On A High Hill

Boldness When Presenting the Gospel

Soul-winning can be difficult, but it is not always because the people to whom we are witnessing are belligerent, although sometimes that may be the case. Sometimes, though, we are the problem.

Our church has several additional opportunities in the summer to present the gospel that we do not have other times of the year. These include having a booth at a local festival where we set up our bounce house, provide treats, give away copies of scripture, and speak with parents about Jesus while their children jump with abandon! We also have annual events like Vacation Bible School and a week of summer camp.

We know the assignment. Sometimes we even fulfill the assignment, but more than once I have missed an opportunity to present the gospel and chastised myself later for my lack of boldness. I have been a Christian since I was fourteen, a pastor’s wife since I was eighteen, have worked for a Christian ministry for over eleven years, and have taken advantage of many opportunities to give the gospel through the years but sometimes I fail anyway.

What determines whether I follow through or fail? I do not know the answer except to say I know I am not alone. That is not an excuse, nor am I giving myself or you permission to not give the gospel when an opportunity arises. The verses that I am about to share recently encouraged me as I read them

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, ‘and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the gospel,’ for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein ‘I may speak BOLDLY, as I ought to speak.’” Ephesians 6:18-20 (emphasis mine)

Do you know who requested prayer for boldness in witnessing? THE APOSTLE PAUL! The man who was instrumental in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles in the first century!

Wow! If the Apostle Paul requested prayer for boldness, how much more must I need prayer to be bold to speak when I ought to speak? I am going to go out on a limb and say that you need prayer, too. Let us pray for each other to have boldness to speak as we ought to speak when the Lord gives us every opportunity. Summer provides many opportunities to introduce others to the Savior.

It Only Takes One Man

Looking at the state of our world today, I question, “What can one man do?” According to scripture, one man can change everything! It took only one man to plunge us into chaos, but it also took only one Man to provide the promise of a better world to come. I love the parallelism of Romans chapter 5.

By one man/Man:

*Sin entered the world (v.12-14)
*Grace was offered as a gift to the world (v.15)

*Death reigns (v. 14, 17)
*Righteousness shall reign (v. 17)

*Judgment brought condemnation (v. 18)
*Justification offers eternal life (v.18)

*One man’s disobedience made us all sinners (v. 19)
*One Man’s obedience made many righteous (v. 19)

Take hope today, my friends! And take the gospel to a condemned and dying world. One man, Adam, plunged the world into brokenness, but Jesus Christ, the God-Man has provided the remedy.

Saying The Blessing

“And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” (Luke 24:28-31)

Luke’s gospel tells of an amazing conversation that a disciple named Cleopas and an unnamed one had with a stranger as they walked the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The “stranger” amazed them when he seemed not to know of the events of recent days. To their credit, the men then provided the gospel details concerning the works of Jesus, their hopes that he would restore Israel, the deeds of their country’s religious and civil rulers that led to his crucifixion, and the astonishing resurrection news that certain women and men provided that very morning. The “stranger” was the risen Jesus, but they did not recognize him.

Despite the “stranger” seeming to be unaware of recent events, he launched into a sermon that covered the syllabus of a thorough Old Testament Survey class as given by a knowledgeable professor. They still did not recognize him.

Cleopas and the other man were hospitable, so they offered the “stranger” a meal and a place to stay for the night. It seemed safe to do so. His sermon proved that he was sympathetic. And yet they still did not recognize him.

What was it that finally opened their eyes? The “stranger” took it upon himself to offer the blessing. That did it. They recognized HIM! When they did, He suddenly vanished!

There are many lessons within this passage, but one is how important it is to say the blessing before a meal. There are at least two types of people who will benefit from hearing it.

The first type is the person who has heard the blessing before. Cleopas and his companion had probably shared at least one past meal with Jesus and heard Him offer the prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for what they were about to eat. When they heard Him say it this time that memory coupled with His recent sermon opened not only their eyes but their hearts also. We know this because they returned immediately to Jerusalem to confirm the testimony of the women and other disciples. Jesus, no longer a stranger, would meet them there, appearing just as suddenly as He had recently disappeared.

Perhaps you are parents whose children have heard the gospel but still do not have their eyes opened to who Jesus is. A heartfelt prayer of thankfulness for the food can instruct a child about the God who provides for the family’s meal whether that be through a parental paycheck or the benevolence of others. Or perhaps offering a prayer while eating in a restaurant might remind someone of hearing “grace” in the past and open their eyes to the Savior that a loved one once proclaimed to them.

The second type is the person who has never heard a prayer of blessing. As our world becomes increasingly more secular, seeing someone “offer a blessing” in a public place like a restaurant is unusual. Pausing to say it prior to eating the meal is the perfect opportunity to be a quiet witness to those around us. Have you ever looked up after the “amen” to see strangers staring at you? That is a good thing. Some of them may never have heard the gospel, but their curiosity might cause them to seek more information.

Offering a blessing over a meal may not directly present the gospel to the people who overheard it, but it certainly might remind them of the last time they heard a blessing, or it might open the door to further discussion. Either way, it is a valid means of beginning a gospel conversation. Perhaps it will allow us to share information from our own Old Testament Survey class!

Juxtapositions

"Juxtaposition is the act or state of placing two or more things side by side, often to compare, contrast, or create a striking effect. Merriam Webster"

As a Bible teacher and student, I "compare, contrast" or notice "a striking effect" when studying scripture, I find the juxtaposition of words to be of particular importance. For example, 1 John contains several examples of comparing and contrasting words or phrases that the Beloved Apostle used to striking effect.

The Bible contains several other examples of juxtaposition. For instance, Jesus is called both the Lamb and the Lion. A lamb is an animal denoted as prey and a lion as predator by David when describing his exploits as a shepherd boy to King Saul prior to facing Goliath. {See 1 Samuel 17:34-36.)

Satan is also described as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. At Calvary, it looked as though he was ultimately successful when the Lamb of God was sacrificed for our sins. But the sacrificial Lamb arose and rightly took His place as the Lion of Judah who now sits on the right hand of the Father! (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3)

There is the juxtaposition of life and death. I wrote a few weeks ago about the mystery of a dead kernel placed in the ground that grows into a live plant that produces in abundance. From death comes life. Again, this is a mystery and yet such a blessed hope as we face eternity.

I also mentioned in that previous post that I have an ill parent. As I help care for him, I am constantly noticing situations that remind me of memories from long ago. My memories of the past are often juxtaposed with events in the present. For instance:

* When I was 6 years old, my dad took the training wheels off my bike and held the back while running along behind me. The hold he had kept the bike and me from falling. This week, I put his robe on him and threaded the belt through the loops backward so that I could have a firm grip on him as I helped his frail body maneuver down the hall. My hold kept him from falling.

*When I was a few years older and a more proficient biker, my parents bought bikes for themselves. A segment of the circle freeway around our city was being built nearby so every Saturday afternoon after the chores were completed, we rode for several miles downhill and then back up. We collected fossils and discovered natural water springs from which we drank and washed. Now I drive that segment of freeway several times a week going to my parents' house. I think of those days and their discoveries often as I cross distances in minutes by car that consumed a few hours each Saturday.

*There were times as a child when I disagreed with my mom about something that needed to be done. When she was no closer to gaining my cooperation after our back-and-forth banter, she unleashed her secret weapon, my dad. Calling in the big guns always resulted in my change of behavior however begrudgingly. Now roles have reversed. When my dad disagrees with my mom about something that he must do, she still unleashes a secret weapon but now it is me. I'm the big guns and amazingly her tactical maneuver still works. I hear dad grumble under his breath as he does whatever it is that must be done for his own health and safety and I remember my own past grumblings.

This role reversal is poignant. As a child, I wanted the ability to boss my parents and now that I can I find that it doesn't bring me the joy that I imagined it would.

I have noticed other juxtapositions recently. For instance, Dickens opened his book, "A Tale of Two Cities" with this one that reminded me of a recent day of reminiscing with my parents that was only marred because of the circumstances surrounding it:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Note that "we," meaning my parents and I, are all going direct to Heaven, but otherwise it was the best of times during the worst of times.

As much as I love the opening of Dicken's book, I find the scriptures to be more uplifting. I am reminded of Solomon's juxtaposed words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV):

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace

I never want to forget the juxtaposed words of comfort penned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 KJV:

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And let us not forget the words of our Saviour himself when addressing his disciples prior to his death:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 KJV)

Be of good cheer, my friends.

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Division

I've never been fond of division. It is unpleasant, to say the least. Contention is painful if you are one of the participants and heartbreaking to witness if you are not. People who once worked well together no longer do, and the belief is that there must be someone who is right and someone who is wrong. Either way, division seems to cause harm to the cause of Christ. But sometimes God uses it. Looking back through episodes of division I have witnessed, I see how despite the division, God used it in some way to advance his Kingdom. As the scripture says, God can bring praise and glory to Himself from wrath. (See Psalm 76:10.)

Several references to contention are found in the Acts of the Apostles but usually they are between the Apostles and the Jewish religious leaders or the Apostles and civil or religious leaders in Gentile cities. One notable exception occurs between Barnabas and Paul.

Barnabas was a Levite believer who lived on Cypress. His nickname was "The Son of Consolation" because of all the comfort he provided to the persecuted Jerusalem Church. Ananias and Sapphira died pretending to do one of the works that Barnabas did. Barnabas also vouched for Saul/Paul when the Christians did not trust that their former tormentor had become a convert. And Barnabas personally traveled to Tarsus several years later to bring Paul back to Jerusalem after Paul's years of being tutored by Jesus. The church there then sent the pair to the Antioch Church in Syria to see how the dispersed believers were faring.

You know the story. The Antioch Church later commissioned Barnabas and Paul for a missionary trip to spread the Gospel and they took Barnabas's nephew, John Mark, along. Mark had a good pedigree and probably a good testimony, too, but he quit early and returned home. When Uncle Barnabas and Paul decided to take a second evangelistic trip, they disagreed over whether to take Mark. The scripture says the division between them was so contentious that they parted ways. Barnabas chose to take John Mark and Paul chose to take Silas.

Who was right? I can't answer that. The Acts of the Apostles followed only the ministry of the Apostle Paul from that point, and we read the account through the writings of Dr. Luke who later joined Paul.

The scriptures never tell us what Barnabas and John Mark accomplished on their mission trip, but it does hint that there was a transformation in John Mark and a reconciliation between him and Paul. In one of Paul's later writings, 2 Timothy 4:11, he requested that Mark come to him because he would be "useful" to Paul for ministry. The same man whom Paul found not useful before was the one person he asked to come later. Mark had somehow earned Paul's trust. This John Mark is also believed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark written with the Apostle Peter as his source. The Bible does not tell us what happened to Barnabas.

There are lessons to be learned from this story. Those who are of like faith and order but have had disagreements in the past need to find each other "useful" again for the furtherance of the gospel. But if they cannot, God is still working for His own glory even through contention and wrath. Whenever God is part of the equation, division results in multiplication.

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When God Impresses

Some of us get a bit worried when someone says, "God impressed me to . . ." Ok, I'm one of the "some." And yet, sometimes someone will say something that makes it clear that God has impressed them. I am taken aback when an acquaintance or stranger tells me that the Lord impressed them that I need their prayer but they don't know why.

This happened to me several years ago when I was having serious doubts about whether God is real. As a 50-something year old pastor's wife who was the writer of a Bible blog, I was terrified when I suddenly had a terrible thought that God isn't real. I later realized it was an oppressive attack, but in the moment I was distraught.

Obviously, I recovered or you wouldn't be reading this. That experience was the impetus behind the 1 John Bible Study that I wrote. I needed answers and I found them in scripture. But I also needed the intercessory prayers of others, and I didn't even realize it.

A few weeks after the initial spiritual attack, a dear friend from church called me and said, "I want to know what is going on because the Lord keeps waking me up at night telling me that I need to pray for you." Oh, my! Nights were the absolute worst for me. I had horrible dreams or I just laid awake thinking horrible thoughts. Meanwhile, God was waking a saint up from peaceful sleep each night to pray. Coincidence? I think not!

Fast forward to one day last week. The morning began early with a call from a hospice nurse concerning a situation that left me worried and necessitated a decision that affected both of my parents. All this before leaving for work.

I make my living talking on the phone. I usually take calls, but occasionally when there is an issue that must be addressed, I must make calls. These are stressful. Even though I can't see them, I can usually tell by their voice that the person I've called is angry.

I made such a call that same morning I received the early phone call and it was obvious the person who answered was upset. She asked for the situation to be handled in a manner that was not one of the options we offered. I put her on hold and consulted a supervisor. When I returned, the woman was noticeably calmer. She wasn't concerned about the situation that necessitated the call any longer. Instead, she said, "My husband just told me that the Lord impressed upon him that something is wrong and you need prayer." I was both shocked and nervous. Had I said something impolite or in an argumentative tone? She assured me that I had not. But God had impressed her husband . . .

I didn't give her all the details, but I told her enough. She cried! Then she and her husband prayed for me over the phone, and I cried big sobbing tears that made my coworkers pause to check on me.

I've thought much about these two scenarios when God prodded someone at just the right moment and I think I understand now. In each instance there was a believer who seemed to live the command of God to "pray without ceasing" as found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and the prayer warrior was just waiting to receive their next assignment. I was it. I'm sure these total strangers were glad not to be awakened at night by the Holy Spirit like my friend was years earlier, but their hearts were attuned to God's nudge in the same way that hers was. Each time someone obeyed and I was blessed.

I want to be like them. I want to be a "pray without ceasing" Christian so that I am impressed by God to intercede on behalf of others whether I know their need or not.

Freely I have received. I want to freely give as well.

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Planting Season

In my area of the USA, we have a saying that it is not safe to plant non-hardy botanicals outside until after Mother’s Day. Woe to those who do not heed this warning! I grew up in this area but lived in a warmer climate for several years prior to returning home. The first couple of years back I planted too early and regretted it. My dad, ever a lover of the outdoors and possessor of a green thumb, set me straight. Our yard and garden benefitted from his knowledge and often from his physical labor, too.

I was reminded recently of the gardening experiences my dad and I shared. For one thing, in a week it will be Mother’s Day, the “last frost” date. I am getting my seeds and annuals ready. For another, one of the chapters that I read this week is 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul described planting as a process of putting dead seeds into the ground so that new life can grow. He used this analogy to teach about corruptible physical bodies becoming incorruptible for eternity.

Since my annual Bible reading schedule does not change significantly, I read this chapter every year right before planting season begins, but this year it is different. This year, it is not just about planting seeds in a garden. It is more about my dad and his terminal diagnosis. There is no way for me to know the date when his corruptible body will fail, but I know that when I read 1 Corinthians 15 next year the “seed” will already have been planted.

I did not always heed frost warnings, so I foolishly planted seeds that never reached their potential to grow living plants. Those dead seeds I planted remained dead. They never became what God, their Designer, intended them to be.

Throughout my childhood, my dad warned me of another date, too: the date of my own death. He said that I need to be ready for an eternity such as the Apostle Paul preached to the Corinthians. Those who will not heed this warning, so they foolishly ignore the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ, will one day be planted as a dead seed that never sees eternal life. They will never become what God, their Designer, intended them to be.

If my dad could warn you as he did me, he would tell you to repent of your sins and trust Christ. I listened and heeded. Like my dad, I anticipate exchanging a corruptible (dead) body for an incorruptible (living) one.

Reading Paul’s writing this week both saddened me and gave me hope for the future when that which is corruptible becomes incorruptible. Although I am already grieving, I do not – nor will I ever – sorrow as those who do not know Jesus, although I may never again read 1 Corinthians 15 without thinking of the lessons my dad taught me about gardening and eternal life.

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Making Lists

I am a list maker. All my adult life I have made lists and either felt accomplished when I checked off the items or disappointed when I did not. I have several lists that I routinely follow to keep various duties on track and my day manageable.

Many are aware that I compose a chronological Bible reading plan each year. I work hard to make sure I do not make my personal reading a ritual so that I can “check it off my list of things done today.” I admit that sometimes it is hard not to do that. When I become aware of it, I slow down and give myself permission to read smaller passages. True, I get behind in the schedule, but I also read with better comprehension and feel like I have spent it with God, which is the point!

The wonderful thing about scripture is that it meets the needs of all types of people. The Creator of our personalities understands exactly how our brains are wired, including list makers like me, so He included scripture passages that outline neatly as lists. For example, Psalm 15. Scholars believe that King David wrote it about the time that he moved the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. If you remember, there was a right way and a wrong way to move it. David’s first attempt was made in the wrong way and it cost a man his life.

While the psalm addressed the temporary question about approaching the Ark with its Propitiatory or Mercy Seat, it foreshadowed everyone approaching the heavenly Throne of God. There is a right way and a wrong way to do that also. This psalm begins with questions and continues with answers to them.

The questions are in verse one, “Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? Who shall dwell in your holy hill?” We know from scripture that we will all stand before God and give an account of the things done in this body. Only those who “check the boxes” in the verses that follow will be able to approach God’s throne in the right way. What are those boxes?

He who:
1. Walks uprightly (or with complete holiness).
2. Works righteousness.
3. Speaks the truth in his heart.
4. Does not engage in backbiting (talking maliciously about someone).
5. Does not do evil to his neighbor.
6. Does not start a reproach against his neighbor (slander him).
7. Condemns evil when someone commits it.
8. Honors those that fear the LORD.
9. Keeps a promise even if it comes at a great cost.
10. Does not charge interest on a loan to someone in need.
11. Does not take a bribe so that the innocent is hurt.

How are you doing? I am not doing as well as I hoped. I cannot check the boxes next to these points because I am not completely righteous and holy. I am guilty of unholiness and unrighteousness.

I do not always speak the truth. I not only lie to others, but I also lie to myself!

I do try to love my neighbor, but if I am honest, there are times that I say things about others that I ought not to say. If my neighbor – which can be the person next door, a coworker, or (gasp!) my spouse or other family member – offends me I might not be quite as loving as this passage requires.

I usually condemn evil in others, but I have also been known to relish it or joke about it while being smug that someone got what I felt they had coming to them. I know for certain that I do not always condemn evil in myself. It is more likely that I will condone it or shrug it off.

I do not always honor other Christians who fear God and are doing a magnificent work for Him. I might even be jealous of their success.

I have not always kept my promises. I do not want to know how many I have broken, nor do I remember all that I have broken, but I know it is a lot easier to make a promise than it is to keep it.

I have not often been able to loan to others, but there have been a few times that I have and have been sorry that I did. I need to forgive those debts. People are more important than things.

I do not think I have ever taken a money bribe, but bribery comes in many forms. Any kind of influence can become a bribe.

I cannot check off any of the boxes. Not one. According to this psalm, I am not as unmovable and worthy as I think I am.

Thankfully, the tabernacle that contained the Ark of the Covenant with its Propitiatory represented the Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (tabernacling with us), and the Propitiatory (the sacrifice that provided mercy for us). I cannot check off any of the boxes in my own sinful flesh, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, the unmovable Rock, it is just as though I have checked them all.

Praise the Lord, I will abide in God’s holy hill forever!

If you do not know Jesus, the Son of God who tabernacled in your place, I encourage you to repent of your sins and trust Him so that you will be able to live on God's holy hill with Him forever.

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