“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place
and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 (NIV)
I recall a Christian worker in conversation with several of us making the comment that he was weary and needed a good vacation. He said that he was really looking forward to a rest. One of the people listening was better at speaking than thinking. He responded to the tired Christian, “Satan never takes a holiday!”
The comment may have been well meaning but it was a silly suggestion. I tried to defend the worn out preacher by responding that we are not doing the devil’s work so how he conducts himself is not relevant. I further said that we needed to follow Jesus’ method of working and not Satan’s.
Our verse today came to mind as I reflected on that rather heartless comment to someone who was exhausted in his ministry. Jesus is to be our model for service to God.
Continue reading 'Time Outs, We All Need Them'»
“I protected them and kept them safe” John 17:12 (NIV)
One sunny afternoon near suppertime on the farm the cows came running home in a desperate hurry. There was only one explanation for their obvious fright. A black bear somewhere back on the cow path had decided that they looked good for supper and tried to separate one of them from the herd for a kill and subsequent feast.
As long as bears left us alone on the farm we treated them with the same courtesy. However when they chased our cows we could not milk them properly that night and we also ran the risk of losing one of them at the claws of the bear. If it was the bear or one or more of our cows, the decision was a no brainer.
My uncle went into the dining room of the farmhouse, took down the old Winchester model 92 and grabbed some shells for the 44-40 calibre rifle. Stepping outside he loaded the empty gun, pumped a live cartridge into the firing chamber, clicked on the safety and off we went. I had the dog on a leash and we retraced the tracks of the cows to where the dog could pick up the scent.
Continue reading 'The Best Protection in the World'»
“I pray for them, I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me.” John 17:9 (NIV)
He poured out his heart and broke ours in the process. His life had begun to unravel years ago and although he had made sincere efforts to stop the chaos he was unable to do so. Now he had to pick up the pieces that were left and wondered where to begin. It was evident that he wished to honour God in the hard decisions he had to make. Damage control was a priority we all recognized. But the issue was, which road should he take to minimize the pain to himself and more importantly to others whom he loved? As is usual in such cases the problem was much easier to see than an honourable solution.
Have you ever been in such a situation where you simply do not know which way to go? You pray and no light turns on for you. Any solution will cause pain and suffering and you seem hopelessly confused at the alternatives that present themselves. It seems a no win situation. Well, the disciples of Jesus were very upset and confused the night Jesus prayed the prayer in John 17. However, there was a glimmer of hope in Jesus’ words that shine through even today.
Continue reading 'When you cannot pray for yourself'»
“We will come to him and make our home with him” John 14:23 (NIV)
Imaginations run wild about the architecture of the homes we shall have in heaven.
The Jewish people wrote in a very rich and three dimensional manner. We who are Gentiles do not often speak in such vivid language as they did. For example, in the Old Testament, when the prophet wanted to speak of the action of an earthquake they might say, “the earth opened its mouth” Numbers 16:32 (NIV). Or in speaking of joy they might say “the trees of the field will clap their hands” Isaiah 55:12 (NIV). It is certainly a dramatic and engaging manner in which to speak and readily captures the reader’s imagination.
Our Lord employed this form of speech in His public ministry and we benefit greatly from His imagery as He taught eternal truths. In John 14 Jesus is seeking to comfort the disciples regarding His departure and also to equip them for their life’s work of proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world as they knew it. Numerous times in this chapter Jesus refers to places where the disciples will live with Him forever.
Continue reading 'Eternal real estate'»
“…he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever” John 14:16 (NIV)
We should not be embarrassed about the fact that in different areas of life we need help from an expert.
Everyone who has had children knows something about how they are wired. Parents all know that every child is programmed to want to help mommy or daddy when something is being done in the home. When it is time to make muffins the child wants to stir the ingredients. They want to spoon the dough into the paper cups. Or if daddy is hammering something the child will run and get their toy hammer and hammer along also. This seems to be part of growing up, the desire to imitate and do what big people do.
As we get older we come to understand that there are many things we simply cannot do for ourselves. For example, when we have a toothache we do not try to fill the tooth ourselves or extract it. Instead, we go to the local dentist and have the work done by a professional.
We should not be embarrassed about the fact that in life we need help from an expert in different areas of life. Occasionally we may try to fix the problem ourselves only to get in too deep and have to cry for help. Occasionally the results of trying to help ourselves can be lethal. I recall doing the funeral of a young husband and father many years ago who died when he tried to start his car. He was pouring liquid gasoline down the carburettor and the engine backfired. The flame ignited the gas he was pouring into the engine and the burns he received were fatal.
Continue reading 'Asking for help'»
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