Devotional and Bible

22 March 2005

WordWise-Bible-Studies.com

For the last little while my Dad has been working on a new website which features Bible studies and a whole bunch of other interesting tidbits. It’s called…

Some of the Bible studies already included are “Notes on the Psalms”, a series of thoughts on several Psalms. Here is an example – Psalm 1. You can just read it online or print it out for a small group study.

Also a part of the website are stories about hymns. Did you know a one-time pharmacist wrote “In The Garden”? Do you know why? Find out here. (By the way, my Dad authors a newspaper column with hymn stories. If you think your paper might be interested, let him know!) There’s also a free newsletter, featuring questions such as Why should we go to church? and Did Jesus tell us to amputate our hands?.

And there’s more. There are tips on topics such as, how can I choose a hymn book? What are essential books I should have in my library? And Lord willing there will be lots more coming. Click the graphic above to visit the site, and tell your friends. 😎

17 March 2005

2 steps forward, 3 steps back?

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 0

I was just going over the financial details related to our ministry, as I try to do every month, to see our progress toward Mexico. (During our years working for mission agencies we’ve been responsible for our own funding. Of course, missionaries aren’t the only ones who do this – the first other group that pops into my mind is explorers, and there are actually a lot of parallels! As many of you know, we have to make sure that our funds are in place before we make the big move to Mexico. That includes “setup costs” as well as monthly support. It’s those donations from people who believe in this ministry that put food on our table.)

Anyway, for the first time in a long time our monthly support has actually dropped instead of risen. So you’ll see on our donation page that we’re 1% lower this month than we were last month!

Yes, that is discouraging, since this is one of the major things we need to take care of before moving to Mexico. But I’m reminded again of the many people of faith in the Bible, and the situations that they faced. Faith of course involves trusting in what we can’t see, and there are lots of examples of that in Scripture. But very often it seems to also involve apparent set backs, or at least a long time of waiting. We all know about Abraham, who waited until he was 100 for his promised son. And then after he had the promised child, God told Abraham to sacrifice him! Talk about a setback. Joseph dreamed of power, and ended up in a prison.

Ummm, isn’t this the wrong direction, God? Moses seemed to have some ideas of being a deliverer when he was a prince in Egypt, so what’s with his career change – becoming a shepherd? Gideon was raised up by God to deliver Israel – how was he supposed to fight an army of 1000s with only 300? David was to be king – he was anointed by the great prophet Samuel. So how come he spent the best years of his life as a fugitive, not even welcome in his own country? And of course at this time of the year, we remember the Messiah, who came to show us the face of God and ended up being crucified.

We certainly don’t have it as bad as these people, and we don’t claim to have their faith! But it was God who fulfilled the dreams He had for them. Abraham did become a great nation. Joseph ruled in Egypt. Moses led the people out of Egypt. Gideon won the battle because God won it for him. David became one of the greatest kings of history. And the Messiah came back to life and rules forever. A little tiny setback – or even a drastic one – is no setback for God. So if you’re facing it setback, keep climbing! God loves a challenge…

22 February 2005

Praying about health

Jim Devotional and Bible 1

In our most recent newsletter we included 7 ways that you can always pray for our ministry. We also have generic prayer request in the Ministry Vision brochure that everyone that gets our newsletter has. One of those requests is for health.

Now I’ve often wondered if we simply place too much emphasis on health in general. Our health is certainly far better than many people I know. Things could easily be far more serious. But it can be frustrating when you can’t do much in any given day, when there’s so much you would like to do.

I guess there are really a couple of sides to the issue. First of all, it’s obvious to me that Jesus cared deeply about people that suffered. He spent a lot of His time and energy healing, and the Bible tells us about His compassion (ie Matt 14:14). So does Jesus care when we’re sick? Absolutely. Is it valid to pray to Him for healing? Of course. In fact, prayer for the sick is commanded (Jam 5:14). So a prayer request for our health is certainly appropriate.

Then again, how high a priority is it? From the standpoint of the world, it’s very important. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. And if you don’t have your health, your productivity goes down. Well, the Christian has a lot in spite of poor health, and often gains a lot as he or she sees God work through pain. It can be a powerful witness to others. The more weak we are, the more people can see God’s power (2Co 12:9). So health is certainly not the most important thing to the Christian. We have the hope of healing; even if it’s not healing at this moment, we know healing will come.

I guess the thing to do is…
1. Focus on God – don’t let sickness become a reason to become inward focused
2. Realize that God can use us no matter what our physical condition
3. Realize that God has the power to heal, and to do even greater things – beyond the physical

So if you’re praying, go ahead and pray for our health. But pray also that God would keep us focused on Him, and glorify Himself through us – in sickness or in health, may He be glorified.

18 February 2005

Ropes and photos

Jim Computers and internet, Devotional and Bible, News and current issues 0

You learn something new every day. Since I’ve already learned something, I am now going to go back to bed (just kidding). I had always heard this story that the high priest in Jesus’ day would go into the Holy of Holies with a rope tied around his ankle, presumably so that he could be pulled out if anything happened (since no one else was allowed to go in). Well, apparently, that’s just not true.

A few sources are quoted in this article soundly refuting the story. It’s funny how these things get around.

Speaking of things getting around, I was just looking at a fairly new site that shows pictures from world news on a 10×10 grid for every hour of the day. I thought it would be cool to go back and see pictures for a historical date, but the site has only been around since November. However, if there’s a date you want to remember since November, you can check that out too. Here’s the grid for this hour. Click on it to visit the site:

7 December 2004

The Shepherds

Jim Devotional and Bible 0

Christmastime is coming around again, and we’re listening to Christmas music on the road. I’ve been thinking a little about the shepherds. A few years back I wrote a monologue that represented the words of one of the shepherds, just before the angels broke through the sky above the flocks. As the history continues, though, we know that the angels appeared and the shepherds were told about the Saviour who had been born in Bethlehem. They were given instructions on how to find him, and they ran off, presumably leaving the sheep behind (or perhaps leaving some poor Joe to watch them).

The found the baby lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. And they went away praising God for all that had happened.

Then what?

Then came years and years of…nothing. Did they stay in touch with Mary and Joseph? You’d think that would have been the logical thing to do. But even if they had, what would they have heard? Jesus was growing up, getting into the carpentry business, probably making farming implements (as some evidence from history indicates). This is all very well, but after the spectacular announcement of the angels, don’t you think they would be expecting something more? And something a little sooner? Years and years passed. Did their faith waver? Did they wonder if it had all been a dream? Surely not. Did they wonder if God’s plan had been thwarted? Maybe. Were they laughed at, believing such crazy things, when it all seems to be a ghost tale from the hills? Were the shepherds patient? Anxious? Angry? Weary?

It’s interesting to think about. I started thinking about those waiting for God’s promises, and wondering why He’s delaying. I thought about people in Mexico, many of whom may know the Christmas story, but wonder in the back of their minds why Jesus’ life doesn’t seem to make the world a better place, or their lives better. We can tell people of the wonderful transforming power of the One who came to earth, and we can tell those who know Him that His promises are always kept, even when it may not be when we expect.

By the way, time for another Christmas myth-buster. Contrary to popular belief, as far as we know from history, candy canes were not invented by a candy maker to explain the true meaning of Christmas. The story is a myth, caught up by popular culture as if it were true. But hey, now that you know not to believe everything you read, why not use the candy cane to remind you of the Christmas Story? It’s a whole lot better than simply getting a sugar high for no reason.

21 April 2004

Power in weakness

Jim Devotional and Bible, Family 0

It’s wonderful how the power of the Lord can give us confidence even when we’re in the middle of difficult circumstances. I wanted to give you one more little passage from the writings of (Saint) Patrick, and his confession is full of that theme. Dealing with dangers on the mission field, criticism from home, and perhaps an overly sensitive view of his own weakness, Patrick was amazingly confident in the power of the Triune God:

Yet I am aware, even in this present world, how I am lifted up beyond all measure. I myself was not worthy nor do I deserve that he should ever treat me in such a way. For I know full well that poverty and adversity would suit me better than riches and delights. Yet Christ the Lord was poor for our sake; and I myself am but a wretched failure, having nothing to my name, even had I wanted worldly goods.

Nor is this just my own opinion of myself; for as every day arrives, I expect either sudden death or deception or being taken back as a slave or some such other misfortune.

But I fear none of these, since I look to the promises of heaven and have flung myself into the hands of the all-powerful God, who rules as Lord everywhere. As the prophet says: ‘Throw your thought on God alone and he will fill your every need.’

Mark it now, I commend my soul to my God who is utterly faithful, for whom, in spite of my obscurity, I act as an ambassador.

Hannah’s been learning more about God, in spite of difficult circumstances. She and I both woke up sick today. She had a little fever (I’d rather not take my temperature, thanks – I don’t wanna know), but still was able to put the first sticker on her Bible Verse chart. We’ve started her learning verses in English and Spanish, with the promise that once she finishes the whole chart (I think it’s 14 verses in both languages) she can have an extra special outing. Here she is putting her first sticker up, as a reward for learning 1John 4:19. Do you know it? 🙂

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