Hiding His Word

"I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I will hide God's word in my heart, that I might not sin against God."

Although I have said this pledge over and over again with our AWANA kids this past year, I feel like I have only recently begun to understand the depth of what it means. The memorization of specific verses and passages from the Bible is a valuable tool for self-discipline and for being a good and faithful witness of Christ to others. I have found that many of the verses I memorized during my youth, while I was in the AWANA program, have never really left me. I may not be able to quote chapter and verse every time, but I do tend to retain the underlying meaning.

Being an AWANA leader this past year has helped me to get back into the habit of scripture memorization. As I explained to the kids at the end of the year, while one of my jobs was to listen as they recited their verses, they actually ended up teaching me many verses that I didn't already know. This is one one of the ways God has taught me the truth of Psalm 119:9-16. First, we are cleansed by His word. Next, we keep ourselves from becoming soiled again by hiding His word within us. Eventually, we grow and mature so much in Him that we actually delight in His word!

I have also found that one of the ways I am able to depend more on the Lord and less on other people is by memorizing His word. For example, there was a time in my life (not so long ago) when, if someone asked how I was doing, I would give them an earful of my problems in the hope that they would be able to offer me some comfort or advice. Just recently, when someone asked me how I was doing, I immediately thought of all the problems I was having. However, before I could speak, John 16:33 came into my mind, and I actually quoted the verse out loud instead of answering the question!

Each year, our church selects a new passage of scripture to memorize - eleven verses in sequence, one per month (we take December off), memorized over the course of each Wednesday night service throughout the year. Each month builds on the previous months, so that by the end of the year, those who apply themselves to this task are able to recite an entire passage at once. The person responsible for leading us in learning these verses tests us on what we've learned at the end of each month, and he also loves to turn this activity into a competition.

This past Wednesday night, I was one of two competitors selected to stand up in front of everyone and recite John 15:1-6. Of the two of us, I was the one who made it all the way through. While it is extremely gratifying to receive the congratulations of those around me for doing so, I pray that God will keep me humble in this endeavor. The prospect of individual recognition is a powerful motivator for me to keep memorizing, but I must not lose sight of the fact that I should not do it for that purpose. My purpose is to glorify God, not myself.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105

Fatherhood

For the past several months, I have been asking God in prayer to teach me how to be a good father to my sons. I have been asking for His guidance in leading them down the path He has for each of them. I have been asking for the ability to raise up Godly men for Him, that they might also serve Him faithfully as I am called to do. I asked this because, in my own limited human understanding, I had no idea where to begin.

This past Sunday morning, our associate pastor deviated from His study of the book of Revelation to give us a special message on fatherhood. As soon as I realized what the subject of the message was, I thought,"Oh boy, here it comes. A whole list of instructions. I better start writing these down." With my Bible open and my pencil poised, I sat ready to record how God wants me to instruct my kids. What I received from the message was not at all what I expected.

As it turns out, this list was not a manual for what to do TO my kids. Rather, this was a list of things to do AROUND my kids. He was saying that I should be leading by example, as opposed to the typical "do as I say, not as I do" parenting style of the modern world. He gave several key features of the kind of Godly example to set, and by the time he had finished, I realized that I had not written any of them down. Why? Surprisingly enough, because these were all things I am already doing.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to use this story as an opportunity to brag. I was shocked that I had been given so very little new information. The question in my mind became then,"Why aren't these kids following my example?" The answer hit me like a ton of bricks. I haven't been serving God long enough to make that kind of an impact on them yet.

Yes, believe it or not, even children can recognize the difference between a passing interest and a true commitment. Interests come and go over time. True commitment takes time and dedication. It was as if the Lord was asking me to check my motives one more time, with one very simple question,"Are you in this for the long haul?" Well, am I? Am I truly committed to working on my personal relationship with God for the rest of my life?

How can I not be? I have learned that I am nothing without my Heavenly Father watching over me, guiding my steps as I go. I have learned that doing God's will requires vigilance in prayer. I have learned that being a Godly example to the world requires consistent study of His word. We are to always seek His will for our lives in prayer, and we are to take our cues from His truth found in the Bible. I must continue to learn and grow in Him, or I will not succeed at anything...especially fatherhood. Fatherhood is not instant success; it's another life-long commitment.

That makes a total of three life-long commitments I've made, and they all have to do with relationships. I am committed to serving my Heavenly Father with my life. I am committed to being a faithful and loving husband. I am committed to being a diligent and instructive father to my children. Growing each of these relationships requires that I spend time with each of them and learn more about them. I have accepted the challenge; may God give me the strength and patience to see each through to the end.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" - Ephesians 5:25

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4

The Word is Alive

Last week, my wife and I received a letter from our senior pastor, informing us that a new missions committee is being formed, and asking us to prayerfully consider becoming a part of it. While this letter gave us an idea of how much time we would need to put into this new endeavor, it contained little information regarding the specific functions of a missions committee. Not having been a part of something like this before, we both agreed that our questions would need to be answered before we could make an informed decision in this matter.

Sunday morning, my wife informed me that, after giving this to God in prayer, she had received what sounded to me like a reasonable answer. (For those just tuning in, my wife is the sensible one in our relationship.) She said that doing this would teach us both some things that we would need to know later on. I agreed, but I still wanted more information. Since she wasn't feeling very well that morning, I headed off to church without her but with all three of our boys in tow. I was able to speak to the pastor about this briefly before Sunday school began, but I decided that I wanted to talk to my wife about it at least once more before making any decisions.

In the past, I have felt God's Holy Spirit speaking to me in various situations: while listening to a sermon, while praying alone, while listening to music...once even while I was just driving (that was a big one - it landed me in Brazil for a week). I did not expect to hear Him again at the conclusion of the Sunday school lesson, but while the pastor prayed, it was as though there was a conversation taking place within me...

"You need to be a part of this missions committee."
"Okay, but I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting into."
"Your questions have already been answered."
"Okay, but I'd still like to talk to my wife first."
"You already talked to her. You have her answer."
"But...but..."
"No buts. As soon as he finishes praying, go over there and tell him you're joining."
"Okay, okay..."

All right, so it wasn't exactly like that, but I'm sure you get the picture. Carrying on a real two-way conversation with the Almighty isn't at all like speaking with another person here on earth. I have no control over when, how long, or even if it happens, and there are few, if any, definite words exchanged when it does happen. All I know for certain when it's over is that something has passed between us. There's never any doubt about what He is telling me. In the past, I have come away feeling skeptical or even refusing to accept what I'm told, but that didn't make what I was told at the time any less true. God's word has never failed.

God's word will never fail any of us. The vast majority of the time, it will not come to us through an unusual method. To experience God's word, we must come to Him through a usual method, by reading the Bible. We must take the time to invest ourselves in it, to be continually learning from Him and about Him. The more of myself I daily invest in His word, the more He continues to change my life in new and wonderful ways, and the more open I become to His revealing of Himself to me in other ways. Have you read from God's word today?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

A Father's Answered Prayer

Ever since the beginning of this year (with the exception of the week I was sick), I have devoted myself to getting up at least an hour before everyone else in the house does, in order to give the Lord the first hour of my day in prayer and Bible reading. I have found that this practice has a calming effect on me and sets the tone for how I handle various situations throughout the day.

This morning, I was joined by an unexpected (but welcome) prayer partner - my oldest son, who received Christ less than a year ago. I showed him my prayer journal and explained what each page contained, then I proceeded to pray out loud for each circumstance listed. He did not join in the prayer with me; he was content to be shown the whats and hows, to listen and only speak when asked a question.

One of the items I prayed for with him was the restoration of João and his family to Faith Baptist Church in Sorocaba, Brazil. Upon reading Mike Jewell's blog this morning, I discovered a partial answer to that prayer! I love it when I'm moved to stop everything in the middle of the day and pray again...just to give thanks and praise. It can be a truly wonderful feeling. I look forward to sharing this information with my son later, to demonstrate that God does indeed answer prayer, and to show him another important facet of prayer life - praise!

As I neared the end of my prayer list this morning, I came to asking God's continued guidance and direction for my life in serving Him, for the proper Christian education of my children, and for His help in teaching me how to be a good father. It didn't hit me at the time, but looking back now I realize that God was giving an answer to my prayer as I spoke! He gave me the opportunity to show my son how to pray, something we have been struggling with for some time now. As with many children, his idea of praying is to simply recite.

Saying the same thing over and over again in prayer causes the prayer to lose its value. When you use only repetition in prayer, the words become meaningless, and you lose sight of what it is you're actually doing - talking to your Father in Heaven. Both my wife and I have attempted to break our children of this habit at the dinner table, with limited success. I hope that today's experience will serve to give my son a deeper understanding of what prayer is and why it is important.

Father, thank You for the many beautiful and often subtle ways in which You reveal yourself to me in daily life. Thank You for the many opportunities You give me to serve You day by day. Please continue to guide me along the path that You have chosen for me, that I might be better equipped to guide others, especially my children, in their own personal walk with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." - Matthew 6:7-8

Sing a New Song

Wednesday night was my first night leading music during a service. The job description "song leader" doesn't quite cover it on Wednesday night, because it's not like leading singing on Sundays. Our church's Sunday music usually lasts for three or four songs, and that's it. There must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to twelve songs sung on Wednesday, and they were all interwoven throughout the service. I guess that makes the job more like "moderator" than "song leader" on Wednesday, because that's a long evening of being on one's feet in front of everybody!

The challenging part came when I started having to lead songs I hadn't sung before. Ever had to sightread music, sing it, and conduct it at the same time? What fun! I had more than my usual share of sour notes that night, but I couldn't let that stop me. I was there to serve, and that was the task the Lord had chosen for me then. All I could do was remind myself of that fact, and pray during the few breaks I had, to thank God for allowing me this privilege and ask Him for strength to keep going.

With the various experiences and ministry opportunities coming my way lately, I feel as if the Lord is showing me exactly what it takes to serve Him with my life. God is not looking for those who will hold back any part of their lives from Him. He's not looking for someone with a "ho-hum" attitude. He wants it all - everything I've got, no holding back. He asks that I serve Him with my whole heart, my whole life.

He came to this earth in bodily form to give everything He had, even His very life, for me. How can I not give everything I have to Him in return? After all, everything I am and everything I have belongs to Him, because He created it all. He created everything and everyone for one purpose - to glorify Himself. How can I not do my absolute best to fulfill that purpose, knowing everything He's done for me? Praise God, my creator, my provider, and my redeemer! Glory to His name!

"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever." - Revelation, chapter 5

Lord, I Need You

This past Sunday was our choir's final performance of the season. The title of the song was very simple - "Lord, I Need You"; however, there were a few spots within that song which were anything BUT simple. As it turned out, we really did need the Lord to make this one work!

This was one of those few pieces where, no matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't get it to work. Last week's rehearsal ran twenty minutes longer than expected, because we just couldn't pull one difficult section of the song together correctly. Every time we tried to get through it, it just turned into a train wreck. We ended our rehearsal in frustration, wondering if we'd ever be able to pull this one off. After all, who wants to end the year on a (literally) sour note?

Sunday morning became more complicated than usual with other occurrences. Having to prepare and bring food for our Fifth Sunday luncheon threw off my family's Sunday morning routine, so I was a good fifteen minutes late for Sunday school. Once I got that squared away, I found out that our senior pastor's father-in-law had just gone home to be with the Lord only a few hours earlier, so now emotions were really running high. From my flawed point of view, this had the potential to be a disastrous Sunday morning.

If there ever was a time to cry out to the Lord in need, that time of anxiety qualified. It was down to the wire; we had a grand total of five minutes to rehearse our choir number before the service started. Putting all concerns out of my head for a moment, I simply sang. For the first time, in that little church basement, we sang the song in harmony. It was as if God was telling us,"There's no need to worry. I got this." The service came together flawlessly, and we all had a great time of worship.

I especially had to admire our pastor that morning. Getting up in front of everyone and preaching about following Christ immediately and without reservation could not have been easy, considering what he'd been hit with that morning. Our pastor is a great model of what a servant of the Lord should be. His love for God knows no boundaries, and he puts God first in his life before everything else. That's the kind of faith I want to have!

God makes it abundantly clear to us that, no matter what happens, He is always in complete control. Sunday was just one more reminder that, if I'm ever in doubt about anything, worship is the answer. Seeking God first, in any situation, will always bring about two things: 1) peace in my heart, and 2) God's intended result. I've read the end of the Book, and I know who wins...so what's there to worry about? Praise God! He's all I'll ever need.

Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.
Oh Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.
Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.
Lord, I need You. Lord, I need You.

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." - Psalm 18:2