thoughts by Darren Hewer Archives - Page 2 of 4

Published June 28, 2021

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2

You can’t walk straight while blindfolded. You can try, and maybe succeed for a while. But fairly quickly you’ll start to divert slightly to one side or the other. A National Public Radio article notes that: “Humans, apparently, slip into circles when we can’t see an external focal point, like a mountain top, a sun, a moon. Without a corrective, our insides take over and there’s something inside us that won’t stay straight.”

One of my seminary professors liked to say that the line between truth and error is as thin as a razor but as hard as a diamond. The trouble is that it’s often hard to see the line. How do I know if I’ve stepped to the side? There are so many competing messages in our world. Despite faithful and well-intentioned devotional reading and prayer in the morning, by the time you complete your daily commute to work, you may be been bombarded with dozens if not hundreds of distractions.

The apostle Paul asked the Galatian church: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7)

The only way to keep going along the straight path is for us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Make no mistake, we are not saved by our ability to keep ourselves on the straight path. Jesus is the author (the source, or cause) of our faith, and also the perfecter (the completer, or finisher) of our faith. He is not only Holy God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus is the model of our faith. Only by keeping our eyes on Him and trusting in Him will we continue on the straight path.

Practically speaking this means continually asking ourselves: “Is this the most loving, God-honoring choice I could make?” Fix your eyes on Jesus, and He will guide your steps so that you will finish the race and be able to say along with Paul “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Question: What distracts you (or tempts you) from the straight path?

by Darren Hewer
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To Whom Will You Compare God?

Published June 21, 2021

To Whom Will You Compare God?

”To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25

Other religious teachers pointed away from themselves. “Don’t look at me,” they said, “look at God.”

Jesus took a different approach: He pointed to Himself.

If anyone else were to do so, we would rightly consider them to be quite arrogant. The apostle Paul, no doubt one of the most stalwart individuals of faith ever to put quill to a parchment, lived an incredible life after he was changed by his encounter with God. But he nevertheless calls himself “worst of sinners.” (1Timothy 1:15-16)

This was because, after glimpsing the great and holy God, and how this awesome God nevertheless humbled Himself for our sakes, he was filled with a deep awe for God’s greatness as well as an acute awareness of his sin and need for God.

“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3

Jesus pointed to Himself because He provides everything we need for a full life. “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He said. (John 14:6) Jesus leads the way to Himself, in whom all the truth and fullness of God resides in human form. (Colossians 2:9) Not only that, but Jesus is also “the life” and enables us to our full potential as human beings, reborn through the mighty grace of God. He is the bread of life (John 6:35) whose resources will never run low and will provide for our deepest spiritual longings. He is like a mighty river of refreshment from which living water consistently flows. (John 7:38)

Who else could compare? Who else would sacrifice so much before we even knew Him?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Who else can we count on to sustain us in this fallen world? Who else could possibly be worthy of our devotion and our very lives?

Praise God, and let’s pray today to constantly keep our eyes upon Jesus, with whom no one else even comes close!

“To whom, then, will you compare God?” Isaiah 40:18

Question: What “counterfeit gods” often false vie for our attention in our daily lives?

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Stay Near to God

Published May 15, 2021

Stay Near to God

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.” Luke 11:21-22

Why did Peter deny Jesus?

He confidently declared “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) But only a few short hours later, Peter did the exact opposite. He denied he knew Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted. We don’t have to imagine Peter’s sorrow: We’re told plainly that afterwards “he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)

But this doesn’t answer the question of why Peter denied knowing Him. Part of it was fear: Fear of losing his reputation by being associated with a man accused of being a criminal. Fear of his responsibilities. Fear, perhaps, for his own life. But another reason that Peter ended up denying knowing His Lord is because he was away from Him.

Peter lost sight of his Lord. It wasn’t until “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter” (Luke 22:61) that Peter came back to his senses and realized what he had done. After losing sight of Jesus, Peter had been trying to do things on his own strength. Rather than trusting God, he was trusting in himself.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Peter himself explains the imminent danger of trying to do everything ourselves God: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The apostle James advises us: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8) While even the strongest of men & women are no match for Satan’s temptations on our own, with God we have nothing to fear.

We can stay near to God by reading His Word, by speaking and listening to Him in prayer, and by living in community with His sons and daughters. Stay near to God, and you will never be overwhelmed.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Question: What is the danger of not staying near God? How does staying near God protect us from danger?

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Our One and Only Guide

Published February 1, 2021

Our One and Only Guide

“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

Imagine you’ve signed up for a race, but when the day of the race arrives, you notice that there is no starting line. No map. No indication at all where to run, because the road forks off in many different directions. Before you can ask where you’re supposed to run, the starting gun fires, and people dash in all different directions. What would you think of such a race?

Without God’s guidance, that’s what life is like. Our lives become ones of abject freedom. That is, freedom of a terrible kind. Not godly freedom of being set free to become the kind of people God always meant us to be.

Rather, without God’s guidance, we have freedom in licentious lack of restraint. In other words, anarchy. The laws by which polite society functions are, without God’s guidance, actually just social constructs which can be torn down at any moment by forceful power of convincing personality. Unrestrained freedom is another word for anarchy. Paradoxically, the kind of “freedom” that anarchy provides will result in less real freedom, not more. The freedoms that we cherish, such as being treated fairly, the right to speak and vote, to treasured possessions, to worship our God freely … none of these are guaranteed when society attempts to build its foundations in mid-air, lacking the solid ground of God’s Word.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Does God direct your steps? Or do you direct your own? Have you made a conscious decision to follow God’s light, as he lights the way for your steps? Or do you continue to stumble in darkness? Will you be able to honestly say along with the psalmist,

“My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” Psalm 17:5

God’s wonderful truth is that it is never too late for anyone to turn and follow Him. Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection embodies enough forgiveness to cover any sin. If we are told to forgive our brothers & sisters “seventy times seven” times when they have wronged us (Matthew 18:22, ESV); essentially an unlimited number of times) how much more will our merciful Father in Heaven forgive us when we repent and ask Him to turn our steps back to His path?

God’s Word is our guide to the race of life. My prayer for you today is that you will be able to say along with the apostle Paul,

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Father, forgive us when we ignore the necessary guidance your Word. Help us to gain full understanding of your truth. Guide us so that we will walk your paths and finish the race in simultaneous triumph and humility by the power of Your Spirit at work in us. In Jesus name, amen.

By Darren Hewer
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Using God’s Kindness

Published December 17, 2020

Using God’s Kindness

“We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God’s kindness to you. In the Scriptures God says, “When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you.” That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, CEV

Imagine that you give someone a fabulous gift. When they receive it, they positively beam with excitement and enthusiasm, and thank you profusely for giving them for giving them such a great present.

Then they toss it into their closet and ignore it forever.

You might wonder about the authenticity of their praise.

We might also wonder about our own spiritual walk when we do not “make good use of God’s kindness” to us (2 Corinthians 6:1). Although we are not saved by our own works, our response in faith to God’s grace given by Jesus’ death and resurrection reflects the change which has occurred in our hearts as the Holy Spirit has come to live and work inside us.

If we believe we have found the greatest hope, the greatest love, the greatest truth in the world, how could we not share this truth with others? The apostle Paul has a stern warning for us:

“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22)

That’s pretty harsh, but underscores the importance of making use of the kindness God has shown to us.

According to a survey of over 700 Muslims who came to faith in Christ, by far the largest single thing that influenced them to become Christians was seeing the lives of Christians that stood out due to the kindness and love they demonstrated. Therefore, let’s accept God’s kindness with thanksgiving, and not just put it on the shelf, but in turn offer kindness to others, so that they too might come to know the gracious God who proves such a wonderful gift for all who are willing to accept it.

How has God shown you kindness, and how can you through everyday actions show kindness to others?

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The Flip Side of Worry

Published June 26, 2020

The Flip Side of Worry

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27

As I was I was leaving my parents’ house, my mom told me she was worried about me taking the bus back to my apartment. Then, continuing that chain of thought, she said that if I were driving instead, she would worry about me driving. I asked her if she would feel more at ease if I stayed in my room all day, never traveling for any reason. She paused for a moment before sh

e responded: She said that if I did that, she would be worried that I wasn’t going out and meeting people!

None of us are immune from the effects of worrying. Excessive worry can prevent us from becoming the kind of people that God desires us to become. Especially in times of stress, or when we feel helpless to control the situations we find ourselves in, worries can creep into our minds. We know that this is unproductive, as the apostle Paul tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) But that’s easier said than done! How can we avoid worrying all the time like Jesus and Paul have admonished us?

Perhaps it’s time to consider the flip side of worrying. Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, explains that:

“When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind, that’s meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!”

Meditation in this case isn’t some esoteric exercise practiced by monks living off in the hilltops or some kind of new-age mysticism. Instead, Christian meditation, rather than being an emptying of the mind, is instead a filling of our minds. This kind of meditation is focused thinking which directs us to God’s good and precious truth.

After Moses died, Joshua became his successor. Part of the advice God gave him as the new leader of the Israelites was: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” (Joshua 1:8) This advice applies to us equally well today.

So the next time you feel worry creeping into your mind, chase it away by:

1) Remembering God’s promises
2) Turning our worries into meditation on His word and prayer.

“May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the LORD.” Psalm 104:34

Question: What has been causing you to worry lately? How can you give these up these worries to God?

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No Time to Pray?

Published April 24, 2020

No Time to Pray?

Please consider Luke 11:1: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Martin Luther was an important and busy guy. The previous sentence may be a gross understatement, considering that Luther is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Even if he wasn’t the originator, he was certainly the most prolific and fiery of its early supporters. Despite his hectic work schedule, copious writing, preaching, teaching, and other plentiful tasks, he still diligently made time to pray. He is quoted as saying

“I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Jesus too was an important and busy guy. (That sentence is clearly an even larger understatement than the one about Martin Luther!) As Savior of the world, Jesus spent His days traveling, teaching, arguing with religious leaders, healing sickness, driving out demons, and proclaiming the salvation available to the world through Himself as God’s one and only Son. (Among other things!) Yet “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Mark gives us an example: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

The question for us is: If Martin Luther and Jesus Himself made time to pray, how can we possibly say we’re too busy?

Jesus begins his teaching on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount by saying “WHEN you pray”, not “IF you pray” (Matthew 6:5). It’s tough sometimes, because prayer doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Speak honestly to God: praise, frustrations, triumphs, fears, and deepest longings. After all, God already knows you better than you know yourself… there’s nothing to hide!

Remember that prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It doesn’t need to be “holy sounding” either. You know what I mean, those prayers with all the right-sounding words that somehow end up sounding hollow. Use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-6) as a guide, but not as a formula. Don’t just pray it rigidly, try to pray spontaneously, from the heart.

Just never use the excuse that you’re “too busy.” If Martin Luther and Jesus had time for prayer, you do too!

Question: Have you prayed yet today? If not, could you spend some time with God now?

By Darren Hewer
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Beware of Deception

Published November 19, 2019

Beware of Deception

“You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.” 1 Corinthians 10:15

Opening your email inbox, you notice a new email: From “Chief Oyinbolowo Eko” with the subject “REQUEST FOR AN URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP”.

“Strange,” you think to yourself, knowingly rolling your eyes, “I don’t know a Chief Oyinbolowo Eko … or any Chief at all, for that matter.” Out of pure curiosity you open the email and read:

Greetings friend! I got your contact address through your country business directory and feel you will serve as a reliable source to be used to achieve our goal of transferring the estate of Miss Leslie Mushasha, by trusting under your care the total sum of Thirty million US dollars (US $30M).

Recognizing an obvious attempt at deception, you wisely delete the email and don’t give it a second thought.

If it’s so easy to recognize scams, why are people so often led astray by unbiblical and therefore Christ-dishonouring teaching? Jesus warned us many would try to deceive us:

“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. … if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.”” (Mark 13:5-6,21)

Likewise, Paul warns us that many will try to deceive us, attempting to portray themselves as righteous:

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve … Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Galatians 1:8)

How can we guard against being deceived? Continually read God’s Word, hold tightly to the central truths of the faith, and do not uncritically trust the interpretations of any one person. There are many peripheral faith issues that Christians are free to disagree with, so we should not be too quick to dismiss other Christians whose views on certain issues differ from ours. But salvation issues (the core gospel) cannot be compromised. Keep your mind sharp so that you can calmly walk away from teaching that dishonours God by rejecting His revealed truth in His Word.

Question: Have you been tricked or deceived in the past, and if so what did you learn from the experience?

By Darren Hewer
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Let God’s Light Through

Published September 26, 2019

Let God’s Light Through

“Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus also said that “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Imagine a lamp. God is like the light bulb, the source of light, and we are like the lampshade. While it may seem strange to compare God to a light bulb, we’re told in scripture that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). And while I admit it may be difficult to imagine yourself as a lampshade, stay with me.

“You know him [the Holy Spirit],” Jesus tells us, “for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) God dwells within you. While no one who looks directly at God’s face and His absolute holiness and power could possibly survive (Exodus 33:20), His glory can manifest itself in many ways, including through His children, you and I. Therefore, as much as you are able to allow God’s light to shine through you, His glory will be revealed to the world.

This is why John the Baptist said, regarding Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John recognized that for Jesus’ interests to shine, John’s own self-interest must decrease. We are like the lampshade to God’s light; the thinner the lampshade is, the more the light will shine through. So let yourself become thinner, weaker, and more transparent, so that God’s light will shine more brightly into the world, and so the world will not be able to ignore it!

The apostle Peter has some excellent practical advice on how to let God’s light shine through your life:

“Be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.

Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”
(1 Peter 4:7b-11, NLT)

Question: How can you see God’s light shining through your life right now? How could you allow it to shine even more?

by Darren Hewer
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Hiding among the Trees

Published August 15, 2019

Hiding among the Trees

Please open your Bible and read Genesis 2:25-3:10

Take a trip with me back in time. Way back – to the dawn of creation, when Adam & Eve lived the good life in the Garden of Eden. They had a pretty sweet deal there. That is, until that infamous day, when as politicians are sometimes fond of saying, in gross understatement, “Mistakes were made“. But Adam & Eve didn’t just make a mistake; they sinned by disobeying God’s clear instructions. (Genesis 2:16-17)

We are told that just before the incident neither Adam nor Eve felt any shame (Genesis 2:25). Yet just afterwards, how quickly their behavior reflects their change in disposition: “Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees.” (Genesis 3:8) That makes sense. “God’s coming! Quick! into the trees!”

This sad event marked the beginning of humankind’s tenancy to try to hide from God. We still try to hide from God today. How futile is that? We have to remember that whatever is done in “secret” is not really secret at all. Even if we have been able to fool our family and friends, God is not fooled, and He “carefully watches the way people live; He sees everything they do.” (Job 34:21). Our attempts to hide our sin amount to nothing more than hiding among the trees.

Do we keep secret sin hidden in our hearts? Even as Christians, who personally know Jesus our God, and have been redeemed by His blood? Unfortunately, even as new creations, we are still sinners. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

But we also live with constant hope, because we know that by continually returning to God by repenting and readjusting our lives whenever we recognize our sin, God’s provision in Christ will cover us: “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)

Question: What sort of sins do we often try to hide from God?

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Silent Before Him

Published October 22, 2018

Silent Before Him

“Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:19-20

For a people consistently warned to turn away from their idols, the Israelites sure seemed to turn back them with annoying frequency. God unambiguously told them “Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:4) Yet time after time, “They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.”” (2 Kings 17:12) This temptation remains for us today, which is why the apostle John warned us by saying “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

What makes idols so appealing? The words of God given to the prophet Habakkuk reveal one reason idols are so appealing to us: They don’t talk back.

Idols stand silent. We talk to them, and try to coax them into doing our bidding. All such idols are, of course, false: “[Idols] can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.” (1 Samuel 12:21) But we turn to them so frequently because we feel like we are in control of them. We get to do all the talking and don’t have to listen since they don’t talk back. And in our fallen state, we like to hear ourselves talk. We like to be in control, or at least pretend that we are. Idols never make requirements of us, never challenge us when we sin.

Consider money. Money never tells us what to do. We tell it what to do. This may be why Jesus spoke so often about money; not because it is intrinsically evil, but because it can become an egregious example of idolatry. We like it because we use it however we choose, and it never complains. It never talks back.

By contrast, the true God of scripture is revealed as the God who speaks. The Lord spoke the universe into creation (Genesis 1) and has continued speaking to us ever since. When the Lord of the universe speaks, what can we do except remain silent before Him: “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20) The God who speaks can be intimidating, for He who embodies truth, unlike idols, does make requirements of us, challenges us, and wants a loving relationship with his children. Perhaps that’s also part of the attraction of idols: God desires relationship with us, and relationships can at times be messy.

All idolatry is ultimately a form of self-worship: Turning away from the true God who speaks and is deserving of our worship, to mute idols who we falsely believe listen to our vain commands. Let us today recommit to choosing the living and true God who has redeemed us by his blood, and saves us from our sins by virtue of his grace. Let us reaffirm our desire to listen to the God who speaks, and cast aside all useless idols which dishonor our loving God. And let us pray to hear what God has to speak into our lives today.

Questions: Take time to identify which idol is most tempting for you: What is it? How can you seek God’s help to turn away from it?

by Darren Hewer
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Religion Renewed

Published March 10, 2018

Religion Renewed

Please open your Bible and read; John 2:1-11

What’s the significance of Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine? It’s easy to understand His healing miracles and multiplying bread and fishes to feed the multitudes. But why water to wine?

Was Jesus just showing off? I don’t think so. Let’s carefully consider the details of what happened at that famous wedding in Cana. The problem: The wedding guests are out of wine. (Clearly the party is getting late!) Jesus’ mother tells him about this (which would have been quite embarrassing to the wedding party) and he decides to do something about it.

Verse 6 carefully notes the type of jars Jesus instructed the servants to fill with water: “six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing“. Why is this important? Even though there would’ve been plenty of empty wine containers around he could have used Jesus instead instructed them to use the jars which were specifically intended for Jewish religious cleansing rituals! Imagine the indignity of the Jewish leaders: He’s desecrated their sacred jars! He had done nothing morally wrong or against God’s word, but he had, on purpose, offended their self-righteous religious traditions.

There’s other important messages that we could draw from Jesus’ water to wine miracle, but an important one is this: Jesus came to offer us not just new life, but life “to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus was never about religion for the sake of religion, and never wanted us to be constrained by trite ritual and dreary religious routine.

If your spiritual life seems trite and dreary lately, it could be time to re-read the gospels keeping an eye out for the scandal of Jesus’ ministry. We often miss the scandal because we’re so used to hearing it! You might also examine your church to identify the traditions that are honoring to God and inspiring to God’s people … and on the other hand any traditions that are merely legalistic religious jars, just begging to be emptied out and filled with fantastic new wine!

Question: Are there religious traditions in your life (or church) that have become mere rituals, and need to be renewed for the glory of God?

By Darren Hewer

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Refocus

"...you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

Published October 7, 2017

Refocus

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

In October 1988, an Eskimo hunter discovered three Gray whales trapped beneath the ice near Barrow, Alaska. Normally the whales would have died, but the story became an international media sensation. Over 150 reporters from many countries all over the world gave daily updates of the elaborate rescue effort, which involved both the US and Russian governments working together to free the trapped mammals. The rescue effort and media reporting cost between $5 and $6 million dollars. Hollywood even made a movie about it.

Now, I have nothing against whales. The rescue effort was both noble and inspiring. Yet I can’t help but wonder how often we consider how God feels about our zeal for relatively unimportant things? If we are concerned for the whales, should we not be so much more concerned for our fellow man? See for example Luke 12:6-7: “What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.”

People are most valuable because we are made in God’s image, and have a unique opportunity to have fellowship with our Lord. God loves us all equally and there is no partiality in Him. We to are called not just to love one another, but work for the care of all God’s children.

Jesus instructs the disciples on serving in John 21:15-19: “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” and finally “Follow me!” As a Christian community, we should be ready to use our gifts and talents whenever the need arises. The smallest act of kindness can have eternal consequences, often more than we’ll ever know. For truly each one of us are truly among God’s most valuable possessions.

Question: Are you treating your neighbors with the value that Christ sees in them? How can you treat others with more value today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Darren Hewer Thoughts by Men

Amazing Friendships

Published September 29, 2017

Amazing Friendships

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 (TNIV)

Owen and Mzee are an odd pair. Owen is a baby hippopotamus, while Mzee is a 100+ year old tortoise.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Owen (the baby hippo) was found, orphaned from his mother, and transferred to Haller Park in Kenya. There he was put into an enclosure with many other animals, but no hippos. Distraught and needing guidance and companionship, the young hippo quickly formed a bond with Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabran tortoise. Owen quickly began mimicking his unusual adopted parent’s actions, following him wherever he went. “They swim, eat and sleep together,” said ecologist Paula Kahumbu. “The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.”

What an unexpected and marvelous friendship! In our passage today, the apostle Paul explains how he became “all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This does not mean that Paul was faking who he was, for elsewhere he admonishes us not to lie (Colossians 3:9). Nor does it imply that Paul himself is the one doing the saving. Our commission is not to “convert” anyone. God Himself alone saves by His grace (Ephesians 2:8); our commission is to be witnesses to the truth and show people the truth.

Paul was willing to meet people where they are. Although unwilling to compromise on the essentials of the faith (1 Corinthians 15) he welcomed everyone to learn from him, and came alongside others to patiently disciple them (Acts 28:30).

Let’s be on the lookout for others who could use a friend, even if they seem quite different from us. These often will become the most amazing of friendships, like Owen an Mzee. Through such unlikely friendships, our hope will be that some may come into a saving faith in Jesus.

Let us become weak to those who are weak, so that we may together become strong in the redeeming sacrifice and love of Christ!

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

We’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/dh_friendships/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Darren Hewer Thoughts by Men

Are You Feeling Ignored?

woman, sad, coffee, comtemplating, reflecting

Published July 29, 2017

Are You Feeling Ignored?

“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13

Have you ever been ignored by someone that you care deeply about? To me being ignored feels like just about the worst pain imaginable. When a person who is special to you lavishes you with attention, it feels like you’re on top of the world. But when that person ignores you, leaving you wanting and waiting and wondering, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Even being rebuked or insulted is better than being ignored; at least that shows that the person cares enough to rebuke or insult you. But to be ignored feels like the person is saying, “You’re so unimportant to me that I can’t even be bothered to acknowledge your presence.” Except that they’re not saying anything at all. And that can sting worse than any insult.

As I thought and prayed, through tears, about my own situation, I suddenly realized … this must be how God feels. All the time.

By any conservative estimate, most of the world does not know the God revealed in the Bible and therefore has no relationship with Him. Even those of us who believe that He is real, He is with us, and He is not silent, still find ways to shut ourselves off to His reality, His presence, and His voice.

How often do we ignore God? And how much does this hurt Him? Just to be clear, God does not feel things in exactly the same way that I do. God is not an emotional dimwit like me; He is entirely holy, good, and righteous. He has no need for self-pity since there is no insecurity in His fully assured, perfect, divine Self. Yet often in scripture we sense His pain when we brush Him aside. How much does it pain God when billions of His beloved people ignore Him?

Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, the Lord says: “My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Not only have God’s chosen people turned away from Him, the “spring of living water,” but they’ve also chosen something inferior instead, “broken cisterns.” They prefer leaky pits dug into the ground. I can’t recall the last time I enjoyed a leaky pit, but I can identify with how we often choose almost anything besides dwelling in God’s presence.

Are you ignoring God? Ignoring someone only strains, and eventually disintegrates, the relationship. The insights God has shown me through my recent experiences have given me a certain sense of peace beyond insight, knowing that God entirely empathizes with my pain. And it has been one of many reminders that whether happy and praising, or lamenting and cursing, we should never ignore our Lord.

Question: Am I ignoring God?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

We’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/dh_feeling-ignored/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Darren Hewer Thoughts by Men

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

To Whom Will You Compare God?

”To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

Stay Near to God

Why did Peter deny Jesus?

FURTHER READING

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Our One and Only Guide

“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On:

Using God’s Kindness

FURTHER READING

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The Flip Side of Worry

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27

Follow Us On:

No Time to Pray?

Follow Us On:

Beware of Deception

“You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.” 1 Corinthians 10:15

Follow Us On:

Let God’s Light Through

“Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus also said that “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Follow Us On:

Hiding among the Trees

Follow Us On:

Silent Before Him

Religion Renewed

Refocus

Amazing Friendships

Are You Feeling Ignored?

Category: <span>thoughts by Darren Hewer</span>

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

”To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

Why did Peter deny Jesus?

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On:

“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On:

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On:

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27

Follow Us On:

Follow Us On:

“You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.” 1 Corinthians 10:15

Follow Us On:

“Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus also said that “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Follow Us On:

Follow Us On:

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2