Saturday, November 21, 2009

Growing older is inevitable, growing up is a choice

Whether we are thinking of "growing up" in a natural family, or a spiritual family, whether it is in the life of a man or a woman, the bible teaches that a maturing process is necessary to transition from being a child to becoming a son (a mature adolescent) to being a father (a mature productive adult). I wish to focus upon the spiritual family that we know as the Church.
1. New Testament believers are called children (Gr. teknon) of God (John 1:12).
2. All New Testament believers can become sons (Gr. huios) of God (Galatians 3:26-28), but like natural children, each must pass through a maturing process en route to becoming mature sons.
3. The preceding process is preparation for a productive life so that we may be involved in bringing others into God's family. However, to fail to participate in the process of maturing, we will remain immature, and not become fruitful, even though chosen for that purpose (John 15:16).

God arranges various situations in our lives to reveal our immaturity, just as he did in the developing life of Jesus. God chooses to reveal our immaturity in bite sized increments. Furthermore, God chooses to do so at a time when we can have an opportunity to do something about the revealed immaturity. There is a principle given in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and the principle is this, that when we are faced with temptation, God will make a way of escape. Let's apply the principle: When we receive a revelation of our immaturity, the temptation will be to refuse the way of escape and continue in the comfort zone of our immaturity.

However, there is a better alternative than continuing in our immaturity! God holds that alternative! Since God chooses the time to reveal our immaturity, He also chooses the coming of a person into our lives to which we can submit, and thereby escape our immaturity. The revelation of our immaturity, and the presence of a person to whom we can submit is God's provision for us to take a further step of growth into maturity. This is exactly what transpired in the life of Jesus at 12 years of age (Luke 2:41-52). He accepted the revelation of his immaturity, and took the way of escape out of his immaturity by submitting to Mary and Joseph and returned to Nazareth with them. According to Luke 2:52, as a result of Jesus submission, he grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man.

Obviously, from the life of Jesus, it was not a sin to be immature. But if we refuse to submit to that which God has arranged for our development, we commit a sin of disobedience, and we fail to move on to the next level of maturity (2 Peter 1:3-11). Based on verse 3 of this scripture, maturity is equated with godliness. However, many of us are satisfied to receive life, and thus escape hell. We fail to grow into maturity, and while we escape hell, in our immaturity we raise a lot of frustration in the lives of those we connect to in the Body of Christ!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Experiences and Relationships of Life

I came to pastor in the city of Prince George in November of 1978. I have a very deep appreciation to God for the experiences and the relationships that have come into mly life during these past thirty years plus! In fact as I think back over the past fifty-seven years of pastoral ministry in six different regions of North America, I am so thankiful to God for the great variety ofpeople who have brought such positive experiences into my life, resulting in deepening relationships with God and man!

I am amazed at the noted individuals that God has allowed me to meet over these many years, let me just name two such individuals, E. Stanley Jones, and Paul S. Rees. When I was a very young pastor pioneering a newly planted church in the city of Winnipeg, I was invited by a friend to attend a small group meeting in the YWCA being addressed by a guest speaker, E. Stanley Jones. I had never heard of the speaker, but that night I was to experience a touch of the Holy Spirit through Jones, that would ultimately lead me to read most of the writings of this noted author and missionary.

After nine years in Winnipeg, my wife, Glenna and I accepted an invitation to pastor in Omaha, Nebraska. It was in that city that I attended a pastoral leadership meeting at which Paul S. Rees was guest speaker. He too was an author who was to bring enrichment to my spiritual life by his writings.

Interestingly enough, this week (January, 2007) as I was looking through some of the books on my library shelf, I found a magazine article written about E. Stanley Jones by Paul S. Rees. The article was entitled, "Drenched with Christ." Let me share certain noteworthy highlights from this article by Paul S. Rees: "At the General Conference of the Methodist Church in 1924, E. Stanley Jones was elected as bishop and was within hours of his consecration." "I (Paul S. Rees) heard him tell about the sleepless night he spent after his election. He said that in the night the Inner Voice had spoken to him, saying, 'Stanley, if you will decline this honor, I'll let you walk with me through Asia.' It was enough, he declined the bishop's chair. The Inner Voice proved right. Not Asia only, but the world!"

"Stanley Jones was a man of the people---all the people, all denominations, all classes, all colors." "Stanley Jonses was a man of prayer. He wrote, 'I find myself better or worse as I pray more or less.'" "Stanley Jones was a man of passion---not boisterous and bossy, but controlled and compelling. His passion was Christ!"

What is the significance of these brief encounters that I had with E. Stanley Jones and Paul S. Rees? Can I say that I know these men, or that I have a personal relationship with these men? No, but I did have a spiritual experience by these brief encounters, and these experiences eventually resulted in a deepening of my spiritual relationships both with God and man! Personally, I believe that these experiences were a means of bringing improvement in my relationship to God and man because of the priority that I placed upon relationship over experience.

I have often said the following to young people: When I began a courtship with a young lady, named Glenna about 58 years ago, I did so, not to have a romantic experience, but to explore as to whether there was the possibility of a lasting (marital) relationship. Glenna and I came into agreement that the necessary character qualities for a life long relationship were present in each of our lives, and upon that basis we committed ourselves to God and each other in a marriage relationship that has spanned fifty-seven years, as of July, 2009.

May I encourage you to share in experiences that will lead you to committed relationships!

THE CONTAGION OF FEAR by Arlo A. Johnson

The physical disasters of 9/11 and following (including the World Health Organization's declaration that the H1N1 flu is a pandemic) has resulted in a second and greater pandemic: the pandemic of fear.

A website dictionary describes 'pandemic' (adjective) to include both "a disease prevalent throughout ... the whole world, and universal fear." It seems obvious to a great many of us that the pandemic fear is now worse than the pandemic disease.

Jesus in Luke 21:25-26; 28 spoke of conditions that would begin to occur upon the earth at a future time: "On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world ..." Consistently in the bible, the expression, "the roaring and the tossing of the sea" is a symbol of the war-like conditions that exist among the masses of humanity. Isaiah 57:20 niv states: "But the wicked are like the tossing of the sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud."

As we consider the present "pandemic of disease and fear," there are two words of particular significance, the words are pandemonium and panic. 1. Pandemonium is described by my Oxford dictionary as "the abode of all demons; a place of lawless violence and uproar; utter confusion." As we view the disastrous conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza Strip etc., would one not say that these are places of pandemonium?

2. Panic, again according to the Oxford dictionary, is: "of terror, unreasoning, excessive; excessively hasty through fear; an infectious fright; sudden alarm leading to hasty measures." So many of the foregoing words describe the fear that is being expressed in the media today.

The words, pandemonium, and panic have a common root, and it is "pan." Pan as a part of these two words, is not referring to the whole of a country, or world, as in the case of the word, pandemic. Wikipedia states concerning the word, panic: "The word panic is derived from a Greek word pertaining to the god of woods and fields who was the source of mysterious sounds that caused contagious, groundless fear in herds and crowds, or in people in lonely spots." As Christian believers, we know that such ancient gods were and are demonic spirits. Pan is a demonic spirit.

In my twelve tours of Israel, I have visited Mount Hermon at the northern border of Israel frequently! During the past twenty-four years a massive geological dig has been taking place at the foot of Mount Hermon. The excavations have unearthed a heathen temple that was built to the demonic god known as Pan. It was to this location (also known as Caesarea Philippi) that Jesus brought his disciples, and while there, he asked them this question: "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13).

In Matthew 16:16, Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In verse 18, Jesus said, "And I tell you, that you are Peter (petros, a little stone), and on this rock (petra, a massive rock) I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." In verses 21-23, as Jesus spoke of a conflict that would result in his crucifixion, I believe a wave of fear from god Pan overcame Peter. As a result of that fear in Peter's thoughts, he began to rebuke Jesus. One of the common responses of fear is the desire to take control so as to prevent the fear creating event from occurring. This is exactly what Peter did on that occasion. Immediately, Jesus turning to Peter said, 'Get behind me, Satan.'

There were two voices in conflict that day in Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mount Hermon --- one was the voice of Jesus, and the other was the voice of Satan. Both of these voices are still being heard in our world today! One voice is aligned with the kingdom of darkness, and if listened to, will result in fear. The other voice is aligned with the kingdom of God, and if listened to will result in faith. "God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' (Hebrews 13:5-6).

We are not helpless victims in a troubled world! But we are faced with choices! I choose to listen to the voice that speaks words that will result in faith, and by doing so, I reject the words that result in fear! WHAT CHOICE ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE?

Sunday, June 14, 2009

First Jesus formed a family of 12 followers

An Overview Exposition of Ephesians 3:14-21
1. Verses 14-15 The Father's family in heaven was a model for mankind on earth to follow. Matthew 6:9-10 contains these significant words, "Our Father in heaven; Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Initially, the New Testament era opened with light from heaven - Luke 2:8-14; and continued to release light from heaven on such men as Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus to persecute the Church - Acts 9:3-5. This heavenly light brought an understandable message to Saul in his own Hebrew language according to Acts 26:14.

2. Verse 16 speaks of heaven as a storehouse that contains all that man upon earth needs! (Philippians 4:19).

3. The heavenly provision supplies: a) Verse 17a -Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks of faith as a gift of God). b) Verse 17b-19 - Love (Romans 5:5 states that God's love fills our hearts). c) Verse 20-21 speaks of God who brings hope into our lives. 1 Corinthians 13:13 "Now abideth faith, hope and love..." But man, by his sin, and its accompanying darkness, was cut off from the light of heaven's faith, hope and love. So Jesus came to import the light of heaven, and become the light of the world. He came for two primary reasons: 1) To reveal the heavenly Father to mankind! 2) He came to die on the cross to provide forgiveness so that mankind might be reconciled to God, and the re-formation of the family of God might take place upon earth, parallel to the family of God in heaven.

So the first major accomplishment of Jesus was to gather twelve men around him as his disciples (learners). These twelve became a family to whom he would reveal his heavenly Father as their potential father. This group would become a prototype.

What is a prototype? The dictionary states: "A prototype is an original thing; a trial model; a preliminary version; especially of aeroplane." Now with this understanding of a prototype, let's apply it to this family of twelve disciples and Jesus. Jesus wanted to form an earthly family that would break from carnal, earthly values as a primary source of life for his followers, and connect relationally with his Father in the heavenly kingdom so that his earthly family would parallel the family in heaven.

A prototype is a temporary model for the ultimate formation of that which will fulfill the purpose of the designer or creator! Since the prototype is temporary, we must leave the prototype behind to gain the ultimate purpose of the prototype! In John 13:31-38 Jesus announced the break-up of the prototype that he had been working on for over three years. He did this so that he migh move on to the purpose for which the prototype was formed, namely the formation of a worldwide, trans-generational family of God upon earth! That great family would be drawn from the multitudes of earth by the power of the Holy Spirit over many, many future generations! I believe that Jesus alluded to this in John 10:16 when he said, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and, there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

The twelve disciples were devestated by the words of Jesus in John 13:33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: "Where I am going, you cannot come." In response to these words, Peter asked, "Lord where are you going?" "Lord, why can't I follow you now? These are questions that were asked in a very emotional tone of voice!

These questions were addressed by Jesus, and then he continue by saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God! Trust also in me!" These are exclamatory statements! While I believe in heaven, and in the Second Coming of Christ at the end of this age, I do not believe that either of these subjects are under discussion in this passage. When Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions or rooms," he is not speaking of a material house with rooms. He is speaking of a household, or family with many abiding places for the Father's children. Jesus was going away to the cross, and by his death he would provide the means whereby sinful man could be reconciled to his Holy Father. So after his resurrection he would come again to be with his disciples, and his coming again to them is recorded in John 20:19-23 and Luke 24:36-48. It was on this occassion that the person of the Holy Spirit came into the lives of these disciples, and the full enablement of this connection came about on the Day of Pentecost as the power of the Holy Spirit was released upon them. When Jesus said that he was going away so that these followers might come into relationship with the Father, just as Jesus was in relationship with his Father (John 14:11, 23).

If you will read the following scriptures: [John 14:11; 2021, 23; 17:20-23; 7:17; 10:27; 8:27-29; 15:9-15; 14:12], you will discover four basic qualities present in the model of the family in heaven. These qualities are love, unity, obedience, and revelation. Each one of these qualities contain a very powerful message! But let me conclude by saying that if we love the Father, we will be obedient to his command, and we will walk in unity with other members of the Father's family! Furthermore, as our Father sees our love and obedience to him, and our unity with fellow family members, he will release a revelation of his will to us. If we have a loving, obedient heart, our ears will be sensitive to the Father's voice, just as Jesus was sensitive to his Father's voice!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Revealing the Father and Redeeming Mankind

Jesus Christ came to earth with a dual mission assigned to him by his Father according to 2 Corinthians 5:19, "that God was in Christ (revealing the Father), reconciling the world unto himself (through the redemption accomplished by his death on the cross)."

Let's consider this dual mission: 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 contains a contrast between instructors, or guardians, and spiritual fathers. Paul was a spiritual father to the people of the Corinthian church, in that he founded that church at Corinth.

There are two significant works of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believing one. First, there is a spiritual birth into God's family by believing the Word of God, and receiving of Christ as Lord. Secondly, through the nurture of spiritual fathers who model and speak the Word of God into the lives of new born believers, resulting in spiritual growth and maturity. The Greek word, TEKNON meaning, new born one, thus indicating that a new birth has occurred, while the Greek word, HUIOS (pronounced, hwee-os) meaning a mature son ready to come into a place of responsibility.

Luke 3:38 speaks of Adam as a son of God. Though Adam, at creation was a child, nevertheless it was the intention of God, the Father that Adam should be developed into a mature son capable of assuming responsibility. As Adam matured into sonship, he would be developed to father the next generation, just as God had fathered him. But Adam failed to obey God, and the succeeding generations were destroyed by the flood (Genesis 7). Then God called Noah (Genesis 9), much as he had Adam, but Noah descendants were also judged by God at Babel (Genesis 11). Then God called Abraham (Genesis 12), to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. However, the descendants of Abraham, the Israelite nation also failed, and the whole nation underwent the judgment of God at the hands of the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

At the end of the Old Testament, there is a prophetic word spoken by Malachi about the future coming of the Messiah and his forerunner, John the Baptist. The result of the forthcoming fulfillment of that prophecy "the hearts of the fathers would be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children would be turned to the fathers (Malachi 4:5-6)." So the Messiah or Christ was coming for a dual purpose, to reveal the Father, and give his life as a sacrifice for sin, so that man might be reconciled to God.

Why did the twelve disciples follow Christ? I would like to suggest that these men followed Jesus for two reasons: First, most, if not all spent time with Jesus getting to know him - read John 1-3. Second, having come to know him over a period of time, they saw father-like attributes in him that were not in their earthly fathers. In Matthew 4:18-22 Jesus began to call certain men to follow him as disciples. In Matthew 4:21-22 it is stated that James and John were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. They were not in the boat for the purpose of being with their father, they were in the boat to work in the same profession as their father was working. Work, not relationship was the reason for being in the boat.

After being with Jesus for three years, one day, Jesus told them that he was leaving them, and that they could not go with him to where he was going. These words were like a bomb-shell to them! The were shocked and very sorrowful! As you read the words that Peter spoke, it is important that you sense the emotion of his words (John 13:31-38)! Peter said, "Lord, where are you going? Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!"

Then Jesus continues (John 14:1), by saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God! Trust also in me! These last two statements are exclamatory words! In verse two, Jesus said, "In my Father's house (the Greek is a household, or a family), are many mansions (kjv), or rooms (niv) (which really are abiding places)." When we read house, mansions, or rooms, we think of material structures, such as we live in upon earth. But, that is not what Jesus meant, he was speaking of the relationship that believers would have to his Father in heaven.

In verse two, Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you." Then in verse three, he continued by saying, "And if (or since) I go and prepare a place for you:"
There are certain question and answers that come out of these words: Where was Jesus going? He was going to the cross to prepare a place of relationship between man and God! So Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that you may be where I am." Where was Jesus at that moment? According to verse 11 Jesus was in the Father, that is he was in relationship to the Father. Jesus by going to the cross was going to provide the way for believers to be in relationship with the Father. Then Jesus said, "I will come back," not as in the Second Coming at the end of the age, but after his resurrection. John 14:20 speak of a new realization that the disciples will come to on that day he returns after his resurrection. Then in John 20:19-23, and Luke 24:36-48 we read of Jesus actual return to them, and the miracle of the Spirit's impartation to them as Jesus breathed upon them, and opened their understanding! The complete measure of the release of the Spirit's power was then experienced by them on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Now let's return to John 14:6 where Jesus said that he was the way to the Father, and that way involved the sacrifice of himself on the cross as he died for the forgiveness of our sins! Then in John 14:8-9, Jesus in answer to Philip's question, stated that, "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. So in fulfillment to the prophecy of Malachi, Jesus introduced his followers to his Father, so that the hearts of the earthly fathers might turn to the children!

Each one of us need to know an intimate relationship to our heavenly Father, just as Jesus did! In John 8:28, Jesus said, "I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me." May each of us in the family of God have the same intimate communication with our Father!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Overwhelming Results of Believing God's Promise

THE PROMISE: Genesis 12:2 is the initial promise, given by God to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” The statement of God’s promise to Abram is given in a decisive and convincing manner! God’s statement, leaves us with a sense that the promise is a “done deal!” Observe the description of the God in Romans 4:17, who gave this promise to Abraham, He is “the God who gives life to the dead, and calls things that are not as though they were.” The Expanded Translation states it this way: "... God who makes alive those who are dead, and calls the things that are not in existence as being in existence." However, the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abram was a process that would be worked out over a considerable length of time.

THE PROCESS: The very meaning of Abram’s name is significant as this process begins. It is as if God highlights the beginning, and the ultimate goal of this process through his name, and the changing of his name. His name, Abram, means “exalted father.” If the promise to Abram of being made into a great nation is to be fulfilled, Abram must first become a father. As God looks forward to the fulfillment of His promise, He sees this man positioned as a father. But a husband cannot become a father without a wife becoming a mother! The first roadblock to Abram becoming a father is recorded in Genesis 11:30 where it states that Abram’s wife Sarai (Sarah) was barren, hence Abram and Sarai could not have children. Obviously, if Abram and Sarai are to become “a great nation,” they must begin a family by the birthing of a child, and if this was to occur, change must come into their physical bodies. It seems to me that this great need for change in their bodies was symbolized by the changing of their names in Genesis 17. In Genesis 17:5, God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, from “exalted father” to “a father of many nations.” The changing of his name moves him from a position as “exalted father,” to ultimately becoming “a father of many nations.” In Genesis 17:15-16, Sarai’s name is changed to Sarah. Then God said, “She will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her.” So the changing of the names of Abraham and Sarah was a part of the process by which they would move toward receiving the fulfillment of God’s promise given to them.

THE PURPOSE IN DELAY: The years passed, but what seemed to be a needless delay, was not without purpose! Abraham and Sarah still did not have a child, and without the birthing of a family, there would not be the birthing of a nation, or nations! All this time, Sarah continues in a barren state. In fact, God waited so long in bringing about the preparations for the birth of Isaac, that the time comes when both Abraham and Sarah’s bodies pass the time of physical seed bearing! Romans 4:19 states that, Abraham “faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old---and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” In fact Sarah’s womb was doubly dead, first it was dead because of the life long barrenness, and secondly it was dead because she had passed the time of life when child-bearing was a possibility. We often hear people say that things are going from bad to worse! This was certainly true in this case of Abraham and Sarah. But God allowed Abraham and Sarah to come to the point, where it was humanly impossible to give birth to a child! God’s purpose in the delay was that He might be glorified in bringing forth a miracle birth by His power alone!

THE PERSEVERANCE OF FAITH: Romans 4:3 states that “Abraham believed God.” Certainly, Abraham was aware of the physical conditions that existed in their bodies. In Romans 4:19 (kjv), we have this statement: Abraham “considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” That was not his focus! The problem is never the focus of faith! Faith focuses on the possible solution! Abraham focused his faith on God and His promise! When one focuses on God and His promise, rather than on the circumstances, according Romans 10:17 there is an impartation of faith, for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. For this reason, “Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:20-21). The promise of God, and the perseverance of Abraham’s faith, lead him to praise God for the ultimate fulfillment of the promise!

THE PRESENCE OF GOD brought an assurance of faith: In Genesis 18:1-22 we have a theophany, the appearance of God in a human body, accompanied by two angels who appeared as men. Verse one speaks of the appearance of the LORD (Jehovah) to Abraham at Mamre. Verse two states that as Abraham looked up he saw three men standing nearby and he went to meet them. In verses three to eight we have a demonstration of Abraham’s hospitality to these visitors. In verse nine, these visitors inquired about Sarah, to which Abraham replied, “She is in the tent.” Then in verse ten, the LORD said, “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life, and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” (King James Version). These prophetic words of the LORD, predicted that a change was coming, and obviously the change of which God had spoken, would include both Abraham and Sarah. In verse twelve, Sarah, though unbelieving, understood that God included her as well as Abraham in the predicted change. God, in addressing the unbelief of Sarah, asked, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” Then God restates the prediction again in verse fourteen.

In verse sixteen, we are told that the men rose up, and looked toward Sodom, and “Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.” Then in verse seventeen to twenty-one, we are told the very thoughts that were in the mind of the LORD. In verse twenty-two we are told that the men went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.” Genesis 23:1 informs us that “two angels came to Sodom” in the evening. Obviously, the men that went toward Sodom (Genesis 18:22) were two in number, and according to Genesis 23:1, they were angels. The reason that we conclude that the men were two in number, is because Abraham stood yet before the LORD (who had appeared in a theophany). In verses twenty-three to thirty-two, we have the record of an extended conversation between the LORD and Abraham concerning the possible destruction of Sodom. Finally in verse thirty-three we read: “When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.”

THE PROBLEM of the manifestation of fear while the work of faith was in process: This is a very common occurrence in the lives of believers as they wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises! Genesis 20:1-17 is the story of Abraham’s re-location from Mamre, near Hebron in Israel to Gerar, just north of the border of Egypt. Abimelech was the king of Gerar. As Abraham was coming to that location, fear came into his mind, and in his human reasoning he devised a plan for his encounter with Abimelech. So he planned to say to Abimselech concerning Sarah, “She is my sister.” As a result of misinformation received by Abimelech, he took Sarah into his harem (the woman’s part of a Muslim dwelling-house). God came to Abimelech in a dream, and he became aware of the fact that Sarah was a married woman (20:3). Abimelech spoke with God stating the reason for the presence of Sarah in his harem (20:4-5). God then instructed Abimelech as to that which he was to do to preserve his life (20:6-7). Then Abimelech met with Abraham to ask certain significant questions of him, “What was your reason for doing this? (That is, why did you say that Sarah was your sister?). Abraham spoke to Abimelech of his fear that he would be killed so that Sarah could be taken and become the wife of another man.

PUZZLING PERPLEXITY: Why would Abimelech want a ninety year old woman in his harem? Were there not many younger, beautiful women available to the king? The reason is very simple, Sarah had undergone a great change in her physical body by the power of the LORD! She didn’t look like a ninety year old woman! Why? Because God had returned to her “the time of life” when she would be able to bear children, consequently, she appeared much, much younger than she actually was!

THE PROMISE is finally fulfilled: Genesis 21:1-3 records that Sarah conceived and bore a son, and they named him Isaac. Then Genesis 23:1-2 records the death of Sarah. Following the death of Sarah, Abraham was married to Keturah, and she bore him six children (Genesis 25:1-2). This further verifies that God returned to Abraham, as well as Sarah, “the time of life,” so that Abraham could continue to bare children!

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of this historical miracle: There are several ways in which this miraculous event is significant to us!
First, God has such great power and ability, He can do anything, nevertheless, God in His sovereignty, often follows a combination of natural and supernatural channels to fulfill His promises. God could have just created a baby in the womb of Sarah, apart from Abraham. But He didn’t, He restored the means of natural child birth in the bodies of Abraham and Sarah, hence Isaac was born. This gives us a reason to believe in the involvement of the Medical Profession to assist in bringing about the healing of a sick person. However, we must never forget that the ultimate healer is God!
Secondly, if God can restore the physical organs of a human body as in the case of Abraham and Sarah, can we not believe that God can restore spiritual life to an individual that has been severely damaged by sin? Think of the woman in John 8 to whom Jesus said, “Go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you." Thirdly, THIRDLY, if God can restore the physical organs of a human body as in the case of Abraham and Sarah, can we not believe that God can restore the spiritual gifts and ministries in the Body of Christ, the Church? Romans 12, I Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 set forth the biblical order for the proper functioning of the Body of Christ with its gifts and ministries, let us believe that spiritual restoration within the Body of Christ will be escalated as we move closer and closer to the time of Christ’s Second Coming!

The God of the bible is the God of physical and spiritual restoration! Is there any thing too hard for the LORD? Most certainly not! And stories, like that of Abraham and Sarah stand as a verification of such restoration. May your faith be strengthened as you meditate on this biblical record of Abraham and Sarah!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Travels of Glenna and Arlo Johnson in May, 2009

April 1-21, 2009 We will be home in Prince George, BC.
April 22-28, 2009 We will be in Regina SK. for a family celebration - Phone 306-732-4530 - The 60th Wedding Anniversary of Eldon and Luella Johnson was held on Saturday, April 25, about 50 people attended the function held in the Gymnasium of the Regina Apostolic Church.
April 28-May 3, 2009 We will be at home in Prince George, BC during these dates.
May 4-8, 2009 We will be attending the Independent Assemblies of God Convention in London, Ontario. In my judgment, it was one of the most impacting IAOG-Canada Conventions that I have attended to date. There was a powerful presentation of the Anointed Word of God.
May 8-19, 2009 We will be at the home of our son, Grady Johnson, near Brantford, Ontario. Grady took a week off work, and it was a very special time with Grady and Joann. Grady and I accomplished alot in the way of making house and yard improvements.
May 19-24, 2009 We will be at home in Prince George, BC during these dates.
May 24 (Sunday) to 28: We travelled by Motorhome, leaving late Sunday afternoon en route to Sheldon and Shawn Johnson at Pierceland, Sk. We overnighted at the Walmart Parking Lot in Hinton, Alberta. We arrived on Monday evening.
May 28-29 (Thursday to Friday) We traveled to Kinsella, Alberta to minister at a Leadership Retreat for the IAOG-Prairie Region. There were many obstacles: a blown tire; a strong prairie wind; an awning flopping in that wind; and a partially plugged gasoline filter! BUT we made it! Thanks to Dick from Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan, and an unnamed mechanic who just moved to Kinsella, who joined their talents and replaced a $1.98 filter that enabled us to continue our journey to Dawson Creek. Then again, we were faced by a severe prairie wind at Valley View, Alberta about mid-night! Delayed, but we finally arrived at 3:15 am in Dawson Creek.
May 30-31, 2009 At Grandview Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC. Saturday, 9 am-4pm The DVD presentation of Sacred Marriage, and Sunday morning ministry at Grandview Chapel. It was a very impacting time in the little church there in Dawson Creek! For this we praise the Lord!
June 3 and 11 7-9 pm Four teaching classes on Faith and Fear at Westside Family Fellowship!
June 4-7, 2009 We attended our grandson, Tanner's Highschool Graduation in Calgary, AB.
June 17 We left Prince George, BC at 6 am and arrived in Weyburn, Sk. just after mid-night. We stayed overnight at Fargo, ND., and arrived in Monticello, Mn. on the afternoon of June 19, and after participating in the Christianson reunion activities for two days, June 20-21, 2009, we began our journey to Omaha, Nebraska by way of Des Moines, Iowa. Those attending the family function included our son, Marlo and Trisha, and her brother Grant ... along with Glenna and Arlo! We would liked to have travelled on to Knob Creek, Kentucky, where Abraham Lincoln was born ten miles from Knob Creek on February 12, 1809, just a little over 200 years ago. There is a year long celebration of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. However, time did not permit us to do so.
June 22 & 23 We were in Omaha, Nebraska, where we pastored from July, 1965 to June, 1970. We visited several former members of the congregation that we pastored in Omaha. Our contact family will be that of John (whom I led to Christ while pastoring there) & Virgina Tynan, and their married daughter, Annie. We left Omaha on Tuesday afternoon, June 23 and traveled on to Sioux Falls, ND. On Wednesday, June 24, we traveled through Sisseton, Veblen, and Clare City, SD. I must tell you more about the events of this day, but that must wait for now!
We stayed overnight in Fargo, ND., before beginning our return to Regina. We had lunch with Jimmy Hillstead in Kenmare, ND., and continued on to arrive at Reatha's farm on the evening of June 25. Reatha's great-grandchildren, Jair and Andre and family were there. Jair and I did prep work on her house all day Friday. On Saturday, our team of painters included, Sheldon, Jason, Luke, Taylor, Donavon, and Arlo, and by about 8 pm we had completed giving her house a much needed paint job! Grady and his friend Bob from Mount Pleasant arrived in Regina on the morning of July 2 in preparation to pick up Grandpa (Chris) Johnson's old truck down on Uncle Arnold's farm at Parry. In the end, we collected two trucks, including Grandpa Johnson's 1948 Chevrolet truck, and Uncle Arnold's 1953 Chevrolet one ton truck, and took down the windmill tower that pumped water for Grandpa and Grandma Johnson for many decades of their time on the Parry farm.
On July 7, we will leave for Sheldon and Shawn's in Pierceland, Sk. We will keep you posted as that time approaches.