Who Is Where You Live?

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God.” -Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV).

I read some recent statistics that state the typical American moves his place of residence on the average of 11.7 times during a lifetime, or once every seven or eight years, depending on life expectancy. Life expectancy is another interesting factor. The 2014 World Health Organization had prepared a chart of life expectancy by countries of males and females. In the reckoning and charting, the researchers considered many factors such as climate’s effect on longevity, diet, health issues and yes—moving from place to place within a given country. The United States has an average life expectancy, overall of 79.8 years and ranks 32 among the countries. In our county the life expectancy for males is 77.4 (with the rank among other countries 32 ). Average female life span in the United States is 82.2 years, ranking this age as 32 among all the countries.

Finding this an interesting study, I listed the various places I had lived. For the first seventeen years of my life I lived at my father’s house on a farm in the North Georgia mountains. We did not move a single time. But at 17 I went away to college, and from then on my total moves to date numbered 13. That was 1.3 times more than America’s average of family moves. I had never considered myself a “gad-about” before, but looking back the major moves were for education, marriage and establishing a family, following my husband’s calling of being a pastor/minister (although his places of service were longer by far than the average) and the last move because of health reasons.

Considering the current mobility of our society in the United States, I asked myself a number of questions. I invite you to think about and answer these for yourself as I have. How many times have you moved in your lifetime? What are some of the challenges of moving? What is sometimes lost when a family moves? What is gained?

In our focal scripture for today, Paul had just reminded the readers of his letter to the Ephesians that he had been called as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” As a result, he could no longer remain steadfastly in the place where he lived and worked before the Lord called him. He went on three extensive missionary journeys, traveling in a broad area of the Roman Empire. He was uprooted, persecuted, imprisoned. But wherever he was he learned to be obedient to his call. We read his declaration: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:1b). He further stated: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Who was where Paul was? “Christ…dwelled in his heart” (Ephesians 4:17 through Paul’s faith, and he was “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 4:19).

In your moves from one place to another, have you been lax in finding a new church home? Have you grown cold and distant in your commitment to the Lord and to His claim upon your life? Is it time to move close to God, and to invite Christ to dwell in your heart in power? Is it time to let Christ move with you, to live within your heart, to motivate, propel and direct you? The Rev. Vance Havner wrote: “The middle of the road is a poor place to walk. It is a poor place to drive. It is a poor place to live.” Pray: “Come in, Lord, and live with me! Be the head of where I live!” -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.26.2014

The Golden Rule

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” –Matthew 7:12 (ESV).

We know this statement from Jesus as the Golden Rule. It stands as a summary of the Law (Torah) and Prophets (the remainder of the Old Testament). And Jesus had said already in Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” How do I want to be treated? With respect, with love, with dignity? Then I must treat others in that same way. Behavior and human interaction are reciprocal. If we are “nice” (a word we use to cover acceptable, respectable conduct) in our behavior and interaction with others, we can expect to be treated in that manner. However, if our conduct toward others is undesirable, then how can we expect to be treated well? “But,” I hear arguments beginning to arise. “In this day in which we live, it’s a ‘dog-eat-dog’ society. People have forgotten how to treat each other with respect and dignity. I can’t treat people with respect or they will run all over me. It’s a cruel world in which we live!”

Yes. We hear these negative evaluations of our times on every hand, as if this mind-set allows us—Christians—to conduct ourselves in the same manner as those who do not believe in the Lord Christ. We forget that He told us, “You are light. You are salt. You are yeast. You are My children.” These metaphors Christ used to describe His followers indicate that we are to make a difference where we are. We initiate Christ-like behavior. In that way, the Golden Rule takes on a new and very purposeful dimension: “Whatsoever you wish that people should do to you, do you to them,” for this is the Lord’s way. The Christian is responsible for initiating the good and respectable treatment of others. This should be practiced deliberately as a way of life for those who love the Lord God with all their “heart and soul and mind and strength and their neighbor as themselves” (see Mt. 22:37-40 and Luke 10:27). In the book of Tobit, a popular Jewish writing, the Prophet Tobias teaches his son, “What you hate yourself, do not do to any man.” This gets near to the heart of the Golden Rule, a tenet we find not only in Jewish and Christian teachings, and pronounced by the Lord Himself, but in other writings as well. In fact, many of our laws are based on the premise in the Golden Rule. And certainly our Christian conduct should be grounded in a good understanding of it.

The term “Golden Rule” does not exist in the Bible. It is the name designated by scholars to denote Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:11 and Luke 6:31. It is found in many religions, sometimes stated a bit differently. But Jesus’ wording of it, and His command that we practice it, makes it special and unique, and of extreme importance in how we conduct our human relationships. Pray that we may be more conscious of the truth of the Golden Rule and begin this very day to put into practice its positive approach to human relationships. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe has this comment: “Remember that practicing the Golden Rule means paying a price. If we want God’s best for ourselves and others, but others resist God’s will, then they will oppose us. We are salt, and salt stings the open wound. We are light, and light exposes dirt.” (New Testament Commentary. Matthew. 2007, p. 26). Are we up to praying the price to follow the Golden Rule?

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.19.2014

When Doubts Arise

“Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? –Psalm 77:7-9 (NKJV). “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said ‘Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”-Matthew 14:27-31 (NKJV).

When I talk to persons today, I sense an underlying pessimism, a near hopelessness, despondency, doubts bordering even on despair. I hear dissatisfaction about the state of our government and laments about the deep financial debts our country wavers under, the corruption in high places, the burdens of unemployment, loss of houses, high taxes. And these laments are based on truth: we live in “perilous times.” Just as the Psalmist stated in Psalm 77:2, “My soul refused to be comforted.” The Psalmist likewise remembered “the days of old, the years of ancient times,” (v. 5) as we are prone to do, remembering “better times,” when life was simpler and times (from our golden memories) were better.

The Psalmist poses a series of questions in 77:7-9 much like our present laments about the conditions of our nation and the world. Where is God in all this trouble? I paired the questions of doubt from Psalms with the account of Peter trying to walk on the water. Symbolically, I think there is a striking parallel. Peter, confident, enthusiastic, unaware of his own weakness, started toward Jesus on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, the water held no fears for him; amazingly, he was ‘walking on water’ (buoyant, unafraid). But then his attention shifted, and he became aware of the wind and the boisterous waves. When he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. I thought how appropriately the questions of doubt posed by the Psalmist parallel our doubts, fears and loss of faith in our government and in the present social condition with all its ills. We should be aware of what is wrong, yes. But as Queen Esther of old was asked by her Uncle Mordecai: “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Just as God prepared Esther and placed her in a prominent position in King Ahasuerus’ court in Persia (about 485 B. C.), just like Peter’s attempt to walk on water and nearly sinking, until Jesus rescued him, we should think that we Christians live in these turbulent times to dispel our own doubts and fears and to encourage and mentor those who hold such dark views of the times. Not that we should see through rose-colored glasses; we do, indeed live in a time of turning away from God, of injustice, sinfulness, and loss of hope. But above the troubled seas of our times, Jesus says, “Come!” And He holds out life, and hope and a way. “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Since the sad event of 9/11/2001 when planes rammed into Twin Towers in New York in a terrible act of terrorism, America has been beset by fears and doubts. I am reminded of what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt told the American people after we faced the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” It takes a deliberate act of the will and much prayer to overcome the strong doubts and pessimism that rob us of peace of mind and prevent us from standing in the gap and acting upon our faith. Jesus still holds out His hand, as He did to Peter on the Sea of Galilee, and His invitation is still “Come!” I like the hymn we sometimes still sing in our churches: “Higher Ground.” Its words have a clarion call to us to move forward with the Lord. In this time of doubt, down-sliding and depression, the only way to look is up to Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Think on these words of “Higher Ground” by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1926): “My heart has no desire to stay/Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound/My prayer my aim is higher ground.” When doubts arise (and they will), leave them behind and soar on wings of faith! -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.12.2014

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Jesus then made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet foretells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” that started the Reformation so boldly proclaimed in Germany in 1517.

The findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For critics who want to claim events of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving the accounts true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found. These point to the ancient Egyptians burial by water as they tried to pursue the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land. The artifacts offer proof of that event in the history. Much still is “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Much is yet to be learned of the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. But we have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.05.2014

Writing Our Own Spiritual Diary

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.” –Jeremiah 30:1-2 (ESV) 

 

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme: I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” –Psalm 45:1 (ESV).

The context of Jeremiah’s command from the Lord God to ‘write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you,’ encompassed the time many of the people of Israel had been taken away into Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, and continued until the prophet’s death which presumably occurred in Egypt where he had been taken against his will after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B. C. Jeremiah was faithful in following the Lord’s command to “write in a book,” and we have the prophetic book of Jeremiah. It was to be an encouragement to the exiles when they returned to the Promised Land of Israel after their captivity in Babylon. It also has withstood as an inspired book of the Bible. Its themes on God’s judgment, His displeasure at the infidelity and sin of His chosen people, and His determination to restore a remnant of people unto Himself are all strong themes in Jeremiah’s book, written on the direction of and in obedience to God.

I receive daily and read with interest Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional with the general title, “Turning Point.” The subject for Saturday, September 27, 20114 was on keeping a spiritual diary for one’s own personal growth and for the encouragement it can be to others who might read it, even in the future when the diarist has left this life to move on to heaven. The appeal to Christians to keep a spiritual journal or diary ended with this excellent quotation from Ron Klug: “A journal is an aid to concentration, a mirror for the soul, a place to generate and capture ideas, a safety valve for the emotions, and a powerful tool for spiritual growth.” I read Mr. Klug’s quotation with great interest, and copied it into my quotation dictionary so I could have it handy as a reminder. I felt grateful that for many years I have had the habit of journalizing, of keeping a gratitude journal, a diary, a spiritual journey notebook. 

 

I have Psalm 45:1 taped to my desk where I refer to it almost daily. I like its statement: My heart overflows with a good theme.” Even when I may not be having the most productive or happiest of days, if I can record something good about the day—and write about even the disappointing so that I can see in future how God worked His mercy through the situation—then my journal-keeping has helped me to grow as a Christian. The Psalmist said he addressed his verses to “the king.” I like to think that as I am writing, whether a journal entry, a poem, an essay, a newspaper column, a note of encouragement, a newsletter for some organization, and especially these daily devotionals, that the King of Glory is motivating and helping me. I have recently read some of my personal journals from several years ago when I was enduring deep concern, caregiving, coping with serious illnesses and other perplexities of life. Viewed from the present perspective, I can see how God’s mercy provided even more than I was asking Him to supply. I can well prove two of Mr. Krug’s benefits of keeping a journal: Rereading my own, they were ‘a mirror for the soul” and “a powerful tool for spiritual growth.” God shows me through the pages of my own journals what He promised in Lamentations 3:22: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Why not begin to keep your own spiritual journal? I think you’ll be glad you did from the benefits you will receive. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 09.28.2014

What We Leave Behind

“As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” -Ecclesiastes 5:15; 7:1 (KJV).

Death is inevitable for all of us. Have you ever thought what you might leave behind as your legacy?

Perhaps you have read this story of Alexander the Great and his last wishes. It is said that on his deathbed he had three wishes. He wanted the best doctors to carry his coffin at his funeral. He wanted wealth he had accumulated, gold silver and precious stones, to be scattered along the path to his burying ground. He wanted his hands to be left dangling, empty, outside his coffin for all to see.

A general close to him asked Alexander the Great to explain these strange requests. The famous Alexander said he wanted the best doctors as his pallbearers to indicate that doctors have no power to heal. They merely administer the best practices in medicine, but healing is from a power beyond the doctors’ abilities.

He wanted his wealth scattered along the way of the funeral procession to show that it stays on earth. Remember the adage: “You can’t take it with you.” No one can take wealth to the beyond.

He wanted his hands dangling and empty to show that we leave earth empty-handed and that the most precious gift—time—is exhausted.

We take no wealth to the grave. Time is the most precious commodity we have in life, and for each our time is numbered and limited. As we live, we may produce and accumulate wealth, but we cannot control our time on earth. The biblical admonition is worthy to be heeded: “Redeeming the time for the days are evil”(Ephesians 5:16, KJV). Another legacy we can leave behind concerns the people whom we have introduced to the Lord. To help us in that glorious assignment we can resolve to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16, KJV). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 09.21.2014.

Being There

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty…The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.” (Psalm 29:4, 7-8, NRSV).

We are often saying to someone, with the hope that they will feel our support and presence in their time of grave need, “I will be there for you.” We have also said, in effect concerning someone who has meant much to us, helped us through troubles, encouraged, uplifted or inspired us, “He/she was always there for me.”

Today I would like to propose another aspect of “being there” that came as a reminder to me as I read a book by Chris Webb entitled The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on Holy Ground (Downer’s Grove, Il: Intervarsity Press, c2011). Using the technique suggested by Ignatius of Loyola, Webb invites us when we read a passage of scripture to imagine the scene as clearly as possible and allow oneself to be drawn into it—the place, the sights, the sounds, the touch. Pay attention to the details; “be there”. Then allow yourself to be a participant. What is your reaction? What is God saying to you personally in this passage? What would you say and do as a result of “being there”? Chris Webb states: “Over time, you will learn the art of being ever more attentive to God in Scripture” (p. 123).

Imagine what it was like when Moses encountered the burning bush on Mt. Horeb in the desert of Midian (Exodus 3 and 4:1-17). Moses was going about his tasks of minding his father-in-law Jethro’s flock on ‘the west side of the wilderness.’ See it: some grassland there for the flock to feed upon, but no other human being was around. Who knows? Maybe Moses was thinking about his people in Egyptian bondage and that he had killed an Egyptian taskmaster and fled the country for his life, even though he had been reared by Pharaoh’s daughter. Then in that quiet place, God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. What an amazed, astonished Moses took notice and listened. The Psalmist, in our focal verses for today, seems to recall vividly that pivotal event in Moses’ life.

Our “burning bush” experience is not likely to be as spectacular, but God wants us to “be there,” to draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us! And as with Moses—and so many others since—God wants to “be there” to speak to us individually and clearly. Moses offered excuses before he finally relented, went to his father-in-law Jethro and asked his permission to return to Egypt. From tending sheep to freeing an enslaved people and leading them; what an about-face for Moses! His obedience to the call of God stemmed from “being there” to hear and obey God. Our task, too, is to “be there,” to listen, to respond, to heed. May we be aware and obedient! –Ethelene Dyer Jones 09.14.2014.