Psalm 63

I was noticing yesterday while studying Psalm 63 that King David's desire for God was almost physical. "My soul thirsts for You, my flesh faints for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (verse 1). Likewise, His satisfaction with God was almost physical as well. "My soul is satisfied with marrow (literally "fat") and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips" (verse 5). Another translation uses the words "rich foods." Can you imagine loving God like that? In another place, King David said he desired God more than his necessary food. That's certainly something to meditate on, and to emulate. And God desires this from us more than our activities. Remember Martha and Mary.

Back to the Bible

A friend and I were talking about our church's current stewardship campaign. (The plan is to remodel, due to insurance requirements). This friend told me that the church paid at least $17,000 for a stewardship consultant to help us in our endeavor. Really, an individual in the church underwrote that entire consultant fee. Apparently studies have shown that when a church hires such a consultant, more money is raised than without one. It made me stop and think. We actually paid someone to get more money out of us! We paid someone to tell us to sacrifice! Isn't there something wrong with that? People can prove anything they want with studies. Years ago, during another church stewardship campaign, a pastor said that studies had shown that church building programs do not take away from missions giving. They increase it. Well, more recently, someone said that the Church has lagged behind subversive groups in indoctrinating our children. The Church spent so much money on buildings, church campuses, and entertainment that we have neglected to teach our children what is necessary to be overcomers in this evil age. That's a study I can believe. Another thing I believe is that people will use studies to justify anything they want to. We should just stick with the Bible. It's adequate!

What Do the Destitute Give?

Yesterday my pastor preached from 2 Samuel 24, especially verse 24, "I will not give to the Lord that which costs me nothing." Of course he related his message to our stewardship campaign (we are remodeling). The Lord has been speaking to me about what He wants me to contribute, financially challenged as I am. We've been given brochures about stewardship. One cited the widow and her mite. "1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4). The author of the brochure said that the value of the widow was not in the money. The value of the money was in the widow. She gave her all. She gave herself. Therefore her gift was worth more than all the others. I teach an adult Sunday School class. Our next lesson is on Psalm 63. 1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. 3Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You. 4So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. 6When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, 7For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 8My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." (verses 1-8). In his commentary, the author of the lesson quotes someone who says that the Psalmist longed for God and loved Him more than his own life. He said that martyrs likewise value the Lord more than their own lives, and therefore would rather die than deny Him. How many of us love the Lord like that? Don't most of us value our lives more? Maybe that's why Christians deny their Lord. Back to stewardship. I won't say specifically what the Lord has directed me to do in regard to our campaign. But in my situation, it represents putting the prospect of financial independence (which I don't now have) on the altar. Add to that our unstable economy, and you have a recipe for exquisite pain. Will I do it? Yes. Because I value Him above all.

Psalm 62:11

Once God has spoken;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God; Please cover this election in prayer and spiritual warfare. And remember, power does not belong to government, or special interest groups, or politicians, or the rich, or to any race. Power belongs to God.

What's Going on Here?

I've said previously on this blog that I'm not an adherent or supporter of the TEA party movement. And it's still true. Nevertheless I wish to address a recent rumor. It is rumored that the TEA party is made up of white racists with a racist agenda. This isn't true. They are about ideology and taxes. That's what TEA means: Taxed Enough Already. Minorities are more than welcome to join, if they choose. White people are attracted to certain causes, and minorities are attracted to others. But there is no racist agenda. I have concerns about the TEA party movement, but I have more concerns about people who jump to conclusions and assign labels. The coming election is not about politics as usual. Don't begin to think that voting the bad guys out or voting the good guys in, whoever they are to you, will solve the issues we face in our society. I invite you to look at Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Ezekiel 38 and 39, Daniel 8 and 12, the books of Thessalonians, and Revelation for clues to what is going on. I also refer you to Gary Kah, an end-time specialist from the social, political, economic and Biblical perspectives. Just google his name. I'm mainly concerned that many look to Government to solve all our problems. That will lead only to trouble. Only Jesus is our Savior. Scripture says we should be "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13).

The Somali Woman Applied/Miracle Needed

Some time ago I wrote that a Swahili-speaking woman in my home town was my neighbor. She's a single mom and has several kids. Now I have another family. Two households, with a total of sixteen persons. I now have the responsibility of supplying Christmas gifts for these neighbors of mine, not to mention a Christmas tree and ornaments for each household. Well, anyone who knows my situation knows that this is totally impossible. But not with God, of course. So here goes.

Sequel to the Somali Mother

A friend of mine told me that the Somali mother who locked her children in the closet is going to have to do time. I don't think this will help her, nor will it rid society of a dangerous person. She isn't dangerous, though what she did was wrong. Refugees are bewildered by all the things they must learn when taking refuge in a new country. They're overwhelmed, even in the best of situations. Imagine what it's like to be in a new land, and your husband abandons you, the neighbors won't get involved, two of your children die, the rest of them are taken away from you, and you land in prison. She doesn't need retribution. She needs restoration and respite. May God help her and us.

What Difference Does It Make?

I'm amazed at the number of Christians who don't seem to know what difference doctrine makes in their life. They can give you all the points of their specific theological bent, but when it comes to applying that to their life, they don't go beyond that. For example, because Arminians believe that man has free will, they can know that this leads to great freedom in their lives. Because Arminians believe that sanctification is a matter of heart purity, rather than adherence to the letter of Scripture, they can know God's power, love, forgiveness, and assurance in a way that many others can't. Because we Arminians believe that God not only imputes His righteousness to us, but also imparts it, we can know we have an abundance of resources with which to live the Christian life (I have blogged previously on this subject - late September to early October - so I am not going to go over it again here). Because we believe that we can live victoriously, rather than in bondage to sin (see my commentary on Romans 5-8), we can live lives of joy, freedom, and power. We believe we can know we are God's children before we die, so we can have assurance and peace throughout our lives. We do not believe God throws people away, as many insist on believing. We just believe we have choices. I've gone over much of this from a Scriptural standpoint in the time frame shown above, so I won't reiterate it here. What we believe makes a vast difference in our outlook on life, in what we can do, and in the way we do things.

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (NASB). In the original, "faith in" is rendered "faith of". But what is the faith of the Son of God? In the original, the Greek word for "faith" also means "faithfulness." "...and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Saving faith is necessary, but it is a gift from God through His prevenient grace. However, my salvation rests on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ in His death on the cross and resurrection. My faith may waver. His faithfulness never can. It is finished. My faith is trusting in His faithfulness.

Open and Closed Doors

This past summer the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to be an online missionary with Campus Crusade. Now He has blessed me with a new opportunity to be a missionary to Swahili-speaking refugees locally, thus enabling me to use my knowledge of Swahili and African culture to minister in His Name. Today I learned that I've been granted membership in the Society of Evangelical Arminians - an opportunity to work online with Arminian scholars. Mind-boggling to say the least. Not long ago, doors were slamming in my face all the time (some still do). Right now I'm thinking of 1 Corinthians 1:25-27: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." To anyone who really knows me, this certainly fits. There have been folks in the past who have thought that because of how that passage plays out in my life, the Lord would never entrust the "true riches" to me.

11"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
12"And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:11-12).

But the Lord obviously has entrusted the true riches to me. I appreciate His perspective, and His trust. May He enable me to be faithful. He will.

God's Blessing on My Lfe

If anyone could lay claim to non-denominational fame, it would be me. I've worshiped with Calvinists, Arminians, United Methodists, Pentecostals (mainly in Kenya, for several years), Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Wesleyans on a regular basis throughout my life, and others (Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans,and non-denominational, including a variety of people of African heritage) to a lesser degree. I thank the Lord for such broad exposure to different types of Christian thinking. It has helped me study the Bible from a broad spectrum of perspectives, and to love a variety of God's people. My theology has been molded through a lifetime of suffering of many kinds, as well as by immersing myself in Scripture. I have found that debating theology has also helped me to solidify my beliefs, and appreciate my Wesleyan heritage. I am utterly amazed, and more and more stand in awe of the Lord Who clearly engineers and designs the circumstances and direction of my life. This aspect of the Lord's care of me has reached an exciting level lately. The Lord blessed me with several years of missionary service, after which He told me I would not be returning to Africa. Yet, through my work as an interpreter with Swahili-speaking refugees in my home town, the Lord is bringing Africa to me! This work is about to expand. A very observant friend of mine has said that perhaps my earlier work in Africa was a training ground for my present mission field. I agree. My one priority in life is to know God intimately and be known just as intimately by Him. With this ever in focus, life is never boring.

It Really Comes Down to TwoThings

In the debate between Calvinists, it really comes down to only two things. Four of the five points are really different versions of whether or not God can be fully Sovereign and man's will fully free simultaneously. Arminians say yes. Calvinists say no. Calvinists seem to believe letting man have a free will is a threat to God's sovereignty. But their God is too small. Nothing man does is a threat to God's sovereignty. (Both Calvinists and Arminians agree on one point - total depravity). The other basic point is whether or not God gives man anything (imputation vs impartation). Calvinists say it's imputation only. Arminians add impartation. If it's imputation only, you end up with nothing. If someone credits (imputes) money to my bank account, hasn't he/she "imparted" money to me, though it came from a source not my own? Yes! To say otherwise makes imputation a big joke, and God is not a joker! Just so with imputed righteousness. God credits righteousness to my account, and I have it. Otherwise, it's only theoretical, and God is mocking me. Faith is compatible with possession. Assuming is not faith. Assuming is guessing. My faith is not based on guesswork. And God actually gives me His righteousness (and a whole lot more). Praise His Name! "For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19).

Arminian Point. Also My "Somali Woman"

I do not believe that God actively predestines people to hell, as Calvinists believe. The reason for this is simple. The Bible doesn't teach it. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). Clearly, man brings condemnation on himself because of his choices. Recently I have been telling you about the Somali woman who locked her children in a closet, and two of the children died. Then I told you the Lord was leading me to be a "neighbor" to a certain Congolese woman and her children, whom I met through interpreting opportunities. This week I connect with an local immigration group at a career fair where I was representing another company. This immigration group referred me to Catholic Charities, because my family of concern came under their auspices. I called CC and set up an appointment with them for next Tuesday. CC is happy to learn of my interest, and will gladly connect me with the family to whom the Lord directed me (my "Somali Woman"). Praise the Lord! "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 20, and 26).

What Others Say

Today I have been out there looking at what Calvinists say about Arminianism. It's based on hearsay and stereotypes. Is there a true Calvinist who has really taken an honest look at Arminianism, who has delved beneath the surface, rather than relying on what others say? Calvinists harp on the point of losing one's salvation, but not all Arminians actually believe that. The ones who do, don't believe that God throws people away. They believe that people walk away from God, that people don't lose their ability to choose once they become Christians. Arminius died with complete assurance. Calvinists teach that a Christian can't know for sure that they are among the elect until they die. Where's the assurance in that? What father would keep his children in the dark about whether or not they belong to him until it's too late? I am an Arminian, and I have assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13).

I Keep Coming Back to the Somali Mother

I won't be blogging only about Arminian theology on this site. Yesterday, a co-worker and I attended a college career fair, hoping to find some recruits for our business. One of the other employers present was Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. I exchanged contact information with them. This morning I explored their website. Their work fits me almost perfectly. So I am prayerfully considering whether or not I can better minister to my Swahili-speaking family by working with them.

Even Arminians Debate This One

There are Arminians who don't believe in the loss of election. As I indicated before, election is not about individual salvation. It 's about the church and nations. In Romans 9-11, Paul says that Israel was cut off, but could be reinstated (and they will be). Again, this is not about individual salvation. Arminius did not originally believe in the loss of election. He was simply concerned about the Calvinist teaching that sin does not affect one's relationship with God. Arminius wanted to give that responsibility back to man. Galatians 5:4 does speak of falling away from grace. "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." Hebrews 6:4-6 says, " ⁴It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, ⁶if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because^b]">[b]to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. " The Hebrews were considering returning to Judaism, which is a system of works, to avoid persecution. So the Bible does seem to indicate that there is one way a Christian can fall away: reverting to a system of works, rather than trusting in Jesus only. This is not a license for believers to devise a list of rules by which to judge whether they or others have fallen away. The Bible says there is only one way- reverting to works! These passages will be debated until Jesus returns. However, I have a question. If, as many believe, it is impossible for a believer to fall way, why did God waste so many words to warn people not to fall away if it's impossible to fall away? I'm not looking for an answer. That's a rhetorical question. I want you to think about it. I don't believe God would waste words. And by the way, Arminians don't teach that God throws people away. God doesn't throw people away. People choose to walk away from God. It's up to them. People don't lose their freedom of choice once they become believers. I already know what verses some people would throw at me. But Calvinists teach that it's impossible to know whether or not you're among the elect until it's too late to do anything (when you die). I have another question. Would a loving Father leave His children in the dark as to whether or not they belong to Him until it's too late? No. You can know where you stand before you die. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). It is reported that Jacobus Arminius faced death with complete assurance. I believe saving faith includes assurance, but that's the subject of another blog.

God's Sovereignty and Man's Free Will

Some Christians have a hard time believing that man's free will and God's sovereignty can work together. They think that it somehow is a threat to the sovereignty of God. But this belief makes God less than what He is. Nothing can threaten God's control. He is so strong that He can allow man the freedom to choose, and still be completely in control. Oswald Chambers said it well in My Utmost for His Highest: "Man's apparently free choices are God's sovereign decrees." If Jesus can be both fully God and fully Man (and He is), if the Immortal can die (and He did), if Jesus could be born of a virgin (and He was), if God can be three Persons and still be One God (and He is), then He can let man have free will and be completely in control Himself. He does the impossible all the time! Those who think that man's will can't be free, and God still be Sovereign also carry this over into their relationships with people. They tend to be very controlling (which is an indication of insecurity). In a relationship in which they are in authority, they think that if they allow the "other guy" any leeway, then they themselves will lose control. I have actually been in such relationships, so I know what I'm talking about. They seem to idolize their authority (the cult of authority, as I call it). In a way, I feel sorry for them, because they are so insecure. However, their attitude is wrong, because they don't trust the Holy Spirit. They really need to trust Him.

The Somali Woman Revisited

Yesterday I had an opportunity to do a Swahili interpretation for a woman in a medical situation. I have interpreted for her before. Yesterday's encounter went well, for which I praise the Lord. These encounters are often difficult, because I'm so far removed from my Swahili-speaking days, and because my Swahili knowledge always has been limited. I didn't have to use Swahili that much in Africa, as most of the people with whom I worked spoke English. What was most encouraging yesterday was a good heart connection. I am seeing now that I could be an advocate for the local (Indianapolis) and growing Swahili-speaking population. The more I pondered this, the more I heard the Lord saying that I am to be "neighbor" to the woman I helped yesterday. I don't know what this will entail, but I said "yes" to the Lord.