cost

Posted on March 4, 2005 by Dana

I asked our eighteen-year-old son, Taylor, what he thought of the movie, LUTHER, and he said, “It was kind of depressing. Thousands of people died because of what he did.”

The Holy Spirit made Paul’s letter to the Romans come alive in Martin Luther. A young man found the love of God in a perfect Savior who died to rescue the undeserving. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” In the movie, Luther’s mentor saw the life of a young priest being transformed, so he challenged him to go out and change the world. But when controversy exploded and pressure increased, even the teacher encouraged his student to recant. This was Luther’s reply: “When you told me to go change the world, did you not think there would be a cost?”

We might expect personal difficulty as we obey God, but should our obedience hurt others? In MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, Oswald Chambers wrote, “If we obey God it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the sting comes in. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything, it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean other people’s plans are upset, and they will gibe us with it – ‘You call this Christianity?’ We can prevent suffering; but if we are going to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid.”

The only way to walk such a path is to have the mind of Christ. Jesus only cared what His Father thought, so He walked free from the fear of man. Even His enemies gave Jesus this compliment: “You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.” As you read the gospels, notice the unflinching resolve of the Son to obey the Father. Peter was one of those who would be “hurt” by Jesus’ obedience. He did not like talk of trial and crucifixion, so one day he pulled Jesus aside to rebuke Him. “‘Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of man.’” Oh that we may choose “the things of God” above “the things of man.”

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.” Matthew 27:32

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Luther

Posted on February 26, 2005 by Dana

I recently watched the movie, LUTHER, and was reminded afresh of the war in the spiritual world. Martin Luther, an imperfect man, came to a life-changing realization: CHRIST IS EVERYTHING. No wonder chaos broke out. No wonder a price was put on Luther’s head. No wonder a fire blazed across the world.

It is the truth of Christ that causes the devil to rage and the kingdoms of this world to fight. Christ demands our kingdoms fall… and how we love our kingdoms. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day would not entertain the thought of giving up control. No evidence of miracles, knowledge of Scripture, or insight into the heart of God would change their minds. “This man must be destroyed or our whole world will change!” So, without knowing his prophetic message, the high priest, Caiaphas, declared, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (see John 11:45-53)

This same spirit opposed Luther. “If people embrace this man’s preaching about indulgences, we’ll lose our income! If the common man reads Scripture in his own language, we’ll lose control!” The same spirit is at work in many parts of China today, where preaching from the book of Revelation is outlawed, because a King higher than any world government is proclaimed to have supreme authority. The same spirit creates havoc when a child of God declares truth that may not line up with man’s teaching within a denomination. James revealed the weapon most often used in our land: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

So if the battle is not against flesh and blood, what do the forces of evil in heavenly realms most fear? Is it not the message of Christ? “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly!” “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The Law cannot save… “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Put aside man’s traditions and run to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And when the devil raises his ugly head, tell him you will not fear… for your Redeemer lives.

In a powerful scene in the movie, Martin Luther, declared the truth that echoes throughout eternity. “If we truly believe that Christ is our Savior, then we have a God of love! And to see in faith is to look upon His friendly heart. So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and Hell, say this: “I admit I deserve death and Hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27

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funerals

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Dana

Susan’s uncle died this week and we attended his funeral in Huntsville, Alabama. While fighting cancer three years, Curtis had a peace that can only be attributed to our Creator.

I pay close attention at funerals these days, often wondering what mine will be like. Susan, Taylor, and I talked about this on our way home from Alabama. Taylor suggested I make a video myself telling funny stories and play it for those who gather. (He sometimes has strange ideas… :) )

The world shies away from discussions of death, but who will escape it? Apart from God, I guess there is good reason to hide from the subject, but Christians should not be afraid. Death to a Christian is the door to a promise. Besides, why should dead men fear? “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

I have great joy thinking of the life that is to come, and I should have an even greater joy realizing the life I already have! One perfect Man embraced a cruel death to bring eternal life. He now bids us die with Him expecting a promised resurrection. Michael W. Smith wrote a song entitled, I CAN HEAR YOUR VOICE: “I’m in the river that flows from Your throne – Water of Life. It covers me and I breathe again. Your love is breath to my soul. I can hear Your voice as You sing over me and I breathe again. It’s Your song of hope breathing life into me. I can feel Your touch as I come close to You and it heals my heart. You restore and renew.”

I think I hear His voice sometimes. And His words make me smile.

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God and trust in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions and I am preparing a place for you. If I am doing this, then you know I am coming back to take you with Me so you can be where I am. Until then, I have given My Spirit to guide and comfort and teach and remind you of all the things I have said. I also give you My peace. Remember, I don’t give as the world gives. So don’t let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14

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epic

Posted on February 12, 2005 by Dana

John Eldridge has written a little book entitled EPIC, in which he reminds us of the story of the greatest Hero of all time. When paradise was ruined after Adam and Eve’s sin, man lost innocence, authority, and unbroken fellowship with God. Who would take back what was stolen? The Son who, from the beginning was with God and who was God, said, “Here am I, send Me!” So Jesus came as a man, the second Adam, and resisted every temptation the devil threw at Him. He lived a full life, spotless and free. And He laid down that life at Calvary, according to the will of the Father. At the Cross, the price was paid… and on the third day the Resurrection sealed the Victory that gives us all hope. “I have come to bring Life!” is the Savior’s claim.

Those who have received Him know that His valiant rescues are ongoing. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.” The ‘found sheep’ then becomes a part of His Story and the great purposes of the Father are discovered.

Granted, we don’t always realize the ‘great purposes’ God has in mind for us, but every now and then we get a glimpse. This past Monday, John’s mom celebrated one year of freedom from alcohol and drugs. Family members, church friends, and several of our neighbors accepted the invitation of Terri’s Christ-centered  support group to honor and encourage this young mother who is running the race set before her. There were few dry eyes in the room as her dad stood before the group and shared how proud he was of his little girl. And a Father in Heaven smiled as Terri humbly shared that without God and without all the friends present, she would never have been able to make it.

Of course her journey is far from over, but more and more Terri realizes the impact her life has on others. And a little boy, who will have his first birthday next month, is the one most blessed.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know my Father – and I lay my life down for my sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Jn 10:14-16

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Jn 15:12

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know you

Posted on February 4, 2005 by Dana

“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

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