Archive | August 2020

Chaplain’s Corner – Amazement

Aug26

I Stand Amazed

As a grandmother, I often exclaim to my grandchildren “that’s amazing”” over one of their many accomplishments (such as first steps, first words and sentences, using the potty (anytime), riding a bicycle, drawing a picture, you get the idea…).  It is truly wonderful, but probably not really amazing. In fact, it’s just what is supposed to happen as they grow up.

But did you know that it is reported twice in the Bible that Jesus himself was amazed? What could possibly amaze Jesus?

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:5-6). After he had started his ministry travels, Jesus went back home to preach in Nazareth. He didn’t accomplish much there, however, because the people who had watched him grow up rejected him. Even his own brothers and sisters thought he was a joke. We learn from Peter (in the gospel of Mark) that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. Even though they had watched him grow up from a child, they failed to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. That’s amazing!

“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matthew 8:10).  Jesus was also amazed at the Roman soldier who requested that Jesus heal his son and who knew that He could do it without even coming into the house where his son was.Even though this Centurion was stationed in Palestine to impose Roman authority over the Jews, he recognized Jesus as the Son of God. That’s amazing!

It has always been amazing to me that the Jewish leaders failed to see Jesus for who He was. They were blinded by their own self-interest and didn’t want to diminish their own authority and prestige by admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, as prophesied in their own Holy Scriptures. And it has always been amazing to me that Jesus chose people of humble status to be his chosen apostles to carry on after He ascended to Heaven. These mostly unlearned men were able to know the truth and state with confidence, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). And on the truth of this statement by Peter, Jesus established the Church.

God is actively at work in the world; Jesus is reigning on his heavenly throne as His Son. The Holy Spirit is alive and is available to each of us. We must call on God daily to open our hearts and minds to His sovereignty, His leadership, and allow Him to rule and reign over our lives. If He is to be amazed, I pray that it will be amazement at our belief and our obedience, rather than our rejection and disobedience (and note that there is no in-between).  And I firmly believe that the more aware we are of the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, the more we will see Him at work displaying His amazing power.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – It Knows!

Aug19

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

I love to read, and usually read or listen to books on my phone that I have checked out from the library (using the Kindle or Overdrive app). Sometimes I don’t finish a book before it is automatically returned, so I must check it out again. Miraculously (it seems to me) when I resume reading, IT KNOWS where I left off. The book actually starts right at the right place. How does it know?

This also happens to me when I’m driving. On workdays, my GPS will tell me how far and how long it will take for me to get to work. On Sundays, my GPS will tell me how far and how long it will take me to get to church (or at least it did when we were meeting in person). How does IT KNOW? And of course, we have all probably experienced that weird Big Brother feeling when we look for something online, only to see it show up in our Facebook ads. I was just looking at air fryers on Amazon, and guess what, I now have Google and Facebook ads for air fryers. IT KNOWS! How can an “IT” know anything? That just doesn’t make sense.

This kind of reminds me of something I used to do as a child. I walked alone to school when I was in elementary school; and while I walked, I would make up stories, usually about people and houses along the way. My stories would usually begin ominously with the phrase “Little did she know….” For example: “Little did she know that a mad dog was lurking behind the chain link fence, ready to pounce.” Weird, right?

This sense that my actions were being observed–that I was part of a bigger story–was not paranoia on my part or any inflated sense of ego, despite what you might think. I believe it was a real ongoing realization that God was always present. I had such a beautiful, child-like, trusting faith in God and his presence. I knew that He accompanied me everywhere and that He watched me and watched over me. And at least subconsciously even at my young age, I knew that God was in charge, working out His plan of reconciliation for the world, and that I was part of His plan.

We know that our electronic devices are constantly watching us. “IT KNOWS” is a real thing in our lives today, and we don’t really know all the consequences of that knowledge. But even more real is the fact that GOD KNOWS, and we do know what the ultimate outcome will be. I pray that we will grow in our awareness of God’s sovereignty and His providence, and that we will take comfort in His presence.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Submit to One Another

Aug12

I Surrender All

This “one-another” is a really tough one for me. Sometimes I think I’m generally being submissive, but then I get in a hurry to get somewhere and I believe that it’s my God-ordained right to be in my lane going fast and that everyone needs to get out of my way. Maybe it doesn’t count if you know you will never see these people again?? However, you can’t be guaranteed of that. Years ago I was on I-440, running late for a meeting on West End, and I was on the tail of the car in front of me “urging” it to go on (you know what I’m talking about), only to find out that the person in the car in front of me was who I would be meeting with. True story—I’m not kidding! And you know what she said to me when I arrived, just behind her? “You were in kind of a hurry, weren’t you?” She had noticed it was me. Boy was I ever embarrassed!!!

I’m really trying to do better. I will let a car merge in front of me, especially if I see an exit or lane change coming up and think they might need to get off. But don’t you just hate it when there’s a lane closure and someone stays in the lane that’s closed until the last minute and then tries to scoot in in front of you? I used to be that person, but not anymore, so I am honestly trying to do better.

Perhaps the word “yield” is easier for us to consider. Maybe that’s because we are so used to those road signs. We know we are supposed to submit to God, and we probably understand that the Bible tells us to submit to authority, but why submit to anyone else? As believers, it should make sense to love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another, encourage one another, and serve one another. But why submit? Perhaps submission is rooted in some of the other “One Another’s,” such as or “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5) or “Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10) or “In humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Because of my shortcomings, I really needed to dig into this command, and what I learned is that it comes from the fact that as believers, we are all one body, one team. The body, or team, works more effectively if every part–or every person–has respect for each other. We are to imitate Christ by being selfless. We should think of others first, and not be self-seeking. In fact, can you imagine just how wonderful life would be if we were to all treat each other– not stopping with the Golden Rule treating others as we would like to be treated—rather, in humility, considering others better than ourselves? I believe that Heaven will be like this, and who wouldn’t want a little Heaven on earth?

Any why? Simply because God has commanded it. Once we surrender ourselves to Jesus, then we do this out of reverence for Christ and a desire to be obedient. So, let’s encourage one another in this very important endeavor of submitting, or yielding, to each other.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21)

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Encourage One Another

Aug5

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

We began a series on the biblical “One Another’s” last week, starting with “Love One Another.” The example was the Good Samaritan, showing us who to love, and how to love. We learn from this that love is a verb; it is something we do, not just something we feel. In fact, I imagine most of you express your love by your actions and perhaps seldom feel what we think love is supposed to feel like (hope that made sense). Regardless of your feelings, you are expressing love. All the “One Another’s” are like that—they are actions.

Five times* in the Bible we are commanded to “encourage one another.” Encouragement comes from a Latin word “hortatorious” and means “encouraging, cheering, exhorting, urging, inciting, instigating.” This definition suggests the passage about Barnabas from Acts 11:21-26:

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” 

Barnabas was known as the “son of encouragement” because he was constantly encouraging those around him. He was already a believer at the time of Saul’s conversion, and he stood up for Saul/Paul after his conversion until Saul/Paul was accepted by the church. He traveled often with Paul on missionary trips, and then split with Paul in order to continue to mentor his cousin John Mark (against Paul’s wishes).

I really like how the writer of Hebrews puts it: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

What are some ways that we can bless others with encouragement; how can we spur one another on toward love and good deeds?

Level 1:  Consider each other. Take a personal interest in each other by asking about them, really listening, praying for each other. Build relationship.

Level 2:  Be proactive in acknowledging what each other does well, focusing on the positives rather than the negatives, to reinforce good behavior. Build each other up.

Level 3: Pray for discernment to understand each other’s needs, particularly spiritually, and then to know how to speak life into that person, to know what to say to be able to exhort them to grow specifically, remembering as always to “speak the truth in love.” Christians are urged “look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.” For example, in the above passage from Acts, Barnabas, meeting with new believers, “exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” We should encourage each other in our faithful attendance to worship services and to use our spiritual gifts for the glory of God.

Maybe you know the song “Home on the Range,” where “seldom is heard a discouraging word.” I hope you have had a home and work environment where this is the case, but many of us can’t claim that experience. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t foster this environment in our homes and workplace today and going forward. Biblical encouragement is such a great way for us to grow and disciple each other. When God’s people lovingly “encourage one another” with Christ-exalting words and deeds, the gospel message is not only clarified but amplified, and God is glorified. I am praying that we can build a home and workplace “where seldom is heard a discouraging word.”

In Christ,

Judy

*1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24, 10:25.