We Need Revival

I say the church needs revival.

We need a revival of godliness in the hearts and lives of God’s people, because in a world of moral decay we need more than ever to let the light of God’s holiness shine through us and pierce the darkness of this generation.

We need a revival where there’s a fresh, passionate devotion to Christ in the church, because it often seems like we’ve lost our first love, and we’ve become lukewarm in our affections for Christ and the things of His kingdom.

We need a revival where we hunger and thirst for the Word of God, because in large measure the noise of the world’s latest philosophies and opinions and entertainments are drowning out the voice of God as we ignore His Word.

We need a revival where we start praying to our Father as if our lives, and those of our brothers and sisters and our friends and neighbors and the nations depended upon it, because we’ve become so self-sufficient that we feel we don’t need God’s help.

We need a revival where we gain a renewed zeal and urgency to tell others the good news that Jesus saves, because the time of His return is nearing and there are people in your family and mine that still need to repent from sin and turn in faith to Christ.

We need a revival that brings new joy to souls of God’s people, that we might rise up in the midst of a crazy and chaotic world filled with sorrows and pains and brokenness, and yet trust in the Lord and declare, “I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength…” 

The church needs revival. I’m not just talking about the First Baptist Church where I serve as Pastor. I know that I, and we, need it. I’m talking also about your church and every church where the name of Jesus is proclaimed.

I thank God for the churches that are growing and accomplishing God’s work in this world, but there are way too many that are plateaued or in decline, not just numerically, but spiritually. There are far too many professing Christians whose lives are not reflecting the image of Christ, who have no desire to glorify God, whose hearts are stubborn and whose steps follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of the Lord.

If we’re going to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that Jesus says we are, we need revival. This nation needs a spiritual awakening more than ever, yes. Our country is descending into a moral abyss where we’re calling good evil and evil good and not even blushing by it. Everybody’s doing what’s right in their own eyes. We’re freefalling on the road to destruction and we’re oblivious to the outcome of our ways.

But I believe that before the world awakens to their need for Jesus, the church needs to get right with God. If we really want God to heal our land, we need to humble ourselves before Him, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then, God says, He will hear from heaven, will forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14).  

We need to hear and to heed the call to return to the Lord today. Christian, will you let revival begin with you? What do you say, prodigal son? Will you come back home to your Father before spending another night in the pigpen of despair and rebellion?

What about you, O ye of little or no faith? What’s holding you back from embracing the truth of Jesus? What does this world give you that’s of any real value, when Christ offers life abundant and eternal? Why carry the weight of your guilt and shame any longer? Jesus forgives your sins, saves you from death and hell, and promises His peace, His provision, His protection, His power and His presence. Why not receive Him as Savior and Lord now before it’s too late. Maybe revival will begin with you.        

Stuck in life's elevator?

I think they would have been fine for a little while longer, but the six people stuck on our elevator last Friday were grateful we didn’t delay in responding to their need. And with a big thanks to the Petersburg Fire Department for answering the call and arriving so quickly, everyone is safe and sound, and now has an exciting story to tell.

It’s fixed now, and I’ve ridden on it personally, so if you come to church and need to use the elevator, you can travel up and down with absolute confidence. The same kind of confidence that compels you to go buy another lottery ticket because you’re sure this will be the big one. The same kind of confidence that you have in Congress to enact laws that will help our spiraling economy and offer workable solutions to curb violent crime.

In other words, we’re thinking about stocking the elevator with non-perishable food items, bottled water and an emergency kit containing an LED flashlight, AM/FM radio, a fuzzy blanket, waterproof matches, sanitation kit, ponchos, yellow rope and a blue tarp. You never know. Not that we’re expecting anything to happen, mind you. And if anything does happen, don’t panic. We know who to call.

Who do you call when you get stuck in life’s elevator? What do you do when you feel trapped, helpless and don’t know how long this season of sorrow might last? Where do you look for help when your husband says he doesn’t love you anymore, when you get that dreaded call from the doctor, or when the company says they’re downsizing?

Life is filled with hardships and trouble. No one is exempt. Whether it’s the stuff you can’t do anything about or the pains we bring upon ourselves due to poor choices, we all go through tough times. My closet’s as full of junk as yours is. The one who comes to your rescue makes the difference between staying stuck or being freed.

The people on that elevator could have pried and pulled and pushed and punched that elevator door all day long and nothing would have happened other than they’d have exhausted and bruised themselves and grown frustrated and fearful. Sometimes you just can’t solve your problems on your own. You need to call someone that knows how to get you out.

I am convinced that our omnipotent, omniscient, ever-present God is always on-call and able to deliver us. He knows how to get us out of whatever turmoil we’re in. I’ve been rescued too many times to doubt Him now. He may not always change our circumstances immediately, but He can help us see them in light of His mercy and grace and wisdom. He may not always reveal His purposes perfectly to us, but He has proven time and time again that He is worthy of our unwavering trust.

Why don’t we call on Him more often? Why do we exhaust and bruise ourselves trying to solve our own problems when God is standing by waiting to help? Why is it that praying for His help is often a last resort rather than our first instinct?

I think that if we only knew how much He truly loves us we would never delay in crying out to Him for help. If only we realized how utterly dependent we really are upon Him for every breath we breathe, for every meal we eat, for every step we take and for every good thing we need and enjoy in life, we would run to Him and never leave.

Maybe you’ll be fine for a little while longer, but you don’t want to stay stuck in life’s hurts forever. Whatever you’re going through today, let me urge you to call upon the One who is ready, willing and able to answer your call and come quickly to your rescue. Call upon the Lord. Come to Him through faith in the name of Jesus. You can take absolute confidence in Him, more so than a ride on the church elevator.

 

The Sweet Sound of Grace

I think the word “grace” has to be one of the sweetest sounds the tongue can utter and that hearts can hear. The undeserved favor of God. Being recipients of riches we had no part in obtaining, especially in light of what really do deserve because of our sin.

Friend, when I talk about sin and how far we fall short of the glory of God, my purpose is never to knock you down, never to destroy you, never to condemn you, and it’s never done in hatred. If I was driving by your house at night and saw smoke billowing from your roof, would you call me a hater for stopping my car, running up to your home and shouting for you to wake up and get out before you burn to death?

My motive for dealing with sin is to show you the depth of God’s love for you, His unending mercy and His bountiful grace. It’s to point you to the cross, where Jesus gave His life for the forgiveness of your sins. It’s to warn you of the fires of eternal hell and to plead with you to embrace Jesus and the glories of everlasting life.

Listen, I’m a law-breaker, too, who is guilty as charged, but I found a Judge who set me free. That’s grace!

I’m a messed-up train wreck waiting to happen, but I’m seeing this Counselor who keeps my head on straight and my feet walking on the right path. That’s grace!

I’m a simple-minded man with limited understanding, but I’ve been talking with this Author whose Book gives me wisdom. That’s grace!

I’m telling you, I’m a hopeless and helpless human being, but Jesus is my unshakeable hope of heaven, the help I always need and so much more. That’s grace!

I’m a discouraged and dejected soul, but Jesus has lifted me up out of the pit, set my feet on solid ground and given me wings to soar like an eagle. That’s grace!

I’m a sinful and self-centered wretch, but Jesus has saved me from my sins and clothed me in righteousness. I was lost, but now I’m found. I was blind, but now I see. That’s amazing grace, and it sounds so sweet!

I just want you to hear it, too. The watchman on the wall is held responsible if he sees the sword coming and fails to blow the trumpet to warn the city. 

Perhaps you heard last week’s news concerning Pastor Louie Giglio and the pressure from the White House to withdraw himself from giving a prayer at the Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Giglio had been invited as a friend of Pres. Obama, but a liberal watchdog group found some audio of a message he had preached some 15-20 years ago concerning homosexuality.

In that message, Giglio highlighted the amazing grace of God offered to people engaged in a sinful behavior. As a faithful watchman he sounded the alarm. And as a preacher of grace he pointed to the cross, where mercy and grace are given to “whosoever believes.” For this he is labeled a “hater” by those who claim to be the tolerant ones. His message is not one of hate. It’s a message that says, “I love you too much to let you die in your sin. Let me show you how Jesus can give you abundant and eternal life.” 

Many people today don’t even want to know that the sword is coming. Many don’t even want to be warned that smoke is billowing from their rooftop.

Friend, in love for you I urge you now to flee from the danger of sin’s deadly force, and run to the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus. He will save you from any and every sin, and sing the sweet sound of His amazing grace to your soul.

Help! I'm the parent of a teenager!

My wife and I are now officially the parents of a teenager. Your prayers are coveted. If it comes to needing a support group, somebody let me know when and where. 

It reminds me of the young preacher, fired up about the family, who entitled his message, “Rules for Raising Children.” After he had children of his own he renamed it, “Suggestions for Dealing with Kids.” When his children became teenagers he quit preaching on the subject altogether. 

Well, certainly I am no expert on raising children either. But I have to say that God has indeed blessed our family richly. Our now 13-year-old son Tyler is growing into a fine young man, and Toby at age 8 is still quite a ham, but a cute ham. 

Parenting children of any age is not easy. Sometimes it’s downright hard. And especially for those single parents out there, I’m praying for you this morning. Between my wife and me it’s tough enough. I can’t imagine doing it solo. May God give you an extra measure of strength and patience and fortitude and grace and wisdom. 

At the risk of sounding like I know what I’m doing, I want to encourage you, parents and grandparents, with a few words about our experience raising our two boys, so far. And let the record show, as well, that my wife takes on the greater load of the day in and day out work involved. By the way, make no mistake about it – it takes work! 

So here are three things (among others) that we do as parents. Not to say we’ve got it all figured out. Far from it. We make mistakes and get upset and miss the bigger picture, too. But God has been good in spite of our shortcomings.

One, we love our children sacrificially. Love means action, not just warm, fuzzy feelings. We love by providing for their needs, protecting them from harm, giving them our time and attention, showing interest in their interests, encouraging their dreams, helping them reach their goals, speaking kind and uplifting words and not calling them names or talking down to them, disciplining them appropriately when they cross the boundaries, and a million things more that means we might have to give up our preferences and agendas to show love to our children. See 1 Corinthians 13 for a greater definition of what love is, and love them like that. 

Two, we teach our children by instruction and by example. This is our responsibility as parents. We teach them the right way to go. We teach them to love the Lord and His Word. We teach them to love the church. We don’t assume they’ll just get it. There are too many other voices that would lead them astray. We teach them what’s right. And we strive to live out what we say we believe. Usually they’ll learn more by what is “caught” than what is “taught.” It takes the verbal instruction and life examples.

Three, we pray unceasingly. We pray with thanksgiving for our children. They are treasures from the Lord. We pray with dependence upon Him for daily wisdom and guidance. We pray for our children and pray with our children. We know this job is too big and the responsibility too awesome for us to handle on our own. We need God’s help, and we’re not afraid or ashamed to ask for it. After all, He knows them and loves them better than we do, so we rely upon His guidance as we raise them.

I hope that offers you some help and encouragement today. God bless you as you strive to honor Him in how you raise your children. And, after a few more years of this, I reserve the right to re-write this article, and I may come to you for help!

 

Hope of the Nations

Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth
Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance 
You are the source of heaven’s light on earth

These lines from one of our choir’s songs last week stand out for their relevance in light of the tragedy of last’s week murderous rampage in Newtown, Connecticut. Jesus is our hope and peace in times of trouble. He is a comfort to those who mourn. He is the light in a world of darkness. He is truth in a twisted and perverted generation. 

Those who know Him know that even in the midst of unspeakable horror, evil will not prevail. Jesus has already stepped into the ring with the “ruler of the darkness of this age” and has come out triumphant in His resurrection from the grave. And He gives the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the day Jesus comes again to fully exercise His righteous rule over all creation. 

But for now we still live in a fallen world. The “god of this age,” the “roaring lion,” the “thief” who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” knows his time is running out. We should not be surprised to see an increase of lawlessness. We should not be surprised to see violence on the rise. Satan and his demons are doomed for an everlasting swim in the lake of fire and sulfur, but they will not go out with a whimper. 

Friend, more than ever we need to cling to the cross of Christ for hope. Yes, sin is horrific. And the wages of sin, not just the murder of innocent children, but all sin, is death. But praise God, Jesus bore our sin in his own body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed! That’s the “living hope” that God gives to all who receive His mercy and grace in Christ Jesus.

Friend, more than ever we need to look to Him for comfort. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). We’re walking in that valley now, but the Good Shepherd comforts us with His presence, His power, His protection, His provision. He comforts those who mourn through such terror. Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He is our comfort in times of trouble.

Friend, more than ever we need to live in the light of Jesus. Against the blackest of sin’s darkness, Jesus shines brightly. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah to come saying, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). Then into a sin-darkened world Jesus lit up the scene. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). Christ himself declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). We’ve witnessed enough of sin’s destruction in this world. Maybe you’ve had enough of sin’s darkness in your own life. It’s time to turn to Jesus.

And friend, more than ever we need to recognize that Jesus is truth in each circumstance. There’s no spin with Jesus. There’s no fine print or hidden clauses. He simply says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Satan is the “father of lies” and the master of deception. He makes promises he cannot keep. He offers pleasure and fame and power but leaves you empty and broken. In a world searching for answers, Jesus is Faithful and True.

As we mourn with those who mourn, let us not lose heart nor give up hope. The world needs to know that Jesus is still the hope of the nations.

All Is Well

I keep looking at this guitar sitting in my office, thinking about how I wish I could play that silly thing. If only there were some book I could read to make it come to life in my hands. If only I could learn by just watching some of the guitar heroes, or by playing Guitar Hero. It ought to be easier. I mean, shouldn’t there be an app for that? 

I suppose the only way I’m going to play my guitar well is by good old-fashioned practice. And lots of it. In our day and age we want things now. If I want to find out who won the Illini game, I don’t want to wait for the morning newspaper when I can google it now. If I need some extra cash, I don’t want to wait for the bank to open when I can use my ATM card now. If I pull in the drive-thru lane at a local fast-food restaurant, I don’t want to wait an hour for my order when I can get it in a good 20 minutes or so. 

Patience is not my spiritual gift. Neither is learning to play the guitar. I don’t want to spend hours and hours practicing. I just want to pick it up and sound like an Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton or Phil Keaggy now. 

Along that line, I didn’t really want to start practicing for our choir’s Christmas cantata back in September, when it was still summer. Who’s thinking Christmas when it’s 90 degrees out? I’d prefer to run through the thing a couple of times in December and see how it goes.

My wife, however, much wiser than I
Knew that songbird wouldn’t fly
So we practiced, and practiced and practiced some more
We practiced until our throats were sore
We practiced at noon, we practiced at night
We practiced before the dawn of light
We sang with our mouths, we sang with our hearts
We sang until we learned our parts
Sometimes we sang fast, sometimes we sang slow
sometimes we let loose with a great crescendo!

Well, with all that singing and practicing, it would be a shame if you didn’t come and hear our choir present the Christmas musical, “All Is Well,” this coming Sunday, December 16, at 10:45 a.m. The First Baptist Church is located at the corner of 7^th and Sangamon, just one block west of the only stoplight in town. We would love for you to be our guest. If you don’t already have a church home, then come and be encouraged by the message of the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

You’ll hear some of the traditional Christmas favorites as well as some newer songs that may soon become your favorite. But most of all, we pray you’ll hear the story about Jesus. In a chaotic and uncertain world that often leaves us lonely, frustrated, disappointed, scarred and broken, Jesus is our hope. Jesus is our peace. Jesus is our joy. Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our Rock. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Sun of Righteousness and the Light of the world. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the Word made flesh who came to dwell among us. He is the image of the invisible God.

More than ever, we need Jesus. Friend, you don’t have to try to make it on your own when you can follow in footsteps of the Savior. You don’t have to have it all figured out when you can trust in the wisdom of God. You don’t have to be strong enough when you can rest in the arms of the Almighty. You don’t have to fear anyone or anything when you can triumph in the One who is our Resurrection and Life.

Yes, this world may often be chaotic and uncertain, but when you know Jesus, truly all is well. Come and join us this Sunday morning as we sing to glorify His name.

Dangling garland, and how God uses things that don't go according to our plan to accomplish a greater purpose

Perhaps the best part about our “Hanging of the Green” service at church last Sunday  night was the garland that wouldn’t hang right. The right side held up just fine, as did the middle. But not the left side. So it dangled for the rest of the service right over middle of the baptistery like an Oregon pickup truck hanging off the highway overpass. 

This was not the way the service was scripted. The garland was supposed to be hanging proudly, not dangling precariously. And right up front and center for everyone to see. We had guests with us; what would they think?

I had thought the best part of the service was seeing all the children come in ringing their bells, singing songs about Jesus and decorating the tree. The thrill and joy of children at Christmas has a way of keeping the season exciting for us older people, too. 

I had thought the best part of the service was hearing different church members read from the Bible about how Jesus came to be the light of the world, and how His arrival in Bethlehem led the angels to burst forth in joyous praise. Everything else is second to the proclamation of the Word of God and the worship of the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, without whom we wouldn’t have Christmas at all. 

I had thought the best part of the service was listening to Lauren Morrow and Rachel Warren sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Or maybe it was hearing Tiffany Owens sing beautifully the song, “Mary, Did You Know” while her father accompanied her on guitar. Or perhaps it was the choir singing a hymn from their upcoming Christmas cantata, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” These and other familiar Christmas carols sung we sang together add rich and meaningful flavor to our Christmas experience. 

I had thought the best part of the service was that Logan Withers didn’t set anything on fire when he lit the advent candle. I had thought the best part of the service was that no youth fell off the ladders while hanging up the wreaths. I had thought that Mike Bennett’s professional-quality reading voice as he explained the meaning of some of the decorations was the best part of the service. I had thought that Chery Stacy’s prep work in getting things in place was the best part. I had thought that the teamwork involved from everyone participating was the best part, or maybe it was the soup and sandwiches and snacks we enjoyed afterward. 

As it turned out, however, the one thing that didn’t go well may have been the best part of all. The morning after the service one of our newer members told me that she knew she really felt at home here when we couldn’t get the evergreen to hang up right. 

So no matter how much we can plan and prepare for everything to go “right,” or at least the way we think it should, maybe it’s okay if it doesn’t. God can still (and often does) use our imperfections to accomplish something our best laid plans never could. 

Having his bride-to-be become pregnant was never in Joseph’s plan (especially since he wasn’t even the father), but that worked out pretty well in the end. Watching Jesus get arrested, beaten and crucified wasn’t in the disciples’ plan for their Messiah, but that worked out pretty well in the end, too. 

We don’t have everything figured out here, either. I certainly don’t anyway. But I am more than willing to let Jesus come and “steal my show,” to borrow a line from TobyMac’s newest CD, which my wife let my listen to all the way through on our trip to visit family last week! “So I’ll step out the way, I’ll give You center stage.” 

And, friend, if you’re wanting to feel at home, please know you’re welcome to come and join a bunch of other people who don’t always get it right, but we’re trusting in the One who does. Lord Jesus, take center stage in our lives this Christmas, and always!

Happy Thanksgiving

Apart from Columbus Day, which happens to also be my birthday, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Thanksgiving’s not glitzy or strangely extravagant like Christmas. It’s not disturbingly eerie like Halloween. It’s not quite the drinking party like New Year’s or St. Patty’s Day. 

Thanksgiving is the holiday where you pack the car and go visit your family. You make sure to bring along your boots and gloves because it might snow. You bring the kids’ latest school pictures to hand out to all the relatives. You bring the TobyMac CD your wife got you for your birthday, even though it’s not really her favorite, so you can listen to it on the way, even though you know that by the fourth song she’s going to nicely ask you to turn the volume down so far you might as well turn it off altogether.

Thanksgiving is the holiday where somebody brings a football so that during halftime of the Cowboys game you can go out in the yard and play catch with the guys. And even though you haven’t warmed up at all you still throw it as far as you can to show them you’ve still got a little something left, knowing all along you’ll pay for it in the morning when you feel like your arm’s about to fall off.

Thanksgiving is the holiday where your wife makes some of her delicious potato casserole and brings it to the family gathering. And you know that Uncle Jim is going to fix some of the best stuffing you’ve ever had, and Grandma’s going to make a pecan pie you’ve been waiting for since last year. You always eat way too much at dinner, but you still go back for more dessert because you didn’t have room on your plate the first time.

Thanksgiving is the holiday where you see the cousins whom you remember being about four like last year now in their first semester of college. You see other children running around who look exactly like your cousin did when she was that age. You wonder where the time went, and you realize that you’re now one of the old people.

Thanksgiving is the holiday where you meet some of your in-laws you’ve never met before, even though you’ve been married for over 19 years. Or maybe you have met them at a family reunion or a funeral but you sure don’t remember them.

Thanksgiving is the holiday where you draw names to see for which relative you’re going to buy a Christmas present. You don’t really have a clue what to get, but you let your wife do the shopping anyway, and when they open the gift you’re just as surprised as they are. They say thank you and you graciously receive their appreciation, but secretly nod and give your wife a thumbs up for being such a good gift giver.

And Thanksgiving is the holiday where you ultimately give thanks to God for being such a good gift giver. You realize that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. And while so often you take His blessings for granted, you’re reminded that surely goodness and mercy has indeed been following you all the days of your life, and the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever is an undeserved, unparalleled gift.  

This will be our fourth Thanksgiving without my Granddad. That doesn’t seem possible either. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and the Korean War, fiercely and lovingly loyal to his country, his community and his family.

Many times when I’d ask him how he was doing, he would say, “Better than I deserve.” I love that answer. Granddad knew something about grace and gratitude that has taught me to be more thankful. Even when life’s not perfect, God is good. He’s good to imperfect people. His grace has saved a wretch like me. I’m doing far better than I deserve. Those who know Jesus know how true this is.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may we all give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

Thanking God for His Word

Do you remember as a child singing the song, “The B-I-B-L-E”? We still sing this with our Kids Klub on Wednesday nights sometimes. I think it’s a great song.

It goes: “The B-I-B-L-E / Yes, that’s the book for me / I stand alone on the Word of God / The B-I-B-L-E!” Pretty simple tune, pretty simply lyrics. Maybe that’s why I like it. I’m pretty sure that’s how I learned how to spell the word “Bible” many years ago. But even more, this song gives us a good reminder that God’s Word alone is the foundation upon which we stand and base our hope.

And so, in this season of Thanksgiving, I thank God for giving us His Word.

I praise God for so many other blessings, too. I thank God for a wife who is loving and faithful, manages a pretty ornery household and directs a pretty mean church choir. If you don’t mind I’m going to put a plug in for our Christmas Cantata coming up Sunday, December 16, at 10:45 a.m. We previewed one song for the church this past Sunday and we’re planning another one this coming Sunday night during our 5:00 “Hanging of the Greens” service. If you don’t already attend church, then we invite you to come anytime, but especially on December 16 to hear the choir.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:22: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I say Amen, and thank you, Lord, for such a good thing!

I thank God for our two energetic boys. The Lord has given me greater insights into His own fatherly compassion for people as I raise and lead these precious gifts. I’m so not adequate for the job, but by His grace I’m helped. And I’m blessed, and thankful.

I thank God for His church. We’re not perfect, but we belong to the One who is. Christ Jesus is building His church. He’s using some pretty raw material, granted, but He knows what He’s doing, and it’s coming along just fine, thank you. There’s great joy and friendship in the fellowship of the church, and I’m grateful to be a block in the building.

There are so many other blessings for which I’m thankful. I don’t have room enough to begin counting them all here. Okay, I’ll begin anyway, randomly. Loyal and genuine friends. Fellow pastors and ministry partners in the work of the gospel. Creation’s beauty. Small town charm. Big city vibe. Good coffee. Reliable internet access. Old hymns. New worship songs. Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for dinner.

And the list could go on and on. But central to my gratitude for all these joys in life is the Word of God. The Bible is universal, unchanging truth in world of constant change and chaos. God’s Word informs my understanding of His character and His ways. The Bible reveals God’s goodness and mercy, His promises and provision, His faithfulness and His love. God’s Word shows us the pathway to the storehouse of God’s richest blessings, and all who walk in it find the way of abundant and eternal life.

The Bible tells the story of Jesus, God’s salvation offered to mankind to those who believe in Him as Savior and Lord. And therein lies hope for the hopeless, joy to the downtrodden, peace to the burdened and rest to the weary. In Jesus we find comfort for the afflicted, healing for the broken, redemption for the wayward and love for the outcast.

In Jesus there is forgiveness for all our sins, past, present and future. In Jesus there is victory over sin and death and hell. In Jesus there is the assurance of everlasting life, the promise of dwelling forever and ever in that place where, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

I thank God for His Word that gives me this blessed assurance in Christ. Yes, the Bible is the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.

Whatever the outcome may be...

Unless there’s a hanging chad issue or hurricane Sandy has wrecked the voting system, our nation will today elect the one who will lead us for the next four years. Either way, half of the country will be optimistic things will get better while the other half will be sure things can only get worse.

Whoever our next President is, he has been appointed to that office by Almighty God. And whoever it is, we all need to pray long and often for him, and we all need to submit ourselves to and honor the governing authorities.

Appointed by God, did you say, pastor? Yes, I know how the democratic process works. You vote and the guy with the most votes wins. Maybe. Except for that whole electoral college thing, which may mean the guy with the most votes didn’t win. So if we the people are the ones voting, how is it that God appoints a person to such a position?

Here’s how the Bible answers that question in Romans 13:1-2: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

The real authority above all authorities, then, belongs to God alone. Apart from His sovereign purposes and divine wisdom, no king on earth has ever reigned.

Sometimes those authorities God institutes among nations are good and upright men who bring a blessing to the nation. Other times God institutes evil rulers to bring a means of trial or judgment against a people.

Even the Egyptian Pharaoh who enslaved and cruelly oppressed the Israelites was a man whom God appointed. “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). Pharaoh was an evil ruler whom God raised up and used for a greater purpose.

You may also remember the story of Israel’s king Solomon. Though Solomon was blessed beyond measure by the Lord early in his reign, that favor disappeared when the king did evil in the sight of the Lord. God was angry with him because his heart turned away from the Lord and he did not keep God’s commandments. It wasn’t long before the kingdom of Israel was divided, with God raising up an enemy to lead a campaign against His own people for a divine purpose (see 1 Kings 11).

God has the sovereign authority and ability to appoint whomever He ordains into office, and to use them for whatever purpose He desires. That may be to bring blessing, or it may be to bring judgment. There are times when God, in bringing judgment against an unholy and disobedient people, gives them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels – and to face the consequences of their sin. And He may go ahead and appoint the ungodly leader they want to let them keep leading ungodly lives. And if that’s the case, then may God have mercy on that nation!

Whatever the outcome, part of our responsibility as citizens is to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). We are also commanded to “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men,” and “honor the king (1 Peter 2:13, 17). That doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything they do, nor does it mean we sit idly by and allow unrighteousness to go unchallenged. It may even mean that we choose to obey God rather than man if the two conflict. But respecting and honoring authority ought to mark the people of God who recognize that it is God who appoints leaders, and who sometimes also brings them down to accomplish His purposes for His glory.