Down in the Dumps?

At our mid-week Bible study last night, attendees participated in a spirited discussion about feeling down in the dumps. It seems most Christians get discouraged, and some experience depression. Depression may require significant medical attention, but discouragement usually responds well to an attitude adjustment and a lifestyle adjustment.

Elijah needed both after defeating a host of false prophets in a showdown that would decide who was the true God—Jehovah or Baal. Because he defeated and destroyed the false prophets—Queen Jezebel’s darlings—he became a marked man. Jezebel threatened to end his life within 24 hours. He reacted by running for his life. He left Israel, journeyed south through Judah, and took refuge in the wilderness, where he felt so miserable that he asked God to take away his life.

Had Elijah lost his senses? If he had really wanted to end it all, he could have saved himself an exhausting trip through two countries and into the wilderness. If he had stayed put, Jezebel would have gladly fulfilled his wish. But we don’t usually think sensibly when we feel down in the dumps.

Here’s how God restored Elijah’s drooping spirit. First, He let him rest (1 Kings 19:5). Second, He gave him some food and water (v. 6). Rest and diet are important parts of emotional recovery. Third, God gave Elijah a new revelation of His power and abiding presence (vv. 9–13). No matter how threatening a situation seems, God is in control and near to us. Fourth, God gave Elijah new assignments (vv. 14–17). We may wipe out occasionally as we serve God, but He doesn’t wipe us off His list of servants. Finally, God helped Elijah recognize he was not alone in battle against evil (v.18). Nor are we alone in battling evil. A network of fellow believers is available to support us,

We should never live down in the dumps. They aren’t even a nice place to visit. So let’s abandon discouragement and reach for His encouragement!

All Roads in the Bible Lead to Jesus

Jesus identified Himself to the apostle John on the island of Patmos as “Alpha And Omega, the beginning and the ending” (Revelation 1:8). You don’t have to be a theology professor to know the Bible from start to finish focuses on Jesus and presents Him as the Way by whom we enter into peaceful terms with God. From the introduction of sacrificial lambs in Genesis and Exodus to the glorified sacrificial Lamb featured in Revelation, Jesus is portrayed clearly as the Savior.

I read a bumper sticker on a car driven by a woman. “All Roads Lead to the Mall,” it announced. However, I wouldn’t bank on it. Someday, that female motorist may drive down a road that doesn’t lead to a mall. On the other hand, a Christian will never travel a road through Scripture that doesn’t lead to Christ.

Someone wrote about the Bible:

“Behold the Book whose leaves display
Jesus, the Truth, the Life, the Way.
Search it with diligence and prayer.
And you will find Him there.”

May your reading of the Bible today lead you to a better knowledge of Jesus and into a closer walk with Him.

Closing the Generation Gap

A couple of weeks ago I finished writing a VBS course for adults. Regular Baptist Press will offer it as part of its VBS ’09 curriculum. Tomorrow, I will begin writing Regular Baptist Press’s VBS ‘09 course for fifth and sixth graders. I will have to downshift for this younger generation, but I am eager to crank up the writing machine.

Our granddaughter Kayla is a fifth grader. I plan to bounce some ideas off her. Also, some fifth and sixth grade kids in the church I serve will be goods research sources. I will be asking them questions and examining their homework.

I may even watch “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” However, I’m not sure the questions presented on the show accurately reflect what most kids learn in fifth grade. One thing is certain: after writing the VBS course, I will NOT look into the camera and say, ”I am not smarter than a fifth grader.”

By writing this VBS course, I want to help kids understand the Bible and apply it to daily life. Please pray for me as I begin to close the generation gap tomorrow.

Walk This Way!

Enoch was the only member of Seth’s godly line who escaped death in the Age of Conscience. Genesis 5:21–24 reports that he walked with God until one day God took him. Even parental responsibilities didn’t deter Enoch from walking with God. Verse 22 indicates he walked with God for 300 years after fathering Methuselah and other sons and daughters. At age 365, Enoch’s walk with God rose to its highest level—Heaven.

After returning from a trip to the Holy Land, a Christian told a friend how thrilling it was to walk where Jesus walked centuries earlier. He added, "Only one thing is better than walking where Jesus walked long ago; that is to walk with Jesus today.”

You and I may not be able to tour the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked, but we can walk with Him today and every day.

May we enjoy such a walk now and anticipate our future walk with Him in Heaven.

Stamp Out Complaining

According to J. J. Camp of the Canadian Bar Association, in 1887 surveyors marked the 49th parallel, the U.S.-Canada boundary, across the prairies. They drew the boundary according to carefully calculated coordinates. Inevitably, a few farmers who thought they were living in the United States suddenly learned they were on the Canadian side of the border.

One of those surprised farmers complained vehemently to the surveyor.

“Why do you care?” the surveyor asked.

“The farmer snapped, “Do you know how cold those Canadian winters can be?”

I have lived on both sides of the border, and, believe me, complainers may be found on both sides. Complaining seems to be a natural part of the human psyche. Even Christians find plenty to complain about. The church auditorium is too hot or too cold. The pastor preaches too long. His wife can’t keep their kids under control. Deacon Smith is too old to wear his hair that way.

Of course, we can all find things to complain about outside church. The weather is beastly. Health care has gone to the dogs. Gas prices are on the rise again. You can’t find a clean fast–food restaurant anywhere. Teens are disrespectful. Government has fallen into the hands of lobbyists. Hospitals won’t keep you more than three days unless you have a brain transplant. Whine! Whine! Whine!

I’ll admit it: I do my share of complaining, but I’m going to try to stamp out complaining. I have far more reasons to host a praise party than a pity party. Furthermore, I just read 1 Thessalonians 5. Two verses in that chapter oppose complaining but champion praise: “Rejoice always” (v. 16), and “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (v. 18).

Complaining doesn’t change anything for the better, but praise changes us for the better. So let’s stamp out complaining and embrace praise.