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Background: Beginning in 1964 famous ABC Radio daily news commentator Paul Harvey (1918 – 2009, and whose tag line still rings true in my ears: “And now you know … The Rest of the Story!“) penned and presented the first … Continue reading
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The Positive Result of Unjust Persecution Aimed at Christians Background: I started thinking about this topic after reading an August 14, 2013 article in World Net Daily, a conservative news organization founded in 1997. Bob Unruh, a long-time Associated Press … Continue reading
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Background: These grapes date back to the 1930’s! When I was a boy I would graze on them when I visited my Great Aunt Bertha. More than 50 years later my wife and I purchased the old home place property … Continue reading
Background:
Those of you who follow my blog site, know that recently our granddaughter Ashlyn and her husband Josh had a handsome little baby boy named Sawyer Joshua Murphy. Little Sawyer was a WARRIOR for The Lord from the time that God formed him in his mother’s womb until he went home to spend an eternity with our Heavenly Father eighteen days after his birth due to heart and lung issues. Sawyer’s story so positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world for The Lord for months as Ashlyn so transparently and courageously shared the story of their family through The Murphy Family blog site. During even the hardest and darkest of days, Ashlyn and Josh stood fast in their faith in Almighty God and trusted His Word that promised to Joshua of old (and to each of His followers): ” … Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you may go.” (Joshua 1:9)
How is it possible that two relatively young Christians can continuously exhibit so much Christian faith and genuine courage as they face such difficult times? How did they muster the strength to continue in the face of such heartbreak? What can we learn from the experience of this young couple that will strengthen us so that we can face similar difficulties that lie ahead? Do we have to face life’s trials on our own? And after the immediate trial is over, how do we gain the courage to continue?
Let’s examine in more depth the scripture passage that Ashlyn and Josh relied upon so heavily to sustain them during their most recent difficult days.
Scripture:
Joshua 1:1-9 (RSV) – After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, 2 “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphra′tes, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Discussion:
Fear is a crippling emotion. The Bible teaches that God does not want His followers to dread what they are now facing or will face in the future. God is on our side and because of His loving-kindness (mercy) He will take care of us regardless of the circumstances. God gave us the emotion of fear for a good reason and it is natural for all of us to feel afraid at times. But God never meant for his followers to allow fear to control them. When fear takes control it often supersedes our ability to reason and overshadows our faith. God felt so strongly about not letting our fears control us that He gave us His promise and commanded us to “Be Strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed … (Joshua 1:9).” Whether it is a commandment or not, how do we stay strong and face undesirable and unknown circumstances without fear? The Bible teaches that the Christian has a distinct advantage over the non-Christian in that the Christian has God on their side … just as Joshua had God on his side.
Joshua had long ago left the bondage of Egypt along with Moses and the Children of Israel. Through the leadership of Moses God had provided the Ten Commandments and had safely led the Israelites through the desert to the outskirts of their future home. Constant complaining, bickering, disobedience and outright rebellion by the Israelites filled their forty-year journey and delayed their arrival. Moses had petitioned God more than once to have mercy on the Israelites and forgive their unfaithfulness. God was faithful and granted Moses’ requests. Then came the incident related in Numbers 20:2-11 (ESV). The Children of Israel camped at Kadesh where water was scarce for them and for their animals. “And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron (vs. 2).” Moses and Aaron humbled themselves by falling on their faces before the hostile people and the Lord “and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle (vs. 7-8).” Probably because of his anger with the people at their continued hostility and quarrelsome spirit, instead of God’s command to “tell the rock” Moses “struck the rock” “… and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.” In his anger Moses had disobeyed God’s command by striking instead of telling. While God still brought forth the water, Moses sin of disobedience would not go unpunished. As his punishment, God told Moses that he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land and that the mantle of leadership would be passed to Joshua. (Deuteronomy 3:23-28).
Moses died in the wilderness and Joshua was now in charge. God told Joshua to lead the Israelites against those who already occupied the Promised Land and take it from them. But there was a huge obstacle. The Promised land was full of experienced warriors. Joshua had every human reason to be afraid. How in the world would he be able to assemble an army from a group of whiners who had never fought a battle in their lives?
This is how! Joshua believed and trusted in God’s promises! Specifically, God promised Joshua that “5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” God continued the promise by saying (vs. 7) “… be strong and very courageous.” God told Joshua to follow His instructions specifically … not wavering to the right or left … to obtain the results God promised. Success was also dependent upon Joshua continuing to faithfully meditate on and obey the Scriptures (vs. 8-9).
You see, God wanted His divine wisdom, not Joshua’s human logic, to guide the campaign to take the Promised Land. Dependence on God requires our trust in Him and not in ourselves. On his own, I am absolutely sure that Joshua would never have derived such an unusual plan to take Jericho! Come on … march around seven times and then blow the trumpet and watch the walls fall down? Doesn’t sound like a way to defeat mighty warriors to me! But who am I to question God? Why would I depend on my own courage and strength when the God of the Universe who spoke us into existence said that He is Our Source of Courage!
Reflection:
For the purpose of this article I like this explanation of courage offered on the InTouch Ministries website:
“Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables us to meet danger, opposition, or the challenges of life with fearlessness, calmness, and firmness. Someone who has courage may still feel afraid but–through the power of God–can act with confidence.”
God is the source of the Christian’s courage. You can rely on God to keep His promises. God promised Joshua that He, and He alone, would be the source of Joshua’s courage. Joshua could depend on God and so can you as a Christian. Strengthen your courage through a regular prayer life and Bible study. Don’t just ask God for courage. Ask Him for help to interpret His leadership. Meditate on His Word with a calm spirit and a pure heart. Make sure you are following God’s plan and not your own. Recall previous instances when God has been faithful to see you through difficult circumstances. Know that God has everything, yes EVERYTHING, under His control! Turn your eyes and heart away from the circumstances and towards Almighty God! With God as Our Source of Courage, we have nothing to fear!
Ashlyn continues to relate the story of The Murphy Family, their faith in God, and their courage at her blog site. Little Sawyer is now with the Lord in Heaven and is perfect in every way. Through the heartbreak I see Ashlyn and Josh’s courage growing as they face the future with hope and trust in Almighty God’s plan for their lives. To God be the Glory!
If you are not yet a Christian, I invite you to visit this page describing how you can Become a Christian.
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Books by Jim Davenport: Please consider the purchase of Jim’s books to help support his writing ministry.
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Other Articles by Jim Davenport:
Southern Gospel Music by The Good News:
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Background: Our granddaughter, Ashlyn, and her husband Josh are the proud parents of their first baby boy … Sawyer Joshua Murphy, born on Thursday, May 9, 2013. Sawyer was born with a rare and serious heart condition known as Tetralogy … Continue reading
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Background: “Baby Murphy,” our much-anticipated great-grandson has arrived!! Our granddaughter, Ashlyn and her husband Josh are the parents of Sawyer Joshua Murphy. Sawyer was born early Thursday morning, May 9, 2013 at 12:09am at the Gwinnett Medical Center. Sawyer weighed … Continue reading
Background:
As a business and Information Management consultant I spent a considerable amount of time in meetings over my lengthy career providing advice and counsel to co-workers and clients. Often the advice was based primarily on my grey-haired experience … you know, sharing “wisdom” that supposedly has been gained primarily through the aging process. There is a great deal of knowledge that can be gained from first-hand experience. For example, as a child the temptation is always there to do what your parents tell you not to do. In their experience, parents know that touching a hot stove will burn your hand. No matter how many times you are told not to do something, it seems that you just have to try it and find out for yourself.
Other knowledge comes to us by the means of education. But this kind of knowledge does not always rise to the mature level we call wisdom. Consider this example. You are planning to build a new home and are interviewing potential builders. You interview several candidates. One young and energetic candidate is straight out of a respected engineering school with a high grade-point average. He knows about the latest techniques, materials and methods of construction but has yet to build his first house. Another candidate is a much older person who only finished high school, but has built well in excess of a thousand homes over his career and has a remarkable reputation. Which builder would you choose? I thought so! Experience and wisdom wins this contest, hands down, every time.
When making important decisions, the individual advice from someone of great wisdom is golden. The collective advice from a group of wise counselors can be priceless.
Dr. Don Dowless, President of Shorter University
My friend Dr. Don Dowless, President of Shorter University, has reminded the Shorter Trustees (of which I am one of thirty) several times recently about what the Bible has to say regarding the advice of Godly and wise counselors. Dr. Dowless is indeed a man of the highest integrity who loves students and has a passion for doing what is right in the sight of God. He is God’s perfect choice at a perfect time, chosen to lead such a fine institution of higher learning. I consider Dr. Dowless to be a wise counsellor himself. In planning the re-shaping and re-focusing of Shorter’s future direction, Dr. Dowless has immersed himself in the Word of God, prayed diligently for God’s leadership and listened to the wise counsel of other Godly men and women. There is a lesson in this for all of us.
Scripture: (from five of my favorite versions of The Bible)
Proverbs 15:22
Discussion:
To better understand this scripture let’s do a short word study on the word counsellors and what it means within the context of the scripture.
Counsellors (counselor, advisers, counsel, consultation)
When Solomon penned these words he was likely offering this superb advice to one of his sons, Rehoboam. Solomon didn’t always follow his own advice, nor the Word of God. Viewed as one of the richest men in the world at the time, Solomon heavily taxed his followers in the United Kingdom of Israel causing significant dissension among his subjects. Rehoboam succeeded Solomon to the throne of Israel at the age of forty-one in the tenth century BC. Rehoboam continued his father’s practice of heavy taxation, even increasing the burden as advised by the men his own age and rejecting the advice of the older and wise counselors as described in I Kings 12. This ultimately led to a rebellion of the people led by Jeroboam (son of Nebat, see 1 Kings 11:26 and following) and the division of the United Kingdom (931-930 BC) into the ten northern tribes known collectively as Israel, and the two southern tribes known as Judah. Jeroboam ruled over Israel and Rehoboam ruled over Judah. Neither leader was a faithful follower of God. Jeroboam even led his people to fashion and worship idols in an attempt to hold on to the people of the northern tribes.
Rehoboam’s poor decision in not following the advice of his older and wise counselors led to four hundred years of turmoil for both Judah and Israel. Under Rehoboam’s leadership Judah became a vassal state of Egypt for a time and gave up countless state treasures. The selfish acts and bad advice given to one man caused the downfall of a great nation.
Reflection:
There is a strong message that can be derived from the study of the historical event described above … not following God’s Word, disunity among any group of God’s people and advice from unwise counselors will certainly lead to complete failure. Whereas, following God’s Word, unity among the group and advice from wise counselors will most certainly lead to complete success. I have personally observed both scenarios and the guaranteed results. What about you?
This principle can be applied to the lives of individual Christians as well when making key life decisions. First and foremost, seek counsel from God through prayer and reading/studying His Word, The Bible. Next, seek advice from wise and Godly counselors. Do not depend upon your own wisdom, no matter how wise and/or successful you think yourself to be. Finally, follow and implement the advice you have received and watch God go to work on your behalf!!
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I am re-posting one of my previous articles that is so appropriate for our family at this critical time for Ashlyn, Josh and soon to be born Baby Murphy (2 weeks and counting).
Sometimes it seems like you are facing insurmountable odds. This is especially true in times of great personal difficulty. You’ve tried everything on your own, including seeking the help and trusted advice of others and nothing seems to work out positively. Is your health failing? Are you facing life threatening surgery? Are you worried that you are about to lose your job? Is it tough to make ends meet financially? Is your home facing foreclosure? Is your business about to fail? Is your marriage in trouble? Have you recently lost your partner or a dear loved one? Are you near the point of despair? Are you starting to believe that there is nothing…
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Background:
Benny Pate (L) and Dennis Rogers – 2013
There are people who cross our paths over our lifetime that we never forget. This article is about servanthood and two very special people immediately came to mind as I thought about the topic. Both of these Christian men had a profound effect on me and my wife at just the right time in our lives. They are Benny Pate and Dennis Rogers. Benny currently specializes in Leadership Ministries and Dennis currently specializes in Collegiate Ministries. Each is an employee of the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) and each is involved more than full-time in Christian ministry all over the state of Georgia. Their primary function … equip the saints for God’s service. I’m not sure you can really call either of these men an “employee.” Each loves what they do so much that it never appears like they are “working” as they tirelessly serve others. They not only love their job, they love Jesus and they love people. Both men possess an outstanding attitude of service. So, perhaps a better way to describe what these two fine gentlemen do for the GBC is to call them “servants.”
In the context of this article, just what do I mean by the term servant? And what is it about these two men that qualify them to be called a servant? Let’s turn to the scriptures for an example of a servant that each of us should be emulating in both attitude and action.
Scripture: (all ESV unless otherwise noted)
John 13:1-17 – Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. …”
Discussion:
In our focus scripture passage taken from John chapter thirteen, Jesus provides a profound example of servanthood as he humbles Himself and washes the feet of His disciples. The event took place after The Last Supper, just prior to the Feast of the Passover. Jesus knew that He would soon be unjustly accused, condemned to death, brutally beaten, and crucified on a cross on the lonely hill called “Golgotha,” the place of the skull. Yet even when facing such seemingly impending personal doom, Jesus put aside his position as their Master teacher and leader, assumed the role of the servant and performed this act of service in complete humility. He personally demonstrated what it truly means to be God’s servant.
In essence, Jesus was/is teaching that no matter how bad things may be going for us, we are to still to live above our circumstances and serve others. Why? Could it be that as Christians we, too, will soon be at home with our Father in Heaven? By His unselfish act of washing their feet, Jesus showed that He loved His disciples completely … even the one who would betray Him.
Jesus is also teaching that we are to deal with our past and prepare ourselves for the future. In dealing with the past, we are to confess our sins and be cleansed from all unrighteousness, thus preparing us to be God’s faithful servants to others (1 John 1:9). As for the future, in the overall scheme of things, we will only be here on earth for a little while. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place in Heaven where we will receive permanent deliverance from our earthly illnesses, anxieties, trials and tribulations. Of this, the Christian can be assured. In the meantime, we are to not only have an attitude of service, we are to act it out. In John 13:17, Jesus said “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. …”
Reflection:
It is so true that God wants His children to be happy. No Christian should live an unhappy existence. Happy, well-adjusted Christians are pleasing to the Father. But God wants much more from His children than mere happiness. God wants His children to be His servants and exhibit A Servant’s Attitude toward others. That is exactly what Benny Pate and Dennis Rogers have demonstrated to thousands over the life of their ministry. Each are great communicators … one on one, to small groups, and to large crowds. Each sacrifice of their personal time traveling great distances to speak, provide wise counsel, and serve the needs of others. Each are humble, approachable and demonstrate the love of Jesus as they go about their personal and professional lives. Each possess A Servant’s Attitude as demonstrated by Jesus. And while neither has literally washed my feet as Jesus did for His disciples, each has symbolically washed my feet countless times as His faithful servants.
Oh, that I could be such a servant! Are you such a servant?
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See my companion article, The Servant Who Suffered for Us, written in May of 2011, for additional insight on the servanthood of Jesus.
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Books by Jim Davenport: Please purchase Jim’s books to help support his writing ministry.
Related Links and Articles:
Other Articles by Jim Davenport:
Southern Gospel Music by The Good News:
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Background: I was raised in the church by a frugal mother and father and introduced to the Lord through weekly church attendance and participation in children’s and youth programs. I accepted Jesus as my Savior as a twelve-year old. By … Continue reading
The Good News circa 1973 - Practice Around the Piano - Charles Thomas, Jim Davenport, Arnold Johnson, Ray Shaw
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