THE GOOD FATHER, GOD, DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN.....

Have you ever heard a Christian admit his affliction is from His loving heavenly Father? Usually we blame circumstances, others, ourselves or whatever, and will even shake our fist in God's face if deeply disturbed. We know the familiar line: 'If God would do this to me, He isn't a God of love.' Rare is the child of God who admits he needed it! But, the fact is, we do and ought to admit God doesn't begin to give us what we really should get. In this fun-loving age we need to remember GOD IS MORE INTERESTED IN OUR HOLINESS THAN OUR HAPPINESS! (cf Hebrews 12:4-11).

"My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights" (Prov. 3:11,12). Read further in Hebrews 12:4-13.

I once read this insightful story: There was a group of women in a Bible study on the Book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, the came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Puzzled, the women wondered what this statement meant and what it said about the character of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week she phoned a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. Then, she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that “yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. It the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed." The woman was silent for a moment. Then, she asked the silver smith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s when I see my image in it.” 

If I’m presently feeling the heat of the fire, I know that God has His eye on me and really does love me. He may seem far away but He's right 'here'! He's looking ever so closely at me, looking to see His Son in me. 

- dick christen 

WHEN SINNERS ARE FINALLY JUDGED....

I recently listened to the beautiful tune MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY, by Floyd Cramer. Just those words will make some start humming it (all day long). 

     It brought to mind the following verse of Scripture. When, at the end of time, God sets up THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT SEAT where Jesus Christ will judge all unregenerate sinners, the scene is described with these words: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them"(Revelation 20:11). 

     Often when leaving 'home sweet home' we feel nostalgic and lonely as the old homestead fades in the rear view mirror. But just imagine all earth and heaven distancing themselves, fading into the far reaches of the eye. All unsaved people will experience this! It will be awful. They can't go back. Their destiny is decided. They stand before the Judge of all judges, Jesus Christ, devoid of His salvation. And here is what happens..."Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.    And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." When this happens it will be Jesus who makes the world go away. No pleasant tune will sound forth from the glorious angels of heaven. Only the agonies of hell will become louder and louder as the lost near hell. 

     Oh, be saved now! To avoid hearing the words of condemnation at the Great White Throne, right now hear and heed the words of the Gospel: "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

     Sir Winston Churchill is reported to have said: "All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a simple word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy and hope." At heaven's gate just one word gains admission: JESUS! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." And this, not just to escape hell but to know God and enjoy Him forever.

-Dick Christen

MUSIC NEEDN'T DIVIDE A CHURCH....

     MULL WITH ME..... When we all insist upon MY kind of music, others invariably are 'turned off', even to the point of animosities and church splintering. A fair BLENDED FORMAT seems best. 
     A blended  approach includes in equal proportions the 'oldie-goldies' with their substantive expressions of truth (may the Church ever value them) along with newer styles with meaningful LYRICS , not just frothy empty and worn expressions. And there exists a growing body of such. May the Church welcome them. 
     It doesn't take a genius to put such an agenda together. It does take leadership that values ALL the gathering saints, refusing to cater to just one segment of a congregation. Such an approach allows ALL the saints to gather at any stated service. This makes for cohesiveness and oneness among God's people. And such is what Holy Scripture enjoins. Ephesians 4:1 - 4:6 states it clearly. The Apostle declared....

     "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." 

     In keeping with the above passage, the divisive tactic of different services for different tastes can happily be laid to rest, and hopefully, a many measured long rest. (Pun intended). 

- Dick Christen

WE WILL TRUST AND NEVER DOUBT......

      FAITH, for the believer in Christ, is the sight of the inner eye. It sees what the physical eye cannot. When sight cannot confirm it and when the mind cannot fathom it, faith stays positive and says 'all is well.' And, this which is my present difficult experience, 'is as it is,' but comes from a God too loving to be unkind and too all-knowing to be wrong! The character of God can always be trusted. He cannot fail. 

     Faith follows God implicitly, albeit with trembling on occasion; while sight calculates, considers, cautions and cringes. Faith declares: God said it, I believe it, that settles it! Where God speaks, faith is dead to doubt, dumb to discouragement and blind to impossibilities.

     Spurgeon expressed it this way: "Faith is reason at rest in God."

     Proverbs says it like this: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own" (MSG. 3:5).

     Years ago I read this from Oswald Chambers. It was deep to grasp, but thinking about it gives insight to the root substance of faith:

     He said, "The real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that (seemingly) contradicts Him. I WILL REMAIN TRUE TO GOD'S CHARACTER WHATEVER HE MAY DO!" 

     Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." 

     God cannot and does not fail, even though He allows loss, disappointment, hurt, sorrow and hardship to touch me. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it this way: "Faith is a refusal to panic." It has the characteristic of remaining firm, no matter what.

     A lady in one of my congregations once gave me the following poem when I was traversing a difficult period in my life. It has meant so much to me. And this, because in life, try as we may, situations arise which we just cannot figure out. And in such a season, we must simply believe God, accept the situation, stay engaged and never doubt the essential character of God or any of His ordained experiences. The poem is by Hannah Hurnard:

In acceptance lieth peace, 
     O my heart be still;
Let thy restless worries ceae
     And accept His will.
Though this test be not thy choice,
     It is His....therefore, rejoice. 

Cease from sighs and murmuring,
     Sing His loving grace,
This thing means thy furthering
     To a wealthy place.
From thy fears He'll give release;

- Dick Christen        

YOU MUST BE 'DEAD' AGAIN......

Each of us must be born twice or we will die twice. Jesus once said to a very religious man, "You must be born again." He was telling Nicodemus that religion alone is not enough to enter heaven. This leader of the Jews stood before Him dressed 'to the nines' in all his religious garb. Jesus was not impressed and cut through all the laudatory comments, saying to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Born again? Whatever does that mean?  

     And, while sinners must be 'born again' to have eternal life, the write of Hebrews tells us another opposite but equally intriguing gospel truth. He declares, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (9:27). In other words, you must be born again, but, if you are not you will die again. Yes, after physical death you will stand before your Maker and without Jesus as personal Lord and Savior you will die spiritually. Unsaved, you must die again!  Revelation 20:11-15 describes the place and the dreadful assignment of all sinners to eternal hell. We understand that all humans die physically but to what does 'after this comes judgment' refer? Does this raise the specter of a judgment that could result in another death of sorts? Yes, it does! Just as we are born once bodily, we must be born again spiritually in order to see eternal bliss. And likewise, we will die physically once and will die again if we are judged and found wanting. We will fall short without Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. He took the judgment of sinners on Himself at the cross. "Christ died for our sins." He paid the price God demands for sin, and that is death. Accepting His death personally as 'my' death satisfies God's righteous demands and the believing sinner is set free. In other words, the believer's judgment place is Calvary. The person without Jesus' judgment credited to him will then be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat of Christ and suffer a second death, being consigned to an eternity of without God the very source of life. Read the Apostle John's account:

   "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.    And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and  books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.    And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.    Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.    And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

     And so, we can emphatically say, "You must be born again" OR you will die again at the final judgment of the ages. You 'must be dead again' without Jesus Christ.

     How is a sinner "born again?" Jesus answered that very question from Nicodemus the very religious but lost man in John 3. What was Jesus' answer? Here at His exact words:

      “For God so loved the world, that He gave His  only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.    For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.    He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:16-19). 

     So, we sinners must be born again or we will die again in the great resurection of the unjust. We will have nothing to plead without Jesus. We will pay forever in hell for our sins, having rejected the payment Jesus made on His cross. 

     Again, this is why the Savior said to that religious leader, "You MUST be born again." Be saved, now! Put this article down, bow your head and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

     God invites you to His salvation found only in His Son. He says "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:9-13). "Where you die, when you die, or by what means, is scarcely worth a thought, if you do but die in Christ."


-dick christen

DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS...

WHEN JESUS COMES FOR HIS PEOPLE, THE TRUE CHURCH, He will take their dust from graves, the seas and urns and reconstruct them into living, breathing, physical persons. 1Cor. 15:51 — 1Cor. 15:54 declares: "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

In vivid detail, as told to Ezekiel, He will do the same for His people the Jews. In Israel's spiritual declension they were pictured in Ezekiel 37 as very dry bones in a valley. Of them Ezekiel said, with VERY DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE, "Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

Perhaps the process, happening instantaneously ("in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"), will be similar for both the Church and Israel, though happening at different times. Amazing! God can and will do it and then bring in His everlasting kingdom. And He shall reign forever and ever. Take heart, dear believers. All will be well!

d. christen

GRACE FOR IMMEDIATE SALVATION AND ON-GOING SANCTIFICATION...

Dear fellow believer: This is heavy but important. So, put your thinking caps on and bear with me. At salvation we are given a new position, namely, that of being placed IN CHRIST JESUS. (Actually this was determined before the foundation of the world but made personal to us in this life time when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:4.) Now, God no longer counts our sins against us! Hallelujah! Christ received our condemnation at the Cross and by faith alone we are thereby freed from the "law of sin and death." In fact, at salvation, He additionally credits (imputes) to us His righteousness and thereby justifies us or declares us absolutely righteous for time and eternity. This is our privileged position IN CHRIST JESUS, by grace alone, through faith, plus nothing. . How GLORIOUS!

But, further, and practically speaking, for the sake of His glory and the fashioning of each of us into Christ's image in this life time, His grace continues to work on us. The Apostle said, "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). He will then, BY CHRIST and through the Holy Spirit, continually deal with us about our daily sins. Those He loves, He chastens (child trains) and "scourges every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:6). And so, though grace forgives and makes us perfect in Christ at salvation, it continues to discipline us towards Christ-likeness. This is a kind of on-going grace. We are to "grow in the grace and knowlege of Christ Jesus." This discipline of grace can be severe. Those whom He loves, He chastens. If such doesn't bring us around, He will scourge. This can really hurt. Do read Hebrews 12:4-13. This process in no way impinges upon the justification we have IN CHRIST. That is a constant! But this day by day sanctifying work BY CHRIST is for the purpose of making us in the here-and-now more and more like Jesus. Paul said to the Philippians, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (1:6). Our loving God is doing this in the life of every true believer!

Why am I saying all this? Because, generally speaking, I sense an imbalance in today's Evangelical world between, on the one hand, a glorying in God's saving and forgiving grace (which makes us immediately perfect IN CHRIST at salvation), and, on the other hand, the necessary daily growth in the "grace and knowledge" of Christ. The first is frequently mentioned. The second rarely so. We must freely preach salvation by grace alone and the immediate blotting out of all sin at the moment of salvation in the eyes of GOD THE JUDGE, but must then loudly teach the New Testament emphasis of an on-going sanctifying GRACE in the life of every believer in the eyes of GOD, the sinner's newly found FATHER. We must BEWARE of the age-long danger of Antinomianism, or, the habit of so reveling exclusively in saving grace as to excuse and consider trivial our daily sins and God's on-going work of sanctifying grace. Perceptively, the Apostle Paul anticipated this in the first century when he said, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1). It is possible to so gloat in saving grace, to the exclusion of sanctifying grace, that we glory in the precious truth of 'grace alone' BUT use it to assuage or mollify our consciences into a care-free and reckless continuance in our present sins? 

Is it even possible for a truly saved person to entertain such an imbalance? Apparently so or the Apostle would not have warned the Roman believers of the danger thereof. So, let us heed the heads-up Paul gives us and reject a lop-sided view of grace that produces emaciated and worldly Christians. I speak out of concern and in love, burdened for the health of Christ's twenty-first century Church.

-Dick Christen, D.D.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHEN NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE......

Proverbs 14:10
     "The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy."

     Most 'others' have a rather meager capacity to empathize or feel my sorrows or joys. They try, but we all are so limited and/or busy and preoccupied. Love seeks to break through this but is often so very faint. And so, to a great extent, we live our lives pretty much alone. At the same time we should remember the words of John Milton: "Loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named 'not good.'" Thank the Lord for a spouse who is also a best friend. But, sadly, this is not always the case. 

     BUT, "what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!...... Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.... Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge - take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there." He is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Praise God, every child of God can say, "I have a very dear friend and I am the undeserving object of His constant and unfailing love." And, remember, Christ understands loneliness; He's been through it. 

- dick christen

THINK AHEAD BUT DON'T FORGET.....

THINK AHEAD, BUT DON’T FORGET!
HEBREWS 13:1-25

     It is wrong for Christians to obsess about the past. The Apostle Paul gave us the phrase "forgetting those things which are behind." But this passage underscores certain behaviors we must strive to live out all the days of our lives:

     SO, REMEMBER TO….

     1. KEEP PRACTICING CHARITY TOWARD BROTHERS IN CHRIST (Hebrews 13:1)
“Let brotherly love continue.” (This is a 'thinking' kind of love that considers the well being of others and takes beneficial  action toward them, according to truth.)

     2. KEEP EXTENDING HOSPITALITY TOWARD STRANGERS (v 2)
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (We live in a fearful and wary age. Wisdom considers this realistically and exercises care. But, nevertheless, a 'thinking' kind of helpfulness and goodness should not be neglected.)

     3. KEEP EXPRESSING EMPATHY TOWARD THE SUFFERING (v 3)
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” (Empathy is two hearts tugging at the same load. "Empathy is your pain in my heart.")

     4. KEEP RESISTING IMMORALITY IN MATTERS SEXUAL (v 4)
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Many deem marriage unimportant. God talks about it as an important covenant relationship. It entails uncompromising commitment. Proverbs 2:17.)

     5. KEEP LIVING CONTENTEDLY IN LIFE (vv 5,6)
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” ("Covetousness is a dry drunkenness." Proverbs says that the human eye is never satisfied.)  
                                                            
     6. KEEP BEHAVING SUBMISSIVELY TOWARD LEADERSHIP  (vv 7.17)
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (v7)
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (v17) 
     (In 1859 multitudes accepted Darwin's theory of evolution, thereby rejecting the authority of God's Word. It's been downhill ever since rejecting not only Bible's authority but all other authorities too. Acts 5:29 is how the early believers retained respect for civil authorities and absolute submission to God's authority.)

     7. KEEP TRUE DOCTRINALLY, IN THE FAITH (vv 8,9)
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” (When steadfastness to the truth is most difficult it is most necessary.)

     8. KEEP PRAYING INTERCESSIONALY FOR OTHERS (vv 18,19)  
“Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” ("Talking to men about God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.")                                                                 
- Dick Christen

IS THERE ROOM IN THE INN OF MY LIFE?

ROOM IN THE INN

     "And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).

     How could one, even such a One as Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, suffer such a lowly birth? The wealthy of that age didn't sleep in the inns, they stayed with friends or had special abodes reserved for them. Commoners stayed in the inns. There wasn't even room for Jesus in such a place. Rather, it was out in the barn and He was probably placed in a wooden feeding trough.

     But the more important personal question is, do I have place for Him, a real abiding place, in the rooms of my heart?

     One commentator remarked: "Without a doubt it is the same today. Every chamber of the soul is so filled with human interests that there is little room for Christ. There is little vital interest in Him. There is little, if any, time for Him. And this is so, simply because our time is demanded by a thousand other things, our interest in drawn off in a thousand other directions, and our life is crowded to the full with possessions and pleasures until, strange though it seems, there is no room for the Savior except in the stable." 

     So I must ask, is Jesus merely in a stable in my life? Have I failed to make Him the core of my earthly existence? Until He has entered the door and reigns upon the throne of my life I cannot regard myself as being in any better position than those who slept comfortably while Mary gave birth to the infant God in a stable.

     - Dick Christen

DON'T JUDGE, BUT DO JUDGE....

 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

     In this verse the Apostle issues a stern warning! He tells us to be on the alert because error and false propagators are prolific. He says "many false prophets" will be on the scene.

     We Christians must reject an easy and widespread indifference to proven wrong. We are to be willing to warily judge in this way: Statements or professions of faith must be held up to the light of Holy Scripture looking for cracks and dark spots of error. We must relentlessly maintain this readiness. And we must remember that when Jesus said "judge not," He was not speaking contrary to such a process or John's instruction in the above text. 

     It is true that we limited humans must not judge motives (we just don't know what is in the heart of another person) and must also refuse to impose upon others an unrealistic kind of perfectionism which in this lifetime is impossible to attain. And, if the fundamentals of the faith are intact, we readily agree that there are areas of doctrine wherein honest differences exist.The Almighty knows this and is often more patient with us humans than we are with our fellow humans. For instance: In Psalm 103:14 we are told: "...He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." And, of course, we are 'dirt dust', not gold dust. God knows the limitations of His creatures, especially since sin entered the world. Therefore, we most certainly are not in the position to judge others with a haughty judgmental spirit. And so, Jesus warns us against such. We must not play God. He alone knows all and the Judge stands at the door. He's looking after everything perfectly so. 

     But, on the other hand, we must judge in this way: Check out all ideas and philosophies, especially those purporting to be Christian doctrine, by holding them up to the all-pervasive searching rays of Holy Scripture. We must reject the practice of judgmentally going after others but at the same time accept the need for judgment or judging in the light of Scripture, it being the very mind of God. So, interpreting Scripture carefully we let them, in effect, do the judging. God has spoken. Here is what He says about this and that. If anything is contrary to His clear Word, it is wrong. Using such Scripture we then proceed to "prove all things" or put them to the test, even as the Bible so instructs.

     Yes, this makes for tensions and conflicts but the clash of ideas is the sound of freedom and price of doctrinal purity. 

- dick christen

BIG EARS... SMALL MOUTH...

     There's much wisdom in what Mr. Buffett says. It brings to mind the words of St. James.... Jam 1:19:

     "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, SLOW TO SPEAK and slow to anger..."

     It is true that whatever moves the heart wags the tongue. And so, we must keep our hearts with all diligence. But then, there are even good things that shouldn't necessarily be said. Someone remarked, "What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your speech." True enough, but we can refuse to 'let down' the bucket. 

     Forgive me, heavenly Father, for thinking I have to say something about everything. May my ears be more prominent than my mouth. Amen.

- Dick christen

CHILDREN IN CHURCH????

     I'VE ALWAYS FAVORED children being in public worship with their parents or caring adults (at least when they can read, even a little, if not before). My parents did this and looking back, I learned so much, even unwittingly so. They did this in ancient Israel. In Deuteronomy  31:12 - 31b Moses commanded:
     "Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God..."
     Nurseries? Yes. Children's church? Yes. But even at these early stages leaders and teachers must always remember that tiny humans learn so very much, much more than we think. Even seeing a teacher with a Bible in hand or hearing an adult pray speaks volumes to tiny eyes and ears. They'll even go home and emulate such.         But, at five or so take them to big peoples' service. And the parent (and others) may not think they're learning much, but they are. The prechurch experience continues. Otherwise, in the above narrative,  God would have told the people," Leave the kids at home. Get a baby sitter."
     I once preached a sermon on the doctrine of sanctification. It pertains to positive holiness as different from the daily cleansing when we confess our sins. I illustrated using a dirty apple. Washing it was the daily cleansing of confessing (1John 1:9). Rubbing it til it shone was Sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7).A mother told me the next week that her young son upon taking an apple, washed it, shined it and held it up to his mother and said, "Mom, that's sanctification." That kind of report is enough to make the preacher 'dig in' and prepare another preachment.
- Dick Christen

JUST A NOBODY? THE APOSTLE PAUL??

     PASTORS have a heavenly calling... but still have clay feet. The great Apostle said, "For in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody" (2 Cor. 12) He thought of himself as "a NOBODY" but who really was a SOMEBODY who affected EVERYBODY in the Church of Jesus Christ. But, nevertheless, he unbelievably refers to himself as a "nobody." 
     This same Apostle warned all of us about the ever present danger of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought: "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). 
     When we do exalt ourselves God has His ways of reminding us (and sometimes crushingly so) that He "knows our frame and remembers we are but dust." And this means dirt dust not gold dust. He knows it and wants us to remember it: 
     "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust" (Psalm 103:13,14).
     St. Augustine remarked: "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humilty that makes men as angels." I guess it's better to be a humble worm than a proud angel.

     - dick christen

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE FROM GOD....

GOD knows all; GOD sees all! He is omniscient. Down south they use to sing "He sees all we do; He hears all we say. My God's a' writin' all the time."
     Proverb 15:3 declares: "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good." THE MESSAGE paraphases it like this: "God doesn't miss a thing—he's alert to good and evil alike."
     Doesn't this fact instill in us the healthy "fear of the Lord" so often referenced in the Bible? We can't hide anything from God. Our sins will find us out; He makes sure they do.
     "It had been an unusually hectic weekend, and I decided to put off doing housework until Monday", so a housewife tells. "As I was curling up with a book, old friends phoned. They were in town and wanted to stop by. I tore around the house, dusting and vacuuming. Time was running out when I grabbed ples of dirty dishes and put them in the oven. The doorbell rand. THERE STOOD MY FRIENDS ......WITH A FROZEN PIZZA.

- Dick Christen

THE CHRISTIAN'S EARNED CROWNS. WHAT IS THEIR SIGNIFICANCE?

THE CHURCH NEEDS TO RAISE A GREATER AWARENESS OF THE FIVE CROWNS WHICH WILL BE BESTOWED IN HEAVEN ON CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE EARNED THEM BY THEIR GOOD WORKS IN THIS LIFE. 

The salvation of a sinner's soul is not at all BY self-works of righteousness but it is UNTO works of righteousness when performed obediently in the Holy Spirit's strength. 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

     Salvation from sin is free, it being all of God's unmerited favor (grace) . "Jesus paid it all! Ephesians 2:8-10 says it clearly but also emphasizes the place of 'good works.' We are saved by grace "for (unto) good works." It other words, just because our efforts don't contribute to being saved from our sins this does not mean they are unimportant. 

     In fact, the Bible sets forth FIVE CROWNS potentially awarded at a Christian's appearance before Christ's BEMA JUDGMENT. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

     At least part of our recompensing will be in the form of a crowns bestowed upon the deserving. What will they be? Here are the five mentioned in the Bible.....

1. THE CROWN OF REJOICING (OR, THE SOUL WINNER'S CROWN)  

1 Thessalonians 2:19,20:

"For who is our hope or joy or CROWN of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His  coming? For you are our glory and joy."

(Those the apostle won to Jesus are Paul's "glory and joy" or "crown of exultation." Heaven rejoices when one sinner is saved. Apparently the rejoicing continues into eternity. Will I receive this crown. Who have I brought to Jesus)

2. THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN (OR, THE CROWN OF DISCIPLINED CHRISTIAN LIVING)

1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.   And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible CROWN; but we an incorruptible.   I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:   But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

(Personal discipline is important to God! To live for Jesus in this world and for His glory, requires a holy stringency that most shy from. It requires personal suffering. Peter said, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin" (1 Peter 4:1). It IS real suffering to reject what displeases God but necessary for this crown.)

3. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (OR, THE CROWN OF OBEDIENT LIVING) 

2 Timothy 4:6-8:

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.   I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:   Henceforth there is laid up for me A CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

(A righteous act is an obedient act in accordance with God's directive or principle. The sum total of these obedient acts equals our 'personal righteousness' status before God. (To be distinguished from the imputed righteousness every believing sinner receives at the time of salvation.) Think this way: all of our acts of personal day by day obedience = our personal 'righteousness status' before God. The sum total of our righteousnesses = personal holiness status before God. (To be distinguished from imputed holiness at the moment of salvation.) On this basis of this reading the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will or will not be awarded.)

4. THE CROWN OF GLORY (OR, THE FAITHFUL PASTOR'S CROWN)

1 Peter 5:1-4

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:   Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;   Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.   And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a CROWN of glory that fadeth not away."

(Pastors should strive to be the kind of pastor Oliver Goldsmith describes in THE DESERTED VILLAGE. In his depiction of the village preacher he says:
     Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway,
     And fools who came to scoff remained to pray.)

5. THE CROWN OF LIFE (OR, THE OVERCOMER'S CROWN)

James 1:12; Revelation 2:10:

James says, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the CROWN of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
To the suffering at Smyrna, Jesus says, 'Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN of life."

(All true Christians go to heaven when they die. All will appear before the BEMA rewarding stand with the books open. All will be recompensed for their deeds done in the body while on earth. Some will suffer loss. This can't mean the loss of salvation so we must ask "what does this mean?" Will there be degrees of enjoyment or privilege in heaven? All will undoubtedly rejoice in heaven and enter into its goodness, but will we do so at differing abilities to imbibe or appreciate?  Perhaps all will rejoicingly take in the wonders of eternity but at differing levels of appreciation and while each will enter into their personal level of enjoyment, such, however, will be unknown to others. It will be very personal. But again, heaven being heaven, all will be in a state of glorification and rejoicing but, I believe, each person will 'take it in' at his or her personally assigned quotient determined at the BEMA seat. The award or crowns MUST have some significance, perhaps more than we want to acknowledge. Anyhow, this is how I try to understand it. 

- Dick Christen

DRINKING DEEPLY OF GOD'S WORD, THE BIBLE...

       REMOVE THE FIVE GUMBALLS SO YOU CAN DRINK THE MILK


     If a mouth is full of food (like five gumballs at once) it would be most difficult to attempt drinking a glass of milk at the same time. In this passage of Scripture five evils must be set aside in order to imbibe the milk of the Word.

     "Therefore, laying aside all (1.) malice, (2.) all deceit, (3.) hypocrisy, (4.) envy, and 5.) all evil speaking,  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious..." (1 Peter 2:1-3, NKJV, numbers and parentheses, mine).

     The Amplified NASB Bible renders the text like this:

     "SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind.
   Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,
   Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord"  (1 Peter 2:1-3, NASB - AMP).

A. THE FIVE SINFUL GUMBALLS TO BE REMOVED...

     1. Malice (baseness)
     2. Deceit (guile)
     3. Hypocrisy (hypocrisies)
     4. Envy (envies)
     5. Evil speaking (defamations)

B. THE DRINKING OF THE MILK OF THE WORD...

      1. Related Passages: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14)

     2. Context: Cf. 1:3, 23 (This pertains to the doctrine of regeneration set forth by Jesus to      Nicodemus, John 3.)

     3.Literal translation: "as new born babes" = "as just-now-born babies"

     4. Phrase: "desire the pure milk of the word" (Cf. "pure" = reasonable as found in Romans 12:1 (the only other reference in N.T. where the word is used which means reasonable, sincere and "it makes all the sense in the world." All of which adds up to the practicality and usefulness of the  Word.)

     5. Cross reference: "My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times" (Psalm 119: 20). Catch this: the Psalmist LONGED for this Word.

     6. Peter writes and uses the decisive aorist imperative exactly as he did in 1:13,17,23. These aorists (verb tenses) are used because they are stronger than present imperatives would be. The implication is: long for this milk and for none other. Even Christians often hanker after the fleshpots of Egypt and grow tired of the simple, wholesome, saving Word, which is manna for the soul. Such a condition is the most serious sign of spiritual decline.

- dick christen                    

THE LAST NAME OF ISRAEL'S KING SAUL......

          My Sherrill likes to follow Britain's royal family. It is like family to her. The other day she asked what their last name was. I said royalty goes by dynasties.....the Stuart, etc. 
     Well how about this? The other day I discovered the last name of King Saul in the Old Testament. Never knew he had one. His full name was Saul Matri. Really! Read 1 Samuel 10:21: "When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matrite was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found." Mmmmm! Must be KING SAUL MATRITE.
     Now, isn't that fascinating? Um, I wonder what St. Paul's last name was? And, Peter? And...? 
     Jesus once asked his disciples who men were saying he is. They answered, oh, they think you are Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist or one of the prophets. He said, and who do you say that I am? Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." And that is exactly what Jesus wanted to hear. He is the promised Messiah, the very Son of God and the King of kings who will reign over this earth forever and ever. 
     "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

- dick christen

OLD AGE BRINGS US NEARER TO HEAVEN...

     It's been said that when you're seventy your vital juices are prune. For Dagwood, all the meat and cheese have been replaced with a pile of pills. 
     An E. H. Chapin remarked,"An aged Christian with the snow of time on his head may remind us that those points of earth are whitest that are nearest heaven." 
     In the meantime be sure to be saved by God's grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  (John 11:25-27).
     Though I die, I live? Yes, for the Christian to die is gain and to be present with the Lord. No wise Christian ever wished to be younger. 

- dick christen

ON THE USE OF SCRIPTURE.....

     A frenzied driver tucked a note under her windshield wiper and dashed off:
     It read: "I've circled the block for 20 minutes. I'm late for an appointment, and if I don't park here I'll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses."
     Returning, she came back only to find a parking ticket and this note:
     "I've circled the block for 20 years, and if I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job... Lead us not into temptation."
     It has been said that Scripture can be used to justify just about anything. Some have even used it to okay suicide. You know: Judas hung himself. And then another Bible phrase: Go thou and do likewise. Nonsense. Let us study the laws of humeneutics, or the science of proper interpretation. Very important.

- Dick Christen

GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!

Christians frequently use the word GLORY. What does that word mean? A much loved hymn of the church begins with the words, "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!" GLORY literally relates to the reputation (an idea in the Greek word) or the sum total of the excellencies of any thing or any person. Add up all the excellencies of our God Jehovah (if that is even possible by any mere human attempt) and you have the glory of God or His Kingdom. Add up His omniscience, omipresence, mercy, love, grace and any other of His told or untold attributes and their sum would be His GLORY. What a mind boggling thought, even if scarcely comprehended. The Bible, as much as it underscores man's sinfulness, does likewise teach that man was made in God's image and when he or she learns God's wisdom possesses a glory of his own (Proverbs 3:35, etc.).

Often we refer to heaven calling it GLORY. In the last book of the Bible we are informed of many of the splendors of that place Jesus has gone to prepare for us (Revelation 21). Add up the details set forth and we understand it will be a glorious abode. In the meantime we wait for the GLORIOUS appearing, that of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the very first chapters of John, Colossians, and Hebrews we learn of the magnificent splendors of Jesus. He is very God, the Creator of heaven and earth and the sustainer thereof. 

And then, rather humorously, but feebly, we dare place a yellow halo ring around His head trying to bring out this truth. It falls far short! But, with magnificent words, David does much more justice in his doxology of prayer. "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, AND THE GLORY, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head ABOVE all" (1 Chron. 29:11). And, of course, many other passages of Holy Writ do likewise. The doxologies of Scripture are worth reading again and again. We can increase our worship skills by incorporating this in our own prayers and expressions of worship. 

And to think, forever, we believers will bask in His glory and that of all the works of His hands and will witness only glory in our fellow creatures. Glory! 

-dick christen

SELFLESSNESS......ON BEING 'OTHERS' ORIENTED.....

I like Tim Keller's quote today: "If you met a truly humble person, you wouldn’t think him/her humble, but happy and incredibly interested in you." 
      Being a pastor and wife for over a half century we have been privileged to entertain scores of folks in our home. Curiously we noticed something: the vast majority spontaneously told us all about themselves without even being asked. They could easily occupy two hours at the table reciting story after story, incident after incident..... all about themselves. Much was interesting and we thrilled with them but afterwards had a sense of lopsidedness. In hindsight, rare has been the person who made inquiry about our lives, children, ministries, perspectives, opinions or background. And that's alright. We're pretty ordinary people. Not too many humdingers to pass on. But I think we could come up with an interesting tale or two. 
     A well known Christian leader once visited us by surprise. His name was known throughout the Christian world. What impressed us most was his interest in 'little old us.' Really we were very young but he was so inquisitive about our limited experiences in life. He hardly, if at all, referenced himself, his enormous knowledge or his widely traveled life. 
     Someone once noted: In the 1940's and the 1950's we had the all-encompassing Life magazine. Then we cropped our vision down to People in the '70's. Things tightened  up even more with Us. Next came Self. Somewhere there's got to be a magazine just for me: THE DICK CHRISTEN MONTHLY. 
     Oh, that's right, I'm a Christian. Jesus showed me how to wash the other guy's feet. I'd best remember that because when self is not negated it is necessarily worshiped. 

-Dick Christen

FOLLOW YOUR HEART? IS THAT GOOD?

FOLLOW YOUR HEART? This is a popular mantra nowadays. But no, to do so is foolishness! Rather, pursue wisdom (Prov. 2) which is God's plan for your life. The path of wisdom leads directly to God Himself, His Word and His will. Obeying His Word aligns our hearts and lives with Him, and that is always the best! The Bible says so! And Holy Scripture has a principle or directive for every activity of one's life. 
     "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered" (Prov. 28:26).
     The reading and study of the Word of God for the purpose of discovering the will of God is the greatest of holy disciplines. Yes, and as vital as prayer is, imbibing the Bible is more vital. The Bible is God talking to us. Prayer is us talking to God. Which is more important?And so, loving the Bible, the will of God is revealed. The will of God obeyed produces Christ-likeness and God-honoring character. The old self would rather have its own way. It ever resists what God decrees. We may well become miserable until we turn God's will from a sigh to a song. 
     All heaven is waiting to help those who will discover the will of God and do it.  The sincere Christian is obsessed with finding and doing God's will. Study Proverbs 2. Notice the search for wisdom - the intense search, the discovery of God, God speaks, we listen and obey, we thereby walk in the light and are thereby on the path of wisdom or God's very best for us. THINK BIBLE!

- dick christen

MY DAILY BIBLE READING PROGRAM...

     Let me share my long time approach to daily Bible reading and meditation. I find it greases my ‘get-along’ in order to slip easily into an actual engagement with God in His holy Word.
     This is what I do: I keep six bookmakers in six different places in my NASB or NKJV study Bibles and try to read from each passage about ten or fifteen minutes daily. 
     ONE is at a chapter in Proverbs. There being 31 chapters in this Book of wisdom, it must be profitable to read one each day of the month. So, each first day of a month my marker is at chapter one. 
     A SECOND marker is somewhere in the four Gospels, reading them over and over:  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and again, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, etc.  I delight seeing and hearing Jesus during His earthly sojourn. What does He say, how does He handle situations, how does He respond, what teachings come forth? How do holiness and love blend in His life? Gazing on Jesus is seeing God. My understanding of who God is increases chapter by chapter. 
     Then, a THIRD marker finds me reading consecutively from Acts through Revelation. The history of Acts, the doctrine and instructions in the church epistles, the same in the pastoral epistles and the insightful book of prophecy are, of course, all-important. 
     The FOURTH one is somewhere in the O. T., wherever I want to go. I’m either In the Pentateuch, the history books, the prophecies or the books of wisdom. I delight making the choice each time I decide upon a new book to read. I usually sense a particular need and make my choice under the Spirit's guidance.
      The FIFTH reading is a round robin in four favorite prophetic passages, Isaiah 58-66, Daniel 9-12, Ezekiel 36-39 and Zechariah 12-14, giving me such fascinating details of things to come. When I'm done with Zechariah, it's back to Isaiah 58:1. 
      And finally, the SIXTH marker guides me each night to reading one or two of the one-hundred-fifty Psalms. These give me big thoughts for worship and about my glorying in my God. They teach me about faith in tough times. These are indeed precious concepts with which I lay my weary head on my pillow.
     This works in an endearing way for me. It is God teaching me every day. I treasure and look forward to these daily times with God. And, really, can daily life be boring with such appointments with my dear Heavenly Father in such ongoing communion? The Scriptures are so pregnant with meaning. There are always new truths to learn whereby my faith is informed and built up, my mind fortified against the wiles of the devil. Each verse is a rich well of unfathomable depth. 
     I brag not, I’m just sharing what blesses me. Many days I fall short and find myself hastily reading at least a little from each place. I'm bothered when this happens. That's when I bark at Sherrill (just kidding, er, well maybe sometimes).
     A program like this has to be top-priority, day by day. And I must remember what's happening when I so engage. It is God talking to me, teaching me, ever comforting me, correcting me, chiding and enlightening my poor dark soul. His Word is without error and the different styles of literature ever fascinating. The uniqueness of the Bible as literature, let alone as Divinely inspired (2 Corinthians 3:16,17), is incentive enough to keep coming back for more. 
     Arthur W. Pink brings this into perfect focus: "To realize that the Holy Scripture are a revelation from the Most High, communicating to us His mind and defining for us His will, is the first step toward practical godliness. To recognize that the Bible is God's Word, and that its precepts are the precepts of the Almighty, will lead us to see what an awful thing it is to despise and ignore them."
     The bookmarks allow me to go right where I need to go with no hesitation at all. With any delay at all my attention could easily be diverted. But, what could ever be more vital than hearing from one's Maker, Savior, Lord and Hope?
     Haldor Lillenas puts it exquisitely in his hymn: "The Bible stands like a rock undaunted 'mid the raging storms of time. Its pages burn with the truth eternal and they glow with a light sublime." Thank God that He spoke to us poor lost souls, clearly told us the way back to Himself through His Son Jesus, the Christ, and then instructed that His message be written down and preserved through the ages for our salvation and knowledge of the truth. What a God He is to come to us so marvelously.
     And, if 10 or 15 minutes at each of the six places is just too much, five minutes would be only 30 minutes a day to bask in the euphoria of reading God's love letter to me.

- dick christen