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David Scudder
DaveBethel at gmail dot com Sr. Pastor of Bethel Chapel Church
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The Christmas shopping season is in full swing. Most of us have to really watch our budgets as we plan our gift giving, but imagine if money were no object. What would be the most valuable gift you could give? Several possibilities come to my mind: The Hope Diamond in London, the Mona Lisa painting in Paris, or the Rocky Statue here in our city are valuable objects that are not for sale. There are also some incredibly valuable cars. Of course, if you were really extravagant, giving someone the Comcast Tower would cost even more.
Now imagine something completely different. Suppose that a friend of yours was stranded in the Mohave Desert in the middle of the summer. He has run out of food and water. Now the most valuable gift you could give him would be water, not a painting. He’d rather have food than the Rocky Statue. Water may be inexpensive, but a man dying of thirst would gladly give up all of his possessions for a long, cool drink of it. The value of an object grows dramatically when it is something you need to keep you alive. If you think about it, the basics of life are ultimately the most valuable. After all, without them we wouldn’t even have a life—so the rest of life’s “stuff” would become meaningless. Paul picked up on this idea when he said “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal,[temporary] but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). When we are starved for gifts that are real and lasting, the other temporary gifts don’t ever really satisfy. What is the most valuable gift you could ever receive or give? The most valuable gift is the Word of God. Why? Because God’s Word is our only reliable source of truth so we can know how to have our guilt replaced by joy. This is why Jesus said, “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). David told God: “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72). David said that because God’s Word gave him a joy, peace, and happiness that no amount of earthly things could purchase. When we open our hearts to God and His offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, then we’ll see that “The law of the Lord [i.e. the Bible] is perfect, restoring the soul… The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart… They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:7-10). I hope you are getting your daily dose of the gift of God’s Word. If you would like a free copy of the Bible, just contact me here at Bethel Chapel at (215) 533-4395 or by email at DaveBethel@Gmail.com. As you look for Christmas gifts, don’t forget to seek the most valuable gift of all—life through God’s Word.
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Once in a great while God blesses us by giving very special friends. Several years ago the Lord did that for our family when Don and Hong-Hai moved into a home across the street from us. They had three children Michele, Jonathan, and Tiffani who were close in age to our own children. We felt an instant bond, and a close friendship soon developed between our families.
About four years ago this family’s faith in Christ was put to the test when their teenage son was diagnosed with brain cancer. After a long and agonizing battle, the Lord took Jonathan home to be with Him. Our hearts grieved along with our friends, but we also marveled at the grace that God gave them. Their strength during this tragedy could only have come from Him. Hong-Hai, Jonathan’s mother, wrote to us recently. She described both the pain of losing a child as well as the marvelous grace that God gives when He is fully trusted. I have her permission to share part of her letter with you. These are her words about part of her Christmas this year: “Yesterday morning, while Don was at work and Tiffani at school, I went to visit Jonathan’s grave. The 18th of each month was special to Jonathan and our family because God brought Jonathan through brain surgery on the 18th of November 2003. For the following 17 months, we celebrated on the 18th of each month (actually, we did each day, each moment) that Jonathan was still with us. Since Jonathan went home to be with the Lord, the 18th was still special to us. I would often go to Jonathan’s grave to spend time in solitude with God and to remember Jonathan in a special way. So I bundled up well for the sub-freezing temperature and headed for the cemetery. “As I drove near the place, I felt bad when realizing that amid the busyness with many responsibilities, I had only scheduled that time in my planner without remembering to bring something Christmas to decorate Jonathan’s grave. As I was walking from the car toward the grave, I noticed on the ground a nice, about 3-foot long, fresh pine branch that had broken off a tree. So I picked it up and set it by Jonathan’s gravestone. It made a beautiful Christmas tree! I thanked the Lord for His provision even in that small thing. I thanked Him for granting that small desire of my heart at that moment out of His deep love and care for our every need. Later on, I remembered that Jesus was also referred to in the Scriptures as ‛A Branch’ or ‛The Branch’ (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Zachariah 3:8). So, my heart rejoiced that God had used that broken branch to remind me of Jesus being with me right there and always. “As usual, for the time alone with the Lord there, I poured my heart and tears out to Him and listened for His tender voice. In my deep pain and grief, I cried bitter tears to God. At the same time, I felt His sweet presence and comfort to my soul, His love embrace to my wounded heart, and His joy and peace deep down. I knew it could only be because of the Prince of Peace, the Child who had been born unto us, the Son who had been given unto us since that first Christmas, Jesus, the Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lived in me. As I read the Bible verse on Jonathan’s gravestone, ‛I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever,’ I thought of how blessed that Jonathan could now sing of God’s love in God’s very Presence and Glory. I reflected upon the testimony of Jonathan’s life, and my heart rejoiced with gratitude to God. Through my tears I prayed, ‛I will sing of Your great love forever too, Lord, for You are worthy!’” Most of us have not gone through this kind of grief. Our trials are usually much smaller. Can we sing in the midst of them? Jesus predicted that a Christian’s life would sometimes be hard, but He promised that it would always be worth it: “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you” (John 16:22 ). Do you have a faith that delivers peace during the hard times? Contact me and I’ll send you the booklet, “The Surprising Side of God.” It is free. I’ll even pay the postage because I would love for you to experience the faith and comfort that my Vietnamese friend has found in God.
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A small group of shepherds were on the job taking care of their sheep on a hillside outside of Bethlehem over two thousand years ago when Christ was born. Unexpectedly, a large group of angels appeared and promised them that the new born Messiah would bring peace on this earth: “suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‛Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14).
It was only a few years later, though, when this same Messiah, Jesus Christ, predicted that the world would be filled with “wars and rumors of wars.” What happened? After all, the world has indeed seen one war after another since Jesus left this earth. Did Jesus fail in His mission to bring peace? No, He did not, and here’s why. The mission of Christ was to offer peace to us here on earth. Christ has been offering it all these years since He came. Sadly, most of the human race has been rejecting Christ’s offer. Remember what people who knew Him and had seen His miracles said? They, “cried out, ‛Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!’ . . . ‛We have no king but Caesar’” (John 19:15). We, and they, have rejected the peace Christ, the Prince of Peace, offered. Instead, we have continued to follow those who reject Christ. That has led to the wars that have ravaged our planet. Of course, Jesus could have imposed peace on this earth through His awesome power. He could do that because He was the one who created this world to start with: “For by [Jesus Christ] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). If Jesus had forced the world to live in peace, though, He would not have solved the problem of sin. That problem robbed us of peace in the first place. Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts. He came to transform fighting hearts into peaceful hearts. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Jesus rules and reigns over the hearts of those who have stopped fighting Him and have surrendered to His offer of forgiveness. That brings a deep and lasting peace! A woman lay dying. A pastor tried to break the news as gently as he could: “They think your time is short.” “Yes,” she said, “I know it.” “Have you made your peace with God?” “No,” she replied, “I haven’t made my peace with God.” The minister did not understand. The woman seemed so peaceful. “What do you mean?” he asked. She said, “Listen! I know I am dying, yet I have no fear of meeting God. I don’t have to make my peace with God for I am resting in the peace which Jesus Christ has already made in His atoning death upon the Cross.” [Evangelical Visitor] God’s peace has not failed. Until the time when Jesus comes back to this earth, He continues to offer us a peace that will never go away: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Jesus made it clear. This peace is only possible through His work on the cross. After He was tortured and crucified and had risen from the dead, He said, “. . . ‛Peace be with you.’ And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side” (John 20:19-20). The peace that the angels announced at Christ’s birth is still available. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). From my home to yours, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas that is filled with Christ’s peace!
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This debate comes up every year. Should we say, “Merry Christmas” this time of year – even though it could offend someone? I recently heard this issue discussed on a local radio talk show. The discussion helped me realize the underlying problem: Many of us have actually forgotten what Christmas is all about. Some say that Christmas is a time to exchange gifts. Others are more noble, and they say that Christmas means time to be together with our families. Is that why we celebrate Christmas?
Maybe we need to pause for a moment and think about why we have a Christmas Day. December 25th has been the traditional day set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ into this world. Christ’s birth, more than the birth of any other, has been celebrated because His birth was “good news of great joy which will be for all the people; . . . there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus came so that He could rescue us from the punishment and effects of our sin. No one else has ever done that. Christ’s birth is also celebrated because of who He is. The Bible shows us that the birth of Christ marks the only time in history when God became a man: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, ‛God with us’” (Matthew 1:23). Since Christmas is a holiday to remember Christ’s birth, why shouldn’t we mention His name? Let me picture it this way. Suppose you decided to remember your mother’s birthday by inviting friends over for special food and the giving of gifts. Wouldn’t it be odd if you said, “Now, just so we don’t offend anybody, please don’t mention my mother’s name on her birthday.” Those who didn’t want to honor your mother wouldn’t have to celebrate. Why would those who are enjoying the party be offended if someone mentions her name? This may surprise you, but the Bible does tell us why the name of Christ is often hated or ignored. It all comes down to what Christ’s name represents. Notice how the Apostle Paul explained it: “Being found in appearance as a man, [Jesus] humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:8-11). In other words, because God became a man and then paid the awful price of our sin, Christ’s name forces us to embrace Him or turn away from Him. When you understand who Jesus is you cannot remain neutral about Him. He is like no other. When I was just a young boy, someone showed me from the Bible who Jesus is and what He did for me. A few weeks later I turned my life over to Christ, a decision I have never regretted. This time of year I take every opportunity to say “Merry Christmas” because I am so thankful that Jesus died on the Cross for me. I am not greeting the season of winter. I am celebrating the birth of the God-man who loved me so much that He died for me. If you don’t know Christ as your Lord and Savior, Christmas would be a wonderful time to begin that relationship with Him. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. Call me or e-mail me if you would like more information about how you can know Jesus Christ as your Savior. Beginning a relationship with Christ would ensure that you have a truly Merry Christmas. Your comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below.
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A news article dated November 13th of this year caught my attention. The headline was, “Georgia Lawmakers, Ministers to Pray for Rain.” Georgia is in the midst of a terrible drought that is causing severe water rationing. The article went on to say, “Gov. Sonny Perdue . . . joined lawmakers and ministers on the steps of the state Capitol to pray for rain.” I saw a report about this event on one of the major television networks, and I got the impression that seeing a politician pray was something like seeing an odd looking animal in the zoo. In a minute I’ll give you the “Rest of the Story” (as Paul Harvey would do), but first let’s put this event in historical perspective.
America sure has come a long way from her roots! It was not that long ago when our politicians talked openly about God and prayer. In fact, Governor Perdue was actually following in the footsteps of many past leaders in our country. Let me give you one example. In April of 1623, just three years after the Pilgrims landed on American soil, their crops were in trouble. It soon became clear that a dry spell was turning into a serious drought. Pilgrim Edward Winslow recorded what was happening. “It pleased God, for our further chastisement to send a great drought; insomuch as in six weeks . . . there scarce fell any rain.” The plants began to look “as though they had been scorched before the fire . . . ” Those early Christians decided that they needed to set aside a day to fast and pray to God for His blessing. Winslow explained what happened next. “In the morning,” he wrote, “when we assembled together, the heavens were as clear, and the drought as like to continue as it ever was.” By late afternoon – after praying for eight or nine hours – “the weather was overcast, the clouds gathered on all sides.” The next morning they received “soft, sweet and moderate shows of rain, continuing some fourteen days.” This answer to prayer had another unintended miraculous result. Winslow explains: “The Indians . . . took notice . . . all of them admired the goodness of our God towards us, that wrought so great a change in so short of time, showing the difference between their conjuration [i.e., their cries to their gods] and our invocation on the name of God for rain.” That answer to prayer attracted many Indians to the Christian faith. Maybe you are experiencing your own personal “drought.” Your life seems to be falling apart. You’ve tried everything you can think of, maybe even religion, but nothing has helped. May I suggest that you turn your life over to God. The Bible explains who God helps: “blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 119:2). “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). When we humble ourselves and admit that without God we are helpless, we are ready to experience His blessing. Apart from God, though, there is neither guarantee of help for this life nor any hope for security in the next. It is our own selfishness that has separated us from God’s blessing. When we turn from our sin and embrace the forgiveness Jesus purchased for us on the Cross, He will rain on us the twin blessings of God’s presence and help now and His promise of an eternal life to come. Here is the “Rest of the Story.” You probably haven’t heard what happened after they prayed in Georgia. The major media seemed to ignore it. The day after Governor Perdue prayed on the Capitol steps, in spite of the reporter’s ridicule and scorn, rains swept the state, depositing as much an inch in some places. The Lord will bless us too, if we turn completely to Him. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually” (Psalm 105:3-4).
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Everybody wants to feel happy. Many times I have heard, and you probably have too, that in order to really feel happy with your life, you must first learn how to love yourself. Is that true? It sounds logical. After all, how can I be happy if I don't like myself?
Is showing love for myself something I need to learn? The more I think about it, the less I think that's true. I have a hard time believing that loving myself is something that I really need to work on. I look around and see a lot of evidence that I'm actually doing pretty good at respecting and loving myself. The holidays, for example, have pointed this out to me. No one had to tell me that I really should indulge myself and eat all of the pies and cookies put before me. I was reminded of what one young boy said after a large holiday meal. The child watched his father loosen his belt and turned to his mother and said, "Look, Dad just moved his decimal point over two places." I can relate! Orson Wells once quipped, "My doctor has advised me to give up those intimate little dinners for four, unless, of course, there are three other people eating with me." Actually, our country is filled with people who are showing self-love this way consistently. Andy Rooney pointed out that the two biggest sellers in any bookstore are cookbooks and diet books. One tells you how to make delicious food, the other tells you not to eat it. Sadly, though, food is not the only way we show how much we love ourselves. We get depressed when we can't get life to work the way we want it to. We get angry when someone else doesn't show us the respect we are looking for. In fact, unhappy people tend to be those who are the most concerned about themselves. Aren't we surrounded by people who are bitter and angry because others aren't putting them first? We see it in others. If we're really honest, can't we see it in ourselves, too? We all tend to put ourselves first in one way or another. Admitting our own selfishness and self-love is actually the first step to happiness. Our hearts are full of self-focus and sin. The Bible tells us that turning from our selfishness is the path that takes us to happiness. Notice: "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19 ). When we repent, our hearts will grow to love God because of what He has done to rescue us from our self-focused condition. We will be free to love others and to love God Himself. "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Only then can you "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Real happiness begins when we love God, not when we love ourselves. Or to put it another way, happiness comes from our submission to God, not from trying to feel good about ourselves. To know God is to love Him. Jesus Himself said, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). Have you learned to love God instead of loving yourself? That is where true happiness comes from. I would like to hear your view of where you are in your search for happiness. Click on "Comments" and share your thoughts with the rest of us.
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In the last few weeks there have been tragic stories coming from the state of Oregon. These stories have captured the attention of our nation. One news report is still breaking as I write these words. Three climbers have been missing on Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon and one has just been found dead.
I learned an important lesson while researching the tragedy that happened to the Kim family a few weeks earlier, though. It all started when the Kim family lost their way in a wilderness area of Oregon. James and Kati Kim left their home in San Francisco with their girls Penelope, age 4, and Sabine, age 4 months. They loaded up their car and headed to Oregon for a family vacation. On their way to the Oregon coast, they got lost when they took the wrong exit off of I-5 near Roseburg. They stayed on that road for several miles and passed at least three large yellow signs warning that the road ahead might be blocked by snow. Eventually they came to a fork in the road. There was a small sign pointing left to the Oregon coast. Instead of turning in that direction, they went right onto a logging road. That road should have been blocked by a gate during this time of the year. Tragically, someone had cut the lock and opened the gate. The Kim family kept driving for another fifteen miles before they got stuck in the snow in the Rogue River Wilderness. After being stuck in their car for nine days, James decided to leave his family and look for help. Rescuers found the car and were able to get the Kim family to safety. It took two more days of looking before they found the frozen body of James Kim, though. He had traveled about ten miles before he lost his life. We don't know who opened the gate that should have kept them from driving down the logging road. Perhaps it was someone who wanted to put a four wheel drive to the test, someone who wanted to have fun exploring a wilderness area. Maybe they thought that the gate was an unfair restriction on their freedom. There is an important lesson here for us. God often restricts our freedom by putting up warning signs. He puts a lock on some of life's "gates." For example, the Bible warns us not to have sex outside of marriage (see Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; Colossians 3:5). This may appear to be nothing more than a restriction on our right to have pleasure. In reality, though, God sets up loving barriers in order to protect us. Why? Because: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). Because a barrier had been removed, the Kim family thought they were safe. They were wrong, of course, and the result was disastrous. On the other hand, the result of staying in God's path is amazingly positive. King David exclaimed: "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:11). Human sexuality within marriage is a wonderful thing, as God affirms in the Song of Solomon and other Scriptures. God's path is not always the easiest, but it is always the best. How have God's "gates" protected you? Please click on "Comments" and share your story with the rest of us.
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This week I'd like to share a portion of a story about a Christmas present. Christmas time is a wonderful time for stories. In fact, we're inviting all of Juniata to share a special time of Christmas stories and music on Christmas Eve at 6:00 p.m. at Bethel Chapel Church. We'll have refreshments for all afterwards, and I hope I'll see you there.
This is a story about a priceless gift from a grandmother: "Here," the elderly lady said proudly as she handed the velvet-wrapped package to her son. "This is the gift I have been promising my grandson Eric. It was once the treasure of kings in the old country. Now it is a part of our family heritage. I risked my life to bring it from Europe long ago." Her son unwrapped a miniature coach made of solid gold and studded with priceless jewels. It was pulled by little horses, realistically sculpted in every detail, yet made of gleaming gold. The grandmother watched, looking for an expression of awe and wonder. Instead her son's face twisted in discontent. "I don't know, Mums," he said patronizingly. "You've been talking so much about this treasure. I think Eric is going to expect more than this." Her son turned the exquisite sculpture carelessly. "Perhaps I can take the bottom apart somehow and put a battery in it so I can put lights on it." The grandmother stared up at him, her eyes mirroring her grief and shock. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks as she reached for her gift–priceless, yet rejected by someone that could not see its true value. You and I sympathize with the grandmother whose perfect gift was treated as if it were not enough, as if it needed something added to it. Perhaps as we imagine this scene, we can get a glimpse of God's grief and shock each time we tamper with or ignore the gift He has given to us. At Christmas we focus on giving gifts, yet the greatest gift was given long ago. The God who made the universe became a man. He lived in poverty and then died in agony to pay for all the wrongs we have ever committed. Each time we do or think something that does not please God, we incur a debt that only Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on the cross can pay for. What greater gift could God give us? To think that Jesus would suffer a type of hell for us–suffer so that we would not have to take the eternal punishment we deserve! Through the centuries man has been telling God that His priceless gift is not enough. Many have insulted God by saying we must do something to earn entrance into heaven–we must join the church or give money to the poor or perform certain acts such as baptism or communion. By adding these things as requirements for salvation, these people are saying that the gift given by the God of the universe is insufficient without man's effort as well. How would you feel if someone you loved insisted on paying for a gift you had given freely? If you accepted a price, even a small price, it would no longer be a gift. "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b). "For it is by grace [an undeserved gift] you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). As you reach under your Christmas tree, take your gifts, and open them, think of God's gift. Have you reached out by faith and accepted His free gift of eternal life? There is nothing to pay because Jesus already paid for it with His life on the cross. Above all else this Christmas, Jesus wants you to receive Him. He wants to give you life eternal and begin a personal relationship with you. Do you know Jesus? Do you have fellowship with this One who became a human being to reach out to you? The Christ of Christmas can be your personal friend it you will accept God's free gift. All you have to do is admit that you need His forgiveness and that you want Him to be the ruler of your life. This year have a truly Merry Christmas because you have accepted God's priceless, free gift to you. See you on Christmas Eve.
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Deciding what gifts to give at Christmas is very frustrating to me. I chuckled when I read Yogi Berra's advice on decision making: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." That is funny, but not very helpful. How am I supposed to know what another person needs or wants? What about those relatives I rarely see? Many times I have found myself wandering through store after store surveying hundreds of items and not finding one thing that I think would be a good gift. Many of the things I look at are either too expensive or they are just plain useless. Some potential gifts might be OK, but how do I know whether or not they already have it? Decisions, decisions!
What gift to buy, of course, is not as important as many of the choices you and I face on a regular basis. Who should I spend my time with? How do I spend my money? How can I help my children make the right choices in life? What do I do about that person who irritates the dickens out of me? How do I handle that relative who is bossy and controlling? The list goes on and on. Thankfully, there is help. God has promised to help us make good decisions. For example, Solomon said, "In all your ways acknowledge [God], and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6). Notice that the first thing we must do in order to make good decisions (i.e. have straight paths) is to have a correct understanding of who God is. We cannot acknowledge God if we don't know who He is. There is an old Carl Reiner/Mel Brooks comedy sketch that illustrates the foundation of this truth. Reiner is interviewing a very old man, played by Mel Brooks. At one point, Carl Reiner asks the old man, "Did you always believe in God?" Brooks: "No. We had a guy in our village name Phil, and for a time we worshiped him." Reiner: "You worshiped a guy named Phil? Why?" Brooks: "Because he was big, and mean, and he could break you in two with his bare hands." Reiner: "Did you have prayers?" Brooks: "Yes, would you like to hear one? O Phil, please don't be mean, and hurt us, or break us in two with your bare hands." Reiner: "So when did you start worshiping God?" Brooks: "Well, on day a big thunderstorm came up, and a lightning bold hit Phil. We gathered around and saw that he was dead. Then we said to one another, ‛There's something bigger than Phil!'" We all have to realize there is something – Someone actually – who is much bigger than we are, who is bigger than the greatest among us. We have to know who He is. That's why reading and understanding God's Word is so important. The Bible teaches that God, who can make our paths straight, is all powerful, holy, pure, and eternal. In other words, God will always triumph, and He can be trusted to do what is right. Job told God, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). God Himself said, "Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it" (Isaiah 46:11). The prophet Eli expressed His trust in God this way, "It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him" (1 Samuel 3:18). Right choices do not come from our personal ability to figure it all out: "do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5b). Good decisions are based on a commitment to rely on God's understanding: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5a). Once we know who God is, we must have a commitment to find Him in every circumstance. Paul declared: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). We tend to forget all about God until life gets out of control. God controls everything, though, and is actively involved in all that happens to us whether we see it or not. Our challenge is to recognize God's control and to work towards always being aware of it. God wants to be, and deserves to be, the center focus of everything. When that happens, God directs all our choices – about our time and money, about our children and relatives, and about our coworkers. Seeking God is both a life long goal as well as a very rewarding journey. You are welcome to join us as we seek God together at Bethel Chapel. We have His Word to guide us and the encouragement of others who have the same desire. You can learn about us at www.BethelChapelChurch.com.
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Sudden change is something that happens in fairy tales. We've all heard about the prince who became a frog because a witch put a curse on him. He could only be changed back if a princess kissed him. It happened, and poof, he was a prince again. In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White was awakened from a coma by the kiss of a handsome prince. In The Beauty and The Beast, the beast was instantly transformed into a handsome gentleman because of the love of a young woman. The instant change that happens in fairy tales makes for great stories.
Real life, on the other hand, is much different. Don't you wish that overcoming personal failure was as easy as the changes in the fairy tales? Many people waste much of their lives looking for that one missing ingredient that will take away their weaknesses and instantly make them joyful and content. They change their relationships, their careers, and their appearances, looking for the key to instant happiness. They capture only glimpses of it, and they move through life disillusioned, and discouraged, and still desperately seeking. They are making the wrong kinds of changes and depending only on themselves. God is the giver of lasting happiness and genuine change. Joyful contentment does not come easily, but it can happen! One part of it is something that does happen all at once and sometimes even feels a little magical. The other part is growth that happens gradually over many years. Lasting happiness and genuine change begin with God's forgiveness – and that is something that happens instantly. The Bible makes this very clear. This is why Jesus describes a Christian as someone who has been "born again" in John 3:1-15. Birth is an unchangeable, one-time event. Once you are born, you are forever a child of your parents – not even death can change that. Jesus said that salvation is like that too: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The Lord made it clear that this one time event is permanent when He said, "I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). A child will never cease to be his parent's offspring. In the same way, a relationship with Jesus Christ begins instantly and lasts forever. This is the instantaneous part that is so awesome. After being born again, though, you need to grow. Our desire to follow and obey Jesus Christ is proof that forgiveness (or "the new birth") has actually happened to us. Following and obeying Christ is what makes genuine contentment possible. Author Leonard Ravenhill told the story about a group of tourists who were visiting a charming, New England village. They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather condescending way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies." How true! Every Christian begins as a "baby," but babies need to learn how to be content when things aren't just the way they want them to be. This is why Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). We don't naturally know what is best, so we need to "learn what is pleasing to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10). Even Paul said that he, "learned to be content" (Philippians 4:11). How can you learn these life changing lessons? The best place is with other Christians who are struggling to learn the same things that you are. "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). A good Christian church is a place where, "we, who are many, are one body [or group] in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5). True followers of Christ gather together as imperfect people in order to learn more about Christ and to be an encouragement to each other. Mark R. Gornik in his book "To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City" said, "When people know they are deeply loved, cared for, accepted, and wanted by a community, they are transformed by the experience. And the preaching that flows out of community life and serves its formation, rather than being the artificial focus of the church, is similarly transformational." In other words, Bible preaching is more likely to change us for the better if it is done through a community of believers who really love each other. You can begin a new life and grow into a joyous contented child of God. It doesn't happen as quickly as the changes in fairytales, but it can happen in your life just as it has happened in the lives of many of us here at Bethel Chapel Church. If you have found real happiness in Christ I would love to hear about it and rejoice with you. Click on "Comments" and share with the rest of us how you discovered that joy.
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