"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!" (Joel 3:14
NKJV).
Many relationships falter on stubbornness. Graves have been dug
with the words, "I'm right." I had a relative who was always right – absolutely,
retroactively right, even when she wasn't there and you were! She also died at a
young age, poor soul. Bless her, she spent her short, insecure life proving
every nitpicking point. It would have been the end of her warped world to have
been proven wrong. Perhaps definitions are in order here:
1. decisiveness;
2. positiveness; and
3. stubbornness.
Decisiveness is the
ability to come to a decision, make an effective choice and mentally resolve a
conflict. The indecisive person lives in constant fear of consequences and is
unable to handle his problems efficiently. The decisive person takes
responsibility for his or her actions. Mr. or Ms. Indecisive points to others as
the source of his/her unhappiness, too.
Positiveness is an extension of
decisiveness: the person takes a firm stand on a decision and rules out mistakes
and doubts. This person is often accused of being stubborn when in effect he has
simply made up his mind on a conviction he feels is legitimate after he has
thoroughly researched and thought out the problem. This person's convictions are
firm, confident and, to him, logical. Of course if the person is strong-willed
and narrow-minded and ungenerous, then he will be accused of being stubborn,
justly so at times, too.
But the stubborn person - ! These folks are right
come high water, the Bible, the Encyclopedia, and 50 million lawyers to prove
them wrong. This person resists, whether his or her reasons are valid or not.
The adamant person can't stand to lose face; ergo, s/he is always right, which
is ludicrous, for who can be always absolutely right? The last I checked, Jesus
was/is the only perfect Person.
On the other hand, the healthily
positive person is willing to listen to reason and change his/her mind. This
person is willing to change thoughts and feelings if, upon reanalysis of the
situation, basic convictions are not compromised. The really confident person
will concede a point to common sense, whereas the obstinate person concedes
nothing. This person does not possess an opinion – it possesses him/her!
Unfortunately the "always-right" person dies by degrees from loneliness. After
all, who wants to be proven wrong all the time?
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Firm steps
"When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not
stumble" (Proverbs 4:12); "He makes [our] steps firm..." (Psalm 37:23).
Notice that Proverbs 4:12 says steps, not giant leaps. The child begins with steps and each duty begins with steps. A person is the details -- the steps -- of his or her life. A step is a process in the right or the wrong direction. The walk indicates that life normally is ordinary; the run tells us that our life will have its stunning moments -- its emergencies when even greater faith and decision are called for. And in either the walk or the run, we will not stumble, because our Father has promised this.
For those of us who want to leap through life or who feel that God requires this of us, when Jesus was on earth He didn't talk about big plans or things. His concern was the children, the sparrows, the lilies, and the hairs on our heads. It is so comforting to know that He is interested in everything that touches our lives, especially what we consider to be inconsequential. Our Father knows and understands the consequences of despising the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10). God's Word is filled with His regard for the small things of life as well as for the large emotions.
Great success in God's view can be small success in the world's perception, also. Our age of "bigger is better" camouflages the fact that Jesus Himself never belonged to the current fashions and the clubs. He was never an officer but always a Gentleman! He simply and quietly went about doing His modest and good works, not shouting in the streets to be noticed.
"And a little child will lead [us]" (Isaiah 11:6). A small, innocent, simple, and unafraid child often leads the worldly mighty to our Father with firm and unhampered steps.
Notice that Proverbs 4:12 says steps, not giant leaps. The child begins with steps and each duty begins with steps. A person is the details -- the steps -- of his or her life. A step is a process in the right or the wrong direction. The walk indicates that life normally is ordinary; the run tells us that our life will have its stunning moments -- its emergencies when even greater faith and decision are called for. And in either the walk or the run, we will not stumble, because our Father has promised this.
For those of us who want to leap through life or who feel that God requires this of us, when Jesus was on earth He didn't talk about big plans or things. His concern was the children, the sparrows, the lilies, and the hairs on our heads. It is so comforting to know that He is interested in everything that touches our lives, especially what we consider to be inconsequential. Our Father knows and understands the consequences of despising the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10). God's Word is filled with His regard for the small things of life as well as for the large emotions.
Great success in God's view can be small success in the world's perception, also. Our age of "bigger is better" camouflages the fact that Jesus Himself never belonged to the current fashions and the clubs. He was never an officer but always a Gentleman! He simply and quietly went about doing His modest and good works, not shouting in the streets to be noticed.
"And a little child will lead [us]" (Isaiah 11:6). A small, innocent, simple, and unafraid child often leads the worldly mighty to our Father with firm and unhampered steps.
Forbearance
"'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared." (John 8:11).
Jesus could have so easily declared the death sentence! But He who is so tender and loving gave this woman another chance. How much comfort and hope there is for us in this great passage. "If God is for us, who is against us? ...Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:31,33). Mary became one of God's elect because Jesus showed mercy rather than condemnation. Should we not follow His example and show forbearance to others? We are sinners, too, so why should we point out the tiny speck when we carry a beam of sin ourselves? "Love covers all transgressions" (Proverbs 10:112b) so let us rather love one another than condemn, whether the facts are true or not.
Notice Christ's way of dealing with Peter when he cursed and lied the night that he should have supported his Friend. "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter" (Luke 22:61). He didn't scold him; Jesus, by a tender look, brought to Peter's mind what a terrible deed he had done to His Lord. Even at the time of His own terrible suffering of mind and body, Jesus shows that He has not forgotten the pain Peter is enduring, too. And after the resurrection He utters not a single word of condemnation to His friend Peter.
"To him who overcomes ... I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone ..." (Revelation 2:17b). The ancient custom was to give a white stone to the acquitted and a black stone to the condemned. The white stone is the stone of salvation, and the new name is not a fresh name of itself, but a fresh revelation of God and His nature. Surely both Mary and Peter were given fresh revelations of God's nature through His forgiveness of their sins. These are beautiful accounts of the exquisite love and understanding of a lovely Savior!
Jesus could have so easily declared the death sentence! But He who is so tender and loving gave this woman another chance. How much comfort and hope there is for us in this great passage. "If God is for us, who is against us? ...Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:31,33). Mary became one of God's elect because Jesus showed mercy rather than condemnation. Should we not follow His example and show forbearance to others? We are sinners, too, so why should we point out the tiny speck when we carry a beam of sin ourselves? "Love covers all transgressions" (Proverbs 10:112b) so let us rather love one another than condemn, whether the facts are true or not.
Notice Christ's way of dealing with Peter when he cursed and lied the night that he should have supported his Friend. "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter" (Luke 22:61). He didn't scold him; Jesus, by a tender look, brought to Peter's mind what a terrible deed he had done to His Lord. Even at the time of His own terrible suffering of mind and body, Jesus shows that He has not forgotten the pain Peter is enduring, too. And after the resurrection He utters not a single word of condemnation to His friend Peter.
"To him who overcomes ... I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone ..." (Revelation 2:17b). The ancient custom was to give a white stone to the acquitted and a black stone to the condemned. The white stone is the stone of salvation, and the new name is not a fresh name of itself, but a fresh revelation of God and His nature. Surely both Mary and Peter were given fresh revelations of God's nature through His forgiveness of their sins. These are beautiful accounts of the exquisite love and understanding of a lovely Savior!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Cutting off limbs
“…[B]ecause the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he
delights in..." (Proverbs 3:12).
Marcus Dods said, "The world is unintelligible except on the hypothesis that it is for our schooling, and that he that sows in tears is the likeliest to have sheaves worth gathering." We water these sheaves with our tears. We can hope and pray that when sorrows and disillusions come into our life, we may have such trust in God that we will become better instead of bitter. If we put our roots into the Water of Life, they will flourish and grow strong. It will help if we can remember that disappointment is His appointment. John 15:2 is a comforting verse: "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful."
It may seem unfair that those who are already bearing fruit will be pruned, but only God knows what needs to be removed at what season of our lives so that we may bear more fruit for Him. Even the most saintly have sinned and come short of God's glory. He can see the beautiful and yet unnecessary blossoms developing that will hinder the growth of the fruit of the Spirit. The Vine-dresser uses the pruning-knife of trial and affliction that the branch may bear even more excellent fruit. "The pruning knife is not applied to the puny plant; and languid minds are the least touched by affliction...God [also] is never in haste. His processes are slow" (Anonymous).
"Your rod AND your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4b). The rod was used to correct the sheep and bring them back when they wandered. We are guided with the rod and sustained with the staff. What a consoling thought! "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When we had orange groves, periodically our orange trees needed to be pruned back so they would bear better fruit; it's also known that fruit here in Florida does not sweeten and ripen until we have a mild cold snap. I’ve always thought this such a perfect illustration for our lives, that God allows pruning—some cutting away—of unnecessary limbs of life that may be tripping us up on our way to the Holy City. May we bless Him for His Gift of the Saw—He saw and then He sawed!
Marcus Dods said, "The world is unintelligible except on the hypothesis that it is for our schooling, and that he that sows in tears is the likeliest to have sheaves worth gathering." We water these sheaves with our tears. We can hope and pray that when sorrows and disillusions come into our life, we may have such trust in God that we will become better instead of bitter. If we put our roots into the Water of Life, they will flourish and grow strong. It will help if we can remember that disappointment is His appointment. John 15:2 is a comforting verse: "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful."
It may seem unfair that those who are already bearing fruit will be pruned, but only God knows what needs to be removed at what season of our lives so that we may bear more fruit for Him. Even the most saintly have sinned and come short of God's glory. He can see the beautiful and yet unnecessary blossoms developing that will hinder the growth of the fruit of the Spirit. The Vine-dresser uses the pruning-knife of trial and affliction that the branch may bear even more excellent fruit. "The pruning knife is not applied to the puny plant; and languid minds are the least touched by affliction...God [also] is never in haste. His processes are slow" (Anonymous).
"Your rod AND your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4b). The rod was used to correct the sheep and bring them back when they wandered. We are guided with the rod and sustained with the staff. What a consoling thought! "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When we had orange groves, periodically our orange trees needed to be pruned back so they would bear better fruit; it's also known that fruit here in Florida does not sweeten and ripen until we have a mild cold snap. I’ve always thought this such a perfect illustration for our lives, that God allows pruning—some cutting away—of unnecessary limbs of life that may be tripping us up on our way to the Holy City. May we bless Him for His Gift of the Saw—He saw and then He sawed!
When do we REALLY live? - Joseph Fort Newton
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
When do we really live? When does life drop its veil and show what it is, what it was meant to be?
* When we have a faith fit to live by, a self fit to live with, a work fit to live for, and someone to love and be loved by.
* When we know how to earn a little and spend a little less, how to pull our own weight and lend a hand to lift the load of others.
* When we know how to fill time and not merely kill it, when we want less, love more, and add something to the sum of human good.
* When we are wise enough to live one day at a time, letting yesterday go and not living tomorrow until it arrives.
* When we can look out over the far horizon with a deep sense of our own littleness, and yet have faith, hope, and courage.
* When we know that every man is noble, as vile, as divine, and as lonely as we are, and learn to forgive and love our fellows.
* When we know that every day is a little life, every night a little death and that we pass this way but once in our journey.
* When we can sympathize with our fellows in their sorrows even in their sins knowing that each fights a hard fight against heavy odds.
* When we know how to make friends and keep them, despite their faults and ours, and above all how to keep friends with ourselves.
* When we know how to live and let live, how to live and help live, and how to be a little kinder than necessary every day.
* When we have learned a few great books full of beauty serenity, and vision, and treasure them as our guides and companions.
* When we know the one Great Book, how to live with it, letting its strength and tenderness and peace enter into our hearts.
* When we know how to worship, to yield our little fretful selves into the keeping of One who knows the worth and meaning of life.
* When we know how to throw off things, and not let them stick like burs and sting like bees, and how to forget our regrets.
* When we know how to relax, let down, unwind; how to ease the tension of life; how to be alone and not be lonely or afraid.
* When we know how to get out of our little selves into the lives of others, putting ourselves in their place, sharing life in fellowship, changing mirrors into windows.
* When we know that we are tied together in one bundle of life, that the hurt of one is the injury of all, that the common good is the good of every one.
* When the public iniquity is a private bereavement, and we cannot rest until we do our part, cast our vote, to cleanse it away.
* When we know how to make a living, but also how to make a life, giving ourselves to something greater than ourselves, asking no reward.
* When we know how to turn to a man the heart of a man, to a woman the heart of a woman, to a child the heart of a child.
* When we have learned how to walk out on those pesky imps, Fear, Worry, and Boredom, erect, free, unafraid of life or death.
* When we can meet the knocks of life and not be shocked, to suffer defeat and not be defeated, because we refuse to be knocked out.
* When we know how to give ourselves, to forgive others, and to live with thanksgiving, not taking life for granted, but for gratitude.
* When we love the silent beauty of flowers, the songs of birds, the wonder of morning, the mercy of evening and its benediction.
* When music sets us dreaming, when an act of pure goodness melts our hearts, and we feel the thrill of a forgotten joy in the laugh of a little child.
* When we know the fine art of being happy and high minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life, turning our job into a joy.
* When star crowned trees, and the sunlight falling on flowing waters, subdue us like the thought of one much loved and long dead.
* When we can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond mud, and into the face of a forlorn mortal and see something beyond sin.
* When we can find good in every faith that helps any man to find divine meaning in life, whatever the name or rite of that faith may be.
* When we have learned to praise people for what they can do, and not criticize them for what they cannot do, since no one can do everything.
* When we are ruled by our admirations, not by our disgusts, seeking the best in people, giving every soul the benefit of the doubt.
* When we know how to love, how to pray, how to laugh, how to live with God, how to serve him, glad to live but not afraid to die.
Joseph Fort Newton
When do we really live? When does life drop its veil and show what it is, what it was meant to be?
* When we have a faith fit to live by, a self fit to live with, a work fit to live for, and someone to love and be loved by.
* When we know how to earn a little and spend a little less, how to pull our own weight and lend a hand to lift the load of others.
* When we know how to fill time and not merely kill it, when we want less, love more, and add something to the sum of human good.
* When we are wise enough to live one day at a time, letting yesterday go and not living tomorrow until it arrives.
* When we can look out over the far horizon with a deep sense of our own littleness, and yet have faith, hope, and courage.
* When we know that every man is noble, as vile, as divine, and as lonely as we are, and learn to forgive and love our fellows.
* When we know that every day is a little life, every night a little death and that we pass this way but once in our journey.
* When we can sympathize with our fellows in their sorrows even in their sins knowing that each fights a hard fight against heavy odds.
* When we know how to make friends and keep them, despite their faults and ours, and above all how to keep friends with ourselves.
* When we know how to live and let live, how to live and help live, and how to be a little kinder than necessary every day.
* When we have learned a few great books full of beauty serenity, and vision, and treasure them as our guides and companions.
* When we know the one Great Book, how to live with it, letting its strength and tenderness and peace enter into our hearts.
* When we know how to worship, to yield our little fretful selves into the keeping of One who knows the worth and meaning of life.
* When we know how to throw off things, and not let them stick like burs and sting like bees, and how to forget our regrets.
* When we know how to relax, let down, unwind; how to ease the tension of life; how to be alone and not be lonely or afraid.
* When we know how to get out of our little selves into the lives of others, putting ourselves in their place, sharing life in fellowship, changing mirrors into windows.
* When we know that we are tied together in one bundle of life, that the hurt of one is the injury of all, that the common good is the good of every one.
* When the public iniquity is a private bereavement, and we cannot rest until we do our part, cast our vote, to cleanse it away.
* When we know how to make a living, but also how to make a life, giving ourselves to something greater than ourselves, asking no reward.
* When we know how to turn to a man the heart of a man, to a woman the heart of a woman, to a child the heart of a child.
* When we have learned how to walk out on those pesky imps, Fear, Worry, and Boredom, erect, free, unafraid of life or death.
* When we can meet the knocks of life and not be shocked, to suffer defeat and not be defeated, because we refuse to be knocked out.
* When we know how to give ourselves, to forgive others, and to live with thanksgiving, not taking life for granted, but for gratitude.
* When we love the silent beauty of flowers, the songs of birds, the wonder of morning, the mercy of evening and its benediction.
* When music sets us dreaming, when an act of pure goodness melts our hearts, and we feel the thrill of a forgotten joy in the laugh of a little child.
* When we know the fine art of being happy and high minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life, turning our job into a joy.
* When star crowned trees, and the sunlight falling on flowing waters, subdue us like the thought of one much loved and long dead.
* When we can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond mud, and into the face of a forlorn mortal and see something beyond sin.
* When we can find good in every faith that helps any man to find divine meaning in life, whatever the name or rite of that faith may be.
* When we have learned to praise people for what they can do, and not criticize them for what they cannot do, since no one can do everything.
* When we are ruled by our admirations, not by our disgusts, seeking the best in people, giving every soul the benefit of the doubt.
* When we know how to love, how to pray, how to laugh, how to live with God, how to serve him, glad to live but not afraid to die.
Joseph Fort Newton
Get behind me, Satan!
Jesus doesn't want us out of this world; He wants the devil out of us. He
doesn't ask His Father that we be kept people: kept from the ills that touch
everyone's life. After all, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45). So if we
enjoy the positives in life, we will also have to endure the negatives. Even
Job, In the midst of every negative possible in his life, said to his aggrieved
and complaining wife, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job
2:10).
Just because we are Christians doesn't mean we are to be spared sorrows and suffering. Jesus prays that we will be protected from sin, the greatest evil of all. Edward Taylor wrote, "My sin is red: I'm under God's arrest." Satan is colored red, and he is the person and personification of sin. But God has promised, "He who overcomes will be dressed in white" (Revelation 3:5). "Always be clothed with white" (Ecclesiastes 9:8). White garments in the East were considered symbols of joy and purity. We are under God's rest when clothed in white!
But how are we kept from the epidemic of evil? We are clothed in white by going to the stronghold, God's Word. Here is our sanctuary. The world has many disguises and disgusts, and it is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can discern and disengage from what hurts God and ourselves. "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" (Matthew 16:23).
We have the mind and nature of the world, yes. But Jesus prays for us to remain in the world and yet not be a part of its offenses. A firm "Get behind me, Satan," will help us to remain a decent force for good.
Just because we are Christians doesn't mean we are to be spared sorrows and suffering. Jesus prays that we will be protected from sin, the greatest evil of all. Edward Taylor wrote, "My sin is red: I'm under God's arrest." Satan is colored red, and he is the person and personification of sin. But God has promised, "He who overcomes will be dressed in white" (Revelation 3:5). "Always be clothed with white" (Ecclesiastes 9:8). White garments in the East were considered symbols of joy and purity. We are under God's rest when clothed in white!
But how are we kept from the epidemic of evil? We are clothed in white by going to the stronghold, God's Word. Here is our sanctuary. The world has many disguises and disgusts, and it is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can discern and disengage from what hurts God and ourselves. "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" (Matthew 16:23).
We have the mind and nature of the world, yes. But Jesus prays for us to remain in the world and yet not be a part of its offenses. A firm "Get behind me, Satan," will help us to remain a decent force for good.
Compromises
"I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the
Lord" (Philippians 4:2).
Here we have two women Paul respected and admired. Apparently these two ladies were good and active leaders and workers, but a dispute arose between them. Strife of any kind is regrettable but, when it is in the church, it is doubly so. Cooperation is essential to the health of any enterprise, religious or secular. Paul was most concerned for the peace of the church that these two ladies settle their differences in a Christ-like manner so the church could get on with larger issues.
True compromise is the willingness to meet each other on our journeys. No church, home or business can thrive if each is traveling to the right or left and not even trying to find common ground. "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3). Mediation is civil meditation. It is the peacemaker and the reconciler. "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife ..." (Proverbs 20:3); "Blessed are the peacemakers ..." (Matthew 5:9); "There is ... joy for those who promote peace" (Proverbs 12:20).
"It is a grim thought that all we know about Euodia and Syntyche is that they were two women who had quarreled! It makes us think. Suppose our life was to be summed up in one sentence, what would that sentence be? Clement goes down to history as the peacemaker; Euodia and Syntyche go down as the breakers of the peace. Suppose we were to go down to history with one thing known about us, what would that one thing be?" (William Barclay).
Dr. Johnstone gives us the mode of Paul's interference that we might all heed:
(1) He makes not the slightest reference to the cause of dissension. In most cases reconciliation is more likely to be effected by letting the matter sleep and die.
(2) From his apostleship and relations with the Philippians he might have been much bolder in Christ to enjoin them that which was convenient; yet for love's sake he rather beseeches them.
(3) He beseeches them separately, and treats them with exactly the same consideration.
(4) He calls in a common friend to help them to a reconciliation (verse 3), a thoroughly discreet friend of both could do not a little to smooth the way...This is a form of delicate work, and is often shunned; yet none more likely to produce blessed results.
PENordman
Here we have two women Paul respected and admired. Apparently these two ladies were good and active leaders and workers, but a dispute arose between them. Strife of any kind is regrettable but, when it is in the church, it is doubly so. Cooperation is essential to the health of any enterprise, religious or secular. Paul was most concerned for the peace of the church that these two ladies settle their differences in a Christ-like manner so the church could get on with larger issues.
True compromise is the willingness to meet each other on our journeys. No church, home or business can thrive if each is traveling to the right or left and not even trying to find common ground. "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3). Mediation is civil meditation. It is the peacemaker and the reconciler. "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife ..." (Proverbs 20:3); "Blessed are the peacemakers ..." (Matthew 5:9); "There is ... joy for those who promote peace" (Proverbs 12:20).
"It is a grim thought that all we know about Euodia and Syntyche is that they were two women who had quarreled! It makes us think. Suppose our life was to be summed up in one sentence, what would that sentence be? Clement goes down to history as the peacemaker; Euodia and Syntyche go down as the breakers of the peace. Suppose we were to go down to history with one thing known about us, what would that one thing be?" (William Barclay).
Dr. Johnstone gives us the mode of Paul's interference that we might all heed:
(1) He makes not the slightest reference to the cause of dissension. In most cases reconciliation is more likely to be effected by letting the matter sleep and die.
(2) From his apostleship and relations with the Philippians he might have been much bolder in Christ to enjoin them that which was convenient; yet for love's sake he rather beseeches them.
(3) He beseeches them separately, and treats them with exactly the same consideration.
(4) He calls in a common friend to help them to a reconciliation (verse 3), a thoroughly discreet friend of both could do not a little to smooth the way...This is a form of delicate work, and is often shunned; yet none more likely to produce blessed results.
PENordman
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