Words of Comfort for the Soul

Greetings All,     

This weeks 'thought' comes to you again from Charles H. Spurgeon in that best of all devotionals, "Beside Still Waters - Words of Comfort for the Soul." (Other than the Bible, I know no better book to turn to for some spiritual nutrition to start off my day). This selection is based on Job 13:15: "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him..."

The words that follow are wise words from a man who did much for the Lord, but also suffered much (physically and emotionally) in the process.  In that sense he shares what he learned from personal experience, and not from the perspective of a sheltered and pampered person trying to tell others how to handle struggles and adversities he himself never had to endure. I trust that for those who have had to walk through difficult times, his words will ring true.  Enjoy.

"A child of God is not expected to be a stoic, for God's grace takes away the unfeeling heart of stone.  When we endure trials, we feel the pain. Do not ask to be made hard, numb and callous, for this is not how grace works.  Grace makes us strong to bear trials, but we still have to bear them. Grace gives patience and submission, not stoicism. We feel, and we benefit by the feeling [even if it is painful in nature].

There are some who will not cry when God chastens, and others who will not yield when God strikes. Do not be like them! Be content to have Job's suffering heart (Job 1:21). Feel the bitter spirit and the anguish of soul which racked that blessed patriarch. 

My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there!  Remember David's words, 'Pour out your heart.'  But do not stop there; finish the quotation: 'Pour out your heart before the Lord.'  Turn your heart upside down, empty it, and let every drop run out. 'Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us' (Psalm 62:8).  When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, worship and adore God there. In surrender to His divine will, say with Job, 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him' (Job 13:15). This kind of worship subdues the will, arouses the affections, stirs the whole mind, and presents you to God in solemn consecration. This worship sweetens sorrow and takes away its sting...

Sanctified adversity quickens spiritual sensitivity.  Sorrow after sorrow will wake the spirit and infuse a delicacy of perception that perhaps will not come in any other way. I purposely said 'perhaps', for I believe that some choice saints are favored to reach God by smoother ways. But I think they are few. Most of us are so coarse that we need melting to attain that sacred softness by which the Lord God is joyfully perceived. 

Child of God, if you are suffering as much as Job, and if your suffering permits you to see the Lord with a spiritually enlightened eye, be thankful for the sorrowful process. Who would not go with John to the island of Patmos if they could see John's visions (Rev. 1:9-19 / Rev. 21). Who would not sit with Job in the ashes and cry, 'Yet in my flesh I shall see God, I myself will see Him with my own eyes -- I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!'... In prosperity God is heard, and that is a blessing. In adversity, God is seen, and that is a greater blessing."

Trials that cause deep emotional pain are very hard indeed, often the hardest of all. In fact, sometimes it seems they will break the heart beyond repair.  Yet, painful as they are, they are one of the ways God instructs, purifies and grows us. The pain or hurt that comes is not meant to harm us, but to heal us. 

This process is an example of what Isaiah says even in regard to the unbelieving Egyptians: "The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague: He will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and He will respond to their pleas and heal them" (Is. 19:22). 

Psalm 119:67 gives us the same message: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word."  Verse 72 repeats it again: "It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees."  As much as we might wish it were different, it often takes pain to bring gain -- as God well knows.

In the Bonds of Christian Affection, Pastor Jeff

Comfort in Times of Trial and Hardships

Greetings All,     

I wrestled today with which of the three particular 'thoughts'  I came across this week I should send out, since all were good, encouraging, and instructive to the soul.  Yet in the end this one won out.  It is by John Scudder and is found in his book "Passing Over Jordan."  It was published in 1846 and is a little book (about 1/2 inch think, 2 inches tall, and about 1 and 1/2 inches wide).  It's an antique I received as a gift from a friend, is signed by the original owner Jonas Walts, and is literally, a "little" gem. 

I have taken the liberty to update some of the language, but have essentially left his thoughts as they were. My hope is that you might find some spiritual consolation in his words. They were written, as he states in the preface, to devout Christians who stand in need of comfort, but at times have experienced little -- partly because they have a wrong understanding of the trials and hardships they endure. I trust that if that is you, you might find some of that comfort in his words.  Enjoy.   

      "I pray for sanctification; and when I do, I set no limitations as to the means by which this is brought about. And in order to effect this sanctification (for which I have prayed) my heavenly Father commences a course of discipline with me -- the only course by which my prayer can consistently be answered. He exposes me to various trials from my own heart, or from others, or He sends bodily afflictions upon me.
     No sooner, however, does He do this, than I rebel against his treatment and murmur at my hard lot -- murmur and murmur because He is answering my prayer!  O my soul, what a mark this is of your utter sinfulness and pollution. 
     O, my Father, I beseech Thee, for Christ's sake, to forgive all my past murmurings and grant that these sins may never find a place again in my heart. Help me to keep this in mind -- that every trial, every affliction, and every pain which I experience -- is a love-token sent by Thee; sent expressly for my good and sent for my sanctification. Yet this my soul must know, that if but one of these pains were to be withheld, the work might be lost. 

     It is much easier for an earthly father to caress his children when they do well, than to chastise them when they need his discipline. But his chastisements are greater marks of his love than his caresses. And the reason is this: because it is so painful to inflict the one, and so pleasant to impart the other. 
     So it is with your heavenly Father, my soul. It is much easier for Him to caress you than to chastise you; but it is a greater mark of love when He does chastise you, than when He caresses you. He afflicts not willingly (Lam. 3:33). 
     O that this thought might, through grace, constrain me to cry out: Welcome trials, welcome afflictions, welcome pains, as the choicest blessings which can be mingled in my earthly cup.  Welcome anything, welcome everything, which may lead me closer to my Savior. 
   What is earth but a tiresome round, a circle of repented vanities? There is nothing worth living for in this world, but to glorify Jesus... Why should I be setting my affections on this world? It is not my home. My interests are not here. My Savior is not here. Why should I be absent even one more hour from my Beloved?... 

      Does the soldier desire to be in the battle? Would he not rather have it over, and be enjoying the victory? And yet, my Father, I would not retire from the conflict before I have finished the work you have given me to do. Make me the instrument for bringing even the smallest possible degree of glory to your name -- the instrument of adding but one soul to the kingdom of your grace, and gladly will I remain upon earth. 
     I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, nevertheless, to abide in the flesh may be more needful.'  And if it is needful, my blessed Redeemer, for me to abide, then abide I will. A thousand lives, had I them at my command, and could they all be spent in Thy service on earth, should be most gladly devoted to Thee."

His view of sanctification -- though I have often wished it were different -- rings true to Scripture, to what I have experienced in my own life, and to what I have heard from the lips of others. We are not cleansed and transformed by easy times of comfort and prosperity. It's not all about "health and wealth."  The road to growth in Christ is not unbroken joy, but joy mingled with struggle and trial and affliction.  It is to climb victoriously to spiritual mountaintops, and run with arms lifted high in praise, but also to pass through valley's deep and dark and lonely.

Gold is not purified until it is melted in the heat of the flames. The impurities cannot be dislodged until the solid becomes a liquid in what Isaiah calls the "furnace of affliction" and they float to the surface to be scooped off.  "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction,"  says the Lord in Isaiah 48:10.  In this way He purifies us. 

That's the part we find hardest to understand -- it's God's love that sends us into the furnace. He loves us enough to send us through affliction, because He knows that only under such heat can the ingrained elements of sin in our character be dislodged, and our inner selves be formed more into the likeness of Jesus.

To the end that we might have eyes to see Him and hearts to trust Him, Pastor Jeff      

A Profile of the Obsessed

Greetings All,       

     This week's 'thought' comes to you from Francis Chan, in his book, "Crazy Love -- Overwhelmed By A Relentless God."  In it he considers the radical nature of the love we should have for God, and what our response to Him should be in light of all He has done for us.  This selection comes from chapter eight, which is entitled: "A Profile of the Obsessed."

     In a world where fanaticism is most often seen as bad -- especially when it comes to people of faith -- Chan challenges us to see that the notion of being "balanced" -- if we follow the world's definition of being reserved, or half-hearted, or holding back so as not to be seen as too extreme in our devotion for Christ -- does not come from the Bible.  In fact, that type of balance essentially makes us virtually invisible to the onlooking world where we are called to live in such a way that we stand out; being salt and light and committed without reserve.  His book is a call to wholehearted devotion to Christ (and what truly Spirit-birthed Christian would not want to pursue that)?  Enjoy.

Obsessed: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.  The idea of holding back certainly didn't come from Scripture. The Bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His words. The Holy Spirit stirs in us a joy and peace when we are fixated on Jesus, living by faith, and focused on the life to come.

I think sometimes we assume that if we are nice, then people will know that we are Christians and want to know more about Jesus. But it really doesn't work that way. I know a lot of people who don't know Christ and are really nice people -- nicer and more fun to be with than a lot of Christians I know. There has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness and even kindness...    

 Lovers: People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back (Luke 6:32-34 / Luke 14:12-14). 

Risk Takers: People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.  Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress (Luke 9:1-6 / Luke 10:1-12).

Friends of All: People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to him (I John 2:4-6 / Matt. 16:24-26).

Crazy Ones: Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, 'There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day [that is, the day of judgment when we will stand before Christ to give an account of all that have done in the flesh] (Luke 14:25-35 / Matt. 7:13-23 / Matt. 8:18-22 / Rev. 3:1-6). 

The Humble: A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be 'humble enough,' and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16). People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt. 13:44 / John 15:8). 

Givers: People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-16).

Sojourners: A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them (I Peter 1:17-23).

The Engrossed: A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

Unguarded Ones: People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

The Rooted: People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's  Word throughout the day because they know that 40 minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.

The Dedicated: A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).  

 Sacrificers: A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in very aspect of his life, continually saying 'Thank You!' to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God."

Chan gives us a lot to think about; not only in his words, but also through his lifestyle (deciding after a trip to Africa to sell his larger house and move into a smaller one (half the size) -- so that he could have more money to give away).

Is that crazy, or obedience to Jesus? Is that "radical," or the normal response of a person who takes his commitment to Jesus seriously?  Unfortunately, too many of us are more obsessed with fitting into the American lifestyle and what that looks like, than being a sold-out follower of Jesus and what that might look like. It's no easy battle -- especially for those who have children and know how much they desire to fit it.  Yet it's a battle we're called to, and lose, the minute we think we don't even need to be concerned about it.

With you in the immense struggle to live as Jesus calls us to live, Pastor Jeff 

 

The Day Jesus Got Mad

Greetings All,      

     This week's 'thought' comes to you from a best-selling book back in 1997, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire," by Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  It is somewhat prophetic in nature, calling the Church to return to its first love for Jesus and the things which He and the early Church considered of primary importance. His book is an easy read, both encouraging and challenging at the same time -- and a good reminder of our need to return to the essentials of true Christian experience.
     This selection comes from the chapter entitled, "The Day Jesus Got Mad" (based on the passage about Jesus casting out the money-changers from the Temple).  His words are well worth heeding. Enjoy.

     "The atmosphere of my Father's house,' Jesus seemed to say, 'is to be prayer. The aroma around my Father must be that of people opening their hearts in worship and supplication. This is not just a place to make a buck. This is a house for calling on the Lord.'

      I do not mean to imply that the Jerusalem temple, built by Herod the Great, is the direct counterpart of our church buildings today. God no longer centers his presence in one particular building. In fact, the New Testament teaches that we are now his dwelling place; he lives in his people. How much more important, then, is Jesus' message about the primacy of prayer?
     The feature that is supposed to distinguish Christian churches, Christian people, and Christian gatherings, is the aroma of prayer. It doesn't matter what your tradition or my tradition is. The house is not ours anyway; it is the Father's. Does the Bible ever say anywhere from Genesis to Revelation, 'My house shall be called a house of preaching?' Does it ever say, 'My house shall be called a house of music?'  Of course not.  The Bible says, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.' Preaching, music, the reading of the Word -- these things are fine. I believe in the practice of all of them. But they must never override prayer as the defining mark of God's dwelling. The honest truth is that I have seen God do more in people's lives during ten minutes of real prayer than in ten of my sermons.
     Have you ever noticed that Jesus launched the Christian church, not while someone was preaching, but while people were praying?  

      In the first two chapters of Acts, the disciples were doing nothing but waiting on God. As they were just sitting there -- worshiping, communing with God, letting God shape them and cleanse their spirits and do those heart operations that only the Holy Spirit can do -- the church was born. The Holy Spirit was poured out. What does it say, then, about our churches today that God birthed the church in a prayer meeting, and prayer meetings today are almost extinct? 
     Am I the only one who gets embarrassed when religious leaders in America talk about having prayer in public schools? We don't even have that much prayer in many churches! Out of humility, you would think we would keep quiet on that particular subject until we practice what we preach in our own congregations. I am sure that the Roman emperors didn't have prayer to God in their schools.  But then, the early Christians didn't seem to care what Caligula or Claudius or Nero did. How could any emperor stop God? How, in fact, could the demons of hell make headway when God's people prayed and called upon his name? Impossible!  
     In the New Testament we don't see Peter or Paul or John wringing their hands and saying: 'Oh, what are we going to do? Caligula is bisexual... he wants to appoint his horse to the Roman Senate... what a terrible model of leadership! How are we going to respond to this outrage?'
     Let's not play games with ourselves. Let's not divert attention away from the weak prayer life of our own churches. In Acts 4, when the apostles were unjustly arrested, imprisoned, and threatened, they didn't call for a protest or reach for some political leverage. Instead, they headed to a prayer meeting. And soon the place was vibrating with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:23-31). The apostles had this instinct: When in trouble, pray. When intimidated, pray. When challenged, pray. When persecuted pray."

     I know prayer has been the focus of many recent 'thoughts,' but I can't get around it.  When I've picked up a book to study, or opened a book to read casually, that seems to be the topic addressed -- prayer. The need for God's people to pray.  The need for the church to advance, and be renewed, and find new life and power -- through prayer -- and that call is echoed in many sources, both new and old. 
     Prayer is the key of heaven," said the wise Puritan Thomas Watson, "the Spirit helps us turn this key."  Or again, as St. Augustine noted: "He that loveth little prayeth little, and he who loveth much prayeth much."   John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, was a bit more blunt.  He said, "If you are not a praying person you are not a Christian." 
     Therefore I admonish you: Pray, my friends, and then pray some more! Pray with earnest and unceasing ardor, until that which we should desire most comes to pass -- for God to move upon us, and in us, until through us His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

     May we pray for what Isaiah prayed for (and with as much zeal): "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, and the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down and make your name known to your enemies, and cause the nations to quake before you" (Is. 64:1-2).

If ever we needed to "pray the prayers of Scripture," that's one we need to pray.  In Him, Pastor Jeff