Archive for October, 2009
Learning from a wheel chair this morning!
This morning on my way to work, I was stopped by a school bus parked outside a house. A girl on a motorized wheel chair came riding out of her garage headed to the bus. A handicap ramp slowly made its way down from the side of the bus and a gentleman helped the girl position her motorized wheel chair on the ramp, and then raised the ramp inside the bus. About 3 minutes latter, the bus started moving again. All in all this was about an 8 minute process with cars backed up in each lane. This was not the first time I had encountered this bus. As I drove up and saw the bus I caught myself saying – “Oh no- bummer! –Now I’ve got to sit here..” As I watched this process of this young lady being secured on the bus, I felt ashamed. Am I not willing to be inconvenienced a few minutes a day for the good of someone else? And then I thought of her. How long had she been handicapped? All her life? She has lived with inconveniences most likely ever since she was born. God give me a heart to be willing to be more inconvenienced for the sake of others and to thank God everyday for my health and life. “Lord help me live from day to day, in such a self-surrendered way, that even when I kneel to pray, my prayers shall be for others!”
A HEART LIKE JOSIAH! I was reminded this morning as I read a commentary by R.C. Sproul of the importance of reading and doing God’s Word. Sproul wrote these words-“The most apparent immediate change in the national reform of Israel was seen in the restoration of true worship, a worship purged of idolatry and rooted in a sound understanding of the character of God and of His law. …We need a new discovery of the law of God and the Word of God in our land. Yes, it needs to be rediscovered in the public square—but even more importantly it must be rediscovered in the house of God.” I have always enjoyed the history of King Josiah who was young when he took over the leadership of Israel. When the Word of God was re-discovered by Hilkiah and brought to Josiah, Josiah’s reaction was such that it brought a national revival. His brokenness and contrite heart over His people neglecting the Word of God was so deep and genuine, God heard His cry and opened the floodgates of heaven for revival. I want to be in this place before God. And I pray God will continue to go before me and destroy all pretenses of the evil one who would want me to desire anything else but His Word in my life. God give us all this “sound understanding of the character of God and of His law.”
HIS AWESOME INFINITUDE! I’d like to remind you and myself this morning that God is characterized by ”Infinitude”. In other words, He knows no bounds whatsoever. He is measureless! Tozer, in his book, Knowledge of the Holy, writes:“ Our concept of measurement embrace mountains and men, atoms and stars, gravity, energy, numbers, speed, but never God. We cannot speak of measure or amount or size or weight and at the same time be speaking of God, for these tell of degrees and there are no degrees of God….Nothing in God is less or more, or large or small. He is what He is in Himself, without qualifying thought or word.” Friends-I guess this is why He is God and we are not. J How big is yours and My God ? Bigger than we can imagine or hope for! He is our deliverer today-our shining hope in the midst of the darkest moments of our week. He is our banner! No matter your circumstances or state of affairs, Child of God—the creator of this universe is on your side. Are you on His? Those who seek Him will find Him. He’s as close as the mention of His name. So as the Psalmist wrote- “Why so downcast O My soul, put you hope in HIM!” Have a great day and walk in His “infinitude”!
Memories The past couple weeks, I have been contacted by a couple teenagers I ministered to as Students’ Pastor years ago. Don’t like to admit the “years ago” thing! – In fact, since Face book, I have been connected with several. Talking about memories and reflections of past days—wow! I tend to forget the former days of investing in others lives because of the fast and consuming days of “now”. But as my mind and heart have been taken back several times over the past few months to various people and cities, I leave those moments of reflection with some tears and gratefulness that God allowed me to pour in other’s lives. If I am not careful, I find myself wishing to be back in time with these groups and people I came to love, but realize those are closed chapters of my life. I too am reminded about the truth that I will see them again in a place far greater than any imagination can understand. Some who have rejected Christ I will not see. This week, two friends passed away. Both will be buried in a couple days here in Anderson. Lyles, a friend of the Garrett family for years is in Heaven today. Jimmy, an employee of Pam’s, passed away yesterday at 6. I had the opportunity to share Christ with Him in the hospital. Life is so short. The investments we make today in the lives of people are what we take with us. Think about these words today as you serve Him- “ I am the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” This my friend—is Who we serve! – robbie
CRIES OF TERROR
In PADANG, Indonesia — rescue workers briefly stopped tearing down the remnants of a hotel damaged in Indonesia’s earthquake just days ago when someone said they heard a woman crying out Tuesday for help from beneath the rubble six days after the disaster. A rescue team went in — clambering through holes drilled into concrete slabs that were once the walls of the busy Ambacang hotel — only to emerge later to report no signs of life. The episode underscored the agony of the families of thousands of people who are missing after last Wednesday’s 7.6-magnitude quake collapsed buildings in the Sumatran city of Padang and sent landslides crashing down onto villages in the surrounding hills. The official death toll rose Tuesday to 704 and could reach into the thousands. What tragedy and what loss to so many families and to Indonesia. When I read about the voice of a woman crying out for help and then reading no one could help her my heart sank. What if that was my wife or my Mom or my sister or my friend? But what a greater tragedy it will be on that day described in the Bible when the door to Heaven will be closed and those who have rejected Christ will be left behind for eternal damnation. Their cries will go out endlessly throughout eternity, yet no one will be able to hear or help them from Heaven. Friends-we have a task to tell everyone—to share the message of hope and freedom with those who are still lost without the good news of Christ. Listen carefully—and you will hear the cries. Open your eyes—and see the harvest field—today. I pray this for me and you. Blessings- Robbie
