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Bulletin Article Archives Ministry Click on the title to move to the selected article and then on my name at the conclusion of the article to return to this directory.
The courier delivered his message as ordered. A high level summit had been called to which the Jewish governor was strongly urged to attend. There, just a few miles from Jerusalem, Nehemiah would meet with Sanballat the Samaritan, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Gesham the Arab presumably to discuss some matters of common interest. Between the lines Nehemiah read trouble. For some seventy years, while God's people were held in Babylon, Jerusalem lay virtually in ruins. After that, for the next ninety years, although inhabited, the pride of Israel stood unprotected from her neighboring countries. Sanballat and his associates were willing to go to great lengths to keep Jerusalem, and its citizens, vulnerable to their control. Nehemiah felt compelled by God to finish the task of building the wall around Jerusalem. The Lord was obviously pleased with the effort and encouraged the work to persevere under his leadership. No flagrant assault or covert scheme could be permitted to stand in the way of accomplishing this mission. Without hesitation the reply was prepared. The messenger was sent on his way to those from which he came. In his hand was this message that should be held close to the heart of any who would be a worker in God's Kingdom. "The work I am doing is too important to stop" (Nehemiah 6:3). Although many attempts followed to shake Nehemiah's resolve, each met with failure. It is no wonder that Jerusalem was far too important to let anything interfere. What could be so important? God's work. August 15, 1993 His name was "Encouragement" because he was encouraging to be around (Acts 4:36). After Jesus had gone out of His way to bring Saul of Tarsus in, the church went out of its way to keep him out. Barnabas had listened in class. He had learned well the unity Jesus died to foster, and he fostered it (Acts 9:26-28). Barnabas also distinguished himself by his unselfishness. When he saw the unnecessary suffering about him he reached within and gave (Acts 4:37). He saw in the blessings he had received a need to become a blessing. Unlike others who held tightly to the material, Barnabas was not content until he had claimed the spiritual. Paul overshadowed Barnabas. He never stood long in the spotlight. Barnabas spent his days as a servant seeking only to please his Master. He succeeded. Barnabas prompts me to ask, "What am I doing to keep the church focused on Jesus and united in pure faith (Eph. 4:4)?" "What am I doing to break free from the control of "things" to be controlled by God?" "What am I doing to prepare in this life for the next?" "What am I doing to be more like Jesus?" For it is only then that I too can succeed. March 26, 1995 From where I stand it is not difficult to pick out some areas where the church needs to improve. Perhaps you have a similar vantage point from where you stand. I also know, human nature being such as it is, that at times the easiest things to notice are negative. These are the ones generally brought to my attention. Few have been the occasions when someone called me aside to brag on the good points of the church. From where I stand there are many good things about the church. There is a strong involvement on the part of some to teach and lead our young into meaningful avenues of service. There is a wealth of talented and capable song leaders. There is a tradition of fellowship that runs deep into the local congregation. We could list more. But we can't list any that has no room for improvement. From where I stand there is only one way for that improvement to materialize. Each one must ask themselves, "What am I doing?" "What am I doing to make what's wrong right?" What am I doing to make what's good better?" March 19, 1995 Over the centuries countless individuals have drawn comfort from Jesus’ stirring words known as the Beatitudes. More than a clever introduction to the “Sermon on the Mount,” these inspired maxims outline the life and promise of the child of God. Jesus describes as happy (blessed) those who embrace the attitude and lifestyle disclosed in these great verses: the poor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven, comfort, mercy and status of being recognized as children of God. But along with those magnificent blessings comes the warning of the last beatitude. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10). Suffering has always been an integral part of Christianity. It always will be. But so is the promise attached to this last beatitude, just as it is attached to the first: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It is a promise that will bring joy even in suffering. August 29, 1999 The majestic language of the King James Version conveys the ancient message of King Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). For lack of vision humanity has always struggled in vain, like Eve, to be like God. The familiar tales of spiritual defeat snake their way across the pages of Bible history. Believing the lie that without God man will find his place of meaning and happiness, Solomon penned the anguished words of Ecclesiastes to arrive at the inescapable conclusion, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (12:13). For lack of vision Rehoboam lost 83% of his empire. For lack of vision Israel, then Judah, found itself in captivity. For lack of vision Pilate commanded Jesus to be crucified. For lack of vision we will perish forever. Thanks be to God, who had the vision to bring hope into this world in the form of His only begotten Son! May we share his vision for this world and our lives. It is yours to share forever. May 16, 1999 Bartimaeus was just one of many (Mark 10). Among the countless miracles performed by Jesus was his ability to give sight to the blind. Even those who had never known the gift of sight were not beyond hope when Jesus was nearby (John 9). It is hard to imagine a blind person remaining blind after coming into contact with God's Son, but some did. Jesus pointed out the blindness of the Pharisees. Unlike others who were blinded by misfortune, these were blinded by an impure heart (Mat. 23). Worse yet, they persisted in their blindness. Even in the days of Paul the signs of spiritual blindness were evident. Their eyes were so tightly closed by pride and prejudice that they were unable to see the unfolding of God's plan of salvation in the life and death of Jesus or in the message preached by his followers. They were not alone. Others who lived without thought of God were described as suffering from spiritual blindness (Eph. 4:18). These too needed to have the "eyes of their mind" open to the truth of God's Will. They needed to obtain a pure heart. Miracles have ceased. But God will still help us remove the impurities of mind and heart to enable us to see Him more clearly. August 8, 1999 Crowds! Everywhere Jesus went the crowds seemed to follow. Five thousand here. Four thousand there. On other occasions the Gospel writers describe multitudes pressing to see, hear or touch Christ. It was in this mass of eager observers that Jesus' most familiar sermons were delivered, His most beloved parables were told, and His most awe-inspiring wonders were performed. Yet, when I think about the ministry of Jesus the scenes that most readily come to my mind are scenes of personal contact of Christ with an individual - a woman suffering great affliction, a leper cleansed by the roadside, a child being blessed on his lap. Jesus' concern for the masses could be explained by his love for the individual. It is great to be involved in the public work of sending missionaries, assisting orphaned children and helping those sometimes far away who are coping with misfortune and adversity, all of which can be done from a fairly comfortable pew. But we must be careful that our ministry is not reduced to sending money. Jesus called us to go ourselves (Matthew 28:18-20). You have been saved to serve. For Christians to be ministers, they must be involved. For ministry to be real it must be personal. September 12, 1999 The windows have been boarded up, the doors locked and barred. The only thing gathering on the pews is dust. Termites are the only sounds coming from the pulpit. The congregation has not relocated, it has simply gone "out of business." Less dramatically, any congregation of God's people experiences this ignoble fate when it quits asking, "What is our purpose?" First it stops questioning, then it stops caring. Loss of mission is just the first step in the painful process of spiritual decay. Is there hope? Only God fully knows the true condition of His Church around the globe. As each local body seeks to remain faithful beacons of Divine Truth they must face the chilling contingency of permitting their light to be extinguished. Yes, there is hope. Only in re-focusing on Christ, re-adopting His purpose for the church, re-opening hearts to God and church doors to the lost will the local community see what Jesus truly means to the individual members of the church. Only then will His message draw all men unto Him. Jesus is still relevant and His church is always to be "open for business." July 22, 2001 "Before anything else, do your chores!" For a family, business, or even a congregation of our Lord's church, to work together everyone needs to do his/her part. Regarding the church, Paul wrote that our goal is to "grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ" (Eph. 4:15). To ensure the chances of that growth actually taking place he added that the "whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplied, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:16). Two vital elements included in this powerful passage are -- #1 When the church properly matures it will be into the characteristics of Christ, its Head. #2 For this to be accomplished requires the involvement, of the members. The point is so obvious it needs only to be mentioned in passing. The Apostle through this passage, however, drives the second point, home as he wrote the words "whole body" and "every joint" and "every part." The point is, for us to become what He intended us to become, each and every member must be willing and ready to become involved. Some may be asking, "But what can I do?" Even the one talent person can use that one talent. Can you pray? Can you be a positive "advertisement" for our Lord and His church? Tie those two mighty contributions to your "one" talent and the church is already starting to resemble the One who died for it. April 1, 2001 He seems to always be in trouble. Task after task is loaded onto his shoulders until he bows under the unbearable weight of responsibility. Overwhelmed, he stares hopelessly at the demands placed upon him, demands he neither sought nor desired. Isn't it strange that so many count on him to succeed without any help when in reality he is doomed to failure? His name is "Somebody." Consider the duties entrusted to his care:
Can you imagine "Somebody" finding the following note in his mailbox someday? Dear "Somebody," Greetings. I know you are terribly busy these days. However, I am in desperate straits. I am now expected to do the things that "Everybody" demanded of you. Although "Anybody" could lend a hand, they seem to prefer that I do the work alone. May I propose that we work together? I'm not sure how long I can last. Respectfully yours, "Nobody" April 22, 2001 They argued over food. It may seem silly to us that such an uproar could result from dietary habits. Yet the severity of the turmoil is evident by the amount of space Paul used to address the issue and the various locations where the controversy took root. One would be surprised if Corinth was spared the brunt of this argument. It seems that whatever rocks the tranquility of the church finds its way to Corinth. Along with a multitude of other problems Corinth was consumed with the question of what to eat. Paul, determined to show them the way out, devoted two chapters to the subject (1 Cor. 8, 10). The remote area of Colossae faced the divisive effects of the food fight. Paul urged them to keep their heads above the swirling waters of the quarrel and not descend to passing harsh judgment on such personal matters (Col. 2:16). Rome was affected by the pro- and anti-food groups. The problem was so severe that Paul had to take valuable space to address it (Romans 14). Diligently the apostle labored to explain to them what really matters: keep your conscience clear (Rom. 14:22) and put God's work above all other pursuits (Rom. 14:17). September 11, 1994 At Gibeon his life was forever changed (1 Kings 3). From the ripe age of twenty Solomon inherited the most powerful throne Israel would ever boast. Some would have fought bouts of pride, but Solomon, instead, sought refuge in God and was rewarded with wisdom. People came from far and wide just to see Solomon and hear his uncommon wisdom. So also came the Queen of Sheba, who was moved to confess that the rumors did not give justice to the remarkable king (1 Kings 10:1-ff). Compared to anything this world had ever seen, Solomon redefined wisdom. Compared to God, Solomon was a fool (1 Cor. 1:25). The foolishness of the wisest man is evident to any who read his memoirs in Ecclesiastes. These twelve chapters recount his infamous journey into foolishness and the ultimate realization that the biggest fool seeks wisdom without seeking God (Eccl. 12:13). The good news is that wisdom, true wisdom, can only be dispensed by God (James 1:5). The best news is that it is freely dispensed to those who seek it. Solomon, the wisest of men who became the biggest of fools, pleads with you across the ages not to squander its benefits. November 13, 1994 After the death of Solomon the unified kingdom of Israel faced with reluctance the faint potential for prosperity under the rule of his son Rehoboam (1 Kings 12). Directed by Jeroboam the northern tribes inquired of Rehoboam regarding his leadership philosophy. Recognizing the unity of his nation was threatened, Rehoboam consulted with two groups before making his decision. Both operated on the same information in identical circumstances. The difference rested in their way of thinking. One sought the positive good of the people. The other sought to retain their position of power over the people (vs. 6-11). Rehoboam, the son of the wisest man on earth, revealed an incredible lack of wisdom in the choice he made. As Christians, we have access to the pure wisdom of God (James 1:5). His wisdom teaches us to fill our minds with positive thoughts in keeping with the will of God (Philippians 4:8). That is a better way of thinking. February 21, 1999 Earlier this year, Macy Panel Products of Newcastle, England received a fine for safety violations after one of their employees, a machine operator, accidentally cut the tip of his thumb off while on the job. Then when showing his supervisor what had happened, he accidentally severed his index finger (Daily Telegraph, March 20, 2003). Why is it that man has to learn so many lessons in life the hard way? Even when seeing others making a mistake, it is too easy to convince oneself that "it could never happen to me." Unwittingly, the overconfident becomes like the man who boasted that he completed college in only three terms, Roosevelt's, Truman's, and Eisenhower's! Oh how desperately the world needs wisdom. The Bible offers all the insight one needs to order their lives and live successfully here on earth, while preparing them for eternity in heaven. Within its pages, one can benefit from the mistakes of David and Solomon (nothing is sugar coated or glossed over to preserve their reputations), while reaping valuable insights from the spiritual victories of Abraham and Paul. It only makes sense for the serious student to take advantage of this treasure trove of wisdom. The alternative is simply too difficult. Living without wisdom is just too costly. June 22, 2003 They Shall All Be Taught of God The natives were becoming restless in John chapter six. Expectations had been running high as the crowds gathered around Jesus, intent on being fed through his miraculous powers. They longed for food from heaven, free from labor, free of cost, free for the taking. Jesus longed for faith. Resorting to Christ at Capernaum they hoped to repeat the miraculous feeding that had taken place the day before. They, like the generations before (and since), wanted God to take care of them, to feed them, without obligation or reciprocation. God's intentions were different. Jesus quoted Isaiah (54:13), Jeremiah (31:34) and Micah (4:2) to show that God's concern is not to satisfy our cravings but to teach us how to live (John 6:45). Our goal in daily Bible reading is far greater than just reading through the Bible in one year. The far greater goal is to grow spiritually, closer to God. Knowing the Bible is of little value if it is not translated into the fabric of our daily lives. God's will is to teach us, through His Will, how to live godly lives and nurture a real hope, through Jesus, of Heaven. March 12, 1995 What makes life good? Consider the findings of one social researcher. His elaborate series of tests systematically examined every aspect of life. Data was stringently tested. A thorough analysis then followed. The results may startle many. Alcohol does not contribute to a good life. Any temporary "high" is soon replaced with a deeper emptiness usually filled in turn with more alcohol and an even deeper emptiness. Money and material possessions do not make life good. Research has shown that monetary gains can often be lost quicker than built. Luxury is enjoyable but not really meaningful. It cannot satisfy the deeper needs of humanity. Fame also fails to truly satisfy. His research revealed that the most famous are often the loneliest. While others stand in awe of them, both are searching for the same answers to life's questions. Physical pleasure is not a guarantee of the good life. Unrestrained indulgence carries its own particular, life-threatening problems. Any pleasure is only momentary. Guilt and fear last much longer. Solomon did the research. His findings are recorded for all to read (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). He has proven that all life without God has to offer is emptiness. To seek happiness in the items listed above is futile. Solomon tells us that he has already been there. He has already done that. The good life many seek is not so good after all. God offers us a better life of meaning, usefulness and righteousness. Research has proven that this is the best life of all (Eccl. 12:13-14). April 14, 1996 It was day. Multitudes went about their business in the streets of Jerusalem without much thought to their gift of sight. There, in the midst of traffic, sat a blind man at the mercy of the masses about him. Helpless, he sat waiting for help in whatever form it might be offered. To the disciples he was a theological question of sin and punishment. Being blind from birth they assumed he was being punished for the sins of his parents. To answer these questions they could only turn to Jesus who addressed the subject of blindness, not the man's but the disciples'. Jesus did not see a debate but a need. He did not see a man punished by God but an opportunity to serve God. He also saw something just as important, he saw today as the time to act (John 9:4). We too can amble about life in blindness. We can stumble aimlessly through life and its many activities without seeing what can be clearly seen. Am I blind to the opportunities to serve? Am I blind to the needs of others? Am I blind to the fleeting of time with each passing day? Am I blind to the fact that the "night" is coming? Then there can be no more work. Then the time for serving will be passed. It is day. Now is the time to work. February 23, 1997 "Righteousness" means that one is made right in the eyes of God, having satisfied all the demands set out through His Son. When I have fully obeyed I am declared righteous in Christ. Such a relationship is characterized by peace, obedience, devotion and trust. The opposite of "righteous" is lost. When you think about it, God has placed relatively few restrictions on acceptable prayer. There are no required positions, standing can be as effective as kneeling. There are no strict patterns or formulas. There are no rigid timetables where prayers MUST be offered at a CERTAIN moment. Yet among those few guidelines rests one unalterable requirement. The petitioner must be seeking righteousness. James said, "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). When a Christian in prayer seeks to be right in God's eyes, God promises to hear and act. It is then that the result of each prayer, regardless the circumstances, can be seen as a victory. It is then that a sinner, conscience bare before his Maker, can once again attain righteousness. Pursue righteousness, seek God's will as He has presented it in His New Covenant (Testament) and your prayers will become powerful. February 19, 1995 The composer of the first Psalm resolves one of life's most basic issues. Fortunes are spent, kingdoms rise and fall, and souls are forfeited in the quest for happiness. Blessed, or "happy," is the man described in the opening verses of this lovely psalm. It seems fitting to find this psalm introducing the collection of the following 149 psalms. It provides a caricature of the Psalmist, if not in reality, at least in the ideal. Here are portrayed our longings as well, for who does not want to be happy? The happy man is the man who will search for happiness in walking close to God. His search for happiness will lead away from evil companionships and their certain condemnation (verse 1). His life consists in careful consideration and compliance to God's Will (verse 2). The happy man shall find what he seeks. He shall reach his destination (verse 3). The greatest danger humanity faced from the beginning is not being clear on his destination. The goal of the "happy man" in Psalm 1 is unmistakable and in clear focus. No matter how negative and nasty the world may become, the happy man will not be disappointed because his Lord "knows the way of the righteous" (verse 6). His Lord will welcome him home. March 10, 2002 While disembarking a shuttle bus in a large metropolitan airport I witnessed what was to me an amazing feat. My father-in-law, who was right behind me, miscalculated the distance from bus to pavement and lost his balance. What followed was a complicated process of trying to avoid close communion with the concrete surface. Such agility I have never seen in any athletic arena, and he even retained control of his carry-on luggage! Now you may not possess the appreciation of this scene as I do, especially since my brothers often reminded me that I could trip over the painted lines in a parking lot. To some extent every reader has experienced a relationship considered as a stumbling-block. One can hardly avoid such experiences as long as life is lived in this mortal and sinful world. Yet some things can be done: 1. Avoid making rash and unjust judgments with incomplete facts about one who caused you to stumble. 2. Seek fuller understanding of the situation. Perhaps you could be the catalyst another needs to overcome problems. 3. Prepare yourself to overcome. The best way to avoid stubbing your toe is to put on proper footwear (Eph. 6:15). 4. Forgive. One more point needs to be made. When I was about ten years old I experienced a fall, as the result of a rather thoughtless act of another, from the top of a huge stack of baled hay. However, I am not still laying they helpless because I got up. Perhaps nothing is as heartbreaking to our Lord as to look down upon those who once were so useful to His cause now laying flat on their back because someone caused them to stumble. A stumbling-block may cause you to fall but it must not be allowed to keep you down. October 13, 1991 Few things are as powerful in this life as an example. It occupies a key position in Bible interpretation and is essential in Bible application. A godly example goes a long way. Follow its trail and you will be gently led to heaven. The bad example is just as powerful, only moving in the opposite direction. We have cast about the phrase "practice what you preach" until it appears empty. Perhaps it is time for Christians to rescue their example from the obscurity of cynicism. Take the case of Lot, for example. Leaving Abraham in Genesis 13 Lot stood at the proverbial crossroads, shading his eyes from the glare of worldliness emanating from Sodom. Over the next few chapters Lot inches ever closer until finally, in chapter 19, his home rested within the city limits. Homosexuality was a way of life in Sodom and Gomorrah. God was offended also by their abundance of good and total lack of love (Ezek. 16:49-50). They contaminated everything within their reach. Everything except Lot, righteous Lot (2 Pet. 2:7). Lot thus reveals the importance of the example. He parted company with Abraham but never parted company with Abraham's example. His uncle's influence was stronger than the temptations of the world. Lot was bound by the godly example of Abraham. I do not know if your example is godly but I do know that it is binding. Someone is watching and learning from your example to preach the truth, but be sure you also practice it. November 5, 1995 Just what it was Luke did not choose to confide, but through it courage is clearly shown, unlike anything natural to these Galilean fisherman. The Jews took note. Peter and John possessed something that reached beyond formal education. These were not skills gained by training. Woven into their very character were clear traces of Jesus (Acts 4:13). Could these be the same fishermen who just weeks before cowered in fear at their master's midnight arrest? Where was their courage as Jesus suffered such indignity at the hands of Pilate? In a shroud of shame and silence from His apostolic camp, Jesus alone faced public humiliation and rejection. The Master died with hardly a trace of His apostolic followers. As the tomb was closed and sealed it appeared the cause had been crushed. The disciples lingered nearby. The tomb was watched, ironically, more closely by His foes than by friends (Mat. 27:62-66). Beating within the heart of that tomb was the pulse of a great cause that could never die - the heartbeat of divine love and the nucleus of obedience. With these the power of death would soon be broken, and God's Son would arise. With these Christ's church will survive the ages of unbelief because of just a comparative few who continue to bear in their lives the same traces of Jesus. October 21, 2001 The following is a true story. On June 9, 2000 someone bought a lottery ticket at a New Jersey convenience store.* That night their number came up. The next morning, however, no one came forward to claim the prize of $46,000,000. Weeks passed. Months passed. Still no ticket. Still no winner. With the passing of July 9, 2001 the deadline expired and the jackpot was forfeited. Someone whose hopes were hung on the unlikely event of their winning the lottery went unrealized because they failed to come forward with the winning ticket within the required deadline. The money was available but unclaimed. Sadly, such are many of the promises of Christianity. They lie within our grasp but rest undisturbed. These might include: the avenue of prayer. blessings of wisdom gleaned from Bible study. the assurance of forgiveness. opportunities for fellowship. the spiritual support of the church. Don't let these, and many other of God's countless blessings, lay unclaimed as our brief time here expires. Claim your birthright as Christians. Use the resources that God makes available. August 19, 2001 * Across the nation state governments first legalized, then fully embraced the lottery as a source of revenue. Often under the auspicious banner of educational funding lotteries were approved. Years later schools are still waiting their cut only to realize they have been cut out. Such are the unreliable values associated with the sin of gambling. |
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