Category: calling

Posted on

Wake Up!

Veiled in the cover of darkness and intent on pure evil, a lone masked gunman interrupted the lives of thousands in Aurora, Colorado.

The setting was a ‘late night movie’, the opening day for a blockbuster release featuring a popular, well loved super-hero…Batman.  Many across this nation joined in this event; at this same time, even in this same town.  But the movie theater known as Century 16 was marked as a target, and 71 individual lives were scarred and/or taken by a senseless, dark, act of evil.

Words fail as we try to wrap our mind around such a senseless tragedy.  TV anchors struggle to think of the right questions and ultimately fall back on, “We’re so sorry for your loss.”  But what else can we say?  Are there any words we can turn to for comfort and direction during these deprived times?  Pictures of weeping family members and friends have been seen holding onto loved ones.  Leaning on the neck of those who care and seeking compassion is what we desire in times of disaster.  We have seen images of friends giving comfort (and a shoulder) in the aftermath of such great pain.

But what about you; do you seek someone to lean on when you can’t stand on our own?   Without a clear understanding of this life we will cry out in pain, and light a candle in memory but then simply move on to tomorrow.  Is that where you are?  Is that what you want?  If you truly seek understanding, and if you honestly want to find peace and comfort…you can.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus as to how they could find comfort in a world of sin and darkness.  Ephesians 5:1-20 “Follow God’s example…there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them…everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Certainly you know the best time to sleep is during in the dark hours of the night.  Our bodies need to rest and regain strength spent during the ‘working hours’.  But perhaps too many of us are enjoying the night life and sleeping through the day; exchanging day light for darkness.  Look again at what Paul calls ‘partners of darkness’; *sexual immorality, *any kind of impurity, *greed, *obscenity, *foolish talk, *coarse joking, *an immoral person, *an impure person, *a greedy person.  Each of these characteristics belongs to those who do not have an ‘inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’

So if this description is me, if these characteristics look like my life, what do I need to do?  How can I find comfort from the darkness?  Paul’s words are pretty clear in verse 14 of Ephesians 5, “Wake up!”  There needs to be a change in our ‘sleeping pattern’.  We need to be making the most of each day, exposing what is evil and shining a light of godliness in a dark and dying world.  That is the ‘shoulder’ a hurting nation is searching for; Christ is the one who provides our strength and comfort.

In 1999 thirteen lives were lost in the tragic “Columbine High School Shooting”.  Incredibly less than 20 miles separated the tragic of Columbine and the loss at Century 16.  But in 1989, ten years before our country wept for Columbine, Ken Young penned a song that we need to learn and sing in our churches today.  With Ephesians 5 as his foundation, Ken wrote the following song of encouragement:

“My God has said His light will shine;
His light will shine in hearts of man.
The fruitless deeds of darkness past:
revealed by Christ with glorious hand.

Chorus:
Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. (repeat chorus)

The fruits of light His Spirit gives
are goodness, truth and righteousness.
A new day breaks and all is clear;
give thanks to God, in Jesus Christ.

Chorus:
Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. (repeat chorus)

God’s word is light!  Have you read what He has to tell you?  Let these inspired words from Paul to the church in Rome be a closing reminder of the need we have to ‘wake up’!  Romans 13:11-13… “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”

Posted on

Let’s Gather at the River!

When we read Revelation chapters 21 and 22, John is describing a vision of heaven as he spends his last days in exile on the island of Patmos.  From the beginning of this book to its close, we come to understand God’s desire for men to realize His promise of heaven and the assurance of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.  Actually, the first three chapters are Christ’s words as He details the future of seven churches in Asia (a lesson for each of us to take to heart).  But as we read the first verse of chapter 22, the description of heaven includes, “…a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Many have tried to capture the image of heaven; as they draw a picture of the pearly gates and streets of gold (Revelation 21:21).  But in 1864 Robert Lowry, sweltering in the summer heat of New York, began to imagine and visualize the ‘cool, crystal river flowing by the throne of God.’  His inspiration brought him to write this classic hymn that many still sing today.  Notice the message of heaven as he writes:

“Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod;
With it’s crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?”

This verse he penned comes as a question.  A call to those who sing as well as to those who hear, do you want to come to the river by God’s throne?  He continues with his encouragement as he writes about being with God in heaven.  The song continues…

“On the margin of the river, washing up it’s silver spray;
We will walk and worship ever all the happy, golden day.”

“Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver and provide a robe and crown.”

“Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace.”

As we read/sing this poem describing heaven we harken back to the chorus (the refrain) which in essence answers the question from verse one.  With a unified voice, the congregation responses, “Yes we’ll gather at the river!  The beautiful, the beautiful river.  Gather with saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.”  Next time you sing this song I hope you will think about and anticipation the excitement we have to look forward to in heaven.

But there is more to my motivation for writing about this song than just remembering an old hymn from Robert Lowry.  As I write this article more than 1000 Christians from across the country are converging in on Red River, New Mexico for the 26th Annual RRFE (Red River Family Encampment).  A week dedicated to Bible study, wonderful Bible-based lessons, worship, singing and fellowship in the cool, Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.  This year it is my honor to lead singing for the encampment as well as teach three classes on understanding and appreciating congregational singing.  If you live somewhat close to Red River, New Mexico you might want to come on down this year.  But certainly you’ll want to mark your calendar for next summer, June 22-26, for RRFE.

Heaven will be more than we can imagine.  Whether the streets are pure gold and the twelve gates are made of pearl, I don’t know.  But this I know…it will be more beautiful and more fantastic than you and I can picture.  Words fall short of describing the elegance and majesty we’ll see when we meet around God’s throne.  Red River isn’t heaven, but the joy of being with fellow Christians, and sharing in hours of singing and praise to God is perhaps as close as we’ll get to heaven here on earth.  So next year, I hope you’ll join us and let’s, “Gather with the saints at the river…”

Posted on

Not Guilty!

No doubt you have heard that on the last day of May, 2012, John Edwards, a former presidential candidate for our United States, was found not guilty!  All accusations of the misappropriation of funds, his inappropriate moral behavior, and his numerous ill-advised decisions and the jury said; “Not Guilty.”

But notice the words that came from his own mouth during his address to the media.  With the camera’s rolling and his parents standing behind him, John Edwards stated that he did nothing illegal, but ‘an awful lot’ wrong.  Sounds like he has gotten a grasp on the stand we take in American culture.  We may be wrong in what we are doing (have done), but at least it’s not illegal.  As long as we keep things ‘legal’ it doesn’t matter what we do morally.  That explains why mix marriages are being pushed in the court room.  That explains the desire to legalize marijuana and take things once consider ‘dark’ and inappropriate to a new level of acceptability.  (NOTE: To his credit, John Edwards did admit he had ‘sinned’ and it was his full responsibility…that would be right.)

When we see our failures and recognize our sin (as Edwards admitted)…we can rest assured and know that there is hope.  Unfortunately many will continue to grasp at self-promoting ideals and selfish objectives; in short, we’ll continue to do ‘an awful lot wrong’.  But after we recognize our failures and openly admit our sin, the next step is to turn (repeat) from that sinful behavior.  So how do we connect this timely news report with the theme, Singing with the Spirit?  Can we find anything Biblical (hymn-wise) that we can apply from this report?

Frances R. Havergal was born in the early 1800’s and wrote several hymns we currently sing today.  “I Gave My Life to Thee”, “Is It for Me?”, “True-Hearted, Whole-Hearted”, “Take My Life and Let it Be” and “Lord Speak to Me” just to name a few.  In 1870 Ms. Havergal wrote the hymn, “I Bring My Sins to Thee”.  When we recognize our faults, our sins, we need to know there is a next step.  Rather than trying to justify my actions and strive to prove myself not guilty, we should consider the first two verses of this hymn.  In my opinion, the second verse is very fitting as we consider a society that looks to make excuses.

1) “I bring my sins to Thee, the sins I cannot count, that all may cleansed be in Thy once opened fount: I bring them, Savior, all to Thee; the burden is too great for me…the burden is too great for me.  2) I bring my grief to Thee, The grief I cannot tell; No word shall needed be Thou knowest all so well; I bring the sorrow laid on me, O suffering Savior all to Thee..o suffering Savior all to Thee.”

It would be easy to make up some excuse and try to explain away my wrong actions.  But if I’m honest with myself, my sins are too much for me to cover up, to bear alone or to excuse away.  My only salvation is in Jesus Christ.  The question I must ask is will I bring my sins to Him?  If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll admit it…Guilty.  But thanks be to God there is no word that is needed, He knowest all so well.

Posted on

Are You Listening?

Remember those early years in your life when playing outside until dusk was a common occurrence?  Staying out and playing from early morning until late in the day was simply not a problem?  My mother would simply open the front door and yell out my name, “Myron, it’s time to come home!”  (By the way, only the fool hearty would ignore that call…)  It’s funny, but I was never so far from home that I didn’t hear my mother calling.  Unfortunately, many today not only have wander far away from home, they aren’t even listening for the call to come back home.  Let me suggest, the longer we stay out, the darker it will become.

For many, the idea of needing help indicates weakness and a lack of control.  We understand and believe in pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps, but without doubt all of us need help every now and again.  So perhaps the question really is, are we willing to admit we need some help?

Notice what Paul says in Romans 1:5, 6, “…Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”  When we obey the calling of Christ, we are joined into the family of God, we come into His fellowship.  Many say, they want to follow Christ and others take the steps to be His child and yet when we fall short of His glory (when we sin), He calls us back.  If we are listening to (reading) His word we hear His voice calling us home.  It’s like the old hymn…

“When my Savior calls I will answer,
When He calls for me, I will hear.
When my Savior calls I will answer,
I’ll be somewhere listen for my name.”

Give Him your life and stay close to His will.  We often leave the safety of His embrace because we want to ‘play outside’.  But when you hear the call to come in you’d better answer it.  Folks, it’s getting dark out, listen for your Savior’s voice and come home!