Author: Ben Bourland

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QTVOTD: Happy Anniversary to us! God is working!!!

Happy Anniversary…to us!! Today marks the anniversary of being married to Marianne for 23 years! Today we were graciously given the gift by our daughters to be away together overnight for the first time in over 10 years. We went to the 9:30am service at church and then left for our getaway to the Salish Lodge which has been amazing! We had an 8:30pm couples massage and plan to sleep in tomorrow and finish it off with a dinner together at the Salish Lodge Dinning Room at 5:30pm Monday night. We will get home around 10pm.

We are so thankful for Bella and Sophie taking care of the Littles at home even though little Prim (6) is battling a nasty cold. We miss them though and even though this has been wonderful, we miss them all so much! 

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

My quiet time is super short this evening but also very powerful…this passage so resonated with me lately…some things we have been walking through at home have been very trying and we have felt alone in certain ways. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is nothing compared to what Paul and his companions were dealing with as he talks about here. One of the things that Marianne have I have been resolved to is seeing that these trials we walk through ‘under the sun’ are opportunities to draw closer to the Lord Himself and rely on Him for the strength we need rather than what the world might call us to for ‘self-help’. That is precisely what Paul is saying as well! He saw these afflictions (even afflictions that cause despair of life itself) as a way to further rely on the God Who raises people from the dead, not themselves.

Application:

Right here on this getaway, Marianne and I have been talking about how we can take the journey we are on with leaning on God more and more for our trials and include others who might be going through similar circumstances and need prayer and support. God is working!!

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QTVOTD: The Comfort of God Cont…

Today was such a nice leisurely morning. I got up with the ‘Littles’ and let Marianne sleep in. We had a slow start with a lingering restful time of reading together and enjoying the laughter of these little chickens (Prim and Brooklyn). Around lunch time we started to make snowflakes that we then hung up over the window looking out onto the backyard…everyone did such a great job!

5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 [ESV]

Today’s quiet time and reflection on God’s Word continued with ‘God’s comfort and the comfort we give to others’ but now Paul pulls in our Lord Jesus Christ into the picture to show that ‘Being in Christ’ not only includes participating in His suffering but also in His comfort. As the Body of the Church of Christ we share in these things together which is what Paul was trying to encourage the Corinthian church with.

Paul also goes on to say that if (when) we are afflicted, it is for our comfort and salvation. God wants us to draw into Himself; He knows that He is the best thing for us, but we must discover and recognize this need. I believe that God allows trials, affliction, and difficult times to fall on us so that we might turn toward Him. When we do this, He grows our faith by pouring out this comfort Paul speaks of here.

The next crazy part of what Paul says here is that you get comfort when you ‘patiently endure’ suffering. Paul knows what suffering is – he has been chased, imprisoned, persecuted, and even dealt with some physical ailment he calls ‘a thorn in his side’. So, he closes this thought by telling the church that from his own experience, that when they suffer as he suffers, they will also receive the same comfort he has had.

Application:

The first thing I must ask myself is “am I a follower of Jesus who patiently endures suffering”? I can honestly answer this by saying “No…but I need to be”. Because I am a person whose flesh is easily tossed by the waves of circumstances and situations, I must remember to quickly move into a posture of prayer and openness to the will and purposes of God that have me in the situation/circumstances that cause suffering. I also must be looking for God’s hand of comfort, acknowledging it, and receiving it with gratefulness and love for Him.

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QTVOTD: Starting 2nd Corinthians…

Having finished Philemon, I am now moving on to 2nd Corinthians. I have read through 2nd Corinthians many times and reference it a lot but have not yet done a deliberate study of the book. I know this because I have not highlighted it. Look here at the difference between Philemon and 2 Corinthians. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 [AMP]

I really love the description of the Lord by Paul here right at the beginning of this book.

Attributes of God called out by Paul:

  • Sympathetic
  • Merciful
  • Comforter
  • Encourager
  • Not just a ‘Sunny Day’ God -> He is with us in the best and worst times.

The reason these couple of verses hit me a little harder than normal today is partly because of a book I just started reading call ‘The Insanity of God’ by Nik Ripkin. This book is about a missionary to Africa (Somalia) that tells of his and his family’s stories and how God shows up in the worst of circumstances. So, if I am getting precise, my chewing today is specifically on this portion ->

“[ESV]…who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

God comforts us in the worst of times, so that we can comfort others in the worst of their times, with the comfort God shows us when we are comforted by Him. Just dwell on that saying it over and over again in your mind.

Application:

First – am I paying attention to the comforting hand of God when I am in painful circumstances? Second – does this acknowledgement translate into seeking out others in pain who I can come along and comfort with the same loving comfort God has shown me? For Nik Ripkin, he and his wife Ruth would actually put themselves in harm’s way to help the war torn, famine stricken, and hopeless Somali people. This all comes down to having a heart that is filled with the love of God; filled to the point that everything I think and desire to do is what He thinks and desires of me. Praying today that God would continue to help me see how much I and others need Him even thought I live comfortably here in the United States, with food on my table, a roof over my head, money in my bank, and a healthy family…none of which the Somali people had in the timeframe this “Insanity of God” book was written.

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QTVOTD: Heart Refreshment from the Saints…

20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Philemon 1:20-22 [ESV]

Today is my final reading in Philemon! Feels like it has been so quick.

What affected me the most when I read this passage was what Philemon had to offer Paul…a refreshed heart. Paul says here that he essentially needs benefit from Philemon; and it is through the body of Christ (through Philemon) that Paul finds this refreshment. Al throughout the New Testament, we see Paul as a man who saw the face of Jesus, heard Him speak to Paul on the road to Damascus, and he (Paul) had a very clear mission given from Jesus to preach the gospel and win over the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God. But here we see Paul with needs, and those needs fulfilled through Philemon.

Finally, Paul’s last words here contain a confident declaration that Philemon will come through and take back Onesimus and do even more than what Paul has asked for. Additionally, we see Paul asking Philemon to prepare a room for him (Paul) in hopes that through prayer, Paul will be released from prison to come see him. I love this continued surrender to the Lord and dedication to fulfilling His will and purposes. Paul is essentially saying, “God willing, I plan to come to you and stay.”

Application:

I need to look to the church body around me for ‘refreshment of the heart’ in Jesus but through the saints. I need to be humble to understand that a lot of the goodness God has for me here on earth comes from those Christians around me. I also need to have the mindset that “God willing” this or that can happen. This harkens back to my reading in James where he had similar teaching.

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QTVOTD: Seeing Changed Hearts is Powerful…

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Philemon 1:15-16 [ESV]

I really like the thought Paul has here in 15 & 16. Essentially, he is saying that maybe Onesimus needed to run away that he might find Christ for himself…and in this then return to Philemon forever as a brother in Christ rather than his bondservant. Paul knows this because Onesimus has been that (a brother) to him.

When Paul says “both in the flesh and the Lord” he means in a practical and helpful way as well as a spiritual way. Practical and helpful now because before he ran away, he had stolen from Philemon and betrayed his trust. Now as a ‘New Man’ Onesimus will be so much more to Philemon than he was. On top of that Onesimus will be a spiritual member of the body providing in those ways as well; being used by God for the furthering of Philemon’s church.

Application:

This may seem simplistic but when it is applied is very powerful. Understanding the potential impact of a born-again human being is not something to be underestimated. When the Lord grabs ahold of a wayward heart, the profound transformation we often see is staggering; it grows our faith!

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QTVOTD: Brotherly Treatment…

Today was filled with many wonderful moments…I took the ‘Littles’ a little earlier than the rest of the family to Cabella’s to do some shopping and for the kiddos to see all the taxidermy animals, which they loved! Then, Marianne and the older girls came, and we saw Santa. We did a little more shopping at Cabella’s and then headed to the Seattle Premium Outlets to do even more shopping. Then later this evening I took my mom out to dinner for her birthday which was last weekend, but I was on the East Coast on business. Finally, I came home, and Marianne was just putting the finishing touches on lighting the Christmas tree. A great day!

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— Philemon 1:8-9 [ESV]

I know this is just a short passage today, but it really hit me how Paul is taking a loving approach to Philemon to take back Onesimus into his care. I think there are so many times were we feel ‘Justified’ in making stronghanded suggestions for our fellow believers..,and in accountability, these are sometimes warranted. But, here you see not only Paul’s love for Philemon but his respect for him as well and a desire to appeal to his godly character that Philemon’s sanctification has benefitted him. I have been sitting here thinking about the times that I have maybe been too quick to pronounce something that needs to happen versus ‘appealing’ to the biblical sensibilities of a fellow believer. If you think about it, it tears down a lot of the potential for conflict where a receiver is forced to face what Jesus has to say in the bible for a given situation rather than respond with a knee-jerk of the flesh to the perceived mandate.

Application:

Even when it comes to my own household it can be better to appeal to a fellow believer’s heart in the suggestion of a biblical way forward. Obviously, this is a harder approach with someone who is ‘of the world’ and has no interest or investment in how the Lord would have them act. Prayer goes before and I myself must be aligned with the heart of God before approaching someone about a path forward that is like the one with Paul and Philemon here.

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QTVOTD: The Love and Encouragement of a Brother…

Tonight, we had a wonderful couple over for some coffee and a chat. They are an amazing Godly husband and wife who love the Lord and each other. They realize that their marriage is about what God wants to do in and through them more than anything else. They were such and encouragement to us and we so enjoyed their company and perspective. In reading through just this one verse tonight, I was immediately struck by what Philemon meant to Paul; how even Philemon was an encouragement to him because of Philemon’s obedience and service of love to those around him.

We serve at our church with this lovely couple and knowing the impact they have had on our church body; this verse rang true for me as I ponder the love, obedience, service, and faithfulness of this couple on the community of believers at Canyon Hills.

7 For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother. Philemon 1:7 [AMP]

These are the powerful relationships God has in store for us in each other as we walk through this land as foreigners. Through our citizenship in heaven, we connect with each other on a level that puts others above ourselves; seeking to serve our ultimate King.

Application:

First, I want to pour more into this budding relationship with this couple we spent time with tonight. We are close in age and have similar experiences in our families of girls. I want to find more ‘Brothers’ that can pour as much into and challenge me as I seek to come alongside and serve others.

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QTVOTD: Starting Philemon…

Today I start a study of the book of Philemon. This is a letter from Paul, while he was in prison, to Philemon, Apphia (Philemon’s Wife), Archippus, and to the church who meets in Philemon’s house.

One of the primary subjects of the letter is in regard to Onesimus. Evidently Onesimus had escaped from Philemon in Colosse to Rome where he became a believer and associated with Paul. As a slave he was the legal property of Philemon. In addition, Onesimus had stolen some of Philemon’s goods. With this letter Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, emphasizing that Christian conduct should permeate their relationship. Paul especially pleads for forgiveness for Onesimus, asking that he be accepted as a Christian brother. The appeal is written very tactfully and is organized in such a way as to build rapport, persuade the mind, and move the emotions.

4 I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,
5 Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
6 [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
 Philemon 1:4-6 [AMP]

I just love the heart of Paul in calling out his admiration and gratitude for Philemon in these first several verses. Paul does this in some of his other letters, but you get the sense that there is an enduring personal relationship between Paul and Philemon. When I think about all of the churches Paul influenced and the leadership he put in place at each one, the amount prayer had to have been staggering if he was continually praying for all of them in the way that he mentions here. That personal relationship must have meant a lot to Paul for him to thank God for Philemon each time he thought to pray for him.

These next 2 verses (5 & 6) have some interesting points. Love of Christ, Loyal Faith towards Christ -> sharing these attributes with all of the saints around him (Philemon) produce a recognition, appreciation, and knowledge of everything we good that we have in and through Christ Jesus. I like how the Amplified says “in our identification with Christ” and “unto His glory”.

Application:

There is no doubt what the focus is of Paul in this passage. Love, loyal faith, and recognition of ‘good’ is nothing if we don’t direct and appropriate them entirely in the context of Jesus and to glorify Him. Just in this opening set of statements from Paul, it helps me see that I must live every moment of my life with the context of my identity in Jesus and Jesus being the sole recipient of any glory. Paul mentions Philemon but the kudos he (Paul) gives is because Philemon is centered correctly on Jesus in recognition of good and works of love and loyal faith being birthed from a desire to please Jesus and be more like Him. I am still sitting here absorbing this…

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QTVOTD: Returning Strays is a Noble Endeavor…

Today I conclude my study of James. This is Marianne’s favorite book of the Bible and I now understand why…there is just so much good instruction for us as believers in righteous living, exhortation, and admonishment. 43 days of study has been wonderful, and I am now faced with where to go next. I am going to study the super small book of Philemon, nestled between Titus and Hebrews. I’ll start there tomorrow.

19 [My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God],
20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert]. James 5:19-20 [AMP]

James does not finish his letter with a typical epistolary ending…no, he finishes with a call to action. That call to action is to intervene on behalf of fellow-Christians who may be having a tough time with the spiritual matters he has been talking about.

Here is a small list of the many problems he has spoken about in his letter:

  • sinful speech
  • disobedience
  • unconcern about others
  • worldliness
  • quarelling
  • arrogance

To James, correct doctrine cannot be separated from correct behavior. What the mind thinks, and the mouth confesses, the body must do; anything less is worldly, sinful ‘double-mindedness’. Brothers and sisters in the community of believers who see one of their own wandering from the truth, should seek with all of their power to bring that person back to the faith from which they strayed.

…Now we get into some Greek ambiguity. Who has been saved from death…and whose sin? The one who has been saved from death is almost certainly the one who has sinned. Only the one who has wandered away is in danger of the judgement. James sees death as the final destination on the path which sinners have determined to take when they are turned back from that journey, they have saved their lives. It is difficult to know whether the sins which are covered are the sinner’s, the converter’s, or both.

The notion that our efforts to bring others to repentance will bring benefit to our own spiritual standing is certainly biblical. The Lord promises Ezekiel that he ‘will save his life’ if he is faithful in warning his people of their danger of judgment (Ezek. 3:21); and Paul tells Timothy that he will ‘save both himself and his hearers’ if he takes heed to himself and his teaching (1 Tim. 4:16). The ‘Blessing’ given to faithful believers must not, of course, be construed as a reward for their efforts. But the idea that God will treat us as we have treated others is inescapable in scripture and explicitly mentioned in James (2:12-13).

Application:

A personal reward should not be a driving factor for me to chase a wayward Christian and do my best to confront their sin and implore them to come back into the fold. I should do this out of love for my brother or sister in Christ, knowing the judgement and embarrassment that will come to that person if the Lord should return and find them chasing worldly pursuits. As a born-again Christian, saved by faith, and a recipient of the unmerited grace of God, I should seek to guide wayward Christians back to God through love, truth, and grace. It’s one thing to get up into someone’s grill and rebuke, it’s another to simply use the Word of God to shine a light on the unrepentant sin in one’s life and be there as a waiting accountability partner for that person’s willing road back to the safety of obedience and righteous living.

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QTVOTD: One of the Greatest Blessing of Eldership…

13 Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].
14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name.
15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:13-15 [AMP]

I am coming up on 2 years as an Elder at Canyon Hills Community Church. During this time one of the most humbling things, I get to participate in, is praying over the sick, infirmed, and people in painful circumstances. However, let’s focus on the primary points of this passage above which is with PRAYER. Pray when you are not feeling well or are being treated poorly, or even persecuted. Pray when things are going great and let God know how thankful we are of His blessing on us and praise Him. It is when someone has reached a place of illness that requires someone else to pray for (or over) you. In this case it is the faith of the elders as well as the prayer themselves that the Lord works through. As elders we also anoint with oil.

There are various reasons for anointing with oil in the bible but the one we hold to in this circumstance is ‘the setting apart’ of the individual, bringing God’s attention to them in their suffering. In some cases, in biblical times, it was used for hygienic or medicinal reasons, like with the ‘Good Samaritan’ when he washed the wounds of the wounded man and applied wine and oil.

I am just so grateful to have the opportunity to come to the Lord on behalf of a Saint in need and we have seen God do amazing things through these times of prayer. Sometimes it is healing itself, sometimes it is an equipping of that person for a work God has for them, and in others it has strengthened their faith then they had become disheartened and weak in spirit.

Prayer, prayer, prayer, and more prayer.