Declare War on Clutter

“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.’ Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant  and said to Him, ‘Do You hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?’ Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.” (Matthew 21:12-17).

For thirteen years we lived in a home on a Bible college campus where the dining room was situated next to the carport. My custom was to check my mail at the campus mail box and carry it home. Each day I made my way up the hill from my office to house #23. I walked up the driveway, rounded the corner onto the carport, open the French door, stepped up one step into the house, and placed the mail on the dining room table.

As you can expect, we quickly developed a pile of unopened junk mail. When Beth returned home from work as a school library-media specialist at a local public school, she made preparations for supper. Inevitably, the dining area was cluttered.

One day I came home from work. Beth looked at me with a menacing glare. She pointed toward a basket placed upon the table. “This,” she threatened, “Is for the mail.”

My wife had just declared “War on Clutter.”

The Temple had become cluttered with commerce. Jesus declared war on clutter. Declare war on clutter!

I remember sharing this truth on a Sunday morning to a congregation in Southern Indiana. I was there for a revival effort. I had just introduced the message: “Declare War on Clutter!” I noticed that the pastor and his wife, along with people in clusters throughout the congregation were trying to subdue their laughter. I didn’t know what was going on. The pastor raised his hand and announced to me, “We have a family in the congregation named Clutter!”

We’re not here to declare war on the Clutters, but we do want to declare war on clutter.

Jesus cleansing of the Temple gives us a picture as to how we must respond to spiritual clutter in our lives. I think that we deal with three types of spiritual clutter: committed sin, the carnal mind, and the cares of life.

Committed sin brings guilt and has to be dealt with through confession, repentance, forsaking, restitution, and faith. When I sin, the Holy Spirit arrests me. My relationship with God is hurt and must be restored.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (I John 2:1-2 NKJV).

The carnal mind of inherited sin twists and warps our moral nature. The moral nature of Triune God is self-giving love in holy union. Sin has distorted and corrupted the moral order of God’s Creation. Born in sin, humanity creeps through life upon its belly of appetites. But God made us imago dei. The image of God, however marred by Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden, glimmers with hope and potential. God wants to cleanse our hearts, align our wills with His own, and fill us with His Holy Spirit that we may live whole and holy lives.

The cares of life are often crushing. In response to your cares, Jesus extends an invitation:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Is there spiritual clutter in your life upon which you need to declare war? Declare war on clutter.

Father's House

John 2:12-25

I went away from home for college when I was 21 years old. In those days, I drove a 1978 model Chevy Chevette. An awful car! But it ran. On weekends, Beth, Laura, some other friends, and I would pile into the little car, leave Asbury College, and head toward Vancleve, Kentucky. We were going home. When I pulled onto the Bible college campus where I had grown up, I drove straight to mom and dad’s house. I was going to my Father’s house.  Once there, mom and dad loved us with food, time, love, and clean clothes. We always anticipated coming home.

A year later, Beth and I were married. We continued the practice of coming home, although not always as frequently as in the first year away of college.  We loved coming back to mom and dad’s house. My Father’s house. Christmas, Thanksgiving, special gatherings, they all happened at “My Father’s house.”  In 2000, Mom and Dad moved from the home they had lived in for 24 years. My Father’s house became “my house.” The furniture, interior decorating, and occupants have changed as it became “my house,” but the memories of my Father’s house linger. 

Mom and Dad moved again in 2003 to the log home where they now reside. We wondered what it would be like to go to a different house. We wondered if Christmas and Thanksgiving would seem strange, but they really weren’t, because, although the address had changed, the residents had not. Mom and Dad were still living there. It was still “My Father’s House.”

At the onset of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we discover that Jesus’ Father had a house, too. And Jesus had some very strong sentiments about his Father’s house. At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem, His Father’s house. Jesus was disturbed and enraged over the abuses of the temple, and He cleansed His Father’s house, the temple, from these abuses. Jesus first cleansing of the temple early in His ministry reveals His Sonship through His response to “My Father’s House.”

The Synoptic Gospels tell of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple during his last week on earth.  Only John puts this incident at the beginning of His ministry, leading me to conclude that there must have been two incidences of Jesus’ cleansing the temple.

The temple was very important to the Hebrew people.  It was central to politics, religion, and Hebrew culture.  Worshipers from all over the known world came to Jerusalem to worship and sacrifice.  It was holy.

But the Hebrew view of temple was filled with superstition. They thought that as long as they retained the visible symbol of God’s Presence, the temple, that their nation would be safe from destruction. They took pride in the temple, abused the temple, compromised the temple, restored the temple, and rebuilt the temple.

I believe that Jesus cared so passionately and zealously about Father’s house, that He bookended His earthly ministry by cleansing it once at the onset and a second time as He faced the cross.

“Then His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.’” (John 2:17).

Jesus was passionate about preserving the holiness of His Father’s Name.  He was passionate about preserving the holiness of the temple.  He was passionate about guarding the interest of the Father.  It was His Father’s house.

Are you passionate about worship? Do you gather habitually with other believers to pray, read the Bible aloud, study God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to examine you? Has your church attendance been reduced to a social obligation, or is it a demonstration of spiritual hunger and vitality in your life? How do you feel about Father’s house?

Painting With Too Broad of a Brush

I have often challenged stereotypes, my own along with those of others, by saying, “My, you paint with a broad brush.” Broad, sweeping generalities often rule our discourse in our attempts to force people and arguments into bipolar constructs. We create “us” against “them” arguments, built of straw men to suit our own objectives.

A religion writer for a regional newspaper wrote an article titled, “Evangelicals recast Trump as an Old Testament King.” Another online author penned this title: “Americans are partisan about everything, even sex scandals.” Both authors attempted to illustrate that the group broadly defined as “Evangelical” is an inconsistent, compromising lot that hitches its wagon to any star that panders to its special interests. Both authors described “Evangelicals” as a group that closes its eyes to moral corruption whenever their political darling advances the “right” agenda.

While I grieve the accuracy of these indictments wherever they are well-founded, I resist being categorized as the sort of amoral “Evangelical” described in these articles. Don’t paint me with that broad of a brush.

Presently, Evangelical Christians, broadly defined by pollsters and pundits alike, are being told what the group thinks. Such stereotyping is preposterous. We Evangelicals are far more complex than that. We cannot even agree on theological matters, hence the large number of denominations. But we are objectified and reduced to a demographic category for polling and editorial purposes.

Why? Well, it has happened before. In World War II, those German believers who resisted Fascism found themselves in the crosshairs of Nazi Germany’s propaganda machine. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the leaders of the German Confessing Movement. He recognized the totalitarian government’s attempt at marginalizing and silencing the church by mocking believers as a caricature. Government and its propaganda publications sought to control the church. In many places, government succeeded. But not everywhere or all of the time.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The time is coming when the confession of the living God will incur not only the hatred and the fury of the world, for on the whole it has come to that already, but complete ostracism from ‘human society’ as they call it. The Christians will be hounded from place to place, subjected to physical assault, maltreatment, and death of every kind. We are approaching an age of widespread persecution”

Bonhoeffer continued: “Our adversaries seek to root out the Christian church and the Christian faith because they cannot live side by side with us, because they see in every word we utter and every deed we do, even when they’re not specifically directed against them, a condemnation of their own words and deeds. They are not far wrong.” (A Testament to Freedom, pp. 319-320).

So, the enemies of Christ will paint us with a broad brush of stereotype, forcing us into their preconceived categories. These attempts to portray the church as inconsistent, waffling, compromising, politicized, and irrelevant will seek to win the day. Unfortunately, some believers fit the stereotype!

Dennis F. Kinlaw, Sr., in his devotional book, This Day with the Master, wrote: “The first Christians became unstoppable. The world had no categories to deal with people like these. They did not fear prison, and they did not fear death. The world had no weapons to use against them that could succeed.”

In the midst of an era of compromise and failure, Christ will have His Church, a Holy Bride. Pejorative labels and caricatures will abound, but the Church of Jesus Christ remains. We may suffer terrifically for our faith. Others already have. We may be called upon to sacrifice our very lives for our Lord Jesus. Others already have.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17).

Beginning to Know God

When God called me to serve Him through the mission of Wesley Biblical Seminary, He called me to leave everything I knew and loved and follow Jesus wherever He would lead. As a result of His call and my simple obedience, I have been privileged to witness some of the greatest miracles of my life. God has provided in incredible and irrefutable ways. 

Amidst His provision, He often scares me. I have frequently lived the terror of standing on top of a high mountain cliff, and have sensed God grip me firmly by the belt, lead me to the edge, and encourage me to lean out. “Trust me,” is His tender, yet urgent appeal. “Lean out. I’ve got you. There’s a great view from here.”

Then, He provides in astounding ways. Dennis Kinlaw wrote that “The miracle is not simply an act of God to meet a need; it also becomes a parable with spiritual significance.” If that truth extends beyond scripture to the lives we lead, then my life is nothing short of a parable—a parable of the miraculous.

Kinlaw wrote: “Jesus may be meeting the physical needs of your life, and yet you may be totally unaware that He wants to meet a much deeper and more burning need of your heart.” Through desperate seasons of lack that demand faith and resilience, even amidst great fear and weakness, He is teaching me utter dependence. He is teaching me the simplicity of rising again the next day, facing the adversity with my hand in His, acknowledging my lack, and moving forward in faith. 

In this journey, I am beginning to know Him. 

Fear of Failure

A fear of failure often dogs our steps.

Dennis F. Kinlaw, Sr. wrote: "There is a 'tide in the affairs of men' that if seized leads to greatness. If it is missed, one is left to wander. Opportunities do not stand waiting at the door. Are you among those who wander?"

Why do we often fail to seize the moment? Why do we often fail to sail the tide? Wy do we reject the opportunities?

When I was 6 years old I sensed God's call to preach and teach. I immediately accepted and embraced the call. I did not know rebellion was an option. That call has defined every choice that I have ever made. 

However, my hunger to obey God had a consequential dark side in my own psychology. It was a fear of failure. School came easily to me. I could get As and Bs with less work than many classmates. I was a quick study on most courses. As a firstborn child, I carefully controlled my world so that I could succeed. I avoided things that exposed my weaknesses. My brother was a great athlete. I followed sports closely, but apart from some pickup games, never sought to excel. Athletic aptitude was harder for me. Avoid failure. Focus upon what you do well. That was my thought.

As an adult, I have had a hard time accepting failure. Even performance that attains something less than perfection is difficult for me. I have had to learn to surrender these matters to God. But sometimes, I find myself worrying over them... to excess.

In recent years, I have learned that I lack the power to judge events in my life as good or bad. If I try to list the top five defining events in my life, I will inevitably identify events that I characterize as both good and bad. Then, when I ask myself about the bad things, I find myself identifying the good consequences that God has worked in my life both in and through events I identify as bad. I am not diminishing the presence or work of evil in the world in any way; however, I have found that surrendering my right to judge many of life's events as good or bad to God is freeing.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28 NKJV).

Only God can transform bad things into good. Only God can redeem consequences of evil events. Only eternity will reveal the eternal reality. Joseph identified with that eternal reality when he witnessed to his brothers.

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive" (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).

I serve a Lord who accepts me as I am. You do, too. He is ever working to transform me more and more into His likeness. I choose, by His grace, to embrace that journey of transformation. I am asking God to continue freeing me from my selfish assessment of my life as a success or a failure. Only He determines my final grade. 

Yes, I don't like failure. Of course, public failure is embarrassing, sometimes even humiliating. Teddy Roosevelt said: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

Lord Jesus, help me to pursue excellence for your glory. Deliver me from my fear of failure. Help me to "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God" (William Carey). I love you and want to hear your welcoming words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Amen.

Only One Life

By C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When God called me to preach and teach at 6 years of age, I thought it was the greatest privilege anyone could ever know. When God sanctified my heart by faith at age 16, I was surrendering with joy to the Lover of my soul, who knew best for my life. The surrender was natural, easy, and delightful. When I was 18 years old I was seeking God's direction about dating Beth, with hopes for eventual marriage. God blessed His Word to me, encouraging me to delight myself in Him and in the joyful future that He had before me. 

When God blessed our lives with Katie and Nathan, we prayed the same joyful surrender and delight in our living Lord for their lives. 

When God directed our steps to Kentucky Mountain Bible College for 23 years of service, it was with delight, joy, and purpose that we embraced His divine call and investment into Kingdom work.

When God suddenly called us to leave everything and follow Jesus to Wesley Biblical Seminary in 2013, it was with trembling joy that we obeyed. 

I want the watchword of my life to be that of living to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my joys I have prepared for you."

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.