17For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; . . . 27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb. Mark 6:17–19, 27-29 (NASB95)
As I was reading this passage recently, my heart was stirred.
It is popular in many circles to think that when we walk in the will of God, we will be happy, healthy, and wealthy. Some conclude that if we experience difficulties, challenges, or tragedies, it must be related to our unfaithfulness toward God. In this type of understand, God is a giant ATM machine. If you put in the right card and the right pin number, you will get the proceeds you desire.
Yet, (as we see in this text) John the baptizer was certainly living out the will of God. He was imprisoned because he dared to confront the wicked life choices of Herodias and Herod. John’s actions required boldness and an undying commitment to his calling. As if prison weren’t enough, John is murdered in prison to appease the “grudge” that Herodias held against him (v.19). It was John’s faithful pursuit of the will of God that landed him in the circumstances of his humanly demise.
I think, at times, we do ourselves a disservice and blunt the sharp edge of dynamic faith in a powerful gospel when we draw a line from our faithfulness to earthly blessings. The world doesn’t need a god who gives you a car when you go to church four weeks in a row. They can just go buy a car. The world is not impressed with a faith that gives you “health” if you pray every day. Our world quietly desires the brilliance of a faith that looks beyond temporal amusements and proclaims God’s glory even in the midst of sickness, disease, discouraging cultural events and trials untold. Friends, the world in which we live needs to know of a God so good, so powerful, so capable, so involved that regardless of our circumstances, we would agree with Job and declare, “Though He slay yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15).”
If you’re struggling or suffering, do not fall into the trap that declares that this must result from either your sin from the weakness of an impotent or unconcerned God. You may, in fact, be suffering as a testimony of faith that others desperately need to see.
As I was reading this passage recently, I tried to think of how many courses I have taken on the “end times.” I think between undergraduate and seminary courses, I have had at least four different classes dedicated to the subject. What I have learned from all of these hours…is that I really don’t know what is going to happen in the “end times.” What I do know is that the church is taken up out of this world, it gets very scary on earth, and then Jesus comes back to make it right. In fact, that is what he says in our reading:
19“For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20“Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days…26“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:19-20, 26 (NASB95)
Now here is how the Lord applied this in my heart.
Things in this world are not easy. In fact, they are really, really difficult.
Even in the midst of the darkest days, God graciously controls the darkness so that it is not completely overwhelming.
No matter how difficult things get, the darkness doesn’t get the last word.
That’s right! As a way of comforting his followers as they considered the darkness, He reminded them that He was coming soon.
As you and I look about the world today, let’s remember, Jesus is coming soon. He is not unaware or unconcerned about our plight. He is not only aware and concerned but He is powerful to do something about the darkness. Further, He is not only aware, concerned and powerful, but He is coming again to make it right.
Be encouraged church…and on the days that seem overwhelming, look to the sky and get ready. He’s coming soon.
10And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John….18Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Luke 1:10–13, 18 (NASB95)
Sometimes it seems that you can pray for something so long and so earnestly, that when you finally do get an answer, it is hard to believe.
I love the opening account in Luke’s gospel of this man. Zacharias is described as a righteous man, walking blamelessly before the Lord in regard to all of the Law. What a testimony! His wife also was devout in every respect; however, even though they had been faithful, the answer to their heart’s prayer eluded them for many years. (Luke 1:6-7). It was in the course of Zacharias’ performance of Temple duties that God’s message came through. Zacharias was thrown at how to take the news. After all, he had prayed that same prayer for a son or daughter perhaps thousands of times. A couple of quick observations:
First, don’t give up praying. The answer may be closer than you think.
Second, God’s delay is not necessarily His denial.
Third, your desperation does not deter God’s able response. There was no physical explanation for how Zacharias and Elizabeth could conceive. It was practically and even physically impossible…except for God.
Fourth, stuff happens when people gather to pray. Did you notice that the people were assembled outside when Zacharias heard the answer. They were all praying together.
Finally, God’s will was not derailed by Zacharias’ lack of faith. If a lack of faith could stop God from bringing about His will, the world would be doomed.
*This devotional first appeared 03.19.2021 as part of the e-connect series at Englewood Baptist Church
Once a week. That’s usually how often I am asked. “When do you think it will be safe to come back to church?” I wonder if the question is actually eclipsing the answer.
Why? Because ours is not a safe faith. Ours is not a low-risk proposition. Ours is not a comfortable existence. At least, not in its design. Having been arrested and threatened by the same people that ordered the death of their Rabbi, these disciples found themselves weighing out risk and praying an unusual prayer:
29“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29–31 (NASB95)
These disciples felt it odd to ask Jesus for safety. They instead asked for boldness. Of greatest importance in their lives was not survival but significance. They worried less about their untimely deaths than their neighbor’s eternal lostness. They prayed for boldness.
We learn from this prayer where confidence…that which the disciples begged God for…comes from.
Confidence (boldness) is a supernatural gift. They asked God for confidence.
Confidence is an exhibited gift. As they prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with boldness.
Confidence is rooted in God’s Person. The first words of their prayer was to ask Jesus to take note of the circumstances: both their threats and our calling.
If Christian doctors valued safety over mission, they’d never show up for work. Instead, they wash up, glove up, mask up, and press forward. If Christian police officers valued safety over mission, they’d never show up for work. Instead, they stand up, strap on their gear, mask up, and head out to protect you and me. The mission before us as Christ-followers is no less important than that of medical professional and police officers. Perhaps we might consider and pray, Lord, take note of our circumstances, and grant that your servants might engage our culture, express praise in worship, demonstrate confidence in an all-knowing and all-powerful God, while you extend your hand to heal and save.
Originally published in The BEAM, March 2021, Englewood Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC www.englewoodbaptist.com
14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14–17 (NASB95)
Jodi and I, Christmas 2020 with our grandson
Happy New Year! On this first day of 2021 we are reminded that life is a gift. None of us deserve today, or any day for that matter; yet, God has entrusted it to us. The idea of “entrusted” means that God has exercised trust in us that we will manage the gift of the day well. One thing is certain…today will be what we make it.
As we begin a new year, we also begin a new Bible reading plan together as a church family. What a PRIVILEGE to have access to the Word of God. We pray often as a gathered church for entire people groups around the world that do not know of Jesus, have no Scriptures in their language, and have no churches in their cities…while you and I have easy access to numerous resources. We can read the Scriptures in dozens of English translations and even in the original language with some training. What will you do with what has been entrusted to you?
The verses above appear in a certain context. They were written as an instruction to Timothy (and all of us by extension) in light of the fact that his world was becoming increasingly self-centered and God-averse. Against the backdrop of this ever-darkening outlook of humanity, Paul instructed Timothy to continue in the teachings that had been entrusted to him from childhood. The word “continue” is the Greek word meno, meaning remain or abide. It is familiar to us as it is the instruction of the Lord to us in John 15:5 (NASB95), “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (emphasis added).
In the same way that our fruitful living (John 15:5) is tied to our abiding in Christ, our ability to stand firm in godliness in the world where we live is tied to abiding in the Scriptures.
Let me add two more caveats:
I have never met a person who grew in faithfulness and blessing in Christ that did not have a disciplined approach to Bible reading.
Second, if our God saw fit to reveal Himself to us through Holy Scripture, what exactly was it He desired and designed for us to know in His Word?
Perhaps you’ve read through the Bible before. If so, you’ve likely already committed to doing it again with us this year. However, if you have never undertaken the discipline (or haven’t yet completed a plan that you started), let me invite you to join me as we read through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs together this year. WHAT IF God had a word for you and me this year and wanted to reveal it to us through our corporate reading plan? Would we allow Him to speak to us? Would we chase after Him together?
If you prefer (as I often do) to read from a traditional paper copy of the Scriptures, there are reading plan reminders and (wait for it) memory verse cards for every month available throughout the campus. You can also access these as well as a number of tools for those who prefer to use the EBC App or the Bible App. You can access them easily at this link: https://englewoodbaptist.com/everyday/
If you want to be part of a group that reads together on the Bible App, I am starting a group there as well. Simply click on these links to join my group (limited to the first 150 people).
The other pastors will likely start groups as well. You can start your own group! What if you started a group and invited your Connect Group, your soccer team, or your Facebook friends to join you?
Church, I LOVE YOU…and I am excited about all the Lord has in store for us TOGETHER in the coming year.
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