WE LIVE (AND DIE) BY FAITH

Faith is so simple, yet it is quite extraordinary!  Bottom-line: “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”  (I John 5:4)  Consider the following inspirational story as an illustration of the simplicity and security that is part and parcel of the Christian faith.

A man’s daughter had asked her pastor to stop by and pray with her father.  When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows.  An empty chair sat beside his bed, so the minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. 

“I guess you were expecting me,” he said.  “No, who are you?” anxiously queried the father.  “I’m the new minister at your church,” he replied.  “When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was coming.” The bedridden man paused before he responded, “Oh yeah, the chair…would you mind just closing the door?”

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.  The elderly man began to confess.  “I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” he said.  “But all of my life I have never known how to pray.  At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.  So I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day about four years ago when my best friend explained it to me.  “Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.  Here is what I suggest.  Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and by faith see Jesus on the chair.  This isn’t strange or spooky because He promised, ‘I'll be with you always.’ So you can speak to Him like you’re talking to me right now.”

“Suddenly, prayer made all the sense in the world,” the aging man admitted.  “So, I tried it and I like it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day.  I’m careful though.  If my daughter ever saw me talking to an empty chair, she would either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm!”

The minister was deeply moved by his story and encouraged the old man to continue his spiritual journey.  Then he paused and prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.  Two nights later, the daughter called to tell the minister that her father had passed away that afternoon.

“Did he die in peace?” the pastor asked.  “Yes, before I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek.  When I got back from the store an hour later, he was gone.  But there was something rather strange about his death.  Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed.  Pastor, what do you make of that?”  The minister wiped a knowing tear from his eye and said, “I wish we could all go home like that.”

The remarkable thing about faith is that it keeps you supremely safe, sound and secure…both in this world and in the world to come.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

A CREED FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER

Sometimes our prayers are answered in profoundly unexpected  and diametrically opposite ways, relative to our original thoughts and intentions. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Therefore, it is of paramount importance that we tune attentive ears to The Holy Spirit in order to always ‘hear’ what HE is actually communicating to us.  Perhaps, some of our trials are not really trials after all.  Rather, they may be Heavenly seeds of divine purpose, artfully disguised as problems, pressure or pain.  Carefully consider the following prayer, attributed to an unknown Civil War soldier.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for – but everything I had hoped for –

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed!

Do not despair because you cannot always trace the hand of God.  Simply trust His heart.  He knows, He cares, and He has the power to transform both you and your circumstances. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

INTEGRITY = WHOLENESS

integrity may be defined as “the state of being whole, entire and undiminished” [or] “soundness of moral character and honesty.” (Dictionary.com)  In connection with Christianity, integrity is that quality of professing disciples by which gospel truth becomes verifiable to non-believers, who are the primary participants and proponents of the world system.

In order to process the importance of this, let’s go back to the beginning of time.  Since the dawning of creation, Almighty God has demonstrated a propensity to forge the substantial from the insubstantial.  For example, humankind (God’s highest creation) was divinely crafted from “the dust of the ground.” (Genesis 2:7)  It literally staggers the imagination to ponder God’s original vision for creation.  For our God was able to ‘see’ the extraordinary potential residing in ordinary specks of dust.  And so, on Day 6, he formed and fashioned the extraordinary from the frail fabric of the ordinary.  In a sense, we are walking dust-balls, only made special by an endowment of The Pneuma, the Spirit-breath of our Creator.  What a mighty God we serve!

The very essence of God, the character of God, and thus the creation of God are inherently supernatural.  And, according to the Word, we are created “in His image, after His likeness.” (Genesis 1:27)  Therefore, whenever the world observes The Church, there is an automatic expectation to see more of the super and less of the natural.  Herein lies our present-day quandary…our existential dilemma. 

For oftentimes, there is a dramatic difference and a considerable distance between the aspirations and the actions of believers.  Such a stark contrast between our testimony and our reality does much to generate doubt, disbelief, or cynicism among non-believers.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, the lives of professing believers are tantamount to “epistle[s]…known and read of all men.” (II Corinthians 3:2)

This is important because, in a sense, the life of every believer represents a crisis moment in human history.  The Chinese say that every crisis has two heads, one of danger and one of opportunity.  To wit, our time on Earth (and service in The Kingdom) constitute a dangerous opportunity for ourselves and for others.  It is opportunity because “many are called.”  Yet, it is dangerous because “few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)  For relatively few live up to the lofty standards of the faith.  Thank God for grace!  But the question is begged: ‘If GOD is looking for a few good men (and women), what will our response be?’  That is, what will the world see when they examine us, our lives, our lifestyles, our attitudes and our actions?  Will Christ be visible at all?  Or will it be just you and me to show up on the scene?  Can we state with spiritual authority and authenticity, “Look on us,” as Peter and John advised the lame man at the temple gate? (Acts 3:1-9)

There can be no doubt: “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” (II Corinthians 4:3)

Clearly, the Lord Jesus Christ summons all of us to personal integrity, which is the caliber of wholeness that becomes an objective witness to (and verifier of) the gospel truth.  I will be fully transparent and freely admit to many errors I have made along the way.  Nevertheless, my sins, which were many, are all washed away!  I am acutely impressed by The Holy Spirit that this is the existential moment for The Church of The Living God to stand up and represent the gospel…by being the gospel.  We must never allow our dust origins to become an excuse for a continuation in sin and shame. (Romans 6:1-7)  Grace testifies for us: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4:7)

Remember this: Nothing you or I have done has ever caught God off guard or taken Him by surprise.  It occurs to me that Almighty God (who knew us before the foundation of the world) has factored into His divine plans every one of our life experiences (good, bad, ugly, indifferent) and via Calvary He transforms our faults, failures, foibles and fiascoes into tangible testimonies that serve as powerful agents for winning the lost in these end-times.  But we must choose wisely; we must make up our minds. (Joshua 24:15 and II Peter 1:10)  From now on, you and I will never allow space for Satan to distort or damage our witness.  Because of Calvary, we now possess God’s integrity.  We have wholeness.  We will represent and serve His Kingdom well, as “ambassadors of the King eternal detained on foreign soil.” Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

FIRST THINGS FIRST!

Jesus Christ, “the Author and Finisher of our faith,” admonished us to “seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:2 and Matthew 6:33)  It is important to note that our primary and pivotal entry-point into the Kingdom “highway” that is revealed in the Word of God. (Isaiah 35:8)  Jesus, Himself, declared that “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)  Therefore, our initial thought and activity of each day should be reading and meditating on The Word.  It goes without saying that prayer is an indispensable prerequisite to processing, understanding and retaining all Kingdom truth. (Luke 18:1)

The longest chapter in the Holy Bible is Psalm 119.  Its focus is the centrality of The Word in both our covenant and communion with Christ.  I have reprinted selected verses below for your prayerful consideration.

Psalm 119 [Selected Verses]

¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

²⁴ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

⁴⁹ Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

⁵⁹ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

⁶⁰ I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

⁷² The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

⁹⁰ Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

⁹⁷ O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰¹ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

¹⁰³ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

¹¹¹ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

¹¹⁴ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

¹²⁵ I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

¹²⁷ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

¹³⁰ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

¹³³ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁷ Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

¹⁴⁰ Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Sisters and brothers, we must never major-on-minors; we must always major-on-majors…so first things first!  The Word equips and enables us to “walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7)  And instead of being deceived and misguided by sensory perceptions, we learn to completely rely on God’s eternal truth.  So at the dawning of each day, we resolve to allow The Word of God to be our pilot and our compass in order to navigate the uncharted seas of unknown life events.    Thereby, we shall be continually blessed.