Strength for Today

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things" (Philippians 3:7, 8 NIV).

Every business operates on a "profit and loss" margin. The apostle Paul also operated on a "profit and loss" margin but more on the loss side than the profit side! "Whatever was to my profit." He had just listed 7 things on the profit side, including his pedigree as a Pharisee and his impressive resume as a "Hebrew of Hebrews" (vs. 5, 6). But he consider everthing that was "profit" to him (from a human and religious standpoint) to be "loss for the sake of Christ." Hmmm. I wonder if we would make that same consideration with our alma maters, our degrees, our standing with the brethren? Hmmm. But Paul is not finished. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things." Is this any way to run a business or a life? Not according to worldly standards. But Paul was the winner in the end for he goes on to say, "I consider them rubbish, that I may GAIN Christ." So there is "gain" after all! Paul was not a loser. And neither are you -- if you emulate this great Christian in his astute assesment of the Christian life. As the old hymn says:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ! (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

Gracious, loving God in heaven,
   How I thank You for this day;
Help me make it one of honor
   In the most upstanding way.

Of all blessings I am seeking
   First of all I want to be
Sure in every passing minute
   You will be well pleased with me.

So I ask for understanding
   Of Your will above all things,
And for confident assurance
   Living by that knowledge brings.

            ~ Dale V. Knowles (1915-2009)

We continue today with "Why I Believe in God" by Danny Dutton, 8, of Chula Vista, Calif. Danny wrote this essay for a school assignment, "Explain God."

Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing. He did all this hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in Heaven. So He did.

And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing which things are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary only more important. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time. You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip this to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go anywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim very good and you get thrown into real deep water by the big kids. But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.

And that's why I believe in God.

Danny Dutton, age 8, Chula Vista, Calif.

The following essay, "Why I Believe in God," was written by Danny Dutton, age 8, from Chula Vista, Calif., for his 3rd-grade homework assignment to "Explain God." Taken from Westminster Witness Sept. 12, 2010.

One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk, He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers, say prayers at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere, which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have. Athiests are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.

[Part II tomorrow]

"Biblically the church is an organism not an organization -- a movement, not a monument. It is not a part of the community; it is a whole new community. It is not an orderly gathering; it is a new order with new values, often in sharp conflict with the values of the surrounding society" ~ Charles Colson. I like these thoughts on the church. Too often the church is run like a human organization with a CEO at the head, instead of Jesus the Christ controlling the thoughts and actions of believers. The church is God's new society in a corrupt society. The four building blocks of the church are found in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." What is more fundamental than meeting for Bible study, fellowship, Communion, and prayer? These essentials fortify us for a life of Christian service throughout the week. No wonder "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).

"Andrew...first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus" (John 1:40-41). Just think how different the history of the church might be if Andrew had not invited Peter to church, as it were. Who would have stood up on the day of Pentecost to proclaim the Gospel? Andrew was always inviting someone to church. He introduced a little lad to Jesus and from that boy's lunch, Jesus fed a multitude ((John 6:9). He invited some Greeks to hear Jesus preach (John 12:20-22). Peter was a great preacher but Andrew was a great inviter. He was always looking for someone he could invite to what he knew was very good. This week Evelyn and I had a double appointment with our eye doctor. Dr. Soriano told Evelyn that the reason she came to our church was because one of the members, also a patient of hers, had simply invited her to come to Fairview Christian Church (where I preched for five years). There you have it. A friend inviting another friend to church. Surveys consistently show that the number one reason people become Christians is because a friend or acquaitance invited them to church. You have far more influence than what you think. Why not invite someone to church today? Be like Andrew the Inviter.

P.S. When I invite someone to church, I tell them that I will be waiting for them in the foyer or vestibule. That added note can make the difference for people coming to a church for the very first time. To see a familar face when they enter the church for the first time helps relieve their fears and concerns. Then I usher them to the pew that Evelyn has been reserving for us. During the "greeting time" I can be by their side so they are not overwhelmed.

"Let us go singing as far as we go; the road will be less tedious" (Virgil A. Kraft). I believe there is great wisdom in these words. Nearly evry morning I wake up with a song in my heart. This morning it was "I've found a friend, O such a friend," Sometimes I will sing that early morning song in the shower or even hum it all day long. It helps me focus on God and the things that really matter. Even when things aren't going right we can still sing throughout the day or night. Richard Hookers said, "Music is as seasonable in grief as in joy." Consider Paul and Silas. They had been beaten by a mob and were thrown into prison, their feet in stocks. "But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:29). They were "singing their way along" in spite of their adversity. When I get to heaven I will ask them what particular song they chose to sing. And did you notice that their singing caught the attention of their fellow prisoners? It has been said, "Whistle while you work." I once heard a happy worker doing that as he stocked shelves. From all over the store, customers like myself made their way to that aisle just to see who was whistling those beautiful melodies. Your devotional response to God can also be a blessing to others. And it will make "the road less tedious." Have a good day today. Sing up a storm. Sing as far as you go. You will be blessed, God will be honored, and perhaps some weary traveler will be encouraged.

To bid someone to "come and die" seems a rather strange request, perhaps even cold. But that is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) offered in this famous quote: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." I believe that might be in his book The Cost of Discipleship. One thing I am sure of: discipleship cost Bonhoeffer his life, but many have been so inspired by his life that they have risen up to follow Christ. Here is what our Lord Jesus said. "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24, 25). L. E. Wilkinson noted, "To be willing to accept crucifixion with Christ; to leave all yourself; your plans and your longings, your abilities and your possessions, all of them at the cross so that you only trust and love and live for Christ, hurts a great deal . . . . It requires an absolute venture of faith; but beyond it, God says, 'much fruit.' And the way to it is 'into the ground and die' -- it is the only way." George Macdonald adds, "You will be dead so long as you refuse to die." This goes against human nature and modern thinking, but it is really the ony way for a Christian to live. By dying to self and to sin. Come and die!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Isn't it good to know that you and I have a friend who is constant and unchanging? Some friends are "fairweather" friends. They are here for you in the good times only. But Jesus is a friend who will be your friend and brother in the storms as well as in the sunshine. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! That simply means that the way Jesus thought of people when He was on earth is the same way He thinks of us today. He has the same compassion and love for us as He did when He lived on earth. He called His disciples "friends" when He walked and talked with them (John 15:15), and He considers us His friends today. Does the president consider you his friend? Not really. Most politicians simply want your votes and then they break their promises to you. Jesus will not do that to you. He is so far above that. He does not change or vacillate. He will keep His word to you. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Thank you, God, for giving us such an unfailing Friend!

I've found a friend who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you . . .
                        ~ J. P. Scholfield

I really wish they wouldn't call it "terminal." I am flying today to Oakland, Calif., to do some preaching this weekend. Every time I fly, I head toward a terminal with its "arrivals" and "departures." It reminds me that we are all "terminal." Every moment some are being born and some are dying. The Bible says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many" (Heb. 9:27-28a). On one particular flight, as we began our approach, the flight attendent said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are going down." I kid you not! "We are going down!" She must have been a rookie and that was her maiden flight! But she was right. We are all going down some day. We are all headed for the grave. We are terminal. It is appointed for us to die. But the good news is that Christ has borne our sins. He has paid for our flight to Heaven. We are actually going up! "To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Heb. 9:28b). Thank God that even though we are terminal, He has prepared a place for us far beyond the stars. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3).