By Bill Brettschneider. March 19, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Each Tuesday morning, the Men's Connection meets at Chetola Mountain Resort, Blowing Rock, for breakfast (7:30 am), fellowship and Bible study. Blowing Rock News is pleased to share these weekly meditations, by discussion leader Bill Brettschneider.

Meditations

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

We know, though will often not heed, Isaiah 55:8-9, as the Lord speaks –

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “

So it was this week that we had the opportunity to set aside our ways and thoughts and engage with God’s agenda for our morning.  While not “following our script,” we were blessed by a time of sharing and reflection on the presence, purpose and power of God in our lives.

One of our group recently returned from an outreach visit to a large, urban center in New England.  Acting on behalf of a start-up church, the mission team distributed granola bars and gum along with an invitation – to the beginning services of the new church.  Not only was God faithful to provide specific divine appointments with individuals honestly seeking spiritual truth, He has also been faithful to the Pastor of the new church by providing both employment in the community as well as strong community support both logistically and financially.

Not that the church or the mission team intended to “plunder” the city, yet the favor shown so far echoes the experience of the nation of Israel as they were on the threshold of leaving Egypt – the doorstep of their “exodus” from slavery -

The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36)

It appears that the Lord has made some of the local population “favorably disposed toward” the new church.  What a great encouragement for those who labor in the mission field that is urban America!  Continue to pray for that favor to bless the efforts of those seeking to win the world for Christ.

The question of evil in the world under the control of a “good” God can be a challenging one.  A cursory look at current events amply reinforces the presence of evil, often seemingly visited upon some with little justification.  While we did not nor cannot address all the ramifications of this issue, we did have the opportunity to hear a reading that provided some perspective.  Even as “cold” is really the absence of heat, and “darkness” is the absence of light, consider that “evil” is the absence of good.  Romans 1:18-32 well-describes the outgrowth of the absence of good, with Romans 1:25 highlighting –

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

As the world around us progressively manifests greater evil day by day,

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17)

“Strengthened in every good deed and word” – as you have sought this encouragement, have you ever found yourself questioning how God could use YOU?  We all know the dark recesses of our hearts and the transgressions in our lives that seemingly disqualify us for the “good” that God desires. Yet, take heart -

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

(Lamentations 3:19-24)

Near the beginning of our study this season we looked at the genealogy of Jesus and encountered in the lineage several names of people about whom we might ask, “What is that person doing there?”  To name but a few of the “flawed” people in history in whose lives God has worked for His purposes –

Abraham  - who jeopardized his wife by his lying designed to protect himself; Judah - who slept with his daughter-in-law Tamar; Rahab – who was a harlot; David – who committed adultery and then murder in an attempt to disguise his transgression; Manasseh and Amon who “did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”  Consider also Saul who assaulted to death those with whom he disagreed and Peter who went through his season of denial and cowardice.

As we realize the providence of God in the lives of each of these, we can be encouraged as we review the foolish and unwise choices we have made in our lives.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are. (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

Our lives have purpose which we can come to know as we make ourselves available. Not because of what we have done but because of what He did; not because of who we are but because of who He is.  Jesus – the hope of the world!

Even youths grow tired and weary, 
and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the LORD 
will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:30-31)

All this said, “Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 3:14)

Future Opportunities –

For those who like to “plan ahead”, please note on your calendar the following events:

Sunday, April 3 – 2:00 PM

Chetola Resort – Evergreen Conference Room

Dr. Fazale Rana, Executive Vice-President of Reason to Believe Ministries

A free lecture – “Are all Scientists Atheists?”

Sponsored by Chetola and the ASU chapter of Ratio Christi

Tuesday, April 5 – 7:30 AM

Chetola Resort – Breakfast Meeting Room

Pastor Steve Fenchel, Chosen People Ministries – Brooklyn, NY

Pastor Steve will present a view of the Passover Celebration – the symbols and significance that point to Jesus – Yeshua the Messiah

Join us this coming week as we continue with the Person of Jesus: His Dual Nature.  Be sure to bring your Bible as we “travel” through Scripture drawing connections between the Old and New Testaments – the Word of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  We look forward to seeing you Tuesday March 22, 2011. . . and bring a friend!

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