Think Twice

“That’s between me and God.” If that phrase has ever been quoted to you, I can almost assure you that unpleasant circumstances were present. This phrase is generally used when someone decides to cling to sin and reject anyone attempting to hold them accountable to the standard of God’s Word regarding the sin they’re cling to. What’s ironic about this is in their “This is between me and God” declaration, they are actually rejecting the God they imply is blessing their position.

I firmly disagree with the notion that sin is something between me and God. Now, to be totally transparent, there are times when I wish that to be the case but as a wise man once stated, “While sin may occur on an individual level, it always carries collective results.” The sting of that truth has remained with me for many years as it is totally true. In case we need biblical validation on that principle, just consider the fall of Adam and Eve. From a collective standpoint, it literally impacted HUMANITY.

Another validation for this is found in Joshua 7 regarding Achan’s sin in the accursed thing. It is an event recorded and preserved in God’s Word that causes me to think twice about giving in to sin as the “collective” consequences were devastating.

The accursed thing taken by Achan was part of the spoil that had been conquered by Israel and was to be dedicated to the LORD. God was specific in Joshua 6 that they were to keep themselves from the accursed thing and if they failed to do so, they would make the camp of Israel a curse and trouble it (Jos 6:18). Although Achan personally violated God’s command, notice the plural tone in Joshua 7:1:

Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

Achan’s choice to sin led to a compound of casualties. Consider the collective results:

                1.            God withdrew His favor from His people (Jos. 7:11-12).

                2.            36 men died in battle at Ai (7:5).

                3.            Achan and his family were stoned w/ stones and burned w/ fire (Jos. 7:25).

This all happened because of one man felt his sin was worth placing others at risk. God continues to teach me about the high price of sin. I continually discover that cost so much more than it’s worth. It wrecks my relationship with God and puts distance between me and His favor which I desperately need. But it places others in jeopardy as well. I wish it were just between me and the Lord but this is far from reality. The sobering reality is when I chose sin over obedience to God’s Word, I place my family and my local church family at risk. The Spirit of God uses this to help me think twice.

If more men would respect this truth, it might lead to a different outcome while surfing the internet or manipulating the tax forms for gain. Because after those choices are made, God will make His choice and it is sure to impact those closest to the one who chose against God’s Word.

Sin is never just between you and God. This has to make us think twice!

Feed Me!

 

A few months ago, my son prayed to receive Christ as Savior. It was a highlight as I was entrusted with the privilege of leading him to Christ. It is a day I’ll remember until my last breath. The excitement was tethered quickly by the sobering reality that many young children “pray a prayer” without truly meeting a person. I began praying and seeking the Lord about this. I wanted the Lord to confirm if my son truly met Him or if this was some type of an emotional act. I realize that ultimately, my son will have to examine whether he be in faith but studying my children is something that I feel is extremely important to the training ministry that has been given to me by the Lord. Their spiritual growth is of immense importance to me so I’m constantly monitoring how they respond in certain situations.

I could share many points of confirmation that I believe the Lord has given me regarding my son’s salvation. I’ll share one from this morning as I returned from a prayer walk. As I walked by the dining room table, I noticed my son reaching for his Bible and grabbing mine as well. He handed me my Bible while proceeding to the table taking a “feed me” position at the table. We had prepared breakfast for the kids already so I knew that he wasn’t positioning himself for Cheerios. He wanted me to feed him the Word of God. Praise the Lord!! By the grace of God, this is not uncommon with my son. Recently, he asked if I would explain faith from Hebrews 11:1. This type of behavior is evident that the Holy Spirit of God indwells my son. Again, what I think about his salvation is secondary to what he will think about it as he grows. However, it does give me direction and clarity on how to proceed with his training.

Speaking to a group of Jews who had believed on Him, Jesus said this:

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

For doctrinal clarity, we must point out that the Lord was not teaching salvation by works. The point here is simple and clear. What proves salvation is not the prayer that one prays, but the life that one displays over time that proves the sincerity of the prayer that was prayed. One of the most obvious signs of salvation is an ongoing appetite for the Word of God.

Parents of infants and toddlers become extremely concerned when there is a lack of appetite in the child. The Bible teaches that newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). Desire and growth go hand in hand therefore, when there is a desire to feed, there will be growth. As a leader having spent time with many people over the years, the lack of desire to feed on the Word of the God sets off a loud alarm to me because without that, one of two problems are on the table and in some cases, both:

                1.            The individual is out of fellowship with God.

                2.            The individual is not saved.

Like a parent of a small child, if there is a lack of desire for the Word of God in our lives, we should be very concerned regarding the state of our walk with God. This should lead to a careful and prayerful examination of where we be in the faith and if we are, then the cry ought to be, “Lord, whatever it takes, I beg You to revive my desire for Your Word.”

Disaster at Tenerife

 The date was Sunday, March 27, 1977 in Tenerife in the Canary Islands in Europe. Planes had been diverted to the Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife due to a bomb explosion at the Gran Canaria Airport. The Los Rodeos Airport sits in a valley in the shadow of one of the largest volcanoes in the world. It was not uncommon for low-lining clouds to roll down the mountain and cover the airport with fog.

After waiting for hours and the getting restless, the pilot of KLM flight 4805 carrying 248 passengers and crew, requested permission for take-off. His instructions were to proceed to the end of the airstrip, make a 180 degree turn, and wait for clearance to take off. Visibility on the ground at this point was down to 300 meters. One of the passengers was quoted as saying, “You couldn’t even see the cement.” Although the captain of the KLM jumbo jet was told to wait, he ignored the order and after a three and a half hour delay, the captain of the KLM released the brakes and began accelerating the 300,000kg jumbo jet down the runway. What he didn’t know was 1400 meters ahead of him in the thick fog was Pan Am flight 1736 carrying 394 passengers and crew. At 290km per hour, the KLM smashed into the Pan Am. There were no survivors from the KLM and most of the people on the Pan Am died. In all, 583 people died Sunday, March 27, 1977. It is the worst aviation accident in history.

This historical incident has always moved me and it still does. It moves me because it strikes real close to home as I identify all too well with the captain of the KLM. Simply put, I struggle with waiting and I think many of us do if we were to be honest with ourselves. We live in an “instant” society and we bow at the altar of convenience. The concept of waiting or being inconvenienced has become an insult. We want what we want and we want it now! Is this not the mind set of many?

If many people struggle with waiting then the stage is set for great conflict with God. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about waiting on the Lord it is this: In God’s mind, the only timing that matters is His. In other words, God is going to do WHAT He wants to do WHEN He wants to do it WHERE He wants to do it and HOW He wants to do it. And here’s another reality that we must learn, we cannot make Him move earlier than He has chosen but we can cause Him to delay. What we’re getting at here is when we allow impatience to take over all we’re doing is making matters worse which pushes God’s date to act further out. I cringe in saying that because I’ve experienced the pain of that lesson more times than I care to mention.

I used to have a very childish view of waiting on the Lord. It went something like this, “If you’re God and can do all things and is powerful over all things then what’s the point in all this waiting?” or, “I need something by this date and if I don’t have it by that date then this outcome happens and that date has passed so I’m going to have to own the situation now since You chose not to help me!” Ever play those cards? Truth be known, all I was doing was attempting to manipulate God into surrendering to my timing and when He didn’t, I foolishly took-off without clearance headed for disaster!

Here’s what I’m learning and have learned about waiting and we would all do well to embrace these truths:

1.            Waiting is Designed to Increase Your Knowledge of God.

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

There are wonders about God that we simply cannot and will not learn while we’re moving and God wants you to know these things because they are necessary for you to know.

Know this, from God’s perspective, the outcome of your knowledge of Him after waiting is of greater concern than the outcome you are concerned about. Why is this? Remember, there is no outcome that is greater than God! This is the lesson we miss when we steam down the runway without clearance.

In an instant, fast-moving world without realizing it, we forget who God is and in our wheeling and dealing we become God. This is why God will introduce seasons/situations in our lives that mandate stillness so that we can know that He is God.

                2.            Waiting is Designed to Increase Your Faith in God.

                                Psa 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

                                Psa 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Albert Barnes articulated well on the phrase “And now, Lord, what wait I for?” He stated: “means, what do I now expect or hope for; on what is my hope based; where do I find any cheerful, comforting views in regard to life? He had found none in the contemplation of the world itself, in man and his pursuits; in the course of things so shadowy and so mysterious; and he says now, that he turns to God to find comfort in his perplexities.”

David declares that his hope was in God alone. Part of what God aims to accomplish in us in waiting is that our confidence rests in no one or nothing except Him. One of the greatest enemies to waiting on the Lord is our plans or improvisations which always fall miserably short of what God has for us. This is one of the things that extends the waiting period. God will not place the last period on the trial until He is satisfied that He alone is your hope.

                3.            Waiting is Designed to Increase Your Love for God.

Psa 40:1-4 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

First of all, waiting on the Lord is never a vain act. God hears the cry of His own and He moves on their behalf and when He does, it sets off praise from us to Him.

When you’re in situations that are dire and God moves specifically on your behalf, not only do you praise Him but you love Him more than you ever have.

In closing, waiting has nothing to do with God being bored and then deciding to pick on you for a little entertainment as He sits back watching you squirm in tough circumstances. In the case of the disaster at Tenerife, had the captain of the KLM waited, it would’ve spared his life and many others. Sometimes, God wants us to wait because He desires to protect us from danger ahead that He sees that we cannot see. Whatever the reason, God knows what He’s doing and He has your best in mind. If you wait you’ll experience the blessing, joy, and peace of that. However, should you ignore the instruction to wait, it will only be to your detriment.

Wait.