Archive | June 2021

Chaplain’s Corner – Immanuel

Jun30

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).

This wonderful word from God is especially reassuring when we understand the context. Moses is prophesying to the children of Israel about future times if/when they become corrupt and begin to worship other idols. At that time, they will be scattered, exiled from the Promised Land to nations that worship other gods.  But, Moses promises, if from there (this place of exile) you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.

Well, brothers and sisters, if you define exile as anywhere outside of the Kingdom of God, as Peter certainly does in 1 Peter 2:11, then we are in exile here on earth even as our true citizenship is in Heaven.

I consider myself a seeker in this sense. I love to think about God. On my good days, He is everywhere I look: in nature, in the faces of my family, in the hands of our incredible staff. On my bad days, he is there, too. I just might not be looking for Him. Or maybe I am looking in the wrong place or in the wrong way or for the wrong things. Right?

Earlier this week I read a passage from Psalm 31 in which the Psalmist tells God, “My times are in your hands.” That is a figure of speech because, of course, God does not have hands. He is a Spirit. We attribute human characteristics to God to help us to understand him, but that is just because our human minds are not capable of comprehending the full scope of His Being. How can we as humans understand the omnipresence of God? Isaiah says, “he sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22).  At the same time, the Psalmist says he is present everywhere, to each of us at the same time (Psalm 139:7-12).

He is there when we are happy and when we are sad.

He is there when we are serving and when we are being served.

He is there when we are healthy and when we are sick.

He is there when we are at church, at home, in our car, at the park, or anywhere else.

He is there when we wish he were not, or even when we forget about him.

God is not hiding from us. All we must do is seek him, open our eyes (see the June 23, 2021, Chaplain’s Corner for a wonderful story about this). He is there in nature; he is there in the face of our loved ones. He is there in the chapel, in the dayroom, in the dining room, the dorms, the office, and the parking lot.

What is more, God sent his son, Jesus, to dwell among us. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).  Jesus, God Incarnate, has always been with us in spirit. But then he condescended to take on humanity to walk right alongside us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14)

And then, when Jesus knew that he would be returning to heaven, he still promised us that he would be with us always. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:29b). And, to further provide us access to God’s presence, Jesus told us “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—” (John 14:16), which is of course, the Holy Spirit.

My advice is this:

  1. When life is going great, give thanks and seek God. You need him more than you know.
  2. When life is not going great, pray and seek God. He will provide for your needs.
  3. At all times, practice seeking God, remembering who He is and what He has done for you.

“… God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5b).

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

Chaplain’s Corner – Whom Shall We Fear?

Jun23

“…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,
declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Have you ever felt like you were being attacked from every side? Surrounded? If not by a person, then by circumstances? Have you ever felt alone, like no one is on your side? Or maybe you are just so tired and emotionally drained that your own mind and body are in distress? The Bible tells us that we are never alone, even when it feels that way. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Elisha in 2 Kings 6:13-17 when Israel was under continual attack by the King of Aram:

“’Go, find out where he is,’ the king (of Aram) ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him.’ The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet (Elisha) answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them! Yes!! Even though we cannot see them, we need to know they are there—the vast multitudes of angel armies are arrayed in battle against the enemy. I take immense comfort in this.

There are many other stories in the Bible of God’s miraculous intervention to save his people during their battles against their enemies. Many times, God gave the people the weapons and strength they needed to overpower the enemy. Many other times, it was only by God’s divine intervention that victory was secured. I have included just a few below:

  • When the children of Israel were escaping from Israel, God miraculously intervened to part the Red Sea, and to throw their pursuers into confusion and jam their chariot wheels.
  • When the children of Israel were beginning their conquest of the Promised Land, God led Joshua to win the Battle of Jericho.
  • Again, when Joshua was going up against the five kings of the Amorites, “After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” (Joshua 10:9-11)
  • When the Israelite army was cowering in fear of the Philistines, God helped David, a shepherd boy, to kill Goliath with a rock to defeat the powerful Philistines.
  • Another time when God helped the children of Israel to defeat the Philistines: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.”  (1 Samuel 7:10)
  • God spoke to King Jehosophat of Judah: “Your Majesty and everyone from Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you don’t need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side! So, here is what you must do. Tomorrow the enemy armies will march through the desert around the town of Jeruel. March down and meet them at the town of Ziz as they come up the valley. You will not even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy. Do not be afraid. Just do as you are told. And as you march out tomorrow, the Lord will be there with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

In the New Testament, angels broke Peter’s chains and opened the gates of the jail so that he could walk out. You and I need to remember that with God all things are possible. His protection for his people did not end with the New Testament. He will still protect us. He will continue to empower us. He will always fight for us. We just need to realize that he can, and he will. Since we know that is true, then, as the song says, Whom Shall I Fear?

For as long as we are citizens on earth, we will have conflict, sickness, wars, disasters, and all kinds of troubles. That comes with being survivors of the Fall. In fact, Jesus himself told us that “in this world you will have trouble.” But that statement is in the context of what Jesus himself promised us: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Even when we cannot see Him, He is there, fighting against the enemy. Fighting for us. In Him, we will have victory. You will not even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7)

If you have read to this point, I would love for you to share a Bible verse that gives you comfort in times of trials and tribulations.

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

Chaplain’s Corner – Thou Shalt Be Content

Jun16

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17)

This tenth commandment is interesting. The seventh commandment has already forbidden the act of adultery, and the eighth commandment has already forbidden the act of stealing. Thou shalt not covet is a commandment for our hearts and minds. It is a commandment that says we should not even desire those relationships or things that belong to someone else. This is especially hard in today’s world. In our day and age of Intense marketing everywhere you look and a culture that constantly reinforces that you can and should have it all–immediate gratification—it is challenging not to succumb to the feeling that we need everything we see. I really dislike the feeling of manipulation I experience going to a shopping mall. I walk in thinking I will just look around but not buy anything, and shortly thereafter I begin seeing so many items that I suddenly cannot live without. Have you ever bought something on impulse, then got it home and didn’t even open the package for days? Maybe you found it later stashed away and could not even remember why you bought it. Okay, me neither.

James writes about the link between our desires and our subsequent actions. He says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3)

In the above passage, James gives us two clues to overcome covetousness, and note that these work hand in hand:

  1. You do not have because you do not ask God. Whenever we want anything, the first step is to lay it before God. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
  2. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.  First, ask Him to align your heart with His. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Maybe you want that pair of shoes more than your next meal. Lay it before God and tell him how you feel.  If you ask God and align your heart with his, he will do one of two things: 1. He will grant your desire, or 2. You will find that you do not really want those shoes anymore.

Personally, I find it easier to begin something than to stop anything, so when I think about trying to stop covetousness, I find that it is helpful to practice the opposite, which is contentment. Paul wrote about contentment from prison: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)

So, you may ask, what is the secret of being content in any and every situation? How can we be so content that we covet nothing? Max Lucado says the secret is simply this: “Count your blessings and focus more on what you have and less on what you don’t!” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I use the passage from Proverbs 30:8-9 as my personal prayer most days:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.

Paul, in his teaching to the young pastor Timothy, gives us all good advice: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man (and woman) of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

This concludes our study on the Ten Commandments. Although these commands were given by God to Moses early in the formation of the Jewish faith, obedience to the law–and the spirit of the law as amplified by New Testament teaching–remain essential to us as Christians. God told us that he prefers obedience to sacrifice, and Jesus reinforced this by saying “If you love me, keep my commands.” I will refer us to a verse we have used before to sum up this teaching and guide us in our obedience:

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

Chaplain’s Corner – Thou Shalt Speak with Integrity

Jun9

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).

This is the ninth commandment; one of a list of “thou shalt nots.”

Have you ever had a relationship with someone where you felt that you had to take what they said “with a grain of salt?” Maybe they are known to exaggerate or stretch the truth; maybe they have been caught in white lies; maybe you have to sift through too much extraneous information to get at what they are trying to communicate. What happens in those cases is that miscommunication can occur, and problems invariably result.

There are many references to our speech in the Bible.  Verbal and written communication is foundational to our understanding as Christians. God spoke the world into existence. Jesus is the Word. God’s word is trustworthy.

Just as God’s word is trustworthy: “For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (Psalm 33:4), he also makes it clear that he expects our word to be trustworthy as well. James discourses on the power of the tongue (James 3:3-12). Three of the seven things that the LORD hates involve speech that is not trustworthy.“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

We know God because we can trust what He says. What He says reveals His character to us. We know each other by what we say. What we say reveals our character to each other. Sure, our actions may speak louder than words; but what is essential is that our words and our actions line up, and that they line up in obedience to God. That is the definition of integrity.

Paul gives us several instructions regarding our speech. First, we should consider what we should stop saying:

  • “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Colossians 3:8).
  • “Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood” (Ephesians 4:25a).
  • “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29a).
  • “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31)

Then we should consider what we do communicate:

  • “Speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25b)
  • “…but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29b).
  • “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

The very best advice I have tried to live by (imperfectly, but I am still working on it) is to weigh all my words and to try to say nothing except what would be beneficial to the person I am speaking with. If what I would say has the result of building myself up, whether it is obvious or backhanded, I am trying to just not say it. It has no value to the person I am speaking with. If what I say is critical or harmful to another, then I am trying to just leave it out of the conversation. It has no value to the person I am speaking with. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

Let us strive to be people of integrity. Let us strive to be people who are sincere and who can be trusted in all that we say; to be people who speak only what is edifying to others. Let our reputation be that of one who’s word is his bond.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

Chaplain’s Corner – Thou Shalt Be Generous

Jun2

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Unfortunately, this is one commandment that most of us are prone to rationalize or interpret in a wide variety of ways. In fact, it is interesting that I should even feel the need to describe the type of honesty I am talking about. Honesty should mean honesty, without exception, and not subject to definition by anyone.

There are a number of ways to steal, broadly categorized into two types: active and passive. Active stealing includes embezzlement, robbery, extortion, and kidnapping. We know these actions are wrong. After all, they are punishable by law.

Then there is passive stealing, which includes negligence resulting in damage to another’s property, failure to return a found object to its rightful owner, and failure to give what rightfully belongs to another (this includes greediness resulting in failure to tithe and to be charitable). Most times, these are “invisible” offenses. There are even more subtle ways to steal. A Robert Half study found that employees on average steal roughly 4.5 hours from their employer each week, either by fudging on time cards or by doing personal work on company time. Did it ever occur to you that this is stealing? This site provides biblical examples for all the above.

We rationalize stealing sometimes by thinking that we are not really stealing because it is something that is “owed” to us, or that no one will be hurt, a “victimless” crime if you will. We work it out in our heads that we are justified in taking what belongs to someone else. However, we know in our hearts that there is no victimless crime. There will be consequences, just perhaps not direct or immediate, so it is easy to get away with. But this rationalization fails to consider that there is One who sees and knows everything that we do and what our motivation is. The plain truth of the matter is that stealing of any kind is a sin. It is a sin because it directly violates the eighth commandment, and:

  • Stealing harms another person or entity.
  • Stealing assumes we have rights that are more important than those of another.
  • Stealing implies lack of trust in God’s provision.

This eighth commandment undergirds some of the other commandments. Adultery is a form of stealing. Murder is a form of stealing. Stealing and lying usually go hand in hand. Stealing is a sin, in any form. So, what is the antidote for stealing?

  1. If we steal in any form, we should be quick to repay our debts. Let us follow the example of Zacchaeus, the tax collector who, when addressed by Jesus, quickly said “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8).
  • The Apostle Paul advises us to counteract the sin of stealing with generosity. “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14