Facts of the Matter

ONE OF LIFE’S ILLUSIONS:

Good Morning!

Recently I relaxed in the lobby of one of Asia’s loveliest hotels located in a country classified as “Third World.” As chauffeured Mercedes and Jaguars cruised to the entrance, the beautiful and the privileged alighted to the gracious welcome of white-gloved hotel personnel.

Later, as I was being chauffeured to the airport in an air conditioned automobile, I gazed out the window and noticed a bent over old man, cane in hand, laboring under the blaring sun as he shouldered a heavy backpack up a steep series of steps that would eventually take him across the highway upon which I was traveling.

I could not help but think, “What inequity! How unfair! Why the disparity?”

…Until I recalled Jesus’ teaching:

“Many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” (Matt. 19:30)

About the parable of the rich man and Lazarus: In eternity the fellow previously living in poverty and sickness on earth now enjoys heaven’s bliss with Abraham, while the man rich now languishes in Hell. (Lk. 16:19-31).

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…” (Rev. 3:17)

As you and I enjoy His bounty in our “island” of affluence, surrounded by the world’s impoverished, it behooves us to remember that,

“…Everyone who has been given much, much shall much be required…” (Lk. 12:48)

May God help us amidst our “illusion” of prosperity tomaintain an eternal perspective as to thetrue riches, and of the responsibility that comes with privilege.

My prayer is that you are having a great week!

R. Dwight Hill

*originally dated June 21st, 1995

ONE OF LIFE’S ILLUSIONS:

Good Morning!

Recently I relaxed in the lobby of one of Asia’s loveliest hotels located in a country classified as “Third World.” As chauffeured Mercedes and Jaguars cruised to the entrance, the beautiful and the privileged alighted to the gracious welcome of white-gloved hotel personnel.

Later, as I was being chauffeured to the airport in an air conditioned automobile, I gazed out the window and noticed a bent over old man, cane in hand, laboring under the blaring sun as he shouldered a heavy backpack up a steep series of steps that would eventually take him across the highway upon which I was traveling.

I could not help but think, “What inequity! How unfair! Why the disparity?”

…Until I recalled Jesus’ teaching:

“Many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” (Matt. 19:30)

About the parable of the rich man and Lazarus: In eternity the fellow previously living in poverty and sickness on earth now enjoys heaven’s bliss with Abraham, while the man rich now languishes in Hell. (Lk. 16:19-31).

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…” (Rev. 3:17)

As you and I enjoy His bounty in our “island” of affluence, surrounded by the world’s impoverished, it behooves us to remember that,

“…Everyone who has been given much, much shall much be required…” (Lk. 12:48)

May God help us amidst our “illusion” of prosperity tomaintain an eternal perspective as to thetrue riches, and of the responsibility that comes with privilege.

My prayer is that you are having a great week!

R. Dwight Hill

*originally dated June 21st, 1995

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for         money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs…. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1. The quality of our life is not defined by what we materially possess: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim. 6:6). Jesus: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’” (Lk. 12:15). 2. From an eternal perspective, the level of our material possessions is of little import: ”…We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (I Tim. 6:7). After loosing his earthly possessions, Job stated: ” Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). ^“ Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand ” (Ecc. 5:15). 3. God has wired us so that we can choose to be content with life’s basics: “… If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (I Tim. 6:8). “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11-13). (See Lk. 3:14) 4. The desire to be wealthy leads to many troubles and our ultimate destruction: “… They’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after” (I Tim. 6:9,10 -Msg.). (See 2 Pet. 2:3; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) 5. If God has blessed us with material wealth, we must guard against pride: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant…” (I Tim. 6:17).   “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” (Deut. 8:17, 18) (See I Cor. 4:7) This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection. R. Dwight Hill *Original Facts date January 4^th, 2012

PRINCIPLE #5: SURRENDER YOUR PLAN TO GOD :

I God’s plan for our lives is a mystery:

^“ A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?..For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Pro. 20:24; Isa. 55:8, 9).

II God’s sovereign purposes will prevail over man’s plans:

^” In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps…Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails…I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Pro. 16:9; 19:21; Jer. 10:23).

“ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory…But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations…I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please ” (Eph. 1:1, 12; Psa. 33:11; Isa. 46:10). (See Isa 14:24; 27; Dan. 4:35)

IV You will not succeed if you go against God’s plan:

“ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord…Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed…Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (Pro. 21:30; 16:3; Jms. 4:13-17).

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

R. Dwight Hill

Most of you who read “The Facts” are sincere in your efforts to obey the Great Commission: Making Disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20). The question is: How are you going about it? One-on-one discipleship? Or through the Body of Christ. The church. The Christian community. In fact, both approaches are biblically correct.

Paul demonstrated the power of one-on-one discipling, for example, through his personal impact on Timothy and the Thessalonians :

“…The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2).

^“ You…know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings…” (2 Tim. 3:10, 11a).

“We dealt with you [Thessalonians] one by one as a father deals with his children …” (1 Thess. 2:10a – NEB Trans.). (See 1 Thess. 17-10; 2:8-12)

The Body of Christ also plays a central role in the maturation process of discipleship.

^“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (I Pet. 4:10).

“…Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:15b, 16). A careful study of Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12-14, and I Peter 4:10, 11 will present a clear picture of the Body’s role in discipling.

Henri Nouwen, in his book, “Can You Drink the Cup?” beautifully illustrates the importance of Christian community:

“Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another is cold blue or dull green, another sharp yellow, another shining gold. Some look precious others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stones, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

R. Dwight Hill

In last weeks Facts I wrote about the weakness of much pulpit preaching on tough issues like adultery, divorce and re-marriage, the lack of sermons addressing our sweeping moral decline. Rather, our ears are being tickled with easy feel goodism, and cheap grace. I asked the question, Whatever happened to the word sin?  The answer: It has been replaced with euphuisms. We continue:

Sin, the word that seems to have disappeared from our vocabulary:

  Is everything in our disposition, purpose and conduct that is contrary to the expressed will of God Jms. 4:17; Rom. 3:20; 7:7

 Is violating the righteous nature of God Lev. 11:45

 Is a condition of the heart – Matt. 15:18-20; Gen. 3:1-6

 Is revealed in the Law of Moses Exo. 20

 Is putting self before God 2 Tim. 3:2, 4; 2 Thes. 2:3,4

 Is breaking the Law I Jn. 3:2

 Is rejecting the light and truth of Jesus Jn. 3:18, 19

 Is falling short of Gods standard; missing the mark Rom. 3:23

 Is universal Rom. 3:23; I Jn. 1:8; I Kin. 8:46

 Results in enslavement Rom. 6

 Results in depravity Rom. 1:29; 2 Pet. 2:19

 Results in spiritual blindness 2 Cor. 4:5

 Results in guilt Psa. 32:3,4; 51:3, 8-12

 Results in death Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:14; Eph. 2:12

 Results in unimaginable suffering – Deut. 28:15-68

One of the great needs of our day is for strong men of God preaching the word of God without equivocating. Men who live, soak and breathe the Scriptures. Men who labor on their knees and preach with fire and conviction, coupled with deep compassion. Men who go to the mountain and meet God and get His  vision and message for their ministry. Not men who twaddle off to conferences and take notes on how to do church.  Hey, we need visionaries with conviction, filled with the Spirit of God who dont quake at mens shadows, no matter who they are.

This sick world also needs laymen and women who stand up for what is right in the marketplace of ideas and commerce, at whatever the cost. Instead, what we seem to have is back slapping palsy-walsy men pleasers.  In place of men with steal in their spines, we have nice guys with vanilla in their veins. God help us all. Because unless there is good old fashion Bible teaching that fosters repentance and revival, we are headed for trouble, the likes of which we cannot imagine in our worst nightmare.

And folks, that transformation needs to begin with you and with me:  If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land  (2 Chro. 7:14).

This week may you experience His grace, peace and protection.

R. Dwight Hill

Theres a guy in my health club who pumps a gazillion pounds of pig iron, is built like a Ram Heavy Duty Cummins Diesel truck, and is plastered with tattoos.  Without realizing it, I found myself taking a wide path around him.  Im not looking for trouble. Certainly not from him!  A few weeks back however, we got to talking in the locker room and I found him to be articulate, polite, established in a career, and from a respected family. His passion? Fishing. During our conversation he treated me with utmost respect, repeatedly addressing me as Sir.

God forgive me for my censorious attitude toward this decent human being.  The fact is that I have become quite adept at mentally censoring people who happen to be outside of my comfort zone; people who dont measure up to the standards I have set for myself. God help me. When will I learn not to judge others by external appearances? (I Sam. 16:7; Matt. 7:1; Jn. 6:37) I for one need to learn how to extend grace to others by actively looking for ways God is at work in their lives. 1

St. Paul is a model of someone who extended grace to others. In his introductory remarks to the Corinthians, he expresses his unconditional love for them, despite their obviously sinful behavior, I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus (I Cor. 1:4). By sinful behavior I mean:

 

  Their drift away from the centrality of Christ into human wisdom (I Cor. 1:17-2:19).

  Their incessant fighting among themselves, which resulted in major factions within the church (I Cor. 1:10-17; 3:1-9).

  Their toleration of gross immorality within their body of believers (I Cor. 5:1-13; 6:12-20).

  Their lawsuit happy approach to solving problems with fellow believers  (I Cor. 6:1-11).

  Their proclivity toward drunkenness at the Lords Supper (I Cor. 11:17-25).

  Their convolution and abuse of  the gifts of the Spirit (I Cor. 12 14).

  Their rejection of Paul as an Apostle of Christ (II Cor. 10).

 

But because Paul chose to see them from Gods point of view, it profoundly affected his attitude toward them. In his eyes, they were saints – with feet of clay – in process, and on their way to Zion! 

 

He continues: [God] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (I Cor. 1:8, 9) (See Phil. 1:6).  Paul was indeed living out the Scriptures definition of love toward the Corinthians:  Love looks for a way of being constructiveLove knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything.  It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen (I Cor. 13:4, 7, 8 Phillips Tran.).

QUESTION: Do you need to join me in learning how to better extend grace to others by actively looking for ways God is at work in their lives? 

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

R. Dwight Hill

1  Humility C. J. Mahaney, Multnomah Press, Three Sisters, 2001, pg. 98

 

Jesus, in his epic encounters with the religious leaders of his day, pierced their pharisaical armor, exposing their deep-rooted hypocrisy.  I wonder how you and I stack up with them in these four areas:

 

  They had a superficial relationship with God: You have never heard [the Fathers] voice nor seen his form (John 5:37b). (See 2 Tim 3:5; 1 John 1:1,2; 4:12)

Question: Are you experiencing the refreshing presence of God in your walk, worship and times alone with Him? Is the Spirit of God ministering to you at the deepest level?  Or is your relationship with God obligatory and boring?  (See Ps. 68:9; Hos. 6:3; Mi. 5:7; Ezek. 34:26; Acts 3:19)

  They possessed a cavalier attitude toward the word of God: There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! Yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:38, 39 Msg. John 5:40 NIV).  (See Matt 22:29; Luke 4:4-7, 11-14)

Question: How closely does our life resemble this indictment:  You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God (Matt. 22:29b).  (See Isa. 66:2b)

  They where more interested in garnering the praise of men than possessing the love of God:  Jesus: "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your heartsHow can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?  (John 5: 41, 42, 44).

Question:  What is it that really motivates you? The love, fear, and approval of God? Or the sanction and acceptance of men?  (See Acts 4:19; 5:29; II Cor. 5:11, 14; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thes. 2:4)

  They were easy targets of fraudulent religious leaders: I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him (John 5:43 (NIV).  (See. Matt 24:4,5, 11,  22-27)

Question: Have you settled it once and for all that Christ, the Son of God, is Lord of all, and that you intend to follow him all the days of your life?  Or are you an easy target for spiritual cons?