"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

 

"The Wisdom of Silence"

 

“The Wisdom of Silence”

 

Many years ago the leadership in one of the churches I served held a meeting from which I was excluded which I found out about the next day. The following Sunday I called an impromptu after-service session, confronted them and asked what issues were discussed. After an awkward time of silence one member spoke up and filled in specifics which I answered. I then said I considered the matter closed and called on them not to share details. To my knowledge the wisdom of silence prevailed and we concluded our ministry there on a more positive note.

In one of Scripture’s “wisdom books” Solomon says there’s “…a time to be silent and a time to speak….” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Wise discernment of circumstances determines which is appropriate in a given situation. Again hear Solomon’s words: “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” (Proverbs 17:28). (President Lincoln paraphrased this principle in his inimitable way: “It’s much better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”) Some 550 years earlier Job’s friends came to “comfort” him in his grief and suffering and “…sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him….” (Job 2:13). They knew their words would be no help. But apparently they felt uncomfortable with the silence so spoke in judgment and ignorance of God’s ways to the point Job had “had it” and said, “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” (Job 13:5). But they kept insisting Job was guilty of hidden sin and ultimately were soundly rebuked by God for their harsh words (Job 42:7-9).

About 15 times God says “Keep silent” or “Be silent” in Scripture. In Zephaniah 1:7 His prophet calls on the people of Judah to “Be silent before the Sovereign Lord….” and about 100 years later in Zechariah 2:13 another prophet told the returnees to Jerusalem to “Be still before the Lord….” In a great hymn sung in the temple God commands His worshippers to “Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalm 46:10, NLT). And let’s not forget God’s expectation that we shut our mouths and open our ears to His words expressed in Habakkuk 2:20: “…The Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (NKJV).

We can show our love and obedience by speaking with God’s wisdom and being silent to hear His voice. Let’s pray we’ll know when to practice both.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan