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Knowing, Tasting, and Seeing

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:35:09 GMT

On certain days, I can hardly avoid the “I-already-know-that-story” syndrome. I am about to read John 5 or I Corinthians 13 or Psalm 23, and I think, “But I already know what’s coming. Why would I waste time reading that?” As if knowing a text (as I might think of it) was really the main point…

Of course, the point of feasting on Scriptures is not merely so that I may know it, but that I may taste it. Or again, beautiful truths in the Bible are not only to be memorized, they are to be seen. Taste and see that the LORD is good.

When I come to a familiar text, the Holy Spirit does not merely give me knowledge to remember, He opens my eyes to see, and he opens my mouth to taste. It is the difference between explaining that a strawberry has a soft texture that releases a slightly bitter but mostly sweet sensation in the mouth, and giving someone a ripe strawberry to taste. It is the difference between describing the Grand Canyon to someone and bringing someone there to see it.

The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see the beauty and grandeur in familiar texts, and opens our mouths to feast upon and savor old truths. But it is just that tasting that revives and replenishes our spirit and that seeing that gives us God-inspired vision for our lives.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:18

The Mixed Life

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:51:05 GMT

Inevitably, all pastors must embrace the reality of the mixed life. Ministry necessarily introduces one to a world of paradox. One moment, a pastor’s heart breaks over a wounded marriage, or a poverty-stricken family, or a young child being laid to rest. The next moment he is celebrating the joy of marrying a young couple, or rejoicing in a parishioner’s latest faith step. Where one experiences wounds, another has just found healing. Where one sees defeat, another has recently found victory.

Paul was keenly aware of the mixed life. In II Corinthians 6:8-10 he spoke of the constant juxtaposition of equal and opposite life experiences— through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

In a city, Paul might experience glory for a moment, and then have his name slandered in the public square—he lived through glory and dishonor. He might end his days weeping before the LORD, because of hardness in the hearts of the people or the sheer difficulty of preaching where the Gospel had never been heard, but he would also persist in finding joy in God’s provision; he was sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. Like the Christ he preached, he had no place to lay his head. He possessed only the cloak on his own back, and yet, day by day, he offered a treasure of infinite worth, a pearl of great cost—he was poor, yet made many rich; he had nothing, and yet possessed everything.

As pastors and ministers of the Gospel, we follow in the footsteps of Paul. Ours is the mixed life. Surrounded by people whose needs and lives are as varied as their unique stories, we are constantly inundated with celebration and mourning. And if we have been called to walk as Jesus did, we will embrace the mixed life as surely as He did, until the day when we, like He, will leave behind our earthly tent for our heavenly dwelling.

The Hand of God: Reflections on Psalm 139

Sat, 24 May 2008 05:32:30 GMT

God gives us fresh insights into familiar texts. Tonight as I read Psalm 139, a Psalm I have read dozens of times, I was struck by the repeated occurrence of the “hand of God”. This theme seems to come up in at least 4 ways that are relevant to our lives:

1. God’s hand signifies His presence with us.
“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” (139:5). Neither physical distance, nor emotional turmoil, nor spiritual wandering can cause us to escape the reach of God’s hand. His hand is not too short to save. Indeed, it rests on all who call Him Lord.

2. God’s hand signifies His guidance over us.
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (139:9-10). God’s hand is strong and able to guide us as we grope in the darkness, or wonder about our next step. His hand clears the cluttered path before us, and motions us in the way that is best.

3. God’s hand signifies His craftsmanship of us.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (139:13). God’s hand was busy knitting during the 9 months we grew inside of our mothers. His hand uniquely crafted our unique personalities and gifts. Our distinct characteristics bear the marks of Divine weaving.

4. God’s hand signifies His plan for us.
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (139:16). God’s hand has already written every day that we will live on this earth. We need not fear death, for we are immortal beings until we reach the final day of which God has written about in His book. Until then, we make it our aim to know the Author, and entrust ourselves to Him whose wise counsel has sovereignly written about our every breath before one of them came into being.

What Makes a Person Persuasive?

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:17:25 GMT

Proverbs 16:21- The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Tonight I flipped on CNN, and listened to three political analysts tell me which presidential candidate deserved my vote. One gentlemen, a middle-aged, heavy-set, outspoken fellow, was very articulate and spoke with great passion. I must say, he was very convincing. But just at the point when I was about to side with him, he started interrupting other people, talking over them, and being loud and belligerent.

And all of his rude antics kind of made me forget about his good points. His content hadn’t really changed much. But he seemed much less convincing. In fact, because he was so cantankerous, I didn’t care to listen to him much.

That’s what happened when I listened to an Obama/Clinton debate a few months back. I couldn’t have told you who had a better plan to save health care—both plans sounded equally plausible (or implausible, I guess…). But Clinton seemed loud and defensive, and a little bit harsh. And Obama seemed cool and collected. And because of it, Obama was more convincing.

It is hard to deny that a calm ethos makes a man (or woman) persuasive. Right content is only half the battle in convincing someone else of a point. You must also present the content in a particular way.

Perhaps that is why the Bible is so adamant that we speak to others gently and with respect. Nothing is more winsome than a respectful word,and a listening ear. People will not listen to true words if they are spoken from rude lips. Gentle words make a man persuasive.

I Peter 3:15- But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

The Fear of the LORD in Proverbs

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:16:02 GMT

1:7- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

3:7- Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

8:13- To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

10:27- The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

14:2- He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.

14:16- A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

14:26- He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

14:27- The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

15:16- Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

15:33- The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. [or, “Wisdom teaches the fear of the LORD”]

16:6- Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

19:23- The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

22:4- Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

23:17- Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

24:21-22- Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

24:14- Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

[29:25; Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. See also Luke 12:4-5]

31:30- Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The fear of the LORD has a positive component and a negative component. Positively, it embraces upright living. Negatively, it despises and hates evil behavior.

2. The fear of the LORD brings many blessings to life. These blessings include wisdom, length of life, a secure fortress for a man and his family, a fountain of life turning a man from the snares of death, avoidance of evil, wealth, honor, life, safety, and praise.

3. The fear of the LORD is the starting point for a life of wisdom. All those who would seek to be wise must first start by fearing the LORD. The fear of the LORD is the gate by which one enters the way of wisdom.

4. The fear of the LORD is connected with humility. In fact, these two themes are nearly synonymous. To fear the LORD and tremble before Him leads one to see himself as small in relation to God's majesty. And to see oneself as small compared with the matchless glory of God is to be humble. Arrogant men have not experienced a transforming glimpse of God’s presence. [see 3:7, 15:33, 22:4 ]

5. The opposite of the fear of the LORD is fear of man. [See 29:25, and Luke 12:4-5]

CONCLUSION:

The man who trembles before the LORD will be unshakable before men.

Let Me Tell You a Secret

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:27:17 GMT

Everyone loves a good secret. There is nothing like having the feeling that you have an inside scoop on some little-known piece of insider information. To hear a secret is to become a person of privilege—to be let into the inner ring. A friend pulls you to the side and says, “Now I want to tell you something, but you can’t let another soul hear about it—you’re the first person I’ve told, and the only one safe enough to know what I’m about to tell you....” And your ears almost dance with anticipation.

Perhaps that is why the book “The Secret” is doing so well. With a title like that, it almost doesn’t matter what is inside! What’s the secret? I must know!

The apostle Paul once had a secret. Not many people knew about it in his day. And even today few people have ever heard it. You probably wish you knew it, because it sure would make your life a whole lot better. Are you ready? Well, you’ll have to come close, because I don’t want this getting out…

Paul discovered the secret of being content in any and every situation. Now there’s a secret! And what was astonishing about his little secret was that it could be applied in the most extreme circumstances—whether he could barely pay the bills and life was by all of our standards rather crumby, or whether he was rolling in the dough, with extra money for golf and eating out.

It didn’t really matter to Paul what life brought his way. By looking at him, you wouldn’t know if he was cooking up Ramen or feasting on filet mignon. You couldn’t tell if he was barely scraping by or raking it in. You see, he knew a secret. And the secret helped him to be completely at rest and satisfied in his existence. He was content both in the worst and best that life could bring him. Now that’s something that Americans like me are constantly striving for! What was the secret?

Whether life’s blessing or curse fell his way, he learned to stop dwelling on his poverty (or prosperity), and instead rely on God’s power. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13). Gazing on Christ and relying upon Divine power is the secret to being content in whatever situation life may bring our way. And there is strength stored up for all who would listen to this secret.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” Phil. 4:12

Is Matt Rusten a Submissive Wife?

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:10:23 GMT

Perhaps one day, if I get lucky, I will have a wife. And if she is Godly, the Scriptures tell me that she will be submissive. Of course, this looks quite a bit different than the picture that many 21^st century Americans might have of a quiet, lifeless, thoughtless wife who cowers and submits to a harsh, cruel husband. Submission isn’t about male totalitarianism, or male domination, or patriarchal rule, or a thousand other feminist monikers. But a wife’s life is supposed to provide a living, radiant picture of Jesus’ life—it should be an image of Christ’s glad submission to His Father. By looking at a Christian marriage, a lost world should be able to learn something about God.

But all this wife talk has got me thinking—for I am also a wife, and I have been for some time. And this without surgery! In fact, if I ever get married, alongside of my role as being a husband, I will continue to be a wife. Well, a wife at least in so far as I am a part of the corporate bride of Christ, the Church (forgive me for my Western individualism!). I, along with the Church, act as God’s bride—if you will allow me to say it—His wife.

All of this leads me to ask a very important question: How am I, as a male, doing in my wifely submissive role to my husband, the Triune God? Do my day-to-day thoughts, actions, and attitudes demonstrate joy-filled submission to a faithful, glorious Bridegroom? And secondly, should I be disappointed if I do not marry a submissive wife when I often act as a rebellious, stubborn bride myself? Or worse still, what if it is God’s intention to lead me to a wife as obstinate as myself?!? Lord, have mercy!

There is not a creature on earth that falls outside of the calling of submission. Because, at the end of the day, there is only one Husband, and male and female alike will one day submit to his joyful rule.

Is God a Lousy Creator?

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:21:11 GMT

Every so often, you hear a pompous naturalistic scientist speak with a snide tone in his voice and say: “If there is really a God who created the universe, he didn’t do a very good job of it…” He means, of course, that the tsunamis and earthquakes and hurricanes and landslides that occur on this earth couldn’t possibly come from a good God. The earth he made appears to be like a lemon of a car—something always seems to be breaking down.

But this pride-filled, scornful observation by belligerent scientists actually begins to point the way to the truth of the matter. For a destructive, broken universe points us in one of two ways—either God is a lousy Creator, or something has gone terribly wrong with the good creation. And the Christian doctrine says that the good creation has suffered irreparably from the Fall. God didn’t make a lousy universe. God introduced entropy at the Fall.

The very Scriptures that we turn to make it sound as if mankind should be baffled at the severe groaning of the tectonic plates. All of creation longs in eager expectation for the day of its renewal! And so we find in the scientists’ scornful remark a very appropriate longing that points to a glorious truth—the universe is in desperate need of redemption!

I Might Not Be a Christian

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:46:44 GMT

The unspoken rule in many churches is that there are two sets of believers in every congregation: the mere ‘Christians’, who have made some sort of profession of faith in the past, who may or may not be walking consistently with the LORD, and then another, more elite group of believers who take their faith quite seriously, and who are known as ‘disciples’. A Christian may be like a man who joins the navy, but a disciple is like the man who has become a navy seal.

But, of course, I think this whole (unspoken) system of thinking is a little out of whack. In fact, I think the whole system needs to be flipped on its head. Let ‘disciples’ refer to baby believers, and let ‘Christians’ refer to the elite group.

The term Christian, meaning ‘little Christ’, was only a descriptive term that people used to refer to disciples who were so conformed to Jesus’ image that they resembled Him. You started off a disciple, and if you were getting along pretty well, people might call you a Christian. In other words, in the first century, the whole system was exactly opposite of what it is today. “Disciple” was the broad, generic term. “Christian” was the elite term.

This change in language, if we should ever adopt it, might have a pragmatic effect in the church. It might help people understand that from the get-go, conversion starts a person on the journey of being a disciple. People would know exactly what they were signing up for as they received Christ as Savior. To "become a Christian" sounds like a one-and-done maneuver. But to "become a disciple" has no such connotation.

In the second place, Jesus advice to ‘count the cost’ has almost no application for becoming a Christian in our modern context. Must we count the cost for saying a prayer? What cost is there in that?? But there is a very significant cost to count in becoming a disciple of Christ.

And if people did come to Christ in such a way, then after some time, if they were getting along quite nicely—even looking, at times, like Christ, then perhaps we would label them “Christian”. But until then, they would merely be saved disciples, striving every day to walk as Jesus did. (I John 2:6)

“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” – Acts 11:26

Surprised by 'Suprised by Joy'

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:04:08 GMT

I recently began my second go-around of C.S. Lewis’ autobiography, Surprised by Joy. Thus far (through 56 pages) my experience has been the same as the man on the commercial who ‘tasted Cornflakes again, for the first time…’; I have been delightfully surprised and pleased with the taste of a meal I had only remembered as very bland and unappetizing.

In the past, if a friend had mentioned that they had started L’s autobiography, I would have cut them off and given a hostile review—“It is the driest of Lewis’ books—by far my least favorite of his works.” Now I see that my perspective was very incomplete. Surprised by Joy will never make a person a Lewis fan if they aren’t one already—it will not woo the uninterested. But for the man who (already) hangs on L’s every word, it is an absolutely fascinating look into his childhood, family life, and conversion.

Details are like that, I guess. If a man is sitting across the table from a woman that he is already interested in, every detail of her existence will be fascinating. But if a man is as little interested in a woman as a dog is in metaphysics, then no amount of coloring and grooming that she adds to her past can compel him.

If you have been wooed by all of Lewis’ other works, then Surprised by Joy will be a sweet journey. If you care nothing for all of his other works, Surprised by Joy will not compel you to read him more.