Category: judgment

I went into the hospital last Tuesday hoping for a one night stay. Instead, I didn’t get out until Sunday afternoon, proving that even though I’m in need of healing, the Lord still wants me to learn to persevere. We did have a good report on the cancerous protein that had begun to rise in February. The March test showed that there is once again no traceable level. Since I have taken no chemo, the doctors don’t really have a firm explanation, but we praise God and remember we are in his Hands. Eventually, two million, one hundred ninety thousand stem cells were extracted from my bone marrow, enough for a future transplant if needed. (I hope those cells enjoy a long time of storage 🙂 )

Christine was the kind nurse that spent about twenty-one hours with me in the process of collection. Her job is to watch the patient and a machine for three or four hour harvesting sessions. I’ve never met a more diligent nurse. She is a young lady with a daughter the age of our youngest child, Karlyn. She was kind, personable, and professional. She knew all about this incredible machine that took my blood and separated the different cells. I was so impressed with the way Christine did her job. She never fell asleep. Her job was to watch.

Besides enjoying a ‘little’ basketball while cooped up, I also saw a war movie that made me remember my trials are quite trivial compared to the trials of many. In this movie there was a little boy who was also given the job of watching. When he saw the enemy come over the horizon, he made the call that prepared an army to fight. So often this past week I was reminded of Jesus’ assignment to each of us: “Watch.”

Much could be written about each statement below. If it were just me saying it, I don’t know that I’d pay that much attention. But Jesus is the spokesman and His words in the Gospels and in Revelation must be heeded in our day and time. I’ll paraphrase a bit then give some Scriptures to read.

1. Watch for false prophets and those who will deceive many. Remember you can tell the false prophet by his fruit.
2. Watch for things to happen on earth that will cause much turmoil. But you do not need to be afraid.
3. Watch to make sure you are doing what God has given you to do. Don’t be caught sleeping.
4. Watch to make sure you are using the talents you have been given. Don’t bury yours.
5. Watch that your love does not grow cold. The wickedness in the world will make this common.
6. Watch a world become hostile to the Gospel. But trust the Holy Spirit to enable you to be a witness.
7. Watch Jerusalem… a city that has often been a part of God’s plan.
8. Watch that your hearts are not weighed down with worry and selfishness. Such people are not prepared.
9. Watch for Me in need. When you serve the least of my brothers and sisters, you serve your Savior.
10. Watch that you are not lukewarm. I would rather you be hot or cold.

Matthew 24 and 25
Mark 13
Luke 21
John 15
Revelation 2, 3, and 4

“What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” Mark13:37

Lord willing, I’ll fly out with a group to Namibia this coming Wednesday… so I won’t write for a while. Thanks for love and prayer.
Dana

I went to the airport to pick up a friend this week. There always seems to be a microcosm of the world in this part of Atlanta as friends, loved ones, and business associates anticipate the arrival of a traveler. All ages, colors, and nationalities travel up the long escalator to the main part of the airport. I think the lady to my right was from Russia. Next to her, a little girl talked excitedly to her father. I’m pretty sure they spoke French. The people to my left spoke Spanish. A young man who works at a sandwich shop near our school was there to pick up someone. We recognized each other and shook hands. I believe he is from India. Two little Korean girls squealed with glee as they saw their father appear at the top of the escalator. The man stooped down and hugged his daughters, then hugged his wife. Sweethearts ran to meet one another, friends embraced, and business men and women received instructions. I even saw ex-Chicago Bull Scotty Pippen emerge from the crowd.

I sometimes think about the judgment when I’m standing in that place. I’m sure God will have a better system than an escalator to bring each person before Him, but there will be quite a picture of diversity. He’ll judge every one of the billions of people that have ever lived with a perfect judgment. Those of us who had moms who could look right through us and almost know exactly what we were thinking have a tiny understanding of what each of us will experience. God will look us in the eye and we will know in an instant that He knows every single thing about us. We will also know, regardless of what we believed while we walked the earth, that there is an all-powerful Creator who is the definition of love. No human argument of evolution will be made on judgment day, and every knee will bow to the King of Kings.

Paul writes that the only way we can be prepared for this day is to be clothed in Christ. By faith we receive this gift of righteousness; by grace we are saved. The parables of Jesus reveal that what we do on this earth is going to be carefully examined. Many will not be able to enter the Kingdom because they rejected the Son. “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” These will argue with the King, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” Then Jesus will give a disturbing answer, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Those who are welcomed into the Kingdom prepared “since the creation of the world” will also be surprised by the words of Jesus. When commended by the King, the righteous will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or need clothing and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” And Jesus will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The friend I picked up at the airport lives in Africa. He and his wife are running a school for children who have been deeply impacted by the AIDS crisis on that continent. I’ve seen the missionaries bathe these little kids and give them food and medicine. I’ve seen the smiles of these children after receiving wonderful love from the family of God. Jesus says that when these little ones are served, He is being served. I think He is all around us.

“We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:7-10

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.” Matt 6:23 “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” Matt 25:12 “You do not know me or my Father.” John 8:19 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without your wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matt 22:11-14

Over and over Jesus exposed man’s presumption. People looked religious… but Jesus saw something different. People proudly read the Scripture… but they missed what was most important. People did ‘great’ things… but they were separated from God. Jesus told parables to reveal stunning truths such as this one: The greatest claim a man can make is not that He knows God, but that God knows him.

A friend called from Switzerland this week and shared a bit of his journey. A couple of years ago, he visited the States wondering how he was going to provide for his family. He had no income and no place to live. He had been a missionary in Europe for years. He had been part of church planting, leadership training, and evangelizing. But as he came to know the Lord better, he began to conclude that God wanted to do so much more than he could even imagine. He began to pray that the works of Jesus might be displayed to a lost world. He began to see the sick healed, captives set free, and words of knowledge given to the hurting and poor. While his faith grew, difficulty also increased. But through the struggles, presumption has given way to brokenness and dogmatism has given way to childlike trust in our Father in Heaven. It is very easy for my friend to share the most important thing that ever happened to him.

As a young man in Switzerland, he worked as a shepherd. It was during this period of his life that the Good Shepherd found him. Realizing he was a sinner, he bowed before the One who gave Himself at Calvary. At the Cross, the burden of sin was removed and rags of impurity were exchanged for a robe of righteousness. In the hills, amongst the sheep, a young man fell in love with Jesus. In all of the highs and lows of his Christian walk, my Swiss friend always remembers a sure surrender and a simple fellowship with his Savior.

“Unless a man humbles himself and comes to Me as a child, he cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. These are the ones I know. I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me shall be saved. I am the only Way to the Father and how I love to make my Father known! Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Follow Me and do the will of my Father. One glorious day you shall hear Me say, ‘I know you!’”

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” Matt 25:34-36

Anil Nag, a friend who lives in India, called several days after the tsunami struck the southern part of that nation. “Three of our brethren were killed and thirty-four are still missing”, he shared. “Please pray for us… and pray I will know how to comfort the Christians here.”

What should this heartbroken pastor say to our brothers and sisters whose world has just been turned upside down? Amongst the multitude of voices, can we discern Jesus’ words of grace and truth?

“You, My children, are prepared for this. All My sheep who died in the storm are safe with Me now. I know the deep sorrow in your hearts, but you need not grieve as the world grieves. You will be reunited one day. The false gods of your land only offer false hope. I am the only solid ground. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no storm can separate you from Me. Take courage! In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world! You have a message to share with those that have no hope. Some will listen; some will not. Some will hate God for what has happened, but My Father is withholding the end so more can be saved. Unless the lost repent, they all shall perish. My Kingdom is not of this world. This earth is not going to last forever! Lift up your eyes to Me. Trust God when all seems hopeless. I am with you.”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.” II Peter 3:1-14

If you’re not careful, when you go to a foreign country you’ll tend to give the most thanks for things that may not be very important in the Kingdom of God. “I thank you, Lord, that my country is not like this one! We have so much more and are so much smarter! Thank you that our food does not taste like this food! Thank you for dishwashers and televisions! Thank you that we all have cars and that our streets aren’t so crowded! Thank you that public restrooms are so much more pleasant in our land! Thank you, Lord, that I don’t live here!”

An even worse thanksgiving was described by Jesus in a parable:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,’God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

God sees perfectly! And on that day when we all see clearly, we may find everything upside down. The places in the world where the Kingdom is advancing most are those places where we would probably not want to live. Some of the children of God with the strongest faith would be pitied by most in our land. Just as the poor widow Jesus pointed out in the temple, some of the ones who are most generous would not even be noticed by those who give out of their wealth.

It is right to give thanks for country and heritage and food, but as we celebrate this week, let’s humbly remember our greatest blessing: A Father loved the world so much He gave His precious Son, so those who realized they were lost and needed mercy could put all their hope in Him and become children of God. Our King wants to eat with us! 🙂

“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22