Ready to Give a Defense

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV). 




Alan Smith tells the story about a carpenter who was giving evidence about an accident he had witnessed. The judge asked him how far away he was from the accident.


The carpenter replied, "Twenty-seven feet, six-and-one-half inches."


"How can you be so sure of that distance?" asked the judge.


"Well, I knew some idiot would ask me. So I measured it!" replied the carpenter.


Oops ... not a good way to answer a judge!


As Christians we need to be prepared to give a reasonable answer to everyone who asks about our Christian faith—and to do this in a spirit of "gentleness and respect."


Remember too, that our life speaks much louder than any words we ever say. Furthermore, people who know we are Christians will be constantly reading and hearing the messages our life broadcasts. May we, like the early Christians, be known by our love for one another and for our gentle spirit and respectful, courteous manner.

Drifting Away From God

"When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men." So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." - Luke 15:17-20 (NIV). 

I love going outside on a clear night and looking through my telescope at the beautiful planets, and out beyond into the endless creation that our wonderful Creator has designed. Knowing that the things we can view through telescopes and the vast distances to the stars are just a small, minute part of His wonderful creation puts things into perspective. It shows us just how little we really are --compared to Him and his awesome power, wisdom, and might.


When we view these far-away stars and galaxies over the millions of miles, we realize that God is right there, and, at the same time, He is here in our hearts. He is everywhere in His creation. We can't fully understand how that's possible, but we will someday.


Even though God is able to be everywhere at the same time, we can drift away from Him and not even realize it. We can completely separate ourselves from Him.


Yet, if we've been drifting away for years and years, once we turn back, it doesn't take years and years to get back to Him. He's there, waiting with open arms to accept us back. He forgets all the hurt we've done to Him. He completely forgives us for everything.


The prodigal, or lost son, who had gone away, had lost contact with his father and had lost everything his father had given him. He finally came to his senses and realized how much he needed his father, so he started back home.


But it didn't take him long to reach his father. His father came running out to him with open arms and met him before he reached home, and hugged him, and forgave him.

That's how God is. When He sees us turn around, He runs out to meet us. His speed is limitless. He's there instantly to meet us, to hug us, and to forgive us for whatever we've done. What a wonderful God we serve!

A War Time Prayer

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). 




Ravi Zacharias shares how, "At the historic Amsterdam Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in 1986, a renowned Korean speaker, Billy Kim, told the story of an American soldier hiding in a bunker during the Korean War. When his commander ordered him to rescue some of his fallen mates on the front lines, the soldier nodded his head, took a covert glance at his watch, stalled till his commanding officer was out of sight, and simply made no move. Several minutes went by, and a colleague reminded him of his rescue assignment. Again he looked at his watch and delayed. Finally, he leaped out of the bunker and fearlessly began carrying his compatriots to safety.


"At the end of the day, a friend asked him to explain his actions. The soldier said, 'I was afraid because I knew I was not ready to die. I waited until my fear would be overcome—remembering that at a certain time every hour my mother had said she would pray for me. Then I knew that no matter what awaited me, I could face it.'"


Prayer does matter. Prayer does change things. Prayer is a powerful means of connecting to God of the eternal.

And as wars and acts of terrorism continue, and as Christians in various parts of the world are being persecuted and killed, let us pray faithfully for God's care for all his children, and that the day of Christ's return will hasten so that in God's time all wars, suffering, sickness and starvation, will finally be ended forever. Pray, too, that everyone in the world will have the opportunity to hear the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and accept God's forgiveness and eternal life.

Where Is God?

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ... From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind ... [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." - Psalm 33:12-19 (NIV). 




I recall having read in a college newspaper about a student who painted in big white letters right across the side of a garbage truck, "Where is God?" Perhaps he was thinking at some level, why does God allow garbage to happen?


It's an age-old question, as old as Job and as fresh as today: "Where is God when tragedy strikes ... when a loved one dies and the heart is torn with grief ... when innocent children are kidnapped, sexually abused, and murdered? And where was he on September 11, 2001? And again, when terrorist bombs blasted in many areas? Or when a sniper in the Washington, D.C. area was shooting and killing innocent people at random?"


I don't want to sound callous by any means but we are asking the wrong question because God is where he always was and always is. The Apostle Paul said it best, in that God "is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" See Acts 17:24, 26-28.


So the question needs to be, "Where is man?"


Our problem lies in the fact that we as nations have left God—or are fast leaving him. As God's Word, the Bible, says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." - Psalm 33:12. And what of those nations whose God is not the Lord? Perhaps history can best answer that question.


But the great tragedy is, as Friedrich Hegel said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."

Strength out of Weakness

"But he [God] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV). 


I read a few years ago the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.


The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.


"Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?"


"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.


Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "let him continue."


Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.


On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"


"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."


"The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength."


Hmmm ... very interesting. When it comes to life, for some folk their biggest strength becomes their biggest weakness. For example, as Jesus said about the wealthy man, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:24 (NIV). The eye of the needle was referring to a door in the wall of the city (as it was commonly called) which was too small for a camel to go through, meaning that it was impossible for a person who trusts in his riches—or his fame, personality, power or position—to get into God's heaven.


On the other hand, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and know that we need to depend on God for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and deliverance from temptation—this can become our greatest strength.

Authenticity

"When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.'" - John 1:47 (NIV). 


"There's a story about a woman finding herself alone in an elevator with the famous and very handsome Robert Redford. As the elevator moved up the floors, the woman, like many of us might, found herself uncontrollably staring at the movie star. Finally, in her excitement and nervousness, she blurted out: 'Are you the real Robert Redford?' To which Redford responded, 'Only when I'm alone.'"


I think that if I were an actor—especially one as successful as Robert Redford—I might find it very difficult to be the real me when I am not acting a part and may all too readily forget who the real me is.


Even without being an actor, I find that one of the most difficult things in life is to be honest with myself. It's hard enough to know and admit what my true feelings are, let alone my motives! And it's all too easy to act out any part to avoid facing the real me. I may act the part of a super-nice (saccharine sweet) fellow to avoid facing my unresolved anger...or super-brave to hide my hidden fears...or gruff and macho to hide my insecurity and so on.


However, it's only as I get real and courageously honest with myself and God that he can help me to grow and become the person he wants me to be. The same goes for getting close to people. Only to the degree that I am open, honest, and real can I relate intimately with those I love. And, unfortunately, the more I hide my true self the more I will live with others together alone apart—a very lonely and unfulfilling existence.

Thanksgiving

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night." - Psalm 92:1-2, (NKJV). 

"Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely young girl with golden hair; I envied her—she seemed so happy, and how I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet—the world is mine.


"And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, 'It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find'; he turned and said, 'Oh, thank you sir.' And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.


"Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, 'Why don't you join the others, dear?' He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.

"With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine."

As many readers will realize, today in many more countries celebrating Thanksgiving Day...a day when friends and family all across this land will join together in a great day of feasting, but I cannot help but wonder how many of us will be truly thankful—I mean truly thankful to God for the abundant blessings he has given to those of us who live in free countries.