Month: February 2020

This blog post is a day later than usual. Yesterday was a very busy day that provided a personal experience I want to share. I work from home for the Greater Chicago Pest Management Alliance. We have three training seminars each year and yesterday was the first morning seminar this year. I run the registration desk for them so they send Uber to get me there and back home. They were predicting up to nine inches of snow so I arranged to go out through my garage at five am to be sure to get there by seven and to cut down on the distance outside with my walker and for the driver to carry my box of materials. Fortunately we did not get nearly that much snow, but for some reason the first two drivers assigned to me cancelled. By the time the third driver arrived, I was concentrating on finally getting in the car for the ride and forgot to use the remote in my pocket to close my garage door.

I called a friend who has a key to my place and he came over to close the door for me. The seminar was great. When the driver got me back home my remote would not open the garage door. When the inside switch was used to put it down it had inadvertently stuck. The cane I use to push off to get in my door was in the garage. The driver unlocked the front door for me and I got my walker and myself up the two smaller steps but when I tried to step up into the door my knees buckled. After two tries I knew I would not make it without my cane. I asked the driver to move my walker and place a captain chair with arms in the doorway so I could turn and sit then pull my legs in. It only took him fifteen seconds, but it was the longest fifteen seconds of my life standing on knees that had already buckled several times and with nothing to hold onto except my Lord.   

Safe inside, I praised God and thought of the words of a song on YouTube by Jeff and Sheri Easter. “I’ve stood on the bank of a wide raging river trusting that I’d get across. I’ve made my way through some valleys and desserts believing I’d never get lost. I’ve been at the foot of what seemed like Mt. Everest knowing I’d have strength for the climb. ‘Cause through every trial, test and temptation one thing is sure every time. Over and over again and again God is faithful. Over and over again and again through it all He’s made me able to stand and survive, to come out alive when it sure looked like I couldn’t win. Jesus is with me so I’ll claim the victory over and over again.”

Whatever you are facing right now, what God has done for me – He will do for you over and over again!

What is there about human nature that causes us to draw closer to God in troubled times, rely on His love and strength; then, when He brings us through safely and things get calm again we thank Him and in the peace and quiet that follows we begin to feel entitled and self-sufficient once again? You would think it would be during the blessed times of peace and comfort that we would be so grateful that we would celebrate God’s presence in our lives. Like the Israelites we soon forget the miracle that that got us this far. I have been through that cycle more times than I care to remember. However, at this stage of my life, the pain, weakness and limitations of age are a constant reminder of my need for the Lord to lead me and allow me to continually lean on Him every step of my way; every day; in every situation.

I have felt God’s Spirit within me since I accepted Christ as my savior, but so many times I have taken control of my life and in spite of His prompting from the back seat, I would wind up in a ditch begging Him to take the wheel again. It is so sad that it has taken me this long to constantly trust and rely on Him in good times as well as rough ones.   

As usual, there is a song that touches me deeply as I think about those times God has brought me back to Him. “I faced a mountain that I never faced before; that’s why I’m calling on the Lord. I know it’s been awhile, Lord. Please hear my prayer. I need you like I never have before. Sometimes it takes a mountain; sometimes a troubled sea; sometimes it takes a desert to get a hold of me. Your love is so much stronger than whatever troubles me. Sometimes it takes a mountain to trust you and believe.” That song has become one of my personal worship songs and it always brings tears to my eyes. God has turned my tears of fear and regret to tears of joy. He will do the same for you.

With so many translations of the Bible available, it is easy to overlook the painstaking work it takes to produce them. I thank God for the tireless, dedicated Bible translators. From the translators of the King James Version (KJV) more than four centuries ago, to those who continue to make it possible today for people to read God’s word in their own language, dialect or in modern English. When I began this blog three years ago, I prayerfully decided to use the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

For continuity and to help older readers find familiar verses, the new translations use the same chapter and verse system as the KJV. I noticed some footnotes in the NLT about omitted phrases or verses that appear in the KJV. A friend who worked for a Bible organization provided me with a five page detailed explanation. The original manuscripts by the authors of scripture have not been found, so the KJV translators used the oldest handwritten copies they could find for their translation. By the time modern translators began their work much older copies of the manuscripts had been discovered, so they worked with those because they should be closer to the originals. They didn’t change the numbered verses, but with complete transparency footnoted what was omitted because it wasn’t in the older manuscripts. Those “missing verses” still cause many people to cling to the KJV as the true and complete word of God.

My problem with using the KJV for my blog involved more than “thee, thou, thine and eth endings”. Some English words have completely changed meaning since 1611. When I was a boy (more than a few years ago) I contracted every childhood disease around. I remember an older family member commenting, “As Jesus said, ‘suffer the children.’” In 1611, suffer meant to allow. Jesus was telling his disciples to allow the children to come to him. Even as late as the 1920’s, the Women’s Suffrage Movement was about “allowing” women to vote and run for office. When I came along, that definition no longer existed. There are other examples, but that one is the most obvious. Does that mean the KJV should be disregarded? Of course not! That version of scripture led me to Jesus and helped me to grow in faith. I still love the poetic beauty of some passages, like the 23^rd Psalm.    Some modern translations are paraphrase versions, using common idioms. They are fun to read. My first modern translation was the Phillips version of the New Testament. “Do not be conformed to this world” became “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its own mold.” For study purposes I prefer a more literal translation like the NLT. As long as the translators are diligent in their task, God’s message will always remain the same and people will get to know Jesus Christ and follow Him into a personal relationship with His heavenly Father by reading and studying it. God blesses easily understood words as long as His message is intact. What we must beware of is when someone deliberately ignores parts of His message or adds their own message to it. Those false teachers or preachers may sound pious and sincere, but their goal is to lead us away from the true Word. Whatever translation you prefer, if you read and study it diligently, it will draw you closer to God. I have found that God’s Holy Spirit within us will help us sniff out false teaching, false doctrine and false interpretation regardless of how good they may appear. The Holy Spirit will let you know what is a pleasing aroma to God and what stinks. Follow His nose; not just your eyes and ears.

Have you ever tried to describe to someone how it feels to accept Jesus Christ as savior and begin a relationship with God through Him? It is not easy to put feelings into words, but I think the Apostle Paul describes it best. “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 2:17-19)

We often describe Christianity as a relationship with God and not just another religion. I think it even goes beyond relationship; it is a connection. Have you ever truly connected with another person? Of course I was connected with my wife; but I am also connected with my brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s love connects us to Him and to each other. Jesus says, “I am the true grapevine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

Our connection to God through Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual nutrition. It is also the source of the light of God’s love and His power. A light fixture or electric appliance is dead until it is activated by a power source. It isn’t enough that the power is available. We must plug ourselves into Jesus and flip the switch of belief and repentance to complete the circuit and activate God’s love and power within us and through us.

My connection to God has produced the light of His love and the fruit of His Spirit, but sometimes I forget the power He has poured into me. I pray for Him to do the heavy lifting and He always responds, but I think He might wonder why I don’t use the power He has provided? Why don’t I order the enemy to “Back Off”? Why don’t I touch my sick friend and pray for them to be healed in His name? Romans 8:11 reminds us that the Spirit within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. I pray that we all learn to put that power to good use.

Let’s get real. There are some people who enter the Christian life thinking it will be all peace, blessings and smooth sailing. I’m here to tell you with the voice of experience that there is inner peace that comes with being a child of God and there are blessings and answered prayers. However, we have an enemy while we are here on Earth and the more we accomplish for God, the more he comes after us with battles and storms for us to face and conquer. There was a song years ago that said, “I beg your pardon! I never promised you a rose garden.” Jesus didn’t promise us another Garden of Eden here on Earth. He didn’t say to take up your bouquet of roses and follow me. What he did say is, “Take up your cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23) Jesus also said, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

Jesus doesn’t remove the storms and battles from our lives, but he does promise to be with us every step of the way allowing us to experience joy through it all. God didn’t keep Daniel out of the lions’ den; He went in there with him and gave the lions lock jaw until he got out. God didn’t keep Daniel’s three young friends out of the fiery furnace; He went into the flames with them and brought them through it unsinged. He will do the same for you and for me.

Life here is temporary. This is neither our permanent home nor our final destination. No matter how strong the storms and battles Satan brings against us, when we finally cross the finish line there is a paradise that awaits those who keep the faith and persevere. Among my long list of favorite You Tube videos is a song by the Hoppers titled Victory Shall Be Mine. I love the lyrics.  

“There’s a battle we’re engaged in. There’s a goal line to be crossed. There’s a weight that must be lifted. There’s a trophy to be won. Though it seems the battle’s raging. Some are falling by my side. I’m gonna run this race with courage ‘til I cross the victory line.

Oh the joy that now awaits me when I reach the other side. I’ll be safe at home with Jesus in his presence so divine. If I hold my peace; let the Lord fight my battles. If I sing and shout; believe and never doubt. It shall be mine! Victory! Victory shall be mine!”

Writing about children is not within my comfort zone. Scripture tells us, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”  (Psalms 127:3) My wife and I spent over 50 years wondering why we were not worthy of that gift. But as the Holy Spirit prompts me to write this, He also reminds me that I am a 76 year old child of God. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16)

“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.’” (Luke 18:16) I can only imagine the loving encouragement Jesus spoke into those little ones. Then I am reminded that He continues to speak loving encouragement into me every day. We never outgrow the needs we had in our formative years for loving discipline, encouragement and moral support.

Well-meaning sociologists have told parents that all forms of discipline harm a child’s self-image. They even promote false praise like participation trophies. That philosophy is certainly not scriptural and is not producing adults with discipline who are encouraged to take responsibility and work toward their goals. I always knew that when my parents disciplined me, it was out of love and not condemnation. I knew that all of their encouragement and praise was honest and genuine. I thank God for that positive foundation upon which I have built my life.

Those of you who have been blessed with the gift of children or even grandchildren have also been given the opportunity to provide them with loving discipline and positive encouragement. Those of you, like me, who have not been blessed with that gift can be a father or mother figure in someone’s life mentoring them in the Christian life. I have reached grandfather figure on my way to great grandfather figure. Whatever our age or situation, I pray that we continue to receive the loving discipline and sincere encouragement of God and pass them on to members of younger generations.

A woman went to see a lawyer.

Woman: I want a divorce.

Lawyer: What are your grounds?

Woman: We have two acres on the edge of town with a big lawn and fruit trees.

Lawyer: No. I mean do you have a grudge?

Woman: We have a two car garage, but only have one car so the rest is storage.

Lawyer (getting frustrated): Does your husband beat you up?

Woman: No. I get up at 6:30 and sometimes he doesn’t get up until 8:00.

Lawyer (exasperated): WHY DO YOU WANT A DIVORCE?

Woman: We just don’t seem to communicate anymore.

We laugh loudest at jokes with a thread of truth in them and this is no exception. As a corporate trainer, I taught my trainees the importance of good communication skills, not only with customers, coworkers and supervisors; but especially with those in our personal life. I found that even those who can express themselves well often have not developed good listening skills. So much vital information is lost. Communication must be two way to be effective.

In this age of technology, we text and tweet instead of calling or stopping by. Those forms of communicating might be convenient, but they are the easiest to be misunderstood. There is no tone of voice or facial expression to help put things in context. We tend to keep it short without full explanation. We know what we mean, but do they? I don’t tweet, but I text to friends who prefer that. I try to text only to those who know me personally and even then I have been misunderstood. Even when we do converse in person, one of the biggest problems is that we don’t carefully listen in order to learn about the other person, but instead simply to help us decide what we should say next.

How does all of this apply to our Christian life? James (Jesus’ brother) tells us, “Understand this my dear brothers and sisters. You must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” That puts communication in the proper order of importance. To have a relationship with God, we need to have two way communications with Him. Prayer is our main means of communication. The good news is that we don’t have to worry about being misunderstood by God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. What is important is that we learn to understand God and get to know Him personally. He speaks to us as we read and study His word. We feel His presence during worship or even as we take a “nature walk” through His creation. He speaks to us with the still small voice of His Holy Spirit within us. We need to learn to listen with our soul and not just our ears.  I have pointed out before that when we pray without taking time to listen to God’s response; we are just leaving a message on His voicemail with the hope He will get back to us.   

The Apostle Paul writes to the churches in Galatia, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians 1:10) Wow! I thought loving others as we love ourselves and reaching out a helping hand to them when they are in need is the mission of every Christian. Isn’t that pleasing people? Satan knows the scriptures better than I do. He is an expert at quoting a verse out of context to confuse and serve his purpose (as I just did for illustration purposes only). Satan did that when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness.

Let me quickly set the record straight. If you read the entire first chapter of Galatians, you will know that Paul is specifically referring to his presentation to them of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – God’s Good News. There were others who had come to Galatia after Paul who claimed to be apostles, but were preaching a different gospel that was more pleasing to the congregations. Paul’s goal was to introduce them to Jesus Christ and through Him help them have a personal relationship with God. The goal of those others was to get the people to follow them and their “pleasing” teachings. Paul was sharing with the Galatians what God had shared with him, not because he wanted them to love and follow him, but because he wanted them to love Jesus and have the same relationship with God he has. He is not referring at all to how we are to live once we are in that relationship through the strength and prompting of God’s Holy Spirit within us.

We can take two lessons from this blog post. First, we need to read more than a verse at a time in order to understand the context and intent of the writer under God’s inspiration. As you read and study the Bible, you will find some verses that are so clear it is impossible to take them out of context. The first one that comes to my mind is John 3:16. You will also find verses that seem to jump off the page at you as you read them. That is God’s way of giving you what you need at that particular time. Chapters and verses were not found in the original writings. They were added later for reference. The NLT version has also added helpful topic headings to aid in reading the entire line of thought at one time. That is why I often share passages instead of verses of scripture.  

Secondly, we must be very careful when we hear someone “cherry picking” a verse here and a verse there to demonstrate God’s approval of their position or agenda. Even Satan does that and there are false teachers today. As Paul warns Timothy, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3) That is the “people pleasing” to which Paul referred in Galatians. The more familiar we become with scripture the easier it will be for us to identify those wolves in sheep’s clothing.