Day 2 Day Living

Trying to teach our boys the paradoxical realities of the Christian life became God’s way of teaching Angie and me deeper truths than we expected to glean. What began with an objective of teaching them how to put their brother before themselves, ended with the innocence of a child revealing a vivid reality in us all. Let me explain: Each week, Saturday night is special because it is family worship at our house. Focused around the dinner table, and God’s Word, we memorize verses, talk about personal struggles, and devote time to training our children how to walk with the Lord.

The focus last week was on Matthew 20:16 “the last will be first, and the first last.” We began dinner by serving the boys ice cream first. After all, the Bible teaches us to bless those who persecute you. Things do seem backwards from the way the world defines life. By the time we moved on to the main course, we zeroed in on, swimming upstream. After all, if life is a river, then seeking Christ requires swimming upstream – to avoid floating with the current. The lesson culminated then with “the last will be first and the first will be last.” This made for fun bedtime preparations. Who was going to go upstairs first? Not me! Nor anybody. We all waited for another to go first so we could be last. With PJ’s on and a couple hours passed since we recited the memory verse together, I asked our 3 year old, Luke, if he could say our verse? Here’s what he said, “The last will be first and the first will be fast!”

Out of the mouth of babes, indeed! I’m so glad God chooses to speak to us even when we are trying to be the teacher! I’ve got a long way to go, but God is helping me curtail my own fast-paced tendency and the desire to be “first” – or is that “fast”?

As a study aide to the messages I am preaching from 2 Corinthians, the following blog will seek to shed light on the historical background of this new Testament letter. To watch or listen to my sermons from 2 Corinthians at Mobberly Baptist Church, visit www.Mobberly.org
The city of Corinth was the third largest city in the Roman Empire behind Rome and Alexandria. It was known for its hedonism, sexual promiscuity, gambling (especially on sports), and it was the entertainment capital of the Roman Empire. Sounds like America! This letter could be addressed to us because, like those early Christ-followers, we are called upon to share a counter-cultural message of Jesus in a sex-driven, sports-focused, and entertainment-obsessed culture.
A thorough investigation of the historical background or Paul’s 2 letters to the Corinthians is saturated with intrigue. In fact, it even carries with it considerable controversy. The letters indicate additional correspondence and visits. Keeping them in chronological sequence is helpful. The following is a suggested sequence of events according to expert New Testament scholar, John Phillips (Exploring 2 Corinthians, 2002, p.10-15).
•    Paul arrived in Corinth from Athens during his 2nd missionary journey. He had been roughed up at Philippi, chased out of Thessalonica and Berea, and laughed out of court at Athens. He was under considerable stress. When he first arrived in Corinth he was alone, his colleagues Silas and Timothy having been sent back by him to strengthen and encourage the fledgling Macedonian churches.
•    Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months (A.D. 50-51). His ministry was crowned with success. Although the bulk of his converts came from the lower classes, he did win a number of notable citizens to Christ. His ministry at Corinth appears to have overflowed to the nearby seaport of Cenchrea, where a church was started, and possibly elsewhere as well.
•    On July 1, 51, Gallio, a noble Roman with high contacts, arrived in Corinth, as proconsul of the Roman province of Achaia. The leading Jews of Corinth, infuriated by Paul’s success, tried to prosecute Paul before Gallio on the charge of propagating an illegal religion. Gallio contemptuously threw the case out of court and turned a blind eye to some consequent mob violence directed against the Jews. Gallio’s court ruling was in keeping with the general attitude of fair play shown by Roman officials in these early contacts with Christianity.
•    Paul left Corinth, probably in the spring of 52, from the port of Cenchrea. While there he appears to have become ill. Phoebe seems to have had a share in nursing him at this time (Rom. 16:1-2). At some point, Paul made a vow (perhaps in connection with his illness) which involved shaving his head (acts 21:23-24).
•    The church Paul left behind at Corinth soon feel prey to rivalries and squabble, to a Judaizing cult, to pride, lawsuits, confusion, abuse of spiritual gifts, and to immorality.
•    Meanwhile, Paul visited Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem. Sensing a receptive spirit in the synagogue, he left his colleagues Aquila and Priscilla there to prepare the ground against the time of his return. While he was away, Apollos visited Ephesus, was well received, and was encouraged to go on to Corinth, which he did.
•    Paul’s reception at Jerusalem was a cold one. This was his 4th visit to this city which seemed to draw him as a magnet, despite the fact that he was mistrusted there by the Jewish believers and hated by the authorities.
•    He left Jerusalem and returned to Antioch to make preparations for his 3rd missionary journey. He was now about 52 years old. Only eight years later he could describe himself as “Paul the aged.” Hardship, sickness, and persecution had left their indelible mark.
•    Paul now made for Ephesus, where he remained three years (Acts 19:1; 20:31) and where he had remarkable success.
•    Sometime during his ministry at Ephesus he received disturbing news from Corinth. Some of the believers there had not made a complete break with immorality – an “alternative lifestyle” in that pagan city.
•    Paul wrote them a letter (1 Cor 5:9-11), of which no trace now remains, in which he warned the Christians to have no fellowship with fornicators. For the sake of convenience, we can call this the lost letter. It would not have been difficult for Paul either to have received this news or to have responded it. Communications between Corinth and Ephesus were easy and frequent enough by both land and sea.
•    This lost letter seems to have prompted a reply. Either by means of a letter, or else a result, perhaps, of a visit to Paul by some members of Chloe’s household (perhaps a house-church) questions were raised.
•    Paul responded by dictating the epistle we now call 1 Corinthians. To distinguish it from other Corinthian correspondence, we can call this letter the long letter. Indeed, it was the longest of all Paul’s letters. Moreover, it appears to have been written in stages. He began by reproaching them for their shortcomings and promised to visit them soon. In the meantime, he was sending Timothy – indeed, Timothy may already have left.
•    Paul had written chapters 1-4 and, perhaps, was preparing to send them when he received another communication from Corinth in the form of a letter seemingly brought by Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (16:17). In this letter, the Corinthians assured Paul that they remembered his teaching and were doing as he said. They also raised a number of questions about marriage, meat offered to idols, spiritual gifts, and the collection Paul was raising for the impoverished Jerusalem church.
•    There were grounds for anxiety in this letter, but that was nothing compared with the story Paul’s visitors had to tell which, hypocritically, had been passed over in silence by the Corinthians. The church was rent by schisms. Worse still, there were grave scandals, severe disorders, and above all, flagrant disregard of even the most common standards of decency and morality. Paul added more chapters to his letter. First, he dealt with the verbal reports he had received about their list and litigations (chps. 5-6) and finally answered their questions one by one (chps. 7-16). When finished, this letter was taken to Corinth by Stephanus and his associates or perhaps, as some think, by Titus.
•    This long letter, dictated in stages, probably took several weeks to complete. It was finished some time before Pentecost (16:8) during Paul’s last year in Ephesus (probably A.D. 55).
•    It seems that Paul planned to remain in Ephesus for a little while longer, probably until Pentecost. Then he wanted to go to Macedonia and remain there during the summer and fall months. From there, he wanted to come on to Corinth and possibly spend the winter there (16:5-9). This would be the winter of 55-56.
•    Soon after, however, he changed his mind. He would visit Corinth twice. He would come there on his way to Macedonia. He would come there again on his way back from Macedonia. Then he would embark for Judea (2 Cor 1:15). He hoped it, it seems, that by then the collection for the Judean churches would be complete and he could take it with him when he went.
•    Still another change of plans, however, intervened. For one thing, a fresh crisis had reared its head at Corinth. Evidently Paul’s long letter had not accomplished its purpose. Moreover, Timothy was no Paul and was unable to quell the revolt. It seems likely, indeed, that Timothy returned to Paul about this time full of bad news.
•    As a result, Paul seems to have made a flying visit to Corinth (the 2nd visit referred to in 2 Cor 13:2). It proved to be a stormy one, painful for both Paul and his converts. The incipient rebellion against Paul and his authority seems to have come to a head. Reading between the lines, it seems to have been led by one man in particular. With remarkable restraint, for the power vested in an apostle was awesome, as Simon Magus and Elymas the sorcerer both learned, Paul appears to have simply left for the time being.
•    However, the Corinthians had by no means heard the last of him. When he arrived back at Ephesus he wrote them another letter, also missing from our New Testament. Indeed, there must be a voluminous Pauline correspondence of which no trace remains, just as the book of Acts gives us but the barest details of Paul’s travels, sermons, sufferings, successes, and miracles. This latest letter was sharp and to the point and also drenched with tears (2:3; 7:12). Since he seems to have regretted it the moment it was on its way, we can call this letter the lamented letter.
•    The bearer of this letter, if this sequence of events is correct, seems to have been Titus. Judging from hints dropped here and there in our canonical 2 Corinthians, Paul almost seems to have wished he had not written it. He seems to have tempered his deep and sincere expressions of love with dire warnings directed primarily toward the man who led the opposition against him. IT would seem, too, that before dispatching Titus with this fiery letter, he had told him that he believed the gold of the Corinthians’ love for him to be genuine metal. Now that the letter was gone beyond recall, he seems to have had second thoughts.
•    A severe depression came over Paul. As though this were not enough, he found himself in terrible danger. He was belabored by fears within and fightings without. Indeed, the threatening outward circumstances were so severe that Paul seems to have despaired of his very life (1:8-9). He appears to have regarded his escape as a veritable resurrection from the dead, so remarkable it was (1:9-10).
•    From Ephesus, Paul went to Troas, evidently hoping Titus would show up with news from Corinth. He saw great opportunities for evangelism at Troas, and it says much for his state of mind that he was too unsettled to take advantage of them. It appears he waited at Troas, straining his eyes for a ship from across the Aegean until the onset of winter made it certain Titus would not come that way. Finally he headed north, taking the land route toward Macedonia.
•    Then Titus came! He had good news too! The offending bother had been dealt with, so much so, indeed, he was in danger of being overwhelmed.
•    Paul seized his pen again, this time to wrote the epistle we call 2 Corinthians. For the sake of clarity, we could call it the last letter. He began to pour out his heart.
•    But then the full story came out. It seems there was another side to the picture. Paul still had enemies. His change of plans over visiting Corinth was still being held against him as proof of his fickleness, even his cowardice. Disparaging remarks were being made about his lack of eloquence, his personal appearance, the fact that he had no letter of commendation from the “mother church.” It was being said that he was mad.
•    Paul put down his pen. He seized it again in a new mood. The startling difference in tone, beginning with chapter 10, has been noticed by all. Varied are the explanations. Some have even suggested that chapters 10-13 constitute yet another, later, letter or, perhaps, a surviving fragment of Paul’s earlier lamented letter.
•    There is a better explanation. The more Titus talked, the more evident it became that there were two factions still at Corinth. There was the majority party and the minority party. The majority was on Paul’s side and was full of goodwill toward him. The minority party, made up of the Judaizers and their adherents, remained hostile to the great apostle. Chapters 1-9 appear to have the majority in mind. They are buoyant and conciliatory. Chapters 10-13 seem to have the minority in mind. They are sad and severe. Indeed, these chapters may well have been written after a pause in composition, after Paul had allowed himself sufficient time to digest the additional information leaked out by Titus.
•    When the letter was finally finished it was taken to Corinth, probably early in 56, by Titus and two of Paul’s other colleagues, of whom one seems to have been Luke (8:6, 16-19, 22-23).
•    In the meantime, Paul seems to have visited Illyricum (Rom. 15:19). Luke barely mentions this in Acts, simply saying that Paul “came into Greece” (Acts 20:2). Paul then went back to Corinth, where he stayed for about three months as the guest of Gaius (Rom. 16:23).
•    Things seem to have calmed down by this time. Paul was able to compose his mind for writing his monumental epistle to the Romans. Perhaps Paul was able to sense that his missionary days were drawing to a close and that it was high time for him to commit his gospel preaching to writing. When it was finished, Paul entrusted this priceless manuscript to Phoebe, his friend and a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, to take to Rome for him.
•    Meanwhile, Paul’s presence in Corinth was not overlooked by his old synagogue foes. Gallio had rebuffed them on the occasion of Paul’s first visit. They would get him this time. Somehow, they received word that Paul was planning to be a passenger on a ship (possibly a pilgrim ship) bound from Cenchrea for Palestine. They hatched a plot. Paul would either be murdered at Cenchrea or, if he succeeded on embarking on the boat, at a convenient time he would be thrown overboard. Evidently, Paul learned of the scheme because he changed his plans. Instead of sailing from Cenchrea, he would take the overland, northern route by way of Philippi (Acts 20:3). Another “change of mind” for the Corinthians to think about indeed!

A Chinese proverb says “If you don’t change the direction you’re going, you’re likely to end up where you’re headed.” Isn’t it time for a change to how you end and how you begin every year? According to http://www.usa.gov/ there has been little fluctuation in Americas Top 10 Resolutions each January in the past decade.

AMERICAN’S TOP 10 RESOLUTIONS

1.    Lose weight

2.    Manage debt

3.    Get a better job

4.    Get fit

5.    Get a better education

6.    Drink less alcohol

7.    Quit smoking

8.    Reduce stress

9.    Travel

10. Volunteer to help others

Has any of this made a difference? I know there are some people who argue semantics over what they should be called (resolutions VS commitments), but I believe the issue is not in our labelization, it is in our Lordship. Who’s in Charge? (check out www.mobberly.org on Sunday morning, Jan. 3 for a live webcast of my sermon on that very title). Consequently, a major shift needed to occur in my own life and perhaps in yours.

Several years ago a friend challenged me to rethink how I was coasting through the final days of the year. Since then, I have continued to embrace his suggestion and further develop my own values for this precious block of time. These 168 hours serve as a terrific opportunity to reflect on the past and reach for the future. Evaluating the roads we’ve travelled paves the road ahead.

Personally, until I reached this plateau, the final 7 days of the year had carried a hint of Matrix chronology to it. But when I began this annual tradition, I discovered the pace I operated at during these days would continue to be individualistic. In fact, as you look around you, everyone seems to be dancing to the beat of a very un-rhythmic drum during this week. The financial world is racing to the finish line; football fanatics are consuming plenty of calories and spending ungodly hours of bowl watching; families are fighting over company that has worn out their welcome, returning gifts, and taking down decorations; retailers are salivating for final sales; but in all this, life continues to happen. After recognizing such diversity, I settled into a comfortable metronome that “works” for me. Hope you enjoy me sharing it with you. I’m going to share the scope of it as it has developed in my life, but not the specifics. I am so thankful and proud of this intimacy with my Savior. Thanks for understanding.

The structure for this week:

(1) The first half of the week tends to be more reflective, and the final days tend to be more futuristic, but in every aspect of this spiritual retreat, I protect my thoughts from landing in the stagnant pond of lethargy or legalism - for example, this year, instead of lists, I added the element of journaling (hence this blog). If it works well, I’ll do it again next year, but if I become overwhelmed, I’ll go back to my lists.

(2) Each day tackles a different objective. Let this week take on your own DNA. I use it to examine my personal, family, professional, and public roles. For example, this year, I began back in the summer making notes on my iphone about specific areas I desperately wanted to dialogue with God about. (Some of which we have already discussed and I am glad He didn’t wait till Christmas). So, a pre-made list of “desired topics to cover” made it easier for me to begin my prayer time each morning. 

(3) Ask God to speak

As one of my favorite worship songs this year says, “The cross has said it all.” It’s His world; I am His servant; this is His time to accomplish and communicate whatever He wants. Obviously, this is true every day of the year, but certainly a good time to be reminded of such truths. While you may be OCD (like me) and you anticipate God speaking to you in annotated outlines, this is not your time; it’s His. Think of it like taking a physical exam – nothing to hide, everything exposed before His holy gaze. But do remember that He loves you and knows everything about you already! So, if He wants to spend Dec 26 addressing personal integrity and Dec 27 addressing professional courtesy or if He wants to touch on the same area every hour of every day – He’s in charge! After all, unless He speaks to you, this week is just a long process of self depreciation or self-promotion (depending on your personality proclivities and neither of which will work for “conforming to the image of His Son.”)

(4) Ask yourself

While Herod instituted a Christmas census, this is no time for a public survey. I enjoy getting feedback from others, especially when I’m looking to build a case (I’ll get to rationalizations in a minute). But this is no time for outside opinions. 

(5) Write it down

Without trying to do so, each year, my own list of reflections from the past year tends to be close to the same number of objectives for the upcoming year. To record it is essential to being a good steward of this time. Use post-it notes or write a book. Just find a way to write it down – at least the essentials. The weakest pencil led is more durable than the strongest memory.

(6) Incorporate Devotional freedom.

My devotional life during the year usually follows a textual study format (reading a passage everyday for consecutive number of days in a row, reading the same book everyday for a consecutive number of days, or reading through a section of scripture slowly and methodically). But this week is much more topical in nature. In fact, I tend to avoid devotional books during this week altogether and “let my fingers do the walking” as His Spirit does the steering.

The values for this week:

I have developed values for setting objectives (which actually frame my evaluations as well).  With any good set of values, they should be liberating but not too limiting.
So read this next sentence carefully. I refuse to rush, react, and rationalize. At the same time, I insist on being thankful, truthful, and timely. As I preached on Sunday, God’s plans are bigger than ours, harder than ours, but always more rewarding than ours. Claiming, 1 John 1:9, Philippians 3:13, and Philippians 1:6, I can hardly wait to see the progress God accomplishes in and through me over the next year, Lord willing!

Job tells us that God speaks but we rarely hear Him and Psalm 81 tells us God wants His people to listen to Him. Perhaps this week could become your favorite time of the year!

At Mobberly, we have identified December as an “Impact Month” and the entire church family is faced with the Christmas Challenge — to bring lost friends to Mobberly to be impacted by the upfront, life-changing, gospel of Jesus. With the series “Simple Christmas”, we are focusing every function, every service, every celebration as Gospel sharing — all month long. Such a repetition of Gospel invites has caused mostly excitement. Many people find the ones they care about most facing a Christ-less eternity are close friends and family but spiritual conversations have reached an impasse. So taking them to church is almost a fresh “breath” and new opportunity to be confronted once again with the reality of an eternal destiny.

However, there are a few Christians who have found this objective monotonous. So here’s my thoughts on such a perspective. So many of us have heard the gospel so often that we actually neglect it during this familiar time of nativities, Christmas parties, and church responsibilities. But I have concluded that there are really 2 things that should happen every time we contemplate the gospel story (1 Timothy 1:15-17). (1) The more you understand and repeat to yourself gospel truth, the more you’ll realize how deep a sinner you really are and how sovereign a work grace really is.

Paul calls himself “the chief of sinners.” Paul seems to have gone through somewhat of a revolution.  When he writes to the Corinthians—in, roughly speaking, about 55 A.D.—he calls himself “the least of the apostles.”  When he writes to the Ephesians about 5yrs later, he calls himself “the least of the saints.” But when he writes to Timothy, another 5yrs again, he calls himself  “the chief of sinners.” Don’t you see?  It as if Paul, as he grew in grace, also simultaneously grew downward in his estimation of himself. 

Secondly, the more we reflect on the gospel, the more praise we will offer the Lord. “Now to the King eternal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.”  You can’t— if you’re a child of God, if you truly know your sins to be forgiven — you can’t help but praise God for the gospel.  You can’t utter the words of the gospel without praise following on its heels.  

“Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring.  Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven; who, like me, His praise should sing? Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him! Praise the everlasting King!”

Thanksgiving is certainly one of the most needed things today – particularly in church. We have many prayer requests, but few are praises and thanksgivings to the Lord. Giving thanks is so healthy, so encouraging, so understated. Personally, I love not having repetitive jingles stuck in my head, little commercialism (compared to it’s bookend counterpart holidays on the calendar), and especially no gifts to buy – it’s just a day to be thankful.

For our family, when extended family plans unfortunately fell through, we decided to make the most of our first ever “staycation.” Our wallets liked the sound of that, and we were convinced or boys could have the same amount of fun if we were creative. For example: 1 night in a hotel (with indoor swimming), afternoon of horseback riding, evenings at the driving range to hit golf balls, 1 afternoon movie, nightly games like checkers, monopoly and wrestle with daddy, and of course a short trip to Cracker Barrel. But nothing compared to the gratitude Angie and I received from the boys when we simply drove around looking at Christmas lights.

After a couple of hours of this, they both were shouting “You are the best parents EVER!” It had happened – thankfulness! You see, I believe that thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source.

In Luke 17, only 10% of the healed lepers came back to thank Jesus – the Source of the blessing! These Lepers were social outcasts. Their highly contagious condition ostracized them from those they loved. These ten men had been forbidden to enter their own villages, to live in their own homes, to work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Imagine what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran back home again!

One of the lepers, a Samaritan, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus. Jesus asked him, “Where are the others?” Ten lepers had been healed. Ten lepers were reveling in their newfound health. Ten men were joyfully rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only one considered the Source of that blessing and stopped to thank and worship the One who had given him back his life.

We, too, have been healed and made whole by the Savior. We are free to enjoy the abundant life Jesus has graciously given us. Could we, like the nine lepers, rush off so quickly to glory in our blessings without stopping to thank our Redeemer? God looks for our thanks. Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:8 states that there is a “time for war and a time for peace.” In these times of warfare, we often ask, “How should we respond? What should be our attitude?” We will find biblical answers for these questions when we explore the ultimate issue: What does the Word of God say about warfare?

When a nation goes to war, God’s people need to fully understand their heavenly Father’s viewpoint about this matter. Naturally, God is not excited about war. He does not enjoy bloodshed and vengeance. However, He is dealing with a world of people who have a fallen nature.

God battles with people who oppose Him, who fight against Him and His followers. So, even though He hates war, God is not against it. Throughout the Old Testament, there are examples of God using warfare to carry out His plans, to punish the wicked and preserve His people (Deut. 9:4-6; Deut. 20; Jer. 5; Numbers 33:55-56). You may think, “How could God do that?” He says in Isaiah 55:9, “My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” God has divine reasons for choosing war as a vehicle to accomplish His will.

In Scripture, God clearly establishes the government’s responsibilities and authority over us, as well. In Romans 13:1 and 4, Paul writes, “every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. . .for it [the government] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

The government is ordained by God with the right to promote good and restrain evil. This includes wickedness that exists within the nation, as well as any wicked persons or countries that threaten foreign nations. Obviously, there are times when a country should not go to war; but there are also times when, if a nation does not do so, they suffer the consequences. Therefore, a government has biblical grounds to go to war in the nation’s defense or to liberate others in the world who are

enslaved.

You may think, “Well, how do we reconcile that with what Jesus said about loving our enemies and turning the other cheek?” (Luke 6:27-30) In that passage, Jesus was speaking to us as individuals. If someone treats us badly, we should love him anyway. We can pray for our enemies, and do good to those who hate us. The way someone treats an individual is one thing; the way he treats an entire nation is a completely different issue. The Bible teaches that it is the responsibility of the government’s leaders to protect the nation against those who would destroy it.

Despite the many different opinions and philosophies about war, the most important consideration is God’s viewpoint. However, there comes a time when our personal opinion is not a priority. The only reason we have the freedom to protest in this country is because thousands were willing to die for that liberty in the past. Throughout Scripture there is evidence that God favors war for divine reasons and sometimes uses it to accomplish His will. He has also given governments and their citizens very specific responsibilities in regards to this matter. This is a frightening time for all of the world’s citizens, but it is also a time for God’s people to rise up as a unified body against the global threat of evil and terror. I challenge you, as a child of God, to respond to this conflict as He desires: with a spirit of prayer, and attitude of appreciation for the thousands of veterans and present military heroes, a patriotic submission, and an unwavering dependence upon your heavenly Father.

• From the doughboys who fought in the trenches during WW I
• From the Marines who stormed Iwo Jima and quickened the conclusion of  WWII
• From the men who endured the bitter cold of the Inchon Penninsula in Korea
• From the grunts who moved from jungle to jungle in Vietnam
• From our forces who liberated Kuwait just 12 years ago

Today the men and women in the deserts of the Middle East are no different from their ancestors. And we should commit here and now that no matter our opinion of the conflict, we will unequivocally back our armed forces. They stand ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our continued liberties. They deserve no less than our unwavering support and prayers.

And for our nation’s Commander in Chief: no matter your political persuasion, the Bible makes it clear we are to pray for him. We should pray for God to bless him with a double portion of wisdom, discernment, and fortitude in the days ahead.

I love being an American and living in a free country, but our nation is more than just a certain area of land bordered by oceans on the east and west — we are a nation of beliefs (equality, justice, and self-determination); we are a nation of principles (representative government, the rule of law, and the freedom to express ourselves in worship as we see fit); and we are one indivisible Nation under God.

The other night I had the occasion to be at home with my three boys while Mommy had the much-deserved opportunity to fellowship with other ladies from our small group. It was all fun and games, as they say, “until someone gets hurt.” Luke (3yrs old) hit his head (an unfortunate yet growing occurrence) that resulted in plenty of tears. Perhaps it was the shock of crying which then caused our 3 month old, Colt, to begin crying. I’m convinced he knew Mommy wasn’t home! Playtime was definitely over. Solving problems as I like to do, meant that I should make this quick occasion immediate bedtime. My urgency and Trey’s patience then clashed. At last, I had the ear-piercing sounds of 3 boys crying simultaneously – that’ s a lot of tears!

Having some time to ponder this reality since that night, has helped me appreciate the physical inevitability of tears. Of the seven Psalms that refer to tears, three are attributed to David. The man who was a true man’s man and who had an absolutely sincere secret life with God was also a man of tears. Clearly, tears are not for women only! The tears in my house that night came from felling hurt, feeling frightened, and feeling frustrated. But was I missing something? David cried, “Do not be silent at my tears” (Psalm 39:12). Could it be that tears are liquid words? Tears can certainly communicate more than our words can. There’s something about tears that is pure and unfeigned. While some can actually fake tears, honestly, when it comes to talking to God, nobody is about to fake tears. The deeper root of tears is not just an emotion, it’s a motive. Tears are a language of desire. One child desired comfort, another desired companionship, and another desired consolation. Why couldn’t I see that? Perhaps it’s been too long that I desired Christ in that same pathos? After all “it’s famine that makes us hungry; it’s drought that makes us thirsty; it’s deprivation that produces desire.” I’m thankful that God can use real-life happenings to mature me. Let me encourage you not to despise the pain that gives you tears. Pour out your heart to God; He is our refuge. Those who “love much” still wash the Lord’s feet with their tears (Luke 7:36-48). And yes, Mommy came home and calm was restored!

I was wonderfully reminded today of some biblical principles I needed to recall. Though it was not much, Jesus told His disciples that the miracle He would do for the 5000 plus gathered spontaneously on the hillside was going to first require their obedience, no matter how insignificant they felt their part was (Matthew 14:18). Jesus uses what you have. One person CAN make a difference. God blesses and multiplies our giving. Nothing is too small to be shared. In fact when we don’t share, we suffer. Don’t all of us suffer when one is disobedient?  If you fail to exercise your spiritual gift in the body of Christ it causes me to suffer.  If I fail to tithe it causes suffering for all the church.  In the life of a believer it brings physical death, loss of reward, victory, peace of mind and discord in the church. 

Whatever you have, if you give it to God, He’ll make a difference to those around you. This is a faith process, a faith experience. Too often we are overwhelmed with the vastness of the need and give up. Or we belittle our resources to the point that we never release them to God, but selfishly hang on to them because that is all we know and all we have. We are inadequate, we know, but we refuse to let go. Or we insist that God perform the task by Himself, without us participating in the process even in a tiny way.

In fact the entire reason God gives us things is so we can use those “things” to show our love for Him and people. But ironically we use Him and people to get things because we love things more than people. Instead of being stingy we are to share. Instead of wanting more, we should be giving more.  

We must release our resources to Him in trust. Their smallness in our eyes must not be an obstacle. He is teaching us a trust journey, and it must be accompanied by our learning to trust Him by doing what He asks, even if we have no idea where He is going with it. If we will learn this vital lesson, then we can graduate to the next level.

• It is the lesson of Abraham offering Isaac, his only son.
• It is Gideon seeing his small but inadequate army whittled down to a pitiful 300.
• It is the lesson that you and I face more often than we would like to admit.
• It is an essential lesson in the school of discipleship.

The Mosaic law makes it quite clear of our parental responsibilities (Deuteronomy 6:4-8). As I observe children who have glaring disciplinary problems – the child throwing a temper tantrum in the grocery store, the pity party in the toy store, or the angry blow toward their sibling – I am reminded that children mirror their parents more than we are willing to admit.

Our beliefs determine our behavior; therefore, the way we teach submitting to authority in the home is often overturned by our actions in the streets. That is why Josh McDowell declares: “While we need to fear what our children could be tempted to do, we need to be more concerned with what are kids are left to believe.” Integrity in our homes is a one-to-one correlation between our Bible, our beliefs, and our actions.

A parent who is undisciplined himself cannot discipline their child – they may be punishing but not disciplining.  Adrian Rogers used to give the example that a man who wants to train his hunting dogs takes them out in the woods. It’s ironic that we train our dogs but don’t train our kids. Then we tie up our dogs at night and let our kids run wild.

I appreciate what Rick Warren tweeted earlier this week: True success is having those who know us, respect us most. “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home” Psalm101:2(LB)

I believe it is impossible to mature into God’s complete picture for who God is conforming us to become without the blessing of doing so with others in the family of God. This could not have been illustrated any more clearly than this past Sunday night. Our church has renovated its traditional Sunday evening service into a Prayer Service. My prayer, in anticipation of this monumental shift, has been that we would be led by the Spirit yet balanced with strategic planning. All the while conveying an authentic approach that is unique to who Mobberly is. Thankfully, all of this was achieved! Seeing people intercede for each other, missionaries, the hurting and unemployed was a moving experience that has resulted in more people talking about those requests than ever end up talking about one of my sermons! (Humbling but thrilling!)

Each week, we anticipate the people of God bowing, kneeling, singing, supporting, interceding, but most of all – approaching God for what only He can do. The specific focus for our church and our prayers will vary each week; the way we pray (in groups, out loud, alone, etc) will vary each week, but the power and presence of God will remain the same! The Power of a Praying Church is unstoppable! Stormie Omartian has said, “Building a people to do God’s work happens in the local church when we are connected to and grow with the rest of the congregation. It is within that context that we find who we are created to be and what we are created to do.”