Pastoral Resources

Percentage of personal income in America gave to charity last year:

Poorest households: 5.5 percent.

Wealthiest households: 2.9 percent.

Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value:

Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, “I love you.”

Give something away—anonymously.

Forgive someone who has treated you wrong.

Turn away wrath with a soft answer.

Visit someone in a nursing home.

Apologize if you were wrong.

Be especially kind to someone with whom you work.

Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.

I was attending a junior stock show when a grand-champion lamb, owned by a little girl, was being auctioned. As the bids reached five dollars per pound, the little girl, standing beside the lamb in the arena, began to cry. At ten dollars, the tears were streaming down her face and she clasped her arms tightly around the lamb’s neck. The higher the bids rose, the more she cried. Finally, a local businessman bought the lamb for more than $1000, but then announced that he was donating it to the little girl. The crowd applauded and cheered.

Months later, I was judging some statewide essays when I came across one from a girl who told about the time her grand-champion lamb had been auctioned. “The prices began to get so high during the bidding,” she wrote, “that I started to cry from happiness.” She continued with: “The man who bought the lamb for so much more than I ever dreamed I would get returned the lamb to me, and when I got home, Daddy barbecued the lamb—and it was really delicious.”

A story is told of two monks on a pilgrimage who came to the ford of a river. There they saw a girl dressed in all her finery, obviously not knowing what to do since the river was high and she didn’t want to spoil her clothes. Without much discussion, one of the monks took her on his back, carried her across, and put her down on dry ground on the other side.

The monks then continued on their way. But the other monk started complaining, “Surely it isn’t right to touch a woman. It’s against the commandment to have close contact with women. How could you go against your rules as monks?”

The monk who carried the girl walked along silently, but finally he remarked, “I set her down by the river and hour ago. Why are you still carrying her?”

Cedarville College president Paul Dixon tells the story of a high school girl who was in the audience several years ago when he was speaking about the need to tell others about Christ. As she listened, she decided she wanted to make a difference in her high school. She asked God to give her an opportunity.

The next day at school, one of her teachers who was fed up with the way things were going walked into his classroom and said, “I’ve had it. I’m tired of the hassle of teaching kids who don’t have any respect. If any of you can tell me what life is all about and what our purpose is, go ahead.”

Surprised, the girl raised her hand and explained that she had found answers to those questions in Jesus Christ. The teacher, who was an agnostic, invited her to stay after class and explain her beliefs. When she suggested that he attend an evangelistic meeting, he agreed. That Friday night he put his trust in Jesus as Savior, and today he’s active in Christian service.

Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and founder of what is today known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, gave this excellent advice:

“Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into [God’s] hand; and then, when we have given all over to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about.”

Writing about God’s sure guidance, British pastor Frank W. Boreham recounted a time when a minister visited his home in New Zealand. Being young and inexperienced, Boreham sought the counsel of his guest. He said that one morning they were sitting on the veranda, looking out over the golden plains to the purple sunlit mountains. He asked the minister, “Can a man be sure that in the hour of perplexity he will be rightly led by God? Can he feel secure against making a false step?” “I am certain of it,” exclaimed the minister, “if he will but give God time! As long as you live, remember that. Give God time!”

In the horse and buggy days, a man was driving with his wife along a dangerous road. At a very narrow place the wife became frightened and seized the rein nearest to her. Her husband quietly passed her the other rein and let go. Then more frightened than ever she said, "Oh, don't you let go!" He answered, "Two people cannot drive one and the same horse; either I must drive or you must." Then she gave him the reins and he drove safely past the danger.

Give me 100 men who hate nothing but sin and love God with all their hearts and I will shake the world for Christ!” - John Wesley

From prayer that asks that I may be

Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,

From fearing when I should aspire,

From faltering when I should climb higher,

From silken self, O Captain, free

Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,

From easy choices, weakenings—

Not thus are spirits fortified;

Not this way went the Crucified.

From all that dims Thy Calvary,

O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me love that leads the way,

The faith that nothing can dismay,

The hope no disappointments tire,

The passion that will burn like fire.

Let me not sink to be a clod;

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

My God, who has committed to my care

Thy ransomed one

Lest I be scattered here and there

and she be gone

Give me to hold me firmly to my trust

Let all that would distract me be as dust.

‘Thy life for hers’—O solemn, urgent word —

Lest I forget,

My sense of values waver, or be blurred,

Or overset

By other things, take me and purge and bend

Each power and purpose to one single end.

Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee

O Lord, my God

Give clearness, lest some by-way tangle me.

Where Christ hath trod

There would I tread, nor ever turn aside,

Lest she be missing for whom Christ hath died.

In his observations on 1Co 2:1, J. Stuart Holden gives a beautiful illustration. He says, "I have around my home a garden. In that garden and its possibilities I have the mind of nature. For instance, I know what soil and what seed should produce this, that, and all the other kinds of flowers and fruit; I see set forth in the seedsmen's catalogues the wonderful things that the garden should bring forth.... But mark you, the flowers and the fruit are only produced by labor, by obedience to the laws of nature. When the garden has been made beautiful and fruitful, it has been made so only by intelligent cooperation with nature. Similarly, we Christians have the mind of Christ. We know full well what a Christian life should be." The fruits of the Spirit are only made evident in our lives as we wholeheartedly cooperate with the Lord in full submission and obedience to Him by letting His Spirit have full control of us-body, soul and spirit.

“I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them a single shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed.” Patrick Henry

Socrates had a trusted servant who, seeing others giving presents to his master, came to him one day and said, "Because I have nothing else to give you, Master, I here give you myself." Socrates saw the earnestness of the servant and said, "Do so." After bestowing upon him gifts, and advancing him to the head of his servants, he called him one day and said, "I now give you back to yourself better than when I received you." God bestows rich spiritual gifts on the one who gives his life to Him.

God's gift is always enough for any individual to accomplish something. If we compare it with what others have, we will find that there are two kinds of people-those who have never done anything with their gifts and those who have fully utilized theirs. You and I must say, "I may not accomplish as much as they have, but I'm going to give it all I've got!" We're never going to get anywhere unless we use the gifts God has given us.

Love ever gives.

Forgives, outlives,

And ever stands

With open hands.

And while it lives,

It gives,

For this is love’s prerogative—

To give, and give, and give.

- Oxenham

A woman doctor on the mission field restored to health the greatly loved child of a native. In gratitude he knelt at her feet and not only thanked her but worshiped her as a god. She remonstrated, saying that she was a mortal like himself and worship belonged only to God. He replied that no one but a god could have saved the child's life. "Whom would you thank and praise," the missionary replied, "for a princely gift sent by the hand of a messenger-the servant or his generous master, the giver? I am but God's servant by whose hand he has been pleased to send you this great gift of healing." May a like humility and faithfulness possess us as we use our gifts, small or great, in the service of our Lord and among those in the sphere where He has placed us.

John W. Gardner, founding chairman of Common Cause, said it’s a rare and high privilege to help people understand the difference they can make—not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others, simply by giving of themselves.

Gardner tells of a cheerful old man who asked the same question of just about every new acquaintance he fell into conversation with: “What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?”

He never asked conventional questions such as “What do you do for a living?” It was always, “What have you done that you believe in and are proud of?”

It was an unsettling question for people who had built their self-esteem on their wealth or their family name or their exalted job title.

Not that the old man was a fierce interrogator. He was delighted by a woman who answered, “I’m doing a good job raising three children;” and by a cabinetmaker who said, “I believe in good workmanship and practice it;” and by a woman who said, “I started a bookstore and it’s the best bookstore for miles around.”

“I don’t really care how they answer,” said the old man. “I just want to put the thought into their minds.

“They should live their lives in such a way that they can have a good answer. Not a good answer for me, but for themselves. That’s what’ s important.”

A businessman who needed millions of dollars to clinch an important deal went to church to pray for the money. By chance he knelt next to a man who was praying for $100 to pay an urgent debt. The businessman took out his wallet and pressed $100 into the other man’s hand. Overjoyed, the man got up and left the church. The businessman then closed his eyes and prayed, “And now, Lord, that I have your undivided attention….”

Years ago it was the custom for the people to bring their gifts to the front of the church. A well-known preacher was making an appeal to the people to give for a good cause. Many came to present their offerings of love. Among them was a little crippled girl who hobbled along at the end of the line. Pulling a ring from her finger, she placed it on the table and made her way back up the aisle.

After the service an usher was sent to bring her to the preacher's study. The preacher said, "My dear, I saw what you did. It was beautiful. But the response of the people has been so generous that we have enough to take care of the need. We don't feel right about keeping your treasured ring, so we have decided to give it back to you."

To his surprise the little girl vigorously shook her head in refusal. "You don't understand," she said. "I didn't give my ring to you, I gave it to God!" Lovely.

"Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2Co 9:7).

Americans give $700 million per year to mission agencies. However, they pay as much for pet food every 52 days. A person must overeat by at least $1.50 worth of food per month to maintain one excess pound of flesh. Yet $1.50 per month is more than what 90 percent of all Christians in America give to missions.

If the average missions supporter is only five pounds overweight, it means he spends (to his own hurt) at least five times as much as he gives for missions.

If he were to choose simple food (as well as not overeat), he could give ten times as much as he does to missions and not modify his standard of living in any other way!

Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success.

It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung. - James R. Sizoo

A Glamour magazine survey of 25,000 readers, most of them women between the ages of 18 and 35, reflects a powerful swing to life’s spiritual side: 77% pray, and 87% feel that God is always helping them or has helped them through a particular period in their lives. These readers seem to choose aspects of their religion they can live with and ignore what they can’t, without discarding their faith. For example, the poll finds that nearly half disagree with their church’s teaching on premarital sex, and a third (42% of the single women) disagree with their religion on abortion. - May, 1986

Alvin Verette—in New Roads, Louisiana, he owns and operates the nation’s first drive-in mortuary. For the convenience of time-pressed mourners, the deceased is displayed before a five-by-seven picture window. Friends and relatives can drive up to the window and pay last respects without getting out. Says Mr. Verette, “We wanted something for people who didn’t have time to dress.”

In A View From The Zoo, Gary Richmond, a former zoo keeper, tells about an experience a friend had with a raccoon. He explains that raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. A 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap. Richmond felt compelled to warn this young friend of his named Julie of the change coming to her pet raccoon. She listened politely as he explained the coming danger. She responded by saying what people always say, “It will be different for me...” And she smiled as she added, “Bandit wouldn’t hurt me. He just wouldn’t.” Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when Bandit attacked her for no apparent reason.

Global military expenditure is now running well over $1 million per minute, according to New Internationalist magazine. One in every five scientists worldwide, says the magazine, is now engaged in military work, and the average military product is 20 times as research-intensive as a civilian product.

To worship God is to recognize his worth or worthiness; to look God-ward, and to acknowledge in all appropriate ways the value of what we see. The Bible calls this activity “glorifying God” or “giving glory to God,” and views it as the ultimate end, and from one point of view, the whole duty of man (Ps. 29:2; 96:6; 1 Cor. 10:31).

Scripture views the glorifying of God as a six-fold activity: praising God for all that he is and all his achievements; thanking him for his gifts and his goodness to us; asking him to meet our own and others’ needs; offering him our gifts, our service, and ourselves; learning of him from his word, read and preached, and obeying his voice; telling others of his worth, both by public confession and testimony to what he has done for us. Thus we might say that the basic formulas of worship are these: “Lord, you are wonderful”; “Thank you, Lord”; “Please Lord”; “Take this, Lord”; “Yes, Lord”; “Listen everybody!”

This then is worship in its largest sense: petition as well as praise, preaching as well as prayer, hearing as well as speaking, actions as well as words, obeying as well as offering, loving people as well as loving God. However, the primary acts of worship are those which focus on God directly—and we must not imagine that work for God in the world is a substitute for direct fellowship with him in praise and prayer and devotion.

In the spring of a.d. 372, a young man in great distress of mind flung himself on the ground and burst into tears. The sins of his youth weighed heavily on his soul. Overhearing a chance conversation from a neighboring house, he was led to read the thirteenth chapter of Romans, and as a result was gloriously converted. In the language of Gaussen, "Jesus had conquered, and the grand career of Augustine, the holiest of the fathers, then commenced. A passage of God's Word had kindled that glorious luminary, which was to enlighten the Church for ten centuries ... even to this present day. After thirty-one years of revolt, combats and misery-faith, life and eternal peace came to this erring soul; a new day, an eternal day, came upon it."

On the day of her (Idelette’s) death, John Calvin was impressed with her serenity. “She suddenly cried out in such a way that all could see that her spirit had risen far above this world. These were her words, ‘O glorious resurrection! O God of Abraham and of all of our fathers, the believers of all the ages have trusted on Thee and none of them have hoped in vain. And now I fix my hope on Thee.’ These short statements were cried out rather than distinctly spoken. These were not lines suggested by someone else but came from her own thoughts.”

An hour later she could no longer speak and her mind seemed confused. “Yet her facial expressions revealed her mental alertness,” John recalled later. “I said a few words to her about the grace of Christ, the hope of everlasting life, our marriage and her approaching departure. Then I turned aside to pray.” Before long she quietly “slipped from life into death.”

A minister was once called into the room of a dear saint of God who was suffering much pain. He had often visited her, and in spite of pain, found her greatly rejoicing. This time, however, he was told that she was in trouble and wished to see the minister urgently. Wondering what the trouble could be and how the devil might be tempting her, the minister rushed to her bedside. She said, "I cannot pray any more. As soon as I begin, my prayers are all turned into hallelujahs. I would have esteemed it a privilege if God had permitted me to spend my remaining days in supplications for my friends; but as soon as I open my mouth, it is all glory, glory, glory!" The minister could not but congratulate her on being drafted into the employment of the celestial choir before her time. She lived for two weeks in a gust of praise, and so she died.

To recognize all that lies within another person, you must possess as much or more. A layman cannot possibly appreciate all the qualities and recognize all the abilities of a medical doctor. It takes a medical doctor of equal stature to recognize them. That is why, before a person is permitted to practice medicine, he is submitted to a professional state examination. In a similar way, only God the Father could recognize and appreciate all that was in God the Son. Jesus Christ could not find that recognition while here on earth among men and will never be fully recognized and appreciated by mortal man.

When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I’d place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: Leave slide rules here. If I didn’t do that, I’d find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he’d be on his feet saying, “Boss, you can’t do it.”

A mother took her three children to a restaurant to eat breakfast one morning. The smallest of the three children sat at the very end of the row. She saw other people being served and eating right away without stopping to say thanks. It surprised her. When the food was served to her, she shouted out to her mother: "Mommy, don't people ask the blessing in this place?" You can well imagine the embarrassment of those present. Her mother tried to hush her. But, the waitress said to little Mary, "Yes, we do, sister! You give thanks!"

Amazingly, at that very moment everybody else also bowed their heads and offered thanks.

Embarrass them and maybe you will bring them to their senses to say "Thank you, God."

Have you heard the folk story of the bandit Jose’ Rivera, who became notorious in several little towns in Texas for robbing their banks and businesses? Finally the townsfolk, weary of the constant plundering, hired a ranger to track down Jose’ Rivera in his hideout in Mexico and retrieve the money. The ranger at last arrived at a desolate, ramshackle cantina. At the counter he saw a young man enjoying his brew. At one of the tables, hands over his ample stomach, hat over his eyes, snored another patron. With much gusto, the ranger approached the young man at the bar and announced that he was on a mission to bring back Jose’ Rivera, dead or alive. “Can you help me find him?” he asked. The young man smiled, pointed to the other patron, and said, “That is Jose’ Rivera.”

The ranger shifted his southern girth and ambled over to the sleeping bandit, tapping him on the shoulder, “Are you Jose’ Rivera? he asked. The man mumbled, “No speak English.” The ranger beckoned to the young man to help him communicate his mission.

The ensuing conversation was tedious. First the ranger spoke in English and the young man translated it into Spanish. Jose’ Rivera responded in Spanish, and young man repeated the answer in English for the ranger.

finally, the ranger warned Jose’ Rivera that he had two choices; the first was to let him know where all the loot he had stolen was hidden, in which case he could walk away a free man. The second choice was that if he would not reveal where the money was stashed, he would be shot dead instantly. The young man translated the ultimatum.

Jose’ Rivera pulled himself together and said to the young man, “Tell him to go out of the bar, turn to the right, go about a mile, and he will see a well. Near the well he will see a very tall tree. Beside the trunk of that tree is a large concrete slab. He will need help in removing it. Under the slab is a pit in the ground. If he carefully uncovers it he will find all the jewelry and most of the money I have taken.”

The young man turned to the ranger, opened his mouth...swallowed...paused—and then said, “Jose’ Rivera says...Jose’ Rivera says... ‘Go ahead and shoot!’”

1. To exalt God in worship.

2. To evangelize, bringing people to a saving knowledge of Christ, with a church attitude that is outward oriented rather than a holy huddle mentality.

3. To edify, taking new Christians and maturing them in the faith.

4. To extend, reaching out into the community to meet physical, spiritual, relational, and emotional needs.

During the French Revolution, Robespierre, himself an inhuman monster, quickly saw that the renunciation of religion would soon bring about the dissolution of all society. He thereupon began to speak in favor of religion, though he admitted that he had been an indifferent Catholic. He ended his first speech in that direction with the words, "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him." But God has to reveal Himself to man in order for man to know Him fully. He has promised to do this through His Word.

I am not a connoisseur of great art, but from time to time a painting or picture will really speak a clear, strong message to me. Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family’s sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man was speaking to the boy. They were simple words, yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life. Those words were, “Hush child, God ain’t dead!”

That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack, that old man, the weeping child, and those words “God ain’t dead” keep returning to my mind. Instead of it being a reminder of the despair of life, it has come to be a reminder of hope! I need reminders that there is hope in this world.

In the midst of all of life’s troubles and failures, I need mental pictures to remind me that all is not lost as long as God is alive and in control of His world.

A few years ago, an angry man rushed through the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam until he reached Rembrandt’s famous painting “Nightwatch.” Then he took out a knife and slashed it repeatedly before he could be stopped. A short time later, a distraught, hostile man slipped into St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome with a hammer and began to smash Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture The Pieta. Two cherished works of art were severely damaged. But what did officials do? Throw them out and forget about them? Absolutely not! Using the best experts, who worked with the utmost care and precision, they made every effort to restore the treasures.

By His sovereign grace, God can bring good out of our failures, and even out of our sins. J. Stuart Holden tells of an old Scottish mansion close to where he had his little summer home.

The walls of one room were filled with sketches made by distinguished artists. The practice began after a pitcher of soda water was accidentally spilled on a freshly decorated wall and left an unsightly stain. At the time, a noted artist, Lord Landseer, was a guest in the house. One day when the family went out to the moors, he stayed behind. With a few masterful strokes of a piece of charcoal, that ugly spot became the outline of a beautiful waterfall, bordered by trees and wildlife. He turned that disfigured wall into one of his most successful depictions of Highland life.

There are many reasons why God shouldn’t have called you. But don’t worry. You’re in good company.

Moses stuttered.

David’s armor didn’t fit.

John Mark was rejected by Paul.

Timothy had ulcers.

Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.

Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.

Jacob was a liar.

David had an affair.

Solomon was too rich.

Jesus was too poor.

Abraham was too old.

David was too young.

Peter was afraid of death.

Lazarus was dead.

John was self-righteous.

Naomi was a widow.

Paul was a murderer.

So was Moses.

Jonah ran from God.

Miriam was a gossip.

Gideon and Thomas both doubted.

Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.

Elijah was burned out.

John the Baptist was a loudmouth.

Martha was a worry-wart.

Mary was lazy.

Samson had long hair.

Noah got drunk.

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?

So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did.

But God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He’s more our Dad than our Boss. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.

As much as we try, God’s gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be...Wonderful.

Satan says, “You’re not worthy.”

Jesus says, “So what? I AM.”

Satan looks back and sees our mistakes.

God looks back and sees the cross

Joel C. Gregory writes: "I've always been fascinated with hummingbirds, so fragile, tiny, and beautiful. There are actually 320 kinds of hummingbirds. The Encyclopedia Britannica tells us that the tiniest among them is the Bee Hummingbird. It is 2 1/8 inches long, and half of that is tail feathers and beak. It only weighs five grams, just about the same weight as several aspirins would be in your hand. And yet that bird can hover, it can go up and down, sideways, and in and out with the most amazing grace and flexibility. It flaps its wings ninety times a second. And that little bird somehow knows that when it begins to get cold, for its own health, it's best to leave far Northern Canada and migrate across the United States and the Gulf of Mexico, all the way to the Panama Canal Zone. And it knows when to turn around and go back. Just an accident? If you think so, you're the type who believes there could be an explosion in a printing plant and unabridged dictionaries would fall from the sky! Jesus points to the birds and says, 'Look at God's concern for that small creature-and learn.'

"God cares. Even for little hummingbirds. And that means He cares for us."

John III Sobieski, king of Poland in the late 17th century, is best remembered as the man who saved central Europe from invading armies of Turks in 1683. With the Turks at the walls of Vienna, Sobieski led a charge that broke the siege. His rescue of Vienna is considered one of the decisive battles in European history.

In announcing his great victory the king paraphrased the famous words of Caesar by saying simply, “I came; I saw; God conquered.”

One time during World War II, a mother and her small son were walking down a street in the evening. The little boy noticed the little flags in the windows with stars on them and asked what they were. His mother explained that the people in those homes had given a son in the war. He saw two and even three in some windows. He suddenly noticed the first evening star and said, "Mommy, God must have given a son, too."

In 1985 I had the privilege of meeting a remarkable young missionary couple named James and Jaime Thomas. Soon after they were married some years ago they went to Argentina under Maranatha Ministries. Neither James nor Jaime had learned any Spanish while growing up in Kentucky. James had enrolled in a Spanish course in High school, but he was doing so poorly that he dropped it so as not to lower his grade point average.

When they arrived in Cordoba, Argentina, they began planting a church near the university campus by using interpreters. God blessed the ministry, and a small church was soon underway. At one point James invited a Puerto Rican Pentecostal evangelist, Ben Soto, to speak in a Sunday evening service. About 150 people were present. Soto, a dynamic speaker, was preaching fervently in Spanish when all of a sudden he stopped. The silence startled the congregation. They thought something had happened to the preacher.

But Soto was all right. In a few moments he said, in English, “James and Jaime, God has just told me that he is going to give you the gift of Spanish.” He invited them to come up front, laid on his hands and blessed what God was doing. Then he said, “James, you take over,” and he sat down. James was stunned and confused. He hadn’t felt anything special during Ben Soto’s prayer. So he instinctively called for his interpreter. But Soto insisted that he do it on his own in Spanish.

James reluctantly picked up the list of announcements he had written out in English, and began slowly, “En...esta...semana...varnos...a...” and proceeded to break into fluent Spanish, spoken with an Argentine accent. From that moment he has spoken Spanish like a native and written it with correct grammar, spelling and even accent marks. Not only that, but when God more recently called them to Guatemala, James found himself speaking immediately with a Guatemalan accent. He demonstrated to me (I am fluent in Spanish) how he could also speak the dialects of Honduras, Venezuela and Mexico. That would be equivalent to me switching my English accent at will from California to Kentucky to New England to Australia to Ireland.

Meanwhile, before Ben Soto came, Jaime had learned even less Spanish than her husband. She told me that she was so terrified when facing someone with whom she could not communicate that she would not even answer a knock at the door of her house. But after Soto’s prayer, some women began to ask her questions in Spanish and she found herself answering them comfortably and fluently. For some reason, God did not give her a native accent, but she speaks well, although with an American accent.

I am in correspondence with Stella Bosworth, who has been a missionary to Africa for over 30 years. Her mother, Ethel Raath, a South African, knew a few words of pigeon Zulu, but that was all. In 1935 she and her husband were assigned to do government work in Transkei, a Zulu area, and when they arrived some Zulu Christians asked them to begin services for them. Mrs. Raath felt that God was calling her to minister and pray in Zulu, so she decided to ask Him for the language. She gathered the Zulu Christians, knelt down, placed the Zulu Bible on her head, and they prayed for her to speak Zulu. From the time she got up from her knees she could speak, read and write Zulu fluently. She became her husband’s chief interpreter. Like James Thomas, God gave her a perfect Zulu accent so that they call her “the white Zulu.”

I am also in correspondence with Norman Bonner, a retired Wesleyan missionary to Haiti, and later among the Zulus as well. While in Haiti as a new missionary he had been studying French, intentionally postponing the study of Creole. But, finding himself in a situation one day when he felt he needed to preach in Creole, he specifically asked God for the language. From that time on he could preach fluently in Creole and interpret for visiting evangelists. One evangelist said, “I would give ten thousand dollars for your knowledge of Creole.”

Jon and Cher Cadd, who fly with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Zimbabwe, tell of how a Zimbabwean interpreter received the Vidoma language. In his book Bruchko, Bruce Olson describes how, in Colombia, Motilone Indian evangelists were given the Yuko language, a dialect quite different from their native tongue. Whether those involved in these two cases continued to speak the new language I do not know.

Stories like this highlight God’s power, but they must not lead us to presumption. God sometimes works this way, but I suppose that both now and in the future some 99.9 percent of new missionaries will still have to learn languages like my wife and I learned Spanish—the old-fashioned way. Nevertheless, let’s be open to God’s surprises and accept them with gratitude.

A city missionary visited a poor old woman in an attic room who had scarcely enough money for her bare existence. He observed a strawberry plant growing in a broken teapot on the windowsill, and on a subsequent visit remarked how it continued to grow and with what care it was watched and tended. "Your plant flourishes nicely; you will soon have strawberries on it." "Oh, sir, it is not for the sake of the fruit that I prize it. It is a great comfort to have that plant living, for I know it can only live by the power of God. As I see it live and grow day by day, it tells me God is near." This lonely Christian wanted something to remind her constantly that life in its continuance and growth was a direct result of God's activity.

One night when an ambassador and his valet were obliged to sleep in the same room in a hotel, the valet noticed his master tossing and turning in bed. "Sir, what bothers you?" he asked. "Oh, I have so many things on my mind. The burden of my responsibility is hard to bear." "Forgive me, sir, but do you think God has been governing the world up till now?" "Of course." "And do you think He'll manage even after you've left this world?" "Undoubtedly." "Then don't you think it's possible for you to trust Him to do it even during your lifetime?" The ambassador got the point and was soon fast asleep.

God has not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our life through; God has not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way; Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Term used to describe the fact that God is the supreme ruler of everything. God created the world and all that is in it. He sustains the entire created order in existence. He guides the affairs of human beings and nations. He providentially interacts with all that takes place. He works for the good of the world and finally will bring all things to a satisfactory conclusion. Because he is God, he has the absolute right to work his will. Sometimes sovereignty is misunderstood to mean that God forces his will on people and that we are not free to choose. That is false. God’s sovereignty includes the free choices of human beings. What makes God’s sovereignty effective is that his will it ultimately done—sometimes along with, sometimes in spite of our free choices.

When the devil came to Martin Luther and asked him to open the door of his heart so that he could come in and discuss some very important matters with him, he said, "I don't have the keys to the door; God has them. Ask Him if you wish." Needless to say, Satan took to his heels.

God hath not promised

Skies ever blue,

Flower-strewn pathways

always for you.

God hath not promised

Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow,

Peace without pain.

But He hath promised

Strength from above,

Unfailing sympathy,

undying love.

Faith honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season.

They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that he wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.” God honored that dear woman’s faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived.

After attending church one Sunday morning, a little boy knelt at his bedside that night and prayed, “Dear God, we had a good time at church today—but I wish you had been there!”

Q: Oswald Chambers said that the root of all sin is the suspicion that God is not good. Isn’t it true that somehow we’ve got a generation of kids—and perhaps their parents as well—who think that God is not good, that sin is attractive, and that God is a type of killjoy?

A: I think that’s true. And that’s why, in my relationship with my own children, I have hammered home the idea that within every negative precept—every “Thou shalt not”—there are always two positive principles. One, God gives them to protect us. And second, He gives them to provide. He’s not a cosmic killjoy who wants to take the fun out of life.

My new book has many illustrations of this. One is the story of a high school guy who wanted to go swimming with his girlfriend at midnight. The neighbors down the block had a pool, and he knew it. So they ran down there and scaled the fence even though there were No Trespassing and Do Not Enter signs. Just as he hit the diving board, the girl yelled, but it was too late. There was only a foot of water in the pool. He broke his neck, and he’s in therapy to this day. He didn’t realize that the signs on the fence—the precepts—would have protected him.

God is a worker! Perhaps you’ve never thought of Him that way. But that’s how He first appears in Scripture. In the creation account (Gen. 1-2) He wears no end of occupational hats: strategic planner, designer, civil engineer, real estate developer, project manager, artist, and many more. Using these skills, He created something that was “very good” (1:31). How good? As good as God! No wonder the creation is said to “glorify,” or praise God. His work is worth honoring, and it honors Him. (See Is. 43:7; 60:21.)

Furthermore, God continues to work (John 5:17), maintaining the creation and providing for His creatures. He also carries out the work of salvation. And He uses people to help Him accomplish these tasks. Think what that means:

1. Work itself is inherently good. God didn’t mind “getting His hands dirty,” so to speak, in creating the universe. Genesis says He “worked” to bring it into existence (2:2). But that means work must be good in and of itself, since by definition, God can only do what is good. It also means work reflects the activity of God. The engineer who designs a bridge, the zoologist who studies animals, and the farmer who raises crops all carry out jobs that God did at the beginning of the world.

2. Your work is important; it matters. The work that God gives you has dignity to it. In fact, God created you “in His image” (Gen. 1:26-27). Just as He works, so He has created you to work. Genesis even says that God has placed human beings in authority over the creation as His managers. As you use the abilities He’s given you, you can be a partner, a coworker with Him to carry out His work.

For example, God can use: the nurse to meet the health needs of patients; the grocer to distribute food to customers; the researcher to provide accurate information; the lawyer to promote justice for clients; the career homemaker to nurture growing children. God values these kinds of jobs because they help to carry out His purposes in the world. These things matter to Him.

3. There’s no such thing as “secular” or “sacred” work. God certainly uses ministers and missionaries to meet spiritual and personal needs around the world. But they are not the only people doing “God’s work.” God is just as interested in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and other needs that people have. He also cares about the management of the earth itself. It takes all kinds of skills, and all kinds of people, to do what God wants done in the world.

4. You should do your work in a way that honors God. Your work has dignity; you’re created in God’s image as a worker; you’re a coworker with God; you have God-given abilities to carry out important tasks that He wants done. All of this says that what you do for work and how you do it should bring glory to God. He should be pleased with it—and with you as you do it.

It is a most lamentable thing to see how most people spend their time and their energy for trifles, while God is cast aside. He who is all seems to them as nothing, and that which is nothing seems to them as good as all. It is lamentable indeed, knowing that God has set mankind in such a race where heaven or hell is their certain end, that they should sit down and loiter, or run after the childish toys of the world, forgetting the prize they should run for. Were it but possible for one of us to see this business as the all-seeing God does, and see what most men and women in the world are interested in and what they are doing every day, it would be the saddest sight imaginable. Oh, how we should marvel at their madness and lament their self-delusion! If God had never told them what they were sent into the world to do, or what was before them in another world, then there would have been some excuse. But it is His sealed word, and they profess to believe it.

A certain farmer had an unusual weathervane on his barn. Inscribed on the arrow were these words: "God is love." A passerby turned in at the gate and asked the farmer, "What do you mean by that? Do you think God's love is changeable; that it veers about as that arrow turns in the winds?" "Oh, no," replied the farmer, "I mean that whichever way the wind blows, God is still love."

Do you have that kind of inner resource? When life is under attack, do you have a fortress with inner provision that can withstand the siege? Between the two World Wars, the French built an 87-mile-long defensive wall called the Maginot Line-the great wall of France that defended its border with Germany. Three lines of defense were incorporated into the wall. The first were strong houses, small fortified barracks designed to sound the alarm. The second line of defense was deep, reinforced bunkers to delay enemy attack. But the third line of defense was called ouvrage, deeply buried multi-storied forts every four to six miles. Below the barracks, at the deepest level, were the storehouses of ammunition, food, and above all else, a constant supply of water from deep wells.

When the Germans did move against France, they did not even try to attack these final forts. Not a single one of the ouvrage was ever overcome or taken by the Germans. Why? The Germans knew the soldiers in these bunkers could survive and resist almost indefinitely because of the deep, endless supply of water.

All of us need fortifications for life. But every line of defense is inadequate unless deep within us there is a resource hidden, abundant, untouchable. When the assault of life's enemy comes, we need not fear if that Source is within us. Absolute trust in God means that Source of life can never be taken, despite rejection, poverty, loss of vocation, misunderstanding. Jeremiah himself experienced all of that and more. Yet what was true for him can be true for you. Jesus said it best: from within, streams of living water.

To ask that God’s love should be content with us as we are is to ask that God should cease to be God: because He is what He is, His love must, in the nature of things, be impeded and repelled by certain stains in our present character, and because He already loves us He must labour to make us lovable. We cannot even wish, in our better moments, that He could reconcile Himself to our present impurities—no more than the beggar maid could wish that King Cophetua should be content with her rags and dirt, or a dog, once having learned to love man, could wish that man were such as to tolerate in his house the snapping, verminous, polluting creature of the wild pack. What we would here and now call our “happiness” is not the end God chiefly has in view: but when we are such as He can love without impediment, we shall in fact be happy. - C. S. Lewis

1. Perhaps God keeps us ignorant because enlightenment might not help us.

2. Perhaps God keeps us ignorant because we are incapable of comprehending the answer .We remain ignorant of many details, not because God enjoys keeping us in the dark, but because we have not the faculties to absorb so much light Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.

For a number of years our family had supported an orphan girl in Greece. We finally brought her to the United States to live in our home. One day I took her with me to a church, and while there she gave her testimony. Among other things she said: "God permitted me to become an orphan. Evil men killed my father. My mother died of cancer. But God knew what He was doing. As a result of being left an orphan, I entered a Christian orphanage where I found Christ. If I had not become an orphan, I might never have come to know Jesus Christ."

I know not, but God knows;

Oh, blessed rest from fear!

All my unfolding days

To Him are plain and clear.

Each anxious puzzled “Why?”

From doubt or dread that grows,

Finds answer in this thought:

I know not, but He knows.

I cannot but God can;

Oh, balm for all my care!

The burden that I drop

His hand will lift and bear,

Though eagle pinions tire,—

I walk where once I ran,

This is my strength to know:

I cannot, but God can.

- Annie Johnson Flint

In Greek mythology, Aurora, the goddess of the dawn, fell in love with Tithonus, a mortal youth. Zeus, the king of the gods, gave her the privilege of choosing a gift for her mortal lover. Aurora asked that Tithonus live forever; however, she forgot to ask that Tithonus remain forever young; consequently, Tithonus grew progressively older; in fact, he could never die. The gift became a curse.

The God of the Bible is not like a mythological god. He never forgets anything that is not considered before He answers our prayers. He does not grant us a request which ultimately will become a burden. He is never a deceiver. Therefore, we must accept His answers as the best for us.

Something remaining. In the Old Testament some passages refer to total destruction of a nation (e.g., the Babylonians in Jer. 50:26). When God brings judgment on the people, however, he does not destroy the faithful with the wicked, but leaves a remnant (Ezek. 6:8; Mic. 2:12). The concept of a remnant stood for that part of the nation who were faithful even though most people rejected the ways of God (Isa. 4:2-4). The fact of the existence of a remnant is said to be due to God himself (Isa. 1:9; Zeph. 3:12). The remnant, then, is the real people of God, a concept we also find in the New Testament, “a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom. 11:5).

Oppressed by the noonday heat, a tired farmer sat under a walnut tree to rest. Relaxing, he looked at his pumpkin vines and said to himself, "How strange it is that God puts such big heavy pumpkins on a frail vine that has so little strength it has to trail on the ground!" And then looking up into the cool branches of the tree above him, he added, "How strange it is that God puts small walnuts on such a big tree with branches so strong they could hold a man!"

Just then a breeze dislodged a walnut from the tree. The tired farmer wondered no more, as he rubbed his head ruefully and said, "It is a good thing there wasn't a pumpkin up there instead of a walnut."

Hopefully, when the breezes of life blow, you will remember that God, Who is great and wise, makes no mistakes. He deserves our praise under any circumstance.

God has His own way of speaking to every soul. He starts with something known. We have all heard about Helen Keller, who became blind, deaf, and mute as a child. What could be the use of such a life? She was a prisoner of darkness, deprived of the outside light. However, behind the darkness and silence there was a unique intelligence waiting to be kindled by a spark from without. Her dedicated teacher was the one who led her out into the larger world and enabled her to communicate by the sense of touch. But how could Helen Keller communicate with God, or God with her? Her teacher decided to try to tell her the story of God's revelation in Jesus Christ. Using the language of touch, she did her best. At the end the child responded, "Oh, I knew He must exist, but I didn't know His name!" God had revealed Himself to her in a very special way. He can do this for every human being who is willing to listen. He has some way in which He can reach us according to our individual need and ability to comprehend.

A soldier being dealt with by a Christian worker put it very well when he said, "I see it now! God does not expect me to live His life without first giving me His nature." Faith which implants God's nature in the heart of man is a saving faith, and the faith which does not is not saving faith. Even if a man says he believes there is eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, this declaration will not save him, but going to Jesus Christ and losing himself in Him saves him. Faith which makes us run into the arms of Jesus saves; faith that makes us stand still does not save. Our works of faith emanate from a source of moral standards which we did not set up and which we cannot pull down, one that is ever above the laws of human fabrication.

Breaks his covenants (Judges 2:1, II Sam. 23:5, Isa. 55:3, Matt. 26:28)

Suffers the righteous to be moved (Ps. 55:22, 121:3, 125:1,2; II Tim. 2:19)

Leaves nor forsakes His own (Heb. 13:5, Matt. 28:20, Deut. 31:6)

Permits them to be overcome (Prov. 10:30, Isa. 26:3,4; Rom. 8:37)

Lets them be ashamed (Joel 2:26-7, Ps. 71:1, II Tim. 1:12)

Allows them to perish (John 10:28, 6:35, 11:26; 3:16; Jude 24-5)

Will let His kingdom be destroyed (Dan. 2:44, II Peter 1:10-11, Heb. 12:28)

G. K. Chesterton once said that it is often supposed that when people stop believing in God, they believe in nothing. Alas, it is worse than that. When they stop believing in God, they believe in anything.

It is related of Alexander the Great that on one occasion a courtier asked him for some financial aid. The great leader told him to go to his treasurer and ask for whatever he wanted. A little later, the treasurer appeared and told Alexander the man had asked for a large sum and that he hesitated to pay out so much. "Give him what he asks for," replied the great conqueror. "He has treated me like a king in his asking, and I shall be like a king in my giving." Oh, for the realization of the greatness of the God to whom we come in prayer! From such a God we can only beg humbly; we cannot demand anything.

In the latter part of the 17th century, German preacher August H. Francke founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of Halle. One day when Francke desperately needed funds to carry on his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin. Because of his financial situation, he politely but regretfully told her he couldn’t help her.

Disheartened, the woman began to weep. Moved by her tears, Francke asked her to wait while he went to his room to pray. After seeking God’s guidance, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to change his mind. So, trusting the Lord to meet his own needs, he gave her the money. Two mornings later, he received a letter of thanks from the widow. She explained that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day Francke received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady and 2 more from a friend in Sweden. He thought he had been amply rewarded for helping the widow, but he was soon informed that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg.

When he heard this, Francke wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy widow, he had been enriched, not impoverished.

The reign of David was the end of an era in Judah. David was 30 years of age when he became king and he reigned 40 years. His shoes were so big that none who came after him could ever fill them. As great as Solomon was, he never attained the stature of his father David, spiritually speaking. In Act 13:36, Paul tells us that David served his own generation by the will of God.

David's dream was to build a house for the Lord. In 1Sa 7:1-3, David experienced a peaceful interlude, a calm, quiet period in his life, which for him was really unique. He was a courageous warrior, usually involved in battle with one or another of the surrounding nations.

At this point, while sitting quietly, he looked around at his own beautiful palace and compared it to the tent that housed the ark of God. The comparison sorrowed David. He wanted to build a beautiful, permanent home for the holy vessels of the Tabernacle. His motive was pure and admirable because he wanted it for God's glory, not his own. He expressed this desire to Nathan the prophet, who encouraged him.

But God had a different plan. The Lord spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that it was not His will for David to build His house, but He promised to make David's dream come true through Solomon, his son.

God refused David's request, reminding him that he was a soldier, a man of war, but not a builder. How often we have wished for talents other than those God gave us. Many times, God's "NO" is just a redirection of His plan for us according to His will.

When we pray each day for divine guidance and direction, we need feel no guilt when our plans do not work out. We can have confidence that God's way is best and we can leave the results in His hand. When God says "NO," He has a better way, and our best reaction is submissive cooperation.

God has put each of us here for a purpose, however humble. Not many are called to fulfill such a great purpose as David, or to build temples. God's intended purpose for you may not be as great as your dreams, or it may be greater than you ever imagined. How sad that so many never become aware of that purpose which is the only way to true happiness and satisfaction.

The reign of David was the end of an era in Judah. David was 30 years of age when he became king and he reigned 40 years. His shoes were so big that none who came after him could ever fill them. As great as Solomon was, he never attained the stature of his father David, spiritually speaking. In Act_13:36, Paul tells us that David served his own generation by the will of God.

David's dream was to build a house for the Lord. In 1Sa_7:1-3, David experienced a peaceful interlude, a calm, quiet period in his life, which for him was really unique. He was a courageous warrior, usually involved in battle with one or another of the surrounding nations.

At this point, while sitting quietly, he looked around at his own beautiful palace and compared it to the tent that housed the ark of God. The comparison sorrowed David. He wanted to build a beautiful, permanent home for the holy vessels of the Tabernacle. His motive was pure and admirable because he wanted it for God's glory, not his own. He expressed this desire to Nathan the prophet, who encouraged him.

But God had a different plan. The Lord spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that it was not His will for David to build His house, but He promised to make David's dream come true through Solomon, his son.

God refused David's request, reminding him that he was a soldier, a man of war, but not a builder. How often we have wished for talents other than those God gave us. Many times, God's "NO" is just a redirection of His plan for us according to His will.

When we pray each day for divine guidance and direction, we need feel no guilt when our plans do not work out. We can have confidence that God's way is best and we can leave the results in His hand. When God says "NO," He has a better way, and our best reaction is submissive cooperation.

God has put each of us here for a purpose, however humble. Not many are called to fulfill such a great purpose as David, or to build temples. God's intended purpose for you may not be as great as your dreams, or it may be greater than you ever imagined. How sad that so many never become aware of that purpose which is the only way to true happiness and satisfaction.

A young man attended an informal gathering in a Christian home where those who attended were encouraged freely to express any perplexities that stood in the way of belief. "I went into the woods one day," this young man said to the group, "and sat down on a sandy patch of ground and said to God, 'God if you will destroy that little pine tree I am looking at, I will believe in you.' I sat there a long while, but nothing happened. Now, if there was a God, why didn't He reveal Himself to me when I asked Him to?" He was honestly troubled and obviously in earnest, yet, not knowing the Scriptures, he erred. Man does not set the conditions by which he will condescend to believe in God, but God sets forth the conditions under which He will reveal Himself to man. Man must come to Him through the provision He has made in Christ, repent of his sin, and yield his heart to the purifying action of the Holy Spirit. Then and only then will he "see God."

C. H. Spurgeon once said, "God is satisfied with Himself, and sufficient to His own happiness. Therefore, surely, there is enough in Him to fill the creature. That which fills an ocean will fill a bucket; that which will fill a gallon will fill a pint; those revenues which will defray an emperor's expenses are enough for a beggar or poor man." Didn't Paul say, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phi 4:19)? And He sees fit to bestow these riches on us as an inherent gift. Thus all believers possess Christ, but not every one has all His gifts, for He gives them as it pleases Him. His pleasure is according to His knowledge.

Ancient Greek poetry tells of a warrior, the hero of Troy, dressed in all his military armor, stretching out his arms to embrace his little son before going into battle. His child was frightened as he looked at the helmet and full military dress, and instead of falling into his father's arms he screamed in terror. However, under all the battle array was hidden a heart of fatherly love. The warrior threw off his armor, gathered his little boy in his arms, and held him tightly against his chest where he could hear the beating of his father's heart, as if saying, "I love you, I love you."

That's how God revealed Himself at Bethlehem. There He does not instill fear but attracts with His love.

Have you ever had difficulty in making yourself understood by a young child? Just try answering some of his questions: "What's the sky made of? Why did Grandma have to die? Where did God come from?" It can be quite a problem. The difference between your mental ability and the child's is not as great as that between the mental ability of God, the Creator, and you, His creature. What method did He use to communicate with man? Did He send a great cataclysm of nature to awe us into submission? No, He sent a little Baby to be born in Bethlehem. Of course, babies are born every day, but this was a very special Baby. He was God in the flesh.