God’s providence. We know that God is sovereign and has a plan for all things. We know he is all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful. All too often (at least for me) I can lose sight of the fact that his providence is also personal to each one of us. It is not just an over arching big thing (even though it is that too!). It applies to each of us individually.
Let me tell you a story to illustrate what I mean.
Yesterday (Thursday) was another full day. Four more church visits and some time spent at one of the bible training centers. I have no idea how many kilometers we traveled – but it sure seemed like a lot. But here, travel takes a long time because of the bad roads, curvy, twisting streets and traffic.
When we got home last night I was wrecked. I was physically and emotionally drained. I awoke this morning and began thinking through all of the places we have been and all of the people we have met – and all of the things we have seen. It made me weep with the heaviness of it all. I know I have mentioned this before – but the need in this nation is indescribable. The more we travel and the more we see – the more it hits home.
Romans 12 has been on my heart for a couple of months now, specifically verse 1. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. I had the chance to share a message on this particular verse while we have been in India.
Do you come to Church to get something from God? Please do not misunderstand me. Church is a place of refuge, replenishment for our souls, a place of worshiping our Father in heaven. But are you just taking? Are you giving back, or serving in some capacity? I want you to think deeply about what I am asking. Do you come to God always trying to get something? And has it been a fruitful experience or are you frustrated with empty results?
Have you ever tried to envision Jesus in his risen state? Read these words and the description of the vision that John gives us in Revelation 1:12-16, “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.”
Do you ever feel the call of the Lord stretching you until it feels uncomfortable – pushing you out of your comfort zone? I am experiencing it now and it is probably the first time in my life as a follower of Christ. So why does he do this? Why does he stretch us beyond our comfort and ability? Ultimately, for his glory.
Let’s look at a couple biblical examples of how God stretches those whom he calls his children.
I have been reading through the Gospel of John a lot lately. I must say some of my favorite chapters in the Bible are found in this Gospel; specifically chapters 14-17. Throughout these verses we see Jesus laying out things that are going to happen. He was going to the cross, but before he did he wanted to reassure them – and us – that though he would suffer and die, he would return.
I sense a big change coming on the horizon. We serve a mighty and awesome God!! I sense that the pieces are starting to fall into place – even though I am uncertain as to what exactly those pieces are. Have you ever experienced that? When you read in the Old Testament whether it was Moses or the prophets, when God spoke, things happened in mighty ways: parting the Red Sea, killing Egypt’s first born, just to name a couple. We have a God who acts decisively and deliberately; One who judges and saves. Even if we don’t understand it completely in the moment – he always moves at the perfect time.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the councils. And the high priest questioned them, saying, We strictly charged charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this mans blood upon us. Peter and the apostles answered We must obey God rather than man. – Acts 5:27-29
As I sit here in the airport terminal in Dubai and read these words, I marvel at the boldness and complete obedience of Peter as he stands firmly on the rock of Jesus Christ.
In the verses preceding this, the apostles had been busy preforming many signs and wonders. The high priest had them arrested and thrown in jail, but God sent angel to free them. They then went to the temple and started to preach again so they were brought before the high priest again who charged them to be silent.
Sitting in the Dubai airport last night (I think it was last night…I am not sure what day it is right now) I heard the Muslim call to prayer. It was something I knew existed but had never experienced. But I instantly knew what it was as soon as I heard it. It was a haunting reminder of the desperate need for the light of the gospel in this dark world.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” This is the missing link among all other religions in the world – the key. Jesus. Without him there is no hope of salvation, but only eternal death. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists just to name a few religions worship false gods – gods who are not alive. Gods who are not able to save. They are religions that do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord. And as our text tells us – he is the only way to salvation. There is no other.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
I love how God works. I have needed to write a blog post for Epaphroditus for some time. I have put it off for weeks. However, the verse above was a part of my Bible study that I was preparing for today, and God has laid it on my heart to stop procrastinating.
The guy who wrote 2 Corinthians 5:20 is my hero. His name is Paul. We don’t know a lot about Paul’s appearance except people said that “his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” (2 Corinthians 10:10). Paul referred to himself as a jar of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). Tradition says that he was a small man, bald, bow-legged, a long nose, and eyebrows that met.
