I am writing to let you know of some significant things unfolding for the St. John family, and, of course, for the family of Scofield Memorial Church. This past Sunday evening–after months of prayerful deliberation–I accepted the invitation to become the new teaching pastor of Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo, North Dakota. Nestled in the heart of a thriving metropolitan area known for its universities and high tech industry, this church of 2,500 people serves as a resource leader in the Upper Midwest and across the globe, prayerfully representing Christ through missions, leadership development, discipleship, and teaching. As the teaching pastor my focus will be the exposition of the Scriptures, articulating Bethel’s vision for ministry, and contributing to its leadership culture. God willing, we expect to settle in Fargo sometime in late August.

Though Christa and I are at peace about this new direction from the Lord, it is not easy for us to leave the Scofield family which we so dearly love. God has done much in recent years to fan into flame healing and vigor for all things Scofield. He has put together a marvelous staff, brought many new people into this church family, and has caused Scofield to be all the more available to His unique purposes both around the corner and around the world. Thankfully, God is not finished!

And because God is not finished with this great church, I must invite you to please engage some important opportunities common to a time of transition. First, I urge you to pray for and support Scofield’s elders, deacons, and staff. They are all faithful people who God has raised up to shepherd His church. Indeed, Hebrews 13:17 exhorts us toward this end; you might look it up and determine how you will cheer on these folk in the days ahead.

Secondly, remember that this church belongs to Jesus; He alone is its Head. Because this is so He can be counted on to take care of it–no matter what!

And finally, discern how you cn personally contribute to the welfare of the Scofield community. Ephesians 5:2 tells us to “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us . . . .” Such Christ-like love goes a long way toward ensuring the vibrancy of any church family.

Please know how deeply I love you, and what a privilege it has been to serve as your senior pastor these several years. Christa and I never dreamed that God would direct us to a new assignment–certainly not at this point in the Scofield journey. And yet all of us must be prepared for God to answer as He pleases the prayer that always remains before Christa and me: “Master, may we be totally available to you, no matter the costs.”

With profound gratitude and unwavering love,

Matthew

The letter speaks or itself. In the coming days we’ll talk much more about this transition. Rest assured we’re ecstatic about the opportunity while being heartbroken about leaving ones we love here in the Scofield community and in Dallas.

Think about this carefully. King Saul had everything a man could want, and his story was one that captivated a hungry nation. He had power and prestige. He was remarkably handsome and agile. He was wealthy, and enjoyed broad associations that were no doubt the envy of many. King Saul had a large, successful family; numerous servants and subordinates; lifelong comrades who would do anything in the world for him; and a horde of challenges that make the word “intrigue” seem inadequate. Among his acquaintances were many godly men who advised him regarding his leadership. He was a rancher’s son whose early humility and hard work invited the watchful eye of many.

But over the course of time King Saul forgot his roots and God’s riches. As his power grew so did his ego, and despite the constant pleading of stout folk like the old prophet Samuel or his own son, Prince Jonathan, King Saul refused to let God be in charge of King Saul. Thus, in the end, he died a disastrous death that left a nation heartbroken and frightened.

If someone were penning the final chapter of your life, what would they write? Would it contain a string of affirmations from those who have known you well? Would it be filled with the contributions you have made as a person of integrity and steadfast lovingkindness? Would those who read it discover that through the unending grace of God you overcame life’s difficulties?

Or, might it indicate that you were bitter and proud? Perhaps it would be filled with all of the “what ifs” that tend to clutter our existence. Maybe there would be a line of folk who wanted to love you and be loved in return, but were left empty-handed and without hope.

When it is all said and done, how we end in this world is going to be greatly proportional to how we have lived in this world. How are you living? God Almighty has given you and me so much. Indeed, we are a very blessed people–very rich because of His steadfast grace. Should we not, therefore, live and die in such a way that our final chapter will bring honor to His great and glorious name?

So begins a brief but vivid passage of Scripture found in Exodus 17:8-13. It is the response to this attack that is noteworthy. Moses orders Joshua to take the army to meet the enemy. Meanwhile, Moses climbs to the top of a hill overlooking the battlefield, and there raises his hands over the scene below him. When his hands were raised high the army of Israel gained momentum and began to win the battle. But when his hands became weary and he lowered them, the army of Israel began to lose.

How valuable it was, therefore, for friends to stand with Moses at that critical hour. Aaron and Hur huddled around the great leader and “held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other–so that his hands remained steady till sunset” (verse 12). Because they stood alongside of Moses, bearing with him the burden of his labor, “Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword” (verse 13).

Whose hands do you need to hold up today? How about our president? Whether you agree with him or not, the apostle Paul exhorts you to “submit . . . to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). Have you prayed for him today? Or what about your wife? Do you hold her hands up high so she can be everything God wants her to be? Are you standing alongside of your husband as he deals with the critical issues of life?

Give consideration here to the influences in your life. Is it possible that God wants you to be like Aaron and Hur to your coach, your neighbor, the missionary you know, or your–heaven forbid–boss? How about the divorced mommy of three that you know? How about the elderly couple that can no longer drive? How about the young professional who longs for a wife and godly dudes to hang with? These folk may not be like Moses, but they are people that need the blessing of one who will stand with them by way of prayer, service, encouragement, and accountability. In short: they need friends like you.

God is calling all of us who follow Him to step into one of two kinds of positions. Some of us are to be like Moses–called to serve in unique roles whereby we have broad influence over people. Others–perhaps most of us–are called to be like Aaron and Hur, willing to come alongside to hold a hand up high. This is intentional, Christ-like service, love, and accountability. It is nothing short of what we must be modeling within our realms of influence.

Are you?

The end is indeed near. Peter wrote this within a generation of Jesus’ resurrection, and it is every bit as true today. The urgent tone reveals the reality that our Lord Jesus could return at any moment to take His church heavenward. The apostle Paul affirmed this imminent expectation clearly in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, writing that we are to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. The Lord is coming soon at the appointed time. Until then we live in a world gone mad and must engage the suffering and difficulty commonplace with depravity. Small wonder, then, that Peter goes forward to state what is needful in this hour. Reflect upon what he exhorts:

First, we must be self-controlled. Panic pounces on faith and tears it to shreds. In a world gone haywire, self-control is a critical part of keeping pespective. Giving cautious consideration to the way we respond to the evil in our world will allow us to embrace faith and peace. Rash responses play into the fear-mongering tactics of Satan. Self-control is a premier virtue for the believer; it refuses to let fleshly impulses best you. Secondly, we must be sober-minded. Sobriety of mind is to concede with faith that God is at work in our world and in our lives, and that we, therefore, will choose to trust Him, despite how strong the frightening forces can appear.

Do not gloss over the fact that self-control and sobriety of mind liberates you to pray. But what to pray in a world gone mad? Perhaps that God would use the tumult to melt hard hearts and move people toward the cross. Maybe that God would use the movement of diplomats and rescue workers and bloggers to quietly but methodically promote Jesus’ reputation in distant lands. Perhaps that God would increase your own faith and allow you to see your circumstances of fear and concern as a parable from which you can understand another’s desperation. The sky is the limit. Self-control and sobriety of mind free you to pray with availability, humility and expectation.

Remember that above all which you do and are, fervent love must be the rule. What greater gift can you give than the picture of Christ-like love that serves, gives, waits, and–yes–forgives? In a world gone utterly mad this is a gift that rises above the mayhem and points to the Messiah who saves; your Messiah–Jesus–the One who is at hand!

Fasten your seatbelt as you review the schedule that unfolded for Noah. First, it rained for forty days. That much Noah was anticipating. But then it took one hundred and ten more days for the waters to recede enough for the ark to rest on Arafat. And then it took seventy-four more days for the tops of the mountains to become visible (cp. Genesis 8:5). Forty days later Noah sent a couple of birds out to scout the territory (8:6-9). A week after this, another bird was sent out, returning with a green leaf. Another week passes and a bird is sent out again, this time never to return. Twenty-two days later the water receded. About two weeks later Noah saw dry land from his perch in the ark. Fifty-seven days later Noah and his family–and the animals–walked out into the sunshine on dry soil. Think of it! Three hundred and seventy-seven days in all!

But the only number God had told Noah from the beginning was forty. That leaves three hundred and thirty-seven days of waiting without any firm statement about when to disembark! Could you wait that long? Patiently? Graciously? With anticipation and trust?

The beauty of it for Noah was that his patience paid off. God honored and blessed Noah (cp. 9:1). More importantly, God honored and glorified His own name through the entire flood experience. And God did this according to His timetable–not Noah’s.

Be mindful of these notions as you think about God’s work in your life. First, though you cannot see the timetable God has for the unfolding drama of His work and purposes in your life, He sees it. He knows when the right time is for this or that concern. His timing is well within the scope of His ability to manage.

Secondly, God is working even while you are not privy to tangible demonstrations of His work. Imagine how many times Noah must have gazed out an opening to see what was happening–only to see nothing but water. But justice was being meted out, and the water, in ways in which Noah could not have dreamed, was transforming the earth.

Finally, there is great blessing for those who wait patiently. When disembarking, God blessed Noah and covenanted with Him regarding the earth’s well-being. The thirty-seventh psalm states it well: Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt  you to inherit the land. . . . Have no doubt about it! God loves you very much, and will honor your obedience, trust and patience.