Don't Be Afraid

It is sometimes difficult to picture the real message of some scriptures. One of the best known scriptures is what is called "The Sermon on the Mount" found in Matthew 5-6-7.  In these chapters Jesus gives many insights in to our daily Christian living and our relationship to one another as well as with God.

Jesus also spends a lot of time dealing with our relationship with God the Father and how we learn to trust him. How much do you really trust God? In Matthew 6:25-27 Jesus says:  “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

My wife and I have been struggling with a rather mundane decision, yet one that affects our daily lives. We both believe very deeply that God loves us and helps guide our decisions "IF" we invite him to do so and really make him part of our lives. Some folks really don't know God that well. They really don't want to ask him to make the decision for them or trust him enough to live with whatever comes your way. Many really don't see God (either around them or in their mind's eye) and therefore really can't trust him to take care of them.

Our oldest son shared what trust really is about through the comments of our 5 year old granddaughter, Allison. They have been on a trip to Washington, DC, perhaps noticing all of the pigeons she said, "Daddy, Birds are afraid of us, but they're not afraid of God. They can just fly up and see him!"

How about that for faith and understanding? Don't you wish you had thought of that? Of what or who are you afraid. What is it that you are wanting? What are you wanting to change or perhaps needing direction for? There is an interesting thought in James 3:2-3 that relates to these questions. Notice what James says there (in part): "… you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong …"

There is a powerful hymn that we often sing. Some of the words speak to our trust and faith in God. The hymn says, "Some Glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away;

to a home on God's celestial shores I'll fly away."

Yes, just like the birds, some day we will be able to "just fly up and see him!" Won't that be great!

9/11, A date that changed some…

There are very few dates in our American History that are as well known as 9/11. How many dates come to your minds that have special meanings? July 4, our Independence Day; then there is December 7^th, Pearly Harbor Day. Sure there are other special days; Christmas; Easter; Birthdays; Anniversaries and such. But no one day has so touched our now living generations as September Eleventh.

That day on which we were brutally attacked and thousands killed left an indelible mark on our nation and on the hearts of those who were alive to witness this exhibition of savagery.

At that time our nation was drawn together! People, who did not make it a practice to worship God, flocked to our churches. Strangers came together for comfort; people asked “How could anyone do such a thing?” People cried, people prayed, people gave of themselves and their money; people searched their souls, maybe some for the first time and considered their relationship to God and eternal life.

What has changed over the passing of a few years? What has happened to the overwhelming need to reconnect to God? Why are our churches not still overflowing with people searching for something outside of themselves?

You know the answer as well as I, because you experience it and fight against it just as I do. Satan, the one who twists men and women’s hearts has told folks, “Don’t worry about it, it will never happen to you.” And they believe him! Now he doesn’t tell them in those words, but he has drawn off their attentions from God, from their souls, from what might happen in eternity.

If you think about it, not much has changed in 2000 years. Our Lord and Savior was subjected to savagery and brutality and murdered. The response was fairly quick, within months there were literally thousands of people who responded to the message of what has happened. They learned how much their God could love them through the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The churches grew, they dealt with more savage attacks and stood firm because they were the generation which had experience it. But Satan used the same methods then that he does now and many forgot, many quit attending, nothing has changed.

However there are always a faithful few, the hope of the world, the apple of God’s eye, the ones with hope and faith in their hearts that reject Satan’s lies. Which group are you in?

Do you remember what Jesus said in Revelation  2:5, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ... " Jesus warned he would spit folks (who were not keeping their promise to him), out of his mouth…"! Rev 3:16

Russ Lawson

HOW WE ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT

 QUESTION: Russ, I am confused by the idea of being "Led by the Holy Spirit" today. Some of my friends talk about how the Spirit works in their lives, yet I don't feel him or understand how he could possibly direct me. Can you clarify this for me?

ANSWER:

I made a statement to a friend recently regarding the fact that I believed that the "Spirit" led us as Christians today, IF we allowed him to do so. He believes the same way I do about the Spirit working in our lives today, but warned me, "A lot of folks would not understand what you are saying, and they would think that you are Charismatic regarding the Holy Spirit." We both know that I am about as far away from the "Charismatic movement" as you can get. I will set the foundation of what I am writing here, but saying I am about as conservative and traditional as you can get. Yet, I sincerely believe that we can be "Led by the Holy Spirit", if we will open ourselves up to him.

I know that may sound like a huge contradiction to some, but I don't believe it is. I believe that God promised us the Holy Spirit; that the Spirit is given for a purpose and is still active in the lives of believers today.

Now, I don't know if I have ever tried to explain my views in detail before, so perhaps this will be a learning and growing study for both you and I.

If I had to choose baseline or foundation scriptures regarding this topic (and I guess I do) there are several I lean towards. The first is Acts 2:38, one of the best known verses in the New Testament. We read, "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

No one can deny that the promise is made very clearly in this verse that we "WILL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". The question is, "If we have him, what does he do for us and what do we do with him?" That is indeed the question isn't it? We as Christians (for the most part) believe that we have the Spirit, but don't know what for! Our Charismatic (or sometimes called "Pentecostal" friends, feel strongly that, "if we have the Holy Spirit, it must be confirmed by some outward sign. Is that the case or not, or could it just be that God has another purpose for providing us with the gift of the Holy Spirit without being manifest through outward signs?

The Apostle Paul thought that having the Holy Spirit inside of us was an indication of whether or not we are really Christians. He wrote in Romans 8:9-11, "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." (NIV)

I know that this verse is puzzling to some of you! Paul made it very clear that we as God's children do have the Spirit, because as he said, "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ"! So what about you, do you have the "Spirit" or not? Notice this modern translation of this verse: "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)" (NLT)

Most of you probably will agree that the Spirit is necessary for us to be considered Christians, but it leaves the question, "If we have him what does he do, or what do we do with him?"

Paul carries on this instruction adding to the confusion of many in Romans 8:13 -16. Notice what he says here; "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (NIV)

In this verse we see that not only do we have the Spirit, but that he does some things in our lives. The Spirit "puts to death the misdeeds of the body." The Spirit "leads" those who are "sons of God". By the Spirit, we cry out to God! The Spirit testifies to God that we are his Children.

The word translated as "Led" here in Romans 8:14 is the Greek word "ag'-o" . In Strong's Greek Dictionary of New Testament words we read, " ago ag’-o; a primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce: be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open."

Notice what we read about this in Barne's Notes:

"As are led. As submit to his influence and control. The Spirit is represented as influencing, suggesting, and controlling. One evidence of piety is, a willingness to yield to that influence, and submit to him. One decided evidence of the want of piety is, where there is an unwillingness to submit to that influence, but where the Holy Spirit is grieved and resisted. All Christians submit to his influence; all sinners decidedly reject it and oppose it. The influence of the Spirit, if followed, would lead every man to heaven. But when neglected, rejected, or despised, man goes down to hell. The glory belongs to the conducting Spirit when man is saved; the fault is man’s when he is lost.  The apostle here does not agitate the question how it is that the people of God are led by the Spirit, or why they yield to it when others resist it. His design is simply to state the fact, that they who are thus led are the sons of God…"(Barne's New Testament Notes).

Another author has this to say:

"The phrase is borrowed (says another) either from those who are guided and directed as a blind man in his way; or from those who, wanting strength of their own, are borne and carried of others: so we are both ways led by the Spirit, for we can neither see our way, unless the Spirit direct us; nor have we strength to walk in it, unless the Spirit assist and draw us along. The Spirit leads and draws us irresistibly and necessarily, and yet not violently or against our wills; though we were unwilling before, yet we are made willing afterwards; so willing, that we desire and pray to be led by the Spirit.(See #Ps 25:5 143:10 So 1:4) (Poole's New Testament Commentary)

THE APPLICATION:



OK, just how do we let the Spirit lead us? I really like the picture drawn by the writers above, of a blind man who is led on his way, or drawn on when necessary, but not against our will.

When we become Christians we are born again, into a new way of living, with new values and ideals. We (should) seek that which is above and if we are doing that then the things which we value in our lives will change. We will begin (as we grow in Christ) to place more value on the spiritual and less on the material. We will begin to notice opportunities to serve God where we would never have seen them before.

THE REALITY:

You might protest, I don't believe in the supernatural work of the Spirit in leading people! Might I ask you, have you or one of your spiritual leaders ever prayed to God, "Lord, help our minister remember the things he has prepared"? Have you ever prayed, "God lead us not unto temptation?" Have you ever prayed, "Lord watch over my children while they are in school"? Or how about, "Lord, help me to make the right decisions in my life"? Or "Lord, help me to know what your will is for me in my life"? Have you ever prayed, "God open the doors for the missionaries to go into that country"? Or, "Watch over us until we can meet again." Or, "Watch over that person while they travel." Or, "Lord heal that person and return them to their family".

You see, if you have done that or something similar, then you must believe that God still works in our world! Does he still bring tongues of fire down upon people heads? No, but that does not decrease the power he has to work in the lives of men and women in our world today.

How does the Spirit of God lead us today? Let me make a couple of suggestions. In Acts 16:6-10 we can gain some insight in to this. Notice the incident:

"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

God sent a clear message to Paul and his companions; that they weren’t to go to Asia at that time. How did he send that message? I believe by closing the door that would allow them to go. Yet, when God wanted them to go to Macedonia he put that burden on Paul's heart by allowing him to see the needs there and he "concluded that God had called them to preach the gospel to them."

Does God still direct us in that way? I think he does! I really believe that God puts burdens on our heart to do things or go places that will help the lost be saved or his kingdom be strengthened!

OUR STORY

In 1989 I had been working with the Averill Ave. congregation in Flint, Michigan for 8 years. We had a good working relationship and the support of a loving group of Christians and great elders. Melody and I began talking one day about the future and what we felt we would like to do. To our mutual surprise, both of us had a desire to go to Africa and work in Missions. I believe that God put that dream there, that vision of those where were lost and crying out for someone to come help them.

I knew an elder, Jack Vinton, at a sister congregation in the city which was deeply involved in missions in Kenya, East Africa. I called him and told him that my wife and I were interested in finding out more about African missions. Later that week we met at his home for supper and he shared videos, slides and much information about their mission effort.

Two weeks later Jack called me and said, "Russ, there is a congregation in the Detroit area that has been looking for two years for someone to go to Kenya and replace a missionary who is leaving. They want you to come down and meet them." So that week we traveled to Detroit and met Hayward and Sandra Burton and discussed their needs and how we felt led to become involved in missions.

In three months we set off for what is called a "survey" trip, to take a look at the work and the country and make a decision as to whether this is where we felt God wanted us.

Six months from the time we initially began to pray that the Lord would guide us we moved to Africa. What do you think? Did God prepare the way? Did he plant the seed in our hearts through the leading of the Spirit? Did he open the doors? My wife and I believe with all of our hearts that he did!

FURTHER LEADINGS

We had been living in Kenya for about a year and were part of a team with Dan and Beverly Bell and Later David High and his family. We were all struggling and over worked because of the multitudes of people that we needed to reach. There were about 400 congregations (mostly home churches) in a 200 square mile area where we predominantly worked. We were praying that God would help us find a way to help reach and minister to these people. One night I was sound asleep and dreaming about our problem and woke up, set up in bed and had a program for helping reach people in my mind. I got up and in 30 minutes outlined a program which has been in place for 21 years and taught countless people. The next day I called the other team members and said we have to get together. I shared with them the basics of a plan which would become "African Christian Literature Outreach" and later grew in to "World Christian Literature Outreach". This program has not gone into 17 different countries with no advertising, just word of mouth spreading the messages about what we are doing.

Did the Spirit lead us? I think he did?

HOW ARE YOU LED BY THE SPIRIT TODAY?

We are back to the original question again. I believe that the Spirit leads those who are open to his leading. Just like leading or guiding the blind man about which the writers above spoke. I would suggest that first we need to get rid of self, our desires, our wants, our needs and put God and His kingdom first in our lives. You see we have to make room for the Spirit of God in our lives. He will not force himself upon us; we have to look for ways to serve him. It has been my experience that when we are sincerely trying to serve God he will open the doors he wants us to go through. If we try to do something and it just doesn't work, if "the door won't open" so to speak, if there are barriers set before you, if your efforts fail, that probably a pretty good indication that's not the direction God wants us to go.

How can you know what direction God wants you to go? First pray sincerely, with all your heart about whatever it is you want to do. (Did I mention that there is something required of you, as in "effort" or "commitment"?). Make some effort to do that thing, to start in that direction, if the door does not open, then step back and rethink what you are doing! Are you really putting God and His kingdom first, or is it really just something you want?

STAY THE COURSE

One of my favorite movies is "The Patriot" staring Mel Gibson. Whether you like Mel Gibson or not is immaterial to the movie. It is a stirring  portrayal of he struggle of our forefathers during the Revolutionary War, our war for freedom against Britain's unfair taxes and control over their colonies in the new world of the Americas.

Many people were not in favor of this "revolt" against Britain. It was their home nation, they had friends and family there, and many had been born there. If fact the main character played by Gibson was against the revolution, until forced by the evil and violence of those in power to make a choice to stand for the right and freedom.

One of the themes running through the movie was the use of the simple phrase, "Stay the course." This was saying, "Don't forget your purpose," "Don't be dissuaded of the urgency or importance of your convictions". It was a way of saying, "Don't be discouraged by what is going on around you, simply stay the course (or stay on course)."

It's interesting also that Gibson stared in the movie Braveheart. It was the story of William Wallace and the fight of the Scotts against the British trying to subjugate them. The message was similar in that movie, "Stay the course," "don't loose sight of what is important."

Both movies asked the question of the viewers (I believe), concerning "what is really important to you". For what would you be willing to die? And the answer comes ringing back in both movies: "My freedom, the freedom of my family and the freedom of my nation is that important!"

This 4^th of July, is our celebration of our nations Independence from the cruel and unfair demands put upon our ancestors by the British ruling powers. Although we are no longer under the control of that nation, we are under the control of a government in our own nation which has (for the most part), lost all connection with us, its people. They have also lost all connection with the principles upon which our nation was founded of being "one nation under God".

We are (it seems to me), still fighting the same battle which has been fought through the years. The battle to hold on to our freedom! The freedom to worship and live the way we as individuals want, freedom from persecution or restrictions regarding our beliefs by the government which is suppose to protect our freedoms.

I know at times it seems as if we cannot win against the powers which govern our country, but know that God is still in control. Know that there are millions of people in our nation who will stand along side of you and be counted for righteousness.

I do not know what the future will bring. I do not know how we will be called to stand and make a difference, but I challenge you to be ready to do whatever it takes to maintain your (and my) freedom. Stay the course! "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)

Memorial Day

Folks today seem to have lost some of their enthusiasm regarding Memorial Day. I know that is a general statement and surely doesn't include everyone. However, ask almost any young person what Memorial Day is about and they won't be able to tell you (probably a few of the adults also). For most folks today, it means a day off work and a big party, cook out or picnic.

What is Memorial Day? A "Memorial" is an object or action which serves as a focus for memory of something. "Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces."  (Wikipedia)

The idea of a memorial is not new. We find a memorial mentioned 78 times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament (KJV) and it always has to do with people's relationship to God. Whenever we do anything that focuses our memory upon God we have a memorial to him. In Acts 10:4 we read of Cornelius, "The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."

The principle of course we want to think about is the most important memorial, which is remembering our God. We read in Psalm 135:13, "Your name, O LORD, endures for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations."

Let's not forget the fallen hero's of America, but more important, don't forget a memorial to our God for his sacrifice.

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

Seriously, I thought these words were immortalized by Charles Shultz with his famous cartoon character "Snoopy". Often Snoopy would be shown sitting in front of a typewriter typing those words. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised when I just began a new SiFi novel (new to me) written back in 1962. The first words on the first page were, "It was a dark and stormy night" (From: "A wrinkle in time").

As I read those words, my mind flashed back to the night in the New Testament when a few men were making their way across the Sea of Galilee on a dark and stormy night. Have you ever experienced one of those nights? The ones that seem to bring total darkness, that leave you feeling totally alone, that cause you to feel like no one in this world cares?

Those disciples felt that way, but what they forgot was that Jesus was right there with them all of the time. Notice the story in Matthew 8:23-27, "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!"

Have you ever forgotten that Jesus was right there in the boat with you on your "dark and stormy night"? Or like these men, failed to realize his power or who he really was? After Jesus stilled the storm these men ask, "Who is this man?" they still didn't get it, they still didn't understand. What about you?

When you are in the middle of your personal storm, to who to you cry out? Do you call your parents, or your friends, or your work mates, or your school mates? Why is it that far too often we don't think to call out to the one who can still the storm until we have no where else to go, rather than calling on him first?

A MOTHER'S DAY THOUGHT….

         

"Mother's day", a special day set aside to honor our mothers. Mothers we do honor you and thank God for your influence in our lives! Now having said that, I realize that not everyone has that kind of relationship with their mother, which will allow them to honor her. That is a pity for all involved, but that is Satan's influence with sin in the world.

Each year, we and most churches across our land acknowledge Mother's Day in some way. Have you ever wondered whether or not we should be doing this (as a church activity)? Have you every considered whether or not it is scriptural to celebrate Mother's Day? I mean, is it based upon scriptural doctrines, principles or example?

Well, I hadn't either, so here is what I came up with, I think it is. No, it is not commanded in the scripture and we have no example of the early church setting aside a special day to recognize mothers. However someone did acknowledge just how important mothers are to us and honored their mother.

Nine times in the scripture we are commanded by God to "honor your… mother." Think about Jesus' last few moments upon the cross, who did he remember out of all of the people gathered there? His mother! In John 19:25-27, we read: "Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home." (NLT)

If our God feels it is important to honor our mothers, even when he is dying in agony, then I feel it is important for us to do so also. So, for each of you mothers, I wish you the happiest of Mother's Days. May your husbands and children honor you as God intended.