Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

You’ve probably heard the line about the guy who cried out to God in desperation, praying, “Lord, give me patience—and give it to me NOW!” Joseph could well have been driven to pray like that during many times in his life. He was sold into slavery by his brothers—only after Reuben, the eldest, persuaded the others not to kill him! (Actually, Reuben intended to rescue him later.)  In his slavery his conditions went up and down. 

First, he is brought into the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. “But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” (Genesis 39:2) 

Then, when Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him of attempted rape, his situation deteriorates to the point of being imprisoned. There again, we read, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and lovingkindness…”. The prison warden puts him in charge of the prisoners and day-to-day operations. 

Two of Pharaoh’s officers, his chief butler and his chief baker, are thrown into prison after offending the king. They tell Joseph about the dreams they had and Joseph interprets the dreams, telling them that the chief butler will be reinstated but the chief baker will be hanged. Joseph asks the butler to “mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.” (Hey, what good would it do to have the baker mention it?!?!) But the butler forgets Joseph. 

Two full years later, Pharaoh has a dream of his own. He tells the Egyptian magicians (say “Egyptian magicians” 3 times fast!) and wise men about the dream but none of them can interpret it. When the butler hears about it he has an “Aha!” moment and finally tells Pharaoh about Joseph. 

Joseph interprets the dream and goes on to tell him of a plan and advises Pharaoh to appoint trusted officers to carry it out. Pharaoh, lost as a goose but certainly no dumb man, decides there is no one better to do the job than Joseph. 

If you want to read all of Joseph’s story for yourself, go to Genesis 37. My point here is to write about the patience that Joseph practiced and to encourage you, and myself, that we can do the same—and on what basis we can do it! 

What kept Joseph “going”, so to speak, through his years of slavery and imprisonment? 

I submit to you that it is shown in the two verses quoted: “But the Lord was with Joseph” Genesis 39:2 says: “though a slave”.  Even in the best of times, Joseph was not a free man. For several years, whatever his comfort or lack of it was, he was a prisoner—a position caused by his own brothers. His position in Potiphar’s house had been lost due to a lie. His big opportunity to be let out of prison was apparently lost (after two years wouldn’t you think so?) due to the forgetfulness of someone. 

“But the Lord was with Joseph.” And this was his assurance. 

You and I have that same assurance and more. Because of our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, you and I have the Holy Spirit within us, and have become His sheep. 

“The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29 

And we have, among other promises from God’s Word, one which I love to read and confess from Hebrews 13:5. It is especially stirring when read from the Amplifed Bible, with the richness of meaning that comes from a full translation of the original Greek language: 

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]“ 

Let’s take away the parentheses and brackets to read God’s promise again: 

“He, God Himself, has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down; relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!” 

Instead of praying for patience—especially “right now”, why not dwell on this incredible promise from God until it becomes “credible.” Read it, meditate on it, and praise God for its Truth. 

From this promise will rise the patience to endure anything knowing that–as with Joseph but in the fullness of the new covenant and presence of the Holy Spirit within, the Lord is with you. God will not, will not, will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down; relax His hold on you! Assuredly not! 

Love,
Brother Bill

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is my habit to daily read and confess Psalm 91 for myself and my family. This morning I just kept going and read Psalm 92. There I found such a gift!

Easter Sunday was a day of powerful praise and worship at Gateway Community Church—my church home. Yet we were doing so in the midst of electrical problems, some who were not feeling their best, and other issues that the world, the flesh and the devil had instigated.

But God (one of my favorite Biblical phrases) through His Holy Spirit inhabited the praises of His people.

Verses 1 through 5 of the psalm express what the congregation, the band, the choir and praise singers were engaged in doing corporately that morning:

IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High, To show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, With an instrument of ten strings and with the lute, with a solemn sound upon the lyre. For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing. How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.

Verses 6 through 9 speak of what we were up against:

A man in his rude and uncultivated state knows not, neither does a [self-confident] fool understand this: That though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to be destroyed forever. But You, Lord, are on high forever. For behold, Your adversaries, O Lord, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the evildoers shall be scattered.

Finally, verses 10 through 15 show what we received from the Lord through our genuine heartfelt praise of Him:

But my horn (emblem of excessive strength and stately grace) You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil. My eye looks upon those who lie in wait for me; my ears hear the evildoers that rise up against me. The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Isn’t that always the result when we give ourselves wholeheartedly and unselfishly to praise and worship of our Lord and Savior?  When we do so in the midst of problems – man-made and otherwise –- He works through any situations and gives us so incredibly in return.

What a gracious and mighty God we serve.

Love,
Brother Bill

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to introduce you to my friend, Al Cagle. I’ve known Al and his wife, Jeane, for a number of years through our church, Gateway Community.  I’ve served with them on the drama team and come to love them both as two of God’s special people. 

Jeane sent this example of Al’s writing to share with me and gave me permission to share it with you.  It is from an email he sent to the members of his Life Group.

The following is from Al:

With the economy the way it is, some may be starting to feel trapped in their jobs or situation.  It is easy to start to complain about how you are stuck and cannot get out. In some cases, it might be very valid.

But I am going to ask you one thing: “Who do you work for?”

In one of Stephen Covey’s books he writes about being responsible.    He explains that that word responsible can be broken down into response-able.  He challenges that no matter what is happening, you ultimately decide if it is “good” by your response. 

A lady in the audience at one of his lectures stood up and explained that she was a home care nurse and she had a lady that was grouchy, uncooperative, mean, and negative and was making her life miserable.  She hated going to this lady’s house.  Covey told her that she was still response-able.   The lady sat down upset that Covey obviously did not understand. 

It is funny how we sometimes view problems, difficult situations, and life’s jungles as not our doing and, therefore, there is nothing we can do but complain.    Paul wrote that all things are made right (pause, pause) through God (Romans 3:28).   James wrote whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy (James 1:2).  

Okay, so when all hell breaks loose I should be happy?   Really?

So, “Who do you work for?”

If you are working for a company or yourself or even for some grouchy, mean customer, it is easy to become angry, disgruntled, or disenchanted.  You can even start to plan on moving to another job unless the economy is in the tank and you are then trapped—right?   Luke 19:40 says that if we don’t praise God then the rocks will break out in praise.  Wow! If we cannot find a reason to praise God, that dumb, stupid rock will pick up the load for us.

The fact is that you get to decide everyday how the day will be. You get to decide every moment how you will view the situation. God does not promise problem-free lives but He does promise hope and reward.  He asks only for obedience.  Job learned that lesson as he lost all of his possessions.  

That lady in Covey’s group finally had an “ah ha” moment.  She came up to Covey afterwards and said, “I get it.  Why am I letting that woman’s poor attitude infect me with a poor attitude? Yes, she can see the life as miserable but I don’t have to do the same.  I can smile and laugh at her and say, ‘I am so sorry you are having a bad day but not me.  I am having a good day.’”

She figured out who she worked for.

At the end of the day it is not important how happy the customer is (in some cases they are never happy).

It is not about whether your boss is pleased with your performance and giving you praise.

What really matters is what God sees of your performance. He is my Boss.  He is the reason I go to work, am a father, am a husband, dance a jig, sing a song, love, exist.

And here is the great thing:  my Boss thinks so much of me that He sacrificed his very son so I could keep living.   So, hey, I will do whatever he wants and I can’t help but be happy about it.   Today, he wants me to work at Dow Chemical as a production leader. Tomorrow he may want me to work at the garbage dump moving waste around.  I still work for the greatest Boss ever and I will more than happily do what He wants.

I have read that the bad kind of stress (the kind that causes health issues, pain, and death) is caused when you are not acting in line with your values.   When you let God rule and obey, you will never act out of line with your values because He is your value.

So, who do you work for?

Thanks, Al (and Jeane for letting us read and share this)

Love,
Brother Bill

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 Amp 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Continuing to read from the mythical Book of William, Chapter 1:11: 

¹¹And so it was that William was taken from the home of Hermann along the road to city of his home. The Lord continued to be faithful and to travel with him.  

¹²Throughout the days that passed, faithful friends called and visited to inquire of his well-being and to bring meals to sustain and enjoy.  

¹³There continued to be wailing and gnashing of teeth but, as at the home of Hermann, there were great blessings from God and the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

¹⁴And the Lord continues to work to this day.

My grandkids did not know exactly what to make of this new version of “Papa”, as they call me. He walked around with a strange contraption-made even stranger due to the extension for my broken wrist. He was not like the guy who had chased them around the house during games of “Duck, duck, goose.” When I first began to gingerly test being “walker-less”, my granddaughter exclaimed, “Papa’s back!”   

In light of the recovery still ahead of me, Morgan’s observation was a little premature but it was welcomed and a true indication of how she had viewed Papa’s condition. Behind that walker–which I both blessed and cursed–I took several daily turns on “Loop 428″ (as I named the circuit around our house that I exercised (the number of our house is 428).

My continuing experiences included showers which would not have been possible without my loving wife there to wrap my casted broken wrist so it wouldn’t get wet and to stand beside me because I could not clean myself. There were also the hundred-and-one times (at least) when she had to do or get something for me which was practically impossible for me such as helping me dress and to put on (and take off) my boots. 

Although she has always done so much for me, she went above and beyond the call of duty–to use the proverbial expression. And not only did she take such excellent care of me personally, she undertook the considerable paperwork, photocopying, and conversations on the phone with both Samaritan Ministries (our “insurer”) and the various healthcare providers. I continue to admit to all who know us: I definitely married UP (as if I had to tell them). 

I put the term insurer in quotes above because it’s impossible to find a simple term for the role Samaritan Ministries played. 

In 2005, when my employer laid me off, we were without group medical insurance. The cost to convert the group coverage I had to individual was prohibitive and the individual coverage premium was almost as high-and climbing higher each month. 

Through one of her cousins, Chris found out about Samaritan. After much prayer and consideration we dropped our traditional coverage for them. The plan consists of a large community of Christians who have come together to share each other’s medical bills. Members are active in church and believe in living biblical lifestyles that include making healthy living a priority. Each pays a monthly “share” that is used to pay fellow members’ medical bills. 

The people with whom we dealt at Samaritan could not have been more competent in handling negotiations with providers nor with us. 

One of the great blessings I received from the individuals and families who mailed us checks were the notes, cards, and letters that accompanied them. Not only was this correspondence warming, supporting and inspiring but I knew that in addition to the prayers of friends and family around me there was an even larger community of believers lifting up both Chris and me in prayer.

As great as the impact of these experiences was, and with the many times I felt the Lord so close during this time I must confess, however, that my flesh is weak (Surprise, Surprise!) 

There were times of despair. Few times in my life have I shed as many tears. There were tears of pain, anger, frustration and, in all-too-many cases, tears of self pity. At times, I would give voice to my complaints along with the tears. 

It was in these moments the Lord would gently correct me saying, “Son, it’s all right to cry; that is a release. But do not speak. Do not give the enemy a foothold.”

I know full well that my experience is so minor in light of the pain and tragedy others have faced. I also know that my accident–even from the distance I fell–could have been fatal or permanently debilitating, and it was so much less. Yet the Lord never condemned or criticized for self-pity. He simply reminded me that it was not His best for me. 

As He continued to speak to me, it was as if I were His only concern on Earth. (Talk about multi-tasking!)

There were rehab sessions for my hip and later, when the cast was removed, for my wrist. To this day there are times when it seems healing is complete-or at least imminent. Other days, it seems to have gone backwards. My last appointment with my surgeon resulted in a good prognosis for both hip and wrist. I possibly face minor carpal tunnel surgery on my wrist but, then again, it may not.

I thank the Lord for the delicious meals provided by those who signed up and traveled out of their way to deliver. We do not live in the nearby neighborhood of the church we attend. There was a time commitment on the part of brothers and sisters in Christ to both prepare and bring the meals we enjoyed and which helped take some load from Chris.

There were the financial gifts, as well as a blessing of some work to building a website for the husband of one of the therapists who came to our home-someone whom I would not have met and talked with outside of the contact brought about due to my accident.

The blessings I received from the Lord-both directly and through His children-have proven to me over and over the words of Romans 8:28. 

My accident was not a “test from God” and certainly not a punishment. I don’t even waste time trying to involve the actions of our enemy, either. It was simply an event–a symptom of our fallen world (pun not intended, but I love puns so I’ll leave it!).

I know that, as soon as believers gathered around my broken body, some were praying even then. 

I know that, as soon as the Lord stopped my futile self-pity and self-incrimination and spoke the words of Romans 8:28 to me (using His own authorized translation), I felt the presence of His Holy Spirit, who never left. And I know that our Heavenly Father moved those who continued to pray and to give and to serve.

Above all, He has caused me to grow in my daily walk with Jesus Christ. I can say that without claiming an ounce of self-credit because God has made it clear that the work has been all His.

Praise God. Thanks to all who prayed; thanks to all who served in our behalf.  How beautiful is the body of Christ! 

Below is a companion video to the four-part letter about the accident. It may serve as an aid to remembering this vital promise.

Love,
Brother Bill

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14 Amp 

All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel–which, when translated, means, God with us.  Matthew 1:22-23 Amp 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

One prophetic scripture written some 700 years before the second has a meaning beyond its own time. 

First of all, what is the difference between Immanuel and Emmanuel? The difference lies only in the English spelling. Both words are the translation of the Hebrew word ‘Imanu’el’ meaning “God [is] with us.” 

This phrase conveys the idea of God come down in the flesh, living alongside mankind, sweating and subjecting Himself to the pains of the flesh; finally subjecting Himself to man’s brutality while extending His love to bring the offer of redemption to all.

That is the very radical meaning of Christmas. It isn’t about mistletoe, music, parties and presents, or even the spirit of giving. Christmas is a celebration of the radical fact that God took on human flesh when Jesus was born. Jesus–God Himself–is Immanuel, God With Us! 

The difference for us is like night and day. In past times God lived among man but confined Himself to a separate place where few could go: 

THEN SOLOMON said, The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness;  I have built You a house, [in which the dark Holy of Holies seems] a [fitting] abode for You, a place for You to dwell in forever.   2 Chronicles 6:1-2 Amp 

God made appearances as “the angel of the Lord” as in this episode with Moses: 

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up.” When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:1-6 Amp 

The angel of the Lord, God Himself, revealed Himself in a visible, personal way-taking the form of a human being. 

Then, as foretold, God sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus, to walk among us. But after three short years of ministry He was to leave again. The night before He was to be crucified, 

…Jesus, knowing (fully aware) that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God… John 13:3 (partial) Amp

and told His disciples: 

[Dear] little children, I am to be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: you are not able to come where I am going. John 13:33 Amp

They were puzzled and deeply troubled by this unexpected (to them) turn of events.

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, where are You going? Jesus answered, You are not able to follow Me now where I am going, but you shall follow Me afterwards. John 13:36 Amp

Jesus attempted to assure His distressed followers: 

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. John 14:1 Amp

After telling them that where He was going they could not go at present (John 13:35) but that He would return for them (John 14:3), Jesus comes the core meaning of Immanuel: 

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever- John 14:16

While Jesus as “God in the flesh” could be physically “with us” He was limited by His physical body.

Therefore, the only way for the unbroken, never-ending presence of God with us was as Jesus explained: 

I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 Amp 

That promise of Immanuel is not just to the apostles; It is to us also. 

What does it really mean to you and me? 

Do you know what it feels like to feel utterly alone–to attempt to live your life with nothing to fall back on; with no one to help? If you’ve ever gone through desperate times you know exactly what it feels like. The wonderful promise made through the Christ child-Immanuel–is that God pledges to be with us in our troubles. He will not leave us to your own resources. All of His resources are now available to us. 

Jesus was born in a moment of time. He paid for our sins, was resurrected, and returned to the Father.  Though He left us physically, He has been true to the promise given to us in Deuteronomy 31:6 and emphatically restated in Hebrews: 

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]  Hebrews 13:5 Amp

Hallelujah (He is Here), from Hillsong, is presented as a Christmas song. In its truest sense, however, I maintain it is a song for all time. Listen to the song below as you read the words. Let the reality of the concept of God with us surround and inhabit you. 

Love,
Brother Bill

He is here
The Savior has been born
The one we’ve waited for
Surrounded by our praises

He is here
The promise of our King
To You our lives we bring
Let Your glory be revealed

Joy to the world
Peace to all who love Him
The Savior has been born
And all of heaven smiles

Glory to God
Bring an offering to Him
Join with all the angels
Singing hallelujah

He is here
The Savior has been born
The One we’ve waited for
Surrounded by our praises

He is here
The promise of the King
To You our lives we bring
Let Your glory be revealed

Joy to the world
Peace to all who love Him
The Savior has been born
And all of heaven smiles

Glory to God
Bring an offering to Him
Join with all the angels
Singing hallelujah

——————————————————————————————-

This song is from the Double-CD Songs for Worship – Christmas by Hillsong Australia.

Order Songs 4 Worship CD, MP3 album or any single mp3 from Amazon

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Continuing to read from the mythical Book of William, Chapter 1:7:

⁷And so it was that William was taken from the Gateway to a place where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Yet, yea verily, the Lord was with him and he was surrounded with laughter and mirth and love.

⁸Throughout the days that passed, faithful friends came calling to inquire of his well-being. Sacred songs were sung over him and gifts were received. There was praise and worship in the midst of brokenness.

⁹Beginning in these days also there were blessings from God and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁰So, at last, William was sent forth from the place of earthly healing. And the Lord continued to work.

From the moment He prompted me to pray from Romans 8:28, the Lord began to prove Himself to me time and again.  In the Emergency Room there were those dear friends-those brothers and sisters in Christ–who knew to keep things “light” because they know me.

In the middle of x-rays and examinations there was levity. And there was music.

The new experience of being strapped to a backboard–a legal requirement–was so confining to me I could feel panic rising in me. But then, Betsy, our Worship Leader, began to sing over me and with me. The words and music of “Hallelujah (He is Here)” from Hillsong filled the room and the Lord was with us. Then we sang “I Have A Hope“, a song from Tommy Walker that I had learned only recently–which Chris and I had confessed as our own-completed the ministry of the Lord for the moment and about which I’ve written a previous letter (click on the song title).

“Hallelujah (He is Here)” brought my heart’s attention to His constant presence. “I Have A Hope” was the response He wanted from me.

In all the activity, I was not always aware of the passage of time. Medication took me in and out of consciousness. Yet, I was continually aware of the presence of God’s people with me. When I finally was taken to my room (they tell me it was 2:00 AM), the party continued.

Attempting to take part in the festivities, I began to give my best Ozzy Osbourne imitation. (It was only later that I realized that I was sounding like him.)  I tried to tell stories but, instead, would forget what I was talking about, would get too tired telling one, or would complete one and wonder what I had been talking about.  My condition produced slurred speech and an inability to form complete thoughts.

At least I was able to inadvertently bring laughter to those who had the patience to listen.

The remaining days of the seven I spent in the hospital brought the usual experiences: complete loss of appetite, sleep interrupted by nighttime medical “visitors”, the same repeated questions by a parade of white coats, and drugs of all types on a regular basis (some even brought relief from pain!).

But God… (Don’t you love it! This is one of my favorite phrases in the Bible) provided some wonderful experiences as well. There were also those brothers and sisters in Christ who came to call, a prayer quilt which I still use and treasure, and the continual awareness of the presence of the Lord.

One special event was the mini-worship service conducted by the aforementioned worship leader Betsy and a group of special people. They recreated the praise and worship music – as well as the morning announcements (she even brought a bulletin) – I had missed on the Sunday morning after my admission on the previous Tuesday.

It has been my habit to get to church early enough on Sunday to catch at least part of the last rehearsal before the service begins. Then, after attending the first service and participating in the worship, I stay for the first part of the second service to sing again. It is known-at least among some on the praise team–that I am sort of a “groupie.”

Because of this routine (but I know it is mainly because of the love in her heart for the Lord and for me) my sister-in-Christ surprised me (as well as my wife and the others who were present) with this special event. It was not a performance but, rather, a participatory time when we worshiped together. Not only did it touch my heart but the music spread to everyone in the hospital wing and several came to the door to witness it for themselves.

Chris drove me home Tuesday night a week almost to the hour of the accident. My grown son had to practically lift me out of the car and into the house. The first month-through Christmas-was filled with movement on a medical walker. One special friend said of me, “Here come the ‘Walkers’” when I approached and called me “Bill Walker-less” when I finally graduated to a cane.

At last, I was home. The words of Romans 8:28 had sustained me so far. I had been blessed and loved in the midst of adversity. And God would be faithful in the days to come.

Stay tuned.

Love,
Brother Bill

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp) 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

We continue reading from the Book of William, dropping down to Chapter 1:3: 

³Yea, verily, a small multitude of God’s people had gathered at the Gateway-called to many and diverse tasks in service to the Lord.  

⁴Some who were called to be singers and instrumentalists were preparing praise and worship for the next gathering of the faithful. 

⁵Others were laboring to prepare the sanctuary for the approaching celebration of Christ Jesus’ birth, and still others were laboring to let those who have ears hear and those who have eyes see. 

⁶And so it was that, although William fell in their midst, few were aware it had taken place. 

Okay, indulge me a little with the further description using the fictitious Book of William. What I’m saying is that, although there were a number of folks there (okay-not a multitude, perhaps!) within several feet of each other, I fell with little notice. 

I don’t remember who the second one was to find out I had fallen off the stage. Of course, I was the first (speaking of human beings only and not the Lord)!  But then, in an instant, it seemed as if I were surrounded. There was concern by the body of Christ, there was attention by friends who had some medical background. Looking back, I’m certain there were prayers being voiced. 

Yet, there I was, lying there berating myself out loud and under my breath for doing something so “stupid.”  Over and over, as if my regret and self-incrimination over being and acting like an “idiot” could change things, I continued mentally to go over the fall as if my apologies to God would erase the act. 

Yes, it was a careless act on my part. One might say that my reaction was “natural.”  Why wouldn’t I feel responsible for a thoughtless act such as this which would affect my life, Chris’ life, and the lives of others-not to mention the added expense at a time when we could ill afford them. 

But the Lord thought differently. 

In the midst of it all, the Lord began to speak to me. Without words, He stilled my lips to their self-criticism and condemnation.  He began to reconcile me to what had happened and I felt a calming and peace start to fill me. 

Then He brought to my mind the words of Romans 8:28, as He would over and over afterward.  I began to affirm them to myself, thinking, “Lord, this has happened and there’s nothing I can do about it. Just let me gain something positive and meaningful out of this situation.  Cause me to grow in my knowledge and my relationship with Jesus Christ.” 

Thoughts of “if only” still rose in me: “If only I had been more careful”, “If only I had stayed home instead of insisting to Chris that we come.” And there were the “what ifs”: “We don’t have traditional insurance-what if we’re not able to pay for this?” and “What if this is a serious injury and I’m not able to walk normally?” 

The ambulance came; Chris rode with me.  We were on the way to our “Great Adventure.” 

The best is yet to come.

Love,
Brother Bill

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

And so we begin by reading from the book of William 1:1-2,

¹And it came to pass in the year of our Lord 2008AD on the 25^th of November that Christine and William journeyed for an hour on the heavily-traveled road to the Gateway. They ventured forth to help with the decoration of the temple for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²And as they gathered at the Gateway with other true believers they knew not of the great fall that awaited William nor that he would be taken from their midst by strangers who would offer healing for his broken body….

I begin this letter in this quirky way for several reasons.

First, the story I’m about to relate took place just before Thanksgiving last year when I was thinking not only of the family gathering to come but also was beginning to get into the “Christmas spirit.” That fact lent me to think of the stories of Jesus’ birth I love to hear and read time and again.

Second, the “road” I was to “travel”–-which began that night-–was to be for me a time like no other in my long past life. It was to be a journey filled with pain, frustration, and tears but also with joy, laughter, victory, a special closeness with my Savior and Lord, and the greatest outpouring of love and prayers from God’s people I have ever knowingly received.

Third, I began this letter in this way because—as you may suspect by now or know from knowing me–I’m quirky.

The beginning of my story is related in the above “verses” from the fictitious book of “William.”

In short, my wife and I were at our church, Gateway Community, to help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.

It was November 25^th—just two days before Thanksgiving–when I persuaded her to go with me to see what still needed to be done.

We arrived that night after a 45-minute drive through a combination of regular Houston traffic mixed with a slew of early holiday shoppers—the kind of delay that can often make me want to turn around and go home.

But not this time; I was determined to get there and help and nothing could stand in my way.

I was helping with others to unroll long strings of Christmas lights that were attached to, and wrapped around, long pieces of lumber. Once unrolled, these boards were to be suspended behind long sheer curtains at the back of the stage, providing multiple strings of bright lights to show through.

Naturally, unrolling these lights led me to walk backwards from upstage to downstage and…well, while you can probably see it coming, I certainly did not.

Oh, I thought I was aware. I remember having the presence of mind to look for one of the short sets of stairs that lay on each side of the rounded stage front. I had a misplaced sense of security in knowing that I was avoiding these steps. But after that—I gave it no further thought.

The next thing I knew was that I was falling. I was never aware of being about to fall but recognized only that I was in a semi-horizontal angle making vain attempts to balance by flailing my arms around like a bird trying to take flight. (Wow! Wouldn’t that have been something if I could have done so! Say, Jesus walked on water. Did He ever walk on air? I guess He did when He ascended.)

My next awareness was not of falling but of being on the floor in front of the stage. My left leg was somewhat to one side and nothing I tried would get it to move alongside my right. My left arm was pointing up at my side, a large lump on the upper side of my wrist.

Although I’ve had falls before as an adult, I’ve never broken bones. Usually, after varying amounts of body checking and recovery, I have gotten myself up and proceeded with stiffness, some pain, and have recovered in short order.

This time, though, I knew I would not be getting up on my own, experiencing–and complaining about–some pain, shaking it off, and going home to rest.

After being strapped on a board–for the first time in my life–and being transported by ambulance (without siren) to the hospital—for the second time in my life—I experienced a week’s stay including meals, injections and medications, plus operations on my hip and wrist. I couldn’t eat the meals. There wasn’t anything wrong with them; I just had no appetite whatsoever (a rare occurrence for me).

So, that’s the first part of my story—and I’m sticking to it. Stay tuned for Part Two where Romans 8:28 comes into play. I’ll write about my recovery–still a work-in-progress—but, much more importantly what God, through the Holy Spirit, taught me as a result of my request.

Love,
Brother Bill

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner.
Exodus 17:-15 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

However majestic the pageantry of an Olympic opening ceremony, the most thrilling part to me is the parade of athletes. As the athletes of each nation parade into the stadium, the proud citizens stand, applaud, and cheer for those who represent them. And each group is preceded by the flag of their country. Their banner goes before them as a rallying point for the nation they represent.

When the gold, bronze, and silver medal winners stand to receive their awards, the flag of the gold medal winner is displayed in the highest position, and the anthem of his or her country is the only one played.

In other ceremonies and events, as during the pledge of allegiance, the 4th of July, or Veterans’ Day we salute, celebrate, or see our flag displayed as a symbol of our freedom.

We also mark victory in war with banners. The army of a country conquers new territory and the victory is marked by the planting of their flag-usually in the most prominent location available. The flag testifies to who has won and who is now in control of that land and it serves as a monument.

The banner I write about today, however, contains elements of all these occasions but precedes them in history and is greater in importance.

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. Then, they met their enemy, Amelek.

From there, the story goes like this:

Then came Amalek [descendants of Esau] and fought with Israel at Rephidim.

And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.

So Joshua did as Moses said and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the hilltop. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and when he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses’ hands were heavy and grew weary. So [the other men] took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua mowed down and disabled Amalek and his people with the sword.

And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in the book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner. Exodus 17:8-15 Amp

Rather than have him plant a flag, God had Moses build an altar to mark this spot as a place of remembering. God also revealed his name as Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is my Banner.

Look at the totality of the victory the Lord provided: Not only was the enemy defeated but his name was “utterly” blotted out.

But then, what’s this?

And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17:16 Amp

Just who is the guy, Amelek? How can he be utterly defeated and yet keep coming back? Is he some sort of evil Energizer rabbit?

While the literal Amelek was defeated, other “Amelek types” would rise up against Israel-and us-in the future. And who does Amelek symbolize? The devil, of course.

But we are to have no fear. Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord our Banner, is not only a flag we plant to mark a victory, He is also a banner we carry into future battles-battles for which we have the assurance of victory. Aaron and Hur – in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit-are there to help and encourage us in battle.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; John 16:33a Amp

Jesus says we’ll continue to have trials, distress, etc. But we’re to have perfect peace and confidence?

Yes, Jesus’ victory on the cross defeated the devil but he is still in the world.

Then we get the really good news:

…but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33b Amp

Understand what Jesus did when He overcame the world: He conquered it for us and deprived it of power to harm us.

How? How can we continue to have tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration if He has conquered these things for us?

The answer is not meant to minimize the tragedy and injustice that continues in the world nor in our individual lives. We live in a fallen world-in which the devil and his cohorts continue to do their work.

But we have been given tools. Among them are:

Ephesians 6:11-18 – the Armor of God

1 Corinthians 2:16 – the mind of Christ

James 1:5 – the wisdom of God

James 4:7 – the power to resist the devil and order him to flee

And we have Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord our Banner.

He knows all about you but He loves you anyway. Nothing can take that away. Your name is written on His hand and on His heart. And He goes before you today, proclaiming, “Here comes my child.”

I love this song from Watermark. Listen to it with joy at what your Banner thinks of you.

Love,
Brother Bill

Carry You

God of all creation orders all the universe
Every detail of the corners of the earth now (He covers)
And nothing comes between His mighty hand

Nothing can surprise Him ’cause He knows all about you
Every detail of the corners of your heart now (He knows You)
And nothing you could do can take that from you

Let love carry you, let His heart cover you
Like a big, warm coat
So you can be warm whenever you’re cold now
He goes before you now with a big, bright banner across this town
Saying, “here comes my child…here comes my child”

You’ll never walk alone now
‘Cause He loves to surround you
Your name is written on His hands and
on His heart now (He loves You)
And nothing you could do can take that from you!

Let love carry you, let His heart cover you
Like a big, warm coat
So you can be warm whenever you’re cold now
He goes before you now with a big, bright banner across this town
Saying, “here comes my child…here comes my child”

Keep truth in whatever you do and His favor will rest on you
Keep hold of every promise He has given
Keep giving all of your life and be a living sacrifice
‘Cause He’s given you everything you need in Jesus,
Everything you need…

Let love carry you, let His heart cover you
Like a big, warm coat
So you can be warm whenever you’re cold now
He goes before you now with a big, bright banner across this town
Saying, “here comes my child…here comes my child”

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But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wrote recently about those Bible verses that contain words and phrases that seem to “jump out” at us when we read them because they’re contained in familiar songs of praise and worship.

Well, I had that experience just the other day when Hebrews 12:24 grabbed my attention. All at once I heard this song in my mind. Are you familiar with it?

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus, it’s Your blood

What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can wash us pure as snow
Welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood, King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father’s heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not earthly confidence
It’s only by Your blood

(Nothing But The Blood — Words and Music: Matt Redman Copyright © 2004 Thankyou Music)

The wording of verse 24 in other translations is not the same as in the NIV. If I had been reading one of these perhaps I would not have recognized the “song lyric.”   Perhaps, too, this is the way the Lord works with us.

At first, the words “speaks a better word” caused me to think of this song. Then, working as only the Lord does, He began to speak His “better word” to me.

He led me to read this verse in several other translations which gave me greater insight.

And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. Amp

You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Heb 12:24 NLT

This, in turn led me to Genesis 4:10 — to which this verse refers.

But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!

And then He filled me with the realization—once again—of what Jesus did for us.

Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance and judgment. And God had to respond. But under the new covenant Jesus became our Mediator with the Father. His atoning blood does not cry out for judgment but secures our acceptance by God.  As the song says, the blood of Jesus speaks righteousness for me and stands in my defense.

And what of all those “empty claims?”

Nothing will make me righteous in the eyes of God except the blood of Jesus.

I cannot work to attain it, I cannot perform religious exercises and rituals nor can I repeat this life over and over until my “karma” is right.

We are saved only by the blood of Jesus.

“But Bill,” you might say, “I know all this. What’s the big insight?”

Yes, we know all this; we talk to each other about it. We might even say, “Yes, Amen!”

But today, pause and think on it. Read the words to the song. Read Hebrews 12:12-29. Ask the Lord to fill you with the realization of these things–not just in your head, but in your heart.

Contemplate these things and you will be awed by them and, perhaps, more inclined to fulfill your calling to the greatest benefits our new covenant provides.

Jesus, it’s Your blood.

Love,
Brother Bill

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Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

(Words: Fanny J. Crosby, Music: Phoebe P. Knapp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I was listening to the Avalon’s Faith – A Hymns Collection CD recently and came to their new arrangement of this great old song.

Hearing old hymns in a new way can cause us to hear them with “new ears.” This fresh perspective can help us realize the powerful messages they often contain.

The words were written in 1873 by Fanny Crosby. She was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as the Knapp home was having a large pipe organ installed. The organ was incomplete so, using the piano, Mrs. Knapp played a new melody she had just composed called “Assurance”. “What do you think the tune says?” asked Knapp.

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”, answered Fanny Crosby. And so, with Fanny’s words, the hymn was born that same year.

Let’s listen to this great contemporary Christian song (It was contemporary in 1873 and its message is timeless!).

So, what is this “blessed assurance” all about?

First, let’s define a few words used in the song:

The word blessed as used here means highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace), or made holy.

The word foretaste refers to an early limited awareness of something yet to occur; a slight taste or sample in anticipation of something to come; an early but limited experience of something to come, or a small anticipatory sample.

That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it–to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14 Amp

An heir is one who inherits or is entitled to inherit property, one who inherits or is entitled to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office, or one who receives or is entitled to receive some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:6 NLT

And then there is the word assurance.  It speaks of a pledge or guarantee; freedom from doubt; certainty.

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 Amp

For Christians it means: being certain of our salvation.

Of what can we be sure?

• We can be sure we were chosen by God before the beginning of time.

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. Romans 8:29-30 Amp

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]–[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Ephesians 1:4-8 Amp

• We can be sure of God’s abiding love.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Amp

• We can be sure we are God’s children.

The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. Romans 8:16 Amp

• We can be sure of the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit and our salvation.

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 Amp

• We can be sure of our resurrection.

For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. And after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God… Job 19:25-26 Amp

And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. John 6:39 Amp

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:28-30 Amp

• We can be sure of eternal life.

I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. 1 John 5:13 Amp

How do we gain this assurance?

• By accepting the promises in God’s Word.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 Amp

And he who believes in (has faith in, clings to, relies on) the Son has (now possesses) eternal life. John 3:36a Amp

And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day. John 6:39-40 Amp

• By the confirmation of the Holy Spirit residing within us.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. Romans 8:14-16 Amp

• By our confession and our faith.

Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction…
…Since it is one and the same God Who will justify the circumcised by faith [which germinated from Abraham] and the uncircumcised through their [newly acquired] faith. [For it is the same trusting faith in both cases, a firmly relying faith in Jesus Christ]. Romans 3:22,30 Amp

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. Romans 10:9-10 Amp

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 Amp

• By His promise, His oath and by this hope we have.

This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, Hebrews 6:18-19 Amp

• By the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in and through us.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 Amp

Pause and think on these things. Then say out loud: Blessed assurance-Jesus is mine! This is my story and I’m sticking to it!

Love,
Brother Bill

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For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:2 NLT

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Those who have spent much time around me know what I think about the overuse of the word awesome. Rather than write once again with my own opinions, here’s something written by Dennis De Haan. I found it in the Our Daily Bread devotional some time ago:

——————————————-

AWESOME!

It’s an often-used word, and we hear it in the most unusual contexts. It’s the word awesome.

My 9-year-old grandson Josh and I were playing with a radio-controlled racecar set on the living room floor. Several times he would say, “Awesome!”

On another occasion, as my wife and I were leaving a restaurant, the manager, who was standing by the door, asked, “How was everything, folks?” “Fine,” I replied. “Awesome!” he said.

These two occasions set me to thinking: While it’s fun to play with my grandson and to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, are these experiences really awesome? So I consulted Mr. Webster’s unabridged dictionary. The primary definition lists awesome as “deeply reverent,” “dreadful,” “awful.” I remembered the time that I stood on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. That was truly an awesome experience.

Then I thought of a more awe-inspiring reality still. It’s knowing the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. No wonder the psalmist wrote, “The LORD Most High is awesome.”

The next time we hear the word awesome, may it remind us of our great God, who truly is awesome!

Dennis De Haan

——————————————-

Our language is a flowing, dynamic thing. There is no “Central English Bureau” controlling the changing use of words nor the introduction of new words into our vocabularies. Dictionaries are not a record of proper usage but, rather, a reflection of how our language is changing. That’s why they’re updated periodically.

And this letter is not meant as a criticism of those who use the word awesome to describe a new restaurant or a radio-controlled racecar–or anything else for that matter! Go ahead and use it.

Perhaps now that you’ve read this, however, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to think of the word you are using and Who it best describes.  When this happens, meditate for a few moments on the truly awesome One.

To paraphrase the old cliché: Beside the word awesome in the dictionary, there ought to be a picture of our Heavenly Father-the LORD Most High.

Love,
Brother Bill

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you heard or sung any of these lyrics before?

“…Your lovingkindness is better than life…”

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…”

“…not to us but to your name be the glory…”

Okay, while they are song lyrics, they’re actually from various verses from Psalms: 63:3, 36:5-6, 8:9, 84:10, and 115:1 respectively.

These are just a few examples. I’m sure you can think of more. What better praise and worship can we offer than to speak–and sing-His Word back to Him! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Browsing through a copy of The Cokesbury Worship Hymnal (copyright 1938) I came across a hymn that is short and sweet and gets straight to the point in only three lines.

Its title is “Everybody Ought to Love Jesus”, written by H.D. Loes. It was written in 1917 when, apparently, everything was simpler, including the presentation of the Gospel.

The complete lyrics are:

Everybody ought to love Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
He died on the cross to save us from sin
Everybody ought to love Jesus

Even as we Christians explore, discuss, and argue theological issues-which often can and do lead to divisiveness, the Gospel message is still beautiful in its power and simplicity: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV Read more »

“…I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM].” John 16:23 The Amplified Bible.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you ever say, “In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” very quickly at end of a prayer as if they were either magic words to ensure your prayer would be answered, or have you ever treated them as if they were just the standard thing to say to indicate the prayer was done–sort of like “over and out”, “so long”, or “later, God?” I must admit that I have done so.

No, these are not “magic words” we tack on the end of a prayer nor are they a way of saying, “I’m through praying for now.” They are words that say everything about what gives us the right to pray to God in the first place. Read more »

“May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, ^[a]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” Ephesians 3:17-19 Amplified Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m sure most, if not all, of you know this old story, but I’m going to tell it anyway. (Don’t stop me if you’ve heard it!)

Two old prospectors are arguing over the best way to train a pack mule. The first one maintains that you have to be extra firm with a mule from the beginning–just to let him know who is boss right away.

The other prospector maintains that you have to be gentle to win over a mule; you have to speak to him softly and sweetly. Then, he says, you can get the mule to do anything. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One time many years ago my mother, in a time of discouragement, said, “Sometimes I feel like my prayers don’t reach higher than the ceiling.” I replied to her, “Mother, they really don’t have to go any higher. God is with you right here in this room.”

She knew that. I was just reminding her of something we all know as believers: Jesus is with us through His Holy Spirit. (John 16:7)

Still, probably each of us is subject to the feeling that, at times, God does not hear us when we pray. It is not my intention in this letter to open the subject of unanswered prayer. Rather, I would like to remind you, and myself, of just one of those instances recorded for us in God’s Word where we can KNOW that a prayer for us was definitely answered.

The One offering the prayer is Jesus. The prayer is found in John 17. Read more »

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:10-12 (NKJV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The same year my mother-in-law died in 2000, there was a song that caused both my wife, Christine, and I to think about her every time we heard it. “Boots”, as she was called since childhood, greatly loved the Lord and was a godly influence to both of us, teaching by example and also praying for us all during our married life. Read more »

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL EMPOWERING

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT (1997)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For some time, I have made it a practice to reword the prayers of Paul included in his letters. Changing the pronouns to refer to myself (i.e., “at home in my heart as I trust in him”). I was delighted to find a book about the prayers of Paul that contained all of them already reworded for my use and for use in praying for someone specific. Read more »

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m thinking today about the phrase according to. Strong’s Greek Lexicon defines this phrase as used in Philippians 4:19:

by, after the manner of, by any means, beyond measure

We can see that the phrase according to does not mean only that God supplies our need from His riches in glory.

For example, Bill Gates, I believe, is the richest man in the United States-surely one of the richest. He could quite easily supply some of my financial need from his earthly riches. He could do that by giving me $100. That amount would not go far but he would be supplying me from his riches.

However, if he were to supply my need after the manner of his riches he would be treating me as if his riches were mine. I would be living after the manner of Bill Gates!

That is what God promises us—in greater terms than what could be offered us by any earthly billionaire! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you haven’t read my previous post “New Bible Reader? Here’s Where To Start” you might want to do so before reading on.

After a study of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, here’s my recommendation for your next study. Oh, and by the way, by “study”, I don’t mean some theological exercise but, instead, just reading with an open mind and heart. Before reading, just ask God to open these scriptures up to you and cause His Holy Spirit to help you to see into–and accept–the concepts you see introduced there. Let God, our Abba Father, show you how much He loves you through His Word. Read more »

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Depending on the translation you read, over 130 times in the New Testament we find the words “in Christ”, “in Him”, or “in Whom”. If you look at the book of Ephesians you will find all of these phrases 11 times in the 1st chapter alone! (NKJV) Read more »

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Are you a new Christian? Have you just accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord of your life? Are you eager to begin reading the Bible but don’t know where to start?

Or, maybe you’ve been a Christian for some years, as I was, and still can’t seem to make “heads or tails” of what you read. Maybe you’ve decided you were going to read your Bible from Genesis to Revelation and then got bogged down in Leviticus.

Whatever your situation is, I’ve got a suggestion for you: start reading in the books which best describe who you are now that you have chosen to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Wonder…a sense of wonder. Isn’t that where we all end up when we consider our God, His creation, the works of His mighty hand?

I once had an office mate at work with whom I did this wondering out loud. One day I was talking about one thing in particular that I wondered about when she suddenly burst out with, “Bill, you just wonder TOO MUCH!”

Too much? Such a thought had never crossed my mind before! Am I not supposed to wonder, or had I crossed some maximum threshold and boldly gone where no man had gone before? I console myself with a line I once read or heard that, unfortunately, I can’t attribute to any learned source– either secular or Biblical. It goes something like, “The highest state to which man can ascend is a state of wonder.” Sounds good to me, and certainly gives credence to my natural tendency to speculate.

Of course, I’ve used the word wonder in two ways here: first, to express curiosity, which is where I start, and secondly, to be marveled and astonished, which is where I end up each time. But thinking about our God and His creation; how He works and has worked; the promise of eternal life in His presence does give us cause to wonder. How awesome is our God!

(Okay, I used the word awesome–which I try not to do, but if it can’t be used in this instance when CAN it be used?)

And to get from that first curiosity to that final astonishment doesn’t always require thinking about “the nature of the universe” or “what will Heaven be like?”, either. It’s not even necessary for me to look at creation or miracles to attain that state.

It happens when I consider His nature—His grace, His forgiveness, and His incredible love. I can get there in a flash when I think about His love for me.

Consider the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you want to get yourself in a state of awe concerning God, I challenge you to read that story again and then really meditate on what’s going on there.

The father is waiting and watching for the son to return. When the son is sighted, the father RUNS to greet him. The father pays no attention to the son’s explanations and suggestions. The son is welcomed back as if from the dead. How awesome is our God who would do that with us!

And consider the father’s expression of love toward the son who did not wander but who also did not realize who he already was and what he always had.

I’ve read this story many times, heard many sermons and other references to it and yet, when I read it again and really meditate on it I’m “blown away.”

There’s another song from Watermark I want to share with you. It speaks of God’s great love, how we often take it for granted, and how it strikes us again and again each time we realize we have “No Idea” how great is His love for us right now nor how it will be to stand in His presence and see Him face to face. Look at the lyrics below as you play the song.

Practice His presence today. Spend time expressing your love for Him, thanking Him for His unbelievable love for you. Acknowledge to Him that you often have no idea how great is the love that’s given you forever.

Love,
Brother Bill

No Idea

God so holy and true
I am captured by You
And all of the things You do
Things too wonderful for me
Things that set this heart free
It’s all such a mystery

Oh, God, sometimes it’s like I see it
For the first time
Oh God, sometimes I realize…

That I really have no idea, no idea
It feels like coming home every time I’m near You
No idea, no idea
Yours is a love so true and amazing
There’s so much of You
I really have no idea.

And when I think about the day
When all else will fade away
Where are the words to say?
Is there a way to describe looking in Your eyes?
When I see the mystery, oh God, can’t imagine seeing You for the first time
Oh God, I know I’ll realize

That I really have no idea, no idea
Great is the love that’s given me forever
No idea, no idea
Yours is a love so true and amazing
There’s so much of You I really have no idea

No idea, no idea
You know I can’t comprehend You
Or fully understand
But I trust Your heart
You’re who You say You are
I believe I believe with all that is in me

No idea, no idea
It feels like coming home every time I’m near you
No idea, no idea
Great is the love that’s given me forever
I really have no idea, no idea, no idea
Yours is a love so true and amazing

“No Idea” was written by Nathan Nockels, Christy Nockels and Wayne Kirkpatrick. © 2001 Sweater Weather Music /Rocketown Music / Word Music, Inc. (ASCAP) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Sell the Cow Music (BMI). From Watermark Constant CD Used by Permission

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Read these words of Jesus from the book of John:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

Lately, I’ve given the Lord reason for Him to bring these words to my mind and to read John 15. In the Christian community we talk about things like “spiritual growth” or “maturity” and the Bible seems to be filled with “DOs and DON’Ts” regarding how we are to live our new lives. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How amazingly quick and efficient is the God we worship and serve! When He speaks to me I hear no audible voice and He usually speaks His mind in an instant. Yet, to relate what He says takes me many words and much time. It’s as if He gave me an mp3 file which took only a moment to download but which took hours to play. He spoke to me that way this morning and I am still considering the weight and substance of His thoughts. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Read these words from Isaiah:

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves.” (Isaiah 62:6)

Recently I was given an opportunity through which the Lord reminded me about aspects of intercessory prayer that I had forgotten. Perhaps you have been in the place I was and can identify. I admit I am a slow learner when it comes to spiritual matters and need repeated instruction to get it to “sink in.” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me,
Now safe am I.

Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.”

(Love Lifted Me Copyright 1912, by Charlie D. Tillman. Robert H. Coleman, Owner)

That’s the way I felt last night. Oh, I know the subject of the song is really the salvation experience–that moment when God reaches down in His grace and pulls us up into His arms, just as we are, from the depths of sin. Still, this old song came to mind. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Enjoy yourself.
It’s later than you think.
Enjoy yourself
While you’re still in the pink.
The years may go as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself!
It’s later than you think.

(Music by Carl Sigman, lyrics by Herb Magidson, copyright 1950)

Now, why I thought of this old song I’ll never know, but it took me on another journey with the Lord into the history of this language that He gave us. It illustrated for me again the richness of our vocabulary and, most important, gave me new insight into how I can use my words in praise and worship of Him; of how I can enjoy myself as I enjoy Him. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

Surprise, surprise! Another song has led me down the path of discovery in the Lord. As before, even though this “lesson” was intended for me, I want to share it with you. Perhaps you will find some application in your life as well. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you given up on your dreams? Or do you feel your dreams have given up on you?

Do the things you dream about, wish about, and pray about seem further away than ever?

If so, then give those dreams to God. Surrender the things you dream about to our Heavenly Father. Look to Him and listen to Him. He dreams more than enough for you.

As He says in Jeremiah 29:11,
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

[That you may really come] to know [practically,through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Ephesians 3:16-19
Amplified Bible

Take some time today to meditate on these verses. I especially love the Amplified Bible translation because of its full, rich, wording bringing out the abundance and lavishness of that love.

The passage speaks of the love of God which we can begin to experience only through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can add but little to its already complete description of the love we can experience when Christ comes to dwell in our very being through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As believers, we often do not experience that love to its fullest because we do not take the time to sit with Jesus.

Sit with Him today. Read this passage and allow the Holy Spirit to “amplify” in His own way the love God feels for you.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

(Words and Music by Dan Schutte, 1981; adapt. by Carlton R. Young, 1988)

A number of years ago my dear friend, Robbie, gave me new insight into the significance of this song. We must have been singing it in a service and I told her how much I liked it. She said something like, “But have you ever thought of the seriousness of the words—about what you’re saying when you sing this song?”

And, therein, lies the beginning of another journey with the Lord…

I had to admit to her–and myself–that, no, I really hadn’t thought much about it. The song is so upbeat and we usually sing it with such enthusiasm that it gives the impression that I’m ready to do anything for the cause of Jesus. “Send me anywhere, Lord! I’ll do anything! I’ll go to Africa (or the popular third-world continent of the month) and be a missionary! I’ll lay my life on the line for You, Lord! I’ll drop everything to serve you!”

But then I begin to sound like Peter—the pre-crucifixion version—ready to walk on water, even get in front of Jesus’ face and stop Him from going to the cross, or run out and cut off someone’s ear. Peter was ready all right—before the arrest actually came and he was recognized by an adolescent girl and challenged as a friend of Christ.

Poor impulsive Peter. Yeah, and poor reluctant me! And perhaps I am not alone in not really considering the cost of volunteering for duty.

The song comes from Isaiah 6, where the prophet says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

The Lord’s call can elicit varied responses from us, but basically they seem to fall into one of two categories. The first one—the one Isaiah gives—might be termed:

“What do you want me to do, Lord?”

To be fair, let’s look at the event that led up to Isaiah’s rush to volunteer—with no details about what he was to do, I might add.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

“And they called to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’

“At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“’Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among the people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’

(Isaiah 6:1-7 NIV)

At this point, Isaiah, steps up front and center and volunteers.

Now, although none of us, probably, are called exactly as the prophet Isaiah, he was just a human being—as are you and I. When I put myself in his place—as little as I can imagine it and feel it–it’s a vast understatement to say that this was quite an impressive scene.

Let’s say that any of us has witnessed such a spectacle. The often-overused word awesome comes to mind. Although the word awesome is used to describe everything from a meal to a movie to a praise and worship song and more, surely no one would argue that it is misused in this regard. In fact, it falls short of describing the effect of being in the presence of, and beholding, Almighty God. Moses could not see the face of God because it would be fatal, but Isaiah apparently does such a thing and, quite naturally, believes he is not long for this world.

Then his lips are made clean by one of the seraphim–the highest order of angels–who serve God.

Then, Almighty God asks the all-important question. I’d like to think that, under these overwhelming conditions that I, too, would raise my hand in the air and wave it wildly like a kid who finally knows the right answer in school, and say, “Me, me! I’ll go!”

But then, I come back to reality and I know: Many times I know as well as I’m sitting here that the Lord is calling me to do something and yet…I…hesitate. Oh, if it falls into the category of calling the equipped, I’ll gladly answer the call. “Yes, Lord, I’ll go.” In fact, these times usually call for me to do something I know entails the use of gifts and talents I know I already have—those that are well within my comfort zone. To be honest, I don’t have to even wait for a call in these situations but often tell Him, “Lord, let me serve here.”

Now, I’m saying this in full recognition that God does give us particular gifts and talents and directs us in their use. And we are expected to use them. He knows us better than we know ourselves and gives us outlets for service which are useful in the Kingdom and—surprise, surprise!—are even pleasurable to us. But doesn’t He equip the called as well? Might we be called to step out in faith and do something that does not seem to fit in with our individual gifts and/or talents?

In those instances—when a challenge is presented in response to my “What do you want me to do, Lord?” my question becomes:

“Lord! You want me to do WHAT?”

Now, Isaiah didn’t flinch when the Lord told him what the task was. Let’s continue Isaiah’s story.

“He said, ‘Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing. But never perceiving.’

Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.’” (v9-10)

I would probably have said something like, “Well, then…what’s the point? It looks like a waste of time and energy, as well as being potentially embarrassing—or worse.”

But then, that’s me—not Isaiah.

The remembrance of “Here I Am, Lord”, and the experience with Robbie, came to mind only recently. I’ve been rereading Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. In writing about how God usually responds to our request that He “enlarge my territory”, Bruce says,

“As God’s chosen, blessed sons and daughters, we are expected to attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed…unless God steps in. Take a minute to prayerfully comprehend how contrary that truth is to everything you would humanly choose: it goes against common sense, it contradicts your previous life experience, it seems to disregard your feelings, trainings, and need for security; it sets you up to look like a fool and a loser. Yet it is God’s plan for His most-honored servants.”

Wilkinson goes on, “For most of us our reluctance comes from getting our numbers right, but our arithmetic wrong. For example, when we’re deciding what size territory God has in mind for us, we keep an equation in our heart that adds up something like this:

“My abilities + experience + training + my personality and appearance + my past + the expectations of others = my assigned territory.

“No matter how many sermons we’ve heard about God’s power to work through us, we simply gloss over the meaning of that one little word through. Sure, we say we want God to work through us, but what we really mean is by or in association with. Yet God’s reminder to us is the same one He gave the Jews when they returned from captivity to a decimated homeland: ‘Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.’ (Zechariah 4:6)

“Our God”, Wilkinson continues, “specializes in working through normal people who believe in a supernormal God who will do His work through them. What He’s waiting for is the invitation. That means God’s math would look more like this:

“My willingness and weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my expanding territory.”

For all his impulsiveness and reliance on his own strength, when Peter stepped out of the boat in response to Jesus, he started out correctly, with his eyes on Jesus. As long as he did that, he was okay. It was only when he shifted his gaze from Jesus to consider the circumstances—the waves–that he began to sink.

Lord, let me remember that I do nothing for you out of my own strength; that it is not by my might nor by my power but by Your spirit. Today I step out of the boat relying fully on You.

Today, let me join You in Your work.

Love,
Brother Bill

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“When you get this concept into your mind and heart it will totally revolutionize your life.”

That’s just the way the Lord said it to me. And just what is this revolutionary concept? His all-consuming, unconditional love for me. And each of you can say the same of yourself. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

These goals for 2008 from Teen Life Ministries sound like good advice for all parents and leaders of teens—as well as teens themselves.

1. Do whatever it takes to get teens to heaven. Paul wrote that he became all things to all people so that some might be saved (II Corinthians 9:19-23). How well does this relate to your ministry? What could you be doing that might reach more teens in your schools and community?

Ministry has its own set of pressures. We have to worry about what the leaders, parents, and members will think about a program or event. By doing whatever it takes to get teens to heaven, you will endure your share of criticism about your approaches, but keep the goal in focus. Keep everyone involved aware that you are not using a certain technique just to be different, but to bring teens to Jesus. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of my nephews sent me the following devotional from John Piper of Crosswalk.com. The devotional quotes an article by Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame. Smith’s article deals with the new phenomenon of “adultolescence”–that is, the postponement of adulthood into the thirties. Piper then relates the phenomenon to the church. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I found this in my inbox this morning and knew immediately I wanted to use it in this blog. I asked the person who sent it for the identity of its source but I’ve not receive a reply yet.

I’m so anxious to share it, though, that I’m going to use it with no credit. If and when I find out the creator, I’ll alter this post. In the meantime, if you know the source, please tell me. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s an encouraging word for Bible teachers from Glenn Brooke, the author of Teach the Bible to Change Lives:

Be positive about God’s work in people’s lives.

Many of the people coming to your class or group are hurting. They’ve been through a lot. Maybe not life-threatening stuff, but just the regular wear and tear of day-to-day living can drag people down and discourage them.

Sometimes you won’t know it because a person puts on a ’stained-glass masquerade.’ (Casting Crowns has a great song with that title. There’s a lyric that goes “Maybe if they all believe it, I’ll believe it, too.”)

Sometimes it will be brutally obvious, so they don’t need to be beaten up.

It’s pretty easy to be a Bible teacher and get in to pointing out how far short we are from the biblical description of what we should be. But our job is not to heap guilt on people (Satan does that, folks!), but to remind them of their destination: perfection in Christ.

Check out your lesson with these three questions:

1. Is there at least one mention of the AWESOME POWER of GOD to transform every one of us?
2. Are you pointing people to Jesus for that transformation?
3. Are you speaking in an encouraging, positive way, to build them up?

Part of our role as a Bible teacher is to help people see how God is working in their lives, especially when a person may not be able to see it clearly themselves.

I can speak much more about this teacher/pastor role of helping people, but it won’t do you any good unless you are teaching positively and encouragingly about the power of
our Lord in their lives.

So that’s where to start: check yourself, your speech, your tone of voice, and your teaching points.

(End of article)

Let Glenn’s words be an encouragement to you as you teach the Bible to change lives!

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s a new perspective–at least to me–on the way in which we can come to know God. It’s from Rumors of Another World by Phillip Yancey:

“The ordinary natural world contains the supernatural, a necessary step since we do not have the capacity to apprehend God directly. We see God best in the same way we see a solar eclipse: not by staring at the sun, which would cause blindness, but through something on which the sun is projected.”

The harder I try to get to know God; the more I try to “figure Him out”, the more blind corners I hit. For me, God is reflected in the person of Jesus Christ. I can begin to grasp God–and it is only that–when I think of what Jesus said when to Philip when he asked to see God, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Today I will reflect on God by practicing the presence of Jesus.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do Pharisees still exist? Well, certainly some of the attitudes do. What’s more, sometime these attitudes are in us–I can speak for myself specifically. We call it “holier than thou”, usually.

I got the quote below in an email from ChristianBibleStudies.com. It started me thinking about how often my own pharisaical thinking rears its ugly head. Take a look at this true-life experience:

“When our children were young, my husband and I decided we wouldn’t watch R-rated movies. We wouldn’t allow our children to watch them, so we decided that to watch them ourselves would be confusing to them. We made this decision in good conscience and never regretted it. I found, however, that it made me feel judgmental toward other parents who watched R-rated movies. I began to feel they weren’t fully committed to Christ because they watched things I’d decided not to watch.

Even as I write this, I realize how ridiculous it is to judge someone’s relationship with God by what rating of movies he or she watches, but it was so subtle at the time. Since it was a sacrificial commitment for me, I instinctively evaluated other people’s spiritual dedication when they talked about the latest movie they’d watched. As I made this judgment, I never thought about my own sin or all the things that person was doing right. Instead I focused on this one thing I thought they were doing wrong.

The ability to see sin in others and ignore it in your own heart is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a Pharisee, and being a Pharisee is so easy. It’s great to make rules to guide our own behavior, but when we extend those rules to everyone around us, we’re in danger of becoming pharisaical.”

(End of Quote)

I remember from my youth a comic strip named “Pogo”, and a famous line which I’m probably misquoting but hopefully getting the jist of: “We have met the enemy and it is us.” Gotta watch that pharasaical thinking.

Let us pray that our practice of everyday Christianity will cause us to look inward and allow the Holy Spirit to change us instead of us seeking to change others.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For some time I have been led to send notes and cards to the people around me at church and at work with the intent of encouraging them in the faith and expressing gratitude for what they do. This calling, if you will, led to the creation of www.sarcalogos.com.

On my website, I have essays, letters, articles–whatever you want to call them–along with books, ebooks, etc. all aimed at building up Christians and Christian families. If you visit Sarcalogos, I’d be interested in your comments.

Lately, I’ve been led to create this blog. Just today I read a short article on ChristianityToday.com that I took as a confirmation of this latest step. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s another Bible teaching tip from Glenn Brooke:

“Prepare with God’s desired outcome in mind.

Now you might be thinking, “That’s not new, Glenn.”

Which is exactly correct.

But as Richard Halverson said, “It is as important to be reminded as it is to be informed.”

I need to be reminded of this, FREQUENTLY, in my own teaching ministry.

Because it’s pretty easy to work up powerful hooks, great discussion questions, illustrations, even humor that you know will help conversation, and forget about your
objective: the application, and the launch at the end of the teaching time.

So let’s keep about our primary business: teaching to change lives.

Start with prayerfully identifying the objective. What does God want this class or group to learn at this specific time?

I recommend you actually write this down on paper, so you are sure to have it in words.

Then build everything towards that end. And then we go on to the next time. Repeat until the Lord calls us home!”

Thanks, Glenn.

Changing lives. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Changing lives ETERNALLY!

Our goal as Christians–the great commission given to us by Jesus Christ–is to change lives!

Whether you are called and gifted as a teacher of the Bible or have some other calling, you share with all of us the calling to spread the good news–the saving news–of Jesus Christ.

That’s what “Everyday Christianity” is all about. Whatever our calling, we are to bring Christ into all aspects of our everyday lives.

If your specific calling is teach the Bible, you might want to check out Glenn’s course by clicking here or on the banner at the top of the page.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence has, without doubt, had more impact of my daily walk with Jesus Christ than has any book other than the Bible.

I have read and reread this little book since I discovered it over ten years ago. Of course, it has been around much longer than that and countless other Christians long ago discovered it.

You also my already know and be familiar with this simple account of one man’s journey with the Lord. If, however, you are not, I invite you to download it for free by right-clicking on the link below.

The Practice of the Presence of God

If you would like a bound copy of a newer version written in more modern language, you can click here to pick one of several others including the one pictured in this article.

I pray that God will speak to you through its pages and that it will spark and stimulate your own daily walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s something I received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Just think of the eternal impact the Body of Christ could have on the world if we set aside doctrinal differences and controversies about “pre-trib or post-trib”, “tongues”, “end times” as well as others and simply spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Teen Life Ministries founders Al Millergren and Paul Evans have over 50 years of youth ministry experience between them. They recently expressed some thoughts about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They were speaking specifically to youth leaders but, as it turns out, they were unknowingly speaking to me as well. Perhaps you might also find something to think about as you read what they wrote: Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the most sacred relationships in our everyday Christian life is the relationship the pastor of a church has with his people. God is not served when the people are dissatisfied with their pastor, nor is God served when the pastor has a bitter attitude toward his people.

Here are some helpful tips for building a great church. The tips speak specifically to the church pastor but apply also to other ministry professionals, lay leaders, or anyone else with the responsibility of shepherding others in the body of Christ. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The post below is from an article entitled “Beyond Remembering” by Phil Ware and comes from Heartlight.org. It asks the question “Who is the person who helped you best know how to live like Jesus.” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you want to get excited right now? If so, just read these words from the book of Ephesians:

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people–free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG)

Now, if you didn’t read that passage out loud, then go back and read it again so you can hear yourself saying the words. And if you really want your fire lit, read it until you actually internalize it, feel it, and believe it! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.“Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’

“Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.’ And that is what happened.

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26-31 (NLT)

Below is a meditation I received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. If you are feeling unloved today, read it carefully and internalize its message. If you feel God’s love this day, it will confirm what you are feeling. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of my nephews emailed me this story from The Dallas Morning News:
——————–

When the kids were very young, we often sat on the floor and played a board game called Chutes and Ladders.You probably know it. It’s one of the simplest of games. You thump a spinner and move ahead to the designated space on the board. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received from Jonathan Leger. Jonathan is one of the successful internet marketers from whom I’ve been trying to learn how to grow my online business.

The subject of this email was not how to grow a business, though. Instead, it has application for how we deal with other people in our everyday Christian life. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Consider these words of Jesus from the book of John:

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”

(John 10:9-10 NLT)

Gatekeepers. That’s what we are called to be. We stay close to Jesus, the Gate to God, and place the hands of the lost on the latch—the latch that each person must open for himself, but to which we can direct them. It’s part of the great commission Jesus gave us when He went back to be with our Heavenly Father. We find reference in the gospels to the task we are all given: Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”
(Genesis 3:8-9)

God was accustomed to communing with Adam in the garden “in the cool of the day” (for some reason I really love that phrase). After Adam had eaten of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he was not so eager to take an afternoon stroll with God.

If we are reluctant to have a “one-on-one” conversation with our Creator, or with His Son, it is often due to similar thinking on our part. When we are “good”, we are eager to be in His presence–praising, worshiping and conversing. When we are “bad”, we usually are not so eager to seek Him out, nor do we really want to think about the fact that we are always with Him because of the presence of His Holy Spirit in us. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s a song which has dominated my attention some time now. From the first time I heard it, I began to play it so many times I’ve lost count. I think it’s a beautiful song, of course, but there’s so much more to it than that.

The song is titled “Captivate Us.” It’s on a CD by the group Watermark. It’s a simple, quiet song with two voices and an acoustic guitar. I’m sharing the music with you here but I really want to suggest it not as a song, but as a prayer–a prayerful preparation for a conversation with our Heavenly Father. Not only have I listened to the song many times on the way to and from work but I’ve also used it to prepare my heart to commune with the Lord and to practice His presence as I begin to have conversation with Him. Read more »