Come Now Lord Jesus!

Heaven is sounding really, really good today.  Since the beginning of our present circumstances I have worked diligently to maintain a positive spirit.  After all, God has been faithful to Sharon and me for many years and He owes me nothing.  I am in His debt and not the other way around.  So for the past 13 months I have tried, thou often imperfectly, to maintain a Philippians 4:8 attitude.

But today has been a discouraging day.  For one reason, the Supreme Court has made a decision that is poised to impact the country I love and our worldview for years to come.  Their decision to not take a stand regarding same-sex marriage will have a negative effect in every state, and will have an influence on my children and grand-children.  These types of governmental rulings usually don't get to me.  They are what is to be expected when a society rejects God.  But this one really bothered me. It is a sad day for our nation.  However, inside heaven's gates, our battle against the world, the flesh and the devil is already won.

Another discouraging and sad event took place today.  Ministry friends of ours and former students at BBC suffered a tremendous loss today when their premature little baby passed from this life into the arms of Christ.  To see this young couple, so fresh in their faith and new in their ministry, experience this kind of painful loss makes me sad for them.  Yes. . .I know it will ultimately work for their good and God's glory. . .but today it makes me sad to see them hurt.  Heaven is sweeter today because Eden Ellis is in His presence.

Then, of course, the wait continues.  Several search committees have expressed interest in our ministry, but none are clamoring for us to call U-Haul yet!  Patience?  Yes, I'm working at it.  Feeling sorry for myself?  I hope not.  I'm just a little sad today that this trial has lasted so long.  I'm sad that I can't provide a decent place to live and needed items for my bride when she needs them.

So. . .what do you do when you don't know what to do?  You wait; you refrain from making major decisions, and you hope!  "They that wait (hope) upon the Lord shall renew (exchange) their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  (Isaiah 40:31)

Even though somewhat discouraged today, my faith is still intact.  I am confident that "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"  (2 Corinthians 4:17).   Its the eternal that excites me.  Its heaven that I anticipate today.

Over 40 years ago, a pastor that I worked for, Rev. Bernie Rogers, gave me a devotional book entitled, "Awake My Heart" by J. Sidlow Baxter.  I'm sure he has forgotten it and has no idea of the investment he made in my life and ministry. Often over the years, and just about every day this past year, I have gone back to this devotional during times of trial.  Yesterday, under the heading, "The hope which is laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5), Baxter wrote:  (I hope this encourages you today also!)

     "So then, our hope is there.  Far beyond the clouds, and beyond the stars, it is there - the heavenly     glory-land, the Father's house.  It will be a place of utter sinlessness.  It will be a place of perfect rest.  It will be a place of consummated victory.   It will be a place of perfect joy."

     Baxter continues, "We shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more.  The Lord himself shall lead us to the 'fountain of living waters.'  Our sun of joy shall never set.  The roses will never fade.  No withering blight nor wintery blast shall ever disfigure that fair paradise.  Sickness shall not invade.  Death shall never divide.  There we shall have superior powers and faculties; amplified opportunities and facilities; enlarged capacities and capabilities, for service, for fellowship, and for the vision of the heavenly throne.  There we shall be re-united with our Christian loved ones - a meeting without parting!  There we shall see them all again, beautified into perfect replicas of Christ, yet retaining those distinctive traits of character and personality which made them particularly dear to us hear on earth.  There they and we shall mingle among the sinless immortals, and all the highest we ever longed to be, we shall be."

His words paint a picture of Jesus' promise, "I go to prepare a place for you. . ."  After the stress and disappointment of the past year, and the events that brought sadness today, it was good to be reminded about heaven, and to pray, "Even so, come Lord Jesus!"  Maybe today!!!

Rob

The Anchor Holds!

"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. . ."  (Hebrews 6:19a)

As Sharon and I enter into this second year of uncertainty regarding our future it occurs to me that ministry is not for cowards!  There are dangers at every turn and bumps in the road become pitfalls that could derail the strongest of souls.

We could not go another day were it not for the fact that we are confident our Anchor holds!  This past year we have faced innumerable storms that have threatened to derail us and leave us in a heap of uncertainty and meaningless questions.  In the very deepest of heartache we have seen God bring comfort and mend heartache at just the right time. 

Acts 27 finds Paul being sent as a prisoner to Rome.  In the middle of their travels a storm threatens to sink the ship and kill all of its occupants.  The sailors try all sorts of remedies, and finally resort to costing four anchors is keep the ship off of the rocks. 

There are at least four anchors that have kept us from the rocks that threaten to destroy our future:

The first anchor has been the Bible.  I know, it seems obvious for a preacher to say that doesn't it?  But I can tell you, from the very beginning in May of 2012 God's word has taken on a new and fresh importance for me.  In fact, if this storm in our lives accomplishes no other purpose than to strengthen my trust in God's word, then it has not been wasted.  Often, in the mornings or evenings, God has brought just the right passage that has brought comfort and purpose to our days.  God's word has truly been a light to our path as we have navigated through this desert experience.

A second anchor has been our friends.  A person really doesn't understand how many friends he has until he needs them.  Many of my compatriots in ministry have "been there" with us through some pretty difficult times.  Whether it is a timely placed phone call, or a note of encouragement, my friends have been a priceless blessing.  "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."  (Proverbs 27:9)  Almost daily I have heard from friends whose presents and counsel has been "sweet as perfume and incense."  I will never be able to repay them!

The there is, of course, the anchor of family.  From the beginning of this journey Sharon and I recognized that our children and grandchildren would be watching how we responded to this storm.  We know that each one of them will face storms of their own as they grow and mature in Christ, and we determined, by God's grace, to be an example and blessing to them.  But I'm afraid their influence on us has far outweighed any benefit we have been to them.  I don't have time of space to go into how they have blessed us.  Without our family encouragement, this storm would have seemed much longer and more severe.

Finally, our strongest and truest anchor in this storm has been God Himself.  From this point forward when I preach of our Savior being a friend who stays closer than a brother, I will not be speaking from head knowledge.  I have experienced His presence moment by moment, and He has been an anchor for my soul.  Every time I have felt myself slipping into despondency or depression, I have done the only thing I know to do - I have reached out to my Anchor.  His hold has been steadfast and sure.  His hold is based on his character that is always truthful, always loving, and always consistent.  That is the "hope" spoken of in Hebrews 6 as strong and trustworthy.  "He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." (James 1:17)  His care and concern, and His presence and security have never wavered.  Every time I have looked to Him for security, He has been there.  Every time I needed His presence to bring security in chaos, He has been present.  It would be futile to look to Him for answers as He has no obligation to share them with me.  But He brought His presence; his character as my holy, loving, all knowing and just God has been an anchor that knows no equal. 

The Anchor holds in spite of the storm!

Rob

We call my wife Sharon the Queen for obvious reasons. After all, her beautiful blonde hair forms a natural radiant crown, and her bright and engaging eyes will light up any room.

Lately though, I'm sad to say that she has adopted a very bad habit. It seems she now likes what she calls, “door to door service.” In manly terms it means that when we go shopping I drive her to the front door of the store and drop her off, then sit and wait for her in the car until she is ready for me to pick her up at the front door again. Actually, I don’t mind. Waiting gives me plenty of time to think, pray, listen to Fox News, or whatever. In fact, I have been known to take a brief catnap while waiting on the Queen!

The point is this: much can be accomplished while waiting. In fact, I would like to suggest that much of our spiritual life is marked by waiting. Whether we will have the mature contentedness that marked many biblical characters or not can be determined by what we do with our “waiting” time. Sharon and I have been waiting for a number of months for God’s direction in our lives. Many of those days have been filled with joy and anticipation; but the truth is, many have not. We have seen the goodness and faithfulness of God displayed in a hundred ways. Many other days are filled with emotional “why’s” and other questions which have no human answer. Truthfully, on some days our emotions have driven us to the brink of despair. During more than a few nights I have been startled awake by the stark reality of the situation we face.

Far from wasted and empty moments, though, we are learning that “waiting” is a term of action. The Hebrew term for “wait” means to trust, to hope, to anticipate. Could it be that God has built “waiting” into our busy schedules in order to slow us down and get our attention? Fruitful productivity is spoken of in Isaiah 40:31 as a byproduct of waiting: “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

By waiting, trusting, and hoping with anticipation, we exchange (renew) our weakness for His strength. Hoping with anticipation as we wait, our weak and fickle faith is exchanged for a powerful dynamic faith that is identified with God’s all-sufficient grace.

So. . .the Queen and I have determined that right now our assignment is to wait. In all honesty, we don't like it. Not every assignment from our Lord is pleasant, but each day is spent in anticipation that we will deepen our knowledge and intimacy with Christ, we will actively seek His provision for our needs, we will look for ways to serve others, and look forward to the great ministry God has in His future for us.

God always has a purpose, even in our waiting. Our humanity forces us to struggle for answers on a daily basis. Our emotions often overwhelm us with haunting questions with no answers. We are learning that emotions play tricks with us; they are subject to many things. Yet in all this we are learning to trust and relax in the simple truth that God is good, and nothing can happen to us unless it is first sifted through His nail-pierced hands.

So, I will continue to wait on the Queen when she asks. Her Majesty is more than worthy of my patience and devotion. More importantly, I will remember that faith in God includes faith in His timing. I will submit my waiting to the King of my life, and His promise of a great future for the Queen and I.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28/NASB)

The Nature of Trials

1. I guess its the nature of trials: they are difficult. They are not easy. Trials are tests from God designed to measure our spiritual depth and resolve. It seems unrealistic, then, that James would instruct us, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for joy." What? Are you crazy?
   
   We can only do so when we understand that everything that happens to us comes through the hand of a loving, faithful, all powerful God who has everything under control. Have you ever heard of God saying, "oops"?  That is what the "all things" of Romans 8:28 is all about. This morning I came across a text in Isaiah 64:4 that truly blessed me: "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!" (NLT)
   
   Once again I am reminded that our only hope during the tests that come our way lies in the character of God. And that is a pretty good guarantee that all will be well!