Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Page 4 of 13

The Faith of Samuel

February 24, 2023 /

I haven’t read much about Samuel outside of the Bible. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon about this great man of God. It’s not surprising to see that he is mentioned in the Hall of Faith chapter in Hebrews 11, but it does seem unfortunate that we rarely hear how God used this humble man to lead Israel through some of the darkest days of their history. 

While reading through the Bible this year, I have enjoyed seeing what a dramatic difference Samuel made in the spiritual life of God’s people. He was born during the time of the judges when “There was no king in Israel; everyone did what which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25 Legacy Standard Bible). The time of judges occurred towards the end of the 11th Century BC. Eli was the chief priest at the time and the book of 1 Samuel makes it clear that his spiritual leadership was lacking. His own sons had been made priests and they regularly took advantage of the people by stealing from their offerings and by even committing adultery with some of the women who came to worship God. 

The historical account in 1 Samuel reveals that God’s patience with Eli came to an end. A man was sent to Eli to tell him that God was going to punish him for his sinful leadership. Both of Eli’s sons would die on the same day and Eli’s leadership would come to an end. In his place, God would raise up “a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him a faithful house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” (1 Samuel 2:35) 

The faithful priest mentioned in that prophecy was Samuel. His father was Elkanah and his mother was named Hannah. They were a godly couple, but Hannah was deeply depressed because she could not have children. She made a vow to God that if He gave her a son, she would place him in the priesthood to serve the Lord. God granted her request and so when he was old enough, she took him to Shiloh and he became a priest in training. 

Something happened when Samuel was young that revealed the foundation of his faithfulness to God. He was visited by God and Samuel responded by saying, “Speak, for your slave is listening.” Samuel’s willingness to obey God started from that young age and continued throughout his life. 1 Samuel 2:26 says, “Now the young boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with Yahweh and with men.” A similar phrase was used to describe Jesus Christ when he was young (Luke 2:52).

Samuel continued to grow in faithfulness to God throughout his life. His first major test came after Eli’s sons died while fighting the Philistines at the battle of Aphek in 1104 BC. Eli himself died on the same day and Samuel became the chief priest of Israel. 1 Samuel 7 describes how he challenged the people to be faithful to God. He said, “If you are to return to Yahweh with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and set your hearts toward Yahweh and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Sam. 7:3) The people listened to and removed their idols and served God. 

Samuel gathered the people at a place called Mizpah, which is near the modern city of Jerusalem. There he led the people in repenting of their sins. The Philistine rulers heard that the Israelites were gathered together and they brought an army against them to attack them. We believe this battle took place in 1084 BC. Samuel could have told the people to flee back to their homes, but he didn’t. He bravely told the people, “Do not cease to cry out to Yahweh our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Sam. 7:8) 

The faith of Samuel was put on display at Mizpah because he did not tell the people to rely on their own strength. He did not look for a way to pay mercenaries to come defend them as other leaders often did at the time. No, he relied on the power of God alone. 1 Samuel 7 records how God caused the Philistines to become confused and their army was dispersed. As a result, the people of Israel were able to pursue their enemy down the mountain range as far as Beth-Car, which many believe would be at the edge of the plains and the foothills near modern day Nashon, Israel. 

The historical account in 1 Samuel tells us that Samuel’s stand against the Philistines led to many of the major cities in the plains being returned to Israel. This time of peace continued throughout much of Samuel’s life, which is a testimony to how God honored his faith. He spent much of his ministry visiting the people on a circuit that went from Ramah, where he lived to Gilgal and Bethel. He became a trusted and respected judge for the people of Israel. 

Later in his life he was used by God to help the people transition from a theocracy (ruled by God) to a monarchy (ruled by a king). He anointed Saul as Israel’s first king and he continued to call the people and the king to faithfulness throughout his life. His faith in God was shown dramatically in 1 Samuel 13 when the Bible records how Samuel confronted Saul’s lack of faith. He told the king, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which He commanded you.” As a result Samuel told Saul that the kingdom would be given to another, who we know from later accounts is king David. 

It is interesting that Samuel had the same weakness that Eli, his predecessor had. 1 Samuel 8 describes how Samuel’s two sons, Joel and Abijah, were also priests who were unfaithful to God. They were greedy and corrupt. Samuel, like every father, is ultimately not responsible for the actions of their grown children, but it is unfortunate that his sons did not recognize the benefit of living in a way that was pleasing to God. 

We don’t know exactly how old Samuel was when he died, but we know that he died before David became king around 1011 BC. 1 Samuel 25 records how all Israel gathered together in his hometown of Ramah to mourn his death. He was the last of the great priests before Israel became a monarchy. His life was marked by unbroken faithfulness to God. From his youth to his death. 

Personally, I think there is much to learn from his willingness to fear God and not man. His ability to trust in God in the face of impending doom clearly marks him as a great man of faith. My hope is believers will be inspired to trust in God the same way Samuel did. 

Praying at the Ag Expo

February 17, 2023 /

Did you know there is a prayer breakfast at the Ag Expo? I had no idea until I saw it on the program for this year’s schedule of events. I was already planning on going later in the day on Wednesday, but I decided to go earlier to see what it was like to attend this unique event. 

As soon as I entered the tent I was surprised by how well attended it was. There were circular tables filling almost the entire floor plan and from my vantage point it looked like every table was full of happy, talkative people. As I walked to the front I could tell people were enjoying the food they had been served. I filled through the buffet line and found a table right at the front. 

When I looked up on stage I could see some familiar faces. The Gilly Girls Band were playing to a full house. The band is comprised of two sets of twins who have been playing bluegrass and gospel music for many years. I was able to talk to them after the program and I was happy to learn that they are all believers who attend a local church here in the valley. 

As soon as they were done playing, the emcee, David Macedo, came up and introduced a documentary about the Riddle family, who were the guest family of the event. Personally, I thought this was the most meaningful part of the program because we were given insight into how God has worked in the life of this unique family. Kevin Riddle and his wife Ann explained the history of how Kevin’s family moved from Corcoran up to Orosi, CA. They were initially involved in the cattle industry and then in 1959 they began transitioning to a citrus operation. Kevin’s testimony was heartfelt and encouraging. He talked about how God has helped his faith grow through many of the difficulties and trials he and his wife have experienced. He gave credit to God for blessing their farm and their marriage. One of the most poignant parts of the video was when Ann quoted James 1:2-3 from memory. She said, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” 

After the documentary ended, the emcee invited the entire Riddle family clan onto the stage. We were told that there were twenty-nine people on the stage! Kevin and Ann, their four children and spouses, and nineteen grandchildren. It was a remarkable sight to see how God has blessed Kevin and Ann with godly children and grand-children. The oldest grandchild from each family stepped forward and read from different passages of Scripture.

I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Riddle after the event. It was memorable experience to shake his hand and hear him tell me about the churches that he and his family are attending here in the valley. Later I learned that the Prayer Breakfast has been inviting a guest family to the event for many years. If I return next year, it will be to seek encouragement from the family’s testimony of God’s work in their lives. 

Next we were able to hear from the featured speaker, the Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux. His message was entertaining and thought-provoking. He told us about how he grew up in a small town in California. His father was a local officer and his advice to his son was to always look for what God was telling him to do. After thirty-three years in the service, Sheriff Boudreaux is still following that advice. 

He told us a powerful story of how God answered the prayers of a family whose daughter had just been kidnapped. Sheriff Boudreaux explained how he felt guided by God to make contact with a person who ended up being guilty of kidnapping the couple’s daughter. The couple had prayed to God, even before calling the police, and Sheriff Boudreaux had been led to intervene in the situation. He was able to make the arrest and return the daughter to the parents that very day. He told the audience that he believes in the power of prayer and many who heard him were in agreement. 

My favorite part of Sheriff Boudreaux’s message was when he referred to the Bible’s account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3. He told the audience that he had been inspired by how those men were not willing to bow to the pressure of their society and Sheriff Boudreaux encouraged all those listening to follow their example. He encouraged us to stand firm and to not forget our convictions to God and his word. 

The Prayer Breakfast ended with a prayer and a farewell from the host. Overall, I was glad I attended the meeting and Lord willing, I look forward to being able to go next year as well. 

Mental Health and the Bible

February 6, 2023 /

Last week someone asked me for guidance on how Christians should understand the issue of mental health from a biblical perspective. I wasn’t surprised by the timing of the question because I have noticed an increased emphasis on mental and behavioral health in our community. I did some research about this and found that last year the government of California started a program that focuses on the mental health and substance abuse for children and young people.

In August of 2022, governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state is investing $4.7 billion to address “the issue of mental health and behavioral health once and for all in this state.” This is being done through several different initiatives. One program will seek to hire 40,000 more behavioral health professionals over the coming years. Another program will seek to provide “screening and support services” for youth up to twenty five years old. (https://edsource.org/updates/newsom-announces-plan-to-reimagine-mental-health-and-substance-abuse-services)
This increase in funding helps explain why we are seeing community organizations and the educational system emphasizing mental and behavioral health.

So how are Christians supposed to handle issues of mental health? How should believing parents interact with counselors and psychologists at schools and counseling centers? Some people may think the Bible offers no help for such modern problems, but the careful student of Scripture will recognize that the Bible is capable of addressing all issues of life, including everything that falls under the rubric of mental health. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

In order to understand mental health it is important to grasp the history behind the term. The word “mental” comes from the Latin phrase mentalis and refers to the mind and the intellect. The phrase started to be used in English in the 15th century and by that time the meaning included spiritual issues related to the soul. In the early 1900s the phrase became synonymous with being “crazy, deranged” because of the negative connotations associated with mental hospitals and institutions, which were often referred to as asylums and sanitariums. Clifford Beers pioneered the use of the term “mental hygiene,” which later became “mental health.” In 1909 he founded a non-profit named Mental Health America which is dedicated to “addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting overall mental health for all.” https://screening.mhanational.org/about-mha-screening/ Beers wrote about his traumatic experience in a mental hospital in the book A Mind that Found Itself. He started much-needed reform in the treatment of mental illness.

Later a psychiatrist named Emil Kraepelin pioneered a scientific understanding of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Many of his ideas were used as a basis for the American Psychological Association’s classification of mental illnesses, which are updated in the 1,120 page DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition). This manual lists over three hundred different mental disorders. These included anxiety, depression, mania, and schizophrenia. All of these disorders can fall under the umbrella of mental illnesses or mental disorders.

The Bible is written from a very different perspective than the DSM-5. Instead of primarily looking for a materialistic explanation for people’s problems, the Bible looks for the spiritual cause and solution. The Bible recognizes that humanity was created perfectly healthy and whole before the Fall. There was no depression or anxiety before Adam and Eve sinned, as described in Genesis chapter 3. It was only after the Fall and after they sinned, that behavioral problems and the difficulties of life began to manifest themselves. The Bible makes it clear that Adam and Eve both felt guilt and shame because they disobeyed God. It also states that life after the fall would be full of pain and trials. Genesis 4 reveals that the first murder took place because of Cain’s jealousy and hatred towards Abel. As sin increased on the earth, so did the problems that mankind experiences.

The Bible has another dramatic difference from the DSM-5 because God’s word is willing to provide a spiritual solution for humanity’s most fundamental problems. The DSM-5 is written to help diagnose problems. It is not definitive on how to reach solutions for the problems. There are hundreds of different approaches to psychological solutions. The Bible brings a remarkable clarity to dealing with the problems of life. It does not try to remove all negative factors from someone’s environment. The Bible teaches believers how to have joy in the midst of trials (James 1:3). The Bible does not look for solutions in a person’s circumstances. The Bible gives spiritual solutions that are rooted in God’s love and mercy.

The Bible teaches that everyone is born with a conscience that is aligned with God’s definition of right and wrong. When people do something wrong, they experience a profound sense of guilt and shame because they have been created to feel that way. If they learn to confess their sin to God they can have that sense of guilt completely removed. God’s word says, “If we confess or sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The Bible teaches that someone’s guilt can be removed because Jesus Christ paid for their sin on the cross. If they believe in the work of God, instead of their own attempts at doing good, then they can be saved. This is a supernatural truth that the Bible goes into extensive detail to explain (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10).

The saving truth of the gospel is something that Christians need to keep in mind when dealing with anything that might be diagnosed as a mental illness or disorder. This does not mean that Christians must reject psychological or psychiatric solutions. It means that all mental issues can have a spiritual issue connected to them that should not be ignored. The historic definition of a person’s mental livelihood included the existence of the soul. Instead of reducing a person to a materialistic framework of chemicals and proteins, the Christian needs to have a Biblical approach, which is wonderfully holistic. It recognizes that humans are made in the image of God and thus their bodies and souls are intricately connected and need to be in tune with the God who made them in order to achieve the true health, peace, and shalom that the Bible describes.

Jesus described this sense of peace when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). Jesus knew how to help people overcome the darkness they experienced in their lives. He knew that his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead would overcome the pain of sin and death. He brought the ultimate answer to the problems of the world. Instead of looking to materialistic remedies for help, Christians need to first and foremost look to God and his word that brings healing to our souls.

Optimist, Pessimist, or Psalmist?

January 27, 2023 /

A couple weeks ago I saw a friend post an image with the following phrase, “Are you living like an optimist, a pessimist, or a Psalmist?” The accompanying image had two glasses of water. One had water filled to the middle of the glass. The other had water overflowing and splashing down the side. I smiled thinking about what a great illustration that was for the Christian life. The traditional outlook on life gives two options, either the glass is half full or half empty. The Bible reveals a third option that is infinitely better. It is a life that is overflowing with the goodness and faithfulness of God!

Psalm 23 is a great example of the overflowing life. The Psalmist describes the supernatural peace and goodness that come from having the Lord as your shepherd. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (ESV) The word used for comfort in the original Hebrew refers to being encouraged and consoled in grief. The idea is that God’s loving presence cancels the fear and difficulty of even the worst situation. This not only removes the negative feelings that come with trials. It makes it possible for the fear to be replaced with a deep-seated joy that comes from being in the presence of God.

The Psalmist wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” My favorite image in this section is of the cup that is overflowing with the goodness of God. The word used for overflowing refers to satisfaction and abundance. Psalm 66:12 uses the same phrase, “We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.” The Psalmist’s experience of trials was not marked by the difficulty of the situation. His attitude was determined by his knowledge of God. He knew the Lord had brought the Jews out of Egypt. He knew God had brought them into the Promised land. His knowledge of God extended from human history to his own personal experience. He had seen the Lord bless him in abundance, even in the midst of hard times. He had discovered the marvelous secret of trusting in the sovereignty of God.

The apostle Paul also knew how to live the life of the overflowing cup. In Philippians 4:11-13 he wrote, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul’s strength did not come from “living his best life now.” It did not come from tricking himself into thinking things were better than they were. No, his joy was found outside of himself. His joy was hidden in the work of God.

This was masterfully displayed when Jesus Christ quoted from Psalm 22 while being tortured on the cross. It is hard to envision a more dramatic image of someone going through the valley of the shadow of death than the crucifixion. Yet in the midst of this excruciating pain, the gospel accounts describe how Jesus was able to speak to those around him and even quote from memory some of the passages that brought him supernatural hope and joy. One of the most profound passages that he quoted was from Psalm 22. I would encourage you to read this psalm in it’s entirety, but for now I want to focus on one section that mentions the idea of the abundance and overflowing goodness of God.

Psalm 22:26 says, “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD!” The idea of being satisfied is very similar to the abundance described in Psalm 23. These two psalms actually go together very well because they share this profound theme of having joy in the midst of trials. David experienced great pain in life, but Jesus even more so. He was able to endure the agonizing pain of crucifixion with joy because he was relying on the supernatural power of God. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Greek word used for joy is “charas.” It refers to the “experience of gladness.” It is supernatural joy that can only be experienced by those who have committed their lives to God.

The power of believing in God is immeasurable. The one who believes in the triune God is not limited to the physical world. He does not have to live a life that is bound by the laws of nature because he believes in the supernatural. He is living for eternity. This is why the believer should not settle for the analogy of the half glass of water. He knows that is not the whole story. He knows that a Christian worldview would not use such a limited and finite illustration. God does not fill a glass half full and tell people to use will-power to “look for good in a bad situation.” God is infinitely good and wise and full of joy! He tells humanity to “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” “Eat and be satisfied!” “My cup overflows, surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”

I think it is helpful for Christians to reflect on the analogy of the glass of water. There are many believers who think their lives are like a glass that is half full. They don’t have what others have. Or they think they have too many problems compared to others. The Christian doesn’t have to live like that. They can upgrade the analogy to a cup that is overflowing. This can not be done by your own power. This can only be done by repenting of living with a worldly mindset. The Christian needs to throw the old glass away. He must reject a selfish worldview for the selfless one that comes by serving God. Then God is able to remove a heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. Then a person can confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead and be saved! Believing in Christ not only saves a person from their sin. It also saves them from a life that is limited to the confines of the materialistic world. My prayer is that you will upgrade the analogy of the glass to that of the overflowing cup. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly!” (John 10:10)

The Crux & the Conscience

January 21, 2023 /

What is the most difficult decision you have ever had to make? Were you placed in a crux because of your own actions or was the situation thrust upon you? Often the most difficult decisions in life come when there are only two choices available and neither of them seem very positive at the time. I have found that if a person has a sensitive conscience, which has been informed by God’s word, then they will usually be able to make the right decision because they are guided by their conscience. This is how the conscience is supposed to work, and I find it fascinating to see how God’s word impacts the conscience and helps people navigate the difficult decisions of life. 

One of the most famous decisions of conscience can be seen in the case of King Solomon and the two women. By correlating ancient Assyrian accounts with the Biblical chronology we can place the fourth year of King Solomon’s reign to the year 966 BC. This gives us a very specific time-frame for when this event took place. 

The Bible describes King Solomon as the wisest man in the world. 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells us that two women were brought to King Solomon for what may have been the first true test of his wisdom. Each woman had given birth to a boy within a three day span. One of the babies had died in the night and the women wanted Solomon to decide who was the right mother of the child. The first woman claimed that the other woman’s baby boy had died because his mother had accidentally laid on him in her sleep. The first woman argued that the other woman switched the babies while she was asleep by taking the living baby and replacing him with the dead baby. 

The other woman denied this account and said, “‘No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.’ The first said, ‘No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.’ Thus they spoke before the king.” (ESV) You can imagine how difficult it would have been to judge between the two women. There was no DNA testing available three thousand years ago. King Solomon had to find a way to see who was the real mother and who was not. He made a decision that proved dramatically effective in the ancient context he lived in. 

King Solomon gave the order to have a sword brought to the courtroom. He said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” There is no indication that he was actually going to cut the child in two. He recognized each woman had a conscience, and he trusted that the threat of losing another child would elicit a powerful reaction from one of them.

Verses 26-28 tell us, “Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, ‘Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.’ But the other said, ‘He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.’ Then the king answered and said, ‘Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.’ And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”

I find myself reacting to this account the same way the people of Israel did. I am amazed at Solomon’s wisdom, and I am also surprised by the response of the women. King Solomon’s wisdom is clearly seen because he recognized the powerful role of the human conscience. He recognized that mothers value the life of their children, and I believe he hoped that one of the women would be outraged by his solution and voluntarily provide a better one. His strategy proved effective, but not in the way some might think. 

I would think that the likely outcome of Solomon’s order would have been for the guilty woman to admit to switching the babies. You would think her guilt at taking her housemate’s baby would eat away at her conscience and she would want to come clean and make things right. But that is not what happened. Instead of admitting her guilt, the other woman cried out in support of another killing. She said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Those are the words of a cold-hearted killer. Instead of having her conscience softened, she had actually hardened her heart to the point of justifying another death. 

This is a tragic reality of the human conscience. It can be hardened to the point of justifying murder. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” As Christians we need to be aware of our propensity to self-deception, and we need to make sure our conscience stays keen and aligned with God’s word so that we will not find ourselves condoning sin or giving into temptation. 

The other surprising aspect of this account is the response of the true mother. She could have cried out in anguish and rebelled against the judge’s ruling. She didn’t. She said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” That is a surprisingly gracious response. Did she realize that she was giving permission for her child to be given to a woman who had kidnapped him just a few days before? How could she do that? I believe she was able to because she valued the life of her child over the rule of the law. She could live with injustice, but she could not live with condoning the death of her own child. 

One last thing to consider. Why didn’t the guilty woman keep her mouth shut? King Solomon might not have had clarity to see her crime if she had stayed quiet. But that is not what happened. The hatred and wickedness of the other woman was so strong that she could not help crying out for murder. That should be a powerful warning for us as well. A hardened conscience is deceitfully wicked, capable of doing much worse than the person might even recognize. 

I hope this story is a helpful reminder of the importance of keeping our conscience clean before the Lord. May we pray with the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

A Call for Self-Control

January 21, 2023 /

When was the last time you saw or heard our society encourage the need for self-control? Unfortunately, the call for people to control their impulses and base desires has been rejected by the world. The need to control immoral urges seems to have been replaced with a demand for environmental guidelines and rules. Were we not told just this week that we need to be self-controlled in our use of gas stoves and natural resources? This environmental brow-beating is misdirecting people from the true problems of society. Where is the demand to reign in corruption, pornography, illicit sex, greed, and gluttony? Where is the call for people to be morally self-controlled? 

It comes as no surprise that our society will not encourage this type of self-control. We have to look to a supernatural source for this type of guidance because the natural world is geared towards sin and corruption. 

The Bible speaks very strongly about the need for self-control. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” In other words, without self-control a person has no defense against the temptations of the world. Without discernment the Christian can quickly give in to a myriad of temptations that will have permanent and painful results. Proverbs 13:15 puts it like this, “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.” 

One of the most famous illustrations in the Bible about self-control is found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 5:1-6 says, “My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life her ways wander, and she does not know it.”

Proverbs 7 goes on to tell a dramatic story about a foolish young man who meets a prostitute on the city streets and follows her to her lair. It says, “With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver, as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23) 

Taken together these two passages create a strong argument for self-control. They appeal to the human instinct for self-protection. Why would anyone willingly follow a path that leads to death? The reason, according to Proverbs, is that they were unaware of the danger. If the young man is shown the danger of sin, he will be motivated to turn away from it. 

This is one reason the Bible is so valuable today. It is the only place where the reader can find divine warnings about the reality of sin and the need for repentance. It is the only place where morality is defined by the holiness of God. Leviticus 19:2 says, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” God’s holiness is perfect. He is a God of truth, righteousness, purity, and goodness. He can not allow wickedness to dwell in his presence. He created the world to be pure and sinless, but when Adam and Eve sinned, the world was plunged into perpetual wickedness. This is why God had to provide a solution for sin. This is why Jesus Christ came to the earth. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross so that he could make the payment for our sins (Romans 10:9-10). He did so in order to fulfill God the Father’s need for sin to be paid. He did so to bring glory to God. 

This last point is important to bring up in relation to living a life of self-control. The Christian should be motivated to live a holy life because of his or her desire to glorify God. The Christian should resist temptation because he wants to do the will of the Father. The will of the Father is for us to do good works. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) If a Christian recognizes the joy and peace that comes from living for God then he will be willing to resist temptation for he knows that path brings pain and death, but the narrow path of God brings joy and life eternal! 

Reading Challenge for 2023

January 7, 2023 /

Have you ever read through the Bible In a ear? Many people have attempted it, but only a few have actually entered the BIY club. The reasons for this are many, but I believe with a focused plan and the right motivation, we could see the percentage of BIYers increase in our churches this year. First we have to choose the right plan. 

One of the benefits of living in the modern English speaking world is the amazing access we have to the Bible. It is possible to find dozens of plans to read the Bible. Ligonier ministries has a helpful list of updated plans to choose from at www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans. These range from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s classic reading plan, which has been used since 1842, to the ESV’s online plans that will actually let you listen to the Bible for free. Personally, I find it helpful to read God’s word chronologically and with a realistic reading schedule. That is  why I am recommending the Five Day Bible Reading plan. 

This plan can be downloaded for free at fivedaybiblereading.com Once you download it you will see that it allows the reader to finish the Bible with only five days of reading a week. I have found this to be a reasonable schedule because it is not always possible to read several chapters every day of the week. If you miss a day in the middle of the week, you can still reach your goal by catching up the next day. 

I also appreciate how this plan places the Psalms and poetry books in tandem with the historical books of the Old Testament. For instance, Psalm 19 is read the same day as the creation account in Genesis 1-2. The plan also includes reading the New Testament chronologically at the same time, which is also helpful because it is easy to overlook the historical order of the books if you read the Bible from cover to cover. There is some disagreement over the exact timing of the books of the Bible, but I have found this reading plan is quite accurate. I discovered that Job is placed at the end of the plan because the person who developed the plan believes it is one of the earliest books, but it “is hard to fit elsewhere.” 

When it comes to being motivated to read God’s word I think the reader can do no better than to see what Scripture says for itself. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (ESV) Our hearts are so prone to deception (Jeremiah 17:9) that we are able to easily become complacent and sinful. We must constantly look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s word (James 1:22-25). We must seek to be like the man who “looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, (for) he will be blessed in his doing.” (25) 

Psalm 119 is a beautiful call for God’s people to recognize the value of His word. It says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

I appreciate the Psalmist’s commitment to not forget the word of God. This takes time and it takes focus. We are forgetful creatures, so we have to constantly fill our minds with the truth of God’s word or we will forget. Having a bible reading plan is just one way we can seek to have our minds transformed by God’s word. As Romans 12:12 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” May this year be full of God’s word in our lives so that we may live in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Seek Wisdom!

January 2, 2023 /

Raise your hand if you could use more wisdom in your life! I know I could. Life is difficult. Every day brings different challenges and concerns that require guidance and skill to complete successfully. Every new year brings an opportunity to recalibrate our hearts and minds to the truth of God’s word so we will are able to handle the trials that are bound to come.

The type of wisdom I am writing about is biblical wisdom. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament the term often used for wisdom was “hakam.” It refers to skill in living. This type of wisdom is not just understanding knowledge and facts. It is learning to put truth into practice. The Greek word that is often used in the Bible for wisdom is “sofia” and it refers to “the capacity to understand and function accordingly.” (BDAG) The measure of a wise person is not in how much information they know. It is found in how well they can put the truth of God’s word into practice.

There are many passages that talk about this kind of wisdom, but I want to focus on one verse that I will be preaching on this Sunday. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

I like to think of this verse as rungs on a ladder. The first step to seeking wisdom is to humble yourself. If you are going to seek Godly wisdom, you have to first admit that you are lacking in wisdom. This is an important step because it makes sure that each person is seeking wisdom with the right attitude. If you read James 1:5 and think, “I’m not lacking in wisdom” then you don’t understand this kind of wisdom. This kind of wisdom can never be fully attained in this lifetime because every situation is different. Every trial presents another opportunity to put God’s word into action. Every year will bring difficulties that will take time and truth to discern. We have to stay humble before the Lord in order to seek wisdom with the right attitude.

The second rung of God’s wisdom is the command “Ask God.” It is important to notice that James does not say “seek wise counsel.” He goes right to the source and says, “Ask God.” This is a clear command for all Christians to ask God for wisdom.

This is similar to Proverbs 2:2 where Solomon encourages the reader to “Make your ear pay attention to wisdom, Incline your heart to discernment… Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh and find the knowledge of God.” (Legacy Standard Bible)

The Christian life is not one of seeking a life that is passive and pain-free. No, the Christian life is one of passion and the pursuit of God. It is spent asking God for wisdom. Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33)

The third rung emphasizes the character of God. Verse five says, “Ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The reason the believer should be motivated to ask God for wisdom is because God is a generous God. He pours out his wisdom upon those who seek after him.

James may have had Matthew 7:7 in mind where Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

The Father is generous and he gives without reproach. The Greek word used here means that God gives wisdom without looking for fault. He doesn’t look for reasons to withhold wisdom from people. He is not capricious or vindictive. He is just and He is generous.

This leads into the fourth rung, which is also the last rung of the wisdom ladder. James 1:5 says, “and it will be given to him.” Aren’t you glad this is a short ladder? There is no red-tape or bureaucracy to pursuing the wisdom of God. God doesn’t tell wisdom seekers to “Go on a pilgrimage first.” Christianity can not be confined as a traditional religion that requires certain rituals be performed in order to reach a higher level of devotion. No, Christianity is a relationship with the God who created the universe. It is a life-long pursuit of knowing God and living the way he created us to be.

Psalm 34 sets the tone for seeking Godly wisdom. The Psalmist writes, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

May this coming year be one of seeking the wisdom of God. May our lives be guided by His word and may they be full of the richness and pleasure and joy that comes from living the way God intended.

The Story Behind Christmas Trees

December 19, 2022 /

Have you ever wondered about the origins of our Christmas tree traditions? It is a fascinating story and one that I hope will encourage you to keep your focus on Christ this holiday season. 

I became interested in Christmas traditions when my wife and I were first married and we had to decide which traditions we would bring into our yuletide celebrations. Someone gave us a copy of Ace Collins’ book Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas and we have been using that as our textbook ever since. 

In his research on Christmas trees, Collins found that the first people to bring trees into their homes were actually Scandinavian people from the modern countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The reason behind domesticating wild evergreen trees was that during the Middle Ages the people were deeply superstitious and they thought there was special power in the trees that could stay green during the harshest days of winter. By bringing the trees into their homes, they were able to find “hope and strength” for the long winter months. 

In the seventh century, a monk by the name of St. Boniface, was sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the region of modern day Germany. Many people living in this area of Europe were also superstitious and they believed there was something special about evergreen trees. St. Boniface was able to use the evergreen tree as an illustration of God to the people in the region. He described how the God who created the evergreen was more powerful than the tree and he used the three points of the tree to point to the reality of the triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

Later during the middle ages, many Catholic Churches would install an evergreen tree in front of the church during December. They were called “paradise trees” and would explain the story of Adam and Eve to children. It wasn’t until 16th century that fir trees became known as Christmas trees. Many people in the small country of Latvia had developed a tradition of putting a small fir tree on a table in their home during the Christmas season. The idea became popularized when it was introduced to European royalty. 

It wasn’t until later in the 16th century that the Christmas tree tradition as we know it became established. I found it fascinating that Martin Luther, the great pastor of the German Reformation, is said to have started the tradition of putting lights on an indoor Christmas tree. He tied candleholders onto the evergreen branches and then lit candles in them. He taught his family that the tree “represented the everlasting love of God.” Unfortunately, many homes were caught on fire because of this dangerous tradition, but the idea of putting lights on a Christmas tree was established. 

The Christmas tree tradition was introduced in America during the revolutionary war, but it didn’t catch on until around the time of the civil war when Americans saw the tradition become popular in England. In 1851, a business man named Mark Carr, realized that people would pay for pre-cut Christmas trees. So he took a huge sled and brought trees to the citizens of New York. People loved having a fresh tree in their home and so the tradition took off. 

Collins’ writes how in the 1880s, “Christmas trees were so popular that many worried the seasonal rush to obtain them would make fir trees extinct.” That is when artificial trees were made to keep up with the demand. 

There is still a strong debate today about whether a family should use an artificial or a real tree. Understanding the history of Christmas trees reminds us that the form of the tree is not what is the most important. It is the symbol behind that tree that matters. For our family, we love to talk about how the tree represents the Triune God and how the lights point toward Jesus Christ, who came to take away the sins of the world. John 8:12 makes it clear that he understood this when he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

My prayer is that we would all take the time to carefully consider the Christmas traditions we keep and make sure that we are keeping the focus on Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 

Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word

December 11, 2022 /

How good is your company’s benefits package? What kind of perks does your gym membership offer? Do your online subscriptions offer any special discounts that I need to know about? We have been trained to think about work and life in terms of immediate benefits. As Christians we need to make sure our minds are being trained to think in terms of spiritual benefits. We need to ask “Is this helping me store up heavenly treasure?” “How will this job affect my relationship with God and my church family?” “Is this helping me redeem the time for the glory of God?” 

David Saxton’s book God’s Battle Plan for the Mind has an entire chapter entitled “The Benefits of Meditation.” It is focused on encouraging Christians to meditate on God’s word. Instead of trying to empty our mind of thoughts, this type of meditation seeks to fill the mind and soul with the priceless truth of God’s word. The men’s group at Grace Bible Church just finished discussing this chapter and since there was such a good response from our study I thought it would be helpful to include the most salient points from the chapter. Here are eight benefits of biblical meditation. 

Deepens Repentance – Haggai 1:5 tells us to, “Consider your ways!” (English Standard Version) As Christians it is important to remind ourselves that we need to be always growing in our love of God and others. We need to make sure we do not become complacent. Contemplating verses like Psalm 90:12 will help us stay humble and repentant for our sins, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” 

Increases Resolve to Fight Sin – 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” The world and human nature rebel against the idea of admitting blame for our actions. The Bible reminds us that admitting our sin is the only way to be healed from it. If we don’t admit our sin then the work of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for us would be pointless. But if we recognize our sin then there is no greater freedom that can be experienced then knowing our sin has been paid for. 

Inflames the Heart for God – Psalm 112:7 has a wonderful promise, “(The righteous) is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” If a Christian has meditated on the faithfulness and sovereignty of God, then his heart will be ready for the difficulties of life. The fire in his heart will not be put out. It will continue to burn brightly for the Lord, even in trials. The Puritan pastor Thomas Watson wrote, “Meditation is the bellows of the affections.” In other words, the passion in a Christian’s life will be enlivened and enflamed by studying God’s word. 

Increases Growth in Grace – The apostle Peter commanded Christians to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) The most effective way to do this is to spend regular, prolonged time reading and thinking about the truth of who God is and how he wants us to live. 

Provides Comfort and Assurance – “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.” Psalm 119:50-52 These ancient verses still hold true because God’s promises are still in effect today. If you commit your life to Christ then God’s word tells us that you will not lose your salvation (John 10:28). That truth is like a strong tower that can withstand the onslaught of any storm or difficulty.  

Creates Joy, Thankfulness, and Contentment. I am often surprised how effective God’s word is at changing my attitude. I might be having a bad day, but as soon as I read a Psalm or listen to a hymn, my mood changes and I realize everything is going to be alright. God’s word is not only a manual for living life the way God wants. It is also a hymnal that gives words that our souls long to sing. “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.  May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.” Psalm 104:33-34 

Deepens a Christian’s Experience – Thomas Watson has another poignant quote regarding the importance of meditation, “Shallow Christianity has become the blight of the modern church. Success no longer is measured by Christian maturity and discernment. Rather, it is judged by the quality of praise music, the comfort of the building, and the increased size of the congregation.” David Saxton shows that meditating on God’s word is a guaranteed antidote to shallow Christianity. 

Improves Knowledge & Retention of God’s Word – Psalm 119 is famous for describing dozens of benefits for studying God’s word. One of the most practical benefits is that constant meditation on God’s word results in remembering the truth. Psalm 119:15-16 reads, “I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” 

Hopefully by reading through these benefits of meditation, the Christian will be motivated to carve out more time to give to the Lord. In a world of distraction we need to constantly be looking to renew our minds with the truth of God’s word. 

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