Be Anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7 (NASB)
There is a Chinese curse that goes, “May you live in interesting times.” We do live in interesting times and the way our world is today, it does rather seem like the earth and even the nations are under some kind of curse. Nations threaten nations, armies and navies deploy, armed terrorists foment shock and panic and on the smaller level neighbors bicker, bosses yell and families feud. Perhaps the greatest difference between our modern day and Paul’s is with our technology and instant communications anxiety just gets here faster and more often. We are bombarded on every side by television, magazines, radio, telephone calls, billboards; people knocking on the door and…well you get the picture.
Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Anything? Where does he get the authority to say such a thing? He was quick to remind those who followed Christ that he did not receive a gospel preached by men but he received his knowledge through a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself (Galatians 1:11, 12). Paul’s writing here gives us the key to the locked door of peace and to a place of rest. He tells us to be at ease and to pray. Most of us see praying as only a way of getting something from God. He sees it as communion with His heart. When we pray it is always relational. Sometimes I will pray a psalm. I will read a few verses then pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise through the beautiful words of David’s worship and interact with Him spirit to Spirit. When I don’t know how to pray specifically I rest in the fact that the Holy Spirit always prays for the saints of God interceding for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26, 27).
How do we get to a place of trust where anxiety is lessened? Just like any talent it never happens without practice. People don’t just get up one morning and decide to play the piano like a Strauss or Chopin. If one is gifted it takes time to develop that gift into something that is breathtaking. Roam through the Psalms and meditate upon their truths. You will meet the Messiah there. Walk with Him every day through the Word of God. You will begin to take His truth to heart and come to believe the greatest rest lies in that truth. We may live in interesting times but we have a God who is a lot more than just interesting. He can take care of things. He can take care of that thing that is weighing on you right now. Don’t be anxious for anything? ‘Anything’ leaves no room for fudging. It is possible to come to a place where we can be anxious for nothing. When we do the peace of God which is beyond anything we can imagine will guard our hearts and minds in His Son, Christ Jesus.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Settling for the Slush
The Thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10 (New American Standard Bible)
I grew up in a city outside of Los Angeles. The L.A. Basin seldom gets snow and if areas do it is usually just a very light dusting. When I was a child during the winter if my family wanted to play in the snow we had to drive a couple of hours into the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Along Hwy. 38 around the 7000 foot elevation there would usually be plenty of snow to play in after a major Pacific storm had moved through the Southland. It was always a treat for us southern California kids to get to see, touch and play in the white stuff.
I do recall during the first years dad would drive my mom, my brother and I up to the mountains that as soon as I would see the first patches of dirty, slushy snow along the highway I would beg dad to stop so I could play in the stuff. Every time mom and dad would patiently assure me, “There’s more snow up higher and it’s cleaner and deeper. Those patches by the road are dirty and there’s not enough to really enjoy.” After a few winters of that I learned to ignore the sporadic snow with its dirt, slush and pine needles and look forward to getting higher into the mountains where some snow drifts would be up to my waist. My brother, Gary, and I would launch ourselves into it and play till our hands and feet ached from the cold. It was great fun.
I had been willing to settle for the slush and if someone hadn’t been along with me who knew better I would have came home with visions of dirty snow, mud and mire as having been a real romp in the snow. I find there is a parallel to my walk with Christ in that story. That old thief Satan loves to try and steal my security and satisfaction in Christ and to see me be satisfied with sparse and slushy temporary things. And how often does Christ have unspoiled and deep experiences for me to dive into and I am only willing to settle for dirty and slushy snow. The riches of Christ are so deep and vast that if we really recognized what was up the road higher we would be astounded and would hold the first experiences as lackluster and without any real positive appeal or value. Snow yes, but certainly nothing to bring lasting satisfaction. Patience is the key. As I was little at the time I did not understand what was up the road at a higher and better place. But I learned. Jesus desires for us to reprioritize our main concerns of earth’s temporary things and not be content with just slush. He has so much more for us and truly delights in our squeals of excitement and as we finally dive into His deep and limitless riches by abiding in His root. What a treat ignoring the slush and patiently heading upward to where what He has for us lies in limitless pristine drifts. How He loves to pour out His blessings upon those who love Him and as we patiently head up the highway of life deeper blessings are waiting for us past the mud and slush of temporary things. I want to head up the road. C’mon, let’s go play in the snow.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
I grew up in a city outside of Los Angeles. The L.A. Basin seldom gets snow and if areas do it is usually just a very light dusting. When I was a child during the winter if my family wanted to play in the snow we had to drive a couple of hours into the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Along Hwy. 38 around the 7000 foot elevation there would usually be plenty of snow to play in after a major Pacific storm had moved through the Southland. It was always a treat for us southern California kids to get to see, touch and play in the white stuff.
I do recall during the first years dad would drive my mom, my brother and I up to the mountains that as soon as I would see the first patches of dirty, slushy snow along the highway I would beg dad to stop so I could play in the stuff. Every time mom and dad would patiently assure me, “There’s more snow up higher and it’s cleaner and deeper. Those patches by the road are dirty and there’s not enough to really enjoy.” After a few winters of that I learned to ignore the sporadic snow with its dirt, slush and pine needles and look forward to getting higher into the mountains where some snow drifts would be up to my waist. My brother, Gary, and I would launch ourselves into it and play till our hands and feet ached from the cold. It was great fun.
I had been willing to settle for the slush and if someone hadn’t been along with me who knew better I would have came home with visions of dirty snow, mud and mire as having been a real romp in the snow. I find there is a parallel to my walk with Christ in that story. That old thief Satan loves to try and steal my security and satisfaction in Christ and to see me be satisfied with sparse and slushy temporary things. And how often does Christ have unspoiled and deep experiences for me to dive into and I am only willing to settle for dirty and slushy snow. The riches of Christ are so deep and vast that if we really recognized what was up the road higher we would be astounded and would hold the first experiences as lackluster and without any real positive appeal or value. Snow yes, but certainly nothing to bring lasting satisfaction. Patience is the key. As I was little at the time I did not understand what was up the road at a higher and better place. But I learned. Jesus desires for us to reprioritize our main concerns of earth’s temporary things and not be content with just slush. He has so much more for us and truly delights in our squeals of excitement and as we finally dive into His deep and limitless riches by abiding in His root. What a treat ignoring the slush and patiently heading upward to where what He has for us lies in limitless pristine drifts. How He loves to pour out His blessings upon those who love Him and as we patiently head up the highway of life deeper blessings are waiting for us past the mud and slush of temporary things. I want to head up the road. C’mon, let’s go play in the snow.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
Uncle Elmer's Million Pounds
And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43 (NASB)
Will God redeem a person on their deathbed or will He reject their plea for salvation in the last hour or minute of their lives because all their life they pushed Him away? Surprisingly I’ve spoken to several Christians in my life who said they believed that any deathbed confession is rejected by God. If the person rejected Christ all their life then Christ certainly doesn’t want them at the end. In the cases where I’ve talked with Christians who hold this view I point them to the cross and the dying confession of faith in Christ one of the thieves crucified with Jesus is recorded as making. The thief had to do nothing but ask Jesus to remember him when He came into his kingdom. Jesus’ reply was “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
There is another story I like to share at times like this and allow the hearer to decide. It is about my uncle, Elmer Carson, who in 1975 was placed in the hospital dying of emphysema. All His family was believers yet all his life Uncle Elmer had rebuffed any call to salvation. As he lay dying in the hospital his daughter, Lynda, talked with him concerning his soul. Elmer’s response to her was, “I haven’t followed Jesus during my life and doing it now would make me a hypocrite. I can’t accept him.” Lynda had her pastor come talk to Uncle Elmer and got the same response. My cousin called my dad who was a believer and shared her fear her dad would go into eternity separated from God. Dad’s response was, “Elmer is dying. Get your pastor to go see him again and lay it all out for him and tell him he needs to get his soul right with the Lord.” The pastor returned and said to Elmer, “Mr. Carson, let me be honest here for the hour is late, you’re dying and you need to accept Christ. You will not be a hypocrite for God’s love and grace for you is there until you take your last breath.” As they talked Uncle Elmer came to a point of belief on Christ asking Him to forgive his sins. After he did his first statement to the pastor was, “I feel like a million pounds have been lifted off my shoulders!” Uncle Elmer passed away a few hours later in perfect peace and I believe immediately went into the presence of His Christ who became his Lord in the last hours of his earthly life. Truly I believe one of the first people I’ll see on the other side is my smiling uncle robust and healed completely in body, mind and soul.
I’m glad that at that moment on the cross Jesus in all his pain and suffering on that cross didn’t hesitate but in this man’s belief on Him immediately forgave him and accepted him into fellowship with Him. My dear uncle was like the thief on that cross and his witness that a “million pounds” had been lifted from his life is a testimony that the weight that had been lifted was a lifetime of sin. This is what Christ came to do: to reconcile the human race back into fellowship with His Heavenly Father. I would recommend doing it sooner than later for we never know when we may draw our last breath. It’s difficult to speak of these things but our soul’s destiny is deadly serious. One second after we die it’s too late to repent. We’re all born out of fellowship with God and if we do not address the problem with the Lord then that burden begins to grow and can ultimately feel like a million pounds. Will Jesus Christ accept any man or woman into fellowship with Him at any time and under any condition? He can lift a little child’s light burden as they confess that Jesus is Lord of their life but He’s still strong enough to lift a million pounds too.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Will God redeem a person on their deathbed or will He reject their plea for salvation in the last hour or minute of their lives because all their life they pushed Him away? Surprisingly I’ve spoken to several Christians in my life who said they believed that any deathbed confession is rejected by God. If the person rejected Christ all their life then Christ certainly doesn’t want them at the end. In the cases where I’ve talked with Christians who hold this view I point them to the cross and the dying confession of faith in Christ one of the thieves crucified with Jesus is recorded as making. The thief had to do nothing but ask Jesus to remember him when He came into his kingdom. Jesus’ reply was “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
There is another story I like to share at times like this and allow the hearer to decide. It is about my uncle, Elmer Carson, who in 1975 was placed in the hospital dying of emphysema. All His family was believers yet all his life Uncle Elmer had rebuffed any call to salvation. As he lay dying in the hospital his daughter, Lynda, talked with him concerning his soul. Elmer’s response to her was, “I haven’t followed Jesus during my life and doing it now would make me a hypocrite. I can’t accept him.” Lynda had her pastor come talk to Uncle Elmer and got the same response. My cousin called my dad who was a believer and shared her fear her dad would go into eternity separated from God. Dad’s response was, “Elmer is dying. Get your pastor to go see him again and lay it all out for him and tell him he needs to get his soul right with the Lord.” The pastor returned and said to Elmer, “Mr. Carson, let me be honest here for the hour is late, you’re dying and you need to accept Christ. You will not be a hypocrite for God’s love and grace for you is there until you take your last breath.” As they talked Uncle Elmer came to a point of belief on Christ asking Him to forgive his sins. After he did his first statement to the pastor was, “I feel like a million pounds have been lifted off my shoulders!” Uncle Elmer passed away a few hours later in perfect peace and I believe immediately went into the presence of His Christ who became his Lord in the last hours of his earthly life. Truly I believe one of the first people I’ll see on the other side is my smiling uncle robust and healed completely in body, mind and soul.
I’m glad that at that moment on the cross Jesus in all his pain and suffering on that cross didn’t hesitate but in this man’s belief on Him immediately forgave him and accepted him into fellowship with Him. My dear uncle was like the thief on that cross and his witness that a “million pounds” had been lifted from his life is a testimony that the weight that had been lifted was a lifetime of sin. This is what Christ came to do: to reconcile the human race back into fellowship with His Heavenly Father. I would recommend doing it sooner than later for we never know when we may draw our last breath. It’s difficult to speak of these things but our soul’s destiny is deadly serious. One second after we die it’s too late to repent. We’re all born out of fellowship with God and if we do not address the problem with the Lord then that burden begins to grow and can ultimately feel like a million pounds. Will Jesus Christ accept any man or woman into fellowship with Him at any time and under any condition? He can lift a little child’s light burden as they confess that Jesus is Lord of their life but He’s still strong enough to lift a million pounds too.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
Simply Profound
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1st John 2:12 (New American Standard Bible)
Ever notice how easy it is for children to display their true selves? I have the great pleasure to be able to give daycare to my two youngest grandchildren who are both toddlers. Elizabeth is 36 months old and Ewan (sounds like ‘you-un’) is 27 months. As I’ve had them before they could walk it has been interesting to see how they have grown physically and matured. Fascinating is one word that describes my wonder at how quickly they begin to comprehend and use intuitive thinking to express themselves. Seeing how the Lord has created the human body and mind to grow from a single egg in the womb to a little child who can sit on your lap, kiss you and say “I love you” is a testimony that is as awesome as pondering the universe. We are indeed wonderfully and awesomely made.
One day while Jesus was ministering to the multitudes some parents brought their little children to Him so He could lay His hands upon them and pray for them. His disciples rebuked the parents and in the process received a gentle rebuke from Jesus. He said let the little children come to Him and don’t hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14). Why little children? From what I’ve seen of a little child they have not yet learned how to hide or mask their true feelings but are able to reveal their inner most being to the world. Only later as they grow older and learn negative responses from care givers and society do they become masters at hiding their true selves and burying their emotions.
As God does know everything there is then nothing He does not know or needs to be taught. Therefore He knows us completely and always has. How often we grow beyond the simplicity of child-like authenticity and think we’re hiding our true selves from the One who sees and knows us better than we do ourselves. When we try to hide our inner hurts and pains from Him who knows all things it is similar to Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes with fig leaves tied around their nakedness. Christ is there and knows exactly why we’re hiding. Becoming like a little child is lowering our defenses and telling Jesus in our own child-like way just how helpless we are without His oversight and loving care. He desires us to come upon His lap and rejoices and smiles when we lay our heads upon his breast. He desires honesty in the inward parts and authenticity of spirit and trust. While the whole gospel message can bamboozle theologians a little child can fully grasp its meaning in the song “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Nothing my two toddlers can do that delights me more is to come to their “Papa” and relay their truest feelings to me through words and signs. They are masters at letting it all hang out. They know and trust my love and authority. It is said the great theologian C.S. Lewis was once asked through all his vast study of and knowledge in the Scriptures what was the most profound thing he had learned. His reply was “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You can’t get any simpler than that. Or more profound.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Ever notice how easy it is for children to display their true selves? I have the great pleasure to be able to give daycare to my two youngest grandchildren who are both toddlers. Elizabeth is 36 months old and Ewan (sounds like ‘you-un’) is 27 months. As I’ve had them before they could walk it has been interesting to see how they have grown physically and matured. Fascinating is one word that describes my wonder at how quickly they begin to comprehend and use intuitive thinking to express themselves. Seeing how the Lord has created the human body and mind to grow from a single egg in the womb to a little child who can sit on your lap, kiss you and say “I love you” is a testimony that is as awesome as pondering the universe. We are indeed wonderfully and awesomely made.
One day while Jesus was ministering to the multitudes some parents brought their little children to Him so He could lay His hands upon them and pray for them. His disciples rebuked the parents and in the process received a gentle rebuke from Jesus. He said let the little children come to Him and don’t hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14). Why little children? From what I’ve seen of a little child they have not yet learned how to hide or mask their true feelings but are able to reveal their inner most being to the world. Only later as they grow older and learn negative responses from care givers and society do they become masters at hiding their true selves and burying their emotions.
As God does know everything there is then nothing He does not know or needs to be taught. Therefore He knows us completely and always has. How often we grow beyond the simplicity of child-like authenticity and think we’re hiding our true selves from the One who sees and knows us better than we do ourselves. When we try to hide our inner hurts and pains from Him who knows all things it is similar to Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes with fig leaves tied around their nakedness. Christ is there and knows exactly why we’re hiding. Becoming like a little child is lowering our defenses and telling Jesus in our own child-like way just how helpless we are without His oversight and loving care. He desires us to come upon His lap and rejoices and smiles when we lay our heads upon his breast. He desires honesty in the inward parts and authenticity of spirit and trust. While the whole gospel message can bamboozle theologians a little child can fully grasp its meaning in the song “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Nothing my two toddlers can do that delights me more is to come to their “Papa” and relay their truest feelings to me through words and signs. They are masters at letting it all hang out. They know and trust my love and authority. It is said the great theologian C.S. Lewis was once asked through all his vast study of and knowledge in the Scriptures what was the most profound thing he had learned. His reply was “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You can’t get any simpler than that. Or more profound.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
I Beg Your Pardon
For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Psalms 25:11 (New American Standard Bible)
Ever hear someone tell a new convert that Jesus’ work of redemption has made it “as though you never sinned”? Well, yes and no. I consider what criminal pardon is. The criminal is indeed guilty of the act but in spite of it he/she receives clemency. The authority granting the pardon does not look upon the malefactor as having never committed the trespass but gives a cancelation of a penalty for the offense. The trespasser is well aware of their guilt yet is no longer held accountable to be punished in the eyes of the law. Even at that a person can be pardoned and still be disrespected and held in contempt by their peers.
Pardon and forgiveness walk a thin line but there does seem to be a line. A debtor can never forget what they did but can find great relief and even awe in a pardon. They no longer need to keep looking over their shoulder for the Long Arm of the Law to catch up with them and give them what they deserve. I find the greatest wonder in being pardoned for my sin. I know what kind of nasty piece of work I can be and get embarrassed at some of the things I’ve done in my past. This causes me to be amazed at being pardoned for all those sins. Forgiven yes and in remembering my actions very aware of what a pardon for my rebellion means to me personally.
We all are guilty for the word of God says there is no human being who is without sin, no not one (Psalms 14:1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we are guilty, and God’s Word tells us we unfortunately are, then we all deserve to be punished for our sins. This is where pardon brings such a wonderful relief to us. Christ does pardon those who come to Him in faith but goes a further step in forgiving the person and not harboring disrespect and disapproval against them for what they did. If I were pardoned I would want to be totally accepted back into complete fellowship with those around me. Christ does this for all who believe on Him. God’s plan was to give a means to receive pardon through the shed blood of His Son that all who believe on Him can receive leniency and compassion, pardon and forgiveness. We all stand before one another with the marks of the shackles on our wrists. We can’t say we were framed for we know better. “Yeah, I’m guilty as sin” takes on a whole new meaning. I did it and I deserve just punishment. All the more incredible when we are pardoned for all the wrong we’ve done and then realize there is no contempt held against us in the settlement. There are times in this world when seeking pardon from someone we must bow and scrape and at times beg. But with the Judge of the Universe we only need believe on His Son and simply ask. Jesus said all who come to Him He will not reject (John 6:37). Begging His pardon is never necessary for He is always willing and gracious to give it to anyone who asks no matter how serious the crime.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Ever hear someone tell a new convert that Jesus’ work of redemption has made it “as though you never sinned”? Well, yes and no. I consider what criminal pardon is. The criminal is indeed guilty of the act but in spite of it he/she receives clemency. The authority granting the pardon does not look upon the malefactor as having never committed the trespass but gives a cancelation of a penalty for the offense. The trespasser is well aware of their guilt yet is no longer held accountable to be punished in the eyes of the law. Even at that a person can be pardoned and still be disrespected and held in contempt by their peers.
Pardon and forgiveness walk a thin line but there does seem to be a line. A debtor can never forget what they did but can find great relief and even awe in a pardon. They no longer need to keep looking over their shoulder for the Long Arm of the Law to catch up with them and give them what they deserve. I find the greatest wonder in being pardoned for my sin. I know what kind of nasty piece of work I can be and get embarrassed at some of the things I’ve done in my past. This causes me to be amazed at being pardoned for all those sins. Forgiven yes and in remembering my actions very aware of what a pardon for my rebellion means to me personally.
We all are guilty for the word of God says there is no human being who is without sin, no not one (Psalms 14:1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we are guilty, and God’s Word tells us we unfortunately are, then we all deserve to be punished for our sins. This is where pardon brings such a wonderful relief to us. Christ does pardon those who come to Him in faith but goes a further step in forgiving the person and not harboring disrespect and disapproval against them for what they did. If I were pardoned I would want to be totally accepted back into complete fellowship with those around me. Christ does this for all who believe on Him. God’s plan was to give a means to receive pardon through the shed blood of His Son that all who believe on Him can receive leniency and compassion, pardon and forgiveness. We all stand before one another with the marks of the shackles on our wrists. We can’t say we were framed for we know better. “Yeah, I’m guilty as sin” takes on a whole new meaning. I did it and I deserve just punishment. All the more incredible when we are pardoned for all the wrong we’ve done and then realize there is no contempt held against us in the settlement. There are times in this world when seeking pardon from someone we must bow and scrape and at times beg. But with the Judge of the Universe we only need believe on His Son and simply ask. Jesus said all who come to Him He will not reject (John 6:37). Begging His pardon is never necessary for He is always willing and gracious to give it to anyone who asks no matter how serious the crime.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, January 25, 2010
Missed it by a Hair
For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7:47 (New American Standard Bible)
Back in the 1970s I was fortunate enough to witness a great spiritual event of God’s grace that fell on a generation of seekers. It was called, for lack of a better name, the “Jesus Movement.” In the mid ‘60s young people put off with the impotence they saw in their parent’s lives and conventional Christianity rebelled against standard collective norms. They took up lives of what they called “freedom” from the constraints of hypocritical society. They grew their hair long, grew beards and checked out and turned on. Their mantra was “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.” It only took many of them just a couple of years to find that the freedom to “do their own thing” had brought them hurtling headlong into a solid wall of loss. Some hit that wall and were broken and some had enough sense to see what that lifestyle was doing to them and they put on the breaks. These kids had been given up on by society and were deemed unworthy under any circumstances.
The most heartbreaking part of the story is many mainline denominational churches had given up on them too. As these young people began to be led to Jesus they embraced Him as Lord of their lives. Wanting to follow Jesus they began going to some of these churches still with beards, long hair and casual clothes. Many churches turned them away because of the way they looked and many Christians, myself included, had a very low estimate of “Hippy Christians.” Fortunately in my part of Southern California there was a pastor in Orange County whose compassion for them was enormous. He told them they would be welcomed and received warmly at his church. Within the first couple of years so many young people who came out of the hippie movement and met Christ were a vibrant part of his church. There were so many of them they continually outgrew their buildings finally pitching a large circus tent on the church property in which to hold services. That tent held around 2500 people and was full to standing room only practically every night. One day my brother, Gary, said “Ken, you need to come down to Calvary Chapel and hear this guy Chuck Smith.” I groaned inwardly. I hadn’t joined the hippie movement but I was burned out on denominational inflexibility. “Gary, I don’t know. I’m really burned out on churches at the moment. I don’t know if I can.” His excitement over what God was doing is what caught my interest. So I went one Thursday night to see for myself.
I remember it was the winter of 1970-71 and it was cold in the tent. There were huge red kerosene heaters around the tent to keep the chill off. But what I saw that night totally floored me. With my crew cut hair and “establishment” clothes I stood with about 2500 bearded and long haired men and girls with flowered clothes, headbands and beads and got my attitude readjusted. During the worship time hundreds of these kids stood with their hands raised with tears on their cheeks praying and praising the God who had forgiven much. One picture I have burned in my mind is one guy who wearing a spotless white Nehru Jacket (look it up) with hair almost to his waist had his arms raised glorifying God. I wish I could have taken a snapshot of that for truly one picture was worth a thousand words. Jesus was rescuing and redeeming thousands into new life and a new direction. Many of those young men became pastors and many of them are still pastoring today. Jesus Christ had once again thwarted the plan of Satan to destroy a generation and many of that generation I saw rejoicing in their redemption that night and many nights to come.
I often need to recall those nights in that large tent when I come across someone who looks unkempt and coarse. Like Simon the Pharisee I tend to go to the conclusion that I am better than others who are not like me even to the point of recoiling from their touch. Surely this was total proof to my legalistic mind that Christ came to save sinners of whom I was the worst. Many of us did not reach out to these lost sheep in the beginning missing it by a hair and a beard or two. I am glad that God’s grace continually breaks in wave upon wave upon the human race and that grace does not tell apart high rank or low rank. When it comes to God’s saving love and grace He is no respecter of persons. Thankfully, those waves of grace break over an establishment guy named Ken Evans, too.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Back in the 1970s I was fortunate enough to witness a great spiritual event of God’s grace that fell on a generation of seekers. It was called, for lack of a better name, the “Jesus Movement.” In the mid ‘60s young people put off with the impotence they saw in their parent’s lives and conventional Christianity rebelled against standard collective norms. They took up lives of what they called “freedom” from the constraints of hypocritical society. They grew their hair long, grew beards and checked out and turned on. Their mantra was “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.” It only took many of them just a couple of years to find that the freedom to “do their own thing” had brought them hurtling headlong into a solid wall of loss. Some hit that wall and were broken and some had enough sense to see what that lifestyle was doing to them and they put on the breaks. These kids had been given up on by society and were deemed unworthy under any circumstances.
The most heartbreaking part of the story is many mainline denominational churches had given up on them too. As these young people began to be led to Jesus they embraced Him as Lord of their lives. Wanting to follow Jesus they began going to some of these churches still with beards, long hair and casual clothes. Many churches turned them away because of the way they looked and many Christians, myself included, had a very low estimate of “Hippy Christians.” Fortunately in my part of Southern California there was a pastor in Orange County whose compassion for them was enormous. He told them they would be welcomed and received warmly at his church. Within the first couple of years so many young people who came out of the hippie movement and met Christ were a vibrant part of his church. There were so many of them they continually outgrew their buildings finally pitching a large circus tent on the church property in which to hold services. That tent held around 2500 people and was full to standing room only practically every night. One day my brother, Gary, said “Ken, you need to come down to Calvary Chapel and hear this guy Chuck Smith.” I groaned inwardly. I hadn’t joined the hippie movement but I was burned out on denominational inflexibility. “Gary, I don’t know. I’m really burned out on churches at the moment. I don’t know if I can.” His excitement over what God was doing is what caught my interest. So I went one Thursday night to see for myself.
I remember it was the winter of 1970-71 and it was cold in the tent. There were huge red kerosene heaters around the tent to keep the chill off. But what I saw that night totally floored me. With my crew cut hair and “establishment” clothes I stood with about 2500 bearded and long haired men and girls with flowered clothes, headbands and beads and got my attitude readjusted. During the worship time hundreds of these kids stood with their hands raised with tears on their cheeks praying and praising the God who had forgiven much. One picture I have burned in my mind is one guy who wearing a spotless white Nehru Jacket (look it up) with hair almost to his waist had his arms raised glorifying God. I wish I could have taken a snapshot of that for truly one picture was worth a thousand words. Jesus was rescuing and redeeming thousands into new life and a new direction. Many of those young men became pastors and many of them are still pastoring today. Jesus Christ had once again thwarted the plan of Satan to destroy a generation and many of that generation I saw rejoicing in their redemption that night and many nights to come.
I often need to recall those nights in that large tent when I come across someone who looks unkempt and coarse. Like Simon the Pharisee I tend to go to the conclusion that I am better than others who are not like me even to the point of recoiling from their touch. Surely this was total proof to my legalistic mind that Christ came to save sinners of whom I was the worst. Many of us did not reach out to these lost sheep in the beginning missing it by a hair and a beard or two. I am glad that God’s grace continually breaks in wave upon wave upon the human race and that grace does not tell apart high rank or low rank. When it comes to God’s saving love and grace He is no respecter of persons. Thankfully, those waves of grace break over an establishment guy named Ken Evans, too.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
Don't Shoot the Messenger
And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (New American Standard Version)
One of the hardest parts of being one who strives to rightly divide the word of truth is telling both sides of what God says. That is the dilemma many people in ministry face if they want to truly tell the whole truth and nothing but. Presenting the less than tasty morsels of Scripture is a very difficult and uneasy part of Christian ministry.
While the gospels do show us there is a beautiful Redeemer who has revealed a Heavenly Father full of love and compassion, we are also shown a side of Him that absolutely will have no acceptance of sin or rebellion. His complete holiness will never allow it. So where does that leave those who die in their sin? Those who die in their rebellion against God’s plan of salvation cannot go into His presence but their eternal souls must go somewhere. Then where? Scripture does not teach we become ghosts who walk the earth nor does it teach that we become angels so eternal separation from God of unregenerate men and women would be the only option according to God’s Word. The answer is extremely unpopular yet fully explained in Scripture. I once had a lady where I worked try to bait me in the “How could a God of love send people to hell” argument. She angrily said, “It’s so stupid that a God who is Love could send anyone to hell. There is no hell.” I looked her in the eye and said, “You know, I really hope there is. I’d hate to spend eternity with Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.” She recoiled with a look of instant shock and understanding and with wide eyes said, “Well, there is no life after death, so I’m not going to worry about it” and got away from me as quickly as she could. I hope my statement stayed with her and gave her pause to consider how important her choice of eternity was. She was overall a very nice lady. I would hate to think of her in that horrifying place.
Speaking of hell isn’t popular or politically correct yet Jesus spoke much of hell and warned of its reality. There’s no hope of drinking whiskey and playing poker with buddies there. Hell is a horrific place of separation from God and other humans, a place of inconceivable torment, fear, complete exhaustion and utter hopelessness of ever getting out. With modern medical advances there are more people being resuscitated today than in history and a frightening picture of a real hell is told by many who are fortunate enough to return from that horrible place. Could it all be hallucination when so many of them come back with the same descriptions of the place? Why is it that some who are resuscitated from heaven may doubt the experience but every person who is resuscitated from hell comes back a believer? It is because they all have experienced a real and horrifying place of total separation from God and other humans in the same place.
God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a place of forgiveness with Him through the sacrifice and shed blood of His Son. Does God send people to hell? No, God never sends anyone to hell; they go there by their own choice. I once heard it said “the gates of hell are locked from the inside.” Jesus is earnest in His desire to keep anyone out of that place by warning of it as the final destination for those who reject God’s escape plan of salvation. It is a warning that has fallen on increasingly unbelieving ears and one that is seldom preached from many church pulpits for fear of seeming bigoted and unloving. But wouldn’t telling of this place and its reality be the loving thing to do to keep people from going there? I’ve never seen a coin with just one side. The other side of God’s coin shows a holy God who will not allow sin to dwell in His Holy Presence. His all consuming love is balanced by His perfect hatred of sin and His perfect judgment of it. If you’re not sure about where you stand then why not trust Jesus? What have you got to lose? If you have a hard time with God and hell talk to Him about it but don’t shoot the messenger. Jesus is coming back very very soon. He wants to keep all He can from eternal separation from Him in this hideous place. He says hell does not need to be an option. Eternal life in Him is the greater reality. It’s free and ours for the asking.
Lord Jesus, I admit I need your help and I want to trust you. I want to ask you at this moment to become Lord of my life and to forgive my every sin. I know there is no sin big enough to keep you from forgiving me fully and keeping me out of this horrible place called hell. You will keep me safely in your care. Thank you for your love and total forgiveness to me right at this second. Amen.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
One of the hardest parts of being one who strives to rightly divide the word of truth is telling both sides of what God says. That is the dilemma many people in ministry face if they want to truly tell the whole truth and nothing but. Presenting the less than tasty morsels of Scripture is a very difficult and uneasy part of Christian ministry.
While the gospels do show us there is a beautiful Redeemer who has revealed a Heavenly Father full of love and compassion, we are also shown a side of Him that absolutely will have no acceptance of sin or rebellion. His complete holiness will never allow it. So where does that leave those who die in their sin? Those who die in their rebellion against God’s plan of salvation cannot go into His presence but their eternal souls must go somewhere. Then where? Scripture does not teach we become ghosts who walk the earth nor does it teach that we become angels so eternal separation from God of unregenerate men and women would be the only option according to God’s Word. The answer is extremely unpopular yet fully explained in Scripture. I once had a lady where I worked try to bait me in the “How could a God of love send people to hell” argument. She angrily said, “It’s so stupid that a God who is Love could send anyone to hell. There is no hell.” I looked her in the eye and said, “You know, I really hope there is. I’d hate to spend eternity with Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.” She recoiled with a look of instant shock and understanding and with wide eyes said, “Well, there is no life after death, so I’m not going to worry about it” and got away from me as quickly as she could. I hope my statement stayed with her and gave her pause to consider how important her choice of eternity was. She was overall a very nice lady. I would hate to think of her in that horrifying place.
Speaking of hell isn’t popular or politically correct yet Jesus spoke much of hell and warned of its reality. There’s no hope of drinking whiskey and playing poker with buddies there. Hell is a horrific place of separation from God and other humans, a place of inconceivable torment, fear, complete exhaustion and utter hopelessness of ever getting out. With modern medical advances there are more people being resuscitated today than in history and a frightening picture of a real hell is told by many who are fortunate enough to return from that horrible place. Could it all be hallucination when so many of them come back with the same descriptions of the place? Why is it that some who are resuscitated from heaven may doubt the experience but every person who is resuscitated from hell comes back a believer? It is because they all have experienced a real and horrifying place of total separation from God and other humans in the same place.
God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a place of forgiveness with Him through the sacrifice and shed blood of His Son. Does God send people to hell? No, God never sends anyone to hell; they go there by their own choice. I once heard it said “the gates of hell are locked from the inside.” Jesus is earnest in His desire to keep anyone out of that place by warning of it as the final destination for those who reject God’s escape plan of salvation. It is a warning that has fallen on increasingly unbelieving ears and one that is seldom preached from many church pulpits for fear of seeming bigoted and unloving. But wouldn’t telling of this place and its reality be the loving thing to do to keep people from going there? I’ve never seen a coin with just one side. The other side of God’s coin shows a holy God who will not allow sin to dwell in His Holy Presence. His all consuming love is balanced by His perfect hatred of sin and His perfect judgment of it. If you’re not sure about where you stand then why not trust Jesus? What have you got to lose? If you have a hard time with God and hell talk to Him about it but don’t shoot the messenger. Jesus is coming back very very soon. He wants to keep all He can from eternal separation from Him in this hideous place. He says hell does not need to be an option. Eternal life in Him is the greater reality. It’s free and ours for the asking.
Lord Jesus, I admit I need your help and I want to trust you. I want to ask you at this moment to become Lord of my life and to forgive my every sin. I know there is no sin big enough to keep you from forgiving me fully and keeping me out of this horrible place called hell. You will keep me safely in your care. Thank you for your love and total forgiveness to me right at this second. Amen.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
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