I had just posted on Twitter how that some days my phone never rings and I get no texts. When out of the blue my phone rang. I had a nice chat with an old friend.
When you think about someone, call them. You never know if they are lonely or feeling alone. Your call might tip the scale in their favor.
Tonight, pastor Rubi preached an encouraging and useful message to us. He used Isaiah 40:31 in his text. I saw something that he did not preach on in this verse. Here is my take on pastor Rubi's text.
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
The Holy Spirit puts flying first, running second, and walking last. This seems out of order at first. Shouldn't you walk, then run, and then maybe fly?
I see this as three stages of the Christian life.
First, you fly. Salvation is a great experience. The weight of sin is removed and you feel lighter than air. Everything is fresh and exciting. The burden of sin is gone. You are truly a new creature in Christ. And if you, like me, get filled with the Spirit and speak in tongues at the same time, well, hang on to you hat. The God of miracles is real and alive and working in my life.
Second, you run. One day, and it differs for everyone, you try to fly and you can't. So, you start to run. Running has it's own rules and benefits. Running will take you places. Not as high or as fast as flying, but you are still making great progress. You are still covering new ground. You still feel strong and fit. But you wish you could still fly. You are running after God and you are running after your calling.
Third, you walk. One day in the Christian life, you learn that a lot of your life is walking by faith in a faithful God. When you walk you notice details that you do not see from the air or even while running. It is a slower pace, though you are still moving forward. It is while walking that you find out what is important. You find out what you can and cannot do. You no longer think about flying, but you do rejoice at those who soar overhead. You can encourage those running after their calling. And you can be an example to your fellow walkers.
Faith to fly is easy. Faith to run is hard work. Faith to walk is like breathing. Anyone can walk and stay on the path until life is over or the Lord returns. The key is to wait on the Lord. He will renew your strength.
When I was first saved, everything about the Christian life was brand new. Church three times a week? Sure! Witness and outreach? Of course! Give tithes and offerings? Why not! Answer an alter call? Almost every service!
Time moves on in life. I am not a teenage new convert anymore. I have seen things, and done things, and experienced things that some of you have not even thought of. And through it all, I'm still here. Still saved. Still serving. Still hopeful.
It's those who endure to the end who are saved, not those who are excited with new convert enthusiasm or zeal. Enduring is something only done by those who have been around a long time. Enduring is done by those with both victories and defeats on their resumes. You are not enduring without testings and trials and battles and losses. Anyone can be saved when everything is coming up roses. But when you have endured the dark clouds and storms of life you have enduring faith. When your prayers are answered you rejoice. When you pray and nothing changes, you endure.
"I have been young, and now am old..." Psalm37:25
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many shall grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew24:12-13
In Philippians chapter 2 I see something that makes me wonder at it's significance. In verse 1 the word "if" is used four times.
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy." It's almost like the apostle was questioning in his own mind whether or not, after all he had been through, if it was worth it.
Then in verse 2 he gives a prescription that would calm his troubled mind.
"fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
There was something that could be seen at work in the life of that local church that would comfort and assure him that indeed it was not in vain and yes, it was worth it.
Then in verses three through eleven the text gives instructions on things we are to do as believers in Christ. He uses the word "let" four times.
Let nothing be done through ambition or conceit.
Let each one esteem others better than himself.
Let each one not just take care of himself, but help others also.
Let this mind be in you that was in Christ.
Verses six through eleven expounds on having the mind of Christ. So that seems to be the most important thing for us to possess.
Patterns are important. I believe the Lord shows us these patterns to help us know what is important.
I got taken for a ride tonight. I sat at home, waiting for a package delivery that never came and indeed ought to have not come. The delivery company told me it was on a truck and being delivered today. That surprised me. Then it was by 3:30 pm. Then it was by 8pm. By 10pm I had watched pastor Joe Campbell minister to the men. I missed it in person, but I did watch.
So that proves that I ought to have just gone to church and forgot about a delivery happening that I had to sign for.
Pastor Campbell preached on being faithful. Faithful in every area of life, and especially being faithful to God. We may not be able to do a lot of things. But anyone can be faithful. You do not need to have talent or skill to be faithful where you are.
Pastor Campbell and I go way back. I talked to him Sunday night. I would have liked to see him again tonight.
It was a missed opportunity for me.
Last night pastor Joe Campbell ministered on being dropped. Like dropping a baby on it's head. Or being dropped by someone you love. He used Mephibosheth as his example. How his nurse dropped him leaving him crippled.
The name of this young man means literally from the mouth of shame. Evidently, when he was born, his parents felt an overwhelming shame and they put that on this son. Mephibosheth lived in Lo Debar. This town's name means literally, no pasture. It was a place where you went if you had nowhere else to go. It was the end of the road. No future living in Lo Debar.
David lifting up Mephibosheth and making him like one of the kings sons is a picture of how God deals with us once we are saved. Jesus makes us sons of God with all of the rights and privileges that come with that.
Pastor Campbell brought a great word to a needy people last night.
While it was a blessing to be a part of the Prescott church for many years, I felt that after my wife died, the Prescott church dropped me. I never felt so lonely and alone as I did living there. Very little support. Feeling isolated and alone. Suffocating in memories.
So I live here now. I have never been so appreciated and accepted and encouraged as I am here. SA is my home now.
"For when they say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."1Thes.5:3
It is interesting to me that a woman in labor is used to illustrate the rapture of the church. Here are a couple of thoughts that I had.
First, every pregnant woman, as the time to deliver her baby gets close, packs a bag to take with her. As it gets close, she gets ready. But, the baby will come whether she is ready or not. When her water breaks it is too late to pack a bag. Get off your feet and get to the delivery room at the hospital.
Second, the due date is never a mystery or a surprise. The doctor or midwife is not holding back the due date just to keep you in suspense. They want to help you and prepare you for a healthy delivery. When you call the doctor, she is expecting you. She is not hiding this from you.
I believe that the day of the rapture is set. That day and time is on God's heavenly calendar. No one knows when that day is. God is not trying to trick us or hide useful information from us. God knows how easily we get distracted by things like times and seasons and days and dates.
We have work to do. Blessed is the church who is doing what they are supposed to be doing when the rapture happens.
"And he said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto me...to the end of the earth." Acts1:7-8
