Reverence

“I can never again see a United States Marine without experiencing a feeling of reverence.” Gen. Johnson, U. S. Army

Being a Marine (not for some time, but once a Marine, always a Marine) I felt a sence of pride well up in me when I read this. I felt proud; but then I thought, reverence belongs to God.

As I do often, I will look to see what Mr. Webster has to say.

Definition of REVERENCE

1: honor or respect felt or shown : deference; especially : profound adoring awed respect

2: a gesture of respect (as a bow)

3: the state of being revered

4: one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverence)

I guess I most often hear and use this word in regard to things pertaining to God. According to the definition, there is no harm in using it outside that context.

What I would like to do now is use it in regard to God and/or things pertaining to God.

Do we reverence God?

Do you now, or have you ever used God’s name in vain (as a profanity)? Do you cringe when someone around you does? Do you turn off a movie or TV program if someone does?

Remember that command from the Ten Commandments that says “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain?”

The rest of verse 7 from Exodus chapter 20 says:  

for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

I tend to think God was serious about this. Now, for the lost, does it matter? If a person rejects Christ and is going to hell it might not make much difference. But, for a believer, I think it matters much. There are some who would say if you take the Lord’s name in vain you are obviously not saved. I will not argue that now.

What I want to do instead is issue the warning God Himself issued:

“for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

Friend, please consider this. If we truly reverence God, how can we take His Holy Name in vain? If this has not occurred to you, I beg you to consider this and pray about it. God loves you and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for your sins.

Is it not out of love and reverence that we are offended by the careless blasphemy of His name?

Of course there are many other ways we show a lack of reverence. Jesus said if we truly love Him, we will keep His commands. If we really love and reference Him, we will refrain from those things that displease Him.

I urge you to pray and ask Him to search your heart for that which keeps you apart from Him.

If...

If we put any terms to our commitment to receive, and/or follow Christ, is it a true conversion?

Examples:

“If you heal my kid, I will give my life to you and do whatever you ask!”

“If you give me a spouse…”

“If you give me this job…”

“If you give me wealth I will do thus and such…”

Is this Biblical?

I think the problem many of us face is a sense of entitlement; I deserve…

We live in a society that says if I do this, you must do that. Isn’t this how business is done today? Even governments use this method. I guess people have been using it since the days of Adam and Eve. 

Does God respond to such a proposition?

To be honest, I don’t know the intent of man’s heart; God does! I think God might use certain trials to lead to conviction and bring repentance, but I do not believe He even listens to the “if you give me…”  proposals. These are based on self; not our fallen, sinful state and/or Christ’s redemptive work. I do not mean to be cruel or judgmental, but I have to be honest. If we put terms other than what God says in His word, to our proposal, does that honor Him? Is that what He is looking for?    

What does Scripture say about receiving Christ?

Let’s look at some passages and see if we see a pattern.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  -Matthew 16:24,25

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. –Romans 10:10

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. -2 Corinthians 1:6

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. -2 Corinthians 7:10

I could go on but I think this is enough to establish what God is looking for. He wants our love and a heart that says “not my will, but Yours.”

What He does promise is peace, hope, joy, and salvation. He gave His all for us, should we not do the same?

In All Things...

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Are we willing to praise God in weakness? In persecution? In infirmities?

To what degree are we willing to go to please God?

I do not intend to say that God wants to watch us wiggle under the weight of affliction. But how do we see God in such afflictions? Do we see Him as a tyrant bent on hurting us; or do we see Him as a loving Father molding us into His likeness?

I like to put things in terms easy to understand or identify with. If I may, I should like to do that here. Think back to one of the many post-Superbowl speeches. Have you ever heard the MVP say something like “I’m glad this season is over. The coach set unrealistic goals for us and tried to kill us. He had us killing ourselves in the heat of summer, and freezing in the dead of winter. Now that I have proven to the world how great I am, maybe another team who will appreciate me will buy my contract and treat me the way I deserve to be treated.”

I can’t ever remember that sort of speech; however, I have heard many statements such as “Coach pushed us hard and we had to over come injuries and obstacles; but coach refused to let us quit. He kept pushing us to be better; to fight through the pain. Thanks to God, Coach, the fans, my family; without you all, we wouldn’t be here today.” Why would anyone praise someone for making them suffer? or, family for not trying to stop it?

Anyone who has done weight training, or physical therapy knows to get stronger/better, you have to push through the pain, and any other obstacle. I remember well when I was in boot camp our Drill Instructors saying “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” I’m not sure how true that is, but I would agree to some extent.

If we appreciate those who push us to achieve great heights in this life, why are we not willing to praise God who pushes us to achieve far greater heights?  

Coaches don’t just pick random people off the street to push. They scrutinize hundreds of people and pick those they see potential in. It is an honor to be chosen and subsequently pushed hard. The same is true of God. If He is squeezing you, it is because He wants to use you and can see potential in you. 

I urge you today to get on your knees and thank Him for loving you and pushing you upward. There is no greater honor!

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Ten Righteous Men

But not what you think…

In the book of Genesis, chapter 18:16-33, we find the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Verses 16-31 tell about how the Lord came to judge the wickedness of this great city and how Abraham stepped in on behalf of any righteous men (his nephew Lot lived there) that might be destroyed with the un-Godly. Abraham asked if there were fifty righteous men, would God spare the city, and then kept lowering the number. We will pick up at verse 32.

³² Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” ³³ So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place. –Genesis 18:32,33

This writing is not about the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah; this is about the church. I realize this may not be popular with many people, but I feel it must be said. There is much in the New Testament that address’s this issue. My purpose is not to beat up on the church, but offer hope.

Today, many churches are closing their doors; “Going out of business” if you will. 

Some churches are thriving. We see more and more mega-churches popping up.

I for one think the small, local church is a blessing to the members, and the community; if, that church is what it is supposed to be.

Everyone knows one another, and it is like a close knit family. If someone is struggling, or in the hospital, everyone knows, and cares.

I don’t have anything against a large church as long as their focus is on Christ and His ministry and not too busy with trying to please the members and drive the numbers up.

But now, to the meat of this message: I can boldly say that we the church, have not, and are not, doing what we ought. If we were, we would not see the decline of morality and Christian values in the world that we see. But how can we make a difference? 

What if each church (local body of believers) had ten righteous men who would commit to spend time every day in prayer for their church and community?

What if these ten righteous men begged God for the lost souls within a ten mile radius of their church (building)?  What if they asked God to send them young men to disciple? What if they begged God to convict and change the hearts of the political leaders and bless them and their families? What if they committed to do whatever God asked of them?

If God would spare wicked Sodom and Gomorrah if there were ten righteous men there, do you not think He would change the hearts and minds, political and social climate of that local area where ten men committed to serve Him and do His will?

I believe revival would break out and things would change. I believe God would shake things up.  

Throughout scripture and time (history outside of scripture), we see great revivals.

But what always happens is those who have tasted the spiritual revival die off and at some point a new generation grows up seeking other gods.

My challenge today is: be the first to gather nine other righteous men to change things in your local congregation in this generation. What have we got to lose?

Let us see what God will do.     

Suffering for Christ, Consolation through Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, ¹¹ you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. -2 Corinthians 1:3-11

1:5. So our consolation also aboundeth by Christ: As the problems increase, so does the consolation. Both, in this case, are measured by this experience of Christ (cf. Luke 24:26; 46, Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24; 1 Peter 1:11). Paul’s use of the terms abound and abundant is significant throughout this epistle. 

1:6, 7. Many ancient manuscripts differ in the order of the clauses in these verses. But the sense in every case is basically the same: “If we are afflicted it is for your good, or if we are comforted it is for your good.” Everything else in these verses is subordinated to these two main ideas. Paul does not glory in suffering in itself. But he knows that suffering for Christ identifies us with Him and His church (cf. Rom. 8:17).

(taken from the King James Study Bible)

Christ Jesus allows us to suffer to strengthen us, to help others, and to bring Glory to Him, but with that suffering, He sustains us and gives us His peace, joy and comfort. When we are hurting, it gives us great peace when a brother (or sister) comes along who has been, or is, where we are. We don’t find joy in their pain but we do gain strength in knowing that we are not alone in this. 

We are to bear one another’s burdens.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

–Proverbs 27:17

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1 Chronicles 29:10-18 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said:

      “ Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.

 ¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
      The power and the glory,
      The victory and the majesty;
      For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
      Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
      And You are exalted as head over all.
 ¹² Both riches and honor come from You,
      And You reign over all.
      In Your hand is power and might;
      In Your hand it is to make great
      And to give strength to all.
 ¹³ “Now therefore, our God,
      We thank You
      And praise Your glorious name.
 ¹⁴ But who am I, and who are my people,
      That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
      For all things come from You,
      And of Your own we have given You.
 ¹⁵ For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
      As were all our fathers;
      Our days on earth are as a shadow,
      And without hope.
¹⁶ “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. ¹⁷ I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. ¹⁸ O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.

Who’s Not Here?

Have you ever taken your family to a theme park? Maybe you took kids from your church, or your child’s class at school on a field trip. You get off the bus or out of the car and immediately do a head count. Periodically throughout the day, you keep taking head counts. If the number is short, you follow up with “Who’s not here?”

At church, I help greet people as they come in. I have a couple of other duties I perform as well so I sit in the back pew. Because I sit on the back pew, I know where the majority of people sit. When they are not there, I know. I see empty spaces. Sometimes, if I’m not sure who is missing I ask, who’s not here?

When a person is not where we can see them, or they are not where we think they should be, we sense that they are missing. It’s like a void, or emptiness.

In the Marines we constantly kept a count of all our people. We wanted to know where everyone was at all times. You didn’t want to leave anyone behind and if someone was missing, they could be lost or dead. There was constant accountability. Even in formations we would always count. Every single man had to be present, or accounted for.

When the count was taken, you would say “all present and accounted for.” To be accounted for, you didn’t have to be in formation, someone just had to know where you were. If you weren’t where you were supposed to be, you were “UA” or as the Army says “AWOL.”  (UA= unauthorized absence, and AWOL = absent without leave).

When you get to heaven and you regroup with your family, what if one of your kids is missing?  A spouse?  A sibling?  A parent?  Do you want to say “Who’s not here?”

Think about this long and hard. What can you do today to avoid having to look for that one who is unaccounted for? Please consider this and pray about it. One day it will be too late. Don’t wait to share the gospel. Pray fervently and without ceasing. Do everything you can right now to touch everyone you can with God’s love.

My prayer is that one day you can say “all present and accounted for!”

¹² “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? ¹³ And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! ¹⁴ In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.  –Matthew 18:12-14