Only the Weak Are Strong

Have you ever noticed that often at the very moment you feel spiritually dedicated and strong, you get hit with a wave of temptation or hardship? First, let’s not be fooled, it’s the “good” and “perfect” gifts that come from God (James 1:16-17). This was written right after a segment about how it’s the devil who sends us temptations. But then, there’s the truth that struggles make us stronger, trials make us tougher, and problems make us patient (James 1:2-4). There’s a principle at work here that Christians should notice: God is ok with our weaknesses, because when we acknowledge them, He can do great things with them...and with us.

As a prime example of this idea, Paul wrote (and lived) this: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30). But, I’m tough, rich, popular, powerful, and beautiful. If you boast in these things, you are none of them. So, how does this work?

Paul said that the only boasting to be done should be about Christ…or our own weaknesses.  He told of how he had some physical problem that he wanted the Lord to remove so that he could be stronger…better. To which Jesus replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:5-10). The bottom line is, only when you are ready to humble yourself and exalt Christ can you ever be strong. God uses the foolish, the weak, the low, and the despised to show His might so that “no human being might boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

So, "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

----Darrell Powell

From Misery to Melody

           Songs can teach, encourage, even move us.  The right song can give us courage, like the time Darrell, the high-schooler, listened to “Standing Outside the Fire” until I felt brave enough to call a girl I thought I’d like to ask out.  But sometimes our hearts are just too heavy to turn to music.  The notes weigh heavy on our souls, so we sit in silence.  But in those times, God hears a special melody.

            The chorus of a song I like reads: “We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody. Beautiful, the mess we are, The honest cries of breaking hearts are better than a Hallelujah [sometimes].” I admit I wasn’t sure I liked this idea at first. I know God doesn’t take joy in my misery. But He does know the reality of all my pain. God’s joy isn’t in my suffering, it is in His opportunity to help me when I hurt. After all, His “power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9).

            He also “hears a melody” as He is causing everything to “work together for good” for His children. (Romans 8:28). God knows there’s trouble in this world. He felt it all for Himself (Hebrews 12:2). But He watches every day as our tragedies become anchors of strength in our lives. He sees us as our heartbreaks give us wisdom and patience that help us aid another person when they feel the same pain we once felt. And He knows that all these things will turn out alright. Dr. Cecil May recently wrote that God’s providential care is always present, though it isn’t always what we expect, on our time table, and sometimes only in eternity. 

My greatest confidence in adversity is gleaned from Paul’s inspired words in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” All of our pain is only for a little while, and rest is a quickly approaching reality.

----Darrell Powell

Backwoods Christian Camp (Is It Worth A Week Of Your Time?)

What is so special about Backwoods Christian Camp?  Isn’t it rough and rugged and without many of the modern conveniences that make life so easy?  No WIFI, no TV, and no SMART PHONES!?!  Why would anyone want to go there?  Here are a few reasons why I go:  

It is almost an everyday occurrence for a simple glance at the beautiful river, mountains, or starlit sky to spark a meaningful conversation about our awesome Creator.  When I am at Backwoods, looking in any direction makes me want to proclaim: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1).

Young people (and adults) who would normally have been playing video games or watching TV if they had been at home find themselves wanting to spend the late evenings in life-changing Bible studies.  At BCC you can always find someone to study or pray with.  Many souls have been saved because of the spiritual atmosphere that you will find there.  Maybe you are in need of new friends who genuinely care about you.

I’ve heard people talk about getting their “spiritual battery charged” when they attend a week of BCC.  This makes sense when you consider that in one week at camp you will hear around five sermons, eight Bible classes, fourteen devotionals or Bible studies, and be a part of at least 4 singing sessions (not including the occasions when singing breaks out at various places throughout the days). 

I guess a simple way of putting it is that a week at Backwoods Christian Camp is what I wish life in the “real world” were like.  It is filled with worship of the almighty God, fellowship with Christians and others who are seeking the truth, and so much joy.  Christians there seem to forget the fears they had about sharing Christ with those around them.  I mean it when I say that everybody is somebody when they are there.  You are invited to spend a week at BCC with the Walnut Street Church Of Christ July 7-12, 2013.  Call 334-382-3001 for details.

----Darrell Powell

The Few

I remember years ago, when I’d only been in Greenville, AL for a year or two, I was discouraged about some indifference in those I was trying to teach. I was feeling like a failure because I just couldn’t convince all the youth to “buy into” what we were trying to do here.  I took this discouragement to Jerry Barr and I’ve always remembered what he said to me. He said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

He further explained to me that he had almost driven himself into a deep depression in the past because, as an elder, he was responsible for every soul at the Walnut St. church of Christ, and there were always those who stood on the outside, never giving their lives completely to God. But Jesus Himself tells us that there will always be more people on the wide way that leads to destruction.

This isn’t a white flag, give up on the sinners and hypocrites message. On the contrary, Jesus’ point…and Jerry’s point, was that living for God is a full-time commitment. To stay on that strait and narrow way, takes wholehearted service. It is a big responsibility to keep OURSELVES in the love of God (Jude 1:21), and to bear our OWN burdens (Galatians 6:5). Then we also must turn our attention to the interests and burdens of others (Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:2). 

This concern that we MUST feel for others is healthy and needed for our own spiritual wellbeing.  But we mustn’t let it consume us to the extent that we become discouraged and unfaithful ourselves. As noted above, Paul taught that there are burdens and sins that we can help one another bear, but the final burden (Judgment) we must bear alone. (Romans 14:10)

----Darrell Powell

Who is Wise?

Knowing it all is one thing; knowing the ONE who truly does know it all is another. --Buddah. James asks the question to which we’d all like to know the answer in James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Who DOESN’T want to know the right thing to do, the right thing to say, at just the right moment, and in just the right way? But how can I ever be like that? The answer lies much more in what I’m willing to TRUST God to do in my life than in how great I am.

The quick answer given in this text is: “By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” How do you know if someone is wise?? He obeys God in meekness. Jesus put it this way: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  (Mat 7:24) Follow with me in James 3:14 and following, where James gives us a few more details that describe heavenly wisdom.

Read James 3:14-18 and first what wisdom is NOT. What is bitter jealousy?...selfish ambition?  James, through inspiration, explains that where these characteristics exist, wisdom does not exist. Even more troubling than that: EVERY VILE PRACTICE can find its way into our lives through jealousy and selfishness. It is important to note that we ALL have varying degrees of these qualities…the question is, will we allow them to live in us without challenging them and working to get rid of them?

Wisdom IS: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” The best way to force evil out of our hearts is to replace it with good. (Rom 12:21) Think right now about some practical ways you could replace bitter jealousy and selfish ambition with one of the traits of “the wisdom from above.” Imagine your life with the positive changes and do what it takes to BECOME that person. With God all things are possible!

----Darrell Powell