What a need!

God has been so good to me. My life has been filled with good people: with abundant love, with light, and with wholeness. And yet, I know that there is a world of need around me. I do not live in a bubble! I've seen desperate poverty, and the suffering it produces, up close and personal in developing nations. I've helped men and women to the light of Christ out of deep pits of darkness. I've comforted those who are dealing with terrors of sickness, the devastation of family disintegration, and the shame of personal failures and sins of all kinds. But still I find myself, from time to time, 'rediscovering' the need of this world from time to time. Yesterday was one of those days. Christianity Today, (July, 06) contained a report on the world's sex trade industry. The World Cup, the championship soccer event being held in Germany this year, is the site of commercial sex on a grand scale. 40,000 legal prostitutes are doing business at the games. Sex huts, complete with condoms and snacks, are provided around the venue! Talk about 'casual' sex! The article told of the sex slavery that young women from poor nations are drawn into, often unwittingly, by those who profit at high rates. Two-thirds of these women suffer from Post Traumatic Stress at levels like those found in veterans of combat or state sponsored torture. What kind of depravity makes a person destroy another's life for a few bucks? It is not a particular kind of evil that does this. It is just another expression of the ordinary evil that is all around us; the sinfulness that is the natural state of every human- the result of the Fall of Adam.

Believer, God sends you and me into the world to confront evil - be it the sex trade, or the more banal evil of an abusive husband in a family we know, or the economic exploitation of person. He calls on us to stand against systems that facilitate abuse of power, to shine the light on cruelty in whatever form it is found among us, to bring hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and peace to the troubled soul! The question that I find myself asking is "How can I make any difference?" Can I possibly have any effect on the tide of sin that washes over humanity?' In my own strength, with my own resources, the answer is obviously, "no." Even Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, using their $billions in generous and admirable philanthropy, won't stop the flow of suffering. They might save some, but sin and suffering will exist long after Gate's money is exhausted.

So, am I defeatist? Am I suggesting that we sound retreat and run from the battle with sin and Satan? NO! We run to the battle, equipped with God-given weapons that are sufficient to push back evil and the Evil One. God calls on us to go and love; and with the power of love we break the cycle of sin and suffering. Sound silly? Take a look at what Paul writes -

"The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6, The Message)

What we remember is that engaging with evil is costly. When Jesus left the Throne Room to become a Man, it was a costly choice that took Him all the way to the Cross. Love, alone, compelled Him to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Likewise, the fight for right, our commitment to serve the Kingdom of Heaven, will be costly. The Lord urged us to consider that cost before we enter the battle. He calls us to "Shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?" (Luke 9:23-25, NLT)

Remember Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush? The Lord spoke to him and called on him to return to Egypt to deliver the people of Israel from slavery to the Promised Land. His initial response was “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, The Message) It may sound like an excuse, but I believe it reveals the humility of Moses, which his 40 years in the desert tending sheep had produced. The answer from Heaven that came to Moses echoes down to you and me as we, too, are commissioned to lead people out of slavery to the Promise of knowing God. The Lord answered - "I will be with you!"

On our own, with our meager resources, we can do little against evil. With God, we can move mountains.

So, are you ready to sign up for the cause of Christ? See the need. I hope it makes you feel small and inadequate, so much that you will fall to your knees and say, "Who am I, Lord?" And then to rise, empowered by the Spirit, filled with Heaven's boldness, prepared to 'use powerful God-tools to smash warped philosophies!'

Soli Deo Gloria!
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Feeling Inadequate?

Criticism stings! Those who serve publicly come in for a fair share of it. To be sure, there are those who support and affirm, but the voice of the critics always seems louder. Yesterday after a congregant was particularly critical of my leadership, I found a place of prayer and asked God - "Lord, why did you call me? I feel so inadequate for this work!" The thought that I could stand up in front of people week after week and teach them eternal truths awes me! That He has entrusted me with the soul care of His Bride, the church, weighs heavily on me. I know I am not smart enough, 'Christian' enough, or perfect. (Hey, I heard that amen!) I have to consciously remind myself - time and again - that the strength, the wisdom, the gifts belong to my Master and Lord. I serve at His pleasure! And... He has promised that as long as I keep my eyes on Him, He will equip me to serve skillfully and well.

Do you feel incapable of serving God, of doing effective ministry? Do your short-comings, sins, and failures taunt you from the wings of the stage of your mind whispering to you - "there's no way you're going to pull this off successfully?"

I know those voices, too. They are partially demonic in origin and partially rooted in our own fears. Ever person who responds obediently and purposefully to do God's will - be they a preacher or a plumber- will feel some level of fear. IF they do not, they are not walking in faith. Paul, himself, knew this sense of inadequacy. Of the calling to represent the Kingdom of God, he asks, "Who is equal to such a task?" and a little further on the text, "It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5, NLT) The taunters lie, if only because they ignore the one thing that is the key to doing spiritual work effectively -- it isn't our own strength, cleverness, or skills that ultimately provide success.

The Bible says, "For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Corinthians 1:5-7, NIV) Yes, we must recognize that the 'you' that is the subject of this verse is a collective describing the Church. But, you and I am 'in the Church' and we can claim the promise of His enabling spiritual gifts personally! Do you?

When I am on the edge of being overwhelmed by my fears and my sense of inadequacy, there is but one thing that quiets my mind... knowing that "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6, NLT) Go back and read that again.

What strengths did God see in us that caused Him to choose us? Nothing!
But He called us, at His own initiative, because of His grace. Then He promised, "I will enrich you in every way!" Claim His strength.

Here's a Word to take with you today...

God "chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”(1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)
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Constantly Abiding

There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it can not take away;
Tho' the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I've a peace that has come there to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely,
Whispers, O, so kind:
"I will never leave Thee," Jesus is mine.

This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
While here on His footstool I roam;
But He's coming to take me some glorious day,
Over there to my heavenly home!

© Public Domain / CCLI License No. 810055

Running in circles?

Americans sometimes say, "I'm running around like a chicken with his head cut off!" The idiom comes from reality. In the farmyard when Farmer Jim chops the head off of a rooster in preparation for dinner, that bird will sometimes run around and flop before finally expiring. Gruesome, isn't it? But true! With so much to do and so little time in which to do it all, we may feel that we are running in circles. In those days, it is important to remember the word - "Choice!"

In the July 3, 2006 issue of U.S.News, the editors focus on taking a break in the Summer. Seems that we Americans are addicted to our work, driven rather than purposeful. A third of us (me, included!) don't take our full vacation time. Even when we do 'take off,' our wired world makes it possible for us to take the job with us via cell phones and laptop computers. Ellen Ostrow believes that many of us are unwilling to take a break because it will "challenge your grandiose notion that you are completely dispensable." Author Carl Honore observes that even when we take breaks many of us 'don't get the full pleasure because we don't take time between activities to decompress, to reflect, and to enjoy what we do." We think that vacation includes the whole city, 30 museums, and 30 monuments in 5 days! What ever happened to a week in a chair in the backyard with a couple of novels to browse between naps?

An old Christian phrase I've heard so many times is - "I want to burn out for God!" I wonder about that idea. Is that really a good goal? Did Jesus 'burn out' as He ran from appointment to appointment, pushing people to higher levels of performance, over 'take out' lunches? He was moved as He saw a world filled with people who were 'harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.' He encouraged His disciples to “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. (Mark 6:31-33, The Message)

There are high output times in life, weeks when deadlines converge and unplanned emergencies arise. In the crunch times we must respond with everything we have, with our full energies, and focused efforts. But, we cannot sustain that pace of life indefinitely without terrible consequences- emotionally, physically, and spiritually! The stories of people who burnt out, slid into depression, and then destroyed their lives with dumb choices are all around us. The truth is that God designed us for work and rest. In the Creation He made the pattern - 6 days to work, 1 to rest! In the Law of Moses, He set times for rest and renewal, regular festivals and Holy Days that broke up the work and gave His people time to refocus on Him.

Perhaps you are thinking, "I'd like to live more purposefully, but my life drives me!" I, too, know how difficult it can be to escape the demands of life. Mine is a 'people' calling. I cannot turn off the 'machine' of people's needs at 5 PM. I cannot ignore the calls for prayer, for counsel, that come my way at all hours of the day and sometimes, the night. But, I can choose to lean on the Lord and to share the load of ministry where it is appropriate to do so. I can, and do, practice the disciplines of prayer and meditation that create spaces of renewal in the middle of busy weeks. I prioritize worship, both private and with the church gathered, because I know that without worship, I will lose my focus on Him and start to 'run around like a chicken with his cut off!'

If you have not yet scheduled some vacation (from a Latin root word meaning - to empty!) - do it today. Get out the calendar, consult with those with whom you work, and put some time aside to take a break. Take care not to over-schedule the break! Too many of will let our addiction to stimulation think that we have to be going somewhere, doing something, in order to be having fun. Think again.

Here's a word to ponder today. What is Jesus saying to you?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-31, The Message)

Giving is an act of worship

Yesterday I received an appeal letter from a Christian organization that our church supports. Attached to that letter was a list of donors, with their contributions listed in order from most to least. What do you think I did? Probably, I did what most people would do. I looked for the church's name on the list. I wanted to see where we were on the list! The focus of our donation was no longer the work of Jesus Christ. Instead, I was concerned about the opinion of others. Had we given enough that no one would think poorly of us? How did we compare with others? Then it became perfectly clear what was going on. I quickly put the list down and asked God for forgiveness!

The appeal to human pride, both negatively with shame and positively with recognition, can be a powerful tool in the hands of those who raise funds for charitable work. However, such tactics are wrong because they completely miss the point of true giving which is as an act of worship, as a decision that flows from devotion and love. Jesus wisely taught us, "When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." (Matthew 6:2-4, NLT)

Jesus knew our human nature, marred by depravity, would, if given the chance, twist giving into a means of gratifying our ego needs. He knew even use our 'gifts to God' to manipulate others into empowering us to fulfill our own agenda. He also knew that the moment our gifts became public we would concerned about appearances. We would no longer be guided by His will in our expressions of worship in giving. Instead, we would be concerned about giving enough to maintain our dignity! No wonder His disciples were so amazed by His observation about the two penny donation of a poverty stricken widow. They were accustomed to the 'normal' ways of giving, where the rich made large contributions and everyone oohed and ahhed about the $million they gave to the temple fund when it was announced from the pulpit. Jesus put a whole new perspective on giving when He said of that widow's tiny offering - “I assure you this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:3-4, NLT)

Giving is a privilege, an act of worship, and a spiritual discipline. The Bible teaches us to tithe, which the Old Testament explains is 10% of our increase. We don't give our tithe because God needs it. After all, He owns the world. In the poetic words of the Psalm we are told that He 'owns the cattle on a thousand hills!' We don't tithe as a form of taxation, because we are not really giving to human organizations, though they may be the means of getting God's work done. And we don't tithe to get praise for ourselves. We give of our time and our resources because it honors the God we profess to love. In our tithing, we tell Him, in a very tangible way, "Lord, you are first priority, my love, my life." When our giving has this focus, we give generously and sacrificially and we feel joy in our gift. We aren't looking around wondering who's noticed, or how we compare on a list. We are looking UP and receiving His loving acceptance. The amount of our offering is unimportant to God, for He sees whether our gift comes from the heart and whether it is, in fact, proportional to the store of goods with which we are blessed.

Believer, I hope that you do give to your church, to charitable organizations, and to those in need. Giving, especially that which is done intentionally, regularly, and sacrificially, breaks the grip of greed from you. The person who gives worshipfully trains his eyes to look away from himself. Are you a giver? Meditate on this word from the Word today. May the Spirit inspire you to greater giving of yourself, not for earthly honors, but for the love of God!

"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.” For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you."
(2 Corinthians 9:6-10, NLT)

Amply supplied!

Yesterday, the lunch that was served to me by our local diner (Ah, you gotta love those NJ diners) was good, but it was too much! After the soup, salad, and warm soft dinner roll, I was already full and my main meal was not even served yet. I ate the main course and then, there was dessert. Yes, that's all in the price of the meal. Patting my stomach I concluded that the large slice of cake needed to be boxed and taken home. My eyes said, 'eat it all!' But my better sense said, "Jerry, if you do, you'll regret it." American consumers demand these large meal portions because they perceive it as a 'value' issue, 'getting their money's worth.' So, even though it is more food than we need, or that most of us can even consume in one meal, the restaurants must serve in this way to keep us coming back.

It's hard to know what is 'enough' isn't it? How much food should we eat? How much money do we really need? How big does our house need to be? If we consume too much food from our abundant supply, we grow fat. If we spend too much money, we go broke. 'More is good' and 'bigger is better' are concepts woven into our American lifestyle, but are they really true? The Bible calls us to 'contentment.' Paul instructs us that "godliness with contentment is great gain." In The Message we read: "A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough." (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

When God birthed the nation of Israel, calling them out of Egypt and leading them to the Promised Land, along the way He was their complete resource. When they had a need, they asked. For their daily food He gave them "manna" - which was literally bread from His hand. Every morning He provided and they found white flakes on the ground, which they prepared as their food. The name, "manna" meant 'what is it?' They were told only to gather what they needed, not more. But were those people content? No! Some wanted MORE. The Bible says - “Do not keep any of it overnight.” But, of course, some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. And Moses was very angry with them. The people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need." (Exodus 16:19-21, NLT) Later on in the story of Exodus, they grumbled that manna was boring, that they wanted more and different food. "... the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt, and the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!”" (Numbers 11:4-6, NLT) It was never enough!

Believer, He has promised to meet all of our needs and even to satisfy our desires if we are walking with Him and those desires come from a heart that is full of the Spirit. What we really need is a to have our 'want-er' made holy! Instead of constantly telling ourselves, "I need that; I want this." - we learn to say, "Yes, Lord, I joyfully receive what You've provided."

Friend, have you found the joy of contentment?
Are you willing to let God satisfy your desires, to accept what He provides each day as 'enough?'
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"At the moment I have all I need—more than I need!
I am generously supplied ....
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now glory be to God our Father forever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:18-20, NLT)