Praying for Loved Ones

Today, Amanda Knox (born 1987) is an advocate for the unjustly incarcerated and a campaigner for just reform. The reason is obvious. At one time she was unjustly incarcerated. Do you remember her story? She was a University of Washington student who went to Italy to study. It should have been a dream come true, but it became a nightmare. In 2009, she was found guilty of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher (1985-2007). In 2011, that verdict was appealed and finally revised. On the day that verdict was read her loved ones gathered, including her grandmother, Elizabeth Huff (born 1942). No one can question Elizabeth’s love for Amanda. She went $250,000 in debt from the legal fees. Huff said, “I have been praying for Amanda every day. She is a good girl, and she needs a hug. I need a hug too!” When was the last time you prayed for a loved one? That takes us to our scripture reading.

Our reading is Philippians 1:3-11. The city of Philippi was a prosperous Roman colony in present day Greece, whose citizens were considered Roman citizens. The background of this epistle is interesting. Paul wrote this letter to them from a Roman prison cell in the year 61 A.D. You can consider it a thank-you note. He is responding to a gift they had sent him. In other words, Paul and the Philippians had a connection; there was an intimate spirit between them. They had history. That congregation understood Paul; they respected Paul. They knew the importance of his mission, so, they sent him an unknown gift. However, the gift wasn’t just a gift – it was a reminder. They wanted him to know he wasn’t alone. They were praying for Paul, and Paul was praying for them. Paul’s prayer is very personal. This blog is about praying for loved ones. Our reading will help you when you pray for your loved ones. Paul’s prayer acts as a model for us. Consider these three things. This is the first one.

When you pray for a loved one, be appreciative. For many years. Kathryn and I traveled to Russia to help orphans who would never be adopted. On many of those trips we traveled to Dmitrov, which is approximately fifty miles north of Moscow. It is the home of the Renewal Orphanage. Those trips were life-changing for everyone who traveled with us.

One year, we took a teenager from my church. I met with his mother before we left.

She said, “I am looking at this trip to Russia as a once in a lifetime opportunity. I want him to see how the rest of the world lives, so he will appreciate the things we have in America!” She was right. It was amazing what you miss about home when you are gone. However, it is my experience, the thing team members miss the most are the relationships they have in America. What do you miss when you travel? Who do you miss when you travel?

When you pray for a loved one, be appreciative. In other words, their very presence is enough for you. Verses three and four say, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Those are positive words. How thankful are you for the people in your life? Their very presence is enough. Pray with a positive spirit when you pray for someone in your life. Are you thankful for their very presence? How would your life change if they were suddenly gone? Never take your loved ones for granted, be appreciative. This is the second one.

When you pray for a loved one, be reflective. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was born on February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. He had a hard life as a young man. He wasn’t close to his father, Samuel (1778-1851). Their relationship was difficult. Lincoln didn’t even return home when his father was near death. His biological mother died when he was nine years old. When Lincoln was ten his father married a widow from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Sarah Bush (1784-1818). She had three children of her own. However, she treated young Abraham like one of her own. Lincoln recognized her as the greatest influence in his life. From the very beginning he called her mother. She was the first one to recognize his brilliance and encouraged him to study.

When you pray for a loved one, be reflective. In other words, reflect on how that person has changed your life. Verse seven says, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” That is not a general proclamation, it is a personal comment. Paul changed their lives by introducing them to Jesus, but they changed Paul life as well. How have the people in your life improved you? Who has had the greatest influence on your life? When you pray for your loved ones, be reflective. This is number three.

When you pray for loved ones, be purpose driven. Verses nine through eleven says, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” In other words, Paul is reminding them what is important in life – Jesus!

One of the greatest challenges in life is finding your purpose. Your purpose is not necessarily your profession; the two are not necessarily the same. However, they do stand side by side. Your profession is how you make money. Your money does two things. First, it meets your needs. Second, it funds your purpose. In 1648, The Westminster Confession of Faith was finalized and has influenced the Presbyterian Church since. It says the purpose of life is to glorify God. How are you glorifying God in your life? When was the last time you prayed for someone else’s purpose? Let me end with this question.

When was the last time you prayed for a loved one? It may be an aging parent who is struggling to remain independent. It may be a child on the first day of school. It may be an adult child who is self-destructive. It may be a sibling who can’t keep a job or find love. It may be your spouse, you have a front row seat to their drama. They are tired, stressed out, sick, depressed or overwhelmed. After all, life is not easy. Have you ever prayed for a loved one’s salvation? How could you enjoy eternity without them? Those are personal prayers. I would guess most of our prayers revolve around our closest relationships. How often do you pray for the people in your life? In those prayers be appreciative, be reflective and be purpose driven. American Episcopal clergyman Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) once said, “A prayer is a wish turned Godward.”

Praying for Yourself

Years ago, before man walked on the moon, before a civil war threatened to divide our country, before Columbus discovered a New World, there was a man who spoke for God. His name means “help” or “helper,” but we simply call him Ezra. He lived during the fifth century B.C. and spoke to the people of Judah, who had returned from exile. His goal was to restore the community. Tradition tells us he wrote First and Second Chronicles in the Old Testament.

Our scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. It is a short prayer hidden in the genealogical text of Judah. The one who uttered that prayer was Jabez, who was an ancestor of the kings of Judah. Jabez means “he makes sorrowful,” because his mother had a hard time at his birth. Yet, his name did not define him. He grew up to be a doctor of the law, who was known for his noble character. In his prayer he asks for the desires of his heart. He asks for God’s protection, and asks for God to increase his wealth. Jabez is praying for himself. God answers his prayer with yes. Perhaps that is why so many are interested in his prayer. We believe in prayer, and we would like God to smile on our requests.

Did you know, according to the City Square Research Group, 85% of Americans say they use some kind of spiritual practice to connect to a higher power?

Did you know 61% of that group pray?

Did you know 50% of prayers pray when they are awakened in the morning?

Did you know 55% of prayers pray at bedtime?

Did you know 61% of prayers pray in their car?

Did you know 46% of prayers pray in their place of worship?

Did you know 87% of prayers believe they have received an answer to their prayers in the past twelve months?

Do you know of anyone who doesn’t believe in prayer?

In 2000, Multnomah Books released a book call The Prayer of Jabez. It was written by David Wilkerson (1931-2011). I remember the uproar over the book. It sold more than nine million copies. The book was popular because many believe in prayer, and everyone wants God to grant them their requests. However, Jabez’s prayer does not hold a secret formula on how to prosper, but it does raise two questions. I want to look at those two questions in this blog. These questions and thoughts are not original. They came from Thomas Tewell (born 1949) of the United Presbyterian Church. This is question number one.

Should you pray for the desires of your heart? Peter the Great (1672-1725) led Russia out of isolation. He introduced the Russian people to Europe. He grew to be a rich and powerful man. In his court there was a philosopher of outstanding ability who had little money, and he asked Peter for financial help. He was told to draw whatever he needed from the imperial treasury. But when the man requested an amount equal to $50,000, he was refused – the treasurer needing to verify that such a large sum was authorized. When he asked Peter, the ruler replied, “Pay the money at once. The philosopher has done me a singular honor. By the largeness of his request, he shows that he has understood both my wealth and generosity.”

The prayer of Jabez says, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I may be free from pain.” Jabez’s prayer illustrates for us that we should be honest with God. Those were the things he wanted. Those were the greatest dreams of his life. What is your greatest dream in your life? You have the license to share your dreams with God; He wants us to be honest with him. You need to believe in a great big God, who is generous with his blessings. Jabez asked for protection and riches, and he received it. What are the desires of your heart? The answer to every prayer is no until it is asked. Feel free to ask God for the desires of your heart. This is question number two.

What is answered prayer? I will always remember Jean as a big-hearted person. She was a friend of my sister’s. When we were young, she was always at our house. At some level, she was family. As an adult she became a foster parent to children who needed love. She taught home economics in the Youngstown City Schools in Ohio and had a passion for her students. Jean deserved better, but one day the test results came back, and she had cancer. She asked everyone to pray for her and we did. We prayed for her, until the day she died. Even though Jean wasn’t my friend, I felt the loss. On the day she was buried some say God didn’t answer our prayers. They were wrong. Just think about it for a moment.

Many experienced God through Jean’s illness. Her death changed us. We discovered what was important in life. Because of those prayers we rekindled childhood friendships. Because of those prayers she experienced the power of the church. Jean was not a church going person, but the church reached out to her. Because of those prayers, we learned to appreciate every healthy day of our lives. Because of those prayers, we learned to appreciate the people in our lives. Because of those prayers we experienced God.

Answered prayer is not getting what you want. Sometimes God answers our prayers with a “yes.” Sometimes God answers our prayers with a “no.” Sometimes God answers our prayers with a “later” and sometimes with an “are you crazy?” Never forget, prayer is cultivating a friendship with God. Answered prayer is being aligned with God’s will. The great missionary E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973) once said, “Prayer is surrender –surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will.” Our prayers are answered when we experience God.

Sir George Adam Smith (1856-1942) was a Scottish theologian. He told a story of how he and his guide were climbing the Weisshorn in the Swiss Alps. It was stormy and they were making their climb on the sheltered side of the peak. When they reached the summit, they were filled with exhilaration. Sir George forgot about the fierce winds. He leaped up and was nearly blown over the edge to the glacier below! The guide grabbed hold of him and exclaimed: “On your knees, sir. You are safe here only on your knees!” The same is true of life. We are only safe when we are on our knees. Alfred Lloyd Tennyson (1809-892) said, “Nearer than hands and feet, even than breath, that is how near God is to us when we pray.”

Never Give Up!

Our reading is Luke 18:1, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never give up.” The parable Jesus told was the parable of the persistent widow. At that time and place, widows were particularly vulnerable because pensions, government assistance and life insurance were not available to them. The only weapon this woman had in her arsenal was perseverance. In the end, the widow was rewarded for her perseverance and received justice. As with all parables there is only one point – the point of this parable is to persevere in the Christian journey. In the end, we will be rewarded for our perseverance too. Webster defines perseverance as: doing something despite difficulty or delay. We must never give up!

The word perseverance resonates in American society, because our society values persistence. It has been said many times that no one likes a quitter. We wonder about the couple who call off the marriage after a few months. We despise parents who abandon their children. We salute the retiree, who labored at the same job for decades. We marvel at the person who celebrates their one-hundredth birthday. We celebrate the couple on their gold wedding anniversary and admire the century home. We respect the farmer whose family has owned that land for generations. Many treasure a well-aged wine. Our society values things that take time. Why should the Christian life be any different?

Paul knew what Jesus knew during his earthly ministry, that there is power in perseverance because longevity has a way of changing us. Roman 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” That was Paul’s story. He endured many hardships, but he remained faithful to Jesus. I led worship for decades. I was a true pastor; I knew my people and their problems. Some faced great challenges, yet they were in worship weekly. They refused to walk away from the faith. They would agree persistence is important because it does three things. Let me look at each one.

First, persistence transforms you! Life is not easy and many times we go to God with our problems and concerns. Those times with God are valuable because it is at those times we change. God is influencing your life, and you are becoming a better person. You become a kinder person. You become a more compassionate person. You become a more loving person. Are you a better person today than you were ten years ago? How much time do you spend with God? Spending time with God will transform you.

Christian writer Max Lucado (born 1955) admits he was a closet slob. Prior to being married, a messy home never bothered him. There was always a pile of old newspapers. There was always a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The bed was never made. Everything changed when he got married. His wife, Denalyn (1956), liked a clean house. She forced him to pick up and he didn’t like it. For several years, he was in training then one day his wife announced she would be going away for a few days. He was going to miss her, but he looked forward to living like a slob again. He wasn’t going to clean or pick up things until the day before she returned. When she first left the mess began to build. It was at that moment something happened he didn’t expect. The mess began to bother him. He began to clean on his own. He was a reformed slob! His wife had changed him. The same thing happens when you spend time with God. Persistence has a way of transforming you. Never give up on the Christian journey!

Second, persistence humbles you! Looking back, there was a time in my life I was living the life of a fraud. I wanted to convey to the world my life was perfect. I was an independent thinker, who could provide for my own needs. Time taught me this simply wasn’t going to happen. I do my best to control the controllables, but there are many things in life that are out of my control. I am comfortable confessing; I am more dependent on God today than ever. I hope he is controlling my thoughts, and I know he is providing for my needs. Persistence humbles you.

In 1857, a woman by the name of Cassie Chadwick (1957-1907) was born in western Canada. At the age of 24, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio and began her career as a fraud. She always appeared to be someone she wasn’t and was excellent at it. She became famous. She defrauded several U.S. banks out of millions of dollars claiming to be the illegitimate daughter and heir of Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). When she died at the age of fifty, she went by eight different names. Sometimes things aren’t what they appear. I hope that is not your story. How has life humbled you? Are you tired of living the life of a fraud? Persistence has a way of humbling you. Never give up on the Christian journey!

Third, persistence helps you to focus on God! Philippians 3:12 says, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Keeping Jesus, the focal point of your life, is not easy. Life is filled with many distractions. Some of those distractions are challenging circumstances, illness and natural disasters. How many of our distractions are good things – our relationships, jobs, and hobbies. Those are good things, but they are not the best things in life. The best thing in life is God. Hardships and troubles remind us we have a spiritual side. Perseverance helps you focus on God.

It is my experience that people do not return to church after years of being absent because of the music program or they want to make new friends. It is my experience personal crisis leads people back to church. It may be the loss of a loved one, a health challenge, a relationship issue, or they are facing a stressful life experience, like relocating, starting a new job, or retirement. Each returning worshipper wants a stronger connection with God and inner peace. Persistence helps us focus on God. Never give up on the Christian journey!

In 1972, NASA launched the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10. The satellite’s primary mission was to reach Jupiter, photograph the planet and its moons, and beam data to earth about Jupiter’s magnetic field, radiation belts, and atmosphere. Scientists feared the asteroid belt would destroy the satellite before it could reach its target. They had nothing to fear. Pioneer 10 accomplished its mission and much, much more. Swinging past the giant planet in November 1973, Jupiter’s immense gravity hurled Pioneer 10 at a higher rate of speed toward the edge of the solar system. At one billion miles from the sun, Pioneer 10 passed Saturn. At some two billion miles, it passed Uranus; Neptune at nearly three billion miles; Pluto at almost four billion miles. By 1997, twenty-five years after its launch, Pioneer 10 was more than six billion miles from the sun. And despite that immense distance, Pioneer 10 continued to beam back radio signals to scientists on Earth. The last radio communication with Pioneer 10 was on January 23, 2003. Pioneer 10 was designed to last 21 months, yet it lasted more than 30 years.

We remember the name Pioneer 10 for one reason – it is a story of perseverance. It never gave up. How will you be remembered? Will you be remembered as one who quit the Christian journey because life was hard? Or will you be remembered as one who persevered? Jesus told the disciples years ago what he expects from us today. We must never give up!

Cultivating An Eternal Friendship

Our reading is Luke 11:1-4. It was the custom of every rabbi to teach their disciples to pray and each rabbi taught their disciples a unique prayer. For example, John the Baptist taught his disciples a specific prayer. If you knew the prayer, then you knew the rabbi; that specific prayer was their identity. Jesus’ disciples wanted a unique prayer because they wanted to be identified with Jesus. So, they asked Jesus the question in verse one, “’Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” The prayer Jesus taught the disciples has become a model of prayer for generations. Obviously, prayer is important! Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible then to be alive without breathing.” What is prayer?

Don’t think of prayer as a way of getting something you desire from God. Think of prayer as a tool used to develop a friendship with God. That shift changes everything. You know how to have friends in this world so let me ask you these two questions. First, if you treated your friends like you treat God, would you have any friends? Second, if you treated God like you treated your friends, how would your relationship with God improve? In this blog, I want to talk about three things that must be present in all your friendships, especially in your friendship with God. These thoughts are not original. They came from United Methodist’s James W. Moore (1938-2019). Each one is illustrated for us in Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer. Let me begin.

First, if you want to cultivate a friendship with God, then a spirit of gratitude must be present. Is a spirit of gratitude present in your prayers? Verses two and three say, “He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.’” Those are words of gratitude. You are anticipating God’s blessings. There is no such thing as an ungrateful Christian. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then you are striving to become like Jesus. The Master was thankful for everything. Are you thankful for everything? How many blessings in your life do you take for granted? If you want to be friends with God, then you must be thankful for everything!

I led worship in various churches for forty years. I never served a megachurch. I served small and medium size congregations. It was the custom in those churches to ask for prayer requests. Each week it was the same. Hands would fly up. People asked for all kinds of things. We prayed for replaced knees and hips. We prayed for hearts and lungs. We pray for strangers who are facing terminal illnesses and battling depression. We prayed for dogs whose noses were no longer wet and cold. The list was endless. Everyone seemed to have a prayer request, but our joys are another issue. Periodically, I would ask, “What are you thankful for today?” The reaction is completely different. Instead of hands flying in the air, I got the deer in the headlights look. There was an awkward moment of silence. After a few painful seconds the leader of the group would say something like, “I am thankful I am on the right side of the sod.” Everyone laughed and was relieved it was over. The whole scene was sad. It was not the fear of public speaking, it was the absence of a grateful heart. Jesus was thankful for the simplest things. Do your prayers reflect a spirit of gratitude? If you want to be friends with God, then you must be thankful for everything!

Second, if you want to cultivate a friendship with God, then a spirit of forgiveness must be present. Verse four says, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” No one is perfect. From time to time our friends disappoint us. It is at that moment we must decide – do we forgive the person, or do we end the friendship? If you want to have a friendship with God, then you must have a spirit of forgiveness. Do the people in your life consider you a forgiving person? When was the last time you forgave someone else? When was the last time you asked God for forgiveness?

One of the great masterpieces in the art world is Leonardo da Vinci’s (1452-1519) The Last Supper. It is said the great artist had a fight with a fellow painter during its creation. To get back at his foe Leonardo decided to paint his face on Judas Iscariot. He did so and then he turned to work on the face of Jesus. With hatred in his heart, the creative spirit of da Vinci ceased. For several days he couldn’t paint a single stroke. He knew the problem. He had to forgive the fellow painter, and he did. That night Leonardo da Vinci dreamed, and he saw the face of Jesus. That face is the face that appears as Jesus in the Last Supper. The point is clear – we can only encounter God when there is a spirit of forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Do your prayers reflect a spirit of forgiveness? If you want to be friends with God, then you must have a spirit of gratitude and forgiveness!

Third, if you want to cultivate a friendship with God, then you must have a trusting spirit. The prayer ends by saying, “lead us not into temptation.” To be led by someone means you must trust them. Do you trust God? Each one of the spiritual heroes in our faith trusted God. One example is Abraham. Do you remember his story? It is found in the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. For a lifetime Abraham and Sarah waited for a child. Isaac was born in their old age. He must have been the joy of their lives. The story should have ended on a happy note, but we are told Abraham first had to be tested. Abraham must sacrifice the most important thing in his life, Isaac. It is not a story about child abuse or human sacrifice, it is a story about trust. Abraham trusted God. How far to you trust God? Do your prayers reflect a trusting spirit? If you want to be friends with God, then you must have a spirit of gratitude, forgiveness and trust! Let me end with this story.

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) is remembered for her work with the orphans in Calcutta, India. One day, the head cook was upset because a food order hadn’t been delivered and she was expecting three hundred for lunch in less than an hour. Everyone expected Mother Theresa to contact one of her sponsors. Instead, she looked at the kitchen staff and said, “I suggest you go to the chapel and pray about this situation. They did, and ten minutes later a stranger showed up at the front door holding a clipboard. He requested to see Mother Theresa. When she arrived, he said to her, “The teachers have just gone on strike, so school has been canceled today. I have 7,000 extra lunches. Can you help us use them?” Isn’t it great when prayer is answered with a yes? I learned long ago; God hears all our prayer and answers them in four different ways. Sometimes, God says yes. Sometimes, God says no. Sometimes, God says later. Sometimes, God answers our selfish, narrow-minded prayers by saying, are you crazy? (Like when you pray for the Cleveland Browns to win the Super Bowl.) Never forget, the point of prayer is not getting what you desire. The point of prayer is cultivating a friendship with God. Danish theologian and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) said, “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”

Lessons From the Magi

Our reading is Matthew 2:1-12. It is the traditional reading for Epiphany, a word that means manifestation. It is the liturgical season which celebrates how Christ was made manifest to the world, and especially how Christ came to save all people – both Jews and Gentiles. Epiphany is annually observed on January 6. This year, Epiphany Sunday is January 5.

The Bible says Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea. So, Jesus was born five and a half miles south of Jerusalem. Matthew pinpoints the date. It was when King Herod sat on the throne. He sat on the throne for thirty-three years, from 37 – 4 B.C. He was appointed to his position by the Roman Senate. Over two thousand years later, he is still remembered for being ruthless and insecure. His insecurity led him to murder many in his family: his wife, three sons, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and uncles. It has been said, it was better to be Herod’s dog than to be his family member. In our reading for today, we learn his murderous ways extended beyond the family. You know what the Bible says.

One day, Magi, Gentile astrologers from Persia or southern Arabia, (both east of Palestine), came to visit Herod. They had been studying the stars and had discovered that God was doing something new. A baby had been born, who was called King of the Jews. They assumed the King of the Jews would be born in the palace. They assumed wrong. The infamous insecure King Herod was thrown into a tirade. His insecurity fuels the loss of more human life. The story does not have a happy ending. It pains me to say it. Using the information received from the Magi about this divine birth, he orders the death of all baby boys under the age of two. However, in the end, the Magi find the toddler Jesus, no longer a baby. That means your nativity set is wrong. They did not visit the newborn Jesus on that holy evening. They visited Jesus two years later. Verse eleven says, they went to a house, not a stable. However, our misunderstanding about when the Magi actually arrived does not mean they do not have something to teach us.

They teach us seven important lessons. These thoughts are not original. I found them in an article called Seven Lessons from The Magi: Thriving in a Threatening World. It was on Tyndale.com. I believe these lessons have some merit; I hope you agree. This is their list:

The Magi stayed open to new ideas. Isaiah 43:18-19 says,“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” The Magi understood God was always doing something new. God has always shined light into our dark world guiding us and offering direction. Are you open to new ideas?

The Magi trusted God to guide them. They knew God as all-knowing. The greats of the faith trusted God. Jesus knew Peter would deny him three times and Job believed God was guiding his future. On the cross Jesus said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” How far do you trust God?

The Magi cultivated an exceptional faith. Hebrews 11:6 says,“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” God must have been pleased with the Magi, they traveled a great distance into a foreign land. The greats of the faith have always cultivated exceptional faith. How great is your faith?

The Magi were spiritually discerning. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The star was seen by many, but only the Magi let it declare God’s Glory. It has been reported only 5% of Christians have the gift of discernment. Are you spiritually discerning?

The Magi were guided by God’s word. However, the Magi needed more than the star – they needed scripture. King Herod asked his religious scholars where the child would be born. They quoted Micah 5:2. He would be born in Bethlehem. They could have bypassed Herod if they knew scripture. How much time do you spend studying the Bible?

The Magi expected trouble. There is nothing easy about life, it is filled with troubles. We find it in our reading. Our story tells us Herod was troubled and all of Jerusalem with him. The Magi expected trouble because troubles are a part of life. Our troubles remind us to persevere and hold on to the faith. How firm is your hold on the Christian faith?

The Magi lived fearlessly. Our story ends with the Magi being warned in a dream to return home by another route. This reminds us that God was bigger than Herod. It still holds true today – God is all-powerful, God is bigger than any problem we will face, so live fearlessly. Are you living fearlessly or are you afraid?

As I stated earlier, Epiphany is January 6. Orthodox Christmas is January 7. There are more than 200 million Orthodox Christians in the world. They follow the Julian calendar, unlike most Christian branches which follow the Gregorian calendar. For several years, I had the good fortune of being in the Orthodox world during their Christmas. Annually, I would be part of a volunteer in mission team to Russia. Those trips were sponsored by To Russia with Love, later Project Orphan Outreach. We worked with Russian orphans who would never be adopted because of their physical disabilities. I cherish those memories.

One year, we were in Vladimir, Russia, which is 125 miles northeast of Moscow. On Orthodox Christmas Eve we wandered into the local Russia Orthodox Church. The scene was memorable. The congregation stood as the priest led worship in Russian. I didn’t understand a single word. The incense was thick. The locals studied us, because, as Americans, we stuck out like sore thumbs. The customs and traditions of Orthodoxy were unknown to me. We were strangers in a foreign land. Yet, the presence of the Holy Spirit was familiar to me. For some unknown reason God wanted me there. However, it is not just the story of a volunteer-in-missions team in the middle of Russia.

It is the story of the Magi. They too were visitors in a foreign land. They had traveled a long way, and everything must have been strange, but God wanted them there. There were many things they did not know, especially about Jesus. They did not know what the future held for Jesus. They did not know the impact Jesus would have on the world, but they knew there was something special about him. The Magi did not see it on that day, but we see it now.

When Jesus was born the future of the world changed. In the name of Jesus, many wonderful things have happened. In the name of Jesus, wonderful pieces of art would be created, and books would be written. In the name of Jesus, hospitals would be started to help the sick. In the name of Jesus, orphanages would be established to help the young without parents. In the name of Jesus, homes would be established to help the old. In the name of Jesus, the hungry would be fed and the homeless sheltered. In the name of Jesus, churches would be started to teach the Christian faith and offer salvation and hope. In the name of Jesus, injustice would be confronted. And there is a truth beyond that: for millions of people who have believed since, the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life, but a new way of living it. The Magi traveled a long way to see Jesus, and it was worth every mile! Perhaps Augustine of Hippo (354-430) said it best, “Though many kings of the Jews had been born and died, none of them did the Magi seek to adore. And so they who came from a distant foreign land to a kingdom that was entirely strange to them…But they had learnt that such a King was born that by adoring Him they might be sure of obtaining from Him the salvation which is of God.”

The War is Over!

When the Civil War ended there was a great deal of hatred in America. Some feared the hatred would never end. However, time has a way of healing old wounds. In time, former General of the Union forces and former President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) died. Four years later, former President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) died. Their widows, Julia Grant (1826-1902) and Varina Davis (1826-1906) lived on and settled near each other. As fate would have it, they became close friends. They did something their husbands failed to do, they modeled peace for a new generation. This is the good news – Jesus came to offer us spiritual peace. That takes us to our reading.

Our reading is 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. The Apostle Paul wrote these words in the year 55 AD, which means he wrote them a year after he wrote First Corinthians. Much has been written about the vastness of the city of Corinth. It was both a political and commercial giant. It is impossible to overstate the diversity of Corinth. In our time, diversity often leads to conflict, yet that is not what Paul addresses. Instead, Paul talks about reconciliation. Webster defines reconciliation as the restoration of a friendly relation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to him through Christ.” He understood that Jesus brings three kinds of reconciliation. In this blog I want to examine each one.

The first kind of peace Christ offers is peace with God. It is a personal peace. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” On the day I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I experienced one emotion – it wasn’t joy, it was relief. The battle was over. I was at peace with God, and I knew I was going to heaven when I died. My personal desires were replaced by living for God.

In 1555, English bishop Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555) was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley’s execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed early. He knew he was going to meet Jesus the next day because he was at peace with God. How did you sleep last night? Are you at peace with God? The war is over!

The second kind of peace Christ offers is the peace of God; it is a trusting peace. According to the Bible, the peace of God is a harmony of calmness of body, mind, and spirit that comes from trusting in the power of God. The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” embodies wholeness, completeness, and love. In the Christian context, it is associated with Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In a few days, we will begin a new year. Our world is facing some massive challenges. The list is not small. There is climate change, global poverty, inequality, armed conflict, hunger, water security, lack of access to healthcare and education, and human rights issues. I find that list humbling. There is very little I can do to help any of these issues, but I have the peace of God. I believe God is all knowing and all powerful. I believe God will address these issues in his time. I live with the peace of God. Do you? The war is over!

The third kind of peace is peace with others. Not everyone was happy when poet Elizabeth Barrett (1806-1861) married Robert Browning (1812-1889) in 1846. Her father did not approve, so the marriage was performed in secret. After the wedding the Browning’s sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Sadly, they never replied. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored. How many people do you know who can relate to the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story? Can you relate to the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story?

For many people the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story is the story of Christmas. Is anyone in your life an expert at holding a grudge? They just can’t forget or move on? The event may have happened years ago, the details may have gotten fuzzy. At some

point the details stopped mattering. Only “the principle” mattered. Pride has set in and forged a wedge between the two parties. One party is always going to teach the other party a lesson. The truth is no one ever wins in those situations; no one ever learns a lesson. The only thing that really happens is opportunities are lost and loneliness wins. Both parties demonstrate their smallness. It takes a big person to initiate reconciliation.

Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called the children of God.” If you applied Jesus’ lessons to your relationships, then how many of your relationships would improve? Are you at peace with others?

This is the good news of Christmas. Our great big God has made the first move to resolve the conflict between Him and the world, but also the conflict between Him and you. Listen to what the choir of angels said in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” In other words, Jesus came to end the conflict between us and God. We hear it more clearly in Second Corinthians 5:19, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” That is part of the Good News of Christmas. The war is over. Jesus came into the world to end the conflict with the world. The God of the universe wants to have a relationship with you!

Wouldn’t it be nice if you modeled peace for your world? Wouldn’t it be nice to settle the war that is waging in your heart? Jesus makes it possible. Wouldn’t it be nice to live at peace with God? Wouldn’t it be nice to live in peace with others? Jesus came to offer reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to him through Christ.” The war is over!

Christmas’ Spiritual Side

Our scripture reading is John 1:1-14. It is one of the traditional readings on Christmas Eve. However, John does not mention Mary and Joseph. John does not mention taxation or Bethlehem. John does not mention the shepherds or the angels. John is not interested in telling the story of how it happened. He is more interested in why it happened. John gives us Christmas’ spiritual side. Verse fourteen says it clearly, “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In other words, John wants us to understand the incarnation. God left the perfection of heaven to enter this imperfect world. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) said the incarnation of God is beyond all human understanding. Your understanding of the incarnation is important for three reasons.

First, the incarnation reveals the heart of God. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God came into the world to tell us that me loves us!

The great Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) told the story of a prince who was running an errand for his father one day in the local village. As he did so, he passed through a very poor section of town. Looking through the window of his carriage, he saw a beautiful young peasant girl walking along the street. He was infatuated with her. He was so infatuated with her he continued to go to town, day after day, just to see her and to feel as though he was near her. His heart yearned for her, but there was a problem. How could he develop a relationship with her? He had several options. He could order her to marry him. It was in his power to do so. But he wanted this girl to love him from the heart, willingly. He could put on his royal garments and impress her with his regal entourage and drive up to her front door with soldiers and a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this, he would never be certain that the girl loved him or was simply overwhelmed with his power, position and wealth. The prince came up with another solution. He moved into the village dressed as a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time, the young peasant girl grew to know him, and then to love him. That is the story of Christmas. God came into our world to tell us he loves us!

Second, the incarnation reveals our greatest human need. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God understands what many in our time have forgotten. It has been written, “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.”

Sitting majestically atop the highest hill in Toledo, Spain, is the Alcazar, a 16th-century fortress. In the civil war of the 1930s, the Alcazar became a battleground when the Loyalists tried to oust the Nationalists, who held the fortress. During one dramatic episode of the war, the Nationalist leader received a phone call while in his office at the Alcazar. It was from his son, who had been captured by the Loyalists. The ultimatum: If the father didn’t surrender the Alcazar to them, they would kill his son. The father weighed his options. After a long pause and with a heavy heart, he said to his son, “Then die like a man.”

Jesus died like a man. The nativity is a majestic scene, but Jesus’ death was not easy to watch. However, it is impossible to separate the baby in the manger from the Savior on the cross thirty-three years later. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died so we could live. The incarnation reveals our greatest human need – forgiveness!

Third, the incarnation reveals God’s mysterious ways. 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” From the very beginning God’s plan to save the world had been a mystery; the incarnation reveals the mystery of God’s plan.

The Hebrew world waited for generations for the coming Messiah. They knew he was going to be something special! They dreamed of his greatness, but they almost missed him because he was so common. The nativity is filled with common people, who make the birth special. When the announcement was given by the angel it was given to common laborers in the fields, not to the religious elite. When the Messiah was born, he was entrusted to a common couple, not to royalty. From the world’s perspective there is nothing special about Mary and Joseph. Two years later, when the Magi appear after following the star, they seek him out in a palace. They assumed a king would be born in a palace, but they found him in a barn. God has always trusted common people.

What are you going to do to advance God’s plan in your life? I know that is an intimidating question. I know it raises your insecurities. You feel like you are nothing special, which makes you perfect for God’s service. The incarnation reveals God’s mystery of God’s ways! Let me end with this story.

Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959) was making one of his great epic movies. He had six cameras at various points to pick up the overall action and five other cameras set up to film plot developments involving the major characters. The large cast had begun rehearsing their scene at 6 a.m. They went through it four times and now it was late afternoon. The sun was setting and there was just enough light to get the shot done. DeMille looked over the panorama, saw that all was right, and gave the command for action. One hundred extras charged up the hill; another hundred came storming down the same hill to do mock battle. In another location Roman centurions lashed and shouted at two hundred slaves who labored to move a huge stone monument toward its resting place. Meanwhile the principal characters acted out, in close-up, their reactions to the battle on the hill. It took fifteen minutes to complete the scene. When it was over, DeMille yelled, “Cut!” and turned to his assistant, all smiles. “That was great!” he said. “It was C.B.,” the assistant yelled back. “It was fantastic! Everything went off perfectly!” Enormously pleased, DeMille turned to face the head of his camera crew to find out if all the cameras had picked up what they had been assigned to film. He waved to the camera crew supervisor. From the top of the hill, the camera supervisor waved back, raised his megaphone, and called out, “Ready when you are, C.B!” They didn’t film a single thing!

Don’t let that story be your Christmas. It is a wonderful scene – there have been colored lights and holiday decorations; there have been cards and gifts; there have been special music and parties. It has been a glorious season, but don’t miss what God is trying to tell you. Christmas is not just about the birth of a baby that came into the world two thousand years ago. It is about God, himself, taking human form to experience all that we experience. He came to reveal his heart. He came to reveal his plan. He came to reveal our great need. Christmas is about the incarnation of God. Founder of the great Methodist movement John Wesley (1703-1791) may have said it best, “Best of all is, God is with us!”

December 19, 1974

One of the great names in French history is Napoleon Bonaparte (1756-1821). History tells us his soldiers were extremely devoted to him. During one of his battles, one of his marshals was mortally wounded in battle. As death drew near, he sent for Napoleon, believing he could do anything. He earnestly pleaded with his leader to save his life. The emperor sadly shook his head and turned away. But as the dying man felt the cold, merciless hand of death drawing him irresistibly behind the curtain of the unseen world, he was still heard to shriek out, “Save me, Napoleon! Save me!” In the hour of death, that soldier discovered that even the powerful Napoleon could not give him physical life. There is only one name that will save you. His name is Jesus. That takes us to our scripture reading.

In the second chapter of Luke, we find one of the great scenes in the Bible. Every church visits it annually. The shepherds are out in the fields in the hillside surrounding Jerusalem. For the shepherds the day was nothing special, until an angel appeared to announce the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. Luke 2:11 quotes the angel, “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.” Did you hear what the angel said? A Savior had been born. Later we are told the baby would be named Jesus. The name Jesus means, “The Lord is salvation.” There is no way to talk about Jesus and not bring up the complex topic of salvation. In this blog, I want to talk about Jesus as our Savior. Consider these three things with me. They are not original. They came from Rick Warren (born 1954) of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

First, Jesus came to save us from sin. Romans 8:23 says, “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” In other words, you are a sinner. Everyone you know, regardless of their nice personality and good deeds, is a sinner. We cannot help sinning; it is all part of the human experience. It is a flaw each person carries from Adam. You will never discover your sinfulness comparing yourself to others. You will discover your sinfulness when you compare yourself to Jesus. However, Jesus came to save us from our sins.

Second, Jesus came to save us by his grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” In other words, your good deeds are not enough. There is nothing you can do to earn your salvation. It is a gift. It isn’t just true for you; it is true for everyone. We are saved by grace and by grace, alone.

Third, Jesus came to save us for a purpose. Ephesians 1:11-12 says, “In him we were also chosen,having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” In other words, we are not to just live our lives waiting to die to go to heaven. Once saved, you are to live in a way that is pleasing to God, responding to human need and thanking God for his grace. Jesus came to save us for a purpose. Is the way you are living pleasing God?

On July 2, 1505, Martin Luther (1483-1546) was traveling back to school after visiting his home and family. On that day, he was a law student at Erfurt University in Germany. History tells us a great thunderstorm struck as he traveled. A lightning bolt nearly hit him. Terrified, Luther knelt and cried out, “Help! Saint Anna. If I survive I will become a monk.” Those words not only changed Martin Luther’s life, but the history of Western Civilization. He was good to his word and went into the ministry. Luther considered that experience his conversion experience, the day he was saved. Do you have a date you can point to and say that was the day that you were saved?

My date is December 19, 1974. It was on that date I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. That means I will celebrate my fiftieth birthday as a Christian in a few days. I have told my story many times to many churches. I was led to Christ by a friend during my senior year of high school. She told me how Christ died on the cross for my sins. All I needed to do was accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. I did. There is no drama in my story, but it was a pivotal moment in my life. Everything good in my life can be traced back to that experience. I have always been humbled God called someone like me into the ministry. However, in the past fifty years, I have learned having a date is not as important as being saved.

While my friend uttered the words on that day, many played a role in my conversion. I was fortune to have been born into a Christian home. Central Christian Church in Warren, Ohio was not just a holiday experience, it played a major role in my life. The church supported Christian education programs to teach me about the faith. I have fond memories of patient Sunday School teachers, youth group advisers and sincere ministers. One of my cherished possessions is the Bible I received from that church in the fifth grade. Each one of those people set the tone for my conversion. However, there is more.

Looking back, I can see my conversion was not just a one-day experience, but a lifelong journey. I am thankful for the people who prayed for me when I enrolled at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. I am thankful for the people of the Pleasant Grove Christian Church in Lancaster, Kentucky who encouraged me in every possible way during my seminary years. Without them, I would have never entered the ministry. I am thankful for the people of the old Morristown charge in the East Ohio Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, who helped me during the darkest days of my life. Daily, I am thankful for my wife Kathryn who loved me at a time when I had nothing, and who saw something in me the rest of the world ignored. I am thankful for my children who I refuse to disappoint. My family has made me a better Christian. I am thankful for the people of the Western Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield, Ohio who gave me the freedom to do ministry my way for decades. I am thankful for the countless people who prayed for me and helped me when I was sick and recovering from surgery several years ago. I am thankful for my grandchildren who give me a purpose today. It has been a wild ride, and it all began on December 19, 1974.

For on that day Jesus took centerstage in my life. I see it clearly now. My conversion experience had a ripple effect on my whole life. On that day, I knew I was going to heaven, but I didn’t know how Jesus would influence my time in this world. Salvation is more than a date. It is a lifelong experience. This is the question you must answer. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Martin Luther once said, “The life of Christianity consists of possessive pronouns. It is one thing to say, “Christ is a Savior”; it is quite another thing to say, “He is my Savior and my Lord.”

Our Great God

In 1715, King Louis XIV (1638-1715) of France died. He reigned for 72 years. He called himself “the Great.” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular. As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a special candle set above his coffin to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663-1742) began to speak. He slowly reached down, snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great!” Some things don’t change. God is still great! That takes us to the Old Testament.

Our reading is 2 Kings 5:1-14. The main character in the story is Naaman. He was respected by all because he was the Commander of the Syrian army. His future seemed bright, until he contracted leprosy. In our time, leprosy is treatable, but not in Naaman’s time. He had a big problem and there was no earthly help. His association with the king could not help him. His professional success could not help him. His fame could not help him. His personal wealth could not help him. His bright future suddenly turned dark. His future was filled with isolation and death. With no other option, he turned to God, the great one.

This blog is written for anyone who has ever had a big problem. That means this blog is written for everyone because life is not easy. Life is hard and is filled with many big problems. Those are times we need God because our resources are not big enough. What is the greatest problem in your life? Be thankful that we believe in a great God. If God could raise Jesus from the dead, then God can handle any problem that you have in your life. Naaman models for us what we must do the next time we are facing a big problem. Consider these three things with me.

First, when you are facing a big problem seek God. Naaman had everything in life. Verse one says, “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. (Aram was the King of Syria.) He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” In other words, he had it all. Naaman had no need for God until he contracted leprosy. How many people do you know have no need for God until a big problem invades their lives? I have witnessed this many times. When life is good, we have no time for God. When life is hard, we turn to God. God uses crises in our lives to get our attention and show us what is important.

Studies tell us people start coming to church because of a change or a pain in their lives. They move to a new area and need new friends. Their children are just starting college, and they are home alone. Their marriage is going through some hard times. The diagnosis wasn’t good. A mother or a father has just died. They come to church for the first time in a long time because they are seeking God! Naaman was seeking God because his life was about to change. When facing a big problem, seek God.

Second, when you have a big problem submit to God. He received permission from his king to travel to Israel. Verse five says he took a large sum of money with him expecting to pay a king’s ransom for the healing. Upon his arrival he discovers two things. First, the prophet he seeks is not in the court of the King of Israel. Second, his money is worthless. His healing cannot be bought. His healing must be earned through submission. He must go dunk himself in the Jordan River seven times. It would have been easier to pay the money because the Jordan River was muddy. Naaman would have to humble himself. To make things worse, he would have to dunk himself seven times in the Jordan River to be healed.

Australian explorer Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) once said, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” Submitting to the will of God is one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your life as a disciple. The reason is, God does not always address a problem in the way you expect. Naaman took his checkbook to Israel expecting to buy a miracle. How many times has God responded to your big problem in a surprising way? It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. When you have a big problem, submit to God.

Third, when you have a big problem in your life, trust God. God can be seen in this story from beginning to end. God used many people in this single healing. There were the words of the servant girl, the King of Syria, the King of Israel, the prophet Elijah and, and finally, Naaman’s own servants. He would have traveled back to Syria without a healing without them. He didn’t really want to submit himself to God, but he did in the end because of the encouraging words of his servants. He dunked himself seven times in the Jordan and he was healed. Have you ever wondered how Naaman felt after the six dunks without a healing? Do you think he still trusted God? How far do you trust God?

History tells us the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968) was the first man to fly in space. After the end of the Cold War some of Russia’s cosmonauts revealed the pressures under which he operated. For example, Gagarin’s spacecraft was armed with an explosive charge which could be detonated by a radio signal. The Russians wanted to ensure Gagarin wouldn’t defect by re-entering earth’s atmosphere anywhere but over Soviet territory. So the explosives were rigged. British film producer Jerome Blattner (1909-2002) once said, “A person who trusts no one can’t be trusted.” The next time you have a big problem seek God, submit to God, and trust God.

Only a few humans have been fortunate enough to journey into space, and it seems that the experience can be life changing. James Irwin (1931-1991) was an astronaut on the Apollo 15 mission. He got to see the earth while standing on the moon and it reshaped his view of the world forever. Here’s how earth appeared to Irwin from space: “That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger, it would crumble and fall apart.” He saw our world from God’s perspective. Consider this – the same God that holds our world in one hand is the same God that wants a personal relationship with you. Seek God, submit to God, trust God. After all, God is Great!

Your Servant Is Listening

Our reading is from I Samuel 3:1-10. The people of Israel have settled back into a lax lifestyle. Their attitude toward God and His vision for them as a nation had become indifferent. Their leader, the high priest, Eli, was old. Unless something happened the reigns of leadership will be passed to his two wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. The only bright spot in the whole story is a boy named Samuel. His name means “asked of God.” He had been entrusted to Eli a decade earlier by his mother, Hannah. In time the tables turned, it is Samuel who now cares for the old man’s needs. Surprisingly, God speaks to Samuel and breaks the silence. Here is an interesting question.

Why did God speak to Samuel? Why didn’t God speak to the old priest, Eli? Why didn’t God speak to Eli’s sons who were in the prime of their lives? Perhaps a better question is, why doesn’t God speak to us? For years, I would utter the same prayer before I would preach. “Dear Father, we have grown weary of human voices and human opinions. Father, what we really want is a word from you.” Why is a word from the Lord so rare? In this blog, I want to look at three qualities Samuel had in his life that made him attractive to God. They take the form of three words. Perhaps God isn’t speaking to our society because we lack these qualities.

The first word is the word others. God speaks to those people who are concerned about other people. God is frustrated with people who live for themselves. It is hard to see God when your eyes are fixed on yourself. Samuel illustrates that fact for us. Why did Samuel assume the voice of God he heard was Eli? There are two reasons. First, this was the first time God had spoken to him and he did not know God’s voice. Second, a large part of Samuel’s life was caring for the aging Eli. He didn’t just live for himself, he lived for someone else, Eli, and he heard a word from the Lord.

I am proud of many things I did in the ministry. One of those things is sending youth on an annual mission trip. The camps were sponsored by a youth organization called Group. The goal was to help people in need and to help young people experience Jesus. We did it for over twenty years at Western Reserve. Twice we co-hosted a camp within a few miles from our church building in Youngstown, Ohio. Those trips were life-changing for everyone involved.

Every year I would be at the church when the youth returned from a trip. The scene was always the same. They would get out of the vans and act like they were returning from war – they were limping and tired. However, something special always happened, they would tell me about the week. They told me about the funny things that happened. They would tell me how hard they worked. They would tell me about the people they met in their small work group from around the country. They would tell me about the people they helped – the poor widow, the young mother with cancer, the crippled veteran. All the residences they worked on were considered substandard housing. They would tell those stories with a smile, and end by saying, “you should have been there!” Those stories were not unique to just the youth, it is true of everyone who gets involved in missions. It is the same for all the mission trips – local, regional, national and international. There is something about walking in some else’s shoes that changes you. When you get your ears off the details of your life, it changes you. How much time do you spend worrying about yourself and your loved ones? How much time do you spend worrying about a stranger? Maybe that is why a word from the Lord is so rare? God speaks to us when we are concerned with someone else’s needs. Samuel was concerned about Eli. The first word is others.

The second word is the word opportunity. God speaks to people who put themselves in position to hear Him. Samuel positioned himself to hear God. Do you remember the story? God spoke to Samuel three times before Eli discerned God’s voice. The old priest instructed the boy to go back to bed and wait on the Lord. If the Lord speaks again then say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” In other words, Samuel positioned himself to receive God’s word. When was the last time you positioned yourself for a word from the Lord?

We live busy, fast-paced lives. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends 9.8 hours a day sleeping, 5.15 hours a day in leisure, 3.56 hours a day working, and 1.92 hours a day on household activities. That comes to a total of 20.43 hours each day. What are you going to do with the rest of your day? How many of the remaining 3.57 hours each day are you planning on spending with God? It is not an easy question to answer. I am convinced we make time for the things that are important to us. How important is God to you? How much time are you planning on spending with God? Samuel positioned himself to listen to God. Are you positioning yourself to hear God? Are you giving God an opportunity to speak to you? The second word is opportunity.

The third word is the word obedient. Maybe the word should be disobedient? Let me say this clearly – God does speak to us! One of the ways is through the Bible. That is why the Bible is so wonderful. The Bible is filled with God’s word and contains wonderful models for holy living. The problem is the way we view the Bible. Most people read the Bible like they are at a garage sale. They select only the parts that are pleasing to them and reject the rest. Samuel said in verse ten, “Speak your servant is listening.” In other words, Samuel was open to God’s word and God’s leading. God’s vision for him became a priority in his life. Can the same thing be said about you?

There is an old preaching story about a church that received a pastor. On his first Sunday, the congregation gathered excitedly and expectantly. Everyone was suitably impressed afterward. “My, how well he spoke” remarked one. “A superb sermon to be sure. If he keeps this up, we’re in for a treat” remarked another. Keep it up the new pastor did. For the following week he preached the same sermon. The people were puzzled, but generously surmised that it had probably been too busy a week to prepare a new sermon, with moving into a new house and meeting all the people. Yet he preached the original sermon the following week as well, and the week after that. The people were very concerned, and the church leadership decided it was time to confront their new pastor. They met him after the service and asked whether he had any other sermons or whether he planned to preach the same one for his entire ministry.” I certainly hope not,” said the pastor. “I plan on preaching a new sermon, once you put the first one into practice.”

All the spiritual disciplines mean nothing if we are not open to God’s word for us. Preaching and Bible study mean nothing as long as our opinions are more important than God’s word. Preaching and Bible study are not entertainment, they are God’s word to you. Do you really care what God has to say to you? Scottish theologian and preacher Peter T. Forsythe (1848-1921) was right when he said, “The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master”. Why is a word from the Lord so rare? Perhaps, one of the reasons is we really don’t care what God has to say? The first word was others. The second word is opportunity. The third world is obedience. I end with this story.

Our 32^nd President, Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work! We are proud of you! God bless you, sir!” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were truly heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.” 30^th President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) once said, “No man ever listened himself out of a job.”

Listening to other people is a complex topic. Sometimes we don’t listen because we don’t hear. The Food and Drug Agency, tells us approximately 28.8 million Americans would benefit from wearing hearing aids. Sometimes we don’t hear what is being said because we are preoccupied. I am in this category. You can talk to me, and I don’t hear a word, because I am thinking about something else. Sometimes we don’t hear because we are guilty of selective hearing. That is when we hear what is being said, but we refuse to accept it. Like when your doctor tells you at your annual physical to diet and exercise. You hear the words but dismiss them. Listening to other people is a complex topic.

Listening to God is even more complex. Samuel knew how to listen. He heard God because, he was more concerned with others than himself. He heard God because he gave God an opportunity to speak to him. He heard God and was open to God’s leading. God is speaking to you. Are you listening?