William Ernest Henley suffered from tuberculosis since he was 12 years old. In 1875 at the age of 25, Henley wrote the poem Invictus (which is the Latin word for undefeated) from a hospital bed after having the lower half of his leg amputated. Invictus is a gut-wrenching oracle of his courage in facing pain, darkness and misery that culminates with these often-quote words: I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.
As inspiring as these words may be, they sadly represent one of the biggest lies ever told. No human being; no matter how rich and powerful, no matter how intelligent and thought provoking, no matter how brave and confident is ever the master of their fate or the captain of their soul. History doesn't record the spiritual condition of Henley when he finally died at age 53 but no amount of bravado could have prepared him for what he faced apart from knowing Jesus Christ.
As God's men, we have the confidence in knowing our eternal destiny is secure (Revelation 21:4). But we must guard ourselves against our human tendency to do things our own way and on our own terms. 1 John 2:24-25 provides us this rich and powerful promise: Let what you have heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you have heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise he made to us--eternal life.
Who can master their fate or captain their soul any better than that?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"I" Statements
Let's face it, most people's favorite topic of discussion is often themselves. No matter how a conversation unfolds, it invariably falls back to some sort of proclamation of self achievement. If we read a transcript of our daily dialogue, we would likely be embarrassed by the frequency and number of "I" statements. Fertile ground for selfishness and pride, isn't it?
During our current men's study as we were reading Micah 7:7-9, it struck me how different the "I" statements were in this passage: I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him. I shall look upon his vindication. Notice a pattern here?
The name Micah literally means, "Who is like God?" Micah knew that his people needed to be restored and the process would be difficult, but he also knew God was the best option. The "I" statements he makes would be wise ones for us as well. We need to turn to God rather than rely on our own abilities and strength. We need to recognize and wait on God's perfect timing. We need to run to the Lord for forgiveness from sin rather than run and hide in shame (didn't work too well for Adam in the Garden, did it?). We need to seek truth and light that only comes from Him. We need to remember that vindication from God, no matter how difficult it may be, is always well worth it.
When we make "I" statements like David did: I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:3), we put the focus away from ourselves and right where it belongs.
During our current men's study as we were reading Micah 7:7-9, it struck me how different the "I" statements were in this passage: I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him. I shall look upon his vindication. Notice a pattern here?
The name Micah literally means, "Who is like God?" Micah knew that his people needed to be restored and the process would be difficult, but he also knew God was the best option. The "I" statements he makes would be wise ones for us as well. We need to turn to God rather than rely on our own abilities and strength. We need to recognize and wait on God's perfect timing. We need to run to the Lord for forgiveness from sin rather than run and hide in shame (didn't work too well for Adam in the Garden, did it?). We need to seek truth and light that only comes from Him. We need to remember that vindication from God, no matter how difficult it may be, is always well worth it.
When we make "I" statements like David did: I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:3), we put the focus away from ourselves and right where it belongs.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Credit Where Credit is Due
Why is it that so many believers struggle to share their testimony? Often we may attribute it to ridicule or disinterest from non-believers. Maybe we feel our testimony doesn't have that exciting, made-for-TV movie feel that makes it a story worth telling. Or is it we don't even know where to begin?
In Psalm 124, David rejoices in the victory that God provided the people of Israel over the Philistines. A major victory indeed. And notice how he begins the Psalm by giving credit where credit is due: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side...(v.1). David knew without a doubt that God and God alone was responsible for their victory.
Now try personalizing this to your own testimony. Had it not been for the Lord, I ... We can all complete this sentence in a very unique and personal way in how God met our need--from saving us from our sin, from showing us unconditional love, from helping us forgive others, from rescuing us from addiction, from teaching us how to love and serve others. The list of responses is as infinite as His everlasting love, mercy and grace.
The first person who discipled me after I had accepted Christ as my Savior told me that the best way to share your testimony was to say, "The Lord has been good to me", in response to a comment from someone about anything good that happened in my life. And it's still great advice. A constant remembrance of the source of every blessing is a great way to stay on course in our spiritual walk. And a great way to share a great victory!
In Psalm 124, David rejoices in the victory that God provided the people of Israel over the Philistines. A major victory indeed. And notice how he begins the Psalm by giving credit where credit is due: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side...(v.1). David knew without a doubt that God and God alone was responsible for their victory.
Now try personalizing this to your own testimony. Had it not been for the Lord, I ... We can all complete this sentence in a very unique and personal way in how God met our need--from saving us from our sin, from showing us unconditional love, from helping us forgive others, from rescuing us from addiction, from teaching us how to love and serve others. The list of responses is as infinite as His everlasting love, mercy and grace.
The first person who discipled me after I had accepted Christ as my Savior told me that the best way to share your testimony was to say, "The Lord has been good to me", in response to a comment from someone about anything good that happened in my life. And it's still great advice. A constant remembrance of the source of every blessing is a great way to stay on course in our spiritual walk. And a great way to share a great victory!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The House of the Lord
One of the first praise songs I learned came straight from Psalm 122:1 where King David proclaimed: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." It is a catchy little song that powerfully underscores a desire of David--a man after God's heart. He knew how important the gathering of God's people was to his Heavenly Father. He knew the promise that Jesus later stated in Matthew 18:20--For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
There are many reasons why people don't go to church and most of them are pathetically lame. As God's men and spiritual leaders in our homes, we absolutely cannot allow ourselves to fall into the trap of letting church become an optional event. Don't think that reading your Bible and praying alone is enough to fight our enemy. I will be first one to tell you that the church is far from perfect. It is filled with incredibly flawed people just like me. There are times when its members do a poor job of representing Christ in thought, word and deed.
But I will also tell you that when I look around our service on Sunday morning, I see people who are my best friends in the whole world. I see people who love God and love others. I see people who worship because they are grateful for what God has done in their life. I see people who are hurting and broken from a sin-soaked world and are seeking comfort and peace. I see people who are right there with David and are glad to be in the house of the Lord.
Trust me, no matter where you are in life, no matter how many mistakes you've made, no matter what your past church experience has been, there is a place in God's church for you! Stop trying to fly solo. If you don't have a church, seek one that believes in the absolute truth of God's Word and proclaims the Gospel: that Jesus Christ is God's son who lived a perfect, sinless life and sacrificially died on the cross to pay our sin debt and that salvation is only possible through faith and trust in him. Jesus himself proclaimed that the church would stand forever against the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). What better place can you be?
There are many reasons why people don't go to church and most of them are pathetically lame. As God's men and spiritual leaders in our homes, we absolutely cannot allow ourselves to fall into the trap of letting church become an optional event. Don't think that reading your Bible and praying alone is enough to fight our enemy. I will be first one to tell you that the church is far from perfect. It is filled with incredibly flawed people just like me. There are times when its members do a poor job of representing Christ in thought, word and deed.
But I will also tell you that when I look around our service on Sunday morning, I see people who are my best friends in the whole world. I see people who love God and love others. I see people who worship because they are grateful for what God has done in their life. I see people who are hurting and broken from a sin-soaked world and are seeking comfort and peace. I see people who are right there with David and are glad to be in the house of the Lord.
Trust me, no matter where you are in life, no matter how many mistakes you've made, no matter what your past church experience has been, there is a place in God's church for you! Stop trying to fly solo. If you don't have a church, seek one that believes in the absolute truth of God's Word and proclaims the Gospel: that Jesus Christ is God's son who lived a perfect, sinless life and sacrificially died on the cross to pay our sin debt and that salvation is only possible through faith and trust in him. Jesus himself proclaimed that the church would stand forever against the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). What better place can you be?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A New Year's Resolution Worth Keeping
For many, the end of another year brings with it the dreaded New Year's resolution. Dreaded because it is often a reminder of some type of personal shortcoming. Dreaded because we know deep down we won't keep it. Dreaded because it reminds us of all the other resolutions we may have made and didn't keep.
I personally don't make New Year's resolutions, however I do have one for those who do that I believe is a resolution worth keeping. I believe in this so much that I've made it my one and only life goal. It is the foundation upon which I make decisions, evaluate priorities and engage in ministry. It is the first thing I revisit when things in my life seem out of whack. Here it is and it's found in Mark 12:30-31--And you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and all your soul and all your might and all your strength...you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Making the Great Commandment your life goal means that you will seek God like you've never sought him before. It means you will desire his presence above all else. It means you will hunger and thirst for his Word. It means you'll want to know him and learn more about him. It means your goals and priorities will realign with his. It means you will seek to serve others and meet their needs before your own. If you are as husband, it means you will put your wife first and love her like Christ loved the church. If you are a father, it means you will put your children next and love them like God loves you and teach them like He teaches you.
These verses are referred to as the Great Commandment as they were Jesus' response to the Pharisees when they asked him what was the greatest commandment of God. Our Savior obliterated hundreds of laws and vain traditions with one simple, yet powerful, commandment. Since Jesus himself called this the greatest commandment, what else in life should take priority over being great at the Great Commandment? Now that's a resolution worth keeping!
I personally don't make New Year's resolutions, however I do have one for those who do that I believe is a resolution worth keeping. I believe in this so much that I've made it my one and only life goal. It is the foundation upon which I make decisions, evaluate priorities and engage in ministry. It is the first thing I revisit when things in my life seem out of whack. Here it is and it's found in Mark 12:30-31--And you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and all your soul and all your might and all your strength...you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Making the Great Commandment your life goal means that you will seek God like you've never sought him before. It means you will desire his presence above all else. It means you will hunger and thirst for his Word. It means you'll want to know him and learn more about him. It means your goals and priorities will realign with his. It means you will seek to serve others and meet their needs before your own. If you are as husband, it means you will put your wife first and love her like Christ loved the church. If you are a father, it means you will put your children next and love them like God loves you and teach them like He teaches you.
These verses are referred to as the Great Commandment as they were Jesus' response to the Pharisees when they asked him what was the greatest commandment of God. Our Savior obliterated hundreds of laws and vain traditions with one simple, yet powerful, commandment. Since Jesus himself called this the greatest commandment, what else in life should take priority over being great at the Great Commandment? Now that's a resolution worth keeping!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Abba Father
One of the absolute joys of my life is when my daughter Amanda calls me "Daddy". Often she'll come running across the room and give me a big hug and say, "I love you, Daddy!" Other times, she'll say, "Look what I made, Daddy" or "Will you play with me, Daddy?" The word Daddy brings with it a special and unique bond that goes light years beyond being just a biological father. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to say no when Amanda's request is followed by that wonderful term of endearment.
In Scripture, the word Abba carries the same meaning as Daddy; even Arabic children use the word Abba instead of Daddy. Now see the privilege we have as God's men that is found in Galatians 4:6-- And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. crying, "Abba! Father!" The previous verse confirms that we have been adopted into God's family through Christ's redemption of our sins on the cross. In the model prayer that Jesus gave his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13), he instructed them to address God as Our Father--the same Greek word for Abba.
Some of us have a less than ideal relationship with our earthly fathers; even to the point where it may be difficult to understand the notion of Abba Father. We must recognize that our Heavenly Father is the definition of love (1 John 4:8) and his perfect love casts out fear (v.18). We must remember that a relationship with us was so important that He allowed Jesus to suffer and die for our sins. He is never too busy, never too preoccupied, never unapproachable and never too tired to spend time with his children. Being disowned or abandoned is never possible with Abba Father.
I find it extremely comforting that the One who spoke the universe into existence and who is the Alpha and the Omega is my Daddy. And you should too!
In Scripture, the word Abba carries the same meaning as Daddy; even Arabic children use the word Abba instead of Daddy. Now see the privilege we have as God's men that is found in Galatians 4:6-- And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. crying, "Abba! Father!" The previous verse confirms that we have been adopted into God's family through Christ's redemption of our sins on the cross. In the model prayer that Jesus gave his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13), he instructed them to address God as Our Father--the same Greek word for Abba.
Some of us have a less than ideal relationship with our earthly fathers; even to the point where it may be difficult to understand the notion of Abba Father. We must recognize that our Heavenly Father is the definition of love (1 John 4:8) and his perfect love casts out fear (v.18). We must remember that a relationship with us was so important that He allowed Jesus to suffer and die for our sins. He is never too busy, never too preoccupied, never unapproachable and never too tired to spend time with his children. Being disowned or abandoned is never possible with Abba Father.
I find it extremely comforting that the One who spoke the universe into existence and who is the Alpha and the Omega is my Daddy. And you should too!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
No Room at the Inn
One of our family traditions on Christmas day is reading the story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2. The angel of the Lord appearing before the shepherds announcing the arrival of the Messiah (v. 8-12) and the multitude of angels praising God and declaring peace to believers (v. 13-14) are a few of the glorious events recorded here. Yet we also find this somewhat sobering truth from verse 7: Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn.
Nearly two thousand years later, as the celebration of our Savior's birth get pushed further and further into a sea of other holidays under the guise of political correctness, we must ask ourselves--is there still no room at the inn? Sure, we can adopt a pharisee-like attitude and look down at those who would water down Christmas by saying "Happy Holidays" while we are pushing and shoving our way through the malls and stores trying to get just one more last-minute bargain. Amidst all of the activities and social events that revolve around Christmas day, do we ever take time to pause and reflect on the miracle that happened in Bethlehem that made these events possible?
Trust me, I'm not advocating a Grinch-like approach to Christmas. I love everything about Christmas: the special church services, the lights, the decorations, the carols, the joy and excitement in children's (and adult) faces as they open gifts, the celebrations. But what I love the most about Christmas is still that old story in Luke 2--the story that reminds us that for unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (v.11).
As we enjoy what is truly the most wonderful time of the year, let us not forget the miracle of Immanuel. The Wonderful Counselor. The Almighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace. And as we continue into the start of a new year, let us make sure our hearts are open to Him and that there is room at the inn.
Nearly two thousand years later, as the celebration of our Savior's birth get pushed further and further into a sea of other holidays under the guise of political correctness, we must ask ourselves--is there still no room at the inn? Sure, we can adopt a pharisee-like attitude and look down at those who would water down Christmas by saying "Happy Holidays" while we are pushing and shoving our way through the malls and stores trying to get just one more last-minute bargain. Amidst all of the activities and social events that revolve around Christmas day, do we ever take time to pause and reflect on the miracle that happened in Bethlehem that made these events possible?
Trust me, I'm not advocating a Grinch-like approach to Christmas. I love everything about Christmas: the special church services, the lights, the decorations, the carols, the joy and excitement in children's (and adult) faces as they open gifts, the celebrations. But what I love the most about Christmas is still that old story in Luke 2--the story that reminds us that for unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (v.11).
As we enjoy what is truly the most wonderful time of the year, let us not forget the miracle of Immanuel. The Wonderful Counselor. The Almighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace. And as we continue into the start of a new year, let us make sure our hearts are open to Him and that there is room at the inn.
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