Singing Your Song In The Midst Of The Storm

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" —John 20:28

Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me a drink’ ” (John 4:7). How many of us are expecting Jesus Christ to quench our thirst when we should be satisfying Him! We should be pouring out our lives, investing our total beings, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. “You shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8). That means lives of pure, uncompromising, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us. Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself? - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

As I was walking down the hall after getting a cup of coffee – morning motivation – I had the image of a little bird sitting on a wire calling out in the midst of a hurricane.  To what avail does the bird sing?  How can it possibly stand against the storm.  How can it possibly be heard above the wind and rain and thunder.  It can’t, but God can hear it through its obedience in fulfilling its purpose .. the purpose for which it was created.  

It may seem to you that the “cultural” storm that rages about us is too much.  The light that shines from us .. the song we sing .. is drowned out by the force of the storm – our singing will have no affect.  Not so. When the nation of Israel finally reached the river Jordan the first time,  (Numbers 13-14) 10 of the 12 spies saw the “storm” – Giants in the land and a great fear came over the people.  They refused to continue to follow the spiritual leadership of Moses. They would not cross the river. And so they missed a blessing – the very purpose for leaving Egypt.  They did not fulfill their purpose which required trusting in God and not themselves.  So they died in the desert.  They missed God’s best.  True, they were no longer slaves, but  they missed God all the same.

The second time the nation approached the river … the same storm was raging .. and more .. the river was at flood stage … impossible for men .. but possible for God.  When they stepped into the water by faith … the river backed up and they occupied the land. Fulfilling God’s plan.  I was sharing how Pathfinder became Pathfinder with some friends the other day.  Before Martie and I submitted to God’s leading to start this ministry, we talked with my mom about it.  We told her about what God was leading us to do.  About the problems ahead of us.  Our hesitation.  We had not gone to Mississippi with the intention of staying there and certainly not starting a ministry.  She said “Charley, the river Jordan did not back up until they stepped out into the water.” My response was “Got it Mom!”  We had to step out in and by faith.  Put our trust in God.  She asked, “What are you going to call it?” We had not thought that far ahead .. we were still trying to get our socks and shoes off before we stepped in the water!  She said “What about Pathfinder?”  Pathfinder was the name of the youth ministry that my folks had started in Peoria, Illinois. So we decided to go with it .. Pathfinder on Mission.  Pathfinder Mission.  A work of faith.

Each Christian is called to step into the water.  Walk by faith and not by sight. These are dark times spiritually .. but I suspect they are not the darkest times that have ever been .. just the darkest that we have seen. When I flew helicopters in the Army, I sometimes flew at night in the desert.  It was very, very dark.  No visible horizon, meaning you could not see where the sky and earth met.  Hard to keep oriented.  But then someone would light up a chem-stick.  In all the darkness, I could see that little chem stick from far off. One light in the midst of the darkness. Pointing me to my destination.  My encouragement to you … Be the light! Sing your song in the midst of the storm.

Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Almost All Is Just Not Good Enough!

 Jesus…said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor…and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." —Mark 10:21 

 “The rich young ruler had the controlling passion to be perfect. When he saw Jesus Christ, he wanted to be like Him. Our Lord never places anyone’s personal holiness above everything else when He calls a disciple. Jesus’ primary consideration is my absolute annihilation of my right to myself and my identification with Him, which means having a relationship with Him in which there are no other relationships. Luke 14:26 has nothing to do with salvation or sanctification, but deals solely with unconditional identification with Jesus Christ. Very few of us truly know what is meant by the absolute “go” of unconditional identification with, and abandonment and surrender to, Jesus. “One thing you lack….” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing. “…sell whatever you have….” I must humble myself until I am merely a living person. I must essentially renounce possessions of all kinds, not for salvation (for only one thing saves a person and that is absolute reliance in faith upon Jesus Christ), but to follow Jesus.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Have you made room for God in your heart?  If your heart was a house, have you given God a room in which to abide, albeit a nice room, or have you given him the whole house.  Each of us has at least a room or two that we have reserved for ourselves. Like the little  girl that put a “no boys allowed” sign on her bedroom door. We put a “God not allowed” on some doors.  Rooms that hold things that we love and do not want to give up.  Perhaps the right to do what we think is right.  Or perhaps some behaviors that are clearly contrary to our new nature, but to which we are emotionally dependent upon and find comfort in.  Emotionally and relationally unhealthy things.  Things that usurp the sovereignty of God, that occupy places that actually belong to God. Like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth and possessions, there are things in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the joy, peace and assurance that comes from total surrender to God.

We were talking to a family member the other day.  They were struggling with an issue, one that finds its genesis in poor choices they made. And now they are under the weight and strain from the consequences of those choices.  When Martie encouraged them to read the Psalms to find comfort, you could hear a change in the tone of voice.  There was a distance that had not been there.  It was clear that they were not interested in a spiritual solution.  

They quickly diverted the subject from themselves to other people. Like the woman at the well trying divert her conversation with Jesus because He was getting too close to the “thing” she was clinging to.  It broke my heart to see them turn away from God in the conversation. There are doors to rooms that we don’t want to give God entrance to.  Jesus said “pick up your cross”, “give up everything that competes with your devotion to God”.  The Psalmist wrote “Trust God with your all” Paul said “offer yourself as a living sacrifice.”  I say “Let the doors in your heart swing wide.” The young man did not lack good deeds, he lacked faith in God and devotion to God. Don’t make the same mistake.

Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Simple Truth - It Is Not By Works

So He [God the Father] humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. - Deuteronomy 8:3

The people lost focus on the fact that it was God who was sustaining them. The old saying is "biting the hand that feeds you".  It is the idea that we are our own provider.  As the song goes - "We work hard for the money" Work is the curse from the Garden.

Then to Adam He [God the Father] said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:17-19

So man expects that anything that is worth anything is a result of his work. If a person is going to heaven it is because of their good works. Many religions have that belief at their core. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:8-10

It is by faith in Jesus and His work on the cross that we find salvation and eternal life.  

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12

The curse blinds our eyes to the truth that we are saved by grace and not our works. It takes a revelation from God and our willingness to believe for salvation to be ours. Nicodemus was a teacher of the law and believed that obeying all of the laws was the only way to have eternal life - works not faith. Dependence on the natural and not the spiritual. And when he asked Jesus this is what Jesus said.

Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. - John 3:5-8

When we hear the Truth and believe in Jesus we are sealed by the Spirit - born again.

 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14

And that is the simple Truth.

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. - Zechariah 4:6

Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Mistake Of Choosing The Good Over The Best

I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. —Philippians 3:12

Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has “laid hold of” us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, “Well, I’m really not suited for this.” What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are— you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

The Bible is pretty clear that God has not called all of us to do the same thing in the kingdom .. in the Body of Christ … some have been given specific responsibilities 

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:7,11-13

For all Christians we have been given spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body and the proclamation of the Gospel.  When I talk to Christians about what Martie and I do, and have done, I always hasten to add that God has not called everyone to lay down their nets (quit their job, sell their house, live in a camper or travel to a 3rd world country to live and minister) but He has called everyone to service.  We are all called to live in such a manner as to bring Glory to God, to lift Jesus up, and to be a light in a dark world.  

Environmentalists are concerned about preserving the earth for future generations .. that is not a bad thing .. but it is not the best thing. This world, like these jars of clay that we know as our earthly bodies, will pass away one day.  We need to be good stewards of God’s creation, certainly. But, the more important thing is that there is an eternity beyond this earthly life … and the bigger question is where will the future generations spend eternity.  Not everyone will be saved .. but some will .. that is because we have been given a free will … free to reject God and His gift of grace through Jesus and His sacrifice. 

Our purpose is to live in obedience to the Word of God by the power of the Spirit and submission of our will to the Father through faith in Jesus. And – to share the Good News with those around us.  We do that through words and deeds.  Jesus said (Matthew 5:13) “Salt that has lost its savor is good for nothing…” If you are a Christian but are living like the lost people around you … you, the salt and light, have lost your savor or ability to do what God purposed.  What is it in your life that you need to cast aside because it is hindering you from fulfilling your God-ordained purpose?  A worldly habit, an earthly pleasure, a friend who encourages the carnal in you, an ungodly preference that your culture is convinced is good, perhaps not reading the Word, not praying, not associating with other Christians?  Listen – the list of obstacles is long. Whatever it is .. today is the day you should repent of it and turn your face toward the Father who is eager to see you return. Life is filled with opportunities to choose what seems good over what God has said is best. Don't make that mistake. As a pastor friend of ours would say - God can hit straight with a crooked stick.

Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Three Things Every Christian Should Keep In Mind

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? …. do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” …. he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. …. do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s..…” — 1 Corinthians 6:15-20

I have told you in the past that when I listen to a sermon – I don’t try to remember all of what was said – I never have – my guess is that you don’t either. But, what I do try to do is grab ahold of one or two Spiritual truths. Many preachers use three points or alliteration (which is starting the preaching points with a words that starts with the same letter) Something to help you remember what they said. People don’t typically remember speeches or sermons. I would remind myself of that whenever I spoke to formations of soldiers. Keep it short and to the point. With respect to sermons, I jot notes down when I hear something that stirs my spirit. Well yesterday I was reminded of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians.  They had been taught the fundamentals of the faith – they lived in a culture – had been active participants in a culture that practiced hedonism (engaging in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent). 

Paul reminded them of three things and the sermon reminded me and so I am reminding you. Paul was not being critical but encouraging – the pastor’s motive  who preached the sermon was the same – and in the same manner – my motive is no different.  We all must be reminded from time to time to keep our focus and not be drawn away by our old nature. So what three things?

First. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Our bodies are members of Christ. We don’t just give our hearts to Jesus, (although that is what Christians very often say) but we give all of who we are. It matters what we do. What we do with our bodies reflects our hearts and faith. They are not independent of each other. As Christians we are one with Jesus and the Father through Jesus. The one-ness is a testimony to the a world that is in desperate need of a Savior.

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” – Matthew 22:37-38

“I [Jesus] do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” – John 17:20-23

Second.  Do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? Sin matters. Participating in what the culture has deemed “OK” when the Word of God is clear that it is not “OK”  is sin. Participating – embracing those things in the culture that are contrary to God’s design and expressed direction makes us one with the culture – the very thing that we were saved from – we once again embrace using some twisted rationale for why it is OK.

Third.  Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you?  Where the Spirit was in the Holy of Holies – the Spirit is now in each of us. When we participate with the culture in its version of the truth, we defile the temple. I am ashamed at how flippant I can be about this truth. Like a little bit of sin does not matter.  A little bit of leaven affects the whole loaf. (Galatians 5:9)

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14

This has given me pause to consider my ways. I don’t expect to be sinless in this life but I do expect to sin – less. And I find that I need to be reminded from time to time so I can get back on the Path. How about you?

Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Finding The Answer to Life's Problems

 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. - Proverbs 9:10

Fear the Lord - what does that make you think of? A harsh task master perhaps? Sometimes - but it also means to respect. Let's review God's attitude toward us and what our attitude should be towards Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. - Matthew 22:36-37

There is no fear [being afraid] in love; but perfect love casts out fear [being afraid], because fear involves torment. But he who fears [is afraid of God] has not been made perfect in love. We love Him [the Father] because He [the Father] first loved us. - 1 John 4:18-19

Dr R.T. Kendall put it this way - To fear the Lord means that you respect God's ways as revealed in God's word so that you choose God's opinion over anyone else.

When faced with life choices the first question should be - What does God think or say about it. People will always have an opinion. And it's OK to seek their opinion. If you are not a Christian- you really have no choice. But as a Christian - seeking people's advice should not be your first "Go-To".

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper - Psalm 121:1-5

As I listened to our pastor speak this past Sunday on seeking wisdom I heard him describe the same principles for hearing God's voice (only using different words) that I learned in the Experiencing God Bible Study. We hear God by His Spirit (Who indwells every born again Christian) through 

the Word of God. 

This Book of the Law [the Word of God] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9

Prayer to God 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Life's circumstances,

Seeing life like the Sons of Issachar - the mighty men of David  with divine discernment.

the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do - 1 Chronicles 12:32

other Christians - who have the same Spirit and mature in their faith.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. - Proverbs 12:15

Godly, honest counsel is - what you need to hear - but not necessarily what you want to hear.

If you need wisdom - you should go to the Source of wisdom. First - not last. Don't ask a drowning man to save you from drowning.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean or depend upon your won understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. - Proverbs 3:5-6

And be willing to wait for the answer. 

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

If you know the song that is based on Isaiah 40:31 it ends with "teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait"

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Don't Do Something So You Can Be Something - Do Something Because You Are Something

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. —John 13:17

Be determined to know more than others. If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment. When you know that you should do something and you do it, immediately you know more. The counterfeit of obedience is a state of mind in which you create your own opportunities to sacrifice yourself, and your zeal and enthusiasm are mistaken for discernment. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22).” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Knowing is not the same as doing. You can memorize scripture all you want or are able, but if you don’t obey the scripture, it was to no avail.  It has not accomplished its purpose.  James wrote 

“Be doers of the Word and not hearers only” - James 1:22

We conjure up all kinds of substitutes for obedience to the Word.  The primary reason is .. well … it’s us.  We do not want to give in or give up … lay down .. turn away … or submit … we prefer to be in control … to not be in control is frightful .. so it is really an issue of trust and faith. The truth is that we don’t really trust God … our faith is not in Him but in ourselves. We have to protect ourselves … for many sad reasons … 

So what is the solution?  I have shared this before .. several times actually.  I can’t draw in this BLOG but if I could, I would show you the Navigator’s Wheel.  The Hub of the wheel is Jesus – at the center.  There are 4 spokes..  The vertical spokes are meditation on the Word and Prayer.  The horizontal spokes are Witnessing to the world and Fellowship with other Christians.  The rim of the wheel, the result of the hub and spokes being in place is the Obedient Christian Life.  

Each of the components of the wheel require us to do something.  Not do something so you can be something … be do something because you are something.  It starts with an intimate relationship with Jesus and goes from there.  Works as a result of faith … not faith as a result of works. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:8-10

The Christian life is supernatural and dependent upon the Spirit of God – faith in Jesus and a willing – submitted heart.   If you are struggling with this .. there is no better time than today to turn the corner. Stop trying to change on the outside and let God change you from the inside.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone