Pay attention
A friend wrote, encouraging me to keep on teaching truth. He pointed out the dangers of unbiblical theology and the need for each Christian to keep alert. Below is part of his excellent analysis. Describing one decidedly heretical movement, he says:

After navigating [the group’s] statement of faith and values, I am reminded that it is very easy to sway a believer who isn’t paying close attention. This emphasizes to me even more the importance of being in the Word and godly fellowship – plumbing the depths of scripture with godly people.

He’s correct. There is a reason Paul warned with tears for three years. We must be willing to winsomely do the same.

God bless,
Wayne

Imminent pain
Through one of the darkest seasons in all human history, there was always Elijah. When all else seemed to have given up, Elijah stood. When the faithful were marginalized or slaughtered, Elijah was somehow immovable.

But now he was moving. Everywhere his disciple Elisha goes, there is one topic of conversation – the imminent departure of their leader and rock, Elijah. Elisha’s response to that coming disaster is instructive. He says, “Yes, I know. Be still.” Elisha is not unaware of the harsh reality waiting in the wings, but he knows the best response is quiet stillness. Instead of engaging in the social media frenzy spinning across Israel from Samaria to Bethel to Jericho, Elisha commands stillness.

That response came to mind when I received this recent letter:

Wayne, awhile back I put together a few phrases that have meant much to me lately. These are short meaningful clauses, many from your sermons and one from our doctor regarding my husband’s cancer. I have these in my phone so I can pray from them each day, often many times a day.

• STOP!!! Engage with God.
• Marvel at His wonders!
• Not my will but thine be done.
• Celebrate each day. May it glorify the Lord.
• Rejoice that your name is written in heaven.
• I trust YOU, Lord!

God bless,
Wayne

The great teacher
Britain’s Malcolm Muggeridge was a successful, wise, and funny man. Late in his life, Mr. Muggeridge appeared on TV with William F. Buckley, Jr. and the two men discussed God’s specific penchant for working good through bad. Look at what Malcolm said:

As an old man, Bill, looking back on one’s life, it’s one of the things that strikes you most forcibly – that the only thing that’s taught one anything is suffering. Not success, not happiness, not anything like that. The only thing that really teaches one what life’s about – the joy of understanding, the joy of coming in contact with what life really signifies – is suffering, affliction.
– Malcolm Muggeridge to William F. Buckley, Jr. March 9, 1975

God bless,
Wayne

A chapter on June
A friend of mine is writing a book about some wonderful saints he has known – people God used to change the world. Most of these departed brethren are not humanly famous, but their positive impact continues to ripple outward. I was asked to contribute a story about one such lady, June Lininger, with whom I served at Pine Cove Camps in east Texas. June grasped and lived out Ephesians 2 as well as anyone I have known, and I contributed this story as an illustration of her gracious influence:

She taught grace in memorable ways. I lived next door to June in the old staff housing. One night, she was sitting on the porch as I came home from a very long day. I only received one day off per week in those years, and usually employed that time in resting and recharging. However, that day off I had literally run all over Tyler trying to get a car part. Shuffling weary feet down the steps toward my apartment, I looked up to see June’s piercing eyes. She said, “Drano (my camp name), come inside and have some supper. I’ve been waiting for you.” Despite the distinct impression that I was being ushered into the principal’s office, I obeyed. A delicious stew exposed that I was famished. As my stomach rumbled, it dawned that in my hurriedness I hadn’t eaten all day. An even more nourishing conversation pointed out my lack of reliance on God’s provision. Two big ideas were impressed on me as June spoke and I ate (and ate!):

1. Being busy is fine, as there is much God gives us to do. Being hurried is almost always sinful, as it shows a lack of partnership with God’s Spirit and empowerment of God’s grace.
2. It is not weakness to rely on God’s redeemed community. Yes, Galatians 6 says we must bear our own burdens, but the same passage says we fulfill Christ’s command by bearing each other’s burdens as well. By not letting others help me that day, I showed weakness rather than strength and robbed my neighbors of their opportunity to follow Jesus’ command and do good for me.

Obviously, those lessons stuck to my soul the way June’s stew stuck to my empty ribs.

God bless,
Wayne

I am so excited to study Habakkuk, one of my favorite books! It’s been 10 years since I got to teach it.

God bless,
Wayne

Cultural pessimism
I recently spoke on the dangers of cultural pessimism, and received this insightful note in response:

Cultural Pessimism – yikes! We are drowning in this now, so much so that I often feel a bit like Pollyanna as I attempt to lift my friends up. It is strange to feel guilty for optimism. The pessimism erodes community just as surely as a flooded stream erodes its banks. Eventually there will be nothing left but a giant chasm with people at the bottom, sluggishly meandering in darkness, forever separated from the bright upper joys. Thus, cultural pessimism digs our own grave. This is not what our Abba has planned for us.

The solution is profound – life. Jesus rose from the grave. However pessimistic our culture, however deep our personal or corporate canyons, however dark our valleys, however sluggish our wandering, Jesus has conquered all. Those who trust in Him are raised to new life in Him. That is the awesome message of the coming resurrection weekend. The matchless prose of Ephesians 2 captures this antidote to defeat:

We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus. [Ephesians 2:3-6 CSB]

Therefore, this coming Sunday, when you respond at church saying, “He is risen indeed!” think this through. Because Jesus lives, you and I can overcome anything. We are spiritually alive in the heavenlies, and no pessimistic canyon came keep us down.

God bless,
Wayne