Christian life

The Ideal Congregation

Posted on by Bob Mathews

   Religious ideals may be desirable and profitable as we fulfill our godly mission.  Many of us have probably developed a mental portrait of the ideal eldership, the ideal body of deacons, and perhaps even an ideal minister.  We may have ideals relating to our corporate worship and methodologies employed in reaching out to our community.  As members have ideals concerning these things, it should be understandable that elders and ministers have a portrait of the ideal congregation.

     The ideal congregation has a Christ-centered life.  Jesus said, “and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).  As we are drawn to Christ, He is the focal point of those so drawn. Accordingly, our activities in various contexts throughout our Christian life will be governed by the will of Christ.  We will ask, “What would Christ have me do?”  We will develop a pattern of increasingly being unsatisfied with the wisdom of men unto which we must not turn in matters wherein the Lord has legislated (1 Cor. 1-4). As well, the priorities of Christ will increasingly become our priorities – our personal priorities (Matt.6:33).  A new direction and set of priorities will emerge from the rubble of a prior sin-stained life (John 14:6).  As these and other spiritual growth areas develop in our growth unto perfection, I trust that we will invariably be thus led to draw all men unto the Christ who is now truly the center of our lives. Yes, the fulfillment of personal evangelism finds its root in the seed of a personal Christ-centered life.

The ideal congregation has a positive attitude about the work of God.  The apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13).  This attitude, far from being occasional in its occurrence, and limited in its scope, should permeate the whole membership consistently over time.

This positive context is generated by members who are truly men and women of faith.  Maintaining a strong faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ becomes the springboard unto positive-mindedness.  Such can only be achieved in accord with a healthy relationship with the Word of God (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15).  Additionally, men and women of faith progressively believe in the power of the gospel to radically change and positively reform one’s own personal life and the lives of those about us (Romans 1:16-17).  Without this realization, our willingness and inclination to achieve and maintain a positive outlook concerning the probable success of our spiritual labors will be invariably diminished.  Knowing that the spiritual destiny of the world hangs in the balance, let us follow the example of Paul (1 Cor.11:1) and in a positive manner address the challenges of our spiritual labors.

Over the next few weeks, this topic will be expounded upon and discussed because we should all be striving to be the kind of members that God wants in His church. Whether a minister or an elder, we are all members and all need to strive to be what God desires and deserves. Hopefully, for you, these lessons will help you better know what God wants from you and how you can go about fulfilling your role as a member of the church.

Lessons on Service from the life of Paul (Part 2)

Posted on by Bob Mathews

As mentioned last week, numerous lessons can come from the life of Paul. This week the lessons will continue from the same context we looked at before (Acts 20:17-38). In hopes of helping each of us be better servants for the Lord, another six lessons will be given from this section of Paul’s life.

First, service to God must be with adaptability (v. 20). Now, if you were able to read last weeks blog, you will remember that one of the six lessons was that our service needs to be without compromise. The reasoning behind these two is easy to rectify. We must be adaptable in our approach, style, etc., not in the message that we teach. The Word of God is God’s. We can’t make it something we want it to be to make it easier on people or to make them happy. The adaptability part is where the compassion, understanding, and wisdom come into play. We have to teach the truth, unadulterated, in a way that reaches people wherever they may be in life. That means, as verse twenty gets at, we may have to proclaim the Lord publicly or from one house to another. We have to find people where they are in life and connect them to Christ. That is the true meaning of adaptability. It is not about whatever is simply easiest for us.

Second, service to God must be without partiality (v. 21, 31). God shows no partiality (Gal. 2:6). God doesn’t not care about a person’s background, wealth, status, skin-color, etc. All God desires is that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Jesus came into the world for the purpose of saving sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). All have sinned and fallen short (Rom. 3:23). God desires us all to be saved and we all need to be saved because we have all chosen sin at some point in our life. Jesus came to help us all. All truly means ALL! No one gets left out. If we are truly going to serve God, then it must be in the same way that Jesus came to serve, with no partiality.

Third, service to God must be with courage (v. 22-24). The Holy Spirit made Paul aware that every place he went to preach and teach was going to bring struggle and difficulty. He walked the path regardless. He stepped up to the challenge before him and continued to press forward amidst the trials. Joshua tried to teach us a lesson like this as well. He said we must take courage and act like men, meaning face whatever is coming at you with courage and don’t waiver from the truth. On top of that Joshua said to choose this day who you would serve. Will you choose to serve God? Will you serve Him with courage?

Fourth, service to God must be with integrity (v. 33). As a Christian, integrity is one of the most important aspects of your life’s walk. Without integrity, people will look at the things you do in life and say to themselves, “if this is a Christian, why would I ever want to believe in Christ?” Your integrity can sway the minds of those that you try to teach about Christ. It can impact the service you render moot if lacking. Paul did everything possible to maintain his personal and professional integrity as an apostle of Christ. With that said, there is no denying the impact of his service for the Lord. Do you want to make an impact on those around you? Live what you preach everyday.

Fifth, service to God must be with concern for the future (v. 28-32). In these verses, Paul warns the elders from Ephesus what they need to be prepared for. The truth is we all need to be prepared. If our focus is not on the future, why are we even serving? The hope we have is everlasting life with God because of the sacrifice of Christ. We live to serve so that we will be prepared to serve God when we come into the Kingdom. However, it is also a focus on defense and encouragement. Paul tells them to be on guard for yourselves and the flock. He says some will come in and speak perverse things. This means we need to prepare for our earthly future in the sense of preparing ourselves to not be deceived and defend others who people may try to deceive and lure away from Christ. Paul also mentions the word being able to build up also. We are to build each other up in the word of God so that we can defend ourselves and stand firm in the truth when future threats arise. This is  a way that we can serve, by preparing the church and defending it.

Lastly, service to God must be demonstrated (v. 33-35). This may seem odd, but is maybe more significant than one may imagine. Talking about service is a fine thing. Planning service to be done is a great thing. Rolling up your sleeves and doing the work is the real thing. No one is above service to the Lord! We may not all serve in the same way or put in the same amount of time and that is okay. But everyone must find what they can do and actually get involved. Paul showed that he did whatever was needed for the ministry effort or providing for himself. He was willing to work hard for the church. Jesus was willing to work hard to start the church and bring you salvation. What are you willing to work hard for? I pray it is Christ!

Lessons on Service from the Life of Paul

Posted on by Bob Mathews

While countless lessons could be pulled from aspects of Paul’s life, today we will focus on a somewhat short moment shared between Paul and the elders from the Ephesus church (Acts 20:17-38). Paul has been traveling around from one place to the next teaching the message of Christ. While in Miletus, he sent for the elders, before starting his journey towards Jerusalem. In this short visit, Paul had a touching and powerful moment with those leaders that conveys some amazing lessons on what it means serve the Lord and how we ought to do so. Again, there are more lessons that could likely be pulled even from this section, but I would like to share with you six lessons that should hold meaning if you have an earnest desire to serve the Lord.

First, working for God needs a daily routine (v. 18). From the moment Paul got to the mission field he began to work. Serving God by preaching and teaching the Christ was something he made a prominent part of his day-to-day. We all typically have routines that we follow. Have you made service for Christ part of your routine? Is it something that is even important enough to make the list of things to do? Paul definitely thought it was! Hopefully we will follow that lesson from him.

Second, we are to serve with humility (v. 19).  While Paul had probably the most that he could boast about above anyone else, he constantly tries to remind us that our service is to God. It is about Him, not us. As Jesus taught in the Gospel of Matthew, those who wish to be seen by men (for the praises of men) will have there reward in full and will receive nothing from God. If we make it about ourselves or toot our own horn when we do something, we are not properly serving in a way that will bring glory to or shine a light on God who is the one that all people actually need.

Third, service to God must be with compassion (v. 19, 31). A phrase you may notice in both those verses is, “with tears.” It doesn’t mean they were just walking around blubbering all the time about the difficulties of life. It means that they had true love and  real compassion for the work they were doing and the people they were working with. Paul cared about the lost souls and desired for them to find Christ. He also cared for those who already found Christ. The truth is difficult times came and Paul showed compassion for those that struggled and because of it better built them up in Christ by showing them the love of Christ. Have we been doing a great job of showing that love and compassion to those inside and outside of Christ today? If you say or think not, then be the changing force that you can be. Start following in the footsteps of Christ and Paul and show the love and compassion that we all need and be example for people to follow today.

Fourth, service to God must be done in spite of trials (v. 19). As mentioned before we all go through difficulties in life. That does not mean that your struggles are invalid, but means that even with the struggles we press on in our service to God. Paul dealt with many difficulties often times brought on by plots against him from the Jews as mentioned in this verse. However, Paul never let those hard times distract from his purpose or define his character. He forged ahead serving every day and in every city he went through, even while, each city brought more strife on him (v. 23). But also know this, Paul was not alone in his work and neither are you. There are many brothers and sisters in Christ that are forging along serving next to you, whether in the flesh or in the spirit. Let them or us be a helping hand to lift you up when needed. We are here to be of service for the Lord together!

Fifth, service to God must be without compromise (v. 20, 26-27). This may be a very unpopular view among many, but regardless, it is the lesson conveyed to us by Paul. We live in a world full of compromise, but when it comes to God’s Word Paul says that he spoke it all. Twice he conveys in those verses that he did not shrink back from teaching or declaring the whole purpose of God. Because of this, he claims that he is innocent of the blood of all men. The significance in that is great. If we compromise God’s Word and don’t teach it fully and accurately, then we are in danger of being guilty of their blood. This doesn’t mean that we are not to be compassionate, loving, and understanding when we teach. However, it does mean that we cannot decide to say something God calls a sin is okay now. Paul understands that he is dealing with God’s Word not his own. We need to learn the same lesson in our own lives regardless of how culture may change or pull on us.

Sixth, service to God must be done with optimism and a positive attitude (v. 20, 32). Now, before you go saying, “that’s a bit of a stretch,” hear me out. Paul talks about declaring things that are profitable, meaning anything that brings good to your life…that being Christ. You have probably heard the old saying, “you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” That old saying is part of the lesson here. If we carry ourselves  with a look of woe-is-me or depressed in countenance and outlook, how is that going to entice or attract someone to Christ. If we don’t live our lives every day like we actually have the best thing we could ever ask for, then people will find it hard to believe that Jesus is actually important or desirable to their lives. As Christians, we believe in the grace and mercy of God to the point that we can have an eternal life with Him in heaven. That is an extremely positive thing and we should always do our best to convey our Christian life  that way.

I pray that these lessons on service will be helpful to you in your own Christian walk. Paul has always been a great example of service because he focuses on being like Christ. Let’s follow in his footsteps and serve our God each and every day with humility, compassion, in spite of struggles, without compromise, and with an optimistic and positive attitude. May the Lord bless you all!

A Broken Spirit

Posted on by Bob Mathews

  Words are often powerful (ref. Rom. 1:16). They bring to mind scenes which may lift the soul to wonderful heights or cast one down to depths of despair. “A Broken Spirit,” mere words, does both for me. These words remind me of the spirit joyfully broken as one penitently responds to the grace of our Lord. They also bring to mind the spirit wounded and sorrowful because of the weight of life’s burdens and challenges.

The Psalmist said, “The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18, NASB). Yes, the Lord establishes and strengthens His fellowship with those allowing the Word of His grace to break, ever so painfully, the bands and bonds holding us apart from Him as sin’s power dictatorially governs us. Similarly, the Psalmist added, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). I trust and pray that our spirits are mutually lifted and encouraged in contemplation of the positive divine response to penitent and fully obedient hearts.

The above cited passages speak of “A Broken Spirit” in a positive manner. They lead us to seek out such a spirit, ultimately producing spiritual healing and security in Christ. They demand that we be broken in order to be whole. Yet, “A Broken Spirit” may describe the spirit shattered by forces and circumstances beyond personal power to control and withstand. They may describe a besieged child of God whose strength of faith has failed him in his hour of crisis. These words may describe you or me as we face personal spiritual challenges.

The Psalmist, speaking of the Lord, said, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). The wise man said, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken” (Pr. 15:13). The Lord is ever aware of our condition of heart and tenderly cares for us as we endure wounds which potentially may break our spirit of faith.

Children of God throughout the Lord’s church face the real possibility and danger of experiencing a broken spirit as one wrestles with personal spiritual challenges. A lifetime of observations suggest such danger is ever present, potentially impacting the strongest personal faith. The spirits of godly elders and the newest babes in Christ may be so impacted. None of us are exempt from the forces bringing about such dire results. A number of brethren no doubt know of specific cases illustrating well the point at hand.

A broken spirit may be the result of external evil forces outside the body of Christ. On other occasions, it may result from internal forces within the fold of God. The latter may be more dangerous, if only because we are ill-prepared to be so impacted by those esteemed so highly as brethren. Yes, we are sometimes hurt more by those we love.

How may this happen? Without assuming a full understanding of such issues, the following scenario may be suggested. Members of the church are not always on the same spiritual page. Sometimes, our doctrinal and judgmental differences are pronounced. We may be growing at variant rates. Our level of tolerance and patience with those of lesser spiritual knowledge may be lacking substance. We may be reactive and fearful. Tradition may hold us in its grip. Our dream and vision for the work of God may vary significantly from that of others.  Personality conflicts may be significant.  Conflict resolution may not be our forte. Power struggles may surface openly. We may fail to work through our challenges. Instead of speaking softly, we may be carrying a big stick. We fail to consider the delicate spiritual state of other children of God. Things are said and done.  And it happens: We inadvertently break another’s spirit. Their dedication and faith is seriously damaged. They will likely, never be the same again. The marks left behind are indelible.

Brethren, each of us, from the least to the greatest, have a godly responsibility to nurture one another (Eph. 4:11-16). There will be times when either positive or negative discipline should be administered through proper channels. May we be blessed with a measure of wisdom which allows each of us to pursue the good and right while protecting rather than breaking the spirit of brethren of like precious faith. Our Lord will surely hold us accountable for the destruction of those left in our charge and care. May we protect their spirits as we protect our own. Surely this will glorify the Lord and His church and influence the world to reevaluate the body of Christ.

A slave by choice

Posted on by Bob Mathews

“Slavery” is such a bad word. We don’t like the word because we see slavery as degrading and an insult to human dignity. Indeed it is, but each of us is a slave. That’s not my opinion; it’s a fact stated by the Holy Spirit of God.

16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:16-23)

Even though we may not be physical slaves in service to a physical master, we’re slaves to whatever it is that is lord of our life. If your job is your lord, you are a slave to your job. If family if your lord, you are a slave to your family. If Jesus Christ is your Lord, you are, as Paul described, a slave to righteousness.

And that’s the paradox.

I am a slave, yet I am set free! How can this be? Because “Those things [that] result in death” are things that truly ensnare, but “if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed!” (John 8:36)

And the retirement plan is out of this world!

Good Companions

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Those with whom we share close and intimate relationships, our companions in this life, are important to each of us.  We share with them the heights of our joy and the depths of our sorrow.  With confidence we entrust them with intimate details of our on-going struggles of life.  They are permitted to see us when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable moments. We depend upon them to provide comfort and consolation when we fail ourselves or when others fail us.  They see us when we are hurt and when we are sorely disappointed in self as we hurt others. Simply put, they see us in the full bloom of imperfect humanity.  Accordingly, those whom we choose as companions, ones being given the innermost seat close to our minds and hearts, should surely be selected carefully.  The choices we make concerning our companions may invite either rich blessings or abundant trials.

The apostle Paul spoke well when he said, “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33, ASV).  He was wisely guided when he implored us not to be deceived about these matters.  Yes, there are some close associations that we establish in this life which are truly reprehensible as measured morally. We need to more wisely determine which associations are “evil” and which are good.  Whether we be young or old, the principle stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:33 applies to us individually and is an important factor in determining our way in life.  I trust that your life’s journey will be sweetened by companions who are worthy of the position they hold in your life.  May life’s blessings be multiplied as you are accompanied by good companions who meet the standards of the Lord.

A touching example of good companionship between friends is the intimate friendship between David, who eventually served as king of Israel, and Jonathan, the son of King Saul.  This valued relationship was established as Jonathan witnessed his father’s jealousy of David which led King Saul to seek the life of the young David.  He subsequently fled as Jonathan courageously warned him of the impending danger to his life.

A review of this friendship reveals a remarkable set of characteristics.  The record affirms that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David.  Spiritually, they were chained together as they both trusted in God and one another.  The great measure of Jonathan’s love for David is evident as he loved David as his own soul, allowing his home to become the home of David, and establishing a covenant between them.

Jonathan extended to David great honor, though Jonathan was the son of the reigning monarch.  Jonathan gave to David his personal clothing, thus symbolically surrendering the throne to David.  Though he was commanded to kill David, Jonathan never obeyed his father in this matter.  He refused to follow such an evil course because of his own personal upstanding character and because of the great delight that he experienced in his relationship with the young David. Rather than obey his wicked father, Jonathan betrayed his father’s plot to kill him. The companionship that existed between David and Jonathan is our example today.  May we so choose our friends and companions that we will be inclined to draw ever close to them in a productive, meaningful, and fulfilling relationship which evidences the righteousness of the Father in heaven.

A further review of the friendship between Jonathan and David is noteworthy.  Not only did Jonathan betray his father’s plot to kill David, he also encouraged David to hide from his father. Both in spirit and in action Jonathan was faithful to the good companionship existing between him and David, even to the extent that he would undermine King Saul’s wicked plans.  This is further evidenced as Jonathan promised to inform David of his private discussions with King Saul about him.

Jonathan not only worked directly with David on his behalf but he also sought to influence his father concerning David.  Jonathan courageously spoke well of David to the king, presenting David as innocent and as one who treated King Saul very well.  This stands in contrast to Jonathan’s description of his father’s actions as sinful and as one who acted without just cause toward David.  Jonathan’s influence was effective in assisting David and King Saul to restore their relationship. Though the good relationship between David and the king would not endure, Jonathan continued to hold David’s trust, as David fled to Jonathan to learn why Saul sought his life.  Jonathan’s love for his friend endured.  He viewed David graciously, pledging to do anything that David wanted, even to reveal his father’s true intent toward David under penalty of death.  He promised to send David away from his father and desired the Lord to be with him.  As they parted from one another, they kissed and wept.  Their friendship and companionship, marked with trust, loyalty, sacrifice, and commitment, endured through the challenges of life.  In response to the death of Jonathan, David said, “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.”  If only all our companionships were so tender and precious.

What about “scribal errors”?

Posted on by Bob Mathews

I don’t know what sort of opposition you face from skeptics on a daily basis; probably not much. Such opposition is certainly real though. You’ll hear about the numerous “contradictions” in the Bible. Among these alleged discrepancies are what believers tend to chalk up as “scribal errors” because they can’t seem to explain them any other way. The trouble is, if you believe the Bible can stand up to scrutiny (as I believe), and if you believe the Bible does not contradict itself (as I believe), then there are certain passages that just can’t be explained other than as “scribal errors”. They simply must be the result of an honest error committed by an overworked, honest, dedicated scribe who gave his life to copying scripture. Right?

The inerrancy of the Bible is something that not only should we accept on faith, but we can accept on faith that has adequate evidence in early manuscripts.

For example, compare 1 Kings 4:26 and 2 Chronicles 9:25, & 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5.

Surely you must have wondered about these “scribal errors”. Isn’t that just a cop-out by mind-numbed believers who can’t explain a true contradiction any other way?

In a word — no.

Scribal errors were a real eventuality of the early centuries of scripture. So why is this not a simple, easy way out for dedicated believers desperately wanting a logical explanation for what is truly a real contradiction?

The reality of scribal errors

picture of "The Anvil Rings" book coverFirst, let me state that I will not give a complete explanation here of scribal errors. That’s not a cop out; that’s a choice I made in order to keep blog posts to a reasonable size. I will though, direct you to an excellent reference by Eric Lyons of Apologetics Press. Eric has a 2-volume compendium of alleged Bible discrepancies titled “Anvil Rings: Answers to Alleged Bible Discrepancies“. This 2-volume set is a great addition to the library of those who believe the Bible to be 100% inspired and 100% without error, yet who may have difficulty resolving the meaning of certain passages that appear to be contradictory. (Scribal, or “copyists”, errors are among the topics Eric deals with in Volume 1.)

In Eric’s books, as well as in his articles, he does a masterful job of not only acknowledging the difficulty of certain passages, but also of explaining how things such as scribal errors occurred, given all the safeguards that were in place to prevent such errors.

A double standard?

Consider this (from Lyons, Vol 1, pg. 142):

Over 5,300 New Testament manuscripts are extant today, with the most complete dated at roughly A.D. 350, the earliest dating roughly A.D. 120, and writers quoting New Testament documents as early as A.D. 90.

There are only 643 copies of Homer’s Iliad manuscripts, undeniably the most famous book of ancient Greece.

No one doubts the authenticity of Julius Caesars Gallic Wars, but we have only 10 copies of it, the latest copy dating 1,000 years after the original was written.

So why does the world accept secular documents with very little assurance of no scribal error, but it makes excuses why the multiplicity of earlier documents is unreliable? Certainly the sheer number of manuscripts alone doesn’t prove anything, does it? No, but the fact that the 5,300 New Testament manuscripts are in remarkable (though not 100%) agreement with each other is certainly a point in the Bible’s favor.

Faith

Let’s be honest — if everything we believe could be proven by the scientific method, it wouldn’t be called “faith”. The inerrancy of the Bible though, is something that not only should we accept on faith, but we can accept on faith that has adequate evidence in early manuscripts.

Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

What do you think?

Are “scribal errors” things that believers invent in order to explain away a flimsy substance-weak faith? Or are they a reality of an early, pre-press culture that did the best it humanly could?

Will God always honor man’s repentance?

Posted on by Bob Mathews

30Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. 31He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him. (1 Kings 16:30-33)

20Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 21‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel-slave or free. 22I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.’ 23“And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ 24“Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country.”…27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. 28Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” (1 Kings 21:20-29)

Is your life so bad that you could compete with someone who “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of [the kings] before him”?

Have you ever felt like such a sinner, like you’ve made so many fall-on-your-face blunders that you’re beyond hope and God will never forgive you?

Ok, let me ask you this — is your life so bad that you could compete with someone who “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of [the kings] before him”? Unless your name is Jeffrey Dahmer, I’d be willing to bet your life can’t even come close to that of Ahab’s on the scale of “badness”. (Oh, and Jeffrey Dahmer? I fully expect to see him in heaven. If you want to learn about his conversion story, write me or add a comment below and I’ll tell you about it.)

Ahab doesn’t even come close to comparing with King David, but the way he reacted after hearing Elijah’s curse was reminiscent of David’s reaction after Nathan’s confrontation (2 Samuel 12:1-9). Make no mistake; this was real repentance. Ahab was not simply putting on a show to get Elijah to change his curse to a blessing.

So does this mean we can expect to see King Ahab in heaven? Sorry, not my call — nor yours.

Nor is it the point of this post.

The point is God noticed and God honored Ahab’s repentance. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He waited patiently for Ahab to repent. He waits patiently for you too, but He will not wait forever. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3), when neither you nor I expect it.

God is waiting; what are you waiting for?

Maranatha.

The Noticer

Posted on by Bob Mathews

That’s the title of a book I read several years ago. It’s actually a fairly short book, but with other things stealing my time, it took me a while to finish it.

…a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person’s life.

Part fiction, part nonfiction, it’s taken a good bit from the experiences of the author, who lost both parents as a teenager and was homeless — living beneath a pier. The Noticer is a man known simply as “Jones”. It’s not really correct to say Jones changed the author’s life. More correct would be to say Jones caused the author to change his outlook on everyday situations, and that’s what changed his life.

Here’s one of Jones’ tidbits:

“Here for you, young man, is a law of the universe—one of many, to be sure, but one that is especially applicable to your life at present. Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases.”

Jones explains:

“When you focus on the things you need, you’ll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don’t have, you will soon be concentrating on other things that you had forgotten you don’t have—and feel worse! If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose…But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person’s life.”

One way Jones causes us to think about interpersonal relationships is to explain the “four major dialects that we use to convey and feel loved.” Here are the four:

  • Spoken words of approval
  • Favors and deeds
  • Personal contact
  • Quality time

I’ll just pass those along without comment other than that we all feel loved in different ways. If we limit the way we convey love to only the way we most feel loved, we’ll fail much of the time.

This book is very biblical, but it’s not based on scripture; it’s based on experience. It’s a book that would be at home on any Christian’s bookshelf, but don’t let it spend too much time there; read it first, share it, and if you’re lucky enough to get it back, read it again. Then put it on your bookshelf!

The Noticer, © 2009 by Andy Andrews. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Video of the author’s interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts

Staying Motivated to Win Souls

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Being motivated to win souls in personal evangelism does not happen accidentally.  It occurs as a consequence of several factors which the Bible demands of children of God and is also the result of the heartfelt realization that there is an ongoing need for evangelistic activity.  I suggest we do the following ten things as we seek to develop and maintain motivation to win souls through evangelism.

  1. Love the Lord with all our heart and share our love. – Matt. 22:36-38
  2. Love our neighbor as our self and share our love. – Matt. 22:39-40
  3. Focus on the great spiritual danger confronting mankind. – Eph. 6:10-13
  4. Focus on the great number of lost souls. – Matt. 7:13-14; 20:16.
  5. Focus on mankind’s inability to save self. – Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 5:12-17.
  6. Focus on the few number of workers bringing in the harvest. – Matt. 9:37-38
  7. Focus on the limited opportunities we have to win souls. – Matt. 25:14-30
  8. Focus on the grace of God operating in our lives. – 1 Tim. 1:13; Eph. 3:2, 8.
  9. Focus on the Word’s power to change lives. – Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
  10. Focus on a positive, confident attitude. – Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8; Heb. 11:1.

Personal evangelism is necessary in every community if the church is going to continue to exist and have the opportunity of thriving numerically and spiritually.  We, as other congregations, face the inevitable aging process, the decease of older members, and other causes which may reduce membership from time to time.  Let us have renewed interest in personally being involved in evangelism.  As members of the church we have to do our part in this work, in fact, the Lord demands that we use our abilities and talents as opportunity permits.

Just because it seems like the world around us is walking farther away from God, we are not excused from doing our part to win over those souls. Saving souls really comes down to us having the desire to help those that are lost without God to find Him through His Son. If we truly care about more than our own salvation, we have to look at all people with the same loving value and desire for their salvation that God looks at all. He desires all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth! Do we caring that desire? God wants all. How many are we willing to reach out to on His behalf? We may be the answer from God for someone who is seeking the truth. Don’t let opportunities to assist in the saving of souls slip by.