Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Tribalization vs Community

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 16, 2018
“Tribalism is Satan’s counterfeit for community.” So said a friend; I’ve been thinking about this.
 
Community is based on positive relationships: love, grace, forgiveness, service, self-denial, encouragement and healthy confrontation, to name a few of its qualities. Community leads to the development of individuals within a supportive context. The outcome is seen in churches where the members serve each other and the community, actively share their faith daily, disciple others well and participate in spreading the gospel over the whole world.
 
Tribalism, on the other hand, is based on control over its members, making sure they keep within the bounds of blind loyalty and traditions. Group think is encouraged, questioning is not allowed, innovation is frowned upon, deviation is punished. Those who are different are viewed as the enemy, as less than the tribe. The outcome of this thinking is seen in the mass murder that occurred in Rwanda as the Hutu tribe attached the Tutsi tribe, killing over 800,000 within a 100 days.
It is sadly true that some churches become like a tribe, where blind loyalty is demanded, members are punished for not fully conforming and are manipulated emotionally, physically and financially. Such perversions of community are the exact opposite of what Christ taught and modeled.
The fact is, we live now in a tribalized society where conformity is demanded, deviation is denigrated and questioning is punished. Political correctness is coerced; there is forced approval of others’ values which a short time ago were seen as perversion; expression of opinion contrary to the tribe is labeled as hatred and racist.
 
How should we, as followers of Jesus, respond in this situation? Many Christians are retreating to a their own tribalized position of “us and them,” seeing those who oppose biblical values as the enemy.
 
While there is truth to the lines drawn, Jesus would have us give a radically different answer to the attacks and pressures of those who oppose biblical truth: “Love your enemies” “Pray for those who persecute you” “Fret not yourselves because of evil doers….Trust in the Lord and do good….” “Deny self, take up your cross daily, follow me.”
 
We can begin to combat tribilization by refusing to be tribal. We can offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving for the opportunity to be light and salt, praying for those who view us as the enemy, loving our neighbors who are so different, returning good for evil, establishing relationships with those who are different, offering wise, gracious correction to false thinking. In short, be a community to those who are caught in tribal thinking–just as Jesus was in His day. Such love bridges the gap, heals wounds and brings salvation. Are we willing?
 
picture below by unknown artist, seen in an office. The left side is community, the right side is tribalism
 
Image may contain: sky, ocean, outdoor, water and nature
Filed under:

Psalm 31:2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 15, 2018
Psalm 31:2 “Turn your ear to me,”
 
[Thank you, Lord Jesus that you listen to us intently, that you have opened the way for us to cry to the Father and that our prayers are consistently heard. Praise you that you are the One who thought up prayer, who hears prayer and answers prayer.]
 
“come quickly to my rescue;”
 
[Praise be to you, Heavenly Father, that in answering prayer, you are never late, never miss the mark, never lose an opportunity. You know the best way to answer, which sometimes means leaving us in our desperation as long as it takes to produce the growth you know we need, the surrender that will open the way for deepening, and the maturing which will enable us to give you more glory.
 
Praise you that you answer out of your wisdom, your love, your grace and your goodness, rather than out of our impatience. Help us to rest in you rather than in getting our way.]
Filed under:

Great is the Lord!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 14, 2018
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”
Psalm 145:3
 
Yes, praise be to you, Lord God, the Triune One, Breather of the stars, Lighter of the sun, Spinner of the earth, Bringer of the dawn. We glorify your name, for you are the Holy One, sparkling in purity, shining truth into our lives, spreading light with every act.
We exalt you, the totally good One, pouring grace upon your creation, watering the garden of our souls with your love, planting seeds of good desire in our hearts.
 
You, Lord God, are the Most High: the Wise Creator, the Mighty and Kind King, the Successful Savior, the Righteous Redeemer, the Faithful Father, the Perfect Planner, the Powerful Protector, the Beginner and Ender of time.
 
Therefore, it is right to submit to you in joy, it is right to rise up in obedience, it is right to live in the light of your presence, it is right to exalt you in all we do. Yes, praise belongs to you forever and ever!
 
Prayer: “May I walk in the light of your presence through this day, Lord, aware of your mighty grace, your powerful wisdom, your majestic goodness. May I give you praise in each event, whether it be pleasant or painful, for you are always worthy .
–From EDIFIED!
Image may contain: sky, tree, plant, snow, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

John Piper on Prayer

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 13, 2018
John Piper in his talk on prayer shows his deep commitment to Scripture and his integrity as he speaks against his own Calvinistic position.
 
“It’s simply staggering that God, would ordain–now get this–that the Ruler of the universe would ordain–now get this–that prayers CAUSE things. They do! That prayer causes things to happen that would not happen if you didn’t pray. I wonder if there are any Calvinists out there squirming?
 
Listen to this, when James 4:2 says, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” That does not mean, “You would have anyway even if you didn’t ask because I’ve got a plan!” The verse does not mean the opposite of what it says! It says, “You have not because you ask not.” That means prayer causes things to happen that wouldn’t happen if you didn’t pray.
 
This is why this is such a staggeringly glorious privilege. To be taken by the Sovereign God of the universe who works all things according to his infinite wisdom, and to fold it into his causality.
 
This is breath-taking. If you do not avail yourself of the privilege of bringing to pass events in the universe, that would not take place if you didn’t pray, you are acting like a colossal fool! Aren’t you? I’m just thinking logically here.
 
If you are offered the privilege of engaging with God in such a way that your request could bring into being things that would not otherwise come into being, Not to avail yourself of that privilege is folly of the highest or lowest order!
 
That’s why we pray. He’s beckoning us into our share, in the running of the universe. Do you not know that you will judge angels? Do you know who you are, child of God?”
 
For further such good input, get the book Both/And available at:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Both-Laymans-Resolving-Calvanism-Armenian/dp/1979464049/ref=sr_1_94?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515851287&sr=1-94&keywords=S.+Maxwell
Filed under:

Light in Loss

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 12, 2018
Praise you, Lord God, that I wake up each morning to your goodness. My experience last night of losing all my luggage, computer included, turned out to be a dream–but I didn’t know that while living it! And this gave me the chance in my dream to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and trust you in the midst of loss.
 
Praise you for all the times that you have protected the possessions you have given us, as well as allowing us at times to lose some. You, O Lord, are good and gracious and kind–Even if I lose it all and have only you, that will be far more than enough! “Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you!” Psalm 73:25
 
I thank you, Lord, for your care, your compassion, your constant presence. You are the One to be sought continually, to be thought about consistently, to be sought in prayer in every situation. “In the day of my trouble I call to you for you deliver me” (Ps. 86:7).
Image may contain: cloud, sky, tree, snow, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Undeserved Goodness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 11, 2018
Praise you, Lord, for your undeserved goodness, given to us daily, manifested in multiple minor ways, like the gifts of sight, speech, hearing, smell, taste, and touch–things we take for granted, but miss much if we lose them.
 
Then there are the major, majestic, mighty ways you pour out your goodness on us: pardon from definitely deserved death, the gift of eternal life, the indwelling of the Spirit, the wonder of your Word, an intimate relationship with you, guidance, meaning, purpose and protection in life. Plus help in every circumstance, membership in the Body, and abundant grace at all times. There is no end to the wonderful flow of your goodness, just as there is no end to learning about your marvelous and magnificent character.
You are the Three-in-One God: the Father who plans, the Son who brings it to pass, the Holy Spirit who finishes it up. You are the perfect Person, the perfect Personality, the perfect Planner, the perfect Partner who invites us into your work.
 
You are Marvelous in your personality, Majestic in your judgments, Mighty in your redemption and Magnificent in your mercy. To you belongs all affection, all loyalty, all commitment, all awe, all reverence, all obedience, all honor–for in you there is no flaw, no imperfection, no error, no sin, no evil, no lack, no wrong. You are worthy of eternal, complete, wholehearted and total love.
 
So, I bow before you this morning, Lord God: I praise you, Heavenly Father, I honor you, Lord Jesus, I surrender to you, Holy, Spirit. To you be in my life what you continually deserve: exaltation, magnification, obedience and glory. Amen.
Image may contain: sky, cloud, tree, twilight, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Psalm 31:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 10, 2018
Psalm 31 For the director of music. A Psalm of David.
 
“In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;”
 
[Where else, O Lord, is there for safety? You only are my Rock, my Salvation, my High Tower. From you only comes my Rescue. You only are my Lord, my Shepherd, my King, my God.
 
You alone are the One in whom I can find refuge, for you are powerful beyond belief, wise beyond comprehension, good beyond hope, loving beyond expectations, faithful beyond understanding. You are the Glorious, Holy, Strong and Trustable One, the only true Stability in the universe. In you alone is there Hope.]
 
“let me never be put to shame;”
 
[taking refuge in you will lead to your glory and my safety. You will give me the honor of your love and protection, of your care and compassion, shielding me from the shame your enemies want to heap on me. “My salvation and my honor depend on God…” (Ps. 62:6). Grant me a token for good that those who hate me may see it and be shamed instead.]
 
“deliver me in your righteousness.”
 
[Praise you that you are totally Right, completely Holy and always act out of your Pure character. I praise you that you are really Righteous in all that you do, totally Trustable, fully Faithful. I praise you that you will deliver me finally, first from fears, then from troubles.]
 
Praise you, Lord God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–that you are constantly, consistently at work in our lives, bringing all the help, wisdom, protection, ordering and provision that we need. We are so weak, so small, so vulnerable, but you are so wonderfully powerful, majestically mighty and absolutely undefeatable. In you we can hide. In you we can rest. In you we are safe.
 
I am so thankful, Lord Jesus, for your powerful, effective, wonderful Salvation, bought at great personal price, giving us value, acceptance, meaning, family and a future–a great demonstration of your rich, merciful Love, which continues to flow into our lives every day.
 
Thank you for the challenges that come, the opportunities to trust you, the chances to rest in you and to listen to you rather than the strident, confusing voices of the world, of my flesh and of the devil. I praise you, Lord God for how you will care for me today. May I live worthy of you, in thought, motive, word and action. Amen.
Image may contain: plant, flower, tree, outdoor and nature
 
Filed under:

Psalm 30:9-12

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 9, 2018
 
Psalm 30:9 “What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?”
 
[This is David’s desperate appeal for help; it was done in logic and in a desire to honor you, Lord; he desired to live for the magnificent purpose you have granted us: giving you glory. Help us to grasp, like David, the privilege of honoring you each moment of our lives—and to live that out.]
Psalm 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.”
 
[It is a wonderful truth that you, O Lord, do hear and are richly, powerfully merciful–you are our ready help, you will answer in the right way and at the right time. Therefore I can give you praise in and for all, long before any answer comes.
 
I praise you now for how you are going to work in the situations and relationships that are in flux around me. I praise you for your wonderful help and guidance that flows freely and continually into my life. Praise be to you for your goodness, continually emanating from your perfect and beautiful character.]
 
Psalm 30:11 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,”
[You answered David, you brought him through the dark valley, you delivered him from his fears, his enemies, his dangers. And for what purpose?]
 
Psalm 30:12 “that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.”
 
[You saved him so David might have the privilege of exalting you further, you who are worthy of worship, of love and obedience.]
 
“O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.”
 
[And you ARE worthy of thanks forever and ever. May we daily live in the power of thanksgiving, of praise, of worship, so that, for the joy set before us, we can endure whatever cross you deem necessary, knowing that we will be set down in heaven with you at the wedding feast of the Lamb! What a hope, what a future, what a privilege to live with, for and in you Lord Jesus! May we do it well.]
Image may contain: sky, tree, plant, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Great entry from EDIFIED!, written in 1980! The picture is from yesterday

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 9, 2018
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always…do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer, supplication and thanksgiving present your requests to God…whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure… lovely… admirable… excellent and praiseworthy think about such things.”
Philippians 4:4-8
 
This familiar passage has opened my eyes again to how often I think in human terms rather than in biblical ones. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by the negatives pressing in on me that it is a struggle to be positive about anything!
 
In the midst of this daily fight, God’s Word is such a wonderful help. It is the Touchstone of Truth, the Window on the Wonderful and the Revelation of our Riches. If we obey it, thinking on the positives listed above, our thoughts will be lifted to the Lord Jesus, for He is certainly all of these: He is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
 
When all is going well and there isn’t a great deal of pressure, it’s easy to be positive—but, when things get difficult, thinking on the Lord Jesus and all He is becomes both a struggle and significant.
As I read the other day, if we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small (Pro. 24:10). So before adversity comes, we need to strengthen our spiritual lives by willfully thinking on what is positively true, both in big things and small. When I lose my keys, I can think on the truth that God knows where they are and will help me find them, if that’s best. When tragedy comes, I can remember that God has a plan and is going to work it out. Through this way of thinking truth, we can nurture our soul, grow strong, deepen our trust in God and will move to praising Him in all. That will make us ready for the day of adversity.
 
These weeks past have given us a testing ground for our strength (which often proves to be too small). Taking classes in the local language here every day plus teaching English classes every night, along with the preparation for both, plus my work with the foundation, and other activities have all allowed us to see just how much we must rely on the Lord for strength. There is certainly always room for growth!
One area where we are really encouraged is health: we are all remaining healthy and strong in spite of the pressures and the cold temperatures in our house. Although it is mid October and the temperatures are in the 30s and 40s F outside, by law the central heating won’t be turned on until Nov 15. So we just dress more warmly and heat up one room with an electric heater–when the electricity is on; it’s off more than on here. God is our provider and we will praise Him for whatever He allows.
 
Prayer: “Father, forgive me for my tendency to complain; help me to reject the natural, negative thoughts that rise up from my selfishness, and to think instead of you in all your excellence and perfection, and of all the good things you provide. Make praise the keynote of my life. Amen.”
Image may contain: sky, snow, outdoor and nature
 
Filed under:

Psalm 30:6-8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 5, 2018

Psalm 30:6,7 “When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm;”

[When we are in a positive situation, when we are safe and see your blessings, it is easy to feel firm and stable. Such times are important for solidification and building up in truth–if we take advantage of them, diving into your Word, exalting in personal worship and basking in your love. But here is little opportunity in this secure situation to go by faith, to trust you as we can when all sense of security is gone, when all is in tumult and uncertainty.]

“but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.”

[When my feelings turn negative, when my situation goes downhill, when I am attacked, my health fails, my friends desert me, my financial situation goes bad, or my work does not prosper–then it is easy to be dismayed, to be discouraged, to flag in my strength.

But this is also the time to flee to you, Lord, to affirm my trust in you, to find shelter in your Word and in your presence. “In times of trouble you will keep me safe in your dwelling, you will hide me in the shelter of your tabernacle and set me high on a rock” (Psalm 27:5).]

Psalm 30:8 “To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:”

[This is the proper response, to seek you and your mercy, to recognize my weakness and your strength, to trust you, not myself. I praise you, Lord God, for your goodness and graciousness and for how you answer us in such situations, first delivering us from all our fears, then strengthening us with strength in our souls, then saving us out of all our troubles, whether through deliverance or through giving endurance, or through death (Ps. 34:4-7).

You are the God who is there, you are the God who hears, you are the God who answers. “…the angel of the Lord encamps round about those who fear him and delivers them” (Ps. 34:8).]

Help me to utilize the times of security to deepen my walk with you, Lord Jesus; help me then to rejoice in the times of difficulty, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, finding my rest and hope in you, exalting you by living in Truth. And I thank you now for how you will answer this prayer.

Image may contain: sky, tree, outdoor, nature and water

Filed under: