Our national debt for ’09 is estimated at $1.2 trillion. That’s a lot of debt to pass along to future generations of Americans. Frankly, I think the stimulus plan to bail out companies and institutions by throwing money we don’t have at them is unwise. Is there something I’m missing?
I try to stay out of debt by paying what I owe with real money. I’m sure that’s also your personal economic plan. However, there is one debt I could never pay. But someone paid it for me. Jesus cancelled the debt of my sin—and yours—not with a promissory note but with His blood. On the cross, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). A valid paraphrase of those triumphant words is, “Paid in full.”
Colossians 1:14 points out that we have redemption through Jesus’ blood. If anyone suggests redemption comes through good works or through a church, you may wish to refer him or her to Colossians 1:14.
An old Gospel song asks, “What can wash away my sin?” The next line replies, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” I'm not surprised to find good old theology in a good old hymn.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Retirement Isn't in the Bible. So?
“Retirement isn’t in the Bible. So I don’t plan to retire.” The 40-year-old teacher told his adult Sunday school class. Stay tuned! Twenty-five years from now he may change his mind.
The teacher was right about one thing, though; the subject of retirement isn’t in the Bible. But neither does the Bible mention health insurance, automobiles, vacations, or hot fudge sundaes. Yet, most of us carry health insurance, buy automobiles, take vacations, and enjoy an occasional hot fudge sundae. You haven’t heard anyone say, “No hot fudge sundae for me, thank you; the Bible doesn’t mention hot fudge sundaes. But, if you happen to have some locusts and wild honey . . . .“
The issue of retiring comes down to a personal decision based on circumstances. More of us are postponing retirement. We recognize that improved medical care—clear diagnoses, safe surgical procedures, and new drugs—is extending human life. If we retire at 65 but live to be 85 or 90, our previously anticipated retirement income need would not carry us through those extra years. Also, if we enjoy good health, we reason that we might get bored after a few years of fishing or lounging beside a pool. So we opt to stay in the work force a while longer. Then, too, shrinking 401Ks make it hard to retire as early as many of us had planned.
Post-retirement-age workers pose a problem, though, to their companies because they cost more in wages and health benefits. Many firms, therefore, encourage employees to retire by offering them an attractive severance package. But, if aging workers love their jobs or feel no one can replace them, they may choose to stay until they are carried out in a pine box.
The Bible doesn’t indicate whether it is right or wrong to retire, but it makes it clear that we ought to serve the Lord as long as we live. What happened to the apostle John affirms this fact. The Roman emperor had banished—retired—John to the obscure island of Patmos. Surely, at the age of 90 and living far from the mainland, John would pose no threat to the empire. How could he spread Christianity from Patmos? He might as well kick back, wait for Gabriel to blow his horn, and take his last breath.
But John wasn’t the retiring type. He kept on worshiping and serving the Lord, and one day he received a visit from Him. There, at Patmos, Jesus commissioned John to write Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Revelation has given believers through the centuries a glimpse of Jesus as our glorified Lord, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. John’s brightest day and perhaps greatest ministry arrived nearly three decades after his 65th birthday.
Your best day, too, may lie ahead.
© Jim Dyet
The teacher was right about one thing, though; the subject of retirement isn’t in the Bible. But neither does the Bible mention health insurance, automobiles, vacations, or hot fudge sundaes. Yet, most of us carry health insurance, buy automobiles, take vacations, and enjoy an occasional hot fudge sundae. You haven’t heard anyone say, “No hot fudge sundae for me, thank you; the Bible doesn’t mention hot fudge sundaes. But, if you happen to have some locusts and wild honey . . . .“
The issue of retiring comes down to a personal decision based on circumstances. More of us are postponing retirement. We recognize that improved medical care—clear diagnoses, safe surgical procedures, and new drugs—is extending human life. If we retire at 65 but live to be 85 or 90, our previously anticipated retirement income need would not carry us through those extra years. Also, if we enjoy good health, we reason that we might get bored after a few years of fishing or lounging beside a pool. So we opt to stay in the work force a while longer. Then, too, shrinking 401Ks make it hard to retire as early as many of us had planned.
Post-retirement-age workers pose a problem, though, to their companies because they cost more in wages and health benefits. Many firms, therefore, encourage employees to retire by offering them an attractive severance package. But, if aging workers love their jobs or feel no one can replace them, they may choose to stay until they are carried out in a pine box.
The Bible doesn’t indicate whether it is right or wrong to retire, but it makes it clear that we ought to serve the Lord as long as we live. What happened to the apostle John affirms this fact. The Roman emperor had banished—retired—John to the obscure island of Patmos. Surely, at the age of 90 and living far from the mainland, John would pose no threat to the empire. How could he spread Christianity from Patmos? He might as well kick back, wait for Gabriel to blow his horn, and take his last breath.
But John wasn’t the retiring type. He kept on worshiping and serving the Lord, and one day he received a visit from Him. There, at Patmos, Jesus commissioned John to write Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Revelation has given believers through the centuries a glimpse of Jesus as our glorified Lord, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. John’s brightest day and perhaps greatest ministry arrived nearly three decades after his 65th birthday.
Your best day, too, may lie ahead.
© Jim Dyet
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Winter of Life
Our temperature dropped from 70 Thursday to 40 yesterday, and we may get a trace of snow Monday. Golfers will be disappointed, but I am not able to play golf anyhow. My left knee has disabled me, and the pain has been intensifying day by day. I haven’t been able to take my three dogs for a long walk for nearly a week. I’m sure they feel deprived.
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear from one of my former Moody classmates. We graduated from Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) in 1957. Although almost 52 years have passed, our student days seem like yesterday’s events. But what I hear now from the Class of ’57 grounds me in real time. Some classmates have gone to be with the Lord, but the rest of us remain on earth, where we endure a wide variety of physical challenges.
Yes, the body ages and groans, but God’s grace remains fresh and abundant. So do our opportunities to honor Him. As long as we draw breath, we can also draw from God’s unlimited grace and treasure a statement made by our professor of Greek, Kenneth Wuest. He remarked that “the servant of God is immortal until his life’s work is done.”
The winter of life may not be pleasant, but spring is just ahead!
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear from one of my former Moody classmates. We graduated from Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) in 1957. Although almost 52 years have passed, our student days seem like yesterday’s events. But what I hear now from the Class of ’57 grounds me in real time. Some classmates have gone to be with the Lord, but the rest of us remain on earth, where we endure a wide variety of physical challenges.
Yes, the body ages and groans, but God’s grace remains fresh and abundant. So do our opportunities to honor Him. As long as we draw breath, we can also draw from God’s unlimited grace and treasure a statement made by our professor of Greek, Kenneth Wuest. He remarked that “the servant of God is immortal until his life’s work is done.”
The winter of life may not be pleasant, but spring is just ahead!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Molly and Me
Poor Molly! Every time the pain of an arthritic left knee makes me grimace or groan, Molly our Maltese, runs to me and licks my face. She gets very nervous and concerned when I feel poorly. Our other dogs, Rosie and Sadie, are younger than Molly and do not show the kind of concern Molly exhibits. They were not born when I suffered a stroke in 2001. Molly came into our lives shortly after the stroke, and encouraged me to take her for a daily walk. The more I walked, the stronger I became. Obviously, she has not lost her rehab instinct.
Dogs are wonderful companions, especially if owners treat them right. Their love and loyalty are qualities believers ought to show to their heavenly Father.
P.S. I know the title should be "Molly and I," but "Marley and Me" was a big success, wasn't it?
Dogs are wonderful companions, especially if owners treat them right. Their love and loyalty are qualities believers ought to show to their heavenly Father.
P.S. I know the title should be "Molly and I," but "Marley and Me" was a big success, wasn't it?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
As I write this blog, unprecedented numbers of people have assembled in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The media seem to be fixated on two words as they describe this unprecedented event: “historic” and “celebration.” The inauguration is both. It is historic because America’s first black president is being inaugurated, and it is a celebration because the nation has spurned racism and believes Barack Obama will restore our nation’s prosperity, peace, and global respect. Am I misjudging some of the celebration as worship of a political messiah? I don’t think so.
Before long, reality is bound to lower celebrants’ expectations. Conflict, economic woes, and poverty will not end overnight. As President, Mr. Obama will face enormous crises that will tax his wisdom and stamina. Those crises will chip away at his perceived messianic status and reveal his humanness. We should pray for divine guidance as he makes decisions in those pivotal times.
I anticipate the arrival of Jesus, the true Messiah, to Planet Earth seven years after the Rapture and at the end of the Tribulation, Earth’s darkest period of history. He will inaugurate His Kingdom and reign from Jerusalem. The event will be historic and celebratory. His reign will be characterized by peace, prosperity, righteousness, worship, productivity, Edenic environment, and joy.
Let me share an excerpt from my little book, Rethinking Popular Beliefs About the End Times:
“The kingdom reign of Jesus will fulfill all the covenant promises made to the patriarchs and to King David. He will dwell among the restored, regenerated, and rejoicing people of Israel. Isaiah 12 records saved Israel’s song of praise to the Messiah. It reflects the joy of His comfort (v. 1), the joy of His salvation (v. 4), and the joy of His presence (v. 6). If we think we have joy now because we know Jesus as Savior, just wait and see how much joy we will have when we, like restored Israel, enjoy His physical presence!” (p. 46)
© Jim Dyet
Before long, reality is bound to lower celebrants’ expectations. Conflict, economic woes, and poverty will not end overnight. As President, Mr. Obama will face enormous crises that will tax his wisdom and stamina. Those crises will chip away at his perceived messianic status and reveal his humanness. We should pray for divine guidance as he makes decisions in those pivotal times.
I anticipate the arrival of Jesus, the true Messiah, to Planet Earth seven years after the Rapture and at the end of the Tribulation, Earth’s darkest period of history. He will inaugurate His Kingdom and reign from Jerusalem. The event will be historic and celebratory. His reign will be characterized by peace, prosperity, righteousness, worship, productivity, Edenic environment, and joy.
Let me share an excerpt from my little book, Rethinking Popular Beliefs About the End Times:
“The kingdom reign of Jesus will fulfill all the covenant promises made to the patriarchs and to King David. He will dwell among the restored, regenerated, and rejoicing people of Israel. Isaiah 12 records saved Israel’s song of praise to the Messiah. It reflects the joy of His comfort (v. 1), the joy of His salvation (v. 4), and the joy of His presence (v. 6). If we think we have joy now because we know Jesus as Savior, just wait and see how much joy we will have when we, like restored Israel, enjoy His physical presence!” (p. 46)
© Jim Dyet
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