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Faith, Love, Confidence

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After a week that seemed to have some daily appointments and other calendar commitments, today has been pretty subdued. Perhaps that is good for me at this point. It does seem that my strength for some reason has taken a little setback. That may be because of my pushing my limits and a couple of falls, or near falls this week. All this shows me how much I am in the rehab process and that gains might be more fragile than I realize.

We are looking forward to our daughter, Stephanie arriving tomorrow. She will bring Carter and McKenzie with her. Our plans are to spend next week in Breckenridge. It will be good to see her at this time of the year. We will be about a week off of father’s day, our anniversary and Stephanie’s birthday being in the same week.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“In the presence of our God and Father, we never forget that your faith is active, your love is working hard, and your confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ is enduring.”                    Thessalonians 1:3 (GW)

This verse arrested my attention this morning during my Bible reading. What a great commendation for a church or any believe in Christ; active faith, hard working love and enduring confidence in the Lord. That is something that all Christians should seek as their goal.

To be at its height of maturity, faith needs to be consistently put into action. Each day there are opportunities to believe God for the impossible and to hold strong to the faith that we profess.

Love is best expressed in actions. The practical demonstration of our love will be tested as it works it way out in our relationships. That work of love is “hard” but true love endures. (1 Cor. 13:8)  My friend Pastor Jerry Nelson and his wife Barbara are celebrating 50 years of marriage today. Congratulations to them both. Jerry in his FaceBook post today included this quote, “love holds a marriage together for the first couple of months or maybe even years but it is marriage that holds love together for most of the remaining years.”

Our confidence in the Lord must endure. You can rest assured that your confidence in the Lord will be tested. That is why enduring confidence is of such high value. We can face life’s challenges and we can face the frailness of life with confidence in the Lord.  This deep settled confidence is what is reflected in the words of the old hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” Faith focuses our attention on the One in whom we believe, confidence provides the peace that is needed when that faith is tested.

Can this commendation of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Thessalonica be said of you? It certainly provides a powerful challenge and focus for our lives.

 

Truth

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Today I am thankful for the help of Ted Grizzel who came to my aid the last couple of days to help with an issue on my car and then to take care of some much needed tree and grass trimming. Even with my recovery allowing me to do some things that I haven’t been able to, I still find areas where I still need some help.

I did have  my massage appointment today which was helpful since I have been experiencing some weakness. It seems that I have found that when I push my level of activity to a certain point that it does take some time to recover. Today I thought that I could get to the inside of the office for my appointment using my walker only to find that my strength was a few feet short of the door. So I took somewhat of an unplanned rest stop on the curb outside. Fortunately Twyla was available to come to my rescue and it wasn’t too difficult to get into my wheelchair that she pulled from my car.

After I returned home, I was ready for a nap to get recharged for some commitments later in the day.

Debbie and I did attend the Rockies game last night and enjoyed being in the Waste Management suite, courtesy of her employer,  It was a great view and accommodations, but a lousy game for the Rockies.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”“What is truth?” retorted Pilate…”                   John 18:37,38

John’s gospel records the most words of Jesus while He was on trial before Pilate. Pilate’s question in response to Jesus words is interesting in light of our present culture. In our day truth has become relative, obscure, personal and up for grabs.

I recall an episode of Dr. Phil where he was explaining to a teen girl how the development of her brain impacted her ability to make good decisions about her relationship. The teen girl responded with, “that may be truth to you, but I don’t feel that applies to me.” I thought, “what a glaring example of what we are teaching our young people!”

Scientific research and proven principles and practices seem to be relegated to the realm of opinion. All this results in a free-fall of confusion as individuals “find there own way” in a morally and ethically challenged world.

In contrast to this backdrop we find Jesus firmly stating, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”  to Pilate he asserts, “…I have come to testify to the truth.”  In Jesus we find “truth” in a person. For me, I want to be on the side of truth, so I will choose to listen to Jesus. He won’t mislead and He will be found to be the reliable source of life both now and for eternity.

The Lord’s Prayer

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Today was a follow up appointment with my cardiologist. I am feeling good so not too much other a routine checkup following my recent hospitalization. While at the McKee Medical building we saw Dr. Golden who was one of the intensivists at McKee Hospital when I was admitted last July. It was good to say hello and for him to see my progress. Yesterday must have been more tiring than I realized. It seems today is turning into somewhat of a “recovery” day for me.

However, that will not stop me from our big event for the evening, which is attending my first Colorado Rockies game of the season. Debbie received some tickets from her work for a suite at Coors field. Now that I am not an elected official I can go along without breaking any laws!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.”  John 17:3

John 17 contains what is viewed as the “true Lord’s Prayer.” The “Lord’s Prayer” as we have recited it over the years is what Jesus taught His disciples to pray. It is the “Lord’s prayer” that he gave His disciples to pray. John 17 contains Jesus prayer as He prepared to go to the cross.

It is one of the few recorded prayers of Jesus and each verse reveals Jesus relationship with the Father, His desire for His disciples and for all those who would believe the gospel message throughout time.  “…I’m also praying for those who will believe in me through their message.” John 17:20

I find Jesus declaration of “eternal life” in verse 3 insightful in light of my readings in Ezekiel and Jeremiah. As the Lord promised to return His people from captivity His consistent declaration was, “then they will know me.”  God‘s greatest purpose for our life is not to just know about Him, but to know Him in a personal relationship; to have Him as the foundation of our lives.

Some of the specific requests that I observe in Jesus prayer for His followers include the following:

v. 11 – “…keep them safe by the power of your name…so that their unity may be like ours.”

This seems to be in reference to keeping true to the faith and committed to the Lord’s will and purpose.

v. 15 – “…protect them from the evil one.”

Jesus makes it clear we have a spiritual enemy that requires us to be on guard. On one occasion Jesus told Peter, “Satan has desired to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.”  Luke 22:31

v. 17 –  “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth.”

What keeps Jesus followers “set apart” is adherence to His truth and obedience to Him. It is the demonstration of our love for Christ. John 14:15

v. 21 – “…I pray that they may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me.”

Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another.” John 13:35  True unity is only possible through unity with Christ. You can look at all the world’s system and will come up short when it comes to true unity. Factions, splinter groups, disagreements are common to human efforts.

v. 24 – “Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me, to be where I am….”

This is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for His creation. He has promised a “new heaven and a new earth, the home of the righteous.” 2 Peter 3:13 The final answer to this prayer is reflected in Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

When we agree in prayer with these petitions of Jesus we know that we are praying in accordance to God’s will.

BETTER THAN

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Today was busy day with mowing my lawn, a palliative care nurse visit and my physical therapy appointment. Therapy went well and was a good workout. I had a little challenge when I stopped at a local Starbucks to use the restroom and found that I didn’t have the strength I thought I had to get into the store using just my walker. Fortunately some folks came to my rescue and helped me out and go me on my way once again.

I was pleased that I was able to connect with my cousin Paul Cole and his wife Ruth. They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. These Colorado natives are living in Tennessee and loving it! Ruth recently went through a health crisis with her heart but is on the mend and we are thankful for answered prayers. Paul and Ruth came and met me at the Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital after my therapy appointment. I appreciate that they made special accommodations to see me while they were visiting my aunt and other relatives of Ruth’s in Greeley. (Picture above Paul and Ruth and me) Paul is one of 39 first cousins on my mother’s side of the family.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….“I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father.”  John 14:12

“ I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever.”       John 14:16

The old Boy Scout motto is, “leave the campground better than you found it.” That concept applies to many areas of life and can serve as a great challenge. In what you do, in your relationships do you apply the “better than” principle? Do you leave people better than you found them? Do your words encourage or drag down? Are you aware of your surroundings and take imitative or do you say someone else will take care of that?

As Jesus prepared to go the cross and leave His disciples He reassured them that they would be “better off?”  Why? He promised them that they would do even greater things because He was going to His Father in heaven. That in itself is difficult to imagine when we see just the few recorded miracles of Jesus, His teachings and His obedience to the Father.

Jesus promised this would be possible because of the work of the Holy Spirit. The disciples would have “another helper.” This is not just “another” that is different. This is a helper that will be to the disciples what Jesus had been to them. The Holy Spirit would be with them always and would be in them.

I am thankful that God’s work in our lives always leaves us “better than” we were. We see this everyday through the ministry of Teen Challenge. One of our recent graduates from House of Promise for women wrote this poem which describes her life and anyone who has overcome addictions through the power of Christ’s grace, forgiveness and the work of the Holy Spirit.

1.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I am lost…I am helpless.  It isn’t my fault.  I fall in.  It takes forever to find a way out. 

2.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I pretend I don’t see it.  I fall in again.  I can’t believe I am in the same place.  But, it isn’t my fault.  It still takes a long time to get out. 

3.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I see it there.  I still fall in…it’s a habit.  My eyes are open.  I know where I am.  It is my fault.  I get out immediately.

4.  I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I walk around it. 

5.  I walk down another street. 

Jenny’s mom added a sixth stanza when she announced: 

“Number 6 – Jenny is paving a new road for herself and her children!” 

Now that is a vivid description of experiencing something “better than” what has ever been known.

 

I AM

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It has been good to be able to enjoy the warmer weather. Although the high temps are creating some issues with the spring runoff and posing some flooding risks. Last fall during the devastating flooding I was sequestered in the hospital and so much of it was what I caught on the news and from Debbie and members of the staff.

I was able to get out for a little while today and water the strawberry crop and trim some rose bushes. I will need to be creative on how I handle some of the other task outside and so I will see how that goes.

I did get a good exercise session in today and I do feel some strength coming back to my arm and even my shoulders. I am able to lift the wheelchair out of the trunk of the car which is a sign of progress. Tomorrow afternoon is another therapy session as well as a scheduled visit from a nurse.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… I am the gate for the sheep…. whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full…. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7,10,11

 As I have been reading in John’s Gospel the past few days, the “I am” statements of Jesus have caught my attention. This morning in John 10 Jesus uses two of them to describe His mission in bringing people life.

If you remember in Exodus when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses asked God “who shall I say is sending me?” God’s response, “I am” “I am the I am” is who is sending you. From this self declaration and revelation of Himself emerges the identity of the “Lord God.”  The I am God. The all-sufficient, all-powerful, all-knowing God.

The Gospel of John reveals Jesus as the Son of God. It is no surprise that we see the greatest identification of Jesus with God the Father and the greatest number of “I am” statements in this gospel. When confronted by the Pharisees, Jesus simply said, “before Abraham was, I am.” This was direct statement of equality with God; the Pharisees view it as such and want to stone Jesus for blasphemy.

The “I am” statements of Jesus are significant because they reveal His character and nature  as God bring life and light into the world. John records these additional “I am” declarations:

John 6:35 – I am the bread of life

John 8:12 – I am the light of the world

John 11:25  I am the resurrection and the life

John 14:6  I am the way, and the truth, and the life

John 15:1  I am the true vine

Each of these statements provides a great opportunity for further study and contemplation. Before each one you could place the words, “the Lord God is…” to gain even a greater emphasis on the metaphors. Through each of these Jesus is revealing Himself in a way that addresses the greatest need in a person’s life. We find the Lord is our source for existence, light in darkness, provides direction in the midst of confusion, He gives hope beyond the temporal existence of this life, He is the vine that provides the continual life source to all who are connected with Him.

Review these, think about what they mean. Use them as expressions of worship to the Lord and as you do receive the reality of what each offers to you. Today I am thanking the Lord that He is the resurrection and the life and that He is bringing strength and life back to my body and soul.

 

Living By The Truth

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I made it out to our patio for about an hour or so today. It was nice to be outside even if it was a little overcast and windy. Probably better than overly hot (those days are coming). I find that getting outside is easier than getting back in. It was good for Debbie to be on guard as I stepped down and then I needed her active assistance to get back into the house. That took more effort than anticipated.

We did get some our rose bushes trimmed. It looks like the strawberries are taking over the garden; which of course is better than weeds.

We did have an opportunity to go out to eat and then Debbie needed to run to her office, which gave me an opportunity for a quick nap in the car.

Shortly after we returned home we were pleased to have John and Annabelle Pratt stop by with their children Hannah and David. The Pratts became good friends with Debbie’s mom when they first moved to Fort Collins in the late 1990’s. We saw them last at the funeral for Debbie’s mom three years ago. They had moved out of the state and recently returned to Colorado in February when Annabelle secured a job at National Renewable Energy Lab  (NREL) in Golden. So they live in south Jefferson County not far from where were lived in Lakewood before moving to Fort Collins.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31,32

I have been reading through the Gospel of John. Jesus’ teaching, words and response to the Jewish people but especially the Pharisees caused them much confusion. I have to admit, sometime I feel confused as well.

Jesus says, “You can’t go where I’m going.” The Jews respond with “what does he mean? what does he mean? Will hid out with the Jews scattered among the Greeks?” (John 7:34,35)  Later Jesus makes the same statement, and the Pharisees respond, “is he going to commit suicide, is that what He means?”  (John 8:22)

Jesus later says, “You don’t understand because you don’t belong to God.” The Jews respond, “Are we right to say you are a Samaritan and that you’re demon possessed?“ (John 8:47,48)

The Pharisees didn’t get it, because they didn’t want to “get it.” They were stuck in their traditions and preconceived ideas of how God would work and the signs of the Messiah. Jesus always invites inquiries from those seeking spiritual truth, but to know the truth that reveals Christ in His fullness and brings freedom requires, following after Jesus.

It is called discipleship. Being with Him, learning from Him. There are no Cliffs Notes or short cuts or “Discipleship for Dummies or “Discipleship Made Easy.” It is following after, taking time with and entering into a relationship.

The Bible phrase, “the truth shall set you free” can be used in all types of contexts. I think it is on the masthead of a newspaper if I recall correctly. Sometimes we say, “the truth will set you free, but first if will make you uncomfortable.” Then the question can arise, “what is truth” and “free from what?”

The truth is found in Jesus. He boldly declared, “I am the truth…” (John 14:6) Jesus told the people, “if you hold to my teachings, you will know the truth…” Hearing, embracing, incorporating Jesus teaching into our lives enables us to live by the truth. We know truth by holding onto Jesus teaching.

Being “set free” can be viewed as freedom from sin, ourselves, our confusion. However, when we look at the context of the surrounding verses and chapters, I believe it means simply set free to recognize and embrace the truth. The snares and spiritual blindness of our lives can so much of our own making, our own ideas and experiences. (see John 9:40,41)

Yet, when we follow Jesus.  Consistently follow Jesus, we come to know the truth and in His truth is freedom, even for those who don’t recognize that they are bound.

 

 

 

 

The God Over all Nations

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I had a good report from our primary care doctor yesterday. She was disappointed that she didn’t keep me out of the hospital, but  my hospitalization ended up being a good proactive response to some of my symptoms. Yesterday I drove myself to the doctor’s appointment. So that was a first! I am gradually becoming more independent and figuring out how to get myself around and still manage my energy level. While I am glad that I am able to drive, I am good for about one or two trips a day. That is probably because of the effort it takes to walk with the walker or get the wheelchair out of the trunk.

So I am definitely in a new phase of my recovery and that is exciting and challenging all at the same time.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….”Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord…this is what the Sovereign Lord says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered. I will bring them back from captivity and return them to Upper Egypt, the land of their ancestry. There they will be a lowly kingdom. It will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations.”  Ezekiel 29:9,13-15

I recall the tour Debbie and I had the opportunity to take in 2000 to Egypt and Israel. It was a fascinating first time experience for both of us. Visiting Egypt and looking at the pyramids and reflecting on the power and influence of ancient Egypt was an insightful experience. We see Egypt in the Bible as a world power. It was the place that God’s people lived and multiplied in numbers for 400 years until the exodus. When God’s people were in the promised land Egypt was the place where individuals ran for refuge. Solomon took a wife from Egypt, which was a recognition of the nation’s power and the traditional way to keep a more powerful nation from attacking you. Hundreds of years later when Jerusalem was falling to the Babylonians there was a group that was intent on escaping God’s judgment through going to Egypt.

The question that came to my mind was, “what happened to Egypt?” “What did its political and social and cultural prominence come to an end?”

I found it interesting when I read the prophecies in Ezekiel concerning Egypt. God’s judgment was not only on the nation of Israel but on Egypt and other nations at that time. God is making it clear that He is the God who governs over all nations and all people. In Biblical times and some times today people can look at God as being only concerned about a nation or a few nations, somewhat of a “regional” God.

However, it is God’s desire for all nations to know that “He is the Lord.” Four times in Ezekiel 29 you will find the expression, “then they will know the I am the Lord.” God pronounced a captivity and a restoration for  Egypt, just as he did Judah. When the exodus took place  the Lord God showed Himself greater than all the gods of Egypt and now through the prophecy of Ezekiel He is once again showing His sovereign rule.

So what? The take away is to understand that God is still sovereign over all His creation. Just as He was at work in the past He is still at work in the world today. What we as Geo-political changes and upheavals may be God orchestrating His divine plane. For example, back in the 1980’s I read  something about end time events in the Bible. My thought was, “for that to happen the Soviet Union as we know it today will have to come to an end.” And then, when what I thought would never happen, happened, it got my attention!

The other reoccurring theme is, “then they will know that I am the Lord.” God’s desire to to be known by all people as the “Lord.” The one who is awesome in power, yet our savior and provider and the one who continually manifests His loving kindness to all those who call on His name.

 

 

Condemned Already

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Today, I had my massage appointment and this afternoon I have a follow up appointment with my primary care doctor after my recent hospitalization. I like the evidence of God’s hand in the marketplace. Twyla my massage therapist was telling me of a patient that I crossed paths with as I arrived for my appointment. Twyla has been seeing this patient since last September and when she first met her she was in wheelchair. (This patient has given Twyla permission to share some of her story.) On one of the visits Twyla offered to pray for this lady, who is from Saudi Arabia and came to the states largely due to some of her medical issues. The patient consented and later told Twyla how better she felt after she received prayer.

Our friend Phyllis Kovac (92) had a fell last week and experienced a broken bone and has been recovering in a nursing home. We covet your prayers for her this dear saint. Efforts are being made for her to return home soon. Phyllis and her daughter Gwen are dear friends and committed to ministry to others. I recall their faithfulness to visit with me in the hospital. They were always such a great source of encouragement. (The picture above is Phyllis and me listening to Pastor Bob Strauch on the day I left the Rehab hospital in December.)

I am thankful that God hears and answers prayer and no prayer is guaranteed to be answered like the prayer asking God to forgive our sins.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”             John 3:16-18

John 3;16 is probably the most familiar verse in the Bible. But I have always felt that it is important to know what is said in verses 17 and 18. Often times people will say something in regard to “God condemning them to……” You know that politically unpopular place to talk about that is the opposite of heaven. The Bible is clear that Christ came into the world to save the world. That means the world was lost and without hope already and condemned to die a spiritual death in….of well hell (there I said it!)

The humanistic perspective is that heaven is the default plan. However, the Biblical perspective is just the opposite, or Christ would not have had to come to earth to die on the cross. Placing our faith in Jesus Christ brings us from spiritual death to life. And the words of John provide a resounding assurance, “whoever believes in Him is not condemned.”

The Apostle Paul writes about the assurance we have through faith in Christ… “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1,2

The “law of sin and death” is human effort to try to be good, only to fail, only to try again, only to fail again. The “law of the Spirit” says the one who places their faith in Christ and relies on His grace and mercy has life and God’s Spirit to lives in them to give them strength to live the life He has for them.

In short, that’s the gospel, that’s good news!