God heals the wounded. He changes hearts. When you’re not expecting Him he rescues you. My name is Gary Wood. For fifteen years I lived with a cynical heart. I loved God and had been hurt by people whom I had loved in Church. I was verbally and viscously attacked. Others sat on their hands and did nothing from fear of the ones attacking. There had been a vote on a new pastor. I made a mistake. I tried to sooth the situation by saying that I believed that whatever happened, whichever way the vote went would be God’s will. The side that lost did not agree. Two weeks later after a Sunday night service the attack came.My response to the attack was wrong. My wife and I tried going to other churches but trust was gone. I would see people at the church that reminded me of the people who attacked me. All the smiles seemed fake and insincere. I became cynical. I stopped consistently attending and participating in a Church. Ultimately I am to blame for my condition. How many thousands upon thousands of people all across the country have had a similar experience? How many Christians have been wounded by those they most loved? How many have responded wrongly? I hated the way I was. I wanted the heart I used to have. This made me angrier at the Church. Is this the way you have felt? Is this the way you feel now? I have very good news. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3: 17.
Fifteen years later I told God that he could never change my heart back the way it was. That’s right; I told the Sovereign Lord of Creation that he could not heal me; my heart was too hard and cynical. Two weeks later the Holy Spirit came for a visit.I was looking for something to read besides the histories and baseball books I usually read. I picked up a book my wife had bought entitled The Lame Prince. It told about the relationship between David, Jonathan and Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. I began to identify with Mephibosheth. I like Mephibosheth had been lamed from a civil war. I too had been living in Lo Debar (a dry place). When I read how David’s messenger went to Mephibosheth, telling him it was time to leave Lo Debar to live in the Kings palace, the Holy Spirit began to take me out of my dry place. I began to be moved as God poured out His love and presence on me. Deep calls to deep in the roars of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42: 7. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:37-38. The experience can best be described as a flood. Gods love is so big, bigger and deeper than the oceans. My wounds and cynical heart were washed away with the flood. He overwhelmed me with his love. Like Mephibosheth I was aware that I am living with the King totally undeserved!
I don’t know the circumstances of your wounds. I don’t know who was or wasn’t at fault, but I do know that if you have stopped participating in a local church you like me have responded wrongly and sinned against God. I know now that God broke me for a reason. I am closer to Christ than I have ever been before. He remade my heart into one that was better. If you are scattered and lame and want healing for your wounds and from your own attitudes and actions ask Christ and he will answer. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:7-13
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Rebel
We are to die to self and live for Christ. Andrew Murray says that mankind has fallen from life in God into a life of self -- a life of self- love, self- esteem, and self- seeking, a life concentrated on the perishing pleasures of the world. He calls this the kingdom of self. I like the term. Jesus calls us to the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news. Mark 1: 15.” Repent? From what should we repent? From the kingdom of self, sin. All sin which includes greed, drunkenness, slander, stealing, envy, sexual immorality and so on comes from self. Repent from sin, stop living life the way you want to, and live it God’s way. And what is God’s way. Jesus is God’s way. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. John 14: 6. C. S. Lewis writes that “fallen man is not just imperfect, needing improvement; he is a rebel who must surrender his weapons. It is not that man is only a little less then he should be but that he actively rebelled against his very best, what he was intended to be.”
And what is the good news? 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. Repent and accept Jesus death on the cross as the punishment for your sin. Give up living life your way. Surrender and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sin and to come into your life and heart and lead you in the way you should go. That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10: 9. You will leave the kingdom of self and enter into the kingdom of God. You will be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ our King. There is nothing to fear from God. God is Love. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Though you are hostile toward God he loves you. Though you resent God for spoiling your good times he loves you. Though you have ridiculed God and laughed at Jesus and all of his followers he still loves you and pursues you. There is nothing that you have done that Jesus will not forgive. He was betrayed, rejected, beaten and scourged, abandoned, and crucified. Yet on the cross as the religious leaders mocked him saying,” He saved others but he can’t save himself, let him come down now from the cross. He trust in God let God rescue him now if he wants him, Matthew 27: 41-43”, what did Jesus do? He said Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23: 34.” We have done this and more and yet Jesus will forgive us.
Repent and believe the good news. Surrender and pray for forgiveness. Accept Jesus unfailing love for you and ask him into your heart and life. The kingdom of God is here please enter in.
And what is the good news? 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. Repent and accept Jesus death on the cross as the punishment for your sin. Give up living life your way. Surrender and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sin and to come into your life and heart and lead you in the way you should go. That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10: 9. You will leave the kingdom of self and enter into the kingdom of God. You will be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ our King. There is nothing to fear from God. God is Love. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Though you are hostile toward God he loves you. Though you resent God for spoiling your good times he loves you. Though you have ridiculed God and laughed at Jesus and all of his followers he still loves you and pursues you. There is nothing that you have done that Jesus will not forgive. He was betrayed, rejected, beaten and scourged, abandoned, and crucified. Yet on the cross as the religious leaders mocked him saying,” He saved others but he can’t save himself, let him come down now from the cross. He trust in God let God rescue him now if he wants him, Matthew 27: 41-43”, what did Jesus do? He said Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23: 34.” We have done this and more and yet Jesus will forgive us.
Repent and believe the good news. Surrender and pray for forgiveness. Accept Jesus unfailing love for you and ask him into your heart and life. The kingdom of God is here please enter in.
The Horror, The Joy!
I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted…. “Woe is me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6: 1&5. Someone told me this week that one sin is as bad as another. He spoke the truth and that is the great horror. There is a strange mix of joy, and horror in a relationship with God. The joy of being close and growing closer is very real but so is the horror of the awareness of sin and ugliness in my life. The closer my relationship to Jesus, the more I become aware, like Isaiah, of sin in myself and sin in the world.
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Isaiah 6: 6-7. Ouch!! Sounds painful and it is. Once sin is seen it must be repented of and cut out. I have found that sometimes God uses people who are just like me to do the cutting. He has used other Gary’s who are arrogant, prideful, selfish and hurtful to cut out the arrogance, pride, selfishness and hurtfulness in me. Sometimes sin is a one time occurrence that once revealed can be forgiven by saying I’m sorry and never doing it again. More than I would like to admit, it is deeper than that and can only be taken care of with pain. “My son do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 11: 5-6. And there is joy! He loves us. He changes us. He helps us to become the human beings he always intended us to be. Oh what a mix! “ If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with a rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness…Psalm 89: 30-35.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Almighty;
The whole earth if full of his
glory.” Isaiah 6: 3.
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Isaiah 6: 6-7. Ouch!! Sounds painful and it is. Once sin is seen it must be repented of and cut out. I have found that sometimes God uses people who are just like me to do the cutting. He has used other Gary’s who are arrogant, prideful, selfish and hurtful to cut out the arrogance, pride, selfishness and hurtfulness in me. Sometimes sin is a one time occurrence that once revealed can be forgiven by saying I’m sorry and never doing it again. More than I would like to admit, it is deeper than that and can only be taken care of with pain. “My son do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 11: 5-6. And there is joy! He loves us. He changes us. He helps us to become the human beings he always intended us to be. Oh what a mix! “ If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with a rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness…Psalm 89: 30-35.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Almighty;
The whole earth if full of his
glory.” Isaiah 6: 3.
Coming Home
I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. Zephaniah 3: 19-20.
Coming home sounds so warm and inviting , yet for fifteen years I could not or would not find a church home. My wife and I tried many different churches, many different denominations. There were many reasons why we didn’t stay at any. They weren’t friendly, didn’t like the style of worship, and didn’t like the music minister so mostly we didn’t go. These were all excuses because my main reason for not going was I just didn’t trust the church anymore.
I knew during all this time that God expects us to worship and fellowship with other believers. You are fooling yourself if you think you can grow in Christ without having relationships and worshiping with others. I did not like the church, but deep down I always knew I should be there, that the problem was me not anyone else.
And then God rescued me, he changed my heart and soul with his unfailing, overwhelming love. The year prior to the rescue I had been thinking about trying out a certain church. During that wonderful moment with God I knew we were suppose to go there. My wife agreed to try it out. The next Sunday we went and enjoyed it.
Old habits die hard but the incentive to overcome them is greater when you believe that God wants you to. Then small things began to re-appear. This person wasn’t friendly; no one talked to us much today, they think they’re better than us. But you know what I found out? God had given me a thicker skin. And with time we discovered that for most of these people they were just uncomfortable meeting visitors. The more we attended the more comfortable they were with us and we with them. Breaking out of a comfort zone is difficult and should not be taken personally when it takes time to happen.
I have been a citizen of my city for twenty-four years, and this church is a large church. In my church I discovered three former employers were also members. Two I had enjoyed working for and had been treated well. The other had not been so. I had not been well suited for the job. The workplace was an office environment that I had not any experience in. While being corrected on many occasions I would go into his office and be reproved in front of three or four other people besides himself. I was humiliated many times and in front of others. That was ten years ago.
One Sunday I followed my wife into the sanctuary and took my seat. In front of me was seated my former employer and his wife. We shook hands exchanged pleasantries and the church service began. I knew that God had arranged this, that God wanted me to worship with this man. Even though at first it was uncomfortable it was God who was at work. I remember thinking; Lord you are surprising and wonderful.
About a month later my son and I were going to a restaurant after church when we came across an elderly man whose car had broken down in the middle of heavy traffic. He was outside his car trying to get someone to help him. I thought he was going to get himself killed. I didn’t want to but I parked, told my son to stay in and went out to help him. I was joined by one other man; I jumped into the broken vehicle put it in neutral and we began to push the car out of the road. Soon we were joined by others, one of whom was my former employer. Again I knew that God had arranged this and that he was bringing about the verse in Zephaniah that said he would give them honor in the land were they were put to shame. I began to see my former employer in a different light. I saw that he had the love of Christ. That even though our experience with each other had not been the best of times he too is trying to follow Jesus and do his work. Maybe he sees me differently too.
God has brought me back to the lands where I had been put to shame. I have a wonderful church home. I love my church and am excited about what God is going to do there and what work he has for me and my family. I look forward to watching my son grow in Christ and the love he will receive from other believers. His Sunday school teachers are wonderful. It seems that every Sunday the Pastor or my Sunday school teacher is speaking directly to me or God uses them to reaffirm something he has taught during the week. But most of all it is so wonderful to hear other Christians as they share their experiences at work and at home and to realize that I am not alone.
If you have had a bad church experience I believe he wants you to go back too. He will honor and bless you for it. He is calling you home. He does not want you to be scattered anymore. He has a place for you to worship and to serve. And in the end you will be closer to Christ than you ever have before. You will be stronger and better prepared to do his work. Isn’t it time to come home? Isn’t it time to; “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead”, to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13-14. I pray that my story will help.
Coming home sounds so warm and inviting , yet for fifteen years I could not or would not find a church home. My wife and I tried many different churches, many different denominations. There were many reasons why we didn’t stay at any. They weren’t friendly, didn’t like the style of worship, and didn’t like the music minister so mostly we didn’t go. These were all excuses because my main reason for not going was I just didn’t trust the church anymore.
I knew during all this time that God expects us to worship and fellowship with other believers. You are fooling yourself if you think you can grow in Christ without having relationships and worshiping with others. I did not like the church, but deep down I always knew I should be there, that the problem was me not anyone else.
And then God rescued me, he changed my heart and soul with his unfailing, overwhelming love. The year prior to the rescue I had been thinking about trying out a certain church. During that wonderful moment with God I knew we were suppose to go there. My wife agreed to try it out. The next Sunday we went and enjoyed it.
Old habits die hard but the incentive to overcome them is greater when you believe that God wants you to. Then small things began to re-appear. This person wasn’t friendly; no one talked to us much today, they think they’re better than us. But you know what I found out? God had given me a thicker skin. And with time we discovered that for most of these people they were just uncomfortable meeting visitors. The more we attended the more comfortable they were with us and we with them. Breaking out of a comfort zone is difficult and should not be taken personally when it takes time to happen.
I have been a citizen of my city for twenty-four years, and this church is a large church. In my church I discovered three former employers were also members. Two I had enjoyed working for and had been treated well. The other had not been so. I had not been well suited for the job. The workplace was an office environment that I had not any experience in. While being corrected on many occasions I would go into his office and be reproved in front of three or four other people besides himself. I was humiliated many times and in front of others. That was ten years ago.
One Sunday I followed my wife into the sanctuary and took my seat. In front of me was seated my former employer and his wife. We shook hands exchanged pleasantries and the church service began. I knew that God had arranged this, that God wanted me to worship with this man. Even though at first it was uncomfortable it was God who was at work. I remember thinking; Lord you are surprising and wonderful.
About a month later my son and I were going to a restaurant after church when we came across an elderly man whose car had broken down in the middle of heavy traffic. He was outside his car trying to get someone to help him. I thought he was going to get himself killed. I didn’t want to but I parked, told my son to stay in and went out to help him. I was joined by one other man; I jumped into the broken vehicle put it in neutral and we began to push the car out of the road. Soon we were joined by others, one of whom was my former employer. Again I knew that God had arranged this and that he was bringing about the verse in Zephaniah that said he would give them honor in the land were they were put to shame. I began to see my former employer in a different light. I saw that he had the love of Christ. That even though our experience with each other had not been the best of times he too is trying to follow Jesus and do his work. Maybe he sees me differently too.
God has brought me back to the lands where I had been put to shame. I have a wonderful church home. I love my church and am excited about what God is going to do there and what work he has for me and my family. I look forward to watching my son grow in Christ and the love he will receive from other believers. His Sunday school teachers are wonderful. It seems that every Sunday the Pastor or my Sunday school teacher is speaking directly to me or God uses them to reaffirm something he has taught during the week. But most of all it is so wonderful to hear other Christians as they share their experiences at work and at home and to realize that I am not alone.
If you have had a bad church experience I believe he wants you to go back too. He will honor and bless you for it. He is calling you home. He does not want you to be scattered anymore. He has a place for you to worship and to serve. And in the end you will be closer to Christ than you ever have before. You will be stronger and better prepared to do his work. Isn’t it time to come home? Isn’t it time to; “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead”, to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13-14. I pray that my story will help.
Last of All
Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35. Simple verse isn’t it. Straight forward, clear, and understandable. So why do we want to rush past it and move on? In the previous verses the disciples are arguing among themselves who is the greatest follower of Jesus. Can’t you just imagine the thoughts going through the disciples minds as the argument unfolds? Peter may have been thinking about how Jesus had said to him “On this rock I will build My Church.” John or any of the other disciples might have been thinking that they were better than Peter because didn’t Jesus call him Satan? Isn’t that just like you and me to remember the good things we have done and only the shortcomings of others? Thoughts like these occur in all of our minds. But Jesus sets the disciples and us straight. If anyone wants to be great he must be last of all and servant of all.
Jesus also taught a parable on this that is very practical for us at our places of worship. And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them…, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor…But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place… Luke 14: 7&10. Where is the last place at Church? Usually the jobs that no one else wants to do. These are jobs where there will be no recognition. Every church has different needs so the last seat may differ from church to church. One of the great benefits of these jobs is that you won’t be fighting anyone else for the seat. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29&30. No struggling for position here. But the greatest benefit and I know of none better is that Jesus will think your great.
Jesus also taught a parable on this that is very practical for us at our places of worship. And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them…, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor…But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place… Luke 14: 7&10. Where is the last place at Church? Usually the jobs that no one else wants to do. These are jobs where there will be no recognition. Every church has different needs so the last seat may differ from church to church. One of the great benefits of these jobs is that you won’t be fighting anyone else for the seat. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29&30. No struggling for position here. But the greatest benefit and I know of none better is that Jesus will think your great.
Though He Slay Me
“Lord, Son of David have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. Matthew 15: 22, 23. He ignored her. She was not insulted; her need was greater than her pride. This Canaanite woman knew who could meet her needs. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” verse 23. She was persistent; she continually kept following after them to get to Jesus. Not only that but she was persistent in the presence of many, many who were condescending to her, and these many were the people who were closest to Jesus. Once again it didn’t matter her need was larger than her pride; her love for her daughter was greater than insult. He answered, “I came only to the lost sheep of Israel.” verse 24. Jesus tells her that he is here only to help certain people. For the third time she does not give up. The women came and knelt before him. Lord, help me! verse 25. And now what does Jesus do? He calls her a dog. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” verse 26. Was she hurt, was she crushed? No, she only knew the need of her daughter and she knew that Jesus was the only one who could help her. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. Job 13: 15. Her answer to Jesus seems even to have surprised him. Yes, Lord,” but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” verse 27. Then Jesus answered, “ Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” verse 28.
One of the great difficulties for us when we read this passage of scripture is that it seems so unlike Jesus. We can’t believe he could act in such a way, that he would respond in such a rude manner to this poor needy woman. Sometimes though Jesus would act much like an actor on stage to bring out the best in people. After the resurrection on the road to Emmaus Jesus acted like he was traveling further than the two disciples so that they would invite him to stay with them for the evening. Luke 24: 28-29. Jesus acted to bring out the best in this Canaanite woman so we could learn from her.
Is our need for Jesus greater than our pride? No matter how good the church there are always some in it who will ignore you. There are always people in it who are condescending because you’re not the right type of person, you don’t wear the right clothes, you’re not in management, or you don’t golf. Some of these people may even be in positions of leadership. But you must have fellowship, don’t let a few people keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. You can’t go it alone. Don’t let your pride keep you from your needs being healed. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. verse 28.
One of the great difficulties for us when we read this passage of scripture is that it seems so unlike Jesus. We can’t believe he could act in such a way, that he would respond in such a rude manner to this poor needy woman. Sometimes though Jesus would act much like an actor on stage to bring out the best in people. After the resurrection on the road to Emmaus Jesus acted like he was traveling further than the two disciples so that they would invite him to stay with them for the evening. Luke 24: 28-29. Jesus acted to bring out the best in this Canaanite woman so we could learn from her.
Is our need for Jesus greater than our pride? No matter how good the church there are always some in it who will ignore you. There are always people in it who are condescending because you’re not the right type of person, you don’t wear the right clothes, you’re not in management, or you don’t golf. Some of these people may even be in positions of leadership. But you must have fellowship, don’t let a few people keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. You can’t go it alone. Don’t let your pride keep you from your needs being healed. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. verse 28.
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