“He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed…” –Luke 22:41
I LIKE to start my day in conversation with God. As I drive to work, I think of the challenges that I will face during the day. I ask God for strength and wisdom; I ask God for courage and integrity. Sometimes, I don’t even ask, I just talk. Sharing my thoughts with God makes me feel much better.
But, then I saw the Master in the midst of a difficult night. He knew His time on earth was drawing to a close. He knew His final hours on earth would be filled with pain and shame and loneliness. So, in the midst of the world that crashed down around Him, He went out and found a quiet place, alone, to talk to God.
I am too busy. I had convinced myself that I could only pray on the road to someplace else. But, truly, there is no substitute for time of complete devotion in prayer.
I still talk to God as I go down the road, but now I start the day alone, in quiet solitutde, following the example of the Savior who understood that He was so busy that He had to take time to pray.
Hymn: “More Love to Thee, O Christ”
O Father, we are sorry that we offer brief words and thoughts and fool ourselves that we have given time to You. Help us, through the example of our Lord, to understand the need to pray. In His Name. Amen.
--PETE NASH, Warren, Ohio
We began our series of lessons, TheRoad of Life, with the story about a “bike ride” with Jesus. As we learn to TRUST Him, Jesus takes the front seat on our bicycle built for two. Someone pointed out to me recently that the only person who can steer on a bicycle built for two is the one in the front. Do you TRUST Him that much?
As we continued through our lessons, we have seen how Jesus shows us how to GIVE and how to CARE. Mission Sunday gave us insight into His direction to help those who are less fortunate. I personally learned that I should leave the corners of my field for the poor. I know I can do that by making sure I reserve a part of my “field of work,” my income, to help “the alien, fatherless and widows.”
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19
With Jesus in the front seat, I want to look at the things Jesus considered important in His road of life on this earth. The preceding article goes well with our thoughts for the week. It was published in Power for Today, Nashville, TN; August 2007. The author points to the importance of PRAYER in the life of Jesus. Our lesson series will continue this week with The Road of Life: Learning to Pray. Dave
“Every child saved with my help is the justification of my existence on this Earth.” – Irena Sendler
Irena Sendler, savior of children in the Warsaw ghetto, died on May 12, 2008 at the age of 98. She was unfamiliar to most people, but this remarkable woman, barely 30 at the time and less than 5 feet tall, defied the Nazis and saved 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto between 1942 and 1943. Conditions in the ghetto were horrible and typhoid was rampant. Sendler joined a Polish underground organization, Zegota, and recruited 10 close friends. Obtaining fake identification and passing herself off as a nurse, Irena was allowed to bring in food, clothes and medicine to the sick and dying. When it became clear to her what the Nazis intended for the Jewish inhabitants of the ghetto, she and her friends began smuggling out infants and children in boxes, suitcases, gunnysacks and coffins. Most of them were taken to orphanages, adopted or cared for in foster homes. Sendler recorded their true names on thin rolls of paper and buried them in jars in a friend’s garden.
In 1943, she was captured by the Nazis and tortured. Her feet and legs were broken, but she refused to tell her captors who her co-conspirators were or where the jars were buried. She escaped as a result of friends bribing one of the prison guards. After the war ended, Sendler unearthed the jars and began trying to return the children to their families. For the vast majority, there was no family.
Last year, Sendler was honored by the Polish Senate and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, which brought dozens of reporters to her door. She told them she was wearying of the attention. “Every child saved with my help is the justification of my existence on this Earth,” she said, “and not a title to glory.” For more information about Irene Sendler, click on her photo.
Irena Sendler was a bright shining light in a world of darkness.
A true hero and an example for all of us today. Sadly, almost 150 million children are struggling for survival right now. Rescuing them calls for modern heroes and people willing to sacrifice and lay their lives on the line no matter what the consequences.
Life in a Jar was written by Larry Bertram, a minister friend of mine who is now working for Lifeline of Hope. For more information about ways you can help the orphans, go to their web page at: www.lifelineofhope.org.
Mission Sunday 2008! Please remember to pray about and plan your gift to the Orphans or Bibles for Ukraine or both. Our lesson this Sunday will highlight these two opportunities. There will be newsletters and flyers from both organizations on hand Sunday. Collection containers will be available for your gift to these ministries. Don’t forget to pray! See you Sunday! Dave
Sunday, November 9, 2008 has been designated as Mission Sunday in the Escanaba (ESC) and Iron Mountain-Kingsford (IMK) congregations. Throughout the year we are presented with pleas from brothers and sisters in Christ to assist financially with mission needs outside of our community. Some of these require an immediate response—hurricane or flood relief for example. Some require commitments for meeting long term needs, such as helping orphans or giving Bibles to oppressed nations.
We will be highlighting two specific mission opportunities on Sunday, November 9th. The first is Orphan Sunday, a special day each year in which Lifeline of Hope encourages congregations and individuals to financially assist the efforts to establish and maintain homes for unwanted children throughout the world. Last year we had a special collection to assist in this effort. We want to inform the congregations of the current status of this ministry and make that opportunity available again this year.
The Bibles for the Ukraine is a new effort for our congregations. We have a short video some information to share on our Mission Sunday. Here is a brief description about the effort through Eastern European Missions (EEM).
The Bible. In Public Schools. Now, in Ukraine
It’s official. It’s a whole new country. EEM has been asked to place Bibles and Biblical literature in all 1,188 Public Schools in the state of Donetsk (Donbass), Ulraine. Students will be able to study the Bible in schools that taught Communism not long ago. While we can’t even pray in American schools. Previously, four states in Russia have asked and received Bibles for all of their Public Schools. Now, another country is open.
It’s No Accident.
The fact is, EEM is in Russian and now Ukrainian schools. God keeps doing it. God planned it. And right now, he has given us another truly divine opportunity.
The Million Dollar Sunday 2008
The need for a million dollars is figured by the cost of $3.00 per Bible for a little more than 330,000 students in Donetsk, Ukraine. I hope you will prayerfully consider these missions and how you may be able to assist.See you next week! Dave
I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase, “I have to look out for number one.” It became popular when I was in my high school and early college years. I believe it speaks about a generation of selfishness. The lessons I am presenting in Escanaba for the next several weeks confront the issue of how to connect our Christian Faith with the reality of the world in which we live (theroad of life).
Our first lesson highlighted the “Bike Ride” story with Jesus and me riding on a bicycle built for two. In our bike journey, I had to learn to trust the Lord to take control. You can view The Road of Life: Learning to Trust.
The following sermon excerpt from Dave Redick sums up the problem many of us have to face before we can learn to give away the gifts with which the Lord has blessed us.
It was the early 1970’s when Robert Ringer self-published his book, Looking Out for Number One, after it was rejected repeatedly by commercial publishers who thought it was too obtrusive. Ringer’s book, which became a national bestseller, has been described as "an essay on the virtue of selfishness." Since that time, the phrase captured in his book title has become a cliché for the unashamed pursuit of self-interest. Who hasn’t heard someone say, "I’m just looking out for number one"? It is probably much more than coincidental that the decade of Ringer’s book, the 70’s, came to be known as the "Me Decade." Whether the book simply brought the selfishness of the time out of the closet or was actively instrumental in causing it, I don’t know. What I do know is that unbridled pursuit of self-interest first has become the guiding philosophy of many people today. I spotted a bumper sticker several months ago that said it well. In white writing against a plain blue background, it said, "It’s all about me." [1]
Can we trust Him enough to give our gifts of time, money and love to those who need it most? Our lesson for this week will be about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Take a few minutes before Sunday to read Luke 10:25-37. See you Sunday! Dave
[1] Excerpt from Introduction to Sermon: “Looking Out for Number Two” written by Dave Redick, minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon; www.preacherstudy.com
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I had done wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was more like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I was in front and had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable—it was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!”
I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared;” He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed—gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did—to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received and still our burden was light. I didn’t trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, and knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. I’m learning to listen and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful and constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says...”Pedal!”
~Author Unknown
This inspirational story was first given to me by Dixie Franklin on an occasion when one of my daughters was seeking direction in her life choices. I have read it over and over again, year after year, as I try to learn to give control of my life to my Master and Friend.
Our sermon for this week and next will be based on our “bike ride” and how we can learn to give control of our lives to the One who knows what we need and how we can best serve others. God bless, Dave
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 17 Take the…sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Selected verses from Ephesians chapter six)
The Roman soldier had a short dagger about ten inches long. It was a double-edged sword used for close contact battle. Does that call a scripture to mind?
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…Hebrews 4:12a
In researching the phrase Word of God for this week’s lesson, I found that the word used in this context was not intended to describe the written word, the Bible. In the language used in Hebrews 4:12, the word rhema describes the utterance of God. This is pointing to our use of God’s Word!
I know you can think of an example recorded in the Gospels where Jesus used the Word of God in His conflict with Satan, as a soldier might use a short dagger. This is a power that we may find surprising effective in our daily struggle against the evil one. Speak the Word of God in your daily life. To do this, we have to know the Word of God. We need to study to make the Word a natural part of our lives.
Our victory has already been won. Our part in this process is to stand firm in the faith with the full armor of God. Are you prepared? If not, I urge you to accept the victory in Jesus by confessing His name as Lord in your life. Repent from a life with you in charge…turn your will over to HIM! I can assist you in being baptized for the forgiveness of sin so that you can rise to walk in a new life! See you Sunday! Dave
Paul describes our spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 by using something common to the people of his day: the armor of a Roman soldier. The shield was very large and designed to protect the body. It was made of wood and covered with leather. When the enemy would be shooting fire arrows, the shield could be soaked in water so that the flaming arrows would be extinguished as they were blocked.
…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
What is this shield of faith that is able to protect us from Satan’s flaming arrows? Faith is acting on what one believes. We take up the shield of faith when we take the truth we read in His Word and live it out in our lives!
A good example of faith in a battle setting is found in Joshua 6. This is the account of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. Marching around the city for seven days does not seem like a strong battle plan. Joshua took the shield of faith and obeyed God, and the city was delivered to Israel.
There are many examples of obedient faith in the Old and New Testaments. The battle plan has not changed today. To successfully extinguish Satan’s flaming arrows we must act in obedient faith in all we do.
Historical accounts reveal that the Roman soldiers would line up side by side with their shields locked together as they advanced…each soldier carrying his own shield that would also protect those around him. How can this image be helpful to us in the church today? Our shield of faith will not only provide protection for ourselves but also for one another in the family of believers.
Take up your shield and stand firm…
Have you entered into a relationship with the Lord? Have you been justified by faith? We want you and need you to stand with us in our efforts to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Lock your shield into ours and we’ll advance together!
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand… Ephesians 6:13
Today, we continue to put on the full armor of God enabling us to stand our ground as Christians engaged in spiritual warfare. Once we become obedient children of God, we need to take each of these pieces of armor very seriously. Are you committed to stand firm in the faith?
…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15
The Roman soldier wore a special kind of shoe designed for battle. It was an open-toed, spiked shoe that laced up above the ankle. We are all aware of the different functions of footwear. We have running shoes, golf shoes, dress shoes, slippers, etc. Each pair has a purpose and is designed with that purpose in mind.
The Roman soldier’s shoe was designed for stability much like spiked football shoes. This is consistent with the context of this passage. Paul instructs us to stand firm. Our feet play an important role in being sure-footed. As soldiers we cannot afford to be pushed backward or slip.
When it comes to spiritual battle, we must be equipped with the footwear of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We can stand secure knowing that we have peace. Let’s consider two aspects of peace as revealed through the Word of God. The first peace we have is with God.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… Romans 5:1
Because of the gospel of peace, we are no longer separated from God because of sin. The penalty of sin was paid by Christ. We accept this payment on our behalf through faith and are reconciled (reunited) with God. This is peace with God. We are no longer the enemy because of sin. We have surrendered and become children of God through our obedience to His will.
Another peace that comes through the gospel is the peace of God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7Not only do we experience the peace with God as a result of our reconciliation, we experience the peace of God through our relationship with Him. The peace of God comes from the knowledge that He is in charge. This is so important when we face struggles and circumstances that seem to shake the stability of our lives. When faced with a health crisis…The Lord is my shepherd. When temptation seems overpowering…the Lord is my strength. When indecision seems to paralyze…the Lord guides me in paths of righteousness.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place… Ephesians 6:13-14
In the time of Christ and His apostles, the Roman soldier had a breastplate that protected his heart. What protection has been provided for our hearts in the Christian army? The righteousness of Christ!
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
As a Christian, we do not have a righteousness of our own but a righteousness that has been given to us. When we start our day, we should clothe ourselves in His righteousness. We must begin to see ourselves as righteous, not as trying to be righteous. That is something to which we are bound to become a failure. Christ did not fail! We are righteous because of Him!
What are we to do if we act unrighteously? Confess our sins and keep on going.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
1 John 1:9-10
We must not discount the righteousness of Christ by making it contingent on human effort. The victory we can claim through righteousness is offered to those who are clothed in Christ.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… Ephesians 6:13-14
The armor is most likely patterned after the Roman soldier of the 1st century. Paul wrote this letter while in prison under Roman guard. The Roman soldier’s belt was very functional in holding everything together. The tunic would be tucked into the belt. The breastplate would be attached to the belt. The sword and dagger would hang from the belt. The importance of the belt was seen in the function of the armor as a whole.
It seems appropriate that Paul would use the belt to stand for truth, since without truth, we are unable to hold things together spiritually. To illustrate the importance of truth absolutely, we need to consider the trend in our society toward relative truth. This relative truth is a concept that there is no right or wrong absolutely but rather each individual should decide for themselves what is right or wrong. What truth would you want the following people to follow: what they decide is best or what their training teaches is truth?
Airline pilot…Anesthesiologist…Police officer
There are many examples that point to the importance truth plays in our lives. Spiritually speaking, truth is the beginning of authority. If our only victory is under the authority of Christ, His truth becomes very important!
Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He will purposely lie and deceive to try to get us to take our eyes off truth. Who do you think came up with the present day relative truth? That’s right, Satan! If he can get everyone to feel the peer pressure to be tolerant of everyone—no matter what they do or teach—he will have seduced us into compromise. With truth there is no compromise or approximation. Do you want your airline pilot to follow the truth of aerodynamics or just do whatever he thinks is okay?
The belt of truth also keeps us from replacing God’s Word with our feelings. Do you really want spiritual weapons that can protect you? Then you must be ready to change your feelings when God’s Word contradicts how you feel. Your feelings may be wrong, but God’s Word is always true. Satan is able to get some believers distracted because how they feel becomes more important than what God has revealed.
Satan gets nervous when we stand for truth. That leaves no loopholes for him to get through. There is a right way, and that’s the Lord’s way!
