Dealing with Rejection…July 2nd

“To dismiss or refuse a proposal; to shun or cast out.” At one time or another each of has experienced REJECTION. Have you ever said, ‘That was a good idea, how could they just shoot it down?’ When you believe in a project, and have taken a strong stance, only to be soundly rejected…how do you handle it? To be honest, we all know that rejection hurts.Rejection

But when we consider the level of rejection the Messiah experienced, our ‘broken heart’ is minor at best. And He knew His disciples would be faced with times of rejection as well. Therefore He tried to prepare them (and us) for being told ‘NO…’ Read Mark chapter 6… “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you…shake the dust off the soles of your feet.” Join us on Sunday (July 2nd) as we consider the idea of ‘Dealing with Rejection.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, July 2, 2017

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Holy, Holy, Holy” – 47

Beginning with the soprano voices and adding each subsequent part, we sing the words of Revelation 4; “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty (vs. 8)…all the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns around the crystal sea (vs. 6)…Only Thou art holy! There is none beside Thee (vs. 2-9)…Who wast, and art, and ever more shall be!” (vs. 8)

“Create in Me a Clean Heart” – no book

Taken almost verbatim for Psalm 51, we’ll sing the words of King David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast (right) spirit within me. Do not cast me away (Cast me not away) from Your presence (O Lord). And (take not) do not take Your Holy Spirit from Me. Restore (un)to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit (renew a right spirit within me).”

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

The next two songs will be in a medley using verse one from “We Saw Thee Not” followed immediately with verse 1 & 2 of “Ten-Thousand Angels.” Notice the connection… “We Saw Thee Not when Thou dids’t come to this poor world of sin and death; Nor yet beheld Thy cottage home in that despised Nazareth…But we believe Thy footsteps trod it’s streets and plains, Thou Son of God…” “They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed, they lead Him through the streets in shame. They spat upon the Savior, so pure and free from sin, they said ‘Crucify Him! He’s to blame.”

twelve legions of angels“Ten-Thousand Angels” – 349

As we continue this medley before the Lord’s Supper, the pattern will continue; back to verse 2 of our previous song, “We saw Thee not when lifted high…” transition to verse 3 & 4 of Ten-Thousand Angels; “When they nailed Him to the cross…” and “To the howling mob He yielded…” Be sure to focus on the words and the message these two spirit songs provide as you prepare for the partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

Coming back to where we started before the Lord’s Supper, we’ll remember that even though we never gazed in the open tomb nor walked with those who saw Him “from the earth ascend…” we still believe in His death, burial and resurrection. We may not have seen, but we believe!

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” – 391

Not if, but when we face rejection that causes our hearts to melt, we look to our Savior for strength and leadership. He love us and He will lead us. He is the one who will defend us, receive us and free us! Perhaps we should be more earnest in our following of Him, and as we sing in the third verse…“Early let us turn to Thee.”

“Jesus Is Tenderly Calling” – 947

Being rejected can cause us to feel weary and entice us to sink into despair. But that’s not where we stay. We must never give up as that causes us to drift, “…farther and farther away.” So you have to ask yourself, when rejection comes and depression covers our hearts (dust covers our feet), will we sink away or shake the dust off and answer His call? He is calling today…what’s your answer?

“Hand in Hand with Jesus” – no book

A great message that focuses us through the days of rejection. Notice verse 2… “In my night of dark despair, Jesus heard and answered prayer. Now I’m walking free as air, hand in hand with Jesus.” But we must remember that we can only ‘handle the rejection’ when we stay close to Him overcomes. “Hand in hand we walk each day. Hand in hand alone the way. Walking thus we will not stray… hand in hand with Jesus.”

Rejoice in the Lord…Always?

FHU 14

This week is the Freed-Hardeman’s Lectureship in Henderson, Tennessee. For seventy-eight years this noble institution has invited strong, Bible-based speakers across the nation to share their thoughts and understanding from God’s word. This year’s lectureship has been focused on I & II Thessalonians and men like David Shannon, Ralph Gilmore, Bruce McLarty and Bill Watkins have taken the pulpit and presented the truth.

Perhaps one of the most encouraging messages I’ve heard at this point in the week came on Monday morning in chapel. Craig Evans, from Spring Hill, Tennessee, brought the lesson focusing on I Thess. 5:16. “Rejoice always…” The message was simple as we considered when and why we rejoice. Often we find it easy to ‘be happy’ and understand the times of rejoicing, but Paul tells the church in Thessalonica to rejoice ALL the time (always).  How do I do that?  How can I ‘be happy’ when times are sad and dreary?  Is there reason to rejoice in the face of disaster, misery and death? It’s easy to show excitement when you’re feeling well, and any of us can be happy when we’re celebrating. But how can we keep the command of I Thess. 5:16? How can I possibly, rejoice ALWAYS? 

Perhaps James offers a bit of understanding as we read the second verse of the first chapter of James, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…”  When you despair and see nothing but cloudy skies, rejoice.  When heartaches fill your days, rejoice.  When dangers threaten your very existence, rejoice. But still the question haunts me…how do I do that?  How can I rejoice in time of dire distress? The answer may be best found in God’s Word. Do we spend time in His word letting Him ‘teach me’ the joy of His salvation? King David understood that joy as he wrote Psalm 51.  Perhaps this hymn from the early 1900’s will help us understand and appreciate the joy that comes through God’s holy word. We can know HOW to rejoice when we learn and follow His way.

“Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way! Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way! Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight; Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way! When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way! In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress, In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way! When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way! Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil and pain; Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way! Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way! Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!”

When Do You Pray?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Jonah?”  A man who ran from God?  Or perhaps you envision a giant fish (a whale) that swallowed and sustained him for 3 days and 3 nights (Jonah 1:17).  Or maybe you’ll remember a city destined for destruction, only to be spared because of this reluctant preacher.  Some may even conjure up the image of a wonderful vine that grew within a matter of hours and then withered just as quickly (Jonah 4:10).  Whatever you think about when you hear about this reluctant, soaked to the bone, disgruntled (yet effective) praying inside a fishpreacher there is an image that we must consider and hold in our hearts.

In the 2nd chapter of the book of Jonah, as he sits in the clammy, dark stomach of this monstrous sea creature (without a match) Jonah does something we all seem to do when we’re in trouble.  Verse one states, “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord…”  This prophet of God prayed a prayer of repentance.  In complete and utter darkness he saw the err of his ways and knew the only hope of salvation would come from the God he so desperately tried to hid from.  We when are faced with death, we eagerly pray for God’s help.  As terror strikes at the heart, we cry out for God’s comforting hand.  Like Jonah, when the world swallows us, we turn to God and ask for His deliverance.

There will be times in life when you feel ‘tossed over-board’ and swallowed by the storms of life.  Is that when you pray?  I realize we need to bow before God’s throne when we make mistakes (miss the mark…SIN) and when life is crushing in, but don’t let that be the only time you pray.  Jonah’s problem seemed to come in his failure to totally comprehend God’s providence and saving power.  Look again at the book of Jonah and then ask yourself…”when DO I pray?”

 

Mary Kidder penned the words to an old spiritual song that, in essence, asks this same question; “Ere (Before) you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?  In the name of Christ our Savior, did you sue (request/plea) for loving favor, as a shield today?  O how praying rest the weary!  Prayer will change the night to day; so when life seems dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.”

 

A Golden Opportunity

Have you ever wished you had known about something that was coming up so you could have been a part of it?  A presentation or special program that you would have promoted, supported or at least attended if someone had ‘clued you in’ on the opportunity.  Sometimes we find out about things after the fact and, to be honest, at that time, it’s a little too late.  The chance to participate and grow would have been tantrum girla welcome part of your schedule, but instead…you missed a golden opportunity.

The young mother would have benefited from the seminar on parenting and child raising, but no invitation was offered to her.  The old coach would like to have seen and heard the athlete who was scheduled to speak at the fund raiser; but no one thought to send the old man an invitation.  Granted, they might not have gone to the event, but you’ll never know unless you invite them.  We miss some great opportunities to enrich the lives of others simply because we don’t say anything.  We know some great gem of interest, but hold it to ourselves and miss a golden opportunity.  Why do we pass up those moments to encourage and reach out?  Are we just too busy taking care of our wants that we don’t give thought to what someone else might enjoy, or need?

Maybe the answer lies in our attitude or perhaps in our lack of courage and conviction.  Either way, if you have some good news to share and an invitation to offer but instead hold it back you are, for all practical purposes, taking away an opportunity.

The same can be said about our faith in Christ.  Certainly you’ve read Matthew 28 as our Savior exhorts us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…”  But how will ‘the nations’ become disciples (be baptized) if they have never hear about the Son?  Romans 10:14 states it best;How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”  There must be someone who will teach (preach) about the Savior.  Someone must be ready to offer an invitation to ‘come’ and know about Jesus.  Who will tell your friends about heaven?  Will you share with them the golden opportunity for salvation?

In the early 1900’s, James Rowe penned a song that some classify as sad and ‘depressing.’  A song that reminds us of the responsibility we have to teach (even show) our faith in Christ to our friends.  Have you taken the time to tell someone about Jesus?  They can never believe unless they hear and they’ll never hear unless they are told.  Don’t wait for someone else to ‘offer the invitation’, that opportunity of a life time is yours and yours alone.

When in the better land, before the bar we stand
how deeply grieved our souls will be
If any lost one there should cry in deep despair;
‘You never mentioned Him to me.’

Refrain:confused man
You never mentioned Him to me.
Nor help me not the light to see,
You met me day by day and knew I was astray
Yet never mentioned Him to me.

O let us spread the word, where ‘er it may be heard
Help groping souls the light to see.
That yonder none may say, ‘You showed me not the way.’
You never mentioned Him to me.

Refrain:

A few sweet words may guide a lost one to His side
or turn sad eyes to Calvary.
So work as days go by, that yonder none may cry,
‘You never mentioned Him to me.’

Refrain:

The old athlete might enjoy hearing some motivational talk from his younger counterpart, and the young mother might need help raising her child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  But will anyone invite them to come, learn and grown.  Without an invitation or a word of encouragement we miss a golden opportunity to provide that support.  But more over, without sharing Jesus to our friends and family we miss an even greater opportunity to ‘turn sad eyes to Calvary.’

The Good Samerican…July 14th

Jesus tells the story of a man who was traveling on the road to Jericho only to be Good Samaritan‘mugged’ by highway robbers.  Being stripped of all he had and left for dead (literally) the man is at the mercy of those who pass by as they too travel the road.  You know how the parable goes and the cast of characters.  And most likely you’ve considered which one you would be.

Most would like to say that in the circumstances described in Christ’s parable we’d follow the lead of the man from Samaria.  But have you considered what it would take to truly help someone who is broken and bleeding?  Would you walk across the road for your neighbor or are you ‘too busy?’  Here in America we live a good life and pretty much ‘want for nothing.’  We know lots of good American’s, but it might take some uncomfortable steps if we are to act like the good Samaritan.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, July 14, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” -3

Pick up your bible and turn to Psalm chapter 148.  This song we’ll be singing is indeed a ‘psalm’ and is almost a word-for-word account from the chapter.  From the hills and mountains to the beast and cattle, we sing this song of praise.  Whether you see yourself as young man or a maiden we must all be praising God.  Don’t let the birds that in the heavens fly out sing your praise!

“For the Beauty of the Earth” – 67

Consider this first verse, “For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Lord of all to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.”  Do you think this praise is for our physical birth or our spiritual birth?  The love that surrounds us (over and above) comes from God.  Makes you think doesn’t it?

“I Sing Praises” – 97

A ‘contemporary song’ that is simple in verse.  We’ll conclude this medley of ‘praise songs because our God’s name, ‘…is great and greatly to be praised.’  Hallelujah!  Praise Jehovah…

“How Deep the Father’s Love” – no book

We’ll turn our minds to the cross and Christ sacrifice using this contemporary song reminding us of the love of God.  The last verse is one of striking value to me…“I will not boast in anything; no gifts no power no wisdom.  But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection…”  Quoting Paul in Galatians 6:14 “…may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

“I’ll Live for Him” – 553

Between the bread and the fruit of the vine we’ll softly sing the third (often omitted) verse.  “O Thou who died on Calvary…”  Many have missed the point of emotion in our songs.  We don’t sing to serve ourselves or those who are listening, we sing to glorify and edify the family of God.  In my humble opinion, the heart is more important than the voice.

“Sweet Adoration” – 253

Where do you turn for comfort in times of trouble?  How do face the frustrations of this world and temptations that seem to be endless?  Try this…come to the Savior, give Him your heart-felt praise and adoration.  As you give your all to adoration, little is left for focusing on your trials.  Admiration and adoration are essential elements when we recognize our Savior.wandering child

“To Love Someone More Dearly” – 636

We all have a job to do in this life.  Some are willing to immerse themselves wholly into their work.  Others just ‘get the job done.’  But there is one task we need to make a priority in our life; to love someone more dearly!  To help a wandering child who’s lost or even just to ponder over something that is good and worthy of our time.  Our task might be as simple as praying or smiling.  The man from Samaria would have sung this song with full conviction.

“A Beautiful Life” – 570

This is a strong spiritual song with a full bass lead in the chorus.  But what do we mean, ‘…life’s evening sun is sinking low…’, are we really talking about death in this upbeat, ‘exciting to sing’ song?  Certainly, when life is over, we will meet our Creator and be held accountable for our deeds.  Are you one who is trying to lift a traveler’s load?  As you strive to be a child of God, remember, your ‘…life must shine along the way.’

“Wonderful Story of Love” – 286lower lights

Not a typical invitation song, but when you listen to what we’re saying I think you’ll agree.  “Sinner, O won’t you believe it (the wonderful story of love)?”  Through His love, the wonderful story of love, Jesus continues to call us to come to Him, since the dawn of creation even until today. 

“Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” – 642

I’ve always enjoyed this old spiritual song about shining our light to the lost world.  The imagine is clear as we consider the responsible we have in reaching out to those who are bruised and bleeding.  The traveler on the road or the sailor on the sea are bound to face difficult times.  How willing are we to shine our light, walk across the path and offer them a Savior!  The good Samaritan did!