Oh, THAT!

May 2021

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

My wife has close friends that have a daughter who is now a medical doctor. Before she started medical school, she told her parents that she was going to take a trip around the world. Her dad asked her where she would get the money to pay for it. “Oh, THAT!” she exclaimed. The “Oh, THAT!” aspects of my life sometimes surprise me. I often don’t see them coming—they appear unexpectedly. Sadly and unfortunately, one of the contributing factors for me being blind-sided by the disturbing pattern of my “Oh, THAT!” dilemma is that I fail to examine myself, in compliance with the Apostle Paul’s crucial imperative, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) I’m thankful for Welsh Minister Matthew Henry, who once commented, “Though it is God’s gracious method to bear long with sinners, yet He will not bear always; at length He will come and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent. Christ at his crucifixion, appeared as only a weak and helpless man, but His resurrection and life showed His Divine power. So the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world, yet, as instruments, they manifested the power of God. Let them prove their tempers, conduct, and experience, as gold is assayed or proved by the touchstone… They ought to know if Christ Jesus was in them, by the influences, graces, and indwelling of His Spirit, by His kingdom set up in their hearts. Let us question our own souls; either we are true Christians, or we are deceivers. Unless Christ be in us by His Spirit, and power of His love, our faith is dead, and we are yet disapproved by our Judge.” [Credit: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, 2 Corinthians 13:1-6]

My friend and former pastor presiding over a double memorial service for a wonderful elderly couple from Church, who died within weeks of each other, opened in prayer with words including, “…we praise you for the stunning proclamation of hope found in the gospel…in spite of the shadowy path many of us have been walking on…” This couple’s family heritage was very Greek, with Biblical roots coming from near Berea, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Ephesus and Smyrna, all Bible cities. They were very hospitable, merciful, loving, and gospel sharing, but they didn’t start out that way—one of the “Oh, THAT!” elements of their lives. They wanted everyone to know that the way they became, was not the way they were at one time—God made the difference. The husband confessed that he roamed the streets carrying brass knuckles, he was selfish. And his wife expressed that she was a terrible mother, but that Jesus changed her. [Paraphrased credit: Rev. Dr. Don S.] When we examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith, test ourselves…, (2 Corinthians 13:5) unfortunately we discover the “Oh, THAT!” dark dimensions of our lives that we harbor in our hearts. If it weren’t for God’s saving grace, as followers of Jesus, we would all be spiritually dead, poor beggars lost in our sin. Now we are spiritually alive, yet still poor beggars before God, but with our sins forgiven. We need to identify with the unsaved, as Jesus does, and proclaim Him to them. In the context of examining ourselves in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul is challenging the apostles to prove themselves, just as they are asking him to prove himself. In like manner, this is as a hard black stone, such as jasper or basalt, used to test the quality of gold or silver by comparing the streak left on the stone by one of these metals with that of a standard alloy. In a wonderful parallel to the stunning proclamation of hope, mentioned above, I was so thankful after reading, in the context of Jacob’s joy, “They told him, “‘Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.” (Genesis 45:26) I am compelled to apply my heart to sayings of the wise, according to Proverbs 22:17 and 23:12. When I read, “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land,” (Proverbs 25:25) it helps me joyfully proclaim Jesus to dry and weary unsaved souls.

Do I examine myself, as scripture commands? Am I guilty of the “Oh, THAT!” fear and failure to proclaim Christ to the lost? This is detrimental to all—to us and to them, because they are spiritually blind and dead, unless the Holy Spirit convicts and draws them to Himself. My dentist’s wife said, “I’m a sinner and I know it.” Most don’t—like the son of a friend of mine, who was arrested, facing the prospect of prison and losing everything for his entire life if he went to court. But his self-realization, “Oh, THAT!” moment, perhaps prompted by God, helped him understand that he was spiritually bound by Satan, in bondage to the guilt and sin of his soul. (Micah 6:6, 7) This is not unlike when God convicted me that my life was going down a dead-end road. Recently my wife was witnessing to one of her caregivers, using simple spiritual metaphors of a coin and a bus, concerning going up to heaven or down to hell. “I’m on the bus going sideways,” her caregiver responded! It’s helpful for me to remember that no amount of sacrifice on their part can save them. [works, religion, family, et. al.] Even the sacrificial provision instituted by our merciful, Holy God in the Old Testament law required that all sin be punished. But the shedding of animal blood was just symbolic of Christ’s New Testament payment for fallen man’s sins. The blood of lesser animals cannot take away the sins of greater humans—shadow versus substance. [Paraphrased credit: Bible teacher Jen Wilkin] The Old Testament animal sacrifices never atoned for, took away or completely removed sin, being incapable of completely dealing with human sin once and for all—they were just a reminder of sin. (Hebrews 10:3, 4) In fact, the root of the Hebrew word translated “atonement” in the Old Testament is kaphar, to cover over, not totally remove, thus foreshadowing the perfect, complete permanent sacrifice of Jesus Christ—eternal, not just temporal. In Romans 3:25, 26 we see this New Testament clarification, affirmation and fulfillment in Christ as the only way of forgiveness, cleansing, payment for and salvation from our sins, to eternal life. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)

As we examine ourselves, may we become a city of righteousness, a faithful city, (Isaiah 1:26) so that lost souls come to know Jesus, the Holy One of Israel as their Savior, (Isaiah 43:3) from the oppression of sin. One of the greatest ways for me to strengthen my faith is to share my faith, because I see God’s provision when I don’t know what to do or say, as He does His work through me. Humorously, Bible teacher Jen Wilkin reminds us of this faith, “Noah built a ship in the desert!” May we become His witness to the true light that gives light to everyone. (John 1:8, 9) My brother-in-law Lee was attending a sales meeting, and in the evening several guys were lamenting what might happen if the economy weakened. Lee’s boss spoke up and said, “No matter what happens, I’m sealed with Christ.” He was mocked and laughed at, but as a result of his testimony, Lee surrendered his life to Jesus—a watershed moment in his life. May we proactively reach out to the lost, so they too may experience an “Oh, THAT!” pivot to eternal life, becoming and making disciples, fishing for people, becoming an advocate for Christ. [Paraphrased credit: Pastor Gary V. Carter]

I struggle with besetting battles over temptation and guilt of unreconciled sin, yet Christ offers me victory over death as an overcomer in Him—freedom from the futile bondage of cynicism and despair—from my darkness to God’s faithfulness. Amazingly, He gives us the blessed honor of participating in His work. For example, Lydia was listening in Philippi to the Apostle Paul’s message when the Lord opened her heart to respond. (Acts 16:14) A pastor friend told me that in the last 115 days, he witnessed and shared the gospel with 143 people, of which 19 received Christ and 3 rededicated their lives to Him. This points to my “Oh, THAT!” lack of spiritual boldness, especially compared to front-line workers. They cautiously transport Bibles to people still waiting for their first, in remote areas under the watchful eyes of violent armed groups. [Paraphrased credit: The Voice of the Martyrs, God’s Word in Guerrilla Territory, April 2021, p. 5]

I’d like to think that I am a good financial investor, so I can be a generous giver, but the truth is that I sometimes make investment decisions based more on emotion than on fundamentals, patience and diversification. I’m challenged as I research exponentially converging technological change, and emerging global currency transformation. This sometimes points to counter-intuitive investment strategies, not just traditional law of supply and demand, scarcity-equals-value principles. God calls us to be faithful and wise stewards and managers. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) So when I make rookie investment mistakes, I realize I sometimes create my own problems, my own “Oh, THAT!” moment, of which there are many in my life. With the market at all time highs, I transferred some profits into a donor advised fund for tax benefits, designated for ministry—but I really wanted to hang on to it, even though it is all God’s money. Sometimes I spend too much time devoted to investments rather than glorifying God. My sin catches me off guard, brewing spiritual storm clouds when I am only partially prayed up, not fully anchored in God’s Holy Word. The Bible tells me that I have a sinful bias problem according to Proverbs 21:2, “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” I often don’t recognize the “Oh, THAT!” moment of my evil motives, thoughts, and attitudes, et. al. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:2, Job 31:6, Psalm 139:23, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 5 and Hebrews 4:12)

Pastor Bruce Finfrock touches on our self-induced spiritual storm clouds in the context of the hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow, Civilla D. Martin, 1905. “If You were able to calm the storm at sea, surely You can calm the storms in our lives…But we confess that there are storms of our own making…We ask You to come and speak to the storms within and without and give us your peace.” [Credit: Pastor Bruce D. Finfrock, Prayers of the People, The Privilege and Practice of Praying for Others, pgs. 43, 44]

After emerging from a famine of faith and prayer, a spiritual dry spell, I was convicted to remain in my car at the grocery store before going in, so I could just pray. What God did next was a wonderful demonstration of the direct connection between prayer and seeing where God was working. I knew God was at work because in the cheese section, Tom was the first person who spoke to me, “With these glasses, I can’t see s___!” he exclaimed. When he used a vulgar word, I knew God opened a door of ministry. I mentioned to him that I had limited vision as well, because when I’m wearing a mask, things seem blurred—then I realize it was my own eyes, not the mask! I told him I hoped his vision improved. Tom was kind enough to receive God’s Word through a gospel handout, and as he walked away, he took care to sincerely say, “Thank you.” While still in the store, I saw Josie who works in the produce section, who I have come to know over a long period of time and had previously given a copy of my book Jesus Joy, My Painstaking Journey to Deep Soul Winner’s Joy. “Josie, have you ever taken a step of faith to believe and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior?” I asked. “Yes,” she radiantly responded! Another young lady joyfully received God’s Word. Then when I checked out, Samantha helped me. We’ve known each other for some time, and she also had a copy of Jesus Joy. I asked her the same question as Josie. “I’m getting closer. I still have some doubts,” she responded. I reminded her of how much Jesus loves her. I previously told my oral surgeon’s office assistant, Becky, on the phone that I didn’t plan to try for a third time with a failed tooth implant, unless the surgeon could absolutely guarantee it would be successful. Becky asked if anything was guaranteed. I told her yes, eternal life in God’s presence if we believe and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, of which she was surprised but quick to agree. When I met her in the oral surgeon’s office for the first time I asked if she was a true believer in Jesus—she assured me she was, so I gave her a copy of Jesus Joy. On the day of my surgery, I asked where she worshiped. She was a Mormon, which greatly saddened me, but for whom I now pray. While still in the office, I offered Ashley a gospel handout and explained that a lady who saw the red heart/cross graphic said, “Love and the cross are one and the same.” “Oh, that is so cool. I love it. Thank you,” Ashley exclaimed. Later, I prayed for her salvation. When I reflect on witnessing God’s work, I am reminded of my own “Oh, THAT!” shallow faith (Paraphrased Credit: Pastor Rudy Antle), which robbed me of fully rejoicing in Jesus. I forgot that the Bible states in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,”

I was in the liquor store trying to find my wife a nice bottle of French Pinot Noir for Mother’s day. I gave a gospel handout to Brian, who thanked me, and he referred me to the wine expert, a woman named Trisha. God allowed us to connect over several minutes, as I discovered she was very knowledgeable, not only about wines, but her second job was as a very caring cosmetologist, helping women cope with hair loss. I shared a brief testimony and gospel message with her, at which time she radiantly beamed with the statement that she had been having spiritual conversations with her aunt. She was very excited for the good news and was going to tell her aunt about our conversation and send her the gospel handout.

Of my many humbling “Oh, THAT” flaws, I am reluctant to share all my dark and dirty evil sinful secrets. I am too ashamed to confess them publicly, because while God forgave me, man may not. Additionally, I often sense failure in my witness. Selma, in my Chiropractor’s office said, “I don’t celebrate Easter,”—but I had no response. Yet, it is so exciting to watch God at work, especially when unbelievers experience the “Oh, THAT!” conviction of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness and judgement.” (John 16:8) A secular friend my wife and I have been witnessing to for years, began mysteriously opening up and softening her heart toward spiritual matters, even asking deep questions. To me, Christ is the most important, hope giving pivotal point in history. I must fear not, because as believers, we are all called to gospel engage people, to proclaim Jesus to a lost world, leading some to confess Christ as savior, taking them from beyond broken to beyond blessed—the eternal gift. Thank you, Lord, for the mother who received gospel handouts for each of her three children. My friend, Pastor Gary V. Carter, speaks of the Church needing to have an inviting culture, so when a crisis occurs in someone’s life, they will know who to call. He often uses nine words, “I would like to invite you to our Church.” At Dollar Tree, I gave a gospel handout to the cashier. A mother with four children who had been in front of me, saw me do this, and encouraged me by saying, “God bless you.” I was so excited and thankful to God for this, and the fact that we never know where His children are deployed. Please forgive me Lord, for I misjudged this woman with shabby clothes, yet she is rich in You.

Every time I visit my physical therapist, I try in advance to write a Bible verse on a small, quality folded blank greeting card. I offer it as a scripture gift which she later folds back so it becomes an easel card she places on a shelf at home, a frequent reminder of God’s Word. On the last visit I wrote the following on a card and gave it to her, for which she responded, “Thanks. I love it!”

Against All Hope,
Abraham In Hope
BELIEVED…
Romans 4:18 

One day I headed out for a walk, taking gospel handouts for whomever God allowed me to cross paths. I greeted numerous people on the trail, many of whom extended friendly hellos, but some not when they had headsets covering their ears! I was unable to share God’s Word with anyone that day, and I began wondering, feeling like I had not borne any good fruit that lasts. But as I headed for home, God showed me something unexpected. Pastor Dave Strunk says, “God doesn’t work the way we expect Him to.” As I walked East, with my back to the late afternoon sun, I approached a bridge over a small stream. Just then, I was struck with the beauty of sunlight radiantly reflecting the gorgeous iridescent green head and neck feathers of a mallard duck swimming in the water. Then the duck flew out of the stream right over the bridge railing immediately in front of me, made a 180 degree turn and flew right back down to the stream. This was an awesome display of God’s striking color and beauty in His creation. I was so blessed and thankful for what He showed me at that moment—not only physically, but spiritually through His grace and mercy toward me.

As I mentored a young high school boy during Church Confirmation training, we were studying about the order of salvation, and one of the key scriptures was John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” I was curious and began wondering what the Greek word translated way meant in its original context. The word way was derived from the Greek hodos, meaning a way, road, journey, path. This was helpful to me, and it seemed helpful to my mentee as well, as we both seek our way, taking the narrow road on God’s spiritual journey laid out for us, traveling on His straight path—a critical “Oh, that!” reminder to us both.

A friend, Breanna, told me a few of her “Oh, THAT!” moments. In Boston with her handicapped friend, Janice, in a wheelchair, Breanna hung out and helped her, thinking that’s what you’re supposed to do [as a Christian]. But in Breanna’s heart of hearts, she felt superior to Janice. Years later in Breanna’s wedding pictures was a man in a wheelchair sitting in the aisle of the Church. Breanna didn’t like that. And again in a Church, a lady named Ginger was confined to a wheelchair. Breanna thought that Ginger should not be slumped over. But now, Breanna herself is in a wheelchair, slumped over.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
David Melek