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Obedience Met With Disappointment

It was a profoundly heavy and disheartening day, one of those days when everything seemed to go wrong. Right from the moment of waking up, there was an underlying feeling that it would be an uphill battle, filled with challenging conversations and adversities at every turn. It’s as if this difficult phase had become a recurring theme, leaving you drained and yearning for an end to this relentless new normal. The future appeared bleak, devoid of joy and excitement, making you wonder when it would all come to an end. The weight of it all led to questions and introspection: was it your own actions that led to this, or perhaps a lesson you were meant to learn?

Seeking solace and strength, you turned to passages from the Bible that spoke of God’s unwavering presence and support:

“He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

God’s Promises But Still The Struggle

Despite reminding yourself of God’s promises, it felt as though He remained silent in that very moment, leaving you grappling with disappointment. In this state of deep sadness, you found resonance with Psalm 44, attributed to the Sons of Korah, a group of Levites responsible for music in worship (2 Chronicles 20:19). This Psalm describes God’s past victories and deliverance for Israel against their enemies, and their obedience in response.

However, as the Psalm progresses, the tone shifts, revealing the stark reality of defeat and feeling forsaken: “But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies” (verse 9). It seems that despite their faithfulness, disappointment befalls them. The Psalmist goes on to express their loyalty to God and wonders why they face abandonment and defeat despite their commitment:

“If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered (Psalm 44:20-22).”

I Know My Redeemer Lives

This heartfelt lament strikes a chord with you, as you can relate to this profound sense of disappointment despite your obedience. In the midst of this turmoil, the Psalm concludes with a cry for God’s intervention and redemption:

“Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love (Psalm 44:26)!”

In times of distress and confusion, this final plea for God’s redeeming love serves as a reminder that even amidst adversity, hope can be found in His unwavering and steadfast presence.

Job in the Bible went through a season of hurt and pain. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health. He was broken and a point of despair. In a conversation with one his friends he gives some great insight that is just as important today.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me (Job 19:25-27)!

Can you relate?

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The Most Asked Question: Why did we move from Southern California to Washington State- Part 3

The Church

Hello, the third part of this series has been prolonged as I have tried to process and communicate that background in thinking and prompting us to move. The most asked question we have been asked is, “Why did we move from California to Washington?”

The first post regarding this was regarded as a calling. I do believe God calls Christians to their vocations, cities, and neighborhoods. The Lord calls people into ministry and the Lord called me and the family to move to Washington. You can read the post HERE.

Second, answering the why did we move involved processing and defining what a pastor is. Through seeing what a pastor is and is not I was able to discern more and more the call to be a senior pastor. You can read the post HERE.

There were times I felt like round pegs trying to fit in square holes or square pegs in round holes (however the statement goes). There are many things that had me question is this where God has me?

This led to the third question. It was what is the church? This by no means will be a theological discourse on ecclesiology. God had been growing me and working through the years on my understanding of what is the church and how the church functions.

To be clear, I don’t have any issues with large churches. I came from a very large church. I am thankful for the experience and time. I am thankful to see all that God has done. There are many benefits that come from a large church but there are also many hindrances that come with it too. In fact, 70% of churches in America are 100 people or less. 

I always had pressed upon me that God has called me to a smaller church. I am thankful for the people I had been able to meet, shepherd, and love at Harvest. Now, at a smaller church, have been blessed to be part of a smaller community. I have been able to experience the different struggles and benefits that come with it.

Here are a few areas that I have seen this coming through:

  • Smaller budget yet higher volunteer and ownership. A smaller church will have a smaller budget and is limited on resources to do certain things. What I came to see and appreciate was a church where saints take on the burdens to work on the church, support the church, and do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12 ). 

Yes, there are things that a higher budget allows a church and ministry to do, but I have learned you don’t need much to do church. In fact, many Christians around the world have a church service with a lot less than even churches with smaller budgets in America. 

  • Wearing multiple hats and learning to embrace weaknesses. A larger church usually will have people in multiple departments such as IT, A/V, HR, Accounting, and so on. This was something for me to learn to adapt. I struggled with this at first because I felt like I needed to do everything. I have learned that I am unable to do everything. I stink at some things and at the end of the day, probably are glad that I did not do them. 

This is humbling but also a reminder that the church is made up of individual Christians coming together to serve and do the work of ministry. The Bible uses the term members of one body (1 Cor 12). This means we are connected and depend on one another. I am thankful for those who are knowledgeable in those areas and give of their time/talents to serve.

  • The church is the bride of Christ. Small church or big church or any church size in between is the bride of Christ. This has helped me to be thoughtful in what I say and how I think about the church. Though not perfect, the church is still the bride. The small church may not have much in terms of resources, but it offers something that large churches struggle to do, the deep impact of the local community of believers knowing one another.  
  • The church is a new community that God is building. The Christian’s identity is in Christ. Their citizenship is in heaven and they are part of a new group of people (Eph 2: ). We strive to know what it means to be in Christ. This unites the Christian with other believers which goes into eternity.

The Church is the trophy case of God’s wisdom of salvation (Eph 3:10). The mystery of the gospel has been revealed through the church which is diverse yet unified in Christ.

How Do you Look at the Church?

Maybe you have been hurt by the church. The rise of church failures and reporting about issues within the church has gained national attention. I grieve knowing that people have been hurt and may not want to go back to a church because of past experiences. I pray and hope that you can see the beauty that comes with the bride of Christ, though not perfect points to Jesus.

Pastor and commentator Richard Coekin writes,

“You are welcomed into the precious family of God, so love those people deeply. You are being built upon the foundation of the Scriptures, so listen to the teaching carefully. You are being constructed as a dwelling of the Spirit of God, so be holy in the way you behave…Your local church is a gathering of a new humanity, the temple of the living God, the only ‘local building’ that will last forever, and a wonder in the heavenly realms. Enjoy it!”

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The New Man

We get some snow here in Bellingham, WA. Sometimes it sticks around for a couple of days. These past few winters we have been blessed with snow that has stuck around for a week or so. Those who are born and raised in the area reassured us that this is not normal 🙂

The kids go sledding down our street which is a wonderful hill to pursue being a tobogganist.  The kids will always want to build a snowman. They roll his body (maybe a little too big). They do the rest of his body and head. They add some sticks for his arms and something for the nose and eyes. And, if they are really into it, some other items for a hat. 

The kids have fun making a new creature. The snowman is unable to move and most likely will melt away by the end of the week and they still name him!

Those who are called “in Christ” (the term that Paul uses in the NT to describe the Christian) are a new creation. He writes to the Corinthian church about the work of reconciliation that happens because of Jesus and that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

This new creation is not just about making the person new in Christ such as their sin being washed away (Isaiah 44:22; Heb 10:10). This is true but wait there is more!

Wait there is more!

I have always looked at how the Christian is brought into the promises of God which existed in the Old Testament. As I have been studying and teaching through the book of Ephesians, I have noticed that Paul’s language of the Christian involves something more.

There is a greater work where the Christian is now a new person, part of new people, and and a new group. This group has eternal life. This group is founded upon grace and not on works. This group is connected to one another because of Jesus.  

He is speaking to the Gentiles (people who were not Jewish) and how they have come into the promise of God (Eph 3:1-6). These Gentiles did not have to become Jewish to receive this promise. This sign was circumcision and this is what got a lot of the Jewish leaders upset. This was not needed. It is by the grace of God that one is saved (Eph 2:8-9). 

Look what Jesus does

He takes people from different groups (Jews and Gentiles), those who are in Christ are called a new people. 

Paul describes this by writing, “He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and o that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace;  and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross (Eph 2:14, 16).

This new person is a new creation not just with their legal standing before God, they are full on a new person and part of a new family. This new person is one who is different because of Jesus. This was God’s redemptive plan from the beginning.  

This new people group as Peter writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

This language seems to be spoken to Israel, even specifically about Levites. But, Peter is writing about the new people that are found in Christ, the Christians both Jew and Gentile.

What Do We Get?

This new man, in Christ, receives the promises of God.

Those promises include the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; Heb 6:4). The same Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost explosively upon the Christians of the early church is the same Holy Spirit the Christians receive today.

Those in Christ receive enteral life and heaven (John 3:16; 14:1-3; Phil 3:20; Web 3:1). Those in Christ not only receive the promises today but also the future promises. We are awaiting our rest with the Lord forever in heaven (Heb 4:1).

Those in Christ receive favor from God because of Christ (Eph 1:3, 11). We have received from God the greatest gift, he is not holding out on us. We look to Jesus and see what his gift of immeasurable grace has been given to us. The Christian is called an heir with Christ (Rom 8:17; Eph 3:6). We share in all the benefits, blessings, and sufferings with our Savior.

Those in Christ live in a way that reflects this change and truth. Not perfectly, dependent upon God’s grace each moment and step of the Christian life.

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The Distraction Of The Shiny Penny

I remember hearing the phrase, just give them a shiny penny, to easily distract someone. It was not given as a compliment or in a positive way. It was to say they get distracted with what they think is the latest and greatest. It takes their eyes off of what matters in the moment. 

Easy Distractions

Before you point the finger at someone else, remember how many you have pointing back at you? I can get distracted with the little shiny, less valuable thing, than the more valuable important task. 

The problem with life and the many things in life can be that they are the shiny penny that so easily distracts us.

As a pastor there are many distractions that one can use to “get” people in the church. I know not all things are wrong nor promoting church (I hope one is excited about their church and would want to talk about it!). The danger becomes when one leads with other things as a means to the end instead of leading with the greatest announcement that one can hear- Jesus is risen- the tomb is empty- the Savior is alive!

The Greatest Treasure

The first American missionary sent out was Adoniram Judson (1788-1850). He returned to America, to visit, for the first time after spending thirty years in Burma. In Burma, he was prisoned and tortured, he lost his first wife, a second wife, and multiple children due to the extreme climate and lack of medical care. He went through a season of depression and lived in the innermost parts of the jungle were tigers lived for a time. He translated the Bible into Burmese as well as an English to Burmese dictionary. He labored for years before seeing the first convert to Christianity. He had a story!

When he arrived in America many people wanted him to share at their church. There is one account that is given by his soon to be wife Emily.

She writes, “As he sat down it was evident, even to the most unobservant eye, that most of the listeners were disappointed. After the exercises were over, several persons inquired of me, frankly, why Dr. Judson had not talked of something else; why he had not told a story…On the way home, I mentioned the subject to him.” 

He responded, “Why, what did they want? I presented the most interesting subject in the world, to the best of my ability.” 

Emily responded, “But they wanted something different—a story.”

Judson again said, “Well, I am sure I gave them a story—the most thrilling one that can be conceived of.”

She then said, “But they heard it before. They wanted something new of a man who had just come from the antipodes.”

I love what Adoniram said next, “Then I am glad they have it to say, that a man coming from the antipodes had nothing better to tell than the wondrous story of Jesus’ dying love.”

I see why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For I deliver to you as first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). 

The greatest news or story is that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. The one who conquered sin and death—he is the victor! He so loves you! He died for you! Don’t be distracted with the shiny pennies in this life.   

“Well, I am sure I gave them a story—the most thrilling one that can be conceived of.”

Remember Then

You may be distracted with the lures of this world, but they fail in comparison to the surmounting worth of knowing Jesus (Phil 3:8-9). 

You may be distracted with the news of disease, sickness, or things like cancer, but Jesus conquered sin and death. He is our living hope not just in this life but the life to come (1 Peter 1:3).

Christian, you may get busy with the plethora tasks in life and forget your purpose which you are called to as a child of God. Go make disciples and be witnesses that Jesus is alive (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)!

You may be tempted to want to woo others with your accomplishments but the greatest news you have to share is that Jesus is alive!

To my pastor friends- lead with confidence that we have nothing better to tell than the wondrous story of Jesus’ dying love! There are distractions to do other things or to go forward with lesser things, be aware.

If you find yourself distracted with other things, preach the gospel to yourself. Be in awe of what Jesus has done for you. See the despair of being outside of Christ because of your sin. Delight in his grace that he has lavished upon you. The Savior who took your place on the cross. The innocent one who took your sin so that you can be forgiven. When you do this, you see that the gospel is the greatest thing you can talk about! Those shiny distractions aren’t so shiny in comparison to the greatest treasure that you have in Christ Jesus.

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Happy Ending

Just like most dads with little girls, princess movies was a staple. Like many of the those movies it was pretty much expected within the plot there would be some kind of enemy or struggle with the princess overcoming to live happily ever after. We like happy endings.

At the end of The Little Mermaid (this was on a lot when Adah was younger), Ariel has her tail replaced with legs so she can live happily ever after with prince Eric. There is actually a song called “Happy ending” to capture everything works out in the end.

Most want that happy ending. Is this possible?

The Reality

Not everything feels like it is a happy ending. There is injustice in this world. Every day there seems to be bad news that we say, “That is not right!” Things don’t always work out in the end. There is evil and evil seems to get away with it. We constantly have the phrase, “Life is hard” coming out in between breaths.

The Psalmist understood this by writing that evil says, “The Lord does not see” (Psalm 94:7). They just keep going and going. Injustice, hurt, murder, selfishness, and hate ran rampant in this world. We echo the phrase, “How Long Lord” as we face a new day (Psalm 13:1).

We may have been the recipient of evil and things working out in the end seems so far away or impossible that there is no more hope. We are longing for that fairy tale ending but it just doesn’t seem to happen. Those princess movies seem just like the genre of move-fantasy.

Sick people don’t always get better. There are still accidents and disasters where people suffer and die.

We also can be the perpetrators to the hurts in this world. The Bible says we all have sinned (Rom 3:23). We are guilty and most of all have offended God because of our sin. The justice that needs to be dealt falls on us. So, where is the happy ending! Where is our hope? Is it just fantasy or is there the reality of a true happy ending?

The Resurrection

Great news! There is hope in a true happy ending. It is found in the resurrection and that is why it is so important. Jesus has conquered sin and death, which death is the last enemy (1 Cor 15: 26, 54-58).

Rebecca McLaughlin writes, “The message of Easter is not that Jesus died so that we can one day float around on disembodied souls in some ethereal realm. Instead, it’s that the King of all the universe has died for us, and that if we trust him, he’ll one day bring us back to an embodied life—richer and fresher and more beautiful than anything we’ve felt on earth so far. “

Jesus changes everything. The evil and hurt, the sickness and accidents that exist will one day come to an end. The wrong that we have done and been the recipient of will stop. For those in Christ there is this promise that Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” ( 1 Peter 3:3-5).

This is the true happy ending! Without Christ and the resurrection we would still be stuck in our sins. Without Christ and the resurrection we would be not have this living hope. Without Christ and the resurrection we are the most pitied of all people (1 Cor 15:19). Jesus is able to say that he makes all things new (Revelation 21:5) because of the resurrection.

Some of the last words that Jesus said when he was on the cross were, “It is finished.” In pain as he endured the cross spoke of the finality of his sacrifice. He was giving of himself to pay for the penalties of our sin, where we have wronged God. As Jesus took his last breath, buried in that tomb, it was not the end. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, he is alive- he has the last word. The happy ending is found in him, the man of sorrows, endured the cross, despising the shame is coming again (Isa 53:1; Heb 12:2; Rev 22:20).

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Outsiders Looking In

We had been in Washington for about 6 months and someone suggested that we take part of a big local hit, The Deming Logging Show. We were sitting watching loggers do some crazy and amazing things while striking up conversations with those around us.

Alyssa was talking with this older gentlemen who was telling us the history of the logging show while explaining what was taking place at each event. We smiled blissfully as if we understood everything. It was fun and we enjoyed the festivities. Alyssa then shared with him that we just moved to Washington from California and the gentlemen said, “I knew it, you don’t look like you are from here.” We knew were were the outsiders joining a new community had a good laugh at the exchange.

Have you even been an outsider and looking in? 

The Bible addresses this in a bigger way that those outside of Jesus, because of sin, were outsiders unable to come close to God. The Apostle Paul writes, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). He is writing to Gentile Christians to show that before Christ there was this separation from the Jewish people. But now in Jesus that separation has been broken down (he calls it the wall of hostility- Eph 2:14). 

This is great news! As an outsider we could never come close to God. Sin had separated us. Our situation was hopeless and helpless. But, because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we can be brought near. 

We go from rebellious insurrectionist to the kingdom of God (Eph 2:1-3), to his children (Gal 3:26). For those in Jesus are no longer outsiders looking in. They are brought near and included. They are not strangers nor aliens but citizens of his kingdom (Phil 3:20). No longer can one be an outcast because of sin but accepted and forgiven.

How Does This Happen?

Paul tells the church that we are brought near because of the blood of Christ (3:14).

This speaks that Jesus is sacrifice, he gave himself.

We know that there needed to be a sacrifice to pay for sins. This is to show that there was a cost and that was Jesus’ life. His blood which was the payment of sin made it possible for us to draw near to God. 

Because of this- Those who were outsiders were brought near as close as possible. We can’t do anything to be near. Our situation outside of Jesus is that it is impossible. But only because of Jesus and his great love in which was shown to us by him taking our punishment for our sin we can. Do you know him? Have you responded to what Jesus has done for you? Call on the name of Jesus to be saved (Romans 10:9-13).

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The One Thing

I try to read a variety of books and every now and then I try to read something to help me be a little more focused or productive. I still highly value Tim Challies book, Do More Better. It is simple and he gives some very practical direction. I recommend reading it regarding productivity with a Christian perspective.

Recently I read The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. It is not written with a Christian perspective but more of a business book on executing that one thing well. The theme of the book is to focus on the one thing that we are doing and do it well, focus on it, and guard from being distracted to divert from it. 

I could not help but revert to what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians about himself. We don’t get a lot of pre-Paul before he was a Christian other than he was zealous in stopping The Way. He wrote this background about himself and about his purpose in life, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:12-14).

What’s the Christians One Thing?

The Apostle Paul points to his one thing that really is summary of the Christian life. 

The Christian doesn’t have to figure out what their One Thing is. We are told. It is Jesus Christ. Paul says, “But this one thing I do…” This is him showing what his motivation is, what his purpose is, what gets him up at night, what he guards with his time, what he says yes to and what he says no to. 

This is also not limited that The One Thing that a Christian does is meant for the pastor or the evangelist. This one thing that Paul desired was to make Jesus Christ known. The Christian can be, is encouraged to be, creative in this endeavor. The Christian can work in a secular business and still be about The One Thing- Jesus Christ. Their work becomes more than a job, it becomes an opportunity to share the gospel.

The Christian looks at their house not just as a home, or shelter. It is an opportunity to live out the One Thing- Jesus Christ among their neighbors.

The Christian looks at their community based on God placing them there and a place to love their neighbor because of their One Thing- Jesus Christ and to make him known.

The Straining Towards This One Thing

Paul uses this language of stringing towards the goal. It is like a runner leaning in, straining to cross the finish-line. They are all about it at that moment. The Christian is all about this one thing.

There are many distractions out there, there are many other things that can cause the Christian to lose focus.

Paul’s language points to the priority of the gospel regardless of other things.

Did you lose gospel focus in 2022?

I am so thankful that God’s mercies are new each morning (Lam 3:22-23). He is gracious and forgiving. When you think much of the gospel it is our motivation to go forward. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that we would be counted the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Knowing what Jesus did on our behalf is what we need to as we strain towards the goal each day.

Think much of the gospel in 2023!

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What Does It Mean to be Spiritually Blessed?

Have you ever heard someone say, “I am so blessed?” Maybe they received some good news or something exciting happened in their life. What does it mean to be blessed by God. I think sometimes we associate it with our circumstances but the Bible points to it being so much bigger and deeper than that.

In Paul’s introduction to the church in Ephesus he praises God by saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).

What does he mean that those in Christ have received every spiritual blessing? In the next 9 verses Paul describes what he means. He was in prison and could have started by giving insight on his difficulties but instead he starts with praising God for the blessings he has received. His blessings were not about his circumstances or anything to do with his present difficulties but all about his spiritual life.

The Apostle Paul describes the spiritual blessing that the Christian receives are these four things:

  1. To be chosen into adoption of the family of God (Ephesians 1:4-6).
  2. To be redeemed by the blood of Jesus who is rich and lavishes his riches upon us (Ephesians 1:7-10).
  3. To receive an inheritance which is built in the hope of Christ all for the glory of God (Ephesians 1:11-12).
  4. To be sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Paul is desiring the great work that Jesus did through his sinless and perfect life, sacrificial death, and amazing resurrection. Look at how those who are in Christ are truly blessed. He uses different verbs to describe salvation such as being adopted, redeemed, receiving an inheritance, and being sealed (assurance).

The Christian must remember that God is not holding out on you. He has given you the greatest gift, the spiritual blessing that is found in Christ alone. When we think about this great work this should bring about praise like Paul who praised God for this spiritual blessing.

For more you can listen to the sermons on Ephesians

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A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Whenever I go to the beach I find myself always wanted to build sandcastles. I think I even build them when the kids aren’t with me.  

We get to the line of the water where the waves come in and we start building sand forts. We want to see how long can we keep the water from coming in and destroying our creation. We build the walls thick and high. We make motes of water and other ditches for the water to have to pass through. We spend hours building and having fun.

Sure enough it takes just one good wave to knock over all that hard work. I am glad that what we make is not like real life or maybe it is. What we try to do for protection fails in comparison to the one who is called a Might Fortress. The Bible has a lot to say about God being our fortress. In fact, just in the first section/book of Psalms 35% of the use of God being our fortress in the Bible is found in that section of Scripture.

Background:

Psalm 46 was a victory song that Israel would sing. It was one of many that the army would sing after defeating the enemy. You can picture Israel looking at the battlefield, being victorious, and singing this song to God.

Psalm 46 also inspired Martin Luther to write one of his most famous hymns, A Mighty Fortress is our God in 1527. This hymn has been called the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” It was pressed on him so much that even inscribed on his tomb is this phrase.

God is Our Fortress even if there is Cosmic Trouble

In the first few verses of this Psalm we see how God is our fortress even when there is cosmic trouble. The Psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).

Right away we are introduced to God’s attributes of his protection and power. He is present to help when we need it and in him there is safety.

As you keep reading, the picture that is described is not a fun one. In fact, it would be very troubling to see mountains that you have looked on for your whole life all of sudden move into the sea and disappear. This definitely would grab your attention.

Is God Your Fortress?

I ask myself is God my fortress? Or, do I believe this to be true? What if there was this cosmic chaos going on? What are some things that I trust in that if they were immediately gone would shake me up? Would it be my retirement? Would it be the government? Is it in my health, healthcare, medicine, or doctors?

This is a reminder to me that God is my fortress even during uncertain times, even in cosmic chaotic times. As a follower of Jesus Christ I am reminded that God is for me (Rom 8:31). I need to remind myself this truth frequently and I hope this is a good reminder for you too!

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Can We Reach the West Again?

We live in a post-Christian America. To some, it would seem that the “good ol’ days” of Christian values have been tossed out the window of progressivism. Timothy Keller wrote this booklet, How to Reach the West Again. He communicates the problem while giving the answer by looking at what we can learn from the early church in how it reached its culture. 

Keller, as usual, writes in a way that is convicting but not demeaning of Christians today. This short read is something that I would encourage every believer to read. We live in a culture where there seems to be a mass exodus of leaving blue states to go to red states or withdrawing from culture. The question that needs to be asked is how can we best share the gospel in our country that is less Christian? Today we can find more and more people who have never stepped foot in a church. We find more and more that have no understanding of God and his law (the ten commandments). More and more many look subjectively at what is right and wrong. 

Keller points out that the gospel we know needs to be shared will need to be lived out. It is something that will take time as believers build relationships with nonbelievers. It is going to take intentionality as we pursue relationships in pointing to God’s grace and mercy. Believers need to be faithful in life and integrity in public spheres, it is going to require us not to withdraw from culture but to live in it and be different.

Faithful in Life

Keller gives the example of how God told Jeremiah and the Israelites in Babylonian captivity about being part of the culture. God tells Israel to seek the peace of the city—plant gardens, build houses, and seek its prosperity (Jeremiah 29). Keller writes, “we can still serve people, be good neighbors, and be involved in culture while being faithful and open about our Christianity.”

In reading this, I was challenged with something that was taught to me. It was that the thought that Christians should be the best in every sector of life. They should be the best artist, creators, musicians, educators, and leaders. Keller writes, “[The] expansive vision for Christian influence in every area of human life, not because Christians are dominant there, but because they are faithful there.” By believers being faithful servants to public witness. The church needs to be a place to help train and e what it looks like to live out our Christian beliefs in the workplace.

In it for the Long Haul

The early church knew and understood that the gospel changes us. They also knew that it was a marathon more than a sprint. It would take time. It would take work. Therefore, their commitment was until the Lord took them home.

Today, Christians must look at the road ahead for them in reaching the west again as a commitment that will take time and work just like the early church. Being faithful and not frustrated. Being willing to spend time and being humble. Reflecting Jesus and dying to self. It all matters.

If you get a chance to get a copy of How To Reach The West Again I hope you can spend some time thinking through what Keller presents.