MY EASTER THOUGHTS

Lost
In self
And steeped in sin.

Far
From God.
No peace within.

Guilt
I knew
And shame I felt.

Hope
Was gone;
Alone I dwelt.

Death
Was mine,
For a Godless way.

Hell
I earned;
My price to pay.

Love
He knew
For all the world.

Grace
From God
To earth was hurl'd.

Life,
He lived
And Life He gave.

Blood
He shed
For me to save.

Cross,
The grave,
And Risen Lord;

Lamb
Of God,
By God's Own Word!

by James D. Foster
     April 25, 2011


This past week has been one filled with duties, responsibilities and blessings galore.  I hope that time with your family, friends and church activities have been a real joy.

As you have shared your time and food with others over the Easter holidays, I wish you would also share your thoughts with us.

Please add your comments below.  I will enjoy responding.

FAMILY PICTURES

During the last year or so, I have been trying to deal with a challenge that has proven to be much bigger than I anticipated.  It all started while in the process of preparing for a family reunion the weekend of July 4, 2010.  If you have looked at my profile, or "about me" in this blog, you must have become aware that I'm from a large family. 

Not only are we a large family but we have always been very close.  This closeness (and number of relatives) has produced an unbelievable amount of pictures.  Each of us, (including the aunts and uncles, cousins [1st, 2nd, etc.], grand parents and grand children), has kept his/her own photographs.  Every one of us seem to have scores of albums and boxes and boxes of pictures to remember, to entertain and to share on any occasion we are together.

Picture taking has changed drastically in recent years also--from "Brownies", to 35mm and now to digital cameras.  The digital has become a phenomenon itself--with adjustments for before and after snapping a shot.  Add this to the ability many have with a computer for scanning, storing and organizing pictures and it is far more than most of us ever imagined.

All of this allows me to say that, believe it or not, I have over 12,000 pictures stored in various folders and categories both on my hard drive and in the cloud (or is it "over the rainbow?").  Now I'm able to look at them; share them without sending a box of prints; and find a particular photo without searching all day long.

I have always been sentimental and as the years keep coming faster and faster, the sentimentality does, too.  So, typically, as I look at some of our family pictures, the lumps in my throat get bigger and the tears begin to seep out easier.  As I look at albums that include my deceased parents, or events that hold special memories, keeping my composure is difficult, to say the least.

Earlier today, as I was reviewing some of those photo files and the "sentimental ole me" started reacting, something special came to mind.  One of my all time favorite scripture passages is Hebrews, chapters 11,12 and 13.  It began to dawn on me that reading chapter 11, the "faith chapter," was very much like looking at a family album.  So, naturally, I had to read the passage again today (in two versions, I might add).  And, just as naturally, the "sentiment" took over as I "looked" at my "faith family."

I love my family and am realizing, more every day, just how special they are.  I want to know more about them, keep in touch with them and share with them.  Just in case you are part of my long list of "kin folks", please know that I think the world of you.

Just in case you aren't part of my earthly family, I would love to have you (if your aren't already) as a part of my spiritual, "faith family."  The lumps in my throat, the tears in my eyes and the unspeakable joy in my heart well up as I picture you and I as part of "the family of God."

As I review the family albums of my "faith family," both in Hebrews, chapter 11 and the "faith family of God," the words that begin the 12th chapter are even more meaningful.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV).

Are you part of "the family of God?"

You can be!

Your comments below are helpful and appreciated.

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN GROWTH

Growing as a Christian is emphasized in the New Testament by almost every writer.  Paul taught this incessantly in such scriptures as II Timothy 2:15.  To the young preacher, he said, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..." (KJV).  Peter closed his second epistle with the plea to all Christians, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (KJV).  Jesus is recorded by John in his gospel, chapter 5, verse 39, "Search the scriptures...they are they which testify of me." (KJV).  Acts 17:11 tells of the Bereans who received Christ under Paul.  "They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (KJV).

Are you still growing as a Christian?


Do you long to know more of His Word?


Development in one's relationship with the Lord comes not only from reading and studying the Bible and by talking with Him.  It also comes through reading the works of Christian writers, studying and worshiping with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25) and by living daily in the wisdom He gives us (Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV).

I am sharing with you today some of the resources I use on my computer.  Most of us are, at least, computer literate--not necessarily geeks.  We can take advantage of search engines to find other available material.  Most of you probably know how to go to various sites or even bookmark (make a favorite) internet addresses for frequent visits.  Below are some of the internet addresses I go to frequently that you may find useful.

1. http://www.ccel.org 
     Christian Classics Etheral Library
     books, commentaries, church history, etc.
     questions/answers, meditations, groups

     I especially recommend you Browse under authors and select E. M. Bounds.  You are able to read any of
     his books on prayer.  They are short but filled with growth material!

2.  http://www.godrules.net
     books listed by authors
     complete commentaries by well known scholars, i.e., Matthew Henry, John Wesley, Martin Luther, John
     Calvin, etc.

3.  http://www.studylight.org
     concordances, Bible dictionaries, etc.
     great resources for free or recommendations for purchase.

4.  http://www.philipyancey.com
     His site and his occasional blogs are thoughtful, both deep and practical.  His books are exceptional,
     especially those on prayer or grace.  I have found many of them in my local library.
     Keeping your mind filled with good Christian writings will help you devotionally.

5.  http://www.wemccumber.com
     A site for one of the most devout, interesting and practical men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.    
     His life, books, poetry, devotionals and studies--all will help you grow closer to God.

I sincerely pray that this One Christian's Sharing some of his resources will be of benefit to you in your growth.

What are some of your favorite Christian books or devotionals?


Who are some of your favorite Christian authors?


Your comments are always helpful.


Share your resources with the rest of us, if you will.
     (After all, we are in this together!)

3 STEPS TO AN ORGANIZED PRAYER PLAN

Several readers have commented in various ways to my last post.  I requested help in coming up with an organized prayer plan.  Since the needs are so great--families and friends, churches and communities, nation and world, societies and governments--we must have a plan that will cover all of these.  In addition, the organizational part of our plan must be detailed enough to keep our plan running smoothly.  Surely then, the more details and specifics we put into our plan, the more effective our prayer lives will be...

WRONG!!!  That idea seems to just bog most of us down.  Conversely, the most prevalent suggestions and most helpful means used by most of you who commented, were very simple and succinct.  For those who actually pray as a regular ministry, the plans involved Three (3) Simple Steps.

STEP ONE--SET A TIME


None of us will ever have an organized prayer plan without setting time for praying.


I don't mean by this a certain amount of time.  For a very few of us the amount of time is not a problem--but very few.  And, for those who may have plenty of time available, they are not likely--all of a sudden--to start spending lots of time praying.  For some, an hour per day may be realistic.  For others, it may be difficult to find five minutes straight in any given day.

Most of us will probably be fresher in early mornings before the day gets too busy.  Many are not naturally morning persons.  Shift workers will not always have the same times available.  Very few will be able to set the same amount of time at the same time of day routinely.

All of us, however, (barring illness or other occasional circumstances) can set aside some time during every day.  That is assuming, of course, we want to.  Legitimate excuses not to pray regularly can always be found.

Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:7 (KJV), "Pray without ceasing."  Find some time to pray daily.

STEP TWO--MAKE A LIST


None of us are likely to be very organized in our prayer plans unless we record for whom, for what and why we are praying.


James 5:16b (KJV) reads as follows, "The effectual fervent pray of a righteous man availeth much."  More often than not, the "fervent" and "righteous man" conditions are emphasized.  But, the word "effectual" means "having effectiveness."  Praying in a general manner about general needs will never be "effectual."

With a list we can
     1.  Remember the need (i.e., the person, the event, the circumstance, etc.)

We can't rely on our memories all the time.  Nor do we usually try.  We usually make a list when going to the grocery store.  We usually follow a recipe when preparing a meal or a special dessert.

     2.  Categorize the needs (i.e., for one's salvation, illness, wisdom, etc.)

Know what you're praying for specifically.  I recall no prayer recorded in the entire Bible that is a "Lord, Bless everybody" or "Lord, Heal everybody" kind of prayer.  Nor do I recall those kinds of prayers being answered.

Continuing with James 5:17-18, James recorded that "Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not...And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain." (KJV)  He prayed specifically.  A list of needs with categories will help.

     3.  Record when we prayed, with results as God answers.  This suggests that a journal of some sort is a good way to keep our list.  This could be your computer or a notebook or a legal pad.  But, keep a record.

STEP THREE--FOCUS


We may develop an organized prayer plan, but we will never be effective until we focus, with real compassion.


Our focus should be on our mission of prayer.  That mission is to present the needs we know about to the only One Who can meet those needs.  Jesus taught us about this focus.  Luke tells about it in Luke 9:51.  Jesus' mission was to make redemption available for all mankind.  In fulfilling that mission, He had to go to Jerusalem, where He would be crucified, resurrected and then ascend to heaven again.  Luke said, "..When the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51b KJV).  He steadfastly set His face!  Look up the word steadfastly.  That's real focus.

Time and again, before Jesus performed miracles or other great deeds, the Scripture tells us "He had compassion."  (See  Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 15:32, Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:41, Mark 5:19, Mark 6:34, Mark 8:2, Luke 7:13.)  He accomplished His mission on earth by staying focused on it and never lost His compassion.  For us to have an effective, organized prayer plan, we must do the same.

Do you have such a plan?
Are you maintaining it on a daily basis?
If not, I challenge you to begin today.
I am convinced that the more you pray, the more you want to pray.
Let me hear from you with your results, with your answered prayers.
Share with others to encourage them.
And, by all means, please add me to your list.

AN ORGANIZED PRAYER PLAN?

Every day that God grants me life and breath, I am learning of more reasons to pray.  There is hardly a thought that passes through my mind that does not present more people, individuals and groups, with occasions and events that need God's help.  With those needs for God's help, there is the overwhelming need for someone to lift them up to Him.  I sincerely want to be a part of that solution.

I have read--and, in all probability, so have you--of the great prayer warriors of the Bible.  To name a few--Moses, the great intercessor for the Israelites;  David, writer of prayer Psalms as well as praise Psalms;  Paul, who taught "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17); or James, half brother of Jesus, who taught "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much" (James 5:16b KJV).  In more recent history, there is Hudson Taylor, David Brainerd or E. M. Bounds.  But, reading about and being inspired by others is not enough.  We need to be pray-ers, too.

This is the purpose of my blog today.  I no longer can rely on my mind to jog my memory of all the requests for prayer that come to me.  I need to pray about the events of the world, the earthquakes, the wars, etc.  I need to remember the sick, the hungry, the lost and on and on.  My praying needs to be specific, consistent and regular.

I am in need of a more organized method for daily praying, in addition to personal devotions.  So, I am appealing to you for ideas.  If you have a method, or system, that helps you with this, please comment, email, facebook message me or even call me.  My profile should give you ample ways to get in touch with me.

As ideas are presented and are developed into a workable plan, I promise to share with you.  I'm retired, so I know I have more time than many of you.  There are mothers out there who have little personal time.  There are dads who worked long and hard before getting home to family needs, like yard work and maintenance on house and equipment.  The demands on our time, the tensions on our minds or the pressures that press on us from every direction--all show that we need help--if, indeed, we are going to pray as we should.

If you have ideas, share them, please!!


If you have an organized method for praying that you have developed, let us in on it!!


God know our needs, as well as the whole world's, before we pray.  But, in His Divine wisdom, He has chosen to use man to pray for man in His supplying the needs of mankind.

TESTS, TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS

Books have been written.  Songs have been penned and sung.  Questions have been asked.  Mostly, WHY?  Why am I being tested?  Why am I going through these trials?  Why am I being tempted so?  Why does God let this happen?

If the truth be known, all three--test, trials and temptations, can make us better Christians.  They can let us know where we stand with God.  None of them, no matter how hard they may be to bear, should make us question God or His love and care for us.  His Word is the key to the answers that we need in facing all three.  And, rest assured, if you are a Christian, you will come face to face with each of them.

A better understanding of each of these three will help us in our dealings with them.  That better understanding comes straight for the Bible.


I.  GOD TESTS

Periodically, in our education process, tests come.  Those tests don't come because the teacher or the education system is trying to make it hard on us.
     1.  They are to help the student know how well he or she has grasped the subjects taught.  And,
    
     2.  They are to help the teacher/system know how effective the teaching has been.

Fortunately, we need not concern ourselves with the #2; that is, whether God's teaching is effective or not.  His Word and a right relationship with Him will provide the effective means.  Our concern is with #1--have we learned, are we growing, are we maturing as His disciples?

In the 22nd chapter of Genesis, God gave Abraham an exam of a lifetime.  God tested him on his belief that He would do as He said He would.  Hebrews 11:17-19 is a look at the answers Abraham put on his test.  Genesis 15:6 is Abraham's test results for his "life exam."  "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

Remember, God may test you.  Get ready for your exam!


II.  GOD ALLOWS TRIALS

Tests, for the most part, come from God and have to do with our relationship with Him.. Trials, on another hand, are afflictions, difficulties and circumstances that come our way, allowed by God but not caused by God.

Job is probably the best example in the Scriptures of God-allowed trials.  It's almost as though God was bragging to Satan about the relationship He had with Job.

Don't read too much into that statement.  I'm not trying to give God human traits--like bragging.  But, wouldn't it be great if we lived so that God could "brag" to the Devil about us?

Listen to what God said about Job in Job 1:8.  "Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' " (NIV)

James wrote in his epistle in verse 2 of chapter 1, "Consider it pure joy..., whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

There are those who preach a gospel of no suffering in this world--only happiness, wellness, no poverty, no hunger...  That is not the gospel that Jesus preached.  He said in Matthew 26:11a, "The poor you will always have with you..."  He taught in the Sermon on the Mount that persecution should be expected. (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV).

Paul had to deal with his God-allowed "thorn in the flesh." (II Corinthians 12:7).  In verses 7-10 of that passage, Paul tells us why he was allowed to have this "thorn" and many other weaknesses such as insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties.  Jesus, in verse 9, gave Paul the great promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (NIV)

In Acts 5, the apostles were flogged and rejoiced that they were "worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." In Romans 8:17-18, Paul writes that "...we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  Then he adds that "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (NIV).

Many of the trials faced by Christians are because we are Christians.  However, there are trials to be faced in this world because of the evil in and imperfections of this fallen world.  Illness, broken homes, broken lives, poverty, hunger, etc. are a part of the world we live in.  In each case, because we are Christians, or because we live in this world, trials are a part of our lives.  And, in each case, God does not allow those trials in order to benefit Satan in his works of evil.  God does not allow those trials because He can't keep them from happening.  Rather, He allows them for His purposes of reconciling us to Him and developing us for living in His coming Kingdom.

So, as with James, in all your trials, "count it pure joy."


III.  SATAN TEMPTS--GOD NEVER DOES (JAMES 1:13)

All of God's human creation is subject to temptation.  Even the angels are/were subject to temptation.  Otherwise, how would Satan and his followers fall from their position before God?  But, that's another subject that we won't cover in this blog.

Humans were tempted both before and after the fall in the Garden of Eden.  Even Jesus, who is God the Son, while in His earthly life as Son of man and human as we are, was tempted by Satan.  Matthew, chapter four, records the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.  Hebrews 4:15 informs us that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin." (NIV)

Being tempted does not mean that one has sinned.  Only yielding to temptation to go against God's moral law means committing sin.  When sin is committed there are consequences.  The consequences of sin may mean sickness, financial difficulties, broken homes, etc.  Yet many will question why God has caused or allowed these consequences.  God often gets the blame when it was us who caused our problems all along.

Remember this.  Even when God forgives our sin, the consequences must still be paid in this life.

Satan is constantly doing his job and will continue until God says it's enough.  I Peter 5:8 says "...the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)  He's after you and me every step of the way.

We may be tested many times in many ways.  There may be trials along our journey.  But, for all those the God gives or allows, Romans 8:28 is a promise that "all things work together for good, to them that love God..." (KJV)

While temptation itself is inevitable to us all, yielding to it is not.  Yes, we humans make mistakes, misjudgments, miscalculations, etc.  We may actually yield to temptation and thereby sin.  John says in I John 2:1a, "...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (KJV)

Paul, in I Corinthians 10:13, gives us a first defense.  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it." (NIV)

There are many weapons in the Christian armory to use in defeating Satan in his job.  Look them up.  Hold on to God's promises.  Here are just a few scripture references that will keep you company through all of life.  Ephesian 6:10-18, James 4:7-8 and I Peter 5:8-9.

What are some of the problems that you face?  In what ways do you feel God has tested you?  How are you suffering in your life, your family, your work?  Have you looked to God's Word and His church for strength and help?

We used to sing an old chorus, "I know the Lord will make a way for me..." 

GOD'S GIFTS AND BARBECUE

During much of the 1980's and 1990's, my wife and I owned and managed a southern style barbecue restaurant.  In addition to serving a constantly growing customer base, we were blessed with the regular tasting and enjoying my favorite food.  Southern boy that I am, we called it "bobby-q."

The barbecue meats included pork, beef, chicken and pork ribs.  We also added to the menu hickory-smoked chicken wings, fried fish and an assortment of home-style vegetables and desserts.  Mmmm...I can smell it now...and almost taste it.

All of the barbecue was cooked in a specially designed smoker that used the heat and smoke from a real, live fire of hickory wood.  That fire, unfortunately, had to be started every morning and maintained all day long.

So, when reading my Bible today in my morning devotions, my attention was "vice-gripped" by one of the verses.  The passage was the first chapter of II Timothy.  The particular verse was verse 6, where Paul told Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God..."

Every person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him as Savior, also receives a gift from God.  That gift can be one (or more) of the gifts discussed in scriptural references such as I Corinthians 12.  Don't get "hung up" by any particular gift.  It is for God to decide what gift.  And all the gifts are for building up the church body.  But, our job is to "fan into flame" that gift in order to be effective.

That's when the comparison began to hit me.  In order to have that barbecue cooked, somebody had to "fan the flame."  And the same is true regarding the gift God gave to me, if that gift can be used for edifying the church.

The version of the Bible that I was reading was the New International Version (NIV).  I quickly reached for the King James Version (KJV).  It translated the same part of verse 6 as "stir up the gift of God."  I then read the same passage from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  It read "to kindle afresh the gift of God."

It was the combination of these translations that gave me a much more complete meaning.

In the barbecue restaurant, when we came in the first thing in the morning, we stirred the coals from the previous day's fire.  This caused the coals to become live, hot coals.  Then, we added some kindling (paper; very dry, small pieces of wood; or even "fat lighter" pine splinters).  Finally, we fanned the hot coals and kindling until a flame started.  Only when the flame was going could we add more hickory wood and begin to maintain the fire.

This is why I make Bible reading, praying and listening to the Holy Spirit a daily practice.  Often, He uses everyday experiences to teach me...Sometimes it's a combination of versions of the Scriptures...Other times it's a book I'm reading.  But, God always teaches me, if I keep my heart and mind open to Him.

Father, teach me today the ways You would have me use the gift You gave me.  May I keep the flames going on my gift so You may build up Your church and bring glory to Yourself.

Your comments are helpful.  Thank you for sharing.