Tag: Calling

Today’s Word Is PROPER

FINAL ISSUE
Fri-Jul-24-2020
It’s Humor Day!

At the conclusion of the sermon, the worshipers filed out of the sanctuary to greet the minister. As one of them left, he shook the minister’s hand, thanked him for the sermon and said, “Thanks for the message, Reverend. You know, you must be smarter than Einstein.” Beaming with pride, the minister said, “Why, thank you, brother!”

As the week went by, the minister began to think about the man’s compliment. The more he thought, the more he became baffled as to why anyone would deem him smarter than Einstein. So, he decided to ask the man the following Sunday.

The next Sunday he asked the parishioner if he remembered the previous Sunday’s comment about the sermon. The parishioner replied that he did. The minister asked: “Exactly what did you mean that I must be smarter than Einstein?”

The man replied, “Well, Reverend, they say that Einstein was so smart that only ten people in the entire world could understand him, but I’m pretty sure that for you, it would be less than that.”

Hmmmm … I hope that doesn’t apply to me! Although, I have wondered at times if what I was saying made sense!

And now for the verse of the day …

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

In the world of gardening, there is a certain predictability to planting a certain type of seed and knowing how long it will take to break the ground and become fruitful.

In the kingdom, seeds are being planted as well. We invest in the lives of people by “doing good.” These words and acts of kindness are like planting seeds of faith, hope, love, and joy into the lives of people. The reason we don’t want to give up on someone is because it is not predictable how long it will take the seed to sprout and grow. Everyone has a timetable that only God knows.

After planting some seed corn, there is a “proper time” for a green blade of the soon-to-be cornstalk to break the surface of the ground. Depending on the outdoor temperature, it could take anywhere from 5-14 days. If it has been two months since you planted it … well … it’s not going to happen.

In the natural world, we can know the “proper time.” In the spiritual world, God knows.

So … as for the people we invest in by planting seeds, we cannot give up, because only God knows why it is taking longer than we had hoped. A friend of mine tells the story of his 88-year old father coming to the Lord after decades of prayer by various family members. Now he is thankful he continued to pray and wait, never giving up.

Of course, we should not assume that this verse is only about salvation issues. It is about many, many things. It is about the next breakthrough in the life of a family member … or the success of the ministry you are involved in at your church … or the accomplishment of a vision that God has laid on your life … or the lifting of a burden that is causing great sacrifice and hardship. Do not let yourself become weary. There is a “proper time” in which the Lord does all things.

And so, it is that a “proper time” has arrived for me. The adventure of writing daily devotions has been a fulfilling journey for me. I thought I would be doing this for years to come, or at least that was my plan. But the Lord has something new in mind for me, though I am not fully aware of what it is.

I pray that something I have shared of the Gospel and of myself has touched your life and moved you forward in your faith … or perhaps even helped to launch your journey of faith in Christ. I thank you for your comments and encouragement.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is UNLIKELY

Tue-Jul-21-2020

There are times you are going to be called on to accomplish something that you don’t think you’re suited for. God doesn’t use our normal criteria to pick someone for a job. You or I would choose someone with talent in the desired area and available time to commit to the project. We might also go for someone with high self-esteem who is well respected, someone who would answer “yes” with great confidence.

Not God … He has a flair for performing the impossible with the unlikely! In the Book of Judges, the land of Israel is being harassed by the Midianites. The Israelites could be overrun and destroyed if something didn’t turn around and soon. I’ve been there a few times, things are falling apart, and I feel hopeless. How about you?

But God had a plan and sent an angel to tell Gideon he had been chosen to pull off the necessary turnaround. Of course, to Gideon this didn’t seem like divine orders, it seemed like nonsense. He thought this angel was a strange traveler who didn’t know what he was talking about. So, his response was two-fold … “I don’t know what makes you think God cares about us; he has abandoned us!” … and then … “Even if this could happen, you’ve got the wrong guy! I am not a leader or a warrior.” Judges 6:15… “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

So here is the take-away for today. God uses willing people, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, their high or low station, or their level of confidence to accomplish the following purposes:

First, he comes to resolve a serious need and accomplish a kingdom purpose, especially if it seems impossible to us. He wants to achieve the victory, and to create joy, thanks, and celebration.

Second, he wants to do it in a way that creates faith in you and others. Sometimes that means using the seemingly least qualified candidate, otherwise we would all praise that person for the success. God wants us to know that we can’t do it without his divine help. That way the praise goes to God, not any of us.

Finally, God wants to demonstrate that he can use you to do amazing things with his help. This requires humility plus faith plus courage.

If God is tapping you on the shoulder about something that he wants to accomplish, listen up. It might be simple … help one person in your world (at home, at work, wherever) to experience a turnaround that they desperately need. Or perhaps he sets your sights on something much bigger and intimidating. If you list all the “worldly” reasons you’re the wrong person for the job, you could miss a chance to bless one person or many.

If you think you’re the least qualified, the least likely candidate … well, there you go … it wouldn’t be the first time God took that approach! You could draw out the argument for days and days, like Gideon did, or you could go for it!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PREPARATION

Tue-May-26-2020

KEY THOUGHT: Sometimes we think we should be doing a bigger job, or a different job. Thus, we can get frustrated and impatient with what we are doing right now. We want to get on with “doing my dream” and this doesn’t seem to be it. But … you could very well be going through this job or this season to prepare you for something that God has in mind … something you don’t know about yet.

For instance, in the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel, even though it would be many years before this king would be put in place.

Samuel was presented with 7 different sons to choose from, but one by one the Lord whispered “no” as each was presented. Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him to me…” (1st Samuel 16:11)

The 8th son was named David, apparently not regarded by his family as kingly material or a candidate for greatness. But … you guessed it … Samuel had him summoned and he was the one … the future King David. When did he become King? … 15 years later! Meanwhile, he worked hard, was faithful to God, and patiently did what was before him.

Have you ever felt like you were doing something menial or without purpose, like tending the sheep? And there was no likelihood of a higher calling or purpose? Well, in David’s case, the tasks that make up shepherding were actually miniature versions of the skills needed to 1) defeat a giant named Goliath with a slingshot, 2) serve in the present king’s court, playing the harp, 3) battle enemies with his sense of confidence, and 4) care for a nation of people, like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

I had a discussion about this topic yesterday with my older daughter, who lives in California. We have both worked through the tension between seeing greater things and living in the present faithfully, trusting God for what we do not see.

My wife and I have also lived out this scenario, working in places where unfair things sometimes happened. We were constantly asking God for endurance and patience, questioning the reason for having to continue in something that seemed to have no purpose in the larger plan. We have both been released from jobs by bosses who seemed callous. And we have both continued in other situations for longer than seemed necessary.

Then there came times for all of us when God opened a new door. When that happened, we realized that the difficult time we had in a certain place was the vey thing necessary to give us the training, experience, and endurance to step into an opportunity we could never have had without those frustrating phases, lessons learned, and skills gained.

The season of life you are in right now, the job you are doing, the situation that seems like you are spinning your wheels … might very well be preparing you for something yet to come. Don’t despise where you are. Be faithful to your present situation. God has a plan. Give him time. Serve him well in small things … and wait … the best is yet to come.

Keep on keeping on,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is TEAM

Mon-May-18-2020

It is the opinion of many that John Wooden was the greatest men’s college basketball coach ever. At UCLA, he won 10 National Championships and had an 88 consecutive games winning streak. And many also feel that Pat Summitt, from the University of Tennessee was the greatest women’s college basketball coach ever. She had more wins (1,098) than any other women’s coach, and more than all but one (Mike Krzyzewski of Duke) of the men’s coaches. Her teams made it to the NCAA Tournament every year of her 38-year career.

And what do these two famous coaches stress? Teamwork.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you need a team.” – John Wooden, Men’s Basketball Coach, UCLA, 1948-1975
“Teamwork is what makes common people capable of uncommon results.” – Pat Summitt, Women’s Basketball Coach, Tennessee, 1974-2012

Perhaps one of the most important lessons of life is how to be a team member. Many talented people fail or accomplish only at a mediocre level, because they do not know how to work on a team. For those who wonder why things don’t progress, or dreams are not achieved, consider that getting a handle on the joy, blessings, and fulfillment of working together as a team might make all the difference.

You don’t have to be a star to be on a team. I would say that all those Tennessee and UCLA players on these two coaches’ teams were far prouder to have played on a team that accomplished great things and was coached by such a legendary coach than of any degree of their own talent. These two coaches didn’t just teach them about basketball, they taught them about life!

A team player is humble enough to let others be first. A team player knows that accomplishing something together produces a greater joy than doing something by ourselves. A team player knows that when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit, amazing things can happen. And a team player doesn’t go around saying “I” accomplished something … they say “we” did.

Two takeaways …

First … If teamwork is a difficult thing for you, renew your determination to be a team player. Take the humble approach of letting others know you like working together. God will lift you up through this process.

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Jesus (Luke 14:11)

Second … If you usually do well getting along with others and operating as a team, look around at those who might not. These are not mean people. They are often interested in being a part of the team, but don’t have your smooth skills at fitting in. And they are not going to force their way in. They might be waiting for a supporter or “sponsor” … someone who will invite them in, promote them to others, help them discover their contribution and enjoy teamwork. I remember younger times when certain persons used their influence to help others accept me into the group discussion by asking me to share my thoughts. This did a lot to help me discover my worth and contribution.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Here’s a question – Are you thinking this isn’t really a “spiritual” topic today? After all, the Bible doesn’t specifically talk about God’s people practicing teamwork – or does it? It may not use the word team, but essentially this is what Paul was talking about when he described the Body of Christ. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1st Corinthians 12:12-14)

Our culture emphasizes individuality, but in the Christian community we do not as individuals choose whether we want to be part of the Body or not. We are already “one Body” by definition. The choice we make is “am I going to refuse to be what I am made for, an indispensable member of the Body of Christ.” And no single part of the Church is more important than another. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1st Corinthians 12:24b-26)

It is our job to help every member to feel included, to fulfill their purpose, and to honor one another. We all need God’s help – but also, God’s team needs you, and you need God’s team. There is no greatest or least among us – we are one.

Go team!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is MOTIVATION

Mon-May-11-2020

Compassion for others can be a great motivator, and that might be why you are working in a certain profession, or why you are involved in your church’s efforts to help others, or why you are driven to be on the lookout for someone to assist. The drawback to being motivated by the compassion in your heart for those in need is this … it can end up in “burn-out.”

Without sufficient “thank you’s” – without enough successes –  and because of untimely or distressing failures – we can sometimes find ourselves ready to quit. And our moments of discouragement like that can begin to occur more frequently. We might begin say to ourselves, “I’ve had enough,” or “This isn’t working.” We could just be gradually wearing down and wondering when we will cross over the line into saying, “I can’t do this anymore.”

Compassion, while necessary, cannot permanently stand alone as a motivator. Compassion both “empties our tank” and “fills our tank.” The time and energy we expend, which drains us, can be somewhat counterbalanced by the joy and satisfaction of seeing people get well, and of finding fulfillment through our work. But sooner or later, the drainage factors win, or the frustration of dealing with difficult people becomes too much, or we run into barriers or opposition to the good things we are trying to do. When this happens, and our tank gets low, we may be tempted to just hang it up  – unless there is another source of inspiration and energy that doesn’t depend on how successful we are at maintaining a positive attitude.

Here is a truth … The only long-term, sure-fire way of operating with sufficient and even excessive mental, emotional, and physical energy is to have a source other than just feeling good about helping the people we serve, or feeling fulfilled in our calling, or gaining respect and success.

From my perspective, the combination of the love of God, the work of Christ on the cross, and the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit is the only sufficient source in all the world to sustain us when our motivation is at a dangerous low. This love, affirmation, and encouragement from God is the emotional fuel that we require. When our motivation for our work is rooted in Him, we have an unfailing source that works equally well whether we are in a season of successes or in a moment of failure.

This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) We may be doing works of compassion, and we may care deeply about those whom we serve, but the motivation for doing them cannot simply be our desire to help.

So, I describe the deeper truth this way – “Yes, I am doing this because I care about you.” But underneath is a deeper motivation, that “I am doing this for Jesus and in His Name.” My ability to care about people has limits. My compassion can be tested sometimes and may begin to slide. But the compassion of Jesus has no limits. In the words of the Steven Curtis Chapman song, “His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.” (Based on 2nd Corinthians 12:7-10)

If you are relying on yourself, your successes, or even encouragement from friends to keep you motivated, eventually there will come a time when it won’t be enough. God doesn’t just want us to “survive,” he wants us to “thrive.” God alone can supply unlimited motivation. The other support we receive will be icing on the cake.

Have a blessed day,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word is REDEPLOYMENT

Thu-Apr-30-2020

In John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples for the third time. They were out on a fishing expedition, which was Simon Peter’s idea. Six of the others agreed to go with him, including James, John, and Thomas. Haven’t you always wondered why they did this?

I am thinking that having seen Jesus twice already, they are now more at peace, but having discussions about what’s next. Is he going to show up again? How long should we wait? We can’t just sit around all day every day rehashing the same questions. Should we go back to life as we knew it? It would be good to stick together, but that would be difficult. We surely should tell our story to as many as possible.

So finally, Simon Peter says, “How about we go fishing?” And seven of them head out early the next morning. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (John 21:4-6)

<<<<< FLASHBACK TO LUKE 5 >>>>>

When Jesus began his ministry, he was walking by the lake and the people crowded around him. So, he got into an empty boat belonging to Simon and asked him to push out. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything …” (I think Simon paused right here, waiting for Jesus to change his mind, but Jesus just looked back at him, and his eyes reached deeply into Simon. So, Simon said …) “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (Luke 5:1-7)

<<<<< BACK TO JOHN 21 >>>>>

With the nets overloaded, John has a flashback and now realizes it is Jesus. [He] therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. (John 21:7-8)

Would you do that … jump in and start swimming? I sincerely believe that I would! (Tears are coming to my eyes as I think about this.) When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. (v.9) The rest of this passage has many wonderful aspects, but I am going to focus on one … redeployment.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (v.15) Jesus repeated this two more times, and there are points about why three, and what the words for love are, but my focus is that Jesus is giving Simon Peter a new direction in life.

Did Simon Peter love Jesus? I think that by jumping into the water, he was clearly acting out of his love for him. But there is an interesting twist to what Jesus was really asking. When Jesus asked, “Do you love me more than these?”, I always assumed he meant more than the other disciples. But a Greek scholar whom I like says that the connection between nouns and pronouns in these sentences indicates that Jesus meant “these fish” or “this fishing,” not “these disciples.” Maybe he was looking or pointing at the fish in front of them, or at the boat. Wow. Jesus was asking him if he wanted to go back to his fishing career or take on the mission of feeding Jesus’ sheep.

Why would Simon Peter, or why would we choose redeployment to the mission of Jesus? The motivating qualification that Jesus wanted to know was … “Do you love me more than anything?” There are not qualifications for talent or experience, only how much you love your Savior. And if you were asked three times in a row, would it help you to say “Yes!” more enthusiastically?

I believe ministry is every Christian’s primary career. And we have a secondary job career to earn money to support our missional career of blessing others in the name of Christ … a redeployment from focusing on work to feeding his sheep.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

THE REST OF THE PASSAGE – John 21:10-25

John 21:10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Today’s Word Is PERSISTENCE

Tue-Apr-21-2020

I believe the best quote about persistence that I ever heard came from legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, who once said, “It’s hard to beat a man who never gives up.”

Trainers, coaches, and developers of athletes can tell you that there is only one way to really find out how much of something you are capable of doing, and that is to do as much as you can, and then do one more. This is an act of the will in which one decides to ignore obstacles and keep going.

Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers pro football team, and many other successful people used this principle. Lombardi once said … “The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”

Many people become great successes through persistence. Thomas Edison, inventor of over 1,000 patented items, including the phonograph, electric light, and movie camera, said it this way … “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Have you seen the movie “Facing the Giants”? The high school football coach wanted to test one of his players on his persistence. He asked the young man if he could crawl on all fours to the 30-yard line? “Yes.” How about if I put this guy on your back, could you still do it? “Yes.” How about to the 50-yard line? “I think I can.”

So, the coach blind-folded him, had the other player sit on his back, and he started crawling. Other players cheered him on. “Keep going.” “You can do it.” “Just a little more to go.” The young man did not realize that he had gone well past the 50-yard line. By the time he got to the 5-yard line, they were telling him, “Just a few yards to go.” And he made it and collapsed. Boy, was he astonished when he removed the blindfold and discovered he went all 100 yards!

England needed to survive World War II, so Prime Minister Winston Churchill said this in a speech of encouragement … “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!”

This principle has a role in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul was pretty persistent. He got beat up and thrown out of town once; they thought he was dead. But he laid there awhile, got up, and went right back into town. (Acts 14:19) He was a man on a mission! Here’s what he said about persistence: “… but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 3:13-14)

There are two advantages that we as Christians have as we practice persistence. One is the purpose we are seeking to achieve. It is a God mission we are on! And the second is that the Power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us. We do not have to rely on our strength alone. Sometimes we accomplish more than we could imagine because we know God puts his power at work in us.

The Apostle Paul once prayed for an infirmity or limitation to be taken away. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2nd Corinthians 12:8-9b)

Steven Curtis Chapman sang this song, based on that Scripture … “His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is DOUBT

Mon-Apr-13-2020

The Disciple Thomas is a hero, and referring to him as “Doubting Thomas” seems a bit harsh to me. I would rather call him the “gung-ho disciple.” In Jewish terminology, they would say that Thomas had chutzpah (pron “hootspa”), meaning audacity. And as such, he’s not in bad company. In the Old Testament, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and King David all had chutzpa! You could say bold, brash, and determined.

In John Chapter 11, when Lazarus died and Jesus was going to go to Bethany, the other disciples hesitated, reminding Jesus that the Jews were plotting to kill him, and it would be a dangerous place to go. But not Thomas, oh no, he was ready! So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16) If Jesus wants to go face the threat of death, then me, too. I’m in! … Now, that’s chutzpah.

And it was Thomas who spoke up at the Last Supper when Jesus said he was going away. Jesus said, “And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5) Don’t you think all of them wanted to ask? Not even Peter spoke up. But when Thomas said “we” don’t know, none of the others denied it. And that’s when Jesus gave him that great answer, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (v.6)

Now we fast-forward to after the resurrection, when on that Sunday later in the day, Jesus came to the disciples in the upper room where they were secluded. For whatever reason, Thomas was not there, when suddenly Jesus appeared to them, showing them his wounds and saying, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

When they told Thomas they had seen the Lord, his chutzpah came out. But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

Let me encourage you, if you sometimes are experiencing doubts. It’s OK. Doubt comes in several forms, some helpful, some dangerous. I would say our goal is to eventually overcome all doubt, but it will come easy for some and hard for others, quickly for some and decades later for others. Can you be a believer and have doubts at the same time? Based on the disciples, I say yes.

Thomas wasn’t the only disciple struggling with doubt. Luke records one of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples like this, But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.” (Luke 24:37-39) More than just Thomas were struggling to understand this unbelievable turn of events.

Furthermore, at the end of Matthew, Jesus met them a final time on the mountain. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17) So, if you struggle with doubt, you are not alone. Some of the disciples did, too. Just keep on struggling through it. By the way, every single one of the disciples were witnesses and evangelists until the end. All were executed for their beliefs except John, who was exiled to an island.

Now, wrapping up with Thomas, what do you think? Did Jesus know that Thomas was not going to be there on his first appearance to the upper room? Of course, he did. So, why didn’t Jesus just wait until they were all there, including Thomas? I don’t know that answer, but I do know that Thomas ended up with a unique blessing. Jesus returned eight days later with a personal message. Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28)

The important question you must answer about your times of doubt is whether you want to keep it or let it go. Thomas was up front about saying he would let it go if he could see Jesus. Thomas had chutzpah, and he was not about to be labeled as “the disciple who was absent when Jesus appeared,” or “the only disciple who didn’t get to see the resurrected Lord, because he was off doing something else.” Thomas wanted the same privilege and experience as the rest, to see his risen Lord. And Jesus appeared especially for him.

And because of what Jesus did for Thomas, this disciple with chutzpah traveled to India, 2,500 miles away. Arriving in 52 AD, he fulfilled his calling to preach the Gospel in Eastern Asia. Many modern Christians who are descended from that area of India still call themselves “St. Thomas Christians” in his honor.

Doubt doesn’t have to hold you back. Sometimes doubt is the best incubator for faith! I can personally vouch for that.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is WITHIN

Tue-Mar-25-2020

In J.R.R. Tolkein’s book “The Hobbit” there is a point on the expedition to destroy the dragon where Gandalf the wizard has to leave the group to tend to other business, so he puts Bilbo Baggins in charge temporarily. The dwarves are displeased, as they regard Bilbo the hobbit to be lowly and incapable. One of the dwarves should be in charge by their way of thinking … after all, they are warriors and superior to hobbits.

But Gandalf persists, saying, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.”

Now, as you may or may not know, J.R.R. Tolkein, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was a close friend and confidant of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Both writers wove Christian themes into these works of fiction, and for Tolkien, the character of Gandalf was a Christ-figure.

When my children were elementary age, we had a cassette tape condensed version of The Hobbit, which we would listen to in the car as we drove on trips many times. And when the narrative would reach this scene, Gandalf would say (in the condensed version), “Bilbo Baggins, there is more about you than you know.” And then, I would pause the tape, and say to each of the kids, one at a time, calling them by name – “There is more about you than you know.” And they soon started saying back to me in unison, with delight and a giggle, “Daddy, there’s more about you than you know!” They are mid-life now, but still remember this line, as if it were imprinted on their hearts.

Do you believe that about yourself? Do you realize that God has planted things within you of which you are not aware? If not, then you’re somewhat like Gideon in the Old Testament. God’s people had called out in desperation because of the attacks of the Midianites. So, God sent an angel to Gideon to inform him that he had been chosen to lead the Israelites to do battle.

And the angel of the LORD appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6:11)

Gideon vented some frustrations about how God seemed to have abandoned his people. So, the angel explained that now was the time to solve the problem and Gideon was chosen of God to pull it off. Gideon’s response was not … “Oh, boy! Thanks for picking me! I’m your man!” Nope … it was more like … “Great idea, but you’ve got the wrong guy!”

“Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”  And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:15-16)

Have you ever felt like God needed to do something about a situation, but you were quite certain it should be handled by someone besides you?

If so, then I pass this on to you … “There is more about you than you know!” God has hidden things within you. Don’t be intimidated. When Gideon questioned why he was chosen, God didn’t give a run-down on Gideon’s advantages. he just said, “I will be with you.” God is not going to hand you an advance list of what is within you. You are going to discover as you go.

As in the Hobbit story, don’t listen to the “dwarves” who think you are not fit for the task. Listen to God, who sees within you the gifts and strengths that you do not yet realize are there. As often as needed, say to yourself, “Yes Lord, I can. Because there is more about me than I know! And best of all, you will be with me.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is FOLLOW

Thu-Mar-19-2020

Several years ago, my friends Harry and Belinda sold their house in an upscale East Brainerd neighborhood and purchased a farm across the mountain. Harry had grown up on a farm in Middle Tennessee, so this move was a return to a familiar life and a closeness to the land. He now has “100 head of cattle.”

Harry told me one time, “It doesn’t work for me to drive these cattle into a pasture. If I am behind them trying to force them in a certain direction, they go every which way. But if I get out in front, they will all follow me around anywhere.” The same could be said about flocks of sheep, which are depicted in artwork as following a shepherd toward a new pasture. And this is how the life of faith works … following.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 NRSV)

There is an excellent group study by Henry Blackaby called Experiencing God, which you should definitely experience. One of the principles he teaches is to watch what God is doing and then participate. Too often we get involved in what may be good things, and then ask God to help us. But the life of discipleship should have a different approach. Instead of asking God to “bless what we are doing,” it is more in line with the teachings of Jesus to “do what God is blessing.”

For instance, suppose you want to start a prison ministry, but find it hard to get organized and recruit volunteers. This goes on for a while with minimal progress, and you are constantly praying to God for help and direction to make this work. Meanwhile, there are teenagers at church or among your friendship connections that seem to have an affinity toward you. They ask you questions and seem to trust you. Maybe God is trying to tell you something. If you are paying attention, you would see that God is working on teenagers in your presence, while you are spending your time trying to start a prison ministry. It would appear that God wants you to mentor teenagers, not prisoners.

Pay attention to what God is doing, and then follow. Let him lead you. You and I are the sheep. We don’t need to be out front, leaving the shepherd behind. The notion of “I did it my way” that is glamorized in a popular song sounds alluring, but it is self-centered. My version of that song would go more like, “I did it my way, and messed things up!” I would rather sing it like this, “I did it God’s way, and amazingly it was much better.” That ought to be obvious, or as Homer Simpson would say, “Well, Duh!”

It is not really our job to figure out what to do, or even to figure God out. It is our job to follow him and to watch what he is doing and do that! … Follow … Watch … Join.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark