On this day in history in 1859, the famous Cyrus McCormick married Nettie Fowler. She was 26 years younger than Cyrus, and while he is famous for his mechanical reaper, Nettie is remembered for the work she did for Christ. 26 years after marriage, Cyrus died. Nettie was left with a pile of money. She decided to keep honoring the Lord with it, and make some eternal investments.
Here are some of the ways she used her wealth for the Lord:
--established McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago
--helped John Mott to go around the world to start student missions
--helped form the World Student Christian Federation
--contributed to the evangelic endeavors of D. L. Moody
--supported Wilfred Grenfell, missionary to Labrador
--supported George Livingstone Robinson, archaeologist to Jordan
--funded Tusculum College in Tennessee
--helped support education in Appalachia
--involved herself in Asian missions
--offered her Chicago house as a Christian halfway house for missionaries
--improved water supplies
--provided hospitals
--built a Christian college
--built a women's clinic in Persia
--built a seminary in Korea
--sent agricultural machines to India.
She did all of these things in the name of Christ. It seems a lot to us, but she remained humble about it. In her eyes, it was so little. Others, she said, were doing so much more.
If you really want to know where a person's heart is, then follow the money. What about you, what eternal investments are you currently making? What seeds are you sowing for Christ?
"Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is." --Jesus (Matthew 6:19-21)
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Manz's Baptism
Remember Zwingli, the Swiss reformer? Well, not everyone in Zurich was satisfied with him. For Conrad Grebel and Felix Manz, reformation wasn't coming quick enough. One point of contention in particular was baptism.
In Zurich, when a baby was baptized, he or she was considered to be member of the state church and a citizen of the city. After reading and studying the Bible, Grebel and Manz discovered that this practice was unbiblical. They argued that baptism was was believers in Jesus, and it symbolizes a commitment to Christ. I agree with them. Zwingli kept insisting on infant baptism. Finally, a day of testing came. Grebel's wife gave birth to a baby, which set the stage for public debate in Zurich. On this day in history in 1525, the Zurich City Council met to have the debate, and Grebel and Manz lost.
A few days later, twelve men braved darkness and snow to visit Manz at his home. One man, George Blaurock, asked Grebel (who was with them) to baptize him because of his confession of personal faith in Christ. Blaurock was a priest, so after being baptized he baptized all the others.
Of course, this course of action made Zwingli spitting mad. The radicals were soon kicked out of Zurich. They went to a nearby town called Zollikon, and there they established a church. This church was different because it wasn't a part of the state church. It was a "free" church. Actually, it was the first one of its kind in modern times.
Zwingli and the hounds of Zurich persisted in persecuting them. Grebel was put in prison. He died of the plague there. Blaurock was burned at the state. As for Manz, because he was such a proponent of baptism, the leaders of Zurich decided that if he wanted baptism, then they would give him a baptism. They took him from prison, tied his arms and legs together, and threw him into the middle of Lake Zurich. His mother, watching the tragic scene from the shore, shouted for Manz to stay true to Christ. Manz's last words were "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
For Peter and Paul and the others, the truth was worth dying for. For Grebel, Manz, and Blaurock, the truth was worth dying for. What about you? Would you give your life for the truth? May all who come behind us find us faithful!
In Zurich, when a baby was baptized, he or she was considered to be member of the state church and a citizen of the city. After reading and studying the Bible, Grebel and Manz discovered that this practice was unbiblical. They argued that baptism was was believers in Jesus, and it symbolizes a commitment to Christ. I agree with them. Zwingli kept insisting on infant baptism. Finally, a day of testing came. Grebel's wife gave birth to a baby, which set the stage for public debate in Zurich. On this day in history in 1525, the Zurich City Council met to have the debate, and Grebel and Manz lost.
A few days later, twelve men braved darkness and snow to visit Manz at his home. One man, George Blaurock, asked Grebel (who was with them) to baptize him because of his confession of personal faith in Christ. Blaurock was a priest, so after being baptized he baptized all the others.
Of course, this course of action made Zwingli spitting mad. The radicals were soon kicked out of Zurich. They went to a nearby town called Zollikon, and there they established a church. This church was different because it wasn't a part of the state church. It was a "free" church. Actually, it was the first one of its kind in modern times.
Zwingli and the hounds of Zurich persisted in persecuting them. Grebel was put in prison. He died of the plague there. Blaurock was burned at the state. As for Manz, because he was such a proponent of baptism, the leaders of Zurich decided that if he wanted baptism, then they would give him a baptism. They took him from prison, tied his arms and legs together, and threw him into the middle of Lake Zurich. His mother, watching the tragic scene from the shore, shouted for Manz to stay true to Christ. Manz's last words were "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Hampton Court Session
On this day in history in 1604, a group of Puritans carrying a petition signed by 1,000 pastors met with King James IV of Scotland (also known as James I of England and Ireland) to plead with him to help reform the Church in England. Having been king in England for nearly a year, James knew that he must do something to help his divided kingdom, so he agreed to hear them out at his Hampton Court estate.
James rejected all of their requests except one. He grew so angry with them that flew into a rage. He shouted in reference to the Puritans, "I shall make them conform or I will harry them out of this land, or do worse." It was a failure for the Puritans. They gave up hope for the Anglican Church and became the Separatists. Out of that group came the Baptists in 1611 and the Pilgrims who went to America in 1620.
However, there was that one request presented to James that he actually liked and with which he was in agreement. John Rainolds, one of the Puritans that day at Hampton Court, requested a new translation of the Bible. You know the rest of the story. James commissioned a group of scholars to produce a new English translation of the Bible, known today as the King James Version or the Authorized Version (because it was authorized by the king). James claimed, "I have never yet seen a Bible well translated. But I think the Geneva is the worst." The KJV was released in 1611, seven years later.
And now, a brief historical sketch of James.
James IV of Scotland was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He took his cousin Elizabeth's place on the throne of England and became James I. He was 37 years old at the time.
It's quite ironic what, of all people, James is the most well known name associated with the Bible. Just read Robert Morgan's words:
"How odd that the most famous Bible in history should bear the name of a hard-drinking, foulmouthed, ego-driven homosexual who rejected all demands for reform within the church...He was rude, rough, loud, conceited, and bisexually immoral. He was also shrewd."
James rejected all of their requests except one. He grew so angry with them that flew into a rage. He shouted in reference to the Puritans, "I shall make them conform or I will harry them out of this land, or do worse." It was a failure for the Puritans. They gave up hope for the Anglican Church and became the Separatists. Out of that group came the Baptists in 1611 and the Pilgrims who went to America in 1620.
However, there was that one request presented to James that he actually liked and with which he was in agreement. John Rainolds, one of the Puritans that day at Hampton Court, requested a new translation of the Bible. You know the rest of the story. James commissioned a group of scholars to produce a new English translation of the Bible, known today as the King James Version or the Authorized Version (because it was authorized by the king). James claimed, "I have never yet seen a Bible well translated. But I think the Geneva is the worst." The KJV was released in 1611, seven years later.
And now, a brief historical sketch of James.
James IV of Scotland was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He took his cousin Elizabeth's place on the throne of England and became James I. He was 37 years old at the time.
It's quite ironic what, of all people, James is the most well known name associated with the Bible. Just read Robert Morgan's words:
"How odd that the most famous Bible in history should bear the name of a hard-drinking, foulmouthed, ego-driven homosexual who rejected all demands for reform within the church...He was rude, rough, loud, conceited, and bisexually immoral. He was also shrewd."
Sunday, January 06, 2013
A Note of Encouragement
On Sunday, January 6, 1850, Charles Spurgeon became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 15. A blizzard hit England at that time, and young Spurgeon couldn't get to the church he usually attended. Instead, he was able to get to a small Methodist church, where he found only a few people huddled around the stove to keep warm. There was no preacher that night. One of the men there began to read from the Bible and kept repeating Isaiah 45:22: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." At one point the man pointed at Spurgeon and said, "Look, young man! Look! Look to Christ!" Spurgeon did look to Christ, and he was saved that very night. He went home rejoicing.
I'd like to encourage those churches with 15-20 people (or less) showing up each Sunday. Keep going! Stay faithful! You never know the kind of impact you might really have.
Spurgeon went on the preach to multiple thousands each week. He is known as the Prince of Preachers. It all boils down to a tiny church who was able to point him to Christ.
I'd like to encourage those churches with 15-20 people (or less) showing up each Sunday. Keep going! Stay faithful! You never know the kind of impact you might really have.
Spurgeon went on the preach to multiple thousands each week. He is known as the Prince of Preachers. It all boils down to a tiny church who was able to point him to Christ.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
St. Simeon Stylites
Sometimes people do strange and bizarre things in order to show their love and devotion to God.
Today is remembered in some parts of the world as the Feast Day of St. Simeon Stylites, because when it comes to self-denial, he takes home the prize. This is the guy who left home to join a cloister, but he was soon dismissed because of his self-torture techniques. He also moved to the desert of Syria and lived with an iron chain on his feet. Then it gets better, he had himself buried up to his neck for a few months.
Perhaps he is most famous for his next stunt. For thirty years, Simeon lived on top of a pillar or a column. At first it was only six feet high, then he had one made to reach sixty feet. There's no room for comfort on top of a pillar. He had a type of railing and a rope to keep him from falling when he fell asleep. People who followed him and his ways would bring him food and remove his waste by climbing a ladder. There's a really gross thing that happened with the rope. If you want to know about it, just ask.
With Simeon it wasn't all about living the high life. He preached daily about the importance of prayer, selflessness, and justice to the crowds who gathered to see him.
Today is remembered in some parts of the world as the Feast Day of St. Simeon Stylites, because when it comes to self-denial, he takes home the prize. This is the guy who left home to join a cloister, but he was soon dismissed because of his self-torture techniques. He also moved to the desert of Syria and lived with an iron chain on his feet. Then it gets better, he had himself buried up to his neck for a few months.
Perhaps he is most famous for his next stunt. For thirty years, Simeon lived on top of a pillar or a column. At first it was only six feet high, then he had one made to reach sixty feet. There's no room for comfort on top of a pillar. He had a type of railing and a rope to keep him from falling when he fell asleep. People who followed him and his ways would bring him food and remove his waste by climbing a ladder. There's a really gross thing that happened with the rope. If you want to know about it, just ask.
With Simeon it wasn't all about living the high life. He preached daily about the importance of prayer, selflessness, and justice to the crowds who gathered to see him.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Symbol of Faithfulness
On this day in history in 1577, Hans Bret was executed for studying the Bible and teaching new Christians. That sounds strange to us doesn't it? But those were the rules in Antwerp of the Netherlands in those days. Actually, it isn't that strange at all. In many places in the world today, someone could and would be executed if they were found to be studying the Bible or teaching Christians.
Hans owned and operated a bakery to support himself and his widowed mother. One night there was a knock at the door, and Hans opened it to find a mob of officers. They were there to take him into custody and place him in the town jail. For his accommodations, he was given a small, dark cell. We would call it isolation or solitary confinement. It was (and still is) used as a punishment. He was questioned and tortured for months, yet he would not yield his faith. He attested that his strength was from God alone.
Then his situation grew worse. The questioning and tortures grew worse. Still, Hans' spirit was not broken. On January 4th, Hans was sentenced to death. He would be burned alive at the stake. Before the executioner delivered him to the stake at the town market square, he forced Hans to stick out his tongue as he clamped on a tongue screw (made of iron) and then seared the end of the tongue with a red-hot iron in order to keep the device from slipping off. The reason--the authorities didn't want Hans preaching at his execution. He was chained and burned alive.
Among those in the crowd that day was Hans de Ries. He was Hans Bret's pastor and good friend. When the embers and ashes hand cooled, Hans de Ries dug through the remains and found the tongue screw. He later married Hans Bret's mother, and the tongue screw has been passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of faithfulness.
May all who come behind us find us faithful!
Hans owned and operated a bakery to support himself and his widowed mother. One night there was a knock at the door, and Hans opened it to find a mob of officers. They were there to take him into custody and place him in the town jail. For his accommodations, he was given a small, dark cell. We would call it isolation or solitary confinement. It was (and still is) used as a punishment. He was questioned and tortured for months, yet he would not yield his faith. He attested that his strength was from God alone.
Then his situation grew worse. The questioning and tortures grew worse. Still, Hans' spirit was not broken. On January 4th, Hans was sentenced to death. He would be burned alive at the stake. Before the executioner delivered him to the stake at the town market square, he forced Hans to stick out his tongue as he clamped on a tongue screw (made of iron) and then seared the end of the tongue with a red-hot iron in order to keep the device from slipping off. The reason--the authorities didn't want Hans preaching at his execution. He was chained and burned alive.
Among those in the crowd that day was Hans de Ries. He was Hans Bret's pastor and good friend. When the embers and ashes hand cooled, Hans de Ries dug through the remains and found the tongue screw. He later married Hans Bret's mother, and the tongue screw has been passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of faithfulness.
May all who come behind us find us faithful!
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Here I Am, Send Me
On this day in history in 1745, David Brainard decided to spend the whole day fasting and praying for spiritual power. He prayed over John 7. Then he began preaching repeatedly from John 7. That year was his most productive year in ministry.
Up until that point, he suffered many dangers, toils, and snares. He faced depression and despondency. He was tired, worn out, and dried up. There was little fruit in his missionary endeavors among the American Indians.
However, that January day in 1745 made all the difference. Many Indians came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Even his translator, a drunk named Tattamy, surrendered his life to Jesus.
Just two years later, Brainard died at the age of 29 in the home of Jonathan Edwards. Brainard's life and story influenced many other missionaries, including Henry Martyn, William Carey, and Adoniram Judson. His testimony still influences and motivates missionaries all over the world.
One entry in his diary, which became a well-known Christian book in the early days of America, went like this: "Here I am, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom." What a resolve! What a passion! What sweet surrender to the Lord!
Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Have you decided that you will follow Him and His commands regardless of the consequences? Will you follow Him even when it's not comfortable or popular to do so?
Read, meditate, and pray over John 7 today, and ask the Lord to use you right where you are to lead people to that life-giving water found only in Jesus Christ.
Up until that point, he suffered many dangers, toils, and snares. He faced depression and despondency. He was tired, worn out, and dried up. There was little fruit in his missionary endeavors among the American Indians.
However, that January day in 1745 made all the difference. Many Indians came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Even his translator, a drunk named Tattamy, surrendered his life to Jesus.
Just two years later, Brainard died at the age of 29 in the home of Jonathan Edwards. Brainard's life and story influenced many other missionaries, including Henry Martyn, William Carey, and Adoniram Judson. His testimony still influences and motivates missionaries all over the world.
One entry in his diary, which became a well-known Christian book in the early days of America, went like this: "Here I am, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom." What a resolve! What a passion! What sweet surrender to the Lord!
Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Have you decided that you will follow Him and His commands regardless of the consequences? Will you follow Him even when it's not comfortable or popular to do so?
Read, meditate, and pray over John 7 today, and ask the Lord to use you right where you are to lead people to that life-giving water found only in Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
St. Basil the Great
Famous or faithful? We each have that choice to make in our lives. Of course, we all want to be remembered in some way or to make our marks on history, but the choice has to be made. I wonder how many theater actors and actresses can testify to how they started out well, but along the way they had to make moral compromises in order to advance or to try to become famous. What about in the music business? What about in Hollywood?
Basil from Caesarea of Cappadocia (modern day Turkey) wanted very badly to be great in society. He thought very highly of himself, and he wanted all to do the same about him. However, his godly sister, who also led him to faith in Jesus Christ, challenged Basil with this statement: "It's better to be faithful before God than famous before men."
In humility before God, Basil began a quiet life of prayer, study, and writing. He preached and helped the poor along the banks of the Iris River. Before long, God began to make him famous. The emperor at that time, Julian the Apostate, tried to make Basil one of his advisors, but Basil turned him down.
Basil eventually left his quiet life because he was challenged by Eusebius (another famous Christian) to defend the faith against outside attacks and inside heresies. He became a very public figure indeed! In 370, Basil became the next bishop after Eusebius. He also used his own money to help the poor by building a hospital for lepers. Sometimes he would even administer treatments personally. Outside of Caesarea, his network of churches, schools, medical facilities, hostels, monasteries, and charity houses became known as Basiliad.
Every January 2 is remembered by many as St. Basil's day. Basil became famous in his time and beyond, something he desired early in life, but he had to do it God's way. If he had tried and continued on the path he was on, I can almost guarantee that we would have never heard of Basil.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5-6, "'God opposes proud people, but He helps everyone who is humble.' Be humble in the presence of God's mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes."
Famous or faithful? Choose wisely!
Basil from Caesarea of Cappadocia (modern day Turkey) wanted very badly to be great in society. He thought very highly of himself, and he wanted all to do the same about him. However, his godly sister, who also led him to faith in Jesus Christ, challenged Basil with this statement: "It's better to be faithful before God than famous before men."
In humility before God, Basil began a quiet life of prayer, study, and writing. He preached and helped the poor along the banks of the Iris River. Before long, God began to make him famous. The emperor at that time, Julian the Apostate, tried to make Basil one of his advisors, but Basil turned him down.
Basil eventually left his quiet life because he was challenged by Eusebius (another famous Christian) to defend the faith against outside attacks and inside heresies. He became a very public figure indeed! In 370, Basil became the next bishop after Eusebius. He also used his own money to help the poor by building a hospital for lepers. Sometimes he would even administer treatments personally. Outside of Caesarea, his network of churches, schools, medical facilities, hostels, monasteries, and charity houses became known as Basiliad.
Every January 2 is remembered by many as St. Basil's day. Basil became famous in his time and beyond, something he desired early in life, but he had to do it God's way. If he had tried and continued on the path he was on, I can almost guarantee that we would have never heard of Basil.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5-6, "'God opposes proud people, but He helps everyone who is humble.' Be humble in the presence of God's mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes."
Famous or faithful? Choose wisely!
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Zwingli and the Word of God
Ulrich Zwingli was born in 1484. Perhaps Zwingli is best known for being the father of the Swiss Reformation, but how did he get to that point. The answer comes in the form of two words: God's Word.
You see, Zwingli was a priest, like every priest in those days, who followed the prescribed liturgy and weekly readings each week at church, but that would change soon. In 1516, he borrowed a copy of Erasmus' newly published Greek New Testament. He copied it word for word, and carried it with him wherever he went. He treasured it and memorized it. Before long, the Word of God began to change his life.
In 1518, he was invited to be the chief preacher in the cathedral at Zurich. On January 1, 1519, his 36th birthday, he announced on his first Sunday there that he was ending the practice of following the liturgy and readings. This brought quite a shock to the congregation. He also announced that he would be preaching verse by verse through the New Testament. He began that very day by preaching from Matthew 1. This was a radical thing in those days, but the value of it can't be overlooked. As Zwingli preached the Bible faithfully, the Word of God began to change people's lives in Zurich.
I remember being on a mission trip to Helen, Georgia, when I was a teenager, and sitting around one night with Jason Baird and Terry Cliett. As Jason and Terry were deep into their conversation, I was "lost" in the Bible. I was particularly fascinated by a certain passage at that moment. I looked over to the guys and interrupted with, "I'm just so excited by this." They smiled politely and resumed their conversation, but I was having a breakthrough moment.
I received a NASB Ryrie Study Bible from my parents in 1995. I began that day with Genesis 1. I didn't have a reading schedule or plan, but I read that Bible off and on for several years until I completed it. I was somewhere in the middle of it when I had that moment in Helen.
From that point on, I had a greater respect for God's Word. I already believed it was God's Word because of the faithful preaching and teaching of men like Jerry Pickard and Terry Cliett, and because of the faithful teaching of women like Janie Dunn and Angie Hartley.
Today, I'm still learning; I'm still drinking from those living waters that cannot be exhausted. I'm still growing and changing. I'm still excited about the Bible!
One of the thrilling things I get to witness as a pastor is how God changes lives through His Word. The ministry of the Word does wonderful things!
Read the Bible, but beware, you shall be changed!
Tolle lege.
You see, Zwingli was a priest, like every priest in those days, who followed the prescribed liturgy and weekly readings each week at church, but that would change soon. In 1516, he borrowed a copy of Erasmus' newly published Greek New Testament. He copied it word for word, and carried it with him wherever he went. He treasured it and memorized it. Before long, the Word of God began to change his life.
In 1518, he was invited to be the chief preacher in the cathedral at Zurich. On January 1, 1519, his 36th birthday, he announced on his first Sunday there that he was ending the practice of following the liturgy and readings. This brought quite a shock to the congregation. He also announced that he would be preaching verse by verse through the New Testament. He began that very day by preaching from Matthew 1. This was a radical thing in those days, but the value of it can't be overlooked. As Zwingli preached the Bible faithfully, the Word of God began to change people's lives in Zurich.
I remember being on a mission trip to Helen, Georgia, when I was a teenager, and sitting around one night with Jason Baird and Terry Cliett. As Jason and Terry were deep into their conversation, I was "lost" in the Bible. I was particularly fascinated by a certain passage at that moment. I looked over to the guys and interrupted with, "I'm just so excited by this." They smiled politely and resumed their conversation, but I was having a breakthrough moment.
I received a NASB Ryrie Study Bible from my parents in 1995. I began that day with Genesis 1. I didn't have a reading schedule or plan, but I read that Bible off and on for several years until I completed it. I was somewhere in the middle of it when I had that moment in Helen.
From that point on, I had a greater respect for God's Word. I already believed it was God's Word because of the faithful preaching and teaching of men like Jerry Pickard and Terry Cliett, and because of the faithful teaching of women like Janie Dunn and Angie Hartley.
Today, I'm still learning; I'm still drinking from those living waters that cannot be exhausted. I'm still growing and changing. I'm still excited about the Bible!
One of the thrilling things I get to witness as a pastor is how God changes lives through His Word. The ministry of the Word does wonderful things!
Read the Bible, but beware, you shall be changed!
Tolle lege.
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