Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

“Fasting, like almsgiving and prayer, must always be done not for the admiration of others but for the worship of God alone. Whenever fasting becomes a performance, it ceases to be righteous activity. Private communion with the Father is the true goal of fasting. Reward from God is predicated on the right attitude and motivation.”

Grant Osborne in Matthew (ZECNT; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 237.

Righteous fasting moves us away from people so we return to God.

Too often we can approach this season by moving toward the “admiration of others” rather than toward God.

Lest we have a false start and miss the blessing of the season, be sure to return to the Lord with the right attitude and motivation.

This will prepare us for more generous living, giving, serving, and loving from a transformed heart for life after Lent.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Amen.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-18

“The basic framework of the passage is an introductory exhortation illustrated by three matching contrasts setting out the wrong and the right way to undertake three prominent religious duties, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting… The wording of the three contrasts follows a standard pattern with verbatim agreement in the concluding clauses. The wrong way in each case is a matter of outward show, looking for human approval; the right way is that of secrecy, which only God can see. It’s the only kind of “righteousness” that God, who is strikingly described as “being in secret” will reward.”

R.T. France in Matthew (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007) 232.

The repetition in the language of Jesus drives home a consistent point. Let’s make our journey this Lent about secrecy and not a show. It’s the right way to do it and the reward from God will be great.

How will you practice these disciplines with secrecy this Lent? Don’t answer me. Talk to God about it. Determine how you will engage these practices and take time to examine what God is teaching you daily.

If you talk about it with others, don’t talk so much about what you are doing as what you are learning. What rewards are you reaping? What insights are you gaining? What is changing in you? 

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:33-35

“If all of us could have a better understanding of our role as stewards, and be gladly willing to share with others the assets under our management, many problems we face in the world will disappear, and many poor people will get the help they need!”

Roger Lam in this 9-minute video, “Lost and Found Again.” Check out this video by my Chinese friend, fellow author, and brother.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of the season of Lent.

There are so many problems in this world. Pastors, ministry workers, and even Pope Francis have proclaimed today as a day of fasting and prayer for Ukraine. Join this movement.

Jesus, have mercy on our world and hear our prayer for peace.

If we want to address the needs around us, it requires the grace of God at work in our lives. And we must play our role, as Roger rightly notes, as stewards who share.

Few in the modern world unmask the deceitfulness of wealth and the importance of generous stewardship as effectively as Lam does. His approach employs the power of testimony.

The same was true in the early church times!

When the apostles testified and proclaimed what was true, God worked in powerful ways. We all have room for continued growth in this as God is so generous in providing for us.

So, let’s soak in truth this Lent. If you’d like my free devotional to go through this season, Lent Companion, click here. Lent is a great time to repent and grow through fasting, confession, and giving.

God help us put to work your assets under our management.

And fill me with your Spirit and love to speak on “Moving Beyond Partnering with Missionaries to Participating in Mission” today at Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. for your glory. Amen.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

“As long as the natural life is in your body, it will do a lot towards repairing that body. Cut it, and up to a point it will heal, as a dead body would not. A live body is not one that never gets hurt, but one that can to some extent repair itself. In the same way a Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again after each stumble—because the Christ-life is inside him, repairing him all the time, enabling him to repeat (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ Himself carried out.”

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins 1980).

Today I am flying to Washington D.C. today. I appreciate your prayers for safe and healthy travel. I get to speak at an event at Museum of the Bible tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow, it’s Ash Wednesday, which launches the season of Lent. It’s a time when we “begin over again” as the professor keenly states.

What is Lent? Lent has been observed since the days of the early church from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. There are 40 fasting days that mirror the time Jesus fasted before His ministry began, and there are seven feast days, the seven Sundays leading up to and including Easter Sunday.

For your observance of Lent, I want to offer you two free resources from GTP.

Firstly, if you want a free devotional, click here to download a PDF copy of Lent Companion. It is a collection of daily readings for disciples of Jesus Christ. Each reading is designed to help you grow in your understanding and practice of the disciplines of giving, prayer, and fasting. Share the link with family and friends and go through it together. Experience Lent in community.

Two, if you want to grow as a steward in commuity with fellow followers of Christ around the world, go through Journey of Empowerment or JOE in the on demand format this Lent. What is JOE? It’s a spiritual and strategic experience that will help you grow as a steward and learn how to influence change in your context. It’s free and includes about 10 hours of content to explore on your own time over 6 weeks. To learn more and to register for the Lent cohort, click here.

Right now 89 people from 29 countries are registered to go through it together. Join the Lent JOE group.

Whether you download Lent Companion or go through JOE, make it a season of repentence. When the reign of God or the kingdom of God comes near to us, it shows us our sins and reveals our shortcomings. To live, give, serve, and love like Jesus, we must “repeat the kind of voluntary death which Christ Himself carried out.” We all need a season of repentence, of changing directions, myself included.

Lent is a time to repent. The kingdom of heaven is near. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

In Minucius Felix, Caecilius makes arguments against Christianity and Octavius replies. I clipped excerpts linked to war and providence because of the times in which we find ourselves. It’s admittedly long, but rich and full of insights for our generosity and sharing today. Please read it and see.

“Chapter V.–Argument: Caecilius begins his argument first of all by reminding them that in human affairs all things are doubtful and uncertain, and that therefore it is to be lamented that Christians, who for the most part are untrained and illiterate persons, should dare to determine on anything with certainty concerning the chief of things and the divine majesty: hence he argues that the world is governed by no providence.

“Why should I speak of tempests, various and uncertain, wherein the attack upon all things is tossed about without any order or discrimination?–in shipwrecks, that the fates of good and bad men are jumbled together, their deserts confounded?–in conflagrations, that the destruction of innocent and guilty is united?–and when with the plague-taint of the sky a region is stained, that all perish without distinction?–and when the heat of war is raging, that it is the better men who generally fall? In peace also, not only is wickedness put on the same level with (the lot of) those who are better, but it is also regarded in such esteem, that, in the case of many people, you know not whether their depravity is most to be detested, or their felicity to be desired. But if the world were governed by divine providence and by the authority of any deity…”

Caecilius continues at length. Later, in reply Octavius writes:

“Chapter XVIII.–Argument: Moreover, God not only takes care of the universal world, but of its individual parts. That by the decree of the one God all things are governed, is proved by the illustration of earthly empires.

“It would be a long matter to go through particular instances. There is no member in man which is not calculated both for the sake of necessity and of ornament; and what is more wonderful still, all have the same form, but each has certain lineaments modified, and thus we are each found to be unlike to one another, while we all appear to be like in general. What is the reason of our being born? What means the desire of begetting? Is it not given by God, and that the breasts should become full of milk as the offspring grows to maturity, and that the tender progeny should grow up by the nourishment afforded by the abundance of the milky moisture? Neither does God have care alone for the universe as a whole, but also for its parts.

Britain is deficient in sunshine, but it is refreshed by the warmth of the sea that flows around it. The river Nile tempers the dryness of Egypt; the Euphrates cultivates Mesopotamia; the river Indus makes up for the want of rains, and is said both to sow and to water the East. Now if, on entering any house, you should behold everything refined, well arranged, and adorned, assuredly you would believe that a master presided over it, and that he himself was much better than all those excellent things.

So in this house of the world, when you look upon the heaven and the earth, its providence, its ordering, its law, believe that there is a Lord and Parent of the universe far more glorious than the stars themselves, and the parts of the whole world. Unless, perchance–since there is no doubt as to the existence of providence–you think that it is a subject of inquiry, whether the celestial kingdom is governed by the power of one or by the rule of many; and this matter itself does not involve much trouble in opening out, to one who considers earthly empires, for which the examples certainly are taken from heaven. When at any time was there an alliance in royal authority which either began with good faith or ceased without bloodshed?”

At this point, the two are at odds with each other…

Chapter XXV.–Argument: Then Octavius shows that Caecilius had been wrong in asserting that the Romans had gained their power over the whole world by means of the due observance of superstitions of this kind. Rather the Romans in their origin were collected by crime, and grew by the terrors of their ferocity. And therefore the Romans were not so great because they were religious, but because they were sacrilegious with impunity.

“Nevertheless, you will say that that very superstition itself gave, increased, and established their empire for the Romans, since they prevailed not so much by their valour as by their religion and piety. Doubtless the illustrious and noble justice of the Romans had its beginning from the very cradle of the growing empire. Did they not in their origin, when gathered together and fortified by crime, grow by the terror of their own fierceness?”

In the end, the grace and truth about Jeuss Christ presented by Octavius wins the day.

Chapter XL.–Argument: Then Caecilius exclaims that he is vanquished by Octavius; and that, being now conqueror over error, he professes the Christian religion. He postpones, however, till the morrow his training in the fuller belief of its mysteries.

While, therefore, I was silently turning over these things in my own ‘mind, Caecilius broke forth: “I congratulate as well my Octavius as myself, as much as possible on that tranquillity in which we live, and I do not wait for the decision. Even thus we have conquered: not unjustly do I assume to myself the victory. For even as he is my conqueror, so I am triumphant over error. Therefore, in what belongs to the substance of the question, I both confess concerning providence, and I yield to God; and I agree concerning the sincerity of the way of life which is now mine. Yet even still some things remain in my mind, not as resisting the truth, but as necessary to a perfect training of which on the morrow, as the sun is already sloping to his setting, we shall inquire at length in a more fitting and ready manner.”

Chap. XLI.–Argument: Finally, all are pleased, and joyfully depart: Caecilius, that he had believed; Octavius, that he had conquered; and Minucius, that the former had believed, and the latter had conquered.

“But for myself,” said I, “I rejoice more fully on behalf of all of us; because also Octavius has conquered for me, in that the very great invidiousness of judging is taken away from me. Nor can I acknowledge by my praises the merit of his words: the testimony both of man, and of one man only, is weak. He has an illustrious reward from God, inspired by whom he has pleaded, and aided by whom he has gained the victory. After these things we departed, glad and cheerful: Caecilius, to rejoice that he had believed; Octavius, that he had succeeded; and I [Minucius Felix], that the one had believed, and the other had conquered.”

Caecilius and Octavius (c. 160-250) in The Octavius of Minucius Felix excerpts from chapter V, XVIII, XXV, XL, and XLI, translated by Roberts-Donaldson. Click to read the entire interchange.

So why cite this long ancient post today, and what does it have to do with generosity?

I recounted this interaction because it reflects the questions people are asking today. Why the war between Russia and Ukraine. Why is all this bloodshed and destruction happening? Then many conclude, if there is a God He would never allow it, so there must be no God.

It’s true that good people are dying today. It’s also true that God’s care for the world, His divine providence, is glorious and matchless. Even as God waters the earth, so He cares for each person. That’s why, in the heart of their conversation, Octavius points to Christ as the gift of God to humanity.

He discloses that the so-called greatness of Rome links to taking and plundering by humankind. That’s what’s happening today! But the greatness and generosity of God is always giving and caring. So, now do you see why I wrote this post. We must answer the questions war with providence.

Because Jesus Christ is Lord, we need not take and plunder, but rather, be people of kindness, peace, and generosity. Sure, these are horrible times! Lord have mercy on all who suffer! But, we have one thing the world needs right now and that is hope. Share it richly. It won Caecilius and can win others today.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

“We ourselves were well conversant with war, murder and everything evil, but all of us throughout the whole wide earth have traded in our weapons of war. We have exchanged our swords for plowshares, our spears for farm tools…now we cultivate the fear of God, justice, kindness, faith, and the expectation of the future given us through the Crucified One.”

Justin Martyr (c. 100-165) in Dialogue with Trypho, 110.3.4. I changed the header photo to the shot I took in Kyiv back in September 2021.

In walking through the Apostolic Fathers, I found it ironic that the next author I came to today in my reading was “conversant with war” so his words seem as relevant as ever.

Imagine if swords and spears were exchanged for plowshares and farm tools. In the same way, we can exchange selfishness for generosity and change the world around us because of Jesus.

Let us not be overcome by the evil around us but overcome it with good. Pray for God’s grace and mercy on all at war and for peace in Jesus name.

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14

“For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind either in locality or in speech or in customs. For they dwell not somewhere in cities of their own, neither do they use some different language, nor practise an extraordinary kind of life. Nor again do they possess any invention discovered by any intelligence or study of ingenious men, nor are they masters of any human dogma as some are. But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvellous, and confessedly contradicts expectation. They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign.”

The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, 5.1-5 (c. 130). Mathetes, “a disciple of the Apostles,” was likely a student of Paul or one of the Apostle’s associates.

This text seemed fitting in the hard times in which we are living. With you, my heart aches for Ukraine. I spoke with my friend and Ukrainian brother, Dr. Michael Cherenkov, last night.

He urged me to pray for the soldiers who are in harms way as well as our many friends there. We reminisced our travels to Ukraine last September. He spoke of places we walked that are now war zones. So sad

And we think of those who have fled their homes. They are literally sojourners now. This got me thinking. We are all sojourners. That’s what Mathetes learned from the Apostles. And yet, someday we will all have a share as citizens of heaven. That’s our real home. Let’s live for that place.

For now, if you are looking for a place to give in light of the crisis, I offer two options: (1) Mission Eurasia. They have a great crisis program and the ability to get help where it is needed most to suffering people.

(2) GTP. Mission Eurasia has asked me to come to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to speak on 6-7 May 2022 to 500-600 workers from across Eurasia. Your support will help send me to inspire and serve them.

As three of my books were translated into Russian and distributed in Ukraine only days before the Russian occupation (see my Facebook), I will speak on topics related to the books.

But I also sense that God will be sending me to minister to weary war-torn sojourners. God help me. God help Ukraine. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. Philippians 2:19

“Both you and Ignatius wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the goodness to make known to us.”

Polycarp in The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians 12, translated by Roberts-Donaldson.

In the early church, God’s workers delivered letters by hand to encourage individuals and groups. The same can happen today. We must see this as part of our “goodness” or generosity toward others.

It’s fascinating to see the collaboration between Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna. They collaborated to edify the people. Likewise, our sharing in this way is about uplifting groups.

Will you write the letters? Or might your role be to serve as a courier? Either way, urging God’s people to faith and patience requires teachers and transmitters to share in every generation.

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 6-7

“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God who are present with me, who have in all things refreshed me, both in flesh and in spirit; my bonds exhort you which I bear about for the sake of Jesus Christ, asking that I may attain unto God. Abide in your unity, and in prayer one with another, for it becometh each of you separately, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop unto the honour of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Apostles. I pray you in love to hear me, that I may not be for a testimony against you, by writing among you; and pray ye for me also, who need your love in the mercy of God, that I may be thought worthy of the lot to which I press forward to attain, that I may not be found a castaway.”

Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians 12:1-3, translated by Charles H. Hoole.

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them. These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called the Apostolic Fathers.

When a church was helpful to share resources and practice hospitality, it was common for the Apostle Paul or Ignatius to express gratitude that they had been “refreshed” by their care. What might it look like for your generosity to refresh key workers both in the flesh and in the spirit? If I were to say it in other words, this care empowers God’s servants to remain focused on mission.

We are living in hard times. People are suffering all around us. Consider seeking out God’s workers who minister to many people and ask yourself how you might refresh them so they can be agents of refreshment toward others. When we do this we multiply the impact. I know when people refresh me, it amplifies my energy and the reach of my service. Go refresh someone today!

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

“How blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts of God! Life in immortality, splendour in righteousness, truth in perfect confidence, faith in assurance, self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognizance of our understandings [now]; what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those who wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts.”

Clement of Rome (c. AD 90-100) First Letter to the Corinthians 35, translated by Roberts-Donaldson.

Those who wait on the Lord get a share of His promised gifts, which will be good beyond all comprehension. This should help us stay the course despite hard times.

I’m thankful for the faith and perseverance of my parents. It’s both ordinary and extraordinary. They are on my mind as my Dad turns 83 today. Happy birthday Dad!

Their faith is ordinary in that they have not done much that the world would laud as great. Yet it is extraordinary as so many stop waiting, lose heart, and give up. They have not.

And the good news (in a world filled with bad news) is that all those who wait on God can look forward to a share in His promised gifts. God will share with us, and it will undoubtedly be good for all!

Our role is to wait patiently and to share this hope generously in the meantime.