FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

 

Facing an Uncertain Future by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46:10 How can we face the fog of our uneasy, uncertain future? All these terrifying events are happening---political unrest, terrorist threats and attacks, a struggling economy. What more can the future hold? Verse ten of Psalm 46 answers that. We will not worry. The text says, "cease striving . . ." The Hebrew simply uses one term in that command, and it means, "Stop!" What a great directive! STOP! I heard a mother say that to one of her children in the grocery store just yesterday. The child was busy, busy, busy. Getting into this, messing with that. "Stop!" When I heard her, I stopped! But it's the Lord who is speaking at this moment. "Stop! Stop it! Stop that worrying. Quit it! I am your refuge. I am your very present help in time of trouble. Your worry implies that I'm not here anymore. But I never left. I'm not like the swallows that leave in the winter, to return only when the weather is fair." Now you see why Psalm 46 speaks with such relevance. In times of physical catastrophe, since God is our refuge, we will not fear. At the threat of warfare, since God is our refuge, we will not be moved. With a future that seems uncertain, we will not worry. We'll remember He brings an end to wars. War is nothing new to Him. Chariots, spears, arrows have a way of making us churn within. But, stop! We will not worry. I was reminded this past week that back in the days of the Revolutionary War it wasn't uncommon for pastors to preach sermons that prepared congregations for battle, I mean literal battle. There was a war going on, and sermons were delivered to bring courage. Those sermons came to be known as "artillery sermons." Isn't that a good name? When a pastor preached with passion, you could almost hear the report of the artillery: Kavoomm! Kavoomm! Pastor's launching another artillery sermon today—Kavoomm! I love that! Artillery sermons were preached by stouthearted, unintimidated pastors, who also served as leaders of the local militia. Artillery was viewed back then as the first-strike weapon, out in front of the infantry attack. They were designed to weaken the enemy's defense for the assault. In a similar way, artillery sermons were delivered to stir hearts, preparing people for battle. God's Word became the ammunition to weaken the enemy's position and to strengthen the Christian for literal as well as spiritual warfare in the days yet future. If it would help you to think of this devotional in that way, consider this to be one of those Kavoomm messages. This is an artillery message, because some of you who read these words have been afraid. No doubt, you have been moved over some recent national or international event. You may be depressed and worried about the future, because you haven't been equipped with proper ammunition. But, in fact, no human or group is able to destroy or defend against the truth of God. If the foundations are in place, if we have the Lord God as our refuge and strength, the righteous do not fear, are not moved, and cannot worry. Kavoomm!    Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

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WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?

 

What Are You Worried About? by Rick Warren   "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life" (Philippians 4:6?7 MSG). Two businessmen were talking about the economy: Jack: "I'm about to lose my job and our house is in foreclosure, but I don't worry about it." Bob: "How can you not be worried?" Jack: "I've hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me. That way I don't have to think about it!" Bob: "That's a fantastic idea. How much does it cost to hire a professional worrier?" Jack: "$50,000 a year." Bob: "$50,000! Where are you going to get that kind of money?" Jack: "I don't know. That's HIS worry!" Worry is something you learn to do. There is no such thing as a "born worrier."  It is a learned response to life. You learned to worry from two sources: 1. You learned to worry from experience. After years of mistakes, failures, and unfulfilled expectations, you've discovered that things don't always turn out right. Out of these experiences you formed the habit of worrying. 2. You learned to worry from examples. There are many models around you. Studies show that children usually pick up their parent's worries. Anxious parents raise anxious kids. Since worry is a learned response to life, it can be unlearned! The starting point for overcoming worry is to realize it is useless. It does you no good to worry. It is "stewing without doing." Worry has never changed anything. Worry cannot change the past. Worry cannot control the future. Worry only makes you miserable today. Worry has never solved a problem, never paid a bill, and never cured an illness. It only paralyzes you so you can't work on the solution. Worry is like racing a car when its engine is in neutral; it doesn't get you anywhere, it just uses up gas. The Bible teaches, "An anxious heart weighs a man down" (Proverbs 12:25 NIV). On top of that, worry exaggerates the problem. It plays on your imagination. Have you ever noticed that when you worry about a problem it gets bigger? Every time you repeat if over and over in your mind you tend to add details, amplifying it so you feel worse. What's the solution? Instead of worrying, talk to God about what's worrying you. He is someone who can do something about it. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life" (Philippians 4:6?7 MSG).

GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU

 

God Is Watching over You by Rick Warren   "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever"(Psalm 23:6 NLT). God is watching over you. When King David writes, "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me," he's not saying, "Surely only good things will happen to me!" The fact is bad things happen to good people. What David is teaching us is that God can take bad, evil, and difficult situations and bring something good out of them. It's one of God's great promises to us: we can know that all things are working for our good "f we love God and are fitting into his plans" (Romans 8:28 LB). If you're a believer, the Bible says all things are working together for good, not that all things are good, but that they work together for good. There's no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, or disaster in life that God can't ultimately turn toward good. When you understand God's grace and mercy, there's no need to fear the future. God isn't trying to get even with you. Jesus shouldered the penalty for everything you've ever done wrong or will do wrong. He paid for it on the cross. So when a bad thing happens, you don't have to think, "God's getting even with me." That's how God's grace and mercy work. Mercy, like goodness, follows us in life. Picture a parent following a little child around picking up after them; God is constantly picking up our messes. Think about this: Christians go to the future, not with a question mark, but with an exclamation point. God will be with you no matter what happens. He will help you out.  God's goodness provides and protects; God's mercy pardons and forgives. God's goodness will supply; God's mercy will sooth. God's goodness will help; God's mercy will heal.  Goodness is the fact that God gives us good things in life that we don't deserve. Mercy means God holds back the condemnation we deserve.

IDENTIFY THE ENEMY

 

Identify the Enemy, Part One by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Peter 5:8-9 When you're in a battle, before you can march out against the enemy, you have to know who he is. It's called "gathering intelligence." You need to know how he operates, where his base of operations is, what his tactics are. You have to be able to identify him in all circumstances. And while we certainly have a number of earthly enemies, they are not the enemy about whom we must be most concerned. No. "Your adversary," Peter clearly states, is "the devil." He is at the root of all evil. He is relentlessly engaged in a strategy to bring us down. With deceptive stealth, he's "like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Last time I checked, hunters called the lion the "king of beasts." The last time I did an investigation of the devil, he was the highest of all the angelic creatures. Though he fell from that exalted position due to pride, he didn't lose any of his brilliance. Make no mistake about it, when the highest of God's angelic creations fell, he instantly rolled up his sleeves and entered into conflict with the divine plan. Small wonder that we're told, "Be of sober spirit" (v. 8a). There's a war on! Once we identify the enemy and understand his wicked ways, we realize the world is a battleground, not a playground. Let me pause here and set the record straight. First, we're living in a culture that is politically correct but is theologically, ethically, and morally corrupt. To the very center of its being, today's culture is corrupt. Humanity without Christ is totally depraved. The world will lead you directly away from the things of God, rather than toward them. Second, we are now facing hardships, conflicts, and trials like none of us would have ever imagined, because we are encountering our adversary on his turf. Everything God's people love, he hates. For instance, he hates your Christian marriage. Chances are good that more marriages are in conflict in these stressful days than in days past. Chances are you've got troubles in your family---more than usual. Perhaps one of your children is in open rebellion. If they're not there yet, it's just because they're not old enough. It's only a matter of time. Why? Our adversary hates harmony in the family. Chances are the conflicts occurring in your occupation have reached such an intense level, you're ready to say, "I don't even know if Christianity works anymore." It's all part of the enemy's strategy. Chances are you're going through a struggle emotionally or physically---either yourself, your mate, someone in your family, or one of your close friends. Chances are very good that a grandchild or a great-grandchild is very sick right now. The devil hates strong minds, secure wills, and stable bodies. We shall encounter enemy attacks in any number of areas. While we ought not to live in fear of it, we're not to be ignorant of it either. The enemy loves for you to be kept ignorant about him, to think of him inaccurately or with a shrug. He hates messages like the one in this devotional. He is being identified for who he really is; he doesn't go for that. Do you need some good news? It's found in this same section of Scripture. We can resist the enemy! Look closely yourself at the opening line of 1 Peter 5:9. "But resist him, firm in your faith. . . ." The enemy's attacks may be directed toward the vulnerable part of your life, but the shield of faith will protect you from them. You can resist him! Furthermore, realizing that God is our refuge, we can go to Him immediately. There's nothing like prayer to dislodge the darts of the enemy. And you're not alone. Verse nine states "your brethren" are experiencing the same sufferings you are. You're not unique. You are part of the groundswell of God's triumphant movement. But this counterstrategy carries with it severe tests. We'll talk more about that tomorrow.   Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Identify the Enemy, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Peter 5:8-11 Yesterday I pointed out that our true enemy, the devil, is relentlessly engaged in a strategy to bring Christians down. With deceptive stealth, he's "like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). But the next verse tells us that the shield of faith will protect us from him. We can resist the enemy (see 1 Peter 5:9)! We are part of the groundswell of God's triumphant movement. But this counterstrategy carries with it severe tests. They're coming. Some have obviously already arrived, and we are to be aware of others to come. My task is to equip you for them and to warn you ahead of time that more are coming---whatever they may be. If I knew, I would make a public announcement. But nobody knows. All we do know is that more will come our way. Our adversary never runs out of creative, deceptive ideas. But we will not fear, we will not be moved, we will not worry. Peter offers even better news: "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself . . . [I love these four promises; look at the words.] . . . perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10). Don't miss the meaning of each term. He will "perfect" us in the suffering. This means He will restore us, bringing us to a new level of maturity. Next, He will "confirm" us in the suffering. At the heart of this term is the concept of being made solid in our character. He will use the hardship to solidify our character. And then we're told, He will "strengthen" us. The fatty flab brought on by easy living will be replaced with strong muscles of determination. Finally, He will "establish" us. The Greek term suggests the idea of laying the foundations. The suffering will drive us deep to the bedrock of our faith. And in the end, who is going to win? Read verse eleven: "To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." We could add Selah! "I believe it," says the apostle Peter. "I stake my trust in it. I stand on it. I can assure you when the hard times have run their course, your lives will be perfected, confirmed, strengthened, and stabilized." The adversary will continue his assaults and take his cheap shots. I need to tell you ahead of time, that's coming. But in the end, God wins. In the amazing Book of Revelation, John vividly describes the enemy, his attacks, and the ultimate outcome. The war has already been won by the good guys. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, it was all over for Satan. He was and is ultimately defeated. Still, he fights on. And yes, he wins a few battles along the way. But it doesn't matter, because he's lost the war. It reminds me of wars past, when communications were poor. Sometimes, armies went on fighting for months after the war had officially ended, because they didn't know they had already lost. So it is with Satan and his armies. John basically stands toe to toe with the enemy, spits in his eye, and says, "Take your best shot, Satan. Do your worst. And we'll answer, 'Hallelujah anyway!' Because we know the victory is already ours." Still, when Satan and his lieutenants attack us, we must do battle. We must gather up our courage from the Word of God and march out to meet the enemy face to face. But we go knowing we are already victorious.    Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

NO FEAR

 

No Fear! Part One by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46:1-3; Psalm 94:19 In times of physical catastrophe in our lives or in our world, what is our response? Usually, it's "Why, God? Why me? Why us?" In contrast, God's Word says in times of physical catastrophe, "we will not fear" (Psalm 46:2). As you read Psalm 46:1-3, take the time to observe that the examples are all introduced with "though." "Though the earth should change, though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." Referring to what? Though there may be an earthquake, and the ground moves beneath you. "Though its waters roar and foam . . ." That would have reference to a flood, a tsunami, a tidal wave, the waters from a swelling river after the snow melts, or the rain that doesn't stop falling. The psalmist goes further---another catastrophe. "Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride." An avalanche! That horrible moment of looking up and seeing the tons of snow and debris, ice and rock plunging toward you. Our response? Since God is our refuge, we will not fear. Why not? Let me repeat the promise, which makes our foundation firm. It's because the Lord our God is our chasah. He is our refuge, He is our strength (see Psalm 46:1). He's the rock. It surprises all of us, but it's no surprise to Him. Hear that, open theists. Hear that, all you who say that God is surprised by such events, having just discovered what has happened on this earth. (Give me a break!) Our God is in sovereign control of all the events of this earth. They occur exactly as He has planned or permitted them. Then how can I explain why bad things happen? How can I resolve the ringing question, "Why, God?" I did not say our Father has explained Himself. (How, in fact, can an infinite God ever explain Himself to finite people?) I said our Father has planned or permitted the events of this earth. He has no obligation to explain Himself. The Creator does not explain why to the created. It would be like a brilliant potter explaining himself to a mass of soft clay. Nothing surprises God. What puzzles us is permitted by our Lord, for reasons too profound to grasp. It is put together in the counsel of His own will so that it fits perfectly into His plan for His glory and for His purposes. As His servant, I say in response, "I will not fear. Though I don't understand it, I will not fear. Though You take something that's deeply significant to me, though You allow a catastrophe to strike, I will not fear. I will not blame, I will not doubt, and I will not question." There will be no out-of-control anxieties. Why? Because God is our refuge. There will be no exaggerated feelings of uneasiness, because God is our refuge. There will be no middle-of-the-night shakes. Why? Because God is our refuge. There will be no morning dread or evening desperation or lingering depression. Why? Because God is our refuge. Martin Luther connected those dots: And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.¹ The answer is not complicated. Selah. Pause. Rest easy. Don't expect life to make sense. Don't fear because surprises occur. Life is full of surprises, shocks, and insanities. While feeling disturbed one night over certain atrocities that were occurring in our nation, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. I got up, walked into my study, slumped into my leather chair, and stared at my shelves of books. The small lamp we leave lit through the night gave me enough light to read one title after another. Suddenly, my eyes shifted to my computer screen. I noticed an unopened e-mail message from a long-time friend who lives in Southern California. I clicked into it and was relieved. Among other things he asked a simple question: "Have you noticed the insights in Psalm 94:19?" Curious, I opened my Bible and read the verse: "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul." Talk about a selah moment! A surge of refreshing peace rushed through me. I was reminded once again of Him who, alone, is my refuge and strength. I returned to bed and slept soundly until dawn.    1.      Luther, Martin. 1485-1546. 2.      Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. No Fear! Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46:4-11 In Part One, we talked about God's sovereign control over physical catastrophes. But there is more, much more, in Psalm 46. What about warfare? All Hebrews looked upon Jerusalem, especially in those days, as "the city of God" (46:4). The psalmist imagines a river that flows into the channels that irrigate the soil. He pictures in his mind's eye the crops and plants that grow there in that desert-like region, thanks to the flowing water. He calls the city the "holy dwelling places of the Most High" (v. 4). And again God emerges as paramount . . . God is the star of the event. "God is in the midst of her," he exclaims. "God," verse five continues, "will help her when morning dawns" (when the attack comes from the enemy). See how he puts it? When "the nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered" (v. 6). It's the picture of the Assyrians, the Egyptians, and the other enemies as they would come in and tromp over Israel with heavy boots, assaulting and attempting to blast her into nonexistence. But it never happened. Why? Because of her refuge. God is in the midst of her. And the result is this: "She will not be moved" (v. 5). We are not moved either. We are not moved; even though we may have endured an assault that was damaging, we have no reason to fear or to be moved. Verse seven says, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah" When atrocities occur in our nation or around the world, your tendency is to read the news more than you read your Bible. We know the faces of the newscasters on CNN better than we know the inspired and encouraging words in the Psalms. And because that is true we forget, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold" (v. 7). How can I be sure? How can I not be moved? How can I not fear? How can I face an uncertain future? Verse eight announces, "Come." It says, in effect, "Come here, psst, come here . . . come here." It's an invitation asking us to go back into history. Return to another time, a former era. Blow the dust off your memory. Behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. [Remember the past.] He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. (vv. 8-9) Those accounts of God's former deliverance are all written in the chronicles of history. You can read them for yourself. Consider our own nation's history, beginning with the Revolutionary War. You'll get renewed courage all over again. You'll hear George Washington quoting verses of Scripture like a preacher in a pulpit. You will read incredible statements of faith from other political leaders from that era right on into the Civil War. The speeches of our national leaders were shaped with words about the Living God. How do you think Lincoln kept his senses in a time like that? He had the most unenviable presidential experience in the history of our nation. But he was not moved. And he did not fear, thanks to his numerous selah moments. Selah. God says, "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (v. 10). As the psalmist ends this section, he makes the same statement as when he concluded the psalm: "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah." We will not fear, though catastrophes occur. We will not be moved, though we are at war. Why? Because God---the omnipotent, all-powerful, magnificent God---is our refuge and strength.    Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

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SPIRITUAL HABITS OF EFFECTIVE PEOPLE: QUIET TIME

 

Spiritual Habits of Effective People: Quiet Time by Rick Warren   "Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk" (Psalm 25:4 LB). Getting time with God each day is one of the spiritual habits of effective people. We develop spiritual fitness by having a quiet time each day for Bible reading and prayer. What's the reason for that? To get direction from God: ?Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk? (Psalm 25:4 LB). Sometimes we can get so busy in life that we can forget the direction we're going. Like the pilot in World War II flying over the Pacific, he radioed back, "I have absolutely no idea where I'm going. I'm lost. But I'm making record time.? Many times we get very busy. We need to slow down and get direction from God. This means we spend time with God on a daily basis; we talk to God in prayer; we let him talk to us from his Word; and we listen for his direction. I can honestly say that every major decision in my life has been made in a quiet time. Jesus is our model; he ?often withdrew to lonely places and prayed? (Luke 5:16 NIV). You can't get to know God if you're always in a crowd. You get to know God in a one-on-one encounter. Notice the Bible says Jesus withdrew often; his quiet time was his source of strength. And Jesus teaches that we are strengthened as we develop a deep and intimate relationship with him: ?If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you? (John 15:7 NIV).

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HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

 

How Firm a Foundation, Part One by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 11:3 An important question is asked in Psalm 11. Go with me for just a glance. David wrote Psalm 11, probably while he was being hunted and haunted by King Saul. With borderline insane paranoia, Saul began seeking the life of David, believing the young man was out to get him and take his position as king. David is on the run. As he writes in the first part of this psalm, he has flown as a bird to the mountain. And in that hiding place, momentarily removed from danger, he asks this question: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3). Great question! Webster tells us that a "foundation" is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported." Every house has a foundation. Every significant structure, every building has a foundation. The taller the building, the deeper and more important the foundation. Destroy the building's foundation, and you've toppled the building. Funny, isn't it, how words repeat themselves on other lips? I was watching a national prayer service in which Dr. Billy Graham, our nation's esteemed evangelist and spokesman for Christ, referred to the structures the terrorists destroyed on September 11, 2001. He stated that the twin towers may have been destroyed, but their foundations, amazingly, were still in place. He then spoke with great relief for our nation, saying, "It's the same with us. If our foundations are in place, then nothing else really matters." That is precisely David's point. David is not referring to structures. No house or building is in his mind, and there is no reference to such in this psalm. This psalm is about life. The righteous stand on a firm foundation. Now, should the foundation of a life be destroyed, that life crumbles. But if the foundation remains secure, no amount of stress---in David's case, no ugly attack on his life by Saul or any of his troops---would cause his life to fracture or crumble. You see, David is viewing the treacherous, threatening words of Saul as arrows coming from warriors. He uses a vivid word picture in the second verse: "Behold, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string. . . ." In those days the warrior was known for his keen ability with bow and arrow. One of the most effective weapons in David's day was a sharp, slender arrow as it slipped from the bow guided by the marksman's eye to the target. David's point is that the wicked are bending bows, and they are making ready their deadly arrows on the string. I don't think David had a literal bow and arrow in mind. He was thinking in terms of words shot at him or statements made against him, as part of the plot planned to bring him down. But that won't happen to him if the foundations of his life are strong and secure. However, if those foundations are destroyed, his life collapses, drops like a sack of salt. How do we know that his foundations were solid and secure? Hint: Look at the first verse. We'll talk about it tomorrow.  Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.     How Firm a Foundation, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46:1 We've been talking about David's significant question in Psalm 11: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3). So, how can I say that David's foundations were solid and secure? Look at the first verse. Look at his opening statement. Occasionally, in the biblical psalms, as in newspaper columns, the gist of the whole message is in the first sentence, and everything that follows is an amplification of the initial sentence. This psalm is like that. David's main message is in the first verse of this psalm: "In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, 'Flee as a bird to your mountain.'" My soul is not on the run. My spirit has not capsized, because in the Lord I take refuge. A refuge is a place of hiding. It is a place of protection. The term is chasah, in the ancient Hebrew. A chasah is a protective place that provides safety from that which would otherwise hit and hurt. It's a protection from danger and from distress. David makes it clear that Yahweh is his chasah. Since that is true, David says, "My foundations are sure." The old country preacher was right when he said, "I may tremble on the rock, but the rock doesn't tremble under me." It is my solid foundation. It stands firm no matter what may occur. That word "refuge" reminded me of yet another psalm---the forty-sixth. Who wouldn't find comfort in the solidarity of this ancient promise? This is the very psalm in which Martin Luther found refuge and relief over five hundred years ago. He hid in its truths and found strength. Psalm 46 gave him fresh courage to go on, even though misunderstood, maligned, and mistreated. How comforting were those words, "God is our refuge" (chasah, same word) . . . "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (v. 1). It was from the opening lines of this forty-sixth psalm that Luther later was inspired to write, "Ein' Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott"---"A high tower is the Lord our God." We sing those words today: "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing." And why is such a foundation sure? Because it is God, Himself! Our foundation is the God of creation. The God who made us is the God who shelters us. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [El Shaddai] I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge [my chasah] and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." ---Psalm 91:1-2, NKJV On that solid foundation, we are secure, no matter how insecure and chaotic our times may be!  Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

GOD SAYS YOU ARE VALUABLE

 

God Says You Are Valuable by Rick Warren   "You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him, be free now from all these earthly prides and fears" (1 Corinthians 7:23 LB). God says not only are you accepted, you're valuable. How much do you think you're worth? I'm not talking about your net worth; I'm talking about your self worth. Don't ever confuse your valuables with your value as a person. You can be rich or poor but it has nothing to do with your value as a person. What determines value? There are two things that determine value in life: 1. It depends on what someone is willing to pay for it. How much is your house worth? Not as much as you think it is, and probably not as much as it was a year ago. Your house is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. No more. How much is a baseball card worth? To some of you, it's worth nothing. To Matthew, my son, it?s worth a lot of money. Some people are willing to pay $10,000 for a baseball card. How much is a piece of art worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay for it. 2. It depends on who owned it in the past. Sometimes something is valuable because of who used to own it. For example, would a car owned by Elvis Presley be more valuable than a car you owned? Probably. Or, would a guitar be more valuable because it was owned by John Lennon? I read about a pair of stinky, smelly, worn out basketball shoes that sold for $7,000 at an auction because they happened to be owned by someone named Michael Jordan. Based on these two things, what's your value? Ask yourself, "Who owns me?" "What was paid for me?" The Bible says, "You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him "be free now from all these earthly prides and fears" (1 Corinthians 7:23 LB). You have been bought and paid for by Christ. You belong to Jesus. How much does that make you worth? Now ask yourself "Who do I belong to?" The Bible says you belong to God. God exchanged his own Son for you! The cross proves your value. Jesus didn't die for junk. You are incredibly valuable. Nobody has ever paid a greater price than God paid for you. You are acceptable and you are valuable!

HIDDEN HEROES

 

Hidden Heroes, Part One by Charles R. Swindoll Mark 10:35-45 Up-front heroes are often seen as being larger than life. Overstated. That's unfortunate. Because they are public figures, folks think of them as broad-shouldered giants who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. They are thought of as superpeople possessing endless strength, limitless vision, relentless determination, effortless skills, and matchless charisma. Their courage is legendary. Their words drip with eloquence. Their endorsements carry weight. Their presence, well, it's like a touch o' magic. It's an exaggeration, you understand, but . . . So it goes with certain callings . . . strong-voiced, often multitalented leaders, whose names become quotable points of reference. Their opinions and their decisions stand out, almost as if they possess an inside track to pristine truth. Agree with it or not, we still need some who can take the lead and set the pace. Big shoes must be filled. And that is certainly the way it was with Martin Luther. You and I cannot think of the Reformation without mentioning that name. What Henry Ford was to the auto industry, what Ben Franklin was to electricity, what George Halas was to professional football, what Albert Einstein was to nuclear physics, Martin Luther was to the Protestant Reformation. What a man. What a model! What a maverick! The classic shaker and mover. I am born to fight against innumerable monsters and devils. I must remove stumps and stones, cut away thistles and thorns, and clear the wild forest. Vintage Luther. Prophetlike hero talk. With sweeping statements to match his gestures, the mighty monk of Wittenberg set fire to slumbering saints all across Germany as he vigorously fanned the flame, shouting, "Heresy . . . heresy!" While prelates frowned and popes condemned, the hero kept them buzzing and forever off balance. Brushfires from his abusive language, his private debates and public disputes resulted finally in Luther's excommunication. But his exit was like his entrance, alone . . . independent . . . invincible. He needed no one but God to lean on. Or did he? We'll discover the surprising answer to that question in Part Two.  Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.     Hidden Heroes, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll Philippians 2:1-2 As we discussed in Part One, Martin Luther, hero of the Protestant Reformation, was a maverick, a classic shaker and mover. Alone . . . independent . . . invincible. He needed no one but God to lean on. Or did he? Is that true of any "hero"? No, indeed not. Back in the shadows, hidden from public view behind the massive personality of Martin Luther, was the real hero . . . the authentic intellectual of the Reformation. Yet to this day, most Christians would be unable to state his name---let alone spell it correctly. "Below middle size, diffident, hesitating, of frail body . . ." describes one of Philip Melanchthon's biographers. With a "stammering tongue, he carried one shoulder higher than the other." Not enough public relations "uumph" to make a single head turn, yet it was he who exerted the most powerful influence over Luther when the spokesman carried the torch and shook it in the face of the Church. It was he who pioneered the first Protestant edition of systematic theology. He was the genius of the educational systems of Europe . . . indeed, "the father of modern scholarship." In his generation, his knowledge of the New Testament Greek was unsurpassed by any scholar in all of Europe. How greatly Luther needed such a friend! Martin consulted Philip on difficult passages of Scripture so often, Luther's translation was really a combined effort rather than a solitary achievement. Luther had warmth, vigor, and explosive strength; Melanchthon, however, had clarity of thought, discretion, and mildness. Luther energized his quiet friend; Melanchthon tempered his. The stump-moving, thorn-pulling Luther realized the treasure he had in his brilliant compatriot. "Master Philip," he wrote, "comes along gently and softly, sowing and watering with joy, according to the gifts which God has abundantly bestowed upon him." What a one-two punch! It took Luther to commend the Reformation to the common people. But by his gracious moderation, his quiet love of order, his profound and indisputable scholarship, Melanchthon won for it the support of the learned. When Luther died, it was Melanchthon, of course, who pronounced the oration over his tomb. A few short years later, the scholar's body was lowered into the same grave alongside the more famous hero of the Reformation. Appropriately, they now rest side by side in the Old Castle Church at Wittenberg. Death, not life, the equalizer. Are you the bigger-than-life "hero" . . . the public figure folks want to see and meet and quote? If so, are you big enough to acknowledge the wind beneath your wings? Perhaps you are more like Melanchthon---in the shadows, faithfully and humbly at work, making someone else successful, providing better fuel for an ever greater fire. Be encouraged! It's for you that songs like this are written: WIND BENEATH MY WINGS It must have been cold there in my shadow, To never have the sunlight on your face. You've been content to see me shine. You always walked a step behind. I was the one with all the glory While you were the one with all strain. Only a face without a name. I never once heard you complain. Did you ever know that you're my hero? And everything I'd like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, But you are the wind beneath my wings. ---Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar Up-front heroes are often seen as being larger than life. Overstated. That's unfortunate. Hidden heroes are often seen as being smaller than life. Underrated. That's most unfortunate.   Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. "Wind Beneath My Wings," lyrics and music by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar (ASCAP). Copyright © 1982 by WB Gold Music Corp., (Admin. by Warner Chappell Music).