The Pure Shall See

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” —Matthew 5:8

I am sipping from my devotional Styrofoam coffee cup. Last year for Christmas, my church staff gave me disposable coffee cups labeled with inspirational sayings. Today, the devotional saying reads, “Since the things of God are ‘spiritually discerned.’ A proper understanding of scripture is often more the result of an individual’s spiritual condition than his or her intellectual ability.” Although I cannot locate the exact source of the quote, it appears to relate directly to 1 Corinthians 2:14. “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Many persons mistakenly believe that understanding the Bible and spiritual truth is related to intelligence and education, but often the opposite is true. Please, don’t get me wrong. After 26 years of schooling and three degrees, you can be certain I am completely for higher education. But persons acquire spiritual truth by revelation rather than by education. We can understand all the original languages of the Bible, but if our heart is not right, we will not be able to hear a Word from God.

When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus replied that Simon was blessed because the Heavenly Father had revealed this to Peter. At another place, Jesus commented on the way God the Father gives spiritual insight. “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children’” (Matthew 11:25). God reveals Himself and The Truth, Jesus Christ, to those whose hearts are pure.

Fall is the season when young persons go off to college or begin a career in the workforce or military service. Parents and the church family often lament that young people lose their faith as they go off to college and career. Many times we blame the Survey of Religion Class or that “liberal teacher” as the cause for their loss of faith. Losing one’s faith may be directly related to willful disobedience in drug experimentation, sexual exploration, or walking away from God’s ways in disobedience. Spiritual receptivity and faith have more to do with heart purity and an individual walking obediently in the light they already have.

If you are having moments of doubt, or trouble understanding God’s Word, check your obedience level. Are you justifying some sinful behavior in your life? Is there a secret sin you are trying to keep hidden? “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Truthfully, we all have our “stuff.” We have all fallen from God’s intended purpose for our lives. We have all sinned. But, as we call upon the Lord in sincerity, out of a pure heart, God will restore us to a right relationship with Himself and reveal His Son, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, to us. God still answers the prayer of the old hymn written by Clara Scott, “Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.”

A God Revolution

“I have not come to abolish them [the Law or the Prophets] but to fulfill them.” —Matthew 5:17b

During difficult economic times we often hear stories about the good old days. I have many treasured memories from my childhood but never thought of them as the good old days. My childhood would be better described as a time of innocence, or at least ignorance. I didn’t know how poor we were. My dad worked for a brick plant that was owned by the local clay mining company in St. Charles, PA. We did have an indoor toilet, but we bathed in a galvanized tub in the basement. Didn’t everyone? A special treat was when Dad would take my older brother and me to work and give us a shower in the company locker room.

When Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry at age 30, He proclaimed, “The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near” (Mark 1:15). Jesus began a God revolution. I am not referring to a rebellion, but a revolution. The original meaning of the word revolution is “the movement around something, one complete turn.” The earth makes one revolution around the sun every year. The moon makes a complete turn around the earth every month. Jesus came to bring the world one complete turn back to God’s original purpose in creation.

When we think of revolutions, we think of countries or peoples rebelling against the current government. They may be wishing to return to former better times, “the good old days,” but they seldom seek to return to God’s intended purpose. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. Jesus did not come to throw off the rule of God but to re-establish it. Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect human life, died, and rose again to reconcile fallen humanity to an intimate relationship with God.

Spiritually speaking, if we are to return to the good old days, we must go back farther than good memories from our childhood or a boom period for the church in the 1950s or 70s. We must return to the good old days of God’s intent for creation in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had intimate fellowship with God and a carefree enjoyment of the natural world—no pollution, no recession, and no terrorism.

The New Testament describes a future where the blessings of God’s original creation are restored. The similarities between the opening chapters of the Bible and the last two chapters, Revelations 21-22 are amazing. The environment is described as a paradise. The river of God waters the land. The Tree of Life is available with an abundance of fruit to eat. God and human beings have close communion. Revelation 21:3 says, “Now the dwelling of God is with men … God himself will be with them and be their God.” Genesis describes streams watering the land and God walking with man and wife in the garden (Gen. 2:6, 3:8).

The God Revolution that Jesus brings makes it possible for you, me, and the entire world to make one complete turn back to God’s intended perfect world. Jesus Christ invites you and me to see, enter, and receive His Kingdom. Brian McClaren writes, “To see it, we need to repent and acknowledge how blind we have been, becoming teachable and ‘young’ again, like children. To enter it, we need to become a part of it, and to receive it, we let it become a part of us.”

Think about the best good old days you can remember. Wouldn’t returning to God and God’s good and perfect plan for your life be a thousand times better than anything you can imagine? Turn to God, receive His love and forgiveness. Start a God revolution in your life.

Heroes Run to Trouble

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”—John 15:13

We had planned a church picnic for a Sunday afternoon at the Quemahoning Reservoir. As I prepared for morning worship, it was storming: hard rain, lightning, and thunder. I prayed for guidance concerning what to do about the church picnic. At around 7:30 AM, the weather channel was forecasting storms all day. Then a news flash reported the stage at the Indiana State Fair collapsed due to high winds and storms. Several were killed and many injured. Having prayed for guidance, I looked toward heaven and said, “Okay, Lord, I get it.” Immediately, I decided to move the picnic to the church fellowship hall. Of course, between services, the skies cleared, and it did not rain again until Sunday night after everything was over.

Updates on the Indiana State fair disaster told amazing accounts of heroism. As soon as the stage fell, instead of running away, Hoosiers went running into the debris to help. Their quick heroic efforts saved many out of the catastrophe. Heroes run into trouble. This past week as we remembered the 911 terrorism attacks, I observed similar reports from the Pentagon attack. As soon as they saw the flames and smoke, retired, active, and former military personnel went running into the fire rather than away. They guided and carried many to safety.

I continue to be proud to be an American. As we remember the 911 attacks, we are reminded of the many acts of sacrifice and bravery. Unlike the terrorists and suicide bombers who kill innocent victims and even their own people, American heroes run into trouble to benefit others without regard for their own well-being. The heroic firemen climbed the stair towers as fast as they could toward an unknown fate. The collapsing towers took their lives as they gave aid to others. The heroic passengers on Flight 93, charged the cockpit and saved the Capitol and many lives as they gave theirs. Yes, heroes run to trouble.

We sing in the national anthem, “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” As Americans, we have our share of faults, but we have lots to be proud about. When tyranny oppresses and evil attacks, American missionaries and American soldiers choose to run into trouble giving aid and support. Trouble seems to bring out the worst and best in us. The worst is that we depend so much on our superior military might that we think we are invincible and can cure every ill with power. The best is that Americans will sacrificially run to trouble rather than selfishly away from trouble.

I believe, as an American Christian, that America has benefited from living in a culture influenced by the sacrificial example of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. As He prepared to give His life on the Cross for the sins of the whole world, Jesus told His disciples to love one another as He loved them. He goes on to say, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). When the Church and when Christians get it right, we are seen as those who run to trouble. Troubled individuals, troubled homes, troubled cities, and troubled peoples around the world attract Christians like moths to a flame. Jesus has given us the example of sacrificial service.

More than an example, Jesus promises His power and presence. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:16, 20). Do you want to be counted for Jesus sake? Do you want to leave your mark in this world? Then be a hero for Jesus. Run into trouble. The Lord will meet you and use you there.

Waiting for What?

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”—John 6:44

When we lived in Kentucky, my wife went to an elderly chiropractor for regular adjustments. One day, the doctor gave me a round disc of wood about the size of a 50-cent piece with the letters “TU IT” printed on it. When it took me a little too long to figure out the meaning, the chiropractor interjected, “You know how folks say they’ll do this or that when they get around to it. Well, now you have one.” I wish getting started on some important project or positive change in our lives was that simple. I would begin giving “round TU ITs” to everyone.

But honestly, think about it. Why does is take so long to make a decision to begin doing something that we want or need. Why do we hesitate beginning a deed that would benefit our life or another’s? The obvious answers might be we are either too lazy or too busy, but I believe there is an underlying spiritual issue. Being born into original sin, we are unable to transform ourselves without divine intervention. We need a divine catalyst or instigator to begin the process into new life. The Bible calls this beginning the “New Birth” or “being born again” (John 3).

An instigator is defined as someone or something that starts a process in motion, or in some minds, stirs up trouble. In order to begin a new life, we must become disgusted enough with the old ways in order to embrace the new. In a Christian understanding, we must become sick enough of sin in order to accept God’s invitation to salvation and new plan for our lives. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). I have heard persons describe this drawing process as a growing dissatisfaction with their worldly life and an attraction to God’s future. People will say things like, “I was just sick and tired of the way I was living. There had to be a better way.” “My life seemed fine until I realized how messed up it was, but it was all I knew.”

The Bible uses a special word to describe turning from a sinful, harmful way of life to living according to God’s plan. “Metanoia,” translated “repentance” means to change your mind. More specifically, metanoia means to be sick enough of sin to turn from sin to God. The scripture says that because Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we can turn to God and be accepted. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

The Holy Spirit serves as God’s great instigator. Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit comes, “He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). On the surface, it seems to me that convicting the world of sin means to make people realize they are lost, bad, and need God’s help. The conviction of righteousness stirs our desire to walk in God’s way. The Holy Spirit causes us to want this change in the present that we will make a leap of faith and call upon the Lord, Jesus.

So what are we waiting for? God has nearly done it all. God has taken 99 steps on the 100-step journey to reconciling us to Himself, but He waits for and invites us to take the last step. If God has shown you the way to walk, ask God for strength to obey and go for it. Why are you waiting to take that final step to faith? If you need a round “TU IT,” call me. I’ll send you one.

Routine Surprises

“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times … and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.”  —2 Kings 5:14

Growing up on a gentleman’s farm, we performed chores morning and evening. We moved onto the farm during Christmas vacation of my first grade year, but I don’t remember how young I was when I began making early morning trips to the barn. We milked two Guernsey cows by hand every morning before school and every evening after supper. Counting twice a day for at least ten years and adding 4 more for leap years meant we milked those cows 7304 times.

Although we often tire of menial chores, God must love routine and repetition. He commanded the priests and Levites to offer two one-year-old lambs every day, one in the morning and the other at twilight, for over 1500 years until Christ came. (Ex. 29:38) He fed the Israelites manna every day for forty years. How often does God expect us to pray: every day, every meal, or every moment?  The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing.” God never tires of hearing our prayers.

This past week, I had the privilege of helping with Vacation Bible School. In the closing on Wednesday night, I reviewed the lesson on faith. After learning about Nicodemus, the children learned the A-B-C method of becoming a Christian: A—admit you are a sinner, B—Believe Jesus is God’s Son and died for your sins, and C—Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The accompanying teaching material described “Admit” as when the time is right and God shows you that you are a sinner. It hit me, no matter how many VBSs you attend or how many times you hear the Good News of Jesus, God the Father must do a work of grace in your heart before you can believe.

So many stories in the Bible speak of doing things over and over until one time something happens that changes everything. Have you ever sought a great message from the Lord only to find the simplest command? Have you done a small deed repeatedly hundreds of times but suddenly this time it’s different. Ordinary acts of obedience done faithfully under the power of the Holy Spirit over time will accomplish much for eternity. The miracle may not happen the first, second, sixth, or six hundredth time, but at God’s perfect time, God acts.

Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram was a leper who went to Elisha the prophet to seek cleansing. Elisha refused to meet with him; but instead, instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Reluctantly, Naaman washed but was not healed until the seventh time. The scriptures urges us, “Let us not become wearing in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

How many of you are bored to tears over some faithful act of obedience you do regularly? You have not received a fresh insight from God’s Word for months, perhaps years. You have not had a prayer answered for the longest time, maybe forever. Do not give up. Do not grow weary. Continue to walk in obedience and faith. God will show up when you least expect Him. God will act at the just the right time. With faithful routine, comes the surprise of the Holy Spirit. Keep on keeping on for the Lord. Lift your eyes in faith. God may surprise you, and it may be soon.

Heroic Spirits

Then he had another dream … “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”  —Genesis 37:9

Often I feel like a superhero. Not that I wear a cape or can leap tall buildings, but I am called upon to appear and take out of the ordinary actions. A shut-in or a person with a terminal illness is taken to the hospital, and I make an immediate visit. I comfort, read scripture, anoint with oil and pray. Then I jump back into my car and rush off to the next emergency. On each occasion, some dedicated person: a child, a parent, or a spouse, has been giving faithful care day in day out.

Doctors, nurses, and pastors are often treated with the awe of superheroes. When the emergency comes, we call the specialist or expert—the superhero. We have become a culture looking to the superlative, the extreme, the biggest and greatest. At times, God gives us dreams, visions, and mountaintop experiences, but we are always called to walk in the routine, sometimes drudgery, with faithfulness.

Many Christians, influenced by our culture, (maybe it’s simply the human flaw) approach spiritual disciplines in the same way. Instead of practicing regular, continual prayers, we wait until a crisis comes and cry out with urgency. Rather than making Bible reading and worship a regular and faithful means to draw near to God, we crave ecstatic worship experiences with just the right music and that special preacher. We long for mountaintop experiences, but human beings are really made for walking faithfully in the valleys.

When it comes to giving, we still think heroically. I frequently hear persons say, “If I win the lottery, I’ll pay for a new youth center or I’ll fund this or that new outreach ministry.”  Or “When my ship comes in, I’ll do something great for the Lord.” No you won’t! Jesus said, “If we are faithful in little, we will be faithful in much.” Faithful stewardship as well as every other spiritual discipline works best when practiced with consistency, faithfulness, and dedication.

The truly great among us become heroic through faithful service. Philippians 2:7-8 teaches us that Jesus took on the nature of a servant, humbled himself, and became obedient to death. After this humble service, God exalted Jesus and gave Him a name above every name (2:9-11). Jesus became heroic by faithfully surrendering and serving.

Genesis chapter 37 describes the great aspirations and dreams of Joseph. He had a dream that he would become greater than his eleven brothers. He had a second dream that even his mother and father would bow. God’s vision for Joseph came to pass years later as his entire family came to Egypt to buy food from him during the famine. But the dream only became a reality after Joseph had spent 13 years learning faithfulness and obedience as a slave and a prisoner.

Dream big! Catch a glimpse of the future God has for you, your family, and your church family, but allow God to bring that vision to pass as you pray, serve, and give regularly and faithfully. The real Superman has already come, and he’s not you or me. Jesus is human nature in perfection. He desires to live in your heart and life. He can and will remake you after His image. Surrender your life to Him and walk faithfully and obediently into God’s perfect future for you.

New Beginnings

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”—2 Corinthians 5:17

Early in my Christian journey, I met a family who, after returning from a mission trip, promptly sold the family farm and enrolled in Bible College. Following graduation, they moved to Africa to give their lives in missionary service. I have always been impressed by individuals who give up everything in order to follow Jesus’ radical call to discipleship. In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a merchant who found a pearl of great value and “went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:46). In another place, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

Over the past six years in Johnstown, I have observed the courage, tenacity, and faith of many persons who made completely new beginnings. One man left a career in purchasing to return to school and enter the medical field. Last week, I attended a farewell dinner for a gentleman who left the accounting field, returned to school to get a second bachelor degree in worship leading, and entered into fulltime Christian ministry. I know a single mother who left the medical field, returned to school, and began her own business. People are still stepping out in faith and trusting God to do a new work in and through their lives.

These amazing real life stories remind me of the miraculous new beginnings that God desires to work in all of us. God calls persons to allow the Holy Spirit to make a new creation of our lives. We have all failed. Each of us has a past: sins, mistakes, and even a label. As we call upon the Lord Jesus to forgive our sins, we walk into a new life. “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). A new creation isn’t merely a remake of the old person, but something completely new, something never known before. God is still in the creating business.

If we can dream a new future under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish it; or rather, God can accomplish it in and through us. The scriptures tell us that God is at work in us both to will and to do God’s good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). God is still giving fresh dreams and working new plans. We need to cry out the Lord, see God’s new future for us, and walk obediently with faith in the footsteps God sets before us, even if those around us don’t believe in us or give us another chance. God knows His good plans for us for a hope and a future.

In a depressed economy, it is easy to lose hope. When a strained relationship continues to sour, it is easy to quit praying and trying. But most of all, when we have had doors repeatedly closed on our faces or we have been sick for years, our spirits begin to sag. In those times, it is hard to hear the voice of God say, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). I urge you, lift up your heads. Open your eyes. God’s still creating. God is giving fresh dreams. God has a new beginning just for you. See it, receive it, claim it, and live it.