Sage Words - Page 3 of 259

Shall We Gather at the River

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day. [Refrain]

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev’ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]

Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace. [Refrain]

Refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Robert Lowry, 1864

Read Isaiah 66:12-14

(This hymn was written in the midst of the Civil War. Dr. Lowry wrote it during two different pastorates served in New York City, the scene of violent, deadly riots during the war. In his hymn though, he looks beyond the turmoil and upheaval of the world around him. He longs for the life he was called to, for the peace and beauty of eternal life in God’s presence. May we long for it as well.)

Don’t be surprised

By Paula

So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. 1 Peter 4:4

If we watch the same movies.
If we read the same books.

If we react the same way when things go wrong.
If we use the same words.

If we spend our time at the same activities.
If we spend our money on the same things.

How can anyone tell the difference?

But we’re called to make a stand.
To be different.
To be separate.
To be like Christ.

And by the way, He was slandered.

Running Lessons: Training for a Half Marathon

By Paula

For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God. 2 Corinthians 2:17

It’s been a while since I’ve shared any running lessons with you. Last spring, my sister asked me to run the Iron Horse Half Marathon with her this coming September. There are about 60 million runners in the U.S. and the National Runners Survey says that about 2 million of them will finish a half marathon. That’s 3%. In recent years, the half has become the most popular event distance. Perhaps because it’s a good balance of challenging and attainable.

Now my sister is almost 20 years younger than I am and has not only run half marathons, but she has full marathon under her belt. But I’ve run a couple of ten-mile races and the race is in September which gives me plenty of time to prep.

So I signed up.

Then I made a plan. I laid out a progression of long runs so I could hit my target distance and practice it a couple of times before race day. I planned how to gradually stretch out my intervals so I can increase my stamina and improve my overall times. I got a new pair of shoes and the best socks I have ever worn. Now it’s a matter of getting out and logging the miles.

And it was on one of those runs that I started thinking … How does the percentage of runners who run half marathons compare with the percentage of believers who share their faith? (No lie. Your brain thinks of all sorts of things during a run.) Statistics on sharing your faith are all over the place because they usually ask about the last six months. From both Lifeway Research and Barna, those stats are in the 20-30% range. That sounds great until we dig down into the numbers a little more. Rather than comparing that 20-30% to the 3%, it would be like asking a subset of runners who regularly run 20 miles a week whether they had run a half marathon in the last six months. The 20-30% is from a more highly motivated subset, weekly church attenders. If we look at all Christians, the number is more like 2%, as in 2% of people who say they are Christians have ever shared their faith.

Why not?

That’s the most basic instruction Jesus gave us. So as I ran, I thought of some running-related reasons why we don’t share our faith.

Motivation – I’m running the half because my sister asked. Yeah, it was out there on my long-range plans somewhere, for someday, but it wasn’t urgent. My friends, Jesus didn’t ask us to share our faith, He commissioned us to. Besides that, the salvation message of our reconciliation and redemption is an amazing message. If those don’t motivate us, perhaps we should consider whether we have a genuine faith to share.

Training – I have to put in the time to train for the half marathon. I have to be disciplined and intentional. Granted some people could just up and run 13.1 miles and survive, but that’s generally not the recommended or the most effective way to do it. Surprisingly, many followers of Jesus Christ have never considered taking any training in how to share the Gospel. I’m in a class on Wednesday evenings right now, and not only is this maybe my first ever class, but only a slim percentage of the church is participating. We can be a witness for Jesus Christ from the first moments we’re saved, but with training, we can be even more effective. The disciples, Paul, Timothy, Titus–all those guys–were trained in how to proclaim the good news.

Equipment – Good shoes, socks, compression shorts, running app on my phone. All of those things contribute to my success both in training and on race day. When we witness for Christ, we need to be prayed up both for ourselves and for those we’ll be talking to. We need to know the redemption story. We need to know our story. We need to be good, compassionate, respectful listeners, too.

Plan – I have a plan for the half marathon. That way I know I’ll be ready on race day. If I didn’t have a plan and didn’t make an effort to stick to it, I promise the race will be a flop. In the same way, we should be planning how we’re going to share the gospel and then stick to the plan. Choose someone to share with. Pray daily for that person that God will prepare them and give you the opportunity.

Once the door opens fall back on your equipment, your training, and motivation to get you across the finish line.

Have you shared the gospel lately? If not, which area can you concentrate on in the coming month? Motivation, training, equipment or planning?

(On a personal note – I’m going to be away for a couple of weeks. My oldest just moved to Georgia and we are heading down to help her get settled.)

Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

By Paula

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,
no thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
and reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I am;
be Thou my Rod and Staff and Guide.

O grant that nothing in my soul
may dwell, but Thy pure love alone!
O may Thy love possess my whole,
my Joy, my Treasure, and my Crown.
All coldness from my heart remove;
my ev’ry act, word, thought, be love.

O love, how cheering is thy ray!
All pain before thy presence flies;
care, anguish, sorrow, melt away,
where’er thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
nothing desire or seek, but Thee.

This love unwearied I pursue
and dauntlessly to Thee aspire.
O may thy love my hope renew,
burn in my soul like heav’nly fire.
And day and night, be all my care
to guard this sacred treasure there.

Paul Gerhardt, 1653, translated by John Wesley, 1739

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

(All coldness from my heart remove, my ev’ry act, word, thought, be love. Coldness is not necessarily hatred, but indifference. Emotionless, empty, unmoved. It is being faced with the suffering around us, not the broad general suffering, but the personal, intimate suffering … and turning away to our next distraction. God help us not be cold and indifferent, but draw people in close, into His presence, into His kingdom.)

Do you have an answer?

By Paula

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

What’s your Social Security number?
Your birthday?
Your middle name?

Your username?
Your password?
Your PIN?

What’s the quickest way downtown?
Who has the best prices?
Who has the best coffee?

How did you lose that weight?
How did you remodel your kitchen?
How did you get through that?

We answer hundreds of requests for information every single day.

Some are so ingrained they are automatic.
Some have been rehearsed so many times we know them backward and forward.
Some we could go on and on about.

But what about this question?
How do we answer this one?

Why do you have hope?

Paul’s Partners: Titus

By Paula

To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 1:4

Paul was the most influential figure in the establishment of the early church. However, he didn’t work alone. He had several key partners who gave him very necessary support. We’ve been taking a closer look at some of these guys and learning how we can follow their examples even today. So far we’ve studied Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy.

This week, we’ll finish up with Titus.

Titus is not mentioned in the book of Acts, so what we know about him is pieced together from a careful reading of Paul’s letters. He was a Gentile convert and one of Paul’s earliest associates accompanying Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem and attending the important Council there. In fact, he was probably the prime example of a Gentile convert, filled with the Holy Spirit, proving that adhering to the traditions of Judaism were unnecessary to follow Christ. He pastored the church in Crete where Paul wrote a letter to him that we have in the New Testament. In 2 Timothy, we learn that Paul sent him to Dalmatia.

Titus worked closely with Paul. Paul makes mention of him in Corinth, in Galatia, and in Crete. At least part of that time Titus also served alongside Barnabas. As a result, he becomes a people-person like Barnabas and solid doctrinally like Paul. Not a bad combination.

Do we find mentors to serve with who can help us grow in key areas?
Admittedly, this can be challenging, especially if you are the mentor most of the time. However, we should never be satisfied with where we are and always learning and growing.

Titus was a good administrator. He collected and delivered a special famine offering to Jerusalem. He oversaw the churches on the island of Crete.

Are we careful, conscientious stewards of the things God has entrusted to us?
Maybe administration and leadership are not our gifts. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be counted on to faithfully carry out whatever tasks we’re given or roles we’re called to fill.

Titus was trusted with tricky situations. The Council in Jerusalem addressed the question of how Judaism fit with belief in Christ. Titus was in on all those discussions. Not only that, but he carried Paul’s “severe” letter with strong words for the church at Corinth. Because of his tact and wisdom, the Corinthians received the letter in the spirit Paul intended but he brought news back to Paul. Titus was then re-dispatched with Paul’s reply, the letter we have as 2 Corinthians.

Are we good at communicating the truth, even hard truth, in love?
No one likes conflict. However, it can be handled in a wise loving way that honors God. Titus mastered it. The next point may be the secret.

Titus genuinely loved the people he ministered to and rejoiced at their growth and obedience. (2 Cor. 7:15) Delivering that difficult letter wasn’t a matter of simply accomplishing a task. Titus wanted to see the people in the church restored in their relationships with each other and strengthened in their relationship with Christ. All of this would work to grow the church and spread the gospel message.

Do we have a heart for seeing people with restored relationships, both with each other and with Christ?
Or are we more likely to see conflict as none of our business or maybe as too much trouble and not worth the hassle of getting involved?

Over the last four weeks, we’ve taken a look at some of the close companions Paul traveled with on his evangelism trips. Each of the men had different talents and temperaments, varied skills and spirits. However, Paul would not, could not have accomplished all he did without their support.

What if we strove to be more generous and encouraging? Or maybe more serving and persevering? What if our character and reputation were spotless? What if driven by love for others and wanting the best for them?

The parting question, then, is how would the missions of our local churches be impacted if we poured ourselves into them the way Paul’s companions did for his mission? Isn’t it all the same mission, anyway? Seeing lives transformed by the gospel?

Maybe if we were more like Paul’s companions, we would more fruit like the New Testament churches.

Shall We Gather at the River

Don’t be surprised

Running Lessons: Training for a Half Marathon

Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

Do you have an answer?

Paul’s Partners: Titus

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series