The Light of the Word

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Pastor Dave

 I took a friend hunting (or as we like to say here because of the loss of wildlife due to the wolves, lions and bears, “hiking with our guns”) last Friday. We covered quite a distance in the mountains and had some rather difficult going at times due to all the fallen trees on the forest floor creating a very challenging obstacle course. Since we weren’t on a road or trail much of the time, I needed to be aware of where we were headed so that we didn’t get turned around (some might call it lost!). I have hunted the area for many years so know it quite well but still have to be careful to watch for landmarks to reach the destination, i.e., to get safely back to our vehicle at the end of the hunt!  Since there were so many logs and branches to step over and around, we had to watch where we placed our next step, but also had to take time to survey the next situation ahead to know which would be the best route to take to best avoid the obstacles.  Oh, and then to look for deer and elk sign, or even better, animals making the sign too!

    I was reminded of a verse I had memorized many years ago from the longest chapter in the Bible: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).  As we walk in this world, with a goal of becoming more and more like Christ, we definitely need to be looking forward to the direction our current path will take us and also to where we place our next step. God has enabled us to do that through using His Word to shed light both on the steps we take as well as on the path that will take us.  There are many paths which we could choose that will lead us away from our goal.  Solomon wrote this in his “Book of Wisdom”: “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (Pr. 4:18).  This beautiful promise is inserted in the midst of a sober warning against taking the broad, well-traveled path of the ungodly: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on… The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble”  (vv.  14,15,19). 
     As we go about our daily lives, we are continually making choices (making the next step) that affect the direction our life will take. In order to live a life pleasing to God and to grow in His likeness (Ro. 8:29), we need the light of His Word to make wise choices that keep us headed in the right direction. As the sun provides physical light for the world, so Jesus Christ is spiritually “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). However, we clearly can see His light only through the light holder, the lamp, as it were, of His written Word. Without the Holy Scriptures, this world would lie in the deepest darkness, but “The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psa. 119:105). Unfortunately, when Jesus, “The true light” (Jn. 1:9), came into the world, most refused to receive Him (Jn. 1:11), choosing rather to continue living in darkness (and still do). “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifest as having been wrought in God” (Jn. 3: 19-21). 
     Similarly, we have now had the complete written Word of God for some 1900 years, but men still reject and ridicule it, and the world still lies in darkness. Nevertheless, for those who receive it, there is wonderful light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). The Apostle Paul wrote: “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (II Cor. 4:6); “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13).  Peter, in his first epistle, wrote: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light“‘ (I Pet. 2:9).
     Most of us who have spent time hiking or hunting in the mountains know what a terrifying feeling it is to be “turned around” and not know for sure where you are or the way to go. You have a tendency to panic, especially as night is fast approaching and you think you need to start going faster, although you don’t know which way. That must be how it is for those in this world who are “walking in (spiritual) darkness.”   It is no wonder we are seeing the decline of our own nation as our leaders make decisions which are contrary to God’s directives in His Word. Many are choosing paths that lead to destruction, and, as a person who is lost in the woods, seem to be going faster and faster–in the wrong direction. Solomon wrote of such people: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 14:12); “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes…” (Pr. 12:15).
     The world system is governed by the “rulers of darkness” (Eph. 6:12), so, as believers, we need to make sure we are using God’s Word as our final authority for the choices we make, the stand we take, and the path we pursue. “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).  Let God’s Word, not the world, by your guide as you walk each day. Let His Word be a “lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path” (Psa. 119:105).  A Bible teacher once held up his well-worn bible and said, “Every believer should wreck a copy of the Bible every ten years!”  In other words, we should use our Bibles so much that they gradually wear out. Someone else said, “A Bible that’s falling apart often belongs to someone who isn’t!”  Is that true for you? The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions. “Each of us should use the Word of God personally, practically, and habitually, as we make our way through this dark world”‘ (J. Vernon McGee).
 
                                                                                                    Forever His,
                                                                                                            Pastor Dave
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Wise as Serpents

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Pastor Dave

 We saw something unusual on one of our daily walks this past week. We saw a group of neighborhood children playing a pick-up game of tag football. What a novel idea!  Normally when we walk around our neighborhood (which contains quite a number of children) we rarely see–except for two families–children out playing. Most are inside fixated on the television or their computer screen or playing Wii games or texting with their cell phone. Even at the neighborhood football game, one of the “participants” was standing on the sideline texting!  I couldn’t help thinking back to my childhood days when much of my “free time” was spent playing outside with friends–playing softball in the cow pasture, or anti-I-over, or kick the can, or riding bikes, or swimming at the lake, or playing marbles, or…   Of course, at the time we didn’t even own a television and had never heard of cell phones or smart phones or i-pods. Words like “texting” or “tweeting” weren’t part of our vocabulary or even imagination.

     I guess I was part of what became referred to as the “Baby Boomers” which was known for its hippies, draft dodgers and rock n’ roll music that challenged traditional society and openly questioned some of the values of preceding generations. Parents and church leaders searched for ways to reach this new generation which seemed to be headed a whole new direction. But, the challenge would become even greater in the years ahead.
     Today we “Baby Boomers” are beginning to retire and now “Generation X” has assumed control over government, education, business and churches. And “Generation Y” (also known as Millennials”) is quickly entering the workforce and leadership roles in society, “bringing with them technological advancements that engage and communicate in ways never imagined a decade ago” (Institute for Creation Research newsletter, Oct. 2013).  My generation was the first to grow up with television, followed by Generation X-ers with VCR’s and personal computers. Millennials have grown up with cell phones and the Internet and were the central force that created and popularized the social media phenomenon such as “Facebook,” and “Twitter.”  Smartphones have put the entire media spectrum in the palm of their hands–and has forever changed the way they live and learn and react. (Our missionary friend in Afghanistan was giving a test to some of her students to whom she was teaching English. She was a bit shocked to discover that some were looking up answers on the internet with their smartphones!). 
     Unfortunately, besides being focused on their technical know-how, the new generation of young people is also rapidly deserting our churches. Something like 80% of our high school graduates drop out of church when they go to college or take a job. Most of those who remain are drawn to non-denominational assemblies that try to be as contemporary as possible to attract attendees. Traditional Sunday school is no longer even offered in many churches, and solid expositional Bible teaching has in many cases been replaced with topical “biblical discussions” with facilitators rather than teachers. Old classic hymns, with their great theology, are seldom sung. The “way we do church” has drastically changed over the past couple decades. 
     But, one thing we must not forget is that the gospel message does not change. We may change the way we do church to meet the changing society in which we live, but we must not compromise the truths of God’s Word. The message must remain the same. Watering down the Scriptures to make them more palatable and attractive to the public is never what God intended when He told His disciples, as He sent them out to the world, saying: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd (wise) as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16).  To be “wise as serpents” indicates we need to be aware of how to reach the world in which we live. Just as missionaries who go into a totally foreign culture need to know how to convey the Gospel message in that setting, we too need to know how to reach our generation for Christ.  We need to be “shrewd,” yet at the same time not compromise our own lifestyles or biblical standards (“innocent as doves.”).  We definitely need godly wisdom to know how best to communicate the message of God’s love and forgiveness to “Generation Y.”  (What happens if we get to “Generation Z”?  Then what??).  We need to actively seek ways to reach the younger generations of our world. Many churches and Christian organizations are doing just that. For example, Ron Hutchcraft Ministries has a summer Program called “On Eagles Wings,” in which Christian Native Americans who have been trained, go to reservations, usually using a basketball court as the venue, and share their testimonies of how Christ has saved them from their alcoholism, drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, and hopelessness. Hundreds of Native Americans have been coming to Christ each summer and finding hope and a new life in Christ. Ron’s son, Doug, and friend, Jon, have established a website and blog,  www.thedougandjonshow.com which has had millions of hits from young people and thousands have come to Christ.  The Institute for Creation Research has started new youth-oriented programs like “That’s a Fact” video shorts, which has already had more than 3.2 million viewers, the “Your Origins Matter” ministry, and a “Creation Science Update” mobile app.  
     It would be easy to just throw up our hands and give up as we see such drastic changes in our society, but remember Jesus’ promise: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:18).  I’m sure that God is not at a loss as to what to do to reach this generation, so stay in touch and in tune with Him to see how He wants you to help Him continue to build His church until He calls it home.
 
                                                                                                    Forever His,
                                                                                                            Pastor Dave  
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God’s Special Blessings

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Pastor Dave

  It is easy to get discouraged in the world in which we live, especially as a believer seeing the spiritual decline of our own culture and nation. The world is under a curse because of sin and the heart of man which as Jeremiah said is “more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9). So no wonder we are in the mess we are in. But, through it all we still get glimpses of the majesty of our God and the beauty of His physical creation and the wonder of those whose lives have been gloriously transformed by His grace and are “new creatures” in Christ (II Cor. 5:17). 

     We experienced some of those “special blessings” this past week as we traveled to Oregon to help our son and daughter-in-law and family move to another house in Oregon City. They had initially planned to move mid-August, but their buyer backed out at the last minute. Fortunately they found another buyer and were still able to get the house they had purchased, one that is a bit bigger and in a much nicer, friendlier neighborhood. Since we had driven in September to visit in Oregon–not knowing for sure if the move was even going to happen this fall–we decided this time to make the trip by train from Libby to Portland. Since the train leaves here at 11 p.m. and returns at 5:30 a.m., we traveled at night and didn’t lose two days on the road as is the case by car. We also got to see both a sunrise along the Columbia River on the way to Portland and a sunset on the way back to Montana. Wow, it was totally spectacular! First of all the colors of the deciduous trees and shrubs are at their peak. It was a continuous display of yellows, oranges and reds contrasting to the evergreens and the bright blue skies, as the week was clear, warm and dry. (When we were there in September, we experienced 4 inches of rain over one weekend in the wettest September on record!). On the trip over, as the sun came up it was shining through the fog hovering over the Columbia River which was nearly solid with fishing boats where the Deschutes River enters. The sun gave the fog a rosy tint and created a magnificent picture. It reminded me that, though there is turmoil, chaos, cruelty, and confusion in the world, God is still on the throne. He is the sovereign of the universe and is still in control. He is not depressed, wringing His hands wondering what He can do to straighten out this mess. All is proceeding according to His plan and He continues to give us reminders of the beauty of His holiness.
     We had great weather for the move for which we were very grateful. Had it been like the weather in September, it would have been totally miserable and difficult. Also, another special blessing was the two movers that were hired to help with the heavy things. The two men, Scott and Gerard, had only been working together since June, but had already helped with some 300 moves, so really knew what they were doing. They were very friendly and personable and we suspected that they were believers. As the day went on and we had little opportunities to chat with them we discovered that sure enough they are Christians. One had been a worship leader for several years in his church and the other had been a youth pastor. One now owns a music recording studio in Portland and the other is also a singer and musician. They were a very “special blessing.”  The move, though lots of work, went well, without incident, thanks largely to Scott and Gerard.
     Since we didn’t get on the train to return to Montana until Saturday afternoon, we got to attend our grandson, Luke’s third and fourth grade football game in Canby. He plays wide receiver on offense and safety on defense. His team (Oregon City) was down 28-14 at half-time, but came back to win, in an exciting finish, 29-28! Luke caught two touch-down passes and ran for another TD to help out the cause.  Then we went directly to our granddaughter, Lacey’s first-grade soccer game. Her team won 10-3 and she scored a goal and had an assist. Since we miss a lot of our grandchildren’s activities, it was a “special blessing” to get to attend, and again, the weather was fantastic. 
     I’m very thankful that, in the midst of this messed up world due to sin, God still provides us with many special blessings to let us know He hasn’t forgotten us or lost control of what’s happening. It reminds us that His Word is true and all His purposes and promises will be carried out in every detail. God is at work in all our circumstances, good and adverse, working them out for our good and for His glory.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Ro. 8:28). Corrie ten Boom made a very appropriate observation (especially as you consider what she went through). She said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and get off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”  Amen!    
 
                                                                                       Forever His,
                                                                                                Pastor Dave
 
P. S.
     I forget to mention another “special blessing” we received this past week. Grant and Arika finally got the key for their new home on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Grant had a double header after school with his volleyball team, so we were at the gym at North Clackamas Christian School from 4-8 p.m. after which Grant is also responsible to clean the gym and get it ready for school the next day.  Then Grant and I  planned to go to the new house to do some painting, knowing it would be a very late evening. The one thing we didn’t have time to squeeze in was food!  We weren’t at all sure what to do about supper. Well, God had all that taken care of! We sat at the volleyball matches with Debbie Stark, a good friend of Grant and Arika, who also teaches at NCCS. She asked what our plans were for supper as she had prepared a huge crock pot of stew and wondered what to do with it all as her two children had already eaten. She, her husband Corey, and their children met us all at the new house with a delicious stew and drinks and bread. Praise God for His “special blessings.” And thanks Debbie for your servant’s heart!
 
       Pastor Dave

    

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Identity Theft

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Pastor Dave

A lady in our home Bible study group had her identity stolen and went through quite a difficult year attempting to get it back. Maybe some of you have had a similar experience. Just misplacing a credit card is not trivial concern. Identity fraud is a terrible crime and a messy problem to fix. But, there is an identity theft going on that is far more serious, far more consequential than that of having someone get your credit card or social security numbers and using them to put you in financial bondage. It is taking place in our public schools and universities. How so?  Well, glad you asked!

     You see, we are, as human beings, made in the image of God, according to His likeness with the responsibility of ruling over the earth and all that is on it (Gen. 1:26-28).  We are handiwork of an all-wise, all-powerful, eternally existent Creator who made us as the “crown” of all His creation to “rule over the works of His hands” (Psa. 8:3-6). As the Apostle Paul wrote,  “For we are His workmanship (poiema), created in Christ Jesus…” (Eph. 2:10). We are of such great value to our Creator that He also became our Redeemer, coming down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, God the Son, to pay the penalty for our sin that we might again be restored to fellowship with him, a fellowship that was broken due to the disobedience in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned (Ro. 5:12,19). As those who have received God’s gift of salvation through Christ, we are not only God’s by creation but now also by redemption. We are now “children of God” (Jn. 1:12 cf  I Jn. 3:2) and “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Ro. 8:16,17).  That’s our identity. Having been made in the image of God, human life is very precious, so much so that He placed the death penalty for any who purposely take the lives of others (Gen. 9:6). And the Bible makes it clear that human life begins at conception (Psa. 51:5; 139:15,16; Jer. 1:5). Then as Christians, those who have been “born again” (Jn. 3:3) by personally receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, we are also indwelled by God through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:18-20;I Cor. 3:16; 6:19,20).  That’s who we are.
     But, when we attend the public schools and universities of our country today, we are taught that the Earth is billions of years old and that our family descended from apes and subhuman “cave men” several million years ago. We are basically told that the family history reported in Genesis was unhistorical and unreliable, that we  evolved from lower life forms over a great period of time, and that all living matter came from non-living matter. All of this is taught dogmatically as true science and it is also taught that any other view of origins which gives credit to a Creator or to “Intelligent Design” is mere religious speculation and should not to be considered in the classroom.  (NOTE: There is not shred of evidence that evolution is taking place today, or–from the fossil records–that it ever took place. All true science points to a recent, special creation). 
     It is quite interesting, and sad, to think that our public education system was originally established to help our young people learn to read and apply biblical truths and now the truths of the Bible are not even allowed to be entered into the discussions!  Our Ivy League colleges such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton began as seminaries, training young people to serve the Lord. How far they have fallen!  Here are a few quotes that appeared in  the recent letter from Alliance Defending Freedom:
        “The teaching of modern science is corrosive of religious belief, and I’m all for that! If scientists can destroy the influence of religion on young people, then I think it may be the most important contribution that we can make.” (University of Texas professor)
        “We are going to go right on trying to discredit you in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your fundamentalist religious community of dignity, trying to make your views seem silly rather than discussable.” (Princeton professor)
        “You’re a fascist (expletive). Ask God what your grade is!” (professor at Los Angeles City College berating a Christian student)
        “If my students show conservative bias, I steer them away from the academy. They have no future–they will not get jobs. If they want to teach traditional works in a traditional matter, they have no future in an English department today.” (English professor at the University of Virginia)
     According to an ADF survey, university faculty members are nearly five times as likely as the general public to not believe in God. Most reject religion as a necessary component of moral character. Some 84% of faculty members surveyed are strongly or somewhat in favor of abortion and 67% support homosexual legal agenda. More than a third admitted they would discriminate against conservative candidates in the hiring process. More than 170 public colleges and universities have unconstitutional policies that can be used to restrict religious liberty and free speech!  Pray for the nearly 3 million college students whose minds and hearts are being filled with atheism, humanism,  evolutionary naturalism, and political correctness. Pray that somehow they will be exposed to the truth and not be placed under the bondage of the false teaching with which they are being brainwashed. Pray especially for the Christians  who are attending our public schools and universities that they will be salt and light and take opportunities to be bold and stand for the truth. If you have or know Christian young people who are facing persecution for their faith, let them know of the services of groups such as Alliance Defending Freedom, The American Center for Law and Justice, And Family Research Council that can advise them and even legally defend them if need be (at no cost). 
     When politicians advocate “education, education,” is scares me. YES, education is vital, but unless it honors our Creator God, it leads to disaster. Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” So, what can we do? Here are some ideas:   
        1)  Start at home!  Live your faith. Train your children in God’s Word. Pray with and for them.
        2)  Attend, as a family, a good Bible-teaching church.
        3)  Always be prepared to share your faith, giving a reason of your hope (I Pet. 3:15). Study the evidence for special creation and be able to defend your view.
        4)   Interact with teachers/school boards/congress.
        5)  Write letters to the editor.
         6)  Pray, pray, pray!
 
     Identity fraud is a serious business. Don’t let anyone try to steal your identity as a precious, special creation of God, made in His image, and now, as believers, being conformed to the very image of Christ (Ro. 8:29). “Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psa. 100:4).
 
                                                                                                    Forever His,
                                                                                                    Pastor Dave
       
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The Bristlecone Pine and the Church

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Pastor Dave

 We’ve had the privilege over the past few weeks of hearing a number of missionary reports from ministries all around the globe and it is exciting to hear what God is doing as He builds His Church world-wide.  It is also sad to hear of the severe persecution believers are facing in many countries, with many being martyred for their faith in Christ.  We see beginnings of persecution against Christianity in our own country and the question arises–will the church survive?

      I am currently reading Erwin Lutzer’s book, The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, in which he describes what happened to the seven churches of Asia Minor that received messages from Christ via the Apostle John. Today, in the place of those churches, you will find Muslim mosques. Only a very small percentage of the population is Christian, and they are under great persecution.  What happened to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea? (Read Lutzer’s book and find out!)  Will Islam take over all the world and eliminate Christianity and the Church?
     The answer is, “No!”  Remember the conversation Jesus had with His disciples when He took them to Caesarea Philippi, located at the base of Mt. Hermon, near the mouth of an enormous cave, and the center of Baal worship. Baal was thought to descend through the cave to the center of the earth until spring when he emerged to have sexual relations with Asherah. From their union, the world was supposedly blessed with fertility. It was apparently on the rock outcropping overlooking this cave that Jesus made His statement “upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades  (represented here by the cave and Baal worship) shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:18).  Jesus was speaking of the revelation of who He is and Peter’s confession, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God,” as the “rock” upon which He would build His Church, and the powers of darkness would not be able to stand against the power of the Church of which Christ is the head. The church would grow and ultimately prevail, but in the process would also suffer and see millions of followers of Christ martyred for their faith, as they continue to be today.
     In His book, Lutzer compares the growth of the Church to that of the Bristlecone Pine which is believed to live longer than any other known organism on earth. It grows in sub-alpine groves at altitudes of 5,600 – 11,220 feet in regions of the western United States where it experiences cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds and short growing seasons, thus growing very slowly. Up until recently the oldest, named after Methuselah in the Bible, was dated at about 4,600 years old. In 2012, one bristlecone pine located in the White Mts. of California was determined to be just more than 5,000 years old.  The bristlecone pine has special traits that enable it to cope in one of the most austere and unfriendly environments on the planet.  (So does the Church!)
    1)  First, these pines grow slowly. They receive less than 12 inches of annual precipitation and have a growing season of only six weeks. They are rooted in 
        ground with few nutrients.  Under these conditions they may grow only an inch in girth per century!
     2) Second, these trees put down an extensive root system enabling the tree to have greater access to whatever little resources are available.  Also, the root
        system is often interwoven with other nearby trees.
     3)  Third, the bristlecone pine has a built-in resistance to disease.  The tree has dense wood and resins that shield it from invasion by insects, bacteria, and fungi.
     4)  Fourth, the bristlecone pine remains small in size.  There are times when a bristlecone pine will allow most of itself to die so that a small part of it can live.
     5)  Fifth, the only times the bristlecone pine sheds its seeds is when it is stuck by lightning or is surrounded by the intense heat of a forest fire. The capsule that
        holds the seeds does not break open unless it is exposed to great heat.  
 
     Some botanists once made an incredible find of 28 bristlecone pine seeds. They eagerly planted the seeds, but none germinated because the conditions in which they were planted were too favorable!  Think about the parallels to the growth of the Church. There might be spurts of growth, like at Pentecost or during some of the great revivals in history, but the norm is slow steady growth, usually under very harsh conditions in a world that hates Christ and those who represent Him (Jn. 15:18,19). But, all the adversity causes the believer to develop a strong root system, as he/she is driven to the Word and to prayer and dependence on the Lord (Col. 2:6,7).  The Church, as it grows slowly and develops a strong root structure, with dependence upon Christ and His Word, becomes resistant to the enemies which would attack with false doctrine and worldly allurements. Fellowship with other believers (interweaving of the root systems) also adds strength to the trees. It protects itself from rot and decay from within and persecution from without.  The true Church would also remain small, in the minority, sometimes just a remnant. Jesus, speaking prophetically of the future of the Church, said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Mt. 7:13,14). Also, just as the bristlecone pine that sometimes allows part of itself to die so that a small part can live, believers must crucify the flesh so that the new nature can flourish. We must put off the old and put on the new (Eph. 4:20-24).  And, as the bristlecone pine only reproduces during times of great adversity from a lightning strike or a fire, so the church doesn’t multiply until it faces intense persecution, such as the believers who were driven out of Jerusalem in the first century when “Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word (literally, ‘gossiping the gospel’)” (Ro. 8:3,4). A church that is too comfortable with the world around it can easily become complacent or even apathetic.
     Now we understand why the Church in countries such as China is growing strong, and the Church in this country may have that same opportunity in the near future! 
Meanwhile, think about what your church can do, or what you can do, to grow deeper and more interconnected roots to prepare for the storm that is sure to come. We must have our roots deeply planted in the soil of God’s Word and must connect with other believers in fellowship and accountability. In doing so, we will have equipped ourselves to endure. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (Eph. 6:13).
 
                                                                                               Forever His,
                                                                                                        Pastor Dave
 
P.S. I highly recommend Pastor Lutzer’s book, The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent. It is published by Harvest House.
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“Bible Centered Ministries”

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Pastor Dave
 
     During our junior high and high school years my wife and I both attended “Big Sky Bible Camp” on Peterson Lake near Bigfork, Montana. The camp was started by a couple Bible Club Movement missionaries, Miss Clark and Miss Simonton, who moved out from the East Coast. They also held Bible Clubs throughout the year in the Missoula area. It all started in 1936 when a returning American Missionary, Miss Bessie Traber, listened to the pleading of Philadelphia youth to give them a Bible Club like those she had organized in the Philippines. She and a group of volunteers met that fall to organize the first Bible Clubs for children, not realizing they were founding a mission that today ministers on five continents and 50 countries around the world with nearly 800 missionaries!  Within five years of that first Bible Club in Philadelphia, there were Bible Club workers in 25 states. Then a camping ministry was founded. Soon the first edition of BCM’s complete Bible study course Footsteps of Faith rolled off the press. By the time Miss Traber retired, more than 100 missionaries and thousands of volunteers were teaching children in 16 countries. The “Mailbox Bible Club” was launched, providing Bible Club courses by mail for both children and adults. Handi-Camps were established as a camping ministry to disabled children, teens and young adults. The children’s work expanded to include church planting (more than 17,000 churches worldwide) and leadership training. To more accurately reflect its growing ministries, the Bible Club Movement modified its name to “Bible Centered Ministries International.”
     When my wife and I moved back to Montana to work as missionaries with Rocky Mountain Bible Mission, Kathy and her mom, Mrs. Kutz, taught children’s classes in several rural areas of northwest Montana using Footsteps of Faith and the accompanying flannel graph stories. (By the way, flannel graph is still a very effective way of teaching the Bible!). When we started Elohim Bible Camp near Bull Lake on Highway 56, some ten miles from Three Lakes Community Bible Church where I pastored, one of our counselors for the first year of camp was Marty Windle who is now president of Bible Centered Ministries. He and his wife, Jeanette also spent a number of years on the mission field in Bolivia. Jeanette (Archer) had grown up in the rural villages,  jungles and mountains of Colombia where her folks were missionaries. You may recognize her name as being the author of numerous children’s books and suspense-packed novels such as CrossFire, Betrayed, Veiled Freedom, Freedom’s Stand, and her most recent, Congo Dawn. The books are exciting page-turners, that give you great insight into life in numerous foreign countries. As one of her readers Gayle Roper, author of Autumn Dreams, put it, “When it comes to international intrigue and the impact of Christ in hard settings, no one beats Jeanette Windle.” (Check out her list of books at www.tyndalefiction.com.  We highly recommend them.)
     Our church at Three Lakes has supported Marty and Jeanette for many years and this past Tuesday they were visiting at the church so we got to see them again and hear the exciting things God is doing through BCM world-wide.  Sometimes it gets a bit discouraging as we see the downward spiritual spiral of our country and the apathy of so many Christians. It was encouraging to be reminded of the great work God is still doing in the world and of the hunger that millions have for God’s Word. Since half the developing world is under age 21, children’s ministries remain a key focus. Nearly 1 1/2 million children hear God’s Word regularly in Bible Clubs. In the PowerPoint that Windle’s presented, they showed one lady and her volunteer helpers who teach 140,000 children each week! It showed many scenes of children packed tightly together by the thousands sitting quietly listening to Bible stories. (Try that one in our country!). BCM refers to the “four-to-fourteen window,” since about 80% of all who trust Christ as Savior do so between ages 4-14. 
     Jesus too, had a real heart for children. Once, when His disciples were involved in their on-going debate of who would be the greatest in heaven (Mt. 18:1), Jesus “…called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea’ ” (vv. 2-6).  In the very next chapter of Matthew’s Gospel we read, “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’ ” (Mt. 19:13,14).  Little children should by all means be taught the Gospel (cf II Tim. 3:15) and encouraged to come to Christ before they grow too old and hardened to understand with their hearts! 
     As we listened to the Windle’s exciting, encouraging presentation of BCM ministries, I couldn’t help but think–what would have happened if Miss Bessie Traber had not listened to the pleading of the Philadelphia youth to give them a Bible Club?  Today millions of children, and adults, all over the world are hearing the Gospel, and being taught the Scriptures because she had a burden for children and listened to God’s call. What is God calling you to do? Are you listening? Are you willing to step out in faith and obey? Only heaven will reveal the impact and ripple effect your obedience may have.
 
                                                                                                                    Forever His,
                                                                                                                            Pastor Dave
 
For more information, check out bcmintl.org  
    
    
    
    
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Convenience or Commitment?

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Pastor Dave

 For those of you who spent some time in college, you may recall being assigned several books to read for one of your courses, and realizing that at your reading speed and with other homework you would never be able to do it, you found summaries of the books to read, saving you lots of time. (I, of course never did such a thing!).  Or, maybe you want to rewatch one of your favorite TV series but don’t want to spend the time that would take. Well, you can go to “The Minisode Network” launched in June 2007 by Sony Pictures that offers condensed versions of many of the favorite series previously broadcast such as “Different Strokes,” “Jeopardy,” “Who’s the Boss,” “Charlie’s Angels,”  or “The Partridge Family.” You can watch an hour-long episode in 4-6 minutes! They advertise it as “The shows you love–only shorter.” It is all to make our life more convenient.

      Now, in some locations, you can even attend “drive-in Church” services on your way to the mountains or the lake or the ocean or the golf course. Or you can attend church some evening during  the week to free up your weekend–all to make it more convenient for you. I mean, after all, you don’t want to take this Christianity thing too seriously. There are just too many other things in life that take up your time. Many attend a religious service at whatever church makes them most comfortable. They may give a small offering and are kind to fellow church-goers, but definitely don’t want to get involved. They are much too busy living their lives, what with their jobs, family needs, work-outs at the fitness center, community involvements, sporting activities, need for recreation and time away, etc. So, giving one, or at the most, two hours to the “spiritual part” of their lives is even stretching themselves pretty thin.  And even regular church attendance isn’t always “convenient.” Whatever can be done to make it easier to squeeze in is much appreciated.
     Unfortunately, that is the life of many professing Christians in our country today. Why, I can remember when families attended Sunday School and Worship services on Sunday morning and then came back for an evening service, and even attended a mid-week prayer service and probably a home Bible study sometime during the week, and, oh, yes, maybe a work-day on Saturday occasionally and… I guess you get the picture. Some might say, “Oh, but we had more time back in those days.” Really? I guess the days have gotten shorter!  What has gotten shorter isn’t the number of hours per day but our commitment. For a majority today, Christianity is just a matter of convenience, not a matter of consecration and commitment.
     But that is surely not how it is presented in the Bible. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a lifestyle, and not a Sunday-only convenience. It calls for giving up our lives for Him. “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it'” (Mt. 16:24,25). The Christian life is to be one of commitment. It is about living as Jesus calls us to live, daily giving up our plans and purposes for His. A personal relationship with Him causes us to be concerned with our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, and actions. It is not just a couple-of-hours-a-week thing. It is total commitment to be a Kingdom Builder for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His all for us. As a chorus goes, “After all He’s done for Me, after all He’s done for me. How can I do less than give Him my best and live for Him completely, after all He’s done for me.”  Our Christianity is to affect every area of our lives and be the moving force behind all our decisions and activities. Jesus said we are to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” (Mt. 6:33). The Apostle Paul said, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth…And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father…Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men”  (Col. 3:2,17,23).  
     If Christianity to you is just a token commitment (also known as a “convenience”), then you will put in your hour or two on Sunday and live for self the rest of the week. If Christianity to you is a genuine commitment, then you will live for the Lord at work, putting Him first in your thoughts and relating Him to all that you do.  You will be available to whatever He has for you, and be ready always to share a reason of the hope that is within you (I Pet. 3:15).  When you stop and meditate on what our Savior has done for us and is doing for us, how can you help but want to be, as Paul and Timothy, “bondservants of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:1). “If Christianity is important at all, it is all-important. If it is anything, it is everything” (Billy Graham).  If God’s people were as dedicated to His agenda, as the radicals are to theirs, we would fulfill the Great Commission in one generation!  But, “We live in a church today where comfort and convenience have replaced conviction and commitment” (Dr. Joseph Stowell).  “If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him” (missionary/pastor C.T. Studd cf II Cor. 5:14,15).
     What is Christianity to you, a convenience or a genuine commitment?
 
                            Forever His,
                                Pastor Dave
    
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Beautiful Feet

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Pastor Dave

  “AWANA”  (which stands for “Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed” from II Tim. 2:15) is an international Christian youth program that we ran at Three Lakes Bible Church and is also conducted at Faith Bible Church where we now attend. It will be starting up again in September. It is a great way to teach children and young people God’s Word and for them to have fun while they are doing it. It is divided into three sections, “Cubbies,” “Sparks,” and “Truth and Training,” and each evening has three segments: “Handbook” time where they work on sections of a book; “Counsel Time” where they receive a Bible lesson, and “Game Time,” with fun games unique to AWANA played around an “AWANA circle.”  Clubbers earn “AWANA Shares” which they can spend at the “AWANA Store.”  Each spring clubbers also get to make pine wood derby cars to compete in the “AWANA Grand Prix.” 

     Throughout the year there are special AWANA nights such as “crazy-hair night,” and “black-out night.” When we were helping with AWANA at Three Lakes I added “beautiful-feet night” to that list. On that evening, I had each group of clubbers stand behind a partition that had a gap at the bottom.  They took off their shoes and socks and stood with their feet sticking out under the partition. Judges determined who had the most “beautiful feet.” (Have you ever really looked at your feet? They aren’t necessarily the most beautiful part of the human body. They are definitely not an object of attention in a beauty pageant but they surely play an important role!).  Then, after disclosing who belonged to the “winning feet” and giving them a little prize,  I would give a Bible lesson based on Romans 10: 12-15: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED’ (cf Joel 2:32). How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!'” (cf Isa. 52:7; Nah. 1:15).
     The Nahum reference had to do with the destruction of the Assyrian empire, the hated enemies of the Jews. Nineveh was their capital, a wicked city to which God had sent Jonah some 150 years earlier. God had patiently dealt with Nineveh, but now His judgment was going to fall. It was this “good news” that the messenger brought to the Jews, and this is what made his feet so beautiful.
     Isaiah used this statement for a future event–the return of Christ and the establishing of His glorious kingdom. The messenger with the beautiful feet announced that God had defeated Israel’s enemies and that Messiah was reigning from Jerusalem.
     Paul, however, used the quotation in a present  application: the messengers of the Gospel taking the “Good News” to Israel today. The “peace” spoken of is “peace with God” (cf Ro. 5:1), and the peace Christ has effected between Jews and Gentiles by forming the one Body, the Church (cf Eph. 2:13-17). The remedy for Israel’s rejection is in hearing the Word of the Gospel and believing on Jesus Christ. It is necessary to understand Paul’s position in order to appreciate these verses. The Jews, his own people, hated the Apostle Paul even though they had applauded Saul, the Pharisee. He is showing the logic of his position. They rejected his claim, or the right of any of the apostles, to proclaim a gospel that omitted the Mosaic system which had degenerated into an empty Judaism. Paul shows that there must be messengers of the gospel who have credentials from God. Paul began his letter to the Romans with the claim, “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God” (Ro. 1:1).  There follows a logical sequence: preachers must be sent in order for people to hear, in order that they might believe and call upon Christ and be saved. This necessitated his ministry. Paul clinches his logic by quoting Isa. 52:7, which of course precedes the marvelous fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, which is a prophecy of Christ’s death and resurrection (the Gospel!). The law of Moses surely was not glad tidings of good things, but rather a message of death and condemnation.
     We too as believers are called to present this Good News to Jew and Gentile alike. In fact, Jesus, before leaving earth, told the disciples to take this message to “the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Everyone who has “believed in his heart” is to “confess with his mouth” (Ro. 10:9) that others might hear and believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths.  As someone said, “Every heart with Christ is a missionary and every heart without Christ is a mission field.” The Apostle Paul also wrote that “…we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (II Cor. 5:20).
     When you have good news, it is hard to keep it to yourself. You want to share it with everyone you see. Well, we have the best news ever, that God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, to live a perfect life, qualifying Him to take your place and die for your sin; but that after being buried, He rose again in just three days, and that through believing on Him you can have your sins forgiven and receive eternal life. Now that is news worth sharing! Are you sharing it?  How beautiful are your feet?
 
                                                                                                    Forever His,
                                                                                                            Pastor Dave
    
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One Couple’s Impact on an Entire Community

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Pastor Dave
 
     This past Saturday, we had the privilege of attending a 90th birthday celebration for Nora Mae Auge. Many of her children and grandchildren gave testimonies of how her godly example and prayers had kept them on track for the Lord, or brought them back when they strayed. Lots of her friends also shared of the impact she and her late husband, Lou, had on their lives and how her example of faithfulness for some 60 years has been such an encouragement to them.
     Lou and Nora Mae hadn’t heard much about God in the early years of their life together. Lou worked hard in the woods as a sawyer and was a good provider for his family. They believed there was a God, but didn’t know Him. Then one of the most significant events to ever occur in Libby, Montana took place. In February/March of 1955, Youth For Christ held a two-week rally. The two oldest Auge children, Gene and Ron, attended and became Christians, and talked their folks into going with them to the meetings where they too trusted Christ as their Savior. There were even a couple area pastors who got saved at that YFC crusade!
     The Auges started a Bible study in their home along with several other couples, some of whom had also been saved at the crusade. Al Oursland, who was principal at the local junior high, taught the Bible study. They soon added a prayer meeting and a Sunday School time for the children and felt the Lord leading to organize as a church. They formed a board and in June extended an invitation to Pastor Clarence Kutz of Wilsall, Montana to come as their pastor. He did and the first service was held the first Sunday in September of 1955.  They chose the name “Faith Bible Church” and met in the Auges’ living room at their residence on 514 Minnesota Ave. As they outgrew the living room, they rented the Grange hall (now Denny’s Body Shop) in the spring of 1956. In March of 1957 they purchased property and began to build that summer, holding the first service in the basement on  Easter, 1960.  It was quite a sight to see all the cars, and to watch the people filing into a little “out-house-size building” (the access to the basement) and disappearing for a couple hours, then pouring back out again. The superstructure was completed and first used for a wedding on June 16, 1967. Hey, that’s our anniversary!  Oh, it was our wedding!
     That leads to the role that Lou and Nora Mae Auge had on the life of my family. My folks and I moved from Polson, Montana to Libby in 1958 because my mom got a teaching job (4th grade) at Old Central. Lou and Nora Mae’s oldest daughter, Sherry, had her for a teacher after having a bad experience in 3rd grade. Sherry was so excited to have a “nice” teacher and a Christian that she told her folks they needed to go and visit the Nelsons. They did. They were the first family to befriend us after our move from Polson to Libby and they became close friends. They told my folks about what a great Bible teacher their pastor–Clarence Kutz–was. We went to hear him at the Grange Hall. Wow, he was fantastic and we kept attending and on June 16, 1967, I was married to the Kutzes’ daughter, Kathy, in the first wedding in the upstairs of FBC–thanks to the Auges, who invited Kutzes to Libby and who befriended my folks! 
     Lou was one of the workers who helped on the construction of FBC and also helped build Big Sky Bible Camp on Peterson Lake near Bigfork, and Elohim Bible Camp near Bull Lake, the Pipe Creek Church, and also the Three Lakes Community Bible Church which I pastored until retirement a couple years ago. Though neither had a great education, and had only the Bible training in their home Bible studies and then at Faith Bible, Lou and Nora Mae were very active in sharing their faith with others, family and friends alike. They and their girls used to go up Pipe Creek to the James’ on Sunday afternoons and conduct Sunday School with the James family (they had 12 children!) and Roberta Sichting and her children. One day Nora Mae went up to visit Beverly James and Beverly trusted Christ for eternal life. Rocky Mountain Bible Mission, with which we were missionaries from 1974-1983, conducted Vacation Bible School at the James’ home or in their field. I started a youth group with the James, Sichtings and several other Pipe Creek families. Soon a church was planted in the area. It really had its beginning in the home of David and Beverly James and with the faithfulness of a dedicated lay couple, Lou and Nora Mae Auge, who came to share about Christ’s love and forgiveness.
     Lou went to be with the Lord on Dec. 29, 2000 and what a homecoming that must have been for him, to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt. 25:23). I had the privilege of having the memorial service for Lou at FBC and what a time of testimony that was, as was the birthday celebration this past Saturday for Nora Mae’s 90th. It is really special when we are able to gather as we did to pay tribute to someone while they are still living. It had to be such a joy to Nora Mae to hear the many who shared of what a blessing she has been in their lives.
     There is no limit to how God can use any of us if we are willing to submit to His lordship and make ourselves available. Lou and Nora Mae were just very ordinary folks, without a lot of education or earthly possessions but who loved the Lord and served Him faithfully and wow what an impact on our community they have had–on our lives included. My wife gets to hold a Bible study in Nora Mae’s home so continues to be blessed by her example and strengthened by her prayers.
     Have you made yourself available to God?  He would love to use you too. And you will be amazed at what He can do through you. Give Him a chance.
 
                                                                               Forever His,
                                                                                    Pastor Dave
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A Lack of Knowledge

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Pastor Dave

 God, in speaking to and through the prophet Hosea, said: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hos. 4:6).  What was true of the Jews and the nation of Israel in Hosea’s day, can be said concerning our present age, and especially with respect to America’s children and youth. Our future as a nation doesn’t rest only on court decisions or elections, or bills by congress or executive orders by the president–important as those are. The future depends on America’s children–those who are this nation’s future. And they will soon be returning to school, most to public school classrooms to face ideological and spiritual indoctrination. It will happen to some degree in every community across the country. While we have some excellent teachers who serve as light in the darkness of our secular humanistic educational system, their hands are really tied as they face the liberal union leaders, politicians and education “experts” who set curriculum and dictate what is taught.

     Oh, students will be given a lot of “knowledge” all right, but it will be devoid of the godly, creation-based, biblical truth and principles and practices. Students’ minds and hearts will be bombarded with atheism, humanism, and evolutionary naturalism. Biblical truth, faith, morals and godly practices will be squeezed out. Many excellent teachers do their best to fight this trend and be “salt and light” in their schools, but they desperately need our support and our prayers.  Our nation’s future is at stake. Remember, the Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…” (Psa. 33:12); and “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Pr. 14:34). Unfortunately, man thinks he knows better than God and is attempting to rule Him out of the classroom and out of public life altogether. Solomon gives a serious commentary on such in his “Book of Wisdom,” writing: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 14:12).
     Interestingly, the idea that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” was the impetus for much of our country’s original schools. Education equipped children to learn to read God’s Word, respond to Him, and walk in His ways. Providing students with a sound, biblical world view was believed to lead to more positively contributing members of society. Martin Luther, who was an advocate for public education, warned, “I am very much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell until they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scripture…engraving them in the hearts of the youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.”  Wow! Has his prediction every come true, or what, especially in the last 50-75 years. Now biblical creation, values, and godly practice are often openly scoffed at in the classroom. Unfortunately “Separation of Church and State” has been reinterpreted from its original intent of protecting the church and is now being used as a bludgeon to keep anything which smacks of Christianity out. For example, consider that the federal government has endorsed and sponsored–for our schools–an “anti-bullying” program created and run by Dan Savage, a radical homosexual activist who spoke at a conference of high school students and angrily told them that the Bible was “b______s_______” (So much for “tolerance” and the so-called separation of church and state!)  Many brave students walked out as Savage called them foul names…but many cheered Savage. Think about that. As the Bible was blasphemed, many students cheered. That’s the depth of deception and hostility that anti-Christian, humanistic educators are creating.
     Do you remember when America once led the world in reading, writing and arithmetic? When the virtues of citizenship and religion were honored in schools? I do. But now, despite the efforts of many well-meaning teachers, ideological messages are pressed into minds of impressionable children by an education system that has become a leftist, humanistic indoctrination machine. And they are crowding out true education. The core subjects of math, science, history are not the same as my generation was taught. We now have an educational system and curriculum based on a whole different world view, with secular humanism and “un-scientific” evolution being the basis, with an emphasis on globalism, sex-education, tolerance, and a re-definition of family. 
     Yes, education is vital, but unless it honors our Creator God, it leads to disaster. I recently saw a quote from Thomas Jefferson that is pretty sobering as I reflect on the condition of our country: “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”  Pray much for those making decisions for our education system, pray for the teachers who have a biblical world view to have an influence,  and may God have mercy on us!
 
                                                                                                        Forever His,
                                                                                                            Pastor Dave
 
Note: Some of the above information was taken from the Family Research Council’s letter of August 1, 2013 and from “Think and Believe,” Jan/Feb 2013, a publication of Alpha Omega Institute.
    
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