A Whale-balanced Boat

 

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16 (NIV)

It was a beautiful July day with calm water in the Juan de Fuca Strait. My family and I were going to spend the day in Victoria, BC. Our ferry out of Port Angeles, WA was a large vehicle carrier and able to accommodate up to 1000 passengers.

Halfway across, a pod of Orcas was spotted on the port side. When somebody yelled, “Killer whales!” many passengers ran to the left side to look, and the boat began to lean. The captain’s irritated voice immediately came over the public address system warning them not to all stand on one side of the vessel at the same time, as their weight interfered with the balance of the boat. If we landlubbers did not realize the value of balance, the captain surely did and knew the panic that would ensue in an unbalanced boat catastrophe.

It seems much of the world is standing on the port side of things and is out of balance. In telling us how things will be before His return, Jesus explains He is telling us so when we see these things beginning to happen (Matthew Ch 24:4-51, Luke 21:7-36), we will have peace in him. He tells us not to scare us, but to prepare us. Prepare us for what, exactly?

We live in truly Biblical times that have been prophesied to be taking place at the end of the age. Right now, the beginning of God’s judgments is mercifully restrained, but His grace will one day be exhausted by an impenitent and unremorseful generation. His full wrath against sin will be poured out upon the planet. Jesus said it will be with “distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again,” (Matt. 24:21).

As much as powers and principalities in high places push their agendas toward our destruction, they cannot go beyond the boundaries set by Christ. In the turmoil He calls believers to take heart for He has overcome the world. He holds all authority and power to bring blinding light to every corner and crevice of this present darkness (Jn. 16:33). Evil will one day be swept away, and we will reign with Christ in righteousness forever (Rev. 22:5). Meanwhile, He gives us the full armor of God as our shield (Eph. 6:10-18).

The Bride of Christ (all believers) will not have to go through this for the judgment is toward an unbelieving and unrepentant world. Believers will be taken up before God's wrath against sin is poured out (1st Thess. 4:15-17, 5:9, Rev. 4:1). Jesus tells us to always pray to be found worthy to stand with Him on that day to escape the coming judgment (Lk. 21:36). Believers will be taken up to meet Christ Paul says to be saved we only need to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the riches of His grace (Acts 16:31, Eph. 1:7).

Isaiah says for those who refuse this grace, the understanding of this message will bring sheer terror (Is. 28:19). For those of us who do comprehend that the times are in God’s hand, it brings peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7). His boat is whale-balanced, untippable, and unsinkable. He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Jn. 14:27), and He is in the boat with us now and faithful to the end of the age. All this comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent (Is. 28:29).

Maranatha,

Ken

Mira, yo pongo una piedra en Sion, una piedra probada, una piedra angular preciosa para un fundamento seguro; El que confía en ella nunca será atacado por el pánico. Isaías 28:16 (NVI)

Un barco equilibrado de ballenas

Era un hermoso día de julio con aguas tranquilas en el estrecho de Juan de Fuca. Mi familia y yo íbamos a pasar el día en Victoria, Columbia Británica. Nuestro ferry que salió de Port Angeles, WA, era un gran portavehículos y podía acomodar hasta 1000 pasajeros.

A mitad de camino, se vio una manada de orcas en el lado de babor. Cuando alguien gritó: "¡Orcas!", muchos pasajeros corrieron hacia el lado izquierdo para mirar y el bote comenzó a inclinarse. La voz irritada del capitán llegó inmediatamente por el sistema de megafonía advirtiéndoles que no se pararan todos a un lado del barco al mismo tiempo, ya que su peso interfería con el equilibrio del barco. Si nosotros, los marineros de agua dulce, no nos dimos cuenta del valor del equilibrio, el capitán seguramente sí lo hizo y sabía el pánico que se produciría en una catástrofe de barco desequilibrada.

Parece que gran parte del mundo está parado en el lado de babor de las cosas y está fuera de equilibrio. Al decirnos cómo serán las cosas antes de Su regreso, Jesús explica que Él nos está diciendo que cuando veamos que estas cosas comienzan a suceder (Mateo 24:4-51, Lucas 21:7-36), tendremos paz en él. Nos dice que no nos asusten, sino que nos preparemos. ¿Prepáranos para qué, exactamente?

Vivimos en tiempos verdaderamente bíblicos que han sido profetizados para suceder al final de los tiempos. En este momento, el comienzo de los juicios de Dios está misericordiosamente restringido, pero Su gracia un día será agotada por una generación impenitente y sin remordimientos. Toda su ira contra el pecado será derramada sobre el planeta. Jesús dijo que será con "angustia sin igual desde el principio del mundo hasta ahora, y que nunca más será igualada" (Mateo 24:21).

Por mucho que los poderes y principados en las altas esferas empujen sus agendas hacia nuestra destrucción, no pueden ir más allá de los límites establecidos por Cristo. En medio de la confusión, Él llama a los creyentes a animarse, porque Él ha vencido al mundo. Él tiene toda la autoridad y el poder para llevar luz cegadora a cada rincón y grieta de esta oscuridad presente (Jn. 16:33). El mal un día será barrido y reinaremos con Cristo en justicia para siempre (Apocalipsis 22:5). Mientras tanto, Él nos da toda la armadura de Dios como nuestro escudo (Efesios 6:10-18).

La Novia de Cristo (todos los creyentes) no tendrán que pasar por esto porque el juicio es hacia un mundo incrédulo e impenitente. Los creyentes serán tomados en pie antes de que la ira de Dios contra el pecado sea derramada (1 Tesalonicenses 4:15-17, 5:9, Apocalipsis 4:1). Jesús nos dice que siempre oremos para ser hallados dignos de estar con Él en ese día para escapar del juicio venidero (Lc. 21:36). Pablo dice que para ser salvos solo necesitamos creer y confiar en el Señor Jesucristo, de acuerdo a las riquezas de Su gracia (Hechos 16:31, Efesios 1:7).

Isaías dice que para aquellos que rechazan esta gracia, la comprensión de este mensaje traerá puro terror (Isaías 28:19). Para aquellos de nosotros que comprendemos que los tiempos están en la mano de Dios, trae paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento (Filipenses 4:7). Su barco está equilibrado como ballenas, no se puede volcar y es insumergible. Él calmó la tormenta en el Mar de Galilea (Jn. 14:27), y Él está en la barca con nosotros ahora y es fiel hasta el fin de los tiempos. Todo esto viene del Señor Todopoderoso, cuyo plan es maravilloso, cuya sabiduría es magnífica (Isaías 28:29).

Maranatha

Conocer

 

 

Joseph's Greatest Gift

 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

Much is made of the young Jewish virgin Mary in her singular and wonderful role as mother of our Lord. She is mentioned from the conception of Jesus through His death and resurrection while Joseph receives peripheral mention.

Little is known of Joseph outside of the nativity story. We do know he was a tecton, a carpenter and handicraftsman, (Matthew 13:55), as was his foster-son, Jesus (Mark 6:3). Joseph was living at the time of Jesus’ twelfth birthday (Luke 2:42), and long enough to sire biological sons and daughters through Mary (Matt. 13:55-56). Nothing more is heard of him in scripture after Luke’s final reference (Lk. 2:48).  

There is a theme of a father’s virtuous legacy in Joseph for he was a righteous man and faithful to the law (Matt 1:19). He discovered during their marriage engagement that Mary was pregnant. They had not had matrimonial relations and he knew according to the law she could be put to death for adultery (Leviticus 20:10). He decided to divorce her quietly, probably to spare them both shame and embarrassment, and saving her life in the process. God guided him in his trust and faith, assuring and directing him by four dreams (Matt. 1:20-21, 2:13, 2:19-20, 2:22-23).

Joseph’s adoption, care, and training of Jesus were exemplary and to be fully commended in the Christmas account. He was as much a part in his fatherly influence in Jesus’ upbringing as His mother who was blessed among all women (Luke 1:42). Solomon speaks of the children of a virtuous woman standing in her behalf and calling her blessed (Prov. 31:28). It is safe to say the same for the virtuous man and father.

Joseph ben Heli is to be remembered as that type of loving and nurturing man. He authenticates the kind of loving and virtuous leadership our heavenly Father calls this generation of men to match, a leadership that leaves an indelible and significant legacy. That is the greatest gift any man can offer his family.

May the Christ who came to us as a child bless your celebration of His first advent and may the God-Man He grew to strengthen your heart to His return.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! 

Maranatha,

Ken

He Who Goes First

 

Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:8 (NIV)

Indiana Jones hates snakes. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark was his discovery of the Ark of the Covenant hidden in the Well of Souls. Peering into the room from above he beheld the ark below with snakes writhing on the floor around it. A lot of snakes. Rolling back in shock Indy says, “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” His archeological associate, Sallah, looks and says, “Yes, asps. Very dangerous. You go first!”

In life who goes first, the LORD or you? As the sure Logos of God, we can know with certainty Christ always goes before us. When we face things that can make us tremble, we can remember what the LORD our Rock says of Himself, “Is there any God besides me?” There is not one who even comes close to His majesty, power, and wisdom, let alone match Him. He is a Rock on which we can firmly stand and in whom we can fully trust.

He is more than willing to meet and overcome our worries and fears. His light leads and shines into any pit of darkness, even crawling with things we dread. The God of Israel will go before you and will be your rear guard (Is. 51:12). He will crush the head of any serpent as He says, “Do not fear for I am with you. Follow Me. I will go first.”

Maranatha,

Ken

Through Cloud and Rain

 

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

I recently flew into Billings, Montana. It was raining on our final approach, and with just about 30 seconds left to touchdown the plane descended into a cloud that completely blocked all outside view. Light faded as rain streaked the window. My tension remained until light increased and we came out of the bottom of the cloud with a view of the city below and our airplane descending to the runway. During the flight both pilots and individuals working ground control were not in sight, nor were their communications heard, but their unseen skills brought us to a safe landing.

It is hard for many to trust in a God who is invisible and inaudible as we might be descending into a personal storm.  Somehow it seems more frightening as darkness and cloud totally obscure our sight and rain steaks the window. Is the invisible God with us in this storm? What is He like? Paul tells the Colossian believers that God’s Son, Christ Jesus, is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. He goes on to say of Him: He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (1^st Timothy 6:15,17).

Jesus taught that He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). A great part of our trust in Him is remembering that the clouds and the rain are in His hand and even wind and the sea obey Him (Matt. 8:27).

Our faith and hope in God are never misplaced. The Father is invisible yet ever present (Psalm 139:7-12). While He remains invisible, His Son is incarnate, in bodily form and the essence and His exact likeness in human flesh has been made known. Through clouds and rain, we can always know what God is like for to have seen the Son is to have seen the Father (John 14:9).

The rain streaking your window and that thick cloud obscuring your sight has a bottom and will pass. We can be assured we will drop out of that cloud and rain into daylight with our runway in sight and Christ as our Pilot in Command.

Maranatha,

Ken

Love Your Nabor

 

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)

Once while cleaning up a Sunday School room at my church, I came across a child’s lesson. In their innocent child-like way they had written in crayon, “Love Your Nabor.”

I smiled as I read it but was struck by something deeper in those simple words. While the spelling might not have been perfect, it was pristine of heart revealing the simple and trusting faith of a child.

As I considered it, if my choice were to live next to a nabor who got a D in spelling but graduated with a circumcised heart for God, I would choose them over any neighbor with a degree that came with a heart of flint. I have lived with both kinds of people, and I have always preferred the nabor.

Jesus taught that unless we are converted and become as little children, we will not enter the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:3). We must put off continued anger, resentments, grudges, or getting even. These things will eat at us and destroy our peace. If trust is an issue, remember trust is also a choice. Yes, it is possible to be hurt again, but it is also possible to find healing and reconciliation through its embrace. These good returns cannot be achieved without it. This was a mainstay in the teaching of Jesus Christ in trust and forgiveness (Luke 17:4).  

If we are to love like a child, we must approach the Lord in the innocence of child-like faith. He wants us to approach Him in a spirit of humility, and loving trust. He is much less interested that we know how to spell ‘neighbor,’ as that we practice being one.

Maranatha,

Ken

 

           

The Eloquence of Silence

 

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:3-5 (NIV)

You know it is going to be a bad day when you are waiting behind some Hells Angels at a red light and the guy behind you lays on the horn as soon as the light changes. Your first words after waking up in the hospital are, “Hey, it wasn’t my fault!”

OK, so maybe that is a bit of hyperbole. Many of us have been the brunt of another person’s unwarranted wrath. Peter teaches a spiritual principle that applies to any such circumstances, and that is to patiently bear up under unjust accusation and suffering. He writes, But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God (1^st Peter 2:20). The fleshly side of my nature is not fond of this notion.

There is no credit in bearing a deserved punishment. It is gracious compliance to underserved suffering that finds favor in God’s eyes. Jesus Christ was the perfect example of gracious compliance to unjust accusation and suffering (Is. 53:7). The Roman prefect, Pilate, was amazed by this (Mark 15:5).

It is not easy to keep quiet when we are the focal point of someone’s negative judgments or wrath, especially when unjustified, however there is a trade-off that is right in God’s estimation. Taking it patiently is praiseworthy to Him. It creates blessing in very unfair circumstances for it demonstrates a heart that is right and commendable before God. When we do we exemplify our Lord Jesus Christ in a way that touches hearts and can leave them amazed.

Maranatha,

Ken

From That to This

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here! 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

The coastal redwoods of the western United States are the largest coniferous trees in the world, some reaching heights of a 35-story building (365 feet or 110 meters). Their seeds are small enough to fit in the palm of the hand but fully grown can produce a tree that weighs as much as 200 tons (200,000 kilograms). As mammoth as these trees are, they are anchored by a shallow but strong root system that can withstand storms, wind, and even earthquakes. While most redwoods live between 500 and 1000 years, some Giant Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada mountains are between 2000-3000 years old.

Trees in Scripture denote sustenance, strength, and health. In Eden God gave Adam and Eve every fruit bearing tree, pleasing to the eye and good for food (Gen. 2:9). David speaks of those who trust in the LORD as strong and fruitful trees that prosper (Psalm 1:3), and in the time of complete reconciliation and redemption to come, the tree of life will again be available to bring health and wellbeing to the nations (Rev. 22:2).

What is meant by new creations in Christ? The Greek en Christos, denotes a relation of rest. To be a new creation in Christ means not only to rest in Him but allow Him to renew an individual to a new and better way of life. Christ will take all who believe from a new beginning, to a towering faith, that stands the test of time.

This kind of growth is not immediate but happens over time as we patiently persevere in our walk with Christ. Getting in a hurry with worry will not add one hour to our lives (Matt. 6:27), or a single centimeter to our height. Walking means one step at a time, and maturity in growth our daily occupation.   

The seeds that fall from your branches can plant themselves in hearts that will bear a harvest at the appropriate time. It helps to remember we are not the Holy Spirit; He does the work (Eph. 2:8). He only asks us to be faithful to plant His good seed in hearts that might one day reap a hundred-fold harvest (Mark 4:8).

You may not be aware of your growth but be assured others are taking note. Be encouraged. If a small seed can fall from a tree, bury itself, and grow from a sprout into a massive and unshakable tree, then you are on your way. In Christ it will happen and is happening for you even now. You are among the king of trees, rooted in the King of Kings. When the old is gone the new comes. You are a tree that cannot be shaken nor moved!

Maranatha,

Ken