Acorns From Oakes

EVERLASTING NEWNESS

oakesclan — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:31:05 +0000

Surely if any society ever enjoyed newness, it is ours. We want the latest in fashion, technology and ideology. Many of our products are made so as to not be repairable or so as to not be cost-effectively repairable. And while this drives Mr. Fixits crazy, the purpose is to get us to simply buy another one…a new one…one with the latest features. The problem is that “new” does not last. New cars soon get dinged, dented and stained with coffee or coke. New furniture soon shows the signs of wear. New carpet fades. And new gadgets? Well, let’s not even mention those, except to say that at today’s speed of improved versions, the item you are bringing home from purchase is likely obsolete by the time you get home. New and cute puppies quickly grow up into troublesome adult dogs. New jobs, new friends, new years, new marriages…new anythings may soon begin to lose lustre.

I’d like you to read the following selection from Isaiah’s 43^rd chapter, verses 18 & 19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” This is Jehovah God speaking. And when God does new, He does it right! The people He addresses had been shattered by their sinning. They are in captivity. They are fresh out of hope. But God promises these folks who are old before their time, that He is doing something new. He will deliver them and bring them home. I love how God does new.

In the New Testament, in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (5:17), we find this written: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” To be in Christ, is to be new. It doesn’t matter how long ago you entered Him, you are new! It doesn’t matter how many birthdays you’ve had, you are new, if you are in Christ! He is able to make us new with everlasting newness. Belonging to Jesus never gets old, even as we age. It gets sweeter and sweeter as the years go by. And this is true not because of us, but because of our Wonderful Savior. I urge you to discover this truth for yourself. Get into the Bible and learn of Him. You will find that belonging to Him, growing in your understanding of Him, serving His cause, while it may not be easy and it may wear you out, will find you enjoying a newness between you and Him that will never go away. May the newness Father God brings humans be yours in this new but rapidly aging year!

For You

oakesclan — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:31:29 +0000

He left heaven…He left heaven…He left heaven…to come for you!

He became human that you might become spiritual.

He became poor that you might be rich.

He knew hunger that you might be filled.

He faced weariness that you might find rest.

He had no place to lay His head that you might come home.

He faced loneliness to bring you into fellowship.

He wept that you might rejoice.

He was rejected that you might be accepted.

He was hounded that you might know peace.

He was given that you might receive.

He was not received by even His own, that you might be welcomed into an eternal kingdom.

He was fiercely tempted that you might know He understands.

He faced repeated dangers that you might be safe.

He was wounded, bruised, chastised and whipped, so much that He no longer appeared human that you might be healed.

He died for enemies, for friends, for those who cared and those who didn’t that all of us might have life.

He rose again that you might be justified.

He lives! He reigns! He intercedes! He cares! He listens! He acts, as always, in your best interests!

Now…what will you do with all this?

Merry Christmas!

A Child…A Son…Isaiah 9:6

oakesclan — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:31:30 +0000

The Prophet’s words were to give hope to a nation (and to an entire world) which was under the judgment of God because of their evil. But all hope was not to be extinguished, so he comforts them with these words, “To us a Child is born…” Very well, but weren’t children born every day? True…however, this Child…though He was similar in many respects to other children…was also very different.

A Child is born. Children are proof that God hasn’t completely given up on the world. Children are a gift of promise. They offer a chance…a chance to love…to be unselfish…to sacrifice…to train…to teach…to learn…to serve…to show tenderness…to feel compassion…a chance to do better.

Children are joy-bringers. They major in joy. They inspire it and delight in it. When Jesus was born there was great praise offered. There was angelic singing. Joy and peace were the score upon which the music of hope was written. Lowly shepherds worshipped. People who lived in darkness saw a Great Light. A star marked the way to Him. A mother who had said, “Yes!” to God, knew that something special was underway. A stepfather, watching, felt a pride well up in him…for such a wife…for such a Son. The Heavenly Father delighted in the scene for which the ages had waited. And with it all, He was very well pleased.

The Child born soon became the Son given…born to us…given for us. Given to loneliness…to hardship…to weariness…given to hunger…to thirst…to temptations…given to criticism…to poverty…to misunderstanding…to hate…given to tears…to sufferings…to love…given to service…to helping…to healing…given to fellowship…to teaching…to believing in others and helping them believe also in His belief in them…given to listening…to prayer…to fasting…given to truth…to loyalty…to God’s righteousness…given for our saving…to beatings, spittle, thorns, a cross and to cruel death…given to the tomb…given to life again…and given yet again whenever penitent souls open their hearts to receive Him as Savior.

For to us a Child is born…God’s promise of joy to the world, peace on earth, and good will to mankind. For to us a Son is given…God’s proof…of love to one and all…of how much He wants us home with Him…of the sacrificial lengths to which He has gone for you…for me…for all. Please don’t turn away from the finest Gift of all!

Why You Still Believe…

oakesclan — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:45:47 +0000

Alright…didn’t generate much discussion with the last post. Not sure who or how many even check in here anymore. I guess everything runs its course.

But I thought I’d ask you another question. Why do you believe in Father God, Brother/Savior Jesus and the Servant Spirit Who broods over the work of God? I’m not looking for Bible Class answers or what are referred to as “Classic Arguments” for the existence of God. Not that those aren’t important and very helpful. They are. But I’m wanting to know…in those moments when something has shaken your faith (that does happen to you as it does to me, doesn’t it?)…in such moments, what do you consider…what comes to your mind…what do you focus on…that causes you to reel it all in and say, “Yes, but this helps me know God is real…that He cares…that He’s working…and one day it will all be clear?!” What is God using to do that for you?

Let’s Talk

oakesclan — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:16:43 +0000

Ths Psalmist wrote, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God“ (Psalms 14:1a NIV).

I have been in discussion with one who thinks this statement is true of everyone who doesn’t believe in the God of the Bible.

What do you think? Is this statement true across the board?

Do You Believe This?

oakesclan — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:30:07 +0000

Really it all comes down to this, don’t you think?

He said, “Your sins will I remember no more.” Do you believe this?

He said He rescues people (like us) because He delights in them. Do you believe this?

He revealed that He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him. Do you believe this?

He said that He works all things to the good of those who love Him. Do you believe this?

He said that nothing is off the table, but that all things are possible to him or to her that believes. Do you believe this?

He said that He would never fail, forget or forsake us. Do you believe this?

He said that even if one who believes in Him dies, yet shall he or she live; and that whoever was both alive and a believer in Him would never die. Then He asked, “Do you believe this?”

My sisters…my brothers…my friends…can you, dare you, do you believe this?

Easier Said…

oakesclan — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:21:07 +0000

Maybe it comes with age…but for some time now I’ve tried to better weigh my words as a Bible teacher. I’m aware that we can’t always qualify our words…in the interest of time or because of circumstances we are not always free to do so. But…whenever we can, I’m leaning toward the idea that we should. For instance, one day a young man named Joseph left home on an errand from his father. He had no idea that it would be twenty-two years before he would see his father again. In a few brief sentences I may talk of that young man of faith…of his dreams…of how he held on to them and to right-living when no one was watching. I may rush to the happy scene of re-union with his father and show how his dreams were all fulfilled. And all of that is true. But it’s not the whole truth, is it? Twenty-two years are made up of 8030 days that Joseph had to get through…away from home, sold as a slave, wondering why his brothers didn’t end their cruel joke and then wondering why his father didn’t come looking for him, life as a slave, wrongfully accused, life as a prisoner, thinking about how far he seemed from his dreams now. And every one of those 8030 days had a matching night connected to them. What did he think about through those long nights? How did his heart yearn? Did he ever think, “If this is how I am rewarded for trying to do right, what’s the point?” Well, he was human wasn’t he? But he didn’t ultimately give in to such thoughts. Twenty-two years! It’s not right to continually pass over them with a sentence or two…or to say, “Well, Joseph just did what he should have done!” It’s not fair to Joseph. We don’t adequately assess this young man of God if we do that.

To fairly judge the life of a person, we need to know more than what they said or did. We need to have an idea of what they were up against. Did they fail in some way? Yes? Okay! That’s bad. We are not happy about that. We hoped for better…and had a right to. BUT, how hard and how long did the person struggle against the wrong before they fell? What pressures were they facing? What went wrong in them or in their lives leading up to the wrong committed? To accept that the wrong a Christian does is the “whole” story of their life may not be correct at all. And if we truly care, we will try to look into it with an open heart. I’m not saying the wrong is to be accepted or looked over…I’m asking how are we going to treat the sinning Christian? The answer to that question surely hangs upon more than their sin. It is perilously easier to say something than to think about it first.

Our Lord looked at three tired disciples on that terrible night in Gethsemane. He was needing their help, and they were needing to give it. It was in His best interest and theirs that they watch and pray. They didn’t get it done. But Jesus doesn’t simply condemn them for their poor performance. He credits them with having willing spirits but weak flesh. He didn’t throw them over. He continued to work on them and in them. And the rest is…as they say…history.

As we read our Bibles and as we work with other humans who fail just as much as we ourselves do, let’s try not to be simplistic. Let’s be patient enough to look a little deeper…to think for a moment about what it would be like for us if we had been there or if we had been them. Sometimes it’s all bad news. I know that. But sometimes we make it worse than it has to be. And sometimes we miss the heroism there may be even in failure. May we learn to look with Christ’s eyes and heart. May we remember that we are not God and cannot possibly take everything into account that God does. Then…let us respond accordingly. What do you think?

Why Isn’t He Ashamed?

oakesclan — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:34:15 +0000

There are many remarkable truths recorded in God’s Word. And one of the most remarkable things is mentioned in Hebrews 2:11b. The text says this: “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”

So I was wondering, “Why isn’t He ashamed?” I am. I have been ashamed of my spiritual brothers from time to time. They have done ugly things…horrible things…things that reflected dishonorably on the church and on their Lord.

I have often been ashamed of myself for all the low, petty, selfish, insensitive, lazy, careless, thoughtless and foolish sins I’ve committed across the years…as well as for those that I still commit. So why wouldn’t He be ashamed of one like me…so deserving of shame?

Why did God attach himself to the young David? Why did He identify David as “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)? Did He not know what the future held for David? Was He taken by surprise when the man, the king, David committed the horrible sins in connection with Bathseba? Why did He then, in speaking with Solomon, go on record after David’s life was over and sum up the totality of his life with this epitaph: And if you walk in My ways and obey My statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life”(1 Kings 3:14)?

Wonder of wonders, God is not ashamed to be my God (Hebrews 11:16), and Jesus is not ashamed to call me brother (Hebrews 2:11)!

What do you think about that?

I’m Done

oakesclan — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:53:51 +0000

I don’t know exactly when I took over. I don’t even think I really meant to do it. It may have been that I grew frustrated and then disappointed with the job I thought he was doing. But whatever was my rationale…it was a bad mistake. But I can tell you this for sure…I want out! I don’t want to do it anymore…not ever again!

It was an unbearable load…an oppressive burden. I got so weary of being “right.” One might assume that knowing all the answers would be an enviable position…it’s not!

When the credits rolled after various episodes in the drama of life…the first line read…in the role of God, Doug Oakes. I’ve notified my agent. I don’t plan to play God again in my life.

This means that several things, previously rare for me, will be occurring regularly. I will say, “I don’t know” often. It means I will stop trying to press God into my pre-formed mold. It means that I will sometimes (maybe often) be surprised at what God does, and I won’t feel like He blew it by not consulting me. It means that I will be even more uncomfortable in the face of life’s dilemmas. It means I am out of the business of judging the hearts of people and out of the business of telling people what they should do. God knows those Who are His. I don’t. Certainly not in every case. And since I don’t know them all, I will just keep trying to bring as many as I can to Him. It means as I read His Word, it will be in order to try to understand and obey it…and not simply so I can tell others what I expect of them. And it will mean that I will struggle to try to be consistent in how I apply His Word…and the fact that I will be inconsistent won’t keep me from trying.

And whatever else it means…I’m finished playing God. And if I could be finished once and for all forever, I would be. But since I know I’m human, I’m sure I will trespass on God’s turf again in the future…but I pray I will be brought back to reality quickly by one or another of His many clear, unmistakeable “no-trespassing” signs.

Only God is God! And He is great and greatly to be be praised!

No One Left Behind

oakesclan — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:59:58 +0000

Several years ago, the Bush administration came up with an educational plan which was termed, “No child left behind.” This was another measure in the ongoing struggle to better the results in our school systems. And though the results of this program may not match the hopes for it, surely one has to embrace the idea of leaving no child behind.

I mention this because recently someone asked me to list a specific reason why I love Jesus Christ. Of course there are so very many anwers to that question. But I needed to be specific…and so I thought, “One thing I love about Jesus is the way everyone counted with Him.” I mean, don’t you love that about Him too?

One of the most important things we humans do for one another, which reflects esteem, is to listen attentively. Jesus listened to people of power…but He also paid just as close attention to people of no power. He was able to be with rich people and with poor people alike. He turned toward those that everyone else turned away from. I know (because I can read it in my Bible) that if I were a child in His presence, Jesus would take me into His arms and comfort me, love me, bless me. If I were a leper, He would still reach out and touch me. If I were a foreigner, He would let me know that I, too, could have faith and a real future. If I were a woman, He would listen to me, respect me, involve me, save me. If I were unclean, He would change that. If I were out of my mind, He would bring me to myself and to Him. If I couldn’t see, He would be my light. If I couldn’t smile, He would be my joy. If I couldn’t sing, He would give me a brand new beautiful song. If I couldn’t walk, He would hold me up and help me along. If I were a hypocrite who looked down on everyone else, He would be to me what I most needed…stern, truthful, but still He would love me and hold out the possibility that I could change. If I were a slave, He would let me breath true freedom’s air. If I were a hated tax man, He would love me into forgiveness and honesty. And if I were caught in the very act of shameful, embarrassing, inexcusable evil, He would devise a way to restore my dignity and allow me to go free with a brand new choice…the choice to go and no longer give myself to such evil, because of Him. Whether I was the most selfless or the most self-absorbed…whether I was likeable or disagreeable…whether I was cynical or inclined toward belief…whether I was from the right or wrong side of the tracks…whether female or male…free or enslaved…educated or unschooled…whether religious or not…I know Jesus would have cared…would have worked for my good…would have wanted me with Him. Don’t you think so?