Can’t See the Trees for the Forest

We all know the old saying that someone “can’t see the forest for the trees,” but have you ever thought possibly that some of us can’t see the trees for the forest?

Photo by Adam Kring on Unsplash

When dealing with people, this is the continual tension between focusing either upon the masses or on the individual.

Jesus did both.

Jesus knew, and knows, how to focus on the large group. We read in Mark’s gospel:

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things (Mark 6.34 emphases mine).”

There’s nothing worse than a flock of sheep with no one to lead them. Jesus knew he was their true shepherd and that he was the one who would need to lead them. What did Jesus see? He saw a great multitude and maneuvered his disciples into action to take care of the need. The disciples, seeing the great crowd could only think of one plan – “Send them away.”

Jesus, however, “… commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties." (Mark 6.39-40) He turns this humongous crowd into something more manageable so his disciples can minister to them. Then, miraculously, he takes a little boy’s sack lunch, gives thanks, and breaks the bread for the disciples to pass out to the 5,000 in attendance. They all went home full instead of hungry. More importantly, they were taught the words of God.

Jesus saw the multitude… but he also saw the individual.

One day, a man asked Jesus to come and heal his daughter. As they went, they were interrupted.

So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging you, and you say, 'Who touched me?'"

The disciples could not see the trees for the forest, but Jesus could.

And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."[i]

The emphasis here is on the individual. Jesus looks through the crowd and senses the presence of a single woman who needs healing. He did this regularly. He was also willing to focus his attention on Nicodemas,[ii] the woman at the well,[iii] and Zacchaeus[iv] just to name a few. He isn’t mesmerized by great crowds as some of us are, he sees the one lost sheep out of the hundred and goes after it.

Jesus does the same for you today. He is able to look through the great mass of humanity, through the vast cities, and through the people on the streets traipsing along like little red ants and see you. He knows your name, rank and social security number and says to you, “Go in peace; be healed.”

May the Lord give us grace to be like Jesus; looking through the great forest of people and identifying the drooping oak or the fledgling sapling – individual people who need a special touch from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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[i]   Mark 5.24-34

[ii]  John chapter 3

[iii] John chapter 4

[iv] Luke chapter 19

Back to the Future

Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash

Do you remember as a child not being able to go to sleep at night because you were so excited about a special family outing, someone who was going to come to your house or a big event that was near?

This is how believers should live their lives at all times - wide-eyed with expectancy.

We need to get back to the future. 

Through inspiration, the Apostle Paul wrote:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.[i]

The saving grace of God – that undeserved kindness that God shows to us sinners who believe the good news of Jesus’ death in behalf of our sins – is also a sanctifying grace. It teaches us, in gratitude, to live a life of honesty, faithfulness, discretion, righteousness and goodness. These are important things for us to live by while we’re here.

But everyone needs something to look forward to. This is what the word hope means. Hope is living our lives with expectancy; not just expectancy for today or next week; not just expectancy for the time we are here in this body, but expectancy for the life to come.

Christians ALWAYS have something to look forward to. This body may become frail, diseased or afflicted. Our minds may become feeble. We may lose those we love.

I talked to a lady recently who’s husband had a massive stroke at the age of 49. What does she have to look forward to? What does this man have to look forward to? If they are in Christ, they have much to anticipate. The anticipation of heaven is enhanced when we go through earthly trials.

The blessed hope of the Christian is Jesus and his appearing (Greek, epiphaneia where we get the word epiphany).

He is coming again.

When he does, he will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,[ii]

When he appears, we we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3.2)

When he does, he will subdue all things unto himself.

It is time we quit living in the past. It is time that we stop focusing solely on this present moment, as important as that is. But it is time we got back to the future. For the Christian believer, the future is brighter than the noonday sun.

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[i] Titus 2.11-14

[ii] Philippians 3.21

Are We Teaching Theology or Me-ology?

When we come in faith to Christ, it is a personal decision –  something God  did  in us to which we respond as individuals to him. I cannot trust in Jesus for you and you cannot trust in Jesus for me. The only Vicar we have   is   Jesus  Christ  who  died vicariously for our atonement.

Our fellowship and walk with him is personal also, not something your husband, wife, mom, dad or uncle can do for you. Jesus told the church of Laodicea, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Emphasis mine).

So, there is a place for applying the scripture personally to ourselves, but my concern is this: We live in a time where everything seems to be about “me.” Our Theology has been turned in to Me-ology.

The Futility of Me-ology

American Christianity knows little about persecution but many Christians in other places do. In North Korea for example:

Christians are seen as hostile elements in society which have to be eradicated. Due to the constant indoctrination permeating the whole country, neighbors and even family members are highly watchful and report anything suspicious to the authorities. Children are especially vulnerable to the heavy indoctrination. Reports show that some children report their own parents for religious activity. Therefore, many parents prefer not to tell their children anything about their Christian faith until they’re older.[i]

Christians there are often deported to labor camps or even killed on the spot. The three men who were recently released to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were devout Christians who suffered under the Kim regime.

So when we produce books like how you can live Your Best Life Now this must ring pretty hollow with Christians elsewhere in the world. Jesus didn’t promise us our best life now, but in heaven. [ii] We wrongly equate prosperity with being blessed of God. While earthly wealth is granted to us by God, many are far worse off because of it, not necessarily better.[iii]

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6.19-20)

Jesus tells us in the same place not to seek for what we will eat, drink or wear, but to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

The Suppression of Me-ology

Often in our bible studies, we ask one another, “What does this mean to you?” while we should be asking, “What does God mean by what he says here?” There’s a huge difference: Not that any of us has all the answers to the proper interpretation of all scripture, but that it is our goal to be Christocentric, that is, Christ centered, in our pursuit of truth. Who is God and who is Jesus Christ? What are his attributes? Then, we may be free to ask, “How can I know him?”

Me-ology Distorts

Another thing we need to avoid is the exaltation of the human to the degradation of the image of God. We live in a society of humanism – the idea that man can do anything and the idea that if people think something is good it must be good because the human is the standard of right and wrong. This has spilled over into the church as well. Things that used to be considered sin are sin no longer because the society has deemed it so. Things that used to be considered holy are holy no longer because we have laid aside our bibles to be replaced by "science" and "education". When this comes into the church it brings confusion at best and neopaganism at worst.

Letting Go of Ourselves and Embracing Christ

Jesus said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10.39).

John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3.30).”

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… (Galatians 2.20).”

I know it sounds trite but it’s also true: “It’s not about me.” And – sorry –  it’s not about you. It’s about Jesus, our God and Savior. Only if our focus is on him, will our perspective about ourselves become clear. We can only understand ourselves in the periphery of his glory.

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[i]  https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/north-korea/

[ii] Matthew 6.19-20

[iii] See Matthew 19.24; 1 Timothy 6.9; Proverbs 15.27

Living Without Regret

“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.”[i]

Many of us have had more regrets that we care to mention. We’d be embarrassed to talk about many of them. We might wish to be able to remedy our failures, but it may be too late for some of them.

At a conference I attended years ago, a gentleman stood to introduce a well known preacher. He told of many of his accomplishments and how highly regarded he was as a speaker. He concluded his introduction with these words: “Everywhere he’s gone, he’s never struck out.”

When the speaker came to the podium he said; “Don’t you just love these Baptist introductions? I’ve struck out! I’ve struck out as a pastor. I’ve struck out with my family and I’ve struck out as a person.” He then went on to preach a wonderful message.

I have told many people that if they would take good care of an ailing parent now, however difficult, that they would never regret it in the future but if they didn't they might regret it.

I regret many of the words I’ve spoken to my dearest friend – my wife. I regret not engaging more often with my children. I regret the times I didn’t take a clear stand for the Lord Jesus Christ. There are things I’ve done that I wish I hadn't and things I haven’t done that I wish I had.[ii]

Thank God though, that he has prevented me from experiencing many more regrets than I would have if I’d never come to know him. I was on the slippery slope that could have led to my destruction. If he hadn’t come into my life when he did, I would have landed very violently.

He has guided me through many rough patches that I could’ve never made it through without him.

How can any of us live a life without regret?

• Place your faith in the only really trustworthy person there is – the Lord Jesus. Only he knows all there is to know. Only he knows you – even better than yourself. Only he loves you perfectly and consistently. He always has your best interest in mind.
  
• Let God’s word be your guide. The bible has commandments, precepts and principles that will give you direction in the most uncanny ways. The Holy Spirit, who resides in the believer, will use his word to enlighten your mind and direct your heart.
  
• Pray for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1.5).
  
• Stay close to God.

• Confess your sins when you (and you will) falter. Then, turn from those sins.
  
• Love God and love people. The great commandment of the scripture, (and the second alike) according to Jesus, is to “…love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."[iii]
  
• Take responsibility for the realm in which God has placed you. None of us has to accomplish everything – only what God lays before us.

• Don’t give up. The apostle Paul said that he lived his life “in all good conscience before God.”[iv] He also said;

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

May we all so live our lives – without regret.

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[i]    My Way – song written by Paul Anka- sung by Frank Sinatra

[ii] “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (Romans 7.15)

[iii]  Luke 10.27

[iv]  Acts 23.1; 2 Timothy 1.3

Where is Home?

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3.20-21) 

Photo by Josh Felise on unsplash

When we’re born again by the power of God’s Spirit, many things happen to us, including: We become a child of God, we are made new in Christ, we’re redeemed from our sins and forgiven, we’re indwelled by God’s Spirit, we’re sealed by God’s Spirit and we become citizens of heaven.

We become citizens of heaven? How’s that? 

We are not just citizens here where we live in this world. Christians have always been a heavenly people. What does this mean? Let me share a parallel idea that I hope we can all grasp.

I am a Texan. I was born here, and except for when I lived a couple of times in other states (Missouri and Colorado), this is where I’ve always lived. I am a citizen here who votes in Texas elections, pays local taxes, and carries a Texas driver’s license. “Texas born, Texas bred – when I die, I’ll be Texas dead” (something like that).

I love going to Tennessee, Alabama, New Mexico, Colorado or other states. I’ve traveled to some other countries. When I’m in those places; however, I don’t cease being a Texan. People will frame their opinion of Texas partially by what they experience in me – good or bad.

The point is this: Although we are here for now, we are citizens of heaven. We’re born from above, God is our heavenly Father, we’re part of his heavenly kingdom and we’re his ambassadors in this world.

“So,” you say, “How can we be citizens of heaven when we’ve never been there or seen it?”

That’s the difference in how God works and man works. You have to live in the United States to become a citizen but in God’s system you become a citizen of heaven first, before you ever go there. We’re heavenly citizens now! (Ephesians 2.6)

This is just one reason heaven is so important to us. We’re waiting for our Savior to return from there. He’s going to take us to be with him there (John 14.2-3). He will remove all heartache, sorrow, disease, death, tears, threats, sin, evil and falsehood (Revelation 21. 25-27). It will be paradise (Revelation 22.1-5).

Christian, while living upon this earth for now, we are not at home here. We are to be seeking a better country – heaven (Hebrews 11.16), and we are strangers and pilgrims here (1 Peter 2.11).

Heaven – Jesus told us to invest in it. The longer I live my life, the more I realize that I am closer to the other side than ever before and I’m beginning to understand that I have much more there than I do here.[i]

Sure, enjoy your life, love your family, get yourself a house if need be, make a living, live each day to its fullest, but don’t forget – you’re not home yet.

Life can be wonderful but be prepared to be shunned by this world. Live joyfully but expect persecution.[ii]

Our best life is not here and it is not now. It is in that land that is fairer than day – that home which awaits us in heaven. Believe it.

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[i] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6.19-21)

[ii] “…what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3.11-12)

Who is a True Worshiper?

I once learned that worship comes from the idea of worth-ship. If we worship something or someone, we acknowledge its worth; or the person’s worth.

If we truly worship God, we recognize as best as we know how, his worth or value. But how can we even begin to realize the value of a Holy, Omnipotent and Gracious God?

Buildings may be worth millions of dollars. Your business could be sold at a great price if you’ve poured blood, sweat, tears and time into it and have built it up into a status of high demand. Freedom is so valuable to us that most of us would give our lives to preserve it for our posterity. But how can you place any proper value on the LORD who loved us and gave himself for us? Priceless!

When I was a pastor, most everyone just called me “Steve” or “Brother Steve” and I often called them brother as well. Some called me “Brother Long” or “Pastor Long.” I never expected anything more. I never felt that I should be called “Reverend.”[i]

In College, we recognized professors with Doctorates as “Dr. Sherman” or “Dr. Schaeffer.”

In the court room, we address the judge as “Your Honor,” (though I have heard some lawyers address the judge as “Judge.”)

When I’m pulled over by a policeman, I always say; “Yes sir.” (My Momma didn’t raise no dummy.) But I usually greet most people whose name I don’t know with “Sir” or “Ma’am.” Sounds better than “Hey you!”

In England, things are a little different I suppose:

High court officials are called “My Lord” or “My Lady.” For some reason the Justice of Peace is sometimes called “Your Worship.”

Designations in the Church of England are as follows:

Deacons and Priests:  “Reverend,”

The Dean:                   “Very Reverend,”

Bishop:                        “Right Reverend,” or “Lord Bishop.”

Diocesan Bishop:        “Right Reverend and Right Honorable.”

The Archbishop:          “Most Reverend and Right Honorable”[ii]

A Knight or Baronet in England is addressed as “Sir” and his wife as “My Lady.” A Baron would be referred to as “My Lord” or “Your Lordship.” A Duke or Duchess there is addressed as “Your Grace.”

Princes and Princesses in England are called “His Royal Highness” or “Her Royal Highness.”

The Queen or King would receive the designation – “Her Majesty” or “His Majesty.”

It seems we place great value on the status of people in our culture. We give these honorable titles to people in high positions. Others place movie stars, rich people, politicians or athletes upon a pedestal.

We sometimes do this in the church too. I’ve been deeply disappointed in what I’ve seen in some men in ministry who I once thought were above most others only to learn that they were human too. I’ve been disappointed in myself as well when I should never have expected anything spectacular out of a frail, faulty human being.

It seems we’ve “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. “ (Romans 1.25)

Jesus showed us something about true worship when he said to the woman at the well:

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4.23-24)

The woman, who had met him there, thought worship was about location. Should it be done on a hill in Samaria or in Jerusalem?

Some think it is about locution. Just how eloquently can we pray? Can I come up with the right words to express how much I value God?

Jesus tells us that it is not about location or locution but that it concerns love. Our love for him is simply a response to the love he’s shown us. It is about embracing the truth about who God says that he is, and echoing back to him his goodness from our spirit in love. It comes from the heart.

Worship is not just Spiritual speech. It may involve that, but it involves a life lived in recognition of his Honor, Worship, Lordship, Grace, Royal Highness and Majesty. He is the Most Reverend, Most Honorable, Most High God.

I love saying that. Why don’t you say it with me?

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[i] He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111.9 – King James Version)

[ii] The scribes and the Pharisees… love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Should I Fear God?

Photo by Lucy Chian on Unsplash

Call me crazy, but I love thunder storms … that is, when I’m inside; not so much if I’m outside. But there’s just such a sense of comfort and security I feel whenever the storm is outside and I’m inside. This is how I feel knowing that I’m in Jesus.

Jesus is the man who:

• Slept in the midst of a death threatening storm.
• Will be as a hiding place from the wind,
  And a cover from the tempest,
  As rivers of water in a dry place,
  As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

To him, David prayed:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings. Selah (Psalm 61.2-4).

While Noah and his family were inside the Ark during the great flood, I’m sure the sound of the ocean being broken up and the hard pouring rain, pelting down upon the roof of that vessel must have been terrifying. But knowing that God had promised to protect them and knowing that the ship had been built to God’s specifications would have brought great peace, comfort and security during the most powerful storm in the history of the world.

In the Old Testament scriptures there are many commands to fear God. This was the God who gave the law. When he gave it, the people trembled.

But the New Testament is also replete with admonitions to fear God, such as this one:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12.28

One might think that since we are in the age of grace and no longer under the strict demands of the law, that there is no longer any reason to fear God. Well… that depends on what kind of fear we are talking about.

John Piper said; 

There’s terror outside of Christ and there’s a different kind of trembling inside of Christ.

He’s right. One kind of fear is that of fearing a policeman if you’re a criminal. The other is the fear of the same man by a law abiding citizen. The outlaw fears everything about the lawman and does all he can to avoid him. The other fears the officer in the sense of what he represents and does all he can to stay on good terms.

Just imagine meeting an angel! Evidently, their appearance is pretty intimidating. (They are not really the fat little floating cupids flapping their tiny, fluffy buffalo wings.)

It seems that angels, as portrayed in scripture, are always masculine, not feminine. They appeared to be men, usually without wings, except for the unique winged angelic beings called Cherubs (Cherubim) or Seraphs (Seraphim). All of them seem to be magnificent creatures which were made for God’s great glory.

Seeing such a being might scare the bejeebers out of us. So, the angels would invariably say, “Fear not,” to keep from frightening their audiences.

Often, when God himself appeared to people, he would also say, “Fear not.” I think we can clearly say that he does not want us to be afraid.

When God gave Moses the commandments to deliver to the people of Israel the people were very afraid. Seeing the thunderings, lightnings, the smoking mountain, and hearing the trumpet blasts, they said to Moses,

You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20.18-19)

Moses' answer was interesting – one which might sound very contradictory.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not (verse 20).

Notice that in the same sentence he says both “Fear not” and that God wants “that his fear may be” before their faces. See that? Fear not … that his fear may be.

This shows us the two different kinds of fear. Notice the contrast.

One Kind of Fear:                                  The Other Kind of Fear:

         

          An intimidating fear.                               An endearing fear. 

          A repelling fear.                                      An attractive fear.

          An unholy fear.                                       A holy fear.

          A troublesome fear (can’t sleep).           Secure, restful, peaceful.

          A fear that is conflicting.                         A respectful kind of fear.

A wholesome fear of God:

• Recognizes his holiness.
• Eliminates pride and presumption.
• Creates a love for him.
• Keeps us from pushing the limits of his limitless grace.
• Helps us to walk in obedience.
• Comes from a faith in both his greatness and his goodness.
• Realizes both the goodness and the severity of God.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king  

(1 Peter 2.17).