The Foray

"Beware of the Flatterer!"

I've been thinking about the shepherds' warning to Christian and Hopeful, as they prepare to descend the "Mountains of Delight."

[NOTE: For those of you who don't know what I'm referring to, it's a scene from John Bunyan's, Pilgrim's Progress. We've been reading a children's version of this Christian classic to our boys and girls on Sunday mornings in worship. This past Sunday, we heard the warning to "Beware of the Flatterer!"]

The Flatterer was a man dressed in white who appeared to be an angel sent to help the travelers reach their destination of the Heavenly City. He spoke kindly. He smiled. He seemed to know all the right words. Nice words. Smooth words. Religious words.

But all along, the Flatterer was leading his two new "friends" into a trap. When he had caught them in his net, he threw off his white robe and mask of friendship, letting loose a fiendish laugh. Only THEN did Christian and Hopeful see the Flatterer for what he REALLY was: a "villain," to use the word from the children's version.

The sad truth is that, sometimes in the Christian life, events AND people are not what they appear. Regrettably, people like the Flatterer do exist. And they're quite skilled at beguiling the innocent. Later, when the mask comes off (as it inevitably does), you find yourself scratching your head and wondering, "How did I allow myself to be taken in by them?"

Well one answer is that it's easy to be taken in when you yourself don't live as they do -- in pursuit of an out-of-view, high-handed, self-willed agenda. Remember, the Flatterer wore a mask! But all along he had his sights trained on what he wanted: the satisfaction of harming the King's people (or to put it another way, the satisfaction of playing wolf to the King's sheep).

But why wasn't the Flatterer able to do Christian and Hopeful irreparable harm? Because they belonged to THE KING!

For those of you who've been listening to the story on Sunday mornings, have you noticed how our pilgrims keep escaping these dangerous, even deadly, situations? Always managing somehow to find a way out? These "by-the-skin-of-their-teeth" escapes (often only after extremely painful ordeals, reflecting that the Christian life in this fallen world is no puff-ball existence!) are Bunyan's way of illustrating the Bible's teaching that the King's people are predestined ...

"... to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, who by GOD'S POWER are BEING GUARDED THROUGH FAITH for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Pt 1:4-5

Does the King's protection then mean that Christian and Hopeful have no need to watch and be wise? Of course not! Per the King's orders, they're to be constantly on-guard, devotedly following the directions in their Book, and continually asking the King's help until they finally reach their destination.

This means that, along the way, they're to "Beware of the Flatterer!"

And so are we!

The next time a Flatterer's mask is dropped in your world and the truth behind the mask becomes known, don't be surprised. And don't be disheartened. Just stand your ground. Stick to your Book. Pray. And keep pressing toward the City.

Your King WILL see you home!

Greg

"You Guys Are Getting Some Awesome Equipment!"

That's what one of the men installing our new speakers and stage lighting in The Commons told me yesterday.

I then stood back for a few minutes, watching the installers in action, and listening to some of their conversation as they carefully hung two of our six/eight (?) new Electro-Voice speakers from the ceiling. Unfortunately, they were using a bunch of "acoustic-science" lingo (since they were no longer talking to somebody who needed explained the difference between "loud" and "soft"), so I'm unable to provide any further exact quotes. Suffice it to say, these guys know what they're doing!

But I DO know this much: Providing sound for a room like our new worship area involves much more than just hanging up a few speakers, plugging in some microphones, and flipping a switch! There really is a science behind getting it right.

That's why I praise God for this technology, and for the men and women who understand it! It all owes to the creative genius of GOD HIMSELF, who first created sound and who has been helping human beings ever since (at least, the inquisitive ones!), slowly, gradually, and step-by-step (as one teaches a toddler to walk) to understand at least a little of his marvelous creation!

What does it say about the Lord that, after millenia of human existence (and only God knows how long we've actually inhabited this planet), the best and the brightest among us continue to investigate and endeavor to comprehend his handiwork?

It tells me that he's clearly "in a league of his own"!

... And we think our new equipment is awesome?

"Come and see what God has done: HE IS AWESOME in his deeds toward the children of man." Ps 66:5

Amen!

Greg

So Everyone Will Come to Church Tomorrow with a Smile

("Everyone" being the 4 or 5 people who will read this between now and 9am tomorrow!)

Here goes.

Ahem ...

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love, and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

Greg

PS There are of course biblical reasons for coming to church tomorrow with a smile. We actually presented two last week from Ps 33.

When Scripture Is the Measure

I just read this thought from veteran theologian, J.I. Packer:

"Everything we do appears in retrospect as something we could and should have done better, and whenever we measure our actual performance by Scripture, shortcomings stand out."

This is just one reason why we should be a continually repentant people. We continually have things of which to repent!

And it's also a reason why we should be a very humble people.

Have you ever thought how the old hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less than JESUS' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame (that is, "No merit of my own I claim"), but wholly lean on JESUS' name." Why do we sing that way? Why do we depend completely on Christ and not ourselves? Because, as Packer said, "...whenever we measure our actual performance by Scripture, shortcomings stand out."

If our confidence before God is in our own (supposed) "righteousness," what will happen to us eternally? We'll perish! Because the truth about our "righteousness" is that it isn't! Look up Isa 64:6, put your nose to what the text says about "all our righteous deeds," and take a big sniff. (Just make sure a trash can is nearby!)

When Scripture is the measure, we see that our lives and our living fall far short of the honor God deserves. Hopefully, we also see how desperately we need a Savior.

That's why the angel's words to Joseph are so wonderful: "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Mt 1:21

Greg

Okay, Be Honest ...

What was your first reaction to The Foray's new look?

Greg

Our New Sound System

Our new sound system in The Commons will feature "Electro-Voice" equipment.

Can you say, "Nice!!!"?

Click on the link below to see pictures of the stuff we're getting. Check out the size of the speakers and the new mixing board that the sound booth guys will be running!

http://www.electrovoice.com/pressreleases/812.html

Greg

PS Okay ... maybe our new set-up won't be quite that grand, but you get the idea! :)

Corde, Ore, Opere!

"It is not an easy matter to praise God aright; it must be done corde, ore, opere, with the very best of the best." John Trapp

It actually takes Latin to express why we should be so thankful for our musical mainstays in worship: Deborah, Jason, Chris, and Warren! They do something every week that definitely isn't "easy": Not only do they work with David, :) but they play their instruments "skillfully," just like Ps 33:2-3 calls for!

My view is that, with these musicians, the Lord has truly blessed us "with the very best of the best." I know a little about music and, let me tell you, these men and woman are good! I love to hear them play! It's literally "music to my ears."

And I'm not alone! I often get comments about our music.

So, Psalm 33 leads me to say to our musicians, "Thanks for the hours you put in every week in order to magnify God's goodness among us and to help us express our joy to the Lord in ways we simply couldn't if you weren't playing. And praise the Lord for your servant hearts. What a vital, God-honoring combination!"

Let's make a deal: Y'all keep playing for the God of glory, and we'll keep praising the God of glory!

With much love, admiration, and appreciation, 

Greg

P.S. Trapp was an English Anglican Bible commentator who lived in the 1600s. He was often cited by (among others) C.H. Spurgeon (who else?). According to her daughter, the late Ruth Bell Graham (Billy's wife) turned to Trapp as one of her favorite sources for Christian quotations.

A First in My Ministry: "Thank You, Joab!"

Okay, this is a first:

I wish to thank Joab, the courageous yet deeply flawed "general" of King David's army. What he told his army to prepare them for battle against the Syrians and the Ammonites, seemed to leap from the pages of my Bible just now: 

"Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him." 1 Chronicles 19:13

That's a great word to the army of MVB! "Be strong, and let us use our strength for the building up of our Savior's kingdom as we turn the page on a new chapter in the church's history -- and let things turn out for us the way God wants them to!"

It's a call to:

• Toughness, tenacity ("Be strong")
• Exertion, hard work ("let us use our strength")
• Staunch commitment to God's purposes ("for our people and for the cities of our God")
• Humble confidence in God's purposes ("may the Lord do what seems good to him")

My prayer as we make our crossing to the Commons is that God will work mightly through us as we work diligently in his name -- and that he will do whatever pleases him!

Amen!

Greg

A Happy Young Man

Who am I talking about?

Will Lindsey!

Why is he happy?

Because he just stepped on his school bus, heading to Loftis Middle!

If there's one kid (Can I still call him that -- maybe just a little while longer?) in America who LOVES the bus ride to school, it's Will! We were sitting on our front porch just a few minutes ago, waiting for his "yellow chariot," when suddenly the "glorious sound" of a bus engine began to ring out as it climbed to the top of our hill. As soon as we heard it, Will sat forward on the edge of his seat, and looked at me with a huge grin and sparkling eyes, as if to say, "Here it is! The ride I've been waiting for! Isn't it absolutely wonderful?!"

Jubilation!

Then a strong hug for his Papa!

Followed by a brisk walk (not quite a run, but almost) up the driveway to take a seat on the bus!

Will's new bus driver and his attendant described themselves to Denise the other day by saying (almost apologetically), "We're just two old men."

What they don't know yet (but are about to discover!) is that "old men" happen to be Will's favorite people on earth! I fully expect that he will do his God-given thing this year and, without being able to speak a word, nonetheless make these two gentlemen feel that they are among the very most important people in the whole world!

To have the ability to touch people's lives that way -- without a word -- is that a gift from God, or what?!

What a PRIVILEGE being the father of a happy young man!

Greg

A Mission Worthy of Our Prayers

As I mentioned in Sunday's morning message, our beloved brother in Christ, Ed Lacy, is bound for Uganda to teach "Christ-Centered Evangelism" to 600 pastors from all over the country.

Ed reports that Islam is enjoying great influence in Uganda and that the (pseudo-Christian) "health and wealth movement has contaminated much of the church." He says that "the message and methods which surround the gospel are in great need of reformation."

Specifically, here is Ed's request:

"Please pray for the mighty presence and power of the living God to empower the Word of God and illuminate, renovate, liberate, and transform for HIS GLORY!!!"

Will you print Ed's request and place it somewhere you'll see it so that you can be reminded to pray? This is a mission that is worthy of our prayers.

Though he doesn't mention it, you might also wish to pray for Ed's physical condition. He continues to struggle mightily, and the African heat is no friend. Ask God to supply him supernatural stamina and refreshment. And we would be remiss if we failed to pray for Ed's wife, Dianne, as well. In your prayers, try to think of some concerns she might have while he is away.

Thank you for loving our brother and sister, and the glorious gospel of our Savior that he is traveling a long distance to proclaim. 

To God be the glory!

Greg