Like Paul praying for the church in Ephesus, we should earnestly seek the things that God has promised to those who are in Christ.
www.thevillagechurch.net.
Every one of us has something we would give anything to get. Right now, many of us would give anything to get back to normal. But, as Steven Furtick asks in this message, “What if God is trying to bring us into a new normal?” What if there’s a better way to live than what we’re used to? What would we be willing to give up to get that? Romans 12 verse 1 teaches us about patterns of thought that, although normal to the world, need to be renewed in our minds. We think negatively! We tell ourselves we could never do enough, never have enough and never be enough to be accepted. But God says that’s not normal. And His message of grace, if you’re willing to hear it, is telling you, “Don’t Let Negative Become Your Normal.”
When life gets turned upside down, we might try to solve our problems on our own or turn to food, shopping, or an addiction for comfort and strength. But those places never take us where we want to go. The best thing we can do is turn to a willing and able God who can strengthen us in ways we never imagined.
Preached at Chase Oaks Church.
This is God’s universe and God does things His way. You may have a better way, but you don’t have a universe. God commands us to be courageous because we are filled with His mighty Holy Spirit’s power.
Notes used by permission of LifeChurch.tv/open.
How do we pray for our protectors? Over 1.3 million U.S. military members currently deployed to Afghanistan and other contingencies around the globe. Each of these has mothers and fathers they have left behind. A great many have wives or husbands and children who remain at home. We, yes, I am one, have homes, friends, churches, bills, school, pets, and many other things we have left behind for the sake of serving our nation.
I am currently on my second deployment to Afghanistan and was often told by people before leaving that they would be praying for me. I imagine this same comment has been made thousands of times in America as our men and women have left home to fight the wars of our nation. Some of you reading this may have spoken those very words, a promise to pray for a soldier, airmen, marine, or sailor while they are away on their deployment. But what do you pray?
Using the 23rd Psalm, I will guide you to pray for the warriors of America. I also hope to give you a glimpse into the every day life of those of us who chose this line of work.
“The Lord is My Shepherd;”
Think of a shepherd. A shepherd is a leader, provider, protector of the ones under him. He plans and orchestrates the events of those under him. He doesn’t just say what to do, but he provides the means to do it. It is no surprise to anyone that the military is very structured. Every person, with few exceptions, enters the military as either an E-1 (Enlisted) or and O-1 (Officer). Everyone progresses and with each new rank comes more responsibility. Early in our military careers we are groomed as leaders. We are expected to follow the orders given to us, but soon become responsible to guide and direct others.
Pray for those is leadership positions. This includes many different ranks within the military. Each is a shepherd; some good, others, well, they need more prayer. Each day these leaders are making decisions about what others are doing. Some are directing people to go conduct combat missions. Others are deciding what to cook or where people will sleep. Every decision made by one of these leaders affects other people. Pray for wisdom for those who lead, guide and direct the daily military operations.
Pray for those under leadership. Military life is about following orders. Every person in the military is taking orders from someone else. From the lowly E-1 to the highest four star general. Pray for obedience. It is God who has placed us under the authority of others. Therefore, If we are to honor God, we must obey those in authority over us.
“I Shall not want.”
I cannot imagine a harder moment than just after kissing my wife and saying goodbye to my five year old daughter and one year old son. I want to be with them and hold them and kiss them so badly. Our warriors give up so much for the sake of our nation. When we wake up in the morning there is no wife to to kiss goodbye as we go to work. There are no kids running and jumping in the bed with us. There are no meals with the family or walks in the park. Birthdays and anniversaries come and go.
It is not just family we are without, though. Every post has a small, what we call, exchange. This the place were we can by toothpaste, socks, knives, boots, soda, etc. It has the basic necessities, but it doesn’t have everything. We don’t have the convenience of Walmart or Target or Walgreens. What they have is what we get. There’s no options and most of the time they are out of what you need.
There is one dining facility on each base. We call them “DFAC.” Now imagine eating three meals a day 7 days a week for at least six months at your least favorite cafeteria/buffet style restaurant. It get’s old pretty quick. One thing you learn quickly at the DFAC is the local and third country national we hire to cook our food just can’t fry chicken or grill meat quite like it is done at home. Our cooks do a great job providing food for the large number of people they must serve, but I don’t think there is a Paula Dean equivalent in Afghanistan.
As you can see there is much to be desired; the comfort of family, the familiarity of home, Chipotle! Many soldier’s days are spent in misery longing for what they cannot have at the moment, and this destroys some. I can assure you our basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and bullets will be met. But each of us longs for home.
Pray for our minds. The mind is a power thing. By nature of what we do we must be sharp and on point, ready to act when called upon. Pray that the desires of home would not be so great that we cannot function.
Pray for opportunities for communication with mom, dad, wife/husband and children. There are many great tools with the internet today, but not every soldier will get the opportunity. Pray that those opportunities will be given to them and that the time will encourage them to press on with the mission that is before them.
Pray for the the wives of the husbands who are deployed. Loneliness and depression come so quickly. They sacrifice as much as the one deployed. Many are living in a city with no family near by. Some are even alone in a foreign country. They want their husbands with them, but at this moment it cannot be.
Pray for the husbands of the wives who are deployed. They, too, carry a heavy load when their wife leaves. Not only do they carry the burden of caring for or maintaining their household, but they have great worry for their wives who are in harms way.
Pray for the wives with children at home or pregnant while the husband is deployed. Caring for children was not meant to be a solo job. Pray for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These moms get no breaks, little rest, and little help. They do all of the cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, and dog walking.
Pray for the conflict that will arise between husbands and wives during the deployment. Conflict will come. Dealing with conflict when you are separated for six months or a year is very difficult. It can be easy for some to avoid the problems all together and stop communication.
Pray for the children of those deployed. They do not understand what is happening. All they know is their mom or dad is not coming home. For the past few Skype dates with my daughter she has told me that her greatest desire for christmas is me. There is a hole in her heart. There is a hole in the heart of every child whose parent is deployed.
“He leads me beside still waters.”
War is busy and hectic. The typical soldier, airmen, marine, and sailor works 12 hours per day 7 days per week. No days off. No nap time. No privacy. Life is go, go, go. Someone is always wanting something from you. Depending on where you are you may have two or three or more rocket attacks in one week.
Pray for rest. Working 12 hours per day for seven days equates to 84 hours of work. That is more than two full time jobs.
Pray for peace. Working that many hours and being around the same people day in and day out will cause conflict. It will cause conflict at work and it will cause conflict with home.
“He restores my soul.”
There is a great need for the gospel here. I am not talking about taking the gospel to the Afghan people or the people of the nation for which we are deployed to. I am talking about the people of our military. They need Jesus. Sin nature is no less prevalent here than it is in any other part of the world.
Pray for the heart of those who do not believe that they will be open to receive the gospel.
Pray for those of us who do believe that we would share the gospel unashamedly.
Pray for the military chaplains who are deployed. They carry the burden for soul care for all of our warriors. Pray that they would proclaim the gospel boldly in the chapel services each week.
Pray for the Bible studies that are taking place on each base. Pray that the Word of God is taught, and that believers would encourage and love one another. Pray for opportunities to attend in the midst of our hectic work schedule.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
Death is inevitable in war. According to the Washington Post approximately 2,000 U.S. military members have died in Afghanistan since 2001. Some were accidental, but many were the result of combat action. Not only have we lost men and women, but we have taken the lives of others. Our warriors have seen death; they have seen evil. Not one of us who goes out on combat missions fails to consider what would happen if we hit an improvised explosive device (IED). Or what if a rocket lands on base right where I happen to be standing? Or what if one of the Afghan National Army or police takes their rifle and begins shooting at us on base, where we are supposed to be safe? These are the daily thoughts of those deployed.
Pray for courage for those who believe. For those who believe can say, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” What great comfort there is in those few words. God is with me everywhere I go, all of the time. Therefore I do not need to fear.
Pray for the unbeliever. What can they cling to? Where is their hope? The only hope there is is found in Jesus Christ. They may not believe now, but God may use their circumstances to draw them to Him.
Pray for both the believer and the unbeliever. Dealing with death can wreak havoc on the mind. Whether it is loosing someone close to you in combat or killing another, the mind will be affected. This will effect their ability to work, their relationships with their wives/husbands and children, their walk with God, and much more.
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
What do you think of when you think of the rod and staff of a shepherd? I picture the shepherd using his staff to guide the sheep. The sheep want to go their own way, but the shepherd, with his staff, brings them back. The best place for the the sheep to be is in the presence of the shepherd. This is where they are cared for, find protection, receive provision, and find comfort.
A military deployment causes much pain and heartache, not only for the military members, but also for the family and friends. There is much need for comfort. Depression lurks at the door to the minds of many. Relationships have been broken because of the tension caused from the separation. Worry slips into our minds due to the seemingly lack of control we have over situations at home. Where can we find comfort? We can find comfort in the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
When events occur in our lives it can feel as if we have no one to turn to. There are no close friends or family to go to with your hurts and pains. There is no church family. Your wife or husband is thousands of miles away. Loneliness can overwhelm.
Pray for the military Chaplains who have been charged with soul care for the military. There are only a limited number of chaplains who are available to provide soul care for the warriors here. They cannot provide for all.
Pray that believers would wholly rely on the Scriptures for our comfort.
Pray that unbelievers would be drawn to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the only true source of peace and comfort.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;”
You cannot have a war without an enemy. Much of the conflict we are in today revolves around the Muslim faith. As believers we know that no amount of social justice will bring peace to this area of the world. There is only one cure, Jesus. We are fighting to restore a government, build schools, and stop and prevent the injustices committed against the Afghan people. But our enemy is doing everything in it’s power to stop us. The Afghan people don’t want the help that we are providing, but that does not deter us from trying. They have been deceived and are separated from God.
In the Old Testament God used the enemies of Israel. It wasn’t typically good for the Israelites in their eyes, but God was using their enemy to mold the hearts of the Israelites. It was part of His plan. God has not changed. He is doing the same today. He works all things. This conflict today is part of God’s plan.
Pray for the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other groups with whom we are fighting. They, too, need Jesus!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
There is not a soldier, airmen, marine, or sailor here who has not thought about the end of their life in some respect. I promise you that it has crossed everyone’s mind at least once during their time here. With the exception of the Lord’s return, death in inevitable for all of us. Every car that passes our convoys could be a car that detonates. Every Afghan National Army soldier or Afghan National Police officer could be the one that begins shooting. These thoughts are never far from our minds.
There is a hope. II Corinthians 5:1-5 explains this so well.
For we know that if ?the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent ?we groan, longing to ?put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on? we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal ?may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, ?who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always of good courage. We know that ?while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not ?by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we ?would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to ?please him.
For ?we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ?so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
This is not an exhaustive list of what to pray for our troops in combat, but I hope it encourages you to spend time praying specifically for the needs of those of us fighting for freedom and those who we left behind. If you know someone who is deployed pray specifically for them. I encourage you to ask them how you can pray for them. We each have our own specific needs and issues that arise during our deployments. Don’t forget their families! They too need prayer, but they also need tangible help. The grass still needs to be mowed. The oil in the car needs to be changed.
Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated by those of us who believe.
Know your Enemy’s strategy: temptation, lies and condemnation. Overcome by being tethered to the truth, led by the Holy Spirit and understanding the compassion of God. Only those who know Satan’s nature can uncover his schemes.
From www.creativepastors.com. Used by permission.
How do we learn to persevere in the challenges of our lives? We play hurt. In the world of athletics, the phrase playing hurt is used to describe an athlete who continues to play even though he or she is injured. It also describes a necessary life skill that we all need to develop—sometimes we must continue to function, despite pain and adversity.
Here are some interesting thoughts from an article by Peggy Noonan that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, January 11, 2002.
“There’s a small but telling scene in Ridley Scott’s ‘Black Hawk Down’ that contains some dialogue that reverberates, at least for me. In the spirit of Samuel Johnson, who said man needs more often to be reminded than instructed, I offer it to all, including myself, who might benefit from its message.
“The movie, as you know, is about the Battle of the Bakara Market in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. In the scene, the actor Tom Sizemore, playing your basic tough-guy U.S. Army Ranger colonel, is in charge of a small convoy of humvees trying to make its way back to base under heavy gun and rocket fire. The colonel stops the convoy, takes in some wounded, tears a dead driver out of a driver’s seat, and barks at a bleeding sergeant who’s standing in shock nearby:
- Colonel: Get into that truck and drive.
- Sergeant: But I’m shot, Colonel.
- Colonel: Everybody’s shot, get in and drive.”
Everybody’s been shot. Everyone’s been wounded. All of us have suffered a deep bruise. It’s one thing we all have in common.
But don’t think your wound gives you permission to sit on the sidelines; it doesn’t exempt you from fully engaging in life and being responsible for outcomes.
Don’t be defined by your wound and don’t let it put you on the bench. When life demands it, play hurt.
I saw this steely resolve displayed in church one Sunday morning. Moments before the worship service started, my pastor received some tragic news about a member of his family. I watched with amazement as he carried out his duties (even preaching a sermon) with grace and dignity, never letting on to the emotional turmoil that was going on inside.
There will be times in your life when you must play hurt. You’ll need to clamp down on physical or emotional discomfort and continue to perform. That’s not denial; it’s courage, control, and fortitude in action.
Summary
What? – Often, we must continue to function despite hardships.
So what? – Develop the emotional fortitude to play hurt.
Now what? –
Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla, seminary professor and medical doctor, discusses why people respect the white coat, and why you need a coat of your own. Did you know that if you wear a white coat your ability to pay attention goes up pretty sharply—but only if you believe it belongs to a doctor. If you thought it belonged to a painter, nope, no luck.
So concluded Prof. Adam Galinsky and his team at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology recently.
A bunch of undergrads were randomly assigned to white-coat or street-clothes groups and tested for attention. The white-coated bunch made only half the mistakes as the others. Amazing!
Soon after the The New York Times first reported this bit of news, they issued a correction:
An article on Tuesday about the effects of clothing on cognitive processes misstated the name of the journal that published a recent study showing that wearing a doctor’s white coat led subjects to pay sharper attention. It is The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, not The Journal of Experimental Social Cognition.”
Obviously, the folks at ye olde Gray Lady weren’t wearing white coats. Or if they were, they thought the garments belonged to painters!
In any case, Galinsky et al. are interested in the growing field called “embodied cognition.” “We think not just with our brains but with our bodies,” declared Dr. Galinsky, “and our thought processes are based on physical experiences that set off associated abstract concepts.” Like: if you had a hot drink in your hands, you’d rate others personally warmer. Like: if you carry a heavy clipboard, you’ll feel more important.
(Maybe I should carry a clipboard and a hot drink into my patients’ rooms, wearing a white coat.)
And you actually have to wear it; it’s no good hanging in your closet. A second experiment had three groups: those wearing a doctor’s coat, those wearing a painter’s coat (actually the same as the doctor’s garb, only these guinea pigs were told different), and group three seeing a doctor’s coat in the room. Group one won the prize.
Here’s Galinsky: “You have to wear the coat, see it on your body and feel it on your skin for it to influence your psychological processes.” Apparently clothes “invade the body and brain,” creating a new psychological state.
It’s all in the mind, then, huh?
Well, not in the Bible. There it tells us of our need for a clothing exchange, not so that we’ll feel good, but so that we “acquire” the righteousness of the One who clothes us.
Our original state:
For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment
Isaiah 64:6
What Christ did for us:
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
And all of this happens—yup! it really happens—when we place our trust in Christ as our only God and Savior, believing he paid for our sins.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:27
As Charles Wesley’s powerful words described it in 1738:
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Not embodied cognition, but embodied salvation!
Dear Roger,
I joined a women’s Bible study several months ago and recently an argument began over whether or not it is a sin for Christians to have tattoos. The discussion soon evolved to a discussion regarding breast implants. The group was split 50%-50” with some seeing no problem and the others arguing that God made us like He wanted us and we are not free to “fiddle” (as one woman argued) with His creation.
One argued that dancing and drinking spoiled our reputations as good Christians. You can only imagine where the discussion went from there! Some thought that it’s a sin for Christians to take tranquilizers to calm down instead of trusting God and “casting all of our cares on Him.”
A split is developing over these issues that threatens to destroy group. Please help.
Sincerely, “J”
Dear “J”,
Unfortunately, Paul dealt with the same problems in his day. Fortunately, he gave us clear-cut guidance on how to settle them. Christian relationships were in upheaval in the 1st century pagan culture. The Roman Christians were having great difficulty in deciding just which activities were acceptable for Christians and which were not. They were arguing, among other things, whether or not it was all right for Christians to eat meat which had previously offered to idols. Some felt eating it was a sin! Others felt that they were free in Christ to eat whatever they wanted!
In Romans 14:1-15:5 Paul laid down the guidelines for settling these disputes.
To begin with, sorting out your differences means understanding the difference between personal convictions and Biblical truth. I have a personal conviction not to drink alcohol. It would be wrong for me to tell my friends that drinking alcohol is a sin for them as well. The Bible never forbids simply drinking alcohol; it forbids drunkenness. Personal convictions are those choices that I make for my life that are not expressly forbidden in the Bible. On the other hand, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” is a Biblical truth to be obeyed no matter how we look at it.
The real issue revolves around what we might call, “Disputable Matters.” These are areas of life where the Bible doesn’t expressly give direction.
Three disputable matters were rampant in the church in Rome:
1. Eating meat offered to idols
2. Celebrating pagan holidays
3. Getting drunk
Unfortunately, as your are discovering in your Bible study group, disputable issues still divide and hurt Christians in the church: dress; movies; music; video games; holidays; tattoos; body piercings; bodily augmentations or upgrades; home schooling; drinking alcohol; smoking; dancing; etc., etc. and etc.
Two extremes must be avoided as we decide which are acceptable practices for Christians and which are not?
Legalism compiles a list of rules and conform to the rules. we then attempt to make our rules and personal convictions normative for others.
Libertinism declares that we are free to do anything not expressly forbidden in the Bible: “Since I’m free in Christ and the Bible forbids none of these things, then I’ll feel free to do any and/or all of them!”
In Romans 15:1 Paul laid down the over arching principle for how we act toward each other in disputable matters: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Strong Christians eat the meat without any pangs of conscience. Weak Christians can’t eat without violating their consciences. However, as we shall see, in order to maintain unity and harmony, strong Christians will limit their freedom so as not to offend weaker brothers and sisters.
By the way, Christians who are strong in one area might be weak in another—and vice versa.
At Casas Church we utilize seven boxes to help us sort out where we are spiritually and emotionally in particular disputable matters. Finding the right box helps guide us in how we behave around others and what freedoms we may or may not have in each area.
By the way, some very young Christians may be able to enter an area with freedom while those much farther along in their spiritual journey may still be struggling in that particular area.
BOX 1: I can’t and I struggle if you do.
“One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him” (Romans 14:2-3).
BOX 2: I can’t but you can.
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean” (Romans 14:14).
BOX 3: I can but it is a struggle for me.
“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).
BOX 4: I can and you can.
“He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:6-8)
BOX 5: I can But I Won’t Because Others Might Stumble.
“Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way” (Romans 14:13b).
A stumbling block is anything that might harm the conscience or hinder the spiritual journey of another Christian.
BOX 6: I can And I’ll HeLP Others Find Freedom.
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19).
If we are “strong” in a disputable area we can help weaker brothers or sisters who are “weak” in that area by making a conscious decision to restrict our liberty in that area. Then, we come along side them and help them understand why we restricted our liberty. Then, we encourage them to enjoy their own freedom and grow strong in that area as well.
BOX 7: I can’t so I won’t until I can.
But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23).
Since the conscience is the interface between the human spirit and the human soul, we must never violate our consciences. Instead, we carefully retrain our consciences according Biblical truth so that we can experience the freedom of the Spirit-filled life. The obvious conclusion here is that what is sin for some is not sin for others.
Instead of fighting or spending time arguing about the disputable areas, let me join with Paul and encourage us to rally around the indisputables.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).
May I share with you what I consider to be the indisputables of the Christian Faith?
1. The Bible is the Word of God.
2. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man (This is known as the hypostatic union.).
3. Jesus was virgin born.
4. Jesus died a substitutionary death on the cross in our place in order to forgive our sins.
5. The bodily resurrection guarantees that His mission was fulfilled.
6. Forgiveness of sin and salvation come by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
7. God establishes an eternal relationship with those who personally receive Him as Savior and Lord.
If we get these indisputables right, nothing else really matters. Jesus focused on these essentials as a powerful way to bring in the kingdom. So may we!
Well, “J,” I hope these thoughts are helpful. I am stopping right now to pray for peace and unity for your Bible group. I believe Paul’s insights will bring healing and understanding. I hope so.
Love, Roger
Paul learns how to survive in the darkest circumstances not only by the “grace power” of God, but by the support system of saints around him. When times get really tough, we need God and we also need each other.
Jesus was not always welcomed warmly by earth-travelers. Some saw Him as a threat. Some saw Him as a heretic. Most saw Him as an enigma. Not everyone in Jesus’ world gave him a warm welcome. Not everyone received him with grace. And many didn’t just ignore him, they rejected him.
Isaiah prophesied his reception like this: “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3 NIV).
John summarized the rejection of Jesus with these words: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11 NIV).
How did Christ endure treatment like that? At any point he could have said, “I quit. I’ve had enough.” Why didn’t he? What kept him from giving up?
I wonder if Lee Ielpi understands the answer? He is a retired firefighter, a New York City firefighter. He gave twenty-six years to the city. But on September 11, 2001, he gave much more. He gave his son. Jonathan Ielpi was a fireman as well. When the Twin Towers fell, he was there.
Firefighters are a loyal clan. When one perishes in the line of duty, the body is left where it is until a firefighter who knows the person can come and quite literally pick it up. Le made the discovery of his son’s body his personal mission. He dug daily with dozens of others at the sixteen-acre graveyard. One Tuesday, December 11, three months after the disaster, his son was found. And Lee was there to carry him out.
He didn’t give up. The father didn’t quit. He refused to turn and leave. Why? Because his love for his son was greater than the pain of the search. Can’t the same be said about Christ? Why didn’t he quit? Because the love for his children was greater than the pain of the journey. He came to pull you out. Your world had collapsed. That’s why he came. You were dead, dead to sin. That’s why he came. He loves you. That’s why he came.
That’s why he endured the distance between us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he endured the resistance from us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he went the final step of the incarnation: “God made him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21 NIV).
Why did Jesus do that? There is only one answer. And that answer has one word. Love. And that love of Christ “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7 NKJV).
Think about that for a moment. Drink from that for a moment. Drink deeply. Don’t just sip or nip. It’s time to gulp. It’s time to let his love cover all things in your life. All secrets. All hurts. All hours of evil, minutes of worry.
The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things.
Let it. Discover along with the psalmist. “He…loads me with love and mercy” (Ps. 103:4). Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in his love.
“Hey, where are you?” someone asks.
“In here, covered in love.”
Let his love cover all things.
Do it for his sake. To the glory of his name.
Do it for your sake. For the peace of your heart.
And do it for their sake. For the people in your life. Let his love fall on you so yours can fall on them.
Excerpted from A Love Worth Giving
W Publishing, 2002
Available for purchase at MaxLucado.com
Jesus was not always welcomed warmly by earth-travelers. Some saw Him as a threat. Some saw Him as a heretic. Most saw Him as an enigma. Not everyone in Jesus’ world gave him a warm welcome. Not everyone received him with grace. And many didn’t just ignore him, they rejected him.
Isaiah prophesied his reception like this: “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3 NIV).
John summarized the rejection of Jesus with these words: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11 NIV).
How did Christ endure treatment like that? At any point he could have said, “I quit. I’ve had enough.” Why didn’t he? What kept him from giving up?
I wonder if Lee Ielpi understands the answer? He is a retired firefighter, a New York City firefighter. He gave twenty-six years to the city. But on September 11, 2001, he gave much more. He gave his son. Jonathan Ielpi was a fireman as well. When the Twin Towers fell, he was there.
Firefighters are a loyal clan. When one perishes in the line of duty, the body is left where it is until a firefighter who knows the person can come and quite literally pick it up. Le made the discovery of his son’s body his personal mission. He dug daily with dozens of others at the sixteen-acre graveyard. One Tuesday, December 11, three months after the disaster, his son was found. And Lee was there to carry him out.
He didn’t give up. The father didn’t quit. He refused to turn and leave. Why? Because his love for his son was greater than the pain of the search. Can’t the same be said about Christ? Why didn’t he quit? Because the love for his children was greater than the pain of the journey. He came to pull you out. Your world had collapsed. That’s why he came. You were dead, dead to sin. That’s why he came. He loves you. That’s why he came.
That’s why he endured the distance between us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he endured the resistance from us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he went the final step of the incarnation: “God made him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21 NIV).
Why did Jesus do that? There is only one answer. And that answer has one word. Love. And that love of Christ “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7 NKJV).
Think about that for a moment. Drink from that for a moment. Drink deeply. Don’t just sip or nip. It’s time to gulp. It’s time to let his love cover all things in your life. All secrets. All hurts. All hours of evil, minutes of worry.
The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things.
Let it. Discover along with the psalmist. “He…loads me with love and mercy” (Ps. 103:4). Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in his love.
“Hey, where are you?” someone asks.
“In here, covered in love.”
Let his love cover all things.
Do it for his sake. To the glory of his name.
Do it for your sake. For the peace of your heart.
And do it for their sake. For the people in your life. Let his love fall on you so yours can fall on them.
Excerpted from A Love Worth Giving
W Publishing, 2002
Available for purchase at MaxLucado.com
“Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.'” Hebrews 13:4 NIV
Caring for the terminally ill is not an easy task. The caregiver must come to terms with his or her mortality in order to ministery to the dying. This is easier said than done. But having a spiritually mature person to talk with will enable the caregiver to process his or her own feelings of fear and helplessness in ministering to someone who is facing death. Here are ten suggestions for helping someone who is desperately ill:
1. Always tell the truth. Speak honestly but wisely. Do not belittle the problem or minimize its seriousness for the sake of false reassurance. Integrity in this area will help to build a trusting relationship in which ministry can take place.
2. Never set times. No one know how long or short a person has to live. Many cases have had turned for the good, or have gotten worse. No one knows for certainty when one is going to die.
3. Listen with sensitivity. Allow the ill person to guide the conversation and do not be afraid of not knowing all the answers. It is better to say “I don’t know” rather than to give misleading information that will undermine one’s trust.
4. Respond to needs. Listen for clues to the concerns that are troubling the ill person. Take into account the ill person’s economic, psychological, family, and other needs, and help when needs are revealed.
5. Never allow the patient to feel abandoned. Emotional needs are often ignored while physical needs are being met. Calls, cards, flowers, and visits are all important and meaningful. Never make a promise that cannot be kept.
6. Make yourself available. Being available shows that you care for the patient, but do not over-do it. Make the visits often and short.
7. Do not give medical advice. Do not go beyond your area of expertise and offer advice that you know nothing about. Even if you have visited people with similar cases you do not know this particular patient. Leave this area to the doctors.
8. If necessary, protect the person from him/herself. At times ill persons will attempt to treat themselves without telling their doctor, or will fail to take medication. The doctor needs to know about all attempts at self treatment.
9. Always hold out hope. There is always something to be thankful for, and cause for meaningful spiritual hope in spite of how dark the situation may seem. Be realistic in how you hold out hope to an ill person.
10. Provide spiritual support. Relationship with God is vital for a living or dying person. Be open and honest about your faith. Avoid heavy theological discussions and demands. Do share the simplicity of the Gospel and God’s love and presence in loving affirmation and prayer.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4 NIV
When Home is Where the Hurt Is, Dr. John Vining, pp. 370-372.
Our handicaps, or “thorns” as Paul dubs them, are no accident. God can use them for spiritual service. We must stop window-shopping for what we don’t have and learn to live with our own inventory.
Peter emphasizes the paradox of experiencing joy in the midst of suffering. We can know God’s grace and peace when we suffer for His name and live in the hope of our salvation.
“Thorns in the flesh” contemplates Paul’s struggle with handicaps and his healing through the grace of God. No matter what obstacles we face, God is there beside you to carry you and comfort you.