“When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the Lord their God—everything the Lord had sent him to tell them—Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, ‘You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.’
So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah. Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers led away all the remnant of Judah who had come back to live in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered. They also led away all those whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan—the men, the women, the children and the king’s daughters. And they took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah along with them. So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord and went as far as Tahpanhes.” (Jeremiah 43:1-7 NIV)
The prophet Jeremiah had a thankless job. He was caught between God’s calling on his life to be a voice of judgment and to call God’s people to repentance, and a people (his people) whose hearts were hardened and determined to go their own way. He kept warning and they kept refusing to change their ways.
We pick up the story with Jeremiah assuring the people, after they asked what God wanted them to do, that they are to go into exile in Babylon where they will be safe and cared for. It seemed like nonsense to them, to place themselves in the hands of their enemy, and they rejected it out of hand. Instead, in defiance they headed to Egypt. And Jeremiah resolutely followed.
Why would a man whose counsel had been repeatedly ignored, who had been ridiculed and scorned, continue to stick by such a stubborn, hardhearted people? Could it be not only due to his calling, but also to his love? These were not just any people; they were his people. Like the father of the lost son, and the woman searching for the lost coin, he was not going to give up. They were just too valuable and his love was too deep.
In my years of ministry, I have been tempted many times (and, sadly, have on a few occasions) to wash my hands of people who insist on doing life their way rather than the Lord’s way. Though they have sought to hear the Lord’s counsel, when it was not what they wanted to hear, they ignored it. I think I have some sense of Jeremiah’s frustration, and continue to learn how to have his faithfulness in loving people in spite of their hardheartedness, to continue to walk the road with them rather than abandon them. Hope wins out over exasperation.
Are there people in your life who steadfastly refuse to humble themselves before the Lord and change their ways? Are you tempted to wash your hands of them? Then today let the example of Jeremiah inspire you. Don’t give up. Keep walking the road with them. Though rebellious, they are still people created and loved by God. And your presence could one day convince them of that.
© Jim Musser 2015
(Author's Note: The campus is taking a break for Thanksgiving and so will I. Have a blessed holiday! WftW will return on November 30th. Jim)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Thankfulness is something that has to be practiced in order to become good at it. That is why I think there is so much awkwardness around the table during Thanksgiving when we’re asked what we are thankful for. There are often impolite giggles, awkward silences, shallow responses such as, “I’m thankful for this food; now let’s eat it!” or general comments, such as “I’m thankful to live in this country.” Or, nothing is said. We just eat, talk, and carry out the traditions of the day. When it comes to being thankful, most of us are lowly amateurs.
Think about it. How often do you express thanks to God or to others for what you have in your life—your possessions, your opportunities, such as having a job or getting an education? How often do you give thanks for your family—your parents, even with all their imperfections, who still provided for you, or your siblings, even when they sometimes frustrate you? And are you able to offer thanks when your circumstances are less than ideal as Paul exhorts us to do?
Being thankful is a discipline; it does not come naturally to us. We have to practice it to become adept at it. So my challenge to you is to start practicing thankfulness by making a list of the many things for which are (or can be) thankful. To help you get started, here are some of mine:
I am thankful for:
*Jesus Christ, who sought me out when I was lost and loved me, who removed my guilt and my shame, giving me meaning, hope and purpose in my life.
*My wife, who daily exemplifies for me the love of God. She loves me unconditionally, but continually encourages me to become more and more like Jesus.
*Our home which provides me shelter from the elements and the opportunity to use our gift of hospitality
*My ministry to which God called me so many years ago, which I continue to enjoy, and through which I have been richly blessed.
*The food in our pantry and refrigerator, and the clothes in my closet.
*Our vehicles which, though old, still run well and come without car payments.
*Our friends, locally and around the country, who love us and give us the gift of fellowship.
*Our financial supporters who have given faithfully and generously over many years.
*The beauty of our surroundings, for the mountains and the rivers, for the variety of birds that come every day to visit our feeders.
*For the weather, whatever it is, for the Lord uses it for His glory.
Like fresh water being poured into a glass of dirty water, the discipline of thankfulness can flush out the negative thoughts and attitudes of our lives. It can enhance our appreciation of what we do have and tamp down our discontent for what we feel we are lacking. Thankfulness is what helps make it possible to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
So today, start practicing. Then when you are asked, “what are you thankful for?” you will have no awkwardness or hesitancy in answering. Your constant practice will pay off.
© Jim Musser 2015
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’
He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Matthew 12:46-50 NIV)
As the beginning of the holiday season approaches, along with the excitement of reuniting with family comes for some a sense of dread. The holidays often require us to spend time with people we really don’t like that much, or in the case of believers, people who do not share our faith and perhaps think of us as weird and out of touch with reality. The truth is the holiday season is often very different from the fantasies of the Hallmark Channel.
I remember going home for the holidays after my conversion early in college. Because I had become “really religious,” it was assumed I should offer up the prayer for the meals. Yet, at that time, my family did not understand the true nature of what had happened to me. Conversations were often awkward because my priorities had changed. And, in my immaturity, I often said things that were disrespectful of their nominal beliefs, which sometimes created more tension than love between us. Most of the time, I couldn’t wait to return to my Christian family back at school.
As I grew older and more mature, I began to realize why it often is so hard as a believer to go home to family who do not share your faith. For 18+ years, you live and develop intimate relationships with individuals. Personalities and interests may vary widely, but family bonds are strong. There are expectations, both internal and external, of what these relationships are supposed to look like, between you and your parents and with your siblings. But, as Jesus warned us, faith in Him can dramatically impact those relationships. If our families don’t accept what we believe and the often-dramatic changes in our lives, then our families can begin to feel more like strangers, and fellow believers more like our real family. And that is a very difficult adjustment to make and accept. For me, it resulted in anger and resentment, not necessarily helpful emotions in maintaining good relationships.
So I had to learn to practice love as Paul defines it, and not expect to be loved in the same way or even to be understood. That approach, over time, worked well for both my family and me. I was increasingly able to treat them kindly and to be patient when they didn’t understand my faith and all the things it had led me to do in my life. And I want to think that played some role in most of my family over time choosing to follow Jesus just as I had.
So today, if you are one who is not looking forward that much to reuniting with your family for the holidays, lower your expectations of what you will experience with them. When you choose to follow Jesus, as He said, your brothers and sisters in the Lord are your real family and your biological family may not be able to give you the same acceptance and love. But by loving them with the love of Jesus, you are creating the opportunity for them to become part of your spiritual family as well.
© Jim Musser 2015
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV)
I received a friend request from “Catherine” earlier this week. Thinking she was a student in our ministry, I clicked to look at her profile to see if I recognized her. Quickly, I realized I didn’t know her and didn’t want to. In her profile pic, “Catherine” was seductively looking at me in a pose that could have been from a Playboy centerfold. The battle was on.
I was tempted to accept her friend request and access her other pictures, but instead I clicked the “report this person” button. But that image got stuck in my mind. And throughout the day, I had to take it captive and give it over to Jesus, and not let it take control. It wasn’t easy and there were a couple of times that I foolishly sought to see if the profile had been blocked, only to be faced with the same picture. The enemy was trying to drag me into a swamp of lust, but even in the midst of my weakness, divine power won out. Eventually, the thought became powerless.
We live in the midst of a spiritual battlefield and at any moment we may find ourselves in a battle. We must be ready to fight. Yet, if we attempt to fight with our own strength, we will inevitably fail. Trying harder to avoid lashing out in anger, or trying harder not to give into lust, or trying harder to avoid gossiping is doomed to failure, because we are relying on our strength or ability to do it. That’s the world’s approach—just try harder to be a better person.
The message of the Gospel is that we cannot save ourselves; we cannot transform ourselves. Only God can do that. So, too, when we face temptation. We need the power of God to help us overcome it. Taking a thought captive, whether it be one of anger, lust, or something else contrary to the will of God, means handing it over to Him. Literally, “Jesus, take this from me!” That’s what I did with the picture of “Catherine.” “Jesus, take this. It is sin and I do not want it in my mind.” And He took it. But then it came back into my mind and I immediately gave it over to Him again. That sequence occurred several times throughout the day, but, as James 4:7 promises, I continued to resist and the devil eventually fled.
Today, recognize you are entering a spiritual battlefield on which you are a target for attack. Therefore, be ready to cry out to Jesus to take control of whatever temptation comes your way. You may not have the strength to overcome it, but He does.
© Jim Musser 2015
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31 NIV)
I remember the fear that permeated this nation after the attacks of 9/11, so I can imagine the fear in France and all of Europe right now. And, of course, the terrorists want to stoke that fear, for it is what gives them power. That is why they have declared they are “coming after” Washington, London, and other major cities of the world. They want to paralyze us and turn us against one another because that is what fear tends to do. And followers of Jesus are not immune to fear; thus, His words of encouragement to His disciples.
It is difficult to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to do to others what we would have them do to us if we are afraid. Rather, we will tend to avoid them, hate them, or go on the attack in order to protect ourselves. Fear keeps us from doing what the Lord commands us to do.
We live in a culture that puts safety above all else. We pray for safety. We are told to be safe. We are encouraged to seek “safe spaces.” In other words, the encouragement and incentives given us are to live risk-free lives, to protect ourselves at all costs. And in an ever-dangerous world, this attitude leads to a shrinking back from life and engagement with people, making it virtually impossible to live the lives Jesus tells us to lead.
What’s interesting about Jesus’ encouragement is He does not promise safety if we will trust Him. In fact, all His original disciples except Judas and John were put to death as a direct result of their faith. No, what He is promising is the assurance our Heavenly Father loves us and, thus, will take care of us. However, this refers to our place in Eternity, not necessarily our safety on earth.
In order to serve the Lord to the fullest, we must stop clinging to our lives and to our personal safety. We must stop being afraid and go where He leads us and do what He commands us, regardless of the risk to our comfort or safety. The reality is following Jesus is risky.
Today, do not be afraid of what might happen to you if you do this or that, or if others follow through with their threats. Your soul is much more important than your physical life and it is nurtured by being obedient to your Lord who was willing to suffer in order to love people and calls you to follow in His steps.
© Jim Musser 2015
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
It would seem that most of us who follow Jesus often forget these words. Why else would we be surprised, and often disillusioned, when trouble comes into our lives? I recently talked with a student who had a lot of “why me” questions. Events in her life have shaken her faith.
My wife and I were having lunch with some friends the other day and we were talking about how the New Testament writers, with only one exception, never wrote or prayed about being shielded from trouble, but rather how to thrive in the midst of it. Paul praying for the “thorn” to be removed (II Corinthians 12:8-10) was the one exception, and the Lord told him no, that His grace was sufficient for him and that His power was made perfect in weakness.
James says that we should “count it pure joy” when trouble comes into our lives because it develops within us perseverance. (James 1:2-4) Peter says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (I Peter 4:12-13)
The reality is we live in a fallen world controlled currently by the Enemy. Trouble is his game. None of us are immune or exempt, even if we are followers of Jesus. He, too, experienced much trouble during His life. The promise we have been given, however, is that through Jesus we can overcome whatever trouble we encounter in our lives.
Today, as James and Peter exhort us, embrace trouble as an opportunity to share in the experience of Jesus. It was not easy for Him, nor will it be for you, but take heart, He overcame what the world threw at Him. And if you are following Him, you can as well.
© Jim Musser 2015
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV)
Years ago, J.B. Phillips wrote an excellent book called, Your God Is Too Small. In it he addresses the typical views people have of God. They are typically one-dimensional and fail to grasp the sheer enormity of God.
As human beings, one of our greatest temptations is to shrink God down to our size, to thrust limits on Him that more reflect the boundaries of our own abilities. Each year in our ministry we take an overseas mission trip for which the cost can be up to several thousand dollars for each student. There are always students who choose not to go because of the cost. Their thinking is they don’t have that kind of money to spend and they don’t believe God will provide it. Yet, every year every student who commits to the trip experiences God’s provision. We’ve never had to leave a student behind for lack of money.
I remember several years ago when my wife and I had to make an emergency trip to South Africa. We did not have the nearly $4000 for the flights, yet I felt led only to ask for prayers for my ailing in-laws, not for money. The Lord wanted to show us how big He was. Within hours of sending an email, offers and commitments to send money were coming in. By the time the bill came due, we had received all the money we needed.
How often we limit God when He is in fact limitless. Paul’s powerful prayer is aimed at getting us to grasp how big God really is and to begin living that way. Is the Lord calling you to do something you believe improbable if not impossible? He is big enough to make it happen. Do you have a need you know you cannot meet? God is big enough to meet it. Do you know someone whom you are ready to give up on ever becoming a follower of Jesus? Keep praying because God can do more in a person’s heart than you can ever imagine.
Today, make Paul’s prayer your own. Pray to grasp how big God truly is. When you can, you will be amazed at what He does.
© Jim Musser 2015
