It was around 2 AM when the knock awakened us. At the door was Bob, our neighbor, a retired Marine Colonel. He was somewhat inebriated but asked Julius to come to his house. He wanted to talk. Bob told him that his wife had just left. Why? He had been out drinking with his buddies and when he came home and tried to sleep, he kept seeing snakes everywhere. He was beating them off the walls and furniture—and yes, off his wife. She had enough and grabbed a few belongings and, for her safety, headed for a friend’s house. After getting Bob sober and praying with him, Julius returned home.

At home, he fell on his knees beside our bed and cried out to God for Bob and Ruth—and then he told the Lord that he would not again drink alcohol for the sake of his witness to others. No, he had never had a drink with Bob, but he decided as a Christian he had to avoid even the very appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22). Before this, a little drink was not an issue for him. “To the pure all things are pure” (Titus 1:15). However, now it was a small thing to give up for the sake of others who might not stop at one small drink.

(by Yvonne, www.alabasterbox.org)

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” (Heb.12:14a). Obviously the writer of Hebrews had experienced some difficult relationships and knew it wasn’t always possible to live in peace with everyone. We know this world is not a friend of Christ, and He said we would be persecuted because of our faith. Nevertheless, as Christians we are admonished to “make every effort to live in peace with one another.”

I wonder how often we follow that admonition. It is so much easier to “let sleeping dogs lie” and not address conflict.  However, when we bury the hatchet somehow we know where to dig it up. That knowledge often leads to bitterness and/or pride and keeps us separated from peace of mind and emotions. Although we try to hide it or pretend it isn’t there, we can’t fool others or ourselves. Therefore the spiritually and emotionally healthy thing to do is “make every effort to live at peace.” Rather than “bury” the conflict, we need to forgive and move on. This implies allowing the breach of peace to be repaired.

Jesus put it like this: “If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God (Matt. 5:22-24, Msg). Jesus is saying if there’s something between you and a brother or sister, don’t even give an offering until you make peace.

Please notice Jesus didn’t say, “If you remember you have something against someone…” He says, “If someone has something against you.” Those who are more desiring of a clear conscience and “living at peace” will be the ones who initiate the restoration. They are the ones who desire unity in the Church above their own petty feelings. People are watching. What vibes are we sending?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” Does this mean those who do not “make every effort” for peace are not called children of God? Such seems to be implied. The Message Bible says, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family” (Matt. 5:9).

So what is our place in God’s family? Are we peacemakers and peacekeepers? Or do we defend our right not to be at peace? I remember a church in my youth where members sat on opposite sides of the sanctuary because they had some unresolved conflicts. They did not speak to each other. Neither side  “made an effort” to have peace. What kind of witness was that? The disunity was no secret. It was obvious to all present. Each side was smug in their own way—neither willing to forgive and forget so that the Kingdom of God could go forward.

In Corinth there were church members who had disagreements about a situation. The Apostle Paul writes to them: “I appeal to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 1:10, NIV). The same verse paraphrased in The Message Bible says: “I have a serious concern to bring up with you… I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other.” Even if there are disagreements or misunderstandings, we must “make every effort to live at peace with one another.”

To the Church in Ephesus, Paul writes:

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Eph. 4:3, NLT) or as The Message says, “…steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”

To the Church in Colossae, Paul writes:

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you” (Col. 3:12-13, Msg). In fact, Jesus says, “If you don’t forgive others their offenses, neither do I forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). That’s serious! Where there is no forgiveness, there is no peace with God.

To the Church in Rome, Paul writes:

“May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all” (Rom. 15:5, Msg).

Jesus prayed to His Father with and for His disciples to have unity among themselves.  “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23b, NIV).  Unity and peace are synonymous.

Why was this unity, this peace among them, so important? For others to see who Jesus really was. When we profess to be His disciples but do not have the love for one another—the peace, the unity—we kid ourselves if we think we’re drawing people to Jesus. This lack of unity brings reproach upon the parties involved and opens the door for satan to bring attacks into personal lives and the church.

“Let nothing be done through strife (contention) or vainglory (empty pride); but in lowliness (humility) of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3, KJV). Those who get puffed up with spiritual pride think they’re more spiritual, more gifted, than others and act in a way to draw people after them. They seldom are peacemakers. On the other hand, those who count themselves blessed of God to be His servants esteem others more highly than themselves and are eager to establish peace even if they’ve been wronged.

“Living at peace with everyone” is not directed to the absence of war for, in fact, Jesus promised there would be wars and more wars. It is not requiring compromise of convictions for then there could be no peace within our heart. It is a matter of forgiving others for their offenses, not harboring grudges, not allowing a seed of bitterness to take root, and overlooking those personal qualities which we label idiosyncrasies because they are unlike ours.

This life of peace is a matter of the heart.

by Maria Litwinczuk Martin

When was the last time you were in a public place and were disturbed by loud and unruly children? You wondered where in the world were their parents, only to see them sitting right beside their children, ignoring their behavior, and acting oblivious to the disturbance. You asked yourself the question: When are the parents going to intervene, or do I have to leave to find a peaceful environment?

Take the TV show Supernanny for example. The children are the ones running the household, not the parents. The children have no boundaries and are allowed to behave as they please. They terrorize, punch, kick, and swear at their parents as if they are the ones in charge. The parents have to have someone else come into their home and take charge of their children because they have lost control. Some parents are afraid to discipline their children because they don’t want them to think they are mean, harsh, and depriving them of fun.  Rather than giving them the choice whether to obey or not, and then excusing their behavior, parents need to begin at an early age to be consistent in disciplining their children

In an article she wrote for The Detroit News, Penny Cockerell points out:

Even the best-intentioned parents can have trouble telling a child “no” or not giving into a well-staged tantrum. Many parents over-indulge their children assuming it will make them happy but in fact the reverse is true, they grow up dissatisfied and require the newest and greatest electronic devices to stimulate and motivate them. Sadly, they are not truly satisfied, nor happy, in the end.

These same parents are required to work more to pay for these things, when in fact children need and want their parents’ undivided attention rather than all the newest gadgets and gizmos. While the parents are both working forty hours a week, and sometimes more, the children are left to spend most of their day in a daycare or with a babysitter. Sad but true, they come to know the people that take care of them better than their own parents. They are led to believe that “things” take the place of “quality time.”

I work in a daycare with preschool aged children and have observed that discipline is severely lacking. When I try to give simple instructions or ask children to stop doing something, they ignore me, run the other way, throw a temper tantrum, or say “I don’t have to listen to you.” I have been asking myself these questions: “Why is that?” Have they been taught that being told the word “No” is unacceptable, or is it just not part of their everyday life at home? One of the few forms of discipline we are allowed to use is “time-out,” which is highly ineffective. Why? It doesn’t teach the children to change their behavior. When the parents pick them up, they don’t reinforce the discipline given by the teacher. If time-outs aren’t successful, there must be alternate forms of discipline, such as “distraction, removal of privileges, natural consequences, logical consequences, and spanking which, as suggested by James Dobson in his book Approaches to Discipline, should not be a frequent occurrence,” Children need to know that disobedience will result in discipline and there will be consequences until their behavior changes.

Doreen Nagle Gannett emphasizes in an article she wrote for The Detroit Free Press that:

Your child should learn that every action has a consequence — whether it’s good or bad. Smile, and the consequence of that action is that someone will likely smile back at you; keep snatching toys from a child at the playground and the consequence is likely that child will not want to play with you. Create consequences that relate to your child’s actions so he can learn to connect “give” with “take. (5D)

I had the privilege of interviewing an educator of over thirty years who is now retired.  C. Yvonne Karl was a teacher, principal, and a family counselor with some great insights on the whole topic of discipline. One of the questions I asked her was “Being a family counselor for many years, what advice would you give to parents in regards to disciplining their own children?” She replied:

Beginning in infancy, parents are conditioning (training) their children either how to get their way or how to obey (submit to authorities). How well they are trained when they are very young will likely determine how they act when they are teenagers and will carry over into adulthood. Children should be trained to obey the first time. If the child is running into the street and the parent sees a car coming, there’s no time to count to three or repeat the command to get out of the street. How do we train children to obey?

We train children by setting limits and sticking to them. For this reason, playpens are excellent for training children. Playpens restrict the freedom of the little ones—for their protection. They learn to stay within defined limits. If children don’t have restrictions as youngsters, they won’t know how to deal with them when they are teenagers. Instead they will be accustomed to exploring whatever/whenever they wish, and will continue to do this. However, their exploration now goes beyond the house into the world of drugs, alcohol, violence and immorality. They are swamped and ignorant as to why they should avoid these vices and even more incapable of dealing with the consequences which they deem unfair—all because they’ve never had limits imposed on them.

We train children by keeping our word and being consistent. We have all witnessed toddlers making demands of a parent and the parent saying NO! They want to buy something in the grocery store, or they want to go to potty or get a drink during church service or a movie. Once refused, they demand again—a little louder than before. Each time they hear NO! their tone of voice escalates until they are loud enough to embarrass the parent. To keep them quiet, the parent gives in to the demand. They have now learned how to manipulate and get their way. When they get older, these same promptings cause them to disobey the law and end up in jail.

As parents we must be consistent and not waver from our standards. We cannot not give in to the children’s screaming whether they are babies or teenagers. Otherwise they will be subject to indecision. Too many times parents think the children are mature enough to make decisions for themselves, and they don’t realize that’s why children (yes, even teenagers) have parents. They need protection. They need to be told NO! sometimes. Boundaries make them feel safe. They might beat their heads against the wall, but if it doesn’t fall, the children will feel secure and loved. Parents need to have perseverance and accept responsibility realizing they might be disliked at the time but will be loved and admired when the children are older. Remember, a river without banks is a swamp. Let’s not expect our teenagers to flow like a river with their plans and dreams if we haven’t maintained good, high banks from infancy.

Michelle Larowe emphasizes in her book Nanny to the Rescue

“Consistency plays a huge role in creating a smooth-sailing family environment. Having predictable, unchanging responses to undesirable behaviors will result in the change of behavior. Giving in or bending the rules-even once-without a good reason or clear explanation sets you up for a brand-new battle each time the same situation arises.”(21)

One of the most common errors with discipline is inconsistency where the rules change daily and punishment is unpredictable. It is not appropriate to allow a child to break parental rules in a different environment or with another person. Parents must agree what forms of discipline to use and need to maintain a united front so as not to confuse the child. This applies to single parents as well. It is sometimes very hard to administer discipline when the parent doesn’t get to spend enough time with their children. The parents don’t want to spend the time they do have disciplining their children or making  demands because it makes them feel guilty and ashamed.  If they teach their children now to obey rules and respect authority, they will be less likely to break the rules in their teenage and adult years. Roy Lessin insists in his book Spanking-Why, When, How? that:

One of the hindrances to discipline is humanistic thinking. Often this philosophy carries the idea that parental authority and discipline is wrong, that they hinder true freedom. Children, with their limited knowledge and experience, are not able to discern what is good or best for them. They need to have guidelines and these come through parental authority. (19-20)

Noticing the lack of discipline in today’s generation, I am firmly convinced children are not being properly raised. If parents were aware of the damage they are inflicting on their children, they would realize that discipline is lacking. Not only are the parents making more work for themselves, they are also not providing their children with one of the key ingredients to becoming a successful, reliable, self-controlled, and dedicated individual. Discipline is at the root of everything in life, and if we don’t possess it we’re bound for failure, defeat, and disappointment. Parents only have two choices; they can sow the seed of success by consistently disciplining their children, or they can sow the seed of failure by withholding discipline. Ultimately, the choice is theirs.

____________

Picture at top: Keith and Maria Martin

(c) Maria Martin, Professor D. Fletcher, 19 August 2009

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope (Psa.52:9).

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Prov.18:10).

Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power (Jer.10:6).

I marvel at their resilience. Their homes were destroyed. Their schools and churches and shops were leveled. Their relatives and friends are dead. They had no food or water for days and just the clothes on their back. Yet the world watched as scores of Haitians marched orderly on both sides of the street singing praises to God, many lifting their hands toward heaven publicly professing their faith and hope in Jesus. Then at night we listened to their voices rising melodiously to the heavens like a rehearsed choir—singing spontaneously as they lay upon the broken ground inviting sleep to come. Where else could they turn?

When with abundant store,
or in deep poverty,
when all the world may smile,
or it may frown on me;
when it shall help me on,
or shall obstruct my way,
still shall my heart rejoice—
I am the Lord’s today. (Charles Naylor, 1902)

Numerous people were interviewed and asked how they survived, how they felt about the destruction, and what would they do now. I wept as I heard person after person, from the very young to the very old, answer, “God!” or “Jesus!” It reminded me of the song we sing, “Take this whole world, but give me Jesus!” These people understand the meaning of these words. Jesus is all many have now—and in Him they find comfort and hope.

When King David escaped death, he penned the following song of thanks-giving to God for delivering him. His song likely expresses the heart of many Haitians as well as others around the world who are living on the outskirts of death:

I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy…Death stared me in the face…I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!”… I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

I’m striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living! …What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me? I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!  I’ll pray in the name of God…When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him.

Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!  I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. I’ll complete what I

promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it in company with his people…Hallelujah! (From Psa. 116, Msg).

These are profound words that resound in the ears and heart of all who have ever been delivered from a death-defying experience. The Name of God. Jesus! “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NLT).  Salvation – What an awesome word:  healing, rescue, deliverance, liberation, protection, victory!  God … gave [Jesus] the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).

Jesus! The most precious name—to all who have chosen to have their life hidden in Him (Gal. 2:20).  Jesus! The most precious name to thousands upon thousands of Haitians and to millions around the world…and to each one of us who are personally acquainted with Him.

Hear the Christians of Haiti speak His Name!  Hear the persecuted around the world speak His Name! Rise up! Look up! Fix your thoughts on things above—not on your losses, your children’s sins, the government, or any other earthly matter that’s designed to steal your hope, your joy, and your crown of life.

Those who fall into despair and feel the world is caving in around them are usually people living in prosperity who look to their money, possessions, and friends to carry them through. But we are to glorify the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel …(Isa. 24:15).

THREE STORIES:

I could share innumerable personal stories about the Name of Jesus, but I have chosen three that took place in different time periods, different places, and for different reasons. All are about the Name of Jesus.

#1. The Name of Jesus – June 2009

I was in West Virginia to fulfill some ministry assignments for Pastor Wright while his whole family—three generations—was vacationing together in another state. At midnight the phone rang and my sister, the Pastor’s wife, said, “Yvonne, Jim has gone into cardiac arrest.” Instantaneously, the cry came out of my mouth: “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”  There is no higher place to which we can direct an appeal for deliverance.  There is no greater prayer than saying the Name of Jesus. Pastor died six times—lost pulse completely—and was shocked back to life each time.  Immediately, the church gathered for 24-hr prayer. Tests revealed 100% blockage. Medical personnel cooperated, and God intervened. When he was released from the hospital, the church gathered for 24-hrs of praise that the Lord had brought Pastor back to his flock. (Read 1 Pet. 2:14). Today, seven months later, he is still pastoring and preaching.

Whether I live or die,
whether I wake or sleep,
whether upon the land,
or on the stormy deep;
when ’tis serene and calm,
or when the wild winds blow,
I shall not be afraid—I am the Lord’s, I know. (Charles Naylor, 1902)

There is comfort in the Name of Jesus.

There is hope in the Name of Jesus. There’s peace in the Name of Jesus – the peace that says, Whether I live or die, I am the Lord’s (See Phil.1:20).

#2. The Name of Jesus – July 1999

In the summer of 1999, a ministry friend picked me up at the Cape Town, South Africa airport and we were within a couple of miles of her residence when a car ran a stop sign and totaled her station wagon.

As I sat there thousands of miles away from home, finding it difficult to breath and not knowing whether I would live or die, I realized I was whispering the name Jesus! No other words. No big fancy prayers. No screaming or yelling. For some time, we sat in silence as gawkers gathered around. Ruth had a nasty knot on her forehead and at first appeared to me to be in shock. After a short time, someone whom she recognized arrived on the scene and drove us to her home.

We did not go to the hospital since it was well publicized that they had virtually no medical staff in the emergency room. She called a Christian physician friend who came to the house. My friend had whip-lash and a nasty knot on her forehead. I had a broken wrist and several broken ribs (hence the difficulty breathing). There was nothing he could do for the ribs, but he wrapped my wrist until I could purchase a brace to protect it. We went on with our schedule as if nothing had happened. I felt fine—just had to do everything with one hand, (and experienced pain every time I got up and down or turned over in the bed at night—while telling no one). Three weeks later when I arrived back home in Michigan, x-rays confirmed the broken wrist and five fractured ribs—all of which were healing nicely. The Name of Jesus! He heard my prayer and sent others to help me.

When I am safe at home,
Or in a foreign land,
When on an icebound shore,
Or on a sunlit strand;
When on the mountain height,
Or in the valley low,
Still doth He care for me—
I am the Lord’s, I know. (Charles Naylor, 1902).

#3. The Name of Jesus – February 1981

When she invited me to her house to counsel with a friend, I was not told that the friend had been severely impaired after a mental/nervous breakdown. Apparently overwhelmed with extremely difficult circumstances, she had fallen victim to all the encumbrances.  When we were introduced, there was no response from her. Awkward. My hostess promptly went out the door leaving the two of us alone in the house. It was 7 PM.

Just exactly what was I to do? It was my first experience with being thrust into a situation like this outside of a psychiatric ward where professionals stood nearby. Carol’s face was distorted and her body was anything but calm. I did not know until later she had been like this for several weeks. She was seated in a big chair on one side of the room, and I walked across the room and sat as far away from her as possible.

Quietly I was praying, “Lord I don’t know what to do…” (See 2 Chron. 20:10). Then deep within me I began to sing out ever so softly, “Jesus loves you, this I know…”  Over and over again, with some pauses in between, I sang that same little song. “Jesus loves me, this I know…” then “Jesus loves you, this I know…” No other words were spoken. Time passed quickly. I was no longer struggling to know what to say.  I kept alternating singing and silence. Her face began to relax. Little by little her body quieted and stopped twitching.  Her eyes focused. A smile started to form…and grew bigger and bigger. I kept singing.

By midnight, five hours into the evening, when our hostess returned, Carol was perfectly normal. We had prayed together and were enjoying conversation. She was free as a bird that had escaped the snare of a fowler (Prov.6:5).  We did not talk about her problems. We talked about Jesus and how much He loved her.  “He escorted her to the banquet table; it was obvious how much He loved her” (Song of Solomon 2:4, Msg).

Carol was in church service the next morning and gave testimony to His love. She returned the next day to her home in another state, went back to work, and continued a normal life, witnessing to the love of Jesus. A miracle. The Name of Jesus!

That night the Holy Spirit taught me there’s deliverance in the Name of Jesus. In awe of His love and grace, I plunged deeper into life in Him. After all, Jesus said: And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons (Mark 16:17, NIV).

HIS NAME! JESUS.

His name shall endure forever. (Psa. 72:17).

Devils tremble at His Name (See Phil.2:19).

Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name were recorded (Mal. 3:16, Msg).

God elevated [Jesus] to the place of highest honor
and gave Him the Name above all other names (Phil. 2:9).

Many scriptures and hundreds of songs have been written about the Name of Jesus and the provisions therein. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus…How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.”

THE NAME OF JESUS!

The Name of Jesus gives hope for the people of earthquake-torn Haiti and others who are poor and persecuted around the world—including in the United States. Hope for the sinner. Hope for the hungry. Hope for the sick. Hope for the demon-possessed. Hope for the depressed. Hope for the dying.  Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psa.124:8).

Do we not fully embrace Jesus’ proclama-tion at the beginning of His ministry? The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he has anoin-ted me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be re-leased, that the blind will see, that the op-pressed will be set free… (Luke 4:18-19).

The late Dr. Judson Cornwall once posed the challenging question: “Do we really mean it when we sing ‘All that thrills my soul is Jesus?’  When we’re hungry and need food?  When we’re thirsty and need water? When we’re naked and need clothing?  When these are provided in the Name of Jesus, the soul is thrilled! Isn’t this what Jesus said we should do in His Name? May every detail in our lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way (Col. 3:17, Msg).

Like Peter, we may have to say, “I don’t have a penny to my name, but such as I have I give to You…in the Name of Jesus…” (Acts 3:6). Lord, may it be so, in Jesus’ Name.

My Master of Arts degree in Spanish at Michigan State University was barely completed when a friend of mine (Clay Allison) called and asked if I would consider applying for a teaching position at a Texas Bible College because the current professor was retiring. I wasn’t interested in moving to Texas so never wrote that letter, but it did spur me to inquire at our church college in Indiana. To my surprise, I received an immediate reply from Dean Nicholson and was invited to come for an interview. I was teaching in a secondary school in Lansing, Michigan at the time and was quite happy with my job but thought it would be an interesting experience to accept the invitation. I told my principal about the upcoming interview with the statement: “Don’t worry; I won’t be changing jobs.”

Anderson College* was of interest to me because I had grown up in the Church of God and had, in fact, hoped to attend undergraduate school there. Since I only received an honorary scholarship to AC, I had chosen instead to attend a college in my home state where the Board of Legislature had given me a scholarship to cover all of my expenses. After teaching three years in the high school from which I graduated, I packed my car and headed for Michigan State University where, thanks to my college professor, I had secured a teaching assistantship. One year later, I had completed a master’s degree in Spanish and had begun a teaching job in the Lansing-Waverly School District. It was toward the end of that school year in 1966 that I had the interview at AC.

My life can be summed up in one word, FAVOR. I have been blessed abundantly beyond anything I could think or imagine. My letters of recommendation were superb. Nevertheless, my insecurities were many, I was well aware of my inadequacy in the Spanish language. I could take the textbook and follow it, write reports and give them, interact in my classes about the subject matter at hand, but had no experience actually living among Spanish-speaking people for extended periods of time and therefore was not fluent in everyday Spanish. I passed my bachelor’s degree oral exams with no problem, and now had passed my M.A. degree oral exams in Spanish with flying colors. For some reason, the Lord had given me favor with my Spanish professors—most of whom were natives of Spain or Latin America—both in undergraduate and graduate school. How long would that favor last and what was His purpose in granting it?

In Anderson, Dean Nicholson was both amiable and professional. After our get-acquainted talk, he escorted me to the foreign language department in Old Main. There I met with Dr. Nancy Osborne, a French professor who chaired the department, and Nilah Meier, a native speaker who taught Spanish and was going on sabbatical the following year—thus the need for a Spanish teacher at AC. How could I possibly fill her shoes? I remember very little about the time with these two ladies except that fateful moment when Nilah began speaking to me in Spanish. She commented on the turquoise bracelet I was wearing, and I knew that was my cue to say something. I recall vividly my insides shaking as I responded: “Mi novio me la regaló.” My only other memory about that meeting was the feeling of futility. Nilah walked me back to the Dean’s office. A meeting followed with the President, Dr. Reardon, and I was on my way back to Michigan with a promise from the Dean that he would phone me the next Friday evening. I had no expectation of a job offer, nor did I have any desire to make a move.

“No way!” I told my principal in Lansing. “No way!” I told my parents. “No way!” I told my friends. Although I was academically qualified for the position, I felt inferior to the task and had no intention of moving to Anderson. Besides, I was enjoying my church, friends, and teaching and living in Lansing—and I would have to take a rather large pay cut. Then it was Friday and my telephone was ringing. Did I hear correctly? Was Dean Nicholson really saying they wanted me to join the AC faculty? Was he really asking for my answer? Every fiber of my being was shouting, “No! I can’t do it! I won’t! I’m not moving!” when I heard myself say out loud to him, “Yes, I’ll accept!”

Over the years I have repeated this story to hundreds of people as an example of how God sometimes intervenes in our lives because He knows our heart better than we know it ourselves. He put “yes” in my mouth. He was preparing me for my future. I experienced His favor and the favor of those who loved Him—the Dean, the President, the Department Chairman, and Nilah. I can think of no other reason why they would have unanimously accepted me except they responded to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

During that summer of transition, Pastor Hazen invited me to work as the protestant minister to migrants in Michigan. This gave me opportunities to interact with Mexicans in their Spanish language—I even gave the homily in Spanish in a Catholic mass (the priest got in big trouble for inviting me to speak). It was easy for me to write out a speech; then it would be familiar enough for me to give it. My street Spanish was anything but fluent; oh the stories I could write about using the wrong words in colloquialisms and the joyous laughter they elicited. Nevertheless, I moved to Anderson to begin my teaching job there in Spanish and English composition.

In September, on the first day I reported for duty, a young man walked up behind me, got my attention and introduced himself. His name was Julius Karl. He was a seminarian and part-time German instructor at the college. Less than three months later, on Thanksgiving Day, he proposed to me in my hometown of Nitro, West Virginia. We returned to Nitro for Christmas break and he asked my parents for permission to marry me. On Christmas Eve, he gave me a ring and announced our engagement. We married the following November, appropriately on the day after Thanksgiving in Nitro at my home church.

That, my friends, was the reason I majored in Spanish! God, in His infinite wisdom, directed my life in such a way that I would meet my husband. The journey began when I was in high school and studied Latin and Spanish. Although it was never a driving force in my life, I entertained the idea that perhaps some day I would be a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country. This, however, was the vehicle God used to propel me on the course to my destiny.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of visiting and traveling in Spanish-speaking countries, and I’ve used my training to teach Spanish from a textbook as my livelihood. As an interesting side note, I married into a German family—not a Spanish one.

I cannot imagine being married to anyone other than Julius. We came from thousands of miles apart but this was no obstacle to God. As the years passed and we survived one problem after another, it was more and more obvious to us that only God could have orchestrated our lives in such a way to bring us together. God favored us with thirty-one years together and two wonderful children before He called Julius home to glory.

I still cannot for long carry on a fluent conversation in Spanish, but I do understand how God directed my language study to accomplish His purpose in my life. God’s goodness and mercy that brought me to Anderson to meet Julius have continued to follow me. The stories of His favor in my life are endless and far outweigh all the trials and tribulations. I choose to count my blessings rather than my difficulties.

“Seek the Lord with your whole heart and you WILL find Him!” His plans are thwarted only by our disobedience. “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh” which are sure to mess up your life. “Commit your ways to Him and He WILL direct your paths!”

*Anderson College is now Anderson University, in Anderson, Indiana.

November 24, 2009 would have been our 42^nd Anniversary.

Adapted from earlier article #1803. © C. Yvonne Karl, November 2003

1) Rom. 6:11 (AMP)— Acknowledge that your sins are gone.

“Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.”

2) James 4:7 (MSG) —Practice resisting the devil and drawing near to God

“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. “

3) Luke 10:19 (KJV) – Use the power Jesus gives you.

[Jesus said,] “Behold, I give unto you power (exousia) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (dynamis) of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Some people say the devil has no power, but Jesus says his power is dynamite; it causes explosions (Strong’s #1410).  However, Jesus has given us the power of choice—the liberty to do as we please, the authority to influence what’s happening (Strong’s #1832).

4) Rom. 2:1-4 (MSG) —Don’t point fingers at other people

“Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.”

“You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.”

5) Rom.12:14-21 (NLT)— Develop the character of Christ.

1) Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

2) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

3) Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think   you know it all!

4) Never pay back evil with more evil. [Love does not retaliate—otherwise you become like the fool who did evil to you in the first place. You let evil rule you and bring you down to its level.] Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable

5) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends,

6) Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,  “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead,  

7) If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

(Matt. 6:14-15, AMP) – ^“For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”

(Matt. 6:14-15, MSG) – “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”

(Mark 11:25, NKJV) – “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

*God leaves no option open for a believer to hold unforgiveness toward anyone. 

* Those that do not forgive their brother’s trespasses, did never truly repent of their own, nor ever truly believe the gospel; and therefore that which is taken away is only what they seemed to have, Lu. 8:18. (2.) This is intended to teach us, that they shall have judgment without mercy, that have showed no mercy, James 2:13. It is indispensably necessary to pardon and peace, that we not only do justly, but love mercy. It is an essential part of that religion which is pure and undefiled before God and the Father, of that wisdom from above, which is gentle, and easy to be entreated. Look how they will answer it another day, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in the most rigorous and unmerciful treatment of their brethren, as if the strictest laws of Christ might be dispensed with for the gratifying of their unbridled passions; and so they curse themselves every time they say the Lord’s prayer. (Matthew Henry)

(Matthew 5:23-25, MSG) – This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.

 (Luke 17:3-4, NLT) -  “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

*What if the person is not sincere? Then the offense is on them—not you—because you forgive no matter what. And you don’t count up how many times you forgive. 

(Luke 23:34, KJV) – “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

(John 8:36, KJV) “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

(Eph. 5:2) -  “Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. “

*A believer cannot hold unforgiveness and walk in love like Christ. 

(Prov. 17:9, NLT) – He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.

(Eph. 4:32, MSG) – Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

            *Quickly! Jesus doesn’t hold out until you receive enough punishment for your sins. He freely forgives you…and so must you freely forgive another. The nature or degree of the offense is never a consideration with the Lord. He forgave those who crucified him although they did not ask – “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

(Col. 3:13, NLT) – Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

(1 John 1:8-10, NLT) – “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

(Isaiah 43:25, NKJV) – “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.”

BACKGROUND*

One of the most beautiful words in the human vocabulary is forgiveness. How much pain and unhappy consequences could be avoided if we all learned the meaning of this word. The Sweet Singer of Israel shared some of the emotion he personally experienced after he asked God to “wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psa. 51:2, NIV). “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psa. 32:1,2, NIV). In one bold stroke, forgiveness obliterates the past and permits us to enter the land of new beginnings.

Billy Graham states: “God’s forgiveness is not just a casual statement; it is the complete blotting out of all the dirt and degradation of our past, present, and future. The only reason our sins can be forgiven is that, o the Cross, Jesus Christ paid their full penalty. (But) only as we bow at the foot of the Cross, in contrition, confession, and repentance, can we find forgiveness.

THE BASIS FOR FORGIVENESS

1. Own up to what we are and have done (repentance). “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and doe what is evil in your sight…” (Psa. 51:3,4, NIV).

1. Ask for it (confession). “Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity” (Psa. 51:7,9, NIV).

THE RESULTS OF FORGIVENESS

1. Reconciliation. When God forgives, there is an immediate and complete change in relationship. Instead of hostility, there is love and acceptance. Instead of enmity, there is friendship. “God…reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Cor. 5:19, NIV).

1. Purification. The very essence of forgiveness is being restored to our original standing before God. “Purge me…and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psa. 51:7, KJV). (See also 1 John 1:99, Rom. 4:7).

Another aspect of purification is that God forgets our sin when He forgives it. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12, NIV). (See also Psa. 103:12; Isa. 38:17).

1. Remittance. Forgiveness results in God dropping the charges against us. He will not enforce judgment because of our sins. Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery, “…Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more” (John 8:11, KJV). (See also Romans 8:1).

What a great privilege the counselor has in sharing the joy of God’s forgiveness.

COUNSELING STRATEGY

We shall consider three areas: forgiveness from God, forgiving those who have wronged us, and forgiving ourselves by putting our past behind us.

A) For the Non-Christian:

1. Reassure him by saying that God understands sin and knows how to deal with it. He forgives sin. And the inquirer, too, can know the joy of pardon.
2. Explain [the plan of salvation].
3. Encourage him to start reading and studying the Word of God. This will do much to reassure him of forgiveness. (See 1 John 3:19). 
4. Encourage him to seek fellowship with a group of Bible-believing Christians. A good church will provide Bible teaching, worship, and opportunities for service and witnessing as well.
5. Pray for him for a full understanding of his new relationship and its consequences.

B) For the Christian who is bitter or resentful

1. Point out that his attitude is wrong. He needs first of all to put his own house in order, confessing his bitterness and resentment to God as sin.

1. Encourage him to forgive those who have offended or hurt him. This may be difficult, but God commands it. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13, NIV). Sometimes those who deserve it least need forgiveness most. Forgiving as the Lord forgave you implies forgetting. This may be difficult and require time but God can change our attitudes. Jesus’ answer of “seventy times seven” to Peter’s question, “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” implies that the Christian must be ready, even eager, to forgive (Matt. 18:21-35).

1. Encourage the inquirer to seek to restore the broken relationship in the spirit of Col. 3:13. In all probability, this will mean “going the second mile” (see Matt. 5:41), but may be necessary in order to renew the relationship. The Gospel. Always cuts across the grain of human reactions and conduct. Until one of the parties involved takes the initiative toward forgiveness and restoration, the broken relationship will continue.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN WHO CANNOT FORGIVE HIMSELF

1. Ask if he is truly repentant and has confessed, frankly and transparently, all sin to God. (1 John 1:9)

1. If he has done the above and apprehension continues, point out that he is guilty of unbelief. If God has forgiven him on his confession (1 John 1:9), then he is wrong to doubt God. He must take God at His word.

David’s testimony from Psa. 32:1,2, KJV): “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

False humility could be involved. Self-flagellation [beating oneself] makes some people feel better, while others take pleasure in reviewing the past. This is like the Scribes and Pharisees: “Even so ye…appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matt. 23:28, KJV).

1. If he is truly repentant, urge him to see himself as God sees him, a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). God understands sin and knows how to deal with it. He will forgive sin if we repent and confess. Paul’s wisdom needs to be practiced: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13,14, KJV).

___________________________________________________________________

*This section is taken from THE BILLY GRAHAM CHRISTIAN WORKER’S HANDBOOK

DEFINITION OF FEAR (from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary)

1 a: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

2: anxious concern : solicitude

3: profound reverence and awe especially toward God

4: reason for alarm : danger

synonyms fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger.

fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage <fear of the unknown>.

dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety <faced the meeting with dread>.

fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear <fright at being awakened suddenly>.

alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger <view the situation with alarm>.

panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity <the news caused widespread panic>.

terror implies the most extreme degree of fear <immobilized with terror>.

trepidation [fearful apprehension] adds to>

dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation <raised the subject with trepidation.

SOMETIMES WHAT WE OFTEN CALL FEAR IS A REVERENCE FOR LIFE (instinct?)

1) I don’t jump into water over my head when I can’t swim.

2) I don’t run out in front of a car because I’ll be tempting satan to kill me.

3) I don’t run with a certain crowd because they have a reputation for doing drugs, and …

4) I don’t (…….)

(Prov. 10:27, KJV) The fear [reverence] of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be  shortened

(Prov. 14:27, NIV) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

WHERE DOES FEAR COME FROM?

1)      From the Air – ^“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” “The devils are wicked spirits, and they chiefly annoy the saints with, and provoke them to, spiritual wickednesses, pride, envy, malice, etc. These enemies are said to be in high places, or in heavenly places—the air being the place from which the devils assault us.”

2)      Our thoughts>feelings<thoughts 

3)      What we hear (Sometimes fear is irrational)

4)    What we see

How does fear work?

1-a panic experience that is highly unpleasant

2-once you’ve had it you fear having it again—thereby unwittingly producing it

3-all of which means that the fear of fear is the beginning of fear

FEAR OF THE LORD IS REVERENCE FOR HIM & HIS PRINCIPLES OF LIFE

OT – Hebrew yare –

1) to fear, be afraid;

2) to stand in awe of, be awed;

3) to fear, reverence, honor, respect (Strong’s – H3372, H3373, H3374)

1) Matt. 10:28 (MSG) - “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.  (KJV) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

2) Acts 5:5  - ..”And great fear came on all them that heard these things…” Ananias and his wife Sapphira did not have a fear of the Lord; they lied to the Holy Ghost, and God killed them. All the believers who heard about this learned to fear God.

1. Fear of the Lord brings WISDOM

(Psa. 111:10, NLT) Fear [reverence] of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

(Psa. 111:10, AMP) The reverent fear [reverence] and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever. [Also see Job. 28:28; Prov. 1:7; Matt. 22:37, 38; Rev. 14:7.]

(Prov. 15:33, NIV) The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

2. Fear of the Lord brings KNOWLEDGE

(Prov.1:7, KJV) The fear [reverence] of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Psa. 111:10, MSG). The good life begins in the fear of God— Do that and you’ll know the blessing of God.

3. Fear of the Lord results in RIGHTEOUSNESS (right living) 

(Prov. 8:13, KJV) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

(Prov. 15:16, NIV).Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

(Prov. 23:17, AMP) Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long.

(Col. 3:22, NLT) Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear [phobia]of the Lord.

(Acts 9:31, AMP) So the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified [growing in wisdom, virtue, and piety] and walking in the respect and reverential fear [phobia]of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit, continued to increase and was multiplied.

4. Lack of Fear of the Lord often results in tragedy 

 (Prov. 1:24-30, NLT) Come and listen to my counsel.I’ll share my heart with you
and make you wise.  “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble. I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.  “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.”

 “Their fear shall come (the thing they were afraid of shall befall them); it shall come as desolation, as a mighty deluge bearing down all before it; it shall be their destruction, their total and final destruction; and it shall come as a whirlwind, which suddenly and forcibly drives away all the chaff. Note, Those that will not admit the fear of God lay themselves open to all other fears, and their fears will not prove causeless. Fourthly, Their fright will then be turned into despair: Distress and anguish shall come upon them, for, having fallen into the pit they were afraid of, they shall see no way to escape, v. 27.” (Matthew Henry)

LOVE CANCELS FEAR

1 John 4:18, AMP – “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

2 Tim.1:7, NLT – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline [a sound mind].”

1 Pet.3:14-15, NLT - “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”

Heb.2:14-15, NLT – Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

Hebrew 13:6, NLT – So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Psalm 34:7 – “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Psalm 91 MSG –

fear can be overcome – HOW?[1]

Not by trying to stop the fear experience from occurring but by focusing all concern upon doing the loving thing for God/neighbor that has been neglected out of fear. This is the biblical alternative and when followed, we become so filled with what we will do in love, there is no time or place for fear

We must be willing to say, “Let the fear experience occur if it will. I’ll not fight it. Instead, I shall do as God wishes. And I’ll not worry about the possibility of it. I have too much to take up my mind in planning and executing what God wants me to do

Remember the fear of God (which means loving and respectful obedience toward him) is the one fear that eliminates all others.