Last month, five young Muslim Turks entered a Christian publishing office in Malatya, the southeastern province of Turkey, and murdered three Protestant Christians, who were found tied hand and foot to chairs. Their throats had been cut and their bodies marred by multiple stab wounds.
One of the victims was a 36-year-old man named Necati Aydin, a Turkish convert from Islam. He left behind his wife Shemza and their two children -- a son and a daughter, ages 3 and 7 respectively.
When Shemza was asked during an interview, "What do you most remember about your husband?" she responded, "What I most remember is that he was full of love and he was a holy person. He loved us so much and made us happy. He was a close friend of my spirit, body, and soul. It’s torture for me to live without him. There are times that I miss him most. For example, yesterday my son Elisha fell down and hit his head. He began to cry. In that moment, I pictured what Necati must have suffered. Because I saw his body twice after he died, I know they beat him badly on his head. When Elisha cried I imagined Necati’s pain too.” (Resource: FoxNews.com)
Consider again the words of this widow: "I pictured what Necati must have suffered.... When Elisha cried I imagined Necati's pain too." How many times do we imagine the pain that Christ endured for us when we see a Christian brother or sister endure some affliction for following Jesus? In reference to his own suffering, the apostle Paul spoke of filling up in his flesh what was "lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Col. 1:24). The author of Hebrews exhorts us to "go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb. 13:13).
What amazes me is how Christ Himself identifies with the suffering of His people. Remember when Jesus appeared to Saul (before he became Paul) on the road to Damascus and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Saul had been persecuting the church, but by doing so he was persecuting Christ Himself, because Jesus identifies with the pain of His people.
Do we, in turn, identify with the suffering of our Lord? When we encounter pain or see a fellow Christian endure some form of suffering, do we imagine the pain our Bridegroom endured for us even as Shemza imagined the pain her husband endured for Christ?
Alas! and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
But drops of grief can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee, -- 'Tis all that I can do.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Farewell to Falwell
Yesterday one of the most prominent figures in evangelicalism -- Dr. Jerry Falwell -- went home to be with his Lord. Here is the official announcement that was posted on his ministry website www.falwell.com:
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University and Founder and Pastor of the historic Thomas Road Baptist Church, died May 15, 2007. He was 73.
Rev. Falwell was found unconscious in his office around 11:30 a.m. by members of his staff and received immediate resuscitation efforts there, again in the ambulance and at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was officially pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m.
Rev. Falwell’s family, including his wife Macel and sons Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Jonathan Falwell, were with him at the hospital at the time of his death.
Ministry officials called a special 2:00 p.m. meeting in the Thomas Road Baptist Church auditorium and on less than an hour's notice over 6,000 faculty, staff, students and church members attended the announcement of the passing of their Pastor and Chancellor.
Rev. Falwell established the Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956 where he pastored for over 50 years. He founded Liberty University in 1971 and oversaw its rise to prominence as the largest evangelical University in America.
I remember Vance Havner saying that we should not make someone larger in death than they were in life. Dr. Falwell was by no means perfect. Like the apostle Peter, he sometimes spoke before thinking, but that same voice was also a bold witness for Jesus Christ and did the world alot of good. Unlike many church leaders, Dr. Falwell not only started well, but he also ended well. His life and ministry were marked by integrity and intense love for the Lord and for people. This is the legacy that he has left us, and "though he is dead, he still speaks" (Heb. 11:4).
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University and Founder and Pastor of the historic Thomas Road Baptist Church, died May 15, 2007. He was 73.
Rev. Falwell was found unconscious in his office around 11:30 a.m. by members of his staff and received immediate resuscitation efforts there, again in the ambulance and at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was officially pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m.
Rev. Falwell’s family, including his wife Macel and sons Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Jonathan Falwell, were with him at the hospital at the time of his death.
Ministry officials called a special 2:00 p.m. meeting in the Thomas Road Baptist Church auditorium and on less than an hour's notice over 6,000 faculty, staff, students and church members attended the announcement of the passing of their Pastor and Chancellor.
Rev. Falwell established the Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956 where he pastored for over 50 years. He founded Liberty University in 1971 and oversaw its rise to prominence as the largest evangelical University in America.
I remember Vance Havner saying that we should not make someone larger in death than they were in life. Dr. Falwell was by no means perfect. Like the apostle Peter, he sometimes spoke before thinking, but that same voice was also a bold witness for Jesus Christ and did the world alot of good. Unlike many church leaders, Dr. Falwell not only started well, but he also ended well. His life and ministry were marked by integrity and intense love for the Lord and for people. This is the legacy that he has left us, and "though he is dead, he still speaks" (Heb. 11:4).
Friday, May 11, 2007
Hats off to all our hard-working moms!
Certainly every day should be one in which we "honor" our mothers (Eph. 6:2). But Mother's Day affords us the opportunity to show Mom in a special way just how much she means to us. We who have been blessed with godly mothers can think of many things about them that make us thankful. But one I'd like to focus on particularly is a mother's hard work.
A godly mother plays a very key and constructive role in the home. According to Scripture, this requires at least three things:
1. The Lord
Psalm 127:1 reminds us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." In building her home, a godly woman relies first and foremost on the Lord's strength and not her own. Thus she ends up being a conduit of God's power to her husband and children.
Note carefully what Proverbs 14:1 says: "The wisest of women builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." I think there are two significant things worth noting. The first is the phrase "with her hands." The verse doesn’t say she builds her house with her hands, but it does say that she "pulls it down with her hands." That’s because anything good that’s built is owing to God’s hands but whatever is pulled down is owing to our hands. And we pull down what God would love to build through us when we rely on our strength instead of His.
The second thing worth noting is that there’s no neutral ground, no effort of non-effect. Mothers--and people in general-- are either builder-uppers or a tearer-downers. Which are you?
Read Proverbs 31, and you will be amazed at the strength, energy, and productivity of the virtuous woman described there. But that’s nothing that you and I can’t have, for if we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7).
2. Labor
Again, this woman in Proverbs 14:1 is by no means passive in the building process. Because God is the One who is at work within her, she gives it all she’s got! "She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Prov. 31:27).
For Mother’s Day, two little kids put their money together and presented their mom with a houseplant. Of course she was touched by their token of love. The older one then said with a sad face, "We wanted to give you a nice bouquet that we saw at the flower shop, but we couldn’t afford it. It had a really neat message on it that we thought would be perfect for Mother’s Day. It said, "Rest in peace."
-- Godly mothering is hard work! So what keeps a mom motivated in all the good that she does for her family? . . .
3. Love
This is certainly a prerequisite for building anything that’s of eternal value. First Corinthians 16:14 commands us, "Let all that you do be done in love." All the labor in the world doesn’t amount to anything if it’s not motivated by love. Paul said as much in 1 Cor. 13. The great thing about love is that it "never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8a). Why? Because "God is love" (1 John 4:8) "And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7b). And so whatever is built out of love will last.
So, we tip our hat and say "Thanks!" to all those hard-working moms that love and serve their families to the glory of God. "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Prov. 31:31).
A godly mother plays a very key and constructive role in the home. According to Scripture, this requires at least three things:
1. The Lord
Psalm 127:1 reminds us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." In building her home, a godly woman relies first and foremost on the Lord's strength and not her own. Thus she ends up being a conduit of God's power to her husband and children.
Note carefully what Proverbs 14:1 says: "The wisest of women builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." I think there are two significant things worth noting. The first is the phrase "with her hands." The verse doesn’t say she builds her house with her hands, but it does say that she "pulls it down with her hands." That’s because anything good that’s built is owing to God’s hands but whatever is pulled down is owing to our hands. And we pull down what God would love to build through us when we rely on our strength instead of His.
The second thing worth noting is that there’s no neutral ground, no effort of non-effect. Mothers--and people in general-- are either builder-uppers or a tearer-downers. Which are you?
Read Proverbs 31, and you will be amazed at the strength, energy, and productivity of the virtuous woman described there. But that’s nothing that you and I can’t have, for if we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7).
2. Labor
Again, this woman in Proverbs 14:1 is by no means passive in the building process. Because God is the One who is at work within her, she gives it all she’s got! "She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Prov. 31:27).
For Mother’s Day, two little kids put their money together and presented their mom with a houseplant. Of course she was touched by their token of love. The older one then said with a sad face, "We wanted to give you a nice bouquet that we saw at the flower shop, but we couldn’t afford it. It had a really neat message on it that we thought would be perfect for Mother’s Day. It said, "Rest in peace."
-- Godly mothering is hard work! So what keeps a mom motivated in all the good that she does for her family? . . .
3. Love
This is certainly a prerequisite for building anything that’s of eternal value. First Corinthians 16:14 commands us, "Let all that you do be done in love." All the labor in the world doesn’t amount to anything if it’s not motivated by love. Paul said as much in 1 Cor. 13. The great thing about love is that it "never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8a). Why? Because "God is love" (1 John 4:8) "And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7b). And so whatever is built out of love will last.
So, we tip our hat and say "Thanks!" to all those hard-working moms that love and serve their families to the glory of God. "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Prov. 31:31).
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
"Be Thankful to Him, and Bless His Name"
One of the first chapters of Scripture I ever memorized is Psalm 100, and it is still one of my favorite portions of Scripture, because it extols the greatness of God and why He is worthy of our praise. While I would encourage you to read it -- and even memorize it -- in its entirety (it's only five verses), consider for now the simple exhortation in the second half of verse 4: "Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
Scripture informs us that mankind in general is becoming increasingly unthankful, among other things (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Although we live in a thankless generation, ingratitude is not to be the mark of a Christian. God’s Word tells us, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18).
In addition to thanking the Lord, we are also to "bless His name." The Hebrew word translated "bless" literally means "to kneel." The idea is to show honor and pay homage to God, acknowledging that His name is higher than any name on earth.
The Masai tribe in West Africa have an unusual way of saying thank-you. Whenever the Masai express thanks, they bow, put their foreheads on the ground, and say, "My head is in the dirt." When members of another African tribe want to express gratitude, they sit for a long time in front of the hut of the person who did the favor and literally say, "I sit on the ground before you." – These Africans understand well the essence of thankfulness and why it comes so hard to us: Because thanksgiving, at its very core, is an act of humility. It is acknowledging that, apart from God, we can do nothing. To lift up high the name of the Lord, we must lower our opinion of ourselves! We must "not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think" (Rom. 12:3). Then, and only then, will our worship be genuine and pleasing to the Lord.
May the Lord fill each of us with His joy as we "thank" and "bless" Him for who He is and all that He has done for us through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture informs us that mankind in general is becoming increasingly unthankful, among other things (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Although we live in a thankless generation, ingratitude is not to be the mark of a Christian. God’s Word tells us, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18).
In addition to thanking the Lord, we are also to "bless His name." The Hebrew word translated "bless" literally means "to kneel." The idea is to show honor and pay homage to God, acknowledging that His name is higher than any name on earth.
The Masai tribe in West Africa have an unusual way of saying thank-you. Whenever the Masai express thanks, they bow, put their foreheads on the ground, and say, "My head is in the dirt." When members of another African tribe want to express gratitude, they sit for a long time in front of the hut of the person who did the favor and literally say, "I sit on the ground before you." – These Africans understand well the essence of thankfulness and why it comes so hard to us: Because thanksgiving, at its very core, is an act of humility. It is acknowledging that, apart from God, we can do nothing. To lift up high the name of the Lord, we must lower our opinion of ourselves! We must "not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think" (Rom. 12:3). Then, and only then, will our worship be genuine and pleasing to the Lord.
May the Lord fill each of us with His joy as we "thank" and "bless" Him for who He is and all that He has done for us through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
"Pull, Buddy, Pull!"
An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area.
Fortunately, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.
He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!"
Buddy didn't move. Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!"
Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing...
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.
The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"
Never underestimate the power of teamwork! God certainly doesn't! Think of the Trinity -- the "Tri-unity" of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in perfect harmony to accomplish God's eternal purposes. In the very first chapter of the Bible, where we find the divine record of creation, God says, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. . ." (Gen. 1:26; emphasis mine).
Or think of God's work of re-creation, that is, His saving His people from their sins and giving them a new heart through faith in Christ. The Bible teaches that God the Father planned our salvation (Eph. 1:3-6), God the Son purchased our salvation (John 10:11; 1 Peter 1:18-19), and God the Holy Spirit personalized our salvation through His work of regeneration in our hearts (Titus 3:5). Truly, this is "amazing grace" in three-part harmony!
The cooperative work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our salvation reveals not only the unity and oneness of the Godhead, but also the unity and oneness that we have as the body of Christ (Eph. 4; Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12). The ordinance of communion celebrates not only our oneness with Christ through the cross, but also our unity with one another in the Lord. The body of Christ gets built up and becomes all the more beautiful as each member does its part, doing its share.
If a blind horse like Buddy can understand and appreciate the value of teamwork, how much more the body of Christ!
Fortunately, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.
He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!"
Buddy didn't move. Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!"
Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing...
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.
The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"
Never underestimate the power of teamwork! God certainly doesn't! Think of the Trinity -- the "Tri-unity" of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in perfect harmony to accomplish God's eternal purposes. In the very first chapter of the Bible, where we find the divine record of creation, God says, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. . ." (Gen. 1:26; emphasis mine).
Or think of God's work of re-creation, that is, His saving His people from their sins and giving them a new heart through faith in Christ. The Bible teaches that God the Father planned our salvation (Eph. 1:3-6), God the Son purchased our salvation (John 10:11; 1 Peter 1:18-19), and God the Holy Spirit personalized our salvation through His work of regeneration in our hearts (Titus 3:5). Truly, this is "amazing grace" in three-part harmony!
The cooperative work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our salvation reveals not only the unity and oneness of the Godhead, but also the unity and oneness that we have as the body of Christ (Eph. 4; Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12). The ordinance of communion celebrates not only our oneness with Christ through the cross, but also our unity with one another in the Lord. The body of Christ gets built up and becomes all the more beautiful as each member does its part, doing its share.
If a blind horse like Buddy can understand and appreciate the value of teamwork, how much more the body of Christ!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Virtual Christianity?
Much of the American populace is mesmerized with "virtual reality" -- a technology that affords people the opportunity to interact with a computer-simulated environment. This technology is becoming so sophisticated, that it's hard to distinguish what's real from what's not. For instance, computer simulations are used for pilot and combat training. Amazing! What's more, these simulations are safe, cost-effective, and so close to real life, that those being trained by it can't tell the difference.
Back when I was a kid (which wasn't that long ago!), I wasn't aware of such technology. For the most part, even VR games weren't in existence. Atari was "cutting edge" back then, and we didn't own a video system anyway! We had to rely on our imagination! One day, while watching us kids play, my dad made a connection between our "virtual reality" and the sad state of so many people when it comes to spiritual matters. The poem is entitled Make Believe and conveys spiritual truths and poignant questions worthy of careful reflection. . .
I often watch my children play,
And how amazed am I that they
Are occupied for hours on end
With games that start with "Let’s pretend."
They play at "house", they play at "store";
They play at "school", they play at "war".
They play at "cops and robbers", too;
There’s nothing little minds can’t do.
Yes, "let’s pretend" contributes joy
To every little girl and boy;
And drab and dull would childhood be,
If it were not for fantasy.
The thought that weighs upon my mind
Is: Some don’t leave those years behind.
Concerning things "beyond the veil",
They still let fantasy prevail.
They make believe religion saves,
And scorn the thought that sin depraves;
And so delude themselves within,
That God is dead or winks at sin.
They make believe there is no hell;
They make believe their souls are well;
They reason, under false pretense,
That works will be their sure defense.
Behold, the final, fearful end
Of those, like babes, who still pretend!
For in eternal things, you see,
There is no room for fantasy.
For fantasy oft times conflicts
With that which God on high edicts;
And fiction from the days of youth
Must not displace the written truth.
Because the Bible doth reveal
That mankind’s need for Christ is real.
Imagination has a role,
But not in matters of the soul.
And what of you, good Christian friend?
Do you serve God, or just pretend?
Do you the Holy Spirit grieve,
By service only "make believe"?
Back when I was a kid (which wasn't that long ago!), I wasn't aware of such technology. For the most part, even VR games weren't in existence. Atari was "cutting edge" back then, and we didn't own a video system anyway! We had to rely on our imagination! One day, while watching us kids play, my dad made a connection between our "virtual reality" and the sad state of so many people when it comes to spiritual matters. The poem is entitled Make Believe and conveys spiritual truths and poignant questions worthy of careful reflection. . .
I often watch my children play,
And how amazed am I that they
Are occupied for hours on end
With games that start with "Let’s pretend."
They play at "house", they play at "store";
They play at "school", they play at "war".
They play at "cops and robbers", too;
There’s nothing little minds can’t do.
Yes, "let’s pretend" contributes joy
To every little girl and boy;
And drab and dull would childhood be,
If it were not for fantasy.
The thought that weighs upon my mind
Is: Some don’t leave those years behind.
Concerning things "beyond the veil",
They still let fantasy prevail.
They make believe religion saves,
And scorn the thought that sin depraves;
And so delude themselves within,
That God is dead or winks at sin.
They make believe there is no hell;
They make believe their souls are well;
They reason, under false pretense,
That works will be their sure defense.
Behold, the final, fearful end
Of those, like babes, who still pretend!
For in eternal things, you see,
There is no room for fantasy.
For fantasy oft times conflicts
With that which God on high edicts;
And fiction from the days of youth
Must not displace the written truth.
Because the Bible doth reveal
That mankind’s need for Christ is real.
Imagination has a role,
But not in matters of the soul.
And what of you, good Christian friend?
Do you serve God, or just pretend?
Do you the Holy Spirit grieve,
By service only "make believe"?
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