Trials

Burden of Loneliness

Posted on by Bob Mathews

When we are sad from being alone or when we long for home and family while absent from them, we thus experience first hand the burden of loneliness. The painful experience of loneliness may be the result of our continuing need to have social interaction with other human beings.  It may also be the consequence of our strong desire to be reunited with another whom we love so dearly, which may not be possible in the near future or in this life.  Though loneliness may be experienced as we have no one else with us, we may also be lonely in the midst of a large crowd because the emotional needs which have been addressed in specifically nurtured relationships may not be fulfilled in any other context.

In one sense, Jesus was alone in this world: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10).  Most certainly, Jesus was absent from His heavenly home and family (John 1:1-2, 14).  Question:  What does the biblical record affirm that Jesus did during the time when He was away from His heavenly home? What things did He do which would in some measure minimize or neutralize the burden of loneliness which He no doubt experienced during His earthly ministry?  Though we may not be able to fully address this question, we may observe several traits of Jesus which, if applied in our individual lives today as needed in connection with our personal hardships, may provide some means by which we may alleviate or lessen the burden of loneliness which we alone face in our everyday struggle to find peace and rest in the midst of pain and despair.  This article will hopefully present at least a partial answer to the above question and will provide some means by which the burdens of life may be eased.

We may observe that Jesus freely left home when responsibilities took Him away (Matt. 4:12-13, 17).  He was not compelled under personal duress to place Himself in a context which may produce loneliness as He was absent from the Father. Notably, Jesus demonstrated the course to follow while facing the prospect of loneliness.

  1. He busied Himself with His work rather than idling time away (Matt. 4:23; John 4:34-35).
  2. He drew close to new friends instead of allowing the absence of former associates to overcome Him (Matt. 4:18-22).
  3. He became emotionally bonded to those about Him rather than maintaining distant friendships (Matt. 9:36; John 11:33-36).
  4. He communed with righteous men while enduring a more distant fellowship with the Father (Matt. 17:1-3).
  5. He valued private time alone, providing for timely personal reflection, instead of being cut off from both past and future (Matt. 14:22-23).
  6. He maintained communication with His heavenly Father rather than totally breaking off old ties that bound Him closely to the Father (Matt. 11:25-26).
  7. He spoke openly of His relationship with His Father, thus sharing the joys of the relationship, instead of being excessively private (John 5:17-24).
  8. He looked joyfully to the future rather than dwelling excessively upon His separation from the Father (Matt. 19:27-29).
  9. He never lost sight of His point of origin instead of failing to draw upon His spiritual heritage (John 6:33-35,38; 8:42).
  10. He was ever aware that He would be reunited with His Father (Matt. 10:32; John 7:33), being separated from His Father but not alone (John 8:15-16; 8:28-29; 10:30).  May we possess the courage and the ability to follow the course of Jesus and thereby alleviate the anguish of spirit that engulfs us as we endure loneliness in this life.

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!

Consider the work of God

Posted on by Bob Mathews

13Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

I don’t have much to add to that; it pretty well says volumes all by itself. It does seem though, we have no problem with being joyful “in the day of prosperity”. Should we not with just as much ease accept that God has also “appointed” the “day of adversity”? Words of praise seem to flow freely when we’re happy and can see God’s hand in all the good in our life. When things aren’t going so well, God is still God and God is still good. Haven’t you ever learned and grown as a result of adversity?

We know that God does not tempt us (James 1:13), nor is he the cause of evil (Matthew 7:18), so look at adversity as a chance to fulfill the purpose for which you’re placed on earth — to bring glory to God. Consider it an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

It’s your choice.

A Fresh Perspective

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We are coming to the end of 2020 and it is truly difficult to even know what to say. It has been a difficult year around the world. Unfortunately, the ramifications of this year are likely to continue to plague us. It would be nice if we could just hit the reboot button and get a fresh start. However, our very existence on this Earth means that we will have to deal with the happenings on it. None of us can fully avoid it no matter how much we might like to. So why is it, that even with all the turmoil this year has brought, some still hold their heads up high unfazed by the struggles? That question may not be answered the same way by all but let me tell why Christians have the ability to do this year after year.

In the book of James, he states early in the first chapter, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2). To many this is an insane concept. Why would you ever be happy or joyful to undergo trials in life? First, think about what it says. The word “consider” in this verse has a awesome notion built into the root of the word that means ‘lead’ or ‘leadership.’ This means that James is telling us to lead our minds in this way. Simply put, it means we have to decide to have this type of attitude in our lives. God does not promise us that our lives will be easy, in fact, there is plenty said throughout Scripture that would prove otherwise. What we are asked to do is to have the right perspective in life. Bad times will come and go but we are told what these trials can bring IF we have the right perspective.

Continue looking at James picking back up at verse three, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let that endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4). What we can see is that these trials or struggles that we deal with has value. Think of exercising, you put your body through difficult training so that your body will be strengthened. Your muscles may hurt and be sore but slowly you will see the benefit of that labor. From a spiritual standpoint this is what James is getting at. With the right perspective the struggles or trials that come are way can make us stronger rather than tear us down. This can lead to us becoming complete (mature) Christians that can endure what this world throws at us.

Maybe now it is easier to understand why, even when life is tough or the world seems to be falling apart around us, those who believe in God can continue pushing forward with a positive outlook. If you need a little more insight look at what James 1:12 says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” We can push forward with joy because of what we look ahead to, what we have been promised.

I wish I could promise that life would get easier or better just because a digit changes on the calendar. What can be promised is that struggles and trials will always be a part of life. What perspective will you choose to view them through? If you want to walk through life with hope and joy ever before you then align yourself with God. If your really have a desire for 2021 to be an amazing year, then I suggest that your prepare your mind with a fresh perspective. One that will hopefully lead you back to God’s open arms. May this new year bring peace and joy to all, but especially to those of the faith.

Peer Pressure (Daniel 3)

Posted on by Bob Mathews

The probability is that in all of our lives at some point we have been pressured into deciding to do something. This is a common occurrence that can happen at any point in life. The question is what choice did you make? Now not all peer pressure is bad, at times it can simply be neutral or even good. Sometimes it can help us to grow as a person. The example I am thinking of is when your friends talk you into eating something you have never tried or going to a type of restaurant that you have never been to. No matter the decision you make on these kinds of peer pressures you are still in good standing. There is no tarnished reputation or worry about someone knowing what you have done.

However, it is true that when we think of peer pressure we generally think of it in a negative light. And in most cases, this is an unfortunate fact. So when these times of peer pressure arise do you make a decision based on what is easier for you now or what is better for you later?

Interestingly enough this is something dealt with throughout history and the Bible mentions such occasions and can help us reach a good decision. In the book of Daniel, Daniel has three specific men mentioned as being taken with him into Babylonian captivity Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men in their work in Babylon came to a time of extreme pressure. They had the choice to bow down and worship something other than God or be killed. These men chose what was better than what was easy at the time because they knew God was with them no matter the outcome. When you are a child of God you have the knowledge that God will always be on our side no matter what as long as we make our decisions based on what God would want us to do. If we chose what is better for later, rather than what is easy now we can be assured that God will stand by our side.                                                                                                                                          Jacob Saarloos

Making the Choice of God

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Choices are something that we are all faced with every day of our lives. Sometimes those choices are just simple everyday occurrences like what to eat for breakfast, but we do come across those choices that shape who we are from time to time. To see an example of this let’s look at Ahaz king of Judah and his son Hezekiah who was later king of Judah, which is recorded in the book of 2 Kings starting at chapter 16.

When Ahaz became king he was in the midst of a war with Israel and Syria. Ahaz had choices to make.

God wanted to help him and was ready to

if Ahaz would simply turn to Him. Ahaz chose to turn to man rather than God and sought the help of Assyria. Ahaz showed his character and how he wanted to find a way himself rather than to rely on God in his life. This may have worked in theory for Ahaz because Assyria did come to his aid and rid him of the problem of Israel and Syria. Unfortunately, because Assyria was brought into the land and paid for their assistance they became greedy and eventually turned on the land of Judah. Ahaz made his choice to rely on someone other than God and it brought despair to the people.

Hezekiah, on the other hand, chose to not only trust in the Lord but to cling to Him as well, and because of this, the Lord was with Hezekiah. You can see this because at a time when Hezekiah was ill he prayed to the Lord and the Lord swiftly answered through Isaiah and healed Hezekiah and also gave him 15 extra years to his life. Hezekiah’s choice of God was not only beneficial for him it also helped the people, because when Assyria came down upon them God struck down 185,000 of their men in one night.

Hezekiah chose God. Can we make that same choice in our lives when times are tough? When we get down or are struggling is God the one that we look to? We will all face choices at times that aren’t as simple or easy as choosing breakfast, but it will show our character. Are we going to be like Ahaz and chose man or like Hezekiah and chose God?

Jacob Saarloos

Romans 8:28 – #2

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 

I think the NLT has it more accurately translated:

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. 

See the difference? “Things,” much less “all things” are not always going to work themselves out, much less for my good.  The events and circumstances of life are under no moral obligation to benefit me. It can be a crap shoot at times. BUT, Romans 8:28 is God’s word about what HE is doing with the events and circumstances of human history at a given moment, especially as they bear upon the lives of His own in Jesus. Romans 8:28 is not about what is going on, but about what God has going on with what is going on. We cannot fathom the immensity of all the workings of God in time and space, which is the world in which we live. We could not grasp it were it tossed into our laps. It is infinitely beyond our comprehension. It is a God-thing. But the Lord tells us enough to trust Him in how He is managing it all for our good, including its ultimate outcome.

It is our nature to want to make sense of things. That is a repeated scene in the Psalms: If I am trying to serve and honor God, why do people hate me, why am I suffering and/or sick, why do bad things happen, etc? Add to that the fact that the ungodly often seem to have it better than I. What is the deal? How can this possibly be for my blessing? You see, we want to make sense of, to UNDERSTAND things that are happening. Here is a thought: instead of demanding to understand it all, why not STAND UNDER what I clearly do know: about God, Who He is, what He has already done, how He already has proven His love and faithfulness, so forth? (That, by the way, is how most of those Psalms conclude: with an affirmation of confident trust in the Lord and His unfailing kindness. Check it out in your reading.)

Just how well do I know God? How well acquainted am I with the Lord? And isn’t that the gist of David in Psalm 23: that He knew God so well from past experience that he would trust Him in the present and with the future?

This leads to another kind of question, a deeper one: just how well do I know God? Not know “about” God, but God Himself? Not just facts about God, or even Jesus. I can know facts about a person without ever really knowing that person, right? The important question is: How well acquainted am I with the Lord? If someone were to ask me how to really know God, how would I help them?

This is so important. Whether or not I ever know the whys and wherefores of life, I can know God in His Son Jesus. In Christ, we see and hear God on earth applying His control and power to life on a daily basis, in all walks of life, the good, bad, and the ugly. (That’s exactly what He was doing with the twelve, is it not?) If He did so then, will He not do so now? If He was in control then, will He not also be in control now? He was FOR us then, to the point of the cross – 8:31,32. Is He not FOR us now? He wants us to see and hear and feel and know Him. He was on earth for us not Himself. Consider that in how you look at you and Him. The better I know Him, the better I can trust Him to do what only God can do about the workings of life.

And isn’t that the gist of David in Psalm 23: that He knew God so well from past experience that he would trust Him in the present and with the future? A relationship like that does not happen in a vacuum. God had proven Himself to David over a lifetime. David had experienced God in a personal and intimate sense. So, though now in the dark valley,  David couldn’t forget that. It sustained Him in the presence of his enemies. It does the same for me.

Life will not always be my friend. I cannot really trust it.  But not so with the Lord! Is it not comforting to know that, when things have gone haywire, God has not gone anywhere! He is with me. Beyond that, He is over all that other stuff. God is not controlled by life. Earth does not run heaven! Heaven runs earth! That is why God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him. It is because He CAN!

What about the questions we ask when things are going badly?  Things can be just so very hard for us at times, right? Well, why not think about the questions we ask, and if they are the ones most helpful?

For example, we usually ask WHY, right? Why NOW, why THIS, why ME, why US? (By the way, I don’t see God striking people with lightning in the Biblical record when they cried out with their “whys.” He loves us far beyond our doubts and confusion. Never tell someone that they cannot ask God, “Why?” Sometimes we kick people when they already are down.)

But I will agree that WHY is not the most helpful thought for my heart when life seems to be imploding. Here is a thought: would it be more useful for me to ask the Lord HOW: as in how do You want me to respond to the circumstances I face? See the difference that can make? Another good question to ask could be WHAT: as in what do You want me to remember and/or see in this situation? Above these could be the question of WHO: Lord, how can I best acknowledge You and Your glory and Your faithfulness and Your control and Your kindness and Your love during this hard time in my life. I just want to know and see You, God, and trust Your perfect compassion and control above all that is happening.

Think about the questions which can hurt and help. Romans 8:28 lies within a context of suffering in the world but also of God’s supremacy and absolute sovereignty, to the point of superintending the outcome of it all – AND THAT FOR MY GOOD IN JESUS!

That will have to do until our next talk on it. Our intention is to help and not in any way to make things more difficult.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

peek

Romans 8:28

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

On numerous occasions, the Lord spoke of painful trials coming upon those who follow Him. Some of these sufferings would be intentional, others, incidental. Either way, they would hurt and, sometimes, perplex. Romans 8:28 is one of scripture’s most quoted texts about painful trials in life. In our current time of Covid 19 crisis and challenge, it is important to see what it means and how it can help.

By the millions, we are hurting, but our hurting did not originate with the current pandemic.

By the millions, we are hurting. Not all in the same ways, but still hurting. But our hurting did not originate with the current pandemic. Romans 8:28 is a word of PERSPECTIVE from God on it all. (How I look at a thing affects how I deal with it, right?) Now, it is a weighty thing to suppose oneself to wholly have the mind of God on a matter. Knowing that limitation, it is yet my hope that the following will do a little justice to what He is saying about life’s hardships and heartaches.

First, consider the CONTEXT of Romans 8:28. Context ALWAYS is critical in drawing out (exegeting) the meaning God poured into a thing. Biblical truths do not exist in a vacuum.  You may want to open your Book to this. The larger immediate context is 6:1-8:39. Its emphasis is upon the sanctified (holy) life of the believer as an outgrowth of being justified by faith in Christ Jesus. Since God in the holy Christ has, by His grace, made things right between the sinner and Himself, certain things should follow. Those things include a holy mindset shaped by the same cross which gives eternal life.

Now, in the latter part of that context, Paul speaks in chapter 8 of two areas of tension for the believer. One is the battle/tension on the INSIDE between the flesh and the Spirit, and how God has equipped us to win that thing. That is 8:1-16, more or less (Chapter 6 also speaks to it, as does Galatians 5). The other stressor mentioned by the apostle is that which emanates from the OUTSIDE: “the sufferings of this present time” – v. 18. We are not sure about precisely what he was talking with the Roman church, but you can be sure that they knew (or would soon know). Paul expounds upon how God has provided for us to win against whatever comes at us, painful though it may be. In 8:31-39, he celebrates that with an overflowing exuberance about how God has provided victory in any and all circumstances. (The preceding is more or less a drum roll to the consummation of the unstoppable redemptive purpose of God for all things. You do yourself a favor in reading it.) That is the context of 8:18-39, in which is nestled our 8:28:

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 

What are we to make of this? Well, first, what are we to make of 8:18-25: the immediate context of 8:28? At the least, we see that the world (creation) in which we live is a broken and suffering system. How else can v.20-22 be understood? The good news is that God has established a hopeful outcome for His once-perfect physical creation. (You can check it out. He did choose that word: hope! Maybe we should do more thinking on our ideas about II Peter 3, huh?) The creation, this world, was His, right? And still is, regardless of how broken it is, right? So, He still can do what He wants with it, right? (He already has willed to curse it, at the Fall account of early Genesis, right?) Well, it seems that He also wills (wants) to deliver it from its bondage and brokenness. At least, that is what He SAYS, right? (Yes, I know how some have sought to “explain” these words. But is it not possible that the Lord has it here that we might know and believe it? Hmmm.) You see, the events of the cross affected more than the sin of man. They triggered a cosmic shock wave that had far-reaching effects upon the outcome of the physical creation. That outcome now is a hopeful thing – v.20. And, more so, it includes hope for those in Jesus – vv. 24,25.

Because we live in a sin-broken and suffering world-system, it is inevitable that we will suffer. Bad things will happen simply because of where we are.

But our focus is the current state of things in our world, life as we know it. You know how we say it: “Stuff happens.” “Life happens.” So forth. Because we live in a sin-broken and suffering world-system, it is inevitable that we will suffer. Bad things will happen simply because of where we are. Things can turn south in a heartbeat. On the other hand, there is the grind: unrelenting chronic trials of those who virtually never know an easy day. All that because of where we are, not counting the fact that we are, at best, sinners worthy of no good from God. Don’t forget that. In Jesus, we have received good – and good news – from God. But that is by grace, right?

Now, here are some things which may help us with the grand truth of 8:28:

  1. It is best to know and love that truth BEFORE we need it. (Which is true of anything God says about anything, but our focus is this particular thing of suffering and perspective.) Mark it ahead of time, for your own sake.
  2. Remember that 8:28 is preceded by some assurances that God is moving His entire creation (believers included) toward an inevitable glorious outcome. That is 8:18f.
  3. Because of the immense pain of our trials, we may not even be able to articulate how we feel in prayer. Because of weakness, we don’t know what to say to God Himself. We try. We feel guilty in our failure to do so. But we are so hurting that we can’t even think right much less pray right. Well, the Lord also has help in that event. That help is the Holy Spirit. He will do our thinking and praying for us during times when we are shut down. Is that not wonderful? That is 8:26-27. Read it without dissecting it. And why all this? BECAUSE GOD INTENDS US TO MAKE IT! No matter how painful the situation, He has planned and provided for His own in the Son to persevere and win in the end.
  4. Due to the severity of my trial, there is something I may NOT KNOW: how to pray as I should (8:26 says that). But 8:28 points me to something beyond that: something which I CAN KNOW. Note the contrast: NOT KNOW and WE KNOW. I may be in such pain that I do not know how to pray. But I still can know how to think. I can know what I already knew: that I love and trust God regardless of how my plight unfolds. And because of that, I also KNOW that He will have the last word on the outcome of things for me, that the sufferings of THIS time are not worthy to be compared to the glory of THAT time! How can you beat that?
  5. Think on this, friend. It is no mere pep talk, no “Don’t worry, it will be fine.” Hogwash! My situation may never be “fine,” but God will be faithful in His plan for me, in and through and beyond all of it.

We will have to pick this up later, don’t you think? Maybe one of you can say it better.

Just keep this mind. Regardless (and I know this may sound elementary but it is so very critical), regardless of what Covid 19 has done or will do to you or yours, if you will trust the God of Romans 8:28, the score will be:  God 1  –  covid 19 O. You don’t have to understand all of it. Just trust it. There is more.

robert