Less Heroes-- More Doers

"The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them."

I read this story yesterday.  The scene was kind of pathetic warfare really.  The two armies had been coming out every day for a couple of months just shouting, displaying bravado, then going back to their respective camps, having dinner and going to bed.  At some point Goliath appeared and challenged the Hebrews to produce a man to fight him and settle the whole thing.  Nobody took the challenge, that is, until David showed up one day delivering food and other supplies to his brothers.  The text says that on that day, "David heard it," heard the mocking of the Philistine giant. 

Every time I read this chapter I am reminded that David was not some kind of "hero," though most of religious tradition paints him in such light.  The "simple" truth in it all is that David was a young boy who was obviously very good with a sling------------- and "good at" absolute trust and confidence in his Shepherd, Jesus.  But one must never forget that David did not defeat the Philistines by himself.  He just said by demonstration, "Common, boys; we can do this."  Once David began the process of "hero destruction," the rest of the Israeli Army took off after the enemy and routed them.  If you read the Bible, you discover that there were many in Israel who could handle a sling just as well as David.  Hundreds were described in an earlier passage as those who, "could sling a stone at a hair and not miss"!  Where were they on that momentous day in Jewish History?!?  The only difference that day was David did something with that ancient Mid East  ability.  He surrendered that "talent" in absolute trust and confidence in the Living Triune God, and won the victory.  The same option in life awaits you and me.

People love to look for heroes everywhere, whether in the Bible, politics, sports, other entertainment, etc.  It is correctly called "hero worship."  It is a religion which puts the hero in a godlike position and the worshiper in a, well, worship mode.  A big problem with hero worship is that it keeps the worshiper from doing anything close to what the hero does.  The worshiper just sits back and, again, worships.  This is why Christendom today has produced so many "heroes."  Most professing Christians believe they cannot, so they will not.  Instead, they make a few in Christendom very, very wealthy by going to their churches, their conferences, buying their books, etc., because all they then have to do is talk "faith," but do nothing.

This is not the Faith to which you and I have been called.  Jesus says to any who would hear, "Follow Me."  If people would follow Jesus rather than "heroes," many more "philistines" would be defeated.  You have a talent which many have not encouraged in you; doesn't matter.  "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me," means that you and I can do anything in which Jesus has called us to, "Follow Me." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for that, "more grace," of which your Word speaks, to do what I may think only someone else can do.  Amen.

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If you want a good "review" on the latest Hollywood film, "Noah," go to:  jhs58.blogspot.com
Beware:  It is not what you think.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

All Need To Give and Receive, Yes, We Do

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic (compassionate, suffering or feeling the like with another) love one another, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8, NIV)

People who profess to be Christian and don't read the Bible are people who pretty much think they can do life on their own; this is ultimate pride.  Likewise, people who think and live like they don't need others are also of the proud.

Jesus knows we need sympathy, compassion, and love.  Otherwise there would be no need for the Church; we would be some grotesque figure with all eyes or all ears.  But we together are as cells which make up the Body of Christ, the Church.  When a person says or lives as though they do not need the Church, they may be thinking of all the "stuff" which goes on inside buildings on certain days, but you and I need to be very careful not to believe and live as though we are, as someone once said, "I'm my own church."  He was not----------- we are not.  Of course people cannot comfort, strengthen and revive a stricken soul as can Jesus, but that does not in any way mean that my fellow Members of the Church do not have very key and important roles in my life. 

I remember right after Stephen died, a ninety year old pastor came to our house in a very detectable compassion.  He said, "Remember, as David said, "He cannot come to me, but I can go to him."  Now I don't remember how I "felt," but life was imparted.  Then there was my seminary friend, John, who drove over 70 miles one way the day of Stephan's operation.  For three hours he just sat there with us; he said nothing.  Sarah has often spoken of this/him.

In chapter one of 1 Peter, the Apostle speaks of the prophets of old that, "....they were not serving themselves, but you...."  This is, or should be, the heart, the attitude of the Church, of you, of me.  We, "are not serving [our]selves, but you...."  One thing this should do is stop looking for the perfect church, some religious, ultimate Shangri la.  There is no such "church."  Someone once said that if you find the perfect church, don't go there; you'll ruin it.  Whatever "perfection" one is searching for is nonexistent; it is a fanastyland or our own creation. 

Instead off saying, "I'm going to church today," perhaps we should say, "I'm going to the church today," the group of people with whom the Lord has allowed us to serve.  We go, "not serving [our]selves, but you," others who need, "compassion, suffering or feeling the like with another."

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for selfishness, and help me to, "take (great) heed," to Your Words.  Amen.
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* We request prayer for the May Berlin/Bosnia Mission, and please send us any prayer requests you have.
* Prophetic News, Commentary:     jhs58.blogspot.com
  

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"....An Inheritance...Kept In Heaven For You...."

"He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade."  (From 1 Peter 1: 3, 4--NIV)

Here I am today in the first chapter of 1 Peter.  I remember preaching from 1 Peter for the first time 50 years ago.  It still brings the, what can one say, blessing? it did 50 years ago.  I just cannot understand why people do not read the entire Bible over and over and over (well, maybe I can).

Such richness from the old fisherman.  Oh, yes, he was Peter, the Apostle and, "a fellow elder."  But he started out as a fisherman who met Jesus.  The first meeting was by a lake while Peter was washing some nets.  Maybe it was a Monday or Thursday, people coming and going, other fishermen going about their daily tasks.  As the song says, "Then Jesus Came."  Yes, the Catholic Church calls him "the first bishop of Rome," and "Saint Peter," but aren't all of us in whom Jesus lives saints?  I'm sure Peter would like us to call him "a fellow saint."

At any rate, now we read Peter's testimony to Jesus and his "revelation" of the Gospel Message. Consider some of the phrasings here: "....chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood....Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 

Do we really need someone to "explain" such words to us, "dig deep," etc.?  Just reading these "God-Breathed" Words bless, strengthen and uphold me.  Yes, "God-Breathed," Holy Spirit inspired, and also rich testimony from a man who was just like most people, a working person with a family, going about daily tasks.  "Then Jesus Came," and Peter was, "sprinkled with His blood."  What was Peter's response?  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!"  Amen.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just find such refreshment in You and Your Words.  Thank you.  Amen.
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* I sent a recording of "Then Jesus Came" to:  jhs58.blogspot.com
* Please pray for us and the Berlin/Bosnia Mission, May 1-20

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

What Do You Demand Before You Obey

"Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.  Yet they look for the Lord's support and say, 'Is not the Lord among us?  No disaster will come upon us.'" (Micah 3:11, NIV)   The Living Bible says, "....you leaders who take bribes; you priests and prophets who won't preach and prophesy until you're paid.  (And yet you fawn upon the Lord and say, 'All is well-- the Lord is here among us.  No harm can come to us.')"

It is always an interesting observation when I go through the Bible, just how nothing in human nature has changed for thousands of years, and, how the Word of God is right up-to-date, e.g., leaders leading for money, fivefold ministries taking preaching and teaching engagements, "for a price," and prophets prophesying things which will be sure to get them asked back.   I had a financial secretary of a relatively large congregation tell me that some of the "big name" speakers which they have come in to speak demand certain hotel accommodations, e.g., the hot tub has to be just a certain temperature.  While there was at first some "shock," it didn't take me long to really not be surprised. 

But the question which came to me today was, "What do you have to have before you obey?"  There was a solo one of our seminarians did in one of our choir tours which had the line, "I want you to use me Lord------- but not just now."  The song goes on through the various stages of life.  Just to give a few-- "As soon as I've paid the mortgage-- as soon as the kids are grown--- as soon as I draw my pension-- but not just now."  The last was, "just as soon as I am------- dead."  How many "just-as-soon-as-I" are in us today?

While we can look with disgust on "preachers for hire," or the "just-as-soon-as" guy, there is a daily call to walk in obedience in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes the call seems "big," sometimes "small."  But none are optional. Have you ever noticed that when the "big" things come along how much more we tend to give ourselves to them.  But when some lonely soul in the store just needs the Life of Jesus manifest to them as in Matthew 20:32, "What do you want me to do for you to do for you?" we miss that "assignment."

The favor, or we could say approval of the Lord Jesus is upon those who obey, not those who are highly esteemed among men, those whose gifts have earned them a lot of money, asked to do "great things," or are in great demand by the majority.  After all, whom are we serving?  Whose "favor" and approval are we living for?  Most of the years in Jesus' sojourn in the flesh before His death and resurrection were filled with the "little" things of life.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your continual Words which keep me continually in You.  Amen.
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* News, Commentary:     jhs58.blogspot.com
* Berlin/Bosnia Mission:  May 1-20

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2