Ezra 9-10; Proverbs 6:12-19
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SILENT HELPER
SILENT HELPER
The discovery of penicillin revolutionized health care. Prior to the 1940s, bacterial infections were often fatal. Since then, penicillin has saved countless lives by killing harmful bacteria. The men who recognized its potential and developed it for widespread use won a Nobel Prize in 1945.
Long before the discovery of penicillin, other silent killers were at work saving lives by destroying bacteria. These silent killers are white blood cells. These hard workers are God’s way of protecting us from disease. No one knows how many invasions they have stopped or how many lives they have saved. They receive little recognition for all the good they do.
The Lord gets similar treatment. He often gets blamed when something goes wrong, but He seldom gets credit for all the things that go right. Every day people get up, get dressed, drive to work or school or the grocery store, and return safely to their families. No one knows how many times God has protected us from harm. But when there is a tragedy, we ask, “Where was God?”
When I consider all the wonderful things that God does silently on my behalf each day (Isa. 25:1), I realize that my list of praises should be much longer than my list of petitions. — Julie Ackerman Link
2 Chronicles 28-30; Proverbs 3:11-26
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I ran across this Oswald Chambers quotation today:
I ran across this Oswald Chambers quotation today:
Habits of ecstasy, that is, the tendency to live a spiritual life before God apart from the rational life of our soul and the physical life of our body. In many a life the idea that creeps in slowly is that we must develop a spiritual life altogether apart from the rational and the physical life. God is never in that type of teaching. There are people we call naturally spiritual people who devote all their time to developing the spirit, forgetting altogether the rational life and the physical life. When we look at them or read about them they seem all right, spiritual and fine, but they lack the one marvellous stamp of the religion of Jesus Christ which keeps spirit, soul and body going on together. God never develops one part of our being at the expense of the other; spirit, soul and body are kept in harmony. Remember, our spirit does not go further than we bring our body. The Spirit of God always drives us out of the visionary, out of the excitable, out of the ecstasy stages, if we are inclined that way. This blind life of the spirit, a life that delights to live in the dim regions of the spirit, refusing to bring the leadings of the Holy Spirit into the rational life, gives occasion to supernatural forces that are not of God. It is impossible to guard our spirit, the only One Who can guard all its entrances is God. Never give way to spiritual ecstasy unless there is a chance of working it out rationally, check it every time. Nights and days of prayer and waiting on God may be a curse to our souls and an occasion for Satan. So always remember that the times we have in communion with God must be worked out in the soul and in the body. —Oswald Chambers, If Thou Wilt Be Perfect : Talks on Spiritual Philosophy (London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1996, c1941).
Psalms 81-83
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If there was any doubt as to the theme for this weekend, today's reading in the psalms should remove it. After a lengthy recitation in Psalm 81 about God's deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, Asaph reminds the people of their obligation to do the same for others:
If there was any doubt as to the theme for this weekend, today's reading in the psalms should remove it. After a lengthy recitation in Psalm 81 about God's deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, Asaph reminds the people of their obligation to do the same for others:
"How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 81:2-4)
1 Corinthians 7-11; Proverbs 3:1-10
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The Scripture reading used with today's Our Daily Bread is different from today's Bible reading. However, once again my motto proves true: All Scripture is relevant, and all Scripture is related.
The theme of freedom and slavery show up throughout First Corinthians, and that is a sub-theme of today's ODB. Also, yesterday's holiday commemorating our national freedom continues today and throughout the weekend.
I attribute this to God's sense of timing, which, as usual, is remarkable.
The Scripture reading used with today's Our Daily Bread is different from today's Bible reading. However, once again my motto proves true: All Scripture is relevant, and all Scripture is related.
The theme of freedom and slavery show up throughout First Corinthians, and that is a sub-theme of today's ODB. Also, yesterday's holiday commemorating our national freedom continues today and throughout the weekend.
I attribute this to God's sense of timing, which, as usual, is remarkable.
READ: Matthew 25:31-40
Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. —Matthew 25:40
In addition to those you know personally, you might also want to help those you don't know by making a contribution to International Justice Mission.
People who find something of value are generally eager to keep it. In such cases, the notion of “finders keepers” seems like a good thing. But what if the thing we find is a problem? In that case, we’re eager to give it up.
While working for the US Justice Department, Gary Haugen discovered a big problem. Someone needs to do something about this, he thought. He looked around for someone who could take on the injustice and abuse of authority he had uncovered. But then he realized that God was looking at him. In 1997, Haugen founded International Justice Mission to rescue victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression.
Just as Moses was God’s answer for the slavery of His people in Egypt (Ex. 3:9-10), so too Haugen and his team are becoming God’s answer for those in slavery today. As Haugen says, “God doesn’t have a Plan B. His plan is you. You are the answer.”
God places us in unique circumstances where our abilities match the problem He wants to fix. Jesus said that what we do for those in need, we do for Him (Matt. 25:35-40).
Have you found a problem? How might you be God’s solution? God may want you to be an answer to someone’s prayer. — Julie Ackerman Link
Another good question to ask ourselves today would be, "Who do I know who is enslaved by sin—either their own or someone else's?" How might God use me to be the solution?In addition to those you know personally, you might also want to help those you don't know by making a contribution to International Justice Mission.
2 Chronicles 25-27; Proverbs 2:12-22
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Happy Independence Day.
Keep in mind that I was much younger then, and the seeds of my husband's peacemaking skills had not yet taken root, much less produced any fruit.
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The Most Frightening Freedom
AFTER a patriotic musical program at our church in the early 1980s, I noticed that my pastor, a World War II veteran, was fighting a losing battle to hold back tears. His face was red and puffy, and he was dabbing at his damp eyes with a handkerchief. Pastor Gardiner had been deeply moved by the presentation.
I too had been affected, but mentally, not emotionally. While the choir belted out songs about banners making tyranny tremble and bombs bursting in air, one question roared through my mind like a bomb ready to burst in my brain. Unable to come up with an adequate defense to shield myself from the attack, I deflected the question in Pastor Gardiner’s direction as I exited.
“That was a good program,” I said, “but why do we go to so much work to celebrate political freedom and to honor those who fought for it but we never do anything to celebrate spiritual freedom and the martyrs who have died spreading the news about freedom in Christ?”
He responded graciously, as he always did, even though I had ruined the moment for him. But he didn’t answer my question. Perhaps he couldn’t.
Since then, I’ve tried off and on to answer it for myself because the question still attacks me from time to time.
One of those times came in June 1994.
Jay and I were in a Chicago hotel room watching the fiftieth anniversary celebration of D-Day when a sudden wave of emotion caught me off guard. I had not expected to feel anything. I was watching simply because the event held great historical significance. I was expecting information, not emotion.
That day the old question returned in a more personal form: Why do I feel more emotion about political freedom than spiritual freedom? Why do I feel more passion for people who risk their lives defending democracy than for those who risk their lives proclaiming freedom in Christ? And further, why am I more concerned about preserving the freedom from tyranny I enjoy in this earthly kingdom called America than I am in promoting the freedom from sin in the spiritual kingdom God is building within human hearts?
One month later, the conflict in my soul was reflected in the decor of our church. As we prepared to present yet another patriotic program for The Fourth of July, our church sanctuary was dressed up for the occasion in red, white, and blue bunting stretched from north to south and east to west, and draped from aisles to altar and from balcony to baptistry. The place looked as if was soon to be the scene of a political convention. Except for one thing. In a small space not covered by red, white, and blue, a gold and white banner hung. On it were three words: Above all, Christ.
It was impossible to escape the irony.
I'm concerned that the message of those conflicting symbols is a sadly accurate picture of today’s church. And if the message confuses those of us inside the church, is it any wonder that people outside the church often misunderstand the messages we send?
The American church, having enjoyed for more than two hundred years a relatively peaceful coexistence with a democratic government, seems to have accepted the notion that freedom is a gift from our government and guaranteed by political documents. It’s not. The freedom we have is one that the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights can neither give nor take away. Yet in recent years, Christians have focused so much energy on preserving religious freedom through political means that it’s as if we have come to believe that freedom is a gift from government rather than from God.
The whole idea of freedom is watered down when we think of it primarily in terms of governments. Freedom is bigger, so much bigger. And infinitely richer and deeper and absolutely mind-boggling to explore. Freedom is also dangerous, as Jesus himself has shown us. But it’s important to remember that religious leaders, not Roman authorities, were the first to feel threatened by his message of freedom (Matthew 27).
..................................................................................................
The complete essay is three and a half pages, so I didn't want to post the entire thing here. The last part is the best (if I may say so) for it summarizes my thoughts on why God allows evil. (Hint: it has to do with love.) I'll send it to anyone interested in reading it.
Happy Independence Day.
2 Chronicles 25:7-8AS WE CELEBRATE our nation's independence, these verses from today's Bible reading remind us that whatever freedom we have is not due to our own zeal or passion (heart), proud national identity (soul), brilliant political strategies (mind), or superior military might (strength). It is due to God's actions on our behalf. Our freedom comes from God, not a government document. The Declaration of Independence simply acknowledges the fact.
A man of God came to [Amaziah] and said, "O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.And the first of ten amendments to the Constitution (i.e., Bill of Rights) guarantees it . . .
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
From both the Old and New Testaments we learn that God does not always side with those who claim to be his people; he sides with those who uphold his values. As one great president said: "I do not boast that God is on my side, I humbly pray that I am on God's side" (Abraham Lincoln).
I'm giving a lot of thought to this today because our church is sorting through issues related to patriotism and the church. One recent discussion called to mind an essay that I've been working on for more than 20 years. Today seems like the right time to post it here . . . well, at least part of it.Keep in mind that I was much younger then, and the seeds of my husband's peacemaking skills had not yet taken root, much less produced any fruit.
..................................................................................................
The Most Frightening Freedom
AFTER a patriotic musical program at our church in the early 1980s, I noticed that my pastor, a World War II veteran, was fighting a losing battle to hold back tears. His face was red and puffy, and he was dabbing at his damp eyes with a handkerchief. Pastor Gardiner had been deeply moved by the presentation.
I too had been affected, but mentally, not emotionally. While the choir belted out songs about banners making tyranny tremble and bombs bursting in air, one question roared through my mind like a bomb ready to burst in my brain. Unable to come up with an adequate defense to shield myself from the attack, I deflected the question in Pastor Gardiner’s direction as I exited.
“That was a good program,” I said, “but why do we go to so much work to celebrate political freedom and to honor those who fought for it but we never do anything to celebrate spiritual freedom and the martyrs who have died spreading the news about freedom in Christ?”
He responded graciously, as he always did, even though I had ruined the moment for him. But he didn’t answer my question. Perhaps he couldn’t.
Since then, I’ve tried off and on to answer it for myself because the question still attacks me from time to time.
One of those times came in June 1994.
Jay and I were in a Chicago hotel room watching the fiftieth anniversary celebration of D-Day when a sudden wave of emotion caught me off guard. I had not expected to feel anything. I was watching simply because the event held great historical significance. I was expecting information, not emotion.
That day the old question returned in a more personal form: Why do I feel more emotion about political freedom than spiritual freedom? Why do I feel more passion for people who risk their lives defending democracy than for those who risk their lives proclaiming freedom in Christ? And further, why am I more concerned about preserving the freedom from tyranny I enjoy in this earthly kingdom called America than I am in promoting the freedom from sin in the spiritual kingdom God is building within human hearts?
One month later, the conflict in my soul was reflected in the decor of our church. As we prepared to present yet another patriotic program for The Fourth of July, our church sanctuary was dressed up for the occasion in red, white, and blue bunting stretched from north to south and east to west, and draped from aisles to altar and from balcony to baptistry. The place looked as if was soon to be the scene of a political convention. Except for one thing. In a small space not covered by red, white, and blue, a gold and white banner hung. On it were three words: Above all, Christ.
It was impossible to escape the irony.
I'm concerned that the message of those conflicting symbols is a sadly accurate picture of today’s church. And if the message confuses those of us inside the church, is it any wonder that people outside the church often misunderstand the messages we send?
The American church, having enjoyed for more than two hundred years a relatively peaceful coexistence with a democratic government, seems to have accepted the notion that freedom is a gift from our government and guaranteed by political documents. It’s not. The freedom we have is one that the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights can neither give nor take away. Yet in recent years, Christians have focused so much energy on preserving religious freedom through political means that it’s as if we have come to believe that freedom is a gift from government rather than from God.
The whole idea of freedom is watered down when we think of it primarily in terms of governments. Freedom is bigger, so much bigger. And infinitely richer and deeper and absolutely mind-boggling to explore. Freedom is also dangerous, as Jesus himself has shown us. But it’s important to remember that religious leaders, not Roman authorities, were the first to feel threatened by his message of freedom (Matthew 27).
..................................................................................................
The complete essay is three and a half pages, so I didn't want to post the entire thing here. The last part is the best (if I may say so) for it summarizes my thoughts on why God allows evil. (Hint: it has to do with love.) I'll send it to anyone interested in reading it.
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