Weekly Thought – May 26, 2020

Fred wrote and thought much about relationships. Last week we introduced his thinking on the excellence of them. We continue this week with thoughts about a critical challenge: religious differences between friends.

Thank you for praying as we bring Fred’s wisdom to you.

Faith and Friendships

Religious differences can test our friendships, even to straining the quality of the relationship. It can be the most volatile factor of sustaining a long term connection.

The knowledge of God’s will, the interpretation of God’s Word, loyal ties to an institution, along with traditions of denomination and family combine to create intensity in our beliefs and opinions which affect our relation with others.

It is easy to generalize our unique relation with God into a pattern for everyone else. When our faith walk leads us to believe we know the will of God, we can unconsciously come to apply that knowledge to ourselves, but to others, as well. Young friends of mine used to parody the Four Spiritual Laws of Campus Crusade by saying “I love you and have a wonderful plan for your life.” This can definitely throw a clinker into a friendship.

I have signed many “statements of faith” holding forth the tenets of New Testament dogma. I have never seen one featuring these words: “I am currently living in love with my fellow Christians and will continue to do so as tenaciously as I hold the other points of doctrine.”

Often we find it much easier to fight for the faith than to exemplify it. Our relationships illustrate our real beliefs. The non-Christian world of the first century would say, “Behold the love they have for one another.” Even the keeping of Christ’s commandments was predicated on love: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” In the early days of Christian contemporary music a Catholic priest named Peter Scholtes composed a song which became an anthem for the 1960s Jesus movement: “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” It was sung by long-haired youth, and three-pieced suited businessmen.

The only genuine ecumenism is based on love first before organizational unity. Doctrinal harmony is critical, but making sure it is core dogma and not just preference is an outworking of love.

Often when some of my more ardent doctrinal friends criticize other Christians, I ask them: “Do you think they are going to heaven?” This usually stops them for awhile and even with hesitation they say, “Certainly. Why?” Then I give them my simplistic conclusion: “If they are going to heaven, they are part of the body of Christ and I have no option as to whether or not to associate with them and to love them. We are part of the same family.”

Therefore, excellence in friendships (especially long term ones with diverse religious backgrounds) requires a purposeful effort to practice love, seeing others without personal filters as the only answer (as much as possible).

This week carefully think about: 1) How many friends do I have who hold dissimilar religious traditions? 2) What can I do this week to focus on loving and not judging? 3) When does oneness in Christ become real to me?

Words of Wisdom: “The only genuine ecumenism is based on love first before organizational unity.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 31, 2020

Fred unceasingly sought maturity. He outlined principles, discussed with spiritual mentors, and prayed diligently. “Settling” was just not in his vocabulary. Sprinkled throughout his notes are musings about the topic. He believed part of his purpose was to urge others to grow.

BWFLI is beginning a semester activity at Jarvis Christian College. Please pray for us as we seek to drill down with select students, providing connection and relationship.

Growing Up

One of the better measurements of spiritual maturity is lack of vulnerability to diverse temptations. I am convinced the Spirit saturates gradually, rather than instantaneously and with the same degree – a homogeneous operation. As I see it, those areas that have been saturated and remain vibrant and moist more easily resist temptation. Those places in me that are still arid and dry can be set afire by the tempter’s ploys. Perhaps our lives are somewhat fibrous. Maybe they are like wood which can be ignited when dry, but impervious when wet.

Our ability to create fire doors against temptation can vary. These may be decisions we make. They may also be actions we take. Sometimes people have a lack of exposure to the work of the Spirit. This may be through their church backgrounds, or their newness as believers. In my upbringing, the Spirit’s activity was not fully explained or celebrated. I am glad there is more emphasis on the availability. My friend James Packer wrote a terrific book Keeping In Step With The Spirit. Right away he admonishes the reader to understand and address the Spirit as “he,” not “it.” He is the third person of the Godhead.

One of my long-time friends believed in Jesus, participated actively in his church, and led a Godly life. However, he had no idea the Spirit could permeate and saturate every area of his life. He lived without exposing certain areas of his life to the power of the Spirit – not out of avoidance, but ignorance. He just didn’t know.

He and his wife joined a Bible study group and were introduced to Major Ian W. Thomas and his book, The Saving Life of Christ. The key verse was “Christ in me, the hope of glory.” It changed their lives. “I had no idea the living Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit was available to us.” Now their fibrous being grew saturated like a sponge with the Christ life.

As we are saturated, we certainly are not free from sin, but the power to stand against temptation increases. The desire to sin diminishes. The allure of the world dims. I would be less than honest if I told you it completely disappears, but the alternative is so much better.

This week think about: 1) Do I sense a growing aversion to sin? 2) How do I define spiritual maturity? 3) Who is the Spirit in my Christian walk?

Words of Wisdom: “One of the better measurements of spiritual maturity is lack of vulnerability to diverse temptations.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God. (Hebrews 6:1 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 24, 2020

Fred supported the value of education, especially Christian higher education. He was unable to attend college due to financial constraints. However, he dedicated much time to students of Christian colleges and universities. He was also given two honorary doctorate degrees which he highly prized.

Excellence in Education

Dr. Walter Hearn, the Yale bio-chemist, commented that every night our learning of the day has so expanded the areas of our ignorance that it would be easier to “ignorize” the world than to educate it. Our ignorance will expand beyond our knowledge.

Christians understand that human knowledge is incomplete. It is constantly changing and can be current, but yet inadequate. The Bible says “we see in part… we see through a glass darkly, but then hall we know.” We understand that man will never unveil all mysteries, but that it will one day be accomplished.

An advantage for the Christian is an understanding that there is a finite effect of education on life. Often the secular community believes life can only be improved through education. For example, the scientist puts full faith in scientific endeavors; the politician stands on political strategies for the way to a perfect life. The Marxists hold that their system leads to abundance. Yet, no perfect answer comes from a scientific or governmental system.

We Christians are happy to accept the benefits of science, education, politics, or any other human agency. But we understand that the truly abundant life must be built and maintained through faith, not through human disciplines.

Christian education also has the additional advantage of integrating spiritual reality (not just ritual) into all areas of life. It can bring Christian life into harmony with itself. It provides the theme – the key. It must keep the bridge open between the soul and the mind. The mind separated from the soul can become a dangerous power. United in building character there is clarity of motivation and established restraints. The mind may clearly see possibilities, but the heart puts on the brakes. The mind needs the heart to recognize what is noble, true, and high.

An additional force in Christian education is the opportunity to identify the power of God. Dr. John Goodenough, Lincoln Professor of Electronics at MIT, said after her became a Christian he valued the verse “Now you have the power to become.” He said he had always known what was right and wrong, but he had never had the power to do it. When Christ came in, then he had the power of God to do what he had always known he should do.

Christian education affords an opportunity to ground and train our young minds, sending them into the world as mature Christians who will make a significant difference in the times ahead.

This week think about: 1) How can I pray for Christian schools? 2) Who do I know in Christian education I can encourage this week? 3) What support can I offer in terms of volunteering, or financial giving?

Words of Wisdom: “But we understand that the truly abundant life must be built and maintained through faith, not just through human disciplines.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.” (Proverbs 9:9 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 28, 2020

Fred had a heart connection with the Elliott Class of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas. His long time friend (and no relation) Jim Smith invited him to substitute when he was out of town. Fred constantly thought about what he would say when he was “up to bat” the next time. Deep friendships developed, and outstanding content emerged from these years. This week is an excerpt from a lesson in June, 1988.

As plans solidify for the mentoring “deep dive” for BWFLI your prayer support is greatly appreciated. We also know how you stand with us in praying for the schools. If you haven’t joined the monthly prayer network, please sign up and pray with us for our network of twelve schools.

Thinking Devotionally

I want to review the five steps of developing a devotional life which counterbalances the stress we all experience in daily living.

1) Contemplation – In this step we establish our understanding of who God is. We acknowledge and participate in the fact of His infiniteness and our finiteness. We experience the awe of God. Until we see our relative position vis a vis God, we are handicapped in our search for peace.

2) Meditation – While contemplation is just between God and ourselves, meditation is generally augmented by the thought and writings of great men and women of the faith. For me, personally, the old saints who help us drive our roots deeper into faith. I learned a great word which covers this – agrapha – meaning spiritual writings which are orthodox, but not in scripture. I like to distinguish between meditation and inspiration. Although there is a place for inspirational writings they do not have the lasting quality of meditation. Think of it this way: inspiration sprinkles the grass; meditation waters the roots. In times of high stress, the well-watered root system better serves us. I am not belittling the value of inspiration, merely recommending the further step of serious meditation.

3) Prayer – the attitude of gratitude is a requirement for healthy prayer. When we say, “Yes, but…” we have not come to the place of gratitude. Prayer isn’t a technique for manipulating God. Until we see that it is to ultimately change us, not God, we are not fully understanding prayer. The opportunity to be in constant communication with the sovereign God puts our situations into perspective.

4) Bible Study – in the secular we learn, then do while in the sacred we do and learn. So many are refusing to obediently do. They hold to the intellectual pursuit of scripture not seeing that it is to be transformational, not just informational. In high stress situations head knowledge unaccompanied by experiential action is of little help. “O, taste and see that the Lord is good.” We study in order to more fully feed on Him.

5) Fellowship – Christianity is not a “loner” religion. It is a community, a body, a fellowship of believers. This concept consists of both giving and receiving. There are those who haven’t matured to the point past wanting to only receive. And those who compulsively give out of egotism are equally unworthy. It is only in recognizing what others need and willingly accept what we need that we experience the inhale/exhale function of fellowship.

Stress and anxiety are part of the human condition. To live in Dallas in the mid-80s without experiencing the push/pull would certainly be living in denial. However, these spiritual disciplines can help counterbalance the pressure.

This week think about: 1) It is not 1988, but stress is still real. What can I do to create a counterbalance? 2) Who can help me develop spiritual disciplines? 3) How can my faith stabilize my work, family, and community life?

Words of Wisdom: “Christianity is not a ‘loner’ religion.”

Wisdom from the Word: “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 21, 2020

Fred told people he read selectively. He chose topics and authors carefully. This week’s message is an answer to the question, “What book has most significantly influenced you?” This response was written in 1983. Several other authors became favorites, but Oswald Chambers never lost his prominent place.

Please pray for BWFLI as we craft an in-depth mentoring program for use in 2020.

Book Shelf

I find no difficulty in naming my most significant book. It is My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. This book has influenced my thinking and convictions more than any other book authored by man.

In December 1955 Grant and Orean Howard of Phoenix gave Mary Alice and me our first copy, thereby starting a chain of gifting that continues to this day. My friend and mentor Maxey Jarman wrote me in 1975: “I’ll always be grateful for the introduction you gave me to Oswald Chambers.” We plant seeds when we give vital books. After all these years we are seeing a fruitful and delightful harvest among our friends who read right along with us.

His thinking has become part of my reflexive thought. I quote him often both as an authority and the author of a shared experience he first coagulated for me. He has taken up residence in my mind.

Let me illustrate with five thoughts that continue to shape my attitude toward life which come from Chambers:

1) “Sit loose to things.” I recently received a phone call which informed me of a significant financial loss. I was able to think “sit loose…” I told myself “enjoy them, work for them, use them, but sit loose to them.”

2) “Lust says ‘I must have it now.’” Lust is often a matter of timing rather than possession. Psychiatrists tell us the most common evidence of American immaturity if the inability to delay gratification. Even in our emotions we refuse to take the long term vies. We hurry up to fill up our emotional valleys and holes with poor substitutes. We want relief NOW! Chambers showed me lust is much broader than I originally thought. It is refusing the normal rhythm of life, and failing to mature in it.

3) “So often we sharpen a verse of scripture and jab another with it.” I see too many who know chapter and verse, using it to intimidate the less instructed. Sadly, it is possible to sign most statements of faith and then live with an unloving attitude, injuring one another.

4) “We will not stand in large matters if we fail in smaller ones.” He constantly attacks my spiritual arrogance by pointing this out. It is easy to think we would be true and courageous in the weighty matters when in truth we are making exceptions for ourselves in smaller ones.

5) “The white funeral.” He calls us to truly die to self before we go through the black funeral of physical death. Too many of us have not completely died and been through the “white funeral.” Out of this experience comes the complete resurrected life, unhampered by the problems of human ego and self-righteousness. Dying to self and living in Christ gives life meaning.
I am happy to recommend the thinking and writing of My Utmost For His Highest. It is not entertaining, nor even exciting. It is compelling.

This week carefully consider: 1) What book has significantly influenced me? 2) How good am I about giving books to others? 3) Which of these life lessons strikes a chord with me?

Words of Wisdom: “His thinking has become part of my reflexive thought… He has taken up residence in my mind.”

Wisdom from the Word: “It must be with him constantly, and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.” (Deuteronomy 17:19 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 17, 2019

Fred’s influence on those in his employ encouraged many to deepen their spiritual lives. His personal goal was to stretch others… and this meant in all ways, professionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Two stories which illustrate this connection with others make up the weekly email.

The academic year ended for the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute. We are grateful for those whose lives were stretched and blessed to the glory of God. Next year will introduce a deeper event focusing on constructive conversations on key topics and intense follow-up. Your friendship and financial support is appreciated. Your donations, prayer, and encouraging words strengthen our leading.

Spiritual Reality

I received an essay from a former employee. I took it home to see if Mary Alice could guess at the authorship; she couldn’t determine the writer. She was as amazed as I had been when I first read it. The woman was a professional who adopted a cynical attitude about the church and faith. She continued to go through habit, but without a vital relationship. However, difficulties changed all of that.

She wrote: “When troubles came, my strength which I felt was so great began to crumble. It started slowly then finally disintegrated. Despair began to fill my life. Because I had grown up in the church I began to turn to prayer. My communication with God was no longer the ritualistic process I had always followed… it was real. Talking to God about me, my problems, and my life because ‘me’ was a good place to start. I knew something was wrong there that needed to be straightened out before we started to even work on my problems. For a long time I knew there was something missing, and I was secretly, yet constantly searching. There was a gnawing in my stomach that was ever present. I now know the feeling was a result of a lack of peace within. Now I have an intangible presence which is very difficult to convey in words, but it is as real as anything I have ever known.” Her essay on faith was a multi-paged piece on peace.

She moved from depending on a social and personal reservoir of strength to spiritual reality.

The letter began, “Fred, the Lord and friends have been more generous with me than I could ever deserve. I have just returned from Switzerland, Austria, and several South American countries where I have been doing medical lectures. I’m working full time and my practice has exceeded all my expectations. Currently I am working on a contribution to a medical textbook.”

This may sound like a typical success story. But when I first met him he was coming out of a battle with alcohol which had immobilized his practice, and his personal life. Through this struggle he found the reality of faith. And even more, he found not only sobriety, but a caring nature which has replaced his cynicism. He came out of a life depending on his ability to make it to the understanding of the reality of God.

This week think about: 1) Where is my strength? 2) Who is in my realm of influence can use a word of hope? 3) How can I expand the reach of the Gospel in my life?

Words of Wisdom: “She moved from depending on a social and personal reservoir of strength to spiritual reality.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power” (Ephesians 6:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 10, 2019

Fred’s prayer life was personal. He never raised his hand to be the “public prayer expert.” His prayer was part of his private devotional life. His daughter Brenda commented on seeing her Dad kneeling by his bed nightly during her childhood at home. “To see this strong man humbly coming before the Lord marked me.”

Thank you for supporting the team at Palm Beach Atlantic University last month. Ongoing reports from President William Fleming and other campus leaders reinforce the effective ministry of the What’s Next Roundtable.

San Angelo Prayer Breakfast

(Note: Fred was invited by his friend Max Hulse to be the initial speaker as San Angelo, Texas established their annual Prayer Breakfast, inspired by the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. This newspaper article written by Ron Durham covered the event. Fred’s thoughts in the 1980s still speak to us today.)

“Despite indications that the nation is in the Dark Ages morally, there are enough true believers acting out their commission as ‘the light of the world’ to prompt optimism,” Dallas businessman Fred Smith told an audience Thursday.

The remarks from Smith, a businessman, author, and inspirational speaker, was received enthusiastically by the approximate 600 people attending San Angelo’s version of the National Prayer Breakfast. This was the first-ever event.

“Prayer is a relationship that unites us instead of a doctrine which divides us.” At another point he said “moral problems require spiritual solutions.”

Acknowledging that “these are turbulent times because we are between Christian and non-Christian ideas.” He compared these times to a trapeze artist letting go of one bar and flying through the air reaching for the next swing.

Citing others who agree that the nation is in moral decline, Smith referred to Russian dissident Alexander Solzhenitszyn’s remark “the West is spiritually weary.” He quoted newsman Ted Koppel’s observation that “the ten commandments have become the ten suggestions.”

He also observed that the culture’s materialistic bent only points to a hole in the soul. “Many people have means but very little meaning.”

Smith posed a blunt challenge to members of churches and synagogues to live up to the claims of their faith. He referenced a recent study which said only 10% of church and synagogue members showed any significant difference in their lifestyle from non-members.

On the brighter side, he spoke of strong ministries growing and flourishing. He cited prison ministries and others focused on professional athletes which are the reason for optimism. He observed what he is seeing in the number of people who are verbalizing their desire to move from success to significance.

This week think about: 1) How can I apply Fred’s words from the mid-80s to my life today? 2) Which quote is particularly applicable to me? 3) If I were asked to address a prayer breakfast, what would I say?

Words of Wisdom: “Prayer is a relationship that unites us instead of a doctrine which divides us.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 17, 2019

Fred’s capacity for gratitude was well known among his friends and family. He believed in the power of appreciation. And he sincerely believed he had nothing that he had not been given by God. He saw himself as a steward and managed well.

Work continues on the What’s Next Roundtable at Palm Beach Atlantic University in November. Financial support is needed and would be received with genuine gratitude. The men and women who are preparing for this event eagerly expect to see what God has in mind for them and the students.

Listing Assets

A well-known woman of international fame called me one day and said soberly, “Fred, I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer.” My immediate response, “List your assets.” When people come to me wanting to talk about their problems this is the exercise I recommend.

Invariably, they start with their financial resources. They rarely think of their spiritual assets at first. For example, a troubled man walked into my office. I asked him to list his assets. “Well, I have a bank account, but there isn’t much in it. I have a little equity in my home.” After a few items like this, I said, “Let’s stop and go back a little bit. Are you alive?”

“Well, yes…” “Good, you look that way to me and some people, especially those in the ICUs and the terminally ill think of that as a strong asset.” I continued, “You’re healthy?” “Yeah.” “You have a loving wife and a good family?” “Yes.”

As we sat there I queried “Do you have an education?” “Of course.” “How about work experience?” “Yes.”

“Okay, now that we have established the major assets, we can look at the minor ones like money.”

When I sit with someone and see a breakthrough in a session like this I know we have a gratitude foundation from which to operate. We can start attacking their problems with a different perspective. If they answer the first questions with a “yes, but…” I know my job isn’t finished yet. They still haven’t grasped the power of gratitude. They are still not grateful.

They are still wanting something more. Gratitude is being grateful for what you have, not for what you hope to get. I was reading in the Psalms and it said to honor God for what He has done. It doesn’t say honor Him for what He is going to do. Gratitude, like honor, is a reaction to what is, not what you want to come.

In my reading I found a study saying gratitude is the emotion with the longest shelf life… that those with a grateful spirit are prone to better mental health. The old hymnist never read this study, but certainly expressed in the words, “Count your blessings, name them one by one… count your blessings, see what God has done.”

Being truly grateful is more than just a courteous “thank you.” Nurturing a mature attitude which demonstrates appreciation is a healthy exercise.

This week think about: 1) How healthy is my grateful spirit? 2) Who needs to hear from me with a message of appreciation? 3) What can I do to cultivate a culture of gratitude at work, in my family?

Words of Wisdom: “Gratitude, like honor, is a reaction to what is, not what you want to come.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The LORD strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude.” (Psalm 28:7 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 3, 2019

Fred liked to say “service is the rent we pay on the space we occupy in life.” How he lived this out! A cynical physician recently wrote that after 75 life just deteriorates and we take more from society than we give. He never knew Fred! He gave back right up to the last breath.

The repairs on breakfastwithfred.com are progressing well. Also, updates on bwfli.com are in the works. The sites had grown “old and cranky,” so this needed work is being done. Thank you to our financial supporters who make this possible. Your contributions make the wisdom of Fred Smith, Sr. available online. Thank you. Check out the Facebook page: Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute.

Little Good, Big Good

Dick Halverson served as the Chaplain of the Senate for 14 years. Three or four of his friends spent a weekend at his farm engaged in conversation. As we sat around, talking, one of my favorite descriptions of Christ came to mind: “He went about doing good.” That was so much the way Dick chose to live.

I find it interesting to see how Christ lived his life. No rushing around, no to-do list, no trying to make it to the next “significant encounter,” no prioritizing – just going about doing good. He stopped as he traveled to the home of Jairus, responding to the tug on his robe by a woman with a serious female problem. He paused, touched her, and then continued on His way.

Can you think of a better obituary than “He (or she) went about doing good – and doing good just where he (she) was? It isn’t about creating a platform for doing good, but recognizing that just where you are is your opportunity.

Sadly, I watch Christian celebrities who strive for the “big good.” They want the visibility, the prestige, and the limelight. Many times these people move from organization to organization moving up the Christian “doing good ladder.” On the other hand, I see Christians who feel they aren’t productive because they are doing “little good.” How wrong they are!

Those that plant seeds and “bloom where they are planted,” as the cliché goes, may be operating in the power of the Spirit way more than the celebrities who run to the bright lights. In another outstanding conversation time I sat with a group of Christian leaders, including Stephen Olford. After a stimulating discussion on leadership he quietly asked, “I have had my share of celebrity. I have been recognized.as one who faithfully teaches the Word. But when I die if my family can’t say they saw God in me, then I have failed.”

The little opportunities to do good day by day, wherever we are, should be our agenda, not rushing from meeting to meeting gaining recognition. Don’t misunderstand me – I certainly see the good in public ministry… just not the “be all,” and the sole reason for service.

It is about recognizing who we are, what our gifts are, and where God has planted us – then making service a priority.

This week think about: 1) How focused am I on what is right in front of me? 2) Who models blooming where they are planted in my life? 3) What can I do this week to strengthen my “going about doing good?”

Words of Wisdom: “Service is the rent we pay on the space we occupy in life.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” (Luke 12:35 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 23, 2019

Fred cultivated friendships, nurturing them for a lifetime. During one hospitalization the doctors told him his days were short. Rather than mope, he made a list of friends and asked to have each called. For an entire day he told others how much they meant to him, specifically appreciating experiences. Gratitude was a core value of Fred’s, especially for his friends. One friend and mentor was Ray Stedman, theologian, pastor, and author. When someone asked about Dr. Stedman, Fred shared these remembrances.

Please pray for us as we work on the updated edition of You and Your Network. The content continues to reflect the timeless nature of principle-based thinking.

My friend Ray

I know of no one who can interpret the Scriptures quite as clearly as he. Once I asked him if he ever got burned out. Christian periodicals were featuring lead articles on the examples of many preachers and ministry leaders. He responded, “How can I get burned out discovering the mysteries of God?” He never lost his enthusiasm and excitement for Scriptural study. I also remember one of the last times we had time to visit. We were riding to the airport after a men’s meeting. It was Saturday night. “What are you preaching about tomorrow? What are you going to say to the congregation?” Those were my questions to him. His answer was truly Ray: “I’m going to tell them to stop praying for what they’ve already got!” His study was in Ephesians and he wanted them to realize what they possessed as Christians. He wanted them to realize they sometimes pray for something they already have.

“They just need to have a realization of their blessings.”

Once we were talking about what the Scripture meant to us. Ray said, “My life changed when I found out that God was FOR me and NOT AGAINST me.” So often we think of God as judging, not bestowing. This misconception of God causes so much anxiety.

Probably the most unique thing about Ray was his total freedom from ego control. Oswald Chambers talks about going through the white funeral of losing our ego before we go through the black funeral of losing our life. Ray was probably one of the very few men I’ve ever known who has truly been through the white funeral. He didn’t look nor act like the expected preacher image. He didn’t go around speaking in a theological brogue, or take on an affected piety which offended and alienated others.

He was not soft on sin and certainly never preached “cheap grace.” BUT, he preached Jesus who brought words of life. He often engaged in cultural discussions with college students in his Palo Alto area, sometimes without identifying himself. When they saw how interested he was in them and his honest involvement they wanted to know who he was. He then invited them to church, telling them how welcome they would be.

He reminded me one time that Jesus encountered the woman at the well in a way that was beyond acceptance. “Yes, He accepted her, but after she accepted Him, she was never the same again.” That was Ray’s heart – changed lives.

(BWF Note: Ray Stedman’s sermons are archived at www.raystedman.org)

This week consider the following: 1) Who has influenced my thinking about God? 2) How am I engaging others around who God is? 3) What has scripture meant to me?

Words of Wisdom: “My life changed when I found out that God was FOR me and NOT AGAINST me.” (Ray Stedman)

Wisdom from the Word: “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 NET Bible)