“Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” (Psalm 4:4)
The clock had already passed ten. My car was not yet in the driveway. It was parked among other teenagers’ cars as we all blatantly skipped curfew. We sat and talked for hours and the laughter and discussions we had are still fresh in my mind. That thrill of staying out late was something I longed for, but the fear that overwhelmed me on the ride home vanquished the fun I just had.
From the road, I could see that the lights were turned off in the house. As I drove up the driveway, the gravel beneath the tires seemed as loud as thunder. I quickly dimmed the lights and quietly turned the lock in the back door where I heard no sound. I rounded the corner towards the stairs, and there he was, sitting in the dark in the chair beside the steps.
The silence in the room was frightening, and his voice was stern as he prompted me to get in bed. The walk up the staircase was difficult; my knees were weak and my heart was pounding. As anxious as one could be, I rolled into bed in the clothes I had been wearing so as to not keep him up any longer… Neither of us would get any sleep. The shrill of laughter and chatter was gone, and I was forced to listen to the silence. It was the last thing I wanted to hear, so I would turn on the radio until he, right below me on the first floor, said to turn it off. My father wanted me to think about my actions in the deafening stillness.
Our Heavenly Father can silence us as well, whether we have earned it or not. My mind wanders to when Jesus was on the cross of Calvary. Luke 23:35-37 says, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.” Not once did Jesus reply to their loud attempts to ridicule him. He was silent. His thoughts were on doing the Father’s will (Luke 23:34).
Why is it so hard for me to be quiet, to simply stop doing, and start listening? Here I am in a season of complete silence, no Kindergarteners screaming or whistles blowing, and yet I cannot sit still. As Brian prepared to leave for Israel, he wrote me a letter which I opened today as his flight took off. It was evident to me that my Father wants me to hear Him as I read what Brian had written, “…Please use this quiet time to get closer to the Lord rather than running around aimlessly…” Above the noise, the daily rush, and my constant need to be going, God spoke loud and clear, and now, here I sit, in a quiet house, waiting for what He might do next.
Hushed and humbled,
Jenna Johnson
Jennarjohnson@yahoo.com
P.S. – Please continue to cover Brian and the group in prayer as they embark on a 12 day tour of Israel. I will be filling in for him while he is away. He is to return on June 7th. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Heaven
Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Recently, I visited a 97-year old man who welcomed me into his apartment (or old-folks home as he would call it) with a song. Apparently, he had been singing before I got there and was filled with the thoughts of his future home. He was singing, “Someday when I travel my last mile here, the call will be coming for me, I’ll enter the life-boat that will be near to carry me over the sea, He’ll hold to my hand.” What a blessed thought to know that we should have nothing at all to fear in this life. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy, “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). Knowing Christ is the greatest comfort for every age-group, economic status, and nationality. As strangers and pilgrims in this wilderness of the world, we know that we have a home that is prepared for us someday.
Growing up as a child, we were always occupied by what we would be when we grew up. I know that my great ideas of having a wife, children, home and a few pets was all that I really thought about. Now, that the Lord has blessed me with a few of those things, I occasionally set back and think about all that there is to come, and “why am I here”? Romans 8:18 reminds us, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Many today are living for the here and now and have lost an eternal perspective. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Christian brother or sister, we have much work to do while we are here. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).
The Apostle Paul reminds us of our great purpose in Christ in Philippians 1:21-25 saying, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith (NASB).” After losing my father a week ago, a baby to miscarriage, a grandfather, and my wife’s grandmother during this past year, my heart is strengthen by the eternal truths of God’s Word and energized by the Spirit to exalt Christ everyday while I am here on this earth. There is only One who holds the keys to death and hell and sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (John 10:27-29). Like the 97-year old saint who was singing, we can rest secured that Jesus is holding us and will bring us safely through the valleys and over the mountains of life. One day, we’ll make it home to the other side where there is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. It will be worth it all.
Life is temporary
This sounds so contrary in the world’s eyes
Everyone gets too attached
Each other they begin to despise
Some have great wealth, some fortune, some fame
Others are poor, or lonely, a no name
It really does not matter.
I’m only here for stay.
I stop, look, then go my way.
I am on a continual path, to my real home—Heaven.
Recently, I visited a 97-year old man who welcomed me into his apartment (or old-folks home as he would call it) with a song. Apparently, he had been singing before I got there and was filled with the thoughts of his future home. He was singing, “Someday when I travel my last mile here, the call will be coming for me, I’ll enter the life-boat that will be near to carry me over the sea, He’ll hold to my hand.” What a blessed thought to know that we should have nothing at all to fear in this life. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy, “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). Knowing Christ is the greatest comfort for every age-group, economic status, and nationality. As strangers and pilgrims in this wilderness of the world, we know that we have a home that is prepared for us someday.
Growing up as a child, we were always occupied by what we would be when we grew up. I know that my great ideas of having a wife, children, home and a few pets was all that I really thought about. Now, that the Lord has blessed me with a few of those things, I occasionally set back and think about all that there is to come, and “why am I here”? Romans 8:18 reminds us, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Many today are living for the here and now and have lost an eternal perspective. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Christian brother or sister, we have much work to do while we are here. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).
The Apostle Paul reminds us of our great purpose in Christ in Philippians 1:21-25 saying, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith (NASB).” After losing my father a week ago, a baby to miscarriage, a grandfather, and my wife’s grandmother during this past year, my heart is strengthen by the eternal truths of God’s Word and energized by the Spirit to exalt Christ everyday while I am here on this earth. There is only One who holds the keys to death and hell and sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (John 10:27-29). Like the 97-year old saint who was singing, we can rest secured that Jesus is holding us and will bring us safely through the valleys and over the mountains of life. One day, we’ll make it home to the other side where there is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. It will be worth it all.
Life is temporary
This sounds so contrary in the world’s eyes
Everyone gets too attached
Each other they begin to despise
Some have great wealth, some fortune, some fame
Others are poor, or lonely, a no name
It really does not matter.
I’m only here for stay.
I stop, look, then go my way.
I am on a continual path, to my real home—Heaven.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I can do all things through Christ!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Unexpected trials… Have you ever had any that made you want to stay in bed and forget everything that was going on around you? Often, our lives can be like the dreams that we wake up to in the morning and are glad they were only in our mind. If you live very long, you will face trials that you see coming on the horizon, and some will drop down like tornados to test the strength of your faith in Christ. Some people look at trials as horrible times of tragedy, but I am learning that trials come into our lives to give us a clearer view of God’s greatness, power and strength. I can see why James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4NASB)
The Lord never promised that life would be easy. He did promise believers that he would always be with us. Even on the brink of Jesus’ death on the cross, He reminded his disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This morning I barely wanted to get out of bed, and then I remembered in my meditations the greatness of God and His tender strength. God’s word began welling up inside me and the clouds of pain and hurt went away. For many of you who may not know or have forgotten, life is but a vapor. One week ago, my dad was home with my mother, and this morning he is at home with the Lord.
Last week’s Words of Encouragement was entitled “Role Models.” One of my favorite role models is my dad. I think that is the way it should be. I even was able to tell him that just a few days before his death. Let me give you a brief wake up call! My dad went to sleep last Thursday afternoon and never woke up. He must have had a heart attack in his sleep. What a glorious way to pass from this life to the next! He was 48 years old and had been married to my mom for 31 years. They had never known any one else. From the outside looking in, this seems like a tragedy, but from a 27-year old son’s perspective, it is a tremendous blessing! As I preached my Dad’s funeral, I told our family and friends that I was either heartless or there was power in the word of God.
Growing up, I never had any doubts about where my dad stood with the Lord. Being a son, I was able to read the open book of his life. I saw the weaknesses and the strengths. My dad often spoke of being saved at a revival service at his home church in August of 1977. He liked to sing and would often sing a song, “Do you know how it feels?” In the song, he questioned the congregation on the sincerity of their salvation. My father knew God and lived out the truth. He took our family to church, gave me the eye at the end of the pew (this often meant discipline after church), taught me the value of hard work, and how to love a wife. This morning I listened to a song that he had recorded entitled, “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” It basically says that he hoped that he lived everyday letting people know how much he loved them! When you love with all your heart, you can die with a clean slate and little or no regrets.
My last encounter with my dad was at a basketball banquet last week where I grew up. At the close of the evening, we departed with warm embrace and an “I love you.” I guess I write today to those hurting hearts that are beaten down by life. I am reminded of a 17th century poet named John Donne. He wrote two poems that strengthen me. They are “Batter My Heart Three- Person’d God” and “Death, Be Not Proud.” My wife and I have lost her Nana in July, my Granddaddy (Dad’s dad) in August, Ethan Caleb (our baby we lost due to a miscarriage) in February, and Daddy on May 8th. My heart is broken, bruised, shattered and battered yet growing stronger everyday. I have never felt God so close in my life. He is with me, and He is with you. Death can not stop a child of God. It can only motivate us to glory in the cross, be gripped by grace, and overcome all obstacles. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:55-58 NASB) Please do not be defeated, discouraged or doubting, but determined to keep pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Unexpected trials… Have you ever had any that made you want to stay in bed and forget everything that was going on around you? Often, our lives can be like the dreams that we wake up to in the morning and are glad they were only in our mind. If you live very long, you will face trials that you see coming on the horizon, and some will drop down like tornados to test the strength of your faith in Christ. Some people look at trials as horrible times of tragedy, but I am learning that trials come into our lives to give us a clearer view of God’s greatness, power and strength. I can see why James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4NASB)
The Lord never promised that life would be easy. He did promise believers that he would always be with us. Even on the brink of Jesus’ death on the cross, He reminded his disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This morning I barely wanted to get out of bed, and then I remembered in my meditations the greatness of God and His tender strength. God’s word began welling up inside me and the clouds of pain and hurt went away. For many of you who may not know or have forgotten, life is but a vapor. One week ago, my dad was home with my mother, and this morning he is at home with the Lord.
Last week’s Words of Encouragement was entitled “Role Models.” One of my favorite role models is my dad. I think that is the way it should be. I even was able to tell him that just a few days before his death. Let me give you a brief wake up call! My dad went to sleep last Thursday afternoon and never woke up. He must have had a heart attack in his sleep. What a glorious way to pass from this life to the next! He was 48 years old and had been married to my mom for 31 years. They had never known any one else. From the outside looking in, this seems like a tragedy, but from a 27-year old son’s perspective, it is a tremendous blessing! As I preached my Dad’s funeral, I told our family and friends that I was either heartless or there was power in the word of God.
Growing up, I never had any doubts about where my dad stood with the Lord. Being a son, I was able to read the open book of his life. I saw the weaknesses and the strengths. My dad often spoke of being saved at a revival service at his home church in August of 1977. He liked to sing and would often sing a song, “Do you know how it feels?” In the song, he questioned the congregation on the sincerity of their salvation. My father knew God and lived out the truth. He took our family to church, gave me the eye at the end of the pew (this often meant discipline after church), taught me the value of hard work, and how to love a wife. This morning I listened to a song that he had recorded entitled, “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” It basically says that he hoped that he lived everyday letting people know how much he loved them! When you love with all your heart, you can die with a clean slate and little or no regrets.
My last encounter with my dad was at a basketball banquet last week where I grew up. At the close of the evening, we departed with warm embrace and an “I love you.” I guess I write today to those hurting hearts that are beaten down by life. I am reminded of a 17th century poet named John Donne. He wrote two poems that strengthen me. They are “Batter My Heart Three- Person’d God” and “Death, Be Not Proud.” My wife and I have lost her Nana in July, my Granddaddy (Dad’s dad) in August, Ethan Caleb (our baby we lost due to a miscarriage) in February, and Daddy on May 8th. My heart is broken, bruised, shattered and battered yet growing stronger everyday. I have never felt God so close in my life. He is with me, and He is with you. Death can not stop a child of God. It can only motivate us to glory in the cross, be gripped by grace, and overcome all obstacles. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:55-58 NASB) Please do not be defeated, discouraged or doubting, but determined to keep pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Role Models
Judges 2:10-11 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
Where would you be today without a Christian influence in your life? Can you imagine growing up without hearing the Gospel? Most of us are blessed beyond compare with godly men and women in our families and to live in a place where there is no one sharing the Gospel seems so distant and unheard of. While talking with a man from California yesterday, I came to realize how blessed I truly have been. He began telling me about his life of sitting around with friends and smoking crack and drinking alcohol. He said he thought this was the normal thing to do, because he never really had anyone around who was a Christian. As I briefly shared the Gospel and explained the guilt and shame that he was experiencing, he was amazed that God could forgive him. He couldn’t understand why Jesus had died on the cross for sinners like you and me.
In the book of Judges, we read about what happens when there is no one to replace the leaders of the past generation. When Joshua led the children of Israel, they were faithful to the Lord. Even after he died, the elders who had seen the great works of God were able to keep the people focused on serving the Lord. However somewhere in between these generations, people quit speaking of God and living for him. Maybe they assumed that everyone would be fine by finding there own way. Basically, they began to compromise and allow the world to infiltrate there lives through intermarriage with the Canaanites which led to them serving Baal and Ashtaroth. Baal was the Canaanite god who was called “the lord of heaven”. He was the farm god of rain and the storm. The worship practices included animal sacrifices, ritual meals where they would offer food to the gods and sensual dances. Ashtaroth, a sacred prostitute, was the goddess of sex and war. With these false gods, the children of Israel were led into sin, sin and more sin. They looked for prosperity instead of the Person of God and promiscuity instead of purity until the oppression became too great, and they began to pray in repentance and anguish.
The days of Judges were dark and dreary, but God’s faithfulness always shone through by raising up a leader who would deliver the people from their oppressors. This would last a while until the Judge died, and the people returned to their wicked ways. Four times we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). We are living in these days today. God is being attacked more and more and disregarded as Ruler of the Universe. The Bible is scrutinized and dulled down by man’s opinions and the Church of Jesus Christ is hidden among the tares of false professors. What an opportunity to live for and reflect the glory of God!
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians saying, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV). The Philippians were following Christ and had the example of Paul to remind them. Paul told them to live pure and holy that they might shine forth like stars in the country sky. Like runners in a race, he desired to pass the baton, the word of life, to the next generation who was coming along. Today, you have been placed in providential places to be a spiritual leader to those around you. Do you see someone wandering in the darkness of sin or drifting away from Christ? Don’t be afraid of reaching out and showing them that you care. You may be the very person that God uses to be an index finger pointing others to the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!
Where would you be today without a Christian influence in your life? Can you imagine growing up without hearing the Gospel? Most of us are blessed beyond compare with godly men and women in our families and to live in a place where there is no one sharing the Gospel seems so distant and unheard of. While talking with a man from California yesterday, I came to realize how blessed I truly have been. He began telling me about his life of sitting around with friends and smoking crack and drinking alcohol. He said he thought this was the normal thing to do, because he never really had anyone around who was a Christian. As I briefly shared the Gospel and explained the guilt and shame that he was experiencing, he was amazed that God could forgive him. He couldn’t understand why Jesus had died on the cross for sinners like you and me.
In the book of Judges, we read about what happens when there is no one to replace the leaders of the past generation. When Joshua led the children of Israel, they were faithful to the Lord. Even after he died, the elders who had seen the great works of God were able to keep the people focused on serving the Lord. However somewhere in between these generations, people quit speaking of God and living for him. Maybe they assumed that everyone would be fine by finding there own way. Basically, they began to compromise and allow the world to infiltrate there lives through intermarriage with the Canaanites which led to them serving Baal and Ashtaroth. Baal was the Canaanite god who was called “the lord of heaven”. He was the farm god of rain and the storm. The worship practices included animal sacrifices, ritual meals where they would offer food to the gods and sensual dances. Ashtaroth, a sacred prostitute, was the goddess of sex and war. With these false gods, the children of Israel were led into sin, sin and more sin. They looked for prosperity instead of the Person of God and promiscuity instead of purity until the oppression became too great, and they began to pray in repentance and anguish.
The days of Judges were dark and dreary, but God’s faithfulness always shone through by raising up a leader who would deliver the people from their oppressors. This would last a while until the Judge died, and the people returned to their wicked ways. Four times we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). We are living in these days today. God is being attacked more and more and disregarded as Ruler of the Universe. The Bible is scrutinized and dulled down by man’s opinions and the Church of Jesus Christ is hidden among the tares of false professors. What an opportunity to live for and reflect the glory of God!
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians saying, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV). The Philippians were following Christ and had the example of Paul to remind them. Paul told them to live pure and holy that they might shine forth like stars in the country sky. Like runners in a race, he desired to pass the baton, the word of life, to the next generation who was coming along. Today, you have been placed in providential places to be a spiritual leader to those around you. Do you see someone wandering in the darkness of sin or drifting away from Christ? Don’t be afraid of reaching out and showing them that you care. You may be the very person that God uses to be an index finger pointing others to the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!
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