes so severe that people can not manage that it is called "an act of God." Curious, isn't it?

I read recently about Saul of Tarsus, from the Biblical book of Acts, Chapter 9. We know him today as "the Apostle Paul." Something happened to change him from Saul of Tarsus to the Apostle Paul - and that something was a crisis. He was smitten with temporary blindness as he traveled from Jerusalem to Damascus. During this time of crisis, he turned to God. In turning to faith, he learned two valuable lessons that crises will teach.

First, he learned the importance of depending on the Lord. When our strength is consumed, God's resources are available. Paul was extremely well educated, came from a good family and was apparently in robust health. He had power and possessions - and the pride that accompany them. But when the crisis hit in his life, he realized that what he needed most was the Lord. He needed to no longer serve self, but serve God.

Secondly, he learned to trust God. Are you able to trust God in the perplexing crises of life? I believe the answer to be "yes." One of the familiar greetings in the New Testament is "Grace and peace to you" (Philippians 1:2, among others). "Grace" is "the unmerited favor of God." It is God's favor and, quite often, God intervening in our lives to assist us in time of crisis. When writing 2 Corinthians (12:7), Paul discusses a "thorn in the flesh". This is a deliberately vague reference to a physical ailment. By keeping this ailment unidentified, the scripture makes it applicable to us all, in any type of ailment. The answer Paul received to his prayer is not, "I will heal you" but "My grace is sufficient for you." It is God's grace that keeps us from despair. How does God show His grace? Occasionally through direct action, usually through His body, the church. That is, through Christian friends who pray for you and come alongside to help, as best they can.

Are you going through a crisis? If so, turn to the One who can help you most- the living God. If you are not presently in a crisis, be assured that one will come into your life eventually. Be prepared for it by turning now to the living God. Learn to trust Him fully and depend upon His grace to see you through.

We need His grace to finish the race!

The Virtual World

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded recently to – drum roll, please – President Barack Obama.

Congratulations, President Obama, upon receiving this award. Certainly you must have accomplished some laudable achievement to have been so honored.

Wait a minute. No achievement comes to mind. Nor have any of the President’s public relations personnel presented a peace accomplishment.

What gives?

Welcome to the frightening world of virtual reality – where what a person says and how he looks is more meaningful than what he does. You may thank screen actors and entertainers for this new world, although they are not entirely to blame. None of these people have accomplished anything lasting, but portray on the screen those who have. How many surgeries have been performed by Leonardo DiCaprio? What startup business has Madonna been supervising recently? Yet these people make huge amounts of money. You may also thank the creators of computer games, who have led many into this intriguing and deceptive world. Virtual reality is, of course, unreality. But who cares? Certainly not the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.

Virtual reality has influenced the world more than you may realize. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama demonstrates that words and image now trump action and achievement. To speak words of hope is more important than to perform hope-giving deeds.

The culture of words has trumped the culture of deeds in our time. These cultures define “success” in different ways. The culture of deeds considers people successful who are laborers, entrepreneurs, soldiers, schoolteachers, charitable workers, accountants, police and fire fighters, etc – people who actually do something and accomplish a mission. The culture of words, the virtual culture, considers people successful who talk – especially on TV– and are looked upon with approbation by peers or media. These are people who are clever, articulate and look good in front of a camera.

In the culture of deeds, personal responsibility for one’s behavior is important. Bad ideas are repudiated. Poor decisions result in bankruptcy, divorce or some other failure. Good ideas and decisions result in prosperity and stability. The person makes decisions, acts on it and experiences the consequences.

In the virtual culture of words and image, there are no negative consequences. Presidents can talk about what they are going to do and be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Professors who have no experience running a business and who never served in the armed forces spend their time denouncing American industry and the military without fear of censure - their statements are quoted on TV and occasionally in the daily paper; former members of Congress who receive guaranteed generous pensions speak lunacies about global warming (the planet has been cooling for the past several consecutive years according to the British Broadcasting System) or some other intellectually fashionable fad, demanding societal changes that any rational person knows would destroy the economy and cause untold misery for millions of people. Nothing done by the virtual reality culture results in producing jobs, increasing wealth, or improving the life of the average American citizen. There are no negative consequences, as long as the person looks good and is articulate. If a person speaks words of hope and as long as he or she looks good doing it, nothing else matters. Deeds no longer count.

President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the basis of his words and image, not on the basis of his deeds. In the new world of the “virtual”, what more can we expect? This is the unreal world of “hope so” and make believe. Obama looks good and talks well, so we will make believe that he has brought peace to some part of the world, even though he has really, non-virtually, not done so.

Welcome to the virtual world.

I Am Praying for Her


“I don’t like her.”

It could just as easily been written, “I don’t like him.” Either way, it is something to consider.

Life is filled with episodes where misunderstanding occurs. Someone may disagree in an unpleasant manner. We enter into a business arrangement with another person and then that person violates his or her word. We may be the object of another person’s gossip, and genuinely find the situation puzzling – and maddening. Consequently, we conclude “I don’t like her.”

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Are there any practices we can incorporate to help us deal with a person we don’t like? Yes, there are a few.

It is important to understand one huge truth: you may not ever be able to change another person, but you can change yourself. Your attitude about a person you don’t like must change if you are to have peace of mind and maintain a sound relationship with God. Think about ways to change yourself, rather than ways to change the other person.

Seek contact. Remember that the other person is just that – a person. Most of us avoid a person we don’t like, and so that person becomes a monster in our minds. Don’t allow the person you don’t like to become a monster in your thinking. The more you are exposed to a person, the more you see the humanness of that person – warts and all.

Do something nice for the person. Is this difficult? Then send a card. Just purchase one with a prayerful message and sign your name. Nothing more. By doing good to another, the barrier of animosity starts breaking down. This is important for your own well being – you need to do this for yourself, if not for the other person.

Look for humor. Joke about whatever annoys you, and if you are able to poke fun at your own reaction, do it. Nothing neutralizes bad feelings like a good laugh. In many situations you have two choices: either to become angry or to laugh. Choose laughter.

Act friendly. We do not usually act the way we feel. We feel the way we act. Do good things and you feel good. Act the way you want to feel. Feelings always follow actions.

Resist criticism. Otherwise, the criticism will put you in a position from which it will be difficult to extricate yourself later. You probably do not know everything and later information could change your thinking about the person you don’t presently like.

Remember happy shared experiences. Recall the good times. Emphasize this in your thinking.

Cultivate a grateful heart. Remember all for which you should be grateful. Develop a thankful heart, and every time an annoying or maddening thought crosses your mind, erase it with a thought of gratitude.

To maintain your spiritual equilibrium, learn to change your thinking from “I don’t like her” to…

“I am praying for her.”

The 101% Principle


I’ve been thinking about the Corinthian church recently. Founded by the Apostle Paul, it was a church with great potential, but also with its problems. It was probably the most difficult church of any that Paul helped start and then established. It was riddled with division and immorality.

I used to think such difficulties were limited to churches. I have since come to learn that any organization made up of people can suffer the same condition.

What strikes me about Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church is that he holds out great hope for these people. He tells them that their disputes can be settled, they can rediscover unity and work together to further the cause.

I think Paul had a basis for holding out this hope. God had shown Paul that these people were redeemable. They were redeemable because they were made in His image and His Spirit was actually at work among them.

I read recently of “the 101% Principle”. This is the idea that you find 1% that can be affirmed in a person or group of persons. Then you give 100% of your attention to it (the 1% that is good or admirable in a person). This admiration and affirmation is stressed long and hard. Then you are able to confront about disturbing matters.

I should tell you that I do not think confrontation is best handled in a loud, argumentative way. It can be handled in a thoughtful and considerate way. Unfortunately, some persons will conclude that you are not serious. But most will, upon reflection, appreciate your tactful approach. It respects their dignity as a person.

The Corinthian church had divisions. Some wanted to follow one person, some another. Four groups were competing for leadership. Nothing has been more detrimental to the local church than when pastors begin competing against one another for a following. They should be cooperating with one another, building a following for Christ. We all need to learn that God will raise up a person when He desires; we should not be involved in promoting ourselves.

The Corinthian church had also fallen into defilement. Sexual immorality was taking place, and the leadership was content to ignore it. Some behaviors are ignored to the hurt of the church’s witness.

However, in spite of these serious problems, the Corinthian church was commended by Paul. How could such a church be commended? Paul saw the 1% that was good in them: they had been touched by God. His Presence and blessing were among them (1 Corinthians, Chapter 1). As a result, they were entirely capable of making right decisions and living honorably.

If we learn properly from Paul, we will begin to incorporate the 101% principle. Start looking for the good in another person. Emphasize it in your thinking. Learn to pray for the person. Even those who are wretched individuals have something in them commendable. You may have to look long and hard, but discipline yourself to look for good in another. Affirm this good. Then if you need to speak about differences, this will smooth the way.

Now, granted, the other person may not change. The 1% may not enlarge itself into 2% or 15%. But one thing will change when you use the 101% Principle. You! You will begin to see people in a different light, a better light. Life will be better and happier for you. And really, that is enough reason to begin using…

The 101% Principle.

Say a Great Big Yes to the Lord

One of the finest examples of American entrepreneurship is that of R.G. Letourneau.

In his biography R.G. Letourneau: Mover of Men and Mountains, the story is told of Letourneau beginning his career in Stockton, California. One of his first jobs was regrading dirt to level out farmland. Becoming frustrated with moving dirt by crawler-tractor, he sought a better way. In 1922 he constructed the first all-welded scraper and fashioned designs for scrapers. One thing led to another, R.G. Letourneau, Inc. was born, and R.G. (Robert Gilmore) became the greatest obstacle-mover in history, building enormous earth-moving machines. During the Second World War, his company produced 70% of all the army’s earth-moving machinery. As a result, he became a multi-millionaire.

Letourneau was a believer in Christ, and he always spoke of God as Chairman of his Board. He also practiced tithing, giving 10% to his church. As his wealth increased, so did his percentage giving. He eventually was giving 90% to his church and other Christian organizations, keeping 10% for his needs and those of his wife, Evelyn. In respect to tithing, his testimony was simple. He was convinced that as a result of tithing and giving above the tithe, his business had been divinely blessed. “The money came in faster than I could give it away” was one refrain he frequently repeated. He then elaborated on this by using an illustration from one of the huge Caterpillars. “I shovel it out, and God shovels it back, but God has a bigger shovel.” A special friend of Billy Graham, Letourneau assisted greatly in establishing the financial base for Mr. Graham’s evangelistic efforts. Letourneau also established an outstanding Christian university in Longview, Texas that is thriving to this day.

R.G. Letourneau’s life verse was Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” His life evidenced the truth of this scripture.

Letourneau’s life and book remind all of us that mountains are here to be moved. Jesus Himself, in speaking of mountains in our lives – anger, depression, vices – said as much. “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” – Matthew 17:20.

America needs more men like R.G. Letourneau. Men who take time to think creatively. Men who know God and desire to serve Him. Men who are unafraid of what others may think.

Another favorite quote from R.G. Letourneau is, “You will never know what you can accomplish until you say a great big yes to the Lord.”

How about you?

Say a great big yes to the Lord.

Learn to Praise God in Adversity


Someone has said, “If life is a classroom, adversity is its teacher.”

Every adverse incident in life has teaching power. The most powerful lessons are learned in the crucible of adversity.

We can also learn from others who have undergone hardship and who desire to pass along their lessons. And do you know what? We need to learn from others. One of the great sources for learning from adversity is the Bible.

For example, the lesson regarding Paul and Silas in prison is instructive. This lesson is found in the Biblical book of Acts, Chapter 16. Unlawfully arrested and placed in jail, these men were found singing praises to God. Their praising was not because the accommodations were luxurious; on the contrary, the accommodations were horrible. Their faith-filled perspective and joyous singing was noticed by the other prisoners and the jail keeper.

We love to sing praises, don’t we? But the context of our doing this is usually comfortable accommodations and lack of persecution. Do we love to give God praise in the worst of circumstances? When someone criticizes you or treats you offensively, do you praise God or do you complain? What lessons might others be learning from you?

After a while of singing praise choruses, Paul and Silas experienced divine intervention. The Lord caused an earthquake to occur, setting Paul and Silas free. Could it have been that God intervened precisely because Paul and Silas chose to praise Him rather than complain to Him? Which response do you think invites God to intervene in a positive way? How do you respond to adversity?

Following the earthquake, Paul and Silas saw others come to faith in God. Their worship and praise had left a mark. Others had seen their positive faith response in the midst of adversity. Paul and Silas had taught the others that there is a God. Furthermore, that God is in charge of even a bad situation. He can use it for good. Having absorbed these lessons, the listeners wanted what Paul and Silas had. They wanted a personal relationship with this personal God.

If life is a classroom and adversity is its teacher, then we are to praise and worship in every conceivable situation. If life is a classroom and adversity is its teacher, then God wants to use us in every situation to convey lessons about His goodness and sovereignty. If life is a classroom and adversity is its teacher, then when we pray, God is invited to intervene in our circumstances.

Learn to praise God in adversity.

Nothing Less Will Do


Sir Wilfred Grenfell.

Probably not a name you have heard. People in Labrador, Canada have heard the name, however. While a medical student at London University in the late 1800’s, Grenfell was impressed by the sermons of Dwight Moody. He surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and, in the same year, joined the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. During the next five years he served as surgeon on the first hospital ship dispatched to the North Sea fisheries. In 1892 Grenfell initiated missionary service to the fishermen of Labrador. He soon became absorbed in improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Labrador coast, and he undertook to raise funds from numerous speaking tours. In these tours he would invite people to join him with the words, “I can not guarantee you will make money, but I can guarantee that you will have the time of your life.” Later he established the Grenfell Association, with branches in England, the United States, Newfoundland and other parts of Canada. Upon his retirement in 1932, as a direct result of his labors, there existed six hospitals, four hospital ships, seven nursing stations, two orphanages, two large schools, fourteen industrial centers and a cooperative lumber mill. All done in the name and in the spirit of Christ.

I read about Grenfell just recently. Honestly, before a week ago I had never heard of him. His rhetoric, “I can not guarantee you will make money, but I can guarantee that you will have the time of your life”, made me think of the words of Jesus, “whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” – Luke 14:27. Both were phrases calling for total commitment.

Jesus made a call for total commitment. In thinking about this call and in studying the history of the disciples, we can surmise why. Only Jesus knows the future. Only obedience to this call will sustain us in the troubles that lay ahead. Only Jesus offers His Presence in the here and now, and eternal life in the age to come.

Andrew and Peter died by crucifixion – their courage sustained by total commitment to Christ and His offer of life. . Bartholomew died by being flayed to death – sustained by total commitment to Christ. Shall we continue through the list? Only John died a natural death of old age – and that was after being returned from exile on the small island of Patmos.
James, son of Zebedee, was beheaded
James, son of Alphaeus, was beaten to death
Thomas was run through with a lance
Matthias was stoned and then beheaded
Matthew was slain by the sword
Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows
Philip was hanged
All found the courage to withstand their trials by having made a total commitment to Christ.

Christianity is not just a feel good, experience success in your sex life, Sunday morning religion. It is a hungering and thirsting after God. A hungering and thirsting that brings a person to Christ, Who alone knows the future of this person and has the supernatural ability to sustain in all trials.

For courage to face difficulties, for inner strength to endure difficulties, fully commit to Christ.

Nothing less will do.

Thoughts on Issue 3


I see where Ohioans get to vote on whether or not to permit casino gambling - again. This vote will take place on Tuesday, November 3. It will be the latest in several attempts to place casinos in Ohio by using the ballot. So far, this measure has been defeated each time it has appeared. It seems that proponents are determined to wear the populace down until the measure passes. It takes a lot of money to keep putting this on the ballot – who is providing this financing?

There are good reasons why State Issue 3 should not pass – and this is not being written for political purposes. I write this as a pastor, concerned about public morality, further disintegration of the family, and the destructive, addictive effect of gambling.

Advertisements want people to believe that tens of thousands of jobs will be created. A Hiram College Public Policy Research Group study has decided differently. Money will simply change hands and replace existing jobs. This study goes on to inform us that the objective of casinos is to provide multiple forms of entertainment under one roof. This insures that customers stay in the casino; consequently, established businesses in the vicinity of the proposed casino will lose customers and sales. “It’s really an exchange of money, it’s not economic growth,” said Thomas Pascarella, professor emeritus of economics and management at Hiram College. The Canton Repository reported on September 30 (page A-12) that Professor Pascarella said that “Ohio’s casinos will largely attract local visitors and won’t bring in a large amount of money that wouldn’t normally be spent in the community.”

Now to answer the question, “who is providing this financing?” This expensive issue is on the Ohio ballot again thanks to gambling interests, including an organization called Penn National Gaming. This company would gain a casino monopoly in central Ohio. To curry favor with business leaders in Columbus, Penn National Gaming has promised to make annual financial contributions to an agency called Experience Columbus. This agency exists to boost the prosperity of Columbus by marketing it as an appealing, exciting place to visit and do business. The Columbus Dispatch wrote in its September 27 paper, “Most of the business and civic leaders Experience Columbus represents oppose Issue 3 for good reason: The temporary construction jobs and low-wage service positions it would bring aren’t worth the increased crime, gambling addiction and corruption that typically accompany big-time casinos.”

Casinos do not stimulate economic development. They depress it. “The House” rarely loses – it can not afford to lose. “The House” loses just infrequently enough to keep people coming. The unspoken slogan of the casino is, “A sucker is born every minute.” The individuals “gaming” in the casino are the losers. The money they lose could have been spent on authentic economic development, by patronizing establishments that enhance a community – restaurants, concerts, theaters, automobile dealerships, appliance stores and home remodeling firms. Some might take the money that they would otherwise lose to “The House” and build a roomier house for the family, thus adding to the value of the community. Further donations could be made to churches and synagogues or other charities that assist people.

Rest assured – and do not allow media advertisements to confuse you - if Issue 3 passes, there will be more poverty, homelessness, hunger and addictions as a result. The United States International Gambling Report Series is a 3,000 page compilation of decades of research on gambling. It concludes that casinos cost communities $3 in lost economic development, increased crime and social problems for every $1 they generate in benefits. Is this what you want for Ohio?

Make sure you are registered to vote in November. Vote for the public good by voting “no” on Issue 3, casinos in Ohio.

Make the Way Smoother

Once upon a time, long ago a king had a highway built for his subjects. After it was completed, but the day before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway best on the day before its official opening.

On the announced day, several people showed up. Some were in chariots, harnessed to great horses; others were on horseback. Some came in light clothing, prepared to run. Others had on thick sandals, planning to walk the new highway. People traveled the highway all day.

During the day, the king had positioned himself at the end of the section of road used for the contest. Each subject remarked to the king what a superb highway it was and how much the people in the kingdom would use it. However, they all had one and the same complaint: there was a large pile of debris and rocks left in the middle of the highway at one spot. This was an obstacle that caused them to leave the highway for a short distance and hindered their travel.

At the end of the day an older man – the last contestant – approached the king. He looked weary and explained to the king, “I stopped along the way to clear a pile of debris and rocks off the new highway. I knew this would make travel easier for the public tomorrow. That is why I am last to finish the contest. But while clearing the debris I found a bag of gold. The bag of gold was under all the debris. Please return it to the rightful owner.” The King became excited and declared, “You are now the rightful owner of the gold. You have earned it – for the one who makes the highway smoother for those who follow is the one who travels the highway best.”

Galatians 6:7 states, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Making the road smoother for those who follow is one of the great purposes of life. When we help others, God is pleased. When we bless others, it displays a selfless, Christlike attitude. This attitude is what we are told to cultivate: “Let this mind (attitude) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5).

As you travel the highway of life, make sure you make the way smoother for those who follow.

It Is Later Than You Think

“It is later than you think” reads an inscription on a sundial.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may have discovered just how true that saying is at its recent convention. While debating whether practicing homosexuals could be ordained (the convention voted they could, the Bible teaches they should not), a tornado hit and damaged the center where the convocation was being held.

What was particularly odd about the occurrence is its rarity. No tornado had been experienced in Minneapolis, the site of the convention, for ninety years. No severe weather warnings had been announced. Just “ka-boom!”, a tornado out of the blue.

Or was it really out of the blue? Jesus warned against seeing what we call “disasters” as tokens of God’s judgment (Luke 13:4-5). Even acknowledging the words of Jesus, it still seems more than coincidence to me: a rare tornado appearing at this specific time and place and while this particular issue was under discussion. Can it be that God is beginning to close this age of grace and return to a more stern control of mankind?

Maybe the guy holding the placard in the cartoon is right – “Repent now, because it is later than you think.”

I found the news report interesting that while the tornado appeared in Minneapolis and was striking the convention center, Lutheran Bishop Mark Hanson was reading Psalm 121 to the “nervous assembly”. I would think “frightened assembly” might be a tad more accurate. It is ironic that this Psalm, speaking of God’s power and concern for His child, would be regarded in the crisis of the tornado, and other scripture that address appropriate lifestyle and moral choices would be later flagrantly ignored in a vote – after the tornado had passed. But then, isn’t that really the spirit of our time? Make the Bible and morals a cafeteria: pick what you want and leave what you don’t want.

God can use nature to bring people to repentance. He used a thunderstorm and a lightning strike to convict Martin Luther (for whom the Lutheran Church is named) of sin. The Minneapolis tornado provided a thought-provoking point: the winds and the seas are at God’s beck and call and they can be used to call people back to Himself. If we really believe that God is all He claims to be, then we would conclude that this tornado was no coincidence. It was what Bible students called “providence.” God let it happen, willed it if you please, for a reason.

One conclusion is that this tornado was a divine warning that we repent from personal sin and that our churches quit condoning destructive behaviors.

God wills certain providences in our lives also. These providences are not always as dramatic as a tornado. Nevertheless, they are all intended to remind us of our dependency upon God, our mortality and our need to repent from personal sin and destructive behaviors.

This time as I write it, I may be closer to the truth than anyone thinks, or even than the sundial or guy holding the placard would have us believe. Repent now, because …

It is later than you think.

A Compliment Guy


“The Compliment Guys” is what they are called. It came from a story in American Profile magazine (www.americanprofile.com). The story concerns two young men who are students at Purdue University. They have begun taking Wednesday afternoons, positioning themselves at a conspicuous spot on campus, and passing out cheery compliments. “I just wanted to go out and do something nice for people,” explains Brett Westcott, who came up with the idea. He has been joined by Cameron Brown, who says, “I’d noticed a lot of people were down and sad around campus with the economy so down. A lot of my friends were graduating without jobs, so I wanted to go out there and give them something to smile about.”.

I genuinely commend these two and wish their tribe to increase.

Mark Twain said, “I can live on a good compliment for six months.”

About three years ago our Adults Pastor began a ministry called “Kindness Evangelism.” Part of the kindness was to share words of encouragement. That is the essence of a compliment: words of encouragement that refresh the spirit.

Did you know that you can become a compliment giver? Listen to these words from Cameron Brown, “Giving a compliment is pretty easy, really. We say things like, ‘Great coat. Cool headphones. I dig your goatee. Very nice bicycle.’ If someone is eating an apple, we’ll compliment them for having a nutritious snack. If they’re drinking from a water bottle, we give them a thumbs-up for staying hydrated. Everybody has something to compliment. Everybody has something good in them. It just takes a second to find it.”

Joseph was one of the two first missionaries sent out by the church. He is forever known as “son of encouragement” (or Barnabas, Acts 4:36). It was not an accident that the Holy Spirit instructed the church to set aside Barnabas and Saul to become the first missionaries (Acts 13:1-4). Saul, who would later become known as the apostle Paul, would become a writer of New Testament epistles and the object of hateful rejection. He would need lots of encouragement – compliments if you will, and Barnabas would be just the guy to supply it! Someone you know and love could use a compliment today. Go ahead and give it!

Did you ever pause to meditate on the teachings from James 3:9? In speaking of the use of our tongue, this epistle makes the point that we can use it to praise or curse. Wouldn’t you rather use your tongue to praise? Words of encouragement can breathe new life into a person, and words of criticism can deflate a person’s sense of well-being. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” states Proverbs 18:21. Compliments don’t cost you anything to give. But the rewards you receive are great. I suggest you make a practice of finding one good thing about everyone you meet today – and then tell them.

Now answer this question: would you rather be around a person who encourages or a person who criticizes? What makes you think anyone else is different? Be an encourager – pass out a compliment. You will discover that strangers will become friends and friends will be loyal.

Become a compliment guy!

Washington’s Prayer

I found it interesting to read in the paper that a group called “The Freedom from Religion Foundation” in Madison, Wisconsin took exception with a local school district’s core values. The district had a statement that included “belief in God” as a core value. The Freedom from Religion Foundation web site referred to this as “suspect wording” that is in violation of the First Amendment. An attorney by the name of Rebecca Kratz sent a protesting letter on behalf of the foundation.
The First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified by Congress on December 15, 1791 states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Of course, Congress had nothing to do with establishing the school’s core values, including “belief in God.” And since when does “belief in God” establish a religion? And if so, which religion does it establish?
This is just an egregious action by the Freedom from Religion Foundation to impose its (atheistic) belief system, which is a religion, on others through intimidation.
As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, George Washington wrote a letter to the thirteen governors of the states. Entitled “Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of all the States on the Disbanding of the Army”, Washington made a plea that the leaders of the newly born nation conduct themselves in a way that honored God. The letter states,
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”
Washington’s advice was generally followed and a great nation was born. You will observe, I hope, that his vision for The United States was established upon the foundation of belief in God - “that God would have you, and the State over which you preside…”
We would do well to learn from George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and others who, in seeking wisdom and strength of character have chosen “belief in God” as one of their core values. You know, like the local school district has chosen to do.
Our country was established by people who had “belief in God”. If you ever question it, remember
Washington’s prayer.

The Need of the Nation

I was watching the congressman conducting a “town hall” meeting. The subject was the health care bill that had passed the United States House of Representatives. The people speaking seemed almost unanimously opposed to it – and their reasons were many. Not only did they present arguments against the measure, but did so passionately. The congressman responded by saying something along the lines of this plan is “the need of the nation.”

Thirty years ago I studied Francis Schaeffer’s series entitled How Should We Then Live? The present controversy regarding government-sponsored health care is eerie. Could this be the playing out of the warnings delivered by Schaeffer?

Senior adults are living longer. The government programs designed to assist this segment of the population, Social Security and Medicare, are unbelievably strained. The insurance industry is dictating to physicians what they may and may not do if they want payment. It is likely that the government sponsored health plan will have its people doing the same thing. It should come as no surprise that the legislation which passed the House has a provision that every five years Medicare recipients (seniors) will be getting a rap on the door from government representatives. These representatives will be “sharing options” with senior citizens. No one knows what these government trained persons will be reporting back to the authorities, but everyone knows reports will be filed. Perhaps they will, in time, decide who receives additional medical procedures and who does not. This will be only one small step from their deciding then who lives and who should be put to death. Forced euthanasia could easily become reality. This was Schaeffer’s ominous warning to a society that had abandoned God – turned its back on the Bible and its standards. Schaeffer had predicted that a “culture of death” would then arise.

Does this seem impossible? If so, keep three thoughts in mind. First, the forced elimination of people groups has happened in other countries, even well-educated and civilized countries (post-World War I Germany); secondly, the costs of the social programs aforementioned are unsustainable at present rates; thirdly, President Obama has begun talking about “termination of life” issues (July 2009– as reported in the August 21, 2009 The Sword of the Lord, Murfreesboro, TN, page 5). Not “end of life” issues, mind you, but “termination of life”. If this phrase does not send a chill up your spine, you must not have a spine!

As Francis Schaeffer shared over thirty years ago: it is a very small philosophical step from abortion to euthanasia. Both the unborn and the elderly are helpless to stop the strong and empowered from killing them. The elderly, particularly those with dementia, are expensive to society. Furthermore, caring for them is inconvenient. A great deal of tax money can be saved and used elsewhere, so some may be thinking, if only these inconvenient, no longer productive persons would die.

From there, it will be another small philosophical step to eliminate other undesirable persons: those with debilitating diseases, prisoners, Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists – whoever is empowered and strong will make those decisions.

The Christian must always be mindful and remind others of this: God has created life. He is closely associated with life. Throughout the pages of the Bible God is described as the Source of Life. He calls us to life, eternal life, through Jesus Christ. He provides meaning to life in the present world. He and He alone, should determine when physical life as we know it ends for a person.

Support life. Respect life. Return to the Bible and its standards. Return to God.

This is the need of the nation.

A Fully Committed Heart


“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” – 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Did you ever pause to think that God may be searching for you? Searching to show Himself strong on your behalf and to encourage you?

Just what is He seeking in you?

A heart fully committed to Him. That is, a person of strong faith – willing to trust God in any situation of life.

I was at the hospital bedside of a close friend. He had suffered a massive stroke and lay, unresponsive, in the critical care unit. As I spoke with him, and proceeded to pray with him, my mind went back to the time when he was vigorous. I clearly remember him visiting people, sharing his faith and inviting them to have faith in God also. He was able to trust God fully in life, and I was certain that He would continue to trust God now while facing death.

A heart fully committed in faith to God is beautiful, and it builds a strong person.

How does a person begin this journey to build a heart that is fully committed to Him? You will notice that I deliberately used the word “build”, because this is something we do over time.

First, you have to be available. Are you willing to put yourself in God’s hands, obediently doing what He commands? Can you work God into your schedule, busy as it is, and spend some time with Him? Your time will be well spent as you learn to discern His voice. If you are not certain just what to say, try this: “Lord, here I am. I am available to You today.”

Secondly, reach out to someone. Call a discouraged person, visit someone who is hospitalized or disabled, send a note or card to someone in need. Reaching out to a person is Christlike and pleases God. He will notice these acts of love and compassion.

Thirdly, decide right now that you really don’t know everything. A spirit of humility, admitting that you are not always right or that you know everything, will enable the Holy Spirit to teach you through His Word and through others how your life may be more effectively used by God.

Fourthly, make a decision that you will be faithful. Be faithful to God, be faithful to truth and be faithful to the church. Being faithful is the great virtue promised by Christ to be recognized at the Judgment Day – “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord” – Matthew 25:21. God desires to see this determination above all else.

Here is a building project very much worth the effort:

a fully committed heart.

Purity


Purity.

I was thinking about Philippians 4:8-9 two days ago, “Whatsoever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is a good report, whatever is virtuous and worthy of praise, think on these things…and the God of peace will be with you.”

I was interested in the phrase, “whatever is pure”. This “freedom from anything that taints, impairs or infects” means more than sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage. It is the tainting of the mind with any ungodly thought: lust, envy, greed, revenge. The point seems to be: think upon purity and you will live purity.

It is hard to be pure in an impure world. Do you know what? The world is no more impure now than it was in the days of Paul, otherwise the admonition to think upon purity would have no meaning. The world has been impure since the days of Cain (Genesis 4), and will remain impure until the return of Jesus Christ. So we may learn from the example of others, even if those others lived long ago.

There are examples given in the scripture of person who focused on pure thoughts and whose lives reflected it. Daniel is such an example.

Daniel lived a pure life in a society that would make Times Square blush. The raw, open hedonism and violence of ancient Persia and Babylon is appalling. Yet, here was Daniel, choosing to think upon and live a life of purity. Amazing! Well, maybe not so amazing – for when we read the story of Daniel’s life, it is said, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” There it is – “he purposed in his heart.” He had determined to not eat food that had been offered to idols. This determination was extended to other areas of his life as well.

The lesson here is clear. A person must make a determined decision that he or she will focus on that which is pure.

It is interesting to see that Daniel’s determination to think upon the pure and to live that way kept him in a spirit of prayer. Actually, of all the lessons we can learn in studying Daniel’s life, the lesson of prayer’s importance is primary. One thing is for certain in Daniel’s life: he did not consider prayer to be wasted time. He did not just work it in to his busy schedule. He understood that through prayer, he was inviting Divine strength into his soul.

The lesson here is clear also. Prayer invites God’s strengthening presence into our souls. A person can not think pure thoughts and live a pure life apart from God’s help. Prayer is calling to God for this help – a Divine strengthening.

Want to think pure thoughts and live a pure life? Determine that you will focus on the pure, and eliminate the impure. Then pray for Divine strength, inviting God’s morality into your choices.

You will discover God’s peace when you choose…

Purity.

World-Changers

I have been pondering Deuteronomy 7:6 – “For you are a special people who belong to the Lord your God.”

The Lord has His special people on the earth – and you can be one of them! Bill Bright called these special people “world-changers.”

Romans 4 from the Bible tells me that any one who chooses to be a follower of Jesus Christ is a “special person” who can become a world-changer.

What is one of God’s “special people”, a world-changer, supposed to do?

Last week I was watching members of a local high school football team work out –doing exercises and running through drills in preparation for the upcoming season. It dawned upon me that these young fellows were “special people”. They are members of the football team, and will be representing the local school in athletic competition this fall. They are different, set apart from the remainder of the student body. Their time is spent differently: in practice after school hours, in games on Fridays and in watching film on Saturdays. Their exercise habits are different: they go through grueling practices every week day. Their eating habits are probably different, also: eating lots of protein for muscle-building and carbohydrates for energy and stamina.

God’s special people have also been set apart from the rest of humankind, and represent Him before the watching world. God’s special people make a difference in their world. That is what makes them world changers.

Don’t you love the thought of being a world changer?

God’s special people possess the indwelling presence of God himself, the Holy Spirit. This Presence reveals itself from time to time, especially in difficult moments. God’s special people possess a wisdom (derived from knowledge of the Bible), an inner strength (derived from the Lord’s presence), and a positive outlook (derived from faith, hope and love). These are qualities all people desire, but only the believer has them in abundance and perpetually.

The world changer also has a God-given desire to serve. His or her motive is to glorify God and provide benefits to mankind. Consequently there is service in the community and friendship extended to others, especially those deemed undesirable by society: the poor, the elderly, the widows and orphans. God’s special people, the world-changers, desire to see certain virtues, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, prevail in society. The world-changers are convinced that the practice of these virtues will promote liberty and justice, eliminating tyranny and oppression. World changers will conduct gatherings to offer worship and praise to the God who has birthed them to eternal life. They teach illiterate people how to read and write. They teach healthy practices and establish hospitals in remote areas of the earth. They teach primitive tribal groups modern agricultural practices and proper nutrition.

Most amazing of all is the perspective on life these special people possess. They speak of another world yet to come, even while serving effectively in this world. . This other world is called “heaven”. These special people speak of dwelling in the actual presence of God forever in this coming world and actively solicit others to join them. They quote Jesus, for example, who said “What will it profit a person if he should gain the entirety of this (temporal) world, yet lose his (eternal) soul?” from Matthew 16:26.

Yep, for sure God has His special people.

And for sure they are world-changers.

The Euphrates River is Drying Up!

The July 14, 2009 issue of The New York Times had a very interesting article, and one that relates to Biblical prophecy. Written by Campbell Robertson, the article is entitled “Iraq Suffers as the Euphrates River Dwindles”.

The report gives its location as Jubaish, Iraq. It begins by telling of “reed gatherers” who are standing on land they once floated over, crying out to visitors, “There is no water!”

There is no water due to the water policies of Turkey and Syria, a two-year drought and misuse of the water by Iraqi farmers. The great Euphrates River is half the size it was just a few years ago. Fear is that in another year it will be half the size it is now – a stream rather than a river, apparently.

This is interesting news. But what really caught my attention was what The New York Times proceeded to print. “The shrinking of the Euphrates, a river so crucial to the birth of civilization that the Book of Revelation prophesied its drying up as a sign of the end times, has decimated farms along its banks, has left fishermen impoverished and has depleted riverside towns as farmers flee to the cities looking for work.”

By the way, the underlining is not mine – it is part of the article appearing in the paper.

In case you are wondering, the passage in Revelation was left uncited, but is 16:12 – “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.”

It is safe to say that the Lord is preparing the world for the coming of Christ. That the drying up of the Euphrates is mentioned in Bible prophecy, and that we see it happening presently is no accident. Ever since the unbelievably exciting establishment of the Israeli state in 1948, the end-times prophecies of the Bible have been slowly but surely unfolding before our very eyes. The groundwork is being laid for the “taking up” of the church, mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (the word “rapture” is rapturo and is translated “caught up” in verse 17. Hence, the usual expression for this event is “the Rapture”). The Rapture is the next epochal event on the calendar of Bible prophecy.

It is after the Rapture that the complete fulfillment of the prophecies in Revelation will occur – right now what we witness are the preliminary stages. The foundation is being laid and after the Rapture – well, just hope you are not left behind. There will be a period of time called “Tribulation”, a period of man’s sinfulness given its full expression. Finally, and mercifully, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to put an end to unrighteousness and begin a reign of righteousness.

Which brings me to the point of this entire article: are you ready for the Rapture? You can be by making sure you are in a right relationship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

And by the way – don’t put this decision off. One of the world’s great rivers is drying up. The New York Times recognizes it as a fulfillment of Bible predictions.

The Euphrates River is drying up!

Choose to be Happy

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most people are as happy as they choose to be.”

I’ve been thinking about that quote a bit lately. It seems to me that there are a lot of unhappy folks today – and many of them are in our churches! Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, has written “The most unhappy people in the world are not the unbelievers, many of whom are ignorantly and blissfully happy in their sin, albeit temporarily. The most unhappy people in the world are Christians who resist the will of God for their lives! The Christian who refuses to do the will of God must be prepared to pay the price of disobedience. Whatever we sow, we reap, the Bible tells us. It has long been my conviction that I have never met a happy, disobedient Christian or an unhappy, obedient one” (from The Most Unhappy People by Bill Bright, copyright 2003 and reprinted in Pulpit Helps magazine, August 2009).

What Bill Bright is saying is pretty simple stuff. It is, “Look – you want to be happy? Then obey God. You want to be unhappy? Then disobey God.”

I am not an advocate of a Pollyanna naiveté that would ignore tragedy or injustice. These things do not make us happy. But I do advocate a trusting and obedient spirit toward God – this generates a deep happiness, or joy, regardless of circumstances.

“Joy-stealers” are those things that strip joy away. These “joy-stealers” are the things that motivate us to disobey God – envy, worry, fear, unforgiveness, perfectionism and inability to control others. This list is incomplete, but covers a lot of ground. It is time for each of us to purge these joy-stealers from our lives, begin living in obedience to God, and watch our attitude become one of happiness.

Reuben A. Torrey, a Christian educator from another era, told of a lady who came to him and stated that she was not happy – she had tried the Bible’s promise that “whatever you ask believing, you shall receive” but that it had not worked. To this lady Dr. Torrey showed the verse from 1 John 3:22 – “we receive from Him (God) anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.” He then asked the lady, “Were you keeping His commandments and doing those things pleasing in His sight?” She confessed that she was not. Dr. Torrey then gently pointed out her problem, the same that plagues many of us – the reason her prayers were unanswered and she was unhappy was due to her disobedience to God

“O how happy is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But whose delight is in the law of the Lord…” Psalm 1 begins.

Disobedience to God is the source of unhappiness. Obedience to God is the source of happiness.

Choose to be happy by choosing to obey.

Happy Birthday, John Calvin!
July 10 is an important day. It is the birthday of John Calvin. Calvin, one of the great Reformers, was best known for his Biblical and philosophical analysis of Christianity that has become known as “Calvinism”. The reformers who preceded him were mostly known for their zeal. Calvin provided a distinct theology. John Calvin was born in 1509, and this year (2009) is the 500th Anniversary of the man’s birth.
One of the best known of Calvin’s sermons is entitled “What It Is to Know God”. Sermons were written out word for word in his time, so it still exists. Calvin begins, “By the knowledge of God, I understand that by which we not only conceive that there is some God, but also apprehend what it is for our interest, and conducive to His glory, what, in short, it is benefiting to know concerning Him.” He proceeds to share how we come to conceive that there is God, how we begin to understand God, and what it means to glorify Him.
Now, keep in mind, this was one sermon. Read over Calvin’s proposition again.
The fact is, this one sermon contains almost the whole of the purpose of Christian ministry.
I was thinking about this recently, while rereading Calvin’s sermon. So much of what is presented in churches today is either unbiblical (which means it is not Christian, incidentally) or it is baby food. No wonder so many American Christians are spiritual babies. Hebrews 5:12 – “You ought by now to be teachers, but you have need that one teach you again the first principles of the word of God; and are become such as have need of milk, rather than strong meat.”
Here is what I have concluded – and you may disagree if you like. John Calvin (and others from time to time) became a mature and great Christian because he had a great understanding of a great God. He disciplined himself to be aware of God’s presence at all times and in all circumstances of life. His life is an example for us all.
Human that we all are, apart from such self-discipline we bounce to extremes. It is easy to forget God in good times. And when times are difficult, we think God has abandoned us.
One thing John Calvin did not do was forget God. Nor did he ever consider that God had abandoned him. He reaped the benefits (called “blessings”) of this God – awareness, too. His heart was kept grateful, his ego was kept humble; his life was kept faithful, his mind was kept sharp. The greatest benefit was that Calvin’s influence has and will live through the ages.
Happy Birthday, John Calvin!