"Unique Stories"

 

“Unique Stories”

 

I’m writing these thoughts on Saturday, January 22. Just yesterday I received a mailing from Jews for Jesus praising God for the salvation of a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor and her son through the witness of a JFJ worker in a large European city. And last Sunday an 81-year-old man was baptized in our church after accepting Christ earlier that week. In both these cases those God used as instruments weren’t deterred by the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” (As Jay Adams observed, “People aren’t dogs!”) Among the last words Jesus spoke before returning to Heaven are Mark’s rendering of what’s been called “The Great Commission”: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” (Mark 16:15, NLT, emphasis added). That’s a command, not a suggestion, to all who identify as Christians.

Each of our stories of coming to Christ is different. In my case I received Him in a Sunday School class at the age of six. Others met the Master at home, camp, small group and in countless other contexts. Here are three unique situations in which I was used in some way:

*A 30-something businessman saw himself as a religious and good guy who thought he’d checked all the right boxes but didn’t know Jesus personally. Then he heard a David Jeremiah message in his car, realized his works weren’t enough and put his faith in Christ. I later baptized him and his family and saw him grow rapidly in the ensuing years.

*A 20-something young man purchased our NH town house, attended our church shortly after the closing, received Christ and was baptized. Why? He was impressed that Karen and I left the condo so clean. (“Little” things do matter.)

*During my final on-call hospital week last March I was called to the bedside of a patient who was anxious over his fast-approaching death. By God’s grace I saw him put his trust in Christ and witnessed his demeanor change to calmness. He stepped into Heaven the next night.

In Scripture we read of some who came to faith whom many of us would have seen as hopeless: King Manasseh of Judah after a godless reign (2 Chronicles 33); King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple (Daniel 4); Saul of Tarsus whom Jesus transformed from a menace to a missionary (Acts 9). What’s your faith story? If you don’t have one you can. “…To all who received (Jesus)…who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12). Trust Him to keep His word—He will!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Replacing God"

 

“Replacing God”

 

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics is one of the NBA’s all-time greats and arguably the most valuable player ever. In his 13 years with the team (1956-1969, the last three as player-coach) the Beantown Boys won 11 league championships. Prior to his final season a sportswriter observed, “He is irreplaceable.” From 1969 through 2021 the Celtics won six more titles but neither they nor any other team has been as dominant since the Russell era. Evidently the journalist was right.

Over the centuries many (including some who should have known better) have attempted to replace God in their lives and cultures. Just after God delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea the people demanded that Aaron, the High Priest, make an idol which he did in direct violation of the First Commandment (Exodus 20:2-3). When they saw it they exclaimed, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:4). About five centuries later King Jeroboam crafted two golden calves and told his subjects, “Here are your gods, O Israel.” (1 Kings 12:28). The tragic history of the Jewish nation shows that attempts to replace God will never work. Listen to His message through His prophet: “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8, emphasis added).

Three times in 2 Kings 1 Elijah asked King Ahaziah, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub….?” Ten years previously God had sent fire from Heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer proving He and not Baal was the true God. Might He ask us today, “Is it because there is no God in your life that you consult horoscopes for guidance? That you check stock market reports umpteen times daily looking for financial security? That you depend on government to meet your needs? That you take pride in your ‘self-sufficiency’?” How prone  are we to take God for granted then bemoan the resulting difficulties (and perhaps blame Him for them)? Do we try to replace God with our own wisdom which our Lord’s brother describes as “…earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.” (James 3:15)? If so, we need to heed Jesus’ words, “…Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, emphasis added). So let’s turn our minds and hearts to God’s wisdom which is “…pure…peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For another look at this topic check out “Firing God”, an early-on posting.)

"In Good Hands"

 

“In Good Hands”

 

In 1950 Allstate Insurance Sales Executive David Ellis came up with the catch phrase “You’re in good hands with Allstate”. (It stands at #9 in a list of 30 great advertising slogans of all time.) After more than seven decades it’s still used to promote its products giving credence to the adage, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!” It worked in our case—we used its coverage for many years until we moved to Florida where the company didn’t offer homeowners’ policies.

Hand/hands is the most frequently mentioned body part in Scripture. It’s cited over 1600 times in its various forms, far more than foot/feet next at around 370. It’s often used in the physical sense (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….”—Ecclesiastes 9:10; “…{Jesus} said….’Stretch out your hand’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”—Mark 3:5). But the term also symbolizes power (“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless….”—Psalm 10:12); guidance (“You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”—Psalm 77:20); comfort (“You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me,”—Psalm 138:7, NASB) and blessing (“…{Jesus} took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”—Mark 10:16). My personal favorite hand reference is David’s statement of assurance in Psalm 31:15: “My times are in your hands.” (Emphasis added throughout.)

With due respect to Allstate and Mr. Ellis, I greatly rejoice that we as God’s people can say, “I’m in good hands with Jesus!” And He holds us tightly in His grasp. In answering the challenges of the religious leaders our Lord said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29, emphasis added). What a blessing to be held in divine hands forever! Solomon states, “…Whoever listens to (God’s wisdom) will live in safety….” (Proverbs 1:33). Have you entrusted yourself to His powerful hands? There’s no safer place to be.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Taking the Long Look"

 

“Taking the Long Look”

 

In 1977-1984 we served The Hancock Baptist Church, located in a small village in the southern tier of New York. During this time Baccalaureate Services were still held for the high school graduating class. The four pastors in town participated each year with parts assigned on a rotating basis. When my turn to bring the message came around I used the above title and chose as my text Hebrews 11:10: “Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” (NLT). I encouraged the attendees to look beyond immediate gratification, as Abraham had, and focus on God for guidance in future endeavors which He’s promised to give (“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”—Psalm 32:8). I number of students and others expressed appreciation and my prayer was (and still is) that they put the principle into practice. And that I would as well.

Let me share an example of how this has played out in my life. Around 2004 I read “Daws”, the biography of Dawson Troutman, who founded The Navigators in 1933 as an outreach to naval personnel in San Diego. Since then it’s grown into a world-wide discipleship ministry. “Daws” was passionate about memorizing Scripture and God used this to convict me that I needed to be more intentional in this area. But where should I start? I have no clue as to how this happened other than the hand of God, but He led me to Psalm 86, David’s prayer during a difficult period in his life, likely when he was being pursued by King Saul. At the time I had no idea that God would direct me into health care chaplaincy but over my 12 years in hospital and hospice work I used this passage countless times to bring comfort to patients, especially the words of Verse 7: “In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.”

I may not understand some of the goings-on in my life right now (maybe you can say the same) but through His Word and my experiences He’s taught me that I need to take the long look. Around 1948 songwriter Ira Stanphill penned these words: “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.” What better way to say, “God has this!” I can trust Him for my future—will I take the long look of faith?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan