Posts Tagged ‘truth’

27 Nov

Help my unbelief

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Apostle Paul, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, Daily Devotional, discipline, Faith, Jesus, Oswald Chambers, Prayer, Simple Living, spiritual, Thanksgiving. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

The phrase “Help my unbelief” comes from Mark 9:24, where a desperate father pleads with Jesus to heal his son, saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”. This powerful request acknowledges the human struggle with doubt, while expressing a desire to be faithful.

How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives in him should be psalms of irrepressible, triumphant belief. –Oswald Chambers

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. –Galatians 2:20*

So how does a Christian live by faith in Jesus?  I’ve often asked myself this question as I ponder life. I think I might be getting closer to finding the answer.

“Keep the faith baby!” We’ve all heard this or something similar. So how much faith is enough?  In Matthew 17, Jesus tells us that faith “the size of a mustard seed” is enough to move a mountain. Hmmm, I have a couple of pretty big mountains in my life that I want to move, but so far, they’re still there to greet me every morning when I awake.  Apparently, I lack the ability to muster even a tiny mustard seed worth of faith—and this frustrates and disappoints me.

Happily, I believe I might have found the root cause of my failure. My faith lacks persistence. Paul points to persistence in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, which exhorts us to, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If one meditates on this short passage, I believe they’ll find that it contains some pretty tough marching orders.

Persistent faith is surrendering one’s will to God’s will, not a product of personal willpower, but a result of trusting His plan for your life, even when it’s unclear to you. This act of surrender means relinquishing personal control and aligning one’s life with a higher purpose, leading to strength and peace found in God’s wisdom rather than one’s own. It is an ongoing process of daily submission, acknowledging one’s own limitations and trusting in God’s provision.  

Matthew 14:29-31 is a wonderful example of impersistent faith.  As Jesus is walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee, he approaches the boat where his disciples are struggling in a violent storm. “Come,” he said (to Peter). Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

In this lesson, Peter was doing fine while he focused on Jesus, but when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the great wind of the storm he began to doubt. Like a new military recruit struggling to qualify with his weapon on a rifle range, Peter failed because he took his eye off the target, Jesus.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James1:2-3

As I’ve noted before, Jesus was and remains the God of the Impossible for those who come to him as their Lord and Savior. I believe this in my heart.  Believing is easy when things are going my way. I’m trying hard to learn how to put this into action when the going gets too tough for me to handle. Every day I try to meditate on Psalm 143 as part of my daily devotions. I find verses 8 – 10 to be a great source of encouragement and comfort, especially when I feel overwhelmed by life. I hope you might find them equally useful.

 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.  

On this national holiday dedicated to giving thanks, let us give thanks to the Lord our God for all his blessings and provision in the past year and in the years to come. May He lead us all on level ground.

Now Thank We All Our God, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7gMDXylzW8

*All Bible quotes are NIV

5 Jun

Enduring truths for recent graduates

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Choices, christ, Christian, Christianity, discipline, Faith, graduates, graduation, Jesus, jobs, Religion, Self-discipline, simplicity, spiritual, work. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

Thirteen years ago I wrote an article  for my newspaper column with some advice for recent grads.  It has become one of the most popular pieces I ever wrote. I’ve received dozens of emails thanking me for writing it.  Therefore, I decided to  republish it annually around graduation time.  I hope some of you might find it useful.  Although I wrote it specifically for recent high school graduates, I believe it is equally applicable to recent college graduates.

For those who are graduating high school this year and beginning the long transition into adulthood, I’d like to offer you a gift. Here are five enduring truths I have learned. They will help you through life’s journey.

Choices

“If you decide to just go with the flow, you’ll end up where the flow goes, which is usually downhill, often leading to a big pile of sludge and a life of unhappiness. You’ll end up doing what everyone else is doing.” ― Sean Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

 Life will deal you an endless string of choices along the way.  Some will be trivial, like deciding what to wear today.  Others will be weighty and their outcomes will affect you forever.  Weighty decisions should always be preceded by much thought and soul searching.  This includes decisions about who you date or marry, what you put into your body, bringing children into the world, what you do for a living, how much debt you incur and who you associate with.

All of these decisions will have a lasting effect on your life. Therefore, make them slowly and deliberately. Often you’ll discover that the right choice is not the easiest one.  A habit of making poor choices will, as the Sean Covey quote suggests, drag your life downhill.

I was recently contacted by a young man who had just received a bad conduct discharge from the Navy.  He asked me how the discharge would impact his future employability.  His mistake was choosing to drive a car while intoxicated and hitting a pedestrian. Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously injured. Had it been otherwise, the young sailor would probably be in prison.  It was my sad responsibility to inform him that with some employers the discharge would be a black mark for life. Choices matter!

 Learning

“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”    ―Vernon Saunders Law, former professional baseball pitcher and Cy Young Award winner

Some of you will go on to college or technical school.  Others will enter the workforce.  Even if your formal education is over, don’t quit learning. Make learning a lifelong adventure.  I did my undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky.  The school offers a fellowship program for individuals aged 65 and older to attend classes tuition free. Every year numerous senior citizens walk the stage to receive degrees ranging from Associate of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy.  It’s never too late to learn.

Even if you don’t choose to continue formal learning, make it point to learn from life. Observe others; note their successes and failures; then learn from their experiences.  More importantly, learn from your own mistakes.

Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned, particularly those while serving in uniform, were the result of having made a terrible mistake.  This sort of lesson sticks, like the first time you grab the handle of a hot iron skillet with your bare hand.  The key to learning from mistakes is owning them.  Admit your mistakes and then move on, having learned something from the experience.  Don’t let, “It wasn’t my fault,” be part of your vocabulary.

 Work

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”  ―Colin Powell, retired U.S. Army four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of State

Work isn’t always fun. If it were, they’d call it play.  Work can be downright unpleasant, but it’s an essential element of life! Along the way you’re going to have jobs you won’t like. Note what you don’t like and make it a point to improve yourself, so you’ll never again have to work at such a job.

Accepting a job means submitting to the authority of those placed over you.  Learn to work within this system.   You’ll inevitably have bosses you don’t like.  Learn to respect the position, if not the individual.

Fairness

“Life is not fair; get used to it.” ―Bill Gates, founder and former CEO, Microsoft Corporation

You will hear much discussion about fairness in this life. It’s all hot air.  Life isn’t fair.  Some good people die young, while some bad people live a long life.   Disease sometimes strikes arbitrarily, for no apparent reason.  Some people prosper while others suffer failure. A death or accident can change your life forever.

There is randomness to life that can’t be avoided.  Don’t expect kindness to be returned with kindness.  Don’t expect generosity to be returned with generosity.  The best choice is to be fair and kind to others and learn to accept what they return to you.

A wise man named Harry Browne ran for president of the United States on the Libertarian Party ticket. On Christmas day in 1966, Browne wrote his young daughter a letter aptly titled, “A Gift for My Daughter.”  I encourage every graduating senior to read it and digest it. In the letter, he explains to his daughter that, “Nobody owes you anything.”  Understanding what Browne meant can truly bless you. You can find it at: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2015/12/harry-brownes-christmas-letter-to-his-daughter/  .

Faith

“A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.”  ―Victor Hugo

I once had a senior Army officer tell me he preferred to work with men who possessed spiritual values, regardless of their religion.  He explained that having faith in a power higher than one’s self was an indicator of how one will perform under pressure; in this instance, the pressure meant combat.

Too many people place their faith in all the wrong places.  It might be in wealth, celebrity, good looks, talent, or even government.  Whatever the case, misplaced faith leads to disappointment after disappointment.

To avoid these disappointments, put your faith in God alone.  You, your loved ones and your friends will all inevitably let you down, but God will never fail you.

22 Feb

Declaring Jesus “Lord”

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Apostle Paul, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Culture, discipleship, Jesus, Politics, Religion, simplicity, trust. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

A Roman Centurion kneels before Jesus

The Apostle Paul frequently emphasized the importance of declaring Jesus as “Lord” and believing in His resurrection from the dead for salvation. This declaration might sound fairly straightforward at first, but upon closer examination it raises deep theological and spiritual questions regarding the early Church as it existed in the Roman Empire. In his letter to the Romans, Paul says plainly, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9*). So, what does Paul teach us about declaring Jesus as one’s personal Lord?

Context

The early Christian church grew up in a Roman-dominated world that was highly influenced by Greek literature, philosophy, art, and other lesser facets of Greek culture.  The term “lord” (Greek: kyrios) was generally used to denote authority and ownership. It was a title often bestowed upon emperors, kings, gods, and other figures of ultimate authority. Those who watched Game of Thrones might recall hearing someone commanded to “bend the knee,” i.e. bow before another, often under a threat of death, and swear to faithfully serve them.  

By urging believers to declare Jesus as “Lord,” Paul was challenging Roman culture and Rome’s political good order. This declaration was a direct affront to a large number of Romans who professed Caesar as the ultimate “lord.” Paul’s assertion that Jesus is Lord was a declaration of His ultimate authority, above all earthly rulers and powers.

In this context, Paul’s message becomes a threat of insurrection. To declare Jesus as “Lord” was to “bend the knee” to Him above all other authority. It demands a complete makeover of one’s life and priorities, aligning them with Jesus’ teachings and the example of how He lived. For early Christians, declaring Jesus “Lord” was much more than a public profession of faith. It was a dangerous political declaration that invited Roman persecution and risked ostracism in public, religious, and political sectors.

Pronouncing Jesus as “Lord” encompasses several key aspects of Christian beliefs. Foremost, it acknowledges Jesus’ divinity. In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul describes how God exalted Jesus and bestowed upon Him “the name that is above every name,” such that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This passage highlights the divine authority and honor accorded to Jesus, reinforcing His central role in God’s plan of salvation that has existed from God’s foundation of the world.

Pronouncing Jesus “Lord” affirms His sovereignty over every facet of one’s life. It implies a surrender to Jesus’ will and guidance, trusting in His lordship to guide and transform one’s life. This declaration is inseparably linked to the believer’s acknowledgment of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Paul points to the resurrection as definitive proof of Jesus’ divine power and authority. The resurrection is a transformative truth in that it enables believers to live in accordance with Jesus’ teachings.

Personal Transformation

On an individual level, declaring Jesus as “Lord” signifies a deep internal transformation. It requires a conscious decision to turn away from sin and self-centeredness and embrace a life of discipleship. Christian discipleship is marked by love, humility, and service. Paul describes this transformation in terms of a “new creation” in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and “putting on the new self” in Ephesians 4:24. These highlight the radical change in personal priorities and purpose that occur when one becomes abandoned to Jesus.

Declaring Jesus “Lord” is the central point of unity and shared identity among believers, who are often referred to as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” With Jesus as “Lord” Christians are joined together in a common faith and mission. This communal aspect is evident in Paul’s frequent use of the metaphor of the body of Christ, where each believer is a member with unique gifts and roles, all contributing to the health and growth of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The lordship of Jesus rises above cultural, social, racial, and ethnic divisions, creating a diverse yet highly cohesive community of faith. Praise the Lord!

Doxology

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38-39

* All Bible quotations are NIV unless otherwise noted.

Copilot AI was used to assist with historical research for this article. 

27 Jan

These fearful times

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, christ, Christian, Christianity, control, depression, end times, Faith, Fear, Holy Week, Hope, Jesus, peace, Politics, Prayer, President of the United States, Religion, rest, Risk, Safe Space, simplicity, spiritual, Tornados, war, Weather. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Jesus calming the storm

On January 20th Donald Trump was sworn in (again) as President of the United States.  For some Americans it was a day of celebration, while for others it was a day of dread and fear. This is not uncommon when the political pendulum makes a big swing to the left or right in this country. The media circus on both left and right during the presidential campaign and since has been enough to depress just about anyone who listens or reads too much news.

Just in case the noise of partisan politics hasn’t depressed you, we’ve been bombarded lately with news of torrential rains, mudslides, hail storms, wildfires in LA, tornados and hurricanes in places they don’t belong, and snow on our Gulf coast beaches. Then there are wars and rumors of war around the globe, like in Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Somalia, Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and elsewhere.

These are indeed fear-provoking times. Sometimes it looks like no one is in charge. The good news is that there’s one great master plan in motion for all mankind, and neither Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping or any other man is in control. God is still in control of everything in creation and always will be. 

Not long before he died, the Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, recorded a homily titled, A Comforting Message in Fearful Times. Just as the Apostle Paul encourages believers to “put on the full armor of God” in Ephesians 6, Dr. Stanley’s message encourages us to “soak” our minds and hearts in the word of God, where believers can find peace, comfort, and courage in the midst of the spiritual warfare surrounding our daily lives. Dr. Stanley cites a treasure trove of scripture during the homily, which I have listed below. I encourage you to read through the entire list, then go back and look at each passage in the context of the full chapter it comes from.   

Philippians 4:6-7 — “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.

Psalm 16:7-8 — “I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”.

Psalm 4:8 — “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety”.

Psalm 27:1 — “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread”?

Psalm 139:23 — “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there’s any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way”.

Psalm 138:7 — “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me”.

Psalm 138:8 — “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting”.

Psalm 138:3 — “On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul”.

Philippians 4:19 — “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.

Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you with my righteous right hand”.

John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.

1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

Psalm 121:1-8 — “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He will keep you and He will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever”.

Isaiah 54:17 — “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment, you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me”, declares the Lord.

Psalm 32:7 — “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble. You surround me with songs of deliverance”.

Psalm 94:19 — “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delights my soul”.

Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me”.

Psalm 139:3 — “You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways”.

All in all, the difference between the believers and non-believers is this: in tough situations the believer accepts God’s wisdom and control. His prayer is for patience and to say as Jesus said, “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42b). On the other hand, the non-believer challenges God, neglecting to believe in Him unless he has proof. (Based on a sermon by Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour).

A comforting message in fearful times – by Dr. Charles Stanley. Safe Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2OKUg8NQY8

22 Dec

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Advent, advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, forgiveness, Religion, Salvation, simplicity, Sin, spiritual. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Everyone Needs a Savior

Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is quickly approaching. As we prepare for a merry celebration of his birth, let us not forget that he came to us as a Savior, destined to suffer agony and death for you and for me. Jesus is the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). God did not send us his only begotten son out of pity for mankind. He was sent because only God’s son was a sufficient sacrifice to take away the sin that dwells in all of us. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Everyone needs a savior. I hope you enjoy this reblog from December 21, 2017.

28 Nov

So thankful

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, Bible, Christian, Christianity, death, Disaster, Faith, family, forgiveness, Friends, health, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, joy, love, peace, Prayer, Religion, simplicity, spiritual, Tornados, Weather. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Our nation has endured an extraordinary series of natural disasters over the past few months, including hurricanes, tornados, torrential rains, devastating floods, and enormous wildfires. If you’ve tuned in to the evening news lately you’ve probably seen disaster victims who have lost nearly all of their material possessions. Despite suffering tremendously, many of these people express gratitude for the simple fact that they are alive and still have their family and friends. They get it!

As I grow older, the things that truly matter in my life have become crystal clear. These are Faith, Family, Friends, and Freedom. I call them the 4Fs and I’ve written about them several times over the decade that I’ve written this blog. 

Today, as we mark the annual Thanksgiving holiday, I’m offering a special thanks for my friends. I’ve heard it said that families are issued to you, but you choose your friends. This is just one of the many things that makes true friends so special.

So, what is a true friend?  I don’t have all the answers, but here are some characteristics of my true friends that I’ve observed over the years:

  • They are there for you when others walk away.
  • They meet you where you are, warts, wrinkles, and all.
  • They are forgiving.
  • They will make time for you, even when they haven’t the time to spare.
  • They expect nothing in return and do not keep score.
  • They are good listeners.
  • They respect confidentiality.
  • They tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
  • They say, “Wow, you really made a mess of this! Now how can I help you fix it?”
  • They walk beside you in the demon filled valleys, propping you up.
  • They are at their best when you are at your worst.

A number of my dear friends are currently struggling with serious life challenges. These include the early onset of dementia, the death of a spouse, a spouse developing dementia, a spouse with cancer, a child abusing alcohol, and a child suffering with seizures. The longer one lives the more frequently such challenges seem to occur. So now I lift them up to the Lord.

Lord, hear my prayer.  Father God, I pray for my friends who are struggling.  I pray that you will grant them mercy and peace. You know exactly what they need at this moment. Draw near to them and let them feel your presence. Open their eyes, ears, and hearts to you. Protect them from the attacks of the evil one and shelter them in your loving arms.  I pray this in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

Sirach 6:14-16 (RSV)

Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:
    whoever finds one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price;
    no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
    and those who fear the Lord will find them.

19 Aug

Going home

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Apostle Paul, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, Hope, Jesus, Religion, rest, simplicity, spiritual, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

My home is in heaven.  I’m just traveling through this world.  –Billy Graham

I served 24 years of active duty in the US Army. For my entire career my sweet wife stood by my side, sacrificing her own career in order to accommodate my needs. I was gone a lot, but somehow along the way we managed to birth and raise two children. We moved over a dozen times during my career.  More than once we moved three times in a single year. This was done so that I could attend short, specialized training courses and schools between my permanent changes of station.

We lived in some wonderful locations, saw some incredible things, and had some great times. One thing we never had, however, was a place to call home. The idea of a place called home is almost magical for some people. Recall Dorothy’s most memorable line in the Wizard of Oz as she yearns to return to friends, family, and a little farm in Kansas, “There’s no place like home.”  Or as American pioneer and writer Laura Ingalls Wilder said, “Home is the nicest word there is. 

Then there’s this from Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., “For there we loved, and where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” Home means different things to people, but a common thread is the thought of being in a safe, comfortable place surrounded by those we love the most.

Unfortunately, many people yearn for home during their lives, but never find it. Saint Paul often spoke of heaven as every believer’s true home. In Corinthians 2 5:1* he says:

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

Here, Paul compares our temporary physical bodies to a tent and contrasts it with an “eternal house in heaven,” highlighting the permanence and divine nature of our heavenly home.

In Philippians 1:23-24, Paul writes:

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”

And in Philippians 3:20, he writes:

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This verse emphasizes that our true citizenship is in heaven; it reinforces the idea that our ultimate home is with God.

The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou

Taken together, the preceding passages from Paul show he understood that while we live on earth temporarily, our true eternal home is in heaven with God. And like the prodigal son’s return to his father’s house, our Father in heaven eagerly awaits the day when all his children will return to their heavenly home. So, if you’re a believer with an unquenchable ache to go home and be at peace, rest assured in the knowledge that the Father is eagerly awaiting your return and will run to embrace you when you come home to your rightful place in heaven at His appointed time.

I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, no danger
In that bright land to which I go
I’m going there to see my father
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on

I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over home

— Wayfaring Stranger, song by Johnny Cash

*All Bible quotations are NIV.

1 Jun

Scary times

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Apostle Paul, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Climate, Culture, Disaster, Earthquake, Fear, Jesus, Oswald Chambers, peace, Prayer, Religion, simplicity, war. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. —Isaiah 41:13

Many people today fear a wide variety of things they see and hear around them. Fear is running rampant right here in America. Polls indicate that the majority of Americans now believe that their children’s lives will be harder than their own. They worry about unemployment and the economy. Many fear illegal immigration. Others are afraid to gather in public places for fear of violence. We see campus protests turn violent. School shootings don’t surprise us anymore.

On a cosmic scale we hear about giant solar flares that could destroy technology, pushing humankind back into the Stone Age. A large meteor or asteroid collision could destroy life on Earth.

In the natural world, we hear that a major eruption of a super volcano, like the one beneath Yellowstone National Park, could cause destruction and death on a planetary scale. Earthquakes and tsunamis in diverse places threaten millions of people. Climate change is blamed for killer storms, droughts, melting polar ice, coastal flooding, wildfires and more.

On the human plane, we read and hear about flesh eating bacteria, brain eating amoebas, and drug resistant bacteria and viruses. Abortion rights are a hot button topic that can trigger anger and rage. Some people hunker down in their homes, worried about riots, violence by and against the police, and other street violence. Others fear that computer hackers or scammers will steal their identities and wealth.  

There are wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and rumors of a global war that’s coming. Religious persecution is increasing around the globe. There is a growing wave of antisemitism right here in America. There are ample reasons for fear.

The Bible mentions two very different types of fear. The first is fear of the Lord. This fear is not associated with being scared. It is an awe and reverence of God and is to be encouraged. According to Psalm 111, fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and leads to rest and peace.

The second type of fear is detrimental. In the first chapter of 2 Timothy it is described as a “spirit of fear.” A person can be completely overcome by a spirit of fear, virtually frozen and unable to function. Such fear weighs a person down physically, emotionally and/or mentally.

Unfortunately, many Christians have succumbed to living with a spirit of fear. Some fear those of other religions and are reluctant to reach out to them in Christian love. Some fear those who are different from them culturally or racially. Others are hesitant to invite those in need into their lives for fear they might lose something or it might cost something. Some are afraid to leave the comfort of their homes and familiar surroundings in order to reach out to the needy. Others are hesitant to give of their wealth for fear they might later find themselves in need.

Many Christian fears boil down to a fear of losing something—possessions, comfort, safety, security. In Philippians chapter 3, verses 7-8, Paul describes how he has let go of the things of this world in order to focus on what is truly important:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

One can’t grasp Christ’s outstretched hand while clinging to things of this world. As David tells us in Psalm 34, verses 4-7:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

You may be facing a health crisis, unemployment, divorce, a call to Christian service, or other difficult challenges. Don’t live in fear. Take the fears you struggle with today and give them to the Lord in prayer. Make this a habit. I will not tell you to “let go and let God” because it makes letting go of fear sound so simple. Instead, I encourage you to explore the Bible and learn what it says about fear. Read and believe!

Begin with Psalm 23. Then read Psalm 118. Other relevant Psalms include 27, 34, 46, 61, 91, 103, and 121. Once you have read these Psalms, locate a red letter edition New Testament and read every word spoken by Jesus. Then read Paul’s epistles. Become steeped in scripture. Do this and you will be well on the way to giving your fears to the Lord.

The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.   —Oswald Chambers

*All Bible quotes are ESV.

14 May

Enduring Truths for Recent Graduates

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Choices, christ, Christian, Christianity, Consequences, discipline, Education, Fault, graduation, Hope, jobs, regrets, Self-discipline, simplicity, Words, work. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Across the country it’s graduation time. Here in South Dakota some schools have already closed for the summer. Most of those that remain open will close in the coming days. Everywhere one turns there’s another grad party. What awaits all these new grads? A decade ago I wrote an article  for my newspaper column with some advice for recent graduates. While it was aimed at high school graduates, it is also highly relevant to recent college grads. The article has become one of the most popular pieces I ever wrote. I’ve received hundreds of emails thanking me for taking the time to share it.  Therefore, I decided to  republish it annually around graduation time.  I hope some of you might find it useful.  You can view the original article in the Tribune-Democrat news at this link: http://goo.gl/LtN72

For those who are graduating high school this year and beginning the long transition into adulthood, I’d like to offer you a gift. Here are five enduring truths I have learned. They will help you through life’s journey.

Choices

“If you decide to just go with the flow, you’ll end up where the flow goes, which is usually downhill, often leading to a big pile of sludge and a life of unhappiness. You’ll end up doing what everyone else is doing.” ― Sean Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

 Life will deal you an endless string of choices along the way.  Some will be trivial, like deciding what to wear today.  Others will be weighty and their outcomes will affect you forever.  Weighty decisions should always be preceded by much thought and soul searching.  This includes decisions about who you date or marry, what you put into your body, bringing children into the world, what you do for a living, how much debt you incur and who you associate with.

All of these decisions will have a lasting effect on your life. Therefore, make them slowly and deliberately. Often you’ll discover that the right choice is not the easiest one.  A habit of making poor choices will, as the Sean Covey quote suggests, drag your life downhill.

I was recently contacted by a young man who had just received a bad conduct discharge from the Navy.  He asked me how the discharge would impact his future employability.  His mistake was choosing to drive a car while intoxicated and hitting a pedestrian. Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously injured. Had it been otherwise, the young sailor would probably be in prison.  It was my sad responsibility to inform him that with some employers the discharge would be a black mark for life. Choices matter!

 Learning

“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”    ―Vernon Saunders Law, former professional baseball pitcher and Cy Young Award winner

Some of you will go on to college or technical school.  Others will enter the workforce.  Even if your formal education is over, don’t quit learning. Make learning a lifelong adventure.  I did my undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky.  The school offers a fellowship program for individuals aged 65 and older to attend classes tuition free. Every year numerous senior citizens walk the stage to receive degrees ranging from Associate of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy.  It’s never too late to learn.

Even if you don’t choose to continue formal learning, make it point to learn from life. Observe others; note their successes and failures; then learn from their experiences.  More importantly, learn from your own mistakes.

Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned, particularly those while serving in uniform, were the result of having made a terrible mistake.  This sort of lesson sticks, like the first time you grab the handle of a hot iron skillet with your bare hand.  The key to learning from mistakes is owning them.  Admit your mistakes and then move on, having learned something from the experience.  Don’t let, “It wasn’t my fault,” be part of your vocabulary.

 Work

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”  ―Colin Powell, retired U.S. Army four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of State

Work isn’t always fun. If it were, they’d call it play.  Work can be downright unpleasant, but it’s an essential element of life! Along the way you’re going to have jobs you won’t like. Note what you don’t like and make it a point to improve yourself, so you’ll never again have to work at such a job.

Accepting a job means submitting to the authority of those placed over you.  Learn to work within this system.   You’ll inevitably have bosses you don’t like.  Learn to respect the position, if not the individual.

Fairness

“Life is not fair; get used to it.” ―Bill Gates, founder and former CEO, Microsoft Corporation

You will hear much discussion about fairness in this life. It’s all hot air.  Life isn’t fair.  Some good people die young, while some bad people live a long life.   Disease sometimes strikes arbitrarily, for no apparent reason.  Some people prosper while others suffer failure. A death or accident can change your life forever.

There is randomness to life that can’t be avoided.  Don’t expect kindness to be returned with kindness.  Don’t expect generosity to be returned with generosity.  The best choice is to be fair and kind to others and learn to accept what they return to you.

A wise man named Harry Browne ran for president of the United States on the Libertarian Party ticket. On Christmas day in 1966, Browne wrote his young daughter a letter aptly titled, “A Gift for My Daughter.”  I encourage every graduating senior to read it and digest it. In the letter, he explains to his daughter that, “Nobody owes you anything.”  Understanding what Browne meant can truly bless you. You can find it here. https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2015/12/harry-brownes-christmas-letter-to-his-daughter/

Faith

“A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.”  ―Victor Hugo

I once had a senior Army officer tell me he preferred to work with men who possessed spiritual values, regardless of their religion.  He explained that having faith in a power higher than one’s self was an indicator of how one will perform under pressure; in this instance, the pressure meant combat.

Too many people place their faith in all the wrong places.  It might be in wealth, celebrity, good looks, talent, or even government.  Whatever the case, misplaced faith leads to disappointment after disappointment.

To avoid these disappointments, put your faith in God alone.  You, your loved ones and your friends will all inevitably let you down, but God will never fail you.

17 Mar

Forgiveness

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, christ, Christian, Christianity, Easter, Faith, forgiveness, Grace, Hope, Jesus, Martin Luther, Passion, Penitence, Religion, Sin, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

I recently read a book that poses the question, “What about your life before you were a Christian has changed since you became a Christ follower.”  I can think of so many responses, but two stand out. First of all, as a Christian I have a profound sense of personal sin that wasn’t previously there. Note that I speak of “sin,” not “sins.”  My personal sins are a countless laundry list of bad, harmful things I have done during my life. Many people are repulsed by being called a sinner.  Yet sin (without an “s” on the end), is a condition we all live in. Martin Luther described it eloquently in a letter to Philip Melanchthon on August 1, 1521:

 “Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world.  We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides.  We, however, says Peter (2 Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign.  It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day.  Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins?  Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.”

My second response to the question is that as a Christian I have a tremendous sense of gratitude that God has forgiven all my sins through Jesus Christ. Before becoming a Christian, I didn’t recognize my need for forgiveness. Now I understand that Jesus suffered, bled, and died on the cross as an atonement for not only my sins, but the sins of the entire world.  Hebrews 9:15 tells us that Christ’s blood inaugurated a new covenant. Through His sacrifice, He became the mediator between God and humanity. The old system of blood offerings through sacrificing animals could only cover sin temporarily, but Christ’s blood provides complete forgiveness. His death on the cross bridged the gap between the holy God and fallen humanity. Jesus the risen Lord is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes on our behalf, our great High Priest.

The process of forgiveness begins with repentance. Acknowledging our sins, we turn to God, seeking His mercy. Acts 2:38 stresses baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. More than a mere ritual; it symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus as the risen Son of God, we receive forgiveness—the slate is wiped clean and our sins are remembered no more.

As the season of Lent winds down and Easter approaches, let us all consider Christ’s atonement for our sins. Through His death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins all mankind, satisfying God’s demand for justice, and accomplishing reconciliation for all who seek redemption through Him. The obedience and selfless sacrifice of Christ, who felt human emotions and pain just like you and me, serve as the foundation of our salvation. The shedding of Jesus’s blood on the cross symbolizes the ultimate atonement, restoring us to God’s favor and demonstrating the Father’s divine love and mercy. Jesus willingly gave His life for our sins, bridging the gap between humanity and God. His sacrifice on Calvary’s cross paid the price for our transgressions, conquered sin and death, and brought about the resurrection from the dead, not just for Jesus, but eventually for all of His followers.

God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’ –Billy Graham

« Older Entries