The Journey - Emergencies

You don’t want them, or even look for them, but emergencies can turn up and they are always unexpected. Let’s imagine you are out on a long walk in an isolated place, where there are very few people to interrupt your thoughts, except a good companion. The kind of person you can depend on in a serious situation. In your backpack, along with your sandwiches and bottle of juice, you had the foresight to tuck in a flashlight, a whistle, mobile phone, and a very basic first aid box with bandages and plasters etc.. And then it happens!

An emergency overtakes your easy conversation and puts itself in first place. Let’s imagine you have a serious fall and can’t get on your feet. Immediately, your friend steps in and calls the air ambulance fearing your leg may have a broken bone. After the expected how and where information, the emergency dispatcher is starting to ask personal questions like, has your friend suffered any broken bones before? Is he/she allergic to any drugs? Who should we contact? In the event of this being a false call out can you give a credit card number to charge the cost of the exercise? Now ask yourself, how well do you know, and trust your friend to have all these answers?

The Bible is clear in the difference between a friend and a close confidant, or brother. Who would you trust the most in a serious faith question or issue when it pops up out of the blue? Yes, there are friends, and good friends at that, but would you feel at ease in spilling your heart out to any of them? Possibly not, and that is not to undermine their friendship. Right then and there, you need someone closer. Our verse calls that person a ‘brother’, but it can also be a ‘sister’ in the Lord. Someone you trust completely, even with the embarrassing parts of your life as you need and ask for help. Friends will love you completely, and sometimes at a distance, but this brother or sister will be with you in adversity, or times of greatest trouble.

In life we need more than a map and compass. Sometimes we need a prayer partner. That is the main difference between a friend and a confidant. Make sure you know that all important difference because you may have to call on one, and you need to get the right person whether brother or sister!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

A Worried Christian?

Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Matthew 6:25 (AMP)

I have heard it said and preached that we shouldn’t worry or be anxious about anything, because it shows a doubting heart, and that you don’t trust God. I would agree with the verse which talks clearly about things like food, drink and clothing. But what about people? Are we not all, every one of us, worried about our friends and family? Worried to the point of being distressed as we watch them grow and enter a world they don’t know anything about.

Can I kindly suggest that it does not show a distrust in God when we are concerned, and yes anxious about our parents, children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers or friends. It does not show a disbelief in the power of our God. When we pray, do we not weep for them? Would we not rather any harm would come to us, than to them? Sometimes our grief is measured by the measure of our love. The more we love, the more we grieve, and yes worry.

Can I let you into a secret? There is no age limit to this kind of concern. A parent will always worry for and about their children and grandchildren, no matter how well things would appear to be going. Sometimes the worry is contained easily behind a smile and a laugh. But sometimes that anxiety fills the praying heart, and spills out of the eyes in unwelcome, unusual, hot salty tears when no one except God sees or would ever know or understand. That’s a parent’s love, and there is nothing like it from the baby’s birth to the grandparent’s grave. As tough as it is, I wouldn’t change the gift of that role or responsibility for anything.

How Much?

We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

How much can you take? The best of us have a tipping point where we buckle, and can’t handle things like we normally would. Even well trained soldiers have a physical limit of endurance, and reach the point that changes their strength. Paul makes a good point here when he acknowledges that he and we, have real troubles, but are not defeated, so don’t give up, God doesn’t leave, and is not destroyed. Paul had many reasons to think he and we are not up to the task. He reminds us that in everything we suffer “Jesus can also be seen in our bodies”.

Take heart because God will not allow you to suffer temptation more than you can bear. We are talking about our Christian faith life now. There is no temptation, none, that He will not get us through and help us to escape and endure. I don’t know about you, but I find it a great comfort that God puts a limit on the devil’s schemes and temptations in my life. It’s as He said to Job about the waves (of temptation too), ‘this far and no farther’ satan. Amen to that thought.  

The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

We Can Certainly Do It

We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. Numbers 13:30

We are surrounded by good friends who would do anything to help in your time of need. When you look at them, they are in no fit state to help anyone, or so you think. But they step up where others step back, and put their shoulder to the wheel and set themselves against the job to be done. That, my friend, is selfless.

Have you ever noticed that they usually are the ones who seem weak, with enough of their own issues, and least able or likely to help, but are the true friends who, with a broad grin will lend that ungrudging helping hand? I have seen it first hand, and the images don’t go away.

I have taken a liberty with the text, and used bold and underline colour to highlight and make my point. As I become older and have seen more of life, it has occurred to me that people who have their own serious struggles have an outlook which is at odds with their condition. Or so we think. They don’t see it that way. When you are faced with the brevity of life, it all takes on new meaning. There is nothing to prove now. You don’t have to feel obliged. Faith is real and unquestioned. All the minor problems of faith don’t count, because you now know without any shadow of doubt, what is true. And more importantly, Who is true. Jesus Christ is the author of their faith, it is no longer theory, and they KNOW it. Be thankful for the Spirit of God you see plainly in the hearts and lives of those who battle any serious illness, and we all know some who will give their best for the sake of others, and their Saviour. It’s the least they can do. I know it and you do too! The Word of God has echoed their sentiment clearly.

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

Peace?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

At one end of the scale, we have the Pakistani Religious Body (Council of Islamic Ideology) which says men should be allowed to 'Lightly Beat' their wives (yes, that’s plural). At the other end of the scale we have feuding Muslims who kill each other, usually Sunni instigated, and who also have a deep hatred of other Muslims, Christians and Jews. In fact hatred to death extends to the infidel, ie anyone who is NOT a Muslim. Have you watched the news bulletins? These deaths are counted in their thousands, not singly. On top of that, they do not accept that the nation of Israel has the right to exist. How much hatred does that show, and yet we, as a nation, and individually, make allowances and excuses for them. After all, we are told Islam is a religion of peace and our politicians line up to agree and sympathise. The words of an old saying come to mind, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.”

Let’s have a look at some of the other practices of this ‘peaceful’ religion. Let me be clear, these practices are not practiced by all Muslims all the time, but they ARE all Muslim beliefs practiced and authorised by their holy book, the Quran also known as the Koran which ALL Muslims believe in and accept fully.

• Sharia Law will authorise a thief's hand be cut off for stealing.

• Young girls beaten to the point of death for listening to the ‘wrong music’

• The kidnap of young girls to sell as slaves, or ‘wives’ to Islamic fighters

• A belief that the infidel can be beheaded

• Muslims will kill other Muslims who are of a different branch or sect

• Believe in the elimination of Israel and its people from the face of the earth

• Believe in setting up a caliphate where Islam rules completely in law and religion

• Enforce Sharia Law to supercede the laws of any/every land

• Deface and burn down churches and synagogues

• Destroy ancient religious relics if not Islamic

• Support so called honour killings

• Believe that girls should not be educated

• Martyrdom ‘guarantees’ paradise

Whenever a nation is abused by Muslims (sometimes called Islamic extremists, but they are one and the same) and many people are murdered and maimed in the name of Allah, our politicians say “We are at war”. Really? It doesn’t look like it, and the murdering Muslims know it! There are no mass demonstrations by ‘ordinary Muslims’ protesting about these barbaric practices. I suggest they don’t need to protest publicly because there are enough infidel apologists who will speak up on their behalf, and defend them. Is it possible that our leaders and politicians know the true face of Islam, and don’t know what to do or say out of fear?

We are getting that we don’t like to say anything about the ‘religion of peace’, after all we don’t want to offend anyone. Especially if they want to kill us. A definition is needed because meaning is lost. “Islamophobia” by definition is the fear of Islam. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are NOT afraid of Islam, or Muslim followers, and we should be free to speak the truth about this barbaric, abusive, warring, religion followed in fear by their own adherents. The politically correct politicians don’t want this openness, and the many thousands of people who don’t care about religion or faith, let it all wash over them as long as they are not affected.

The following poem was penned by Pastor Martin Niemoller about the Nazi ‘Final Solution’:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I think it’s time to add the lines….

Then they came for the Christians, and I did not speak out—

And I was a Christian.

Chain (re)Action

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3,4

We have a comforting and gracious God, who knows when to step in and give us His peace. When that happens we are happy to be on the receiving end, and just take. In fact, we will take any kindness that’s going, from God or anyone else. But should it stop there? Not as far as this passage is concerned.

Paul turns it on its head, and tells us to pass on God’s comfort to others. Take a moment and think. God gives comfort to us, but we are to give that same comfort away. It’s still active and real and effective when we give it to others. It’s every bit as effective as when God gave us HIS comfort. This is a chain reaction.

Will you be the one to break the chain? The old saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” and this is true in this case too. We are being reminded that we are not just to be takers. We must be givers too if we are to reflect the likeness of God into the lives of those around us who are hurting. Let’s face it, the words of the song, “Everybody needs compassion” are so true. Can you remember the Blessing you felt when you passed on a smile, a word, a card, a phone call to someone else? Will you be a part of the chain of Christian comfort, love and compassion, or will you be the weakest link? I pray we are all up to the challenge to keep the chain strong!

Trouble

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Bible is full of truth, and there are times you read a verse that you know very well, but it hits you in a different way. Stronger, personal, and more powerful in its intensity. Such are the words in this verse.

Trouble. Jesus doesn’t say where it will come from, so we have to keep an open mind. Each of us will endure different kinds of trouble which could include health, big life changing decisions, education, family death, depression, anxiety and the list goes on. Since the kind of tribulation is not mentioned, we know that the next phrase applies to each and every one we may face. Remind yourself of these words as often as necessary, and tell yourself that they are the words of Jesus. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Did you get it? Read it again, and let it stick because there will come a time when you will need to remember them word for word.

There is another word tucked into the middle which might be overlooked as we think of overcoming. The words are these: “in me you may have peace”. Peace is a commodity in short supply in today’s world, and happy (blessed) is the one who achieves it. I love the words of Jesus who talks about this in John 14:27 when He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. Amen and Amen!

Refuge

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

When you get into trouble, where do you run? Where is your comfort zone when circumstances change around you, and you feel lost? Depression and physical harm are no stranger to the Christian, because although sinners saved by grace, we are still human.

There is a natural attraction to using retail therapy, or immersing yourself in your spouse, children, or grandchildren. You might even get over it by visiting someone less fortunate than yourself, and that is commendable. But what if the trouble you face is personal, and affects your health in a major way? Doing these things may take the edge off for a short time, but they don’t really do the job completely, if at all.

You need a person you can trust completely, and the closest person to you might be your husband, or wife, although in severe health issues they will almost certainly be out of their depth, no matter how much they love you. All’s not lost though because there is another person in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is well able to shoulder every trouble or burden you will ever have. There is a condition of course. You have to come in faith, and in repentance put your trust totally in Him by choice because He cares most of all. Just as the verse says:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Holiness

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:17,18

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14,15

There is a part of holiness that seems to be missed, or perhaps ignored, and that’s the part we play in the process of spiritual growth. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, and the writer to Hebrews (who may also be Paul) makes it very clear that we have a responsibility to respect and be at peace with all men. He also makes clear that it might not be easy. Why else would he say, “Make every effort”? The goal is holiness, and reminds us that “without holiness no one will see the Lord”. That was a very serious charge for the first century faithful, and no less of a charge today.

We like to get our own way, and come out on top in everything, even matters of faith, but we are warned against it. We also like the easy way, which takes least effort, but also has least reward. But the downside is that we might fall short of the gift of grace God has for us, causing bitterness and no sincere believer wants that!

Holiness is a process of growth, but since we have a responsibility of our own to fulfil, we would be wise to make a firm decision to start. Otherwise, how does anyone know we are sincere? These verses remind me of my obligation as a Christian to live peacefully with men, and as much as possible not become bitter. Anything less is not a good example or witness for Person whose Name I bear.

It is summed up nicely in the words of the Psalmist: “How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

This Too Shall Pass

...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

30 years ago, in 1982, I heard a sermon by Godly Pastor Bob Andress, in First Church of the Nazarene, Raleigh, North Carolina, titled “This Too Shall Pass”, and I have remembered it since. Pastors, don’t ever underestimate the words you preach. They are God given and Inspired, and for a purpose. Maybe for very few in the congregation that day, but you always know when a sermon is just for you. I have had a fair few in my time, and this was one.

The application (I always like there to be some kind of application to my life) is obvious. The bad time you are going through will not last for ever. It will pass, just as all the other difficult times before this, have passed. Going through a tough time is not just for a few Christians. We all go through bad times, although some are worse than others, but there is one common thread which links them. They will pass, eventually, just like before. Now and again this sermon hits me fresh, as if I am hearing the truth for the first time, and I am left reassured in the grace of a loving Abba Father God.

This also reminds me of the old Southern preacher whose sermon was titled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming”. Again the application is clear. The disciples wondered what had hit them when their Lord and Master had been crucified, but at the time they didn’t realise that Sunday was coming, and with it the resurrection. They didn’t know, but we do! Bad days and troubled times don’t last forever, so keep on keeping the faith, and remember and believe that ‘Sunday is coming’, and ‘This too shall pass’.

It’s 30 years later, and I’m about ready to believe in the truth of that old sermon again. How about you? I will leave you with a poem by Helen Steiner Rice:

This Too Shall Pass

If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be-

If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me-

If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too-

Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.

...Helen Steiner Rice