"Succession"

 

“Succession”

 

The 25^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1967, deals with presidential succession should the Chief Executive die, resign or become unable to discharge the duties of the Office. This was done to assure a smooth transition under unusual circumstances and allow the government to continue to function. On a related matter, one member of the President’s Cabinet is at an undisclosed location during the President’s State of the Union address so the nation won’t be leaderless should a catastrophic event take place. This represents God-given wisdom.

At some point every nation, business, organization and ministry faces a change at the top, be it anticipated or unexpected. Those which have a procedure for succession in place have a much better prospect for continuing to function normally than those which fail to plan for this inevitable event. Dr. Henrietta Mears, a noted 20^th century Christian educator, observed that “Every ministry is one generation from extinction.” So the current generation must prepare the next which prepares the next which…you get the idea. The Apostle Paul reinforced this principle when he wrote to his young pastoral protégé, “…The things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable (people) who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2). The church has been sustained for 20 centuries because godly individuals have taken this instruction seriously.

In Numbers 27 God describes succession in a family and in Israel’s leadership. God provided a family legacy for a man who had died with no sons by continuing his family’s inheritance through his daughters (Verses 5-7). He also safeguarded Israel’s national leadership by designating Joshua to guide His people into Canaan in answer to Moses’ request (Verses 15-21). These examples encourage us today. Our families can lose their way if we fail to leave them a legacy of faithfulness and obedience to God so He decreed, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, emphasis added). And part of Paul’s ministry strategy was training young men for leading churches after his Homegoing. Too often one generation is unwilling to turn the reins of leadership to the next one which tragically has led to the demise of many churches and ministries.

If we want our families, ministries and churches to prosper after we’ve passed from the scene we must invest in those who follow us. To this end may we fulfill the prayer of songwriter Jon Mohr: “O may all who come behind us find us faithful….”

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The News"

 

“The News”

 

The past couple of decades have seen the growth of 24 hour news stations on TV and radio as well as a myriad of internet news sites. In order to fill the time (what’s left after the commercials) many frivolous items show up which years ago wouldn’t have made the cut. This information overload has created news junkies and controversies which have sometimes led to divisions among families and friends.

Unfortunately most news sources emphasize bad news (crime, disasters, warfare, etc.). But our Lakeland radio station has a morning show called “Polk County Live” which always concludes with a “Good News Story of the Day” showing the positive side of human nature, a most refreshing departure from what has become the norm. May this practice increase!

But what we perceive as good news for us might well be bad news for others. For example:

*It’s good news if our favorite team comes out on top but bad news for the other team and its fans.

*It’s good news if our preferred candidate wins an election but bad news for the opponent and his/her supporters.

*It’s good news for owners and stockholders if a business prospers but can be bad news for the “Mom and Pop” ones which may suffer.

*It’s good news for a nation or coalition which is victorious in war but bad news for the enemy whose land is devastated and many of its citizens lost.

In a Christmas Day devotional this past year Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary (my alma mater) pointed out some great news which was delivered to shepherds some 2000 years ago: “…Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, emphasis added). Jesus came into this sinful world for the benefit of all (“…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live.” (John 3:16, emphasis added). Remember that this good news was delivered in a time of great trouble, much like the days in which we’re living.

People’s need for hope hasn’t changed—and neither has the news to bring it (“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8). Make 2024 a great year by looking to Him.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Son's Perspective"

 

“A Son’s Perspective”

 

In December 2022 I posted five articles about some of the more “behind the scenes” people surrounding the birth of Christ. I included Joseph under the title “The Quiet Man” because Scripture records no words he spoke. But his actions by faith speak louder than any words ever could. In Matthew 1:19 he’s called “…a righteous man….”, a designation all of us would welcome.

After Jesus’ miraculous birth Joseph and Mary had four sons and (in my view) at least three daughters because the question was asked, “Aren’t all (Jesus’) sisters with us?” (Matthew 13:56, emphasis added). Initially His brothers didn’t believe He came from God (see John 7:5) but after His resurrection and ascension they gathered with His disciples and other followers in prayer (Acts 1:14). Two of Joseph and Mary’s sons, James and Jude, were later used by the Holy Spirit to write New Testament epistles.

Recently I was reading in James when I saw something I never had before in 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (Emphasis added.) I realized  to my shame that I’ve often been slow to listen and quick to speak and become angry. I asked God for His forgiveness and pray almost daily that I’d “…not merely listen to the word (but)…Do what it says.” (James 1:22, emphasis added).

As I was praying about this need in my life about two weeks ago (I’m writing this in mid-December) a thought struck me: was the Spirit using James’ perspective of his father when he wrote Verse 19? Was Joseph quick to listen? Yes—four times he followed divine directives unhesitatingly and was used by God to be part of Jesus’ birth and protection. Was he slow to speak? Apparently so because we know of nothing he said. Was he slow to become angry? Yes—he was willing to be in the background when God entered human history in the Person of His Son (“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.”—John 1:14).

Joseph likely died before Jesus began His public ministry so James probably lost his dad as a young man. But Joseph left him (and his mother and siblings) a great legacy of faith. I have to ask myself: what will be my children’s/grandchildren’s/great-grandchildren’s perspective of me when I’m with the Lord? I pray that by God’s grace it’ll be even a small bit like Joseph’s.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Against the Tide"

 

“Against the Tide”

 

One of the military chaplains with whom I correspond has been under investigation three times for speaking out for God’s truth in the face of political correctness. By God’s grace he’s been exonerated in each case and returned to his duties. I’m thankful for him and his colleagues who are willing to “swim against the tide” and stand for what’s right when the wrong is popular.

My friend’s experience reminds me of God’s description of His servants of old who when confronted with godly and ungodly options chose His ways. Some of these are introduced with the phrase “as for me”. Identifying this saying is difficult (“yes” and “but” are often used) but here are some examples I found (emphasis added in each case):

*Joshua 24:15: “…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua chose to serve God, not the false gods of the nations around Israel.

*Psalm 26:9-11 (NKJV): “Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity….” Here David pledged to do what was right in the midst of sinful people.

*Psalm 35:11-13 (NKJV): “Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know. They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.” Here David responded to evil with good.

*Micah 7:7: “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” The prophet’s confidence was in God when the nation was far from Him.

*Psalm 18:28-30 (NLT): “Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” David sees his own abilities as  weaknesses in comparison to God’s power and strength.

You and I are faced with “as for me” decisions which call for us to buck the societal trends around us by going “against the tide” of wickedness in today’s world. A line in a hymn written in 1930 asks God to “…Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days….” May this be my and (hopefully) each one’s prayer.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan