Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Value of One Life

So, everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, (mature) in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” (Colossians1:28-29 NLT)

A recent phone call from a former Afghanistan citizen prompted me to remember the great effort it took to get him really established in his Christian faith. My friend Hyatt Sahar had one of his extended family members in the government before the Soviet Union invaded his country in the 1980’s. Hyatt himself escaped to Canada and then experienced the greatest experience of his life – he invited Jesus into his heart. Along with a couple of my friends, I then became deeply involved in the journey of Hyatt to become a true disciple of Christ.

The moment Hyatt became a Christian, the battle for his faith became an intense spiritual marathon for all of us as it seemed often that Hyatt would eventually return to his former life. His own relatives turned against him and he felt threatened. Just when we thought that he had succeeded in his battle, he would explode from within –the flesh versus the Spirit seemed to rage unabated at times. Did I feel like quitting on Hyatt? Yes! But, my friends and I realized the crucial importance in encouraging a new Christian to grow in his relationship with the Lord Jesus. There were long nights, unexpected struggles, unplanned trips, continuous prayer, and wrenching struggles such as described by Paul in Colossians 1: 28-29 above.

When Hyatt called to tell me that he had seen me on the television program, “It’s a New Day”, he rejoiced as he remembered with me the faithfulness of God in his life. Hyatt has survived many battles as he adjusted to a new culture, a new faith, and new friends. Now an older man with children grown up and on their own, Hyatt is a vivid example to me why all the effort and prayer in the world are worth it to see one new Christian develop and grow into a deeper stronger disciple of Jesus. Will you consider who may be a new or young Christian in your area or in our church? Are you willing to pay the price this Christmas to see that person grow in his or her personal relationship with Jesus –a relationship that will help that person stand strong against the spiritual, social, and satanic attacks that are bound to come. In God’s sight, this is a greater Christmas gift that can never be wrapped except in the wrapping of your life in obedience to Him.

Steady in a Rocking Boat

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)

What a contrast! I was one of several kids in a small row boat beside the hulking Canadian navel ship in the harbor of my home town. A giant forest fire threatened to burn the whole town . In response , the Canadian government sent the navy ship to be on stand- by in case our whole town needed evacuation. We had rowed out to the ship anchored in the harbor just for some fun. A couple of navy guys decided to jump on our boat and then proceeded to rock the boat. It frightened and freaked me out. I knew the deep cold waters and what lurked down there. The boat was fun until someone rocked and threatened to over turn it. I was afraid of sinking!

Several years ago, I was the passenger in a plane flying over Toronto and our oldest son, David was the pilot. I was really enjoying the trip until David said: “Dad, would you like to fly the plane?” As he said it, the plane banked sharply to the left . It really scared me until the plane leveled off and I could take the rudder. What was my problem in both situations? Like the disciple Peter, I was guilty of looking at my circumstances instead of looking at Jesus.

Peter walked on the water while he looked at Jesus . “But when he saw the wind”…, he began to sink. The reality in life for each of us is that IF WE WOULD FOCUS OUR HEARTS ON THE LORD JESUS, we can keep our balance in a rocking boat or experience true inner peace on a shaky plane. In daily life, we will face many turbulent experiences . The question is: will we hold fast to God in the midst of the waves?

God's Fire in Me

The air was cold and wet. The lower slopes leading to the mountains were rugged and large enough in scale to be intimidating. Nature itself overwhelmed! God’s creation was breathtaking as I hiked with three others along the path to the caves and hot springs on the slopes of Sulfur Mountain in Banff National Park.

When we arrived at the caves and approached the hot springs bubbling up from deep in the earth, the smell of sulfur suddenly became strong enough to block the smell of anything else. Now, I know why they call it Sulfur Mountain! I poked my finger into a bubbling stream. Despite the cold air, the emerging spring water was warm enough for a hot bath – but I was not about to try that! Columns of steam rose continuously into the air.

The hot springs of Banff remind me of the Word and the presence of God within me. In my recent quiet time with God, I mediated on the words of Jeremiah 20. It is easy to identify with Jeremiah when he feels so weary, worn, and beaten that he wishes that he had not been born (Jeremiah 20:14). Jeremiah, the prophet of God, felt like not speaking any more for God. But Jeremiah says, If I tried to quit on God, I could not do it because…

“…His word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones.

I’m weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9)

I challenge you to examine your own heart. Are you taking any time to memorize verses from God’s word. Are YOU taking time to feed on God’s word. Do you take sufficient time with the Lord, expressing your love for Him. If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, then God has called you to witness of Him and represent Him to our community and world just as Jeremiah was called. When you are growing as a Christian, a true disciple of Christ, His word and presence in you will feel like a fire within. Then, you will be energized and motivated to make our Savior known. In Jeremiah’s words, you and I will be able to say with confidence…”the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior (Jeremiah 20:12a).

Like the hot springs of Banff, let God’s fire within you burn hot even when the winds of unbelievers around you blow cold. Be mighty and be hot for God, confirming God’s fire within you! In this way, you will not let the surrounding cold unbelief take away your fire. Instead, God’s fire in you will ignite God’s fire in them –bringing others to a relationship with Jesus, the beginning of developing healthy followers for God. This is God’s call for us and for FFAC.

Flying Lessons

“Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened…The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them and because they had seen the child…” (Luke 2:16-20, NLT)

In a mighty effort, the geese flap their wings and fly in a “V” formation while honking at the same time. Scientists have learned that as each one flaps their wings, they create an uplifting draft for the next bird. That enables each bird to fly with the flock and ensures that no bird is left behind. Apparently, by flying in a V formation, the geese increase their flying range by over 70 % than if each goose was flying by itself. Flying this way reduces drag and increases a smoother flight through the air. When the lead bird get weary, it drops back into the back and another bird takes it place facing the headwinds.

Imagine how each of us can take turns facing headwinds for one another this Christmas season. It is God’s intention that we “fly” together, encourage one another, and together communicate the glorious news of our savior’s birth – Immanuel, God with us! That is exactly how the shepherds responded after they had met Jesus, the Savior (Luke 2:17-20)

The word for “told” in Luke 2:17 is the Greek word from which we get our word for phone or telephone. The word is clear: If you and I are true followers of Jesus our Savior, our response is to imitate the shepherds, spread the word together as a church family. Like all healthy churches, we need to fly in “V” formation.

In flying, attitude is vital. When I was flying with my son, David, the attitude of the plane was adjusted for take-off. In a plane, “attitude” is the angle of the plane’s nose in relation to the horizon. If the attitude is set too high, the plane would stall and crash. If it is set too low, the plane would never gain altitude. For FFAC to “fly” successfully for God, its people like you and I need to adjust our attitude – not too high (pride) or too low (greed).

Instead, let’s set our sights on the level of the Savior and tell those you meet: God has come to us – He has given us His Son, Jesus to be our Savior. (Colossians 3:1)

Flying Lessons

“Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened…The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them and because they had seen the child…” (Luke 2:16-20, NLT)

In a mighty effort, the geese flap their wings and fly in a “V” formation while honking at the same time. Scientists have learned that as each one flaps their wings, they create an uplifting draft for the next bird. That enables each bird to fly with the flock and ensures that no bird is left behind. Apparently, by flying in a V formation, the geese increase their flying range by over 70 % than if each goose was flying by itself. Flying this way reduces drag and increases a smoother flight through the air. When the lead bird get weary, it drops back into the back and another bird takes it place facing the headwinds.

Imagine how each of us can take turns facing headwinds for one another this Christmas season. It is God’s intention that we “fly” together, encourage one another, and together communicate the glorious news of our savior’s birth – Immanuel, God with us! That is exactly how the shepherds responded after they had met Jesus, the Savior (Luke 2:17-20)

The word for “told” in Luke 2:17 is the Greek word from which we get our word for phone or telephone. The word is clear: If you and I are true followers of Jesus our Savior, our response is to imitate the shepherds, spread the word together as a church family. Like all healthy churches, we need to fly in “V” formation.

In flying, attitude is vital. When I was flying with my son, David, the attitude of the plane was adjusted for take-off. In a plane, “attitude” is the angle of the plane’s nose in relation to the horizon. If the attitude is set too high, the plane would stall and crash. If it is set too low, the plane would never gain altitude. For FFAC to “fly” successfully for God, its people like you and I need to adjust our attitude – not too high (pride) or too low (greed).

Instead, let’s set our sights on the level of the Savior and tell those you meet: God has come to us – He has given us His Son, Jesus to be our Savior. (Colossians 3:1)