How Do We Say, "Good-bye"?

 

“Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.”

—Romans 16:25-27

Sometimes, saying “good-bye” is very difficult. If we love someone very much and he or she is going away for even just a relatively short period of time, it is hard to say good-bye. Part of loving someone and part of caring for that one deeply, creates a longing to remain present with them.

Even when we communicate with someone by letter, or more currently, by text message or by a telephone call, it is sometimes very difficult to end that conversation. I remember as a teenager listening to an acquaintance talk with his girlfriend. Neither one wanted to be the one who ended the call first. Their good-bye lasted at least twenty minutes after they had finished the substance of their conversation.

In one of his A Prairie Home Companion sketches, humorist Garrison Keillor talks about what he calls “The Minnesota Long Good-bye.” Here’s a version from a different comedian of “The Minnesota Long Good-bye”:

 

The thrust of “The Minnesota Long Good-bye” is that it shows the reluctance of friends parting at the end of some time together. It really is hard to say good-bye.

Imagine now, if you will, the Apostle Paul. He has dictated a letter to the Christians gathered at the seat of the Roman government. He has never had the privilege of meeting with them in person. So, he spends much of his letter outlining the critical points of theology that underpin this new relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these Roman Christians are former Jews who have believed because of the testimony of those returning from Jerusalem at Pentecost. Others are Gentiles who have been drawn by the Holy Spirit to a belief in the power of the resurrected Christ.

This letter, which has become the Book of Romans in the New Testament, is one of the longer of Paul’s writings. It is a powerful letter. If ever an unbeliever wanted to know what Christianity is all about, this letter certainly spells it out in detail. I particularly like the fact that Paul writes directly to his Jewish brothers in Chapters 9, 10, and 11.

After pouring himself into this epistle, Paul comes to the last chapter and finds himself very reluctant to say good-bye. In response to his deep love for these believers whom he has never met, Paul pens these words, as recorded in Romans 16:25-27:

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

The pronouncement of peace, or benediction, is not only for the Christians gathered in Rome. It also is a gift to us today from this stalwart Apostle. Most of us are some of the very Gentiles whom Paul addresses. And, we can take great comfort from these words of blessing at the end of a critically important letter.

As we move out into this new day, let’s not be ashamed of how difficult it is to say good-bye to those we love and care about. And, let’s remember that our final words of blessing can mean a great deal to those who cross our pathway each day. We can please God and honor Him by sharing words of His peace with those to whom we must say good-bye.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

All We Need is Love

 

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

—Psalm 90:14

There’s a famous “Beatles” song… What’s that? Oh! You’re a Millennial. I understand. The “Beatles” was a goup that Paul McCartney was a member of before he formed the band “Wings.” What’s “Wings” you say? “Wings” was the group that Paul McCartney… Oh, never mind.

As I was saying, there’s a famous “Beatles” song entitled “All You Need is Love.” The lyrics include these words:

Love, love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love.

There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can say, but you can learn
How to play the game
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can’t be made.
No one you can save that can’t be saved.
Nothing you can do, but you can learn
How to be you in time
It’s easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where
You're meant to be
It’s easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.
All you need is love. (All together now).
All you need is love. (Everybody).
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.

Not only in this song from July of 1967, but in countless songs before and since, love plays a critically important role in the message. Some say that “love” is the most important of all our emotions.

The Greek culture from more than 2,000 years ago actually had four distinct words that became translated into the word “love” in the English language: agape, storge, phileo, and eros.

When we consider the relationship with the Trinitarian God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—love plays such a critical role that we can hardly find adequate words to express its importance. The word “love” appears 686 times in the New International Version of the Bible. God’s entire relationship with humans derives from His amazing love.

In his prayer, recorded in Psalm 90, Moses expresses the importance of love in the lives of the children of Israel. Love was a compelling force to bring them out of Egypt and into a forty-year-long journey through the desert until God brought them to the Promised Land. Note what Moses wrote, as recorded in Psalm 90:14:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

The only element of our lives that will truly satisfy is God-breathed love (agape). The power of this love is indescribable. It has no boundaries. It cannot be contained. It has a life-force of enormous proportions.

That’s why, at the beginning of this new day, we should take a moment to ask God to fill us full-to-overflowing with His abiding and unfailing love. He longs to do this, if we would only ask. And, the result is beyond our imagination.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

In Our Place

 

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

—2 Corinthians 5:21

Have you ever watched someone you love dearly suffer, perhaps from a terrible debilitating disease, and silently wished you could take that one’s place so he or she would be freed from his or her suffering? That kind of response happens often when parents observe the suffering of their children. It also happens when a spouse watches his or her mate go through intense pain.

Imagine now a God who loves the people He has created so much that, even though they have continually sinned against His divine and perfect will, He purposes to substitute Himself to pay the penalty for their sin. This seeming absurdity is the entire basis of the salvation story.

The Apostle Paul so very aptly describes this mystery in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: three unique essences, yet one divine being—is simply beyond our comprehension. Yet the very God whose holiness condemns our sin is the same God whose compassion, love, mercy, and grace compelled Him to send Jesus to die in our place. This miracle should knock us right to our knees.

As we move out into this new day, let’s never forget that we are loved so much that we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, we have been made righteous. That, dear ones, is a reason to celebrate this day and every day.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

No More "Gloomy Guses"

 

“May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

—Psalm 68:3

At summer camp when I was 13 years old, we had a very dynamic leader for our chapel services. He was a leader with Youth for Christ International, responsible for the Greater Washington, DC, area. He was what some might call a “firebrand.” He had unbounded enthusiasm and a boyish charm. He could say three words and have the entire congregation of young people feeling excited and filled with anticipation.

A popular chorus in those days included these words:

I’m so happy and here’s the reason why:
Jesus took my burdens all away.
Now I’m singing as the days go by:
Jesus took my burdens all away.

Once my heart was burdened
with a heavy load of sin.
Jesus took that load and
gave me peace within.

Now I’m singing as the days go by:
Jesus took my burdens all away.

On one particular evening, this dynamic leader stopped the singing in the middle of the second line. “What’s wrong with you people?” he asked. “Are you all a bunch of ‘Gloomy Guses’? You sing this song like you’re going to a funeral.” He proceeded to demonstrate what he was hearing by singing the first couple of lines of the song with the most gloomy, dirge-like voice.

“We’re singing about the wonder, amazement, joy, and happiness that comes to us because God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins. So, let’s start again and this time make your voice and your faces match the words. When we sing that we’re happy, let’s show that happiness with the sound of our voices and the smiles on our faces. Okay?”

Of course, we teens responded with great enthusiasm to this admonition. The energy we poured into the singing of this song nearly knocked the walls of the Tabernacle down.

King David would agree very much with that Youth for Christ leader. Notice what David writes in Psalm 68:3:

May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

This day, and with the dawning of each new day, let’s begin with joy in our hearts and gladness in the very core of our beings. God loves us with His eternal love. He has saved us by the shedding of Christ’s blood. He has vouchsafed a place for us in heaven. We belong to Him. We have each other as fellow travelers along the pathway He has opened up before us.

In short, we have every reason to knock down the walls around us with the joy we display and the happiness we feel. And, that’s something everyone around us needs to experience in and through us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

What Must We Do?

 

“Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.”

—Psalm 97:12

When given a new task, do you often sit for a moment and wonder how to begin? Or, are you one who jumps right in and begins some activity in the hope that you have chosen the right one to complete the given task?

In either case—whether relying on someone to tell you what to do, or having an innate sense of just starting somewhere—every task has a beginning.

This is true of our walk with God. We can study God’s written Word, the Bible, and find some “first steps” that we can confidently take. We can also just start moving forward, knowing that the Holy Spirit will nudge us to keep us on the right pathway until we complete our assigned task.

The Psalms repeatedly offer the following words of advice to those who would follow the pathway God has laid out before them. One example is found in Psalm 97:12:

Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

This is most excellent advice. As we approach this new day, let’s begin with praise to God. Let’s rejoice that we belong to Him. Let’s determine, throughout the day, to continually offer praise to God’s holy and precious name.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

I Know Him

 

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”

—2 Timothy 1:11-12

Do you know anyone who has poured himself or herself into some cause without knowing what that cause is all about?

Someone who vocally and passionately supports the Penn State University Nittany Lions football team—or any other competitive team—does so because that one has taken the time and invested the effort into knowing as much about the chosen team as possible.

Similarly, if someone has given up time in order to volunteer at the local hospital, that person has done so because he or she believes that helping people in need who seek treatment at that hospital is a worthy endeavor. Over time, the volunteer learns the ins and outs of the processes and procedures at that hospital. This knowledge fuels that one’s devotion to his or her volunteer duties.

In the Christian life, the more we know about Jesus, the more devoted we become to Him. That’s why we study God’s written Word to learn more and more about the Living Word. Jesus is our King. We love Him and enthusiastically serve Him because we have learned more and more about him.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul intended to convey to the young man he called his “son in the faith.” In writing a second letter to Timothy, Paul wanted to illustrate the source of his personal passion for God through Christ, as enabled by the Holy Spirit. Note these words found in 2 Timothy 1:11-12:

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Even while he was paying a significant personal price for his devotion to his Savior, Paul insists that such suffering pales in comparison to the joy that has come to him by his abiding in Christ.

In the New Testament Greek text of these verses, this last phrase—“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day”—appears as an emphatic statement marked by intense passion. This is not some mere hope on Paul’s part. This is something he knows with certainty.

As we begin another day, let’s seek to find a way in our own lives to passionately and emphatically represent the God who loves us. While doing so in a loving, kind, and respectful way, let’s not shrink back from the certainty we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why? Because we do, indeed, know Whom we have believed and are convinced that He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him until that day when He returns to earth once more.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Day of Thanksgiving

 

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.”

—Psalm 145:1-2

Today, throughout the United States of America, we celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But truthfully, every day should be a day of thanksgiving. We have so very much for which to thank the God who loves us with His everlasting love.

In the words of Nederlandtsche Gedenckclanck, from 1626, translated by Theodore Baker in 1894:

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
sing praises to His Name, He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning:
thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant,
and pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation:
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

King David echoes these very thoughts in his words from Psalm 145:1-2:

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

May the blessings of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—fill our hearts with thanksgiving this day. May we recognize that all that we are and all that we have come to us as a precious gift from Him. And, may the joy of His eternal Presence keep us safely in the hollow of His mighty hand, this day, and every day, until Jesus comes again. Amen.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Whether by Life or by Death

 

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

—Philippians 1:20-21

Almost everyone does not expect to die in the next moment of time. We all anticipate taking our next breath, having our heart continuing to beat, and living on into the next minute, hour, day, month, and year.

Yes, some dear folks have received the horrible news that the disease that ravages their bodies will terminate their life. In fact, in this very moment in time, all across the world, people are dying. Sometimes that death is somewhat anticipated. But often, it comes unexpectedly.

When I was very young, my somewhat older parents—mom was 42 and dad was 40 when they adopted me at my birth—began to experience the deaths of people they knew quite well. I went to many funerals even at quite a young age.

I remember my mother reading the obituaries from the newspaper to my father at the breakfast table. Sometimes those death notices would include the phrase “so and so died unexpectedly.” I’m certain the obituary writer intended to convey the fact that this particular person had not previously been ill and that his or her death was not something that the family expected to happen.

In reality, we all stand at the precipice between life and death. We do not know, from one moment to the next, if we will live or die. That’s a very sobering thought. And, it’s one that we frankly don’t like to think about.

There are so many ways in which we could pass from this life to the next. And, while we should not become morbid, nor spend our time brooding about this fact, we should think about the way the moments of our lives represent the God who loves us, especially during whatever time we have left on this earth.

The Apostle Paul addressed this very subject when he wrote to the Christians gathered at Philippi, as recorded in Philippians 1:20-21:

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul tells the Philippians (and us) in this passage that, whether he lives or dies, his single-minded purpose is to bring glory to his Savior. And, that is a good goal for us to aspire to, as we begin a new day.

Let’s determine that, for whatever time we may remain on this earth, we will devote ourselves to bringing glory to God through His Son, Jesus. Then, whether we live another 100 years, or die in the next moment, we will have done the very best we can to honor the love that God has poured into our lives through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Help Support the Weak

 

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

—Romans 15:1

Once we begin to follow Christ, we will find ourselves proceeding along a pathway that He lays out before us. That pathway will take us through a process where we will become more and more like Him.

Bible scholars call that process “sanctification.” It means “to become holy.” Because Jesus, the Son of God, is holy, He wants us to be like Him. So, we are in a process of becoming holy, and thus, more like He is.

This includes the way we treat other people. Not every person has the same gifts, abilities, talents, and determination we do. Some people struggle with things that come quite easy to us. Some people need help, just to get through the day. We may be quite self-sufficient. But others may need lots more help than we ever do.

In our process of becoming like Jesus, we must determine to support those who are weaker than we are. That’s the thrust of these words from the Apostle Paul, as found in Romans 15:1:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Let’s determine this day to put others first, ahead of ourselves. Let’s determine to support the weak and help those in need. And, why should we do that? Because that’s exactly what Jesus would do.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Ever Growing

 

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”

—2 Thessalonians 1:3

In small group Bible studies within larger church gatherings, we often talk a great deal about spiritual growth. We commend a daily period of Bible reading and prayer to every believer. We assert that spending time listening to God through His written Word and talking to Him in prayer will result in a steady movement forward of spiritual formation and growth. And, that assertion is absolutely true.

The whole idea of walking along the pathway of life with Jesus means that we will more and more become like Him. We will think like Him. We will act like Him. We will recognize the things He recognizes. We will applaud the things He applauds. We will gently and tenderly condemn the things that He condemns.

Spiritual growth that lasts is always a steady forward motion. A field of verdant grass, when viewed each day, does not appear to grow. Yet that same field, when looked at with some time between viewings, startles us with how much taller the grass has become. Similarly, in our lives as believers, our faith walk will display almost-too-hard-to-see daily growth. But, when viewed over time, people will see us becoming more and more like the One who has saved us by the shedding of His precious blood.

The Apostle Paul characterized such growth this way, as recorded in 2 Thessalonians 1:3:

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

Paul acknowledges that when he looks at the lives of these new believers, he sees definite spiritual growth. And, Paul thanks God for that revelation. For to see such growth in our fellow believers truly produces joy.

This new day, let’s remember to spend time in God’s written Word and in prayer. Let’s encourage each other that we might grow together in our faith. And, let’s remain grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in promoting our steady, forward spiritual growth.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Praying for Those We Love

 

“I [Paul] thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you [Timothy] in my prayers.”

—2 Timothy 1:3

Prayer is a fundamental, cohesive, and powerful component of our relationship with God. Almost anything we intend to do for the Kingdom of God must begin with sincere, earnest, and fervent prayer.

In our relationships with the people in our lives whom we love, nothing is as important as our taking time to pray for these dear ones. We show the sincerity and depth of our love for them when we purposefully pray for these special people in our lives.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the young man he called his “son in the faith.” Timothy was someone very special to Paul. Notice what Paul declares, as found in 2 Timothy 1:3:

I [Paul] thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you [Timothy] in my prayers.

This is a prayer that we all can pray each day for those who matter greatly in our lives. We can pray for our spouses, our children, our extended family members, our close friends, our fellow believers in our churches, and anyone else whom God graciously brings to our minds. Prayer represents the most powerful force we have at our disposal. It truly is a fundamental, cohesive, and powerful component of our relationship with God.

This day, let’s commit ourselves to become people of prayer. Let’s begin, right now, by praying for someone for whom we feel moved by God to pray. And, let’s not stop there. Let’s keep on praying for each one God brings to our minds.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

We Are More Than Conquerors

 

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

—Romans 8:14

When the world around us seems in chaos, where do we go? When our fondest wishes, hopes, and dreams disappear in a puff of smoke, what do we do next? When those we counted on the most seem to have vanished, to whom do we turn?

From time to time, these kinds of questions seem to plague those who follow Christ. Nothing I could possibly write would have more impact than these words from the Apostle Paul found in Romans 8:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the midst of the chaos and confusion that sometimes envelopes our lives, may God, through His Holy Spirit, give us hearts filled with His love, joy, and peace this very day. May we come to understand and fully accept that in and through the Lord Jesus Christ we are, indeed, more than conquerors. No matter what may assail us in our lives, God will always give us the victory through out Lord Jesus Christ.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Triumphal Procession

 

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

—2 Corinthians 2:14

As a small boy, I would eagerly look forward to the Memorial Day Parade in my hometown—except for the clowns. I didn’t like the clowns. They seemed quite scary to me: their painted faces, their quick movements, their bobbing and weaving in and out of the crowd gathered to watch the parade. Scary! Really Scary!

In contrast with the clowns, I did very much like the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who marched through the street. My dad, a former Marine, always pointed out to me how the Marines looked the best in their crisp uniforms, straight lines, and precisely marching steps. He also opined that, quite understandably, the sailors didn’t march very well because they were used to walking on the ever-rolling deck of a ship.

I also very much enjoyed seeing the fire apparatus, especially the aerial ladder truck. And, I enjoyed the marching bands, even when the thudding drums caused my chest to compress with the concussive force of their rhythmic beating.

Whether we realize it or not, we Christians are “parade people.” We are part of a great triumphal procession that rivals any Memorial Day or other celebratory parade. Notice what the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:14:

Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Today, as we “march” out into the world, let’s spread the sweet fragrance of Christ everywhere we go. Let’s allow our humble, careful, and loving witness to God’s love and grace become a perfume that draws a needy world irresistibly into His grace. And, let’s march onward triumphantly.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Thirsty for the Spirit

 

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”

—Isaiah 44:3

When you’re thirsty, really thirsty, nothing quenches that thirst quite like a drink of cool, clear spring water. As a small boy growing up in the inland valleys of central northwestern Pennsylvania, we were blessed to have a number of natural springs available to us. One of those springs existed on the outskirts of the city, coming off a hill that led onto a road named “Interstate Parkway.”

In the summertime, my dad would take several clear gallon glass jugs, load them into the trunk of our car, and with me in the shotgun seat, drive out to that spring and fill those bottles with the clearest, coldest, most refreshing water that I had ever tasted. The bottled water that we have in such abundance today was nearly unheard of in those days. So, it was a real treat to be able to open the refrigerator and fill a glass or cup from one of those gallon jugs of natural spring water.

The Holy Spirit is like that refreshing spring water. He comes into our lives when we acknowledge that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Thereafter, the Spirit provides us with a constant flow of fresh, clear, cool spiritual water that revives our spirits and lifts our souls.

The Prophet Isaiah had lived long enough on the edge of the desert to know how important a spring of living water was to a land that was parched by the heat of the sun. That’s why Isaiah, speaking the words of God, recorded these statements found in Isaiah 44:3:

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

God refreshes the spirits of His dearly loved children by pouring the Holy Spirit into their lives. That’s the lesson for today. We need to recognize how fortunate we are to have such a refreshment made available to us by the God who loves us with His everlasting love.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

With the Voice of Thunder

 

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.”

—Job 37:5

Some people and most pets do not like thunder and lightning. I am one who delights in an electrical storm.

As a small boy, I used to sit on the open front porch of our modest home in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The porch faced in a southeasterly direction. As a summer thunderstorm moved over the hills, blown by a southeasterly wind, I can remember “feeling” the storm in the air before I heard the first peal of thunder, or saw the first flash of lightning. The air would begin to feel very heavy and moist. A sweet scent would permeate the air. I later learned that scent came from ozone produced by the distant electrical activity of the storm.

Within minutes of that sense that a storm was coming, I would see a lightning flash. I would count to myself, “one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three…” BOOM! A clap of thunder would echo across the inland valley. Then, another flash would light the horizon. Another peal of thunder would follow. The storm was getting closer.

Next, the first few drops of rain would start to fall. The odor of ozone in the air would be replaced by a fresh dew-like smell of cleansing water. The pace of the rainfall would quicken. Suddenly, the heavens would open and the storm would unleash its fury. I loved it! I loved every minute of it! I loved the cool, moist breeze that would wash over me on that front porch. I loved the flashes of lightning and staccato peals of thunder. Each storm possessed immense power. I felt mesmerized by that display of power.

The Patriarch Job’s “friend” Elihu was very familiar with the storms that would move across the desert. He understood the power of such a storm. He welcomed the cleansing of the dust and grit that the storm would bring. No wonder that Elihu likened the movement of God to the power of a storm. Notice what Elihu said, as recorded in Job 37:5:

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Just as the power of a storm captures the imagination of weather scientists and small boys, so does the movement of God capture the imagination in the lives of His followers. God’s power is unfathomable. His grace is overwhelming. His love is without measure. His peace is all pervasive.

As we begin a new day, let’s recognize the enormous power of our Holy God. He is the Lord of our lives. He is our Father. He is our Redeemer. He is our everything. And, how blessed we are that we belong to Him and that His power is ours.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

What a Memory

 

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”

—Proverbs 10:7

Do you have some favorite memories? Maybe you remember some critically important incident in your life. Perhaps you remember a vacation your family took when you were a child. You might remember the birth of a child. You could also remember the death of a loved one. You might think about the time your boss complimented you in front of your peers. You might remember the very day and hour when you recognized the gift God had given you in salvation through His Son, Jesus.

Memories play an important role in our lives. I’ve found, as I have reached old age, that certain memories tend to flood back into my mind at the most unusual and unexpected times.

My parents have both gone home to be with the Lord more than thirty years ago. Even so, at the most unpredictable times, I will suddenly be overwhelmed with a strong sense of grief and loss. Tears will flood my eyes. I will feel a deep sadness and longing in the core of my being. I will feel once again the way I felt when I learned that each of my parents had gone home to heaven.

Long ago, I recognized that when we lose someone we love dearly, the pain of loss never really goes away. In fact, that pain is not supposed to go away. We may adjust so that the pain is not as sharp nor as fresh. But, from time to time, the pain of loss will reassert itself in a surprising way.

This is also true for memories of unusually pleasant experiences. Certain events in our lives that brought us great joy, or excitement, or a strong sense of well-being will also rise to the surface and re-assert those feelings once again.

Yes, memories do play a very important role in our lives. King Solomon recognized this when he wrote these words found in Proverbs 10:7:

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.

Solomon liked to make comparisons. Here he balances against each other the memories held by those God has made righteous and the names of the wicked.

If you think about that, certainly the names of individuals who we have learned were evil have continued to be held in great disdain. The name “Adolf Hitler” evokes a visceral reaction from anyone who has studied the atrocities he ordered during World War II.

The absolute and utter horror of the extermination of over six million Jews will be long remembered by generations to come. It’s more than a little sad that today some use the name, “Adolf Hitler,” as a description for anyone whose political philosophy or policies they don’t like. Hitler needs to remain the name of one specific person only—the man who brought about such unspeakable horror that the world must never, ever forget what terrible things he did. Such foolish use of this terrible name says far more about the people who use the name in this way than it does about the people being labeled with this despicable name.

Let’s remember this day those times in our lives when we had a strong sense of Christ’s Presence. Let’s recall those instances when God seemed very close and extended His mercy, grace, and love in some very special way.

In fact, if we look daily for His hand, we will see Him at work in our lives. These memories will become precious to us. And, they will mean all the more as we grow older.

Memories play an important role in our lives. Let’s go about making some new and valuable memories this very day.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

While We Wait

 

“…we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”

—Titus 2:11-14

What do you do when you have to wait somewhere for something to happen? Over the last twenty years, I’ve spent a great deal of time in the Waiting Rooms of doctor’s offices. A chronic infection in my right foot following a partial amputation in 1998—and culminating in November of 2017 with the amputation below the knee of my right leg and foot—has resulted in frequent visits to a longish list of medical specialists. Each one has a Waiting Room. As efficient as these dedicated professionals tend to be, there is still usually some waiting time for my turn in the Examining Room.

I usually pass the time by sitting quietly, with my eyes closed, thinking about the day and, if the Waiting Room is quiet enough, praying for people that God has laid on my heart. Sometimes, I allow my mind to drift back into the history of my life and I re-live certain events that have significance for me. Other times, I think about how I intend to spend the rest of the day, what tasks need to be completed, what new opportunities I might consider, even what I might write as a blog post for the next day.

I notice that other people read, play games on their smart phones, or watch videos—especially now that smart phones offer such a wide range of entertainment possibilities. Others carry on conversations, often at too loud a volume, either on their cell phones or with companions. Still others fidget nervously in anticipation of their visit with the doctor.

As Christians, we are all ultimately waiting for the return of our Lord. Many, even most, of us may well believe that we will go to be with Him long before He returns to earth. Some may have decided that His return is just around the corner and think about what it will be like when He comes back. All of us recognize that the return of Jesus will be the second most significant event in all of history—the first being His birth, death, and resurrection.

The Apostle Paul, in writing to his friend Titus, whom Paul had sent to minister on the Island of Crete, aptly describes this period of waiting in which all Christians exist, as recorded in Titus 2:11-14:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Notice the phrase: “…we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” That’s where we are right now. We are waiting for Christ’s return. But, while we are waiting, we still have much to do as Christ’s ambassadors to a troubled and needy world.

Let’s launch into this new day with a sense of genuine anticipation that today might well be the day that our Lord returns. But, let’s also move forward in our quest to share with those we meet what God has done in our lives through the power of His beloved Son.

Waiting does not need to be a time of tedious boredom. Rather, it can be a time of great usefulness—usefulness to us personally and usefulness to the Kingdom of God here on earth.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

When Trials Come

 

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial…”

—James 1:12

Trials will always eventually come into our lives. We live in a fallen and sin-cursed world. Evil surrounds us. Satan desires to destroy us. Our human bodies are frail and subject to all manner of disease. Relationships are tentative and insecure. So, we should not be at all surprised when difficulty tracks us down.

As believers in the life-transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must constantly consider how we will face trials, what we will do, and what we will say. God intends to give us the strength we need through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Addressing both men and women—for in the Greek text, the noun “man” and pronoun “he” frequently means both “male men” and “female men”—the Apostle James writes these words found in James 1:12:

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I don’t know what trials you may face in your life today. If you are not yet facing trials, they likely will find you before you live out the length of your life. I do know what God can and will do to sustain all of us when trials overtake us.

Let’s cling to God this day and every day. Let’s allow Him to bear our burdens, defeat the enemy, and gives us victory over our trials. We can put our full trust in Him. He will never fail us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Preaching the Word

 

“Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.”

—Acts 15:35

Not every Christian is called by God to actually preach. But, every Christian is called by God to proclaim—in a tender, gentle, and loving way—the truth of God’s gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus. There really is no point to trying to be a passive Christian.‬

Christianity is an active faith. Because we Christians recognize the great gift that God has given us through release from the power sin has over us and the cleansing of our sins by the blood of Jesus, we must become active in sharing everything that God has done in us and for us and through us. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20:‬

‪I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.‬

Paul recognized that, through Christ, the hold that sin had formerly had over him had been nailed to the cross. The new life that Christ provided for Paul, and provides for us, promotes an active response. That is why Dr. Luke records the following in Acts 15:35:‬

‪Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.‬

‬

The very least that Paul and Barnabas could do when confronted by “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3) was to actively proclaim the magnificent truth of the gospel by means of teaching and preaching. While we may not be called, nor equipped, to preach, or even teach, we have been equipped by the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit to lovingly share what God has done for us through Christ.‬

Therefore, as we begin another new day, let’s remain aware of those opportunities that God may bring our way to share a word of encouragement and love in the name of Jesus. We do well when we actively participate in God’s work in this world. We are, after all, a vital part of God’s Kingdom here on earth. It’s high time we took advantage of the privilege that is ours to represent our Great King to a troubled and needy world.‬

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Source of Wealth

 

“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.”

—Deuteronomy 8:18

A major thrust of at least half of our society in the United States today can be summed up in the term “income redistribution.” This is actually a principle of Communism that says those who have earned higher incomes should be forced by the government, through various means, to give a portion of their income to those who have not earned as much. This income redistribution purports to “level the playing field” of society and to create a more seemingly equal financial turf.

Of course, the concept of government-forced income redistribution is anti-Constitutional, anti-democracy, anti-Scriptural, and immoral. Scripture makes it plain that some individuals will always end up with more wealth than others.

In some cases, this greater wealth may come about through nefarious means. But, more often than not, the greater wealth comes about from an abundant blessing of God, through clever application of the talents and abilities God has given a particular individual, through hard work, or through an inheritance that has come from a family history over which the individual receiving the inheritance has no control. Scripture indicates that such wealthier individuals have a greater responsibility to society than those who have not fared as well.

The Bible teaches God’s people to be particularly generous in their care of the poor and needy, the widows and orphans, and anyone who needs a helping hand. But, such generosity stems from the recognition of how graciously and lovingly God has dealt with us in our own individual lives. It decidedly is not a “generosity” forced upon us by any government mandate. And, therein lies the rub with the philosophy of roughly half of our fellow citizens—the Communistic-based concept of compulsory redistribution of wealth.

Government-mandated income redistribution is actually a way of vesting ever more power and control in those who run the government. This quest for income redistribution is not really rooted in a desire to help those in need. Rather, it is a way of taking the power of money away from those who have gained wealth and re-vesting that power in the few who control the government’s programs for redistributing that wealth.

One of the reasons why Communism—and its false sister, Socialism—has utterly failed wherever it has been instituted is that the power does not ever truly vest with the common people, the Proletariat. Instead, the power within every Communistic system ever manifested on earth has vested only with a very select few individuals who are a part of, or at a slightly higher level than, the Bourgeoisie.

Now, in a fully Communist country, this may well be an entirely different Bourgeoisie than the Bourgeoisie found in a fully Capitalistic society, but it is still a “middle to upper echelon” controlling group of people who exercise authority over all others in society through the implementation and control of the means of production and, through their relatively higher level of education and greater cohesion, their heightened influence on the dictates of government.

Contrary to what many left-leaning Christians may opine, Christianity is neither Communistic, nor Socialistic, nor Capitalistic. No, Christianity is an amalgam of economic philosophy that recognizes that the condition of humankind results from the will and purpose of God and from His gracious and kind dealings with those humans who belong to Him, no matter what social or economic status they may have within a particular society.

Notice these words from Deuteronomy 8:18:

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

God gives the talent and ability to produce wealth. Humans can choose to apply or ignore this God-given talent and ability. But, the source of wealth begins with God. And, in fact, the source of wealth ultimately always belongs to God. He may grant it to some for a season on this earth. But, it is always His for all eternity.

As we begin a new day, we need to very carefully examine our personal positions with regard to economics and government. Do these positions square with Scripture? Do they honor the role that God plays in our lives? Do they recognize certain immutable truths, such as the fact that in any society there will always be both rich and poor? Do these positions of ours encourage God-inspired generosity toward those in need? Or, do our positions constantly create friction with our faith?

As a part of our walk with God, we need to make certain that no other entity comes between us and Him. And that includes our economic and political beliefs.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

No Shame

 

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

—Romans 1:16

Do you ever sense the Holy Spirit nudging you to speak a word of God’s love and grace to someone and yet you hesitate to do so? Don’t feel too ashamed about that. It happens to most of us. We realize that, in our world today, any mention of God, or His Son, Jesus, or the wonderful plan He has for people’s lives is often met with scorn and derision, even anger.

God understands the circumstances that surround our lives. But, He also will not stop prompting us to speak words of comfort, or caring, or love in His behalf. And, the more often we respond and speak such words in a gentle way to someone whom the Spirit prompts us to address, the more comfortable we will become in serving our Lord in this way.

By the time he wrote the following words, as recorded in Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul had become quite bold in his witness:

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

As this new day opens up before us, let’s be sure to listen with our spiritual ears for the nudging of the Holy Spirit. We will sense that nudging deep in our innermost being.

When we do sense that nudge, let’s allow the Spirit to speak through us. In the most gentle and tender way possible, let’s share words of mercy, grace, and love with whomever has crossed our pathway at that moment.

When we do this, we bring great joy to the God who loves us with His everlasting love.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Complete in Jesus

 

“In Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

—Colossians 2:9-10

“Until I met Jesus,” new believers are often heard to say, “there was something missing in my life. There was a hole in my being that nothing could fill. Now, I feel as if I am complete.”

I have shared in a previous blog post the words to a hymn that Clara T. Williams wrote in 1875. Entitled “Satisfied,” this hymn expresses the thoughts of so many new believers in the life-transforming power of the living Lord Jesus Christ:

All my life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Refrain: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Refrain: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Refrain: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

This song, and the thoughts of new believers, parallels the message that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians gathered at the church in Colosse, as recorded in Colossians 2:9-10:

In Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

In the Authorized or King James Version of Scripture, the phrase that the New International Version translates “and you have been given fullness in Christ” is translated “And ye are complete in Him.” Certainly, being complete in Jesus does indeed indicate that we have received from Him the fullness of life.

Without Him in our lives, we can feel a definite emptiness. With Him present, He replaces that emptiness with a fullness of joy, a fullness of peace, a fullness of delight, a fullness of grace, a fullness of mercy, and a fullness of love.

As we awaken to a new day, let’s rejoice that, in Christ, God has made us complete. We are no longer needy, hungry souls. We are filled to overflowing with all of God’s precious mercies. And, that surely is a reason to celebrate.

^{______________________}

The late Donald Doig sings Williams’ beautiful words with the haunting melody written by Ralph E. Hudson, that I hope you will enjoy:

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}