Loving the unloved

by Thomas Denegre

Unloved is hell.  There is no worse experience than to be unloved.  Orphan babies left untouched in their cribs die within weeks from unloved. Children who are unloved by their parents develop wounds in their hearts that disable them.  Grievances are stored and cataloged bearing a fruit of rage, bitterness, and resentment. Children join criminal gangs just to get a little love. The unloved despise God and see him as the enemy. They see their condition based on a God who is indifferent. God is considered cruel. How are the unloved to be saved? 

This week’s reading gives us a clue to the answer, for it reads;

16 We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them. 17 By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17

For the past twenty years as a Christian leader in the Kairos prison ministry I have experienced a bridge that takes the unloved into God’s kingdom.  Here’s what I discovered.

There are two sides to every bridge.  For me to enter the side of the lost I learned a person doesn’t care what I know, until they know that I care.  If possible, it was important  to understand the person first before being understood.

I noticed a few trademarks of the lost.They live under a banner of pride and self-centeredness. They identify themselves with the wounds of their heart and the heavy load of grievances they carry. It's a false and self-destructive identification.  Being teachable was a problem. They carry deep feelings of anger, rebellion, fear, grief, apathy, guilt, and sometimes humiliation.  By being inwardly focused on their misery, they generally could not see the light touching them.  Sadly, they viewed God as being indifferent, vengeful, condemning, or at worse, despising. Life is viewed as survival; not joyful.

When reaching out to the lost, the biggest failure I made was trying to save them with my own love. I did not have the capacity, nor the ability nor the job description to do it.  Paul expressed this in Romans, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Rom. 5:5

 

Clearly it was God’s job to love and to save the lost while nourishing and empowering his saints to carry out the mission. By living in life union with Jesus and having his words living powerfully within me, it was easy to allow God's love to flow through me. By having an intimate relationship with Jesus, I was capable of extending that same relationship to the unloved. More than anything else the unloved want to be loved. When the unloved knew they were genuinely loved, then they refocus their view from themselves to the source of the love.

By relying on the Holy Spirit I’m able to see the lost person as God does. I channel the Holy Spirit by acknowledging the goodness, uniqueness, value, gifts, and love to that person.  I let them know that before the foundations of the earth were made, they were loved.  How precious is that?

To cross the bridge from darkness into light, the unloved person must trust God and believe that he is a God of love and abundant life.. By being affirmed that they are loved, they must take the courage to cross the line from darkness into the the truth. It requires them to open their hearts to God so he can heal their wounds and empty their grievances. 

As saints abiding in God, we have the intimate relationship and love to reach the unloved.  It is through this genuine love that draws the sinner to trust, believe, open their heart, and take the courage to cross the bridge to salvation.

Courage

I’m not sure why it took me so long to see my mother as the exemplar of courage, but that’s what she was. In retrospect, her whole life was a portrait of courage, so why did it take me so long to realize it? I have a hunch.

Always honest, Mom characterized herself as being naturally fearful, and it’s true that, like so many, she fretted too much. But courage isn’t the mere absence of fear, as some would shortchange it to be; rather, courage means going forward despite our fear, confronting that which frightens us. And Mom only knew one direction in life—forward. For her, there was no retreat from life’s challenges; she faced them with sincere faith and walked through them in steely resolve.

Her second lesson in courage was likely one Mom never knew she had taught, but it remains indelibly etched on my soul, and that is this: courage is best taught—or best caught—by example. When widowed at a young age, it was in courage that she raised three young children to adulthood alone. Asked to manage a bookstore despite having no experience running a business, it took courage to step up to the task. (She turned a profit in her first year.) And though her family was with her as she approached death’s door, we could only look on with deep love respect as she alone crossed over its threshold, dying with the courage in which she had lived.

The apostle Paul knew the best way for all of us to encounter our fears is to jettison our knee-jerk reactions to them through the Spiritual fruit of self-control, and he understood there is no better way to bolster faith and confidence in others than to exemplify courage among them. When coaching a pastor through distance-learning, then, he wrote this piece of practical advice to Titus, “Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech...” (Titus 2:6-8).

To which I say, “Well said, Paul.” And, “Well lived, Mom.”

Father, though I trust in you, I still fear what I should not fear. Send your Spirit to produce in me self-control and to encourage me with truth. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Christ in me is confidence.

Trusting for the Long Haul

When I think about people who have trusted God, Joshua is always one of the first I remember.  In the story where Moses sent scouts out to search area God promised them, Joshua and Caleb were the only team reporting that they can stick with the plan and take the land. 

Joshua didn’t say this because their army was strong and their soldiers were big.  He didn’t feel optimistic because they had some master plan up their sleeve.  He just trusted God.  He knew God told Moses the land would be theirs, so Joshua said, “Let’s go!”

Because of Joshua’s trust in God, he is now reaping the reward.  “…Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelite's.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses…” Today’s passage shows us how important trusting God is.  Moses did not get to set foot in the promise land, because he wavered in his trust. 

We can trust God too.  Have you felt God promise you something? While reading the word, or perhaps during a prayer, have you heard the Still Small Voice speak a promise to you?   Has a fellow Christian spoken a word over you that you knew to be from God, and now you are waiting for the promise to come to pass?  Do not waiver!  Trust God.  Our scripture today says, “Be strong and courageous” two different times.  I love when the word does that.  That kind of repetition shows me the instruction is REALLY important.  So, I will say the same thing to you as you wait for God’s promises in your life to come to pass. 

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, BE VERY STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

God can be trusted.

Read today’s passage here Joshua1:1-7 

Stand Firm in the Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 

Stand firm, don't waiver, remember what you learned while with us. This sounds like good advice, and perhaps something we heard as we ventured out into the world. Our parents might have shared the same wisdom their own parents bestowed on them. Below are more words to encourage us to stay strong in the faith, and don't fall when tempted, but keep our eyes on Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

1 Samuel 4:9 "Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; therefore, be men and fight."

 

2 Samuel 10:12 "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD."

Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery."

Ephesians 3:16 "I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,"

Consider noting these Bible verses and turning to them when faced with situations which challenge the faith. As this happens regularly in life, and we need to be prepared.



2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Trust and Obey - is there any other way?

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

Many times in life I do not feel courageous.  In fact, I am downright fearful. There are challenges that cause me to hesitate. I doubt my ability to successfully maneuver new situations.  I seem to lose faith in my own abilities. 

The telling phrase is 'my own abilities'. Whenever I consider going out on my own, trusting my own abilities and not turning to God for whatever I will need to accomplish the task, fear has an inroad.


I am not alone. Once I acknowledge this I discover there is One who is there, at my side, ready to give me courage. I must keep my eyes on the One, or like Peter, I'll sink into my fears. The waves of trouble with wash over me and I will feel as though I am drowning in my circumstances.

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. (Matthew 14:32)

Here's the issue; I realize I am afraid of are the things of this world: financial security, getting older, being alone -- and there are still 'those days' when it is difficult to put on a brave front and walk with confidence. But, knowing that Jesus is in the boat with me, makes all the difference.

Matthew 14:22-33

Seek Me

Isaiah 45:18-19

For this is what the Lord says—

he who created the heavens,
    he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,
    he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,
    but formed it to be inhabited—
he says:
“I am the Lord,
    and there is no other.
 I have not spoken in secret,
    from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
    ‘Seek me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
    I declare what is right.

God's promises are public, and their fulfillment is sure. So why do we ever doubt him? We never have to be uncertain when we have a God of truth and righteousness.   - Life Application Study Bible.

Indeed, God's promises are public.  If you read my journal you will find numerous occasions of notes of God's faithfulness to me.  I cling to a promise, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1). Before I know it, God came through and peace fills me.

When I am anxious, I lift it up to God, spilling my heart in words and He responds through His Word; "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14) Yup, you know it, my anxiety proved to be unfounded and my spirit once again overflows with hope.

In mid-March I was seeking in prayer, a word of encouragement, direction, peace and hope. One of the devotionals I read that day said: "God's looking out for you when you don't even know you are in danger." Again, a calm presence centered me that morning.

Isaiah 45:22 (NIV) 
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.


Indeed, there is no other God. No other earthly god can provide strength, or fill hearts with courage and conviction. "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again; REJOICE!" (Philippians 4:4)




Isaiah 45:15-25

I Can't Help But Admire Thomas

I am an amateur student of history, and I enjoy ancient and medieval history. In addition, perhaps because it is but a generation removed, I especially like to study World War II.

 

I am amazed that the German people let Hitler come to power and most did not try to stop him. I am astounded at the politics and what it took for the United States to enter the war.  I am also surprised at how easily the Nazis conquered Europe and sealed it off from the Western world.

 

The US and England needed to invade France, and they chose Omaha Beach in Normandy. Eighteen year old men travelled across the English Channel, waded in water from their amphibious vehicles to the beach, with German gunfire peppering their approach. Nearly 1 in 10 Allied Forces perished on June 6, 1944.

 

What went through the minds of these young men on that day? Did they think they were invincible? Did they not understand the danger? Or was their courage driven by the need to preserve freedom?

 

We can’t really say, but I can’t help but admire these heroes.

 

Today’s reading is John 11:1-16. Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, had died in Bethany. Word came to Jesus, who planned to travel through Jerusalem to Bethany to restore Lazarus to health.

 

There was a problem. The Jews had recently attempted to stone Jesus and he fled with his disciples. His disciples thought travelling back through Jerusalem was not a good idea, since it clearly was not safe for Jesus.

 

After Jesus and some disciples had their discussion, Thomas chimed in, “Let us also go, that we may die with him [Jesus].”

 

On the one hand, you have to admire Thomas. He believed that following Jesus in this instance meant sure death. Yet, he was willing to go.

 

On the other hand, you have to question Thomas. Did he not know who Jesus is? Did he not believe Jesus when he implied he would make it to Bethany? Thomas did not yet “get it.”

 

Thomas’ understanding was weak, but he did have a strong faith!

 

Like the WWII heroes, I can’t help but admire Thomas!

2 Timothy 3: 16-17

                 Looking for inspiration? “Google It!”

I did. As I read through the hundreds of inspirational quotes, it occurred to me that though not stated, a good portion of them were bible based whether the author of the message intended it to be or not. It is true that many quotes people think came from the bible,  have no biblical base, such as “God helps those who help themselves,” but to an extent it is good to know that God’s name is being referenced in the life of those who may not be truly committed. There are also verses spoken by preachers and teachers of the word that may not be directly taken from the bible yet reference how we are to live our lives based on biblical principles, like one of my favorites from Chuck Swindoll. 

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are reminded: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

If we are familiar with God's word, we can make reference to his teachings and help others make connections to the bible; our training manual for life, when we have the opportunity. Everyone loves to be inspired, so let's use our daily circumstances and interactions to direct others to His Word. What does the bible say?

1 Chronicles 28:20                    James 1:23-25
Deuteronomy 31:6                    1 John 3:18
Joshua 1:9                                Colossians 3:23-24
Psalm 27:14                              1 Peter 1:13
1 John 1:9                                  Hebrews 6:11-12
Philippians 4:13                         Daniel 11:32
Proverbs 28:13                          Luke 11:9
James 4:10                               James 2: 14-17
...and many more                      ...and many more

            2 Corinthians 5:17

            James 1:12
            Romans 5: 3-5
            Matthew 24:13
            Hebrews 10:36
            Acts 2:38
            Matthew 18: 21-22
            Psalm 32:5
            Luke 23:43
            ...and many more

Take Courage! Go.

Several years ago I traveled quite a bit on business. I had been in Chicago for three days and arrived back at my desk on Friday, exhausted, looking forward to the weekend. About mid-morning my boss called with some news, “Hey Mark, you need to be in London on Monday.”


Ugh! No rest for me. I had to go!


In today’s story, Acts 22:30-23:11, Paul may have felt a bit like I did. He had just completed his third missionary trip and was in Jerusalem when the Lord told him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”


No rest for Paul. He had to go.

Paul’s testimony throughout his journey was a blend of joy and sorrow. He was persecuted and chased out of many towns, yet he had joy in the strength that other believers brought him.

 

In Jerusalem, Paul was jailed, was almost flogged and was at risk of being “torn to pieces” by the Sanhedrin. Paul must have wondered what acts of harassment would greet him in Rome.



Mamertine Prison
Paul's "Home" in Rome

Today’s story does not explicitly tell us that Paul prayed about his situation. The Book of Acts, however, tells us that Paul frequently prayed with others about the mission Christ gave him. Perhaps the words of comfort, “Take courage!” were an answer to one of his many prayers.

Many Christians in the world today are physically persecuted. Living in the United States, we are blessed with a much safer environment. We may think that the mission field is elsewhere in unfriendly lands, but the truth is, there are many in our neighborhoods that need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It can be difficult to witness to a neighbor or friend when you are not accustomed to it. Yet that is what we are asked to do for Christ. We know we won’t get “torn to pieces”, flogged or jailed. Perhaps we are afraid of being rejected.

Take courage! Go.

Paul did.

Oh, to be an upstart

Acts 4:1-4 (MSG) While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up,  indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus.  They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening.  But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

Read the four verses above and try to determine which words God wants to speak to your heart this day. For me, the word upstart grabbed my attention. I looked it up and found one of the definitions was, a nobody. This is significant because I am now challenged to be an upstart as well.

Peter and John had just healed a man who had been crippled since birth; in the name of Jesus they healed him. They pointed to the great healer and called up His name. This act had a snowball effect on the crowd who was gathered. Those who witnessed this miracle stuck around to hear more about this man Jesus, whom they had killed.

I often ask myself what I could do to make the difference in someone's eternal life. More than likely Peter and John asked themselves the same question. But, then they would start talking it over with each other and remember the words of their mentor, Jesus, and courage and conviction would return.

How do I apply this to my life? How do I call upon Jesus to heal another's heart, to redeem their eternity? Have I been empowered to do the same thing as the apostles? It isn't magic, but prayer that changes lives. If I have faith, if I believe God is with me, I too can make a difference in this world...even an upstart like me.

Acts 4:1-4

The Story - Chapter 30 - Paul's Final Days

There was a plan underfoot to ambush and kill Paul. He was being railroaded and unjustly charged. It would appear the people were so afraid of him and his words, they needed him to disappear.

"...the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:12)  

Paul was innocent of all charges and boldly told his accusers so. "Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well". (Acts 25:10) 

Have you ever found yourself accused of something you did not do?  Have the words to your defense fallen on deaf ears?  Then you know some of the feelings Paul must have felt.  Reading this portion of Acts is eye-opening for this writer.  Once again, we can see the hand of God in motion.  A few chapters ago we read, "...the LORD stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11)

God said it and Paul could take it to the bank.  He would not die yet; he was going to Rome to bear witness to the truth there. Those words, Take Courage, we have heard before in various Old Testament readings.  It is a theme for us to embrace.  We have lots of work to do for Jesus' sake and it is going to require Courage; the kind of courage that only comes from faith and love.

Paul was faithful and he loved God and he loved others.  That was all that was needed, obedience to the two greatest commands of the One to whom he was testifying.

Read Acts 25:1-12

Listen to Acts 25:1-12

Joshua 11:1-15

Joshua obeyed and God was faithful. This was a theme during this season; the Israelites listened to their leader and fought as they were instructed. Joshua heeded the Words of God and reaped the benefits and the LORD's blessings. Again, their reputation preceded them and their enemies fell. "The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”(Joshua 11:6)

"...Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded..." (Joshua 11:15)  One of the reasons we are best served by studying God's Word and applying it to our lives is to follow after Joshua.  In a world that thumbs its nose at the life lived with goodness and humility, Christians are to be a beacon, a light in the darkness.  I am beginning to understand this, but I also can see how challenging living a clean and blameless life is to accomplish.

Moses and Joshua and their people were fighting for the promise they were given.  They were working to vanquish evil and to lay claim to their new home; The Promised Land. They were waging battle against Kings and royalty, against slavery and idolatry. We are fighting for the same thing, our Promised Land.  The terrain is dissimilar, the battle is different, the warring techniques are unique to this time in history, but the enemy is the same. We are fighting the principalities of this world and we are striving to take over the Promised Land which we have been assured is ours.

For us, the enemy uses material things like complacency, indifference, busyness and greed to divert us from the goal.  We have become enamored by meaningless pursuit of personal privilege; distracted by glamour and excitement.  Joshua learned from Moses and followed God.  He obeyed even when the instructions may have seemed illogical.  We must learn from Joshua to do the same.  When the rest of the world is against us, we know who is for us!

Read Joshua 11:1-15 here

Listen to Joshua 11:1-15 here

Joshua 1:1-9 Commission of Joshua

As a child, from time to time I recall trying to tell adults what to do.  It never worked very well, and often rather than compliance I would hear the phrase, “Who died and made you boss?” These are the thoughts that came rushing back to me when I read today’s passage. Hey, I thought that line was a joke, but it really happened to Joshua! So when the Israelites asked him that same question, his answer could have been, “God did!” They might have questioned him further, and his clarification would be simple; Moses died, and God made me boss.” How awesome to be able to answer like that? What I would have given to reply in that way when I was a kid, and have it actually be true. “God made me boss, so there!” Honestly when I made suggestions to adults about how they might behave, I felt I had very valid rational. With God as my appointee things would have been much different. People would have actually listened to me, right?

We can only wish it were that easy. We see pastors and Christians of all ages communicating and modeling the message of God on a regular basis, but so much of the world simply turns away. God commissioned Joshua upon the passing of Moses, just as He has commissioned us upon the passing of Jesus. “Be strong and courageous,” God commanded Joshua three times in this scripture reading. He also reminded Joshua that He is a promise keeping God in verses 3-6, and suggested that he mull over the first five books of the bible for insight and spiritual guidance in verses 7 and 8. 

Reading the book of Joshua will surely provide a clear picture of how Joshua’s God transformed him into the dynamic leader he became. Remember, God has not changed over the centuries. The promises He made to Joshua are very alive and real for us today. Live boldly within those promises, and hold tight to His word. As you grow in faith, courage and strength for the Lord, I hope you underline, highlight, and write in your bible. If you haven't yet---start now in Joshua. 

Read Joshua 1:1-9 here
Listen to Joshua 1:1-9 here

Power Through Weakness

1 Corinthians 1:17-2:5

We all want to make a difference in this world. We hope to leave our mark upon society in some way that is relevant. When the day comes that we pass on, we hope that kind words will be said about us at our memorial service. We want to be remembered as unique, in whatever way is important to us as individuals. This brings to mind the concept of a headstone and how the dates of birth and death are not the significant part, but the dash in between those dates. The question is: "How did you live your dash?"

So many of us feel as though we have to do something BIG, to be significant enough to matter. Others think accumulating a great deal of money or assets will mean success. Still others focus on just striving to be happy. God tells us that the meek shall inherit the earth, and he always calls on the most unlikely to do his work. There are so many, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the world, Jesus' disciples, simple fishermen and laborers became fishers of men, Goliath brought down the giant, Noah, built the ark........ none of these men were influential, noble, or wise by human standards. God uses the weak to lead, the sick to demonstrate courage, children remind us all what is truly important.

No matter who we are, or what this world has molded us into, we are all the same in the eyes of the Lord. We may feel insignificant and weak, but we are relevant and powerful. We may flounder in our own problems and predicaments, but we have the ability to do great things through and because of our trials. We are all here to make a difference, from right where we are. Jesus has shown us the way!

God's Up to Somethin' -- Acts 11:4-18

Do you remember a VBS t-shirt imprinted, "God's up to somethin'?" I have repeated this phrase to myself many times when something in my life has taken an unexpected direction. It reminds me to keep closer to God and wait for something new to happen.

Peter knew God was up to something when he experienced a dream. The people around him, his fellow Jews, weren't open to the fact that God could change the rules, turn old things around and upside down.

Peter's reaction: "...Who was I to think that I could oppose God?" (vs. 17) He did the faithful thing by adapting and following what God's Spirit revealed. He opened to God. He trusted God. This gave him the strength and courage he needed. He led his fellow Jews into a new way of thinking. God is no longer just a God of the Jews. Now everyone is a child of God.

When God is up to something, new things can happen. We may or may not expect them. We may or may not be ready. But we know we can trust God to give us what we need to see our way through change.

What an awesome journey when we take on the courage to embrace something new God puts in our path!

Let's welcome the entire VBS t-shirt imprint: "God's up to Somethin', Count me in!"

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Read today's text on Biblegateway, Acts 11:4-18