Hello Everyone,

Last week we experienced the fourth death in our family since June. My cousin Dwayne left this life and entered eternity. From our perspective Dwayne was far too young. From God’s perspective the death of Dwayne’s body was not a moment too soon. As I Corinthians 15 reminds us, our soul lives on waiting for the resurrection when body and soul will be reunited.

A few years ago Dwayne was in the hospital and at that time believed he was going to die. In talking with him on the phone, I asked, “Dwayne, are you prepared to die?” He said yes. I asked him how he knew he was prepared. He gave me the same answer my aunt Shirley wrote to me this week. I liked the way she phrased it.

“One thing about Dwayne, he only memorized one verse out of the Bible, John 3:16. I used to ask him how knew he was going to heaven and he always replied the Bible told him so in that verse. He hung on to that verse all his life. His faith was simple. He trusted God to know that if he believed that verse and accepted God as his Savior and that He (Jesus) died for his sins that he would be saved. Dwayne really believed that.”

If I could choose only verse in the Bible to know, it would be John 3:16. Martin Luther called this verse “the heart of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature.” I don’t know who came up with the following. Maybe you will find some encouragement from it this week.

For God (the greatest Giver)
so loved (the greatest motive)
the world (the greatest need),
that He gave (the greatest act)
His only begotten Son (the greatest gift),
that whosoever (the greatest invitation)
believeth (the greatest opportunity)
in Him (the greatest Person)
should not perish (the greatest deliverance),
but (the greatest difference)
have (the greatest certainty)
everlasting life (the greatest possession).

I will be in Texas October 5th and in Wyoming on October 19th. It may be the end of October before another iBulletin is sent.

“Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said unto them…”

The first words John the Apostle-author records Jesus saying occurs in 1:38. John is intent on verifying that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Christ. The two disciples concept of God supported His holiness and justice but they likely didn’t know much about His mercy and grace. What did Jesus’ question begin to reveal to them what God is like?

In asking the question, “what seek ye?” or “what do you want?,” Jesus revealed that God was interested in those two disciples. He did not push them away like a celebrity escaping from the paparazzi. Even though the two disciples may not have known exactly what they were looking for, they were looking and Jesus, the God-man, was not going to leave them clueless.

In answering their question, “where are you staying?” Jesus revealed God as inviting, turning no one away. “Come and see,” He said, and they “abode” with Him the entire day. That word “adode” implies not only “being in the presence of” but also “having their questions answered.”

So impressed with what they saw and heard, one disciple, Andrew, couldn’t contain himself. Finding his brother, loud-mouth Simon, Andrew exclaimed, “We have found the Messiah” (1:40). Maybe here is the last hint in this passage at what God is like. Jesus revealed God as giving Andrew the honor of introducing Him to another.

The Word made known so many years ago is the same God-man revealed in the Bible to us today. What is God like? Your reply depends on how you answer “what seek ye?” and whether you “come and see.”

9/11
On the seventh anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks and the first anniversary of the political cease-fire, I read a quote from Plato, the Greek philosopher who lived from 428 BC to 348 BC. He said, “Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” While Plato was amusing, the author of Psalm 71, in declaring his faith, showed the result of a life lived dependent on God.

  14 But I will hope continually,
    And will praise You yet more and more.

9/12
I wasn’t even aware of the awful train wreck near Chatsworth and Northridge until several hours after it occurred. Earlier in the day I had read Psalm 102 which has this inscription: “A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before the Lord.” The psalmist here found consolation in his misery from two truths about God. He is eternal and He does not change.

  12 But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,
     And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

  27 But You are the same,
     And Your years will have no end.

9/13
On the day Houston had a problem, our headlines asked, “What does Hurricane Ike mean for gas prices?” I read Psalm 13 which illustrates the agony of believers in living our faith when God seems distant and silent.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
  1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
         How long will You hide Your face from me?
   2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
         Having sorrow in my heart daily?
         How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

  3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
         Enlighten my eyes,
         Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
  4 Lest my enemy say,
         ”I have prevailed against him”;
         Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

  5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
         My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
  6 I will sing to the LORD,
      Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Tomorrow, if the Lord tarries, always comes with more tragedy. Tomorrow, if the Lord tarries, also comes with fresh manna. Live in the faith responsibly. Gather your “omer”-full.