Will We Never Forget?

 "The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like the flower of a field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." Psalm 103:15-16

    "Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?" - Alan Jackson

    At a classic car show proudly stood a work of art. A pick-up truck, custom-painted on all sides with various patriotic scenes, drew the attention of many. The Statue of Liberty held her torch on the tailgate as the black smoke of the Twin Towers scarred the blue sky. Above was this sober reminder: We Will Never Forget!

    Indeed, anyone over the age of thirty can recall exactly where they were and what they were doing on that September day.

    Memory can be selective though. How many of us can recall a hurtful comment spoken years ago, yet have trouble remembering what was received on Christmas last year?

    We tend to be forgetful, which is why God established festivals, dates of remembrance, or memorials, such as the twelve stones that were brought up out of the Jordan River. They were put down in a prominent place within the camp of the Israelites so, in the future when their children inquired about them, they'd be told about the miraculous day when the Lord cut off the flow of the river so the entire nation could cross on dry ground (Joshua 4:1-7).

    But of what value are memorials if the events are not recounted honestly? Memorials can be torn down. History can be rewritten.

    Remembering an event is quite hinged on truth. How do we recall what happened? It boils down to a common phrase we hear in our culture: You have your truth, I have mine. Already it's been said children are being taught in our schools that 9/11 was America's fault. I wonder how the survivors of the deceased feel about that?

    Go back one generation to World War II. There are some who aver that the Holocaust never even happened, though I am young enough to remember hearing Corrie Ten Boom, an Auschwitz survivor, recounting those days as she traveled the world with the Billy Graham Crusades. I wonder how the survivors feel about that?

    The Christian faith rests on the foundation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for which His disciples were martyred, yet the disbelief continues with such preposterous ideas as this, that Christ simply swooned on the cross and, though thoroughly flogged and beaten, rolled the stone away and slipped out. Jesus predicted such hard-heartedness in Luke 16:31 when He said, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

    How true.

    Revert further to the very onset of time, when "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). "Created? Bah!" say the scoffers. "Don't tell me you believe in that fairy tale? I have evolved! I don't need God. I have built myself up from the sweat of my brow." I wonder how God feels about that?

    Will we truly never forget?

    Now let's take a look at God's memory. How does He remember things?

"Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number." Jeremiah 2:32

"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you: do not make for yourselves an idol..." Deuteronomy 4:23

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has bourne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49: 15-16

    Over the generations, God has faithfully held out his hands to an obstinate people pleading for us to "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest...You will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) He even came down here in Person and laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins. What more does He have to do?

    You know what God has forgotten? For those who trust in Christ...

    "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more." Isaiah 43:25

        Never forget what God has done for you, and He will forget all you have done against Him. That's mercy.

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." Psalm 103:2-4

    

Where Was God When I Needed Him?

 "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!'" Mark 4: 37-41

    Recently, it felt like a furious squall, such as the disciples experienced, had broken over our home when high winds pitched the trees and lightning lit the night skies. I arose to watch the power of God on display while I prayed verses from memory for protection during the storm. 

    Fierce storms have a way of putting things into perspective, don't they?

    The metaphorical storms of life can descend upon us in various ways. The sudden death of a sibling or a dire diagnosis resemble a squall of intensity, whereas a slow erosion of a marriage is like a tropical rainy season, but any can leave us feeling swamped. We may wonder where God is in all this? Does He not care if we drown in our circumstances?

    Just as Jesus was asleep on a cushion amid the maritime travail, He is in the middle of our struggle as well. The phrase from the above passage that refreshes me is, "He got up, rebuked the wind said to the waves." Whatever is breaking over the sides of my boat is subject to the Object of the faith who created it. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18); He is even Victor over the grave (Hosea 13:14). 

    These words from a song my pastor sings came to mind:

    So why should I worry, why should I fear

When the very same Jesus is always near?

He lives in my heart and hears when I cry;

I'll call on His name till the storm passes by.

"Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!" Proverbs 30:4

    

Camping with Jesus

 "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them...for those who fear Him lack nothing." Psalm 34:7, 9

    There's a unique vulnerability which surrounds camping. 

    Maybe this is due to the act of packing up, leaving what's familiar and going into unknown territory. Questions linger. Will we get lost? Will the trailer hitch hold as we drive? Are there bears in those woods?

    The foods stored in a cooler and cooked on a rudimentary stove always taste differently. Neighbors come and go; some are agreeable while others not so much. The crackling campfire casts its embers skyward beneath a canopy of stars not seen in the city, while crickets strum a lullaby beneath the pines. 

    Living the Christian life is much like camping. When a sinner repents, he leaves his life of sin, picks up his cross daily and follows Jesus into the unknown (Luke 9:23). Now the camper has hitched his trailer to the King and heads out, walking by faith and not by sight. The Bible is his map, the Holy Spirit his GPS.

    He's like Abraham who,"when called to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he didn't know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11: 8-10)

    The trappings of this world now seem like rubbish to the camper when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, for whose sake he has lost all things, as did the Apostle Paul (see Philippians 3: 7-9). There is a certain vulnerability in leaving one's former life behind, but oh, the joys of life on the road with Jesus, who encamps around those who fear Him.

    Count the cost before hitting the road. The rich young man who approached Jesus had asked Him what he must do to get eternal life. He had followed all the commandments, but he wasn't willing to follow the Commander, who had required that he sell his possessions and follow Him. "When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Matthew 19:22) He didn't want to go camping, I guess.

    As for me, I'd rather gaze at the One who made the stars, listening to the crickets together in the warmth of the fire He has made, than to gain all the temporary riches of this world.

    I wonder where He'll lead me today?

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?'" Matthew 16: 24-26

Welcome Home!

 "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Leviticus 26:12

"My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people." Ezekiel 37:27

    With great expectation, Dave and I went to the airport to greet our daughter and her two children who had not come to our home since last May. While we waited I did some people watching. One woman waited rather impatiently, checking her timepiece and looking often down the corridor. Two men passed by carrying a sign that said, "Welcome Home!" A happy family of four joyously ran up to their kin as the children greeted their grandparents. Soon it would be our time for this elation.

    Though daily photographs and phone calls from our daughter bring us such comfort, nothing beats an honest-to-goodness in-person hug. Boy, did we deliver! 

    I got to thinking about this. If I feel this strongly about seeing my descendants, I can only imagine how my heavenly Father feels when His children, on whom He has lavished such love, run into His arms.

     Ribboned throughout the Bible we see how God longs to be reunited with people. He, who once walked with mankind in the garden until sin entered the world, set into action a plan to bridge our gap. That plan was Jesus, the Holy Son of God, who came down to earth in person and made His dwelling among us (John 1:14), sacrificing His life to pay for our sins and redeem us from death. For those who believe upon His Name, transferring their trust onto Him, He sends his Holy Spirit to live within us as a deposit or a guarantee of His return (2 Corinthians 1:22).

    It's a true comfort to commune daily with the Spirit divine, speaking with God through prayer, and listening for response through the Scriptures. These are like the long-distance substitutes that guard our relationship with our kinfolk.

    But, praise the Lord, that's not the end of the story. When Jesus comes again, we shall see Him face-to-face; honest-to-goodness and in-person! The separation will finally be over as we all sit down at the banquet table to enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb. It will be the most glorious family reunion ever.

    WELCOME HOME!

"Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  Revelation 21:3-4

    

A Man Named Bill

 "Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Psalm 95: 7-8

    Before I left for an appointment, I prayed that God would lead me to someone who needs Him. To encourage the matter, I wore my "Jesus is King" tee shirt, which did indeed spark a conversation with a man named Bill and his smiling wife, Laura. They complimented me on my apparel, so I sat next to them.

    As God would have it, a software glitch caused a delay in our appointments allowing time to talk. Soon, Bill was telling me that, though he has searched for God in various kinds of churches, though he has been told many times over that there is a God and though he sees it for himself in creation, and though his wife is a Christian, he still cannot take that last step of faith. Physically, he was up in years and down on health, even close to dying at one point last year. His wife pleads for him in prayer, but, as Bill said, "I have to see to believe, and I just don't see it."

    Praying for guidance, I told him of the grace of our Lord Jesus who showed Doubting Thomas his hands and side (John 20:27), and that it is even merciful of God to allow us free will. We do not have to come to Him, but are gently and lovingly invited. Yet, any verse or tenet of my faith I offered, Bill had heard before and remained unconvinced. With tears in his eyes, his frustration was apparent, so I looked at him in love and said, "Jesus loves you and He always will."

    An old adage my mom often used says, "Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today." To delay a haircut or procrastinate over an oil change, these do not begin to compare with the putting off of one's eternal destination, for as Solomon wrote, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." (Proverbs 27:1) The words of the Apostle Paul further expound: "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

    Bill weighs heavily on my heart, as do a host of loved ones who are going their own way, so I kneel in prayer for them. God is patient, He does not want anyone to perish as He demonstrated on the cross, but one of these days will be our last one. Then what? 

If only you would hear His voice.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1: 8-9

Gone Fishin'

 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." Matthew 4:19

    When my great-nephew, Mason, was around twelve years old, I took him fishing. He had come prepared with a pole and a bucket of worms. His dad had assured me Mason knew how to fish, which fancied me just fine since I am not partial to the activity. Even the thought of putting a worm on the hook made me squeamish.

    Out on the pier, he put the hapless worm into the water and, in no time, he drew up a fish! After a moment of celebration, it was time to release the catch, but Mason motioned for me to do this odious task saying he didn't know how it was done. Well, neither did I! We bantered back and forth about it until it became clear that it was up to the adult to take it off the hook. As soon as I reached for it, the poor thing began to furiously flap about and I let out a scream. I then employed a seasoned fisherman on the next pier to help us. Then we went home.

    When Jesus called the first disciples, He walked beside the Sea of Galilee and invited four fishermen to fish for men and women. "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:20)

    I wish I were as eager as they were.

    Why do I have such fear and reticence when it comes to sharing my most precious possession: my faith in Jesus? I have wasted more time fishing around in the murky waters trying to draw up that smelly sack of my sins that Jesus hurled in there, paying no heed to His posted sign: "No Fishing." (see Micah 7:19)  

    Why do I do this? 

    Then I considered the Great Commission in which Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20) The very word "commission" defines it as a co-mission, meaning Jesus and I are fishing together! I have His promise that seals it right there in the verse.

    Instead of wasting time listening to the Accuser, I am going to follow Jesus to the pier. He has all the gear, He holds the license and the "fish" belong to Him. He just wants me to come along and share my story with others. 

    I can gladly do that, no worms involved!

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, 'Friends, haven't you any fish?'

"'No,' they answered.

"He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish." John 21: 5-6 

     

    

    

     

The Wedding

 "You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11

    It was dubbed "The Wedding of the Centuries," and since I was a skillful writer, I was chosen to cover the story. It was the chance of a lifetime, a most coveted opportunity, one I was beyond excited to report.

    Taking my seat among the others of the press box, I breathed a sigh of relief for having the necessary credentials for admittance to the gala of such magnanimous opulence. This regal wedding had no precedence, for no other such occasion could begin to rival the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

    The King of kings, also known as the Great I Am and the Lion of Judah, had chosen a bride whom, we had heard, He will crown with love and compassion, replacing her raiment of ashes and despair. Every ear had heard about this, but no eye had yet seen.

    So we waited. Cameras poised. Pens in hand. Then, as the symphony of stringed instruments ebbed and flowed, the aromas of myrrh and aloes, comingled with cassia, announced His arrival. Every knee bowed as the Bridegroom, clothed in splendor and majesty, strode from His chamber, his sword girded on his side. Like the sun that rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other, nothing was deprived of His warmth.

    Jesus Christ, who had ridden forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice, had been given the place of authority at the right hand of God. The kingdom of the world had become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and with the scepter of justice, He shall reign forever and ever. His right hand achieved awesome deeds; sharp arrows had pierced the hearts of the King's enemies. The nations had fallen beneath His feet! His throne, where palaces were adorned with ivory, will last forever and ever. And now, in the fullness of time, with the last enemy having become His footstool, the King had come for his bride.

    Who was she, this most honored of all women? Who was this Princess, all glorious within her chamber, who had kept her lamp filled with oil and the wick trimmed while her Kinsman-Redeemer went to prepare a place for her? Rumor had it she had made herself ready; fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. The media leaked that she had adorned herself with her jewels and her gown was interwoven with the gold of Ophir.

    From my seat in the press box, I had been writing what I was witnessing at a frenzied pace, not wanting to miss one detail of the scene, but now this pregnant pause poised my pen above paper as we all awaited the arrival of the bride.

    Behold! What was this unexpected commotion to my left? I turned to see the steward of the King coming to me with an urgent message:

    "Listen, daughter," he began, "and pay careful attention. Forget your people and your father's house. Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord." I could not believe my ears, but he continued. "Because you made peace with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you have gained access by faith into this grace in which you now stand. In embroidered garments, you will be led to the King, followed by your virgin companions. You will enter the palace of the King in joy and gladness!"

    Me? I am the Bride of Christ?! It seemed incredible that this lowly reporter, seated at the very end of the press box, was worthy to occupy the seat of honor at the banquet table.

    As I rose on shaky legs, I heard the steward say, "Come!" to others that had been chosen since before the creation of the world. "Come! Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." We, who believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus, were all the bride of Christ.

    As we shed our earthly tents, we donned the righteous robes of Christ for, without the proper attire, the King will tie that interloper hand and foot and throw him into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    What a happy throng we made, this heavenly host arrayed in white. We joined the chorus of angels singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." As we filed into the great banquet hall, God Himself dwelt among us, making sure to wipe any tears from our eyes. Those days of mourning, crying or pain had passed away.

    An angel graciously helped me find my place at the long table, heavy laden with fresh flowers and the richest of fare. Golden plates gleamed and crystal stemware sparkled by the light of the Son. My heart skipped with joy when I espied my name card at the center of the place setting. My name! Inscribed beneath were these words:

 "I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name. You are mine."

Love, Jesus

Scriptures were drawn from: Psalm 45, Psalm 19:5, Isaiah 43:1, 54:5, 55:2, 61:10, 62:5, Matthew 22: 1-14, 25:5, John 14: 2-3, Romans 5:2, Philippians 2:10, Hebrews 10:13, Revelation 4:8, 11:15, 19:7, 21: 2-9, 22:17