By Rob Flood

Have you ever noticed that God doesn’t talk about fear without talking about himself. It’s really an incredible trend to notice. Consider just a few examples:

• Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

• Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

• When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18)

Whenever God’s people fear, we are not told to buck it up. We are told to look to God. The fears we have for the future of our children, for the condition of our marriage, for whether we’ll ever get married in the first place, all are answered in one place alone…a good look at God.

Our temptation is to read topical books or get accountability to overcome our fear. These are good things, as far as they go, and ought to be part of our lives. However, they will all fail due to lack of power. We can always talk ourselves out of peace when we look at our problems. There is always something the books didn’t cover, or something we always struggle applying.

However, a good look at God…at the cross and work of Jesus Christ…will never fail us due to lack of power. There we see perfect power merged with perfect sovereignty merged with perfect love. It is the reason that John says: 

                There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)

When we are rightly understanding our God and his love and power leveraged on our behalf, fear must flee. It cannot survive in love like that.

The fears we have for our marriage, for our children, for our lives, are all very real. There is nothing trivial about them. We simply must accept, and then rejoice over, the reality of God’s love for us; the reality and power that comes in his presence with us. When we fear, we would be wise to do what the Scriptures illustrate for us time and again: Look to God. He is with us. He will help us. He was dead and is now alive forevermore.

By Rob Flood

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.

God’s goodness is an identifiable truth fixed forever in the heavens.  It is best displayed on the cross of Jesus Christ.  There, a holy God poured his wrath upon the Innocent…and poured his love upon the guilty.  In that single act, God’s goodness is always pointed toward the redeemed.

This truth has comforted souls for thousands of years.  Yet, in my life, all I need is to stub my toe and I can question the goodness of God.  My roof leaks.  …is God still there?!  The car breaks down.  …does he love me still?  It’s kind of silly, really, but my circumstances so often cause my soul to reflexively question God’s goodness in loving me well.

So, when we come to verses like Hebrews 12:6, we are faced with what seems like a very uncomfortable paradox.  “The Lord disciplines the one he loves.”  That means that God is actively loving me when I’m not feeling particularly loved.  It means that my circumstances will lie to me about God’s goodness and God’s love.  It means I’ll have to trust in what God says rather than what I think.  It means that faith will have to guide me rather than sight.

In trials, God is loving us like a Father.  He is loving us for greater purposes than our comfort.  In trials, we take comfort not in our comfort but in the One who is causing our discomfort.  We are told that:

…for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:29)

When we feel the discomfort of trials…particularly extended discomfort…we can question if God knows what he’s up to.  Which is why I’m so glad for the next two verses:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

God is up to something bigger than I’m aware of.  He’s up to a work that is aimed at my glorification…not my “today.” 

Keith and Kristyn Getty capture this difficult, faith-demanding, yet glorious truth in one of their hymns.  It is called, “When Trials Come.”  The video is below…followed by the lyrics.

May God relieve your burden in his perfect time.  And, until then, may he embolden your faith and hope in the Sovereign One who controls every pang of difficulty.  He’s up to something bigger than we see.  And he’s causing it to work together for our good.

When Trials Come

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till You completes the work begun
Till You completes the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old

Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

 

By Ramona Doyle

Remember the biblical account of the Exodus when Israel fled Egypt. The Lord worked great and marvelous things for them—miracles that they couldn’t miss. They witnessed the terrible plagues in Egypt, saw the Lord protect them by the blood on their doorposts when the first born were slaughtered, received favor among the Egyptians by the Lord’s hand, stood in awe as the Lord parted the waters of the sea, and felt relief as the Lord tumbled the waters upon the pursuing army. And the Lord’s visible presence was with them day and night in the cloud and pillar of fire. Yet, even with these amazing demonstrations of the Lord’s presence and power, as soon as they became uncomfortable or faced trials in the wilderness, they faltered in their trust of the Lord.

So why recount this familiar story? Because I realize that I can be very much like the Israelites. I not only have the written accounts in Scripture of the Lord’s faithful care for Israel, but also wonderful memories of all that God has done in my own life…saving me, providing for me, caring for my needs, meeting me when I call upon Him. But at times when trial knocks on my door, my first thoughts venture to the worse case scenario. This point was driven home recently when I thought that I had developed another tumor on a salivary glad (I had surgery to remove a benign tumor a few months ago). Instead of casting my care upon the Lord and lifting my prayers to him, my first thoughts were to imagine the worse. My thought patterns went something like, ”Oh no! I’ll need to clear out my schedule because I’ll probably need surgery soon. There goes our vacation…I won’t be well enough to travel by the end of the month. What if something is really wrong this time that they missed the last time?” You get the flavor. Sadly, what I had just done was to imagine my life and trial without the Lord.

How contrary to every thing I know about God to think this way! I had to ignore a mountain of scripture to allow those thoughts to invade my serenity. Psalm 16:5-6 tells us, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” And verse 8 goes on to say, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Our challenge in the everyday is to keep the Lord ever before our eyes. The means of grace He provides in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship are so important. When we avail ourselves of them, we peacefully reside in the middle of the Lord’s chosen boundaries for our lives and there find his presence, care, protection, and comfort, no matter our circumstances. Don’t wait for a trial!  Live each day with the Lord before your eyes, and you will not be shaken!

By Rob Flood

I remember awaiting the arrival of our first child. I had plans for the type of dad I would be, the type of child he would be, and what our relationship would look like. I had faith for it…I had confidence in it. …then he was born!

On night number two, he cried all night. I mean, all night. In less than 48 hours, my plan was out the window. I was not filled with faith and joy but with panic and fear. How do I stop this persecution?!? As he grew, and as the number of our children grew, my plan went further and further out the window, down the street and around the corner. For the record, it never made its way back.

The plan I drew up was a bit utopian: wonderfully compliant children who desired to love God, honor dad, and avoid sin. Now, to their credit, they do seem to love God, they do desire to honor dad, and they do desire to avoid sin. But they are flawed at it. And so is their dad. My plan didn’t include weakness in my parenting. And, as time goes on, I discover more and more of that overlooked ingredient.

So, what are dads like me supposed to do? How about moms who, like me, are weak? We still have the glorious responsibility of raising children to love and fear God. We still have the duty to engage their hearts, even if ours keep interfering. What are we supposed to do?

William P. Farley helps us here in his book Gospel-Powered Parenting. Rather than equip us with steps and techniques, he turns our attention to the only salve for weak parents: the gospel.

When we turn to the gospel, it transforms our weaknesses. “My grace is sufficient for you,” Jesus told Paul, “for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Cor. 12:9). God has inserted his treasure (the gospel of the glory of God in the face of Christ), the light that converts our children, “in jars of clay.” We are those clay pots! He has done this “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7). What wonderful news! God uses the imperfect efforts of gospel-centered parents to do his deep and abiding work in our children. In the meantime, the gospel frees us from the burden of perfection. (p. 219)

The application is wondrously simple.

1. We embrace the reality that we are clay pots. We don’t fight it. We don’t deny it. We don’t hide it. We wear t-shirts with arrows pointing up, saying: This guy is a clay pot!  We tell our friends that we are clay pots and we help they see that they are, too.

2. We thank God for his power. Our children are not condemned to “clay pot” parenting. They are confined to “clay pot” parents, but not “clay pot” parenting. God, in his surpassing power, will pour immeasurable treasure into their lives through these clay pots they call parents. That ought to make us thankful, indeed.

3. We act in faith. Yes, we are weak. Yes, we have cracks in us. But we have a God committed to using weak vessels to display his great power, love, and mercy.

Join me as I join Farley in shouting with joy: What wonderful news!

by Trish Donohue 

Someone is staring at me as I write.  He’s a black and orange Flyer’s player, made of Lego’s and standing on my end table.  Although I’m sure he’s supposed to be vicious, holding his stick so seriously, he’s actually very cute and his orange eyes seem to be smiling at me.

He must not know about Stubey the hamster dying today, or his orange eyes would be crying, like some eyes in our house were earlier.  A friend, no matter how small and furry, is a hard thing to lose.  

Fortunately, we had ice cream sandwiches on hand, which lessened the grief better than any bouquet of flowers ever could. 

Little snapshots at the end of the day:  Flyers Guy, an empty hamster cage, and an ice cream sandwich wrapper that was supposed to be in the trash.  Together representing the joys and tragedies of childhood, the highs and lows of the growing heart. 

Do these snapshots hold any value?  Do we file them under “trivialities” or “childishness” and turn the page quickly?

Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

And so it is with our children.  Jesus knows and cares about the tiniest details of their lives, and orchestrates events that point them to him.

A Flyers game, with its jubilant cheers and agonizing disappointments, is an arrow pointing to God.  Where do we put our hope?  What makes us most excited?  What victory do we dream of?

A hamster’s death, with appropriate tears and questions of hamster heaven is an arrow pointing to God.  Time flies so quickly.  What will heaven be like?  Why do things die on this earth?

An ice cream sandwich, with its hydrogenated, processed yumminess and brown cookie crumbs glued to your teeth, is an arrow pointing to God.  There are blessings and treats on earth that come from the hand of a fun-loving, food-loving God.

Do we lecture our kids about all these truths and turn every event into a sermon series?  God, keep us from it!  But help us to seize the opportunities you provide, and wisely show them that you are the end of all they seek.

By Al Everett

Editor’s Note:  This post by Al is longer than we usually blog, but in the way he unpacks the way God has dealt with him over the years I thought it would speak to a lot of guys.  For those of you who are confused in your present situation, let Al’s repeated discoveries of grace in God’s dealing encourage your faith!

I’ll never cease to be amazed at the countless ways my flesh finds to sidestep or overthrow the gospel in my life.  At least it tries to.  The Lord is faithful to regularly reveal these pockets of rebellion and has always given me grace to reorient my heart to the gospel.

I think I was probably saved when I was a child, maybe in middle school.  I’m still not actually sure; partly because since then, I’ve had several spiritual breakthroughs so life changing that they left me wondering if I was ever really a Christian before. 

One came as a young adult.  The young woman whom I was to marry suddenly called off the wedding and the relationship and gave no clear reason.  Turned out the reason married her himself just a few months later.  Devastated and bitterly angry, I spent three years in spiritual depression wondering who I was and how God could have allowed this.  It was a momentous struggle but God was faithful, not letting me go.  When the smoke had cleared the Lord had shaken me deeply, torn down strengths and assumptions and reoriented my life to serve him more single-mindedly.  Though I had been saved for ten years or so, for the first time, I began living my life to serve God alone.

Years later a less painful, yet no less reorienting revelation took control of my life.  By now I was married and raising three boys.  I was an active member and deacon of a local church and diligently serving God in as many activities as I could.  When two of my closest friends (and fellow leaders) took opposing sides of a doctrinal issue related to Christian obedience to the Old Testament law, my life would change again.  One felt it necessary to publically advocate his position in the church.  This led others, including my other friend, to publicly oppose him.  Coached by both of my more scholarly friends to adopt their position and oppose the other friend, I became confused and desperate to come down on the right side of this issue on my own.  I took to careful study of the Word and particularly, the purpose and place of the Law in the life a Christian.  Months later I emerged, convinced that everything I had been taught and believed about the Law and Gospel was upside down.  My study had revealed that my life was bound up, not in trusting Christ’s blood, but in keeping God’s Law, so much so that I found myself asking the question, “If I’m not meant to please God by keeping His law, than how am I to please God?”  The Lord answered me with Romans 7:6, “…we serve in the new way of the Spirit not in the old way of the written code.”  Though I had been saved for over twenty years, for the very first time, I came to understand the basic teachings of the Gospel and how the Holy Spirit of God worked on my behalf to produce obedience from the heart.

Recently I had another such reorientation.  It would bring many of my failures of faith into clear perspective.  After many months of very difficult trial, I found myself worn down and finding it difficult to maintain patience with people.  I was given a book, The Prodigal God, by Tim Keller.  The book is about the Prodigal Son’s elder brother, that brother’s rebellion against the grace his father extended to the Prodigal and, in more subtle ways, that elder brother’s rebellion against the father’s grace in his own life.  I read the book with little awareness of any need in my heart.  I actually got most of the way through it with no effect at all in my heart.  My wife picked up the book as well.  Not deceived in the least by my flesh, she immediately saw me throughout its pages.  She began to urge me to consider how much like this elder brother I have been.  I dismissed her.  After all, I had studied the Prodigal Son story.  I knew better than anyone this story was about the older son not the younger.  I knew it applied directly to the self-righteous Pharisees not the “sinners” they so despised.  I knew about Romans 7:6 and had studied the Gospel and how to apply it for years.  I had taught it to my family and friends and knew very well the trap of religiosity.  I knew how to preach the Gospel to myself and did so regularly, everyday.  No.  The “elder brother” was a religious person who depended on his religion, not the gospel, for his sense of right standing before God.  That was not me.

Wisely, my wife continued to pursue the issue.  As I said earlier, God does work in my life and since he often uses my wife, I decided drawing her out might be best.  However, another conversation brought no further conviction on the issue, but desiring to remain humble, I told my wife I would seek the Lord on the issue.

The Lord was quick to give many examples in my day-to-day life.  I was angry when people didn’t do what I wanted them to do, or when they didn’t seem to respond to my advice our counsel.  Angry outbursts and the quiet sins of impatience, intolerance, bitterness, rage, and gossip began to emerge in my life.  All of this against basically good people, people I loved yet people who failed to meet expectations – sometimes God’s but usually my own.  I realized this anger permeated my life.  It was the reason I woke up angry every morning, why I struggled to find joy in loving friends and family, and why I could always find the cloud in every silver lining.  

And worst, in spite of seeing all this, there remained a stubborn refusal to see myself as needing grace.  I was special after all, a chosen one, somehow seeing myself as being of a class set apart.  I had always found obedience to God’s laws and ways easy.  I did right because I loved doing right.  I lived by the rules.  I remained faithful to him.  “All these years I have slaved for you but did you ever have a party for me?”  

Suddenly it was clear.  I was the elder brother.  I was a rebel against grace.  But even when I sought to confess these things to my wife and friends, and to the Lord Himself, my flesh screamed in rebellion, “No, this is not you!”  And – as if I needed further evidence – when I grew disillusioned with myself and introspective and despondent because of these realizations, I could not bring myself to seek grace.  My inner Gollum screamed in defiance, “No grace hates us!  It wants to destroy us!”  I found a roadblock in my way.  Though I knew I desperately needed God, I returned again and again to seek evidence of my own faithfulness.

Finally, as I was listening to the worship song, The Prodigal, the Lord clearly revealed who I really am.  

"You held out your arms, I turned away.
Insolent, I spurned your face. 
Squandering the gifts you gave to me and holding close forbidden things. 
Destitute, a rebel still, a fool in all my pride. 
The world I once enjoyed is death to me, no joy, no hope, no life. 
Mercy’s robe, a ring of grace, such favor undeserved.  You sing over me and celebrate the rebel, now your child.”

I am no one special; just another sinner, recipient of His mercy, saved by His grace.  Though I had been saved for over thirty years, I suddenly knew deep inside that I too was a reckless rebel against God’s grace, just like all the prodigals around me.  And with that came the opportunity to begin to know what it really meant to receive undeserved mercy.  Praise God for it.  Praise him for his patience.  Praise God that once again he took me to the end of myself to show me the vastness of his love for me.

By Trish Donohue

Most Christians have had the experience of reading the Bible and suddenly a passage you’ve read a million times goes slow-mo and it seems like you’re reading it for the first time.  It’s like the Holy Spirit is the director yelling, “Hold it!  Slow this part down!  In fact, rewind it for her!  She’s never gotten this part!” 

 

So I’m reading John the other morning (Isn’t John the most frequently read book?  Haven’t I read it a gazillion times?) and this is the scene I come across in chapter 6:

 

Jesus looks up and sees a mob of needy people heading straight for him, and he says to Philip,

 

“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 

 

Philip was probably thinking to himself, “How in the world am I supposed to know?  You’re in charge here!”

 

And just when you’re entering into the panic and worry of the situation, you read the next line, which makes me laugh:

“He said this to test him for he himself knew what he would do.”

 

Of course Jesus knew what he would do.  He wasn’t really wondering.  He wasn’t wringing his hands, figuring out the distance to the nearest Wawa, estimating the size of the crowd.  He might have grinned and watched Philip out of the corner of his eye as he asked the question to see how Philip would respond. 

 

Here’s the paraphrase for my life: 

 

Jesus is walking beside me and looks up and sees a potential problem coming up.

 

“Hey Trish,” he says (maybe with a grin I’m too busy to notice), “What are we gonna do here—this isn’t looking so good.”

 

My typical response is: “I know!  I was thinking that exact same thing Jesus!  Yikes!  It’s all falling apart!  I knew it would!  That plan, that kid, that test, that relationship, that dream—it’s all going down!  Do you mind if I stop for a minute to worry and plan and fret until I figure it out?”

 

I don’t think Jesus says, “Oh, brother,” but I’d understand if he would.  Instead, we know through scripture that he does these things to test us, for he himself knows what he will do.

 

He knows exactly what he will do!  He isn’t confused, overwhelmed, upset, or worried.  He sees the situation clearly, and promises to work all things together for good for those who love him.  And that’s who I get to walk beside.  By God’s grace, I think I’m slowly learning to look over at him when he asks that question, and say, “You know what you’re doing Lord.  You’ll provide all that’s needed.  You always do.”

By Rachel Gonzales

Editor’s note:  This a testimony about how the teaching in a Vital Life class unlocked some very important issues in a woman’s life.

I recently attended the Vital Life class titled Why Me?  A Pastoral Look at Suffering.  I went searching for one answer.  Not so much Why Me?, but simply Why?  Why had my newborn son died?

My husband and I learned half way through our first pregnancy (in 2000) that our baby was very sick with a very rare condition.  We endured test after test and our baby underwent two experimental fetal surgeries while still in the womb.  Finally we were told there was nothing more that could be done medically and that our son would die soon after he was born.  I carried him for another 3 months, praying for a miracle, yet trying to prepare for the worst.

Elijah was born on January 5, 2001.  He lived for one hour and 40 minutes.

The death of our son…well, it’s hard to put the experience into words.

Since that time I have known the closeness of God in ways that are indescribable.  At times, His presence through the grief has been amazing and powerful, almost physical.  I have also allowed grief to take me to lonely dark places.  I have seen my faith shatter into so many pieces that I, completely exhausted, quit trying to pick them all up and simply pretended to have faith instead.  I have looked at some of the darkest corners of grief and felt my Lord pull me to safety.  I have known His beautiful healing and restoration.  I have known the Lord’s love in ways that have left me breathless.  And I can honestly say that God has used Elijah’s death in ways that have allowed me to see His hope and goodness.

And while I know truth and hope for heaven, the question of Why has never been satisfied in my heart.  I have been asking God Why for a long time.  At times I have begged and implored Him to share with me, as a mom grieving over the unthinkable.  At times I have downright demanded He answer me, practically stamping my feet like a young child.  I have wondered at the possible ways God would use Elijah and his story for His glory and been hopeful.  I have been troubled at the dark possibilities of why God allowed Elijah’s life on earth to be so short and seemingly irrelevant.  I have considered that ultimately I probably can’t understand it all anyway, but I’ve still wanted God to try to explain it all to me.  I have always lived thinking that knowing Why would somehow make losing Elijah bearable.  I simply want the death of my infant son to make sense.  I came to the class hoping for the answer I’ve been waiting for, longing for, and searching for.

And God met me.

The first two classes were led by Joseph Stigora.  I thought the first class was great.  It was compassionately taught and biblically pointed to the expectation of suffering while in the world.  I left that class realizing that I was probably not going to get the specific answer I was longing for.  But I came back again the next week.

Joseph’s 2nd lesson outlined suffering as Christians and our Lord’s promises about suffering.  I left that class a bit refreshed and later reflected on the kindness of our Lord to include all this information about suffering in His Word.  I thought I was fairly well acquainted with scripture about suffering, but had never seen the fact that God had said so much in His Word as evidence of His kindness and care.

The final class, led by Rob Flood, was a look at Job.  To be honest, I have often been troubled by this book and some of the things in it.  There are two truths God revealed to me during this teaching.  One is that I would probably not be satisfied with God’s reasons even if He made it all clear and understandable to me.  The answer to one question would lead to another.  I realized that I would probably even suggest other ways God could have accomplished His purposes.  I was also struck by the realization that Job never knew why God had allowed the circumstances of his life, yet he trusted.  I realized that a lack of trust was at the heart of my question.  That realization led me to repentance and God lavished me with freedom.

I shared with my community group last week about this big revelation and that it felt like a weight had been lifted.  My sweet prophetic friend told me that she saw me being released from heavy shackles.  Yes, that is exactly what it was like.

Thank you, sweet Lord, for your beautiful patience.  Thank you for revealing this truth to me and for your forgiveness.  Thank you for growing my trust.  You are forever faithful.  Lord, thank you also for the ministry of the word through classes like Vital Life, where we can encounter life changing truth and learn to live it out in a community of friends.

If you have never experienced the applied truth in Vital Life the next Vital Life will take place from nine to noon on Saturday April 10.

By Jared Mellinger

 

Our current preaching series on Isaiah 40 is highlighting God’s desire to comfort, strengthen, and encourage weary saints. 

 

One of the masters of speaking words of comfort is the puritan Richard Sibbes.  His book, The Bruised Reed, is one that God has used to sustain thousands of weak, tired, and troubled souls.  It is a book I personally have greatly benefited from.  They called him “The Heavenly Doctor Sibbes”, because of his skill in speaking words of comfort and hope.   

 

Here are some quotes that have helped me when I am weary, anxious, grieving, or burdened by my sin.  

 

“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.”  (The Bruised Reed, 13) 

 

“Let all know that none are fitter for comfort than those that think themselves furthest off.”  (The Bruised Reed, 14)

 

“Christ ‘binds up the broken-hearted’ (Isa. 61:1).  As a mother is tenderest to the most diseased and weakest child, so does Christ most mercifully incline to the weakest.  Likewise he puts an instinct into the weakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves for support.  The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creatures often have the strongest shelters.  The consciousness of the church’s weakness makes her willing to lean on her beloved, and to hide herself under his wing.”  (The Bruised Reed, 10)

 

“The church of Christ is a common hospital, wherein all are in some measure sick of some spiritual disease or other.”  (The Bruised Reed, 34) 

 

“Whatsoever may be wished for in an all-sufficient comforter, is all to be found in Christ.”  (The Bruised Reed, 66) 

 

“The first and chief ground of our comfort is that Christ as a priest offered himself as a sacrifice to his Father for us.  The guilty soul flies first to Christ crucified, made a curse for us.  …And when we feel ourselves cold in affection and duty, the best way is to warm ourselves at this fire of his love and mercy in giving himself for us.  ” (The Bruised Reed , 81) 

 

“What a comfort this is in our conflicts with our unruly hearts, that it will not always be thus!  Let us strive a little while, and then we shall be happy for ever.  Let us think when we are troubled with our sins that Christ has this in charge from his Father, that he shall not ‘quench the smoking flax’ until he has subdued all.  This puts a shield into our hands to beat back ‘all the fiery darts of the wicked’ (Eph. 6:16).  Satan will object, ‘You are a great sinner.’  We may answer ‘Christ is a strong Savior’.”  (The Bruised Reed, 123) 

By Jacob Young

I wrote this as a kind of journal entry a few months ago. While this was an intense but relatively short-lived trial, it produced some great fruit in my otherwise comfortable life. Maybe you can relate.

I had my second kidney stone come upon me today. The little guy is just 3mm big – and I’m still waiting for him to make his final appearance. The day went as follows: I went to the doctor in the morning because my pain and discomfort were getting worse; they confirmed it was a kidney stone; I went to another place for a Cat Scan to see where it was; went to work for a bit; came home because the pain was really bad; the pain got worse over the next two hours; I threw up because the pain was so bad; we went to the emergency room upon the guidance of my doctor; got an I-V of stronger pain medication; reflected on God’s goodness with Michelle in the ER room; and eventually came home with new medicine and feeling a lot better.

Anyhow, so below are a few thoughts upon this occasion: 

1. God has been so good to give me these kidney stones. They’re painful no doubt. Through it, I’ve seen so many vast caverns of grace he has put in my life. I’ve seen his glory radiating in my heart and life – and my wife’s as well in ways that are only particularly seen when the heat of pain is intensified.

2. Through the pain, I found my life being more conformed around God than I had expected. Though it was extremely painful, I found myself praying God’s truths to him, praying his Scripture to him, praying his character to him. However, it wasn’t like I was suddenly filled with joy at that moment. But I was preaching a universe-changing message to myself in a moment of dire pain – I was preaching the Gospel. I was thankful to be able to remember some Scripture that I could speak to myself – it’s an encouragement to memorize more Scripture, but also an encouragement that even the most random Scriptures can breath life to a weary soul (for example, I was reciting the first few lines of Ps. 36 to myself – not exactly a “hey, you’ll get better” text!). There is a power in God’s word and truth to always be working. It seems to me that even having a mind focused on God is not something for me to be praised for, but rather God, who’s given me that gift in this situation. I wouldn’t want to look at God when my body’s being destroyed, but God’s Spirit, who moves within me to look at Jesus, does.

3. God was good to prevent this stone from coming earlier. I had my first kidney stone two weeks ago to the day, just two days before we were about to leave on (essentially) two weeks of vacation. Thankfully it passed the morning we were leaving, and while I had a few bouts with the second during those two weeks, it never was debilitating. I remember feeling the second one coming on about half way through the trip when we’d come home for a couple days before our second leg of the vacation. Kidney stones feel a certain way, so it’s not just like a lower back pain. So upon feeling this, I bent down, and I quietly asked my Father to take it away. I felt his nearness, and went to bed knowing that he’d heard me either way. Obviously he didn’t take it away, but he did push it aside until the best time for me. What a great Father.

4. I look with a deeper affection on Jesus Christ with an anticipation of when these bodies will be glorified. As the pain increased, and in reflection, my knowledge and understanding that this body is decaying, that it is not perfect to sustain God’s work in me grows. That, in fact, in my weakness his strength is revealed. How often to I actually glory in my weakness? Folks, I’m a prideful man, so I like being strong. But I’m seeing how my weakness actually is God’s preferred instrument to display his might – and this doesn’t mean that I’m then given a Porsche body this side of heaven. This body is under a curse as with the rest of creation, but where as this is true from Romans 8:19-23, it is also true from the end of Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ for us (v. 35), and that all things work for our good (v.28). And what is this good?

5. It also gave me a taste for what Christ saved me from: Hell and God’s wrath. The pain was bad, but not to damnation – however, I caught a faint glimpse of the horrors of Hell, the screams of torment, the anguish of body that only faintly can reflect the wrath of God pressing in on a soul.

I pray that God fixes all these things on my mind to remember, to press on with, and to love him and his Gospel more through. I love God more now – I find myself loving the things of the world less. Oh God, write your Law on my heart through these small but intense trials that I might walk in your statues more closely to honor your name, to walk in the fruits of holiness that Christ bought me fore, that I might enjoy you more, and find Christ more and more satisfying!

By Rob Flood

 

“To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

 

Our wedding day was a happy one.  Much excitement and expectation.  Fancy clothes, fancy cars, and fancy parties.  On that day, we promised to be faithful, for better or for worse…but all we knew was better.  Who stands in the front of a church at their wedding envisioning the “worse” of the marriage vows?  And yet, we’ve promised before God and man.  So, when “worse” comes, what are we to do?

 

An Example

 

John Bunyan was a nonconformist preacher in the mid 1600s…a man of the Word and a lover of the gospel.  He was widowed with four children, one of whom was blind.  He then met and married his 2^nd wife, Elizabeth.  All of a sudden, this common but godly woman had 4 children under 10, one of whom had unique needs.  Though they remained poor, all seemed well.  Less than two years after their wedding, though, John was arrested for preaching the gospel.  Elizabeth was pregnant with their first child at the time, but the stress of the situation proved devastating to the little one.

 

For 12 years, this common but godly woman cared for her newly adopted family and fought valiantly for the release of her new husband.  On one occasion, as Elizabeth was being questioned by judges regarding John’s imprisonment, she was asked about her children.  Her reply…

 

"My lord, I am but mother-in-law to them, having not been married to him yet full two years. Indeed, I was with child when my husband was first apprehended; but being young and unaccustomed to such things, I being smayed at the news, fell into labor, and so continued for eight days, and then was delivered; but my child died."

 

And yet, she pressed on.  But what of John?  Though her thoughts and efforts were for John, were his equally for her?  Here is John in his own words:

 

The parting with my Wife and poor children hath often been to me in this place as the pulling of the Flesh from my bones; and that not only because I am somewhat too fond of these great Mercies, but also because I should have often brought to my mind the many hardships, miseries and wants that my poor Family was like to meet with should I be taken from them, especially my poor blind child, who lay nearer my heart than all I had besides; O the thoughts of the hardship I thought my Blind one might go under, would break my heart to pieces.

 

Both in anguish over their circumstances…both faithful.  They were faithful to each other and faithful to the gospel.  Upon his release, they were reunited and eventually enjoyed the blessing of having two children together.

 

When we say “I do” in the “better,” there is no way for us to know what the “worse” is or when it will be.  But it can often be encouraging to see the grace of God at work in someone else’s live…in someone else’s “worse.”  It can serve us as we are reassured of God’s faithfulness to us for the inevitable time when our “worse” arrives.  Thank God that he, too, is faithful…for better or for worse.

By Rob Flood 

" To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

 

Many of us say these words as young, healthy men and women full of professional and personal aspirations.  We mean them when we say them, but we make these vows with far more ignorance than knowledge.  And then the rest of our lives, as life overcomes our ignorance, we are called upon to keep the promises we made.

 

When life becomes difficult, knowing what to do isn’t often the biggest challenge.  We remember our vows…we know what to do.  The greater challenge comes in knowing how to do it.  How do you keep a promise that you made when you had no idea how costly those promises would become?  Sometimes, all we need is an example to follow.

 

An Example

 

B.B. Warfield was a seminary professor, theologian, and prolific writer.  At the outset of his ministry, with opportunity filling his future, he married his love, Annie Pearce Kinkead.  Shortly after their wedding, though, Annie became incapacitated and grew to be something of a recluse…eventually being bed-ridden.

 

What was this great, young, promising theologian to do?  Warfield would have been expected to travel much in his work.  How could he do that and care for his wife in her frail condition? 

 

Kim Riddlebarger writes about Warfield:

 

[Warfield] was to spend the rest of their lives together giving [Annie] "his constant attention and care" until her death in 1915.  B. B. Warfield could not have foreseen just how constant and difficult a demand this was to become, and how, in the providence of God, this would impact his entire career…

 

According to most accounts, Dr. Warfield almost never ventured away from her side for more than two hours at a time. In fact, he left the confines of Princeton only one time during a ten-year period, and that for a trip designed to alleviate his wife's suffering which ultimately failed…

 

In the mysterious providence of God, it was the nature of his wife's illness and his devotion to her, that ironically provided the greatest impetus for his massive literary output. Personally vital and energetic, "he did not allow" his wife's illness "to hinder him in his work. He was intensely active with voice and pen."

 

Warfield was not directed by his career ambitions…as Godward as they were.  He was not motivated even by his wedding vows…though clear and binding, they lacked the power to sustain him.  Warfield was motivated by the wonderful goodness of God’s sovereignty.  At rest in the hands of the Father, Warfield allowed the path of his life to be redirected.  He remained faithful…not just to his work…not just to his spouse…but faithful to his God.  There, sustaining power is never ending.

 

Some of you have been facing the reality of your wedding vows in a more tangible way.  What does it look like to keep those vows you made so long ago?  While there are many examples of faithful spouses in the face of sickness, we all have at least one in common now.  Such faithfulness can only be achieved through the One who is faithful to his people.

Editor’s Note:  Quotes were taken from “One Productive Life” – A Short Biography of  B. B. Warfield made known to me through Justin Taylor’s blog. 

By Jared Mellinger

Those who follow Christ should be people with a single focus in life.  We can say, with Paul in Philippians 3:13, “One thing I do.”  That is the motto of those who live for the glory of God.  Paul understood that he was created to have one great passion in life.  He sits in prison and calmly writes “To live is Christ. (Phil 1:21)  This is the Christian’s resolve.  One version translates it, “If I live, it will be for Christ.” 

Clearly, Paul is a man of one thing.  He essentially says, “OK, if I have been given the gift of life, I am going to spend my every breath for Christ.  I refuse to abandon the reason for which I was made; I refuse to waste my life.  I refuse to commit cosmic treason and turn my back on the Creator and Ruler of the universe, the Christ who made me, the Christ who died for me, the Christ before whom I will one day stand and give an account of my life.  If I live, it will be for Christ.”

Is that your perspective?  In difficult trials and in easy circumstances, in suffering and in joy, at work and at home, in youth and in old age, in singleness and in marriage?  

It reminds me of what J.C. Ryle says on the subject of zeal:

“Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way….
A zealous man in religion is pre-eminently a man of one thing.  It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted, fervent in spirit.  He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God.  Whether he lives or whether he dies, whether he has health or whether he has sickness, whether he is rich or whether he is poor, whether he pleases man or whether he gives offence, whether he is though wise or whether he is thought foolish, whether he gets blame or whether he gets praise, whether he gets honor or whether he gets shame—for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all.  He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God, and to advance God’s glory.”    

Can you relate to that?  Only seeing one thing, caring for one thing, living for one thing, swallowed up in one thing, burning for one thing, and that one thing is to live for Christ.  Do you have passion to see God glorified in your life?  Is there anything you find yourself caring about more than the honor of Christ in your life?  Is there anything you need to part ways with in order to honor Christ more?

Let’s be Christians who look at our lives and resolve with a single minded focus, “By the grace of God, in life and in death and in all that I do, Christ will be honored in me.”

By Jacob Young

 

No, it’s not the school yard bully who beat me up today…it was a 3mm kidney stone.  And boy, it whooped me.  It took me to the doctor’s office, the ER, and my home but not before taking me through various pain medications that requires an IV.  Like I said, that 3mm bully whooped me good.

 

As I look back, though, there were some lessons that God taught me that you might find helpful, too.  So, here are a few thoughts on my experience:

 

1. There’s Grace in Kidney Stones: God has been so good to give me these kidney stones. No doubt, they’re painful. Through it, I’ve seen so many vast caverns of grace he has put in my life. I’ve seen His glory radiating in my heart and life – and my wife’s as well in ways that are only seen when the heat of pain is intensified.
   
   
2. Praying God’s Word Helps Kidney Stones: Through the pain, I found my life being conformed around God more than I had expected. Though it was extremely painful, I found myself praying God’s Word to Him, praying His character to Him. It wasn’t like I was suddenly filled with joy at that moment but I was preaching a universe-changing message to myself in a moment of dire pain; I was preaching the Gospel.
   
   
3. God’s Timing is Perfect with Kidney Stones: God was good to prevent this stone from coming earlier. I had my first kidney stone two weeks ago to the day, just two days before we were about to leave on (essentially) two weeks of vacation. Thankfully it passed the morning we were leaving, and while I had a few bouts with the second during those two weeks, it never was debilitating. I remember feeling the second one coming on about half way through the trip when we’d come home for a couple days before our second leg of the vacation. I bent down, and I quietly asked my Father to take it away. I felt his nearness, and went to bed knowing that he’d heard me either way. He didn’t take it away, but he did push it aside until the best time for me. What grace!
   
   
4. God Works in My Weakness through Kidney Stones:  As the pain increased, I became increasingly aware of my physical and emotional weakness. And, in my weakness,  His strength is revealed. How often do I actually glory in my weakness? I’m a prideful man, so I like being strong. But I’m seeing how my weakness actually is God’s preferred instrument to display His might.  This body is under a curse as with the rest of creation.  We see this in Romans 8:19-23.  But the end of Romans 8 is also true: nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ for us (v. 35), and that all things work for our good (v.28).
   
   
5. This Pain is Nothing Compared to Eternal Torment: It also gave me a taste for what Christ saved me from: Hell and God’s wrath. The pain was bad, but not damnation.  However, I caught a faint glimpse of the horrors of Hell through the temporary anguish of body that only faintly can reflect the wrath of God pressing in on a soul.  Knowing the pain I felt, how grateful I am to know that the greatest physical torment was suffered on my behalf.

I pray that God presses all these things on my mind to remember.  And even though you may not be sent to the school of kidney stones, I pray He presses them into your mind as well.  I love God more now – I find myself loving the things of the world less. Oh God, make it last and make it spread.  And if a 3mm bully ever visits your world, know that it is also a little but powerful messenger from your loving heavenly Father. 

By Rob Flood

Have you ever noticed that marital conflict never ends where it began?  When a conflict starts, it may be about something careless word or thoughtless deed.  But when it ends, it somehow seems bigger…like more is at stake.  Why is that?  Let me suggest that more is at stake, and that is why it feels that way.

Whenever a couple enters conflict, suddenly “one flesh” feels at risk.  We are not meant to contend with one another...to be at war with ourselves.  So, when we are, it’s about far more than the subject matter…it’s about “us.”  It’s about “what we are.”  It’s about “who we are.”

And when this uncertainty, when this awkwardness is allowed to continue, it defines our relationship and infiltrates the rest of our lives.  Nothing really seems right when marital conflict is allowed to fester and unresolved marital tension is allowed to remain.

Enter: God’s Word!

Ephesians gives us such clear instruction here…non-compliance is nothing but naked sin.  God lovingly instructs us through Paul when he writes:

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

If we allow the sun to go down on our anger, it does far more than prolong a conflict…it gives an opportunity to the devil.  And once that opportunity is offered, it is most often accepted.  I hear you…I hear you.  “What if my spouse doesn’t want to resolve it before going to sleep?”

Enter: God’s Word!

Again, God instructs us through Paul when he writes 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)

Our obedience is not contingent upon someone else’s obedience.  If you are angry…in conflict…so far as it depends on you, live at peace.  If your spouse is not open to it, you can then release the conflict to God and plead with Him on your spouse’s behalf.  I hear you…I hear you.  “What does that even look like?”

Enter: Sara Groves!

Sara Groves has a song about marital conflict on her album, “The Other Side of Something.”  I personally recommend the album if you like her music.  The song is below, but here’s the bottom line:  you take the initiative to resolve the conflict.  There are no guarantees of how it will turn out…but that’s not the point anyway.  The point is that your contribution is audibly owned, that you express your desire for peace, and that you release everything else to God.  Her song paints this so well.

Roll to the Middle

by Sara Groves

We just had a World War III here in our kitchen
We both thought the meanest things
And then we both said them
We shot at each other till we lost ammunition

This is how I know our love
This is when I feel it’s power
Here in the absence of it
This is my darkest hour
When both of us are hunkered down
And waiting for the truce

All the complicated wars
They end pretty simple
Here when the lights go down
We roll to the middle

No matter how my pride resists
No matter how this wall feels true
No matter how I can’t be sure
That you’re gonna roll in too
No matter what, no matter what
I’m going to reach for you

 

By Jared Mellinger

How are we as believers changed from one degree of glory to another?  Take any area you desire to grow in becoming more like Christ: contentment, patience, love, joy, humility, purity, or anything else.  The question is, “How do we change?” 

There are many ways Scripture answers that question.  One essential answer comes at the end of 2 Corinthians 3.  The veil that once covered our eyes, blinding us to the beauty of Christ, has been removed by the power of God, and we now see Christ for who He is.  Because of this, 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”  

The way the Spirit is changing us to become more like Christ, increasingly transformed into the image of Christ, is by enabling us to behold the glory of Christ in the Gospel.  As a result of seeing Him for who He is, we are being changed. 

I’ve realized that the way I approach change too often looks identical to how the world around us seeks to change.  But our approach should be entirely different, because we have come to understand this revolutionary truth: we are transformed into the image of Christ as we behold the glory of Christ.       

Richard Sibbes, a great Puritan pastor, penned one of my favorite quotes in the 17^th century.  Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 3:18, he asks “How are we changed to the image of Christ?”  The answer:

“It is by beholding the glory of Christ in the Gospel. There is a transforming power in beholding the glory of God’s mercy in Christ. It is not a delighting object only, to see the mercy of God in Christ, but it is a powerful object that has an influence upon the soul .” (Works, Volume IV, p.256)

In other words, the Gospel is not just something that makes us happy; it is something that changes us and makes a difference in the details of our lives.  It is “a powerful object that has an influence upon the soul,” making us more like Christ as we behold His glory.

This truth has informed and transformed the way I seek to grow as a Christian.  If we want to be changed, we must spend time beholding the manifold glories of Christ in the Gospel: the glory of His love, the glory of His power, the glory of His wisdom, the glory of His humility, the glory of His patience.  And as we do this, with unveiled face, we will discover that we truly are becoming more and more like the one whose glory has captivated the eyes of our heart.

By Trish Donohue

“Warm, yummy, potato chips right off the conveyor belt, we’re coming!” we cried as we jumped into the van on a recent rainy Monday.  We were headed to the Herr’s Snack Factory tour (free and fat-filled—what could be better?)  We took the tour, clogged up our arteries with the free samples, and were dumped out into the gift shop where my generous husband told the kids to pick out something small.

The girls were gaga over the 25 cent plastic rings and a coloring book, one of my sons picked a plastic popcorn ball probably to aim at his brother’s noggin, and my other son got caught in the tractor beam of a stress potato.  He was enamored, charmed, captivated by it.  For the stress-free among us, an explanation may be in order.  A stress potato is a soft, but not too soft, rubbery potato that you can squeeze the daylights out of, presumably to alleviate stress.  I’m not sure who concocted the idea that you could channel stress into another object by squeezing it, but apparently it sells.  Anyway, my son was all giggles. 

I figured it was a worthy investment.  It could be by the piano for one boy during lessons, or on the other boy’s math book.  Jim could squeeze it while doing the budget and I could have it while rushing out the door and realizing that someone’s flip-flop had vanished again!  (The girls don’t have any stress, they only provide it, so they don’t get a turn.)    

The funny thing is that we all have our stress potatoes, whether it’s a bag of chips, the TV, sleep or shopping.  “This is just what I need,” we tell ourselves again, even though experience has taught us that these things don’t really relieve us, they just temporarily distract. 

Although the “Stress Spud” as we affectionately call it, still resides in our home, I’m so glad that there is real relief for stress, or more accurately, the sin of anxiety. 

“Do not be anxious about anything,” the Bible urges us, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Aaaah.  God’s truth and grace for anxious sinners.  No gimmicks, Herr’s logo, or carpal tunnel syndrome involved.  Just help from Almighty God and a promised peace.  Thank you, Lord, for providing real help in time of need.

But now what do I do with the stress potato?  Stress potato salad

By Jason Russell

As we’ve pondered the cross over the last few months, the Lord has refreshed us and given renewed appreciation for all that Christ has done for us.  One of the things I’ve taken away from the recent preaching series In My Place is Jim’s charge to come and meditate on “the Gospel spot” each morning in my quiet time.  Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:24 stuck out to me one morning as I was doing this:

“but we preach Christ crucified….the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Of all the mighty works of God it is the cross of Christ that stands as the crown of His wisdom.  By His sovereign plan the Creator has wisely solved the human dilemma (man’s sinfulness and incapability to be reconciled to God) and the divine dilemma (God’s holiness and righteous requirement to punish sin).  He formulated the plan before the foundations of the earth were laid as the means by which he would glorify the Son and save those elected to know his love.  Since he has, we will forever praise him.   

God’s wisdom in the cross not only propels me to praise, it functions as practical encouragement for living each day.  How often am I faced with my need for wisdom?  In my marriage, parenting, at my work place, offering counsel to friends…the list goes on.  In all of these areas I am assured by the wisdom of God in crushing His own Son to redeem sinners like me.  He has proven his wisdom at the cross; surely He has wisdom enough for my problems which are far less weighty.  So, as I stare at various decisions throughout the course of a day this one thing I know: God’s abundant wisdom is more than sufficient to guide me. 

Are you facing decisions to buy or sell a home?  God has wisdom.  Trying to live on a tighter budget in light of hard economic times?  God has wisdom.  Considering a business venture?  God has wisdom.  Caring for a family member or friend in need?  God has abundant wisdom.  James tells us that all we need to do to get it is ask:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  James 1:5

By Andy Farmer

 

This past Saturday, April 25, was the anniversary of the death of William Cowper.  Cowper (pronounced Cooper) is one of the great poets of the English language, and one of the great hymn writers of the Christian church.  He died April 25, 1800. 

 

If you or someone you know battles severe discouragement or experiences depression you should know about Cowper.  His is not a happy story, nor does it have an inspirational ending.  But it is a story of faith, a faith propped up against a lifelong storm of loneliness and despair.  And though that storm never let up even till Cowper’s dying day, his faith remained anchored in truth.  He never turned away from the Savior, even when the earthly comforts of the truth didn’t turn the tide.  Truth is eternal – it cannot be washed away by the trials this side of heaven.  Long time friend John Newton wrote his confident assessment of Cowper’s ultimate triumph this way,

 

“Oh, what a surprise of joy, would he find himself immediately before the throne, and in the presence of his Lord!  All his sorrows left, and earth exchanged for heaven.”

 

We need to have room for experiences like William Cowper’s in our understanding of faith.  And we need to have room for people like William Cowper in our lives. 

 

Take some time to get to know him by checking out this blog from Between Two Worlds.  Justin Taylor includes a short video on Cowper produced by Mars Hill Church, and link to the transcript of a message John Piper has done on Cowper’s life and God’s purposes in it.

 

http://theologica.blogspot.com/2009/04/william-cowper.html

Posted by Andy Farmer

At the end of his excellent book, In Christ Alone, Sinclair Ferguson includes a letter written by a close friend and colleague from Westminster Seminary, Dr. Al Groves.  It is a letter written by Dr. Groves to be read at his own memorial service.  In the last stages of a battle with cancer, Dr. Groves looked to those he would leave behind.  Gentlemen, read this excerpt from the letter and ask yourself, ‘if I could speak to the people attending my funeral, what would I say?’. 

As I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I have walked hand in hand with Jesus, the one who has already walked through that valley and come out the other side, alive, raised from the dead.  And as I hold his hand and trust him, I too am raised with him, for this was his purpose in walking that path: to raise those who trusted in him.  His rod and staff, his cross of suffering, have become my comfort.
            Now as I have died, I come before the God, the king of the universe, and I come in Christ.  He chose to suffer and die on the cross in my place, so that on account of him I might have forgiveness from sin and victory over death.  And now I have received the resurrection and eternal life that has been my only hope, past, present, and forever….
            Through all my life, Christ has been constant.  Even as I have grown and changed, he is still the one whom I loved that first day.  And nothing ever changed in how I came to him; every day of my life the story is the same: I have come to God in Christ.  His love for me has been steadfast, and he has pursued me through every time I have turned way from him and every time I have returned.  The constant prayer of my heart for my own life and the lives of those around me has been that we would see Jesus, and that he would be welcome and present among us.
            There may be some here who have never trusted Christ for life, who have never known that he is the answer to the sin and death in our lives.  I urge you to consider the claims he made to being the Son of God, to consider that he didn’t stay dead and sends a message down through the ages that there is life in him and him alone.  His death on a cross, humiliating though it seemed, was his glory, but which he has defeated our true enemies – sin and death.  By the ultimate sacrifice he made, he humiliated all powers arrayed against him.
            If you struggle with faith, let me encourage you that in the hardest moments I have faced, he has been there.  And death has been defeated.  I am in Christ, as you are in Christ.  So let us live out of the grace we have received.  Let us live out of Christ.  This means looking daily for him, asking him to open your eyes to him, and embracing what you see.
           Seek him with all your heart.  Love him with all your heart.  Love those he loves with all your heart, even to the laying down of your life for him.  Jesus, the way, the truth, the life.  In no other do we have hope.  But in him we have hope that endures forever.  We grieve, but we grieve with hope.  The hope of a resurrection; the hope of life eternal.  Together with Jesus.
            For most of my Christian life I have wanted to see Jesus face to face, to join in with the heavenly chorus in his presence around his royal throne and declare his praise in new ways.  Something else has grown through the years: an abiding sense that this is not for me alone.  Being with Jesus myself is not what he wants, nor is it what I want.  To be there with you all, those he loves and those I have come to love, that is true joy.  I have often thought of coming to heaven as Jesus standing at the finish line of a race waiting those looking for him, trusting in him, pursuing him.  But it isn’t a race for me to finish first or alone.  It has always been a race for us to finish together, arm in arm, having encouraged one another in faith.
            He is good.  From the beginning, his steadfast love has endured.  It endures forever.  He is a gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.  Trust in him with all your heart, for he is faithful.

As quoted in Sinclair Ferguson.  In Christ Alone.  235-237