IF… THEN…

If-then statements are common. Parents use these statements frequently with their children. Employers utilize them with their employees. Teachers speak them to their students.

If-then statements are a conditional contract. One party lays out a challenge: If you [a person or party of people] do such and such to my satisfaction, then I will reward you in the following specific way.

The Bible is full of If-then statements!

I just ran across one in the opening verses of Deuteronomy 28.

If you [Israel is poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land] listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, [then – implied] GOD, your God will place you on high, above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:

GOD”s blessing inside the city,

GOD’s blessing in the country;

GOD’s blessing on your children,

          the crops of your land,

          the young of your livestock

          the calves of your herds,

the lambs of your flocks.

GOD’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;

GOD’s blessing in your coming in,

GOD’s blessing in your going out.

 

GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.

GOD will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; He’ll bless you in the land that GOD, your God, is giving you.

GOD will form you as a people holy to Him, just as He promised you, if you keep the commandments of GOD, your God, and live the way He has shown you.  [Deuteronomy 28:1-9  TM]

Do you need to read that again?

Notice that the If… part is very short and the Then… part is very long!

God is making a VERY GENEROUS offer to His chosen people!  All they have to do is:

1.   …listen obediently to the Voice of GOD, your God, and

2.   heartily obey all His commandments.

In case you haven’t read through the Old Testament and don’t know the end of the story, let me fill you in. 🙂

The Israelites falter on their commitment very quickly as they enter the Promised Land around 1405 BC. God is VERY PATIENT and long-suffering with them, giving them chance-after-chance to come in line with His desires for them. 

BUT, finally, God’s remarkable patience is exhausted. In 586 BC, the Temple is destroyed and the people are carried off into captivity for seventy years by the Babylonians!

Sorry! It’s not a happy ending! God gave them 819 years to get it together, but they never did for any sustainable period of time!

 

Even though many who read this blog are Gentiles, we have inherited the same offer from God!

Let’s look at just a few of the ‘If-then’ statements in our New Testaments:

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, [then] I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, [then] you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

If the Son sets you free, [then] you will be free indeed.

– John 8:36

If we confess our sins, [then] He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

If anyone would come after Me, [then] he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. – Luke 9:23

If anyone is in Christ, [then] he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you do not forgive others their sins, [then] your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:15

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and [then] you will have treasure in heaven. – Matthew 19:21

 If I go and prepare a place for you, [then] I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. – John 14:3

If you’re anything like me, then you probably realize – after reading these verses – that you’re just about as rebellious as the Israelites were!

Now, gaining Heaven [our Promised Land] should be all the incentive we need, but if you need more, let’s review our initial verses.

If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, [then – implied] GOD, your God will place you on high, above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:

 

This implies that if we heartily pursue a life that is pleasing to God, then those around us or who are connected to us will also be blessed!

 

 

Don’t you want this for your spouse, children, relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers and perhaps even the people you encounter throughout the course of any given day???

 

A CLOSING STORY

I was leading my first ‘full-time’ church in Harrison City, PA. I had just studied theology for three years at a noted seminary in Kentucky. Our first-born, Travis, was less than a year old. I was 23, and the average attendance on Sundays was around 40 people – mostly older in age.

I was trying hard to do everything that I had been taught: planning, preaching, visiting, praying, and so much more.

One day, I visited a man who had been connected to the church previously but had not attended recently. I had been informed that he was in the hospital and might appreciate a visit.

Although I don’t remember his name or other details, I learned something of significance by my repeated visits to talk with him.

I did not find him to be a friendly man; he seemed to have a permanent scowl on his face. But, I persisted in visiting him. We talked. I shared some scripture. He allowed me to pray with him.  I repeatedly asked God to heal him and renew him spiritually. He whispered that his roommate was a really spiritual man.  He overheard him praying at times and knew that he was often reading his Bible.  He didn’t seem offended at this; rather, he seemed curious about this man’s faith.

Then, one day, I walked in and found him smiling. He greeted me warmly – as though he was glad to see me. He invited me to sit down and then unraveled the following story for my benefit:

“Pastor, last night my roommate had a bunch of visitors that seemed to include his family and some church friends. They seemed to have a prayer meeting of sorts. Several of them prayed, and then – at one point – they all started praying at the same time!

[He continued] I couldn’t really zero in on any of their prayers, but I felt an unusual Presence as they prayed! I felt joyful for the first time in years!

Shortly after they all left, I rolled over to go to sleep. I woke up this morning feeling amazing! I don’t have any of the symptoms this morning that have been such a problem for the last three years! [With tears streaming down his face…] I think the Lord healed me while they were praying last night!

I immediately moved closer to his bed and took his hands in mine. We laughed and praised God together over what had happened! As a young pastor – I was so encouraged that God had honored my desire to see this man come to faith in Christ and - on-top-of-that - be healed!

When he was released, he began attending the church and was a fixture during my time there! 

___________________________________________

Do you get it?

Although my new friend had no meaningful communication with his roommate, he was healed as a result of being in the same room with a godly man!

Don’t you want to be this kind of person?

Don’t you want to be a joy-spreader?

Don’t you want people to get God’s blessing – simply by being in proximity to you?

Maybe you should take some time and reflect on this blog article.

Recommit yourself to being God’s man or woman! Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Reconnect with His Word! Revisit a church where you can make friends and find meaningful fellowship!

We live in a broken and infected world! People need the Lord! Our culture needs spiritual renewal!

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be

 

With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

 

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow

 

To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

[Written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955]

MOSES’ FINAL TASK

If you read the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in a ‘user-friendly’ version such as The Message Bible, you will see that we’re essentially reading from Moses’ journal!

To follow my thinking here, you may need a refresher:

·        Moses and the children of Israel [Jacob] travel across the wilderness and arrive at the outskirts of Canaan – on the eastern shore of the Jordan River.

·        At the people’s suggestion, Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan to bring back a report.

·        Upon their return, ten spies indicate that it will be impossible for them to conquer this land and people!

·        Two spies – Joshua and Caleb – simply make a faith statement: God will give it to us, just don’t rebel against God! And don’t be afraid of those people. Why, we’ll have them for lunch! They have no protection and GOD is on our side. [Numbers 14:8-9 – All quotes from The Message unless otherwise noted]

·        The people immediately begin to complain and ask why Moses brought them to this place to be destroyed.

·        God’s anger broke out and sentenced the entire generation to die in the wilderness without entering the Promised Land!

·        The people repent and try to go to war against Canaan on their own strength. They are easily defeated.

·        Moses leads them back into the wilderness to wander for nearly forty years until that entire generation [under the age of 20] dies out! Only Joshua and Caleb will ever see the Promised Land.

Okay, if you’re still with me, then you realize that Moses has a final task of teaching a whole new generation of Israelites the history of:

Ø their deliverance from Egypt

Ø God’s faithfulness in providing for their needs

Ø God’s protection against foreign enemies

Ø God’s Word delivered from Mt. Sinai

Ø The repeated grumbling and complaining of their parents” generation

It was an in surmountable task! So much to cover! Moses had to be convincing since this younger generation had no [or very little] memory of actually experiencing God’s power and manifestations!

If you read these early chapters, you will see Moses’ determination to bring a whole new generation up-to-speed regarding their history and DESTINY!

Their parents had been unfaithful and unbelieving! Their parents did NOT leave them a legacy of faith! This new generation had to face the future with a major deficit of faith and trust in God!  Moses stood in the gap and made a valiant effort to infuse them with faith by telling them the history of God’s faithfulness!

____________________________________ 

We are living in a day that reflects strongly the same dilemma. Since the 1960’s, the Church has been undermined by a radically changing culture!

I’m old enough to remember a time when the local ministerial group had major influence. In my hometown – New Brighton, PA – if the clergy spoke out about an issue, it carried a GREAT DEAL OF WEIGHT!

During the 1960's some teachers either allowed us to observe a "moment of silence" or read a verse of scripture. We began every day by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States!

This was a period when the Church owned Sundays and Wednesday evenings! Schools and sporting groups didn’t DARE to infringe on those two time-frames! Gradually, however, they whittled away at Wednesdays by scheduling occasional games. Then, of course, they became regular! And guess what? The parents didn’t squawk! They – perhaps reluctantly – conceded! And Wednesday nights were lost as a stronghold of Christian education!

Then the teams and organizations set their sights on Sundays!  Games and practices were scheduled that competed with Sunday School and Morning Worship! And guess what? Parents didn’t draw a line by saying: “My kids will NOT be there on Sunday mornings!” So – Sundays were lost to the power of a godless culture!

Is it any wonder that churches have lost their influence?

Is it any wonder that the Church – in America – is in SERIOUS DECLINE?

Is it any wonder that sexual confusion gains favor in our culture?

Is it any wonder that violence is beyond belief?

Is it any wonder that schools are no longer safe-havens?

Although prayer in schools was banned in 1962, someone has smilingly stated that as long as they give tests in school – there’ll be prayer in school!  😄

_____________________________________

More than at any time in our American history, the responsibility for extending the Christian faith into the future is on parents!

It has ALWAYS been our responsibility! Remember Deuteronomy 6:5-9,

 Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!

 

Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

The pathway to rectifying the diminishing of our faith in America is actually quite simple. We – as parents – must speak to our children about our faith! We must – like Moses – try our best to make it real to them! We must encourage them to develop a strong faith and trust in God! Regardless of their age!

If you dropped the ball in earlier years or were distracted by work, goals and other diversions – MAKE UP FOR IT NOW! If you have a legacy of faith – PASS IT ON!

I am the self-appointed ‘story-teller’ in the Haire family! I take every advantage of telling stories to my kids and grandkids! I want them to know that they have a history of faith! In the case of our children, both the Whippos and the Haires raised their families in the faith! What a blessing for our kids! The same is true of our grandchildren. Both the Kerstetters and the Haires raised their families in the faith!

This is an established legacy! We must make every effort to see that it continues strong and committed into the future! 

____________________________________ 

FOREVER FORGIVING GOD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

 Those of us who were raised in-the-faith are grateful!

We thank You for being the Lord of our homes and our lives!

 

Thank You for faithful parents who raised us to love and honor You!

Thank You for the churches that joined them in teaching and maturing us in our faith!

Thank You for role models that cared about us and encouraged us!

Thank You for spiritual mentors who guided, corrected and encouraged us!

 

Give us courage to speak openly about our faith in any setting!

Give us a renewed determination to challenge our own children – regardless of their age – to stand strong in the faith and preserve this legacy of faithfulness to You and Your Word!

 

Help us to be a force that counters a misguided culture!

Help us to be an anchor that refuses to yield to the migrating of faith that is common today!

Help us to maintain a daily walk with You that transforms us and keeps us heading toward Heaven and its eternal joys!

 

AMEN!

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR A CHURCH! [Part 1 – more to follow…]

There is no seniority in a church!

Because you’ve been at a church for a long time doesn’t mean that you should have more say, power or influence than someone newer!

I know! This is kind of shocking! But healthy churches are unique, in that they want to be continually growing and expanding the Kingdom of God!

There are not grades of membership based on longevity, levels of involvement or amounts of financial support! When these very items ARE actively in place, the prognosis for growth is rendered hopeless!

THE GREAT CHALLENGE

The great challenge is in assimilating new people!  

Maintaining a growing, vibrant body of diverse believers requires the grace of the Holy Spirit and the humility of the people of faith!

In most churches, it takes years for a new member [or family] to be fully assimilated into the life of the body of believers! That’s a sad reality!

Developing strategies for expediting this process should be a major, ongoing goal for every church that wants to fully embrace new people and help them to be all that God desires of them!

The arrival of new people is such a blessing to any church!

However, acknowledging them publicly [such as having them stand to be recognized] is a horrible idea! Singling them out is embarrassing and is likely a sure way to guarantee that they will never come back!

BUT, there are other ways that we can welcome them. Many of us have learned how to do this from the mega-church models. Some tips:

·        Have friendly people meeting and greeting attenders in the parking lot! Selecting these individuals is critical – let me illustrate:

I shop at a nearby Walmart store and am in their building several times a week. We’re all familiar with their practice of having a greeter as you use their main entrance.

They are currently using a mature man who looks horribly uncomfortable in his role. Although I have spoken to him, he has never spoken to me. He completely avoids eye-contact with customers. He looks miserable!

Please don’t think me mean. I pray for the guy every time I enter the store. Actually I respect him for his strength and determination. He apparently needed a job and Walmart hired him! I admire him AND Walmart – for giving people opportunities!

The point is to get the right people greeting folks in the parking lot!

When I attended Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in southern California, I was met by groups of people as I parked and walked the long distance to the church. These people welcomed me by inquiring where I was from and if I was a first-time visitor.

I told them that I had been to the church for seminars throughout the week, They asked how I’d been enjoying my experience. The point is: they engaged me personally and let me know that they were genuinely pleased that I had come this Sunday!

While serving at Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio, we had a group of men who greeted people in the parking lot. They were jokesters and had a lot of fun with people as they arrived. They would often tell people what to expect in the service [based on the fact that they had attended an earlier service].

Ø "Pastor Brenda is really on target this morning!”

Ø “Wait till you hear the special music this morning!”

Ø “You’re in for a blessing today!”

On rainy days they held umbrellas for the people approaching the church building.

On snowy Sundays, they offered assistance from the parking lot to the main entrance!

They made themselves available to assist:

Ø Special needs individuals

Ø Families with multiple or young children

Ø Elderly folks

They had been trained to wait until people exited their vehicles in order to avoid uncomfortable situations regarding getting in-and-out.

 ·        Have warm, friendly greeters at all doors to greet people and welcome them to the service of worship.

They can be trained – with those they don’t recognize – to inquire if they’ve worshipped here before.  If they haven’t, they can offer to enter with them and show them around [including where to hang coats and the location of restrooms]. This will, of course, necessitate someone else being ready to step into their greeting spot so that others are not overlooked.

 These individuals often view their role as a ministry.

 At Cornerstone, a man named Ken was a fixture at the main entrance every Sunday. He discriminately offered people a hug as they entered.

In my role as a counselor at the church, I remember vividly being told by a single-mom that one of the reasons she came to Cornerstone was because it was the only place in her week where she was hugged!

 

·        Have people placed at the entranceways to the worship center to greet people by telling them that they’re glad to see them!

If people are being escorted by the ‘door-greeters’ then they can give them an especially warm comment like: “We’re glad you chose to worship with us this morning!”

If worship folders are used, they can distribute them.

These greeters should stay in place for at least 5-10 minutes after the worship begins. If latecomers look awkward, they could ask if they need help finding a seat. Then they can usher them into worship and strategically ease their late entrance.

·        In addition to all of the above, certain people can be trained to simply be on-the-watch for people who appear to be new attenders. Some of these people will enjoy mingling in the foyer [before and after service] and keeping an eye open for new people! Others may simply hang out at the rear of the worship center – also being alert to speak with newer people.

They are simply another wave of greeter who makes people feel welcome and assists them in any way that they might need [for instance: making them aware of a nursery or special worship opportunities for young children].

·        Having a gift available for first-time attenders is a kind offering used by many growing churches.

Don’t ask them to approach a ‘Welcome Center’ to receive this gift [they don’t even know where the ‘Welcome Center’ is!!  The door greeters who first discern that this is a new person/family should take them to this location before even entering the worship center and see that they are given the gift.

TIP:

Make the gift worthwhile. Of course you’ll want to include information about your church! They expect that! But add things of value!

Ø Maybe a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A

Ø If it’s a family – perhaps bags of candy for the children

Ø If you have photographers in your congregation – perhaps a free picture

Ø Perhaps a box of homemade cookies [a church I served delivered these early the next week]!

Ø Or maybe one of Hal Haire’s Christian romance novels!!!!!

Lonely For A Long Time

A Life Repurposed

Overwhelmed

Never Unreachable

[Available on Amazon or from Hal Haire]  😁

The next entry will discuss: THE NEED FOR LEADERS!

BALAAM'S ASS

I was raised in a home where profanity was never used. I was slapped one day for saying "Holy Cow!". My mom then explained to me that NOTHING was holy except God! You get the picture, right?

But, like any curious and mischievous kid, I loved the parts of the Bible that used words that we weren't allowed to speak in our homes.

My favorite was from the book of Numbers.

The essence of this lengthy story [chapters 22-24] concerned the Israelites as they tried to journey to the Promised Land. Moses asked permission for his people to pass through the country of Moab, promising that they would do no damage and take nothing from the land.

However, the king of Moab was very threatened by the immensity of the sea of people and animals. He not only refused to give them permission to pass through his land, but even called on a prophet of God named Balaam to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.

Four distinct times, the prophet, Balaam, tried to accommodate the king of Moab's request, but each time, God did not allow Balaam to curse Israel!

This was where it got interesting, because in chapter 22, God tried to get Balaam's attention through an angel sent to speak to him. However, for some reason, Balaam - apparently distracted - didn't see the angel. However, Balaam's ass DID SEE THE ANGEL! 

Being immature kids, we boys would giggle when we heard our Sunday School teacher read this passage from the King James Version of the Bible! Hearing this respected person repeatedly using the word ‘ass’ was almost more than we could handle!

The Message Bible uses the word ‘donkey’. The following passage will show you how often this word was used in the story and how this somewhat humorous vignette unfolded and delighted us:  [Numbers 22:22-34 TM]

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went off with the noblemen from Moab. As he was going, though, God’s anger flared. The angel of God stood in the road to block his way. Balaam was riding his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. 

When the donkey saw the angel blocking the road and brandishing a sword, she veered off the road into the ditch. Balaam beat the donkey and got her back on the road.

But as they were going through a vineyard, with a fence on either side, the donkey again saw God’s angel blocking the way and veered into the fence, crushing Balaam’s foot against the fence. Balaam hit her again.

God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick. [I suppose this is where someone came up with the threat: “beat your ass”?]

Then God gave speech to the donkey. She said to Balaam: “What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times?”

Balaam said, “Because you’ve been playing games with me! If I had a sword I would have killed you by now.”

The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your trusty donkey on whom you’ve ridden for years right up until now? Have I ever done anything like this to you before? Have I?”

He said, “No.”

Then God helped Balaam see what was going on: He saw God’s angel blocking the way, brandishing a sword. Balaam fell to the ground, his face in the dirt.

God’s angel said to him: “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times? I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she hadn’t, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey. I would have let her off.”

Balaam said to God’s angel, “I have sinned. I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way. If you don’t like what I’m doing, I’ll head back.”

You’ll be happy to know that Balaam was faithful to God and never pronounced a curse against Israel! He does, however, end up pronouncing a curse against Moab [24:15-17]. 

The unfortunate thing for Balaam – this faithful man of God – is that many of us don’t think too much of him, but we still giggle at Balaam’s ass! 

DISRUPTION IN THE WILDERNESS

If you’ve read much in the Old Testament, you know that the children of Israel were chronic complainers. They grumbled when they didn’t have enough to eat. They murmured when there wasn’t water in the wilderness to drink. They repeatedly accused Moses and Aaron of bringing them out into the wilderness to die. After God sent them manna, they weren’t happy because they wanted meat!

But the greatest protest came when they crossed the wilderness and were on the brink of conquering the people who were living in their Promised Land! Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to report back on what the land was like and how vulnerable they might be.

After forty days of scouting out the land, they (the spies) returned home [Numbers 13:24]. Ten reported that the people of Canaan were too strong and mighty and they would never be able to defeat them. However, two of the spies – Joshua and Caleb – said, Let’s go up and take the land – now. We can do it [13:30].

The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: “Why didn’t we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? Why has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don’t we just head back to Egypt? And right now!”

Soon they were all saying it to one another: “Let’s pick a new leader; let’s head back to Egypt.”  [14:1-4]

At this suggestion of rebellion, Moses and Aaron fell prostrate before the multitude. Joshua and Caleb tried to assure the people that God would lead them into this land! At this point, the rabble-rousers began to pick up stones to throw.

Just then the bright Glory of God appeared at the Tent of Meeting. Every Israelite saw it. God said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me like dirt? How long refuse to trust me? And with all these signs I’ve done among them! I’ve had enough—I’m going to hit them with a plague and kill them. But I’ll make you into a nation bigger and stronger than they ever were.”

At this point, Moses argued with God eloquently reminding Him that if He destroys this people many nations would observe that He gave up on them!

Then, going forward boldly and convincingly, Moses appealed to words that God had previously spoken about Himself when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

GOD, slow to get angry and huge in loyal love,

forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin;

Still, never just whitewashing sin.

But extending the fallout of parents’ sins

to children into the third,

even the fourth generation.

[14:18  -  from Exodus 20:5-6] 

Moses pleads with God to forgive the people – and He does!

God said, “I forgive them, honoring your words. But as I live and as the Glory of God fills the whole Earth—not a single person of those who saw my Glory, saw the miracle signs I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and who have tested me over and over and over again, turning a deaf ear to me—not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with such repeated contempt will see it.

God then spoke to Moses and Aaron to inform them that Joshua and Caleb WILL be allowed to enter the Promised Land because of their faithful report as spies. However, this entire evil-infested community which has banded against me…will come to their end. There [in the wilderness] they will die [14:35].

When Moses told all of this to the People of Israel, they mourned long and hard. But early the next morning they started out for the high hill country, saying, “We’re here; we’re ready go up and attack the land that God promised us. We sinned, but now we’re ready” [14:39-40].

But Moses said, “Why are you crossing God’s command yet again? This won’t work. Don’t attack. God isn’t with you in this—you’ll be beaten badly by your enemies. The Amalekites and Canaanites are ready for you and they’ll kill you. Because you have left off obediently following God, God is not going to be with you in this.”

But they went anyway; recklessly and arrogantly they climbed to the high hill country. But the Chest of the Covenant and Moses didn’t budge from the camp. The Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the hill country came out of the hills and attacked and beat them, a rout all the way down to Hormah [14:39 41-45].

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Let’s make several observations – if you’ve stayed with me this far:

1.    We all have a choice to make: will we be people of faith or people of fear?

People of faith believe God and follow Him responsively – like Joshua and Caleb! They are rewarded for their obedience!

2.    Leadership has consequences!

The ten spies who gave a negative report that discouraged the Israelites and incited their rebellion – all died in a plague, confronted by GOD!

3.    We can reason with and speak openly with God!  This says much to us about our prayer life.

Moses argued against destroying the Israelites because of how it would reflect on His image to other nations. Moses also reminded God of words He had spoken earlier that defined the fact that He is slow to anger and steadfast in love!

God can deal with our hurt, anger, disappointment, confusion, fear, doubt… We can take all our emotions to God and not fear rejection!

As a result of Moses’ intercession, God forgave the Israelites!

4.    God forgave the Israelites, but still punished them for their persistent rebellion!

The punishment seems harsh – they would all die in the wilderness! Only Caleb and Joshua would enter the Promised Land. They spent the rest of their lives wandering aimlessly in the wilderness!

We must note that God forgives, but He does not take away the consequences of our sins! However, He will give us grace and mercy to help us to deal with those consequences!

Hebrews 4:16 [NASB]

…let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS WORSHIP IN CHINA

The crowd gathered slowly at the IF [International Fellowship held in an ‘approved Chinese church’].  The worship began at 10:10 AM.  By the end of the service there were probably fifty present (good in light of the fact that many had gone home for Christmas).  Debbie and I were the only Americans in the service!  The make-up was probably 1/3 Africans, 1/3 Europeans, and 1/3 Chinese and other nationalities. 

A new friend of Debbie’s introduced a young, Chinese man, Charlie, to the congregation.  She had met him in a restaurant.  He asked if she was a Christian.  She said yes.  He told her he wanted to become a Christian!  We celebrated his new birth in Christ!  Pastor Francois anointed him and had several pray over him (in different languages).  It was a thrilling moment. 

Then Frank came forward to give his testimony.  I had met and spoken extensively with Frank months ago at the Quanping Church.  He is an exciting new believer who wants to come to America to study in a Bible College!  I’ve been praying for him daily since that first meeting.  He spoke of being fatherless – until he met God!  He told of harassment in his workplace because of his faith.  He is currently looking for a new job!  His mother was with him in the service as well.  Francois called all the fathers to the front of the sanctuary to hug Frank and pray over him!  It was amazing!  Powerful!  Typically, Chinese nationals are not allowed to attend IF services.  However, Francois and Mimmie (the IF leaders – from South Africa) made an exception this morning because of these two testimonies.

Next, a group of about eight black, South Africans came forward and beautifully sang several familiar carols in French.  Attending IF is such a blessing because of its international flavor!  Then a beautiful, Chinese woman came forward and sang a Chinese Christmas song for us! 

Then a leader in the IF named Wes, came forward to give the message.  He spoke of the silent 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament and explained that they were anything BUT silent!!!

NOTES FROM HIS MESSAGE:

    · 586 BC Jerusalem destroyed
    · The Captivity - the ministry of Ezekiel and Daniel
    · Jeremiah’s message: “This is NOT the end of your story!”
    · King Cyrus and King Darius have their hearts changed by God and are used to         advance His purposes!
    · The Return to Jerusalem!
    · Judaism changed:
        Synagogues became the center of religious life.
        The Old Testament was canonized.
        The rise of rabbi’s – Gamaliel.
        The rise of political parties: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots.                     Pharisees accept all of the OT and believe in an afterlife. Sadducees                         accept only the first five books of the OT and don’t believe in an afterlife.
    · Wars:
        Babylon over Judah
        Persia over Babylon
        Greeks over Persia
        Romans over Greeks

Then a group of Africans came forward and sang a traditional Christmas song in Swahili.  Then a German woman played the piano to accompany her young, teenaged son playing the trumpet (we thought of our nephew, Sam). 

One of the things I love about worshipping with the Africans is the way they give a high-pitched yell when something makes them happy!  The rest of us applaud;  but these women give this joyful, high-pitched wail!  I LOVE IT!

Mimmie gave two PowerPoint presentations:

1.      The first was on the differences between a secular celebration of Christmas and a Christian celebration (she had used this with her students)!

2.      The second talked about the two gifts that God gave at Christmas:  His Son and Eternal Life (John 3:16).

We ended the morning singing a number of Christmas songs together.  The Africans helped us with our hand-clapping!  Several people bring tambourines and add to the joyful expression also.  Some of the people enjoy dancing as a part of their expression of worship!  Together, it is all beautiful and very joyful!

Following worship we just missed the 149 bus and ended up waiting a long time.  Mimmie went by and invited us to a church dinner at a nearby restaurant.  We had not registered for this meal, but she included us anyway!  It was an absolute joy!  I sat beside Frank’s mother.  We gathered in two banquet rooms around large round tables (about fifteen at the table).  Typical Chinese format:  round lazy Susan with many entrees.  The conversation was fascinating!  We were privileged to have a group of German women at our table.  One had been raised in East Berlin.  She spoke of the severe conditions of her childhood the constant fear that they lived under.  She told of trucks arriving with a load of bananas;  each person was given one banana.  She also told of going to a store and waiting in a long line to get a banana.  Then she would go to another store and wait again to get another banana.  And on and on till at the end of the day, she would have eight bananas to take home to her mother!

The other woman spoke of crossing into East Berlin to visit with family.  She talked of the constant fear that they would not be allowed to return to West Berlin!  She spoke of the intimidation of the East German soldiers and the constant fear until they would finally return home!  These are glimpses that we’ve never had before.  They dominated the conversation – and we were delighted to listen.  We felt that we had nothing to contribute to this conversation!  We listened in rapt attention! 

All of these people have been here for ten to fifteen years.  They are here because of their love for Jesus and their love for the Chinese people!  They are bold and courageous people of faith!  We are honored to spend time with them.

Debbie sat beside Francois and Mimmie.  He told of having a large family farm in South Africa.  Francois is a direct descendent of the French Huguenots.  About twelve years ago they felt God’s call to come to China.  They figured they would auction the farm and all their belongings and have significant wealth to subsidize their venture.  Unfortunately, at the auction things went for very low prices.  Then the government stepped in and claimed the family farm.  The government has never paid them a cent for the farm [This sounds like news reports from 2025].  They were immediately in financial crisis upon arriving in China.  They spoke of God’s amazing provision every step of the way.  They are passionate leaders who serve as the pastors of the International Fellowship.  They are Spirit-filled servants who love everyone that God puts in front of them!  They give sacrificially of everything they have to advance God’s Kingdom purposes!  They’re the kind of people that you just want to hang out with all the time!  We love them!  We feel privileged to have met them.  He asked me if I would speak at the IF and Quanping [another location] a few times this winter.  Of course I agreed to.

We are SO GRATEFUL that God gave us this three-year opportunity. Our lives have been so enriched by these experiences.