Study Guide: "If God Blessed America"

Open:

Since September 11, 2001 there is one phrase that has become prominent anywhere you go in the United States.  It is the phrase: “God bless America.”  You read it on billboards, bumper stickers, T-shirts, marquis of churches as well as secular businesses.

I really do want God to bless America.  But I’ve begun to ask myself an important question.  The question is simply this: “What does it mean to be blessed by God?"  A companion question: "What would it be like if God really did bless America?"  And I wonder if it might look very different from what we expect.

I want to read a passage from the New Testament that speaks to God’s desire to bless us: 1 Peter 3:8-12

This message beginning in verse 8 is for believers.  The context is the larger section beginning in chapter 2 requiring submission as the foundation of all relationships.  Next, Peter describes mutual submission among believers.

At the end of verse 9 we come to the thought that really overwhelms me: 

“because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

God wants to bless us!  We've already seen this in our study of the prayer of Jabez.  Blessing is not something God holds unwillingly in reserve and only bestows with supernatural reluctance.  Quite the opposite is true.  God is actively, aggressively searching to find those He can bless (verse 12).

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”

►But I return to my original question: What does it mean to be blessed by God?

Most Americans (and many Christians) equate blessing with security, victory, material prosperity.

“blessing” – literally means, to consecrate a thing so that it prospers.

*Our problem is we want the prosperity without the consecration.

Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

*I’m afraid we want God’s blessings but we don’t want God (“God bless America, then leave us alone!”)

If God blesses America, it will mean something far different than material prosperity or simple security.  When God blesses America, it will mean that God has consecrated us/set us apart uniquely for Himself, and that we as His people have returned to Him with our whole hearts.

My heart’s cry comes from Habakkuk 3:1-2, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.  Renew them in our day; in our time make them known.”

The best description of this that I know of comes from the Awakening of 1858.

CLOSE:

When spiritual awakening comes; you may say God is blessing America.

Malachi 3:12, “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land.”

If God blesses America, it will mean something far different than material prosperity or simple security.  When God blesses America, it will mean that God has consecrated us/set us apart uniquely for Himself, and that we as His people have returned to Him with our whole hearts.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)

Endorsements

I received electronic notice this morning that a colleague has "endorsed" me on Linked In for certain skills supposedly I possess. While I appreciate the sentiment and gracious intent, I know myself much too well to feel flattered by the gesture. Too well I identify with the Apostle's self-deprecating assessment--"There is nothing good in me." Some may protest such honest evaluation as undue criticism or harmful self-condemnation; however, I deem it simply facing facts, admitting harsh truth at face value. The key to growth, in my opinion, is not in the acknowledging but in the adjusting. As I confess my short-comings, I stand on the edge of potential improvement. God's Word never upholds inward judgment for the sake of judgment; instead, evaluation is always for the purpose of development. Don't get me wrong--endorsements are nice, but in the end what matters most is a productive response to honest self-examination. 

(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)

Am I Refreshing?

Late yesterday evening I went for a walk along a sultry bayou near Hot Springs, Arkansas. An evening walk is nothing unusual for my wife and I, but this time I was walking with a colleague at the close of a staff retreat. We walked for exercise and relaxation, but the humidity and heat made it anything but refreshing. That is, until we approached a secluded dock near the boat launch. Quite unexpectedly, it was like walking through a curtain of cool, a tangible wall of refreshment. Humidity and heat evaporated in an instant and we were transported to a cool oasis, an island of chill surrounded by a desert of mugginess. We tarried and enjoyed the spot as long as we dared and sighed remorsefully as we walked back through the curtain into sweat.

As I reflect on the experience, I cannot help but wonder about the effect I have on people with whom I come in contact. Do people walk away from our encounters with a sense of being refreshed? Do I encourage or drain? Am I a rejuvenating factor or a stress-producing strain?

Father, remake me into a blessing just waiting to happen. Create in me a clean heart and allow the contentment I find in you to be contagious. Transform me into a curtain of refreshing. 

(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)

Reflections

An early walk this morning to the edge of Lake Catherine near Hot Springs, Arkansas, reminds me of an important spiritual truth. Standing on one bank while facing the other, in between is a watery reflection of the picturesque scenery opposite me. Admittedly, the reflection is not as distinct as the actual trees and sky I see across the way, but the resemblance is unmistakeable. In a similar fashion, each of us is designed to be a reflection of the Father. We are not identical (that would be idolatry), but we are purposed to be so closely akin that the family resemblance is unmistakeable and avoidable. Father, live through me today so sharply that my life is a mirror image of Yourself. 

A Man Who Knew Himself

The following is the study guide for today's message, "A Man Who Knew Himself."

John 1:19-30

Open:

What comes to mind when most think of John the Baptist is a burly character wearing camel hide, eating bugs, and preaching an abrasive message.  There is truth to this image, but there is a far more important side to John the Baptist--one of humility, obedience and compassion.

John the Baptist models for us the way to please God and be content in doing so.

I. We Must Know Ourselves.

"Who art thou?"

1. John knew who he was not.

2. John knew who he was.

"I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness."

- He was just a voice; only a channel of truth.

How would you respond to that heart-rendering question?

II. We Must Know Our Place.

"He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me."

1. John was willing to lose himself in Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus said this is the only way to greatness (John 12:24-26).

Are you willing to lose yourself in Christ?

III. We Must Know Our Savior.

"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

1. John recognized Jesus at the deepest level.

2. Do you know your Savior?

Close:

John the Baptist models the way to please God and be content in doing so. His life teaches security in knowing yourself, in serving Jesus, and salvation found only in Jesus.

Are you willing to allow Christ to control your life to the extent that you can be pleased with whatever He chooses for your life?

Reacting or Acting?

Lee Jong-rak is pastor of Jesus-Loving Union Church in Seoul.  He created the Baby Box: A drop box in the side of his home with a sign that reads, "Place to leave babies."  Inside is a thick towel to cushion the babies, with lights and heating to keep the infant comfortable.  When a baby is placed in the box, a bell rings immediately inside the home and the pastor, his wife, or staff associates move the baby inside. According to official reports, about 600 infants or children are abandoned on the streets of Seoul each year, but the actual number is likely even higher. Of those abandoned, only about 20 percent are rescued while hundreds die on the streets.  Pastor Lee intended the Baby Box to be temporary, but he says he will not close it until he is sure the government can offer adequate protection for abandoned babies.  Many of the babies he has rescued have physical or mental challenges.  He has personally adopted ten of them and is in the process of adopting four more. One of the reasons Pastor Lee is so concerned about babies with challenges is because his own son was born with cerebral palsy.  His son has been confined to a bed from birth and cannot communicate verbally.  As a result of the family crisis, Mr. Lee turned to God and eventually became a minister.  He and his wife named their son "Eun-man,"which means "Full of God's grace."   When reading about Pastor Lee and his Baby Box, I cannot avoid the obvious question: how do I respond to the challenges in my own life?  All too often I respond with anger or denial, with anything but positive action. In other words, I tend to react rather than act.  Reacting is a defense mechanism and is extremely self-absorbed. In contrast, acting is an offensive posture and is very others-oriented.  Let my prayer become: "God, help me to be more like Pastor Lee and transform my hurt into healing for others."  (adapted from a news story posted in the "Denison Forum on Truth and Culture", June 3, 2012)

Symbol of Hope

The June 1 headline reads "Rebuilding of house a symbol of hope for West." The article by Waco Tribune writer Stephanie Butts describes the importance of an image of restoration being raised before a hurting community.

"Although most of the homes destroyed in the West fertilizer plant explosion are still shells, hope is budding in the hearts of residents as rebuilding gets 
underway.
A home on North Ridge Circle, only blocks away from the April 17 blast site, is framed up and should be completed by the end of summer, homeowners Steven and Stephanie Kucera said. It is one of the first residential sites where construction has begun, West Mayor Tommy Muska said, and he sees it as an encouraging start to the rebuilding process that involves many of the town’s residents.
The home’s thin frame now stands as a symbol for them.

'They see things moving and they know it’s coming for them, too,' Stephanie Kucera said. The Kuceras’ neighbor, the Rev. John Crowder, lives a few homes down and is thrilled to see the construction on his street.

'There's a sense of hope and excitement,' said Crowder, pastor of West First Baptist Church. 'We've been looking at devastation and rubble for a month and a half, and now we’re beginning to see the signs of a new beginning, the assurance that there will be a tomorrow for our town.'"

When reading thus encouraging story, I couldn't help but think of the ultimate symbol of restoration and hope--the cross of Christ. Whether adorning elaborate stained glass in the grandest cathedral or hanging in silver from a delicate chain, the cross stands as a constant reminder of ultimate and imminent victory and hope that's ours in Christ Jesus. Death and Hell cannot conquer us and difficulty and pain will not defeat us. "We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank God for giving the residents of West something that inspires hope, and praise God for giving believers a constant reminder through the cross that we will overcome.

(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)

The Prayer of Jabez, Part Two

Here is the study guide for today's message "The Prayer of Jabez, Part Two":

Text: 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10

"And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." (KJV)

Open:

Do you really need God? If God turned his back on you today and walked away, what would it change in your life?

Despite his dismal prospects in life, Jabez rose above by pleading with and clinging desperately to God.  And God was pleased with his display of utter dependence.

Last week we learned that blessings come to those who ask ("Oh, that you would bless me"), and that God wants you to have enhanced influence ("enlarge my territory").  

Bruce Wilkinson writes that at first glance, the four requests of Jabez may strike you as sincere, sensible, even noble, but not terribly remarkable.  Yet, on closer examination we detect something supernatural at work here.  Jabez wanted a life that only God could produce.

I. God Desires Dependent Children.

"Oh, that your hand would be with me"

1. This is called dependence.

- "Actually, the second you're not feeling dependent is the second you've backed away from truly living by faith." (John Mitchell)

2. Dependence makes heroes of ordinary people.

- As God's children, we are expected to attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed--unless God steps in.

- "For the Christian, dependence is just another word for power." (Bruce Wilkinson)

3. The 'hand of the Lord' is a biblical term referring to God's power and presence in the lives of his people.

"He did this so that all the people's of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful." (Joshua 4:24)

II. God Protects Desperate People.

"Oh, that you would keep me from evil."

1. This is a plea for God to protect from Satan's power to destroy us. (1 Peter 5:8)

2. The more you experience God's power in your life, the more familiar you will become with Satanic counter attack.

3. The cross stands as the greatest symbol of victory over the evil one.

Close:

"So God granted him what he requested."

Wow! Jabez dared to plead for blessings, enlarged ministry, God's supernatural presence and protection, and God said "Yes!"

Asking for God's blessings, enlarged ministry, prsence & protection is not selfish -- it is entirely in keeping with God's desire and delight for you.

(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)