It is a scary world we live in. On September 11, 2001 the World Trade Center was destroyed and the Pentagon attacked. The “War on Terror” continues in Afghanistan and Iraq. Violence is on the news in other parts of the world. The news is full of accounts of children being abducted (thankfully, some have recently been found alive and/or have escaped their captors). Yes, it is a scary world!
We do not have to look far to see several who would harm us if they could. Some of them are terrifying. It may be that someone is intimidated by a boss or a co-worker; perhaps someone at school scares you to death. When we watch the news and see what is happening around the world and around the corner, it is hard not to be a little frightened. Parents in the United States are paying closer attention to where their children are (or they should be). As a missionary (and I’m still a missionary at heart) I think about what it would be like to be on the street in Jerusalem, Kabul, or Baghdad right now. Scary! Still, someone has to be in those places or in those situations. Those things that terrify us across the globe make up everyday life for the people who live there. And the things in your everyday life that terrify you would probably terrify others, too. I have to admit, so far this “word of encouragement” is not sounding very “Barnabas-like,” is it?
Well, there is good news. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled (1 Peter 3:13, 14). I know it sounds trite and easy to say, but it’s true! What harm can really come to us if we are zealous for what is good? I don’t mean that our hearts won’t break when some of the things that happen in this life happen to us. Those of you who have lost children know the deep and awful pain the parents of those recently in the news are going through. I do not for one moment want to give anyone the impression that there is no pain involved in this world or that if you feel such pain, you have no faith. Of course there is pain! But it cannot overcome you if you refuse to be overcome!
Are you familiar with Isaiah 40:31? It says: Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Did you ever wonder about mounting up with wings like eagles? Pictures flood our minds of soaring high, presumably high over those things which threaten us. Rather than being overcome, we overcome. That is a very good way to understand the picture being drawn here. But did you ever wonder what happens to the eagle when a storm threatens? Not far from where my family and I used to live in Colorado is Gore Canyon. The Colorado River runs through it. There are cliffs in that canyon that rise 3,000 feet straight up. There are a lot of golden eagles there. If an eagle is caught on the face of such a cliff when a storm strikes, it could be thrown into the mountain and killed, except for one thing – God has given the eagle the instinct to set the attitude of his wings to allow the updraft of the storm to carry him up and out of danger. Do you see the comparison? It doesn’t matter whether you are talking aeronautics or life in general; attitude is the key.
I once heard a character on a TV program say, “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” There may be some truth in that, but Scripture says it also builds character. James wrote: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1:2, 3). Adversity will produce endurance, if we will endure it with the right attitude.
If my boss or co-worker or teacher or acquaintance threatens me, or if my friend hurts my feelings, I have to set my attitude so that the threat itself lifts me out of danger. If some catastrophe were to befall a member of my family, I would have to set my attitude so that the threat would not overcome me, but lift me out of danger. If I find myself on the streets of some city anywhere in this world and my life is threatened or taken, who could really harm me if I prove zealous for what is good? What really is there to fear? Nothing! Hallelujah, praise Jehovah!!
Take care and have a great week because Jehovah loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
A peaceful spring on the Macedonian side of Lake Ochrid in the Balkan Mountains
Thursday, April 5, 2007
The Salvation of the Lord
“What are we supposed to do now, huh Moses?” You can almost hear the sarcasm that must have crossed the minds of at least some of the cynical among the Israelites. It had been a hectic few weeks. First, Moses showed up after forty years and told them Jehovah had remembered them and would set them free. That got everyone excited. Pharaoh, on the other hand, had a different plan. He made them work even harder. Thanks, Moses! In the end, after a monumental struggle of wills, Pharaoh was beaten and the children of Israel marched out of Egypt leaving that country in ruins. The only thing the Egyptians had left was the most powerful army on the planet. And now, that army was hot on their trail and had the Israelites pinned against the Red Sea with nowhere to run. You know some were sarcastic to Moses because of what we know they said: Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).
Have you ever had your hopes built up for something really great and then had them dashed before your very eyes? I used to know a fellow who would answer the question, “How are you?” by saying, “Fine, but I’ll get over it!” Now, he was joking and I thought it was funny, but some people really do look at life that way. They are afraid to get their hopes up because they just know those hopes will be dashed. Have you ever had your back up against the wall with nowhere to go?
Listen to how Moses answered the fear of the people: But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:13, 14). Did you catch that? Here is the formula for their deliverance: 1) Do not be afraid! 2) Stand by – don’t run! 3) See the salvation of the Lord! 4) Keep silent!
The first thing we do when victory seems about to be snatched away or when we have our backs against the wall and there is no way out is…fear not! I love 2 Chronicles 20:15: and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” Wow! The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s!!
The next thing we have to do is stand still, or do not run. This battle may not be ours, but we cannot run in the face of the enemy. We must trust in the Lord, even when we do not see the salvation yet.
The third step in this formula is to see the salvation. The apostle Paul promised that part of God’s care to see that we do not suffer more temptation that we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13) is that He provides a way of escape. We must be looking for that way of escape to avoid temptation. When our backs are against the wall and the whole world (it seems) is against us, God will take care of us, but it takes spiritual eyes to see it. In other words, your salvation may not come in physical form. You may die, but if you are faithful unto death, He will give you a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Do you see the salvation? Do you see (understand) with your spiritual eyes that God is in charge of the situation?
The fourth thing Moses told the people to do was to keep silent. Have you ever noticed that you cannot hear very well when you are talking? My ears work a lot better when my mouth is shut! Scripture tells us that the tongue is a terribly destructive thing when misused (James 3:5). Amazingly, it causes no damage when kept behind the bars of a clenched jaw. Do not challenge God! Do not hold out your innocence as a reason why you do not deserve to suffer this problem or that calamity! You and I do not have anything to brag about or complain about. We have been given an opportunity to be children of God; to be under His protective wing.
Do you remember those mean old Egyptians that were coming after the Israelites? You know the story, don’t you? God parted the sea and the Israelites walked across on dry land. The Egyptians followed, but God caused the wheels of their chariots to swerve and made it hard for them to drive. When the Egyptians realized that God was fighting for the Israelites they tried to go back, but it was too late. Jehovah had Moses stretch out his hand over the sea and it returned to its place drowning all the Egyptians. Look what happened next: When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses (Exodus 14:31).
Have you ever seen the salvation of the Lord in your life? Let me challenge and encourage you to not be afraid, stand by, see the salvation of the Lord and keep silent before Him! If you do this in faithful submission to His will as outlined in Scripture, you and He are one unbeatable combination! Your enemies do not stand a chance. Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Have you ever had your hopes built up for something really great and then had them dashed before your very eyes? I used to know a fellow who would answer the question, “How are you?” by saying, “Fine, but I’ll get over it!” Now, he was joking and I thought it was funny, but some people really do look at life that way. They are afraid to get their hopes up because they just know those hopes will be dashed. Have you ever had your back up against the wall with nowhere to go?
Listen to how Moses answered the fear of the people: But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:13, 14). Did you catch that? Here is the formula for their deliverance: 1) Do not be afraid! 2) Stand by – don’t run! 3) See the salvation of the Lord! 4) Keep silent!
The first thing we do when victory seems about to be snatched away or when we have our backs against the wall and there is no way out is…fear not! I love 2 Chronicles 20:15: and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” Wow! The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s!!
The next thing we have to do is stand still, or do not run. This battle may not be ours, but we cannot run in the face of the enemy. We must trust in the Lord, even when we do not see the salvation yet.
The third step in this formula is to see the salvation. The apostle Paul promised that part of God’s care to see that we do not suffer more temptation that we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13) is that He provides a way of escape. We must be looking for that way of escape to avoid temptation. When our backs are against the wall and the whole world (it seems) is against us, God will take care of us, but it takes spiritual eyes to see it. In other words, your salvation may not come in physical form. You may die, but if you are faithful unto death, He will give you a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Do you see the salvation? Do you see (understand) with your spiritual eyes that God is in charge of the situation?
The fourth thing Moses told the people to do was to keep silent. Have you ever noticed that you cannot hear very well when you are talking? My ears work a lot better when my mouth is shut! Scripture tells us that the tongue is a terribly destructive thing when misused (James 3:5). Amazingly, it causes no damage when kept behind the bars of a clenched jaw. Do not challenge God! Do not hold out your innocence as a reason why you do not deserve to suffer this problem or that calamity! You and I do not have anything to brag about or complain about. We have been given an opportunity to be children of God; to be under His protective wing.
Do you remember those mean old Egyptians that were coming after the Israelites? You know the story, don’t you? God parted the sea and the Israelites walked across on dry land. The Egyptians followed, but God caused the wheels of their chariots to swerve and made it hard for them to drive. When the Egyptians realized that God was fighting for the Israelites they tried to go back, but it was too late. Jehovah had Moses stretch out his hand over the sea and it returned to its place drowning all the Egyptians. Look what happened next: When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses (Exodus 14:31).
Have you ever seen the salvation of the Lord in your life? Let me challenge and encourage you to not be afraid, stand by, see the salvation of the Lord and keep silent before Him! If you do this in faithful submission to His will as outlined in Scripture, you and He are one unbeatable combination! Your enemies do not stand a chance. Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The Lord Goes Ahead
Did you ever count how many times the Bible says, “Do not fear,” or “Do not be afraid”? The exact number of times is…a lot! After Moses told the Israelites that God had told him he would not be crossing the Jordan River, he called Joshua, the son of Nun, and commissioned him to lead the people of God. Moses told him: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7, 8). I love that passage!
Think for a moment what Joshua was being asked to do. He was to lead a nation of refugees, over a million strong, into a region made up of several established nations with standing armies and fortified cities and kick them all out! This nation of refugees had proven themselves more than capable of being a handful for their leader. In fact, for almost forty years now, these Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness, forbidden by God to enter the land of Canaan, precisely because of their rebellious attitude. They gave Moses fits. Granted, after forty years in the wilderness, being cared for miraculously by Jehovah God, the people’s faith had grown, but this was still no easy task. And Moses says, “Don’t be afraid!”? Yeah, right!
However, did you catch Moses’ reasoning for saying not to fear? Joshua did not have to be afraid because the Lord was going ahead of him. If you are a running back in football (American football for those of you outside the United States), how would you like your lead blocker to be the Creator of the universe; the One Who can command the opposition (or even the grass) to get out of your way and it has no choice but to obey? I’m not talking about anything miraculous in the application for us today, but imagine…the Lord goes ahead of His people.
I hope no one misunderstands what I am saying here and thinks that God will condone sinful behavior. God does not go ahead of you or me in endeavors opposed to His will. God did go ahead of Joshua, but when Joshua led the people away from God, or when they abandoned God, He did not remain with them. Notice Joshua 7:12, where God says to Joshua: “Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” Moses told Joshua that he did not have to be afraid because God was going ahead of him. Now, God tells Joshua that He will no longer be with him unless there is repentance. That translates into, “Joshua, unless you and the people repent, be afraid…be very afraid!!!”
Look what happened next. After Joshua and the people repented and the offender was punished, we read: Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land” (Joshua 8:1).
What does all that have to do with Barnabas Notes? It strikes me that there are a lot of people in this world who are faced with some rather daunting tasks; in fact, some tasks that appear downright impossible to accomplish. If those tasks involve fulfilling the will of God in your life, hear Moses’ words that we read from Deuteronomy 31:7, 8. If you are guilty of sin then the words of Jehovah in Joshua 7:12 are vital for you to hear and understand. And when you repent, take Joshua 8:1 to heart. The particulars of what is required for true repentance are different for us now than they were for Joshua and the Israelites. Those particulars are found in the New Testament and are not difficult to understand, but the principle is true for all. The life every person leads is difficult at times, but if you step out in fellowship with God (according to His definition of fellowship with Him), you do not have to be afraid of anything, as long as you remain His. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God loves you so much? Well, He does and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Think for a moment what Joshua was being asked to do. He was to lead a nation of refugees, over a million strong, into a region made up of several established nations with standing armies and fortified cities and kick them all out! This nation of refugees had proven themselves more than capable of being a handful for their leader. In fact, for almost forty years now, these Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness, forbidden by God to enter the land of Canaan, precisely because of their rebellious attitude. They gave Moses fits. Granted, after forty years in the wilderness, being cared for miraculously by Jehovah God, the people’s faith had grown, but this was still no easy task. And Moses says, “Don’t be afraid!”? Yeah, right!
However, did you catch Moses’ reasoning for saying not to fear? Joshua did not have to be afraid because the Lord was going ahead of him. If you are a running back in football (American football for those of you outside the United States), how would you like your lead blocker to be the Creator of the universe; the One Who can command the opposition (or even the grass) to get out of your way and it has no choice but to obey? I’m not talking about anything miraculous in the application for us today, but imagine…the Lord goes ahead of His people.
I hope no one misunderstands what I am saying here and thinks that God will condone sinful behavior. God does not go ahead of you or me in endeavors opposed to His will. God did go ahead of Joshua, but when Joshua led the people away from God, or when they abandoned God, He did not remain with them. Notice Joshua 7:12, where God says to Joshua: “Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” Moses told Joshua that he did not have to be afraid because God was going ahead of him. Now, God tells Joshua that He will no longer be with him unless there is repentance. That translates into, “Joshua, unless you and the people repent, be afraid…be very afraid!!!”
Look what happened next. After Joshua and the people repented and the offender was punished, we read: Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land” (Joshua 8:1).
What does all that have to do with Barnabas Notes? It strikes me that there are a lot of people in this world who are faced with some rather daunting tasks; in fact, some tasks that appear downright impossible to accomplish. If those tasks involve fulfilling the will of God in your life, hear Moses’ words that we read from Deuteronomy 31:7, 8. If you are guilty of sin then the words of Jehovah in Joshua 7:12 are vital for you to hear and understand. And when you repent, take Joshua 8:1 to heart. The particulars of what is required for true repentance are different for us now than they were for Joshua and the Israelites. Those particulars are found in the New Testament and are not difficult to understand, but the principle is true for all. The life every person leads is difficult at times, but if you step out in fellowship with God (according to His definition of fellowship with Him), you do not have to be afraid of anything, as long as you remain His. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God loves you so much? Well, He does and so do I.
Donnie Bates
The Return of Barnabas
OK, it's "word eating" time. The last time I posted anything on this blog I said there would be no new posts here. Well, I changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that, am I not? After a month and a half of not posting on this blog, it occurs to me that Barnabas Notes might do more good if we keep this format alive. So, I'm going to start posting these notes of encouragement again.
Right now, the whole set of Barnabas Notes in included in Volumes I and II. The set can be purchased by visiting http://donniebates.com and following the link to "Barnabas Notes." I will also be starting Volume III in the very near future. It is my prayer that these articles will some good for those who read them and bring honor and glory to God.
God bless and know that He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Right now, the whole set of Barnabas Notes in included in Volumes I and II. The set can be purchased by visiting http://donniebates.com and following the link to "Barnabas Notes." I will also be starting Volume III in the very near future. It is my prayer that these articles will some good for those who read them and bring honor and glory to God.
God bless and know that He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Monday, February 12, 2007
Even In My Darkest Hour
I remember the darkest day of my preaching life. And frankly, I don’t want to dwell on it. Still, there may be some benefit in remembering the time when I most needed encouragement and remembering the fact that I got through it, through no fault of my own except that I put my trust in the only place left…my Friend Who laid down His life for me.
Without revealing too much, let me just say that I had never in my life seen Christians attack one another the way I did that day. I was one of those attacked, but that did not happen until I tried to interject some calm reasoning into what I perceived was a situation getting out of hand. I loved them and hurt for them and tried my best to help ease the pain and bring Christian brethren closer to God. What I accomplished was to merely refocus the attack on myself. I understand the noble concept of self-sacrifice and in some situations would gladly offer myself, but that was not my intention that day.
All of us have been in frustrating situations. I had been before that day, but never had I been so shocked by the behavior of men who call themselves Christians. Nor have I since, “by the help of the good Lord” (as my dear departed friend brother Aubrey Chalmers used to say). For the first (and only) time in my preaching career, when Sunday morning came around I wanted to find a hole, climb in and pull it in after myself. I did not want to go to church. I did not want to preach. How could I preach? How could I stand in front of those same people? Every ounce of credibility I thought I had before had been destroyed, it seemed to me. Honestly, the only reason I went to church that day and preached the sermon I had prepared before this incident took place was because I could not think of a way not to. It was not courage that took me to church that day. It was surrender. I had reached the end of my ability to handle the situation. I was out of answers. The only thing I could do was place myself in the hands of God, take a deep breath and preach.
Some might ask why I would describe such a painful episode in my life in an article that is supposed to be about encouragement. Well, I’ll tell you. It is hard for me to imagine than any one of you has been through anything as bad as my worst nightmare. By the same token, you probably do not think mine is as bad as your worst experience. Regardless of whether or not you or I have suffered as much as the other, God takes care of us. I am so very glad verses like Psalm 139:11, 12 are in my Bible: If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. God saw me in my darkest hour. When I had no more answers, He was just starting. He was in control all along. He was faithful to not allow me to endure more temptation than I was able to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). You had better believe that I was tempted to cut and run. I don’t mean move to another congregation; I mean cut and run that day. But I didn’t. I dejectedly surrendered myself to the will of God and preached the Gospel. As it turns out, that was just what I was supposed to do.
I still, from time to time, get myself into trouble. Sometimes (usually) it is my own fault; other times it’s not. In any case, my Heavenly Father is always there for me. There is nowhere I can go where He is not. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:5, 6).
Do you ever find yourself facing a situation you simply cannot see how to overcome? There is just no way out. You cannot go forward; you cannot go back. There is just no hope of winning this one. Thanks be to God, there is a way out. It will not look like a way out, perhaps, but God’s way is a way out! School yourself to remember Psalm 139. Train yourself to look for God’s way out. Know that God is with you and will not forsake you. He loves you and so do I.
Without revealing too much, let me just say that I had never in my life seen Christians attack one another the way I did that day. I was one of those attacked, but that did not happen until I tried to interject some calm reasoning into what I perceived was a situation getting out of hand. I loved them and hurt for them and tried my best to help ease the pain and bring Christian brethren closer to God. What I accomplished was to merely refocus the attack on myself. I understand the noble concept of self-sacrifice and in some situations would gladly offer myself, but that was not my intention that day.
All of us have been in frustrating situations. I had been before that day, but never had I been so shocked by the behavior of men who call themselves Christians. Nor have I since, “by the help of the good Lord” (as my dear departed friend brother Aubrey Chalmers used to say). For the first (and only) time in my preaching career, when Sunday morning came around I wanted to find a hole, climb in and pull it in after myself. I did not want to go to church. I did not want to preach. How could I preach? How could I stand in front of those same people? Every ounce of credibility I thought I had before had been destroyed, it seemed to me. Honestly, the only reason I went to church that day and preached the sermon I had prepared before this incident took place was because I could not think of a way not to. It was not courage that took me to church that day. It was surrender. I had reached the end of my ability to handle the situation. I was out of answers. The only thing I could do was place myself in the hands of God, take a deep breath and preach.
Some might ask why I would describe such a painful episode in my life in an article that is supposed to be about encouragement. Well, I’ll tell you. It is hard for me to imagine than any one of you has been through anything as bad as my worst nightmare. By the same token, you probably do not think mine is as bad as your worst experience. Regardless of whether or not you or I have suffered as much as the other, God takes care of us. I am so very glad verses like Psalm 139:11, 12 are in my Bible: If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. God saw me in my darkest hour. When I had no more answers, He was just starting. He was in control all along. He was faithful to not allow me to endure more temptation than I was able to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). You had better believe that I was tempted to cut and run. I don’t mean move to another congregation; I mean cut and run that day. But I didn’t. I dejectedly surrendered myself to the will of God and preached the Gospel. As it turns out, that was just what I was supposed to do.
I still, from time to time, get myself into trouble. Sometimes (usually) it is my own fault; other times it’s not. In any case, my Heavenly Father is always there for me. There is nowhere I can go where He is not. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:5, 6).
Do you ever find yourself facing a situation you simply cannot see how to overcome? There is just no way out. You cannot go forward; you cannot go back. There is just no hope of winning this one. Thanks be to God, there is a way out. It will not look like a way out, perhaps, but God’s way is a way out! School yourself to remember Psalm 139. Train yourself to look for God’s way out. Know that God is with you and will not forsake you. He loves you and so do I.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The Need for Encouraging Words
One of the most discouraging things that can happen to a faithful Christian is the apparent futility of his or her work for the Lord. When one faithfully pours his heart into a work, failure is much more painful than if he fails at a job that he only halfheartedly attempted in the first place. Our work in the vineyard of the Lord, in order to be carried out faithfully, will be a work we pour our hearts into. And, when it appears that such work is unsuccessful, it hurts; it discourages. This was true even when God told His servant beforehand that the people to whom he would preach would fight against him (Jeremiah 1:19). Still, Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. It can be very discouraging when people will not listen to the truth.
One reason our work may appear futile or ineffective is the actions of brethren who are working with us. We may ask ourselves, “How can I persuade the lost to follow Jesus when my own brethren act the way they do?” Sometimes Christians find themselves in a difficult struggle or an intense battle in the Good Fight. Perhaps the members of a congregation are involved in a difficult and trying time in the life of their local body and the faithful are doing everything they can to stand for what is right. Or, perhaps a team of missionaries is working on some field (foreign or domestic) and is involved in intense Bible study with the lost, teaching classes and individuals for six, eight, ten, or twelve hours a day. When the battle is joined so intensely, we have to understand that our enemy is fighting back just as hard. He will not win, of course, if we remain faithful, but we have to remain on the alert in order to be faithful (1 Peter 5:8). In noticing some of the attitudes and temperaments of Christians in these situations, I have started thinking of them this way. When the faithful are fully engaged in the Good Fight, swords swinging, fighting “knuckle and skull” with our enemy, sometimes we inflict nicks and cuts on our brethren simply because we are in such close proximity and fighting so fiercely. Please do not misunderstand me to be excusing insensitivity or bad moods or biting words. Great care must be taken to avoid such. Having been guilty of some of these things, I have determined to repent of that sin and increase my self-control. It is not easy, but it can be done. When we find ourselves on the receiving end of a harsh word or an insensitive remark from a brother or sister with whom we are working closely and intensely for the cause of Christ, it may indeed be that attention must be called to that injury that has been inflicted. However, we do not have to let the devil win this battle by coming between us (dividing and conquering).
In a marriage relationship there are times over the course of many years when one or the other spouse, for whatever reason, is not at 100% physically, emotionally, or spiritually and needs the other to give the necessary support to get them through a rough time. Loving husbands and wives do that for one another and the relationship survives, even flourishes. Well, sometimes the same things happen in other kinds of relationships and that includes the relationship between Christians who find themselves in stressful times and who may injure one another in the heat of battle. A word of encouragement will go a long way toward healing that wound and preventing the same thing from happening again.
A simple word of encouragement can not only heal a wound; it can strengthen a person’s resolve to continue when a bad experience threatens to stop his efforts in their tracks. It can turn a frown into a smile and dry a tear. I happen to think tears on the battlefield of the Good Fight are a good thing. They signal the passion and love Christians must have in this fight. They also signal a need on the part of a beloved brother or sister to whom we can minister.
When you are on that battlefield (and Christians should always be on the battlefield) remember to keep a scabbard full of encouraging words ready to use in an emergency. You never know when a comrade will be wounded and you may be the only one close by who can heal that wound. God has given you everything you need to get through this battle successfully (2 Peter 1:3), because He does not want anyone to be lost (2 Peter 3:9). He loves you and so do I.
One reason our work may appear futile or ineffective is the actions of brethren who are working with us. We may ask ourselves, “How can I persuade the lost to follow Jesus when my own brethren act the way they do?” Sometimes Christians find themselves in a difficult struggle or an intense battle in the Good Fight. Perhaps the members of a congregation are involved in a difficult and trying time in the life of their local body and the faithful are doing everything they can to stand for what is right. Or, perhaps a team of missionaries is working on some field (foreign or domestic) and is involved in intense Bible study with the lost, teaching classes and individuals for six, eight, ten, or twelve hours a day. When the battle is joined so intensely, we have to understand that our enemy is fighting back just as hard. He will not win, of course, if we remain faithful, but we have to remain on the alert in order to be faithful (1 Peter 5:8). In noticing some of the attitudes and temperaments of Christians in these situations, I have started thinking of them this way. When the faithful are fully engaged in the Good Fight, swords swinging, fighting “knuckle and skull” with our enemy, sometimes we inflict nicks and cuts on our brethren simply because we are in such close proximity and fighting so fiercely. Please do not misunderstand me to be excusing insensitivity or bad moods or biting words. Great care must be taken to avoid such. Having been guilty of some of these things, I have determined to repent of that sin and increase my self-control. It is not easy, but it can be done. When we find ourselves on the receiving end of a harsh word or an insensitive remark from a brother or sister with whom we are working closely and intensely for the cause of Christ, it may indeed be that attention must be called to that injury that has been inflicted. However, we do not have to let the devil win this battle by coming between us (dividing and conquering).
In a marriage relationship there are times over the course of many years when one or the other spouse, for whatever reason, is not at 100% physically, emotionally, or spiritually and needs the other to give the necessary support to get them through a rough time. Loving husbands and wives do that for one another and the relationship survives, even flourishes. Well, sometimes the same things happen in other kinds of relationships and that includes the relationship between Christians who find themselves in stressful times and who may injure one another in the heat of battle. A word of encouragement will go a long way toward healing that wound and preventing the same thing from happening again.
A simple word of encouragement can not only heal a wound; it can strengthen a person’s resolve to continue when a bad experience threatens to stop his efforts in their tracks. It can turn a frown into a smile and dry a tear. I happen to think tears on the battlefield of the Good Fight are a good thing. They signal the passion and love Christians must have in this fight. They also signal a need on the part of a beloved brother or sister to whom we can minister.
When you are on that battlefield (and Christians should always be on the battlefield) remember to keep a scabbard full of encouraging words ready to use in an emergency. You never know when a comrade will be wounded and you may be the only one close by who can heal that wound. God has given you everything you need to get through this battle successfully (2 Peter 1:3), because He does not want anyone to be lost (2 Peter 3:9). He loves you and so do I.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
I Know Where You Live
“I know where you live!” Uttered by the wrong person, those can be pretty intimidating, even frightening, words. Sometimes when they are uttered by the right person they can get your attention; especially if you have been doing something you should not be doing. When they are uttered by Jesus Himself, the Righteous Judge, they can be terrifying for the sinner. But wait a minute! Isn’t this supposed to be a blog about encouragement? Yes, it is! On one particular occasion, Jesus made the statement, “I know where you live” to a group of Christians who very much needed encouragement. The church of Jesus Christ in Pergamum, Asia (the southwestern-most province of Asia Minor, now Turkey) was in a difficult position. Pergamum was the seat of the Roman government in that province. Very likely the pressure on Christians to engage in emperor worship was greater there than in any of the other cities of that area. Faithful Christians refused to worship any other god but Jehovah and many paid the ultimate price for their faith. In fact, in the same verse (Revelation 2:13) Jesus praised the brethren of the church in Pergamum for not denying the faith, even in the face of death. Jesus said, “I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” One of their number had already been killed and still they remained faithful. They were to be commended and Jesus did just that.
Do you ever feel like Satan lives right next door? Or maybe he is renting out a room in your own house? I don’t mean that you have invited him in; it just seems that he is always around. He is always right there with another temptation. He never lets up. It’s pressure, Pressure, PRESSURE!!! Sometimes you just want to give up and scream. You wonder where God is. Where is that “way of escape” He promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13? Well, it’s there. He did promise it and you can bet it is there if you look hard enough. One of the reasons it is so hard to see, is that Satan makes these temptations so attractive that it is hard to really take our eyes off of them long enough to find the way of escape. But do not doubt for a minute that it is there.
Sometimes the temptation is so attractive, the pressure to succumb is so great, that it is like the sound of a mighty, rushing wind, the sound of which drowns out all other sounds. You cannot hear the warnings of friends and loved ones; you cannot hear your own conscience. You are being dragged kicking and screaming against your own will (it seems, but not really) into the pit of sin and destruction. You cry out, “God, where are You?” If you really want to hear it, there comes an answer. “I know where you live!” He knows where you are. He can sympathize with what you are suffering right now (Hebrews 4:15). He has been there. He has suffered through the same agony. In fact, He has made the same cry (Matthew 27:46). Our Father in heaven was in the same place for His Only Begotten Son when He cried out on the cross as He is when you and I cry out. He knows where you live! He knows what you are suffering. He hurts when you hurt. He hurts more when you give in.
Don’t give in! Hold fast, stand firm; keep fighting!! Our brothers and sisters in Pergamum did not deny the faith, even when one of their own was killed. Others of that congregation of the Lord’s church may very well have died, but the faithful did not give up the faith. Jesus promised them something if they would overcome the temptation to quit. He said that to the one who overcomes, He would give some of the hidden manna (spiritual food that would make them even stronger); He would give a white stone (a symbol given to slaves who had been freed to show they were free) and upon that stone would be written a new name which no one knows but the one who receives it. The new name might be the name of Jesus, Whom no one really knows except those who belong to Him. It really does not matter what the new name is. He said no one would know it but the one to whom it was given and that is good enough for me. The point is this: if you will remain faithful, God knows all about it, even if no one else does. He knows where you live; He knows what you are suffering. And He promises to be there for you no matter what, if you will simply remain faithful to Him.
What a lovely thought! What a comfort to know. I hope that thought gives you some comfort today and throughout this week as you serve Him and suffer through the temptations and trials of your life. God loves and so do I.
Do you ever feel like Satan lives right next door? Or maybe he is renting out a room in your own house? I don’t mean that you have invited him in; it just seems that he is always around. He is always right there with another temptation. He never lets up. It’s pressure, Pressure, PRESSURE!!! Sometimes you just want to give up and scream. You wonder where God is. Where is that “way of escape” He promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13? Well, it’s there. He did promise it and you can bet it is there if you look hard enough. One of the reasons it is so hard to see, is that Satan makes these temptations so attractive that it is hard to really take our eyes off of them long enough to find the way of escape. But do not doubt for a minute that it is there.
Sometimes the temptation is so attractive, the pressure to succumb is so great, that it is like the sound of a mighty, rushing wind, the sound of which drowns out all other sounds. You cannot hear the warnings of friends and loved ones; you cannot hear your own conscience. You are being dragged kicking and screaming against your own will (it seems, but not really) into the pit of sin and destruction. You cry out, “God, where are You?” If you really want to hear it, there comes an answer. “I know where you live!” He knows where you are. He can sympathize with what you are suffering right now (Hebrews 4:15). He has been there. He has suffered through the same agony. In fact, He has made the same cry (Matthew 27:46). Our Father in heaven was in the same place for His Only Begotten Son when He cried out on the cross as He is when you and I cry out. He knows where you live! He knows what you are suffering. He hurts when you hurt. He hurts more when you give in.
Don’t give in! Hold fast, stand firm; keep fighting!! Our brothers and sisters in Pergamum did not deny the faith, even when one of their own was killed. Others of that congregation of the Lord’s church may very well have died, but the faithful did not give up the faith. Jesus promised them something if they would overcome the temptation to quit. He said that to the one who overcomes, He would give some of the hidden manna (spiritual food that would make them even stronger); He would give a white stone (a symbol given to slaves who had been freed to show they were free) and upon that stone would be written a new name which no one knows but the one who receives it. The new name might be the name of Jesus, Whom no one really knows except those who belong to Him. It really does not matter what the new name is. He said no one would know it but the one to whom it was given and that is good enough for me. The point is this: if you will remain faithful, God knows all about it, even if no one else does. He knows where you live; He knows what you are suffering. And He promises to be there for you no matter what, if you will simply remain faithful to Him.
What a lovely thought! What a comfort to know. I hope that thought gives you some comfort today and throughout this week as you serve Him and suffer through the temptations and trials of your life. God loves and so do I.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)