Archives by: Gary Hoag

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25

“I feel simply carried along each hour, doing my part in a plan which is far beyond myself. This sense of cooperation with God in little things is what so astonishes me, for I never have felt it this way before. I need something, and turn round to find it waiting for me. I must work, to be sure, but there is God working along with me. To know this gives a sense of security and assurance for the future which is also new to my life. I seem to have to make sure of only one thing now, and every other thing “takes care of itself,” or I prefer to say what is more true, God takes care of all the rest. My part is to live this hour in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will. To make this hour gloriously rich. This seems to be all I need think about.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Only One Thing Now.”

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you like the new header photo of our tulips covered by a tub and preserved from the blast of a Spring snowstorm. Jesus certainly has everything covered for you and me. Praise the LORD!

The implications of the resurrection of Jesus for humanity are so vast, all the books in the world could not contain them. And I can imagine going a thousand different directions with today’s post.

But I will not. I will keep it simple. On this special day, let’s focus on one thing from the perspective of the man born blind, because we are all just like him. We are all born blind. Only Jesus gives us sight.

This reading from Laubach reminds me of my favorite centering prayer. It came to me from John Stanley who got it from Dolindo Ruotolo. I offer it to you, the Surrender Novena: “Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!”

The only thing that matters today and everyday is living a life of surrender to the risen King, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That takes shape as “continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will.”

Wherever He leads I will follow. Whatever He commands I will do. And related to generosity, I have found that He’s not ever trying to rob me but help serve as a conduit of divine blessing and trust Him to care for me when I do that.

Join me in this. “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” I see why I am on this planet. Jesus, help me grow in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to your will. Amen.

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17

“For the first time in my life I know what I must do off in lonesome Lanao. I know why God left this aching void, for Himself to fill. Off on this mountain I must do three things:

1. I must pursue this voyage of discovery in quest of God’s will. I must because the world needs me to do it.

2. I must plunge into mighty experiments in intercessory prayer, to test my hypothesis that God needs my help to do His will for others, and that my prayer releases His power. I must be His channel, for the world needs me.

3. I must confront these Moros with a divine love which will speak Christ to them though I never use His name. They must see God in me, and I must see God in them. Not to change the name of their religion, but to take their hand and say, “Come, let us look for God.”

…My teacher, Dato Pambaya, told me this week that a good Muslim ought to utter the sacred word for God, every time he begins to do anything, to sleep, or walk, or work, or even turn around. A good Muslim would fill his life with God. I fear there are few good Muslims.

But so would a real Christlike Christian speak to God every time he did anything – and I fear there are few good Christians.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Boundless joy broken loose.”

The apostle Paul urged the Corinthians (and us) to “live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them.” In Frank Laubach’s case it was lonesome Lanao, a predominantly Muslim province in Mindanao, Philippines.

The same holds true for you, wherever you are in the world, on this Easter Saturday. When we live as a believer we show our faith through our words and deeds and serve as a generous “channel” of blessing to the world.

Laubach determined to discover God’s will, to pray and release God’s power in the world, and to confront people with divine love so they noticed something different and desire to know the God you serve.

Laubach continues by noting that the Muslims don’t do what their faith prescribes and that neither do most Christians. So why don’t we live as believers where God has placed us. Paul states elsewhere that we conform to the world.

Paul urges us in his letter to the Romans not to conform the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That’s my prayer for all of us in life after Easter. That the power of the resurrection will give us a whole new mindset for life.

And as I examine what this looks like practically, I think Laubach is spot on. It requires a perpetual pursuit of the will of God, prayer for God to work, and for us to serve as channels of divine love. Make it so in me, Lord Jesus.

“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.