wait

Posted on November 15, 2007 by Dana

From Psalm 37: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” The doctor added a new drug to the chemo I am taking and it is not much fun. Blurry mind, aching bones, and sleepless nights have become the norm. The word I keep hearing is: “Wait on the Lord.” I talked to a close friend who is not unfamiliar with suffering: “I think I am waiting on the Lord, but what am I waiting for?” My friend’s answer holds a joyful truth: “Waiting on the Lord means… having the Lord, Himself. That is what we all really want.”

Of course I argue that I really want something else: less pain, a clear mind, a good night’s sleep… But an all-loving Father says, “Taste and see that I am good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Me.” I recently ran across this poem by Russell Kelfer:

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and wept for a clue to my fate…
And the Master so gently said, “Wait.”

“Wait? You say wait?” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming Your Word.

“My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to ‘Wait?’
I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign.
Or even a ‘no,’ to which I’ll resign.

“You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied again, “Wait.”
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, “So I’m waiting… for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine…
And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

“I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

“You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair.
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

“You’d never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the love of My heart.

“The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

“You’d never know should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if I lost what I’m doing in you.

“So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft’ My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, ‘Wait.’”

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:1-2

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born

Posted on November 9, 2007 by Dana

It may not be surprising that Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist,” but there’s another half of the sentence that makes one curious: “… yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

We can be sure the truth of this statement has more to do with God than us… though Jesus tells us we do have a part to play: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

So how does one become greater than John the Baptist? A smart Jewish leader named Nicodemus was quite puzzled when the Rabbi from Nazareth told him the secret involved something beyond being born of a woman. I saw a bumper sticker recently that read: “I WAS BORN OK THE FIRST TIME.” But Jesus taught a different message: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again… I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of heaven unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

As Jesus praised John the Baptist, He knew the Father’s plan was to have a Spirit-born family. Each child of God comes to a stark conclusion as the destructive power of sin is realized: “I’m not OK!” And when the Good News of a perfect Savior shedding his blood for our forgiveness draws a soul to God, a child is born. Jesus knew what was to take place shortly after John was beheaded: He would suffer and die for the sins of the world; He would be buried and rise on the third day; He would appear to many before ascending to the right hand of the Father; then, at the appointed time, He would pour out the Holy Spirit to all who put their faith in him. Peter taught those accepting Jesus’ invitation at Pentecost of the wonderful promise of God: “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” That’s us.

“Lord, fill us each day with your Spirit! May we walk in the Spirit and may you produce in us the fruit of the Spirit that we may live like Jesus on this earth. Empower us to accomplish what we cannot do in our own strength. Thank you for invading our hearts and writing your laws on our minds. We rejoice in your unending love.”

“Yet to all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13

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legacy 2

Posted on November 1, 2007 by Dana

Once again, here’s the chorus of Nicole Nordeman’s song, “Legacy”:
I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering.
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

If Jesus had been asked to name a person who left a great legacy, I think he would have answered quickly: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus then gave insight into prophesy learned Jews often pondered. “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”

The interesting thing is that John didn’t see himself so clearly. He readily confessed, “I am not the Christ.” So the curious asked, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” and John replied, “I am not.” John wasn’t lying; he just didn’t know.

The greatest legacies in God’s eyes are left by those who don’t know everything. John knew he was a voice calling in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord.” Isaiah’s words had special meaning for John, but he could only preach the things God showed him. As he baptized with water, he talked about One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John was simply faithful. When the Messiah was revealed, he was overjoyed. The legacy of John was that he was consumed with another. Nicole Nordeman would say he pointed to Jesus “enough to make a mark on things.”

But though he was faithful, things didn’t turn out the way John expected. His ministry brought criticism. Some concluded, “He has a demon.” Others simply discounted his message of repentance. Then a wicked king threw him in jail… and a wicked queen asked for his head. In the cloud of lonely suffering, doubts invaded the mind of the prophet. “Did I miss it? Is he really the One? Was I somehow deceived?” One whose legacy depends on Christ stands on a solid Rock but often feels like he’s on an uncertain journey. When everyone deserted Jesus after his difficult teaching in John 6, the apostles were a little stunned. “You don’t want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.” Peter gave this wonderful reply, but John the Baptist asked a different question. “Go ask Jesus, ‘Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” Jesus told his friends to go report the powerful things he was doing: the blind received sight, the lame could walk, the lepers were healed, the dead were raised, and the good news was preached to the poor. Then Jesus added an intriguing sentence: “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

John’s response to Jesus’ message is not recorded in Scripture, but I’ll bet he was encouraged. “OK… It’s not about my plan; it’s about God’s. I’ll trust him to the end.”

“John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming to us.’ John replied, ‘God in heaven appoints each person’s work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him – that is all. The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom’s friend and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of the earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.” John 3:27-36 (New Living Translation)

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legacy

Posted on October 26, 2007 by Dana

This is the chorus of Nicole Nordeman’s song, “Legacy”:
I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering.
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

I guess everyone eventually asks the question: Did my life make a difference? Non-believers think about legacies too, but the Christian is concerned with the Heavenly Father’s judgment. He does not examine with ‘worldly wisdom,’ and his evaluations are perfect. “His (the believer’s) work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (I Cor 3:13-15) The raging fires in California look tame compared to God’s holy fire.

Most don’t even try to understand such a passage, for the world disregards God and considers only the temporal. The believer knows the eternal is most important so he must ask, “What will God’s fire consume?” This can be a frightening thought and the faint of heart might decide not even to make an attempt. “God is such a perfect judge; I’m just going to bury my talent to make sure I don’t lose it.” Jesus’ parable warns against such a poor strategy as the Master pronounced a dreadful sentence on such a one: “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

So what’s your strategy? You know these writings are usually writings to myself. It’s like God asks me to write down what he wants me to live out. Here’s my side of the conversation: “Lord, I don’t want the world’s type of legacy… I want to think like you do. When your fire falls on much that I’ve done in my life, I know it will burn like grass. I’m not going to pretend; forgive me of my sins, my pride, my presumption, and my unbelief. I know I must build on what you’ve done. I know I’ve sinned and fallen short of your glory, but I will hold to the rest of the sentence… that I have been justified freely by your grace through the redemption that came by Jesus. Thank you. So, Lord, you have proclaimed me righteous through your Son, let me live up to what I’ve attained. I know I must build on Jesus Christ. Everything else is going to burn, isn’t it? Only those things solidly built on him, through him, and in him will last. So, Lord, give me wisdom. Give me eyes to see; give me ears to hear. Lord, I offer myself to you. Let me be diligent to use everything you’ve given me for your glory. Lord, fill me with your Spirit that I may not be fooled or distracted by the evil one. Lord, let me build wisely with a heart set on eternity. Let me not be lazy. Let me not be foolish. Let me not be selfish. I depend on you, Lord, Christ in me, the hope of glory. Unless you build the house, I labor in vain. May your Kingdom come and may your will be done in me and in my family and in this earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.”

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Cor 3:10-11

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count

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Dana

“You are being invited to be a part of the team going to Namibia this spring. Before tickets are purchased, I want to share some important things about the trip. My intent will not be to discourage, but I must be very honest about ‘counting the cost.’” I recently wrote these words to a group of high school students who signed up for a mission trip to Africa.

Coaches give similar communication before a season. “If you’re going to be a part of this team you need to know the commitment required. You’ll have to practice three hours every day we don’t have games. You’ll have to do everything I demand as a coach. There will be times you won’t like me too much because I’m going to push you beyond the point you think you can go. I want you to be on this team, but you must count the cost.”

It is not a ‘loveless’ Jesus who gives ‘hard’ words about following him. An ‘honest’ Jesus tells every potential disciple to count the cost. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me… I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross cannot follow me.”

So why do people sign up for a grueling trip to the other side of the world? Many have heard stories from kids that have gone before. Most will decide the hardships are worth it. Some will say, “This is not about me… it is about serving others and being an instrument of God’s love.” Or why does an athlete decide to join the team? Most realize that anything worth doing is going to involve sacrifice. Many dream of a championship at the end of a season. Some love a coach so much they would do anything to be a part.

The reasons for following Jesus go a little deeper. First, Jesus reminds us, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” He is King… and we’ve been bought with a price. But perhaps some of the thoughts above apply. Most of us are inspired by some who have gone before. A ‘cloud of witnesses’ testifies that any hardship or sacrifice is worth it. We all surely realize this life is not just about ‘me.’ The hope of a final victory is more than a dream for the believer… it is a promise from God. And we all should love our Savior so much we would do anything to be called his disciple. Let the Master’s words sink deep…

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matt 16:25-27

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Matt 19:29-30

“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Jn 15:14-15

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