Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

“The sense of being led by an unseen hand which takes mine while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows upon me daily. I do not need to strain at all to find opportunity. It plies in upon me as the waves roll over the beach, and yet there is time to do something about each opportunity.

Perhaps a man who has been an ordained minister since 1914 ought to be ashamed to confess that he never before felt the joy of complete, hourly, minute by minute – now what shall I call it? – more than surrender. I had that before. More than listening to God. I tried that before. I cannot find the word that will mean to you or to me what I am now experiencing. It is a will act. I compel my mind to open straight out toward God. I wait and listen with determined sensitiveness. I fix my attention there, and sometimes it requires a long time early in the morning to attain that mental state. I determine not to get out of bed until that mindset, that concentration upon God, is settled.

It also requires determination to keep it there, for I feel as though the words and thoughts of others near me were constantly exerting a drag backward or sidewise. But for the most part recently I have not lost sight of this purpose for long and have soon come back to it. After awhile, perhaps, it will become a habit, and the sense of effort will grow less. But why do I constantly harp upon this inner experience? Because I feel convinced that for me and for you who read there lie ahead undiscovered continents of spiritual living compared with which we are infants in arms. And I must witness that people outside are treating me differently.

Obstacles which I once would have regarded as insurmountable are melting away like a mirage. People are becoming friendly who suspected or neglected me. I feel, I feel like one who has had his violin out of tune with the orchestra and at last is in harmony with the music of the universe.

As for me, I never lived, I was half dead, I was a rotting tree, until I reached the place where I wholly, with utter honesty, resolved and then re-resolved that I would find God’s will, and I would do that will though every fibre in me said no, and I would win the battle in my thoughts. It was as though some deep artesian well had been struck in my soul or
souls and strength came forth.

I do not claim success even for a day yet, in my mind, not complete success all day but some days are close to success, and every day is tingling with the joy of a glorious discovery. That thing is eternal. That thing is undefeatable. You and I shall soon blow away from our bodies. Money, praise, poverty, opposition, these make no difference, for they will all alike be forgotten in a thousand years, but this spirit which comes to a mind set upon continuous surrender, this spirit is timeless life.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Undiscovered continents of spiritual living.”

I read an excerpt of this classic book a few years ago and posted a quote. My wife, Jenni, enjoyed it recently so I started reading it yesterday. So far, I am loving it. My word for the year is examine so my heart is focused on surrender this year during Holy Week. The posture of the heart of Jesus as He went to the cross for us was continuous surrender.

We tend to think in surrender we lose. Consider two people engaged in a game or wrestling match. When one gives in, they proclaim, “I surrender.” But here Laubach helps us see something deeper. Continuous surrender marks the pathway to perpetual joy. Think about it.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

I was speaking with Jill Turner, fellow author and friend at National Christian Foundation, this week about this joy. We determined that Jesus endured to the cross because He could not wait to be reunited with the Father and take us with Him! But it was only possible through continuous surrender.

Happy Good Friday. Enjoy! “Money, praise, poverty, opposition, these make no difference, for they will all alike be forgotten in a thousand years, but this spirit which comes to a mind set upon continuous surrender, this spirit is timeless life.”

We enjoy eternal life because of the continuous surrender of Jesus. We share that joy generously with others by following in the footsteps of Jesus. Enjoy the counterintuitive gain associated with continuous surrender.

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17:12-14

“Assure thyself when thou art at the greatest pinch, strength shall come. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: when the last handful of meal was dressing, then is the prophet sent to keep the widow’s house. When temptation is strong, thy little strength is even spent, and thou ready to yield into the hands of thine enemies, then expect succors from heaven, to enable thee to hold out under the temptation.Thus with Paul, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee,’ i.e. there is power from heaven to raise the siege, and drive away the tempter.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 27) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Today marks the last post from this puritan writing. It contains a significant message. It is perfect for all those who find themselves in a pinch or even the greatest pinch. Don’t be afraid but put your trust in God.

In the Garden of Gethsemane during the Passion Week, the disciples let Jesus down. They could not even pray with Him for an hour without falling asleep. But the God who neither sleeps nor slumbers heard His prayers.

In the greatest pinch in human history, God gave Jesus the grace and strength He needed to bear the cross and horrible suffering. He offers that same grace and strength to us. But we may feel like the widow, bereft of strength and hope and ready to die.

Is that you? Notice that, in her greatest pinch, she gave what she had to God and her flour and oil never ran out. Follow her example, follow the example of Jesus. God does His most generous work when we trust Him in our greatest pinch.

Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” Judges 6:14

“Christian, improve this, when oppressed with the weight of any duty and service, which in thy place and calling lies upon thee. Perhaps thou findest thy duty of thy calling too heavy for thy weak shoulders, make bold by faith to lay the heaviest end of thy burden on God’s shoulder, which is thine (if a believer) as sure as God can make it by promise.

When at any time thou art sick of thy work, and ready to think with Jonah to run from it, encourage thyself with that of God to Gideon, whom he called from the flail to thrash the mountains, ‘Go in this thy might,’ hath not God called thee? Fall to the work God sets thee about, and thou engagest His strength for thee.

The way of the Lord is strength. Run from thy work, and thou engagest God’s strength against thee; Ge will send some storm or other after thee to bring home His runaway servant. How oft hath the coward been killed in a ditch, or under some hedge, when the valiant soldier stood his ground and kept his place got off with safety and honor?

Art thou called to suffer? Flinch not because thou art afraid, thou shalt never be able to bear the cross; God can lay it so even, thou shalt not feel it, though thou shouldst find no succor till thou comest to the prison door, yea, till thou hast one foot on the ladder, or thy neck on the block, despair not… He can give thee so much comfort.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 22) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

God continues to surprise me with the way my reading relates to Holy Week. We is silent Wednesday as we don’t hear much from Jesus. Scholars note that it was likely the day Judas betrayed Jesus, which charted the course of His suffering.

Even as God had a plan for Jonah, Gideon, and Jesus, he has a path marked for you and it likely includes suffering. Go in His strength, friend, and when the way includes suffering, you count on His strength and comfort.

But whatever you do, please, do not allow fear or the desire for comfort and safety to keep you from going. His cross for you – like the cross Jesus bore – is for your good and God’s glory. It’s always the way to go!

You cannot experience the generosity of God to pour out strength and comfort unless you move toward sacrifice and suffering in your living, giving, serving, and loving. Make that your aim this week and in life after Lent.

You’ve got this. God’s got you! And His strength is matchless and comfort is generous.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on His way back to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:18-19

“Christian, rely upon thy God, and make thy daily applications to the throne of grace for continual supplies of strength; you little think how kindly He takes it, that you will make use of Him, the oftener the better, and the more you come for, the more welcome. Else why would Christ have told His disciples, ‘Hitherto you have asked nothing,’ but to express His large heart in giving? …

Such a bountiful heart thy God hath, while thou art asking a little peace and joy, He bids thee open thy mouth wide and He will fill it. Go and ransack thy heart, Christian, from one end to the other, find out thy wants, acquaint thyself with all thy weaknesses, and set them before the Almighty, as the widow her empty vessels before the prophet; hadst thou more than thou canst bring, thou mayest have them all filled.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 22) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

As I watch Jesus during Holy Week, I see Him wanting us to bear fruit, to ask for what we need, to be the fruitful followers He wants us to be, and to rely upon Him to make it so.

Gurnall would say we need to make “daily applications” to the throne of grace for whatever we need. Notice that He describes our Lord Jesus Christ as having a “large heart in giving.”

Even as He takes the life of the fig tree on this day many, He can give life as well. He can fill us with whatever we need like Elisha filled the empty vessels with the oil that the widow needed.

What do you need to be fruitful for God? Ask Him for it. Make daily applications during Holy Weeks and every week of the year. Do this because we serve a Lord who has a large heart in giving!

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15

“Christ’s presence and employment in heaven lays a strong engagement on God to bring His whole force and power into the field upon all occasions for His saints’ defense. One special end of His journey to heaven, and abode there, is that He might, as the saints’ solicitor, be ever interceding for such supplies and succors of His Father as their exigencies call for; and the more to assure us of the same before He went, He did, as it were, tell us what heads He meant to go upon His intercession when He should come there; one of which was this, that His Father should keep his children while they were to stay in the world from the evil thereof. Neither doth Christ take upon Him this work of His own head, but hath the same appointment of His Father for what He now prays in heaven, as He did for what He suffered on earth.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 18) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

As we focus on the work of Christ for us this week, we should see it not as an end but a beginning. He did not suffer and stop. He serves as our solicitor to this day.

He never ceases to intercede to the Father for whatever supplies and succors we need. That ranges from provision to protection. Pause to thank Him for that as we enter Holy Week.

His desire for us to live lives of rich Christian generosity find roots in His unending intercession for us. Let this give confidence to the living out of our faith.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10

“What it is to ‘be strong in the power of His might.’ To be strong in the power of the Lord’s might, implies two acts of faith. First, a settled firm persuasion that the Lord is almighty on power. ‘Be strong in the power of His might,’ that is, be strongly rooted in your faith, concerning this one foundation truth, that God is almighty. Second, it implies a further act of faith, not only to believe that God is almighty, but also that this almighty power of God is engaged for its defense; so as to bear up in the midst of all trials and temptations undauntedly, leaning on the arm of God Almighty, as it were his own strength.

For that is the apostle’s drift, as to beat us off from leaning on our own strength, so to encourage the Christian to make use of God’s almighty power, as freely as if it were his own, whenever assaulted by Satan in any kind. As a man set upon by a thief stirs up all the force and strength he hath in his whole body to defend himself and offend his adversary; so the apostle bids the Christian “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might,” that is, Soul, away to thy God, whose mighty power is all intended and devoted by God himself for thy succor and defense.

Go strengthen and entrench thyself in it by a steadfast faith, as that which shall be laid out to the utmost for thy good. From whence these two notes [or doctrines], I conceive, will draw out the fatness of the words. (1) That it should be the Christian’s great care and endeavor in all temptations and trials to strengthen his faith on the almighty power of God. (2) The Christian’s duty and care is not only to believe that God is almighty, but strongly by faith to rest on this almighty power of God, as engaged for his help and succor in all his trials and temptations.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 6-7) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Might is a term associated in Scripture with all the capacity we can muster.

The athlete or the soldier relies on physical strength. The professor or researcher depends on mental strength. The business person or wealthy bloke often relies on financial strength.

Gurnall wants us to locate a greater power or strength.

Consider the faithful and generous steward. On which might should he or she depend? That’s our focus here. It starts with believing that God is all powerful and relying on or literally resting in His might and not our own.

Here would be the test. Ask yourself this question.

On what might do you rely on to do good or to find rest? Only you can answer. Often we as Christians function on feeble capacity because we are strong in our own resources and capacities.

How does the Scripture and Gurnall’s words challenge you on this Palm Sunday?

When our Lord entered Jerusalem and embarked on the activities of Passion Week or Holy Week, He did it relying on God’s might. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Romans 8:11) can empower us for every good work.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

“The believer is to persevere in his Christian course to the end of his life: his work and his life must go off the stage together. This adds weight to every other difficulty of the Christian’s calling. We have known many who have gone into the field, and liked the work of a soldier for a battle or two, but soon have had enough, and come running
home again, but few can bear it as a constant trade. Many are soon engaged in holy duties, easily persuaded to take up a profession of religion, and as easily persuaded to lay it down, like the new moon, which shines a little in the first part of the night, but is down before half the night is gone—lightsome professors in their youth, whose old age is wrapped up in thick darkness of sin and wickedness.

O, this persevering is a hard word! This taking up the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armour, I mean indulging ourselves, to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God. This sends many sorrowful away from Christ, yet this is a saint’s duty, to make religion his every-day work, without any vacation from one end of the year to the other. These few instances are enough to show what need the Christian hath of resolution. The application follows. This gives us reason why there are so many professors and so few Christians indeed; so many that run and so few obtain; so many go into the field against Satan, and so few come out conquerors; because all have a desire to be happy, but few have courage and resolution to grapple with the difficulties that meet them in the way to their happiness.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 6-7) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Upon arrival at home from Pakistan, I learned that our tulip bulbs from Amsterdam may blossom soon.

See the header photo. Soon we will have beautiful flowers. These durable buds that come out in early Spring offer a helpful image of our topic today: perseverance.

Perseverance may represent one of the most important aspects of generosity. Let me explain.

People need to see “holy duties” not just once or twice. They need to see us staying the course in our living, giving, serving, and loving especially in hard times.

Gurnall is right when he says there are so many professors and so few Christians.

They want the happiness but are not willing to pay the price to get it. Gurnall points the way with ironic language. Notice the pathway to growing in perseverance.

It requires waiting and walking with God. Or like the tulip, waiting for moisture and looking to the sun.

“This taking up the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armour, I mean indulging ourselves, to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God.”

Today marks a special day. We celebrate with our granddaughters that Eve is 3 this month and Ellie is 1.

I think the theme of the party is donuts so it will surely be a sweet time. My prayer for both of them is holy waiting on God and walking with God so like blossoming flowers, they can persevere and find true happiness.

I am learning that my job is to persevere and show them the way.

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32

“Now, Christian, if thou meanest thus courageously to bear up against all opposition, in the march to heaven, as thou shouldst do well to raise thy spirit with such generous and soul-ennobling thoughts, so in an especial manner look thy principles be well fixed, or else thy heart will be unstable, and an unstable heart is weak as water, it cannot excel in courage.

Two things are required to fix our principles. First, an established judgement in this truth of God. He that knows not well what or whom he fights for [may] soon be persuaded to change his side, or at least stand neutral… Blind zeal is soon put to a shameful retreat, while holy resolution, built on fast principles, lifts up its head like a rock in the midst of waves. “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.’ Daniel 11:32…

The angel told Daniel who were the men that would stand to their tackling, and bear up for God in that hour, both of temptation and persecution… only a few of fixed principles, who knew their God whom they served, and were grounded in their religion, these should be strong, and do exploits: that is, to flatteries they should be incorruptible, and to power and force unconquerable.

Second, a sincere aim at the right end of our profession. Let a man be never so knowing in the things of Christ, if his aim is not right in his profession, that man’s principles will hang loose; he will not venture much or far for Christ, no more, no further than he can save his own stake. A hypocrite may show some mettle at hand, some courage for a spurt in conquering some difficulties; but he will show himself a jade at length.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 8) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Now find myself back in another great Puritan work. This one examines the war the saints wage against the devil. Having experienced spiritual warfare and victory in Pakistan, I want to read and learn to be strong and do more exploits.

The Scripture that Gurnall referenced stood out to me. It reminds us that when our principles are fixed and our heart is stable, we can withstand the attacks from the enemy and have great victory by the grace of God.

Gurnall connects fixed principles and a stable heart with “generous and soul-ennobling thoughts.” This implies that when we aim “to bear up against all opposition” with fixed principles and a stable heart, we ready ourselves for victory.

I have returned safely home. Thanks for your prayers. I will rest on the weekend, then I must raise my spirit with “generous and soul-ennobling thoughts.” I will need it as I return to Poland and Ukraine after Easter.

For now, I pray for the courage of Daniel. And, as Passion Week fast approaches, watching the courage of Jesus will give me the “generous and soul-ennobling thoughts” I need to be strong and do exploits.

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

“As I had proposed to myself to be short, I shall now conclude, and pass over in silence other things less important. But I cannot conclude this little work without saying that every bishop should be convinced that in receiving the mitre he loads his conscience with a great burden, so that if he wishes to save his soul he must necessarily resolve on entering upon the government of his See, to embrace a life, not of ease and of rest, but a life of crosses, of trials, and of labors; a life which St. John Chrysostom calls “a sea of labors, an abyss of troubles.”

Hence arises for bishops the extreme danger of losing their souls, and this has filled many holy men with so great a fear, that they found themselves as it were forced even to fail in obedience to their Superiors by refusing to take upon themselves such a burden. And one cannot regard as vain such a fear if the saying of St Augustine is true, namely, that it is very difficult for a bishop to be saved, because it is very difficult for him to comply with his grave responsibilities.

Most terrible is, besides, what St. John Chrysostom says, and I do not think that he is wrong, namely: “I believe that among the bishops not many will be saved, but many more will be lost.” And here the holy Doctor speaks of those that are truly called to the episcopate and are forced to accept it; he speaks quite differently of those that ambitiously seek after it, for he says: “I wonder whether any one of them will be saved.”

Whether in this matter there is any exaggeration, I know not; but I know that when Pius V. was elected Pope he was seen to tremble and to grow pale; and when asked the reason, he answered as follows: “When I was a religious I had great hopes of saving my soul; having become a bishop, I began to fear; now having been chosen Pope, I feel nearly desperate.”

All these considerations should, however, not discourage good bishops, nor fill them with diffidence, but should excite in them great watchfulness in regard to their duties; should fill them with zeal, and at the same time with holy hopes; for they know that if the chastise ment of negligent bishops is to be great, much greater will be the reward that an infinitely good and generous God will give to those that are zealous.”

Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) in The Complete Works of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, translated from the Italian, edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm (New York: Benzinger, 1890) 471-473.

I’m en route home. On my last day in Pakistan I spent time with Khurram Younis, GTP Country Coordinator for Pakistan, discussing goverannce matters. Today’s post makes a strong connection between governance and generosity.

Most Christians do not talk much about Paul’s warning that overseers can fall under the same judgment as the devil. Those are really, really strong words. If we fail at this service, the consequences are indescribably great.

Why does God care so much about governance and the service of overseers? The answer is simple. As governance goes, so goes the church or ministry. Bad governance means everything goes bad. That’s why it matters so much.

So I guess this post relates to everyone in current or future governance roles. And it marks my final post from this classic writing. The work will be hard: “a sea of labors and an abyss of troubles.” But for those zealous to do good, I have good news.

“The reward that an infinitely good and generous God will give to those that are zealous” will be unimaginable. Avoiding failure here is worth the effort. In that light, good oversight may be one of the most generous things you can contribute.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

“It is, besides, the special duty of the bishop to remove his flock from a wicked life by means of correction; He is obliged to do so even if it cost his life: The good shepherd giveth His life for His sheep. Otherwise he will have to render an account to Jesus Christ of all the evils that will happen, and that he could have prevented by correction.

This is the great burden which makes holy bishops tremble. Monsignor Sanfelice, of happy memory, said to me one day in a trembling voice: “Don Alphonso, how can I sleep quietly when I know that one of my flock is living in disgrace with God?” St. Gregory condemns the bishops who corrects no one as guilty of the same crime that the malefactor commits.

But in order that the correction may be suitable the following rules should be observed:
1. The correction should be administered in charity; and if in extreme cases severity becomes necessary, we should always mix wine with oil, that is, severity with kindness; hence it is expedient not to administer correction when one is excited; for then one easily falls into excess.

2. We should correct others with prudence: the same remedy that is good for one may not be good for another, especially when the culprit is blinded by passion, which does not permit him to acknowledge his fault nor profit by the correction.

3. It is true that in order to administer a useful correction we should wait for the opportune moment; but when the moment has come, we should correct the guilty one with promptness, without delay. We should remedy the evil as soon as we can; for the fire is easily extinguished when it is only a spark, but not when it has become a flame.

4. We must administer correction in secret, especially when the fault is hidden. He that has lost his reputation easily gives himself up entirely to vice.”

Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) in The Complete Works of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, translated from the Italian, edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm (New York: Benzinger, 1890) 469-470.

Imagine what churches would look like today if overseers gave correction at the cost of their lives. The church would be pure and without blemish. So how do we get there?

We don’t normally think of “correction” as the object of our giving. Perhaps because we don’t do it right! Alphonsus offers the formula. Do it with charity, prudence, promptness, and in secret. What if you did this?

We need to stop serving people and hoping they will like us and start serving them hoping they will fear God and keep His commandments and standards which point the way to life.

They also position individual stewards as well as institutions like churches and ministries for flourishing. That’s something worth giving our lives for!

I am starting my long journey home soon. Thanks for your prayers for safe travel from Islamabad to Istanbul to Denver.