Consequences

I'm currently reading a book titled, Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. It is not a 'Christian' book. The author, Dr. Jared Diamond, does not address spiritual issues as a factor in a civilization's success or failure. None the less, he makes a fascinating case for the power of our choices and the inevitable long term consequences of actions. Writing about his studies of great civilizations such as the Maya in Central America, he shows how certain faulty assumptions about weather and/or abuses of the environment eventually brought about unintended consequences and the eventual collapse of these societies. Often the process of collapse spanned several generations and could have been reversed if the society has been willing to make radical changes in their way of life. However, because of the time between cause and consequence, the need to change was either missed or ignored until things were too desperate to bring about a stop in the rapid slide to oblivion!

Do you know that there are spiritual laws, principles that govern outcomes we experience in life? The principle of 'sowing and reaping' is one of those that we can count on. The Word teaches us saying, "Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8, The Message)

The 'judgment of God' is a recurrent theme of the Scripture. Indeed, it is the focus of the End Time doctrines of the Scripture which assures us that all people, of every age, will be summoned to stand before the Great Judge to give an account for the way they used the opportunities of life. My observation, however, is that judgment does not have to wait for eternity. It often happens right here, right now. Judgment does not always require a direct act of Divine intervention! We are 'judged' in that we receive the consequence of our choices in much the same way as we benefit or suffer in the physical world because of Newtonian laws of physics. Those laws 'judge' me all the time, for example, as I drive my car. When I step on the brakes, I am assured, because of those laws, that my car will decelerate and stop; a very good thing. I am also assured that if I exceed safe driving speeds on a curvy road, my tires will lose their traction and my car will end up in the woods. Judgment will have occurred! In a similar way, God's principles 'judge' us everyday. If we are loving, we will find love. If we are selfish, we will find loneliness. If we live only for today, we will not have rich resources for tomorrow.

One way to illustrate God's law of sowing and reaping is in marriage. A couple of weeks ago, Bev and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary. Our marriage is a treasure to both of us, providing us with a safe place in life, with a depth of security and a wealth of love, that has no equal. We did not come to these benefits simply by accident. We are quite intentional in guarding our relationship, exclusively loving each other, offering support to one another, giving up self concern to serve each other, and keeping our vows. As a result, we enjoy a harvest of intimacy, trust, and security that we could not have even imagined 20 years ago. (Yes, I also recognize the amazing grace of God and His rich blessings. I do not write the previous paragraph from any sense of pride, but with deep, humble gratitude to Him!) There were choices to be made along the way. As we did what was right, sometimes not because we necessarily felt like doing it, but because we believed the wisdom of God about marriage; we sowed the seed that is producing an abundant harvest.

A caution is in order. Be careful that you do not look at others and conclude - "They are suffering because they sinned!" Jesus forbade that kind of action from us. "Judge not," He said, "lest you be judged!" You and I do not have enough information about the choices of others to sit in God's seat. And, on this side of eternity, we cannot always discern the 'cause and effect' because we do not grasp the purposes and plans of God which are sometimes hidden from us. Even in our own lives we must not be overly congratulatory or condemning for there are many factors outside of ourselves that influence the outcomes we experience. But, do not ignore the principle - "God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)

Are you building a rich life, walking in God's way, accepting His wisdom, day by day?
Or are you headed for collapse, living a fool's dream that says, "I can do what I please without suffering the consequences."?

Be wise. Submit to God. Learn His ways, and live in His blessings.
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Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield;
Be Thou still my strength and shield.

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
Williams, William / Fosdick, Harry E. / Hughes, John / William, Peter
© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055

More than words

A sign outside of a church proclaimed: Tithe if you love Jesus. Anyone can honk! Yes, it's a preacher's idea of a joke. There is a lot of sentimental religiosity out there, people who get misty-eyed during prayer time on Sunday morning, who live like the Devil on Monday morning. And that just should not be the case. The Scripture reminds us- "God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life." (1 Corinthians 4:20, The Message) When we choose to identify ourselves with Christ, claiming to be His followers, we are obligated to live in a way that is distinctly different from those who are not Believers. I think most Christians 'get it' intellectually, but many fail to put it into practice. The question is, why?


Some are waiting for a magical moment of transformation to happen. They have confused the fairy tales of their childhood with the reality of the Christian life and believe that somewhere there is an experience to be found that will erase all evidence of the sinful human nature, take away every impulse to selfishness, and leave them blissfully above the seductions of temptation. So, they go right on living a dual life - talking like a Christian, living like the Devil. The Word tells us to "work out your salvation." An alternate reading says, "...you must be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." (Philippians 2:12, NLT)


Others are simply abusing the grace of God. They know they ought to live differently, but they think that God winks at their behavior. "Jesus loves me and He's forgiven all my sins, so what's the big deal?" The big deal is that sin exacts a price from us. The principle of sowing and reaping is not set aside just because a person believes in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Yes, God's grace is wide and deep! But, if we sin with our eyes wide open, that sin will produce a terrible harvest down the road. For example, the Believing parent who lives an inconsistent Christian life should not be surprised if his son ditches church and the things of God in his early teens, after all, he may well reason, "if it doesn't 'work' for Dad, why waste time going to church?" To those who think that God's grace gives them liberty to go on living sinfully, the Word says, "Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2, NLT) Farther along in that passage, we read, "That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don’t give it the time of day." (Romans 6:12, The Message)


Some are just too casual about their faith life, too in love with the ways of the world. Keith Green sang lyrics that say in part, "the world is sleeping in the dark, that the church can't fight, 'cause it's asleep in the light!" Truth is, many Believers are just giving their best energies to the wrong things, deceived about what is really important - yes, asleep in the light. They live two lives, not so much intentionally, but out of immaturity and/or ignorance.


We need to commit ourselves to change, making the choices that lead us to holy lives. This is the will of God for every Believer. Even as I write those words, I am concerned that there will be some who misunderstand them and move into a rigid, rule-based, ugly perversion of Christianity! Those who think, even for a moment, that they can perfect themselves, that they can earn God's favor by adopting an ascetic lifestyle in pursuit of holiness - slide quickly into a Pharisaical religion that Jesus described as having a beauty like a "whitewashed tomb that is full of dead men's bones!" Can you say, U G L Y? True holiness is not a thin veneer of goodness glued over our lust, greed, and selfishness. Holiness is heart deep, resulting from pursuing God with our whole heart. Yes, there are choices to be made that open our lives to the work of the Spirit.


Regular times in personal and corporate worship, giving sacrificially, using our spiritual gifts in service, tithing (had to include that one!), prayer and meditation, confession, Scripture intake - and such things - create channels into our lives through which the Spirit of God flows, bringing real and lasting transformation from sinner to saint. It's a process that never stops until the moment we make the transition from life to Glory.


Get serious about being a great Christian, for the glory of God. If you're just dabbling in the faith, or if you have made peace with habits and sins that diminish the beauty of holiness in you, today is the day to get down to business with God. Tell Him you want to make His goodness known to the world, that you want to shine His Light for all to see.


Here's a word from the Word for your meditation today.
"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, NIV)
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Here's an old clip of the late Keith Green singing, "Asleep in the Light." I am not sure of the year, but for some of us, it's a trip back to our formative years in the faith.Watch and be blessed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHamV1pfMJU

Always the right thing to do

Watching the President's State of the Union address last night, I felt a kind of sadness for the man as he tries to lead our nation against the current of public opinion, in the face of stiff opposition. The weight of leadership lays heavily on his shoulders at this time. The Holy Spirit reminded me that regardless of the opinion that you or I have about his policies, as Believers we have a sacred obligation to him as expressed in this word from the Holy Word - "Pray this way for ...all ... who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:2-3, NLT) I wonder what would happen if every praying Believer in this country wrote down the names of a dozen political leaders, from local representatives ranging up to the President; kept that list at hand, and then prayed for each one, specifically, every day?


Criticizing leaders of every kind; political, religious, even bosses at work - is a kind of almost universal past time in our nation. Going beyond what is appropriate expressions of dissent, some use the privilege of free expression to demean those in leadership. We must guard ourselves against this, dear Believer. While God does not require us to slavishly endorse every policy or to exalt those in office as though they are little gods, He does demand that we give them the deference due their office. Paul says, "Be a good citizen... fulfill your obligations, pay your taxes... respect your leaders." (Romans 13, The Message)


I am thankful that we live with a system of government that allows us to select our leaders! Our democratic system keeps those in power accountable and allows the people to replace them when they begin to use their position unwisely or for selfish gain. What seems to be forgotten, by many, is that when we have elected men and women to office, we need to let them lead. Good leaders do not always give the masses what they crave. Those who hold office - from local mayor to President of the nation - need a vision, a broad view of the needs of those they govern, so that they can implement programs and policies that create a just and equitable society for all people - rich and poor, weak and powerful. And for that, dear Believer, we ought to pray. This is always the right thing to do for those who govern.


God has given us a good land, and He has favored us with a place of great privilege in these United States at this time in history. We are not rich and powerful just because we are more clever than other societies. We are a blessed nation, called by the Sovereign God of history to this high place, handed unique and wonderful opportunities for this time. Let us pray that we (the people and her leaders) recognize the obligation that comes with our wealth, our power, and our privileged position. President Bush borrowed the words of Jesus near the close of his speech last night. "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48, NKJV) How right he is!


President Ronald Reagan frequently invoked an image of a shining city on a hill (another Biblical reference, by the way) to describe America. I ask us to consider what kind of light we shed across the world. Do we only spread the light of materialism, sensuality, and self-worship? Or are we spreading the light of freedom, selflessness, and goodness?


Pray for the nation! Pray for those who lead - business leaders, political leaders, church leaders - that they will be given a clear vision, a godly vision, a vision that is not designed to produce more privilege for the powerful, but that gives justice for all. This is always the right thing to do.

__________________________

Father of the nations, God of glory,
we come to You today in the Name of Jesus Christ,
whom we acknowledge as the King of kings,
Lord of Heaven and earth.


We pray for those who lead us.
We ask, Holy Spirit, that you would rest on them,
that Your wisdom and goodness would fill their thoughts.
Replace any selfish ways with selflessness.
Take away egotism and grant to each of them the heart of true servants.


Give them a vision for the nation and the world
that is based on justice, truth - and one that honors You,
both explicitly and implicitly.


Today, we pray specifically for President George Bush,
on whose shoulders rests a heavy burden.
Sustain him. Draw him often to Yourself and
give him a heart of wisdom.

Amen.

Like Top Ten Lists?

Do you read top ten lists? Here's a serious one that I found on a blog by Tony Morgan, a minister and 'strategy consultant.' He writes about growth and about the necessity of change if our desire is to grow in our skills and effectiveness. I've been visiting the change theme often lately. Could be that God is just doing something in me and letting you look over my shoulder while He does, or - could He be sending you a message, too? Each of us is tempted to settle into our rut, to discover a way to live life that fits, and then to stay there. If we make that choice, our effectiveness in every area of our lives will diminish, rapidly, as our skills become irrelevant, and as the world passes us by. Tony suggests a list of indicators that would show us we are stuck, that we are at risk. Are you unwilling to adapt to the demands that exist today? Take a look.

10 Signs You're not Ready for Change

1. You see other organizations as the competition instead of the idea incubators.
2. You're trying to avoid criticism that comes when you fail...and when you succeed.
3. You're afraid of the culture.
4. Your life is fast and cluttered and there's no space to dream.
5. You value getting it right over getting started.
6. You believe conflict is a bad thing.
7. You've stopped asking questions.
8. You think systems and strategy are the enemy of creativity.
9. You're expecting to receive credit for your ideas.
10. You think you've already arrived.

Amen and Ouch! He's made me think, how about you?

"Idea incubators" is a great concept, isn't it? Why are we so reluctant to admit that somebody else has thought of a way to accomplish a task effectively?

And, if someone has found a better way to get the job done, why are we so resistant to letting them teach us what they've found? Could it be just pride? That old sin dresses itself up in all kinds of costumes - doctrinal 'purity', love of 'tradition,' are just a couple I'm familiar with inside of the Church. I want to be a person who knows how to cooperate and collaborate, especially with others who love God, even if their ideas and methods challenge my comfort levels.

That 'cluttered life' is something I know too much about. Yesterday, I sat around all day at home, not by choice or wisdom, but because I was waiting for a UPS shipment for which I had to sign! God is so good at making us take some time to just sit and listen to His voice, isn't He? Create margins in your life, time to recharge mentally and spiritually, to be a listener, instead of a 'do-er.' Remember the Mary and Martha story from Luke 10? Martha was rushing about making dinner for Jesus. Her sister, Mary, was at the feet of the Lord, listening and learning. When Martha finally blew a fuse and asked Jesus to tell her lazy sister to help her get dinner on the table, the Lord's response was surprising, a gentle rebuke to the misplaced values of the hard-working Martha. “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.”" (Luke 10:41-42, CEV) It is hard to accept that the faster we move, the less likely we are to allow change into our lives that will keep us effective.

The price of change is the risk of making mistakes! When we are adapting and trying new methods, new ways, we will get it wrong, from time to time. Despite our best intentions we will confuse inspiration and excitement. But it is a risk worth taking.

Let's grow on in the Kingdom, ready to let God do what He wants to do, first in each of us, and then with each of us. When Isaiah saw how stubbornly sinful his nation had become, how resistant to God's call for repentance and change, he went to the Lord in prayer. And here is what God spoke to Him:

"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home.

I will create rivers for them in the desert! The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and ostriches, too, for giving them water in the wilderness.

Yes, I will make springs in the desert, so that my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

“But, my dear people, you refuse to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me!" (Isaiah 43:19-22, NLT)

I believe those ancient words are written for you and me. God is preparing a people for Himself that will take the unchanging Gospel into a changing world with new tools, new methods, and new means. Will we join Him, or will He find the animals more ready to receive His gifts and thank Him for His provisions than us?

In every place in life we have a choice - innovate or die!
Life is not static, but ever changing.
Don't be afraid. Our eternal God is our anchor. He who is Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today, and forever, leads us into the future, showing us new grace, new ways, new things for each new day. Trust Him.

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Change my heart, O God,

make it ever true,

Change my heart, O God,

may I be like You.

You are the Potter,

I am the clay,

Mold me and make me,

this is what I pray.

Change my heart, O God,

may I be like You.

-- Eddy Espinosa, Vineyard Publishing

Make lemonade from those lemons!

Recently I read a story of a person who suffered terrible loss a quarter century ago in the tragic death of her young husband. There was no denying the awful sorrow, the terrible grief. To me, the greater tragedy was that her life, to this day, is defined by that single loss. She has not found a way to overcome it and make a new life. By contrast, I met another woman recently who was a homemaker and a mother of a 4 year old when her husband left her for his young secretary. His decision rewrote her playbook, presented her with choices she had not even considered. She turned a disappointment into a fresh start, went back to college, earned her degree, started a career, and recently retired after a 20 years of achievement. She told me, "it wasn't the life I planned, but when you're handed lemons, you must make lemonade!" What a great attitude!

Aren't you thankful for a new week, another opportunity to make a difference, a fresh beginning? The people who live the best lives understand and use the life's fresh starts. They refuse to live in regret, will not waste time trying to even the score with those who have hurt them, and know that yesterday's triumphs are old news. They build on the past, but look forward. Perhaps it is a cliché, but it is still a good thought: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"

It is just a fact of life that there are seasons of success and seasons of sorrow, days when we celebrate and days when we mourn - but as long as the sun rises - each day presents us with new opportunities to live out God's purposes. Jeremiah, the prophet of Judah, who lived during some of the darkest days in his nation's history, wrote these wonderful words near the end of his life. "I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:20-23, NIV)

Celebrate that promise!! God's love sustains us, keeps us from being eaten up by the past. We may feel like we are beyond hope, but His love is limitless. We may be starting to believe that we are doomed by our sins, but His faithfulness to His promise of redemption can become the foundation of a new beginning. On this Monday morning, take charge of your thoughts and throw out the self-defeating ones that would make you a captive of yesterday - whether good or bad. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow may never arrive. Discover God's love for this day, His provision for a new beginning for you that exists right here, right now.

Anonymous (he's the wisest person I know) said, "Opportunity knocks only once. Temptation leans on the doorbell!"

Answer the knock, take the opportunity that God gives you today - to forgive, to set a new course, to learn a new skill, to love someone, to let go of yesterday, and to grab onto this day.

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Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Chisholm, Thomas O. / Runyan, William M.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning
New mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me.

Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father,
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars
In their courses above;
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness,
Mercy and love.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence
To cheer and to guide;
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine,
With ten thousand beside!

© 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company

CCLI License No. 810055