Two years ago today… Where was God?

About five or six years ago, the university in our town got a new vice-chancellor. I went to meet the new leader and to introduce myself. At the end of the day, he invited me into his office. We greeted and began to get to know one another. Not long into our conversation, I asked this really smart administrator, “Do you know for sure that all your sins are forgiven and that you will spend eternity with God in heaven?” He surprised me when without hesitation he said, “Yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” This is not a common answer in Cameroon. The most common answer to my question is, “I’m trying.” This man spoke with confidence and assurance. I went on to ask, “How do you know this?” He shared the following, amazing testimony…

He said, “I grew up in church, and always tried to be a good Christian. I went to church most Sundays and gave my offerings faithfully. I participated in all the church activities and was looked up to in the community. A few years ago, my daughter was a student at a university in Nigeria. I was so proud of her. One terrible day, I received word that she had been attacked and brutally murdered. I was broken and bitter with God. I quit going to church and became a very angry man. It took several weeks for her body to be transported from Nigeria back to Cameroon. My pastor came to our home for the memorial service. I tried to avoid him because I knew he would ask me how I was doing and why I had been missing church. The pastor finally caught up with me. In bitterness I spat out the question, ‘Where was God? Where was God when those wicked men took my daughter, abused her, and brutally murdered her? Where was God then, Pastor?’ The pastor was calm and controlled. He said, ‘I know you are angry. I know you are bitter with God right now, but I want to lovingly answer your important question. God is still where he was before.’ What do you mean ‘before?’, the academic asked. The pastor continued, ‘Long before you and I were born and long after you and I will die, God will still be sitting on the throne of heaven. You see my friend; you are not the only one who lost a child to wicked murdering hands. God sent His son into this world to save sinners like you and me. One day as God the Father sat on His throne, wicked and cruel men took his Son. They attacked Him. They abused Him, and they murdered Him. And God allowed it to bring salvation to this home and to your life. I am so sorry about what happened to your daughter. I do not know God’s reasoning, but I do know where God was. He was in the same place He was when they murdered His precious child. God was sitting on the throne of heaven. He saw all that happened, and He will bring justice one day soon. What about you? Are you ready to meet the Lord today?’”

The vice-chancellor, that great academic leader of the country looked into my eyes across his desk and said, “I came under deep conviction of my sin that day. I realized that God could have stopped the murder of His Son, but He did not. I realized that God is still sitting on the throne, and I needed to surrender to Him and be saved. That was the day I chose to put my faith in Christ as my Savior. I do not know why God allowed my daughter to be killed, but just knowing that God was still in the same place He was when they murdered His Son was the mental picture and explanation of the Gospel I needed to be saved.”

Where was God two years ago when our car was attacked? Where was God when those shotgun blasts rang out and killed Charles Wesco? Where was God when Stephanie was left a widow and their eight children were left fatherless? I’m here to say today, “He is in the same place He was before.” He was on His throne in 33AD. He was on His throne on October 30, 2018, and He is still sitting on the throne of the universe. Are you ready to meet Him? Are you prepared to face His justice? Come before His throne of grace.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Will You Have Church Online This Week?

Please hear me out. Pastors, I believe we need to be very careful in our use of terms during these unprecedented times in history. No, you will not be having church online. In fact, it is not possible to have “church” online.
Based on some of the comments I have heard and read recently, I am getting the sense that way too many laymen are equating “church” with sitting on the couch in their pajamas while Pastor Jones preaches an online sermon. If we are not careful to define our terms to our people during these temporary interruptions from assembly, we may find that we lose some church members to outperforming online personalities and ministries by the time this pandemic is over.
I thank God for technology that allows pastors to record and even live stream messages directly to their folks over the internet. I thank God for the genuine encouragement and challenges I have personally received through online messages recently. I encourage all of you to use modern technology in every way you can to minister and to edify the flock God has entrusted to your care. I am not recommending that we all ignore the risks and meet anyway. What I am recommending today is that we take care not to unintentionally teach our people to think that “church” can be done online, or that these temporary, live stream messages are legitimate, permanent solutions or substitutions. They are not.
Words and their meanings are important. By definition, the church (“ecclesia”) is a called-out assembly of believers. My intention is not to argue definitions and details of ecclesiology here. Let me just take some time to emphasizes the defining word “assembly.” The church is not a building. The church is not a pastor preaching a message while a group of people sit and listen. The church is not a live steam program (no matter how sophisticated it may be). The church is a called-out assembly of believers who are instructed to meet regularly (Heb 10:25).
Paul refers to the church as a “body” in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians. The first epistle to the church in Corinth goes into great detail about the activity and value of each member of the body. Every church member has a spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:1-11). Every member is different and necessary (1 Cor 12: 12-27). These spiritual gifts are given for the expressed purpose “that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Cor 14:12). The church does not assemble together exclusively to listen to the preaching of the word – even though the preaching of the Word is extremely important.
When a church assembles, every single member should prayerfully be looking for opportunities to use his or her spiritual gifts to edify the other members of the church. Every member – every gathering! We are not saved to sit; we are saved to serve (Eph 2:10). The preacher should preach. The servants should serve. The teachers should teach. The exhorters should exhort. The givers should give. The administrators should administrate, and the mercy showers should show mercy. These are just the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Perhaps there are many others. My first point is that the church members are called to assemble in order to fellowship and edify one another. This is an essential component of why we assemble together. Some of these ministries can and should be done over the phone and in accordance with social distancing restrictions – during these unique times. However, assembly is God’s ideal and mandated method. The type of fellowship and edification described in the Scriptures simply cannot be done while watching and listening to a pastor preach online. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10:24-25).
Not only can the members of the body not edify one another properly without meeting together, but secondly, corporate worship is not possible without physically gathering. I don’t mean to upset anyone here, but when I refer to corporate worship, I am not talking about singing together. I believe we do our churches a terrible disservice when we confine corporate worship to the musical segment of the service or when we call the music guy “the worship leader.” This philosophy is unwise at best. Every single aspect of the assembled church should be worship. I agree with Scott Aniol who says that "Worship is a spiritual response to God as a result of understanding biblical truth about God.” (John 4:24) Without a doubt, corporate singing is worship. However, the giving of tithes and offerings should also be worship. Testimonies, special music, corporate prayer, the proclamation of the Word, and even the invitation at the end of the service are all aspects of corporate worship.
So let me conclude. I am not trying to discourage anyone here from discontinuing your online teaching, preaching, and praying during normal service times. On the contrary, I have seen some pastors giving daily online devotionals. I love these ministry opportunities! I think these are all tremendous ideas - even though we all agree they are not ideal. My caution is that we are careful not to inadvertently convey to our church members that we are “meeting for church” online. While it is unsafe or temporarily unadvisable by our God-ordained government officials, some of us will not be assembling as local churches. These are tough calls we must all prayerfully make. Keep on preaching, feeding, and teaching the flock online if you can in the meantime – but be sure to explain that online ministry is different than assembly.
The church is a called-out assembly of believers who regularly meet to utilize their spiritual gifts to edify one another. The church is a body of individual members who physically gather for corporate worship. May we carefully and lovingly remind our folks that we are doing the best that we can during these difficult days? May I also encourage you to give the members a righteous thirst and a biblical anticipation for the day when we can meet together again as a church body - the way God intended. Genuine church (not to mention the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s supper) cannot be done online. Let’s not mislead our people or pretend that it can. The long term results may be devastating for some of the sheep.

The greatest need is prayer.

"The history of the Church demonstrates beyond question that the most important human factor in the evangelism of the world is prayer. The greatest need of the present hour is prayer. In our work at home and abroad we are placing more and more dependence upon men, machinery, and methods, and less and less upon God...What is needed above everything else today is prayer, true prayer, prayer in the power of the Holy Ghost, and prayer that meets the conditions of prevailing prayer so plainly laid down in the Word of God." ~R. A. Torrey: Chapter 53 of The Fundamentals

They can't be believed.

"When you’re busy hating everybody and denouncing everybody and seeking political solutions to everything it’s very difficult to evangelize, isn’t it? It’s very hard to be compassionate, to look on the crowds as though they’re sheep without a shepherd...I think one of the Devil’s tactics with respect to the church on the right today is to make them so hate everybody else that at the end of the day they can’t be believed anywhere, not even in the proclamation of the gospel."
~Don Carson: How to Destroy Evangelism with Political Animosity

Obsessed with Father

Jesus spoke often about His Father. We could say that He was obsessed with talking about His Father. Jesus spoke about 25,000 recorded words in the NT. He referred to His Father 181 times. At an average speaking rate (140 words per minute), Jesus spoke of His Father once every minute on average. How often do you speak of your Heavenly Father? Bring Him up in every conversation today. :) (John 5:17-47)

I told you to go.

"Those who never heard...the message of salvation...will look to us [on the final judgment day] with forlorn reconciliation to their fate, and that look will say, 'You knew! But you never came and told us; we never had an opportunity to know.' But sadder still will be the eyes of our Lord. In one of those paradoxes of the Christian faith, even as He receives us with joy, His heart will be broken over the multitudes who never knew He died for them. I believe His eyes will meetours much as they did Peter's on that night of denial, and without a word will communicate, 'I told you to go. I promised you My power. I assured you of My grace, but you chose to stay at home, to hold on to your comfort and security and were unwilling to go that my kingdom could be extended to the ends of the earth.'" (To the Ends of the Earth by Jerry Rankin, pages 55-56)

The Greatest Need

"The history of the Church demonstrates beyond question that the most important human factor in the evangelism of the world is prayer. The greatest need of the present hour is prayer. In our work at home and abroad we are placing more and more dependence upon men, machinery, and methods, and less and less upon God...What is needed above everything else today is prayer, true prayer, prayer in the power of the Holy Ghost, and prayer that meets the conditions of prevailing prayer so plainly laid down in the Word of God." ~R. A. Torrey: Chapter 53 of The Fundamentals

He Himself is the Power!

Hudson Taylor: We are a supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power, sustained by a supernatural food, taught by a supernatural Teacher from a supernatural book. We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories. The risen Saviour, ere He ascended on high, said to His disciples, "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you."Not many days after this, in answer to united and continued prayer, the Holy Ghost did come upon them, and they were all filled. Praise God, He remains with us still. The power given is not a gift from the Holy Ghost. He Himself is the power.

The Sin of Disobedience

Millions are perishing to-day without the knowledge of Christ, and will go on perishing, simply because the Church is not doing the work for which she was redeemed and endowed with God's Spirit...When we realize there is so much work that has not been done for no reason than that the Church was not what she ought to be...Our hearts will spontaneously cry out in humiliation and shame, and make confession of our sin. The sin of blood-guiltiness; the sin of disobedience; the sin of unbelief; the sin of selfishness and worldliness, grieving the Holy Spirit and quenching Christ's love in our hearts, for His love and His kingdom these sins will become a burden greater then we can bear, until we have laid them at our Lord's feet and had them removed by Him. ~Andrew Murray from "The Key to the Missionary Problem"

Every Kindred, Tongue, People and Nation...

I always love Sundays. I love the fellowship and corporate worship with brothers and sisters - no matter what kindred, tongue, or nation they may be from. Yesterday was an exceptional joy for several reasons. The most outstanding reason was a testimony given by one of our Bible College students - Desmond Nji Atanga. Desmond is actively involved in social programs here in Cameroon and abroad. He has been invited to participate in several overseas conferences (including conferences in Asia - Indonesia, Africa - Kenya, Europe - Finland, North America - New York, and South America - Columbia). Most recently Desmond visited New York and Columbia. Desmond shared how he always distributes Gospel tracts wherever he travels (including the Muslim nation of Indonesia) and is sensitive to the Great Commission's mandate to preach the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. While in New York city, Desmond met conference attendees from around the world. During free time one day, Desmond shared the Gospel with several friends and an Italian lady named Nicole trusted in Christ as her Savior! The church rejoiced and praised the Lord, but Desmond's account of his trip was not finished. From NY, Desmond told of his visit and conference in Columbia, South America. He stayed with two families while there. The first home was owned by Camilo and his wife Maria Ann. Camilo speaks English well, but Maria Ann does not. After supper one evening, Desmond shared the Gospel with Camilo, and even though he claimed to be protestant, he admitted that he had never heard this good news before. Camilo bowed his head and trusted in Christ that evening! Desmond told him that he now had the responsibility to share the Good News with his Catholic wife. Maria Ann listened intently to her excited, born again husband and concluded that she too needed to be saved. She stated that she felt that this important decision was something she needed to do in private and promised to believe in Christ later (pray for Maria Ann). The second family Desmond stayed with in Columbia was a staunch Roman Catholic family. Javier, his wife Romerice, his brother and sister-in-law got to know Desmond. One evening, Desmond shared the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with his hosts. Great conviction and lots of questions were their response. By the end of that evening, Desmond told our church, the entire family bowed their heads and began to pray directly to God through Jesus Christ for the first time in their lives! Every prayer they had ever offered before that moment was through the image of Mary. They all four professed Christ as their Savior that night! They were overwhelmed with the privilege of praying directly to God. Desmond recalled how they prayed, and prayed, and kept praying. Tears of joy and gratitude were flowing. At one point Romerice walked into the next room and brought out the family statue of Mary. She threw the idol down, causing it to shatter in pieces and went back to thanking God that she no longer had to pray through her image ever again! Praise the Lord! I want to encourage our ministry partners to realize that while we have been planting and watering in Cameroon, we have seen people added to the Kingdom of God who have gone out from Cameroon to plant and water and see God give the increase in people from Sweden, Italy, Columbia, Nigeria, and of course the U.S.A. It is humbling to think that the Gospel tracts and discipleship materials we have produced here in Cameroon have and are being used in several countries as well. To God be the glory! There is truly joy in serving Jesus, and the glorious, life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ has power to change lives no matter what country they are from or what language they may speak.

"I have Jesus"

As Hudson Taylor visited the inland ministries of China, he heard The following testimony from a national pastor and his wife about the unreached town of Hwo-chow... The place had long been on Pastor Hsi’s heart, though he little anticipated the way in which his desire to commence work there was to be granted. Having no means in hand that he could use for the purpose, he prayed the more earnestly day by day at family worship that the gospel might be given to the Christless population of Hwo-chow. “We have prayed very often for that city,” his wife said at length, “is it not time to do something there?“ “Gladly would I,” responded her husband, “but money is lacking. I have nothing to use for the purpose, and renting houses is expensive.” “How much would it require? “What is her question. And on hearing this reply she went away and said no more about it. But she too could not forget Hwo-chow; and next morning it was an unadorned little figure that came up and laid her packages on the table after family worship. “I think,” she said, “that God has answered our prayers about that city.” Missing something in her appearance as well as surprised at her words. Pastor Hsi opened one of the packages, to find nothing less than all her jewelry – the gold and silver ornaments, bracelets, rings, and even her hair pins so indispensable to a Chinese lady and that form her marriage dower. “You cannot surely mean,” he began, “you cannot do without“ “yes, I can,” she said joyfully. “I can do without these: let Hwo-chow have the Gospel.” And with the money they had brought, the Refuge had been opened and a good work begun. “But do you not miss your beautiful things? “Said Mr. Taylor, turning to his hostess. “ miss them! “She replied, almost with surprise. “Why, I have Jesus: is not he enough?“

The winds will never waft the story; but they must waft us...

Recalling an experience, the pain of which could never be forgotten, Mr. [Hudson] Taylor went on to tell of a Ningpo convert who, full of joy in his new-found faith, had inquired: "How long have you known this good news in your country?" "We have known it a long time," was the reluctant answer; "hundreds of years." "Hundreds of years," exclaim the ex-Buddhist leader, "and you never came to tell us!" "My father sought the truth," he added sadly, "sought it long, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you not come sooner?" "Shall we say that the way it was not open?" continue the speaker. "At any rate it is open now...What are we doing to bring them the tidings of Redeeming Love? It is no use singing as we often do: 'Waft, waft ye winds the story.' The winds will never waft the story; but they must waft us. The Lord Jesus Christ commands us, commands us each one individually – 'Go,' He says, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' Will you say to him, 'It is not convenient'? Will you tell Him that you are busy...or for other reasons cannot obey? Will he except such excuses? Have we forgotten that 'we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ,' that every one may receive the things done in his body. Oh, remember, pray for, labour for the unevangelised millions...or you will sin against your own soul!" ~Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission: The Growth of a Work of God, excerpt from chapter 1

It Is Not Convenient

Hudson Taylor and his unsaved Chinese translator, Peter, were traveling by native junk to the town of Ningpo to preach and to distribute tracts: "Mr. Taylor in his cabin was startled by a sudden splash and cry that told of a man overboard. Springing at once on deck he looked round and missed Peter. 'Yes,' exclaimed the boatmen unconcernedly, 'it was over there he went down!' To drop the sail and jump into the water was the work of a moment; but the tide was running out, and the low, shrubless shore afforded little landmark. Searching everywhere in an agony of suspense, Mr. Taylor caught sight of some fishermen with a dragnet - just the thing needed. 'Come,' he cried as hope revived, 'come and drag over this spot. A man is drowning!' 'Veh bin' was the amazing reply: 'it is not convenient.' 'Don't talk of convenience! Quickly come, or it will be too late.' 'We are busy fishing.' 'Never mind your fishing! Come - only come at once! I will pay you well.' 'How much will you give us?' 'Five dollars! only don't stand talking. Save life without delay!' 'Too little!' they shouted across the water. 'We will not come for less than thirty dollars.' 'But I have not so much with me! I will give you all I've got.' 'And how much may that be?' 'Oh, I don't know. About fourteen dollars.' Upon this they came, and the first time they passed the net through the water brought up the missing man. But all Mr. Taylor's efforts to restore respiration were in vain. It was only too plain that life had fled, sacrificed to the callous indifference of those who might easily have saved it...We condemn those heathen fishermen. We say they were guilty of the man's death - because they could easily have saved him, and did not do it. But what of the millions whom we leave to perish and that eternally? What of the plain command, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,' and for the searching question inspired by God Himself, 'If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul doth not He know it? And shall He not render to every man according to his works?'" ~Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission: The Growth of a Work of God, excerpt from chapter 1

A Real Waste

"And people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." - Nate Saint, martyr

Lift Up Your Eyes

Yesterday I was talking to the pharmacist at Wal-Mart. She said, "Your insurance called and said you all need a 6 month supply of Andrew's eye drops because you are leaving the country this month." I said, "yes" and then she asked where we were going. I told her Cameroon, and she asked how long we would be visiting. I told her that is where we live. That is where Drew and his siblings grew up. I told her we have lived there more than 13 years. She just stood there with her mouth open. I am glad nobody was in line behind me and her assistant was just wrapping up with another customer. I briefly told them Drew's story and gave them each one of Drew's Gospel tracts. They were both thankful and promised to read them. As we walked away, Drew and I looked back and saw them both standing there reading their tract. "...Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." ~Jesus (John 4:35-36)

"Lord, help me."

You just never know what the person you rub shoulders with is going through... Sometimes on Wednesday nights (if we are in Chattanooga), Becca and I plan a date night after church. We come home, we spend time together as a family in prayer and Bible reading, and then we send the kids to bed. I run out for a pizza from our favorite local pizza joint, and Becca and I spend the rest of the evening hanging out. I recently gave Mark, the manager, one of Drew' Gospel tracts. When I entered his store last night, the cooks were leaving and the assistant was stacking chairs and sweeping the place out. Mark handed me my pizza and said, "I read your son's story, and was deeply touched. I needed that, Mr. Ben. Thank you for sharing that." He went on to open up his heart. He shared some of his struggles, desires, and life issues. As my pizza cooled and the store closed, Mark and I discussed life, the Bible, and the answers found in Jesus Christ. Mark assured me that he was a believer, but admitted that he was not where he wanted to be spiritually. I asked Mark if I could pray for him, his wife and his 2 children. He looked surprised, but immediately said, "sure." Right there, on either side of the counter, Mark and I entered the throne room of heaven and worshiped the Lord like the Canaanite women I read about this morning in Matthew 15:25 who said, "Lord, help me." With emotion brimming in his eyes, Mark and I shook hands, and I headed home. I don't know what God has planned, but I am looking forward to following up with Mark when possible. I share this story to encourage you to keep your eyes lifted up today. Lift up your eyes on high (Isaiah 40:26), and then lift up your eyes on the harvest (John 4:35). Every person we meet today needs Christ or could use some encouragement. Share Christ with others today. :) Kingdom first!

If any man will come after me...

I saw in a dream that I was in the Celestial City – though when and how I got there I could not tell. I was one of a great multitude which no man could number, from all countries and peoples and times and ages. Somehow I found that the saint who stood next to me had been in Heaven more than 1,860 years. “Who are you?” I said to him. (We both spoke the same language of heavenly Canaan, so that I understood him and he me.) “I,” said he, “was a Roman Christian; I lived in the days of the Apostle Paul, I was one of those who died in Nero’s persecutions. I was covered with pitch and fastened to a stake and set on fire to light up Nero’s gardens.” “How awful!” I exclaimed. “No,” he said, “I was glad to do something for Jesus. He died on the cross for me.” The man on the other side then spoke: “I have been in Heaven only a few hundred years. I came from an island in the South Seas – Erromanga. John Williams, a missionary, came and told me about Jesus, and I too learned to love Him. My fellow-countrymen killed the missionary, and they caught and bound me. I was beaten until I fainted and they thought I was dead, but I revived. The next day they knocked me on the head, cooked and ate me.” “How terrible!” I said. “No,” he answered, “I was glad to die as a Christian. You see the missionaries had told me that Jesus was scourged and crowned with thorns for me.” Then they both turned to me and said, “What did you suffer for Him? Or did you sell what you had for the money which sent men like John Williams to tell the heathen about Jesus?” And I was speechless. And while they both were looking at me with sorrowful eyes, I awoke, and it was a dream! But I lay on my soft bed awake for hours, thinking of the money I had wasted on my own pleasures; or my extra clothing, and costly car, and many luxuries; and I realized that I did not know what the words of Jesus meant: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). ~Original Source Unknown

William Haslam

You remember when William Haslam, that English clergyman, was converted. He preached with such power that he won every member of his perish to Christ. There was not a person living in the Baldhu section of Cornwall who had not confessed the Lord. Then he became greatly concerned about his neighbors, so he began preaching in adjoining parishes and winning souls there. The other ministers became upset over it, and sent in their objections to the Bishop, saying, "Mr. Haslam is interfering with our work. He is poaching in our parishes, telling our people that they have to be converted and need to be born again." The Bishop sent for William Haslam and said, "I understand you are preaching all the time. You don't seem to be doing anything else." William Haslam replied, "My lord bishop, I assure you I preach only two seasons of the year." "Oh," said the Bishop, "I am glad to know that. And what seasons are they?" "In season and out of season," replied William Haslam. That is the charge that comes to everyone of us if we really know Christ. It is not just for official proclaiming of the Word, not just for pastors and elders, but for all Christians. Let us be instant in season and out of season in winning precious souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. ~H.A. Ironside in his commentary on 1 Timothy through Philemon, page 160.

Dr. Champlin's Anniversary in Heaven

One year ago today, I learned of the home going of a man of God who probably impacted my life more than any other when it came to the development of my philosophy and passion for missions. This man's life and ministry influenced many people on three different continents. Dr Darrell Chaplin was not just a college professor, he was a mentor, a counselor, and a friend. I will never forget his messages and stories of walking on hot coals and of converted witch doctors who impacted their nation. However, my all time fondest memory was during my senior year. I don't remember the date, but I do remember coming under tremendous conviction of sin in my life during a Wednesday evening service. Normally midweek services were pretty informal, but after this message I went down on my knees in my pew and confessed my wicked pride. I was broken in a unique way. After some time I stood up and realized I was not the only one on my knees. Individuals and pairs of students were scattered all over the white chapel. There was no music, most people had long since gone. There was simply a work of God in hearts, and the only thing that could be heard was soft sobs and whispered prayers. I can remember making my way outside and thinking about all I had to do for class the next day, and how I was supposed to preach for the student body chapel. I prayerfully walked back to my room and told a friend what God was doing. A few of us gathered for more prayer. By this time, I had no thought of class work or assignments, I only wanted Christ and His presence. I don't remember who first suggested it, but we decided to ask Dr. Champlin (who stayed with his wife in the men's dorm) if he would like to join us in prayer. He was probably ready for bed, but he was so encouraging and immediately invited us in for a time of prayer. We all prayed around, and I remember getting up from my knees wishing it was not time for lights out, but that we could spend the entire night at the throne of grace. The next morning I became nervous about what to preach in chapel. As I was preparing for the day, a fellow student rushed to my room and said that Dr. Champlain was calling for me. I immediately went to his apartment. He was so encouraging and I was so humbled to learn that he had been praying for me. He shared the attached outline with me in that meeting - on what was then a bright red piece of paper. He told me that he had been reading in Nehemiah for his devotions that morning, and that he was impressed with the revival principles within the text. He had written them down and wanted me to have them. I did not end up preaching that day. In fact, I spent the entire chapel in the weight room praying while someone else led the chapel service. I will never forget the lessons I learned during that little touch of revival. Lessons about brokenness over sin and the parallel joys of pure and perfect communion with Christ will remain with me forever. I have kept Dr. Champlin's outline from his morning devotions of "Revival Principles" with me all these years. It is a treasure to me of a man who took time to pray, to encourage, and to be a tremendous example of a spirit filled missionary to a simple student like me. Perhaps there are others reading this post who knew Dr. Champlin. What memories do you have of him and his wife Louise? Please post memories below if you would.

Five Qualifications for President

The morning after Ted Cruz suspended his campaign for president, I posted a silly comment about how I would not be supporting the candidate who financially supported Hillary Clinton's campaigns for Senator and President no fewer than 7 times. I naively assumed that most of my Christian friends would feel the same way. I assumed wrong. I was genuinely dumbfounded to begin reading about friends immediately throwing their support and vote behind Donald J. Trump. Some of these new supporters had previously and publically been in the #nevertrump camp. Now they were trying to morally, and rationally justify their support for a man they admitted was "wicked," "immoral," "proud," and other less than reputable descriptions. I was truly surprised by how many conservative Christians shifted their support from one who they considered to be "the best choice" to one they referred to as "the best chance" overnight - and openly admitted it.

Since my opinion was already public, and since I have tried to leave some thought provoking comments and memes from time to time on facebook feeds, people started trying to explain to me that I did not "fully understand what is at stake this election." Some of the most common arguments begin with, "nobody's perfect," or "we're not voting for a pastor." Some have even stated that "too much is at stake to vote for the best candidate this election." Finally, someone asked, "Do you have a biblical reason for voting for the person you are planning to vote for?" I believe this question hits the nail on the head. I believe that everything we do should be based on Scripture - even our vote.

When a Baptist church (or any congregationally ruled church) selects or ordains a pastor, the Bible gives that church a list of specific qualifications that must be true of the candidate or he is not a biblically qualified candidate. When a person is looking for a spouse, the Bible gives certain qualifications and qualities that must be present before someone can be considered for marriage. While the Bible gives lots of examples of good and bad leaders, it does not gives a list of biblical requirements when voting for heads of state...or does it?

By the end of George W. Bush's second term, I began to think through and personally create my own list of non-negotiable presidential qualifications. I admit that some of the following are preference, but some are strictly biblical qualities of a leader that must be present if God is to empower and use that leader with grace and wisdom. The following is the list I mentally developed about 8 years ago. I have not supported a party since. I am presently registered as an independent. I have voted based on principle and the character of the individual candidates, rather than a party since 2008.

Considering the following five biblical and personal qualifications, I will probably not be voting for either of the current candidates proposed by the Republican or Democratic parties.

1. HE MUST BE A MAN. God ordained three human institutions, and God designed men to lead them all. According to the Scriptures, a man should be the head of the home (Eph 5:22-24). A man should be head of state (1 Cor 11:3; I Tim 2:12-14). A man should be the "bishop" or overseer of Christ's church (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). Male leadership is God's ideal, and has been since creation. The desire of women to rule over men is a direct result of the fall (Gen 3:16). By the way, The constitution does not contain the word "she." It's signers clearly intended for our country to be lead by men. Consider this quote from the U.S. Constitution: "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows..." I cannot vote for a Clinton or a Palin because I do not believe they meet the biblical or constitutional qualifications to be president.

2. HE MUST BE A MAN OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY (Prov 12:22; 19:1; Matt 5:37; Phil 4:8-9). I do not believe that either Clinton or Trump have proven themselves to be honest or people of consistent integrity.

3. HE MUST BE A MAN OF HUMILITY. The Bible clearly states that God hates pride (Prov 6:16). God resists proud people and only gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Trump is literally the proudest man I have ever known. In his acceptance speech of the Republican nomination, he actually said, "Nobody knows the system better than me. Which is why I alone can fix it." Really? Trump sincerely believes that he is the ONLY man on earth who ALONE can make America great. My Bible says that God hates and resists the proud. I am not looking for a pastor to run the country, but I also cannot accept a man who brags that he has never asked God to forgive him for anything either. People often present wicked leaders from the Bible as examples of how God can use anyone. However, these people miss the truth that God only uses humble, righteous leaders to bless his people, while God uses proud, wicked leaders to bring chastening upon his people (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Jeroboam, etc.). David was a murderer and an adulterer. This is true, but he was also a humble, repentant man after God's own heart. Someone could reasonably argue that David was "more evil" than his predecessor, Saul. The difference was not the number or severity of their sins, but rather their responses to their sin. God did not reject Saul because he was a sinner, God rejected Saul because he was a proud sinner! I have never seen an ounce of humility in either of the mainstream candidates. Time and again, the current candidates have made significant errors or flat out lied and they refuse to humbly apologize or admit fault. I do not reject them for being sinners, all candidates are sinners, I reject them both for being proud, arrogant sinners. I cannot biblically vote for either Clinton or Trump because neither of them are humble, and God only gives grace (-the gift of God's supernatural enablement to do His will) to humble people - period. Read that sentence again. God only gives grace to humble people. A vote for Clinton or Trump is a vote for the chastening of America at best.

4. HE MUST BE A SACRIFICIAL PATRIOT WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION. This is obviously not a biblical point, but one that I personally require when considering a candidate. I think the best commander in chief is one who has served his country in the military. I do not require military service, but I think veterans make the best presidents. There are other ways to prove your sacrificial love, and consistent defense of the constitution. Clinton has proven her wanton disregard for the constitution and the military time and again. When asked what he has sacrificed for his country, Trump replied "I think I've made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard." Based on his answers (and George Stephanopoulos asked him 3 times), it is quite evident that Donald Trump does not even comprehend the concept of sacrifice. Making lots of money by working hard, employing thousands of people and building big buildings for profit has nothing to do with sacrifice. Trump too has already made comments about executive orders that lead me to believe he has possibly never read the U.S. Constitution. He recently stated that he doesn't have "time to read," so betting he has never read our nation's founding document is probably a pretty safe bet.

5. HE MUST BE A MAN WHO FEARS GOD AND HONORS THE BIBLE. The Bible plainly states that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Pro 9:10). I want a wise president. If the fear of the Lord is the foundation and beginning of wisdom, then a president CANNOT begin to lead a country with wisdom unless he fears God and honors His written revelation to man - the Bible. I do not require that my presidential choice be a born again child of God. I do not believe Washington or Lincoln were born again believers, but I do expect, based on the clear statements in both the Old and New Testaments, that wise leaders MUST fear God and honor His Word (like Washington, Lincoln, Reagan, etc. did). The reason our country has shifted to a position of honoring immorality and condemning the unborn to nothing but a "choice" is not because we have had a democrat in the white house or liberals in the supreme court, but rather because we have leaders running our country who believe God is a fairy tale and humans are nothing more than evolved animals. I cannot vote for a woman who states that "unborn people do not have constitutional rights," and neither can I vote for a man who indicates that his favorite Bible verse is "An eye for an eye." Trump is the first republican presidential candidate to promise to protect the LGBTQ community but not even mention the unborn in his acceptance speech - let alone promise to protect them. Neither Clinton nor Trump fear God or honor His Word.

For me to vote for either of the big, two party candidates as they stand today would be a direct violation of my faith and conscience - as formed by my understanding of the Word of God. Such a violation would be sin for me (Rom 14:23), and I will not do it.

With these mostly biblical prerequisites in a candidate, I end up voting based on two biblical mandates. First, my vote must glorify God (1 Cor 10:31). Second, my vote must promote salt and light (Matt 5:13-14). Notice I did not say "protect" salt and light. I will not vote for a candidate who might select conservative judges - that is not a biblical mandate. I will not vote for a candidate who is less of a disaster than another candidate might be - that is not a biblical reason either. I will vote for a humble man who desires to glorify God with his life, and will lead our nation by grace and wisdom. I do not vote for the "best chance," I vote as a salt and light in a sin darkened world. If my vote, like my testimony, ends up being a small percentage of the U.S. population, I will not be surprised. Christ promised that true disciples will be the minority. I do not consider my life to be a waste simply because it is a minority in this world, and neither is my vote. I will simply continue to serve my Lord and Master as a Spirit-filled salt and light in all venues and all opportunities of society (including voting). I will keep preaching Christ and making disciples until the next election when I pray more and more salt and light voters will vote for the glory of God rather than the lesser evil of the two, majority choices.

Let me say that I do not condemn a brother in Christ who votes for Clinton or Trump believing that his vote glorifies God and somehow reflects the light of Jesus, but I do have a problem with Christians who do all kinds of rationalistic gymnastics to try and support the idea that Trump really is a man of God. He is not. So, let's all pray for revival, continue to serve the Master, and show deference to all of God's people whether they vote or not. To be honest, I am not fully convinced that Jesus would vote at all. He seemed pretty focused on His kingdom, rather than the kingdoms of this world (John 18:39; Luke 4:5-8).