Verses that are two sides of the same coin

I have been thinking about two Bible verses that are related to each other, or as I titled the blog today: verses that are two sides of the same coin.  Never in my life have I identified so deeply with these two companion verses like I do at this season of my life.  The first verse is what Jesus said in John 15:5; “I am the vine; you are the branches.  He who abides in Me and I in Him bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.”

Some have balked at Jesus’ statement that without Him we are not able to do anything.  But stop and ponder this with me.  Jesus Christ is, as the Bible puts it, “in very nature God” (Philippians 2:5; NIV).  We are told in Colossians 1 that “all things were created through Him [Jesus] and for Him.” Jesus is the reason that you have breath in your lungs, and a heart that is beating.  The Bible says every time we wake up from the night’s sleep, it was God Himself who preserved us (Psalm 4:8).  The ultimate in irony is that a person can use their tongue to curse God and they are only able to do it because He has granted them life in the first place.  Jesus Christ has sustained you and me to this very day.  It’s true: without Jesus, we really can “do nothing.”

The other side of the coin for this subject matter is another phenomenal verse.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13; NKJV).  Right off the bat, I have to say that this verse has been misunderstood and misapplied over the years.  Well-meaning individuals have taken this verse out of its context and, in doing so, presented it in an erroneous way.  For example, I know of someone who quoted this verse to prove that she was going to have success with her business venture.  That’s not what the verse means.

 

You have to keep this verse in its context.  Philippians 4:12 says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  [Verse 13] I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (ESV).  This verse is not saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it, because Christ will give you the strength to accomplish it.”  What it is saying is, “Whatever my lot in life happens to be, I can face it through the empowering of Jesus Christ.”  One version renders it, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”  The Amplified Bible is also helpful: “I can do all things (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthens and empowers me (to fulfill His purpose).”

In conclusion, let me share that the other day at church, we sang the song “Breathe” that has this song lyric in it: “I’m desperate for You and I’m lost without You.”  These words express the cry of my heart.  Without God, I am hopeless, helpless, and lost.  Without Him, I can do nothing.  But with Him, I know that whatever comes my way, I can face it with confidence and courage.  Not because of anything I have in and of myself, but because of the strength and power of Jesus Christ.  “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6; ESV).

Kevin

Like father, like son?

Last time, I shared a voice from the past with you.  Even though it was a sermon from 1997, Pastor Rick Ferguson had some timely truth for us.  Today, I want to dovetail off of one point that was made.  He mentioned that men are impacted by the godliness –or lack thereof – of their father.  It’s true. I thank God for the godly influence of my own parents; this is an incredible gift from Him that I don’t take for granted.  But, the truth is, there comes a point when the child must choose whether or not they want the faith of their parents for himself (or herself).  For instance, I think of how my dad, at a young age, chose to make Jesus his Lord and Savior rather than banking on the faith of his Christian parents.
 

I don’t know why this notion has been laid so heavily on my heart of late, but it has been, so let me just say this definitively: if you want to go to Heaven in your after-life, you cannot do so by relying on the righteousness of a godly parent, grandparent, Aunt/Uncle, and so on; you have to choose to put your faith in Jesus and His shed blood for your sin on the cross of Calvary.  You don’t enter Heaven’s gates by grabbing on to the coat tail of your devout father.  It simply doesn’t work that way. 

Conversely, if the influence and example of your parents has been anything but holy, understand that God may be asking you to be the trailblazer in your family.  He wants you to choose to follow, love, serve, and accept Him, no matter what your family has previously done.  The Bible says, “The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.  The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20; ESV).  Amen belongs here!

If we are truly honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are a sinner in need of a Savior.  The Bible says, “There is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46; NKJV).  Proverbs 20:9 asks, “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?”  Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God.”  But God, in His great love, decided to bridge that separation or gap.  Isaiah 53:6 reads, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray…and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  Jesus Christ, the One who is fully God and fully man, paid the price of your sin – and mine – on the cross. 

Adrian Rogers once said, “At the cross, sin was not overlooked.  Sin was atoned and paid for.  God’s greatest righteousness confronted man’s greatest wickedness, and righteousness won!”  Acts 10:43 states, “Everyone who believes in Him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”  You can have a right relationship with God, through Jesus Christ; I pray that, if you’ve never commenced your relationship with the Lord that today would be your day.

Kevin

Applicable words from yesteryear

20 years ago today – 8/10/97 – Dr. Rick Ferguson delivered a powerful sermon entitled “Men Behaving Godly”.  After hearing it again recently, I was blown away by how relevant it is for us in 2017.  Frankly, I wish I could transcribe the entire sermon and share it with you, but I’ll just give you some highlights.

In the opening section, Pastor Rick said, “Being male today is not very popular or politically correct…in fact, there are some in our culture today who tell us that being a man is something to be ashamed of; that is a congenital condition that needs to be modified or corrected.  Husbands and fathers are not really important, we are told by some elements of society today.  There is a demonic conspiracy of immense proportions to neutralize the role of men in family, church, and society.  The politically correct thing to do is to be anti-male, and to be gender neutral today.  You understand that, don’t you?"

 

It is specifically the content in the last paragraph that I found so relevant and applicable for our world today.  Rick’s analysis of anti-manhood was true then, and it has only become more widespread 20 years later.  Is it a popular subject matter?  Is it easy for me to bring up now?  Of course not.  But Pastor Rick sounded an alarm 20 years ago, and even though he has been in Heaven for 15 of those years, that alarm still blares loudly today.

Rick went on to say, “I want to suggest that you, first of all, acknowledge the power of your influence, gentlemen…As a husband, you have a powerful influence on your wife.  I’m telling you, your wife’s happiness and emotional security rests almost entirely on you.  I believe that's what the Bible means when it says ‘the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church’ [Ephesians 5:23].  To be the ‘head of your wife’ does not mean that you are her boss, that you are her taskmaster, [or] that you are to rule over her like a tyrant.  To be ‘the head of your wife’ means you have the responsibility for her long-term wellbeing.”

“We must never forget that we are to love our wives ‘as Christ loved the church’ [Ephesians 5:25].”  Incidentally, let me throw in my two cents worth here. Ephesians 5:25 in its entirety reads, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her.”  Jesus literally gave His life for His bride.  Therefore, a husband should be willing to die for his wife, if necessary.

“And then for you fathers,” Pastor Rick continued, “You have a powerful influence on your children…I challenge you, read your Bibles, particularly in the books of 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles, see how often you find [men that] followed the pattern or the example of the fathers.  For instance, 2 Chronicles 17, the Bible says in verse 3, Jehoshaphat ‘walked in the ways of his father David, and sought not Baal.’  He followed the example of a godly father.  2 Chronicles 26:4: Uzziah ‘did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.’

“You can find others who followed the example of godless fathers and wicked men.  1 Kings 22, verse 52, Ahaziah ‘did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he walked in ways of his father’, Ahab.  Jeremiah 9:14 says, ‘They walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baal, as their fathers taught them.’ “Some of you fellows need a wake-up call today.  Because the way you’re conducting your life has a domino effect beyond your life, to the next generation, to the next generation.  I wish you men could be a pastor for just one week, one day, one hour, and see…how men and women are affected by the godlessness or godliness of their fathers.”

As I conclude, I want you to understand that I am acutely aware that we have covered some difficult subjects today.  You don’t post a blog like this one thoughtlessly, believe me.  To be candid, I have felt the weight of this blog content bear down heavily on my shoulders.  I struggled with whether I should throw in some jokes or something to make this a little less intense.  But, beloved readers, truth is truth, even if it is hard truth.  I just pray that the Lord would give us men ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts inspired to step up and obey God.

Kevin

Tribute to a super hero

I have repeatedly said to you that my dad, Jerry Bauer, was a superhero.  Well, I have the pictures to prove it.  Check these out:

I told you.  He has the costume and everything!  OK, yes, I’m just having some fun with you.  But I wanted you to see those great pictures.

On a more serious note, one of the reasons I love the superhero genre is because superheroes, when done correctly, inspire people to be their best selves.  Cat Grant, from the TV show “Supergirl ” once said, “Having someone who embodies our heroic ideals helps us to believe that we can be heroes, too.”  My dad may be in Heaven with Jesus, but his “heroic ideals” inspire me even to this very day.  I want to follow in my father's selfless footsteps.  I want to be a super hero, just like Dad.

Kevin

"Keep on keeping on"

Christian Missionary Amy Carmichael once wrote, “Which is harder: to do or to endure?”  Ponder her question with me.  The dictionary states that to endure means “to hold up under (pain, etc.); to tolerate.”  So, once again, “Which is harder: to do or to endure?”  Is it harder to complete an objective, or to bear with a relentless, nagging situation?  She continues, “I think to endure is much harder, and our Father loves us too much to pass through life without learning to endure.  So I want you to welcome the difficult little things, the tiny pricks that are sure to come almost every day.  For they give you a chance to say “No” to yourself, and by doing so you will become strong not only to do, but also to endure.”

I’m in full agreement with Amy Carmichael: it is harder to endure.  The Lord, in His mysterious sovereign plan, chose to call my dad home two years ago now.  I have learned just how difficult it is to endure, or to “keep on keeping on” as my dad used to say.  In the words of my brother that he sent in a text message last July, I have had to “take on the impossibly challenging task of taking care of a lot of Dad’s responsibilities and helping to hold Mom together.”

As I shared with you earlier, I recently watched my dad’s funeral service again.  One thing I didn’t remember from previous viewings was a statement from a listener.  Several letters were being quoted that highlighted my dad’s ministry impact, but one listener said something about the state of their life in general.  The person said, “Life is very hard, but that’s not bad; it keeps us clinging to Jesus.”  What an inspiring challenge!

I miss my dad.  I miss his laugh, humor, wisdom, and leadership.  But I don’t cry for him; I know that, for two years, he has been experiencing the bliss, pleasures, and euphoria of Heaven.  Meanwhile, life here is challenging.  It’s not easy to be suddenly thrust into a fatherless life (or, in my mom’s case, widowhood).  But, through it all, God has been so faithful.  I can attest that I have “taste[d] and see[n] that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).  As life continues on, I’m going to “keep my hand in His hand, and keep on keeping on.”  For the glory of God the Father.

Kevin

"Keep your hand in His hand"

In 2014, I wrote a blog entitled “Just a closer walk with Thee”.  In it, I attempt to ask and answer the question if it is God who holds on to us, or vice versa.  I don’t often do this, but I’ve decided to submit that blog to you again.  I do this because, for years, my dad signed off of his radio broadcast by saying, “God bless!  Keep your hand in His hand, and keep on keeping on.”  I consider these words to be an inspiring challenge.  In honor of Dad, I want to present that blog content again.  Here is what I said:

“Recently I heard a sermon where the pastor encouraged his congregation to hold on to God.  At first…my mind went to the Biblical instances that taught seemingly the exact opposite: that it is God who holds on to us.  To cite just one Biblical example, in Psalm 73, the Psalmist says these words to God: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (verse 23).

God does hold us, and I firmly believe that He will never, ever let us go.  But, interestingly enough, the Bible also encourages us to hold on to God as well.  I want to be clear here: this is not a contradiction.  This is essentially two sides of the same coin.  Let me paint two scenes that will help illustrate my point.

Scene #1: Picture a parent who is with their young child at a mall, or some other crowded venue.  The parent is holding the child's arm tightly, but the child isn’t staying close to the parent.  The child wants to run off and see all of the attractions.  The grip of the parent remains tight and secure, but he has to occasionally pull the child closer to him, so that he or she won’t get lost in the crowd.  The parent does this out of love, of course, so the child will remain safe and protected from roaming the busy mall all alone.

Scene #2: Picture a boyfriend with his girlfriend (or a husband and wife) in a mall. The two are walking through the attractions and they are holding hands.  They are walking together, simply enjoying being with each other and spending time together.  There’s no reason for one to yank on the other to stay close; this couple is in love and they want to be close to one another.

These scenes show that God is holding my hand, and also the way I hold on to Him.  In scene #1, God’s grip is tight and constant, but my grip, for all intents and purposes, is absent.  In scene #2, God’s grip is tight, but I’m holding tightly on to Him as well.  Boiled down its essence, the main difference between these two scenes is the closeness I have with God.

The Bible says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).  It is a compelling thought to daily choose to say to God, “Lord, I want to hold on to You today.  I want to be close to You. I want to be like that couple in the mall, holding hands, simply enjoying a close, loving companionship with each other.”  [A song lyric says, “Just a closer walk with Thee; grant it Jesus, is my plea.  Daily walking close to Thee; let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”]

Let me be candid with you.  Too often in my life, I’m like that child in scene #1. God’s hand tightly grips mine, but I’m far more interested in checking out all the attractions, and He has to gently pull on me to get closer to Him.  Why is this?  Because my heart really is, as the old hymn puts it, “Prone to wander.”  I want to be close to God; I want to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him, but I also know how sinful and fickle my really heart is.  Perhaps you can relate!

Therefore, it is important for us to be reminded that it is unrealistic to declare that we will never again veer away from God.  There will be both good days and bad days in this venture, and no one will live this out perfectly.  It is not possible to live a life of sinless perfection.  But, at the same time, it is a worthy aspiration to desire to walk closer with God and we shouldn’t allow the fact that we will occasionally fail in this goal to stop us from trying altogether.  That would be a tragic mistake.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve renewed my commitment to keep my hand in His hand; to have a closer walk with God.

Kevin

"Not all heroes wear masks" (part 3)

Bruce Wayne once complimented Alfred by declaring, “Not all heroes wear masks.”  I submit that the same notion is true for my dad.  Today, I’m going to continue highlighting subjects that were presented in his funeral service.  By the way, I’m passionate about each item that I’m going to bring up; I could write a separate blog about each of these things.  But I’m going to restrain myself.

First of all, prayer was an important component in Dad’s life.  He prayed both at work and at home.  His afternoon prayer time segment was a very memorable aspect of his vocation.  It is not surprising, therefore, that his prayer life was emphasized in his service.  Mom highlighted how one of the signature aspects of his prayer time was Dad’s habit of always bringing up God’s will.  He loved to take Jesus’ Biblical phrase “Thy will be done” and insert it directly into his prayer.

I think surrendering his prayer requests to the will of God relaxed and liberated Dad.  He knew, as Isaiah 55 puts it, that God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than humanity’s ways and thoughts.  For my dad – or anyone – to pray “Thy will be done” is to openly acknowledge that God has a sovereign plan, and even though it might differ from ours, His plan is always superior.

Secondly, Roy Hanschke, a coworker of my father’s, said something very apt and fitting.  In context, he was speaking of my dad’s friendship and fellowship with the Lord.  He asserted, “This relationship with Jesus not only secured him a place in Heaven, but also manifested itself in the way Jerry lived every day.”  Amen and amen!  Underscore the first part of that quote: Dad’s relationship with Jesus is how the gates of Heaven were open for him.  No one enters Heaven through merit or works; it is through Jesus Christ alone! 

I also love how Roy said that it was Dad’s relationship with Jesus that was displayed in the way he lived every day.  In Rick Ferguson’s Memorial service someone said, “Rick’s life is a tribute to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”  I say amen to that for Rick, and I repeat the same sentiment for my dad.  I believe it’s impossible to distinguish the character of my dad from the Lordship of Christ.  Jesus Himself said, “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  He that abides in Me, and I am him, bears much fruit.  For without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

I want to conclude this blog series the same way Bill Oudemolen ended Dad’s service.  In his remarks, he shared a story about evangelist Dwight L. Moody.  Moody was sick.  He was with a group of reporters.  He said, “Someday soon you’ll read that Moody is dead, but don’t believe it.  For in that moment, I will be more alive than I’ve ever been before.”  Bill commented, “Today, Jerry Bauer is more alive than he’s ever been before.”  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4: “our outward man is perishing” (verse 16).  That’s true for us occupants of Earth, but it’s a different story for the inhabitants of Heaven!  My dad is not experiencing any pain, deadlines, or stress.  He is, indeed, more alive than he has ever been. 

Kevin