"Special" Does Not Mean "Trouble Free"

"Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods." (Acts 16:22)

Phillips says, "Then, after giving them a severe beating, they threw them into prison...."

If life teaches us anything, it teaches us that no one is "special," no one is exempt from the maladies of life.  Jesus, David's, "Good Shepherd," was with Him-------- "through the valley of the shadow of death."  Most in modern Christendom would prefer to go around that "valley."

Paul and Silas were probably as "spiritual" as any of the modern "nothing-bad-will-happen-to- you" teachers.  Well, something "bad" did happen to these First Century missionaries; they were, "beaten with rods."  One source says that the, "rods," were similar to broom handles.  Many times bones were broken, and always considerable bleeding accompanied the beatings, and many died.  Yet we in the Western World, so unfamiliar with such suffering for Jesus, so many times read such passages in Scripture with "Sunday School" eyes and hearts, viz., it really does not sink in.

Hebrews 11 tells us of the reality of life for those who are as "righteous," as "spiritual" as anyone any people may highly regard and admire.  Never for one moment make the mistake that a person for whom everything seems to go just as tele-preachers say they will, always in good health, always with plenty of money, always seem to have everything in their lives work out just the way they desire and others think is the "favor of the Lord," are any better than than those whose sojourn has been full of suffering.  Every day I pray for Followers of Jesus who live in huts, with no "modern conveniences," and others who live with the threat that that very day may lead to their imprisonment or death.

Now this may be a "downer" for the make-me-feel-happy-all-the-time crowd.  But for those whose hope, strength, peace, deliverance is Jesus Christ it is a deep comfort, "Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You [Lord Jesus] are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  We pray; we believe.  But I can tell you today that I cling more to Jesus Himself and His "God-Breathed" Words than to any theology to which I or anyone else holds.  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help my friend and me to never change our life style, looking away from any suffering and, "Looking unto Jesus."  Amen.
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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

You Are A Parable

"Then He spoke many things to them in parables...."  (Matthew 13:3a)

The Greek word for "parable" means "comparison."  One dictionary defines "parable" as "a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson, a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison...." 

I was in a several day session with Bible teachers some years ago, and in an evaluation session, one of the men said that I am a storyteller.  He said something to the effect, "You tend to express your ideas by telling some sort of story."  I did not fully understand that observation, but I guess as I considered the statement I could see what he was saying.  Illustrating Biblical truths with a story help reveal just how "down to earth," how effectual are the, "God-Breathed," Words.  

Illustrations are best when they come from our experience in life, not someone else's.  There is a very real sense in which our testimonies are "parables."  They are examples of Biblical truths, e.g, salvation, Jesus' faithfulness, victory in "impossible" circumstances, provision, deliverance, etc.  You have heard the quote, "A man with an argument is no match for a man with an experience."  No one can argue the Bible with me.  If there were ever any uncertainty of the "inspiration," the power, of the, "Words of God," prior to the summer of '70, my journey, "through the valley of the shadow of death," cured whatever uncertainty there may have been.  Now I know of certainty the truth of 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "....when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God...."  My testimony is a parable of Jesus Christ's faithfulness.

Too many Followers of Jesus try to convince nonbelievers by quoting the Bible.  The Bible, of course, is not the problem.  The quoting of it, however, as though His Words were somehow just words to quote to further an argument is very much a problem.  Revelation 12 tells us that Followers of Jesus overcome, "by the word to which they bare witness."  Our testimony is a, "witness," an example, a story which illustrates, confirms, if you will, the Truth.  Don't try to be a Bible "answer man."  Be a Bible parable.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I am a good parable.  Amen.

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We are half way to our March Mission need

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

"You Shall Rest And Shall Stand [Fast]"

"But you [Daniel, who was now over ninety years of age], go your way till the end; for you shall rest and shall stand [fast] in your allotted place at the end of the days."  (Daniel 12:13, Amplified Bible)

Well, what do you know?  Daniel, at age 90, could still admit that he did not understand everything he was told, "And I heard, but I did not understand" (v.8).  Now nowhere do we read that Daniel fretted about the fact that he did not understand everything which he wrote, which is unlike those who give us the "true understanding," no-doubt-about-it answers to everything.  Simply put, there were things which Daniel did understand and things which he did not.  Get use to it.

My advice to all of us is that we hear the word of Jesus to Daniel, "go your way."  Could I paraphrase, "Live what days you have left in this time/space age, following Me and revealing Me to those around you, to the nation."  And notice the next exhortation, "go your way until the end" (of your sojourn here?); "for you shall rest (which can also mean, 'settle down, be calm') and shall stand [fast] (or, 'take your stand') in your allotted place at the end of days."

Our text is "loaded" with great words for you and me in these, "end of the days."  Far too many people are obsessed with "understanding" things which even Daniel admitted he did not.  And don't get "Old Testament vs. New Testament" on me.  Peter said that there are things which are, "hard to be understood."  We should strive for understanding, but not be depressed, hampered by the lack of understanding.  "Why does this happen to me?"  Or concerning world events, "Why," or, "What does this mean?"  There will be answers and there will be no answers.  Rather, enjoy today in Jesus.  Enjoy what you understand, and leave the rest with Him, or, "settle down, be calm."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the Word of Daniel 12:13.  Amen.
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Mission to Berlin, March, 2015.

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