March 23, 2010

Number 12

VIEWPOINT

 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”  There are probably a number of applications to Jesus’ principle in John 10:10.  But we focused Sunday on what happens when we are required to deal with a devastating, life changing illness.

The thief wants to steal the joy in our hearts.

The thief wants to kill our faith in Christ.

The thief wants to destroy our relationship with the Father.

The “thief” is our spiritual enemy – Satan.  It’s not that he has the power to actually cause the illness.  We live in a fallen world, after all – one that is darkened by disease, destruction and disability.  But our enemy wants to make us blame God and give up on faith because of the setbacks.  (He doesn’t care if it’s an illness, an economic reversal, or a spiritual failure.  He makes effort to use all human suffering to his advantage!)

That’s one of many reasons we wanted to celebrate with Paula Sunday.  Just as our Cedar Grove family has been a blessing to help her, she has been a blessing to help us. 

Rather than allow the thief to kill her hope and murder her trust, she has walked in faith.  She’s allowed Jesus to nurture the hope and vanquish the doubts. 

I am thankful for Paula as well as proud of her.  We both are deeply grateful to our spiritual family for helping us celebrate recovery!

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What is the difference between a casual Christian and a convicted Christian?

For one thing, there is a much higher percentage of those who merely claim a nominal religion.  Those who are truly convicted to live out their faith are much smaller in number. 

Sometimes very small choices make a big difference.  For a convicted Christian even the smallest of things matter – even the things we think unseen to others. 

In addition, we are the only Bible some people will ever read.  Jim Warren related this story to me which makes that important point: 

“A new preacher moved to a small town.  On one of his first days there he took the bus to run some errands.  He boarded, paid his fare, and sat in a seat near the back.  As he examined the change in his hand he realized the bus driver had given him twenty-five cents too much.

“He rolled the coin in his hand thinking of what he should do.  ‘I should give it back . . . but it's only a quarter.  People give/ get too much money all the time.  It's not that big of deal.  What difference will it make?’

“As the bus came to a stop he stood to leave.  But as he walked past the driver for some reason he changed his mind.  ‘You gave me twenty- five cents too much.’  He handed the man the quarter.

“A slow smile came over the bus driver's face.  ‘You're the new preacher in town aren't you?’  The preacher nodded.   ‘I've been looking for a church to attend with my family for a long time.  I gave you that quarter on purpose to see what you would do.’  The man's smile widened, ‘I'll see you at church this Sunday!’

“As the bus pulled away the preacher stood on the sidewalk.  He grabbed the telephone pole beside him as he dropped his head.  Visibly shaken, he took a deep breath in, and looked up to see the bus disappearing around the corner.  ‘And to think . . .  I almost sold the Son of God for a quarter!’”

“That you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:15).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a positive word!                                                                            RA