Where is God?

Article in the Waseca County News...

By CARY LARSON Guest columnist | Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2017

Photo: AP

Where is God in the midst of great trouble? Where is He during the storm or when the earth shakes or when senseless violence and evil shatters life?  Either He loves us or hates us or He is just indifferent. If we see disaster as an expression of God's feelings, we can only conclude that God hates us or is wrathful or even vengeful. But is that true?

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah we find, “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” In other words, God and His will are hidden from us. Since we do not have the mind of God, when we seek answers to the “Why?” the answers will be elusive. Chasing after God's hidden will only leads us closer and closer to despair.

So, how can we tell if God loves us or hates us? We know that God loves all humanity when we look back in time to a hill outside of Jerusalem and specifically to the cross of Jesus Christ. Of all places, this is where God has revealed Himself and His will. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16 & 17) Because of this, we can say with confidence that God loves all people through Jesus and His atoning death on the cross.

Holy Scripture informs us that Jesus died for us and for our salvation.  He died in our place for a purpose.  That purpose was for the remission of all our sins. He did this out of loving obedience to God the Father as a free gift for humanity.

The Gospel is not fair; Jesus who is God in the flesh takes our sins and death and in exchange we get His royal righteousness and eternal life. We do not deserve His grace nor His love.  We do not deserve forgiveness and salvation and the sure and certain hope of heaven, but He gives them to us freely. It is at the cross of Jesus that our desire for justice is turned upside-down and yet we find peace that passes all human understanding.

You do not have to be a Rhodes scholar to appreciate that life is full of pain, suffering, disaster, violence and death. Where then is our hope? Whom can we turn to when no one can make any sense of what we are watching or experiencing? Look to Jesus and his redeeming love. In all our sufferings and sorrows, we look to heaven and the hope that the Lord has for us there, and we cling to the cross more securely, and to the sure promise that He has given us life forever.

Watching movies is not the same as the book

Article in the Waseca County News...

By CARY LARSON Guest columnist | Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2014 12:00 pm

I’m not proud of the fact that in college, in pursuit of my undergraduate degree, I often looked for ways to cut corners.

Long before the advent of the Internet, college students could purchase a particular booklet of notes if they wanted to know enough about a classical work of literature in order to write a term paper without the tedious task of reading the assigned work. However, by the time I was in college, movies on video tapes were available to rent and to my delight, someone had recently made a movie about a book I needed to write about. I watched the movie intensely and upon completion of the movie, inside of 2 hours, I thought I had enough to write my term paper. “This was far easier then reading for hours,” I thought. So I handing in my term paper on time, however, my efforts were not based on the book but really based on the movie adaptation of the book. Imagine my embarrassment when I got my paper back from the professor with a less then stellar grade and the comment, “This is a fair account of the movie adaptation, now try reading the original book as assigned.” I was caught in my laziness.

This spring will offer up to five movies with supposed biblical themes. Some boast to be the retelling of the stories in the Bible and others are inspired by biblical text. While these movies offer opportunity to discuss events recorded in the Bible and the Christian faith, they are not a replacement to reading the Holy Scriptures for your self as they are artistic forms of work and often will not bind themselves to the Biblical narrative.

The Bible clearly teaches that the words within the pages of the Bible are not a creation of man (2 Peter 1: 16 & 20) but inspired by the Holy Spirit (God breathed) and that there certainly is no “artistic license” to keep the reader engaged. The Holy Scriptures is trustworthy and true and is useful in teaching, to reprimand and correction, and for training for righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). And in matters of the Christian faith it is the standard to test everything that boasts to be of the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

In other words, when anyone has anything to say about events recorded in the Bible, the understanding of the Christian faith or the expectations of things to come, whether it is in film or print, we are to compare whatever it is and the message presented to what the Bible has to say. If the story is different than what the Bible records, then it isn’t true and the Bible should be trusted first and foremost. Close enough doesn’t count.

Why is this important? Because the Bible issues some pretty important promises about God’s love and mercy and how through Jesus Christ’s death on Calvary’s cross redeemed sinners are saved from eternal death and through belief in the same Jesus Christ have the hope of a glorious resurrection like His. Words that offer such comfort don’t need artistic license or a need to change things up to be relevant. They need to be read and believed.

So if you desire to go to one of the spring’s movies with a biblical theme, enjoy it as any other movie you desire to attend. But don’t be lazy, “Try reading the book as assigned.”

Book of Standards

As a Boer Goat breeder, my family and I breed, select to keep and sell Boer Goat breeding stock that meet the breed characteristics as defined by the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA).  These breed characteristics are very specific to every visible detail of both male and female goats.  They even define specifically those things that are undesirable like blue eyes (yes, goats can have blue eyes), folded or twisted ears, poor mouth structure, poor mammillary features and even too much pink skin under the tail (the darker skin the better to minimize the risk of skin cancer) to name a few.

These defined breed characteristics are published as standards provided by the breed association.  Breeders and judges of Boer Goats are required to know and follow these “rules” if they want to function within the ABGA.  They are not defined by what a breeder likes in his goats, nor what a certain judge prefers.  They are standards that are set by an association that are external to the breeder and are above the opinions of a judge.

Many American Christians seem to be confused about God’s laws as listed in the Old Testament. The Old Testament laws can be broken down to 1) Ceremonial, 2) Civil and 3) Moral. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross due to humanity’s rebellion to God’s moral laws (Romans 5:8) and have redeemed all. Nonetheless, out of thankfulness, they attempt to still observe these moral laws.  Christians of all denominations believe they are freed from the burdens of God’s Law (Romans 10:4) and yet are obligated out of gratitude and love to follow the laws of morality (John 14:15), beginning with the Ten Commandments.

So with thanks to God, I can enjoy shrimp and bacon (civil law) and yet I am obliged not to steal these (moral law) from the local market, in spite of whatever reason that seems sound to me.

In my experience, if you talk about God’s law, the old progressive argument concerning slavery seems to surface. Here is my final answer:  There is no biblical requirement to enslave others. Nor is there a biblical penalty for releasing slaves. There are no biblical tenets that are based on the preservation of slavery. There is nothing in the Bible, that says slavery was good, right or just. What Holy Scriptures describes is freedom from slavery whether from Egypt, Babylon or from sin, death and the devil.   The Apostle Paul sends the slave Onesimus back to Philemon, out of obligation to human law but encourages Philemon to receive Onesimus as a “son” of Paul’s and as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1: 14-18). Basically calling for Onesimus’ freedom from bondage. So can we put this argument to bed once and for all?

Jesus is clear that Christians are to be IN the world and not OF it (John 17:14-15). So desiring society to transform the church is a little backwards. Christ’s church is tasked to transform the world in the proclamation of repentance and the forgiveness of sins through Christ alone (Luke 24:47).

The true church has always observed that the Holy Scriptures are “God breathed” and an external word that is the standard of all matters in life (2 Timothy 3:16). Our broken sinful nature seems to want to argue with the Creator of the universe crying, “Foul! That’s not fair!”  Yet, God anticipating such an outcry of worldly perspective says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8).

The Church is the bride of Christ Jesus and looks to Her Bridegroom for direction and redemption. God provides his Holy Word for the Church for such a purpose. Remember the only one recorded in Holy Scripture that said, “Did God really say…” was Satan (Genesis 3:1).

Beer with Jesus?

When I’m not doing my pastor thing, I like to hang out with stockman and specifically those who are enthusiastic about Boer goats.  You meet all kinds of folks. Some young, some old. Some just getting by and other have money to burn. Some from the South and some from north of the Mason-Dixie line.  From all walks of life. In June last year, my middle daughter and I managed to find the time to go to Duncan, OK for the national show of the American Boer Goat Association.  

I confess, I really felt out of our league as there was some pretty impressive goats being exhibited but I was also impressed that each morning of this multi-day show began with a prayer. This prayer included the petitions that all things within the day would be for the glory of God. Man, I wish we had the guts to do such a thing here in the North.   And to be totally frank, on one of the days an exhibitor, who was displeased how the judges had placed his goat, came out of the show ring, pushed back his hat (the same one he took off for reverent prayer) and kicked the dirt invoking the name of Jesus.  Now, I should put the best construction on everything, however, I don’t think he was praying.  He could have been but….I doubt it.  A reminder, that we who believe are simultaneously saint and sinner.  Redeemed in the blood of Jesus and yet in this life in bondage to sin.

One of the genres of music favored by goat ranchers is of course country music. Since this song came to the radio, I’ve had goat folks and churchman alike who have asked me what I think of  Thomas Rhett’s song titled “Beer with Jesus”. For some, the idea of Jesus in a “honky tonk” enjoying a tall one is beyond their idea of who Jesus is and what Jesus would do.

But a closer examination of the song reveals something all believers in Christ Jesus yearn for:

If I could have a beer with Jesus
Heaven knows I'd sip it nice and slow
I'd try to pick a place that ain't too crowded
Or gladly go wherever he wants to go
You can bet I'd order up a couple tall ones
Tell the waitress put 'em on my tab
I'd be sure to let him do the talkin'
Careful when I got the chance to ask
How'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
Do you hear the prayers I send
What happens when life ends
And when you think you're comin' back again
I'd tell everyone, but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus

I'd put my whole paycheck in that jukebox
Fill it up with nothing but the good stuff
Sit somewhere we couldn't see a clock
Ask him how'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
Have you been there from the start
How'd you change a sinner's heart
And is heaven really just beyond the stars
I'd tell everyone, but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus

He can probably only stay, for just a couple rounds
But I hope and pray he's stayin' till we shut the whole place down
Ask him how'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
What's on the other side?
Is mom and daddy alright?
And if it ain't no trouble tell them I said hi
I'd tell everyone but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus

[ From: http://www.elyrics.net ]

Now, country music songwriters and singers are not theologians, they write and sing about the things of life often very plainly, which for those who don’t appreciate this type of music call it twangy or too depressing.  But would not we all enjoy the opportunity to sit down with Jesus and talk about what is on our heart whether it be over coffee, tea, a glass of wine or yes, even a beer.  Note, when we sit with someone we care about and enjoy a beverage (regardless of kind) it generally is a special time where we permit ourselves to be open and honest and cherish the company of the one across the table. 

In Rhett’s song, the line that usually causes my eyes to get misty is “Ask him how'd you turn the other cheek to save a sorry soul like me”.  Shoot! It gets me every time and maybe that is why I like the song.   Perhaps, this has been a question that every generation of believers have asked in so many ways.  In fact in three places the Old Testament ask the question:

“What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?”~ Job 7:17-18 

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” ~ Psalm 4:3-4

“O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” ~ Psalm 144:3

But for me, it is there on the Cross of Calvary that Jesus’s words strike this sinner’s heart as recorded in the 23^rd chapter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke:

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  ³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Like the thief on the cross, we don’t deserve the love of God as expressed through His precious Son, Jesus.  We deserve what is just for our many crimes against God, namely eternal death and separation from God.  But God looks upon us in love, “turns the other check” and hears the cries of our contrite hearts as we confess our many sins and He saves a sorry soul like you and like me.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit! 

May God bless you in this new year of 2013!

JUDGE NOT?

The meat goats my family and I raise are mainly for the purpose of livestock shows in 4-H and FFA. They are “show stock”.  At the time of this writing, livestock from across the state and even the nation are at the Minnesota State Fair, all for the purpose of judgment.  Every animal owner (called exhibitor) wants to receive the coveted purple ribbon that proclaims his or her animal is the “Champion” – Second to none! This is established not by public opinion but typically by single judge.

Those of us who subject the fruits of our labor, planning, husbandry and breeding of livestock to the judge at a livestock show like the State Fair do so with the expectation that the judge has a standard and that standard is based on something higher then his own personal opinion, bias and experiences. Most livestock breed associations, publish what is considered the standard of the ideal animal for their given breed.  The American Boer Goat Association publishes a standard so that people like me, and my family who wish to raise such animals, know what perfection looks like.  Then when we bring our animals to livestock shows and have learned men and women judge our animals according to that specific standard, we know the animal closes to the ideal or perfect standard gets the purple ribbon and is declared “Champion”.

I would like to use this as the backdrop about Christians judging things.  Now some of you are thinking, “Stop the bus! Doesn’t the Bible say nobody is suppose to judge?” Why yes, it does.  But keep reading.

The world teaches a viewpoint of what is seen as non-judging and open-mindedness. All things are relative and no one has the right to judge another.  Perhaps you have heard or used yourself the Native American expression about not judging anyone until you have walked for a period of time or distance in his or her moccasins.  Shakespeare is often quoted from his work called Henry VI, “Forebear to judge, for we are sinners all.” You see, the world’s wisdom and political correctness say we're not supposed to judge. This has penetrated Christian thinking which cries “Christians are suppose to be non-judgmental. Christians, of all people, are to be open-minded. Christians are to follow Jesus and Jesus never judged anyone!”

If you believe Jesus never judged, then I urge you to rethink this.

Really.

Jesus never told people not to judge... not the way those words are understood by most people. To say, “Jesus told us not to judge” is to tear the words away from its context and to twist the intention of what Christ Jesus was clearly teaching. Let’s look at this collection of verses that this idea or misunderstanding originates from:  Matthew chapter 7,  Jesus said: 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

 Verse 5 is clear.  FIRST take the log out of your own eye THEN you can help a brother in his own sin.  In other words, what Jesus DID say was we are to judge other people by the standard we want for ourselves. We are not to judge others with one set of rules and ourselves with a second set (which generally is more lenient based on our sinful nature). Jesus is also clear the measure you use to judge others will be the measure others will use to judge you.

"But", I can hear the objection again, "But Jesus never judged!!!!"

If you think Jesus never judged, then you need to take a serious look at the accounts of the life of Christ Jesus in the four Gospels. Jesus personally selected twelve men to be His closest disciples and to be fishers of men (Mark 1:17). He rebuked the disciples when they were wrong when they tried to keep children away from Him (Luke 18:16). He even cursed a fig tree for not producing fruit and it died (Matt 21:18-22).  All four gospels records the time He cleansed the temple from corrupt moneychangers with His divine rage and a whip of cords (Matthew 21:12–17, 21:23–27 and Mark 11:15–19, 11:27–33, and Luke 19:45–48, 20:1–8 and John 2:13–16). When He allowed Himself to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He chose not to defend Himself (Luke 22:47-54). When He was on trial and before the Roman Governor Pilate, Jesus was clear that this was His choosing (John 18:33–38). Jesus is clear, He chose to lay down His life and He has the authority to pick it up again, which we know as the Resurrection (John 10:18).  His whole earthly ministry was full of moments when Jesus made a decision. In other words…He judged.

“Yes, BUT!!!!”

If you think Jesus never judged, you need to read for yourself the 23rd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Here Jesus gives a tongue-lashing to the self-righteous religious elite of His day. My study Bible calls this section the “Seven Woes”.  In these verses Jesus uses harsh words that I have never, ever heard any preacher use. Jesus says "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees." He says "woe to you" six more times peppering the woes with cutting words like “hypocrites; serpents, brood of vipers, blind guides, blind fools, blind men, blind Pharisees.” Ouch!

I cannot find in the gospel accounts of Christ Jesus ministry that we who follow Him are told to be accepting of everything, anything, and for that matter…everybody.  Jesus told us to judge. In the gospels He teaches His disciples to judge between right and wrong; He teaches His disciples to judge between the one Good Shepherd, Himself, and the other shepherds, the false shepherds. Jesus taught His disciples to distinguish between the broad way of Satan, which leads to hell and eternal death and the narrow path of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation, which ushers saved souls to heaven.

One week after His glorious resurrection from the dead, John records a risen Christ Jesus standing before a disciple who had doubted the supposed return of his master and told Thomas to touch the wounds in His hands and side. That night, Jesus told Thomas to make a judgment, “Judge for yourself, Thomas. Am I real? Am I alive?”  John records Thomas’ judgment in his confession, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus' entire life, from beginning to end, was dedicated to saving you and the rest of humanity. Long… long ago God had decided – judged if you will - that He would sacrifice His perfect Son so a lost and condemned world might be saved. God’s standard, HIS WORD, said there is a cost to sin and it must be paid in full with blood.  So God pronounced His judgment and his judgment is final. There is no appeal.

God’s decision was that He would save us from ourselves, from our sin, from the power of Satan, and from fear death. That decision…that judgment was fulfilled in Jesus the Christ, our Champion. Born as a human and yet all God, Jesus’ life fulfilled the laws we have recklessly broken; He resisted the sinful temptations which we found sweetly irresistible; He carried the sins we have committed. In fact, Jesus took our sins onto Himself and carried them to His cross. On the Cross of Calvary He died the death we deserved. If humanity was to be saved, God the Father needed to pass judgment.  His Son's life would be offered up as our Substitute, as our Sacrifice to atone (to pay) for our sin. This was the judgment of God, which resulted in the redemption, and salvation of all who believe.

You see, Jesus wants us to judge. He wants Christian parents and grandparents and churches to teach their children how to judge that which is real and precious from that which is temporary and fleeting. He wants us to teach all believers to distinguish the truth not “a truth” but “THEE Truth”, which comes from God-fearing, Bible-believing pastors who faithfully proclaims Christ Jesus and Him resurrected; Who proclaims repentance and the forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus, who in fact called Himself “THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life. He wants all believers to distinguish between THE TRUTH and the elusive lies, which are spoken by false prophets. He wants us to teach all believers about integrity, honor, faithfulness, REAL God pleasing love and Truth, He wants us to teach all believers how to reject that which is thin, insignificant, trivial, unimportant and of this world, which the larvae of moths will eat and rust will decay. He wants us to judge and He wants us to teach those judgment skills to our children and to all believers.

Jesus wants us to judge by using God’s standards: God's perfect law and not any person's subjective personal preferences and biases, which can be shaped and even manipulated by the world and Satan.  God wants us to distinguish what is God pleasing from immoral, good from evil, a real Savior from a false pretender. He wants us to “test everything” against God’s standard.

God’s standard is THE truth, it is perfect and it never changes. Against this timeless standard do we examine ourselves and hold ourselves accountable to.  Confessing our faults and sins, and repenting of them, we then can help our neighbor in the same practice.  Always holding up and holding on to God’s perfect standard and not our own self-contrived double standard.  

Scripture is clear and so is our Jesus.  We are permitted to judge. First, we examine ourselves to God’s standard and then our neighbor to the same.  Should we then assume the task of taking the speck out of our brother’s eye, we must do so with repentance, with the knowledge that we are not worthy of forgiveness yet God in His love and mercy has granted such through Christ Jesus, with sincere Christian love, with DEEP humility and with reverent prayer: “Father in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” 

Goats' Hair

We are in the midst of our goat showing season here in Minnesota.  My daughters are showing their goats at county fairs and other goat shows and are enjoying the friendly competition.  In a time where youth are so engaged in sports, I guess you can say this is our family’s sport.  My daughters love raising, fitting and showing meat goats and have learned valuable life lessons through the same.

As we get the goats prepared for the show, we spend a lot of time clipping or fitting them for the show. Neutered males called wethers, are given a very close hair cut. This is for the purpose of presenting the animal in such a way that the judge can look and feel the amount of muscling that is on the animal as this is its purpose, to produce meat for the table.  So as we are clipping these goats, hair is flying around and we find ourselves covered all over with the clippings. This is especially a challenge during these summer months as the one who is doing the clipping is already sweaty which of course causes the goat hair to stick on one’s face, arms, ears, back of the neck and inside the nose (ah-choo!).

While the breed of goat we own is for meat production there are goats that are valued for the hair they grow.  The product that goat hair makes is what we know as cashmere.  Cashmere is fine in texture, strong, light, and soft and is highly valued.

When the Children of Israel built the tabernacle in the wilderness under Moses’ leadership, no one was deprived of the privilege of giving something toward the materials needed. Gold and precious stones were needed which the more affluent could supply. A large variety of other things which were needed gave everyone opportunity to participate.

“So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord.  And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair.” Exodus 35:22-26 (ESV)

Even those, who might not have owned precious metals or jewels, shared through their animals in this important enterprise in man's response to God's redemptive work. For this was the motive for giving; God had just rescued Israel out of their slavery in Egypt and from the Red Sea. Their thankful hearts gave until there was "too much." Read Exodus chapters 35 and 36.

It is possible that among Christians today there is ample presentation of need for stewardship than there has ever been in the church. And yet there is not enough. Not to mention too much. What is the reason? Does it not lie in the lack of appreciation and thankfulness for God's salvation?

The topic of stewardship is interesting.  It can be perceived as a minefield for many pastors to navigate through so some pastors are guilty of saying nothing. Yet, Jesus had much to say about money and stewardship as recorded in the four gospels.  Paul, inspired by God, the Holy Spirit, wrote about stewardship as well.   I knew a pastor that was extremely liberal in his theology (questioned the virgin birth of Christ Jesus and wasn’t so sure a physical resurrection of Jesus was required for salvation and expressed all spiritual roads lead ultimately to God perhaps even unbelief, to name a few) but the one place he was down right a literalist was the whole business of tithing as recorded in Malachi chapter 3.   Is stewardship just about tithing 10% or is there something more to this?

Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21 – ESV)   Christians lovingly sing the hymn, “Jesus Priceless Treasure” proclaiming their trust in the only true source of the abundant life. Such expressed trust and love motivates a Christian to be the “cheerful” giver in response to God loves.   Did you know the Greek word for “cheerful” in 2 Cor. 9:7 is “hilaron” from where we get the word “hilarious”?  God desires a “hilarious” giver! Wow!

So Christian giving is not out of legalistic obligation nor is it based on a quid pro quo system where by giving “x” to God- God will give me “y”.  It is the love of Christ, which compels us!  (2 Cor.15:14)    It’s true that tithing is part of Old Testament ceremonial law and yet it is not binding for Christians today.  However, through Christ Jesus complete fulfillment of God’s Law, Christians are free so why would we restrict ourselves to giving just 10% of our income? Wouldn’t the better expression of this love and thankfulness towards God be through the dedication of all we have been given for His glory?

So why do so many Christian congregations suffer for need of financial support? Could it be there is a lack of appreciation of the redemption that is granted to the forgiven? Perhaps sin is a small matter with too many of us and thus forgiveness of sin becomes even a smaller matter.   Perhaps the false message of no hell as offered by “progressive” pastors or the heresy of universalism has seeped into the personal theology of even the most pious Christian thus dulling the appreciation that Christ Jesus’ death on the Cross of Calvary was to atone for such sin and appease the righteous wrath of God.  Dare we appeal to members of the kingdom of God to give out of thankfulness for salvation? If we fear for the meager response, it is high time that we intensified our preaching and teaching of God's word. Only the Holy Spirit, working through an abundant and clear presentation of the whole message of the Bible, can correct the situation.

While the Church needs our financial gifts, there is more. Many congregations struggle to get Christians to teach Sunday school. Or sing in the choir. Or serve as officers of the church and its organizations. Is it because of lack of ability or is it more of a lack of willingness? I fear that those with less ability often do the church’s work because they were willing when the more able lack the willingness. Let no one say, "I have nothing to give."

Remember the goats' hair. You might even have more than you think.

Waiting

As we begin February we are waiting with great anticipation for the kidding season to begin.  This time of year actually began five months ago. The gestation length of goats is about five months, so in order to have kids born in January and February our buck needed to be in with the girls no later than late August. 

Last August we introduced the dozen Boer goat does to our new two year-old full blood buck, who we hope to elevate to the status of “herd sire”.  He comes from a place and breeding that gave us reason to think he was full of potential.  So we put him in the pasture with the mature does expecting him to do what bucks are suppose to do.  Well, I have a suspicion that he was “all show and no go”.

Goat does are sensitive to light as the days get shorter in late summer. This shortening of daylight encourages the does to be “in season”.  In addition to the change of daylight, certain things will encourage them to get interested in becoming moms and putting a male goat in with them is the sure fire way to bring them into season.  The trick is that the “window of opportunity” is very short and if there is no success in making kids then she will come around again 17-21 days later.

In the first part of September, we noticed that some of the girls starting showing that “loving feeling” again which isn’t good when you want kids in January.  So we scrambled and found an available buck owned by a friend.

January kids are desired as in this part of the country as many 4-H and FFA youth are looking for club kids in April. Club kids can’t be born in the previous year so kids born the closest to January 1^st are the most desired and that gives the young person more days to get that show kid to market weight for the big show. There is more that goes into raising a show winner but having the most days between birth and the show is a good thing.

So now we wait.  The does look very pregnant and they are showing signs that it can be any day (or night) but we are left to wait until the time comes. 

The unrest in Egypt has prompted some to talk about end times.  The other day I was at a prayer meeting and an evangelical pastor asked me what I thought about the whole unrest in Egypt with the prophetic words from Isaiah 19. 

It is an interesting read and it clearly is “A prophecy against Egypt” (verse 1) and it foresees a time when Egypt and Assyria (present day Iraq, Jordon and Syria) along Israel would all worship God (v23-25). This is a wonderful image referring to a time when God will dramatically reveal His judgment by condemning the wicked and delivering the righteous.

The pastor asked what I thought of Isaiah 19, the current unrest in Egypt and the end times.  Perhaps my response wasn’t exactly what he was hoping for.  I responded that I certainly believe the Jesus will return again as he promised but I don’t get too caught up in the headlines.

We need to be cautious and resist the temptation to interpret Scripture through news headlines.  We should be interpreting the headlines in light of Scripture. 

His disciples asked Jesus when the close of the age would occur. Jesus’ answer was very clear. He said, “No one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36 ESV). God repeatedly tells us through His word not to get all caught up on setting the date for Christ Jesus’ return.  You can find this in Mark 13:32-33; 1 Thess. 5:1-3 and 2 Pet. 3:10.  In Matt. 24:33, 42-44; Luke 21:28 and 1 Thess.5:6, we are clearly instructed that Christians have no need to contemplate WHEN Jesus will return. Rather, we are to be READY at all times for His return. Perhaps this is best told to us in Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins found in the 25^th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

Like those pregnant goat does in the barn, the signs are clearly there but only God knows when the kidding season with start here.  More importantly, only God knows the exact time of the end of the age.  We are instructed to have a sense of urgency to do our Lord’s good work to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ until the time of his return.

The bottom-line is that regardless of the headlines, believers in Christ Jesus can take every comfort in God’s promise to protect and preserve them even in the midst of suffering.  So, when the Good Lord Jesus returns believers have every confidence that there is nothing to worry about as they are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness and will hear him say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”