New Year's 2012-- Are you Autonomous?

New Year's 2012-- Are you Autonomous?
           Are you Autonomous? Can you decide "for yourself" what is right and wrong and even what is "reality?"  Do you believe, "It's MY life; I'll do with it what I want?"
      Or to put it another way, Is Jesus "Lord" of your life--or are you? 
     The New Year is about to begin and that's when a lot of people take another look at "the basic questions of life": who am I? why am I here? where am I going? what should I be doing on this my journey through life? 
      We do well to do that because we are not self-created.  So we must take our place as a creature dependent on our Creator.  We are dependent for the very breath we breathe on God.  We know who we are.  We are creatures created in the image of God and thus of great worth, but finite creatures nevertheless. 
      That should teach us how to relate to God: accept as true and obey what He has given us in His Word because Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God." Mt.4:4
      And it should teach us how to treat other people, as fellow-creatures created in God's image--and therefore of great worth.

      The Old Testament pinpointed our problem 700 years before the coming of Christ.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way. . . ." Isaiah 53:5  There you have it! we've gone our own way instead of God's way.     And most people are still doing it!  The good news is that there is a way out. That scripture continues, "and the Lord has laid on Him [Christ] the sin of us all." 53:6  Christ died for us to pay the penalty for our sins.

       But Christians, too, can "go their own way."  It's something that can plague us all our lives.  Do you pick and choose which scriptures you will obey and which you will ignore?  Then you're going your own way instead of following Jesus fully.  You must submit yourself to the righteousness and wisdom of God.

      It's true of course that not all scripture applies equally to us.  We no longer follow the ritual washings of the Old testament, for example, or their animal sacrifices.  Nevertheless we can learn lessons and principles from them because "all scripture is profitable. . . ." 2 Tim. 3:16

       But I'm thinking about principles and teachings which are obviously for all of us, such as loving one another, forgiving one another, serving one another, bearing one another's burdens and others like that.  Scripture teaches forgiveness and honesty and sincerity.  It also teaches the permanence of marriage:  "what God has joined together, let not man put asunder." It teaches the principle of the assemblying of ourselves together to worship God and tells us explicitly not to forsake that principle.  It teaches the principle of honesty and devotion to truth.  It teaches us that we must feed regularly on the Word of God as the Bread of Life. "Thy Words were found and I did eat them and they became the joy and rejoicing of my heart."  Are you regularly reading and studying the scriptures?  Do you "meditate" (think about) what God has said??

    You're not autonomous, but you are responsible for the decisions you make, the thoughts you think, the attitudes you have, and your own actions.  Don't blame it on someone else; you did it.  Facing up to our own responsibilities and at the same time realizing our absolute dependence on God is the way to begin the New Year.
    


     

Christmas and Popular Culture

Christmas and Popular Culture

      I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year and brings so many beautiful and lovely memories from the past—not only from the 78 Christmases God has given me to experience, but also from the more distant past of tradition and history reaching back in an unbroken time line to that glorious event in human history when God became a tiny little helpless baby in the arms of His virgin mother in a smelly, unpleasant stable in Bethlehem. No matter that we don't know the exact date on which He was born. Historically it was the Year One in the Year of Our Lord and we still measure time in the western world by Anno Domine despite the fallible calculation years later that was probably 4 years mistaken. As historians we love precision and accuracy, but here we are reminded of the reality of the actual historical event in time and space and history.

        And at the same time we are reminded of how fallible and finite we all are in trying to keep track of everything and understand the eternal significance of the most important event in human history up to that time, “Emmanuel: God with us!” Not only “with us”--as He always is in the sense of His omnipresence, but “with us” by taking on human flesh and becoming “one of us” as a tiny little helpless baby. In that great Messianic Psalm 22 the inspired Psalmist wrote, “Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” Psalm 22:9-10 (ESV) And so the co-equal eternal Son of God became dependent in His humanity on the Father and Holy Spirit.

          But as marvelous as these theological truths are as God's marvelous plan of Redemption unfolded (“I am come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Jesus told His disciples.) in addition to the wonderful historical reality of the Incarnation, is God's providential use of the “Christmas Season” historically even to the Present.

        Even in the myths, the feasts of celebration, and the customs associated with the season. Our son-in-law Chris sent me something yesterday that helped direct my thinking in this manner once again. A peripheral matter perhaps, but what do we learn about living or God's common grace in the stories of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus?? or in the many other customs and associations with Christmas.

        Surely we prefer the clear message of the Gospel. And it's there, too, in much of the preaching and teaching of scripture and in the marvelous old Christmas carols like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” Glory to Christ the Newborn King. “God and sinners reconciled!” “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the Everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the Incarnate Deity, Pleased as Man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!”

         But what about the many “Christmas stories” and myths and customs of giving and helping one another? Well, just stop to think about the many ethical and moral “values” that are communicated at Christmas time, only partially Biblical, but still with embedded truths there, too. What if we had a world without compassion and generosity, a world totally of selfishness and self-centeredness? Well, God knows that's characteristics of our fallen lives in this fallen world, but when we actually see and experience how much better goodness and love and sharing and kindness are, then we realize that those qualities really do exist! And it raises a person's desires for goodness and love and peace and kindness and a relationship of joy with God Himself. “ Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” How many people have experienced that at Christmas time?

          And remember the context of that verse, the demonstration in the lives of the apostles of a life of service and dedication to God and a willingness to give of themselves to minister to others. Paul was talking to the Ephesian elders—probably on the beach while he was preparing to embark on a ship that would eventually take him on his way to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome and imprisonment there. He reminded his brethren of the way of life he and his fellow missionaries had lived:          ”Remember that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:31-38 ESV

         May Christmas be a reminder of how we must live a life of dedication to God and in service of our brethren and others in need. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 Compassion is a gift from God. Scripture tells us NOT to “close our hearts” as we see those in need. We can't help everyone—that's a truism—but it's also true that we can help many whom the Lord places in our paths by His providence. Follow His guidance; you know how kind and generous He is. ^“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 ESV

          Share the gospel whenever people are willing to listen, but also demonstrate these character qualities that are shown so prominently in the Christmas season: love, compassion, kindness, generosity, goodness, service, sharing, empathy and sympathy, joy, peace, self-discipline, helpfulness, a sense of wonder at God's goodness and grace and His wisdom and providential control of all of life, looking to the hope or certainty of what lies ahead in Jesus. Jesus in the days of His flesh became dependent upon the Father and Holy Spirit. We are totally dependent upon Him. Let's realize it and live like it! That's the way to joy and meaning in life. Think of the infant babe on Mary's breast and realize your own total dependence on our Lord even for the breath you breathe. It is He who gives you joy and peace and love in the midst of these difficult times.

                                                                                --Pastor Burnside

"Fear Not, I AM with Thee"

           "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." Luke 2:8-9 kjv

          Those wonderfully familiar words from your childhood come back to you every Christmas, don't they? How wonderful to see the glory of the Lord in an out-of-the-way place revealed to a group of unknown shepherds going about their daily tasks.  And God took the time and effort to announce the most important event, thus far, in history:  God was to become "one of us," a human being, in the person of a little baby born in a stable to a young Jewish girl, unknown to the world except to her family and friends.

         But do you remember the first words of the angel to the shepherds?!  "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 2:10-11

        "Fear not!"  How often God gives the reassurance to His people in scripture to "fear not!" neither be dismayed.  "Let not your heart be troubled . . . neither let it be afraid!" Jesus told His disciples the night before He died.  John 14:27

        “Fear Not, I AM with Thee”

“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

–How Firm a Foundation

Fear not----

1. Because of who God is. “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28 We owe our very existence to God and that makes us totally dependent on our Creator. And we know His character and many of His attributes. He is the eternal, self-existing omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God with perfect and absolute power, glory, and holiness. He is the perfection of beauty, knowledge, and wisdom and is infinite in what He does. God is love. He is merciful and kind, patient with all His works.   He is the “Blessed God” with perfect fellowship within the Trinity. “As for God, his way is perfect.” Psalm 18:30

2. Because of what God has done–the works of God. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” Psalm 145:3-5 And of all God’s works, including Creation, is His greatest and most awesome work of Redemption in Christ–and at what a cost, the death of the Son of God on the cross! “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

         What indeed is there then to fear since God has so demonstrated His love for us and the fulness of His redemption? “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

3. Because of what God does–His present providence. “God keeps all created things existing and maintaining the properties with which He created them.” (Grudem) Christ is “upholding the universe by His word of power.” Heb. 1:3 “upholding” means “to carry or bear.” It means more than simply “sustain,” but has the sense of active purposeful control over whatever is being carried. Christ, then, is actively involved in the work of providence. “In Him all things hold together.” “All things” means every created thing in the universe. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”  Colossians 1:16-17

         Everything in His creation obeys His Word: “Fire, and hail; snow, and [frost]; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” [his word of command]. “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalm 104:14 God directs the stars in the heavens as the book of Job makes clear. And Jesus said the same thing, “Your Father which is in heaven maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45

          God feeds the animals throughout the world. “These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in. You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” Psalm 104:27-29 And Jesus called attention to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father–or “without your Father’s will” [permitting]. Matthew 10:29

         God controls the political destinies of nations and international relations. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:6-7 “His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

          We see God’s providence in our lives daily. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:23-25 “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26 If Jesus our Good Shepherd is looking after us and leading us in the paths of righteousness, why should we fear?

4. Because Jesus said “fear not!” and since we are His sheep, we follow Him and obey Him. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27. One of the key ways we can know whether we are Jesus’ sheep or not is whether we listen to Him, heed what He says, and obey Him. So, do it! “Fear not!”

         When John, the Beloved Apostle who had always been so close to Jesus, saw the glorified Christ in heaven, what was His reaction and Jesus’ response? “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:17-18

5. Because of the promises of God and the promise of His sustaining, adequate grace. And those promises are, indeed, comforting and real with the entire trustworthiness of God behind them. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 ”For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. . . .” Isaiah 30:15 “. . . Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

         Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let Him be your fear. . . .” Isaiah 8:12-13 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come. . . ; he will come and save you.” Isa. 35:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. . . .” Psalm 23:4 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

6. Because of the inner certitude the Holy Spirit brings as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” Romans 8:16 and He also gives us assurance in our hearts. He is the “Anointing” that is explained in 1 John, the “testimonium” of the Holy Spirit whereby God intensifies the evidence and other reasons for knowing that God is Real and the Bible is true. Faith is the “conviction of things not seen,” “the deep inner certainty in your soul that God is on His throne and working His plan for your life. He will bring to pass what He has promised into reality.”

Faith is the “present assurance of future reality.” God brings assurance to your heart–NOT anxiety. He gives us faith–NOT fear. We have the inner assurance in my soul that God will do all that He said He would. There’s never any panic in heaven, only God’s immutable purposes and plans that He is systematically bringing to pass.

7. Because of the glory that awaits us. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:20–21 We are to set our affections and our minds on things above not on things below. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

8. Because of Jesus’ constant Presence with us and His promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Though we have not seen Him, we love Him; and even though we do not see Him now, we believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8  “Fear not, I am with thee. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim. 4:18 esv

                                                    --Pastor Burnside (adapted from his book, Glory in Tribulations)

God is our Refuge in time of Trouble

God is our Refuge in time of Trouble

        I think most of us don't have nearly as big problems as King David had—or the other writers of the Psalms. How would you like to be hiding in a cave in a rugged mountainous desert area while the king is hunting for you to kill you? That's our Psalm for this morning: Psalm 142 “When he was in the cave” is the inscription (which is part of the sacred text.) It's also called “A Prayer” so let's use it as such.
¹ With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. ² I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
³ When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. (ESV)

        Listen to his earnest prayer: “I cry out to the Lord”; “I plead for mercy to the Lord”; “I pour out my complaint” to God; “I tell Him my trouble.”

       And the hardest part, his spirit is fainting within him. He's losing his courage and his “hope” or expectation is taking a battering. The ESV notes: The Psalmist is 1) out of energy, 2) beset by dangers and confusion, and 3) painfully alone. (The next verse says, “no one cares for my soul.”)

          But he clings to God as his refuge and prays to Him. ⁵ I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

          He knows he should have an attitude of thanksgiving so he prays to God, “⁷ Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! the righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.”

         He feels trapped and he wants God to free him from the bondage of his situation. And he surely remembers that God has delivered him in the past: ¹ I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. ² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. ³ And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. ⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust. . . . Psalm 40:1-4

       David's situation seems to continue in the next Psalm as “the enemy has pursued my soul.” I take that to mean the devil who “walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” So he repeats his complaint: ^“Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.” 143:4

         But he knows what to do and what to think about: ^“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah “ 143:5-6

         And he concludes his prayer as we can ours:
“ Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. . . . I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! . . . bring my soul out of trouble! . . .for I am your servant.”143:8-12 And God takes care of His servants—and certainly He is a Father to His children!

                                                                         --Pastor Burnside

Return, O my soul, to your rest

Return, O my soul, to your rest.” Psalm 116:7 It's early on the Lord's Day again this morning. May God bring you rest and refreshment for your soul this day. Be quiet before Him, tranquil, and at rest in the midst of your busy life or trials or dilemma you're going through. In fact this Psalm is for “distress and anguish” (116:3) in the midst of which God can still give us His peace and you can rest in Him. ^“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself. . . .” Psalm 37:7

         It is His peace that will take you through your problems and dilemmas. He's already given you that peace: “My peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 Don't block that peace and put your heart in a turmoil again by fretting and refusing to trust in and depend on the Lord. This Psalm tells you what to do: “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” 116:17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart” and then you won't let your heart be troubled or afraid.

         “I will lift up the cup of salvation” 116:13 –remind yourself that God has transformed you from death to life and when you go from life through death into life everlasting, then “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” 116:15

Remind yourself, “O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds” 116:16 so that I am free in Him—and to Him be the glory. “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 “For freedom did Christ set you free; be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

       Listen to Spurgeon more than a century ago: “'Return unto thy rest, O my soul.' He calls the rest still his own, and feels full liberty to return to it. What a mercy it is that even if our soul has left its rest for a while we can tell it--'it is thy rest still.' The Psalmist had evidently been somewhat disturbed in mind, his troubles had ruffled his spirit; but now with a sense of answered prayer upon him he quiets his soul [as in former days]. Even as a bird flies to its nest, so does his soul fly to his God. Whenever a child of God even for a moment loses his peace of mind, he should be concerned to find it again, not by seeking it in the world or in his own experience, but in the Lord alone. 'For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.' . . . so let us come back to Him who has treated us with such exceeding kindness.”

       

        “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. . . . The Lord is on my side as my helper. . . . The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. . . . This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:5-7,14,23-24 ESV

                                                                --Pastor Burnside

That Christ may be all and in all 

       We stand in an unbroken historical line straight back to Jesus. And it is Jesus who many times attested to the truth and reliability of scripture as given by God Himself. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 ESV And He was quoting Old Testament scripture when He said that. And in another place He testified, “the Scripture cannot be broken.” John 10:35 And in that wonderful scene on the Emmaus Road after the Resurrection, Jesus walked along with the two disciples “and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 The Old Testament scriptures are about Jesus.

       The New Testament scriptures are also about Jesus—all of them. It was He who inspired them and gave them authority. Jesus told the disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Mt. 28:18 ESV The night before He died, Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit who would “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” So it was the authoritative words of Jesus that brought about the New Testament. He told the disciples that they had two Comforters or “paracletos” “called alongside to help” first Jesus and then the Holy Spirit. “I will not leave you as orphans,” He told them, “I will come to you.” And He came in the person of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit inspired or “God-breathed” all the New Testament scriptures as well as the Old Testament.

       So everything centers around Jesus Himself, including the inspiration of scripture, “that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18 That's why we can sing, “From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.” Be thankful that you were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) and that He gave us the scriptures and preserved them for two thousand years so that you were able to hear the gospel and were convicted by the Holy Spirit so that He brought you to Christ.

                                                               --Pastor Burnside

"Thou God seest me"

"Thou God seest me"

           Sarah and Abraham wanted to help God out of a dilemma (or what appeared to them to be a dilemma). God had promised to give Abraham a son and make him the father of a great nation that would be as the sand of the sea and the stars in the sky. But they had a problem: Sarah was past child-bearing age. In fact she was at least 65 years of age. Abraham "believed the Lord; and he counted it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6 ESV

          But as time passed and Sarah did not conceive a son, she conceived a scheme, a simple one: surrogate motherhood. She gave her Egyptian maid Hagar to her husband as a sort of second-class wife and Hagar became pregnant by Abraham. This was not God’s plan and it was not God’s guiding. This son was Ishmael, the founder of the Arab nation, a son of the flesh rather than a child of the promise as explained later in the book of Galatians.

       Lesson #1: don’t think God is dependent on you or your creative schemes to fulfill His many promises given to you in scripture. You need Him; He doesn’t need you to help Him out. He created the universe by the word of His power; and He can lead you in His providence just as easily. In His grace God has chosen to use you in His service and work through you to minister to others but be sure you are following His Word, His way, and His Holy Spirit and not your own creative ingenuity or clever ideas. Don’t try to manipulate God or other people, just obey Him and be faithful to Him.

      Follow the story in Genesis chapter 16. After Hagar became pregnant by Abraham and Sarah couldn’t, Hagar became proud and arrogant and treated her mistress with disdain. This, of course, angered Sarah who began treating Hagar harshly so much so that Hagar fled from her. She ran away into the desert towards Egypt, her homeland. And scripture tells us, "The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness." 16:7

    So lesson #2: even when you mess up, God will come looking for you. And when God looks for you, He always finds you. Surely you didn’t forget that God is omnipresent, did you? You and I and all of us live in the presence of God–always. We can’t escape from His presence even if we wanted to (which I hope you don’t!)

     The angel of the Lord found Hagar and asked her why she was there. Not that he didn’t know, but he wanted her to admit her situation. Which she did. She said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarah." 16:8

      Then the angel of the Lord gave her a promise and a command. The promise was that her son Ishmael would become the father of a great nation also. And the command was simple: change your attitude. Go back and submit to the authority of your mistress. With the clear implication that she should submit willingly and gracefully.

       And Hagar obeyed. She had seen God and God had spoken to her–in human language. The words are recorded in Genesis 16. And Hagar "called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing.’" And she understood the implications of that because she also said, "Truly here I have seen Him who looks after me." 16:13 ESV

      So lesson #3: God sees us and seeing us, He takes care of us. Is this not a wonderful truth for us to live by! He has promised to guide us and He does. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:2-3

     "He looks after me." He takes care of us as the shepherd takes care of His sheep. And His sheep we are. The fact that God sees us just as the angel of the Lord saw and followed Hagar to the spring of water in the desert, means that we are never alone and we are never without help and refuge and strength because God supplies all of that for us. In Him we live and move and have our being. But He is not just watching us, He is guiding us, He is talking to us through His word and directly to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16 ESV

       Lesson #4: the name God gave to Hagar’s son: "Ishmael" which means "God hears." Hagar’s mistreatment by Sarah had not gone unnoticed or uncared for by God. "The Lord has listened to your affliction" are the words of the angel to Hagar in v. 11. God listened and responded. He does the same for you and for me and for all of His children. Trust the Providence of God. He is looking after you. He is the God who hears and listens and the God who sees and does something about it. He may ask you to do something as difficult as He told Hagar–return and submit to the authority in your life. Trust Him. He knows what is best. He is your shepherd and your exceeding great reward, as well as your Savior and the strength of your life.

                                                                          –Pastor Burnside

Turmoil & Peace.  This year has seen an unusual amount of turmoil and consternation in the U.S.  People are "troubled on every side."  And worried.  And some of them are afraid.

        This gives us an opportunity.  An opportunity to be a living demonstration of the reality of Christ in our lives.  He is our refuge and strength.  So let our lives and our homes and our little church be a peaceful refuge in the turmoil of the world.  "Come ye apart and rest awhile"  Think of the glorious life and teachings of our Lord.  You remember when Jesus was asleep in the boat in the middle of the storm on the Sea of Galilee.  We love that story and especially  when He commanded the winds and the waves to be still.  "And there was a great calm."

        "What manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him!" Mt. 8:27 the disciples asked.  But just as remarkable was the quiet peace that surrounded Him as He slept in the midst of the storm-tossed sea, confident of the Father's protection.  He bequeathed that same peace to us so that we might also experience that supernatural peace in the midst of the storms of life.  "Peace I leave with you," Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

        When people ask you, "Why are you so confident? why are you not troubled and worried" when so many things are going wrong, tell them why.  "Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with [with gentleness and reverence]." 1 Peter 3:15

       "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."  Psalm 46:1-3

        We are confident in our Sovereign Lord "who works all things together for good"--long term, ultimate good.  The promises are still there and they're still good!  Ask, Seek, Knock, Receive, Find, and Open

       

Discouraged or Thankful?

Are you discouraged or thankful??

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Cor. 2:11

If we’re not “ignorant of his devices,” then we should not let him “get an advantage of us,” should we? After all, “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

What are some of those “devices” that Satan likes to use? Well, there’s covetousness, lust, pride, self-seeking, laziness, ignorance, deception (for “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light [and] his ministers also [are] transformed as the ministers of righteousness,” 2 Cor. 11:14-15 and several other devices.

But one of the most common that I see is his successful attempts to discourage believers when things are “going wrong,” and not according to the way we think they should, or we have sickness, sorrow, pain, or death among our loved ones. So he immediately tries to discourage some of God’s sheep or little lambs and they forget for awhile who they are and whose they are. It’s the Good Shepherd Himself who laid down His life for His sheep and who promises to lead them and guide them and feed them and lead them in paths of righteousness all through their journey home.

It’s no wonder that discouragement is such an important tool because when you take away courage, then a person loses heart in following the Lord and living their lives with the joy of the Lord. [cor = “heart”] That’s why we are to “encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb. 3:13 NIV

So you need “heart” or courage and where does that come from? Same place everything else of value that we have comes: from God. “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Cor. 4:7 So we get our courage from God–and He promises more when that runs out. Listen. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

What do you do to combat discouragement, then? Jesus gave the very simple and powerful answer, “Let not [don’t allow!] your heart be troubled. . . . Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:1, 27

Are you discouraged or thankful today? (Those are your two choices!) Be thankful for Jesus and His resources and His provisions, His promises, and His purposes. He is building your character and making you more like Christ, useful in our Lord’s kingdom work. John 14:1 Has God provided food for you today? And shelter, a place to sleep? “Having food and raiment [clothing] let us be therewith content.” 1 Tim. 6:8 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess.5:16-17

“We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices” so why did you “fall for it” again? Don’t you know what he’s trying to do? Trying to get you to focus on your problems instead of the Lord, but we are to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. . . . Heb. 12:2 And yes, it is faith that you need because “faith is the victory that overcomes the world” and what is faith? Simply taking God at his word, believing that what God has promised he is able also to perform. Rom. 4:21 Jesus meant what He said, “Don’t allow yourself to get discouraged.” There’s no reason to. God said it. That settles it. Quit worrying. Trust him, not yourself.

Went for a walk this afternoon along the Dungeness River, just one block from our home. The melting snow in the Olympics is rushing towards the sea–and it’s beautiful and reminds me of God’s care for His creation. So do the wild flowers and the stately pines and cedars and fir trees that provide such a restful and peaceful setting for us to live. I’m sure if you look around, you would also see the handiwork of God near you, too, in the flowers and rivers and trees and birds and butterflies, the rain and the sunshine. Rejoice in the work of His hands. God takes pleasure in His works and we should, too. Seeing God faithfully at work–in our lives and the lives of others, as well as in preserving what He has created--builds our spirit. “Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work. . . . O Lord, how great are thy works!” Psalm 92:4-5

Trust the Lord for today and He will take care of you, just as He does the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. “And the cares of tomorrow can wait ‘til the dawn.” And then you can “cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Worry doesn’t solve your problems. It just takes away your joy.

–Pastor Burnside

The Cost of Peace

Note to readers:  A few months ago I quit posting to this blog because I tried for weeks to post and "it" wouldn't post.  So I finally gave up and tried again today.  Now this is the second post.  I hope the problem has been solved--and I appreciate the opportunity to "post" for those who want to read it.

The Cost of Peace

            The peace of Christ in our hearts is what enables us to survive the sorrowful storms of life.   Not only to survive them but to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”  and gave Himself for us.   His peace enables us to “glory in tribulations”  because of what those tribulations produce as they make us more like Christ.   They are “working for us” and producing “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17

            But at what a cost!  Last night I was re-reading a letter our oldest daughter Jeannine wrote to me last year on Good Friday, what she called “this day of ‘bright sorrow.’”   She said, “Whenever I pray for peace, I want to remember the cost of it.”  And she mentioned Isaiah 53:5 “the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  

            It was Christ’s suffering that brought us peace with God and also the peace of God in our hearts.  “ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-3    “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Phil. 4:7  That’s why Jesus told us,  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. . . .  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27

            What wonderful peace, but at what a cost!  No wonder our troubles seem like “light affliction which is but for a moment” in comparison to the intensity and depth of Christ’s suffering on the cross for us.  Be thankful to Him constantly and tell Him so.  “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” NIV

Here is the context of that verse—written 700 years before the birth of Jesus!

Isaiah 53:3-6 (KJV)
³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

 “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

What are characteristics of light that illumine our understanding of spiritual truth?

Light enables us to see.  Our eyes are one of the greatest parts of God’s creation but without light they cannot see anything.  We must have spiritual sight also or we are blind and do not understand.  “. . . the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not. . . .” 2 Cor. 4:4   ^“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6 ESV  “ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,” Eph. 1:18 ESV

Light reveals what is there that had been hidden in darkness.

Light is antiseptic, especially the light of the sun.

Light brings life—through photosynthesis. 
 ^“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.   John 3:19-21

Can you add to this list or make comments about any of the characteristics of light??

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

                                      All the way my Savior leads me
          This morning's Psalm was Psalm 23 and I read it in Minnie's Bible and noticed that she had only one word underlined in her Bible. It was the word "leadeth" double underlined. And a reference written beside it took me to Exodus 15:13 "Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation." And she had underlined all of that verse, too. That fits so well with Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." 
           We're on our way home. And just as surely as the Lord led Minnie to the Father's House so He is leading each of us who know Him as Savior to the same place. "Surely" we will have "goodness and mercy" "all the days of my life"--one day at a time. And then we "will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." And we'll be there together.

        We know where we're going and with Whom. "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Ex. 33:14    We "shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more. . . For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:16-17

       "This God is our God forever and ever, even on through death itself, our constant Guide is He." Psalter 48:14
                                                                     --Pastor Burnside
"In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long."

Guide me to Glory

                                               Guide me to Glory       The other day we were rejoicing in God’s leading and guiding us throughout life: "He leadeth me." Psalm 73:24 points to the direction God’s guidance is going: "You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will [take] me to glory." [Or, "receive" me. In Hebrew the word is laqach meaning "to take."] He’s guiding us through life and at the end He will be there to take us home. Not send us, but take us Himself. That’s exactly what Jesus said to the disciples the night before He died.
      "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." [Greek, paralambano, meaning "to take."] John 14:3 ESV He’s coming for us Himself individually and personally. He guides us through life and then takes us to glory! What more could you ask!

        I’m thankful that He is the God of Providence; He controls all details of our lives.
                You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
                you discern my thoughts from afar.
                You search out my path and my lying down
                and are acquainted with all my ways.
                Even before a word is on my tongue,
                 behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:2-4 ESV

        What beautiful truths embodied in those words of the Psalms, "he leadeth me" and "thou wilt guide me. . . ."
       "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23
  
        In a modern hymn "Christ Alone" we see the same truth,
"from life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.No power of hell, no scheme of man,
can ever pluck me from His hand,
‘til He returns or calls me home;
here in the power of Christ I’ll stand."

       We’re on our way home to the Father’s House, brethren, and Jesus Himself is coming to take us home–just as He took Minnie–and her Mom and Dad and sister and my parents. Thank the Lord for His goodness and His eternal rather than temporal perspective.
                                                                --Pastor Burnside

The Glory of the Moon

                                                         The Glory of the Moon

        Did you see the full moon last night?! (And tonight.)  After so much cloudy and rainy weather here, it was so glorious to have a clear night sky with such a beautiful full moon. I took a few pictures from my doorstep, but the photos don’t capture the reality. I remember so many lovely full moon nights with Minnie on Monterey Bay and Carmel Beach and earlier in Long Beach, California. It is absolutely breath-taking to see a full moon shining over the ocean or a lake.

        The moon is glorious and it reflects the glory of the sun! What a beautiful picture of how our lives are supposed to reflect the beauty and glory of God.

        In the Psalms the moon is called "the faithful witness in the sky." 89:37 Think of the implications of that statement and also the absolute consistency and faithfulness of the lunar cycle each month. We must not take it for granted, but as a gift from God who created it. Think of a clear night sky with so many stars along with the moon. God created all of them and named them all and put them in orbit where He continues to hold all things together by the Word of His power.

        There is so much instability and uncertainty in our culture and in the period of history in which, by God’s grace, we are living. What a contrast to see how God keeps the sun, the moon and the stars and planets and the earth in orbit. They are anchored on nothing except God’s own Being. And that is sufficient because of who He is. We also have "an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast." And our anchor is Christ. We rest in Him and can always count on Him.   "And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted [or tested] beyond what you can bear." 1 Cor. 10:13 "If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Tim. 2:13 ESV

        And "the moon is used to lend a regular rhythm to earthly existence." It is the "lesser light" that God created to "rule over the night and to separate the light from the darkness." Gen. 1:16-18 God "made the moon to mark off the seasons." Psalm 104:19 "Because of its predictable regularity, the moon becomes an image of longevity and even eternity." "Established forever like the moon, an enduring witness in the skies." Psalm 89:37 NRSV (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, p. 566) "Thus says the Lord,  who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night. . . ." Jer. 31:35 ESV

        The moon helps us to worship God by being impressed with His power and wisdom and beauty. And it gives us a perspective of our own finiteness, our limited creatureliness. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4 NIV Surely that question points us to God’s grace. Why does He treat us so graciously? Because He loves us-- and that is reason enough.

        The beauty of the moon and the beauty of a life lived reflecting the glory of God as Christ shines out through us. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." 2 Cor. 2:14 NIV
                                                                                           –Pastor Burnside

How did your day dawn?

                                              How did your day dawn?
        Many years ago when we were living in Puebla, Mexico for a semester, a lady there often would ask me the first thing in the morning, "¿Cómo amaneció?" meaning, "How did your day dawn?" I was just learning Spanish and seldom knew what to say so I would just tell her, "Bien, bien." meaning "Well, well–or ‘fine.’" And of course that is always accurate for a Christian, "All is well. All is well." 
     
        But I’m thinking this morning, "What are your very first thoughts in the morning?" Is it a day you are anticipating because of something you’re planning to do? Or perhaps dreading because you don’t want to take that examination or do some unpleasant chore or talk to someone about some responsibility that is not being met? Is the weather bad and you have to go somewhere? A lot of good thoughts are possible as you rejoice in the fact that you know the Lord and so do others in the family. Do you have food and clothing and shelter for today? Are you thankful for those gifts?

        What if you have terminal cancer or some other dread disease? [And we’re ALL "terminal cases" if you stop to think about it! . . . .]You’ve been asleep and all of that is out of your mind. And then when you wake up, the remembrance suddenly hits you again, "This cancer is literally killing me and I’m dying" and the consciousness of the pain and the somber reality floods back into your mind. How do you handle that??

         In my research for the book I’m writing I came across a letter from one person dying of cancer to a friend whom she was trying to comfort and help him live his last days with peace from the Lord and rejoicing in Him despite what was happening to his body. For those of you who know them, my wife Minnie wrote an e-mail to Billy Bennett on October 23, 2008. We didn’t know it at the time but Billy had less than two months left to live here on this earth (though he continues to live, of course, with the Lord in heaven.) But how was he going to make those last few weeks?

        Minnie told him. He must live it day by day, one day at a time, constantly looking to the Lord and rejoicing in Him. Here is how she concluded her letter, "My Daily verse is ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.’ I try to live that way, not worrying about the future, but enjoying Him and the ones he has put in my life each day. This is my prayer for your sweet family. Love, Minnie"

         ". . . enjoying Him and the ones he has put in my life each day." People were more important to her than the outward circumstances. Jesus often told His disciples to love one another and to serve one another, doing even mundane things when necessary, including washing one another’s feet. And I can tell you as my testimony that being my wife’s care giver for three years was almost the greatest task God ever gave me in my life. And He poured His love into our hearts just as He promised, "God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Romans 5:5 Minnie said several times in her last few months, "I love him more now than even when we first got married." She wrote to our granddaughter Julie on September 25, 2008, "Tomorrow will be our 53rd anniversary. How wonderful to grow old with the love of your youth--and I love him more today than then. It just gets better and better." And we both knew where that love came from. God gave it to us and we were thankful for it.

         But don’t miss the first part of her statement, "enjoying Him . . . each day." It was in fellowship with the Lord that she found her strength. She went "from strength to strength in the Lord" "Wait on the Lord and He shall strengthen your heart." "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

          Take your focus off what's causing you anxiety and worry and put your focus on the One who will either 1) bring a solution or 2) give you the grace to endure and go through the trial. As your day dawns with the Lord, so He goes with you through each valley, and in the end you know His promise, "Lo, I am with you always. . . even unto the end of the world." Mt. 28:20
                                                                   –Pastor Burnside