The Son Has Risen!

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5,6 (ESV)

Easter is upon us once again, the day the church has chosen to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

When most of us speak of Christ's resurrection it is with a view to the change we will experience when we meet Him in the clouds (1^st Thessalonians 4:17). But the historical event of the eye-witnessed bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead is the hub around which our Christian faith revolves. Without it our belief is futile and we should be pitied (1^st Corinthians 15:17-19).

Did you know there are 103 times in the Bible where God the Father, and God the Son tell us not to be afraid? Matthew tells us at the resurrection there was an earthquake and the appearance of heavenly beings announcing the event. The men guarding the tomb were so frightened they fell down 'as dead men' (28:4). People are still afraid of Him today. Maybe not falling down as dead men, but to the point they refuse to investigate the evidence of those who were there and wrote their accounts. Some might be afraid of negative peer pressure, of being ostracized by friends and family, physical harm, or having their unrighteous lifestyles cramped.

Today all the claimed burial sites of the historic figures of the Bible are empty, if they can even be found, and some will say “So what?”. But there is one that yet remains an empty evidence, its existence hovers at the back of the mind an ever distant perplexity that there might be something to it.

If God's word is true, and it's proved itself to be so many times over, then that nagging little voice may be telling you something you need to hear. An empty tomb or an empty heart that refuses to stay filled? If you've been whistling in the dark concerning Christ I'm here to tell you there's good news. The Son has risen. Take another look. The tomb stands empty in the Light. He is alive. All you need to do is accept Him and believe He is God's supreme sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins. That is the good news of the gospel in an empty tomb. He is not there for He has risen indeed.

Ken

Beautiful Secrets

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1^st Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)

Brass ceilings. I'm sure every believer reading this has at one time or another felt like their prayers went no higher than a brass ceiling. We've all struggled with prayer, unsure if God was even listening, let alone willing to answer. That may be your struggle right now.

Jesus taught God knows our needs even before we pray (Matthew 6:8). It isn't that He's refusing to answer us, it's that He moves in His own timing so when the answer arrives it may be perfect for us.

When we groan in our spirits in prayer, the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself, as fully God and fully man, groans for us, interceding on our behalf. (Romans 8:26-27, 8:34). What better intercessor could we have than a Divine Human Brother who lived and suffered a life of earthly adversity and sacrifice just as we do? What they hear from you are beautiful secrets. Secrets the Spirit knows and brings to God with instant intensity.

Jesus said God sees us as having more value than the sparrows He feeds, or the grass that is here today and in the fire tomorrow (Matthew 10:31, 6:30). Jesus ends by saying to make seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness your priority, then all these other things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

Who can know their thoughts except it be the spirit of that man or woman? Likewise, Who can know our needs and relay them to the Mind of God except the Mind of God?

No matter how it seems, your prayers still come up to the God of heaven known only to your mind and His. Sparrows or you? As much as He loves His creation Jesus says the greater value lies with you and your beautiful secrets. The Spirit knows every one of them and sees in them the greatest value, presenting them to the Father mind to mind.

Ken

Good Since 1956

You are My friends if you do what I command you (Jesus speaking). John 15:14

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since I was six years old. My parents made sure church was an integral part of the lives of my brother and I as we grew up. I'm happy they did for it was an experience that shaped us both for the better. One memory that has stuck with me for nearly 65 years is Brother Ray Peterson. He was our worship leader. Even though I was six, I still recall his favorite Hymn was “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis. He led us in that song every Sunday night.

Those words have never left me. The message in the refrain has remained before my mind's eye on the smiling lips of Brother Peterson as he sang;  "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey."

Through life's struggles they have been an anchor of hope for me. Trusting in the Lord always brings hope. Obeying is the action the LORD desires above all else (1^st Samuel 15:22). Obedience alleviates guilt and shame Satan uses to hammer us into discouragement and despair. There was a time in my own life when I endured my greatest crisis, and my trust was tested nearly to the breaking point. In life or perhaps death I was not sure, but I trusted He would never abandon me in either circumstance as I chose to remain obedient to His calling. The blessings of obedience brings relationship with Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, and glory to God the Father.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus. Brother Ray Peterson is with his LORD now but we will be together one bright day when the redeemed of Christ stand together (Revelation 7:9). If he's still singing that lovely song as a memorial to his salvation, I'll gladly join him. Trusting and obeying has always worked for me. It's been good for me since 1956.

Ken

Righteousness Exalting

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

 It has been said 'Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right.' I believe that most Americans are aware of the fact the America set forth by our Founders in our Constitution and Bill of Rights is currently existing on life support. America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles that shaped Western Civilization for the good. But it has come under disdain and attack by those doing their best to destroy it. Much of America's value is the belief and practice of our Providential rights, to govern ourselves as one nation under God.

Our Judeo-Christian beliefs have brought marvelous good to ourselves and the world, among them protection and liberation from tyranny, hospitals, along with superior medical care, education, technology and the sciences, freedom and free markets, health through better sanitation, protection by a strong military, and many other benefits. Slavery was opposed and ended by men and women of authentic Christian faith and courage. Thousands died, mostly white males, to achieve that ambition, surrendering any 'white privilege' they may have had to the grave. But it seems that ideal has run off the road of righteousness into a ditch of disbelief.

I grew up in an America that may not have been totally blameless in the righteous sense but the culture still strove to practice the concept. We were by no means perfect, but there were within society a conscientious and ethical esteem, that honored God and righteousness. These virtues were right-minded, respectful, and praiseworthy, affecting us both individually and society as a whole.

Righteousness exalts families, marriages, relationships, education, the economy, and the arts. It exalts the culture and heritage of a nation. How can we achieve righteousness? It can only come through Christ. He changes us when we surrender to Him and put our trust in His hands (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we do, righteouness naturally follows. 

God said to Israel if My people repent, humble themselves and seek My face I will forgive their sin and heal their land (2^nd Chronicles 7:14). This promise was given to Israel but it is for any nation that truly repents of its sins. Righteousness is America's greatest need right now. Let's get back on that road. We need God's forgiveness and renewal. Righteousness is doing what is right. Let us do what is right in God's sight according to His Word in the Holy Bible. When we do He will hear and He will heal.

Ken

No Buts

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5

We all love to see justice done. It's satisfying to see in movies the unjust receiving their fitting recompense. It is inherent within us to want to see due process dispensed. But we hate it when grace enters the picture. It's dirt cheap. It isn't right. It isn't fair.

Jesus spoke many times about forgiving. He told His disciples if someone sins against you seven times in the day and comes back seven times in the day and says “I repent”, you must forgive him (Luke 17:4). He didn't say “It's OK to feel offended and nurse bitterness until our offender meets our requirement for justice. You must forgive every time.

The disciples were stunned at this saying. Their first response was “Lord, increase our faith!” and rightly so, for only through the help of His Holy Spirt can we do it. Some might think Jesus didn't specifically say it was a command so we can skate this one. How can any direction Jesus Christ gives not be considered a command? When He told of His coming death on the cross, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him saying “Not so, Lord!” (Matthew 16:22 KJV). How could he say “Not so Lord” if He is Lord? When the King speaks, His subjects obey. There are no 'buts' in forgiveness.

There is no biblical prohibition that it's OK to “feel that way”, but there is no verse anywhere in the Bible that tells us to do that. We can, and should, work through our hurts and offenses. Our heavenly Father wants us to. However, the greatest risk in 'feeling that way' is laying bitterness right next to that throbbing wound, pushing any hope of grace and forgiveness out of the picture. Forgiveness salves any wounds. How serious is it to forgive? Jesus said if we do not forgive the sins of others God will not forgive us ours (Matthew 6:14-15).

If someone sins against you seven times in a day and comes to you seven times in that day and says “I repent”, will you hesitate to forgive? Or will you say “Lord Jesus, increase my faith!”? The answer leaves no wiggle room. As much as we love laying blame and the penalty on those who have hurt us, Jesus says to forgive. In this He left us only one answer and one way, and it is grace and forgiveness. When it comes to forgiving another, grace trumps Justice every time.

Ken

Celebrate!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)

There was a time in my life when I could really identify with the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:19. I wanted to do good, but I did the evil things I hated. I wondered why when Jesus said He came to bring abundant life (John 10:10) I never saw any of it in my own life? I kept telling myself there had to be more to life than what I was experiencing.

As it happened, one morning in church I happened to flip the bulletin over and read “Are you feeling trapped in life? Are you doing things you don't like but don't know why? Do you do many of the following behaviors? Feel responsible for other's problems and try to fix them? Always put other's needs before your own? Constantly seek approval? Easily become defensive when criticized? Have difficulty saying no? Compromise your values to stay in unhealthy relationships or serious addictions?”

Many more behaviors were mentioned. I identified with most of them. There was a group being formed with the blessing of the church that was called a 'Christian Twelve Step Recovery Program.' I'd never heard of such a thing but I was curious and went to the first meeting and found it had answers to many of my hurts, habits, and hangups from the past. I kept going back.

In my last posting I spoke about being in the fire. Sometimes God allows us to go through the fire to help us grow and mature but sometimes we put ourselves in it by jumping out of the frying pan. Today I want to speak of getting out if we put ourselves there. There is a Christian Twelve Step program called Celebrate Recovery. It is a recovery program aimed at healing the dysfunctions of the past including, but not limited to: high anxiety; co-dependency, and compulsive behaviors and addictions, from sexual, drug, alcohol to over eating. It is hope for the helpless and puts Jesus Christ in control of our lives as our Higher Power.

If you feel like your life is out of control and you want to regain your sanity,  research your nearest Celebrate Recovery group and go to a meeting. It's not a 'quick fix' to life's problems (those never work anyway), but it is a viable and useful means to wellness. You will be accepted, not judged. If it doesn't work for you you can have your pain, misery and life disorders back, free of charge. Privacy and confidentiality are paramount. “What we see here, what we say here, what hear here, remains here.”

We're only as sick as our secrets. Denial of our life issues is a slow death. But God never intended us to do life alone. The support of others going through the same things in their own recovery is chief to helping us, through Christ. If you feel you would benefit from a program like Celebrate Recovery I encourage you to find a group near you. That first step is the hardest. Call and talk to someone. Ask questions. Test it for yourself. It can work when you work it. It is help for the helpless with so much to lose while gaining so much. So, what do have to lose?

Ken

Never Forever

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10

Some of you reading this are feeling a dire stress in your life and you're feeling like you're in the fire. Some are facing the pain of separation from a loved one or divorce from a spouse. Some are stressing over children, employment, bills, death of a friend or family member, or major illnesses. Whatever it may be it feels like the fire of affliction and, believe me, the majority all of us have been there at one time or another and know how painful it can be.

Fire can be a deadly threat or it can be a useful tool. It is necessary in the refining of gold. Gold usually is mixed with other elements and cannot be fully refined without fervent heat. When the elements are melted, borax and soda ash are added to separate the gold from its other components. The job isn't finished until it's brought to its fullest perfection in the eyes of the refiner.

God sometimes needs to bring us through the fire to clear and purify areas in our lives. Even the U.S. Forestry service will do something called a prescribed burn, deliberately setting fire to overgrown trees and brush that can become fuel for a future fire. A prescribed burn's benefits to a forest can be many.

Peter says not to be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes to test you (1^st Peter 4:12). But being in the fire hurts and it's frightening. What can you do now? What did Job do? He lost everything. But during his ordeal his faith in a just and compassionate God remained. Although he did waver momentarily God lovingly and mercifully brought him back to center. He knew why he was there and was with him through the fire.  Job eventually did come out of the crucible.

If you feel like you're being poured out like gold remember the beauty and value it attains when it's done. The refiner's fire never lasts forever but it is necessary for perfecting it's fullest purpose. Coming out of the crucible will be nothing like what went in. I'm in no way diminishing your hurt but if, like Job, your faith in a just and compassionate God remains, when you've passed through the fire you'll find there will be growth, change and renewed faith. In the eyes of the Refiner you will be as good as gold.

Ken