Next Sunday a Funeral? Perhaps not, and read this....

Five days ago I made plans for someone to fill in for me at church on Sunday, January 31. You see, it had been 6 days since they removed my uncle from life support, telling my aunt that the latest stroke had been in the brain stem and there was no chance for recovery. So my aunt was planning the funeral for January 31, thinking that he would surely have died as there was no chance for recovery. He was comatose, no brain activity, and in hospice care.

It may be too soon to tell, and there may still be a funeral on Sunday, but 10 days after being removed from life support, no food, no liquids, no medications, just lying there waiting to...respond? Yes, my uncle can apparently hold up two fingers, stick out his tongue and show interest in what the Red Sox are up to in the offseason. His kidneys have not shut down, they are functioning normally. This started yesterday and continues today. To my knowledge he has not spoken, nor has he opened his eyes. And now 11 days later he is being fed again and he is being given liquids.

Medical wisdom and conventional wisdom indicated a near-term funeral. We prayed that it would be quick and that my aunt would experience comfort even before her husband passed away, and she is doing great and remains strong.

Is this a miracle in the works? How many people prayed over the past 10 days for healing and recovery? To be honest, I didn't. I really didn't have that expectation or hope. Again, it may be a little soon, but I don't think I'm going to be going to a funeral this weekend. Maybe we'll still go see my Aunt and Uncle; after all, I do have someone to take care of church. Maybe we'll get a glimpse of a Sovereign God working in the life of His children in a way totally, totally, unexpected.

Psalm 5:11-12
"Let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield."

Air Traffic (Self) Control

The primary role of air traffic control is to maintain separation, whether it be on the ground at an airport or in the air. It's about spacing, whether it be lateral, vertical or path of flight. It's about providing weather and navigation aid. The role is about providing instruction (commands) and advise. Air traffic control is about the flow of traffic, what arrives and departs. It's about planning, systems, and a common language.

When air traffic control fails...disaster.

Self-control has the same characteristics. Separation from things of the world. Remaining on the narrow path. Listening to the advice of God's Word, His commands, and clear advice for living. It's about flow in and out of our bodies, whether it be food, thought, what we see, what we hear, and what we do. And it's about having a support system and plan in place, all with a common language and understanding. All of this is to be centered on the Word of God.

Self-control. Something that should be the aim of every true believer.

There is strength in sharing the burden.

Please check out the opportunity to contribute to Partners with Haiti at www.partnerswithhaiti.org.

Blessings from the LORD.

Much Ado About Suffering

As I've considered the incredible suffering in Haiti, as in other areas that have recently experienced natural disasters, I am humbled by a Sovereign God even more so. How should we respond to such crises? We must give. Whether it be financial resources or service, here in the United States or even in Haiti, we must give. The Sovereign God demands that we do so, that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. And the Lord is pleased with sacrifices of praise, of sacrifices made in doing good and sharing with others.

So I do challenge myself, and humble myself before the Lord, to determine just how to give. Our small church made a significant commitment to give financially today. And we plan to give to Partners With Haiti (partnerswithhaiti.org). What else? Time will tell, doors will be opened, and we will do more.

Remember, God does not create killer storms and delight in them. On another extreme, God is not powerless, as some might say, in that there is nothing He could do about what happened. Surely the effect of natural disasters is of God. For He brings about calamity (Isaiah 45:70. But He is all-powerful and all-just. And because of evil there are outcomes that are terrible, for the earth as it is today is cursed. But that is where the Sovereign God's promises and plan for redemption resound, and there is great hope of life in Him for eternity.

Train Yourself in Godliness

I was reading 1 Timothy 4 this morning and was once again struck by both the depth and simplicity of God's Word. Paul provides a reminder to Timothy train yourself in godliness:

1 Timothy 4:8

For the training of the body has limited benefit,
but godliness is beneficial in every way,
since it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come.

The cross references for the "life to come" include the following sentiments:

Psalm 37:9,11 -- evildoers will be destroyed -- but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land; the humble inherit the land and enjoy abundant prosperity

Proverbs 19:23 -- the fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger

Proverbs 22:4 -- the result of humility is fear of the Lord, along with wealth, honor and life

And there are more. Now I don't teach or believe the prosperity gospel. That is a false gospel and it is not the point of these cross-references. I do believe God gives us His grace for the purpose of pursuing godliness, with all humility, and a satisfaction in the future promises of which a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ partakes.

This morning I awoke at 2 AM. I'm not crazy about being woken up that early in the morning. And my mind was racing with many thoughts and concerns. About the day ahead, about things with church, and with a great sense of inadequacy on my part. Realizing that fretting about things wasn't going to help, I committed time to humble myself before God, pray, and find rest in Him. In pursuing godliness there is proper rest, it is indeed beneficial in every way.

As the day comes to a close I'm thankful for the reminder today to pursue godliness. I'm also thankful that a co-worker offered words of Bill Belichik, coach of the New England Patriots, as quoted by Tom Brady: "'Don’t mistake activity for achievement.'" It is easy to go through the motions, but for what purpose? To be occupied, busy? Or to achieve what God has in store for us? That begins in pursuing godliness.

The Grace of God

Titus 2:11-15 (ESV) says:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passion, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

What are the effects of God’s grace that has appeared? God’s grace results in significant change. In fact it’s a radical change. It is God’s grace that regenerates those whom He has called to be His children. Regneration by the grace of God involves several effects in the life of a believer:

REDEEMING

· through the work of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior

· purification because He paid the price of our sins at Calvary

· John 3:16

RECLAIMING

· to a right relationship

· our faith is “credited to us as righteousness”

· no longer slaves to sin

· no longer children of darkness but children of light (John 3:19-21)

· possessed by Him

RESTRAINING

· training us to:

o renounce ungodliness and worldly passion (notice that we are not fully trained!)

o live self-controlled, upright and godly lives

REJUVENATING

· energized to do good works -- zealous

REJOICING

· living with a blessed hope, with great anticipation and rejoicing at the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

Regeneration by the grace of God permeates all that a believer is. The result is total change in heart, soul and mind. And it’s a change that takes a lifetime as we mature and “run the race that is set before us.” So I’d ask you this day to consider the effects of God’s grace in your life.