Monthly Archives: April 2020

Making Disciples

This was posted on by .

Two angels challenged the group that was still looking upwards after Jesus ascension. They said. “… Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). I imagine it wasn’t very long between Jesus’ departure and their “encouragement.” The angels were indirectly telling this group, “Stop looking. Get busy reaching the lost and making disciples.” Such is the introduction of the Acts of the Apostles as they got to work. 

How much longer until Jesus returns? Only the Father knows. How serious are we taking Jesus’ command? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Hopefully, our children will one day be disciple-makers. An essential aspect of their preparation is our example. Do we have a mind to work – Kingdom work, that is? How long and exciting would a book be if written on our “acts?”

Convicted

This was posted on by .

I was reading Psalms recently, and the Lord convicted me to make the most of every opportunity to proclaim God’s praise. Daily, I communicate with people in my family, when Teri and I walk, when I am out in our community (not right now with Covid-19), when I’m on the phone, or when I am writing emails. Those are opportunities to praise a loving and gracious God, and sadly, I’ve missed many. Then, as if to highlight that point, a Brother emailed me, and in his brief email, he had six praises to the Lord. This Brother proclaimed God’s goodness and grace six times instead of grumbling and complaining. His email blessed my heart as he glorified the Lord. 

May praise for our blessed God and Savior flow from our lips, pens, and keyboards in all our communication. It is easy to complain, but our God deserves praise. He is worthy! 

“Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. (Psalm 96:3-9).

Are You like Jehu?

This was posted on by .

Any man who reads his Bible will likely remember Jehu. Elisha anointed Jehu king and gave him instructions from God. Jehu was to eliminate many wicked people from the nation, and Jehu was zealous in his obedience.

 All appeared to be good with Jehu until 2 Kings 10:29-32, where we learn of Jehu’s struggles. Jehu was enslaved with the same thing that also brings many believers down today–idolatry. Do you know you likely struggle with idolatry too? Today our idol appears to be “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). The idols we covet may be food, pleasure, entertainment, sports, beauty, or whatever the idol du jour may be for you.  

Brothers, lay your hearts and lives open before the Lord. Ask Him to examine your life, then repent of whatever your idolatry might be, and follow Him. 

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them” (Colossians 3:5-7).

How’s It Going?

This was posted on by .

My heart aches hearing of challenges some are facing. Is God still good? Yes, beyond measure! Has He forgotten His children who are struggling? Of course not.

Have you noticed how two people can face identical difficult circumstances but have far different attitudes? May we seize this time as an opportunity for growth and wring out every bit of good we can.

First, purpose in your heart and prayers to have something incredibly good and positive to show for it as a result. “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).

Next, be constantly aware that those around you (your family) are watching you. “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him…” Mark 6:20.

Are you complaining and fearful or praising and joyful? Brothers, your wife, and your children need you to be strong. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

As you have needs, lay them before your Lord. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).

Keep a journal and capture all your needs and God’s answers for future encouragement. God is always good, always

What Do You Want Me to Learn, Lord?

This was posted on by .

My dear sisters, oh how my heart aches for you as you face your fears and worries in our uncertain times. I would love to sit down with a cup of tea to talk and pray together and share the truths we find in God’s Word to carry us through. 

Even though the circumstances can generate fears and worries, happily they don’t have to control or consume us because God gives us a plan in His Word to deal with them. He wants to take what could be a horribly devastating time in our lives and turn it into a beautiful season of growing in Him. 

Have you learned this truth? “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

What might be some practical steps toward this end? What does that look like in real life?

When the Thought Comes

The fearful thought comes, but instead of thinking about it, you choose to praise the Lord with verses like these: 

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.  Psalm 63:3 

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. Psalm 86:12 

. . .  Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Revelation 4:8 

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12 

Or the worries jump back into your mind, and you comfort your heart with these verses:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34 

Persevere

Keep putting Scripture into your mind to replace the negative thoughts. You can use the same verse over and over, or you could use a variety of them if you know enough. If you have the verses memorized, that’s the easiest. But if you don’t, read them. If you write verses on cards and read them over each time the worry comes, you will soon have the verses memorized. You might need to say them out loud to have them overtake the negative thoughts. 

What Is the Lesson?

Your struggle might not be with fear or worry, but God has something He wants you to learn during this time. Are you asking Him what it is? Then are you moving in that direction? If you are, you will be taking your thoughts captive and bringing them into the obedience of Christ. That is truly the power of “. . . Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). 

We have the “opportunity” to embrace fears, worries, and concerns. I can say the words, “God is in control. I trust God and will rest in Him.” However, if my mind continues rolling those fears around in it, if I play “what if” scenarios in my thoughts, if I talk about worries all the time, then I should evaluate whether those words are true in my heart, or if I am just saying them. This is not an optional thing. We are commanded to “take no thought…”. If you need to be strong with yourself, rebuke yourself. 

May you walk through this time in our world’s history and in your own life history consumed with Christ rather than consumed with self. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). 

Missed Blessing

This was posted on by .

Recently, a dad was sharing how the current pandemic is affecting them. He wasn’t the first to say that he is allowing his son more online game time to pass the time he isn’t in school. Inwardly I groaned. 

Why did I groan? This young man is missing what could be a great blessing in his life. Time is the most valuable thing we have. Not only is there the question of what we redeem our time for, but also what appetites are developed or fueled by time usage. Rather than helping their son redeem his time, this young man’s parents appear to be encouraging him to waste it and create appetites for more time-wasting in the coming years by allowing him more gaming time. 

When I am cutting down a tree, how I notch it, will determine whether it falls on a fence or in the clear. The appetites created in your children’s lives right now impact what their time is worth to God’s kingdom now and in the future and it also impacts their future family. 

Challenge your children to learn information and skills that will make their time valuable. Create an environment in your home where learning is desirable, the norm, and where entertainment is considered wasteful. 

If you have a TV, this is the perfect time to get it out for the trash pickup. Brother, lead your family by example. If you need encouragement, read with your children Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single Income Family and Buying a House Debt-Free, Equipping Your Son. Then after reading these books, if you still need some ideas and encouragement, let’s talk.   

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want” (Proverbs 21:5).