Pastor's Perspective — A blog by Pastor Wendell Smith

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” Gen 8:22 (NKJV)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 (NKJV)

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” 2 Tim 2:1-2 (NKJV)

Can you imagine, we can observe the same starry skies that Abraham saw when God took him outside his tent and asked him to count the stars? From one generation to another, those celestial points of light have guided the way for explorers as well as, the common man. The constellations have remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries. They have been a chart, a map, a beauty and a joy to all those who take the time to look.

This is the great thing about God. The message and the purposes of God remain unchanged while his messengers take turns on the planet. The actors change but the stage remains the same and the show must go on. William Shakespeare said,

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player who frets and struts his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. Tis a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Such pessimism could get a hold of anyone without divine revelation of the greater purpose of life. But we do know for sure that the persons involved in the unfolding history of man will frequently change while the platform of purpose will go on.

The night sky is a temporary glimpse into eternity. It helps us see the immutability of God and His plans. He does not change. But He does entrust new generations with His supernatural abilities to carry His intentions to the ends of the earth. These are transitions and there have been great ones.

Life on planet earth is full of transitions. If there is one consistent characteristic of this earthly life, it is change, and that change is constant, as one season flows into another on a repeated cycle.

In life, there are transitions in family. Not necessarily planned - the time just comes and families adjust. They are like pieces of the puzzle that must be placed and fit in order to go on functioning and nourishing the family unit.

In the family of God, life goes on, but leadership must change carefully and prayerfully in order to maintain Holy Ghost momentum and a strong biblical foundation from one generation to the next. John the Baptist knew he was scheduled to transition at the coming of the Messiah. Jesus made a major transition when He commissioned His apostles and disciples, poured out the necessary power upon them and ascended into heaven.

The apostle Paul describes passing the torch from himself to his son in the faith, Timothy, who was also commissioned to find faithful men who would have the ability to teach others also. And thus the history of the church has brought us through multiple generations. There were others- Paul and Apollos, Abraham to Isaac, Jacob to Joseph, Moses to Joshua, David to Solomon- one kingdom to another, one patriarch to another, one father to a son and so on.

In selecting successors to carry his truth, the Lord looks through time for star-gazers. They must see the same stars Abraham saw. In today’s smog filled world, these new leaders may have to scale a mountain or find a dark and deserted place- in order to see clearly. But they must see what other visionaries have seen- the stars, the constellations, the lights, the hope, the future. When the Lord finds those kind of eyes, He reveals things to them that will enable them to navigate the pathways of change in order to stay on the chart of the unchanging ways of the Star-maker.

Here we go again. Time to change. But fear not. The stars have not moved, the purposes of God are still at work and the Lord who called the past few generations, is calling yet another one- to step up and lead with stars in their eyes.

If you have been a follower of Jesus very long, there is one thing you have probably learned, or will learn soon- that faith is not faith until it is tested. The Bible says the testing of our faith produces something in us. The Word of God is a record of people whose faith was tested in a multiplicity of ways over the centuries of human history. Job may be the oldest written record of a man of God whose faith was tested and in the end, he came forth like gold!

Saying we have faith is one thing. Living out our faith is quite another. It is easy for example, to say we believe in healing until we are sick! Or it is easy to believe that God provides for His children until there is an economic crisis! It also may be easy to believe that God forgives all our sins until we do something so shameful we feel that even God cannot forgive us.

The truth is, we don’t need faith for the possible, but rather for the impossible. When circumstances and situations around us become challenging or grim, that’s when we find out what kind of faith we really have.

We are living on planet earth constantly barraged with tests, trials and temptations that put a strain on the best of us. The trauma of life is not meant to discourage us but rather embolden us to exercise our faith in a mighty God and believe for His divine and loving intervention in our problems. He can indeed forgive our iniquities, heal our diseases and provide for all our needs.

Whether today’s stress for you is the economy, a flu epidemic or typical pressures of family, business and life, God’s Word and His promises are still available to build your faith, impart courage and help you make it all the way through your test. We reject every spirit of fear and embrace the spirit of power, love and sound mind that the Lord gives to all who trust Him. May the Lord be with you as you pass every test you may be facing!

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 5 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. 6 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. 7 Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, 8 adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:2-8 (MSG)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:11-13 (NIV)

If you live long enough, you will endure many hard times. Life is good, but there are always difficult and challenging things that every earth-dweller encounters. We live on planet earth- a physical realm dominated by sin and darkness, where storms and resistance seem to rule and problems and troubles are commonplace.

The Patriarch Jacob lived one hundred thirty years but said his days were few and evil. King Solomon said that if a man lived many years, let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Jesus prophesied of days coming on the earth when men’s hearts will fail them for fear. The Apostles wrote letters and described perilous and stressful times that would come.

In today’s global economic crisis, we find ourselves in the middle of one of the most challenging situations many of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. But before we give in to depression, we need to recall that the Bible is filled with hope and faith and an optimistic view of how life should be lived- even in the face of adversity.

Most baby boomers and their children cannot recall many difficult financial years. A few older saints might still be alive who were children during the great depression. Today, we all struggling to varying degrees as we go through the current economic calamity. Some of us have lost jobs, houses, retirement accounts or value of some kind. These kind of hard times can shake our faith and make us ask hard questions but as people of faith, we need the divine perspective to get us through.

The perspective we need is a much more long term one- i.e. one that spans most of human history. In the Bible, for example, there were several famines, many in the Old Testament and a few in the New. But in the midst of each of them the Lord supernaturally provided for His people.

• God provided for Abraham in a time of famine.
• Isaac sowed and reaped 100 fold in a time of famine
• God provided for the prophets Elijah and Elisha and the widow chosen to help them in famine
• The Churches of Asia sent aid to Jerusalem and the Judean brethren during a great famine

Financial gurus, wall street brokers, heads of the nation’s most prestigious banks and some of the brightest minds of our times are all in a quandary about how to solve the present emergency. It seems that “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” cannot put our economy back together again. The same hurricane that is blowing against us is also blowing down the house down next door. But Jesus said if we obey Him and practice what He says, we will build on a foundation that will weather the storms and remain standing when everything around us is being washed away. If we follow God’s divine principles and stay connected with a community of believers who are walking in truth, we will make it through this crisis- just as millions have done before us. Our fathers survived the ancient crises of the Old Testament. Prophets were miraculously provided for during famine. And the early church disciples endured many and varied trials and came through them all victoriously. If they made it we can make it.

From a biblical perspective, how do we get through such severe financial catastrophe?

Remember first, we all need community, a local church of loving friends and family of believers to stand with us. When one is lacking, others provide. In the very first church, there was none that lacked because they met each other’s needs out a selfless desire to help.

Believers also have a secret advantage. We have a divine connection with the provision of God Almighty through our prayers. Simple asking evokes simple provision. The same God who multiplied loaves and fishes for Jesus and the disciples, is the same God we serve. Ask and you shall receive!

How important it is also to renew our minds and think God’s thoughts when facing a crisis. If we spend our time just meditating on the bad news, we will be discouraged and our faith will be drained. But faith comes when we hear the Word of the Lord, made alive by the Holy Spirit and giving us daily guidance.

Out of the faith base of the Bible, a personal relationship with the Lord and the connections of a community of believers, sprouts another crop that blossoms in the heart of every faith filled follower of Christ. Wisdom comes from God. It comes when we meditate day and night on His Word and it comes from walking with wise men. . One decision can make or break a family’s finances or a business’s momentum. Don’t make major decisions alone, in time of crisis. Seek the Lord, ask for counsel and make sure and careful steps during these times.

Lastly, don’t stop doing what got you this far. We tithed by faith trusting our Heavenly Father to keep the windows of heaven open over our lives. We gave and sowed seed into the lives and needs of others. We can now trust that the harvest of what we planted will come back to us. And no one who has given to the poor will be forgotten by God. He Himself will repay anything we have given in His name to those in need. If, in a time of testing, I panic and start to withhold, I run the risk of stopping with life giving flow of faith and love that runs through my life.

There are many practical things each of us can do to walk wisely during times like these but the greatest thing we can do, is position ourselves in faith to maintain our trust in God, Jehovah Jireh, who has always helped us and always will. Going through tough times- ask God to give you tougher faith; fight the good fight of faith and take a stand. The storm will pass. Your foundation will remain and your life will reflect the pleasure of God who rewards those who walk by faith!

Honor … your mother, that your days may be long upon the land Ex 20:12 (NKJV)

Do not forsake the law of your mother; Prov 1:8 (NKJV)

Treat older women as mothers, 1 Tim 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week our spiritual mother, Edie Iverson, was promoted to heaven. While I am saddened beyond words, I am so proud of her strong faith and confident of her rich reward and the great entourage of saints who are welcoming her into paradise and the sweet presence of Jesus.

Gini and I first made her acquaintance when we were newly married and fresh out of Nazarene College in 1972. We were 19 and 22 respectively and in awe of the anointed Pastors we discovered in a dynamic charismatic church in northeast Portland, Oregon. The church was filled with young adults hungry for more of God during the “Jesus People” days of the worldwide charismatic renewal. Many of those earnest young men and women would become life-long friends in the ministry of the Gospel. We were all just beginning the journey of being mentored and equipped by Dick and Edie Iverson, two of God’s most wonderful servants who were so genuine and sincere, that their love and transparency captivated our hearts. At the crossroads of our young lives, little did we realize that our destiny would be forever altered because of meeting the Iversons.

Brother Dick, as we affectionately call him, would become our spiritual Father, and Sister Edie our second Mom. At a time when so many of our generation were searching for role models, we were blessed to find them. When so many were missing parents, coming from broken homes, we were given an extra set of spiritual parents, as wonderful gifts who would radically change our lives.

While Brother Dick was busy preaching, teaching and leading the growing church (Bible Temple would ultimately grow into a mega church of over 2000 people), Edie was behind the scenes counseling, exhorting, encouraging, coaching and building us up. While leading worship she often exhorted the congregation, her best gifts were words of wisdom and faith and an ability to keep us on track and fruitful in all our endeavors.

Both Gini and I have fond memories of Edie leaning close and telling us we could do it. Our novice eyes were widened by her words and our spirits fed by her love. Her confidence in us, combined with a discerning gift for admonition, guided us through the early years of ministry development, marriage and raising our children. She inherited an unflagging and determined faith from her remarkable mother and passed that along to us. I recall, just a few years ago, coming to the realization as to the source of the gift of faith that operates in my own life. I realized it had been imparted and stirred up in me by my spiritual mother as well as my spiritual father. I am especially and forever indebted to Edie Iverson for faith. Is there a greater gift?

Recently, visiting and praying with her in the hospital, we talked but she didn’t talk about herself. She wanted to know how we were doing. Was I taking care of myself? Was my faith strong? I didn’t weep there in the room. I needed to stand strong in faith for my mother. But I wept later, realizing how our lives had been blessed by this extraordinary woman. I weep today knowing I am who I am to some degree, because of my spiritual Mother, Edie Iverson. I honor my mother. I will not forget her laws. And I look forward to seeing her again and celebrating, when faith becomes sight.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)

November 4th 2008 was an historic day for America and one we will not soon forget. We congratulate President-elect Obama and his historic achievement and rise to power. To have a vibrant young African-American in the White House is an amazing occurrence and speaks well of a measure of progress our culture has made in racial issues.

There may be no other President in modern time that has needed prayer more than this man. This President will be faced with a global financial crisis, ongoing terror threats, wars to resolve, international troubles and domestic confusion. He needs the prayers of God’s people.

I have lived through 12 Presidents in my lifetime. Temporary leaders come and go. And yet life goes on and the Kingdom of God still functions and God still rules in the affairs of men. No matter who wins elections God rules over nations. The Bible tells us that the heart of kings is in the hand of the Lord and the Lord can influence them. We are to honor the King and so we pray! In accordance with Scriptural injunctions, we pray for those in authority, for our President, our congressmen, our Governors and our elected officials. We celebrate their achievements and pledge our support in prayer. They are public servants and need divine assistance.

However, we are concerned with the potential loss of religious freedoms and disintegrations of our moral foundations. And thus we continue our prayers — fervent prayers — resisting and standing against wicked principalities and powers that would like to seduce and manipulate politicians, leaders and people. This is why the church still prays!

Our prayers will be answered, but perhaps not as we thought. God surely answers sincere and fervent prayers and will intervene if we continue to stand in the gap and pray for our nation. We should continue to trust God for His intervention in our generation.

President Obama is certainly a God-fearing man who could be greatly influenced for good if enough people will pray and if the right people surround him with good counsel. Let us agree in prayer that good men and women will indeed fill those positions of power and influence our new President for righteousness.

May God continue to bless America.