Summertime

Warm weather, bright sunshine, fragrant flowers, and green grass all point to summertime.  When we think of summer most of us think of these things as well as vacation – whether we travel to some distant place or stay at home.  When we think of vacation we may also think of rest, relaxing, exploring, or participating in some adventurous activity.

To be sure, summertime (and vacation time) is a time for all of us to rest and be refreshed.  Rest is important for our lives because each one of us needs a breather and time for refreshment and rejuvenation.  However, sometimes we have a “summertime attitude” with actions that keep us away from God.  We may find ourselves involved in lots of activity but at the same time we easily forget about the usual disciplines of the Christian life that keep us in touch with God.  As a result, we draw apart from God rather than coming closer to Him.

If this mind-set becomes part of our lifestyle during the summertime, we may find that we become physically refreshed but we will also discover that our spirit begins to dry up.  That is why we need to rest in God.  The Psalmist clearly proclaimed, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

This verse suggests three points of encouragement that are extremely helpful to us and should be practically applied to our lives. Obviously, the source of the encouragement in this verse is God himself who is referred to as “the Most High”.

1)    Stay.  First, an important place for us to stay is next to God.  To “dwell” means to stay, to reside, to settle, or to live.  If we are not in the position of staying, we miss out on the best that God desires for us.

2)    Protection.  Second, we can enjoy the “shelter” that becomes a sanctuary, a haven, or a refuge for us.  In that shelter we are shielded by God from the forces that would destroy us and we are guarded by the Almighty.

3)    Relaxation.  Third, to be refreshed and recover the physical strength that has been depleted we need to “rest”.  The place where it is easiest for us to enjoy the rest that we need is right next to God.  In that position we can reside in God’s shadow where we are safe from harm.

As you and I enjoy the summertime this year let’s make sure that we do not forget God.  When we abide in God’s almighty power, let’s not forget to praise Him for standing by us and providing the rest and refreshment that we enjoy.

Taken by Surprise

In most cases, things that surprise us are positive and fun.  We might receive an unexpected gift, have opportunity to participate in an unplanned event that materializes, meet a close friend or family member whom we have not seen for some time, or receive an unanticipated word of thanks or encouragement from someone.  These positive surprises bring a smile to our face, excitement to our life and joy to our heart.

However, there are other surprises that are not fun, turn out to be negative, and bring stress to us.  Some time ago two negative surprises came to my wife and me within one week – both our water heater and refrigerator quit working.  These unexpected surprises brought concern, distress, and even discouragement to us.  However, since we live our lives from a Christian perspective, we were reminded in Scripture about how we should approach any surprise whether it is positive or negative.  The Bible says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).  Wow!  What an interesting verse and the words in it have several implications.  This verse reminds us how to approach any situation.

1)      Surprises will Occur.  Both positive and negative experiences will happen to us – as suggested by the words “whatever happens.” So, do not be surprised when something positive or negative happens to you.

2)      Action is Essential.  We have responsibility for how we act – as suggested by the words “conduct yourselves”.  Often when we are surprised – especially if it is something negative which we do not expect – and we tend to blame others or at least wonder “Why me?”

3)      A Standard is Crucial.  As Christians, the way we live our lives must measure up to a godly standard – as suggested by the words “worthy of the gospel of Christ”.  We do not have to wonder what the standard is, but simply refer to our guidebook, the Bible.

Have you been taken by surprise lately?  Was that surprise positive or negative?  Did you have more than one surprise?  How did you handle the surprise?  If you are a child of God, Philippians 1:27 gives guidance in approaching any surprise from a godly perspective.

God's Help

Our family used to live in the San Joaquin Valley in California, not far from Yosemite National Park, where we periodically visited.  In the park, which is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we were able to view “Half Dome”.  Half Dome is a rock formation that rises nearly 5000 feet above the valley.  The peak is cut by natural erosion, so it appears as if it is half of a dome, and thus the name.  When we visited the park and viewed Half Dome in person, I was reminded of Psalm 121 and two things that must have impressed the writer of this psalm.

1)    First, God’s Help.  As the psalmist viewed the range of hills before him, he made a comment and then posed a question.  He said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? (Psalm 121:1).  With confident assurance he immediately answered his own question by stating, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).  One look at the expanse of the hills that lay before him caused him to think about the faithfulness of His God.  It was God who repeatedly provided divine help for him and the hills impressed him with this thought.  If you have not seen Half Dome but have seen a mountain range, hills, or a huge rock formation, what has come to your mind?  Do you see the beauty of what is before you?  Do you recognize what you see as a creation of God?  That is good.  However, when you stand before a huge hill or mountain expanse I encourage you to think about the help that God has provided for you all because of His faithfulness.

2)    Second, God’s Ability.  To the psalmist the hills before him were huge.  They were mammoth.  However, in his mind’s eye, as big as these hills were, his God was even bigger.  It was God’s creative power that caused him to focus on God’s divine ability that was obviously much greater than his own ability.  God made the mountain.  Therefore, God had both the power and ability to do many wonderful things – not just in physical creation but also in his life.  The rest of Psalm 121 identifies what God did for the psalmist.

    a)    God was His Protection.  In every conceivable situation God was constantly guarding him.  The psalmist was reminded that, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).  God was there to protect him during the day or even in the deepest part of the night.

    b)   God was His Provision.  God was at hand to give the psalmist everything that he needed.  He said, “The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5-6).  Every need was provided so the psalmist had just what God wanted him to have.

   c)    God was His Preservation.  God watched over his daily life so closely that he was supported in every possible way.  The psalmist was reminded that, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.  The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).  He was confident that God was in the business of preserving him – no matter where he was.

What is the biggest problem that you face today?  As you think of that problem remember Half Dome; remember the mountains.  Since God is bigger than the biggest mountain, He is also bigger than the greatest problem you face or could ever imagine.  Are you willing to turn the problem that you have over to God today?  He will provide help for you - more help than what you could ever ask for, think about, or imagine.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20).

Doubly Free

Independence Day is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.  At the first holiday the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.  Although July Fourth was a bit different this year, it is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades, pageants, patriotic speeches, organized firing of guns and cannons, displays of fireworks, and family picnics.

So, what exactly do we celebrate on the Fourth?  Our celebration is one of independence of the United States from Britain.  As a country we are free to govern our own affairs and to act in responsible ways in our society.  Wars and events, like September 11, 2001, remind us that there is a price to be paid for the freedom and independence that we enjoy.  Here are some things that recap from a biblical perspective what we should know about bondage, freedom, and life.  The Bible tells us:

(1)   Everyone is in bondage because of sin.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

(2)   Spiritual freedom is made available to us through Jesus Christ.  He paid a high cost for us when He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins..  “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness: by his wounds you have been healed” (I Peter 2:24).

(3)   Through the sacrifice that Jesus made, you and I can participate in spiritual freedom.  St. John puts it this way, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

(4)   By personally receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord we enter a life-sharing union with God and are promised eternal life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

(5)   Jesus provides a blessed life for us which only comes through Him.  Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  John goes on to say, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I john 5:12).

Let us be thankful and grateful to God for the freedom and independence that we enjoy as a country.  And may those who by faith, have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, be thankful and grateful to God for the spiritual freedom they have.  With these two freedoms, a person who is a Christian and lives in the United States might say that he or she is doubly free.