"On Being the Answer to Jesus' Prayer"

 

“On Being the Answer to Jesus’ Prayer”

 

While I was in seminary the student body watched a film called “Riding the Pulpit” based on the life and ministry of Pastor Jess Moody. In one poignant scene he was asked by a fellow pastor to go with him to his church’s board meeting at which an important decision was to be made on a controversial issue. As the discussion wound down Moody said to the gathered leaders, “The early church could have been divided but refused to be.” Yes, problems arose among them but they were dealt with in love and unity as evidenced by the 40+ “one another” statements in the New Testament. Those first-century believers recognized that “…in Christ we who are many form one body….” (Romans 12:5).

I’ve been privileged to be part of two groups of Christian men which illustrate the oneness that we share in Christ, In Manchester I was involved in a pastors’ fellowship where we left our denominational differences at the door and joined in prayer for each other, our churches and our respective communities. Here in Lakeland the members of the Bible study I facilitate attend 13  area churches but are drawn together in love for each other and our fellow residents. Both show “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony.” (Psalm 133:1, NLT). (See “Undivided” for another example of this truth.)

In His “High Priestly Prayer” just before His arrest and crucifixion Jesus prayed for “…those who will believe in me through (my disciples’) message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:20-21, emphasis added). (Just think—2000 years ago He prayed for each of us!) Church history has shown that His heart-felt petition has yet to be answered in full. But it will be—in Jesus’ earlier words, “…There will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16, emphasis added). In 1865 Sabine Baring-Gould composed “Onward, Christian Soldiers” containing the phrase, “We are not divided, All one body, we: One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.” Am I/Are we living and serving to bring our Lord’s prayer to fruition and make the words of this great hymn a reality?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Choices or Obligations?"

 

“Choices or Obligations?”

 

When my brother Dave was in the advanced ROTC program at college he received an “invitation” to a gathering at the colonel’s home. He was flattered by this until he learned that in Armyese “invitation” means “You will be there!”, thus it’s to be interpreted as an order. So guess where he was at the stated time. (In effect his response was “Yes, Sir”.)

Army General Leonard Wood had an outstanding career as an officer (including Chief of Staff), physician and public official. (Fort Leonard Wood, a major Army training installation in Missouri, is named in his honor.) He once visited the King of France on a diplomatic mission and made such a strong impression that the King invited him to dinner the next day. Based on his military experience General Wood didn’t respond so the King was surprised to see him. He reasoned that “A king’s invitation is never to be answered but to be obeyed.” (In effect his response was “Yes, Your Majesty”.)

What’s true in the military chain of command is also true in our service for God. When He gives a command in His Word it’s not something to be debated but obeyed. Let’s think about God’s call to Abram: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). There’s no record of his questioning God’s directive—the account says simply, “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him….” (Genesis 12:4, emphasis added). His act of faith is cited many times as an example to ensuing generations. Others who followed God’s instructions when they didn’t make sense humanly include Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 6), Gideon’s leadership of God’s army of 300 in defeating the Midianites (Judges 6-7) and Paul (“…I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”—Acts 26:19). (In effect their responses were “Yes, Lord”.) Had any of us been in the place of these great followers of God and leaders of people would we (I) have responded as they did?

God has promised blessings when we obey Him including prosperity and success in His sight (Joshua 1:8), favor on our succeeding generations (Deuteronomy 5:29), contentment (Job 36:11) and answered prayer (1 John 3:22). But He’s also warned of the consequences of disobedience: His hand will be against us (1 Samuel 12:15), we’ll be separated from Him (Isaiah 59:2) and be subject to His judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8). The options are before each of us—in the words of Ira Stanphill’s 1961 song, “The Choice Is Mine”. And it’s yours too. What will it be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan (with helpful input from Karen)

"THE Father Knows Best"

 

“THE Father Knows Best”

 

From 1954 to 1960 famed actor Robert Young portrayed Jim Anderson, a husband and father of a typical mid-twentieth century family in the sitcom “Father Knows Best”. During the same era Hugh Beaumont played Ward Cleaver on “Leave It to Beaver” and a decade later Tom Bosley appeared as Howard Cunningham in “Happy Days”. Each of these classic series depicted its father figure as a wise, loving and committed man whose main concern was his family’s well-being. Many of us who grew up in the 50’s and early 60’s can identify with those “good old days” and the values they presented.

All this changed with the mid 60’s and beyond. Fathers (and men in general) began to be depicted as weak, dumb and disrespected in the media and society in general, a trend that continues to be promoted today. This has resulted in traditional family values’ being held in contempt and ridiculed. The negative impact on succeeding generations is obvious and shows little indication of improvement anytime soon.

As the role of fathers is mocked today so is our Heavenly Father’s place in our lives and culture. The past two generations have seen Him and His ways excluded from government, education, entertainment and even churches and families. Since He’s a gentleman He doesn’t push His way into places He’s obviously not wanted, which goes a long way towards explaining conditions in our nation and the world today. This has happened before. In Psalm 81:11-12 God’s servant Asaph wrote, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not listen to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” The result? “…The wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.” (2 Chronicles 36:16).

Have we today reached this point of no return? By no means. During the days of Solomon God promised, “…If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, emphasis added). The Father knows best (“As for God, his way is perfect….”—Psalm 18:30, emphasis added) so we can “Trust in the Lord forever….” (Isaiah 26:4). Numerous times He commands His people to return to Him so He can bless them anew. Will we see that He knows best and respond obediently?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Daily Renewal"

 

“Daily Renewal”

 

Since 2009 we’ve been the “proud” owners of a 2001 Nissan Altima. (How it came into our possession is described in an early article, “Don’t Go to Church….”.) In 2025 the odometer reads 180,000 miles making it a senior citizen in automotive terms. It’s given us little trouble beyond routine maintenance and repairs so it’s served us well. It still runs satisfactorily but looks its age and has a few idiosyncrasies which are at times annoying. But I’ll continue to use it locally until it breathes its last.

“Old Nisi” is a picture of yours truly. Last month I marked 82 years on the planet. Our long-time four-wheeled friend looked pretty good and had few issues to deal with in its youth and middle age and even into the beginning of its “mature” status. I had few physical problems and was on no regular prescriptions until I was 79. Then as with the above described vehicle problems arose which have required me to have treatment and ongoing medication. And as our “Old Faithful” has become more limited in use my activities in some areas have been curtailed (taking some liberties with Jesus’ words, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”—Matthew 26:41). But as with our long-time reliable car I want to function as best I can in God’s strength for as long as I can. And I can say with an anonymous psalmist, “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things.” (Psalm 118:15).

The Apostle Paul wrote most of his letters in his later years. With the burdens and sufferings he endured for the sake of Christ his body had become worn down. Did he allow this to discourage him? Listen to his words: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, emphasis added). The older I get the more I see the need for daily revival in my life and thank God that it’s available to me for the asking. How? Hear the words of another anonymous biblical writer: “Let us the approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, emphasis added).

Scripture gives us daily responsibilities including prayer (Psalm 88:9), studying the Word (Acts 17:11), watchfulness (Proverbs 8:34) and keeping our commitments (Psalm 61:8). I’m asking that these practices be part of my daily renewal until God calls me Home. Will you do so as well?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Time to Run?"

 

“Time to Run?”

 

When I worked as a hospice chaplain in South Carolina I was the only male on the patient care team. So one of my duties became getting rid of the millipedes which occasionally found their way into our office. I told my colleagues that I’d take care of these intruders but if a snake showed up I was the first one out the door! (This was my time to run.) Thankfully it never happened.

The New Testament tells us to run at least four times, all introduced by “flee”:

*”Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) because of the devastating effects it can have on us and those around us (“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some {Israelites} did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”—1 Corinthians 10:8).

*”…Flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) since God tells us not to worship or bow down to false gods (“You shall not bow down to {idols} or worship them….”—Exodus 20:5).

*”Flee the evil desires of youth….” (2 Timothy 2:22) because they can impact us throughout our entire lives (“The youthful vigor that fills {one’s} bones will lie with him in the dust.”--Job 20:11). (Maybe you’re still bound by some of them in your later years.)

*”…Flee from all this (i.e. false teaching about what leads to contentment)….” (1 Timothy 6:11) brought about by overemphasis on material things (“…The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”—1 Timothy 6:10).

In 1973 the Billy Graham Association released “Time to Run” through its film distributor, World Wide Pictures. It tells the story of a rebellious young man who vandalizes a nuclear plant and runs away but through God-directed circumstances and encounters comes to faith in Christ. The movie was shown free of charge in various venues and was used to bring many young people (and not so young) into a relationship with Jesus.

Could it be that you’ve been alienated from your family, responsibilities or God (maybe all three)? If so, is it your “time to run” back because none of the things God says to flee from have brought purpose to your life? Jesus said, “…Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37, emphasis added). That’s His promise and “The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, TM, emphasis added). Trust Him to keep His word.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"God's House of Prayer"

 

“God’s House of Prayer”

 

During our ministry in New Hampshire we showed a video of Pastor Jim Cymbala bringing a message on “The House of Prayer”. He was well qualified to address this subject given the emphasis placed on prayer by the church he led, the Brooklyn Tabernacle, where the weekly prayer meeting brought in overflow crowds. He observed in his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, that God never said “My house shall be called a house of preaching” but He did say “…My house shall be called a house of prayer….” (Isaiah 56:7, emphasis added, quoted by Jesus when He cleansed the temple in Matthew 21:13).

The inner area of the Jews’ tabernacle and temple had two parts: the Holy Place, where the priests carried out their God-ordained responsibilities; and the Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place) which was only entered annually by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement and contained the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God’s presence with yet separation from His people. A veil divided the two sections. It was this curtain that “…was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51) when Jesus died, allowing God’s people to approach Him apart from an earthly mediator (“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.”—1 Timothy 2:5, NLT), making it possible for us “…to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body….”(Hebrews 10:19-20). So while it’s certainly good and proper to gather in a building or anywhere else and for a godly person to lead in prayer each of us can come to God directly because “…(our bodies are temples) of the Holy Spirit….” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

In 2001 Karen put these truths to music in this way:

“My house is a house of prayer; Approach My Throne of Grace,

Come to Me, come boldly; Seek My face.

Empty yourselves before Me; Let My presence invade your soul.

You are the temple of My Spirit; You are, you are, you are My house of prayer.

We are the temple of the Spirit; We are, we are, we are His house of prayer.”

Am I/are you providing a fitting house of prayer to honor the One to whom I/we pray?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Psalm 151"

 

“Psalm 151”

 

A recent issue of The Voice of the Martyrs magazine dealt with the theme “Where is God in suffering?” One article told of a church leadership training conference in India where participants were challenged to write “Psalm 151” based on the fact that most of the Psalms were composed from the authors’ life experiences. God moved me to write my personal “Psalm 151” patterned after Psalm 90, Moses’ prayer during Israel’s wilderness wanderings.

 

Lord, Your presence has carried me from youth to old age.

As a grade-schooler You reached down to me and in Your love, mercy and grace brought me to faith in Christ.

As a highschooler You called me to serve You in vocational ministry and provided resources to prepare for the work You had for me.

I praise You for giving me Karen as my constant companion through struggles and challenges for almost 56 years. I shudder to think of where I’d be without her love and support.

In pastoring, chaplaincy and now retirement I’ve sought to serve You by serving people. I’ve failed many times but You’ve been faithful in each step of my life. And You’ve met every need and given me far more than I deserve for which I cannot praise You enough.

I thank You for my family and desire to leave a godly legacy to guide and influence their lives. Please forgive my shortcomings. May the generations which follow me walk in Your ways.

I’m nearing the end of my earthly journey as I approach Birthday #82. May I wisely use the remainder of my days to fulfill the purpose for which You’ve put me on earth. And may I always make You look good by my words and actions.

To You be all the glory! Amen.

 

I’d encourage you to write your own “Psalm 151” of reflections on God’s grace and presence in your life and read it regularly as a reminder of His goodness.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan