The Comfort of Praise

“Rejoice evermore...In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16,18]

Paul wrote these words of instruction to encourage a pattern of praise in our lives no matter what our present circumstances are. ""God is the God of all comfort”, and I believe there is comfort in praise. We find comfort in praise because when we praise God, we:

1. Rehearse the past goodness of God to us in other trials of life;

2. Remind ourselves of God’s promises to us for our present trials;

3. Reassure ourselves of the faithfulness of God to us regardless of our circumstances;

4. Renew our focus upon God and His resources rather than focus upon our circumstances; and

5. Revive our hope which may have been lost or diminished due to our present trials.

In the midst of utter despair, Jeremiah learned the comfort of praise, and it changed his whole attitude toward life and revitalized his relationship with God. Listen to Jeremiah exclaim: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22—24

Thanksgiving “turns our heads upward. Just the word ‘thanksgiving’ prompts the spirit of humility. Genuine gratitude to God for His mercy, His abundance, His protection, His smile of favor. At this holiday, as at no other, we count our blessings and we run out of time before we exhaust the list. And best of all, life simplifies itself. At Thanksgiving we come back to the soil and the sun and the rain which combine their efforts to produce the miracle of life, resulting in food for our stomachs and shelter for our bodies. . .direct gifts from our God of grace.” —Charles Swindoll

Sexual Abuse and Pornography

Sexual abuse is the secret sin of the Christian Church. One driving force behind sexual abuse is pornography and Christians are viewing pornography at an alarming rate. One of the major suppliers of pornography is the Internet and Christians can use the Internet in the privacy of their own home in attempt satisfy the insatiable lustful desires.

Recently I was investigating how the visitors to our church web site found us. While our visitors came from a variety search engines like Google and Yahoo others were regular visitors. Our domain provider is able to tell us what web site our visitors visited before coming to our site. What we learned was that between 35% and 40% of our visitors came from pornographic sites. Since the pornographic sites do not have a link to our site, we were able to conclude that these visitors came via their own bookmark.

There is something wrong when people seeking to view a Church web site first stop off to view pornography. I thought this must be a mistake but recently I read the following from the August 2008 issue of Church Around The World bulletin insert:

Porn Plagues Church Members

“The viewing of pornography persists as a problem for members of U.S. churches according to a recent article by John W. Kennedy, consulting editor for Christianity Today magazine. The author made some disturbing discoveries while collecting information for an article titled “Help for the Sexually Desperate:’ Through his studies, Kennedy encountered one evangelical leader who questioned the accuracy of the finding that 50% of Christian men have looked at porn recently:’ In response to his skepticism, the leader surveyed his church members and found that 60 percent of Christian men had viewed porn within the past year and 25 percent had viewed porn within the past 30 days.

Other research found that women accounted for one in three visitors to adult Web sites. Overall, Kennedy discovered that experts believe tens of millions of people are actually sex addicts.”

This highlights the real problem of today’s church. It’s not numbers but purity. Holiness is not an option but an obligation. Peter reminded his readers and us of what God said in Leviticus when he wrote, “But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [1 Peter 1:15, 16]

How can we put an end to our insatiable lust? The Psalmist said, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” [Psalm 101:2, 3a Italics mine] The Apostle Paul reminded us that we should be “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:5]

There isn’t any place for sexual abuse in the church. To put an end to it, one thing we must do is eliminate the viewing of all kinds of pornography. Pornography is the root and the fruit of pornography is sexual abuse.

Hopelessness

There is nothing more depressing than the feeling of hopelessness. The Apostle Paul having appealed to Caesar was on his way to Rome when a tremendous storm arose. The storm was so strong that the ship was at the point of breaking up. Three days of wind and rain without food or any sign of the sun, moon or stars brought seasoned sailors to the point of hopelessness. [Acts 27:20] They no longer believed they would survive the storm and would eventually be lost at sea.

At that precise moment, the Apostle Paul appeared on deck with a message of hope. He tells all the sailors that the ship will break up but there will be no loss of life – all would be saved. I am sure that these seasoned sailors thought Paul was out of his mind. How dare he make such a pronouncement?

What these sailors were going to discover was that God had a plan for Paul and they were going to benefit because of that plan. God wanted Paul to appear before Caesar and that meant surviving the storm. The basis of Paul’s pronouncement was based on a special message he received from God via an angel.

A message from God brings no hope unless it is believed. The Bible is God’s message to man but millions of men and women have no real hope because they have not believed the message. Paul was able assure the sailors and all aboard the ship of their survival because he believe God. Listen to his words in Acts 27:24, 25: “Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” Right there is the reason for hope – I believe God. He didn’t say I believe in a god. Many people believe in a god only to live a life of hopelessness.

Hope comes from believing God not from constantly focusing on our circumstances. This only increases our sense of hopelessness turning discouragement into despair. Believing God doesn’t mean that God is going to answer your prayers the way you want Him. To believe God is to trust God that no matter what happens, you can be confident that He will never leave you, He will give you strength and that He will use your situation for you good and His glory.

Our hope goes beyond our immediate circumstances. What if our circumstances lead to our death or never seem to end? Listen to the Apostle Paul as he writes from a Roman jail to the church at Philippi. “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [Philippians 1:20, 21]

Paul understood that real, lasting hope comes from understanding that our circumstances are not random, meaningless nor purposeless but purposeful. He said, “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” [Romans 5:3 –5]

God has spoken. His message is our source of hope in the midst of hopelessness. It provides hope for this life and the life to come. Feeling hopeless, read God’s Word. It is a message of hope that can lift the fog of hopelessness.

Hope For When We Hurt

Our lives were going through a period of transition. We had just move from Pennsylvania to Alaska. Familiar faces and places were gone. As we began to settle into a new ministry and make new friends, we were faced with our greatest challenge. I was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next six months there were tests, treatments and trips to Anchorage, which was 145 miles away.

In the midst of the questions, pain and the sickness, God was my helper and my hope. His Word was one of my sources of comfort. It was a constant reminder of those truths that were my help and hope during those days. Things I believed to be true were now becoming part of my daily experience. They were:

God is omnipotent. [1 Corinthians 1:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 12:9] When the chemotherapy robbed my body of all its strength, there were times when I experienced God’s supernatural strength. On Sundays I was barely able to walk to the pulpit to preach and yet once there I experienced God’s power enabling me to deliver a 30-minute message. I was learning the power of my God’s grace – His all-sufficient grace.

God had a plan and a purpose for my life. [Jeremiah 29:11; James 1:2 – 4] Even though I didn’t understand what was happening or why, I held on to the truth that everything was part of God’s plan and purpose for me. My experience was nor random or purposeless. It has been over 16 years since my battle with cancer and it only now that I am beginning to appreciate what my God was doing in my life.

God loves me. I learned that God’s love for me was so great that what was happening to me was for my good and through it His glory. My difficulties did not negate God’s love for me but demonstrate His love as He uses them to build Christ-like character. I was learning that my God was more interested in building my character than in making me comfortable.

God hears and answers prayer. [Jeremiah 33:3; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2] There were days when I tried to pray and couldn’t put words together in any coherent fashion. All I could do was to sigh but my God understood and provided for my needs. During this time I realized how fragile life was and how important the little things of life were. I learned to be thankful for the little things in life. Things I would normally take for granted. When I could verbalize my prayers, I thank God for those little things.

God does not forsake us. [Hebrews 13:5, 6] Often during and in between my chemotherapy treatments I felt very lonely. People around me were very busy with life and because of my physical limitations I felt left out. My constant source of comfort was my awareness of God’s presence. Even though I felt lonely, I was never alone. I was learning that my God would not forsake me in my times of difficulty.

God used and continues to use my experience as an opportunity to minister others. [2 Corinthians 2:3, 4] My experience of God’s comfort was never meant by God to be singular experience. God intended for it to be multiplied as I shared my experience with others in their times of need. I can remember being asked to visit a man going through chemotherapy. When he saw me, his initial reaction was “go away, leave me alone.” Once I told him I was going through chemotherapy, his whole attitude changed and it allowed me to be an encouragement to him and provide me with the opportunity to share the gospel with him.

God is a God of hope – triumphant hope. It’s not about being delivered from this world’s pain and suffering but being able to experience His strength during our moments of light affliction [2 Corinthians 4:17, 18] and being able to see that they “work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Help for when I...

Feel like giving up: "But You, O GOD the Lord, Deal with me for Your name's sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads. Help me, O LORD my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, That they may know that this is Your hand-That You, LORD, have done it!" [Psalm 109:21-26]

THEN...

I know God has all power: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." [2 Corinthians 4:7 - 15]

I can place my confidence in God: "And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." [2 Corinthians 3:4 - 6]

I can ask God for what I need: "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." [Philippians 4:5 - 7]

Feeling Hopeless and Helpless: "Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD-how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!" [Psalm 6:2 - 4]

THEN...

I Turn to the Scriptures: "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." [ Romans 15:4 - 6]

I rely upon God's power: "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." [Ephesians 3:14 - 21]

I see the need to live by faith: "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." [2 Peter 1:3, 4] "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." [Colossians 2:6, 7] "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)." [Hebrews 10:23] All scripture is taken from the New King James Version

BETTER THAN A ROAD MAP

Do you like to travel? I do! My husband and I have traveled many miles together. We marvel at the beauty of God's creation as we drive along. There are still times when I forget our children are grown and I point out the cows and horses to my husband. Old habits are hard to break.

Talking without the interruption of the telephone is an extra bonus. Sometimes we'll drive mile after mile, enjoying the quietness, when suddenly the tranquility is broken with one simple request. A request I dread more than any while we are traveling. "Honey, will you get the MAP and look up...?"

As I reached for the dreaded map, I felt the tension building. "Why don't you stop and look at the map? You know the road you are looking for", I suggested. "No, that's all right you can find it", he replied confidently.

It soon became evident his confidence was misplaced. As hard as I tried, I couldn't find the road. (For some reason I can never find a road until we are about five miles past it.) Soon we passed the next exit. Now, we are both annoyed. "Just put the map away, we'll stay on this road", he says, with a little bit of irritation in his voice.

Problem number two: I have never been able to figure out how to fold a map. For some reason it annoys my husband when I can't get the map folded properly.

We needed to find a solution to this small problem. The first thing I did was buy a road atlas. You don't have to fold an atlas. Next, I suggested that when planning a trip Bob map out the route. This approach failed because Bob gets bored and looks for a different route to reach the same destination. Finally, I told Bob as calmly as possible that I NO LONGER DO MAPS! Sometimes, it works.

When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, Across the Red Sea, and into the desert, they didn't need a map. He provided the directions. Isn't it wonderful to know that God still leads us and His way is perfect?

At times, we all become frustrated with the direction of our lives. Could it be we don't like the path God has chosen for us? Or, is it because we are bored and think we can find a better way?

God has given us His Word to direct our lives. He teaches us and leads us each step of the way. Psalm 32:8 is a marvelous promise. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." There are no short cuts when following God's "road map." He will keep us on the right path. God's way and God's timing are perfect.

Do you like to travel? I do! My husband and I have traveled many miles together. We marvel at the beauty of God's creation as we drive along. There are still times when I forget our children are grown and I point out the cows and horses to my husband. Old habits are hard to break.

Talking without the interruption of the telephone is an extra bonus. Sometimes we'll drive mile after mile, enjoying the quietness, when suddenly the tranquility is broken with one simple request. A request I dread more than any while we are traveling. "Honey, will you get the MAP and look up...?"

As I reached for the dreaded map, I felt the tension building. "Why don't you stop and look at the map? You know the road you are looking for", I suggested. "No, that's all right you can find it", he replied confidently.

It soon became evident his confidence was misplaced. As hard as I tried, I couldn't find the road. (For some reason I can never find a road until we are about five miles past it.) Soon we passed the next exit. Now, we are both annoyed. "Just put the map away, we'll stay on this road", he says, with a little bit of irritation in his voice.

Problem number two: I have never been able to figure out how to fold a map. For some reason it annoys my husband when I can't get the map folded properly.

We needed to find a solution to this small problem. The first thing I did was buy a road atlas. You don't have to fold an atlas. Next, I suggested that when planning a trip Bob map out the route. This approach failed because Bob gets bored and looks for a different route to reach the same destination. Finally, I told Bob as calmly as possible that I NO LONGER DO MAPS! Sometimes, it works.

When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, Across the Red Sea, and into the desert, they didn't need a map. He provided the directions. Isn't it wonderful to know that God
still leads us and His way is perfect?

At times, we all become frustrated with the direction of our lives. Could it be we don't like the path God has chosen for us? Or, is it because we are bored and think we can find a better way?

God has given us His Word to direct our lives. He teaches us and leads us each step of the way. Psalm 32:8 is a marvelous promise. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." There are no short cuts when following God's "road map." He will keep us on the right path. God's way and God's timing are perfect.

by Mabel R. Flatt

Ecumenicalism - A Denial of the Truth

Every day the globalization of the world continues to put pressure on the church to be united into one community of faith. The question I am often asked is why do some churches resist the ecumenical movement. The answer is pure and simple – to be part of today’s ecumenical church, there must be willingness to compromise your beliefs.

How much of what you belief are you willing to compromise? In order for there to be unity, you must compromise the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. You must accept theological tenants that deny the very foundations of our faith.

Here is a recent example of how far you must go. At the 60th Anniversary of the World Council of Church, Dr. Hyung Kyun Chung, professor at Union Theological Seminary, responded to a question regarding John 14:6[1] about Jesus Christ being the only way to heaven. Dr. Chung responded by saying that “Jesus was mistaken!” His answer calls Jesus a liar and makes him a fraud. If Jesus was mistaken, it is not possible for Him to be God. This three-word response undermined the following doctrines:

The deity of Jesus Christ;
The doctrine of the trinity;
The doctrine of inspiration; and
The doctrine of salvation.

Dr. Chung’s statement has an impact on the following:
If there are other ways of salvation, the death of Jesus Christ was unnecessary;
If people can be saved another way, our missionary efforts are unnecessary. It means everyone who died in the missionary enterprise died for no reason;
It means there is no one truth regarding salvation and that contradictory teachings are true. [Logically this is not possible]; and
It contradicts the teachings of Paul, John and Peter. In essence the statement that “Jesus was mistaken!” destroys the teaching of the entire New Testament.

So you want unity but at what price. The ecumenical unity being promoted today denies the very fundamentals of the faith we hold so precious. I am more inclined to follow the advice of Jude: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”[2] And that of John: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”[3] What is the doctrine of Christ? “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We are to separate from those who deny this doctrine. That is the teaching of the Bible and as a child of God I am required to follow the teaching of scripture.

I believe in unity, but not a unity that necessitates the denial of the Lord who saved me. To deny the Lord is a sign of a false teacher. Listen to Peter: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

[1] "Jesus said unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

[2] Jude 1:3
[3] 2 John 1:9 - 11
[4] 2 Peter 3:1

Communication

Solomon said that there was “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” [Ecclesiastes 3:7]. I have the tendency to speak when I should be silent and to be silent when I should speak. More often than not those moments happen when my wife needs to be comforted. I find it very easy to tell her how to solve the problem rather than offer words of comfort. When I am not trying to solve her problems, I tend to go in the other direction and be silent. Have you ever had one of those moments when you either said too much or didn’t know what to say?

Lately I seem to have them more often than not. A couple of months ago my wife was going through a hard time and I just didn’t know what to say. First I tried silence and that wasn’t very comforting. Then I tried another approach and that was to suggest what she could do to solve the problem and that didn’t work. Instead of helping my wife all I did was to add to her pain. While were discussing my inability to comfort her, she said I have something for you. I took a piece of paper out of her hand and read the following.

“Things to say when I am at a loss for words.

I’m sorry you’re hurting! I just want you to know I love you and I am here for you.

I know this has been a stressful time but we’ll get through this together. Just let me hold you until you feel a little better.

I don’t understand how you feel but just know that I love you and I’ll do whatever I can for you. Kiss-Kiss-Kiss

Even though we see things differently I know we can work it out because of the love we have for each other. Just let me hold you in my arms.

Feel free to memorize any or all of these responses and use them at the appropriate time…”

Now would you believe my first response was a half laugh. I thought it was a joke but it wasn’t. She was serious. She wanted me to know what I could say to make her feel better when she was hurting. I do have one confession - I am a slow learner.

Do you know what to say to your partner when he/she is going through a difficult time? If you don’t the best thing you could do is ask. It will save the moment and provide the comfort they need.

Pain's Purposefulness

Standing in line at the pharmacy, I heard the lady in front of me say, "I don't really want to be around any longer, I have too many aches and pains." As the conversation continued, it was apparent this lady was not suffering from any abnormal experience of pain. Her desire was to avoid pain (physical, emotional or spiritual) at any cost. She preferred death to a life with pain. Why do people have such an aversion to pain? Why are they so fascinated with death as an answer to life's dilemmas? Is pain to be avoided or can it be beneficial?

Consider the potential benefits one can derive from pain. They are:

1. Pain is the body's warning system. It lets us know something is wrong. It protects us from greater danger. Pain has a moral value. It reminds us of our mortality and our need to prepare to die and meet God. (Hebrews 9:27)

2. Pain makes us reconsider our value system. People would rather ignore pain than reconsider how their pain complicates their philosophy of hedonism (the devotion to pleasure as a way of life).

3. Pain will either make us seek God for an answer for its mystery or turn us away from God for allowing it.

4. God uses pain to teach us lessons about self, selfishness and our relationship to others and their needs.

5. God wants us to choose to love Him, even though our choice involves pain, because we understand pain has long-term value and benefit.

6. Pain develops strength of character that comes from a disciplined life that understands short-term pain can produce long-term benefits.

We can only experience the benefits of pain by learning to respond to pain in the following ways.

1. We need to turn to the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) and thank Him for the gift of pain. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

2. We need to allow God to work in us by letting pain be a means of character development - no pain, no character. Pain can either work for good or bad in our lives, but the choice is ours. What we are is not because of the pain we have experienced, but the choices we make in response to our pain. Not everyone whose life has been filled with pain is bitter, angry or depressed. When we learn to see the hand of God at work in our lives, we can use our pain to make us lovely people to be around. (Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-5)

3. When there are no real answers for our pain, we must live by the promises of God not explanations.

4. When we hurt deeply, what we really need is not an explanation but a revelation of God. We need to discover the greatness of God and seek to recover our lost perspective on life.

5. Realize there can be no birth without travail, so too, there can be no glory without suffering. (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18)

In the midst of pain, we must never lose sight of the goodness, wisdom, loving-kindness and power of our God. Because God is sovereign, wise and loving, the apostle Paul could say, "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28]

Quote: "We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things." [Henry Ward Beecher] For more quotes go to http://www.hopetriumphant.com/