the Answer

Posted on May 28, 2003 by Dana

I guess this will be my last writing for a while as we are coming to the close of another school year. Some have noticed the Yahoo advertising on recent writings: “Get a free psychic reading… your online answer to life’s important questions.” When Jesus approached the spirits at work in this world, they would often shout the truth that was hidden from most men: “I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Interestingly, Jesus would sternly tell the evil spirits to be quiet.(see Mark 1:21-28) He did not want the good news proclaimed by demons.

He wants the good news proclaimed by us! “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Those who know Jesus can tell people where the answers really are. Of course, Jesus does not just give answers… He is the Answer. When we come to that place where we see Him as our Everything, life takes on new meaning. This sounds too simple for some, but it is true. When the things of this world cloud this truth, or when my own faithlessness or laziness prevents me from participating in the fellowship Jesus offers, I always weaken.

A dear missionary friend wrote us a note this week. Anna’s words proclaim the Answer, our hope: “It is all about Christ… who He is, as He gives Himself to us and helps us become more like Him. He is constantly calling us to “alignment” with Himself and His will. Often we miss this as are trying to do His will because we can be so caught up in the task ahead instead of the Person ahead – Him.”

Be caught up in Jesus this summer.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakuk 3:19

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

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victory

Posted on May 22, 2003 by Dana

Thousands of people assembled at the Gwinnett Fairgrounds last weekend for the annual Relay For Life to benefit cancer research. I did not get to participate, but our dear friend, Suzette, who battled breast cancer last year (and is now cancer-free), told me about it. The first lap is reserved to honor cancer survivors and their caretakers. Suzette had a hard time describing the emotions she felt as the huge crowd applauded and cheered during this “victory march”. Perhaps this was a small picture of the verse: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

There’s an interesting passage in Ephesians that gives a glimpse of another “victory march”. In the days of old when a king conquered another city, he would lead a procession of prisoners back to his kingdom. As the captured enemy and the spoils of war were displayed, a powerful message was sent to all: “I am victorious! This was my enemy, but now he is my subject! Behold!” As Paul shares that “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”, he portrays Jesus as the true champion who, after defeating death, ascended on high, and marched in triumph as a mighty conqueror. “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (Eph 4:7-8)

While the angels celebrated as Jesus took His place in Heaven, we take great hope that His “victory” is still in process. “For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (I Cor 15:25-26) How amazing it is that He invites us to participate with Him!

“Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.”

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imperishable

Posted on May 15, 2003 by Dana

In November of 2001, my mom’s mother passed away. She was 94. This past Sunday, on Mother’s Day, my dad’s mom died. She was 103. What a blessing to have grandparents live such full lives. Had they not lived, I would not have lived. “Precious memories… how they linger… how they ever flood my soul.”

As we age, it becomes more and more evident that these bodies are not made to last forever. At the funeral home this week, it was exciting to think of the “new bodies” that will come to those who are in Christ. Jesus, Himself, received such a resurrection body when He rose on the third day, and the Scripture says we will be like Him. Such a body will be full of power and glory. It will never perish.

I Corinthians 15 is an incredible chapter about the resurrection of Christ and what it means to us. Though I don’t understand all Paul discusses, I do gain great hope. Here are a few thoughts from this chapter:

What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body…

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…

As was the earthly man (Adam), so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven (Jesus), so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

So I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will be true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corithians 15:36-58

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perish

Posted on May 8, 2003 by Dana

Three years ago this August the doctor told us I had cancer. As he talked about starting treatment immediately, I asked what I considered to be a pretty good question: “What if I don’t do anything?” The answer was rather sobering: “You’ll have about three months to live.” The doctor could have put it this way: “You shall surely perish.”

We don’t use the word “perish” too often (unless we’re talking about fruit), but it was a common word for Jesus and His spokesmen. “Unless you repent, you will perish.” I wonder if such words were as powerful to Jesus’ listeners as my doctor’s message was to me. If the Word of the Lord went forth today saying, “Time is short! Repent or perish!”, I wonder what people would say.

I don’t guess I need to wonder what people would say, we know. “Quit trying to scare us with such nonsense! Alarmists have said ‘the end is near’ for generations, but time goes on.” What brings a response to a hard message? I only went through chemotherapy because I believed I had cancer, perhaps repentance only comes when someone believes there is a need.

I started to write that the most important thing is “what one believes”, but such a statement falls short. The most important thing is “what is true”. People may argue with the notion that time is short, but what is true? None of us have a guarantee of tomorrow. None of us know our final hour. The important matter is this: Do I need to repent? God wants me to know the truth. May we seek His face.

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 heaven 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 is 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. II Peter 2:3-9

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Capernaum

Posted on May 1, 2003 by Dana

In Capernaum, at the site some believe was the home of Peter’s mother-in-law, our friend, Harm, shared an interesting passage. While he was reading, our little girl, Karlyn, who was six at the time, spied a lizard and stuck her head between the metal posts of the iron fence to get a better look. Unfortunately, the head that went in would not come out! Karlyn started yelling as we tugged and pulled, but try as we might, we could not get her out of the predicament. Harm’s Bible lesson was cut short as we all tried to figure out what to do. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Karlyn (and her parents), someone suggested she step all the way through the fence. Thankfully, the idea worked and Karlyn was rescued. According to the Scripture Harm read, Capernaum would be a terrible place to be stuck when Jesus returns.

“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matt 11:23-24)

Sodom, a city known for wickedness and perversion, would have repented and escaped God’s wrath had they seen the miracles Jesus did in Capernaum. I’ll bet some argued, “You’re saying we’re worse than Sodom? You’re crazy!” We might ask God why He didn’t perform miracles in Sodom if they would have repented, but such questions do no good. God is sovereign. He alone designates seasons of mercy and times of judgment. The better question is: Why did Capernaum not repent? The tougher question is: What would Jesus say to my town or my country? Or even closer to home: What would Jesus say to my family or me?

Capernaum had every reason to believe in the Son of God. They saw His power; they heard His teaching; they were given so much, but what good did it do? People needed to repent, but they never did.

What have we been given? How many stories of faith from Scripture have we heard? Yet do we have faith? How many gifts of God’s love have we been given? Yet do we love Him? How much mercy have we been shown? Yet do we show others mercy? In recent years, we’ve seen cities bombed and evil regimes ousted, but I wonder if Jesus would say, “Do you think those cities were any worse than yours? If those cities had the Light you do, they would have repented and turned to Me long ago!”

Now there were some present at the time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5

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