Author: Lee A. Robinson

The Scandalous Grace of God

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

I want to talk to you a little about the grace, mercy and love of God. 

It’s one thing to give mercy to a guilty person. It’s a whole ‘nother thing to give grace to a guilty person. Grace is by definition un-merited (un-deserved) favor, but God’s grace is not only extended to the righteous, but also to the guilty. This, of course, is completely on the basis of the offering of the perfect life of Christ at his crucifixion on our behalf. But it is still a wonder, and still very hard to accept – even for those who have been regenerated.  

God’s grace is greater than all of your sins. We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. If Adam didn’t sin there would be no mercy, forgiveness, healing, or redemption. 

We know that God doesn’t want us to sin. He never tempts us or lures us into sinning so that we can experience more forgiveness. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! 

However, God knows in advance that we will sin. He can see beforehand the decisions we will make that will bring destruction into our lives. Why does he not stop us from making them!? Wouldn’t he stop us if he were truly loving and merciful? 

We may not understand it all, but we can rest assured that his heart is all love and favor. He designs that our failures will turn out for our good. The Father planned that the Son would come to die for our sins before Adam sinned. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Your good Father in heaven planned some good to come out of your failures before you made those bad decisions. 

Our worldly, man-centeredness thinks that it is only our successes and moral victories that bring good into our lives and that all of the pain and suffering in our lives we deserve. This is partly true and we should be very careful to not overlook those realities. However, this is not the whole story. God’s love and favor towards us is greater, more powerful, and more determined than our failures. 

God wants us to be at peace. He wants our hearts settled and resting in the full, unreserved, glad acceptance of the heart of God. He wants us to be able to look into his Eyes of kindness and joy towards us, not to look down in shame in his presence. We should be ashamed of our sins. But if we acknowledge them, confess them, turn away from them and turn to him – through Christ – then they are gone! This may at times even be a moment by moment exchange. Are you repentant? Look into His Eyes: behold his love for you. 

Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t think that any form of flagellation will bring you joy or bring pleasure to God. You cannot pay for your sins. It’s offensive to God when you try. The only thing God wants you to bring to the equation of salvation is your own sin and brokenness. Jesus paid it all. Isn’t he good? The Gospel really is good news. Believe it. Do you think the Gospel is actually more amazing news than you realize or less? It is much more unbelievable than we realize.

I pray today that your whole heart and soul would be baptized in the all encompassing, all-enveloping love of God; that tears would well up out of your heart and out your eyes, and that you would be able to say nothing less than, “Thank you Jesus. Thank you God;” that you would be assured deeply in your own heart that God is unbelievably good at all times and in all ways.           

He makes everything beautiful in his time (Eccl. 3:11). 

Don’t Quit (John Mark)

/ Lee A. Robinson / 1 Comment

John Mark (or simply Mark) is not a Bible character thought of much, but like most of the time, meditating in God’s Word draws out unapparent depth and richness. Mark’s story is one of a promising beginning, unfortunate fracturing of important relationships, and blessed reconciliation. If you’ve spent any time building important relationships only to see them destroyed then this article might be helpful. Also, if you’ve made decisions that have brought discouragement to yourself and other people and you’re struggling with the thought of giving up, then keep reading as well… 

I’d like to first paint a picture of Mark in the setting of the early church, then talk about the crucial moment in his life when he split from his missionary team, and end with the glorious story of how God redeemed this problem for his glory and the good of his people.

We first hear of Mark in Acts chapter 12 in the story when Peter was miraculously delivered from prison. The angel of the Lord led Peter out of the prison and then departed from him. At this moment Peter could have fled anywhere, but he chose a specific house to go to. The house he chose was “the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12). Up to this point in the book of Acts Luke was focused on the apostle Peter and the church in Jerusalem. Peter was definitely seen as the chief of the apostles and the foremost leader of the church in those early days. In other words, we’re talking about the most preeminent Christian leader of their time. At this critical moment this prominent leader decides to go to this particular house. Mark’s mother was most assuredly a very strong disciple and member of the church. We find that many were gathered praying, but most notably the other apostles probably were not present (Acts 12:17). So we get the feeling that Mark’s household was very special to Peter. Not only his household, but particularly Mark himself. Peter calls Mark “my son” in 1 Peter 5:13 indicating that he probably led Mark to Christ or discipled him, and/or could also could mean that he was a father figure to Mark (It seems as though Mark didn’t have a father, since the record describes his home only as his mothers home).  We also have a record from an early church writer named Papias that the Gospel of Mark was actually a compilation of accounts that Peter personally related to Mark. The point I’m trying to make is the unique, fortunate, spiritual experience Mark had as a young man. He’s witnessing a history altering revival; he has a strong Christian heritage; he’s rubbing shoulders with the giants of the Faith of his day; and he himself was already becoming known as a promising young man in the church. And this is literally just the beginning…

Around this time, Saul, the powerful persecutor of the church, was converted. Barnabas, the encourager, had to persuade the church (this will be important later) to give Saul a chance because they were suspicious of him. Saul (Paul) quickly became a powerful force in the church and it’s probably safe to say that outside of Jerusalem Paul had the most popular name as was the most critical Christian figure of their time (2 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10). Well, Paul and Barnabas had a specific mission they were fulfilling in Jerusalem and “when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark” (Acts 12:25). God called Mark to be a missionary, and he just happened to join the most formidable missionary “A-Team” in the world. Mark transitioned from being a sidekick of the great Peter, to be an apprentice of the great Paul – a truly unique position!  

Of all places they are heading to the city of Antioch, dubbed “the cradle of Christianity,” where the disciples were first called Christians; the church from which the first foreign missionaries were sent out; here to participate once again in a critical shift in history – the door to the gentiles being fully swung open wide for the Gospel. Mark was at the epicenter of all of this. 

Acts 13 tells how a specific calling was placed on Paul and Barnabas to become the first official foreign missionaries in the history of the church. As they were being sent away it says that “they also had John (Mark) as their assistant” (Acts 13:5). Being an assistant was a critical role. He was there basically to be their deacon, so they could focus on the major task of preaching and teaching. Anything else they needed Mark could handle – whether it be communications, lodging, food, ministry help, etc. Here goes Mark, setting sail with these two giants. Imagine yourself launching out on an important mission, getting on a plane with the likes of Charles Spurgeon and Billy Graham in their prime, or Jonathan Edwards and DL Moody (you pick the team!). And to know that this is all in the perfect will and pleasure of God to do a great work for the Lord. 

The first stop was the island of Cyprus, where Mark witnessed some extraordinary things: Paul rebuked bar-Jesus the magician and false prophet, then cursed him with blindness that resulted in public humiliation. This in turn led to the conversion of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, the Roman leader of the whole Island. This was certainly a powerful beginning to the journey. From there they fully crossed over the Mediterranean and landed in Asia Minor. It was here – we don’t know why – but for whatever reason – Mark decided to abandon the mission. Something happened. Something pretty big somewhere along the road led up to this decision. Everything up to this point is just one glorious experience and great opportunity after another! Why just forsake it all now?! 

What happened? We don’t really know, but I think it would be helpful to think through some possible explanations…

Maybe young Mark jumped ship out of fear? Maybe he was troubled by the strange demonic activity and spectacular power of God in Cyprus? He may have been thinking, “This is too much for me.” Demonic forces are powerful and dark and can strike a terrible fear into you. Maybe he was afraid for his physical safety? There isn’t a record of their team being persecuted in Cyprus. He did see it in Jerusalem, and we know that later on this mission would prove to be excruciatingly painful (Paul was stoned to death basically), but Mark couldn’t have known for sure that would happen. If this is the case he chose to be ruled by fear over the power of God and the fear of God. 

Maybe it had something to do with his family? Mark didn’t go back to Antioch, but back to Jerusalem…back home. Maybe his mom was sick and needed him? This would certainly be a touchy situation based on the Lord’s teachings relevant to this: “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-62), and, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). 

Maybe there was some kind of sin in his life? Perhaps he, like Demas, forsook the mission because he loved the present world? Or, maybe he was torn up internally because of some sin that he committed which drained him of spiritual fortitude and perseverance and just couldn’t hang in there any more. 

Maybe he was physically just worn out? It was definitely a supernatural work of God that kept Paul going through all of those missionary journeys over the years.  

Maybe Mark was confused and upset about how freely Paul was encouraging Gentiles to come into the Faith without meeting Jewish requirements first? The Jerusalem council was on the verge of happening. Mark was most likely Jewish. 

Maybe he was upset with Paul or Barnabas about something and there was tension between them? This very well could be- its hard to travel the way they did. Decisions could have been made by his superiors that jeopardized their safety, personal reputation, or the reputation of the Gospel. 

 In the end the Holy Spirit intentionally left the account vague. We fill in the blanks with our imagination and own circumstances. From everything I gather about who John Mark was, and whatever the reason why he left, I get the impression that it wasn’t a flippant decision. He probably wrestled hard over it and regretted very much that it happened. Perhaps this was even the hardest decision he had ever made in his life. I bet he felt like he was between a rock and a hard place, that no matter what he decided to do someone was going to get hurt. Maybe he didn’t even have confidence in the decision he was making, but made one because he felt he had to out of necessity. He may have lived with regret the whole voyage back home. He probably felt much embarrassment, having failed in this wonderful opportunity to travel with Paul and Barnabas and ashamed that he disappointed them, and left a great burden on them for the rest of the journey with no assistant. 

There’s some speculation on this next point, but I get the impression that when this decision was made, Mark hit a low point spiritually, maybe on the way back, maybe after he got back to Jerusalem and it really set in. “I blew it. This was my chance and I coward, or I yielded to my flesh, I gave up. What am I good for now? If I failed in this opportunity, what are the chances I’ll get another one like this?” 

Let’s start bringing home some applications. . . 

Maybe you’re the kind of person who had a wonderful initial experience with Christ. Maybe you had a great upbringing with some wonderful Christian friends and leaders, or maybe you came into that environment when you were converted. You jumped in, got involved, saw some amazing things happen, and you were promoted in the church because of your faithfulness. You rubbed shoulders with great saints and were a trusted servant to them. You got opportunities to serve alongside them. Then you got into the thick of the ministry in some way, or at least into the thick of deep, long-term relationships in the church. Then something happened. Something that brought you to a crossroads. Something that brought you to a decision that would disappoint other people and disappoint yourself. A decision that would break critical relationships, would rock the boat and have some negative fallout. The catalyst could have been anything – fear, sin, change in beliefs, doubt, exhaustion, etc. You rode on excitement for a while or on the original surge of your salvation, but now you’re wondering if you actually counted the cost or not. Whatever the reason behind the decision, the decision has been made. NOW, you are discouraged because of the effects of your decision. So what are you supposed to do now??? Let’s continue with the story . . . 

The next mention of Mark is as follows: “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:35-40). 

A few things jump out at me here: 

#1 Mark is in Antioch serving in the church. The last we heard from him he went back home to Jerusalem, but now we see him back to the place where he left off serving the Lord: in the church, serving and available for the call to missions when it came. What should you do? Whatever has knocked you down spiritually, you must shake it off, and get back into the game. “A just man falls seven times, but he gets back up again” (Proverbs 24:16). I don’t know the exact time frame, but it was not very long after Mark departed that this new situation happened. Do whatever it takes to get back involved in whatever capacity you are able to, as quickly as possible. The longer you stay away from the church, from Christians and from the work of the ministry, the harder it is going to be to get back involved. 

# 2 Be thankful for Barnabas and don’t be discouraged by Paul. Neither Luke nor the Holy Spirit tells us who had the right position in the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. It makes sense knowing their personalities: Barnabas was an encourager and wanted to give Mark a second chance. Paul was an aggressive leader and didn’t want to involve anyone who would jeopardize the mission. Both sides had a point. I’m sure it hurt Mark knowing that the great Paul thought he was useless. Thankfully, there was another leader there willing to give him another chance. 

How about you? You may have been hurt badly by someone. Maybe a leader? Maybe someone you were totally blindsided by? Perhaps they didn’t handle their disagreement with you in a Biblical/Christ-like manner? Let me encourage you to not be so beat down by one, or a few individuals. Paul was wired by God to be the way he was. He was like a wise general who knew that victory in the field inevitably requires some casualties. Force your mind and heart to think the best of the people who have hurt you and mistreated you. Give them grace and mercy. I’m not saying to excuse their mistreatment of you, but I am saying to not allow their mistreatment of you to continue mistreating you through bitterness or discouragement. Mark continued with the mission, with the one who would give him a second chance. Instead of focusing on the people who have rejected you, focus on Jesus, who has fully and eternally welcomed you to himself and his mission. Find those people who do love you, understand you, and are willing to partner with you in the Gospel. 

#3 I see the providence of God at work here. Yes, there was unfortunate disagreement and tension. Yes, a great missionary unit was split. However, what this meant now, is that there were TWO teams going out, in opposite directions, to cover more ground for the Gospel! Two teams with seasoned veterans. Two teams with younger men who could now hold greater responsibility on the mission. God redeemed this disagreement and separation. 

Be encouraged my friend. Of course, God doesn’t want Christians to fight, be bitter and separate from each other. However, God doesn’t waste these situations either. He redeems them by using them to grow his children and to reposition them out in his field more effectively. If you let this take you out, that is definitely not the will of God. He wants you and still has a great plan for you. You may not see it now, but in time you’ll see more clearly how this heartbreaking situation is going to prove to be for the best in the end. 

Later On

This story really has a touching conclusion, namely, the reconciliation between Mark and Paul. It didn’t happen until about 10 years later, but it happened. Paul’s last years were spent in trials and imprisonment in Rome. Traveling, preaching and persecution was one kind of torture for Paul, but dwelling alone in a dungeon by himself was a whole different kind of torture for him. The book of 2 Timothy gives us a big glimpse into Paul’s heart in those times. He said, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (1 Timothy 4:16). In other words, the first time he gave a defense before the court in Rome, he had no one there as a support witness. Now Paul is writing to Timothy from prison, shortly before he was to die, and at the end of the letter he talks about how he has kept the faith and that he fought a good fight and that he was ready to depart this earth. He mentions how his close fellow workers had either deserted him or left him: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:10-11). It is here, in this place of loneliness and discouragement, where Paul requests of Timothy to “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” Wow! Paul is actually proactively requesting for Mark to come help him. He said that Mark was profitable (valuable, useful) to him. We don’t know what happened a decade earlier that caused Paul to so mistrust Mark, but thankfully, whatever it was, Paul had a change of heart and mind. 

Let me encourage you – It may take a decade for you to be reunited with those who have abandoned you. It may take two decades, or three. Paul was on death row. It may not be until those people are on their deathbed before they have a change of heart towards you. But be encouraged by this. It may happen, it may not, but in this story it did. I pray that you will receive that phone call one day, text message or email. It may just be a friendly communication, there may be an apology, or there may even be words of affirmation or gratitude, or may even be a call to work together with you again. If it does, amen. If that call never comes, then know that no matter what happens the Lord is with you. Never give up and hope that in God’s good time he will reconcile you.  

FLY. (Faithfully Learn to Yield)

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

If you could choose to be any animal what would you be? I would want to be an eagle, or any high flying bird. One of the most spectacular images from nature to me is seeing a bird suspended in mid air, unstriving, just coasting in the breeze. Wow. Every time I see this my heart fails a little and I ask God to help me to live just like that: to live in the power and freedom of the Spirit. The bird is not inactive, he’s probably hunting. He’s doing what he needs to do. He doesn’t realize it, but he’s doing an incredible feat, not in his own power, but utilizing the dynamics of the wind. In one sense, the Chrsitian life is supposed to be easy. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mat. 11:30). This is a great image, because it includes hard work (yoke, burden). The thing is though is that if we are yoked with Jesus he is doing all the work. We’re just along for the ride. 

Why are we so stubborn? Why do we insist that our ideas and desires are so much better than the will of God? Every moment is a simple choice: do what I want in my own strength and wisdom, or do what God wants and rest. 

As much as I would want to fly in open skies, I know that I would be absolutely terrified if I could just all of a sudden lift off and start flying. What if I fall? One reason we do not do God’s will is because it is absolutely terrifying. He calls us out of our comfort zone to do impossible and often implausible feats. But how many times did he say, “Fear not.?” We should be afraid to not do his will. I know with myself I am afraid that I will mistake my own inner voice from the voice of God. I have the desire to jump or go and act, but it’s just me and not God. This is a trouble for me, but one that I hope to become more clear on. So we must learn to discern his voice. If we follow his Word, we follow his power. “For the word of God is quick and powerful.” 

If we are not terrified and doing things that are impossible for us to do then we’re probably not doing the perfect will of God. Something to think about today. 

Get quiet. Pray. Remember the Word. Then fly. 

Jeremiah, Don’t Quit

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For Audio . . .

“O LORD, thou hast deceived me (you have induced or persuaded me – to believe in you and to represent you), and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed (I am gripped by you and cannot shake away from your Word): I am a laughingstock daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him (of God), nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, indeed I could not.” – Jeremiah 20:7-9

Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet,” and for good reason. He just happened to be the one charged with the unpleasant task of signaling the final warnings to Israel of impending national destruction. He was there in Jerusalem when it happened and later penned a funeral dirge for the city (the book of Lamentations). All that to say that he was given a very burdensome task. He was a famine-time prophet, not one of an abundant harvest. Early on in Jeremiah’s ministry the LORD told him that no one was going to accept his message (7:27). Imagine being called by God to a ministry and then after you’re settled into it you get assurance – from God – that no one is going to care at all what you have to say. Instead of giving heed to his message and honoring Jeremiah, the people despised him, ridiculed and mocked him on a daily basis and several times tried to kill him. 

Perhaps you may feel like a Jeremiah? You’ve been doing God’s will – maybe not perfectly, but humbly and to the best of your ability – but there seems to be little to no fruit from your labors; it seems like no one is even taking notice of what you’re doing for the Lord; it seems like no one cares (except the people who are unhappy with you – they make it known that they don’t appreciate you). Maybe there are even people coming after you physically or in some other way trying to destroy your life and ministry? It seems like the more you try to do what’s right, the more you are despised for it. You feel like Paul who concluded, “and I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). 

Jeremiah was a champion as far as courage goes. He stood in the midst of an arrogant, hardened mob of people and daily mourned out God’s message of condemnation. He was a weeping, hell-fire & brimstone preacher. He had a backbone of steel. However, he was only a man, a man with a tender heart, and his resolve was challenged one day… 

On this occasion Jeremiah gathered some Israelite leaders together. During the meeting he smashed a clay pot on the ground and warned them that the LORD was going to smash the nation of Israel and break them so that they could not be repaired. Afterwards, Jeremiah went up to the temple (the busy public square) and began to proclaim that Yahweh was going to bring evil on the city because of their wickedness. While Jeremiah was preaching, Pashur the priest’s son walked up and delivered to Jeremiah some kind of blow (maybe a punch to the face or gut or something), then locked him in the stocks beside the temple, publicly humiliating him. The next day Pashur released Jeremiah from the stocks, but while he was Jeremiah began again to preach, and told Pashur that all of his friends were going to die by the sword, that he himself would be taken captive to Babylon, and would die and be buried there because he was a false prophet! Wow. So much courage. 

However! The very next lines in the text after this story are the verses at the heading of this chapter. Jeremiah is exhausted. He begins to complain about how difficult his ministry was and then he concludes, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him (of God), nor speak any more in his name” (Jeremiah 20:9). He came to a breaking point (understandably so!) and was entering a major temptation to give up. 

Maybe you are right here, right now. In the past, you had waves of difficulty, but you plunged into them and pretty quickly resurfaced, but this time it feels like you have sunk to the bottom with iron weights tied around you. The circumstances are different. It’s too much. Well, let this passage from Jeremiah remind you that nothing is impossible with God . . . 

Thankfully, on this occasion, Jeremiah did not give in to giving up. His flesh said, “I’m done,” and then his spirit immediately responded, “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, indeed I could not.” What happened?! There was another power working inside of Jeremiah other than his own feeble resolve – the power of God. When Jeremiah became weak, God became strong. When Jeremiah gave up, the LORD raised him up. Jeremiah didn’t quit because he really couldn’t quit. Jeremiah’s calling stretched all the way back into the eons of eternity, it started in the heart of God, and God wasn’t done with him yet. 

Consider Jeremiah’s calling from chapter 1, when he was a young man, “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5). God planted his Word in Jeremiah’s heart from the womb, it was more native to him than his mother’s milk. Being a prophet wasn’t Jeremiah’s idea, it was his destiny. His ministry didn’t arise from his own ambition, therefore it is not going to fall by his own inhibition. His message was God’s, his tears were God’s, his mission was God’s, and God was not done speaking to Israel yet, so therefore Jeremiah was not done speaking yet. 

Remember who you are – Jeremiah – was why you started doing this. If it did arise out of your own ambition, then may you quit right away! But if your calling is real, then it started in the heart of God before eternity, just like Jeremiah’s did. Remember these Scriptures… The apostle Paul knew from whence his calling was. He said the Lord, “…saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works (or, our ambition), but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).” “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” (Galatians 1:15-15). This eternal calling was motivation for Paul to keep going. He was confident about this for other believers as well, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6). 

God didn’t make a mistake when he called you. He knew exactly what he was doing. All of the events that led up to you calling on Christ for salvation. All of the events that led up to you desiring a certain kind of ministry. All the things in your heart to do for God. None of those things were an accident or happenstance. God made you who you are – with your personality, gifts, temperament, etc. You are where you are at this time in history to do his perfect will. Don’t give up because the road is rough, or because you have stumbled or because you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on him who called you from the beginning. Remember those circumstances when he first called you – whether it was a scripture, or a song, or a sermon, or a deep time of prayer. God hasn’t changed, you have, but I am confident that if you choose to bring your heart and mind back to the Word you heard at the burning bush that it will burn in your heart like a fire and that you will feel no other option than to pursue it. 

His Word Was In My Heart 

Jeremiah said, “I’m done. I’m not going to even make mention of God anymore.” But again, the very next phrase is, “But his word was in mine heart.” He couldn’t get away from it. It was part of his nature. Earlier on in the book he said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).” God planted his Word in Jeremiah from the womb, but then in conscious experience Jeremiah had tasted the unique goodness Word of God and had swallowed it whole. It was part of the fabric of his being. Many other saints in the Scripture spoke of this experience of “eating” the word of God. 

When you became a Christian you didn’t just turn over a new leaf or change your mind about something. You were changed at the core of your being. Jesus said that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood. You did this and became partakers of him. You became one with him and he with you. The Spirit of God, his divine nature, came into union with your spirit, thus making you a new creation. No matter where you go from here God is going with you. Not near you, but in you, in all your thoughts and feelings and outlook. You cannot ignore God. He’s so patient and good. He has all the time in the world to bear with you. He is faithful, he promised that he would never leave you nor forsake you. 

You have taken in the Word of God. You’ve studied it, memorized it, lived according to it, rejoiced in it. Remember the unique joy of the Word in your life. 

Something divine, supernatural happens when the believer turns their eyes to heaven in prayer, or becomes calm before the Scriptures. There is a real connection with the eternal One, the Word, and you cannot but help to speak about it. Paul said, “I believed, and therefore have I spoken (2 Corinthians 4:13).” Just like that exceptional restaurant you ate at, or that great show you went to, you want to tell other people about it. Almost every year our family visits Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster, PA. In the realm of live theater, especially for Christian based shows, their performances are extraordinarily good, second to none. I recommend to people often to bring their families there because I know the experience is so worth it – even to people who seem like the last people who would be interested in something like a live musical. I believe, therefore I speak about it. You tasted that the LORD was gracious and you spoke about it. Perhaps you spoke about it for a very long time. Return to your first love. You may be in the fog right now. Its ok. Jeremiah was there too. Press through though. Continue to be faithful and then glorify him again. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works (Psalms 73:25-28).”

True Success 

One more note on Jeremiah about what true success in life is. God was upfront with Jeremiah, “No one is going to believe you. You are going to warn about coming judgment and call the nation to repent, but they are not going to. The judgment will come” (my summary). So, was Jeremiah a failure? The people weren’t saved. They didn’t give heed to his warnings. Obviously God’s heart is for people to repent and avoid judgment. The Lord is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” He takes no delight in the death of the wicked. However, God also delights in righteousness, judgment and justice. Israel had become corrupt and now it was God’s pleasure to defend his truth and those who were being oppressed. All of this is higher than Jeremiah. What was his part in God’s dealings with this nation, and other nations? His part was simply to be faithful – to be God’s heart and mouth to the people, and Jeremiah did this faithfully. Although Jeremiah’s preaching wasn’t well received, it was nevertheless true. What he said was the faithful Word of God and the prophecies he spoke did come to pass. 

Take the time to think deeply about what you regard as true success. True success is not equivalent to lots of outward signs of people repenting, being converted and mobilized in the work of God. If those things truly happen then it certainly is a sign that God is at work, but God can be at work even through a man or a ministry that appears unsuccessful. For example, God told Moses in the desert to speak to the the rock so water would gush out to quench the thirst of Israel. Moses in his anger disobediently smote the rock, but water still came gushing out. That Rock was Christ and Christ fed his people out there, but God was furious with Moses. He came down hard on him and decided that he would not go in to the promised land. By appearance this was a wonderful success – a day of refreshing and revival – yet it was the worst day of failure for Moses. So we have to be extremely careful about judging on the outward appearance – whether it’s judging other people’s lives or our own lives.

There are very large, exciting churches that are a displeasure to God and there are very small, “unexciting” churches that are choice servants of God. Similarly, there are very large, exciting churches that are a pleasure to God and there are very small, “unexciting” churches that are a displeasure of God. How do we know the difference? We cannot know in an ultimate sense, but we can examine faithfulness to God’s Word or not. Is the Bible being taught in a simple, straightforward manner? Is righteousness being exalted and sin being exposed? Is there church discipline happening? Are people being encouraged to evangelize and be rich in good works? Are the leaders and members humbly walking in love and unity? If so, these are all good signs that God is pleased. The same is true as individuals. If you are striving to conform your life to the Word of God with a humble heart and to do what he calls you to do – he is pleased, whether or not you see the results you are hoping for. You have to get your eyes off of other people. Stop comparing yourself and your works to theirs. Everyone is different, has different gifts and a different calling. If you have been doing what is right with a humble heart then disregard the results. It’s fine to examine the results. Maybe there is a way for you to improve to be more effective in whatever you’re doing, but certainly don’t give up. It got really hard for Jeremiah. It may get hard for you. Let God search your heart. If you have done something wrong, repent of it and make it right. From there though, focus on doing what you know for sure the Lord has called you to do. Leave the results with him and give him time to renew your passion for him and his work. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self (1 Corinthians 4:2-3).” This is what you have to focus on – simply being faithful to your Lord. 

Jeremiah, don’t give up.

Don’t Quit (Peter)

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

For Audio . . . https://youtube.com/live/SLSiVK9SwjY

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? . . . Feed my sheep.” – John 21:17

Peter loved Jesus. He was a genuine follower. Jesus had transformed him from an average, worldly fisherman to a saint and pioneer of the new kingdom God was about to build. However, Peter still had his struggles. He was often stuffing his foot into his mouth. Once he brazenly rebuked Jesus – never a good idea. As bad as that was, it wasn’t the worst. The day he totally blew it was when he denied his Lord. Sweet Jesus: the one who found Peter lost in his sins, who brought him on board the Great Mission as leader of the disciples; the pure, humble teacher healer who had come to Israel, the gentle lamb who was hated, wrongfully arrested, being beaten, about to be crucified. At that very moment, when Peter (of all moments!) should have been there for his friend and Lord, warming his hands by the fire, he repeatedly denied him, with cursing! He had given in to embarrassment, fear and betrayal. He instantly knew it too. All it took was one look from the Lord and he knew he had sinned a great sin. He wept bitterly. Peter was crushed because he had crushed his friend in his greatest hour of need. He also let down his other friends who he was supposed to be leading. What was he good for now?  

How about you, Peter? Every Christian sins, but perhaps in your case it seems like you have sinned a particularly grievous sin in a uniquely corrupt way. Some sins seem tolerable – like perhaps gluttony, or gossip, or materialism – but other sins truly seem to reveal your depraved heart, like adultery, pornography, rage, violence, drunkenness/drug abuse, idolatry or theft: the kinda stuff that many unbelievers don’t even participate in. Maybe you have fallen into a great sin as a genuine follower of Christ. Or, maybe you have given in to “little” sins so repeatedly that they have caused big problems for yourself and those around you. Maybe you feel like God could never forgive you, or, if he would forgive you he certainly would not use you in any special way. Maybe your reputation has been tarnished? Perhaps, like Peter, you may even feel like giving up, out of respect for the Lord, not desiring to dishonor him anymore…

We do seem to get the indication that Peter was giving up. He went back to fishing (John 21:3), back to who he was and what he had done before he met the Lord. He probably thought, “The Lord gave me this wonderful gift and calling, and I let him down. I failed. I guess I’ll default back to who I used to be.” The temptation after failing is to give up: to revert back to who you used to be, and to do what you used to do before you knew Jesus. You begin to think more about secular pursuits than the ministry God has called you to; to make church attendance and involvement less of a priority; to replace personal worship and study of the Word with other hobbies; to replace sacrificial giving to the Gospel with other financial priorities, etc.

How did this turn out for Peter and the others? “They caught nothing” (John 21:3). Remember when Peter met Jesus? That was also a day where he “caught nothing,” meaning a day when not only were his nets empty, but his soul was also empty. His life was void of ultimate meaning and purpose. It’s no accident that as professional fishermen they caught nothing this new day as well. It was on purpose, for the Lord to show him that he wouldn’t find anything genuinely meaningful compared to Christ if he were to go back. 

Don’t go back. Don’t give up. Why? Because you really can’t go back. You are different. You’ve been born from above. You’re a new creation in Christ. You’re sheep not swine. It can’t be the same. You may give up on pursuing Christ and working in the ministry, but whatever idol you put in the place of Christ is not going to satisfy you. You have tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the world to come. The Holy Spirit lives in you! You’ll never be blessed unless you pick yourself up and begin to pursue Christ afresh! 

He’s Not Done With You

Thankfully, Jesus was not done with Peter. In fact, the glory that Peter had experienced over the first 3 years with Jesus was nothing compared to the glory that Peter was yet to experience with his Lord for many years to come! 

Jesus came to Peter in the sweetest way. As they were fishing, catching nothing, Jesus appeared on the shore, beckoned to them to throw the net on the other side causing them to enclose a massive catch of fish. This is reminiscent of when Jesus first revealed his desire to call these disciples – perhaps symbolic of re-calling them again to discipleship. Jesus was already on the shore making a meal. As they approached him there was the sweet smell of baked bread and fish being fried over the fire. Jesus greeted them with an invitation to “come and dine” with him. This initial meeting with Jesus could have been much different, right? Jesus could have hunted Peter down and wrathfully rebuked him, or punished him in some way. Think about it… or, perhaps worse: Jesus could have just given up on Peter and never returned to him or communicated with him again and left him to wallow in his regrets. But no. There is no one like Jesus. Think about the worst thing you have ever done to someone. The next time you saw them face to face were they preparing you a feast, desiring to share a meal with you? If so, praise the Lord for that person, but most likely that did not happen. 

The reality is, that no matter what you have done – to the Lord or anyone else – Jesus is waiting for you to come to him. Not to come crawling over broken glass to be punished forever for what you have done. He wants to fellowship with you. He wants t oconfirm his love for you and his commitment to work his plan out in your life. He knows your broken heart, regret, and your shame for what you have done. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is nigh to the broken hearted,” and Psalm 51: 17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” It’s hard to accept how gentle and forgiving his heart is towards us. We beat ourselves up over our sins. Other people treat us very harshly over our sins, but Jesus doesn’t do this. He was beaten on our behalf; mocked, shamed, killed. He wants it in the past and he is looking to the future. 

After seeing Jesus present himself to Peter in this reconciling manner, we get to the heart of the whole situation. As the finish the meal Jesus asks Peter a question, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Wow. What a question! He could have said, “Simon, why should I forgive you,’ or ‘Why should I let you follow me?” But, no, he’s looking forward, not backward. Remember: Jesus knows everything. This question was not for Jesus, but for Peter. Deep down Peter knew that he loved the Lord, but up to this moment, in his won mind, I’m sure that his internal dialogue was all self condemnation. “How can you say you love the Lord when you sided with his murderers?” Jesus was pulling from deeper down in the well of Peter’s soul. He was leading Peter to recall his true self, which was genuine love for Jesus.

Just because you have sinned doesn’t mean that you don’t love Jesus. “A just man falleth seven times, but he rises up again” (Proverbs 24:17). Righteous men fall. Christians sin. Our love is not determined by whether or not we sin, but what we do with our sins. Unbelievers make excuses for their sins, the care less whether they have offended the Lord or not, they certainly don’t confess their sins and repent of them, and they don’t fear God’s chastening in their lives. But if you are a genuine believer, you do all of those things. You are guilty over your sins, you’ve probably already confessed them, your striving to overcome them, and it tears you up that you have offended your Lord and hurt other people. This means that you love Jesus!!!

Do you remember how you first came to Jesus, who you were when he called you? He didn’t call you because you were righteous. He called you because he had a plan for you. Thankfully, his plans have not changed: Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” So, if you love him, feed his sheep – continue striving to be what he has called you to be and continue doing what he has called you to do. What a wonderful Savior we have – he wastes nothing and recycles every fault and weakness of his followers! You do not dishonor Jesus by serving him after you sin. He didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You do honor him by exemplifying the Gospel: continually repenting of your sins and coming to Christ alone for forgiveness. 

  One last note on Peter: at the end of their conversation Jesus revealed to Peter that not only would he persevere in his faith, but that he would also in the end give his life for Jesus, which, according to tradition Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior. In response, Peter asked what was going to happen with John. Jesus didn’t answer his question but rather said to him, “follow me.” This is interesting to me. Jesus was lazer focused on his relationship with Peter, having a most intimate conversation with him, and what is Peter doing? He’s wondering about John and what is going to happen with him. Don’t be so focused on other people – what they are doing or what they think about you, or how you appear to other people. Focus on your relationship with Christ, what he thinks about you, and what he has called you to do. The path for every Christian looks different. Embrace yours. 

“Father, I pray for whoever may be reading this, that they would have a deep abiding peace and relief that you have forgiven them of their sins and that you still desire to use them in special ways. Help them to see that your power and glory is easier seen through broken vessels than “whole” ones. Reinvigorate a lasting desire for the things of heaven than the things of the earth. Grant them wisdom, power, grace and faith to fully overcome and break free from their besetting sins, and to have full liberty in heart and mind as they serve you. Amen.”       

It doesn’t matter what you have done.

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

It doesn’t matter what you have done.

It’s all wiped clean in the blood of the Son.

He bore the wrath, the guilt, the shame 

So we could bear the grace, the crown… His name.

Man will always find a way to judge you

But GOD will always find a way to love you. 

Men will condemn you as a failure, a traitor, a liar. 

But He knows your true heart, thoughts, and desire.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, the wise man said. 

I guess he learned this truth before he laid to rest his head. 

Your sin does matter, so repent and continue no more! 

But focus on his mercy & grace, which is far greater for sure! 

You may have concluded God will never use you again

But Remember in the scripture the failures of great men:

An adulterer, a murderer and a liar king 

One of God’s choicest to God’s Name did sing.

An arrogant man, who publicly denied the Lord! 

Yet was told to “feed my sheep” and was fully restored.  

Be humbled and learn, but from your ashes arise

With confidence and joy lift up your eyes

See his smile, feel his touch, follow the voice from above.  

You’re saved, restored, you’re called and you’re loved.