I awakened this morning thinking of death. Very cheery, isn't it? Just before going to bed I received a call that an acquaintance had died on Wednesday afternoon in a freaky accident. His death was tragic enough, but the years that preceded it were also tragic, marked by failure, at least to all external appearances. The man, who was about my age, lived with a lot of disappointment in his last decade of life. He left behind relationships without resolution, and a record that would be, at best, marked- incomplete. I don't want to imply that he was a bad man. He was an unfinished work, a man who appeared to fail to meet his potential in so many ways. The news that he was now in God's hands sobered me, made me think about the way I'm living today.
When I step into the Presence of my Lord - be it today, tomorrow, or 35 years from now - there are two things that I desire.
First and most important, I desire that Jesus, my Lord, will find my life complete and welcome me home with this greeting, "Well done, Jerry, enter the joy of my Presence."
Second, I desire that I leave behind a legacy of finished business - all relationships up to date and obligations met.
Achieving those goals requires that I live TODAY with purpose, not deferring the hard choices, the tough stuff, to another day! It demands selflessness, focus, and determination. The Bible talks about a life lived well this way - "You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. " (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, The Message)
Believer, are you giving yourself to living well? Please do not answer that by saying, "I'm not doing anything that is terribly wrong." That's not enough!
Are you doing what is right, what is good, what is Christ-honoring?
Are you giving life your best efforts or just floating along on the currents of the stream?
Take a few moments to add it all up. Ask yourself, while inviting the Spirit of God to bring clarity to your thoughts, "if I were to die today, would there be a lot of dangling threads, disappointed people, words unspoken, obligations unmet?" Perhaps that strikes you as morbid. That's not my intention, but I know that mortality is 100%! The Bible is stark - "man is destined to die and then to face judgment."
Live well! How? "Love God totally... love others selflessly!" That's the whole thing in a phrase.
_______________________
Here's a thought to ponder today -
"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth`s beauty or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."- Anonymous
Friday, May 26, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Quick fixes, easy solutions
I'm not much on Christian television. I find most of the religious TV programs worse than offensive. The very things that makes TV work - being bland, inoffensive, appealing to the widest audience, promising immediate gratification - are things that are incompatible with Biblical Christianity. The message of Jesus is one that challenges us, pierces us to the heart, and demands real change for our whole lifetime. Becoming a mature, effective, Spirit-filled Christian isn't accomplished in 3 easy steps, outlined by a preacher who proclaims, through the tears in her mascara, how God raised her up from the trailer park to a mansion. Following Christ is a life-long commitment, worked out in close community, through good and bad months; in moments of tremendous joy and heart-crushing sorrow; on the mountain top and deep in the dark valley.
But we Americans aren't much for process, are we? Phil Cooke, in an article in the June, 2006 issue of Charisma, writes: "We've created a generation of Christians who look for a magic bullet. That's why people travel thousands of miles, from conference to conference, just to 'get a word,' find 'fresh oil,' get 'the glory,' or 'catch the blessing.' ... After WW2, we experienced a time of real miracles in this country. We had amazing prefab houses, miracle drugs, fast food, and space-age appliances - instant satisfaction was everywhere. It changed everything. ... 50 years later we are still addicted to the feeling." We like quick fixes. Want to become a happy Believer? Tune into your favorite TV evangelist and order his 'gimmick,' - miracle seeds, prayer clothes, holy oil, vials of water from Jerusalem - and instantly life will be easier and better. No discipline is involved, just a credit card to place the order. How can we be so gullible?
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; ... those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. " (Psalm 37:7, 9 NKJV) That work, "patiently," in the Hebrew text of the Psalms is a word that has the connotation of writhing in pain, like a woman in childbirth! What an appropriate image for the Believer's experience. New life is being birthed in us by the Spirit's work. As the new man emerges, there will be times when we simply have to go through the pain. We won't be able to sidestep it, to go over it, or avoid it. It's just part of the process. Are you irritated by that statement? Do you think that I've become some masochistic kind of person who seeks pain for it's own sake? Think again. I hate pain and tears and conflict. I'd like nothing better than to live in perpetual happiness. But, the call of Christ on my life is to faithfulness, not happiness!
Of course there is joy, and truthfully, there is a lot of joy in my life. But, the times of growth, when my character is being shaped to be Christ-like, often involve sorrow and/or pain. It will be true for you, too, Believer friend. That is why the Scripture says,
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed!
So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training," (Hebrews 12:2-7, The Message)
There's a goal - to be like Jesus!
There's a home - in the Eternal Presence of God.
There's a reward - the commendation of the Lord of Life!
Keep those things in mind, all the time. Then engage with the struggle, dig in. Commit yourself to making a real Kingdom difference, not just to carving out a spot of greater ease or comfort for yourself. It will be worth it all - when we see Jesus!
_________________________
Jesus, what can I give,
What can I bring to so faithful a friend,
To so loving a King? Savior, what can be said,
What can be sung as a praise of Your name
For the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, Not even in part,
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart.
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth,
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You.
In surrender I must give my ev'ry part;
Lord, receive the sacrifice of a broken heart.
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost.
Giving up Your life to death, Even death on a cross.
You took all my shame away, There defeated my sin,
Opened up the gates of heaven, And have beckoned me in.
© 1994 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
But we Americans aren't much for process, are we? Phil Cooke, in an article in the June, 2006 issue of Charisma, writes: "We've created a generation of Christians who look for a magic bullet. That's why people travel thousands of miles, from conference to conference, just to 'get a word,' find 'fresh oil,' get 'the glory,' or 'catch the blessing.' ... After WW2, we experienced a time of real miracles in this country. We had amazing prefab houses, miracle drugs, fast food, and space-age appliances - instant satisfaction was everywhere. It changed everything. ... 50 years later we are still addicted to the feeling." We like quick fixes. Want to become a happy Believer? Tune into your favorite TV evangelist and order his 'gimmick,' - miracle seeds, prayer clothes, holy oil, vials of water from Jerusalem - and instantly life will be easier and better. No discipline is involved, just a credit card to place the order. How can we be so gullible?
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; ... those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. " (Psalm 37:7, 9 NKJV) That work, "patiently," in the Hebrew text of the Psalms is a word that has the connotation of writhing in pain, like a woman in childbirth! What an appropriate image for the Believer's experience. New life is being birthed in us by the Spirit's work. As the new man emerges, there will be times when we simply have to go through the pain. We won't be able to sidestep it, to go over it, or avoid it. It's just part of the process. Are you irritated by that statement? Do you think that I've become some masochistic kind of person who seeks pain for it's own sake? Think again. I hate pain and tears and conflict. I'd like nothing better than to live in perpetual happiness. But, the call of Christ on my life is to faithfulness, not happiness!
Of course there is joy, and truthfully, there is a lot of joy in my life. But, the times of growth, when my character is being shaped to be Christ-like, often involve sorrow and/or pain. It will be true for you, too, Believer friend. That is why the Scripture says,
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed!
So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training," (Hebrews 12:2-7, The Message)
There's a goal - to be like Jesus!
There's a home - in the Eternal Presence of God.
There's a reward - the commendation of the Lord of Life!
Keep those things in mind, all the time. Then engage with the struggle, dig in. Commit yourself to making a real Kingdom difference, not just to carving out a spot of greater ease or comfort for yourself. It will be worth it all - when we see Jesus!
_________________________
Jesus, what can I give,
What can I bring to so faithful a friend,
To so loving a King? Savior, what can be said,
What can be sung as a praise of Your name
For the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, Not even in part,
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart.
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth,
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You.
In surrender I must give my ev'ry part;
Lord, receive the sacrifice of a broken heart.
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost.
Giving up Your life to death, Even death on a cross.
You took all my shame away, There defeated my sin,
Opened up the gates of heaven, And have beckoned me in.
© 1994 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Patiently - getting it right
I'm an American Idol fan. The TV program is created around a great premise. Find people in America with vocal talent; bring them together to compete, and turn the winner into an instant celebrity with name recognition all over the United States. Just about everybody knows about McPhee and Hicks today. Who's going to be this season's winner? I say Taylor Hicks, but we'll know tonight. Randy Jackson, one of the judges of the competition, sometimes tells one of the performers, "It was a rough start, dog, but you worked it out!" What does he mean? The performer kept going when the song was falling apart, when the pitch was off, when he missed a few words. And, as he kept singing, he fixed the mistakes, adjusted pitch, got better - until he found his way to a big finish and wild applause.
I find that there are a lot of days in my life when I have to just keep going, praying that the Lord will help me to get things worked out, how about you? There are mornings when I wake up feeling like staying in bed. I stumble over my sinful nature getting angry, letting myself go negative, wandering into greed or doubt or self-pity or laziness. I go to work and waste the first half of the day in meaningless stuff. I start the week on a bad note and wake up on Thursday, still singing off-key. Or, somebody decides to try to make my life miserable and no matter what I say or do, they just won't quit. Does that ever happen to you? Sometimes I think to myself, 'wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no battles, internal or external?' But that's not life in the real world. From the first gasp to the last wheeze, if we want to live the way God plans, we will be working it out - patiently dealing with the sins, the obstacles, the disappointments, the temptations, the tests, the people who provoke... with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible encourages us with these words from Jesus Christ- “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. ... Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown." (Revelation 3:8-11, NLT)
Few things in life that have significant value are accomplished without sustained effort, patience for the long haul. There is nowhere that is more true than in our Christianity. If we want to please God, we have to be willing to work it out! "Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36, NLT) Take a tip from Randy Jackson and just keep singing 'til you get it worked out. Keep asking God to help you win over that habit that you know grieves Him. Keep loving that teenager, that spouse, that neighbor - who makes your life so difficult. Keep serving others with the gifts that God has given you, even when it seems that nothing is being accomplished.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it for a few moments right now. Invite the Holy Spirit to use it to strengthen your resolve to remain faithful to Christ while you 'work it out!'
"... be careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, (work out your salvation - NIV) obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless." (Philippians 2:12-16, NLT)
I find that there are a lot of days in my life when I have to just keep going, praying that the Lord will help me to get things worked out, how about you? There are mornings when I wake up feeling like staying in bed. I stumble over my sinful nature getting angry, letting myself go negative, wandering into greed or doubt or self-pity or laziness. I go to work and waste the first half of the day in meaningless stuff. I start the week on a bad note and wake up on Thursday, still singing off-key. Or, somebody decides to try to make my life miserable and no matter what I say or do, they just won't quit. Does that ever happen to you? Sometimes I think to myself, 'wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no battles, internal or external?' But that's not life in the real world. From the first gasp to the last wheeze, if we want to live the way God plans, we will be working it out - patiently dealing with the sins, the obstacles, the disappointments, the temptations, the tests, the people who provoke... with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible encourages us with these words from Jesus Christ- “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. ... Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown." (Revelation 3:8-11, NLT)
Few things in life that have significant value are accomplished without sustained effort, patience for the long haul. There is nowhere that is more true than in our Christianity. If we want to please God, we have to be willing to work it out! "Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36, NLT) Take a tip from Randy Jackson and just keep singing 'til you get it worked out. Keep asking God to help you win over that habit that you know grieves Him. Keep loving that teenager, that spouse, that neighbor - who makes your life so difficult. Keep serving others with the gifts that God has given you, even when it seems that nothing is being accomplished.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it for a few moments right now. Invite the Holy Spirit to use it to strengthen your resolve to remain faithful to Christ while you 'work it out!'
"... be careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, (work out your salvation - NIV) obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless." (Philippians 2:12-16, NLT)
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Plans to go to Heaven?
Most people who believe in an afterlife plan to live in Heaven! I've met a few fools who say, "I want to be in Hell. It's where all my friends are!" Further discussion reveals their ignorance of the true nature of an eternity without God. There won't be any wild parties in Hell, nothing of fun, joy, or pleasure. Jesus describes Hell as an awful place of torment. I think that there is ample reason to believe in a place apart from God where the greatest pain is not a physical one, nor one of burning torture; but rather as longing for fulfillment with absolutely no satisfaction. Hell will be, I believe, the ultimate realization of a life lived for selfish purposes, a life without love or worship.
One poll reports that when Americans were asked about eternity, 55% said they were certain they would go to Heaven. An additional 35% hoped that they would go there. Only 4% said they would be going to Hell and 6% said they didn't believe in Heaven or Hell. It's not my business to make the determination about who will spend eternity in God's Presence! I am sure thankful for that. But, I am concerned that many who think they are going there are mistaken because they have not prepared properly.
They might take the this news note online as a little parable.
It made me laugh and it made me think about being prepared!
O'Brien Middle School in Reno, Nevada, lined up four buses to take its top students to Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California. It's a four-hour bus ride from the school. The students arrived at the park on Monday only to find out the park was closed. A school district spokesman says, "It was pretty much a fiasco." School officials are refunding the kids' money, and the tour bus company says it will pick up the tab for the next trip. The principal says somebody should have checked. - RENO, Nev. (AP)
I wonder after a long life journey how many will find the way to Heaven closed because they never prepared, never paid attention to the Holy Spirit's call? Tragically most Americans who claim to be Christians are woefully ignorant about what the Bible has to say about spending all of eternity with the Lord. They are living with false hope, unprepared for the most important transition of their entire lives!
When asked why they think they are going to Heaven, about 60% of us say, "Because I'm basically a good person." The truth is that basically we are rebels, self-willed, who readily set aside God's plans and purposes to do what we want to do. That doesn't mean we're all mass murderers, or wildly promiscuous, or big-time bad guys. We're just ordinary sinners, people who are in the grip of fallen human natures, that love self more than God; who gossip, fight, grab stuff for ourselves, and live to satisfy our appetites. The declaration of the Word is, "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."
Another 10-15% of Americans think that they are going to Heaven because they are religious. They point to church attendance, or a good faith effort to keep the 10 Commandments, etc. as the reason that they will be in Heaven. Once again they are ignorant about what the Bible has to say. If religion is our hope, we embrace God's standard - which is - absolute purity. Who among us can lay claim to perfection except those deep into self-deception? No amount of goodness can offset the sin that lurks in our hearts.
Here's the Good News. We can know that we're going to Heaven! We don't have to wait for the Final Judgment, for some imaginary set of scales that weighs our 'good' and 'bad' deeds. We can anticipate an eternal home with God with certainty. God has made an agreement (the Bible calls it a covenant) that is based in His mercy, His gracious gift, not on our human efforts.
It is explained in Ephesians 2 where we read:
It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. . . . It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.
He did all this on his own, with no help from us! . . . Saving is all his idea, and all his work.
All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves.
God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. Ephesians 2:1-10 (The Message)
The best part of all this isn't some big house on a golden boulevard (as so many caricature Heaven because they misunderstand Biblical metaphors!) It is being in the Presence of God, able to know and love Him without hindrance, without the limitations that our present existence imposes on us. I am already enjoying Heaven! No, I haven't died yet, but Heaven is implanted in my heart and mind. I commune with God, enjoying the fullness of life that the Spirit brings to me. In that I have a foretaste of heaven and I'm drawn to live a life that pleases God, so that when my eyes close in death, there will be no surprises, for my Savior will say, "Hi, friend. Welcome home, forever!"
________________________
O, heaven is in my heart,
O, heaven is in my heart.
The kingdom of our God is here,
Heaven is in my heart.
The presence of His majesty,
Heaven is in my heart.
And in His presence joy abounds,
Heaven is in my heart.
The light of holiness surrounds,
Heaven is in my heart.
His precious life on me He spent,
Heaven is in my heart.
To give me life without an end,
Heaven is in my heart.
In Christ is all my confidence,
Heaven is in my heart.
The hope of my inheritance,
Heaven is in my heart.
We are a temple for His throne,
Heaven is in my heart.
And Christ is the foundation stone,
Heaven is in my heart.
He will return to take us home,
Heaven is in my heart.
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"
Heaven is in my heart.
© 1991 Make Way Music
(Admin. by Music Services) Graham Kendrick CCLI License No. 810055
_____________________________________
One poll reports that when Americans were asked about eternity, 55% said they were certain they would go to Heaven. An additional 35% hoped that they would go there. Only 4% said they would be going to Hell and 6% said they didn't believe in Heaven or Hell. It's not my business to make the determination about who will spend eternity in God's Presence! I am sure thankful for that. But, I am concerned that many who think they are going there are mistaken because they have not prepared properly.
They might take the this news note online as a little parable.
It made me laugh and it made me think about being prepared!
O'Brien Middle School in Reno, Nevada, lined up four buses to take its top students to Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California. It's a four-hour bus ride from the school. The students arrived at the park on Monday only to find out the park was closed. A school district spokesman says, "It was pretty much a fiasco." School officials are refunding the kids' money, and the tour bus company says it will pick up the tab for the next trip. The principal says somebody should have checked. - RENO, Nev. (AP)
I wonder after a long life journey how many will find the way to Heaven closed because they never prepared, never paid attention to the Holy Spirit's call? Tragically most Americans who claim to be Christians are woefully ignorant about what the Bible has to say about spending all of eternity with the Lord. They are living with false hope, unprepared for the most important transition of their entire lives!
When asked why they think they are going to Heaven, about 60% of us say, "Because I'm basically a good person." The truth is that basically we are rebels, self-willed, who readily set aside God's plans and purposes to do what we want to do. That doesn't mean we're all mass murderers, or wildly promiscuous, or big-time bad guys. We're just ordinary sinners, people who are in the grip of fallen human natures, that love self more than God; who gossip, fight, grab stuff for ourselves, and live to satisfy our appetites. The declaration of the Word is, "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."
Another 10-15% of Americans think that they are going to Heaven because they are religious. They point to church attendance, or a good faith effort to keep the 10 Commandments, etc. as the reason that they will be in Heaven. Once again they are ignorant about what the Bible has to say. If religion is our hope, we embrace God's standard - which is - absolute purity. Who among us can lay claim to perfection except those deep into self-deception? No amount of goodness can offset the sin that lurks in our hearts.
Here's the Good News. We can know that we're going to Heaven! We don't have to wait for the Final Judgment, for some imaginary set of scales that weighs our 'good' and 'bad' deeds. We can anticipate an eternal home with God with certainty. God has made an agreement (the Bible calls it a covenant) that is based in His mercy, His gracious gift, not on our human efforts.
It is explained in Ephesians 2 where we read:
It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. . . . It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.
He did all this on his own, with no help from us! . . . Saving is all his idea, and all his work.
All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves.
God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. Ephesians 2:1-10 (The Message)
The best part of all this isn't some big house on a golden boulevard (as so many caricature Heaven because they misunderstand Biblical metaphors!) It is being in the Presence of God, able to know and love Him without hindrance, without the limitations that our present existence imposes on us. I am already enjoying Heaven! No, I haven't died yet, but Heaven is implanted in my heart and mind. I commune with God, enjoying the fullness of life that the Spirit brings to me. In that I have a foretaste of heaven and I'm drawn to live a life that pleases God, so that when my eyes close in death, there will be no surprises, for my Savior will say, "Hi, friend. Welcome home, forever!"
________________________
O, heaven is in my heart,
O, heaven is in my heart.
The kingdom of our God is here,
Heaven is in my heart.
The presence of His majesty,
Heaven is in my heart.
And in His presence joy abounds,
Heaven is in my heart.
The light of holiness surrounds,
Heaven is in my heart.
His precious life on me He spent,
Heaven is in my heart.
To give me life without an end,
Heaven is in my heart.
In Christ is all my confidence,
Heaven is in my heart.
The hope of my inheritance,
Heaven is in my heart.
We are a temple for His throne,
Heaven is in my heart.
And Christ is the foundation stone,
Heaven is in my heart.
He will return to take us home,
Heaven is in my heart.
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"
Heaven is in my heart.
© 1991 Make Way Music
(Admin. by Music Services) Graham Kendrick CCLI License No. 810055
_____________________________________
Monday, May 22, 2006
Authority- God's gift
In my rear-view mirror, I saw the red lights begin to rotate on the patrol car. Easing to the side of the road, I realized he was not going around me, but stopping behind me! The young patrolman informed me that I had squeezed the yellow light at the intersection a little too closely and that, as he saw it, I had broken the law by running a red light. I was very glad that after a word of warning, he sent me on my way. I don't like getting an expensive traffic ticket! However, I've seen public roads in developing nations that don't have traffic law enforcement and the chaos is dangerous. So, I am thankful for the men and women who enforce the law and help to keep me safe. I don't choose to submit to the police because I like or even respect the individual officer. Some cops are even corrupt, some judges are crooked; but I recognize the importance of the system for order, so I submit to the rule of law.
Do you know that submission to those who are in authority is a spiritual issue?
The Bible teaches us that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
(Romans 13:1-5, NIV)
Authority principles run through all of society - the family, the government, and even the church.
A family where the children do not recognize the authority of parents will be a family in chaos.
A citizenry that does not respect the governing authorities will become a terrible place, a dangerous place.
A church where those with spiritual authority are not allowed to lead will be a joyless, conflict filled place, too. It isn't always the 'followers' that are at fault! Sometimes those entrusted with authority fail to lead! Why? Because providing leadership is a hard thing to do.
Ask any parent of teenagers how much fun it is to enforce necessary rules. It is hard to have our kids dislike us, resist us. They even think we're being tyrants. So some parents abdicate their God-given authority! Those who provide leadership in a nation have to deal with resistance, too! I can't think that reading opinion polls that show declining support is all that enjoyable for our elected officials. Pastors who are called to lead local churches know both the joy of cooperative congregations and the pain of those who refuse their leadership. The most tragic thing for those who rebel and resist leadership is not how the effect on the leader, but the effect on the church! When people pray for their spiritual leaders and follow them willingly, unity grows; relationships deepen, and amazing things happen in the Kingdom of God.
Authority (and many despise that word) is necessary. Authority comes from God and is not just an unpleasant necessity. Good authority is a gift from God. That is why we need to encourage those who lead us, pray for them, and help them to govern well. Consider the example of Israel following the exodus from Egypt. When they obeyed God and willingly submitted themselves to Moses' leadership, they prospered and were at peace. When they grumbled, griped, and rebelled - they found themselves under the judgment of God, divided, and eventually dying. The Word makes this observation - "We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?" (Hebrews 12:9, The Message)
Here's a word from the Word to think on today - "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, NIV)
Do you know that submission to those who are in authority is a spiritual issue?
The Bible teaches us that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
(Romans 13:1-5, NIV)
Authority principles run through all of society - the family, the government, and even the church.
A family where the children do not recognize the authority of parents will be a family in chaos.
A citizenry that does not respect the governing authorities will become a terrible place, a dangerous place.
A church where those with spiritual authority are not allowed to lead will be a joyless, conflict filled place, too. It isn't always the 'followers' that are at fault! Sometimes those entrusted with authority fail to lead! Why? Because providing leadership is a hard thing to do.
Ask any parent of teenagers how much fun it is to enforce necessary rules. It is hard to have our kids dislike us, resist us. They even think we're being tyrants. So some parents abdicate their God-given authority! Those who provide leadership in a nation have to deal with resistance, too! I can't think that reading opinion polls that show declining support is all that enjoyable for our elected officials. Pastors who are called to lead local churches know both the joy of cooperative congregations and the pain of those who refuse their leadership. The most tragic thing for those who rebel and resist leadership is not how the effect on the leader, but the effect on the church! When people pray for their spiritual leaders and follow them willingly, unity grows; relationships deepen, and amazing things happen in the Kingdom of God.
Authority (and many despise that word) is necessary. Authority comes from God and is not just an unpleasant necessity. Good authority is a gift from God. That is why we need to encourage those who lead us, pray for them, and help them to govern well. Consider the example of Israel following the exodus from Egypt. When they obeyed God and willingly submitted themselves to Moses' leadership, they prospered and were at peace. When they grumbled, griped, and rebelled - they found themselves under the judgment of God, divided, and eventually dying. The Word makes this observation - "We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?" (Hebrews 12:9, The Message)
Here's a word from the Word to think on today - "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, NIV)
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