Help

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grieving.jpgWHAT CAN WE do to help those who hurt…?
And who can help us when we suffer?
I begin with some discouraging good news. The discouraging aspect is that I cannot give you a magic formula. There is nothing much you can say to help suffering people. Some of the brightest minds in history have explored every angle of the problem of pain, asking why people hurt, yet still we find ourselves stammering out the same questions, unrelieved.
…Not even God attempted an explanation of cause or a rationale for suffering in his reply to Job. The great king David, the righteous man Job, and finally even the Son of God reacted to pain much the same as we do. They recoiled from it, thought it horrible, did they best to alleviate it, and finally cried out to God in despair because of it. Personally, I find it discouraging that we can come up with no final, satisfying answer for people in pain.
And yet viewed another way that nonanswer is surprisingly good news. When I have asked suffering people, “Who helped you?” not one person has mentioned a Ph.D. from Yale Divinity School or a famous philosopher. The kingdom of suffering is a democracy, and we all stand in it or alongside it with nothing but our naked humanity. All of us have the same capacity to help, and that is good news.
No one can package or bottle “the appropriate response to suffering.” And words intended for everyone will almost always prove worthless for one individual person. If you go to the sufferers themselves and ask for helpful words, you may find discord. Some recall a friend who cheerily helped distract them from the illness, while others think such an approach insulting. Some want honest, straightforward confrontation; others find such discussion unbearably depressing.
In short, there is no magic cure for a person in pain. Mainly, such a person needs love, for love instinctively detects what is needed. Jean Vanier says it well: “Wounded people who have been broken by suffering and sickness ask for only one thing: a heart that loves and commits itself to them, a heart full of hope for them.” Philip Yancey, “Frontiers of Recovery,” Where Is God When It Hurts?, 167-168
KneEmail: “How then can you comfort me with empty words, since falsehood remains in your answers?” Job 21.34
Bible reading for 06.08.11: John 18.1-18; 2 Chronicles 30, 31
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Sponge

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sponge.jpgIN THE OPERATING room of a large, well-known hospital, it was the nurse’s first day on the medical team…
She was responsible that all instruments and materials were accounted for before completing the final steps of the operation. She said to the surgeon, “You’ve only removed 11 sponges. We used 12 sponges, and we need to find the last one.”
“I removed them all,” the doctor declared emphatically. “We’ll close the incision now.”
“No,” the rookie nurse objected, “we used 12 sponges.”
“I’ll take the responsibility,” the surgeon said grimly. “Suture.”
“You can’t do that, sir,” blazed the nurse. “Think of the patient.”
The surgeon smiled and lifted his foot, showing the nurse the twelfth sponge. “You’ll do just fine in this or any other hospital.”
THOUGHT: When you know you’re right, you can’t back down. Dennis Waitley, “Your Absolute Bottom Line,” Priorities Magazine
KneEmail: “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” Proverbs 10.9
Bible reading for 06.07.11: John 17; 2 Chronicles 28-29
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Submarine

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sub.jpgSEVERAL YEARS AGO a submarine was being tested and had to remain submerged for many hours…
When it returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, “How did the terrible storm last night affect you?” The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, “Storm? We didn’t even know there was one.”
The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as “the cushion of the sea.” Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred.
THOUGHT: Even though the waves of the world surround us each day, as Christians, we remain calm and secure in the cushion of Jesus — He blesses us with peace.
(Psa 85:10) Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
(Psa 85:11) Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
(Psa 85:12) Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
(Psa 85:13) Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. Glenn, Mercedes & Lauren Hitchcock, “Submarine Peace,” Thoughts For Today To Brighten Your Day”
KneEmail: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26.3
Bible reading for 06.06.11: John 16; 2 Chronicles 25-27
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Holy

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sandalDO YOU REMEMBER when God asked Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on “holy ground…?”
What, exactly, did that mean?
The word holy is found hundreds of times in the Bible. Its synonyms are many, but more times than not, it means “perfectly clean,” “pure,” “different,” and “set apart.”
Unfortunately, all of these synonyms are inadequate in actually defining God’s holiness. God is different from anything or anyone we can imagine. He is unapproachable perfection.
Dr. James MacDonald says it this way: “God is more righteous and pure, more piercing and powerful, more strong and impenetrable than anything we can imagine. We comprehend only fractionally, even infinitesimally, all that He is. He’s so different–so other–so holy. Every time you hear the word holy, think separation; He’s completely apart and entirely different than you and me.” Robert Woldgmuth, “God is God: The Creator–Holy, Sovereign, and Merciful,” 7 Things You Better Have Nailed Down, 33
KneEmail: “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22.3
Bible reading for 06.03.11: John 13.21-38; 2 Chronicles 19-20
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Wait

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NO DOUBT, YOU instantly recognize the name Jell-O…
Likely, you have even tried a flavor or two of it down through the years. However, you may not know the story behind this beloved product.
Jell-O was discovered by a man named Pearl Wait over one hundred years ago. Although Wait was a construction worker by trade, he dabbled in medicines in his spare time and sold his remedies door to door. In the midst of mixing medicines, Wait got the idea of mixing fruit flavoring with granulated gelatin; and, the wiggly, wonderful product that we know and love was born.
For two years, Wait eagerly peddled his product door-to-door. However, sales were surprisingly slow. Discouraged, Wait sold the rights to his product to a neighbor, Orator Woodward, for $450. Within eight short years, Woodward turned a $450 investment into a $1 million dollar business. Today, 1.1 million boxes of Jell-O are sold each day. Although Wait made an amazing discovery, someone else reaped the rewards of it. Ironically, Wait just couldn’t wait.
What about us? Can we wait?
As Christians, we have certainly made an amazing discovery. We have found the truth. However, we must hold it fast (2 Timothy 1.13). We must not sell it for any price (Proverbs 23.23). If we sell the wonderful truth that we have found, we will live to regret it. It will cost us and our descendants greatly. If we sell the truth, we will lose far more than Pearl Wait and his descendants ever did. After all, the value of Jell-O is nothing in comparison with the value of the soul (Matthew 16.26).
Please don’t sell out! Hold on to the truth that you have found! One day, you will be glad that you did. Wade Webster, “Wait Just Couldn’t Wait,” The Searcher, Southaven church of Christ, May 29, 2011
KneEmail: “Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall it.” Psalm 37.34
Bible reading for 06.02.11: John 13.1-20; 2 Chronicles 17-18
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Father

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john-julian2.jpgWHEN A MAN abdicates his calling as a father, the world suffers the effects…
Julian Lennon, son of the late Beatles pop idol John Lennon, is a classic example. In his early twenties, Julian made his musical debut with a best-selling album. Then, to everyone’s shock, he suddenly stopped recording altogether. Seven years later, when he finally released a second album, he talked with a reporter about struggling to find his calling.
Julian’s mother and father had divorced when he was five, and after that he saw his father, John, perhaps a dozen times. “He walked out the bloody door and was never around,” Julian snapped. “I’d admire him on TV–listen to his words and opinions. But for someone who was praised for peace and love and and wasn’t able to keep that at home, that’s hypocrisy.”
As the reporter notes, “Julian became a self-taught musician. His father never game him a music lesson.” In the son’s words, “We sat down once and maybe he played five chords–that was that… The only thing he ever taught me was how not to be a father.”
His hatred for his father blinded Julian Lennon to his own calling, and the world suffered the lost of his talent for seven years. Gordon Dalby, “THE PAST – Healing the Wounds,” The Transformation of a Man’s Heart, 59-60
KneEmail: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22.16
Bible reading for 05.31.11: John 12.1-26; 2 Chronicles 13, 14
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Play

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lean.jpgONE OF MY favorite scenes in Lean on Me takes place right after Morgan Freeman (Principle Joe Clark) orders the security guards to expurgate the drug dealers and hoodlums from Eastside…
The rest of the student body watches in disbelief and cheers as the riffraff is forced off the stage and out of school forever. Principle Clark then says ominously, “The next time it may be you. And if you do no better than them, it will be you!” After a brief, inspirational charge, he strides past the stunned audience and out of the auditorium. Then one darling young woman turns to the friend beside her and says, “Mr. Clark don’t play!”
That phrase sums up much of Zephaniah’s message: God doesn’t wink at sin; God doesn’t compromise His holiness; God doesn’t sit idly by while His people cavort with idols. . .God don’t play.
Some of you might be thinking, “Well, I know some real stinkers who’ve never paid a divine penalty for rotten behavior. God seems to be twiddling His thumbs while they have a moral meltdown. Why doesn’t He wallop them for their whopper sins instead of spanking me for minor infractions?” If you’ve pondered along those lines, you’re not alone. There have been many times when I’ve questioned God doles out punishment. When I’ve wondered why He doesn’t obliterate certain people into grease spots — or at least singe them a little.
But we need to remember that the lack of overt, tangible punishment doesn’t mean anyone ever gets away with rebellion against God. There will always be a price to pay for sin. The highest price of all is to be separated from Him. Lisa Harper, “God Doesn’t Do Recess,” Tough Love, Tender Mercies, 72-73
KneEmail: “I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests–Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, but who also swear by Milcom; those who have turned back from following the LORD, and have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.” Zephaniah 1.4-6
Bible reading for 05.27.11: John 10.1-23; 2 Chronicles 1-3
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Cries

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MILLIONS OF AMERICANS were RIVTED to their television sets in October of 1987 as rescuers worked feverishly to save “Baby Jessica,” a one-year-old girl from Midland, Texas who found an abandoned well shaft in her aunt’s backyard, fell into the 8-inch hole, and plunged 22 feet down the pipe…
As word spread of Jessica’s plight, the residents of Midland literally stopped what they were doing to offer whatever assistance they could in the rescue operation, or to just stand by and offer moral support.
Our nation watched as rescue crews and volunteer citizens joined hands to dig a shaft parallel to the one that trapped Jessica.
The rescue effort was hamperred by a layer of super-hard rock. However, the rescuers were spurred on by the sound of Jessica’s cry which could be heard from beneath the surface. Her moan from beneath served as an encouragement to rally the troops to do whatever was necessary to save her.
For 58 1/2 long hours, they worked and worked. When paramedics finally coverd a terrified Jessica with gobs of petroleum jelly and slid her out of the pipe into freedom, and the flood of bright television lights, an entire nation cheered in union at her salvation.
THOUGHT: Althought we cannot rescue souls who have already died and gone to torment, we can be motivated by their anquished cries (cf. Luke 16.24, 28) to work diligently to keep those who are still living on earth from going to that awful place. BJ Clarke
KneEmail: “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16.23-24
Bible reading for 05.24.11: John 8.28-59; 1 Chronicles 22-24
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Camping

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exploding.jpgMUCH HAS BEEN written about the alleged time and day for the end of the world…
The media has used it to make fun of “Christianity.” Some no doubt will say that because the Judgment day did not come that it will never happen! But a sobering thought crossed my mind last Saturday night. What if Mr. Camping had been right? What if the world had ended? What if the Judgment Day had occurred?
There would be no more chances for me to tell my wife and children how much I love them or how much they mean to my life.
There would be no more chances for me to say I’m sorry to someone I might have offended.
There would be no more chances for me to preach messages that so badly need to be heard.
There would be no more chances for me to make sure my life is right with God.
There would be no more chances for me to spend time with friends and loved ones.
There would be no more chances for me to tell friends how special they are to me.
There would be no more chances for me to express gratitude to someone who has been kind to me.
There would be no more chances for me to mend broken relationships.
There would be no more chances for me to repent of sins in my life.
There would be no more chances for me to study the Word of God.
There would be no more chances for me to pray for others.
The fact is Mr. Camping was wrong, but it is still true that “the Day of the Lord will come…” (2 Peter 3:9-10). It is still true that we will all “stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10) It is still true that “each one of us will give an account of himself before God.” (Romans 14:12) The question is as valid as ever, “Are you ready for the Judgment Day?”
There is still time. Do something you need to do today. Don’t delay. Remember these words of our Savior, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4)
Dear Father, thank you so much for allowing us more opportunities to do something we need to do now. Help us to quit putting off important tasks that need to be accomplished and important words that need to be said. Help us dear God, to live every day for You. In the Name of our wonderful Savior we pray, Amen. Jeff Jenkins, http://thejenkinsinstitute.com/2011/05/what-if-mr-camping-had-been-right/
KneEmail: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” 2 Peter 3.9-10
Bible reading for 05.23.11: John 8.1-27; 1 Chronicles 19-21
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Wrote

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writeonground.jpgTHERE IS ONLY one occasion in Scripture when Jesus is recorded as writing anything; and, the Scriptures do not tell us what it was (John 8.6, 8)…
Wouldn’t you like to know?
I know that I would.
However, we are not told.
As you recall, the occasion involved a woman taken in adultery. When Jesus stooped down, what did He write on the ground? Did He write the words grace, mercy, or forgiveness? Did He write a Scripture? Did He write the name of the man who was involved with her? Did He write the names of this poor woman’s accusers? Did He write the hidden in the lives of those who wanted to stone her?
We are not told.
However, we are told the effect that Jesus’ words, both spoken and written, had upon those gathered before Him. John records that the men, convicted by their consciences, went out one by one, from the eldest of them to the youngest (John 8.9).
I find it interesting that on the only occasion that Jesus wrote, He wrote on the ground. He wrote on a tablet that would quickly be stamped out. Can you imagine that would have happened if Jesus had been written on a scap of paper? No doubt, the world would be filled with scraps of paper today all claiming to bear the handwriting of Jesus.
THOUGHT: The Bible does not cater to the curiosity of man and therefore shows that it is of divine origin. Wade Webster, “Why I Believe The Bible is The Word of God” (Part 1), POWER, April, 2011, 4
KneEmail: “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1.3
Bible reading for 05.13.11: John 3.19-38; 2 Kings 17, 18
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