LookingtoJesus

The Dash Between the Dates

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

On a tombstone in a graveyard, you will probably find a symbol, a short and simple line, between two dates.  The dates, on the left and on the right, mark the year of the beginning and end of one’s life.  The “in-between” part—the life lived—is all summed up and represented to us by a dash.

The dash bears more weight than it should.  A simple short line can hardly suffice to tell the story of all that transpired in the life of a person.  Did they die young or old?  The dates tell that story.  But the tombstone and the dash say little or nothing about the dead person’s character or deeds.

Our omniscient Creator knows both about the dates and that which lies in-between (Psalm 139:16).  Where we see a dash, he sees and knows a person.  A person created by Him to know and love Him.  He has “set eternity in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  In the heart of each rebel sinner lies a God-given desire to be reconciled to Him. 

Knowing nothing about the life of a person, we still know something about them.  All of us were born sinners. We’ve all missed the mark and have fallen short.  We’ve failed to measure up to God’s holy standard (Romans 3:23).  The death date on the tombstone testifies to the reality— “death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The date on the left speaks to the year of one’s birth, but another birthday can work to radically alter the character and eternal trajectory of a life.  Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15) and died “for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  To those who receive Him, He gives “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  The new birth works a wonderful transformation in one’s identity, life, and eternal destination.  Jesus can make something beautiful of the dash between the dates.

The death date on the tombstone does not mark the end.  “An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).  Those who die knowing Jesus will spend eternity with Him.  Those who don’t will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Having assurance of heaven, the believer in Christ is nonetheless concerned for the character of what lies within the “dash between the dates.”  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).  On that day, the “quality of each man’s work” will be revealed with fire and he will accordingly either suffer loss or receive reward (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).  What is done here matters there.

Paul’s instructions to Timothy speak to such matters: “Instruct them (“those who are rich in this present world”; 1 Timothy 6:17) to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).  Our “dash” should be filled with such things. Missionary C. T. Studd put it this way:

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

What’s in your dash?

Set Free to Serve

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:22-25

1 Thessalonians 1:13, “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

The Word of God is powerful to save and transform lives and is deserving of our continual devotion.  Consider how it worked such a miraculous change in the life of Jacob DeShazer…

Jacob DeShazer was born in Salem, Oregon to devout Christian parents of modest means.  He grew up in Madras.  Following graduation from high school, he spent several years in various farming type of jobs.  In 1940, as a part of a “peace-time conscription” he joined the Army and for a two-year period received training as an airplane mechanic and bombardier.

After Pearl Harbor, plans were undertaken to retaliate by bombing Japan.  General James Doolittle was put in charge of an incredible scheme.  Refitted B25 bombers were to fly off an Aircraft Carrier and make their way over Tokyo.  Jacob DeShazer was on board one of those planes.

After the successful bombing, he and his crewmates parachuted over China. He found his way to a village where he was confronted by soldiers. He didn’t know at first whether they were Chinese or Japanese. It turned out that they were Japanese. He was captured and then repeatedly beaten and tortured. The Japanese intended to put all the “Raiders” to death, but the emperor granted a reprieve, and only three of the “Raiders” were executed.

DeShazer spent 40 months in various Japanese prison camps. The conditions were deplorable. The men were underfed, over disciplined, and subject to extreme temperatures, solitary confinement, and various diseases. Not all of them survived that ordeal.

At one point in his captivity, he was given a Bible—but for only three weeks.  So, there he was, in his little prison cell, in Nanking, China, with nothing but a Bible to read.  The light was dim.  The print was small.  But he devoured the Scriptures.  He read the entire Bible several times.  Six times he read the Prophets. He spent many hours memorizing Scriptures.  Hour after hour, he read, and the Holy Spirit opened his heart. 

The date was June 8th, 1944.  He had been reading Romans 10:9, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  He responded in faith to the truth.  He later wrote, “My heart was filled with joy.  I wouldn’t have traded places with anyone at that time.  Oh, what a great joy it was to know that I was saved, that God had forgiven me of my sins.”

God saved Jacob and God changed him, too.  He had read Jesus’ command to love, and the description of love given in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.  He knew he needed to obey Christ’s command, but how?  He began to treat the prison guards with kindness.  He would say “Good morning” to them.  He would ask about their families.  Jacob learned how to love his enemies.

His captivity continued for some time after that until the men began to see American planes flying overhead. They sensed that the end of the war was coming soon. DeShazer was Spirit-led to pray for peace on the day of Japan’s surrender. He was also determined, as he was being led by the Spirit, to return to Japan as a missionary once the war ended.

Ultimately, the war ended, and the captives were brought home. His loving regard for his former captives made the news. As one who harbored no bitterness, the account of his captivity was indeed newsworthy. He was triumphantly greeted by his mother and his sister at home. Many colleges were excited about the possibility of having him study for missions with them, but his sister worked at Seattle Pacific College and that is where he ultimately ended up.

He finished his education at Seattle Pacific in three years, instead of four, although he was constantly traveling about for speaking engagements. Many wanted to hear of his story and were blessed by his example and his determination to take the gospel to Japan. After a year at Seattle Pacific, he married his wife. Later, they had a son. And upon their graduation, they left for Japan, where they served in missions for many years.

From his biography: “More than a million tracts concerning the Dolittle raider who turned missionary were distributed throughout Japan. The tract in Japanese contained a blank to be signed by those who would accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Many thousands of these tracts were signed and returned. In view of this, the name DeShazer was known to many of the Japanese people. So it was that on December 28, 1948, when DeShazer and his little family arrived at the Yokohama docks, crowds were waiting to see them. Many were anxious to know the cause of the change of attitude of a man who had been held for so many months by the Japanese in a solitary cell. They could not understand how one’s heart, once filled with animosity, could now overflow with love for his persecutors.”

HEAVEN CAME DOWN

O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Savior I met
O what a tender compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Chorus: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross the Savior made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully through Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace
He did proffer He saved me
O praise His dear name (Chorus)

Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time
I have a future in heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received (Chorus)

Change of Heart

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:24-26

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot

Ira Scudder spent her childhood years in India.  Her family had a legacy of missionary work in India ever since her grandfather, Dr. John Scudder, first went there as a medical missionary.  He had been a successful young doctor in New York City in the early 1800s when he became convinced that he should travel to Ceylon.  He became the first medical missionary ever to go out from the US to a foreign land.  But his decision came at a high personal cost.  His own father disagreed so violently with his decision that he cut John out of his will and announced that he never wanted to see him again.

At seven, Ira’s father’s health was declining because of various tropical diseases, so the family returned temporarily to the states.  After he recuperated, he returned to India.  Ida stayed behind with family members.  Eventually, they too returned to India.  She went on to private school.  She grew up determined to never be a missionary.  The troubles, diseases, and sacrifice associated with missionary life were not something she wanted to be associated with.

One day at school, she received a telegram.  The telegram said that her mother was very ill and that her father needed her in India to help care for her.  Reluctantly, she booked passage on a ship and after a two-month journey returned to India.  She helped her mother and did various missionary related tasks, but she was still determined to return to America as soon as possible.  She was adamant about that commitment.  There was no way that she was going to stay in India.  There was no way she was going to be a missionary.

One evening, she sat down to write a letter to a friend.  The friend had an interest in serving as a missionary in India.  Ira was writing to deter her.  She began explaining all the reasons when there was a knock on the door. A Hindu man had come to the house.  His wife was about to give birth to a child, but there was something wrong.  He asked her to come and help.  But she was not medically trained.  She directed the man to her father—he was a doctor and could help.  But the man wanted nothing to do with that—it was impermissible for a Hindu woman to be seen by a man outside her immediate family.  He said that it would be better for her to die than to be seen by a male physician.  He left.  She went back to writing her letter.  But another knock on the door interrupted her.  Another man, a Muslim, came to the door.  He shared a similar story.  His wife was also having trouble with the delivery of their child.  He pleaded with Ida to come and help, but Ida explained again that she was not qualified.  She begged the man to let her father help.  He again declined on the same basis as the first.  She went back to writing her letter.  But then again, her letter writing was interrupted by a third knock on the door.  It was another Muslim man with a similar story.  Three men asked for help for their wives. All three were directed to Ida’s father.  All three refused based on the practice of their religion—it was better for their wives to die than to be seen by a man not from their family.

Ira did not sleep that night.  The morning came, and she heard the bells of mourning—giving notice of the death of someone in the village.  Anxiously, she awaited news of what had become of these women.  She sent a servant boy to find out what had happened.  Tragically, all three of the women had died giving birth to their children.

God used all of that to get a hold of Ida’s heart. She was then determined to go back to America to be trained as a medical missionary. She graduated from Cornell Medical College in New York as a part of the first class at that school that accepted women as medical students. She received a grant of $10,000 from a Manhattan banker in memory of his wife. With that money, she started a tiny medical dispensary and clinic. In her first two years, she treated 5000 patients. She opened a hospital in 1902. Later, she started a medical school for girls. Skeptical males said she would be lucky to get three applicants, but she had 151 in her first year (1918). Ultimately, it gained the support of over 40 different missions.

Ira’s first inclination was to not do as her family had done.  It was to be married, comfortable, and divorced from the pain and suffering she had seen.  And there is that temptation. But God worked in her heart.  He got her attention.  She was determined to give up that which she had dreamed of, for the sake of something better.  Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”  She made that exchange.  And God was glorified in it.  Christ’s love was shown.  The gospel was made known.  God might not be calling you to go overseas to serve as a missionary.  But God is calling you to sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).  It is all a part of worship.  Worship involves sacrifice. 

Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee

Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

At the end of 1st Thessalonians, and especially in chapter 5 verses 12-22, we have a series of commands given regarding issues related to practical Christian living.  This is the context of our text.  The commands given here are universal in nature.  They apply to believers of every age and in every place.  They are all-the-time commands that have universal application to us.  There are three commands given in these three verses.  They are amongst the shortest verses in the Bible (verses 16 and 17 are but two words in the Greek).  They are very succinct in what they command us to do: Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks.

In the Greek, they are all imperatives. They are part of the inspired Word of God—it is God Himself who is commanding us to do these things.  Inasmuch as God commands them, then it follows that it is possible for us to do them.  God would not command us to do something that is impossible.  Even we, as parents, would not be so evil as to command our children to do something that is impossible for them.  That would be cruel.  So, God not only commands us to do these things, but He has also given us the resources in our Christian life to do them.

They are commands that can have a powerful impact on our Christian lives and witness.  We are not joyful, prayerful, and thankful by nature.  Left to our own devices, we gravitate towards complaining, self-dependence, and thanklessness.  Romans 1:23 speaks to the condition of the lost: “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks…”  People are not thankful to God by nature.  That is a part of our sinful condition.  So, when we are joyful, prayerful, and thankful, then we are different.  Many work in a non-Christian environment. I have too, and you know the truth of what I am speaking.  Paul commanded the believers in Philippians to do all things “without grumbling and complaining” (Philippians 2:14).  The point is that when we are joyful, prayerful, and thankful, we find ourselves in a condition where we will be a blessing to ourselves and to others.  A life that is attractive in Christ to the lost—adorning the gospel—can be much used by God in making His truth known.

These commands are all the time commands.  It is not just rejoice, but rejoice always.  It is not just pray, but pray without ceasing.  It is not just be thankful, but be thankful in everything. That’s the rub in this passage.  That is where the difficulties lie.  Even unbelievers can be happy in the good times.  Even unbelievers will speak of prayers that they offer up to God.  Even unbelievers are sometimes thankful.  But their joy (happiness), their prayers, and their thankfulness exist only in scattered moments and only to the extent that it is convenient and expedient for them to do so.  And even we, as believers, must readily admit that we often fail to measure up to these commands.  Often we are without joy, our Christian lives are not characterized by prayerful devotion, and we are not as thankful as we should be.

It is in Christ that all of these are possible.  He is our great High Priest who has passed through the heavens to gain us access to the very throne of grace where we may “receive mercy and…find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).  He is the believer’s abiding and inexhaustible cause for joy (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8).  In Him alone—not to mention the countless blessings He has bestowed—we have reason enough to be overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7). It is the Spirit who leads us to do such things.  Joy is His fruit (Galatians 5:22).  Thankfulness is the result as He instructs and reminds us of the glories of our Savior and His wonderful works (John 16:14; Ephesians 5:18-20). He is the ultimate prayer partner (Romans 8:26-27).  To walk in the Spirit is to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful!

In Christ, we have an abiding reason to do these things.  By the indwelling Spirit, we have someone who can lift our eyes above the troublesome and mundane to the reality of things from a heavenly perspective.  Joyful, prayerful, and thankful—Lord help me to be so, moment by moment, this day and every day–to your honor and glory!  Amen.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

War of Words, Part 3

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:16-26

Matthew 12:34, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” 

James wrote that “But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Years ago, I served in the US Navy aboard a submarine. There is a reason that there is a saying which speaks of “cursing like a sailor.” You can probably imagine the degree of complaining and cursing and vindictive speech that might exist in that underwater, sun-deprived, environment. My buddy, Darwin, and I once tried an experiment. We ventured to go through a day without complaining or speaking evil. Of course—you know what happened—as it wasn’t long until our tongues had their own way. We all know the truth of it! Human tongues cannot be tamed. Jesus traced the “tongue” problem to our hearts, saying, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:34-37).

The key, then, to having tongues that speak as they should, is to have a tongue that speaks according to our new nature in Christ.  We speak as Jesus would have us, when we speak not according to our human nature or fleshly tendencies, but according to the indwelling Spirit and the Word.  We still have the flesh; left to our own devices, we will speak accordingly.  Such speech is characterized by “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” (Galatians 5:20).  But by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit (Christlike virtue), is born in us.  As we walk by the Spirit, our speech is consistent to who Christ is, and is characterized by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Likewise, Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16 speak to the worshipful and edifying words that characterize the lives of those whose hearts are “filled up” with the Spirit and the Word.

We live in a day where hateful words and insults fill the airwaves and too many conversations. And that’s sadly true in too many “Christian” homes and churches!  Even Christians toss fireworks into tinder dry regions. The fires started, then quickly spread to destroy relationships and dishonor God.  A raging firestorm exists in the spiritual realm—a raging firestorm set on fire by hell itself (James 3:6).  Are you a Firestarter or a firefighter?  We’ve got to stop with the insults and name-calling that are so commonplace in our day (Matthew 5:21-22; Ephesians 4:29) and focus instead on the living out and sharing the good news.  We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).  We are His representatives!  Imagine an ambassador being sent out from our country to another.  How long would he last in that role if he only cursed and insulted his fellow ambassadors and the people of the country to whom he was sent?  As citizens of heaven, we ambassadors for Christ bear a message of reconciliation in the gospel.  Let’s share that and words that are always filled “with grace” (Colossians 4:6)! 

I remember how I once started a day in Uganda by singing to myself these words, “Take my lips and let it be, filled with messages from Thee.”  That was my prayer for that day—as it should be for every day—that the Spirit might do with my lips what I could never do on my own.  What a divine privilege, to be speak for God in truth and in love—words that heal, and not hurt.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee

War of Words, Part 2

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:21-23; Ephesians 4:29

John 7:46, “Never has a man spoke the way this man speaks.”

That little ditty, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is simply not true.  Our words have tremendous power, power to either heal or hurt, to encourage or discourage, or to bring joy or cause sorrow.  We can build others up with our words or tear them down.  In the deep recesses of my memory are things I heard even so far back as my childhood that were especially hurtful, and other loving things that helped me along.

The God-man Jesus Christ was born into a world of troubled tongues.  His speech was according to His nature, full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14).  He spoke only truth, but His speech was also always characterized by grace.  He who knew no sin and never sinned had a perfect tongue.  The religious leaders once sent men to arrest Jesus.  When they returned without Him, the leaders asked why.  Their response, “Never has a man spoke the way this man speaks (John 7:46)! Never indeed!  The extent of man’s tongue troubles was dramatically demonstrated at the cross.  Jesus, the creator of all things, had come into the world to save (1 Timothy 1:15).  He purposed to go to that cross for lost sinners like you and me.  Though He had done nothing wrong, He was falsely accused and tried and convicted.  Then the multitudes cried out for His crucifixion!  As He hung on the cross, He was mocked and insulted—by the leaders, the soldiers, those passing by, and even by the two thieves who were crucified with Him (until one experienced a change of heart).  As they hurled insults, He spoke contrary words, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  How contrary was Jesus to the ways of men!  How glorious is the measure of His grace!  Against the backdrop of such a cacophony of misery and hate, His words from the cross stand as the most melodious ever uttered.  His death on the cross is of sin “the double-cure,” cleansing from its “guilt and power.”  In Him alone, by faith in Him alone, do we find both forgiveness of sins and His power to be changed.

The Apostle Peter would later write of how we, as believers, need to follow Jesus’ example, saying, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).  Peter then went on to say: “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. For the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” (1 Peter 3:8-10).

Ephesians 4:29 is a great verse to memorize and put into practice!  It says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Someone has put together a little acrostic which speaks to some of what we find here: THINK before you speak—Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary?  Is it Kind?  You’ve the power, in the words you use, to be of great encouragement to someone on this very day!

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee

War of Words, Part 1

Bible Reading: James 3:1-12

James 3:5, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

Though definitely not the largest of Oregon forest fires, the Eagle Creek fire of September 2017 will be long remembered for the widespread devastation and distress it caused.  It was first reported on September 2nd.  By the morning of the next day, it had grown to 3000 acres and had trapped 153 hikers, forcing them to spend the night in the woods. On September 5th, it hopped across the wide Columbia River and started a fire on the Washington side.  The community of Cascade Locks was evacuated, with 283 structures and 15 businesses being threatened by the fire.  The fire also threatened historical structures in the Columbia River gorge, including the iconic and much-visited Multnomah Falls Lodge.   Nearby salmon hatcheries were forced to move or release early hundreds of thousands of fish.  The main east-west thoroughfare in the region, Interstate 84, was shut down for days, and maritime traffic on the Columbia River was shut down for 20 miles.  In a month, the fire had consumed some 50,000 acres.  The popular hiking trails in that area are shutdown indefinitely. 

How did it begin?  Witnesses reported seeing a group of teenagers lighting fireworks and throwing them into the Eagle Creek Canyon.  Oregon State Police later got cell phone video footage that showed a 15-year-old boy throwing the smoking firecracker that had started the fire.  Do you suppose that teen could have imagined the extent of destruction that would be caused by that foolhardy stunt?  That’s the imagery James uses in his indictment of the human tongue— “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! (James 3:5).”

There is something very wrong with our tongues.  The indictment of the tongue in James chapter 3 is unequivocal and universal.  The tongue is small, but powerful.  It is set on fire by hell itself.  We can tame big animals, but the tongue is untamable.  Though able to bless God, it is ready and all-too willing to curse those made in His image.  There is plenty of empirical evidence to prove the Bible’s assertion regarding the tongue’s evil proclivities — in marriages, families, churches, communities and across our country—a “forest fire” of sorts is raging even now.  Untamable tongues set fires.  They cause misery and destruction.

The problem with the human tongue goes back a long way.  We read of it in Genesis chapter 3.  The Devil deceived Eve and she succumbed to temptation.  Then Adam too.  That fateful day unleashed a sin contagion.  The effect on Adam and Eve became immediately obvious.  God confronted Adam.  His response?  “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12).  Eve blamed the serpent.  Deception, accusations, and blame-shifting—and a host of other tongue troubles—are all rooted in that day, and in all of us, in Adam (Romans 5:12).

God’s indictment on sinful humanity in Romans 3:11-18 focuses especially on the destructive nature of our tongues.  Romans 3:13-18, “Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and Misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known.   There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  God’s indictment was consistent to Isaiah’s own self appraisal when God unveiled the glory of His holiness to him.  Isaiah witnessed the angels doing what they were created to do—worshipping God in His awesome holiness.  His assessment?  “Woe is me, for I am ruined!  Because I am ruined!  Because I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).  Any honest, Spirit-led appraisal will work to bring any of us to a similar conclusion.

The taming of a tongue cannot happen apart from God’s intervention.  The good news is that Jesus is not just able to save us, but to work a change in us that will transform both our lives and our lips.  Hurtful words are common fare in this sin-cursed world. How precious then are the words of those who are Spirit-led to speak truth in love, building up instead of tearing down!

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee

DATE	THEME	BIBLE READING
1	War of Words, Part 1	James 3:1-12
2	War of Words, Part 2	1 Peter 2:21-23; Ephesians 4:29
3	War of Words, Part 3	Galatians 5:16-26
4	Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful	1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
5	Change of Heart	Matthew 16:24-26
6	Powerful to Transform	1 Peter 1:22-25
7	The Dash Between the Dates	2 Timothy 4
8	The Way Home	John 14:1-6
9	He is Able	Ephesians 3:20-21
10	The Power Within	Ephesians 3:20-21
11	To God Be the Glory	Ephesians 3:20-21
12	Undeterred	Romans 10:14-17
13	Happy Man	Titus 3:3-7
14	Your Part in God’s Plan, Part 1	Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8
15	Your Part in God’s Plan, Part 2	Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
16	Your Part in God’s Plan, Part 3	Acts 1:8; John 14:16-26, 16:7-14
17	Your Part in God’s Plan, Part 4	Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
18	The Church, God’s Masterpiece	Ephesians 2:4-9
19	Katakiuchi	1 Peter 3:8-12
20	Ordinary Men – Extraordinary Message	1 Corinthians 2:1-5
21	Why Go to Church?	Hebrews 10:19-25
22	Jesus Loves Me	John 3:16-21
23	Remembering Our Roots	Ephesians 2:1-3
24	Overflowing with Gratitude	Psalm 100; Colossians 2:6-7
25	Focused	Hebrews 12:1-6
26	The First Steps Story	2 Timothy 2:1-13
27	The Big Storm	Philippians 1:12-18
28	Loving the Truth, Part 1	1 Peter 1:22-2:2
29	Loving the Truth, Part 2	2 Timothy 3:14-17
30	Amazed by Jesus	John 1:1-14

The God Who Gives

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

“You can’t outgive God!” – Jim Thompson (elder at LCBC)

Newly called to pastor the church in Astoria, we were confronted with an enormous challenge.  The church’s first month’s income was a mere $600!  It didn’t increase that much in the subsequent months, so I met regularly with the treasurer as we tried to figure out how best to meet the church’s various financial obligations.  Fortunately, the church had a parsonage; I had a part-time job, and the church family was generous in helping our young family in other ways.  God met all our needs.

It was many years later that God taught me a big lesson related to our verse.  Pastor Bob Emrich had invited me to accompany him on a trip to Uganda to assist in training pastors.  The church funded the trip, and it was a tremendous blessing!  The opportunity to return later that year availed itself, but I was torn.  How can I go back to the congregation so soon and ask again for funds?  After discussing the matters with leadership, we agreed I should go, trusting God to provide.  We were all pleasantly surprised, as the funds were readily provided.  We continued to send groups of folks to Uganda annually, at a cost of many tens of thousands of dollars.  And we never struggled to finance the church’s outreach to our Ugandan friends.  In fact, the expenditure of funds in that missionary endeavor was more than compensated as the church income grew such that it far exceeded its budget month after month during that period!  We trusted God that He would provide; He was well pleased to meet every need in abundant fashion!

God has promised that.  And we should note this about our verse, it’s best understood in its context.  The Philippian believers had generously sacrificed to support the Apostle Paul in his time of need.  The word “And” at the beginning of verse 19 ties the verse to what precedes.  In view of their sacrifice, God would provide.  That is the same as God has promised elsewhere (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Malachi 3:10).  God is a giving God, and He’s called us to imitate Him as we walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2).  He who is rich in grace, is both well able and well pleased to pass on of His riches to those who in turn are ready to pass them on in His name (2 Corinthians 8:9).  As channels of blessing!

The KJV Commentary wonderfully summarizes that which is proclaimed to us in this verse: “We see first of all in this verse a great need. God promises to meet all of their need, not all of their wishes, wants, or whims. Men have physical needs, mental needs, social needs, economic needs. Men have not only temporal needs, but spiritual and eternal needs. Men need perpetual pardon, perpetual peace, and perpetual power. Secondly, we see in this verse a great helper…Paul could not repay the Philippians, but God could and would. Paul does not say my God can supply all your needs, but my God shall supply all your needs. This was Paul’s personal testimony and confession of faith. We see next a great Supplier. There is a total supply for a total need. God’s supply is infinite, abundant, inexhaustible, limitless, boundless. God many times uses the agencies of men to meet our needs. Next we see great resources. God’s riches in glory. Paul says according to his riches, not out of His riches, not off the top. God’s supply is not according to our deserts, but according to His mercy; not out of debt, but out of grace; not according to our emptiness, but according to His fullness; not according to our poverty, but according to His wealth. God has great riches. Lastly, look at the great and glorious channel–by Christ Jesus. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1Timothy 2:5–6). There is no other Mediator; there is no other channel. With such precious truth before us there can only be concurrence with the past, contentment with the present, and confidence for the future. “ (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary).

FREELY, FREELY

God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to

Chorus: He said freely freely
You have received
Freely freely give
Go in My name
And because you believe
Others will know that I live

All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name
In earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His pow’r as He told me to (Chorus)

Commendable Giving

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:14-18, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

Paul was in prison.  Having become aware of Paul’s situation, and his needs, the Philippians responded.  They made the need known.  They took an offering and gathered up funds and then sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift.  It was a major effort on their part.  They repeatedly sent gifts to Paul to help him with his missionary endeavors.  Even when no one else helped, they did. They were full of love towards Paul and wanting to assist in whatever way possible.  Though Paul had not sought such a gift, he gave thanks for their act of love towards him equated to an act of worship to God Himself!

Paul elsewhere spoke of the financial sacrifice of the believers of Macedonia, commending their example to the church in Corinth.  So keen was their desire to give they begged Paul for the opportunity (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).  Those believers gave: sacrificially (i.e., out of their “extreme poverty” and “beyond their means”); joyously (“their abundance of joy”); generously (“in a wealth of generosity”); beggingly (“begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part”); lovingly (“for the relief of the saints”); and in a surprising fashion (“and this not as we expected”).

Theirs was not a reluctant “how much is this going to cost me?” kind of gift.  Why did they give as they did?  Paul explained, “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us” (2 Corinthians 8:5).  They gave as an act of worship.  Their hearts and lives and love already belonged to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).  They were Spirit-led to give in a sacrificial way according to Christ’s example.  He Himself came as a heaven-sent gift of “inexpressible” worth (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15).  He did not merely give out of His riches, He gave and gave and when He had given all that He had in this life, He gave that up too (Philippians 2:5-8).  He impoverished Himself so that we might be made rich.  “For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).  When it comes to the matter of giving His example reigns supreme.

The cheerful and sacrificial giving of the believer is ultimately sourced in God Himself.  It is by His grace in salvation that rebels are transformed into worshippers and created anew with the desire to give.  It is by His grace that we are enriched, for “what do (we) have that (we) did not receive” (1 Corinthians 4:7)?  It has all come to us by grace—salvation, provision, strength, motivation and ability to serve.  By the grace of God, we are what we are (1 Corinthians 15:10).  Whenever we see that spirit of giving, as was exemplified to us by the believers in Philippi, we can trace it ultimately back to God, who is the greatest giver of them all (James 1:17).  And we are encouraged to do likewise to the glory of God!

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have (Refrain)

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration,
Give Him the best that you have (Refrain)