Years ago, I read The Call of the Wild, about a dog named Buck who spends most of his life choosing between a miserable (but familiar) place, and a wonderful (but unknown) better place. So many people live their lives like Buck, feeling a call to more, but afraid to leave the threshold of the familiar. Even while living in misery, they cannot bring themselves to take that leap of faith when God calls.
Then there are the plus ultra people. In ancient legends, the mountains near the Strait of Gibraltar bore the inscription, “Non plus ultra” (nothing farther beyond), warning sailors that they had reached the end of the world. But at the end of the 15th century, explorers ventured into the untamed seas and set sail for places they were not sure even existed. They longed for the plus ultra, the further beyond. God calls us to leave thresholds, to venture plus ultra. He calls Abrahams to leave their fathers' inheritances, trusting in His provision. He calls Ruths to leave familiar homes and gain new and greater families. He calls Esthers to stand in the face of death and save nations. He calls Pauls to shine a light of hope in dark lands. Becoming a plus ultra person is not an easy, but it will always be worth it. You have to leave the familiar bondage of Egypt to taste Canaan’s freedom. God calls you to great things, to abundant freedom and new beginnings, but you have to decide to leave the familiar and take the leap. Your future awaits, beyond the threshold, plus ultra.
0 Comments
"When I could not reach mercy, mercy came running to me." (PCD)
I have been blessed with an old dog. I've had her since her puppy years, and she is a constant source of joy. When she was younger, she would run to the door as soon as I came home. She was never self-conscious. She didn't worry about whether or not I wanted to see her. She was overjoyed to see me. Now she is 21, and, while she is still thrilled to see me, it's a different experience. Her joints ache and there's a little less pep in her step. Sometimes she makes it to the door, walking gingerly, but just as happy I'm home. Sometimes, though, her little legs are just too tired and she sits on the couch, waiting for me to come to her. And I always do. I loved her when she was strong and I love her every bit as much when she is weak. I just love to spend time with her. Hebrews 4:16 gives us instructions on how to approach God: we can come boldly before Him. Sometimes I do, since I am just so excited to spend time with Him. But then there are other situations, moments when I am weak and hurting. I want to come before Him, but I am so weighed down with the cares of life that I feel I don't have the strength. But I am so glad for Hebrews 4:15, which reminds me that God is "touched with the feeling of [my] infirmities" -- He loves me even when I am weak. Like the beautiful song says, when I could not reach Him, He came running to me. When I am weak, He reaches for me, and in Him I become strong once again. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The first principle of faith begins with the acceptance that God truly does exist, The Bible begins with this principle, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” It is a simple declaration that begs belief and is the foundation for faith in God and His Word. Next, God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Diligence is key: it's a focused act of sincerity and consistency. Our greatest reward in the precious relationship that we develop with God and then God’s continual providence for all of our needs. Romans 10:17 teaches that we receive faith by hearing the written or spoken word of God. Our faith is expressed through our obedience and actions. Hebrews 11 offers many examples: Noah built an ark and saved his family. Abraham sojourned in the Promised Land and preserved a homeland for his descendants. Joshua marched around Jericho and walls fell down. They expressed their faith through obedience and actions. Personal salvation also comes by faith and obedience to the Word. Acts 2 records the birth of the church. In verse 37, people ask what to do to be saved, and Peter tells them: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” So, we express our saving faith through repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Believe and receive it in Jesus’ name! Many years ago, my family moved from Dallas to Houston. We boxed up our belongings, but when we ran out of boxes (and patience!) we started putting things in trash bags. We loaded our minivan and set off on a new adventure. But when we unpacked, , we were shocked to find that one of the bags we had transported across Texas was a bag of garbage. We had brought trash to our new house!
This is so true of life. Every now and then, I stop to think about what I am carrying with me throughout my day. I try to carry God's promises daily, to box up the best memories and take them with me. But sometimes I carry other things too: hurts, mistakes, unforgiveness, guilt, and even shame. Every day I move through life, I am transporting something. Sometimes it is treasure and sometimes it is trash. However, things don't end with the moving process. Moving is just a temporary state. I cannot always choose what happens to me, but I can choose what I pack up to keep. I can help what I carry with me. When we arrived in Houston and discovered we had brought trash with us, we did not unpack it and put it in our home. We chose to throw it out. Likewise, when God calls us to move into new things, He doesn't want us to bring the trash of the past with us. We have the power to decide what we allow into our new home. We can choose to fill our spiritual lives with treasure and leave the trash behind. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 KJV)
No one wants to be “needy,” but need is inevitable in our lives. God has promised to supply all of our needs. Only the needy qualify for a miracle, and the greater the need the greater the miracle. Needs are the raw material that God uses to create miracles. Want a miracle? No matter how great your need may be, your faith in God must exceed that need. Job is a great example of this principle. He was a wealthy man, but in a single day he lost all his livelihood. His cattle, donkeys, sheep and camels were stolen or destroyed in one day. But far worse, his seven sons and three daughters were all killed when a violent wind caused the house they were in to collapse. All of his children were taken in a moment. Then his health failed and he could not work. His wife told him to curse God and die. I cannot even imagine the enormous sense of loss and sorrow that filled Job’s heart. His need was unimaginably great but Job’s faith in God was greater than his need! Job said, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Oh such faith, such magnificent spiritual maturity! The Bible says “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” In the end Job was blessed with more children and greater wealth. Job is a marvelous example for us to follow in our times of great need. His faith did indeed exceed all his need! In our Wednesday services, we are concluding our study of the last book in the Bible, which is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” What is there to reveal and why is the revelation necessary?
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, record Jesus as God in His humanity. They reveal His dual nature: God and Man, deity and humanity. In Revelation, however, God shows John His sovereignty as Redeemer and Restorer of His creation. He reveals the glory purchased by His sufferings. Chapters 1-3 reveal the Glorified Christ and His Lordship over His church. In Revelation 4-5 He alone is worthy to take the title deed of redemption from the hand of God. Subsequent chapters show His victories over all His enemies and His righteous judgements in heaven and on earth. He is defends the righteous and destroys all sin and unrighteousness. As King of King and Lord of Lords, in the battle called Armageddon, He defeats the political Beast and his False Prophet and their armies and binds Satan with an unbreakable chain. He establishes a kingdom of peace and prosperity on the earth for a thousand years. Satan is released for a short season and deceives many, then forms an army to fight against God. In this final war God defeats Satan and his armies, then Satan is cast into the lake of fire forever. And then He is revealed as the Righteous Judge at the final judgement. Finally, in Revelation 21-22 He returns to His role as Creator, He makes a New Earth, New Heaven and a New Celestial City the eternal Home of the Redeemed! If you have questions, would like to request a free Bible study please contact us at (956) 689-2576. If you would like to watch a detailed study of the book of Revelation, please visit our YouTube channel. "What would you do if you knew you only had one day to live?"
One survey notes that, of 2,000 Americans surveyed, 95% had a "bucket" list of things they wanted to do before death. The highest priority categories were travel (77%), financial (71%), personal development (71%), family (67%), and health (55%). Near bottom of the list were other categories such as spiritual development (40%) and service-related activities (27%). It gives us an interesting idea about where the priorities of many people are when they think about the end of life. As we bid good-bye to Easter once more, I cannot help but think about a meme I came across: "Sometimes I joke about what I'd do if I had one day left to live [...] Today it hit me: Jesus knew. And He washed feet." It's a sobering thought. In fact, if we look at what Jesus' "bucket list" was for His final days on earth, we see that He: prepared His disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, washed their feet, served His enemy, prayed in the garden, surrendered His will, healed a man who was arresting Him, gave His life on Calvary, and won victory over sin and death, to name a few. It is telling that the things many Americans prioritize last on their lists were top two priorities for Jesus. I have spent some time comparing these two lists as I move into another season of enjoying the costly salvation that was so freely given to me. While I also love travel and family, and hope to improve my finances and health, I pray that the days I continue to live out will more and more closely resemble the last days of Jesus. The last book in the Bible names itself from the first phrase of the book, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The central theme of the Book is the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over all His enemies and the redemption of all the righteous. I believe that it is particularly pertinent to our present time. Many current events can be explained and understood through these prophetic writings.
Mankind’s very best efforts, without God, are woefully insufficient and ineffective. As we witness world leaders turning from God and to their own understanding, the Revelation reveals that chaos and ruin will be the ultimate result. The prophet Isaiah describes the spirit of many in our day: "Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey." (Is 59:14-15) Paul describes it in these words: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Tim 3:1-9) Jesus describing the catastrophic events of the last times says: "All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt 24:8) But even in the worst of times, Jesus is our Light, our Protector, our Provider, our God, our Guide and our Guard. Jesus reminds not to be fearful in uncertain times but to keep on believing: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Because our God is light, no darkness will ever be too great. I have a sweet Boston Terrier with both a mischievous streak and a guilt complex. He loves to get into things and then abscond with them when he thinks he's in trouble. Most of the time, if he would just stay near me, he would see that I only make him give up the things that could ultimately harm him. There is always lots of love and attention if he would only stick around.
It's not just a puppy thing; since the dawn of Creation, mankind has hidden from God when they feel they have done something wrong. When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide from the presence of God. When Cain killed his brother, he ran from the presence of God. When Jonah didn't want to do God's will, he fled from the presence of God. In each case, they found only heartache. And yet God showed mercy. He sought out Adam and Eve; He gave Cain a mark to save his life from any who would hurt him; He sought out Jonah and gave him a second chance. We don't always consciously seek out sin. Sometimes we just mess up. How tragic it is that, when we need Him most, our human instinct is to run from the presence of God. And yet He still loves and He still pursues. He brings His presence to us when we are afraid to find it for ourselves. In Acts 3:19, Peter addressed a group who had made mistakes. He told them to repent, but he beautifully concluded by saying, "times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Our first impulse may be to run, but the greatest peace, reconciliation, and refreshing of spirit flood our lives when we fall into, not away from, His presence. As David beautifully wrote, "in [His] presence is fulness of joy" (Ps 16). We humans are social beings and need fellowship, we need one another! One serious effect of the current pandemic is the loneliness brought on by social distancing: lonely elders in nursing homes and lonely patients in hospital rooms, lonely students separated from their friends. We read reports of a huge increase in adults, adolescents and children seeking treatment for depression.
At the dawn of Creation, Adam saw the birds in flocks, the cattle in herds and even the fish swam in schools. But Adam was all alone. Then LORD said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Gen 2:18) And then God created Eve and presented her to Adam, his counterpart and companion. We all need someone. Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Bill Withers wrote in this ‘70s classic: You just call on me brother when you need a hand We all need somebody to lean on I just might have a problem that you'll understand We all need somebody to lean on Lean on me when you're not strong And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on For it won't be long Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on. How very true! At some point we all will need somebody to lean on. Sometimes even with the best of intentions and having exhausted our supreme effort, as humans, we fail one another. In those times remember: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27) |
SeriesArchives
December 2021
Categories
All
|