Today, I was sitting in the infusion center at McKee Hospital receiving some IV drug therapy when I notice the email announcement of the passing of Bill Armstrong, President of Colorado Christian University and former U.S. Senator. This is a great loss for his family, CCU and the State of Colorado. It is in reflection of his life and legacy that I share these thoughts and observations.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:6,7 HCSB

When we read these well known verses of Paul to Timothy we often focus on “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” However, “fighting the fight” “finishing the race” and “keeping the faith”, is directly related to living our life as an “offering to God.”

In the Old Testament a “drink offering” of a portion of wine, was mingled with sacrifices on the altar. Some have concluded that this is a picture of recognition that, “all blessings comes from God.” The picture I think of is when David’s three mighty men risked their lives to enter into enemy territory in Bethlehem. David was fleeing from Saul and longed for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. When the men returned with the water, David poured it on the ground as a sacrifice. (2 Samuel 23:16) This was an act of surrender. He recognized the bravery of his men, over the thirst and desire of his own life.

Paul’s life had been lived as the “living sacrifice” that he called the Romans to be. (Romans 12:1,2) Paul’s life had already been “spent” not in selfish pursuits, but in surrender to the work of Christ. When you live a “poured out life” fighting the fight, running the race and keeping the faith will become a natural consequence of that commitment.

That commitment is one to which God responds. God responds in giving grace for the Journey and strength for each challenge. Oswald Chambers wrote, “Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be.”

God responds by the assurance of an eternal reward and a grand entrance into His glory. Paul with confidence declares, “There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8 HCSB)

When all that we are given, is given to all that God calls us to be, it results in receiving all that God has provided for those who love and obey and serve Him. In this life and for all eternity that is to come.

I write this in honor of Former U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong, President of Colorado Christian University. He passed into the ranks of heaven on July 5, 2016. He was certainly a, “man among men” and a “leader among leaders.” I can’t say that I knew him well, but was counted as a friend and one he supported not only during my legislative years but as one who was “all in” during  my health crisis.

He was generous in his support and loyal in his prayers. He mentioned on a number of occasions how he would give updates and have his executive leadership pray for me. I was viewing a video tribute to President Armstrong and his board members shared how he would have communion at all the board meetings and they would end the meeting kneeling in prayer at their chairs. It is no wonder that the Lord blessed the University with academic achievement and spiritual vitality during his ten years of leadership.

I recall having a breakfast with President Armstrong on one occasion.  He told me that he really wasn’t planning on taking on any more significant tasks in his life when offered the position of President at CCU. He did so because he felt that was God’s calling. As he took on the task, he did so as a “drink offering” before the Lord. He gave himself completely to the task in a sacrificial manner.

When I heard that his cancer was active and threatening his life, I made plans to drop off a copy of my book at his office. He had read the manuscript, expressed how much he enjoyed the read and wrote a nice endorsement. I was surprised that he was in his office and even more surprised that he took time for conversation, concluding with a time of prayer.

Bill Armstrong was a leader, he was a true man of God and an example for others to follow. His impact on lives is “deep and long.” I count myself privileged to be among those who knew him a little, but admired him much. He has inspired me to live a “poured out life” to continue to fight a good fight, run the race and keep to keep the faith!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Titus 2:11-13 HCSB

Paul’s letter to Titus, like his letter to Timothy, was written from a Roman prison. As a result, we see some similar instructions to these leaders about their duty in appointing leaders in the church and warnings about the environment in which they lived.

At the end of chapter one we read,  “To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.” (Titus 1:15-16 HCSB)

Titus is then instructed what to teach older men, women, younger men and slaves. Each had their own challenges to face and responsible conduct to uphold. Our verses above get to the “why” of all these warnings and instructions.

While God’s grace that brings salvation is available to all, it calls us to responsible conduct, so that God’s grace is not in vain. God’s grace not only gives us favor from God, it provides and motivation and incentive to lead the type of lives that will bring honor to Christ.

God’s grace motivates us to keep our “eyes on the prize.” Our focus is not to be this world and any pleasures that would allure and distract, but our focus is to be on the coming of Christ. The fact that Christ’s return is the “blessed hope” for those who follow Christ is to be more than a “doctrinal” belief. It is to impact character of our lives. We are a “people of hope.”

Prayer for today…  “Lord thank Your for Your grace that not only saves us but empowers us and motivates us in the life we are to live. Thank You that as we reflect Your character, we do so in anticipation of a future in Your presence, eagerly looking to Your return and our heavenly home.”

I think the activities of the last weekend caught up with me. I found myself more fatigued than what I expected, but I am learning that seems to be a “new normal” for me. This afternoon, I traveled to Denver to visit my mother in Englewood and then to the studios of KNUS. I appreciate Krista Kafer allowing me to join her to talk about my book, “The Longest Campaign” and my journey toward full recovery from West Nile Virus.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep My eyes on them for their good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them…” Jeremiah 24:5,6 HCSB

In Jerusalem it was the beginning of the end or more toward the end of the end. King Jeconiah has just been taken captive to Babylon with some of the craftsmen from the Temple. The Lord shows Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs, before the Temple. One basket the figs are very good. The other baskets has figs in them that are so bad they are inedible.

When the Lord gives the meaning of the vision, He says the “good” figs are those who surrender and go to Babylon. The “bad” figs are the people who remain in Jerusalem or those who try to escape to Egypt. What?! How could it be God’s will to “give in” to “surrender to the enemy” to not stay or escape from the hand of the oppressive power of Nebuchadnezzar?

God’s people then and God’s people today, struggle when “God’s ways” don’t make sense. They struggle when God’s direction and those God uses are contrary to what makes sense. But in the midst of their perplexity of God’s will, here is God’s promise, “I will keep My eyes on them for their good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.  I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am Yahweh. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:6,7 HCSB)

Those who sought to seek their “own way out” of this judgment and from the purposes God was wanting to accomplish are told,  “I will make them an object of horror and disaster to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing, wherever I have banished them. I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they have perished from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.” (Jeremiah 24:9,10 HCSB)

As I have been reading the Book of Job, it has become more clear that the struggle for Job and his “friends” was not being able to understand that “bad could happen to good people.” Since Job was under a “curse” he had to be bad. But Job knew the life he had lived so he concluded, that God was being “unjust.”

We often say that “hindsight is 20/20 vision.” But “jumping to conclusions” about what God is “up to” is being blind to the fact that God does at times (often many times) do things that don’t make sense to us. The temptation then is to make the wrong judgment about the situation, ourselves or God. It is always better to choose God’s will than to take situations into our “own hands.”

On this July 4th as I look at a presidential election, I have to have assurance that “God know what He is doing” even if it doesn’t make sense to me. Otherwise, there is only cynicism and despair. I’m not making any final declarations one whom God is going to use, or what is going to happen, other than, “I’m keeping my eyes on the Lord and confident that God’s will is going to prevail.” What all that means, we will see as time unfolds. We can be confident that God’s desire is for people to “return to Him with all their heart.”

Prayer for Today…. “Lord, we live in challenging and perplexing times. Help us to keep our eyes on You and keep our trust in You. Let us not jump to conclusions or attempt take matters into our own hands, when things don’t make sense. Thank you the most important thing is to cooperate with Your will for our lives and our world.”

Today was the final day of the Western Conservative Summit. Three years ago I was in a hospital ICU instead of attending this event. This year, I was in front of hundreds of people as they viewed “My Story” video and I shared about my book and introduced Pastor John MacArthur as one of the keynote speaker. As I was leaving today, I had the opportunity to see the infamous, “Scheffel” siblings. Tom Scheffel is the attorney for CCU, sister Debora is on the State Board of Education and brother Mark is the Majority Leader of the State Senate. Their mother Marolyn and their father can be proud of the impact being made on Colorado by their children.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.…“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.“ Jeremiah 17:5,7 HCSB

You can count on it. Where an individual places their trust will depend on their quality of life, their resilience in times of testings and their confidence for the future. This morning, I did a short interview with State Representative Gordon Klingenschmitt aka “Dr. Chaps” (former Navy Chaplain) for his internet program “Pray in Jesus Name.” One of the foundational questions was, “what was your source of trust during your health crisis? How did you find the strength to endure?”

Jeremiah is writing to God’s people who were in the throws of God’s judgment for their persistent idolatry. The idolatry that God’s people were to stamp out when entered the promised land, has now become the pervasive cancer in their midst. Their trust in God had been replaced by trust in themselves and the creation of their own hands.

Trusting in man, opposed to trusting in God is reflected in a person’s life. Jeremiah says the one who trusts in man and departs from the Lord, “…shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.” (Jeremiah 17:6 HCSB)

Barrenness, hardship and desolation is the lot for those who trust in themselves. It is a hopeless and fruitless existence. A “salt land” is the most vivid description of a lifeless existence. I found with interest some oil and gas experts observation that it is easier to clean up oil from the land, than it is salt.

In contrast, the man who trusts in the Lord, “…shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8 HCSB)

Fruitfulness and life is the lot of those who trust in the Lord. The words, describe stability, strength and longevity. I think of a recent conversation when a person was describing the rapid growth that takes place in Florida with plants and trees. He said, “the grass can growth an inch and a half in three days.” This is a good metaphor for the life that comes the one who trusts in the Lord. Even when drought comes, fear is not overwhelming, because provision is still present.

How do we know if we are trusting in the Lord or trusting in ourselves? It can be evidenced by what we are experiencing, the “fruit of our lives.” But it also requires a willingness to ask the Lord “what He thinks.” We need to have our hearts open to the Lord in those areas and in those times when we are not trusting Him fully. Why is that? Because, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9,10 HCSB)

Prayer for Today… “Lord, I pray for grace to trust you more. Allow me to realize that I need Your strength and provision for all that I do and each day that I live. Reveal to me those areas where I am leaning to “my own understanding.” Thank You that trusting in You, provides “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

I have been at a table in the exhibit area, making my book available. It has been great to connect with several friends to be able to share my book with those who have been familiar with my story. My table is close to Tom Scheffel’s. He is the attorney for Colorado Christian University and someone I have known for a number of years and person I count as a dear friend.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.”  Job 23:10 HCSB

This verse articulates the second “confidence” of Job. He was confidence in the Lord as his living redeemer and a future resurrection and revelation of “God in the flesh.” Job also expresses confidence in his own standing before the Lord.

Job knew that all is known by the Lord. The psalmist declared, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.“ (Psalm 139:2 NIV) All that could be known about Job, the Lord knew and Job was confident and comfortable with that reality.

Job was also confident that he would “pass the test.” In all of the questions of “why me?” “why this” “why now?” In all of the cursing the day he was born and all the accusations from his three friends, Job knew that end the he would emerge from the fire of testing as “pure gold.”

Here is the basis of Job’s confidence, “My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.” (Job 23:11,12 HCSB)

Job had been faithful to the Lord and he had confidence that the Lord would be faithful to him. There is no hint of “I haven’t done enough.” There was no indication of any “hidden sin.” Yet Job was not arrogant but humble before the Lord.

“But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind. Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him.” (Job 23:13-15 HCSB)

I believe Job demonstrates the Biblical idea of the “fear of the Lord.” He was confidence of his own standing before the Lord, but realized that the Lord’s ways and actions are of His doing and beyond human understanding.

We can thankful that our standing before the Lord is not based on our “perfection” before Him. But when there is a commitment of faithfulness to the Lord to the best of our ability we can have assurance of God’s purpose being fulfilled in our life as we emerge from the tests and trials of life.

Peter declared, “…you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 1:6,7 NKJV)

That is something that I have learned in my own life and from my experiences. It makes one more grateful for the love and mercy of our Lord.

Prayer for today….  “Lord thank You that You make it possible for us to emerge from times of trials and testing as “pure gold.” That may mean the “burning away” of all impurities. As difficult as that may be, allow me to realize that You always desire that which is best for me.”

I left Fort Collins early this morning to come to Denver with my friend Jim Welker. We traveled to the Denver Convention Center for the start of the Western Conservative Summit. The special morning session featured Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. It was a packed house with some committed Trump supporters and protestors. It all made for an interesting start to the weekend.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last….yet I will see God in my flesh.…and not as a stranger…” Job 19:25 HCSB

One of the most familiar verses of the Book of Job expresses the confidence of Job in light of the “comfort” of his friends and the despair of his situation. Job was confused, but remained convicted about the integrity of God’s character, just as God was confident of the integrity of Job’s character.

We see the emotional toll of Job’s suffering when he laments, “He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My relatives stop coming by, and my close friends have forgotten me. My house guests and female servants regard me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even if I beg him with my own mouth.…All of my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me.” (Job 19:13-16,19 HCSB)

It is clear, suffering is not a drawing card. People don’t know how to respond, what to say, what to do; so often they do nothing; they keep their distance. Job was feeling the brunt of this rejection from family and friends.

Yet in the midst of it all we see this profound declaration about God and Job’s future, “But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at Him, and not as a stranger…” (Job 19:25-27 HCSB)

Regardless of how he felt, Job had confidence in God’s ultimate intervention and revelation of himself. Job knew God was a “living Redeemer.” His prayers were not futile, his feelings would not have the final say. Job’s faith allowed him to say, “the distance I am feeling will not last forever. I will see the Lord and will be at peace and at home in His presence.”

Job ends this discourse with the words, “…My heart longs within me.” (Job 19:27 HCSB) That is the confidence of the person who knows that the future will be better than the present, whether the present is good or bad; whether I am in turmoil or in peace.

The funeral service I conducted yesterday was for a man, 75 years old, who died within seven weeks of a cancer diagnosis. But adjusting to the “inevitable” for him was not a struggle because of his faith and his faithfulness; both to his God and his family. He had confidence that the future would be better than anything he had experienced in  this life. There is a word for that….”HOPE.”

Prayer for today…  “Lord, thank you for the hope you give, that our future will be better than our present. That there is a glory that awaits those who place their faith and trust in You. With Job may our hearts cry, “I know my Redeemer lives…and I shall see Him.”

The highlight of my day was having two of my aunts come for a visit. My father’s sisters, Paula Baer from Aurora and Annalee Cogar from Columbus, Georgia. We enjoyed a visit, went out to lunch and then reconnected at the house after I conducted a funeral service while they connected with a friend for a visit. We even searched for some strawberries in my picked over patch. Pastor Steve Harris came by and dropped off some of Sherri’s strawberry jam and became a willing photographer.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.” 2 Timothy 3:12-14 HCSB

As you read through Paul’s letters to Timothy you can tell Paul’s concern for this “son in the faith.” Paul’s words time and again challenge Timothy as to his focus and his responsibilities. As I read these chapters, I get the sense that Paul is saying, “If no one else stays true, Timothy, I want you to stay true to the faith.”

As Paul is at the end of his life he is aware of the troubles and persecution that he had endured. He is aware of those who once voiced faith and were among those who listened to his words, but “fell by the way side” for a number of reasons. He was aware that the gospel he preached was one that would face opposition.

Take note of four powerful words, “but-as-for-you.” These are words that draw a line in the sand. They are words that are intended to arrest  Timothy’s attention. They are words that warn and challenge him  to a higher commitment, a deeper faith.

Paul called Timothy to live a life as an example to believers in faith and godliness. (1 Timothy 4:12) Now,  he warns him that commitment will result in persecution. Persecution will come to him and all others who demonstrate unwavering faith and loyalty to the cause of Christ. Jesus warned His disciples to be prepared for persecution, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.“ (John 15:8 NIV)

Paul warns Timothy that “evil men and imposters will become worse.” He was to be on guard against those who were openly against him and those who tried to look like they were with him, but were really against him. Often the later is far more dangerous and discouraging.

In light of all this Paul gives Timothy his, “marching orders,” “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.” (2 Timothy 3:14 HCSB) It seems that the word, “continue” is a key word and theme of Paul’s letters to Timothy. He is saying, “Timothy, don’t be thrown off by what happens, by what others do, keep your focus, guard your own heart and commitment to Christ.”

The bedrock foundation for his life of faith was to be in the scriptures. What Timothy had learned as a child was good for him to remember as an adult. Why? “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:16,17 HCSB)

Paul wanted Timothy to know that God’s Word would continue to help him grow, to keep him on the right path and to serve as his “training manual” for life and ministry.

That is why from the beginning Satan has tried to bring doubt and confusion about God’s Word. Remember the question to Eve? “Has God [really] said….?” The same temptation to doubt and question, can happen in hearts and minds of people today. When we keep to Word, the Word will help us keep to the task and empower us to live the life that Christ died for us to experience.

Prayer for Today…  “Lord, help me with spiritual “blinders” on, to keep to the life and work, You have called me to. Don’t let what happens to me or what I see happening in others, discourage or divert my attention from You. Thank You for Your Word, that guides my life, helps me grow and equips me to serve You.”

A planned meeting in Denver was cancelled today. I was glad to have that off my schedule. It gave me time to work on a memorial service for tomorrow. This afternoon, I traveled to Greeley. I enjoyed a lunch with Pastor Michael Popineau (and gave him a copy of my book). I then was part of a radio interview at KFKA for a “Senior Circle” program that will be aired on Sunday.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be…. ungrateful, unholy, unloving….“ 2 Timothy 3:1.2 HCSB

As Paul writes Timothy toward the end of his days, he desires Timothy to be prepared for future ministry and future challenges, including “last days” actions and attitudes. We don’t know when the Lord will return but we do know what the character of people will be. The difficult times of the last days will not be caused by economic turmoil, though that will happen. It will not be caused by disruption in the fabric of nature, though that will happen. The difficulties of the “end times” will be due to the lack of character of people.

People in this generation will lack the actions and attitudes that hold the fabric of a society and the world together. What people will manifest in their conduct will be the opposite of what God call us to be and what creates peace and harmony among families and nations.

The list includes, “…lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,  traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5 HCSB)

I don’t believe I can think of a negative trait that is missing from this list. These characteristics can be viewed in individual lives and today as they have been throughout time. However, what creates the intensity of the last days before Christ returns is that the exception today, becomes the norm in the future.

That is why Paul’s advice to Timothy is to, “Avoid these people!” (2 timothy 3:5 HCSB) Individuals who possess the combination of these characteristics or a majority of them become a cesspool that poisons all who come in contact with them. It is like being introduced into a centrifugal force that pulls you into its trap.

Paul says these people are, “always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth…these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith…they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all…“ (2 Timothy 3:7-9 HCSB)

We see in these verses a warning and a challenge. The warning is clear, the challenge by inference, is to live a life that is the opposite of the “un” generation. That means at its core being, “grateful” “loving” and “holy.” I would encourage you to examine the entire list of negatives and consider their opposite as the goal and mandate for our lives as Christ-followers.

When Jesus taught His disciples about serving He said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark 10:42,43 NIV)

I believe we can take from Paul’s words to Timothy the idea, “This is how people will be in the last day, but that is not to be the way it is to be with you!” When we take this to heart and live by God’s standards, the light of our lives will shine bright in the midst of the darkness around.

Prayer for Today… “Lord help me to remember the greatest challenges in our world will occur due to the character and actions of people who turn away from You. Help me to “stay above the fray” and to focus on what is pleasing to You.”